New Holiday Favorite!!!

Over the Thanksgiving holiday I did some shopping!  SURPRISE....I know :)  While in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, I got to visit the Williams Sonoma store.  This is one of my favorite stores to shop for all things kitchen.  While browsing around I came across these cleaning products.  Oh My Goodness!!!!  They smell soooooo good :)  And the good thing about them is that they are made with all natural products.  I actually bought the Winter Forest set whice includes Hand Soap, Hand Lotion, Dish Soap and a Countertop Spray.  Every thing smells like a Christmas Tree.  I actually love to fill the sink with water and the dish soap just so the my kitchen will smell like a big ol' wonderful fresh cut Christmas tree!

They also sell a set that smells like Peppermint (loved it too....almost bought both!) and another set smells like Chestnuts.  You'll have to check out their website  http://www.williams-sonoma.com/ 

I hope that ya'll had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends that we haven't seen in a very long time.  It was good to get back to Oklahoma......but my allergies were saying ,"Girl, you better get home quick before we kick your butt"!  I forgot how much "junk" is in the air in Oklahoma :(

Well, I'm working on getting the house in order for Christmas.  As soon as the tree is up and all the decorations are in place, I'll take pictures!

Laundry Detergent -#2

Hello!  I hope that this blog finds everyone happy and well on this Thursday afternoon.  It has been really cold and wet here for the past few days.  I'm so ready for some sunshine :) 

Well, I've had several people email me about the kind of container that I use for my laundry detergent.  I figured I would take a picture of it since it's hard sometimes to describe what it looks like.  I bought this glass container at one of the superstores here near my home.  I really liked the idea of a glass container so that I could see when I was getting low and needed a refill. 

I keep my container on top of my washer and I have it sitting on a pretty little doily.  It makes me feel Martha Stewart-esque! LOL  I'm so far from being anything like her.......which sometimes is a "Good Thing"!  I'm so on a roll today :)  Ha Ha!

I've also recieved a few emails asking me if I've ever had bad smells from front loader washer.  I guess I'm a lucky one because I haven't.  However, I'm religiously making sure that my machine is clean because I've heard that front loaders can create smells.  So, I'm going to share with you my little secret to keeping the "Bad" smells away.  I'm sure that those of you who have top loaders can follow this as well.

 On the 1st of every month, I clean my machine using the "Tub Clean" cycle.  I add bleach to the fill line on the bleach resevoir.   Then on the 15th of every month I do the same thing except this time I use distilled white vinegar.  I use vinegar as my fabric softener also, so I know that as I'm washing/rinsing my clothes, my machines is staying clean.  Now, for those of you with top loading machines, you can do the same thing except you don't have the "Tub Clean" cycle.  So you will want to add 1 cup of bleach or Vinegar (depending if it's the 1st or 15th) to a regular wash cycle using the hotest water that you can.  This should keep your machines nice a clean as well.

I've also had a few people asking me if I know how to get dishwasher sparkle.  As a matter of fact, I do!  :)

Once a week I add 1/4 cup of baking soda to the bottom of my dishwasher (I usually do this on Monday) and run a regular cycle without dishes.  Once a month (usually around the 1st) I will add 1 cup of distilled white vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher and run a regular cycle without dishes.  This will keep the inside of your machine super clean and the drains odor free.

Ok, I had better get!  I've got to go start supper for my "Starving" family.  Y'all have a wonderful evening.

Happy Cleaning Y'all!

Recipes, Recipes, Recipes!!!!!

Hello my blogging friends!  Ok, I know that y'all are just dying to know who won the UGA/Auburn game.....(LOL)....UGA did!!!  Woot Woot!  How Bout Them DAWGS!!   Oh, it felt good to get that out of my system.  Now on to other more important things...RECIPES!!!

I promised y'all that I would post a few of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes that are staples on our table every year.  Well, here ya go!  I hope that y'all will enjoy them as much as we have over the years :)

CREAMY POTATO CASSEROLE

2 cups heavy cream
1/2 tsp. dried thyme, crumbled
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
2 lbs. new potatoes, sliced thin
1 cup shredded swiss cheese

~ Preheat ove to 450 degrees. In a heavy, medium saucepan, combine heavy cream, thyme, salt, pepper and garlic over medium heat. Bring to a boil; add the potatoes
~ Reduce heat and simmer over medium-low heat for 8 minutes. Remove from the heat.
~ Spoon potatoes into a shallow ovenproof baking dish; pour the hot cream on top. Spread with a spoon so potatoes are flat and covered with cream mixture. Sprinkle evenly with cheese.
~ Bake potatoes until top is browned and potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. If top starts to brown too much, cover loosely with foil and continue baking.


GREEN BEAN BUNDLES

2 16oz. cans whole green beans
Bacon ( 1/2 slice per bundle)
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
Garlic powder - sprinkle
Salt
Pepper

~ Make bundles of green beans using 10-12 beans to a bundle. Wrap with bacon, seam side down, in baking dish.
~ Melt butter, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt and pepper together. Pour glaze over bundles.
~ Bake at 375 degrees covered for 15 min. Uncover and bake another 15 minutes so the bacon can brown.


BROCCOLI & RICE CASSEROLE

1 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chpped celery
3 tbsp. butter
2 pkgs. chopped broccoli
1 can cream/chicken soup
3 cups. cooked rice
large cheez whiz
1 sm. Pet milk

~ Saute onions and celery in butter until carmelized.
~ Add rest of ingredients and place in casserole dish.
~ Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.


Baked Garlic Cheese Grits

6 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
2 cups regular grits
16 ounces Cheddar, cubed
1/2 cup milk
4 large eggs, beaten
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

~Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 4-quart casserole dish.
~Bring the broth, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to a boil in a 2-quart saucepan. Stir in the grits and whisk until completely combined. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the grits are thick, about 8 to 10 minutes. ~Add the cubed Cheddar and milk and stir. Gradually stir in the eggs and butter, stirring until all are combined.
~ Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with the white Cheddar and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until set.


Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie

1 cup apple butter
1 cup fresh or canned pumpkin
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
3 eggs, slightly beaten
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell

Sweetened whipped cream, for garnish

~Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
~Combine apple butter, pumpkin, sugar, salt and spices in a bowl. Stir in eggs. Gradually add milk and mix well.
~Pour into pie shell.
~Bake for about 40 minutes or until set.


May your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving meal this year!  I'm thankful for all of my blogging friends new and old!

Until next time.........

The South's Oldest Rivalry!!!

Georgia vs Auburn

The South's Oldest Rivalry

When Georgia and Auburn meet on the field, there is normally something BIG at stake.  SEC titles, unbeaten records, or just bragging rights!  It doesn't take much to get your blood pumping  for this one.  This is the "South's Oldest Rivalry" and it has lived up to it's name more often than not!

You could write a book about this great rivalry.  The game, the coaches, the players, and the fans all hold an important part in making this rivalry one of the most talked about in the country.

If you haven't been fortunate to see one of these games, I am truly sorry that you have missed out!

But take a few minutes here today to| get ready for the 113th meeting between these two teams today.  The records don't matter.  The standings mean nothing.

This is Georgia and Auburn!  This is civil war!  Brother vs. Brother, Cousin vs Cousin, Neighbor vs. Neighbor!

This might just get UGLY!!!!

Georgia vs. Auburn  6pm CST  ESPN2    You won't regret watching this game! 

GO DAWGS!  SIC' EM!   HUNKER DOWN HAIRY DAWGS.....BEAT AUBURN!!!!

Clean, Clean, Clean!

Ok, so I promised you that I would share with you some homemade cleaning products.  I just recently started making my own cleaning products for several reasons.  The products that I would buy at the store always seemed to make me sick.  I would clean the house and then within a few hours I would begin to have really bad sinus problems.  I was getting really concerned about why I was so sick all the time.  Then I began to see a pattern of when I was getting sick. It was always right after I would deep clean my house.

The second reason is really simple.  They are more inexpensive than the brands that you buy at the store.  I'm always amazed at how much cleaning supplies cost and for such a small amount.

Lastly, homemade cleaning products are just better for my family all around.  I know what I am using and can actually pronounce the ingredients that are in them.  Yep, it makes me feel smarter and I need all the help I can get!

So here is a list of a few homemade cleaning products that are so simple and easy to make.  HAPPY CLEANING!!!!

ALL PURPOSE CLEANER-
Try water, or a solution of 2 tablespoons mild dishwashing liquid and 2 cups water. Sanitize countertops with white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide; spray the surface with one, then the other, and wipe (keep them in separate, well-marked bottles and do not dilute). For a gentle scrub to use on countertops, sinks, and faucets, make a paste with warm water and baking soda; or boost cleaning power by using dishwashing liquid instead of the water.

FLOOR CLEANER-
Use a damp -- not saturated -- sponge mop to wash with warm water. If your wood floor is really dirty, try a solution of 1/8 cup plant-based liquid soap and 1/8 cup distilled white vinegar to 1 gallon water (some people like to add 10 drops essential oil for fragrance). For ceramic and stone floors, eliminate soap, which leaves a film, and use 1/4 cup vinegar with 1 gallon water.

TOILET BOWL CLEANER-
Add 1/2 cup vinegar to the toilet bowl, let stand a few minutes, brush, and flush. If you have hard water, let the vinegar sit for an hour, and you may have to do some light scrubbing. To remove stains, add 1/2 cup borax to the water, swish it around, and let it soak overnight.

FURNITURE POLISH-
Clean with a barely damp soft rag; polish with olive, almond, or walnut oil. Or experiment with olive oil and white vinegar (or lemon juice) combinations -- more vinegar or lemon juice for cleaning and more oil for polishing.

FABRIC SOFTENER-
Add 1/4 cup to 1 cup white vinegar to the final rinse cycle (never mix vinegar and chlorine bleach). Try 1/4 cup baking soda in the wash cycle to reduce static cling. Removing clothes from the dryer while still slightly damp or line-drying clothes will also reduce static cling.

HOW TO REMOVE SOAP BUILD-UP/SMELLS IN DISHWASHER-
Pour a cup of white distilled vinegar inside the empty machine and running it through a whole cycle. Do monthly.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR MICROWAVE-
Mix 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean.

I hope some of these idea will help you in your cleaning endeavors.  Please, if you have any questions don't hesitate to leave a comment!!!

~For those of you who are WBGL listeners.....Welcome!  I'm sure some of you are interested in my homemade laundry detergent recipe.  You can get to my laundry detergent post by going to the right hand column and looking under Labels.  Look for the "Cleaning" label and that will take you to that post.  Hope you enjoy it!  Again, if you have any questions.....feel free to leave me a comment and I'll get back to ya.

Getting in that Thanksgiving frame of mind

If you are like me, your finding yourself getting geared up for the big Thanksgiving meal.  Every year around this time I  begin looking for new and exciting recipes.  Don't get me wrong.....I love the same traditional things that we make from year to year.  However, I love to add a few new things in there if I can. 

This year we are making our way to Oklahoma City and Tulsa to visit family and friends.  My sister Jennifer just recently moved back to the Tulsa area, so my family will be together at her  new house this year.  We haven't all been together for Thanksgiving in a very long time since we have all been scattered all over the country.  So, to make a long story short, my sister and I are in charge of the meal.  I've come up with a few new recipes that we will be making this year for the big feast. 

SCALLOPED SWEET POTATOES
    
3 tbs. butter
3 lg. onions, thinly sliced
6 lg. sweet potatoes, very thinly sliced (about 14 cups) divided
2 c. shredded Asiago cheese, divided
1 tsp. salt, divided
2 c. heavy whipping cream, divided

In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.  Add onions; cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes, or until onions are very tender.  Uncover, increase heat to medium-high heat, and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, or until onions are caramel colored.  Remove from heat, and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 13x9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Layer potato slices over bottom of baking dish to cover.  Sprinkle evenly with 2 tbsp. cheese, 1/4  tsp. salt, and 2 tbsp. cream.  Repeat layers three times, beginning with potatoes and ending with cream.  Pour remaining 1 1/2 cups cream over the top of layers.  Sprinkle evenly with remaining  1 1/2 cups cheese and top with caramelized onions.  Cover with aluminum foil, and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.  Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.


ASPARAGUS CASSEROLE

1/3 c. butter
3 lbs asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 onion, copped
1 (8 oz) pkg. sliced baby bella mushrooms
1/4 c. all purpose flour
1 1/4 c whole milk
1 c. shredded swiss cheese
1 c. sour cream
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. lemon zest
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
1 (6 oz) can french fried onions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 13x9 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.  Add asparagus, onions, and mushrooms; cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.  Add flour;cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.  Add milk, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring  frequently, until mixture is thickened.  Stir in cheese, sour cream, salt, lemon zest, and pepper.

Spoon mixture into prepared pan, and bake for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.  Top with onions, and bake for 5 minutes longer.


And there you have a few of the new recipes that we will be trying this year for our Thanksgiving dinner.  I'll get a few of our favorite recipes together that we use year after year, and I will post them in my next post. 

I've come down with a nasty cold that my kids so graciously have passed on to me, so I'll do my best to post again fairly quickly.  I promise :)  Also, I've had a few people ask for some more homemade household cleaner recipes.  I'll get to that request also. 

Until next time.................