How is that for a title?

First of all I’ve decided to simplify the blogging thing. I think part of the reason that I’ve been in such a blogging funk lately is that I have this blog, a food blog, a business website and it’s too much to think about so I just don’t worry about any of it and play on Facebook. (Curses on Facebook!!)  It might also have to do with the constant loss of the camera since Megan wants to be a ‘picture taker’ when she grows up (please grow up!) and the fact that my laptop only works reliably when it’s sitting on the counter on a cooling rack with nobody touching the cord.  Seriously- how many times do I have to tell you!  Don’t touch the CORD!!  Anyway, in order to simplify I’m going to make things complicated (huh, anyone else do that?) and import my food blog stuff here, organize/tag/categorize stuff better and just do those two things in one place.

Merry Christmas.  I hope your holiday (whichever variety it was) was as good as mine.  We were incredibly blessed from many differing sources this season.  It’s humbling to be on the receiving end of ‘The Christmas Spirit’ when you’re not used to it.  It was heartwarming and a little tear jerking to be given gifts that someone obviously put a lot of time and effort into making or choosing for our little family.  I may have cried when Megan opened a Jessie Doll (the cowgirl from Toy Story 2) that she keeps asking for (and we’ve not successfully found a non-creepy one) and has for the last TWO years.  Yes, we’re horrible parents.  We’d even discussed it as a ‘maybe they’ll be in stores again in time for her September birthday because Toy Story 3 is coming out’ sort of thing.  It’s a little overwhelming to have a larger Christmas for your kids then you’ve ever had on the year things have been the tightest at Christmas time.

I hope your New Year holiday was better than mine.  I had a cyst removed that’s been making it hard to sit.  Luckily it was a little one and I’m already feeling pretty good.  I spent New Year’s laying in bed watching a movie with Steve.  We know how to party!  The kids on the other hand partied all night with Grandma, Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

One of my favorite gifts I received was The Pioneer Woman’s cookbook.  I’ve been a fan of her cooking site for a while.  It’s by far the best reading as cookbooks go that I’ve ever seen.  Plus that woman can cook.  There is something about it in book form that makes it a need though.  Plus there are pretty pictures.  I may need an intervention though.  Since receiving the book I’ve made:

Sour cream pancakes-  These are heavenly- even people who don’t usually like pancakes should give them a shot.
chicken spaghetti - I added chopped zucchini and white quinoa- we’ll see if anyone will eat it
Creamy Rosemary potatoes - these look and smell divine.  We’re having them with something for a main course tomorrow. Maple Pecan Scones- If you just make the frosting and lick from a spoon- do it!
Breakfast burritos-  I found Jimmy Dean natural sausage.  No MSG, no Nitrates.  I’m in business!
Basic Breakfast potatoes- YUM.  yum, yum.

Let’s be honest though.  That’s not too bad.  It’s been like 3 weeks since Christmas (or 2 1/2) so that’s not too over the top.. except that I’ve made all of those in the last 24 hours… as well as some stuff to go with them…

Like:
Buttermilk Syrup
Garlic Cheese Rolls
Garlic Bread Seasoning

Although I did put the potatoes in the fridge for tomorrow.  The scones were for FHE dessert last night.. and lunches today. Apparently I’m feeling better and feeling like cooking?  Just a warning- almost every recipe calls for cream, half and half, cream cheese or bacon…. I told you it was good! 

Okay- I can’t find a couple of those recipes on her site.  Hmm…  I’m contemplating if it’s okay to post a recipe from a book on my blog (which I’ve done a million times from the Better Homes and Garden Cookbook and never felt guilty about) it somehow feels different if it’s a book from a blog…   What are your thoughts?

In the meantime here is the buttermilk syrup I picked up somewhere.  There are a million different versions of it floating around and apparently I didn’t bookmark the one I used- I simply wrote the ingredients on a sticky and stuck it to the cabinet door- and then committed it to memory.

I usually double these amounts- use a BIG pan because when you add the baking soda it bubbles up!

Buttermilk syrup:
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup buttermilk (I buy powdered buttermilk and mix the powder with the sugar and dump in  1/2 cup water)
1 tsp karo syrup
1 tsp vanilla

Heat until combined and bubbly- then remove from heat and add:
1 tsp baking soda (I still only do one tsp even when doubling) and whisk to combine.  YUM.  This is some good stuff.  I double it and keep any extra in the fridge since my kids prefer this to any other syrup now.

Enjoy! I’m about to have Chicken Spaghetti and garlic rolls….