Monday, February 2, 2009

All the way home...

I don't remember if I've mentioned before that our daughter, Joei lives next door to us. That means Ashlei and Aiden live next door, too. How lucky are we to have two of our grandkids right next door? I know...it's a good thing, huh!?! Oh! And my sister lives across the street from us! I love it!

Chef Joei!
Last night we strolled a few leisurely steps next door to watch the Super Bowl and have a delicious dinner prepared by Joei. She's a fantastic cook! Of course, she learned from the best -- moi!


Joei whipped up a fine dinner! Joei does everything... fast! It would've taken me hours to make our dinner. Not Joei...forty-five minutes from start to finish! She does it fast but it is NOT fast food! It tastes like she spent hours in her kitchen...



First, she served up a tasty mix of fresh salad greens topped with grape tomatoes, red onions, croutons and some zesty homemade Ranch Dressing. I lovelovelove salad...I could have, uh... should have stopped with the salad.


It was so yummy though...good enough for me to consider it "the entree". Did mention that I LOVE salad? Mmm! so, so good!




Then we moved on to the main course...OMGosh! So DELICIOUS! This is just plain good ol' southern-style cookin'. A Texas-style dinner like this just cannot be beat! The epitome of comfort food for sure!

Mr. Simplicity is from up north. Before he moved to Texas back in the 60s, he was clueless when it came to southern-style cookin'. Huh?...Chicken Fried Steak?...what's that? He was clueless! He actually thought it was some kind of chicken! He had been raised eating everything "boiled or baked" -- his words, not mine! It didn't take him long to learn that he had been missing the boat when it came to eatin' up some darn good vittles! I'm dating myself here, (again!) but the hubby has been chowing down on Chicken Fried Steak for well over forty years now! And it shows! OK that wasn't very nice of me, was it? He had a very athletic build until I got hold of him. I put some meat on those bones with some good ol' fashioned home cookin' -- southern style, of course! His mom still boils and bakes...and nags! Yep, she nags relentlessly, that he should lose a few pounds. Sorry, MIL... I admit, you do bake the best pies I have ever tasted! Joei learned about pies from my MIL, her MeMe Joan...she does make the best pies ever! Well, maybe except for my dear Granny...I miss her so.



Joei got this for Christmas last year...

so she could make this...



Flaky homemade pie crust + Homemade chocolate pudding =




The best, absolutely heavenly chocolate pie. It's delish!


And of course, it's not finished without a little whipped cream...

OMGosh! Too good to put into words! Thanks Joei! Everything was fabulous! What's for dinner tomorrow?


After a delectable dinner, a mouth-watering dessert and another dadgum Dallas Cowboy~less Super Bowl --

we had to walk ALL the way home...

13 comments:

Cottage Rose said...

And what a long walk that must have been LOL
I am with you, a yummy crisp salad is the best!!
That chocolate pie looks yummy too!

Chicken fried steak???? I`m with Mr S on that, what is it?

Rose

Rechelle ~Walnuthaven Cottage~ said...

Now that looks mighty good. I used to think that chicken fried steak was chicken, lol!
What a fabulous spread. I'll bet it was day of fun for all of you.
P.S. I think I'm in love with your kitchen :0)

Susan @ The Good Life! said...

I move to Illinois from Texas and when you mention fried food they get this look of horror! My house cooks southern style stuff! If it ain't southern style cooked.....

Unknown said...

Hi there...I just popped over from Debi Junkin Yaya blog and LOVE your blog! I'm a Texas girl too...love that CFS! You are SO lucky to have your family SO close. And that puppy in the previous post is PRECIOUS!!! I'll be back to check on you!

Cottage Rose said...

Hi again Donna

So there is no chicken in it?? LOL

About the koalas, they are protected wildlife, they pick up diseases really easily, they only eat from certain gum trees, and they are not suitable as pets.

Rose

Anne Fannie said...

I just happen upon your blog today. What a great spread, all the food looks so yummy. How great to have your family living so close to you! I also enjoyed reading some of your other posts, how cute is that shih tzu! I also have a shih tzu, he is 6 years old now but I remember when he was just a baby, they are so cute you can't help to want to keep them!
Hugs, Ann

cherry said...

Hi there...I just came across your blog....from what I can see from the side pics...it looks like we have similiar tastes...I adore cottage style! So glad to have found you and welcome to blog land. cherry

niartist said...

OOoooo! Chicken Fried Steak! YUMM! I moved to the North from Texas - and let me tell you, they don't know what they're doing up here when it comes to CFS! Wish I were in your walking shoes! :)

Donna said...

Aren't you lucky to live so close to your daughter and grandkids! Sounds like you had a fantastic time! And I love that your granddaughter is teaching you to blog - my daughter helped me! Well, it looks like you and I both love those sweet fur babies! Yours are absolutely adorable - and I love that you've found home for some strays... You're my kind of people! Thank you for visiting my blog. I'll stop back and visit soon!... Donna @ An Enchanted Cottage

Anonymous said...

I just started blogging and ran across your blog. Loved seeing all your furbabies! You will have to stop by my blog...I have two adorable snowballs, I mean maltese dogs, one is still a puppy, Memphis and one is 13 and blind, but oh so sweet...I'm working on my husband another sweet dog!
Blessings,
Leslie :))

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

Thanks so much for stopping by and I really enjoyed your blog too (; I love all your little babies. Don't they just make ya laugh, they have such funny personalities and expressions, we really enjoy our Lulu. I'll be adding you to my fav's so I can pop over for a visit often, I love your house too, your kitchen looks adorable!
Hugs~Kelly

Anonymous said...

Hi there,
I found you through my SIL's blog (Make Mine a Maltese). I love your farmhouse sink, I just got one for Christmas and I LOVE IT! I just recently returned to blogging after deleting mine so I am starting over. Stop by sometime.

Hugs,
LeAnn:)

Deanna said...

Hi there!
Just came across your blog.
You go girl!
Love the cottage look.
Deanna from the Kansas Flinthills