What the Beck?: May 2017

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

What the Beck???

SNAKES!!!!!!

This is the snake that was right by the Barnett's door.
Denise also encountered another large one
like this in the barn. She told me that
this is called a "Cow Snake."

Being the big chicken that I am, I had to research the snakes that could be found near my new home. The Cow Snake is also known as a Black Snake or Black Rat Snake. The great news is that they claim they are harmless to humans. They didn't say if they are harmless to cute little shelties, so now I am on guard for my girls. The research did say that if they are cornered they will bite - OH GREAT! but they would prefer to run away if there is an out.

The Cow Snakes prefer to live in barns or trees, because they love to eat mice and rats. GOSH I HATE THE THOUGHT OF RATS!

A way to keep them away from your homes or buildings is to keep debris and a lot of outside items to a minimum. Good thing I don't have a wood pile, or a lot of places to hide.

This snake is one of the largest snakes in Kentucky. They range from nine inches to six feet. OMG - SIX FEET Of course there were two living right next door. Good thing you killed one Denise. Now let's hope, the other one can meet the same fate.

The research went on to say that they are great climbers - Now I have to look up and down when I am taking the girls for a walk. I'm going to look like a crazy person. Okay I am, but now it will be obvious.

This is the above snake's home in a tree.
The long lace-like ribbon is the skin that the above snake shed.
Now I am worried about holes in trees. Who knew a snake would live in one. I thought only raccoons or squirrels resided there.

Well Dorothy.. you aren't in Illinois anymore!
This is no garter snake now is it?
It is so darn long! YIKES!

If this guy that shed this skin shows up at my house,
you can all locate me at the
Bardstown Hampton Inn.

Monday, May 29, 2017

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Vanilla Berry Yogurt Parfaits

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/vanilla-berry-yogurt-parfaits-3703647

I figured out that there are 237 calories, if 4 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

This was a GREAT recipe. I made a special one for me with just a few blackberries because berries are not my friend. I made a double batch, and took all but mine over to the Barnetts who had a family dinner going on at their home.

I had vanilla yogurt already in my home, so I used that instead of plain. I will continue to use vanilla, because it was really good the way it turned out.

These are the ingredients that I used to create this recipe.

I began by washing the berries, and since the

strawberries were so huge, I cut them into

bite-size pieces.

The honey was added to the berries.

I love this Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste!

I doubled the recipe, so there was a lot
of fruit. It was now time to gently stir the
berries honey, and vanilla.

On to the yogurt mixture.
I had Vanilla Greek yogurt already
in the fridge, so I decided to use it,
even though the recipe called for plain Greek yogurt.

I added in some honey.

Ree called for a vanilla bean, but I just used
the Vanilla Bean Paste that also contains
the little flecks of vanilla, like a bean.

I stirred it all together.

I love these little jelly mason jars.
They have so many uses.
I began the assembly process by
spooning some of the fruit mixture in
the bottom of the jar.

Next, came the yogurt mixture.

I topped it off with additional fruit.

Up close and personal

I put the gift jars in a basket

and carried it over to the Barnett home.

Saturday, May 27, 2017

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Asian Beef Skewers

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/asian-beef-skewers-3541006

I figured out that there are 82 calories, if 40 skewers are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

This was a wonderful recipe for me. I am such a meat and potatoes girl that this recipe thrilled me to death. I loved the dipping sauce, and of course I loved the steak. This is a great party food.

Here are the ingredients that I used to create this recipe.

I began by making the dipping sauce.

I started with the mayo

added the vinegar,

sesame oil,

sugar,

red pepper flakes,

lime zest,

and finally lime juice.

Mix it all together and you have a fabulous

dipping sauce. Way to go, Ree!

I love the meat!

I chopped up the sirloin into bite size chunks.

After salting and peppering

I browned the cubes until just done.

I used a wooden toothpick and put two

pieces on each toothpick and set up a plate

of them to serve. I kept some for my dinner

and took the rest over to the Barnetts.

The final ingredient was to add the cilantro, out

of my deck garden into the sauce and serve it up.

How did I forget to take the final photo??

Thursday, May 25, 2017

What the Beck???

(New hair, new photo)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Ham Salad in Endive Cups

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/ham-salad-in-endive-cups-3541007

I figured out that there are 63 calories, if 20 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

I LOVE these salad cups! I am a big fan of ham and these were quite flavorful. I could not find any endive leaves in the town of Bardstown when I was making these, so I substituted Romaine leaves. I also forgot to add an ingredient at the end. I was supposed to add a small triangle of cheddar cheese to each leaf. No wonder I had extra cheddar in the fridge. I hate it when I forget something.

These are the ingredients that I used to create this recipe.
I never even took the cheese out of the fridge
for the photo - no wonder I forgot it.

I began by mixing together the mayo, mustard,
dill and pepper together in a small bowl.
I put it in the fridge while I worked on the salad.

I chopped the ham into fine pieces and added the dill relish.
YUM!

I chopped up the celery and added
it to the bowl.

The last to be added was the egg and the dressing.

Ree's looked better, but her endive leaves were
smaller and more compact. Even without the
cheddar, I loved this recipe.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Tueday, May 23, 2017

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Homemade Gumdrops

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/homemade-gumdrops-3186478

I figured out that there are 30 calories, if 36 gumdrops are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

These were very easy and quick to make. They definitely taste like Cherry Jello gumdrops. Ree seems to have used a finer sugar than I did, and I would have liked them better with a finer sugar. Would I make them again?….I doubt it. I really like the store bought ones.

These are the ingredients that I used to create this recipe.

I began by softening the unflavored gelatin.

It thickened nicely.

I added the sugar to water and melted it in a pan.

Almost ready

Add in the cherry gelatin

and then the thickened gelatin.

I poured the mixture into a measuring cup. Unfortunately,
I left the larger measuring cup in the other building,
so a regular glass was used as a backup.