Gone to the Dogs....

Meet my girls..... Trixie & Lucy.   

We've always had dogs, mostly labs.   My husband, Gary, and I raised three sons.  We made a conscious decision to raise our boys out in the country.  Over the years, along with our sons, we  also raised a whole tribe of assorted large, outside dogs.     Most of them were rescued or inherited from one place or another.  Anyone who knows me can tell you I pretty much prefer dogs over people.   I have a heart for animal rescue.   These beautiful four-legged souls depend on us to be their voices, their hands & their advocates.  In return, they give us unconditional love, loyalty & devotion.    But it wasn't until my kids were almost grown that we added some sweet little inside dogs to our family.  

Trixie is 13 years old and was "rescued" from a friend's newly divorced daughter who was overwhelmed by 2 small children.  The kids were doing their best to stretch this sweet little wiener dog from 1 ft to 3 ft.     My husband, Gary, had always had a "no dogs in the house" rule.  For some reason, even though I'd grown up with a sweet little dog sleeping at my feet every night, I went along with it.  Probably because I was too busy raising 3 human boys at the time.     But all that changed the day I got a frantic call from my long time friend.   She was in tears.  Between dealing with her devastated daughter, who just lost her marriage, as well as taking care of 2 small grandchildren, she was overwhelmed.  I heard myself telling her to bring Trixie on over.  At first, I told Gary that she was just staying "for a short time" to help out my friend & to save the dog from being physically harmed.   He grumbled a bit but somehow sensed I wasn't budging.  (After all these years, he knows how to pick his battles.) After a few weeks turned into a few months he finally caught on.  My evil plan had worked!! (insert evil laughter here)  By that time he had fallen in love with Trixie.   She was a snuggle buddy in his recliner every night.   He pretended to be grumpy about it but when he thought I wasn't listening, I could hear him baby talking to her.  LOL    Trixie is the sweetest dog I've ever met.  She LOVES to be loved on.

Our second addition came only 3 years ago.  I got a call from a friend who knew a breeder who had a "last of the litter" mini-dachshund that was born with a broken tail.   The breeder was trying to decide whether to euthanize the puppy as "defective".  If she didn't euthanize her, she was planning to use her as a "breeder" dog.  I knew that meant she would spend her life in a small play-pen giving birth to litter after litter of puppies.  She was leaning toward not keeping her because potential buyers didn't like to see defective mothers.    Defective?   Her tail was just broken!  I know there are responsible breeders out there, but this was yet another reason I will never, ever, buy from a breeder.  It was the day before Christmas Eve & I knew time was of the essence.   I took off work & drove into the middle of nowhere.  It was over an hours drive to an area I probably couldn't even get back to if I tried.   I swooped in and even paid the breeder to take the sweetest little black & tan puppy off her hands.   Yes, her tail looked like the "flag-up" on a mailbox, but her life was precious!     I named her Lucy after my sweet mother-in-law.     When I drove back home that afternoon, I figured I'd just brace myself for the storm to come.  (I think after 30 years I've learned it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.)   Once again, the grumbling ensued, but Lucy was the cutest little puppy you ever saw and it only took Gary about 2 days to fall in love with her.   

Fast forward 3 years later and to hear him talk, these are HIS baby girls.. haha     He even tries to plan our vacations around pet friendly places.   He brings them out every morning and evening and LOVES them unconditionally.   Heck, I'm not sure if it was  between me or them, that he would choose me!!  Trixie & Lucy are 2 of the most spoiled princesses in the neighborhood!

Gary & are very involved in animal rescue and a local no-kill shelter, as are many of my friends.  I LOVE dog people. I've picked up hungry dogs on the side of the road.  I've chased frightened dogs down the highway.   Of course my stories are tame compared to one of my sweetest friends, Charlene.  She has a passion for animal rescue that makes me so proud of her.  Some of her stories are equally hilarious/borderline illegal!   But ALL in the best interest of a sweet dog.  Personally, I will NEVER pay for a specific breed of dog again.   RESCUE IS MY BREED OF CHOICE.   I can't imagine life without my "girls".   

If you're thinking about an animal, contact your local shelter.   Rescue dogs make the BEST pets ever!!

Take good care,

Cindy

Hallelujah Chicken!

So it's January and, of course, time to eat less & move more.  It's so hard to diet in Louisiana.  As you've probably heard our 4 seasons are:  Hurricane, Football, Mardi Gras & Crawfish Seasons!   Each one with their very own delightful assortment of wonderful foods and drinks.   As soon as the Christmas cookies are gobbled up, the King Cakes come parading out! 

That being said, my husband and I both need to lose a few pounds & get healthy.    Luckily, my husband, Gary, will pretty much eat anything I serve him.   Due to our mild winters, I keep the Weber grill going year round.   Our dinners usually consist of grilled tilapia or chicken with a good salad and roasted potatoes.     We eat a LOT of chicken.  I mean a LOT.   One of my favorite ways to cook chicken is grilling it whole.  Hallelujah style!

When my local Winn Dixie puts whole fryers on sale, I usually buy 3 or 4 of them & cook them all on the grill on the weekend.    We start eating one that day and I wrap the others really well in heavy duty aluminum foil for the freezer.  I'm generally NOT a person who enjoys frozen food but these freeze really well.    Pop them straight from the freezer in the foil into a 350 preheated oven for about 30 minutes and they are just as good (if not better) than fresh off the grill!

I call them "Hallelujah Chickens" because they look like they are having church all lined up in the pan.  LOL    Yes, I know I'm a bit throwed off sometimes, but that's just what they look like.  PLUS, it beats what lots of folks call it: Beer-Butt Chicken.

Hallelujah Chicken:

Hallelujah Chicken

I don't stick to a hard & fast recipe..but generally this is what I do (recipe for one chicken):

1 can beer (brand not important but don't use lite beer)

1/3 jar Cajun Injector (or any brand) Creole Butter

1/4 cup melted butter

1/3 can sprite or 7up (not diet)

Any other type of liquid flavoring you might enjoy (i.e. liquid smoke, flavored beer, etc.)

Tony Chachere's (or other any type of cajun seasoning) to taste

Salt & Pepper to taste

Preheat grill to around 300 degrees. 

OKAY-- you don't HAVE to use the can holders..but it makes it much easier.  Plus it gives you something to grab when the chickens are hot while cooking if you need to move them around the grill a bit.   I have 2 types.. a black iron one that ROCKS... it cooks chicken much faster than the smaller wireframe ones..but I generally only use this if I'm cooking only 1 chicken because I want them to all be done at the same time.   The cast iron ones are more expensive, but worth the price.  You can find these at most hardware stores.  I'm pretty sure they carry the wire ones at Walmart.

ANYWAY.... clean out your chicken "hollows"... (can't bring myself to call it a cavity..just sounds too morbid).   I coat my chicken hollows with Tony Chacheres (the salt & pepper of the south).. But you can really use your imagination.  Just put some seasoning down in that hole.   Then cover the entire chicken with it as well.    

 NOW for the mixture to put into the can:

Pour out (OR better yet DRINK) about 2/3rs of the beer.. add in 1/3 can of the Cajun Injector Creole Butter...and finish filling the can with 7up.  The goal is to have a full can (1/3 beer, 1/3rd creole butter, 1/3rd 7up).  You can add in any flavors you might like.  

Use your imagination.  My son, Caleb, drinks Woodchuck Hard Cider.  I had some in the pool fridge, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. It created a great slightly sweet flavor.   NOTE: if you don't have access to the creole butter, just melt some butter and infuse it with some garlic, add in a little EVO and your good!

Make sure to pull the tab off the cans completely and then put the can down into the holder.

Then set your chickens in the "hallelujah position" on top of the cans.   Careful..don't SPILL the cans after drinking all that beer!

Take what's left of the Cajun Injector Creole Butter and pour over top of the chickens, along with the melted butter.  You can also rub in a little EVO.   Make sure entire chicken is slathered with greasy goodness!

This is what they should look like once finished.  

The liquid in the cans will create a wonderfully flavored steam coming up through the chicken hollows and keep the meat very moist as it cooks.

(NOTE: You can do all these steps the NIGHT BEFORE and keep them in the fridge until you cook the next day. It's even BETTER that way!)

AS far as timing goes... you need to get your core temperature to at least 180 degrees for about 1/2 an hour.   For this you NEED an insertable meat thermometer.

We generally cook 4 birds at a time and it takes us about 4 hours, low & slow.   Once the chicken is cooked long enough the internal temperature should reach 180 degrees F.  Let it continue cooking for about 30 more mins & stick a fork in it...it's done!  NOTE: If in doubt, give the drumstick a tug..it should be easy to separate from the rest of the bird.   

I generally grill mine IN a large pan to keep the drippings from catching my grill on fire..that allows me to go back inside and drink more beer rather than sitting alongside the grill fighting fires for a few hours.    BUT at the end, I like to put directly on the grill for about 10 minutes.  It crisps up the skin. 

This is the golden, delicious chicken that comes out:

The outside of the bird is crispy and inside the meat is tender & juicy.  We usually eat one now & I let the rest cool, wrap in heavy coat of heavy duty aluminum foil & pop into the freezer.   Later when I want to add chicken to a salad,  make a pan of enchiladas or dumplins, I'll take it out and heat it thru in the oven (350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes).   The reheated birds are actually more tasty than the original if that's possible.

This chicken will leave you wanting more & .......well, shouting Hallelujah!!!!  

ENJOY!!!

Take good care,

Cindy

Touchdowns, Tackles & Tears....

My heart is literally broken that the chances for another Black & Gold Superbowl are not in the cards for us this year.  

But, I'm soo freakin' proud of Drew Brees and the entire Saints football team.  They played with class & worked hard for each & every single yard OF each & every single game.  They played with heart.   Let's not forget that Brees broke NFL records for passing yards, as well as shattering other records.

As anyone who knows me can tell you, I love, love love Drew Brees.  I admire the way he carries himself.  He's not only a great football player, but a great husband & father.  He's a Christian man who is humble and treats others according to the golden rule.   He may not be "in your face" about his beliefs, but he lives it each & every day in the way he deals with his job & life.    I don't know Drew Brees personally but I've been praying for him, his family & his team for years and will continue to do so.

When San Francisco pulled off that last minute TD tonight I didn't cry until the camera panned onto Drew's face. When I saw his glimmering eyes fighting off the tears, I lost it.   What a warrior!

And yes, I do realize that in the big picture of life..it is, after all, ONLY a football game.  But we all should be passionate about something and football is one of those passions for me.   I will continue to pray for my Saints & Drew Brees over the next off season and there's always next year....... THAT IS, UNLESS the Mayans were right after all!   

I wish best of luck to the remaining teams in the playoffs...... oh, heck, who am I kidding?  They can all just SUCK IT!     WHAT??? 

WHO DAT!??????!!!

take good care,

Cindy

The little salad that could.....

This is one of my favorite little salads to throw together.   It's not too heavy & a delicious family favorite.  

Ingredients:

Salad greens (I'm admittedly somewhat of a lettuce snob.   I usually use a mixture of leafy green, spring mix &/or baby spinach.  It really doesn't matter which type but I find it best using something other than regular iceberg.  In fact, the ONLY salad I generally make with iceberg is a blue cheese wedge). 

Add some:

Feta or gorgonzola cheese (crumbled)

Cranberries  or Craisins

Chopped purple onion (some of ya'll northern folks call it a red onion..but we in the south know it's purple)

Chopped nuts of some type.  I LOVE to add pecans for a southern flair. Walnuts are also excellent in this salad.

You can also add some durkees fried onions and some great croutons (I love cracked black pepper & sea salt)

Mix it up with our favorite vinegarette.  This is my latest obsession.  

It's a tad pricey..but OH SO FRESH and delish.  PLUS you get all those wonderful health benefits of pomegranate. 

This is just a simple, great all around salad to have with any meal.  

Bon appetite!

Take good care,

Cindy

Nearer My God to Thee

for Anita, Cody, Andrew, Frank, Lisa & Joseph

Freedom

Life is a fragile state.  It’s like thin glass with cracks forever forming.  We should treat the package of life with care and proper handling.  Making sure we try to keep the “THIS END UP”…..well up.

These past few weeks I have lost friends or friends of friends in record numbers.  Those who have passed were old, young &  in between.    Particularly hard was a long time friend & 2 young men in their late teens and early 20s with separate automobile accidents.

At times like this we lower our heads into our hands and cover our ears.   We simply cannot process such a thing.  One day there is vibrant energy.  One day there is laughter & brightness and a future and the next there is only silence.  How can that be?   

A few times in my life I’ve received what I consider a WORD from God.  An epiphany.   A mental picture in my mind or words so clearly spoken to my soul that I can bring them back into my remembrance years later with little or no effort at all.  Thoughts that were not created by me & sometimes not even sought out, but gifts from a place higher than myself.  These were eternal, ethereal thoughts.

Several years ago I woke from a dream and I had a KNOWING.   That’s the best way to describe it.   I just knew something that I didn’t before.  A question I hadn’t even asked.  A fact I hadn’t sought out.  It sounds so simplistic on paper.  The thought that I KNEW that life is not what we are truly striving for.  Our true goal in this life is to get to the next stop on our journey.  Our souls are brought here to experience and to love, and to hate and to forgive, and to learn, and to grow.  But our crowning glory will be when we finally get released from this life.  When our souls can rejoin God.

This may not seem like a new idea to many.  This may not seem like an epiphany at all to some.  When I write it down, it’s not the same as the vision I had.  It’s missing the clarity, the brightness, the impact.  But words are restrictive.  Words are one dimensional, but they are the tools we’ve been given. 

That being said, this epiphany doesn’t make me less appreciative of life.  It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t savor every moment of this life and appreciate it’s wonderment, but it removes all fear.  Before this KNOWING I realized I was living a very guarded life.  I grew up in a constant state of fear on some level or another. Fear of weather. Fear of the atom bomb.  Fear of losing those I loved.  Fear of dying in some form or fashion.  My behavior was affected.  I wouldn’t ride a roller coaster. I wouldn’t ride a motorcycle. I would nervously watch the weather when it clouded up.   I was afraid of wasting this beautiful life.  When I had kids my fear just multiplied & amplified.  I was now worried about more lives.   I’m a worrier and I come from a long line of worriers.  This gift of KNOWING from God took away my fear.  It RELEASED me.  It literally changed my life.  My vision expanded into limitless possibilities.  It’s a knowing that our entire existence on this earth is about living….about staying alive, about fighting for life & breath.  That is as it should be.  Life IS a gift not to be taken lightly.  A gift we don’t get twice, or maybe we do, but not with the same people or in the same time.   I believe some folks have older souls than others.  Does that mean they’ve spent more time with God before he gave them an earthly body?  Does that mean they’ve lived before and got other chances at life?  I’m not sure about either of these things.  Sometimes my Christian friends seemed shocked that I think this way.  But nothing in this takes away my belief in God and in redemption through Christ.  I think so many of us make our God fit into a very small, narrow box.  But I KNOW that he is so much bigger than my small mind can comprehend.

Does this take the sting out of our loss?  Does it take away the sadness, emptiness or pain of losing someone?  I don’t think so.  What it does is give HOPE & PEACE & LIFE to those of us who are left behind.

Take good care,
Cindy

Inspiration

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me, Black as the Pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul. In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud. Under the bludgeonings of chance My head is bloody, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the Horror of the shade, And yet the menace of the years Finds, and shall find, me unafraid. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll. I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul. William Ernest Henley

Does God laugh?

A POLISH CHICKEN.......WHO SAYS God doesn't have a sense of humor?  

The Greatest Generation two point 0?

We've all heard about "The Greatest Generation".  Folks my grandparents age who lived through the horrors of World War II.  It always amazes me how this great country came together with rations, victory gardens & scrap drives.   Folks from all walks of life, old, young, rich, poor went out of their way to do the right thing.   EVERYBODY did it.  It was just expected. It was the right thing to do!

 Rosie the Riveter went to work when all the men went off to war.   

Everyone from school children to celebrities were happy to help.   I realize that a great evil was in the world at that time and although we aren't fighting Nazis or fascism, we are fighting a war.   America is fighting poverty and a terrible economy.   I saw an episode last week of one of those news magazine shows about an entire town that has basically been wiped off the map due to loss of manufacturing jobs.   When are we, as American citizens, going to wake up?  Are we waiting for the government to step in as they did in WWII to encourage it's citizens to help ourselves?   I don't think that's going to happen.  And let's face it, even if it did in this day and age we are such a jaded generation would we actually participate?  

What is the answer?  I don't know.  But I do know that thousands of our jobs are going overseas for cheaper manufacturing.  Why? I believe the answer is simple:  Greed.  Companies can make more money by cheaper labor.  As a result, our countrymen are suffering.

I think we need a renewed grass-roots effort in this country to BUY AMERICAN MADE PRODUCTS!  If we demanded it, the manufacturing companies would have to follow our needs/demands.  Our country is a HUGE consumer group.   We are shooting ourselves in the foot each & every time we go to the store and buy something made in China or another foreign country.   

Okay, I won't stay on this soapbox long.  After all, I'm as guilty as the next person.  But my New Year's Resolution for 2012 is BUY AMERICAN!  We've trained ourselves to look at food labels for fat/calorie content & preservatives for health reasons.  Let's now train ourselves to look for that MADE IN THE USA tag.  In the end we only have ourselves to blame if we don't become more independent and bring jobs back to our cities and neighborhoods. 

Maybe we need some celebrities to get on board?    Who would you like to see stepping on this bandwagon?  If it was COOL to buy American Made, we couldn't keep folks away!  

Just my thoughts...thanks for listening!

Take good care,

Cindy

They call him the Brees....

CONGRATULATIONS to my favorite athlete, QB Drew Brees.  He broke a long standing record for the most yards in passing tonight.    Even better, he was IN THE DOME, with a TOUCHDOWN, on MONDAY NIGHT football while beating the dirty birds!!!    

Brees is an awesome football player, but more importantly he's an awesome person.   

Makes me so happy!  Congrats Drew!!!  

WHO DAT!!!???

Drew

One of my heroes.  Such a great player, husband, father & citizen of the planet.   Not to mention a cutie petutie!! :)

Merry Christmas to all!  Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Pajamas, Hazelnuts & Camp Fire Girls

Cecilia, Cindy Gail & Charlotte circa 1968 (I'm in the middle just turned 6)  at the Big House, Jackson, Louisiana.

 Here we are Christmas, 1972.  The prince has arrived!   Carlton was almost 1 year old.  No matching gown for him..good old footie pjs!!

I LIKE to give my momma a hard time about having so few photographs of us as children.  I know it was the early 1960's, but really?  Video cameras had been invented for quite a while, albeit expensive.  Couldn't you have purchase a few less barbie dolls & invested in one?  lol  All kidding aside, I know she was a very busy lady...raising a house full of princesses (and later a prince), whilst being a career woman (a rarity for mom's back then), cooking hot breakfasts & dinners for us every night, all the while keeping the house clean and holding up the world on her shoulders.   So, I DO understand.  That being said, I also wish I had more photographs to treasure.   The older we get, the more old memories are held so dear to our hearts.  I've been remembering my sisters & I and our cute little Camp Fire Girl & majorette uniforms, wishing I could see a picture.

This is one of those rare photographs that I will always treasure.   My momma made some wonderful Christmas traditions.  One of which was allowing us each to open one gift on Christmas Eve night.  We could always count on it being new matching pajamas, mostly those precious little flannel gowns. Then we would all take baths, put them on & take a photo in front of the mantel of our 150 year old house.  This is a tradition that I continue to this day with my sons & grandchildren.  Although not matching... (brothers/boys are not nearly as excited about matching ANYTHING as my sisters and I were-haha).    

Another tradition that my momma had for us was ALWAYS having fresh fruit & nuts in our stockings.  I think this was something she carried over from her childhood.  It's probably all they had in their stockings on some Christmas mornings.  My boys used to give me a hard time about throwing the occasional orange or hazelnut in the bottom of their stocking, but it makes me happy.  It makes me think of my momma & how blessed I am to still have her.

These are a few of the precious "gifts" my momma gave to us as children.  A holiday tradition is not something you can purchase on Black Friday, or wrap under the tree, but it is indeed PRICELESS!!!

If you have young children, go make some of your own.  It's generally the mother who establishes these wonderful blessings into a family, but it doesn't have to be.    I've laughed this week at a friend who gets annoyed by all the Elf on a Shelf goings on... but I sort of like it.  It's a cute tradition that I was blessed to be able to gift to my grandsons this year.   My son & daughter-in-law have enjoyed the fun they've had with "Fredzart" the scout elf.      

Go out & make a holiday tradition today. If you don't have children, make one with your next door neighbor who doesn't have family or your favorite Aunt or Uncle.  AND please, please don't forget to snap a photograph.  Sometimes I realize we're all too busy LIVING our life, but your kids will love you for it later!!

Happy Christmas!!

Cindy

To grandmother's house we go.... weee

I LOVE Christmas & all the maddening madness (wait that's sort of redundant--oh well, that's exactly what it is)! Speaking of Christmas, I've been singing that song "Over the river and through the woods" all day... Anyway, I digress,as, if you read my blog very often, you know I tend to do. A LOT.

BACK TO SUBJECT: 

One of my favorite things to give at Christmas is my momma's recipe for homemade hot chocolate.  Once you drink this, you'll never, ever want to drink the boxed kind again! I'm not much of a "generic" brand purchaser.   Sometimes you DO get what you pay for.  That being said, the great thing about this recipe is that you CAN purchase off-brand ingredients because once it's all mixed together you can never taste the difference!   

Here's the recipe.  NOTE: I usually double the recipe per batch.  (My 3 sons used to drink this stuff up by the gallon... oh wait, they drank up EVERYTHING by the gallon):

INGREDIENTS:

• 24 oz box dry powdered milk  (I buy a HUGE box as Sam's each year & it makes several batches)

• 1 c. non-dairy creamer (I've never tried a flavored one, but it probably is good)

• 2 c. powdered sugar

• 16 oz. instant chocolate drink mix (I've used both Nestle Quik & off brand..can't taste the difference!)

• mini choc chips, mini marshmallows (as desired to top)

DIRECTIONS to make dried mix:

Mix all ingredients in a VERY LARGE container with a tight-fitting lid & shake, shake, shake. Let the "chocodust" settle before opening. Then scoop into jars or ziploc bags. 

Just add about 3 TB of dry mix with cup of HOT WATER...and of course a giant splash of Bailey's or your favorite adult beverage is optional! 

Keep it sealed & it'll last all winter!  (too bad our Louisiana winters only last about 10 minutes..but I can cut the air conditioner down to 60 and drink away!)

Here's how I packaged some for gifts this year in small mason jars. Layered it with mini choco chips & mini marshmallows so that you can see it through the glass...kind cool.

I cut out circles from burlap ribbon and lined the mason jar lids with it.

Stamped some brown paper for tags with my favorite design...a fleur de lis:

Tied tags with a little twine & voila!  Gifts for folks at my hubby's office!

Be seeing ya!

Cindy

This is what love can do......

I have a heart for animals...mainly dogs.  These precious four-legged souls actually LOVE us more than they love themselves.   They are the most unselfish creatures that would willingly & automatically lay down their own lives to protect their owners.    In return, they only ask for a warm bed, a warm heart, an occasional hug or scratch behind an ear & a good square meal.  Not much I'd say.     

I believe that we will all be answerable for the souls we encounter on this earth some day, and that includes helpless animals.   If my path crosses a helpless dog, I feel like God sent them into my path for a reason.  Dogs don't have human voices to speak, legs to stand upright, or hands to help themselves, make a phone call or knock on a door.  Those who are lost, abandoned, neglected or mistreated depend on humans to look after them.   They are helpless to help themselves.   

Next time you see a stray or underfed or mistreated or abused animal, ask yourself if you were in their place wouldn't you want someone to speak for you! 

This is an animal rescued recently by like-minded friends.   This is what love can do.... Frannie is living proof that YOU & I can make a difference.  One four-legged soul at a time!

FRANNIE before: severely neglected by her owners on the day of her rescue:

 This is Frannie after a few months of proper love & care:

I know some of my friends & family get tired of hearing me harp on this issue sometimes (although MANY of them feel the same as I do) and the rest of them are kind enough to listen. I simply don't understand how folks can turn their hearts OFF to these beautiful creatures.  

Please consider OPENING your heart & home to a four-legged soul this holiday season.  Adopt or foster an animal and see what love can do. 

God Bless,

Cindy