Here comes Christmas and a little left over Thanksgiving!

Things have been pretty busy in the Burton household and at Unaka High School. We have had a blessed Thanksgiving and have begun to prepare for Christmas.

Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), the student organization I advise, decided to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving meal to serve at the last meeting.

I am so proud!

They did a fabulous job! I promised I would post recipes, I'm a little late, but trust me, if you need a delicious side dish to take to a pot luck you won't go wrong with any of these recipes.

Betty Crocker Supermoist Apple Crumble

1 pkg. Betty Crocker Supermoist white cake mix

1 cup quick or old-fashioned oats

1/3 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon water

1 egg

1 (21 oz) can apple pie filling (we made ours from scratch)

1 cup chopped nuts

1. Heat oven to 350 Degrees. Grease bottom and sides of 9 x 13 inch baking pan.

2. Beat cake mix, 1/2 cup of the oats, the butter, cinnamon, egg, and water in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until crumbly. Reserve 1 cup cake mixture.

3. Press remaining crumb mixture in baking dish and bake 12 - 15 minutes, or until slightly brown on edges.

4. Spoon pie filling over baked cake, breaking up any large clumps of apples. Mix reserved crumbs, 1/2 cup oats and nuts in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over apple filling. Bake 30 - 35 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or cold. Yum! :0)

Notes: We only placed nuts on 1/2 the top of the crumble, for those who don't care for them. Those of us that love nuts loved the "nutty" side.

Cranberry Salad

1 can whole berry cranberry jelled sauce

1 regular package strawberry (any berry) jello

1 1/4 cup boiling water

1 small can crushed pineapple, drained

1/2 cup chopped pecans

Add boiling water to jello, stir 1 complete full minute. Stir in cranberry sauce, pineapple, and pecans. Chill for several hours.

Pumpkin pie

We used Libby's traditional pumpkin pie recipe.

She made the pie crusts and the filling. They were fantastic. One of the teachers said they reminder her of her mother's.

This young lady prepared the turkey. I wish you could have been there. I had to buy a fresh turkey as there wasn't enough time to thaw. She washed, dried and patted it down with butter. It was perfect! Not dry, very moist.

We did Christmas photos on Thanksgiving Day.

This young couple is getting married on May 20, 2010.

We can't wait!

They had fun!

I have more recipes coming. It's late and I have school tomorrow. Have a great week!

XOXO

Theresa

After school Meeting

We had a meeting after school this week.

My students and I were in charge of providing refreshments. We had a wonderful time preparing new recipes and setting up the buffet table.

I am bragging, the food was delicious!

So good in fact, I thought I would share the recipes with you.

The chicken spread was served in the green bowl above.

Chicken Spread

1 large can of chicken

2-3 slices of cooked bacon

2/3 cup mayonnaise

1 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened and whipped with mixer

1 celery rib, finely chopped

1 small onion, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Salt to taste, use sparingly

In a bowl, combine the chicken, mayonnaise, celery, onion, salt and garlic powder. Add chicken mixture to whipped cream cheese.

Refrigerate until serving.

Serve with crackers.

Party Ham Sandwiches

2 pkg. (17 oz. each) attached baked dinner rolls (24 rolls), cut in half

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 pkg. deli fresh shaved smoked ham

1 pkg. (8 oz) extra sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 small sweet onion, chopped finely

2 tbsp. butter, melted

1 tbsp. grey poupon dijon mustard

1 tsp. poppy seeds

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place bottom halves of rolls in 15 x 10 x 1 inch pan; spread with mayo. Top with ham, cheese, onions and tops of rolls. Mix remaining ingredients; brush onto sandwiches. Cover with foil. Bake 20 minutes or until heated through.

Peanut Butter Cheese Ball

2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

3 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup peanut butter - flavored morsels

1/2 cup chopped m & m candies

1 cup chopped peanuts

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add sugars, beating until smooth. Beat in vanilla. Stir in peanut butter morsels and chopped m & m candies. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours. Form mixture into a ball, and roll in choped peanuts. Serve with animal cookies, graham crackers and chocolate wafer cookies.

Bacon Cheddar Ranch Dip

Makes 3 cups

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup sour cream

1 pkg. ranch flavored dressing and seasoning mix

1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, grated

1/2 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled

In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream and seasoning mix; whisk to combine. Fold in cheddar and bacon. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve with assorted fresh vegetables or corn chips.

Pumpkin Fluff

1 frozen container of whipped topping, thawed

1 (15 oz) can pumpkin

1 pkg. cheesecake instant pudding mix

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Mix pumpkin, pudding mix and pumpkin pie spice. Fold in whipped topping. Serve with fresh fruit and wafer cookies.

If you need a quick something to take to a party, I highly recommend all of these recipes.

Enjoy!

XOXO

Theresa

Greetings from the Smokies!

Hello!

I know it has been awhile since I have posted.

Life in the B. world has been hectic and exhausting. :0)

I have survived!

To celebrate, we are spending our first long weekend, since Labor Day, in the Smokies!

I can't imagine a more perfect day.

Sitting on the porch, listening to the soft rainfall on a cool beautiful Saturday morning. No time schedule, no deadlines(well, none I am going to mention), and the company of my sweetheart.

I couldn't ask for any more!

Yes, those are my toes peeking out from the soft throw

I brought for just such an occasion.

Notice the raindrops?

We had dinner here last night.

The meal was delicious, but the dessert was out of this world. We shared a piece of coconut pie. The crust was a combination of crushed graham crackers and pecans. The coconut was toasted and the filling was extra creamy. Yum!

I'm praying for my friends with the flu.

I pray you recover quickly.

XOXO

Theresa

Happy Birthday Baby!

My baby turned 20 today! My how time flies!

I look at her sweet face and remember how blessed I was the day she was born.

Thank you Lord!

We had a small party at our house to celebrate this milestone.

She invited a few close friends, I provided chili and other goodies.

Her friends brought a pinata.

It was FUN! :)

Another young person we love turns 20 on Tuesday!

Happy Birthday!

We had candle issues.

She decorated the cupcakes.

I think they are adorable.

Happy Birthday Baby!

I pray you have many more! I am so proud of you!

XOXO

Theresa

Black and orange!

It's that time of year.

The time when black and orange become prominent in the retail and decorating world. I love the bright orange against the shiny black. With that thought I began to search through my stash of fall decorating accents (without going outside to the "pod" and digging), to perk up my entry and dining room.

I found the ribbon in the top drawer of the entry chest. I've had these ribbon plates for several years. A gift store in KY where we lived before arriving in TN sold them. The large platter was given to me from my team of teachers. Every time I thread a new ribbon in that platter I am reminded of the sweet friends that I made while teaching.

I found the napkins in my napkin drawer (same chest).

I picked them up this past summer on clearance at Pier 1. I love them! The placemats were discovered at Belk's last week (they were having a sale!). I also found those beautiful orange/tangerine bowls at Belk's. They are Fiesta- ware and were screaming my name when I walked by. :0) I had no choice!
Tell me you understand?
The above owls were discovered in the hall closet,
the black polk a dot scarf in the laundry room, the small place card pumpkins were in the china cabinet (bought on clearance 6 years ago from Pier 1).

The vintage reproductions place cards were

bought at my favorite store here in Kingsport. I love the old-fashioned pumpkins and children.

I've collected scarecrows for years,

I can't remember where the napkin rings came from. They are so my favorites! I love how sweet they look against the cream Butler's Pantry plates. The black chargers were a find from Hobby Lobby. With the table set, I am ready for a chili party.

This is mid-term progress report time at school. I can't believe how quickly the time has flown! We will have parent teacher conference on Tuesday evening. I always enjoy meeting the parents of my students. I have tons of papers to grade and scores to record.

Have a great week!

XOXO
Theresa

Retreat

Beautiful, beautiful weekend.

31Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:31


We spent a lovely weekend, resting, focusing and reconnecting to our spouses and a renewing of our faith. If you have not visited Roan Mountain State Park, I highly recommend the trip. No cell phone service, no television, no computers just the peaceful sound of God's creation. Thank you Lord!

On a final note, please keep us in your prayers. Mom B. has been in the hospital since last Monday. She is struggling with health issues, and the loss of her other half. Pray for strength and peace.

Dear Jesus,

Please send the comforter to offer comfort, peace and strength to the dear lady in the hospital. Give wisdom and compassion to the health care professionals as they minister to her physical needs. In Jesus name, Amen.

XOXO

Theresa

Summer Rest!

The summer is winding to a close.

Several of my teacher friends have already begun the new school year. I am pleased to know I have a few more days before I begin that journey.

We decided to celebrate the end of our summer by spending a few days in a cabin in Pigeon Forge, TN. Due to scheduling conflicts, this has been the first time we've all been together on a family vacation since we moved to TN. five years ago.

Our oldest and his significant other drove from KY on Saturday to meet us there. We had so much fun!

We spent one evening enjoying the show at the "Dixie Stampede".

The food was great and the entertainment even better! Hubby was chosen to represent the south by playing a game of horse shoes with a potty seat.

We laughed and laughed!

He won a medal for his efforts. We were a proud family. :0)

One evening we spent in Gatlinburg, walking the sidewalks as tourists tend to do. We stopped off for Italian food.

Our family is "growing" and what a joy it is to be able to share a vacation with these young adults!

I am blessed and I thank God for His goodness!

Preparing for a new school year.

XOXO

Theresa

SEW SILLY!

This is absolutely one of my favorite machines!

I have always found sitting in front of this tool to be relaxing, enjoyable and a sense of satisfaction as I watched the needle go into the fabric and know that when all is finished I will have produced something only I could do.

As a Family and Consumer Science teacher, I have the opportunity to share my favorite leisure time activity with my students.

Included in the curriculum is a safety quiz. I stress the importance of keeping your eyes and thoughts on what you are doing, while this looks like a toy, it can in fact, hurt you. It is important to keep your fingers away from the needle. I've had two students to actually sew on their finger. One was over 24 years ago and the other a couple of years ago. Both were obviously painful, one required a trip to the emergency room and the other we were able to apply first aid in the classroom. I've always wondered how they managed to stick their finger in between the needle and throat plate?

I WONDER no more!

:o(

Is this not the saddest thing?

Honestly, I still can't believe it! There I am, sewing right along, thinking of how cute this project will be once I've finished, when all of a sudden, I stuck my finger under the needle, as it was going up and down! I did SCREAM, I couldn't help it!

Thank goodness my dear daughter was home, she came running to see if she could help.

The needle went straight down into the very center of my finger nail, and cracked it from that point upward.

The blood gushed and was very difficult to control.

She ran and got the first aid box, neosporin and two pain(over the counter types) pills.

I am so glad she was here to offer assistance. While the bandage looks a little funny, the pain throbbing from inside is a reminder how I should "practice what I teach"!

Hugs and Kisses,

Theresa

Nashville, TN

We are in Nashville!

The National Family, Career and Community Leaders of America conference is being held in Nashville, TN!

These young people are with me, enjoying meeting young people from all across the nation, eating tasty food, and participating in motivating leadership sessions.

Rain Forest Cafe.

Every 30 minutes the forest comes alive with a rain storm and awakens the animals.






Our room!
Love it!
Comfortable bed.
Thank You!



Tomorrow we compete. Wish us luck!

XOXO

Theresa