Man Dinner...

One night this week, I was told not to plan dinner at all.  We were having a "Man Dinner".  Now, I am not sure what I thought Man Dinner would be, but it turned out pretty good for me.  What my boys [Men] defined "Man Dinner" to mean was that they planned the menu, shopped and prepared the entire meal.  Good thing, because I was NOT up for eating Slim Jims and Gummies for dinner. 

 Oldest DS learned a thing or two about chopping!

 The little man did his fair share as well.

They even got roses for the table!

I am thinking I could get used to "Man Dinner" quite frequently...

TV time....

I have been blogging for over 5 years and I don't think (now, I don't promise but I don't think) I have ever written about TV shows.  I know a lot of bloggers are very into TV show writing but I was always kind of left standing alone where that topic was concerned because, to be quite honest, I haven't ever been much of a TV watcher.  Even when I was a teen, I didn't watch much TV.  It was the technology that I never seem to catch.  But apparently, for me at least, somewhere after crossing that 40 number I started watching TV.  Yes, I know this bodes well for my future. 

This year I have found 3 shows already that I am loving and I really hope they make a go of it. 

We (DH & I) watched this pilot last week and we both really liked it.  There is a lot of mystery, and flashbacks in this new show all set in the background of the Hamptons and "the beautiful people."  It is a lot like a great beach read; it is shallow and fun but intriguing enough to make you want to see more.  You can catch Revenge on ABC Wednesday's at 10:00 pm.

DH and I watched the pilot on Sunday night and I loved it. He wasn't as excited but I really loved it. Apparently I am on this really retro/early 60s jag right now because of shows like Mad Men and movies like The Help.  I loved the clothes, the hair, the makeup!  It is all so glamorous in a way that we seem to have lost in this modern age.  I also was drawn in by the "spy" subplot that looks to be very interesting!  The girls are all beautiful, smart and funny - just what you would expect from  "modern girls."  Pan Am is on ABC on Sundays at 10 PM.

I watched this little gem last night and really liked it!  This is a multi layered story that has potential with a variety of strong characters and I can't wait to see where it takes us.  It was particularly nice to see Scott Porter (formerly Jason Street on Friday Night Lights) up and walking around...well, except when he gets run down by an elderly man....but that is only a minor story line!  I was proud that Hart of Dixie didn't seem to want to totally mutilate the Southern accents, although they have several variations represented (cause y'all do know that all Southerners don't sounds alike, right???)  See Hart of Dixie on CW on Mondays at 10 PM.  It looks like it will be a lot of fun!

So, these along with a few comedies that I have grown attached to in the last year (Raising Hope, The Middle, Modern Family) and my bizarre fascination with Hoarders, Buried Alive, I actually might be morphing into a Television Watcher...I swan!  My only issue with these new shows is that they are all on at 10 pm...which, sadly, is kind of late for me on a consistent basis.  Y'all I tell you I am getting old!!!   I very well may need to investigate some of this modern technology that I keep reading about that allows you to record a show and watch it later...what is it called...a VCR or something?

I love Molasses Cookies!

Last week I received the opportunity to review Betty Crocker's Molasses cookie mix through Blogspark and let me tell you they were GOOD.  Not just good, but....really GOOD.

I love molasses cookies but haven't had the best of luck making them from scratch.  First off, working with molasses can be, well...a mess and then my homemade ones always get too crunchy and never stay thick, moist and chewy.  No worries now,  because these cookies were perfect and I was done, start to finish, in about 20 minutes (which is a good thing in my world!)

It has been a couple of days since I made them and they are still moist and chewy and in my cookie world the perfect snack for fall.

To share the cookie love, Betty Crocker has agreed to award one Southern Somedays reader a prize pack of their own:

How cool is that?

If you would like to enter, please leave me comment on this post telling me what your favorite occasion for baking Molasses cookies. 

For additional entries you may:

Like Betty Crocker's page on Facebook

Follow Betty Crocker on Twitter

Tweet about my giveaway.

Share about my giveaway on Facebook.

***Please not each additional action in a separate comment so your additional entries will be easily counted. I will announce a winner on October 1, 2011.

In addition, you can visit Betty Crocker Molasses Cookie Coupon to download a printable coupon for $0.75 off the purchase of one (1) Betty Crocker® Molasses Cookie mix pouch today!

  

Happy Fall, Y'all!

I love FALL!  It really is my favorite time of the year.  I don't know why, but I have always been like this.  I feel more creative, positive and energetic in the fall.  My optimism sores during  September through December.  I love the sounds, sights and smells of Fall...it all makes me happy. 

Do you have a favorite season?  A season where you feel all is right with the world and your past, present and future seem rolled up into one glorious gift? 

Delicious autumn! 

My very soul is wedded to it,

and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth

 seeking the successive autumns.

  ~George Eliot

Would you like a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer??? Giveaway Alert!

Boy, would I!!!!

Sandy of the wonderful Reluctant Entertainer is partnering with Kitchen Aid and giving away one of these delights...and you get to pick the color!

Hope on OVER and find out how to enter for a chance at your own kitchen dream machine!



It is the season for Gumbo...

Last weekend my DD was home from college and much to our delight she was in the mood to cook.  Saturday morning she baked cinnamon rolls and then on Saturday night she decided that she was in the mood for some Gumbo.  It was rainy and cool so it was really the perfect dish.  The recipe that she used was from the recent Taste of Home magazine "Heartwarming Soups" and it was delicious!!!  I am pretty impressed with my 19 year old chef if I do say so myself.







 New Orleans Gumbo

2 cups chicken broth
1 cup uncooked converted rice
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (23 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 pound kielbasa or Polish sausage, cute into 1/2-inch slices
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon pepper
2 bay leaves
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cold water
1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled & deveined
1 large green pepper, chopped
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

1.  In a large saucepan, bring broth to a boil. Stir in the rice, celery, onion and garlic. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 20 minutes.

2.  Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, bring the tomatoes, chicken, kielbasa, thyme, pepper, bay leaves and cayenne to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

3.  Combine flour and water until smooth; gradually stir into chicken mixture. Stir in shrimp and green pepper. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat for 4-6 minutes or until shrimp turn pink and gumbo is thickened. Discard bay leaves.

4.  Remove rice from the heat and let stand for 5 minutes; stir in parsley.  Serve with gumbo.

Yield: 8 servings (2 quarts gumbo; 4 cups rice)

It is pretty cool having your child cook for you when she comes home! 

 I could probably get used to that.

Linking up with Amanda @ Serenity Now and her Family Friendly Food Week!

Study Buddies...

DS2 and the furbaby study spelling!

I think it is fair to say that the furbabies miss my baby boy when he is at school.

September 11th...never forget.



Photo Source: Albany Times Union



It has been 10 years.  Do you still remember?  I will never forget.

This is a snapshot from my son's baby book.  These were the photos taken of us during the exact moments that our world was changing a 1000 miles away.  This is a post I wrote which includes a description of where we were during that time:  9-11 Remembering   

I look into the face of my now 10 year old son and can't help but be sad for the changes that came about on that fateful day.  It still brings tears to my eyes.  As painful and emotional as it is for me...and I didn't lose anyone...my heart breaks for all those 10 year olds out there (and all the other family members and friends) who lost loved ones that day.  I pray for those left grieving. 

God Bless the U.S.A.

NEVER FORGET. 

Boys of Fall...

It is that time of year again, when football season is in full swing.  We had game 3 last night of my son's JV season.  I still marvel at the fact that I have a football player.  He spent so many years playing baseball, practically year round, and never playing even little league football.  Now he is playing his 2nd season of football and loves it completely. He has scored in every game this season and looks like he might end up a pretty decent player.  

And he wears these badges of honor with pride (they are cleat marks.)

Something I (the Mom) don't quite understand....

10 is the magical number...

My baby boy is 10 today.  He is in those all coveted double digits.  He wanted an Ipod for his birthday...what happened to wanting little cars and such?  I can't believe my youngest child is 10. 

I love this little man so very much.  He is light and joy and fun rolled into one.  He is my child that fully loves life and wraps it in a sweet, compassionate spirit that I so desperately want to preserve.  It gets harder as they age to protect them and keep their spirits in tact. That is why I always feel a bit sad at each passing birthday, knowing they are that much closer to life outside the protective confines of home.

My wish for my sweet, youngest is that he always love life as much as he does now and he continues to grow into a man after God's own heart.