Biscuits...

Everyone who truly knows me...knows I love to bake. I am a spur of the moment kind of cook! I was sitting here reading my emails I just got a craving for some biscuits! Now my cravings are unusual. When I get something on my little ol' brain it doesn't go away. So now I have to go and make them. I just can't wait until they come out of the oven! I have syrup, homemade berry jam and oooh, some molasses! Oh, goodness this is gonna be good!

Had a great weekend with the Judices! Gosh, we laughed, cried and just picked up where we left off a few years ago. Time goes by way too fast when you're having fun. Hopefully, they will return with their grandson next month for the Finals. Cindy and I will go to the Affair of The Heart! I can't wait for that! It will be so much fun.

Fall is slowly sneaking up on us. Our days have been gorgeous! We will be going to new Hampshire the end of the month for a few days and I can't wait to see all the changing leaves! It is so beautiful this time of year there. Hopefully, I will be able to get some gorgeous pictures to post when I get back. I will once again be on a barn search, too! I love photographing old barns.

Okay, I am off to cook my biscuits! I will try to post some pics...

Barn hunting...

Yesterday was my kinda day! We got up and went to church and then set off for a day of barn hunting. I love old barns...new ones, too! We drove way out in the country past Geary and Calumet. Found some pretty cool stuff out there.

The barns in the New England area are nothing like the barns here. I could spend a week in New Hampshire just photographing my favorite barns and never run out of them. They are old, have character and are everywhere. I plan on doing alot more photographing old barns this next trip home.

The one above was my favorite from my hunt yesterday. I love the colors with the red doors. I have a barn section in my photo album on Facebook where I have placed several of my favorites. I think its funny that we all have different ideas and desires to photograph things that make us happy! Barns happen to do that for me!

We ate lunch yesterday at a Cherokee Trading Post and it was quite yummy. There were buffalo outside grazing, teepees and a wonderful art gallery. Just wish I had had a couple hundred dollars to spend on art work! There were some beautiful cowboy pieces I just fell in love with. Right now I just don't have the room for any pictures...no wall space.

Today I think I might make some pies. Not sure what kind, but I am sure I will find something. I have been really hungry for some kolaches, too. I have everything to make them, too! Decisions, decisions!! Well, I better get going. It is Monday morning after all and I am wasting daylight sitting here...

Saturday...

Such a fun day! Started out by watching some shows I had DVD'd earlier in the week. I love "Say yes To The Dress"! I think I watched about 5 episodes, ate a piece of carrot cake and had some coffee! Finally, got to some laundry! Can't believe how much clothes were piled up in that corner! Geez, it's only two of us! Thank goodness my washer is one of those that fit alot of clothes at a time!

Once David got home from Matt and Lacey's we both had a snack and then got dressed and went to edmond for awhile. I went to the new Balance store and got some new shoes. Mine were just about wore out! I love new Balance. They are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. We had a little supper before we went to Toni's. Jana was there and she is always good company! Toni had made her birthday dinner. So sweet.

Early bedtime tonight. Church in the morning and then home to fold clothes and watch some TV with David or that's the plan anyways!! Okay, I'm outta here...

Peas, please...

I have been craving some pea salad for a couple of days now! So today I made me some. This is the same recipe I have made for years! I've been taking it to family gatherings for years. I do not like some pea salad. Some people put sweet pickles in theirs and that is a no-no!

I will post the recipe and I hope that you will like it and make it for your family. I don't make it often because my husband doesn't like peas. He'll eat it when i do make it, but he will never say, "hey, why don't you make some pea salad!" I just can't understand it is so creamy and so full of flavor! But, that's okay because he eats cucumbers and I can't see how he can do that!

Having a great today! The temp outside today is only in the low 80's and 2 days ago we had 107, so it is quite a reprieve!! No complains from me. The sky is bright blue and a soft wind is blowing...just perfect!!

Anyways, here's the recipe for my pea salad. Let me know if your family liked it, okay...

My Southern Pea Salad

1 can LeSeuere Baby Peas

1 boiled egg

1/8 cup minced onions

1 small jar of pimentos

1/4 cup diced Velveeta cheese

1/4 cup Hellman's mayonnaise

fresh cracked pepper and salt to your taste

Drain the peas and pour into bowl. Add the next ingredients in order given. Gently stir being careful not to crush the peas. Top with additional egg slices and place in refrigerator to cool. Enjoy...

pondering...

Yes, I do that alot! But, man, once I get an idea I just can't sit there with it! One of these days my ideas (and I have alot) will pay off. It like consumes me!! I do research on it as much as I can before I even tell anyone what I have in my little brain!! Man, if I made money off of all of my ideas I would be rich!! Instead I have watched, even a couple here in the city run with my idea, and they are so successful!! First, let me clarify by what I mean. They didn't use MY idea they obviously had theirs, too. It's just so painful to watch someone else doing a business that you have such a passion for. I am so happy for EVERY entrepreneur out there that have for whatever reason ran with their dreams. Successful or failure they are all heroes in my book for just even taking a chance! I envy no one...other peoples success whether big or small only INSPIRES me!!!

Now with all of that off my chest I am ready to move on with my day, ha! Sometimes a girl just has to vent! You know what I mean. I have a stomach bug today not sure why either. As the day progresses it seems to be getting worse. I did eat so maybe that will help. I hope so I hate being under the weather. I will be home tonight again until about 9:30 David is helping our friends, Matt and Lacey, with some electrical work in their new home. So excited for them. they are such great kids!! And their baby, Titus, well let's just say he has already worked his way into my heart!! He's just an infant and precious!

Well, I'm off again. I have had a craving for some good ol' pea salad I think I will make it tomorrow and post the recipe! Be on the lookout for it. It is really good...

monday morning already...

What a fantastic weekend! Just can't understand how times goes by so fast. As a child you wish to get old so quickly and then when you're my age I just wish I could stop time in it's place!! As each day goes by it makes me think about things I should have done and didn't do and things I wish I hadn't of done! I think about how important my family is to me and really that is all that matters in this world! People like me and don't me and it's okay! Because I know my family loves me!! Why I just wrote all of this I am not sure! I guess it was just on my mind this morning!

I have so much to do today. Place some calls this morning to the health department about rules, etc! Boy, there's alot to do when trying to get things done! I am going to keep positive about this pie stuff!! I know there will be road blocks coming my way and just will jump hurdles when I see them!! Things have just been going to smoothly and that usually means trouble in the end, ha!

Talked to my friend Cindy in Texas this morning. She always puts a smile on my face! I can't wait to see her again. She wants a chocolate pie! I told when she comes she'll get one, ha!

Tyler starts first grade today! Man, I can't believe it! I hate that I am missing all these milestones in his life. I sure hope his dad took a bunch of pictures!! At least I will get to see Kennedi start school!! Hopefully, they will not be deployed somewhere else at that time:) I am sure he was so excited to get back with his school buddies! I know he will zip through everything with ease. He's such a bright little boy.

Man, 102 today, that is unreal!! And for the next 4 days it will only be in the 80's!! We need some reprieve from the heat. Poor David works out in that stuff! I think I will have a nice cool salad for supper. He usually doesn't have too much of an appetite when it's that hot out. I am excited that fall is right around the corner! It is my favorite time of year!! The brisk mornings are perfect for a walk and then it warms up a bit during the day and the evening starts cooling off about 5pm, oh, yeah that's nice!! That's what I did love about the fall up north!!

sunday morning...

Well, it started out to be a wonderful day. So much to be happy for and about in my life. My family and my many friends...God is good to me! David and I went to Waffle house for breakfast this morning after going ver to Matt and Lacey's to see if they were ready yet for him to do some electrical work. Peeked in the window and the drywall is still up so hopefully today they will get more stuff done there. It sure is a cute little house, too!

I have so many things going on in my life right now I don't know if I am coming or going! It's all good stuff!! Just ideas and where to take them and man it is getting confusing. Feel so great after my meeting on Friday with the officers at the Salvation Army! They were so encouraging and made me feel good about my new project. I'm just getting older by the day and I hate the thought that someday I will not be able to do what I want to. I do not believe all of the ideas I get are from my own thinking. I believe in a higher power and I believe with all my heart that God has a wonderful plan for me with my new venture!!

Got to talk to my grandbabies this morning and that makes me real happy! Gosh, I wish I had more!! Candi told me she could have sworn that Kennedi said "gigi" this morning! Isn't that the coolest. I miss them all so much. Finally, found a little tea set for Kennedi for her first birthday! It is so cute with little ladybugs on it. I will buy her another one when she is older. Hopefully, this will be a small keepsake for her for when she's older and maybe she can pass it on down to her daughter someday. I always plan way ahead, ha! ha!

Okay, I am off to do some sewing! I hope my little project turns out, if so I hope to sell them. But for now it's a secret!! If it does turn out I will post a picture...so keep checking back!! Have a blessed day everyone...

Concert...

Had a great time last at brooks and Dunn's Last Rodeo Tour! It's a shame that we will never see these guys again! They just seemed so personable, you know like they could be your best friend! The crowd was electric and the music, well, that needs no explanation! Posted some pics on facebook this morning and just thought about the fun we had.

It was a sold out crowd (no surprise!) and Miranda Lambert tore it up, too!! She was great! I would go see her again in a heartbeat!! I think her and Blake make the cutest couple!!

I have to go to Toys 'R' Us this morning to see if I can find my granddaughter her very first tea set from her gigi and papa!! I hope they have some cute ones to choose from. It is so much fun buying a girl this time around!! I can't tell you the amount of money I have spent on airplanes and Hot Wheel Monster trucks!! The boy has over 100 I'm sure!! But yet, if I see one of a different color or a different airline I snatch it up!!

Okay, so I'm off after I finish this cup of coffee to see what kind of trouble I can get in to today...me never!!

Happy Birthday, Kennedi!!

Well, Today is my first granddaughter's birthday!! She's a whole 1 year old! I am sad I didn't get to spend it with her, though. Darn, that military! Her daddy did post some pics though on facebook, but it is just not the same. Although, I was just with her about 10 days ago, I still miss her so much.

I put up some of my favorite b&w photos of the two of us having fun. She has such a cute disposition about her and can make some of the funniest faces! Hmmm, I wonder who she gets that from? If I recall I have a whole folder titled "The Many Faces of Tybo" on my Facebook page!

Anyway, Happy Birthday sweetie!! gigi and papa love you so very much and can't wait for you to move back home! I tell you being a grandparent is the coolest thing in the world. My heart breaks for mom's out there who will never have grandchildren to cuddle and love. They just hold such a special place in your heart that one cannot explain. No parent should be robbed of having grandkids!!

Had my meeting today with the Captain's at Salvation Army and left there so encouraged!! I have a feeling within the month I will be able to sell my pies!! They were both so concerned and answered all of my questions and seemed so eager to help me get started. I look so forward to working with them. I will continue to prayer for God's blessings!!

Going to get ready now for my Brook's and Dunn concert with hubby! I love date night and this is a special date!! I love anything I get to do with David! We have the best together and he truly is my very best bud...

just another day in paradise...

Well, had a fun day baking yesterday!! Turned on my music channel listened to some 60's and 70's and danced!! I love being in my kitchen. I made coconut, peaches and cream and plain old vanilla cupcakes yesterday. Talk about smelling good in my house. I went out once to check my mail and when I was walking back up that aroma hit me and of course I had to come in and try one out, ha!

Today at 11 I have an interview with the Salvation Army on the use of their kitchen for my pie business!! I am stoked about it. But, I also understand that the outcome may not be in my favor and if so there will be no sadness on my part! It would just mean that God has a different plan!! So I will go in with confidence and see what happens!

Tonight we are going to see Brooks and Dunn on their Last Rodeo Tour. Can't wait we have great seats and I know it will be alot of fun!! OKC does have some good concerts! Plus, the bonus is I only live about 6 miles from where everyone plays! So getting home is quick!!

I might call the lady I clean for and see if she wants to go to lunch today, too! She is just precious and I really enjoy her company tremendously. There's just something about the elderly they all have a story to tell and if the youth of today would just pay attention:)

Well, gonna get outta for now and see what kind of trouble I can get into...I kid, I kid!!

Just checking in...

Gosh, I haven't been here in so long! Lots of traveling these past few weeks. Had a wonderful, wonderful time with the family in Germany and Spain. I still have to pinch myself somedays and make sure this is all for real!! I never would have dreamed being a small girl from South Texas would ever go to the exotic places that I go to. I know my world will come crashing down once my kids come back to the states:( My passport will probably go in my safe deposit box and will probably never be used again. Unfortunately, my husband is not one to fly!! So my chances of going over there again are pretty slim! But, but, we are gong to try to get him to go over there next year and go back to that same resort and to go to Paris while we are there!! He would enjoy it so much and it would mean so much to me!! Wow, spending a day in Paris with my husband in the Eiffel Tower...gives me goos bumps just thinking about it!! Guess, I better get to praying!!

Had company for dinner last night, Matt and Lacey and their beautiful new baby boy, Titus! He's just adorable!! They are coming over again to day and I am doing some pictures of the baby for them! Can't wait...

I have been so hungry for some cupcakes! I think today is a good day to make some. I bought some fresh peaches yesterday so maybe I'll make some Peaches and Cream and some good ol' vanilla ones!! I have a meeting tomorrow with the Salvation Army about my pies! I am so excited about it I woke up about this morning thinking about it and couldn't go back to sleep!! I just hope I say the right things and leave there with a signed contract!! Hopefully, The Pie Plate will be up and running here very soon!

Booked our tickets for next month to go back to New Hampshire!! So very excited about that!! Hope, to be able to spend more time with Sam this time. She had to work the whole time we were there last time:( OH, yes and go back to Home Goods!! My new favorite store! Gosh, I wish we had one here. They carry alot of white dishes which I love.

Well, I guess I had better get to cooking!! I will try to post some pictures of the finished products!! I bought some material yesterday, too! So we'll see what happens, not sure if my sewing skills have left me or not!! Tah- tah for now...

Headin' to Germany

Wow, I can't believe I leave tomorrow! I haven't even unpacked my other suitcase from New hampshire yet! It's all good though because I am just taking very few clothes and using only a carry-on. Makes going through customs so easy!!

I really am excited about Spain, too!! Well, I've Never Been To Spain, hmmm, how many remember that song! I think it even mentions Oklahoma in there, too, go figure!! Can't wait to squeeze the kiddos and steal all those moochies!! Okay, so until I get back this will be all for now...

Home From New Hampshire!!

Wow, such a great time! I hated to leave. Just wish we had about a couple of weeks to stay there. The weather was great and of course seeing family and spending time together is always nice! Everyone looked great and they all looked exactly the same! We actually got to see alot of David's old friends that we weren't even planning on seeing. Which is always nice.

Had a big family dinner which I prepared (with joy in my heart) and I made a couple of pies for dessert. The only one we didn't get to see was Brittany. She was working. Only got to see sam once and that was at breakfast:( It is so hard when everyone has to work. Hopefully, she will come and see us at Thanksgiving! If she moved to San Marcos that would even be sweeter!!

Now to unpack and put stuff away, ugh! I am leaving for Germany on Thursday morning bright and early. Then with the rest of the family we head out Saturday for Majorca, Spain!! I can't wait to spend time with those adorable grandchildren of mine!! Oh, the hugs and kisses that will be shared by all!!

I will put up more pictures at a later date probably when I get back. So until then...

Note from NH...

So sad:( We head to New Jersey tomorrow and leave New Hampshire behind. It has been so stinking much fun. Saw everybody we wanted to see except for our niece Brittney. Met some new wonderful friends, had a great dinner with all the family and did some site seeing, too! Time flies when you're a havin' fun!!

We plan on definitely making a trip out here in October! The leaves will be changing and brrr it will be cold!! We are hoping and praying that Toni will get to come out as well!! While here we saw where Davey and Angela will be getting married!! What a beautiful place!.. We had the pleasure of meeting her sister Carolyn and boyfriend, Shawn as well as her parents, Diane and Dick. Such a lovely family!! You can tell they just adore their future son-in-law as much as enjoy our future daughter-in-law! Can't wait for the big day...June 11, 2011!!!

I think you are supposed to journal on this everyday, right? Well, I have been traveling and haven't had much time to do any writing that's for sure! We are in New Hampshire right now visiting with family. Having a great time. Just wish we could stay longer:( Had a huge family dinner last night and afterwards we tried to sit by a fire in the back yard, but the skeeters were out in full force. They won the battle.

David and I along with Davey are gonna go to the flume today. I am so excited to do this. I hope to get some really great pics up there. I have seen pics from others and tit is really pretty! Hopefully, we won't be going into any mountains that are really high. You know me.

Tomorrow is girls day out!! So excited for that! The guys are all going hiking in the mountains and us girlies are hittin' the stores, yeehaw!! I haven't set foot in a store in about a week now. I'm having withdrawls!!

We are heading out to New York City on Friday morning. I can't wait to see that!! Then it's on to see a lifelong friend of my husband's, Kirk!! I am so excited to meet him. David hasn't seen him in over 20 years. So it should be alot of fun. Sounds like he's a great cook too from what I am hearing! Do I hear cook-off?

I am off to the back porch for a little prayer time alone before the rest of the family wakes up. It is so pretty out there, too. Great prayer area! Fountains, birds, gargantuan trees and the sun is shining so brightly!! See ya in a few....

Good morning! We are deciding today whether or not to take off to the east coast. The decision involves work, time and pets. We love our doggies, but boy when you have to leave town it can becomes a huge problem. Several have been asking for my recipe for Italian Cream cake. This is really moist as with all Italian cream cakes it does take a few extra steps, but the result is worth it! This will be my first post with a picture so I sure hope it works the way I want it to. I bake mine in a bundt pan rather that the three layered cake that it usually is. Oh, and don't forget on the frosting be sure not make the frosting too runny or it won't stay on the cake. The weight of the pecans will pull it right off of the sides! I hope you enjoy it!...

Italian Cream Cake

2 cups of sugar

1 stick of butter

1/2 Crisco

1 tsp. vanilla

5 egg yolks (add them one at a time)

1 cup buttermilk

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 1/2 cups of coconut

1 cup chopped pecans

Frosting:

8 oz. soft cream cheese

1/2 stick of butter

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. of butter flavoring

3/4 cup of chopped pecans

1 box of powdered sugar

I find that if you have all the ingredients measured and ready to go prior to starting it goes much smoother!

Preheat oven to 350. Pour buttermilk into a bowl and add the baking soda and set aside.

Beat the egg whites until stiff and set aside.

Cream the butter, shortening and salt. Add egg yolks one at a time, beat until blended after each one and then add the vanilla. Add the flour and the buttermilk and mix on low speed. Once blended add the pecans and coconut. Mix until incorporated. Gently fold in beaten egg whites. Batter will be thick and light. Scrape the batter into your prepared pans that have been sprayed well with Pam. You can use round cake pans, a 13 x 9 pan or my choice is a Bundt pan.

Bake for approximately 30 to 35 minutes depending which pan you are using.

For the frosting:

Cream the cream cheese, butter, vanilla and butter flavoring. Add the sugar a cup at a time until well blended. Add 3/4 cup of pecans and mix until coated. Add frosting to cooled cake.

I hope you enjoy it...

blueberries...

Goodness, today at Wally World they had "quarts" of blueberries for $1.00!! That's an amazing price. I bought 6 of 'em. I made a blueberry cobbler for hubby awhile ago and it was yummmmy! We had it with vanilla ice cream. I dished it up right when it came out of the oven. A lil' piece of heaven in a bowl!! I love any kind of berries, dew berries, raspberries, blackberries, I love 'em all.

I'm off to bed early tonight, didn't sleep good last night. Truthfully, I think it's my pillow. Anyways, I'm going to get up early in the morning and see if I can figure out how to put pics on this blog. Then I will be one happy girl...

My Blueberry Cobbler

4 cups fresh blueberries

1 cup sugar

2 tbsp. lemon juice

2 1/2 tbsp. cornstarch

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/8 tsp. nutmeg

1 cup flour

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

3 tbsp. cold butter

3/4 cup buttermilk

Mix the blueberries with the sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir until mixed in. Pour this into baking dish coated with Pam.

Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and 1/4 cup of sugar. Whisk around and then cut in the butter using a fork or a pastry blender until coarse crumbs appear. Stir in the buttermilk just until it is moistened. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto the berries, pressing some down into the berries.

Bake uncovered at 375 for about 30 to 35 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Serve piping hot with vanilla ice cream and just indulge!!

Super day today!!

What fun I had today! Didn't start out that way though! Actually, it was one of those days where I should have crawled back in bed and stayed for awhile and then get up again! Couldn't find a whisk I was looking for, forgot to toast the coconut I so desperately needed for a pie and then before leaving realized I hadn't let one of the dogs out yet! But, as the morning progressed it got much better.

Delivered two pies and an Italian Cream Cake for one of my clients. She was thrilled!! I'll call her later on tonight and see how they were. I am going to try to put the recipe for the cake on here in a minute with a picture, too. It will be my first attempt at doing so. Hope it works. Tah, tah for now...

off to the kitchen...

I have to bake 2 pies today and one Italian Cream Cake for one of my clients. She's a jewel. I am gonna have to run to the store first and get some apples. I only have three and that would be a very small pie!!

It's gonna be really hot out today, so I mind as well be in where it's nice and cool! 97 for a high today, but we all know here in Oklahoma that it will definitely be hotter than that. I bet we see 100 plus today. I'll let you know about that.

Let's get Going...

Okay, I always wanted to do this sort of thing...so why not today!! I just want a place to write my thoughts on everything. It will probably be about food and just my daily life. I hope it works, we'll just have to see.