tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30385170491628291602024-03-19T10:58:20.215-07:00Prairies & MountainsLiving at the intersection of Prairie and Mountain. Thoughts, ideas, memories and opinions of a woman stuck in the intersections of life.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-698846152356999262013-05-04T18:42:00.000-07:002013-06-18T11:52:51.796-07:00Back in the Mountains Again<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_ZdegX7EkGM3m2fJBCpnmdMGVHgPMNz0Cp1LyNZ5stCKZ1BpkbvqJZ_YHwqZ89DZWW9_7zLB77W1SgmFlSvRfaquC-CWSB4vxIC4uRU0LGXwJy_Ar3vdFt-ZG2LihW05EtMU933Eew1J/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_ZdegX7EkGM3m2fJBCpnmdMGVHgPMNz0Cp1LyNZ5stCKZ1BpkbvqJZ_YHwqZ89DZWW9_7zLB77W1SgmFlSvRfaquC-CWSB4vxIC4uRU0LGXwJy_Ar3vdFt-ZG2LihW05EtMU933Eew1J/s640/photo-3.JPG" width="478" /></a><br />
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This winter has been a hard one for me. I have been without my mountain fix. For many years, I was able to get away from it all and come up to this corner of heaven to regroup. But this year, the mountain house was rented to a wonderful group of friends who were using it as a writer's getaway. This is the first weekend that it is available again.<br />
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As we drive up, there is a question of being able to get there. This last week we had a surprise May Day snow storm that dumped a ton of white stuff everywhere. Now we are just 15 minutes away and we have had smooth sailing, no snow is left on the roads.<br />
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The girls, Susie and Sarah have always known that there is magic in the dirt road. At the sign warning us of the impending end of asphalt and civilization, we begin to count down, 5, 4, 3, 2 and ONE! We know that we are so close when we hit that bumpy, beautiful, uncomfortable dirt road. We have passed through a portal not unlike those found in a science fiction story.<br />
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As we leave the pavement behind, we take one right turn and one left turn off of the main road. We pass familiar sights: the A-frame cabin, the odd round house and what is left of a very old one room log school cabin. As we get to the apex of the driveway we all look over the dash board to view its condition. "Is is clear? Will be able to make it down? Do we need to get out and shovel?" "Yes, yes and no." We all breathe a sigh at the knowledge that we will not have to get cold and wet before we can get in; the drive way is clear of snow!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbL-bO_5SHOouTaB7Tt5iuomu9WRrIojuzmYmrWkClnOoHQYc9kLtyku8wSJPubC2NCvrSwk1IGyNcm6J79r42bjAgHc6dVLRGLIv4wZIszFcrRJCxpbNHnQ9Wea8r27c5NZLEzriFDVV/s1600/photo-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbL-bO_5SHOouTaB7Tt5iuomu9WRrIojuzmYmrWkClnOoHQYc9kLtyku8wSJPubC2NCvrSwk1IGyNcm6J79r42bjAgHc6dVLRGLIv4wZIszFcrRJCxpbNHnQ9Wea8r27c5NZLEzriFDVV/s400/photo-7.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKL3Z0LyhQwtAIVj7P84yayML8iYbWkb541ZAw9EJN6J1EwlbfNgio9alDSaV9RuVNrZKDFFjuEL4OFvmawwPaAz_j2ngazEA57hmYF5eDlYZtaxlMXQ2wQNXfdOptdHRSYl6-zfDjOdQg/s1600/photo-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKL3Z0LyhQwtAIVj7P84yayML8iYbWkb541ZAw9EJN6J1EwlbfNgio9alDSaV9RuVNrZKDFFjuEL4OFvmawwPaAz_j2ngazEA57hmYF5eDlYZtaxlMXQ2wQNXfdOptdHRSYl6-zfDjOdQg/s400/photo-4.JPG" width="400" /></a>I can't describe the feeling that I get every time I look at the house from the top of the driveway. I can see everything. I can see the red canoe that sits waiting to be taken down to the lake or out to a river. I can see the wood pile that represents many hours of chopping. I can see the log splitter that looks like a steam punk version of a torture device.<br />
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I remember the last time that I saw my dad bent over it, oblivious of my car, he was surrounded by the noise and smoke of the gas engine and the smell of freshly split logs.<br />
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When he finally noticed me, he stood straight and waived with his gloved hands and went back to work. Eager to finish the job.<br />
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I don't think that my dad is<br />
naturally industrious. I believe that like most human beings he would rather be sitting in his comfy leather chair doing a sudoku puzzle. Yet, he has managed to accomplish so very much. While working full time as a teacher, he built the house we lived in and then in retirement, he decided to do it again. He is a tool chest full of information and is quite naturally a problem solver. I wish I was more like him.<br />
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From the top of the driveway, I can see the deep front porch with Cameron's tin sculpture, the old bench swing and the green painted screen door. In my memory I can hear it swing open and slam shut and the booming bark from big beautiful Jasper as he comes running out to greet me. He would run at me in a lope to beat me out of the car. Jasper would try to get as close to me as possible, as if pressing his body along side mine was his way of hugging me. The mountains are not the same without him. Although, I generally keep it to myself, I miss him terribly.<br />
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From the vantage point of the top of the drive way I can see the corner of the back porch. That corner is one of the nicest places to sit all year round. There is usually no wind and the southern sun keeps is warm and cheerful. It is also Nana's favorite place to toss unsalted peanuts to the critters. First it was just the pair of chipmunks that she saved, but soon she began to feed the rabbits and especially the bossy blue jays. Personally, I would have tried to push them away, but not Nana. She loves all the critters and finds joy in each one. From the top, you can also see Nana's flower garden. Despite the harshness of life at 8300 feet, she has been able to plant a lovely mix of native plants and some of her favorites. Today it is covered with snow, but there are signs of spring if you look. A tree has fuzzy pussy willow blossoms on its tips and I can also see green pieces of the poppy plant coming up.<br />
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This house is truly my home. It is where I feel loved and appreciated. It has welcomed me when all around me seemed so dark and grey. It is where I can just be me and not have to worry about career choices, the tests at school, nor the worries that the evening news brings. It is a place where I can peacefully await the first sighting of spring's blue bird.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-58469676145029749062013-02-02T19:02:00.000-08:002013-02-02T19:21:20.384-08:00Red Fox MeadowsToday was another exceptional day in the mile high state! The beautiful Colorado blue skies, clear paths and warm weather called us out of the house and onto a trail.<br />
As part of our 2013 Passport to the <a href="http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/" target="_blank">City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Tour</a> we decided to go to Red Fox Meadows.<br />
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This is pretty close to our house. Up until recently, we didn't know it was here. A few years ago, we had seen the city tear up the corner of Prospect and Taft Hill and re-plane everything for flood control. We had no idea that this little corner went way back behind the houses and that there was a little bit of nature plopped right in the middle.<br />
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At the trailhead there are bathrooms, maps and areas set aside for educational purposes. Straight out of the "gates" Sarah pointed out two young bucks walking across our path. I wasn't fast enough with my reflexes to get a better picture.<br />
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There are several trails through this meadow. They were for the most part dry, flat and well maintained. What I found a little strange is that some of the paths just went no where. I would have liked a clear path where I could create a plan of action. We started on the north side and wandered around towards the east and the Heather Ridge Apartments. There we followed a jogger around the pond where the trail petered out to wild grasses. So we walked across an area where I'm sure we were not supposed to walk to get onto the south trail that follows a water ditch. There was another area in the middle that had stairs and a bridge leading a trail through a little wood. It was just beautiful. This little trail just faded away too. It led us to the bottom of a hill where others had trail blazed a path that was clearly causing erosion.<br />
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Despite the oddness of the trails, we had a great time. Susie saw a huge Red Tail Hawk. We watched the geese and ducks as they played in the melted pond.<br />
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We logged a slow 1.46 miles wandering around. (The red spots are where we stopped to wait for Sarah to catch up. She was having too much fun looking around.) We will definitely be back to see how things change through the seasons.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-25198142647963419212013-01-28T15:41:00.001-08:002013-01-28T15:46:53.041-08:00Couch to 5K BeginningsThe family and I have been walking quite a bit. We do walks/hikes several times each week ranging from 1-5 miles. (Check out my blogs regarding the Fort Collins Natural Area Passport) We average 23 minutes per mile. That is not very fast, but at least we are out doing stuff. Right?<br />
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I've been wanting to do a Couch to 5k for a very long time but was not really brave enough. I was worried about my asthma. I was worried about my knees. I was worried about my feet. Iwas worried about what I'd wear. I was worried that people would laugh at the fat lady bobbing down the road.<br />
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Today, I just said, "What the heck-let's go!"<br />
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Now, some of you might be wondering what is a Couch to 5K? It is a philosophy/training routine that helps you slowly get off of the couch and running a 5K race. How do you do that? The same way you eat an elephant, one bite at a time. Maybe you might want to start walking around the block or a few times around the track. Last year, I was not able to walk 3 miles without getting pretty winded. Now it is not a problem if my asthma is under control.<br />
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There are several websites that have different training programs. Most of them consist of a nine week program that pieces out a walk/run schedule that gets you in shape to run the 5K or 3.1 miles. I first heard of it from one of my favorite homeschool bloggers, <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2011/12/the-couch-to-5k-running-plan/" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);" target="_blank">Heather Sanders</a>. A fairly easy to understand program is on the <a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml" target="_blank">Cool Running web site.</a><br />
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Of course there's an iphone app! There's an app for everything. Check out 5K runner by Blu Sky Apps. This is the one I have. I was able to download a two week version for free. There are probably 20 more on itunes. They even have one that has zombies on it. They usually are not expensive. I think the highest is around $2.99. (I spend more than that at TCBY yogurt.)<br />
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Well, today the girls were bouncy and I just didn't feel like investing an entire hour to walking somewhere. I thought today is the day. We laced up our shoes and headed for the middle school track behind our house. All my fears slipped away after the first ten minutes. My asthma was fine. So we're my knees and feet. Nobody was around to see us and it wasn't that hard.<br />
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We did a five minute brisk walk followed by 6 sets of 60 seconds jogging and 90 seconds walking. Then another 5 minute cool down. The girls were breathing heavy at first but half way through Sarah was leaping and dancing during the walking (aka catching my breath) part. We had some fun tunes playing and before we knew it, we were done.<br />
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I promised the girls that we would buy a new song for our playlist everytime we practiced our 5K. They are ready to go again tomorrow! I think we'll wait for Wednesday.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-68813257104465447002013-01-27T20:16:00.001-08:002013-01-27T20:32:17.919-08:00Two CreeksThis past month, my family has been walking. Not just around the block but hikes that are 2-5 miles long. The city of Fort Collins, has some <a href="http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);" target="_blank">wonderful natural areas</a> and we decided to try and vist all 39 spots during the 2013 year. The city has put together a nice "Passport" that you can pick up at some of the trails or download one <a href="http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/pdf/passport.pdf" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
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Today, was a typical gorgeous January day in Colorado - short sleeves! We decided to hit a south end trail - <a href="http://www.fcgov.com/naturalareas/finder/twocreeks" target="_blank">Two Creeeks</a> We drove down 287 just south of Harmony and parked in the Discount Tire Parking lot. There is only private parking in this area. Here is a map from my iphone. Pay no attention to the speed of the walk... we stopped at the park for a long time. Usually we do an 18 minute mile, not too fast, not too slow.<br />
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One of the odd things about this walk is that we passed by one of the only "private parks" that I have seen in Fort Collins. A good portion of the creek is planked by a private homeowner's association playground. The funny thing was that even on this incredible day it was empty.<br />
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Our hike was just a 2.68 mile loop around the lake at <a href="http://www.city-data.com/articles/Fossil-Creek-Park-Fort-Collins-CO.html" target="_blank">Fossil Creek Park</a>. The trail was busy and people were enjoying the nice weather. Along the south side of the lake there is a spot where you can ice skate and picnic. There are also some nice art pieces that are incorporated into the environment that also teach about fossils.<br />
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Because the weather was so nice, there were some awesome kite flyers. One guy was doing some pretty incredible aerobics while flying his kite. Don't you just adore Colorado's blue skies?</div>
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We had a great time watching the birds, kites, boarders, walkers, tennis players, hockey guys and even some softball. This park is a busy place. Below, Sarah got to climb a wooly mammoth.</div>
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Sarah would like to go back on a colder day to try ice skating and we will certainly be back to enjoy the many facilities that this park has to offer.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com0Fort Collins, CO 80525, USA40.5417839 -105.0440519999999740.3486999 -105.36677549999996 40.7348679 -104.72132849999997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-50757799907552301922012-03-31T21:53:00.002-07:002012-03-31T22:04:24.005-07:00Poser Alert Lately I've been doing a lot of posing. This year alone, I've pretended to be<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0APE65zqJSoTEnThhTbJfpUt9zTGAsSBDPQ9uTF8u7iBr15V4PWVP9RDTIDmMafLfdsISrjOZ6RQM8lwVN_qVkIBq1b3K755cJR91is-3HNmK7Gu4c-4bC_ctb1okxmKkphmORoEetpdJ/s1600/IMG_3213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0APE65zqJSoTEnThhTbJfpUt9zTGAsSBDPQ9uTF8u7iBr15V4PWVP9RDTIDmMafLfdsISrjOZ6RQM8lwVN_qVkIBq1b3K755cJR91is-3HNmK7Gu4c-4bC_ctb1okxmKkphmORoEetpdJ/s200/IMG_3213.JPG" width="148" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a fire fighter with the local volunteer fire department, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJPMiCgdGhvz-mEc_3a5Nlj3lFz5Jo-3yscTFswYQ8EI0QMO9lioirKLE_Wp4QmvzhElr8BUhntxN-0A9QET4c37-PF4HOiaGCKeHLTlPavcY8LwntdOVNMpGHH3NzOFYV_fghGKkLI4m/s1600/IMG_7315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJPMiCgdGhvz-mEc_3a5Nlj3lFz5Jo-3yscTFswYQ8EI0QMO9lioirKLE_Wp4QmvzhElr8BUhntxN-0A9QET4c37-PF4HOiaGCKeHLTlPavcY8LwntdOVNMpGHH3NzOFYV_fghGKkLI4m/s200/IMG_7315.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a certified nursing assistant at a local nursing home, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYoiafLa2Ge5raHBzZkEzcQhIBaFyT94FLdKqYYH-LmC5m7WUjEWx0IhLye6QcXRpiO4-OfuT0GiSSYjeau13D8EvEtBFTPVZx0P12XZi5QD6A8zz8-T_PZo4v7tWGxSw8HA0Cg9vnO_J/s1600/plow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYoiafLa2Ge5raHBzZkEzcQhIBaFyT94FLdKqYYH-LmC5m7WUjEWx0IhLye6QcXRpiO4-OfuT0GiSSYjeau13D8EvEtBFTPVZx0P12XZi5QD6A8zz8-T_PZo4v7tWGxSw8HA0Cg9vnO_J/s200/plow.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and even a snow plow driver.</div><br />
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This weekend, I've been able to pretend to be a chef at a real restaurant.<br />
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I've been managing a restaurant up in the northwestern part of the Colorado Rocky Mountains for about 3 years now. I love my job. I get to chat with folks, serve good food and watch the deer, moose and bob cats outside the big windows. But lately, we've been a bit short in the chef department. My last chef left us to go be a rough neck for the oil wells of Wyoming. It is not easy to find a qualified person who is willing to live in the middle of nowhere for a very moderate income. This conundrum has allowed me to realized that I know just enough about restaurant chef-ism to keep the restaurant open and not kill anybody. I've also learned that although I am able to do this job, I do not do it gracefully and I do not want to do it every day. It is hard work! Luckily for me I have a great staff who help me when things get tough.<br />
Tonight, I surprised myself with a yummy special. I made a chicken parmesan served over a bed of noodles with a garlic-tomato sauce. I wish I had taken a picture or saved some for you to try, but you will just have to believe me- it was just like a real chef's special.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-91311238304359712402012-01-10T16:53:00.000-08:002012-01-10T16:53:26.028-08:00THIRTY-ONE This weekend at the restaurant, I was on a break and playing a solitaire game called 13. A wonderful lady named Char was sitting at a nearby table. I think she has a thing for cards. She came over and wanted to learn how to play. It was pretty easy so I taught her and she went back to eating her dinner. <div> After she finished she taught me how to play a game called 31. We closed the restaurant and together with her husband Don and my friend Shirla, we had a blast!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOLVdDT6gc7z7WbDIcbffbB_DLaPcGy7xgEt8Oz0t7om5euoBrnhyMEqXrqNwNIsAfWUmfoAHKwu0zltc3cnWtqp4WT21GfzmwDI2Kvevo2SDHObrgzb7HxyXulB6nhU8DQ3H6HOG_aIb/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOLVdDT6gc7z7WbDIcbffbB_DLaPcGy7xgEt8Oz0t7om5euoBrnhyMEqXrqNwNIsAfWUmfoAHKwu0zltc3cnWtqp4WT21GfzmwDI2Kvevo2SDHObrgzb7HxyXulB6nhU8DQ3H6HOG_aIb/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div> Today, I taught my daughters how to play. Sarah has really been having a hard time practicing her addition facts. She is pretty good at math concepts, but memorization is not her thing. Well, we had so much fun that she didn't even know that she was doing "math". </div><div> Thirty one is a simple draw and discard game for 2-9 players. If they can add to 31, they can play. Each player tries to collect cards of a single suit that get as close to 31 points as possible. Aces are worth 11, face cards are worth 10 and all other cards are worth their face value. Deal 3 cards to each player and the next card is placed face up as a discard pile. Only the top card can be used on each turn. Player one looks at the discard pile and decides if he/she can use the top card. If not, then she draws and again determines if it is a card she would like to keep. She then needs to decide which card to discard. You can only have three cards at any one time.</div><div> When you believe that your hand has a greater value than your playmates you can choose to "knock" instead of drawing a card. The other players have one last chance to get their hands up to snuff. When the turn comes back to the "knocked" player all must display their hand. Whoever has the lowest score must place a marker (each player starts with 4 - penny, bead or any other token) in the center. </div><div> Then the cards are reshuffled and it all starts again and continues until all players but one have lost their tokens.</div><div> Some players call it sitting on the bus, 4 tokens and you're sitting in the back, 3 tokens and you're sitting in the middle, 2 tokens you are sitting in the front, 1 token you're on the steps getting off and zero tokens takes you off the bus and out of the game.</div><div><br />
<dt style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; margin-top: 1em;"><strong>Examples:</strong></dt><br />
<dd style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="heart" height="13" src="http://www.pagat.com/images/internat/heart.gif" width="15" />K-<img alt="heart" height="13" src="http://www.pagat.com/images/internat/heart.gif" width="15" />8-<img alt="heart" height="13" src="http://www.pagat.com/images/internat/heart.gif" width="15" />5</strong>: value 23 (sum of all 3 cards)</dd><dd style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="spade" height="13" src="http://www.pagat.com/images/internat/spade.gif" width="15" />Q-<img alt="diamond" height="13" src="http://www.pagat.com/images/internat/diamond.gif" width="15" />9-<img alt="diamond" height="13" src="http://www.pagat.com/images/internat/diamond.gif" width="15" />8</strong>: value 17 (9 + 8)</dd><dd style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="club" height="13" src="http://www.pagat.com/images/internat/club.gif" width="15" />A-<img alt="spade" height="13" src="http://www.pagat.com/images/internat/spade.gif" width="15" />6-<img alt="spade" height="13" src="http://www.pagat.com/images/internat/spade.gif" width="15" />4</strong>: value 11 (the ace is worth more than the spades)</dd><dd style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px;"><strong><img alt="club" height="13" src="http://www.pagat.com/images/internat/club.gif" width="15" />J-<img alt="heart" height="13" src="http://www.pagat.com/images/internat/heart.gif" width="15" />7-<img alt="spade" height="13" src="http://www.pagat.com/images/internat/spade.gif" width="15" />4</strong>: value 10 (the jack)</dd><dd style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</dd><dd style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirty-one_(card_game)">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirty-one_(card_game)</a></dd></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-70824558471656809332011-10-13T12:17:00.000-07:002011-11-09T16:46:35.524-08:00Long Distance Romance<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Harry and I met online way back when nobody even knew what that meant. Back then only 14% of Americans had any internet access. (Now days over 85% have access) In 1996, he was working for Apple Computers in Santa Clara and I was in the mountains of Colorado working for Apple's online community called: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lowendmac.com/coventry/06/art0915/logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img align="bottom" alt="eWorld logo" border="0" class="rightimgborder" height="56" src="http://lowendmac.com/coventry/06/art0915/logo.gif" style="cursor: move;" width="146" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I was also finishing up my divorce and feeling very alone when the children were at their dad's house. It was so very nice to be far away in the mountains but connected by the web to somebody as nice as Harry.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">He had told me that he was an artist. I told him that I had written a children's book and would love an illustrator. We decided that we would work together. What happened instead was the beginning of a great friendship. We would spend hours and hours talking on the phone or through IM's online. Every morning, I would wake up to a sweet email from him. It was so nice to get to know him before I really ever met him.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Harry says that he knew almost right away that we would get married. I think, because of my recent divorce, it took me a bit longer. I'm glad he hung around until I was ready.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Fifteen years later we are once again in a long distance relationship... well sorta. I manage a small restaurant up in the mountains. I usually leave home Thursday afternoons and come home way past bed time on Sunday night (or if it snows, early Monday morning). It is hard to be away from family life and my little ones, 8 and 10 years old. For survival, I make myself NOT think about what I’m missing. I put in 14 hour days and call usually once a day. I work and then sleep- then go back to work. I do nothing else.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">What makes this even close to tolerable is that I home-school Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The girls are with me the entire time. I don’t have to share them with a teacher or babysitter. I get to see the “a-ha!” moments when they finally understand a math concept. I get to be there when they want to cuddle.</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; font: inherit; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I do miss the days when we could afford for me to be a stay-at-home mom. I miss eating every dinner together, doing home improvement projects and going to the zoo with the family. What we do is not perfect, but it works for us.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-79845776855111016422011-01-20T08:43:00.000-08:002011-01-20T14:09:20.725-08:00Popcorn, Cinnamon Cocoa and Princess Warriors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div>Yesterday morning the girls played outside in short sleeved shirts. It was a bit chilly, but the Chinook Winds from the previous days had warmed up the sidewalks and soil. The skies were a deep blue and the birds were singing. It really was a glorious morning.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRKfcXxk4iuw0XPdlEOolsXiZZwNSkXyxtUpthEFL9UPoTfMtnu" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="rg_hi" data-height="233" data-width="216" height="200" id="rg_hi" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRKfcXxk4iuw0XPdlEOolsXiZZwNSkXyxtUpthEFL9UPoTfMtnu" style="height: 233px; width: 216px;" width="185" /></a>Around 1pm we finished up our History study on Queen Nzinga of Angola. She was a real princess warrior who fought successfully against the slave trade and the mighty Portugal. (Check out this link: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nzinga_of_Ndongo_and_Matamba">Nzinga of Ndongo and Matamba - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</a> ) It is a piece of history that I was never taught, but I am glad to share with my daughters. <br />
<br />
As the girls were putting their notebooks away, we looked outside the window and realized that we were in the middle of a snow globe! Big fat flakes were falling from the sky. It was a genuine January day in Colorado. <br />
<br />
What can you do but enjoy it? Susannah suggested that we make some hot cocoa and popcorn because the flakes looked like popcorn falling from the sky. I heartily agreed. I make both of these the old fashioned way.<br />
<br />
Not that I am super cautious about chemicals, but I'm not crazy about microwave popcorn and what is used to make it. I think that air popped corn taste like dried oatmeal without the brown sugar. Therefore, we cook the popcorn in a big pot with a bit of oil and a cup of popcorn kernals. It takes just as much time as microwaved and is really much cheaper. There's something magical about waiting for those first few seeds to explode into fluffy white clouds of goodness. A sprinkle of salt and I am in heaven.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQMRbh4juxsUjJ-qAr-XtGQ5mfGBqA17zudVqU8fGYomRxNvO_2pg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="rg_hi" data-height="212" data-width="238" height="212" id="rg_hi" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQMRbh4juxsUjJ-qAr-XtGQ5mfGBqA17zudVqU8fGYomRxNvO_2pg" style="height: 212px; width: 238px;" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQT69ZUIalh-C3pSWJA2FGYZz-y_G9o_ugzBRh0hK7Q4PwESXjJ" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="rg_hi" data-height="216" data-width="234" height="216" id="rg_hi" src="http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQT69ZUIalh-C3pSWJA2FGYZz-y_G9o_ugzBRh0hK7Q4PwESXjJ" style="height: 216px; width: 234px;" width="234" /></a>My hot cocoa comes from the Hershey's cocoa box, except for my special ingredient- cinnamon.<br />
If I can, I try to use real mexican cinnamon, but what ever I got is what I use.<br />
1/2 c sugar<br />
1/4 c cocoa<br />
Dash of salt<br />
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon<br />
1/3 c hot water<br />
4 c milk<br />
3/4 t vanilla<br />
A. Mix sugar, cocoa, salt and cinnamon in a saucepan; stir in water.<br />
B. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils; boil and stir 2 minutes.<br />
C. Stir in milk and heat. DO NOT BOIL.<br />
D. Remove from heat; add vanilla and whisk..... "What? Why whisk? Huh?"<br />
<br />
In Mexico, the cocoa is heated and then just before serving it is whisked with a special tool called a molinillo. It is placed with the handle between your palms and you rotate it back and forth like you are making coils out of clay.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Images/molinillo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Molinillo (chocolate stirrer)" border="0" height="78" src="http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/Images/molinillo3.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0px;" width="252" /></a></div>There is even a wonderful little chant that the kids sing as they whisk the brown milk into a lovely foam that replaces marshmallows. (Bate means beat or stir.)<br />
<br />
Bate, bate, chocolate,<br />
Tu nariz de cacahuate,<br />
Uno, dos, tres CHO!<br />
Uno, dos, tres CO!<br />
Uno, dos, tres LA!<br />
Uno, dos, tres TE!<br />
Chocolate, chocolate!<br />
Bate, bate, CHO CO LA TE<br />
Bate, bate, bate, bate,<br />
Bate, bate CHO CO LA TE<br />
<br />
Sometimes, I use "Real Mexican chocolate". It is super sweet and flavored with cinnamon and nuts. Because of these additions it can be grainy in texture but more nutritious. It comes in thick disks that are broken up and added to hot milk or water and then whisked with the molinillo. You can buy the cocoa at most grocery stores in the isle where you get other Mexican products. Nestle, Abuelita is the most readily available. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSa8xT5sHTsNvRnlzTXegyu2n-EUbVQa7LIURRNCBjDh4Y2a-pr" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="rg_hi" data-height="205" data-width="148" id="rg_hi" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSa8xT5sHTsNvRnlzTXegyu2n-EUbVQa7LIURRNCBjDh4Y2a-pr" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSFG2W1O1Xt781HLJytf82V33NbULWLZSxLQLD4Fq0-VB7QJmbH" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="rg_hi" data-height="259" data-width="194" height="200" id="rg_hi" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSFG2W1O1Xt781HLJytf82V33NbULWLZSxLQLD4Fq0-VB7QJmbH" style="height: 259px; width: 194px;" width="149" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-18705732121630595702010-12-28T10:07:00.000-08:002011-01-19T08:36:59.149-08:00Rose's Toffee<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">"What's in a name? </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">That which we call a rose </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">By any other name </span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">would smell as sweet."</span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; line-height: 17px;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span></i></span></span></div><br />
And this candy is just as sweet regardless of what you call it: English Toffee, Almond Roca or Anne's Pound Candy. My sister in law used to make something similar at all our Holiday get-togethers. I've been craving it and decided to try it on my own this week. It was not as hard as I thought it would be. If I could make these yummy treats, I know that you could too.<br />
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPh76R5wjhm2keykO6ll2G-9-K-p19oGKQc-SNEEmtqkfSNl1s9aviyq7lv0OB0XNPo1fEpKw-Tww-XymNScb6guP1J-CvhzaMsGpJAqtat_tY0oRN5L21uRyHoAjZZwKHMzIwahvvwmKy/s1600/IMG_1542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPh76R5wjhm2keykO6ll2G-9-K-p19oGKQc-SNEEmtqkfSNl1s9aviyq7lv0OB0XNPo1fEpKw-Tww-XymNScb6guP1J-CvhzaMsGpJAqtat_tY0oRN5L21uRyHoAjZZwKHMzIwahvvwmKy/s400/IMG_1542.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">The ingredients are pretty basic.</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">14 T butter</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">1 cup sugar</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">2 T cold water</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or almonds)</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">1 t vanilla</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Dash of salt</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">4 Hershey's Bars</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">A candy thermometer is helpful but not necessary.</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">First, I buttered my Pampered Chef cookie sheet and scattered the chopped walnuts evenly around.</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3L8SfzckBUp9-xpyMFcdBmAMMGkFijMTa10o4tfWGRqjViLXJXIy3-6XsZD68W09_1Yf0k6Fur3pmV2cRH8O4yQK41Jhlm6gOnarPV7OVGVw3yhAHg6qhSlLbEqqnwg6FAzfObsNX4Cqd/s1600/IMG_1532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3L8SfzckBUp9-xpyMFcdBmAMMGkFijMTa10o4tfWGRqjViLXJXIy3-6XsZD68W09_1Yf0k6Fur3pmV2cRH8O4yQK41Jhlm6gOnarPV7OVGVw3yhAHg6qhSlLbEqqnwg6FAzfObsNX4Cqd/s320/IMG_1532.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;">In a heavy pot, I added the butter to melt on medium high heat. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I love the smell of melting butter.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7h3vBd8fh1OnLo7emFtJ-tazaXFWI8rpJF5NF9bQN4NPRRYlqBz439exIxK2ZVcXhmZnOkYiJ0Fp6KSPE3x0QocHZbto0-vhZIujq6oSMLT0tuhJSWKMcW7icDyO6z0jLn9nQdHxPrq3/s1600/IMG_1531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7h3vBd8fh1OnLo7emFtJ-tazaXFWI8rpJF5NF9bQN4NPRRYlqBz439exIxK2ZVcXhmZnOkYiJ0Fp6KSPE3x0QocHZbto0-vhZIujq6oSMLT0tuhJSWKMcW7icDyO6z0jLn9nQdHxPrq3/s320/IMG_1531.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;">As it melted, but before it turned brown, I added 1 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of cold water. I'm not exactly sure why you need to add water, but it made a nice sizzling sound and looked impressive.</div><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DF9CUuqqGVzB2LuR_QlgAmxAuOYBMTwfnoin2zR2tSE2GiaXIn3KgNefD5RD1Eux1mD6vK7Qj7m0CnXVMxCncqbHMHMYdykqQOTfAfLIfPHT0_IpK7kEphy4Cum4VN64lwnWMnq0Fd8O/s1600/IMG_1533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8DF9CUuqqGVzB2LuR_QlgAmxAuOYBMTwfnoin2zR2tSE2GiaXIn3KgNefD5RD1Eux1mD6vK7Qj7m0CnXVMxCncqbHMHMYdykqQOTfAfLIfPHT0_IpK7kEphy4Cum4VN64lwnWMnq0Fd8O/s320/IMG_1533.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">It was a lovely bubbly creation here that but had to be stirred constantly with a wooden spoon. I would think that a nice red plastic spoon would melt. Not that it has ever happened to me... but it probably would. </div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPTNQ1sABGFfp5yGvw7O-HfqYEwDo-oAHiaG95en6VWa5Uc0Q8gh-IxdmKkm4OS85Svf-v65ZTvvXecdq-IOV1qMCTJI_Ag1ywwF7RTToWVi3Y8zfEU7Wds596CGJjL30ssa60mDMLqP-/s1600/IMG_1535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuPTNQ1sABGFfp5yGvw7O-HfqYEwDo-oAHiaG95en6VWa5Uc0Q8gh-IxdmKkm4OS85Svf-v65ZTvvXecdq-IOV1qMCTJI_Ag1ywwF7RTToWVi3Y8zfEU7Wds596CGJjL30ssa60mDMLqP-/s320/IMG_1535.JPG" width="240" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"><i> </i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"> </span></a></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">Just keep stirring. Just keep stirring. Just keep stirring, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">stirring, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px;">stirring</span></div><br />
The lovely creamy bubble turned quickly (10min +/-) into a dark brown concoction but it was still kinda grainy. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>I began to worry- I might be burning it. </i></div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">At this point, I realized that the candy thermometer that I hardly ever use was cracked. I decided not to use it incase it added tiny pieces of glass to the candy.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> I started to panic a bit... </div><div style="text-align: center;">but remembered that there is a cold water test. </div><br />
I opened my handy dandy iphone and googled it.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">From Taste of Home's website, I found that the</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;"><i> "Hard-Crack Stage is (300°-310°). Drop a small amount of the hot candy mixture into the cold water. When cooled and removed from the water, the candy will separate into hard brittle threads."</i></span><br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"> >>>>Have I told you that I love my iphone? Well, I really do!<<<<</span></i></div><div style="font-family: 'trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i>See how the picture below shows the syrup to be less grainy and smoother? It was almost ready.</i></div><div style="font-family: 'trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><i></i></div><i><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrThyphenhyphenOANMnI2dtn6tEz1sbaOsDXP6fTVybtjO8jqMlk56pd7Co-LFBmM4jszsv1s2yLlrG6oWRGl64tbDaIKUKjYr8XmnLjDlVYUXnk-QOOHiMG050-WRi-mEldwgnOpZEywg1f96wUzJo/s1600/IMG_1536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrThyphenhyphenOANMnI2dtn6tEz1sbaOsDXP6fTVybtjO8jqMlk56pd7Co-LFBmM4jszsv1s2yLlrG6oWRGl64tbDaIKUKjYr8XmnLjDlVYUXnk-QOOHiMG050-WRi-mEldwgnOpZEywg1f96wUzJo/s320/IMG_1536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><i></i></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: 'trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">I didn't have time to take pictures of me testing the candy, because of the panic mentioned above... but the very first try at testing showed that my candy was in fact brittle little threads. I began to pour it onto the walnuts.</div><div style="font-family: 'trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAvtqspBNi-Mw3chfPUAGGvwo6q7q_KZGImXEYZex5melL3i_F61ghH2tQnPWMYmqD5VmPT6FhfVWcSbZiuvTF9RxM299hKXR89IRA36MF6l4xxS5-4e1ePdhyphenhyphenhwZ4Bm3IitGdCVMQXYN/s1600/IMG_1537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaAvtqspBNi-Mw3chfPUAGGvwo6q7q_KZGImXEYZex5melL3i_F61ghH2tQnPWMYmqD5VmPT6FhfVWcSbZiuvTF9RxM299hKXR89IRA36MF6l4xxS5-4e1ePdhyphenhyphenhwZ4Bm3IitGdCVMQXYN/s320/IMG_1537.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It looked yummy and beautiful.</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"></span></div><div style="font-family: 'trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">It didn't take up the whole tray like I thought it would. Next time, I could double the recipe to use the entire tray or just be happy with what I have....<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">The secret to being content... is to be happy with what I have.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Next, I opened 4 packages of Hershey's Milk Chocolate and crumbled up into pieces. </div><div style="font-family: 'trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I was surprised at how fast it melted.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMI_BMXqre5RbZEbwYrmJ_CPbbXFVQ3CwcalOSF5xJRKwnOEw8FfvMtoZBs_JO1uysvxvNM90ggckSMjppDD3UjFHyPJ2RVn0WzcENEEqYagPo2wpZ5veb01-5otSE4jm49rVCLabJ94xh/s1600/IMG_1538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMI_BMXqre5RbZEbwYrmJ_CPbbXFVQ3CwcalOSF5xJRKwnOEw8FfvMtoZBs_JO1uysvxvNM90ggckSMjppDD3UjFHyPJ2RVn0WzcENEEqYagPo2wpZ5veb01-5otSE4jm49rVCLabJ94xh/s320/IMG_1538.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
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I thought that I could sprinkle some of the left over chopped walnuts on top too. So, I did. Once it was close to room temperature, I put it in the fridge to finish hardening. Then it was easy to break up into small pieces. </div><div style="font-family: 'trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaYpXYagVVunN17kY6B1HPn8Lw5vgYyvXeiAO-JnfSgHrz24ax7kGNOcijIp9ZwCgBA2NHt1EO6vKnncUWkzwBb_Lh6Z8CZTo5_7dHFHhgBvDoVOpOGqbgIFvdu0aRv-686fTQ-THHe0L/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNaYpXYagVVunN17kY6B1HPn8Lw5vgYyvXeiAO-JnfSgHrz24ax7kGNOcijIp9ZwCgBA2NHt1EO6vKnncUWkzwBb_Lh6Z8CZTo5_7dHFHhgBvDoVOpOGqbgIFvdu0aRv-686fTQ-THHe0L/s320/IMG_1540.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div><div style="font-family: 'trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
I really liked the finished process. I think that it would be great to use almonds or even chopped peppermint candy canes.</div><div style="font-family: 'trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPh76R5wjhm2keykO6ll2G-9-K-p19oGKQc-SNEEmtqkfSNl1s9aviyq7lv0OB0XNPo1fEpKw-Tww-XymNScb6guP1J-CvhzaMsGpJAqtat_tY0oRN5L21uRyHoAjZZwKHMzIwahvvwmKy/s1600/IMG_1542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPh76R5wjhm2keykO6ll2G-9-K-p19oGKQc-SNEEmtqkfSNl1s9aviyq7lv0OB0XNPo1fEpKw-Tww-XymNScb6guP1J-CvhzaMsGpJAqtat_tY0oRN5L21uRyHoAjZZwKHMzIwahvvwmKy/s320/IMG_1542.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Recipe for Rose's Toffee</span></div><div style="font-family: 'trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"></div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">14 T butter</div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">1 cup sugar</div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">2 T cold water</div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or almonds)</div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">1 t vanilla</div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Dash of salt</div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">4 Hershey's Bars</div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">Butter a cookie sheet. Sprinkle chopped walnuts evenly on cookie sheet. Add butter to a heavy pot and melt on medium high heat. Once melted but not brown, add sugar and water and bring to a bubbling boil while stirring constantly. Boil and stir until contents reach 300-310 degrees on a candy thermometer or use the cold water test for a hard crack stage. Remove from heat add vanilla and salt. Pour onto nuts in the cookie sheet spreading as necessary. Top with Hershey's chocolate bars and spread as it melts. Cool completely and then break into pieces. Store in airtight container.</div></span></div><br />
<div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-48633703110087725202010-12-22T14:08:00.000-08:002010-12-22T14:08:31.063-08:00Grammy's Russian Spiced TeaI loved, loved, loved Christmas at my Grammy's house. Grandpa and Grammy lived on several acres in SW Missouri. It was a time filled with family, love and wonderful food.<br />
.<img height="245" id="myphoto" src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs068.snc3/13565_1301279336444_1364266244_30878825_4623458_n.jpg" width="320" />" <br />
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We would drive our VW from the mountains, across the prairie to the Ozarks. We would often arrive after dark, walking like zombies into the chilly"utility room.<br />
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It was a great place to land. Next to her super sized freezer, Grammy had all her lovely canned tomatoes and green beans lining the wall in all their colorful glory. There was also a little table that would have round tins of her Christmas candy: divinity, fudge and sometimes ribbon candy. I'm ashamed to say that sometimes I would check out the tins before even saying hello.<br />
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Grammy was a great cook! I don't think that I can make good fudge nor divinity at this altitude, but I can make another of her Christmas traditions: Russian Spiced Tea. Below is the original recipe from Tang.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://recipecurio.com/recipe-copies/collection2/hot-spiced-tea-tang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" id="il_fi" src="http://recipecurio.com/recipe-copies/collection2/hot-spiced-tea-tang.jpg" style="padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I was not able to find unsweetened instant tea at the grocery store, so I varied my recipe. <br />
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2 cups Tang<br />
2 cups sweetened instant lemon tea.<br />
1 tablespoon cinnamon<br />
2 teaspoons ground cloves.<br />
Mix together in a big bowl. Use 4 teaspoons for every cup of hot water. Store in air tight container.<br />
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It is just like stepping back into that sweet time of Christmas in the Ozarks.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-62228991516531186352010-08-31T08:54:00.000-07:002010-08-31T08:54:53.772-07:00Buñuelos Way back when I was 18, I lived in Costa Rica. It was one of the happiest times of my life. Costa Rica was still not really on the tourist radar. In fact, a trip to the library for information resulted in three paragraphs in an encyclopedia. Now, there are usually at least 10 complete travel books on any library or book store shelf.<br />
I lived with a wonderful family who was loving, intelligent, generous and fun. Beto, the father was a medical doctor who practiced philosophy on the side. On Saturday mornings, he and his wife, Astrid, would sit at the dining room table with a big pot of delicious coffee, tortillas, fresh natilla (A yummy tart cream) and a pack of cigarettes. Their youngest daughter, Marcia, would be drawing. The baby, Xunia, was happily sitting at the table covered in the white cream. I would sit and listen to the two of them discuss all sorts of life's questions. It was wonderful! Truly, comfort food for the tummy, heart and the brain.<br />
My best friend was Astrid's sister, Ilse. She was a gift from God and lived just up the street with her parents. Ilse's physical size was the only thing small about her. She loved to have big fun. She would stop by the house and pull me out the door with plans to go to the beach, the disco or to a dance in Sarchi. Life was never boring with Ilse. <br />
One time, there was an epidemic of African Pink Eye going around. This Conjunctivitis was not fun and of course, I got it. The problem was that I was supposed to go on a double date with Ilse. She was determined to have me cured in time to play. I remember laying on my bed with the sun steaming in the window. Ilse came over and told me that the curanderas believed that a few drops of honey in each eye would take care of the problem. She had a little tiny dish of honey and a toothpick in her hand. She instructed me to let just a few drops of honey fall into each eye and she would be back that evening to pick me up. Like a fool, I followed her instructions. I can only tell you that I don't remember child birth hurting as much as that honey and I did not go to the party with her that night.<br />
Because of Ilse, I got to live Costa Rica like a local. I learned how to pick coffee beans at her father's cafetal so that we would have enough money to get into the discoteca. I got to walk the beach at midnight in Puntarenas. I even took a very long bus trip that was similar to "Romancing the Stone." I believe that my Spanish got better each day because of Ilse. She never slowed her speech for me, nor did she "dummy down" her vocabulary. I had to follow along or get left behind. <br />
I was also supposed to be going to school. I really didn't spend a lot of time there. Algorithms in Spanish are just as boring as in any other language. I would skip class and nobody ever seemed to mind. <br />
One thing I do remember about school was the lady who sat on the street corner selling snacks. She would show up about the same time every day with a little table covered with treats. My favorites were the fruit filled empanadas and the buñuelos. For some reason, I remember them also being called something like orejas or elephant ears. What I do remember was a crisply fried disk of dough sprinkled with cinnamon sugar. You could also get them covered with a lovely brown sugar syrup. It was sticky, sweet and great with a cup of dark Costa Rican coffee.<br />
At work this week, we were having a get together with all the employees. Everybody was supposed to bring something that would go with Tacos. I immediately thought of empanadas and buñuelos. So, on Friday, I mixed up some empanadas filled with cherry jelly. They were just ok. My pie dough was a bit too fluffy and it made the empanadas a little to airy. I left them in a bowl to drizzle frosting on later. Harry, my husband, thought they tasted fine and ate them all. So, I decided on buñuelos. <br />
I had tried to make buñuelos before, but they were not very crispy nor light. I found a recipe that I adapted a bit and they turned out much better this time. I kept them far away from Harry and had plenty to take to the party. We even had a few left overs for breakfast with coffee the next morning. <br />
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Buñuelos<br />
1/4 c sugar<br />
1 t cooking oil<br />
4 eggs<br />
2 1/4 t baking powder<br />
2 c flour (or more as needed)<br />
1 t salt<br />
1 c sugar<br />
2 t cinnamon<br />
vegetable oil for frying<br />
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In a large bowl combine the eggs, sugar and 1 t cooking oil and whisk until thick. In a separate bowl, stir together the 1 1/4 c flour, baking powder and salt. Slowly add the dry mix to the wet. It will be very sticky. Put the remaining 1/4 c flour onto the counter (better yet, a wooden bread board). Turn dough out and knead until smooth. You may need more flour. Shape into 16 balls and rolls each one into a thin circle about 5" in diameter. I found the thinner the better. Let stand for about 10 minutes. Heat oil in a deep dutch oven to 350 degrees. Fry circles until golden brown, turning once. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar mixture. These are so good with Costa Rican coffee, but the kind of coffee processed there. It really really is so much better!<br />
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'Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-36462895728520229042010-04-22T09:19:00.000-07:002010-04-22T09:19:37.567-07:00Quilts, Rain and Pancakes- Oh My! This week I broke out my quilting supplies. I have a 1930's Singer Featherweight sewing machine that I just love! I would not trade it in for anything fancier! It is perfect just the way it is! It goes forwards and backwards- that's all. But it always works! What other appliances do we have around the house that are 80 years old and still work as well today as when it was new? This little black beauty will probably be working strong for my grandchildren too.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGFjfEYJIF4HbzxZomT-7z_y5CFjoLq2VWcPltRnqhOSP6m2RDU-gKTsNj8TKCCG9PB6LbQzzA4VE4Iw6cZhb0mLRNFqupplyZoz26g0Bj3-E_j17GbO3oiQXSIoZ6-1a0tIdyn6zTTUa/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGFjfEYJIF4HbzxZomT-7z_y5CFjoLq2VWcPltRnqhOSP6m2RDU-gKTsNj8TKCCG9PB6LbQzzA4VE4Iw6cZhb0mLRNFqupplyZoz26g0Bj3-E_j17GbO3oiQXSIoZ6-1a0tIdyn6zTTUa/s320/photo.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> I have a dear friend in Red Feather who has inspired me to start yet another sewing project. So, Monday I started cutting out fabric for a Wizard of Oz quilt for Sarah's 7th birthday in July. My friend and I are designing it as we go. Yesterday I got all the center blocks finished. There are 24 that have 6 inch pictures or quotes from the movie. It has been a challenge and I have no idea how it will turn out. I hope that I still like it when it is finished. I will post pictures. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: auto;"><br />
</div> Today we awoke to rain. Here in Colorado it could have very easily been snow in April. I remember as a girl, I had been given a really cute umbrella. It was like an upside down tulip. When opened it would cover me completely, but I could still see out of it's clear vinyl. The only problem was it hardly ever rained in Colorado. We either had wonderful blue skies, or we had snow and hail. I have very few memories of rainy days. I remember walking around the neighborhood with my little umbrella on a beautiful sunshiny day hoping for rain. Today, I wish had that umbrella for my little ones. They are walking around the cul-de-sac in their winter coats holding crab apple blossoms in the rain.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVtp0S5c9CUkd-ytglwzGvfuZxKFXg_a4OOlUYDhCBv6ECPGk42sKy8mQiJHblzTM5XeHK9RjlK5oeErQIUE5RV5GXVfiBm0-6jE4fXG70WSCd4BjUgglMtu5vB9y8GJ0ym152eC9WizM/s1600/crabappleblossoms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVtp0S5c9CUkd-ytglwzGvfuZxKFXg_a4OOlUYDhCBv6ECPGk42sKy8mQiJHblzTM5XeHK9RjlK5oeErQIUE5RV5GXVfiBm0-6jE4fXG70WSCd4BjUgglMtu5vB9y8GJ0ym152eC9WizM/s320/crabappleblossoms.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Last night, I promised my girls we'd make pancakes. I have a recipe that is easy to do and has great results. No need for Bisquick or Aunt Jamima mix, but just as quick. That means, I don't have to plan ahead.<br />
<br />
<b>Yummy Pancakes</b><br />
<br />
1 1/2 cup milk<br />
1 T lemon juice (optional)<br />
1 egg beaten<br />
3 T melted butter<br />
1 t vanilla<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 1/2 cup flour</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">3 1/2 t baking powder</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">3/4 t salt</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1T sugar</div><br />
<br />
1. In a small bowl mix together wet ingredients. If using the lemon, let this mixture sit for a minute. In a large bowl mix together all dry ingredients. Make a well in the center. Pour in liquids, mix until smooth.<br />
2. Heat a lightly oiled (can use the melted butter mentioned above) skillet or griddle over medium heat. Pour or scoop 1/4 cup batter onto griddle for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot. You can easily add a few blueberries to make this even yummier.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-1755196074864958252009-12-07T15:58:00.000-08:002009-12-07T16:12:46.508-08:00Jolly Old Saint Nicholas<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
<br />
When our last two children were born, we decided not to "do the Santa thing." We made a decision to try to keep the Christmas holiday focused on Christ. We felt that playing the Santa game made it all about commercialism and not about the savior. Our older two were in highschool and felt that we were cheating their sisters out of great memories. So we've decided to add to our advent calendar a special celebration for Saint Nicholas.<br />
<br />
I don't really know if he was jolly but yesterday was the official day to celebrate Saint Nicholas. Unlike Santa Claus, St Nicholas was a real person. He was a believer of Christ who was born during the third century in what is now the southern coast of Turkey. He was orphaned by his wealthy parents while still young. But their teaching of the gospels encouraged him to obey the words to "sell what you own and give to the poor." He used his entire inheritance to assist the needy. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made the Bishop of Myra. He was known throughout the land for his generosity. When the Roman Emperor Diocletian was persecuting Christians, Nicholas was put into prison and exiled. There is evidence that he did attend the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. He died on December 6, 343 AD. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St Nicholas Day.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="5" valign="top"><tbody>
<tr><td align="middle" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/jvanovsky5.jpg" style="color: #3333cc; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="new"><img alt="St Nicholas in prison" border="1" height="212" src="http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/jvanovsky5-sm.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;">St. Nicholas in prison<br />
<i>Artist: Elisabeth Jvanovsky</i></span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"></span><br />
</td><td align="middle" style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/jvanovsky4.jpg" style="color: #3333cc; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="new"><img alt="St Nicholas giving gold to father" border="1" height="212" src="http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/jvanovsky4-sm.jpg" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-left-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" /><br />
</a><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/jvanovsky4.jpg" style="font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="new"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="color: black;">St. Nicholas giving dowry gold<br />
</span></i></span></a><i><a href="http://www.stnicholascenter.org/stnic/images/jvanovsky4.jpg" style="font-size: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="new"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;">Artist: Elisabeth Jvanovsky</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; font-size: medium; font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></span></i></span><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are many stories associated with St Nicholas. One story that my friend Lynette told me is about a poor man with three daughters. In those days a young woman's father had to give the prospective husband a dowry- something of value like land or money. The larger the dowry the better the chance that a young woman would find a good husband. Without a dowry, a girl was </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">likely</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> to be sold into slavery. This poor father's daughters were destined to a life of unhappiness. Mysteriously, on three different occasions, a bag of gold was tossed through an open window into the girl's stockings or shoes that had been left to dry by the fire. This is where we get the custom to put things of value into a stocking hung by the fire. Because of St </span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Nicholas</span></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">' generosity, the girls were able to provide a dowry and marry well.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Last night after driving down the mountain, we popped a couple of Nick and Willy's pizzas (the mediterranian is my favorite and appropriate since St Nicholas lived on the coast of the Mediterranian Sea.) into the oven and then talked about St Nick. We reviewed what we had learned about him last year and how he is different than Santa. Then after eating we brought out the stockings. The girls each got an ornament for the tree and a few other little gifts. I did not spend more than $10 each. The point is not to get more "things" but to learn about the generosity of another believer. I hope to expand this next year. I'd like to get a nice book on the real St Nick to read yearly. I would also like to spend more time planning on practical ways to live out his example.</span></span><br />
</div></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-79305061046007572932009-12-07T13:28:00.000-08:002009-12-07T13:28:01.597-08:00Cood Weather Food<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, san-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">It is so cold today. A good coat and warm boots are required. The nice thing about Colorado is that it may be cold today, but next week it will all be melted. There will be blue skies and sweater weather. Tonight we are eating another family favorite. I have never met anybody who doesn't like it. Actually my husband gets mad when I serve it to company, because there are smaller portions for him. He doesn't like to share this dish at all! The first time I made it was with freshly roasted Hatch chiles from my friend Nancy L. I've never been able to duplicate it with store bought chiles but it is still very very very good. The key ingredients are the Grandma's noodles. If you can't find it, don't bother making it with dried noodles.<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Chicken Chile Noodle Bake<br />
3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, diced, salted and peppered<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 large onion, diced<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">2 cloves garlic, minced<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 1/2 cups canned green chilies, large diced<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 can diced or sliced tomatoes (with jalapenos if “heat” is desired)<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 can low fat cream on chicken soup<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 can no fat, low sodium chicken broth<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 8 oz pkg of reduced fat cheddar cheese, grated<br />
</div><div style="margin-top: 0px;">1 pkg 16 oz GRANDMA’S Wide Egg Noodles, prepared<br />
</div>Thaw noodles and boil them up. While the noodles are cooking, sautee chicken, onions and garlic in 1 tsp olive oil until chicken is cooked. Add green chiles, tomatoes, chicken soup and chicken broth and heat thru. Put cooked and drained noodles in large casserole. I use my Pampered Chef Cranberry Casserole, but a 13" Pyrex is fine too. Next, add most of cheese and pour heated mixture over noodles, stir, cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle on remaining cheese and cover. Let rest 10 minutes and serve.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px;">The “heat” can be turned up for those who like it spicier. You can add red pepper flakes, green chilies that are hotter or the canned tomatoes that are extra hot.<br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-72994151662539590952009-11-27T07:07:00.000-08:002009-11-27T07:07:21.998-08:00Grant Farms Soup<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"></span><br />
<div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template" style="margin-bottom: 2.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: url(http://www1.blogblog.com/dots/bg_post_title_left.gif); background-position: 0% 0.25em; background-repeat: no-repeat; color: #999966; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 100%/normal Georgia, serif; line-height: 1.4em; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.25em; padding-bottom: 1px; padding-left: 45px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><a href="http://mountainandprairie.blogspot.com/2008/11/grant-farms-soup.html" style="color: #999966; text-decoration: none;">Grant Farms Soup</a></h3><div class="post-header-line-1"></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="line-height: 1.6em; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">My parents are in Mexico. Such a life! Well, there are benefits to knowing people who travel.<br />
1. You can stay in their mountain cabin as much as you want.<br />
2. They let you drive their much nicer car.<br />
3. They give you their shares to Grant Family Farms.<br />
<br />
Grant Farms is an organic farm in Waverly.<br />
https://grantfarms.com/<br />
This is a community supported Agricultural project. At the beginning of the year you can buy a share that entitles you to weekly organic fruits and vegetables. The problem is, you don't know what you will get until you get there. This week we got gourds of some flavor, leeks, apples (amazingly sweet), lettuce, spinach, cilantro, parsley, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, and potatoes. This is what I made. Harry is NOT a soup person (must be because of some Seinfield episode) but he LOVED this and went back for thirds. Really yummy and easy.<br />
<br />
GRANT FARMS SOUP<br />
4 chicken or vegetable broth<br />
1/2 or whole onion<br />
2 c fresh or frozen broccoli<br />
2 c. fresh or frozen cauliflower<br />
1 sm. potato, diced<br />
3 cloves of garlic - smooshed<br />
3/4 c (more or less) cheddar cheese grated<br />
1/2 c. milk<br />
Salt and pepper (no salt if using canned broth)<br />
Hot pepper sauce or chili pepper flakes optional<br />
<br />
Bring broth, onion, broccoli, cauliflower, and potato to a boil in a soup pot. Reduce heat, cook covered, 10 minutes. Remove 1 cup plus broccoli and cauliflower pieces, set aside. Cook soup 10 minutes longer. Put cheese and milk into blender or food processor. Ladle in a 1/2c of soup broth. Puree until very smooth. Pour in 1-2 cups of veggies and continue to puree until creamy. (Beware - it's hot!) Return pureed soup to pan with reserved vegetables and heat through, but do not boil or cheese will curdle. Add seasonings.</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-23424084927803554712009-11-27T06:57:00.000-08:002009-11-27T06:57:37.032-08:00Upside-Down Carmel Apple French Toast<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<table border="0" bordercolor="#cbcb99" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" class="bbo_city_border_lt_green" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(203, 203, 153); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: rgb(203, 203, 153); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: rgb(203, 203, 153); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-style: initial; border-top-color: rgb(203, 203, 153); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica; font-size: 13px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="left"><span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;">We are up in Red Feather this weekend for Thanksgiving. My mom reminded me of one of my favorite holiday recipes. This is what we usually have on Christmas morning with coffee and orange juice. It is very easy and very fancy.<br />
</span><br />
Upside-Down Carmel Apple French Toast </b></span></td><td align="right"><span style="color: red;"><br />
</span></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2"><i>Prepare the night before or at least 3 hours in advance.</i><br />
1/2 cup butter<br />
1 1/4 cup packed brown sugar<br />
1 Tablespoon water<br />
Combine butter, brown sugar and water in a saucepan. Heat on medium until bubbling, stirring frequently. Place in a 9" x 13" pan and allow to cool for 20 to 30 minutes.<br />
3 Granny Smith apples<br />
Cinnamon, to taste (we like lots!)<br />
1/2 cup raisins, optional<br />
1 loaf French bread, sliced 1 ½ inch thick (about 8 slices)<br />
1 1/2 cups milk<br />
6 eggs<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla<br />
Peel, core and slice apples. Place the slices in rows, close together (overlapping), on top of the caramel sauce in the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and raisins. Place the slices of bread on top of the apples. Mix together the milk, eggs, and vanilla. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate over night. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 60 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy on the top.<br />
Serve upside-down. Spoon any extra sauce in the pan over the French toast. Serve with Crème Topping and garnish with nuts, if desired. Serves 6.<br />
<b>Crème Topping- not at all necessary</b><br />
1/2 cup whipping cream (or Cool Whip)<br />
1/2 cup sour cream<br />
1/4 cup sugar<br />
1/2 teaspoon almond extract OR orange extract<br />
Whip on high until thickened. Place 2 tablespoons of topping on top of each serving of French Toast.<br />
Absolutely delicious and so easy to make!<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-89437508344661643742009-11-24T17:45:00.000-08:002009-11-27T06:58:37.020-08:00World Famous Gypsy SoupOr at least it is famous around our house. This is a very old recipe that I got from Jane Brody. Not only is it yummy but it is also very weight watcher friendly. My husband is not a "soup person." Yet, he likes this one. The ingredients sound a bit odd, but trust me and try it. You'll like it or your money back.<br />
<br />
Gypsy Soup<br />
2T olive oil<br />
1-2 cups chopped onions<br />
2 or more large garlic cloves crushed<br />
1/2 c celery chopped<br />
2 c peeled, chopped sweet potatoes<br />
3 c broth (not brother)<br />
1 bay leaf<br />
2 t paprika<br />
1 t turmeric<br />
1 t basil<br />
salt to taste<br />
Dash cinnamon<br />
Dash cayenne<br />
1 c chopped tomatoes<br />
3/4 c green beans<br />
1 can drained chickpeas (garbanzo beans)<br />
1T tamari or soy sauce<br />
<br />
In a large pot, heat the oil and saute the onions, garlic, celery and sweet potatoes for about 10 minutes. Add the broth, bay leaf, paprika, turmeric, basil, salt, cinnamon and cayenne. Bring the soup to a boil, reduce the heat and cove while simmering for at least 15 minutes- until sweet potatoes are almost soft. Add the tomatoes, green beans, and chickpeas. Simmer for about 10 minutes longer. Stir in the tamari if desired. Serve warm- Great with home made bread.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-7229303459304284622009-10-15T17:22:00.000-07:002009-10-15T17:25:07.089-07:00Pumpkin Chocolate Comfort CookiesSome people might think that this is my glorified recipe file, but really I like to share a good thing when I find it. And nothing is "gooder" than food. <br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Autumn is one of my favorite seasons. One of the best things about autumn is the wonderful comfort food that comes with the cold weather. Today we baked up some Pumpkin Chocolate Comfort Cookies. I got the basic recipe from Allrecipes.com, but of course made it my own. I'm sure that I remember there used to be a Weight Watcher recipe like this that used rasins, applesauce and sweetnlow. What follows is the non- Weight Watcher recipe. It is more cake-like than a traditional cookie.<br />
</div><div><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, San-Serif; font-size: 11px;"></span><br />
<div class="clearfix" id="recipewrap" style="clear: both; display: block;"><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Century Gothic', Futura, 'Avant Garde', Verdana, San-Serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, San-Serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Lucida Grande', 'Century Gothic', Futura, 'Avant Garde', Verdana, San-Serif;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, San-Serif;"><div class="recipe centercontent2" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;"><span style="color: #847840; font-family: Arial, 'Century Gothic', Futura, 'Avant Garde', Verdana, San-Serif; font-size: 12px;">INGREDIENTS </span><br />
</div><div class="recipe centercontent2" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px;"><ul style="font-size: medium; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 cup canned pumpkin</li>
<li style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 cup white sugar</li>
<li style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/2 cup vegetable oil</li>
<li style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 egg</li>
<li style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 cups all-purpose flour</li>
<li style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 teaspoons baking powder</li>
<li style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 teaspoons ground cinnamon</li>
<li style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/4 teaspoon nutmeg</li>
<li style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/2 teaspoon salt</li>
<li style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 teaspoon baking soda</li>
<li style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 teaspoon milk</li>
<li style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1 tablespoon vanilla extract</li>
<li style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">2 cups semisweet chocolate chips</li>
<li style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">1/2 cup chopped walnuts or whatever nut you have on hand. I used pecans.</li>
<li style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">4 drops red food coloring (optional, makes it look more pumpkin-y.</li>
<li style="font-size: 11px; margin-bottom: 3px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 3px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: #847840; font-family: Arial, 'Century Gothic', Futura, 'Avant Garde', Verdana, San-Serif; font-size: 12px;">DIRECTIONS<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Combine pumpkin, sugar, vegetable oil, and egg. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt. Dissolve the baking soda with the milk and stir in. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and mix well.Add vanilla, chocolate chips and nuts.Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for approximately 13 minutes or until lightly brown and firm. Because of our altitude, I had to leave it in longer than the directions called for. Make sure yours are not over baked but also not gooey in the middle. These are autumnal perfection when served with hot cider.</span></span></li>
</ul></div></span></span><br />
</div><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-60632809952883658932009-10-15T15:05:00.003-07:002009-10-15T15:07:05.089-07:00Alice in the Oven<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px;">Today my girls requested Alice in the Oven. This is a recipe that is like a skillet custard baked in the oven. We love this! It is easy and uses basic ingredients. I was trying to figure out how it got it's name. There is no reference to this on the web. Because we are always looking for yummy protein based breakfasts, we use this one alot.<br />
<br />
Alice In The Oven<br />
1 cup flour<br />
1/3 cup sugar<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt<br />
5 eggs<br />
2 cups milk<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla<br />
and one stick (1/4 lb) butter<br />
<br />
Preheat oven to 350. Put the butter in a 12" cast iron skillet and melt it in the oven. Pour batter into the pan with melted butter. Bake until the top is golden brown about 35 minutes. Can be served with maple syrup, sliced fruit or plain.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-10905859367210386522009-10-15T15:05:00.001-07:002009-10-15T15:07:20.008-07:00Jamberry<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px;">Have you ever read the book Jamberry? It has been a favorite for all of my children. But not all jam is made from berries.<br />
<br />
Today I was looking at all my left over tomatoes from my summer garden. I didn't have enough to even make a decent spaghetti sauce, but I had tasted a burger at CB Potts last week that had "tomato jam" listed in the ingredients. It was a great burger. So I looked up Tomato Jam on the internet and found almost a hundred variations.<br />
<br />
My mom had just given me my first food processor and I quickly plopped all those red, orange and green fruits into it's plastic bowl. With a quick flip of my finger, I had pureed them all up into a soup like mixture. Next, I put about 5 cups of the tomato stuff and 5 cups of sugar into a pot to boil for 20 minutes. After transferring into a bigger pot after it boiled over onto the stove, I added 2 large packages of raspberry jello. Cooked until dissolved.<br />
<br />
It was great! It smells and tastes just like raspberry. Now I have to get some jam jars and get ready to give them away for Christmas gifts. <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>My friend Maria made empanadas and her daughters thought that it tasted just like strawberry jam. Gotcha!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3038517049162829160.post-56067977627162666962009-10-15T14:30:00.001-07:002009-10-15T14:44:56.786-07:00Second Time Around<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyV8ZSaJXW1ouOv3d500hulGQU6hMK7SK97Beb0Khhlmkm1RSCnV4zuptUEJFE5rZTO5VyrlwBdnI38hKYIxW7zFJMxwkueRrpEv6SLVIWZSo8-xPW_1xr1WcKWf1xp-Yv7aYeqAXq-x8/s1600-h/IMG_2021.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyV8ZSaJXW1ouOv3d500hulGQU6hMK7SK97Beb0Khhlmkm1RSCnV4zuptUEJFE5rZTO5VyrlwBdnI38hKYIxW7zFJMxwkueRrpEv6SLVIWZSo8-xPW_1xr1WcKWf1xp-Yv7aYeqAXq-x8/s320/IMG_2021.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392945899616009602" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Somethings are better the second time around. Have you ever had leftovers that tasted better than the first meal? What about second marriages? Well, this blog is my second attempt. I had one called Mountain and Prairie. I had grand plans but really only posted a few times. But, I can't use it any more. It was tied to an old email account and I can't remember the old password.</span><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I will repost the few items that I wrote there and we will start over. I hope to make this blog as much like me as possible. I will post ideas, memories, inspirations, recipes, projects in process and maybe even a few completed projects. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">I invite comments. It is nice to know that I am not just writing to invisible beings from the movie Contact. Please add your own ideas, recipes, and thoughts. </span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08361124899861183462noreply@blogger.com0