Any Last Words?

Cousin It dropped by to help us get moved into our new place.

We will only have the computers up and running for about 24 more hours.  I'm doing my deep breathing exercises.  Not sure I can handle all the withdrawals that I know are coming from lack of face time with the computer.  I have looked into every avenue for getting a fastish internet connection out in the country.  Looks like our only options will be dial-up (gasp!!!) or a satellite connection which is pricey but possibly worth it.  We'll see.  In the mean time, I will miss all of you!!!!

While I'm gone, don't forget to write out your "If I had a benefactor" contest entry.  I've gotten about 6 or 8 entries so far and many promises that entries are on the way.  snickerdoodledog@gmail.com  Let's set a date to have your entry in by Saturday July 12th.  Friday July 11th for those of you time travelers on Guam.  (PS I love all you Guam people and I miss you very much!)

Alrighty then, I'm off to pack some more boxes!

Bye, ya'll be good. Hear?

Can You Believe It?

The Browns are moving AGAIN!

Where to, you ask?

To the country, that's where.  Here is our back porch.  Notice the crowd at the backdoor waiting for daddy to get the key to work.  Also notice the shaggy yard.  The children crowded araound the door will never change but the yard will be very different as soon as we can get at it.  

Our mower is in for a workout.

That's the backyard.  Those are peanuts growing back there. 

Here's the side yard yard and the other side looks just like it.  Hmmm?  Peanuts in the backyard and .... poison ivy on the sides?

Our driveway, the one you'll take when you come for a visit.  We'll leave a light on for you.

Here is the front of the house. Don't be deceived by the simple appearance.  Inside it's a diamond in the rough.

Abbie and Gracie are trying out their new window.  Those two stinkers are forever having fun no matter what they're doing.

Makes you want to be a kid again, huh?

Holly's contemplative look.  We think she's congratulating herself on FINALLY getting her cowgirl soul out into the country where she always knew she belonged.

My new great big kitchen.  Look over there at that double oven!!  

The kitchen view from the dining room.  Lee's happy about my kitchen too.  He like's it when I have a kitchen to get cozy and creative in.  Must be all of those cinnamon rolls I get inspired to make.

Caitlin is uncovering the view from the dining room window.

Come see us sometime!

Sunday Suppers

As promised, todays Sunday Suppers recipe is Homemade Egg Rolls.  These yummy little bundles are SO easy to make.  My family actually prefers these that we make at home to any that we have had when eating out.  It does require a few steps and just a bit of effort but it is SO worth it.

You will need chicken, a package of egg roll wrappers, a bag of precut cole slaw and soy sauce.

You need to cook the chicken.  Any method works as long as it is cooked thoroughly.  I prefer to boil it water and a little soy sauce because it's quick.  When the chicken is cooked you will need to chop it up fine or use my trick and put it in the Kitchen Aide Mixer to get it chopped.

Next empty your bag of slaw into a deep pan that has a tight fitting lid.  On top of the slaw add your chopped chicken.

This is what makes it yummy: Pour on the soy sauce.  Don't be shy, pour it on and stir it up.  If it does not look coated enough pour some more on.  

Next you will turn the heat on to about med and cover the pan.  The heat and steam will cause the cabbage to shrink down.  After a few minute lift the lid and give it a stir.  If it needs more soy, add some now.  You want the heat hot enough to evaporate most of the liquid.  So if  your mixture is too watery turn the heat up some and leave the lid off while stirring.  You will know when it's done when the mixture has shrunk down to about half of what you started with.  If you still have alot of liquid, don't worry just drain some off before using it to roll your egg rolls. 

At this point you will need to use your filling to roll all of your egg rolls.  In the post below, Caitlin has demonstrated step by step directions for egg roll rolling.  It's not hard so don't be intimidated.  I am blessed to have 4 very skilled egg roll rollers in the house.

Now comes the fun part!  You get to fry them.  I have this nifty little deep fryer that has a lid so that I don't burn myself.  I have a habit of that.  I love kitchen power tools!  If you do not have one of these handy little babies, never fear, you can still make egg rolls.  All you need is a largish pot filled about 1/3 of the way with vegetable oil (or whichever oil you prefer).  Put it on the burner and heat it up to about 375 degrees or Medium High.  Please be careful!!!

Plunge your egg rolls into the hot oil.  This only takes a couple of minutes.  They will brown up in a hurry so watch them closely.

They should come out looking all crispy and golden brown.  Drain them on a paper towel and let them cool just a little but eat them while they are hot. 

Yum-O!  We sometimes eat these alone for supper with just a side of sticky rice and ginger sauce (which I already posted the recipe for) but today we also had some homemade sesame chicken.  It was a feast!  I hope that all of you will venture out and give this recipe a shot.  You won't regret it.  Let me know how it turns out when you do.

How To Roll An Egg Roll

Caitlin will now demonstrate step by step directions for rolling an egg roll.

Here she started with one sheet of egg roll wrapper. The bottom corner is pointed toward her.  She has about 1 heaping Tablespoon of the filling placed just above the bottom corner.

Fold that bottom corner over the filling.

Then roll the whole thing over again.

Now fold in one corner over the middle.

Then fold in the other corner.