BEST FRYS TO BUY

Most all southern people love potatoes in any fashion or form. Fried is our best way of fixing them. I can say one thing I have a son-in-law that can fix some of the best fried potatoes you can put in your mouth and I have tried to copy him but just can't get them to come out tasting like his. lol.
 He cuts them paper thin and then takes a small pancake turner and flips them and don't use a lid on his when frying.
 Oh well, I have done the same thing but they never taste like his and he says that the Idho in the string bag is the only kind to buy. Well, me all I have is ole garden potatoes that have been planted in a garden just like the baged ones but they still don't taste like his. lol.
Now when it comes to french frys, I have tried all kinds of brands with different kinds of oil to fry them in. I have tried frying them in a fry daddy and a kettle on the stove but trust me a kettle will work just as good as a fry daddy but just watch the grease and not let it get to hot or it will explode without nothing in it.
And always, do not ever, leave it on the burner after you take the frys out as it is still hot, always, scoot it off the burner.
Anyway back to the frys. I have tried the expensive ones .The store brand ones and home frys and the best ones I have found is the Walmart brand , Great Value.
They get crisp and are not soggy and don't turn dark brown unless you let them fry to long. I just love them. I am not trying to promote them but they are just so good.
One fry leads to another and before you know it, you may have ate 15. lol. or more. lol.
 I use Canola Oil to fry mine in. Some frys get to crisp and all you have is like a shell to eat. Some get to extra crispy.
But the Great Value frys will get done on the inside and crisp on the out. Just don't have the oil to hot.
 If you use gas then keep it at a lower temp. I am just now learning how to use gas. I love it way better than electric. But watch out or you will sure have some burned hands grabbing hold of the handles on the pots and skillets without a pot holder.
Oh and if you like baked potatoes, just fix them in the oven and not try to microwave them. I like mine in the oven the best. I was trying to fix one for my grandaughter and put it on 10 minutes and had it wrapped in a wet paper towel. I left it in the oven after the timer went off as I was doing something else and when I got it out it was hard as a rock and my grandaughter said what is wrong with you mamaw can't you cook no more. That from a little one is sure embarrassing. lol. So I had to fix her another one and it was not done enough. So I will just stick to my ole time way.
 Everybody loves my baked potatoes. But most people when putting the sour cream in just don't put enough and sure don't put enough butter. lol. We forget about the calories when eating them around here. To me nothing makes a baked potato no better than frying up some sliced green peppers and onions to put on top or use on the side with a hot baked potato and of course we have to have that shredded cheese all over the top..........

MEXICAN CHORIZO SAUSAGE

If you love hot food then this recipe is for you. It is hot. The mexican chorizo sausage is found at Walmart back where the mexican cheese dip is near the deli. Most time it is in one long roll.

2 Mexican Chorizo Sausages
1/2 Cup Onion, chopped finely
1/2 Cup Red Chili Sauce
2 Eggs, scrambled

In a medium skillet put the sausage in after you have removed it from the casing. Crumble it. Then add the onon and cook, stirring frequently for 3 to 4 minutes or until the sausage is cooked through but not dry. Serve with desired amount of warm chili sauce on top. This is good to eat with scrambled eggs.

SOUTHWESTERN CROCKPOT CHICKEN

1 Pack Taco Seasoning
3 Chicken Breasts
1 Can of Mild Rotel
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Water

Take the pack of taco seasoning and sprinkle it on the bottom of the crockpot. Wash chicken breasts good.Place them on top of the seasoning mix. Pour the can of rotel over the top of the chicken breasts and then add the olive oil  and water over the top. Do no stir. Cook on low for 4 hours and take out. Can shred this and use on tacos or use as a main dish.

SOUTHERN BBQ POTATOES

1Pack of Bacon Bits or 5 Slices Bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 Unpeeled Large Potatoes, washed good
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
1/4 Cup Barbecue Sauce
1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1/2 Sour Cream  Or Ranch Dressing for Dipping

I like to use the real bacon pieces that is found at Walmart next to the salad dressings that is in the bottle. These bacon pieces are real and are the Great -Value Brand in a small bag. If you have any left over make sure you put them in the ref. as they will mold in no time at all. Pre- heat oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with foil and then spray lightly with cooking spray. Cut the potatoes into 1/4 inch slices and then tossin a large ziplock bag with the olive oil, garlic powder ,salt and pepper so all the potatoes will be coated. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet. Let bake until lightly browned around 15-20 minutes. Brush with barbecue sauce, then top with the shredded cheese and bacon bits. Put back in oven and let bake until the cheese melts.  Can put sour cream or ranch dressing on top of them or on the side to dip in.

NASHVILLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Well there was no snow this year in Nashville for Christmas but it sure was cold.
 We all decided to go out and eat and go look at the Christmas lights. Don't know if you have ever heard of Lipton Lights (liptonlights.com)but it is a sight to go see. I think they have some over in Gatlinburg, Tn.
 These lights go on and off to the music which you listen to in the car on your radio. I have never saw anything come up with this. There are around 8,500 lights and one house down in Franklin, Tn. had them on display.
 You could sit half the night and just watch them. It is free but you can leave a donation in the box.
We also went to a display that a man had been doing this coming year will make 30 years. His son got killed in a car wreck and his son always loved to decorate with lights so his dad kept up the tradition and has added to it each year.
There is ever type of scenes that you can think of. Santa playing ball. Kids swinging. Kids seesawing. Kids going up ladders. Helicopters flying.So many that I can't remember them all. I have never saw so many different lights along with the scenes. There were car loads of people getting out and looking at all of it and even limo's coming in to look at this. The man that owned the house was out directing the traffic. That takes love to stay there 7 days of the week for around 6 hours each night for around 4 weeks doing this.
We then went and saw the house that won it for the best Christmas lights and it was something else also. Then we went on to another house that was lit up with more scenes then the one that won it.
I wish every child could just go see this. It is what Christmas is all about in a child's eyes. Of course we don't wont to forget the real meaning of Christmas but this is just something that is breath taking to see and you ohh and ahh all the time while looking at all of it. No matter how many times you go back and see it you will find something different to look at each time. So make plans if  you can to go check out the lights in the Nashville, Smyrna area next year. They are all close together and do not take a lot of driving to go see them.

CRAZY ME- Car with no driver

I was stopped at a red light down in Franklin, Tn. and just happened to look back in my mirror. The car behind me had no one in the driver's seat.

Now is this my eyes playing a trick on me or are they really no one back there. It was at a large intersection and it took a while for the light to change. So I kept looking back and no one was there. I thought, have they passed out or are they sick and laying down. What will happen when this light changes.

Is the car going to roll and hit me in the backend and cause me to hit the car in front of me. All these things was going thru my mind as it was Christmas time and the traffic was bumper to bumper.

I just happened to glance out of my passenger mirror and low and behold there was a man sitting on that side of the car. I looked again and there he was. Now this was a older type Honda and just why was he sitting on the wrong side. I guess he must have got the car from someone who delivered mail. lol.

But boy it sure had me fooled for a spell. I thought for a time that there really are ghosts. lol.

SEND YOUR USED CHRISTMAS CARDS TO ST. JUDE'S

Don't know what to do with all the Christmas Cards that you receive each year. They are all so pretty that you hate to throw them in the garbage. Don't throw them away.
Instead send them to St. Jude's so the children can keep the fronts and put new backs on them and help with the sick children.
 They cannot except cards from Disney or Hallmark or American Greetings.

 Should be the size of 5 x 7 or smaller. They can take Birthday or any type of Card including Christmas cards. Here is the address to send them to:
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children
Recycled Card Program
100 St. Jude’s Street – Boulder City, NV 89005
877-977-SJRC (7572)

All types of greeting cards, including Christmas are used.
Only the card front can be used (please check to be sure the back side is clear of any writing, etc.)
They can not accept Hallmark, Disney or American Greeting cards.