Laurie Jackson's Blog, page 19

Forward — March

Who, not what, drives me or in this case, marches me forward is my husband,

Alex. I am blessed to be the one to wake up next to him each and every morning. Seeing his eyes twinkle with laughter and hearing, “Good morning, Beautiful! I love you!” just makes me oh so very happy.

Alex has been an extremely positive person for me since the first day we met. He encourages me to write each day; even when I do not feel like it. When he heard I wanted to go to college, he did all kinds of research on colleges and universities for writers. All through school, he encouraged me. He believes in me when I just can’t.

Coffee is something that is a necessity in the morning as well as in the afternoon. In the morning, it helps wake my sleepy bones up. In the afternoon, it rejuvenates me. Coffee gets my creative juices moving.

Music helps keep me motivated, too. So, between my gorgeous hubby, coffee and music I should and will get some writing done! :)

May your day be filled with much sunshine!

Laurie Jackson

Please feel free to visit my website! Thank you!

From Grandma’s Country Kitchen — Pizza Dough

If you love homemade pizza as much as I do, this recipe is for you! If you don’t have time or do not like store bought pizza dough, give this a try. Most likely, you will have all the ingredients in your pantry.

FAST AND EASY PIZZA DOUGH

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup milk

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Mix flour, baking powder and salt. Add milk and oil. Stir vigorously until dough leaves side of bowl. With floured hands, form dough into ball and knead on lightly floured surface 10 times. Roll dough into 13″ circle. Place dough on greased surface of metal pan. Add desired sauce and toppings. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes.

This was my uncle’s favorite pizza recipe. It was easy for him. With his huge calloused farm hands, he’d mix the dough. If he had too much flour on his hands, he’d slam them together to get it off. Flour went everywhere. (He didn’t like the feel of flour on his hands.) I thought that was funny. He was a farmer who didn’t mind hard work and sweat but when there was too much flour, he couldn’t get rid of it fast enough. Crazy! I’m a baker and I can’t stand the feel of flour either! :)

May your day be filled with blessings!

Laurie Jackson

Please feel free to visit my website! Thank you!

First Crush/First Kiss

My first crush, wow! That was many, many moons ago!

If I remember correctly, I was in kindergarten. (My mind isn’t what it used to be. :P) Probably, about six years old. His name was Donny. We were sitting next to each other on the bleachers at school. It was right before school started for the day.

I’m not sure how it happened but we touched mouths. We were six, remember? So inexperienced. Next thing I know, Mr. Meyer, the principal, called Donny and I down to where he was. I know I was scared, but whatever happened with Mr. Meyer is a blur.

I don’t know what happened to Donny or where he is today. He sure was a cutie for this little girl.

May your day be filled with blessings!

Laurie Jackson

Please feel free to visit my website! Thank you!

Take A Chance On Me

Have any of you ever had conversations with yourself? I have been having one with that annoying little voice that just won’t listen! That voice keeps whispering, “Write, write, write. Why won’t you write?” Ignoring it is useless. That voice is just like a child that keeps pushing those buttons until I want to scream, “What do you want from me?!” (I have the ability to argue for hours on end with that little annoying voice!)

The answer is always the same–write. You know you have the ability to write. Why are you afraid to write? I am afraid of rejection! Why should I waste my time on writing when it will just be rejected! I have sent out a story or two only to be rejected.

It’s always the same old song and dance. Today is a new day and that dance ends today! I’ve stepped up and have decided to put my stories out there. I found a few magazines that are looking for short stories. I am taking a chance on me. I believe in myself. I have the strength, courage and the ability to write. If I get rejected, I promise myself I will not quit. There were several famous writers who kept getting rejected but did not give up.

Do not quit! Do not give up on yourself! Take a chance! Might be surprised by the outcome! :)

Enjoy your day to the fullest!

Laurie Jackson

Please feel free to visit my website! Thank you!

Grandma’s Country Kitchen — Barbecued Spare Ribs

With Labor Day approaching, I thought perhaps a BBQ recipe would be appropriate.

BARBECUED SPARE RIBS

4 lbs. spare ribs

1 onion, chopped fine

1 cup catsup

2 cups water

1/4 cup vinegar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

Pour over spareribs. Cover. Bake in moderate oven (325) for 1 1/2 hours. Remove cover. For the last 1/2 hour of baking, baste every 5 minutes.

May you feel the warmth of the sun today!

Laurie Jackson

Please feel free to visit my website! Thank you!

Grandma’s Country Kitchen — Meatloaf

MEATLOAF           (Serves 8-10 people)  Bake at 400 degrees F.

2 1/2 lbs. ground beef

1 1/4 lbs. ground pork

2 slices bread, in crumbs

1/3 cup oatmeal

4 eggs beaten

2 teaspoons salt

1 tablespoon prepared mustard

1 cup tomato sauce

1 medium onion, chopped

1 small can evaporated milk

Pepper to taste

SAUCE

1 tablespoon dark brown sugar

1/4 cup tomato sauce

2 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon mustard

1 tablespoon vinegar

Mix, shape into loaf.Put in greased pan. Bake 1 hour basting with pan juices.

For sauce, mix all together in small pan. Heat briefly and pour over individual slices of meatloaf. Serve with mashed potatoes and peas. Also, delicious as a cold sandwich.

May your day be filled with much sunshine and laughter!

Laurie Jackson

Please feel free to visit my website! Thank you!

Grandma’s Country Kitchen

GRANNY’S POTATO SALAD

4 cups cooked diced potatoes

3 hard boiled eggs, diced

1 small onion diced fine (sprinkle with a little sugar. Set aside.)

1/2 cup diced celery

1/2 cup salad dressing

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon prepared mustard

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons vinegar

Dab of milk

Combine potatoes, eggs, and celery. Mix together salad dressing, salt, mustard, sugar,onions, vinegar and enough milk to make a smooth dressing. Pour over potato mixture and mix thoroughly.

This particular recipe is one of my favorites! Grandma always made it for BBQ’s and for any other occasion she felt like :)

May your day be filled with blessings!

Laurie Jackson

Please feel free to visit my website! Thank you!

Grandma’s Country Kitchen

BASIC SWEET DOUGH

2 Fleischmann Dry Yeast

1 Tablespoon sugar

1 Cup warm water

1 Cup milk, scalded

6 Tablespoons shortening, butter, or margarine

1/2 Cup sugar

1 Teaspoon salt

7 Cups flour

3 Eggs, beaten

Dissolve yeast and one tablespoon sugar in warm water. Add shortening, sugar, and salt to hot milk. Cool. Add two cups flour to make batter. Add yeast and eggs. Beat well. Add remaining flour to make soft dough; knead. Place in greased bowl. Cover, set in warm place. Let rise until double, about two hours. Punch down and shape as desired.

This dough can be used for a tea ring, or buns or coffee cake.

Tea Ring 350 degrees for 30 minutes

Buns/Dinner Rolls 425 degrees for 20 minutes

Coffee Cake 375 degrees for 40 minutes

I am disappointed that I do not have Grandma’s homemade butter recipe. A slice of her butter on warm rolls were always so delicious.

Hope your day is full of blessings!

Laurie Jackson

Please feel free to visit my website. Thank you!

Weather Wisdom

I found this amongst Grandma’s recipes. I found it to be an interesting read. I do not know if these are true. Enjoy!

Rolling thunder in the fall means a hard winter.

When snowdrifts face the north, Spring will arrive early.

When the hay in the fields leans to the northeast, Summer will be long and hot.

The first frost will occur six months after the first thunder of Spring.

When chickens stay out in the rain, it will last all day.

Crickets singing in the house tell of a long, cold Winter.

These may just be Old Wives Tales.

May your day be filled with laughter!

Laurie Jackson

Feel free to visit my website! Thank you!

Candy Cookie

This recipe was one of Grandpa’s favorite candies. He wanted it on a daily basis.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

1 1/3 cups flour

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

2/3 cup margarine

1 cup sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1 cup (6oz. pkg.) chocolate chips

1 1/4 cups (12 oz. jar) peanut butter

3 cups Rice Krispies Cereal or Corn Flakes

Combine flour, brown sugar, and margarine in mixer bowl. Mix at low speed until blended. (Mixture may be crumbly.) Press into bottom of ungreased 13×9 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.

Combine sugar and corn syrup in large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to boil. Remove from heat. Add chocolate chips and peanut butter. Stir until melted. Stir in Rice Krispies. Spread over base. Cool and cut into bars.

This cookie/candy becomes addicting after one piece. The candy can be made without the crust. When I make it, I usually use a small cookie scoop and make balls. You can use your hands to make balls but be careful because the candy will be warm.

Enjoy!

May your day be filled with laughter and sunshine!

Laurie Jackson

Please feel free to visit my website! Thank you!