Fried Okra

My parents used to have a moderate size garden.  They had tomatoes, green beans, onions, yellow squash, and okra.  I hated picking the okra.  Everything about it was itchy.

My mom used to take that itchy stuff, and make the best fried okra.

A little corn meal, little flour, salt and pepper, and fry it in canola oil in an iron skillet.  I have my mother's iron skillet.  I was gifted with garden fresh okra a couple of weekends ago. So...what else was I supposed to do?

 I heated up the skillet with the oil until the oil smoked just barely.

The okra was already cut (nice!), so I added it in batches 

with flour, corn meal, salt & pepper.  

I used a zip baggy so that I could mix it well.

Fry until golden (or darker) brown, stirring occasionally.

Okra with rice, sliced tomatoes, London Broil, and broccoli.

It was yummy!

And, a lot like my Mom's.

Enjoy!

Purses

I love purses.  All different kinds.  They can be large, small (not too small), leather, cloth.  It doesn't matter the color or brand.

That is all.

I needed the world to know.

=)
Blessings!

Beginnings Continued...

I say in the title continued, mainly because I am tired of all of the endings.

I was on vacation last week (my staycation), and accomplished a lot , but not near what I wanted to.  But it is back to the daily grind with a little change.

My biggest accomplishment, I believe, are my children.  Carmen left today for Camp War Eagle (Freshman orientation), at Auburn. It is the beginning of her being away from home. It is the beginning of just Stephen and I as far as school is concerned.

But a wonderful new beginning for her.  She is truly excited, and for me it is bittersweet.  I am so proud of her and what she has accomplished.  Sad because she starts a new chapter in her life, full of adventure and without us.  Truly the beginnings of adulthood.

Carmen at 2 (daycare picture), and one of my favorite photographs of her.  Carmen's smile is contagious. And, isn't just like parents to remember them young and sweet.  One of my favorite commercials is a little 3 or 4 year old getting ready to back out of her driveway, and her Dad sees her like that.  But in reality, she is a grown woman. And the Dad just watches her go.

I believe her smile still is contagious.  She is going to have a great time at Auburn.  I also believe that we have raised her with a sweet spirit of fellowship and love.  I pray that God places in her path godly friends that are strong in their convictions.

He has blessed us with such a precious gift.  I love the woman she has become, and look forward to hearing of her beginnings.

Have a wonderful week.

Blessings.
Jerry Ann

Menu's and Diets

Trying...needs to be thrown out the door.  Diets are just that...diets.   We (Carmen and I) have decided to go through our pantry and throw out what needs to go...some of this stuff has been in there since we moved in (6 years ago), and needs to go.  Other stuff we just don't use, haven't used, will not use.

Change in mind set...not something so restrictive that I feel like I am punishing myself when I blow it, then justify it by saying it is okay today.  But it is a daily battle.  Constant.  Consistent.  Healthy.

One cookbook that has been changing the rules is Rocco Dispirto's Now Eat This Diet.

I purchased it at Books-A-Million about a month ago. It has sat on the desk, or by the couch for that long as well.  Carmen picked it up today, and asked if we could try some of the recipes.  Absolutely.  Not that I want to do all of the diet...never do...but some of the changes he makes are awesome, and completely doable.  What I need to concentrate on is portion size.  It has always been my downfall.

Okay, my plan is to work on this over the weekend. Pantry is cleaned out, and fresh veggies are in the fridge...now to plan the menu for next week.

I will keep you updated on this plan of mine...

Blessings.

Baby Bok Choy

The other day I was craving something fresh, crisp and not a salad (too many of those lately).  So, I asked  David to get us some on one of the grocery runs.

I used 5 smallish Baby Bok Choy, and rough chopped them.

Heated a pan with some canola oil, added 1/2 cup chopped onion, 

2 tablespoons of garlic, and salt and pepper.

 Cooked  and drained these Japanese noodles...

 

Carmen helped!

Sauteed with some soy sauce, and chicken broth - 1 cup.

(I thought it needed a little something, so I added the broth and steamed it.  

It made the flavor deeper.)

Tossed the noodles in, and yummy.

Fresh, crisp, and not a salad ---but so good.

Enjoy!