I love potatoes!

I love potatoes. Baked, boiled, fried, mashed, sliced or diced.  But my favorite is potato pancakes.

When I was little I remember when mom would make mashed potatoes and I would tell everyone not to eat them all.Why? Because I knew if we had leftover mashed potatoes we would have potato pancakes the next day.

I grew up eating these and just in the last few years found out they were an Irish dish called Boxty. Makes sense considering my Irish heritage.

Now that both my parents are gone I am contuning the tradition with my chldren. They both love potato pancakes as well.

Tonight was leftover night. I heated up butterbeans and leftover chicken and made potato pancakes. There are never leftover potato pancakes!

These are fattening and work best when fried in a fair amount of oil. May I suggest a walk around the block after dinner!

Once again these are approximate measurements. There was never a recipe for these.

Combine 1-2 eggs with leftover mashed potatoes. Add enough flour to make a thick consistancy.  (About 1 cup flour to every 3 cups potatoes.) Fry in a skillet with a fair amount of oil until golden. (About 3-4 minutes each side.)

Live and let live

    I cannot believe the Meridian City Council passed the "baggy pants" ordinance. How can they legally do this?
    I admit I don't like the look of the people who wear their pants practically around their knees. I think it looks stupid. I also think mohawks and purple hair look stupid, but it's not against the law and they have every right to wear it that way.
    There is something called the Constitution that gives Americans the right to do these things. When the government starts telling us how we have to dress we are no longer a free country.
    To me, people who burn an American flag are the lowest of the low, but because we are a free country, they have the right to do that. It's why our soldiers have fought in many wars — to ensure that the United States stays free.
    It was stated at the city council meeting that some parents had brought up the fact they did not like the way their children dressed. Well, guess what, you are the parent. You are responsible for your children, not the city council. The woman that addressed the council had it right — it starts at home.
    My daughter saw some dolls she wanted at the store and I didn't think they were appropriate for her age, so I told her no. She put on her pouty face and said "please, please, please, mommy!" I still said no, because I am the parent and she is the child. I know what is best for her.
    The point being, we may not like how it looks, but as long as no "skin" is showing it's not illegal, just bad taste.
Kudos to Dr. Thomas for voting no on this. It seems he is the only one that gets it!

The history mystery

    I love genealogy. It's a hobby I could do all day, every day.
    In the past 10-15 years I started researching my family history. I looked up names on the Internet, looked through microfilm at the library, and listened to stories from some of the older cousins. But I never got full information, just bits and pieces. I wanted to know more.
    In the past week I have learned more about my family than I have in the last 15 years. But instead of being satisfied with this new information, it just made me yearn for more.
    I visited the Lauderdale County Courthouse to look at plat maps, land deeds and marriage dates, the archives department at the Lauderdale County Courthouse Annex to get copies of marriage certificates and look at city directories, and the office at St. Patrick Catholic Church to look up baptism, marriage and burial information. Not to mention walking all over the catholic cemetery and Rose Hill cemetery.
    I feel like a detective searching for clues to a big mystery. It has been an amazing adventure and I don't want it to end. I have loved every minute of it. (And I think I lost five pounds from all the walking I have done. An added bonus!)
    I always wondered why there weren't stories about my ancestors. Most families could tell you great stories about things that great-grandpa or great-grandma did.
    My roots in Meridian run very deep, going all the way back to 1868, but the stories are few simply because my ancestors were lucky to have lived at all.
    My great-grandparents, James and Anna Nevell Crowe came from Ireland. They were married in Meridian on Jan. 14, 1868. On the 1870 census he is listed as an engineer with the railroad. They had a total of six children. Their first son, Frances Patrick, was born on Nov. 27, 1869, and died on Oct. 17, 1872. By 1880 they had five more children.
    On June 4, 1880, James Crowe died at the age of 39. My grandfather, James T. Crowe was only six months old. On June 2 or 3, 1881, Anna Crowe died at the age of 35. The five children still living were all under the age of 10.
    I have heard stories that Father Louis Vally, the priest at St. Patrick Church, raised my grandfather. It is quite possible, considering both parents were deceased and that in 1880 the catholic community was still fairly small. All of the children were also baptized by Father Vally.
    The other children, all girls were "at school." (This is how it is worded on the census forms.) Anna, the child, and Ellen both became nuns, Maggie married later in life to a C.M. Waggoner, and the youngest, Mattie Crowe, died in 1889 at the age of 11.
    I have also heard my grandfather, James T. Crowe, was studying to become a priest, until he met my grandmother, Mary Serena Rose, daughter of John Seaborn and Bridget Harrington Rose.
    So, there aren't many stories because all of the children were too young. They never knew their parents.
    For me, the mystery grows.
    I want to know how my great-grandparents died. I want to know why Frances Patrick died at the age of three. I want to know how my grandmother raised six children during the depression after my grandfather died due to injuries sustained in a car accident in 1925.
    I can close my eyes and try to imagine how they lived back then. The hardships they endured. How they survived during the Yellow Fever epidemic in 1878.
    I have created a timeline starting in 1868 when James and Anna were married and so far have gone through the 1930 census. (My father, John B. Crowe, was 15 years old in 1930.) I will post the timeline on my blog when I have completed it.
    With more answers come more questions. Some questions will never be answered, but I will definitely have fun trying to find them!

Won't you be my neighbor?

Hi. My name is Helen and I am addicted to Facebook games.

Yes. I admit it. I love playing games. Farmville, Frontierville, Cityville. You name it, I've played it.

These games are very addictive and competitive. I love tending to crops, receiving gifts, building things where you have to ask for parts and trying to get to the next level before your neighbors do.

Why? Who knows. They are just a lot of fun.

Michael has said, "Are you playing that game again?" "Are you going to be on there all day?" My reply: "Yes!"

I guess it could be worse. I could invite people I don't even know just to get parts faster, but I stick with people who are on my friends list. I don't ignore my other responsiblilities. I haven't missed work just so I could play. I still get the house cleaned, dinner cooked, kids where they need to be. (While typing this blog I have a load of clothes in the washer and the dryer.)

Fortunately I still have dial up, so it actually takes a few minutes for the games to load. That's when I do my chores. If I have to go to the store I leave the computer on so I don't have to reload the game.

So, I am addicted to games. I could be addicted to much worse. I know my limits and if I look up and realize I have been on the computer for more than 2 hours I will turn it off (for a few minutes!)

I don't like to think about the time I've wasted on my computer. I think it would make me ill. So I just enjoy it and go with it. It's like a release for me. I spend so much time taking care of "adult" things — working, paying bills, taking care of my family — it's easy for me to get lost in a game where there are no responsibilities.

It also keeps me busy. I am always moving, doing something, going somewhere. I wouldn't know how to act if I suddenly had a few hours with nothing to do. 

Well, it's time to end this. I have crops that need tending in Frontierville!

Here's a quick tip: For those of you who don't like seeing the game requests pop up on Facebook, you can hide these without hiding everything posted from that person.

Keeping it sweet and simple!

Friday dinners during Lent

Beginning March 9, Ash Wednesday, we started the season of Lent. It's a time of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption. (www.catholic.org)

Traditionally during Lent we abstain from meat on Fridays. This can be challenging when it comes to preparing meals, especially when you have meat lovers in the house!

Michael thinks if there is no meat, he will starve. I think he might have been a caveman in a previous life!

I decided to try and make something filling that everyone would enjoy, without meat.

Brianna likes pasta and spinach and Michael likes garlic bread. When I prepared this dish Michael said it was good and he would eat it. But I think he's glad it's only one day without meat!

It's a great way to sneak in veggies for those picky eaters and it's fairly inexpensive to make.

Creamy Bowtie Pasta with Spinach

1 box bowtie pasta
1 small box frozen spinach, thawed
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 jar alfredo sauce
2 tbls. parsley
dash pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions. Add thawed spinach to pasta water. Turn off heat. Let stand 2-3 minutes. (This gets the spinach hot without cooking out all the nutrients.) Drain pasta and spinach in colander and place in large bowl. Add diced tomatoes, alfredo sauce, parsley and pepper. Stir to combine. Serve with garlic bread.

Easy Chicken Quesadillas

When you work all day and you come home tired and hungry, the last thing you want to do is stand in front of a stove. And if you're like me, you really can't afford to go out and eat.

I have learned to cut a few corners and still make pretty good food. These quesadillas are super easy and taste great.

Some of you have asked for the recipe, so here it is:

Easy Chicken Quesadillas

1 can black beans, drained
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 small can sliced black olives, drained
1 large can chunk chicken breast, drained
1 package taco seasoning
1 package shredded taco blend cheese
flour tortillas
oil for frying

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
Heat about 1 tbl. oil in skillet over medium heat. Place flour tortilla in skillet. Spoon mixture over half of the tortilla. Immediately fold other half over. Cook about 1-2 minutes. Flip quesadilla over and cook 1-2 more minutes.

That's it. You can serve it with a dollop of sour cream and chopped green onion if you want.

This can also be made with cooked ground beef.

This makes a lot! If you have a big family, great! If not, you can eat leftovers the next night, or take the mixture and add chicken broth in a large stockpot (enough to cover) and make taco soup.

Enjoy!

My Irish Connection

An Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

 Today is St. Patrick's Day. The day that everyone is Irish for the day.

Almost everyone I meet has a little Irish in them. My Irish roots run deep. I am very proud of my Irish heritage. Here is a brief history of my Irish family:

Somewhere around 1865-1868 my grandparents emigrated from County Limerick, Ireland. They were married right here in Meridian in 1868. The 1870 census listed my great-grandfather as an engineer with the railroad and my great-grandmother as a milliner. They had one son at the time, Frankie, who later died. By the 1880 census, they had five more children, four girls and one boy, and my great-grandfather was listed as deceased. He died in January of 1880 and is buried in St. Patrick Cemetery. My grandfather was only 6 months old.

The story goes that soon after that my great-grandmother passed away. Most of the girls were away at school. I believe two of them became nuns and one married. I'm not sure about the fourth. My grandfather, James T. Crowe, was raised by Father Louis Valley, the priest at St. Patrick Catholic Church. He was going to become a priest until he met my grandmother, Serena Rose. They married, had six children and he passed away in 1925 due to injuries sustained in a car accident. My dad was only 10.

Below is a picture of some of the family, circa 1913. John Seaborn Rose, Walter Rose, Serena Rose Crowe, James T Crowe Sr, unknown girl, James T Crowe Jr., Martina Crowe, puppy

My dad, John B. Crowe, passed away in April of 1992. Seeing some of the pictures when he was young, he looked like what you would expect an Irishman to look like — red hair and freckles. My mom told me once he grew a beard for the centennial of Meridian and it was three different colors — red, black and gray!

I did get a little of that Irishness. I have freckles and when the sunlight hits my hair it has a red tint.

One day I plan to take a trip to Ireland. I don't know when I will get the chance, but it is definitely on my bucket list.

I've also been reading one of my favorite books, Angela's Ashes. It's about a poor Irish family that grew up in County Limerick, Ireland. It's by Frank McCourt and I highly recommend it.

So here's to all things Irish. Don't forget to wear something green today or you might get pinched!

Erin go bragh! Ireland Forever!

Great shrimp!

After years of trying to find the perfect recipe for fried shrimp I think I may have finally found it.

You would think a fried shrimp recipe would be easy. Not for me. Every one I tried was either too doughy, too crispy, too spicy. You get the idea.

I experimented with a lot of different mixes — pre-made and on my own. The recipe that follows is the best so far.

The coating isn't too thick or too crispy. And it's just the right amount of seasoning.

The onion ring batter is something I just tried today. It turned out pretty good, but these are still a work in progress. Try them both and let me know what you think.

This goes great with a side of coleslaw or green salad.

Helen's Fried Shrimp

1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
1 cup flour
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
1-2 lbs. raw, peeled and deviened shrimp
oil for frying

Combine egg and milk and mix well. Add shrimp and let sit for 10 minutes.
Combine dry ingredients. Heat oil in large fry pot.
Dredge shrimp in dry mix. Shake off excess coating and drop into hot oil. Fry until golden brown (approximately 3-5 minutes)

Beer-battered Onion Rings

1/4 cup flour
1 onion, sliced into rings
1 cup flour
2 tbl. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 beer (I used Miller Lite)

Place sliced onion rings in 1/4 cup flour to coat

In a separate bowl combine 1 cup flour, sugar, salt and pepper. Add enough beer to make a thin batter (not too thin). Dip onion rings in batter and shake off excess. Fry in hot oil about 5-7 minutes or until golden.

Enjoy!

It takes a village ...

    We have all heard the phrase "It takes a village to raise a child."
    How true this is, especially when it comes to their education.
    When it comes to the children in Meridian and Lauderdale County we are all responsible for their education. If there is something wrong in our schools, we should all be raising our voices. And it seems to me there is definitely something wrong.
    According to the Mississippi Department of Education website, out of the 10 schools in Meridian, all but two were on academic watch or at risk of failing in 2010. To me this is unacceptable.
    Recently in a story about state testing at Meridian High School, it was stated that intervention specialists had been working with students and that five after-school teachers had been hired to tutor students in the four core areas that are on the tests. In order to graduate, students must pass all required Subject Area Tests in U.S. History from 1877, English II, Biology I and Algebra I.
    I don't understand why they need all this "extra help" just to pass this test. Is it too much to think these students — the future leaders of this community — should be smart enough to pass?
    I had to ask myself: Is it the teachers? Are they not doing their jobs adequately?
    Is it the students? Don't they care about their future?
    Or is it the parents? Are they doing everything possible to help their children be the best they can be?
    I don't think it's just one of the above, but all three.
    Teachers can't teach a child who doesn't want to learn. I'm sure it's very frustrating for teachers when students act like they don't care. I know all students are not like that, but the few that are can make it difficult for everyone.
    Parents need to be parents — not friends — to their children. They need to enforce rules. They need to not give up and say "I can't do anything with them." They need to spend time with them and give them the tools to want to learn.
    When my oldest daughter was little I tried to read to her every night. She is 23 now and still has a love for books. With my youngest, we make learning games out of everything. We count the peas on her plate and I ask her things like "What letter does milk start with?" I am not the perfect parent. I have made my share of mistakes, but I think I have learned from those mistakes.
    Children learn from example. If the parents or teachers act as if they don't care about anything, then why should the child. It is up to us, the adults, to be good role models for our children.
    Parents should be involved with the school and their children's activities. They should get to know the teachers. Teachers should love to teach. It should not be just a job. And they should make every effort to get to know the parents. It may take a little extra time out of our busy lives, but isn't our children's future worth it?
    Teachers only have our kids for about 7 hours a day. It is the parents responsibility to make sure the children spend the other 17 hours in a positive and productive way. It takes teachers and parents working together to raise a smart, well-rounded child and prepare them for the future.

GERMS! They're everywhere!

For the past two days I have been cleaning, cleaning, cleaning! Why? Germs!

I have become a germophobe.

Last week I went to the doctor and he said I had pneumonia. Yesterday I took Brianna to the doctor and he said she had pneumonia. Michael has it as well.

I feel like I need to be in a plastic bubble to keep away from all the germs.

I wash my hands 20 times a day. I use hand sanitizer. I wipe everything down. Yet everyone in my house gets sick. What gives?

I don't like being sick. And I really don't like one of my kids being sick.

Not only have I spent money on doctors and medicines, but I have spent WAY too much on cleaning supplies.

I guess there is no way of avoiding all the germs and living in a plastic bubble is not possible. So what to do?

Get some Clorox wipes. They are easy to use and it only takes a few minutes to walk through the house. Make sure to wipe down phones, door knobs, light switches, commodes and sinks and anything else you touch frequently.

For the sofa and other things that won't fit in the washing machine: Lysol spray. I get the unscented because I am very sensitive to certain odors.

And if you still get sick like my family did, make a big pot of chicken noodle soup. It's a cure-all for just about anything.

Keeping it sweet and simple. (And germ-free!)

The power of prayer

It seems I have been going through a rough patch the last few weeks. But what keeps me going is my faith of God and knowing He is there for me and will give me what I need.

The power of prayer is truly an amazing thing.  "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." — Matthew 7:7

Now, does this mean if I ask God for a million dollars I will receive? Not likely!

Prayer keeps me focused on the positive things and not to dwell on the things that hurt or make me angry.

When I pray I ask God to forgive me, to have mercy on me and to give me the strength to get through the day. He has always answered my prayers.

You see, it's not that God doesn't answer our prayers, it's what we ask for.

When my mother died, I didn't ask God to spare her. I knew if it was her time, no amount of prayer was going to change that. I did pray that her death was easy and quick. I didn't want her to suffer.

 I can't imagine what her quality of life would be now if she had survived.

So, yes, God answered my prayers.

It still hurt deeply when she died and I miss her very much and if it wasn't for my faith in God I probably would have lost my mind. Every day I asked God to be with me and help through that day. And every day became a little easier.

God does answer our prayers. Sometimes it may not be what we want or expect, but it is what God wants for us. And if we believe and trust in God then what He gives us will always be exactly what we need.

Sundays are for family

Sundays are for God, family, friends and good food. For me it includes washing clothes, cleaning the kitchen, etc., because sometimes Sunday is the only day I have off.

When I was little, before the Super Walmarts and 24-hour fast food places, nothing was open on Sunday. You got up fairly early, went to church, came home to eat a big lunch and just hung out with the family. Oh, how I wish we could go back to those days!

I am very busy during the week and have no problem whipping up something boxed or frozen for dinner, but Sundays — that's the day I treat my family.

I love to cook. It's like therapy for me. When I'm in the kitchen it makes me happy — unless it's a mess!

I like to experiment with different foods and recipes. Sometimes Michael and Brianna don't like it, and I have to admit sometimes I don't either. (Michael says, "I don't think you need to cook that again!")

I like to start from scratch. No shortcuts. When I make Apple Cake, I peel, core and chop fresh apples by hand. When the cake comes out of the oven it's very satisfying knowing I made it!

Today I cooked some of my favorite foods: Momma's meatloaf, hashbrown casserole and butterbeans.  It's comfort food, it's fattening and it's good! From start to finish took about 1 1/2 hours. Not too bad. I have made things that took longer.

I cooked extra so we can have leftovers tomorrow. When you've had a really busy day it helps knowing you don't have to cook when you get home! And Monday is going to be busy!

Below is the recipe for momma's meatloaf. It's really good and it's the only meatloaf I will eat. Except for a few minor changes, it's the same meatloaf my mother cooked when I was little. All measurements are approximate because this is not a recipe from a book. It's from memory. I tried to upload a photo, but it didn't work. Hopefully it will be on here soon.

Keeping it sweet and simple,
Helen
 

Momma's Meatloaf

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
1 egg
3 tbl. worcestershire sauce
3 tbl. ketchup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 slice bread, torn into small pieces (preferably the end piece)
about 10 saltine crackers, crushed
dash of basil and garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and shape into a loaf. Bake at º375 for 1 hour. Remove meatloaf from oven and coat top with about 1 cup ketchup. ( I just squeeze it all over the top until it looks like enough!) Return meatloaf to oven and cook for 15 more minutes. Let cool 5 minutes before slicing.
Enjoy!

This is my first time blogging. I'm not quit sure what I wish to accomplish doing this, but it seemed to be a good idea at the time.

Let me begin by introducing myself.

My name is Helen Reynolds. I am 42 and the mother of two children. One is 23 and the other is 5.

Yes, I did type that correctly! Kristin is 23 and Brianna is 5. I love both of them very dearly.

I have lived in the same small southern town my whole life. I attend the same Catholic church my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents attended. I am a very traditional person. I believe in the same core values my ancestors believed. I don't like hypocrites, liars or thieves. And I believe everyone should be held accountable for there own actions.

I strive to live my life as God would want, although I tend to fall short - a lot! What can I say, I am human after all!

I  love to do things for my family and have a hard time saying no, even when I know I am stretching myself thin.

My life can get very hectic. Between a stressful job and school functions and home life, sometimes I am ready to just pull my hair out!

The name of my blog best describes how I try to live. KEEP IT SWEET and SIMPLE. I hope to share ideas that help me get through the good days and the bad. Easy ideas on cleaning, cooking, spending quality time with the family, etc. And just sharing my opinions on different topics.

I haven't cornered the market on these things, but I have learned a few things over the years. And anyone who has their own ideas are welcome to share them here.

I hope this turns into something great!

Trying to Keep It Sweet and Simple!
Helen