annie blog

Things These Boys Say….

After hearing me say the word “reckon” in a sentence, #1 said, “Mom, why do you say that word, reckon? Is it because you’re from west……Alabama?”

The other day, #2 was talking to his brother about the different kinds of precipitation that we get here in St. Louis, “You know, snow is kind of just rain, only frozen. They are both made of the same thing — water. Snow is just a lot colder, and, you know, it tastes better.”

#3 joined me in bed one morning last week. He often does this, but he usually just communicates by nods and giving me little smooch as a good morning greeting. This particular morning he was obviousely thinking about something. I told him “Good Morning” and gave him a kiss. He responded by asking me, “Mom, why is there gravity on Earth?”

#4 can now tell what we’re having for dinner just by looking at the ingredients that are out on the counter and by the pots and pans on the stove. Before dinner the other night, he walked through and said, after looking around, “Oh, pasta, I WUB pasta.”

My precious sons.

Just Some Numbers for Y’all
Number of children who have been sick this week and last: 4
Number still out of school today: 2 out of 3
Number who would like to remain home indefinitely: 1
Number of times I’ve combed my son’s hair with a pasta server becaues I couldn’t find the brush: 1
Number of times I’ve driven off and left my stroller on the side of the road: 3
Number of neighbors who see me leaving it and probably laugh and think I’m crazy: all the ones who see?
Number of times the stroller has still been there when I’ve realized my crazy absentmindedness (because it is a piece of junk): 3
Number of times I pulled out of my driveway and totally crashed into the big old green garbage can: 1
Number of times I would have voluntarily hit it, if time and damage to the van were no object: probably a dozen ’cause it would have made me feel better

Annie is having an interesting week. Hope that your week is going well.

Just Some Numbers for Y’all
Number of children who have been sick this week and last: 4
Number still out of school today: 2 out of 3
Number who would like to remain home indefinitely: 1
Number of times I’ve combed my son’s hair with a pasta server becaues I couldn’t find the brush: 1
Number of times I’ve driven off and left my stroller on the side of the road: 3
Number of neighbors who see me leaving it and probably laugh and think I’m crazy: all the ones who see?
Number of times the stroller has still been there when I’ve realized my crazy absentmindedness (because it is a piece of junk): 3
Number of times I pulled out of my driveway and totally crashed into the big old green garbage can: 1
Number of times I would have voluntarily hit it, if time and damage to the van were no object: probably a dozen ’cause it would have made me feel better

Annie is having an interesting week. Hope that your week is going well.

Just Some Numbers for Y’all
Number of children who have been sick this week and last: 4
Number still out of school today: 2 out of 3
Number who would like to remain home indefinitely: 1
Number of times I’ve combed my son’s hair with a pasta server becaues I couldn’t find the brush: 1
Number of times I’ve driven off and left my stroller on the side of the road: 3
Number of neighbors who see me leaving it and probably laugh and think I’m crazy: all the ones who see?
Number of times the stroller has still been there when I’ve realized my crazy absentmindedness (because it is a piece of junk): 3
Number of times I pulled out of my driveway and totally crashed into the big old green garbage can: 1
Number of times I would have voluntarily hit it, if time and damage to the van were no object: probably a dozen ’cause it would have made me feel better

Annie is having an interesting week. Hope that your week is going well.

Biscuit
All girls from the South should make excellent biscuits. Like most wonderful recipes, this has few ingredients. It’s the technique, y’all.

Ingredients:
2 cups White Lily flour
1 T baking powder
1 t. salt
1/4 cup butter, unsalted
2/3 to 3/4 cup milk (I use whole milk)

Method:
Preheat oven to 475 degrees for about 10 minutes, at least.

Using the blade attachment for your Cuisinart, put the dry ingredients in the bowl of the machine. Pulse a few times to mix. Cut the butter into equal cubes. Add the butter to the flour mixture and pulse about 5-10 times for 1 second for each pulse (or until the flour resembles coarse crumbs). Add the lower amount of milk and pulse. Add more milk if the dough seems to need it in order to come together. When the mixture comes together after pulsing a few times, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead maybe a few times before patting it (lightly) into a circle. Cut the dough by pushing the biscuit cutter straight down into the dough. (Don’t twist the cutter.) Place on a lightly greased sheet or into a cast iron skillet (ala my grandmothers, Ma Beaut and Mema). Put them straight into the oven. Bake them for about 8-10 minutes or until the bottoms are done and the tops are a wee mite golden brown.

Makes from 6 big biscuits to around a dozen small ones. It just depends on the size of your cutter and the size of the circle of patted dough.
Hope that you try it and enjoy it, too.

**Reminder for TV folks — don’t forget that the Project Runway get together show is tonight. It might be interesting. Also, the What Not to Wear girls are back with a new show tonight. They continue on the theme of surprising past participants of the show to see if they are keeping up with their looks or not.**

Biscuit
All girls from the South should make excellent biscuits. Like most wonderful recipes, this has few ingredients. It’s the technique, y’all.

Ingredients:
2 cups White Lily flour
1 T baking powder
1 t. salt
1/4 cup butter, unsalted
2/3 to 3/4 cup milk (I use whole milk)

Method:
Preheat oven to 475 degrees for about 10 minutes, at least.

Using the blade attachment for your Cuisinart, put the dry ingredients in the bowl of the machine. Pulse a few times to mix. Cut the butter into equal cubes. Add the butter to the flour mixture and pulse about 5-10 times for 1 second for each pulse (or until the flour resembles coarse crumbs). Add the lower amount of milk and pulse. Add more milk if the dough seems to need it in order to come together. When the mixture comes together after pulsing a few times, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead maybe a few times before patting it (lightly) into a circle. Cut the dough by pushing the biscuit cutter straight down into the dough. (Don’t twist the cutter.) Place on a lightly greased sheet or into a cast iron skillet (ala my grandmothers, Ma Beaut and Mema). Put them straight into the oven. Bake them for about 8-10 minutes or until the bottoms are done and the tops are a wee mite golden brown.

Makes from 6 big biscuits to around a dozen small ones. It just depends on the size of your cutter and the size of the circle of patted dough.
Hope that you try it and enjoy it, too.

**Reminder for TV folks — don’t forget that the Project Runway get together show is tonight. It might be interesting. Also, the What Not to Wear girls are back with a new show tonight. They continue on the theme of surprising past participants of the show to see if they are keeping up with their looks or not.**

Biscuit
All girls from the South should make excellent biscuits. Like most wonderful recipes, this has few ingredients. It’s the technique, y’all.

Ingredients:
2 cups White Lily flour
1 T baking powder
1 t. salt
1/4 cup butter, unsalted
2/3 to 3/4 cup milk (I use whole milk)

Method:
Preheat oven to 475 degrees for about 10 minutes, at least.

Using the blade attachment for your Cuisinart, put the dry ingredients in the bowl of the machine. Pulse a few times to mix. Cut the butter into equal cubes. Add the butter to the flour mixture and pulse about 5-10 times for 1 second for each pulse (or until the flour resembles coarse crumbs). Add the lower amount of milk and pulse. Add more milk if the dough seems to need it in order to come together. When the mixture comes together after pulsing a few times, turn it out onto a floured surface and knead maybe a few times before patting it (lightly) into a circle. Cut the dough by pushing the biscuit cutter straight down into the dough. (Don’t twist the cutter.) Place on a lightly greased sheet or into a cast iron skillet (ala my grandmothers, Ma Beaut and Mema). Put them straight into the oven. Bake them for about 8-10 minutes or until the bottoms are done and the tops are a wee mite golden brown.

Makes from 6 big biscuits to around a dozen small ones. It just depends on the size of your cutter and the size of the circle of patted dough.
Hope that you try it and enjoy it, too.

**Reminder for TV folks — don’t forget that the Project Runway get together show is tonight. It might be interesting. Also, the What Not to Wear girls are back with a new show tonight. They continue on the theme of surprising past participants of the show to see if they are keeping up with their looks or not.**

Salads, a Skinny Lady and TV
And, no, this post isn’t about a skinny lady who sits around watching TV eating only salad.

First, I want to share a great salad dressing recipe with you. I don’t even have a title for the dressing. I got the recipe from a skinny little lady that goes to my church. She is an excellent hostess and a really great cook and makes *delicious* salads. Try this dressing. You won’t be sorry that you did.

Salad with Bacon and Shredded White Cheddar
Greens
Shredded White Cheddar
10-12 strips bacon, fried and crumbled

Dressing:
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 cup oil
2 T. dried onion
1 T. dried parsley
1/2 t. salt
1/2 package cheese garlic salad dressing mix (from Good Seasons)
1/2 T. paprika
Simple syrup made with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 1/2 cups water

1. Make the simple syrup.
2. Let it cool.
3. Put everything but the oil in a blender.
4. Turn on blender and drizzle the oil in a thin stream until it is gone.

Toss the greens with dressing. Top with as much cheddar and bacon as you wish. Dressing will double, but you might have trouble getting it all in your blender.

Project Runway fans: don’t forget that we get a new one tonight. And, don’t read EW unless you want some of the suspense taken away from you.

Susannah and Trinny fans: The What Not to Wear girls have a new show tonight at 9 (I think). They will be checking on the fashion victims from previous shows to see if they are still following the rules.

Alright, there you have it. Skinny lady, TV and salad — that’s all I’ve got for today.

Salads, a Skinny Lady and TV
And, no, this post isn’t about a skinny lady who sits around watching TV eating only salad.

First, I want to share a great salad dressing recipe with you. I don’t even have a title for the dressing. I got the recipe from a skinny little lady that goes to my church. She is an excellent hostess and a really great cook and makes *delicious* salads. Try this dressing. You won’t be sorry that you did.

Salad with Bacon and Shredded White Cheddar
Greens
Shredded White Cheddar
10-12 strips bacon, fried and crumbled

Dressing:
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 cup oil
2 T. dried onion
1 T. dried parsley
1/2 t. salt
1/2 package cheese garlic salad dressing mix (from Good Seasons)
1/2 T. paprika
Simple syrup made with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 1/2 cups water

1. Make the simple syrup.
2. Let it cool.
3. Put everything but the oil in a blender.
4. Turn on blender and drizzle the oil in a thin stream until it is gone.

Toss the greens with dressing. Top with as much cheddar and bacon as you wish. Dressing will double, but you might have trouble getting it all in your blender.

Project Runway fans: don’t forget that we get a new one tonight. And, don’t read EW unless you want some of the suspense taken away from you.

Susannah and Trinny fans: The What Not to Wear girls have a new show tonight at 9 (I think). They will be checking on the fashion victims from previous shows to see if they are still following the rules.

Alright, there you have it. Skinny lady, TV and salad — that’s all I’ve got for today.

Salads, a Skinny Lady and TV
And, no, this post isn’t about a skinny lady who sits around watching TV eating only salad.

First, I want to share a great salad dressing recipe with you. I don’t even have a title for the dressing. I got the recipe from a skinny little lady that goes to my church. She is an excellent hostess and a really great cook and makes *delicious* salads. Try this dressing. You won’t be sorry that you did.

Salad with Bacon and Shredded White Cheddar
Greens
Shredded White Cheddar
10-12 strips bacon, fried and crumbled

Dressing:
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 cup oil
2 T. dried onion
1 T. dried parsley
1/2 t. salt
1/2 package cheese garlic salad dressing mix (from Good Seasons)
1/2 T. paprika
Simple syrup made with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 1/2 cups water

1. Make the simple syrup.
2. Let it cool.
3. Put everything but the oil in a blender.
4. Turn on blender and drizzle the oil in a thin stream until it is gone.

Toss the greens with dressing. Top with as much cheddar and bacon as you wish. Dressing will double, but you might have trouble getting it all in your blender.

Project Runway fans: don’t forget that we get a new one tonight. And, don’t read EW unless you want some of the suspense taken away from you.

Susannah and Trinny fans: The What Not to Wear girls have a new show tonight at 9 (I think). They will be checking on the fashion victims from previous shows to see if they are still following the rules.

Alright, there you have it. Skinny lady, TV and salad — that’s all I’ve got for today.