Cranberry Clusters
12 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried cranberries
2/3 cup cashews or other nuts
Melt chocolate chips. Stir in cranberries and nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Let stand until set.
Buckeye Candies
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 cups confectioners' sugar
4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
Mix together the peanut butter, butter, vanilla and confectioners sugar. The dough will look dry. Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.
Press a toothpick into the top of each ball (to be used later as the handle for dipping) and chill in freezer until firm, about 30 minutes.
Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir frequently until smooth. (I have used almond bark)
Dip frozen peanut butter balls in chocolate holding onto the toothpick.
Leave a small portion of peanut butter showing at the top to make them look like Buckeyes.
Put back on the cookie sheet and refrigerate until serving.
Pumpkin Dip
6 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup canned pumpkin (NOT pie filling)
3 tsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Vanilla wafers or apple slices
Combine cream cheese, sugar and pumpkin; beat with a mixer until well blended. Add syrup and cinnamon; beat until smooth. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Serve with vanilla wafers or apple slices.
Chocolate Covered Cherries
The white filling dissolves into a liquid after setting for several days.
2 (10oz) jars maraschino cherries
1/4 cup soft butter
1 tablespoon cherry juice
1 tablespoon white corn syrup
2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 pounds chocolate candy coating
Drain cherries – save juice; let dry on paper toweling overnight. In a small bowl, combine butter, cherry juice and corn syrup. Stir in powdered sugar. Knead until smooth. Form 1/2 teaspoon of this fondant around each cherry, completely covering the cherry.. Place on sheet of waxed paper. Refrigerate. Melt candy coating. Dip cherries twice. Refrigerate. Dip one more time and store at room temperature for 2 weeks to ripen.
Sweet and Spicy Pecans
4 cups pecan halves
2 tablespoons butter
3 to 5 packets of Truvia – it’s easy to make them too sweet
4 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of Cayenne pepper (to taste)
Melt the butter in a large skillet. Add the pecans and cook for 2 – 3 minutes to coat the pecans. Stir often. Just as a few are starting to turn brown on the edges, remove quickly to a bowl. Add other seasonings and stir.
These will keep very well in an airtight container.
Candied Walnuts or Pecans
Line a baking sheet with foil. Butter the foil and set aside.
In a heavy 10 inch skillet combine:
1/2 c. granulated sugar
2 T. butter
1 tsp water
1 c. walnuts or pecans
Cook first three ingredients over medium heat, shaking skillet occasionally until sugar begins to melt. DO NOT STIR. Reduce heat to low and cook until sugar is golden brown, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat. Add walnuts and toss to coat. Pour onto prepared cookie sheet.
Cool completely. Break into clusters.
Crock Pot Sugared Pecans or Walnuts
16 ounces pecans or walnut halves
1/2 c. melted unsalted butter
1/2 c. powdered sugar
Turn slow cooker to HIGH about 15 minutes in advance. In hot slow cooker, stir together the nuts and butter. Add the powdered sugar, stirring to blend and coat evenly. Cover and cook on HIGH for 15 minutes.
Reduce the heat to LOW and remove lid; cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 2 to 3 hours, or until the nuts are coated with a crisp glaze. Transfer the nuts to a bowl. Let cool before serving.
BBQ Pecans
2 TBS butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 TBS ketchup
1/8 tsp Tabasco® sauce
4 cups pecan halves
Combine first 4 ingredients; stir in pecans, and mix well.
Spread pecans evenly in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 300°F for 30 minutes,
stirring frequently. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt, if desired.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
October 15-31 -- catchin' up!
October was moving right along and my 'to do' list didn't seem to be having too much crossed off! So, Monday the 18th was make appointments day! Spring and fall in Gatesville is “housekeeping’ time – catch up on all of the important things – insurance and license plates, vehicle repair (hopefully none needed!), vet appointments, doc appoints, etc! Spent much of the day on the phone getting a ‘workable’ schedule for the appointments! Broke down and turned on the A/C on -- nice breeze but HOT and dusty. Will definitely need the A/C filter cleaned when I get someone to clean the RV this winter!
Tuesday: Truck in by 8AM. As usual, they need the truck for several hours to get everything checked and done. I fill my big thermo-mug, take a good book and wait in waiting area. They have a nice big screen TV and get cable channels. That’s a treat for me!
$450.00 later and the truck is ready for its next trip -- major expense was a storage battery -- the truck was still running on its original battery! Would rather get one here where I know folks than go 'dead' on the road somewhere and really have to pay thru the nose.
Then to the Italian place for shrimp pasta with Brenda and on to Johnnie’s for coffee!
Wednesday AM, off to Waco to pick up oxygen tanks. A trip to Waco also means a stop at a few used books stores and Good Will! Stopped in McGregor at the feed store on the way home. They have a gift shop with some neat stuff. Kinda pricey but really unusual. Picked up a few things for Christmas.
Lee and Mary Jane stopped by for a visit on their way to town. Just love being here and visiting with these folks. They have been friends for so long. I miss them while I’m in Rockport or in Iowa.
Thursday off to Sunbelt RV in Belton for odds and ends of RV replacement stuff. My things to do list is just about complete! WHEW! 88 degrees with a dusty hot breeze. Glad the A/C works! Again lunch with Brenda and coffee with Johnnie – do you see a pattern here?!
Friday, nobody loves me today!!! Brenda bailed on lunch 'cuz her patient load was in Hamilton and Johnnie's not home -- BUMMER! Li'lBit and I will just take a nap!
Went to Copperas Cove and had a really nice lunch with Donna and her son, Robert, on Saturday. German food. I had jagerschnitzel -- great mushroom gravy -- came with red cabbage and a cucumber in sour cream salad. Next time I’m just going to get a plate of spaetzel and gravy to go!!
Meat loaf and pork chops at Johnnie’s on Sunday. She must be able to read my mind! I've had a ‘taste’ for meat loaf for so long and hadn’t made any! And how can an Iowa girl pass up a pork chop! She coated each one lightly with Ranch Salad Dressing mix (the powder) -- then put them in the oven and covered with aluminum foil. Nice flavor and not dry.
Have a new full-time RVer in the park. Single lady,younger than me (aren't most folks!?)-- lots skinnier than me, too! And a really spiffy dresser. She knows Ed & Linda that own the park and I believe she is going to be a semi-permanent resident here.
Monday was do laundry or go naked day! Under a wind warning -- never did get much rain out of the storms that blew the last couple of days. Waco got hit pretty hard and some bad winds south of Fort Worth, but nothing major here.
Tuesday is check the tires on the truck and get my vehicle inspection...didn’t pass the state safety inspection! HUH?? Just had the truck in the shop for its well-baby check up and I cannot pass a safety inspection! New state law about the darkness of the window tint. My driver’s window and front passenger window were too dark! GEEZ! Gotta have the windows stripped! Went to Aloha Glass Tinting here in Gatesville with my sad tale of woe! Truck went in on Thursday.
Received a very sad email notice that a classmate’s husband died suddenly from a stroke. It was so difficult to comprehend – had just spent a couple wonderful days visiting with Judi when I was in Iowa and I could hear her chuckles and laughs when she was talking about things that she and her husband had done.
Appointment for new fingernails on Wednesday. Haven’t seen Chevi since I hit the road – she has her work cut out for her! Nice treat being pampered and visiting with Chevi.
Made a crock pot breakfast. Wouldn't want to serve it to comany, looks kinda messy: hashbrowns, onions, peppers, sausage, cheese with an egg/milk mixture poured all over it and cooked all nite. Really tasty; really ugly in the bowl! Even garnish wouldn't help! But Tinga and I liked it and so did Holly and Li’lBit!
Thursday was window tint day. Had lunch with Brenda, dropped the truck off at Aloha Glass Tinting – Johnnie came by to pick me up – drank coffee at her place until the truck was done. They did a nice job. Tint didn’t seem any lighter to me – but another trip for an inspection would ‘approve!”
While at Johnnie's, I noticed her voters card was blue – hmmmm…mine is orange. Closer look at mine...it expired 2009! Needless to say, when I got home, I started tearing my files and cabinets apart looking for a BLUE voter card. Nothing! Made a note to call Hamilton County Voters office in the AM. Got on line for Sec of State Voters Info -- YES, it shows I was registered -- where's the damn card. Another stumbling block -- but I sure knew I wasn't going to set out this election! The missing card was found in my little strong box with all my insurance papers, birth certificate, social security card, military papers, critters rabies certificates, etc! Guess I knew that little blue card needed some safe keeping! No way a political junky like me was going to set out November 2 mid-term elections! No Way!
Friday 29th down to 39 degrees. Space heater going, hoodie on! Pack up trick or treat goodies for Johnnie’s grandkids and off I go for coffee. Don’t suppose I need to tell anyone that I tend to over-dose on caffeine while I’m here!
The weekend brought Halloween and the Boo-Zaar in Downtown Gatesville. Since the RV park is only one block from town square and one block from the park where the concert was held, it was not a quite evening! At least they break up the festivities by about 10PM. It is fun to watch the youngsters waddling down the street in their costumes. I often wonder how many of them trip over their costumes, fall, and spill their bag of goodies all over the street!
Tuesday: Truck in by 8AM. As usual, they need the truck for several hours to get everything checked and done. I fill my big thermo-mug, take a good book and wait in waiting area. They have a nice big screen TV and get cable channels. That’s a treat for me!
$450.00 later and the truck is ready for its next trip -- major expense was a storage battery -- the truck was still running on its original battery! Would rather get one here where I know folks than go 'dead' on the road somewhere and really have to pay thru the nose.
Then to the Italian place for shrimp pasta with Brenda and on to Johnnie’s for coffee!
Wednesday AM, off to Waco to pick up oxygen tanks. A trip to Waco also means a stop at a few used books stores and Good Will! Stopped in McGregor at the feed store on the way home. They have a gift shop with some neat stuff. Kinda pricey but really unusual. Picked up a few things for Christmas.
Lee and Mary Jane stopped by for a visit on their way to town. Just love being here and visiting with these folks. They have been friends for so long. I miss them while I’m in Rockport or in Iowa.
Thursday off to Sunbelt RV in Belton for odds and ends of RV replacement stuff. My things to do list is just about complete! WHEW! 88 degrees with a dusty hot breeze. Glad the A/C works! Again lunch with Brenda and coffee with Johnnie – do you see a pattern here?!
Friday, nobody loves me today!!! Brenda bailed on lunch 'cuz her patient load was in Hamilton and Johnnie's not home -- BUMMER! Li'lBit and I will just take a nap!
Went to Copperas Cove and had a really nice lunch with Donna and her son, Robert, on Saturday. German food. I had jagerschnitzel -- great mushroom gravy -- came with red cabbage and a cucumber in sour cream salad. Next time I’m just going to get a plate of spaetzel and gravy to go!!
Meat loaf and pork chops at Johnnie’s on Sunday. She must be able to read my mind! I've had a ‘taste’ for meat loaf for so long and hadn’t made any! And how can an Iowa girl pass up a pork chop! She coated each one lightly with Ranch Salad Dressing mix (the powder) -- then put them in the oven and covered with aluminum foil. Nice flavor and not dry.
Have a new full-time RVer in the park. Single lady,younger than me (aren't most folks!?)-- lots skinnier than me, too! And a really spiffy dresser. She knows Ed & Linda that own the park and I believe she is going to be a semi-permanent resident here.
Monday was do laundry or go naked day! Under a wind warning -- never did get much rain out of the storms that blew the last couple of days. Waco got hit pretty hard and some bad winds south of Fort Worth, but nothing major here.
Tuesday is check the tires on the truck and get my vehicle inspection...didn’t pass the state safety inspection! HUH?? Just had the truck in the shop for its well-baby check up and I cannot pass a safety inspection! New state law about the darkness of the window tint. My driver’s window and front passenger window were too dark! GEEZ! Gotta have the windows stripped! Went to Aloha Glass Tinting here in Gatesville with my sad tale of woe! Truck went in on Thursday.
Received a very sad email notice that a classmate’s husband died suddenly from a stroke. It was so difficult to comprehend – had just spent a couple wonderful days visiting with Judi when I was in Iowa and I could hear her chuckles and laughs when she was talking about things that she and her husband had done.
Appointment for new fingernails on Wednesday. Haven’t seen Chevi since I hit the road – she has her work cut out for her! Nice treat being pampered and visiting with Chevi.
Made a crock pot breakfast. Wouldn't want to serve it to comany, looks kinda messy: hashbrowns, onions, peppers, sausage, cheese with an egg/milk mixture poured all over it and cooked all nite. Really tasty; really ugly in the bowl! Even garnish wouldn't help! But Tinga and I liked it and so did Holly and Li’lBit!
Thursday was window tint day. Had lunch with Brenda, dropped the truck off at Aloha Glass Tinting – Johnnie came by to pick me up – drank coffee at her place until the truck was done. They did a nice job. Tint didn’t seem any lighter to me – but another trip for an inspection would ‘approve!”
While at Johnnie's, I noticed her voters card was blue – hmmmm…mine is orange. Closer look at mine...it expired 2009! Needless to say, when I got home, I started tearing my files and cabinets apart looking for a BLUE voter card. Nothing! Made a note to call Hamilton County Voters office in the AM. Got on line for Sec of State Voters Info -- YES, it shows I was registered -- where's the damn card. Another stumbling block -- but I sure knew I wasn't going to set out this election! The missing card was found in my little strong box with all my insurance papers, birth certificate, social security card, military papers, critters rabies certificates, etc! Guess I knew that little blue card needed some safe keeping! No way a political junky like me was going to set out November 2 mid-term elections! No Way!
Friday 29th down to 39 degrees. Space heater going, hoodie on! Pack up trick or treat goodies for Johnnie’s grandkids and off I go for coffee. Don’t suppose I need to tell anyone that I tend to over-dose on caffeine while I’m here!
The weekend brought Halloween and the Boo-Zaar in Downtown Gatesville. Since the RV park is only one block from town square and one block from the park where the concert was held, it was not a quite evening! At least they break up the festivities by about 10PM. It is fun to watch the youngsters waddling down the street in their costumes. I often wonder how many of them trip over their costumes, fall, and spill their bag of goodies all over the street!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
More Recipes! Some of my favorites for the fall
Fried Apples
6 tart apples, sliced
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 cup bacon drippings
1/4 cup brown Sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of salt
In a large skillet, melt drippings. Spread apples evenly in skillet. Sprinkle lemon juice over apples. Add brown sugar and salt. Cover, cook over low heat for 15 minutes until apples are tender and juicy. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Bratwurst, Apples and Sauerkraut Crock Pot
4 tart apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 3 cups)
1 (27 oz.) can sauerkraut, drained & rinsed
1 lb cooked bratwurst links, halved or cut into bite-size pieces
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp caraway seed
Stir all ingredients together in the crock pot. Add 1/4 c. water. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours. I love this served with potato pancakes.
Harvest Bean Soup
1/2 lb great northern beans
4 oz ham or sausage, cooked
1 potato, chopped – do not peel
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sage, crushed
2 cups milk
3-1/2 cups water
2 carrots, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 tsp crushed oregano
1/4 tsp pepper
Rinse beans. In a Dutch oven combine beans and enough water to
cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour. You can also just cover the beans with water and let soak overnite.
Drain off the water, rinse and return beans to the Dutch oven.
Stir in the 3-1/2 cups water, bite-size pieces of ham or sausage,
chopped carrots, potato, onion, salt, oregano, sage and pepper.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 2 to 2-1/2
hours or till beans are tender, adding more water as needed.
Stir the milk into the bean soup.(take care in adding the milk to the soup…make sure the milk is warm prior to mixing in.) Cook the soup until heated through, stirring occasionally. Salt & pepper to taste.
King Ranch Casserole Crock pot
2 or 3 cooked chicken breasts, cut up. I usually just use left over chicken or canned chicken meat.
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 soup can full of mild Rotel or picante sauce. Use one of your empty soup cans to measure
Small onion chopped fine, optional. May also add chopped green peppers or hot peppers, your preference
Tostito chips, for layering
Shredded cheddar cheese, as much or as little as you like. Velvetta cheese also melts nicely.
Saute onion in a little of the Rotel or picante sauce until tender.
Line the bottom of your crock pot with crushed chips.
Mix all of the other liquid ingredients, both soups and the Rotel or picante sauce.
Layer chips, chicken pieces, sauce mixture, cheese ending with chips on top.
Set crock pot on high if you wish to serve within several hours, if you have
time to let it cook all day, then start out on high and then go to low and serve
when you are ready for dinner. If you want to make this in the oven, use a 9x13 inch
pan and follow the same directions, 400 degree F oven for 30 minutes.
Molasses Baked Beans
1 pkg dried navy beans
4 Tbsp granulated sugar
Dash of salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp powdered mustard
1/2 c molasses
1 (2 to 3 oz.) piece salt pork – I use left over ham or bacon
1 medium peeled whole onion
Soak beans overnight. In AM, drain and replace water. Parboil 10 to 15 minutes (not longer). Place onion in crock pot. Drain beans and put on top of onion. Dissolve salt, pepper, powdered mustard and molasses in 1 1/2 cups of hot water. Pour over beans. Add enough hot water to just cover top of beans. Place salt pork on top. Cover and set crock pot on high. Check every few hours and add water as needed. Cook for approx 6 to 7 hours.
6 tart apples, sliced
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 cup bacon drippings
1/4 cup brown Sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
Dash of nutmeg
Dash of salt
In a large skillet, melt drippings. Spread apples evenly in skillet. Sprinkle lemon juice over apples. Add brown sugar and salt. Cover, cook over low heat for 15 minutes until apples are tender and juicy. Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg.
Bratwurst, Apples and Sauerkraut Crock Pot
4 tart apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 3 cups)
1 (27 oz.) can sauerkraut, drained & rinsed
1 lb cooked bratwurst links, halved or cut into bite-size pieces
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tsp caraway seed
Stir all ingredients together in the crock pot. Add 1/4 c. water. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours. I love this served with potato pancakes.
Harvest Bean Soup
1/2 lb great northern beans
4 oz ham or sausage, cooked
1 potato, chopped – do not peel
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sage, crushed
2 cups milk
3-1/2 cups water
2 carrots, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 tsp crushed oregano
1/4 tsp pepper
Rinse beans. In a Dutch oven combine beans and enough water to
cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
Remove from heat. Cover and let stand for 1 hour. You can also just cover the beans with water and let soak overnite.
Drain off the water, rinse and return beans to the Dutch oven.
Stir in the 3-1/2 cups water, bite-size pieces of ham or sausage,
chopped carrots, potato, onion, salt, oregano, sage and pepper.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 2 to 2-1/2
hours or till beans are tender, adding more water as needed.
Stir the milk into the bean soup.(take care in adding the milk to the soup…make sure the milk is warm prior to mixing in.) Cook the soup until heated through, stirring occasionally. Salt & pepper to taste.
King Ranch Casserole Crock pot
2 or 3 cooked chicken breasts, cut up. I usually just use left over chicken or canned chicken meat.
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 soup can full of mild Rotel or picante sauce. Use one of your empty soup cans to measure
Small onion chopped fine, optional. May also add chopped green peppers or hot peppers, your preference
Tostito chips, for layering
Shredded cheddar cheese, as much or as little as you like. Velvetta cheese also melts nicely.
Saute onion in a little of the Rotel or picante sauce until tender.
Line the bottom of your crock pot with crushed chips.
Mix all of the other liquid ingredients, both soups and the Rotel or picante sauce.
Layer chips, chicken pieces, sauce mixture, cheese ending with chips on top.
Set crock pot on high if you wish to serve within several hours, if you have
time to let it cook all day, then start out on high and then go to low and serve
when you are ready for dinner. If you want to make this in the oven, use a 9x13 inch
pan and follow the same directions, 400 degree F oven for 30 minutes.
Molasses Baked Beans
1 pkg dried navy beans
4 Tbsp granulated sugar
Dash of salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp powdered mustard
1/2 c molasses
1 (2 to 3 oz.) piece salt pork – I use left over ham or bacon
1 medium peeled whole onion
Soak beans overnight. In AM, drain and replace water. Parboil 10 to 15 minutes (not longer). Place onion in crock pot. Drain beans and put on top of onion. Dissolve salt, pepper, powdered mustard and molasses in 1 1/2 cups of hot water. Pour over beans. Add enough hot water to just cover top of beans. Place salt pork on top. Cover and set crock pot on high. Check every few hours and add water as needed. Cook for approx 6 to 7 hours.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
October 2010 - On The Road Again!
Friday October 1 the packing and closing up business got serious! I’m trying to thin out and pack up and my sister wants to go to Kohls and Target in Des Moines. Crazy oxygen tank decided to go empty on me about ½ way thru my money-spending spree! Had a really great supper at the Okoboji Grill http://www.okobojigrill.com/
I will never know how the gas companies know when I'm going to be on the road; diesel was $2.99 That's nearly 50 cents/gal higher than a couple of weeks ago. But the truck's belly is full.
Monday, October 4, On the Road Again! Destination Homewood RV Park, Homewood KS. Arrived mid afternoon...electricity plugged in -- computer is up and running, Li'lBit watered the lawn! Arrival chores completed! Only had one 'accident' - forgot to put a jar of sweet pickles away. Jar rolled from counter to floor -- the waste basket must have stopped it from crashing to the floor! The juice escaped on the kitchen floor and into the carpet at the end of the table -- think it will probably take a good soaking of rug soap when I get to Gatesville -- not going to do anything now -- but did put down a bunch of paper towels to soak it up. Fortunately, it was a small jar -- jar didn't break -- lid just came loose -- didn't even come all the way off, but the pickle juice 'escaped'!
Tuesday I woke to 46 degrees (according to the weatherbug!) -- evidentially I didn't get far enough south! Supposed to get into the 70's in KS and OK and the 80's in TX so at least I'm heading the right direction. Li'lBit's been out to water the lawn -- critters fed; coffee made. Still smells a little like a pickle factory! But the floor in the kitchen wasn't sticky this AM so I must have gotten that part of the floor clean!
Only about 4 hrs to Guthrie.
Pioneer Park in Guthrie OK, my other regular stop. When I went to check in the lady said, "please remember to unplug the electric before you pull out." I must have had a really dumb look on my face and she told me I had pulled the electric post loose. Then I remembered, that the post was loose when I went to plug in on my stop over enroute to Iowa in the spring. I was going to go back up and tell her when the guy next to me said she knew about it and it was OK to use - he steadied the post when I plugged in -- told her that and she shook her head and said she ‘remembered them.’ I remember emailing Bea about how rowdy the crew next to me were with their booze and playing horseshoe, etc. So we talked about that for awhile, then sent me to my site with a map.
When I pulled in the hook-ups were on the 'wrong' side. I pulled into the wrong spot and barely had room to get out around a damn truck parked in front of the RV next to me. The lady from the office came to my rescue - she told me the "second" spot -- so I counted -- drive, one spot, two spots -- pulled in -- OOPS -- that wasn't a drive -- it was the first spot! She talked me thru pulling up, backing up, pulling up, straightening out etc etc etc and I made it. I'm really proud of my maneuvering and her directions -- got me out of a tight space, with a fence in front and a big dually truck parked behind, a tree on one side and a motor home on the other. Of course, when it was all over, I thought I was gonna have a heart attack! I’m sure they will be happy to see me come again! I told her next spring when I make reservations, I'll just tell her I'm her 'problem child' and she'll remember who I am!
Wanted to be on the road by 9AM on Wednesday. Woke to a little fog. It's 6 hours to Gatesville if I don't get hung up anywhere or have to make too many potty stops. Needed fuel and had planned on stopping at the Shell station just at the I-35 on ramp. Not to be…diesel pumps “out of order.” Knew I had enough fuel to make it to Paul’s Valley if I couldn’t find anything else – so On the Road Again!
Eventually found a couple more gas stations that have elevated their awnings over the fuel pumps for RVs! I like to keep a list with me of 'convenient RV friendly easy-on-easy-off' gas stations so I don't have to do a lot of turning and twisting!
However, prior to getting to Pauls Valley, I pulled off the interstate for fuel – not a good exit. Too much business, shopping center, etc. Ended up on a narrow street taking me to a ‘dead end’ parking lot that appeared to be full. Decided I could go around the Waffle house and pull back onto the highway – WRONG! Couldn’t get around the back of the Waffle House – dumpsters lined up blocking the area in the back. So, just like I knew what I was doing, with their parking lot nearly empty, I decided to pull a U-turn right there in the little side lot. About the time I was half-way thru my turn, I saw several faces peering out the front window. I continued to make my turn (thanks to the extended king-pin hitch, I can cut nearly 90 degrees). Once I realized I was going to make it, I rolled down my window, put my arm out and waved at the smiling faces….hoping all the time I wasn’t going pee my pants in the process!
Road construction sucks. Computer monitor and keyboard on the floor when I arrived in Gatesville! At least the CPU and printer were still in place! Gotta love Earthquake Putty! No damage -- everything was wrapped in blankets -- just a MESS -- one of the doors over the computer desk came open -- OOPS! lots of odds and ends to pick up. And, later, found that my trip down thru the ditch and up to the other side of the highway (road construction!!!) ‘dinged’ my sewer pipe and the line from the shower to the main line needed to be replaced. Johnnie’s son Toby came by later and tended to that! Oh, it’s so nice to have friends that can do all of this sort of thing!
I pulled in to Gatesville late afternoon so we (the guys at the park, Buzz & Fred, and the owners, Ed & Linda) decided to unhitch Thursday AM, giving me time to pick up all the mess from the cabinets and giving me time to corral Holly and get her in her carrier. If she isn’t ‘corralled’ she runs under the bed as the slides go out, then I have to ‘jailed’ in there with no way out!
Thursday AM heading to 84 degrees; my ol' body ain't used to THAT!
Ed pointed out that my 30/50 amp 'dog bone' has a 'burned' plug. Will have to watch that, fortunately, I don’t need it here.
Buzz noticed that I have some peeling on the roof -- probably from branches catching or something. Will have that checked when I get to Rockport -- don't need a leaking roof! Lee and Mary Jane stopped by and found a “ding” on the driver’s side of the RV – evidentially the ‘ding’ and the roof damage came with my fancy maneuvering around the trees in Guthrie!
Friday was a ‘do nothing’ day – a day to mess with odds and ends and catch my breath. Brenda brought my mail – that’s always a treat – she saves all of the catalogues and junk mail for when I return!
Called first thing in the AM to get a vet appointment for LI'lBit; they told me to bring her right in! How's that for service! Dr Clay took care of her -- he thinks she is doing "just fine for an old girl!" Gave her a shot and I got some antibiotic spray for where she scratches her butt.
Waco Bird Club met Saturday at Collin Street Bakery on I-35 near Waco. Nice little deli – and I do so love their apricot/pecan fruit cakes – about the only fruit cakes I like! Not cheap, but oh, soooo good! It was great seeing Don and the gang from the bird club. Get to see them and visit about twice a year. It is still a wonderful “fix” for what ails me since I don’t have all of my parrots.
Sunday lunch with Johnnie on the 10th -- frog eye salad and chicken fried steak. Brought home a doggie bag, too. Dairy Queen with Brenda and the girls Sunday afternoon. All is well with the world!
Woke to 66 degrees and humid on Monday -- 40% chance of rain but looks like we will just get the humidity and most of the rain will stay NE of us. Major plan for the day is sorting out all of the mail that Brenda brought. She brought all of the catalogs and magazines she doesn't forward so you know I have to take time to look at all of those! Had some lunch with Brenda at the Mexican restaurant.
Tuesday afternoon tea and cobbler with Sherrel Broam at Swindalls to rehash all the old TDC days! That usually lasts until we get kicked out for the supper crowd!
Wednesday was scheduled as “lunch with Cindy.” Didn’t get home until nearly supper time -- Lunch, my ass! She had planned a 'surprise welcome home' party with a bunch of officers I worked with from the prison -- we are all on Facebook together now. Carol made a really fancy pumpkin cake and her husband, Mark, was there with his camera – what a terrific photographer he is. Johnnie was there, too and she didn't say a damn thing to me -- and she knows how I hate 'surprises!!"
I didn't know I would be treated to one of Carol's fancy decorated cakes -- what a treat! And Thanks to Mark for taking so many wonderful pics of the event. Check out Mark's photography at http://countryimages.smugmug.com/
October 14th Brrrr....hoodie weather -- 47 degrees! Even Holly and Li'lBit find warmth with a friend! Awake and going at 6AM! I couldn't just lay there and smell the brisket in the crockpot cooking any longer! Had to get up and "taste test' it! YUMMY!
Lunch with Brenda and her sister Friday noon at the pasta place. I’m such a social butterfly here! Too many folks to see, too much gossip to catch up on and too many good places to eat!
I will never know how the gas companies know when I'm going to be on the road; diesel was $2.99 That's nearly 50 cents/gal higher than a couple of weeks ago. But the truck's belly is full.
Monday, October 4, On the Road Again! Destination Homewood RV Park, Homewood KS. Arrived mid afternoon...electricity plugged in -- computer is up and running, Li'lBit watered the lawn! Arrival chores completed! Only had one 'accident' - forgot to put a jar of sweet pickles away. Jar rolled from counter to floor -- the waste basket must have stopped it from crashing to the floor! The juice escaped on the kitchen floor and into the carpet at the end of the table -- think it will probably take a good soaking of rug soap when I get to Gatesville -- not going to do anything now -- but did put down a bunch of paper towels to soak it up. Fortunately, it was a small jar -- jar didn't break -- lid just came loose -- didn't even come all the way off, but the pickle juice 'escaped'!
Tuesday I woke to 46 degrees (according to the weatherbug!) -- evidentially I didn't get far enough south! Supposed to get into the 70's in KS and OK and the 80's in TX so at least I'm heading the right direction. Li'lBit's been out to water the lawn -- critters fed; coffee made. Still smells a little like a pickle factory! But the floor in the kitchen wasn't sticky this AM so I must have gotten that part of the floor clean!
Only about 4 hrs to Guthrie.
Pioneer Park in Guthrie OK, my other regular stop. When I went to check in the lady said, "please remember to unplug the electric before you pull out." I must have had a really dumb look on my face and she told me I had pulled the electric post loose. Then I remembered, that the post was loose when I went to plug in on my stop over enroute to Iowa in the spring. I was going to go back up and tell her when the guy next to me said she knew about it and it was OK to use - he steadied the post when I plugged in -- told her that and she shook her head and said she ‘remembered them.’ I remember emailing Bea about how rowdy the crew next to me were with their booze and playing horseshoe, etc. So we talked about that for awhile, then sent me to my site with a map.
When I pulled in the hook-ups were on the 'wrong' side. I pulled into the wrong spot and barely had room to get out around a damn truck parked in front of the RV next to me. The lady from the office came to my rescue - she told me the "second" spot -- so I counted -- drive, one spot, two spots -- pulled in -- OOPS -- that wasn't a drive -- it was the first spot! She talked me thru pulling up, backing up, pulling up, straightening out etc etc etc and I made it. I'm really proud of my maneuvering and her directions -- got me out of a tight space, with a fence in front and a big dually truck parked behind, a tree on one side and a motor home on the other. Of course, when it was all over, I thought I was gonna have a heart attack! I’m sure they will be happy to see me come again! I told her next spring when I make reservations, I'll just tell her I'm her 'problem child' and she'll remember who I am!
Wanted to be on the road by 9AM on Wednesday. Woke to a little fog. It's 6 hours to Gatesville if I don't get hung up anywhere or have to make too many potty stops. Needed fuel and had planned on stopping at the Shell station just at the I-35 on ramp. Not to be…diesel pumps “out of order.” Knew I had enough fuel to make it to Paul’s Valley if I couldn’t find anything else – so On the Road Again!
Eventually found a couple more gas stations that have elevated their awnings over the fuel pumps for RVs! I like to keep a list with me of 'convenient RV friendly easy-on-easy-off' gas stations so I don't have to do a lot of turning and twisting!
However, prior to getting to Pauls Valley, I pulled off the interstate for fuel – not a good exit. Too much business, shopping center, etc. Ended up on a narrow street taking me to a ‘dead end’ parking lot that appeared to be full. Decided I could go around the Waffle house and pull back onto the highway – WRONG! Couldn’t get around the back of the Waffle House – dumpsters lined up blocking the area in the back. So, just like I knew what I was doing, with their parking lot nearly empty, I decided to pull a U-turn right there in the little side lot. About the time I was half-way thru my turn, I saw several faces peering out the front window. I continued to make my turn (thanks to the extended king-pin hitch, I can cut nearly 90 degrees). Once I realized I was going to make it, I rolled down my window, put my arm out and waved at the smiling faces….hoping all the time I wasn’t going pee my pants in the process!
Road construction sucks. Computer monitor and keyboard on the floor when I arrived in Gatesville! At least the CPU and printer were still in place! Gotta love Earthquake Putty! No damage -- everything was wrapped in blankets -- just a MESS -- one of the doors over the computer desk came open -- OOPS! lots of odds and ends to pick up. And, later, found that my trip down thru the ditch and up to the other side of the highway (road construction!!!) ‘dinged’ my sewer pipe and the line from the shower to the main line needed to be replaced. Johnnie’s son Toby came by later and tended to that! Oh, it’s so nice to have friends that can do all of this sort of thing!
I pulled in to Gatesville late afternoon so we (the guys at the park, Buzz & Fred, and the owners, Ed & Linda) decided to unhitch Thursday AM, giving me time to pick up all the mess from the cabinets and giving me time to corral Holly and get her in her carrier. If she isn’t ‘corralled’ she runs under the bed as the slides go out, then I have to ‘jailed’ in there with no way out!
Thursday AM heading to 84 degrees; my ol' body ain't used to THAT!
Ed pointed out that my 30/50 amp 'dog bone' has a 'burned' plug. Will have to watch that, fortunately, I don’t need it here.
Buzz noticed that I have some peeling on the roof -- probably from branches catching or something. Will have that checked when I get to Rockport -- don't need a leaking roof! Lee and Mary Jane stopped by and found a “ding” on the driver’s side of the RV – evidentially the ‘ding’ and the roof damage came with my fancy maneuvering around the trees in Guthrie!
Friday was a ‘do nothing’ day – a day to mess with odds and ends and catch my breath. Brenda brought my mail – that’s always a treat – she saves all of the catalogues and junk mail for when I return!
Called first thing in the AM to get a vet appointment for LI'lBit; they told me to bring her right in! How's that for service! Dr Clay took care of her -- he thinks she is doing "just fine for an old girl!" Gave her a shot and I got some antibiotic spray for where she scratches her butt.
Waco Bird Club met Saturday at Collin Street Bakery on I-35 near Waco. Nice little deli – and I do so love their apricot/pecan fruit cakes – about the only fruit cakes I like! Not cheap, but oh, soooo good! It was great seeing Don and the gang from the bird club. Get to see them and visit about twice a year. It is still a wonderful “fix” for what ails me since I don’t have all of my parrots.
Sunday lunch with Johnnie on the 10th -- frog eye salad and chicken fried steak. Brought home a doggie bag, too. Dairy Queen with Brenda and the girls Sunday afternoon. All is well with the world!
Woke to 66 degrees and humid on Monday -- 40% chance of rain but looks like we will just get the humidity and most of the rain will stay NE of us. Major plan for the day is sorting out all of the mail that Brenda brought. She brought all of the catalogs and magazines she doesn't forward so you know I have to take time to look at all of those! Had some lunch with Brenda at the Mexican restaurant.
Tuesday afternoon tea and cobbler with Sherrel Broam at Swindalls to rehash all the old TDC days! That usually lasts until we get kicked out for the supper crowd!
Wednesday was scheduled as “lunch with Cindy.” Didn’t get home until nearly supper time -- Lunch, my ass! She had planned a 'surprise welcome home' party with a bunch of officers I worked with from the prison -- we are all on Facebook together now. Carol made a really fancy pumpkin cake and her husband, Mark, was there with his camera – what a terrific photographer he is. Johnnie was there, too and she didn't say a damn thing to me -- and she knows how I hate 'surprises!!"
I didn't know I would be treated to one of Carol's fancy decorated cakes -- what a treat! And Thanks to Mark for taking so many wonderful pics of the event. Check out Mark's photography at http://countryimages.smugmug.com/
October 14th Brrrr....hoodie weather -- 47 degrees! Even Holly and Li'lBit find warmth with a friend! Awake and going at 6AM! I couldn't just lay there and smell the brisket in the crockpot cooking any longer! Had to get up and "taste test' it! YUMMY!
Lunch with Brenda and her sister Friday noon at the pasta place. I’m such a social butterfly here! Too many folks to see, too much gossip to catch up on and too many good places to eat!
September Comes to an End.
By the middle of September it looked like I should be in Gatesville the 6th or 7th of October. Randy planned on coming by to hitch me up Sunday afternoon Oct 3 or after work Monday the 4th. I try desperately not to travel on weekends and if I head out too late, I run into the problem of the RV spaces being taken up with hunters. So the first of October seems like a good time to move. The temps were definitely getting cooler and the cooler mornings made excellent sleeping weather but also means it is time to head south.
It’s time to start sorting out, tossing out, packing up and getting ready to hitch up. This has to be the worse part of RVing, made worse by the fact that I'm a pack rat and I've been in one place since the end of May!
On Thursday, Sept 16, I went to the local college for the senior luncheon series. Wish I had known of that sooner! What a delightful event. Nice lunch and interesting speaker. Will definitely have to check into those earlier next summer! After seeing their adult series catalogue, there are several classes and sessions that sound quite interesting.
Friday the 17th I celebrated Constitution Day at That Place in Conrad pigging out on their prime rib – unbelievable! It was great spending time with Kathy & Jim – always enjoy their company and never seem to see them often enough.
The wheel turns, seasons pass and pass again, the circle stays unbroken. Bright Blessings for the Autumnal Equinox, September 22nd. My sister is the one to remember all of the holidays. She had an Autumnal equinox gift for me – festive fall pot holder and pot scrubber and some great candy!
Met Ingrid, Judi, and Sherri for lunch. Not quite knowing what was available as far as cafes/restaurants, we met at the McDonald’s parking lot at the I-80 exit at Williamsburg. We tried to find a 'happy medium' between Sherri in Des Moines and Judi in the Quad Cities. Decided on the restaurant across the highway. Got there at 12:30 and finally decided we needed to leave just before 5 PM! I laughed so hard my cheeks and jaw ached! Judi is funny as can be! I couldn't get over the fact that, with the exception of Ingrid and I, we really didn’t ‘hang together’ much in high school. We have all had a whole bunch of stumbling blocks along the way and we all landed on our feet! Now I can't wait to get back here next summer so we can meet more often!
Prior to leaving town, I emailed my sister with my route and expected time of retur. About the time I was leaving the restaurant, she called to see where I was (of course, I hadn’t told her I’d still be there at 5PM!) She called again about the time I was pulling into my drive. I'm soooo glad I'm here for her so she can have something to worry about!
I really need to find more time for days like this! I'll be back just before Memorial Day next year -- that gives us June, July, August, AND September! Gotta plan on more than one of these! And while making plans for next summer, I didn’t make it to the Bridges of Madison County and still haven’t taken a trip down the White Post Road. Next summer!
I became quite a coupon clipper. Coupon for $3.99 broasted chicken dinner at Haley's Deli is always a ‘clipper!’ And the weekly meat specials at Fareway’s meat market are also keeper coupons.
Little odds and ends of job get done when packing up. As I picked up my Trailer Cash bank, and the bottom fell out and coins went all over, decided it was time to roll them and cash them in. $35 in nickels, dimes and pennies. Then, after I get them rolled, I find that the bank just unrolls them to count them with their magic coin counter! I’ll remember that the next time!
Finally the shepherd hooks came down, potted plants dumped or trimmed back to save and transport and the little wren house cleaned out. I sure did enjoy my wrens. Need to get a taller hook for next year so I can see them from my window without have to stand up and look down to see them! The hooks were dumped at Bea’s house for her to store so I don’t have to cart them back and forth. They only get used in Iowa.
As September wound down and October was rapidly catching up, a professional garbage hauler was becoming a necessity! One of the tote boxes from the truck was nearly full of water so a whole bunch of unnecessary stuff had to be tossed out -- obviously didn't need the stuff anyway since I didn't know what was in there. The trash bags are accumulating both for the dumpster and for Good Will!
It’s time to start sorting out, tossing out, packing up and getting ready to hitch up. This has to be the worse part of RVing, made worse by the fact that I'm a pack rat and I've been in one place since the end of May!
On Thursday, Sept 16, I went to the local college for the senior luncheon series. Wish I had known of that sooner! What a delightful event. Nice lunch and interesting speaker. Will definitely have to check into those earlier next summer! After seeing their adult series catalogue, there are several classes and sessions that sound quite interesting.
Friday the 17th I celebrated Constitution Day at That Place in Conrad pigging out on their prime rib – unbelievable! It was great spending time with Kathy & Jim – always enjoy their company and never seem to see them often enough.
The wheel turns, seasons pass and pass again, the circle stays unbroken. Bright Blessings for the Autumnal Equinox, September 22nd. My sister is the one to remember all of the holidays. She had an Autumnal equinox gift for me – festive fall pot holder and pot scrubber and some great candy!
Met Ingrid, Judi, and Sherri for lunch. Not quite knowing what was available as far as cafes/restaurants, we met at the McDonald’s parking lot at the I-80 exit at Williamsburg. We tried to find a 'happy medium' between Sherri in Des Moines and Judi in the Quad Cities. Decided on the restaurant across the highway. Got there at 12:30 and finally decided we needed to leave just before 5 PM! I laughed so hard my cheeks and jaw ached! Judi is funny as can be! I couldn't get over the fact that, with the exception of Ingrid and I, we really didn’t ‘hang together’ much in high school. We have all had a whole bunch of stumbling blocks along the way and we all landed on our feet! Now I can't wait to get back here next summer so we can meet more often!
Prior to leaving town, I emailed my sister with my route and expected time of retur. About the time I was leaving the restaurant, she called to see where I was (of course, I hadn’t told her I’d still be there at 5PM!) She called again about the time I was pulling into my drive. I'm soooo glad I'm here for her so she can have something to worry about!
I really need to find more time for days like this! I'll be back just before Memorial Day next year -- that gives us June, July, August, AND September! Gotta plan on more than one of these! And while making plans for next summer, I didn’t make it to the Bridges of Madison County and still haven’t taken a trip down the White Post Road. Next summer!
I became quite a coupon clipper. Coupon for $3.99 broasted chicken dinner at Haley's Deli is always a ‘clipper!’ And the weekly meat specials at Fareway’s meat market are also keeper coupons.
Little odds and ends of job get done when packing up. As I picked up my Trailer Cash bank, and the bottom fell out and coins went all over, decided it was time to roll them and cash them in. $35 in nickels, dimes and pennies. Then, after I get them rolled, I find that the bank just unrolls them to count them with their magic coin counter! I’ll remember that the next time!
Finally the shepherd hooks came down, potted plants dumped or trimmed back to save and transport and the little wren house cleaned out. I sure did enjoy my wrens. Need to get a taller hook for next year so I can see them from my window without have to stand up and look down to see them! The hooks were dumped at Bea’s house for her to store so I don’t have to cart them back and forth. They only get used in Iowa.
As September wound down and October was rapidly catching up, a professional garbage hauler was becoming a necessity! One of the tote boxes from the truck was nearly full of water so a whole bunch of unnecessary stuff had to be tossed out -- obviously didn't need the stuff anyway since I didn't know what was in there. The trash bags are accumulating both for the dumpster and for Good Will!
Monday, November 8, 2010
September 1 - 15 - Catchin' Up!
Started September with my normal rounds in Marshalltown – first to get the laundry done, then to Wal Mart for a hair cut and pick up odds and ends on my shopping list, then to Good Will to see if they had anything I couldn't live without -- found a nice quiche pan…no, I don’t make quiche often but it’s a nice pan! Then off to Fareway to pick up their meat department specials. Wednesday nite was fried chicken nite at Culvers with my sister and her friend Marilyn.
The baby wrens fledged. Had 5 itsy bitsy wren-like birds in my bird feeder. I didn't think they had that many babies -- need to refill the feeder.
Friends stopped by on Saturday and visited the Big Tree House. Always love a good visit!
The vast variety of pollens in Iowa this fall (things evidentially grew quite well with all the spring rains!) have knocked me for a loop! Have spent a few days in bed thinking I was dying and almost wishing I would! Well, not QUITE that bad, but I didn't do much other than let Lil'Bit out to do her thing, feed and water the critters and crawl back to bed with my oxygen and my laptop.
I'll have to admit, I kinda 'baby' myself. I don't have to get up, get dressed and get going anywhere, so I tend to the morning chores for the critters, get the coffee pot going and head right back to bed with my bottles of pills!
Glad I stocked up on soup mixes while I was in Kalona awhile back. It is a lot easier 'just adding water' to their mixes than making my own! Planned on heading back to pick up some more before I move back to TX next month.
Sunday Sept 6th my coffee pot DIED! Oh, No! Glad I still have the old percolator for the stove! I don't quite have the energy to go into town and look for another right now. If my crock pot dies, I'm really in trouble and I'll find the energy!
I've been cleared by the eye doc. Went to WalMart to pick up the Rx. One of my eye drops is up to $85 - thank God for insurance!! Actually, when I got home and compared it to my last bottle, it's a 10 ml bottle instead of 5 ml so the price increase isn’t quite so bad!
Bea came by with some friends and took one of my recliners; I certainly didn’t need THREE! Rearranged the living area, moved the bird cage and the pub table. It’s amazing how much more ‘open’ the room feels with the bird cage out of the center!
The baby wrens fledged. Had 5 itsy bitsy wren-like birds in my bird feeder. I didn't think they had that many babies -- need to refill the feeder.
Friends stopped by on Saturday and visited the Big Tree House. Always love a good visit!
The vast variety of pollens in Iowa this fall (things evidentially grew quite well with all the spring rains!) have knocked me for a loop! Have spent a few days in bed thinking I was dying and almost wishing I would! Well, not QUITE that bad, but I didn't do much other than let Lil'Bit out to do her thing, feed and water the critters and crawl back to bed with my oxygen and my laptop.
I'll have to admit, I kinda 'baby' myself. I don't have to get up, get dressed and get going anywhere, so I tend to the morning chores for the critters, get the coffee pot going and head right back to bed with my bottles of pills!
Glad I stocked up on soup mixes while I was in Kalona awhile back. It is a lot easier 'just adding water' to their mixes than making my own! Planned on heading back to pick up some more before I move back to TX next month.
Sunday Sept 6th my coffee pot DIED! Oh, No! Glad I still have the old percolator for the stove! I don't quite have the energy to go into town and look for another right now. If my crock pot dies, I'm really in trouble and I'll find the energy!
I've been cleared by the eye doc. Went to WalMart to pick up the Rx. One of my eye drops is up to $85 - thank God for insurance!! Actually, when I got home and compared it to my last bottle, it's a 10 ml bottle instead of 5 ml so the price increase isn’t quite so bad!
Bea came by with some friends and took one of my recliners; I certainly didn’t need THREE! Rearranged the living area, moved the bird cage and the pub table. It’s amazing how much more ‘open’ the room feels with the bird cage out of the center!
September Recipes
OATMEAL CROCK POT
1 cup steel cut oats
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup dates, chopped
4 cups water
1/2 cup half and half
2 tablespoons honey
Spray inside of slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Combine all ingredients except half and half and honey in the slow cooker, cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours. Stir in half and half and honey, and serve.
If you like more texture in your oatmeal, you can toast the oats before cooking. Place them in a shallow layer on a cookie sheet and toast them at 350 degrees F. for 15-20 minutes, stirring once during cooking time, until oats are a darker gold color. Let cool completely before you combine with the rest of the ingredients in the recipe.
Stir well before serving. 4 servings
BEEF CASSEROLE LAYERED
3 potatoes, peeled and sliced
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup uncooked rice
1 onion, sliced
1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 quart canned tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbs brown sugar
Layer the ingredients as listed, ending with salt and pepper. If desired,
sprinkle with brown sugar.
Bake at 300 degrees for 3 hours.
BEEF AND TOT CASSEROLE
1 pound Ground Beef, lean
1/2 small Onion, minced
1 pound Tater Tots
10 1/2 ounces Cream of anything soup (undiluted) - I prefer cream of celery or mushroom
1 pound Cheddar Cheese, shredded
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Brown ground beef with minced onion in a skillet. Drain off any excess fat, and set aside to cool at least 10 minutes. Once beef is cooled, mix cream of chicken soup into mixture, and place into a greased cake pan or small casserole dish. Cover with frozen Tater Tots. Top with cheese. Bake for 30 - 45 minutes.
EASY SUPPER
2 pounds hamburger
1 small onion
4 cups cooked rice
3 Eggs
Worchester sauce
Brown hamburger and onion until done. Drain off fat. Take cooked rice
and brown in butter until somewhat dried. Combine with hamburger. Push
ingredients to edges of pan and make a open pit in the middle. Add eggs
and scramble them, when they are done, mix all ingredients together.
Add Worchester sauce, salt and pepper to taste. Continue to cook until
hot.
SHRIMP FRIED RICE
Rice – 1-2 C uncooked rice (I prefer brown rice) Prepare rice according to package instructions and set aside
1 small onion or several green onions
1 cup frozen peas
2 TBS soy sauce
4 TBS cooking oil
1 egg (beat in a cup and set aside)
1 cup shrimp or other seafood
2 TBS soy sauce
1-2 slices bacon diced or diced ham
In a wok, or large based pan, heat the oil. Add the onions and diced bacon.
Stir fry over a moderate heat for 2-3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and add the beaten egg. When it has set, break it up
into small pieces and stir.
Increase heat, add the shrimps, stir-fry until shrimp are cooked. (I prepare my shrimp ahead of time and heat for about 2-3 minutes. Add peas and heat until peas are thawed and warm. Add soy sauce and mix well.
Add the cool boiled rice and heat through, stirring constantly. Additional seasonings can be added, your preference.
CHOCOLATE RICE PUDDING (CROCK POT)
4 cups cooked white rice (I use a combination white and brown rice)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa powder
3 T. butter, melted
1 t. vanilla
2 (12-oz.) cans evaporated milk
Cool Whip for topping (optional)
Combine the first 6 ingredients in greased slow cooker. Cover. Cook on low 2 1/2-3 1/2 hours, or until the liquid is absorbed. Serve warm or chilled. Top with Cool Whip.
NOTE: I have used 1 can evaporated milk and 1 can sweetened condensed milk. Decrease sugar if using sweetened condensed milk.
1 cup steel cut oats
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup dates, chopped
4 cups water
1/2 cup half and half
2 tablespoons honey
Spray inside of slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Combine all ingredients except half and half and honey in the slow cooker, cover and cook on LOW for 7 to 8 hours. Stir in half and half and honey, and serve.
If you like more texture in your oatmeal, you can toast the oats before cooking. Place them in a shallow layer on a cookie sheet and toast them at 350 degrees F. for 15-20 minutes, stirring once during cooking time, until oats are a darker gold color. Let cool completely before you combine with the rest of the ingredients in the recipe.
Stir well before serving. 4 servings
BEEF CASSEROLE LAYERED
3 potatoes, peeled and sliced
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup uncooked rice
1 onion, sliced
1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 quart canned tomatoes
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbs brown sugar
Layer the ingredients as listed, ending with salt and pepper. If desired,
sprinkle with brown sugar.
Bake at 300 degrees for 3 hours.
BEEF AND TOT CASSEROLE
1 pound Ground Beef, lean
1/2 small Onion, minced
1 pound Tater Tots
10 1/2 ounces Cream of anything soup (undiluted) - I prefer cream of celery or mushroom
1 pound Cheddar Cheese, shredded
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Brown ground beef with minced onion in a skillet. Drain off any excess fat, and set aside to cool at least 10 minutes. Once beef is cooled, mix cream of chicken soup into mixture, and place into a greased cake pan or small casserole dish. Cover with frozen Tater Tots. Top with cheese. Bake for 30 - 45 minutes.
EASY SUPPER
2 pounds hamburger
1 small onion
4 cups cooked rice
3 Eggs
Worchester sauce
Brown hamburger and onion until done. Drain off fat. Take cooked rice
and brown in butter until somewhat dried. Combine with hamburger. Push
ingredients to edges of pan and make a open pit in the middle. Add eggs
and scramble them, when they are done, mix all ingredients together.
Add Worchester sauce, salt and pepper to taste. Continue to cook until
hot.
SHRIMP FRIED RICE
Rice – 1-2 C uncooked rice (I prefer brown rice) Prepare rice according to package instructions and set aside
1 small onion or several green onions
1 cup frozen peas
2 TBS soy sauce
4 TBS cooking oil
1 egg (beat in a cup and set aside)
1 cup shrimp or other seafood
2 TBS soy sauce
1-2 slices bacon diced or diced ham
In a wok, or large based pan, heat the oil. Add the onions and diced bacon.
Stir fry over a moderate heat for 2-3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and add the beaten egg. When it has set, break it up
into small pieces and stir.
Increase heat, add the shrimps, stir-fry until shrimp are cooked. (I prepare my shrimp ahead of time and heat for about 2-3 minutes. Add peas and heat until peas are thawed and warm. Add soy sauce and mix well.
Add the cool boiled rice and heat through, stirring constantly. Additional seasonings can be added, your preference.
CHOCOLATE RICE PUDDING (CROCK POT)
4 cups cooked white rice (I use a combination white and brown rice)
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa powder
3 T. butter, melted
1 t. vanilla
2 (12-oz.) cans evaporated milk
Cool Whip for topping (optional)
Combine the first 6 ingredients in greased slow cooker. Cover. Cook on low 2 1/2-3 1/2 hours, or until the liquid is absorbed. Serve warm or chilled. Top with Cool Whip.
NOTE: I have used 1 can evaporated milk and 1 can sweetened condensed milk. Decrease sugar if using sweetened condensed milk.
WOW! Have I been BAD!
Way behind – so here’s the “Cliff Note” version of the end of August.
The truck went in to get the dings taken out – the body shop in Marshalltown did a terrific job! They had the vehicle less than a week, so I can’t complain about a thing! In fact, I asked them, while they were buffing and painting, the take out the scrapes I put in trying to go through a drive thru too narrow for my dually (my expense, not the insurance co’s!) They did a terrific job.
The weather in Iowa wasn’t too bad – ‘hoodie’ weather in the AM, warmer in the afternoon, but still had to battle the skeeters! Judy was fogging and/or spraying every couple of days and the skeeters still seemed to win – seemed like skeeters on steroids! It was really nice, however, that she came by, when trying a new spray, to show me the ingredients and warnings to see if it would bother Tinga. Don’t get service like that everywhere!
Did manage to fall coming out of the RV on morning – steps were damp from dew and I really ‘torqued’ my knee. Guess I’ll try anything to have an excuse to be lazy.
Why can't RVs have anything NORMAL size! Needed to get new sheets for the bed -- well, it isn't queen size and it isn't king size -- it is king-size WIDE and queen size LONG...GEEZ! Spent a couple of days running about trying to find a fitted sheet for the RV mattress. Finally bought a king size and made it fit!! Really didn’t need to be crawling about on the bed on my knees trying to get that crazy sheet on – still hadn’t recovered from the not-so-graceful move going down the steps – set the knee back a couple of days!
My coffee pot says "4 cups" right on the pot. Why can I only get TWO cups of coffee out of it? One of life's great mysteries!!
The very worse part of living in an RV park -- when the weather is nice, the windows are open and people down the way are grilling STEAKS!
Most things went on as usual: Sunday Brunch with Bea; yummy fish from the "over 55' menut at Perkins and fried chicken nite at Culvers!
August ended with a thunder boomer and winds that made me think spring was coming back! Need to start thinking about packing up and heading south!
The truck went in to get the dings taken out – the body shop in Marshalltown did a terrific job! They had the vehicle less than a week, so I can’t complain about a thing! In fact, I asked them, while they were buffing and painting, the take out the scrapes I put in trying to go through a drive thru too narrow for my dually (my expense, not the insurance co’s!) They did a terrific job.
The weather in Iowa wasn’t too bad – ‘hoodie’ weather in the AM, warmer in the afternoon, but still had to battle the skeeters! Judy was fogging and/or spraying every couple of days and the skeeters still seemed to win – seemed like skeeters on steroids! It was really nice, however, that she came by, when trying a new spray, to show me the ingredients and warnings to see if it would bother Tinga. Don’t get service like that everywhere!
Did manage to fall coming out of the RV on morning – steps were damp from dew and I really ‘torqued’ my knee. Guess I’ll try anything to have an excuse to be lazy.
Why can't RVs have anything NORMAL size! Needed to get new sheets for the bed -- well, it isn't queen size and it isn't king size -- it is king-size WIDE and queen size LONG...GEEZ! Spent a couple of days running about trying to find a fitted sheet for the RV mattress. Finally bought a king size and made it fit!! Really didn’t need to be crawling about on the bed on my knees trying to get that crazy sheet on – still hadn’t recovered from the not-so-graceful move going down the steps – set the knee back a couple of days!
My coffee pot says "4 cups" right on the pot. Why can I only get TWO cups of coffee out of it? One of life's great mysteries!!
The very worse part of living in an RV park -- when the weather is nice, the windows are open and people down the way are grilling STEAKS!
Most things went on as usual: Sunday Brunch with Bea; yummy fish from the "over 55' menut at Perkins and fried chicken nite at Culvers!
August ended with a thunder boomer and winds that made me think spring was coming back! Need to start thinking about packing up and heading south!
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