And the winner is....

The winner of my cookbook giveaway who MUST vow to actually give some their creations away is...well, before I announce the name, let me also refer you to my sidebar for many last minute Thanksgiving recipes to add to your dinner table!

And give you a Thanksgiving quote:"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough."
-- Meister Eckhardt

And a link to my other blog, Matter of Fact where I share a Thanksgiving post on being grateful.

And now, the winner of the cookbook is....

ANN, from Ann's Page. Click on over and give her some congratulations!

Happy Thanksgiving all!

Never Fail Dressing Casserole

When I was younger, I had a hard time getting the perfect texture when I made dressing. I tried this recipe at a church dinner that everyone raved over, and later the cook submitted it into our church cookbook. It is simple to prepare and tastes wonderful. Nothing fancy, just a simple dish that can be enjoyed at a main dish any time of year, and would also impress guests around your Thanksgiving table.

So, thank you Mary Darnell for this wonderful recipe.


1 chicken (boiled and deboned, save broth)
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 small pkg. Pepperidge Farm Dressing with herbs
2 eggs
1 medium onion
3/4 can milnot 2 stalks celery, diced

Boil chicken, save broth. Place shredded meat on bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Pour soup over meat. Mix dressing, eggs, onion, celery and milnot together until well blended. Spoon over soup. Pour chicken broth over all to 1/2 inch of the dish top. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Enjoy.

A giveaway...for you to give away!

Okay this giveaway is a treat for you...but the real treat it is giving away your creations.

Remember awhile back I gave away the Gifts In a Jar "Cookies" cookbook?

Well this month, I'm giving away the GIFTS IN A JAR- BARS AND BROWNIES Cookbook!
Thank my generous Cousin Angie who gave me the cookbooks to be given away.

The cookbook is filled with delicious recipes and comes complete with gift tags and instructions for assembly. All you need to do is assemble and find someone to give them to.

To have a chance to win the cookbook, all you need to do is leave a comment.
For another chance, become a follower (or let me know if you are already one.
For 3 extra chances, TWEET this, Post it on FACEBOOK or your blog. Let me know if you did.

Contest ends Nov. 24, midnight.

Winner will be drawn by the old fashioned name in the hat method. Scouts honor- I WILL BE HONEST!

WInner's name will be announced on NOV. 25 by 9:00 am.

Before you go, I'd like for you to visit this site, christmaschange.com.

It is a movement of people who are willing to change up their Christmas gift giving traditions. Instead of purchasing SO MUCH for those who don't need it, would you consider buying Less for those people , and spending a portion of your savings on those who are in DESPERATE need?

A needy neighbor? Missionary? Or a worthy charity?

There are so many needs around us. It is time to make a change.

Would you pray?

Monday I will post the giveaway on this site. It doesn't seem appropriate right now.

My heart is heavy today over the tragic accident that took the life of a beautiful 15-year-old Freshman girl last night.

Maddy Darnell was in a car with her mother, one of my co-workers Amy Serena, sadly, Maddy received fatal injuries.
Amy has received injuries as well, but the update is that they are NOT serious. Please pray for this family, Amy's husband and two other children were not in the vehicle. The Serena and Darnell families need lifted up.

Amy and her husband also lost a son several years ago.

PLEASE pray for all of them.

And look around at those you love and hold most dear...tell them you love them. Hug them. Kiss them . Squeeze them. Make them your number one priority! Life is too short.

Em's Easy Chicken and Dumplings

First off- sorry from my unannounced absence here-I just started a new job a week ago, and have yet to figure out how to keep all the dishes spinning in the air- but I'll get it figured out. I'm back, and have a ton of recipes to share, blogs to catch up on and I have a new giveaway for the month of November that I think you'll enjoy. Tune in tomorrow for the giveaway details. I'll post my new recipes in the mornings, but probably will have to check out your sites in the evening to make this work, but I will come visit again. I miss the DELICIOUS recipes you all dish out.

This recipe comes from my friend Cheryl, whose daughter Emily created it for her 5 children! It's a little like a chowder since it's thick and has the addition of other vegetables, unlike the traditional dumplings. Delicious flavors, and simple to prepare.

You Will Need:

2 cups water
2 cans chicken broth
1 cup condensed cream of chicken soup
1 T. minced garlic
1/2 cup onion,chopped
1/2 cup celery,chopped
1/2 cup carrots, chopped
2 chicken breasts
1 can biscuits (the CHEAPER, the better, in this recipe)
Dash cilantro, oregano and parsley
Flour

Saute' onions, garlic,celery in a little oil till onions wilt. Add water, meat, broth and carrots. Cover pot on low boil till meat is cooked (15 minutes) . Remove meat and cut up. Return meat to pot; add soup,cilantro,oregano, and parsley. Tear biscuits into 1/4" pieces. Add to pot. Cover and simmer for ten minutes, stirring a few times to cover biscuits.

Enjoy.

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!