Thanksgiving festivities have come to a close at the Watkins' household and I'm absolutely exhausted. In fact, there are still dishes piled up from Friday and they won't be dealt with until tomorrow.. I just couldn't do it today...
In retrospect, the holiday went very well. It began last Friday when mom, mimi and my great aunt came to visit and helped me prepare for hosting my in-laws on Saturday afternoon. We cooked, ate pizza and babysat our best friend's baby Madilyn.. it was a fun night!
Saturday, we got up, straightened up and I cooked for our afternoon meal. We had a great time with my in-laws and great food! We had leftovers until Tuesday, yum! On Wednesday, my sister came over and we cooked for an event she was attending Thursday afternoon, so the kitchen went back into disaster mode. On Thursday, we got up early went to my parent's church and helped cook, box, and serve Thanksgiving meals for the less fortunate in the community. This has become a Thanksgiving tradition for our family and we absolutely love it.
Since that pushes our family meal to Friday after Thanksgiving day, we headed to mom's Thursday evening to help prepare. The boys watched the Bengals lose miserably to the Jets, while Mom and I made several dishes and wrapped some gag gifts for our game of bingo the following night :)
On Friday, we woke up, and I started cooking again, and headed to Shepherdsville in the early afternoon to cook and prepare for the evening meal.
The family meal was a wonderful success! Plenty of food, friends and family to share with. We had a full table, full hearts and full bellies! The bingo game created many laughs and giggles and we're already planning for a rematch next year!
In summary, we are very thankful, very blessed and VERY tired of turkey ;)
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Dressin' or Stuffin' ?
With the holiday quickly approaching... the hubby and I got into a debate this evening about dressin' vs. stuffin' the turkey.
I let him know that I was making the dressing for our family dinner this year, and a few moments later he was on the phone with his mom and told her I was making stuffing. These words are one in the same to him, and after he got off the phone, I let him know that I was making dressing.. not stuffing.
This took us into an entire conversation on dressing (not in the bird) vs. stuffing (stuffed into the bird), and I know he hated every moment of the conversation.. he loves food.. but he doesn't care about food history or details.. food good. amen. that's his philosophy :) However, I went on and proved my point anyway, not that it mattered, but I enjoyed talking about it, and sharing my very limited food knowledge with him... he was probably annoyed, but oh well.. he married me ;) i
Anyway, I realized that most folks do use the words dressing and stuffing as one in the same, and I think that's completely wrong! If I was invited somewhere, and they said they were having stuffing, I wouldn't be able to eat it.. because I know that it touched raw bird before it was all cooked together, and I just can't handle the thought of that... I want to eat dressing on Thanksgiving.. I want it made with good stale bread chunks, fresh veggies and lots of chicken stock... it should never ever touch any raw bird! I'm all about stuffing the bird, onions, carrots, lemons, oranges, fresh herbs and anything else you can think of, but then you eat the cooked bird, use the cooked stock and throw away the stuff that you stuffed in there!!
So...after that longwinded justification, what will you be having, dressing or stuffing?
Happy Thanksgiving Y'all !
Love.
Kara
I let him know that I was making the dressing for our family dinner this year, and a few moments later he was on the phone with his mom and told her I was making stuffing. These words are one in the same to him, and after he got off the phone, I let him know that I was making dressing.. not stuffing.
This took us into an entire conversation on dressing (not in the bird) vs. stuffing (stuffed into the bird), and I know he hated every moment of the conversation.. he loves food.. but he doesn't care about food history or details.. food good. amen. that's his philosophy :) However, I went on and proved my point anyway, not that it mattered, but I enjoyed talking about it, and sharing my very limited food knowledge with him... he was probably annoyed, but oh well.. he married me ;) i
Anyway, I realized that most folks do use the words dressing and stuffing as one in the same, and I think that's completely wrong! If I was invited somewhere, and they said they were having stuffing, I wouldn't be able to eat it.. because I know that it touched raw bird before it was all cooked together, and I just can't handle the thought of that... I want to eat dressing on Thanksgiving.. I want it made with good stale bread chunks, fresh veggies and lots of chicken stock... it should never ever touch any raw bird! I'm all about stuffing the bird, onions, carrots, lemons, oranges, fresh herbs and anything else you can think of, but then you eat the cooked bird, use the cooked stock and throw away the stuff that you stuffed in there!!
So...after that longwinded justification, what will you be having, dressing or stuffing?
Happy Thanksgiving Y'all !
Love.
Kara
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Tree
Here's a question for you friends.. when is the right time to put up the Christmas tree? If it were up to me, and I never entertained, I would keep the decor up on the interior of the house all year! I love it.. I love my beautiful Christmas decorations and I've spent years collecting them.. why shouldn't I have them sitting out for all to see?
Here are the two factors holding me back from getting out the goods right now:
1. Thanksgiving- It's not that I'm a Thanksgiving hater. In fact, I love the family thanksgiving each year and I really enjoy the food and family. However, I will be hosting at least 1 family dinner for Thanksgiving at our home this year, so I'm hesitant to have the house decorated in Christmas decor for a big family Thanksgiving gathering...p.s. Putting up the tree before Thanksgiving DOES NOT make you less thankful ! ! In fact, it makes you ahead of the game, a planner, a free spirit :)
2. The hubby- Tommy placed the tree in the attic last year after we took it down. (It's the only item in the entire attic, haha) He won't allow me to climb up into the attic and retrieve the tree, because the pull down ladder is shaky and it's all above the very hard concrete garage floor below. I would leave quite a splatter if I were to fall.. And, for the sake of being cordial and not hurting myself, I have decided not to get the tree down one day while the hubby's at work and have it all up and going when he get's home...yet, this is against my inner urge to just crawl up there and get blasted tree down.
What do you think?
Here are the two factors holding me back from getting out the goods right now:
1. Thanksgiving- It's not that I'm a Thanksgiving hater. In fact, I love the family thanksgiving each year and I really enjoy the food and family. However, I will be hosting at least 1 family dinner for Thanksgiving at our home this year, so I'm hesitant to have the house decorated in Christmas decor for a big family Thanksgiving gathering...p.s. Putting up the tree before Thanksgiving DOES NOT make you less thankful ! ! In fact, it makes you ahead of the game, a planner, a free spirit :)
2. The hubby- Tommy placed the tree in the attic last year after we took it down. (It's the only item in the entire attic, haha) He won't allow me to climb up into the attic and retrieve the tree, because the pull down ladder is shaky and it's all above the very hard concrete garage floor below. I would leave quite a splatter if I were to fall.. And, for the sake of being cordial and not hurting myself, I have decided not to get the tree down one day while the hubby's at work and have it all up and going when he get's home...yet, this is against my inner urge to just crawl up there and get blasted tree down.
What do you think?
Monday, November 8, 2010
Long Time.
I'm so sorry that I haven't posted in forever.. It's been nearly two months and I still feel like I have nothing to talk about. So much has happened, and yet so little has happened.
The day to day has sped up around here lately.. I've been coming and going and helping and babysitting and moving and shaking and dancing.. well, not so much dancing. But I've been busy helping Mom and Mimi and keeping them on track.. they keep me on track too! and I think it takes all of us to keep all of us sane and healthy :)
I told Tommy today that I feel like we're passing like ships in the ocean lately, I'm leaving and he's coming and going and joked that our only alone time is in the car on our way to the next destination.
Honestly, I love it.
This is exactly what I wanted to do when I signed up for the domestic engineering position of our household. Taking care of my family is exactly what I was born to do and exactly what I plan on doing for the rest of my days and I have never been so fulfilled :)
On another note, We've been back and forth to the hospital several times in the last 4 days, as CE was admitted on Thursday after a routine stress test was cancelled because of a quick and irregular heart beat when they hooked him up to the monitors.. and we spent the last 4 days traveling back and forth from Baptist East caring for him and making sure he had good food and a fresh newspaper :) The hospital had several ESPN channels so he was just fine the whole time. After some new medications they sent him home today and we hope to stay away from that place for quite a while!
In fact, I told the family today that if something happens to them, they will just have to die right there at home because I can't handle any more hospital for a while ;)
Tonight, after a small nervous breakdown, I think I realized that I was having a let down from my chaotic week. Everyday this week has been something and the unexpected hospital stay for CE was the icing on my cake of nerves! When the time came, I stepped up to the plate and handled myself pretty well, but after a full week of go go go, my body said no no no after all that anxiety that was being pushed back... truthfully, I just didn't have time to be nervous this week! I had too many responsibilities and too many folks to worry about and take care of!
I'm much calmer now though, and after a hot bath, some warm jammes and a full night of restful sleep, I'm sure I emerge a much stronger woman and family caretaker...
Sorry I haven't updated sooner, blogging sure makes me feel better, and I know I need to do it more often, so I will, I'll stay up on it, I promise :)
Night Night,
Kara
The day to day has sped up around here lately.. I've been coming and going and helping and babysitting and moving and shaking and dancing.. well, not so much dancing. But I've been busy helping Mom and Mimi and keeping them on track.. they keep me on track too! and I think it takes all of us to keep all of us sane and healthy :)
I told Tommy today that I feel like we're passing like ships in the ocean lately, I'm leaving and he's coming and going and joked that our only alone time is in the car on our way to the next destination.
Honestly, I love it.
This is exactly what I wanted to do when I signed up for the domestic engineering position of our household. Taking care of my family is exactly what I was born to do and exactly what I plan on doing for the rest of my days and I have never been so fulfilled :)
On another note, We've been back and forth to the hospital several times in the last 4 days, as CE was admitted on Thursday after a routine stress test was cancelled because of a quick and irregular heart beat when they hooked him up to the monitors.. and we spent the last 4 days traveling back and forth from Baptist East caring for him and making sure he had good food and a fresh newspaper :) The hospital had several ESPN channels so he was just fine the whole time. After some new medications they sent him home today and we hope to stay away from that place for quite a while!
In fact, I told the family today that if something happens to them, they will just have to die right there at home because I can't handle any more hospital for a while ;)
Tonight, after a small nervous breakdown, I think I realized that I was having a let down from my chaotic week. Everyday this week has been something and the unexpected hospital stay for CE was the icing on my cake of nerves! When the time came, I stepped up to the plate and handled myself pretty well, but after a full week of go go go, my body said no no no after all that anxiety that was being pushed back... truthfully, I just didn't have time to be nervous this week! I had too many responsibilities and too many folks to worry about and take care of!
I'm much calmer now though, and after a hot bath, some warm jammes and a full night of restful sleep, I'm sure I emerge a much stronger woman and family caretaker...
Sorry I haven't updated sooner, blogging sure makes me feel better, and I know I need to do it more often, so I will, I'll stay up on it, I promise :)
Night Night,
Kara
Friday, September 17, 2010
goodbye caffeine...
Let me show you a picture. This is the culprit of my ridiculous addiction...
This has been my drink of choice since I was probably 12 or 13 years old.. It's been a good run, but I'm giving it up for good.
NO MORE CAFFEINE !
It makes me nervous, dehydrated, hungry, moody, shaky, and mean! And it's got to go!
It's been about 24 hours with no caffeine, and I've been very tired and dragging my feet, but it's been better than climbing the walls all night and not sleeping until the wee hours of the morning!
Diet Caffeine Free Coke just isn't the same :)
This has been my drink of choice since I was probably 12 or 13 years old.. It's been a good run, but I'm giving it up for good.
NO MORE CAFFEINE !
It makes me nervous, dehydrated, hungry, moody, shaky, and mean! And it's got to go!
It's been about 24 hours with no caffeine, and I've been very tired and dragging my feet, but it's been better than climbing the walls all night and not sleeping until the wee hours of the morning!
Diet Caffeine Free Coke just isn't the same :)
Monday, August 30, 2010
Roll em' up. Roll em' up. Pitch em' in the Pan.
I've been bakin' up a storm, and I've never felt more passionate about a 'job'.. it's been lovely, glorious and wonderful having a few cupcake orders each week... I love every moment of baking and creating cupcakes customized to order. I've discovered the occupation that is fitting and joyful for me.. and I can do it and still be a housewife and take care of my wonderful hubby..
I'll add a few photos. I've ventured into the world of gumpaste (royal icing flowers are next), gumpaste is a sugar dough that can be colored, cut and carved into any shape.. and then sets up to a hardened state after several hours. It's so versatile that I can really make any figure, color or theme to match any decor.
I'll add a few photos. I've ventured into the world of gumpaste (royal icing flowers are next), gumpaste is a sugar dough that can be colored, cut and carved into any shape.. and then sets up to a hardened state after several hours. It's so versatile that I can really make any figure, color or theme to match any decor.
These are chocolate with pink buttercream (my phone makes them look orange, but they are pink!) and gumpaste black and white daisy design.
These are triple berry CHEESECAKE cupcakes... oh my word.. that's all I can say about them... fresh ground graham cracker crust, creamy cheese center, sour cream topping followed by a triple berry mixture with my fresh blackberry jam as the base... turning into one of my best sellers ever! The boys at UPS that work with Tommy have placed several orders!
I created the above grass / football /Cincinnati Bengals cupcakes for my father in law's 53rd birthday a couple of weeks ago. He LOVED them, and loved that the toppers are all edible! I hand painted the stripes onto the BENGALS letters and they really turned out well.
Place your order today! If we can dream it up, I can bake it up.
Love and Cupcakes,
Kara
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Meat. In the shape of a loaf.
I hate to admit this... but in all my housewifing adventures (and I've cooked for years before that) I'VE NEVER MADE A MEATLOAF. You know.. it makes me feel better to just come out and say it.. I've failed as a country woman.. I've let down the country folk...
Okay. That was a little extreme. So. I've never made a meatloaf.. It's out there.. it's published.. never can I hide and pretend that I've mashed ground beef into the shape of a loaf.. and cooked it until it was sitting in the middle of a grease pond.. the meat island.. the center of the greasy earth... eewww.
Truth is.. I'm not a big meatloaf fan.. and the hubby isn't interested in meatloaf at all... which is probably why I've never made one in my life.. if he won't eat it.. I don't waste my time mastering it.. I enjoy the instant gratification of a meal well prepared.. and when he says 'yum, babe.'.. I know the planning and preparing has paid off.. but this is not the case with meatloaf.. I've never made a meatloaf..
And you know what? I might be a rebel.. I might not make a meat 'loaf'.. why does it have to be a loaf?!?! I could make meat 'cupcakes'.. in a muffin pan.. I could make a meat bunt... a meat tube.. a meat ball.. I could do many things with meat 'loaf'.
Here's the point of my endless conversation about meat. in the shape of a loaf.
My father in law's birthday was 9-16-10... and his FAVORITE DISH.. is MEAT LOAF ! ! ! ahh!!!
We're having them over for dinner this weekend.. and of course.. instead of pulling out an old favorite, consulting the pioneerwoman's cookbook or eating out.. I've taken on quite a challenge... meatloaf.. meat. loaf..
In taking on this challenge, I've consulted the experts (Mom, Mimi, Aunt Vic) on meatloaf tips and tricks.. and I've gotten my hands on Mimi's meatloaf recipe.. and more importantly, Mimi's Meatloaf SAUCE RECIPE... which is the key to making a good meatloaf in the Meredith family... well.. in the world.
Mimi (years ago) created a meatloaf sauce that goes on the 'loaf' (if you will) in the middle of the cooking process, to give it a tangy, moist flavor.. and (here's the real kicker)..the other half of the sauce recipe is served in a gravy boat, at the table.. to top the completed meatloaf, make a pond in the mashed potatoes, create a green bean river... and to be consumed alone.. or drunk, with a straw.. because that's how good it is...
With this recipe.. I cannot fail.. it is the greatest sauce (it's tomato based, that's all I'll tell) in the world.. and now that I've been given the recipe.. I will be adding it to chicken, pork, cereal, cakes.. okay, not cereal or cakes.. but it's THAT good.
We're just not a 'ketchup on the meatloaf' kind of family. I'm okay with that.
<3 Kara
Okay. That was a little extreme. So. I've never made a meatloaf.. It's out there.. it's published.. never can I hide and pretend that I've mashed ground beef into the shape of a loaf.. and cooked it until it was sitting in the middle of a grease pond.. the meat island.. the center of the greasy earth... eewww.
Truth is.. I'm not a big meatloaf fan.. and the hubby isn't interested in meatloaf at all... which is probably why I've never made one in my life.. if he won't eat it.. I don't waste my time mastering it.. I enjoy the instant gratification of a meal well prepared.. and when he says 'yum, babe.'.. I know the planning and preparing has paid off.. but this is not the case with meatloaf.. I've never made a meatloaf..
And you know what? I might be a rebel.. I might not make a meat 'loaf'.. why does it have to be a loaf?!?! I could make meat 'cupcakes'.. in a muffin pan.. I could make a meat bunt... a meat tube.. a meat ball.. I could do many things with meat 'loaf'.
Here's the point of my endless conversation about meat. in the shape of a loaf.
My father in law's birthday was 9-16-10... and his FAVORITE DISH.. is MEAT LOAF ! ! ! ahh!!!
We're having them over for dinner this weekend.. and of course.. instead of pulling out an old favorite, consulting the pioneerwoman's cookbook or eating out.. I've taken on quite a challenge... meatloaf.. meat. loaf..
In taking on this challenge, I've consulted the experts (Mom, Mimi, Aunt Vic) on meatloaf tips and tricks.. and I've gotten my hands on Mimi's meatloaf recipe.. and more importantly, Mimi's Meatloaf SAUCE RECIPE... which is the key to making a good meatloaf in the Meredith family... well.. in the world.
Mimi (years ago) created a meatloaf sauce that goes on the 'loaf' (if you will) in the middle of the cooking process, to give it a tangy, moist flavor.. and (here's the real kicker)..the other half of the sauce recipe is served in a gravy boat, at the table.. to top the completed meatloaf, make a pond in the mashed potatoes, create a green bean river... and to be consumed alone.. or drunk, with a straw.. because that's how good it is...
With this recipe.. I cannot fail.. it is the greatest sauce (it's tomato based, that's all I'll tell) in the world.. and now that I've been given the recipe.. I will be adding it to chicken, pork, cereal, cakes.. okay, not cereal or cakes.. but it's THAT good.
We're just not a 'ketchup on the meatloaf' kind of family. I'm okay with that.
<3 Kara
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