A new look for an old friend

I love Thanksgiving & Christmas.  Not just like, LOVE.  The smells, lights, food, music, and, ...memories.

I always imagine us as being the Norman Rockwell family.  I want it perfect.  (this comes with being an extreme type A personality.)  Unfortunately, we are not that perfect family, but a girl can dream. 

I remember the first Christmas after my dad passed away, it was horrible!  I didn't want Christmas.  It was my dad's favorite holiday & it wasn't the same without him.  There were many tears shed that Christmas.  My mom's last Christmas was hard too.  I knew she was towards the end, and I tried to make it a great Christmas, but I can't remember a time in my life that I have been so tired and overwhelmed.  I still cry when I think about it.  But, thank you Jesus for the promise and hope that comes with Christmas.  I am now listening to Hallelujah (Light has Come) by BarlowGirl.  Click here to hear the song on youtube.  God did not leave me in my tired, heartbroken, overwhelmed state, but He sent His most precious possession to rescue me and set me free.  Emmanuel...God is with me.  Job knew he had a hope even though Jesus had not come yet.   Job 19:25 "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth."  For all of  you who have had tragedy happen to you this year:  first, please accept my most heartfelt sympathies; second, the everyday sadness doesn't last forever, you will laugh again; and third, embrace your memories.  It can be so painful at first, but over time you'll be glad you did.

I still want that perfect Thanksgiving & Christmas, but one big realization I've made is that if all my family is with me, no matter their state, it's perfect.  Elizabeth, Henry & I were discussing how close we were getting to the beginning of the Christmas music on the radio & so we decided to listen to some.  Bing Crosby to you.  (it's not Christmas until I hear a little Bing.)  One of the staple foods I make for Christmas morning are sausage balls.  I'm about to shift gears a little here, but trust me, sausage balls & Christmas are involved... 

Our children are out of school today.  It is an in-service day for the teachers.  The hospitality committee at Central decided to have breakfast for the teachers.  A very nice gesture.  I thought I had only signed-up to bring doughnuts.  Luckily, I decided to read the reminder email all the way through, because apparently I also signed-up to bring 2 dozen sausage balls.  I know a lot of  you are laughing at me because 2 dozen of anything is nothing.  (big eaters at home)  It was not the amount, just the timing of everything.  I told myself to suck it up & quit being so selfish, and make the stupid sausage balls.  (The whole 'being a cheerful giver' thing ran through my mind!  Thanks God for that conviction.)  I decided to change them up a little bit.  When an opportunity presents itself....well, I had to take it.  :)  I received two thumbs up from most of the group; the picky one hasn't tried them.  Click here for the recipe.

I'm going to be posting some Thanksgiving & Christmas recipes after Vestavia's Homecoming.  I'm going to have a, hopefully very large group of sophomores over for breakfast. Sausage balls are on the food list...  Love those kids!!! 

Y'all be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley

Here are what is left of the sausage balls that I made for the fam.



Not cho' daddy's ribs

I have been hyping these ribs with the fam. for a whole week.  We were going to all sit down, watch the Thursday night ball game, (which is a very big deal in our house because we have no TV during the week) and just spend some time talking and hanging out together.

That's a big fat not.  I'm not going to bore you with details because it has happened to all of us.  I felt like I was in a movie...you know where the wife spends time preparing this elaborate romantic meal & her husband works late.  That was me, just with kids.

I started preparing these ribs 2 days ago.  I was in the grocery store a few weeks ago looking for some spice & came across different meat rubs.  (I found mine at the local Wal-Mart grocery store.)  I have quite a few men I know who are wonderful at cooking meat on the grill, and from what they say, the rub plays a big part in the taste of the meat.  You know, they are right.  (Pop, Robert, Steve & Coach Dennis)  I coated these ribs generously with my new found rub.  I was kinda giddy about it.  My kitchen & fingers smelled great all day I can imagine how they will smell cooking.  I decided to let the ribs sit for 24 hours...but then I remembered that it was only Tuesday & I wanted to serve these Thursday, so they had the privilege of sitting for 48 instead.  Does that happen to anyone else?  Wishful thinking...

I know a lot of you purists are going to poo poo on me, but I say talk to the hand....I cooked these bad boys in the crock pot!  WooHoo, no-think cooking, the best kind for crazy moms on the go.  I hope it will make  you feel better that I cooked mine for 11 hours on low.  They fell apart before I could get them on the plate.  All kids gave it a thumbs up & definitely a do again.  Everyone fed, everyone happy, my kitchen cleaned-up for the most part & one more easy recipe on the books.  It's official...for tonight...the kitchen is closed.

Y'all enjoy the ribs.  Click the link below to see the recipe.  It's truly a no brainer.  If you don't see the recipe pop up, click the recipe tab at the top of the opened page.
http://wegottaeat.com/ashnance/recipes/not-cho-daddys-ribs

Y'all be blessed beyond measure,
~ashley