I was a teenager when Alicia roared across the gulf coast, slamming into Galveston and eventually Houston. We lived much closer to the coast then and I don't think that I consciously understood what was about to happen as my parents scurried around making last minute preparations. I remember waking in the middle of the night to the frightening sound of the howling wind. Sleep would not be had on this night.
I will never forget the sight of the sky as it cleared just at day break. It was amazingly still with the bluest sky and puffiest white clouds. I was thankful that the hurricane was over. Then I was given the bad news by my parents, this was the eye of the hurricane and we had about 3o minutes before the winds would begin again...this time in the opposite direction.
After hurricane Alicia had come and gone, I remember be with out electricity for at least two weeks and possibly three. I also remember it being very hot. We suffered no damage to our property and no one was hurt. Back in those days, people did run from a storm...they hunkered down and rode it out. Looking back, I am glad we didn't evacuate as I am thankful for this memory.
Our plans for tomorrow are to go stay with our daughter in Katy. It's our intention to hunker down and have a hurricane party. Celebrating Hurricane Ike and mother nature's fury. It is my hope that we will have the same outcome as we did in Alica....a memory that will last a life time without any damage to property or life.
Waiting for Ike
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Posted by KayKay at 7:33 PM 0 comments
Labels: What I Want My Daughter To Know
A Bond That Can Not Be Broken
Thursday, September 4, 2008
One of the most memorable moments of my life occurred two days after your little brother was born. This is the day that you and your dad came to hospital to take us home. I was so anxious to see you that I was waiting at the elevators. When the doors opened you squealed, "Mommy!". All I could do is cry as I was overcome by emotion.
I remember being so worried about how you would accept this new little person into our family, especially once you figured out that he wouldn't be that much fun to play with. I was so worried in fact that I don't remember much more about this day.
My worries became reality over the next several months as you acted out your jealousy. As your brother grew older this jealousy turned into an all out sibling rivalry. Although, there were hints that the rivalry was just an act as you both would team up on me to get what ever you wanted at the time. As time when on, it was evident that you were protective of this little person that you were so jealous of just a few years ago. And in a blink of an eye...the two of you were allies. A bond had been formed. A bond that could not be broken by time or distance.
Posted by KayKay at 8:11 AM 1 comments
Labels: What I Want My Daughter To Know
One of My Favorite Places in Texas
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Since it is such a beautiful place, it can get crowded and entrance into the park is limited so I suggest arriving early. I also suggest packing at the least some drinks as there is no drinking water available. However, pack as light as possible to hike down to the pool and remember that what ever you carry down has to be brought back up.
The hiking path is uneven and mostly rock. You can find more information on this park here.
Posted by KayKay at 8:02 AM 0 comments
Labels: Travel
What I want my daughter to know
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Recently, I was reading a blog (this one) and noticed that one of the labels used by this blogger was "what I want my daughter to know". Being a mother myself, I thought that this was a great idea!
Although my daughter is grown and moved away from home there are many things that I wish she knew. Things we would not have time to talk about. These could include personal things about me and our relationship as mother and daughter. It could also include practical advice... things that I have learned the hard way and wish to share to help her avoid having to learn these things the way that I did.
I think that the first thing that I want my daughter to know is that I am proud of her. I am completely amazed by her strength and her love of life.
Posted by KayKay at 1:47 PM 2 comments
Labels: What I Want My Daughter To Know
Oven Fried Cajun Chicken
Monday, September 1, 2008
1 frying chicken (or 6 breasts or 6 leg quarters or thighs)
1 cup flour
black pepper and garlic powder (for sprinkling)
Creole seasoning
paprika
cayenne pepper
1/2 cup butter
Preheat oven to 425°F.
Posted by KayKay at 5:27 PM 0 comments
Labels: Dinner
Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
Recipe courtesy of Paula Deen
1 pound ground chuck
10 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 (8-ounce) package sharp Cheddar, grated
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup bread crumbs, toasted
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
1 (3-ounce) can French fried onions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck and next 8 ingredients, mixing well.
In a small bowl, combine the ketchup and mustard. Stir 1/4 cup ketchup mixture into meat mixture, reserving remaining ketchup mixture.
Press meat mixture into a 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pan, or shape into a loaf and place on a rack in a broiler pan. Spread remaining ketchup mixture over loaf. Bake 40 minutes. Top with French fried onions; bake another 10 to 15 minutes, or until meat is no longer pink.
Posted by KayKay at 5:12 PM 0 comments
Labels: Dinner
Dump Cake (Very Easy)
- 2 cans of pie filling of your choice (I prefer cherry, but apple or peach will also work)
- 1 box of yellow cake mix
- 1-1/2 sticks of butter or margarine
Dump the two cans of pie filling into a 9x13 casserole dish.
Sprinkle the box of yellow cake mix over the top.
Melt the butter and drizzle it evenly over the cake mix.
Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes.
Posted by KayKay at 5:10 PM 0 comments
Labels: Desserts
Buffalo Chicken Pasta
1/2 c blue cheese dressing
1/2 c sour cream
3 T Franks buffalo hot sauce
1/2 c skim milk
8 oz chicken breast cut in bite size pieces
2 tsp olive oil
6 oz penne pasta
Season and cook chicken breast in olive oil, when finished add remaining ingredients and heat through.
Posted by KayKay at 3:08 PM 0 comments
Labels: Dinner
Crock-pot Salsa Chicken
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup salsa
1 package reduced sodium taco seasoning
1/2 cup reduced fat sour cream
Add chicken to slow cooker.
Sprinkle taco seasoning over chicken.
Pour salsa and soup over chicken.
Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.
Serve with rice.
Variations and suggestions: Add Black Beans and Whole Kernel Corn.
Leftovers: Use to make a Salsa Chicken Wrap for lunch.
Posted by KayKay at 10:14 AM 0 comments
Labels: Dinner
Meatloaf with Pineapple Topping
1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 cup crushed Ritz cracker
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
SAUCE
1 (8 1/4 ounce) can crushed pineapple, un-drained
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Directions
Combine meatloaf ingredients. In ungreased 13x9 pan, form mixture into 9x4 loaf. Bake at 350ยบ for 45 minutes. Combine all sauce ingredients in saucepan. Cook over medium heat until boils and thickens, stirring frequently. Spread on top of loaf; bake 15-20 minutes more. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing.
Posted by KayKay at 10:11 AM 0 comments
Labels: Dinner
Longing for Granola
I love to eat yogurt, fruit and granola for breakfast but ever since we took a trip to
Homemade Granola
Ingredients
4 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup raisins or dried cranberries
Directions:
Preheat oven to 300 F. In a bowl mix the oats, almonds, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. In a saucepan warm the oil and honey. Whisk in vanilla.
Carefully pour the liquid over the oat mixture. Stir gently with a wooden spoon; finish mixing by hand. Spread granola in a 15x10 inch baking pan.
Bake 40 minutes, stirring carefully every 10 minutes. Transfer granola-filled pan to a rack to cool completely. Stir in raisins or cranberries. Seal granola in an airtight container or self-sealing plastic bag. Store at room temperature for 1 week or in the freezer for 3 months.
Posted by KayKay at 8:12 AM 0 comments
Labels: Breakfast