Week 30 Sunday (8/10/14)

Recipe Review             

Today’s Recipe and Location:           BBQ Jalapeno Poppers

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl

                           Pages  14 - 15     Copyright:  2009  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 48 (for each half) calories per serving, if 18 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

         I absolutely loved these poppers. I only tasted these once in the past, but now that Ree has changed my taste buds to like spicier food, I tried them again. First of all, they were not that spicy, however they were wonderful. I love bacon and everything associated with it. They were really low calorie and a wonderful hors de oeuvre.  These were also a cinch to make. Ree cautions that you should wear gloves whenever handling 18 jalapenos or scratching your eye might become a nightmare. Now, I know a great use for my purple hospital gloves. A really nice nurse gave me a few sets during my last hospital visit. Who knew I would need them for cooking?

Trivial Triffles             

         I was on Third Street in Geneva last week when I admired the beautiful flowers in front of Niche Restaurant. I have never been in the restaurant or even know what kind of food they create, but someone in the restaurant has a green thumb. The next time you are near the corner of State and Third Street, take a minute to enjoy the beauty.

What a pretty entrance to a restaurant

Up close they take your breath away

They have a great variety of plants

Memory Musings

         My first home was in Aurora and my second was on 6^th Avenue in St. Charles. This home was purchased with one goal in mind – renting out the top floor, so I could create income to build a brand new home. I loved this old home, but it was just that……..OLD. The home was almost 100 years old and needed some love. The upstairs had been redone, but there were some major issues – like no air conditioning.  Of course, I had that done asap. Unfortunately, I lost my bedroom closet because there was no ductwork for air in those old homes. The apartment had it’s own entrance so we had separate living apartments.

         I loved living so close to school, but I must admit that the home solved my money problems but wasn’t my dream home.  The trade off was worth it, however, because I have been so happy in the last home for 16 years.

         My first tenant was Becky. Two Beckys living in the same house was pretty funny. My second tenant was Chris. She married a Chris and then we had two Chris’s and a Becky. Then was a tenant who was a teacher named Carl. He was a great tenant, too. The final tenant was myself. I sold the house, but then rented my part of the house from the new owner until my new house was completed.

         Being a landlord was not difficult because I had wonderful tenants, and it was a great experience.