A Toast to G-Ma...

Three years ago today my mom, Millie Hagen, passed away after an 8-month bout with lung cancer at the age of 84. I won't go into all the details but I just wanted to propose a toast to her...she loved her some Jim Beam every day at 5:00!


And I also thought that maybe...just maybe, she would be able to see these pictures of the gorgeous azaleas in bloom in her back yard.


Please raise your glass of whatever...

Cheers G-Ma!

Meat Loaf...Microwave Style

My South Carolina sister, Dottie, (actually, she's my only sister) sent this recipe to me the other day. She got it from her sister-in-law probably 10 years ago and never looked back. While I haven't tried this version yet, it sounds delicious so I wanted to share it with you.

Microwave Meat Loaf

Sauce:

8 oz. tomato sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tsp. prepared mustard

Meat Loaf:

2 lbs. ground beef
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/4 cup cracker or bread crumbs
1 pkg Lipton dry onion soup
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Mix the sauce together and set aside.

Combine all the other ingredients and add half of the sauce – stir thoroughly - feel free to use your hands! It's much easier and does a much better job!
Place in a microwaveable round casserole or bundt pan. Pour the remaining sauce on top. Cook on full power for 14-16 minutes or until temperature of 160 degrees is reached.

And there you have it! Looks delicious, doesn't it? And...now I'm hungry... And...now I'm off to see what I can have for dinner!

Oh, but before I go, I want to remind you to be sure and save enough for the ever-popular meat loaf sandwiches the next day...

Now I'm REALLLLLLLLLLLY hungry!

Brad Wims

Please say a prayer for the Wims family. Brad passed away yesterday after a long bout with cancer and left behind a beautiful wife and 2 young children...

11 Days and Counting...

You just have to check out the incredible giveaway going on over at In His Hands called Baby O's BIG Prize Package Drawing!!!

In an effort to raise enough money, roughly $30,000, to adopt a child from South Korea, Rachel and Josh have teamed up with some very special people to host this amazing giveaway.

There are several ways to enter and even some tricks to increase your chances...and, if you feel so inclined, by donating even a little bit, you will be a part of bringing their dream that much closer and maybe have your Christmas shopping done to boot! And it's not even Easter yet! To learn how to enter, click on their button below or on my sidebar to the right.

And remember, all donations will go toward their adoption fees to Eastern Social Welfare Society, the agency in South Korea that is caring for and arranging the adoption of our child.

Pot Roast, Wine and Lots of Family...

I probably should have broken this up into at least a couple of posts but it was a fun-filled weekend with good food, good 'beverages' and most of all, good company! So let's start by flashbacking to Friday...

It started with the last post - Sauteed Shrimp and Guam Rice...check out the comment from the 'diner'! Apparently, that went over very well! And then onto Saturday...

Bananas, tangerines, English Muffins, coffee, etc., in the morning...then we did BLT's and chips for lunch...how can anyone find something to complain about that! Mike and Mikey spent a good part of the morning and afternoon with us and I'm still wondering why I didn't take pictures! But that little boy is just such a joy to sit and watch!

So on to the Pot Roast...

Start by browning a chuck roast or any cut of your choice in olive oil and Worcestershire Sauce. Garlic pepper sprinkled heavily on the roast is definitely a plus!

Dutch Oven or Crockpot...either way...add a little water and let the roast cook for several hours.


Then add the potatoes and carrots...or anything other veggies you desire! Roast until done.

There were only 3 of us and not that much left over...must mean I did a great job! Pat on the back for me!

Onto Sunday...

A little brunwich bar...fix your own sandwich, add a few pickles and chips to prepare for the next adventure.

And then off to the San Sebastian Winery in St. Augustine...

I can't tell you how relaxing it is to just sit and listen to the music with good company...


Vinny Jacobs was our entertainment for the afternoon...he does a little bit of Billy Joel, Jimmy Buffet...just kind of laid back music...so enjoyable and relaxing.

I was able to get the recipes for the best part of the day. So first, (my personal favorite)



White Sangria...

1 Bottle Vintners White
1 Bottle Dry Sparkling Wine
4 oz. Triple Sec
Sliced Fresh Fruit (oranges, apples, kiwis, limes)
Add ice, chill for a few hours and serve

And...



Spiced Sangria...

Okay, first I need to be honest...this picture is not Spiced but Red...looks the same but they don't serve the Spiced...

1 Bottle Vintners Red
1 San Sebastian Mulling Spice Bag
1 Orange, sliced
1 Lemon, sliced
1 Kiwi, sliced
1 can 7-UP

Combine first 5 ingredients in large pitcher and refrigerate. Remove spice bag after one hour (can be reused if placed in plastic bag and freeze). Add 7-UP immediately before serving over ice.

And now onto the dinner at Darumas...

Well, first we had to have the meet and greet at David and Lianna's house...


Are you lookin' at me???

"Appetizers with Kodi"

And now really onto the dinner at Darumas...

Anyone who has ever been to a Japanese Steak House is salivating right now...we didn't take pictures of the food but we all know how phenomenal it is...

Happy!

And done! He couldn't have said it better!

Sauteed Shrimp and Guam Rice...

I think probably everyone has had sauteed shrimp at some point in their lives...but this is my take on it.

Sauteed Shrimp

1 lb large shrimp peeled
1 half stick of butter
1 tablespoon minced garlic
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons parsley (just guessing...I don't ever measure stuff like that!)
Salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter in frying pan. Add all other ingredients and cook over medium heat until shrimp are pink.

Guam Rice is another story and the ultimate for a rice dish. My Mom clipped this recipe out of the Florida Times Union many, many years ago. I tried to look the author up (someone who lived in Atlantic Beach, FL at the time) to give her credit but no such luck. So now I guess it's mine! It is jam packed with all kinds of goodies and goes especially well with seafood. My sister and her husband are visiting this weekend from West Union, SC., and I decided that this blast from our past should start the weekend off right. Main dish will be sauteed shrimp and our other side will be fresh steamed broccoli...



Guam Rice

1 cup rice
1 cup tomatoes
1 cup sharp cheese (I used shredded)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup olive oil
1 can mushrooms (stems and pieces)
1 can sliced ripe olives
1 1/2 cups boiling water (very hot from the tap is fine!)
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients and bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.


Going in the oven...


Finished product and oh, so good! I am sparing you pictures of us...not a pretty sight! ha!

Try 'em out and let me know what you think!

Giveaways...

There are some great giveaways going on right now...actually they are going on everyday but I want to share some of them close to my heart with you.

Please check them out before the deadlines...

Lianna at Be Thou A Knight...Deadline is February 22nd

And Lianna #2 (she has 2 giveaways going on at the same time!) at Growing Our Own Garden...and again, deadline is February 22nd

Heather and her precious Zoe at Mammas Little Sugar Booger...you just HAVE to check out Zoe's dimples!

And MckMama...I don't know how much time is left on this one but there are already over 1700 comments so hurry...get in before it closes!

These 3 awesome women all support motherhood and yet all are here for different reasons...please support all of them!