Baking

Christmas and baking go hand in hand. It seems like they've been together since the beginning! For hundreds of years, breads and cakes, cookies and pies have graced dining room tables whenever Jesus' birth is celebrated.

Long ago, Christmas Eve was a day of fasting. As a way of preparing themselves for Christmas, people didn't eat anything the entire day, so they were extremely hungry when they woke up on Christmas Day. For breakfast, porridge-a hot, thick, bland cereal-was served.

As time went on, creative wives and mothers began adding dried fruits, spices and honey to the porridge to make it a special Christmas morning treat. With all these extras, the mixture was thick and stiff, so the cooks wrapped it in a cloth and dunked it in a big pot of boiling water.

Voila! Christmas pudding!

Sometime during the sixteenth century, wheat flour replace the porridge. Eggs were added to hold the ingredients together, and the resulting treat became known as boiled plum cake. The English used the word plum to mean any dried fruit, so what we actually have here is the advent of fruitcake. (And I have a feeling there may be a few of the original fruitcakes still kicking around in the back of someones pantry.)

When the terms "bread" and "cake" became interchangeable, they called it fruit bread. At one point, ginger was added in remembrance of the gifts of the Magi. (Does this make fruitcake and gingerbread cousins?)

The word Bethlehem, which is the birthplace of Jesus, literally means "house of bread". In that humble town in Judea, a baby boy was born who would come to be known as the Bread of Life (see John 6:51). He nourishes us with hope and healing, with forgiveness and love. When you're in the home of a family who loves Jesus, you can almost smell it in the air - just as you can smell bread baking in the oven!

So as you're baking pumpkin pie, star-shaped cookies, or banana bread this season - Whatever wonderful smell is coming out of the oven - let it remind you of the Bread of Life who gave "Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for the sweet-smelling aroma" (Ephesians 5:2, NKJV).

~Here is one of the Springer's most loved Christmas treats that we enjoy every year. Happy Baking

MAGIC COOKIE BARS

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 (14 ounce) can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)

1 (12 ounce) package milk chocolate chips

1 1/3 cups flaked coconut

1 cup chopped pecans

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (325 for glass dish). In a 13x9 inch baking pan, melt butter in oven. Sprinkle crumbs over butter, pour condensed milk evenly over crumbs. Layer with remaining ingredients; press down firmly.

2. Bake 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Cut into bars. Store loosely covered.

ENJOY!

Why Jesus is Better Than Santa Claus!

Santa lives at the North Pole...
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year...
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies...
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?"...
JESUS knew our name before we were born. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly...
JESUS has a heart full of love

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO...
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry"...
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but...
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree...
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree...the cross.

We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas, Jesus is still the reason for the season.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

Cold Winter Nights and Let-It-Snow Cocoa!!!

Well, I hate to admit it.......but the Weatherman (AKA my husband) says that we are about to be hit with the white stuff!!!!  Now, being from the south, I'm NOT a big fan of it at all.  In fact, I like to say that I'm allergic to snow.  I like how pretty it is before all the kids walk through it and all the cars make it that ugly shade of grey on the side of the road.  ICK!  Plus, being from the south.......I don't like to drive in it at all.  There is a running joke in Georgia that goes a little like this..........At the first sight of a single snow flake, all the grocery stores in the state will run out of milk, bread and toilet paper!  And they aren't kidding :)  Everything shuts down and no one will leave their houses until the white stuff is gone.

With all of that said, it's gonna get really cold.  There is nothing better on a cold winter's night than a nice warm mug of cocoa.  I made our first batch last night.  I don't want to toot my own horn (toot toot!!) but I think that I have the world's best recipe for hot chocolate.  Guaranteed to make your family think that you hung the moon!

I've had a request that I post my recipe online.  Now, I have to say this about my recipe, you can make regular chocolate hot chocolate or vanilla hot chocolate.  I personally like it either way.  Ryan on the other hand says that the regular chocolate hot chocolate rocks.  :)  He's not biased or anything!  So, here ya go.  Here is my recipe for "Let-It-Snow Cocoa".

Let-It-Snow Cocoa

2 c. whipping cream
6 c. milk
1 tsp.  vanilla extract
12-oz. pkg. white chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips (Very important to use Milk Chocolate not Semi-Sweet)

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low setting for 2 to 2-1/2 hours. Stir well to blend before serving. Makes 10 servings.

The Wonder Of Christmas!

This is the wonder of Christmas: that God chose to send our deliverer to earth in the form of a baby. The offspring who would crush the serpent's head, so long ago promised to Eve, is promised again in Isaiah as He who would be the light of the world, but He is given to us as a child! Against all the forces of evil arrayed against Him the Christ arrives among us as a newborn baby, and yet He is a King. He would grow and live His life as we do, with the same cares and concerns but overcoming all trials and defeating all attempts by the prince of darkness to pervert Him, to become our perfect sacrifice and ultimately our King in glory, so that you and I, as we celebrate our own Christmas, may look forward to the promised inheritance that awaits us in glory...all because of the birth of a Child.

~The picture above is of my little Jackson!  He was in awe of our Christmas tree :)  He is 17 months old.

The Legend of The Christmas Tree!

As the story goes, a professor named Martin Luther was walking alone through a forest one December night in the early 1500's. As he made his way home, the stars seemed to twinkle with an unusual brightness against the velvety blackness of the clear night sky. In fact, when he passed under the rustling branches of the evergreens, it seemed to him that miniature stars were dancing in the trees all around him.

It wasn't the sudden gust of cold wind that took the professor's breath away; it was the unexpected wave of worship that caused him to shiver. Luther was overwhelmed by the awesome beauty of God's creation.

The legend goes on to tell how Luther chopped down a small fir tree and set it up in his family's living area. He desperately wanted to somehow capture that moment in the starlit forest. Yet as he attempted to describe the beauty he had seen, words completely failed him.

Suddenly Luther had an idea. He went through his house and gathered up all the burning candles. One by one, he carefully placed them on the branches of the tree, and the little fir in the middle of the Luther home began to dance with twinkling lights. This wise papa's plan had worked! The Luther children's eyes were suddenly opened to the meaning of Psalm 19:1: " The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship."



My Very Own Christmas Tree:

Purchase a small Christmas tree and place it in your child's room. Together string a strand of Christmas lights around the tree. This will not only be her/his special tree but it will also act as a night-light during the holiday season. Morgan has her own Christmas tree. :)

Shiny Tinsel.....AKA.....Your Stainless Steel Sink!

Okie dokie my fellow bloggers!  I'm going to now tell you one of my BIGGEST pet peeves in life......Water Spots on my stainless steel sink.  They drive me crazy!!!!!!  My second pet peeve is a dull yucky looking sink.  Lets face it, those of us that have stainless steel sinks fight both problems on a daily basis.  I struggled for years trying to figure out just how to get my sink looking nice and keeping it that way.  Well, I've found the solution and now I'm gonna pass it along to you.

First, I've got to say this......I drive my husband nuts with my obsessive battle with the inevitable water spotted sink.  When I'm done using the sink, I must admit that I take a clean kitchen towel and dry my sink out.  I know, I know.....it's a sink!  Like I told ya, the spots drive me crazy.  I need help!!!  LOL

Ok, so this is how to get your sink looking it's shiny best and how to keep it that way.

First, you must fill the sink up to the rim with very hot water.  I've even boiled water and added it to the already hot water in the sink.  Just for good measure ;)

Next you will need to add 1 cup of bleach to the water.  Be very careful!  You don't want to get the bleach on your clothes.  I don't think that I could help you with that little mishap :(   Let the bleach water sit in your sink for 1 hour.  After 1 hour, drain the water and rinse out your sink well with running water.

Next you'll want to use a little cleanser.  I use baking soda, but you can use Comet, Ajax or Soft Scrub.  Whatever you have on hand.  Don't forget to clean off your faucet as well!

The last step is to spray a little glass cleaner on your sink.  Wipe it out!  Your sink should shine like silver tinsel :)

Now, I maintain my shine at least twice a week.  After doing the dishes I will scrub the sink out with a little regular dish soap and rinse it well.  Then I will sprinkle about 1/2 a tbsp. of baking soda in the sink and scrub.  Rinse well and dry the sink out with a clean, dry kitchen towel.  Your sink will SHINE SHINE SHINE!!!!! 

I hope that is helpful all of you out there that obsess over your kitchen sinks as much as I do :)

Happy Scrubbing!

P.S.  See, I told ya that bought some of that good smelling Williams Sonoma cleaning products!!!  You can see them in the picture above.  My most favorite product so far is the countertop spray.  I LOVE IT!!!!  Smells sooooooooo good!  You gotta get ya some :)

And The Stockings Were Hung.....

"The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,  In hopes that Saint Nicholas soon would be there"

There was a kindly nobleman whose wife had died of an illness leaving the nobleman and his three daughters in despair. After losing all his money in useless and bad inventions the family had to move into a peasant's cottage, where the daughters did their own cooking, sewing and cleaning.

When it came time for the daughters to marry, the father became even more depressed as his daughters could not marry without dowries, money and property given to the new husband's family.

One night after the daughters had washed out their clothing they hung their stockings over the fireplace to dry. That night Saint Nicholas, knowing the despair of the father, stopped by the nobleman's house. Looking in the window Saint Nicholas saw that the family had gone to bed. He also noticed the daughters stockings. Inspiration struck Saint Nicholas and he took three small bags of gold from his pouch and threw them one by one down the chimney and they landed in the stockings.

The next morning when the daughters awoke they found their stockings contained enough gold for them to get married. The nobleman was able to see his three daughters marry and he lived a long and happy life.

Children all over the world continue the tradition of hanging Christmas stockings.

 In some countries children have similar customs, in France the children place their shoes by the fireplace, a tradition dating back to when children wore wooden peasant shoes.

In Holland the children fill their shoes with hay and a carrot for the horse of Sintirklass. In Hungary children shine their shoes before putting them near the door or a window sill.

Italian children leave their shoes out the night before Epiphany, January 5, for La Befana the good witch. And in Puerto Rico children put greens and flowers in small boxes and place them under their beds for the camels of the Three Kings.

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.................

Got Music?

       

So, most of you know that my husband is the program director at WBGL.  If you didn't know that.......well, my husband is the program director for WBGL.  It is a wonderful Contemporary Christian Music station that is serving central Illinois.  They broadcast into the Chicagoland area and down the Effingham area to the south.  Also from Springfield in the west over to Terre Haute, IN. to the east.  That my friends is a very vast area. 

The past few months have been exciting for WBGL simply because they are about to buy their very own building to call home.  For well over 20 plus years they have been renting a literal hole in the wall.  It is a very small space and let's just say that the staff is very close......simply because they are sitting on top of each other!  So, needless to say, these are very exciting times!!!!

This week is the stations "Vision" fundraiser.  The station is a non-profit, listener supported station.  Any and all money that comes into the station is from the listeners.  Every year we are all amazed at what God does through those who love Him and the station.  Every year the station has a set of goals.....first and foremost is to honor the Lord......second, to meet their monthly operations......and lastly, to collect extra monies for the new station.  The station will be buying this building debt free!!!!  All because of the support of the listeners.  IT'S AMAZING!!!!!

I say all of that to invite you to listen to the station for free online......visit their website at http://www.wbgl.org/

or if you have an iPhone or iTouch you can download the app for free.  Simply go to the  app. store and type in WBGL. 

Now, I know that some of you are going to want to know when my husband Ryan's air shift is .......well, he is on from 3pm CST to 7pm Monday thru Friday.  He always has some interesting little tid bit to talk about.  And I must say that I personally think that he's one of the best Air Personalities/Program Directors out there!  But that's just me......you'll have to tune in and judge for yourself :)

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

P.S.   I almost forgot to tell you that the day after Thanksgiving the station will be playing all Christmas Music 24/7 until December 26th.  So if you love Christmas music as much as we do, you're gonna love listening online or via your iPhone :)

What's For Supper?

I have a brand new recipe to share with y'all!  It's so yummy!  This is what we are having for supper tonight.  I hope you'll try it soon.  If you do.....let me know what ya think :)  Enjoy!

CREAMY CHICKEN & RICE SOUP

*Makes 6 to 8 servings

3 tbsp. butter

1 1/2 c. crinkle cut carrots

1 c. frozen chopped onion (or 1 medium size fresh onion)

1 c. diced celery

3 tbsp. all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. dried tarragon

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1 (32 oz) box low-sodium chicken broth

3 c. heavy whipping cream

3 c. chopped rotisserie chicken (I buy mine at Sam's)

1 (8.8 oz) package whole-grain brown ready rice, cooked according to pkg. directions

1 cup frozen peas, thawed

In a large Dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat.

Add carrots, onion, and celery; cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, or until vegetables are tender.

Add flour, tarragon, salt, and pepper; cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.

Add broth and cream; cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until soup is thickened.

Add chicken, rice, and peas; cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until heated through.

It's that easy!!!!!  I really hope that you'll try it.  I promise you won't regret it :)

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

Tonight's the Night: Extreme Makeover Home Edition

Tonight is the night that the world will meet Nathan and Jenny Montgomery of Philo, IL!  This is an amazing family that unselfishly give of themselves day in and day out for our community here in Champaign County.  Tune in tonight to witness the unveiling of their new home!!!  ABC at 7PM CST.

Meet The Family


Meet Nathan Montgomery who gave up a lucrative engineering career to start a charity that feeds hundreds of hungry families in his community. In just seven days, team leader Ty Pennington, his designers and hundreds of volunteers will rebuild the crumbling home of Nathan, his wife Jenny and their four children – providing them with comfort and security they now cannot afford for themselves.
Nathan was a promising young engineer on his way to a six-figure management position when he first began volunteering to help the needy. Realizing he wanted to pursue charity work full time, Nathan stepped off the fast track to launch Salt and Light, the philanthropic organization he leads as executive director.

Nathan has seen the number of local families in need rise dramatically during the current economic crisis, and Salt and Light now feeds an average of 250 families each week.

Nathan, Jenny and the kids – sons Ashton, 13, and Benjamin, 9, and daughters Addison, 5 and Lillian, 4 – will go on vacation to Walt Disney World while “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” transforms their home. Led by Ty Pennington, the team includes designers Michael Moloney, John Littlefield, Didiayer Snyder, local builder Brady Homes and community volunteers.

Chocolate Raspberry Cookies

Can you believe it!!!!!!! Two posts in less than 24 hours :) I had a few seconds while little Jackson is napping so I thought that I would jump on and say HEY!

I've had a few people asking me if I had some good cookie recipes.....as a matter of fact, I DO :) I had the privilege of making the wedding cake for a sweet friend that I worked with. Along with the cake, I also made a few other things.....including these wonderful cookies. Let me tell ya, they were gone in a matter of minutes! They were a big hit. I also had a friend of mine make them for my baby shower when I was pregnant with little Jackson.

Ok.....so here ya go! You're gonna love these! How can you not love chocolate and raspberry together. They just go together like peanut butter and jelly :)



Chocolate Raspberry Cookies

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup lightly packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup Dutch process cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 (6-ounce) package raspberry creme filled dark chocolate baking pieces (recommended: Hershey's Premier Dark Chocolate Baking Pieces Filled With Raspberry Creme)
Raspberry Icing, recipe follows


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease baking sheets.
With an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars together at medium speed until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla, beating well.

In a small bowl, combine flour, cocoa, and baking powder; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until blended. Stir in baking pieces. Drop cookies by tablespoonfuls onto prepared baking sheets. Bake 12 to 14 minutes.

Remove to wire racks to cool. Once cool, drizzle with Raspberry Icing.



Raspberry Icing:
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon seedless raspberry preserves
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients, stirring until smooth.


~The picture above is the wedding cake that I made for my friend Kim. Just behind the cake you will see the cookies. YUMMO.....I think I'm gonna have to go make a batch right now!!!!

Time Just Has A Way Of Getting Away From Me!!!

Hello fellow bloggers! I feel so bad for not having blogged in awhile. Time just has a way of getting away from me. So this will be my attempt at catching you up on all the things happening at the Springer Zoo.

1. My sweet baby boy Jackson turned 16 months old a few day ago. Seems like just yesterday I was getting my bag packed to take to the hospital. He is just an amazing little wonder. What a blessing that God has given to my husband and me. Sometimes I have to ask what I have done for God to have blessed me with such wonderful children.

2.. My beautiful Morgan is just as smart as ever!!! It really just blows my mind at what an intelligent kid she is. She obviously does not get this from my side of the family. She is now in the 6Th grade and is a middle schooler. Again....how time flies!! We have run into some issue in middle school this year that as parents have taken us by surprise. We live in a very liberal community and our family is very conservative. So as you can imagine, we feel like ducks out of water. We are seriously considering homeschooling her next year. We thought about pulling her out this year but felt that it would be difficult to do with the school system. It's easier to switch during the summer months. If you homeschool........all advice is welcome!!!!

3. My sweet husband Ryan continues to work as hard as ever. He recently was up for Program Director of the year. He didn't get it but we were happy that the award went to a guy in Augusta, Ga. Me being a Georgia girl myself, was happy to keep the award in the home state! :) I bet Ryan walks away with the award next year!

4. We are gearing up for the holidays!!! I love this time of the year. It's all about family and I LOVE my family more than you possibly can imagine. This year we are doing something a tad different.....We are going to my sister's house in Tulsa for Thanksgiving. This will be the first time in I don't know how long that my mom's side of the family have all been together in one place for Thanksgiving. I can't wait!!!! Of course, we will be making the trip home to Georgia for Christmas. My kids love Christmas at Paw Paw and Charon's house. Santa always knows where to find us :) You do realize that Santa comes in a pick-up truck when delivering his toys in Georgia. At least that is what my kids think. Yep, we are a little redneck!

Well, that's about it for now. It's almost 9 pm and the sandman will be visiting me very soon. I'm so thankful that Jackson is sleeping through the night these days.

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

"Gone" Barack Obama

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LONG Weeks and Santa Fe Soup

Wow! I can't believe that a week has passed since my last blog. This past week has been a long one for me. Ryan left last Wednesday for the Christian Music Broadcasters convention in Orlando. He was there until Sunday. I must take a second to brag on my husband. He was up for the CMB Echo Award for Program Director of the Year. He is truly one of the hard working PD's in Christian radio. He didn't get the award this time but it sounds like he came very close to winning it. The loss was softened a little by knowing that the award went to a PD from Augusta Georgia. Gotta keep it in the home state :)

I'm so glad that Ryan is back home. I'm just not fit to be a single parent. It's hard work!!!!! My hinny was dragging by the time he came home. Not only was I doing my regular everyday things that I do but I was having to do Ryan's share of things around the house as well. I was up at the crack of dawn and in bed (if I was lucky) by midnight. My body just isn't used to that. AT ALL!!!!

On top of all of the madness with Ryan being gone, my daughter started telling me that she just didn't feel right. To make a long story short.....she battled a nasty sinus infection all weekend. She woke up this morning running a low grade fever, so I decided to keep her home from school today. She isn't a very fun kid when she's sick. Life can become unbearable with her when she's not feeling well.

So, with all of the madness going on, I decided yesterday to make a pot of Santa Fe Soup! So easy and so cheap to make. Plus, Morgan said it was just what she needed since she was sick. The good thing is, it makes alot of soup so we are heating it up again tonight for supper :) Yay me!!!! All I had to do was plug in the ol' crock pot and supper is ready! I'll put the recipe at the bottom of today's blog :)

Well, the sick one is calling for me so I must tend to her :) I am hoping to blog more than just once this week. We will just have to see how the week goes I guess!

Until next time!


SANTA FE SOUP
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can dark red kidney beans
1 can corn
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 (28 oz.) can of diced tomatoes
1 packet taco seasoning
1 packet ranch dressing seasoning
1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
1 cup water

Mix all ingredients in a large crock pot. Heat for at least 3 hours on low.

Serve with fritos, sour cream and shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Enjoy! :)