Barb and Butch's Big Adventure: 12/4/22

Saturday, December 10

Patio Sales

Parkwide Patio sales were today and we had some items we did not use and were taking up space so we put them out. They were items that were too good to throw away but not worth a whole lot either so we said everything was either free or a dollar. We made $5. It was fun visiting with everyone.

More later...maybe...

Friday, December 9

Taken in 2017

I took this photo in 2017. These are our 3 boys. I stopped by Rich and Gary's Facebook pages to see if anything new was posted. Nope! Jason doesn't even have a Facebook page. I found this photo on Rich's. He is in the middle, Gary on the left, and Jason on the right.

These 3 guys are the very best of Grandpa's.

For your Veggie Tooth

When you have had your fill of seasonal sweets you might want to satisfy your "Veggie Tooth" and there is no better way to do it than with Cucumber Salsa. It is surprisingly good. I add some dill weed to it but it is fine without it. It is suggested that you eat it with Scoops. Frito Lay scoops are pricey and I have discovered the HEB brand ,Texas Dippers, are as good, maybe better, and quite a bit cheaper.

We are living in the very best place for fresh produce too. So now is the time. It might sound like I have a vested interest but I assure you I do not even though I sound like a commercial.

Cucumber Salsa 2

Dice 2-4 large cucumbers- I take the seeds out.

Dice 6-8 Roma tomatoes-Again I take the seeds out

Dice half red onion-whole if you enjoy more onion flavor

Mix 3-4 TBSP Vinegar with one packet of dry Ranch dressing mix.

Mix together and let it sit in fridge overnight.

Enjoy with Scoops

Wednesday, December 7

Have you noticed?

I have quit grumbling about the weather. There is nothing to grumble about. It could stay this way for the rest of the season and I would be surprised and very happy. Daytime highs are in the 80's and nighttime lows are in the 60's! Yeah!!

Pecan Pie Bars

Ingredients

12 sheets graham crackers

1 cup unsalted butter

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 tsp. salt

2 cups pecans, chopped

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F and line a 9×13 baking sheet with foil sprayed with vegetable oil.

Line up the graham crackers tightly (break crackers to fill in any gaps).

In a large saucepan on medium heat add the butter, brown sugar, and salt.

Bring to a boil and stir constantly for 3 minutes.

Add in the pecans and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from heat.

Stir in the vanilla extract.

Pour the mixture over the graham crackers.

Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and let the pan sit – do not try and move the foil.

Let cool completely before breaking apart.

Notes

• There are so many variations for this recipe that you can make an assortment based on your preferences.

Ideas for Variations

• Crust: Instead of using graham crackers as the base try using broken up pieces of vanilla wafers or saltine crackers. You could also use various kinds of graham crackers like cinnamon graham crackers or chocolate graham crackers.

• Nuts: Although this recipe is based around Pecan Pie, you could make it with any kind of nuts. Try using almonds, walnuts, or a mixture of your favorite nuts.

• Maple Syrup: Pecans and maple syrup make a great combination. To bring that into your bark recipe replace the vanilla extract with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup.

• Bourbon: To make a boozy Pecan Pie Bark try adding in 2-3 tablespoons of bourbon at the same time you add pecans.

• Chocolate: Toss in a cup of chocolate chips to the sauce pan to melt in with the butter, sugar, and other ingredients to make this into a Chocolate Pecan Pie Bark.

Keeping Bark Fresh

• Serve: You can keep the bark at room temperature for up to a week. Keep the bark covered or put it in an airtight container.

• Store: To keep them fresh longer, you can keep the Pecan Bark in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

• Freeze: Bark is also a great recipe to make ahead of time and freeze. Put the broken-up pieces of bark in a freezer bag separated by parchment paper. It will keep well for up to 6 months.

Where we have been in November and stuff

Every month I get a rundown of the places we have been so I decided to take a screenshot so you too can see where we have been in November. Just for fun.

Little wrinkles appear in one's life every now and then and we had one this week. We went to Weslaco to pay a tax bill ($58). The bill was in the former owners' name as if it had never been transferred to us and we did not have the title. If it was mailed to us we had not received it. So the wrinkle begins. With the help of the people who handled the paperwork for the sale, we were able to get it done. Thank God for their help because we would have been in a much bigger wrinkle without it.

Dealing with government entities can be a challenge in the best of times. So now we have a title, the bill is paid, we are listed as the owners and they have both of our addresses. Done deal, after 3 different offices in 3 different locations. But it is a done deal and that is the good part!

Trivia is going well. The winning team last night, Team Smartypants, had a game total of 144 points. That is the highest score I have seen in quite some time. I told them some team might come along and take their smarty pants off of them! We do have a good time despite the winners and losers. It is more about the comradery and friendship than the scores anyway. We always welcome new folk and you can come as a single and join up with a team or you can observe if you prefer. We hope you give us a try. Tuesday nights in the main hall at 6:30 pm.