Oh Happy Day!!

Wanna know why? Today is a GREAT day because 60 years ago, my parents welcomed their first child into the world. Yep, my Big Sister, Ray Nita was born!! Yay!!

Riley (her last name) has to be the BESTEST sister in the world. I truly can't imagine trying to share my heart with a second or third sister. I really don't think it would be possible. As close as we are, it's hard for many people to believe that, for many years, we existed in essentially two different worlds. You see, Riley is 13 years older than Ms. TSE, so for many years, we had very little common. I was into toys at the time she was into boys. By the time I became interested in particular subject, she was WELL over it. Here's another way to put it into perspective--Riley graduated high school the summer before I started kindergarten. Can you say oddballs?? So do you get it now?? Good!!

I remained the "little sister" for what seemed like forever. Riley went to college, got married and had two sons, while I still remained the "kid" in the family. I actually felt like her sons were brothers, because she treated me the same way she treated them. I often wondered if I would EVER grow up and shake the "little sister" position. Well, one day, out of the blue, the kid treatment, age gap, and differing interests just disappeared. POOF!! We had essentially morphed into twins!! I've never questioned the hows/whys regarding this transformation--we simply met somewhere in the middle and eliminated the gap. We suddenly had EVERYTHING in common, except for one thing...shopping. Can you believe the girl doesn't like to shop?? Now that I think about it, I probably shop enough for both us (and a small army), so it's okay. I really should get back to the birthday girl. I'll be brief, and I'll try not to cry (very much).

Riley, Happy Birthday and many, many more!! I pray that this is your BEST year yet and that your life continues to be one big progression of greatness!! Health and happiness to you always. Everyone should experience the honor and joy of having a sister just like you. Here's to bridging the gap, Big Sis!!

I love you,

Little Sis


Happy Wednesday y'all!!

Sheila Denise

Things I Want to Master

Happy New Year y'all!! I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful (but quite chilly) Sunday morning.

As I sit at my breakfast table and look at the gazillion leaves in my backyard, my mind quickly turned to anything that didn't require manual labor outside. No, seriously, I can't address the leaves until they ALL fall off. What's the point of raking leaves several times when you can do it have someone do it just once? Anywho...now back to my distracted thoughts.

I'm a sucker for trying new things and I have absolutely no fear jumping in head first and excitedly awaiting the outcome. Well I began thinking about a few things I really want to master and oddly, they all involved food, so for good measure, I threw in a couple of okay, one non-food related to-do. These are in no particular order, but simply things I'd like to tackle.

1. Breadmaking (especially rolls)

I do an okay job in this area, but I want to do an OMG job with breads. Aunt Maxine continues to advise me that technique and patience are the key combinations, along with not overworking the dough. I'm going for that smooth-as-a-babies-bottom kinda finish and I'm definitely not there yet.

The lower left roll is what I'm aspiring for:

2. Making Madeleines

This one isn't so much as mastering, but just taking the time to make them in efforts to avoid driving all over Atlanta to purchase them and getting home to realize I've eaten waaaay too many on the drive back. Ridiculous I know, but I'd rather reserve my driving for more important things, like a lamb shank, a steak, perfume or shoes. ;-) I'm obsessed with these delicate beauties.

Love these!!

3. Piping Frosting

My great niece Briana is cupcake-obsessed and of course it's Aunt Sheila's duty to spoil her rotten by turning our play dates into cupcake baking sessions. Although she's impressed by anything I do, I'm not quite where I want to be with adorning her favorite treat. We've enjoyed creating quite a few things in her soon-to-be four years. At two, she made biscuits, at three, snickerdoodles & spaghetti sauce (her request), and she's been the official family "pancake flipping" coach for a couple of years, by yelling, "It's time to flip 'em!" She's already great in the kitchen and truly enjoys creating and experimenting.

I did this a few months ago:

4. Keeping Just One Plant Alive (longer than a week)

I simply have NOT managed to do this and I'm not so sure I really want to, other than to ease my conscience about killing so many beautiful living things. The routine is, buy it, bring it home, kill it, take it to my sister Riley, let her nurse it back to health, visit it often and wonder in amazement how she managed to make it beautiful again. *sigh* This is really going to be a tough one. I simply REFUSE to post a picture of a dead plant.

I'll make every effort to keep you posted, but I'm not so sure about my green thumb journey. I hope to have a grin as big as Briana's when my mastery is complete.

Stay tuned.

Sheila Denise

Thanksgiving Menu - Wright Family Style

There is nothing more enjoyable and exciting than spending time with my family. Although we're together often, Thanksgiving brings about an extra-specialness to our getting together. The crisp weather, the fall foliage, the hustle and bustle in the kitchen, football, parades, the Black Friday ads, and most of all, the blessing of being with your loved ones. The laughter and aroma of all the wonderful food is so intoxicating.

As sister Riley and I finalized the menu, the first thing I did was start pulling out white serving pieces for each dish that I'm preparing. While I sorted through piles and piles of dishes, somehow I managed to ignore the fact that my white dish obsession has gotten completely out of hand. A really sad state of affairs. I decided to continue to distract myself by searching the web for photos of our Thanksgiving feast to share with you. We're a family of eaters, but we're cutting back a wee bit on the 2010 menu. Yeah, I know it's doesn't LOOK cut back, but trust me on this one.

I'm still undecided if I should cook ham or pork loin, so I posted both.

Cranberry-Orange Relish, Sauteed Green Beans with Garlic, Turnips, Gravy, Parsnips & Carrots with White Balsamic, Skillet Cornbread, Pineapple Casserole (so delicious with ham), Corn Pudding, Sweet Potato Casserole w/Pecan & Gingersnap Topping, Cornbread Dressing, and Yeast Rolls.

Pound Cake, Mini Sweet Potato Pies, and Pecan Pie Cheesecake

An assortment of beverages for everyone.

I'm off to do my shopping tomorrow morning (except for the ham or pork loin) and I'll tweak recipes over the weekend and will dive head first into cooking/baking on Tuesday, starting with the cheesecake.

What's on your Thanksgiving menu?

Sheila Denise

Look What I Found!!

I just HAD to share my latest find with y'all. It has to be the nifty-est pan EVER. It's a Lasagna Trio Pan by Chicago Metallic. Yes you read that correctly, THREE rows of lasagna and it comes equipped with it's very on spatula!! I'm envisioning the rows of lasagna as I type...traditional meat, vegetarian and seafood. I simply can't wait to use this pan, well, what I really mean is I can't wait to take it to my sister, Riley and ask BEG her to work her magic. Her lasagna and Aunt Maxine's lasagna taste waaaay better than mine (and mine is really good). There's something about a loved one creating a dish with you in mind that makes it extra awesome.

Oh, I almost forgot the best part, it scored this baby for $17.99. It's listed at $25.21 on Amazon. I'm a very happy woman tonight.

I'd love to hear your creative ideas to put this fabulous pan to good use.

Sheila Denise

Turning 50

Today marks the 50th birthday of my late brother, Tony. 50, fifty, the Big Five-O...however you put it, he'd be half a century old. WOW!!!


I was talking with my other brother, Curt, a few days ago, and we were discussing Tony and wondering how Mother feels to have such "old" children. As the youngest, I was really referring to everyone BUT me. Nita & Curt are both pushing HARD on 60's door and I know I'll always be a "baby" in Mother's eyes. As a non-parent, I'm always amazed to see young-uns I've know from babyhood to adulthood, so I can only imagine how parents feel when their babies evolve into full-fledged grownups. I mean AARPers, seniors-shopping-on-discount-days and the likes. Mother happens to be the proud owner of some of these people and it simply boggles my mind.

As I thought about this entry last week, I wasn't sure which direction to take it--should I keep it serious or should I be as Tony was--silly as all get-out. After Facebooking with Alexander, the youngest of his three sons (Andre-oldest & Jamal-middle), I decided that silly would be the route to take. Since I tend to assign numbers to "The Nephews", Andre is #3, Jamal is #4 and Alexander is #5 (just for future reference if names aren't used).

I can hear Tony's distinctive "squiggle" as I type this--it's kinda hard to describe or duplicate his laugh, so the best I can do is blend a squeal with a giggle. It was one of those sounds you'd hear coming from him and you'd burst into laughter too (after you got over the shock of that sound actually coming from a boy). Mind you, the entire family is quite silly, so it doesn't take much to get us on the giggle train, but there was absolutely no way we could hear Tony squiggling and not join in. Don't you just love folks that make you laugh??

You know what?? I've decided that I won't turn this into a long story about Tony. I'm going to end it here and ask you to think about the person who possesses "that" laugh...you know, the one that throws you into your own little gigglefest and leaves no doubt that they are truly tickled from their toes to their nose. That's exactly what I'm doing today.

Happy Birthday T!!

Sheila Denise

My Sister's Breasts

GOTCHA!! Not her actual breasts (breasticles as I call them), I'm referring to CHICKEN breasts. This all started on Saturday when my sister, Riley, called to announce that she was shopping for ingredients for yet another recipe she discovered. Riley is an exceptional cook; however, she doesn't do it often, so I was excited that I could possibly invite myself to Saturday dinner. She then clearly stated, "Oh, I'm cooking this for Sunday and everybody's coming." I spent the remainder of Saturday afternoon thinking about Sunday dinner. I received a call later on Saturday and Riley said, "Girl, the chicken is soooo good. I don't think there'll be any left for tomorrow, so I'm cooking an Irish roast in honor of Saint Patrick's Day!" I was in shock, she TOLD me that we were having chicken on Sunday. I didn't want Irish roast!! I was hurt and determined to make her feel really, really bad about her change in plans. No, it never occurred to me how spoiled and selfish that sounds.

So I arrive (pouting) for dinner on Sunday and there to greet me were a few pieces of LEFTOVER CHICKEN BREASTICLES!!! Stuffed with arugula, sun-dried tomatoes and GOAT CHEESE (one of my favorite cheeses). I was thrilled beyond description. She sliced and I plated and it was delicious. I practically forgot that I was there for the Irish meal, so I enjoyed it as my appetizer.

The Irish meal was fabulous, but I'm still thinking of breasticles. I see making this chicken dish in my future.

Sheila Denise