Oh my gosh! I love these!! If you are in charge of bringing a dessert to Thanksgiving Dinner next week, these are great ” make ahead” bars that are yummy!  Here’s the recipe.

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 cup unsalted butter
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup toffee-and-chocolate baking pieces (such as Heath or Skor)

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Combine the flour, confectioners’ sugar, and butter in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until a crumbly dough is formed. Press the dough firmly into a greased 9-by-13-inch pan. Bake until just golden, about 13 minutes.

Whisk together the condensed milk, egg, and vanilla. Pour the filling over the baked crust. Sprinkle the pecans, chocolate chips, and toffee pieces evenly over the filling. Bake until the filling is set, the edges are golden brown, and the toffee is melted, about 25 minutes.
Cool completely in the refrigerator, about 2 hours. Cut into 32 bars.

PS: Make sure you have plenty of milk!

Have you ever really been hungry? I’m not talking about skipping lunch hungry, or diet hungry – I mean really missing meals because you have no way possible to provide food for yourself or your family.  Right here in our area one in four children is at risk of hunger? One in five adults is at risk and one in seven seniors is malnourished.  Statistics like these should alarm you.   This is not a third world country we live in, this is the land of plenty. There is no reason for anyone in here to go to bed hungry tonight . . . but some will.  The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas is doing everything possible to put food in the hands of the hungry.  This year though, the need is greater than ever.  In fact, the demand is so great, we are nearing a hunger crisis.   That’s why this Thursday KAIT and the Jonesboro Radio Group are partnering with the Food Bank to collect food donations. Again.  I know we just came to you in September asking for the same thing.  And I know there have been other food drive activities as well.  But, with the demand, it hasn’t been enough.  Please help us.  Again.   We’ll be set up at Bill’s Fresh Market at Hilltop in Jonesboro all day Thursday.   Bring your food donations.  Bring your money to be given to the Food Bank.  Let’s work together..again to Fill the Food Bank for the holidays. 

It’s country music’s biggest night tonight as the CMA Awards air on KAIT at 7pm.  Make sure you watch closely for The Fox commercial that will air tonight during the broadcast. Make a note of the time you see it because it could win you some really cool prizes in the morning with Stafford and Frigo. Here’s a list of the nominees. This years award winners were tough for me to pick because I love them all, but ultimately I was forced to choose. My picks are in BOLD.  Leave your comments below with your picks!

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Kenny Chesney
• Brad Paisley
• George Strait
• Taylor Swift
• Keith Urban

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Miranda Lambert
• Martina McBride
• Reba McEntire
• Taylor Swift
• Carrie Underwood

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

• Kenny Chesney
• Brad Paisley
• Darius Rucker
• George Strait
• Keith Urban

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR

• Randy Houser
• Jamey Johnson
• Jake Owen
• Darius Rucker
• Zac Brown Band

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR

• Eagles
• Lady Antebellum
• Little Big Town
• Rascal Flatts
• Zac Brown Band

VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR

• Big & Rich
• Brooks & Dunn
• Joey + Rory
• Montgomery Gentry
• Sugarland

SINGLE OF THE YEAR

(Award goes to Artist and Producer)

• “Chicken Fried” - Zac Brown Band
• “I Run To You” - Lady Antebellum
• “In Color” - Jamey Johnson
• “People Are Crazy” - Billy Currington
• “Then” - Brad Paisley

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

(Award goes to Artist and Producer)

• American Saturday Night - Brad Paisley
• Defying Gravity - Keith Urban
• Fearless - Taylor Swift
• Love On The Inside - Sugarland
• That Lonesome Song - Jamey Johnson

SONG OF THE YEAR

(Award goes to Songwriter(s))

• “Chicken Fried” - Zac Brown/Wyatt Durrette
• “I Told You So” - Randy Travis
• “In Color” - Jamey Johnson/Lee Thomas Miller/James Otto
• “People Are Crazy” - Bobby Braddock/Troy Jones
• “Then” - Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Ashley Gorley

MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR

(Award goes to each Artist)

• “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” - Brooks & Dunn featuring Reba McEntire
• “Down The Road” - Kenny Chesney (with Mac McAnally)
• “Everything But Quits” - Lee Ann Womack (duet with George Strait)
• “I Told You So” - Carrie Underwood featuring Randy Travis
• “Old Enough” - The Raconteurs featuring Ricky Skaggs and Ashley Monroe
• “Start A Band” - Keith Urban and Brad Paisley

MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR

(Award goes to Artist and Director)

• “Boots On” - Randy Houser
• “Love Story” - Taylor Swift
• “People Are Crazy” - Billy Currington
• “Start A Band” - Brad Paisley (duet with Keith Urban)
• “Troubadour” - George Strait

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR

• Eddie Bayers- Drums
• Paul Franklin - Steel Guitar
• Dann Huff - Guitar
• Brent Mason - Guitar
• Mac McAnally - Guitar

Feeling a little bit country, Sony Pictures said Sunday that it will bring Kenny Chesney to movie theaters in April in a limited-engagement concert film, “Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D.”

Director Joe Thomas shot footage during Chesney’s recently concluded Sun City Carnival concert tour. The film will be released through Sony’s new business unit, the Hot Ticket, established to bring cultural and entertainment events to digital theaters.

Chesney has sold more than 35 million records and notched 19 No. 1 hits, including “When the Sun Goes Down,” “Beer in Mexico,” “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven” and “Anything but Mine.”

The 875th will be leaving Jonesboro on Tuesday morning (November 10) to travel to Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin.  We need a BIG SENDOFF for these men and women.  Please line Stadium Blvd Tuesday morning.  Be there NO LATER than 8 o’clock with flags waving, lights flashing, and horns honking.  The busses are expected to travel down Stadium Blvd shortly after 8, probably around 8:15.  Let’s let these men and women know we will remember them while they’re gone!

Tim McGraw stars along Sandra Bullock in the upcoming movie The Blind Side.  Of course you know I never turn down a chance to see Tim McGraw and to see him on the big screen…. well even better.  If you’re unfamiliar with the story line, here’s all you need to know. See you at the movies!

A poor, oversized and under-educated teenager is recruited by a major college football program where he is groomed into an athletically and academically successful NFL prospect. Based on Michael Lewis’ book, “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game.” Written by IMDb editor

“The Blind Side” depicts the remarkable true story of Michael Oher, a homeless African-American youngster from a broken home, taken in by the Touhys, a well-to-do white family who help him fulfill his potential. At the same time, Oher’s presence in the Touhys’ lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. As a football player and student, Oher works hard and, with the help of his coaches and adopted family, becomes an All-American offensive left tackle. In the latest chapter of his inspiring story, Oher was a First Round draft pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, selected by the Baltimore Ravens. The Touhys were there to share the moment with him.

Sorry for the delay in getting these pictures up, but I couldn’t find the cable to upload the photos from my camera. Don’t you hate that?  I have a drawer full of miscellaneous cords that goes to who knows what. I have decided a label maker must go on my Christmas wish list.  Anyway, here are a couple of photos. My husband Jeff and I walked around the costume store for over an hour and couldn’t find a costume we both could agree on as a ” couples” costume, so we decided to make our own.

 I was Octomom and he was Octodad.  I spent $8.68 on 8 baby dolls ( four of the heads fell off by the time the party was over ) their  little outfits stuck wonderfully to a velcro belt. It was funny and got lots of laughs. Jeff says he’s going to continue to wear his specially made tee shirt. He better, it cost me $16 to get Octodad printed on it!  I don’t know how we are going to top that next year. 

And now, the cutest little girl on the planet…my daughter Abbey who went as Alice In Wonderland.  Adorable!!