Tales of a Misplaced Southern Boy

Crispy & Thin

2010-01-25T01:58:57Z

I think I may have finally hit upon my best crust for pizza. We both like thin crust, so I'm always trying to find the best version possible. This time I altered a previous recipe just a little and I think it was a big hit. As usual, I roll out my crust on parchment that then goes directly onto to stone in the oven. The paper browns and the crust get nice and crispy. I think I'm satisfied for the moment. I don't need to look for any other crust recipes for the time being.

New Year's Day Breakfast

2010-01-01T16:31:07Z

I got up early to make these cinnamon buns. Made with sour cream and yeast, they got a great rise and were quite tastey. It's taking all the restraint I have not to go downstairs and finish them off.

Opera in honor of "Pagerbear"

2009-10-26T04:27:55Z

I know how much Pagerbear loves his opera, so I thought I would post this in honor of him. Make sure you have a hankie handy. You will need to dry your eyes.

From laughing so hard.

Red Letter Day

2009-09-03T01:36:02Z

It was time to finally say good-bye to the old mixer with one last day of baking. I started off the day making a loaf of bread. There is almost nothing better than hot fresh homemade bread. After that it was on to cupcakes, specifically "Red Velvet Cupcakes".

Any southerner knows how much "we" love our Red Velvet, and what better way to top them than with a Cream Cheese Frosting.

That would be one of the 3 dozen that I made and iced to take to work tomorrow. After the cupcakes came the pizza dough, a nice thin crispy crust. All day I was thinking about my new mixer. Thinking that it just might arrive today, and of course it did. Rodney brought it home with him from work (it was easier to have it delivered there).

So after one final day with the old blue mixer (soon to be heading towards my mother's house), it was time to open, unveil, and make a place on the counter for the new mixer.

So in the words of Mary Haines, "I've had two years to grow claws mother, Jungle red.

Am I a Spring? Or am I an Autumn?

2009-08-18T02:02:15Z

I have a decision to make, and it's not an easy one. Part of me thinks that if I read about someone else struggling with this same issue somewhere, I would probably say they have way to much time on their hands. So before you comment, realize I understand that this may not be the most important decision for some. However, it has been a struggle for me. My issue?

What color to get for my Kitchen Aid mixer? They don't break. So whatever I pick, I am going to have for a LONG time. I have a small one now, that I have had for almost twenty years. It's never given me any trouble, but I have always wanted a bigger one. (Who doesn't?) Rodney made the suggestion (with birthday right around the corner), why not replace it. I could give the smaller one to my mother who doesn't have a mixer and wants one, and I could get the larger one that I have been wanting. I have thought and thought and thought about it. I have looked at every color possible and find it one of the hardest thing to commit to. I think, I could pick a wall color for every room in the house without any problem, but decide on the color of a new mixer and I'm completely stumped. You have to remember, it's not going to break. If I decide in a few years that I'm not really crazy about the tangerine or pistachio mixer anymore, I'm stuck with it.

The color of my current mixer?
Cobalt blue.

I do like it, but I feel like now is my chance to do something different. I just never imagined I would be so stumped by what should be a simple choice. Maybe if I had picked the first one I might be more inclined to stick with the same color, but it was a gift a very long time ago. Of course there's a story to go with the gift, but not necessarily one we need to get in to right now. So now is my chance to pick the color that best represents me. But what is it? What am I? Am I Empire Red, or maybe I'm Pear or Boysenberry?

Maybe I'll just go pick a color to paint the bathroom.

An Easter message at it's best.

2009-04-10T23:24:34Z

My Easter find for the season. Kind of fits my mood. Eating something that came of of a chicken's ass.

Sweet & Salty

2009-03-30T01:51:20Z

"Sweet and Salty Cake"

Rodney requested this cake for his birthday. He saw it posted somewhere and was intrigued by the recipe. I have to admit that I was too. It is a chocolate cake with a "salty" caramel between the layers, and a chocolate caramel ganache frosting. While R. was at church this morning I set out to make his cake. Time didn't permit for us to get to celebrate his birthday on Friday. (Other than a quick bit out and a "bad" movie.) The cake part was easy, and if the cake taste anywhere near as good as the batter did, then it should be quite good. It was the caramel that was a little tricky. (I've never made one before.) So of course, I burned the sugar the first time, but had success on my second try. And I will say, it is salty. Then of course I had to make another caramel for the ganache. The first time I didn't take it far enough, so I ended up with a watery mess and a big glop of sugar attached to my whisk. The second time was the charm. I was amazed at how I could truly "sense" that the sugar was about to got too far just from the smell. A few seconds more and it would have been burnt all over again.

Obviously, we haven't cut into it yet. But I am anxious to see if it is as unique and delicious as it's name suggests.

I'll have to let you know.

Something we all might want.

2009-02-20T04:03:56Z

Found this in a magazine at work, and thought that it might be something we all would want (or need).

They're here!

2009-01-09T13:37:08Z

Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow!

2008-12-31T18:50:50Z

More photos, including the "boys"..

Home

2008-11-22T01:51:38Z

I'm happy to be home from the hospital!

Trust me it's not pretty!

2008-11-19T00:04:26Z

I'm waiting at the ER aftercare to have my hand looked. The admitting nurse took off the bandage to look at and then loosely rewrapped it. Trust me it is not pretty, plus it's a little swollen.

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

Owww!

2008-11-17T18:09:49Z

Spent the morning in the ER. we had an issue with our youngest dog and unfortunately he bit me. He did a pretty good number on my hand.

Posted via LiveJournal.app.

Pissed as all get out!

2008-10-21T18:22:04Z

I just took the dogs out in the backyard before running some errands, and what did I find? Both of our bikes are gone! Some grubby little jackass came into our back yard and stole our bikes. That pisses me off. You need money, ask. Don't just take something that doesn't belong to you. If I had to guess, I would say that it was someone in the neighborhood. I'm wondering if it wasn't someone who could see into the yard because otherwise how would you know that they were there. With any luck karma will bite them in the ass really hard.

Good Night, Sleep Tight, and Pleasant Dreams to You

2008-10-06T23:43:03Z

For those that might have grown up with the "Lawrence Welk Show", I hope you enjoy. I cried I laughed so hard. I'm not sure what that says about me.

The Cow Says....

2008-10-04T02:38:17Z

I couldn't resist.

Sing his praises!

2008-09-14T16:30:12Z

Let me say first and foremost, my husband is an incredible person. He is also one of the most gifted preachers I have ever heard. I only wish that everyone that listened to him, actually heard him.

Now fortified with NEW & IMPROVED crunchy Seal-bits

2008-09-13T01:32:01Z

Does anyone else find this box of cereal just a little bit creepy? We saw this when were at the grocery tonight, and I found it to be so totally bizaare. I'm not sure that I would want my cereal to look back at me with big sad eyes.

Who moved the bone?

2008-09-06T05:35:04Z

Okay, the youngest dog has been acting very strange tonight. So twice I have given him his favorite chew toy. But each time I have given it to him, I have had to pick it up off of a piece of furniture. I mean a piece of furniture he could never reach. It's just me and the dogs, and someone or something moving the bone. It's just a bit bizaar.

How many times would you eat your food?

2008-09-06T03:39:13Z

Came home from work, let the dogs out, and got their food ready. I took them upstairs to eat while I talked to Hubs on the phone. After I hung up the phone, I find the youngest pooch out in the hall eating his food AGAIN. Try as I might, I couldn't coax him away long enough for me to clean it up. He was perfectly happy to eat it a second time. I only hope I don't have to see him eat for a third time.

Well, he kept most of it down the second time around. I found a little pile of the food in the hall again. Clearly his stomach is upset and his eyes are bothering him on top of all of that. My poor baby.

Newest Discovery

2008-07-12T03:46:36Z

I've been listening to clips of Lizz Wright for several weeks now. I finally broke down and downloaded her latest off of iTunes. I imagine I will be playing this over and over for a while, her voice is hauntingly beautiful. Another new favorite. Forgive the ringtone add in the bottom corner, it was the only video of this song I could find.

Hey Grandpa, what's for supper?

2008-06-27T18:37:55Z

Our youngest dog is about to change his diet. He has been on a prescription formula because the vet thought he had a food allergy. The new vet doesn't think so, but still wants him on a special diet. The first four ingredients on the bag read: oat flour, kangaroo, canola meal, dried beet pulp. Doesn't that just make your mouth water? Any ideas where I might get a pan big enough to cook the kangaroo?

fishfin @ 2008-06-11T11:48:00

2008-06-11T15:56:42Z

So, we bought a new bed. It was a bit of a gamble, because all we knew was what the description said, "One leg on headboard dented in." How bad could it be for $99? Several of us at work all bought beds. All for $99. All on just luck of the draw. I know one person got a headboard, a footboard, and ONE side rail. Good luck with that one. I brought the side rails and the footboard home last night. I couldn't wait to open them to make sure there was no major problems. One of the legs on the footboard had come off, so all I had to do was screw it back on. So far so good. I could only hope the leg on the headboard was as easy to repair.

This morning I borrowed Hub's secretary's van to pick up the King headboard. I looked at the leg, and it will be a little more work than just screwing it in. Still doable though. Now, I just had to get it home and unwrap it. Word was, someone had a slash in theirs. The warehouse is usually pretty good about their descriptions, but I still want to check. You never know. I got it in the house and opened. No slash! Hallelujah! We're good to go. The only thing we were missing were the slats. I can go to Lowe's and get some 1x4s cut no problem.

Oh, there was on problem. The sent a different bed.

They sent the LEATHER bed!

Peanut Butter Up? or Peanut Butter Down?

2008-05-09T04:41:04Z

We have a bit of a disagreement in our house. Let's say you decide for what ever reason to eat a cracker with some peanut butter on it. Do you put it in your mouth with the peanut butter up, or do you put it in your mouth with the peanut butter down?

Respond please.

New Favorite Artist

2008-04-15T02:05:01Z

I found Adele a few weeks ago when iTunes offered one of her songs as the free download for the week. I love her! Check her out.