Picture Postcard Memories

Onion Strings

rachellynnphoto — Fri, 25 May 2012 17:12:49 +0000

Ingredients:

1 Large Onion

2 cups Buttermilk

2 cups Flour

1 TBS Salt (a little less)

1 TBS Pepper

1/4 – 1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper

2 Quarts Canola Oil.

Directions:

Peel large onion and slice it very, very thinly

Separate onion slices into rings and place in shallow dish (I used a 9×13 baking dish)

Pour 2 cups buttermilk over Onions. Press onions down so they are as submerged as possible. Make sure they are at least touching the buttermilk

In a bowl mix flour, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. *Use more or less pepper and cayenne pepper to taste to your liking.

Pour 2 quarts canola oil into a pot (or use a deep fryer)

Turn the stove on medium high and bring oil to 375 degrees. (Use a candy thermometer to watch the temperature)

Once oil is heated, use tongs or your fingers to remove a handful of onions from the buttermilk. Coat them with the flour mixture.

Shake off excess and plunge the onions in the heated oil. Toss them around using a metal spoon, to break them up a little bit.

Fry until golden brown, then remove and place on a paper towel lined plate.

Repeat with the rest of the onions and enjoy!

Gary Houseman – More Than Just a Boss

rachellynnphoto — Mon, 21 May 2012 20:01:46 +0000

I could probably say that Gary Houseman was one of the first people I met when I moved to Tennessee. In fact, my family kind of met him before I even moved here.

Once I was accepted to MTSU, it was time to find a place to live. My dad, being a Domino’s Pizza franchisee, called Gary up to ask him about good places to move his 18 year daughter. After all, who knows more about the area than a pizza delivery company. Within a few days, we received a package full of house and apartment brochures in the mail. That’s the kind of person Gary was, and the kind of company that he ran.

It was only natural when I moved to Tennessee that I go to work for Domino’s. I never realized the affect that walking in to that Domino’s and putting in an application would have on my life. We stopped by the Domino’s office, while we were in town looking for houses. Gary sat with my family for at least an hour talking about Domino’s and living in Tennessee. He was a complete stranger, who welcomed us in to his office as if we were old friends.

The next twelve years would hold endless memories of a great company and a great boss. I don’t know that I ever saw Gary, without a smile on his face. And I never saw him, without being asked how I was doing, and how my family was. Middle Tennessee Pizza wasn’t just a company, it was a family. And I was lucky enough to be a part of it.

When my father passed away, Gary was one of the first to ask if my mom needed any help with my dad’s stores. That’s the kind of man he was.

I really can’t put in to words, how much it meant to me that his family took me in as one of their own, when I was so far away from my own family. And I could tell story after story of the great memories I have of Gary, but there really aren’t enough hours in the day.

Gary was a kind and generous man, who always treated his employees like family, rather than just someone who worked for him. His generosity was endless. He helped pay for my some of my fathers funeral, took us on company trips, and always gave to his employees.

I will never forget him pulling up to work in his little red Starlet, or the countless Christmas dinners he hosted at his home, or the manager trips he took us on to Tunica, Gatlinburg, Orlando, and middle of nowhere Georgia.

Even after Gary was diagnosed with cancer, every time I saw him, he still had that bright smile on his face. The world lost a great man, when Gary passed away this weekend, but knowing that he isn’t suffering anymore brings a little bit of peace.

I recently quit Domino’s, and leaving was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I will always love the people there and will always consider them family. My heart breaks for Pat & Wendy, and everyone else at MTPI.

Rest in Peace, Gary. You will be greatly missed by everyone who knew you. I was blessed the day you came in to my life. You really have no idea what working for you did for me.

All I ask if that you do me a favor, tell my dad that I say hi.

Three Simple Rules “First Born” Premier Album Project

rachellynnphoto — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:38:28 +0000

It is no secret that I am a music lover. My very dear friends, Three Simple Rules, have been playing locally for a few years now and are raising money to help fund their first CD. I’d love for you to check them out and donate, if you feel so inclined.

Check them out here!

If you are interested in donating to their project, please visit Kickstarter, to make your donation. The best part is, for each donation, you will receive a gift from 3*SR.

Teacher Appreciation Snacks – Rice Krispie Apples

rachellynnphoto — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:33:55 +0000

I got my usual wake up call from my husband at 6:20 on a Thursday morning. It was then that he informed me, my step son would have to take a snack to school on Friday for Teacher Appreciation Week. Nothing like having a little notice.

The old me, would have gone to the store and bought some cookies, but the new me – who know LOVES to cook- needed to do something a little more creative.

After searching online for the perfect snack, I found these Rice Krispie Apples, that I thought would be perfect to show a little teach appreciation. So with the help of my step-son and my husband we made up a batch.

They turned out super-cute and were hopefully a hit at school!

Ingredients:
6 Cups Rice Krispies Cereal
1 pkg. large marshmallows
3 T. butter
1 small pkg. Jell-o powder, cherry or strawberry flavor
25-30 small Tootsie Roll Candies
Green Icing
Baking spray
Wax Paper
Red Food Coloring, optional

Directions:
Place marshmallows and butter in large microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on high for 2 minutes.

Stir and microwave for an additional minute.

Remove from microwave and stir in jell-o powder.

Add a few drops of red food coloring (to make them more red and less pink!)

Add Rice Krispies cereal and stir well.

Spray hands with baking spray and roll mixture into balls (a little larger than a golf ball) and drop on wax paper.

After balls have set for a few minutes, use your thumb to press into the top to make an hole for the “stem”

Add a small tootsie roll “stem” and using icing to add a leaf.

IHOP Pancakes

rachellynnphoto — Fri, 04 May 2012 20:53:05 +0000

Ingredients:

1 1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. Baking soda
pinch of salt
1 egg, beaten
1 1/4 c. buttermilk
2 Tbsp. melted butter
1/4 c. sugar

Directions:

Stir together the flour, baking soda, baking powder,and salt.

Mix the egg with the buttermilk and add to the flour mixture, stirring only until smooth.

Add the melted butter and sugar.

Fry on a greased griddle.