snowfall

We woke up to a light and fluffy snowfall this morning. The kind that outlines everything in white. DH went out and took a few pictures before going to work.

snowfall

So fluffy! It looks like cotton batting on the branches.

snowfall

snowfall

The edge of the woods. Mind you, our little “woods” is only about an acre, but it provides a wonderful place to walk and relax.

snowfall

Into the woods…

snowfall

There are several places to sit in the woods. This old concrete bench was in the yard when we bought this house in 1994. When we started to let the trees grow into a little woods, we moved the bench so it sits under the big pin oak that was already there.

snowfall

The trees have grown so fast. Most of the first trees we let grow were probably from acorns the squirrels had hidden in the grass.

snowfall

DH usually burns the tall grasses during February, but hasn’t done it yet this year. They add form and texture to the winter garden.

snowfall

snowfall

I can hear the snow on the roof melting and dripping already. We’re supposed to have a high of 35, so the winter scene probably won’t last long. Perhaps this will be our farewell to winter. As beautiful as winter can be, I am so ready to look at this instead! Amazing that it is out there waiting under the frozen ground and the falling snow.

bluebells and daffodils

~~Rhonda

things i’ve learned in the kitchen

Not in any particular order…

Cooking from scratch is cheaper, tastier, and healthier than processed ready-made food.

making pancakes with Pa

Cookies taste better when made with butter.

cookie stack

Guests always want to stand around in the kitchen, even if you are busy. Accept and enjoy it. And give them something to do.

Guests, given a kitchen job, may do something differently than you would. Not a bad thing. Just different. Learn from it.

cookie elves

You can’t beat homemade chicken broth. Anything you add it to will taste better.

Eating together as a family is more important than you may think.

The kitchen is not just for cooking.

Aunty helps

When people say “you’re a good cook,” they mean the food connected to something emotional inside them. It made them happy.

Making your own bread is relaxing and fulfilling. And nothing tastes better than bread, fresh from the oven.

Littles love to help in the kitchen.

making pizza with Ma

I can’t make fudge. But DH can, so we’re covered. It’s good to have backup.

making fudge

It’s more fun to cook for others than it is to cook for yourself.

Cooking is a mystery to some people. But it can be learned. Like anything else. One step at a time. It takes a lot of practice to do anything well.

The kitchen is not just for cooking.

Grandpa reads the "Foot Book"

Cooking with “make do” ingredients will not make food that is as delicious as food made with the best ingredients.

The best food, meticulously prepared, will not entice picky eaters. Don’t bother. At each meal, make at least one thing they will eat. Until they’re grown. Then make what you want and they can fend for themselves.

The kitchen is not just for cooking.

sleepover at Pa and Ma's house

Meals do not have to end in dessert. But desserts can be wonderful.

fresh from the oven

There are more cheeses out there than cheddar and mozzarella. Taste some of them. Some stores offer free tastes of many cheeses. Find something you like that you’ve never had before. Enjoy it.

Homemade jelly, jam and tomato sauce are easy to make.

Snow White's turn on the plunger

One great chef’s knife is worth it’s weight in gold.

The only two knives I really need are a sharp chef’s knife and a sharp paring knife.

The kitchen is not just for cooking.

scissor time

Failure is just a learning experience. Try again.

Sometimes when you fail as a cook, those you serve it to do not know it’s a fail. Keep your mouth shut.

Experimenting with new recipes and new foods is fun. Most people make the same few recipes over and over. Get out of the rut. There is a whole wide world of food out there.

A Kitchen-Aid mixer is not a must, but it sure is helpful.

making bread with Ma

Meat on the menu is not necessary for a satisfying and delicious meal.

More food than you might think can be made ahead, then reheated, and will taste just as good as freshly made. This can be a great time-saver.

A clean kitchen is a happy kitchen.

helping Pa vacuum

You don’t have to cook a fancy meal to entertain guests. Popcorn and a movie or game night will do it.

You can make popcorn in a brown paper bag.

Meal plan: entrée, something green, something yellow or red or orange, and something fresh.

You can’t go wrong with chocolate.

eating Grandma's Christmas Mice

When you begin eating more fresh veggies, your body begins to crave more of them.

You can learn new things and grow as a cook at any age.

Cook for leftovers. They make great lunches and snacks. And some days you don’t feel like cooking. Fridge food can feed your family when you don’t want to.

You can live life without ever sifting flour.

making pie for Pa

Recipes do not have to be complicated or time consuming to be good.

Preparing food is a basic human experience. You should be participating.

~~Rhonda ::who, I have to admit, loves to cook::

spring walked into my garden today

My oldest daughter took this picture today…our first daffodil to open this season. This is a ‘Von Sion’ daffodil. Often found in old/vintage gardens.

'Von Sion'

Our starts for this vintage flower came from the farmstead my husband grew up on. And where our older son and his family now live. We are happy to have it in our garden. Some years, this particular daffodil can look ratty, but other years, it puts out a beautiful full blossom. Not sure what makes the difference.

We may have more snow and/or ice headed our way, but this daffodil tells me spring is here. And I am rejoicing!

~~Rhonda

menu plan monday ~ february 24, 2013

We weathered the ice storm from last week. Not too bad as we were on the southern edge of the system. We got some ice but it melted away the next day.

ice storm

All the kitties stayed indoors and enjoyed warm and cozy places to keep an eye on us. This is Zilli. She stays in all the time so the weather was of no concern to her.

Zilli

This week, due to timing, we are having meatless Tuesday, instead of meatless Monday. Our middle daughter asked for penne and chicken, so it’s on the menu for tonight as she won’t be home tomorrow evening for supper. The chicken is in the crock pot and will soon be ready to pick. After the meat is separated, I will put the bones back into the crock pot, add water and let it simmer for 24 hours. Makes the BEST chicken broth. I put it into quart canning jars and store it in the fridge. Great for soups and for making rice.

Monday
Baked Penne with Chicken
Steamed Asparagus
Green Salad

Tuesday
Brown Butter Gnocchi with Spinach and Pine Nuts
Steamed Brussels Sprouts
Creamy Mushroom Bake

Wednesday
Spicy BBQ shrimp
Rosemary Bread
Green Salad
Parmesan Rice Pilaf

Thursday
Tacoritos by request
Homemade Tortilla Chips
Avocado Sour Cream

Friday
Chicken and Dumpling Soup
Cornbread
Spinach Salad

Saturday
Fridge Food

Sunday
Homemade Pizza

You will find more menus and ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda

easy, quick spaghetti sauce

This is a basic bare-bones tomato sauce that can be used for pasta, pizza, or added to soup if you have leftovers. I put this recipe together when my children were much younger. When the house was full of littles, I needed a fast and easy sauce recipe. I’ve used it for years and continue to use it now that the kidlets are grown. I could never see paying a lot for something I could make so cheaply at home!

spaghetti sauce

The fastest way to make it is to use dried herbs and spices. It’s just a matter of putting everything into one large pan, then heating to serve. If you add celery, mushrooms, fresh onion or fresh garlic, you can sauté those ingredients in a few tablespoons of olive oil in the sauce pan and add everything else on top when the veggies are sautéed.

Spaghetti Sauce

  • 1 29-oz. can crushed or diced tomatoes
  • 1 29-oz. can tomato sauce
  • 1/4 c. dry basil
  • 3 T. dry oregano
  • 2 T. dry parsley or a handful of freshly chopped parsley
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder or 3-4 finely diced garlic cloves
  • 2 T. dry onion or 1/2 c. freshly chopped onion
  • 1 tsp. celery seed
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • freshly ground pepper to taste
  • 3 T. olive oil
  • 1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 T. sugar (optional…depends on whether or not your family likes a bit of sweetness in the sauce)

Put all ingredients into a deep pan, stirring until well blended. Cover with a lid (very important as it will splatter hot sauce all over the kitchen) and heat to a boil. Reduce to a simmer until heated through. Serve over pasta or use as a pizza sauce. Leftovers can also be added to soup.

making spaghetti sauce

This past summer, I canned a few eight-ounce jars of tomato paste, so I add one of those if we’re having company.

making spaghetti sauce

Try the sauce on pizza using my pizza dough recipe at this link.

sooo good!

This sauce is so easy to make. If you are a beginner cook, this is the recipe for you. As you gain confidence cooking, you can begin to add or subtract ingredients. Add cooked ground beef or cooked crumbled sausage to the sauce. Use fresh veggies instead of dried. Add more Parmesan. Or fresh rosemary, finely chopped. The recipe is quite flexible. Make it your own.

~~Rhonda

menu plan monday ~ february 18, 2013

Last week I made granola. It did not turn out very well. We fed it to the birds. They were happy to have it. I was happy to see it gone. This week I am going to try Alton Brown’s granola recipe. Looking at the list of ingredients, I see I will be changing it a bit. Walnuts instead of cashews and no coconut. If there’s something you don’t want DH to eat, just tell him there’s coconut in it. Also, we make our own brown sugar by adding molasses to white sugar, so I’ll be making that switch, as well. I’ll let you know how it turns out.

Yesterday, we went to my Dad’s for a family dinner. Three kinds of soup. My niece made her delicious homemade chicken soup, with chickens they raised themselves and the wonderful chicken stock those chicken bones make. My sister-in-law brought a Vegan chili that was wonderful. I made the hamburger and potato soup with the French onion dip in it that Mom used to make. Dad said it tasted like Mom’s, and there were no leftovers, so I think it was a hit. The only picture I took was on the way to Dad’s. We had to wait on a very long coal train. But that’s life in this part of the world.

coal train

This week’s menu went together pretty fast, unlike some weeks when I hem and haw all day long, trying to decide what to make. It doesn’t help to ask family members. They tend to say, “Oh, I don’t know…” Or “I don’t care.” Not helpful, don’t you know?

Tonight’s pizza is ready to pop in the oven. Just waiting on DH to head home. Thanks to my eldest daughter for making the pizza dough this afternoon. 🙂

homemade pizza

Monday
Homemade Pizza

Tuesday
Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas
Home Baked Tortilla Chips
Avocado Sour Cream

Wednesday
Cheese Tortellini and Spinach Bake
Rosemary Bread
Garden Salad

Thursday
Veggie Chili
Cornbread

Friday
Baked Snapper
Baby Baked Potatoes
Steamed Green Beans
Spinach Salad

Saturday
Fridge Food

Sunday
Spaghetti
Homemade Sauce
Corn
Steamed Sugar Snap Peas
Homemade Rolls
Garden Salad

You will find more menus and ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda

menu plan monday ~ february 11, 2013

The crocus popped up last week. Such a welcome sign of spring!

crocus blossoms

This week I’m trying a new recipe for granola. Anyone have a favorite recipe you would like to share? What do you like to add to granola? I’ll let you know how this one comes out. Here’s our menu for this week.

Monday
Stir Fried Veggies
Rice

Tuesday
Super Crisp Oven Baked Cod
Asparagus and Feta Fritters
Cucumber Salad

Wednesday
Oven Baked BBQ Chicken
Oven Fried Potato Wedges
Garden Salad

Thursday ~ Happy Valentine’s Day!
Braised Pork Chops
Creamy Mushroom Bake
Steamed Green Beans
Garden Salad
Baked Apples for dessert

Friday
Bean and Barley Soup
Cornbread Muffins

Saturday
Fridge Food

Sunday
That Potato and Hamburger Soup with the French Onion Dip in it that Mom Used to Make
Rosemary Bread

You will find more menus and ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda

menu plan monday ~ february 4, 2013

The twins were thrilled with the aprons I made for them. Now they are ready to help Pa make pancakes.

aprons

Someone has a birthday this week.

happy birthday!

Monday / Birthday Dinner for our youngest daughter
Veggie Lasagna
Soft Garlic Bread Sticks
Steamed Sugar Snap Peas
Corn
Sliced Cucumbers

Chocolate Cake
Ice Cream

Tuesday
Baked Salmon
Rice with Almonds
Steamed Green Beans
Garden Salad

Wednesday
Homemade Pizza

Thursday
Fridge Food

Friday
Chicken and Dumpling Soup

Saturday
Tacos

Sunday
Ravioli Lasagna Bake
Green Salad
Toasted Garlic Bread with Mozzarella
Carrots and Peas

You will find more menus and ideas at Menu Plan Monday.

~~Rhonda

barbeque shrimp

Our middle daughter was in “the big city” today and brought home two pounds of nice, large, fresh shrimp. I found this recipe for Barbecue Shrimp and gave it a try. DEEE-li-cious! And very easy and quick to make. Of course, I tweaked the recipe a bit. Following are the ingredients as I used them.

shrimp and fresh bread

Barbecue Shrimp

  • 2 pounds fresh, unpeeled shrimp
  • 1/4 c. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 T. minced fresh garlic (about five cloves)
  • 2 tablespoon of water
  • 1 lemon, seeded (or 2 T. bottled lemon juice)

Put all the ingredients, except the shrimp, in a large skillet and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the shrimp and simmer till cooked through, turning the shrimp after a few minutes. It takes only a few minutes on each side to complete the cooking. Serve with the juice from the pan and some crusty bread.

It’s not the thick, saucy BBQ type of dish that we think of in my home state, but a delicious herbal, spicy shrimp I’ve had in New Orleans. Simple to make. I used a lot less cayenne pepper than the original recipe called for and didn’t add any butter. You can adjust those ingredients as you like.

shrimp and fresh bread

The rosemary bread was perfect for sopping up the yummy juice. If you like shrimp, you should love this!

~~Rhonda

trying new recipes for fish and rice

I like trying new recipes and had several on the menu this week. They’ve all been good.

This evening we had Super-Crisp Oven Baked Fish and Parmesan Rice Pilaf. I had planned to try a different recipe for the fish, but when I took a look at it, it required frying the fish, then finishing it by baking it in the oven. I wanted a recipe that just baked the fish, so I looked for a different one. This one was very good and did have a nice crispy crust.

I made my own bread crumbs for the recipe. Easy to do with a food processor and so much cheaper than buying them from the store. Just process as many slices as you want in a food processor. Add a dribble of olive oil while processing. You can also add spices, salt/pepper, herbs, etc. Up to you. Spread the crumbs on a cookie sheet and toast in the oven at 350 for 10-15 minutes. Stir a few times while toasting. Done when crisp.

For this recipe, I used fresh snapper and fresh tilapia that our middle daughter brought home from the “big city.” There isn’t much option in our small town for getting any kind of fresh fish. Unless you’re a fisherman with access to someone’s pond.

supper

Next time I make the baked fish, I will add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the egg mixture. And maybe some freshly granted lemon rind. Also, I didn’t have yogurt, so I substituted light mayo in the egg mixture.

The rice was also good. Our youngest daughter (loves rice) gave it a thumbs up. Here’s the way I tweaked the rice recipe.

Parmesan Rice

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cups rice
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 T. fresh, diced parsley (which I forgot to add)
  • 4 T. sliced almonds, lightly toasted
  • 1/4 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the rice, the salt, and the garlic powder. Cook, stirring now and then, for three minutes. Add the chicken broth and the pepper.

Bring to a rolling boil. Cover and reduce heat to lowest setting. Cook for 20 minutes.

Add toasted almonds, parsley and Parmesan. Stir well and serve.

It would be good with peas and diced carrots in it.

The salad was good. Romaine, spinach, arugula and diced cucumber with freshly grated black pepper. Steamed asparagus rounded out the meal. We’ll be having this again.

~~Rhonda