And Happy Fall!
Monday's post had an over-abundance of pictures. I like pictures. I especially like pictures WITH words. Too many words can overwhelm me. (You wouldn't know that by looking at my blog posts, would you?)
To keep you from feeling overwhelmed this beautiful Friday (and every other day), I always label the blog in bold-faced sections. You can skip what bores you, and try to find a subject that might interest you.
As always, I'm here to serve.
RANDOMNESS #1 - Once again, reality TV has impacted our lives as a family. We LOVE Duck Dynasty. It fits our mood... and it makes The Faulkner Five appear to be sophisticated in comparison. It's a really good show!
However, if Mike Faulkner walks up behind me and says, "What's for dinner, Jack?" one more time, he may lose some of his Duck Dynasty television privileges.
Uncle Si is funny on the show. In my kitchen... not so much.
RANDOMNESS #2 - My Christmas shopping is coming along nicely. Or I should say my Christmas shopping LIST is coming along nicely. The LIST is all-important. As long as the LIST is simple, succinct and direct, the shopping is a no-brainer.
That is what I choose to believe. Do not tell me otherwise.
RANDOMNESS #3 - The Lovely Melia turned 21 last week.
I decided The Faulkner Five (minus Austin) would give her a "theme" gift. I like themes. It makes everything much easier for my little ol' worn-out brain.
If Roxie told me she didn't care what she received for Christmas as long as it was green, I would be in "theme" heaven.
But I digress. Back to Melia "theme" gift.
COFFEE.
Melia loves coffee.
She especially likes Dunkin' Donuts Coffee.
However, she likes Starbucks, too.
Since her school colors are red and blue, this coffee scoop fit perfectly with the ongoing "theme."
And although the gift bag was a nice "coffee" brown, I threw in a little blue and yellow for splashes of color (her favorites).
I believe themes make life easier... and I like life easier!
If I Could Turn Back Time - I would. If I could turn back time, I would again and again and again.
That being said, I will not waste too much precious time thinking about the "remember whens." And I refuse to dwell upon the fast-approaching Empty Nest.
The "here and now" is precious.
It always has been.
It always will be.
And Roxie may not be two years-old and sitting in her Daddy's lap, but this is pretty sweet, too.
I might even say, "It is just as sweet."
Quotable Quotes - Pinterest to the rescue!
"A real man opens more than car doors. He opens his Bible."
"Time has a wonderful way of showing us what really matters." Margaret Peters (Ain't it the truth!)
Blog Linkage - Once again, go to www.kellehampton.com and read the post entitled "Tea with Milk and Honey" dated November 7. Sweet thoughts.
Strawberry Brownies
Roxie has wanted to cook this week. She came in Tuesday and made a Chicken Pot Pie for a friend (and it was very good). Last night I told her and Mikie I was going to bake Strawberry Brownies after dinner, and she informed me she felt like baking.
You go, Girl!
You will need the following:
1 strawberry cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons milk
1. Mix strawberry cake mix, 2 eggs and 1/3 cup oil in large bowl.
2. Spread in 9" x 13" pan (batter will be thick). Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.
3. To make the glaze, mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 1 1/2 tablespoons of milk. Pour over warm brownies.
Yes. It is a Pinterest recipe. And, yes. It's pretty good, too.
Trisha's Chicken Pie
I've been watching Trisha's Southern Kitchen the last two Saturday mornings, and I've made two of her recipes... and they have both been very, very tasty.
You will need the following:
3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
2 cups chicken broth
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 cup self-rising flour
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1 cup buttermilk, well shaken
1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. Put the chicken in a 2-quart casserole dish.
3. Combine the broth and soup in a medium saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil. Pour the broth mixture over the chicken.
4. In a separate medium bowl, mix the flour with the pepper. Stir in the melted butter and the buttermilk. Pour this mixture over the casserole and smooth the top. DO NOT STIR.
5. Bake the casserole until the crust is brown and the filling beneath is hot and bubbly (45 minutes).
Garth is a lucky, lucky man. (But then again, so is Mikie.)
Birthday Letters
Write letters to your children every birthday and give the letters to them when they move out on their own... or graduate high school... or have children of their own. (You choose.)
You can "bind" the letters any way you like, but what a sweet, sweet gift and tradition to pass down to the next generation. Very uplifting!
It's too late for me, but I could certainly do this if I have grandchildren one day.
Weekend Happenings
The Boy isn't coming home this weekend. He's trying to finish up his internship. He is producing a basketball game tonight, a football game tomorrow and two basketball games Sunday. This is a short-lived situation, but very necessary if he's going to graduate in May.
And he really wants to graduate in May.
And Mike and I want that for him.
Whoever comes home tonight will be eating cornbread and slow cooker beef stew. As soon as I finish this post, I'm going to start throwing everything in the crock pot. (And I mean everything. I'm cleaning out the refrigerator, Baby.)
Roxie and Mikie are going on a brunch date tomorrow (when she wakes up) to Original Pancake House... and I'm requesting they bring me Strawberry Crepes for my lunch. That sounds divine.
Josh will be working a half-day shift tomorrow at his new job (Fred's), but he'll be home in time for Auburn football with Mikie.
I know I reported earlier Josh would be working at the Christmas Tree Farm again this year, and he was so excited. But then he messed up his knee, and he'll be in physical therapy for five to six more weeks. Working at Fred's doesn't cause damage to his already injured knee. Working at the Christmas Tree Farm going up and down steep hills carrying trees would definitely cause more damage.
We are disappointed about the Farm, but excited about Fred's.
On Sunday afternoon, Mike and I will be attending an Open House at his office, and taking a leisurely drive through Mountain Brook after the event for our Fun Fall Ride #4. (I've already found a Starbucks along our route.)
And other than those "little" things, we are wide open... and so looking forward to NO SCHOOL MONDAY!
Yes, sir. A four-day weekend is sounding pretty good to me. And Roxie. (I forgot all about Roxie!)
Have a great fall weekend. I'll be back Monday morning with a new-to-me Thanksgiving Tradition, pictures, Randomness and a new topic.
Join me, won't you?
Take care, and I'll talk to you in a couple of days.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
P.S. I'm a little low on "people" pics today, so I'll post a couple more Front Yard Football pics from last weekend. I'm assuming you won't mind.
It may look like Brad is "doin' the Hustle," but I was there and believe me when I say, he just released the football! It was a spectacular pass!
I think we all know Roxie didn't catch this ball. Heavy, heavy sigh.
But I will say Brad was sorry he knocked it out of her hands. We can file that under "a mistake he won't make again."
And can I just say, I think I have the MOST unbelievably handsome nephews and sons EVER. I know we are blood-related, but I think I'm being very objective.
Actually, I know I am.
How do you get a four-day weekend? Saturday, Sunday, Monday equals three.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I'm sad because I was so excited when I first read my blog and saw the words "four-day weekend." Heavy, heavy sigh.
ReplyDeleteI'll take three, but four days would have been so much better.