Thai Coconut Soup

Long time no post.  I've been posting, but just not here.  I've been on A Year in the Life for these past 4 years.  Sorry y'all.  :)  I'm going to make it up to you by posting a new delicious recipe for Thai Coconut Soup.

It's so easy.  I've tripled it so you can feed a family of 6, and maybe have a little left for the next day.  My crew are hearty eaters, so I have to make enough to feed the peeps.

I hope you enjoy it!
~ashley

Thai Coconut Soup
3 cans (14 oz) coconut milk
3 cans (14 oz) or 6 cups chicken broth (I use bouillon cubes & water)
18 quarter-size slices fresh ginger
3 stalks fresh lemongrass, cut in 1-inch pieces (I used lemongrass paste & it was fine)
3 pounds chicken cut into 1-inch pieces (optional)
3 cup sliced mushrooms (I forgot these, so if you don't like them, leave them out.)
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
3 tablespoons Thai or Vietnamese fish sauce (nuoc mam or nam pla)
3 teaspoons sugar
3 teaspoons Thai chili paste (I made mine heaping, but I like spicy things.)
fresh basil & cilantro to garnish

• In a saucepan, combine coconut milk, broth, ginger, and lemongrass.  Bring to a boil over high heat.
• Add chicken, mushrooms, lime juice, fish sauce, sugar & chili paste.  Reduce heat a cook slowly until chicken is firm and opaque.  DO NOT BOIL chicken.  

Make Sure You Eat Your Peas

Happy New Year! 

Today would be my mother's 65th birthday.  It's hard to believe she's been gone 15 years.  In her memory I wanted to remind you to eat your blackeye peas.  I can't think of one New Year's day that we haven't eaten them.  Everytime I prepare them I think of her.  It's funny that I feel closest to her when I'm in the kitchen.  It was one of her most favorite places in the house, and our kitchen is the heart of our home. 

So make sure you eat your peas.  Praying God's blessings for you and your families!
Blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

New Recipe!!!

Hey everyone, I've posted a new recipe on my 'Year in the Life' blog.  I have six months left where I'll be blogging on it everyday.  So, if you haven't been over there to check it out, I hope you'll take the time to scoot on over.  :)

The great thing about this recipe is that it can be served as an appetizer, as a salad topper, or as part of a larger meal.  Very summery, very light, very yummy! 

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer!

Blessed beyond measure!
~ashley

I Don't Bake

I don't like to bake.  It requires exact measurements & you know I don't cook like that.  I'm a dumper, and that does not mesh well when you have to follow directions down to the ounce and teaspoon.  When you start dumping stuff it can make for one ugly looking & bad tasting dessert.  I just stay away from it & ask my mother-in-law to bring the dessert.  She's a wonderful baker!

One thing I can make though is a cookie cake.  My favorite part is the icing.  It's like painting, but with creamy yumminess instead of paint.  Of course the more icing you have on the cake the better, or that's the fam's opinion anyway.

Last night I made a cookie cake for the Rebel dance team from our high school.  They left for their National Competition in Orlando this morning, and were performing their routines for parents, grandparents, boyfriends, and friends.  I'm so proud of those girls, and wanted to send them off with a little 'good luck & I love you' cake.

I was kinda bummed.  The 'V' is supposed to be red, but with the white icing and red food coloring it turned pink.  The girls said they liked the pink better...I told you they were sweet! 

a close-up of my pink 'V' cookie cake

The cookie is nothing special, it's pre-made toll house cookie dough pressed into a huge rectangle baking pan, and then once it was cooled, I iced it.  No big deal, but it's the thought that counts anyway. 

I love you girls & can't wait to see how you do at Nationals!  I know you're going to knock'em dead!  Go Rebels!

Y'all be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

Just Sayin' Hey

I wanted to remind  y'all that I'm posting everyday on my other blog:  A Year in the Life.  I would love for you to come on over & join me as I blog about my wonderfully crazy life!  I'm not posting here quite as much b/c right now we're so crazy that I'm cooking all my standby recipes the fam likes. 

We're coming up on prom season, so keep your eyes peeled, I may be trying something kinda cool for that...you never know!

Y'all be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

It Just Needs Less Beans

I have been craving red beans and rice for the last few days.  I get on kicks and I can't help it...I must eat that food.  It's great when I'm craving cucumbers, not so great if I'm craving chocolate.  Oh well, you win some and you lose some.  I've been singing the beans and rice song from when I was a child.  It's bouncing around in my melon & won't stop! 

I love the Red Beans and Rice soup at Newk's restaurant.  It is low in calories but full in flavor.  I decided to see if I could find the recipe online.  No such luck.  I searched and searched for decent recipes, but couldn't find one that sounded right.  There was one that had a ton of bacon, a ham hock, and sausage.  (the calorie and fat count was off the charts)  So I took the ones I did find, and of course tweaked them to fit my tastes.  Heaven forbid and cook anything according to the recipe.  I would get an 'unsatisfactory in following directions' when it comes to cooking.

I needed a quick dinner last night because I had a meeting at 5:30, and I didn't get home until after 4.  Red Beans and Rice it was!  Now my rb & r has turkey kielbasa in it.  Gotta get in some protein.  If you like sausage, but not the fat, try the turkey, it's good.

I arrived home from my meeting at 9:15, a little sleepy, and a little hungry.  As I was eating my dinner I asked Hopson what he thought, and he said that it just needed less beans.  What?  It's red beans and rice.  It is supposed to have a lot of beans, otherwise it would be rice with sausage, onions, and bell peppers.  Silly Hopson.  The children liked it, and I liked it.  My kitchen still smells like it, so I may be having some for breakfast!  Yum.  :)

Y'all be blessed beyond measure!
~ashley

PS~I also made a pretty easy dessert last night.  Here's the recipe:

1 Large box Chocolate Pudding
1 Small box White Chocolate Pudding
1 Large container Marshmallow fluff
Graham Crackers

Mix together 1 large box chocolate pudding and 1 small box white chocolate pudding (both sugar free) according to the box for pie directions

In a Pyrex dish:  put a layer of graham crackers in the bottom
                           spread the marshmallow fluff on top of the graham crackers
                           pour the mixed and set pudding on top of the fluff
                           top with another layer of graham crackers

Oh, It's Cold on My Tootsie Toes

Why is it when it's cold outside it's always my feet that are the coldest.  It takes me at least an hour to thaw out.  Hopson calls me a cold prickle.  :(  I am a cold prickle...I can't hold my own body heat in for anything.  He says it's because I don't have a positive mental attitude.  Yeah, what ever.  I would love it if someone made a bodysuit out of an electric blanket!  I could plug myself into the wall at my house and stay super warm all the time!

Because winter has decided to raise it's very cold head, again, after we've had a few weeks of 60ish degree weather in January/February, I am craving soup.  I would eat it in the winter at least once or twice a week.  (Warm soup to eat and a hot fire in the fireplace...good stuff!)  And because I wanted soup for dinner, I made myself soup.  I decided everyone else could eat it or not.  (Henry has been a birthday party & everyone else can fend for themselves.)  They all had loaded baked potatoes and half decided to have a cup of soup to go with it.

I made homemade Tomato Basil Soup, and of course I cheated on it.  It calls for fresh herbs, but I decided to use dried because I was pressed for time.  Hoppy & Elizabeth gave it a thumbs up.  I was pleased with it.  And since I was selfish and made it for me anyway...I was happy.  It heated me all the way to my very cold toes. :)

Y'all be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

Things are a Little Crazy Around Here...

...but in reality, when are they not?  It's the best kind of craziness though.  I love a house full of kids.  Not just my children, but having their friends here as well.  Last night was fun.  Henry had his awesome buddy, Josh, over to spend the night.  (I think Hop & Harry would trade Henry for Josh if given the chance.)  Harry had his friend, Joe, to spend the night, and a group of Hoppy's friends came over to hang out.  We had a house full...it was awesome.  Poor Elizabeth was the only one who was a loner.  :(  Oh well, she'll see all her buddies this morning when she goes to dance. 

I don't have any new recipes I've tried, but I wanted to send you over to 'A Year in the Life' for the time being.  If I cook something new, I'll post it, but it's been kinda crazy around here: trying to work, take care of kiddos, and keep up two blogs.  I post on AYITL everyday, so you'll see a variety of things.

The other day I did make Friday Special with 3 pounds of chicken, and at the end of the night there was only a small bowl full left...my I have some little piglets.  (it's now one of their favorite meals)

I hope you join me as I celebrate A Year in the Life.

Y'all be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

An Oldie but a Goodie

My first cook book that I ever owned is Magic by the Junior League of Birmingham.  My mom gave it to me my sophomore year in college for Christmas when I had an apartment with three of my good friends.  (so you don't have to do the math, I turned 40 this past Dec. 26th)  It's precious to me because it was a gift from her.  It is a classic cook book and has some wonderful recipes. 

I've tweaked one of the recipes (I know you're shocked) and we're going to be having it for dinner tonight.  It is called Ham Delights.  I'm going to use different kinds of meat and cheese on the rolls and serve them open-faced.  I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.  I might make some soup as well, I'm not sure yet.

These sandwiches are great because they are easy and freeze well.  (two of my favorite words to use about cooking!)  They are great at Christmas time as well as if you are having a shower or any kind of party.  I used to make them all the time & I'm glad I remembered them.  It's going to be a super yummy dinner tonight as it might be rainy and yucky outside.  We may build a fire & play a game or just hang out.

Y'all be blessed beyond measure!
~ashley

Rain means Breakfast for Dinner!

In our home, if it's raining at dinner time, there is a pretty good chance we'll have breakfast for dinner.  My mom started this with my family when we were growing up.  It was never anything fancy, but it was a chance for the cook to get a quick respite from having to plan something.

Since it's January, and a little chilly and wet outside, breakfast sounds great!  There's always some kind of discussion as to what we're going to eat.  Some want eggs, grits, pancakes while others want a breakfast casserole.  Tonight we're doing the former. I'm going to make a fruit salad to go with our strawberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, and grits, and voila! Dinner is served.  Super easy and warm in your tummy.

Well, today is clean house and errands day, so I'm going to get started on chores.  :)  Stay warm & dry today!

Y'all be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

A Splitter A Splatter

...I made a mess all over my platter...  Well not really a mess on the platter, but all over my cook top for sure.  I was in a good mood yesterday, and I'm not sure why but I told the fam I would be happy to make them homemade sweet & sour chicken.  They were in great favor of having that for dinner.  I had to shake my head & I thought to myself  'Um, did I really just offer to fry chicken and serve it with a delicious, sticky, orange sauce.'  Yes, yes I did.

I botched the first round of the sauce.  I don't follow recipes well & just started dumping things into the saucepan.  That is bad, very bad.  It didn't thicken up & I had to throw it out & start over.  The second time I actually did what it said.  Success!  2 of the 4 tasted it & gave it two thumbs up.

OK, onto the chicken.  As the chicken was sitting in the batter Henry looked at & said with a grimace on his face:  "mom, what is that?'.  I told him it was the chicken.  He informed me it didn't look like chicken.  Yes, thank you Hen, I still have to cook it.  As I was frying the chicken little fingers (40 in total) kept walking by & popping chicken into their mouths.  I finally had to get mad & shoo them out of the room, because at the rate the chicken was disappearing we weren't going to have any left for dinner.

Making Sweet & Sour Chicken is not hard, it's just messy.  Needless to say they loved it and gobbled it up.  It may have to start making a rotation once a quarter.  Maybe I'll make the sauce blue just to keep the fam guessing.  :)

Y'all be blessed beyond measure!
~ashley

The last birthday of the Year

Today is the picky one's birthday; Harry is 15.  He will be practicing his driving starting in a few days, so y'all better be on the lookout.  Just kidding, he's going to do great. 

I love that child.  He makes me laugh.  I'm going to send you over to my other blog to read about Harry and why he makes today is so special.

Happy New Year!  May the Lord bless you all in 2012!
~ashley

Happy Birthday to Honey Daddy

Today is big Hopson's birthday. He's 41, even though he claims he's not having any more birthdays. I asked my mother-in-law if she could believe the baby of the family was 41. She didn't want to talk about it, and then laughed. For his birthday he is heading into the woods.  He is taking 1/2 the clan with him, so hopefully if they see a big buck today, Elizabeth will let her daddy shoot it. 

He's been in the woods most of the week & looks like it.  He has that rugged look about him, and I have to admit that I like it.  He doesn't look like a CPA, he looks like a cowboy.  I hope he has a wonderful time on his birthday in the woods.  There will be no birthday cake, and there will be no presents.  The CPA wants less spending on his birthday, so that's what he gets, and since he's not getting any older he doesn't need a cake.  I think I'll make him some German Potato Salad instead.

Happy Birthday Honey Daddy!!! We love you!
~ashley

Thank you Pinterest!!!

I made the best appetizer last night.  (and it was easy, which you know I am very pro.)  I pulled the recipe off of Pinterest.  I'm not addicted to Pinterest, but I do like it.  It has great recipes, cute outfits, funny sayings, life sayings, ways to make your own detergent, you name it, it's on there.  For those of you not on Pinterest, you make your own 'board' (it is kinda like a ebullitin board) and you pin thing onto your board.  You also name your board.  I'm a little kooky so I decided to have fun/weird names for my boards.  And yes, it does make me happy.

My food board is called 'Feed Us Please!'  I made the cheddar bacon ranch pull apart bread last night to go with my brother's homemade chili recipe, that the picky one LOVES, and well as they say, a picture's worth a thousand words.

The completed pull apart!

And the completed pull apart.

Of course I didn't follow the directions.  You know I have to add my own flair to it.  I've named mine the Sourdough Pull Apart.  The fam demolished it in about 10 minutes.  I have to say it was good & I'm planning on make some more for New Year's Eve & New Year's Day to have with our black eyed peas & turnip greens.  :)  I'm super excited.  It will be a super yummy day.  I pray y'all are having a wonderful Christmas break and that you have a very Happy New Year!

Y'all be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

Merry Christmas Y'all

I just wanted to wish y'all a very Merry Christmas!  Ours has been wonderful.  We went to Tampa the week before Christmas to spend time with my brother and his wife.  We will be adding a new baby to our family in January!!!  (Not by me, thank goodness.)  I can't wait.  It's been 9 1/2 years since we've had a baby in the fam & we for sure need a new one.

While in Tampa we did some wonderfully fun things.  We went to a fun place called AirHeads; a massively big place that's full of trampolines that are all connected.  It's too much fun.  Of course my children love it.  They were flipping & twisting all over the place.  I was mistaken for a 28 year old!!!  Can I tell you how good that made me feel since I'll be 40 tomorrow.  :)

the fam in our gorgeous wetsuits

We swam with manatees.  Too cool for words.  There was a male that followed us around wanting to be scratched.  He would swim around us giving everyone a chance to love on him.  They are so beautiful & getting to pet them in their environment was amazing.  The water was a little cold, 72 degrees to be exact, but besides that, A OK.

Thursday night we went to see the Huseman Family Light Spectacular.  When they say it's a light spectacular, they mean a light spectacular!  68,000 lights set to 23 different songs.  It's incredible!  I had a great time watching & videoing some of the songs.  The Huseman's personally welcome every person who stops to watch their lights, and they give them a candy cane.  They also delivered almost 1000 pounds of food to a local Tampa charity.  What a great ministry they have. 

one candle shared

one candle

Church was amazing...I cried as usual, but I did something I've always wanted to do...take pictures during the service.  I took a picture of our pastor after he lit his candle, and then after all the candles in the sanctuary were lit.  

 

The difference between the two is amazing.  The sharing the Love of Jesus takes on a whole new meaning when you see 2400 candles lit, just from the one.  How blessed I have been this year.  I pray you feel God's blessings everyday!!!

Merry Christmas & y'all be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

Breath...Just Breath PS

I have to add this commercial because it's just too funny!  Merry Christmas, Game On!

Breath...Just Breath...

Today is 6 days until Christmas...everyone take a big deep breath in.  Hold it.  Now release it slowly.  Repeat 2 more times to keep calm.  I'm calm...you know I am...  There is only one present that hasn't come in...I ordered it black Friday, have emailed the company twice, and am hoping it comes in within the next few days.  If it doesn't, I think it (and I) will be OK, because it's for Hoppy, and he's pretty easy going.  Knowing my luck it will be delivered to the house while Henry is at home.  Santa has decided to use UPS to deliver stuff that Harry and Hoppy have asked for.  Thanks Santa, you're killing me.  (Just kidding, it's all good, I'm just glad I'm not fighting Christmas crowds.) 

I can't believe the season is almost over; it feels like it just started.  I love everything about Christmas:  the decorations, lights, family & food.  They make me happy.  Because Elizabeth has so many late dance classes this year, I have been able to enjoy the Christmas lights more than ever this year.  Our little dance carpool loves to look at the lights too & those girls are funny! 

To those of you who are traveling for Christmas, please be safe.  We are looking forward to spending time with extended and immediate family and celebrating the 3 birthdays we have in the next 12 days.    (Harry will be getting his learner's permit in the first of January, and he's already a mack daddy driver in his own mind.  It will be interesting to see how he does on his permit test since he hasn't studied one iota.)  One more day of school until all the little chicks are done...the next 36 hours are going to be going on full throttle, but also full of Christmas Cheer!

I hope you all have a wonderfully Merry Christmas!
Be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

12 Days and Counting

Well, in 12 days it will happen...I will turn 40.  I don't feel like I'm getting old, I just feel like my numberical age fits my psychological age.  I've been the matriarch of my family since I was 25, and at 25 you're still a little stupid.  Not quite as much as when you're a teenager, but pretty close.

I have one trepidation about this birthday.  It's the beginning of the decade that both my parents died.  I told someone my goal is to make it to 50, and that's not a lie.  I do hope to make it to be an old albiet very active grandmother.  Hopson's parents are in their 70's and their social schedule rivals that of any teenager's.  They are active and fun, and I have decided that I'm going to be the same way. 

In honor of my 40th year, starting on my birthday, I'm going to take 365 days of pictures.  A year in the life....  It's for postarity's sake for me.  I want to make the most of everyday, and hopefully by taking pictures that will help.  I hope you will join me on my crazy year of pictures!  Right now though, the laundry is calling my name, and one of the dogs threw-up in Elizabeth's room, so I better get busy doing what I do best.  :)

If you want to see the pictures you can click on the tab, starting December 26th, that will take you to my year in pictures.

Y'all be blessed beyond measure!
~ashley

Should it be called Tebowing?

I'm so tired of the whole Tim Tebow controversy I could spit.  I'm sick and tired of commentators tearing him down for bowing in a prayer of thanks.  I hate the term 'Tebowing'.  I wonder if Tim does too?  There have been many players, in many different sports, before him who have given thanks for what God has allowed them to accomplish in sports; either by pointing or kneeling in humble adoration.  So why pick on Tebow?

Is it because no matter how hateful, I do mean hateful, the different people are to him, he continues to be humble, and quick to listen and slow to speak.  Is it because he makes them take a long look in the mirror and think they are not being the man God has called them to be?  Maybe it's because he's winning and giving glory to God; he's not taking all the the credit for winning a game; or they just plain don't like him.  I don't know, but I'm sick of it & I'm sick of him being ridiculed for his faith.

I know many have seen how Tim is acting and wondering if this guy is for real.  I think he is.  He's been in the spotlight since he was in high school, and he's now 23...that's 5 years to slip-up, but he hasn't.  Either he's a great actor or he is who he says he is, a true follower of Christ.

I am making a choice to be one voice who supports Tim Tebow and the Broncos.  I support him because his walk and his talk match.  I support him because he's someone I would want my boys to emulate, and my daughter to marry.  He puts Christ first and everything else is secondary.  God has given him talent (...even though the commentators hate his throwing motion etc, let's not forget he did win the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore no less.) and he uses that talent to the best of his ability.  He demands excellence from himself first and then asks others to follow him in excellence, and guess what, they usually buy-in to what he says, and they follow him. 

I'm proud of Tim Tebow.  I hope he continues to win, because he will point to the One who gave him the ability to do these things.  But, if they lose, I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Tim will continue to give glory where glory is due...to our Lord Jesus Christ.  God be with you Tim!  Romans 5:1-5 

Thanks for letting me rant guys!
Y'all be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

Christmas Comfort Food

I love Christmas comfort food.  There are so many things I cook this time of year that reminds me of my mom & MeMaw.  I wish they were alive so I could show them some of the things I've accomplished as a cook.  I feel close to them in the kitchen.

One of the things my MeMaw made that was mack daddy were her Cheese Straws.  I've tried the ones from the grocery store, and they're ok, but not like homemade.  (they're a little dry, have a kind of funky taste & they're not spicy enough for me...just in case you were wondering)  The good thing about cheese straws is that they are not hard to make.  It takes longer to cook them than anything else.  It's also fun to let your children get involved in the cooking.  Mine usually fight over my cookie press.

Tonight Hoppy was the only one at home for a little while & when I asked him if he wanted to press the cheese straws out, he jumped at the chance.  I love it...he's 17 and still wanting to help in the kitchen.  Makes my heart soar...and laugh...he was holding my cookie press like a gun at one point.  I couldn't snap a picture fast enough to catch him.  Crazy kiddo.

There is NOTHING healthy about cheese straws.  Hence, comfort food.  In the past  I've made them with a gluten free flour, and they're not that bad, a little gritty, but passable.  (add enough butter & cheese to anything and it will be palatable.)   I had fun watching Hop press these out.  We did a small batch so it didn't take too long.  There were perfect and so yummy.  I would love to know some of your favorite Christmas comfort foods.  Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas & be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley