Sugar Bowl Bound!

How do you bust a Buckeye?................

With a Mallett, of course:)


Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year to everyone!

WHAT’S ON the MENU WEDNESDAY and WOO PIG SOOIE!

If you are in Arkansas this week, you might catch Razorback fever…it’s going around and quickly becoming an epidemic!  After last week’s victory over Georgia, you might even call it Razorback fever of elephantine proportions!

Move over #1-ranked Alabama!  Here come the #10-ranked Hogs! We do love our Razorbacks and learn how to call the Hogs at an early age.  So, just in case you’ve yet to acquire the talent for that, here’s a tutorial:)

This is Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, AR.  It’s an awesome place!  Not only is it one of the most modern, well-equipped stadiums in the country, it’s located in absolutely gorgeous Fayetteville on the University of Arkansas campus in Northwest Arkansas.

The University of Arkansas was founded as a land-grant university and is the flagship school in the University of Arkansas system. 

Old Main, completed in 1875, houses the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, and carries a unique history.  The northern taller tower is the bell tower, and the southern shorter tower is the clock tower. One legend for the tower switch is that the taller tower was put to the north as a reminder of the Union victory during the Civil War.

The lawn of Old Main serves as an arboretum with many of the trees being native to the State.  In front of the building begins ones of the longest running traditions on campus – Senior Walk where every graduate of the U of A has his or her name inscribed.  Somewhere I have a picture of my name…maybe I’ll just take a new one this weekend rather than hunt for that!

I spent most of my time on campus living in the Kappa Kappa Gamma house where I formed friendships that have endured for many, many years.  I’m looking forward to seeing some of those gals at a reunion in October.  I think there were about 36 of us in our pledge class; this year’s class had 104 I believe!

Needless to say, I’m proud of my affiliation with the U of A, and I look forward to returning often to the campus.

With football season comes tailgating and the U of A comes second to none in that regard.  The infamous Road Hogs, a rather large RV group that travels to all of the games and has its own special parking section, begins arriving days ahead of time.  Others will pull up in their SUVs and vans, pitch their tents, haul out the TVs and satellites, and a grill or two.  There’s usually a cooler…or more…of the groups favorite beverage as well.  Talk about a feast!   You might see everything from hot dogs to a whole hog on the grill!  There could be oysters and shrimp, a gumbo or jambalaya, you name it, it’s appeared!  Tailgating in the South is more than a game day activity ---it’s a traditional right of passage.

I thought I would offer up a couple of tailgating favorites for you this week.  We don’t really participate in that much anymore since we usually have a Perfect One in tow for the game.  I think you will enjoy these goodies for whatever festive occasion (or not) that you might be celebrating.

Cabbucio (Hot Crusty Loaf)

1 pound round “flat” crusty Italian bread loaf
5 large tomatoes, thinly slices (homegrown, if possible)
61/2 ounces mozzarella, thinly sliced
3 1/2 ounces sliced salami or  prosciutto
small bunch of oregano or basil
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
extra virgin olive oil for drizzling

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Heat the bread in the preheated oven for 5 minutes.  While the bread is still hot, cut it in half lengthwise and make small incisions all over the cut surfaces of both halves of the bread.  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and half of the oregano or basil leaves.  On the bottom half of the loaf, put a layer of tomato, followed by a layers of cheese.  Top with the salami and the remaining oregano or basil (or a combination) leaves.  Sandwich the 2 halves together, wrap in aluminum foil and a dish towel or insulated bag, then transfer to a picnic basket.

Makes 4 servings.

I sometimes use basil pesto in place of the basil or oregano leaves, and I often add roasted red peppers as a layers.  I may even sprinkle in some olive salad or black olives.  Do whatever floats your boat!

Adapted from:  Lazy Days and Beach Blankets

Florentine Pasta Salad

1 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil)
1 cup water
1 pound farfalle (bow-tie pasta)
8 cups chopped fresh spinach
1 1-pound can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
2/3 cup fat-free Italian dressing
3 –4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 6-ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped, optional

Heat the water to a boil and place the dried tomatoes in it for at least 20 minutes or until they have absorbed the water and cooled.

Cook the past al dente according to package directions.  Drain, rinse with cold water and drain again.

Place the pasta in a large plastic container.  Add the remaining ingredients, including the cooled tomatoes, and mix well.

Cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving.

I sometimes add fresh cherry or grape tomatoes that have been halved.  I may also add a good sprinkle of dried Italian-blend herbs.  I think this is better if it sits overnight in the fridge myself.

Since we are now on day 105 of 90+ degree weather and the forecast for the 2:30 game on Saturday is more of the same, I think this salad would make a very welcome addition to any tailgating menu, don’t you?

Did I tell you that I forecast the future?  Well, I can.  Here’s how I see it on Saturday -

Razorbacks Roll Over Tide in

Southeast Conference Upset :)

 
This is Tusk, an authentic razorback.  He smells good!

Thanks for joining me for What’s On the Menu Wednesday.  I look forward to what you have to say.

TAG, YOU’RE IT!

This is just for fun.  I hope you will join in and tag five other  Arkansas Bloggers to add to the list.  When your tag blog post is ready, add it to Mister Linky below, and pass on the word to the blogs you have selected.  This will replace our Favorite Post of the Week for this week.  Help Spread the word.

1. Started your own blog
Yes.  Four actually.  Dining With Debbie, Mrs. Arnold’s English Class, OoHoo and Nana and Arkansas Bloggers

2. Slept under the stars
Yes.  On the banks of the Buffalo River several times.  On my Nonnie’s front porch lots of times as a kid. I’m  looking forward to doing more of that with my grandchildren:)

3. Played in a band
Nope.  Not unless you want to count the times I subbed by playing the spoons for the Kappa Pickers in college.

4. Visited Hawaii
Yes, twice.  LOVE…LOVE…Kauai

5. Watched a meteor shower
Yes.  Laying in my front yard with Hubby.

6. Given more than you can afford to charity
Hmm.  If you think about it too much, it always seems to be more than you can afford.  I believe in giving, however.  I especially believe in supporting those entities that make Arkansas a better place to live and work: Garvan Woodland Gardens, The Arkansas Symphony, Heifer Project to name just a very few.

7. Been to Disney
Disneyland and Disneyworld both.  I lived near Disneyland as a youngster.   I was even on the set of the Mickey Mouse Club early on! I think that’s the only way I ever learned to spell “encyclopedia!”

8. Climbed a mountain
Yes, if you are willing to count Pinnacle Mountain in Little Rock. Oh, you might also count the mountains I’ve climbed (unintentionally) while snow skiing.  Woops!

9. Held a praying mantis
Yes, and boy was it ever praying that I would let it go!

10. Sang a solo
Yes.  I was in the cast of The King and I in high school and had a couple of solos.  I wasn’t very good.

11. Bungee jumped
Nope.  Thought about it.  Came to my senses. I have zip-lined in Costa Rica though.  Does that sort of count?

12. Visited Paris
Yes.  With my daughter and about forty other students.  I got to see Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower at midnight.  Awesome!

13. Watched a thunder and lightning storm
Absolutely.  I’m a Southern girl.  That’s a rite of passage.

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
Yes.  I taught myself to towle paint, to decorate cakes, to cross stitch and to do needlepoint.  I would love to be able to watercolor really well.  Maybe I’ll be the next Grandma Moses.

15. Adopted a child
No, but I appreciate those who have.

16. Had food poisoning
OMG!  Just ask me about the coon supper!!!!!! On second thought, I would just as soon NEVER think about that again.

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
Yes.  It was amazing. I love this country of ours.

18. Grown your own vegetables
Yes.  Loved it. Miss doing it now.  I once had 33 varieties of heirloom tomatoes.

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
Yes.  She is more beautiful in person.  I hope you get to meet her.

20. Slept on an overnight train
Yes, as much as you can sleep on an overnight train.

21. Had a pillow fight
Isn’t that what pillows are for?

22. Hitch hiked
I’m from the South.  Southern girls don’t flaunt their white gloves that way:(

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
Shhhhhhhhhhh.  I won’t tell if you won’t.

24. Built a snow fort
The girls beat the boys!!!!!

25. Held a lamb
Is that not just the sweetest thing.  I once was at Heifer Project during lambing season – 63 new lambs!!

26. Gone skinny dipping
You’re lying if you say you haven’t!

27. Run a marathon
Are you kidding me?????

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
Been to Venice but didn’t do the gondola.  Water taxi count?

29. Seen a total eclipse
Yes.  May, 1970 and probably more.  I’ve been around for a long time.

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
As many as I can.  I prefer them at the beach. 

31. Hit a home run
Yep!  Softball’s the game.

32. Been on a cruise
Nope.  Unless you count a boat ride up the Rhine. Hubby and I are planning on one next year.  I’m so excited!

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
That’s on my bucket list.

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
I’ve been to England and Germany, but not Ireland or Scotland.  Oh, and I’ve been to Oden and Grapevine, Arkansas!  We’re an interesting family. 

35. Seen an Amish community
That’s on my bucket list as well.

36. Taught yourself a new language
I had four years of Spanish.  Didn’t teach myself anything.  Learned a few words of Italian.  Ciao, baby! 

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
Is this possible?  Am I fortunate?  Absolutely.  I am way more fortunate than I deserve to be.
 
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
I have.  Last Spring.  It was freshly cleaned and beautiful.

39. Gone rock climbing
I’ve climbed over lots of rocks in my day…not sure that is what this means:) 

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person
I have! Amazing.  Unbelievable.  You just can’t imagine how beautiful he is unless you have stood at his feet.

41. Sung karaoke
On Bourbon Street in New Orleans in a little Irish bar.  And I wasn’t even drinking:)

42. Seen Old Faithful erupt
On THE  bucket list.

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
I have.  It was a “paying it forward” type of thing.  I wish I were more generous all of the time.

44. Visited Africa
My bucket list is really long.  I need to win a gazillion bucks and live to be 200!
 
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
Are you kidding me??:??  I am THE original beach bum! 

46. Been transported in an ambulance
Not a happy memory.

47. Had your portrait painted
Yes.  Liz Powers painted one of me and Perfect Daughter when Daughter was 5.  It hangs in my bedroom.

48. Gone deep sea fishing
Yes. Only three times.  The last time was the ONLY time I have ever experienced seasickness. YUK!

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
Yes.  Last Spring.  It was AMAZING.  We hired a private guide; it was worth every penny.  Euro???

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
See Number 12

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
I’m a certified open water diver…just don’t get to go.   Last time was years ago at Little Cayman.   I’m adding the Great Barrier Reef to my bucket list.
 
52. Kissed in the rain
I’ve been married 40 years; I’ll take those kisses whenever I can get them.
 
53. Played in the mud
My favorite place to play!

54. Gone to a drive-in theater
The only theater we had when I was growing up was a drive-in; of course, I have been!  I watched The Ten Commandments sitting on the hood of a 57 Chevy!
 
55. Been in a movie
Home movie, yes?  Anything that paid me , nope!
 
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
I need to get a bigger bucket! 

57. Started a business
My mom got me in the cake decorating business…didn’t want to be there…soon quit.  Best business decision that I have ever made.

58. Taken a martial arts class
Should I?  Do you know something that I don’t?

59. Visited Russia
Bucket list again.

60. Served at a soup kitchen
Yes.  Everybody should.
 
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
Yes.  Everybody’s mom has.

62. Gone whale watching
Yes.  Somebody forgot to invite the whales.

63. Got flowers for no reason
Yes.  Hubby is the best!

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
Have tried.  Can’t.  I’ve always been short on hemoglobin myself.
 
65. Been sky diving
I sooooooooo want to.  My family would kill me if I survived.

66. Visited a Concentration Camp Have I mentioned that I have a bucket list?

67. Bounced a check
Let’s don’t drag out the dirty laundry, shall we?
 
68. Flown in a helicopter
Yes.  Toured Kauai via helicopter.  Highly recommend it.  Did the same with the Grand Canyon.  Amazing is too simple an adjective for that experience.

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
I had a younger sister; I didn’t get to save any toys!

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
Yes, and it is certainly impressive.

71. Eaten caviar
Yum!  I really like the stuff…just can’t afford much of it:) 

72. Pieced a quilt
Nope.  But….. I actually have a quilt that my grandfather made for me when I was a baby.  It’s a treasure.

73. Stood in Times Square  Yes, but never on New Year’s Eve.  I love NYC! 

74. Toured the Everglades
Been there but have not actually “toured.”  I bet it’s a phenomenal adventure.

75. Been fired from a job (only if being laid off counts?)
Nope.  Thank you very much!

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
I have.  The Queen and I are close:)

77. Broken a bone
Yes.  Same bone in both feet... Not at the same time.  I waited for the first one to get finally healed before deciding to break the other one.   Am I clumsy or what? (Hubby says that I was just trying to get out of aerobics!)  Also, both of my little toes….I’m definitely a klutz!

78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
Yep.  Wrecked.  Need I say anything else?

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
Yes.  By helicopter and by boat. Still in total awe that God could do that!

80. Published a book
It depends on how you define “ book.”
 
81. Visited the Vatican
Yes.  I highly recommend it.  Absolutely unbelievable. Ol’ Mich really outdid himself with that one.

82. Bought a brand new car Have I told you how old I am?  I won’t either.  Needless to say, we’ve bought several new cars during our wedded bliss.  The newest one arrived last Spring…lovin’ it, too.

83. Walked in Jerusalem
Stick that one on the Bucket List!
 
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
Yes.  And it WAS NOT for the Most Wanted list either!

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve
Yuk!
 
86. Visited the White House
Yes.  Thanks Lindsay for the tour:)

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
Well, does killing the old red rooster from my grandmother’s henhouse count?

88. Had chickenpox
Almost died from them at 6 months.

89. Saved someone’s life
Sort of.  I pulled someone out of a swimming pool who was having a heart attack.
 
90. Sat on a jury
Nobody would pick me.  They don’t want lawyer’s or judge’s wives on juries.  Trust me on this one. 

91. Met someone famous
Bill Clinton.  Dale Bumpers.  Barbara Walters.  Mickey Mouse.  Do any of those count?

92. Joined a book club
Depends on how you define “book club.” 

93. Got a tattoo
Not yet.

94. Had a baby
One.  I stopped with perfection.

95. Seen the Alamo in person
Yes.  Can’t say that I was overly impressed.  San Antonio is fantastic however.
 
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
Seen it.  Didn’t feel the need to swim it. How awful would that be?
 
97. Been involved in a law suit
Not intentionally. Don’t get any ideas either.

 
98. Owned a cell phone
Are you kidding me? That’s like asking me if I ever breathe.
 
99. Been stung by a bee
I am, after all, a country girl.

100. Tell us where you were born
I was born in Sheridan, Arkansas during a December snowstorm.  I’ve hated the cold ever since:)

Okay, so I’m tagging:
Linda at The Boys and Me
Fawn at Instead of the Dishes
Kathy at Life in the Slow
Sam at My Carolina Kitchen
Jody at Miss Fancy Pants 

FAVORITE POST OF THE WEEK

It’s time for our weekly meme, “Favorite Post of the Week.”  Post the post that you most enjoyed writing or that you thought to be the most interesting.  Let us know about others that you read by leaving a comment.

I’m enjoying getting to know you; please keep spreading the word.

FAVORITE POST OF THE WEEK

 

Beginning this week, Arkansas Bloggers are being asked to select one of their posts to link to “Favorite Post of the Week.”  Hopefully, this will encourage all of us to visit a few of the posts created by other Arkansas Bloggers.  I hope that you will leave a comment on those blogs that you do visit and encourage others to visit your blogs as well.  Please help spread the word.

Our beautiful spring weather has arrived.  Please feel free to send me your Arkansas spring pictures.  I will be happy to post those on our blog.

FAVORITE POST OF THE WEEK

ARKANSAS BLOGGER LINK UP

PLEASE REMEMBER TO LIST YOUR LOCATION WHEN YOU ENTER YOUR BLOG WITH MISTER LINKY.  THANKS.

Beginning the week of April 5, we will begin a weekly posting of our favorite posts of the week.  I will have Mister Linky up by the Monday of each week for you to add in your favorite.

Please help spread the word.  If you could contact the blog listed below yours in the blogger meme, that would be great!!!  If you can’t, no problem.  I will be trying to get in touch with everyone as well.

I promise that I am working on an organizational plan so that everyone can be listed by location.  It may have to wait until summer when I am off from school, however.

I think it’s trying to be Spring…although someone told me today that there are snow flurries predicted for NWA this weekend:(

TWITTER CHANGE

I changed our Twitter address.  Please come follow at the new one.  The button is posted on the sidebar.  Thanks.

Please be sure to give your hometown when you link up your blog with Mister Linky.  Our little group is growing:)

Come Join the Arkansas Bloggers

  If you are an Arkansas Blogger, or have a heart for Arkansas, please join our group.  Link your blog up with Mister Linky below by posting your name and the name of your blog and your location or hometown. (EX:  Debbie @ Dining With Debbie Benton.

Eventually, the list will be organized by location.  If you have any suggestions for the blog, please let me know.

Grab the button and link from the sidebar to post to your blog if you want.

I hope it is obvious that this list cannot be used for any solicitation or commercial purposes.  The intent is just to let Arkansas Bloggers connect with one another for entertainment purposes.  Please respect that.  Thanks.

Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

Thanks to Kathy at Life in the Slow Lane for designing our logo and blog design.