Returning to Planet earth..and Home

It was a great visit  to Denver. Charlie's Birthday Party was a real "Blast". Costumes theme and all.. Michelle made the cute space suit for Charlie and everyone came as space cadets, characters and aliens. His daddy  looked really cool...

We took Charlie to the Pumpkin Patch to get his pumpkin.  He met some Ghostly friends.  He was busy entertaining us every day as only a 1year old can do. With smiles and silly antics  and by the end of my visit he was tired of photo taking. I have an album of 245 photos to prove it!

Flying to Denver for Birthdays

Hello everyone,
I will be in Denver for  the next 5 days so I wont be posting until I return. My youngest Grandson, Charles Nash   born Oct 19th last year on my Birthday will be ONE year old.  Where did the time go?
I will post pictures and news when I return Next Wednesday.
Be safe and Hug  your loved ones..

Impromptu Weekend Trip

Clay & I decided to take a quick trip to the California Redwoods. WOW  they are Huge. We took these  at the "Avenue of the Giants" south of Yureka. It is amazing that these "giants" are still living in these old growth groves.
They have survived floods, fires and  other  natural elements. We enjoyed our visit. The drive this time of the year was enhanced by the falls colors of the Oak trees, Maples and Medronas.  Buster loved running  on the beach chasing sticks and tasting the seaweed...A trip like this will go down in our memory book for sure.

Counting my blessings and my cookbooks...

I was thinking today about where I am in my journey in this life,  and the lifestyle that I love. I have many blessings to count as well as the love of my family, and with the end of summer behind us, and my garden put to rest I can really get into the Fall season with one of my greatest  passions and joys  Cooking. I realized I kind of jumped the gun by posting the tomato sauce yesterday so this Friday I will skip a recipe entry. Lets face it ... I love to Eat, Food and Cooking! That includes any & all food.  I don't always know what I will  create but when the mood  hits me I am off on a tastebud tangent. Next to cooking I love reading cookbooks and have been collecting quite a few.  I must also add that to set a pretty table with bright and cheery plates & flowers and cloth napkins compliment my creations. I frequent the kitchen stores and kitchen departments of many stores collecting more "stuff" according to my husband... and yes "another cookbook."

and Today, I purchased a Mario Batali's cookbook "Malto Italiano" and the "everyday Italian" by Giada De Laurentiis. I have started watching the morning Food Network on TV and find it very inspirational as I sit with my coffee, or cup of tea in my jammies taking notes from my favorite chefs and what they are preparing.

Having a full pantry is a must and after scanning mine I see I have accumulated some basics that I can grab when I am charged to cook... I hate to run to the store for an item necessary to create that perfect dish.
 Fortunately my husband is willing to taste test anything I prepare and he has acquired a joy in cooking as well. 
I am no Julia Childs, or Martha Stewart although a fan, but I am also not intimidated by some of the failures and goofs I have made. I often serve new untested recipes to  company and love ones....( don't tell them). I think it's the confidence that I feel cooking that disquises any errors I may have made.  And the chickens and Buster are all to happy to take care of any thrown their way.

In years past I entertained the idea of cullinary school but with 3 children, living  on a tight budget, growing our own fruits & vegetables as well as beef, chickens, turkeys rabbits & pigs was a close as I came to a real food education. My oldest daughter has picked up my interest in cooking and has become quite the chef herself as well as her older brother, He has a few recipes he creates along with his magic talents.

Now that I have an empty nest and plenty of time to pursue my passion I can enjoy this special interest.
I  recently  discovered  a kitchen store here in Klamath Falls that is offering cooking classes,  I signed up immediately and the first class for me will be October 22nd. (As I blog, another of my interests,)
I will share some of the  things I learn with you and invite you to follow me into the kitchen, wash your hands, put on an apron and roll up your sleeves, because we are going to be cookin!

Oh No!Tomatoes, More Tomatoes

I thought I was done with  them,  the garden is cleared and my sister in law brings me  more tomatoes... What to do with all these tomatoes? I read where  I could freeze them whole without blanching  so will give it a try. First  they all had to be washed & dried then  put in quart  zip freezer bags. Cook some...but must Trim them and sort by size and color, then heat and  push through a seive. Cook them down and strain again.. finally Tomato  Sauce... I do  not want to see another  until its salad  prep time.. I must say I do love these red sweet gems..a little salt & on a fresh tomato is heavenly right from the garden.. What more could a farm girl ask for?  Now I can cook with tomatoes all winter and ad these to my canned ones as well as the great salsa I made earlier.. I think I did well this year in putting away a good harvest of Tomatoes.  and the Chickens love the scraps.... Now what about those veggie soups and pies? That's for another day... I need a   cuppa tea and a nap....

Friday Food entry #7 Chile Relleno de Queso

Hungry for some Chile Relleno? I was  not sure I'd like this recipe but found it delicious. A bit time consuming but well worth it. I took it from a recipe book I found in a thrift store "Authenic Mexican Cooking."
Clay really liked it, and I must say he has been a real sport to taste these recipes first time around before I serve them to company. We gave this very good marks! I hope you like it too.

  Chile Relleno de  Queso
or (chiles stuffed with cheese)

8 whole green chile peppers ( I used fresh Anaheim)


or 4 oz cans whole green chiles

1 cup white Mexican cheese cut in strips

¾ cup beans your choice
 4 eggs separated - flour for coating
½ cup shortening or cooking oil.

To begin:
Cut a slit in each pepper, Insert a tablespoon or so of beans and one slice of cheese and close the slit.
Separate the egg whites & beat the yolks. Beat the whites to a peak. Fold in the egg yolks into the whites. Dip each pepper in flour and then into the egg mixture and fry in hot oil on both sides until golden brown. Drain on paper towel and set aside.

For the sauce:
½ medium onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 Tbls oil
1 cup chicken broth
1 ½ cups canned tomatoes drained and chopped
1 Tbls chili powder
½ tsp oregano
¼ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
¼ cup sharp cheese
Saute’ onion, garlic in hot oil , add the broth, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt & pepper. Simmer ten minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the chiles flat in an oven proof pan. Top with the sauce and the cheese. Heat until the cheese has melted. Serve immediately.
Buen Apetito!

It's Fall In Klamath Falls...

It is fall around here..This weekend I decorated my front porch, door and made some yummy Granola. It is my sisters recipe and she makes it every year for christmas giving..
A great homemade treat.

This should have been my Friday Food entry #7

I strung some orange lights along the railing as well..

Maple Pecan Granola

5 cups coarse rolled oats

½ cup untoasted sesame seeds

½ -¾ cup raw sunflower seeds

1 cup raw peanuts with skins

½ cup chopped pecans

½ cup sliced almonds

½ cup slivered almonds

1 cup flake coconut

1/2 cup maple syrup

½ cup honey

1/8 cup canola oil

1teaspoon vanilla

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl, Mix syrup, honey, oil & vanilla together & stir into the dry oat mixture.

Mixture will be crumbly & sticky

Spread onto a jelly roll pan. Bake 250 degrees stirring every 15 minutes until dry &golden brown

Cool well and store in airtight container…

I added 1 cup raisins when granola cooled. Very good over yogurt

Bon Appetite!

Plenty of memories and pictures

Home from a fabulous photo filled trip. Clay & I are home  with great memories. Funny stories and lots of new places we have chosen to stay on another trip next year.

This is a fruit stand in Penticton BC. Look at those pretty purple petunias!

Here in the two pictures  you can see the crystal clear glacial water.
We had lunch by these shallow waters..









and next is Flathead Lake,  we loved it here too.. Will bring the boat next time.




As we left the park you can see The Rockies in a distance. A nice picnic spot.

The last picture is probably my favorite of Lake Moraine. In Banff Canada.

We were lucky to have super weather for September. There were  many other travelers and the resorts were full..

Along the journey to Canada

We found this hotsprings along side the road  that flowed into Owyhee River. I had to test the water temp which was at least 105 degrees..Very Nice.. but quite shallow. Above me is the river .

This is what Lake Owyhee looks like this time of the year.. really low but beautiful weather and taking lot sof pictures.

Here, we are today Sunday September 20th resting for three days at Swan Lake Montana.. Cute one room cabin and tucked in the woods. We were lucky to get it on short notice... Our camping plans were drastically changed back in the Hart & Steen Mountains, in Oregon the first night out  when we found our tent poles broken and not repairable on the spot so we are making our way sleeping in motels & cabins. Which suits us fine,  this is an adventure for sure.. We stayed in SunValley  one night and it too was gorgeous to see but  now we are on our way to |Glacier Park come Tuesday and on into Canada towards Lake Louise & Jasper,  Follow me as we continue on our journey.... The weather is mild and we are having a great time exploring. Followed the Oregon trail & Lewis & Clarks as well for while...Now onward ho!  We heard there are bears in the woods.. & I hope the Indians are friendy.....

#6 Friday Food Entry Nutty Carrot Oatmeal Cookies

#
Okay, before I left town for vacation I made these lovely sweet and dainty cookies. They turned out really good.  I hope they travel well as they are a bit fragile....I altered a family recipe by adding a bit more sugar and a 1/2 cup of butter to the shortening while creaming..





Nutty Carrot Oatmeal Cookies

w/ cream cheese & orange icing
*These cookies are pretty with flecks of orange carrots throughout and fragile to pack. But well worth the effort...

INGREDIENTS
1 cup shortening plus 1 cube unsalted butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup shredded carrots
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ -1 cup old fashion oatmeal
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

DIRECTIONS
In a mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs; mix well. Stir in carrots
Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to carrot mixture. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 in. apart onto un greased baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes 350 degree oven. Remove to wire rack to cool….&   icing while warm.
ICING
Mix about (4oz) \ ½ brick of cream cheese
with ½ cup powdered sugar and thin with orange juice to spreading consistency. Spread or drizzle over warm cookies… refrigerate to set icing. Before packing....If you are taking these on a trip or giving as a gift.

Bon Appetite!

Checking the final list! ...What? 4 New Tires?

Okay one more detail... Clay decided we should get new tires before we leave... I am sure he is thinking of the rough roads we may come across in the Steen Mountains.. So I smile and agree ... and we leave in the morning.
In the meantime I made a batch of cookies to take, * recipe on Blog Friday* and compiled the final list of things to go and checking them off my list:

Stopped mail delivery, Made Bank deposit
and Packed in Car...

Chocolate Bars
Cell Phone & chargers
Tent..
Sleeping bags & pillows
Mattress,& pump
2 camp chairs,
Foldable table
Cooler,
More chocolate bars and
Staple food box of minimum food * we will purchase as we need* if we are camping
or we stay in lodges, cabins or resorts.
Stove & Fuel & lighter
Flashlight
Tool box of emergency car repair stuff..
AAA card for real HELP if Needed....
Books & playing cards.
Lantern
Thermos & cups
Buster's bedding, food & treats
Passports & Busters health certificate
Maps & Cash for travel & coin for laundry
Camera, Binoculars, GPSs extra batteries & charger...
Clothes for warm & cooler climates
Towels & Wash cloths  & Paper towels, TP
Shoes
Coats & sweatshirts  Yikes   the car is getting really full....
I think that does it....I hope because I am running out of space....We don't want to look like the Hillbillies going down the road....do we?
Ok, I am ready and the computer goes in last....I am sure we will forget something but we are REALLY leaving tomorrow Morning!  I hope I can post  as long as I have service & battery if not I will upon return.... We are going to have a great time.... will be back in a couple weeks....

Packed and ready to roll....WAIT!..

Well, I am ready, Buster is ready  and the car is ready... Clay was ready but now we have an electrical problem that needs to be taken care of before we leave town for a couple weeks....... Something is going on with our diningroom light. It poofed off the other day like a bulb burned out...so we thought..  Then we noticed when we turned off our bedroom light  the diningroom light was on.  hmmmm Well how could that be? So we turned on the bedroom light and the diningroom light turned off... Now that was weird and then we checked all of the lightswitches and noticed that the one  in my sewingroom was also out..... Clay checked all the  usual things you do when you are not an electrician.. and everything looks fine, no bulbs burned out, there is power to the switches... but no lights...appears that  electrical panel switches are  all ok....But  we can't leave  things like this and come back after our trip (to well, any number of things could happen,)  trying to be optimistic here... so we called an electrician and he is to be here today....sometime???  Why do they do this... tell you they will be out but not give you a time? I do hope it is an easy fix.... The car is packed and I hate waiting...... I now must plan a meal at home tonight... hmmm left overs or Thai Take away?  I hope we can leave early tomorrow....I will be taking the laptop with us so I can keep you all posted... now I better go check see if I have enough chocolate bars packed...

Finished, Fresh Tomato Salsa & on going on Vacation

The fall is maybe my favorite time of the year,  I know I have  posted a lot of food items lately and I feel sure I am  not sharing a fact that I Love Food & to eat...as well as to cook, Trying different recipes, textures and flavors,  and probably one of my husband and my favorite snack items is Tortillia Corn Chips with Salsa. After  purchasing may brands the past few years, I came upon a recipe that we altered a bit to our taste. We love it and  have used it to top eggs, and tacos and other Mexican dishes, now for the second year we have made our own. This year we  put it up in pint jars and managed to get 10 for the pantry processed today. That will last for a few months....if we ration our consumption.
There is such a satisfaction in planting organic & heirloom seeds and plants, growing, harvesting and processing your own food with no preservatives.  It is a lot of work but  my it looks nice on the shelf. Forget about the sore back and dirty fingernails from start to finish. Ahhh! yet another harvested crop ...now can we go on vacation? I will be taking you along with me as we travel next week  to South Eastern Oregon, into Idaho and Montana and on to Alberta, Canada...  So pack light, bring your passport  .... Enjoy the sites with us  and enjoy the journey.... but  be sure to bring a plenty of chocolate and a treat for Buster! Yes, he is riding along too. 

Nectar from our bees

Our first frame of pure gold... Our bees produced many pounds of honey this year for only one hive.   A full hive of honey can excede 100 lbs by summers end.
There are 10 more frames in the hive right now to feed them for the cold winter. We only harvested one frame this year. After extracting it, and letting it drip all night into a container,and sampling during the day... we actually we managed to jar 6 1/2 pints. The partial jar we will use ourselves this fall and save the rest for Christmas gift giving once we design our own private lable for BlueSky Farm Honey.
Isn't it pretty? So clear and golden. Yummy! Now on to the next project, Fresh Tomato Salsa..... 

Friday Food Entry #5 Marionberry Puffy Pillows

I found this delicious MarionBerry Cheese Torta in  our local grocery Store, Product of Rising Sun 
Farms, More recipes available at http://www.risingsunfarms.com/  Rising Sun Farms strives to use the hiighest quality ingredients  supporting organic and sustainable agriculture.

This is a treat for something quick and easy when  you want a  snack or afternoon tea treat.
You will find the MarionBerry Cheese Torta with the other prepared fancy cheeses in  the store cheese dept.
Follow the direction under the lid. I used wonton wrappers as I had those already, They were a bit tougher and heavier than the puffed pastry would have been.  
Bon Appetite!

Marionberry Pastry Puffs

The Pears were ready .. I was not!

Here they are... or at least one basket full.. Thank Goodness, Clay helped me peel, pare & core them and we managed to get 15 quart jars from a 40# lug. They were kind of expensive this year, but  well worth the freshness...and I  insisted on Bartletts.

 I didn't think they would be ready until tomorrow  but  Surprise! Today was canning day! Don't they look pretty?  They are ready to put on my pantry shelf. Now we can go on our road trip... next week,  so I guess they ripened in the right time...afterall.

 

Family visit & day trip

My daughter Nancy and her husband Simon came from Washington to spend the LaborDay weekend with us. We had a great time. We went to Crater Lake for a day trip since they had never been there. Crater Lake is only about 54 miles from our house.
 It was created by a volcano eruption of  Mt. Mazama roughly 7,000 years ago. The erupted mountain fell back into the crater creating a Beautiful lake. You can see a small island called Wizard Island on the left side of the lake. The lake is fed by snow melt and rain and is about 2,000 ft deep.
 It was a gorgeous day with plenty of sunshine. We enjoyed a picnic lunch on the overlooking wall by the lodge.  Nancy & Simon left this morning and now Clay & I will make plans to head out for our own road trip next Tuesday through Idaho, Montana & up to Canada. I will be posting pictures for sure.

 

#4 Friday Food entry Chicken Chow Mein

This dish is an easy Cantonese Dish.

Chicken Chow Mein
Recipe is from (Ideals Chicken & Poultry Cookbook)
1 lb raw chicken, thinly sliced
2 Tbls vegetable oil
1 cup diced celery  you can add brocolli,  red sweet pepper  & carrots
½ cup sliced water chestnuts
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup water or chicken stock
2-3 Tbls soy sauce
1 cup bean sprouts
½ cup bamboo shoots
½ tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
2 Tbls corn starch mixed with 3Tbls water
4 cups chow mein noodles or cooked noodles.

In a large skillet fry chicken in vegetable oil 4-5 minutes until almost dine.
Add Celery and cook until tender about 3 minutes
Add remaining ingredients, except cornstarch mixture and nooodles.
Bring to boil, then Stir cornstarch mixture to thicken, Serve over chow mein noodles..
Serves 4
Bon Appetite’

The Beach day & night

We are home from the beach, Lincoln City was gorgeous! Weather was perfect. Sunset picture was a favorite and the lower picture was taken as the morning marine layer was lifting Sunday Morning.  Very relaxing time and of course the salt water taffy was delicious. Home now for the weekend, as company coming for Labor Day holiday, Nancy (Daughter and Simon  her husband)  for a few days and then we pack to leave for Canada via Idaho & Montana.. around the 15th. I love the freedom to travel.