Food
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Definitely Busy—-Just not Here
Another Funeral will be happening at the church on Thursday 05 August. This one is for a pillar in the congregation, a much beloved man who reached the nice old age of 97 years. He often played his saxophone for special music during Worship Services, and at other gatherings.
He was quite proud that my youngest son was born on his 72 birthday, and then went on to be the star of the Christmas pageant as Baby Jesus. One time when we were at Farm & Fleet, we bumped into Earl, and he asked if the tall teenager standing beside me was my son who had been the Baby Jesus. At my Yes response, the kid got a hug and was told that his birthday was blessed indeed.
Earl was the guy who was amazed that I had made it to the age of 27 without ever riding in an airplane. He made arrangements for me and a couple other folks to meet at the airport to go up in the air in a little 4-seat plane. I should dig out the photos from that evening. A wonderful experience.
The other airplane rides I had to do was going and coming back for my Dad’s funeral. Commercial planes with seats so close together that I did not have room for my elbows and had to give up crocheting for the duration of the flight.
Well, anyway, Earl had a request to have a real nice dinner, not just finger foods and paper plates.
The person who is Chairman for Funeral Meals is out of town for her daughter’s wedding, and so again I am doing a whole bunch of the efforts leading up to a nice memory for the family. We might serve 100 guests this time.
I did come up with the idea to hit up my e-mail Contacts before I start doing phone calls. E-mails are so much easier to send and reply, rather than ringing someone in from watering the garden and who does not have a Planner book close at hand.
It seems to be working—already marked the list for 4 desserts, 2 salads, a relish tray, and a potato casserole.
But I really should get away from the desk and phone and writing and screen.
There’s laundry and dishes to put away.
I’m not going outside. Temperature is over 90.
Maybe me, my crochet hook, and a dvd will have a quiet afternoon.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Thursday, June 10, 2010
When it’s My Turn to Treat
White Puppy Chow in individual cups
Back when my sons were in grade school, there was a tradition for the birthday kid to bring treats for the class. It did not seem to matter that there was awhile when we were income level low enough to qualify for Reduced Fee Lunch, the classmates really made a big deal about birthday goodies.
I do not remember having to do this when I was young, school was out by the second week of June when my birthday happens.
Some parents would supervise a nice party, but I’m a bit lazy at organizing events for other peoples’ happiness.
I managed to persuade my sons that just passing out a candy bar at the end of the day would be fine.
I would buy a box of regular size candy bars in each son’s favorite flavor.
And it worked! My son got to hand over something, kids got a treat to take home.
Years later, as in college age, I saw a former classmate of my kid at a store. He said he still remembers getting a Full-Size candy bar from a Wiman just for himself, and that he did not have to share with his brother because it came as a special treat from school.
Today is my own birthday, and I wanted to make some Puppy Chow. However, in the pantry was white chocolate bought on Clearance after Christmas. Eh, have an adventure, I told myself. The cooking and measuring would be the same recipe.
It turned out quite tasty. But there was a huge bowl full, as in—a whole box of cereal goes into the creation.
So I decided to share with my Needlework Group.
And I wrote about it for my Dear Ones e-mail friends. One gal replied “Just wanted to comment on your decision to do a “my birthday, my treat” thing with your group. That is very German!! The birthday person does the treating! So you are right in German culture/style!”
Well, I didn’t realize tradition went back so far. I’m thinking of 20 years ago when I was stressed out about providing my sons with something to be okay about.
Not that I would have carried in containers full of Puppy Chow for a whole class—- You do realize how much stirring goes into the preparations? In those days, I was a bit harried doing the mothering thing.
Today, it was nice I packed the stickiness in cups. Don’t believe a box of plastic wrap when it says it will cling to anything. I had to tie yarn around. Another gal had brought coffee cake from the Farmer’s Market, which we had during our time together, so most of those cups of Chow went home.
I’m having a Happy Birthday! Cards in the mail, Messages on Facebook, e-Greetings. Don’t really need any other sweetness. Something crunchy is fine.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Peaches-n-Cream Goodness
Awhile back, someone brought a delicious fruit salad to a church potluck. I asked for the recipe, which she said was quite easy, and it is. However, I noticed when I used the canned tropical fruit salad (my favorite) then I would bring home the bowl still half full of goodies.
Or, perhaps, give the leftovers to a gal who runs a home daycare service. She said her kids love it.
Therefore, I did a bit of altering to make it mine own.
Here’s the recipe, the way I make it anyway
You need: a big restaurant size can of sliced peaches, drained of the syrup
3.4 ounce cheesecake flavor instant pudding, mixed according to directions on the package
use 1 1/2 cups pudding in the recipe then enjoy the rest all on its own1 1/2 cups vanilla yogurt
stir the creamy items together with a wire whisk
Fold in the peach parts.
Put into a pretty bowl, chill until ready to serve
I don’t have leftovers at a church potluck these days. Just as well, the nutritious peaches offsets the empty calories of the pudding.
that glass bowl is Made in USA, which I found on Clearance at a big box store about a month ago. I didn’t really need another bowl, but it is so pretty…
Yesterday, I saw the shelf is full again, of a similar design, but the bar code sticker says its glass is made overseas
Too many workers lost a job making something good….
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Monday, March 15, 2010
We’re eating Good
Ever since the critter doctor told me to UP the girl cat’s food servings, it seems like all I do is buy cans of the stuff.
I opened the next to last this morning, so since I decided to decline TA Sub jobs, I went out to run some errands.
The store which has the best price for the kind she likes also has a nice craft supply aisle, and groceries for humans.
I looked at all the goodies on the craft shelves, but showed great restraint for not putting anything into my cart 
I’m saving my spare cash for spending this weekend at the Relief Sale, on stuff that other people have put time and effort into.
As luck has it, cat food is on sale 4 cans for $1.42, which is less than the usual 47¢ each, but wrong luck caught up because only 8 cans were chicken & tuna for her.
the store has been rearranged a bit since the last time I was there, but I found the other items on my list
Then I remembered lunch time was long gone.
Nearby was a bin full of ice, prepared salads nestled in.
And the clerk was just adding a few more containers.
When I looked them over, I decided on an interesting combo
Fruit and Nut Salad, weight .43 lbs
Total $2.16At home, I opened it and separated the parts
16 halfs pecans
18 blueberries
4 blackberries
4 red raspberries
slices of strawberries which added up to 4 whole
a nice bed of spring mixed greens, so much that I put 1/3 of it in the fridge
Shake on some olive oil based dressing,
toast a slice of bakery bread
a glass of cold tea
What a Feast!
and the girl cat is liking having her favorite flavor in her dish
It’s been a good afternoon. Hope yours is fine also.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Thursday, December 03, 2009
They were doin’ some cookin’ !!
Every once in awhile I find a spot
to stop n look around a bit
and Making Apple Butter is one I found today
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Her Kitchen Must Be a Wonderful Place
Because Halloween is coming,
Not Martha decided to cook a creative meatloaf
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Recipe for Bread Pudding
there has come a request for the recipe of the treat mentioned in a previous post
my Betty Crocker cookbook was a wedding gift and has the picture from 1972 on the cover
use a casserole dish which will fit inside a pan holding water
put the tea kettle water on to heat
pre-heat oven to 350oF
serves 6
Bread Pudding
5 slices bread (I use 3 whole wheat, 2 country white)
2 tablespoons butter or margarine (or more if you like)
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
cinnamon in a shaker
1/3 cup raisins (or more if you like)
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1/3 cup granulated white sugar
dash of salt
2 1/2 cups milk, scalded
(I put in in the microwave for 1 min 20 secs)
***************************************************
toast bread slices lightly
(I put ‘em in the oven a couple minutes while it heats)
Spread slices bread with butter, then sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon
cut each slice into 4 pieces
arrange half the bread in a greased 1 1/2 or 2 quart casserole dish
with the butter side UP
sprinkle with some of the raisins
layer rest of bread, butter UP
sprinkle with rest of raisins
MIX Eggs, white sugar, vanilla and salt in a mixing bowl
slowly stir in hot milk
Pour this mixture over the bread in the dish
Place casserole in a pan on oven rack
Pour very hot water into outer pan, at least an inch deep
Bake 65 minutes or until a butter knife inserted halfway between the edge and the center comes out clean
you may need to refill the hot water pan
Remove casserole from hot water
Wait 15 minutes to serve warm
or good anytime
Store leftovers in fridge because of the eggs
my sons and daycare kids loved this when they were little
Husband’s request was the first time I made it in a decade
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
One Gulp Then Away Again
When we woke up this morning, there was more snow on the ground.
Husband and I discussed how much. . . I said 3” /
he said 1” but neither of us bothered to find a ruler nor went out to measure the depth.
Enough Already was our final agreeement.
And the temperature going from 36oF yesterday
to only 3 ^ 0 today sure has my joints aching. Although he spoke about colder weather now will be putting a big squelch on bugs and molds later in the Spring.
I had told SubFinder to Do Not Disturb with early morning phone calls because I am busy with some church events. Dear Ones E-mail list got the obituary for our friend Tom.
When I looked at the computer grid, there were three jobs open, but not a one did I think was good enough to break my silence. This is one of those times when somebody else will have to work harder.
Over breakfast (which was leftover meatloaf on a biscuit—unusual but quite tasty) I had my latest copy of Angels on Earth magazine parked beside my plate. Some sweet reading to start the day.
I pulled on some ready for the laundry clothes, bundled up, then shovelled out the front and back sidewalks, both cars and the driveway cleared of snow.
The ice underneath is a different problem. The mailman was wearing ice clamps on his boots.
My shopping list is written, have made and received several phone calls, knitted a couple rows on the latest peg loom hat, and chosen crochet thread to make a bookmark to enclose in a sympathy card.
With All this done before 11AM
Now I’m gonna take a shower, put on some freshly laundered clothes, bundle up again, let the car use up gas while idling get warm in the driveway, and head off to the grocery store.
I have promised to make a dessert for the funeral lunch, a couple extra items for the Family Fun Night dinner, ground turkey and stuff for supper tonight here at home.
I’m going to try a new recipe Jack’s Turkey Stroganoff as seen yesterday on the Bonnie Hunt Show.
You all will have to carry on without me again.
Real Life brings hustle to my bustle.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Thursday, August 07, 2008
You can see that THEY have zucchini
In connection with my plight of what I am doing with a big zucchini, I will link you to Shaun Groves, Zucchini Farmer,
a guy whose blog I found through reading Owlhaven, who has her own zucchini quandary.
Monday, August 04, 2008
My Morning so Far
Yesterday at church, there was an oversize zucchini squash left on the table of sharing items in the Fellowship Area. I was almost the last person to leave, so I decided I’d bring it home, rather than worrying about whether it would make it to the fridge.
When son Chris saw it, he was amazed at how big it is. When I mentioned that I intend to do some baking, he asked if I would bring some to him at his job around lunch time.
This morning, while chopping nuts using a chopper rather than a knife and cutting board, I got a nice slice into the tip of my middle finger on my left hand. Same finger that was stuck to test for iron at my blood donation, so now it will be sore awhile longer.
Dang thing took 10 minutes to stop dripping, but finally two band-aids and a glove let me continue.
The gadget is going to the church rummage sale, which is where I got it in the first place.
I cut 3 inches of squash off the length and grated that piece into 2 cups for making zucchini nut bread.
Then I set the grater over on the other counter near the sink. When I spilled a bit of oil, I reached for the wipecloth.
The grater had been placed on its corner, so when I grabbed, the grater fell over, skinning the knuckles of my right hand. No bleeding this time, praise be.
Just as I was ready to pour the batter into 2 loaf pans, the mailman knocked on the front door, so I had a bit of a nice morning chat.
Some days he is the only other person I see until Husband comes home. Chris told us just before he moved out that he was kinda glad to be moving into the center of town, an apartment over the bookstore. He says our neighborhood is so vehwy vehwy quiet.
Once the pans were ready, I realized I had not pre-heated the oven.
So there they waited while I had to deal with Mahalia.
When the girl cat finds a slug on the sidewalk and makes it into her latest plaything,
what do you think takes the slime off her paws and my fingers?Softsoap milk & honey for hands? Nope
Dawn dish soap? Nope
Sunflower oil? Nope
Fels Naphtha bar laundry soap? Yes
of course all the others might have broke it down some….
There is 30 minutes left on the timer until the bread comes out of the oven.
I’m just waiting to see if any other small mishaps come along before I deliver some slices on a plate to the music store’s break room.
The rest of the zucchini = = hhmmm.
Maybe some ratatouille, or baked with cheese, battered and fried, or grate and freeze.
Time to pull out the ol’ recipe book.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Thursday, July 31, 2008
The Treats Jar
A few years ago, my sister Denise gave me a birthday gift of a ceramic crock with a picture of the historic Blaine Bridge. It has a shaped wooden lid, not airtight, but enough to cover the edge.
I keep it on my desk beside my computer monitor for the purpose of treats.
Much of the time, I’m glad for the lid because it reminds me not to open too often and munch the goodies.
After the chocolate covered cashews ran out, I left the crock sit empty for the last couple weeks.
However, the other day while at the store, I discovered new DOVE dark chocolate minis with chopped almond bits.
AND I had a coupon for 50¢ off, which would be doubled!
I may have to put a piece of tape on the lid for security.
The wrapper from today’s piece of chocolate says
“You’re allowed to do nothing”
Too late. Husband and I rode our bicycles to Denny’s for breakfast, then he went off to the job.
When I got home, I emptied the dishwasher and played with the cats.
Then I sat on the back porch and crocheted a dishcloth.
I guess that’s close to nothing, since nobody comes around with a stopwatch or anything.
This afternoon is my Yarn Group.
I’ll be taking some knit hats for Show n Tell.
You All have a good Day, now, ya hear?!!
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Something good to eat, Something nice to wear
The Methodist Church a couple blocks over was having its yearly rummage sale, so of course I had to go.
It’s hotter than blazes outside, plus I did not want another tiring episode by having the wrong mode of transportation, so I decided to take the car.
The mailman was just dropping off the items which make up his livelihood, but I asked him to just put it through the slot since I was leaving for the sale.
I mentioned that I had only $7 cash, and he said that should be enough to get a bunch of stuff.
Although I could not find any shirts I might want to wear while on the job, I did have some good luck. I got a nice old calendar with Ansel Adams pictures, a little carry-around photo album still in a box, and a hardback book.
The book _A Redbird Christmas_ is written by Fannie Flagg, and I have read several of her others, so this one is next.
Saving the best for last, I walked through the room where baked goods were on display.
While I do love to bake, the thought of turning on the oven in July is too overwhelming, even with a nicely-tuned air-conditioner.
Yay, something yummy was available
a bar cookie with chocolate chips, dried cherries, walnuts
and Yes, it does taste as good as it looks
My latest photo is showing off my new glasses
Husband says it’s easy to take a portrait quality picture of me, but I think it’s because I’m looking at him, and he likes to flirt a little while he’s hiding behind the shutter. . . .
~~love and Huggs, Diane
ps in the second photo, I’m sitting at the picnic table on the patio and the clothesline is above and behind my head
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Pie from a worthy cause
There’s always some kind of worthy cause out there wanting some attention. Our family has some favorite projects, but I always have a soft spot and usually open my wallet for young folks. The old saying about old people know more about being young than young people know about getting old is getting recognized by me on a daily basis.
Saturday, 09 February was a Coffee House and Silent Auction to help the church’s Mennonite Youth Fellowship to raise funds to go on a trip next summer. I’m not clear as to whether the trip is for missions or conference, but having some fond memories of being on a bus with a whole bunch of friends, I like to give other kids the same treatment.
While at the Registration table, I was asked to sign my name on a list, then was given a card with a number written on it. This was to be my bidding mark for all the items I wanted own.
This was supposed to bring on the ability to be Anonymous, but as the dollar bids added up and we could see who was hovering near certain items, the idea of being nameless was no longer possible.
I strolled through the area glancing at certain items, studying others. A pair of binoculars looked interesting, but I don’t know enough about lenses to be able to judge.
I almost called Husband at home, but he’s still under siege from ‘flu germs and mentioned he would go to bed early.
I was on my own for this, on a budget of a week’s allowance.
I wrote my bidding number and the minimum dollar amount on 3 different items, then made my way over to the dessert and drinks area. Dropping my first $5 into the Donations basket, I knew I might have to give up something in the auction if I were to stay within my limits.
With a piece of apple pie and some good coffee in front of me, I sat down to watch the action.
Every few minutes, I went over to check my items. The scrubbies were soon out of my willingnesss to spend more on them, leaving me to focus my attention on a mixed fruit pie baked in the kitchen of one fantastic lady, and a bag of cotton yarn whose colors have been discontinued.
The yarn was actually a shrug to me, I have lots of yarn.
Until I saw who else kept upping the bid by a dollar every time I wrote down my own.
Now, it was personal. Remember, all money was going to a worthy cause.
And the pie.
There were several pies there. I wanted the one with the filling of rhubarb/strawberry/raspberry.
Longer story short, I came home with the yarn and the pie.
I had to spend $7 over what I had intended to, which means I won’t buy a latte on Wednesday.
This was more fun, in so many ways.
Chris got home about 10 minutes after I did. I told him there was a pie baked by E B on the counter. After he hung up his coat, he went and cut a slice for himself. By then, I was on the couch, crochet hook in hand.
There was quiet for a couple minutes, then he came over and leaned in the doorway to the living room, plate in one hand, fork in the other.
“How much did this cost?” was his question.
“Half my allowance…” I replied.
He took a bite, chewed slowly, then swallowed.
“Worth. Every. Penny” he said.
This morning in church, I told E B what Chris had said.
She was quite pleased that we are enjoying it.
The events of the evening brought in around $4400.
Looks like the MYF will be having a fine time on their trip.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
ps My donation of 3 crocheted bookmarks had a high bid of $10 for all of them, and the potholders went for $6 a pair. One home-cooked meal for 8 went for a little over $200.
A different pie had a high bid of $21.
What a great evening of fun with some nice people.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Uummm, PIE
We Thank You Kindly for the Berry Rhubarb Pie
this masterpiece comes to us as a Thank You gift from friend Hazel
It tastes even better than it looks…..mm mm good.
~~love and Huggs, Diane
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Big-tailed Thief
This morning I was having my second cup of tea while sitting on the steps of the front porch.
The mailman was walking my way, and I realized I didn’t have an oatmeal cranberry cookie to share with him, so I brushed off a small spot behind the bannister and laid my cookie there, out of sight.
It seemed like the polite thing to do, and while a few times I have made my home-baked cookies as a gift, this one was storebought and I have started to watch my diet, and I was being a bit selfish about this cookie, selected for its nutritious content.
And I didn’t want to get up and go back inside the house just as he got to this delivery.
Meanwhile, he came along, handed me a couple envelopes, we exchanged pleasantries about nice weather, then he went on his way.
I turned to retrieve the 2/3 cookie, the one cookie I will allow myself today.
From the corner of my eye, I spied a squirrel sneaking up behind me! Not even 10 inches away—I could have patted his head.
Now that he’d been spotted, he bounded forward and snatched up the cookie, and scampered off to a branch of the bush next to the porch!
Well, dear me.
It seems I had to give away my cookie after all.
as if there aren’t enough acorns dropping from the oak tree
~~love and Huggs, Diane