White Christmas 2010

For the past 8 years that we have lived in Rabun County, we have seen our fair share of snow. But, we have never had a White Christmas like we did this year. We would have never believed that we would get 7 inches of snow. It was gorgeous and we all really enjoyed it. My parents were here from South Georgia and they got to experience something that is really unfamiliar to them. Snow, and lots of it!

Caleb and Luke climbing back up the driveway after sledding down.

Enjoying the snow!

Frozen tree!

A view from the side yard.

Looking in the backyard up the hill.

Too cold to play basketball.

The firepit is closed for the winter.

Until next time,

Let it snow!

New Orleans Double-Chocolate Praline-Fudge Cake

By Special Request, here is the recipe for the cake I am bringing to our Sunday School party this weekend. I have never made this cake before, but it was not hard. It did, however, take some time. I also like that most of the ingredients could be found in my pantry. It did not take anything special, but I do believe the end result will be fabulous.

1 cup butter 

1/4 unsweetened cocoa

1 cup water

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 large eggs

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups sugar

2 cups all-purpose floour

1/2 tsp salt

Chocolate ganache

Praline Frosting

Grease bottoms of 3 (8") round cake pans; line with wax paper. Grease and flour wax paper and sides of pan.

Cook first 3 ingredients in a saucepan over low heat; stirring constantly, until butter melts and mixture is smooth; remove from heat. Cool.

Beat buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Add butter mixture to buttermilk mixture, beating until blended. Combine sugar, flour, and salt; gradually add to buttermilk mixture, beating until blended. (Batter will be thin) Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-22 minutes or until wooden skewer inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans; immediately remove wax paper. Cool completely on wire racks. (Layers will appear thin)

Spread about 1/2 cup ganache between cake layers; spread remainder on sides of cake (do not frost top of cak). Chill cake 30 minutes. Pour praline frosting slowly over top of cake, spreading to edges, and allowing some frosting to run over sides of cake. 

Chocolate Ganache

2 cups (12 oz) semisweet chocolate morsels

1/3 cup whipping cream

1/4 cup butter, cut into pieces

Microwave chocolate morsels and cram in a glass bowl on MEDIUM (50%) power 2-3 minutes or until morsels are melted, stirring after 1 1/2 minutes; whisk until smooth. Gradually add butter, whisking until smooth. Cool, whisking often, about 25 minutes or until spreading consistency.

Praline Frosting

*Don't prepare this candylike frosting ahead because it'll harden very quickly.

1/4 cup butter

1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/3 cup whipping cream

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Bring first 3 ingredients to a boil in a 2 quart saucepan over medium heat, stirring often; boil 1 minute. Remove from heat, and whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add toasted pecans, stirring gently 3-5 minutes or until frosting begins to cool and thicken slightly. Pour frosting immediately over cake.

Until next time,

Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

I know that it is not quite Christmas, but I am feeling the season quickly approaching. I have bought most of our gifts, have hauled out the many snowmen and am waiting on the rain to quit so we can hoist up the tree.

While I am nearly done on many things, I have not done our Christmas card yet. I am one who tries for the perfect picture while knowing good and well that it probably won't happen. But I try each year. This year I will be ordering Shutterfly Christmas Cards. I plan on posing the boys in front of the tree later this weekend and attempting to get the perfect shot. What will they wear? Who knows? Do I go for the traditional look or something more casual? HMMM...

I would suggest that if you haven't gotten your cards, try Shutterfly holiday cards. And yes, this is a shameless plug for Shutterfly. They have great cards and other Photo gifts. I ordered Steve a photo book for Father's Day and he loved it!

So please shop Shutterfly for your Christmas photo gifts and always remember that Jesus Christ is the true reason for this holiday season. It is something that I strive to teach my children and often I have to remind my own heart.

Until next time,

Merry Christmas

SHUTTERFLY CHRISTMAS CARDS

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

While today is officially Thanksgiving, tomorrow is the biggest shopping day of the year. Black Friday!!! I love it. But I also love getting ready for Christmas. It is the pinnacle of my year. I love having my family come for the holiday. I love picking out gifts for my friends and family. It literally takes me months to decide and purchase what I think they will love. But I also love Christmas cards. I love receiving and sending out Christmas cards. I am not sure what this year will look like, but I am excited to get started.

Shutterfly is having a contest to give 50 free Christmas cards to bloggers. How AWESOME is that? I  love Shutterfly and have received some great products from there. They are part of my Christmas planning.

Well, just a quick plug for Shutterfly. Love it!!

Until next time,

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Super Bowl Champs!

This past Saturday, the 9 year old Wildcats won their third consecutive Super Bowl over Jefferson. The final score was 26-13. They have gone 32-0 over the past 3 seasons. It amazes me how these boys continue to put out the necessary effort week after week and continue to play as hard as they do each Saturday. I am so proud of each of them, but especially Seth. Of course, he's my Jr. Pee Wee Wildcat.

Until next time,

Go Wildcats!

Falcons Rise Up!

On Tuesday, November 9, my Seth turned 10 years old. Seems unreal to me that he could possibly be 10 already. So, since you don't turn 10 everyday, we decided to take him to the Atlanta Falcons game on Sunday, November 7. They were playing for first place in the NFC against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We had lunch at the Varsity and ended the night with Krispy Kreme donuts. Can't think of a better way to celebrate a birthday. Oh, and the Falcons won 27-21.

Pre-game at the Georgia Dome.

The players about to run onto the field.

Gathering at midfield before game.

Matt Ryan, Michael Jenkins, and other players.

Go Falcons!

Until next time,

Go Falcons!

North Champs again!

Saturday, we played for the North Championship title in the freezing cold. It never got above 40 degrees and the wind was blowing. Yikes! But we scraped out a win, 40-0, and claimed our 3rd title in a row. Seth was one of the captains of the game. Here are a few shots from Saturday.

Now we have to play Jefferson (again) for the Super Bowl on Saturday.

Until next time,

Go Wildcats!

Happy Halloween!

Saturday was the day that the kids got to trick or treat and have fun just being kids. Keely came up and we went out to the Rickman farm for a hayride around their community trick or treating. Here are a few pictures from that night.

Seth, Keely, and Luke before we left for hay ride.

Luke being silly.

Luke found a tractor.

Luke and Keely in the pumpkin patch. Seth was gone playing football.

Jeff Gordon and Optimus Prime aka Luke and Andrew.

Until next time,

Happy Fall Ya'll!

Pumpkins

Monday night, we decided to tackle the pumpkins. Last year, we never carved them, but enjoyed them as whole pumpkins until after Thanksgiving. Then cut, baked, and made pies out of them.

This year, Seth was our helper and got some of the gunk out of the pumpkin. Luke just watched and held his nose saying how it stunk.

Anyway, here are a few pictures from that night.

Until next time,

Happy Carving!

Senior Night 2010

Friday was Senior Night at the RCHS football game. Wildcat seniors were recognized, along with their parents, for their dedication and hard work to their particular sport.

Until next time,

Go Wildcats!

Sweet Green Beans

4 slices bacon
2 cans green beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, diced
1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes with basil, garlic, and oregano
pinch of basil
pinch of oregano
1/4 cup brown sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Fry the bacon until crisp. Remove and allow to drain on paper towels. Add diced onion and garlic to bacon drippings. Cook until soft. Add the drained and rinsed green beans along with the tomatoes. Add the spices and brown sugar to pan. Stir in crumbled bacon. Cook until warmed through.

Delicious with meat loaf and mashed potatoes (which is what we had tonight for dinner). I think this will be a favorite among the men in my extended family. Dad, Dad-in-law, I think you both would enjoy. Steve certainly did.

Until next time,

Happy cooking!

Chocolate and Caramel Covered Apples

6 large Granny Smith apples
6 Wooden craft sticks
1 (14 oz)  bag Kraft caramels, unwrapped
1 T. vanilla extract
1 T. water
2 cups pecans, chopped & toasted
1 (12 oz) bag semisweet chocolate chips

Wash and dry apples; remove stems. Insert craft sticks into stem end of each apple; set aside. Combine caramels, vanilla, and 1 T. water in a microwave glass bowl. Microwave on HIGH 90 seconds or until melted, stirring twice. Dip each apple into the caramel mixture quickly, allowing excess caramel to drip off. Roll in chopped pecans; place on lightly greased wax paper. Chill at least 15 minutes. Microwave chocolate chips on HIGH 90 seconds or until melted, stirring twice; cool 5 minutes. Pour chocolate where craft sticks and apple meet, allowing chocolate to drip down sides of apples. Chill at least 15 minutes or until set.

The finished product.

Caleb likes it.

Seth likes it.

And Luke likes it.

It is an easy and fun recipe to make especially during the Fall season.

Until next time,

An apple a day (even drenched in caramel and chocolate) keeps the doctor away!

Apples, apples, and more apples

Saturday, after Seth's football game, we loaded up and headed out to Long Creek, SC to pick apples. I had been wanting to take the boys and thought it would be a fun thing to do on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. We went to Chattooga Belle Farms and had a wonderful time as a family. We wound up with a bushel of Fuji apples and the promise of many yummy foods yet to come.

Luke enjoying the view at Chattooga Belle Farms.

The fruits (no pun intended) of our labor.

A sample of the applesauce, apple pie filling, apple butter, and apple jelly.

When all the jars were filled, we wound up with truly a harvest. I never knew a bushel of apples would go so far.

Apple Jelly

14- pints

14- 4 oz jars

1- 8 oz jar 

Apple Butter

15 pints

Apple Pie Filling

7 quarts

Applesauce

5 quarts

2- 4 oz jars

Until next time,

enjoy the harvest!

Bagel Pizzas

This weekend, while trying to decide what to fix the boys for dinner, I remembered that I had the ingredients to make pizza. I did not, however, have the time to defrost the dough. But then it dawned on me that I did have bagels in the refrigerator that would make great pizza crusts. I could let the boys help me make their own pizzas. Seth, of course, opted for cheese only, while Luke enjoyed pepperoni. The boys had a great time making their own personal pizzas.

Creating the pizzas

Seth enjoying his pizza.

Luke devouring his pizza.

Until next time,

Cook with your kids.

Minnehaha Falls

Today Craig, Carol, and Keely came up for a visit. After lunch of burgers and all the trimmings, we all piled in the Expedition and headed out to Lake Rabun. One of the true treasures of Rabun County is Minnehaha Falls. It is beautiful. Here are a few pictures we took of the kids as they enjoyed the waterfall. After leaving the waterfall, we went to Tallulah Gorge. I did not take any pictures there, as it was raining. But we still all had a nice afternoon enjoying the beauty of God's creation.

Minnehaha Falls

Keely, Seth, and Luke

Brrr...this water is cold!

Smile everyone!

Until next time,

Go and enjoy the outdoors!

Ode to a Georgia Peach

Summer brings hot weather and hot peach cobbler around the Meadows house. We have been enjoying lots of peach cobbler while the peaches are in season. They are sweet (especially with extra sugar) and juicy. Yummy! Here is the recipe that I have been using this summer. It is easy and most importantly, delicious. Hope you enjoy!

4 cups peaches, peeled and sliced
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
1 stick butter
1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. While oven is preheating, place butter in 8 x 8 pyrex dish and place in oven. Pour lemon juice over sliced peaches. Stir to coat. Pour 1/2 cup sugar over peaches. Stir and place in microwave for 1 minute, just so sugar begins to melt. In a separate bowl, mix flour, 1 cup sugar, and cinnamon until blended. Add milk and whisk. Pour batter into dish with melted butter. Do Not Stir. Pour peaches on top of batter. Do Not Stir. Sprinkle a little extra sugar over the top. Bake for 55 minutes. Enjoy with vanilla ice cream.

Until next time,

thank you Lord for Georgia peaches!

Philippians 2:5

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..."

I have been struggling with the homestretch of summer vacation. Trips are done, football has started, but still no school. Since the days of summer are starting to add up, our tempers are starting to flare up. All 3 of the kids are cranky from time to time, which makes Mom cranky from time to time. I am trying to keep my parenting skills in check, but from time to time I just simply explode.

Today has been a cranky day for me. I feel like all Steve and I do is run the kids to and from their activities and try to keep them happy. Where is the gratitude and the realization of all we do for them? When do we, as parents, get to have any fun or do something that would make us happy? I'm not talking about jetting off to Hawaii, but maybe just a quiet moment where everyone is content. I know this is selfish and a wrong attitude, so don't think I need to be reminded. I realize that as I type it.

But I also know that this is more than just a much needed attitude adjustment. It is a heart problem that doesn't just lie within me, but within all of us. Philippians 2:5 says that our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Ouch! That is what I want to convey to my children when they are behaving in a manner that is anything but. I think through my disciplining of my children, God is gently reminding me that He still has to discipline me too. My attitude is not always like that of His Son. It's more often like the attitude of my sons.

So, I will continue to press on and pray for the strength, calm, and attitude to be a better Mother. My children deserve at least that.

Until next time,

Attitude check!

Ready for Football

Think we're ready for practice?

Until next time,

Go Wildcats!

Pecan Pie Bars

Do you ever just crave something decadent? Well, Steve and I have been wanting a pecan pie for about a week now. I didn't have a pie crust, but found this recipe and decided to try it. It was delicious! You won't regret making these. They were easy and more importantly, yummy.

Pecan Pie Bars

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs, slightly beaten
1 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For crust, in a medium bowl combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in the 1/2 cup butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Pat crumb mixture into a 11 x 7 x 1 1/2 inch baking pan lined with tin foil (make sure foil extends over edges of pan). Bake about 20 minutes or until light brown.

2. Meanwhile, for filling, in a medium bowl stir together eggs, pecans, brown sugar, corn syrup, the 2 Tbsp melted butter, and the vanilla. Pour over the baked crust, spreading evenly.

3. Bake about 20 minutes more or until the filling is set. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Lift tin foil out and set on cutting board. Cut pecan pie into bars. Cover and store in refrigerator.

Until next time,

Bon Appetit ya'll!

Tubing in Helen

On June 23, M'ryanne Peacock and I took all our kids down to Helen for the afternoon to go tubing. The kids were so excited about trying something new. Here are a few pictures from our afternoon tubing down the Chattahoochee River. All of these were taken by the company photographer at the end of the run.

Until next time,

Shoot the Hooch!