Sunday, March 13, 2011

Hey Y'all!



So what goes on at the Prairie on a Sunday afternoon? Why, we invite Paula Deen over of course!
Oh yes, we are the best of friends! I was going through one of my older Cooking With Paula Deen magazines yesterday trying to find a good recipie and what do you know I came across her Simple Delicious Strawberry Cake recipie! I have made this once before a couple years ago and it was absolutely delicious! Just like the recipie title! So if your in the mood for something strawberry, go ahead and try this:

Simple Delicious Strawberry Cake

1     (18.25-ounce) box white cake mix
1     (3-ounce) box strawberry-flavored instant gelatin
1     (10-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syryp, thawed and pureed
4      large eggs
1/2   cup vegetable oil
1/4   c water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 2 round 9 in cake pans.
  In a large bowl, combine cake mix and gelatin. Add pureed strawberries, eggs, oil, and water; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour into prepared pans, and bake for 20 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks. Spread Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting in between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish with sliced fresh strawberries, if desired.



Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

1/4   cup butter, softened
1      (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1      (10-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
1/2    tsp strawberry extract ( i do not use this)
7       cups confectioners' sugar

In a large bowl, beat butte and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in 1/4 cup (I added about 1/2 cup) strawberry puree. Beat in extract. Gradually add confectioners' sugar, beating until smooth.





Now go and frost this baby and dig in! It will be worth your time and your wait!!



Brew a pot of coffee while your at it and put some fresh whipping cream in it just in case this cake isn't quite rich enough!
Have a blessed sunday!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Soap and Water





Thought I would do some well overdue shower cleaning today! I have to tell myself that all it takes is a little soap and water to get that thing clean and somehow it MOTIVATES me like no other!




Prairie girl? is that your shower floor you ask? Why, yes, it is...isn't it lovely? I know you feel better about yourself now.  Go ahead and say it. I wont mind. TRUTH be told, I don't use this shower very often. "Well I wouldn't either if I had to stand on that slime while washing my hair" you say! My dear hubby has this baby all to himself.  Isn't he lucky. Our other bathroom shower/tub combo has much more room to move around and stuff, so I choose to share the other bathroom with the kids just so I can have a more pleasant experience.

 Why am I telling you this? It's the "out of sight- out of mind" rule that applies here. I don't look in there that  much because I am not in there that often. Make sense? So, now that I am done with all my terrible excuses I will share how I got it all nice and sparlkly! Are You READY????




   Yeah. Soap and water. Exiting, I know. I took the advice many years ago from FlyLady, who said that soap and water or a little shampoo would cut slime and grime just as well as any cleaners you could by on the market. Well after I tried it the first time, she had me convinced! I have been using liquid soap and water or sometimes shampoo to clean my bathrooms. If you get those travel size shampoos that seem to collect over the years, use them! If you bought some soap or shampoo that you don't paticularly like, or you received as a gift, just save it for cleaning! As FLYLADY says, "soap is soap"!!



This is the soap scum on the shower door.  One thing I really love is my Dobie brand kitchen scrubber. My mother always used these in the kitchen for as long as I can remember. I have been using them since Paul and I got married and they are great for everything. Dishes, bathtubs, sinks, countertops, you name it. They don't scratch surfaces, and when I am done with my dishes I can throw it in the silverware basket and run it through the dishwasher. Or you could always run it through the washing machine with a load of towels. They last forever too!



SEE? No more nasty scum! I don't know why I wait so long to check this shower. It's so easy to clean!
Well, there you have it! Go and tackle that nasty shower or bathtub you have been putting off! Make your home a haven for your family! Put yourself in there shoes (or shower..hee hee) and ask the Lord to help you "see" the needs of others through HIS eyes! You will bless your family with the smallest acts of kindness!

Oh, and one more thing....I love to use the Mrs. Meyers cleaners after I am done to give everything a nice fresh smell. These are some of the best scents for your home! I love the basil scent or the lavender. Heavenly!

Have a blessed Saturday!!

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Happy Birthday Kelsey!



This past Monday we kicked it up a notch at the "Prairie" by celebrating sweet Kelsey's 18th birthday!  Her actual birthday was March 9, but seeing that our week was jammed packed with activities we figured why not celebrate a little early!




(never mind the crooked pictures in the background- they are always that way...just lettin ya know)
Well, let's see...Dalton and Kelsey have known each other since lets say....kindergarden! In fact Kelsey's sweet mama, Kim, was Dalton's sunday school teacher in kindergarden. Let's just say they go way back! Kelsey is a sweet young lady who loves the Lord and is smart as a whip and could probably beat your tail off in a round of GOLF!! (I haven't tried)  She will be graduating this May and will be going to UCO in the fall.




We celebrated with a simple pasta dinner and then topped it off with some Oreo cheesecake!



Kelsey and Dalton both LOVE cheesecake! I had never made Oreo flavor before so Kelsey was my guinea pig! Turns out I think she liked it pretty well when I heard a rumor she had it for breakfast the next morning! I sent some with her the night before IN CASE her mom and dad wanted to try some (sorry Jody and Kim if you didn't get a piece!)



We are so thankful and blessed to know the Walker family! They love the Lord and are true servants in our church and in the community. We have enjoyed having Kelsey around with her sweet spirit and her beautiful smile! She is such a joy!



We enjoyed celebrating with you, Kelsey, and our family wishes you many blessings as you finish up your SENIOR year and begin a new chapter in your life as a college student!  God Bless You!!!!!!