Week 18 Wednesday (5/7/14)

Recipe Review              

Today’s Recipe and Location:           Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2013/03/hot-roast-beef-sandwiches/

The calories in this sandwich will vary depending what optional ingredients you add to the sandwiches.

This sammy is wonderful and you can personalize it easily.

         This is such a great sammy. The sauce spread Ree uses on this sandwich is amazing. I personally love roast beef and swiss cheese so I knew this would be a new favorite. The sauce is 100% better than anything I have ever made before.  These sammies can be made ahead and heated right before serving. They are perfect if you have a lot of people coming over.

         Don’t ever eat this sammy if you have a drug test because it contains poppy seeds and you will fail. Of course, I have never had a drug test, but I watch enough Law and Order to add this little fun fact to know and share for your knowledge.

         Go to the website and download this one.

      

Gabbin’ About Gratitude

         I am so grateful for the friendship with my Mom. We can talk about almost anything. My Mom has tremendous knowledge about the local hospital and doctors. As a retired RN, she has always been very professional and respectful of all of the nurses and doctors that she has worked with in the past.

She has been instrumental in helping our family and friends locate the best doctors. She has never bad-mouthed any doctors. Her professionalism is to be applauded.

         Mom is also an amazing cook. She loves to read recipes and try new things. Her breads are to die for, and she loves to bake cookies for her great-grandchildren.

         My Mom can also be funny without even knowing it. She and I laugh a lot about silly things. I am so blessed to still have her in my life.

Memory Musings

      

         My second house was at 615 S. 6^th Ave. STC. The goal for buying this house was to rent the upper floor and use the rent money to save up to build a new house.  I am so thankful that I bought this house. I had three wonderful tenants who helped me achieve my goal.

         The only down side to that house is that it was old and needed TLC. The home had no air conditioning so that was my first expense. The second came shortly after that, as the exterior part of the chimney needed to be rebuilt.

         Even with these issues I made enough money to build a brand new house which I absolutely love.

Week 18 Tuesday (5/6/14)

Recipe Review              

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Patty Melts

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/08/patty-melts/

I figured out that there are 904 calories per serving, if 4 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

 

A big thanks to Jenny Anderson for giving me this wonderful panini maker.
Don't you just want to take a bite?

        

         This was a really good burger. I did alter the recipe a little bit. I have a Panini maker so I did not use any butter. I cooked the hamburger in the machine first and then created the sammy and cooked it in the maker, also. I would say that what made it for me was the grilled onions and Worcestershire. Of course, it is really hard to change a basic patty melt but Ree did a good job!

      

Why Weight?

This last week I was talking to Nicole about a diet she was trying, and the subject of grapefruit came up. I have horrible memories of all of the diets I tried and all of the “diet” foods that were always included.  First of all, I swear grapefruit was on almost every diet. I guess that’s because it is a fruit and is good for you. I learned to hate the nasty little ball of acid. I am not a sour lover and it was over the line for me.

         Another food that always comes to mind is beets. First of all, they are a vegetable which puts them on my do not eat list. Secondly, beware for anyone who has never tried them, that when they leave your body you will think you are bleeding to death. I do not mean to offend, but they as bad going out as they taste going in. This is definitely a food that I will avoid for the rest of my life!

My Gorgeous Girls              

         Sage is a grass eater. She seems to always want to eat the crabgrass. I researched this and all sites seem to state that they don’t know the reason dogs do this activity.

         Some sites said that it could be boredom, and another said it could be some stomach issue.  Who knows??  All I want is for her to stop so the lawn fertilizer doesn’t hurt her in some way. Right now, I stop her verbally but I wish I could help her stop herself.

My sweet little grass eater

Week 18 Monday (5/5/14)T

Recipe Review                     

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Baked Ziti

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/11/baked-ziti/

I figured out that there are 577 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.)

This is the full pan, but it also made a 9x9 pan, too. Yikes!

This is a single serving and you can just see the greatness

         I didn’t even know what a piece of ziti looked like prior to creating this recipe. Okay – it is just a new shape of pasta.  This recipe was a giant hit at school. The first day I brought it for my team. Steve, Jenny, and Sarah loved it and so did I

         The next day I brought it for Amy, Becky, and Sara who also said it was really great. The recipe has more spices than the bowtie pasta lasagna and was really amazing.

Craft Corner

         I can honestly say that one of my new favorite crafts is photography. Now you can say that it is not a craft, but I plan to use these skills to illustrate the books I am writing for my great nephews. Creating these books as well as scrapbooking is a new craft for me.  I love that there is so many new things to learn and try to create in the world.

        

Random Reflections - Bucket List

       Growing up, we were fortunate enough to go skiing with my cousins. Our first trip was to Crystal Mountain in Michigan. We had a wonderful trip and I truly learned to love to ski. We learned on the short skis and had a wonderful time. We also got to go on a sleigh ride in the evening.

         Our big trip was to Winter Park, Colorado. Skiing in the Rocky Mountains was quite different than skiing in Michigan. We skied the top half of the mountain in the morning and, then ate lunch at the restaurant halfway down the mountain and skied the bottom half during the afternoon.

         I remember swimming in the outdoor pool in the evening. We loved wearing suits and running through the snow and then jumping in the water to get warm.

         We had an A-frame ski chalet that adjoined the main lodge. We had so much fun and I truly loved my cousins. I love and miss the Lindholm and Nyberg families.

      

Becky’s Bucket List #7

Go skiing again in Colorado

Meet the Duggar family

Watch every nominee and winner for the Academy Awards to date

Remodel my kitchen

Take piano lessons

Write 2 books for my great-nephews

Travel to Wales

Travel to Scotland

Alaskan cruise

Wants and Wishes

         I miss the beautiful yard I had last year. Unfortunately, this winter was really hard on the lawn. The patches of brown grass where the dogs peed are large an unsightly. Weeds are growing up all over the back lawn. I wish and want my beautiful yard back!                                                      

Week 17 Sunday (5/4/14)

Recipe Review                     

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Bow-tie Lasagna

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/07/16-minute-meal-2-bowtie-lasagna/

I figured out that there are 386 calories per serving, if 7 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 creamy pasta, and I love it because I am a cheese addict. Thank Heavens they don’t have cheese lovers anonymous or I would be a charter member. This pasta is really easy to make and it is great. I shared it with my cohorts and work and they loved it, too.

         Check out the website and you and your family can enjoy a fabulous dinner.

       

Trivial Triffles             

         In a previous blog, I talked about the difference between hay and straw. A little while ago I passed a farm that had the bales already rolled. I saw these on Ree’s TV show as the family needed them to feed the cattle for the winter or provide straw for bedding.  Here are the pictures I enjoyed.

They line up up perfectly in a long row

Something about these makes me want to go and climb on it!

Memory Musings

         Since I was talking about The Sound of Music on Wednesday, I thought I would elaborate on The Singing Scent Sisters. My sisters and I loved to sing and my Mom had the amazing ability to play our grand piano by ear. We learned many of the songs from The Sound of Music and performed them at church in a talent show, and I remember singing at a bridge party for a woman from our church. I know Susan and I went on to be in choirs but I don’t remember if Kim and Diane pursued any music.         

         As I stated on my Bucket List, I really want to learn formally how to play the piano. This would really make me sooooo happy.

Week 17 Saturday (5/3/14)

Recipe Review                   

Today’s Recipe and Location:   Oatmeal Crispies

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

                           Pages  226 - 227     Copyright:  2009  Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 232 calories per serving, if 24 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

I really like these crispy oatmeal cookies.  They are a little different than the other Ree recipe I made earlier. I was truly happy that they were only 232 calories because that is a total that I can live with today. I also love the fact that Ree makes these ahead and keeps them frozen for up to 3 months.  This is great because that way you can be ready with homemade cookies in about 12 minutes if you plan ahead!!!!!

                 

Random Reflections              

         I was driving down Rt. 31 on my way home one evening and I passed this beautiful house at Batavia Ave. (aka Rt. 31) and Elizabeth on the west side of Geneva. You have probably seen it many times. I love the roof over the covered circular porch because it is a bronze, soon to be green, color.  I would love to tour the inside of this beauty to see the layout and how it is used. The lot is large for in-town and it does have an out-building or two, I think. Next time you are heading south on Rt. 31 near the train station, look to your right and enjoy this beauty.

Helpful Home Hints

  

         Do you have a backup sump pump? My fabulous brother-in-law, Steve Mendel, suggested that I get on for my basement because I have so many things downstairs. This has really come in handy, especially at this time of year because with electrical storms, power goes out and your sump pump cannot operate.  My back-up pump can run many hours and prevent the basement from flooding. I will always have one because if you do not have one, you will be dealing with ruined boxes and keepsakes as well as mold.  I am deathly allergic to mold and this is something I will always prevent in my home.

         Go out and get a back-up today and just call Good Call Plumbing and let them do the work for you.

Good Call Plumbing

630-365-6500

630-443-4100

Fax  630-365-6748

Email:  GoodCallPlumbing@yahoo.com

Tell them Becky sent ya! 

Week 17 Friday (5/2/14)

Recipe Review       

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Fatty’s Grandma’s Cheez Eggs

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2009/01/fattys-grandmas-cheez-eggs/

I figured out that there are 410 calories per serving, if 1 serving are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

These take minutes and are phenomenal

       OMG ARE THESE AMAZING!  I love eggs but that processed cheese and milk truly made it to die for.  I wanted to make it again a.s.a.p.  This only took a few minutes to make and I had it as a dinner. My family occasionally served breakfast in the evening and today breakfast is one of my favorite meals at any time of the day. This was so good and it really made scrambled eggs a memorable event! 

Why Weight?

         I recently read the Mayo Clinic article about calorie consumption. The website was:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/weight-loss/in depth/calories/art-20048065?pg=2

         This article reaffirmed what I have been doing for the past 19 months. They give suggestions of how to reduce your calories but remind us that the important thing to remember is that 3,500 calories helps us gain a pound. Exercise and activity will help burn off some calories but it still comes down to what I believe: you need to count your calories and exercise to lose weight.

Take a second and read the article and see if you agree.

Fabulous “Family and Friends” Food

Banana Nut Bread

The card says G-Ma’s, although I don’t remember this one

Ingredients:

1 cup shortening

3 cups of sugar

4 eggs

2 and 2/3 cups of mashed (6 large) bananas

12 Tablespoons of sour milk  (WHAT???????)

9 cups of flour

4 teaspoons of baking powder

4 teaspoons of salt

2 teaspoons of baking soda

2 cups chopped nuts

Directions:

         Mix together the shortening and sugar. Beat in the eggs, bananas, and sour milk and set aside. 

         Sift together the dry ingredients. Now, stir in the shortening mixture.  Lastly, add in the walnuts.  This makes 5 loaves.  Cook in a 350 degree oven for 40 – 50 minutes.

Week 17 Thursday (5/1/14)

Recipe Review                     

Today’s Recipe and Location:  Puffed Pastry Pizza

         Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2014/02/puffed-pastry-pizza/

The calories for this pizza will vary greatly depending on the ingredients you want to use to make it.  I think I will keep varying it and trying new items because it is fun and I already discovered a magnificent fall back position with the pizza that I made yesterday.

A horrible picture but it just deflated and you can see
 the creamy goodness in the middle

Look at that cheezy goodness!

         This is one of the strangest pizzas I have seen or made. Ree was right when she said that the puffed pastry contorts and rises a great deal while in the oven. The puff rose way up and then dropped like a rock when it was removed from the oven. I varied the recipe a lot on this one. I used the puffed pastry, olive oil, havarti and blue cheese.  Ree’s recipe was completely different because she added a lot more items with many I would never eat.  I have to say that every bite of mine was fabulous. The cheeses were creamy and the pastry dough was so wonderful.  This is a great new variation on a regular pizza and a great change of pace

Random Reflections - The Glorious Garden       

         Today we are going to talk trenches.  Now that may not be the formal landscaping name but that it what I call them. The trench is a shallow moat-like ditch that keeps the grass out of the gardens. Considering the amount of gardens of flowers that I have, to dig the drench is a tedious, back-breaking activity. It usually takes me about a week to dig it all and spray the grass and weeds that are now overpowering my garden.  This is the bane of my existence in the spring. Since we have rain all week, the trench and weeding will commence next week (I hope).

This is an eroding trench that has filled in after the winter melt

This trench has had last year's mulch washed into it and it isn't a trench anymore.

     

Irksome Ideas and Images

         Geese are annoying critters. At our school, the geese are considered bothersome because they leave droppings all over the fields and driveways. They are truly messy animals and quite aggressive ones, too.

         I do enjoy watching the geese leave the area in the fall. We have a couple of retention ponds in our neighborhood so the noise of the departing geese is deafening as they leave the area. I love to watch the formations as they sail overhead.

         They are an interesting bird to watch. They are quite bold and yet take flight if anyone comes too close. They seem to bond with each other and some stand guard while the others rest.

         When you have a minute, watch the geese in your area and see if you agree with me. Geese – bothersome but amazing.