What the Beck?

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Santa Fe Scamble

Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime

Page: 17 Copyright: 2015 Harper Collins

**Unfortunately, this recipe is not in any of other Ree's sites.

I figured out that there are 521 calories, if two servings are made, and 347 calories if three servings are made.. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

THIS IS WONDERFUL!!!!! I love this recipe. The egg scramble had so many fabulous flavors. Once again, Ree is a genius. This is one of those recipes I would love to serve to company. The book is worth the purchase just for this recipe alone. Mom and Jenny... you have to make this one.

I totally forgot to take the photo of the ingredients
that I used in the recipe.
The first step was to melt the butter.

Once the butter was melted, I added in the corn and jalapeno.

The next addition was the egg mixture.

In went the chilies.

I let the egg mixture almost finish cooking.

The final addition was the avocado Yum! Yum!!

The colors were beautiful on a white plate.
Don't ya love my fork?

Seriously consider buying this book,

and delving in to this recipe.

Bucket List Update

Academy Award Nominated Movies

1940 The Letter

starring: Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall

plot – I had never heard of any of the other stars in this movie except the leads. This was the story of a woman who is angered by a lover and shoots him to death. There was a cover-up and intrigue.

I liked this movie. The plot was great, but Bette Davis has creepy eyes. A good flick.

1942 Random Harvest

starring: Ronald Colman Greer Garson

plot – a soldier is wounded, put in an asylum because he has lost his memory, escapes, meets a woman and they run away. They marry, but unbeknownst to her, he is hit by a car, and forgets his married life and remains with his original family.

This was a great movie. It sounds like a crazy premise, but it really worked. I love this one lot.

1947 The Bishop’s Wife

starring: Cary Grant, David Niven, and Loretta Young

plot – A bishop tries to raise donations for his church. He is driven and loses his connection with his wife. Cary Grant is the angel.

This was a great movie. This movie was remade later starring Whitney Houston.

1952 Ivanhoe

starring: Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Fontaine, and George Sanders

plot – The story of Ivanhoe was is trying to raise a ransom to free King Richard of England.

This was a great movie. It was well acted and I enjoyed it.

1956 Around the World in 80 Days

starring: David Niven and Mario Moreno Continflas

plot – Niven plays a betting man who bets that he can go around the world in 80 days.

This film was great to show people in 1956 about the cultures of people around the world that Niven visited.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Scrambles

Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks:Dinnertime

Page: 16 Copyright: 2015 Harper Collins

I figured out that there are 500 calories, if 2 - 3servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

This is just your one of your basic scrambled egg recipes. Unfortunately, I can’t give you the recipe because it is only in the book. This will be the base for all of the recipes for the next few entries.

Here are the ingredients that I used in this recipe.

I stirred the ingredients together and cooked them until done.

Recipe Review

The Florentine Scramble below is a great one if you love spinach, tomatoes, and cheese in your egg recipe. The ingredients are not my cup of tea, but I thought you should know that this can also be found in the book.

Today’s Recipe and Location: Florentine Scramble

Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks:Dinnertime

Page: 119 Copyright: 2015 Harper Collins

This sounds so dumb because I image all of you know how to make basic scrambled eggs. Just wait until the next entry when I

make Ree's Santa Fe Scramble.

Bucket List Update

Academy Award Nominated Movies

1933 42^nd Street

starring: Warner Baxter, Bebe Daniels, George Brent, Ruby Keeler, Ginger Rogers and Dick Powell

plot – This is the story of a Broadway show and the drama that happens when trying to get the show up and open.

This was a good movie. I wanted to fast forward at times, but that is because the topic didn’t thrill me to death.

1934 Imitation of Life

starring: Claudette Colbert, Louise Beavers, Warren William, and Alan Hale

plot – a widow syrup salesgirl finances her way into opening a restaurant, incorporating, and packaging a product. There was another huge conflict with a young black woman who refused to let anyone discover she was black, as she was very light skinned.

This was a great movie! I loved the drive of the widow to become a success. I loved what she became, but felt great sorrow for the girl who couldn’t accept what she was until the climax.

1934 The Thin Man

starring: William Powell, Myrna Loy, and Maureen O’Sullivan

plot – This is a Nick and Nora Charles mystery. It is about the death of an inventor. This is the first movie in a series about the detective couple.

This was a really good movie. The premise was strong, and I learned something new. I am a crossword puzzle freak, and I now know a common answer asked by the puzzle maker. They frequently ask the name of the Charles’ dog. The answer is ASTA!!! Yeah!

1935 A Midsummer Night’s Dream

starring: Jimmy Cagney, Olivia de Haviland, Dick Powell, Mickey Rooney

plot – to me it was just the story of a bunch of Shakespearean actors in the forest with a lot of mythical creatures.

This was an awful movie to me because I dislike reading, watching, or listening to Shakespeare. I will say, however, that Mickey Rooney as Puck lightened it up and made it tolerable for me.

1935 Top Hat

starring: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers

plot – neighbors dance their way across Europe.

I liked the beginning of the movie, but there was so much dancing that I hoped it would end soon. It was a cute story.

Birds Birds, Everywhere!!

This photo was taken while I was on the Tollroad (88).

I have never seen some many hundreds of birds at one time.

The sunset was beautiful, the birds were scary, and thank

God there were no cars around me, as I snapped these

pictures while driving very quickly (80 mph) to drop off food to my nephew Wesley and his fabulous wife, Lindsay!

Friday, January 8, 2016

What the Beck???

Bucket List #54

I hate to add anything else to this list, but now that I have three crossed out I feel pretty good. I also just purchased the supplies to work on calligraphy, so I will begin tackling that item, and have now watched 211 of the 520 movies nominated for Best Picture for the Academy Awards. I have about six on my DVR right now to make time for soon.

From 2016 on, send greeting cards in a timely fashion

learn a new skill

invite my neighbor women to a tea luncheon

submit an article to a magazine

Host a family brunch

Talk a walk or dance in the rain

I want to create units for teachers to purchase

Write a book on organizing a home

Using my dogs and possibly my great-nephews, and design a series of greeting cards

Plan my funeral

Spend a fun day with each of my nieces/nephews (Alaina has volunteered to be first!)

Take a formal cooking class

Organize and host a Christmas Caroling Party

Watch the IMBd list of the best 250 movies

Vacation in Colorado

Create a list of home repairs

Prepare to teach a new course at Aurora University

Visit Brookfield Zoo and photograph the animals

Have absolutely no debt

Set up a schedule for next summer to visit area cities

~~Organize and purge the basement~~

I am going to learn as much as I can about large animals

Make repairs in each and every room of my home to prepare to sell

Research Hadrian’s Wall for visit to Scotland

Enter a quilt in a local fair

Write a book about school for parents

Host a game party

Purchase a truck

I would like to learn more about fostering animals

Visit the narrowed list of Kentucky towns each for a weekend

Have a B.M.I. of 24.9 or lower

Return to Florida/Alabama and see old friends

Play tennis again

Learn to play bridge

Have an in-ground pool

Finish writing a book on the Scent Family

Save up enough money for a down payment on my Kentucky house

~~Research every town in Kentucky in hopes of relocating~~

Work on learning calligraphy and bettering daily penmanship

Begin making my own clothing using a mannequin

Volunteer at an animal rescue

Visit all 50 states

Photography courses

Complete all of Mom’s and my scrapbooks

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

Puppy Problems

I have noticed that the girls seem to groan as they jump off of my bed. The bed is very tall, and they are both now seven years old, which is a little less than half of their lifetime. I needed to come up with plan to solve their problem.

PLAN A

This was my first solution, a beautiful and very heavy staircase.

The girls did not want anything to do with this one.

I think it is because they were narrow and had no sides.

Either way, the $55ish dollar staircase went back

to the store for a refund.

PLAN B

I have a leather ottoman in my living room, which both girls

use to look out of the front window. This is where you can find them most of the time, as they have a self-imposed duty to guard the house from FedEx, UPS, the postman, and everyone walking up and down the sidewalk. I believed that adding one to the bedroom

would solve my problem. I found this one at a wonderful resale shop in Batavia, thanks to the recommendation by Nicole Serpico. The best part was that it only cost me $49.00. Who knew it would be cheaper than the staircase. It doesn't match any part of my room, but right now all that matters to me is that the dogs are safe and not hurting themselves by jumping off of the bed. I owe ya, Nicole.

This is the sign outside the building. It is located right on

Route 31 just before Wilson Street. Check it out!!!!

They have so many wonderful items to buy.

The furniture is definitely high end, but a whole

lot cheaper than brand new. Of course they do have some less expensive items too, but take a few minutes and

wander through the showroom.

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Beef with Snow Peas

Found in: The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Dinnertime

Pages: 163 - 165 Copyright: 2015 Harper Collins OR

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/beef-with-snow-peas-recipe.html

I figured out that there are 291 calories, if 5 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

This is one of my favorite Ree recipes. I rarely eat green food, but the snow peas are wonderful in this recipe. I even shared it with my nephew, Wes and his family. The marinade makes the meat so flavorful.

I had actually made this recipe before when Ree put it on her blog, but I remembered how wonderful it was, so I remade it from the book.

Make this one!!!!

Here are the ingredients that I used in this recipe.

First, I made the marinade. This is a
key ingredient in the flavor of this dish.

Cutting the meat into thin strips with
a sharp knife was the next step.
After this was completed, I poured in
half of the marinade, and set it aside.

For a very short time I heated the
snow peas, and then set them aside.

I browned the meat on both sides. This took several
rotations to get all of the meat browned. I then put all the
meat back in the skillet, and added the rest
of the marinade. Thickening took no time at all.
Ree is a miracle worker, as my house smelled
so wonderful!

Lastly, I added in the snow peas.
They are so bright and green, and I can't believe
that I am saying this...fabulous.
Ree suggested serving it over rice, and I
think it would also be good over pasta.

This is my serving size. To watch those calories,
I just ate this dish solo without the rice.
Oh baby, was it grand!

A Weight Watcher's Dream

This is my go to food when I just need a little
something to hold me over before a meal.
Yes, it is raspberry sugar free Jello.

To add a decadence, I added Cool Whip.
I truly love both, and it does the trick.
Now, I can wait for dinner.

I only record 50 calories for this weight saver.
I am sure you have both in your home right
now. If you need beautification, make the Jello
in a wine glass. It really works for me.

Monday, January 4, 2016

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: 2 Ingredient Palmiers

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://thepioneerwoman.com/food-and-friends/2-ingredient-palmiers/

I figured out that there are 106 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.)

This was another quick recipe. If you love going to the county fair and having elephant ears, then this is a recipe for you. They are mini elephant ears. I love that they are extremely light with a taste of cinnamon. They would be fabulous with hot tea or coffee. Yum Yum!

First, I flattened out the dough, and sprinkled

it with cinnamon sugar. Yum!

The next step was to roll the top and

bottom up 1/4 of the way.

The next step was to fold them in again,

so they meet in the middle.

One more time, so it is stacked.

Using a sharp knife, cut the "log" into four even parts.

The last cutting step, is to cut each fourth into

five individual sections. You should now have 20

individual cookies.

Here they are right out of the oven.

I think of them as "smile" cookies!

Here's a smile to you!

My Bunco White Elephant Present

What is it???

Yes, it was once alive!

This was my Mom's old fur stole.

Today, it is politically incorrect to wear a

fur, but Mom gave me this stole to use in my
sewing on my Santa's cloak edging.

Yes - it grossed many out, but it was a

historical piece, and a great conversation piece.

PEETA - I don't believe in this anymore, either.

Saturday, January 2, 2016

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: 7-can Soup

Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/7-can-soup.html

I figured out that there are 604 calories, if 6 servings are made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

This is one of the easiest and fastest soups that I have ever made. All you do is empty the seven cans into a soup pot and mix and heat. At the end of the process you add salt and pepper. Prior to serving, you add in the cheese, mix well, and chow down. Print this recipe out because it is hearty and a great winter treat.