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7 Layer Taco Dip and Party food!

My youngest turned 12 on Valentine's Day. 

We had already passed out party invitations for Saturday, when I found out my mom would be having emergency surgery on her broken hip on Saturday morning.

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Mom came through the surgery just fine!  We are so thankful.

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I spent my morning at the hospital with her and around lunch quickly ran home and started getting the party food together.

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I had already planned the menu along with Brooklyn and we had everything ready to go.  My hubby made the Tuna Sandwiches while I was at the hospital and Brooklyn made the Ham Rolls the night before.

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Everything turned out to be delicious!

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Our Menu:

Cocktail Weiners

7 Layer Mexican Dip and chips

Tuna Sandwiches

Ham Rolls (will share recipe soon)

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries (these were yummy!)

Skillet Cake with pourable Chocolate Icing

...oOo...

So on to the 7 Layer Mexican Dip recipe!

This is my first time making it and believe me, I will make it again!

Combine the refried beans and taco seasoning.  Spread on a large plate or tray.

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Spread the combined sour cream and cream cheese over the bean layer.

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Spread the combined salsa or picante sauce ove the cream cheese/sour cream layer.

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Spread shredded lettuce over the salsa layer.

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Finally, top with shredded cheese and chopped green onions.  Grab some chips and dig in!

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7 Layer Mexican Dip 

1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix

 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1 (16 ounce) container sour cream

1 (16 ounce) jar salsa or picante sauce

1 bunch chopped green onions

1 small head iceberg lettuce, shredded

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained (optional)

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In a medium bowl, blend the taco seasoning mix and refried beans. Spread the mixture onto a large serving platter.

Mix the sour cream and cream cheese in a medium bowl. Spread over the refried beans.

Top the layers with salsa or picante sauce.  Place a layer of lettuce over sauce and top with Cheddar cheese and chopped onions.  Optional: Garnish with black olives.

Fried Cornbread and Hush Puppies

Nothing goes with white beans like Fried Cornbread. 

At a restaurant not too far away this is called the "Po' Boy Special".  It comes with a slice of Vidalia onion and a tall glass of iced sweet tea.

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Last week we had some white beans flavored with baked ham and some fried cornbread.  I like Aunt Mary's Red Tomato Relish on my white beans.  Just a taste brings back sweet memories.

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A couple nights later, my Handyman fried some fish and we made Hush Puppies.  Those were yummy, too.  My friend, Karen, has the best Hush Puppy recipe!

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I'm sharing both these recipes today.

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Fried Cornbread Fritters

1 cup of self rising white cornmeal
1 cup of buttermilk
3/4 cup of self-rising flour
1 egg, beaten

Mix the ingredients together and fry like pancakes on an oiled hot griddle or skillet.  Like pancakes, when you see the bubbles on top, it's time to flip them.  Another minute or so on that side and they should be done.  Remove to a serving plate and try not to pinch off the crispy edge while the others cook.  Good luck. :)

......oOOo......oOOo......oOOo......oOOo......

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There are many opinions as to where the name "Hush Puppies" came from, but the general concensus is that the name has something to do with keeping dogs quiet.

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"Hush puppies--golden-brown puffs invented to shush up the barking puppies at an outdoor feast; made by putting corn-bread batter into deep fat."

---American Heritage Cookbook, American Heritage [American Heritage:New York] 1964 (p. 128)



Karen's Hush Puppies

2 cups self-rising cornmeal mix

3 tablespoons self-rising flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 cup diced onion

1/4 cup green bell pepper (omitted this time)

1 cup milk

1 egg, beaten

vegetable oil for deep-frying

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In a deep fryer or heavy, deep skillet, heat 2 - 3 inches of oil over medium heat to 375°. 

In a mixing bowl, combine cornmeal mix, flour, sugar, onion, and pepper. Add milk and egg; mix well. Let stand for 5 minutes. Drop batter by tablespoons into hot oil. Fry until golden brown, turning several times. Drain on paper towels. Makes about 12 large  hush puppies.

Warm Cauliflower Bacon Salad with Ranch Dressing (low carb)

This is comfort food!  Try it soon.

Heat some olive oil and butter, OR bacon grease (yeah!) in a skillet

over medium heat. 

Add chopped cauliflower, diced onion, and some julienned radishes

(just happened to throw these in on a whim).

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Heat until the vegetables are tender. 

Remove from heat and spoon into a warmed dish. 

Top with real bacon pieces, shredded cheese,

and homemade ranch dressing.

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Warm Cauliflower Bacon Salad with Ranch Dressing

goes well with

steak, tenderloin,  pork chops, or meatloaf!

Warm Cauliflower Bacon Salad with Ranch Dressing

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1 pkg cauliflower (frozen, then thawed)

3 radishes

1/4 cup diced onion

bacon grease, olive oil, or butter for sauteeing

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

bacon pieces

homemade ranch dressing

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Heat some olive oil and butter, OR bacon grease in a skillet over medium heat.  Add chopped cauliflower, diced onion, and some julienned radishes.

Heat until the vegetables are tender.  Remove from heat and spoon into a warmed dish. 

Top with real bacon pieces, shredded cheese, and homemade ranch dressing.

 

My Mom and Happy Valentine's Day!

Sorry for the posting inactivity.  My mom fell and broke her hip.  She has been in the hospital for several days now and had surgery yesterday.

Since the surgery, she is doing better.  PT had her up and getting around today...even made her skip on one foot while holding on to her walker.

We are hoping and praying that she will be back home in the next few days.

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Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Happy 12th  Birthday to my Valentine, Brooklyn!

I have some great recipes coming up on this site and some super saving ideas on my frugal site, so check back in soon.

It's Snowing...again.

Wow!  I can't remember the last time we had 2 snows

just within days of each other.

My hubby and girls are out walking in it right now.

It's just too cold for me.

I read where it's supposed to be windy and

cold tomorrow.

Yuck.  I dread it, but I'm trying to enjoy

the snow while it's here.

Then bring on the SPRING!

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Pictures from our last snow

My daughter pulling my baby nephew on the sled.

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Sledding down the hill is so much fun!

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But, I'm ready for this

WARM weather, SUN, and WATER!

Who Dat? Dat's dem Saints!

Congratulations,

Drew Brees and Co.!

Super Bowl Party Time!

If you're planning a Super Bowl Party, here's some great recipes to get you started.

Whether it's burgers, wings, chips and dip, cake, brownies...lots of great recipes can be found online.

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Below are some of my favorites places:

The Pioneer Woman Cooking

Tasty Kitchen

About's Super Bowl recipes and Party Tips

Deep South Dish

Taste of Home Super Bowl Recipes

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No matter what you make, enjoy the game, family and friends and may the best team win!!!

 

Glazed Applesauce Pecan Snack Cake (no eggs)

Being blessed with several containers of applesauce,

I went in search of an easy applesauce cake or bread recipe.

I'm all about easy and quick recipes.

I like to know there's something yummy

baking in the oven

while I'm surfing the web or working

on my ever-growing

 pile of laundry,

but I don't want to spend a lot of time

on a recipe with tons of ingredients

that I probably

don't have anyway.

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Yesterday the girls and my hubby went sledding (again!)

and so I decided to use

up some of

the applesauce I'd been blessed with.

I thought it'd be nice to

come home to a warm house

smelling like sugar and cinnamon. 

I found an easy  recipe here

and  tweaked it

according to my preferences.

The result was wonderful!

(That's right - no eggs!)

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Quick. Simple. Easy.

Here's my tweaked version.  Make it soon!

Glazed Applesauce Pecan Snack Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup unsweetened applesauce

pecan pieces, optional

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Preheat oven to 350º.   Grease and flour a 9 inch square baking dish.  In a medium bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, and salt.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Dissolve baking soda into applesauce and mix into creamed butter.  Add flour mixture. Mix until smooth.

Pour batter into prepared dish.  Sprinkle pecan pieces over cake batter.  Bake at 350º for 30 -40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

1 T milk

2 T melted butter

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Mix together and drizzle over slightly cooled cake.

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CLICK  FOR PRINTABLE RECIPE

Snow Cream

I've made it different ways over the years, but

this is some of the best

Snow Cream I've ever made.

Kinda tastes like Homemade Ice Cream, which I love.

Snow Cream

1 can evaporated or Pet Milk

1 can condensed Milk

1 Tbsp vanilla flavoring

3/4 cups sugar

Stir all this together real well and then start adding snow until the mixture gets thicker.  My daughter went out twice for snow until we got it the way we wanted it.  I just told her to make sure it was CLEAN snow.  (lol) It was.

It's Snowing!!!!!

Boy, oh boy, is it ever!  We have about 5" and are expecting more tonight.

Work even closed early, which is very unusual.  The banks closed at noon.  But that didn't stop people from getting out.

We went sledding at 7:00 pm!  Then came home to a big crock pot of Homemade Chili to warm our cold and weary bodies.

If it's snowing where you are, have fun, stay warm and be careful!

Racko! Sorry! and Easy Oatmeal Cookies

 Board games are making a big comeback!

(Don't forget to check out the printable recipe link at the end of the post)

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Giving the computer a break for a while, the girls and I decided to drag out

some board games. 

Did we ever have fun playing Racko and then Sorry!

We had so much fun, we decided to make at least one night a week

a Game Night.

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Of course, Game Night calls for having some snacks. 

I knew I had some baking ingredients

so I went on a search for the

easiest oatmeal cookie recipe I could find. 

This one fits the bill!

 



Easy Oatmeal Cookies

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2  cup butter, softened

1 Cup self rising flour

1 egg

2 Cups Quick Cooking oatmeal

Combine ingredients in large bowl or your Kitchenaid mixer.  Mix well. Make small balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet

Dip the bottom of a drinking glass or a cookie press in sugar and use to flatten cookies.  Bake at 350º 10 - 12 minutes.  They won't darken up a lot, but they'll be delicious!

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Printable Recipe

 

Link of the Week: Beach Brights (a giveaway)

Check out my Link of the Week,

Beach Brights. 

She's having a neat giveaway!  Be sure and stop by her place this week.

National Pie Day - January 23rd

In honor of National Pie Day...check out these easy,

yet delicious pie recipes.

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Chocolate Fudge Pie

 Printable Recipe

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Aunt Mary's Chess Pie

Printable Recipe

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Southern Pecan Pie

Printable Recipe

Simple and Easy Sweet Pea Salad

My brother is a big fan of Sweet Pea Salad and

introduced me to this recipe.

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I am not a fan of English Peas at all, but if I were, I would

choose to eat them

this way.

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When I heard that a sick elderly woman that I go

to church with was wanting Chicken and Dumplings, I whipped up a HUGE

 pot.  Enough for my family and then several servings for her. 

 

I wanted to take her a full meal and in my cabinet was a can

of Sweet Peas.  I hated to just take plain peas...I wanted to dress them

up a little.  So I made this Simple and Easy Sweet Pea Salad.  She loved it!

Along with the Chicken and Dumplings and

Sweet Pea Salad,

I made her a snack size 

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.

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You know it just feels good to do something for somebody

that's unable to do for themselves. 

What a treat!  for us both.

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 SWEET PEA SALAD

 

1 can baby sweet (English) peas
1 boiled egg, chopped

2 Tablespoons onion, diced fine

1 heaping Tablespoon of sweet pickle relish

1/3 cup real mayonnaise

salt and pepper to season

Drain the peas, add all ingredients. Mix and chill.  Serve chilled.

Food & Crafts: Things I've made recently

First of all...

I had my baby great nephew over the weekend.  He's always a blast to have around and keeps us hopping!

[caption id="attachment_1125" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Jaxon eating on a lemon."][/caption]

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[caption id="attachment_1126" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Too cute for words! Look at those blue eyes!"][/caption]

 

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and finally...his Sunday afternoon nap.

 

 



 

...oOo...

 

Now on to the things I've made lately...

 

A  candy tray for my boss

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another candy tray - for family

A  candy tray for my family

 



[caption id="attachment_1131" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="My morning cup of coffee - digital watercolor"][/caption]

My morning cup of coffee - digital watercolor.

 

[caption id="attachment_1133" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Our New Year's Eve dinner - A Southern Tradition"][/caption]

Our New Year's Eve dinner - A Southern Tradition

 

 Fingerless gloves made from a felted sweater

 

...oOo...

 

What have you made lately?  Feel free to post a link to your blog or site.

Have a great Monday!

Link of the Week - Lilly Anna Kids

Introducing Misty, amazing homeschooling

mother of three! 

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Photographer, entrepeneur, blogger, mom, wife to her highschool

sweetheart - how does she do it all?

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Check out Misty's creative blog, Lilly Anna Kids.   There's great photography

 and fabulous, funky clothes for kids.   Fun, fun, fun!

It will bring a smile to your day.

Her website, Lilly Anna Kids dot com, allows you to purchase these magical

creations for your own little prince or princess. 

Be sure and pay Misty a visit.

 

...oO)(Oo...

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On another note...

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I made Pioneer Woman's Onion Strings last night...yum, yum!

Photograph courtesy of The Pioneer Woman

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They were very tasty alongside My Handyman's

Grilled Wild Turkey Breast.  Be sure and try them soon!

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Pecan Pie Bars

My mother-in-love's country yard is filled

with flowers and trees.

 

Once upon a time, these flowers

gave her much pleasure, but gone are the

days of working in the flower beds 'til dark.  At 74 and not in

the best of health,

she doesn't have as much energy

to work like she once did. 

 

Among the Crepe Myrtles and Peonies stands a big Pecan tree.

Its branches spread across the grassy lawn and provide

wonderful shade on a hot summer day. 

My girls have many fond memories of playing

on the swing set there in the shade of the

big pecan tree on a sunny day and picking up pecans

with Grandma on a

chilly, windy late Fall day.

 

Every year many pounds of pecans are picked up, carried inside and the

process of shelling and cleaning begins.

At 82, Papa's eyesight is failing him and he sits in his easy chair

and shells the  pecans by feeling them, then

passes them to Grandma or one

of the grandkids to do the cleaning. 

Once they're throughly cleaned, most likely

with a toothbrush, they're put  in bags and into the freezer. 

Sometimes she'll grab out a few and stick them in the oven to roast.

Once placed on the table, the bowl is emptied

in record time.

 

~{o}~

 

This year, she sent home a large bag of shelled, chopped pecans

for my daughter to use in Pecan Pies

for Thanksgiving.

I used what was left in making these tasty bars which I

shared with friends and coworkers.

If you like Pecan Pie, you'll love this yummy bar version.

I've been making it for many years and

it's definitely a "tried and true" recipe.  

Hope you enjoy!

 

 Pecan Pie Bars

Crust:

1 (18.25-ounce) package butter-flavor cake mix
1/3 cup margarine or butter, softened
1 egg

Filling:

1 cup  sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13-by-9-inch pan.

Combine the cake mix, softened butter and 1 egg.  Press mixture into bottom of prepared pan and a little up the sides to hold the filling.  Bake for 20 minutes, then remove from oven.

In the meantime, using a large bowl or your Kitchenaid mixer, combine  sugar, corn syrup, vanilla and 3 eggs at low speed until well mixed.   Beat 1 minute at medium speed or until well-blended.

Stir in pecan pieces.

Pour filling mixture over warm base. Bake an additional 30 to 35 minutes or until filling is set.  Cool completely. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.

--->>>---oOo---<<<---

 

 

 

 

[caption id="attachment_1098" align="aligncenter" width="257" caption="Papa & Grandma Golden"][/caption]

Buttermilk Biscuits

Oh, how I love the smell of bread baking in the oven!

It speaks to my soul and tells me good things are to come.

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Years ago (seems like a lot of my posts start with this), I clipped a Basic Buttermilk Biscuit recipe from my Mom-in-love's Southern Living magazine.

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This is my go-to, tried and true, never-fail biscuit recipe that I use when I'm not low carbing or I just wanna make biscuits for the family on Saturday morning.

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I use my medium size biscuit cutter so my biscuits are smaller than usual.  I tend to like'm small, tall, and fluffy...almost bite-size, well at least a few bites worth.   I do love things in miniature.

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 Begin by cutting the butter into the flour with a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse meal.

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Add buttermilk and stir just until all dry ingredients are incorporated.

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Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and gently knead or fold over itself 4-5 times.    Folding creates multiple layers of dough and fat, giving rise to a tender, fluffy biscuit.  Pat or roll to ¾” thick; cut with a round biscuit cutter.

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Place into a greased pan with side touching.  This helps with the rise.  I used my round Wilton silicone cake pan and it worked great!  There was even a slight crust on the bottom of some of the biscuits.

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Remove from the oven and brush with melted butter. 

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Serve with honey, jam, sorghum, meat, or how about some Chocolate Gravy?   The freedom of  choice is yours!

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;

 



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Basic Buttermilk Biscuits

1/3 cup butter, cut up

2 cups self rising flour (White Lily is good)

3/4 cup buttermilk

2 tablespoons melted butter

 

Preheat oven to 425ºF.  Cut butter in flour w/ pastry cutter.  Add buttermilk and stir just until all dry ingredients are incorporated.   Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and gently knead or fold over itself 4-5 times.    Folding creates multiple layers of dough and fat, giving rise to a tender, fluffy biscuit. 

Pat or roll to ¾” thick; cut with a round biscuit cutter.  Pat or roll to ¾” thick; cut with a round biscuit cutter.   Bake for 12-14 minutes. Brush with melted butter fresh from the oven.  Serve warm.

Yield:  12-14 (1½”) biscuits or 7 (2½”) biscuits

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Recipe courtesy of Southern Living Magazine

Link of the Week

Sugar, Spice, and a Little Bit of Life

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Run over and check out Jana's very entertaining blog.  There's recipes, crafts, awesome cakes, and great photography for you to enjoy.

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Tomorrow, stop back in for a great homemade biscuit recipe!

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Top Recipes of 2009

This past year I've tried to become more faithful to blogging. 

I just want to say Thanks to all who've posted a comment, sent an email, or just stopped by to look at my little spot on the web.   I hope you've enjoyed your time spent here.

Happy New Year!

...oOOo......oOOo......oOOo......oOOo......oOOo......oOOo...

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Now I'd like to share the top recipes of 2009.

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Coming in at #1 is...

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Low Carb Deep Fried Cauliflower



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Everyone's wanting to know how to cook venison...OR mention the word bacon in a post and get all kinds of results!

 

Grilled Bacon Wrapped Deer Tenderloin



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Not far behind is

Beefy Rotel Cheese Dip



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then...

Low Carb Peanut Butter Cookies



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and finally some Southern Low Carb deliciousness...

Skillet Fried Cabbage with Bacon

 

Looks like Southern Style and Low Carb wins this past year!

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Stay tuned for more great recipes coming up this week.  I'll be sharing a killer Pecan Pie Bar Recipe and how to make great  Buttermilk Biscuits!