towel warmer

This is so random but it makes me really happy!  Our bathroom has a high ceiling and it doesn't ventilate well.  We had some crappy hooks to hang our towels on and they would not dry completely and smell musty.  I don't know about you but I am not washing 14 towels every week.  So, I invested in this towel warmer.  MONEY WELL SPENT!!  Especially this time of year, it is nice to have a dry, toasty towel!

sunset

This picture certainly doesn't do it justice but Friday we had a beautiful sunset out in Evans.  I have to get me a better camera!  This is a shot from our golf village towards one of our cottages.  It rivaled the ones at Kiawah!

calliespondence

Check out calliespondence (blogroll on right) for adorable homemade stationery. 

She's in Atlanta and has the cutest, most original designs!

tortilla soup

Ali G. over at Two Onesies professed her love for this recipe a long time ago and I finally got around to making it.  I have to say, it is amazing and SO simple.  Brad actually grew up with Gena's husband and they have started an amazing company in Fire & Flavor.  So happy for them!  I have a large stack of her recipes to try but this chicken tortilla soup is a great start!

I did add some corn for a little more substance and am going to try black beans too next time.  Which will be soon I am sure.  Enjoy!!

giving thanks

 So, we were in Hilton Head for Thanksgiving with the Shinglers.  It was a great trip!  The weather, company and food were fabulous!  We got there Thursday after dinner at Calvert's with my family for my brother's 30th and the VanSant Thanksgiving on Wednesday. 

View from our porch.  We were right on the beach (obviously) and got to enjoy all the sights and sounds.  We had a bocce tourney on Saturday that was so much fun.  We also played a lot of games - Battle of the Sexes and Wits and Wagers were two favorites.  I have to say, Brad and I held our own.  :)

But, of course, the food was central to the weekend.  Everyone did an amazing job with their meals.  Here are my recipes for treats and brunch:

HASH BROWN CASSEROLE

2 lb frozen hash browns (thawed until loose and not one big chunk.  thanks Ali!)

1/2 c diced onions

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 c sour cream

1 stick melted butter

8 oz grated cheddar

salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together and bake at 375 for one hour. 

*Elizabeth, I didn't use the stick of butter and used onion flake instead of diced onions. 

RUSSIAN TEA MIX (for you non-coffee drinkers)

1 c lemonade mix

2 c Tang

1 c instant tea

1 c sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

Mix a couple spoonfuls in hot water.  Yum!

OYSTER CRACKERS

24 oz oyster crackers

1.5 c oil

2 tsp dill weed

1 tsp lemon pepper

1 package ranch dressing powder mix

garlic powder to taste

Stir all together until oil is absorbed. 

TACO DIP

8 oz bag of shredded 4-cheese Mexican (I use about half and half cheddar)

8 oz cream cheese, softened

8 ox sour cream

1 can of Rotel (I use the lime and cilantro)

1/2 packet if taco seasoning

Mix all and chill.  Serve with Tostitos Scoops - needs a hearty chip to cut down on breakage.

SUGAR-CRUSTED MELTAWAYS

1/4 c sugar

3/4 c margarine

1 tbs water

1 tsp vanilla

1/8 tsp salt

1 3/4 c plain flour

1 c semisweet chocolate chips

1 c chopped pecans

Mix together first 5 ingredients.  Slowly add flour.  Once mixed thoroughly, add chips and nuts.  Form 1" balls and cook at 325 for 15-20 until firm.  Let cool.  Dip cookie in mixture of OJ with a splash of orange extract or zest.  Then dip in white granulated sugar.  This are so good after a quick hit in the microwave to melt the chocolate.  *I double this recipe as it doesn't make many!

STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE COFFEE CAKE

This one is a pain to retype so...

click here

FRUIT SALAD

Your choice of fruit mixed in plain yogurt, with a touch of vanilla extract, coconut and pecans.

I use bananas, kiwis, apples and strawberries. 

CURRIED CHICKEN SALAD

4.5-5 lbs of cooked, cut bite-size chicken breast

2 lbs seedless grapes, cut in half

10 oz almonds (salted and toasted)

2 c mayonnaise (add 2 tbs lemon juice if not hamemade)

1 tbs curry powder

2 tbs soy sauce

1 c sliced celery

10 oz sliced water chestnuts, drained

salt and pepper to taste

Mix all together and serve with Wheat Thins or pita pockets.  A fork works nicely too! :)

I hate celery so that gets left out.  We usually serve with alfafa sprouts as well. 

 

WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEX MIX

Melt 9 oz of white chocolate chips.  Mix quickly with 6 cups of Rice Chex, 2 cups of pretzel sticks and one large bag of peanut M&Ms.  Spread out on wax paper to let it dry and break apart large clusters. 

On Sunday, I came back to enjoy the Nutcracker with Mom.  I haven't been to see it since I was in it!  I was an angel in middle school (I think).  You can see the new angels on the left.  On the right is the famous pas de deux of the Sugar Plum Fairy.  My teacher played this role when I was in it.  Such fun!

locally grown

So, I have finally started taking advantage of this Locally Grown Market I am a member of.  See if there is one near you!  I prefer this to a CSA because you get what you order, not what is available.  I know we are at the mercy of the farmers, weather, etc but I am pretty picky and don't know how much I would eat out of the weekly CSA bucket.  So, I ordered eggplant and spaghetti squash and cooked up some marvelous dishes with them. 

Eggplant Parm

Spaghetti Squash Salad with tarragon and pine nuts

Up next is this Butternut Squash Bisque from Hugh Acheson...

Have a great Thanksgiving!!

thanksgiving list

So, we are heading to Hilton Head with the Shinglers for Thanksgiving weekend.  Brad and I are preparing brunch on Saturday for the whole crew.  Here are the dishes I am taking/making:

1. cheesy potato casserole
2. strawberry cream cheese coffee cake
3. fruit salad
4. curried chicken salad 

Also, fun snacks and desserts:

1. taco dip
2. ranch oyster crackers
3. sugar-crusted meltaways
4. white chocolate chex mix (AKA crack due to its addictiveness)

We are also taking:

1. bocce (we are right on the beach and though we might not be sunbathing, we will bocce!)
2. swimsuit (we do have a hot tub!)

So, it should be a great time!  We are having dinner with my family for Thanksgiving and Levi's birthday on Wednesday and heading down on Thursday morning.  On Sunday, we will leave pretty early to get back here in time for Mom and I to go to the Nutcracker.  I haven't seen it at the Imperial since I played an angel one year.  Ha!