Paula Deen Buffet Review

I love me some Paula Deen Ya'll! For me she is fun to watch and reminds me of great times in the kitchen. I don't currently have The Food Network on cable so I can not watch her shows (which makes me sad) but I do catch her online from time to time if I need my Paula fix. I watch her more often during this time of year because I get bit by the cooking bug.
I have never been to any of her restaurants but heard they were pretty good. (Depending on what you ordered). My Aunt visited us recently and we took her to Tunica, MS, for a day to visit, play poker and eat at Paula Deen's Buffet. I decided to write a review of what I found.
Before we left on our mini roadtrip, I read several reviews, some good and some not so good about this buffet. My stance on buffets is this: You eat way too much, it is usually overpriced and the food is not as good.
I must say when I first walked up to the restaurant I was pleasantly surprised since they had already decorated for Christmas. It put me in a kid-like mood and I wanted to decorate a Christmas tree. :D

So many items to buy in the gift shop. I did end up purchasing a magnet. I collect magnets from all the places I visit simply because they are small, easy to carry and usually inexpensive. This particular magnet also featured a recipe from Paula for Gingerbread Cookies. Yum!
After the nice hostess seated us, we put in our drink order (sweet tea with a sprig of fresh mint-very classy) and it was off to the buffet.
So much food to choose from: Salad bar, seafood bar, home cookin' (ham, potatoes, veggies, cornbread, etc.), BBQ and meat station and of course a dessert station. There was no way I could try everything but I did get a nice sample.
I started with a small salad then headed over to the shrimp.  The shrimp was very tasty as were the onion rings and okra.

The next plate included baked ham, mashed potatoes with a mushroom cheese sauce (don't even get me started on how good this was), and green beans. All very tasty. One thing I did notice is how all of the food was seasoned very well. Most buffets do not salt or season food a lot due to the variety of clientele (many people can not have salt, etc.) but not Paula! She allows true seasoning of food. I guess if you are going to any restaurant featuring Paula's food you are taking your life into your own hands in regards to calories and salt consumption. :D

After this I had to roll myself to the dessert section and I chose a apple cake and another type of "gooey" cake that Paula is famous for. Both will knock you out with sugar content but they were both very tasty.

In all I give my visit an A on the score card or 4.5 out of 5. The atmosphere was pleasant  but buffets are buffets. You eat too much and have to roll yourself out of the door. :D This is why I don't eat at buffets often. You feel so full and bad at the end of the meal. Of course, I could simply not eat three plates of food, right? LOL!

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Crock Pot Ham

I love slow cookers and use them often. I was able to purchase a new Crock Pot slow cooker at Target a few weeks back on sale. Got a great 7 qrt cooker for under $30. Great deal in my opinion. Crock Pot is a great brand so I felt comfortable knowing that this purchase will last a while. The pot was exactly what I wanted (the interior comes completely out of unit for easy cleaning and storage) and it also is large enough to hold large cuts of meat.

 The first meal made in my new cooker was a ham with cranberry and pineapple glaze. It was excellent. I am providing the recipe for all to enjoy.

Crock Pot Ham with Cranberry and Pineapple Glaze

1 Ham, 8-10 lbs
1 can pineapple chunks, large, undrained
1 can cranberry sauce with whole cranberries
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 large orange, sliced into rings

Place ham face down in cooker. Add pineapple chunks and juice, cranberry sauce, and brown sugar. Place orange rings around the ham. Cook on low for 7-8 hours.

Comes out fork tender, sweet and full of flavor. Definitely on my winter menu.

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A Day on Beale Street

It is hard to think about Memphis, TN, and not think about the famous Beale Street. From music to food, Beale offers a lot to tourists and locals alike. I had the pleasure of spending a sunny Sunday afternoon with my family on Beale. We had tickets to the musical Memphis and we were able to grab a quick bite to eat prior to the play. We decided to try Blues City Cafe.

Blues City Cafe

The first thing I noticed was all of the Elvis Presley paraphernalia hanging around the cafe. Of course this restaurant is known for Elvis's impromptu concert trying to persuade Sam Phillips to sign him to Sun Records.
The menu had a few selections to choose from. Most were from the fried side of life. I ordered the chicken tenders dinner while the hubs ordered The Best Meal on Beale (ribs, catfish beans and fries)

The Best Meal on Beale

Chicken Tenders Dinner

Both meals were good. My chicken was tender and served with a honey mustard sauce. The fries were hot and crispy so I was a happy camper. A few other items featured on this menu consisted of tamales, catfish, steaks and various apps.

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Review: YoLo Frozen Yogurt

YoLo Frozen Yogurt Review

A couple of weeks ago I was in Jackson, TN, visiting family and decided to swing by a local yogurt shop. I found on called YoLo. It looked great because it also specializes in gelato. (For those who do not know what gelato is, it is basically a creamy ice cream. Very thick like a frozen custard.) I approve 100%!
I walked into the store and the employees were excellent. Very nice, helpful and willing to give me the 411 on the store. One gentlemen had just made a batch of pumpkin spice gelato that he eagarly wanted me to sample. One bite and I was hooked. I ordered a large pumpkin spice gelato with a side of salted caramel gelato for a flavor rush. I also was looking to go into sugar shock.

Though the staff, gelato and surroundings were great, I did go into a sticker shock on the purchase price. $6.00 for this fun filled experience. So I would not go back again without a coupon backup but I will go back. We have several stores in Memphis so I will make my way back soon.

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Goal List Update

I am still trying to complete my goal list. I was able to download and learn a new song for the piano. October done :D One of my favorite songs is by Enya: Flora's Secret. I walked down to it at my wedding. Or at least attempted to. The CD would not play the song correctly. However, it is a beautiful song and great for the piano. Enjoy...

Flora's Secret

Lyrics

Lovers in the long grass
Look above them
Only they can see
Where the clouds are going
Only to discover
Dust and sunlight
Ever make the sky so blue

Afternoon is hazy
River flowing
All around the sounds
Moving closer to them
Telling them the story
Told by Flora
Dreams they never knew

Silver willows
Tears from Persia
Those who come
>From a far-off island
Winter Chanterelle lies
under cover
Glory-of-the-sun in blue

Some they know as passion
Some as freedom
Some they know as love
And the way it leaves them
Summer brought snowflake
For a season
When the sky above is blue
When the sky above is blue

Lying in the long grass
Close beside her
Giving her the name
Of the one the moon loves
This will be the day she
Will remember
When she knew his heart
Was
Loving in the long grass
Close beside her
Whispering of love
And the way it leaves
Lying in the long grass
In the sunlight
They believe it's true love
And from all around them
Flora's secret
Telling them of love
And the way it breathes
And
Looking up from eyes of
Amaranthine
They can see the sky
Is blue
Knowing that their love
Is true
dreams they never knew
And the sky above is blue

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FoodBuzz Featured Publisher

I am very happy to say I am officially a FoodBuzz Featured Publisher. What is this you ask? I am apart of a blogger community that writes about food, reviews restaurants, etc. and I get to share my blog with others on FoodBuzz.com. I also get to participate in events, dinner parties (theme of my choice), and much more! I am very excited to get rolling. If you have not heard about FoodBuzz, please be sure to check them out and join the community! You do not have to host a blog in order to join. You can upload recipes and view recipes as well without creating a blog.

I will try and do better about posting recipes and pics soon. I have family coming into town Saturday and loads of school work this week so that has tied me up. Frozen pizzas, leftovers and quick dips have been our meals as of late. So not much cooking/baking going on in the Lee household. You should see something Sunday or Monday for sure. Thanks for following!

Coming Soon:
1. Thanksgiving Dinner Early (Ham with Pineapple/Cranberry Glaze, Vegetarian Dressing, Citrus Sweet Potato Casserole)
2. Cherry Creamscicle-My own take of "jello fluff" in a glass. Made with Rum, Amaretto, Grenadine, pineapple juice and whipped cream-of course a cherry on top :D
3. Autumn Wine-Red wine, apple cider, simple syrup with cinnamon and ginger, oranges and sliced apples
4. Restaurant Reviews-Paula Deen Buffet (Tunica); Rendezvous (Memphis)

XOXO
Crystal :D

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Pumpkin Topiary

I love making each day "special" in its own way. The month of October, my favorite month of the year, has great meaning for me. Fall is officially here and making its presence known by giving us cooler weather and beautiful foliage.You see pumpkins in the stores and on the farms for sale. I feel "crafty" this time of year so I try to stay clear of Hobby Lobby (I spend way too much money there!) :D
One of my little quirks is keeping up with the special days in each  month. For example, today, Oct 6, is the day that Thomas Edison showed the first motion picture.
The month of October is also National Apple Month, National Dessert Month, and National Pizza Month. YUMMO to all!
Of course, let's not forget Halloween at the end of the month. I loved Halloween growing up. I had parties, wore crazy costumes (even sewed a few of my own costumes as a teen-told you I was crafty this time of year!)
Here is a pic from a few years ago when I worked at J State: :D I had spray in my hair, but at the rate of grey growing now a days, I might look like that sooner rather than later. :D

 There are also week long observances. This week we are in the middle of American Craft Week. So here is a craft made just for my Fall obsession.

Pumpkin Topiary

3 artificial pumpkins and color and arranging in size
1 wooden dowel (about 1/2" thick)
Self sticking sequins
Paint (if needed to change color of pumpkins)
Paint brushes (various sizes)
1 silver paint pen
Spanish Moss-any color
A cake plate or crystal bowl
Small handsaw or knife (to remove stems from pumpkins)


Quick Directions:
1. Cut off stems from the larger two pumpkins
2. On the large pumpkin, I painted a spider web with the silver paint pen.
3. I attached sequin spiders on top of the painted spiderweb (after it dried of course)
4. On the second pumpkin, using my silver paint pen, I drew a basic harlequin design then painted in using silver paint. Let dry.
5. Filled the bowl or cake plate will moss.
6. Sit the large pumpkin on bottom
7. Using wooden dowel, insert into large pumpkin the "skewer" all the way through (sometimes it is easier to start a hole in the pumpkin using a small knife or scissors.
8. Firmly place the second pumpkin on dowel and push all the way down, repeat for third and final pumpkin
9. Place moss around the attached pumpkins as shown.

ISIS is checking it out, not sure if she approves yet or not. :D

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