Live

There isn’t much going on around here.  I’ve been spending my days going back and fourth to the vet so that they can put eardrops in Gus’s ears.  He has an ear infection and won’t let us come close to them but he will however sit still for the Vet tech.  Hmmmmmmm……

My poor little blog is SO lonely and neglected, I just haven’t felt like sharing but I have been checking in on all of you from time to time.  I’m here and trying to find a way to live like someone left the gate open.

Barbecue Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 tbsp dark amber maple syrup
• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp cider vinegar
• 1 tsp smoked sweet paprika
• 1/2 tsp coarse black pepper (or more to taste)

Directions:
Place a small sauce pot over medium heat and add all the ingredients. Once the mixture starts to steam reduce the heat to medium low and let it cook for 15 to 20 minutes until slightly thickened and flavors are combined.

Bourbon Orange BBQ Sauce

Also add in:

• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 shots of bourbon
• Juice of 1/2 orange

Bacon Egg and Hash Brown Muffins

This recipe is like a country breakfast in a muffin.  You could mix these up the night before and pop in the oven when you wake up for an easy breakfast for company.  These tasty muffins could also be made ahead and individually frozen for a breakfast on the run.  I have plans this year to start packing Hillbilly’s breakfast and lunch for work so that we can save a little money and he said this one is a keeper.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups frozen hash brown potatoes
• 5 eggs
• 5 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
• 1/2 cup diced ham
• 1/4 cup evaporated milk
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp onion powder
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

Put hash browns on a microwave proof covered dish and cook for 2 minutes and then allow to cool.  In a large bowl mix together the bacon, hash browns, milk, eggs, seasonings and  the cheese in a bowl, mix well.   Divide mixture into 9-12 well greased muffin tins.   Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.

Black-eyed Pea Dip

We need some good luck up in here so black-eyed peas are on the menu today along with cabbage for prosperity.  We also had this yummy dip last night while we waited on the New Year.

I took the PW’s recipe and changed it slightly by adding some corn, omitting the hot sauce and using jalapeno juice in it’s place.   Make it today for good luck in 2012.  Happy New Year, y’all!

Ingredients:

• 1  can black-eyed peas
• 1/4 cup onion, chopped fine
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tsp jarred jalapenos, chopped fine
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup corn kernels
• 3 tbsp salsa
• 1 tbsp jalapeno juice
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Drain black-eyed peas and partially mash about half of them.

Add all other ingredients, stirring to combine.

Spread into a 1 1/2 quart baking dish and bake for 20 to 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Serve with tortilla chips!

Pizza Bites Monkey Bread

I made this for the kids on Christmas Eve and they loved it.  The adults liked it too.  It would be great for your New Year’s Eve party. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 stick butter melted 
• pizza dough, enough for 2 pizza crusts  (I used this recipe, it makes the perfect amount)
• 8 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes ( 1/2 inch or slightly bigger)
• 1 small can sliced black olives
• 1 package turkey pepperoni
• marinara sauce, warmed, for dipping

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a small glass dish in the microwave along with the garlic powder.
2. Lightly brush the inside of a bundt pan or tube pan with garlic butter.
3. Make quarter-sized balls of dough and then flatten.  Top with a slice of pepperoni and a cube of mozzarella and a black olive slice.
4. Wrap the dough around the pepperoni and cheese, pinching well to seal.   Lay out on a piece of wax paper making sure that they don’t touch at this point because they will stick together. 
5. After making all the balls,  brush the pizza balls with garlic butter and place into the bundt pan.
6. Cover and let sit for 30 minutes, while preheating the oven to 400.
7. Bake for 35 minutes, until the top is very brown.
8. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes.
9. Turn out onto a platter and serve with warmed marinara sauce for dipping.

Another Great Christmas

We had Christmas day at my house and we took a family photo of Mini Me’s blended family on my front porch with my new lens that Santa brought me.

We had Christmas Eve at Mini Me’s house.  Jude wore his elf jammies. 

Christmas morning with presents from Santa.

Jude all dressed up for Christmas dinner. 

Santa brought Gus a new bed but he still likes to hang out (literally) on the ottoman.

It was a wonderful Christmas full of love and family and I’m feeling especially blessed to have a healthy beautiful family.  They bring me happiness each and every day. 

Baking Day and Other Ramblings

This is Mini Me and her cousin along with Nana’s oldest Granddaughter, Angel.  We made cookies on Monday.  I’m not sure the cookies are edible but the kids had fun making them.  It’s just something we started doing every year when we moved to this house.  It’s really just a way to get everyone together for a girls day.

Granny was able to attend this year because she doesn’t have to work anymore.

Jude decided to hang out on girls day because Pa was at work and they couldn’t go fishing  He doesn’t look too interested in cooking, does he?


Gus wouldn’t stay out of the kitchen.  He was on cleanup detail.

Aubrey aka. Chubs with her cousin.

The Rae Rae contemplating what to decorate next.  She really loves baking, so she says.


Jude decided to go with the neon green icing for his cookie.  First Born was here but she wouldn’t let me take her picture.  Something about no makeup…

Isn’t he a cutie?  My little man.

Cousins, Aubrey and Jude.  They will be the best of buddies some day.
It’s been a strange Holiday season for us.  My dad passed away last week and there were many things to handle so Christmas was put on the back burner for a week.  At this point I feel like I’m just going through the motions.  I’ll be doing some cooking today in preparations for Christmas Eve and Day.  The Elvis Christmas CD will be playing in the background.  Hillbilly is headed out to do his annual last minute shopping.  I hope he survives it.  I’ve told him to limit the coffee intake and leave the gun at home.  It’s going to be crazy out there.
My wish to all of you is that you have a Texas sized Christmas!  Merry Christmas, Y’all!!!