My Dad

Well Daddy, we made it through another year without your physical presence, but Lord your presence is felt daily for all of us! We all miss you terribly, yet we all know that you are finally "home" with no health issues...no worries... no pain....and the awesome love of our Lord Jesus Christ...how awesome is that?
Our memories serve us well and will sustain us, until we meet again. I love you Daddy!

Saturday and Corn Dip!

Don't you just love quiet Saturday afternoons? I sure do! Almost everyone from La is waiting for LSU kickoff tonight, sporting their purple and gold. Tiger fans take their football very serious...just as Saints fans do!  I am so ready for the regular season to begin....and I just know we will squash those dirty birds in our Superdome!!Eeeeek...cannot wait!

What are your plans for this Labor Day weekend? Its hot here, no rain in sight...typical south Louisiana August/Sept weather. Which can only mean one thing...I am spending my weekend indoors in the AC! I do not sweat well. Tomorrow morning we are heading to Cypress Bayou Casino for a little gambling..spending the night and just having a little bit of fun for Addie's 22nd birthday! Might even have a nice juicy steak at Mr Lester's!

Whatever you are doing this weekend, be safe...and have fun!

Here is a little appetizer that is simple to make and is HUGE on taste...perfect for a 

FOOTBALL party!!

MEXICAN CORN DIP

• 1 can Mexican corn, drained
• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• (if you don't like black beans, just use 2 cans of corn, drained)
• 1 can diced green chilis
• 1/4 c. diced red bell pepper
• 1 tsp. onion powder (or 1/4 chopped onion)
• 1/2 c. mayo
• 1/2 c. sour cream
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• Serve with Fritos corn chips and/or tortilla chips

Mix all ingredients, let cool for a couple of hours...overnight is even better. Serve with Fritos or tortilla chips! 

20 YEARS AND PEANUT BUTTER CAKE BARS

20 years ! That sounds like such a long time doesn't it? It does to me also...unless you are talking about 20 years since your child has left this earth...then 20 years seem like yesterday. You remember every detail so vividly...like it was yesterday! But thank God that the good memories are so much stronger than that intense pain was those first few years. Yes, a hole was left in our hearts but as time goes by, that hole is filled with other wonderful things...such as memories, our other children and our sweet grandchild. I read something the other day and thought...OH how true this is!

You can shed tears that he is gone,
or you can smile because he has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back,
or you can open your eyes and see all he's left.
Your heart can be empty because you can't see him,
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember him only that he is gone,
or you can cherish his memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back.
Or you can do what he'd want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”

So I choose to smile, open my eyes, love and go on. He will forever be a part of me and one day we will meet again, and I will get one of his great big bear hugs...what a glorious day that will be! I love you Joshua!

 

Can you believe that school is ready to start?? Seems like summer just started.I can tell you this much, I SO do not miss the back to school shopping!! Been there...done that!

BUT my sweet grandson will be starting a new adventure at day care!

He has been with a private sitter since he was 6 weeks old and she has been

so good to him....but the time has come for him to attend daycare!

I know he will do just fine, he is such a sweet boy and so smart already (yes I know every grandparent thinks that their grandchild is the best and the smartest...difference is...Mine IS! LOL)

He is growing up so fast.

We have been so blessed!

He went from this....................... to this it seems overnight!

 

Good Luck on Monday Joshua...Ya Ya loves you BIG BIG!

 

A little back to school snack recipe!

Peanut Butter Cake Bars

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup Jif ® Creamy Peanut Butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 package (11-1/2 ounces) milk chocolate chips

Directions

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, peanut butter, sugar and brown
• sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt;
• gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips.
• 
  
• Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for
• 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes
• out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Yield: 2 dozen. 

PEANUT BUTTER CAKE BARS 

 

So you hear the news of someones passing...someone you didn't know personally, but felt like you did. Your first reaction is disbelief .."this can't be true". I just listened to him speak 2 days ago on my way to work...it can't be true? Then you find out that it is true...and your heart is so sad. Sad at the loss of such a wonderful, giving person...sad for his daughter and family...sad for his co-workers, who were such a close group of friends/co-workers. Sad for anyone who listened to him daily...and sad for his wonderful charities that he so loved! Once the sadness sets in, you begin to think about how happy he made so many people, just by talking to you on your way to work...being an amazing Dad....an awesome co-worker...and all of those special children who benefited from Kidds Kids! The legacy he leaves behind will shine, just as the life he lived. His last hours were spent doing what he loved to do and with people who meant so much to him.

Godspeed Kidd....the airwaves are all yours now!

 

On a much lighter note...my new little logo business seems to be taking off!

I have so far created 3 new logos and have another in the works.

Please keep in mind that I can create a logo for any business venture you have...

not just baking. It just so happens that the ones I have created so 

far are for bakers...from a recommendation from my sister!

Thanks Roxane!!

Here are the latest....

 

So if you are in need of a logo creation, business card, etc...just send me an email at

mth1392@aol.com and I would be more than happy to create for you !

Here is an amazing little dessert for you to try..if you love bananas and pineapple, you will love this loaf cake!!

PINEAPPLE BANANA HUMMINGBIRD LOAF

 

 

Ingredients

• 1 pkg. yellow cake mix
• 1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
• 4 Eggs
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 can (20 oz.) Crushed Pineapple, juice drained and 1 cup reserved
• 2 medium,ripe bananas, well mashed
For the Icing
• 2 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon of Milk
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350° Grease and flour 5 mini loaf pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, cinnamon, reserved pineapple juice, eggs and oil and mix on medium for 2 minutes, or until well blended. Fold in crushed pineapple, bananas.
3. Pour batter evenly into 5 loaf pans. Bake 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool completely.
4. While loaves are baking, make icing. Use a small bowl and combine softened cream cheese with milk and sugar until smooth.
5. Drizzle Cream Cheese Icing over cooled loaves.

Notes

recipe from Dole. This recipe is for mini loaves, if you would like to make it in a 8" or 9" loaf pan, I have not done this, but I would think you would be able to get 2 loafs, and I would check for doneness around 60 minutes.

Check out her blog....she makes delicious goodies!

Tidy Mom

EXCITED - NEW ADVENTURE

I am super excited...want to know why? Well I will tell you why! For several years I have "piddled" around with computer graphics. I love doing it and it lead me to creating a weekly newsletter. I make all of my own graphics for my header and signature on my newsletter and also for this blog. I have been asked to create graphics for family members ....logos, labels, business cards and flyers. My sister, who is the proud owner of her very own baking/fondant business, Fancy Cakes, LLC, sent me a couple of her baker friends who wanted logos designed. SO I decided if I am going to do this, why not get a little compensation for it? So I am starting out small, and seeing where this goes. Here are a few of the things I have designed.

CLICK ON EACH PICTURE TO VIEW FULL SIZE

This is a business card I made for my sister who does amazing memorial blankets

This is a logo I created for my brother who makes the best BBQ/Dipping sauce around...not sure which one he decided to use.

The latest logo I made for my sister's cake/fondant business...she does AMAZING fondant work...check out her FB page ...you'll agree!

FANCY CAKES

And this is a flyer I made for my sister for her 35th class reunion. Sorry but I blocked out her personal info

These are also a couple of things I created for a co-worker and my sister-in-law as wedding gifts.

Something simple I created for my grandson....I also have one made for all my great nieces and nephews ( will get them to ya'll soon)

SO..this is my newest adventure. If you or anyone you know is looking for a LOGO...send them my way. OH the name of my "company" is

NEGLECTED BLOG & FRUIT LOOP PIE

My poor lil blog is feeling so neglected. To make up for that I gave her a new design....what do you think? Not sure I like it (I am partial to pinks) but it's growing on me!

So what has happened in the MONTH since I've blogged you ask? 

Summer is in full swing...hotter than the devils house

Enjoying having all of my chickies close by

Planning a vacation in December to the most magical place in the world!

Planning a couple of camping trips this fall

Got stuck in an elevator at Dillards for an hour!! Can now check that one off my bucket list!

Pretty boring summer huh? That's okay, its been a nice quiet summer, spending time at home with my little family...cooking, eating and sharing our days with one another. Not a thing wrong with that I'd say! We did buy a pool for them to cool off in and they are loving it.

Sharing just a few of our Summer 2013 pictures....

 

You have to capture a picture of The St Louis Cathedral when you visit

New Orleans..so beautiful.

  

And of course the pink flamingos at the Audubon Zoo

 

The entrance to the zoo...really nice!

 

My little man enjoying his pool!

 

 What a cute crack!

 

Making the announcement official!!!

I hope you are enjoying your summer....try to stay cool!

Here is a "cool" pie, that is refreshing and has Fruit Loops in it...what could be better than that???

FRUIT LOOP PIE!

 

INGREDIENTS:

Crust:

• 3c. of crushed Fruit Loops (crush before you measure)
• 1/2c. butter (melted)
• 1/2c. sugar

Pie:

• 8oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese
• 1 (0.22 oz.) packet Kool Aid- Ice Blue Raspberry Lemonade flavor
• 2c. marshmallow fluff
• 8 oz. Cool Whip (refrigerator temp).

DIRECTIONS:

• Mix together Fruit Loops, butter and sugar.
• Press mixture into an ungreased 9 inch pie plate.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
• Cool completely.
• Cream together Kool Aid and Philadelphia Cream Cheese
• Add Marshmallow fluff and blend well.
• Fold in 1c. of Cool Whip.
• Spoon into cooled crust
• Top with remaining Cool Whip
• Sprinkle Fruit Loops over the top
• Freeze for at least 2 hours.
• Serve chilled.
•  
• FRUIT LOOP PIE 

MEMORIAL DAY - FAMILY REUNIONS & LEMON WHITE CHOCOLATE BARS

Memorial Day, an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades.

 Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer.

 Your history lesson of the day!

I hope you all had a nice Memorial Day and remembered to observe the day for what it is!

 Yesterday we had our family reunion. I know when those 2 words are mentioned, most of us groaned.

Myself included!

But yesterday as I sat there observing this huge clan of Clement's (all 155 of us), I felt a sense of

pride. Even though we never visit with one another (other than reunions or funerals) its good to know

that the heritage that my great grandparents instilled in us...carries on...for many generations.

Below is a photo of some of this beautiful family...the 2 that are pointed out are my great grandmaw and

grandpaw Pete and Rose Clement. The precious child with the heart above her is....moi!

Cute as heck huh?

(if you click on any pictures in my blog, you can view them larger)
 I think this was in 1954 or 55.

We should always remember how important family is. I know we don't always get along...we wait much too long to spend time together...but we also know that when one of us needs something, the other is there for them...even if its just for a hug or a shoulder to lean on.

THAT is what family is all about.

 

LEMON WHITE CHOCOLATE BARS

Ingredients

6 KING'S HAWAIIAN Original Hawaiian Sweet Dinner Rolls
1/2 cup Graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup Butter melted
1 can (14 ounces) Sweetened condensed milk
1 tbsp Lemon zest (from one large lemon)
4 tbsps Lemon juice (from one large lemon)
1 tsp Vanilla extract
1 Egg
1 cup White chocolate chips

Preparation

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a 9x9” pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
2.  Tear up the King’s Hawaiian Dinner Rolls and add to a food processor.  Pulse a few times until only crumbs remain.
3.  Add bread crumbs and graham cracker crumbs to a large bowl.  Pour melted butter over the crumbs and stir well.  Pour into prepared pan and press firmly to compact.  Bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges just begin to brown.
4.  Meanwhile stir together the sweetened condensed milk, lemon zest, lemon juice, vanilla, and egg.
5.  Remove hot crust from the oven.  Sprinkle white chocolate over the top.  Pour the lemon mixture evenly over the crust.  Bake for an additional 23 minutes, until it just starts to brown around the edges and center is jiggly but bounces back when touched.  Cool completely before cutting into bars.