Have you seen those infomercials for the bacon bowl?  Pretty neat premise:  a bowl made out of bacon.   A bowl made out of bacon.  Oh the deliciousness and you don't need to waste your money ordering one online.  Bacon bowls are really easy to make. All you need is bacon and a muffin tin I used thick cut bacon but you can use regular sliced bacon or turkey bacon or veggie bacon    Directions: Wrap bacon slices around individual muffin tin cups and bake according to directions. You can weave the bacon if you like for a prettier effect.   Rule of thumb:  More slices = fuller bowl Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes or so Keep a close eye on the bacon so it doesn't burn I used 2 slices of bacon this time but next time I'll use 3-4 slices for a fuller bowl Fill. Fill with scrambled eggs and cheese for breakfast or brunch or fill with leafy greens for a tasty salad.  The possibilities...

My middle kid motioned for me to come into the building.  I couldn't imagine why.  He ran to the car saying "Mom, it's important.  Come here."  I quickly put on my shoes and raced inside to find my oldest son being consoled by a group of women and a group of young men being ushered out the building. My son was calm and I could tell he wasn't physically injured.   Yet, I could see he was visibly shaken. "What happened", I asked looking around.   One of the ladies explained a group of boys had been taunting my son and he retaliated. Another lady explained some of the kids said he had asked them to stop but this one kept at it and my son finally turned around and punched him.  He had had enough. I feel terrible because a few weeks earlier my kid told me he really didn't want to go back to this program.  He told me some of other kids were making jokes at some of the mentors and class leaders.  Some kids were calling them names say...

Happy New Year!  We rang in 2019 with some of my "lucky" dishes including greens, cornbread, pork and  Lucky Black Eyed Pea casserole .  Lucky Black Eyed Pea casserole is one of our family faves.  I cook it several times throughout the year.  In fact, it's a dish my 91-year old mother in law requests and that's an honor.   I've got a couple of extra cans of black eyed peas leftover and I figured I would make Cowboy Caviar.   The recipe whips up in minutes, it's full of veggies and surprisingly it's a dish the kids love.  Hey, I still try to sneak in veggies whenever I can .   Cowboy Caviar is one of those dishes you can make your own.  You can serve it with tortilla chips, or as a side dish.  This is my version of the recipe.  I don't drain the veggies.  You may want to but reserve the liquid so you can add to your liking.   Want a little more spice, add a few diced sprigs of cilan...

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The 2019 college football playoffs are set. #1 Alabama Crimson Tide face off against #2 Clemson Tigers for winner take all. I confess my favorite college team didn't make the playoffs * cue tiny violin * but that just leaves me more time to plan my game day appetizers.  At least Alabama has the same team colors as my favorite college team and besides I'd rather  kickback and enjoy the game with my family and friends rather than racing back and forth to the kitchen between plays.   This easy Cheesy Ranch Chicken Ring appetizer is one of my favorite appetizers.  It's always a crowd pleaser plus it looks like it took forever to prepare but it's super easy. Cheesy Ranch Chicken Ring  Ingredients: 2 tubs of refrigerated crescent rolls (we use Pillsbury) 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or cubed) 1 packet dry ranch seasoning ½ cup cheddar cheese 1 8-0z package of cream cheese, softened Directions: Preheat oven to 375° Mix all ingredien...