Wordless Wednesday: Peek-A-Boo

Yesterday's Dinner

The southern cooking continues. Yesterday, I made Fried Chicken, with home made mac n' cheese and summer corn. YUM-O as Rachael Ray would say.

The Creek Cats asked for the macaroni and cheese recipe. So here it is below, Enjoy!

Mac n' Cheese

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
1 1/2 cups of whole milk
16 ounces of cheddar cheese
1 box of elbow macaroni or box of shells
1 tsp of italian seasonings or parsley flakes
pinch of cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste
3 tablespoons bread crumbs
3 tablespoons parmesan cheese

PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees.

1. Cook macaroni according to box instructions. Drain macaroni.
2. Create a bechamel sauce by Melting butter. When butter is melted, add flour. Cook for approximately 2-3 minutes, until thick.
3. Whisk in slowly 1 1/2 cups of milk. The bechamel will be a thick sauce.
4. Add in cheese, one handful at a time, so it's melting into the sauce. Reserve some of the cheddar cheese for the topping.
5. Add in the italian seasonings.
6. Add in the cooked macaroni. Stir until mixed very well.
7. Add the pinch of cayenne, salt & pepper, mixing well.
8. Grease a baking dish.
9. Pour the macaroni and cheese mixture into the baking dish.
10. Mix together the bread crumbs and parmesan cheese in a bowl.
11. Sprinkle over top of the macaroni and cheese. Sprinkle the reserved cheddar cheese on top.
12. Bake for 25 minutes until top is brown and melted.

Enjoy!

Move Over Paula Deen!

Last month, I was home and saw too much Paula Deen. I don't usually like to watch her because she uses so much sugar and butter in everything. Then something weird happened. All of the sudden I felt like making southern food. So I whipped up these bbq ribs and home made macaroni and cheese. It came out pretty good, and I didn't even use a recipe. I'm ready for a throw down Paula Deen!

Wordy Wednesday: Grooming Cousin Nikki, the furball!

Last month, when I was home at grandma and grandpa's house, I helped groom cousin Nikki, the Golden Retriever. We never had dogs before and only have short haired cats, so I was completely surprised to see how much fur was on the brush. G-ma said it was because Nikki was shedding her winter fur and she's been following her around the house with a vacuum cleaner, because chunks of fur would be everywhere! I thought it was so amazing.

So much floof! It's like a little hamster!!

I love Summer!

There are so many things I love about summer. One of them is living in Brooklyn and being surrounded by all the cool activities happening in our neighborhood and in the other boroughs. One of them in particular are the Free movies at McCarren Park. Every week they have a different film. This past week, was Evil Dead II. I've never seen this movie before, but my husband says that Bruce Campbell is one of his favorite actors. The movie was really funny, I can see why this is a cult classic!

Waiting for the movie to start. A local band is playing for the crowd.

Local food vendors selling yummy stuff to the audience.

The park was crowded, a fun night and a fun movie!


View of Empire State Building from the park.

Can a cat have a little privacy? Please??

I saw Sebastian totally relaxed on my bed one day. With his tummy fully showing. He wasn't amused however to have a flashy camera in his face. But look how cute he is, how could I resist?

Taco Night!

This is an old picture, but I never posted it. We had taco night last month, and for the first time, I made my own black beans. I'm not a big fan of beans, my husband likes them. I added a bunch of Goya seasonings, and they were delicious! I think it will become one of our taco staples from now on!

Wordless Wednesday: Summer sleepy time

What are you looking at?

What? You want me to move so you can get these papers? I'm going to go back to my nap now. Go away!

Garden Strawberries

Wow, I have been awfully delinquent with blog postings lately! Its just been so busy, with work and holidays and such. Will try to be better with posting. Here is a photo of fresh strawberries from my brother's garden. He planted these strawberry plants last summer and was pleasantly surprised when they came back this year. This photo really reminds me of summer, although, we haven't had much summer like weather lately. However, just heard on the news that we are expecting sun, sun, sun all week! We can use the summer sun, after all this rain we've been having!!