Texas Caviar

Down here in Texas we always have black eyed peas on New Years Day with a ham, cornbread and cabbage and sometimes fried potatoes or potato salad.  Eating black eyed peas is supposed to bring luck in the New Year.  I cannot confirm or deny this because I have never missed a New Year’s without eating some.  I suggest to be on the safe side that you have a pea or two.  If you are not from the south you probably think that black eyed peas are grown to feed cattle and that is perfectly fine, but If I were you I would go ahead and make some anyway.  If you don't want to cook a pot of peas from scratch try the recipe below, who knows... it might make you feel a little differently about black eyed peas.  Go ahead, eat your peas and have a lucky year!

Texas Caviar Recipe
10 servings
3 (15 ounce) cans black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped red onions
3 tablespoons chopped green bell peppers
3 tablespoons chopped red bell peppers
3 tablespoons chopped yellow bell peppers
1/2 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste
Combine black-eyed peas, onion, peppers, tomatoes, parsley, vinegar, oil and sugar. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Marinate for 12 to 24 hours before serving. Serve with crackers or tortilla chips.

First White Christmas in 83 Years

 

We had a White Christmas here in North Texas, the first one in 83 years.  We had blizzard like conditions with blowing snow up to 30 mph and it was amazing.  I have always dreamed of a White Christmas but didn’t realize the consequences it would bring.  You see here in North Texas snow and ice pretty much shuts down everything including roads.  We are not equipped to drive on ice.

I cooked all day Christmas Eve and then none of my family could make it to my house for the party.  Luckily my Mom had came earlier in the day and was able to be with us.  We had a very quiet Christmas Eve but the next day when the roads cleared the rest of the family made it over to the house and we were able to have a brief Christmas party.  Christmas was a bit different this year with a few new faces and a few that couldn’t be here but life is about changes so we we adjust and go on. 

Next year I believe I will think twice before I dream of a White Christmas.

Merry Christmas from the Family

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Merry Christmas Eve Eve to all my Blogland friends.

White Chocolate Cherry Chunkies

These are my favorite cookies and this is my third year to make them.  The Rae Rae and Nana made them together on Sunday afternoon.  She said she was a good "pourer" and was so proud of herself for helping to make cookies.  She sat on a stool in front of the oven and watched them bake through the window.  It was a great afternoon with my Granddaughter.

White Chocolate Cherry Chunkies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup white chocolate chunks
1 cup chopped macadamia nuts
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2   large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup candied cherries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a medium bowl, with electric mixer, cream butter, milk and sugars together until light and fluffy.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Set aside.  Sift together flour, soda, and salt.  Add milk then add flour, soda, and salt to butter mixture.  In another bowl, combine nuts, cherries and white chocolate.  Then add to mixture, stirring only to blend.  Drop by heaping tablespoons onto a greased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.  Bake for approximately 11-13 minutes.  Cool on wire rack.
Yield:  4 dozen large cookies
Preparation time:  10 minutes
Cooking time:  11-13 minutes
Ease of preparation:  Easy
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

The Queen has Spoken

Why must my children learn the hard way?  Why can’t they take my advice and do what I say?  The following are in no particular order and are not intended for any one child in particular.
Don’t date the players.  Don’t rent the expensive house, just stay in the apartment for now.  Don’t marry him.  Don’t reproduce (although I’m glad she did).  Don’t take that job in another state.  Don’t go off to college, just go to one here.  Don’t buy the new car, just drive the one you have that is paid for.  Don’t put that in your nose.  Don’t quit the job with insurance for one that pays a little more.  Don’t go live with your dad.  Don’t make that face because it might stick that way.  Don’t get a dog.   Don’t pass up an okay job waiting for a better offer.  Don’t wear tacky undies because you might get in an accident.  Don’t burn bridges.  Don’t trust everyone.  Don’t forget that the dorky guys will make the best husbands.  Don’t air your dirty laundry.  Don’t eat the leftovers in the fridge unless you ask me how old they are.  Don’t live for the moment.  Don’t let that one get away.  Don’t talk to me like that.    Don’t forget about what is important.  Don’t talk to strangers.  Don’t try that. Don’t forget your upbringing.   Don’t make the same mistakes that I made.  Don’t forget that I am here for you. 
Always know that I love you.

Snow in Cowtown

It snowed this morning!!!!  Woot!  We usually only get snow about once a year if we’re lucky and it is usually mixed with ice.  Today it was just a light dusting with pretty flakes and all traces were gone by 10:00 am.  It amazes me how a snow fall makes everything feel pristine and clean.  It’s almost like time stands still and the world goes silent when it snows.  It was a beautiful morning until I started my commute.