Summer Party Planning

This year have toyed with the idea of having a summer party... A Christmas in July Party!!! My mama has a swimming pool and a nice big deck,perfect for a late evening summer party! Menu would probably consist of lots of lite foods,because of the hot weather and trust me in our party of the country the humidity is Crazy!! Anyway,maybe fruit pizza's,veggie pizza's or even a salad theme...fruit salad,pasta salad,greek salad the possiblities are endless!! Fruit Teas are very popular in our next of the woods and are a must at any get together!! Decor would be fun,I would get my daughters small purple christmas tree out and use it for our summer christmas tree and then I would breakout the Christmas lights and string them up around mom's deck! And it would be so much fun playing dirty santa with summer themed items~~so this is definitely something I will have to put together one of these years! Cause you know I love to PaRTy!

Coffee and friends make the perfect blend!~!

i hope this gives you some great ideas for your next summer party!!

AUNT PATSY'S PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL COOKIES

2 c sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 stick of butter

Bring those ingredients to a boil. Boil for five minutes.


Remove from heat and add 2 cups oats and 1/2 cup peanut butter.stir all together. Drop spoonfuls on wax paper until hardened!

These are awesome,I like them wayyyy better than chocolate oatmeal cookies!!!

Late for church Cheesecake!!

Last Sunday, my children and I were leaving for church....we were actually leaving earlier than usual and actually going to be on time...A true Miracle! But,as I got to the end of my drive way I happen to look at my cell phone,which apparently was in the vehicle all weekend...No Service in the Holler,so cell phones don't do us much good at home! Anyway,I glance down and I have a text from a cousin and fellow church member,reminding me that church dinner was that day and cheesecake would be delicious hint,hint!
So I am whipping the vehicle around and heading back up to the house,while the kids are screaming,"We don't want to miss Sunday School"!! "We're not, we just may be a little late", I replied. "Just give me 5 minutes I yelled," as I ran into the house. So here we go....

1 pkg of cream cheese
1 container of cool whip
2 tsp of sugar
1 prepared chocolate or graham cracker pie crust
About 5 or 6 Reese Cups (that was supposed to be a special treat in lunch boxes that week)

Mix cream cheese,cool whip,and sugar with hand mixer on Med speed.or (in my case high speed because my cream cheese and cool whip neither had time to soften)...Pour mixture into prepared pie crust,then crush and add reese's on top! Normally you would put in the freezer until chilled,but I had to run out the door and put mine in my church's freezer when I got there. Which worked  out just fine!

The Lord must have known I had good intentions that day,because my kids did not miss any of Sunday School and my cheese cake was an absolute hit...one of the younger girls at church told me it was Awesome!!

Mama's Sausage Noodle Stuff

This is one of my all time favorite recipes my mama made our family growing up!!

1lb of sausage
2 bags of the chedder and colby jack(mixed) shredded cheese
1 tsp minced garlic
1 small jar of pimentos
1 small head of cabbage (shredded)
1 pkg of spaghetti noodles

Boil and prepare spaghetti noodles according to pkg directions. Cook sausage in fryin pan until cooked and browned. Drain Grease. Put sausage back in pan and add garlic,pimento's and shredded cabbage stir often and let cook. Then after you drain your water off your noodles in a large pot or baking dish add sausage mixture,noodles and 2 bags of cheese.Stir and let it heat on low until cheese is completely melted. Add some salt and pepper and a slice of loaf bread on the side,you got yourself one fine meal!

The Bible and Backroads

First of all. I would like to say I have been raised to love God,seek God and praise God my whole life! So that is where the Bible comes in in this blog. I think for the most in the holler they have been raised to be God Fearin men,woman and children! Whether you go out and drink on Saturdays or cuss like a sailor every other day of the week, in the holler,you believe in The Lord and  don't care for them there crazies with their non-christian beliefs! And I am not sayin it is ok to do any of these things nor does it make it right in God's eyes,but it is how it is! Although, I had always been raised in church,I did like many go through a wild and wooley stage as a young adult,not proud of it,killed that girl long ago,but again,it is what it is,can't change the past. That is where the backroads come in. Like I have said before, I was not use to the holler life, but this ridin backroads was considered a date!  These dates though....consisted of riding backroads,drinkin beer(there was no other beverage of choice) Natural Light or nothin~because you know wine coolers are for city folk...talkin on the CB radio,looking for deer,coyotes or anything else wild that could be shot and stopping periodically,to get out and have a little community cooler break !! Us girls would stand around and talk about the boys,gripe about them or talk abou the new girl or girls that one of the single guys brought along for the ride..LOL. And the boys would stand around and talk about huntin,fishin,trucks, or the new girl/girls that was along...of course their comments about them was usually a little kinder then our comments about them! This was our territory and we didn't appreciate their blond from a bottle hair or their short shirts and mini-skirts! That is not what "we the girlfriends" wore to ride back roads! A pony tail,a pair of blue jeans and a t-shirt were sufficient.  And u know if you mess with a southern girls man..we like to get right with ya about it!  There were many fights had, fist thrown,cussins,tears shed,,and laughs had on these rides. I don't know how many mud holes were gotten stuck in,hills climbed or trucks tore up for figurin you could make it up that hill or through that mudhole?? But,those were some good and crazy memories...I am just glad the Good Lord that I grew up knowin about protected us during all those times and I just pray that my own kids stick to the Bible and avoid the backroads...Hopefully they will, I will just pray for them like all our mama's prayed for us!

Down in the Holler Sausage Casserole

1lb of sausage(here in the holler we like our sausage fresh,aint nothin like it~)
1 8oz pkg cream cheese
2  tubes crescent rolls
2 cups shredded sharp chedder cheese

Brown sausage in skillet,drain grease. In mixing bowl mix cooked sausage and cream cheese. Line 13x9 baking dish with 1 tube crescent rolls,pour in sausage/cream cheese mixture over crescent rolls.Then add 2 cups shredded chedder cheese over sausage mixure,then layer on  your 2nd tube of crescent rolls. Bake for about 12-15  min. on 350 or until crescent rolls are golden brown!

This is great for breakfast,brunch,lunch,or supper!!

Hot Cracker Recipe

 This is a great and easy recipe for any event! I know plenty of men who like to make it and of course devour these crackers. I usually serve with Spinach Dip or Chicken Salad!!

2 sleeves of Fat-Free Crackers(they do have to be Fat-free,for the oil to soak in properly)
1/2 cup of canola oil
1 package of Hidden Valley Ranch dry mix
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp crushed red cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp black pepper

Place 2 sleeves of crackers in gallon ziploc bag,pour in canola oil and shake to coat. Then,add all dry ingredients, shake to coat to each cracker. Put crackers in airtight container and store overnight. Then you are ready to serve! Delicious!!!!! You can also, add more or less pepper to suit your likin! It's also easy to double for larger crowds!
This recipe is great served with my Corn Salad recipe too!

Try it and tell me if you like it!

Corn Salad Recipe

2 cans whole kernel corn(drained)
1 cup mayo (I use Hellman's)
2 cups shredded sharp shredded cheese
1 cup green bell peppers (diced)
1 cup red onions (finely chopped)
1 regular size bag of chili cheese frito's

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, except for Frito's.  Cover and chill until serving. Right before you serve crush the frito's up and mix in with the rest of the ingredients!!
This will definitely become a family and party favorite!!

Try it and let me know what you think!

Another Adventure with Jim...

My 3 year old tells me that Jim and his family,by the way his mother's name is Gina...Anyway,she tells me that Jim and his family  has gotten our family some surprises,so of course I am curious to hear what they are going to give us! She says he got me a plate...apparently the imaginary friend even is trying to tell me that he notices I like to eat...that's what I gathered from my gift! Uh,thanks?? He got my husband chains...he probably needs some... He got the baby, diapers,the 3 year old, some pull-ups for bed time.(she probably told him to do this,because her plate/food loving mama forgot to get them at the grocery store and made her wear her brother's diapers for a few nights!!) Then he got our oldest daughter 5 barbie dolls! So pretty sure she got the best gift out of the deal! So we haven't recieved the gifts yet....probably will be waiting awhile.... Also, she told me that her and Jim were going to the beach when they got their license's,I asked when was that,she said when they get 5 years old...whew,at least I have another year to worry about that!:) have a great day! By the way Jim,I can lose weight...U will always be Imaginary!!

Jesus loves me this I know!!!

"Little Debbie"...Snack cake goddess or Satan's Mistress??

Little Debbie, Why do you tempt me so...? So many varieties,so many temptations....it probably should be against the law to have that many choices of oh, so. delicious snack cakes! Let's see, you have my personal fav's Nutty Buddy or whatever they are called...don't know for sure,just know they are stinkin Awesome! Then we have the Oatmeal Pies...such an example of classic yummy goodness! My greatest oatmeal pie memory goes way  back when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter and I ate a whole box in one sitting...! See where the Satan's mistress part comes in... Then there are the Swiss Roll Cakes and what more can you say about chocolate rolled up with cream in the center,but YUMYUM! Plus,Swiss Roll Cakes take me back to a very funny story told by my childhood best friend! There are like who know's,a hunderd more varities! yes I know I said hunderd..just for effect purposes! I know some of my family loves the seasonal one's easter eggs,Christmas trees,valentine hearts with all there fresh seasonal awesomeness!(that is a word here in the holler) And I know their was a time when I wasn't so addicted to Little Debbie's one every now and again was sufficient...seems like so long ago now...So I will cast blame on others for my addiction,isn't that what them there addicts do blame it on everyone else! Here in the holler, I soon found out after spending some time here that dessert is part of every meal...ok,maybe not breakfast,nevermind scratch that,Ummm,Chocolate gravy.,That's definitely a dessert! So with all these desserts with every meal,what's a girl to do, didn't want to offend anyone...Yes,yes it's all coming back that is when it started! Sometimes there wasn't a chocolate cake or peach pie after supper,so what do you do,grab a little debbie! And at Granny's there is ALWAYs an oatmeal pie in the cookie jar!! And when she offers me one I have to oblige,these are my in-laws don't want to make them ill! They are also my holler neighbors and you never know when you might need Grannys wood stove when the power goes out,ain't nobody makin her mad!! So as you see I love Little Debbie with her curly hair and freckles on my snack cake box,although she is partly to blame for my weight gain the other half going to my three kids...But, Love her I do! Thankyou Little Debbie,the holler salutes and supports your all american goodies...(hope they are made in America??) Now please excuse me, I have to go finish cooking supper so I can have a dessert!

Here's my new group:L.D.A-Little Debbie's Anonymous
Who wants to sign up? Don't be in denial,admitting you have a problem with snack cakes is your first step!

Holler Talk

Holler Talk   -----                            Definition
He's Country er than Cornbread----He's really country!
That was so good it makes you wanna slap yo mama!---Possibly the best thing you have ever had! (and no one really slaps their mama,because in the holler we know she will slap you back,then daddy will get a hold of that tail!)
Load Up!----Either he's gettin his dogs ready to go on a hunt and tellin them to get in the dog box or he's tellin his woman to get in it's time to go!
 Their as Crazy as a Bessie Bug!---that person is Really Crazy!
I knowed he was goin to go and to that!---I knew he was going to do that!
I Swanee!- I can't believe it!
I reckon...---Husband's that live in the holler's response to everything...Do I look pretty? "I reckon."...Was that peach pie good? "I reckon."
That just flew/or ran all over me!---that just made me stinkin Mad!!

I hope you enjoyed Holler Talk...and trust me there's more where that came from! I just love it when my country boy talks Southern to me!!:)  And feel free to post your own "holler talk!"

The Pencil Test..Just Another Wives Tale,I Think Not!

As I have said, I came to live in the holler 7 years ago,but I had dated my now husband for 3 years before we married. I can't really tell you at what time in our relationship that I was told of the pencil test,but I do remember one night at Granny's house(my husband's Granny is Granny to everyone) his cousin said let's do the pencil test on you!! I had no idea of what this test was...but, I said ok. That is when she broke out the #2 pencil,a needle and some thread. She proceeded to thread the needle and stick the tip of the needle in the eraser of the pencil. Then she said she needed my wrist,she held the pencil over my wrist by the needle and then it began to swing horizontally as in from my wrist to my elbow and she informed me that my first child would be a girl,then it went back and wiggled for a sec than swang horizontal again,she said there's your 2nd girl,then it wiggled again,and decided to swing diagonally this time,yep,you guessed 3rd child a boy...but, it did not stop there it went for more horizontal swing which meant child #4 would be another Girl! So thank the good Lord the pencil decided to stop its voodoo swinging and everyone in the whole family told me that it had predicted accurately all of their children...OK,whatever,I thought. But, over the years I have seen this pencil test done many,many times and I have even started doing it on my own family and friends...which by the way I am 2 for 2  so far on using the pencil test to tell my cousins what they are having.  And did I mention my husband and I have 2 girls and a little boy in that order,so far:)    

"There was on old woman who lived in a shoe,she had so many children,she didn't know what to do!"

Appetizers and Accessories~~More Party Planning in the Holler

This will be the next project party that I will be thinking and working on after Purse and Desserts is over. I think this will be another spring party idea for next year....but,if anyone likes the idea and wants to try it with their family and friends,here's the plan,so far. You could either be in charge of the food and make all appetizers themed dishes or ask you guests to each bring one! Appetizer must haves here in the holler are: the Ham,Cream Cheese Pickle Rolls that I have already posted the recipe of,Hot Crackers,Spinach Dip,Pigs In a Blanket,Sausage Balls,Chips and Cheese Dip,Corn Salad,and the list could continue on and on....We love to eat round here! So here's some examples of dishes,but I know everyone has their favorites so the sky is the limit! As for the Accessory part of this party I was thinking Sunglasses,scarves,wallets,jewelry,hats anything you use to accessorize with! I would definitely do a price limit, that way all items are of equal value,I usually do $20 that way it's an afordable amount and more people will likely attend. Decor for the party.... I am thinking real Hollywood Glam...but, I always check out sites like Partycity.com for great decorating ideas. Also, the local Dollar Trees you can luck up and find really neat in expensive items. Also Oriental Trade always has neat party stuff and favors!  It's your party and your budget~it doesn't take a lot of money to throw a fabulous and fun party! I think for this party I might try to change up the game some...maybe play Dirty Dice or even play the a Dirty Santa version,but where you  play the whole game without looking at the gifts and only until it's froze in your hand can you reveal what the acccessory is...I hope this is another helpful party idea for someone,that like me loves to entertain. And please I am open and happy to here anyone elses ideas~! Also, if you want any recipes for any appetizers listed above,let me know and I will post them!

"Appetizers are little things you keep eating until you lose your appetite!"  HOW TRUE!

The Adventures of Jim....we are not sure if he lives in the Holler or not?

Jim came into the family I believe it's going on about a year and a half now....he is said to have black hair and red skin and he's a kid....who is this Jim,I am speaking of?? He is my youngest daughters imaginary friend! He at one time lived under our couch,then in the bathtub drain and as of right now he lives with his mama and daddy and some unknown location...well,I guess my daughter knows,but she aint tellin! She talks to Jim while playing and she also blames Jim for doing stuff. But, recently she informed us that she had been on vacation to the mountains with Jim and his family??? So we asked where the rest of us were while she was on the trip and she said we were asleep...her sister then asked her how she got there and without missing a beat she said umm,his mama and daddy drove us there!!! Like we had asked an absurd question. Also,she tells me she likes spaghetti because she ate it at Jim's and she like's cheese cake because Jim's mama fixed it one day when she was other there...where ever there is! So now at least I have solved the mystery of her being such a picky eater and never eating much...SHE'S ALWAYS EATING AT JIM'S HOUSE! lol. For more adventures with Jim stay tuned...

A CHILD'S IMAGINATION,WHAT AN AMAZING THING!!

Ham,Cream Cheese, Pickle Rolls

This is one of my favorite party recipe's...My MawMaw has made it for years!
1pkg of Sliced Ham
1 jar of whole baby dill pickles or regular whole pickles (either will work)
1 8oz pkg of cream cheese,softened

Take 1 slice of ham,spread cream cheese evenly over ham slice,place pickle on top of cream cheese,then roll up ham over pickle. Continue until all ingredients are used. Store in airtight container in fridge until time to serve thEn slice into little round bites!! Too EASy!! And I bet  you can't eat just one! If anyone tries this recipe let me know what you think!!

PETER PIPER PICKED A PECK OF PICKLED PEPPERS...HOW MANY PICKLED PEPPERS DID PETER PIPER PICK?

Purse And Desserts

This is my lastest get together idea that I have came up with! And with it being 2 weeks from yesterday I am getting pretty excited. This time I am not going to have it in the holler,but at a local community building that way more people can attend.  Everyone is bringing a new purse wrapped up to play the game and a dessert to share. We may all go into a sugar coma,but I am going to provide a little salt for a contrast in taste. Salty and Sweet go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly!!  The decor is going to be very frufru,here in the south we love fru fru. Planning on decorating with of course purse themed items,polka dots and bright colors and thinking about adding some feather boas in just for fun. We will have other games like ~ What's in your purse? and How many facts do you know about purses? and  of course,all the door prizes will have a purse theme incorporated into them. I am thinking wallets,makeup bags filled with hand sanitizer,finger nail files,purse mirrors,lipstick etc,maybe even a homeade apron that has purses on it~~haven't got it all perfect yet,but I am sure it will be! I hope anyone that reads this might try this with their family and friends! And I will definiitely give a report of how the party turns out and any of my party planning ideas! Stay tuned for my next idea for party planning in the holler....Appetizer's and Accessories.!

LIFE'S TOO SHORT,EAT DESSERT FIRST!

Party Planning in the Holler

Every year in October I have annual event called A Dirty Scarecrow party.I thought of this idea one year after one of my families usual Dirty Santa events during the Christmas holidays. I thought how much fun would it be to have a fall version of  the Dirty Santa game...and so the Dirty Scarecrow was born. I invite all my girl friends out to the house and yes,some even meet and carpool! I am not exaggerating when I say we live in the holler!  Anyway, for my party I always serve taco soup and chili with all the fixins. And although this is my event, here in the holler,any and all the family are willing and excited to participate in the preparation.  My Maw Maw makes her delicious Hot Crackers, Spinach dip and Fruit tea~ The desserts vary from year to year,from my mama- in- law's chocolate oatmeal cookies,my Aunt Patsy's peanut butter oatmeal cookies,scarecrow cupcakes,white trash mix,and last year I had someone actually make a scarecrow cake. One year my mama and I even organized a fall themed candy table,which was a hit! I usually have anywhere between 20 to 30 in attendance. We socialize and eat,then it's Game On! We all bring a $15 wrapped gift (can be Fall themed or not) and draw numbers to see which order we go in. And then the fight begins...I don't know if you have ever been around a Southern woman that has her eye on a purse,a decorative shovel (yes, I did say shovel) or a potholder with matching measuring spoons...well,let's just say, It ain't pretty! LOL Alliances are formed and secret deals are discussed just so you can get the gift you are longing for! If you get the particular item in your hands 3 times,it is froze and it is yours! Of course, it's all in good fun,we laugh,have a great time and then we do it all over again the next year!

                                                             "Greater Love has no one than this,that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

GOD,DADDY, AND SWEET TEA

I saw this saying on a southern belle shirt...which I have to say are my favorite shirts ever! My husband ask me the other day if I was going to order clothes off the internet,couldn't be something other than a southern belle t-shirt..my response,"probably not!" .lol. Anyway, in my neck of the woods,God,Daddy and Sweet Tea are truely the 3 true loves of a southern girl! We love our God and our religion in the holler! And ain't no one better than, or going to love us more than our Daddy!! And i personally know people that if they don't have their sweet tea, they have a what I would call a S.T.A..... A Sweet Tea Attack!! A close family member and neighbor here in  the holler, actually had one of these S.T.A.'s on a boat in the middle of the PickWick Dam...I wasn't there,but the way I hear it, her head started spinning around and she started spitting out green pea soup!:) So in other words, when a southern lady wants some sweet tea,you better get it for her and Quick! I personally love all three of these deeply My God is an Awesome God, My Daddy hung the moon,and there's nothing better than a big glass of sweet tea on hot day! In saying all this, I will have to tell you...if my  three year old daughter...was to ever tell her 3 loves it would definitely be God, Daddy, and CHOCOLATE MILK!  ~~~~This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it!"~~~Psalms 118:24