My Mom

A friend of mine asked for a broccoli repice and it reminded me of my mom's yummy broccoli salad. :-) She brought it to a soccer tournament once and it was a huge hit! So since I have the recipe out and ready I thought I would share one more for you guys. It is the holiday season after all and we can all use more great food!

From my mom:
I got this from pauladeen.com
The trick is to cut everything VERY small.

Salt and freshly ground black pepper (whatever :) )
¼ cup sugar
½ cup halved cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoon white vinegar
8 ounce sharp cheddar cheese cut into very small cubes
1 cup mayonnaise
½ cup craisons (note from Sammi: you dont have to use these)
½ cup chopped red onions
6-8 slices cooked bacon crumbled (note from Sammi: you dont have to use bacon either!)
1 head broccoli

(we added a cup of sunflower seeds)

trim off large leaves of broccoli. Remove tough stalks at end and wash thoroughly. Cut flowerets and stems into bite-sizes. (can’t say I actually use the stems) Place in a large bowl. Add crumbled bacon, sunflower seeds, onion, crasins, and cheese. In a small bowl, combine remaining ingredients stirring well. Add to broccoli mixture and toss gently.
Let me know if you try it and how much everyone loved it!!!

Gratuitous pic AND Recipe!


This is one of those recipes you should copy, print or write down. You will love it -your guests will love it. Make it. Stop putting marshmallows over sweet potatoes and start putting brown sugar. Welcome to 2010!
Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients:
6 cups boiled & mashed sweet potatoes
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
4 eggs
1 cup of butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 cup evaporated milk

Topping:
2 cups of brown sugar
2/3 cup of flour
2 cups chopped nuts (I use pecans)
2/3 cup of butter

Peel, chop, and boil potatoes until tender. Drain potatoes and mash until free of lumps. (I have never peeled or chopped a sweet potato. I use four cans of already cooked ones, and I've never had a complaint) Add sugar, salt, eggs, butter, vanilla, and evaporated milk to potatoes. Use mixer to blend. Pour into a 9 x 13 baking dish.

For topping combine brown sugar, flour, nuts and butter until crumbly. Layer on top of potato mixture. Bake at 350 for 50 to 60 minutes or until topping looks set.

Freckle Lips!


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Originally uploaded by Chavaneth
Is everyone having a wonderful holiday season? I know we sure are at the Chavaneth household!
Have you heard I am sewing fabric gift bags? Chad got me a sewing machine for Christmas and mom gave me a bunch of fabric and ribbon to mix-n-match. I've sewn more in the last 2 months than I have during the first 28 years of my life! haha Ok so I'm not 28. Whatever.
I have created a shop on etsy.com which has been a lot of fun. I named the shop after Ethan for his little freckle lips. :-) Plus I am extending my product line so I didn't want to confine myself to bags, or one kind of bag!
Go ahead and take a look but check back next week when my shop will have several more products and choices! *don't worry- you know i'll remind you on here!*
http://www.etsy.com/shop/chavaneth

I mean come on!


I mean come on!
Originally uploaded by Chavaneth
Are these two insanely adorable?! Clearly I dressed them for Christmas pictures. :-) One time Vanessa told me she can SMELL a camera. They both pose and smile soo cute.
Well our Holiday season is in full throttle! We have already had our California Christmas. This weekend is Bartlesville Christmas - then Dada Christmas - Newton Christmas and then on New Year's Day we are having Carthage Christmas! oh my.
Who said kids of broken homes suffer?! (I kid I kid) Seriously - they don't even have a clue how awesome they have it. Do any of us really?
I sure enjoy this time of year - I'm so busy I can barely think. Before we know it - it will be 2011. And what will we have to show for it?
I'm getting all introspective - I started an anti-racism workshop/discussion group yesterday that is 10 months long (and beyond) and I'm very excited. I'm also becoming active in the board at the kids soccer league - did you know they all play soccer? :-)
Have you heard "become the change you want to see" ? Maybe not - that may be wrong - but you get the drift. I feel 2011 is that year for me. I'm ready - I'm on the cusp - This is it!

To quote an amazing John Lennon song:
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

2012 will actually be here soon - At the end of 2011 - What will you have done?

Attention Guests!!

"Miss Stephanie is celebrating her 28th - wait 38th?- wait 32nd birthday today! Everyone stare as she rides the saddle!!!" said the announcer guy in the background.
Stephanie's boyfriend, Steve, planned a suprise birthday dinner for Steph and her friends. We had a great time at Texas Roadhouse :-) I told her my family must really love her since I'm a vegetarian and Ethan is allergic to peanuts! But I left very full (who can only eat one roll??) and Ethan did not get ill so it was a succes. Happy Birthday Stephanie - I hope this is the beginning of a fantastic year for you.