BONELESS RIB ROAST

I took a photo of searing this boneless rib roast before placing in the slow cooker. This should be an amazing roast this evening to be served with unpeeled yukon gold smashed potatoes with chives, cream and butter. A side of cooked whole buttered carrots and then a brown garlic gravy made from the drippings left in the black iron skillet that I deglazed with red wine and beef broth after searing the roast. 
Here is the recipe.
1 boneless roast, rib, cross rib, or sirloin roast approximately 2 1/2 pounds.
salt, pepper, onion salt, canola oil
1/2 onions chopped
3 cloves of garlic peeled and smashed
1 tablespoon dry onion soup mix
1/3 cup red wine
1/2 cup beef broth
1 1/2 teaspoon of cornstarch

In a black iron skillet drizzle canola oil just to coat bottom.
Place the roast on a large plate and using a paper towel dry it.
Using a basting brush, brush on some canola oil to cover roast on all sides.
Mix kosher salt, pepper, onion powder to taste in a small dish. Mix. Sprinkle over roast on all sides and rub in with hands. 
Place the roast in hot iron skillet and sear on all sides and ends this will seal in the juices. See photo.
In your slow cooker place the chopped onion and garlic in the bottom. Place the seared roast fat side down on the onions and garlic.
Deglaze the hot skillet using a stainless steel spatula scrapping the bottom getting all the crispy bits, while pouring in the wine and broth.
Then add the dry onion soup mix and stir. Pour this mixture over the roast.
Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 6-8 hrs. 
Remove roast to platter and slice or it may fall apart when you remove the strings. Pour the juices and onions and garlic from the slow cooker into a strainer. Take the strained juices and pour in to a saucepan reserving a little liquid in a small bowl. To liquid reserved add about a teaspoon or so of cornstarch mix well with fork and add to the rest of the gravy stock in the sauce. Stir constantly the sauce will thicken as it heats.
To serve put the sliced roast on a platter and drizzle with gravy, use the remainder over the potatoes. If presenting the roast for company it is fun to use little bunches of flat leaf(Italian  parsley for garnish. Or you can just scatter leaves of the parsley over the meat.

So that is dinner tonight. I was not going to use the slow cooker today but I know it makes for the juiciest of roasts and this is a quality roast and I wanted to make sure I did not dry it out in the oven treating it as a pot roast.

We are to have quite a storm today but so far nothing but the usual dismal gray. Winds are to whip to thirty some miles per hour and we are to get hard rain. There will be some flooding in certain areas. Not ours.

My husband and I had such an enjoyable day yesterday.
We went for a very good lunch. Our view of the Willamette river was interesting. It was full and dirty and moving quite fast. It looked quite threatening with the stark skeletal trees lining it's banks.  We watched as folks ran, jogged, walked and rode bikes along the river trail. This is Eugene after all.
When we arrived home I opened a nice bottle of pinot noir and sipped red wine hubby had himself a brew. We then proceeded to play several games of golf on the Wii. Hubby did so bad.......so I gained in the stats. We are always very competitive so it is always close.
We then played a couple of board games. By that time we were thinking hot tub as it had turned dark and the promised rain had not come in. So we had a nice hot soak...ah so relaxing. We then came in and watched a couple of our favorite shows that hubby had recorded previously.
I was in bed by ten and was dead to the world after the soak in the tub and snugged into our comfy new mattress........heaven.

I am going to go now and sit in my chair and try to get into reading my new book. It has been a little slow but is starting to get more interesting. 
Later today I am taking down the fall decor and tomorrow the Christmas decor will start going up.

Have a nice Tuesday.

BARN IN WNTER

I rather stumbled across this photo on the internet. This is so like the barn on the farm where I grew up. The roof shape is a different but the front of the barn and how sits among the tree's is oh so familiar. 
I can see myself as a young child trudging up to the barn and grabbing a hold of the wooden handle and with all my might sliding the door open. 
I have many memories of our old barn and not all of them are good. The barn scared me as a child. It was big and dark and the corners were filled with things unseen. A good guess would be bats, mice and spiders at least in my mind. But it was always an adventure for a little girl to go to the barn but safer for me with big brother or Mom and Dad.

It is another cloudy day some light and bright some hanging  dark and about to drip. We are hoping it will stay dry as hubby is home today and we want to take a hot tub later. The water is oh so hot and sparkling clean just waiting for us. 
Tonight three stars are aligned in the heavens. Venus  Mercury and Saturn. This only occurs every 2,737 years. They are aligned right above the middle of three pyramids in Giza. Now this very phenomenal and we hope to see them in the night sky if weather permits.

We are out to lunch this afternoon. We are going to North Bank a brew pub right on the Willamette river. Best view of the river in the city for dining. We love their burgers and greasy fries, yes you heard me right, their greasy fries! We do ask for extra crispy it helps some but though we hate to admit it those grease drenched fries that stick together in the basket are treat. And come on how often do we eat them? Like once a year. So we enjoy!!!
Then it is home to play golf on Wii. We are certainly making the best of a day off for my husband.

Tomorrow in my kitchen I am roasting a lovely boneless organic rib roast. I am going to treat it like a prime rib. I have a great recipe with an earthy rub that gets all crispy while it bakes. For sides I am having roasted yukon gold potatoes and creamy corn. Sounds quite home style and a little rich. Goes without saying hubby will want his horseradish sauce to go with the meat. 
Then the end of the week my husband is doing the honors making boiled sausage in dark beer and paprika potatoes, and a coleslaw. I will make the coleslaw nothing better than my mommies recipe. I will look forward to basically a night off in the kitchen.

I must get a face on for our lunch date. So I had better get moving the older I get the longer it takes.
Ciao

FIRE ON THE DECK

One fun thing about winter is fire in the fire bowl on the deck. We have only done this twice so far this winter as we have had rain. Last night it would have been a wonderful evening for a fire but hubby was just to tired. It was clear and the moon was full. I saw that moon again this morning it was stone cold white in the black morning sky. It was peeking through the kitchen window from behind our bare branched tree.  I moon gazed while I made breakfast for my husband. It was so ethereal I could not take my eyes from it.

We have had an abundance of crows today in our yard. There must be something yummy they are eating. They swoop down like black capes and cover the yard. Their bobbing heads and cawing and strutting around make them quite comical. I enjoy watching them as they go about their daily habits.

Well those banana nut muffins have not yet been made and that is my task right now. I have been waiting for the banana's to ripen a bit more.

We are dining on fried rice with veggies and sweet and sour pork chops this evening. We've had clam chowder and cheesy biscuits for two evenings now. Oh that chowder was wonderfully creamy and filling.

Off to dilly-dally with my day now. Nothing pressing just a nice day for little projects, or not. If the rain holds off I will walk in a while. I will need to start a new book this afternoon. I am going to read a suspense novel it is suppose to be riveting the review stated. It is also from a local author I have not heard of so I thought it may be an interesting read.
Off I go enjoy your weekend.

WHAT CHRISTMAS MEANS TO ME

What does Christmas mean to me?
I do not have to go deep to know the answer to this question.
The answer is in my heart. It is what my Mother brought to me each Christmas holiday.
I have tried to emulate that feeling and atmosphere in my own home with my children and family.
The emphasis was never on the gifts in the past or present. Though the gifts were always there whatever could be afforded and nothing more. Beautifully wrapped and presented with ever lasting love.

The more important traditions I followed are these.
A home radiating the Christmas spirit. A large tree trimmed with lots of sparkle, each ornament put it's perfect place and an angel atop in a glitter of white and gold. When I was young our tree at home had a blue and silver star at it's top that lit up. My mother had blue and white lights with reams of tinsel each strand put on separately . 
Mom always had something simmering of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves on the stove. Christmas eve candles were aglow. My old upright piano was decorated with greenery and red candles. The food was amazing. I am the same as my Mother, the emphasis is on lovely tasty food and drink presented with holiday flare.
Christmas music filled the house from radio or records in the olden days, today I have Pandora radio on the computer and my favorite C.D's playing. Also I play Christmas carols as in days of old on the piano. In our household throughout the years young and old have gathered around the piano on Christmas Eve to join in and sing Christmas songs.
When it was time to pass out the gifts the task was given to one child. All were passed out and then each in turn opened one gift while the others looked on. Christmas evening the children were allowed to open one gift. That is what I did as child also.
Christmas day today for me is still the same. A lovely Christmas brunch after gift opening. A dinner in the early evening of ham and all the trimmings. In between the eating events family or friends stopping by to extend Christmas cheer and perhaps bringing little home made goodies.

The feelings more than the deeds bring sweet things to my heart. The smells of Christmas, the holiday meal, the evergreen aroma of the tree, the spices, the candles even the fire crackling and of course the music.

As the years go by and I see my daughter doing the same tasks for her family as I did for mine and my Mother did for me and it brings me such joy.
So I say to you whatever your traditions keep them going. For they will bring to you much in return. A heart full of love and peace for Christmas's past and present.

I will be starting my Christmas decorating in a week or so. I set up the house first. Then we get the tree and hubby and I together spend one evening decorating while sipping hot buttered rums and listening to Christmas music. That is one of our traditions we have kept going for thirty years. It is our time alone to celebrate the Christmas spirit as we reminisce about Christmas's past. Each ornament that we hang on the tree means something special to us. Also as I have mentioned before we hang my Mother's glitzy silver and rhinestone jewelry on the tree. So she is still a big part of our Christmas as we reminisce about her while hanging her jewelry. 

So I am a Christmas person but not in the sense of shopping till I drop. In the sense or hearth and home.
I can feel it starting to settle in already just listening to Christmas music. I do look forward to the next few weeks in preparation of the old traditions.
So to you all have wonderful holiday season and a Christmas filled with whatever it is that takes your heart home.

NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER RECIPE

I want to say rain, rain go away but it is to soon. The rainy season has just come about. So I must be patient and as you know that is not my best trait.
Today was grocery shopping day. I went early as usual and I suppose I lucked out. Not torrential rainfall  but wind and showers.
I looked quite odd I think. A black rain jacket, a black floppy looking rain hat, works well but oh so ugly and well needed black waterproof boots.  Of course I needed windshield wipers for my glasses. They were so water spotted when I went through Freddy's door I could not really see and ran right into a grocery cart, well it worked out as I needed one!
So once again the groceries are bought for another week. Why do things cost so much? Seems each week it gets more expensive at the grocery stores.

Tonight we dine on homemade clam chowder. I really like this chowder recipe it is rich, thick and buttery with bacon. What's not to like? I will make my cheesy biscuits to go with. I really desire a grilled cheese sammie with clam chowder, but hubby gets so tired of sandwiches. As he takes his lunch most days that is his usual fare.

On the menu this week is a beautiful boneless rib roast, roasted with yukon gold potatoes and carrots and onions, shrimp and leek linguine, bone in pork chops with fried rice and sauteed veggies, polenta and sausage bake with marinara sauce and chicken noodle soup. So a good variety I feel.

I should start putting up a little Christmas decor as it is that time. But I like the fall decoration in the house something about it is so cozy and inviting so I may let that linger a few more days.
The streets were cleaned this morning early of rotting, matting, leaves. Oh they look so much nicer even on this dull day.

I am now going to share my clam chowder recipe with you. We love it.

Creamy and thick New England clam chowder
6-7 pieces bacon cut into small pieces
1 medium onion chopped
2 five ounce cans of baby clams with juice reserved
6-7 potatoes peeled and cubed
2  10 1/2 ounce cans of cream of celery soup
(don't scoff this what makes this soup so yummy)
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon dried dill weed

Add bacon to your soup pot and cook on medium heat until crispy.
Add onion and cook till translucent
Add clam juice from both cans
Add potatoes
Cover and cook until potatoes are fork tender about twenty minutes, stir occasionally so potatoes won't stick.
Add clams, soup, cream, milk and dill weed.
Stir together well
Add butter and let melt into chowder
Cook for about 30-45 minutes or until thickened. 
Stir occasionally.

I am outta here now as my chores are done for the day. Dinner is all I have left on my to-do list. I have accomplished much today so for my reward? I am sure you already know. Into my comfy chair, with my good book and a hot cup of tea. Heaven.
Bye.

INTERIOR DECORATOR FINAL CHAPTER

So this the final phase of my work as a decorating consult.
I thought perhaps if we were serious about moving back to Eugene that I should secure a job first.
I knew there were two high end furniture stores in Eugene and with my credentials at this point I should be shoe in if there were any positions open.
I first called Edmond's Furniture. This store carried all the fine furniture that I had been selling in Portland except for Thomasville furniture. They had no openings. It was primarily a family run company. The only other furniture store that I felt I would care to work in was Ethan Allen.
Now I knew that you had to train for being a Ethan Allen designer but this did not bother me. I had all my skills as far as designing rooms, color concepts, working from blue prints, and making house calls and all of the different types of paper work involved.  Also Ethan Allen sold window treatments and that was a skill I had learned at Wall St. Interiors. So I gave a call to Ethan Allen and yes they wanted to talk to me. I talked to the owner when I called from Portland and he said anyone who had worked for Parker's in Portland at the their huge design center he would certainly want on his staff.
So I set up a time for a interview. I still had my job with Parker's and at this point did not say anything to anyone as to what I was doing. I thought it prudent to get the job first with EA before saying anything.
So on my days off hubby and I drove to Eugene and I met with the manager for a interview. She hired me on the spot after that initial hour meeting. I could start anytime within the next thirty days and I would have training on the Ethan Allen products and procedures before going on the floor.
So all that remained now was to give notice to the Parker's and find a rental in Eugene and move again.
I gave notice and everyone was so wonderful. Some of them cried, some were so sad I was going, they gave me a huge party. I really felt I was leaving my family. But everyone understood. And I got a call from Craig Parker the owner and was told if I ever wanted a job with them again just let him know and he would make one available. How sweet. 
So we found a suitable rental in the south hills of Eugene and moved. I started work and my husband went about the business of getting his new enterprise underway. Advertising and business cards and making contacts kept him busy. 
My work at Ethan Allen after my training was boring. The store did not hustle like the places I had worked before. Seemed the days went by so slowly. I made decent money when I did have big projects but it certainly was a let down from the stores in Portland or even Bend for that matter.
I told myself I would give it two years and by that time hubby should be up and running with the hardwood business. And that is exactly what I did.
I gave notice almost two years to the day I started. My husband was doing amazing installing and refinishing hardwood flooring. He also installed laminate and bamboo flooring and did repairs. He needed me at home to be his right hand woman. So I became a go-for for supplies, a office manager and a help mate when needed. Still those are my titles.
We became so busy over the first few years we had my son come and work for us. He had been wanting to move from Washington state. So for almost three years my son worked for us. He then went to Portland to use his own skill which is a heavy equipment operator which paid considerably more than we were paying him. But it was grand having him live in Eugene and I missed him so when he left. 
So there it is. My working life. 
Now after writing all of this it seems to me it would have been more prudent to have stayed in Eugene in the first place. We spent five years between Bend and Portland before settling in Eugene once more. And what is more astounding after we rented for a year we found a home to buy and that we are still in. And it is right down the street from the one that my husband had built that we were living in before we left for Bend. 
Life is strange........if we had stayed here we would not have had the experiences we had, I would not have met all those amazing folks in Portland. Maybe Bend would have still seemed like a place in our mind we would want to go back to. But after going back we knew our love affair with central Oregon was over. 
So you learn and you grow and you experience life.

We are very content here in this little city. Location is everything. Two beautiful passes the McKenzie and the Willamette both at our door step that offer so much. The beach a fifty minute drive away. Eugene is small enough and the saying is you can be anywhere in twenty minutes. That seems to be true with freeways running both north and south as well as east and west. There is much to do, good eateries and shopping, river trails for biking and a huge cultural agenda.
This the longest period of time we have been in a home. It will be ten years this coming summer. We have slowly been remodeling the house and this winter we will be redoing the laundry room which is the last room left. However there will always be something that we will want to do.
So yes contentment now. Feels good.
Now the blogs will be back to my normal chatter with food and recipes.
Bye for now.

INTERIOR DECORATOR CONTINUED

When I stopped the post last I had just gotten a position at the Thomasville store in Eugene owned by the Parker family.
So I went into training for two weeks. Learning product and company polices, work formats, office structure etc. There was much to learn as I had not sold Thomasville furniture before. 
Soon the doors opened and we were in business as they say.
I loved my work but most of all I became very close to several of the gals I worked with. All were lovely women from different backgrounds with different histories. We just meshed. So a new set of friends for me. Work mates as well as play mates.
The work paid well, hubby built two houses during that time and we moved permanently in to one of them while he continued to build spec houses. It was a good time for us, we traded our 19 ft boat and bought a 23 ft cabin cruiser a dream of a boat and I was in heaven when I was in that boat. Well that is another story.
I continued on with Thomasville until the store was bought out by Basset furniture co. I did not want to sell Basset or work for new management. So I quit my job and at the same time property was becoming harder and harder to come by. The prices were escalating and the big builders in the city had the sub-divsions bought up for their own enterprises.
So we considered moving back to Bend. We went over the pro's and con's several times and agreed we would go back as in the beginning the move really was only temporary to help my hubbies father.
So we sold our cute home and moved back to Bend. We rented and bought a large lot to build our own home on.
So for about eight months my hubby constructed our new  home. This house was my dream home perfect in every way, just the way I had always envisioned it.
When finished with our own home we started a house for speculation. Bend had not quite started into the building frenzy that happened about three years later but still again finding property to build on was an issue. The same old problem was plaguing us.
Now I have to say gorgeous home or not we were not happy in Bend. In the few years we had been gone a lot had changed. Traffic was deplorable, people were moving in, everything was so busy and we had forgotten how many months were so cold and windy. Seemed I just counted days waiting for warmer weather. I guess I had become a valley girl living in Eugene. We had been in our new home almost two years and I received a call from one of my friends that I had worked with in the Eugene Thomasville store and she was now one of the managers at the big Parker design center in Beaverton Or.  She asked me if I would be interested in a position as a design consultant in that amazing store. We looked at all options not many. Stay or leave. So we put the house on the market the spec house was already on the market and hubby could not start another project until that spec sold. 
I told the Parker's I would take the position and would start the end of June. It was now May. So we packed up our motor home and found a RV park that was suitable to live in until we could find a rental home. And off to Portland we went and started yet another new adventure.
There again I loved working for the Parker's. I of course being in the field had heard of this amazing furniture store. The biggest and finest in all of the Portland area. Now I was a part of this group of talented designers and working with very high end product. I had my nose in vendor books for months studying and learning as much as my brain could take in.
It was very hard for my husband to get a foot hold in the Portland area as far as building was concerned  He did however find a job working with a builder and the two worked on many projects together both residential and commercial. 
After a year I decided I wanted to transfer to Parker's other  store in the Lake Owsego area. Reason being it was just a Thomasville store though we had access to all the merchandise at the Beaverton store. It was smaller store and located much closer to where we were renting a home in Sherwood Or. If any of you have lived in the Portland area, you know the closer you are to your work the better as the traffic at rush hour is a nightmare.
So moving the story along. I was very happy with my job doing very well making bigger money than I had ever dreamed possible. For my husband it was a struggle as he so much missed working for himself and that did not look like even a small possibility in Portland.
So after over two years in Portland we had another decision to make. Stay or leave. Now I know you think we are probably nuts!  However our daily happiness is everything to us and to not have that sense of contentment meant everything. We were wanting to buy a home but with what was going on with my husband we did not want to commit to that obligation.
Hubby started thinking that he had to reinvent himself. Get entirely out of the building trade. So he started to learn the craft of laying and refinishing hardwood floors. Hardwood flooring had become very popular during this time. So with a change in career for him we thought about where would be a good place to live. We had always liked Eugene when we were here, we loved the location being close to mountain passes offering hiking, boating, camping all the things we loved. Also less than a hours drive to the ocean. So perhaps.............

To be continued.