Friday, September 7, 2012

Austin Update, Tailgating Recipes, Blog Linkage, Weekend Happenings

Good Friday morning!

Well, my first week of self-imposed, semi-retirement was a good thing. For this particular season of life, I think it is practical and doable. I made the right decision.

That being said... I really missed y'all!

Today, I have Blog Linkage, an update on The Boy, pictures, Randomness, Weekend Happenings and some Tailgating Recipes from Pinterest.

Read on!

RANDOMNESS #1 - Our big Labor Day plans consisted of going to Dreamland for ribs. Melia had never been before, so she and Austin shared an order of ribs and a bowl of banana pudding.

I have to say a Dreamland Labor Day is a good thing. A very good thing!


Are they cute, or what?

RANDOMNESS #2 - Josh and I have a new show we're watching together. It's called Warehouse 13 and it is on Netflix. My sister, Bev, told us about it. It's kind of a police show, kind of a sci-fi show, kind of a "serious" Night at the Museum show.

It isn't 24 or Lost, but I understand what's going on... and I like it.

Check it out if you get a chance.

RANDOMNESS #3 - Roxie had a good week/bad week in volleyball. JV won Tuesday night, but lost Thursday night.

It happens. You have to move on, People. You can't go through life undefeated. It's not possible.

That being said, I was really, really sad they lost last night. I don't like to lose... ever.


Roxie and teammates spent an unusual amount of time on the floor last night.


See?


I love Roxie's "intense" look. That's how I look when I write a post.


Sometimes when you watch a game through the tiny viewfinder of a camera, you miss the big picture.

For example, I thought Roxie and teammates were being chased OFF the court by someone or something.

Nope. Just trying to get a little white ball over the net... backwards.


I call this "angel" light. It only happens in our gym at exactly the same time every game day afternoon at approximately 5:18. (I know I just used the words "exactly," "same" and "approximately" in the same sentence. I did it on purpose... kinda.)

This light illuminates the server beautifully, I think.

I want Roxie's wedding portrait taken in the gym at 5:18 (approximately) in the month of September.

Someone be sure to remind me of this a few years from now when The Chick actually gets engaged.

RANDOMNESS #4 - Austin Updates (1/3 of an Empty Nest) - The Boy is no longer an active Marching Southerner. I say active, because I believe once a Southerner, always a Southerner.


There he is... in all his Marching Southerner GLORY!


Do you remember the story about the pink glove? It was Breast Cancer Awareness month, so the whole band wore pink gloves to support Breast Cancer Awareness. Loved that.

However, he stopped his marching career because he is in the midst of trying to graduate in May. And in order to graduate in Communications, The Boy must have 350 internship hours.

Austin is interning with the JSU Athletic Department, and is learning all the behind-the-scenes "stuff" regarding a LIVE on-the-air radio play-by-play.

It is S-T-R-E-S-S-F-U-L, but he did a pretty good job his first time on his own last week. (It was an out-of-state game.)

This week, he is less nervous, but still S-T-R-E-S-S-E-D because he will be on-air for part of the show.

This Fall, not only is he working on his internship, but he is still hosting a campus sports' radio show and taking a full academic load.

The Boy is busy, but he's happy.

I wondered if he would be okay not going to all the football games this year as a Southerner, and for the most part I think he is.

However, last Monday he called me over to see a video on his computer.

The Marching Southerners did a FLASH MOB (is that right?) in a food court before the game. It was so cool. They rose from their seats when they were given the signal and sang their signature song (I'll Fly Away) in beautiful harmony!

Whoever shot the video did a great job filming the reaction of the crowd, and while the people didn't know what was going on for a few moments, they quickly "got with the program."

When it was over, the audience (all Arkansas people, I am sure) cheered and cheered.

"I've never been in a Flash Mob before," The Boy said.

"But you're young. There's plenty of time to be in a Flash Mob. Don't lose hope!" (I really do talk that way sometimes. It drives the kids crazy... which I enjoy doing from time to time.)

"You're right. It's not too late to be in a Flash Mob," he agreed.

Folks, you now know exactly what is at the top of The Boy's Bucket List.

And I decided to add it to my Bucket List, too. It sounds like something The Enchanting Belinda would enjoy!

NOTE - For more of the Austin Updates (1/3 of an Empty Nest) section of A Simple Life, go to www.belindafaulkner.blogspot.com (the old website address).

Tailgating Recipes

These recipes came from Pinterest... which came from www.snackpicks.com!

Cheese Steak Dip

You will need the following:

1 package (17 ounces) refrigerated beef roast au jus
1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped onion
1 jar (15 ounces) processed cheese dip
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup chopped red bell pepper (optional)
128 Keebler® Town House® Flipsides® Original crackers... OR
128 Keebler® Town House® Flipsides® Cheddar crackers

1. Remove cover from beef package. Place onion on top of beef.

2. Microwave beef and onion, uncovered, on high for 2 1/2 minutes. Drain beef and onion, reserving juices. Use two forks to shred beef.

3. Add beef and onion to a 3 1/2-quart slow cooker coated with cooking spray. Stir in 1/3 cup of the reserved juices, cheese dip, Worcestershire sauce and pepper. Cover and cook on high for 1 to 2 hours.

4. Stir in red pepper, if desired. Serve immediately with crackers. (Or, keep warm in slow cooker on low setting for up to 2 hours.)

Crunchy Cheese Chicken Tenders

You will need the following:

1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 egg whites, slightly beaten
1 tablespoon water
2 cups Sunshine® Cheez-It® Original Crackers (crushed to 1 1/3 cups)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1/2 cup reduced-fat ranch salad dressing or spicy ranch salad dressing

1. Cut chicken lengthwise into 3/4" wide strips. Set aside.

2. Place flour on wax paper. In shallow dish, stir together egg whites and water. In another shallow dish combine SUNSHINE CHEEZ-IT Original snack crackers, Parmesan cheese and oregano.

3. Roll chicken pieces, one at a time, in flour. Shake off excess flour.

4. Dip into egg white mixture.

5. Coat with cracker mixture, gently pressing onto chicken. Place in single layer in shallow baking pan coated with cooking spray or lined with foil.

6. Bake, uncovered, at 425 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. (For food safety, internal temperature of the chicken should reach at least 165 degrees.

7. Serve with salad dressing as dipping sauce.

No-Bake Fudge Brownies

You will need the following:

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
2 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate, cut up
1 box Keebler® Vanilla Wafers (finely crushed, about 3 1/3 cups)
3/4 cup chopped nuts, divided

1. In medium heavy saucepan, combine milk and chocolate.

2. Cook and stir over low heat until chocolate melts and mixture thickens. Remove from heat.

3. Stir cookie crumbs and 1/2 cup of nuts into chocolate mixture. Pat into 8" x 8" pan lined with wax paper.

4. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup nuts on top, lightly pressing into chocolate mixture. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or until firm. Cut into squares.

Be sure to go to the website mentioned above for MORE tailgating recipes. They have tons!

Blog Linkage

1. Go to eighteen25 under My Blog Post each and every day during the month of September for great October Fall and Halloween craft ideas. Do not miss a single day!

2. Go to www.kellehampton.com and read yesterday's post entitled "A Happier, Simplified Home." I like Kelle more and more and more.

3. Go to Six Sisters' Stuff under my Blog List and read today's post entitled "40 Tailgate Party Snacks." (Today is a huge recipe day on A Simple Life! HUGE!)

4. Go to Nitty.Gritty. under My Blog List and read yesterday's post entitled "More Milestones." I've said it before regarding the posts on this blog... perspective, perspective, perspective! Very good post.

Weekend Happenings

I'm in bit of a mood. I'm a little uncomfortable in my skin, and I want to do something to redeem my not-so-epic Summer of 2012. I want an adventure... and not just a new restaurant.

I tried and tried to find a City Adventure/Day Trip for Saturday, but two things got in my way... weather and college football.

I checked the weather for Huntsville, Chattanooga, Starkville, Atlanta and Memphis.

It is supposed to rain ALL DAY SATURDAY... EVERYWHERE!

Then I started looking for indoor activities in our own neck of the woods. And this is what I decided...

9:00 a.m. - The Faulkner Five (minus The Boy who is working on his internship in Jacksonville) would have brunch at The Original Pancake House downtown.

10:30 a.m. - The Faulkner Five (minus The Boy who is working on his internship... you get the picture) would head to Hoover Tactical Firearms and watch Mikie and Josh shoot a little.

Noon - The Faulkner Five (minus The Boy... see above) would go to Edgar's Bakery for soup in bread bowls. (That's a perfect rainy day meal!)

2:00 p.m. - The Faulkner Five (you know what goes here) would go to The Dollar Movie and pick a movie that "fit our mood" to enjoy before heading home for the 6:00 p.m. Auburn football game.

That sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

Well, guess who decided to play football at 11:00 a.m. CST? That's right. Auburn.

Now I'm looking for a late-afternoon adventure.

Roxie and I will probably get a pedicure and let the guys watch football well into the night.

It doesn't involve pancakes or shooting, but that sounds like an adventure to me!

Sunday morning, we'll be heading to Grandmother's church (with The Boy and Melia) to celebrate Senior Day. My brother-in-law, Tommy, will be preaching the sermon, and Bev will be singing a solo. Fun fact for you... Bev has a beautiful solo voice. Me... not so much.

The rest of us are going to pack a pew.

Remember packing a pew.

I loved packing pews when I was growing up in our little church in Trussville.

If we place our Bibles and purses just so, we may be able to "pack two pews."

I wonder if there will be a prize?

After the service, we'll eat lunch in the Fellowship Hall and visit before heading home to get ready for the week ahead.

And that's all I'm going to say about that!

Have a great weekend! I'll be back Monday morning with lots more stuff! (I'll probably tell you what I ate for lunch Sunday. I'll probably eat chicken. But check back just in case I do something wildly unexpected. You never, ever know.)

Take care, and I'll talk to you next week.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

1 comment:

  1. E.B. - your planning of events is stellar but a bit off the charts (the planning that is). I'm happy if I see my family once a week and we try to do events together at least once every six months. Indeed my Saturday will be watching the husband watching the t.v. watching college football.

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