WHEEEE!!!!!!!!
Being a wife and a mom to 3 great boys makes for a happy yet hectic life! I love to cook, so watch for recipes. Scroll down for older posts. Hopefully, you will find info valuable to you in some way. Enjoy the pictures of my boy-filled family and cherish your own.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
WHEEE!
WHEEEE!!!!!!!!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
I made The Birmingham News!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
WHITE CHRISTMAS "SOUTHERN STLYE"
Was that a Boll Weavel??
"Mama! I pick-et-ted cot-tin!"
Big Brothers Are the Best
E..aka "Rent-a game"
Goals for the New Year
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Ginger Pecan Crust
Crust
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 cup (40g) chopped crystallized ginger
1/3 cup (54g) pecans
1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold & cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 tbsp cold water
Filling
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or 1/2 tsp ginger and 1/4 tsp cloves)
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 lbs (567g) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tbsp cornstarch
4 large eggs, at room temp.
To make the crust
Position oven rack in the center and preheat oven to 350F. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9x3 inch springform pan. Wrap the outside of the pan with 2-3 layers of aluminum foil.
Place the flour, sugar, salt, ginger, and pecans in the bowl of a food processor. Process until the pecans are finely ground. Add the cold butter cubes and pulse until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Add the cold water slowly until the dough just comes together. Press the dough into the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the crust just starts to brown. Cool crust completely on a wire rack.
To make the filling
Reduce oven temperature to 325F. In a bowl, whisk together pumpkin, heavy cream, vanilla, spices and salt. Set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium-low speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the sugars and beat on low speed until smooth. Mix in the pumpkin mixture, then add the cornstarch and mix until just blended. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and do a final mix by hand to make sure all the ingredients are well incorporated.
Pour the filling in the cooled crust. Set the still wrapped springform pan in a large roasting pan. Carefully pour enough hot water into the large pan to come 1 inch up the sides of the springform pan. Bake for 70 to 80 minutes until the center is set but still a bit wobbly.
Remove cheesecake from water bath to a cooling rack. Carefully remove the foil and run a thin knife tip around the edge of the cake. This will loosen the cake and help prevent the top from cracking. Cool completely at room temperature. Refrigerate the cooled cheesecake for at least 4 hours before serving.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Another thought to ponder.....
"When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we stare so long at the closed door that we don't see the one that has been opened for us." --Helen Keller
Whatcha cookin Good Lookin?
Chicken Meatloaf
1 pound of ground chicken
½ cup carrot chopped in FP
½ cup onion-chopped in FP
2-4 garlic cloves garlic cloves -minced
1 cup marinara sauce
Sea salt
1 T. Worcestershire Sauce
1 T hot sauce ( I like Tabasco or Texas Pete brand)-optional-but really good
Freshly ground black pepper
1 cup of oatmeal
2 eggs
¼ cup Ketchup
Preheat oven to 400 F.
In a large bowl squish together ground chicken through eggs . The best way to do it is just get your hands in there and mix! Keep squishing until the ingredients are completely blended.
Once everything is mixed, press the mixture into a loaf pan that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Add the ketchup to the top and spread out to cover the top.
Use Muffins Tins for faster cook (about 16-18 min. The individual portions also look really cute. Well, as cute as meatloaf can look, I guess . :O)
Bake for 35-45 minutes or until chicken is done through.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Fall Fun
Monday, September 21, 2009
Lazy Day Crock Pot Chicken Chili
1 lb ground chicken
1 small chopped onion
1-2 ribs celery
4 cloves of garlic
1 sm green pepper
1 sm can mild green chiles
1 can white northern beans
1 can corn (optional)
1 jalapeño (seeds and ribs removed)-diced very small
1 can diced tomatoes
1 tea. cumin
1 1/2 tea chili powder
2 tea black or white pepper
a squeeze of lime
1 tea salt
warm pan, add olive oil, brown chicken, add all chopped veggies, cook til almost transparent, add to large crockpot, add tomatoes , add beans and seasonings, cook on low in crockpot for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours...feeds a few hungry people or 5 -6 polite ones.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Apple Turnovers
4-5 cooking apples ( I used a combo of Granny Smith and Golden Delicious)
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar
splash of apple juice
small flour tortillas
2 cups vegetable oil-heated in large frying pan
Cut up apples into bite size pieces and mix in cinnamon, sugar and apple juice. You can add about a tablespoon H2O-if you don't have any juice. Cook over low heat until apples are soft and liquid has thickened. About and hour or so.
Now you are ready to make your turnover. Using a pastry brush-paint around the edge of a tortilla with water. You can also use a spray bottle to spray the edges/ The goal is about an inch or two around the edge being very moist. spoon about 1 1/2 Tablespoon of cooked apples in the middle. Fold over with about an half an inch under-lap. With a fork fold back over the extra little bit and crimp the edge together. This is a little tricky and if a little bit of filling oozes out-don't freak-Just put it back!
Now fry in hot oil ( Med-High)about 3 min a side. Only turn once. Drain on paper towels. While still hot-sprinkle w/ a little sugar or cinnamon sugar. Serve warm plain or w/ vanilla ice cream.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Seagulls
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Southern Savers Link
Friday, August 21, 2009
Logan-16 months old-In November
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Coupons are Cool
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Medbank? Again? Are you for real?
Well-I worked for 2 years at the Lawson Neel Medbank part-time 2002-2004. Then a few years after working in the school system-they wanted me to give being a director a shot. So after a couple years of that-I thought I was finished helping people get their medications. WRONG. Rebecca called and asked, "you want to work a few hours a week, Amy?". No-Not really-but I do love helping people..could use a little extra $$$ w/ the holidays around the corner.....so here I go again. Just on Thursday and Friday mornings. Logan will be a MMO at FBC. It is going to be good-a reason to get up a little early and put on some make-up. A little time helping somebody else who really needs medicine. Know anyone on a long term med without insurance who really can't afford an expensive med? Tell them to contact their doc for a referral or call the LNMB.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Mothering Advice from a Friend
"Savor every moment, embrace their individuality and keep an open mind as they grow and experience life on their own terms! I've learned through them that struggles and independence really do make them stronger and better equipped as men! God has truly blessed me with 3 great sons but with very unique and drastically different personalities. At the core of each boy is a sweet, loving and intelligent soul. I am so thankful for each one." Thanks Dawn-I needed to hear that today.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Quote of the week....
" Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. "
"We must let go of the life we planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us."
Whatcha cookin Good Lookin?
Last night I invented a great new recipe. I decided to build on a box of Red Beans and Rice I had in the pantry. It turned into a Sausage jambalaya that was quite tasty. Along with a Spinach salad-it made a healthy and filling meal for my 4 men and myself. We even had leftovers for my lunch! This is a cheap meal too- costing a little over $1 a serving It really was delicious. My oldest, Zach, said it was better than the jambalaya he had when we were on vacation at Callaway Gardens.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Hummingbird Cake
This is from her book Paula Deen Celebrates! My grandmother made this cake-it is so moist and wonderful. You have to try it.
3 Cups self-rising flour
2 Cups granulated sugar
3/4 Cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 very ripe large bananas – mashed
1 can (8oz) crushed pineapple
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
4 large eggs, beaten
ICING RECIPE
1 pound box confectioners’ sugar
8oz package cream cheese- room temp
6 tbs butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbs milk, more if needed
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 325*
Grease and flour three 8 inch round cake pans. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, oil, 1/2 cup pecans, bananas, pineapple, vanilla, cinnamon and beaten eggs. Stir well until smooth.
Pour batter into the 3 pans and bake for 26-28 min, or until tops spring back. Let cool in pans for 10 min. Then cool on racks completely.
Make the icing by mixing the sugar, cream cheese, butter, vanilla and 1 tbs milk in a large bowl with an electric mixer. Mix until smooth. If needed add more milk, 1 tsp at a time for proper spreading consistency. Ice between each layer and on the top and sides. Sprinkle the top with pecans. Keep refrigerated.
Monday, June 22, 2009
The beach, the boys and the fig bars
We are home from a great trip to Daytona Beach. This was the first time in several years we went away as a family for more than a weekend. Six beautiful, fun days at a ocean front condo. Tony and I laughed at how Eli was bursting with excitement as we drove into Daytona Tuesday. Zach and Logan were all smiles -we all knew this trip was going to be special. We ate out every night, but took advantage of our small kitchen for breakfast and some lunches. Tony bought 2 big boxes of fig newtons along with some other snacks. We laughed about them being old people food. Secretly we all liked them. The condo was basically 2 rooms and worked out great. I don't think I could have endured the one tiny bathroom for more than a month-but for six days it was alright. The resort had a spa and I enjoyed a massage on our second day. Somebody needs to tell that massage chick that she doesn't have to talk the whole time about her issues. Good grief. Another highlight was that the boys went para sailing 1000 feet in the hot humid air. Elia and Zach were simply beaming for the entire rest of the day. Now that Logan is nearly two, he has learned the fun one can have splashing in the kiddie pool. One cute little girl proclaimed to her daddy "this is Logan-he is gonna be my best friend forever". Logan just looked at her like she was nuts.Back and forth we went from the beach to the pool to the room. Logan would cling to Tony or me on the beach-it was a bit overwhelming for the little guy. The pool was more his speed. There were 4 pools and 2 hot tubs. A kiddie area with the fountains and shallow waters suited him just fine. As I watched Zach and Eli play in the waves or slid across the shore on thin boards, I again was reminded how quickly they grow. From the baby pool's shallow cool water to surfing the waves-well, it ain't far my friend. After a Father's Day brunch at Cracker Barrel we came back to real life in Tville. Which, by the way, is pretty good.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Peachy BananaBerry Muffins
Monday, June 8, 2009
Goodbye Old Friend....
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Eli
Goodbyes
What we have once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we deeply love becomes a part of us. ~Helen Keller
Eight summers ago, my wonderful father left this world. Although I can no longer eat a Dove ice cream bar(with almonds) with him, or laugh with him at something funny one of the boys said; he is still a part of my life. I think about him almost daily. then there are some days it just hits me. The "he really isn't gonna come walking in the door,is he" feeling. Today is one of those days. Maybe because I was reminded yesterday how precious life is. How quickly it can be taken away. How we have very little control over the when, the wheres, the hows. Hopefully, when my times comes, I will be surrounded by people I love. My friend Celeste was. She passed away peacefully yesterday with her husband and parents beside her. Celeste was an amazing young woman...today would have been her 40th birthday. I wish we had stayed in touch. From what I have learned from our mutual friend, Laura, she was a wonderful attorney , a loving wife and a great friend to many. She was the kind of person you were lucky to have on your side. Someone who went out of their way to help others. Many will miss her~ she will be a part of us now~and we are better for knowing her.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Zach's Pecan Pie Muffins
I thought I would do something I really like doing - blog hopping. I came upon this recipe at RecipeZaar for pecan pie muffins. The comments were all raving about how they resembled pecan pie and everyone was giving it a 5 star rating. With only a few ingredients I thought I had nothing to lose by giving them a try. I'm telling you - if you have the ingredients in your house - make them now and then get ready to make a second batch. They really do have a pecan pie type of taste to them with a muffin texture. So good. They're minis and pop right out of the mini muffin tins and directly into your mouth. It's funny how that works. I had to throw them in freezer bags immediately otherwise today could easily have been a 3000 calorie day - noooo problem. My oldest son, Zach, said these are his new favorite muffin.
Ingredients:
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
Process:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F
2. Combine everything in a bowl
3. Spray 2 mini muffin tins about 3/4 full
4. Bake 18 minutes for mini muffins/ 22-24 for med size
Could it get any easier
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Amy's Banananana Nut Muffins
1/3 c. milk
1 c. mashed bananas (2 or 3 med. sized)
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 c. flour
1/2 c. sugar
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 c. chopped nuts
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
I have noticed some drug companies charge to do patient assistance program paperwork for clients. As a former director of a non-profit that does this service free of charge, I have a problem with this. People that really need this service can not afford to pay for this service. Nor do they need to!Dear friend, please be careful, some companies charge close to $100 for this service. There are many non-profits who will do this paperwork for free. You can also do them yourself . If you need help, ask a nurse in your doctor's office. A minimal fee of less than $10 per Rx is understandable if you can afford that. Click on the comments for more info from my good friend Suzanne. |
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Bloggin, bloggin, bloggin
Look yourself in the mirror and start finding reasons why you like yourself, and tell yourself out loud those reasons. Daily. Be redundant. It's called positive affirmations. I like myself because I do kind things. I like myself because I saved a bee from Jake today (true). I like myself because I tell my wife I love her every day, and mean it. People like hearing this too it seems.
There's lots more. Here's what doesn't work. Hiding. Problems don't go away. Pretending there's nothing wrong. Same as hiding. If you need help, go get some. Really. But you need to work But it is so worth it. Imagine being happier. Here's what Mel wrote today:
"No matter what results you get, the only real failure is when you stop making the effort.
When you are mistaken, you can learn.
When you are knocked down, you can get back up.
When you find that you've veered off track, you can correct your direction.
When you discover that circumstances have changed, you can make adjustments.
What a shame it would be to stop just one effort short."
Now, I'm not Mel, I'm not going to start wearing heels and pantyhose, and I don't have a British accent, which I am sure are messy character flaws. I'm not a therapist, and I am not much different than the next person. But I laugh a lot. If you are one of my friends who are suffering from a lack of confidence, or know you are awesome at an intellectual level but not an emotional level, or think that you lead a boring life because you're so boring, or you can't be loved because the people who loved you left you; I'm here to say that I love you, and you don't have to change for me, nor lose weight for me, you're perfectly valid for me the way you are. Please validate yourself, because other people are wrong. There's no time like the present to start because life's a banquet and we don't want to starve. Come join me at the banquet table, please."