It's a rainy, dreary Tuesday

So,  let's just say I haven't had the easiest or best last few days,  but I have been doing what I do best..  faking it..  Life is hard,  and sometimes we have to make very difficult decisions..   I just hope that I made the right one..   I hope that I didn't give up to soon..
I know if I put my focus where it should be I will get the answer I need..  I am going to make a few changes in my life..  start reading my Bible more,  praying more and trusting God more..   Relationships are hard and after you have been hurt it makes it harder to open yourself up..  I tried,  but I feel that I failed miserably..   I did everything wrong, backwards,  and every time I say,  I am going to do this one right..  but I don't;  basically I never feel that I am good enough..  so I know that I have more work to do on me..  I know deep down that I am a good person,  that I deserve to be loved and treated with the utmost respect..   but from many many years of hearing degrading things about myself I go back to that place and become that beaten, broken down person again..  all it takes is one negative remark,  one bad name and I am back in that black hole,  suffocating and trying to pull myself out..  It isn't as bad as it used to be,  but it still happens,  and I honestly don't know how to stop it from happening..  from pulling away and pushing away..  but I keep trying,  because that is what we do as humans.. we keep trying,  we don't give up and I will never give up..  This to shall pass and I will be a better person because of it.. doesn't mean I am not hurting right now,  or that I am not sad..   because I am both of those,  and I am fighting picking up my phone and either calling or sending a text.. 
But I digress..
So work has been interesting the past 5 days..  Super busy and crazy..   haven't really had to deal with a lot of crazy people,  but that is ok..  working tomorrow and Thursday night..  then I get a 3 day weekend..  the girls are disappointed,  but we are having a huge visit from some big big whigs and my reputation and a co workers reputation are on the line..  so I go into work tomorrow and pretend to be wonder woman and supergirl wrapped into one and get both my departments whipped into shape and researched and cleaned..  ahhh..  gotta clean off fingernail polish again..  I love people who do that..  not really,  they tick me off..  :)
So after a very long day today I came home and made Baked Potato Soup,  it looks good..  and well,  when you live in a home where no one hardly eats meat,  the bacon goes bad before you realize it..  so I guess when I buy it next I will bake it off and then freeze it or freeze it in smaller portions..  ahhhh..    so for those of you who want it.. here is the recipe for Baked Potato Soup..

Baked Potato Soup

4 to 5 medium baked potatoes, cooked, cooled and cubed
2 Tbsp butter
6 Tbsp olive oil
8 Tbsp flour
8 c milk,  I use skim and vege broth
8 oz cheddar cheese, shredded
salt and pepper to taste
bacon..cooked and chopped..  I never put an amount because it is how much you want..
sour cream
chives

Melt the butter in the olive oil,  then add the flour and whisk to combine, salt and pepper,  about a tsp of each.  let cook for about 2 minutes over medium heat.  don't let it burn..  Then add the milk mixture slowly,  whisking quickly as you go..  when it is mixed well bring it to a soft boil and then add the cheese and potatoes..  taste and add more salt and pepper if needed..  let cook for about 15 to 20 minutes,  then add the bacon..  can use sour cream, chives and extra cheddar cheese as garnish..

I am also making a salad with romaine hearts,  spinach,  honeycrisp apple cubed,  walnuts and dried cranberries..   yummmmmm  I like my salad with poppy seed dressing..  mmmmm

Also when I got home Saundra heated up some Apple Cider,  added a little cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg so I am enjoying that!!!  I love Apple Cider on a cold rainy day!!!

Take care all and have a fabulous rest of your day!!!  Stay warm and dry!!!

Pecan Bars

Pecan Bars

 

2 sticks butter, softenend

1/2 c powdered sugar

2 c all purpose flour

 

Mix together and press into the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan..  use plastic wrap to press it down so the dough doesn't stick to your fingers.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes until light brown. 

 

2 large eggs

1 1/2 c light brown sugar,  packed

1 tbsp dark corn syrup

2 tbsp flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

2 cups chopped pecans

 

Beat the eggs and add the brown sugar and corn syrup.. mix well then add the flour and baking powder.  Mix well,  then add the pecans and pour over the baked crust.  Bake for 20 minutes.   Let cool completely and cut into squares.. 

It's Black Friday!!!

Did you go shopping??  I didn't,  I hate to shop,  unless it is for food..  I love shopping for food..    Though I have enjoyed watching the Target Black Friday commercials,  they crack me up.. 
Did you cook for Thanksgiving or go to a friend or relatives house??  I have been cooking for Thanksgiving by myself for over 20 years..  Doesn't feel that long,  but it has been..  So if you cooked,  what are you going to do with your leftovers??  Do you try to reinvent them,  or do you just let everyone eat them the way they are??  My mom always just left them for us to eat them how they were..  I don't remember ever getting tired of eating them..  I loved Thanksgiving leftovers,  probably because we didn't have much of a variety of foods growing up..  We had beans, potatoes and cornbread..  the type of bean would vary,  the potatoes would be cooked differently a couple nights a week and then on Sunday we would have some type of meat,  roast beef, chicken, fish...   so it wasn't such a big deal like now to reinvent turkey day leftovers..    I myself enjoy them like they are..  love making a turkey sandwich with stuffing and cranberry sauce on it..  
All I know is someone needs to come over and eat these damn pies..   
Speaking of pies,  I just remembered I am supposed to be making pecan bars to take to work tonight..    so off I go,  baking again..  hehe..  will post the recipe in a bit.. 
Everyone have a good morning!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with lots of good food, great company, laughter and making of many wonderful memories with family and friends..  I had a wonderful day today..  Love seeing my sweet granddaughter Samantha Riley.. she is the light of my life..  I took LOTS of pics today of the food and the family.. 

I love making these dinner rolls..  :)

The table full of food

Yummy food

Gravy, Turkey and Stuffing

Green Bean Casserole

Broccoli Rice Casserole

Sweet Potato Casserole

Stuffing

Happy Turkey Day Eve!!!!

Hello everyone..  I hope everyone is well..  I had a fabulous day today,  work was good..  went by pretty fast..  then came home and made 3 pies,  pumpkin, sweet potato and apple..  they are all cooling on the counter and the girls and I are watching Home For The Holidays!!   such a good movie..  I love this movie.. 

Sweet Potato Pie

2 roasted sweet potatos
1/2 c sugar
2 eggs
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1 can evaporated milk
1 unbaked pie crust,  deep dish

Place roasted potatoes in mixing bowl,  mash with a potato masher or in a mixer,  add the sugar and mix well.  Add eggs 1 at a time,  then the vanilla.  Pour the melted butter in slowly and then add the can of evaporated milk.  Mix well and pour into crust.  Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes,  then lower heat to 350 degrees and cook another 30 to 45 minutes,  checking after 30. 

To prevent the crust from shrinking in the oven..  after you roll it out and put it in the pie place,  place the plate in the freezer or refrigerator for 15 minutes or so..  a chilled crust shrinks less than a room temp one.   

Happy Tuesday!!!

Happy Tuesday everyone!!!  I hope you are all well and excited about Thanksgiving..  I made my cranberry sauce last night..  I will post pictures,  and this evening I put the green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole and the broccoli rice casserole together,  they are all in the fridge getting happy..   I made a note of what I used for the Broccoli Rice Casserole,  so you are getting the recipe..

Broccoli Rice Casserole

1c white rice
2c water
2 16 oz pkgs frozen broccoli or 2 fresh heads of broccoli chopped
2 cans broccoli cheese soup
1/2c milk
cracked black pepper

Cook rice according to pkg directions,  while it it cooking,  thaw broccoli in a collander in the sink.  If using fresh, blanch in boiling water for about 2 minutes,  then drain.    Mix the 2 cans of soup in a large bowl with the milk and pepper,  add the broccoli and rice and mix well.  Pour into a greased 9x13 pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes..  can top with shredded cheddar cheese or buttered crackers or both the last 5 minutes of baking.
I hope you enjoy!!!

What's For Dinner Tonight!!!

I noticed how dark it is outside and was thinking it was later than 6:11 pm.. 
So what is for dinner tonight??  Something totally not planned..   but requested from the BekahBoo..  Cajun Chicken, Cornbread Casserole and a Salad with mixed greens, Walnuts, Apples and dried Cranberries..  yummy!!!!

Cajun Chicken

1/4 to 1/2 c. All purpose flour
Poultry Seasoning
Garlic Powder
Paprika
Cayenne Pepper
Cajun Seasoning
Salt and Pepper
3 to 5 boneless, skinless chicken breast
4 Tbsp.  melted butter

Mix flour and seasonings together in a bowl..   coat each breast with mixture and put in a 9x13 baking dish with 2 Tbsp of the melted butter..  pour remaining 2 Tbsp butter over top of chicken and place in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes

Cornbread Casserole

1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can cream style corn
1 pkg corn muffin mix
1 egg
2 Tbsp melted butter
garlic powder
paprika

In a large bowl combine all ingredients.  Pour into a greased baking dish.  Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 30 to 45 minutes until golden brown and cooked through..
I usually double this recipe

Salad

Mixture of salad greens(whatever you like)
2 honeycrisp apples,  diced
1 c. walnuts
1 c dried cranberries
salad dressing of choice.. I used Poppyseed..

I hope everyone who tries these recipes enjoys them.. They are pretty easy..  not very time consuming and convenient for a weeknight..