Black and White Wedding Cake

My Mother-in-law Lounetta and her Mom Granny Sadie as we call her came out of retirement to make this beautiful black and white wedding cake for a family members wedding. These ladies have made many beautiful cakes over the years, but I have to say I think this one is my favorite. I just had to show it off.

No Lunch Box Allowed???

"Clip art licensed from the Clip Art Gallery on DiscoverySchool.com" and illustrated by Mark A. Hicks

I recently read this article about a school in Chicago that is banning students from bringing their own lunches to school. You heard right, they are banning the lunch box. This new policy has parents, teachers, school officials, and the general public voicing their opinions on the matter. While health and the rising number of children whom are overweight in America is supposedly the heart of the matter, many are questioning if funding has anything to do with the unusual choice the school has made. However, the debate is: Regardless of the motives behind the decision, Are school lunches and restricting children's calorie count intake by forcing school lunches the correct move?


As a mother of two boys, one picky eater who takes his lunch to school every day and one who prefers the hot lunches offered at school, I find my own opinion leaning towards disagreeing with the new policy. I do agree that there is nothing wrong with making an effort to make our children healthier eaters. To be honest, I could use a few lessons of my own in healthy eating. However I don’t think putting a calorie number on school lunches (since every person’s calorie needs are different) or banning the option of bringing a lunchbox is the answer. Not that I am expert on the matter or that I have all the answers, but I certainly do have an opinion. Maybe the discussions should include offering classes teaching parents to cook in a more healthy manner, as well as pack healthier lunches for their children, ban sodas and candy bars, put a lot more support and funding behind our health classes and the educators who teach them.

All in all, I there is a better solution than limiting the involvement of parents in their children’s lives even in things as small as banning the lunch box from schools. I simply think big pictures wise it is a mistake. However like I stated earlier this is just the two cents of a simple stay at home mother of three little boys. I am by no means an expert!

Autumn in Tennessee{fun Fall activities}

Autumn is upon us. Autumn is a time of harvest and gathering together with family and friends. I always think of this time of year as perfect marshmallow roasting weather. Autumn brings the loss of the bees, butterflies, and long summer days, but in return Autumn brings a kind of flower itself as it turns the leaves an array of reds, oranges, and yellows. Autumn also brings in the mellow breeze of a perfect day for family adventures and couples retreats. With this in mind, I thought I would compile a list of fun Fall activities in Tennessee. There is entertainment for all ages, groups and budgets scattered all over the beautiful state of Tennessee this Autumn.

Fall Events List by MysticIris on Polyvore.com

(1) Nestled away in the quiet, but bustling little town of Cookeville, TN is Hidden Hollow State Park. The park is located on Mt. Pleasent Rd and is considered a family friendly park in Middle Tennessee. This year the park will host Haunted Hollow, a kid friendly family fun zone with hayrides, haunted forest, carnival games, mazes, and maybe even some live music. The fun happens every weekend in October starting the weekend of October 8, 2010. $

(2) Looking for something a little more on the romantic side this fall and maybe even something indoors? You might be interested in "She Loves Me" a play by Joe Masteroft, Jerry Bock, and Sheldon Harnick showing at Cumberland County Playhouse in the adventure theater. "She Loves Me" has become two movies "The Little Shop Around the Corner" and "You've Got Mail". This big-hearted musical with a small, but talented cast runs November 18, 2010- December 18, 2010. $$$

(3) Honeysuckle Hill Farms in Springfield, TN is more than just a pumpkin patch. It's a whole discovery of family fun down on the farm. Honeysuckle Hills features a 6 acre corn maze, hillbilly pig races, pedal cars, steer roping, spider slide, petting farm, farmers market, The Kiddie 500 ( tricycle race), jumping pillow, and the new pumpkin train. Wittiness a family feud between the Hatfield's and the McCoys. Better take cover we hear those Hatfield's have a giant pumpkin cannon. Also, don't forget after all the fun you have to take home your very own pumpkin. You will find a super assortment in every color, shape, and size. $

(4) There's an absolute Spooktacular event coming to the Nashville Zoo. Ghouls at Grassmere, a family friendly Halloween event designed to appeal to families with children 12 years and younger. The event helps raise money for the upkeep of the zoo. This year there will be several new treats, along with all the old favorites including many treat stations, kid's costume Parade, gypsy maze, monster mash dance floor, scary-go-around, and so much more. The ghoulish fun begins the weekend of October 15-17 and continues the weekends of Oct 22-23, and Oct 28-30(not open Halloween night). The Nashville Zoo opens the gates at 5pm and closes them at 9pm. So put on your costumes and come out to the Nashville Zoo and join the fun! Hint...Hint, you can purchase tickets on-line in advance to avoid long lines and get a discount. This year is the first year that a Ghouls at Grassmere(GAG) total access pass will be offered. Don't miss out! $$

(5) Join in the Costume fun at one of Tennessee's most popular aquariums. The Fall 2010 Aqua-Scarium Halloween Party is October 29th beginning at 6:30pm and ending at 9:30pm hosted by the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, TN. The event includes the ever popular costumed divers. You can also mingle with the lovable mascots donning their own Halloween costumes, dance the night away, and if you dare touch the unknown at animal encounters. Did I mention you can when prizes and gather lots of yummy treats.
Nonmembers $$$ (includes ticket to the aquarium) and Members $

(6) Dollywood's National Gospel & Harvest Celebration located in Pigeon Forge, TN. Four weeks of Gospel music beginning October 1, 2010. Your not going to want to miss Dollywood's fall celebration with music, crafts, and food located in the breathtaking smokies, nor are you going to want to miss Dollywood's signature fried green tomato's. $$$$

(7) Chester County BBQ Festival, Henderson TN September 30th- October 2nd 2010. The festival will feature arts, crafts, children's area, and the main attraction, BBQ. Enjoy Barbecue cooked with patience, skill, and experience in an open-pit barbecue producing "real barbecue" for all to enjoy. The first barbecue will go on sale by 10 am, September 30th. Admission to the event is free, but some cost will be required to fully enjoy the family friendly festival. You can contact the Chester County Chamber of Commerce for more information. $$

(8) Looking for personal treasures? Now is your chance to find them. September 30 - October 2, 2010 is the 25th annual Roller Coaster Yard Sale with stops at Glasgow KY, Tompkinsville KY, Albany KY, Celina TN, Livingston TN, Byrdstown, TN and many more stops along the way. A three day, 150 mile stretch of crafts, quilts, southern style foods, antiques and second hand treasures of all kinds. Detailed driving directions available on-line click HERE. FREE

(9) The Blue Man Group is coming to Tennessee's Andrew Jackson Hall in Nashville, November 16-21, 2010. The Blue Man Group theatrical show combining music, technology, comedy, and a touch of mystery to each show. Since there is no spoken word during the performances, The Blue Man group crosses over boundaries of all kinds, including age, cultures and language barriers. You are guaranteed to be left wildly entertained by this unique and visually stunning performance. Special note if you sit close to the front you may not want to wear clothing you value. Casual attire is welcome and encouraged for this show. $$$$

(10) Maybe you are looking for some adventure this Fall season. Well, your sure to find it at Fall Creek Falls State Park. For starters they are offering rock climbing workshops November 5-7, 2010, among many other events this fall. Enjoy any of these events while taking in the beauty and wonder of the Fall foliage and atmosphere. Fall Creek Falls is situated on the Western edge of the Cumberland Plateau in Pikeville, TN. The Park is Tennessee's largest state park with much to offer it's visitors from camping, hiking, fishing, bird watching, and lets not forget the beautiful waterfalls. This state park even offers top rate lodging for those who like indoor private plumbing areas. Cost of this adventure will vary depending on your agenda. $-$$$$

Cost Key
$$$$ Above $30 Each
$$$ Above $20 Each
$$ Under $20 Each
$ Under $10 Each
FREE

Special Note this article also appears at Cookevilletimes.com

A Few Of My Favorite Things

I recently found one of my old journals and as I was flipping though it, I came across a page where I had scribbled down a few of my favorite things. It's fun to see which of those things on the list would make a new Version of the list. Surprisingly, almost everything would still make the list. I would encourage you all to make a list of your own favorite things, those simple little somethings that can magically brighten up your day. Everyone has heard the song from the Sound of Music, you know the one where thinking about a few of your favorite things chases the blues. Everyone has favorite things and they really do have this wondrous way of making our hearts smile with happiness =)


These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

1. Audrey Hepburn Movies
2. Unprompted hugs and I love yous from my boys
3. Garden full of blooming Iris
4. Old fashion hand written letters
5. The color Pink
6. Hot summer days
7. Book Stores
8. T-shirts and Bluejeans
9. Trying New Recipes
10. Dr. Pepper
11. Music that makes me feel something
12. Thunder showers
13. Victorian Style Homes
14. Listening to my husband sing
15. Yellow Roses
16. Zebra Boots
17. Japanese Steak Houses

What are a few of your favorite things?

Iron Skillet Pizza

I love pizza! I even love most frozen pizzas. Today I thought I would share my half homemade pizza recipe. Since that is what I made myself for lunch today. I say half homemade because I get the dough from a package. I know I am a lazy person. I can never get my dough I make from scratch to turn out. It just never has good crust taste so I cheat and go the easy route of using MarthaWhite Pizza Crust. Thanks Martha =)!



The Crust Ingredients
1 pkg MarthaWhite Pizza Crust
1/2 Cup Hot Water
Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
Pinch of Italian Seasoning
Pinch of Garlic Salt (or just Garlic)
1/2 Cup of cheese (I like a blend of different cheeses)

Pre-heat the oven to 475 degrees

Mix crust according to the MarthaWhite packaging directions in medium mixing bowl. Add in Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and cheese and fold into dough. Spread out your dough in a lightly Pam sprayed iron skillet. Bake for 11-15 minutes or until golden brown.




The Topping Ingredients
Your favorite toppings (I used ham and peppers)
1 Cup of Mozzarella
1/4 Cup of Pizza Sauce

Remove from oven, and add desired toppings and cheese. Return to oven for another 8-10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Presto your very own half-homemade personal Iron Skillet Pizza! YUM!

The Love of a Granny Sadie!

One evening, I had this crazy ambition to attempt to make fresh fried corn, which, in my opinion, is pure bliss when it comes to the subject of foods. Corn is probably my favorite within the vegetable family. I can eat it just about any way you can imagine to prepare it. So, back to me deciding to make some. While I was in the process of cleaning and shucking the corn, my thoughts kept drifting towards Granny Sadie. Granny Sadie makes the very best fried corn on the face of the plant, that is one thing that I am absolutely sure of. Granny Sadie is one of the sweetest people I know. I am fortunate to have married her Grandson. She has made me feel like part of the family since I first walked though her door, and I am pretty sure that first time she tried to feed me something and it very well may have been her corn. Did I mention that she makes the very best fried corn? Her recipe is very simple, but I am yet to recreate the taste she achieves when cooking it. I think it's some sort of Granny magic secret she uses! What I have learned while attempting to cook her corn is just how pain-staking the process to prepare corn is. My hand was cramping after only cleaning three ears of the corn and I was only preparing six. Granny probably makes more along the lines of fifty or even a hundred at a time. Then it hit me how much love this woman pours into cooking her family a real home cooked meal. It also hit me that I should tell her a lot more often how much I appreciate all the little things (like making fried corn) she does for me. I can't really put into words how much this lady actually means to me. She is such a treasure in this family! My heart is eternally grateful for the love she has shown to me. She has always treated me like I am one of her own grandchildren! She is truly a special kind of wonderful!!! I love you Granny Sadie! Oh, and you make the best fried corn in all the universe!!!!

Granny Sadie with her Great Grandbaby Layla Copeland

A BITE OF AMERICAN CULTURE

Pies were enjoyed long before America even existed, dating back as far as the Middle Ages. Most of those pies however didn't even contain any sugar....YUCK! Apple pie didn't become a patriotic symbol for America until sometime during WWII, when American soldiers coined the phrase "Fighting for Mom and Apple Pie". The Apple Pie reached it's popularity peek as an American icon around 1970, thanks in large part to a commerical jingle and apple companies' slogans to try and popularize the fruit. Thus....'As American As Apple Pie' was born!!!

CARAMEL APPLE PIE RECIPE

1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie ( Honestly I just buy mine)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
8 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced
1/4 cup of Caramel ( My favorite to use is Kraft Caramel Bits)

Prep Time: 30 min. Cook Time: 1 Hr Ready In: 1 Hr 30 Min

1.Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer.
2. Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded slightly. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off. Add in Caramel. Place top Crust over gently pinching the sides together. Slice a couple holes in the top crust. To add a richer color to a double-crust brush the top crust with milk or lightly beaten egg before baking. Place Pie on cookie sheet to prevent spill overs in your oven.
3. Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft. You may need to put tin foil around the edges of the pie to keep them from becoming to dark or burning.