Four Hours, New Friends & Pioneer Woman....

We came. We met each other for the 1st time. We stood. We laughed. A few breast fed their babies---twice.

We took photos. We saw Ree. We went to Chic Filet and drove home. Just to make it clear, the breast feeders were 2 young moms with small infants. Brandy just had to make it back to St. Pete for a night feeding. Geez...was that me just 13 years ago? Here we are...I think the other mom is nursing over in the children's section.

This book signing was nuts! We were on the first level of Barnes and Noble looking up at her back as she spoke to the ones who arrived at 2pm and were sitting in front of her!

How many people were there???? We were weaved in and out of the rows of books like we were in line for the Teacups at Magic Kingdom. I did recognize a book I had read on just about every row! Ree started signing at 6p. We didn't move for 3 hours. They cleared the 2nd level where she was speaking and then started letting the lower level up 10 at a time! I had mine signed at 9:30pm and there were still about 100 behind me! Unbelievable. I am suppose to be her only fan here in Florida :) Apparently not. So there she sat smiling and talking to everyone like it was just a few of us who stopped by to say "hey!" What a constitution. I wish I would have brought her a pillow to sit on. At least a football stadium cushion. Her 2 girls were with her as well---so cute! (Way to hang in there) So when I finally got up to see her for the book signing, what did I say? "Nice to meet you. Welcome to Florida! Did you have a great time at Universal?" Stimulating. *snorts* Not..."I really enjoy your blog and your photography" or "I would like to invite you and your family over to the east coast for the shuttle launch and we will go to the beach to watch it." Or a myriad of other slightly better things to say. *sighs* Whats worse is that I didn't get other cookbooks signed for anyone else! I am really feeling bad about THAT! Next cookbook, I am ALL over that one :) However, I did hold it together long enough to hand the camera off to her assistant and have a photo taken....and then another photo---gotta have 2 just in case one was dorky. (BTW, the 1st one was not flattering) so here is the 2nd

Well, there ya go...it must be weird for her. We all feel like we know her through her blog. We know what her kids look like, the way the ranch works and how many dogs she has! Not only that, but she has made TV appearances as well! What a great agent she must have!! Don't you just love America? You can live on a cattle ranch, yet reach thousands of people with the click of a few computer keys...and they like it :)

I love the VooDoo that YouDo...

Do you love doughnuts? I ADORE doughnuts. Glazed, that is. Not much for to much stuff on my doughnuts. I have never tried to make them, however. I have a recipe from my grandmother that I have always wanted to try...involves deep frying. Pioneer Woman, Rea Drummond also has a crankin' recipe in her new cookbook. Did I say I was a fan? Huge fan. Seeing her in Orlando on Wednesday for her book signing!! Stand by for stalker fan pics :)

Well, in the meantime I found a doughnut shop that looks fantastic! Distressing news is that it is on the west coast and I am not referring to the west coast of Florida. It's on the west coast of the United States and it's name is Voodoo Doughnut. Check them out. Slightly irreverent at times (hey it's the West coast after all) but with the right idea of pushing the boundaries of what is ordinary :) I would love to try the Bacon Maple Bar. Don't let me hear you saying "Ewww". Everything is better with bacon! The Nyquil and Peptobismol doughnut was popular until the FDA put an end to that one. I love the voodoo doll with a pretzel through the heart. Better to take your frustrations out on a doughnut than a sawdust stuffed doll. Just sayin'. The most practical doughnut for the time conscience must be the Caffeine Doughnut. This pastry is filled with 100mg of caffeine. That's the equivalent to a cup and a half of coffee. No worries on spilling the coffee on the way to work! Now THAT is genius.

Parisian food, Stinky Cheese and a Sweet Feline...

How beautiful Paris is! The obvious sites were gorgeous, but I just loved the shops and the street vendors as well. I could have eaten my way through Paris! Can't believe I didn't get a photo of the chocolate and banana crepes I had! Probably because I couldn't wait to eat them-no time for a photo!

Fresh tulips!

Wooden tulips

Macaroons...mmmm

Ham and eggs..ahhh American food

Small market

Fromage (cheese) market (phew...a little ripe odor for me) The display was so tidy!

Le Mimi cat got to lick the creme' brulee' spoon...

i loved these little cheese appetizers!!

..but I REALLY loved the creme brulee'!

Just brushing up with my $6 cup of coffee...

Roasted chestnuts!!!

My French breakfast!

All he needed was coffee and jam :)

Meringues!

A cute cafe'

More fresh tulips...

Fresh fruits and nuts on the street

French Croissants near the Eiffel Tower

Gleeful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How cute are these? Erin over at A Bake Odyssey made them!! I was so excited that I made some for Will's chorus teacher and am making a bunch for a bake sale tomorrow :) This is one with Sam!

Check out Erin's blog! I'll post when I have made the rest !

Homemade Home Cookin'

We have been traveling and/or busy since Spring Break and therefore eating at home has suffered. My youngest has taken a growth spurt despite this AND the lack of fruit and vegetables in his diet.

Anywho...I decided to make some basic food tonight. Ham, green beans and potato casserole. I baked the smoked ham---nothing exciting. I do not like honey ham. Sweet meat is not appetizing somehow. The potato casserole has been in my family FOREVER and the green beans have as well. Since I am from southern Arkansas, I grew up on this food. My green beans are seasoned with salt, pepper and a nice ham hock :) For those of you who are wondering where the HOCK is on a pig....it is somewhere around the ankle joint. If you have ever examined the ankles of a pig, they are pretty meaty. If you have not noticed a pig's ankles...good for you. I will use a piece of Petit Jean peppered ham if I have it, but it has been used up from my Christmas stash!

Here are the pics and the Potato Casserole recipe follows!

Ingredients + cheese

Place thawed potatoes in a 9x13 inch baker (this is my Pampered Chef pan...it is not dirty!) Spread the soup, sour cream, cheese, butter mixture on top...

I didn't take a pic of the soup, sour cream and cheese mixture because it didn't look photo worthy! This has half of the crushed corn flakes on top already...

Add the crushed corn flakes to the top and pour the rest of the butter on the top! (I only use 1/4 a cup of butter in the mix and pour the other 1/4 on top. A total of 1/2 cup of butter. Gotta watch my girlish figure...apparently not my cholesterol!

Finished product!

Recipe:

32 oz. frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed

1/2 cup melted butter, (not margarine!)

1 can cream of chicken soup

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

8 oz. sour cream

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 small onion, chopped (I have to use garlic powder or my youngest thinks I am trying to poison him)

2 cups crushed corn flakes

1/2 cup melted butter

Place potatoes in a 9x13 inch pan. Mix next 6 ingredients and pour over potatoes. Top with crushed corn flakes. Drizzle butter over the top. Bake uncovered 45 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Beans with ham hocks! (from my cell camera)

Finished Plate!

(sorry for the poor quality of print!)

Let me know if you try any of these :)

Getting Savvy...

Just found a great website...The Savvy Photographer. I love looking at other photographers websites. Most are natural light photographers...ahhh so soft and ethereal. Not that harsh sunlight business that we get here in Florida! I did buy a Gary Fong flash diffuser and I must say that I am very pleased with the quality of photo that I get. Not so harsh as with a bare flash. Since I don't know Photoshop very well..OK not well AT ALL (I seriously need a class) I appreciate my diffuser. I get many questions about it when I use it. "Is that a piece of Tupperware?" "Is there dip in there?" Yea...spinach dip. Got any chips? I wish I looked like this chick in the Gary Fong add, but the diffuser is not that good!

This photo was without the diffuser...you can see how the flash is a little harsh on her face. (yea Alexis! What a voice this girl has!)

This photo was taken with the diffuser...

The light is softened and there are no harsh shadows or light glares on their faces. Subtle changes, but nice ones!

So I need help with my composition of photos and I found The Savvy Photographer. I hope she can help! I would love to photograph in natural light, but unfortunately, most of my photography takes place indoors with action! Action requires a FAST lens and no flash or a slooooower lens and a BIG flash. FAST = very expensive...I went for the slower lens and the higher priced flash and diffuser. I'm trying here people :)

Friday Foodie Day....

It's a cupcake and fudge kind of day!! How much fun was it to make these?!!!

These are called Chocolate-Covered High Hats! You can use any cake flavor, but I used red velvet, MMMMMM! The recipe can be found in Elinor Klivans book, "cupcakes!" It is a step by step recipe that makes a fun cupcake! I also made these into mini cupcakes that my son's friends just loved.

Don't be afraid of the meringue. Just be ready to stand at the stove with the hand mixer and double boiler for the full 12 minutes and it will come out LOVELY and POOFY!

Granted, these don't look as impressive as the High Hats, but if you love Somemores...these will be right up your alley!! I am posting my photo... (so lazy with the photo taking...didn't even take

them out of the pan for a better shot OR get a pic with them DRENCHED in chocolate!)

But check out my friend, (who doesn't know she's my friend) Bakerella and her awesome recipe for these cupcakes and her beautiful pictures!!

Sam had his Valentine's Day party today at school! I realized yesterday that this will be the last time he will have to take Valentine's to school!!! WHAT? ALREADY? Weren't you just in Kindergarten???? So I made some Conversation Heart Fudge

and wrapped pretty...

Sam made these with one hand

since his other is in an immobilizer...he broke his collarbone last Thursday :(

Speaking of which...I have to go pick him up at school! Have a blessed and happy Valentine's Day Weekend!