Happy Anniversary

We started out on Friday, February 14, 1992 with dreams of a little house and a couple of children. Raise a family and grow old together, it was so simple.

Little by little our dreams were realized.

Everything was right until it was taken away by Katrina in 2005. Thirteen years of our life piled up in our front yard. It is amazing how quickly we learned to live with so little. This didn't break us, it made our commitment stronger.

We always knew communication was the key to a successful relationship.

We took a big chance and moved to another state and began re-claiming our ground. Our marriage deepened and our children flourished.

Now seventeen years later there's no one I would rather lose everything with but have everything with but you! Happy Anniversary and Happy Valentine's Day!

P.S. You still have great buns!

All my love,

Life Happens...It's All Good

I received quite a few emails yesterday and today about my absence from blogging.  Ya'll are too much, I love it!  

Well kids, life happens and some things just need to be put on the back burner for a little while.  Sorry to say blogging was it for me.

As most of you know my mother passed away in the beginning of February.  After arriving back home from New Orleans from her funeral, A.J. and I were left with the task to cleaning out her condo plus all the little tasks such as address changes, cancelling utilities, insurance policies, credit cards, etc...  This took up every weekend through the first weekend of April.

We had a difficult time hauling boxes back and forth from her condo to a mini storage we rented and then to our house because A.J.'s truck was rear-ended and knocked into a gully.  He cut his head and hurt his shoulder and is still going through physical therapy.

A couple of days before A.J.'s little fender-bender, my youngest homegirl, Kaitlin, tore her ACL playing soccer and she had surgery during Spring Break.  She's doing great, sassy as ever!  Working hard to get back on that soccer field.  

Our next stop, Senior Prom.  Our eldest homegirl, Lauren, and her boyfriend at World's Fair Park in Knox Vegas...and don't you know it's all about the dress!  A.J. and I and our neighbors, who have two children the same ages as ours, had to go out to dinner that night and celebrate (drink excessively) and cry (drink excessively) because you know what?  These kiddos grew up way too fast.

This past Monday was bittersweet...Lauren went and graduated from high school on us.

Our niece and her husband drove up to share this celebration with us. We had a blast spending time with them this weekend.  It meant so much to all of us for them to be here. 

So what do you think; is Kaitlin happy for her sister or is she making plans to knock down a wall to make her room bigger?

So kiddos whether you make plans or not, life happens, but it's all good!

See you Sunday at the 3rd Annual East Tennessee Blogger Get Together at Larry's.  I'll be the one eating boil crawfish Cher!

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Oatmeal Raisin and Macaroon Cookies PLUS Lagniappe from My Daughter, Lauren

This is my oldest homegirl, Lauren.  She can't stand the term, "homegirl".  It is what it is.  She will be a senior in high school next year.  So, the mommy ride and being in any kind of control is almost over.   Poor Kaitlin...to say I am proud of her is so lame, because I am so much more than proud of her.  What do you say to a child who is worried because her "Trig" grade DROPPED to a 99?  She always does the right thing...she's a better person than I am.  As I type this, tears stream down my face.  If she even read this blog, I would be in so much trouble for typing all of this but what I am about to share with you...well let's just say I would have to sleep with one eye open as long as she has a key to our house.  I found this poem, she wrote for her Honors English III class and sheesh, she amazes me with everything she does.

I Am From

I am from Irish and French descent.

From a city that surely celebrates Lent;

a place where strangers are friends.

I am from the city where the rules are meant to bend.

I am from a tiny house and sharing a room.

From swimming all night and starring at the moon;

from an award winning lawn and garden

from talking back followed by, "I beg your pardon?".

I am from always do your best, nothing half-ass

and groggily waking up for Mass.

From always having a huge Thanksgiving.

I am from two parents who bust their butt to make a living.

I am from living two minutes away from my cousins,

from arguments with my sister by the dozens;

but realizing I love her more than my words describe.

I am from wishing I could once again be five.

I am from homemade food with a kick;

adding a little of that and a little of this.

From dinner is always a family affair

and praying before my meal with people who care.

I am from a town that was turned upside down

knick-knacks and prized possessions were drowned.

From a city where "victim" is an insult

and if you don't make the best of your situation, it's your own fault.

I am from the Big Easy

the city that tugs at my heart,

the city that always has a reason to celebrate.

I am from the best city in the world,

I am from New Orleans.

Wow..thank you for humoring me.

These cookies were the first thing EVER, I ever made, cooked, or baked.  I was maybe around 9?

It's an old recipe from my River Roads book and sometimes, you just have to go back.

Who's with me?

1 cup shortening

1 cup brown sugar (light or dark)

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs, unbeaten

1-2/3 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

2 cups rolled oats (quick cooking oats work just fine)

1/2 cup raisins

Mix thoroughly the shortening, sugars, vanilla and eggs.  Sift together the flour, soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg, and add to mixture.  Fold in rolled oats and raisins.  Drop  by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet (siplat and parchment paper work, save the extra work and calories).  Bake 10 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees F.  Remove from oven, cool 3 minute son baking sheet before moving to a wire rack to cool for 10 more minutes.  Makes about 4 dozen cookies.

These cookies can be your best friend or be there to share with a best friend.  They can also just be there for you after you've finished a good cry.

Catching Up and East Tennessee Blogger Get Together

First, I want to thank all of you that have emailed me and left comments wondering where I have been.  You are so thoughtful and I am blessed and so appreciative.

Second, nothing has happened and nothing is wrong.  I have been really swamped at work which is a good thing and the homegirlz are having crazy Spring athletic schedules.  Kaitlin is running track and Lauren the statistician for the boys soccer team.  They aren't home much for dinner during the week and on the weekends they are hardly home either so I just flat out haven't been cooking.   I pass out on the sofa and wake myself up when I start drooling.  Oh don't even, you know you do it too! 

Actually I'm getting in to growing herbs from seeds.  I'll have to show you.

To make up, I have a treat for you.  Kaitlin did some baking and is very proud of her creation and has asked me if she could guest post. 

She will put her post up either tonight or tomorrow morning.

Now on to really important business!!!  Our Blogger Get Together is SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2010.  If you are going to be in the East Tennessee area on Saturday, June 5, 2010, get in touch with me, Larry or Chris for details.  We'd love for you to join us!

Blogiversary with a City That Doesn't Sleep

I have so much to tell all of you.

First, many of you already know and have congratulated me.  I'm one of 15 bloggers that won a trip to New York City to meet Kelly Rippa through Foodbuzz and Electrolux.  I'll blog about this in February.  To say I'm excited and thrilled is putting it mildly!

We will be participating in a cake decorating event to raise awareness for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund whose mission is to fund research to find a method of early detectionand ultimately a cure for Ovarian cancer.  This topic hits really close to home with me.

I don't know how many of you have ever heard of a drug called DES or Diethylstilbestrol. This drug was prescribed to women beginning in 1941 through about 1963 who had a high risk of miscarriage or who had miscarried before.  My mother was prescribed this drug when she was expecting me because she had two previous miscarriages.  It was later found that the daughters of DES mothers had a multitude of reproductive problems including clear cell cancer which usually showed up when the daughters were in their late teens and early 20's.  I was a DES victim diagnosed with cancer at the age of 24.  Thankfully, I did not have to undergo chemo or radiation; surgery and constant survellience was all I needed and I have been cancer free since.  However, I was told that my chances of ever conceiving were slim and none and if I did conceive I would NEVER carry to term.  I did suffer miscarriages but was lucky enough to have two beautiful daughters and both pregancies were uneventful...the power of prayer over medicine!

Even though my cancer was not ovarian, I feel strongly about research for for early detection and a cure.  Maybe you have had a close friend or relative stricken with this deadly disease and feel strongly too.

More to come on this as Foodbuzz releases information to us.

Today, January 15th is the second anniversary of Smoky Mountain Cafe'.  Thank you for reading this blog.  Thank for commenting and keeping me going.  Thank you for continually raising the bar.  Thank you for your inspiration and friendship.

Thank you!

Thank You for My Freedom

This is from my heart.

Today as we remember those who have fallen as well as those who have served, here's one story.

I love living in the United States, I love being an American. I value my freedom and have the utmost respect and admiration for every single individual who so unselfishly and honorably serve the United States of America in the armed forces.


My Dad joined the Navy upon his high school graduation in the Spring of 1942 at the tender age of 17 and was honorably discharged in April, 1945. He never spoke much about it, but I know he served in the South Pacific detached to the United States Marines as a Corpsman. I was told second hand from a gentleman my Dad kept in touch with over the years that things were so crazy where my Dad was stationed, that he was performing surgery in the field and saved numerous lives. Can you imagine this young man at 18 or 19 years old, just doing what ever it took?

(I just think he's adorable!)


My Dad went on to college and then on to medical school and was called back during the Korean War or as we so delicately call it now, the Korean Conflict. He stayed states side (thank goodness) and worked in the infirmary at Camp LeJeune. He never complained about being called back. I know in his mind, he was doing his part....right John?

He then went on to marry my Mom, have three kids, support a family and never spoke about his service unless he was telling a story about a celebrity he saw at a USO show or humorous story.

Actually, as a kid and up until I saw the beginning of Private Ryan, I didn't think about the reality of what our military personnel actually do or experience.



Both of my brothers honorably served our country too. My oldest brother, John, served in the United States Army Reserves during peace time and my younger brother, served in the United States Marines (his wife also was a United States Marine). Matt served in the Persian Gulf during Desert Storm.

I am so proud of my Dad and my brothers and my country. Thank you Dad, thank you John, thank you Matt and thank you to all past and present military personnel, you are my heroes!

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."

Ronald Reagan
40th president of US (1911 - 2004)

Still Tasty?

Have you ever wondered how long your favorite foods are safe to eat or what is the best way to store them? Of course you have, we all wonder. We think we know, we use our common sense but do we really know what we're doing?

Did you ever think that food was still ok to eat as long as there wasn't any visible signs of freezer fur?

I once caught my brother heating a can of pork and beans in the can over the stove. Why dirty a pot. Is this safe? He thought it was.

Is it ok to eat the left over pizza your teenagers forgot to refrigerate last night?

What kind of friend and responsible food blogger would I be if I didn't point you in the right direction to answer all these questions?

Click your mouse over to Still Tasty and put this in your favorites. Still Tasty is a very informative and well put together site that answers a lot of questions about just about any category of food you can imagine. I have spent a lot of time at this site and have learned a lot.

They don't know me and I don't know them; a friend emailed this link to me and I felt it was important to share.

Hey...Happy Halloween!

What I've Been Up To...

I've read many times throughout my life that confession is good for the soul...

When I posted the picture to the left last week, I received many comments complimenting my kitchen. I appreciate all of your comments and compliments. Thoughts ran through my mind...if only they knew...

The vase of flowers, the distance, hides so many sins.

The only time I turned this blog over to anyone else, my children, they let it out that I am a neat freak. My husband chides me and says I can spot a crumb at thirty yards.

The truth be told, when I cook many accidents and spills happen. When I spill for some reason, I splatter and spill up and not down.

Can you see the splats on the wall?

How about now?

This close and gross! Now you know...I splat A LOT!

Yeah, I couldn't take it any more. A.J. is planning to paint the family room, breakfast area and kitchen. I told him that painting wasn't the answer here.

We hid my skeletons. Even though it will not be grouted until tomorrow and won't be sealed until next week, ah, it feels so much better and cleaner in la cucina!

I REALLY do not like this stove, I was thinking chrome, gas, double oven...

I feel better...enjoy your weekend!

Thanks Phil!

I've read that Phil is predicting more winter. I'm ready for fruity adult beverages, Jimmy Buffet music, grilled veggies, the site of flowers and the smell of freshly mowed lawns.

I am spying the homegirlz plotting...not really, they are figuring out which hill would work best for sledding.

You know what I like about snow? They freak out here and not only do the kiddos get sent home early and get snow days, I was sent home early too. We're supposed to get more this afternoon and tomorrow...I'd love to sleep in.

I mean if Phil is going to postpone my warm, sunny spring and summer days, I may as well get to sleep in a little.

What about spring puts a little zip in your do-da?

Things That Make Me Say....

It was time to go through my camera's memory card and clear a few photos off of it. I found quite a few pictures of food I had cooked and have not posted. Some of the dishes I don't even remember what they were.


I found a few random photos, I hope you don't mind me sharing with you.

First up is this house in Metairie, Louisiana. It is located on Ridgeway Drive near Lake Pontchartrain. The story goes that a doctor lives here. While the house was under construction, the doctor was having wild dreams at night. He would wake up write down his dreams and relay the dreams to his architect the next day. This house is the result of his wild dreams. I have more pictures of this house which incorporates just about every architectural style imaginable. I can't believe his wife did not divorce him during construction. What the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks.

The homegirlz like to shoot random pictures like this. They giggle when I find their handiwork and say things like what the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks! Shouldn't it be "You're weird"? What do they do in those BETA Club meetings anyway? Thank you Sevier County for learnin' my chirrens stuff....sheesh!

This is why my camera is usually with me. No this is not Photo Shopped. Can you believe this? I couldn't, that's why I snapped about five pictures. Dateline Sunday, January 4, 2009, 1:50 PM. This cemetery is two blocks from my house. I had a couple of errands to run and saw this abandoned coffin at the gate of the cemetery, next to an open grave. No flowers, no nothing. On my way to take my Mother to the airport the next morning, the coffin was still unmoved. By 1:00 PM Monday, January 5, 2009, still unburied. When I arrived home from work on January 5th around 4:00 PM, the coffin was finally buried. I have to say it, "What the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks!".

This award was given to me by the Blond Duck. She is my favorite writer. Stop by and visit her blog. you will be addicted to her fabulous stories!

Have a Wonderful Weekend!!!!

Going Green - Grocery Bags Part Deaux

I've been trying to be a good steward of our environment. No, I don't wear Greenpeace T-shirts and chain myself to businesses and get arrested. Yeah, I know...I'm boring. There was a big thing here in Knoxville yesterday wherein the Greenpeace people who were probably from parts far from here did that to a Kimberly Clark office. I mean c'mon, they were harassing the people who make toilet paper. The stuff disintegrates as soon as it gets wet. Anyway, I don't really recycle in the "recycle" sense of the word. However, I do re-use leftovers and have been getting better about using my re-usable grocery bags instead of forgetting them in the car.

There is a little snag in using these "green" bags if you're in a hurry as we all are these days and you try to use the self-service checkout at the grocery. If you've ever done the self-service thing, you know the platform with the bags where you place your scanned groceries is VERY weight sensitive. I placed my empty green bags on the platform and the little the machine went nuts. The poor woman that oversees these machine had to keep resetting my machine all the while the people in line behind me were getting frustrated. The store clerk told me the machines were incapable of being balanced for both the regular plastic bags and the reusable bags. What a conundrum or oxy-moron. Hmm, never thought I could use both those words in the same sentence.

My conclusion is this makes as much sense as inflating your tires to save on fuel. I will keep trying to remember to use my green bags and by the way, I prefer the bags I purchased at Kroger. Theirs have a little zipper compartment in them. I don't know what it is for, maybe for a pack of gum or a candy bar...it's pretty cool.

Have a great weekend!

Shopping Bag Etiquette

This is semi-food related, we have to "make groceries" to cook them. Since "Going Green" is the big buzz word these days I was wondering if any of you have purchased re-usable shopping bags from your area grocery stores. You have probably seen these 'green' re-usable shopping bags and each store has their own bag with their logo on it.

My question is this - Is it acceptable grocery shopping etiquette to use any re-usable shopping bag regardless of the logo, or do you have to use the correct bag per store? Should I be more worried about not using plastic bags or having that particular store's bags?

This is silly, but I am sure I am not the only one with that question. I really think the whole idea is to reuse shopping bags, not to promote a store. Last time I checked there were no shopping bag police.

I'd like to read your thoughts!