Received my subscription of Cooking Light on Saturday. When I stop to think about all the mail I get on Saturday - mag subscriptions, check from my flex plan, check from my work mileage - I certainly going to miss those Saturday deliveries come August. But that is not the purpose of this entry.
Cooking Light (CL) presents a new goal each month.
January was - Veggie Up! which isn't hard for my family - exp. Tyler. When he gets hungry he'll ask for a stalk of celery or some baby carrots, an apple, orange or banana aren't far behind.
February was - Get Moving! - a bit more difficult in upstate NY in the winter. Since I don't go to a gym and mall walking gets depressing and a bit boring, my exercise consists of what I can accomplish out doors -- biking, hiking, canoeing and my fav -- WALKING.
Today, I got back into my walking mode and hopefully I will keep it up. Left work and started down Elizabeth Street to Columbia before my ride showed up.
March is - Get Cooking! and I am taking the challenge by doing the Monday, Wednesday, and Friday menu.
Today's dinner
Cheesy Penne with Broccoli which wasn't too bad although it needed just a bit more flavor.
8 oz. penne pasta
5 cups broccoli
1 1/3 cup milk
2 T flour
3 T parmesan cheese, divided, fresh
2 T. Cream Cheese
1 t. Dijon mustard
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/8 t. freshly ground nutmeg
2.5 ounce grated Cheddar Cheese
Cook the pasta.
Drain reserving enough water to cook the broccoli
Make a roux sauce. I used whole wheat and a bit of butter
Add 2 T. parmesan, 2 T cream Cheese, mustard, seasonings and cheese.
Place pasta, broccoli in a bowl,
Pour sauce over and toss to coat
Garnish with remaining parmesan.
I might have added more salt to the water.
More pepper and mustard.
I didn't measure the cheese because of space and time.
Needed another vegetable or a salad.
Wednesday - Shrimp Linguine
Friday - Hoison Flounder
Monday, February 25, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Homeschooling - it's my chioce
I'm putting this on my blog space because I believe that education of our children is our responsibility and no where in the Bible does it say that government should make the decision of where children are to be educated.
USA Trying to Deport Christian Homeschooling Family Knowing They Face Persecution
Uwe and Hannelore Romeike are Christians and the parents of six children. When their kids attended the German public schools, they were bullied and harassed because of being Christians. The parents began looking into the schools and what their kids were being taught. They found a number of objectionable and inappropriate things in the textbooks that they didn’t want their kids learning.
They strongly believed that their children would receive a better education grounded in biblical principles by being schooled at home rather than having their children indoctrinated by the German schools.
Home Schooling Not a 'Right,' Says US Justice Department
In a brief for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Attorney General of the United States, Eric Holder, made assertions that are alarming from the standpoint of defending religious freedom.
In a brief for a political asylum case involving a persecuted, German home-schooling family, Holder asserted that a parent’s right to educate his or her child is not fundamental, and is only breached if the right is removed from all people. This assertion contradicts earlier claims by the U.S. government that religion and freedom to practice it is an individual right.
USA Trying to Deport Christian Homeschooling Family Knowing They Face Persecution
Uwe and Hannelore Romeike are Christians and the parents of six children. When their kids attended the German public schools, they were bullied and harassed because of being Christians. The parents began looking into the schools and what their kids were being taught. They found a number of objectionable and inappropriate things in the textbooks that they didn’t want their kids learning.
They strongly believed that their children would receive a better education grounded in biblical principles by being schooled at home rather than having their children indoctrinated by the German schools.
Home Schooling Not a 'Right,' Says US Justice Department
In a brief for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, the Attorney General of the United States, Eric Holder, made assertions that are alarming from the standpoint of defending religious freedom.
In a brief for a political asylum case involving a persecuted, German home-schooling family, Holder asserted that a parent’s right to educate his or her child is not fundamental, and is only breached if the right is removed from all people. This assertion contradicts earlier claims by the U.S. government that religion and freedom to practice it is an individual right.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
First we Plow, Then we Play
After a visit from Winter Storm Nemo!!!
Promises of a February Snow Storm brought some snow to our house but
a whole lot more to other areas of the Northeast. As true to snow storms, the next day is
usually a glorious one with a blue sunny sky.
Of course before any playing can be had one must first shovel our and plow.
James would usually do the plowing but he is still recovering from his surgery.
Doug was the official plower today and his one comment was ---- it's cold out.
Tyler and Gramma Jeanne watched from the upstairs rooms while plumes
of snow were thrown 20 - 30 feet into the field.
Watching and Waiting
I get the job of shoveling: porch to greenhouse, greenhouse to greenhouse,
my house to Gramma Jeanne's house and so it goes.
I was the snow shoveler growing up and it still brings a sense of satisfaction.
Tyler knows that visiting in the winter means some sort of snow.
He wasn't disappointed.
After a while out in the snow and greenhouses, it's time for some indoor play.
Off with the boots, the socks, the snow pants, the mittens and get down for some
serious sensory play or
What happens when the flax seed body buddy springs a leak.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
It's the worlds
In Cyclo Cross. This year for the first time ever, the worlds are being held on US soil and in of all places, Louisivlle, KY. There is no bike race like cycle cross, the steeple chase of biking.
Back when Josh was "young" our weekends in the late fall
and winter would be filled with these races.
We literally covered the northeast from our home town in New York
up to Maine and down to Baltimore.
I remember in Baltimore there was a group called the B's.
It was a vastly sized group and when they would pass by......
it sounded like a entire hive of bees.
Cyclo Cross takes place regardless of the weather or conditions.
If you were lucky you would have a beautiful sunny day.
Many times Josh would race in the snow which of course
would be in a melting stage so the mud would build up to inches deep.
That would ultimately lead to the need to switch out your bike so the
"pit" crew could wash down the wheels and gears.
Cross is done on a small course that a rider would do laps around.
Slower bikers would be passed by faster ones at times.
Today, February 2 in Louisville, KY the worlds are being held. With several categories that were supposed to span the weekend. However, because of all the snow and rain that dear ole L'vill has received, the Ohio is expected to crest tomorrow morning and flood the venue.
So, all cats are being held today.
I find it amazing - technology that is.
I am here in Utica, NY watching live on the computer the
women's elite race and searching the crowd for my men.
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Les Miserables
My love affair with Victor Hugo's moving story started when I was in high school and read The Bishop's Candlesticks. It became a tradition with my daughter that on her birthday, December 31st, we would watch a different version of the story. And because I LOVE to makes lists, I can't help it, must be something instilled in my by my mom - like list all the states, in an effort to keep us busy. Lets see how many you have seen.
| Titles | Jean Valjean |
| Les Misérables (2012) | Hugh Jackman |
| Les Misérables (2000) | Gérard Depardieu, |
| Les Misérables (1998) | Liam Neeson |
| Les Misérables (1995) | Jean-Paul Belmondo |
| Les Misérables (1988) | Aiden Grennell |
| Les Misérables (1982) | Lino Ventura |
| Les Misérables (1978) | Richard Jordon |
| Les Misérables (1972) | Georges Géret |
| Les Misérables (1967) | Henry Krauss |
| Les Misérables (1958) | Jean Gabin |
| Les Miserables (1952) | Michael Rennie |
| Les Misérables (1948) | Gino Cervi |
| Les Misérables (1935) | Fredric March |
| Les Misérables (1925) | Gabriel Gabrio |
| Les Misérables (1913) | Frank Finlay |
| Les Misérables (1909) | Maurice Costello |
| Les Misérables (1912) | Henry Krauss |
Posted from a draft back in December.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Kitchen Doings for Christmas
Yesterday I celebrated my 60th birthday.
Today I said goodbye to my best friends mother Rita as we attended her funeral in Rome, NY.
Tomorrow I will bake cookies.
But back to the Cookies. A tradition so many families have - but not ours. In fact every year is always something different. This year I am making two kinds of cookies. One that I will back - French Lace Cookies and one that I won't - Kentucky Bourbon Balls. The hardest part after buying the ingredients is not eating the finished product. THAT is why I am waiting until tomorrow or even Sunday to make them.
Then on Sunday evening we will all go to a special church service to sing, fellowship and eat cookies.
FRENCH LACE COOKIES - Gramma Frieda would only make these for Christmas.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup ground almonds (about 2-oz.)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup firmly-packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Position two oven racks in the middle and upper third of oven. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2) In a food processor, grind almonds finely; measure out 1/2 cup and set aside.
It is also possible to buy ground almonds for use in this recipe.
3) In a medium saucepan over low heat, heat the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and corn syrup until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, stirring often. Increase the heat to medium high and, stirring constantly, bring mixture JUST to a boil. Immediately remove pan from the heat and stir in flour and salt until incorporated. Stir in ground almonds and vanilla extract.
4) Drop batter using a teaspoon, 3-inches apart, on prepared cookie sheets (about 1/2 dozen cookies per cookie sheet). Prepare all your pans of cookies at this time even though you are only going to bake 1 or 2 sheets at a time.
5) Bake cookies until evenly light brown, approximately 8 to 10 minutes until cookies spread, become thin, and take on a deep golden color. If you are using 2 cookie sheets switch top to bottom and back to front at 5 minute mark to promote even baking. Cookies will begin to spread 6 minutes into baking time.
6) Line wire cooling racks with plastic wrap. When cookies are done baking, remove cookies from oven and, as soon as they're firm enough to lift off baking sheet (which will take just a few minutes), use a wide spatula to transfer them to prepared cooling racks to cool completely. Allowing cookies to cool slightly on cookie sheets will also cause them to flatten out more. NOTE: If cookies become too cold and hard to remove from baking sheet without shattering them, replace pan in the oven to soften the cookies again. Bake remaining cookies; batter will have firmed up a bit, but that is fine. Store flat cookies between sheets of parchment paper in a tin or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Yield: 25 to 30 cookies.
KENTUCKY BOURBON BALLS - My sister would make these every year calling them rum balls. Now that we are Kentucky lovers we will use bourbon from Kentucky.
1 cup yellow cake crumbs or 1 cup vanilla wafer
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1/4 cup good unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup Bourbon
1/8 cup unsweetened cocoa powder or 1/8 cup powdered sugarDirections:
Place the cake crumbs or cookie crumbs into a plastic bag and smoosh them.
Combine the cake crumbs or cookie crumbs, sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa, corn syrup & Bourbon.
Blend and mix very well.
Fold in the pecans.
Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls.
If mixture is not rolling together easily, add more corn syrup.
Roll the balls in the cocoa powder or the powdered sugar to coat them.
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate.
Today I said goodbye to my best friends mother Rita as we attended her funeral in Rome, NY.
Tomorrow I will bake cookies.
We celebrated Tyler's first Christmas with him in Kentucky.
Left just before the New Year and a huge Snow Storm blew in.
 |
| Snow storm in Louisville 2009 |
So that is just where I am at tonight.
My grandson called to tell me that "the internet man is coming tomorrow".
That means I get to watch him "have Christmas".
I can't wait.
 |
| Tyler's second Christmas with us. Decorating the tree at church |
But back to the Cookies. A tradition so many families have - but not ours. In fact every year is always something different. This year I am making two kinds of cookies. One that I will back - French Lace Cookies and one that I won't - Kentucky Bourbon Balls. The hardest part after buying the ingredients is not eating the finished product. THAT is why I am waiting until tomorrow or even Sunday to make them.
Then on Sunday evening we will all go to a special church service to sing, fellowship and eat cookies.
FRENCH LACE COOKIES - Gramma Frieda would only make these for Christmas.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup ground almonds (about 2-oz.)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup firmly-packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Pinch salt
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Directions:
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Position two oven racks in the middle and upper third of oven. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2) In a food processor, grind almonds finely; measure out 1/2 cup and set aside.
It is also possible to buy ground almonds for use in this recipe.
3) In a medium saucepan over low heat, heat the butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and corn syrup until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves, stirring often. Increase the heat to medium high and, stirring constantly, bring mixture JUST to a boil. Immediately remove pan from the heat and stir in flour and salt until incorporated. Stir in ground almonds and vanilla extract.
4) Drop batter using a teaspoon, 3-inches apart, on prepared cookie sheets (about 1/2 dozen cookies per cookie sheet). Prepare all your pans of cookies at this time even though you are only going to bake 1 or 2 sheets at a time.
5) Bake cookies until evenly light brown, approximately 8 to 10 minutes until cookies spread, become thin, and take on a deep golden color. If you are using 2 cookie sheets switch top to bottom and back to front at 5 minute mark to promote even baking. Cookies will begin to spread 6 minutes into baking time.
6) Line wire cooling racks with plastic wrap. When cookies are done baking, remove cookies from oven and, as soon as they're firm enough to lift off baking sheet (which will take just a few minutes), use a wide spatula to transfer them to prepared cooling racks to cool completely. Allowing cookies to cool slightly on cookie sheets will also cause them to flatten out more. NOTE: If cookies become too cold and hard to remove from baking sheet without shattering them, replace pan in the oven to soften the cookies again. Bake remaining cookies; batter will have firmed up a bit, but that is fine. Store flat cookies between sheets of parchment paper in a tin or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Yield: 25 to 30 cookies.
 |
My father, German in heritage, loved Christmas and would make decorations for outdoors and trim with lights around the porch. We had a lionel train that circled the tree and would set up our putz village. |
 |
| I always like red trimmings with white lights as I got older. |
 |
| Some more vintage ornaments - our little musical elves. |
 |
| Christmas Time means a Christmas stocking for the family. I enjoyed making this one for Tyler. |
 |
Tyler visited for Christmas last year (2011) and help his UNC decorate the tree. |
 |
Carefully checking out the ornaments |
 |
Tyler's special touch --- fishing bobbers? |
 |
Last year we had NY Christmas early and then drove down south for a KY Christmas. Visited the local Walmart, got a good price on a table top tree, some ornaments and viola. We were also treated to a wonderful light display on the village green. |
KENTUCKY BOURBON BALLS - My sister would make these every year calling them rum balls. Now that we are Kentucky lovers we will use bourbon from Kentucky.
1 cup yellow cake crumbs or 1 cup vanilla wafer
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
1/4 cup good unsweetened cocoa powder
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup Bourbon
Place the cake crumbs or cookie crumbs into a plastic bag and smoosh them.
Combine the cake crumbs or cookie crumbs, sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa, corn syrup & Bourbon.
Blend and mix very well.
Fold in the pecans.
Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls.
If mixture is not rolling together easily, add more corn syrup.
Roll the balls in the cocoa powder or the powdered sugar to coat them.
Store in an airtight container and refrigerate.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Elizabeth meet Jesus....
The story of Mary and Elizabeth ..... so much more than just the two meeting together for a chat.
When I first saw this picture of Mary and Elizabeth meeting I was overwhelmed with the whole aspect of that meeting. Here was Mary, a virgin, a young maiden perhaps and mostly likely a young teen, who had just been told she was pregnant. Can you imagine how she must have felt. I must say that she probably didn't understand the vastness of what was happening. But God chose her because of her faithfulness. Her willingness to believe what she couldn't understand.
I hope you will click on the link above and read for yourself this great story in Luke about GOD choosing Mary, a young maiden to be the mother of JESUS.
When I first saw this picture of Mary and Elizabeth meeting I was overwhelmed with the whole aspect of that meeting. Here was Mary, a virgin, a young maiden perhaps and mostly likely a young teen, who had just been told she was pregnant. Can you imagine how she must have felt. I must say that she probably didn't understand the vastness of what was happening. But God chose her because of her faithfulness. Her willingness to believe what she couldn't understand.
I hope you will click on the link above and read for yourself this great story in Luke about GOD choosing Mary, a young maiden to be the mother of JESUS.
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