Lemon Meringue Pie

My famous Lemon Meringue pie from start to finish. Every part of this pie and every pie that I make is from scratch.  I use a crust receipe that my grandma used and it makes up three 9in crusts, that way during the holidays, I can just grab a pre-made wrapped crust out of my fridge and make whatever is needed.  It is flaky, buttery and stays crisp for at least 3 days after being prepared, filled and baked with any kind of filling.   The lemon filling is tart but sweet enough to keep you from having lock jaw. :)  And the meringue is fluffy, light and airy and turns out very pretty.  As long as it cools completelly before I put it in the refridgerator, it will not shrink or get water buds on top.   

Thank Goodness for Rolls

Oh my goodness, let there be rolls!!  80 rolls for 12 people. And I thought we wouldn't have enough.  Well, they are going in the oven, so I will get some more pictures up when they come out. We can't wait to smell them and better yet taste them. They turned out so light and fluffy.  I'll let you all know how they are after lunch.  Nice of me right?! Wishing you all a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and family.

Dinner Roll Preperation

These rolls are so light and airy and just melt in your mouth that you can not help yourself but having just 1 more.  It takes a little time and quite a bit of flour but it is so worth the end product and ohh the smell when I bake them.  We can't help but wait in the kitchen and watch them turn their golden brown and emit there wonderful fragrance!  This receipe is one of the best that I have and I have tried a few.  The rolls stay nice and light and do not start to dry out until about the 4th day.  I entered the 2009 Ozark Empire Fair with a receipe and made cloverleaf rolls out of it and due to the judges not judging until the next afternoon, the rolls had began to dry out, which is a very common problem. I did get 3rd place for them but soon after that I started using my new one and get rave reviews and I also use this same receipe for my Blue Ribbon Cinnamon Rolls. When I get these in the pans on the morning of Thanksgiving, I will upload some pictures. I hope you all enjoy the baking process and that the wait is well worth it for you.

2nd Place Pecan Pie

This is our Thanksgiving pecan pie.  I entered this pie receipe and my cinnamon rolls and dinner rolls in the 2009 Ozark Empire Fair for the first time as a contestant and took 2nd for my pie, 1st for my cinnamon rolls and 3rd for the dinner rolls.  It was a great experience to be running against soo  many great experienced ladies that do nothing but practice their pies and goodie making.  Even tho pecan pie is very simple to make, it can be a little difficult to judge when it is done.  You do not want an overly done pie because the pecans will begin to burn and the taste will be altered, but you can't take it out too early or it will be too jiggly and runny when you slice.  But I was told at the competition that the crust is the key factor for pies and that is truly the part that I do best and could probably do with my eyes shut.  I have a great receipe that I always use and never alter it b/c I have such a great response from it.  Light and flacky, and not tough at all.  It is all I can do to keep my husband away from this pie and any other pie at that.

Best Ever Chocolate Fudge

Well, this fudge was a snap to make and ooo so good to sample.  It is a simple fudge receipe that uses mini marshmellows and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Stir until melted and add pecans and pour into an 8x8 baking dish and chill.  It turned out so smooth and delicious. It was made as a little care package for my brother and sister-in-law.  I'm really glad it turned out for them, but the kids are a little upset that I didn't keep any out for them. :) 

Peanut Brittle

This is my families favorite treat at the holidays. Peanut brittle. A very easy treat but not the cheapest to make.  This receipe is the first brittle that I have made and ate that tastes so buttery and smooth but does not stick to my teeth.  I make it regularly for my husband and brother-in-law b/c they love it soo much and always hear them say that they can't believe that its not stuck in their teeth.  I find it funny to hear but it can be quite annoying if you eat some that is really sticky and just a booger to get out of your teeth. LOL

BLUE RIBBON CINNAMON ROLLS w/Penuche Icing (caramel)

My Beginning

I never thought I would be such a blessed woman.  I married 5 1/2 years ago to my best friend and true love Daniel.  He keeps me laughing and makes me fall deeper in love with him everyday as we go through this bumpy roller coaster life of ours. But as long as we are together with our 2 boys, we grow happier and healthier as we walk with our Lord. 
  As I was growing up, I was never really interested in being in the kitchen unless it was to see and smell what my wonderful parents where cooking. Yes, my mom and dad both loved to cook and bake and still do.  I remember my dad always telling me to get in the kitchen with him so he could show me how to do things so I could please my husband when I got married. "No way dad, its boaring and takes to long" and I'm not moving out any time soon.  Well, long story short, I had to teach myself how to do everythiing, with many phone calls to my parents along the way. How to cut up a whole chicken, when do I know when certain meat is done and edible and it won't kill me and my family? :)  Needless to say, it was a little rough at the beginning but with patience and a great husband that understood and critiqued me in a loving manner, I have gone from being scared and ignorant in the kitchen to missing it if I'm not busy playing in it.  I just love that it de-stresses me, and smells up my house with lovely aromas, most of the time. Yes, none of us are perfect so I still have moments that something just does not turn out right.  I tend to run out of counter space at times because of the mess I make or b/c I have so many things out at once, but at the end of the day and dinner is on the table or goodies are done, my famiy has a smile on their face and a full tummy and saying "Thanks mom, your the best cook ever."  And that is truely a blessing to me. 
So I pray that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and you have fun in the kitchen and you and yours have full bellies and a healthy love for food.