Breakfast Recipe - Sausage Balls

A family favorite that was really designed to be for those special occassions. However, I can't get enough of them so I make them on a regular basis for two reasons.

1. They are so good.

2. They freeze!

We enjoy making them and forming them into different shapes!

Sausage Balls

1 lb. sausage, cooked

3 c. Bisquick

2 c. cheddar cheese

a bit of water

Mix ingredients together with hands. Form into balls or other shapes for fun!

Bake at 350 for 12 minutes (15 minutes, if frozen).

Helping a Friend Out

One of the biggest events in a young man's life is taking the training wheels off his bike. Carter announced yesterday that he was ready for such an event but was very reluctant to get on once the training wheels were off. We informed him that once the training wheels were off - they stayed off. He agreed. We took them off. He did not get on the bike. Today at playgroup, his friend Cade brought his training wheel-less bike to playgroup. Carter announced he was going to try so I went with him through the gym holding on. When I let go, of course, he tumbled down and announced he was not getting back on. He also added he wanted his training wheels back on! I did not push the issue but did encourage him to get back on to no avail. Later, Sandy (Cade's mom) and I see this little episode . . . .

We thought it was so sweet seeing one friend help another out. Neither one of us had our camera, but the church secretaries did!!! They let us borrow it to capture such a sweet moment. I am so thankful that both my children have such wonderful friends that will be there beside them through the thick and the thin in life. Thank you, Cade, for being a friend to Carter today and everyday!

Breakfast Recipe - Sausage Cheese Muffins

There are a new recipe for us and we love them! They make a TON so you can very easily split them up for different groups. My aunt RoRo made these and were an instant hit with us! They are similar to sausage balls but go a bit farther!

Sausage Cheese Muffins

1 lb. sausage, cooked

1 1/2 c. cheddar cheese

3/4 c. water

3 c. Bisquick

1 can cheese soup

Combine sausage, Bisquick, and cheese. Make a well in the center. Stir soup and water together. Add to sausage mixture, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon into lightly greased muffin tins, filling to the top of the cups. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes or until lightly brown. I freeze them after cooking. Pull out at night to thaw and warm in the microwave in the morning.

Breakfast Recipe - Breakfast Tacos

This is one of our very favorite recipes for breakfast or supper! It is great and made enough I could split it in half for two breakfasts!!

Breakfast Tacos

1 dozen eggs

1 lb. sausage

1 package of shredded hashbrowns

Cook eggs. (I cook them and then place them in a bigger pot on low to keep warm) Brown sausage and drain. (Add to the eggs) Brown hashbrowns. (Add to egg and sausage) Mix all together. Serve on flour tortillas with salsa on top.

My kids love this meal except Laura Beth always ask for hers "without a cast" (flour tortillas).

Breakfast Recipe - Banana Cake

I have been busy making and filling our freezer full of food in preparation for school beginning next week. I have always done freezer cooking for supper but this year I am adding breakfast foods to the mix! I plan on sharing some of our favorite breakfast freezer foods with you this week. I apologize for no pictures at this time. Maybe as we eat them I can get pictures up.

This one is a banana cake that is super easy and so so so good! My kids eat it up! You can make it in a bundt pan for one big recipe or place it in two loaf pans (which is what I did for freezing). I hope you enjoy this as much as our family does!

Banana Cake

3 ripe bananas

1 yellow cake mix

1/2 c. sugar

4 eggs

3/4 c. oil

Mash the bananas and then add all the ingredients. Blend until all ingredients together. Batter will be a bit lumpy. Pour into greased bundt pan or two loaf pans. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes (bundt pan) or 40-45 minutes (for 2 loaf pans).

The Fifth Generation

Mama Whittle (my Papa Whittle's mother) was known for her cooking - especially her cobbler. She made it. My Grandmama Whittle made it. My mom made it. I have made it and it will be continued to pass on as Laura Beth made her first one the other day. We had BIG plans to go pick blueberries one morning but the rain held us back from doing that. Therefore, we found our way to Wal-Mart where we bought blueberries and blackberries. That afternoon, Laura Beth made her very first blackberry cobbler for her daddy. He is the only one who will eat it - Uncle Richard, you should be here!! Here is the recipe for you and yours to enjoy this summer with whatever fruit you choose!

Mama Whittle's Cobbler Recipe

1 c. sugar

1 c. flour

2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

2/3 c. milk

Mix and pour in bottom of 8x8 pan.

2 1/4 c. fruit

4 T. butter

3/4 c. sugar

Heat and pour over crust mixure - Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream and enjoy!

What Happens When Momma is Away

While I was at Horizons, Carter needed a haircut. He had been wanting a mohawk for a long time but we had not given in. Damon told me he would give Carter a haircut while I was at camp and this is what I came home to . . .

It is not as bad as it could have been and, when gelled, it looks pretty cute on him. We will see how long it lasts though!

Wonderful, Merciful Savior - Horizons 2009

Again, I was very blessed to be able to work with the FHU summer camp for future church leaders called Horizons this year. I have been involved with this camp for 18 years - either as a camper, counselor, teacher, and assistant director. I have seen the camp grow from filling two dorms to every dorm on campus and each year it just gets better! This year was no exception! We made some changes to the program while still focusing on special classes to train and encourage these teens to be leaders in God's church now and in the future. While the week does bring many long nights (some of those I bring on myself, though, visiting!) and many obstacles, I love getting with friends, former teachers/counselors, and my college kids who come back to work as counselors. I was very blessed to be able to spend most of the week with the 4 ladies you see below - Kim and Tammy (top picture) were my sidekicks for most of the week. I would not have made it through without them! Alli and Danae (bottom pics) are two of my college girls. Alli spent 4 days with me and multiple campers making cards for our soldiers, missionaries, St. Jude's patients and others. I loved having down time with Danae - sitting, swinging, and just talking about whatever was on our hearts and minds.

It was a wonderful week but I am glad it is behind us now! There is not much summer left to enjoy so that is our focus now.

Happy 88th Birthday, Papa!

We are so blessed to be around so much family. We really miss those family members who are not with us all the time but especially on days like today - celebrating birthdays! Papa Whittle turned the big 88!! Damon and I laugh and say he is going to outlive us all! He is still going strong walking 2 miles a day, teaching Bible classes at church, and having weekly home Bible studies with his neighbors and friends. We are so proud of him and are blessed every day we get to spend with him.

We all enjoyed an Olive Garden lunch and serenade our special guy!

Happy Birthday, Papa!

We love you!

A Game for Generations

"The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love." -Bryant Gumbel

FINALLY!!!!!!

As I mentioned in my birthday post, my favorite baseball player is Dale Murphy. He played for the Atlanta Braves "back in the day." He started out as a catcher and played outfield, as well. He was, and is, a great guy. My friend, Kim, shares the love for the "Murph" with me and when we heard many months ago that he was going to be in Jackson for a night we made plans to go! The day finally arrived and we headed to the ballpark to get there when the gates opened. We stood in line for an hour and a half (while the kids got autographs from future Atlanta Braves players) but it was worth it when we FINALLY got to meet the man!!

The reason for the visit to Pringles Park - Dale Murphy!Kim is so excited to FINALLY be this close to Dale!I was as giddy as a 13 year old!!!

I got back in line to take Papa Whittle to meet the Murph as well. Papa (being forever the politician) walked right up to him and shook his hand. I think he enjoyed the visit almost as much as Kim and I did!

A Month of Reading

Our county library holds their annual Reading Program beginning the end of May and all the month of June. The kids always love doing this and we set out this year with new obstacles to overcome. Cecily and Carter could have someone read them their books and did a great job listening to over 80 books! Carter even read some of his all on his own! Laura Beth had to read all of hers by herself this year. She did not think she could do this (we think she thought they had to be HUGE chapter books) but she, too, read over 80 books! They earned free ice cream and free happy meals! Thanks to the library and community businesses for encouraging them to read!

Happy Birthday to Paige and Me!

Last night was out monthly Girls' Night Out to celebrate the birthdays of the month! This is the first year I have had a friend to share June with and I am so thankful Paige has joined our little group! We had a wonderful time at Olive Garden - eating wonderful food and enjoying wonderful company. This group of girls is so special to me. We can get together away from the daily troubles of the world, pray for each other and just enjoy being together!

Thanks, girls, for making my day wonderful!

Me and Arika!