Santa Billy

Part time Santa- Full time Billy

And his trusty sidekick.


Settling in for a warm winter's eve.

What a lazy bunch of billy's.

Didn't your mother tell you not to make faces like that.... they might stick.

Whew... it didn't stick.

and this one... well where is his face???

Happy Holidays from my Billy's to yours.

Szechuan Style Green Beans

I bought green beans last night and came home to fix them using my usual recipe but I couldn't find my recipe (imagine that). And I was too lazy to get online and look it up here on my blog so I quickly glanced in a recipe notebook I have and I found this recipe. It will now replace my old chinese green bean recipe. These are awesome. Try them, I bet you'll love them too.

1 lb. fresh green beans, rinsed, drained and stem end trimmed off

2 Tablespoons soy sauce

1 Tablespoon rice wine vinegar

2 teaspoons seasame oil

2 teaspoons sugar

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon hot chili flakes

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 Tablespoon olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tablespoons fresh ginger, minced (I used powdered ginger)

1/4 cup onions or shallots, sliced

Balsamic vinegar

Cut beans into 2 to 3 inch lengths. In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, rice vinegar, seasame oil, sugar, chili flakes and pepper. Place a large skillet over high heat, when the skillet is hot add the beans and 1/4 cup water. Cover and cook, stirring once, until beans are bright green and slightly crunchy to the bite. This will take 4 to 5 minutes. Uncover and cook until all the liquid is gone.

Add the olive oil, garlic and onions or shallots to the skillet, stir until the beans and garlic are slightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add soy sauce mixture to the skillet, bring to a boil and stir until most of the liquid is evaporated and the sauce thickens and coats the beans, At this point, I add a few splashes of balsamic vinegar. Simmer 2 to 3 more minutes. Pour into a serving dish and serve hot or cool.

Don't count on having leftovers.

Cute as cute can be

Doesn't this just make your day? It sure made mine. The only thing better would be to see her in person and that's going to happen in the next couple of weeks. I can't wait. For now though, I'm grateful for camera phones and all my little Billy's, near and far.

The taking of the Christmas picture

Call me an crazy but I had this idea that three little Billy's could sit still and pose for just ONE, I say just ONE Christmas picture.

Oh well, maybe perfection is overrated.

Orzo with Asparagus

I don't really have a name for this recipe since it was given to me by my sister and we just refer to it as the asparagus stuff. Orzo with Asparagus sums it up pretty good. And I might add, I have not fixed this in eons but I keep thinking about making it soon. I have a package of orzo in my cabinet that stares at me every time I open the door. And I think Orzo with Asparagus..... ooohhhh that sounds good and then I close the door and the thought vanishes. But, alas.... I am making progress. I found the recipe my sister gave me, now all I have to do is buy some asparagus and I will be fixing this very soon.

2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 lb. fresh asparagus, (tough ends trimmed away and cut into 1 inch pieces)
1/2 cup orzo
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (the real stuff)


Saute onion in olive oil, add asparagus and saute for about 5 to 7 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of orzo and toss around with veggies. Add 1 cup chicken broth. Simmer on low or medium low til liquid is absorbed. (You may need to add more broth or water if the orzo is not tender enough). Remove from heat and add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

You can also adjust this to serve more by using 3/4 cup orzo and 1 1/2 cups broth.

Over the river and thru the woods.....

To Nana's house we go.....

Well actually it's up the street and thru the light to Nana's house we go. But who cares, my little billy's find their way to my house. Seems they like sitting around my table gobbling up some vittles.

With belly's full and some to spare, it's home again home again jiggity jog.

An Early Christmas Tradition

Did you miss me? I didn't think so. I've been busy doing holiday stuff and taking care of a sick Billy Head. Anyhoo, I made time last night to visit the little billy's.



I started a tradition when the first little billy came along of giving them an ornament each year. I've tried to get ones that I can have engraved but that hasn't always worked out. Like this year, I only have about twenty hundred things to get done and shopping hasn't topped the priority list yet. So having explained that, some of the little billy's got Hallmark ornaments this year. Little B #1 got Puppy Love, Little B#2 got a John Deere tractor, and Little B #4 got a choo choo train which I ordered and managed to get engraved. Chalk one up for me. And Little B #3- I have hers ready to give her but I probably won't see them till Christmas.

In case you've noticed there are only two little billy's in the pictures, the third one was all tucked in for the night and I wasn't about to wake him up. Seems the little monkey had quite a day, playing, eating, playing and eating some more..... And oh did I mention, turning over the Christmas tree. Something told me that was going to happen. It's way too much temptation to just look and not touch. Anyhoo, he's fine and tree is back to it's upright position and his ornament is waiting for him to hang in the morning if his mom let's him within 15 feet of the tree. Ahhhhh the joys of little ones.

From across the miles

Comes more cute pictures of my little grandbaby Lexi (Little Billy #3). Since I don't get to see her very often pictures are the next best thing. These were taken at a Fall festival in Virginia Beach.

I can't wait for the holidays so I can see her in person and take some pictures of my own-with you guessed it.... MY NEW CAMERA!!!

Merry Christmas to ME!

Each year I start early telling Billy Head what I want for Christmas and by December he's 1) sick of listening to me and 2) can't remember a thing I've named. And I've named so many things I can't remember either. Don't get me wrong, Billy Head has always come through on Christmas morning and had me nice gifts and sometimes they have actually been things on my list. Last year he gave me Dolce and Gabbana perfume which was very nice and there was no complaining.


Back in the Spring I found a great deal on a KitchenAid mixer and after a couple days of hearing me say I really really really want one, he told me to go ahead and get it, the catch was, it was to be my birthday, Mother's Day, Anniversary and Christmas present all rolled into one. "Okay" I said and the mixer was mine.







Since that was months ago and Billy Head's memory has faded I tried again, this time I really really really wanted a Nikon D40 camera and I've only harped on the subject for a couple months but wouldn't you know.... I found a great deal on one. I shared that with him and my mother who also hears my Christmas list ..... and..... and.... and.... they both said go ahead and get it for your Christmas present. YIPEEE.

There is a method to my madness or my manipulation as Billy Head calls it.... If I get the camera before Christmas then that gives me time to learn how to use it so I can take great pictures of my family over Christmas. Makes sense to me.

Now that my little box of manipulation has arrived and I'm all giddy with excitement, wanna guess what I'll be doing this weekend?

Merry Christmas!

Another Birthday to Celebrate

My baby turns 24 TODAY!!

I didn't plan it this way when I was having babies but my two children have birthdays four days apart. Had I done any planning I WOULD NOT have done it that way. The month of November is hectic enough with Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping and to have two birthdays back to back. Not good. I definitely wasn't thinking.

When the kids were growing up we did the usual type parties like skateworld, putt-putt, Show-Biz, bowling and each year I had to throw two separate parties four days apart. I came to dread the second week of November for this reason.

I only have one video of the children when they were little and this one video happens to be of the one time I did a joint birthday party for my kids at the local skating center. It was a little on the chaotic side with both kids wanting my attention while they opened presents, blew out candles, ate cake and played with friends. I didn't know if I was coming or going. And neither did anyone else. Obviously someone got very confused and handed my son a gift they thought was his. There he was surrounded by a table full of his best buddies and to his horror opened the worst gift imaginable for a 6 year old boy - A Barbie Doll. He was mortified and it's all captured on film. He took that doll and threw it to the girls table. It was hilarious. We never did a joint party after that. Once was enough.

Happy Birthday JT- Mom loves you and I hope you have a wonderful birthday.

Oh to be 26 again...

I can remember years ago a lady I used to work for commenting on the fact that her oldest daughter had just turned 40 and I made the comment that 40 seemed so old. I was a spring chicken at the time, only in my 30's and at that point in my life 40 did seem old. Of course this wise lady replied "wait till you're the mother of a 40 year old". Now there was something to think about. I'm not quite there yet but my eldest did turn 26 on Saturday. YIKES.

She'll be forty before I know it......and then I will be that mother of a 40 year old. Give me a minute ....

Just kidding, getting old isn't that bad and most days I appreciate the maturity and wisdom that comes along with it. Other days I agree with Billy Head that getting old sucks. It just depends on how many aches and pains I'm having as to my feeling on the subject.

Back to my daughter's birthday.

We celebrated her special day at our house with a birthday lunch consisting of some her favorites; chicken tettrazini, broccoli casserole, salad, garlic bread and store bought birthday cake. One lesson I've learned from her, ALWAYS have birthday cake or she will POUT and NEVER let you forget it.

The little Billy's gave her the present I had wrapped for them to give their mom and they watched as she opened it

and then Little Billy #2 asked, "Nana where is her other presents?" I told him there were no more presents and when you get big you only get one present. From the look on his face you would've thought I just told him there was no Santa Claus.

And that Billy in the background is my dad.

I think he likes birthdays too... especially birthday food.

And this billy head, well who knows what he likes....He's just strange.

Lida's Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin

I can't wait to try this. We eat pork a lot around Billyville but for some reason I stick to the same recipes so this is up for testing soon. I found this on another blog http://www.theschellcafe.com/. It was a contest winner.


1 pork tenderloin, about 1 pound
3/4 t. kosher salt
3/4 t. black pepper
4 sprigs fresh thyme (can use 3/4 t. dried)
4 slices bacon
1 T. olive oil
1 white or yellow onion, cut into about 8 wedges
2 carrots, sliced
8 new potatoes

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Pat pork dry with paper towels. Season with 1/2 t. of the salt, 1/2 t. of black pepper and the thyme. Wrap it with bacon (no need to secure it with toothpicks). Heat oil in large cast iron skillet over medium/high heat.

Add the pork and vegetables, season with the remaining salt and pepper. (It may seem kind of crowded but everything will shrink and cook down a little). Cook the pork 2 minutes on each side. Stir the veggies around a litt.e Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast for 25 minutes. You may want to turn the pork half way thru and stir the veggies. Let rest for 5 to 10 minutes and serve with the veggies.

Southwest Ribeye Steaks

I love steak...don't you. Billy Head tells me I am insulting the chef when I ask for steak sauce at restaurants but hey I'm a saucy kinda gal. I ask for them all...A-1, Heinz 57, Worcestershire , horseradish and whatever else they have on hand. I think Billy Head wants to hide when I do that but I like sauce no matter how good the steak tastes.

This recipe is just right for a saucy kinda gal.

1/3 cup A.1. Original Steak Sauce
2 Tbsp. prepared horseradish
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. chopped garlic
4 boneless beef Ribeye steaks, 3/4 inch thick

Mix steak sauce, horseradish, cumin and garlic. Grill or broil steaks 4 to 6 minutes on each side or to desired doneness, brushing liberally with steak sauce mixture occasionally.

Taco Spaghetti

It has been awhile since I've tried any new recipes so I found this one in a Better Homes and Garden Pasta cookbook. I told Billy Head what we were having for dinner last night and his response.... "I'm not eating that crap". As usual I ignored his utterings and fixed my new recipe. He managed to clean his plate not once but twice. Lesson here-NEVER listen to a Billy Head when it comes to trying something new.

Taco Spaghetti

5 ounces dried spaghetti, linguine, or fettuccine, broken up
1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
3/4 cup water
1/2 of 1 1/4-ounce envelope taco seasoning mix (2 tablespoons)
1 (11-ounce) can whole kernel corn with sweet peppers, drained
1 cups sliced ripe olives
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
1/2 cup tomato-based salsa
1 (4-ounce) can diced green chili peppers, drained
6 cups shredded lettuce ( I did not add)
1 cup or more slightly broken tortilla chips (I did not add)
1 medium tomato, cut into wedges ( I did not add)
Sour cream for accompaniment (optional) (I did not add)

Cook pasta according to package directions, preferably al dente (firm to the bite). Drain; rinse with cold water and drain again.
In a 12-inch skillet cook ground beef and onion until meat is brown. Drain fat. Stir in water and taco seasoning. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir in cooked pasta, corn, olives, half of the shredded cheese, the salsa and chili peppers.
Transfer mixture to a lightly greased 2-quart round casserole dish. Cover and bake in a 350*F (175*C) oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.
Serve topped with lettuce, tortilla chips and tomato wedges. If desired, top with a dollop of sour cream.

Swiss Potato Torte

I decided to look in my cookbook collection for some new recipes and I pulled out a book called Award Winning Recipes by the Editors of Favorite Recipes and Irena Chalmers. Sounds good to me, award winning means somebody else has tasted and tested these recipes so they must be good. RIGHT?

This one caught my eye since it mentioned Swiss cheese, my all time favorite food. I'm going to try these very soon and if they are as good as the picture makes them look, they may find their way to my Thanksgiving table.

3 Tablespoons butter, softened
6 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups ( 8 oz) shredded Swiss cheese
1/4 cup heavy cream, warmed
Chopped parsley and paprika, for garnish

Preheat over to 400 degrees. Generously grease a 2 quart ovenproof bowl with the butter. Alternately layer the potatoes, Parmesan cheese, nutmeg, salt and pepper and Swiss Cheese in the prepared dish. Bake, tightly covered for 1 1/4 hours or until the potatoes are tender. Let stand for 1o minutes. Then invert onto a serving platter. Drizzle the warm cream over the top and garnish with parsley and paprika.

Halloween- A Parent's View

I can remember as a child hearing my mother say she hated Halloween. I just could not understand why she felt that way. I mean costumes, candy, kids, pumpkins, ringing doorbells, What's not to like? Not like Halloween, that's just wrong Mom.

Twenty years, two kids, and four grandkids later, I think my Halloween hating mother may know a thing or two about holidays. What's not to like.... okay here goes the list as I remember it as a parent:

1. Rushing home to get dinner fixed before the trick or treaters start.

2. The ringing of the doorbell and the kids arguing over who passes out the candy.

3. Worrying about costumes and then there was the crying and pouting over costumes.

4. Walking around the neighborhood in the cold.

5. Trying to get homework done during this chaos.

6. Trying to limit the amount of candy consumed.

7. Refereeing fights over candy.

8. Trying to enforce bedtime to kids on a sugar high.

Yeah, I think Mom knew what she was talking 'bout. So kids enjoy your Halloween and parents.... Take a deep breath, relax and help yourself to those leftover candy treats. Chocolate makes all things better. And if you're still having a hard time liking Halloween just wait till you're a grandparent. Halloween regains it's likeability. See...

This is what showed up at my house Friday night.


A witch ...

A Reaper named Grim...

And a furry little bat

(An unhappy little bat at that)

And my stressed out daughter.