It's that time of year again........

So if your spouse or significant other is a Football Fanatic like mine, you know what the start of fall means.
Football.
All the time.
Everyday (I don't know how, but there always seems to be a game on TV).
No more Netflix movie nights.
No more meaningful conversations-at least not while the game is on. I'm lucky to get a grunt.
No more date nights....not that we have much money for those anyways, but it's nice to at least have the option.

Rule #8: If there's one thing that will get a hubby's attention, it's his stomach, a.k.a. the need/love for FOOD.
And if there's one thing that I'm good at and like to do, it's cooking!

I made this meal Sunday night for the Cowboys-Jets game, and let me tell ya, I turned some heads (Darren and Holly's).
Peach-BBQ Chicken:
-8 to 12 drumsticks                        -1/4 c water
-12 Fl. Oz. BBQ sauce                  -1 T butter
- 1/2 jar of peach preserves           -1/2 of a yellow onion, chopped.

*Roast the chicken in the oven at 425 for 20-25 minutes. After 20-25 minutes, broil it for 5 minutes to give it some color. Meanwhile, on medium-high heat saute onion in butter. Add the BBQ sauce, preserves, and water: keep warm over low heat. When the chicken is done, remove from oven and coat each piece in the BBQ sauce mixture. Return to a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes. Let sit about 5 minutes before serving. Serve alongside the leftover sauce. De-lish!

I also made THESE yummy potato skins.

And THIS scrumptious Buffalo Chicken Dip.
*I used ranch dressing instead of blue cheese, and shredded cheddar instead of blue cheese crumbles or mozzarella.

Let me tell ya, Darren was excited when he saw what I made for him. Then he got even more excited when he tasted it. It made the perfect football meal for game day. He actually took his eyes off the TV to look at me and tell me how good it was!

Although that may have just been because it was a commercial...........

MeMa's Mac N Cheese

Rule #4:

Every Southern Housewife needs to know how to make macaroni and cheese.
After all, what husband doesn't like mac n cheese? For that matter, what Southern Housewife doesn't like mac n cheese?

It's cheesy, and noodly, and creamy, and bubbly, and loaded with yummy carbs...what's not to love?

It's the perfect comfort food. In fact, if I was teary-eyed, and feeling stressed about being a good housewife for my hubby, I honestly think a big ol' bowl of the cheesy stuff could cheer me up.

But not just any bowl of mac n cheese could do the job. Only my MeMa's macaroni and cheese!
I've been eating it for as long as I can remember. I could probably make myself sick on the stuff. Thanksgivings, Christmases, Birthdays...it was always MeMa's job to bring the macaroni (I would get mad when Mom would kindly offer to give MeMa a break and bring it herself instead....my mom is a wonderful cook like all moms are, but she doesn't make the macaroni and cheese like MeMa).

So, tonight, being the brave housewife that I'm learning how to be, I tried my hand at MeMa's infamous macaroni and cheese. And I must say, it was rather delicious. 

yummy yummy in mine and Darren's tummy

Granted, it didn't taste JUST like MeMa's, but after a little bit of tweaking, I think it will be really close. And honestly, can anybody make a dish that tastes exactly like their grandma's? There's just something about a grandmother's cooking that can't be matched.

But if you would like to try.......Here's the recipe for MeMa's Macaroni and Cheese (I know that my MeMa is not your MeMa, so it might be kind of weird for you to call it "MeMa's." You can call it whatever you like): 

- 4 c. dried BIG elbow macaroni                        - Black pepper, to taste
- milk                                                               - 1 stick of Oleo (margarine)
- 1 tsp. salt                                                       - 1 lb. sliced American cheese (NOT processed!)

*Cook macaroni according to package directions; boil approximately 7-8 min. Drain. Return macaroni to saucepan and ALMOST cover with milk. Add salt, pepper, oleo, and cheese, leaving 3-4 cheese slices to place on top before baking. Melt ingredients together on medium heat. Pour in casserole dish. Place remaining 3-4 cheese slices on top. Bake at 350 until brown and bubbly, about 15 minutes. Enjoy!

(It tastes very delicious with barbecue meatballs, green beans, and buttermilk biscuits.......mmmm....)