Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Squeezin' In A Wordless Wednesday

Thought I'd start this, even though I almost forgot as it is almost Thursday.:)

















I just love these for some reason, maybe it's my artsy side. I'd never even seen these until we moved here and saw them around town. Maybe one day I'll have one.
http://thebottletreeman.com/mambo/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=10&Itemid=26

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Sharin' My Pot Pie Recipe Right Quick

I just made this tonight and thought I'd share the recipe that I had actually planned on posting for the Mommyfest potluck, but didn't get back on in time to.
I make it every now and then, as it's pretty quick and easy. I got it somewhere on the internet, but have tweaked it a little, as I do most recipes I find. One day I'm going to try a totally new way and change it to a beef version. I'll post it when I do. Or actually, if you have a good one, let me know!

Chicken Pot Pie
8-10 Chicken tenderloins cooked, chopped into bite-size pieces
1 can Cream of chicken and herb soup
1 can Cream of celery soup
1 150z can Veg-All
1/3 Cup of milk
2 Ready-made pie crusts, room temp.
1 Egg
1 9 in. glass pie dish

Preheat oven to 375.
In a large bowl mix the first five ingredients together.
Press first pie crust evenly into the bottom and sides of dish.
Pour mixture into dish, spreading evenly.
Place second pie crust over top, lightly score the center, and pinch edges together with the bottom crust. (I fold over the edges first all around rather than cutting off the excess.)
Beat one egg in a small bowl, brush it evenly over the top crust (don't forget the edges).
Place dish on a cookie sheet or shallow pan, bake 45min.-1hr., depending on your oven.
You may need to cover loosely with foil if the top is browning too much too quickly.
Allow to cool at least 10min. before cutting.

The egg wash gives it an awesome top crust.














Sunday, May 25, 2008

Backsliding Already!

I can't believe how long it's been since my last post! And I claimed I would be keeping up better this time. I didn't even do the end of the mommyfest post. Oh well, I'll try to do better next year. We had a pretty busy week last week, but for the most part, I just haven't had much to blog about. We made a couple of trips to Memphis, the second was pretty fun.

One thing we got to do while there was the movies, and with the closest theater now being an hour away, it was a treat. We went to Peabody Place (a mall-type place in the heart of downtown Memphis) to see the latest Chronicles of Narnia movie. It's usually our favorite theater to go to, or at least it was when we lived on Mud Island (nice area way downtown, like right at the river) about four years ago. Unfortunately, it was a bit depressing this trip. Although it was a Thursday, there weren't many people at all there. Some of the stores had closed, including one restaurant we were planning on going to. We ended up eating at Jillians (a three-level games and food place), which was very good (in spite of one three year-old begging to play games). Which we didn't do a whole lot of this time, just as many as the free card that came with the kids meal allowed. I do hope business picks back up soon, and they're able to get in some new stores and restaurants. It's a great addition to downtown, and would be a shame if it just continued to go in this downward direction.

As for the movie, I know I know this installment is not exactly the best pick for a three year-old. But, we don't normally make it through much of any movie with her, and she really liked the first "lion movie" as she calls it. I didn't realize there would be a bit of violence right at the beginning, but then, I did know there was supposed to be more in this one. She was mostly interested in her little kiddie popcorn tray. She did get antsy as usual, but liked the talking animals and was excited to see the lion again. Believe it or not, we got to see the entire thing. Ava did fall asleep about half way through, which helped.
We really liked the movie. I always say the first of movies with sequels is the best, but this one was just as well done. I would love to read the series, but fear the movies may have ruined the chance to enjoy them. I wish I had read them first. The message was good and strong through the movie. The continuing battle of good and evil that will always be timeless. But also about keeping your faith strong even when others don't agree with you... at first. Aslan reappears to one of them after a while of them being away, but the others don't believe he has come back. That is until towards the end, when his help is provided to them when they need it most. The one he appeared to, at first wanted to just go along with the others, but when she decides to renew her faith in him, she's able to get Narnia the help they need to win back their rightful place there.
I know, don't start a movie review career, hope that wasn't too confusing. I am looking forward to the next one that will be out 2010.
Hope everyone has a nice Memorial Day tomorrow. Try to stay cool, like don't go outside at all around here! That is unless you enjoy turning into molten lava.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Blog Party/My Intro


It's time for the Mommyfest Blog party! It is this week May 12-16. Just click on the link above to join the fun! This will be a great way to meet fellow mommy bloggers from all over. There will even be giveaways and contest prizes! I'm new to it this year, but I am looking forward to the fun!
Me and My Family, The Intro
Hi! I am Amy, 30, a stay-at-home mom who's been married to Kevin for over 6 years. We have been blessed with one, beautiful daughter, Ava, 3. We moved to MS from TN about 2 months ago, and it has been quite a transition. I just recently started this blog to help me through it. In it I post mostly about what we are up to around here, sometimes it's a bit of a rant, but I try to include how God is teaching us through it all, and how His blessings always shine through!
So, please stop by and let me know what you think, your advice on things, or just a hello! I love to discover new blogs to read! Have fun this week, I can't wait to meet you all!

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

We All Have "Bad" Days

Ugh, we've all got sinus junk at the Jennings residence. Well, Bubu actually doesn't seem to have it as bad, very much a blessing. I just had to use nasal spray again, earlier than I was supposed to, because my head was about to explode. It's been here since the weekend, but mine actually got worse yesterday. I don't know where it came from, but it needs to move on along, quickly.

Also, this morning the car window didn't want to go back up (never thought I'd wish I had manual windows). It's been warning me, but today, it just said ok that's it, no more chances...fix me. So, with my sore little fingers, I just drove to the first auto-type place I could find. They tried, but, of course, couldn't fix it, so they referred me to another place. The other place got it up, but it needs a new switch, which they have to order, of course. For now, because of something he had to keep fixed a certain way, none of them are able to go up or down. Not that we put them down a whole lot anyway, but I just hope the air doesn't go out or end up in a lake.

Theeeen, I was at the store and had all the things in my cart to make this chicken salad I've been wanting to try my hand at, and the only rotisserie chickens they had cooked was lemon-pepper. It would be over an hour for the regular. I just took a deep breath and said I'd have to come back later.
Ok, one more, and that's it I promise. I got back home and took another cold pill and it got stuck. It seem to take forever to get down. They're liquid gels, but they could make them flatter, they're like a football shape. I know, big deal sniffle sniffle, but hey, it hurt... for a while.

But through everything, I know I need to remember the aphorism, I'm too blessed to be stressed. That's why I put bad in quotations. I should be thankful these are microscopic in comparison to the much worse problems of many people out there. And believe me, I am. I should be thankful just to have been awakened today, and that there are blessings to be found even in what we consider problems in our day. I am thankful I have medicine for relief (and that it did go down on its own), that they did finally get the window up (and I met some new, very nice people--that didn't charge me anything), and I wasn't going to make the chicken salad til tomorrow which means I would have had to reheat the chicken to be sure it was safe. Ok, I feel a bit better. Hope you had a good day too.:)

Saturday, May 3, 2008

A Delta Phenomenon

In Memphis, where I'm from, their thing is barbecue, everywhere you go, each place trying to outdo the other. Here in the delta, it's (apparently) hot tamales. Even the finer restaurants here have them on the menu. I guess you could even call them a delta delicacy. They even have their own tracking website http://www.tamaletrail.com/.

Up until recently, since moving here, I've been on a quest to find the best, or at least some good ones. There are a few variations of these simple, yet addictive little morsels of goodness. There's spicy or not, wrapped in corn husks or wax paper (both in bundles of 3-6), and cooked dry (steamed actually) or in broth. I have discovered that the majority you find here are spicy, in corn husks, and in broth (which most recipes of are highly prized by each cook). It's definitely something I'm afraid to try my hand at making. If you've only had the ones in the can, you haven't had a real hot tamale.

I have had them at one place in Greenville that were good, but I have just discovered even better here in Greenwood at KK's Delicatessen. This is a simple, unassuming little place that makes them homemade. I was pretty confident they would be a safe bet. And my confidence was proven, as they were great. When you buy as many as I did, (Kevin was pretty confident in them too), they come in bundles of six in a shallow broth in a roasting pan. You heat them up at home in the oven. I knew the aspects to judge on, not that I'm an expert, but I know what I like. They came through with it all. The cornmeal casing had just the right texture, slight grit, right density without being mushy. The meat filling was just right, in the amount, and tenderness. They were pretty spicy, but tolerable, and I think is what tamales need to give extra flavor.
I plan on trying more places (as long as they're homemade) while I'm here. I just hope they can live up to KK's.

They give a whole new meaning to the expression bundle(s) of joy.


Ok, I have made my quirky post for the week. I think I'll try to come up with one each week. Hey, you gotta lighten up life every now and then.:)

Friday, May 2, 2008

Greenwood Is Growin' On Me

I'm not quite ready to call Greenwood home forever, but it is not the dreadfully boring place I, well, dreaded. We've been able to do a few interesting things so far. Just last week I got to meet Alton Brown (of Food Network fame) at a book signing/talk for his new book Feasting on Asphalt. That was pretty neat. He was his usual witty self. He seems to be a great dad in addition to his food knowledge. I didn't get my picture with him, like others (my camera batteries decided to die just before).

One I snapped during his talk, not the best shot I know.


The bookstore it was held at is in a restored building downtown, as many businesses are beginning to move into. There's a pretty big renewal of the downtown area going on. There's one hotel there called the Alluvian that is actually on some kind of gold rating list on the Conde Nast site. That area, along with the rest of the town is rich in interesting history, especially pertaining to the civil war. I love to research the history of places I live or visit. There's also a blues museum, a cotton museum, several really good restaurants, and of course Viking headquarters with a great cooking school. Just a few weeks ago they had the River to the Rails festival downtown. They had different activities for kids, lots of food, crafts, live music etc. That was a fun event, especially for Ava.

Ava and bunny...


They had a dog parade...


Ava and piggy...


Better picture of cute piggy...














They had an antique car show...


Ava finally going down big slide
(after begging to, it took her several attempts)...


Ava on moon bounce...


We've also been to a few of the nice parks here several times. One great thing is Kevin's work is less than 5 minutes from where we live, so he's really glad to not have to deal with a long commute as in the past. Surprisingly, traffic can still get pretty congested for a town this size. So, along with being closer to Kevin's mother and family, we are finding good points to being here all the time. Like I said, it may not be forever, but I believe it's where God wants us for now, and we'll be blessed wherever that may be.