Whiskey or Bourbon Frozen Iceez

2 cups of whiskey or bourbon – The better quality results in a better Iceez

12 ounces  frozen orange concentrate
6 ounces frozen lemonade concentrate
2 cups of strong brewed decaffeinated tea

7 cups of water

1 cup of granulated sugar
Bring the water to a boil add the sugar and sit until dissolved.  Remove from heat and let cool.

Mix the above ingredients until well blended.  Place in a rectangular plastic container that has a tight fitting lid.  Fill 2/3 high and place in a freezer for 24 hours. 

For garnish, sliced lemon and orange with maraschino cherry, to each serving.

Once frozen take an ice cream scoop and scoop a well rounded ball of Iceez and place in a cocktail glass, pour Sprite or 7 Up over the Iceez and enjoy!  Garnish with a sliced lemon and orange and a maraschino cherry.   And guess what you are going to have fun!  My request, please drink responsibly.  These Iceez have a high content of alcohol and they will get away on you.

Iceez is wonderful to indulge with our hot summer evenings which are here until October.  Make a special indulgence for the weekends,  grilling outside and enjoying your time with your partner and friends.  Again no drinking and driving!

Round Steak Wrapped in Foil     

This is a delicious recipe which my momma made for us growing up at home.  In my day living at home as a young girl, momma made 3 meals a day.  We did not have all the fast food way of eating, as of today.  Our meals were made from scratch and we did not know, another way to have our meals.  My grandparents raised cattle, chickens, and had a plentiful garden, and they shared with the family.  Our freezer was always full of meat and vegetables.  Thankfully momma was a good cook as was her mother.  When momma started to work outside of the home, she always made sure we had our meals each day.   Today, my momma is 77 years old and she still makes 3 meals a day.  This was an easy recipe which momma used often. 

2 pounds of round steak, fat trimmed

1 whole onion sliced thinly
Flour for dredging
Extra wide foil
1 lemon
1 small can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon of Lawry’s seasoned salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
2 teaspoons sugar

 I prefer rinsing the round steak before dredging, patting dry with paper towels.  Season the meat with the salt, black pepper and granulated garlic.  Dredge the meat in the flour.  Take a large side cookie tray and place a generous piece of foil on the cookie sheet.   Place the meat on the foil, place onions on the meat, then pour the tomato sauce which sugar has been added to the tomato sauce.  Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice and pour over the meat and tomato sauce, and then slice the remaining lemons over the round steak.  Make sure the foil has wrapped the round steak until all ends are closed and secure.

Bake in a preheated oven 350 degrees for 1 hour and 30 minutes. 

Momma served the round steak with mashed potatoes and we had corn, green beans, and a salad to go with it.  Back in the day wine was not offered at dinner, just sweet tea, but today, I would advise to have some fun, open that bottle of wine and enjoy!  Let’s Have some Fun!

Off the Record

Go Milby Buffalo!!!!!!!

Donald Driver!!!!!

Winner Dancing with the Stars!!!!!!

Way to go!!!!!!

Ultimate Strawberry Shortcake

Okay, living in Texas we do things big and bold, no matter what we are doing.  This is an old recipe that my husband and I have enjoyed for over 38 years.  Enjoy, do not worry about the calories!  Just have some fun!

Make your favorite pound cake, whether it be by scracth or your favorite box recipe. 
Purchase a package of fresh strawberries.  Cut the tops off, slice and sprinkle about 1/4 cup of granulated sugar.  Place in a bowl and refrigerate over night, so that the starberries will make their own juice.

To assemble:
Slice a piece of the pound cake.  Top with your favorite ice cream.  We love to purchase a quart of Vanilla Ice Cream from Baskin Robbins.  Spoon the strawberries over the ice cream and top with fresh made whipped cream.  Oh my gosh, just enjoy, take it slow, because when you have the last bite, you will be saddened, Oh My Gosh, NO MORE!  Enjoy and have fun!

Sugar and Spice Pickles

I want to share with you the best easiest pickles that you can make at home. Delicious!  I was introduced to these pickles from a wife of a young man that has been in our family for over 30 years!  You can share with your family and friends.  I save left over jars from jams, jellies, picante sauce, just to name a few.  This recipe is a large recipe and you can fill those recycled glass jars and save for yourself or give to family and friends.  Use this recipe for adding to your favorite chicken or tuna salad.  Add to your custom one of a kind sandwich, grilled hamburgers or your deviled egg recipe.  Let your imagination soar adding  to your favorite recipes.  Serve with cream cheese and crackers and do not forget the bottle of wine.  The main thing we are doing, we are having fun! 

1 gallon Del Dixie Hamburger Dills

6 cups of sugar
8 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons crushed pepper flakes
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

Drain the pickles in a strainer well.  In a large bowl mix the well drained mix pickles, sugar, garlic and peppers.  Refill the empty jar of 1 gallon Del Dixie Pickles.  Refrigerate for 2 to 4 days stirring the jar twice daily.  Then fill with your recycled jars, save for yourself or share! Keep all jars refrigerated.  Do not store unrefrigerated.   Always a good idea to share these pickles.  Enjoy and have fun!

Shrimp Cheese Ball

¾ pound cooked fresh shrimp which has been boiled with water and  Old Bay Seasoning and 2 Bay Leaves, peeled and chopped coarsely
1 - 8 ounce cream cheese – room temperature
1 stick of butter – room temperature
½ cup green salad onions chopped
¼ cup Hellman’s Mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
2 clove garlic finely chopped
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Add all ingredients into a food processor with blade attachment and process until mixture is smooth.  Line a 2 cup mold of your choice with plastic wrap.  Spoon the mixture into the mold and chill over night.  Remove mold mixture onto a serving platter and serve with crackers of your choice.  Do not forget your favorite glass of wine or cocktail.  This is an oh so good cheese ball and is best served with quality crackers and you just have to have fun!

Hot Crab Meat Appetizer

1 cup of canned artichokes – well drained

1 pound of crab meat
1 pound fresh mushrooms
1 small onion chopped
3 and 4 tablespoons of salted butter
2 ½ tablespoons of flour
1 cup of heavy cream
½ teaspoon of Tony Chachere’s The Original Creole Seasoning
2 teaspoons of Worcestershire Sauce
½ cup dry sherry
1 teaspoon Paprika
¼ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup grated Asiago cheese

Place drained artichokes on the bottom of 9 X 9” square pan sprayed with non stick coating.  Sprinkle ½ of the crab meat over the artichokes.  Sauté the onions and then add sliced mushrooms which have been sautéed with 3 tablespoons of butter.  Top the mushrooms and onions over the first layer of crabmeat.  Sprinkle with the remaining crab meat.   Melt 4 ounces of butter, thicken with the flour and slowly add cream, whisk until creamy. Add remaining ingredients, Tony Chachere’s, Worcestershire Sauce, dry sherry,  paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper .  Stir until the cream sauce is smooth and creamy.  Pour sauce over the crab and artichokes layers and then sprinkle the top of the casserole with the Asiago Cheese.  Bake 20 minutes until hot at a 375 degree oven.

Serves 6 to 8 and best when served with hot French Bread or good quality crackers.

Enjoy!  Have some fun!

Southern Praline Brownies
1 package of supreme fudge brownie mix
½ cup packed brown sugar
¼ cup pecan liquor
1 cup of chopped pecans
3 tablespoon of melted butter
2 teaspoons of vanilla

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9 X 13 inch rectangular pan.  Prepare the brownies as directed on the package, adding the vanilla and pecan liquor .  Spread the brownie mixture in the 9 X 13 rectangular pan.  Mix brown sugar, pecans, and butter in a small bowl.  Sprinkle the mixture in a small bowl.  Sprinkle this mixture over the brownie dough.  Bake 30 minutes.  Cool and cut into 1 ½ inch squares.  Makes 4 dozen brownies.

Remember one thing we want to do always, just have some fun!

Beer Bread

3 cups self rising flour

3 tablespoons of honey
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
12 oz of beer any beer will do.  (Shiner Beer is obviously my favorite because it is home of my mother and grandparents!)  Shiner has been served in my family long before all of you went nuts drinking the many flavors of Shiner today. 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl measure the flour and salt, stir until well blended.  Then make a well with the flour and salt mixture, add the egg which has been beaten, the honey and the 12 ounces of beer.  Beat by hand for 1 minute only.  Pour into large loaf pan which has been sprayed with non stick coating.  Bake for one hour until done.  Do not overtake.

You know, even though this is beer bread you still can have fun and open that bottle of wine!  Enjoy with your favorite cheeses, stews or soups.  Grilled beef or chicken is delicious with this bread as well, and add a salad!  Just remember one thing, have some fun!