Let's Get This Party Started!

   My very first post on my very first blog...I'm so excited! I really am. I've been thinking about starting a recipe/helpful hints/random thoughts blog for some time. My life has always been so hectic, so I told myself I'd get going on it when "things settle down". I now believe that time will never come.
   Almost a year ago I retired from my job as an accounts coordinator for a busy optometrist's office. At about the same time my part-time job of taking care of my elderly mother ended as she moved three hours away to be closer to 4 of my siblings. I thought I would be sitting around with nothing to do, but far from it! I keep very busy with my husband who I'll call GoodMan (because he is), my 5 sons, their 5 lovely ladies, and my 16 (yes, that's not a typo!) grandkids.

(This is just some of my big, happy, rowdy crew!)

   One of my favorite things is cooking for my family. I love to try new dishes and get their reactions. The little ones get in on the act by giving me their "thumbs-up", "thumbs-down", or even a "thumb-wavering-in-the-middle" for everything I make. That in itself can make for some fun dinner conversations.
   I have great plans to try lots of new recipes and even make some old tried-and-true ones. I'll post pictures and let you know how they fare with my critics. I hope you'll join me as I "dish up" some great food as well as "dish up" some fun family stories!
  Tomorrow I'll post the pictures and the recipe for an old favorite ~ Crock Pot Hamburger Oriental. This is an easy, yummy dish that's wonderful for working moms to put together before work and return to a dinner in the time it takes to cook the rice. Stop by tomorrow and check it out.