Sharing Some Recipes

Today I baked a rhubarb crisp..(actually it was this one below). Tom and I made it last year and it was so good, Karen requested it again. smile..

 

I figured I'd share some of the new recipes I've been creating lately!!

 

Rhubarb Crisp

4 Cups rhubarb, cut into ¾” pieces

1 Cup sugar

¼ Cup flour

½ tsp. cinnamon

 

1 Cup flour

 

1 Cup brown sugar

 

½ Cup rolled oats

 

½ Cup melted butter 

Directions: 

1.       Combine rhubarb, sugar, flour and cinnamon and put in an 8” x 8” x 2” glass dish.

2.       Combine flour, brown sugar, rolled oats and melted butter and sprinkle streusel over rhubarb

3.       Bake a 375 for 35 minutes.

 

 

 

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Pork Chops N’ Stuffing

 Marianne Hansen LeMars, IA

4 pork chops (about a pound) (I did four 4 ounce chops)

3 Cups soft bread crumbs

2 Tbls. Chopped onion

¼ Cup melted butter

¼ Cup water

1 can Cream of Mushroom soup

1/3 Cup water

Poultry seasoning

 

Brown chops on both sides: place in shallow baking dish. Lightly mix together bread crumbs, onion, butter, ¼ cup of water and poultry seasoning. Place a mound of stuffing on each chop. Blend soup and 1/3 cup water, pour over the top. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until tender. Makes 4 servings.

 

 I found this recipe in our local newspaper , and thought this would be perfect for us. And it was! Yummm

 

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Creamy Cauliflower Soup

 

Ingredients

 

1 head cauliflower, rinsed and chopped

1/2 yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 large russet potato, peeled and chopped
2 Tbsp butter
3 1/2 cups chicken broth
2 Tbsp fresh chopped parsley
1/2 cup half-and-half
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
Directions

 

Melt the butter in a large pot and sauté the onion, garlic and celery for 7 minutes, or until onion is soft. Stir occasionally.
Add the chopped cauliflower, potato, chicken broth, and parsley, cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

Transfer the soup to a Magic Bullet pitcher  (I used my hand blender instead so I'd have some texture to the soup.) and blend until smooth. Pour back into the pot and stir in the half-and-half, salt and pepper.

Serve in bowls and sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top.
 

Makes 6 cups.

- See more at: http://magicbulletblog.com/creamy-cauliflower-soup/

 

This soup is amazing, especially if you like cauliflower. Guess I should make it and the pork chops again soon. Have you found any new recipes to try lately?? Maybe you'll enjoy some of these.

 

Good night all.......

 

Sunday, Skies and Recipe

 

We awoke yesterday morning to this gorgeous sky! At first it looked like wide black brush strokes across the sky, as soon as the sun started to rise, those black clouds looked like this!! I know there is a message in this...such as when things seem the darkest, just know there will be one of life's beautiful moments will appear. 

 

I also found this quote the other day:

"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud." Maya Angelou

 

Our yard men came  and  power raked the yard Sunday. They also cleaned around the house, and deck etc. They even took our Christmas lights down. (Off the bushes..not a big deal..) ha..ha... I couldn't believe how beautiful the day was. Windows were all open, the birds were singing. It was just so lovely.

 

 

 

Remember the Clam Chowder I told you we made? We had leftovers yesterday, (actually it was better than the first day!) Soups and Stews always are, aren't they??

 

Here is the recipe:

Clam Chowder

4 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into ½ inch pieces

2 large onions, cut into medium dice (about 4 cups)

½ cup flour

8 6.5-ounce cans minced clams, with clams and juice separated

4 8-ounce bottles clam juice

2 cups water

6 medium boiling potatoes, cut into medium dice

2 large bay leaves

1 tsp. dried thyme leaves

2 cups heavy cream

½ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves (I substituted with dry parsley)

Salt and ground black or white pepper (to taste)

Oyster crackers, to serve 

Fry bacon in a large soup pot over medium-high heat until bacon is crispy, about 5 minutes. Transfer bacon to a small bowl; set aside.

Add onions to the pot; sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add flour; stir until lightly colored, about 1 minute. Whisk in clam juice (from both the drained clams and bottles of juice) and water. Add potatoes, bay leaves and thyme; bring to a simmer.

                Reduce heat to low; simmer, partially covered, until potatoes are tender; about 10 minutes.

                Add clams, cream and parsley, bacon and season to taste with salt and pepper; bring to a simmer.

                Remove from heat and serve immediately with oyster crackers.

Makes 4 quarts, 10 servings.

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 Hope you're having a good week.

Casserole Recipe

 

Good evening...I almost forgot...I wanted to share this recipe with you today. It was so good and I loved the fact that all we needed to do at lunch time was pop it in the oven, do whatever and an hour later, viola you have something scrumptious to eat.

 

I hope you had a nice weekend and look forward to a good week!

 

Night...

Birds..Birds..and more Birds...

 

Isn't she pretty?? We're all just so excited!! We've had Orioles here eating oranges, but yesterday we put a little grape jelly in our cute little feeder that our granddaughter Ashley and her husband Ben bought us for Christmas, at one of their local Farmers Markets in Alabama. Isn't it just adorable??



 

We also got a new feeder. A friend, Beth from Beyond the Garden Gate had a similar one, so we went looking for it. However, this was the only one we could find and the birds (Orioles) are just loving it. lol They seem to think that grape jelly is the best!! smile.. Maybe we'll be eating a lot of oranges..lol

 

Then here is the females also checking it out..



 

Even the males are enjoying this cute little bird feeder! Look at him taking a dip in the grape jelly..smile...

 

Yesterday was busy..we made a Rhubarb Custard Cake (you can find the recipe here) or look at my recipe page) for our potluck last night. It was so funny...it was pretty obvious that it's rhubarb time in Iowa...smile.. There were two cakes and one pie using the rhubarb. However, our cake was wonderful! Even got asked for the recipe..smile.. Do you have rhubarb? Or do you like it??

 

Today we had a lot of running around to do...seems liked I was kind of off...you ever have those kinds of days?? ha...ha.. We went to Sam's Club, I wanted to renew our membership...I saw one lady waiting on a person, and another one opening her register. So I asked her if she could help me? She said.."sure after I help those people..." Gosh, here there was a line of people waiting for some help...eeks... (they now have their line behind a roped off area...kind of like a bank!) Anyway, I did a couple of weird things like that today.

 

Must be time for bed...ha..ha before I get into anymore trouble!! I'm glad Tom hasn't had time to put his garden in..we are to have a hard freeze tonight..sad... Are you having crazy weather too??

Cold, Snow and Windy

 

 

First of all, no we didn't make this (find the recipe here) chili today we made it last week. But actually I thought about chili yesterday when we were getting groceries. I bought some chili mix, and am excited to try it. I love something easy...ha..ha...  Tom usually makes his own special recipe, but it takes a long time, and makes a huge pot! I'd just like a recipe for a smaller amount.  So, I thought it would be fun to see how you make your chili!! 

 

 

 

When I was working on my computer today, I found this picture I took in the spring of 2009 and thought....YES...we all need a spring picture...smile.. Can't you just smell those flowering crab apple blossoms?? smile...

 

We had a snowy day...actually we got 1 1/2" of it...then by this evening it was all melted! But, tomorrow morning people will have to be careful as they go to work. My friend stopped by and fixed my hair, so as always it was nice to see and visit with her! Our IT man came and finished fixing my computer! Hopefully, I can now print postage for packages I want to mail...smile...

 

Hope you had a wonderful day like we did!!

 

Blessings,

Gert

 

more as it happens here in the city.....................

Drink of Water

 

Yesterday morning we woke up to a yard full of turkeys!!! lol Or should I say a bird bath full of turkeys... Tom has refilled the bath, but there wasn't much in it when they got done...ha..ha.. Rusty did not like it that they were out there. He let us know, we had some strangers in the backyard...

 

They were also up here on the top level in 'his' yard...where he goes out and does whatever dogs do...lol When he got out there he could smell them and stood there barking at the scent. I know, he's a weird dog..

 

My SIL thought I should label the picture "Who says we don't have big birds in Iowa? Look at those Robins in our birdbath!..." lol...

 

Then we noticed our other bird bath...the top was laying on the patio (broken!) Tom went down and said it was cracked across the bottom. So now I need to see if anyone has them on sale or on clearance. I remember buying this about 24 years ago and it was cheap, but I've always just loved having it available for the birds. So...now who knocked it over?? Turkeys?? Or who...the saga continues!! More tomorrow..........

 

 

We made stew for dinner yesterday. It was so nummy. Good time of the year for it too!! And of course don't you know, it will be better tomorrow!! smile...

 

We made Salisbury Steak yesterday...I love this quick and easy recipe.. click here or on the word Salisbury Steak above to see it and the recipe!

 

Have you been watching Cedar Cove on Hallmark on Saturday nights?? Loved that series, but it ended for the season last night. I hope they continue having these little series on Saturday nights...Not much else on..

 

Hope you are having a blessed SONday!...

 

more as it happens here in the city............

Surprise!

Tom has been looking high and low here in the city for some pickled pigs feet! (Don't ask me why...smile..) But he just loves them and when he goes to the grocery store they just have a very small jar. We have checked with local meat markets, bars (that is where they use to have them), I mean everywhere, to no avail. So finally, I ordered a gallon of them on line. When the Fed Ex truck came the other day, he said "my name is on this box!" So I said, well open it...lol  He was so excited to get them! I hope he likes them, then I'll know what to get him on special occasions...smile...

Yesterday, Tom and I made these cheesy chicken enchilada's! The recipe was in the latest Family Circle magazine! And if you click on Cheesy Chicken Enchilada's you can find the recipe right here on my blog. They were really good, served with fresh tomatoes, salsa, sour cream, served on a bed of lettuce! Yumm.. we had enough for more than one meal....so that is always a plus in my book! I'm adding this to my 'how to use leftover rotisserie chicken!'

Today, Tom's been busy working out in the yard and I've been at my desk (and my back is letting me know it!) Ouch!! 

I always hate to cut these short..but will continue to try and put something up each day until my new laptop comes in! Then I can sit in my easy chair and do my blog!! I have tried to use the iPad, but it doesn't work as well. I even talked with Apple yesterday and now understand why the two programs are not as compatible as I thought they should be!

I shall end this with a quote I just love.

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom." 

Marcel Proust (French author)

more as it happens here in the city.................

Reunions

Look what I spotted yesterday when we pulled up to the Elk's for Tom's family reunion! Aren't they absolutely beautiful?? I've not seen a lot of blue flowers, but I love these along with the yellow ones! smile.. You know me and 'yellow' flowers or anything else that is 'yellow'....lol

On that note, I must share God's blessings and works in our life with you. We got to the reunion a little after noon, and the parking lot was full!!! We couldn't believe it...wow! what a turn out. Tom said he'd pull up to the door and get Karen and I out, then try to find somewhere to park. When he pulled up....there was a 'handi cap' spot right by the front door. "Praise God!"

THEN today, we were talking about a tree limb that had fallen in our yard, after the wind storm we had last week. It needed to be cut up to put out for the garbage men or taken to the dump. He couldn't find his chain saw, (which was okay with me, since he's on coumidan...and I'm always afraid he might cut himself--that is dangerous in my option!) He walked down to get pickup and saw the neighbor out there, while visiting, Tom found out he was going to the dump and said "whatever we had, just throw it in." Yeah!! One less thing to worry about. "Praise God"!!

Here are a couple pictures from yesterday. I had my back to everyone, so didn't get many photos. This is Tom's sister Karen and his second cousin Vivian, who came with her two daughters from out of town.

This is Wilfred and his wife, who is also Tom's cousin. They came in from Austin, TX. He's had lots of problems with complications from his back surgery, so we're afraid this will be their last year of attending. sad... But bless their hearts for making this last trip.

This is what we took to the reunion potluck "Corn Casserole". I posted the entire recipe here. A lady I worked with years ago gave me this recipe when I told her we were attending a monthly potluck. She said her mother always made this when she'd attend her church potlucks. I love the fact that it's so easy and almost always have these items in your pantry! (I use the crockpot...but can also make it in the oven.!) 

I just had to end this post with this lovely picture! I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend and are looking forward to a nice week! Ours is going to continue to be 'hot'. We need rain, so that is on my prayer list..how is your weather? Let me know, I will pray for you also. Happy SONday!!

more as it happens here in the city...........

Flowers, Birds and Pie..

I looked out our window and spotted this Nuthatch (I think) getting a drink of water!! (Where's the camera I thought..smile) Our flowers are blooming so pretty...Tom does have to water them often and thank goodness the storm last night (high winds) didn't bother them at all.. Now...the bird bath..do you see all those shiny pennies?? Tom puts them in to help keep the bottom 'clean'...ahem.. from up here I'm not so sure it's working. lol We bought this at least 20 years ago for about $20 dollars or less. The last couple years we wake up every so often and notice the top is laying on the patio! The only thing we can figure out is it's the deer knocking it off. ~~Strange~~ That is why it's so cracked, chipped and bruised!!

He's heading for a seed...head back...ready to strike! smile...

I'm assuming this is a robin (maybe old??) 

This is why I figured it was a robin...he looks kind of 'different' don't you think? Have you seen one that looks like this?? Please tell me yes...smile.... I'd hate to have the only one who looks like this. smile..

Yesterday,  my sister in law and I made this  Rhubarb Crumb pie.  (If you're interested in the recipe, please click on Rhubarb Crumb.) I sat at the kitchen table and read her the recipe (smile), I also found some of the ingredients in the cupboards...and cut the butter into the topping! Then into the oven it went...viola this is what we got!

It turned out really yummy...(thank goodness for spring and summer to grow rhubarb in Iowa..smile)... especially with a little ice cream to top it off!  Speaking of topping something off...yesterday afternoon, my daughter and granddaughters Face Timed with me! What fun! It felt just like I was sitting out on her deck enjoying their company! Technology is amazing!!

What will you be doing this week?? Tomorrow, we get our stitches out (yeah) and won't stay away from home too long since it's going to be very "Hot" here. What is your weather like??

more as it happens here in the city.............

Some Like it Hot...

Yesterday we tried this new dish, Tomato Basil Pasta! I saw it on Facebook and thought wow! I think we have everything in the pantry..yeah... (I love that, so we don't have to go to the store.) The only thing we had that was different from the ingredients list was diced tomatoes. We had some spicy ones, but none that were plain. So, we made it according to the recipe except for the chopped tomatoes, I had to use two cans of the spicy tomatoes. Also, we used our own fresh basil...big SMILE...don't you just love using your own fresh herbs??? Back to the "hot and spicy" pasta... When I tasted it...I think there was 'fire' coming out of my mouth...ha..ha... But I believe if it was made with one can of diced tomatoes and one can of spicy diced tomatoes it would be perfect!  I know we would make it again for sure!!

I think I've told you that the doctors said I don't have a blood clot in my leg (yeah!), however then they sent to my MS doctor, (who I was to see the following Monday) anyway, she thinks the swelling in my calf is from spasticity in that calf. So that means more stretching of the calf. We'll see how that goes..smile.. 

Today, Tom had to go down and pick up his hearing aid that was being repaired, while we were down there we stopped by our friends house (they were having a rummage) and guess who came running to us?? Her granddaughter Ariah, she is so sweet and just had her second birthday! Look at those curls.....

I took this picture when we were down town yesterday...pretty huh??

I hope you are having an amazing weekend....ours is much cooler and enjoyable for us! smile....

more as it happens here in the city................

Lots of Exciting News...

I just have to share this with you!! My friends son got to go over to Rome to cover the election of the new Pope. My friend Jane, is Italian and got to go over there years ago with her father, so was very excited for her son to get the opportunity to go there also! I just feel privileged to know someone who was at this world event. (Don't you think this is exciting??)

More exciting news...my friend bj read my blog recipe for the Runza Casserole and made it right away. Check out her blog Sweet Nothings for a real treat to see her amazing photos! She really has an eye for taking photos!! As you can see she added a few items to their dinner plate and after going over to her blog you can see what she had for dessert...yummm... wish I was her next door Texas neighbor...smile...

Last night Tom started to make this vegetable soup and finished it up this morning! It was so nummy...always reminds me of my Mom (Grace) when she would make it. My favorite soup!! It was perfect on a cold winter day! (I didn't retype the recipe, but will do it another day to share with you!)

Just found out some more very...very exciting news!! I have been following Linda over at the Prairie Flower Farm while her Mama Sheep Willow was due to have her baby/babies and guess what? She had twins..two baby boys!!! I know Linda will soon be doing a post on this! I got this picture off her Facebook page!!! If you don't follow her...you really should she is an amazing, God fearing woman!! 

Well, I hope you had an Exciting day too...smile..

more as it happens here in the city..... 

SONday...Monday...

Yesterday morning this is the sunrise we saw. I just love to see them every morning and thank our Lord for it! It's funny...soon it will move across the horizon..smile... This winter it was way off to the right and now with spring approaching it has moved farther north! Do you ever watch this happen when you're driving to work each morning? I use to be really annoyed when it would move over and I'd have it shining directly in my eyes..ha..ha..

We went to church (yeah!) yesterday...it was so nice to have good weather and for us to both feel good enough to go!! Afterwards, they had a Potato Bake with all sorts of toppings, along with desserts! It was amazing, best of all was the fellowship with our friends! (I didn't get photos of that..) but afterwards here are some sites we saw while heading home! Check out that dog..(guess what he was heading for...ha..) being walked by his master.. We got the van washed, which it was in dire need of. When we saw that orange...and yellow house..I thought, I'm sure everyone would like one of them.. smile.. And last but not least, I love these old gas pumps in this yard! I personally do not remember them, but I've heard a lot about them and love to see them!!

Today, we spotted this little guy running up and down the branch...looking for something! Probably, insects? I'm not sure...but fun to watch!

Tom made the Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon and Sweet Potato fries for lunch. It was really good!! Course I love salmon, which is good for a person...and who doesn't just love sweet tater fries? smile...

If you noticed..I linked the recipe to my recipe page! Yeah! I finally figured out how to do it!! Later, I will update some of the other recipes and load them on that page. How exciting is this? (Wish I had done that with The Many Thoughts of Grace.) Maybe.....when I have some extra time...smile...

I had to make an appointment with my therapist again..as my leg is dealing me a fit! sad.... I've got to get fixed up by Friday as we're hoping to go the annual Garden Show!!! Remember---Wednesday is the first day of Spring!! smile...

Hope you're having a good week!

more as it happens here in the city.............

Birds that came to visit us today...

Look at our Red Bellied Woodpecker that came to visit our feeder this morning! Isn't he pretty??

Also, the Downy Woodpecker, Mama Cardinal, Snow bird & Papa Cardinal came to eat also! smile...

Now for the Runza casserole, some asked for the recipe, others said they thought I had posted it before. So, here is the recipe, first time and the second time, for some of you. The one photo, shows when we cooked it in the skillet, the other one was as we were enjoying it!!

RUNZA CASSEROLE
By Gert Stevens
Servings 12  
Prep time 25 mins.  

Ingredients: 
2 lbs. Hamburger                         1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 tsp. Salt                                 1/4 C. chopped onion
1/4 tsp. Pepper                             4 C. shredded cabbage (1 pkg.)
2 C. shredded Cheddar cheese     2 tubes crescent rolls

Instructions:  
Brown hamburger, salt and pepper; drain.  Add soup, onion and   
cabbage to hamburger; cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring  
occasionally.  Grease a 9 x 13-inch pan.  Put 1 tube of crescent rolls   on bottom of pan.  Put hamburger mixture on top of rolls and top with Cheddar cheese.  Put second tube of cresent rolls on top.  Bake at 350o for 30 minutes.

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How was your day?? I hope you're weather is nice and you were able to get out do something special! We were busy doing stuff around the house. Tomorrow we hope to go to church...afterwards they are having a Potato Bake, and I just know it will be delicious as always!

more as it happens here in the city...........