100 Things About Me

I don't know if I can come up with 100 things, but here goes nothing.....

Oh, I will probably share some very personal, very difficult things, so consider yourself warned. You don't have to like what I say about myself and you certainly don't have to read here.

:) :) :)

1. I am an only child. My parents tried to get pregnant for almost ten years before having me.

2. I am a proud Louisiana native. I moved to Arkansas when I was 18 and while I love it here, there are times when I really miss my home state.

3. By the time I was 19 years old I had buried both my mother and my father.

4. By the time I was 23 years old I had buried my mother, my father, and my husband.

5. The last movie I watched with my mother before she died was Steel Magnolias. Mama died due to complications from diabetes, just like Shelby. I still cry every time I watch it.

6. My daddy is responsible for my love of raw oysters.

7. I once consumed 4 dozen raw oysters, 11 Coronas, 2 BIG margaritas, and a couple Midori Sours at a bar in Ft. Walton Beach. It was a lot of fun during, but afterwards...OH MAN. It was really, really bad.

8. My ex-husband taught me how to make pancakes. His mother taught me how to "properly" fry an egg.

9. I got married for the first time at 16. I was not pregnant.

10. I had my daughter, Holley, at 18. She is named after my mother and father.

11. My father died two months after Holley was born.

12. I will be 34 years old in four days. Holy crap I'm getting old.

13. I love Van Morrison, Ray Charles, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.

14. I also really love Michael Grimm. He's going to be a legend, I can feel it. I am calling it right now.

15. I have vitiligo. This is the same disease that caused Michael Jackson to look like he bleached his skin.

_______________________________________________________________

Edited to add the next few things about me....

16. My favorite color is red.

17. When I was a freshman in high school I stole cigarettes from my Daddy's carton that he kept in his truck. I left an empty space where that pack should have been in hopes that he wouldn't notice. He noticed.

18. That same year a boy that I was in love with died in a car wreck. Both he and the driver were drunk. I was supposed to be in that truck.

19. When I was a little girl I sucked the middle and ring fingers on my left hand.

20. Every year on my Daddy's birthday I have a Crown and Coke. Just one, but for many years after he died it was three or four.

21. I have two cats names Cash and June that I adopted from the animal shelter. They are spoiled rotten.

22. I have a severe addiction to Lindt truffles, the white chocolate ones.

23. I attended five different high schools in two years time, but never graduated. I got my GED in 1996.

24. I played the flute for six years when I was in school. I made first chair at my high school and second chair in state competition.

25. I would love to have another child one day. Part of me wants to plan for it, but I am not sure it's in God's plan for me at this point in my life.

Old Fashioned Pancakes

This recipe is one that I just had to share with you all. It's literally so good that I threw out my Mimi's recipe (the one I have used for years!!!) Shhhh, don't tell anyone. :) These pancakes turn out so fluffy and good, you simply must try them.

1 1/2 cups flour

3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder (yes, you read that right, THREE and ONE HALF TEASPOONS of baking powder!!)

1 teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon white sugar

1 1/4 cup milk (I use a bit more like 1 1/2 cups, but you can adjust this to your liking)

1 egg

3 Tablespoons real butter, melted (this is the most important part, DO NOT USE MARGARINE!! Use only the real stuff, unsalted)

Mix the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Make a well in the middle of dry ingredients with your spoon. Add the milk, egg, and melted butter to the well in the middle. Mix this until well blended. You may use a stand mixer if you double the recipe

Heat a lightly oiled griddle over medium heat. I use a cast iron skillet or griddle for super yummy crispiness on the outside and fluffy in the middle. Besides, cast iron makes everything taste oh so good!! I have a slight addiction to cast iron and have acquired quite a collection over the years. Six skillets, one dutch oven, two cornbread pans, one griddle....this really needs to have it's very own post. :)

Drop by 1/4 cup fulls onto griddle or skillet. Cook until you see air bubbles popping on the top, then flip. Cook until done on the other side. Serve hot with lots of butter, fresh fruit, whipped cream, syrup...or whatever else you may like on yours.

Enjoy!!! :)

What's for dinner??

Sunday Chicken Supper!!! (:

The title says "Sunday", but it needs to read "Anyday". This is the easiest and tastiest way I cook chicken in my crock pot. 15 minute prep, turn it on low, head out the door to work...and 8 hours later dinner is on the table. And, oh it's SO GOOD!!

4 medium carrots, chopped into 2 inch pieces

1 medium onion, cut into 2 inch chunks

5-6 small red potatoes, quartered

1 boiler/fryer chicken, (3-3 and 1/2 pounds) cut up

4-5 bacon strips, cooked crispy and crumbled

1 and 1/2 cups hot water

2 teaspoons chicken bouillon granules

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

pinch of pepper

Layer the first 5 ingredients in the order listed. In a bowl, mix the water, bouillon and spices. Pour over the top of chicken. Do NOT stir.

Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours until veggies are tender and chicken juices run clear. Remove chicken, vegetables and serve with green beans and a salad. You may thicken juices for gravy, if you want.

So YUMMY!!! Be prepared to give out the recipe if you serve this to company.

Enjoy. (: (: (:

Father's Day 2010

I wrote this last year in memory of my Daddy. And, while it brings me to tears every single time I watch it, I really wanted to re-post it this year. I miss my Daddy every day of every year that goes by. This will be my 14th Father's Day without him.

I cherish these pictures with all of my heart, as they are the only ones I have left of him. For those of you that might wonder, that is my beautiful Mama with him in the blog post. In the video, he is shown with his longtime and very dear friend, Pam Austin.

The very last picture on the video is the last one ever taken of Dad. It was taken only ten days before he died.

I believe it captures best what we all loved about Waymon...his smile.


***Read the blog post and then watch the video at the bottom. Be sure to hit pause on my music player so you can hear the music on the video.***


{original post}

This year makes the 13th year I have spent Father's Day without you.

I miss you every single day of every single year that passes by. I never realized how hard it would be without you. I miss you at times when I least expect it. I have very few pictures left of you and not one of you and Holley together. It stinks.

My memories are all I have left when my children ask questions about you. I tell them all the funny, crazy stuff we did together.

I tell Holley about how scared you were to hold her the day after she was born.

She just laughs.

I remember the educational things you taught me over the years.

I remember the silly little things.





Because of you:

I learned to check and change the oil in my car.

I learned how to change a flat tire.

I developed a serious constant craving for Chick-A-Dilly chicken.

Every time I see a jar of Tostitos cheese dip I think of you.



I learned to judge the mechanics that work on my car.

I also learned to never let them take advantage of me.

All during my childhood I was convinced I had been named after a carburetor.

I learned to appreciate a person that can hunt and kill their own food.

I developed a deep love for hunting later, because of you.

I see you when I see blue Dickies coveralls.




Crown Royal tastes the best when I miss you terribly and need a good, stiff drink...Waymon Holley style.

Everywhere I look I see hooded eyes.

I learned that sausage is best smoked on the grill and served with mustard.

I remember sitting with you on the porch at Pam's holding your hand...silently.

I remember going hunting with you and sharing a can of Vienna Sausages. YUK!!

You always bought me an ICEE, every time we went into the Pit Stop.

I think of you every time I think of Pam. Those bonds are unbreakable.

Pennywise the clown still scares the crap out of me.

My college degree? It's for you.

To this day I think of you when I see a Nissan truck.

And a Rottweiler.

And a Cocker Spaniel.

And a Beagle.


Click on my music player to disable the blog music before you play this video. Thx.

Green Enchiladas

Chicken enchiladas made with sour cream, green chilies, and cheese.

Now, what could be better than that? ^_^

Green Enchiladas

1 lb chicken breast, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
8 (8 inch) flour tortillas, softened
1 1/2 cups grated jack or mexican blend cheese, divided
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1 (15 ounce) can chicken broth
1 cup sour cream
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies


*In a large frying pan, cook chicken and onion together in oil until chicken is just done.

*Divide cooked chicken evenly between 8 tortillas; add 1 1/2 tablespoons cheese to each tortilla.

*Roll enchiladas and place seam-side down in 9x13 greased baking dish.

*Melt butter in a medium saucepan; stir in flour to make a roux; stir and cook until bubbly; gradually whisk in chicken broth then bring to boiling, stirring frequently. Do not burn or allow to stick.

*Remove from heat; stir in sour cream and green chilies; pour sauce evenly over enchiladas.

*Top with remaining cheese and bake at 400 degrees until hot and bubbly.

I Love My Family.

We have plans to have Jason's parents over for dinner this weekend and I can't wait!! I haven't seen my niece and nephew in a few weeks and I am missing them terribly! They have a very special place in my heart. I have no brothers or sisters, and while I loved being an only child growing up, now that both my mother and father have passed away I wish I did. Being an only child also means that I have no natural nieces and nephews. My husband has one sister and she has two of the sweetest kids, ever. They currently live with Jason's parents and probably will be for quite a few years, at least until their mom can get back on her feet. But, in the meantime, I see them quite often and I love them as much as I love my own children. They are so much fun to hang out with!!!Oh, and I LOVE my mother and father in law, too....very, very much. My mother-in-law is more than that to me...she is my Mom. :)

On to the fun stuff....

My sweet husband plans to grill burgers Saturday after he gets off from work. We are having my favorite hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, baked beans and all the yummy stuff to go with!! You know, pickles, fresh tomatoes, onions, dip, etc etc. For dessert: Lemonade icebox pie and chocolate cream cheese pie!!! YUM!!!

I thought I would share my recipes with you, so here goes:

Jack Daniel's BBQ Burgers

2 pounds very lean ground beef
salt to taste
pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste
1 Tbsp. minced onion
1/2 cup Jack Daniel's Original No. 7 Recipe barbecue sauce

Mixed all of the above in a large bowl, form patties, and allow to rest for about 20 minutes.
{I leave mine on a cookie sheet covered under loose foil}

Grill until done on charcoal grill. Use flavored wood chips to achieve the very best flavor.
{Jason uses this, it's very cheap and burns long and hot}


My Mama's Baked Beans

2 (15 ounce) cans baked beans with pork

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 onion, chopped

1/2 cup ketchup

1 Tbsp. mustard

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

salt and pepper to taste

2 slices bacon

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

*In a greased 9x9 inch baking dish, combine the pork and beans, brown sugar, onion, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with the bacon slices.

*Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour until sauce is thick and bacon is done.


Lemonade Icebox Pie

1 (6 ounce) can of frozen lemonade, thawed
1 (8 ounce) container of Cool Whip, thawed
1 (14 ounce) can of Eagle Brand, sweetened condensed milk
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crust

*In a large bowl, mix the lemonade and sweetened condensed milk. MIX WELL!!!

*Fold in the Cool Whip.

*Pour into the crust and place in the freezer until set firm. {I leave mine in overnight}

*Allow to thaw about 10-15 minutes before slicing. YUMMY, cool, and refreshing!


Chocolate Cream Cheese Pie

4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp. white sugar
1 Tbsp. milk
1 (8 ounce) container Cool Whip, thawed
2 (3.9 ounce) packages Jello brand chocolate pudding
2 cups milk
1 (9 inch) prepared Oreo cookie crust

*In a large bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar and tablespoon of milk. Beat until smooth and creamy.

*Fold in 1/2 of the Cool Whip. Spread on the bottom of the crust.

* In another large bowl, combine the chocolate pudding with the 2 cups of milk. Beat with a wire whisk until mixed well. (It will be very thick)

*Spread over cream cheese layer.

*Refrigerate until set firm.

*Before serving, top with the remaining Cool Whip.

***Sit down with your kids to lick the spoons and bowls together!!!!*** FUN!


I hope you enjoy these recipes. They are some of my family's favorites for summertime. We are just getting an early start this year!!! (:

The Very Best Pork Chops

I recently made these for my family and it was a huge hit!!! Now, it is a favorite around our house and is definitely my new favorite way to fix pork chops.


The Very Best Pork Chops

3 eggs, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons dried parsley
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
6 boneless pork chops {I use thin, breakfast cut chops, but you can use any cut boneless chop}

* Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

* Beat together the eggs and milk. In a separate bowl, mix the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and parsley.

* Heat the olive oil in a large, oven-proof skillet {I use my big iron skillet} over medium heat. Stir in the garlic, and cook until lightly browned {be careful to not burn!!!}. Remove garlic, reserving for other uses.

* Dip each pork chop into the egg mixture, then into the bread crumb mixture, coating evenly. Place coated pork chops in the skillet, and brown about 5 minutes on each side.

* Place the skillet and pork chops in the preheated oven, and cook 15-25 minutes, or to an internal temperature of 160 degrees. {the amount of cooking time will vary according to how thick your pork chops are}

These are the best pork chops, ever!! And, if you want, these can easily be baked in a large casserole dish at 325 degrees until juices run clear and they have an internal temperature of 160 degrees. They are excellent either way.

Enjoy!!!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This recipe comes from my AllRecipes cookbook. It was a Christmas gift the first year we were married from Jason's cousin, Julie. It has tried and true recipes of all kinds and is a great addition to my already overflowing cookbook rack. Get one for yourself.....I promise you won't regret it!!! I use mine all the time!! (:

Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons chili powder (more or less, depending on your tastes)
1 teaspoon dried oregano, optional
1/2 to 1 tsp. cumin
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed chicken
broth
1 1/4 cups water
1 cup whole corn kernels, cooked
1 cup white hominy
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile
peppers
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and
drained
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 boneless chicken breast halves,cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
crushed tortilla chips (I make my own by baking corn tortillas strips in the oven)
sliced avocado
shredded Monterey Jack cheese
chopped green onions


* In a medium stock pot, heat oil over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic in oil until soft. Stir in chili powder, oregano, cumin, tomatoes, broth, and water. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.

* Stir in corn, hominy, chiles, beans, cilantro, and chicken. Simmer for 10 minutes.

* Ladle soup into individual serving bowls, and top with crushed tortilla chips, avocado slices, cheese, and chopped green onion.

***Variation: You can also use one can of Ro-Tel and one can of diced tomatoes in place of the crushed tomatoes and separate can of green chiles. You can omit the oregano (I don't like it!!!) and add 1/2 to 1 tsp. cumin instead. Tomato paste can be added if you like a heavy tomato-based soup. This is also fantastic served with fresh lime squeezed on top.

Play with the spices/ingredients and see what tastes best to you. This recipe is very versatile and forgiving.

Enjoy!!!!