Crockpot – Scalloped Potatoes & Ham

September 7, 2009 by

Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

  • 8 to 12 ounces ham, diced
  • 8 to 10 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 medium onions, peeled and thinly sliced
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of celery or cream of potato soup
  • paprika, optional


Layer half of the ham, potatoes, and onions in slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then the shredded cheese. Repeat with remaining ham, potatoes, onions, salt, pepper, and cheese. Pour condensed soup over the top then sprinkle with a little paprika, if desired. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 9 hours, or until potatoes are tender.Serves 6 to 8.

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Quotable Sunday

September 6, 2009 by

It’s Quotable Sunday thanks to Toni at A Daily Dose of Toni. Today we list a few of our favorite quotes. Since today is my birthday, I decided to do birthday quotes.

Getting old ain’t for sissies.- Betty Davis

After 30, a body has a mind of its own.- Bette Midler

Looking fifty is great–if you’re sixty.- Joan Rivers

In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. – Abraham Lincoln

Your birthday is a special time to celebrate the gift of you to the world. – Picasso

The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age. – Lucille Ball

All the world is birthday cake, so take a piece, but not too much. – George Harrison

The only constant thing in this world is change – and birthdays every year! – Unknown

You were born an original. Don’t die a copy. –John Mason

I hope that you enjoyed my birthday quotes. If you’re interested in joining us, stop at A Daily Dose of Toni and add your link. We’ll stop by and visit you.

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Looks Who’s Turning 2

September 3, 2009 by
Newborn – Heading to the Nursery

1st Birthday Party

Eating His Favorite Snack Last Week

It’s hard to believe that my little sweetie is turning 2 in a few weeks. I remember the day he came into this world like it was yesterday. I snapped the top photo of him when he was being taking to the nursery from the delivery room. My life changed forever at that moment, he truly became a part of my heart. There has not been one day that I have not thought about this precious baby boy in the past 2 years.


This is Gran holding him for the first time at the hospital. What a moment it was for me. He was the smallest little fellow. He weighted 5 lbs. 5 oz. I could hold him in the palm of my hand. Quite a difference from my 8 lb. daughter when she was born. I remember telling myself to be gentle, I guess I thought he would break. Everything we purchased was too big for him. Incredibly, the doctors told us that he was going to be a big baby. We were expecting him to weigh around 8 – 9 lbs. Didn’t happen. As you can see he had a head full of coal black hair, which my daughter claims caused pretty of heartburn. She too was born with a head full of hair.

 
It didn’t take Xavier long to make up for his weight deficit. He ate around the clock causing sleep deprivation for everyone in the household. He ended up being nicknamed Gran’s “Lil Butterball”. His legs had rolls of fat, nice little drumsticks for Gran to kiss on. I look at him and some days I see his mom. Other days I see his dad.
 
My beautiful daughter is pictured in the center photo at the top. She’s holding Xavier after he dived into the cake at his first birthday party. She’s the love of my life and she will always will be, but Xavier holds a special place. It’s a place that only a grandchild is allowed to enter into. There is nothing that I would not do for him. He brings so much joy into my life. I’ve heard other people talk about how great it is to be a grandparent, it’s so true. Although I want him to be raised properly, I know that I would allow him to get away with much more than I allowed my daughter to get away with. I have to restrain myself when she’s disciplining him. I just want to scoop him up and protect him from what I perceive to be harm. That includes Mean Ole Mommy and Daddy. Can you keep a secret? I purchased the set below for Xavier, it contains our secret code for Ole Mommy and Daddy. That’s right “Monster”. Remember it’s a secret. Can I trust you? Seriously, they are wonderful parents and would never bring harm to this little gem.


The past 2 years have been so wonderful and they’ve gone by so fast. We’re planning Xavier’s party for September 26th. Elmo and Xavier will be the stars. He adores Elmo and watches Sesame Street faithfully. Gran gets a reprieve this year, The Jumping Monkey will be the host. I believe the Jumping Money is popular in the southern states. I had never heard of it, and goggled it when my daughter announced the location. At first I was disappointed that we would not be doing the preparations, but now I’m looking forward to just purchasing a few gifts and enjoying Xavier and his guests. It will give me the opportunity to take lots of pictures for my next scrapbook.

The Jumping Monkey will furnish the cupcakes, plates, cups, etc. as well as the party favor bags, invitations, juice boxes and popcorn. They have games, ride on toys and bounce and ball pits for the kids. We’ll have pizza delivered and everyone should have a grand time. I know that I will.

I need to work on my skills so that I can video a few of the events. I tried videoing last week with my digital camera, OMG. I need serious help. Any suggestions from the video/vlog professionals? Please leave a few of your video tips.

I’m looking forward to my grandson’s 2nd birthday party. Stayed tuned for pictures of a few of my gifts and the party. How did you celebrate your child’s 2nd birthday? Fell free to share any of your memories.

Filed Under: 1st birthdays, 2nd birthday party, birthday party themes, children's birthday party, grandparents, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Wordless Wednesday

September 2, 2009 by

Potato chips, dip & crabs legs.

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Fried Pumpkin Blossoms

September 1, 2009 by





I had someone comment on my Mama’s Growing A Pumpkin Patch, Unexpectedly post.  She suggested that I fry the pumpkin blossoms on my plant.  I had never heard of fried pumpkin blossoms, so I decided to Google fried pumpkin blossoms.  I came across several recipes and blogs referencing these treats.  I thought I would share this recipe:

  • 24 pumpkin blossoms
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2/3 cup cracker crumbs

Cut your pumpkin blossoms off where the pumpkin starts on; take the center out and wash well. Make a batter of the milk, eggs, salt and pepper, and dip the blossoms in this batter; then in the cracker crumbs or cornmeal and fry until light brown. Serve hot.

I have not tried this recipe, but I will try it before all of my blooms die out. I hope you enjoy.

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Crockpot Beef BQ

August 30, 2009 by
  • 1 beef roast, 2 1/2 to 3 pounds, (top round, chuck)
  • 1 – 1 1/2cup barbecue sauce, your favorite or homemade
  • 1/2 cup apricot preserves (I use Smuckers)
  • 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoon light brown sugar, packed
  • 1 medium onion, sliced


Trim beef roast and cut into 4 uniform pieces. Place roast in slow cooker. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over roast. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours, or until beef is tender. Slice or shred beef then return to juices in cooker. Cover and cook for 20 minutes longer.

*Great for sandwiches on the week-ends or when you need a quick dinner during the week.  I serve this with coleslaw, the kids love it with chips.

Filed Under: blog crockpot recipes, blog recipes, BQ recipe, BQ sandwiches, crockpot recipes, Food-Recipes, Uncategorized

Can Doodling Sharpen Your Child’s Memory?

August 27, 2009 by

Did you know that doodling can be a benefit? I doodle when I’m sitting in meetings/conferences. It helps me to stay alert. There are benefits for children too according to the Journal of Applied Cognitive Psychology. The journal states that “doodling” may help
improve memory recall. Lord knows I need help with my memory at this stage of life. I don’t trust it anymore, I have to write everything down. On a bad day, I need help finding whatever list or information that I’ve written down. So pathetic I know. It doesn’t happen often, but it does happen.

As a result of a study performed by Jackie Andrade, a psychology professor at the University of Plymouth in England, parents are being encouraged to promote creative doodling at home with their children by incorporating art activities into their life. Jackie is saying rather than give your child a coloring book, give them a doodle pad as well so they can doodle. I don’t consider myself to be an artist, but I do enjoy scrapbooking and creating crafts for my home. I think I can really get into some form of art with my 2 year old grandson. I tested him to see how he would do using a regular pen and pencil, he made a few scribbles. I’m going to purchase the larger crayons and pencils for him, and make it a regular activity.

Jackie’s study found that doodling can be used to help retain information. She performed a study where individuals listened to a recorded message which included pieces of information such as names and places. She found that individuals who doodled while listening, remembered 29 percent more than those who did not. I’m going to put this theory to the test. I’m going to try to teach Xavier the primary colors by using crayons and doodles.

Teachers are being discouraged from stopping students from doodling in class. In the past it was seen as a sign that the child was distracted. Now it’s seen as a sign that the brain is active and they are listening.

I’ve been checking out the Aquadoodle Travel ‘N’ Doodle Mat and I think it may be perfect for him. I’m looking for small birthday gifts for him, I’m going to add it to my birthday gift list. It’s getting good reviews by other moms, stayed tuned for my review.

Winter is heading our way, and we will be looking for indoor activities for the kids. We will be compiling a list of art/craft activities for children. We would love to have contributions from our readers too. Please leave us a comment with an activity or craft that you have done with your child. We will add it to our list and include a link to your blog.

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Wordless Wednesday

August 26, 2009 by

Walking In Daddy’s Shoes
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Quotable Sunday

August 23, 2009 by

It’s Quotable Sunday thanks to Toni at A Daily Dose of Toni. For those who aren’t familiar with Quotable Sunday, it’s the day we list a few of our favorite quotes. Since I’m just returning from a business trip, I decided to focus on travel. Here are a few of my favorite travel quotes:

No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow. ~Lin Yutang

When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money. ~Susan Heller

Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind. ~Seneca

The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him. He goes “sight-seeing.” ~Daniel J. Boorstin

What you’ve done becomes the judge of what you’re going to do – especially in other people’s minds. When you’re traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don’t have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road. ~William Least

I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them. ~Mark Twain

Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime. ~Mark Twain

The most important trip you may take in life is meeting people halfway. ~Henry Boye

I hope you enjoyed my quotes this week. Leave me a comment and let know which is your favorite quote. If you’re interested in reading more quotes, head over to A Daily Dose of Toni If you would like to join us, add your blog to the link. We’ll visit and take a look at your quotes too.

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Wordless Wednesday

August 19, 2009 by
A Painted Horse!
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