Mac & Cheese

I know there are a hundred mac and cheese recipes out there, but this is a family favorite.

Macaroni and Cheese
½ pound Velvetta
2 cups whole milk
2 heaping tablespoons flour
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 ½ cups macaroni ~ large elbow is best (penne is also good)
cheddar cheese ~ optional (you can use sharp, med, normal, whatever you choose.

Melt butter and add flour to make a paste. Add velvetta cut up in pieces and milk, cook until thick stirring constantly. Pour over cooked macaroni and blend a little. Bake at 300 degrees for about 30 minutes. (Can be topped with some grated cheddar cheese or can even mix some in with the original mix)

Mine always turns out better if I make it ahead and let it completely cool, even overnight in the fridge. Then bake it. "Sets" better.

Death of a Saint

. . . at least she was to me. My precious Godmother passed away early Monday morning. We actually lost her to Alzheimer's first, but her death came as a blessing for her. So instead of grieving and feeling sorry for myself, I've decided to share what a wonderful person she was and be "thankful" this Thanksgiving.

Well known and well respected in her community and a Chiropractor for 43 years, she was the most gracious, loving, and giving person in my life. Because she had no children of her own, she considered me her daughter and always treated me like one (the good and the bad!!!).

As my mom's best friend, she opened her home to us when my parents divorced and from the time I was 13, we lived with her. After I married and moved out at 22, my mom continued to live with her until her untimely death 20 years ago.

Needless to say, she became even more of a mom then and continued to be these past 20 years. As mentioned earlier, her Alzheimer's took her mind away much too soon. She knew she knew me, but did not know who I was.

If I took the time to write about what she did for others throughout her lifetime, it would be a novel. We will celebrate her life today and bury her tomorrow in her South Georgia hometown alongside her parents.

So again, I will be thankful today for having her in my life as long as I did and know that I will see her again someday, along with the rest of my family that's gone before me.

Also, thanks to my bloggin' friend Jenn, who put a lovely prayer request for me on her blog. I love you, too.

Recipe Roll

I've decided to post some recipes. I will attempt to post a new one a week at least!

This is a great, quick dessert! It's super simple, too!!!!

Pecan - Pineapple Cream Pie
1 graham cracker crust
1 8 - oz. carton cool whip
½ cup lemon juice
1 can eagle brand milk
1 small can crushed pineapple (drained)
1 cup chopped pecans
Mix all ingredients and chill at least 2-3 hours. Overnight is better.

Just stuff!

I read something today that said there are only 41 days left before Christmas. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? What happened to June when I ordered that wonderful book from Leisure Arts to do some homemade gifts. You know, make this Christmas special, make homemade cards, bake, get everything done early ~ yada, yada, yada. I've bought exactly five gifts and that was just accidental! There is also a counter available for your blog that counts down the days until Christmas. I will NOT be adding that to my blog ~ it will just remind me of what I've not accomplished!

I think I'll go dig that book out, wipe off the dust and see what can be done PDQ!!!!

What a night!!!

Last night, I had the polysomnography test for sleep apnea. If you click on the link to polysomnography, there is a pic of a little boy all "hooked up". That is what I looked like, just bigger!!!!! It was a trip. I was scheduled to arrive at the clinic at 9pm. I changed clothes, watched a 20 minute video about the test, and then just flipped through the TV channels trying to relax (of course I was taping Betty and Gray's at home)!!!

The nurse came in and commenced (that's a word here, just like fixin' to) to hook me up!! Every place that had a sensor hooked to it on my body had to have a tiny amount of exfoliator applied, then wiped with alcohol, then glued on.

At that point, it was time to hit the hay. I attempted to sleep. hahahahhahahahahahaha, not. At sheep number 927 I laughed at myself and pushed the call button to tell them I had to use the restroom. At that point I realized that I had been so tense my shoulders and neck were beginning to cramp. After getting back in the bed I turned over and finally went to sleep for a while, I assume.

The nurse came in to wake me and unhook me. One of the things they don't want you to have is a clock. You have to fill out a questionnaire in the morning asking how much and how well you feel like you slept. So I ASSUMED (dummy) that it was about 6:30 or so.

She walked me to the front door and watched me to my car. I started my car and the clock read 5:35. WHAT??????? Are you kidding me???????? No wonder I feel like I've been run over by a car and actually kinda look that way, too. So me and my very sticky head went home and went to bed. Hubby rolled over and grunted at me!!! Love you, too sweetum!!! I slept a couple of hours and got up to wash the glue off of my body and hair. That was interesting to say the least. Then was only 30 minutes late to work.

At this point, I am leaving work because I am quickly fading. My body feels like I've begun an exercise program and it's the first day. I can assure you, I've NOT BEGUN exercising!!!!!

Buggy!

I failed to share one of the exciting events on Monday night's trip to Atlanta. After our great time with Jan Karon, we decided to continue our literary journey by eating at a popular Atlanta restaurant that is named after a restaurant mentioned in the book To Kill a Mockingbird.

We were on a roll, got out of the Carter Center in record time and there was no waiting at the restaurant. We were seated and had our sweet tea (which has at least three syllables around these parts and is required drinking).

I looked across the restaurant and saw a bug scurrying up the wall. I kept my mouth shut because I did not want to ruin every one's evening, realizing that this is something that can happen and it is not a norm at this particular restaurant. A little later I saw something else on the floor just beside my foot. OH MY!!!! I DID mention this one and all of us just took deep breaths and put our feet up a little.

Just after, part of the food was delivered. We said our prayer and the first three that were served took their first bites. As the second round of plates was set on the table a bug scurried across the tabletop. Have I mentioned that the "bug" was a big, black roach about the size of my pinky???????

THAT WAS IT. Amazingly, a table of 6 women were unbelievably calm , not even any shrieking. The waitress saw it as well and threw a napkin over it and grabbed it. She was mortified to say the least and began apologizing. She offered to move us, remake our food and of course, let us eat for free. As she left to get a manager we decided just to leave ~ thank you very much!!!!!!!

The manager came out and was NOT very nice. He said, "Hey ladies, we will move you and replate your food, okay?" I DON'T THINK SO, SIR!!!!!! Actually I very politely thanked him and said we were just going to go. He shrugged his shoulders, turned and walked away. EXCUSE ME!!!!!!

The waitress seemed embarrassed and I told her how much we appreciated her. To offer a little levity to this disaster I told the waitress that since they were known for their huge desserts, she should just dip it in chocolate and call it The Special of the night!!!!! She did laugh and seemed to appreciate our humor in the whole situation.

Now, to make myself and the others feel better, I've spent the last 2 days trying to convince myself that there was only one bug and I saw him/her three times. You agree, don't you?????

Meeting Jan Karon!!!

WOW ~ what fun!!! I went with five of my book club members to the Carter Center in Atlanta to meet Jan Karon Monday night. If you've not read the Mitford books, you have missed a treasure!!! http://www.mitfordbooks.com/ She is absolutely beautiful, graceful, well spoken and funny! Jan has begun a new series about Father Tim. The first book is Home to Holly Springs. I HIGHLY recommend reading the Mitford books before beginning this one. If you are a book on tape fan, listen to them. Jan reads the first few. You will fall in love with Mitford and it's residents.