When will I see Vince Carter Play (Part 3) 2 weeks to go!!!

Plane tickets-booked
Rental car- booked
Housesitter/babysitter- arranged
Hotel room- in process
Tickets- in process

I can't believe that in only 2 short weeks, I will finally see Vince Carter play. It seems like a dream but I know it isn't. I'm happy and nervous at the same time. To finally cross this off of my bucket list is going to be so great. I am almost ready and we just have a few things to take care of. Then I just have to wait. VC here I come!!!! Q

Some Thanksgiving pics

Just waiting on the turkey. Have a blessed day!!! Q

Peach Cobbler

Why lie, this is not my recipe. This is Patti Labelle's and I love it. I did tweak it a little but it's pretty much the same.

Crust:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter flavored shortening, chilled
1/3 cup ice water

For the Peach cobbler:
3 pounds medium peaches, peeled, pitted and cut into 1/4-inch slices (You can use canned just drain them)
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (if using fresh peaches)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus more for top crust
4 tablespoons butter, chilled, cut into small pieces

For the Pie crust: Sift the flour and salt into a bowl. Add the shortening and cut it in with a fork or pastry cutter until it resembles coarse crumbs with a few pea-sized bits. Stirring with a fork, gradually add enough of the water until the mixture clumps together. Gather up the dough and press into 2 balls (one slightly bigger than the other), wrap in waxed paper or saran wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Roll out smaller dough the size/shape of the pan to about 1/8 inch thick and bake for about 10 minutes on a cookie sheet. In a medium bowl, toss the peaches, cornstarch, sugar, butter, lemon juice and cinnamon. Place half of peach mixture in a round or square pan. Place baked crust on top and then top with remaining peach mixture. Roll out big portion of dough until about 1 inch hangs over the pan. Pinch the dough on the top edges of the dish. Put 3 slits in top to let air escape, place on cookie sheet to catch any juices, and bake 30-40 minutes until brown and sprinkle top with more cinnamon. Serve with ice cream and enjoy!!! Q

Mashed potato, mashed potato

This is one of those recipes I don't have measurements for. I just eyeball it. But I will try. LOL

5 large baking potatoes
milk
Salt and pepper to taste
4 T of butter

Scrub, rinse, and peel potatoes. Cut into about inch size pieces and place in a pot of water. Cover with about and inch of water, add salt and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer about 15-20 minutes until potatoes poked with a fork are soft. Drain and put in a bowl. Mash lightly with back of fork, add butter, slowly add milk while beating on light with a mixer. Beat until smooth but don't over mix. Add salt and pepper to taste. Q

Brined roasted turkey

I have several that I use and I just change up the ingredients a little. This is for a 10-12 pound bird. So here is one:
1 cup salt
1 cup brown sugar (maple syrup works too)
2 gallons of cold water
1 large cut up orange
A handful of seasonings, rosemary, thyme, bay leaves (Or you can use some Italian seasoning)

Remove neck, and giblets from turkey and rinse well. Dissolve salt and sugar in water. Add remaining items and then put in turkey. Let sit in brine in fridge for 4-24 hours. Remove turkey, rinse well and pat dry inside and out.

Roasting:
1/2 stick of unsalted butter
1 onion
1 orange
Seasonings
Salt and pepper
3 cups of broth
other 1/2 stick of butter (melted)

Preheat oven to 325. Place turkey in pan breast side up. Rub with half of butter and put some up under the breast skin. Squeeze some of the orange on breast and sprinkle with a little seasonings, salt and pepper. Place giblets etc in bottom of pan along with 1 cup water. Turn turkey breast side down and repeat. Stuff turkey with onion, and orange slices. Tie wings and thighs back. Cover tips of wings with foil. Bake for 1 hour breast side down. Remove from oven, turn over , remove foil from wings, baste with 1 cup broth, some butter, and sprinkle seasoning. Remove giblets at the bottom and put in dressing (optional). Bake turkey for another hour (depends on size) basting about every 20 minutes until thermometer in thigh reads 165. Let turkey rest at least 20 minutes before cutting. Q

Cornbread dressing recipe

To make this dressing, I start with the cornbread:

1/2 cup butter melted
1 egg
1 cup milk
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar

Grease pan and heat oven at 400. Combine ingredients and put in pan. Bake for about 30 to 40 minutes.

While that is cooking, I cut up some celery and sometimes a little mushrooms and turkey giblets if I have it. I like for my celery to be cooked a little so I cook them in about a tablespoon of butter.

Now for the dressing part:
The items cooked above
1 can of cream of celery soup
1 can of beef consomme soup
1 can of beef broth
seasoned salt to taste

I left the cornbread cool and then crumbled it in the pan and mix all of the above and stir it in. Cook for another 10-20 minutes until a crust forms on the top. Q

Entourage!!!!

Yesterday I had one of those hilarious discussions with the Supremes. I transferred D and K to a new school at the end of August. Prior to that, they were all attending the same school. Well B and D informed me of just how "popular" K was at their previous school. In their words, "K was the most popular first grader." She was the leader of about a group of 6-7 girls and 2 boys. The boys acted as guards or secret service and the girls were just her court so to speak. Her Vice President was a little girl she was good friends with. The person after that was another little girl that she sometimes had issues with. Sounds like the President doesn't it?

Well after listening more, I also found out that not only was she protected by this group, they would literally surround her from other kids. Even her own sisters had to get permission to approach her. I kid you not!!!! B told me if they approached the group, the boys would jump out in front and question them. Then someone would let K know who would then say yes or no as to whether or not they could speak to her. Bwhahahahahahaha This group would pretty much follow K around as well. I wonder if they would take a spit ball for her? LOL

Whew my kids, my kids. I told yall she was a natural born leader!!!! Q

When will I see Vince Carter play? Part 3

Twenty three more days left. I am so very excited like a kid in a candy store. I can't believe this is finally going to happen!!! I've been having dreams about him a lot. In all of them, I had a chance to meet him but I'm so frozen and so scared, that I chicken out. Last night I had a very vivid one. It was myself, and my girls Ten, Mari and Candy. We had a plan and was ready to go. They were going to be distractions during halftime so I could sneak and meet Vince. First we were late getting to the game because I had to be just right. Then we had drama with our tickets. When we finally got seated, it was halftime and in walks my mom. (Random yeah I know.) VC is in the bleechers right in front of us. I mean I could reach out and touch him. His trainer is stretching out his leg or something. My mom tells me to go over there but I can't. So she does. She embarasses the heck out of me. He smiles, and motions for me to come over but I can't. My legs won't move. All I can do is smile. Finally halftime is over and he has to get back into the game. My kids all laugh at me and I'm kicking myself. I really hope I don't freeze like that in real life. LOL Q

Who knew

My kids are hilarious. NO seriously they are. The things that come out of their mouths just have my stomach hurting. Here is the latest addition to the funny files.

D: Mom K is calling me a bad name
Me: What did she call you?
D: She called me a show off

In walks K at the tail end of the convo.
K: That's because you are a show off.
Me: Do yall even know the meaning of show off?
K: Yes a show off is someone who learns something new and they go around telling everyone about it like they are an expert or something.
D: Well that makes you a show off too K.
Me: Bwhahahahahahahaha Yall leave each other alone.

Who knew? LOL Q

Happy Veteran's Day

Today was such a great day. I got to sleep in. I woke up, showered and chatted with two of my favorite girls, Monica and my Tee girl. Then I ran out real quick, visited with my hairdresser and came back home. My fam and I went to Best buy to look at some new computers, then to Applebee's to eat some free food, to the library, and then the mall. As I sit here typing, I feel so incredibly blessed. Although America isn't perfect, I love my country. I enjoy some freedoms I know women in other countries could only dream of. I also know this freedom came with a cost and I don't take that for granted. As I enjoyed my day with my husband, I know some wife just said goodbye to hers as he headed to Iraq. As I laughed at my babies, I know there is a mother who patiently waiting for a from her daughter who is in harms way. So today, I take the time to pray for all those who serve, who are serving, and who will one day serve to keep this country free. Q

The news said that the sky is falling....

Man it has been one of those days. I'm sure you all have heard about the tragedy at Fort Hood today. Well it hit close to home. My father in law retired from the army a few years ago at Fort Hood. My mother in law works on base at the clinic and he is a civilian worker as well. So many thoughts rushed through my mind as I tried to get in contact with them. Although my gut told me they were okay. I finally got the confirmation in the form of a phone call from my MIL. Things could have been bad for her. The gunman bypassed her building and then another before taking aim. From what she described, those soldiers didn't have a chance. I am emotionally drained right now.

It's times like these I really wish Jesus would return. I don't know or understand why things like this happens. But what I know is God is real and we must always be ready. No one knows when their life may end. My thoughts and prayers goes out to all the people affected today. Q

Let's hear it for the Yankees!!!

#27 Nuff said. Q