My Secret Addiction and Life Just Saying

Confession time! I have a secret addiction. I'm not sure how it happened...I am addicted to iced tea. Yep, not going to lie...I hit a drive thru almost everyday to get a large, "half cut" (half sweet) iced tea. I usually go to Chick-Fil-A, however, if I'm feeling especially tight I'll go to McDonald's. If I'm with my husband I go all out and hit McAlister's. They have the best tea, but no drive thru. I'm a lazy addict.

 

 

Today was no exception. I was out running errands and

Chick-Fil-A was on my list of stops. I did my thing at the speaker and pulled up to pay. It was taking the car in front of me a little extra time to take care of business, but no worries, I had plenty of time. I had my $1.90 in hand (all change) as I pulled to the window, and the young lady handed me my tea and said, "The man in front of you paid for yours too"! Wait, what? Wow! That has never happened to me. I waved to the gentleman as he drove off and yelled thank you, though my windows (and his) were up, but I truly don't think he saw or heard me. That was cool! I so want to do that one day, I'm going to pay it forward.

 

Has that ever happened to you?

 



 

 

 

And I can't let the day pass by without mentioning that tomorrow my blog gets a new home AND a new name. Yep, I have mixed emotions. It feels sort of like moving day in every sense of the word, except I don't have a bunch of boxes sitting around. life just saying is my first blog...though not my only, but the other ones just sort of sit dormant. I feel a little sad that it is over. But onward and upward I shall go. Looking forward to a new home, new adventures and a new name!

 

Good-bye life just saying!

Coca-Cola Cake

 

The picture I took of the cake was...well it sucked quite frankly. I am an amateur photographer at best, with a camera I don't really get. So here it is from afar, my mom's birthday cake. Happy Birthday, Mom!

 

 

 

Coca-Cola Cake



 

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

2 sticks of butter

3 tbls. cocoa

1/2 cups of buttermilk

2 beaten eggs

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup coke

1 1/2 cup mini marshmallows

 

Combine flour and sugar. Heat the butter, cocoa and cols until it boils. (Watch closely). Pour over flour mixture. Mix well. Add buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, vanilla and marshmallows. Beat well. Pour into a greased and floured 13x9 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes.

 

Icing

 

1 cup pecans (optional)

3 tbls. cocoa

1 box powdered sugar

1/2 cup butter

6 tbls coke

 

Combine butter, cola and cocoa. Bring to a boil. Pour over powdered sugar. Beat well. Add nuts. Spread over hot cake.

 

Enjoy all those calories. 

 

 



Make-Ahead Potatoes

I posted a picture on Twitter yesterday of these easy make-ahead mashed potatoes. Today is not only Father's Day but my mother's birthday as well. I was responsible for sides and desserts so I wanted to be able to prepare some food ahead of time so I wouldn't be cooking all day today. These potatoes are always a hit and fit the bill just right. Thanks to Taste of Home Magazine I've been making these potatoes for years.

10 large potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 cup (8oz) sour cream
1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese, softened
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, divided
2 tablespoons dried minced onion ( I use onion powder)
1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt
Paprika

Place potatoes in a Dutch oven or large kettle: cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Drain and place in a bowl; mash. Add sour cream, cream cheese, 4 tablespoons butter, onion and salt; stir until smooth and the cream cheese and butter are melted. Spread in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x2-in. baking dish. Melt remaining butter; drizzle over potatoes. Sprinkle with paprika. Refrigerate or bake immediately, covered at 350 degrees for 40 minutes; uncover and bake for 20 minutes longer. If potatoes are made ahead and refrigerated, let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
Yield: 12 servings.

My Dad

It's time to celebrate dads! Father's Day is here.

First of all, my mother's birthday is on Father's Day this year. We always celebrate the two together.Happy Birthday, Mom! Love you bunches.

Back to my dad. I have the best dad in the world, Really, I do! I know you think yours is, but mine REALLY is. He is a great guy. Everybody loves my dad. I don't know anyone quite like my dad. He is kind, considerate and generous. He always has time to talk and listen to anybody. Which is interesting because my dad stuttered pretty badly at one point in his life, not so much anymore. In fact, my dad was going to get his brother Larry to propose to my mom for him when my dad asked my mom to marry him. Didn't happen that way, but so the story goes.

My dad is talented, loving, and funny. I consider myself very blessed indeed to be the daughter of both my parents. It took years (and perhaps becoming a parent myself) to fully appreciate the gift I have in my dad and my mom.

Happy Father's Day, Dad. I love you.

And since it is Father's Day, I also want to take the time to thank my husband. Having children is the greatest blessing in my life. Being able to stay home with my kids during their growing up years and home schooling them is a gift I will always be grateful for. If it hadn't been for my husband and his hard work and willingness to provide for us I wouldn't have been able to do so. Thank you for that, always and forever.