Texas Caviar

Down here in Texas we always have black eyed peas on New Years Day with a ham, cornbread and cabbage and sometimes fried potatoes or potato salad.  Eating black eyed peas is supposed to bring luck in the New Year.  I cannot confirm or deny this because I have never missed a New Year’s without eating some.  I suggest to be on the safe side that you have a pea or two.  If you are not from the south you probably think that black eyed peas are grown to feed cattle and that is perfectly fine, but If I were you I would go ahead and make some anyway.  If you don't want to cook a pot of peas from scratch try the recipe below, who knows... it might make you feel a little differently about black eyed peas.  Go ahead, eat your peas and have a lucky year!

Texas Caviar Recipe
10 servings
3 (15 ounce) cans black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped red onions
3 tablespoons chopped green bell peppers
3 tablespoons chopped red bell peppers
3 tablespoons chopped yellow bell peppers
1/2 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste
Combine black-eyed peas, onion, peppers, tomatoes, parsley, vinegar, oil and sugar. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Marinate for 12 to 24 hours before serving. Serve with crackers or tortilla chips.

I've Got Nothin

Moma always said if you don't have anything nice to say that you should say nothing at all.  So I will.

Southwest White Chicken Chili

This was posted months ago before anyone was paying attention to my blog.  This is a great recipe to use if you have left over turkey from the holidays.


This recipe is SOOOOO easy and often requested by my family. A very good friend of mine gave me this recipe. I made it last night and the hungry ones gobbled it up. I didn't even get a bowl of it myself. What a bunch of pigs!

Southwest White Chicken Chili
35 min 10 min prep
SERVES 2

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon cilantro leaf
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 (4 1/2 ounce) can chopped green chilies
• 1 (15 ounce) can white kidney beans, (cannelloni) or great northern beans, drain half of liquid
• shredded monterey jack cheese
• sliced green onion (to garnish) (optional)

Combine garlic powder, cumin, oregano, cilantro, and red pepper in a small dish and stir until well blended. Set aside.Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken cubes and stir-fry from 5 to 8 minutes or until lightly browned. Add onions and continue cooking for a few minutes, until onion is translucent. Stir in chicken broth, chilies, and spices. Simmer over low heat 15 minutes.Stir in beans and simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. If soup is too thick, add 1/2 cup to 1 cup chicken broth to desired consistency. Pour into serving bowls and top with cheese and sliced green onions and tortilla chips.

**I usually triple or quadruple this recipe. Sometimes I cook a whole chicken and de-bone. This is also a great crock pot recipe.

First White Christmas in 83 Years

 

We had a White Christmas here in North Texas, the first one in 83 years.  We had blizzard like conditions with blowing snow up to 30 mph and it was amazing.  I have always dreamed of a White Christmas but didn’t realize the consequences it would bring.  You see here in North Texas snow and ice pretty much shuts down everything including roads.  We are not equipped to drive on ice.

I cooked all day Christmas Eve and then none of my family could make it to my house for the party.  Luckily my Mom had came earlier in the day and was able to be with us.  We had a very quiet Christmas Eve but the next day when the roads cleared the rest of the family made it over to the house and we were able to have a brief Christmas party.  Christmas was a bit different this year with a few new faces and a few that couldn’t be here but life is about changes so we we adjust and go on. 

Next year I believe I will think twice before I dream of a White Christmas.

Merry Christmas from the Family

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Merry Christmas Eve Eve to all my Blogland friends.

White Chocolate Cherry Chunkies

These are my favorite cookies and this is my third year to make them.  The Rae Rae and Nana made them together on Sunday afternoon.  She said she was a good "pourer" and was so proud of herself for helping to make cookies.  She sat on a stool in front of the oven and watched them bake through the window.  It was a great afternoon with my Granddaughter.

White Chocolate Cherry Chunkies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup white chocolate chunks
1 cup chopped macadamia nuts
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2   large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup candied cherries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a medium bowl, with electric mixer, cream butter and sugars together until light and fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Set aside.  Sift together flour, soda, and salt.  Add milk then add flour, soda, and salt to butter mixture.  In another bowl, combine nuts, cherries and white chocolate.  Then add to mixture, stirring only to blend.  Drop by heaping tablespoons onto a greased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.  Bake for approximately 11-13 minutes.  Cool on wire rack.
Yield:  4 dozen large cookies
Preparation time:  10 minutes
Cooking time:  11-13 minutes
Ease of preparation:  Easy
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

The Queen has Spoken

Why must my children learn the hard way?  Why can’t they take my advice and do what I say?  The following are in no particular order and are not intended for any one child in particular.
Don’t date the players.  Don’t rent the expensive house, just stay in the apartment for now.  Don’t marry him.  Don’t reproduce (although I’m glad she did).  Don’t take that job in another state.  Don’t go off to college, just go to one here.  Don’t buy the new car, just drive the one you have that is paid for.  Don’t put that in your nose.  Don’t quit the job with insurance for one that pays a little more.  Don’t go live with your dad.  Don’t make that face because it might stick that way.  Don’t get a dog.   Don’t pass up an okay job waiting for a better offer.  Don’t wear tacky undies because you might get in an accident.  Don’t burn bridges.  Don’t trust everyone.  Don’t forget that the dorky guys will make the best husbands.  Don’t air your dirty laundry.  Don’t eat the leftovers in the fridge unless you ask me how old they are.  Don’t live for the moment.  Don’t let that one get away.  Don’t talk to me like that.    Don’t forget about what is important.  Don’t talk to strangers.  Don’t try that. Don’t forget your upbringing.   Don’t make the same mistakes that I made.  Don’t forget that I am here for you. 
Always know that I love you.

Score

This year’s Santa is on the way.  I hope Grilling Santa makes it by Christmas.  Found him on eBay. 

Holiday Cube Decorating Contest

If there were such a thing as a fun week at work, this week would have been it.  Our department had a cube/office decorating contest.  I work in an Ad Agency in Finance and believe me we DO NOT normally have fun.  Let’s just say that we have a very competitive group.  My photo’s don’t show the full realm of the Christmas decorating.  There was stuff hanging from the ceiling and spilling out of all the cubes.  It literally looked like Christmas threw up.  It was the first time all year that I have heard laughter coming from the cubes.  I’m not saying that laughter is not heard within the agency but it usually comes from the offices.  I’m just saying.
First place and winner’s of a day off went to a collaboration by my two employee’s.  Go billing team!!!  Here is the winning design. 

Second place and the winner’s of a half day off went to the A/P girls.  Personally I thought they should have won first place but I was not a judge.  The event was judged by our President.  Impressive, huh?

I am a Manager so I didn’t feel I should win but that I should participate so this is what I did.

Yes, this is the gray cube, my second home.  I have a wall and window and feel fortunate.  It doesn’t take much to please this simple girl.
The judging was followed by a departmental Holiday party, white elephant gift exchange and wrapping party.  Finance and Human Resources adopted a needy family this year so we wrapped all of the gifts together.  I came away with a killer white elephant gift.  Nice, huh?  Especially since I took something pretty cheesy as my gift.

Aren’t these pretty?  I feel like the winner for ending up with these.

Christmas Decorating Humor

Well, there is good news and bad news about my Christmas decorations.
The good news is that I truly outdid myself this year. The bad news is that I had to take them down after only two days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever. Great stories. But two things made me take it down. First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by. Second, a 65 year old lady grabbed the ladder and almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn’t realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). She was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn't  take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard.
I think I made him too real this time . But it was fun while it lasted. ;)

I received this in an email today.  Love it!

Elf Yourself

Santa Baby

 

Santa is what it’s all about at my house.  I have collected Santa ornaments for years.  I have Santa snow skiing, Santa driving a tractor, playing golf, cooking, using the computer, riding a wave runner, carpenter Santa, fireman Santa,  Cowboy Santa, Hawaiian Santa, Indian Santa, surf board Santa, fishing Santa, boating Santa, water skiing Santa, race car Santa, Santa driving a pickup filled with toys.  We have Santa’s made from starfish, shotgun shells, sand dollars, Santa in the shape of icicles, stars, snoopy Santa, Dallas Cowboy fan Santa and the list goes on.

I always buy one new Santa every year.  I’m having a hard time finding one that I like this year.  The search is on…

Christmas Questions

 

(1) What is your favorite Christmas movie?

Miracle on 34th Street and Elf

(2) What is your LEAST favorite Christmas movie?

A Christmas Story.  I own it but I don’t really like it.

(3) What is your favorite Christmas Song?

Blue Christmas, Elvis and  All I want for Christmas is You, Vince Vance and the Valiant's.  It is a tradition at my house to listen to this Elvis album.  Everyone has a copy and it’s not Christmas without it.

(4) What Christmas song(s) drives you crazy?

I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.  This song seriously irritates me.

(5) What is your favorite Christmas drink?

Buttery Nipple Shot

1 part   Butterscotch Schnapps

1 part   Baily’s Irish Cream

Directions:
Pour Butterscotch Schnapps and then slowly add the Irish Cream so that it will float.  Delicious!  I don’t shoot mine, I just sip it.

(6) What is your favorite Christmas memory?

When my Grandmother was still alive she would come to my house on Christmas morning early before everyone else arrived and we would spend our special time together.  I would make cornbread for the dressing and she would always sneak her a piece and have it with milk.  Holiday’s haven’t been the same since she passed.

(7) What is the best toy/gift you've received on Christmas?

Gosh, I’m not really sure.  Maybe the Easy Bake Oven when I was kid.  We don’t do elaborate Christmas gifts in my family.  The best gifts are the thoughtful ones.

(8) What is the worst toy/gift you've received on Christmas?

a cue stick (this was before we had a pool table)

(9) What do you LOVE about the holidays?

Christmas music, Christmas lights, fires burning in the fireplace, the food, family time and days off from work.  What’s not to like???

(10) What annoys you about the holidays?

this year it is work related functions

(11) Do you prefer a star or an angel on top of a Christmas tree? Or something else?

I usually have a big Santa or a bow on top of mine but stars are nice too.

(12) What is your family favorite recipe at Christmas?

On Christmas Eve we always do appetizers/snacky foods instead of a real meal.  I’m not sure which recipe would be the favorite but we love all that fattening junk food.

(13) Are you a Grinch or a Who at Christmastime?

I have always been a Who!

(14) Christmas light displays - Love them or Hate them?

Love them!  Can’t wait to go for a drive to look at them.

(15) Santa’s at the mall - Fun times or Creepy?

Creepy but we continue the tradition with each generation anyway.

(16) Christmas cards - do you send them, yes or no?

Not anymore

(17) What is the best thing about Christmas, in your opinion?

the warm fuzzy feeling it gives me or maybe it’s just the Buttery Nipples

(18) What is the worst thing about Christmas?

post Christmas depression

(19) When do you put the tree up and take it down?

it goes up the day after Thanksgiving and comes down New Year’s day

(20) Out of the 12 days of Christmas, which day and item would you want your true love to give to you?

5 Golden Rings of course.  I’m not sure what I would do with 10 Lords a Leaping but it might be fun to find out

(21) Why do you think that Grandma got run over by a reindeer?

I think she was an old nag so Grandpa hired a hit man.

(22) Who is your favorite reindeer?

Blitzen, I hear he knows how to party.

(23) Do you believe in Santa Claus?

Yes Virginia there really is a Santa!  If you don’t believe he won’t bring you anything.

(24) What is your favorite smell at Christmastime?

the scent of real Christmas tree’s, we can’t have one because Mini Me is allergic

(25) What would make you happy at Christmas this year

 I would like it to be a drama free Christmas.  Too much drama for the Mama is not good.

If you repost these questions, please let me know so I can visit and see your answers.

Snow in Cowtown

It snowed this morning!!!!  Woot!  We usually only get snow about once a year if we’re lucky and it is usually mixed with ice.  Today it was just a light dusting with pretty flakes and all traces were gone by 10:00 am.  It amazes me how a snow fall makes everything feel pristine and clean.  It’s almost like time stands still and the world goes silent when it snows.  It was a beautiful morning until I started my commute.

Cornbread Taco Bake

Cornbread Taco Bake

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 can creamed corn
• 1 T chopped jalapenos
• 1T chili powder
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup green pepper chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped onions 
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce 
• 1  package cornbread mix
• 1 (2 7/8 ounce) can French-fried onions (optional)
• 2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• black olives (optional)

1. In skillet, brown meat with onion and green pepper; drain.
2. Stir in taco seasoning and tomato sauce
3. Mix together cornbread mix, milk, corn, jalapeno, chili powder and add black olives and  half of the french fried onions if desired
4. Pour 1/3 of cornbread in the bottom of pan
5. Add the meat mixture to the pan
6. Sprinkle half of the cheese over the meat
7. Pour additional cornbread on top
8. Bake uncovered at 400°F for 20 minutes.
9. Top with cheese and french fried onions if desired.
10. Bake 2-3 minutes longer.

Serve with pinto beans and a green salad.  Ole’!