It's a Twister, It's a Twister!!!!!

Hey....what the hell did Ellis Co. do to piss off Mother Nature?!?!?!?!? The past few days have been a little on the scary side! Monday, Paige and I spent some quality time in the laundry room "folding laundry" while we had some wicked weather. Then yesterday, it came right over our house and we got caught in it on the way home. Technically, we could have gone straight to Karate, but I was mesmerized by the fascinating wall cloud heading towards my house and really, really wanted to get home and check on my dogs. We got on FM 660 and as soon as we went over the bridge, I pulled off the road so that I could take a picture of this amazing dark gray cloud that was circling and rotating and getting closer and closer to the ground. It was like there had been a huge explosion and this giant plume of smoke was billowing and getting bigger and bigger as it moved through the sky. As soon as we pulled over, the trees started bending over to the point that the tops were almost touching the ground. My Expedition started swaying back and forth and tree limbs, rocks, trash, etc all started to fly around and hit the vehicle. At that point, I took a picture and then got back onto FM 660. As I went left on Crisp Rd., a truck continued north on 660 towards Bristol and literally drove through this huge green swirling cloud of trees, chairs, trash and fence panels. It was like something out of the Wizard of Oz. It was so surreal. Paige and I hauled ass and as soon as we turned onto Chmelar, I realized I couldn't go any further because of the tree in the middle of the road. I backed up and we ended up at a neighbor's house. The trees were literally swirling and it just looked UGLY!! We stayed down the road for about 20 minutes and then we headed home. We haven't found any damage to our roof, but my trailers were all knocked off their blocks and their leaning on one another (totally classy redneck, there), a tree in the backyard snapped in two, our rocking chairs were blown over and there's just a bunch of debris that was blown all over the place. There are a lot of trees broken on Chmelar and Shankle Roads, but no houses were damaged. I'd say we are all very lucky. I'm ready for a break from the bad weather!!




I ordered bedding for my new trailer and I'm very excited. I've had my eye on this particular set for a while and it finally went on sale. Hell Yeah!! I've got to find fabric to re-cover the dinette cushions and to make curtains. I'm also going to take the sink out and replace it with a different sink....maybe a copper bowl? I've got lots of ideas and a few trips planned over the next few months so I'll have lots of opportunities to find great stuff for Pussywillow Rose!!

Paige has been ungrounded from the TV. When I informed her of this last night, the following conversation took place:

Me: Okay, P, you can go watch TV now.
Paige: You mean my shows?
Me: Yes.
Paige: Just to be clear - I can watch my shows now?
Me: Uh yeah...that's what I just said.
Paige: This is the most wonderful news. This is the best day ever. I get to watch TV until I get grounded again.
Me: Why don't you strive to not get grounded again...you know...maybe be good and do what Mommy and Daddy tell you to.
Paige: Well, I'm going to try, but I'm not going to make any guarantees. There's no point in letting you think that I'll always be good when I know I might want to be bad every now and then.
Me: Sounds like a plan. Thanks for your honesty.

And off she went......

Monday, while we were "folding laundry", I asked her what all she learned about Easter and she says:

"Well, I watched The Ten Commandments. I know about Moses."

I told her that The Ten Commandments was one of my favorite movies, too and I love to watch it at Easter time, but that I was really interested to hear in what she learned in school during Easter season. She says:

"That there are ten commandments and that Moses freed his people. Mommy, do you know the ten commandments?"

I told her that I did and asked her if she knew them. She says to me:

"Not all of them, but I do know that when I say I'm not going to eat muffins during Lent, then I don't eat muffins during Lent. I think you need to think about doing better during Lent, Mommy. It's a command."

I was trying so hard not to laugh at her for being so funny, yet so serious at the same time that I couldn't even compose myself long enough to tell her that the Ten Commandments don't have anything to do with Lenten sacrifices and on top of that, they're called Commandments...not commands!!! I think I'm going to let her teacher deal with that one :)

I'm worried about all of my veggie plants and seeds after all of this rain. I'm sure they've had the hell beat out of them. I'll have to keep an eye on the pots with the lettuce and chive seeds and see how they do over the next week or so. Poor things!

I'll be mixing spices and getting my things together for Larry Joe Taylor this weekend. I'm going to forgo my usual breakfast casseroles in lieu of microwavable breakfast sandwiches! I'd rather spend that time sleeping in!!! The weather is supposed to be nice this weekend, too. I'll be glad when I can get down there, open up a Miller Light and RELAX!!! I mean, I can open up a beer at home, but it'll be more fun down there, right???

I went to Neiman Marcus last Friday. I like to walk around and look at all of the cool stuff. I prefer the one in downtown Dallas - the original one. It smells exactly like you would expect Neimans to smell - like Chanel No. 5, Baby!!! So, anyways, off I went to look at shoes. I've been debating on splurging on a pair of Christian Louboutins, Manolo's or Gucci shoes. I looked, and I looked. I drooled. I coveted. I was also realistic. In the summertime, I wear flip flops and shorts. When would I be able to wear a pair of $500 sandals? To a chili cook off? I don't think so. So, then I looked at pumps. And I debated the merits of an $800 shoe that would be worn with jeans and not seen very often. My dress up uniform is typically a pair of dark jeans and a top. In the summer I wear sandals or open toe heels and in the winter I wear boots. Same dilemma. How could I justify spending that kind of money on footwear that would hardly be seen. In the meantime, I took a picture of a pair of Chanel rainboots. Yes, Chanel RAINBOOTS.



Seriously? People actually wear Chanel rainboots. I discreetly turned them over to look at the price...there was none. I remained baffled. So, off I went to the area that I knew would make perfect sense:

The Handbags!!!!!

I methodically start at one end of the handbag section and slowly move through it while touching and making noises over each purse. I'm a bit of a clutch freak right now, so I was checking out all of the Lauren Merkin clutches and of course, the freakishly expensive Judith Leiber clutches. Did you know that Judith Leiber makes an Austrian Crystal Dachshund clutch? It's true...and for the bargain price of $5950.00, it can be yours. Yes, FIVE THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS. That is unbelievable!!!!! Another little interesting tidbit....over the past forty years, Judith Leiber clutches have been carried by every First Lady at the Inaugral Ceremony. Cool huh!! I didn't hang out at the Judith Leiber case very long....LOL!!!I know that I'm always going to end up at the Gucci counter, so I save it for last. I have a Gucci Tribeca Satchel that I love and I've had to be very careful with it because the strap is a little weak and I tend to carry my whole life around in my purses. I've been on the hunt for a good spring/summer bag and I found one I loved, but it was out of my price range. I settled on a medium Gucci Speedy bag and a little coin wallet. But I wasn't finished yet. I made my way to the children's section next!

Now, this isn't a children's section like Target - where, for the record, my kid's clothes come from! (and mine too!!) They had the most beautiful Easter and 1st Communion dresses I had ever seen. I walked around and looked at all of the dresses and fru fru girl clothes and stumbled upon this:



And soon, it was mine. Paige loves it, of course :)

That was my Good Friday! It was fun to walk around and look at all of the over the top, out of my budget wonderful things at Neimans. I love that place. Maybe after I retire, I'll be one of those older women in all black working at Neimans. I could so get into that!!

Well, it's 2:05 pm and I guess I'm going to have to get back to work. I'm about to start stalking a GC who doesn't get into a hurry to deposit checks and write checks to the subs. I've never, ever understood that, so I have to temper myself when I call over there. It just drives me batshit crazy!!!!!!!

Enjoy your day....please know that my dogs are humping away in the spirit of Hump Day!!!

Spreading kindness and joy in all that I do.....

Kelly

Oh Monday....I'm Too Worn Out To Fight....

I am sooooo tired!!!! I had a nice, easy weekend and went to bed at a decent hour last night and I'm exhausted! Maybe it's the rainy weather. Paige said we should just stay home and sleep in. That baby had the right idea this morning!!! Champ is here visiting with me. He's going to Myrtle Beach this weekend and I gave him a big bag of Gunpowder Chili Fixins to have for People's Choice. He got 1st in The Colony on Saturday, so he's back on top :)

We had a great Easter!! We ate, and ate, and ate!!! There was so much food and it was all so delicious!! We had ham, flat iron steak, squash casserole, green bean casserole, okra and tomatoes, potato salad, Gruyere potatoes and rolls. We also had Pina Colada cake...it was DELICIOUS!!!!! I think I'm going to eat leftovers tonight...hell yeah!!!

We're gearing up for Larry Joe Taylor this weekend. I've got to get cheese, crackers, carrots, etc for judging; mix spices, get stuff for chili and beans, stuff for breakfast casseroles, etc.... Gary, Mark and Vicki are going down Wednesday night and I'll head that way either Thursday afternoon or Friday morning. I'm really excited about going this year. Each year I seem to enjoy it more!

I'm going to sign off for now. This weather is making me kind of sleepy and lazy and unable to think straight for an extended period of time. I think I need more coffee. I'll be back when I'm more awake :)

Kelly

Easter Deliciousness....

Good Morning!! Today is going to be better than Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I can feel it. Since Easter is Sunday, I thought I'd share my Gruyere Potato recipe with everyone. These are the most sinful, rich and delicious potatoes you will ever eat. As I instructed people the first time I posted this recipe, do not, under any circumstances, share these potatoes with anyone who does not love cheese, butter, cream and potatoes all baked together in delicious harmony. Amen.

Cadillac Cowgirl Gruyere Potatoes

10-12 medium Yukon Gold or Baby Red potatoes, sliced thin
8 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 small sweet yellow onion (Vidalia or 1015) chopped
8 oz of cream cheese, softened
1 cup of cream
1 cup of half and half
2 tsp salt
2 tsp black pepper (I use Telicherry coarse ground pepper. You can find it at the store in a pepper grinder)
2 Tbsp Rosemary, chopped and divided
1 Tbsp Thyme, chopped
1 cup Gruyere cheese, grated and divided...and even more if you prefer :)
1/2 stick of butter (I like to use salted, sweet cream butter)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13 x 9 baking dish. Slice the potatoes thinly and place in the baking dish. You can layer them or dump them in...your choice! Combine the cream and half and half in a measuring cup. In a large skillet, melt the butter and saute the onions and garlic over low heat until the onion is tender. Add the cream cheese and 1/2 of the cream/half and half mixture to the skillet. Stir constantly over medium low heat until the cream cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth. Add the salt, pepper, 1 Tbsp of rosemary, thyme and 1/2 of the grated Gruyere cheese. Cook over low heat until the cheese has melted and the mixture is heated through. Add the rest of the cream/half and half a little at a time and allow it to thicken up a little. You might not need all of it...so add the rest sparingly. You don't want it to get too thick as it needs to coat all of the potatoes in the baking dish. Check the cheese/cream mixture for seasonings and add more salt and pepper if necessary. Don't be afraid to add more salt and pepper. Remember that potatoes are really bland. Once you have your cheese mixture seasoned to your tastes, pour the mixture over the potatoes. Top the potatoes with the remaining Gruyere and rosemary. Bake uncovered for an hour to an hour and a half (check them after an hour by piercing with a fork to see if the potatoes are tender enough). The potatoes should be tender and the cheese brown and bubbly. Allow them to stand at room temperature for about 5 or 10 minutes. Serve and enjoy the deliciousness of all the cheesy, creamy gooey-ness!

I'm also making homemade yeast rolls and I'm still considering one other side dish to contribute. I guess it will depend on how much time I have Sunday between sleeping in, Mass, and driving to Irving. Paige has been a model Epistholic during the Lenten season and has not let one muffin pass her lips. I wish I could say the same; I've been horrible. I can only hope I'm forgiven and God and I can move on to other more pressing issues he and I face on a fairly daily basis.

Paige started a new Karate class yesterday. She's been in Karate for a year and it's time for her to test for a solid belt (she's still a striped belt). In her "Karate Kid" class, she learns a lot, but it also focuses on fun, too. She's ready to move up to the beginner class so that she can get ready for her next belt test and move up into the ranks of the solid belts. She did really well yesterday and held her own. This class is longer and on Thursdays it's almost two hours because after class, they spar for an hour. I think she's going to do just fine.

Today was free dress day at St. Joseph. She picked out her outfit and I let her wear it. I'll post a pic later....I didn't take one this morning. It's definitely one of her "signature" looks :)

A friend of mine is doing the 17 Day Diet...it looked interesting until she told me no booze. I quickly shelved that idea.....

I've been getting the gel manicures in lieu of having fake nails. I wore fake nails for 18 years and I was getting really, really tired of them. I like the gel nail polish - it doesn't chip and it lasts about two weeks. I'm ready for a new one, though and I'm debating whether I should have nice nails for Easter or wait until Larry Joe Taylor. Priorities, I tell you.

I was asked to supply a recipe for Bruce Foods to use with their Casa Fiesta Beans and I'm really leaning towards bagging up some sample packages and passing them out for bean cooks to try. Of course, the seasonings can be used with any brand of beans and will feature Mild Bill's spices!

I hope everyone has a great Thursday and a restful, wonderful Easter. Spread some kindness and joy while you're at it......

Kelly

Parenthood and Other Disasters

Good Morning!! Please say extra prayers for all of the areas affected by the horrible wildfires and the volunteers and firefighters trying to contain them. I can't imagine what that must be like and my heart goes out to everyone dealing with this unbelievable set of circumstances.

My Tuesday is going somewhat better than my Monday, but this was close to the time that I left yesterday to pick up my child. The school called me and told me Paige was throwing up in the bathroom. Gary was still in Ennis, so he picked her up and I met them at HEB since I figured I'd need to get Gatorade and soup for my Juicy. Well....come to find out, she did throw up, but it was of her own making. Seems she got herself in a little pickle over something she had told me, I passed on to the principal, and Ms. Volker had P's teacher check it out. I'm not going to throw my child completely under the bus on the World Wide Web, but I am going to say she learned a very tough lesson yesterday and had to go back to school and apologize to her principal. Paige is grounded and she knows what she did was wrong, but I am so proud of her for looking Ms. Volker in the eye and apologizing for what she did. She's 7 years old and she handled herself like a big girl. This morning she apologized to her teacher and I'm sure after she told Paige that she shouldn't do what she did, she gave her a hug and told her how loved she is.

Yesterday was tough for Paige...and for Gary and I, too! We have such a good kid and to have to really discipline her is hard. I'm not one for public humiliation, but at some point, I feel kids have to learn right from wrong and maybe if the aftermath of their bad decisions is some serious embarrassment and uncomfortable moments, they'll think twice before making crappy decisions in the future. At least I hope Paige does. I want her to know what is and isn't acceptable. I also want her to know that telling the truth is the most important thing you can do as a person. I know yesterday was hard for her, but I think we made the right decision and she's going to come out a little better than before she started. At least I hope :)

She had a better evening, that's for sure. She mowed with Daddy and helped me plant some flowers. She and daddy watered the dogs and she had a good dinner. She's geared up for karate this afternoon.

I'm looking forward to a low key weekend! No traveling, no chili, just staying home and doing a few odds and ends. Next week will be Larry Joe Taylor and I need to rest up!

I was told by a woman yesterday to stop wasting her time trying to collect on an invoice from February. I'm just biding my time until I pick up payment, and then I'm going to go OFF. You know....like how I used to go off on the CASI Directors on my blog. But I may do this to her face....hahahahahaha!!! Or email. Either way, I plan on telling her where to go, how to get there and what she can do once she's there. And no, I don't care if we ever do work for them again.

I'm reading The Lincoln Lawyer right now and I just got to the part where Mickey Haller, the "Lincoln Lawyer" is starting to figure some things out and it is getting GOOD!! I was up past midnight reading and I'm kind of tired today, but it's a very good book. I haven't seen the movie, so if you've seen the movie or read the book, you kind of know what I'm talking about....when he folds the picture of the woman in half and puts it up against the mirror???? Good stuff!

Have a great day, everyone!!

Keepin it real,

Kelly

Another Episode of FYM.....

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Well, I feel a little better....but not much. That was me unleashing my hatred for Mondays and just a little chili related rage....LOL!!!

First of all, congratulations to Carolyn Seelig, our new Texas Ladies State Champion! She bested 180 chili cooks Saturday to be crowned our champion! She's such a lovely woman and she looked great up on stage with her gorgeous Wendell Rankin stove and tiara. Way to kick ass Carolyn!!!

I also have to congratulate my partner in crime Vicki Sanders on her 7th place finish! I was so happy for her and I love watching her place. 10th place or 1st place, or 7th place...that woman is hootin and hollerin and excited. Isn't that how it should be??? It's hard to get points and I guess the way I see it, you should be happy anytime your number gets called!!

You never know what's going to win when you cook in certain places. The best advice I ever received was from a wise man...sort of a Budda type figure, if you will....and he said, "cook what you know and let the cream rise to the top". Ever since then, that's what I've done no matter where I am. A good recipe is going to get you far no matter where you are. It may not get you exactly where you want to be, but it's going to give you a fair shake rather than trying to figure out what to cook and where to cook it. The first recipe I ever cooked was Bob Coats recipe off of the CASI website. To this day, I still tell people to cook that recipe - it's a proven winner. The thing is, I got a hold of a good recipe the old fashion way - it was there for me and everyone else to print and cook. What I don't understand is the lengths people will go to in order to get their hands on someone's good recipe, all the while being nice to their face when they've gotten a hold of it in a not so friendly manner. And really, the person it was taken from isn't the one affected the most, it's the unfortunate ones who are given the hijacked recipe and have no idea that's what it is. They're the ones who seem to get caught with it....not the one who took it in the first place. Is that reason to freak out and quit cooking chili. No....from what I understand, this has been going on since people started cooking chili. Other than mentioning it today in a somewhat disappointed manner, it doesn't really bother me like it probably should. (That's probably the Cymbalta doing it's job). I mean, how fun is it to win with something when you know you came across it dishonestly? And I'm not talking about the people that it's handed out to who have no idea....I'm talking about the person who knew what they were doing when they took it. No need to name names...that person knows who he is and hopefully he'll realize that I know, too. It doesn't do any good to say anything, what's done is done. I just know that I'm nobody's fool...I may not know what's happened when it happens, but I eventually figure it out. For someone to think that they've pulled one over on me is an insult...I think that's fair to say about anyone. I guess if I really wanted to be an ass, I could put the recipe on every blog and FB page I know of so that everyone has it....I guess that would spoil it for the person who thought they landed a coup :) Well, enough about that. No need to let someone else's negative actions ruin my day, or week, or life.

Another wonderful thing happened at Ladies State this weekend - approval from the TLS Board to have a JUNIOR LADIES STATE COOKOFF!!!!!!! Kelly Mosel-Talavera stayed after the TLS Board and they voted and approved it at their meeting Saturday. This is such wonderful news and I'm so excited to be involved!! We've noticed more and more girls coming to TLS with their moms and what better way to get these girls cooking chili than to promote CASI at TLS! I'm so looking forward to getting this cook off up and running. It's going to be so much fun!! We're going to need volunteers and sponsors, so if you're interested, please let us know!

Paige was an absolute joy this weekend. I just love her so much and she's such a sweetie pie. We both wore our matching pink hair and she was all about driving the golf cart everywhere. We had the best time parking with Toni and Bonnie and ate like kings Saturday night! We made good time coming home yesterday, too. Gary finished planting my herbs and peppers and Paige and I went for pedicures. I've got to get more potting soil for my different lettuce seeds, but other than that, I'm ready for some veggies!! The boys stayed in the puppy hotel over the weekend and they're getting a spa treatment today. We're still waiting to hear if Eddie impregnated his little lady...can't wait to find out!!! Those will be some precious pups :)

I hope everyone has a fantastic Monday!!! I'm ready for this wind to go the hell away, that's for sure!! I'm getting geared up for Larry Joe Taylor in a few weeks - it's going to be great.

Well, shit - the school just called and my Juicy is sick. Poor baby....I'm off!

Karma and Paige

I love my child. I love that she is whipsmart and quick on the draw. I love that nothing gets past that baby...even if it's from three years ago:

Paige: Mommy, what's that on your hand?
Me: It's a brace for my wrist. I broke it last night.
Paige: Is that why you went to Dr. Redington's office?
Me: Yes; he x-rayed it and one of the bones in my wrist is fractured and mommy tore some ligaments.
Paige: I had an x-ray on my leg when I was four.
Me: Yes, you did.
Paige: My leg was broken, even though they said it wasn't.
Me: Yes, that is correct. The read the x ray wrong.
Paige: And I kept telling you it was broken and that it hurt and you kept telling me it wasn't broken and to walk on it anyways. And I cried. And you still made me walk.
Me: I know and I'm very sorry. I should have listened more carefully to you and not the ignorant doctors at Baylor Waxahachie that are incapable of reading x rays. I've apologized to you and I'm really, really sorry that I did that. I hope we've moved on from this.
Paige: We have; but while your wrist is still broken, don't tell me you can't carry something or pick up something because I'm going to remind you how you told me to stop crying and walk.
Me: Okay Paige....thank you for your sympathy.

Man....no mercy from The Juicy of Love and Deliciousness. NONE!!! She's a tough cookie I tell you!

My wrist is still killing me and this stupid brace is a pain in the ass! I can't work or do anything with it. It's hard to drive with it, too. I hope it's not hard to drink and party this weekend...hahahahaha!!!

I hope everyone has a great weekend and good luck if you are cooking chili. If you've never been to Ladies State, it is one of the funnest cook offs around. It's one of Gary's faves - a lot of the men love it more than Mens State :) Even though they can't cook, they have a great time.

I was kind of wondering something about CASI. How come we don't have an online store via the website that allows people to purchase CASI and Terlingua items year round?? Just think of some of the revenue that could be generated for the Scholarship Fund, the TICC general fund, or other operational costs. I bet there are a few board members out there that would love to see something like that come to fruition. We already have PayPal set up for membership renewals....why the heck not??

I also wonder if the Board would consider sending the Trails to City Chamber of Commerce's electronically. It wouldn't be that difficult to locate email addresses for these entities and send out the Trails. The Trails is full of so much information about CASI cook offs and what we do as a whole....why not use the Internet to send out copies so that CASI can reach local people who might not know who we are? Chambers are excellent sources of advertising and anything they can use to encourage people to come to their cities and ultimately increase their revenues is going to have a positive impact on CASI and cook off participation. Even if CASI started out by emailing 50 copies of the Trails, any feedback or recognition would be a positive start. You never know what will happen when you get your name out there.

Have a great Thursday and be safe if you're headed to Seguin. Watch out for that crazy Austin traffic!

Kelly

Word to the Wise

The next time you are driving home and you say to yourself, "I'm going to go home and watch DWTS and booze it up", stick to your plan. Don't go home and decide to drag 50 lb bags of potting soil out and plant your tomatoes and peppers. You'll do what I did. The bag of potting soil will overpower your wrist and your wrist will snap like a twig. You will fracture said wrist and tear ligaments.

All because I want to have my own f*cking tomatoes.

Needless to say, I can't type very well, so it's going to be a little quiet on the Western Front for awhile. I'm in a splint/brace and it's kind of ugly. I have no use of my left hand or arm. NOT FUN!!!!! Look at it this way: if anything pisses me off over the next few weeks, I won't be able to blog about it and considering my craptastic memory, I'll forget about it before I can type again :)

Before I go, though, I must go off about something concerning my precious, sweet, kind hearted little girl. There is a bully in her class who terrorizes not only Paige, but other kids as well. His latest assault is on her weight. Paige is very thin - too thin if you ask me. He tells her repeatedly that she's fat; she eats too much; she needs to watch what she eats and she needs to go on a diet. Over the past few months, Paige has asked both Gary and I if she's fat; is she the right size and has started asking if there is fat in her food. She's always loved to talk about "healfy" foods, but this is different. She is actually not eating because she thinks she's fat because this little boy has drilled it in her head. Parents - do not take this shit lightly! Our little ones are little sponges and they absorb everything they hear - good and bad. I don't want my child to have body issues at age seven. I don't want any kid to have those kinds of issues at any age and something has got to give. When did kids become so mean? I love this little boy's mother; but he is kind of a terror. That makes this a difficult talk to have, but I'm going to have it. I don't want any child to think it's okay to say mean things to another child because they think it's funny or okay.

That's my soapbox for today. I'll try to get down without falling. Which by the way, is NOT how I broke my wrist. Yet everyone who knows me seems to think that is the case. I cannot imagine why!!!!!

Keep it real, and in one piece.......

K

Greetings and Salutations!!

Good Afternoon!!! Lots of "winfunder" (as Paige would say) last night! Red Oak schools are closed today because of power outages and Waxahachie schools were on a delay. St. Joseph started on time, but Paige didn't! We had a power outage, so Juicy went in a little late. We didn't have near the damage as other areas in Western Ellis Co, just lots of wind, thunder and rain. We normally get the brunt of it but it went around us this time. The golf course in Ferris got an ass whipping from the wind. The nets were all torn and the poles were bent and broken. Damnit.

We had a really nice weekend - busy, but nice. Friday night Gary and I picked up our new bedroom furniture, did the chili grocery shopping and got sushi from The Bristol Store. That place was PACKED!!! Beware the Volcano Roll....LOL....pretty damn hot!! Saturday morning we picked up Ray and headed to Traders Village. It was so windy!!! Everyone fought with their EZ Ups, but in the end, the wind won! We had so much fun; even though it was hot as hell!!! Below are the winners:

Traders Village CCO
98 Chilis Judged

1. Gary Brignon
2. Mike Rogers
3. Bob Coats
4. Ray Calhoun
5. Kasey Hudspeth-Waters
6. Ron Baker
7. Roger Foltz
8. Gerald Casey
9. Greg Goodwin
10. Johnnie Sullivan

Show:

1. Soggy Bottom Bacon Boys
2. Blind Witch Chili
3. Bull Rush
4. Chuggers Whorehouse
5. American Legion

And yes, Gary...the man who has never mixed his own spices, doesn't know what he cooks, starts his chili late and rarely ever tastes it, won $1000!!!! And, he won the El Renegado Guerrero Trophy....Bastard.....LOL!!!

I just wanted to reiterate what Doris stated Saturday during announcements - North Texas should be grateful for the hard workers (including Doris who always runs that cook off!!) who help make such a large cook off so successful!

We were so hot and tired, plus Gary was a little out there from celebrating, so we decided to have his celebration meal at home. I made filet mignon, potatoes gratin with Gruyere, roasted cauliflower with walnuts and lobster tails. It was all soooo good!!! I kind of winged it with the gratin potatoes, so I need to make them again and share the recipe. I used butter and flour to make a roux, then added cream, Gruyere and White Cheddar cheese as well as sliced shallots. We ate the leftover potatoes yesterday with our ribs that we smoked in our Cajun Injector Smoker :) We got out yesterday and bought tomato and pepper plants along with herbs and lettuce seeds. I also grabbed some Miss Saigon Iris bulbs, Canna bulbs and some garlic to plant. My dreams of a bountiful garden this year have been shelved, along with most of my dreams....LMAO...kidding! But yeah, we figured it was just going to be too much to deal with. I didn't get a lot of pepper and tomato plants, so I can just put them in containers again this year. I also bought some beautiful red Asiatic Lilies and two gorgeous pots of petunias. My front porch is in serious need of some flowers :)

My mom and I took Paige out for Bluebonnet pics. She was not a very cooperative subject!! The grass was itchy, the sun was too bright...and she kept smiling this goofy, goofy smile. Here are some of the good ones:





Then we went home and after dinner made cheesecake:


She was rocking her Hooters tank top last night. She loves Owls, so therefore she loves Hooters. I don't know many 7 year olds who have a Hooters tank top and I really don't know what that says about me as a parent...but hey....she likes it!!!

We are going to Seguin Friday morning, so I'll be getting ready for TLS this week. Since I REFUSE to eat the Friday night meal, we're going to have Italian Friday night. I'll make breakfast casseroles for Saturday morning and Gary always grills steaks for us Saturday night. I'm really looking forward to this weekend. Vicki will be with us, so I know we'll have a great time! I'm also glad that I won't be stressed out over our tax return, either now that we decided to file an extension. I hate this time of year....LOL!!!

I am reading the most AMAZING book right now. The name of it is The Hangman's Daughter and the author is Oliver Potsch. (The "o" in his last name has an umlaut (the two little dots over it), but I couldn't figure out how to get them there on my computer!!) It is translated from German to English by Lee Chadeayne. It is about a Hangman/Executioner in 1600's Bavaria and it is sooo good! The beginning started out a tad graphic for me and I was really worried that the whole book would follow the same course, but it doesn't and it is wonderful! I highly recommend it :) I've been reading it on my nifty little Kindle!

I hope everyone dries out from all the rain last night. Have a great day :)

Spreading my own special brand of kindness and joy....

Kelly

Funny, Funny, Funny.....

My husband is still alive and we are still married. He chose not to come to the office yesterday out of fear that he would meet a fate similar to that of J.R. Ewing's.....

I told him that I would never kill him; I mean, what good is it to have life insurance on him if I can't spend it from jail?!?!?!?!?!?!?

I hope everyone has a great day! It's Thursday and that means we are one day closer to the weekend!!! Gary, Ray and I will be cooking at Traders Village this weekend....so if you're in the mood for chili, shopping and loud Tejano music, then come out to Traders Village Saturday :) I'll be looking for goodies for my new trailer....that I need to post pictures of! I also hope to ride the backroads Sunday and get some good pics of The Juicy in all of the bluebonnets. They are everywhere right now. We were on our way into Ennis last night and there is a house not far from ours that has bluebonnets behind their home on a hill - they were beautiful! I have a picture of Paige when she was two or three with her stuffed Piggy running through the bluebonnets. Soooo sweet....

I guess I'm going to sign off for now...I've got credit card statements to check :) Kidding, kidding....but I do love that some of you who read my blog call him and give him a hard time about getting in trouble with old lady. Priceless!!!

Keepin it real.....

The Cadillac Cowgirl

Happy Humpalicious Day!!!

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Okay, I kind of feel better after I got all of that off of my chest. And no, it's not a mistake. I had to type like that since my blog is being monitored by Big Brother and I can't really gripe about anything good anymore. God forbid I be branded a "hothead" and "hard to deal with". Funny thing is....that wasn't even a chili related rant. It was a marriage related rant. Just know this....lying to me never works because I find out EVERYTHING. And I do mean EVERYTHING.

So, on to happier news! It's Wednesday! It's Hump Day!!! The week is coming to a close! Hell Yeah!!! I'm excited to cook at Traders Village this weekend. Zoe is going to cook in the Junior Division this year! Paige isn't old enough and Tyler is just not a chili cook. He likes to go to cook offs if Mark and Vicki are going to be there, but he's not into cooking a pot of chili. Next weekend is Ladies State and this year, T & B is filing an extension which means I can relax and not stress out over our tax return, but actually leave for Seguin on Thursday and not be on the phone or my laptop the whole way down there. Yes!!!

I didn't get around to making my frittata, so I used Ina Garten's Baked Eggs recipe as a base and made my own version. Hers uses eggs, herbs and Parmesan and I went with eggs, pancetta, spinach and Havarti cheese. You actually broil the eggs until they're barely set, so I don't know if I would consider them baked. I can't have raw eggs, so I get mine going in the skillet before I broil them to make sure they're completely done. Below is my version of Baked Eggs:

Cadillac Cowgirl Baked Eggs

6 Large Eggs
2 Tbsp Butter
Cream
1/4 Cup Grated Havarti Cheese
1 1/2 oz Pancetta, chopped
1/4 cup Baby Spinach, chopped
2 Tbsp Rosemary, chopped
Kosher Salt and Telicherry Pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to broil on "high". Using two separate medium size gratin dishes (or one large gratin, or shallow dish large enough to accommodate 6 eggs plus toppings), put a tablespoon of butter and a good splash of cream in each dish; set aside. Using two separate bowls, crack three eggs in each bowl, set aside. Mix the cheese, pancetta, spinach, rosemary, salt and pepper in another bowl and set aside. I know this sounds like a pain, but you have to work quick and you want everything kind of set up and ready to go. Place the gratin dishes on a large baking sheet and place on the top rack of the oven under the broiler. Broil for 2 minutes until the butter and cream are melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and very carefully pour a set of eggs into each gratin dish. Top each egg dish with the cheese, spinach and pancetta mixture. Return to the oven and allow to broil for 3-5 minutes or until the eggs are set to your taste and the cheese has melted. Serve with thick slices of toasted bread and bacon if desired. This makes an excellent breakfast, lunch or dinner. Gary and I love it and have it in the evenings quite a bit.

Paige had an academic science fair presentation this morning on the invention of donuts. She did great - even after she dropped her donut. Poor kid....she loves donuts, but she wasn't about to take a bite off of one that fell on the floor!!! She's not big on the 5 second rule :) She was so cute...and then at the end when the class was being applauded, she stood there and made really bizarre faces and kept raising and lowering her eyebrows. I love my weird and wacky kid. She made my day the other day when she asked me if Eddie's girlfriend was going to........you guessed it......

"BIRFALIZE EDDIE'S BABIES SO THAT HE CAN BE A DADDY, TOO!!!!"

Ahhh...I can be having the worst day ever and all she has to do is say the word "birfalize" and all is right in my world. I mean, check her out:



She's so precious, and delicious and I just love her her so much!! I'm such a lucky mommy :)

Have a great day everyone! I'm going to get back to my fact finding mission. Some people just have no sense. I mean, do you really think that I don't know what "TTNA" means on a credit card statement?

Spreading kindness, joy and tales of ignorance the best way I know how......

Kelly

Good Afternoon!!

Well, here it is again...Monday. The overachieving, never fails to show up on time MONDAY! I don't know about you, but I could have used a few extra days in my weekend! I was busy, busy, busy, but didn't get a damn thing done. I hate that kind of weekend....it's too similar to my workdays!!

Friday night we headed to Oklahoma to pick up my new trailer. We spent the night at my uncle's house and headed to Broken Arrow Saturday morning. I am IN LOVE with my new trailer. I bought a 1970 Scotty HiLander in AMAZING condition...front dinette, full size bed, potty closet (SCORE!!), and a bunk. Everything is original and works and I'm just tickled pink! Since I sold the other Scotty, I've named this one Pussywillow Rose and will be decorating her in a vintage cowgirl theme with lots of fru-fru frilliness....so unlike me, of course! I'm just so excited about it! Gary moved all of my trailers to the back of the property yesterday and lined them up out in the bluebonnets!!

Speaking of bluebonnets: I welcome everyone to head to Crisp and Bristol and enjoy all of the bluebonnets along FM 660. What I would like to stress, however, is if you are driving the backroads looking at the bluebonnets, please drive the friggin speed limit! I almost ran up the ass end of a few tourists and I was none too pleased :) I guess I'm just used to seeing them...oh well. Aaahh...and speaking of Bristol, Gary and I both had Sushi from the Bristol Store on Saturday and it was fantastic! I had him get me a Rattlesnake roll (tuna, jalapeno, avocado and cream cheese) and he got a Bristol roll (tuna, salmon, avocado, cucumber) along with eel and salmon. It was sooo good! So were the two bottles of wine we drank with it. I opened up a 2008 Seghesio Zinfandel that was absolutely perfect! After I opened it up, I started perusing our wine stock and we're getting a little low. Gary brought Woodbridge Pinot Noir home from Men's State that I need to get in the house. I think it's still out in the toy hauler.

Our wood floors were installed Friday in our bedroom and I'm so happy!!!! It's very loud in there right now, but I am so glad to be rid of the carpet!!! Waylon is a little out of sorts because the wood is sort of uncomfortable for him and he can't flop over and show his muff. I'll need to get a rug so that he doesn't hurt himself :) Paige asked Waylon to show his muff Friday night at my uncle's house and everyone was like, "What??" I had to explain to everyone that we call him "muffin", "muff" for short and when he's rolls on his back...well, you get the point. I also had to explain how there really is no filter in our home and as a result, my child says things that sound way worse to unsuspecting adults than they really are. Fortunately, my family is pretty much just like me, filterless, couthless, and laid back, so once the intent was established, everyone was like, "oh, ok...gotcha." I guess there are benefits to growing up in a non-repressed family.

Except for one thing: my mother's, shall we say, recollection of my childhood and her involvement in said childhood. Apparently, I'm only allowed to share the "nice stories" with Paige. Therefore, when I tell my child about riding from one aunt's house to another's in the back of my parent's truck (it had a camper) laying on a mattress and being scolded anytime we knocked on the window to ask how much longer, are we there yet, or God forbid, can we stop and pee, my mom refuses to confirm these memories. Instead, she tells Paige I'm making up stories and not to believe me. WHAT THE HELL, mom???? And of course, the Juicy believes her Gammy....LOL!!! Courtney and I got a real good laugh out of this latest denial....LOL!!!

Yesterday morning, I made banana blueberry pancakes. Paige won't eat blueberries, so she had plain pancakes. Here is my basic pancake recipe and the measurements for the blueberries and bananas should you want to add them.

Cadillac Cowgirl Pancakes

2 Cups Baking Mix
2 Large Eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 Cup Milk
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 Tbsp Melted Butter

Mix the above ingredients in a large bowl. Using a large skillet or griddle, heat the surface to 350 degrees. I use a griddle and spray it with Pam just to be on the safe side! When you're ready to start flippin flapjacks, take a ladle and filling it 1/2 full, use it to pour the batter on to the skillet or griddle. Once bubbles start forming and the edges are set, flip the pancakes and cook until golden on both sides. Serve with butter and maple syrup!

To make Cadillac Cowgirl Blueberry Banana pancakes, add 1 cup of frozen or fresh blueberries and one cut up banana to the batter. Prepare the same way you would the regular pancakes. You can also use strawberries, apples or blackberries in place of the blueberries and/or bananas. Experiment and find the combination you like best! I also like to top the pancakes with blueberries and bananas as well :)

I've got a frittata to make this week as well as tweaking my Enchilada gravy. I've got irises blooming finally!! It took two years, but the irises planted along one wall of the house are in bloom - gorgeous peach and yellow colored blooms! My purple irises also bloomed and I'm just waiting on my heirloom irises to come up and I'll be a happy girl. I need to get an Easter lily for this house, though. I didn't bring the one from the last house. I thought that would be kind of tacky. I did, however, exclude the heirloom irises and daylilies from the sale of the house....LOL!!! Hey...bulbs are serious shizzle, people!

Make it a great day....I know I'm going to try!!!

Kelly

Hello Friday - So Nice to See You!!!

What a beautiful day outside!!! I'm ready to blow this pop stand and pick up my new trailer! Hell yeah!!! I sold two and acquired one more. I'll be posting pics on Monday!

I made the most unbelievably delicious cheese enchiladas last night. My family loved them, too! I'm going to make them one more time before I share the recipe. I want to tweak the enchilada gravy just a tad. I probably could have used more cheese, too. I mean...is there ever a reason to not use lots of cheese?!?!?!? My rice was pretty damn good as well. I used a chicken and tomato flavored bouillon cube in place of one of the chicken cubes. I think this gives it a lot more flavor. It doesn't give the rice more of a tomato flavor, either. It's just right. I need a really good refried bean recipe to try out. I usually buy the Santa Fe dried beans that you add water to and they become refried beans (available at HEB) or a can of La Sierra refried beans - probably my most favorite. I make a damn good pot of charro beans, but if I put all of the stuff I like in them, The P won't eat them. And after all....this is Paige's world :)

Speaking of Paige, she informed me the other day that even when she's a teenager and able to drive, she would prefer that I continue to drive her around so that she can still sit in the backseat and play her DSi and watch movies while in transit. She told me it wouldn't be safe to play her game while driving. You think??

So I decided not to cook in Canton this weekend. Too many things to do....not enough time to do them all! Gary, Paige and I are going to pick up my trailer this evening and come back in the morning so that we have the rest of Saturday to do stuff around the house. He mentioned going to the deer lease on Sunday and I know he's got to mow. Our grass is obnoxious. Gary and I are cooking at Traders Village next weekend and then TLS will be upon us! I hope that I can leave earlier than last year and hopefully it won't rain the whole way down there! I'm also looking forward to Larry Joe Taylor at the end of April. The weather should be amazing and I can't wait to relax, have some cocktails and just have a DAMN GOOD TIME!

My dad just pulled into the yard with our gooseneck trailer (that's construction lingo for shop parking area...not my actual yard, although it was there for awhile).
I thought it had been here all along; I guess not. I hope it hasn't been out at my house and I really am that dingy that I didn't even notice it! Oh Lord....I need help!! Jeannie and I are debating the whereabouts of the trailer and I guess that just goes to show either how cognizant or how don't give a shit we are about what goes on around here!!! LOL

I guess I'm going to sign off for today. I hope everyone has a fantastic day and weekend. If you're cooking chili - good luck and steal some points!!

Spreading happiness and joy in all that I do......

Kelly