Bran Muffins

I was getting tired of my usual oatmeal and toast for breakfast, so I decided to make a batch of Bran Muffins.  I froze all but the three that I scarfed down the minute they came out of the oven. Delicious!!! Now that they are frozen and not in my face tempting me,  I can take out one each morning.

This was a nice change for breakfast, but impossible to eat just one.  I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and changed it just a little.  I added craisins instead of raisins and doubled the amount.  Nuts would have been good but I was too lazy to chop.  These are really yummy!!!

Enjoy,

patti

Taste Buds

After our summer hiatus, my cookbook club, The Taste Buds, reconvened for our September meeting. Peggy was our hostess and she decided to invite other cookbook clubs and have a tailgate theme.  We southerners do love our football teams and this was a great idea for September.  We could bring anything that we would want to take to a tailgate.  We had lots of great food, but first I have to say a few words about where this took place.  As I said, Peggy was our hostess and we met at what her family calls the pool house.  I wish I had photographed this house from the front/entrance but I was too interested in tasting all the good food and forgot.  This house is one gianormous room. It is so neat!!!!! It has the look of an old farmhouse.  I have only been there a few times, but I just love it.  You may wonder, why does anyone need a room/house like this, but believe me this family needs all the room they can get when they come together. There is a lot of them!!  Ok now for the pictures and food:

This gazpacho at the end of the table was fabulous and so smooth.  It would be so good at one of the early games in our very hot southern climate.  My mouth is watering!!

Patricia, Linda, Peggy(our hostess) and Anne

Lillajo, Gay(serving that delicious Gazpacho), Kathy and Anne

Along with great food comes good conversation. I wonder what they are talking about??

Another view of the table and you can also see more of this great room.

 Sissie and Peggy 

 Beth and Brenda standing by my dish.  Do you think they could be discussing how much they like my Tuscan Cheese Torta??

 Patricia, Gay, Jennifer, Linda and Peggy

Jennifer and Linda getting some of the delicious Do-Ahead Brisket from Dallas Dish. This brisket made great little sandwiches. I had two!!  Also a better peek into this fabulous room.

More hovering over the Do-Ahead Brisket. Did I mention how good it was!!!

Linda Kay trying the Salmon Tea Sandwiches.  OMG!!!!  Delicious!

Now on to pics of just the food.  I tried to photograph everything, but I missed some, so please forgive me if your item does not appear.  I also do not claim to be a photographer and some of my photos did not do your dish justice, so I decided not to include.  But here is what I have:

                                                                                                  

                    Chicken Couscous Salad                                                                          

      Pimento Cheese on Cornbread Toasts

             

               Salmon Tea Sandwiches

                       

                              Pickled Shrimp          

                 Tuscan Cheese Torta

                        Do-Ahead Brisket

            Rocky Road Fudge Bars

                     Outrageous Brownies

                            Elephant Ears

As you can see we had a variety of tailgate foods.  I might add that it was all delicious!  Now on to sitting down and chowing down.  Yum!!!

We are serious about cooking and eating.  Examining a cookbook for 2012.

Still eating - it was sooo good!

 Three other cookbook clubs were represented - Dishin Divas,  Red Roosters, and LeGourmet.

It sure was fun having all of you join the Taste Buds for our September meeting and many thanks to Peggy for this great idea and the use of her gianormous room.

If you are interested in any of these recipes, just let me know and I will try to get them posted for you.

patti

Gardening

Well hello everyone. I've been out of the blogging world for a few months. I hope you have noticed. These past few months have been crazy, but I'm ready to get back to cooking and sharing with you. I am including a few pictures on this post to let you see that I am not a total bum. I have been doing something productive --- GARDENING!!!!

                      BELL PEPPER

Is there a recipe that does not call for bell pepper?

                              TOMATOES

What would summer be without these heavenly
fruits??  Although the extreme heat has taken a
toll on them and the worms have had a feast, I
have  really enjoyed them, especially in
sandwiches.

                            CHERRY TOMATOES

I love to eat these right off the vine.  I have
especially enjoyed them in salads and roasted.
The squirrels have also enjoyed them.

                             EGGPLANT

Delicious!!!  Roasted - Grilled - Casseroles
I do love eggplant!!

                      ASIAN EGGPLANT

     These little jewels have been wonderful!!












So what do you think of my garden??  Well that pretty much explains what I have been doing this summer.  Now I am ready to get back to cooking and sharing again.  See you soon.

patti