Good news!

Hey, I just got an email from Martin at Bob's Your Uncle announcing the release of their new book, Dinosaur Soup, which features Gracie's recipe for making cookies. Can't wait to see it & share it with ya'll!
Bob's Your Uncle is a Boston, Massachusetts based paper goods company founded by Martin & Michele Yeeles in 2001. Originally from England, they moved to the States in 1993 “just for a year or two” and have been in Boston ever since. Martin is a graphic designer, Michele a former shoe designer.

Just so you know...“Bob's your uncle” is a British expression used to indicate that a given task is very simple. Possibly inspired by Victorian Prime Minister, Robert Cecil, who appointed his nephew to a ministerial post, therefore to have Bob as your uncle has a guarantee of success. It is often used immediately following a set of simple instructions and roughly carries the same meaning as the phrase "and there you have it." For example, "Simply put a piece of ham between two slices of bread, and Bam! Bob’s your uncle!”.

Too funny, huh? It's so nice to have an Uncle Bob~

Mom's Chicken and Dumplings

My mom was a fabulous cook.  She was one of those cooks who measured by a "pinch" of this and a "dab" of that. We were after her all the time for more precise measurements.  "How much, mom? How much?"  It's really hard to duplicate those pinch and dab recipes, so I really never tried to make her delicious chicken and dumplings.

My sister and I were down home a couple of weeks ago for some Papa time. Tracy came across multiple copies of mom's handwritten recipe with actual measurements. What a find!

Sometimes in the struggle of juggling work, baby, house, bills, school and just life alone...I miss my mom. She was the great encourager when it came to tackling life as it comes and making the most of every situation. "You can do it! I know you can!" Despite the petty criticisms most daughters endure with our moms, I always knew that if she believed in me, I would be ok!

It was one of those days; one of those weeks missing mom.  Then I remembered the recipe for chicken and dumplings. I pulled it out and in one hour, viola~ I have mom's homemade chicken and dumplings. Delicious! Not only did it make me feel closer to mom, but Gracie helped me cook. She's a quick study, learning the best part of cooking is stirring, then licking the spoon. She did a great job rolling out the dough and my fingers. It was a memory cherished and a memory made with my little girl. The dumplings were yummy.  They weren't quite as good as mom's, but we are on our way.  I talked to Tracy this week. Guess what she made over the weekend?  Yes, she made mom's chicken and dumplings.

So for those of you who want a good southern chicken and dumpling recipe, I am happy to share this one. No family secrets here! Mom loved to share her recipes and goodies with others. I plan to fix a batch for the neighbors soon. Enjoy!

Nellie's Chicken and Dumplings

In medium size bowl, beat 1 egg well. Add 1 cup chicken broth, 1 TBS melted butter or margarine and 1 1/4 tsp salt, mixing well. Gradually add 2 cups all purpose flour. Mix well. Dough will be stiff and sticky. Add more flour if needed. Divide into thirds. Roll out onto well floured surface to about 1/8 in thick. Cut into desired size, shape dumpling. Drop into 6-8 cups of HOT (boiling) chicken broth in large pot. Use fork to separate dumpling and keep them from sticking to each other while dropping into the pot. Leave on high heat until bubbly then turn down to low. Cover and cook until done. Add cooked, de-boned chicken to dumplings. Shortcut: use canned chicken broth. Uncooked dumplings can be frozen for future use. Enjoy!