First day of 2011 is almost history

Yes, the first day of the new year is almost over & it has been a restful day. We had our traditional blackeyed peas today cooked with a ham hock so I guess we are covered going in to 2011. I know the correct southern tradition calls for hog jowls which is taken from the head of the hog but I haven't been successful in convincing Linda to try it. I was in Lowes Foods yesterday and they had smoked hog jowls poslofgitioned all over the store trying to entice their customers to carry some home.

I was visiting at Kathieys World today and she had found a wonderful prayer for the new year that I just had to share with you. Go here to see the prayer and check out her blog if you don't already follow her.

Tomorrow is Linda's birthday & we will be going to a fancy restaurant in Roanoke Rapids for lunch to celebrate. I think it's the first time we've gone to eat at any restaurant that requires a reservation. Time will tell how good it really is.

It got up to 60 degrees here today so a lot of snow melted but there is still plenty especially in shady areas. At least Rocky got to have some outside time today which I am so glad of since he spends so much time inside the house.

Hope everyone had a great 1st day of the year. I am looking forward to having a whole year to blog and to get to know all of you better.

A Langley Tradition

One of the most favorite things we have to have at all family gatherings is "Bacon Roll Ups". They are easy and so tasty. All you need is a pound of thin sliced bacon, a loaf of sandwich bread and a container of cream cheese with chives. Toothpicks are needed as well.

First you cut the edges away from the bread and then cut the bread into 3 equal strips. You then spread the cream cheese onto the bread. Cut the bacon in half and it sometimes helps if you put it into the freezer to make it more manageable. Roll the bread strip up, wrap a half strip of bacon around it and stick a toothpick through to hold it. Place them on a baking sheet and back at 350 degrees until the bread toasts a light brown.

You need to make a lot because you just pop them into your mouth and pull out the toothpick and they will go very quickly. And of course we usually have to go along with these roll ups a good supply of sausage balls. For them you would need 3 cups of Bisquick, 4 cups of finely shredded cheddar cheese and 1 pound of bulk sausage and hot works better than mild.

Just combine all three ingredients in a "large" mixing bowl and work very hard until you end up with a ball. Pinch off enough to roll into a thumb sized ball and bake on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper at 35o degrees until they are lightly browned.

You simply can't loose with either of these recipes. Have fun and enjoy.
Odie