Island Park Retreat

My favorite view from the boat house.

 One calm bull moose!

 This was where I spent every evening and morning; talk about peaceful and gorgeous!!

 The cabin we stayed in.

I have always been fond of pines and rivers.  This weekend was spent in Island Park with healthy doses of both!  I was given the opportunity to stay in a cabin with a mid-singles group.  We floated the river, hiked, played games, enjoyed savory dutch oven meals, stayed up too late, and had a blast!!
The clean air and fresh smells were intoxicating!
   

Pioneers!

In a sense, I suppose we are all pioneers of a sort.  This day brings a flood of memories to my mind.  I have read many inspiring stories of the groups of people and individuals who believed and wanted something so much they sacrificed their lives to obtain it.  Freedom from oppression and from those who would strive to take away the rights this great country allows, was what required these brave folks to attempt what they did.  I am in awe of their bravery and all they endured.
It helps put life in perspective to hear of some of their trials and hardships.  We sometimes complain if we are in a place where we can't get cell phone service or if traffic is backed up!  We have and enjoy so many modern conveniences, and we really don't know what life would be without them.

On this day, I am thankful for the simple things life has to offer; things such as toilet paper, toothpaste, refrigerators, microwaves, hot water, comfortable and quick modes of transportation, and last but not least, a soft mattress.
When we do not have to work hard or fight for something, we frequently take those things for granted.  I hope you appreciate those who have come before and fought or sacrificed in some way to make your life what it is today; whether that person is a pioneer, a veteran, or simply your parents; I do hope you take a moment to reflect and feel gratitude for what you do have.

I have been through some experiences as of late that have changed my outlook on life. I have come to the realization that life is very fragile and can change in a single day or moment.  Never compare what you have to that of someone else.  Always be grateful for each moment you are alive.  Never take for granted the rich blessings of life.

Despite the difficulties and challenges we face, we truly do live lives filled with riches.

 

Brothers are the best!

Life can be difficult at times.  One thing that always keeps me encouraged is the fact that I have four amazing brothers!  They are all such good men; they always keep their word, they all know how to work hard without complaint, they are excellent husbands and fathers; they are honest, true, kind, brave, protective, generous, selfless, and honorable gentlemen.

I am not often able to spend a lot of time with my two oldest brothers.  They live further away and the opportunity to see them is not as frequent as I would like.

I was able to spend some time with my two younger brothers and their awesome families last night.  One of them manages the Coldwater Ranch and invited us up to a BBQ.  The food was fantastic!  The company was superb!  We met so many new awesome friends.  The decorations were darling!  My sister-in-laws are all very talented women!
My niece, daughter, and I were able to sneak away for an evening ride.  It was a perfect evening!  The horses we rode are named, Applesauce, Caramel, and Z.

We had a lovely time.  Here are some photos of our ride.

 Perfect ending for a difficult day!

Birthday Celebrations

We celebrated my only sister's 30th birthday today.  I remember the day she was born and how my wishes for a sister were finally realized.  She had a head full of black curly hair and she was absolutely darling(still is)!
I remember her first word was, "goose".  She is still fond of fowls of all varieties.  We took her on a picnic and to feed the ducks; followed by tossing a penny from a bridge for a wish come true.
My sister does not seem any older to me and is just another year wise.  She has learned so much this past year and always amazes me with her talents.  She has taught herself to knit, grown her first garden, and acquired her first chickens and geese.
Here are some pictures of this day she was so generous to share with us.

Bounteous Blessings

Apricots Galore!!  I have a beautiful apricot tree with so many gorgeous apricots on it!!  I have been picking them all morning and it is still loaded; not to mention the box we previously picked for my Mom.

I love to juice them and am going to try making apricot syrup this year.

I think I will make some apricot leather as well.
Eating them fresh is by far my favorite of course; too bad they don't last that way for long.
Hope you are enjoying your Summer!  It has flown by for me and I wish I could pause time.

Soft Caramel

I was stuck inside yesterday as the insulation guys were here filling my attic and sloped areas to hopefully help with the extreme heat my upstairs holds.

My daughter and I decided to try our hand at caramel apples; seeing how we have a Summer apple tree in our yard.

I pulled out my favorite caramel recipe that I generally only make at Christmas time.  It is such a nice easy recipe and caramel connoisseurs tell me is by far their favorite.

It was so hot, the caramel did not want to stick to the apples; we ended up eating both the apples and caramel in pieces together.  It was delicious.
As with all caramel recipes, you need a heavy saucepan.  Medium heat is also required so as not to burn them.  Constant stirring is helpful as well as a good candy thermometer; although the cold water test works fairly well with caramels.

Caramels

1 C. butter

1 C. sugar

1 C. brown sugar

1 C. corn syrup

1 can sweetened condensed milk

dash of salt

Combine ingredients in heavy pan.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly.  Keep at a rolling boil and cook until a soft ball forms in cold water or to the 'thread' marking on your candy thermometer.  Pour into buttered 8x8 pan.  Dip apples while still warm or cool and cut into squares and wrap pieces in wax paper.

Collections (including dust)

I am stuck inside all day!  I shouldn't complain as it is due to my own procrastination.  I am required to speak in church tomorrow and left the preparation for today.  I have been working furiously and my talk is finally all put together.
I have needed a few diversions and decided to create an 'album' if you will, of a few of my collections...or rather collecting habits.  I have some very cherished antiques and am crazy about them; mind you, they are just things; people are far more cherished and important to me!  Alas, seeing how I don't have anyone with me today aside from the kitten, I decided to snap a few photographs of a few of my favorite things instead.  Guess I could snap some photos of the kitten, but am currently upset with her for her constant interruptions and clawings at my legs and fingers as I attempt to type.  Not to mention the sharp teeth and scrambling over my keyboard causing havoc with my work or  making something go haywire.  I have three words for her; cute, mischievous, and, curious.  Wait, this post was not supposed to be about her.  On to my dirty old habits.  
Part of my crock collection adorning the shelves in my living room.

This is my favorite shelf holding some pewter.  

An adorable china hutch containing my butter and salt crock collection.

One of my favorite benches.

Can't have enough pewter.  I love this stuff!

Last but not least is an old wind up clock I stole purchased for twenty bucks!  

Crazy quilting

As you know by now, I am not a huge fan of hand sewing.  I have been working on this crazy quilt for my daughter for a very long time.  I really enjoyed piecing it together and do love the finished product of a hand stitched seam.  I figured I had better create a post with a few of the squares and tell you I will post pictures of it completed within the year so I have a deadline for myself.  It is a great project I can grab and take with me when I go somewhere that involves some sitting down time.
I have learned a ton of embroidery stitches, some Russian punch needle, and have meddled in ribbon embroidery as well.  I like the crazy quilt because it is an old style of quilt traditionally done in dark colors.  I chose pastels just to be different and have liked how it is turning out.  The texture and busyness of the quilt are fascinating to me.  I even placed an embroidered spider on one square in keeping with tradition and good fortune.

Independence Day

The fourth of July is fast approaching and I took a few minutes today to put out some festive decorations.  Pillows are fun and easy to make; plus they add color and interest to a room.  I hooked one of these pillows with burlap and wool yarn, two of them were made by my Mom and two were purchased for a few dollars on an after the holiday clearance sale.
They adorn an antique European bench in my dining room.
Here is to hoping you have an excellent Holiday and spend time with loved ones doing the things you enjoy!

Chocolate Cookie Bars

These bars are good.  I personally think they would be better with semi-sweet chocolate chips or even butterscotch chips.  I used milk chocolate and am going to try something new next time.  Problem is, I love trying new recipes and am unsure if I will ever make these again!  So, if you happen to try them and use a different kind of chip, would you let me know how they turn out?  Thanks a bunch!

Chocolate chip bars

3/4 C. butter

1 cup brown sugar

½ cup sugar

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

1 teaspoons vanilla 

2 cups and 2 tbsp flour

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking soda

2 cups chocolate chips 

Melt butter in a large mixing bowl and stir in the brown sugar. Mix in the egg, egg yolk and vanilla. Add flour, salt and soda and gently mix until almost combined. Add choc chops and stir in until just combined.  

Spread mixture into greased 9 x 13-inch baking pan.

Bake at 325* for 30 minutes.

Cool and cut into small squares or rectangles in the pan.

Lasagna

I enjoy a very tasty lasagna.  This one has spinach and ricotta cheese.  I have combined several recipes into one.  Some lasagna recipes are much better the next day; that is not true of this one!  It is sooooo good!  My finicky kids even eat it and do not complain about the spinach.  Just get 'em to try one bite and they will gobble it up.

Marnie's Lasagna

2 pounds ground beef
1 cup frozen spinach
1 tsp. garlic, minced
2 cans or 1 quart of bottled whole tomatoes
2 cans tomato paste
2 Tablespoons dried parsley
2 Tablespoons dried basil
2 cups ricotta cheese
1 cup cottage cheese
2 beaten eggs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 Tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1 pound sliced mozzarella cheese
1 package lasagna noodles cooked according to package directions


In a large skillet or saucepan, combine ground beef, spinach and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat until browned. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, and basil.  Simmer for 45 minutes
Combine ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, eggs, Parmesan, parsley, and salt. 
Arrange 3 lasagna noodles in the bottom of a baking pan. Spoon 1/3 of the cottage cheese mixture over the noodles. Spread evenly. Cover cottage cheese with a layer of sliced mozzarella cheese. Spoon 1/3 of the meat mixture over the top.
Repeat, ending with meat mixture. Sprinkle top generously with Parmesan.
Bake at 350* for 30 minutes.

Creamed peas, carrots, and potatoes

My neighbor is such an awesome gardener!  He planted his peas in February!  He let us come over this morning to pick them.  There is little that compares to that of a freshly morning picked pea!  He also gave us some carrots that are incredible; they are already about 7 inches long and have an amazing flavor!  Yum.  So, for breakfast, I ate shelled peas and a raw carrot.  Now it is lunch time and I couldn't resist making new peas and potatoes.  My kids absolutely LOVE this dish.  My Grandma used to make this quite frequently when we would pay her a visit in the summertime; she is an avid gardener as well.  My Dad grows a beautiful tasty garden too.  I have grown a garden every year but this one; moving to a new place with a very overgrown yard has been fun, but it will take me all year to get it ready for a garden.

Creamed Peas, Carrots, and Potatoes
1 pound small red potatoes
2-1/2 cups  shelled peas
2 cups carrots
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 green onion, sliced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash pepper
2 cups 2% milk


Directions
Scrub and quarter potatoes.  Peel and slice carrots; place in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add peas; cook 3 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender.
Meanwhile, in another large saucepan, melt butter. Add onion; saute until tender. Stir in the flour, salt and pepper until blended; gradually add milk. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Drain potatoes, carrots and peas; toss with sauce. 

Here is my lunch!  Delish!

Frosted Banana Bars!

I made these tonight for a pot luck.  They were all devoured within minutes!  I tried a new frosting for them and absolutely loved it.  They normally require a cream cheese frosting and it is a little too much at times...as cream cheese frosting can be.  This new frosting does not overwhelm and is light and fluffy and perfect....wish more things in my life were this way!

Banana Bars

1/2 C. butter

2 C. sugar

3 eggs

1 and 1/2 C. mashed ripe bananas

1 tsp. vanilla

2 C. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

Cream butter and sugar.  Beat in eggs, vanilla, and bananas.  Add flour and baking soda.  Pour into a greased 15X10X1 pan and bake at 350* for 25 minutes or use the toothpick test.

Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

1 C. white sugar

1/8 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 C. heavy whipping cream

In a small bowl beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form; set aside.

In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, salt and vanilla. Beat until smooth, then fold in whipped cream.

Yeah, I realize the photo is blurry...but by the time I had, they were all gone!

Peanut Butter Cookies

Peanut butter cookies are one of my favorites.  The only problem I have found is that they are generally only good on the day you make them.  This recipe is probably not my favorite PB cookie recipe, but they are still soft the next day and the next and the next.

As you can see, I have put large chocolate chips on top; you may omit this step or use Hersheys kisses instead.  I have even frosted my PB cookies with chocolate frosting before and that is fabulous as well.
When you are finished baking these, pour yourself a tall glass of milk as is required for indulging in peanut butter cookies!

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 C. butter

1 C. peanut butter

1 C. sugar

1 C. brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

Cream above ingredients together and then add dry ingredients listed below.

2 1/2 C. flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

Roll in sugar and bake on ungreased baking sheets at 370* for 10 minutes.  I flatten mine a bit before baking.  If you are placing chocolate on top, do so before they cool.

White Bread

When my daughter was little, she disliked stone ground whole wheat bread....so I made her a deal and told her if she would eat it, I would alternately make whole wheat and white bread.  It only took a couple of years before she learned to like whole wheat and I no longer had to make white.  

I was in the mood to make white bread yesterday.  I made a phone call to my trusty recipe source (aka, Mom) and she shared this recipe that she got from my sister in law.  It was easy and turned out to be delicious!

White Bread

5 C. hot water

3 Tblsp. yeast

2/3 C. oil

2/3 C. honey

1 1/2 Tblsp. salt

1/2 C. powdered milk

13 C. flour

Combine and knead in mixer for 8 minutes.  Let rise for 20 minutes.  Divide into 5 balls and shape into loaves.  Place in greased pans.  Let rise till doubled.  Bake at 350* for 30 minutes.

Enjoy sliced warm smothered in butter and honey.