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Raccoon in the Attic?!

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Raccoons in the attic?!

The tortured life of a young homeowner never ends, and by young I mean broke! Hubby in his usual way of making me laugh proclaimed just yesterday “there are two things that don’t go together….owning a home and being broke”! Putting things into perspective without being overly dramatic I would thank the Lord that we do come up with the funds to fix most issues that come are way… whether it’s an unexpected bonus check, tax refund, or my favorite the surprise gift of moolah from oh-so-generous family, it seems whenever a problem arises we are blessed with the extra to cover it. However I guess you could also make an observation and say whenever we a blessed with some extra cash something (i.e. electrical, plumbing, RACCOON’S) comes to collect it, I’m sure the hubs would go with that one, but I for one am a glass is half-full kind of lady and I choose to look at it positively (especially since I’m medicated).

This is a raccoon we caught in a have-a-heart trap back in January!

As for that Raccoon….did I mention she had babies. Yes she did right up in my attic, I was pissed at first but I have to admit I feel sort of bad she was so certain she had found a home for her and her young (not sure what gave her that idea, maybe it was all the comforting smells of delish food coming from my kitchen) either way she’s got-to-go. I’m sure she’ll find a new and safe home among all of the abandoned houses and buildings available in our old city, speaking of city who would have thought it, raccoon in your attic in the middle of a city?!

I guess they do need somewhere to live with all the new construction of homes in the surrounding counties, but instead of torturing us older homes which have been here for decades they should pick on the ones responsible for their displacement!  On second thought maybe not……as much as I love an old home for its character and mature tree-lined neighborhoods, it’s not as functional when you have little ones, or as economically smart.

Not to mention anything built post 1975 can have lead hazards…forget all that! When we first got ready to buy a home, I was hell-bent on an old home, with good bones, to work with! As for now….been there done that, this time I want to find something that I can enjoy at closing, of course some custom paint but that’s it, no fixing, no remodeling, no work…..plus my husband kind of sucks at fixing things, I take that back he doesn’t suck at it he just doesn’t enjoy doing it! Lucky for him our current search is exclusively new home communities…finger crossed!

Easy and Classic Macaroni and Cheese from Scratch

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If you want the creamier version check out step by step guide to the Creamiest Homemade Macaroni and Cheese!

Macaroni and cheese is a pretty big deal in my house.

Everyone loves it even the pickiest of eater will usually delight in a plate of Mac and Cheese.

I make dinner mac and cheese with meat and veggies, side mac and cheese, grown up mac and cheese, kids mac and cheese, 4 cheese mac and cheese vegetable puree mac and cheese, seafood mac and cheese healthy mac and cheese then I throw in a couple variations of my family recipes of traditional mac and cheese. So see what I mean it’s a pretty big deal!

When it comes to traditional macaroni and cheese this recipe is pretty much my favorite, and it is very simple, seriously it’s as close to fool proof as your gonna get outside of a box. When it comes to soul food and southern comforts mac and cheese meets all the criteria.

It’s a table staple on holidays and any other special occasions for that matter. So here you go my favorite Macaroni and Cheese. The best traditional and soulful Mac and Cheese I’ve ever tasted.

 

16 oz Elbow Macaroni

1 Tablespoon Salt

2 Cups Heavy Whipping  Cream

2 Cups Whole Milk

8 oz Cream Cheese

4 Talespoons Butter

16oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese (I use 2 Cracker Barrel blocks and shred it with food processor)

4 Egg Yolks

salt and pepper to taste

Pre-heat oven to 400ᴼ

Bring water to rolling boil add a little salt. Cook to al dente.

Drain and run under cold water. In a large pot heat whipping cream, milk, cream cheese, butter whisk it together well, and make sure not to over heat just mix and melt until smooth, then turn off the heat salt and pepper to taste.

Mix in your cooled pasta.

Add egg yolks and mix in mac and cheese one at a time. Mix everything together well salt and pepper to taste at this point.

Pour mixture into your baking dish.

Bake for About 20 minutes or until top starts to brown.

Let cool and serve.

Easy Classic Macaroni and Cheese
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Ingredients
  1. 16oz Elbow Macaroni
  2. 1 Tablespoon Salt
  3. 2 Cups Heavy Whipping Cream
  4. 2 Cups Whole Milk
  5. 8 oz Cream Cheese
  6. 4 Talespoons Butter
  7. 16oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese (I use 2 Cracker Barrel blocks and shred it with food processor)
  8. 4 Egg Yolks
  9. salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 400ᴼ
  2. Bring water to rolling boil add a little salt. Cook to al dente.
  3. Drain and run under cold water. In a large pot heat whipping cream, milk, cream cheese, butter whisk it together well, and make sure not to over heat just mix and melt until smooth, then turn off the heat salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Mix in your cooled pasta.
  5. Add egg yolks and mix in mac and cheese one at a time. Mix everything together well salt and pepper to taste at this point.
  6. Pour mixture into your baking dish.
  7. Bake for About 20 minutes or until top starts to brown.
A Soulful Twist http://asoulfultwist.com/