Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Corn Dog Recipe

This is the county fair corn dog recipe many know and love.

The corn dog is a food deeply associated with state and county fairs.

Corn Dogs

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. baking powder
Milk
3 tbsp. sugar
1/2 cup cornmeal
Hot dogs

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients together and add just enough milk to make a thick batter.

2. Dip hot dogs into batter and deep fry until golden.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Gooey Butter Cakes

Gooey Butter Cakes

One 18 1/4 ounce package yellow cake mix
1 egg
1 stick butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine ingredients and mix well. 


Pat into a lightly greased 13x9 inch baking pan.


Prepare filling.

One 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 stick butter, melted
One 16-box powdered sugar



Beat cream cheese until smooth.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Add butter: beat.  Add powdered sugar and mix well.
Spread over cake mixture.  Bake for 40-50 minutes.  You want the center to be a little gooey, so don't overbake.












And this is how we love to enjoy it.  Vanilla ice cream melting on it.  Are ya'll hungry yet?

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Hey Ya'll It's Paula Deen




That's right, that's my giveaway.   The Lady & Sons Savannah Country Cookbook.  Autographed by the one and only Paula Deen.  I love doing this giveaway because the Savannah area is where I lived for forty-six years.

I can remember the first time I saw Paula Deen.  It was December, 2003.  The company that my husband was working for then had finished installing the heating and air conditioner in the Restaurant that she is presently in.  The company decided to return the favor and have their Christmas party there that year.  Paula came in the room and talked to a few people at the other end of the room where we were sitting.  I can remember another wife begging her husband to go get her autograph.  But needless to say he didn't.  That was before we were all so ohhh and ahhhh over her.  Definetly WAY before I had a clue as to what a blog was.  So definetly didn't take a camera to a Company Christmas Party, where I knew no one.  I was the new one on the block, because my husband and I didn't get married until March 2004.
Well the following March when he and I did marry he gave me a cookbook that she had autographed.  You can tell she wasn't as busy back then as she is these days, because she autographed it to me personally.  I regret getting it so stained, but it has been used alot.  I will be sharing some of my favorite recipes from it this week.







So this is my giveaway, It will end on  Monday October 5th. 
Very simple.

To Enter This Giveaway:


1st - Leave me a comment telling me your favorite Paula Deen recipe.

2nd - Follow this blogspot & comment that you do

3rd - Follow this blogspot on twitter: www.twitter.com/nanathena & comment that you do

4th - Tweet about this giveaway & comment that you do

5th - Blog about this giveaway & comment that you do

Please leave your e-mail with each entry and leave seperate comments for each entry.
You don't have to blog to enter, just leave your name and an e-mail.

Have fun.  A recipe and pics of a dessert I made today from this cookbook, coming tomorrow.

Other Great Giveaways


Diana   is having a great giveaway.    Look at this beautiful bag.   Go check it out for yourself.



Also, Lynn Lynn is giving away a $100.00 gift certificate through Restaurant. com    So go check out these two wonderful bloggers.

Friday, September 25, 2009

GA State Parks








Saturday is Free day in the park in Georgia.  All the State Parks are offering free admission and free parking.  For the ones that have a lake to fish in you can even fish without a fishing license for tomorrow only. 
If your in the area of Plains, GA it's their annual Peanut Festival.  Former President Jimmy Carter will be there joining in the fun.

 At the  Stephen C. Foster State Park in Fargo near Okeefenokee, their having a Kid's Fishing Rodeo from 2:00-4:00 for all kids under 12 years old.   Then they are having a sunset tour on Billy's Lake.   "Go where few have dared to go before after dark -- the Okefenokee swamp. Watch sunset over Billy’s Lake, see the stars come out and catch a glimpse of Jupiter. Spotlight for alligators and watch their eyes shine bright red. Weather permitting. Space is limited. $15-$20. (912) 637-5274."

And if you are in the South there is the park at Skidaway Island  enjoy "Free Day" with family-friendly games such as sack races and relays beginning at 2 p.m. Volunteers are needed at 9 a.m. to spruce up the butterfly garden and turtle ponds. End the day with an 8 p.m. guided frog hike. 912-598-2300.

And last but not least at Gordonia Altamaha in Reidsville enjoy a day of familiy fun in doing some fun nature art together. So, come out and let your imagination run wild while you paint, draw, color, and create what is in our natural surroundings. 912-557-7744.


For a full list of all events at the GA State Parks here is the link:
http://www.gastateparks.org/

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Random Dozen

http://2nd-cup-of-coffee.blogspot.com/

I'm joining Linda over at 2nd cup of coffee again this week for her random dozen.  Join in it's fun.

1. Please share one middle school memory. It can be good, bad, ugly, funny. Pictures or words, I don't care, just share.  Well it was considered Junior High School back then.  lol  I can't think of one.

2. What's your favorite Beatles song?  Hard to pinpoint just one.  Michael has Beatles Monopoly so when we've played it I would sing whatever I landed on.   lol   "Yesterday" 

3. If I asked you to describe your most comfortable outfit, what would it be? shorts and t-shirt

4. Would you rather host a party or be a guest?   both,  I enjoy cooking and baking for others, but once in a while it's nice to be the guest.

5. Do you think we will move completely from traditional books to digital ones, and if we do, are you OK with that?  With technology advancing so much probably so.  But I still like to curl up with a good book.  Can find it right next to my cassette tapes.  LOL

6. Do you learn best by reading, listening or experiencing? Experiencing, have to do it myself to learn.

7. If you are (or when you were) single, what is the kiss of death for you concerning the opposite sex? (That is, what is one trait or behavior or habit or anything at all that immediately turns you off from considering that person a potential match for you?)  cigarette smokers,  gross,  need I say more

8. Snacks. Salty or sweet?   Most of the time sweet, ice cream.  But both mised together is good too, M&M's and popcorn.

9. Look around you in a four foot radius. What object is around you that you didn't realize was there or forgot was there? How long has it been there?  crochet hook

10. What is your favorite Tom Cruise movie?  Cocktail.

11. You buy a bottle of shampoo and discover that you don't like what it does to your hair at all. What do you do with that full bottle?  I always buy the same brand so I don't think that would happen.

12. Your favorite Fall comfort food? (Last week it was beverage.)      Food would be soup, and drink the colder it gets outside I love hot chocolate.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

CSN Baby Giveaway WINNER

Using Random.org the winner of the changing pad kit is Deborah at The Brown Couch Events.  Congratulations, and I am looking forward to hopefully doing more giveaways soon.  Thank you to all who entered.

A Clean Heart

Psalms 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Do we truly see ourselves as Christ sees us? If we asked Him to search our hearts and show us any unforgiven sin that may be there. We would probably be shocked. We say I'm sorry, but do we repent for what we have done?

Luke 17:3
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

Does He truly have our whole hearts? Is there a part that we're still hanging on to? In His word He says I'm a jealous God. We should have no other Gods before us.

Exodus 34:14
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
Anything we put before Him is a God. All He requires is 10 percent of our time and our first fruits. That leaves us 90 percent. He could have asked for more. But to some even that is impossible to do. Do we realize our lives would be so much better if we just followed His word and His commandments?

Romans12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Sometimes we hang onto things thinking we can reach others. If we are no different than them, they can't see Christ through us. We think we have to reach them, when actually we're not reaching them, we're bringing them down with us. Anything we do, the devil will give us a reason to justify it. But if it goes against God's word there is no justification for it.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Fall Is In The Air

Today is the first day of Autumn/Fall. I love the crisp cool air we are beginning to feel. The leaves are starting to change. For some it's the beginning of football. But me I also love a good State Fair. We haven't went to one in a couple of years. But when I think about one. It's not only the rides, or the games. It's the food. The funnel cakes, candy apples, cotton candy, Philly cheese steak sandwiches, corn dogs, caramel corn, turkey legs, and etc.

  I didn't realize it had been so long since we had been to a Fall Festival or State Fair. These are pics from a local Fall Festival.                  








Then these are from the State Fair in Perry, GA.  We went to see my Step-Daughter in the parade.  As you can see the kids had a blast.  This was before blogging days so I didn't think to take pics of any of the food.

















Makayla  had a Fall Festival at school this past Friday.  No funnel cakes but we did have cotton candy, and sno cones.










                                                Makayla's teacher in the dunking booth.



So from now until the end of October I will be featuring a recipe each week on Tuesdays for a food you would find at a State or Local Fair. So each week, please share your recipes for a food that you may have at your State Fair that we don't have down here in the south.

My first one is my very most favorite.

Funnel Cakes


2 beaten eggs
1 1/2 Cups milk
2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Cups cooking oil
Powdered sugar

In small bowl, combine beaten eggs, and mik.  In large mixing bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and salt.  Add egg mixture to dry mixture.  Beat until smooth. 
In an 8-inch skillet, heat cooking oil to 360.  Using a finger to cover the bottom opening of a funnel with a 1/2 inch spout (inside diameter) pour about 1/2 cup of batter into the funnel.  Remove finger, and release batter into hot oil, moving funnel in a circular motion to form a spiral.
Cook about 2 1/2 minutes or until golden brown.  Using 2 wide metal spatulas, carefully turn cake over.  Cook about a minute more.  Drain on paper towels.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar.  Repeat with remaining batter.  Makes 4-5 cakes.

Can also use other toppings if so desired.  Cinnamon, and sugar, whipped crem and strawberries, chocolate syrup, etc.


Friday, September 18, 2009

CSN BABY GIVEAWAY

I have found the one stop shopping for baby furniture and baby gear.  http://www.csnbaby.com/Cribs-C56283.html  has everything from cribs to bath accessories.  Everything a Mom, or a Mom-To-Be  would need.





http://www.csnbaby.com/Cribs-C56283.html  has offered to give one lucky winner their choice of a Pronto Changing Pad Kit.  My personal favorite is the one in black. 

So you know the drill,  click over to  http://www.csnbaby.com/Cribs-C56283.htmland come back and leave me a comment, telling me which style is your favorite.

I'm not going to list all these other dozen of ways for your chance to win.  But feel free to follow me for an extra entry.  As we all know, we all love comments, and followers.

Giveaway is open until Wednesday, September 23.  I will then pick one random winner to win an awesome Pronto Changing Pad Kit.

Open to US residents only.


MckLinky Blog Hop




To enter your own Giveaway

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

100th




It's hard to believe that I made it to 100. I began this blog on February 9 with this being my first post. http://nanathena.blogspot.com/2009/02/not-me-monday.html Megan kept telling me I needed to blog but I didn't think I had anything to blog about. But here I am 100 posts later, and loving it.
Like everyone else I'm sure I spend too much time on here. But it's fun. In ways it's like a soap opera but on a computer. Don't you just love technology. Then there's the ones that's uplifting, encouraging, and inspiring.
I can't wait to see what my next 100 will be.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Angel Sweet Cookies



Again this week Joanna over at http://thissoutherngirlsnest.blogspot.com/ is asking for you to post a cookie recipe.
I couldn't really think of one. Because the cookies I made this week was her White Chocolate Chip cookies that she posted a couple of weeks ago.
Then I remembered the journal I gave my Mom for Mother's Day and she filled it with her favorite recipes for me. So while looking through it I came across first recipe I ever made in Home Ec, so very many years ago in high school.

Angel Sweets

1 6-ounce pkg. semi-sweet chocolate pieces
2 tbsp. margarine
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1 egg
2 cups mini-marshmallows
1/2 cup coconut

Melt chocolate and margarine/butter over low heat. remove, blend in sugar, marshmallows, and pecans. Shape into balls. Roll in the coconut. Chill

Monday, September 14, 2009

Prison

Most people think of a prison as a place with jail cells, locks, barbed wire fences, and guards carrying a gun.
But there are other types of prisons.

Lies/Lying
Some I thought would lie to cover up a lie. Then I wondered why do they lie when they know that eventually the truth will be found out. But then the other day Megan and I was talking about a certain person. And she said I don't think they even realize they're lying. They do it so much it just comes natural.

Addictions/Habits
People say I can't stop doing this or that. You don't know what it's like to do something for a long time and give it up cold turkey.
But if your hiding to do it then you know either it's wrong or you are ashamed that your doing it.

Adultery
Our culture today is no different than in the times of Sodom and Gomorrah. No, sometimes I wonder if we are even worse. They sinned openly. We hide it and justify it. We give reason after reason for what we do. I was talking to someone about relationships and was asked what an open relationship was. I told them when two people are married but date others and do what they want without giving an answer about it. I told them basically if you can think it, it's out there. How are we raising our children? That it's okay for two women or two men to date and marry. That we marry and we change our mind we divorce and keep re-marrying. Some don't even marry. They just live together. They say trying it out first to see if it's going to work. Then others don't even marry, they date and sleep around. Not thinking of the consequences. Because with every sin there is consequences.

II Timothy 3
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
10 You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15 and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

But the good news is: 1 Corinthians 10:13 (King James Version)
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1 John 1:9 (King James Version)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We don't have to live the life we have lived. He's there willing and waiting to help us to change.

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

We stop after verse 16 but the next five is just as powerful. He came to show love, mercy, and grace.

Ephesians 2:4-8
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Jesus Loves You!!!!!!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Chocolate Delight



Lisa over at Stop and Smell the Chocolate is featuring another Chocolate Friday.
So this week Makayla and I made Chocolate Delight. Nothing like Chocolate but better than that is when kids love to cook with you.

Photobucket

Chocolate Delight
2 cups self rising flour
1 stick margarine/butter, melted
1 chopped pecans
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese
2 cups confectioners sugar
3 small boxes chocolate instant pudding
4 1/2 cups milk
1 large tub Cool Whip

Beat flour, melted butter and pecans. Spread out in a 9x13 casserole dish. Bake at 350 until light brown.
It should look like this.

Photobucket

Let the crust cool completely before adding remaining ingredients.
Beat together the cream cheese, confectioners sugar, and 2 cups of the cool whip.

When the crust is completely cool spread cream cheese mixture on the top.

Photobucket

Then spread the chocolate pudding on top of it.

Photobucket

Lastly spread the remaining cool whip on top of the pudding. It's then ready to eat but is so much better once it's refrigerated. But as you can see some around here couldn't wait for the Cool Whip to soften for me to spread it on as the last layer.

Photobucket

We should never forget 9/11




In memory of those who were killed and those who gave their lives unselfishly. Prayers for the survivors and America.


2 Chronicles 7:14 (New International Version)
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

What could they possible be thinking?

What could possibly be so important that people have to drive dangerously and irresponsible? Is a your job more important than your life? Is your family more important than your life? I wouldn't think so and I don't think they would think so either.
What I'm talking about is yesterday while driving on a 2-lane road with speed limit 55. I was going about 60 with a car in front of me. A truck passed me and then a short time later he passed the other car. No biggie. But then a truck came up behind me and passed all three of us. Crazy, yep. Well hold on it gets worse.
Those two trucks get on down the road because they must be going at least 70 after they pass me and the car in front of me. Well then there's a little pick-up truck and I see him passing me and I'm thinking surely hes going to get in front of me, there's a car coming from the other direction. But no he continues to pass the car in front of me also. The car coming towards him is fastly approaching towards him. Me and the car in front of me put on our brakes trying to give him room to get in front of us. The car coming from the other direction had to of slowed down also or they would have hit head-on. The little truck cut in our lane in front of the car in front of me missing the car coming towards him by about a car length. I'm serious he cut in the lane so close it looked like something you would see in a movie. By then he had to be going at least 70mph. I wonder if he even realizes that if he had hit the other car head on that all involved probably wouldn't have made it. Other than short of a miracle.
So please tell me, what is possibly more important than your life that would cause you to drive so erratically?

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

9-9-9

Linda over at has posted her dozen random questions. Here are the answers to mine, come join in on the fun.





1. What is something that you have changed your mind about either recently or over a number of years? Probably child-rearing. I seem to get more relaxed by each one. Poor Megan my oldest I was probably the most strict, and now Makayla my youngest is so spoiled it's a shame.


2. Choose either subject, but does your a) church b) job feel more like a dental chair experience or an easy chair (recliner) experience?
Well since Im a stay at home mom as we all know it can go from an easy chair experience to a dental chair experience in record time. lol
Church as I have blogged before we have found a wonderful church here in Statesboro. http://nanathena.blogspot.com/2009/08/were-finally-home.html I miss the people at the church we left. But when you can find a church that still preaches God's word and stands on the truth of it, that's awesome. Even if you are tossed into the dental chair at times it's for our own good.

3. Kisses or hugs? hugs


4. What do you think is the biggest threat to families today? Less and less families are in church so future generations won't know about the love of Jesus.


5. A day after you grocery shop, you open a perishable item that is horribly spoiled. Do you take your receipt back to the store to be reimbursed or just throw it away and forget about it?
Probably just toss it and forget about it.

6. What personality trait (feel free to address good or bad or both) do you notice yourself adopting from your parents?

My Dad: I'm relatively quiet and laid-back. His looks, I've been told I look like him and his Mom.

My Mom: None really, that I can think of other than speaking our mind. When were pushed against a wall we say whats on our mind. I wish I had her trait of cleaning. Her house is spotless and always have been even when there was six of us children at home.


7. How many slices of bread do you leave in the bottom of the bag when you throw it away? Two? Three? Just the heel? None? (I really want to know if you eat the heel.)
Just the heel. Always just toss it.

8. What mispronunciation or usage error really irritates you? That the kids these days are writing the cell phone lingo. My worry is will they eventually think that's the correct way of spelling. I don't think that lingo will work in the job world.

9. In honor of the uniqueness of today's date, what does the numeral 9 mean to you? (Any special life moments attached to the 9Th? Are you the 9Th kid in your family? Can you count by 9s really fast? etc.)

All I have is that Makayla is 9 right now! The number 19 now that's a whole different story in itself.

10. Does the general color palette in your closet match the colors you chose to decorate your home with?

No most everything in my closet is black. My home is more neutral colors with some bright ones thrown in in the bedrooms.

11. When you're hanging out with friends in the kitchen, do you automatically ask to help, or do you sit there and chat until the host asks if you'd like to help? I'm not implying that the 2ND choice stems from rudeness or laziness, just not a first-response like it is for some people.

I always offer to help, whether they accept it or not is their choosing. Then if it seems to be taking a while or they're overwhelmed I will offer again.

12. Let's end on a pleasant note: What do you enjoy about September the most?

The beginning of cooler weather. After heat indexes of up to 110 I'm definetly ready for at least some temps around 70.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

No Bake Cookies

Every Tuesday over at http://thissoutherngirlsnest.blogspot.com/
Joanna is doing 52 weeks of cookies. This is only week 5 so you have plenty of time to join us. What a great way of finding new recipes especially now with the holidays right around the corner.
Mine for this week is one of my favorites. I remember my Mom teaching me how to make them and then every time we had unexpected company to drop in guess what I got to make. They are so quick and simple.



No Bake Cookies
2 cups sugar
2 tbsp cocoa
1 stick margarine
1/2 cup milk
1 cup peanut butter (smooth)
3 cups quick oatmeal
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Boil sugar, cocoa, margarine, and milk. Add peanut butter, vanilla, and pecans. Remove from heat. Stir until peanut butter is melted and smooth. Stir in oatmeal. Drop by spoonfuls on waxed paper to set.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Don't Give Up

Don’t give up trying to find your way. But do remember that sometimes it takes bending to avoid breaking.” – Katinka Hesselink

Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

“Never give up. And never, under any circumstances, face the facts.” – Ruth Gordon

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do.Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” – Ella Fitzgerald

“Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing,the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: You don’t give up.” – Anne Lamott

Fall seven times, stand up eight! – Japanese Proverbs

“It matters if you just don’t give up.” – Stephen Hawking

“The man who wins may have been counted out several times,but he didn’t hear the referee.Never quit or give up… never… never give up.” – H.E. Janson

“Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty -never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense” – Winston Churchill

“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get back up.” – Vince Lombardi

“Don’t give up at half-time. Concentrate on winning the second half.” – Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant

“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden