Christie's Birthday

 Christie had her birthday this week.  Husband Michael was out of town on a business trip and her boys are both away at Clemson University.  I invited her over for wine and appetizers.  I didn't tell her that I also invited her best girlfriends over too!  She was surprised!  Hard to surprise someone - she almost didn't come but I told her in no uncertain terms that she HAD to come!  We had a wonderful time - I got to be with "young" women - the make me feel a little bit younger!

 But as you can see, being around younger women does NOT make me look younger!

 All the women are from our neighborhood and they met because they all have big dogs - labs....some yellow, some black.  So, with Jake, I fit right in (even if I am not quite their age!)

This is Pam, Barb, Christie and Kimberly.

Night of Witches

I can't believe a year has gone by since LAST HALLOWEEN!  Here we all are again but dressed as witches this year.  I think there were 7 or 8 of us!  It was so much fun!  And the children were precious; especially the really little ones.  So, here is my collection of fun pictures.  Enjoy!

Jennifer, Me and daughter Christie
I had on so many layers of clothes I could hardly move!  But I was NOT cold!

Very frightening!

Miss Nicole - getting bigger and prettier each year!

As you can see in the background, some of the parents got into the act also!  I loved seeing them participating!

This is Owen and he was putting out our fire in the pit.

Now, isn't he a doll!

Party Chicken Bake

This really is called "Mom's Gooey Chicken" and has been for 40 years.  I found this recipe in a newspaper in the late 60's and have been making it since, but not so much as in the first 10-15 years because now we pay a little more attention to what we eat, not just how good it tastes!  My kids make it and my grandchildren know and love it.  It is a real "Family Recipe".   

Because of the Cream of Mushroom Soup and the Cream Cheese in it, I don't make it so much any more but it is still something we all love, a comfort food, and I made it tonight for dinner with fluffy basmati rice and some fresh asparagus.  So, if you are hungering for some good old fashioned comfort food - give this one a try.  I used bone-in chicken breast just because we prefer our chicken with bones when possible as it is more flavorful but boneless works really well also.  (and I took the skin off before cooking)

1 Envelope Dry Italian Salad Dressing Mix
2 T. oil
4 Chicken Breast Halves (or boneless, skinless)
1 Can mushroom soup
1 4-oz pkg whipped cream cheese
1/3 C. Dry white wine

1. Combine 1/2 of the salad dressing and oil in a large skillet. Add chicken and brown slowly on both sides until golden.
2. Place chicken in a 13 x 7 in. baking dish.
3. Combine the soup, remaining salad dressing mix and cream cheese in a small bowl and blend well.
4. Stir in the wine and then spoon over the chicken.  
5. (You may refrigerate at this point if wanted but add 30 minutes to cooking time when taken from refrigerator)
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  Serve over rice.  Makes 4 servings.

Waldorf Salad with Cheese

I know this doesn't look like your traditional Waldorf Salad but that is just because of the cheese on top.  The cheese goes so well with the apples.  This is the salad we had a couple of weeks ago when the family was over for brunch.  It is just such a great winter salad when the fruits of summer have gone.  Give it a try! Everyone always loves it!

2 C. apples, chopped
1/4 C. celery, chopped
1/4 C. walnuts, chopped
1/4 C. raisins
1/4 C. seedless green grapes, halved
1/4 C. mayonaise
1/4 C. heavy cream
1 T. honey
1 tsp lemon juice

Combine the first 5 ingredients in a bowl.  Mix the mayonnaise, cream, honey and lemon juice well to blend.  Pour it over the fruit mixture and stir gently.  Top with the cheese.

New Look

I decided to take the picture out so please don't go crazy looking for it!  haha!

Tell me what you think of the new look - leave a comment!

New Look

I love playing with my blog.  So, it must have been time for a new look because I fooled around and this is what I got.  I will change it if I decide I just don't like it.  New picture was taken at Palmetto Isles Park in Mount Pleasant, SC last winter or early spring.

The Red Bucket

Did anyone notice that the pictures I posted yesterday had been posted before? That is what happens when you get "older". You forget! Well, they were in a little different context so I will let it slide! You can check it out HERE - and have a good laugh at me!

So, why the red bucket?  Just because.  I had my camera at work yesterday to take pictures of all the VP's so I could frame them for our lobby.  I was just sitting at my desk and this bucket of pens called out to me so I took it's picture.  Pretty darn exciting, wouldn't you say!  Hope you're having a good day!

12th Annual Vallarta Yacht Club Great Chili Cook-Off - Dec 3

In 2000 Kirby and I were living in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico.  He had a business there and I was "retired".  Our friend, Jim Ketler was a "Make it Happen" type of guy and I went to him and asked if we couldn't have a Chili Cook-Off.  Well, the two of us got together with Dick Markie, Harbor Master of the Paradise Village Marina, and they both sort of just took off and made it happen.  I was involved with it but they were the machine!  It was a major success with money raised for the children who lived at the local dump. That was 11 years ago and the Chili Cook-Off is still going strong.  Here is the link to the news story announcing this years event.  CLICK HERE.

Here is our team.  Suzie, Kirby, Dale, Kathleen and Luigi!  We spent the night before making more chili than I have ever seen before.  We put a whole bottle of Tequila in our pot and did a bit of sampling of everything that evening.  The next morning we were up and ready to "wow" everyone with our special Ta Kill Ya Chili!  We had a blast with the whole thing and were so pleased with the success.  We had a bean count and the winner got a bottle of tequilla which you can see on the table on the far left.  We actually won 3rd place and you can see that I still have our "trophy" in the picture at the top!  It sits proudly on my bookcase!

Just for Fun

Jake slept like this for quite some time.  I kept thinking it must be hurting but I think he rather liked having something to rest his head on.

Sunday Brunch at Our House

Cute, cute couple wouldn't you say?!  That is my grandson, Casey and his sweetie, Callie.  They were both home from Clemson this weekend so I invited everyone for Sunday Brunch.  You know how I love Sunday Brunch.  I served some sausage McMuffin and potatoes for the men and some salads for the women.  The Spinach Salad is a favorite concoction of mine and the recipe follows.  It is actually good for you.  I made a Waldorf Salad too and will try to get that entered this week.  We all had a really good time with some great discussion topics besides Clemson football!