Week 9 Friday (3/7/14)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Crash Hot Potatoes

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food From my Frontier

                           Page 217      Copyright:  2012  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 366 calories per serving, if 6 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

         Thanks Ree for another amazing potato recipe. The key to these gems is the rosemary. Fresh herbs are now one of the key things I cook with each day.

         Now these little gems are not beautiful to look at but they are amazing to chow down on for dinner. Potatoes are the perfect side dish for any dinner or super.  What is the difference between those two words.  Oh my – off topic again.

Today’s critics:

         Brandy:   - Yum! Yum! Yum! They were really good. Loved 'em!

Why Weight?

         What is comfort food?  The answer to this question varies from person to person. Comfort food for me is any type of potato or meat dish. I also like a hearty soup, stew or chili.  Now that, is a new one.  I can’t say that have ever craved soup before but Ree’s soups are so delicious that they have joined the comfort list.

         For some people, comfort food may just be a favorite food. It might even been something like a Ding Dong or HoHo. They may not be nutritionally sound, but they may comfort the stressed out soul.  Brenda Lee Johnson, the main character on The Closer always comforted herself with Ding Dongs.  Now, I love a good Ding Dong but I lean toward the taters. 

         What does your comfort lie?

Fabulous “Family” Food

Grandma Ehrhardt’s Quick Peanut Butter Candy

(We do not know the origin of this recipe)

½ c. margarine

½ c. milk

2 cups sugar

½ cup chunky peanut butter

2 cups quick oatmeal

Mix together margarine, milk, and sugar in a saucepan. Boil for 3 minutes. Take off the heat and cook for about 5 minutes. Add peanut butter and mix thoroughly.  Now, stir in the oats. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper.  This recipe makes about 60 pieces of candy (about 1.5 inches)

Week 9 Thursday (3/6/14)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Pork Chops with Apples and Grits

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food From my Frontier

                           Page 200 - 203      Copyright:  2012  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 427 calories per serving of pork and apples, and 479 calories of grits if 6 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

         The pork chops weren’t special but just normal. This may be my fault because I have a wonderful spice for chops, but I didn’t use it because I am trying to be 100% faithful to Ree’s recipe.  Next time I will try the spice and see if that makes for better chops. The apples were warm on the tummy and the rich maple flavoring was an interesting texture and taste.

         As to the grits, they were spectacular. I loved the bacon and cheese because it made them so filling. Eating this dish took me right back to living in Panama City, Florida and the yummy grits at Harbor House Restaurant on the beach. To me, there is nothing better for breakfast, lunch, or dinner than cheese grits.  They are so filling and rich to eat. This is one southern food that is amazing and one I will never forget.

        

Today’s critics: 

         Brandy:  Pork chops with apples and syrup - good, gave the pork chops a flavor boost, didn't care for the grits, maybe mashed potatoes would be better.

Random Reflections

         On my drive a few weeks ago through the east side of St. Charles, I came upon another interesting house at the corner of 2^nd Avenue and Park. This beautiful home reminds me of a southern plantation home. I love the tall columns and the floor to ceiling windows.  There is so much detail work that this older home is breathtaking.  I love the wrought iron fence and lighting. This home shows great craftsmanship! Up close the detail on this house is outstanding!  Drive by and enjoy the view.

East side of St. Charles

Irksome Ideas and Images

         This is not really an irksome issue but one of discomfort.  One of the things I do not like to see is a cross at the side of the highway.  I understand that some people feel the need to honor their deceased family members but it really bothers me to see them.

         I guess that I am just not a big fan of gravesites at all.  I would prefer to be cremated and sprinkled in my garden than be buried underground. I want people to remember how I was in the world rather than think I am under the soil in a particular place.

         This is a hard issue but one I must learn to deal with by myself. I must honor the needs of the grieving rather than think about myself and how I feel.  Oh well – I’ll just continue to look away as I pass the roadside crosses.

A sad moment on Butterfield Road
It is a little blurry - yikes!

Wek 9 Wednesday (3/5/14)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Classic Hot Wings with Blue Cheese

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food From my Frontier

                           Page 106 - 107     Copyright:  2012  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 175 calories per wing. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

         I committed a faux pas making this recipe.  I have tried to always stay 100% true to all of Ree's recipes until this one.  I used chicken breast strips (all meat) because I am not a big fan of the small amount of meat on a wing – I like more substance. The sauce was creamy at the beginning (as you can clearly see in the picture) but watered down after a little while.  I think I may have screwed this one up. The flavors were great and the blue cheese sauce was the best.  I know love, love, love blue cheese anything. This was a real treat.
   

The strips were so much better than wings (at least to me)

  

Today’s critics: 

         Brandy:  Chicken Strips with Blue Cheese  - Not sure what happened, but my blue cheese sauce got really watery...I was expecting it to be more creamy? It was more like the consistency of milk with chunks of blue cheese in it?? Strange, tasted good, but I think something went wrong?? or maybe I was just envisioning like a blue cheese salad dressing?? Chicken was good. It actually looked pretty good in the picture.

Gabbin’ About Gratitude

         I am very fortunate to have my health. There is so much sickness and suffering in the world that I have to remind myself to thank God for my health. 

         I also need to thank my Mom, Norma, for all of her help over the years. My Mom was a fabulous nurse who still volunteers at the local hospital. She always knew which doctor would be the best fit for me.

         My Mom is from the old school of nursing. She has always had tremendous respect for all doctors and has never spoken ill of any of them.  She never tells me who to avoid but makes a recommendation for the doctor she suggests. I love this about her.  Many of my friends have asked my Mom for advice.  She is a wonderful nurse but more importantly, a great Mom.

Memory Musings

         At school the other day, my class and I were discussing choking. This discussion triggered a memory of my nephew and Godson, Shane.  When Shane was about two years old, he was spending time with my Mom and I while Susan was out and about.

         We had stopped at McDonald’s and bought him a dinner.  He loved good ole MickeyD’s. Shane was in his highchair in Mom’s kitchen having a great time. 

         Mom and I were talking when I glanced over at him and he had passed out in his chair. Mom and I grabbed him. Mom hung him upside down and applied some strong pats to his back to dislodge the chocolate milkshake. After about 20 seconds, the ice cream fell to the ground. 

         Poor Shane was scared and crying, and I was a mess.  I have never been so frightened, but as usual, my Mom did not panic but saved her grandchild. Wow!  We both sat with him until he calmed. Who would have thought a chocolate shake could be dangerous?

Week 9 Tuesday (3/4/14)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Bananas Foster

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food From my Frontier

                           Page 256 - 257     Copyright:  2012  Harper Collins

          I absolutely love bananas!  I had never been served Bananas Foster before I made it.  The sauce is creamy and the rum and pecans added so much flavor that this was definitely a decadent dessert.  I also love ice cream so adding the sauce to the ice cream made it just what the doctor ordered. Too bad the doctor isn’t here to enjoy this scrumptious tantalizing wonder. 

         Bananas are a wonderful fruit.  Do you know that a medium size banana has only 105 calories? Yee Ha! The banana is also rich in Vitamins C and B6.  There is about 40% of those two vitamins in a banana.  Remember it also has more than 10% in potassium.  This is what I call a super fruit, and thank Heavens one that I truly love!!!!!!!!!

 

The warm decadent sauce softened the ice cream quickly

Today’s critics: 

         Brandy:  - Cory and I both loved it. It was really different, and something I would never try to make or think I would like. It was perfect!

Why Weight?

  

         One of the hardest things to overcome while you are counting calories is learning the difference between real and imagined hunger.

         I had a very hard time with this in the beginning.  I was so used to eating at certain times of the day, that I didn’t even attempt to listen to my body.  The difference between the two, varies from person to person. When I think I am hungry, I have a cup of hot tea and wait about 30 minutes.  Sometimes the hunger is real, but sometimes I am bored and think I am hungry.

         Learning to listen to what you body is really saying, and not acting when it is not real, takes some time. Before I eat anything at an unusual time, I stop and try to feel if my stomach is full or if the craving is coming from my head.  Our heads can trick up into believing it is real until we cognitively understand what each truly feels like to us.

         So before you take that bite – analyze if your hunger is real or just imagined.

My Gorgeous Girls

         Today, I really just enjoyed watching and playing with my girls. When we went outside, they ran and chased and frolicked in the snow.  Of course, Sage was on guard at any sound that was out of the ordinary.

Willow had to take breaks at times, to eat a little snow for sustenance.

         During our playtime, I realized how lucky I am to have these sweet girls. They are a blessing that gives me great joy and happiness.

Wek 9 Monday (3/3/14)

Recipe Review

Week 9:  Monday

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Beef Stew

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food From my Frontier

                           Page 165 - 167      Copyright:  2012  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 392 calories per serving, if 8 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

  

         This is a warm, inviting, and filling dish. The stew meat just melts in my mouth probably due to the cooking time. Of course I used petite carrots, because of being an anti-veggie person I need to eat my vegetables in very small bites.  The carrots were actually good and didn’t turn me off. I did slice the potatoes smaller just because I wanted to get one in every bite.

         This stew is definitely yummy for your tummy. I expect to eat a lot of this in the dead of winter, in front of a roaring fire with a great book and a cup of hot cinnamon tea.

         We were having a soup luncheon on Valentine’s Day and this was my contribution to the event.  I think everyone enjoyed it.  This dish should be a staple in your winter diet!

        

Look at that yummy stew!

Today’s critics: 

       Brandy:  - really good, I love beef stew and yours was great, wouldn't change anything!

Craft Corner

         Today, I would like to share one of my favorite quilts. I first saw a rag quilt at Prairie Shop Quilts off of Randall Road in Batavia, IL.  I loved that they had precut squares, which were already fringed. 

         If you do not purchase a precut and fringed kit then you have to do all of this by yourself.  That is what took me the most time because I made this totally by myself.

         The way to create this quilt is to sew an X through the middle of each square after you put a front to a back. (One of the beauties of this quilt is that it does not have batting). Then, you just sew the rows together, and wash and dry it in a large public washer and dryer.  The lint is very hard on your home appliances.

         On the front I used dark North Woods colored flannels. On the back, I used old jean fabric.  The back of this quilt (the jeans) did not cost me a penny because I asked everyone I knew to give me any old jeans that they had outgrown or were going to give to Good Will.  The jeans varied in color and some were light and others dark. A few even had sparkle or a stripe, and some belonged to kids and others to adults.          

         The quilt is heavy and warm and a great throw for the cold winters in Illinois.  Jenny Anderson loved it so much she wanted me to make one for her son, as a comforter. Unfortunately, I just didn’t have the time to create a second one. Maybe someday.

This is flannel front of the quilt

This is the jean back - I love the variety of jeans.
The fringe is the seams because there is no batting

Random Reflections

         I have been fascinated with the concept of Mooseheart ever since I learned that my Grandfather spent some time in an orphanage as a child.

         Mooseheart was not considered an orphanage but a place for Members of the Moose organization to place their children if one of the parents died or could not take care of a child. 

         Mooseheart in Batavia is a home and school for children. They have 30 homes for the children. They also have their own schools for kids ranging from age 3 through high school. 

         There is an admissions criteria now.  If you are interested in learning more about Mooseheart go to:

http://www.mooseheart.org

This is the beautiful sculpture of a moose near the front entrance

The plaque says that James J. Davis is the founder of Mooseheart

Wants and Wishes

         At this moment, I really want winter to end and to enjoy the beginning of spring. I did hear some good news on WGN radio yesterday.  Some scientist somewhere dug down into the freeze zone in the ground or water and said that all that was found was dead mosquito larvae.  This could be great news for our summer if the pesky little devils are reduced or diminished.

         Another positive that was conveyed, was that this freeze is helping to reduce the amount of mold.  That is great news for me because mold is one of my major allergies.  So join me in saying a prayer for spring to join us soon.

Week 8 Sunday (3/2/14)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Pasta with Tomato Cream Sauce

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food From my Frontier

                           Page 139 - 140      Copyright:  2012  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 275 calories per serving, if 8 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

         This dish is rich and creamy and the perfect side dish for any meal. The flavor is outstanding and the basil is the perfect topper. There isn’t a lot to making it, but the creaminess is the clincher for me.  I didn’t use it as a side dish but as a lunch.  Of course, I was disappointed when I reached the end of the dish, but there is always tomorrow and another serving.

Today’s critics: 

Brandy:  Eh, it was ok, a little rich if that makes sense.... I don't think I would make it again, not my thing.

Trivial Triffles

         The other day I was at the checkout line at the grocery and was staring at the candy.  For some reason I started thinking about the candy of my childhood. One of my favorite memories was at Pottawattomie Pool. We were always given snack money and my candy of choice at the time was a giant sweettart. It was enormous and I chose that and a pretzel stick. What more can a child want – salty and sweet? 

         Another favorite candy was dots.  At least that is what we called them. I wonder what their official name really was? Basically, they were colored sugar dots on a strip of paper.  I am sure they had no nutritional value at all but they sure were good to us.

         The candy that makes me laugh the most is the candy necklace. Basically it was just circular shaped candy on an elastic string. When you wanted a piece, you stretched the string and bit off a piece. Now, that alone is not bad until you offered your friend one, at which she would bite a piece off of your necklace. Today, I find that disgusting but at the time it seemed perfectly reasonable.  The things we did!

Memory Musings

         I just had a mini memory after talking to my school kids about being bullied.  I never thought of myself as being bullied, but I do have a memory of a boy who really annoyed me in second grade. His name was Pete Potsy. No – I did not make that name up. Now I cannot be sure that is how he spelled his name because I was only a mere pup at the time.  I only attended Wasco Elementary for Second grade and then we were transferred to Richmond. Pete did his best to tick me off most days.  I don’t remember how he did it, or what was said, or even how I reacted.  I just remember how much I disliked him. No wonder I have never liked the name PETE!

Week 8 Saturday (3/1/14)

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Rigatoni and Meatballs

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food From my Frontier

                           Page 126 - 129      Copyright:  2012  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 476 calories per serving, if 12 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

         Well, thanks to this recipe I now know I need another small appliance. I used to have this super blender that doubled as a food processor. Of course that little item was purchased in the 70’s, which is sad and pitiful to admit to the general public. Yes – it barely works now in 2014. Sad but true – it needs to go to the big graveyard in the dump. Thanks to a recent purchase of the Nutra Bullet for my morning smoothies, I was able to complete this recipe. Of course I did have to use it three separate times to pulse the amount of bread pieces required, so a full size food processor is in my future. I can’t say that I am unhappy to have an excuse to shop at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

         Okay, back to the real point of this recipe. Rigatoni and Meatballs was “truly scrumptious” (Yes, that was a reference to an old favorite Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang for you old timers). The meatballs had a good flavor and were large and filling. The pasta and sauce were great. This was pretty quick to make and it was worth it. I had this dish for lunch on several days and was really full under dinnertime.  Now that is a great recipe!

Today’s critics: 

         Brandy:  - yummy! Love rigatoni, and the meatballs were full of flavor. We liked it a lot!

Random Reflections

         I am writing this entry on Presidents’ Day (February 17, 2014).  The snow is once again falling and it is quiet, peaceful and beautiful.  Unfortunately, we have had so much snow that I am having trouble appreciating the beauty and serenity.  I am one of those people who truly loves winter in Illinois.  In the past, it has been the time when I get a lot accomplished in the house.

         This winter has been very different from those in the past.  I have been consumed with this blog, which is really a lot of fun and work to tell the truth. I also spend a lot of time outside shoveling or snow blowing – but this is just part of our climate.  Oh well, I’m going to stop complaining and just take a breath and enjoy the beauty of the day.

Can you believe the snow is higher than my raised deck???

Helpful Home Hints

         I had the interior of my house professionally painted about 15 years ago. I have a trick that I use to keep my walls in pristine condition. After I paint a room, I put the remaining paint in small jelly-size jar and it seals up nice and tight and keeps the paint fresh. About once a month or two, I take the jar and a small sponge brush and touch up any nicks or scratches. This only takes about 15 minutes, but it can help you avoid a large painting expense.

         The only room I need to repaint is the bedroom. This room is a challenge because the touch-up plan doesn’t work in there. The dogs lean up against the walls as they sleep and the oil from their coat is on the wall. Unfortunately, the touch-up doesn’t work against “dog oil.” I guess any plan is not full proof.