Sunday, March 20, 2016

Sunday, March 20, 2016

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: Crazy Cookies

           Found in: The Pioneer Woman blog

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/crazy-cookies.html

I figured out that there are 231 calories, 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 loved these cookies!  I made them for two neighbors who helped me temporarily repair my fence when three sections were damaged by the wind. I was told these cookies were great, which confirmed what I thought. Make these!!!

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

 First, I mixed the butter and sugars together

I added in the eggs, 

vanilla,

and peanut butter.

 In a separate bowl, I mixed the dry ingredients, and
then added them into the dough slowly

 I skipped the coffee, because I am not a lover of it.

 in went the mini M & M's

 then, the Rice Krispies

 Lastly, the blurry chopped pecans

 They were wonderful!!!

 Make them!!!

Friday, March 18, 2016

Friday, March 18, 2016

What the Beck???

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOSIE!!!

Thought for the Day

“Smile and use kind words. Roald Dahl once said, “If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.” This is so true! Inner beauty always radiates out.”

                  (Katie Wickersham in Real Simple.com  March 2016)

Bucket List Update

Academy Award Best Picture Nominated Movies

****I am so excited, because I have reached the halfway point in my goal to watch all 528 movies. (I recently added the 8 movies for 2015 - 520 seemed better to me - but I always achieve my goals, so 528 it is)

1943   The Human Comedy

       starring: Mickey Rooney, Marsha Hunt, Frank Morgan, Van                        Johnson, Donna Reed, James Craig.

       plot –  This story is set during WWII in Itasca, California. This                  family shows what a regular family who had already                    lost their Dad, weather the storm of living through a                    World War.

        I loved this movie. The acting was wonderful and I felt the               emotion about how hard it would be to have to deal with loss             during wartime.

1945   The Lost Weekend

       starring:  Ray Milland, Jane Wyman

       plot – Milland plays a raging alcoholic who demonstrated                     rage, depression, defeat, frustration and sadness as he                   lives each day to drink.

       Thank Heavens I do not have to deal with this addiction.                  Milland plays the part in such a believable way.

1951   An American in Paris

       starring: Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron

       plot – a musical with amazing dancing. Boy sees girl, but she is                 already taken by someone else. They continue to fight                   their attraction, but give in at the end.

        This was a good movie, but I get tired of all of the long                   dancing scenes.

1954   The Caine Mutiny

       starring: Humphrey Bogart, Fred MacMurray, Van Johnson,                        Jose Ferrer

       plot – Bogart plays a mentally ill Capt. Queeg whose men rid                   him of command of a mine sweeper during WWII.

       This was a well acted movie that I really loved. Humphrey              Bogart was amazing in this role. This is a movie I hope to see            again.

1957   The Bridge Over the River Kwai

        starring: William Holden, Alec Guiness, Jack Hawkins

         plot – POWS have to build a bridge for the enemy.

       This was an OUTSTANDING movie. I can’t believe I was so                entranced the entire three hours. A fabulously written and               acted story.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

What the Beck???

Recipe Review

Today’s Recipe and Location: ADAPTED from:  Comfort Food: Recipes for Classic Dishes and More  Copyright 2014 by Rick Rodgers

I figured out that there are 1,000 calories, if 1 serving is made. (Please note that the calorie counts vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients that you choose to use.)

My Revised Recipe:

2 slices of good, crusty, seedy bread

1 Tablespoon butter

¼ tablespoon of white flour

¼ cup whole milk – no skim!!!

1/3 cup shredded Gruyere cheese

¼ cup shredded Provolone cheese

1 ¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard + a dash

1 large egg

¼ pound sliced pastrami

Directions: 

    Toast the bread, let it cool, and then spread the Dijon on one side, and set it aside.

    To make the cheese sauce, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium low heat. Add the flour and whisk it until mixed, but not browned (about 1 minute). Turn the heat up to medium, and slowly, whisk in the milk and let the mixture start a gentle boil. When it begins the boil, turn the heat down to medium low and cook until thickened (about 5 minutes). Remove from the heat and add in about ¾ of the cheeses and a dash of mustard. Add salt and pepper to taste. Blend it until smooth and creamy. Put the cheese in a bowl and put plastic wrap right on the surface of the sauce and let it cool.

    Prepare the egg.  I don’t like my eggs over easy, so I made mine over hard.  Make the type that you love. I fried the egg in a little butter.

        

Build the Sandwich (on a pie tin):

    Take the bread (already mustarded – I know it isn’t a word). Now, add on the pastrami and about ½ of the cheese sauce. Put the second piece of bread on top and smother the top with the remaining cheese sauce. Broil the sammy until the cheese is golden and melted. Top your sandwich with an egg.  Serve immediately.

         Then, thank God you are alive and eating this amazing sandwich!!!

 I toasted my bread in the oven, but next time will do it in a toaster.

 Spread on the Dijon

 Melt the butter

 Add in the flour

 Whisk until thickened

Add in the milk

Add in the cheeses and salt and pepper

It's over hard!

 The original recipe used black forest ham (left), but
I like the pastrami better. So, I removed it from my
revised recipe.

 On went the cheese sauce

 The rest of the cheese sauce on top

 Unfortunately, my broiler wasn't working, so the
the cheese is dark and hot like it should have been.

Monday, March 14, 2016

Monday, March 14, 2016

What the Beck???

Hodgenville, KY continued

I ended the last entry at Lincoln’s Museum, and I still haven’t eaten breakfast or lunch.

       When I researched the town, I saw an interesting restaurant named Paula’s Hot Biscuit.  I love biscuits and gravy, and hoped she served them for lunch.  When I arrived, people were leaving the building, and I knew it wasn’t 2:00, which is when it would close. I asked a lady if she had eaten there, and she said it was closed that day because Paula served the town council on one Thursday a month.  Once again hungry, dejected, and anxious, I drove on to Ray’s Hodgenville Grill.

 Lunch was not quite what I was looking for that day.  

     I ordered what appeared to be roast beef on a bun with cheese atop.  What I got was an open face beef sandwich which was doused, no smothered in some melted Velveeta-like cheese.  I ate every bite because I was famished, but they definitely need a new restaurant in Hodgenville.

I had a full belly at least, so it was time to check out the properties.

Property #1: 3704 New Jackson Highway

$224,900

In 2016, Zillo wrote: 

Beautiful Cape Cod home sitting on a 3 Acre lot just minutes from town. The home features 4 BR, 2.5 BA, 2,682 sq. ft., a Large open Kitchen and Living Room with a wood burning Fireplace, Master Suite, Large Bonus room / 4th bedroom over Garage, Partially Finished Basement, 2 car garage, above ground pool with deck and much more. The home also features a full Service Hair Salon. This home is a MUST SEE.

This was a great property, but it is right on the highway.  It is now a two-lane highway, but if and when it goes to four-lane road it wouldn’t be a great property anymore.

Property #2:  4564 Shepherdsville Rd.

$278,000

In 2016, Zillo wrote:

BEAUTIFUL QUIET COUNTRY SETTING WITH GREAT VIEWS FROM THE LARGE DECK HIGHLIGHTS THIS 3 BEDROOM 3 BATH, 2,688 SQ. FT, BRICK RANCH. HOME HAS A 2 CAR ATTACHED GARAGE AS WELL AS A LARGE POLE BARN ADJACENT TO THE HOUSE, THERE IS ALSO A NICE CATTLE BARN ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE PROPERTY. PLENTY OF ROOM FOR SOME LIVESTOCK. THE HOUSE IS VERY WELL BUILT BUT IS IN NEED OF SOME UPDATING. 13.1 ACRES,

I think this home had a lot of potential.  It was hard to see the shape of the land from my viewpoint, but Zillo’s description helped.

A Funny Sight

       On my way back to town, I spied “a hairy silo.”

I kept wondering what was climbing up the outside.  Sometimes my curiosity gets the best of me.

 It didn't look like much from the distance

 Close up it really looks funny!

I love love love this town!!!!

The End of my trips for some time.

Saturday, March 12, 2016

Saturday, March 12, 2016

What the Beck???

Hodgenville, KY

Some fun facts to know and share about Hodgenville, Kentucky

Population 3,224 (2013)

LaRue County 

28 volunteer firefighters

5 police officers

crime rate:  42.7  (AMAZING)

       First of all, I love this town!!!  I began at City Hall. The two clerks were so helpful. I learned a lot about the town. One of the clerks is also in charge of the local crafters.  I can’t remember the name, and she was also a retired teacher. We had a lot in common. After being there awhile, the mayor came in, as did the Fire Chief, and a police officer.  They were all wonderful. Hodgenville is a really safe place to live, as is proven by their crime rate.

 City Hall

Mayor Kenny Devore
Toni Burton
Debbie Rucker

 The Fire Chief and a  Local Officer

I was driving through the town and came upon the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park.

 The entrance to the park

 The Memorial Building

 Symbolic Cabins

         I was starving and looking for somewhere to eat when I saw this candy/dessert shop. I drove on past it, because I would have bought something when I know I shouldn’t.  My mantra became “drive on…drive on…”

         In the city square was the Lincoln Museum. I almost had a car accident trying to take the photo, because cars enter and leave this giant circle without stopping. That is …..regular people who don’t take pictures and drive at the same time.

I’ll finish Hodgenville on Monday, and then I’ll return to my normal cooking!  Until then…….

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Thursday, March 10, 2016

What the Beck???

Clarkson, KY

Some fun facts to know and share about Clarkson, Kentucky

Population 892

Grayson County – a DRY COUNTY

31 volunteer firefighters

2 police officers

crime rate:  4.7  (UNHEARD OF)

            I began in Clarkson by going to the City Hall where I met a very knowledgeable woman named Alicia. She is the city clerk treasurer, and helped me understand the real estate tax system in the town as well as general information. Alicia really knew the town and gave me a lot of useful information. The elementary school is beautiful as is the city hall building. The town is very small, but I see potential. Thank you Alicia, for all of your help!

Alicia, City Clerk Treasurer

Property #1: 3031 Rock Creek Road

$310,000

In 2016, Zillo wrote: 

Simply Beautiful is how to describe this fabulous home. It features a chiefs kitchen with lots of upgrades. Brazilian cherry hardwood on main level with an overlook upstairs. This well maintained home also has 2,600 sq. ft., unfinished basement and a unfinished bonus room upstairs. There are 4 BR, 2.5 baths. This property comes with a one acre pond stocked with small & large mouth bass, bluegill and catfish, 1,333 sq. ft. garage/shop, ceiled and insulated with attic space, and over 6 acres and 6 foot high privacy fences. There is a 306 sq. ft. underground tornado shelter also that goes with this property. Must see this one, it will not last long.

Looks really nice.  I loved the tornado shelter and pond.

Property #2: 6202 Peonia Rd.

$245,000

In 2016, Zillo wrote: 

Beautiful 3BR, 2.5BA Cape cod on almost 4 acres, just minutes from Iberia boat ramp on Nolin Lake. Over 3,090 SF, formal dining room with a nice 2 car garage, bonus room and office in garage. Built in surround sound in living room for TV and in Bonus room for theater set up. Above ground pool with a nice deck. Front and rear porches on the house. Blacktop driveway leading up to this show place. Custom Kemper cabinetry throughout the kitchen and baths. utilizing every possible square inch of space. Lots of storage closets. Truly a must see. Call today to schedule a personal tour.

Wide open country living.  YEE HA!

Property #3: 1684 Iberia Rd.

$175,000

The Barn

In 2016, Zillo wrote: 

Beautiful Brick Home only 3 miles from Nolin Lake at Iberia Recreational Area. Home is located in country setting with 14 acres and large detached barn/garage size 24x40 approx. with concrete floor and electric. Home has lots of shade trees with mature landscaping. Home has wood burning stove in basement and heat pump. Edmonson county water available and WRECC electric. Built in oven, wood stove in basement, microwave, cooktop stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, tv antenna, window treatments to remain. (seller is keeping the electric fireplace upstairs with mantle.

This house was way up high in a very hilly, wooded area very close to Nolan Lake. This house is a no for me.

I do like this little town.