The View from My Kitchen Window

The View from My Kitchen Window

Sometimes, when looking out my kitchen window, I see grass that needs to be cut, a dog to feed, a porch to sweep… in other words… responsibilities.  There are times, too, when I look at life as a whole in that same way.   It’s all drudgery and responsibilities.  I focus on all the things that are not working exactly as I planned.

Today is a beautiful almost-Fall day in Mississippi.  After a few cooler days, the temperature is back up to the low 80s, but there is a constant breeze and just enough clouds to keep the sun’s heat at bay.   

On days like this, I am ashamed of the times I see only the bad.  Everywhere I look today there is something and something else and something more to make me thankful.  I am truly an imperfect child of God who is blessed has absolutely no room to complain.

Cooking, for me, can go this way too.  There are times that it is pure drudgery and other times that I love every minute of cooking – particularly for my family.  I come from a long line of cooks.   When I think of childhood, I think of gravel roads, wood burning stoves, the smell of wood as my Daddy worked on one thing or another, and my Mom in the kitchen.  I think of Granny Sis (my Mom’s Mom) and her seven-layer chocolate fudge cake.  I remember Big Ole Mamaw (my Dad’s Mom) and a big pan of homemade biscuits. These are the things that make me smile. 

Will Nicholas (my 14-year-old) have these same fond memories of eating at home with family?  I really don’t know.  But he recently gave me a very good memory.  One of Nic's favorite meals is ham steak with red eye gravy, scalloped potatoes, and yeast rolls.  One day this week, I made chicken salad for supper which he doesn’t really like.  So, I had left-over ham steak and served him that with some left-over macaroni and cheese plus sliced cucumber with a little cup of ranch dressing for dipping… such a simple meal.  And his simple response, “Mom, you are awesome,” made my heart soar. 

Today, when I look out my kitchen window, I see hope.  A beautiful 30-foot tall gum tree blowing in the wind, sunshine that seems to light each leaf individually, and wide open spaces... all this gives my heart a reason to remember the good things.  Lord, I pray, that I can see more of the good in every single day, every single person, ever single situation, for You told me, “all things work to the good of God’s chosen.”  With that, there is no room for complaints.

Red Eye Gravy – Is more of a method than a recipe.  Basically, once you cook the ham steak, use some left-over black coffee to deglaze the pan.  Pour over steak.  (Some people add butter and water or beef stock; I find that totally unnecessary!) 

Scalloped Potatoes

5 medium red potatoes
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk

Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350°.   Wash potatoes well; peel and slice thin.  Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour.  Add milk and whisk well.  Continue to cook until thick and bubbly.  Layer ½ potatoes in a 3-quart glass baking dish separating potatoes.   Season to taste with salt and pepper and cover with ½ sauce.  Repeat layers.  Bake covered for 40 minutes.  Uncover and make another 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender. 

Note: When I’m in a hurry (when am I NOT in a hurry?), I boil the potatoes until they are just slightly soft, but not cooked through.  Then I slice them with skins for this recipe.  It cuts the cooking time by about 20 to 25 minutes. 

Yeast Rolls

1 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon sugar
¾ teaspoon salt
1 package active dry yeast
2 tablespoons water
1 egg, beaten
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
Melted Butter

Scald milk; stir in 2 tablespoons butter, sugar and salt until butter is melted and sugar is fully dissolved.  Set aside to cool.  Sprinkle yeast over 2 tablespoons lukewarm water.  When milk mixture has cooled to lukewarm, stir into yeast mixture.  Stir in egg.  Stir in 1 to 1½ cups flour then turn onto floured board.  Knead in more flour using just enough to form a dough that can be easily handled.  Coat a bowl with melted butter.  Place dough in bowl, then flip over and cover.  Let dough rise in a warm place until  it has doubled, about 1 hour.  When doubled, pinch 1-inch balls from dough.  Make a tight circle using your thumb and index finger.  Force dough through the hole making a smooth round ball.  Place on greased cookie sheet.  Repeat until all dough is used; allow to rise again until doubled (about 40 minutes).   Bake in a 425° oven about 20 minutes.  Remove from pan immediately.  Serve hot.  

Yums

YUMS

I call these YUMS because they are made with all the things I love best -- YUM! Even better, they are SUPER EASY.

2 flour tortillas (the small ones)

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Butter, softened (or use spreadable butter)

Cool Whip (about 1/4 cup)

Preheat oven to broil. Quarter tortillas to make 4 triangles each. Combine sugar and cinnamon on a saucer. Spread butter over 1 side of 1 triangle. Place in sugar and press to coat. Butter other side then flip and press into sugar/cinnamon so that both sides are coated. Pull 2 corners together and hold with a toothpick. Repeat with remaining tortilla triangles, placing each on a cookie sheet as you go. Place in oven to broil about 5 minutes. (Watch closely and remove when they are toasted; they go from perfect to over-cooked quickly.) After broiling, they may flatten out some. Don't worry. Allow to cool slightly so they are easier to handle then gently squeeze from the sides to plump them back out. Allow to cool completely. Fill with Cool Whip (plump them up again before filling, if needed). YUM!

Unconditional Love, a Boy and his Dog, and Breakfast for Supper

One of the great joys of living in the country is ambling down our long driveway then turning left to walk along our little country road.  It’s barely wide enough for two cars to pass, but that’s okay because there are rarely two cars there at the same time. 

There are hundreds upon hundreds of trees lining both sides of our country lane, and as you walk, there is always something to see.  A rabbit hopping quickly across the road in front of you, a tree changing its colors from summer into fall, or maybe even random bones from some animal or another will all keep mind and eye entertained and occupied.  And as you walk and watch, the smells are changing with the view… here, the neighbor is cutting grass, then the muskiness of an animal close by, or the smell of muddy creek water.

Last night, I had the privilege of walking with company.  With the distraction of having another person there, I missed some of the usual sites and subtleties of the walks I love.  However, on this special evening, I witnessed something better—unconditional love.

It was actually too cold to be walking outside, but the sun was shining and I was craving the walk so Nicholas and I went anyway.   And, of course, Nic’s black Labrador, Lacey, followed along with us.  We started slow as Nic brought along his rock crawler (RC truck), but I enjoyed watching him maneuver it in and out of the ditches, over rocks, and across gulleys.  What I consider just a game, he takes very seriously.  He’s planning his route as he goes and concentrating on ensuring that his truck makes it successfully over and through every hurdle.

I’m getting running commentary on what it takes for a vehicle to cross over a “mountain” without flipping backward, or how to back out of it if it looks like you might flip, or how to get your four wheel drive out of a deep mud hole without digging yourself in deeper.  I’m pretty sure I won’t have the opportunity to put this knowledge to practical use, but  I listened and I learned anyway. 

When the batteries gave up on the rock crawler, Nicholas stashed it in the woods and we kept walking.  This is the part I enjoy most because now he’s talking about his days and his feelings and his dreams.  My heart doubles in size with my love for this 13 year old boy, then grows to almost breaking when I hear him say my name, “Momma.”  Then he grabs my sleeve, pulls me to the other side of him, and places himself between me and the oncoming car.  Unconditional love?  For sure. 

I had the pleasure of witness unconditional love again as Nicholas suddenly bolts into the edge of the trees, jumps across the creek bank, around a tree, back across the creek and sprints across a tree that has fallen across the bank.   All the while, Lacey is following, just as Nic knows she will.  They come out of the woods simultaneously, both jumping and happy and both knowing, unconditionally, that the other will be right there.  It is amazing and a true blessing to witness that kind of love and devotion.

I’ve walked this road hundreds of times in the eight years we’ve lived here, but this was no ordinary walk.  On this day, I heard the voice of God and it said to me that unconditional love is real and it is for me to give… and receive. 

So, what could a family possibly have for dinner after such a special walk?  Its breakfast for supper, of course.  Growing up, breakfast for supper was always special to me.  For whatever reason, it made me feel happy and secure and like all was right in the world.  On this day, when I feel that all is right in my world, I’m feeding my family breakfast for supper with a side of unconditional love!

Country Ham and Easy Red Eye Gravy 
Country ham slices, 1/4-inch thick
Pepper
Butter
Brown sugar
Prepared coffee
Cook ham slices (do not trim fat) in a hot skillet for a few minutes each side. If needed, add some butter. Chances are the ham is already pretty salty so just sprinkle with a bit of pepper. When ham is cooked, remove to a plate. To make gravy, keep all bits and pieces along with ham grease and butter in the skillet. Add water by the spoonful to make a sauce. Sprinkle with a bit of brown sugar and a few drops of coffee. Serve ham hot
over biscuits with a spoonful of gravy over the top.
Recipe from: Georgia Hometown Cookbook


Quick Biscuits 
2 cups self-rising flour
¼ cup margarine, softened
½ cup milk
Dash salt
Large dash sugar
Melted butter (optional) 
Combine all ingredients, except melted butter, and pat to ½-inch thickness. Cut with cookie cutter or floured small glass. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 400° for about 15 minutes.Top with additional melted butter last 3 minutes of baking if desired.
Recipe from: Tennessee Hometown Cookbook


Cheese Grits 
1 1/3 cups quick grits plus ingredients to prepare per package directions 
1 pound Velveeta cheese
1 stick butter
1/2 cup half & half
4 eggs, beaten
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
Prepare grits per package directions. Add Velveeta, butter and half & half. Pour small amount of grits into eggs (so as not to "cook" eggs), and then return all to pan, stirring well.Add cayenne pepper. Place in 9x13-inch buttered dish and cover with foil; bake at 375° for 25 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake 10 minutes. Serve warm.
Recipe from: Mississippi Hometown Cookbook

A Deer, a State Trooper, and the Big Game

I've never been very interested in sports. When Ryan or Nicholas were on the baseball or football field, I would watch and yell and find myself total engrossed. Beyond that, no thank you. I can barely tell you the name of a professional football team and if my life depended on knowing which college team is on top, I'm done for.

Recently, however, I watched every minute of a college football game. It was the recent Alabama vs LSU game. For a week before, I heard about this game from most everyone. It was all the buzz... two great teams, both undeafeted, some conference something up for grabs, maybe.

Finally, I, too, caught the fever. Ryan and Nicholas were home that weekend and anxious to watch the game, too. I hurried home so we could all watch it together. Of course, by half time, Nic had lost interested and was outside playing with his dog. Ryan had left to visit a friend up the street.

Nevertheless, I watched every minute of the game pulling for Alabama because it is Nic's favorite team (sorry, Barney). Unless you live in a sports-free world like me, you probably already know Alabama lost in what turned out to be a very close game... a nail-biter even for someone who was only mildly interested going in.

Who knew that having watched that game would come in handy weeks later as I'm sitting in the back seat of cop's car?

First, let me say, that before this day I had never (did I say, NEVER) been in the back seat of cop's car. The closest I've ever been to a police man is having one stand outside my car window coldly writing me a speeding ticket.

So, this night, I was more than a little nervous sitting in the back seat of an Alabama Trooper's car. When I told him as much, he was nice enough to chat a bit to me at ease. It didn't take long for the talk to come around to the fact that LSU and Alabama have challenged each other to rematch to determine once and for all who is the better team.

I was very excited to be able to converse--from the back seat, through the bars, through the bullet-proof sliding window--with this stern, assuming, yet so nice and polite, trooper about a game that I had actually watched!

When Mr. Alabama Trooper finally walked around to my side of the car, opened the door, and I was able to climb out, I have was very relieved. One would think my purpose for being there was ominous, but, in actuality, it was just a deer that brought me there.

While traveling South on Highway 25, just outside of Citronella, Alabama, two Northbound cars were heading our direction. Roger commented that the car in back had his lights on bright. They were blinding me and I knew they had to be blinding the car in front. So, as the first car passed, I quickly blinked my lights to bright to let car in back know to dim his lights.

The very second I did, we saw her. A does was calmly standing (not running, just standing) in the middle of the Southbound lane of Highway 25. By the time I saw her, we had already hit her! It was less than a split second; I never even had time to hit my brakes. We were lucky, I guess, that the speed limit on that stretch is only 55 miles per hour, as I hit her at full speed. Thankfully, I was only going 55 (I already mentioned the previous speeding tickets!) and we both had our seatbelts on, so no one was hurt. My car, however, didn't get off so easy.

We were able, after spending an hour with the state trooper, to continue on our way, but it looks like my little car suffered about $3,000 damage. All I can say is, thank goodness for car insurance... and state troopers... and a football game usually ignored.

If you plan to watch the latest big game between Alabama and LSU on January 9th, here are some recipes you might want to serve! ENJOY! (And don't forget to count your blessings.)


Hobo Sausage Kabobs

1 pound smoked sausage, chunked
1 package hot dogs, chunked
1 onion, thickly sliced
1 green bell pepper, thickly sliced
1 bottle barbecue sauce
Toothpicks
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and evenly coat with sauce. On a toothpick, place 1 piece of sausage, one slice of onion, 1 piece of hot dog, and 1 slice of pepper. Repeat until all ingredients are used. Bake on a nonstick cookie sheet at 400° for about 15 minutes or until sauce and edges brown. Serve warm.


Party Ham Sandwiches
These fun, little sandwiches taste great and are the hit of any party. They can be made the day before and refrigerated until ready to cook. If cooking for a crowd, the small party rolls are terrific or try it on your favorite bun as a special lunch treat.

1 (24-count) package small party rolls (or preferred bun)
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons finely grated onion (or more to taste)
1 pound ham luncheon meat, chopped
8 slices pepper jack (or Swiss) cheese
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Split rolls; set aside. Combine butter, mustard, poppy seeds, Worcestershire, and onion; spread on both sides of rolls. Place ham and cheese on bottom rolls and replace tops. Wrap in aluminum foil and cook 10 to 12 minutes or until cheese melts.

Potato Skins

4 large baking potatoes, baked
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup sour cream
4 green onions, chopped
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Cut potatoes in half length-wise; scoop out pulp, leaving 1/4-inch shell. (Reserve pulp for another use.) Place potatoes on sprayed baking sheet. In small bowl, combine oil, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Brush both sides of skins and bake 7 minutes. Turn with tongs, and bake 7 more minutes until crispy around edges. Sprinkle bacon and cheese evenly inside skins. Return to oven 2 minutes longer until cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and onions. Serve immediately. Serves 8.

Hide and Seek, Santa Clause, & Family Tradition



My brother, Mickey, playing with his
gift at Mamaw's Christmas Party,
Christmas Eve 1975.

Tradition...  Merriam-Webster defines tradition as: an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom).  Until recently, I've never given a lot of thought to the traditions that grew out of my childhood.  They are and have always just been there.
 
Because the traditions of my family have always been a part of my life, it feels like they have been steady and unchanging.  Looking back, I realize these traditions have actually been subtly ever changing over the years.  

Throughout my childhood and as a teenager, we spent every Christmas Eve at my Grandmother's house.  Mamaw had eight children, all with children of their own, so there was a plethora of cousins running around.  Each year, we would gather, eat, play and later in the night Santa Clause would make an appearance and distribute a present for every child.  At the time, I just accepted that this was the way we spent Christmas Eve.  It never occurred to me how much thought and preparation and work went into this night.  It seemed that everything just magically appeared for the enjoyment of my cousins and me.  And I have to say that we made great use of it. 

My oldest son Ryan at Mamaw's
(he calls her "Big Ol' Mamaw")
Christmas Eve 1998.

Another tradition I enjoyed as a child was, of course, that Santa came to visit on Christmas Eve and left presents for us to discover Christmas morning.  It was generally understood that this happened in every house throughout the world --  I never doubted it as a child.  In my childhood home, the presents that Santa left were all unwrapped, out of any original packaging, with batteries in them, ready to use.  (No Walmart packaging from Santa's elves.) 

When my own children were born, I continued that tradition, never stopping to think that it may be done differently in other households.  I realize now, of course, that some people wrap the presents from Santa and some put it out in the original packaging, and the sad fact is that there are some children that just don't have packages under the tree at all. 

As a young child, I really never stopped to consider if we were rich or poor.  When my parents had to struggle to buy our Christmas, it was not something they shared with me.  One particular year, Christmas tradition was changed drastically for us.  The year before, just after Christmas, our house had burned.  We were out of town at my Granny's house at the time and lost everything including the beloved toy kitchen complete with stove, refrigerator and kitchen sink that Santa had brought me.  I can only imagine, looking back, how terribly hard that must have been for my parents, but I don't remember feeling anything but secure and that everything was okay.

Me, with my Christmas Kitchen,
Christmas 1976. 

When the next Christmas came around, we were still living in a tiny (and I mean tiny) trailer.  My Papaw had used the trailer at his fish camp, and allowed us to live there while rebuilding.  The trailer was no wider than my Daddy was tall.  He could lie down in the main room and touch both sides.  My brother and I shared a bedroom, no bigger than the bathroom in my house now.  With bunk beds on one side, there was just enough room left to stand up beside them. 

Even in that small space, I can remember my parents lying in their bed at the front of that trailer (that was actually the only place to sit, no room for a couch or even a kitchen table and chairs) and play hide and seek with Mickey and me.  They would have me lay down on the bed with them and hide my eyes while they helped Mickey find a place to hide, then we would repeat it again with me hiding from him.  Such a simple game. I can't tell you how long the game actually lasted, but the memory of it has lived with me for a lifetime.

So, we are living in this tiny little camper, and it is Christmas time yet again.  Mom and Dad both have full time jobs to keep the bills paid and are working on building another house for us in their spare time.  Yet, they found the time and the money to buy Christmas for me and Mickey.  There was still the problem of where to hide it, however!  As you can imagine, a trailer that size has very little closet space.  And two active children were all over the place.   So, one day a couple weeks before Christmas two presents showed up.  They were wrapped and had a tag.  One said, "To Mickey from Santa."  The other, as you can guess, said "To Sheila, from Santa." 

Mickey and I were extremely curious about why Santa was leaving wrapped presents at our house two weeks before Christmas was even here.  But Mom explained it, "There are many, many children that Santa has to visit on Christmas Eve," she said. "Sometimes it's hard for him to get to them all, so I told him that you would understand if he brought your presents early."  We did understand, and I never questioned it.   It was that way because Momma said it was so. 

Nicholas, my youngest, with Santa 2002.

Many of the traditions in my family center around food.  Mother's Macaroni Casserole at every family gathering, the fact that we always serve Fried Pork Chops and Turnip Greens with Hot Tamale Pie, Chocolate Cake with 7-Minute Icing, the Pineapple Cake Roger's Aunt Louise always makes, my Granny's Seven-Layer Chocolate Fudge Cake, the Divinity my Papaw Cantrell loved so much, Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies that Momma always made because her Momma always made them, too...  so many dishes that have been handed down through generations in my family. 

I bet you have a few food traditions in your family, too.  If so, share them with us by commenting on this blog.  And, in the meantime, enjoy these recipes from my family to yours...

Seven-Layer Chocolate Fudge Cake
1 Duncan Hines Cake Mix (plus ingredients to prepare per directions)
4 cups sugar  
4 tablespoons cocoa
2 teaspoons white vinegar 
4 tablespoons white Karo (corn syrup)
1 cup milk
1 stick butter  
2 teaspoons vanilla
Prepare cake according to directions, baking in 3 even layers.  Cool, then cut each into 2 layers, making 6 total layers.  Cook sugar, cocoa, vinegar, Karo and milk over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, to soft ball stage on a candy thermometer (or until a small amount dropped in cold water, form a soft ball).  Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla.  Beat with an electric mixer until thick. Spread between layers and on outside of cake. 

Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies
1/2 cup shortening  
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk 
1 1/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon soda
2 (8-ounce) packages chocolate chips
Mix shortening, sugar, and peanut butter until creamy.  Add egg and milk; mix well.  In a separate bowl, sift together, flour, salt and soda.  Combine the 2 mixtures into a soft dough.  Roll out on floured waxed paper to 1/4-inch thick.  Melt chocolate chips and spread over dough.  Roll up and refrigerate 1 hour or longer. Slice cookies 1/4-inch thick when ready to bake.  Place on treated cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until light brown.  Cool 3 minutes on cookie sheet them remove to serving dish.  

Note from my Mom says, "This recipe was given to my mother in the early 1950's. It still is the best cookie ever."

Note from me says, "My mom would keep the large roll in the refrigerator and slice off just enough to eat at one sitting, so they were always hot and delicious." 

Momma Nita's Macaroni and Cheese Casserole

1 (16-ounce) package elbow macaroni
1 stick butter, melted
Salt and Pepper
2 1/2 cups shredded cheese, divided
2 cups milk
2 eggs, beaten
Cook macaroni in boiling salted water to al dente (macaroni should still be firm and not completely cooked); drain.  Combine with melted butter and salt and pepper to taste.  Add 2 cups cheese and mix well.  Pour macaroni mixture in a treated 9x13-inch casserole dish.  In a separate bowl, combine milk and eggs; mix well.  Pour evenly over macaroni.  Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese.  Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Remove foil and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes or until set and top is lightly browned.

Swamp People, Rice Every Day, and Alligator in the Road

Alligator Road

It’s no secret that Roger and I love to travel. Our favorite thing to do on any given weekend is to load up computers and clothes and hit the road going anywhere within driving distance.  This weekend, we have business in the Prentiss, Mississippi area and so decided to take advantage and drive a little further South for the night and get a room close to the water in Louisiana.

In true Roger-Sheila fashion, we saw a road and said, “I wonder where this goes?” Then we just took it to find out,
and I’m so glad we did. For about 45 minutes, we drove down this beautiful, small highway that ran right along the water. Every few miles or so was a small marina with boats and cars and signs advertising everything they had to offer. But it was the houses between the marinas that really fascinated me.

Each home was built on stilts about 12 to 15 feet high – or more – to protect against rising waters. The look of each unique house gave an idea of what the owners might be like if you had the opportunity to meet each character in person. Then we hit a stretch where each house-place had a sign out front with a fun and creative name -- like Go Fish, A Shore Thing, and Coast on Inn. Now we could really get an idea of the personality of the owners!

Louisiana is a state rich in history, culture, and food. The “always ready to party” spirit of the people of South Louisiana is one of the things we love most about the area. The other thing we love best is the food. To me, almost everything about Louisiana cooking is delicious… gumbo (my absolute favorite), etouffee, maque choux, bread pudding, beignets, hot and spicy everything.

The fact that rice is a staple in Louisiana dishes makes the food more appealing to me. I think I could eat rice every day and never tire of it. You can’t hear the words Louisiana cooking without thinking of sausage and rice recipes like jambalaya and red beans and rice.

Our friend James makes frequent trips to Louisiana. Not to eat, but to hunt alligators. He has shared alligator meat with us more than once, and while it’s not my favorite, I think the idea of hunting alligators is exciting. Nicholas and I have had more than one occasion to discuss this idea because he loves the television show, Swamp People. We have spent many an evening discussing what it would be like to actually hunt alligator, and he was surprised to hear that I had never actually seen an alligator in the wild. (Personally, I don’t think that is so surprising, but then I’m not adventurous, 13-year-old boy.)

I couldn't resist taking this picture while
traveling through Pearlington MS.  We
didn't take the road.  We weren't sure
we had time to drive all the way to SPACE
and back before work on Monday!

On this particular weekend trip, I was able to fix that situation. As Roger and I were driving down this quiet highway beside the water, I dodged to miss something on the side of the road. Then hollered out when I realized what it was. This caused Roger to look and he, too, hollered and jumped when he saw it – an alligator. With his head just over the line on the side of the road and the rest of his 8-foot-long body stretching across the side of the road and into the edge of the foliage, he appeared to be quietly and patiently waiting to cross the road.

Roger and I were neither patient nor quiet as we realized what we had seen and I made a quick (and almost certainly illegal) u-turn in the middle of the road so we could go back and take a picture. Alas, an alligator is obviously faster than a u-turn because when we got back to the spot, he was gone. I was disappointed to not have a picture to show Nicholas, but was excited, just the same, to call and tell him that I had, finally, seen an alligator in the wild. His first question, “Did you try to catch it?” Um, No. But I did eat some really good Cajun food while we were there.

I hope you enjoy these delicious, cook-at-home, Louisiana recipes from our Louisiana Hometown Cookbook including one for alligator in case you’ve been hunting lately.

Angies Mock Shoe (MAQUE CHOUX)
Alligator Stew
Bananas Foster

Girls Over the Shoulder and the Boy with the Orange Head

My son Nicholas is a typical pre-teen boy, I think. He doesn't come home every afternoon and expound on his day. As a matter of fact, he's outside like a shot the minute his book bag hits the couch. If I do want to have a conversation, I'm forced to chase him down out of doors. Even then it's a one-sided conversation, at best.

"How was your day?" "Fine."

"What did you learn?" "Nothing."

"Well, what were they TEACHING?" "MOM!"

If you have children, you probably know the drill. But some days, a miracle happens. Nicholas will arrive home from school with nothing but talking on his mind. I might as well drop everything and listen because he expects my undivided attention. And frankly, I'm just so happy he's talking to me, he usually gets it.

So, one of these miracle days happened this week. On this day, I was picking Nicholas up from school instead of him riding the bus home. He got into the car talking. He was excited about a speaker who visited his class that day. "This man got a room full of BOYS to like reading," he said. (In our world, getting active boys to read is also a miracle.) I heard stories about his friends and a girl he likes and what happened on the playground and who said what at lunch and on and on.

His favorite story that day was about how he picked one of his good friends up and slung her over his shoulder and carried her around the playground. Oh, I was sure this should have gotten him in trouble, but he assured me that the playground monitor thought it was funny, too. We'll chalk it up to boys will be boys.

My favorite part of our talk was my attempt at teaching a lesson while I had Nicholas talking. He was complaining about some character trait he wasn't happy about or maybe that he thought a teacher was picking on him. I used the opportunity to talk about faith in God, trusting that things are just as they should be, and couldn't resist commenting that things can always be worse. My intent, was to talk about children with physical affliction, people who don't have the same daily comforts we have, etc etc. But Nicholas beat me to it.

Before I could say anything more, he piped in with, "Yeah, Mom, I know. There is this boy on my bus who has an orange head."

I couldn't help but laugh, so I think maybe he thought I didn't believe him.

"I'm serious," he said. "This guy not only has an orange head, it's ROUND. You're right, things could always be worse." Not exactly the message I was looking for, but I will consider that one lesson-learned!

So, in honor of the boy with the orange head, here is my favorite recipe for Creamy Orange White Chocolate Fudge from Georgia Hometown Cookbook.

Creamy Orange White Chocolate Fudge

2 pounds white chocolate, melted
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese
6 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon flour
1 cup chopped nuts, optional

Combine all ingredients; spoon into mini muffin/candy cups. Top with chopped nuts, if desired. Chill to set.

http://www.greatamericanpublishers.com/html/cookbooks/recipes/creamyorangewhitechocolatefudge.htm