Happy New Year!

We all start the new year with resolution to be better.  I am no different.  I am going to be thinner, stay on top of my laundry and make my bed every single day....... for 2 weeks.  In addition, I am going to be more diligent in making sure my family has home cooked meals.  Especially since Colton apparantly keeps track of when I cook and when I don't!

So in the spirit of welcoming 2011, I got with one of my bestestest friends, Taryn and we prepared our meals for the next two weeks.  Taryn and I have done this for about the last 2 years and it always makes me smile.  This is how the day goes.  I prepare our menu (she never complains), then we go grocery shopping together (This is my favorite friend time... I get her all to myself!)  Then we unload the groceries!  While we unload the groceries, her teenage sons, Garrett and Grant, always go YES!  Jennifer is here to cook!  As long as they keep smiling and getting excited when I come to cook, I will keep on keeping on!  Then we start the process of preparation.  It is total mayhem of where is this?  I can only find one can of soup!  Crap!  Do we need to go back to the store.... Nope.. here it is!  It really is quite comical!

I still can't believe that she allows me to come back to her home every two weeks to cook.  Why, I'll never know.  I am the worlds messiest cook.  I think her husband goes into encephalitic shock when I come in because he knows he will need to sandblast the floor, walls and ceilings.  I can't help it people - I'm like the mad professor of cooking!

Here is our menu for the next two weeks:

Poppy Seed Chicken

Spaghetti

Magic Pot Chicken

Meatloaf

Enchiladas

Penne ala Shrimp

Lasagna

So like a good girl (bragger), I posted my accomplishment on Facebook and I was totally surprised by the amount of applause and accolades I received!!  I was also completely flattered that people wanted my recipes - So - if your new year resolution was to provide more home cooked meals for your family, I will share with you a recipe that has become a staple and classic in my home..... brace yourself... wait for it.....

Poppy Seed Chicken

4-6 Cooked, diced chicken breast (be sure to season it with black pepper and Tony C's)

2 cans - Cream of Chicken soup

1 Cup sour cream

2 Cups Grated Monterrey Jack cheese

1/4C - 1/2C white wine (use water if you are a sissy)

3T poppy seed (divided)

2 rolls Crushed Ritz Crackers

1 stick melted butter

Angel Hair pasta

1. Place the chicken in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish
2. In a medium sauce pan, combine the soup and wine over medium heat.  Cook until all lumps are gone.
3. Add sour cream, MJ cheese and 1 1/2 T of poppy seeds.  Cook until cheese is     melted.
4. Pour sauce over chicken - is it just me or did you just hear the Hallelujah chorus?
5. Melt your butter in the microwave and then add crushed Ritz crackers and remaining 1 1/2 T poppy seed
6. Sprinkle over the top...... The chorus is getting louder
7. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden brown on top!
8. While the dish is cooking prepare your angel hair pasta according to the directions
9. Serve over pasta with a yummy tossed green salad
10. Take a bite and sing!

This delicious recipe is especially wonderful left over after spending the night in the fridge.  No telling what goes on in there when you close the door and the lights go out.... but I think the flavors "do it" because they certainly taste like they have been married!

Helpful hint from Huie - If you think you might be tested for drugs, don't eat this the night before.  Poppy seeds tend to show up as Opium.... But don't let that stop you!

It hasn't stopped me! 

I'm a Traditionalist

I'm a traditionalist.. and here is why.........

When I grew up, Christmas was the end-all-be-all holiday!  The whole family got together.  I remember I was giddy with excitement because I literally could NOT wait to see my Aunt Anne from Colorado.  She was always so much fun and always made me feel special.  From the moment she arrived, that marked the start of Christmas.  Plus my NaNa and Judy Baby had not one but TWO Christmas trees because there were too many presents for just one tree!  I could often be found under the tree counting presents!  (Yes I admit... I counted.. and that seemed to tickle my grandparents... my parents.. not so much)

Because we had such little Anne time, our evenings and days were full of looking at her as much as possible... this usually included food, drinks, more food and more drinks. (my drink was always a sparkling punch)  I loved sitting in the den watching Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer while trying to figure out what was so darn funny in the other room.

After Rudolf, we always had chili and tamales or gumbo for dinner.  That was after we had stuffed ourselves silly with all the dips and chips, shrimp and other yummies that were out for the taking! 
Our Christmas eve always included a family talent show.  (and no, none of us were talented - the only talent we had was loving each other) My precious NaNa would open up the talent show by dressing like a Christmas tree!  You knew "the program" (as it were called) started as soon as Judy Baby plugged NaNa into the wall!  Once her Christmas tree outfit lit up - she would bust into her favorite song, "Oh Christmas Tree".  We would all sing with her as she tossed tinsle at us if we weren't singing quite loud enough. 

Another one of my all time favorites was when my Uncle Karl did his version of stupid pet tricks - and I'm pretty sure David Lettermen had a spy at our house and copied our platform.  I remember laughing until I literally wet my britches!

As the years progressed, the talents got funnier and more elaborate.  One year, Jack, Charles, Letitia and I did a routine to the Nut Cracker.  Our program, was synchronized showering.  We put up a shower curtain and had cut outs of arms and legs, plus we wore shower caps....... good times...

The program always concluded with a wine tasting contest.  Every year the same result, drunk adults picking the cheapest wine as their favorite.  All swearing that had to be the most expensive.  Must've been the drunk taste buds.  Some years they would let us underagers have some wine that included 7-up.  I think they call that a wine spritzer now! 

Then it was off to bed..... ya right... what kid sleeps on Christmas eve.  Plus I could still hear the adults in the other room laughing, giggling and loving each other.

Now we are all older and have our own families, Anne doesn't come for Christmas anymore and my NaNa and Judy Baby have Christmas in heaven - it just isn't the same.

I guess you could say it is just different.  I miss those days - a lot - and I would give anything to have everyone together one last time.  The crowded house that wasn't crowded with people - just laughter and love.  Everyone would tell me - you are so lucky Jennifer to have a family like that.... and I knew it at the time... but didn't really know it..... now..... I know it....

So to all the people that were part of making me a traditionalist - I love you.. and I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

The best cookie recipe of all time....

I must be high.... but I am going to share with you my grandmothers famous, never duplicated cookie recipe.... Act quickly, because if I come to my senses, I may delete this post!  Actually, I wouldn't!  My precious NaNa would love to know that others are gathered around the kitchen eating her cookies.

I can still see her winking at me as I ate the raw dough!  Sometimes she would act like eating the dough was a crime, but as she was scolding me, she too would be eating a bite of dough!  We would giggle and laugh. 

My brother Charles as actually mastered the art of NaNa cookies and he recently shared is secret with me..... its all in step one.... thats the secret to moist yummy cookies... oh and not over cooking these little jewels.

These cookies not only inspire bigger thighs and larger waists, but also giggles and good times... I hope you enjoy...

2C Butter melted

2C dark brown sugar

2C Grapenut flakes cereal

4 eggs

2t vanilla

1C chopped pecans

2C sugar

2C oatmeal – regular (not instant)

4C flour

2t baking soda

2t baking powder

1t salt

1 package semi sweet chocolate chips

Coconut is options (I never add it)

1.        Mix together cooled, melted butter, beaten eggs and both sugars

2.       Then add flour, soda, powder, salt, oatmeal, grapenut flakes – stir

3.       Add vanilla, pecans and chocolate chips

4.       Bake 10-12 minutes at 350

5.       Makes a ton!

Great to freeze!

December all ready? I'm just saying.......

Where did the year go?  I must have blinked cuz last time I looked at the calendar it was January!  It's been a year of great and amazing things!

January 2010 - Colton made the Varsity team for the Richland Rebel Soccer Team!  so our lives were consumed with soccer - after all  - it IS a year round sport!

February 2010 - Kendall got braces... and Colton is still playing soccer!!!  Jack and I managed to squeeze in a movie date to see Shutter Island and had sushi!  You might also recall that we had record breaking snow that was absolutely beautiful! 

March 2010 - I began our kitchen remodel.  Note to self.... NEVER again.... we also found out that Colton made 1st team ALL District as a Freshman - can you say PROUD PARENTS!!  PROUD GRANDPARENTS and even a PROUD SISTER.

Before


After

April  2010 - My house is officially full of teenagers.  Kendall turned 13 and Colton turned 15!  Club soccer got back into full swing!  Rebel soccer winded down with their annual banquet!  Colton looked dashing and received the Mr. 110% award!


May 2010 - I celebrated my 25 year anniversary with American Airlines.  It is something I am very proud of... not too many people these days can say they have done anything for 25 years, except maybe breathing! 

June 2010 - My wonderful mother took me and the kiddos on her all expense (well almost all expense) paid trip to DisneyWorld that she earned because she rocks at selling Pampered Chef.  We made sooo many wonderful memories.  We laughed until our sides hurt.  One memory I think is worth posting - my mother did a cannon ball fully clothed into the hotel swimming pool.  She received a round of applause from all the onlookers who shouted - "I love this woman!"  I happily shouted back "thats my momma!"   Another wonderful thing happened in June - Jack and his friends nabbed first prize for their brisket at the Colleyville BBQ Cookoff!  It was yummy!
   

July 2010 - My birthday cousin gave birth to her first child Kaylee Claire!  I really thought she was gonna pull another fast one on me and have the baby on MY birthday.... ok ... ok.. OUR birthday! 

August 2010 - October 2010  - It's all a blurr - School starts again for the kiddos!  Kendall is in her last year of Middle School and Colton is a Sophomore!  Select soccer starts up again and is in full swing!  Both kiddos were totally active in sports!  Kendall in volleyball and her new calling Softball and Colton in soccer!   The Texas Rangers were still playing baseball in October and actually made it to the SHOW!!!  Gotta love that!  Jack and I scored tickets (courtesy of the Greenes) to the first playoff game ever won at HOME!!  Go Rangers!

November 2010 - Kendall tore up the softball fields and kept her dance card very full!
The Thanksgiving holiday has come and gone and here we are, waiting for Santa!

Where oh Where did the time go!!!!!!

I'm thankful for.....

I was in the shower this morning doing some of my best thinking..... come one.... everyone does their best thinking in the shower!  Something about the hot water on your head.... Anyway, I digress.... I started thinking about the crazy things that I am thankful for (like a hot shower)... Here they are in no particular order.... (remember this is not the mushy thankful list.. but the CRAZY thankful list)

1.  I am thankful for indoor plumbing - I just cant imagine going #1 or #2 in a hole in the backyard or showers with water from a pot or sharing bath water with 3 other people from your family!  Gag me with a spoon!!!!  Amen to the brilliant person that created indoor plumbing!


2.  I am thankful for Taco Bell - Hello, my name is Jennifer and I'm addicted to taco bell hot sauce.  Is there a 12-step program?


3.  I am thankful for AIR CONDITIONING - Lord knows I could NEVER have survived in the pioneer days..... Long dresses and no A/C?  Puuhhhlease!


4.  I am thankful for XM Radio and the 70's & 80's station - nuff said!


5.  I am thankful for ice makers - I was never good and the whole twist and bend at the same time.  I usually wasted half the tray of ice because when I bend the tray, the ice would fly everywhere.



6 .  I am thankful for cars - see #3, Pioneer days.... ya.. not me...


7.  I am thankful for Kool Aid - I mean come on... who doesn't love Kool Aid?  Not only does it taste great, but it can also earn you some extra cash as a young child!


8.  I am thankful for snicker bars! Gotta love the ooey, gooey, crunchy goodness


9.  I am thankful for Charmin toilet paper.... my va-j.j. thanks you Mr. Charmin... I love you..

10.  I am thankful for popcorn and movie theaters!  Love the whole experience!


11.  I am thankful for pretty panties, pj's and bra's.  AKA Victoria Secret! 


12.  I am thankful for squishy pillows and down comforters!  Thank you Mr. Duck and Ms. Chicken for donating your feathers to my happiness!

13.  I am thankful for southern cooking!! It felt funny to write lard... but, I guess that is what I'm saying!  Everything is better when cooked in lard!

14.  I am thankful for cokes in a glass bottle!  Everything taste better in glass!


15.  I am thankful for blogs!  Gives me a platform to put my thoughts on paper!

I'm sure there are many things that I am leaving off my list... Everyday I come across something else that makes me stop and say..... Goodness I am so thankful for..............

Make it a great day everyone!  I would love to hear some of the crazy things you are thankful for!

Family

Families are a funny thing.  You don't get to pick your relatives - You are born and boom you are part of a family or you could be one of the lucky ones that are adopted.  There are no auditions or tryouts.  Nothing to study and no way to prepare.  You have the family you were dealt.  

I wonder what an audition to be part of a family would look like??  I can see it in the Survivor or American Idol format!  Wouldn't that be a hoot!

I was talking to my brother today about families and I starting thinking about what family means to me.  I realized that family may mean one thing to me, but something entirely different to someone else.

To me family is all about trust, acceptance and unconditional love.  My grandfather - Judy Baby - was big on unconditional love.  He loved me no matter what.... and I knew it.  Same with my parents...... unconditional love.  When you live your life in a world of unconditional love it gives you comfort of knowing that today, the next day and the day after that through infinity and beyond you are loved.

Love is a funny thing too.  Especially when its built on conditions.  Have you ever had a relationship that was based on conditions?  I have... I broke up with a guy once because he didn't put the lid down on the toilet seat!  Another one because he spoke German to my Schnauzer.  (don't ask me why that irritated the living snot out of me.. but it did) When love is given based on conditions people behave and act differently.  They are always trying to prove that they are worthy of your love.  Really?  Is that the way love is supposed to be given out?  I don't think so.... love is a gift you give because you can - not because of what the other person does for you or gives you.

When a family is built on unconditional love, that means that no matter how bad a person has hurt you, or disappointed you - you love them... that means through the good and the bad times.  Take my relationship with my brother as an example......

I probably was tough on my brother growing up - picked on him a little too much - tied him to one too many trees but he knew that his sister loved him.  I would protect him, fight for him, scream at girl friends that hurt him and was his biggest fan.  I protected him at all costs.  No one was going to EVER hurt my brother.....not on my watch.  As we got older, our relationship was awesome... I enjoyed hanging out with him and his friends and loved watching him play baseball.  I remember when he met his future wife - Letitia - we were in the whataburger drive-thru and he said, "Jennifer, she is the one..... she reminds me of you"  What a great compliment!  Years pass, and we both marry and then life happened.  Somewhere along the way, we grew distant.  I can't put my finger on what happened, but it did.  I missed him for years..... was angry that he wasn't in my life like he used to be.... and then I missed him again.... But lately, we have reconnected and I am so grateful.  Again, I go back to unconditional love.  I don't love my brother because I have too..... I love him because I can and I want to.  I don't love him only in the good times but at ALL times.  I have got to be the luckiest girl in the world to have Charles as my brother.  The day he was born, I told my momma he was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen -not sure how many babies I had seen at the ripe old age of 4- but to this day, I still haven't seen a more beautiful baby....

No tryouts, or auditions..... boom.... you are family...Family.... it is a funny thing....

So - I'm curious..... what does family mean to you?

Kendall - Greatest Hits Volume I - Lessons in Love

Another favorite story regarding my strong willed little girl.....This one comes from 2007 and is my personal favorite Kendall story...buckle up for this one...


The year was 2007, Kendall was in 4th grade when she got bit by the love bug.  This is the year she had her first boyfriend.  His name was Connor and by all accounts he was precious.  (Kendall would beg to differ with me now).  She came home from school and made me "pinky promise" that I would NOT tell her daddy that this boy at school liked her and she liked him back.  I was tickled with excitement that first off, she told me and second, that she was asking my advice. 

I decided that it was time for me to meet this young man.  So I went to school to have lunch with Kendall and Connor.  He was very mature for his age and asked me what "Mr. Huie and I like to do for fun".   Wait a minute, did he just say Mr. Huie?  What kid says Mr. and Mrs. these days!  We carried on a REAL conversation and I left the lunch just a smitten as Kendall was.  I gave her a high five and told her that she got herself a good one.

Connor was equally as smitten with Kendall.  The calls started coming to the house as did handwritten poems.  These poems were the sweetest things I had ever seen and I have secretly kept them for safe keeping.  After a whirlwind courtship, they decided they should "go out".  She told me about their upgraded status during our routine tuck-in time.  When she told me they were "going out"... I asked where they were going?  She said "no-where".. I said, "so you mean you are going together?  and she said, "no MOM, we are going OUT (emphasis on OUT)... I'm like... ok whatever that means... She was tickled about it, so that meant I needed to be tickled.

They "went out" together for about 3 months.  Although they never went anywhere.  (details, details).  All was going fine until (insert scary music here) Connor accused Kendall of only going out with him for his money......really?  seriously?  ok... it is 4th grade remember....

yes... I'll give you a minute to pick yourself off the floor.... you'll want to, cuz its about to get real good.

Apparantley, one of Kendall's friends told Connor that she was only interested in him for his money.  To which Kendall replied, "Mom - really- I don't even care how much money he has in his lunch account! (told you it was getting good)"

So Kendall told Connor, that if you are going to believe something as silly as that, then we should just break up.  So they did.....

Later at recess - Connor couldn't take it.... so he came back and begged Kendall to take him back.  Kendall said..............

"I'm sorry Connor but the Kendall Huie train has left the station and YOU are not on board"!

(after I managed to pick myself up off the floor) I said to Kendall - "that wasn't very nice, where did you learn that?"

She said, "mom you know... boys gotta learn that they get one shot with Kendall Huie and when it's over... it is OVER."

She's gotta point people... If only I had that much self confidence in my twenties as she did in the 4th grade, boy how my life would be different!  I immediately thought, we need to get Kendall on the Oprah circuit... she could be the next Dr. Phil.... She would have book tours - seminars, books on tapes... the whole 9 yards!  Her philosophy is simple yet impactful... treat me the right way, or the train departs!  Goodness, I love her!

Kendall learned a life lesson in the 4th grade.... boys want what they can't have.... to this day.... Connor still pines for Kendall... and she has NOTHING to do with him.... bless his little broken heart.  He holds the #1 spot for being the first boy who had their heart broken by Kendall........ I'm sure he certainly won't be the last!!!