Friday Foto

 

Two beautiful Oklahoma girls!

Vanessa and Carrie

Simply Southern

Kimberly's Simply Southern is a one-of-a-kind cooking show featuring country artist and founding member of the band Little Big Town, Kimberly Schlapman. Her passion for making simple, home cooked recipes with her family and country singing friends back home keeps Kimberly hunting for culinary treasures on the road. In each episode, Kimberly hops off the tour bus to discover America's best local foods, ingredients and people who share her love of tasty good vittles. Then, back in her Nashville kitchen, Kimberly folds her newly gained knowledge into her traditional family recipes like Grandmother Bramlett's Fried Chicken, Pulled Pork Sandwiches, and Deviled Egg Potato Salad. Upping the fun factor, Kimberly gets a little help from her friends as a bevy of country artists stop by to chop and chat. Each guest is rewarded for their kindness with good company, good times and one of Kimberly's authentic, southern meals.
Get GAC!
GAC is offered on Ch. 165 on DISH Network and on Ch. 326 on DIRECTV; check your local cable listings.

Little Big Town

Photo Frame Clocks

My daughter sent me this cool wall clock idea she saw online and I wanted to share it with you too. You could change the photos or designs in the photo frames to match any room. You can find the clock part at a craft or hardware store.This would be a easy way to dress up a wall space.

 

 

Brussels Sprouts

 

My all time favorite veggie is Brussels Sprouts...next is sweet potatoes and having both in one meal is just the best! I received my Care2 newsletter and it had 13 ways to fix Brussels Sprouts. I loved the Cider Braised Brussels Sprouts recipe below. Also, if you want other ways to fix Brussels Sprouts, sweet potatoes and other dishes check out OH MY VEGGIES link on this post.

CIDER BRAISED BRUSSELS SPROUTSBrussels Sprouts are finding a new popularity, partly because of their cancer-fighting nature, and partly because people are learning how to cook them so they have a firm, nut-like, earthy sweetness far, far removed from any old-style mushy blandness.

This recipe pairs healthful garlic with the sweetness of cider to make a Brussels Sprout dish so delicious that everyone will want seconds.


INGREDIENTS
3 cups Brussels sprouts, tough ends sliced off and outer leaves removed
1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup apple cider
salt and freshly-ground pepper to taste1. Cut an X in the bottom of each Brussels sprout. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add Brussels sprouts and return to a boil. Cook, covered, for 20 minutes, until sprouts are tender but still firm.2. Drain Brussels sprouts. Heat oil or butter in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add sprouts and garlic, and saute 5 minutes, stirring, until garlic is soft and fragrant and sprouts are coated with oil. Add cider and turn heat to high, stirring constantly, until cider is reduced in volume by half, making a sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately.Serves 6.
I love care2 for great recipes like this and also they keep up to date on current events. Their site also has the cutest free e-cards. I recommend signing up to receive their newsletters.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/cider-braised-brussels-sprouts.html#ixzz2B4MaBxvn

If you want more awesome Brussels Sprouts recipes or other great side dish recipes check out OH MY VEGGIES...

http://ohmyveggies.com/?s=brussels%20sprouts

Wonderfully Dysfunctional: It Must Be Genetic (Volume1)

If you are looking for a great book, or a nice Christmas or birthday present for family or friends, I would recommend you buy Buffi Neal's new book Wonderfully Dysfuntional: It Must be Genetic (Volume 1). She is a refreshing and delightful writer. Also, go to her blog page and you can read more from Buffi.

 

http://www.wonderfullydysfunctional.com/

Wonderfully Dysfunctional: It Must be Genetic (Volume 1)

byBuffi Neal (Goodreads Author)

Wonderfully Dysfunctional: It Must be Genetic (Volume 1)

The true story of... A gypsy mother who refused to wear a bra and a father who refused to leave his first wife. A brother who slept under the coffee table and a sister who was kidnapped. A cheating minister, a missing uncle and a feisty red-headed grandmother who was longing to leave it all.

I always knew my family was unusual, but I was lucky enough to have escaped that g...moreThe true story of... A gypsy mother who refused to wear a bra and a father who refused to leave his first wife. A brother who slept under the coffee table and a sister who was kidnapped. A cheating minister, a missing uncle and a feisty red-headed grandmother who was longing to leave it all.

I always knew my family was unusual, but I was lucky enough to have escaped that gene. Or was I? In a nursing home, seated next to my dying grandmother, I looked around at my family and it occurred to me that I fit right in. No bra, dirty sneakers and two ex husbands. Maybe it really is genetic - maybe I never had a chance. With the help of my siblings, I began a journey of self discovery as we recalled stories of our youth including juicy family secrets, inappropriate practical jokes and betrayal. On a journey to find normal, I found myself instead.

Oklahoma's Rick Bayless

Saturday's at noon you will find me in front of the television tuned into the PBS channel's  Mexico-One Plate at a Time watching Chef Rick Bayless. I love this guy! He travels to Mexico and tells about the origin of the foods he prepares in his home kitchen and restaurants. He is so soft spoken and laid back I am never ready for the 30 minute show to be over. It is an awesome show! 

Rick Bayless was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, into a family of restaurateurs and grocers specializing in the local barbecue. Having begun his culinary training as a youth, he broadened his interests to include regional Mexican cooking as an undergraduate student of Spanish and Latin American culture. After finishing his undergraduate education at the University of Oklahoma, he did doctoral work in Anthropological Linguistics at the University of Michigan and, from 1980 to 1986, lived in Mexico with his wife, Deann, writing his first book Authentic Mexican: Regional Cooking From The Heart of Mexico.

Most people know him from winning the title of Bravo’s Top Chef Master beating out the French and Italian with his authentic Mexican cuisine. His highly rated on-going Public Television Series, Mexico—One Plate at a Time can be found on television sets coast to coast, as well as his award-winning, seven cookbooks. In 2012, Rick was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Best Culinary Host. Rick’s second book, Mexican Kitchen, won the Julia Childs IACP cookbook of the year award in 1996, and his fourth book, Mexico—One Plate at a Time won James Beard Best International Cookbook of the Year award in 2001.

Rick in San Fransisco opening a restaurant.

His side by side award-winning restaurants in Chicago were founded in 1987. The casual Frontera Grill and the 4-star Topolobampo. In 2007, Frontera Grill won for Outstanding Restaurant by the James Beard Organization. His award-winning Frontera line of salsas, grilling sauces and organic chips can be found coast to coast. Frontera foods also created the quick-serve Frontera Fresco’s located in select Macy’s stores in Chicago and San Francisco. You can also go online and order Frontera Foods: 

http://www.fronterafiesta.com/

Rick Bayless has been acclaimed widely as America’s foremost proponent of Mexico’s thrillingly diverse cuisine. In his five cookbooks, he focuses on classic Mexican dishes, delving into their traditional foundations, cooking methods and cultural backgrounds.

• Fiesta at Rick’s, by Rick Bayless with Deann Groen Bayless. (W.W. Norton & Company, 2010)
• Mexican Everyday, by Rick Bayless with Deann Groen Bayless. (W.W. Norton & Company) Photographs by Christopher Hirsheimer
• Mexico–One Plate at a Time, by Rick Bayless, JeanMarie Brownson and Deann Groen Bayless (Scribner, Fall 2000)
• Salsas That Cook, by Rick Bayless with JeanMarie Brownson and Deann Groen Bayless (Simon & Schuster 1998)
• Rick Bayless's Mexican Kitchen, by Rick Bayless with Deann Groen Bayless and JeanMarie Brownson (Scribner 1996)
• Authentic Mexican: Regional Cooking from the Heart of Mexico, by Rick Bayless with Deann Groen Bayless (William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1987)

Cats and Computers

When our daughter was going to college for her Bachelors Degree we had Booksey Rose that always tried to help her with her homework. Booksey Rose was all about the computer printer and slapping the paper as it was coming out.

Now our daughter is working on her Masters Degree she has her Grace cat that either lays on her book or on the keyboard. Grace wants her to stop doing homework and pay attention to her.

How pitiful can one cat look?

When I am trying to work on the computer our Callie Ann walks across the keyboard and gets between me and the monitor. She also moves the mouse around. She wants attention too.

Cats and computers are both entertaining.

 

 

Friday Foto

 

 

Diabetic alert dog - Thankful family

For weeks I tried to think what I was going to post on Thanksgiving. I am thankful for my family, but I have posted about that before, so today I want to share a story with you that I read in THE OKLAHOMAN NEWSOK.COM by Jaclyn Cosgrove. I am thankful that the Buckminster family is going to be able to obtain a Diabetic Alert Dog for their little girl. The story is one of those that makes you THANKFUL that your family is healthy or semi-healthy. Yes, my Granddaughter is Type 1 Diabetic and my Mom, sister and I are Type 2 Diabetics, but this little 3 YEAR OLD GIRL'S story made me thankful for everything me and my family have. I get a little ticked off when people say "a diabetic just has to watch what they eat," well it is NOT that simple! Yes, watching your diet helps, but if you are a Type 1 diabetic that is not the deal...you are stuck with a lifelong disease...please read this entire post and learn.

 

 

 

 

Every two hours, every night, an alarm goes off in Taylor and Joy Buckminster's bedroom. And every two hours every night, Taylor or Joy gets up and checks their daughter's blood sugar. This is a routine the parents have had for the past two years. In about two months, the Buckminsters, of Enid, Oklahoma, will receive an $18,000.00 "diabetic alert system" that will better enable them to predict their daughter's blood sugar. The "system" weighs about 40 pounds and is about 8 months old and is named Memphis. Kaleigh can't wait for the diabetic alert dog to arrive. The Buckminsters will get Memphis from the National Institute for Diabetic Alert Dogs, one of the first companies in the nation to train dogs for this specific purpose.

 

Kaleigh was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 13 months old. Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong disease in which there are high levels of sugar in the blood. She was diagnosed after being sick for three weeks. After several doctor's appointments her parents took her to the emergency room. When the hospital staff took Kaleigh's blood sugar, it was 868. A normal range is 80 to 180 and doctors like 80 to 100 best. The staff thought their equipment was broken. They told the Buckminsters that they were lucky Kaleigh was still with them, it was a miracle she was alive.

 

The family has held at least nine fundraisers to raise money to buy Memphis who costs $18,000.00. According to Jaclyn Cosgrove's story they have raised about $15,800.00 so far. They also will have to feed the dog a special food that costs $50.00 per bag. Add veterinary bills, and the family is looking at taking on a significant commitment, but they appreciate what Memphis is going to do for their family. (They are such a young family and I can't imagine all those expenses. Just the diabetic testing and doctor visits add up)

 

The National Institute for Diabetic Alert Dogs, explained that a diabetic alert dog is trained to smell its owners' changes in blood sugar levels. When someone with diabetes has high blood sugar, their body produces ketones, which produce a sweet smell. Ketones are produced when a diabetic's body start burning fat for energy instead of glucose, according to the American Diabetes Association.

 

If a diabetic's ketone levels are too high, it can lead to a diabetic coma or death. (Ketones are what has put our Granddaughter in the hospital ER several times over the years.) Alert dogs also smell when their owners' blood sugar gets too low. In this instance, it's more of an acetone smell. When levels are 30s or 40s a person can have a seizure while they are sleeping. For Memphis to learn what Kaleigh's smells were, her parents placed cotton balls in her mouth when she had different blood sugar levels.

 

Memphis is being taught to paw an adult to alert them if Kaleigh's sugar levels are off. When she is old enough, he will learn to paw her to let her know. It will take between six months and a year before a dog is accurate. But the more time Memphis spend with Kaleigh, the better he will get. This will be really important once she gets older and starts school.

 

 

IF YOU KNOW A CHILD ANY CHILD MAKE SURE THEIR PARENT HAS THEIR BLOOD SUGAR CHECKED!!! We did not find out about our grandaudhter's Type 1 diabetes untill she was 11 years old...just one finger prick and a test at the doctor's office would have found it sooner!

 

Why all doctors everywhere do not automatically check blood sugar is beyond me. The check should be done every year at the regular check up for every child! Yes, I do get on my soap box when it comes to this topic. 

 

LOOK AT THIS THREE YEAR OLD LITTLE GIRL AND HER FAMILY...

BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE AND PRAY FOR KALEIGH.

 

 

Thank you readers and thank you Jaclyn Cosgrove for putting this story in the paper.

Making Corsages for Football game night

My daughter is the sponsor of the high school Step Team where she teaches. She needed to get corsages for the Mothers of the Senior girls, on the team to wear on Senior Night at the football game. So, the problem was she did not have the funds for the corsages. She called and we decided to make the corsages (she decided her mom could make the corsages). I went to the store and grabbed some gold colored flowers, maroon ribbon and some premade silver and gold curly ribbon bows. I already had the sparkle pipe cleaners.

 

I took the pipe cleaners and "wrote" the word STEP. Two pipe cleaners for the word. Next I made big loops with the ribbon and attached to the back of the flower stem with floral wire. Then I attached the curly ribbon on the bottom of the flower stem. When I cut the flower stem off I turned it up in a circle for added support on the corsage. I made a loop out of a pipe cleaner on the back and put on a couple big safety pins, for the mom's to pin on the corsage. Last I hot glued the word STEP on the front of the flower.

The top photo is taken in sunlight and the next in shadows to show details of the corsages. The hard part was making three that looked alike:) They are not exactly alike, but will look like it out on the football field. The ribbon looks red in the top photo, but it is maroon.

To give you an idea of the size, I put each one in a cardboard flat that holds 12 cans of veggies. They are like those big homecoming type mum corsages that cost a mint. We save a lot of money making them ourselves. The ribbon was $2.97, floral wire $1.00, curly ribbon $3.00, Flowers $3.00 (I bought a stem with all the flowers on it), so for approximately $11.00 we got 3 corsages. Less than the cost of one corsage at a flower shop. I had to put them in my van for safe keeping, because my cat Callie Ann likes to eat curly ribbon. I really have to watch her when I am doing any type of craft...she is bad.

Sad part of making these corsages was I NEEDED MY SISTER! She is a master at making corsages...she took the classes...but next year since we know what to expect...I will be asking for her help. Actually my daughter can ask for her Aunt Gwen to help her with the project:)

 

 

Banana Buttermilk Pancakes

My husband made me buttermilk pancakes with bananas and peanut butter!

I told him we should call them Elvis Pancakes,

 cause Elvis loved bananas and peanut butter.

YUMMY!

What Color Is Your Christmas Tree? Check Garden Ridge!

My Granddaughter wants a white Christmas tree and trim it with purple ornaments and lights. She found one in the city, but it was quite expensive. I am going to send her to check prices at Garden Ridge...I have no clue how much their trees will be, but from experience on their other merchandise I would bet it will be less expensive. I love Garden Ridge...the isles are not as crowded as the other big stores.

They offer Christmas trees in traditional colors, with or with out lights.

You can find EVERY color of Christmas tree and ornaments.

The selection of ornaments is mind boggling!

Traditional bulbs or personalize type ornaments.

Every color, shape and size to make your tree special.

Garland, ribbon, and you name it Garden Ridge has it!

Not only to they have the tree stuff, but they have seasonal plants.

If you plan to travel for the holidays and need a new suitcase...

go to Garden Ridge!

They have every size and color you can imagine.

My daughter got her suitcase at Garden Ridge, 

for her trip to Denver last month.

 

 

Garden Ridge has never heard of me and did not give me anything for writing this post.

The reason for this post is that I forget about

Garden Ridge when I go to the city to shop.

It is located in an odd place, but when I remember...

 I am thrilled because their prices are great.

This post is so that I can remember to shop there on Black Friday!

 

 

Lucky!

Today is my husband's birthday...he is one lucky guy!

He won this package of OU stuff...He is a big OU fan.

He won this awesome basketball goal for our grandson.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

to

"Mr. Lucky"

Coffee Can Be Good For You!

I found these two articles about how coffee and tea can reduce the risks of diabetes.
I drink about five cups of coffee and then switch to water the rest of the day.
I felt that these would be of interest to anyone with Type 2 Diabetes.

This is a coffee cup I had made for a couple of my Cards of Love friends.

 

Coffee and Tea Reduce Risks for Diabetes by Kristan Binczewski

Consuming Coffee and Tea (Caffeinated or Decaffeinated) can Lower Risks for Type 2 Diabetes
Recent studies have shown that drinking coffee and tea, either caffeinated or decaffeinated, can reduce risks for type 2 diabetes.
In fact, a study of European populations demonstrated that those who consume more than four cups of tea a day lower their risk for developing type 2 diabetes by 20 percent. Further, it’s the heavy tea drinkers who see the most benefits—those who drink three or fewer cups a day do not reduce their risks.
A similar study from Osaka City University found that caffeine intake from coffee and green tea reduced diabetes risks by 33 percent, especially for women and overweight men. However, these same benefits were not present for black or oolong teas. This study involved nearly 17,500 participants who self-reported caffeine intake and cases of diabetes.
Researchers believe that tea and coffee that the benefits of coffee and tea lie in how they influence glucose digestion and uptake and protect beta-cells from free-radical damage. More research is needed. Be sure to talk to your doctor before making any life style changes that might reduce your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
 

 

 

Coffee, Tea Might Stave Off Diabetes

By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter

(HealthDay News) — Here's good news for people who can't start their morning without a cup or two of java: Coffee and tea consumption may decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
That's the conclusion of an Australian study that also found the more coffee you drink, the lower your risk of diabetes. Every cup of coffee was associated with a 7 percent reduction in the risk of diabetes, the researchers said.
"There is good evidence that consumption of coffee, including decaffeinated coffee, and tea is independently associated with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes," said the study's lead author, Rachel Huxley, an associate professor and director of the renal and metabolic division at The George Institute for International Health at the University of Sydney in Australia.
Results of the study are published in the Dec. 14/28 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Other studies have also noted health benefits from coffee. Last week, at the American Association for Cancer Research meeting, researchers reported that coffee consumption reduced the risk of dying from prostate cancer. According to other studies, coffee may help thwart liver disease, Alzheimer's, stroke and Parkinson's disease.
Experts initially thought caffeine was the source of any health advantages from coffee. However, research on decaffeinated coffee suggests that java minus the caffeine can still benefit your health.
In an attempt to better assess the relationship between coffee, decaffeinated coffee and tea on diabetes risk, Huxley and her colleagues reviewed 18 previously completed studies that included 457,922 people. Six of those studies included information on decaffeinated coffee consumption, while seven included information on tea-drinking habits.
The researchers found that people who drink three to four cups of coffee daily had about a 25 percent reduction in their risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who drank no coffee or up to two cups a day. For every cup of coffee consumed each day, the risk of developing diabetes dropped by about 7 percent, the study found.
Results for decaffeinated coffee and tea were also positive. Those drinking three to four cups of decaffeinated coffee per day lowered their risk of diabetes by about one-third compared to those who had no coffee each day. Those drinking three to four cups of tea each day lowered their risk of diabetes by about one-fifth compared to those who didn't drink tea, according to the study.
The researchers weren't able to assess a per cup risk reduction for tea or decaffeinated coffee, as they did for regular coffee, because there wasn't enough data in the published studies to do so, Huxley said.
It was previously believed that caffeine provided most of coffee's beneficial effects, but now experts suspect that "other components of these beverages, such as magnesium, lignans and chlorogenic acids, may also have a role," Huxley said.
She said those components appear to have a beneficial effect on blood sugar regulation and insulin secretion, but that further research is necessary.
"This study adds to the body of evidence that our diet and lifestyle are important determinants of subsequent diabetes risk," said Huxley. "Although it is too early to advocate for increased consumption of tea and coffee as a way of preventing diabetes, if these findings are confirmed by clinical trials, then the identification of the protective components in these beverages would open up new therapeutic pathways for the primary prevention of type 2 diabetes."
Other experts agree more research is needed.
"Coffee or tea may have an effect on diabetes risk, but in order to prove it, you need prospective studies," said Dr. Joel Zonszein, a professor of medicine and director of the clinical diabetes center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.
With regard to preventing diabetes, he said, "Coffee doesn't hurt, but you have to watch your diet and get enough physical activity."

Friday Foto

Becca, Blake and Don - Proud of You!

 

Cool Ideas...

Cool ideas...

 

Thought if you have not seen them you would like them too.

 

 

 

Bank Customer Appreciation Day

Love living in a small town...once a year our bank does Customer Appreciation Day. They set up tables in the front parking lot and invite everyone in the community to come and have lunch. This year they served barbeque sandwiches, baked beans and coleslaw. There was a soft drink wagon with a variety of beverages. On one end of the parking lot there was a live band playing lively music. Inside the bank you could sign up for drawings and pick up things like note pads, pens, key rings, fly swatters etc.  It was a fun event.

We arrived early to beat the noon crowd, but as we were leaving the tables were all full.

The bank officers and directors did the serving of the food items.

In the photo below is Uncle Eddie on the right serving the slaw.

Uncle Eddie's dad was one of the founders of the bank.

In the photo below is a local attorney who is also a director.

 

Our community is big on events like this and everyone enjoys attending. This is the same bank that roped off this same parking lot when the OKC Thunder was in the National Finals and projected the game up on the front side of the bank wall. Great community spirit!