a butter queen miracle

We've been having some dinner time challenges. One small boy cries at every meal placed before him. Some one has been burping at the table (I won't say who), another won't place her bottom in her seat but wants to stand the whole time, a third stabs me with a waving fork meal after meal. It's ugly.

I am hopeful that these cute girls of mine might some day find wonderful men to marry...with their present table manners I am not too sure though.

So with this hope in mind and in the interest of promoting polite society we have been working on it. Maybe I need a manners boot camp?
"but why don't we put our elbows on the table?" is a question I have heard more than once.
answer: I don't know but we just don't.

last night's small miracle, a recipe from Paula Deen, who I love because she laughs easily, cooks with ingredients I've actually heard of and it always turns out yummy, and is a cute grandmay lady. Everyone liked it. Some had seconds, no one cried.

Short Ribs
3 pounds ribs
House Seasoning, recipe follows
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Oil
Water
Beef Broth
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Salt and pepper
1 large onion, sliced
White Rice
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Season ribs using House Seasoning. Lightly dust with flour. In a Dutch oven, place a small amount of oil and brown ribs on each side. Add half water and half beef broth to cover ribs. Bring to a boil. Remove ribs from the Dutch oven and place in a casserole dish. To ribs, add the garlic, salt, pepper, onions, and broth, to taste. Cook ribs in oven for 2 hours. Serve over buttered white rice.
House Seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder
Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.