back in beaumont...

for a couple of weeks. actually, the last couple of weeks we'll ever be here in my family's home. my parents have gone and bought themselves a place in houston. so they've gone and sold our house (our house!) too. they've even gone and started moving things out like couches, chairs, books and bowls. (i couldn't find anything to serve ivy's banana in this morning! what a silly thing to have to worry about at grandma's house.)

there are so many memories wrapped up in this dear house: she has helped a family of six turn into a family of twelve in a matter of three short years, has put up with the likes of one ancient dog and two evil cats, has graciously opened her doors for two spectacular weddings, countless birthday parties, bridal and baby showers, and the most glorious christmas parties this side of heaven! it's a sad farewell to a lovely place, but i'm grateful our schedule this summer has put us right here to enjoy these last few weeks with my family... one rainy day at a time. hellooo humidity!

{our shadow bend abode december 2008. photos by gentry kanneganti}

chocolate chip bundt cake

{image: southern living may 2010}

a perfect thing to make (and eat every last crumb of) with your friends.

recipe: here

YUM.

post edit: (for aunt heather!) i spray my bundt pan with baking pam spray-instead of flouring it- and it slips out very easily. :)

folly guests round 2

Welcome back Emily, Lacy, Sydney and Katherine! A chatty, kettle-chips & sweet tea, late night, beach walking, meal-making weekend is in order. Glad you're here!
*********

Post Edit: I found this picture on my camera, and realized that the sum of it's components equals a perfect morning in the life of chaiss mcconnell:

1. sweet friends doing dishes

2. but not any dishes... dishes used for PANCAKES and BACON

3. another sweet friend holding my baby

4. cheerful husband

5. beautiful day at the beach

what more could a girl ask for?

a letter

dear nana,
thanks for letting me stay at your beach house.
i love it here.
see you soon.

love,
ivy

fresh herb spoon rolls

{image: southern living june 2010}

I made these to go along with our dinner tonight of pork tender & grits to round out our southern menu, and they were gooooood. It is not really a traditional southern spoon bread (no cornmeal or cheese and not casserole-ish). They are more like if a handsome roll married a pretty little cupcake. And they had spoon roll babies. with chives. and parsley. and butter. oh my! My guess as to why they are called spoon rolls is because you can make the batter with only a spoon? (no mixer required). And no rising necessary. How lovely. And delicious!

Make these next time with your southern dish. (let me know how they turn out!)

Ingredients:

1 envelope active dry yeast

2 cups warm water

4 cups self-rising flour

3/4 cup melted butter

3/4 cup chopped fresh chives

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/4 cup sugar

1 large egg, slightly beaten

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400.

1. Combine yeast and warm water, let sit for 5 minutes.

2. Stir in flour and remaining ingredients.

3. Spoon batter into lightly greased muffin pan, filling three-fourths full.

4. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Yields: 2 dozen

aquarium

We took Ivy to the South Carolina Aqaurium! As first time parents, we forgot to bring a stroller. oops. Thankfully, we could rent one for a buck. Pretty sure Kevin cried a little when Ivy and I told him it was time to leave.

Good times.

chocolate pecan tart

I decided to make the father in our house a pecan pie for Father's Day. As I was looking up recipes, I came across one from Paula Dean that looked perfect (and perfectly easy). What's better than pecan pie? Pecan Pie with chocolate! Then, as I was looking for a pie plate in my mother-in-law's kitchen, I saw a cool removable-bottom tart pan. So that's what today's treat turned into. And everyone was happy. The end.
Paula Deen's Chocolate Pecan Pie:
Ingredients:
1 pie dough crust
2 cups pecan halves
3 large eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons bourbon, or 1 tablespoon vanilla
3 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped. (or you could use chips)
Directions:
Preheat to 375.
1. Place dough in pie plate (or tart pan), and cover with pecan halves.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and melted butter.
3. Add the corn syrup, sugar, vanilla and chocolate. Stir to combine.
4. Pour into pie crust and bake for 10 minutes.
5. Turn oven down to 350 and bake for another 25 minutes.
Let cool until set. Serve with whipped cream and berries!

In other news...
HAPPY 1st ANNIVERSARY to GEN & PRAV!

sun & sand part 2

10 months

happy 10 months ivy!

10 little facts:

1. you're still the world's best sleeper - 8:30 to 8:30.

2. you've mastered the "cruise".

3. you wear size 12 months (size 2 crewcuts) size 4 diapers.

4. you prefer bottles to food, but are slowly coming around. you love cheerios, bananas, prunes, avocado, apple slices and ice.

5. you've been to cabo and charleston twice now, as well as all over texas.

6. you love to be in the bath, pool and ocean.

7. you love children and other babies. you're the happiest church-nursery go-er, i almost feel bad when we have to go home!

8. you're still the only grandchild, but little do you know... baby brock is coming soon!

9. your favorite games are watching for birds and dogs, playing peek-a-boo and being chased by dad.

10. you have a summer tan, baby blonde hair, and no teeth.

i love you a million bajillion x 10!

(doesn't she look like nana in this pic?)

summer sandwich

I looove turkey sandwiches! It's always been my favorite thing to have for lunch. It's had some different styles over the years... ciabatta, pesto, grilled, with soup or with chips?, avocado, smoked turkey/roasted turkey, provolone/swiss/or no cheese at all... but I love it, in all it's shapes and forms. Here's what it's morphed into this summer:

--kaiser roll, buttered and grilled

--shaved smoked turkey

--lots of black pepper

--juicy red tomato, thinly sliced

--crispy bacon

--alfalfa sprouts

--green leaf lettuce

--sliced avocado

and usually with kettle chips.

and sweet tea.

yum.

folly guests

Mom, Gen and Cindy came up for a quick trip to say hi and see ivy, of course. It was much too short but we had a blast. (please note ivy's fashion forward hair accessory. For some reason, this just makes me think of weeza from the funeral scene in steel magnolias. or maybe her friend patrice. haha) thanks for coming!

sugar-n-spice pecans

This is actually the recipe for Emeril's Spiced Nuts, but they're known simply as Sugar-n-Spice Pecans around our kitchen. Emeril uses a combo of nuts in his mix, but I've found that the glaze sticks best to the pecans which are everyone's favorite anyway- so mine's a purely pecan batch, and a double one at that! (4 cups total).

recipe: here

sun & sand

mom's summer chicken pasta

When summer comes around, this is our go-to dish for lunch, dinner, snack... it's quick & easy to throw together, not to mention healthy and fresh! Mom created it several years ago, and it's been a favorite since.

--1 pack of tri color fusili pasta (sometimes called garden pasta)

-- rotisserie chicken, shredded

--3 bell peppers, diced (i use green, red and yellow)

--cup or so of black beans, drained

--2 cups frozen corn, thawed

--la martinique french vinaigrette (no substitutes!)

cook pasta and put into a large bowl. add shredded chicken, saute veggies until tender and add them in and toss with vinaigrette, salt and pepper. serve hot, warm or cold!

with parmesan crostini.

and sweet tea.

yum!

we dig fig

Tonight we tried a new to us restaurant, per the in-laws recommendation (and babysitting offer)and had a great time. I love how so many eateries around here take advantage of local ingredients and farms, etc. It's nice to have an idea of where your food actually comes from (what a concept!) and enjoy a menu that changes seasonally. The best part of the meal may have even been just the bread & butter which comes from Normandy Farms - YUM a million times. But actually I think the spring green soup took first. Anyway, blah blah blah.... check out FIG!

{a blurry iphone pic. but i love stamps and i love menus, so a stamped menu?! ... had to}

tjb turns 28