If you've followed any of our online goodies this week, you know we've been celebrating grandmas from all over...many of you have shared your own memories here on our blog and on our Page on Facebook.
Makes sense that today's Featured Friday is a grandma, then right? Of course!
Tina George has been blogging for less than a year but she's already one of our favorites...we know you'll love all the recipes she shares, not to mention the cute pictures of her grandkids! Allow us to introduce you to...
We asked Tina to share a little bit about herself and she was gracious enough to share the answers below...enjoy!
Tell us a little about yourself, your family and where you live.
I am a wife, mother and Gramma! My husband, Rick and I have been married for 21 yrs. We have a blended family of 7 children and 9 grandchildren...some of which we aren't able to see very often. I enjoy spending time with and caring for my family. I also spend a lot of time with my mother..she is very important to me and has been the greatest role model. She, along with my children, inspire me to be the person I am today.
During my spare time, (haha...what's that?) I enjoy cooking, crafting and reading home decor/craft magazines and cookbooks. I spend some of my time on Facebook connecting with childhood friends and friends I've made from traveling while my husband was in the military. I also make time for blogging and reading my blogger friends pages, who have also inspired me to craft more and redecorate my home! (I didn't know that blogging could be so expensive! haha)
I have lived in South Arkansas for about 15 yrs now. I've enjoyed living here, but would like to move further north one day to be able to enjoy the four seasons. I love snow and we rarely get any here. Before living here we were stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Living there was one of the greatest experiences for my family. There was so much to do and see!
What originally inspired you to start blogging?
Those that know me, know that I love to talk! And I also enjoy writing. So I thought that I could do both by blogging. While reading other bloggers posts and comments, I noticed how they communicate with each other. I thought that this would be a great opportunity to make new friends too!
What's the best thing to happen because of your blog?
Oh my! The friends that I have made! I love the people that I have followed and those that follow me. You can not have a bad day when you keep in touch with these friends! They won't let you!!!
We know you're a big fan of Gooseberry Patch recipes (check out that cookbook collection!) and we loved when you posted 25 days of our recipes leading up to Christmas!
What's one of YOUR most requested recipes?
No doubt....it's my Layered Potatoes! Every time I make them I get so many compliments. I was told recently that I needed to patent them! It's a recipe that I just threw together one night about 8 years ago and we've been enjoying them ever since. I don't think I've submitted this recipe to Gooseberry Patch because I don't measure any of the ingredients...I just add it until it looks good. But I'll try...
Layered Potatoes
1 medium potato per person, boiled and cut in to 1 1/2 inch cubes. Put half the potatoes in a microwave safe serving bowl. Add 2 Tablespoons (per person) of margarine on top of potatoes. (My family and friends love extra butter, so I always add more!) Sprinkle Real Bacon Bits over potatoes until covered. Sprinkle Seasoned Croutons over Bacon Bits, single layer, until covered. Lay slices of American cheese of top of croutons until completely covered. Repeat another layer, holding out some potatoes for the top. After second layer of cheese slices, add potatoes and more margarine. Then I pop it in the microwave to melt the butter and cheese for approx 5 minutes. Serve with 1000 Island or Ranch dressing, which is optional.
Here's another recipe from Tina that we love...it's included in our book, Sunday Dinner at Grandma's!
Hannah's Lemon Bars
For crust:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
For filling:
3 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 TBSP all-purpose flour
1/4 cup lemon juice
Add'l powdered sugar to sprinkle on top
Combine flour, sugar, and butter; pat in to a greased 13X9X2 in baking pan. (I used a glass dish..seems to bake better) Bake at 350* for 20 minutes. In a bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, flour and lemon juice until frothy; pour over the hot crust. Bake at 350* for 20 - 25 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Dust with powder sugar. Cut in to squares. Makes about 3 to 4 dozen small squares. But I cut them bigger, so it only makes about 2 dozen!
How did you get your start in the kitchen?
I spent a lot of time in the kitchen with my momma helping her prepare meals. She rarely used recipes; she would just know what she needed to make the meal taste good. She also taught me how to measure with my hand...a pinch, a dash, teaspoon, tablespoon, etc.
Over the years, I've learned what my family liked and disliked, so like my momma, I would know what ingredients I needed to make the meal taste good for them!
Aside from family and friends and your sweet little pup, Tila...
What are 5 things you just can't live without?
- My Faith in God is number one! Where would I be without Him?
- My family heirlooms...grandma's quilts, family recipes, wooden bowls, family photos and more.
- My cookbooks! I own 69 Gooseberry Patch cookbooks, all of the Taste of Home, Best of Country Cooking, and Country Woman Christmas and MANY others!
- My computer because I must communicate with others!
- My car since I'm on the go ALL the time!
- And can I list a 6th and 7th one? My camera and cell phone since I am always taking pictures or needing to call somebody!
Tell us something that no one would guess about you.
Oh Lordy, I'm about to let the cat out of the bag! I love to sing and dance but I'm not so good at either one...so when I'm home alone I turn up the music, pick up a candle holder for my microphone and away I go!
Sounds like fun to us, Tina...thanks so much for sharing today and for all the goodies you post on your blog. Keep up the good work...we'll be reading!
If these recipes sounded tasty to you, this is just the beginning. Click here to browse all of Tina's posts...you're sure to find a new dish to try or at least find a sweet smile in one of her family photos!
Tune in next Friday for something a little different. Don't worry, we'll still be featuring our favorite bloggers from time to time (Have a good one? Post a link in the comments!) but we'll also be having a few new kinds of fun on Fridays coming up...you're gonna love it!
Share today's Featured Friday with a friend...just click the button below!
