On Paula Deen

Long time, no post.
Sometimes there's more important things to do than blog.  Time-consuming, important things. At least, in my opinion they are more important.  So that's what I've been doing.
But, the Paula Deen story has been on my mind, so I decided to blog about it.  Because I love to cook, and so does she.

I don't know Paula Deen personally, but I have been a fan of her cooking show, books, and magazines.  I know a lot of her recipes are belly busters, but a lot of them are really, really good and we have enjoyed lots of them over the years at my house.  I always thought she was funny, pretty, and seemed nice.  Everything she touched was turning to gold.

Then all of a sudden this story burst on the scene, and the next thing I know she was losing her show and lots of business associations.

So I googled the story to see what it was all about, and what I can figure out from what I've read is that she was called to testify in a trial involving her brother.  She wasn't on trial, her brother was.  But that seems to have changed.

So Paula admitted to saying some things she shouldn't have at some time in her life while she was on the witness stand.  As far as I can tell, she didn't direct racial slurs to anyone personally, but used some outdated and inappropriate language in the context of personal conversations with her brother or family or close friends.  And everywhere people are outraged and demanding apologies and being insulted.

I say, enough.  There are a gazillion things going on in this world that are more important than what Paula Deen says in personal conversations with friends and family.  I am so tired of this politically correct game we are playing.  And Matt Lauer, give me a break.  Drilling her on television about being racist, like she is a national criminal, bringing her to tears over something she said who knows when.  IT'S NOT WHO SHE IS.   For Heaven's sake, let's move on and get over it.  She's explained what happened. Isn't that enough?

She's a great cook, fun to watch, and I've never heard of her being rude or offensive to anyone in all the years she has been famous.  There isn't a person alive who hasn't said something that could be offensive to someone, or told a joke that could be offensive to someone. I've been around for 60 years, similar to Paula, and I know I've said my share of ' I WISH I COULD TAKE THAT BACK'.  Come on, people, let's stop looking for things to be upset about.  Forgive and forget about it.  It's not something that defines her, or guides her life.  It was a poor choice of words she used in the past, that does not reflect the person she is today.  Let's move on.

Paula, even though I don't know you, I totally accept your explanation and apology, and it breaks my heart to watch you go though this in front of everyone.  You've been an inspiration to me in the kitchen, and I appreciate you sharing your recipes and cooking tips with us, and I hope you can continue to do so.  I'm still a fan, and will continue to be one.

Well, there you have my two cents on the subject.  See you soon with a recipe or two!

Crockpot BBQ Pork - It's A Keeper!

We're off to a good start this week!  Tonight for dinner, I made Crockpot BBQ Pork from The Happy Housewife blog.  You can find the recipe link on my weekly meal plan here.

It was REALLY GOOD.  I mean, REALLY REALLY GOOD.  I have to admit, it is such a simple recipe that I thought it would either be nothing, or SOMETHING.  It was SOMETHING AND MORE!  We all loved it.  Here's a rather snarfy picture of it (a photographer I AM NOT!):

Its deep brown color is from the Worcestershire and brown sugar sauce.  After it was in the crockpot a couple of hours, it smelled so good in the kitchen!  The aroma alone is scrumptious, or it would be if you could eat it.  On The Happy Housewife blog, she recommends shredding the roast with a fork and serving it on sandwiches.  Well, since I'm gluten free, I made a big pot of mashed potatoes and plunked the barbecued pork on top of them with some juice.  Mr. Grandma ate his on a bun, and my son joined me with the mashed potato version.  

I used a boneless pork roast that was about 3-1/2 pounds, plus another 2 pound package of cubed boneless pork for stew.  Since I had so much meat, I used 2 cups of Worcestershire sauce and 2 cups of brown sugar.  

Also, I just don't make mashed potatoes.  I make my very favorite mashed potatoes in the whole world.  I peel and cut up about 4 pounds of potatoes, boil them, and when I'm ready to mash them I add an 8 oz. brick of cream cheese, 8 oz. sour cream, 1 stick of butter, and a splash of milk.  Sometimes I add a little ranch dressing, too.  The potatoes are not stiff, rather very creamy and slightly on the thin side, but not too thin that they are runny.  They are perfect.  At least for me and my family.  And yes, I might be a tad on the chubette side, but when you get to be a grandma who cares?  It's not like I'm going to be in a swimsuit competition any time soon!  

I will most definitely put this on my monthly menu rotation, and I am updating my Pinterest board to reflect that this is a keeper.  Thanks so much to the Happy Housewife blog for this great and super easy recipe!

Happy Tummies to You!

Menu Plan for Week of May 5 to May 11

May is a very busy month here.  Lots of things going on, with school winding down and all the end-of-school celebrations.  Toss in Mother's Day and Teacher Appreciation Week, and almost every day of the month has something on the schedule.  And that's why this grandma has to be organized!

So here is this week's menu plan.  Almost all of my recipes are from ones I've pinned, or my own collection.  I've linked to my Pinterest links, and all photos are from blogs where they originated via Pinterest unless otherwise stated.  I am trying to use a lot of the recipes I've pinned.  If they don't turn out, I will let you know and I will delete the pin! If they are keepers, I will let you know that too!

Monday:

B:  Cinnamon Bun Waffles, Sliced bananas and strawberries, juice
L:  Chicken nuggets, corn, pears, milk
S:  BBQ Pork Sandwiches (crockpot), Cole Slaw, Chips, Pickles

From Hope Studios

From The Happy Housewife

Tuesday:

B:  Copycat Starbucks Lemon Loaf, Bananas, Yogurt, juice

L:  Hot dogs, Macaroni and Cheese, Peaches

S:  Copycat Olive Garden Pasta Fagioli Soup, Breadsticks

From Jenn's Random Scraps

From Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen

Wednesday:

B:  Breakfast Bowls (eggs, potatoes, sausage, and cheese sauce), juice

L:  Popcorn chicken, mashed potatoes, oranges

S:  Easy One Pot K-D Taco Supper, Cornbread

From Food.com, by caillacgirl

Thursday:

B:  McMuffin Casserole, juice

L:  Soft Tacos, Rice, Pineapple Slices

S:  Slow Cooker Garlic and Brown Sugar Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Corn on the Cob

From Six Sisters Stuff

From Plain Chicken

Friday:

B:  Hummingbird Muffins, Yogurt, Juice

L:  Cheeseburger, French Fries, Apple Slices

S:  Pizza Grilled Cheese, Onion Rings, Chips, Pickles

From blogchef.net

From Mr. Food.com

Saturday:

B:  Strawberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake, Coffee, Juice

L:  Leftovers from the week

S:  Chef Salad, Breadsticks

From Food Wanderings in Asia

I will be linking up to Menu Plan Monday on orgjunkie.com.

That's all for now! Have a wonderful week!

                                    

Here I Go Again

Another attempt at blogging.

The last blog I tried, I really enjoyed.  Until another blogger hacked malware onto my blog.  I have no idea why.  I tried looking at the directions to remove it, and it was WAY WAY WAY over my head.  So I just deleted the blog.  Blog closed.

I am going to try again, because I really enjoy it.  What I won't do this time is link directly to other blogs.  Lesson learned.  What I will do is link to my Pinterest boards, but that will probably be it.  I just don't have the technical know-how, or the time, to fix all the crazy things that other people do to blogs.

Hope this one works!  Here goes!