The first post

This may come as a surprise, but I have never "blogged" before. This just started as a bright idea because I have many things that I would like to share with friends and family who are all over the country. What kind of things you say? Well, I am a master of many trades! I love to cook, write, paint, take pictures and make all sorts of fun things.

I guess I should say a bit about myself, shouldn't I? I just graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with two degrees, one in special education with a specialization in emotional and behavior disorders. The other in elementary education. I can't wait to actually find a teaching job, but that hasn't happened yet. Right now I am working for a company called RESCARE. I help adults who have disabilities.

I live in Kentucky. I love it here. I am stuck somewhere between the city and the country, by heart is torn between both. But someday, I long to see [and take pictures of] most of our major national parks. The first one I want to see is Denali in Fairbanks, Alaska. I really couldn't tell you why I want to see Alaska so much, I just do. I have since I was a little girl.

Anywho, I wanted to share a recipe with you in this first post. Please be aware that I am not a fancy cook. Nor do I follow cup measurements. I usually throw things together until they taste or look right. Be that as it may, I want to share anyway. I think its fun to share recipes because even across the country or counties the culture can be so different. Sometimes its fun to mix things up! Also, this was the first time I ever made a meatloaf, and it turned out wonderful. I am bragging, I was pretty darn proud of myself. [This makes A LOT, just so you know]

MEATLOAF:
3 pounds ground chuck
3-4 eggs
2 cups crushed crackers
2 cups breadcrumbs
cumin
chili powder [who knows how much I put in of these!]
3 table spoons chopped garlic [you can get it in the refrig. section at grocery store. Its great]
1 pound chopped onion [save a little onion and pepper for sauce on top]
2 large chopped green peppers
2 cans condensed tomato soup
dried parsley

Meat needs to be thawed before starting. Once thawed, layer ingredients together in the pan you want to cook it in and mix with your hands. I do it in layers, because it is too much to do at one time. I made 2 pans of meatloaf from this recipe, you may get more of less if you adjust your meat level.

SAUCE:
1 bottle of ketchup
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
garlic salt
cumin
chili powder
maple syrup
The remainder of onions and peppers

Bake meatloaf uncovered @ 350 for 35 minutes. Check to see if it has browned. Spoon sauce onto meatloaf and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 more minutes. Uncover, bake for 10-15 more minutes until sauce is a deep red color. [Remember times vary. Cook meat until it is finished!]

So, I hope that perhaps some of you will try this [and love it]! Don't be stingy with cumin, it is a great spice! It adds smoke, without adding heat.

My only word of advice today is...

"Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today"- Mark Twain