A Fun Weekend with the Girls and Chicken and Rice Casserole

Last week I felt rotten because of my allergies and Honey was out of town all week, no fun. I went to the doctor on Thursday for a shot and some blood work, no fun either. That afternoon I had started getting read for supper when Honey called to tell me once again that he wouldn't be home for a few more days. I had already planned a casserole, way too much for one person, and so after talking to Ash I packed everything up and headed out to Starkvegas. I arrived at her house just in time to put the casserole in the oven (see recipe below) and prepare for supper. A friend from back home stopped in to visit and then Honey and Ben came home for supper, it was nice to be together once again.

On Friday I just chilled with the girls and that night we took Punkin downtown to eat and then to Pumpkinpalooza. It is always fun attending events downtown but this one was a little too crowded for Gammy although I enjoyed watching the other children and seeing the precious costumes. Punkin was able to get a little candy there were so many children that a lot of stores had ran out before we made it to them.

Here's Punkin before we left home, she wasn't in her costume because it's one of those that can't be washed and with Punkin it would never had made it for the next event.

After we finished downtown we went to the Hump for a volleyball game and basketball scrimmages, Maroon Madness they called it. It was fun to be in the Hump once again. We left before everything was over because it was late and Punkin became restless, she had done great so we couldn't complain. Every time we are together lately I can tell Punkin is growing up and making room for baby.

Chicken & Rice Casserole
Ingredients
    •    2 cups cooked rice
    •    2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
    •    1 1/2 cups cooked, chopped chicken breast meat
    •    1 can (12 fluid ounces) Evaporated Milk
    •    1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
    •    2 large eggs, lightly beaten
    •    1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
    •    2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
    •    1 tablespoon diced jalapeños (optional)

Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Lightly grease 2-quart casserole dish.

COMBINE rice, cheese, chicken, evaporated milk, onion, eggs, cilantro, butter and jalapeños in prepared dish; stir well.

BAKE for 45 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

FOR FREEZE AHEAD:
PREPARE as above; do not bake. Cover; freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Uncover. Preheat oven to 350° F. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Thanks for stopping by y'all and please come again soon.

"Swat" did it and I was there.

I know, I was there, I saw it with my own eyes.

Jarvis Varnado owns the national record for blocked shots. Block No. 8 came with 4:26 to play in a game against Alabama Crimson Tide which makes it 536 blocks so far in his career. He now owns the title over Wojciech Myrda (Louisiana-Monroe 1998-02)  who had 535 blocks in his career. Go HERE to read all about it! He is the first player ever to make 1000 pts, 1000 rebounds and 500 blocks.


Also, Barry Stewart has overtaken Darryl Wilson atop MSU's career 3-pointers list.

One of the neatest things about this career breaking night is Jarvis and Barry have roomed together for four years now as they have played for MSU. They are both seniors and both broke these records on the same night. What about them Dawgs?

I wish I could thank the Refs for the job they did to contribute to this great night! Good job Refs!!!

Here are a few photos from the night!

 

Jarvis making his free throws!

look at the score board

Bully leads a cheer while we wait.

Greg Burns addresses the crowd

Barry Stewart accepting his reward

Jarvis accepting his reward and hugging his family

An emotional moment.

The morning after the game I woke up with one of my bad sinus headaches, Steve was gone so I got up and ate a little and took an Excedrin. I was resting and trying to get it to ease off when Ashia called wanting me to come help with Austin for a little while, it seems they had a really rough night. So here I am loving on my Punkin and looking forward to loving on my baby boy soon!

 

After a quick nap she played a while.

This is what Grand-mothers are for! :)

Friends can eat gluten-free too!

We really enjoyed our visit with Fred and Marion. Due to the cold weather we stayed in a lot but had fun all the same.

Ash and Punkin came over every morning and spent the day with us.

 

Punkin is eating now and it is so funny, she makes such a mess that Ashia strips her down to her diaper and bib. Of course she loves going without cloths so she's happy. 

  

The Easy Gluten Free Cheesecake I make.

We ate constantly. We talked about cutting back but when friends get together it is a time to celebrate and we celebrated by eating. They did not seem to mind that the meals were gluten free at all.

Steve took Fred to the MSU, Kentucky game. Fred loves basketball and we thought this would be a treat. They got in late that night and Fred seemed to have really enjoyed himself!

Marion and I stayed home and took care of Punkin and that was Marion's treat. Austin loves Marion and just laughs when she talks to her. This is Punkin playing with her Valentine from Mom.

Thank you for your visit Fred and Marion, you are welcome anytime!

Nerves of steel...and Gluten-free clam chowder

Recently Honey and Be went to the Delta on business and I spent the day with Ash and Punkin. Punkin is growing up too fast and is more fun everyday. Here are some photos of her playing on her play-mat. I cherish the moments spent with her.

When deciding on what to cook for supper Ashia wanted soup and I suggested that we try a Clam Chowder recipe that I had from another blog. We printed it and changed some of it just because Steve is allergic to onions and we weren't in the mood for some of the ingredients. I have to admit the closer it came to time to make it I was afraid that we wouldn't like our recipe. Well, we persevered and made it and it was WONDERFUL, even our men liked it. So here is our version, it is supper easy and GREAT!!!!


Creamy Clam Chowder

1 cup clam juice
2 cups FINELY diced potatoes
1 (6-10 oz.) can minced clams WITH juice
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
**1-2 tablespoons cornstarch

Add the cornstarch to a bit of the clam juice and set aside. Add all other ingredients to a large pot and the add cornstarch mixture. Cook slow until potatoes are tender.

Makes 4 large servings.


You should know by now I am an avid basketball fan! I could watch basketball all day 24-hours a day and I don't care who is playing or where. Our Dawgs have won their last three games and considering they have been conference games this is a BIG THING. If you have an opportunity watch a SEC game, the defense is awesome. I am a die hard fan and State could loose every game and I would still support them! I don't understand people who only go for the winning team, I mean how can they do that? What has happened to loyalty or commitment? I have to admit to attend any college basketball game you need to have nerves of steel. Here a few photos of our last game...

Before the game we went to one of our many favorite places to eat Harveys! I have no problems eating there. I have told them of my gluten problem and three times the chef has came out and met with me. After asking about many dishes I know exactly what I can eat so now I just go in and order but still remind them of my problem so if by chance a recipe has changed. Thank you Harveys for making your restaurant a safe place to eat.

A Recape of 2009

I can't believe "2009" is now another page written in my book of life. Now I am writing a new chapter "2010". There is so much to be thankful for. Walk with me through the past year of my life, see the good, the bad and the ugly.

 

Another blessed year with the love of my life!

Last January me and two of my girls went on our first girls trip to Nashville to see Celine Dion. Maybe we can all four take a trip in the future!

In February all of our kids met us in Memphis, TN for the annual "Gin Show". Our daughter, Sarah had a booth selling jewelry,  which is listed on the right side of this page under "My children" web pages as "Sarah's Business". This was a special time because Sarah lives in CO and we aren't able to get together a lot, we made a weekend of it.

While at the "Gin Show" Ben and Ashia announced to the family that they were going to be first time parents we were sooo excited!

In March State won the SEC Championship, we love our Dawgs!

Farming was looking good, we were so excited about our earning potential the crops were some of the best we had ever had. Then the rains came and it rained for weeks, the crops began to rot in the field and there was no way to get them out. We're thankful that we salvaged most of our crops and although we didn't have the profit we once thought we still made a profit.

When we could take a break we went to see our children and grand-children in IN. We always enjoy time spent with them.

The end of July I had my third stomach procedure.

                  The Cloyd Thacker Family    

 

I am never able to get together with my cousins anymore due to the distance we all live from each other. In September I attended the "Thacker's Family Reunion" and all of my immediate cousins on my Dad's side were there. We had a great time together.

We were blessed with Austin Rivers

September 17, 2009

In October Sarah came home to see Austin.

George, Mary and the girls were able to come too! The girls enjoyed their time with their new cousin. We also celebrated Alayna's 7th birthday.

We were blessed with Joshua William, our first grandson!

December 16, 2009

We lost several family members and close friends in 2009, pictured above was Uncle Allen the most recent. We miss all of them.

We had a very small relaxing Christmas. Read about it HERE!

And GOD Bless YOU!!!!!

Gluten-Free Life as a Grandmother,

Steve's been out of town the last few days, he's trying to wrap up his work in the Delta. Thursday night we used Steve's ticket for Austin and went to the basketball game. Can you believe that she has to have a ticket? I mean really all she does is lay in our lap and sleep! Everyone gets a kick out of her being able to sleep through my screaming over her head. I try to hold it back and not scream too loud I mean I don't want her to have hearing problems! We are excited about this year and our adventure with basketball! GO DAWGS

Does life ever slow down? I guess only when you are dead! We have been in the road everyday for weeks now. I honestly can't remember a day when I have had no where to go. Since Steve has been gone I've been spending the night with Ben and Ashia. I feel like such an intruder but last night Ashia bribed me to stay so I guess I'm a wanted intruder. I help with Austin in the mornings but they take care of her all night. She is becoming such a big girl and is sleeping much better at night although she has not been wanting to sleep during the day!

I just talked to Mary, her last appointment the Doctor said that we would have a baby around the second week of December. She is becoming increasingly more uncomfortable and is thinking a baby sooner than that would be ok. We'll see what the Doctor says next week. If nothing changes the  baby will be named, drum roll please, Joshua William!!!!!

I've been taking request from the family on what they want to eat for Thanksgiving. Here is the latest request.....

Chocolate Pie
Servings: 8 Category: Dessert
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Cuisine: American
Preparation Time: 20 minutes Rating:

Ingredients:
2 eggs; separated and save the whites
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 Tbsp cornstarch
2 cups cream or milk
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp butter

Instructions:
In a sauce pan, combine egg yolks, sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and cream. Stir well. Cook over low heat until it thickens. Add vanilla and butter. Stir until butter is melted and mixed well. Pour into baked pie crust.
Meringue:
2 egg whites, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla. Beat egg whites until stiff. Gradually add sugar and vanilla, beat until well blended. Pour on top of pie and brown under oven broiler.

To make gluten-free I always use Gluten-Free Pantry's "Perfect Pie Crust Mix". This mix can be bought in your local Kroger!

Family, Entertainment, and Gluten-Free living

I have finely found the time to set down and work on a blog. I want to recap some of our latest events. Here is our oldest daughter Mary holding her new niece Austin.

We enjoyed our time together and look forward to seeing Mary and her family soon. I talked to Mary recently and it appears Joshua will be born anytime after Thanksgiving, I'll try to keep you posted on that. In the meantime I need to start planning to go to Indiana! :)

Last weekend we took Austin to her first college men's basketball game. It was a scrimmage game and we went to see how she would do before we try getting her a ticket to the other games. Can you believe that a baby has to have a ticket to go to MSU ballgames? Well, she did GREAT, she slept practically the whole time. Needless to say we are looking forward to the basketball season as we can all go as a family.

  Steve and Austin, good bed! Pepaw!!











 Ben, Ashia and Austin after the game! She didn't like the way they held her.

Our baby girl. MSU FAN

 YEAH our season tickets are here. Let the season begin!!! GO DAWGS!!!






Mama Marion!

We just had a visit from Fred and Marion. Ashia and I worked with Fred and Marion in Guatemala for years and while there they became my parents and Ashia's grand-parents. It sure was fun having them visit and meet our little Austin. Thank you Fred and Marion and we look forward to seeing you again soon. We love you!

I received this in the mail today. Kroger is offering exclusive savings for living gluten free! WOW






















While I had company and did a lot of cooking it was many of the same things that I cook a lot. Here is one of the recipes that we love. This time I used "Pamela's Baking Mix" instead of the first five dry ingredients. They were wonderful and didn't last long at all!

Banana Nut Muffins
Servings: 12

Combine in Large Bowl
3 bananas; very ripe, peeled & mashed
¼ c. oil
1 c. dark brown sugar
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 egg
Whisk together in separate bowl
1 ½ c. GF all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. xanthan gum
1 tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
½ c. mini chocolate chips optional
½ c. nuts; chopped optional
½ c. dried fruit optional

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
Add the dry ingredients into the banana mixture and stir until well blended.
Mix in your choice of add-ins. Spoon batter into muffin cups and bake for about 20 or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.. Cool muffins on wire rack. Wrap leftover muffins; bag and freeze for easy on the go treats. Reheat briefly in microwave, if you wish.