Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Spam-A-Noodle Casserole
Now that I have your attention, there is actually no such thing as Spam-A-Noodle Casserole—at least I hope not! But there was this "report" on CNN the other day about Spam making a comeback in this economy and it got me thinking about the crazy things that we ate growing up in the "deep" South. Honestly, I knew NO ONE who ate Spam! But, my mother-in-law, a self-confessed "foodie", admitted that she remembered eating it. Said it tastes like Chicken.

The one that I did have to own up to is the Vienna Sausages. Yes, those are the ones that look like. . .well, you know, and if you don't. . .just skip it. . .really. Let's see what else. We always had hostess snack treats in the house, but to my mom's credit we always had fresh fruit too. And oh boy did we drink Kool-Aid. I didn't like any of those new age flavors though. . .no Strawberry-Kiwi or Strawberry Banana. It was straight up Tropical Punch or Grape.

I think I tasted Pork Rinds at my Nana's house once (along with a Schlitz beer, but that's another story). My mom was a working mom so when we were little we had our fair share of Hamburger Helper Beef Stroganoff, canned veggies, and Velveta Shells and Cheese. Later after my dad moved out, mom just started calling us from "town" to ask us what take out we wanted her to bring home. We called that Styrofoam Surprise!

Oh, and just in time for Thanksgiving I am happy to report that I never even KNEW that some people ate Stove-Top-Stuffing in place of homemade "dressing" for Thanksgiving dinner. My Nana makes the best dressing in the world. But, I do love Stovetop! We had it as a regular weeknight side dish. It went sort of like this:

Monday-- BBQ chicken, Stovetop, and corn from a can.
Tuesday-- Pork chops, macaroni and cheese, and green beans from a can
Wednesday--Spaghetti from canned tomato sauce and McCormick's seasoning packet
You get the idea.


The funny thing is those are the meals that I make now too, when I get around to cooking that is. My husband can really cook so I leave it to him most of the time. But, if I don't want to deal with 62 pots and pans, chopping devices, and the general chaos that can sometimes ensue when he cooks, then I can throw together a meal that mom would be proud of--Beef Stroganoff, raw carrots with ranch, and crescent rolls anyone?

So, anyway, I hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving Dinner! Whether you "Snap Into A Slim Jim" or "Hepp" your Mama out with the Shake-N-Bake I hope you are surrounded by family and friends who you love, or at least tolerate. But really, if you've never had the "real" homemade dressing with your turkey, then swing by my Nana's on Thursday and save that Stovetop stuffing for your BBQ chicken night!

The American Dream

Livin’ The American Dream

Good mornin’ babe, Are you tired?

Our Wal-Mart porch cover blew away

I’ll get the baby if you get the bread.

Or a bottle of wine instead.

Yeah, I know he’s not a baby.

He’s a little boy I know.

But that reminds me

Let’s make a baby

Yeah I know, lots of “practice”, Whatever it takes, that’s fine.

We’ve gotta run, Tucker get your shoes.

Oh, and honey by the way

I asked your momma for the money

Don’t worry, it’s OK

Can you do the dishes, or fold the clothes, or, um anything would do.

Watch your step

The cat puked again, He’s been lookin’ kinda blue.

Yeah, the vet is pricey

Tax returns will do.

Call me later, take out the trash, You’re the best, Love you too!