An Oconee Christmas is a light-hearted look at The Night Before Christmas with a German Santa (in honor of Walhalla) pulled by eight Clemson Tigers instead of reindeer. Children 2 to 92 will love this one! Read More…
Bill and Ann Coogler
My life with Bill Coogler has been a patchwork of treasured memories. It was an easy time, not without problems, but a time to reflect on our lives and enjoy each other. Bill had luck with cards, raffles, and drawings, but he had blessings with family, friends, and his faith in God.
Bill was tender, he gave me ‘month- a- versary’ flowers on the 26th of every month to celebrate
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“You just don’t know what you’ll get with the weather when an outdoor wedding is in March,” the caterer warned me. I was in the planning stages for the groom’s dinner to take place the night before the wedding. Thankfully, that part of the festivities were indoors. However, I was anxious about the entire weekend’s weather forecast. Read More→
Here’s a comfort meal that the bridal couple can put together and leave on low in a crockpot. Add some extra water if left to cook all day. I pick Mikey Mike to do the dishes, with a little help from that other cute girl in the house, Miss Sadie, the white Maltese. Miss Sadie only has eyes for Michael and the food which might fall from his hand to her mouth! Read More→
If you know me very well, you know that I’m the Queen of Lazy when it comes to cooking. Exposure to the kitchen is cruel and unusual punishment. My valentine, Bill Coogler, used to stand and look at me with a shocked expression when I got in a cooking mood. One day, I decided to do pie crusts from scratch. He picked up the phone and called my daughter in Clinton. “Stephanie, I have to tell you what’s going on. Your mother is making pie crusts from scratch with a rolling pin.” Immediately Stephanie replied, “take her picture, then take her temperature.”
When I am in a cooking mood I do pretty well. Below is my attempt at an abbreviated recipe. When my soon to be daughter-in-law comes home from a hard day as a nurse, Michael Massey better have this ready for her, or at least treat her on the weekend. This is how it goes my young son:
Needed: White Lily Frozen Biscuits, strawberry Jelly, butter, artificial sweetener or sugar, Cool Whip. Preheat oven: 375 and bake the number of biscuits needed 24 mins.
When done, Spread with butter, sprinkle with sweetener then spread with jelly, spoon presweetened strawberries over the biscuits, top with Cool Whip and serve.
Enjoy!
LOVE IN A MUG AND ONE MORE RECIPE
Pat Huggins, Seneca, SC
A former teaching colleague and a rabid Clemson Alum!
Pat and I have used these recipes to try to change the DNA of our Gamecock friends to no avail. My granddaughters, Faith, Joy, Emily and Sara enjoy making this with me. There are some in the family who don’t want to help, but stick around for the ‘pot scraping.’
FIRESIDE COFFEE MIX
2 c non-dairy coffee creamer
1 ½ c hot cocoa mix
1 ½ c instant decaf coffee
1 ½ c sugar
1 t. ground cinnamon
½ t. ground nutmeg
Combine all ingredients, mixing well. Store mixture in an airtight container. Yield: 6 ½ cups mix.
NOTE: To make one cup, spoon 2 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. (or 5 tsp.) of coffee mix in a cup. Add 1 cup boiling water, stir until blended. When doubling this recipe, triple the cinnamon and nutmeg.
Tiger Butter
Melt one lb. white chocolate pieces. Stir in ½ cup extra crunchy peanut butter. While you’re spreading that mixture into a greased (or sprayed) jelly roll pan, melt one 6 0z. pkg. semi-sweet chocolate pieces. When melted drag chocolate thru peanut butter mix to resemble stripes. Chill until set. Break into pieces. Store in a cool place. Tastes like a Reese’s cup.
NOTE: I also use the bottom of my broiler pan to put the mix in.
Warning: These are addictive no matter what team you pull for!
A Christmas tradition: Sara and Emily Coogler create Tiger Butter. They are Ole Miss Rebels!
My son’s getting married soon. His soon to be Mrs. is sweet as pie. I’m compiling a book of family recipes for her. These are tried and true cooking experiences from family and close friends. Mike, my hungry son, needs nourishment. Read More→
The audition was in a few moments. Maybe this year, I’ll have a chance. I desperately wanted to sing the Morning Star solo in our church’s Christmas pageant. I’m tired of always playing an angel. I hate that itchy costume. Read More→
Billy Coogler III walked deep into the West Virginia woods in search of a suitable Christmas tree for the Springhill YMCA. The smell of cedar and pine pierced the cold air. After the prize was removed from the forest floor, the sounds of laughter filled the hallways as the youth trimmed the mighty cedar. Read More→
I’m rich in memories of the people in my life who celebrated holidays with me. I’d like to reminisce with you during the advent season. Have you got some fond Christmas memories you’d like to share? I’d love to read yours also. Read More→
I’m thankful this year for many reasons but none more important than being thankful for my two children. Some years ago my oldest, Stephanie wrote a letter to me telling me why she was thankful that I am her mother. I found some of these humorous: Read More→
The time I share with my sister, Jean, is very precious. We both enjoy the beach so another trip to Edisto Island, aka paradise, was in the cards—or shall we say Scrabble Board. There was plenty of in-house sibling rivalry over Scrabble games. A hint of cool salty breezes at night and the last gasp of summer during the day, made the week of October 12-19 delicious. Read More→
