lulabelle, my new best friend...

Feeling a little off-kilter today, finally went and got anti-biotics for this month long illness I've had, blch blch blch. Am I the only one that feels worse with anti-biotics that are supposed to make you feel better? So now, not only do I feel weak and tired, add nausea on top of it! lol But there's a light at the end of the tunnel in knowing that soon I will be 100% again, yippee!

A couple months ago we were at a party and my husband was standing around with all the men who were talking about cooking, or something, and he proceeds to tell everyone that I don't know how to cook! Hold up, y'all, now I don't know about you, but those are fighting words to a Southern girl.
So you know I called him on it and he said that what he meant was that I don't cook, not that I don't know how... hmmm....too late, the words were out, so now every person in the Valley thinks that I don't know how to cook! LOL it's okay Honey, you didn't know what you were saying, I forgive you... ;o)
Well, it all got me to thinking that he's right on one point, I rarely cook anymore, other than a frozen pizza or grilled cheese, bad bad bad... I have been thinking of cooking good meals as a hassle instead of a way to bless my family and nourish my own body. I've lived off of fast or processed food for basically years now, I admit it. No wonder I'm so tired all the time, and let's not even talk about my cholesterol or how plump I've gotten. No really, let's not talk about it...
So anyway, after work yesterday I hit the market up and picked up all the REAL food that I used to buy. You know, stuff to make good, hearty meals that are satisfying and healthy. Lots and lots of it, and don't you know it cost less than I've been spending on all the crappy stuff we've been eating all this time. Go figure...
Then I scooted my rear on over to the house of the devil, otherwise known as wally world, and picked up my very first cast iron skillet! Woohoo! I have wanted one for years and years but could never justify spending so much on a cooking utensil when I already have so many skillets at home. I'm all about using what we already have. But a cast iron skillet y'all... c'mon, every self-respecting person NEEDS one, don't you think? So I got mine and the second I walked in the door I informed everyone that if they touch it I will hit them over the head with it, that I needed to give it some tender loving care before anyone could even think of using it! lol Afterall, the will last more than a lifetime if you treat them right. So now I give my skillet the name of Lulabelle, Lulu for short, cus I have always had some strange need to name everything for some reason... lol
So how about you, do you use a cast iron skillet in your kitchen, and do you use it on a regular basis? What are your favorite tips for keeping it in good condition and I just know y'all have some great recipes out there, won't you pretty please share with the rest of us?! Or maybe you have a favorite Southern cooking blog that you like to visit, would love the links if you do!

Well, that's about it for me till later. I'm at work right now and shouldn't be on the internet at all, but hey, I'm a rebel, what can I say? lol
Hope you all have a great weekend, can't wait to catch up with what's been going on with everyone.