Time Goes On

It always amazes me how fast time flies by the older I become. It’s almost as if one week disappears and before I know it it’s the end of the month.

This weekend my husband and I were fishing on Lake Ozark. It’s times with my husband like this that I can truly let my mind be free and put behind me the work that’s piling up on my desk or what things need to be done around the house or what friends or family members I need to call to just say hi. And- I cherish these time with my husband to relax, enjoy the lake and take in the sun!

My family continues to grow…the Baldwin family now has 5 grandkids (Sydnee, Hunter, Luke, Logan and little Landon – who recently celebrated his 1st birthday!) I wish everyday that I was closer to all of them to spend more time with them.

(PHOTO: Sydnee and Lane, June 2008)

My little niece Sydnee is growing up fast and becoming quite the little beauty! Sydnee loves to cook and enjoys watching the Food Network. Hunter likes to help Aunt Lane in the kitchen and terrorize his big sister and well Luke (he is still pretty little) just wants to be part of the cooking fun! I was recently at my brother David’s home and had the opportunity to cook dinner with the family, which is always a treat!

Yes, it’s always a family affair in the kitchen when I visit my brother’s house and I love that the whole family cooks together. My brothers and I grew up the same way in my mother’s kitchen and I hope that someday when I am fortunate enough to have children of my own that I will be able to cherish memories in the kitchen cooking cherished family recipes as well.

Something special from my own kitchen: Fried Potatoes (a true country girl’s favorite)

Mom’s Fried Potatoes
6-8 new potatoes, halved and sliced thin, skin on
Vegetable oil
1 tsp. Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
½ tsp. black pepper
½ of a red onion, diced
¼ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. dried basil

Fill a large skillet with about ½ inch of oil. Heat oil. Drop in onions and sauté for 1 minute. Add potatoes and seasonings.

Cook potatoes until a light golden brown. Drain potatoes on paper towel to remove excess oil.

Serve with hamburger or bbq anything!

First Lady’s Pie Contest

There’s a new cooking highlight at the Missouri State Fair this year - First Lady’s Pie Contest!

Entries can showcase their family’s favorite traditional dessert by entering the contest on Aug. 14, 2008 at the Home Economics Building on the Missouri State Fairgrounds in Sedalia and is open to all amateur bakers of all ages.

Perhaps you or someone you know might like to find out how a favorite homemade pie measures up against the competition of others across the Show-Me State at the inaugural First Lady’s Pie Contest at the 2008 Missouri State Fair.

For more information about the new contest:
Contest Rules
Entry Form
Photography Notification