Overnight Pecan Rolls

from the Kitchen of my mother-in-law, Nancy

Ingredients:

1 package frozen Bridgeford Parkerhouse rolls (24)

3.5 oz (small) box butterscotch pudding (cook 'n serve, not instant)

3/4 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. butter or margarine, melted (I used butter)

1 1/2-2 c. chopped pecans (you want a solid coating on the bottom of the pan)

Directions:

1. Generously butter 9x13 inch pan.


2. Spread pecans on the bottom of pan.


3. Space frozen rolls on top of pecans.


4. Spread remaining ingredients evenly on top.


5. Place in cold oven overnight to rise. (plan to bake 8-9 hours from now)


6. In the morning, bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 20-24 minutes.


7. Cool slightly and flip pan over on serving tray (or hillbilly-style like me, on a foil covered cookie sheet)


8. Serve and try not to devour the entire pan yourself. ;)

This one is a family favorite, and my husband LOVES them! They are gooey goodness. The hardest part of this recipe is locating the ingredients. Hubby found the rolls at Bi-Lo and the pudding at Target. The rolls could be under various brand names, look for the individual, frozen, pre-formed balls that are floating around in the bag.

A Wonderful Weekend

Not a whole lot of pictures to post today...except these cute ones of Graham. Friday was "Western Day" at school. Graham's Grandma (Dan's mom) saved this western shirt and vest from Dan's boyhood...a perfect time to try them out on the little man! He first came out of his room like this ;) Then, Daddy helped him get it all straightened out :)
For the first time in a LONG while, Dan did not have class or travel plans for work this weekend ...and the sun was shining! Not a cloud in sight! We did some Christmas and grocery shopping, played outdoors, napped, and visited with our friends Chris and Carrie. I also did some cooking...recipes coming soon! I am thankful and refreshed by weekends like these.

Dancin' Machine

Graham's school hosted a disco themed family dance called "We are Family" last Friday night. It was a party y'all! Dan had class that night, so the kiddos and I put on our dancin' shoes and had a blast.

When we first walked in, Graham said..."mom, let's go home"...and then he saw the glow necklaces. I didn't bring any cash with me, so I told him we wouldn't be able to get one that night. And then, he proceeded to reach into his pocket and pull out $2!!! Yup, this was the same two dollars I'd given him that morning to pay for his lunch in the cafeteria!!! Fridays are a special day because it's the one day we let him buy lunch. He said, "Mom, I forgot to pay the lunch lady, so now I can buy a necklace for me and Hannah Reece!" I didn't know whether to laugh or scold him. So, I did neither and let him make his big purchase. ;) And I'd do it again...they had a ball swingin' those glow sticks and shakin' what their momma gave 'em.


So happy with our glow sticks...

Give the boy a glow stick and some cool shades...my goodness!

the Conga line...

Whoa! Where in the world did my boy learn how to breakdance?

And our official dance photo :) check out those disco balls!

Banana Nut Winter Smoothie

(taken from the foil yogurt lid...with a few tweaks)

Ingredients:

1 banana, frozen
1 cup lowfat vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. honey (only use this if you like your smoothie extra sweet!)
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. ground flaxseed (I added this healthy extra, it goes well with the "nutty" flavor of this smoothie)

Directions:
Cut the frozen banana into 3 or 4 chunks. Place in blender with vanilla yogurt, walnuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, flaxseed and optional honey. Blend on high for 2 minutes or until smooth. Pour into glass and top with a dusting of cinnamon.

*Note: When my bananas get to that extra-ripe, not-yet-rotten stage (you know when they're just a little to squishy to eat all by themselves) I peel them and wrap them individually in plastic wrap or foil in the freezer. Then they'll be all ready to toss into muffins or smoothies when it's time.

Banana Nut Winter Smoothie

Smoothies, soups and muffins are becoming regulars in this kitchen...simple, satisfying and nutritious. Head over here for the recipe...very tasty and a nice change from the all-fruit smoothie.

While we're on the topic of recipes, this soup was DELICIOUS! Made lots and we had leftovers for lunch for the next 4 days...when it was gone, Dan asked me when I was planning to make it again. :)

19 weeks

Here we are at 19 weeks...almost halfway there! This pregnancy is FLYING by...and I'm thankful to say that I'm feeling really good...this is the stage where it's fun being pregnant. Baby's moving around a lot, but still small enough that I can be active and comfortable, most of the time. :)
Hannah Reece is happy about her baby sister and wanted to pose with her. ;) She give her lots of kisses and talks baby talk through my belly. It's so special to share this pregnancy with my daughter, I'm often surprised at how in tune she is with this process.And a few more pics with my sweet girl...not very often that I'm the one in front of the camera! Even though it was a bad hair day, I'm glad that Dan captured one of our favorite activities...rocking out together to some good music. This little chickadee is so much fun. :)

She recently chose a book about ballet at the library and I taught her the ballet "positions"...can't believe I still remember those! :) I'm thinking that dance lessons might not be too far away!

Here are a few of Hannah Reece's favorites on our playlist:

• Black Eyed Peas (I Got a Feeling)
• Chris Tomlin (Holy is the Lord)
• Jack Johnson (Upside Down)
• Lady Antebellum (I Run to You)
• Natasha Bedingfield (Pocketful of Sunshine)
• ANYTHING by Taylor Swift
• High School Musical Soundtrack

My Field Trip to the Greenway

I went to the pumpkin patch. I went to make my own bag. I drew a square. I drew me giving my friend a candy apple. I went on a tractor ride. I played ABC Bingo and when I was done I got to eat all of the fruit skittles, after the bingo game. When the tractor started going, it was like a bullet shooting the tractor. I saw horses. People were riding the horses! I got to look at the animals that were real, but the animals that were real were not alive. I got to see a snakeskin.

I got to see a hay maze...and I got to stand on TOP of the hay. And it was so fun.

I got to color a leaf and make my own necklace. To make the necklace, I got a cookie branch, I put beads on the string...there was a tree on my necklace. I saw the HUGE beehive...I saw the huge drawers in the forest. I got to the field trip by riding the bus, it was fun. My favorite animal was the owl. And that was dead. I'm all done now.