Cake Pics

Thought I'd share some pictures of cakes I've done or helped do.

This first one is one that I merely helped with. The real props for this cake go to Crystal Alexandro - she is one of the most fabulous cake decorators!!! Mr. Duff ain't got nothing on her!! Her cakes are actually made of cake - not steel or wood or rice krispy treats!!

By the way - all the "pearls" you see on the cake are hand-rolled fondant pearls. The fondant is cut out with the end of an icing tip, rolled into a ball, allowed to dry and then covered in luster dust.

Some birthday cakes.

Halloween Cookies

I'll be in my room...

Oh no she didn't. She couldn't have. I must be hearing her wrong. My dear sweet daughter was never going to retreat to her room to be by herself. She wasn't going to be the typical teenage girl. But now she is. My Hannah turned 13 in June and so many things have changed - and not all of them do I like!!

Hannah and I have always been best friends. Really, we have, she tells me so, and I choose to believe her. She has always confided in me, talked to me about EVERYTHING, and loved hanging out with me. As a matter of fact, she still does. I love the rides in the car, the afternoons in her room, and the evenings in the kitchen when we just chat - about friends, our favorite TV shows, anything and everything.

Over the summer something different began happening. Hannah would just disappear. Not for long, but usually for 30 minutes or an hour, sometimes more than that. When I'd look for her, she'd be in her room - alone. Now, she hasn't ever liked being alone. She is very social and likes to be around people, the more the merrier. What is she doing alone in her room? Here are some answers I get when I ask her or go to her room and find her: Reading a book, messing around on facebook, texting someone (duh!!!), doing her devotional (I have no issues with that one!!), talking on the phone to the boy she likes (that's a whole other story!!), etc. I know, I know...this is all very normal for teenagers...but...I miss her. I don't want her to be normal!! I don't want to hear, "I'll be in my room..." I guess I'll just have to make those car rides, afternoons in her room, and evenings in the kitchen extra special now and be thankful that I have them.

Becky

Jambalaya

I lived in Louisiana for 13 years and fell in love with the spicy dishes prevelant through out the state - not just in the southern portion. I love gumbo, red beans and rice, dirty rice, spicy shrimp - anything spicy.

Below is my recipe for Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya. The recipe as given is not too spicy - I have to consider my kids. You can add more cayenne to make the recipe spicier - just be careful, a little cayenne goes a long way. You could also just add cayenne to an individual portion if there is someone who really likes it extra spicy. Don't worry if you don't have the spices listed, just use what you have - salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc. Enjoy!!

Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
Makes 4-6 servings.

1/2 onion chopped
1/2 green pepper chopped
1 stalk celery chopped

2 bone in and skin on chicken breasts - boiled, deboned and broth reserved
1/2 lb. smoked sausage or polska kielbasa, sliced

1/4 tsp cumin
1/8-1/4 tsp cayenne (I used 1/2 tsp of cayenne and it was very hot!! Like, burning my lips hot after I had eaten several bites.)
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp thyme
1 lrg or 2 small bay leaves (don't forget to remove the bay leaves before serving)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper

1 1/2 c. rice
1 10 oz can of rotel tomatoes or small can of diced or stewed tomatoes
4 cups of broth - add canned broth or water/chicken buillion to reserved broth to make 4 cups

1. Saute 1st 3 ingredients in olive oil until soft -5 - 10 minutes
2. Add sausage and cooked chicken - cook until sausage is browned - 5-10 minutes
3. Add spices and rice - stir and cook for 5 minutes
4. Add tomatoes and broth. Bring to a boil, then cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 - 25 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.

Yummy, yummy. You could also do shrimp instead of the chicken. Don't add it when you add the sausage, wait until step 4 when you have 7 or 8 minutes left and add the shrimp then at the end of the cooking so it doesn't get over cooked.