It's a Baby SHower!

One of my best friends became a Grandma yesterday and I must admit- I can't wait to experience this for myself. A new little bundle of joy entered our world and I am once again just blown away by the handiwork of God. I literally stand in awe at His creation!

I love babies-don't they just give you hope?

I always love giving baby showers and thought I'd share of few photos of the latest shower we gave to welcome this new little guy into the world.

There was no particular theme, but blue and brown were the colors chosen and we carried it out throughout the shower.

As guests arrived, this was the entrance table that held a bottle of Raisinettes for guests to guess the amount of candy pieces in the bottle- to win a prize.




On the card for their estimation was also a place for them to write their name and address so the new Momma could send thank you cards to the generous guests. In addition to the baby balloon bouquet,simple brown gift bags with blue tissue paper added to the decor and also housed a couple of the gifts for the winners. A pair of baby socks and booties was added to the table decor as well.



We created a little clothesline of new Onesies and socks to hang above the gift table.





The dessert table included two chocolate fountains. One was white chocolate that was tinted blue for dipping marshmallows and football shaped pretzels. The other was semi-sweet chocolate for dipping strawberries and pineapple.








The cake was beautifully decorated by a local gal who we all love, and one side of the sheetcake was chocolate, the other was white.



Famous JP cookies (these were DELICIOUS) were also on hand. These are a basic sugar cookie with decorater icing that are the most requested cookie in our parts, made by Jaye Palmer, the cake decorator.



The Mom chose raspberry punch which although delicious, did NOT match the color scheme so it drove me crazy, but only for a moment! ;)




The tables were decorated in plain white tablecloths, with the same brown gift bags with blue tissue paper in them, and some curly wired blue ribbon down the center of the table. (I forgot to get a photo).

While the Mom to be opened her gifts, we played a CD of Lullabies and randomly drew names (from the cards the guests had filled out earlier)for the door prizes. We chose to not play games, and surprisingly, the guests were happy about that!

We also passed around a book for the guests to sign to give this first time Momma some tips and advice on raising the new little boy....who is now here!

Welcome to the world little guy! We love you already.

Healing Soup

For Many years, when anyone was sick in the family, my Mom always made a pot of her healing soup. It has become a special request now anytime someone in the family is ill, and also when we are all well, but needing some of her special soup made from her loving hands.

I don't know what it is- maybe the combination of her love and prayers while she's preparing it- but I swear when I enjoy the first warm spoonful, I start feeling better...and very loved.

This is a tradition I want to pass along to all of you, especially now, during this crazy flu season- but don't wait till everyone's sick- give them a warm bowl while they can really enjoy the delicious flavors.





2 beef shanks (with lots of meat on them)

Cover with water then cook on boil low for about one hour.

Add 1 onion, chopped. Add broth (3 cans chicken) and 1 can stewed tomatoes and 2 T. chicken bouillon and cook for at least least 30 minutes. Add 5 or 6 cubed potatoes- and celery chopped and carrots, sliced (2 each) let cook on med. another 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!

Another wonderful recipe from My Momma and Me!

My Halloween Treat: The Black Fortys

If any of you follow my other blog, MATTER OF FACT, you know all about these fine folks, so go ahead and click away.

But for the rest of you, there's a little something about me that you probably don't know.

I am the mother of the frontman for THE BLACK FORTYS. Who are THE BLACK FORTYS you ask?

Well, last year they had a full page photo in Rolling Stone Magazine after being named THE BEST COLLEGE BAND IN THE NATION at the New American Music Union Festival sponsored by American Eagle.





Bob Dylan himself performed at this concert, and he just so happens to be a great influence on the band, so you can only imagine how exciting this was for all of them. They went on to win $10,000 to be used towards recording costs (yeah, I said TOWARD- it's REALLY expensive!) and they played a VIP concert for Rolling Stone Magazine in New York City and they have had portions of several of their songs played on MTV on various shows including the very popular REAL WORLD and THE COLLEGE LIFE. They travel all over the country and I try to catch them when they are close enough as often as I can.

This weekend they will be performing at the Historic Sesser Opera House in the same town as Anjo's Pizza (remember my review of their place awhile back?).

I just so happened to find a video of them performing at the Opera house last year and wanted to share it with the rest of you.

Bet you didn't know that I was a rocker Mom, did you?

Also, I have a son who is a photographer by day and a MMA Cage Fighter by night!
My youngest is still in college (education/coach) but all three are risk takers and very creative. We are very proud of all of them. We support their dreams.


I give you THE BLACK FORTYS.

They will be coming to Manhattan, Philadelphia, DC and Gainsville ,Florida soon. I hope if you're near, you can help spread the word.




Have a wonderful weekend.

Pumpkin Spice Layer Cake- Fast and Furious Friday Style

Although this delicious cake looks very time consuming- it is not. The recipe comes from my good friend Chery's website, Entertaining at Home .

No one will guess this showstopper dessert with a luscious cinnamon frosting starts with a mix! It's a year-round favorite with Linda Murray from Allenstown, New Hampshire.

1 package(18-1/4 ounces) yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup water
1 cup canned pumpkin
1-3/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2-1/2 cups vanilla frosting
1-1/4 cups chopped walnuts

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, water, pumpkin, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds; beat on medium for 2 minutes.

Pour into two well-greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the centers comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Combine frosting and remaining cinnamon; spread between layers and over top and

Press walnuts lightly into frosting on sides of cake.

Yield: 10-12 servings.

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Are you ready for this? 3 ingredient Croissant Bread Pudding

Yep! You heard me correctly. Only three ingredients- but tastes like you really fussed.

Mom made this the other day- just whipped it up and it was so good and so easy. Just had to share it.

She said the original recipe called for chocolate croissants, but she couldn't find them, so she went with the regular.

Of course, a traditional bread pudding from scratch can't be beat- but this is very good- especially considering it only requires 3 ingredients.

Perfect to serve as a special breakfast, or brunch or a dessert.

You will need:

4 ( 4 oz. ) Croissants
2 pkgs. ( 3oz. each) Cook and Serve Vanilla pudding and pie filling.
4 cups whole milk

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 3 qt. shallow baking dish. Whisk pudding mix and milk in bowl till thoroughly blended. Cut croissants into 1 " pieces. Arrange in baking dish. Pour pudding mixture over croissants. Push bread down into liquid to make sure it is covered. Bake for 50 minutes(till bubbly around edges or knife inserted in center comes out clean).

Let cool 10 minutes before serving.







Enjoy!

Spicy Cheeseburger Soup

I just can't get enough soup! The creamier, the better .

I made a pot of this the other night- only Big AL and I were there to eat it, and I'm ashamed to say, we emptied the pot! Now, it only makes 2 quarts, so you better double the recipe if you're expecting more than two.

This recipe is from my OLD KING COAL festival's cookbook, COAL COUNTRY COOKIN', Volume I. There are no other copies of this one available, but Volume II still has a few for purchase. Kim Taylor submitted this delicious hearty soup for all of us to enjoy.

THANK YOU KIM!

You will need:

1 1/2 cup water
2 c. cubed peeled potatoes
2 small carrots, grated (or sliced)
1 sm. onion, chopped
1/4 c. green pepper
1 garlic clove, minced
1 T. beef bouillon granules
1/2 tsp. salt
1 lb. ground beef, cooked and drained
2 1/2 c. milk, divided
3 T. a/p flour
8 oz. Velveeta (I used shredded cheddar this time- it was still delicious!)
1/4-1tsp. Cayenne pepper
1 jalapeno seeded and chopped (optional)
1/2 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled (I was out of bacon- didn't miss it)

In lg. saucepan, combine water, veggies, garlic, bouillon and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes till veggies are tender. Stir in beef and 2 cups of milk; heat through. Combine flour and remaining milk until smooth; gradually stir into soup. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; stir in cheese until melted. Add cayenne pepper if desired. Top with bacon just before serving. I sprinkled with a little pepper too.

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Spice Mousse

What a yummy treat! Smooth and delicious with the perfect blend of pumpkin and cream.

This was also supposed to have pecans on top, but my grown sons must have found the HIDDEN bag, because there were none to add. But it still tasted great and I went ahead and added the butter to the brown sugar sans the nuts just for more texture and it was awesome!




1 cup cold milk
1 3.4 0z pkg. of Jell-O brand Pumpkin Spice Instant pudding and pie filling
*Beat together with whisk for 2 minutes.

1 cup thawed cool whip ( or whipped cream) + more for garnish
*Stir into the above mixture.

Spoon into 4 dessert dishes.
refrigerate until ready to serve.

To serve:
Add
1 T. melted butter and 1/4 cup pecan pieces and
2 T. brown sugar. Mix well and sprinkle on top of mousse. Add a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle with dash of brown sugar.



Enjoy!