Sunday Lunch

My dear Mama prepared a wonderful roast nearly every Sunday after church, during my growing up years. 


I hope to duplicate this tradition.  There is nothing better than a wonderful pot roast prepared for Sunday lunch.  Go ahead and get in the habit of inviting friends for lunch too.  What about your minister and his family?  Get to cooking and, bless someone as you serve it up.

Recipe and Photo Credit:  Paula Deen.

Easy Pot Roast

• 1 (3 to 4-pound) boneless chuck roast
• 1 teaspoon House Seasoning, recipe follows
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup thinly sliced onion wedges  (*frozen chopped onions work well too)
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1/4 cup red wine
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon beef bouillon granules
• 3/4 cup water

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Add the House Seasoning, salt and pepper to a small bowl. Rub seasoning into the roast on both sides. Heat oil in a large skillet and brown the roast, searing it on both sides. Place the meat in a roaster pan. Add onionsand garlic to skillet for 1 to 2 minutes to absorb leftover roast juice. Place into roaster pan with meat and bay leaves.

Combine the mushroom soup, wine, Worcestershire sauce and beef bouillon into a bowl. Pour over the roast. Add water.

Cover pan with foil and bake for 3 to 3 1/2 hours or until tender.

Remove and discard the bay leaves.

*Cook's Note: If the gravy is not thick enough, remove the meat from the pan and pour the gravy into asaucepan. Bring to a boil and thicken it by adding 2 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup cold water, stirring constantly.

House Seasoning:

• 1 cup salt
• 1/4 cup black pepper
• 1/4 cup garlic powder

Mix ingredients and store in an air tight container for up to 6 months.

Do You Need A Classic Devotion Book? Here It Is!

I have been encouraged by the devotion book 31 Days of Praise, by Ruth Myers, for many years.  Her style of writing is truly thought provoking and meaningful.  You can purchase the book for only $5.99 at Christian Book Store.  

I read this yesterday:  (She writes this as a prayer): 
     Thank You that I can give myself up to be led by You...that I can go forth praising and at rest, letting You manage me and my day...that I can joyfully depend on You throughout the day, expecting You to guide, to enlighten, to reprove, to teach, to use, and to do in me and with me what You desire...that I can count upon Your working in me and through me as a fact, totally apart from sight or feeling...that I can go forth praising and at rest, believing You and obeying You and ceasing from the burden of trying to manage myself without Your wisdom and power (adapted from Dr. John Hubbard). 
     Thank You that I can throw the whole weight of my anxieties on You, for I am Your personal concern.

Blonde Texas Sheet Cake

My dear cousin, Tracy Roman Gilbert, lives in SHERMAN, TX.  Sherman is my Mom's hometown and, my late grandmother, Evelyn Slagle lived there for over 40 years.  I grew up visiting Sherman and, I have many fond memories of this great north Texas town.  Tracy reminded me of a DIVINE recipe a few weeks ago.  She is a great cook and, through the years, she has shared many wonderful recipes with me. 

Photo Credit:  MY RECIPES

Blonde Texas Sheet Cake 
With Caramel-Pecan Frosting

For the cake:

1 pkg. (18.25 ounces) white cake mix
1 c. buttermilk
1/3 c. butter, melted
4 egg whites
¼ tsp. almond extract

For the frosting:

1 c. chopped pecans
½ c. butter
1 c. light brown sugar
1/3 c. buttermilk
2 c. powdered sugar
½ tsp. vanilla extract
¼ tsp. almond extract

To make the cake, beat the cake mix, buttermilk, butter, egg whites and almond extract together with an electric mixer at low speed for 2 minutes or until blended. Pour batter into a 15- by 10-inch jelly roll pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 2 hours.

To make the frosting, place chopped pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 6 minutes or until lightly toasted.

Bring butter and brown sugar to a boil in a 3 ½-quart saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and slowly whisk in buttermilk.

Return mixture to heat and bring to a boil. Pour into bowl of a heavy-duty stand mixer. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla and almond extracts, beating at medium-high speed until smooth. Stir in pecans. 

Pour immediately over cooled cake in pan and spread quickly to cover cake. 

Serves 12.

Books From My Past

My daughter is 6 years old and, wow!....What a fun age!  I recently bought her a collection of books that were some of my favorite when I was a little girl.  She is able to read portions of it herself and, then, her Dad and I take turns reading it to her, as well.  She is delighted with Ramona, I am too! 

Cake Bites- Quick & Easy!

I too have jumped on the Bakerella band wagon.....who can resist the delightful Cake Pops that are truly delicious?


The cake pop recipe is simple....take a cake mix, bake it according to the box, and cool;  crumble it up and add a store bought can of vanilla frosting (this is the binder);  freeze the mixture for one hour; shape into balls and place on a wax paper lined baking sheet;  dip in melted chocolate (1 package of chocolate chips); decorate to your heart's content....with sprinkles or ANY thing you can invent.  Don't forget to insert the stick.....buy a package of these at Hobby Lobby or another craft store.  You may also use white chocolate chips (melted) to coat the cake pops.  Easy, cute and delish! 


Last night, I was invited to a going away party for a dear friend.  I opted to take a nap yesterday afternoon vs. bake.  I love a Sunday afternoon nap!  I whipped up a batch of my version of cake pops....I am calling them "Cake Bites".  The result turned out great and, my kids ate the extras that did not fit on my serving tray.

1) Start out by mixing up a cake mix-  I happened to have this one in my pantry. 

2)  Place batter in a mini muffin pan.  I used a tablespoon to fill up each cup. 

3)  Allow the cake bites to bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees.  Let them cool and, mix up a batch of my buttercream icing:

3/4 stick butter, softened

1/2 bag of powdered sugar

1/4 cup (or a little more as needed) half n half

1 teaspoon vanilla (I use Mexican vanilla- so good!)

Mix all together using hand mixer, until spreadable.

4)  Spread the icing on each cake bite.  Melt 1/2 bag of chocolate chips in the microwave ( 1 minute, stir, 1  minute again, stir).  Once the chocolate is smooth, use a teaspoon and drizzle it across the cake bites....use a zig zag motion and, do not worry if the chocolate falls on the tray....it looks great! 

*Start to finish- less than one hour.  EASY and fun to serve!  FLAIR TIP: A sweet surprise as a gift:  Place cake bites on a sturdy paper or plastic plate;  wrap up the plate with clear cellophane (gather at the top) and tie with a wire ribbon bow.


You all have a wonderful Monday!  I am very grateful for the traffic of readers on my blog! There is rarely a day that passes, when at least one person will either tell me or email me that they read my blog.  I am deeply touched by this!  My continual prayer and hope is that my posts will encourage you and SPURN you on to keep your home/live your life, with FLAIR!  A Big Hug to All, Beth 

Add a New Accent Piece to A Room

Adding a new accent piece to a room, such as a side table or a pair of ottomans, used in place of a coffee table, can transform a space and, truly make it look fresh and "right now".  


I located some AMAZING pieces by HORCHOW and, each piece is less than $600.00.  What a great bargain!  Look around your family room, keeping room or living room and, decide if you could use one of these pieces in order to give it a bit of new FLAIR. 


Do you need new bar stools for your island or area in your kitchen?  I have two great different styles of stools for you (below).  These styles would look GREAT in any kitchen! 

A Few Great Recipes For Your Files

Photo Credit:  Hobson Realtors 

Nina Tayloe is a trusted friend and, she is also, our wonderful realtor.  She and her husband, Robert, work for HOBSON REALTORS here in Memphis, TN.  Prior to her days as a realtor, Nina owned a very successful tea room.  I am very thankful that she recently shared several of her DELICIOUS recipes with me.  Nina is amazing!  The best part about her?  She truly puts God first in ALL she does and, her faith just inspires me!  I feel very thankful to know her. 


Chicken Enchiladas


1 rotisserie chicken
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
1 8 ounce pkg. cream cheese, softened
1 8 oz. pkg. of Monterey Jack cheese with peppers, shredded
1 8 oz. pkg. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1 14. oz. pkg. flour tortillas
1 box Spanish style rice


Debone and shred chicken.  Mix with 1/2 recipe Spanish rice- cooked according to package directions.  Mix in soup, sour cream, cream cheese, 1 1/2 c. Monterey Jack cheese and cheddar cheese.


Sppon into tortillas, wrap, and place seam side down in baking dish. Cover with remaining cheddar and jack cheeses.  Bake uncovered for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. 


Corn Pudding


6 Tbs. butter
1 tbs. sugar
2 tbs. flour
1/2 cup half & half
4 eggs, well beaten
1 1/2 t. baking powder
3 cans white cream corn


Heat butter with sugar in saucepan until melted. stir in flour, blend, add baking powder, blend.  Remove from heat.  Gradually add cream & eggs.  Be sure dry ingredients are well incorporated.  Combine with corn.  


Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes. 


Grown Up Mac & Cheese


1 box elbow macaroni
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pound sharp cheddar cheese , grated- reserve
some for top of casserole
1/4 cup butter
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 (4 oz.) jar pimento, chopped and drained
1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced
1 sleeve of Ritz crackers, crushed


Cook and drain macaroni.  Stir soup & cheese.  Sautee onion, bell pepper and mushrooms in butter.  Season with seasoned salt and pepper.  Add pimentos and sauteed veggies to macaroni.  Top with crushed Ritz crackers and dots of butter.


Bake uncovered at 350 degrees, for 30 minutes.

Getting Away To A Favorite Southern Town

Photo Credit:  Oxford, MS Chamber of Commerce

Oxford, Mississippi is truly one of my favorite small towns.  Just 75 miles south of Memphis, I can easily come here for the day or, like today,  a sweet one night 'escape', a sweet surprise from my husband, John Bryson.

Fortunate for me, my former sales territory ( 6+ years) included Oxford, and, I know the lay out here very well.  Over the years, I have made many fun memories in this neat town.  For instance, two years ago, our "Supper Club" came here over New Year's weekend and, we had such fun!   Last year, my girlfriend planned a really fun birthday "slumber party" (in my honor) here and,  five of us stayed at a fantastic condo and, had a ball! 

I love traditions and, keeping with this, I usually always stay at the Downtown Oxford Inn.  A nice little hotel that is within walking distance of The Square....where all the neat shops and eateries are.  The Inn is "no frills" and, it suits me just fine.  

A great shoe store right on University Drive.

Neilson's Department Store, the south's oldest department store...  Awesome!    Right on the square.  They have everything from clothing to a make-up counter to shoes to housewares- an old-fashioned/rare department store- LOVE IT! 

The Lafayette County court house sits in the middle of the beautiful Oxford square.

Ajax Diner .  Awesome food!  They have a great "meat and three" plate at lunch time!  DELISH! 

I ventured out and tried a GREAT newer restaurant for dinner tonight!  Round Table .  Their hamburger is one of the best I have had in a long time!  I am somewhat of a "burger expert" (self-nominated....ha!)- their burger was AMAZING!!! 

The famous CIty Grocery.   Chef   John Currence is a 2009 James Beard Foundation Award Winner.  He also owns:  Boure, Big Bad Breakfast and Snackbar in Oxford.   Every one of these fabulous eateries are a MUST-TRY! 

Square Books.  A wonderful and historic book store.     I found a great box of Crane stationary
here today and, a birthday gift for a dear friend.

Any time I am especially excited about a destination, I feel the urge to buy a t-shirt to commemorate the visit.  I found this neat Vineyard Vines shirt today and, am wearing it right now.

The agenda for tomorrow?  A great cup of coffee and danish at Bottletree Bakery and, then, a visit to Oxford Floral.  


You really need to plan a visit to this amazing southern town.  You will love it!  Voted one of the top 6 towns to retire in, by Kiplinger's magazine (2005). 

Do You Have Any Struggles with Anxiety, Fear or Insecurity? CHECK THIS OUT!

At the risk, of seemingly trying to promote my husband, I ASSURE you, the last two sermons he has preached (this Sunday and last week- Fellowship Memphis ) have LITERALLY changed my world!  He has spoken on fear and anxiety in our lives and, the ripple effects that these two things cause.  POWERFUL sermons! 


I URGE you....please down load these two sermons and listen in your car or on your iPod.  I KNOW that you will be deeply convicted/moved and encouraged to start "casting" ALL your anxiety on the Lord. These messages are truly a MUST listen!  Do you want more FLAIR in your home and in your heart?  Take a listen to these messages by JOHN W. BRYSON.  I believe you will be touched deeply by listening to them. Go to FELLOWSHIP RADIO.


Dr. Ed Welch wrote two great books and, our church is selling these books right now, as an "add on" to the series on fear/anxiety.  You may order them at AMAZON.

Running Scared, by Ed Welch 

AMAZON

A Quick Home Improvement Project- 15 Minutes

My Mother is one of the most talented and artistic people I have ever known.  I am very thankful for all of her instruction over the years!  She taught me this easy method of making a garden urn (made from resin) look antiqued.  The secret?  Good old spray paint from HOME DEPOT.  I purchased the resin urns several years ago at COSTCO.  The original color was a drab gray and, I knew these two urns needed a little touching up.  Each summer, I re-paint them, with the method below and, they look great for an entire year.

Spray the urns with brown spray paint.  I sprayed these twice, to achieve maximum coverage. 

Spray paint is wonderful and easy because you can quickly look at the can top and select the color.  Make sure you pick a "flat" paint.  You do not want your urns to be a shiny paint. 

Allow the brown paint to dry, for 30 minutes.  Spray the green paint on a paper towel and,   rub the paint on the brown urns in order to achieve a nice old looking patina. 

The finished urn.  

The second finished urn.

You can spray paint the urns without taking your plants out, OR, moving the urns.  Be careful to keep the paint off of your porch.  You can place newspaper under the urns, if you are concerned about the excess paint. 


A QUICK and easy method of making your garden urns look like NEW!  

The Art of Home Fragrance

Recently, I was asked by a friend, about home fragrance and, what my recommendations are for keeping the home smelling good.  I am thrilled to share this information, because, in fact, keeping wonderful scents in my home is truly a long standing hobby of mine.  There is an art to making the home smell DELICIOUS and, inviting.


Here are a few ideas to inspire you to keep your home smelling so good....your guests will never want to depart.  I guarantee it....

1. Always be on the look out for candles and, very important, know your brands.   Here are my top 5 favorite candle brands and, they all can be found on the internet, OR, check local stores who may carry them.   *Flair Tip:  Don't know a lot about candles?  The next time you are in someone's home where a wonderful scent draws your attention- do not hesitate to ask the host what the scent is.  The host will be flattered that you asked and, you will learn something to help improve your home. 

• Trapp Candles,  TRAPP.   No. 61, "Quince and Pomegranate" is divine!   ANY of their scents are going to be well worth your money.   Very fragrant and, they burn slowly.  I have consistently used the scent "Orange Vanilla", over the years--- one of my staples. 
• Tyler Candles.  Tyler Candle Company.  Their "Limelight" scent is wonderful!
• Seda France.  SEDA FRANCE.  "French Tulip" and "Japanese Quince" are my Flair picks.
• Votivo.  VOTIVO CANDLES.  Their "Red Currant" is iconic and, I love the "Vanilla  Grapefruit"- you truly cannot go wrong with ANY of their scents. Their scents are a luxury to enjoy. 
• Aromatique. AROMATIQUE. These candles have been a MUST in my home for over 17 years (my entire married life!).  For Spring: "The Smell of Spring"; For Fall: "Cinnamon Cider"; For Christmas: "The Smell of Christmas".  I buy each of these scents in a large jar size and in the votive size. AMAZING scents that instantly send a message 'announcing' the season. 

     2.  The Candle Pantry:  I keep candles in their very own 'pantry' right inside a large drawer in an antique English pine chest that is in my entry hall.  I shop all year long for wonderful candles and, often, find candles on sale at stores such as: TJ MAXX and, TUESDAY MORNING.  *A great time to buy candles is after the season.  For example, after Christmas, shop the sales and, you will often find good candles for 50% off the regular price. Since my chest is full of all my favorite scents, when ever I have guests coming over, I know that I can 'dip' in to my drawer and, pull out a delicious smelling scent.  Readiness for a well fragranced home-- this is key. 

    3.  Light Bulb rings.  Place a brass or a ceramic ring on a lamp and add, 1/2 t. of a fragrant oil.  The heat from the light will send the oil scent wafting in to your room and, this is a great way to make your home smell good.  * The Aromatique company (listed above) make fragrant oils in all of their scents.  I keep 5 to 6 fragrance oils on hand at all times.  In the event that you have unpleasant odors arise in your home, these oils are a perfect way to combat them. Light Bulb Fragrance Rings .


   4.  Reed Diffusers.  Diffusers are a wonderful way to add a fresh scent to a space in your home.  These can be found at many specialty stores.  The reeds stick out from the jar of oil and, right away, your room will be fragrant. I like these products because they typically will last for 4-6 months. A good investment.  Check out the "Island Grapefruit" diffuser by VOTIVO.  Perfect!!! 


Get started on making your home a place filled with wonderful fragrances.  A home that 'welcomes' a guest with a fabulous scent TRULY is a home with FLAIR!  The 'Art' of a fragrant home....truly worth your time and energy.