Monthly Archives: November 2013

And Cue the Christmas Music

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Now that Turkey Day has come and gone, people are pressing forward to the next holiday-Christmas. The lines are long in the stores, red and green will soon appear on every street corner, and the sounds of Christmas carols will be heard by all. A few of my friends have this rule: no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving. Well, apparently, I don’t share that same rule, because I have been listening to “Deck the Halls” and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and other songs since September. With Christmas just a month away, hopefully my short country Christmas playlist below will help get you in the merry Christmas spirit!

Brad Paisley-“Away in a Manger”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8W6Q8CRo1OY

Martina McBride-“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlNdtmdwUas

Alan Jackson-“Honky Tonk Christmas”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pDIl7GhgnA

Carrie Underwood-“Do You Hear What I Hear”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pGld28bJMw

Blake Shelton-“Time For Me to Come Home”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtXEnhuhBSg

Pecan Pie

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What is more Southern than having a pecan pie on your Thanksgiving table? Hopefully this Trisha Yearwood recipe will soon be a part of your family’s turkey day traditions!

Ingredients:

1 cup  packed light brown sugar 
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup (1 stick butter), melted
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
One 9-inch deep dish pie shell, unbaked, 
1 cup pecan halves
Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

2. In a large mixing bowl, mix the brown sugar, granulated sugar and eggs until creamy. Add the chopped pecans, melted butter, milk, flour and vanilla extract and stir. Pour the mixture into the pie shell. Arrange the pecan halves on top of the pie in a circular pattern.

3. Bake the pie for 55 minutes. Check for doneness by shaking the pan slightly. The pie should be firm with a slight jiggle in the center.  

4. Serve topped with vanilla ice cream or with a dollop of whipped cream

Enjoy! 

Source: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/trisha-yearwood/pecan-pie-recipe/index.html

So I’m Gonna Thank You Lord

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The most common question people are asked in the month of November is “what are you thankful for?” Some people answer with my family, my friends, my job and others say food, shelter, and clothes.

This morning the song “Dirty Dishes” by Scotty McCreery started playing on my playlist. The song describes a mother praying before the family dinner; however, the prayer she prays isn’t the most common. She thanks the Lord for stacks of laundry, slamming doors, and piles of dirty dishes in the sink. As I listened to the lyrics, I stopped and thought “just what is the song trying to tell me?” My answer? Give thanks to the Lord for all things, big or small, good and bad.

Having stacks of laundry and piles of dirty dishes in the sink just means you are blessed with food and clothing. Slamming doors and noisy children just means you are blessed with love. And draggin’ in dead tired at night just means you are blessed with a job.

I think we all can agree “Dirty Dishes” is a perfect song for the Thanksgiving season. What are you thankful for today?

Video Credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QJyMq6UN48

Will it be a Boy or Girl for Kelly Clarkson and Husband?

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Congratulations are in order once again for Kelly Clarkson and her husband, Brandon Blackstock. The two announced they are expecting their first child together next year. Blackstock has two children from a previous marriage.

On Monday, Clarkson sat down with TODAY’s Savannah Guthrie and said she feels as if the baby is a “feisty gal.” Seems as if Clarkson is hoping for a little bundle of pink joy.

Like any expectant mom in their first trimester, Clarkson is experiencing all-day and all-night morning sickness. “I don’t know why they call it morning sickness-that’s my big joke right now,” laughs Clarkson. Although, being pregnant hasn’t stopped Clarkson from her full music career. She is still out on the road performing; however, she had to cancel a few shows, due to sickness. 

Will it be a boy or a girl? Only time will tell! 

Source: http://www.today.com/toyotaconcertseries/kelly-clarkson-still-singing-despite-all-day-all-night-morning-2D11658883

Sweet Potato Casserole

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As the days get closer and closer to Thanksgiving, my stomach gets hungrier and hungrier. Enjoy another one of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes-sweet potato casserole!

Ingredients:

4 1/2 cups sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/3 cup milk

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup butter

vanilla extract

Optional-1 cup pecans

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.

2. In a large bowl, mix together mashed sweet potatoes, 1/2 cup butter, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs. Spread sweet potato mixture into baking dish.

3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar and flour. Cut in 1/3 cup butter until mixture is crumbly, then stir in pecans. Sprinkle pecan mixture over the sweet potatoes. (Pecans are optional). 

4. Bake for 25 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown.

Enjoy! 

#JFK50

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“A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on.” – President John F. Kennedy 

50 years ago today, America lost a great man and a great president. At the age of 46, John F. Kennedy died from gunshot wounds in Dallas, Texas. 50 years later, America is still mourning his death and celebrating his legacy.

Throughout today, all major news networks are broadcasting special coverage on the heartbreak America experienced on November 22, 1963.

Days like today show the true patriotism and unity Americans have for their country. I hope you spend some time today to watch Toby Keith and friends singing “America the Beautiful” and remember the legacy JFK left for our country. Please excuse the blurriness of the video. Just like any day when  a horrible event happened,  where were you the day Kennedy was shot?

Video Credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM1LTTTAX7M

All My Ex’s Live in Texas…Or At Preschool Graduation

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Preschool graduations are always full of fun, laughter, memories, and George Strait. At his preschool graduation in 2011, one four year old ceased his moment in the spotlight. Once he finished reciting the Bible, he started singing “All My Ex’s Live in Texas.” Looks as if we have a future comedian or country singer here. Happy Friday!

Video Credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIvupevIc44