Just call me Betty

I come from a long line of really great cooks, my grandmas especially! For the past few years I've really become interested in family recipes and learning how to make them so I can pass them down one day too, and I'm fortunate enough to still have both of my grandmas to learn from. My Mema (my mom's mom) lives in SE Texas and is really just a "good ol' southern cook." Some food just brings you back to really great early childhood memories. For me it's the recipes from my mema and Grandma. Earlier this year I cooked my first homemade banana pudding, she taught me how to make chicken and dressing (which I've made a few years now for Christmas and Thanksgiving), Texas Sized Biscuits, and Potato Salad. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures with us cooking together, but next time I see her will try to get some.
Last weekend I went to Mesquite to spend the afternoon with Grandma Switzer (my Dad's mom). She can make the best homemade pie crust. I've been wanting to learn for quite a while, so thankfully we had a whole afternoon to practice. I also plan on doing a Creative Memories digital scrapbook with pics and all my recipes. Here are a few snapshots from our afternoon.


Me and my grandma, Evelyn Switzer


Getting the ingredients ready


Sifting the flour


Cutting the flour


D Bear being very helpful!


Mixing up my homemade sweet potato pie filling


Our work station. Grandma also made a cherry pie


Grandpa and Grandma


Making Sticktights, I'm sprinkling on the Cinnamon


Viola, a Homemade Sweet Potato pie!

This Stuff Really Works!

Hi Ladies!

Forgive me if this sounds more like an infomercial than it does a blog post, but..... I've always had a hard time growing my nails, keeping them from splitting, cracking, etc. Well, I've been using OPI Nail Envy and it's awesome stuff! It's a little on the expensive side. I get it at Trade Secret for around $15 a bottle, but it's worth every penny and the product lasts for a couple of months if used consistently. It's made my nails strong and has helped them grow out really nice. If anyone has found another great product, let me know please :)

New Years Eve Bash 2008

Well, it wasn't really a bash per say, but more like a fun dinner and early bedtime. Instead of going out and doing the whole new years celebration, we stayed home and cooked our own pizzas and went to bed before the new year rang in. Hope everyone was safe and had a great New Years Eve! Here are a few pics


Mommy and Dallas


Dallas was so excited to put on the pepperoni all by himself!


A little help from Daddy


Don't forget the cheese


Yummy!

I was thinking about the past year, all the good and all the bad. Thought I'd post a few thoughts

Accomplishments for Dallas this year:
Learned to write his name
Completely potty trained (this was a GREAT accomplishment!)
Can recognize a few sight words: No, B-B-Q (funny story behind this one), milk, gas, bank, police, Cat, and some names in his class

Family Fun and Accomplishments:
Joined our church, Bethel Bible Church
Paid off a lot of debt
Took a vacation to Disney World

New Year's Resolution
Adam's : Stop drinking carbonated drinks
Jennifer's: Send b-day cards to all my family and friends
Memorize more scripture

My Blogiversary

Forgot to write about it on the exact date, but I've been blogging since 12.27.2007.

Christmas 2008

We had a really nice Christmas. Adam and I had to work Christmas Eve, so we didn't go to any parties. I spent all evening cooking and preparing for Christmas dinner though. Christmas morning Dallas woke up bright and early as usual and opened his gifts. I did some more cooking and then got ready. We went over to Amanda, Ken, and Eden's house to eat dinner with them. I made my first turkey this year. I also made dressing, giblet gravy (my Mema gave me these 2 recipies) and baked 2 homemade sweet potato pies! Yummy! The story behind the turkey: The last time I spoke with my mother was the weekend before she passed away. Our whole conversation was pretty much about how to cook a turkey. Funny huh?! So this year, in honor of her I made my first one and I followed her directions just like she told me. Turned out pretty, don't you think?



After dinner Amanda and her family came back to our house to watch Wall-E on our new TV (Adam and my gift from Santa!) That is such a cute show! Here are a couple of more pics of Dallas opening gifts :)



Dallas said, "Monster trucks are cool and awesome!"


Dallas really likes his new Tag reading system (would recommend this for all little ones!)


What little boy doesn't like cars?!

A year older

Yesterday I turned 31. I thought I'd feel kind of lousy since losing my mom, but I had such a GREAT day! I mean, I did have my teary-eyed moments, but I got a TON of emails, cards, texts, and phone calls. I felt so loved. Thank you everyone! I went shopping in the morning, found an awesome sale at The Loft, bought a pair of jeans and got a sweater for free. Free is always good! Went to Dallas' Christmas party at his school, only worked 1/2 a day in the afternoon, went to Olive Garden for dinner with Adam, Dallas, Ken, Amanda, and little Eden, and Adam bought me a pink iHome for my iPod. Here are some pics from Dinner



Me and Adam



Me and D Bear



Me and Amanda



My pretty gift from Adam

Wish Me a Merry Christmas!

I am SO tired of hearing, "Happy Holidays" "Holiday Dinner" "Holiday Party" "Holiday Cards" "Holiday Tree!!" This is so ridiculous!!!!!! It's a Christmas Dinner, Christmas Party, Christmas Card, Christmas Tree...Christmas, Christmas, Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some people are so worried about offending others by saying Christmas, but what about me and other Christians that are offended when everything is labeled holiday? All of my ranting has been prompted by receiving numerous emails from my job with this labeling on everything. Don't get me wrong, holiday is great word, but start calling things what they are! Who's with me??!!!

“For behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
So to everyone reading this blog...Merry CHRISTmas!! He is the reason for the season.

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http://www.wmamc.com/

My Mother's Memorial Service

This weekend was emotionally difficult, but overall the service for my mother was really lovely. I don't think it could have turned out any better. Adam, Dallas, and I left Sat. morning and made it to Orange at about 12 o'clock. Lacey (my sister), my Aunt Brinda (my mom's sister), and I set everything up as soon as we got there, and the service began at 1 o'clock. Most of my family was there and a few friend's of my mom. I do have to brag on a couple of my really great friends, Kristy and Grace. They drove down from Waco to be with me. I'm so thankful for those girls!! Grace took all the pictures during the service, thanks girl! After the service we all went to my Mema's house and ate dinner. Just talking and spending time together. It was nice. We went to my sister's house before we left and spent some time with her and Gabby and Jared/my neice and nephew. Lacey gave me a lot of pictures that Mama had of me when I was a little girl 5 years and younger. There is one in particular of me on my 3rd Birthday smiling at my mom while she is smiling at me and holding my Snow White birthday cake. I saw that picture and just could not stop crying. I miss her so much. I read at her eulogy. "Whenever I get unbearable sad, i just remember she is with the Lord and she is at peace, but I can still feel her, I can still hear her, and she'll forever be in my heart." Here are a few pictures from Sat: (Sorry, all the picutres have the wrong date stamped on them. I need to fix that on my camera).





These are the flowers from my sister her 2 kids and me and Dallas



This was the entrance to the chapel. Isn't the canvas beautiful?!



My Aunt Brinda lighting a candle.



Myself, Lacey, my Mema, Aunt Brinda, Uncle Ronnie, and Uncle Jack all lit a candle in honor of my mom




Me and Lacey giving my mom's eulogy



After the service we we all went outside and had a ballon release



Me, Grace, and Kristy after the service








Everyone enjoying dinner at my Mema's after the memorial



Aunt Brinda and Me



Dallas catching a ride with Cousin Bruce on his new Harley!



Gabs, Jared, and D



Lacey and Me

Sprucing up the Place

This week has been rather busy, but found time on Wed. to start decorating for Christmas. I love this time of year! Here are a few pictures of our home. I have one more picture to add, every year we've taken a picture of Dallas putting on the star, I accidently put it on my camera instead of the memory card, will post it later.




Our Christmas Nativity, I like it because it's a bit on the Shaby Chic side.



The stockings were hung....



Our tree




I like Christmas, because it makes my house look fuller and more cozy!



This is our table, I made the wreath around the candle holder.

This and That

First of all, those reading this blog regularly are some of my closest friends. Wanted to tell everyone how thankful I am for your love and support of me after losing my mom. It has meant so much to recieve your cards and phone calls. thank you.

We had a good Thanksgiving. Adam had to work so Dallas and I drove to Gilmer to my moms brother's house. He and all of his family were there, my mom's sister/my aunt Brinda and her family were there too. So it was good being with everyone again for the day. Of couse the food was delicious. Not sure why, but fortunately all of the women in my family are GREAT cooks! We had a great feast. Spent time laughing and talking....it was rather refreshing. My aunt surprised me of a canvas she had made from a picture of my mom. I've decided to hang it above my piano.

I had a really relaxing 4 day weekend. Didn't do much black Friday shopping, but did take Dallas to the movies to see Bolt. We had fun. He seemed to like it. Adam worked Friday also, but Friday evening until Sunday we were just together all weekend. It was nice and much needed.

This weekend we are going to Orange for my mom's memorial. Everything is pretty much organized, just needing to finish up my mom's eulogy that my sister and I will read together. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! Here are a few pictures:


Me opening the canvas of my mom


My Uncle Jack and Jessica


Dallas and Uncle Don


Me with Baby Kyla, she was born Oct 21st


All of the Yummy Food!


Dallas and Hayley/thought it was a cute picture


Dallas just relaxing and watching TV


Dallas taking a nap in his halloween costume :)

My Mother

My mother, Linda Lee Hansen, passed away late last week. She wanted to be cremated, so we are having a memorial for her on December 6th in Orange, Texas. My tears seem to be coming in waves, but at this moment and most of today I have felt better. A little less teary-eyed. I have felt so much love and support by everyone. Thank you.