Pecans are a staple in any Southern woman’s kitchen, and each year, my dad picks, shells and packages pecans for me to freeze and use throughout the year. As I was looking for a sweet treat last night, J grabbed a bag of pecans from the freezer, and a few minutes later, we had the perfect fall snack.
I started with a 1/2 cup of butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Then I added 1Tablespoon of sugar and 1 Tablespoon of ground cinnamon – mixing for a few seconds until both dissolved into the melted butter. Then I added the pecans, stirring continually for about 4-6 minutes. Once finished, I poured the pecans onto a pan and tossed them on and off for about five minutes.
To top it off, I sprinkled a touch of cinnamon and sugar over the caramelized pecans to give them a bit of added sweetness.
On Sunday, my oldest nephew (age 6) played in his first All-Star baseball game. I can’t tell you how stinking cute the game was. After the “line-up” was announced, the national anthem played from an old-school boom box, the ump yelled, “Play ball!”, and the Big League Chew was passed around the dugout. Number 2 was on deck, and I couldn’t help but have a lump in my throat. Talk about one proud aunt and godmother. He may only be six, but he loves the game of baseball. Always the first on the field and “baseball ready”, it is an absolute delight to watch him play the game. Even more, the little smile I get from the dugout between innings. It may not be cool to give your aunt a big hug in front of all your friends, but that sweet smile says it all.
The cutest fan is LMK’s little brother CEGK, also known as Catfish, and most recently “Chippah” (Chipper Jones, that is). Another little slugger, this three-year-old stud doesn’t miss a play. He’s right behind home plate when his big brother is batting, and can’t wait for “Logo” to make a game-changing play, and don’t be fooled, it DOES happen quite often. Little Chippah loves to step up to the plate after LMK’s games, bats like “The Babe” (literally) and can round the bases at record speed for age three.
My favorite little guys are growing so quickly, and I’m just so lucky to have their love.
Yesterday, J and I celebrated our third anniversary. Third! How on earth did that happen? Oddly enough, this is the first anniversary we’ve ever spent together, and wouldn’t you know it would fall in the middle of the week. We celebrated with a low key dinner at our favorite local spot, Harvest Moon, and then I spent some time admiring my now dried bouquet with cotton from my grandparents’ farm, flipping through our guest book and toasting my husband with the flutes used on our wedding day ( a special gift from my brother and sister-in-law just after our engagement).
In an effort not to sound like a Hallmark card, I’ll simply tell you that I love him more today than at 4:20 PM on Saturday, November 7th, 2009 when we were pronounced Mr. and Mrs. John Reed Freeman. We’d be the first to tell you that 2012 has been a year of surprises and hiccups, but one thing is for sure, love never fails.
So, here we are three years later: a house, a dog and many new pairs of shoes. I’d say this marriage thing is working out pretty well.
Here’s to number four…
Guest Book: Jenni Bick Bookbinding; Champagne Flutes: Tiffany & Co
Hello. Have we met before? I’m Ali. The blogger chick who really loves new finds, but abandoned said blog and her followers since mid-July. Awful. Seriously awful. I’ve missed you!
Here’s the deal. Sister landed a new job! A job I began on July 2nd, and since then life has been off the charts busy…busy in a good way, of course! My desk is always a mess; the work of a genius right? I’ve got non-profit work galore and a nearing “Follies” production that is consuming life. Still, there’s nothing I’d change. J also started a new job the week before I began mine, so we’ve been adjusting to new schedules and learning curves. So much has happened over the last four months, but I’m skipping those details; otherwise I’d be writing for days. I’m back, and I’m renewing the commitment I made when I started Oh So Ali. My deepest appreciation to those of you who follow.
I look forward to returning from my blogging hiatus. More to come, I promise.
xx
A
ohsoali.com 