Lydia & Ree

Forget Julie & Julia, I give you: Lydia & Ree (The Pioneer Woman)!

I am engaged. My fiance, Adam (my own MM: Music Man), has roots deep in the heart of Tennessee. We're talkin' good ol' southern food that'll make your knees quake and your tummy settle low in your middle (probably literally considering the amount of butter it takes Paula Deen to make any southern dish).

So I'm on a mission: to make sure my cooking skills are up to par with MM's mom and aunt.

I've never been a bad cook but I have not cooked as much as I used to and even though I've been cooking since the ripe young age of 11....AND even though my brother, Spank, has always told me I'm a better cook than McDonald's (that's *got* to be pretty good!) I'm still worried. I want Adam to LOVE my cooking. And I want to feel confident in my cooking for him.

The race is on! I've got a month and a half until we say "I Do" so I'm cooking a meal with a recipe or two from The Pioneer Woman cookbook at least once a week. I bought it probably a year ago and haven't cooked a thing! shame on me.


also please do not take notice of my free weights, dirty laundry, shoes, etc., on my floor.




Tonight was my beginning! I fried up some Chicken Fried Steak and Mashed Potatoes. O.M.G. They were both soooo good!

I don't have pictures of the steak cooking because I forgot about my camera until it was too late.

my beginning mess

the end project:

The potatoes were a joint effort with the brothers and Pop. They cooked potatoes, mashed them, and then I added some pepper and baked them in the oven after putting more butter on the top.

I think supper turned out pretty well. The guys grilled asparagus, mushrooms, corn, and peaches while I was cooking (too many starches I know! It hit me after we all sat down).  

I know they are all more than happy to help Adam out by taste-testing! Cup-bearers fit for a king!

Lesson for the night: I need to come up with a way to keep my meat warm if we have to wait for grilled veggies to finish.

I'm getting there. 

Overall: no complaints. at. all. 

Meal #1 with Lydia & Ree down! A couple more to go and Music Man will be one happy hubby when all is said and done. 

Food to Kill

I have about 30 minutes before I head to work. College begins... today! Can you believe it? I'm starting my second (full) semester. This semester I'm taking French II, Comp II, Learning Support Math II, Intro to Psychology I, and Weight Training. It wasn't exactly the schedule I wanted, but I couldn't get in touch with ANYONE at MGC yesterday. Still haven't heard from my advisor. But oh well... I'm registered and happy.

I completed my hunters safety course yesterday. Very proud of that fact! There are a few things I feel I need to have in order to go hunting. Boots, a knife, camo clothing (pants, shirts, socks). Here are the boots and the knife I am considering:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp;jsessionid=WYGQN3OYBXKKRLAQBBISCNVMCAEFEIWE?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=null-cat600752&id=0069913831204a&navCount=0&podId=0069913&parentId=cat600752&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&cmCat=netcon&cm_ven=netcon&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=women%20hunting%20boots&cm_ite=netcon&_requestid=32221

I like these boots because they are pull-ons and snake proof. I hate tying shoes and boots would only be worse because they are so high! And while I'm not afraid to kill or gut a snake I don't want one to bite me.

The knife:

http://www.huntingblades.com/diwigutho.html

I like this knife because it's a fixed blade. So it's stronger than a folding blade. Plus, it's made for gutting and I do plan on field dressing/gutting whatever I kill. I am so excited.

Jonathan said he would take me hog hunting. The idea scares and thrills me all at the same time. Can I just say I love the thought of killing my own food and providing for my family that way?
I need to get my license though... I've thought about getting a license to go alligator hunting... but that might be a bit much for my first hunting season. :) We'll see what happens. I like alligator so maybe...

Clothing. Yes, I am going to wear camo. But I've been thinking, I don't want to look like a bum so I want my pants, shirt, jacket to be flattering. I'm going to have to research this.

There are some great deals at Kroger this week. You guys should check them out. Plus, if you've been collecting coupons you should be able to save even more with your coupons! I am going grocery shopping after I get off work Friday... I plan to save, save save!

I've already shared this with Meg but it just looks so amazing I can't help but share it with you guys too. I want this cookbook!
http://www.amazon.com/Abel-Cole-Cookbook-Keith/dp/0007277946/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250620276&sr=8-4
If the cover and title alone don't inspire you to cook I don't know what will!

I'm gonna run. I hope you guys have a great week! Bonjour!