Saturday, January 30, 2010

A Drive In The Country!

Sounds like fun, let's take the back roads and see what we can see. Let's go north cause they have more snow, it should be pretty.

Highway was ice covered.....




We drove down a familiar road passed a lake we use to fish in "use to"...but that's another story in itself...

See the left turn down the road.....incline.....beware....



It all happened pretty fast, turning to the left, the sliding began....left side of jeep was in the ditch.....no problem....4wh drive...tires spinning...smell of burning rubber....tires spinning...but when I heard these words, "I hope we don't turn over".... I bailed out.....



Turned this way...


Then this way....



And after much spinning...backed out



Leaving a mess....



When we drove away, husband said, "Well you just grabbed Trixie and left me", to which I replied, "Words like turn over, make me abandon ship"! He loved it...all that spinning stuff is a man thing...made me kind of nervous...ha!

Have a good day all, stay warm!


Nanny

Friday, January 29, 2010

Baby It's Cold Outside!

We woke up to a wonderland, but it isn't snow, yes you guessed it, it's ICE! Snow is in the forecast for later today. An inch of ice followed by snow = stay inside for me. The wind is blowing and it is unbearable outdoors.



I did make a quick trip to the bird feeders as they were empty. I barely got inside and the birds were enjoying a meal. I love the cardinals. Their beauty with snow as a backdrop never ceases to be my favorite picture.






I saw a color as I scanned the tree with my zoom lens and got a laugh out of this one. My husband told me to tie the line for feeder to a stick or rock and throw it over a branch to tie to....Good Idea! I had my scissors in my hand so I decided to use them....! They caught on the limb and have been there for a year...and they were my new sharp pretty ones....ha



Big flakes are falling now and it is so pretty...hope we keep power through this!!



I want to thank Wendy at A Southern Accent for my new header, I love it!

Have a good day all, I'm off to snap a few pics, too cold to snap many at a time!

Nanny

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Distractions!

It is 5:30 AM and I have been awake since 3:00 so forgive me if I ramble on this post. I have already unloaded the dishwasher, washed a load of clothes and am on my second cup of coffee...

This week on the news a hot topic has been the upcoming law and fines for talking/texting while driving! If we are gonna talk distractions, this brings me to ask; do you have these people on street corners where you live?




I found this picture on google and is not one of our city.......the guy I have to witness literally is in the street, demanding attention....Jumping, dancing, bending and reaching out to wave closer to your field of vision. This person is on a very busy intersection...McDonald's on one corner, and Burger King on another. I cannot believe he has not caused an accident. I avoid the area, guess you could say this time of the year he is my pet peeve!

Another cup of coffee and I'll be better...ha

Have a good day all!

Nanny

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Brisket, Baby

First picture and the recipe are from the "Pro" and the hero at my table on many, many nights.....The Pioneer Woman! The brisket recipe, is my favorite hands down. Tender, full of flavor and easy....what more can you ask for?



As we were eating on Sunday night my husband said, "this would make a good steak salad". Wheels are turning in my mind...(yes, leftovers, easy) So I replied, OK, I'll make that for you tomorrow night. (and I am thinking, but I wanted to make nachos)

So the result:



He got salad and I got....Cowboy Nachos, also from the "Pro"... recipe here I think I could eat nachos all night, oh my these are so good. I even use PW's Pico recipe.



After two dinners, I still have enough meat for several sandwiches...I'm thinking sub bun, lettuce, tomato and cheese (melted of course) chips and a pickle!!! This all from a small (4lb) brisket. Pretty good uh?

Ok, gotta get in the kitchen... dinner is calling

Have a good evening all!

Nanny

Monday, January 25, 2010

Latest Addiction



I was raised believing a 7Up and a cold wash cloth could cure anything...The new cherry 7ups are sooo good and I think they have the same healing power as the original/ha If you aren't feeling well, have a 7up over ice and just sit back and wait....you'll feel better in no time! Mama said so!

Have a good evening all

Nanny

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Melts My Heart!












See what I mean?

Nanny

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Wow!

I feel that Dallas should be a vacation destination in the winter......Check out the temp!!!!



After a full day of shopping and girls night out for dinner, Lila and I are taking a day of rest! She has slept most of the day and I am just....well taking it easy. The windows are up and the sun is shining. I could get so use to this weather.

I hope you all are having great weather this week, if not, head for Dallas!!!

Nanny

Sunday, January 17, 2010

My Girl, Paula



I love my Paula recipes....Last night I made a real winner. In the January/February issue of Cooking with Paula Deen the Spaghetti and Meatballs really caught my eye. My mother always made meatballs in our spaghetti and it is just something I have never tried. Saturday is usually "steak" night at my house but I decided I wanted spaghetti....so.....I cooked both. Steak for him and spaghetti for me and we were both happy!!

Makes 2 servings plus leftovers
1/2 pound ground chuck
1/2 pound ground pork
1 cup chopped onion (I didn't use that much)
1/2 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 T chopped fresh parsley (I used dried)
1 T olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced (I used 1 tsp. of chopped)
1 tsp salt
1 egg
Spaghetti Sauce (recipe follows)
1 8 oz pkg spaghetti or linguini

Preheat oven to 400 deg. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place a rack inside baking sheet. Spray rack with pam.

In a large bowl, combine ground Chuck, ground port, onion, bread crumbs, cheese, parsley, oil, garlic, salt, and egg; stir gently to combine. Form mixture into 3-inch meatballs. Place on prepared rack in baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes.



Spaghetti Sauce

2 T olive oil
1 cup chopped onion (I didn't use that much)
4 cloves garlic , minced
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
2 tsp Italian seasoning
In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook for 4 to 5 minutes. or until tender. Add wine, and cook until wine is reduced by half. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning; bring to a boil, reduce heat, add baked meatballs and simmer for 20 minutes.



Serve over hot cooked pasta



Oh yes Paula....full of flavor....I give this one a definite thumbs up!!!



I can't wait to have the leftovers tonight!

For more Paula followers click here! Join in, you know you want to!

Have a good evening all!

Nanny

Saturday, January 16, 2010

First

Do you fall for the temptations on display while standing in the checkout line? I do! I do buy this $2.49 magazine occasionally and always enjoy it. It is filled with recipes, coupons, health tips, etc, you get the idea.



I felt this tip was worth sharing:

The snack that halts a headache...
For quick relief, simply eat a handful of almonds. The nuts contain salicylates, the same painkillers found in aspirin, but they don't carry the risk of stomach upset. almonds are also high in magnesium, which reduces the muscle tension that can contribute to headaches.....

Good uh?

One more worth trying:

The color that turns off cravings...
To prevent a potluck dinner from adding unwanted pounds, use blue plates, or reach for a blue dress or jacket from your closet. Studies show that unlike warm hues such as yellow and red, the color blue functions as an appetite suppressant because blue foods are not commonly found in nature. So any foods placed against that color will become less appetizing....
Interesting!

I have a variety of colors of Fiesta Ware and I have noticed that I keep putting the pink plate back in the cabinet and choosing another color. Just can't seem to eat off of pink...I'll have to try the blue one!!

Have a good day all!

Nanny

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

My New Book!

I love my books from Shutterfly! I feel photo albums slowly slipping away. In this day of having pictures on the computer, instead of printing, I was excited to see the book option on shutterfly. After uploading the pictures, I choose the ones I want in the book, pick a background and voila....in a matter of days, the prettiest book arrives in the mail.

This one is the first I ordered after Lila was born;




Then I got number two;



And today I received my Christmas book;





It worries me not to have something as dear as my pictures in my possession but stored on computer...kinda like I want my books, no Kindle for me. I'm sure this obsession has a name but oh well..

When Lila gets older, I can't wait to sit and talk about each picture and tell her a story about that day in time. Then one day I will give them all to her but for now, Nanny is enjoying them very much.

I am going to go through my older pictures and make books for other family members...
Wouldn't it be great to have every school year in a book....or sports....or vacations...Thank you Shutterfly, Good Job!


Nanny

Monday, January 11, 2010

The Batchelor!

Do those girls have to say "Like" every other word?

Just My Opinion!

American Idol - Simon Cowell = No Show!!!!

Bounce Review



When the Bounce Dryer Bar first appeared, I bought one cause gosh it eliminates a step in laundry. I put the bar in the dryer 2 weeks ago....My review is complete and here is the result:





This is my (Trixie) towel, frayed I know but serves the purpose....

It is back to the dryer sheets for me. I cannot handle static!!!!
So dryer bar it's trash can for you! Sorry bounce this one didn't last 2 weeks..much less 2 months!

Have a good Monday all!

Nanny

Friday, January 8, 2010

Happy Birthday Elvis!

Elvis Aaron Presley, born January 8, 1935...it is so hard to picture Elvis at 75 years old. Would he still be touring or just playing with the grandchildren?

I purchased this DVD along with Comeback Concert for my husband for Christmas. I didn't know about this concert held in August of 2002 at the Pyramid in Memphis or I am sure we would have gone. It is all so cleverly edited, with Elvis glancing over at the musicians nowadays. Glenn Hardin, at the piano looks down at his tv monitor following Elvis every move and you'd swear Elvis is really there. Remember when Elvis "appeared" on American Idol singing with Celine Dion and it seemed so real, well this concert gives you the same feeling. His original TCB band, The Sweet Inspirations, The Stamps Quartet, are all live on the stage. How they played and sang live and Elvis seemed live due to multi screen editing is just amazing. It was very hard to believe that Elvis was not really there. I cannot imagine how emotional this experience had to be for the performers. The entire crew looked liked they were having great fun.

I guess what I'm trying to say is....if you like Elvis or know someone who does, this DVD would make a perfect gift. I bought it on Amazon. I have been instructed that we will never loan it and that I could not have given a better gift.




"Elvis Lives" - Well enough to give you goose bumps!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

She Never Lets Me Down!

On this cold, cold, day nothing sounded better than Pioneer Woman's Perfect Pot Roast!





I wish you could smell the aroma coming from the oven....I didn't have any fresh rosemary and thyme so I put just a small pinch of dried in the pot before covering and it was just enough to flavor and give the wonderful aroma....

My husband chose to have an open face sandwich.....



And I went with cornbread ....



Lots of ohhhs and ahhhs could be heard from the table!
As the title states; she never lets me down!
Do you own this cookbook? If not get recipe from thepioneerwomancooks.com
Hope I can stay awake for the National Championship Game...usually full tummy = sleep in chair!!!

Have a good evening all!

Nanny

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

The Power of Suggestion!

I need to confess to you all that I value and respect your opinions! I find myself trying all the foods you recommend, reading the books you like, watching your favorite movies and duplicating your purchases....

Recently you have made me do these things....

1. Whistlestop Cooking made my mouth water for Muscadine Jelly. I haven't had this jelly for years and didn't hesitate to place my order after her post on Brie with Muscadine Jelly. I left for Dallas after I ordered it and told my husband to please watch for a package from UPS...cause it's my jelly! He got a laugh on that one! Well it came and I love it!



2. Granny Mountain caught my eye with her Lone Star Caviar picture and I had to whip that up right away. Her recipe called for parsley and I didn't have any so I substituted cilantro....yummy...keeps in refrigerator for 2 weeks. I have it with every meal and it keeps getting better everyday. My husband wouldn't touch a blackeyed pea so this is one of the dishes that is ALL mine!



3. Mille Fiori Favoriti must have looked in my refrigerator on this post....I always have a sack of lemons on hand. I love lemons in water, squeezed on fish, lemon vinaigrette on salads, or just sprinkle with salt and eat that baby..... Anyway her lemon tart is on my list for one these next snowy days at home!





4. The Ungourmet always has me trying a new recipe but the Grapefruit Ginger Tea Bread has got to be one of the most interesting...I can't wait to try it. I bought a sack of 6 grapefruit today and if I don't eat them all I will have this bread on my plate!!! Check out the recipe at her blog...bet you will want it too.



5. Now Noni you had to post the beautiful platter you found....I think I need it! Friends go to The Brick Street Bungalow and see if you don't think it will look good with my dishes....yes....I definitely think I must have it!





In closing I ask you to be easy on me this year....don't make me spend anymore money!! Or at least put a disclosure on your blog that Nanny You Do Not Need This! It is out of stock and no longer available for purchase! I thank you, my husband thanks you and Master Card thanks you! (no, MC thanks you for your suggestions/ha)

Have a good evening and try to stay warm!

Nanny

Monday, January 4, 2010

Snow Day #2

I wish I could capture the beauty.....it is still falling!







Thank You Sister Schubert for my delicious, quick, tasty breakfast!
I had these in the freezer for Christmas and never thought to cook them.. So on this cold, cold day I put them in the oven, had another cup of coffee and OH MY...they are so good.





The roll definitely tastes like homemade yeast roll and the sausage is small and does not overpower the good flavor. I recommend them to you all. A little mustard doesn't hurt either!!!



Have a good day all!

Nanny

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Snow Day Photos

What a surprise to open the blinds this morning...
Snow Day! After a quick breakfast I had to get outside! I love to walk in the peaceful quiet of new fallen snow.










Anyone for iceskating?



Uh Oh! Someone left the lid open on the fish cooker last night! Anyone for fried snow? Hey it could happen...I've seen fried icecream on the menu! Never ordered it but wonder how it tastes.




Sorry little birds this fountain is shut down til further notice!



Pine Cones just glow in the snow!




Look at the outline drawn by the falling snow? It's perfect. As is all in nature.



It is still falling at 3:30....I just went out and made this one. It's so pretty.


I love a good snowday! Leftover chili and a good movie!

Stay warm all...

Nanny