The Secret is now available

So excited about my close friend Taryn A. Taylor's release of her new book, "The Secret".  It is such a great read, filled with lots of twists and turns, keeping you in suspense until the very end.  Check it out! You will love it!  

New Release! THE SECRET by Taryn A. Taylor

A Young Adult, Modern Fantasy/Paranormal tale, with a touch of Romance!

Seventeen-year-old Delanie Hart has a past she wants to keep hidden.  Moving to a new state and attending a new high school seems to be just the thing - until she accidentally sees a mark exactly like her own.  When the people she is running from come after her, Lanie is left with a choice - give up what she wants or save her friends. 

Buy it at: https://bigworldnetwork.com/site/store/thesecret/

or

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the%20secret%20taryn%20taylor

About Author:
Taryn A. Taylor grew up moving from small town to small town every few years.  This helped her gain an appreciation for good books, loyal friends, and the fact that a home is a lot more than a house - it's the people that love you.  After receiving a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Communications, she finally began putting all of her stories down on paper, finding it most helpful to eat chocolate during this process. In between raising four amazing boys she loves to go on dates with her husband and watch movies late into the night.

Find Taryn at:
Blog link: http://www.taryntaylor.blogspot.com
Twitter: @tarynataylor

JR's Mexican Cornbread

My brother Robert is in the Navy and got to come visit us in Utah for a few days before going to “C” school in California.  The night before he was flying out, we decided to make our traditional southern “home cooked, stick to your ribs, comfort” food.  The menu included Dad’s pinto beans, Deluxe Mac and cheese, collard greens, Mom’s chicken fingers, and JR’s Mexican Cornbread.  So yummy!  Whoever says food does not bring comfort has never had JR’s Mexican Cornbread.  This cornbread was created by my dad and later perfected by my brother Rob!  Dad would be proud!  Enjoy! 

JR's Mexican Cornbread, Mom's chicken fingers, Dad's pinto beans, and collard greens

JR’s Mexican cornbread

3 tbsp. butter

1/4 cup finely chopped, pickled Jalepeno nacho slices

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 cup finely chopped red bell pepper

2 cloves minced garlic

2 cups yellow corn meal

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tbsp. baking powder

2 1/2 cups buttermilk

2 cups shredded cheddar/jack cheese

3 eggs

1/3 and 1/4 cup olive oil (or your favorite cooking oil), separated

2 cups cubed sharp cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  

In a medium skillet, melt butter, then add chopped jalepeno slices, onion, chopped red pepper, and minced garlic.  Saute on medium heat until veggies are soft.  Set aside for later.

In a large bowl, combine corn meal, salt, baking powder, buttermilk, cheddar/jack cheese, eggs, and 1/3 cup oil.  Mix well. Then add the cubed cheddar cheese and sauted veggies.  Stir until mixed completely.

In a cast iron skillet, add in the remaining 1/4 cup of oil.  Heat on top of stove on medium high heat until skillet barely starts to smoke.  Pour cornbread batter into cast iron skillet but do not stir batter into the oil.  Just pour on top of the oil.

Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until top is golden.  

Serves 10

Robert and Christine

Momaw knows best!

My mom and all her sisters have some of the prettiest skin.  Of course my momaw always did as well. (My momaw was beautiful on the inside and the outside.) When I was younger, I was never too concerned with wrinkles or trying to keep my skin "pretty."  Lots of hiking and sun bathing without sunscreen was definitely my normal. Now that I am in my late 30's, having great skin has definitely become a lot more of a priority!  So what it the secret of great facial skin? Well, my momaw passed down some of her home remedies that I live by these days!  Thanks to my moma for sharing them with us and now I am going to share them with you.  You will love the way your skin looks and feels!

Facial Scrub- I do this 1 to 2 times a week

1 tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. granulated sugar

In a small bowl combine olive oil and sugar, mix well.  With your hands lightly rub the scrub in your face, making sure to cover your entire face and neck.  Rinse off with warm water and pat dry with a towel.  Such a great exfoliate!

This is the facial scrub

Firming Liquid- I do this about 1 to 2 times a week,(mostly just once a week)

1 egg white

Crack egg white in bowl and throw away yolk.  With fingers spread egg white all over face and neck.  Keep layering egg white until you have a really good amount on your skin.  Let egg white dry and you will feel it firming as it is drying.  Leave on after it is dried for about 6 to 10 minutes.  Wash thoroughly with warm water.   Pat face dry with a towel.

Beautiful Ladies

My momaw Willene, and her mom Ada

My sister Jennifer and my mom Sandra

Grilled Steak Fajitas, Oh Yeah!

When I visit the great state of Texas, one of my favorite restaurants is called Pappasitos Cantina!  Yum!  They have the best steak fajitas!  If you are ever in Texas, you need to check them out. You will not be disappointed! 

Since I live no where near Texas these days,  I decided for my family's Valentine dinner this year it was time for me to make my own steak fajitas that may be able to rival that of the great Pappasitos!  First, I googled their steak fajita marinade recipe and got lots of different ideas of “great” recipes.  I also talked with my brother Robert, who is a master chef, and finally came up with the my own perfect marinade! (at least I was hopeful it would be perfect).

One of the big changes I made was to add Sprite to my marinade.  It turned out AMAZING!  So give it a try and let me know how you like them!  Enjoy! 

GRILLED STEAK FAJITAS

Marinaded steak

1 large yellow or sweet onion, sliced thin

1 large green bell pepper. sliced thin

1 large yellow bell pepper, sliced thin

8 to 12 flour, tortillas, warmed up

shredded cheese, salsa, guacamole, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, and sliced olives, as sides (optional, according to your tastes) 

Steak Fajitas marinade

1 1/2 to 2 pounds of skirt steak

1 cup soy sauce

1 cup pineapple juice

1 cup sprite

1/2 cup water

1 tbsp. olive oil

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. black pepper

Tenderize meat by pounding it with a meat mallet on both sides.  Mix together marinade and add meat to the marinade.  Let meat stay in marinade, in the fridge overnight.  Get the marinaded steak out of the fridge and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour before grilling.  Remove steak from marinade.

While the steak is sitting out a room temperature, get your veggies ready.  Spray an electric griddle or an iron skillet with cooking spray.  Stir-fry veggies over high heat until a little charred and softened but not mushy.  Keep warm until steak is finished grilling.  

Grill steak over high heat until medium rare to medium, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.  Slice the meat against the grain into thin strips.  

Add sliced meat to the veggies and serve immediately with the tortillas and all your favorite sides.

I like to make sure to have chips and salsa on the table to eat with my yummy fajitas!  

Serves 6 to 8

The Style Sisters: Pink and Brown Tablescape - Centerpiece Wednesday

The Style Sisters: Pink and Brown Tablescape - Centerpiece Wednesday

Valentine's Day treat

It is Valentine's day this thursday, and I am sure all of us are thinking about that wonderful, "delish" dessert we can make for our special someone!  Over the years, my Valentine desserts have ranged from simple to very elaborate.  I have finally discovered that my man (and my girls) really enjoy the simple dessert the best!  Especially my Deluxe Brownie Sundae!  I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!  Happy Valentine's Day!  

 Deluxe Brownie Sundae

1 2/3 cups sugar

1 1/2 sticks butter, melted

2 tbsp. water

2 large eggs, at room temperature

2 tsp. vanilla 

1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup Hershey’s unsweetened baking cocoa

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

vanilla ice cream

chopped pecans

caramel ice cream topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray a 9x13 in. casserole dish with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, mix in sugar, melted butter, and water.  Stir well, add in eggs and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, mix in all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa.  Mix this into the sugar/butter mixture.  

Spread into prepared dish.  Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of brownie mixture but do not stir into the brownies.

Bake for 20 to 27 minutes.  

Once brownies are done and mostly cooled, cut into 24 squares.  Serve each square  with scoops of vanilla ice cream, pecans, and drizzle caramel sauce on top! Yummy!  

Sweet Potato Cupcakes

My beautiful sis-in-law Christine with her yummy Sweet Potato Cupcakes

I had my new Sis-in-law over on Sunday to watch the Super Bowl.  I had asked her if she could bring a dessert to go with all of the other yummy food we were having.  When she got here and I asked what she had brought, she said, "Sweet Potato Cupcakes"!  Sweet Potato what?  

Confession time:  Even though I grew up in the great state of Alabama and am Southern to the core I have never been very fond of sweet potatoes!  Growing up, my Mom made sweet potatoes on a regular basis and I always tolerated the few bites, I of course was required to eat.  (I am from the clean your plate generation)  It has only been the last several years that I have started to enjoy sweet potatoes.  I now feel I have started a "love affair" with them and really enjoy them no matter how they are made!  

Christine was reluctant to share her decadent recipe with the world and I have to understand that...  but Dang it!  They were SO good!  If you happen to have a favorite sweet potato recipe you think I should try please share it!  I would love to taste your favorite!  :-) 

Christine is so talented!  Check out some of her AWESOME creations!  Way to go girlie!  

Emma's Hunger Games B'day cake made by Christine

Monster cake

Mickey Mouse cake and cupcakes