Family Dinner

One of my favorite things to do is to make a family dinner. I love to cook for my mom, dad, sister, her husband, and kids. And it is even better when they like what i make. Tonight FRIED CHICKEN Tim's and mom's favorite.
I cooked tonight, because mom is having her chemo treatment tomorrow and she usually has a good appetite the day before (it has been a week since the last one) So on the menu tonight was Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes, white acre peas, and fried corn. All mom's favoirtes. She came in and ate well, and then took all the leftovers with her.
It is so nice to sit at the table after everyone has eaten and laugh with mom and Christina. She is so dear to both of us, and we are just taking each day as a blessing from Jesus. We were looking at pampered chaf magazines tonight, and talking about all the different items we all want and just being together. Let me tell you, for me the time is short, then they all go back to their own homes, and I am left with a satisfaction i can't describe. My mom is beautiful, loving, and giving. I am so blessed to have a close family and would not trade it. We are not perfect by any means, but we love each other and that is what makes family what it is.

So often people these days do not eat together. It is the best family connection you can have. Even if you aren't a great cook. Make a meal, clear the mail and junk off your kitchen table and sit down with your spouse and your kids. Talk to them... turn off your phone, tv, computer, or whatever the distraction is. It will be there after your 20 minutes together as a family. It will make a difference I promise you. You won't always have the chance to have that time.

Fruit Salsa

So last night I had this crazy dream. It was nothing but the sweet taste of fruit salsa. I don't kmow why I was dreaming about fruit salsa, but now i have to make it. So here goes the recipe:
1 (16-oz.) container fresh strawberries, sliced
1 cup chopped fresh pineapple
2 kiwifruit, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
1/2 teaspoon lime zest
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

you chop all of these beautiful fruit up into little bite size pieces and mix the ingredients together and let chill for a least an hour.
I however do not like kiwi so i am substituting apples. i will let you know how it turns out. I would use peaches if they were good right now, but i can't find any worth putting in your mouth right now.
I am going to serve these with those Naked cinnamon chips. I can already taste it.

There was a question on a twitter i follow the other day about where you feel the most in your element, at home, or confident. I feel that way in my kitchen. I love to be there, granted i like to be there more when it is clean, or when someone comes behind me and cleans up, but that is home to me. I wish i could be there more. I love trying new things and not so much a baker as i am just a cook. I love to saute, and dice and try out my hand at complicated recipes.
Maybe that is why i dream about fruit salsa.

ok i am going to try to get better at this

WOW i know i don't do this enough! But i am going to try to get better.
IT is a gorgeous day outside, and I tought Alaina how to ride her bike YAY she is getting WAY too big. Stil the sunshine has made me a new person today.
Since i last posted i have begun to follow several other blogs. LIKE THE PIONEER Woman she is AMAZING!!! I think she is my role model. I dream of a life like hers. And if you know me you know that i would love to live on a ranch, with a 5 kids, homeschooling, cooking and just living a great life.
I DO HAVE A GREAT LIFE don't get me wrong. But a girl can always dream. :)
Wow i feel like i have so much to write about so my commitment is one post a day with pictures. This is just the catch up post so here goes nothing :)