Top Ten Things I Am Thankful For

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!! I wanted to take time out to list the top ten thing I a thankful for this year:


1. My husband, he is truly my soul mate and my best friend

2. My daughter, she is my joy and I am thankful that she is healthy

3. My family in general. Although we are far apart, I am thankful for them all.

4. With today's current economic state, I am thankful that I have a roof over my head and food for Thanksgiving.

5. I am thankful for my health, there is always someone struggling more than you

6. I am thankful that my husband has a job..... a lot of people want to work and can't find a job.

7. I am thankful for the beautiful seasons and chances that God provides us

8. I am thankful to see another year

9. I am thankful for time off and family vacations

10. Lastly I am thankful to my readers who support me and give me a place to voice my thoughts.
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Happy Thanksgiving Mommas, what are you thankful for this season?

Keeping with the holiday spirit, I thought this weeks fun food would be Sweet Potato Recipes. Here are two you can try:

Sweet Potato Casserole
A sweet potato casserole recipe, made with mashed sweet potatoes and a crunchy pecan topping.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups mashed sweet potatoes
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• .
• Topping:
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Preparation:

Combine first 6 ingredients. Pour into a buttered 1 1/2 to 2-quart casserole dish. Mix remaining ingredients together and sprinkle over top. Bake at 350° for 30 to 40 minutes, until hot and browned.
Serves 6 to 8.

A Very Sweet Crock of Potatoes Recipe

Ingredients:
6 sweet potatoes, peeled
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup applesauce
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup pecan pieces

Directions:

Cut potatoes into one inch chunks and place in crockpot. Combine brown sugar, first measure of butter, cinnamon, and apple sauce in small bowl; blend and pour over potatoes. Cover crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours until potatoes are tender.

When ready to serve, melt remaining butter in small skillet; add pecan pieces. Cook over low heat for 5-6 minutes. Sprinkle over sweet potatoes and serve.

One is simple and quick, one takes a little longer. Your choice.

The Real on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta'

Okay, although many of us hate to admitted it, we are sorry that the season of Real Housewives of Atlanta is over. I tried hard not to like/watch the show but I have to be honest and say I found it very entertaining. I thought the season finale was boring compared to episodes in the past. However, I am, like most of you looking forward to the reunion show.

This morning there were several post over the Internet about what the truth was behind these ladies' stories. Kim's mystery man evidently is a married real estate developer and they broke up. NeNe is a former dancer and aspire actress (which is why she did the show). Sheree has a 23 year old daughter who she referred to as her 'friend" in an interview. Lisa has other children, by ex husband Keith Sweat and DeShawn is the real deal. Gossip aside I have to admit that I was impressed with each woman's strength and ability to overcome adversity (well maybe not all the women). Whether it was a trouble relationship in the past with their previous spouses or focusing on a community service outreach program the ladies are all trying to make their mark.

Who was your favorite housewife? I think each week it changed depending on the episode for me.


What more details check out this link:

http://tv.yahoo.com/blog/how-real-are-the-real-housewives--40

Momma Momma Job Openings

I thought this was funny

POSITION: Mother, Mom, Momma Momma

JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment.


Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.


Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.


RESPONSIBILITIES: The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5.
Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers.
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks.
Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product.

Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.


POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION: Virtually none. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you


PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE: None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.


WAGES AND COMPENSATION: Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent.

When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.


BENEFITS: While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

Jada's Golden Rules

I love this month's cover story in Cookie Magazine on Jada Pinkett Smith and her family values. She is picture throughout the article with pics of her and her 8 year old daughter Willow. The fashions show off are really cool. While they may be out the price range of the average momma and daughter, they are fitted with some items from J Crew. Her mom style rocks.

She talks about her Golden Rules for parenting which include eating as a family, getting help from others (i.e. grandma and extended family), drinking water for energy, respecting our kids boundaries, choosing your battles and exposing and educating your children to new things. It is a pretty cool article. She is also featured with her husband in this months Essences magazine where she talks about marriage. I love how she is constantly changing but stays true to herself.

With the holiday's just around the corner I thought I would post a recipe for side dishes. This week let's look at a few green bean recipes with a twist:

Green Beans with Toasted Almonds

• 2 1/2 to 3 item pounds slender green beans, trimmed, or haricots verts
• 1/2 cup slivered or sliced blanched almonds
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 item shallots or garlic cloves, sliced thin
• 1 cup boiling water or broth
• 1 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Snap off stem ends of beans; pull away strings. In large deep skillet over medium heat, toast almonds, stirring continuously, until golden, about 3 minutes. Transfer nuts to plate; set aside. In the same pan over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add shallots and sauté until translucent and beginning to brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. Raise the heat to
medium high, and stir in the beans. Sauté about 5 minutes. Add water or broth; cover and simmer until beans are of desired tenderness, about 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper; stir in parsley and almonds. Transfer to a warmed serving bowl. This makes 12 servings.

Per serving: 83 calories, 10 grams carbohydrate, 3 milligrams cholesterol, 5 grams fat, 3 grams protein, 9 milligrams sodium.

Green Beans with Onions, Bacon and Butter

(This is the receipe I use)

• 3 to 4 lbs of fresh green beans
• 1 lbs sliced bacon
• 1 large Vidalia onion, chopped
  
• 4 garlic cloves (crushed)
• Kosher salt
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 3 tablespoons salted butter
• Freshly ground black pepper

(You can use healthier substitutes like unsalted butter and turkey bacon but I can't guarantee the taste)

Snap the green beans or simple cut the ends off. Wash and drain the beans. Cut the bacon into small cubes and set it aside with the onion and garlic.

Bring a large pot salted water to boil ( about 2 Tablespoons salt to 1 1/2 gallons of water). Add the beans and the lemon juice. Let this boil gently for 7 to 10 minutes, until the beans are tender. Drain the beans, reserving about 2 cups of the cooking water.

In a large saute' pan, cook the bacon. Then add the onion and garlic. Saute' for 7 to 10 minutes over low heat. Add the bacon an the reserved water to the bacon mixture. Add the butter, season with salt and pepper, and cover. Simmer for 5 minutes over low heat. Serve.



Either way you decide to cook your green beans will be a hit.

(Green bean and almond recipe Essence.com and Green beans with bacon recipe Skinny Cooks Can't Be Trusted- by Monique)

Today's top ten is the top ten reasons I love being a mom:

1. You always have your own cheerleader section

2. My daughter doesn't care if my make-up is just right or my hair is done when I greet her every morning.

3. I can wear my pj's all day if I feel like it and she won't complain.

4. I now have a reason to go to kids movies (I love cartoons)

5. I always have a dinner date if my husband is working late.

6. I love teaching my daughter new things and watching her learn something for the first time.

7. Tickle fights are the best.

8. I love watching her sleep and knowing what a blessing she is to my life ( I know I should be taking a nap too).

9. I love shopping for her and dressing her like a doll.

10. I love her hugs and kisses there the best in the world.

What would be in your momma top ten???

Obama Mama

Now that we know who our president will be for at least the next 4 years, I wanted to hear your comments about what you think Obama can bring to the table as it relates to Mommas everywhere. We know that he is a family man, but do you think this will impact how he works with mothers and the needs of women? I know that the purpose of this blog is not a political one, but this is an important issue and I couldn't let this historic event pass without opening the door for discussion from other mothers. I personally think that the United States is about to experience change on a completely different level and a change for the better. This has truly been an emotional election for Obama supporters as well as McCain supporters, as was evident last evening on CNN. It was awesome to see people of all ages, backgrounds and races moved to tears as they looked to the hope Obama brings. What are your thoughts?

Holiday Treat

With the holidays just around the corner, most mom's are dreading going shopping for gifts. Usually the kids are easy to shop for but what about co-workers and love ones who already have everything. There is this great store, in McKinney, TX that can satisfy most of the people on your gift list. The store is called Mom and PopCorn Co. (isn't that the cutest). They have over 20 flavors of popcorn including Carmel, all the way to Cornfetti (which is a mix of all candy flavors). There is even a Loaded Potato flavor. You can buy popcorn by the bag or buy their pre-made gift tins/baskets and ship them to your friends and family as gift. My sister loves popcorn balls, always has, so if you are reading this you already know what you are getting this year. There's even a variety of candy to choose from. The awesome part is the owners' story behind the business, Tim and Kim Lloyd. Kim had a tragic car accident years ago that nearly killed her and left her bedridden for several months. Her husband quit his job to care for her, which ultimately lead to the selling of their home and establishing this great business. So check them out at http://www.momandpopcorn.com/index.htm

If you are in the Texas area their store is located at 215 E. Louisiana St. McKinney, TX 75069

Go by and see the open barrels of saltwater taffy, and jars of chocolates that line the walls.