First snow fall

We were blessed with beautiful snow last night and it is still on even with the sun out. This scene drives me right to the kitchen.  It is a hot dog and baked bean slow oven bake today with puff pastry cherry hand pies.  Trader Joe's has puff pastry right now and that usually disappears before it suppose to.  The shipment is supposed to get us through the holidays, but it never does.  It is snapped up pronto.  This year it does not come in a pizza box-like container.  It is in rolls like the Pillsbury refrigerated pie dough. And, it is really good.  I should have bought several boxes, but I wanted to try it first.  It will probably be gone by the time I get back.

Beth and I were out running around last night in the middle of the beginning snowstorm.  Talbots was having a great sale and we could not resist. We had to rush because we could see that the storm coupled with evening traffic would be a problem. Beth, however, is a skillful driver and we made it safe and sound sweater in hand and a blouse on order...30% off mind you. The fridge was full so when we got home Andy was settled in with my new Mac & Cheese invention or concoction as he calls it. (It has all kinds of pureed vegetables in the mac & cheese mixture...cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, celery, well, you get the idea.)

I am thinking what to pack for New Orleans.  Like Columbus it usually has four seasons packed into one day. I'll figure it out.  I am so looking forward to seeing our Adam on this trip.  I miss his sweet face and kind personality. He is doing so well in his new profession.

Have fun today.

British baking

Have you watched the Great British Baking Show on public television and now several episodes are on Netflix? I find it so calming and interesting.  On many many trips to London and the countryside, I felt that the British baking was exceptional in its simplicity and also in its indulgent stages as well. This television gives you an eye-opening view of every aspect of baking. While buying antiques was my main goal in England, I managed to visit many countryside bakeshops.  I also liked the raisin buns found in the larger tube stations.  It was perfect with a puddle of cream cheese concoction to welcome the raisins and the pastry. So perfect at the end of a great shopping day  Their bakery sticky cakes and loaves were wonderful as well.

Well, now I am cranky about the stupid programming of Public Broadcasting.  'They' have managed to screw up the perfect line up on Sunday nights by their scattered and frantic money whining and lack of attention to the series that they start to present and then suddenly hide.  Last night I was making up cuss words! Starting at 6:00 they are running Victoria which I am watching AGAIN.  Then they started running The Forsyth Saga only to abandon it , again, for another show that ended the week before...and the money plea. I did not like Jamestown at all, but that might have been because of the fits and starts  of their Sunday night line-up. Poldark, which is great, managed to get through their last or next to the last episode ever without being interrupted by another rerun or a plea for money. They need to get organized! They need a new program organizer scheduler or whatever; just get a grip or I may have to start watching CNN...save me.

Busy Saturday

We were up and about early this morning.  Andy had to start layering his attire for the OSU game that he and his brother, Jimmy, were going to.  As they went out the door at 8:00 this morning they look like a couple of Michelin men waddling down the driveway.  I, on the other hand, was preparing chicken and noodles for their return late today.  There is a lot going on at OSU and they are staying for it all.

Mike and I have an adventure of our own.  Madeleine is having a ballet lesson today followed by tumbling instructions which includes walking on a narrow beam.  (Mike is buying her one so she can practice balance.) I am taking pictures.  It is exciting for us for some strange reason. Her baby sister is coming as well as her mother and father.  It's her own backstage groupies.

It's cold in Ohio today but it can be worse.

Care package

Monica and crew come to clean today and then we have treated Matt and Stacy to cleaners because of two small children and their hectic life style at the moment.  So Monica comes here and I then load her down with a box of goodies for Matt and Stacy to get them through the week without having to cook,...or clean.  Today, the box is filled with three soups: Cincinnati chili, mushroom, and spicy vegetable (soups). There is also a container of Rice Krispie treats.

I do love a clean house and a fresh bed.  I look forward to Monica's day which is Wednesday.  I find I like Wednesday better than Friday, unless there is to be a party.  Wednesday one gets to enjoy the clean a lot longer than a Friday clean because of all the traffic in and out during the weekend.

Well, the deer spent the day and early evening in our backyard yesterday.  The neighbors noticed and said they have taken up residency.  I can only hope they are mistaken although I did see them eyeing the last fruit tree yesterday.  They like the secret garden too for some reason.  I think it is the hostas that they enjoy--their form of salad.

Jimmy, Andy's brother, is coming up Saturday and he and Andy are going to the OSU game.  It's to be in the forties. Yiikes.  Glad I am not expected to attend. They start off at the band show (inside) which Andy adores.  Then they move to very good seats in the Horseshoe. Andy has had tickets for decades and shares the season with relatives from Cincinnati.

Well, it's mid-week and mid-day.  I hope you enjoy the sunshine. (Still have not found a gripper to read.  Reacher is now on my last nerve.)

Seafood in New Orleans

Two of my grandsons will be joining us in New Orleans and while the rest of the family go to a birthday party in Mississippi Nate, Adam, and I are going out for dinner at this great seafood place that Alyssa and Josh took us to last time.  It is called Boil Seafood House on Magazine Street. I did not get my fill of seafood in Italy which was disappointing.  I was all set for dinner after dinner of seafood. The truth is that tour food is not always the best offerings of a destination that has an influx of tourists a great part of the year. (We made up for that in fun.)

I am a cooking machine of late.  Besides the Chicken pot pies, Which are gone, by the way, I made mushroom soup today. I have to slow down we can't eat that much food yet I cook on.

I can no longer struggle through The Queen's Gambit so I traded it in on Lee Child's newest book. It is not bad, not as good as a load of his other books, but it is keeping my attention.

We voted today.  The process has really tightened up.  There are several steps to go through now so it does not seem that there could be any cheating afoot. Identification was required and I think that is a good thing.  The identification was scanned into the computer and then it is hard to tell where it will go. Anyway, it seemed very secure.

Have you watched the series Poldark?  It is on public television on Sunday nights.  You can view it on Amazon Prime.  Do start with series one it makes it even more interesting.  I think there are six seasons and this current one is sadly the last.  I really recommend this.

Andy is off to class.  He is still going to The Ohio State for his classes.  It keeps him alert and happy. The deer are all over the property today. Three in the backyard and one at the driveway gate wanting through that way.  The dogs scared them off.  If the deer had seen the dogs it would have laughed...a Yorkie and a Jack Russell, not much muscle power.

Chicken pot pie

Rotisserie chickens are a boost for cooks in America...and France, I know that for a fact.  I am making chicken pot pie with one today and also simmering the bones etc. for homemade chicken broth.  It's a good time to get everything out of the fridge that needs using and the result is delicious.  I mentioned France; the guys set the rotisserie out on the street close to the building and below the chickens (as they turn) are small potatoes.  The chicken juice drips on the potatoes and the aroma as you pass by is heavenly... they can then be bought with the chicken or without. I put this suggestion in Sam's suggestion box, but they didn't pay any attention to it, so, their loss and ours. (Sam's rotisserie chickens are the best in town.)

Andy's off to his daily trip to the store.  He loves Kroger stores.  He goes to one that is a little dodgy. I don't go there since Mike told me he was in line to pay and behind him was a guy with a python around his neck. Andy Stops at Tim Hortons and brings my treat for the day, an iced cappuccino (dark).  Tim Hortons makes the best!

I am sorting clothes this afternoon after I complete the chicken pot pie...I am making one for Stacy and Matt too. My closet is bursting with shoes and clothes, so I am going to bag some for donation.

Have a great week.  Life is good, don't you think? By the way, welcome back readers, I thought I had lost you due to my three-week absence.

Individual pot pies waiting for their crusts in French covered pots.

Pumpkin pancakes

This is birthday week for Beth, our daughter-in-law, so to start it off we took her to the original pancake house.  Everyone had decided the same thing and the wait was to be 50 minutes, but it turned out to be only 35 minutes and they had a nice fire going for those who had to wait.  I ordered pumpkin pancakes and were they delicious.  But, the best things only got better.  The coffee was the best I have ever tasted and the carafe of freshly squeezed orange juice kept our glasses full. Mike had hash with German-style potato patties. We all had something different and passed tastes around.  We were not rushed even though people still waited to get in and by the time we had finished there was no line. I think they close at about 2:30 in the afternoon.

I look forward to 6:00, my good TV starts with Victoria and the good shows on public television run on until 11:00 or maybe later. Sunday night is a good TV night.

Mike has treated Beth to a four-day (birthday) retreat and conference starting Wednesday or Thursday, not sure which. After the wedding in Italy and the travel she can use some down time.

All is well here at Many Branches as I look forward to Thanksgiving in New Orleans and the family down there.  It turns out it will be a big delicious affair with, hopefully, onion pie.

Fish chowder

I do love to cook when it is cool to cold like it is today.  We are in for a cold snap and the leaves are still pelting us.  But, I am snug in my kitchen cooking two soups for us and for Stacy (the new mom) and Matt, her husband, because they are busy with the two little ones and it gets a bit overwhelming. They have recovered from Halloween but today was Madeleine's first dance and tumbling (figure that out) class.  So Mike and Beth, Stacy and the new baby and Matt took her to the first class.  I hear it was adorable but I have not received any art on the subject yet.  I wanted to go but there was already a big contingency. Maybe next Saturday.  She was, of course, adorable.

I am dragging my way through the book I told you about. The Queen's Gambit. It has gotten dull and I am just 60 % through it. I am on the search for a "can't put it down" book.  I have not had one of those in years.

I am looking forward to Sunday night public broadcasting television starting at 6:00 with Victoria, then the Forsyth (something), I have seen it before and it is good. Then Poldark which is great and the final season,  and one other that I can't bring to mind now, but it will keep me awake until midnight with that line up.

I hope your Saturday is a good one.

Blah

It is an official dreary day here in Ohio.  Sloppy actually. We need the rain but enough already. I do, however, like to cook on days like this so my mind is churning about the main dish that can be eaten by several people at their convenience.  I am sure Mike and Beth will head for Madeleine and Mckenna's house late this afternoon so I like sending a dish to relieve the new mother of cooking for a day or two. Maybe a baked pasta dish would do the trick....ahhh, trick or treat ugh.  I forgot this is the night. Well, I am not going for sure now that I realized what night it will be.

I just did a AAA survey about our two-week trip. Well, they asked for it.  We three made the trip great and special no thanks to the AAA planning agent in Gainsville, Florida.  I hate it when people bring their personal problems into the work place to burden the customer with their problems; and, his went on for a year.  We had to pry plans out of him. He did get a great Business class plane ride for me going and coming and the wheelchairs were there at the gates right on time, but getting the arrangements out of him was painful and there were other missteps that we three had to rearrange along the way.  For what we paid we should have had much better service from him during the planning stages.  So watch out.

I must make the best of this sloppy day as the dogs traipse in from fun in the mud. So baked pasta it is. That makes me happy.

Thanksgiving in New Orleans

Whenever I think about Thanksgiving away from home I picture Ann's kitchen and the wonderful food coming forth from there.  One dish I never make but always look forward to is onion pie.  Those Battencourt women know how to cook, that's for sure.  The second thing I look forward to is breakfast at the Broken Egg.  Shrimp and grits for breakfast with an over the top Bloody Mary fits my needs very well.  YUM and glug. There are usually thirteen or fourteen for breakfast and the poor waitresses blanch when I say the number.  It is a crowded place and I guess everyone is after the shrimp and grits or the breakfast lobster dish.  Our stay in New Orleans varies and this time it is four days. We arrive on Thanksgiving day which is the best day to travel because most people are already in place.  We leave then on Monday when hopefully everyone is back to work and the skies will be ours for the trip home.  This will conclude my travel for the year and it is a good way to end 2019.

We are completely covered in leaves, as is everyone I should guess.  Now we just give up until all the leaves have fallen and deal with it then, no matter the weather.  I want to get the windows washed inside and out before winter sets in, so that is on the schedule.

I have my winter reading list in hand and have started with The Queen's Gambit.  It is a Tudor trilogy.  Good TV will be starting this month at long last.  Why can't they try out new shows in summer?  Why are we troubled with the same old tripe?  And, why is the Bill Cosby show STILL on? He is in prison and still earning money with reruns. At present, our teeth are rotting just looking at the Food Network--nothing but sweets and tons of chocolate. Then they compound the new shows with those of the past and we are awash in sugar.

I'll hop off my soapbox and sit down to read. Andy has just arrived with my Tim Horton's iced cappuccino.  The 'blue' chair has magically appeared in the kitchen, so I know summer is truly over. I have to get over it.

balsamic vinegar

I have fallen in love with Italian balsamic vinegar.  I bought three small bottles at the vineyard where this brand is made and customs took one of the three.  Why I got away with two as well as all of the hotel toiletries in the same bag is beyond me.  They must have seen exhaustion, hysteria, and urgency in my eyes.

So, when I got home I made and ate a huge salad and put nothing but olive oil, balsamic vinegar salt, and pepper; yes, I ate the whole thing by myself. The balsamic vinegar is a lazy liquid, one must almost shake the open bottle to get the dark shiny droplets to fall from the lip. As I ate the salad I became afraid that I could not get this again if and when I ran out. (At the rate it was going, it would be soon.)  So I got on Amazon and there it was and in the larger bottle as shown in the picture. Why do we carry stuff home from foreign countries when we can get nearly everything right here at home...usually on Amazon.  So easy, free delivery, and quick efficient service.  Love Amazon.

Giuseyne Giusti Modena IGP...This is what I am using.  It is the same thing as I brought home for less money.  Go figure.

It is still warm and sunny here in this part of Ohio.  I can hardly imagine winter in this beautiful long fall season which I can still enjoy even though half of it was spent in Italy.

I correct myself.  I cannot find these bags of miniature pasta on Amazon.  I wish I had bought more of these in Italy.