Recipes – Page 5 – This Old House 2

Autumn at This Old House

Blogging used to be a daily thing around here – When I picked up my editing job again for a local publication I let it fall by the wayside, admittedly. There’s just so much time in a day that I am willing to give up in order to sit in front of a computer screen. For those of you who still drop by and join the conversations, I thank you for your time and sharing of views.

The blog was originally a way for me to document the restoration of This Old House here and people loved watching the transformation. I was happy to share. Some idiot on the internet started leaving really odd and sometimes nasty comments so I deleted the whole thing out of fear. Never let fear get the best of you – I regret it to this day, and cannot retrieve the archives… I tried and tried again…. Anyway.. I tell you this because there is a new project on the horizon, a renovation that I will share here shortly. Stay tuned… I was going to start another blog on the transformation, but instead I’ll just keep tabs on it here. Lets call it… Once Upon A Tide…

Have you peppered your home with autumn yet? I love acknowledging the seasons with their hues, the natural elements brought inside and some whimsy too. This year both my children have places of their own and I have handed over some of the fall and Halloween decor so they can do the same. They both appreciated the effort when they were younger and it appears they will continue the traditions as well, does my heart good to see it.

My son and his girlfriend adopted this beautiful kitten last week. They are head over heels in love. Her name is Lily and she adores them just as much. So many cats and dogs at the shelters all across the US – consider adopting when you add a pet to your family. You are indeed saving a life.

Mom has been at a cottage on the water for the last two weeks of summer into fall. We’ve enjoyed a few amazing sunset dinners on the deck, located on Long Island Sound… doesn’t get any better than that.

Speaking of dinners.. this dish has been going around facebook in video form – Chicken Caprese- I don’t have the recipe but followed the video and will put it in simple terms below… easy, delicious, and good for you.

Chicken Caprese – Put some olive oil in a large pan, saute chicken cutlets (or breasts but we prefer the thinner cutlet) in oil six minutes each side or until nicely browned, salt and pepper each piece when you begin. Remove chicken after browned/cooked on both sides and add balsamic vinegar and chopped garlic to pan. Sautee for a minute and add halved cherry tomatoes… simmer for five minutes, add chopped basil, place browned chicken cutlets over the tomato mixture, place slice of fresh mozzerella on top of each chicken piece, place cover over pan to allow cheese to melt over chicken… remove cover and serve with warm toasty garlic bread. YUM!

People let me tell ya ’bout my best friend

Can anyone tell me where that line came from? It should apply to our canine companions, truly wo(man)’s best friend. So much we could learn from them, should learn from them. They live in the moment, they forgive as quickly as the offense took place, they love unconditionally, they accept everything as it is, they don’t judge, their needs are so very simple. Uncomplicated beings. If only we could all follow suit. Alas, we are far too complex a creature.

I am lucky enough to work from home, whether it’s on the farm out back or in this house as it’s domestic engineer or at this computer editing, editing, editing. My coworkers are my dogs. Right now as I sit here typing, they surround me contented that I am near, the rat-tat-tat of the keyboard lulling them to sleep. Their presence in my daily life is a treasure and I know many of you feel the same for your canine family members.

While I may feel a little lost in this empty nest at times…. these characters keep me grounded with their expressions, their pure joys, their contentment at living in the moment in the company of the peoples that they love. There are some that say dogs don’t feel or understand love. I say they’ve never lived with a dog, never truly loved a dog. Because if they did, then they would know a whole new language and perhaps gain a new respect for these beings we are so lucky to have in our presence. Is there any mistaking the look on that face above… he knows by the jangle of the car keys in my hand that I am going out on an errand and he is staying behind.

I’ve got a dog biscuit recipe to share with you today – the person who gave the recipe to me calls them Newf bars because she has a giant newfoundland named Carbon who loves them.

Home Made Newf Bars for Dogs

6 cups oatmeal

4 eggs

1/3 cup honey

1 cup milk

2 mashed bananas (optional)

2 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 cup oil

1/4 cup molasses

1 large can solid pack pumpkin (also optional)

Preheat oven to 325. Grease cookie sheet that has lip. Dump all ingredients in large bowl. Mix the whole mess together using your hands (easiest- and tip: remove rings beforehand). Pat onto greased cookie sheet and bake for 1 hour. Turn off oven, crack door open and allow cookies to cool in the oven. Break into whatever size you want. These freeze really well too.

Cookies, Creatures and a Chill… or two.

Made these cookies the other day… absolutely delicious. We’re -trying- to go gluten free around here, although we haven’t actually succeeded 100 percent yet, but I have yet to make a baked item with GF flour that tastes edible. These are NOT GF, but damn, they sure are good. The fresh strawberries, white chocolate and cream cheese come together beautifully in this soft cake-like cookie. My first batch was gone in 5 hours.

http://omgchocolatedesserts.com/strawberry-cookies/

TRUMP. Holy cow, how did we get here? Not ever would I have believed…. and so totally embarrassing, the way these “men” behave on that stage. Not a sound choice in the lot… And yet the government definitely needs a huge shaking down… and you know what? I’m starting to think TRUMP is not the worst thing that could happen. Maybe it’s the shake down the “establishment needs”. For sure, they’ve brought it on themselves. They asked for it. Just so hard to accept that this is the level we have all sunk to, and I think we all bear responsibility, I do.

For a while I said.. I’m not voting!! These choices aren’t acceptable!!… but not voting isn’t the answer either. I’m weighing out the lesser of two evils, myself. I hope you do the same, whatever you believe that to be. Apathy is a bigger sin.

Spring is starting to announce that she indeed intends to show up. I am thrilled! Barn chores are so much more enjoyable when your hands don’t sting from the cold despite double glove wearing and you don’t include ice chipping of water buckets/ bowls and snow shoveling in the daily lineup of duties. We’re going to Agway today to pick up some seed planting “stuff”. I’ve ordered my seeds already from Baker Heirloom seed company… purple dragon carrots and an oriental variety of purple sweet potato are in the plans.

The girls enjoying some oatmeal with raspberries a few mornings ago. They’ve made it clear they prefer blueberries though. Truly, I wonder what the difference is between the two… they leave the raspberries till there’s nothing else to pick on. Blueberries disappear in seconds.

Out on our morning walk.. the crew discusses the results of Super Tuesday. I couldn’t help but notice their conversations were more coherent than the candidates and there was no mention of the size of their… digits.

Have you seen -Black Mass – the movie about the real life story of Whitey Bulger, portrayed by Johnny Depp? Great movie, probably one of Johnny Depps best performances. He’s an incredible actor anyway, one of my favorites… but in this? Well.. first let me tell you my husband put the movie on and I hadn’t known who was in it, hadn’t paid any attention to the ads for it before hand. I had NO IDEA while watching the ENTIRE MOVIE that I was looking at Johnny. The eyes were haunting to me, but I could not place it, did not see -him-. Amazing performance. I highly recommend the movie- a real, chilling, gritty piece of our american story.

Best “chiller” you’ll see all year, I promise.

Pull up a chair and grab a cuppa… it’s a long one and it goes all over the place

Because SNOW.

It’s 7:40 a.m. and I’ve already fed the dogs, chickens and rabbits, mucked stalls and fed and watered the horses, let them run around for a bit and closed them back in. The snow started to fly about an hour ago and we’re told it’s gonna be a good one. I’ve got work to do at my editors desk here, so being snowed in is probably a good thing.. less distraction to take me away from it when the -inside- is more pleasant than the -outside- .

This picture was taken yesterday during the -pleasant- portion of our winter weather.

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Have I told you lately how much I love being able to work a job I enjoy .. from home?… it’s a big blessing. Back in the day, there was a three year period of time where I worked a secretarial job in a windowless office. For a girl like me, that was very depressing. I need to see the daylight, the sky, branches on trees, the weather…

My son and his girl have been enjoying the sun and sand and 80 degree temps of St. Maarten, returning tonight, weather permitting. As if I needed another reason to worry, of course they fly on a storm day. We have not been to St. Maarten yet.. but the kids have enjoyed it so much and friends have recommended it highly, I think we’re going to take a family trip next January. Of course, it takes two years to get the Mr. to agree to take a vacation. Remember the Fonz… and how he just could not bring himself to say he was Wrrrrrrrrrrr…………….wrrrrrrrrrrrr……………. wrrrrr…rrrrr….rrrrrrrr…..wrong? Just swap that word out for Vaaaaaaa…v aaaaaaaaa..a…..vaaaaaaa……cation.

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The husband and I are trying to avoid gluten, so in the following recipe I will swap out regular pasta (woe is ME!!)… for the gluten free variety. I have yet to find a gluten free anything that tastes as good as the original stuff, but I have to admit I feel so much better when I don’t eat it.

Anyway!… this looks great for a cold winters eve, don’t ya think?

Chicken Bacon Pasta

Recipe HERE

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How about that Superbowl!!!….

I’m a Patriots fan, so it was not my most favorite. Here are my thoughts.. I don’t like extremely cocky players, for me that kind of behavior takes away from the game. Not all agree with me, and that’s OK. SO… I think Cam Newton and his team played outstanding this year and deserved a spot in the Bowl, but there is big attitude in that camp and lots of unsportsmanlike behavior in my opinion… and so perhaps they were knocked back a little and reminded they are not Gods with this loss. Newton certainly appeared rattled, blowing a little tantrum as he lay in the field at one point.

It was a weird game… kinda reminded me of preschool in some ways — there were players with what appeared to be pacifiers in their mouths, some pattycake play, a temper tantrum or three or four…

(pic from another game, but here it is.. the new in-thing, the pacifier! )

As for the poor behaviors – the excess celebratory gestures for even the littlest things, the pushing shoving stomp-on matches,.. the temper tantrums… See, here’s where I think these athletes need to be held responsible for their behavior. They have kids and grown adults looking up to them, idolizing them… they’re paid a ridiculous amount.. so why can’t they be held to a certain standard of behavior? They aren’t curing disease or saving lives, they play damn good ball, that’s it. So .. at least set a good example or pay a hefty fine.. too much to ask?

This guy likes to do the Superman Gesture …

To me the measure of a true athlete who deserves the worship is one who behaves well even in defeat. Sorry, Cam.. Superman, you ain’t. Not because of the loss, dude, everyone loses sometimes…

GOod article in the New York Times about this very thing…. HERE

The Broncos – also not their best, having many opportunities to pull ahead and yet not achieving them. Their defense was stellar, and deserved the win. In the end they managed it, and I’m happy for Peyton Manning.. who is or isn’t retiring after this win.

Weird Bowl for sure.

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I love this tee shirt, decided to order it today from the Sundance catalog… my favorite “shop”. HOwever, they’ve gotten so expensive I don’t order much from them anymore..

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I’ll close the post with a picture of the two sisters who arrived in CT yesterday afternoon – now known as Daisy and Dolly…. Their mom was an aussie, not a lab – I had that info wrong. Dad was probably a rotti, me thinks. These two are adored already – life is good!

Mom asked for Snow, and other “stuff”

So my mom asked why I haven’t posted snow pictures here on the blog of our farm, etc…. I told her they’re all on Facebook and if she’d only just come around to the thought of a simple facebook page commitment, she’d get to enjoy all those pictures like everyone else… not to mention pics of her family and friends (some older than she!)… who embraced Facebook for that very reason. I tried setting her up, and it lasted for fifteen seconds. That’s no exaggeration, maybe 20 seconds to be safely accurate. A minor hissy fit ensued and the page was taken down. About 25 of her friends/family even friended her in that 20 seconds, welcoming her to the 21st century!… and yet.

So, mom, these snow pictures are for you, and then on to some other “stuff” to share, like recipes and a sneak peek at my rocking horse restoration project. Oh, how I have loved this project.

So… SNOW….

Frasier for good measure….

A great lemon bar recipe for those of you who like to bake, and love lemon like we do.. These are delicious. However, I attempted them with a gluten free flour to use in the crust.. the Crust.. was Dust. So, don’t do that. Follow the recipe given in the link HERE .

One of my family’s favorite soups will be served for dinner tonight – a perfect winter eve’s comfort food… although, it does involve Velveeta (is that even a real food? I don’t dare read the ingredients list). Because I only serve this a few times a winter season, we’ll look the other way, OK? Recipe HERE *not my photo

A sneak peek at the rocking horse restoration – before and after to come soon… almost done!

I’m too lazy this morning to figure out how to rotate the image.. but you get the picture… stay tuned!

Randomocity

So tempted to talk about the pathetic list of presidential candidates and their debate behavior, but none of us need another one of those rants right now, do we. Something that irks me more than even Donald Trumps in-your-face obnoxious behavior? Get religion out of politics. It does not belong there. Your religion is not my religion is not their religion. Any of your religious beliefs should not hold law making or program cutting weight. Enough said.

We’re having a Christmas Eve gathering here of family and friends, and I’ve been making batches of cookies to set out as a big platter with the desserts. Two new fun things I tried, and they are no bake .. so easy to make, pretty .. and most importantly delicious.

Christmas confetti Truffles…. recipe HERE.

Chocolate covered oreos with crushed candy cane topping. No recipe. All you do is buy a package of oreos, two bags of Hersheys Special Dark Chocolate chips for baking, etc. and crush some candy canes. Melt the chocolate in a pot or the microwave, dip the oreos in the melted chocolate to coat them and place on wax paper, sprinkle with the crushed candy canes and allow to dry and harden before putting in tupperware in freezer or refrigerator until ready to serve. THEY ARE DELICIOUS!

An update on my father – He has settled in to nursing home life as well as can be expected. He did take a fall a few weeks back and cracked his hip – was walking around unassisted with his door closed, two no-nos they have asked him not to do and he fell into the door. A week later after pin insertion surgery at the hospital, he was back at the home and is once again not listening to care instructions. He complains constantly about the food, which is actually very good considering it’s a care facility – and when I bring him something different to eat it’s not the right thing and he would rather have had something else. The something else is not right the next time.

I have stopped getting angry. That’s a big step for me. Finally I see that all his issues have nothing to do with me. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink. It must be very lonely, living in a self that is so – self centered. I am glad I don’t know what life is like for someone who doesn’t look beyond their own being, their wants, their ideas… to the vast and interesting and enriching world and relationships that are before us all.

His loss.

I’ve been running a lot of errands for the holidays and this… this is the face I get when I walk out the door with my Jeep keys in hand….

Frasier is my rescue dog. I’m telling you.. there is no greater love.

Speaking of which, we’re holding an adoption event in Cromwell, CT this weekend for two dogs that have been in a CT shelter and now foster for a while. We’d love to get them a home for the holidays at last. If you’re local and interested, go meet Dottie and Nanny this weekend!

Where have I been!!???…

Busy, but in a good way. In my new old position as editor of our local publication, (because our town is so small we don’t have an actual newspaper) .. I am feeling creative again and contributing to the community, hopefully in a good way. I love that I can work at home, too. Right now the dogs are laying all around me and I’ve got a candle burning as the snow begins to fly once again. Oh, did I really just say that?… Indeed….

We celebrated the big FIVE OH quietly with family – because of my hearing impairment, big noisy parties and the conversations they require are hard to navigate. I asked only one thing… please, no big party. I had a lovely day and I can honestly tell you I feel the number is a present to be opened, not a thing to begrudge. Age is a privilege, a gift not all receive. I’ll take it open handed and embrace each year as it comes, wrinkles and all.

Made this recipe the other night and it was a huge hit. To the arteries, not just the taste buds. But hey, sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do and hope for the best.

Dad’s Swedish Meatballs – Taste of Home Recipe

Ingredients

1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
1 cup soft bread crumbs
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
1/4 cup butter, cubed
DILL CREAM SAUCE:
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup beef broth
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dill seed

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Crumble beef and pork over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-1/2-in. balls. In a large skillet, cook meatballs in butter in batches until a thermometer reads 160°. Remove and keep warm.
In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients until blended. Stir into skillet. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with meatballs. Yield: 6 servings.

Lets ramble through…

Feel free to chime in on any of the below mentioned items…..

How about them Patriots?!!!…. Yes I’m a fan.. and boy did they come through in a clutch, once again. I can’t stand the arrogance in the Seahawk camp and while it was very unfortunate that they made a really bad mistake at the very end of the game, they deserved it. As for deflate gate, funny video here. But.. they’re all lying… because I AM THE LOCKER ROOM GAL.

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Sarah Palin… I know some of my readers are fans. I have never understood the following, and the fact that she still has some support and is given any platform at all is just.. wow. But.. I’m going to venture to guess that the brave souls who still stand in her camp are quietly backing away at this point because… the freedom speech. And hey, if you’re going to defend her with “Her Teleprompter broke!”…. then my answer is…. Yeah.. so you got the REAL DEAL right then and there. Boom.

I get that we are all weary and want change. Change is needed, no doubt… but this -ain’t it – .

Didn’t catch the speech? Here’s just an excerpt.. one of the more coherent.

“Things must change for our government. Look at it. It isn’t too big to fail. It’s too big to succeed! It’s too big to succeed, so we can afford no retreads or nothing will change with the same people and same policies that got us into the status quo. Another Latin word, status quo, and it stands for, ‘Man, the middle-class everyday Americans are really gettin’ taken for a ride.’ That’s status quo, and GOP leaders, by the way, y’know the man can only ride ya when your back is bent. So strengthen it. Then the man can’t ride ya, America won’t be taken for a ride, because so much is at stake and we can’t afford politicians playing games like nothing more is at stake than, oh, maybe just the next standing of theirs in the next election.”

Ouch.

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It’s snowing, sleeting, raining again here in Connecticut. I’ve just come in from shoveling paths to the dog run, the barn, the chicken coop and rabbit hutch. These are the times when I ask myself the question… .”Why do I have all these animals again??”… but you know.. the consolation is.. I love to eat. Without all this work, I’d probably weight 200 lbs. And theres all the love. All you need is LOVE… and a dog. (.. or four….. and a few horses, rabbits, chickens and fish… apparently).

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I’m going back to an official work status and the task of turning my office back into an actual office meant we had to toss Bens queen size mattress and buy him something smaller, a twin. He’s still getting used to it. Most of the time he has figured out how to fit his entire being on it quite nicely.

Sometimes it’s just all wrong.

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Apple Chicken Sausage recipe HERE

Delicious, healthy, easy to make and comforting on a cold winters night.

Speaking of recipes.. I’m not much of a drinker.. but now and then

a good one is just refreshing and the load becomes a little lighter

with just a little buzz. I was recently introduced to this drink and it’s a winner in my book.

Dark & Stormy

Ingredients:

Goslings Ginger Beer

Goslings Dark Bermuda Rum

Lime, Ice

Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in about an inch of rum. Fill the rest of the glass with Ginger Beer. Squeeze a large wedge of lime into the drink and drop the slice in. Stir.. enjoy. YUM!

It’s a new day, all!.. Let’s make it a good one.

What’s a Frisky Lemon?

Not sure, but friskylemon.com has one winner of a paleo Shepherds pie recipe. I made it last week and it was a big hit. Definitely a new favorite at This Old House 2. I left out the rosemary as the husband has an aversion to it. I added extra garlic.. and used shredded carrots. I also used a can of organic peas instead of thawed frozen… I sprinkled it on top of the meat mixture once that was laid in the pan. Then covered with the sweet potato mash to bake. Delicious and good for you! – Perfect for these chilly winter days.

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef (preferably grass-fed)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 container (~8oz) of mushrooms, sliced
1 bag of frozen peas, thawed
1 can tomato paste
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
2 tsp fresh thyme
4 to 6 medium sweet potatoes
½ cup coconut milk
1 Tbsp butter plus more for the pan
sea salt and pepper
butter

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350 F.
In a large skillet, brown the meat with the cloves of garlic in butter.
Once the meat is browned, remove it from the pan, and cook the onions, carrots and mushrooms until carrots are soft and onions are translucent.
Add the meat back to the pan, add the tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, thyme and salt.
Cook until all of the excess liquid has cooked off.
Stir in the peas.
Pour the meat mixture into a large baking dish– 9X13″ works well.
Bake your sweet potatoes: place the sweet potatoes on a foiled lined baking sheet and bake until soft– about 40 minutes depending on the size of your sweet potatoes. (You could also do this step while you are cooking the meat on the stove top).
Allow the potatoes to cool for a few minutes, then peel and place into a medium-sized bowl with coconut milk, butter, sea salt and pepper.
Mash the sweet potatoes into a paste, and spread on top of your meat mixture.
Bake the shepherd’s pie for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sides are bubbling and the center is hot.

Enjoy!

A whole lot of random, but useful just the same

I took the tree down yesterday. It was indeed a pretty tree… My mother thinks that’s a travesty but ’round here – when it’s over, it’s over. My neighbor across the road just put hers up on Christmas Eve. I know that’s a tradition going way back, but it seems a month behind to me. That wasn’t useful, was it. 🙂

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A great article in the Huffington Post HERE on the 7 habits of chronically unhappy people… I think everyone should read it and evaluate and perhaps… adjust accordingly. I wouldn’t say I’m an unhappy person but I am indeed a worrier. Worriers should read this article too. Really – click on the link, it’s worth the effort.

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A fantastic recipe I made last night, shared by a good friend. I used Almond flour instead of regular flour and let me tell you, folks.. it was delicious. Devoured in an hour. I recommend it highly, with the glaze. Of course, once I devoured 1/4 of the loaf before bedtime, I was up all night due to the sugar content, I’m pretty sure. I’ve read articles that claim sugar really doesn’t make people/kids hyper, but I think that’s just crap. It gives me palpitations and a racing heart if I eat too much of it… every time. So you’d think I’d stay completely away, right? *sigh right.

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Another plane absolutely completely and totally…missing…..

this is getting really… really.. strange.

Anyone got any theories? I’m not going to post mine.

UPDATE: Debris found….

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“There’s this youth culture that is really, really powerful and really, really strong, but what it does is it really discards people once they reach a certain age. I actually think that people are so powerful and interesting – women, especially – when they reach my age. We’ve got so much to say, but popular culture is so reductive that we just talk about whether we’ve got wrinkles, or whether we’ve put on weight or lost weight, or whether we’ve changed our hair style.

I just find that so shallow”.

–Annie Lennox, who just turned 60.

Related in a different way – a very attractive, very fit friend of mine in her mid forties is

so very critical of herself – her appearance and the beginning signs of aging
– and it’s an awful thing to witness.
… we need to stop the self torture, really.
It’s a privilege to age and it’s societies unfair standards that have brought
us to this. Lets stop the nonsense. Every morning when you look
in the mirror, truly see the beauty that is before you.
Do you have crows feet? You must have lived some happy times, because
you’ve been smiling. What a gift.
Do you have laugh lines? Ditto.
Stretch marks from child rearing?
What an accomplishment… a miracle!
Kind eyes? a generous mouth?
Allow yourself to recognize your own beauty. Just that.

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We have a new year upon us…

Resolutions…what say you?

I plan to be kinder to my aging self…

to embrace each day, even the trying ones.. because indeed every minute is a gift.

to try my best to be a positive force on this earth

and not a user, or a taker, as my deceased father in law would say.

A Happy, Healthy, Peaceful 2015 to all!