Week 14 Monday (4/7/14)

Recipe Review      

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Iny’s Prune Cake with Buttermilk Icing

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

                  Pages  40-42     Copyright:  2009  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 275 calories per serving, if 20 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

         PRUNES!  What is a prune?  It is just a dried plum.  It is a great food to help with regularity and protects the intestines. It is also great source of antioxidants and can even help with weight loss. Had I known this before, I might have tried them earlier in my life.

         I always thought of prunes as “old people food” (politically incorrect).  I apologize to all senior citizens but that was what I really thought when I read the recipe. One of the positives was that Ree demonstrated this recipe on her show so I heard them rave about how moist and tasty this cake was to eat.

         I decided to poll the teachers at school to see if anyone had a problem with eating this cake BEFORE I actually made it.  Almost everyone was willing to try it out.

         I received rave reviews on the great taste and the fact that it was an extremely moist cake.  This is a cake I would definitely take to a party.  It would be fun to just put it out and hear the positive reviews before the people knew what it was.

Craft Corner              

         I am truly blessed that I have so many family members who are talented in the trades. I was very frustrated with the lack of storage in my sewing room due to the sheer overage of materials I own. My amazing nephew, Wesley, was hired to redo the entire room. One of my greatest frustrations was with my card stamps.

         Wes, being both creative and realistic, designed and built an 8 foot stamp rack to hold my stamps. My collection almost rivals those at Hobby Lobby. Being highly intelligent, Wes realized that we should back the rack with something so that the ink did not get on the wall. He decided that clear plexi-glass would do the trick. I love this rack and filled it immediately. I am fortunate to have someone who can hear my concerns and solve my problems.  Having this rack saves time in locating a stamp as well as preserves the stamps from injury.  Thanks Wes, you are the man!

Isn't it great?  Thanks, Wes!

Random Reflections

         When I was a child, my family had a beautiful grand piano in our living room that my Dad personally refinished. Kim and Susan took lessons but I never took any.  I wonder why?  My memory is lost on this topic. I would really like to formally learn how to play the piano now, as an adult. This is really important to me for some reason.

Becky’s Bucket List #3

Take piano lessons

Write 2 books for my great-nephews

Travel to Wales

Travel to Scotland

Alaskan cruise

Wants and Wishes

         Every year in February, the Rebecca Caudill nomination list comes out for child selected books for the ages of fourth through eighth grades. My wish is that I will have all 20 books read before summer.  So far, I am reading the twelfth book and enjoying most of them. It is not a big or difficult wish, just another one that is time consuming.

Week 13 Sunday (4/6/14)

Recipe Review       

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Olive Cheese Bread

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

                  Pages  206-207     Copyright:  2009  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 701 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.)

Here is the topping before it is spread on the bread

I love this bread.  It looks and tastes amazing!

         Since I was a little girl I have loved black olives.  I think this love for olives came from my Dad.  If we opened a can of black olives, Dad was the one who ate the majority of them.  He also loved a green olive in a drink now and then.

         This is a wonderful pizza-like recipe. The olive spread on the top is so wonderful. It doesn’t just have black olives but green ones, too. The bread is baked in a slow oven until all of the spread is hot, melted, and bubbly.  I have now taken it to two events and it was a huge hit both times.  This is a party staple for me from this point on.

           

      

Trivial Triffles      

         The other day I was driving up Butterfield Road going east just past Rt. 25 when I saw two mini mountains. I knew from past experience that this is where the city of North Aurora sets out the free mulch they have shredded.  These mountains came from the Christmas Trees this year. 

         I personally do not use this type of mulch because it contains twigs and leaves. I call this “garbage mulch” because it can be dangerous to your yard and home. Mulch becomes VERY hot when it sits in a pile. Garbage mulch will ignite because of the make-up of the mulch. I am not willing to take a risk with my home just to save a few dollars.

Memory Musings

         A beer commercial triggered an embarrassing moment in my high school career.  When I was a senior, my friends and I were going to the STC Basketball game. I was in charge of delivering the beer after the game. I don’t know where I got the beer, but I had it on the floor of the front seat of my beautiful blue station wagon with the wood trim (sarcasm).

         At the time we didn’t think it would be a problem because the parking lot was full and surely the cops wouldn’t check every car in the lot. Unfortunately, we didn’t think about the fact that mine would be the only car in the lot after we waited for the guys to get out after the game.

         As I opened the door to my car, I was surrounded by the police. In those days, STC was a small town. I told the police that the beer wasn’t mine, which was true to a point, and that I wanted him to just “TAKE THE BEER.” Fortunately, the officer let me off and took the beer.  Wow!  That was a close call. 

         My friends and I were relieved. Unfortunately, one of my sister Kim’s friends heard the plate being run and laughed at her. She thought it was Dad and told him. So he was waiting for me when I arrived home.  He asked me if I had a little trouble that night.  I just knew that he knew. Fortunately, my Dad was great and nothing came of it. I think he realized that it was a traumatic experience for me, so he let it go. 

Week 13 Saturday (4/5/14)

Recipe Review          

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Meatloaf

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

                  Pages   150 - 151    Copyright:  2009  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 766 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 the precooked picture

This is the precooked picture after the yummy sauce is added

The final amazing product

         This is not like the meatloaf I grew up with during my childhood.  Now I am a true meatloaf lover. My Mom used to make it with oatmeal so eating one made with bread was a change to me. Ree also wraps the entire things with bacon.  Can we spell HEAVEN???  This was so great and the portions were overly large. Next time, I will cut the pieces thinner even though I will definitely miss the rest.

         One of my favorite things to do with leftover meatloaf is to make a cold meatloaf sammy the next day. Just think about a great hot dinner in the evening and a spectacular lunch the next day.  YEEHA!

                 

Random Reflections

         On Sunday night I watched part of a show on the Oprah Network. This show focused on people who are living check-to-check.  This show really touched my heart.  I listened to people who have no savings and all of their checks go directly to bills. Some months they needed to decide if they should pay for heat or electricity.  Wow!  I forgot what it was like to be a new struggling teacher and live that life.

         I am so glad I saw the show for two reasons. First of all, I needed to be reminded that just because I am not in that situation doesn’t mean I can forget the people who are in it. The other reason is that I must be grateful for what I have accomplished in my life.

Helpful Home Hints

         BACK TO THE FILING CABINET - INSTALLMENT 2:  Another drawer in my filing cabinet is dedicated to correspondence. This drawer has dividers just like the Hallmark section of the drugstore. The dividers are alphabetical which makes it convenient to quickly locate a card to send to a friend or acquaintance. I love to make my own cards, but there are times when I get behind and need to spend a fortune to buy a card. I usually try to keep about 5 – 10 cards in each category to allow for choice.

         Unfortunately, my free time has been very limited during the past year so many of the cards in the drawer are purchased.  Oh to be retired and have time to create my own cards again.

Week 13 Friday (4/4/14)

Recipe Review       

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Chicken Spaghetti

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

                  Pages  130 - 131     Copyright:  2009  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 584 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 the sister dish to Penne alla Betsy.  I alternated these two dishes every day for two weeks.  I love both of them so much. I did have one problem with this dish.  The store ran out of pimentos so I did without. Jenny Anderson made it and let me taste hers and the pimentos really deepen the flavor.  The next time I make this one, I will make sure I find the illusive pimentos. These two recipes should be eaten at least once a week all year.  They are really that good.  Thanks Ree, for introducing me to these two gems.

Why Weight?

         Now that I know that the secret to losing weight is portion control and exercise, the diet commercials annoy me. I swear that Marie Osmond is on every time I turn on the tube. It isn’t that I begrudge her selling the system, but I know from a lot of personal experience that when you go on a diet eventually you will go off of it. What I needed to learn was to eat whatever I want, but in moderation.  I love Ree’s food even though it is high in calories, but I can eat it for every meal, every day.  All I had to do was figure out the calories for each recipe and then stick to my current total for the day.  I guess I shouldn’t complain because I went that way for a long time until eventually I figured out what worked for me.  To each his/her own.

Week 13 Thursday (4/3/14)

Recipe Review       

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Penne Alla Betsy

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

                  Pages 188 - 190      Copyright:  2009  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 619 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.)

The shrimp look so inviting!

         Apparently, Ree is not the only chef in the family. I don’t know if this recipe was created by Betsy or in her honor but it is one heck of a great tasting dish.  The creamy shrimp add so much flavor. I shared this dish with Jenny Anderson at lunch, and we both sat there with smiles on our faces and groaning with pure pleasure. This is one dish that everyone should try out.

Random Reflections              

         When I returned to Somonauk, I tried a new route that helped me learn the town a lot better. I came upon this house. Currently, it has a sad exterior in desperate need of scraping and paint. The house is much bigger than expected. From the front it looks like about 1,200 sq. ft. but when you look at it from an angle it is very large and has tremendous potential.  It is only a block from the main street in the town. There is just something about the house that called to me.  Do you hear it, too?

                                                           It looks small from the front

Surprise! There is a lot more to it than you first thought!

It definitely needs a coat of paint and some TLC.

Irksome Ideas and Images       

         This isn’t really an irksome idea to me but it is something that totally creeped me out. About a week ago our neighborhood was invaded by hundreds of medium sized black birds.  They were on every roof and I had visions of Hitchcock’s The Birds.  I felt like they were just sitting there and watching me. The coolest part was when they all took flight and the sky darkened as they rose to new heights.  I have no idea why there were so many? I have no idea where they went?  I wish I knew if they would be back!

Week 13 Wednesday (4/2/14)

Recipe Review       

      

NEW BOOK TODAY!!!!!

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Maple Pecan Scones

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

                  Pages  68 - 69     Copyright:  2009  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 695 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.)

         I am a big fan of scones.  On T.V. they are usually eaten in some English café. These are large and dense and absolutely wonderful.  They filled me up, but I craved more all day.  I actually made them two ways. The recipe called for a dash of dark coffee.  I really, really dislike the taste of coffee. Of course because of this dilemma, I had to go to Starbucks and ask for a splash of coffee.  The guy behind the counter found it funny and said he was happy to help me with my recipe.  The best part was that he gave it to me for free.  What a nice guy! There really are good people out there in the world.

         The other way I made them is without the coffee splash.  Of course, I prefer the non-coffee version but Nicole liked the coffee one. She and a few of her kids tried out the ones I brought her. They thought they were great, too. 

         Serve these with a hot beverage and you will be so happy you may begin speaking with a British accent.

Gabbin’ About Gratitude

         I am so thankful to Alexandre F. Godefroy who most sources say invented the blow dryer in around 1900. My hair has been crazy all winter long due to the dryness of the rooms in my home and school.

         I love when my hair is straight with no visible colics.  Unfortunately on many a day, my hair has had a mind of its own. Thanks Alexandre for making some mornings fabulous.

Memory Musings

         As a child I stopped loving school in the fourth grade. My teacher was a very unhappy woman who constantly spoke harshly and had no sense of humor. Prior to fourth grade I loved school. It is so surprising, even to me, that I grew up to become a teacher. From fourth grade on school was something that I had to endure. I did enjoy school but for the wrong reason. It was a place to have fun with friends. I probably would have been considered an average student who had more potential but didn’t utilize it.

         The Stopka family was the catalyst to changing my views on education. When I moved to Florida, Kathy, Brian, and Laura were all attending Gulf Coast Community College. Kathy suggested that I attend with them during the school year and then work on the Capt. Anderson in the summers. I joined in and actually enjoyed it a lot. I was in a secretarial major at the time, but the best part of it all was that I learned to love school again. 

         A teacher has the power to make school enjoyable or horrible.  I have always kept that in mind as I taught because I want to be a positive memory in every child’s life.

Week 13 Tuesday (4/1/14)

Recipe Review       

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Dark Chocolate Brownies

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman Blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2014/01/dark-chocolate-brownies/

                          

I figured out that there are 288 calories per serving, if 16 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

This is the photo before I sprinkled them with powdered sugar.

         If you love love love chocolate, then this is the recipe for you. You make the entire batter on the stove. I must have read and reread the recipe many times because I couldn’t believe that it all gets mixed over the stove.  This is one of the richest brownie recipes I have ever eaten, but boy oh boy is this one is worth every single bite. I took this recipe to school and came home with nothing.  These are really rich but worth every mouthful.

      

Why Weight?

         Stress eating has been part of my MO for my entire life.  Lately, since I found out that Willow is not 100%, has been a very stressful time for me. My girls are a huge part of my life. They are like my children. Now, I realize that many of you people think animals are just animals, but to me, they are my family. Willow and Sage welcome me when I come home and are always thrilled to see me even if it has only been 20 minutes.

         My weight has gone up and down for the past couple of weeks. Actually, I have been on a roller coaster since New Year’s. Why?  (because I have allowed it).  I woke up Friday morning and said enough is enough and I meant it. So for the past four days I have been back on track. I am taking this a day at a time because any more than that would be overwhelming to me at this time. Sometimes life really stinks.

My Gorgeous Girls       

         It is almost frisbee time!  The Frisbee is the girls’ favorite toy in the world.  They both played Frisbee catch since the first day they arrived at my home. Our first soft Frisbee came from my friend, Vanna, who has two shelties of her own.

         Sage is an aggressive player, who will dive and contort her body to make that magnificent catch no matter what. She also wrestles the Frisbee away from Willow after she allows her to catch it, and then returns it herself.

         Willow loves to play Frisbee and just wants her turn. She loves to jump in the air and catch it, and she looks so proud when she gets the opportunity to return it herself, which is a rarity.

         We use soft Frisbees because they hurt the mouth less than the hard version.  I always have a stockpile of them because we are pretty rough while playing.  If your pet doesn’t get enough exercise, I strongly recommend playing Frisbee.  It is fun for all of us!