Thursday, May 31, 2012

Crash Hot Potatoes On The Grill

Have you ever had them? They are potato heaven, really they are. Pioneer Woman has a great recipe for them, pictures and all, very easy to follow along.



When the weather turned hot this past week I was not about to turn the oven on, not even for my favorite potato side dish. I will tell you from experience that they work on the grill and come out even better I think. They take on a bit of that grilled taste and are a great accompaniment to a plate of grilled veggies.



The only change is that you will want to use a cast iron skillet and let it get nice and hot before you put the potatoes on. Use boiled potatoes that are just tender. I like to use potatoes that are on the small side. Be very gentle when flipping and you will be rewarded with delicious crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside potato goodness.

Try it, I know that you will  love.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

A Hike At Kensington Metropark

Last week we went to Michigan for a couple of days to visit friends. It was a great time. Of course it was too short and time flew. Then it was time to head back home.

While we were there we went to Kensington Metropark and walked one of the many trails. We really had a  great time out in the fresh air. It was the perfect way to spend the afternoon.






 We have many happy family memories here at this park. We've had picnics, tobogganed, swam, hiked, built snowmen, and even slid off the road after a snow storm. As we drive through the park we all point out places that we've made those memories. It really is a happy spot for us.


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

North By Northwest, New Soap

I have a couple of pictures of soap my new soap batch to share with you today. It is made with the trinity of oils, olive, coconut, and palm. The three oils combined made a great soap. To the trio of oils I added some skin loving rice bran oil, silk that adds a luxury feel,  and castor oil for lots of bubbly lather.


The soap is named after my favorite Cary Grant movie, North by Northwest. The scent's true name is Green Irish Tweed, a nod to the cologne made for Cary Grant by the very famous House of Creed. It is a very sophisticated, upscale scent. It is by far my most popular male scent that I make. It is up on a rack curing and the house smell divine.



Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day

Today our country remembers those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend all that we as Americans hold dear. This past week I watched as volunteers walked the cemetery placing flags on soldier's graves.

So this week I stop and say a prayer for all of the men and women who have fought so that I can live my happy, free life.

This holiday also kicks off the start of the summer season. We will barbecue and enjoy some extra warm weather.

We also took a short trip to Michigan and I will share pictures later this week. We had the best time laughing, eating, and enjoying the company of good friends.

Have a happy and safe Memorial Day.

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Antiquing in Bellefonte

I'm not very good at antique shopping. The first time I went into this shop I walked out completely overwhelmed. What was really going through my head was, "Who in their right mind would want to buy any of that stuff!" and "Who collected it all?"

 But I have since had a change of heart. I'm still not very good at searching things out, but there are really is something for everyone at this little antique shop. Even if you don't find anything that day, the items are fascinating.
Amber bottle with Clorox label, who knew that Bleach came in a glass bottle. I love looking at all of the old bottles.

An old Cub Scout book. Back in the day when to be "square" meant to be fair and honest. I think that I will start using that term more often, I like it.

A child's cup. 

A bin of old license plates. This made me wonder who collected all of them and how did they all end up here. 

A glass display table with plates, jewelry, and mercury glass.

A salt shaker, her mate is in the background. 

This stall had lots of old cans and bottles. I remember sitting with my mama on a hot summer day sipping Tab.

I love these nested bowls. They also remind me of my mama and helping it the kitchen.


I still walk away thinking about the people who originally owned all of these treasures. See, I didn't call it "stuff."  But from time to time I love to walk through this little store. You never know what you'll find.

As a side note, my son walked by and looked at this post and asked, "When did you go to the junk store?" I forgive him, I will work on him to change his heart and his view of old things. Very soon, some of the things he grew up with will be here too.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

New Soap to Share

I have a new soap to share with you. I am not sure of the name yet. It is a mixture of many different citrus scents and smells amazing. It is a great scent to add to your morning routine, clean and fresh.


But I don't have a name for it just yet.  Every time I walk by it it really does lift my mood, such a happy scent.


I think that I have my soaping mojo back. It's been absent from my life for a bit. But I think that I'm back and ready to offer up my soap again. It feels good to be back.

 I have news that I hope to be able to share with you in the next few months concerning my soap.

Friday, May 25, 2012

This Moment



A single picture capturing a snippet in the week. No words, just this moment in time.


Thursday, May 24, 2012

Light and Fresh Carrot Salad



When my son was very young we would go to the park and play almost everyday. It was there that we met so many playmates. One of these friends was a little boy, Tomas, from Argentina. It was through his mama that I learned how to make this easy delicious salad.


I say that it is simple because it relies on five ingredients. If you have a couple of hard boiled eggs on hand then you are almost there, and it comes together so effortlessly.





Start by grating carrots on the coarse side of a grater. I use about three carrots if it is for myself and five if I am serving 2. You can buy already grated carrots if you like. 


To the grated carrots add one tablespoon red wine vinegar, a bit more for a double serving. Add some fresh ground pepper and one quarter teaspoon salt. Toss to coat all of the carrot bits. Taste and adjust to your personal preference. I like less vinegar than my son. 


I serve one egg per person. Chop up the white part of each egg, or use the whole egg if you like.


Before serving, add the chopped egg white and give the salad a couple of extra grinds of pepper.


There you have it, Argentinian ensalada de zanahoria. Some people give the whole salad a drizzle before serving, you make the call on that one. I've also read that the salad is also served without the egg.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Through the Magic Door


I walk by this door almost everyday with Buddy. When I walk by it I often stop and look at it. It says, "KEEP OUT." The wall is too tall to peer over. So as I walk by I wonder and make up my own story about what is behind the forbidden door. My stories are probably much better than what is actually behind this door. So maybe I will never look and just keep making up stories.

Besides that, I'm kind of a stickler with rules.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Coffee Magic

I love coffee and coffee loves me. I've tried to send it away and have said goodbye for a few weeks at a time. But I think that it was just waiting on the other side of the door, waiting patiently for me to call it back into my life. I think that it is just that ritual in the morning of pouring a hot cup of coffee and sitting down somewhere comfy to start my day.


But what to do when the weather turns warm and balmy? Why turn to iced coffee of course. Iced coffee is easy to love once you figure out it's quirky nature. You can cheat and start with brewed coffee that has been cooled. But why not start with coffee intended for a cup of ice and not leftovers.


I think that Pioneer Woman has the perfect method. But for me I like to make smaller batches, besides that big container wouldn't fit in my refrigerator. I choose to make a quart at a time. It is a small enough jug to fit into even the most space challenged fridge. 


I start with a quart sized canning jar. To it I add 3/4 to 1 cup of coarsely ground coffee.


I like to add about 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon cardamom. I also add 1/4 cup natural sugar at this time.


Now it's time to add the water. I add just enough cold filtered water to sit below the neck of the jar. I use a long chopstick to stir the coffee grinds into the water. They will want to float, just keep stirring and they will hydrate and most of them will want to sink. Once all of the grinds are stirred in and the sugar is dissolved, you might have to add a bit more water to bring it back up to the neck of the jar. 

Put it in the refrigerator and let it sit overnight. I've forgotten about my jar and have let it go as long as 24 hours at a time. 

I like to strain the coffee twice. Once with a fine mesh sieve and then a second time with a coffee filter in the sieve. I think that it goes faster with my method. You can try and strain it once with the filter in place, but it is a much longer process. 

It's ready to pour over ice with a splash of milk or half and half. It is pure magic in a cup. 


If you want to make Thai iced coffee, omit the sugar at the beginning of the process. Add 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk and a splash of milk to your coffee. 

Any way that you make it, you won't be disappointed. Happy coffee drinking.


Monday, May 21, 2012

Cooking From The Farmer's Market, Radish Greens




This past week at farmer's market I purchased some French breakfast radishes. They were of course beautiful and tasty. But when I went to clean them and put them in a bowl, I cringed thinking about throwing the green tops away. So I pulled out the skillet and started cooking. 




I did a quick saute with some garlic and olive oil. An easy and a quick healthy lunch was on the table in no time. Because my radish greens were so young, they didn't need a lot of time in the skillet. Along side some quinoa and a sliced tomato, I would call that a very healthy lunch. The only other thing I did was a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.




So remember, never throw the green radish leaves in the trash. They are the most nutrient dense part of the plant. Radish greens contain a good amount of iron, calcium, antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and K. They taste similar to kale, but are more tender.



As a side note, I started out with organic radishes so they were pesticide free. 

Saturday, May 19, 2012

This and That

 It's a gorgeous weekend, nice enough to sit outside and drink my tea and pour over some magazines. I'm always plotting and planning. I'm thinking about the garden and the last of the seedlings that need planting. I have tomatoes, peppers and some summer herbs that still need to find homes in my garden. I've planted some peppers out in the front. I think that they will look lovely with the other plants. I love the idea of mixing flowers with vegetables. I guess that edible front yards are all the rage in many parts of the country. Fads and trends take a long time to get to the center of Pennsylvania. So I'm probably very late with this idea.
This picture caught my attention in one of my magazines. I have a couple of ugly chairs that were free and have been sitting sadly in a corner of the basement. They don't have the lovely lines of the chair above, but they will most likely look very pretty with a new, more updated coat of paint and a new cushion.

What are you plotting and planning? For me, it is mostly about the garden and things to do outside.

I hope that your weekend is an inspired one. See you back on Monday.


Friday, May 18, 2012

This Moment


A single picture capturing a snippet in the week. No words, just this moment in time.



Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Dog Stole My Blogwork


I went back and forth on whether I should share this on the blog. But it is real life and a funny story so here we go.


I had been taking pictures of a loaf of bread to share here on the blog. I had turned my back to look at the pictures that I had taken when I heard an unusual sound. When I turned back around my loaf of bread was gone and my dog had disappeared from his perch. It took me a second to realize that he had stolen my bread. 

He was under the couch nom, nom, noming the loaf, having a jolly good time. I believe that stolen food is much tastier to him than his regular fare. I wasn't sure if he would try to protect his treasure. But I also didn't want to let him eat the whole loaf and explode from a swollen belly. So I pushed the couch aside and tried to take it away in a calm manner. He shoved the bread further under and declined to give it up.



That is when WWE epic match began, Mommy versus Thieving Terrier. For just a few seconds he really did lose his mind. He and I went on wrestling for that loaf of bread. In the end I was victorious. I walked away with my loaf of bread and tossed it onto the kitchen counter.

What really got me thought was that not ten minutes later he wanted his dinner. He couldn't have been hungry. But it was dinner time and his internal clock said that it was time. 

I think that he was mad at me for a few minutes, maybe hours. Oh well, it was my bread and I'm the alpha dog around the kitchen. 

Added note from Buddy.

To my list of stolen food:
Loaf of bread.......................Mommy
Chicken sandwich................Gordon
Pizza (countless times)..........Nathan.
Apple bites here and there....Nathan
Chicken skin........................Trash can
Unknown sandwich..............Under a pile of snow

It is a good life indeed. :D


Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Gluten Free Energy Bites.

I was going to talk about a mishap in my kitchen involving that cute little terrier from yesterday, but I am having trouble uploading the evidence. So I will share a recipe that I make about once a week. I first stumbled upon them on the blog Smashed Peas and Carrots.

Theses little guys are a snack staple in our house. They pack well and are pretty flexible as far as recipes go. They can be vegan, gluten free, or paleo friendly depending on what you add to the mix. The other great thing about them is that they don't require baking, so you can make them without turning on the oven.

The things that I don't deviate from are the oats, coconut, and honey. I choose to use honey because it is the glue that binds everything. A friend has used corn syrup and a other agave, I hear that they both work. For the nut butter I use Sunbutter, but peanut butter works great too.  The rest of the ingredients are pretty flexible. I try to stay on the healthy side and add chopped dried fruit and raw seeds or nuts. My favorite combination is dried cherries and toasted sliced almonds that have crushed.


No Bake Energy Bites. (makes about 18 to 20 small bites)

1    cup    oatmeal
1/2 cup    nut butter
1/3 cup    honey
1    cup    coconut flakes
1/2 cup    ground flaxseed
1    cup    mix ins (chocolate chips, seeds, nut, dried fruit)

Mix everything in a bowl till completely incorporated, I use a stand mixer that makes quick work of the process. Chill the mixture for 30 minutes. Use a scoop to make little 1 oz balls. You might need to roll them out in your hands. Enjoy. They are tasty and keep well in the refrigerator.