Goodbye to the past and Saying Hello to the Future!

I am not sure about you. But I have to say 2009 was a transition period for me. It was a lot of battles to fight. It was a time to reflect and see how lucky with love I am. It was a time to see that I had to stop stressing on the small stuff and look at what I truly had within my home. I am truly blessed with a wonderful husband and son. Then in 2009 I became a member of the blogging world. Who knew that I would meet such great people! Of course you did! I have met such great people through blogging. I have also learned so much from you. I really want to give you a big warm thank you! You have all introduced me to a wonderful world of learning, sharing and teaching. I will leave old me in 2009. This December marked my 34th birthday which really put a twist on things. It really put me into gear. I always said that by my 35th birthday I wanted to have certain things accomplished. So I only have one year to get the new me into full gear. I hope you will continue to join me. To share your life with me. To watch me grow into the person I know I was meant to be. I am holding back full of anticipation. To see all the wonderful things you will have to share. Some are recipes. Some are babies growing. Some of you have many adventures in moving. Whatever it may be. I am here to join along for the ride. So before I say goodbye I want to wish you all a happy new year and many blessings to come. But remember to sit back and looked at your loved ones and just laugh and cry and think of all the things you had in 2009. Remember no matter how big something may seem at the time. Remember those little faces that love you so much! As I will do the same. So see you later my friends. I will meet you over in 2010!!!

Frustrated

Hello everyone! I hope you all have a had a wonderful Christmas and Happy Holidays!
I know that I have not posted in a while. But I am just frustrated and needed to get some things off my chest and now you will also know why I have not posted. See as I have mentioned before I suffer from sever migraines and I am not sure if I mentioned that I have mini strokes when I get them. Yes I do! Lately I have been really having some serious migraines and this has become a daily thing with me. They make me miserable. Nothing seems to help anymore and I am just tired of dealing with this pain. I started having migraines when I was about 8 years old. So you figure for over 20 years I have been dealing with these things. I get so frustrated when I think of having to spend the rest of my life living with these migraines. Besides suffering from migraines. I also suffer from Fibromyalgia,Chronic Fatigue, Arthritis and Insomnia. Well if you know what these illnesses are then you know along with them come a lot of other issues. Each day that I can have without a pain is truly a BLESSED DAY. It saddens me because of these things. I cannot live my life the way I want. I cannot be out in the heat because I am allergic to the sun and get really bad rashes. It also causes my migraines. I cannot be in the cold because once again they cause my migraines. When it is going to rain. Yup you guessed it I get bad migraines and those are the worst because my Arthritis acts up and my next hurts really bad. The reason I decided to share the dark side of Baking Momma is because I have been absent a lot and there are really reasons why. Today I sit and type this with another migraine. This is why I decided to share my story. See Jr. Chef also suffers from migraines and it breaks my heart to see him when he hurts. He also has Asthma. Which luckily only comes with weather and season change and is not something that we have to deal with everyday. But he is the reason why I want to make some changes for my 2010. See I have worked my whole life and have also not kept jobs due to illnesses or had to leave because of illness. I dont want that for my son. I dont want him to suffer the way I have suffered. I am determined to start a successful business one way or another. Something that I can have my son take over when he is old enough if he wants. Something that I know he can lean on. I know how hard it is to keep a job when you are ill. I know how healthy I look to everyone else and they do not understand the issues I have.

I want to know. Is there something in your life you are frustrated with? Is there something that you would like to change for the new year? Are there things that have held you back and you are tired and want to take your life back?

There has to be something out there. I wake each day with a feeling that I have a greater purpose than what I am doing. I know each night when I lay that I feel there is something missing and I think of all the other people who have greater issues than I and can get through them. I wonder if I am looking at things the wrong way? I am not sure. But I am sure that I am ready for a change. I am ready to make that list ans start crossing off the things that I have accomplished while I am here on this Earth. I know I am ready to fulfill all the things I feel I was meant to do while here!

Have you made Cake Balls?

Have you ever made cake balls? I had tried once before. But because I didn't read the full instructions. I didn't finish. Well because it came out wrong. So I had made a birthday cake over the weekend for someone. My first attempt of the cake. It fell apart before I could put it together because it was so moist. That when I lifted from cooling rack it just crumbled. So I thought OK. I will just try to make those cake balls now. Well I followed the usual directions. Crumble the cake then mix some icing in. Make the balls. Freeze the balls. Then dip the balls in chocolate. For the first time actually completing the task I think they came out ok. But The cake was too darn sweet. I mean Jr. Chef is the taster here when I have no one else to torture with my makings and bakings. But I tell you even he said they were way too sweet. So my questions for you are. Have you made them? If so were they too sweet? If they were what did you change. I made yellow cake with just can cream cheese icing. Now it may have been the icing. I usually make my own. But I was in a rush since I have a lot of orders that actually came up this past week. So I went with the can icing. But like I said these cake balls were way too sweet.

Please let me know how yours came out.

Just Some Cookies

The Winner is

Well congrats Jana,

You are the winner of this giveaway. I guess this time it paid to be first.

I know you are like a gypsy lol moving all over the place.

But email me your information so I can get them out to you.

Now to think up the next giveaway 8)

True Random Number Generator Result: 1

Thank you to everyone else who joined in.

Blog Confession Thursday-Feeling Guilty

Is it just me or do you ever feel guilty because you cant get to the blog? I know we all have busy lives. But there are times when it just drains me. Knowing that I can't sit down and share a part of me with you all. Or that I have forgotten once again to take pictures of something I have made. I walk by the computer and I feel like it is calling me. Saying "hello hello there are people waiting on you!" I want to be on here all day. I want to be able to update all the time. But sometimes I just can't. I know you understand where I am coming from. Some of you that I speak to on a personal level. Have businesses to run. Children to raise. Sports to attend. Then there is the blog. That other "person" in your family that wants to be loved. That is needing your attention. You want to give it all of your attention. But know that there are other things to do. I have slacked on my Thursday confessions. But I hope to be back up to speed from here on through. But please don't fault me if I miss here and there. Even though I may not be on here. I am thinking of you. I am reading all the witty things that all of you have written. I am looking at your beautiful work that you make and share with the world. Always know you have a fan in me. I am inspired daily by each and every one of you. In so many different ways. So for that I THANK YOU!!!

Reminder

This is just a friendly reminder that the squeeze bottle giveaway is ending on Friday the 6th. All entries must be in no later than 10pm EST. Depending how well this giveaway goes. Will determine how frequently more giveaways are to come in the future. Thank you for your participation.

Squeeze Bottle Giveaway

OK so I am guessing something has changed. But I figured it out. We used to be able to see our pictures when we would upload them. Now they are just codes. But it still shows the reader the pictures. I am not liking this new thing. But I guess I will have to adjust. So now I am able to post the giveaway.

As stated because you waited around for me. When I was no where to be found. I thought that the thing I needed to do was come back around with a give away.

So Jr. Chef and I are giving away a set of squeeze bottles. I am not sure about you. But I can use these little guys for just about anything. So I figured since they are handy little helpers in our home. I would like to make them handy little helpers in yours. Now if you are a squeeze bottle user. Then you know what I am talking about. You can never have too many of these little guys.






Enter for a chance to win:
An 18 pack of Squeeze Bottles

* Just leave me a comment on this post and let me know what you use your squeeze bottles for.
* Also if you are not a follower please sign up and let me know you have.
* Leave your comment with a way for me to contact you if you win (either a blog link or email)
* Deadline to enter is Friday, November 6th at 10 p.m. EST (Time will be recorded by your comment)
* One winner will be chosen at random* and announced Saturday evening on this post.
* US entries only at this time. Sorry
* One entry per person

*using the Random.org integer generator

Has something changed?

OK so I went to post my giveaway today. But Oh Oh my pictures are not posting. Has something changed since I have been gone? I am not doing anything different or using a different camera. But the pictures are posting as html. What is going on? I anyone else having this issue? I want to get this giveaway posted. But I feel silly trying to hold a giveaway and no picture. Hmmmmmm (arms crossed)

Someone please help me Let me know if this is happening to you. Or if you know what the problem is.

As soon as I can get this fixed I can post the giveaway!!
Which I know that everyone is waiting for.

I Am Back!

Hello everyone! I am finally back on. This time I promise I will not leave you for so long again. I have been reading and watching. But being so busy with things going on in my life and running around. I have not been able to comment the way I would have liked to. So WARNING!! I will be coming around posting comments like a lunatic on everything I missed.

Updates:
My house is clear of the Swine Flu now thank God.
I have been helping a friend plan her wedding.
Helping another start a business.
I have started working part time for my favorite craft store.
I have been helping my mom deal with her job loss and sick boyfriend. Which I am sad to say lost his battle with Cancer last night. May he rest in peace. He was a nice guy.
I have been going over some ideas with my mom in starting our own home Internet business.
Also dealing with the school issues and Jr. Chef's Academics.
Bless his heart he is a brain when he tries. But he is so lazy when it comes to school and that does not work so well when you are in advanced classes.
So I have had to get on that in a quickness to make sure he gets his act together.

I have been also reading the twilight books. I know I am such an addict. I am on the last book because I had to take a break. My husband was missing me. I was going through these books in 2-3 days so you know he was not getting any him time lol. So I am halfway through the final book that I started yesterday and I just don't want it to end. How sad!

But since I am now back and I have missed you guys so much. I will be posting a giveaway within the next couple of days. I mean come on I know you deserve it for sticking around waiting on little old me!!. What would I be going away like that and coming back empty handed.

So check back either tomorrow or Sunday it will be posted.

Take care and I truly missed our chats!

Blog Confession Thursday- Our Children

Today's confession is about how worried I am for our children. Right now as I am blogging this my son's school is on lock down for the second time in two weeks. I don't understand what is going on with the parenting these days. I sit here helpless because no one will answer the phone at his school. I know for the moment my child is safe because he sent me a text. But still they have streets blocked choppers flying over and there is an ambulance at his school. I hear the police sirens and I cannot do a thing! Why does it have to come to this? Why are these children. Our children in a state where they think violence is ok?!!! I send my child to a school that is rated one of the top schools in the area for their grading. But does that matter anymore. When I am always worried about his safety? The police don't tell you anything. The staff ignores the calls and us parents stand watch and wait for some sign. Some sign that our child is ok! Then they send you a sorry excuse for an explanation of what happened. Even though they won't tell you how extreme it was. Last time I was in my home helpless and crying for almost three hours not knowing if my son was safe. There was a child claiming he had brought a gun to shoot some people. This child was only 12. I of course did not get this from the school. But from the news and my own son! I ask you all to take the time today and pray for our children. Pray for the parents who can't control them. Pray that each day your child leaves your sight. He or she will return home safe!

My Absence

I have been really trying to get into the swing of things more often. As you see I did not have a confession last night.
I do apologize! The reason behind it is I have been taking care of my husband. My husband was hit with a flu and we did not know how serious it was till last night. His temperature reaching 103.4. Having to ice him down because he is so stubborn and wouldn't go to emergency. So luckily I got him to the doctors today and it was the worse case scenario he has caught the swine flu. I know scary! But this is why I will need to take care of him and watch that Jr. Chef doesn't get it. Even though he has not been feeling well either for a couple days!

So my confession is I miss posting as much as I used to and I miss everyone! But now before I can jump back into it I must watch my two men and nurse them back to health.

Thank you for understanding and sticking by me!

God Bless!!!

Blog Confession Thursday- Just plain tired

Sad but true! Do you just ever have one of those days when enough is enough? Today is that day for me. I have just been having a rough week and today was when I said no more! I am not going to stand for this! I don't know where it went or when it started. But time for me to take my life back. Time for me to focus on the things I want out of life. Time for me to stop quiting. I mean let's face it I am not getting any younger. Every year I say this is it! Its my year and then another passes. Now at the age of 33 I am shocked by all the things I could have accomplished by now. That I thought would take too long.

I went to visit my mother yesterday. It saddens me. She was a young talented and beautiful woman. But she never did anything with it. She always settled. I always say I do not want to be like her. I do not want to look back when I am in my 50's wondering why.

I have to make a change and it starts now. An obstacle gets in my way I need to kick It down. If I hear no. I need to search till I find a yes!

I am the master of my path. I have let my path take over me and now I'm back to claim it. Back to say " I'm not taking it anymore"

Whew!!! Had to get that off my chest. What about you? What have you always dreamed about doing? What scares you to pursue it? Are you like me with so many supporters but yet you do not support yourself?

I would love to hear what others are fighting against!

Blog Confession Thursday- Things kids say!

OK for my confession this Thursday is just some of the things my son does to embarrass me.

I mean come on! Are they programmed to make you blush 95% of the time? Well my son must think so.

Do you ever have a conversation with someone and you hope no one catches you in that little lie. Example: I'm sorry I missed our lunch date. I was in bed with a migraine. Sounds simple enough right? Well then there comes my son mommy you didn't have a migraine that is when you went shopping with (some other person). Yea it didn't go as planned.

Oh while driving down the street with my son. He checks out every car that is next to us. God forbid its a male because my husband has programmed in my sons head that every man wants me. Let's face it I am not that same little hottie he met 14 years ago lol. But bless his heart for thinking so! Gotta love that man!

But because of this my son makes sure no guy is looking at his MARRIED mom! If they get caught looking beware! This kid is asking them what are they looking? She is a mom geese! She's married!!! Mom show him your ring. Come on show him or I'm going to tell daddy you want these guys looking! Of course its all fun and games to him. But I want to hide under my seat.

Don't even get me started when we go to get groceries at Wal-mart. According to him and his dad I have fans in the paper isle and I am not allowed to go down that isle alone.

So I know there are a lot of you that have little boys! What are the things they've done or said?

Is your son or daughter as protective as mine?

Please share!

Blog Confession Thursday- Reality TV

ok so I must admit that I am a reality tv addict. I am not sure what it is about these shows. But my DVR is stocked up on recordings. Now these shows vary. But something about them have taken a hold of me. My husband says that I have a problem. But yet this comes from a man that can watch law and order all day everyday. Sometimes lies about having not seen an episode. But I catch him each time because I tell him " wait a minute remember that day you held me in a choke hold begging me to watch tv with you? Well it was this episode" lol It gets him every time. I also above anything am a soap addict. Why is that we get so emotionally attached to these darn characters? I started out watching them with my mom as a child. Yes it is her fault but I think it starts that way for everyone. Then when I met my husband ( boy he's gonna hurt me for saying this) he watched soaps. But he watched another station. Now if you watch soaps you know if you watch someone elses it looks so fake. Oh and it did. But some how he got me watching his soaps and it is over 13 years later and my husband has moved on to other shows and I am still watching these soaps. And don't you try to talk to me when they are on. I get all crazy lol. Thank goodness for rewind lol. But there you have it I am a soap,reality tv watching fool. Just in case you too are an addict. I will list the shows I watch. So you know what I am watching and hey maybe compare some notes later lol. I know I am so bad. Plus this list doesn't include regular tv shows. Wow that would be another long post.

My list
Jon and kate
Cake boss
Bridezillas
Amazing wedding cakes
Project runway
Flipping out ( he is so funny) I love this guy
Nyc prep
Housewives ( all of them)
Ghost adventures
Challenge
Property Virgins
My first place
House hunters
House hunter international
Paranormal state
Big Brother ( I forgot this one. Oddly enough I was watching it when I made original post lol

Soaps
Guiding light
Young and restless
Bold and beautiful
As the world turns

These are just the ones I can remember off the top of my head. Also please please forgive me as I left out. I definitely can watch LMN all day long and the food network. See I am trying to stop letting all my secrets out and here I go just telling you everything. I mean if I am going to come clean. Might as well tell you everything. Ok so now its your turn. What shows are you addicted to?

The worst thing ever!!

Well when I thought it could get no worse it has!! My computer is down. I think I have been working it too hard. Ok ok maybe I have mistreated it a little since I never let it rest. Well it finally decided to show me who's boss. So now I am without my computer till it is fixed or I get a new one. What does this mean? Well it means I can't blog as normal. Right now I am honestly blogging from my blackberry. Have you seen how small these keyboards are? Yes so you know what I am going through. Typing away with my two thumbs as fast as I can. I can't even post pictures of anything because my cell is one that doesn't have a camera. Courtesy of my husbands bright idea. If you have a camera you do not need a camera phone. Or at least that is what he thought! Well as I am able to blog and see what everyone is blogging about. I am unable to reply to comments or comment on your blogs. I am hurting so bad over this. My heart is aching. I sit here and read and watch what is going on like a puppy in the window. But I can't do anything about it. So sad! So for now my friends please know I am watching and reading and wishing I can respond to comments. But at this time I can only respond to emails. So if you email me I'll respond. But know when I am back on I will respond to each and every comment and post I have missed.

Potato Skins

A favorite here in our home. Is Potato Skins! We usually go to TGIF to get our dose of potato skins. But there are times when you just can't run out and get them. Or you just don't want to. So we decided one day that we were going to start making them at home. I mean what could it hurt right? I mean they do say better when homemade and they were right!

Items Needed:
4medium potatoes
Bacon bits ( I use the brand that has the real bacon pieces in it)
1 cup of butter ( if you are going to dip your skins) Or 1/4 if you are only going to brush skins
Sour Cream ( optional)
Chives ( optional)
Salt

Preheat the oven to 400F. Bake the potatoes for 1 hour. Let the potatoes cool down enough so that you can touch them. ( I myself cannot wait this long). Boy did I get burned! But so worth it!

When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, make 2 length wise cuts through each potato, resulting in three 1/2-1/4 inch slices.

Save the middle piece for a separate dish of potatoes. This will leave you with two potato skins per potato.

With a spoon, scoop out some of the potato from each skin., being sure to leave about 1/4 inch potato inside each skin.

Brush the entire surface of the skin, inside and out, with the melted butter. ( I personally like to dip the potato so I can get a real buttery taste.

Place the skins on a baking sheet , cut side up, and place all your toppings onto potatoes. Bake them for another 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Take them out and you are done!


Now for the left over potatoes.

I chop up the potatoes and place in an oven safe bowl.
Then add all my toppings. Including the butter and salt. Then I place in the oven for about 15 -20 minutes. I did not make this the same day. I actually used it for breakfast the next morning. You may even want to add scrambled eggs to your bowl. Now because I am an awful photographer it doesn't look so great. But trust me when I say it is delicious and had people coming back for more!



So next time you are craving some potato skins. Don't run out to buy them. Try and make them!
Thank you for joining us for another session of Meals with Momma and Jr. Chef.

Blog Confession Thursday- Baby Food

I thought I would make some of my confessions of things I love to eat that others may think is weird.
OK now you know that I must truly love and trust you guys. To let one of my deepest darkest secrets get out. I love baby food!! Now I am NOT talking about the fruit. I know some use that to bake. I am talking about the chicken noodle dinner. The peas. The custards. I love baby food. Sometimes I sneak to the baby section and buy a bunch of jars of baby food. My family does not even want to be around me or smell it when it is cooked. But I can't help it. It is one of my comfort foods. I love it. I love to eat it cold or hot. I love to see the little veggies chopped up in a dinner meal of baby food. I love to eat it nice and slow because I want every spoonful to last as long as it can. I don't want to share it with anyone. Not that they would ask. But there I said it I LOVE BABY FOOD!!! So come on tell me one thing you love to eat. That others may just turn their head to. You know there is something. Don't leave me out here on my own. It took a lot to spill those beans. Now I am ready to hear what your food confession is.

They have to do what? Part two

OK so after the traumatic talk about having to get the (nuggets checked) as my friend Tami calls them. He was ready to face his fears and head to the doctors. I asked my sister to come along for reinforcements. Since daddy who was in the first place not making things any better had to work.
Now Jr. Chef has been a comedian since the day he was born. He is just like my dad. They are two of a kind. People with the ability to always make you laugh. People with good hearts and great spirits. Now this is the first time that my sister went along with me to an appointment. So she was not prepared for what he was about to throw her way. But yes I am an expert and the doctors and nurses know him all too well. But you would think they would prepare themselves a little better.

Arrive at doctors office:

Nurse: Please step on the scale

Jr. Chef: One foot on, One foot off. Holding himself up against the wall. You name it so he doesn't give the correct reading.

Nurse: Come on now you know what you have to do.

Momma: If you don't get your but on that scale and stop playing around. I am going to get daddy on the phone.

Jr. Chef: Standing like a soldier

Nurse: OK let's measure your height. Please take off your shoes.

Jr. Chef: Walking over to the measuring section ignoring her and trying to be measured with his shoes on.

Nurse: Shoes off please

Jr. Chef: Yes but if I leave my shoes on I'll be taller.

Nurse: Yes I know but that is not the correct reading

Jr. Chef: Darn

Nurse: You are 5' 1 1/2"

Jr. Chef: Wow I am almost 6 feet.

Nurse: No not really

Jr. Chef: Look just work with me here. I am looking into my future.

Momma: Just laughing in the corner shaking her head and giving him the Momma Look. Yea you know the look. Like pull that crap again and I am gonna get ya.

Now in the room:

Jr. Chef: OK so what exactly has to be done today?

Momma: I already told you this.

Jr. Chef: I want to hear it out of her mouth the mean things she is going to do to me

Nurse: Well I think you are here for shots and a physical

Jr. Chef: SHOTS??? What do you mean shots? I didn't know I had to get shots!! ( LIAR)

Momma: Don't you start again.

Nurse: Didn't you know what you were coming for?

Jr. Chef: Nope my mom doesn't tell me anything!!

Everyone is laughing at this clown that has appeared in the room.

Jr. Chef: Well how many shots?

Nurse: Well it depends. It can be one or two?

Jr. Chef: Or do I have options of how many shots I can get?

Nurse: No lol it depends on what you are required to have and what you may need to renew.

Jr. Chef: Well you just said I have options. That doesn't sound like it.

Nurse: The doctor will be in any moment

Doctor walks in

Doctor: I see that you are here for your physical.

Jr. Chef: yeah OK so what does that mean to you?

Doctor: Well we have to take care of your shots. We also have to check you and make sure everything is OK.

Jr. Chef: What is everything?

Momma: Speaking to doctor telling her that I had advised him what was to come.

Jr. Chef: Do you think I am going to let you in my pants?

Doctor: Mouth dropped well I need to make sure you are OK it doesn't hurt.

Jr. Chef: How do you know it doesn't hurt? Do you have nuggets being checked by a woman doctor?

Doctor: No but I know I am not hurting you. (Explains the procedure)

Jr. Chef: Well if it is that easy then I can go in there myself and tell you how they are doing.

Doctor: It doesn't work that way.

Momma: Giving him the stare

Jr. Chef: Well who better than me to know if my nuggets are feeling well!!!

Needless to say he did get everything done. He gave her a hard time with the breathing, the back straightness checking, the walking etc etc.

Don't get me started how long it took to get the needle in his arm. For him to say later " wow I worried for nothing".

Yes people a 15-20 appointment lasted a little over an hour.

The award for how to beat up your doctor and mom at that same time goes to JR. CHEF!!!!

They have to do what? Part one

OK so school is about to be back in session. I had to take Jr. Chef to get his shots for school. Since he is entering 7th grade it is a requirement. Well he was acting SO tough when I told him. But when the day got closer for his doctor appointment. That was another story. All the questions started.
Jr. Chef: How many shots?
Jr. Chef: Is it going to hurt?
Jr. Chef: What else are they going to do to me?

Well I try to be as honest as possible with him.

Momma: Not sure how many shots.
Momma: It will feel like a pinch if you cooperate.
Momma: They are going to have to give you a physical.

Jr. Chef: OK so what is a physical?

Momma: Well they have to check you all over.

Jr. Chef: What exactly is all over???

Momma: Well you know!! All over like all over ( eyebrows raising)

Jr. Chef: Do you mean they are going to touch my N**s?

Momma: Well hmmm hmmmm yes they are

Jr. Chef: DADDY!!!! Did mommy tell you they are going to be touching me????

Dad: Hey it's a part of life.

Jr. Chef: I don't want anyone checking my privates!!

Dad: Yeah that is what you say now!!

Ok Moms now you know where I am going with this!. Why is it that men think it is so funny?
We have to deal with the kids freaking out about going to the doctors. We have to deal with them having someone checking the shhhh privates. We have to explain to them that it is different and that they need to be checked for their health.

But here comes dad with that " son you may not like it now. But believe me when you are older"...

Now of course he is not talking about the doctor. And my son is old enough to know what he is talking about.

Jr. Chef: Geeze Daddy you are so disgusting!!

Momma: Come on help me out here! (Walking away shaking your head)

It's name is Chili. But boy is it HOT!!!!!!!!

OK so Part-Timer loves Chili but never has made it from scratch. I personally have never made Chili. A friend of mine had posted her recipe recently and I thought OK here is my chance. But I never got around to it. He likes his Chili with just meat. So I told him go at it. I will just post it. So with his permission. I am able to post his recipe for his Chili that he came up with uuhh yesterday!

Items Needed:
1 1/2 pound ground beef
Chili Sauce of your choice
1 white onion
1/2 bunch of green onions
1/2 green bell pepper
2 Jalapeno peppers
1 tsp. Cayenne pepper
1 tsp. Cumin
1 tsp. Chipolte Chile pepper
1 tsp. Garlic powder
1 tsp. Black pepper
1 tsp. Onion Powder
1 tsp. Season salt
1 tsp. Cajun Seasoning

Take your ground beef and put into pan.
Then take all your seasonings and add to the meat.
After the meat has started to brown. You want to start adding in the vegetables.
When meat has browned all the way you want to add in the Chili Sauce and let it simmer on low for about 10 minutes.
After that you are all done! Enjoy!

Thank you for joining us for another session of Meals with Momma and Jr. Chef.
Courtesy of Part-Timer

Blog Confession- Thunderstorms

Growing up as a child in Queens New York. Of course we always had thunderstorms. I remember growing up wishing it would storm. Loving the sound of the rain hitting against the windows. Feeling the rumble from the thunder beneath my feet. But never in New York did I ever feel I had to worry for my safety. Never once was I scared.

Now living in Florida is a whole other story. The storms here are CRAZY. You are scared for your life. You try to get what you need done before you get stuck in a down pour. Now I lived in the City of Orlando before and yes it was scary then. But now living out in the country surrounded by farmland. There is a huge difference. Who would have known. That the more open the land is. The scarier it is. My goodness.! As i sit here and blog. I am staring out at the farm in front of me. I am counting lightening strike after lightening strike. Not only do I feel the rumbles. But the actual house is shaking. No it really is. Now Jr. Chef he is not fond of storms at all. So I must act tough. I have to act like that to make sure he doesn't freak out. When I say freak out it is an understatement. This kid starts having panic attacks. Now it is hurricane season. But as we all know. You have more than enough advance notice that a hurricane is coming right!!. Well I have to explain that to him every time a storm comes. Even though he knows this. But he always feels one has slipped by. Then for some reason this year. There have been a lot of Tornadoes. Now I can make it through a hurricane and a thunderstorm. But when you start talking twisters I am like a baby in a cradle. So you can only imagine how he gets. Every time it storms we run outside to look at the clouds. To make sure there isn't a funnel forming. There have been a couple times when we thought we saw one. We took off running to our local Walmart. Now I had to get this off my chest. I am tired. I am tired of worrying. If some big storm is coming to wipe me out. Always checking to make sure I match lol. You know how it was when you were little and your mom wanted to make sure you matched down to your underwear in case something happened. lol Like seriously who is thinking about that anyway? But my confession to you my friends is. My goodness I am tired of running from storms.

So how do you feel about storms? What about your kids? Is there any rituals you have when they come?

Oh yeah I would have included pictures. But I probably would have been struck by lightening. Then you guys would have missed me too much and I didn't want to have to put you through that. See what a great friend I am!

Empanada- Beef Patty

Now if you remember I did a post about a cupcake with an Empanada on it. Well for those that do not know what they are. They are fried dough with meat inside. The most common would be ground beef. But some people make them with pizza ingredients inside. Or even with some chicken. I prefer just ground beef and cheese. Like a cheeseburger. lol

Items Needed:
1-1/2 pound of ground beef
Seasonings of your choice
Oil to fry in
Dough disc( found in your freezer section of supermarket or Spanish frozen section)
Cheese (optional)

First you want to cook your ground beef in a frying pan on medium. You want to season your ground beef to your liking.

Example: Here you can use the sofrito.

After the meat has been cooked you want to drain all the excess liquid.

Now that the meat is cooked you want to place some meat into a disc.
Note: The packages of disc usually come 10 and they have small and large. I use the small disc. at this point you want to put oil in a frying pan and heat up. You want it nice and hot. But if it takes you longer to get items prepared lower the flame to medium. These items will fry fast and you do not want to burn them.

After you have filled the disc with your fillings. You want to fold over and use a fork to press together. It will end up looking like this. If your disc seems a little dry you want to flip and fork that side also. Some people use egg yoke to put over the seal. This is to make sure that the Empanada does not open up. I personally never use egg.

You will take the folded patty and place in hot oil. You want to make sure and watch because they fry fast. You will need to flip when it is lightly browned. When they are done place them on a paper towel to drain.

Caution: They sometimes keep some oil in themselves and have a tendency to drip out. If eaten right away it is very hot.

Enjoy!!

Thanks for joining us for another session of Meals with Momma and Jr. Chef

Thank You

I want to thank all my friends for supporting me in this hard time. I would like to announce that all my little friends have popped back up. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!! They came back to me. Oh how I have missed my updates. No really I was missing them because I could not see them. They were happening and I was not able to participate. But I am back people and hopefully to stay. So if I have not commented. I will be today Hip Hip Hurray!

Have a great day!

Is it just me? Blogger Issue

I am not sure if I am the only one. But for some reason all the blogs I follow on my dashboard are gone. They are missing. Do you have them? Do you know where they are? Where did they go? Am I the only one going through this? Or are you having the same issue? Please let me know if you are also having problems with blogger as I am not sure if something just accidentally got wiped out. How I do not know. But somehow, someway. My blog list was erased. Help me find my sanity again.

Roast Pork

In our home Roast Pork is one of our favorite things to eat. It takes a lot of love to make it just right! It takes days at least for me to prepare it the way we want. With every piece having flavor. With it falling right off the bone when I take it out of the oven. Every bite being as moist as the last. This has been a post in process. The last time I made it I was unable to get all the photos needed . As soon as that flavorful scent hits the air. They know it's ready and they are not waiting any longer. They want to be the one that has the first bite. They want to be the one that says YES it is done! So this is why it has taken twice me making this. For me to be able to post. I have to say there was a struggle in my home over this post. My hubby (part-timer) thought it was just too much to give away. This was our secret weapon and why would I want to let it out. For many years people had even paid me to prepare their pork so they could have my taste at their party. I never wanted to give my recipe away. Till one day it hit me. No matter how many times you tell someone a recipe. Theirs would never taste the way you make yours. It's a fact it just never does. Your favorite meal that your mom made for you will never taste like hers. No matter how many times she tells you how to make it. So since figuring this out. I told my husband my Roast Pork will always be his. He was safe and no one would ever have what he has at home. lol

So after weeks of preparing and wanting to post this here you are. Plus you will see the sofrito at its best.

Items Needed:
1 Pork Picnic Shoulder
2-4 tablespoons Sofrito
3-4 tablespoons of Adobo
2 pks. of Sazon
3-4 Tablespoons of Meat Tenderizer
1/4 cup of Mojo
2-3 tablespoons of Garlic Pepper

Take your pork out and wash really good.

You want to make sure you make slits all over and as many as possible. This will ensure the taste getting all inside the pork. Also you want to pull the skin back. take a knife under the skin and start in a slicing motion while pulling skin back. If you want the crispy skin you will make sure to cook the skin on top. But you want to make sure it is full of flavor so that is why you want to do the process above.

This is what your pork will look like after having all the seasoning and slathered and rubbed in really good. Now let this sit at least a full day in the fridge. I personally let sit for a couple days. So I'll be back tomorrow. Nah just kidding. OK so if you want it to fall off the bone. You will need to slow cook. My pork was 12 pounds and I slow cooked on 300 degrees for almost 9 hours. Yes I know it is a long time. But I went out and ran errands and that is why it ended up being that long. But you know what it was so worth it. When I came home that pork fell right off the bone. I like that because even though it is usually the mans job to take care of cutting the meat. My husband will not touch my pork. he knows it is my baby. So of course I am excited when it just falls right off the bone. Then I know I have not much work ahead of me 8).


I know I know I can hear the applause already lol. I had taken pictures with it on a plate. But it just doesn't serve it any justice at all. It truly takes away from it. So I thought this would be the best picture. Plus look at that skin. My husband was in love because you could hear the tap against the skin when he checked to make sure it was crispy.

Oh yea you see all the juices in the bottom. Well that is great to use to flavor your rice that you make with it. Also when you cut the pork apart. Put it in a separate pan. Then pull out a baster or a big spoon. Take some of the juices and spread all over the pork and then mix up pork. It is sure that you will have taste all over no matter what.

Well I hope you enjoy another session of Meals with Momma and Jr. Chef. If you have any questions please feel free to email me.

Happy Eating!

My first Award

This morning I woke to find a little message telling me that I have received an award. This was the Loyal award. An award for blogger friends. An award to show how appreciative and supportive we are to each other. I want to thank Natalee over at Raising Normal Kids. She is really cool and a sweet girl. Her blog will surely give you a good laugh each day. So now I want to show my love and appreciation to my 4 of my friends. Of course paying it forward. These ladies I am about to announce are great. Have supported my blog till no end. I have to say that there are more than four. So I would like to thank all the ladies that have supported me. That have commented on my blog daily. That have shown me and Jr. Chef much love. Please make sure to check out their blogs.

http://baseballbakingandbooks.com/
http://jana-sugarspicelife.blogspot.com/
http://mycreativeway.blogspot.com/
http://tastenc.blogspot.com/

Now I need these ladies to pick four of their own loyal blogger friends and award them.

Thank You
Baking Momma

Blog Confession Thursday

OK so we had a good response to our first BCT. This week I thought I would confess about my blog envies. lol Yes I have blog envy. There are some things that I don't know how to do. Or I have seen and have wondered how that was done. Sometimes I go snooping around my blogger dashboard and try to change things but most of the time. It does not work in my favor. Maybe I am missing something. I am not sure. But the items below fall into my blog envy. I will push my pride aside and state that if there is any assistance you can provide I would greatly appreciate it. I really think that everyone knows the things I don't and I am the only one standing alone in the rain without an umbrella lol

1. I confess that I want to change my layout because I want something more personal. Something that is my own. But I don't know how people do it.
2. I confess that I am wondering how bloggers get their personal logo onto their blog. ( I don't have one) But I know what I want it to look like.
3. I confess that I have button envy. I am always trying to figure out how bloggers make their buttons.
4. I confess that I am wondering how bloggers get their pictures to lay side by side.
5. I confess that I am stumped. I am still trying to figure out how bloggers get a person message over their comment box.
6. I confess that I always wonder how people get tabs on their blogs. Am I missing something?

On another note:

1. I confess I get so excited when I here my phone beep because I have a new message
2. I confess I get really excited that I have a new follower. That means I am saying something someone wants to hear.
3. I confess I wish I had more time and more things to write each day about food. So that I would be able to update more for my blogger friends.
   
4. I confess there are more items but we would be here all day.
   

So what is your confession for today? Did you not walk the dog when you were supposed? Forget to feed the kids at their usual time? Forgot to make hubby's lunch? Or was just plain ol' lazy today?

My Sofrito

Hello everyone a while back. When I started Meals with Momma and Jr. Chef I had mentioned that I used Sofrito. I advised that I would post the recipe for how I make this. This is something that I used in my colored rice. I use it to flavor my Pork and Turkey for Thanksgiving. I also use it to flavor my ground beef.

I know some of you may already use this and I know some others are saying " what the heck is that green stuff". But trust me a lot of people use at least one part of this sauce in their food. Whether it was at someones house you ate at. Or it was at a restaurant. There are some of these green ingredients in your food.

Items needed:
2 bunches of Cilantro
2 bunches of Culantro
1 pack of sweet peppers ( they are very small peppers)
Note: I have at times been unable to use the little sweet peppers we would normally use and I have used other sweet peppers and they worked perfect.
Garlic clove- Just four pieces of that clove
Adobo-I pour some of my Adobo in the mix. A lot of people I know don't.
1 onion
You can also add tomato some do that.
Approx 1-2 cups of water

I have included pictures of the main ingredients below. Just in case you may not know what to look for.

Sweet Peppers ( There may be another name. But that is what it always says)
Take the stems off of the peppers.

Culantro

Cilantro

Sofrito

Just take all of your ingredients stick them in a blender and start your engines lol
You should start slowly with the water. You want a paste type of consistency. This will make enough for you to have in fridge and freeze rest. Also if you have a plastic ice tray or egg holder. You can scoop some in there and put in freezer. Then bag them up. One of the tablets that it creates is enough for the rice and ground beef.
When using this do not get crazy with it. It is very strong in taste. I usually use 1 tablespoon for rice and ground beef.
If using on lets say a Roast Pork. You want to slather a lot since you want the taste to really get into it.

It's all about Jr. Chef-Chocolate Chip Cookies

Last Monday our pal Jana from Sugar,Spice and a little bit of life made some awesome chocolate chip cookies. I had to make them right away because after the pictures she showed. You wanted to eat right through the screen. So I made some but my family members were over and I will tell you I had no time to blog about them.

Well Jr. Chef decided that he wanted to make them a couple days ago on his own. So of course I was photographer for the day. Which I don't understand when I cook I am still the photographer. I don't know I think I need to look into this partnership because I am getting the raw end of the deal.

For items needed and recipe please go here

But for some true culinary love please see below.
PS these cookies are huge!!

Here he is sifting like a good little baker!


He is realizing softened butter in Florida is a little messy if you do not know how to handle.

Now he was measuring his white sugar. See how he levels it. Improvising with a spatula. He couldn't find the leveler. lol


OK so he says " this is what they mean when they say packed brown sugar". I thought that was the funniest thing lol

Melted his butter and now is starting to mix his ingredients.

Here he is separating his egg. The recipe called for one egg separated. I was actually impressed that he was able to separate his egg without any problems. For it being his first time.

They you go your whole egg and separated one. Oh yes did you notice he used brown eggs? He has this thing with brown eggs. His words " nothing but the best for what I make"

So let the mixing begin!

Got to make sure I get everything mixed in well!

2 cups of chocolate chips! yipeeee

Do you see how many chocolate chips go into this? You know it is going to be good!

We used an ice cream scoop. I know they make cookie scoops. But they tend to be smaller and these cookies needed to be big.

Making sure they are separated enough to grow.

There you have it. Jr. Chefs chocolate chip cookies. Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!
Tell me what you thought about the cookies after you try them. Also make sure to check out Jana's blog where you are sure to have a great time.

Blog Confession- I have been caught

I am hiding in the dark. I am secretly touching you and whispering as we play with each other. I am addicted to the love that you show me. I look for your attention every minute and every hour of the day. I can't seem to get enough of you and others don't understand. I try to have my alone time with you. But people are starting to become suspicious. How would they react if they knew how I felt about you? Would they turn up their nose at me? All these questions have bounced around in my head until last night. I was confronted! Yes I was caught! My husband wanted to talk to me. He wanted to get things out in the open. He wanted to tell me how he felt and to let me know he knew what was going on. OMG what was I going to say? What was I going to do? I know that I cannot live with out him or you. So I am hear to let the world know. I am here to confess that I have fallen in love with another. That I have been caught. But that I wont stop. That I cant live with out you. That I need you in my life. When I am lonely you keep me company. When I am sad you make me laugh. When he is at work you are the one I turn to.

Everyone brace yourself. You will be shocked to know. That I am cheating on my husband with you!. With my blog! With the love of food. Yes there I have said it. My husband has founded me out. He knows the truth about all of us. He doesn't quite understand the whole blogging thing. But I have tried to explain it to him. To share it with him. But he doesn't get it. He doesn't get the laughter we share. The tears we shed. The ideas and support we give each other. I had to come clean and I am glad that I did. I couldn't take it any longer hiding you from my husband. I know it is complicated and he doesn't understand now. But I hope in the future I can get him over to our side. Where he can see how much fun we have together. How this is a positive thing.

So I am asking you. Do you have a Blog confession? Does your spouse get a little crazy because they know all day. You are tapping away at these keys? Tell me your blog confessions! I am dying to hear.

Blog Confession Thursday

OK so I know we all have some sort of confessions. Something that we just need to get off of our chest. Something we need to tell someone. Well that is what Blog Confession Thursday will be. You can either send a comment or even privately send me an email. I will post if for you anonymously. But here is where we will share our confessions. Something serious and we need advice. Something silly and we need to get it off our chest. To break the ice. I will post my first confession tonight. I hope you will join me.

The Cake

OK so I was rushing trying to get a recreation of my top wedding tier. Before I knew it I was running out of time. I was also making him one of his favorite meals and that was an all day thing. Since I had to make sure the meat stayed moist and cooked the way we liked it.
So this is what the cake turned out to look like. I personally wanted more from it. But that is what happens when you are rushing.

I have to say it wasn't anything fantastic. But it did come out close enough. But as usual I was not happy with it. So you know how that is. You stay there looking at it. You wonder what could be done different. Well sometimes that doesn't work out in your favor. But you just cant stop yourself from doing it.

So the cake ended up looking like this.

As you can see I missed a couple of spots. lol

But I have to say that when my husband walked in he knew exactly what the meaning behind the cake was. I ended up showing him the way the cake was supposed to look. Well wont you get a kick out of this. He thought the picture was the original top tier of our cake lol. Here I was killing myself because I didn't like the way the cake came out. But yet he just thought that cake was a picture of the real one. He asked " wow you still have that picture in your camera"? I felt like a fool. Here I was so unhappy with the end result and in the end. He would have loved the original cake. So this is my advice to you. If you are decorating or cooking or anything. If something in your gut tells you to leave it. Listen to your gut because it is right!

Thanks for sharing this with me!

Happy Anniversary

Today is my anniversary! So since my hubby is working today and I am in the process of cooking him one of his favorite meals. I wanted to share with you a little of our story. Hubby and I have been together for 13 years. But we are newly weds. Yup you heard me right. Today is our 3rd year anniversary. We were young when we got together and everything happened really fast. But we have our beautiful son Jr. Chef and you see how well he turned out. (not to toot my own horn but...)
We always knew we would be together. But because I knew we would not be able to have the big wedding. i was ready to settle for something small. But he wasn't having it. He wanted to make sure that we got married the way we were supposed to. He was really cute about the whole thing. He at first stated that it was all up to me. But boy did that change. He started getting all excited while I was turning into a bridezilla. But it was so great to have him by my side. See I made everything for our wedding. So I was busy all the time and at the time had a demanding job too. But luckily I had strong friends and family to support me and be there for me as much as they could. I didn't even know what the tuxes looked like because he felt it should be a surprise. Yes I know scary. But he did such a great job. So I wanted to share a couple of pictures with you of our special day. Being you are my extended family and all (wink wink).

Oh yeah and if you watch Cake Boss you would have seen the episode a couple weeks ago when he made the top tier of their wedding cake for his anniversary. Well that is the plan today. I will post that picture later. Keep your fingers crossed lol. I am in crunch time. Since I am trying to do all this while he is at work.

There is Daddy dressing up his best man! I mean that in both ways!

There is my mom trying to get all my parts in place. That was the worst I tell ya!

Here we are looking into each others eyes with so much love. I hope it is always that way.

We had a part where we made public vows and then we had private vows that we said to each other. As you can see Jr. Chef is all in the business!

We have said our I dos. Everyone said he was the happiest groom they had ever seen lol

Here I am with Jr. Chef. He was such a little man that day!

Here is the reception hall before anyone was let in.

Here is what the tables looked like.

Here we are slicing the cake and you can see what I will be making for my honey today

There is my dad getting caught sneaking over to check out the food. Gotcha!!

The nights over time to say goodnight!

Thank you for sharing this special day with me. I will do another port of how my cake turns out. Hopefully I will not be posting a cake wreck.