Sweet Tea~ a Southern Favorite

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Debbie
Pitcher of Iced Tea with a Glass of Ice Tea.

Pitcher of Iced Tea with a Glass of Ice Tea. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We recently took our family skiing in Colorado. Let’s just say, I think I could write a book about the entire journey! One little funny thing, EVERY time we went out for dinner, my kids asked for sweet tea. My hubs and I just chuckled because we know very well that delightful concoction is served only south of the Mason Dixon line. Since we have never driven west of Alabama, we’re not quite sure where the western boundary of sweet tea service is. I’m pretty sure we’d be safe in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Does anybody know if you can get sweet tea in Texas or Oklahoma? I’m guessing probably so. I’m thinking it pretty much dries up when you get to New Mexico and Kansas.

So, if that’s the case, why?Did they run out of sugar? Did the early settlers with Southern upbringing  just stop and say, “I ain’t going that far?” Did they go and come back to avoid any Yankee neighbors? I remember driving north with my Mother In Law early in my marriage( remember I married a Yankee), and having a similar experience as my kids. When I couldn’t get sweet tea, they’d offer iced tea and a little container of sugar packets. Any southerner knows that dog won’t hunt. The dang sugar won’t melt! If you did not grow up watching your momma make Sweet Tea, you can learn from mine.

Sweet Tea

2 family sized Lipton tea bags( or 4-5 regular size)

water

1 cup sugar

I personally prefer Lipton’s Tea. Why? Because that’s what my Momma gets! Fill a medium sauce pan with water, bring to a boil. Add the tea  bags and turn off , and let it steep for about 30 minutes. You don’t want to boil the bags , they tend to break and the tea leaves get all in the water..not so tasty. Bowling the bags will also make the tea bitter. Pour the sugar and the hot tea into your favorite pitcher. Stir until sugar melts. If you are just dying for a glass, fill the glass with as much ice as will fit and pour the sweet tea over. You can leave the pitcher on the counter during the day. My Momma and grandmothers made a fresh pitcher every day. I must say that both of my Grandmothers made their’s so sweet I had to cut it with a little water. I also admit that I made the transition to just 1/2 sweet and 1/2 unsweet. My favorite place to get my tea if I’m out and about is Chick-Fil-A…of course, they say “Yes ma’am” too!

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Doctor Appointments…

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Debbie
An orange check mark.

I finally can check off the dermatology check-up off my list. It has been wandering to the bottom of my to do list for about 2 years. I’m diligent about the others …the mammogram, Pap Smear, and dentist. For some reason,  the skin check is a tough one for me. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that I’m afraid that all those years of sunning myself with baby oil/butter/Wesson oil is finally going to catch up with me? These days, I try to undo some of the damage that I did all those years ago. Every summer, I get myself a big brimmed hat to wear to the lake and I wear pretty fancy moisturizer with SPF on my face every day. My wallet screams every time I go for a refill!

Well, I headed on over for my check up. I must say I saw a little brown patch on my face that sparked my making the appointment. Well, I got there and am instructed to disrobe down to panties and bra. I start thinking, “I should have worn the matching bra and panties”. At least I put on the good ones, non-matching, but good ones. The things that go through my mind at lightening speed…poor doctor. He’s got to look at my 47 year old naked body…I barely want to do that and I’ve seen it before a few times! I explain that it’s been a while since the last check up and I’m concerned about the brown patch. Apparently, it’s not quite as noticeable to him as it was to me. He pronounces it fine as are the rest of the various and asundry moles. He says I look good. My ego perks up a  little. I ask when he needs to see me again, to which he replies only if I notice anything that changes. Again the ego…then I think..”Wait, ..does he think my skin cancer risks are low and I capable of checking myself? or “He doesn’t want to see that 47 naked body again unless he has to?” I’m going with the low risk. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Have you had your skin check-up? It took about 20 minutes and was much less painful than the internist and the gynecologist! They tell me to lose weight. It was even better than the dentist.They tell me to floss more…but I know they tell everybody that.  So, all in all, I can check that off the list for a while! Yea me!

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Vee’s and Bernice’s Chicken and Dumplings

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Debbie

Okay, I know I keep saying that this or that is my all time favorite food, but this is IT!! Years ago when I came home for the weekend from college, this dish was what I wanted more than anything. Now, if I’m going to be home around my birthday…, yep Chicken and Dumplings will be on the stove when I get there. If I’m in a bad way and need a fix, Cracker Barrel will do in a pinch. Their’s are close to my Momma’s. Not quite, but close. There is nothing worse to me than bad chicken and dumplings, so I’m scared to order them just about anywhere else. Bite into doughy, tasteless, or tough ones. Dinner’s over and I’m pissed. But, when they’re good, and there’s a side of turnip or collard greens and there is lots of black pepper to top it off, and a big glass of sweet tea with lots of ice, well… now we’re talking! Put some on the top of your head and watch your tongue beat your brain to death just to get to it. I give my Momma all the credit for making my favorite. She doesn’t need or use a written recipe, but told me about this recipe that she found in my handy Blue Eye Baptist Church cookbook from 1995. My Great-Aunt Bernice’s shared this among many others and so we have a written record of award winning chicken an dumplings. So there you go. Thanks Bernice!

1 whole chicken, cooked until tender and deboned. Reserve stock.

1 cup of PLAIN flour

2 Tablespoons Crisco shortening

1/2 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoons baking powder

water, enough to make dough stiff ( don’t you just love these kind of measurements!)

Mix all ingredients( add water a little bit at a time) until dough is stiff. Don’t over work or they’ll be tough. Roll dough very thin, then cut into strips in a criss -cross . You’ll end up with diamond-shaped pieces of dough.

Bring reserved chicken broth to a rolling boil. Drop dough diamonds in one at a time. Simmer until cooked through, about 30 minutes. Stir just enough to incorporate the dumplings, but not so much to break apart. Fold in reserved chicken pieces.

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It’s Eye Roll Wednesday!

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Debbie

Come on over to Eye Roll Diaries and read why it is important for mommas to have mentors, and to pay it forward mentoring others!

~Deb

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Educated Food

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Debbie

My grandaddy, Son Vincent makes me smile all the time and he left this world to keep my Granny company years ago. When I left home for college, I became very smart…I came home with all kinds of ideas about food and how to eat. About the same time, my sister was taking every Home Ec class our little high school had to offer. She also became infatuated with foods that were different than those our family was so accustomed. I’m pretty sure Grandaddy got a kick out of us…I can only imagine what he said about our high faluting ways! He just chuckled when we brought in new stuff. He did eat it though. Son Vincent was the only man I know who was never hungry but always managed to eat wherever he went. I guess he didn’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings! He teased us  by saying, “Oh, no…more educated food”! Well Grandaddy, I still like me some educated food, but I have a whole new appreciation for the “home-cooking” that you loved so.

My pantry looks a little different than the ones Granny and Grandaddy used to have. Since the Vincents carry a strong gene for heart disease , most of us have adopted a few educated foods into our lives. These days, I don’t have a “grease” pitcher on my stove for bacon drippings.  Instead, I reach for extra virgin olive oil.  Morning bisquits and gravy have been replaced with Greek yogurt, granola, and berries. I don’t have lard in the house and buy canola oil in the smallest container on the shelf. I can’t remember the last time I deep fat fried anything;these days chicken fingers go in the oven. I will eat me some “fish-cooker” fish as my precious nieces call fried fish, though! I generally pass on dessert unless the word homemade is used in the description. I have to say, I am about to stop eating desserts in restaurants. It just takes too much like “educated food”. Give me some fried pies, peach cobbler, homemade vanilla ice cream, or Granny’s Pound Cake!

 

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Kim D’s Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Debbie

I first had this delicious recipe when a friend dropped it off after my son was born nearly 18  years ago. I’ve made it so many times, my family and friends now refer to it as my Chocolate Pie. It is really my old friend, Kim D’s Grandmother’s. I appreciate that she shared the pie and recipe with me. This is super simple to make, and I think Kim’s Grandmother would get a kick out of the fact that her recipe is on the Internet.

Kim D’s Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie

1 pastry shell, unbaked( I generally use store-bought, feel free to use a homemade one)

2 eggs, beaten

3 1/2 Tablespoon cocoa

1 1/2 cups white sugar

1 small can evaporated milk( can substitute cream)

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon REAL vanilla

1/2 cup chopped pecans

whipped cream( not Cool Whip)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Beat eggs and add cocoa, sugar, vanilla, milk, butter, and salt. Mix well. Stir in nuts. Pour into shell. Bake for 45 minutes.

Cool on wire racks,then chill. Serve with whipped cream.

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Profile of a Successful Girls’ Trip

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Debbie

I love me a good girls’ trip. I’m lucky enough to go on at least 2 per year, and I’ve gone on four in the last 12 months! I have a group of 15 women who I’ve been blessed enough to go away with for last 15 years and have also met “new” friends to celebrate birthdays with on girls getaways. When asked to share what makes a great girls’ trip, I couldn’t possibly pick just one, so I’m offering a few highlights.  The best part of all of my trips has been enough belly- laughing to make me pee my pants and make my face hurt! These trips are a great way to celebrate female friendships. It goes without saying that chocolate is an important part of any successful girls’ trip!

One recent getaway took a group of 7 lucky friends to Clearwater Florida celebrating a 50th birthday. The celebrators enjoyed a home-cooked shrimp meal on arrival complete with Cosmo cocktails, a day of shopping in the quaint Downtown Dunedin, walks on the pristine Honeymooner Beach, a delightful meal out at Salt Rock Grill, and most importantly some good old fashioned girl giggling.  The group even enjoyed road trip antics assisted by our smart phones. “Siri” was a special guest to guide us through Florida! Our birthday girl was the “token priss” and inspired me to try a new curling iron on our return home!

Another birthday getaway took a group of 12 lucky invitees to historic Savannah. The group arrived at the historic Liberty House that the birthday girl’s husband had reserved for some very grateful party goers! We were welcomed by individual goody bags including hand-painted wine glasses and visitor guides for Savannah made especially by the birthday girl’s momma!  One of the invitees treated us to fresh pralines from Savannah Sweets. We enjoyed a horse drawn carriage/ghost tour, a little bar hopping, shopping on River Street, a delightful meal at Alligator Soul, and a little club dancing at the Bohemian roof top bar that left a trail of pink boa feathers throughout Savannah! We enjoyed Bloody Mary cocktails and a little ghost scare at a local day spa complete with a ghost making an appearance in one of our photos!  The trip culminated with a family low country boil at the birthday girl’s parent’s house.

Over the last 15 years, my “regular” trips with the “Hippie Chicks” have included weekends in Blue Ridge, wine tasting in Dahlonega, and general lazing around on Lake Rabun, Lake Burton, Lake Keowee, Callaway Gardens, St. George Island, and a white water rafting trip in North Carolina. We have a special 50th birthday outing planned! This group has 15 members and we don’t have one bit of trouble getting our weekend dates nailed down. We book family vacations around these important weekends! This group started as a playgroup when our kids were little, and has turned into more of a support group for what life throws at us. Our weekends give us a chance to catch up. This group of women is good at girl’s trips. We are always happy to tell you how great our trips and our friends are!

I am a seasoned girls’ trip traveler…therefore, I claim expertise in this important part of women’s studies! I propose there are several important roles that are integral for a successful girls’ trip.

A Connector- someone who knows how to put together a group. Women are known to have “big”personalities and group dynamics can be tricky with the women folk. This role also helps to determine if the group gels and plans future outings.

An Organizer- every group needs somebody to set a day and make a list. Some groups are lucky enough to have more than one and then these tasks can be divided.

A Cook- a girl’s gotta eat, it may as well be good food!

A Mixologist- a girl’s gotta drink…at least any trip I’m going on. I guess this could be optional for tee-totalers…just don’t invite me if you are  leaving this job unfilled!

A themed cocktail- the Hippie Chicks have had many and it frequently changes.  Some faves are : Skip and Go Nakeds( enough said), Skinny Bitch (we are all over 40 now and the asses tend to spread when we drink anything more caloric than water…, vodka soaked gummy bears( advance prep required..and I recommend that you make alot less than you think you’ll need…they are strong little buggers, Cosmopolitans, and Strawberry Margaritas( Cathy, for the record, mixing rum in the strawberry mix, makes a daiquiri!

Special cups- we’ve had redneck wineglasses, custom painted stemware, solo cups personalized with high tech sharpies with weekend nick names, and wine charms.

A White Tornado- I live to cook, but hate to clean. I hear that some people like to clean. Weird, but handy people to be friends with.

A group themed costume- I have been known to wear a pink boa, a HC cap, a pink sequined mini dress among a few other password protected get ups…

Entertainment- laughter is one of the most important parts of the trip

A prankster- I’ve seen toothpaste filled oreos, boiled eggs hidden under pillows, bras in the freezer, jokes played on hubbies over the phone while wives were a little tipsy…

A inside joke- some time honored ones of the HC, “Save Your Friends”, “That’s Weird…”, and a few others that are password protected. Siri, Sorri… sound machines, iPad apps with nature sounds…

A token burper/farter- I’ve heard” girls don’t fart, they fluff”. My friends fart and burp. Enough said.

A token priss- they know who they are :) they come with curling irons, straightening irons, and enough lipstick for the whole crowd!

An activities director-  Newbie groups should think about a few tricks…scavenger hunts, shopping, restaurants, spa visits, white water rafting, hiking,  games. HC have long out grown this role. We mostly just sit in PJs or bathing suits and drink coffee in the am and cocktails in the after lunch hours!These activities just cramp the HC style…

Someone with a cabin/lake house/ beach condo/ hut- a free place to stay makes it so easy to plan and to get by the husbands. I have gone on trips that we actually paid for accommodations. I personally really prefer to just free load! I have been on two birthday weekends recently. Both were crazy fun. That is a great theme!

If you are considering a girls’ trip, the most important thing is to have fun! To celebrate friendships. I generally come back tired, but a little more centered. A little more appreciative of my family. A whole lot grateful for great women friends. Girl friends will get you through life..with a smile. I think good girl friends can save you alot of money in therapy, too!

 

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Mississippi Mud Cake

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Debbie

I’ve eaten this delicious chocolate concoction as long as I remember. It was at every family reunion and picnic that I ever went to. Be warned, it is good for a reason. There is alot of butter in there. If that bothers you, go sit by somebody else. Sometimes a girl just needs some good old fashioned chocolate!

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

4 Tablespoons cocoa

2 STICKS butter

2 Tablespoons vanilla

1 1/2 cups self-rising flour

2 cups pecans

Mix ingredients. Pour into greased and floured 11″X14″ oblong pan. This is a THICK batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes.  Remove from oven and IMMEDIATELY cover with miniature marshmellows. Put back in oven for a couple of minutes until melted.

ICING

2 Tablespoons butter

1/2 box confectioners sugar

2 Tablespoons cocoa

4 Tablespoons evaporated milk

Mix well. Spoon over the melted marshmellow and spread. It will mix and create a “marbled” look. It’s all good.

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My Dog is a Mixed Breed

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Debbie

My precious Rascal has no pedigree. We think his momma was mostly a Blue Heeler. Daddy? Well, that’s anybody’s guess. Our first dog,  who he never met was also a mix.  Lucky was part Lab. We don’t get too hung up on pedigrees around here. Actually, trying to figure out our dog’s heritage is a bit of a conversation starter. Rascal is a puppy and is still very active. So, he needs mucho exercise. Problem is that he doesn’t like to say hello to neighbors.  He has work to do. He needs to GO!

Dogs are so great…they have their own personalities. I know some traits are genetic and that is determined by the breeds in their pedigree. I see Rascal herding anything that moves. I also see him chasing birds like nobody business. What makes him want to be right beside me at all times? Bring me every little thing that might be fun to play with? Eat every sock that is left in his reach? Roll in nasty smelling stuff?

Obviously, many people like to know what they are getting and therefore go the purebred route. I actually had someone ask me once why I keep getting “those mutts”. Well, the answer may lie partially in the fact that I too am a mutt. My  family has lived in the south so long that I wouldn’t know what ethnicity box to check. I’m a little like a friend’s dog who was adopted as a puppy. This dog was so interesting looking, his owner just had to know what breeds were floating in his gene pool. I’m told that he paid $75 for a DNA test to find out his beloved pooch had 75 different breeds  in  him. At least he got his monies worth! I’ve been doing a little geneology work. We’ve been in the South since the 1700′s . That kind of makes me a purebreed… Pure Redneck! LOL

 

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Big Mama’s Chocolate Ice Cream

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Debbie
This is a direct quote from one of my cousins, Sandy Wilson. I will never eat homemade chocolate ice cream again without humming this old favorite hymn! Thanks Sandy for sharing your memory! In case you are interested in hearing this old hymn, I found it on YouTube…an elderly gentleman singing Where My Savior Calls Me. I would add that not only did Big Mama follow where the Spirit lead her, but also passed her faith to many generations. Thanks Sandy for the smile!
Big Mama taught us a lot of things through the years. One of my favorite memories was learning to cook and sing in her kitchen. When I was little she taught me the words and tune to “When My Savior Calls”. I still find myself singing that old tune along with “Amazing Grace”. She had a beautiful voice but was not a soloist, she just loved to sing about her Lord. She also taught me to make homemade Chocolate Ice Cream. She told me to mix 3 cups sugar and 6 Tablespoons cocoa together. Pour in 3 cans pet milk slowly and mix well, add 6 beaten eggs finish filling the can with whole milk. And remember this was all done by hand, not electric mixers. That is the most delicious concoctions ever created. I still think of her when I make and eat homemade ice cream. The greatest things she taught us was to love, love Jesus, Family, Other, and ourselves. She reminded us often that we had self worth because we were God’s creation.
Big Mama’s Chocolate Ice Cream
3 cups sugar
6 Tablespoons cocoa
3 cans Pet milk (this is evaporated milk)
6 beaten eggs
Mix and top off ice cream maker “can” with whole milk. Freeze according to the directions on your machine.
Back in Big Mama’s day, they would have put the ice cream in a hand crank freezer on the porch. You had to work for your treats!
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