My First Feature!

Hi Everyone I am so excited to announce I got my first FEATURE! Weeeeee Thanks to Crystal at Homemaker in Heels! You have made my week! Please make sure you visit her and give her some follow love!

So for those of you who are not bloggers a lot of us link to things called linky parties where we share things we have cooked, crafted, or found info on. At the next weeks linky party the host/hostess will sometimes share there favorites or the faves of there readers. Crystal was sweet enough to share the boys new shipping pallet towel rack. It is a real honor for any blogger (and really something we all crave and check back week after week to see if we got!)

Hubby is making me homemade pasta tonight to celebrate!

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Fish Friday Jambalaya

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Ok so to celebrate Lent, every Friday till Easter will be 

Fish Friday!

and I will share a favorite recipe from the sea...ha ha I rhymed dorky I know. It is tradition to eat fish on Fridays during the Lenten Season. First up is my Friend Angelle's Jambalaya recipe. She is my partner in crime at our Church Fall Festival, yea she is the pretty red head, that is me with my favorite haircut that I call the cancer cut, hubby was not in love with it. He has the whole I want long hair thing going on but I do miss it, it was so easy.

She is a Nola Native. Her brother is in the 610 Stompers and if you have never seen them here is a look, they are awesome!

So here is a EASY but GREAT Jambalaya recipe, it works great for party's, company or watching a football game. To keep with Lent you can leave out the sausage but it's really not as good! Oh well it is about sacrifice.

2 boxes Zatarain's jambalaya mix

1 cup additional white rice

1 cup  water plus the water asked for on the boxes

1 14-16 oz can tomato sauce

1 1/2 lb sausage

1 lg green bell pepper chopped

1 lg onion  chopped

1/2 stalk celery chopped

blackened redfish seasoning to taste (1-2 Tablespoons (I used 1 T, Paul Prudhomme's blackened seasoning)

1 lb uncooked shrimp optional

Chop veggies and cook in stockpot just to release juices.  Add water and sausage.  Boil.

Add all rice, box mix, & tomato sauce.  Add seasoning.  Follow box directions.

Add shrimp w/ 5-10 min to go and a little salt if needed.

Transfer to crock pot to keep warm for a party.


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Why we wear Ashes on our Foreheads



Today my family and I attended Mass at Garrett's school. Today is Ash Wednesday so to all of you who celebrate it, Happy Ash Wednesday. So I have not always been a big Ash Wednesday attender I must admit and yes I have been known to "accidently" rub some off so it's not so dark. So you know how Karma get's ya, These are my ashes this year...yea that's what ya call a first swipe!



This was the first year Matthew realized about ashes and came back to sit in our pew and said, why do I have dirt on my face? Well in an effort to explain it to him, I told him it was because we are not always good boys and girls and it is to remind us of that and that we need to be good.

For those of you who think we are all wierd freaks running around with crap on our heads and would like a more adult description here is a great post from Fallible Blogma.


Many people, including Catholics themselves, have no idea why we walk around on Ash Wednesday with dirty black smudges on our foreheads.
First, it’s not a smudge. It’s supposed to be a cross drawn with ash. However, some of the people administering the ashes are a little better artists than others. Either way, it gets the job done.

Second, the ashes represent our mortality and are an outward sign of our sinfulness.
But why would anyone want to be reminded of this?
Perhaps because it’s true. We are indeed mortal – we are dust, and to dust we shall return (Gen 3:19). We are sinful too. And in a world that constantly says “if it feels good, do it” and suggests that a guilty conscience is just one more thing we need a prescription for, we definitely need this healthy dose of reality.
There is something much more important that must go along with this, though. It always helps to put everything we do in the Church in context with the most important event – the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Easter.
In this case, Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent which is preparation for Easter. And real preparation for Easter isn’t done with travel plans, fervor over the Sunday afternoon meal, and a resolution to eat less chocolate. It’s done in your soul.
When we look in the mirror on Ash Wednesday and see that black smudge on our forehead, we should be reminded that, no matter what, we are still sinners in need of constant conversion. It is the Church calling us back once again to the graces of our baptism, to do penance, and amend our lives as we approach the greatest celebration in the Church – Easter.
So don’t wear your ashes proudly, but make sure you wear them…and wear them humbly.



So this year I am wearing my dark ashes proundly, to the grocery store, to the neighbors and anywhere else I go today, I am proud to be a Christian and proud to be Catholic. BTW I am a convert, I grew up Southern Baptist... shocked yet? If you hae any questions like "Why do Catholics worship Mary?" (and we don't) I will be glad to answer them the best I can, ask away









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Serenity Now, Tatertots and Jello

Lego's Evil Torture Device and other Lego Links

I pinned this from my sister today, it really gave me a chuckle. Legos are the worst thing to step on, my friend Rachel recently was quoted on FB as saying " Women that think childbirth is painful have obviously never stepped on a Lego. My brother in law just got out of a walking cast from tripping over Legos. They are a necessary evil of boys. Hope this makes you laugh as well and here are some great Lego links!

This is Genius a Lego Quilt made by Wee Wonderfuls

Everyone is into Cake Pops and Marshmallow pops right not here are Lego Cake Pops from Living Locurto

Have you lost your lego instructions? Well go to Let's Build it Again, they have all the Lego Instructions going all the way back to 1966 for FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now if you have your lego Instruction books but just don't know what to do with them here is a great storage binder idea from Kristy.Makes

Here is a great organization Idea with a FREE printable for the labels from Mrs. Jones she also has a link to being able to create your own Lego person you should check out.

Here is my Lego Table I made for less than $50, you can see how I did it here

Here is a great Lego Math Sheet from The Kent Chronicles

If you kids like games, check out Zoodles they have Lego Math Games, so at least they are learning something while they play

This summer we are going to Lego Land in San Diego I am excited about it, there are many states that have mini Lego Lands called Discovery Centers you can check out the site to find where they are. They even have there own IPhone App! But then again who doesn't these days.

Ok so I hope you have enjoyed all these great Lego Links and please if you have any other ideas I would love to hear about them or see them, please share!

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BBQ Pizza Crescent Rolls

So I love home made Pizza, we make it almost weekly in our house. I will post it soon on the site as we are playing around with some different toppings. So Friday night was homemade Pizza night, we had friends over and were going to do 3. Cheese for the kiddos, a BBQ chicken, and a sausage with peppers and onions for the adults. Everyone said they would rather have the sausage pizza so we didn't do the BBQ.

I had all the ingredients as I had cooked about 8 chicken breasts in the Crockpot the other day and shredded it to freeze in 1 cup Ziploc. I had been thinking about that BBQ pizza still so today when I was looking for something to eat for lunch I had an AHA moment.

It looked like this:

Here is a close up of that Sauce. One of my husbands former customers at a little known soft drink company here in GA. has a BBQ team and this is there sauce it's fantastic. You can find out where to buy it here

So I rolled out my crescent rolls and spread some sauce on them whatever your favorite sauce to use is fine

Then I put some shredded chicken, red onion, and shredded cheese (whatever you have on hand will do)

When they were all ready they went into a preheated 350 degree oven for close to 10 minutes.

And this is the result!

.
Yummy and with a little of this on the side to dip some more...

Yummy my BBQ chicken Pizza craving was satisfied.

If you like crescent recipes, you can check out my earlier post Breakfast Boogie!

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Valentines Recap

I was downloading my camera and realized I forgot to share this cute valentine Garrett got, which of course Matthew promptly stole. Good thing his big brother is so sweet. However it was so cute I had to share it even though we are a week after V-Day.

First here was the stash he brought home

And this was the AWSOME Valentine he got from Sutton in his class

Here was the tag tied around the top (can you say my mommy is a scrapbooker)

Here is the cute little treat inside, multicolored cotton candy put in a sugar ice cream cone, 

genius Mrs. Tyler!

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Come to my Virtual Oscar Party

Here is a great Biography of the Oscars with some interesting facts!

I have always wanted to have an Oscars Party but it is always a Sunday Night so there is school and work the next day. Most of my friends would have to leave to put kiddos to bed.  Sooooo I have decided to have a Virtual Party for all the ideas I would do if I actually had one.

First HERE is a great link to a Ballot for this year I would have everyone fill it out and there would be prizes for the person who got the most right and for the most wrong. Of Course the winner would get there own little statue, if you don't have time to order one a ken doll and some gold spray paint would do

 

I would roll out a red carpet at my front door and have a strobe light flashing to mimic flash bulbs. 

Yea I wish that was what my front door looked like

All the chicks would receive Boas and the men Top Hats from the Party Store ( I know you are all thinking have people get glammed up but who wants to sit on a bunch of sequins in my living room watching TV?)

But I would wear one of these cause I'm sassy like that!

Ok so onto the food because that is one of my favorite subject!

So here is where you have to get really creative because you really need to correlate with the movies or stars. Here are some recommendations for this years nominees:

• The Help - This is really a no brainer Chocolate Chess Pie folks, I will just never look at that pie the same way again! Fried Chicken with biscuits with butter and honey, and being from Ga. Coke a Cola in the glass bottles! Because Cocktails are a must here are recipes for actual cocktails made at the screening party for The Help, all named and based on their characters:

THE SKEETER  Sweet, strong and a little spicy

1 oz. tequila, 1 oz. triple sec, ½ oz. cranberry, Finish with jalapeno-orange foam

THE AIBELENE Subtle, smooth and strong

1 ¼ oz. coffee liquor, ½ oz. bourbon, ¼ oz. amaretto, 1 oz. cream, 1 dash coco nibb bitters

THE HILLY Sour and chilled, with a sharp twang

1 ½ oz. applejack,½ oz. triple sec, ½ oz. lemon juice, Fill with dry hard cider

THE MINNY Strong, with a kick

1 ½ oz. vodka, ½ oz. triple sec, ½ oz. lemon juice, ½ oz. house-made Tahitian vanilla syrup

THE CELIA Sugary sweet, a true Southern treat

1 oz. bourbon, ½ oz. peach liquor, ½ oz. triple sec, ½ oz. lime juice, ½ oz. pomegranate juice

• Money Ball with Brad Pitt, any kind of ball park food would be great, Pretzels, Peanuts, Hotdogs, Cotton Candy and of course BEER....hmmmm....Beer!
• The Descendants would be great with Hawaiian Food, BBQ Pork, Hawaiian Chicken,  Fruit Kabobs with yogurt dipping sauce, Pina Coladas, a Blue Hawaiian Cocktail, 
• Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - Any Kind of New Your Deli Food, Pizza, Hot Dogs, New York Cheese Cake, Bagel Chips with Hummus, Fig Newtons (to understand this you have to see the movie)
• The Iron Lady - Flat Iron Steak put on rolls or tortillas, Fish and Chips, English Stout
• Hugo - French Fries, Crescent Rolls, Milk, mini quiches, French Cheese Plate, or any French Food
• Bridesmaids - Brazilian Food, Just watch this clip, I laughed so hard, it's priceless

Ok so I hope you have enjoyed my virtual Oscar's Party and Just in case you were wondering my pick for Best Picture is

Really I'm sure you could have guessed I am from the South after all! Please leave me a comment about who you would vote for!

So for now I'll leave ya'll with the Chocolate Chess Pie I make at the holidays:

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon flour
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 unbaked 9" pastry shell

Preparation:

Melt butter with chocolate. In a mixing bowl, combine chocolate and butter mixture with sugar, flour, salt, milk, eggs, and vanilla; beat with electric mixer for 5 to 6 minutes. Pour filling into prepared pastry shell; bake at 350° for 35 to 45 minutes, until set.

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Feeling like your the only one getting things done?

Today I was looking at a great new blog I found via yesterdays Linky Party. You can check out momto8blog, she has some great musings! Every Wednesday she does Wordless Wednesday and when you see this one you will know why no words are needed.

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It's a Blog Hop

So I am just learning this blog world but having a great time, learning so many things and meeting some great people. So today I am stuck home again with a poor sick Mattie and thought I would do some linky party blog hops. I found this one from Linky Follower. In an effort to get more followers and meet more great bloggers I joined in. Please visit some of these great blogs, leave them a comment because that's what we all want you to do and tell them you found them at Miss Information!
So this is how this works:

1. you MUST have the LINKY FOLLOWERS tool on your site to participate.

If you see that your link has been deleted you need to add the LINKY FOLLOWER tool to your site and then come back over and re-enter your link
{You can have both the LINKY FOLLOWERS & GFC on your site but you must have the LINKY FOLLOWERS toolto participate in this party hop.}

2. You MUST follow the person who has the party on their site as a thank you.

3. Just add your blog button to the LINKY PARTY below.

4.Then grab the BLOG HOP code

You will find the code right under the Linky Party where it says CLICK HERE TO ENTER–

just under that it says: WHAT IS A BLOG HOP? GET THE CODE HERE

Click on GET THE CODE HERE and enter it into a post on your site.

You can grab info from my post if it helps you with your post.

5. Then you follow other bloggers–(as many as you want)
–leave each one of the blogs that you follow a comment letting them know you are following them and ask them to follow you back.

If you want to add the BLOG HOP to your own site you will get lots of new followers–(see rule #2)

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Easy Cheezy Chicken Enchiladas

In need of something quick to put together but good, this is your answer. Easy Cheezy Chicken Enchiladas!

Ingredients:
Shredded Chicken (I buy a rotisserie from the deli and use about 3/4 of the chicken from it)
1 Can Fat Free Spicy re-fried beans
2 cans enchilada sauce
2 cups cheese of your choice, I have used Monterrey Jack, Cheddar, or Taco Blend depending on what I had
8-10 Whole Wheat Flour Tortillas

Directions:

Mix the shredded chicken and re-fried beans in a bowl.
Pour enough sauce in the bottom of a casserole dish to cover it.
Lay out your tortillas and sprinkle cheese along the middle
Top with the chicken bean mixture
Roll them up and line them together in the casserole dish
Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce on top and make sure to cover all of the tortilla with the sauce
Sprinkle more cheese on top and bake at 350 degrees for about 20-30 minutes

You can serve this with sour cream, lettuce, green onions, avocado, or tomatoes - whatever you have on hand

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Creole Onion Soup

When my hubby and I started dating we would get together and cook, drink wine, and hang out. I introduced hubby to The Food Network and at the time Emeril and his BAM! was the biggest thing on there. We quickly became huge fans and have at least 4 of his cookbooks. We have gone through phases with our Foodnetwork chefs, first it was Emeril, then it was Bobby Flay, now it is a mix of Guy Fieri and Ree Drummond.

So this is one of our favorite recipes from Emeril and we have been cooking it for over 12 years every winter. If you like French onion soup you will never eat it again after having this. French Onion is BORING in comparison. So last night we had our buds the Zakis' over for dinner. Her hubby is one of our hero's as he served in Afghanistan and then she did us a little favor by donating one of her kidneys to hubby. To say they are a selfless family is an understatement. Pete her hubby was on a drill weekend for the Navy Reserves so we swapped off some babysitting and got together for dinner. Our boys love each other and we always have a great time.Cristina's comment was I gotta have this recipe.

You may also want to check out this post with 4other great soups!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup flour
• 6 cups julienned yellow onions
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
• 4 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon fried leaf basil
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/2 gallon chicken broth
• 2/3 cup grated Maytag White Cheddar cheese
• 2/3 cup grated yellow Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 2 cups cubed French bread, lightly toasted
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Rustic Rub, recipe follows
• Garnish: 1/4 cup grated Maytag White Cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons chopped chives
• Essence, recipe follows

Directions

In a large saucepot, combine the oil and flour together. Stirring constantly for about 3 to 4 minutes, make a blond roux. Add the onions, salt, cayenne, bay leaves, thyme, oregano and basil. Stirring often, cook for about 10 minutes or until the onions are golden. Add the garlic and continue cooking for 2 minutes. Stir in the broth. Reduce the heat and cook for 1 hour. Add the cheeses, a little at a time, stirring to incorporate.

In a mixing bowl toss the bread with the olive oil and Rustic Rub. Reseason if needed. Ladle the soup into the bowl and top with the bread. Garnish with the grated cheese, chives and Essence.

Emeril's Rustic Rub:

• 8 tablespoons paprika
• 3 tablespoons cayenne
• 5 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
• 6 tablespoons garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons onion powder
• 6 tablespoons salt
• 2 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 2 1/2 tablespoons dried thyme

Combine all ingredients and store in an air-tight container.

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning (also referred to as Bayou Blast):

• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Yield: 2/3 cup

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