Mother's Day

I will be quite honest with you, Mother's Day snuck up on me this year. Not my children or dear husband but definitely on me, sorry mom. Now I am scrambling to come up with a nice menu for me, yes, I like to cook on Mother's Day. I need a rich dessert for my mother, my mom is an ant transformed into a human, seriously addicted to sweets. Mom, you know this is true. Anyway here is What's Cookin on Mother's Day on Beaty's Creek, let's hope the rain stays away while I grill.

Bar-B-Que Baloney-(Okie Steak)
Potato Salad
Baked Beans
Blueberry Cobbler

I think I will make my mother a limeade pie. Sounds good and refreshing to me. If you have never grilled baloney, you are missing out. Give it a try.

Menus

Okay am I the only person not making weekly or monthly meal menus?? Tell me, be honest. Am I missing the boat on this one? How do I make what I make each day to eat?? I ask my husband or son or daughter or myself what we would like for dinner. Does that sound crazy??? I have been working on a printed shopping list. I loved mine on Works but now it will not print for me. Kind of ruins the idea of a "printed shopping list" when one does not print out. I figure having one would help with lists when we go shopping. I could just hang it on the fridge and as we need items it would get marked on the list to buy. We will see how that one works out. Usually I make the list and I buy everything or I send Sean to buy what I need. This works well until I decide to make something that calls for an item I do not have. Make sense or is it as clear as mud for you. See now I go back to thinking I need a weekly menu.

I found this online and am giving it a try. I will let you know if I keep up with it or if is just easier writing everything down. I think this will be a real help for me. We will see. Here is the link to list I am using right now http://www.scottcommonsense.com/Tools/GroceryList/Tool.aspx?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=7667343&iq_id=7667343 Better get mine finished and head to the store, the game of the year is on tonight, Oklahoma vs. Florida, my MIL is coming over to watch the game and I am fixing some great game food. I will post what I come up with later on.

Happy New Year Meal 2009

I got an email from Sal, a really good friend of mine asking "what was cookin" for the new year. Well here it is Sal and all of you.

Black-Eyed Peas ( This is a tradition in our home.)
Mustard Greens
Salt Pork
Homemade Cornbread

We cook our peas without meat in them, we like it on the side. I LOVE mustard greens anytime of year. I only eat a small bowl of peas and a huge bowl of mustard greens. I was always told that you ate the peas for good luck and greens for money in the new year. Not sure about the other items on my menu, they just go well with the peas and greens.

Thanksgiving 2008

Every year I write up a menu with the date in the heading, like the one above. Not sure why?? Maybe it is my type A personality coming out. Who knows? All I know is that it makes me happy to see the menu with what is needed handwritten next the menu choice. I use recipes my family loves and always have. Not too many new things, maybe one or two but the comfort food is what they want. Me too... I have a tablecloth I made many years ago with every feather known to man on it. We have used it every year since. I made embroidered napkins this year on my new machine, love them. I cannot believe I have not done it before. Well enough chit chat. Here is the menu. I will post recipes in a day or so and the pictures will come on Turkey Day.

Turkey-- of course, I am cooking a 22 pounder this year in my Nesco with the convection feature. I truly love my Nesco! If you don't have one you must get one. It frees up your oven for many other things on Turkey Day.

Ham-- we always have ham too

Grandma Minnie's Sweet Potatoes-- These are to die for!!

Mashed Potatoes and Turkey Gravy--enough said

Cranberry Sauce--I make homemade. I like the store bought when in the hospital but you should at least try making a homemade version this year.

Broccoli Casserole-- This is my favorite.. My recipe is a little different.

Granny West's Corn Casserole--- This is my father's favorite. Sweet and savory at the same time. Granny knew what she was doing when it came to cooking.

Green Beam Casserole--Love it but I do tweak it a bit.

Homemade Hot Rolls--These are the BEST and EASIEST you will ever eat or make. Stay tuned..

Dressing--Yes, we call it dressing on Beaty's Creek. My husband helps with this. I love it raw out of the bowl. I am hungry for it right now. Must wait..Must wait..

5 Cup Salad--Everyone really likes this. Cool and fruity

7 Layer Salad-- I use baby greens in this because Raven HATES iceberg. Me too.

Deviled Eggs---Would not be a holiday without these.

Pecan Pie---I use organic pecans. We grow pecan trees at my mom and dad's farm. They make such a difference!

Pumpkin Pie-- Basic but so good

2 Layer Pumpkin Pie-- Like a cheesecake but even better to me.

Chocolate Chip Pie-- I could eat the whole thing but of course I don't....

Pumpkin Roll--Looks so impressive but is really pretty easy to make. Just takes some practice.

Ice Tea and Coffee

I make my pie crust. It is just easier for me. I like to know what goes into our food. Ever read a store bought crust's ingredients?? Scary!!

There it is. You never know what fresh produce will make me think of something to add to the menu. I will shop in the following week. Get your menu going. You might be like me and have one every year now. It is something to see year after year. Gets me in the mood. Oh wait, I am always in the mood for good food.

Ransome Picks!!

Our daughter Raven is visiting her grandparents for a few days so Ransome is the man. Well, he always thinks he is the man but tonight he is. We told him while driving home last night that he would pick what we were having for dinner. Scary.... I was not sure what he would pick... Homemade veggie burgers, one of his favorites... Steak, baked potatoes and salad of baby greens, another of his favorites.... Nope. He wants mac and cheese, broccoli and hold your breath......Little bitty hotdogs in BBQ sauce. We live in a small town and I am now on the search for the dogs. You know sweet cornbread sounds really good with this meal. Check later and I will attempt to post pictures of this meal. Oh, I am making a pumpkin cheesecake tart for dessert. I have to eat something don't I??

Didn't get time for the tart today, of course not... The journey for the dogs took too long... There is always tomorrow. Til then...