To Make or Not to Make

For my nephew and his bride's wedding, I had intended to make a card.  But time got away from me and I realized I didn't have the items I needed for it.
I had a card - but it was, to me, quite mediocre - I hated the ho-hum ribbon and tacky plastic flower button.
So I first cut the ribbon off.  Believe it or not, it took courage!  I don't know why, but it felt just "wrong!"

When the plastic flower was removed it left behind a really large (size of a quarter) blob of hot glue.
Peeled that away and was left with damaged cardstock.
Next job, sort through my bits and bobs for something that might make it a card worthy.

First, I attached the sticker reading "Two Souls, One Heart" in the upper part of the card, and then found the perfect little "button" that reads "I Do" to cover the damaged area where the button had been.

Finally, on the inside where the original card featured a very sketchy, rather ugly little flower, I attached a matching sticker.
You know what?  I'm really really happy with the end result.  I'm glad I didn't try to make the thing from scratch, and I'm really glad I got those scissors out and snipped that ribbon.
Now to write the check!  :)
Oh, and on the back, I'm adding my credits to the name of the card's originator.  I think I made it a much nicer card.  (insert self, patting back)

Summertime Yum

We worked about an hour and 40 minutes in the garden this morning, weeding, watering and kind of "housekeeping" and then picked three of our zucchinis and came home.
I picked about 6 cups of basil in our home garden and then the fun began.
First, made two batches of pesto.  It is too too good!
Then came two zucchini breads.  The house was smelling really good!
And finally, a lovely zucchini souffle...first time I've made this recipe and it is really a winner.  We'll be eating more of this tasty dish.

Our youngest d-i-l is having some back issues, so we took some of today's dishes down so she has enough for a couple of dinners - at least a little bit off her mind for a couple of days as she deals with two active young ones.
We had a great visit with them and now are home - kind of recovering from a really nice but tiring day.

Cooking with Class

Chalk up another new experience for us in June.


It actually began a year and a half ago when son and daughter-in-law gave us a gift certificate to the Cooking School at La Campagne – a nearby restaurant located in a 150 year old farm house. They serve a continental cuisine cooked in the traditional manner of France and Northern Italy.
As each class came up and went by we always had a reason we couldn’t go. A year passed and finally Larry went over and got the certificates extended. At last, June 23 was upon us – the absolute last class we would be able to attend. It was to be a “seafood grill” which definitely sounded like something we would enjoy.
The class was held outside under a canopy, and while the day had been quite warm, it was a perfect evening temperature. The eating area extends out to a tranquil little herb garden so that you would not believe you were situated just off a fairly busy roadway.
We sat with one other couple with whom we quickly struck up conversations and we hope to meet up with them again – perhaps to enjoy another dining experience somewhere.
The menu included some appetizers – mussels on the half shell (not a favorite of mine – I tasted them but passed on a second) – and kabobs of homemade wild boar sausage and shrimp – very good.
The meal included Sesame Brown Rice Salad (loved it!) and Planked Salmon (absolutely the best I’ve ever eaten!). Dessert was a portion of cold fruit soup – dressed up with bits of strawberries and grapes.
While a red wine might have done well, we had brought Chateau Ste Michelle Riesling – Columbia Valley 2009, and I thought it was a nice choice. However, after one glass, Larry switched to the beer he had brought and they had kindly kept on ice for him.
The Chef was relaxed and informative and the young woman serving us was sweet and attentive.
A nice touch was that we were given the recipes to take home in order to apply what we learned. I am looking forward to giving them a try.

http://www.lacampagne.com/index.htm

Rewards

Too bad I don't have a (nightmarish) Before Picture, but this is what happens when you are both retired and you ask your wife to help organize your shed.

And then this is what she does to reward you!

Seriously, Retirement is SO GOOD!

Soul Food ala Italia

Fresh Collards from Lar's Garden

  Washed well, cut in ribbons and simmered in lightly salted water (sea salt) for about 25 minutes, then sauteed in garlic and olive oil.  Can't wait for the next batch!

Busy June

I can't believe our calendar for June!  It has really been busy - there have been days with at least three things posted to do.  Lots of it has been Dr. appointments, tests and checkups....now that I don't have to feel the guilt of taking off from work it is so much easier to attend to those kinds of things.
Also signed up for 7 sessions with a personal trainer this month.  After my first session with Nancy, I knew she was the one to get me on track to better physical condition and better health.  Have had three sessions so far and my strength is so increased - I feel so, so much better than I did a month ago.  And the scale has begun to show some movement in the downward direction as well.
Lar's been busy in his garden, and has begun to harvest radishes - much to the delight of young Larry and his sister Julia, and to me....I love radishes.  Julia tried one and her face was something I wish I'd been prepared for with camera...but I was proud she tried it.  These are very peppery - so they probably weren't the best for her first.

Yesterday the kids went to the garden with their Pop Pop and they worked really hard with him.  When they came home they had a lot of radishes in a bag.  We figured we would have them hose them off out front on the drive before I brought them in to clean in the sink.  They were a riot!  Because it was such a hot and humid day, Jules had no problem whatsoever with her brother's poor aim!   On a Saturday I got a text from our friend Ivy wondering if I'd be home for about an hour to babysit her little Kayla.  What do you suppose I said?  Of course!  What a pleasure.

 

When it was pretty obvious naptime had arrived, we cuddled in the rocking chair and I explained that her Uncle Patrick used to be rocked in that chair.  As soon as the words were out of my mouth, her head settled on my shoulder and she was asleep.  Joy.

 Father's Day meant I needed to make something special for brunch.  What a winner this recipe is!  Breakfast Bruschetta - egg whites with fresh basil from the garden - with yummy bruschetta over whole grain toast...accompanied by fresh red leaf lettuce - again from the garden - and some roasted peppers.  It was really yummy.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY LAR - AND ALL DADS - HERE AND GONE.

Moppin' Up Lifes Messes

Be forewarned - this entry is going to read like an advertisement.  I am writing it a bit tongue-in-cheek with a strong dose of seriousness.
My son Mike and I are in love with a cleaning product.  Isn't that a funny sentence?  I know!!!
Thing is, about 14 or 15 months ago we bought me a Shark Steam Mop.  It wasn't cheap - it was almost $100 and that gave a few small fits...but I also was thinking of the ability to get rid of all the chemicals I'd been using to clean the floor, getting rid of the bucket of dirty water I was always lugging about, and getting rid of the nasty, dirty sponge mop.  My reasoning...if the sponge you wash your dishes with is a health hazard - what did that make the old sponge mop that has been wallowing around on the floor?
So we got it and the first time I used it I was head over heels in love.
So much so that we soon went out and bought the hand held Shark steamer with which you can steam clean walls, shower stalls, fridge doors, you name it. 
I've raved so much about my Shark that son Mike has gone out and bought the vacuum/steamer Shark.  And he has become passionate about it.  He reports he is loving cleaning the floors.  Have you ever, ever owned a product about which you could say the same?
Important note:  we bought them at Costco.
Costco is about to be the hero in this little tale.
A couple of days ago I started up my mop eager to kill germs and dust mites and humming away as I am wont to do when Sharking, and suddenly there was a loud pop and a burst of steam from everywhere but where it should have been forthcoming.  I was startled - I was fortunately not injured - and I was heartsick.  I love the product.  But 100 bucks a year?  Nah, I wasn't up for that.
Off we went to our friendly neighborhood Costco with the sorry little package of brokenness and my crushed feelings.
The lady at the counter asked "do you have your receipt?"  Of course we didn't - when Shark and I became a team, I trusted him to be with me forever.
She looked it up and found the date we'd bought it.
She gathered it all up and taped it all together.
I was clinging to the counter, wondering what her next words would be.  Would she offer to send it for repair.  Would she give us an offer on another?  Would she send us off - with her condolences?
None of the above.
She handed us a credit card for the full value.
And I promptly went to the shelf and bought another.  That's how much I love my Shark.
Nice thing is, it is an upgrade.  And the upgrade appears to include ways in which the manufacturer has addressed all the old issues.  Including a suggestion to use only distilled water.  Which I will do.  Not much to ask from my dearly beloved who gets in there with me and gets the dirt, kills the germs, leaves only the scent of CLEAN, and then hangs out in the garage until I need him again.

Memories

Yesterday was another wonderful reunion for Larry.  His childhood friend Joe came to visit with his wife Sandy.  It's been years since we've gotten together - we'd lost track of each other until I recently found their son on Facebook.  We were happy to spend some time with them and hope to see them again soon.

I had the opportunity to try yet another recipe from Family Circle magazine, Berry - Bourbon Pork Tenderloin. It is going to stay with us - it is a delicious recipe.  

Served it with eggy potato salad, tossed salad and baked beans (Larry's favorite) and with its Berry Bourbon Sauce, it was a hit.

Dessert was a simple tart loaded with fresh strawberries, blueberries and kiwi - accompanied by a lovely soft brie. 

Update on Acme Founder

I've been delighted to have Grandson Larry take an interest in the entry on the journal thought to have belonged to Mr. Samuel Robinson, founder of the Acme Stores.  As a result, he recently e-mailed me a picture of that gentleman he found after he Googled him.  Thanks, Larry - that's a cool addition to the story.

What's Cookin' ?

I was pretty sure I remembered that I used to love to cook. 

Haven't I mentioned before that I have followed in my mother's footsteps - loving new recipes - tearing them willy-nilly out of magazines and saving them for the day I might just make them. In fact, I have inherited many (read MANY!) of those she tore out. I don't know if she ever got around to making many of them. Since retirement, I've been struggling to get back to the mind-set that I really do have the time to plan, to shop for and to prepare meals made up of more than a couple of ingredients. Working had gotten me used to making healthy but uninspired meals - a piece of meat, some veg and a starch. Easy to shop for, quick to make.

For the past couple of weeks I've been getting serious about gleaning from my stockpiles meals that really tempt me. Going along with another retirement goal, I've been tossing those that don't make the cut. And I've been creating a new shopping list....it's been exciting!

Along the way I've discovered that we have software that came with our scanner with which I can scan all those loose pages, save them, and search - getting rid of more paper, and giving me the option of finding just the right recipe easily - matching up ingredients and seasons. This is bound to be fun!



Gingered Flatiron Steak - familycircle magazine



We've had a few winners - a few that weren't bad but won't be repeated. The meals have been healthy and I've been so much less interested in eating out.

Some of the recipes have taught me that just because they publish them doesn't mean I can easily find the ingredients! And some - like the Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa and Saffron Rice - call for unbelievably expensive ingredients. A tiny, tiny, oh so tiny packet of saffron threads - $18 !!! I don't think so! Especially since we didn't know if we would like it. I chose instead a somewhat larger packet of "American Saffron" running about $4 which looked identical - and turns out, we loved the dish.  Creative footwork is often called for - no flatiron steak available at Wegmans, so the butcher steered me to a 1/2 sirloin...worked just great in the Gingered Flatiron Steak.  I roasted some potatoes and made a wonderful salad with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese balls and fresh basil from our garden.  It was accompanied by a homemade soy ginger sauce.  It made a great salad for lunch the next day.

Cooking is encompassing more of the family, too...granddaughter Julia stayed over night the other evening, and instead of going out for breakfast, she opted to make it with Pop Pop.  Here she is flipping pancakes with great expertise!



Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado Salsa and Saffron Rice - Cooking Light - mix & match low calorie cookbook