Laurie Jackson's Blog, page 13
November 13, 2015
PBJ and Determination
The aroma of fresh baked bread filled the air. The little boy played on the floor when he stopped. He lifted his nose into the air and sniffed.
“What is that smell?” he thought as he heard his tummy rumble like the train he had been playing with.
He yelled, “Mom, I’m hungry!” No response. He yelled it again. Again, there was no response. Being an impatient little boy, he rose, put his hands on his hips and stomped across the floor. He spied the overloaded laundry basket of clean clothes. He turned the basket over, shook out the clothes and took it to the kitchen. He turned the basket upside down against the cabinet on the floor. No bread in sight.
He stretched toward the cabinet door in front of him. As the cabinet door opened, bread fell out onto the counter top. He ripped open the bread bag. The bread was not sliced. He ripped two big chunks off the loaf. He looked at them and shrugged.
“Peanut butter. Where is it? Oh yeah. Corner cabinet.” He stepped off the wobbly basket and walked to the corner cabinet. He spun the lazy Suzanne around until he found the peanut butter. He walked back over to the counter and slammed the jar on the counter.
He retrieved a butter knife from the drawer. He trotted back to where the peanut butter sat. He threw the knife onto the counter, which clanged against the wall. He turned and grabbed the refrigerator door. He searched for the grape jelly. As he lifted the jar from the door, it fell to the floor with a thud. The lid flew off and jelly spilled everywhere. He ignored the mess on the floor and picked up the jelly jar.
He climbed back onto the basket, picked up the knife and plunged it into the peanut butter. A huge glob rode on the knife onto the bread. He tried to smear the peanut butter. Most of it landed on the counter. The jelly did not cooperate, either.
There was peanut butter in the jelly. He didn’t care. The hungry little boy picked up both pieces of bread and slammed them together. Jelly splattered onto his white t-shirt. He took a bite and thought, “Just like Mom makes. So delicious!”
He stepped down off the basket right into the sticky jelly that was on the floor. Jelly squished between his toes as he wriggled them. He looked at the messy countertop and again to the floor.
“Mom will be mad but at least I made my own sandwich.”
Enjoy!
Laurie Jackson
Please feel free to visit my website. Thank you!
From Grandma’s Country Kitchen — Chocolate Pixies
Here is one of my favorite Christmas cookie recipe
CHOCOLATE PIXIES
Sift together:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Melt:
1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup cocoa
Remove from heat and cool slightly.
Blend in:
2 cups sugar
4 eggs, one at a time
Beat one minute and add 1/2 cup walnuts (optional) and dry ingredients. Mix well. Freeze several hours or overnight. Shape into balls and roll in powdered sugar. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake 18-20 minutes.
Enjoy!
Laurie Jackson
Please feel free to visit my website. Thank you!
November 11, 2015
My Four Sons
Ever hear of the television show, My Three Sons? Maybe I should create a television show called, My Four Sons!
I was blessed with four wonderful, crazy sons. Each one is about as different as night and day and oil and water. They are all grown with their own lives. Guess what? Mama still misses them. She would love to have a phone call every now and then just to say, “Hey Ma! How are ya? I’ve been thinking about you and thought I’d call.”
Does that happen? No, of course, not. I’m not asking for an hour long conversation. Just a measly ten minutes would be nice.
Is this what Empty Nest Syndrome feels like? I hate it. I feel, well, empty inside. When they were little, they were my world. I was a stay-at-home mom for many years.
Am I proud of them? You betcha!! So very proud! I could not have asked for better sons. Each one had their own struggles. Each of them fought their battles with strength. I know they came out stronger the other side.
I would not trade any of them for the world. They were my gifts. They are my blessings. I love you! Just give your ol’ Ma a call. :)
Enjoy!
Laurie Jackson
Please feel free to visit my website. Thank you!
From Grandma’s Country Kitchen — Skillet Spaghetti
This is one of my favorite recipes.
SKILLET SPAGHETTI
1 pound ground beef
3 cups water
2 cans (11 1/2 ounces each) tomato juice (about 2 3/4 cups)
1 can tomato paste
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 package spaghetti
Parmesan cheese
In skillet, cook beef over medium heat, drain. Add water, tomato juice, tomato paste and seasonings. Bring to boil. Add uncooked spaghetti. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until spaghetti is tender, stirring frequently.
Enjoy!
Laurie Jackson
Please feel free to visit my website. Thank you!
November 6, 2015
From Grandma’s Country Kitchen — Skillet Chicken Stew
SKILLET CHICKEN STEW
1/3 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
1 1/2 pounds chicken, cut up
3 tablespoons margarine
1 medium onion, sliced
3 celery ribs, sliced
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cut up
3 medium carrots, sliced
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon ketchup
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Combine flour, salt and pepper in shallow bowl. Coat chicken. In large skillet, melt butter, brown chicken. Add onion and celery. Cook for 3 minutes. Stir in potatoes and carrots. Combine broth, thyme, ketchup and cornstarch. Stir into skillet. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
Enjoy!
Laurie Jackson
Please feel free to visit my website. Thank you!
November 5, 2015
From Grandma’s Country Kitchen — Brownies
There are probably more brownie recipes than I can count. Yes, I am sharing yet another one.
BROWNIES
4 tablespoons cocoa
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup flour
1 cup nuts
1 teaspoon vanilla
Melt cocoa and butter (keep hot)
Beat eggs until creamy. Add sugar and mix well. Add cocoa mixture and flour. Beat well. Add nuts and vanilla. Spread in shallow pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
When cool, cut in squares and roll in powdered sugar.
Double the recipe for and spread into a 9×13″ pan.
Enjoy!
Laurie Jackson
Please feel free to visit my website. Thank you!
From Grandma’s Country Kitchen — Crusty (Soft Center) Spoon Bread
CRUSTY (SOFT CENTER) SPOON BREAD
Combine, then sift:
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup bread flour
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
Stir in:
1 beaten egg
1 cup milk
Beat the batter until it is well blended. Melt 2 tablespoons in an 8×8″ baking dish.
Pour the batter in pan. Place it in a 375 degree oven. Pour 1/2 cup milk over the top.
Bake the bread for 45 minutes or more. (Until good and crusty.)
Enjoy!
Laurie Jackson
Please feel free to visit my website. Thank you!
November 4, 2015
November 2, 2015
Good Days and Bad
Hello there!
Just dropping by to say I hope everyone is having a good day. I am or at least I’m trying to. The sun is trying to fight its way out from behind the clouds. I plan on soaking up some rays in a bit. I’ve been trying to stay more calm and be more loving; especially with the situation I am in.
Yesterday (Sunday), I had a wonderful day! I was blessed to spend some time with my mother. Alex was helping my daughter and her boyfriend from out of their apartment. I was dropped off at Mom’s. She and I laughed and talked. By the time Alex came to pick me up, I felt absolutely wonderful. I always have loved spending time with Mom. I just love her sense of humor.
Saturday was not a good day for me at all. It was one of the worst. The weather was lousy. Rainy and cloudy all day. The time also changed. I cried pretty much of the day. Poor Alex. He didn’t know what to do to help me. It seemed like everything little nonsense thing triggered me to cry. I survived it and so did Alex.
The time change is the worst! It gets dark now way too early! Bless Alex, though. He bought me a couple of those lights that are supposed to be extra bright. Almost like daylight. With those lights, I actually feel like sewing again. As you can see, I’m trying to get back into writing. Baby steps is what I keep telling myself.
The last two mornings, I have not had coffee. I think I’m doing alright without it. I drink cranberry juice or tea.
I have been writing in my journal almost every day. I have been asking God for his help and strength to get through this. With a wonderful husband and wonderful friends and my loving mother, I know I can kick this.
Well, I can feel the warmth of the sun through the window. Sounds like it’s calling my name.
Have a blessed filled day!
Laurie Jackson
Please feel free to visit my website. Thank you!
From Grandma’s Country Kitchen — Chicken Potato Bake
CHICKEN POTATO BAKE
1 cup dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
3 1/2 to 4 pounds chicken pieces with skin removed
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
POTATOES
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 medium potatoes cut into cubes
In a shallow bowl, combine first 8 ingredients. Dip chicken in oil. Coat with crumb mixture. Place on a greased 15″ x 10″ x 1″ baking pan. For potatoes, combine oil, salt, parsley, paprika and pepper in a bowl. Add potatoes and stir until coated. Place around chicken. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for one hour or until potatoes are tender and chicken juices run clear.
Enjoy!
Laurie Jackson
Please feel free to visit my website. Thank you!
