Sunday celebration of Leo's Birthday. And that is a caterpillar on Leo's hand waiting to go into a jar so Brady could take it home.
And below is Monday's(12th) celebration on the actual day of Leo's new decade birthday.
Thursday, October 15
Bits
Sunday celebration of Leo's Birthday. And that is a caterpillar on Leo's hand waiting to go into a jar so Brady could take it home.
Wednesday, October 14
Tuesday, October 13
First Woman
In 1971, they were short of managers for the younger Little League Ball Players so I volunteered. Yes, you read that right, ME. I did have the help of Leo Brooker and Lindsey Larson. The two guys did the athletic part with the boys and I took care of discipline and paperwork. Gary and Jason are in the front row, second and third from the right. I was indeed the first woman little league coach in the state of Iowa. I actually did not give that a thought but 2 or 3 years later there was another woman given the credit for being first and I said, "Hey, I did that! And before she did!"
A bit of this and that
A tombstone of Butch's Great, great grandpa.
Colleen gave Jason a Remington Print to accompany his Remington statue.
A bug on the trail trying to get to the other side.
The socks are still there!
Workers on the tower beside the bike trail.
Monday, October 12
Butternut Mac & Cheese
In case you wonder about me, as it is widely known I do not like to cook, I read cookbooks like novels. I like to think I can pick out good recipes even if I do not prepare them. I am guessing I may actually make about 10% of those I keep, and about 5% of those I might make twice.
The truth be known I do like to cook but in my own way and in my own time. When Butch and I are just hanging out at home with not much happening I cook quite a bit believe it or not. I burn out easy on eating out.
The recipe below does sound a bit dramatic and I am not sure all of it is necessary to end up with the same result, but that being said in all fairness to the people who painstakingly test and record recipes, I do make it as instructed the first time as it is the only way you truly give it justice. So now I must add a butternut squash to my grocery list.
This is one where you can fool yourself into believing it is healthier than straight Mac and Cheese. Whatever way you look at it, it sounds good to me.
Butternut Mac & Cheese
Prep: 5 Minutes
Level: Easy
Cook: 45 Minutes
Serves: 12
Ingredients
12 ounces, weight Macaroni
1/2 whole Butternut Squash
Olive Oil, For Drizzling
2 whole Yellow Onions, Sliced
8 Tablespoons Butter
2 Tablespoons Flour
2 cups Whole Milk
Salt And Pepper
2 cups Grated Sharp Cheddar
1/2 cup Seasoned Breadcrumbs
Preparation
Cook the macaroni until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process, and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Carefully cut a whole butternut squash in half lengthwise. Drizzle half the squash with olive oil and place it on a rimmed baking sheet, cut side up. Roast it in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until fork tender, watching it to make sure the surface doesn't get burned (it should have some brown areas.) Store the other half of the squash in the fridge for another use. When the squash is roasted and tender, scrape out the flesh and mash it with a potato masher. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper and set it aside.
While you're roasting the squash, add the onions and 2 tablespoons of the butter to a large, ovenproof skillet over low to medium-low heat. Stir occasionally, cooking the onions until they're deep golden brown. Remove them to a plate and set them aside.
To the same skillet you used to cook the onions, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium-low heat. Sprinkle over the flour and whisk it to make a thin paste. Cook it for 2 minutes, then whisk in the milk. Cook it, whisking gently, for a couple of minutes or until slightly thick. Taste and adjust seasonings. You'll probably want to add more salt!
Turn the heat to low and stir in the mashed butternut squash. When it is warmed, stir in the cheese. If the sauce is overly thick when the cheese is melted, add a splash of milk. Keep stirring until the sauce is nice and hot, then stir in the macaroni. Taste and add more salt if needed.
Melt the remaining butter and combine it with the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the macaroni and bake it (I do it straight in the skillet!) at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until the crumbs are golden and the edges bubbly.
Serve immediately!
The truth be known I do like to cook but in my own way and in my own time. When Butch and I are just hanging out at home with not much happening I cook quite a bit believe it or not. I burn out easy on eating out.
The recipe below does sound a bit dramatic and I am not sure all of it is necessary to end up with the same result, but that being said in all fairness to the people who painstakingly test and record recipes, I do make it as instructed the first time as it is the only way you truly give it justice. So now I must add a butternut squash to my grocery list.
This is one where you can fool yourself into believing it is healthier than straight Mac and Cheese. Whatever way you look at it, it sounds good to me.
Butternut Mac & Cheese
Prep: 5 Minutes
Level: Easy
Cook: 45 Minutes
Serves: 12
Ingredients
12 ounces, weight Macaroni
1/2 whole Butternut Squash
Olive Oil, For Drizzling
2 whole Yellow Onions, Sliced
8 Tablespoons Butter
2 Tablespoons Flour
2 cups Whole Milk
Salt And Pepper
2 cups Grated Sharp Cheddar
1/2 cup Seasoned Breadcrumbs
Preparation
Cook the macaroni until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process, and set aside.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Carefully cut a whole butternut squash in half lengthwise. Drizzle half the squash with olive oil and place it on a rimmed baking sheet, cut side up. Roast it in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until fork tender, watching it to make sure the surface doesn't get burned (it should have some brown areas.) Store the other half of the squash in the fridge for another use. When the squash is roasted and tender, scrape out the flesh and mash it with a potato masher. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper and set it aside.
While you're roasting the squash, add the onions and 2 tablespoons of the butter to a large, ovenproof skillet over low to medium-low heat. Stir occasionally, cooking the onions until they're deep golden brown. Remove them to a plate and set them aside.
To the same skillet you used to cook the onions, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium-low heat. Sprinkle over the flour and whisk it to make a thin paste. Cook it for 2 minutes, then whisk in the milk. Cook it, whisking gently, for a couple of minutes or until slightly thick. Taste and adjust seasonings. You'll probably want to add more salt!
Turn the heat to low and stir in the mashed butternut squash. When it is warmed, stir in the cheese. If the sauce is overly thick when the cheese is melted, add a splash of milk. Keep stirring until the sauce is nice and hot, then stir in the macaroni. Taste and add more salt if needed.
Melt the remaining butter and combine it with the breadcrumbs. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the macaroni and bake it (I do it straight in the skillet!) at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until the crumbs are golden and the edges bubbly.
Serve immediately!
Thursday, October 8
Fall in Iowa and Hitch Itch
Wish I could lay claim to this photo but I cannot. Sure liked it though.
Now this one I can claim as my own. Took it this morning when Butch and were walking the trail. Too windy for biking.
Tuesday, October 6
Rode the trail
Mickey and I rode the trail today. We went past the bridge a ways to an area I have dubbed 'the church'. It is very quiet and peaceful in the church and if you go a bit further there is a fast running stream at the bottom of a deep ravine. I have tried many times to get a good picture of it but have not succeeded. I did get a bucolic photo at the bridge.
Monday, October 5
Send off
Went to a send off for Pete and Jerilynn last night at Mickeys. It was a small group but very fun. Pete and Jerilynn are the couple we went to see in Florida last Spring. They had such a good time there that they are itching to get back. We and other Magnolia Park people are very understanding of that because we have the same feeling for Texas.
The new Magnolia Park (Texas) manager called the other day and verified when we were coming and I told her the first week in November. She was very nice. Said she wanted to be sure to have our lot ready for us when we arrived.
Butch's finger with his 7 stitches is covered up but I think it is healing nicely. He will be getting the stitches out on Friday.
The new Magnolia Park (Texas) manager called the other day and verified when we were coming and I told her the first week in November. She was very nice. Said she wanted to be sure to have our lot ready for us when we arrived.
Butch's finger with his 7 stitches is covered up but I think it is healing nicely. He will be getting the stitches out on Friday.
Ethan
It has been awhile since we have seen what Ethan is up to. He has joined Tiger Scouts. I think that is for the younger boys. He is loving it. I think the scouts were made for him.
Saturday, October 3
Baked Ham and Cheese Wraps
Update- They were a hit and very easy.
So here is the straight skinny. I get peeved on Facebook when you see a recipe and you think it looks great so you click on it and find out that you have to jump through hoops to actually see the darn thing. It happened this morning so decided to help you out and jump the hoops for you. This recipe sounds like a winner to me. What do you think? I plan to make this later in the weekend.
Baked Ham and Cheese Wraps
Ingredients
1 can Pillsbury™ refrigerated Classic Pizza Crust
¾ lb deli ham (thinly sliced, but not shaved)
12 slices Swiss cheese (thinly sliced)
Glaze
½ cup (8 tablespoons) butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Unroll the pizza dough onto a cutting board and press into approximately a 13×18-inch rectangle. Top with ham and cheese slices. Starting on the longer side of the rectangle, roll up the edge tightly. When you reach the end, pinch the seam together and flip the roll so that the seam is face down. Cut into 12 slices, approximately 1-inch wide. Arrange in prepared baking dish.
Next combine the butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and poppy seeds in a sauce pan over medium heat. Whisk until the butter is melted and the glaze is smooth and combined. Pour evenly over the rolls.
Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours or bake, uncovered for 25 minutes until golden and browned. Enjoy!
So here is the straight skinny. I get peeved on Facebook when you see a recipe and you think it looks great so you click on it and find out that you have to jump through hoops to actually see the darn thing. It happened this morning so decided to help you out and jump the hoops for you. This recipe sounds like a winner to me. What do you think? I plan to make this later in the weekend.
Baked Ham and Cheese Wraps
Ingredients
1 can Pillsbury™ refrigerated Classic Pizza Crust
¾ lb deli ham (thinly sliced, but not shaved)
12 slices Swiss cheese (thinly sliced)
Glaze
½ cup (8 tablespoons) butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Unroll the pizza dough onto a cutting board and press into approximately a 13×18-inch rectangle. Top with ham and cheese slices. Starting on the longer side of the rectangle, roll up the edge tightly. When you reach the end, pinch the seam together and flip the roll so that the seam is face down. Cut into 12 slices, approximately 1-inch wide. Arrange in prepared baking dish.
Next combine the butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and poppy seeds in a sauce pan over medium heat. Whisk until the butter is melted and the glaze is smooth and combined. Pour evenly over the rolls.
Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours or bake, uncovered for 25 minutes until golden and browned. Enjoy!
car keys -
Put your car keys beside your bed at night.
Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr's office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night.
If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.
This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage.
If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around. After a few seconds, all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.
P.S. I am sending this to everyone I know because I think it is fantastic. Would also be useful for any emergency, such as a heart attack, where you can't reach a phone. My Mom has suggested to my Dad that he carry his car keys with him in case he falls outside and she doesn't hear him..... He can activate the car alarm and then she'll know there's a problem.
Please pass this on even IF you've read it before. It's a reminder.
Friday, October 2
In central Iowa
There is a glare on it so in case you cannot see it is 39 degrees. Hope this isn't a trend for October 2015 in Iowa or Texas.
Thursday, October 1
Better
Butch is on the mend. He has found a few bruises and he overdid it with his bandage and set it to bleeding a bit the first day He is having trouble with not being able to do things. We are just 2 days into it and he is fit to be tied. He even agreed to go for a walk with me today. Colleen is on her way to Cincinnati and her daughter Aubry and family. It goes without saying I will miss her.
Butch and I walked a couple of miles. That helped. He is doing a lot of computer gaming, wandering around in circles, reading his kindle, snacking and such.
On another subject, we got our flu shots yesterday. We had been hearing some bogus info about high-dose flu shots killing seniors. NOT TRUE. So don't let the sellers of fear get under your skin. No pun intended. It seems there is a higher dose flu shot they give to high-risk patients such as people with respiratory or heart problems. We are healthy enough to not need that so we asked for the low dose. It seems some places are giving the high dose to everyone. Why they choose to do that is beyond me but remember it is a choice and so ask for the one you think you need.
Butch and I walked a couple of miles. That helped. He is doing a lot of computer gaming, wandering around in circles, reading his kindle, snacking and such.
On another subject, we got our flu shots yesterday. We had been hearing some bogus info about high-dose flu shots killing seniors. NOT TRUE. So don't let the sellers of fear get under your skin. No pun intended. It seems there is a higher dose flu shot they give to high-risk patients such as people with respiratory or heart problems. We are healthy enough to not need that so we asked for the low dose. It seems some places are giving the high dose to everyone. Why they choose to do that is beyond me but remember it is a choice and so ask for the one you think you need.
Wednesday, September 30
Leo's Photos
Leo says-Who cares that it's nearly October !!
I can bloom if I want to !!
So Barb, do I have the Photogenic touch ??
I can bloom if I want to !!
So Barb, do I have the Photogenic touch ??
And yes he does! And this was my answer to him. "You do take great pictures. You should take more of them. Learn to see, appreciate and photograph the things around you. It is a super life enhancement.
"
Tuesday, September 29
Our plans
Our plans tonight were to go to the movie. "A Walk in the Woods" is playing and it is free popcorn night. But at 4:00 Butch decided to work on the motorhome windshield, on a ladder and without telling me. I was in the midst of putting our supper together, chicken enchiladas when he came in and told me he fell off the ladder and sliced the hell out of his finger. It was obvious at first glance that stitches were needed. So we dashed off to the clinic and one and half hours later we are back home with 7 stitches in Butch's finger and supper now fixed and in the oven.
Here he is giving us the finger.
Lotta dogs...
...get into trouble with skunks. I ran across this tip so thought I would share. Especially since we are coming into a season where skunks are quite active.
Dear Reader,
Welcome to this issue of Ask The Computer Lady!
I had a chance last week to try out a home remedy that I had hoped to never need, and I am happy to report that it works! :-)
Last night, our dog was sprayed by a skunk. After a quick search online, I found detailed directions for a hydrogen peroxide wash to use on my dog, and after using the solution and then shampooing her once, there was no more smell!!! I could bury my nose in her fur and take a deep breath and all I smelled was a nice shampoo smell.
Here is the website that I used:
http://www.humanesociety.org/
Have a great week,
Elizabeth
And if you are looking for Elizabeths computer tips otherwise known as The Computer Lady here is her website. I have received her newsletter almost as long as I have had a computer.
www.asktcl.com
Dear Reader,
Welcome to this issue of Ask The Computer Lady!
I had a chance last week to try out a home remedy that I had hoped to never need, and I am happy to report that it works! :-)
Last night, our dog was sprayed by a skunk. After a quick search online, I found detailed directions for a hydrogen peroxide wash to use on my dog, and after using the solution and then shampooing her once, there was no more smell!!! I could bury my nose in her fur and take a deep breath and all I smelled was a nice shampoo smell.
Here is the website that I used:
http://www.humanesociety.org/
Have a great week,
Elizabeth
And if you are looking for Elizabeths computer tips otherwise known as The Computer Lady here is her website. I have received her newsletter almost as long as I have had a computer.
www.asktcl.com
I have had a rash...
...of telemarketing calls lately. I do not know what has caused it but decided to do all I can to stop it. In Iowa, this is the site to go. to- https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/newsroom/us-do-not-call-registry/
You may register up to 3 numbers at one time.
You may also go the National site- https://www.donotcall.gov/
Or find the site for your state.
You may register up to 3 numbers at one time.
You may also go the National site- https://www.donotcall.gov/
Or find the site for your state.
Monday, September 28
Cousins Elise and Chloe
Sunday, September 27
Sending off Colleen
Colleen's neighbors Rick and Kathy Morain hosted a party to send her off to Florida. I really must think of it as till we next meet rather than who knows when we will see her again. So I am thinking it is just for awhile. She does plan to come back next summer and her living arrangement will be different is all.
It was a wonderful party this evening and I enjoyed it immensely.
"The way to do it, Judy, is to keep things on an even keel."
Jerrilynn and Kathy chat.
This is a double decker. Butch and Bob Owen chat in the background while Mickey explains something to Rick in the foreground
Sue and Judy have been friends since kindergarten.
This is an ice cream dropped accident. It didn't spoil the party any.
It was a wonderful party this evening and I enjoyed it immensely.
Jerrilynn and Kathy chat.
Sue and Judy have been friends since kindergarten.
This is an ice cream dropped accident. It didn't spoil the party any.
Family gathers
Butch and Leo's cousin Georgia and her husband Garry came to Jefferson to meet their daughter Lila from Sioux City. It is about halfway for each of them to meet here and the casino is where they stayed. Butch and Leo's other cousin Dick and his wife Joanne came for the evening from Ankeny. They are a different branch of the family. So we were at the casino two nights in a row. I wasn't nearly so lucky this time. Leo took my luck and played black jack and won $350. The food was just as good the second night.
Leo, Cousin Georgia and Keri
We are featured...
Reader BlogsEvery other week we’ll highlight a couple of blogs by the readers of RVtravel.com. If you have a blog and would like us to add it to our growing list, please email contributing editor Diane McGovern at Diane(at)RVtravel.com and tell her its address and a short description of it. Sending along your picture would be appreciated.
http://rvtravel.com/?q=content/rv-travel-reader-blogs
Saturday, September 26
One flows into another
When one day flows into another and they tend to be much the same it is easy for me to relax a bit on my blogging. Our thoughts are beginning to turn southward, however, we have some doctor appointments to get through first. The last one is on October 23rd so we know we will be here at least that long. We are both beginning to experience "hitch itch".
Our friends Pete and Jerilynn are too. They stopped by to visit last evening about their trip to Florida and the preparations for such. And then they decided to go to the Casino for supper. We were asked if we wanted to go and accepted the invite. We had been avoiding the place because we had not heard good reviews and we wanted to give them time to get their act together if it was ever going to happen. Well, it has! The food was excellent and the service was good and they were very busy! We were told at the entrance that there would be a 20-minute wait so I turned to Butch and said, "Is that too long? "Want to go somewhere else?" And the hostess said, "Just a minute. Let me check." And sure enough an open table for four appeared magically. Our order was taken promptly and the wait was not too long. Jerilynn ordered almond crusted chicken tenders for an appetizer and they were excellent. An order of those as an entree and a side salad would have been plenty for two people. We ordered a tenderloin and shared it and it was more than enough for both of us.
After dinner we did go in the gambling portion and found a penny machine where you could play as small an amount(1 penny 1 line) as you might want and that is the perfect place for me. Butch handed me three dollars and it magically became $10.00 after quite a bit of playing. I sat there quite satisfied with playing ten pennies on ten lines a whack and cashed out when I reached $10.00 giving me a profit of $7.00. So it was a magical evening all round.
Butch and I have been watching "Hell on Wheels" on Netflix. It is a series of 43 episodes with each episode taking 42 minutes. No Commercials! Aaah the beauty of Netflix. When evening comes around one of us will turn to the other and say, "Are you ready to go to Hell tonight?" A little one of our inside jokes. We have one more episode to go. I must put out a warning that it is bloody and violent in many places and I would have to watch through my fingers but it is a very well-done production.
Our friends Pete and Jerilynn are too. They stopped by to visit last evening about their trip to Florida and the preparations for such. And then they decided to go to the Casino for supper. We were asked if we wanted to go and accepted the invite. We had been avoiding the place because we had not heard good reviews and we wanted to give them time to get their act together if it was ever going to happen. Well, it has! The food was excellent and the service was good and they were very busy! We were told at the entrance that there would be a 20-minute wait so I turned to Butch and said, "Is that too long? "Want to go somewhere else?" And the hostess said, "Just a minute. Let me check." And sure enough an open table for four appeared magically. Our order was taken promptly and the wait was not too long. Jerilynn ordered almond crusted chicken tenders for an appetizer and they were excellent. An order of those as an entree and a side salad would have been plenty for two people. We ordered a tenderloin and shared it and it was more than enough for both of us.
After dinner we did go in the gambling portion and found a penny machine where you could play as small an amount(1 penny 1 line) as you might want and that is the perfect place for me. Butch handed me three dollars and it magically became $10.00 after quite a bit of playing. I sat there quite satisfied with playing ten pennies on ten lines a whack and cashed out when I reached $10.00 giving me a profit of $7.00. So it was a magical evening all round.
Butch and I have been watching "Hell on Wheels" on Netflix. It is a series of 43 episodes with each episode taking 42 minutes. No Commercials! Aaah the beauty of Netflix. When evening comes around one of us will turn to the other and say, "Are you ready to go to Hell tonight?" A little one of our inside jokes. We have one more episode to go. I must put out a warning that it is bloody and violent in many places and I would have to watch through my fingers but it is a very well-done production.
Hell on Wheels
The Civil War is in the past, but former
Confederate soldier Cullen Bohannon can't put it behind him.
Fresh are the horrific memories of the death of his wife, killed
at the hands of the Union soldiers, an act that sets Bohannon on a course of revenge. This contemporary Western tells the story of his journey, a story that rides on Union Pacific's construction of the first transcontinental railroad. Bohannon'swestward travels take him to a lawless melting pot of a town called "Hell on Wheels," which moves with the construction of the railroad.
Confederate soldier Cullen Bohannon can't put it behind him.
Fresh are the horrific memories of the death of his wife, killed
at the hands of the Union soldiers, an act that sets Bohannon on a course of revenge. This contemporary Western tells the story of his journey, a story that rides on Union Pacific's construction of the first transcontinental railroad. Bohannon'swestward travels take him to a lawless melting pot of a town called "Hell on Wheels," which moves with the construction of the railroad.
Wednesday, September 23
Tools for life: dictionaries and cookbooks by Colleen O'Brien
Tools for life: dictionaries and cookbooks
September 16, 2015
Greene County News Online
~a column by Colleen O’Brien
When I read that poet Phyllis McGinley liked to read cookbooks in bed at night, I thought her odd. I’m not a cook who loves her work, so I figured it wasn’t a habit I’d get in to. Cookbooks were a necessary reference for me now and then (what does it mean when it says “clean the turkey”?); they were not best friends but casual acquaintances. But when a neighbor gave me a cookbook she published, I did indeed take it to bed one night. And it was a good read! I was captured from the appetizers right through the after dinner drinks. So, periodically over the years, I read cookbooks, even though I never feel compelled to practice what they suggest.
I had received the big loose leaf Betty Crocker cookbook from my mother when I married, when cooking — my own cooking –actually entered my life. Betty, now dog eared and spattered with spaghetti sauce, has lived in my cupboard and moved from state to state with me ever since. What I discovered in moments of cooking panic is that it is not the recipes in Betty that are important but the helpful hints she adds at the back of her book. When I look up a word in the dictionary, I often get carried away and read the next word and the next. It’s the same with the end papers of a cookbook.
In the middle of making a cake I discovered I had no baker’s chocolate (What is baker’s chocolate, I wondered?). I turned to my friend Betty and she told me what to do (cocoa and butter). And I discovered the next hint was just as interesting: “If you have no sour milk, add 1 TBS lemon juice or vinegar to milk to make one cup.”
The dictionary, one of my favorite reads to get lost in because I look up the word “lilied” (which means covered with lilies), and find, remarkably, that there are 10 entries for one of the simplest words in the language — “like”! Who would have thought to look up a word everyone knows and likes, like “like”? Cookbooks are the same: that there is born a person to think up and put to use a recipe. The helpful hints in a cookbook impress me as do the definitions in a dictionary. Who did think them all up, the words and the entrees? Was it a matter of trial and error or a lucky guess? Whoever these bright souls were, both the word makers and the cake bakers, I am thankful for their ingenuity and common sense.
In a Lithuanian cookbook full of mouth-watering but complicated recipes for unpronounceable dishes like Velyku Boba, Brandeles Su Lasiniais and Mocuites Smiltiniai, the secrets in the back mark the book as invaluable.
“Add baking powder to mashed potatoes to make them lighter.” I tried this, and amazingly it also eliminates lumps.
“To remove the burned taste from scorched food, quickly place pan in cold water.” Had I known this from the beginning, would it have forestalled my having earned the Mother’s Day plaque that said “Where there’s smoke, there’s dinner”?
“To keep pies from running over into the oven while baking, use macaroni as ‘smoke stacks’ in the top crust to allow for escape of steam.” (Do not use elbow macs, as I did, because of course they direct the steam right back into the pie.)
“Rinsing the pan with water before heating milk in it will prevent the milk from sticking to the pan.”
“If eggshells are moistened before placing eggs in water to boil, it will help avoid cracking, and the shells will also come off easily.” This is SO worth it.
“To prevent cheese from drying out, spread butter on cut side and before wrapping in foil, place a lump of sugar in the package to prevent mold.”
When you send your kids into the world, give them a dictionary and a cookbook. With job problems, car problems, social problems, house problems, they’ll be on their own; for communicating and cooking, they’ll thank you.
September 16, 2015
Greene County News Online
~a column by Colleen O’Brien
When I read that poet Phyllis McGinley liked to read cookbooks in bed at night, I thought her odd. I’m not a cook who loves her work, so I figured it wasn’t a habit I’d get in to. Cookbooks were a necessary reference for me now and then (what does it mean when it says “clean the turkey”?); they were not best friends but casual acquaintances. But when a neighbor gave me a cookbook she published, I did indeed take it to bed one night. And it was a good read! I was captured from the appetizers right through the after dinner drinks. So, periodically over the years, I read cookbooks, even though I never feel compelled to practice what they suggest.
I had received the big loose leaf Betty Crocker cookbook from my mother when I married, when cooking — my own cooking –actually entered my life. Betty, now dog eared and spattered with spaghetti sauce, has lived in my cupboard and moved from state to state with me ever since. What I discovered in moments of cooking panic is that it is not the recipes in Betty that are important but the helpful hints she adds at the back of her book. When I look up a word in the dictionary, I often get carried away and read the next word and the next. It’s the same with the end papers of a cookbook.
In the middle of making a cake I discovered I had no baker’s chocolate (What is baker’s chocolate, I wondered?). I turned to my friend Betty and she told me what to do (cocoa and butter). And I discovered the next hint was just as interesting: “If you have no sour milk, add 1 TBS lemon juice or vinegar to milk to make one cup.”
The dictionary, one of my favorite reads to get lost in because I look up the word “lilied” (which means covered with lilies), and find, remarkably, that there are 10 entries for one of the simplest words in the language — “like”! Who would have thought to look up a word everyone knows and likes, like “like”? Cookbooks are the same: that there is born a person to think up and put to use a recipe. The helpful hints in a cookbook impress me as do the definitions in a dictionary. Who did think them all up, the words and the entrees? Was it a matter of trial and error or a lucky guess? Whoever these bright souls were, both the word makers and the cake bakers, I am thankful for their ingenuity and common sense.
In a Lithuanian cookbook full of mouth-watering but complicated recipes for unpronounceable dishes like Velyku Boba, Brandeles Su Lasiniais and Mocuites Smiltiniai, the secrets in the back mark the book as invaluable.
“Add baking powder to mashed potatoes to make them lighter.” I tried this, and amazingly it also eliminates lumps.
“To remove the burned taste from scorched food, quickly place pan in cold water.” Had I known this from the beginning, would it have forestalled my having earned the Mother’s Day plaque that said “Where there’s smoke, there’s dinner”?
“To keep pies from running over into the oven while baking, use macaroni as ‘smoke stacks’ in the top crust to allow for escape of steam.” (Do not use elbow macs, as I did, because of course they direct the steam right back into the pie.)
“Rinsing the pan with water before heating milk in it will prevent the milk from sticking to the pan.”
“If eggshells are moistened before placing eggs in water to boil, it will help avoid cracking, and the shells will also come off easily.” This is SO worth it.
“To prevent cheese from drying out, spread butter on cut side and before wrapping in foil, place a lump of sugar in the package to prevent mold.”
When you send your kids into the world, give them a dictionary and a cookbook. With job problems, car problems, social problems, house problems, they’ll be on their own; for communicating and cooking, they’ll thank you.
Tuesday, September 22
Sunday, September 20
Mummified Frog
Laura's son, Michael came up from Florida and brought his dogs. One of them found this mummified frog in a hole in their house. Jason said it was perfect in every way, except for being dead and hard as a rock.;-)
I knew you would want to know.
Friday, September 18
Rich and Donna Visit
Our oldest son Rich and his wife Donna were here yesterday and we had a great time. Went to the quilt shop, 209 Main, and the casino.
Picked up a rhubarb custard pie that Keri had made for us.
Delicious! And we looked over a great many family pictures. Rich surprised us with the news that he will be working in Des Moines. That will be a big change from Moultrie Georgia. We are excited at the prospect of having him so much closer. It was a wonderful day.
This lady is rocking away at the quilt shop. She looked a little bony to me. Donna was quite taken with the shop.
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