Positively Tuesday and Managing the Heat

      This summer is the oven that just keeps firing up! We're back in another  streak of 90 degree plus with it being stifling-but yet no rain to speak of by the forecasters. I'll water my flowers, but I just can't justify running sprinklers on the grass when there might be water shortages for things like drinking and crop production. Still, even with managing the heat, there are things that are giving me jo, making me smile, or just a simple pleasure. Here's my top 10 for the week.

1. I've been enjoying using up the veggie bounty DD2 brought home last Wednesday. We've had garlic and parmesan roasted potatoes, curry, and low mein.  I've got so many leftovers so think I'll skip any cooking on Wednesday. The cabbage was massive and I still have 3/4ths left so need to figure out what else to make with it. Other than coleslaw and stir fry, not a clue what to do with it. 
2. I've been trying to stay more focused on not snacking/eating after 7:00 and trying to get a bit more strength  exercising in. Dare I say, I actually lost two pounds this week without it backfiring? 
3. My Keurig has decided it will work again-we'll see how long. It's been nice using it the last couple days and not doing my  make due pour over. 
4. I think these are zinnias? The seed packet faded that I used for a marker. These are what  survived the squirrels. They are not the prettiest of flowers being just two that bloomed, but I smile that they won the battle with the critters.
   
   
   
   

   

   Two bloomed-not sure if the other "growth" will give nay flowers.

   
   
5. I actually dressed for work today. (Really-I' wear clothes, but have been shorts and Tee's). I decided I better start at least on Tuesdays and Thursdays  getting in the habit of office appropriate wear. I'm still bare footed though!
6. I really had fun meeting up with my sisters on Saturday for happy hour and ten  our game night. It's nice to be born into a family and born into instant friends. Of course we've had our moments of sibling stuff, but  I love hanging out with them. 
7. Shhh-don't tell my other nieces and nephews, but my sister who was the birthday girls, gave me loads of positives on my kids, telling me, "You sure did something right.". She was referring to their kind souls and adventurous natures, of which I can't really take credit as they are their own people, but still nice to hear. She may have even let it slip that  wile she loves them all, they might be her favorites. She does not have children of her own, but her husband that passed away last year has two sons, but he was estranged form them so she (we) didn't see much of them, though are in touch via Christmas cards and Facebook.
8. We all slept in on Sunday and it felt good!  I mentioned to my daughter that I couldn't believe how late it was and she said, "Well, it is Sunday!" 
9. I mentioned how much help my older daughter has been giving me-so thankful. Well, she turned it up a notch and brought home baked zucchini bread with her on Sunday and gave me a few more hours of her time. She got multiple boxes donated after work yesterday. 
10. Knowing the office  is now going to really happen is a simple joy. DH thinks I'll feel closed in, but I think I'll like that feeling to  be focused when working, and shut the door at the end of the day when I am not. I'm looking at the miscellaneous stuff that came out to see what I'll reuse in the office-avoiding buying stuff. 

     Those were some of the niceties of my life this week. When I logged in there was an irritating email that I will have to deal with in a bit-typical of my Tuesdays. People hold off the crap on Monday and let it fly n Tuesday. At least I can bask in the list of  simple pleasures for the week. 

Food Photography

I know what I want my 2017 self investment to be in-learning to create the vision and then photograph lovely food art. My pictures do not do things justice. At the 2016 MN Blogger's conference, there was a session on food photography but it was so packed there wasn't even floor sitting or standing room only space. i was pretty surprised it wasn't offered again, and will suggest for next year. there must be some layman's class though that would help me out. regardless, I'll keep snapping pictures to illustrate things my words may not be able to convey, but these pictures do not do justice to the tastes behind the photo.

Candy making is a big part of Christmas celebrations in the mid west. Fudge, truffles, caramels, toffee's and peanut brittle are being made by the batch full to give away as gifts and adorn holiday desert buffets. Candy also goes on sale at ridiculously low prices compared to the rest of the year, making it easy to grab an extra box or two as filler gifts, or as I like to use them, to accompany gift cards for coffee. Is it just me, or having a really good piece of chocolate with a cup of fresh brewed coffee with a splash of cream, one of the most decadent treats imaginable. Just me? fair enough. On my list for post Christmas sales is to pick up food safe gift boxes and treat  trays. I'll still grab boxed candy for certain gifts, choir directors and violin teachers, and other gifts that need to be able to outlive a shelf life of home made goodies. For family and friends, homemade treats are perfect thank you's. If lucky, I can find season neutral versions  in just solid colors. The treat box on top is four pieces of fudge in a cute green Swiss dotted box, a gift from a coworker. 

The economics of home made treats make giving treats for your kitchen a win. This batch of Mounds, with sale priced ingredients came in at under $1.45 a dozen. I've seen similar products in chocolate stores sell for close to $2.00 a piece, or more, and slabs of fudge selling for $15.00 per pound. My coworker put her recipe inside a card along with the fudge for a special touch. Made or bought, I appreciate the indulgence. I just wish my camera would appreciate the view more. 

Still not there for presentation, but my homemade Mounds candy.

A gifting stand by, under $5.00 a box right now-everywhere.

Fruits of Others Labor

This was my lunch and I feel so good after devouring it.  I made a stop at our little town farmers market where I purchased a few tomatoes, some cucumbers, and a loaf of artisan bread. With some spicy red pepper humus I had at home already used as my spread to bind it all together, a dash of course sea salt and black pepper on both the tomato and the cucumber slices, and it was mouth wateringly delicious.  This will be my go to lunch as often as possible between now and when the summer bounty of fresh vegetables end. I wouldn't mind a trip to the St Paul's farmers market which has aisles and aisles of fresh produce, canned jams, jellies, and pickles, fresh cut flowers, and both artisan breads, deserts, and candies, for the sheer entertainment value. I am easily entertained. 

 I like the one in town though as most are local farmers, and I can take a 30 second walk between the tables, figure out who has what, and make my purchases in less than 5 minutes.  More time to enjoy.  Horrible pictures, but this might give you a little sense of how tiny the little market is, but it suits my needs.  I was in the mood to buy some home made pickles, but none were available today.  I'll try again next week.  Besides my bread, tomatoes, and cucumbers, I have three lovely egg plants, which I will roast to go with pasta sometime this week. I am a happy summer gal today.

Favorite Pantry Staples

 
Yesterday I shared some things I've learned to help  get more lushness out of simple and ordinary food.  Building on that theme, here's a few foods I try to keep on hand, to help me make the most of the meals and foods I serve, and be prepared for an unexpected visitor.
 
Kalamata pitted olives-Perfect just served in a bowl as snacks or part of a relish tray, these salty little numbers easily work on a flatbread or pizza crust or in a hot or cold pasta dish.
 
 

 Marinated artichoke hearts- As with olives, they work with a tooth pick as part of an antipasti tray, in salads and hot dishes, and also fabulous on flatbread or pizza crusts.
 



Pepperoni-Either in sticks, or sliced, pepperoni has a long refrigerator life, and a little can go a long way.  Use like the earlier items as snacks, toppings, or in salads.
 
Pizza crust mix- I'm sure someone has an easy homemade way to make a crust, but for $ .79, having a couple on hand is cost efficient and convenient.  Use with just about any of the other ingredients I have on this list, and you have the base for a quick meal or snack for unexpected guests.
 


Tortilla's-I'm thankful about that our US neighbors to the south decided to share their daily bread recipe with us. Use tortillas as wraps for sandwiches or burrito style coverings for just about any hot food combinations like eggs and cheese, hamburger, rice and beans. Because you can get in rice, corn, or flour, those with gluten allergies can find options.
 
Olive tapenade-Yummy on crackers or crusty bread, also good spread on a cheeseburger, or with other meats and cheeses for sandwiches.
 
Petite diced tomatoes-Drain and mix with just about anything for a fast salsa, bruschetta spread, or pizza or pasta topping.  My favorite is to mix with a can of drained black beans, can of drained corn, can of green chili peppers, lots of garlic, chili powder, and black pepper, and lime juice.  Mix it all together and chill for a day, and it makes a phenomenal  salad, chip dip, or bread topping.  
 
Cream cheese-Besides the obvious spread for bagels, cream cheeses (particularly if paired with the olive tapenade) is delicious on burgers, stirred into mashed potatoes, used with any kind of jam or jelly for a cracker or sandwich spread, and melted with diced tomatoes and peppers for a hot queso dip.
 
Besides the traditional staples, what are the must have items you regularly stock your kitchen with? Do you have go to items to help you feel prepared for the extra or unexpected guest?

Simplicity with a Bit of Lush

A big crock of chicken noodle soup accompanied by drop biscuits for lunch and I am a happy gal.  I do like to try and lush up these simple fairs once and a while, and pretend I've elevated my table to a little French bistro or a an Italian café. I've been looking up "mock" recipes to get some ideas on how others are getting more of the taste of  five star dining on both a budget and also a realistic time frame.  Here are a few tips I have recently discovered.

Garlic-even if it is just garlic powder, adds so much flavor to quick breads and drop biscuits. No matter what I am making, lately I've been adding a touch. Even if the garlic flavor isn't noticed, it changes the  original flavor just enough to increase flavor. We often end with more noodles than sauce when we make pasta dishes. Garlic mixed with olive oil and a good vinegar, and then tossed through leftover pasta makes a nice little cold pasta salad, perfect to take among for lunch with some canned tuna. Better yet, mix some of the tuna in, serve over some greens, for a lush salad that won't remotely resemble the summer potluck salad my great aunt brought out each 4th of July.

Dried herbs-of course having fresh right outside your door would be better, and I plan to do some container pots once it warms up, but having a pantry full of thyme, oregano, basil, parsley, and even premixed like Italian seasoning, added to meats, sauces, gravies, or soups brings a unique flavor profile beyond your supermarket staples.

Browning meat with an onion-why I haven't been doing this forever, I do not know.  The "oniony" taste mellows, but the extra caramelization and flavor seared into the meet elevates the simplest  cuts to higher taste.  I did a flash frozen chicken breast yesterday morning  for the soup, and the extra earthiness the browning of the onion and chicken together had made the hubby think I had bought a chicken stock from our local deli. The broth tasted so much richer, even though I used mostly stock cubes, adding the then diced browned chicken and onions, along with using a little water to get every bit of browned juice and onion from the fry pan. I have posted a lot of pictures of soup, but this might be the best batch I've ever made.

Savory jams and jellies/fruit jams and jellies used as ingredients- The last time we went for dinner at the wine  bar of which we have a membership, I ordered the grilled cheese.  This was no ordinary grilled cheese. Smothered between the bread and cheese was a tomato jam that made my mouth water. On our trip to the UK, the cheese toasties had an onion marmalade on them-quite tasty. I tried to do the same at home using the pepper jelly I had made last fall from the gift banana peppers, and wouldn't you know, it was equally as delicious. The combination of sweetness from the jelly sugars with the earthiness of the vegetable, blended with the nuttiness of the cheese was incredible. I've used that jam, along with some peppered apple chutney, to cook and serve alongside pork chops, pork tenderloins and chicken.  At this same wine bar outing, hubby had a turkey burger with a lingonberry jam and mayonnaise spread. I have since played with mixing jams and jelly's with mayonnaise, barbecue, or ketchup for sandwich spreads and dipping sauces and we have had some delicious combinations.

I could add more, and think I will over time.  I'm not at all a food snob, but I do appreciate a well prepared meal, and the care and artistry that  quality chef's can put in their dishes. If I can elevate our simple fair with a few  ingredients used in intentional ways, I am all for that.  I would love to hear your ideas on how you Ramsey up your dinner table and lunch boxes.

I am down to my last jar of pepper jelly, with lot's of ideas.

Holiday Leftovers-Seasonal Delicacies

Chances are you were either the preparer or the benefactor of some lush holiday dishes and leftovers from the feast.  I was both so now is the time, in this weekend post Christmas, to put those remains to good use. 

I have the following leftovers from the past days of celebrating; ham and a ham bone, shredded beef, shredded colby-jack cheese, three large boneless buffalo chicken snacks, sour cream, and half a jar of pepper jelly. I also have some miscellaneous fresh grocery items that need to be used up.  I love to cook and will use these as inspiration to not only not waste food, but keep the holiday food spirit right through New Years. 

I have both the ham bone, and the bits and pieces of sliced ham that weren't eaten Christmas Eve.  The ham bone will become stock for a big batch of bean soup.  With DD#1 not at home, I do not have to make it vegetarian.  The added bonus is that my sister who hosted Christmas Eve loves bean soup but her family does not so she will get a jar as well.  I posted my recipe earlier, and here is that link. Bean Soup This recipe base is for the meatless kind, but the only difference is cooking the beans with the ham bone the whole time, and then later picking off the very tender little pieces of ham that haven't fallen off the bone on their own.

With the bits of ham, part of the colby cheeses, and the remains of a bag of spinach salad and sour cream, I will make a tasty egg bake.  Economical and feels more special than just scramble eggs and toast.  Whisk 6 eggs with 3/4 cups of milk, a can of cream of something soup (I'll use mushroom), and the sour cream remains (probably about 1/3 cup). Spray a casserole dish with cooking spray, place the spinach leaves, ham bits, and light sprinkle of cheese, on the bottom of the dish.  Pour the egg mixture on top evenly, and bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees or slightly longer depending on the depth of your baking pan.  A knife inserted should come out clean.  If you have a lot of cheese, sprinkle more on top before baking.  This feeds four people generously, and or more if you are having other items.

With half the beef, given to me by my sister from the huge amount she had leftover, half was simmered in  a slow cooker with barbecue sauce and served on sandwich rolls.  With some frozen French fries, and  garlicky, ketchup, mayo mix, it was a delicious Friday night dinner.  The other half will be used with some baking potatoes, carrots, and a bag of frozen mixed vegetables, and some packet gravy mix into a beef stew.  I'll bake up the last two frozen bread loaves as well, and Monday dinner is done. 

As for the boneless wings, those will be sliced up today, with the last of the colby-jack, and baked between some tortillas and presto, Quesadillas for the football games today.  I'll pour the pepper jelly over half a brick of cream cheese and we will also have a delicious spread for crackers or on toast or a bagel.

With this plan, and the last of our groceries from before Christmas,I won't need to do a grocery run for a couple more days other than for maybe milk, bread, and fresh fruit, and should be able to get the fridge good and cleaned out, making a fresh start for the year. How are you using your leftovers up?  Do you have favorites post holiday that you intentionally plan to have leftovers for? 

Surplus Baking... What a Problem

If you have been reading, you'll know I have been under weather, and have gotten off track with my Christmas preparations, mainly the baking and treat making.  Now that I am perking up and with working from home, I find I am able to work an hour or so, take a brief rest, whip up a quick batch of something, get back to work, and repeat the cycle.  My baking is slowly getting on pace with previous years.  However, with being semi homebound, it has meant I have forgone many of the usual festivities and treat sharing  opportunities.  I fear I am I danger of a post holiday bounty!  I just took a dozen cupcakes out of the oven, along with a cute little Christmas tree shaped cake.  I split the batter from a standard cake mix between the two projects.  Last night I got peanut blossoms and snicker doodles baked.  I did cheat and used mixes-at 2 for $3.00, I could hardly do better from scratch.  DD#2 and I will at least get the traditional Oreo truffles made, plus I'll do the Mars bars as they were such a hit, and so easy.  I also have rosettes I made at the beginning of the month and tucked away in the freezer. Items will go to both family Christmas's, but so will everyone else's bakery's, and let's face it, a person really can eat only so much.

 Here is my plan to use the surplus.  As these items are home made they can't be donated for charitable use. The less holiday specific stuff I'll freeze to use later in the winter. I'll encourage my nieces and nephews that are less inclined to make treats to bring home a goodie box-I picked up some treat packaging at the dollar store for this. I'll bring a treat container along to DD's basketball scrimmage on the 29th. I have three neighbors with households full of boys, home now for the break from high school, middle school, and college. A post Christmas cookie plate will make it's way to each of them.

I'll bring a tray in the day after Christmas for those that didn't take a vacation day and are holding down the office.  Many of these staff do not celebrate Christmas so would rather save their time for other times in the year.  I've found though the sharing of food and treats is multi-cultural and appreciated. One of my favorite work anecdotes occurred about 10 years ago when HR decided we needed to move away from a December all staff potluck as it aligned too close with the expectation of celebrating the Christmas holiday, and she worried we were at risk of not being inclusive.  I have the most diverse staff in the organization due to the nature of our community work.  One of my staff, a woman of Islamic faith, upon hearing the change in staff activity lamented, "Does that mean we won't get to have Christmas cookies?" 

I've not had this problem before, and one might just say "stop baking!"  This is one of the activities that gives me joy in the making, the arranging on a pretty tray of plate, and giving to and sharing with people in my life I care about. I think my plan will take care of this problem, but what a problem to have. Have fun with your week however you choose to spend it.

Bought the cute mold for 75% of after Christmas last year. 

Peace and Glad Tidings in the Ham Section

After a satisfying walk that tired me out, but also felt so good to be outdoors, I figured I would ration my energy today and start getting things done for myself.  I carefully timed out what I could accomplish in 90 minutes, driveway to driveway. I got DD#2 and DS's gifts mailed, with an arrival of Tuesday the 22nd.  Postage probably cost more than what I spent on the contents as I was a clever shopper, but it will make me feel good knowing they have some gifts to open. To my surprise, the post office was virtually empty, so that was a fast errand. I ran into a former well liked teacher of all three kids, who kindly asked about them all.  He hoped DD#2 was on the mend from flu, noting how many of his middle schoolers had been out.

I sent some gift bundles of nibbles and treats direct from the companies-crossing fingers they arrive on time.  I think they will be able to be creative and make a pretty good Christmas gathering with their new friends and each other.  DD#2 was feeling  a little down today about being away again at Christmas so was going to head out and get some baking ingredients and put herself in the seasonal mood.  She is my snow and cold girl, so last year spending it in what to her felt like a warm London and this year in California doesn't feel right.  DS, unless he is on a snowboard, never cared for the snow and cold, so he is in his element. He also has always had a more detached personality-able to be his own best company, where as she likes the circle and safety of family.

My next stop was Walgreen's where I found the sugar free box of holiday candy that DD#2 gives her grandpa, and a few other necessities, along with picking up the on-line cards I ordered.  Most I will hand out at Christmas Eve and day gatherings, since I am so late anyway,  but will get in Monday's mail, if I get the cards addressed tomorrow, to family and friends we will not see.  I'm quite proud of how I did the card with being semi laid up.  It is sort of a collage card because I did not have a picture this year of the five of us, or even all three kids.  Instead it is a little snapshot of our year by kid, with the larger middle picture of the three of us living at home posed in front of Stonehenge. I spent only $30 on 80 customized cards using an on-line coupon. Next I hit the jackpot picking up the Caribou coffee shop gift cards I give to my five non-manager direct staff, and DD#2's church choir director and confirmation teacher.  The deal was buy two $10 cards, get a $5 card bonus.  I went ahead and got eight of the $10, so now have an extra $10, and four $5 on hand for any impromptu gifts needed, or heck, for a gift to myself.

My last stop, and at the 60 minute mark was to the grocery store for the items I would be bringing Christmas Eve to my sisters and Christmas day to my MIL. I popped the  last dollar bill and whatever change I had into the red kettle on the way in. I have been the ham lady for the last 5 years or so on my side of the family.  Prior to that, I had never made a bone in ham, so offered to give it a try when another sister wanted to make something else. Ham has been my dish since, along with an appetizer I make out of crescent roll dough, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, and lots of Italian seasonings.  We just call them "puffy things."

While looking at hams, I was starting to kick myself for not having purchased weeks ago before being laid up.  The hams were all at $3.99 a pound or more, when I had been seeing them for $1.79.  I and an older gentleman were looking at the options.  Out loud he said, "I guess there are no full hams left, just half's."  I happened to be standing over a section that had several whole, so I pointed it out to him.  I noticed he was holding the store flyer, I didn't think to look at, with a $1.79 per pound coupon.  We chatted a bit about how much ham we each needed.  I learned his wife makes an incredible brown sugar and coca cola glaze, and then a ham gravy.  I shared I use ginger ale on mine, and then slice and keep warm in the crockpot, stewing in all the juices, until we eat later Christmas Eve.  He explained that the reason whole hams are so hard to find, and are rarely on sale is that the butcher cuts them in half, packages the centers as expensive ham steaks, and sells the butts as half hams.  I didn't know that.  We chatted a bit more, and then I picked out mine, grabbed a circular for the coupon, and the rest of my shopping and headed to the check out. 

I ended up being behind that same man.  He had purchased three  half hams, but could only have one per transaction with the coupon.  He apologized that he had to make me wait for three different ring ups.  I was starting to get fatigued, but he was so kind, of course I reassured him it was no bother. When it was my turn, a cub scout, bagging groceries as a fund raiser, asked me if I wanted help bagging.  I didn't have that much, maybe two bags worth, and remember I had given the last of my  money to the kettle on the way in, so nothing to tip.  The sweet scout said, "that's ok-I don't need a tip."  Well here is where the holiday spirit was in full force.  The man ahead of me that was gathering up his three hams, told the boy, "I got this" and handed him a tip on my behalf.  I wished him and his family the most wonderful  Christmas. 

 In the hustle and bustle and  stress of the season, it really is little acts of kindness, impromptu meetings and conversations, and appreciation of the gift of others in our communities that makes the season magical. As I was leaving, I noticed the bell ringer at the kettle was sitting in the deli area eating an apple, on probably a much needed beak. He gave me a warm smile and nod on my way out.  It was a good morning full of peace and glad tidings.

The Weekend After Thanksgiving

I had a very lovely Thanksgiving all in all, starting Wednesday night learning my kids who recently moved out west and have been living in in some precarious short term housing, have found and had application accepted for a sweet apartment in their desired area, and they can move in today. They're going to be roomies, with a couple friends of my son's.  DD#1's angst seems to have dissipated a bit, and she wants to give the move a good year before making any permanent decision. 

We started our day with an annual charity run/walk.  It was lower turnout because temperature at the start of the race was 1 degree; yes you read correctly,1 degree. Pup still did well, though I held him most of the pre-walk time so his little paws wouldn't get too cold. We've tried the little boot things, but he's not having them. DD#2 ran the full 8K where I and my niece just did the 2K family walk.  DD#2 has become a better runner, but she was disappointed in her time. For being only 13, new to this type of run, and running a distance twice as far as her cross country meets, in the bitter cold, with icy patches all over, I think she rocked it! Hubby lingered around with the other spectators, possibly dodging into one of the bar and grill's that opened early  and just for the duration of the run, to serve coffee and hot chocolate drinks.  I hope the run raised the money they were hoping for. Historically this run generates between 1/4 and 1/ 3 of the annual operating budget of our town's family services agency, and last year topped $100,000.  Hunger and homelessness abound  even in a Lake Wobegon community like ours.

Love DD#1's Yoda hat, stolen from her sister, but kept her little ears toasty.

We had two family gatherings.  We spent noon lunch with DH's family, and I brought two delicious sides of a roasted yam and carrot dish and a broccoli salad.  I made up the vegetable one, but the broccoli was a standard recipe all over the internet, modified a bit, as usual, by me based on my own preferences.  Later, we joined my extended family, who had a 2:00 lunch, along with other split shifters that either worked earlier in the day, or who were trying to fit in more than one family stop.  I brought a taco dip and some chips to add to the leftover sandwich making spread for those sticking around a while. It was a hit, and polished off quite quickly.  I'll post the recipes separately and also link on my recipe page.

Well that was more of a recap than I had intended.  I still have three days of my five day weekend left.  I am going to organize my lists and calendar this morning-preparing for  Christmas celebrations, so that I can enjoy without any pressure put on myself. Today will be spent with some more housekeeping things, and perhaps popping into a store or two once the crazy shoppers are done trying to get that extra 25% off.  DD#2 wants to do this, but we won't be out long. I'm liking the idea of more internet shopping, and taking advantage of delivery specials this weekend. My gift list is lower this year-more combined gifts with my DH's siblings for my in-laws on useful things, and more streamlined for others.  Tomorrow will be decorating the tree and house, and Sunday a start on my baking and candy making.  I'm trying Rosettes this year, in honor of my Norwegian heritage, and with a recipe my mother's cousin in Norway sent me. Advent starts Monday, so that will be day one of my advent challenge, starting with my change from my loose change cup being put in a kettle.  I'll add to the donations as the month goes on. 

Another Thanksgiving is done.  The holidays have still not normed since losing my mom four  years ago right at Thanksgiving, my dad two years ago, and then my sister last November. My siblings and I are trying to  keep our extended family connected, and realize it will be harder as the years go by, and nieces, nephews, and our own children start and add to their own families.  I'm grateful for my sisters who are willing to host big family events that could have as few as 30 or as many as 70, often without a lot of notice as to the final count.  I appreciate my DH's family, who I have long had an awkward relationship with, but do not want that interfering with my own children building their bonds. They get that we are trying to spend time with both families, and were gracious in us having an early departure. Here's wishing you all have a joyous start to the holiday season.

Pup is ready to raise some money!

Making the Most of Three Day Weekend

I have been at my company a lot of years and we have a good vacation policy, so the combination means I have quite an accrual of hours banked up.  Unfortunately, my work load has been such that taking more than the odd day off every now and then has meant I am often at the point of maxing out further accrual. Since I have taken so little time off, I need to take a vacation day a pay period or technically I lose the benefit, so I will be trying to get some three day weekends in between now and the week of Christmas.  I might trade for a Thursday as that is when hubby has his day off as he works Saturdays. Today is a teacher workshop day, so no school.  With both daughters home, I was able to clear my calendar in the office.  I brought work home, but that's another issue. .

It's gray and chilly today-typical Minnesota November, but I got a mess of errands done this morning, and in between loads of laundry, am helping my daughter decide what to purge before her move next week.  She baked a double batch of chocolate chip cookies this morning as well, half to take along for her last weekend on the film set. In my last blog, I did a little brainstorming of ways to fight the urge to stay cooped up each night, now that the daylight is so fleeting.  A few things are in motion.  Eating the remaining cookies is not on the agenda.

The moonlight walk wasn't with a friend, but I did take pup for an extra long one last night.  It was already getting a little cloudy, so the moonlight was dim, and not the type that lights up the walking path.  We went an extra few paths and made it a pretty good walk even so.  

I did a good browse of the community ed calendar.  I was disappointed in the contents this time for my interests.  There were lots of yoga, zumba,  and computer classes, of which i should probably be more interested in. but very little crafts and cooking, more what I had in mind.  there is  lefse making class on the 20th, but I have a conflict. I was intrigued with the Over 50 offering of a scotch tasting class, but i am  "under age."  I haven't had that apply to me in 30 years when it comes to having a libation.  It looks like no community ed class then for the near future, but, another catalog starts in January.  It did serve as a reminder to pick up my walking  pin, which for a $15 fee, gives use of the high school field house walking track, much appreciated in the height of winter.

With the extra day off, I'll continue to knock  lot of things of my to do list, today, and put Saturday and Sunday to less mundane  use.  DD#2 folded a load of towels last night, without request, and even gathered up a load of jeans and sweatshirts, and did a load of clothes as well.  I topped off groceries, hopefully the bulk needed for the rest of the month, minus some specif Thanksgiving purchases, and she also put away all the things in the bag.  She might be trying to butter me up for something, but so far, nothing has been asked for.  While I'm catching up on blogs, and we're between laundry loads, She was doing some violin practice, so I've been treated to a a little concert.  She has been playing for three years now, and it is a delight to hear how she has progressed, though she is critical of her skills. 

I popped into the dollar store near my house, not really for anything, but to browse and think ahead to items that are cheap but enhance the holidays.  I picked up some greeting cards, a deal at 2 for $1.00, and I was ahead of the game so they weren't picked over.  I found some cute  stretchy gloves to have extras for purses and the car glove box, and some thin, non-pulling, ribbon type, head bands for DD#2 for basketball season. They have to be the soft ones-no plastic or metal at all. The stretch fabric kind can be quite pricey when you consider how many are lost in a season so at 6 for $1.00, this was  bargain. 

The woman ahead of me was buying an assortment of star shaped bric-a-brac, for what she said was going to be an awards night theme birthday party for her 12 year old daughter.  The last one, she said, so decided to go all out.  she had a bunch of star shaped helium balloons, star candy dishes, and glitter covered star twinkly lights as some of the décor items.  Not trying to be nosy, but heard her total was under $20, so not too bad considering what the party stores would have charged her. She mentioned you can get directions for various party ideas on-line, which include games, recipes, activities, and story lines if you want to throw some role play into the event.  Maybe if i am so bold to have impromptu guests over, I an do a quick internet browse and make it a theme night. Yeah, probably not. 

I need to get back to task -load number three for today will be done soon, and I hope we are the final purging stage.  It would be good to get the usable items out of the house and to the Goodwill or Family Services donation center yet this afternoon. Do you have fun or productive plans for the weekend?  We have wine club tonight, and I am looking forward to some new reds to try.  Have a fabulous weekend.

Sunshine and Soup

Last nights cocktails have wore off and despite not having to get anything done, decided to not be a total slug.  It is sunny and bright outside, but deceiving.  It's a nippy 40 degrees out there.  Perfect fall soup weather.  I have an easy bean soup throw together.  I can't really call it a recipe.  It's easy but cooks a long time as I often don't plan enough ahead to presoak and soften the beans.  Here it is.

Simple Bean Soup
2 small or 1 large onion, about 1 cup
2 large or bunch of baby carrots, sliced but still with size, about a cup
2-3 stalks celery cut in bites, again, you guessed it about a cup
At this point you can add other veg you might have like peppers, turnips or parsnips, even a little squash.
Cook onion until soft in a TBSP or so of butter, add carrots and celery, cook all until a little caramelly in color, add salt and pepper, about 1 tsp. each to flavor veggies.  Add 1 lb. dried navy beans that you have washed and gone through. Add 12 cups of water, and turn heat on high until boiling.  For additional flavor, add bullion cubes or powder, no more than 1 per cup of water, or any other flavoring you like such as  Italian seasoning, garlic, onion powder etc.instead of bullion if you are concerned with salt,.Flavoring ratio is generally 1/2 tsp. per cup, of water depending on dried or fresh.  Start lighter and add as you want more flavor.  The beans with the vegetables alone are a nice flavor I find, but I do like to doctor it up a bit.

Once on a high boil, you can cover and turn down to a simmer for about 90 minutes, or transfer to a slow cooker set on high and just leave until the beans are soft.  Depending on how hot your cooker gets, this could be 4-6 hours. For the simmering method, I turn off and just let sit covered about an hour, and then check for softness of the beans.  Of course you can add meat, or simmer the whole time with a ham bone with some remnants still on as those will fall off and add a nice touch-remove bone before serving.  My older daughter is a vegetarian, so when she is around, we skip the meat additions, but I  love making with a reserved ham bone the best.


While still simmering, I took a bit of video by mistake-can't you almost smell it? We'll get two meals for the four of us, or one meal, and freeze 4 portions for work lunches. I didn't calculate the cost for the batch, but I'd estimate under $4.50, to get 8 hearty servings. I was going to double as I had ingredients to do so, but worried my pot wasn't big enough and would bubble over. In hind sight 1 1/2 batch size would have been good, then two meals and lunch's.  This is old school for so many of you, but for those that think home made soup is tough, it really is just throwing things you like together with broth, and seasoning to taste.

 

Hard Work and Sweet Rolls

I'll say it again.  This blogging is hard stuff.  Some days, in my quest to post  each day in September a paragraph or two on managing the frustrations in my life by reframing them as  blessings, I had nothing. Today though, I had two opportunities, stemming from the same start.  I was supposed to have a 9:00 meeting with a new director at a partner organization.  We calendared in the 29th, to meet at a great little coffee shop, Key's, with incredible home made sweet rolls near her office  and sort of on route to mine.  I have not yet met this person so I arrived a bit early so I could get a seat facing the door.  Several people, and 20 minutes later, no luck.  Now there are multiple locations in and around St Paul.  I was 100% sure we had agreed to this one, but that little twinge of doubt crept in.  I couldn't find the e-mail confirmation in my phone, so I looked up her contact information online at her companies web site.  Now 9:30, I left a message by phone and e-mail, paid for my coffee and also a delicious caramel sweet roll to go.  How is that for turning being stood up into a blessing. 

When I got to my office, I checked to see if I had an e-mail or phone message back.  Nothing.  This was really odd, but it at least confirmed that she wasn't sitting at a different locale wondering where I was.  I nibbled on my roll, and dove into my day, a bit annoyed that I lost two hours in the office.  Right before I headed into a 1:30 meeting, I had an awful thought that perhaps something  bad might have happened.  After all, who doesn't show up for meetings, and then never calls or e-mails back to explain what happened?   I finished my meeting and looked at e-mails when I got back to my desk.  Thankfully I had a message from her, apologizing profusely that she had inadvertently put the meeting in her calendar for  October 29 when we made the arrangement a couple weeks ago, and didn't realize her error until she herself saw my e-mail just a few moments before. I expressed that I was just happy to learn that nothing serious had happened, and assured her, this stuff happens.  We rescheduled for October 29th,for real, and she invited me for breakfast, same place and time, her treat. Blessing number two.  Now I'm not really this glib. The real blessing is that she and I both got to our respective offices in the usual mundane, and safe way, but breakfast out, and on a weekday, ranks pretty high on my simple pleasures list.

It is easy to get stressed, annoyed, and put out with what really are minor inconveniences  in the grand scheme of life. Imagine the alternatives to this story in why she was a no show.  I am sad to think I went to annoyance first, rather than concern. Tomorrow marks the end of September.  I'll try and revamp the website for October, plan out articles better and research a few posts to bring to the topic of reframing perspective. Maybe you'll chime in with thoughts and ideas.  I hope you do! How about it?  When have you seen a blessing where you first saw  a burden?



Not Key's but pretty close.