Mud Pie

Well... I have spent the day with my grandsons.

(Yes this really is me)     (snort)

The boys are at that age

-any noises that sound like those that a body involuntarily makes when gas is produced  inspire the most ribald round of hilarity and laughter that is just infectious. Any kind of pffft or ooga or toots will trigger the most delightful round of giggles that last far beyond the noise. They are also duty bound to inform you of their own said burps and toots with with a pride that is common with college age males.

Its been an unbelievably busy day for the boys and myself. It's amazing the amount of fun that can be had with a water hose and a backyard full of future mud.

We have planted and watered, and played in the plants and played in the water, and bathed our way back to the point of when they look in the mirror they recognize the mudless 3 and 5 year old that they were when they started out this morning.

One word...exhausted. Me.

Say mud and the first thing that comes to my mind is mud pie! This is a Mississippi mud pie…super simple!

Ingredients
· 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
· 1/4 cup white sugar
· 1/2 cup butter, softened
· 1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
· 3/4 cup white sugar
· 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
· 1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
· 1 (3.4 ounce) package instant butterscotch pudding mix
· 3 cups milk
Directions
1. Thoroughly blend graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and butter. Press firmly in bottom of 9x13 inch pan.
2. Blend together half the whipped topping, 3/4 cup sugar, and softened cream cheese. Spread mixture on top of crust.
3. Whip together the puddings and milk and spread on top of cream cheese mixture. Top with remaining whipped topping.
Calories: 440
Total Fat: 24.1g
Cholesterol: 46mg

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Mississippi-Mud-Pie-I/Detail.aspx

And also the decadent Mississippi Mud Brownies

· 1 cup butter
· 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
· 2 cups white sugar
· 4 eggs
· 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
· 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
· 1 pinch salt
· 1/2 cup chopped pecans
· 1 (10.5 ounce) package miniature marshmallows
·
· 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
· 1/2 cup butter
· 4 cups confectioners' sugar
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 1/3 cup milk
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan.
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 cup of butter. Remove from heat and stir in cocoa until smooth. Mix in the white sugar, eggs and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Mix in the flour, then fold in pecans and marshmallows. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies start to pull away from the sides of the pan. Let cool in pan.
4. To make the frosting: In a medium saucepan, melt together 1/2 cup of butter and 1/3 cup of cocoa. Mix in confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth. Gradually beat in the milk, a tablespoon at a time until icing is a nice spreading consistency.
Calories: 400
Total Fat: 15.5g
Cholesterol: 79mg

And this delightful creation is found here,
http://bakinandeggs.com/2009/05/10/mississippi-mud-pie/
It is a little more complicated. You might want to bip on over for the recipe and instructions, but come back!

So does Mississippi mud pie really come from Mississippi?
Do you ever wonder about Mississippi? Other than the fact that the name is so lyrical, you have to make a little rhyme as you say it...  I’ve never been there, hmmm...

http://www.netstate.com/states/intro/ms_intro.htm Welcome to Mississippi. Here, the character of the Old South can still be felt with the scents of the magnolia blossom floating on the warm, moist breeze. Stately antebellum mansions are preserved across the state, hosted by women in billowing hoop skirts during the spring and summer months. Mississippi is a state that is proud of its history and works hard to preserve the memory of the Old South.

OOO. What’s an antebellum mansion?

Antebellum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Antebellum or ante-bellum (Latin for "pre-war") may refer to:
· Generally, Pre-war; the time period preceding a war.
· In the United States of America, the term refers to pre-Civil War America, especially the pre-civil war culture in the southern states. Specifically, the era in the history of the United States (1789–1849) after the American Revolution and established of US as a sovereign nation yet before the US Civil War. Example: Slavery was an accepted part of antebellum plantation life.
· Antebellum architecture, the neoclassical architectural style of the American South during the Antebellum era.

Remember hoop skirts?

Thought for the moment,

Giving an honest answer is like giving a kiss. {Proverbs 24:26}

Hmm that is an interesting proverb. Something to ponder, especially considering that the opposite would be a deceitful answer and a smack in the face. Being honest, for me, is one of the most important characteristic a person can have, and I hold it as a very serious and joyful matter, much like a kiss. Honesty and kisses are both something to guard and protect. Holding firm and remaining true to our first love.
http://aponderingheart.com/blog/

Hope you are in the middle of a great day.

With all the hubbub going on in the etsy forums, I am rethinking my online venues. My presence on etsy is like a f*rt in the wind. Especially with google and the seo there in such a mess.

As always, hoping today finds you with your heart dancing because of all of the wonderful blessings you have recieved. That's one thing about God, He is not short on His blessings- sometimes we just need to open the eyes of our hearts.

~Nora

Before I was a Mom...

As Mother's day approaches, I'm sharing an old favorite poem for your enjoyment and a few more gift ideas.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=42693182

Before I was a Mom -I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom -I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby. I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom -I had never been puked on - Pooped on - Spit on - Chewed on, or Peed on. I had complete control of my mind and My thoughts. I slept all night.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=41752815

Before I was a Mom -I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests...or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom -I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30649006

Before I was a Mom -I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom -I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known The warmth, The joy, The love, The heartache, The wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.
 

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=44123268