Saturday, January 23, 2010

What else? The grandbaby! :-)


Here is just the most adorable picture of our beautiful daughter-in-law, Erin, and little Jaylon all dressed up for church! As his MawMaw Pat said, "He looks like a little man but smells like a baby!" :-)
ANDDDDD.....he started walking yesterday!!! I was in the kitchen fixing coffee and Jaylon was standing at his little activity table playing when all of a sudden he let go of it and came toddling into the kitchen, his little arms stretched out and a big smile on his face, as he headed for his grandma....me!! My heart just about burst with love and excitement!! *tears* He is just about the most precious thing in the world!!!
He finally reached me, buried his little face in my skirt and giggled and bounced up and down. I scooped him up and gave him kisses and hugs. It was a precious, awesome moment!

I finally made it up to my brother and sister-in-law's to borrow the high chair that Daniel had used when he was a baby. I wanted to use it because the newer ones are so big and gangly and take up so much room. Their son, Jason, who is now close to 35, was the first to use it; then Daniel; and now Jaylon! AND it is still in very good condition. I love keeping and using things like this high chair through the generations. They have so much sentimental value.
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I've been cooking some new dishes this week, as I'm in the house alot and it has been so yucky outside.

I made Teriyaki Chicken on Monday. It was delicious!!! Here's the recipe:
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 skinless boneless chicken thighs
Directions:
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the cornstarch, cold water, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger and ground black pepper. Let simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens and bubbles.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
Place chicken pieces in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Brush chicken with the sauce. Turn pieces over, and brush again.
(I baked the chicken on a foil-lined jelly roll pan to save on clean up and it worked fine. AND I just had to toss the aluminum foil when the chicken was done. No scrubbing or soaking a baking dish!)
Bake for 15-20 minutes then turn over, pour or brush the chicken with more sauce and bake for 15-20 more minutes.
I doubled the recipe for the sauce and it was just enough!
I served the chicken over stir fry vegetables mixed with fettucine. It was delicious!

On Wednesday, I fixed Spam (Treet) Casserole which I got from Barbara at Stray Thoughts.
I also nicknamed it "Heart Attack In A Skillet" LOL
I tweaked the recipe a little and came up with this:
1 can of Spam or Treet cut into small chunks and browned in a little margarine or butter
1 small onion chopped
Sautee the onion with the meat.
Add one can of cream of mushroom or chicken soup
Add one can of cheese soup or one half jar of cheese whiz
Add water until you get the consistency you like.
Add 1 package of cooked noodles.
I also added 8 ounces of frozen peas for some added color and taste.

This was absolutely delicious! BUT it's not something I am going to make very often for obvious reasons! :-0 Oh, but it is comfort food deluxe! AND you have to have bread and butter with it!!! :-)
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And one a final note:
What other country in the world comes to the aid of other countries in time of need and devastation, like the United States? And I'm not talking about just the government.
No, it's the people of this great country that I'm really speaking of.
Americans are the most compassionate and generous people in the world and I'm so proud to be an American. Other countries and their people can say what they want about us but we know who we are and that's what matters. And when tragedy and disaster strikes, we know in our hearts where the world turns.
Though our government may be much less than perfect (that's an understatement!), this country and it's citizens are second to none.
Yes, I'm proud to be an American. Especially in times like these.

4 comments:

Barbara H. said...

Love that picture of Jaylon! And what a sweet moment you described.

Glad you liked the spam casserole. It's comfort food to me, too, though we don't make it all that often. either. At times when I haven't had the cheddar cheese soup on hand, I've used two cans of cream of chicken and a generous helping of shredded cheddar cheese.

The teriyaki looks good! Though my family just about can't eat it any more...once when I made it I accidentally used baking soda instead of corn starch...and the stuff foamed and foamed and foamed. I tried to get all the excess foam out of it and use it anyway, but it was so salty-tasting we were sipping all night trying to compensate. Every time I have made it since, my husband says he can't eat it because in his mind it tastes super-salty even though I make sure to use cornstarch. :-(

Sir Nottaguy-Imadad said...

Grandkids are so much fun. Spoil 'em & send 'em home.

I think that the reason so many people from other countries don't like America is because of low self-esteem. They see what we do in times of crisis and it makes them feel inadequate,therefore they hate us. Hating us makes them feel better.

Joyce said...

I agree wholeheartedly with your last bit...Americans are generous and compassionate and can always be counted on in times of trouble.

Love the smiling grandboy btw...such a doll!

Linda Elms said...

Oh my word! Jaylon is a DOLL! He makes me want another grandchild! They are so sweet!