Probably my favorite Holiday food.

I know it's wierd. But, I'm wierd. I make this every year--at least twice--during the Holidays---and I love it. I don't really need a recipe anymore. I mostly just eyeball the ingredients. I recently discovered how wonderful caramel sauce is on top.

Peanut Butter Pie--(Paula Deen's recipe adapted a bit!)

1 three or four ounce package cream cheese
1 cup confectioner's sugar--I always use less
1/2 cup peanut butter--I always use more
1/4 cup evaporated milk--I use 1/8 cup of 2%
large container of cool whip--I use about 3/4 of it
8 inch graham cracker crust

Whip the cream cheese until fluffy, then beat in the sugar and peanut butter. Slowly add the milk, blending well. Fold in the cool whip and spoon this into the graham cracker crust. Freeze 4 hours or overnight. Let pie thaw for 5-10 minutes before serving. Slice and serve with caramel sauce and extra cool whip. This pie keeps really well--just stick it back in the freezer.

(I know I'm awful! I need to just follow the recipe as is! I just can't.)

Mo's 1.

Ok, so his name really isn't Mo. It's just what I like to call him. It is short for Satchmo. Maybe one day, when he's like 4, I'll call him his real name. Any rate, Mo's 1 now. I cannot believe it. He had a great birthday-pretty low key. We've all been puking around here courtesy of the stomach flu. E
P.S. Those fresh baby pictures of Mo--those are just an added bonus for reading this post. Yes, I know I'm crazy. (I just found them). Or maybe I'm just proud to have my computer back! Notice the size of that newborn's feet!

You got a what?

Yeah, that's right. I'm the proud owner of an iphone and I thought you should know.
As far as the cooking goes, try this:

with lots of beans.
Peace out. This soccer coaching is exhausting!

Ode to Mo--He's sick again

Poor Mo. Sick from just about day 1 of life! Meningitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, ear infections. Did I mention the loud screaming from day 1 as well? Ironically his name is Jeffrey Satchel. Do you know the meaning of Jeffrey? Divine peace, a peace from God. HMMMM. . . .

Mo's Favorite Chops

Desired number of pork chops-(I used 1/2 inch, bone in.)
3 parts soy sauce, 2 parts honey, 1 part oil, black pepper as desired.
Mix ingredients well. Marinate chops in mixture overnight. Bring chops to room temp. Grill 5-6 minutes a side on a medium-high heat grill.
So good, so tender.

Weary. . .

Do you ever get that way? If you told me you were, I would tell you to look up (at him).
Hey, somebody forgot to tell me that juggling work, kids, spouse, house, church, life in general was tuff. . . at times.
But then I remember my children are well, my belly is full and my pjs are warm. I think it is called perspective right?

Eye of the Round Roast---by Paula Dean with my tweaks of course

1 eye of round roast(be sure you know exact weight)
1/2 cup red Burgundy wine
1/3 cup soy sauce
fresh cracked pepper.

Make marinade or wine, soy sauce and pepper. I used a large freezer bag. Add meat. Marinate overnight. Next day, place meat in shallow pan with a little of marinade. I foil lined my pan. Preheat oven to 500*. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes per pound of meat. Turn off oven and cover roast with foil. Leave in oven for 40 minutes for medium-rare roast.

This was pretty good. I sliced that medium rare roast up pretty thin and then returned it to the warm au juice which cooked the beef a bit more. We made sandwiches on whole wheat buns with the beef and mozarella cheese/parmesan cheese.
Yummy.

This next recipe was WAY TOO COOL! It is another Paula Dean with a huge variation. Don't knock it before you try it. My kiddos loved them! Lets just say, don't let the baby eat too many!

Green Muffins

1 cup self-rising cornmeal
1/2 cup self-rising flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup-3/4 cup canned turnip greens drained, 1/2 cup juice reserved
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup sour cream

Preheat oven to 350*. Grease a 12 cup muffin tin. Stir together cornmeal and flour in mixing bowl. Add the eggs, greens and juice, oil and sour cream. Don't overmix. Divide the batter among the muffin cups. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

This was WAY too cool. Paula uses home cooked turnip greens in her recipe which I'm sure is delicious as well! She also warms the muffin tins before filling with the batter.

What I liked about the canned turnip greens versus home-cooked was of course the ease, and the kids ate their muffins with butter and honey. If using home-cooked I think the muffin could only be eaten savory. We also sampled the muffins with sour cream.

My favorite pork chops
4-6 pork boneless pork loin chops about 1/2 inch thick
Italian bread crumbs
freshly ground black pepper
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
Italian seasoning
oil for browning

Dredge chops in crumbs. I use a large storage bag for ease. Brown 2 minutes on each side in oil. (You don't need much oil here--only about 1/4-1/3 cup in large nonstick skillet). Place in greased 9x13. Mix can of soup with 1 soup can full of hot water. Add about 2-3 tsp. of Italian seasoning and 1 tsp. pepper to this mixture. Pour gravy over chops. Cover pan with foil and bake at 350* for 1 hour.

Last night was the first night I used water instead of milk in the recipe. Guess what--it worked great, possibly better than milk!

Well, I'm recipeeed out now, so I'm off to pack bags and finish the dishes.

My dream. . .

well, one of them, is to own a small scale catering business. This weekend I sort-a-maybe launched a little. I made birthday cakes(and decorated) for my cousins and a peach/pecan cobbler for a tail-gate party in Fayetteville. Granted it was mostly family at the party but still a possible launch.
Second, tomorrow is a shower at church and I made and decorated the cake (cupcakes). I think they turned out great! I had SO much fun making everything. I have been cooking lots and lots lately. I guess I'm stressed. I cannot wait to share. The list includes the above menitioned and homemade applesauce, no-bake cookies, "green" muffins, peanut butter bread, biscuits, pork chops and gravy, and eye-of-the-round roast.

Soccer mom?

Well, I don't know about that. But, I had to share. I'm coaching Brooks' team and I love it! We have a great time. Kate is my assistant coach. Satch crawls around and eats grass. Last night was our first game. We won! WOOHOO!
Next week I think we will work on spreading the field a little better and not crowding the ball! (The age division is for 4-6yos).
This weekend. . . cakes, cakes and more cakes! Have you ever tried to make bright red buttercream icing?