MESSY PLATE FULL OF STICKY WINGS

Well now this plate is a messy plate. I should have done a better presentation however after several glasses of wine while watching the game what can you expect. Actually this photo is what was left of our dinner. A photo after the fact but non the less you get the idea.


Honey, spicy, bbq chicken wings.
Ingredients:
2 dozen chicken wings( I  halved the recipe for the two of us)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
Cooking spray


Sauce Ingredients:
1 cup barbecue sauce preferably hickory smoke flavor
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons hot sauce( I used Tabasco but use what you like)
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder


Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degree's
Wash and dry the wings, season with the salt, garlic powder, pepper, cayenne, sugar and paprika.
Spray a cookie sheet with the cooking spray.
Place the wings in a single layer on the cookie sheet and place in the oven.
Bake for 35-40 minutes depending on size and turning once.


While the wings are baking make the sauce and slowly simmer the sauce ingredients over the lowest heat.
When the wing are done baking , sauce them well and put back into the oven for another five minutes or so until the sauce is bubbling on the wings.
(What we did was put them under the broiler instead of the oven as we like a little crisp at the edges.) Either way works.


This is a good and simple recipe. I like doing something like this better than just tossing on some Franks hot wing sauce. I used frozen party wings and they were big and plump. We wound up not making the sweet potato fries as we had lots of veggies with the blue cheese dunk and twelve party wings for just the two of us.
So we filled ourselves with game fare and we won the game, so a good experience. However the game was a little ugly in the first half as Washington State held us and our defense got worn down as they always had the ball. But the end result is what is important. So we are 7-1 now. Too bad we played LSU for our very first game and lost. Not a good choice. We feel Stanford is going to be our strongest opponent.


A gray Sunday today but very warm. My sis in law called and wanted to know if I wanted to get out of the house for a bit. Hubby was working so I said yes that sounds good. So we went to Bi-Mart as she wanted to pick up a few things. So I threw a few things in the cart also that were a good buy. We made another stop and then back. I was overdressed with a long sleeve tee and lightweight hoodie. As I said it is humid out, feels like spring. I actually left the back door open for a while this afternoon.
I read that is not the case on the east coast. Snow and lots of snow already just in time for Halloween. Something is wrong with this picture. Poor folks I wonder what fury will be unleashed there later in the winter season.


I am making chicken noodle soup with the yummy cheesy biscuits this evening. A simple chicken soup. I have the boneless chicken thighs simmering away now. I will then chop the meat into small pieces. Strain the broth and set aside both.
I then will put a little olive oil into the pot and saute, diced celery, onion, garlic, shallots and carrots. When tender I add the chicken back in add the strained broth and seasonings. I like to use a little basil and thyme, a squirt of ketchup(secret weapon) salt and pepper. I let all simmer for a half hour or so. Then I add egg noodles being careful not to add to many. As we all know noodles will suck up the liquid and we do not want stew just soup. 
I am going to make those favorite cheesy biscuits of ours. They go so well with chicken noodle soup. I know I am addicted to biscuits. How many times have I talked about biscuits in my blog? What is wrong with me? A biscuit fetish? I must take after my Mom in that respect. She was a big biscuit maker. Seems we always had biscuits. I used to love sandwiches made with a biscuit. A wonder we were not a plump family but we were not. Of course we lived on a farm and everyone was busy doing something most of the time. There were no computers,video games, cell phones, we never even had a TV in my younger years. So we were always busy creating our own entertainment. Better I am thinking.


I bought some pumpkin scented candles today at Bi-Mart. I love the smell of pumpkin and also spiced cider. However we are not a fan of pumpkin pie in this family. I finally just gave up making pumpkin pies about five years ago. My children and grandchildren always wanted a slice of  the apple pie as I always made both kinds. I was always running out of apple pie. Hmm a light bulb went off. So I asked do you all like pumpkin pie? Not really Mom, I don't think so Grandma. So that was it. I do not like it nor does hubby. So now it is apple pie with our local dairy vanilla ice cream and my wonderful rum cake that the adults always love with a scoop of that silky ice cream.


It appears there may be 3, 4 or 5 at our Thanksgiving table. Not many but like I always say whoever comes every year are the ones who should be gathered together.  I personally feel  it is a sad thing when people put pressure on others at holiday time to be together. Every year relationships change others come into our family and so on. Everyone should truly do what they like.
I just know I had better serve what I have served for years or whoever comes will be disappointed. No one in my family wants a change of menu on  Thanksgiving day. Well except for the pumpkin pie.


Well I have been rattling along as usual. Time has flown by and hubby is home now so I want to spend some time with my sweet man.
Have a sweet Sunday evening.

RECENT TRIP TO FLORENCE OR.

We were here last week and as you can see from the blue skies the weather turned magic for us. We spent warm afternoons on the little deck at our hotel and breezy strolls on the beach and soul wrenching sunsets. There is only hotel on the beach in Florence. This is so nice in a way as the beach is not overloaded with folks especially in the winter. There were times when we walked that we only shared the beach with sea birds. The wind was chilled at it's edges walking into it, but with our backs to the wind the sun was warm enough to keep us toasty in our windbreakers. The morning walks were the best of all. No wind, no people, just the roar of the ocean and the chatter of the gulls. Hubby found nine perfect sand dollars on the untouched early morning beach.
We had a lovely brunch which is something we adore doing. Eating a late breakfast/early lunch while watching the bright frosted waves roll onto the golden shore. We chuckled watching the sandpipers. How they skitter about staying so closely together. From a distance they look like Styrofoam packing bits blowing about in a tight cluster.
We had a good lunch the day before at our favorite pub in Old Town. Actually Florence is quite a charming little city that we enjoy very much. There is Old Town, the river and bay also a nice boardwalk and marina. Seems there is always something take photo's of. The best part though it is less than an hour from our door step. We are going to try to make it over again in November.


I am not going to write much now as we have the OREGON game today. They are playing WA. state. 
I am preparing today for the game, honey, spiced glazed chicken wings, Mom's original chunky blue cheese recipe, assorted veggies for dunking and sweet potato fries. Rather a fattening little feast but it is game day and you know how folks love their football fare.
I will take a photo of the wings and post the recipe tomorrow.


I have not ventured out today yet for my walk. The streets are wet though it is not raining now. It is not cold just rather damp and dreary looking. But I must do my daily duty without fail. It is the only thing that keeps the weight off.


Have a lovely weekend no matter what your pleasures.
Till later.

TYSON BIRTHDAY THE 23RD

This Sunday is my grandson's Tyson's 28th birthday. I am posting this today as my weekend is jammed full and I may not get another chance.
These are few photo's taken at various times over the past couple of years. We so enjoy Tyson. He was an adorable baby with his head full of blonde ringlets and his bright blue eyes and big smile and the best part was he was so so good. He was a young boy with a big, fun personality and he grew into a thoughtful, delightful, caring young man. We love him so there's nothing more  to say but HAPPY BIRTHDAY TYSON.


Hubby is working today and I am loaded with projects in the house. Tomorrow is an OREGON game so will not get much done other than watching the game as it falls in the middle of the day. Then Sunday I am getting us ready for our trip to the beach for a few days. 


I really lack for things to talk about in the line of food today. Dinner tonight is BLT's with fries. Last night we had a potato,bacon, spinach soup with cheese toasts. Oh I will share how I do my cheese toasts they are crunchy with melty cheese on top add a dash of Tabasco and perfection.


Zo's Cheese toasts.
Toast your fave bread. We like sourdough or something husky.
After toasted medium spread  your fave hot sauce or salsa on each slice. We like pace medium salsa if we do have our home made on hand. Or another good spread is Taco Bravo medium or just mild taco sauce if that is what you prefer. Then top each slice with a good amount of grated cheese, preferably cheddar but last night we used a combo of Jack/Colby cheese. Sprinkle the tops with paprika and pop under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browning. Serve immediately.
So gooooood! Believe me. Of course you can do anything to the tops to make them special. Here are some idea's.  Minced onion, herbs, jalenpeno slices, sliced olives.  Also if you really love the heat, use pepper jack cheese. Just be creative.


I must walk now even though it is dull and drab outdoors. Where is the sun? Yesterday it came out at after four pm, what a waste as it was dark in no time.


Tyson have a grand birthday weekend wherever you are and whatever you are doing. We are thinking of you with all our hearts.
Till Later.

CHICKEN WITH LEMON AND GREEN OLIVES

Cluck, cluck, cluck.  A mighty bowl of goodness. Such a simple recipe I have made it twice yet I cannot recall what magizine I clipped it from. Hubby likes it also.
Here is the recipe.
Chicken with lemon and olives served over couscous.
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons couscous
grated peel and juice of one lemon
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1 - 1/2 pounds of skinless boneless chicken thighs(patted dry)
1 small onion thinly sliced
2 cloves of garlic sliced
2 tomatoes cored, seeded and cut into small cubes
1/2 cup pitted green olives quartered (we like them whole).


Bring 1 - 1/4 cups water to boil
Stir in couscous, lemon peel and 2 tablespoons olive oil season with salt and pepper.
Cover and let stand 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork. 
Meanwhile in a large non stick pot or large skillet heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and working in batches brown the chicken thighs till golden. Remove from pan and transfer to a plate, add the onions and garlic to the pan cover and cook stirring occasionally until soft and golden about six minutes.
Return the chicken to the pan stir in the tomatoes, olives and lemon juice and 1/2 cup water. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens. Serve over couscous.


This dish is lemony and tart from the olives, a really nice combination of flavors. The first time I made it I served it over egg noodles it was so yummy. So I suppose you could it over most types of pasta or rice as well.


Well I have had one busy morning. So I need to plop in my chair a while as my back is starting to nag a bit at me.
Enjoy the day.

OUR GARDENS LAST PEPPERS

Hubby is sad no more peppers this year. These were the last, he picked them yesterday. He is going to roast them and make salsa of course. 
We also picked the remains of our tomatoes. We will have a few green ones large enough for fried green tomatoes. The others go into a brown paper bag to ripen. They ripen like magic once they get going, like one or two a day. So we will have a few yet to enjoy. It is always sad when the garden is done for the season.


We made a fire again last night in the fire bowl on the deck. It was another clear black night with sparkling stars. We sipped wine and listened to quiet music as not to annoy others. We lingered outdoors for about two and half hours enough to burn our supply of wood. It is a nice thing to do at the end of the day rather than sitting in front of the telly. We talk, share and plan or are just silent with our thoughts. Contentment abounds.


We wound up of having steak last night and I am so glad we did as it was an incredibly juicy perfectly grilled steak. I have mentioned numerous times how I do our steaks. We never go out for steak as they are scrumptious at home why bother. So we dined on steak and salad. I love an easy meal like that sometimes.
For our OREGON game this Saturday we are grilling fat franks served up with sauerkraut, my home made relish, chopped onions and lots of mustard. Hubby wants tater tots to the side..........not my thing. But I will buy him some as he gets in the mood for junk food at times.


We have a little fun trip planed for a few days. We will be off the coast to stay at our fave place. We are so looking forward to this little escape as it was been a while. I checked the weather seems we are in luck. Mostly sunny how nice. We do not mind if it storms at the beach because you take what you are given and make the most of it. But walking on the beach is a love of ours so the sunny weather will be a big plus.


My dryer has been beeping it's annoying beep for a bit now so best get to my laundry chores.
Have a lovely Wednesday.
Ciao

SMALL FALL PLEASURES

Oh don't you just love fall?
This was our evening scene last night. A  night with twinkling stars turning on in a black sky found us far below sitting on our deck all cozy by the fire bowl. Hubby flipped the lights on around the nook window on the outside, they are chili pepper lights. Indoors lights also surrounds the window with an ugly ghoul hanging there. Scary! No not really.
While the fire was snapping outdoors cheese biscuits were baking in the oven. I brought a small plate out and we ate the hot biscuits with butter dripping between our fingers while hugging the fire.......heaven.  It was so homey and made life seem so simple and perfect at that moment.


I will share that biscuit recipe now it is the best cheddar biscuits ever and so easy and never fail to please. 


Easy cheddar biscuits.
1 cup flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold butter-cubed
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup milk


Preheat oven to 450. Mix flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, sugar and salt in medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in cheddar cheese and milk, stir until the mixture forms soft dough.
Place on slightly floured surface and knead about 8 times. or until smooth.
Do not overwork the dough.
Pat out into a 6 inch square. Cut into 9 equal squares. place on greased baking sheet(I use my silicone baking sheet so I do not use grease) Bake 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Spread with butter or cream cheese is good also.
Makes nine biscuits.
So so yummy bet you can't eat just one!


Tonight I am finally getting around to making the Italian chicken dish with green olives, lots of garlic and an array of other good things. I will serve with couscous. I will share the chicken recipe tomorrow.
I made my one bowl chocolate cake yesterday also. A good rich cake made with cocoa powder. I just lightly sprinkle the top with confectioners sugar. I do not make the cake in layers rather make a single 9 -1/2 inch layer.




It turned into a pristine day here but it did not start out that way. It was cold and grim until about noon. At one PM it was a different world out there.
I was walking and talking to my brother who was fishing on Silver Lake. He said it was gorgeous there also. It is his birthday today so he was doing something he so enjoys that made me happy. He never keeps the fish he catches. He releases them back in to their little world. So sweet. 


There are a few trees turning but most still have green leaves. The ones that are red, gold and yellow surely stand out.
Is there anything prettier than bright trees against a deep blue autumn sky? It always make me feel nostalgic for some reason. Memories stir bringing to mind thoughts of my folks, brothers and life in the country when I was a young girl. We had so many leaf  trees the property was a blaze of color this time of year.


Well on those sweets thoughts I will close for the day.
Walk out your door and grab some leaves plop them in a vase to add a bit of color and nostalgia to your day.
Later.

FISH FRY

Good morning and what a grand day it is! I feel so good this morning not because I slept well but regardless I seem to have a abundant amount of energy.
Maybe because it is game day. I always love watching OREGON play.  Hubby is working today but will be home in time for tonight's game.


We had a mouthful of pleasure last night. This fish pictured above was succulent and juicy and so mild. We ate all but two pieces which I will have today for lunch atop the last of the salad and dressing.


It is still gray this morning though it is early yet. We are to have sun and 68 degree's today what an unexpected that treat that is.
I will walk after the clouds evaporate so I can stroll along in the warm sunshine.


Game fare today is chili and those good cheesy muffin's and I will post that recipe on the next blog. I am a sucker for a good muffin or biscuit. My sweet Mommy always made biscuits from scratch and they were so yummy. When young when I would smell biscuits in the oven I was already imagining them with a thick slather of  Mom's berry jam.  Eating them was such a pleasure a soft warm biscuit with that good jam dripping between your fingers. I still love biscuits with jam though I try not just put a light smear on them.
Speaking of jam I must get to the farm on Monday and buy frozen berries. I hope they have some bags left as they are on sale this weekend as it is a busy 
weekend for all the farms. Hay rides,  corn mazes, pumpkin patches and all. All the farms have a nice variety of berries. I try to get the mixed bags if I can which usually consist of blackberries, marion berries and raspberries. It is a good blend but if not available this year I may just go for the blackberries. I will only make about half dozen 1/2 pints. I make freezer jam rather than cooked. I just think it offers more of a fresh flavor. My Mother made both kinds. But in the early years most cooks made the cooked jams as freezer jam was kind of new thing to wrap your head around. I recall Mom standing at that hot stove stirring those big cauldrons of jam as she made dozens of jars of all varieties. I adore that sweet jammy aroma filling the house, there is nothing better.  


Well I have the majority of the house tidy already this morning but other chores still await me so best get to it.


If you are OREGON DUCK fan do not forget the game at seven fifteen. It should be a good one. 

MR. PUMPKIN HEAD ANXIOUS FOR THE OREGON GAME

Another game tomorrow night with Arizona ST. this time. It should be a good game. Mr. Pumpkinhead is excited for the game also. I did not make a body for him this year. Just plopped his head on our little fireplace and he  likes it there as he stays warm and cozy.


I was gone once again today shopping to my dismay. As I mentioned I am NO shopper but every once in a while I must venture out for a needed items. Today it was a new purse. My purses have been getting smaller and smaller since I retired and have a simple life. However the last one was so small I could barely pull my wallet out of it, which may be a good thing lol.
It was a pain though to deal with even though adorable. So today I found a larger purse in a classy understated style that suits me just fine. I also needed a new pair of slippers my old favorites finally died right on my feet poor things. I also needed to go to Trader Joe's for certain items I get there and on and on it went for a few hours this morning. I have had it with shopping now for a while.


I am excited about dinner as I was craving seafood. So made a stop where I purchase my fish. They had just put in the case beautiful little fillets of rock fish fresh from the Pacific. Oh they are delicate and fresh as can be and smell like the sea. So tonight we will dine on rock fish, rice and green salad. Just sounds simple and light to me. I hope hubby will be in the mood also.
Speaking of seafood we are to the beach in a week or so. I made the reservations yesterday. We got our fave room on the top floor with an amazing view and full kitchen. Hubby and I take food and we like to cook at the beach. We always do brunch that is a must. So we sat down last night and planned our menu for our days there. It all sounds so yummy I cannot wait. I love having something to look forward to makes me a happy woman!


I am going to share a great little recipe with you. It is the right time of year to make this as all the ingredients are so available right now.


ROASTED VEGGIES WITH TOMATO TOPPING.
1 medium potato peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 medium yam cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
2 carrots peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
5 tablespoons of olive oil
1 red onion thing sliced into rings
2 small zucchini cut crosswise into 1/4 inch pieces
salt and pepper to taste
2 large ripe tomatoes cut crosswise into 1/4 inch thick slices
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2-3 tablespoons dried Italian style bread crumbs
fresh basil springs for garnish or you can use parsley.


Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Put all the veggies except the onion slices and tomato slices onto a baking pan and drizzle the oil over add the salt and pepper and mix well with your hands. Next arrange the onion slices over the veggies, then the tomatoes over the onions.  In a bowl stir the bread crumbs with the Parmesan cheese and blend well. Sprinkle this mixture over the tomatoes. Drizzle with a little olive oil over all. 
Bake uncovered until the vegetables are tender and the topping is golden brown. About forty-five minutes. Remove from heat and garnish with basil or parsley if desired.


This is so satisfying there is not need for a meat dish to go with. We like it served with crusty bread or buttery biscuits. A great fall meal so easy to make. Do try it.


Well I must make a call to my son as I missed his calls this morning while I was shopping. It will be nice to chat a bit this afternoon before starting dinner prep. 
It is again a pretty fall day here. Oh how lucky we have been with the weather. Love it!
Later.

TOMATILLO SAUCE

Hubby made wonderful salsa yesterday. He had fun in the kitchen creating his salsa. It did smell like a Mexican restaurant in here for a while however. The tomatill0's and garlic and peppers roasting in the oven filled the house with a spicy aroma. He took a jar down to his sis and family, she is nuts for hot salsa. We had a nice afternoon sharing the kitchen for our different duties.
It was lovely day also. Sunny with a few flighty clouds high in the sky and a warm fall  breeze. Very pleasant and inviting for being outdoors.  Which is what we did for a while late afternoon.


I fixed a homey meal last night. I made a fresh green salad with crunchy iceberg, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers , sweet onions and my home made blue cheese dressing. I have not made blue cheese dressing for a while and I was craving it.
I chicken fried cube steaks and made a brown gravy out the of the bits and drippings in the skillet and for a side I smashed red potatoes with butter and sour cream a fave of ours.
I put up orange twinkly Halloween lights around the nook window. It made for a pretty warm glow as we ate dinner.


We tend to love leftovers. I know some folks do not but hey I do not like to waste food so I usually just do a little something different with it. So tonight I am going to use the remainder of the chicken, zucchini pasta sauce and cook up some rigatoni to mix in and put in a casserole and add grated Parmesan cheese to the top and pop in the oven until the cheese melts. I will make some garlic bread to go with. So not much work required tonight for dinner.


Hubby will be home about two or so today. He is going to work in our front yard and try to get rid of the weeds that are sneaking in. A good weed and feed is in order. Yards are not looking very nice this time of year. Most have blotches, weeds, or they are yellowing. You can certainly tell the yards that have lawn care they are in much better shape and are still nice, green and healthy looking. Believe me if I had the extra dollars I would have yard care. I love a well kept landscape around your home.


Well I must close now and get my walk in under a roof of gray today.
Later.

MORNING MOON FROM OUR DECK

This was the scene from the deck this morning. I first spotted the moon low in the trees, full and shinning in the blackness. I did take a couple of photo's at that point while making hubby's breakfast. I am good at multitasking but this was difficult as I was out to the deck and then back to the stove. So I decided to get the food squared away first and then take photo's. So this photo was taken just as the soft glow of day was lighting the sky. 


It has been a busy morning for me. House duties out of the way and I was out the door for the weekly grocery shopping and a couple other stops along the way. When I returned hubby was home so he unloaded the car I am always so thankful for that. I quickly made something to eat as I had not eaten. So with a happy tummy satisfied with a small plate of last nights spaghetti I was into the kitchen to put all the groceries away.
Hubby is in there as I write making up a couple batches of tomatillo salsa. One will be very spicy the other medium the way I prefer salsa's. I am going to take photo's of his progress.
I bought ingredients for some interesting things to make this week. For one I am making a chicken dish with green olives, lot of garlic and shallots in a yummy sauce. I will serve with couscous.


Well the one thing I have not done yet today is walk so I best be on my way. It is a very mild fall day with high faded clouds dancing through the sky.
It is very good to walk if that is possible for you. Just thirty minutes they say can do wonders for your heart. I think my heart is doing well but the body could use more work. So today I bought a hula hoop. Well now that should be a show!
Bye for now. 

LONGING FOR TUSCANY

My what a glorious region. La dolce vita!
These photo's have inspired me to dish up some Italian fare this next week. Of course we have our favorites but I am thinking something different would be lovely. So I am going to start scouting my cookbooks and the internet for a tempting(new to me)dish. I will keep you informed and share photo's and the recipe.


We dined in one way or another on pork verde this weekend. I really did make to much for the two of us. I am going to take remainder today and shred the prok and mix with chopped onions and grated cheese put into softened flour tortillas roll and wrap for freezer burrito's. That way hubby can grab one out of the freezer and heat it in the microwave the same as the store bought frozen ones. 


We were out to lunch on Saturday and had just a delightful time. We went to fave little bar and grill called the Jack-a- lope, yes you heard me right.  Well never mind the name the place has great pub grub. Hubby had the halibut fish and chips a fave of his. They were hand battered in a ale beer batter. The batter was to the light side rather than heavy. The fish was perfectly cooked, crispy on the outside and juicy inside. There were three generous sized pieces for a very reasonable price. Also the coleslaw was decent. How many times have you been served coleslaw with fish and it taste and smells like dirty socks. Of course now I have never tasted a dirty sock but I have smelled plenty of them in my time! I think it is one in the same.


Now on to my meal. I choose the sliders. I have had them there before and they are tasty little numbers and they were voted best in the city. The meat quality was tasty, the little homemade buns were crispy on the inside. They were plain and simple with mustard and lots of dill slices to the side to load on. My fave way of having them. Now there are places that make fancy sliders, you know with gourmet dressing and heaped with other accouterments but in my opinion a slider should be simple. Otherwise why not just order a burger. So while I enjoyed two of my sliders(brought the other three home) hubby was lip smacking and grinning while eating his fish. So it was a nice day. Good food, a little outing and a gorgeous fall day. When we arrived home we actually sat in the sun, it was very pleasant with a small warmhearted breeze. Perfect!


Tonight in my kitchen I am making an old standby. Scalloped potatoes with ham and onions in a cheesy bechamel sauce. My sis in law came with her arms loaded with green beans from her garden so the side will be fresh green beans with garlic and lemon butter and I will make a pan of herb biscuits. Such a treat nothing better than a hot biscuit with a dollop of butter.  The recipe for my scallop potatoes is on the December 14, 2010 blog.


My chore today is to clean the bathrooms as I do laundry. It is Monday and I really did not lift a finger this weekend other than to cook. So I will leave you and dream of Tuscany as I clean the toilets...........there is something wrong with this picture.
Ciao.

AWAITING THE OREGON GAME AND LAST NIGHTS PORK VERDE.

Photo's to the left taken Thursday evening right before the OREGON DUCKS played and blew the socks off CAL. What fun.
Photo's to the right is last nights slow cooker pork verde meal. We did not make taco's from the meat rather we just ladled up the pork verde and served it along side rice cooked in chicken broth and pinto beans. We put a healthy amount of broth over all and sprinkled chopped scallions and jalenpeno's over the top. I served warm flour tortilla's along side to sop up all the juice. It was a grand meal. I will share the recipe it is my mine and so so easy.


Slow cooker easy pork verde.
I like to use boneless pork country ribs a couple pounds is good.
Trim the excessive fat and cut in big chunks. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, mexican oregano and allspice. Rub into meat and brown in a heavy skillet preferably cast iron with a little canola oil. Brown on all sides. 
In slow cooker put in liner if you have one(love these things) then add one half sliced yellow onion, 1/2 anihiem pepper , a shallot chopped and three to four cloves of garlic smashed. Lay the browned pork over these ingredients. The add a whole jar of salsa Verde, or two small cans. It is good to cover all the ingredients. Set your slower cooker to high and cook about three hours, then turn to low and cook until meat is falling apart about 7/8 hours all together.
Then to serve, cook long grain rice in chicken broth cook till dry about 25 minutes. Make pinto beans either from scratch or cheat and drain a couple cans of pinto beans and rinse and then add a little chicken broth, cumin, pepper and heat. Before serving mash slightly and add a little sour cream. 
Put the rice, beans, pork and sauce on a plate. Liberally add extra Verde sauce over rice and beans. Serve with warm flour tortilla's to sop up the sauce. That is it. Such a mouthful of taste. You can make it as hot as you like. We add jalenpeno's and chopped onions to the top. This is  good simple tasting Mexican fare. 


Anyhow that is the recipe do try it if inclined. Sometimes simple is the best. Why spend all day in the kitchen when with a few shortcuts you can have an amazing meal.


That is all for now I am pressed for time.
There is always tomorrow, or at least we hope.
Bye for now.

ZO'S TWIN MEATLOAVES

Good morning. This was dinner last night. A very good simple meal on a chilly fall evening. I served with bakers loaded and a salad of cukes, tomatoes and onions in a vinaigrette. You can see how much is left in the bottom photo on right. We ate or I should say hubby ate almost half a loaf. I actually had one thick slice.
When I make meat loaf a few things never change but sometimes the ingredients change depending on what I have on hand. Here is what I did for this meatloaf.


1 1/2 pounds of lean burger
1 egg
1 slice whole wheat bread
1-2 tablespoons of flax seed meal
Minced onion, celery, shallot, bell pepper and garlic.
1 tablespoon of stone ground mustard or Dijon.
1/2 tablespoon of  Worcestershire sauce
one healthy squirt of ketchup
1 tablespoon of your fave steak sauce
1 teaspoon of horseradish
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste.


Mince all veggies and put in large bowl mix with egg  add all the ingredients and dig in with your hands to incorporate.  Do not handle any more than need be though as it will make your meatloaf tough. For adding the bread slice I roll it between my hands and it shreds into fine soft crumbs. When all is well blended turn out on a piece of waxed paper on a bread board and mound it and cut in half. Take each half and form a compact round or rectangle loaf.
Spray a baking pan with cooking spray and lay the loaves in the pan.


The glaze.
Mix 1/2 cup ketchup with 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and 1 tablespoon brown sugar. That is the basic glaze. If you want it thinner(I did last night) I added a splash of apple cider, or you add a tad of water. 
Spread the glaze over the loaves and let it drizzle down the sides into the pan. Top of fresh ground pepper.
Bake at 425 for approximately 45 minutes.


This meat loaf is tender and juicy and holds together wonderfully. Also always slice it with a serrated knife.


Well this evening OREGON is playing CAL. The game starts at six. Hubby will be home this afternoon fairly early,makes me happy. We are just having pizza this evening( I feel lazy) it will be a Papa Murphy's chicken garlic. It has a white garlic sauce which is a nice change from the red sauce. So easy fare on ball game night.


It was chilly this morning so I switched the heat on for the first time this year. It has been quite dismal with all the gray skies.
The sky yesterday hung heavy and thick like a damp wool blanket and it appears not much different today.


Well I must prof and send this off on it's way I have much to do this morning so must get my day rolling along.
GO DUCKS!

APPLE PIE AND LEMON COOKIES

I just took the last batch of lemon cookies out of the oven. I love these crisp thin lemony cookies they have a light bright burst of flavor. The recipe makes four dozen cookies. We always manage to gobble them up before they go stale however.
The apple pie is the pie I made last week with the gravenstien apples and shared the recipe at that time. The photo that accompanied the recipe was taken of last years pie. The same recipe and the pies look the same, but I like the photo with the fork in it. Believe me this pie is so good you could go at it like this if you did not have to share it.
I made up the cookie dough yesterday as it needs to sit in the fridge at least a hour. So it was more than ready to go this afternoon when I got home from grocery shopping. It is an old gray day so having sunny cookies coming from the oven was a nice treat. And now the house smells like a lemon. Too fun!
The mess awaits me though. I do not mind really, I have never minded washing dishes not even as a child though I do recall I did complain a bit.


I want to pass along the lemon cookie recipe now. This is the best recipe and I have made them for years. 
"Best Lemon cookies ever"
1 cup of sugar
3/4 cup shortening(part butter both softened)
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt


Mix sugar, butter/shortening mixture, eggs and lemon extract together. Blend well I use my mixer. Stir in the remaining ingredients with the mixer and cover bowl with plastic wrap and put in fridge for at least a hour up to a day.
Heat oven  to 400 degree's. Roll dough 1/8 thick on a lightly floured board. Cut into desired shapes with 3-inch cookie cutters.  Place on a ungreased cookie sheets (I like using a silicone mat.) Bake until very light brown 6-8 minutes. Cool slightly then pack in a plastic container with lid if you want them to stay soft. If not they will be crispy it's your preference.
Note*. If you want a thicker softer cookie just roll them thicker and add minutes to your baking. time.
If using self-rising flour omit baking powder and salt.
ENJOY!


Tonight for dinner it is meat loaf. I am going to make two twin meatloaves in the same baking pan. One for dinner one for sandwiches for hubby. I make a killer meatloaf, it is loaded with ingredients all minced very small to keep the texture nice and so not to crumble when sliced. Tomorrow I will post a photo and share my recipe if I have not done so in the past. I will have to check past blogs. As I have been blogging now for well over a year I have many recipes on here so do not want to repeat.


I think perhaps I best get into my kitchen once more and clean up the baking mess. Then make the salad and dressing for dinner.
Another busy day but I will have a hour or so to sit in my chair and finish up a book. This time I will be glad when this boring book is closed for good. On and on the writer goes, page after page of saying nothing. Also the book skips around quite frequently to past, present and future with a large array of characters. How are you suppose to keep everyone straight?  Please, I could write a better book in my sleep! But once I get to the halfway point in a book I never quit, but how silly is that? Do I really think that the writing is going to improve or that at the end of the book something remarkable will actually happen? I suppose I just cannot give up the hope until the last page is turned.


Have a nice day even if you are in the gray as we are here. Maybe you will have time to bake cookies, if so enjoy the pleasure of such a small thing.
Ciao.

SUNDAY RAIN

We have been waiting for the rain to show up. The rain was not steady today it came and went throughout the day. We heard frogs this afternoon, they are happy and content. I was croaking back to one earlier. It would croak and I would croak and back and forth to cute. I loved it. Hubby says I am a frog. Well due more to how my body looks than how I sound, but regardless still a frog. But I do so adore frogs. Where I grew up on the farm northwest of Portland we had many frogs as we had a frog pond. In the spring the night was full of their croaking. I would lay in my bed with the window open listening to them tell their stories until I fell asleep.

I was a lazy girl today. Yes I did some tidying this morning but then I was  self indulgent this afternoon. I finished watching a movie I had started before and then I plopped in my chair and read the afternoon away. Hubby was doing onilne Contractors lessons for his license renewal. It is required this year. Sixteen hours of watching videos and taking tests, so the day was mine to spend as I liked.


I am making a simple dinner tonight but my husband loves this kind of old fashioned meal. I am trying the new Johnsonville  chicken garlic, bell pepper sausages. I will just grill them indoors on my grill pan. I will just boil baby red potatoes with the skins on and serve up sauerkraut and fresh sliced tomatoes along side. Once again apple pie and ice cream for desert.  You need to remember my hubby is a Hungarian man so anything with sausage and peppers is a winner. He is easy to please I love that.


I suppose I had better get at that dinner now as we are to be eating in less than a hour. The rain is softly pattering upon the deck and roof. I have the back door open as it is a mild evening and of course that frog is serandanding me once more it is so tempting to join in.
Have a nice evening.