Cookie Jar

Isn't this cookie jar just the cutest???

No, it is not mine.

It is my Lynchburg Sisters.

She bought it at the Cow Patties Store on the square in Lynchburg.  (Yes, that is funny, and no those are not cow patties inside the jar.)

I had a chance to buy one too, but I already have soooooooo many jars.

But look how cute it is holding its cookies.

(If you are wanting the lasagna recipe from yesterday's post, I have added a link now on that post to the recipe from Southern living.)

I'm loving this cookie jar soooooo much, I'm linking up with Tidy Mom.

Sister, Sister, Sister, Oh Brother...Birthday

Yes, I do feel a little guilty showing you this picture.

I only wish you all could have tasted this food.

It was absolutely delicious.

The lasagna is a Southern Living Recipe prepared by my Lynchburg Sister.

It was the best lasagna I have ever tasted.

The occasion was my Sewing Sister's very special birthday.

And now from this picture, you know which birthday my Sewing Sister is about to celebrate.

We had a very lovely sisters/brother birthday luncheon at my Lynchburg Sister's home.

There was food, presents, laughter, and plans for the next sibling's birthday.

Sunshine Fruit Salad

Today, my daughter is making our family's very easy fruit salad.

The main ingredient in this fruit salad is peach pie filling.  You start with the peach pie filling, and then from there, you can add whatever fruits you think would taste best.  We always like to add a can of drained pineapple.

We really like grapes, so we must add of few of these.

My daughter had fun playing with the grapes.

And,yes she did remove all the seeds.

And of course, fruit salad wouldn't be complete without a few bananas.  The peach pie filling helps keep the bananas fresh.

In go the bananas.

Now, just stir everything together, and you have a lovely fruit salad.

Sometimes, we add strawberries, mandarine oranges, or apples.  Be creative and...

Enjoy!!!

Snow Days

This is the view from my kitchen window...

Can you see the bird on the limb? 

This has been our 5th Snow Day in a row.  The snow that fell on Sunday night is still with us, cancelling school for another day.  Here is the bird a little closer...

I have to say we have truly enjoyed our week.  Other than watching the birds at our feeders, we have been sledding, pulling each other on an inner tube, walking through the woods, drinking hot cocoa, and building a snowman...

It does seem like we are never going to get back to the routine of school.  We have another holiday on Monday.  In the meantime, it sure is good to have a little "home" time.  

Loaded Potato Crock-Pot Salad

Yum, yum,yum!!!  These potatoes will be a hit at any party or covered dish meal.  I don't know how they taste as "leftovers", because I have always made them to carry somewhere, and there have never been any left over!!!

Begin with three pounds of small red potatoes, washed and quartered.  Do not peel.

Cook on the stove until tender.

Drain water from potatoes.

Now, you will need:

1 stick butter or margarine, melted

1 eight ounce sour cream

1 package dry ranch dressing mix

1 bunch green onions

1/2 pound bacon cooked crisp and crumbled

Seasonings to taste (salt and pepper)

1 eight ounce bag mild cheddar and monterey jack shredded cheese

Fry bacon until crisp...cool...crumble.

(I love this picture...I declare I can smell the bacon through my computer.  Can you smell it???)

Put the potatoes back in the pot you cooked them in and pour the butter over the top of the potatoes.

Mix the ranch dressing with the sour cream.

Gently stir the sour cream mixture into the potatoes.

Now...chop your onions including the tops, then add the onions, half of the bacon, and three-fourths of the cheese.  Stir all this together gently until it looks like the picture above.

Now you can put all of this in a crock-pot.

(Are you hungry yet?)

Sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese, onions, and bacon.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper (or other seasonings) to taste. 

Cook on high 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Here is the really great part of this dish...

You can make it a day ahead and refrigerate overnight.

Your friends and family will love these potatoes!!!

Enjoy



Happy Birthday

I am now the proud mother of two teenagers.  My daughter turned 13 today.  I think she has had a great birthday, in spite of the fact that we are snowed in at home.

This is my daughter's birthday cake.  It is made out of ice cream sandwiches with a delicious fudge/oreo filling.  If you would like to make one, just click on the link to find the video that I followed to prepare the cake.

(Sorry, for a while I had the wrong link above...but it is now correct.)

The layers look very pretty when cut.  I also like that it can be made a day or two ahead of time.

My very creative teenage daughter has found a fun way to display her miniature Lincoln Log house.

This display is very fitting with the eight inches of snow we still have in the Big Woods.

My husband and I both thought she had used coconut for snow, but she actually cut up little pieces of paper.

I am very proud of my daughter on her thirteenth birthday.  She is becoming a beautiful young lady...both inside and out. 

Happy Birthday, Sis!!!

Tennessee Snowfall

Lucy, from Attic24, will often say

 that she is feeling "heart-skippy".  Well, I have to say

that I know exactly what she is talking about; because, today I am feeling heart skippy.

Can you see our Little House in the Big Woods???

Well, this is what we woke to today...

eight gorgeous, beautiful, heart skippy inches of snow.

You have to understand that in Southern Tennessee, we are just not accustomed to this kind of snow.  It rarely ever snows this much here.

And when it does, we enjoy it to the fullest.

My day has been filled with sledding, snow man making, and of course, eating snow cream.

A special "thank-you" to my Sweet Home Alabama friend at Blooming on Bainbridge for reminding me to make "Snow Ice Cream".  If you have never made this delightful treat, she has a wonderful post that will guide you.

Here is our version:

It's funny, but I like how this picture turned out.  My camera lens was fogged over when I took it from taking pictures outside.

Here's hoping that your day is a little "heart skippy".