"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." ~~Wisdom from Dr. Seuss:

2.27.2011

Thankful Sunday



Something we ALL need.
How Thankful I am to receive it.


My Two Most Amazing, Encouraging & Inspiring Ladies in My Life
Me with My Nannie & Momma



Normal time together

The Best Parents a Girl Could Dream Of

My Greatest Gift from God 
Love You Baby

and these 2 guys
My Wonderful Brothers

Thank You Lord for the Greatest Blessings in Life

2.25.2011

Here I Am

I saw a post on Facebook earlier this week it said something like,

An old man once said....There comes a time in life when you  walk away from all the drama and the people who create it.  You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good.
So love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't.  Life is too short to be anything but happy.
Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living.
That is how I am feeling.  This last year has been rough.
I'm sick of the drama that has surrounded me.
Sick of my reaction to it.
Unhappy with the unwanted stuff I have allowed into my life and my family.


I haven't posted in almost 2 weeks.  I've been "resting" (mostly sleeping day and night with the exception of the half days I'm working right now and the drive) doctor's orders, literally.  I'm on a trial run of 2 weeks, with the possibility of 4-6 total.  I think the whole reason I am in this shape  is because after so long negativity of "life" overwhelms your mind and takes over your body's well being.

One of the reasons why I went back to the original title of my blog, "Ramblings From The Foothills" because that is what I want it to be. Just me rambling about what I want.  Fun stuff, funny stuff, recipes and daily life that is not negative!  Not that it hasn't been, but "It Is What It Is" fit the whole "attitude" I had picked up.

Today I want to be washed clean.  Start a fresh with a fresh slate.
That is one of the greatest things about being a child of God, His mercy and grace He continually pours out upon us even when we continue to be hard headed.  

Slate is clean.
I am being refreshed.
Tomorrow is a new day and the first day of the rest of my life!



2.12.2011

Grandma's Birthday


So things here at the Farm, I mean house have been fun.
This is Buddy.  He has taken up residence at Aunt Mattie's too.
I got to enjoy watching him on the deck before we went to Grandma's.


We then had these luscious little treats after a Baked Potato Bar & Salad.






Here is a picture of the Birthday Girl herself. 
This is from last year.
Unfortunately no one staying at this house took pictures!!


All had a good time.
Hopefully I'll find more tomorrow!


2.11.2011

I Love This Old House....

Have I mentioned I love this old house??
I'm so glad when I wake up in the mornings and start down the stairs I think, 
"Man, I love this house" until I see the hideous wallpaper I haven't got down yet. 
Anyways, here are some updated pictures of the new bathroom.
The contractor finally showed up today.


Before they started
After DH put down the flooring
 Contractor did the rest of the damage.
I'm a little spastic over the mess that has taken over the house. 
It's in every room!!!



I'm ready to finish this.
Hopefully they will be back Monday to work.
Leaving for Grandma Bertha's 89th Birthday in the am.

Have a Great Weekend!!

2.09.2011

Wordless Wednesday



(google images)


2.08.2011

Post It Tuesday

Oh how I have missed Post It Tuesdays!!
I was thinking about how much I need to be blogging more the other day.
So I started looking back to see what I use to blog about.
Post It Tuesday was one of my favorites, so here it is again!






To see how this all started look here.

2.05.2011

French Toast, My Southern Ways and other Misc Things

I thought about this post while I was up half the night.  I was thinking about it because I was hungry and wanting some of my stuffed french toast.  For someone reason everyone seems to fall in love with it.  I get calls from friends wanting to come see me so that I can fix them stuffed french toast.
So I thought since I have very little to post I will post about Stuffed French Toast.

First let me tell you how I came about this.
When we lived in Kansas City one of our favorite places to get away was Branson.  We loved to stay at The Bradford House.  Bob and Cristy became like a second family we were there so much.  Just to get away, anniversaries, birthday, and when we miscarried.  Standing in the kitchen while they prepared breakfast, I would watch as Bob whipped up this wonderful stuffed french toast.  His version varies quite a bit from mine but I think they are equally as good.  If you are ever in Branson, you cannot go wrong staying there.  The place is beautiful inside and out.  The view is breath taking and the Inn Keepers are exceptional.  (I hope they are still there since we've not been unfortunately in 6yrs now).

Below you will find pictures and a "recipe".
Here is where my "southern ways" comes in.  Rarely do I ever use a recipe.  My food is usually based on something I've seen or had and I've recreated it.  Or something I watched Nannie fix while growing up.  She never used measurements for cooking.  A dash of this, a sprinkle of that, butter "egg size", a "cup" that usually consisted of an old coffee cup she had used.  So you see, for me to tell you exact measurements for this is impossible.  So this morning I "attempted" to do that as I went a long.

First you will need all of this:


I'm guessing at measurements, please keep this in mind.  It's French toast, so roll with it!!  You can't go wrong, well you can, but give it a shot!!

(this is based on 2 people)

4 slices of Texas Toast (fresh or stale is fine)
or if you prefer you can slice your own french bread but do it thick
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 - 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk (or more)
cinnamon
1 tsp of vanilla
cream cheese
powdered sugar

Toppings:
fresh fruit
fried apples
peaches, blackberries, cherries fixed for cobblers
(if you don't know how you can always buy a can of pie filling and warm it in the microwave)
syrup
honey
cool whip

I like to mix my sugar and cinnamon together first, then add my eggs and milk.  It's all about consistency.  It should be somewhat thin but have a yellowish/reddish tint if it is more "white" from too much milk, add another egg and a dash more of sugar and cinnamon.  Note, I always like to use a "smaller" "high sided" bowl to mix in so that it stands around my bread.

I use a lot of cinnamon, but I love the taste of it.  You put in how much you think you would like. 
Once I put it in the skillet I like to sprinkle a little extra on the toast. 
Fry this until browned like grilled cheese. 

While it is frying I slice my cream cheese.  
I flatten the slices a little so it will get soft easier between the warm toast.
Usually I put 2 slices between the bread.  
Sometimes I like it a little thicker, sometimes thinner all depending on my toppings I use. 

When I  have the second layer on top I then sprinkle it with powder sugar. 
Top it with anything you like.  My favorite is doing what I call a "tropical" stuffed french toast. 
I use coconut, fresh pineapple and bananas on top.  

today was just powdered sugar for me.  
DH likes his with apple butter from the Apple Barn.
If you have never been to that little Tennessee treat in Pigeon Forge You MUST go. 

Yes, I made mushroom, onion, and tomato omlettes this morning as well. 
I'll save that recipe for another day maybe. 
I topped it all off with a big cup and I do mean big cup of fresh ground coffee.

The next few weeks here are going to be pretty busy.  Next weekend we will be going to Bloomington for DH's Grandma's 89th Birthday party.  Where I will be able to eat cupcakes made by my delightful cousin Kat who has just started her own blog on cupcakes and such at Kat's Cake-Topia.  Head over there and give her a BIG shout out and welcome. She is the creator of those awesome Coconut Lime Cupcakes you heard me going on about for days (if you are friends with me on Facebook).
DH will be gone Valentines week to Atlanta on a business trip.  Then that Friday Aunt Mattie and I are going to Cinnci to see Ree Drummond.  You know PIONEER WOMAN!!!!!  I am so exited, can you tell? 
I guess DH signed us up for the 

Update on the bathroom project.  Guys still haven't showed up.  Suppose to come tomorrow, I'm not holding my breath.  Although it has motivated DH.  He has pulled out the drywall, and is currently as I type installing the new flooring.  I'm glad.  I'm already tired of seeing the bathroom sitting in my courting parlor, foyer and any where else it has landed while coming home from Lowe's lol.  Now I just have to pick out a color.  I thought all this would be fun but instead I have found it stressful because everything we wanted they had the faucet but not the tub set or vice versa.  So we had to change that, then lights, etc.  Oh well, it's just part of the whole experience I guess. 

 Momma just texted me and is bringing DH and I both back a warm piece of this 
from here
Smokey Valley Truck Stop
If you missed my story on this place check it out here.


So I gotta run!  I'll post more later............