Changes

I think we have finally found a place for the elevator.  We want to stay at Many Branches for as long as possible, so someday the stairs are going to be an issue.  Chair lifts are handy but ugly so I am dragging my feet about that. We have debated about every foot in this house trying not to bother windows and configurations keeping the house as it has been for eighty-two years having been built the year I was born. Today, I think we found a place that will fit the bill.  Pam, my niece, introduced us to Martin in Cincinnati and he came here a few years ago but we could not agree about where to place it.  Now I want him to come back to give him the job, but I have lost his information.  There is no end to it. I am sure it will work out because there certainly seems to be enough dealers in this field, but I want Martin.

I made deviled eggs today...lots of deviled eggs.  I am one who does not trust eggs, but my family really likes eggs in many forms and especially deviled. So, that is what I did in the food line today.

This week-end Beth and I are going to Walgreens to have pictures made from our phones.  I have eight large albums of pictures so no one can say I have not kept up the family history when it comes to recording events.  I have two just for weddings starting with Andy's parents.  Unfortunately, I have none of my parents getting married. So we will rely on Andy's

Where the Crawdads Sing

I just started this book and it is really good.  My niece told me about it and I got it on Kindle from Amazon...Where the Crawdads Sing.

We are back to slow easy days and that is why I enjoy January and February.  Nothing pressing just days of doing exactly what we want to do.  Except for Posy, everything is good.  She's down again after several weeks of tearing around the house like a new puppy, she is at rest all day today.  She's eating well, however, so that is good news.  She must have wrecked something while running like a nut and jumping like a kangaroo.

Although I am eager to cook, we must finish up several dishes that are in the fridge.  They can't eat fast enough to keep up with my cooking and now some are on diets...again.

Today I took ornaments off of two of the three trees.  It's always sad to see decorations come down but before you know it, you are dragging them out again. The ones I really hate to see go are the porch lights and the outdoor wreaths.  I am going to have them put up earlier next year so we can enjoy them longer.  We were kind of surprised at how fast Christmas came this year and were slow in getting things up. I also want to book a good restaurant for Christmas Eve early this year.  The one they went to (I was sick) was not good this year.  It might be nice to take a beach house for Christmas and have everyone come to the heat and to relax and get away.  I'll think on that too.

Happy 2020 everyone.  I look forward to it.

Yea, a quiet night~

New Year's Eve has never held appeal for me.  People try too hard to have a good time.  I like a nice quiet entrance to a new year and that is how it will be introducing 2020 at Many Branches.

I made a lovely fish stew today and we have nibbled on that and fresh salad all day.  Nothing special, but delicious.

If you are having a wild night, enjoy it to the fullest.  If, like us, you can't wait to get into PJs for a quiet movie night, enjoy that too.  In any case, Happy New Year 2020.

Seafood chowder today

The roast

The 8-pound rib roast is giving pleasure even days later. It was cooked perfectly and this is how I did it:  A week before I intended to cook it, I bought an 8-pound rib roast from Sam's.  It was perfect!.  I cut slits in the fat and buried garlic cloves in the slits along with some fresh herbs, salt, and pepper and then covered it with some olive oil. I  Rubbed it down well and put it in the fridge for a week. On the day I was to roast it, I took it out of the fridge and left it at room temperature for two hours. I preheated the oven to 500 degrees and roasted it for 20 minutes and turned down the heat without opening the oven door and roasted it for 1 12 hours at 325 degrees.  Check it after an hour with a meat thermometer and take it out if it reads 120 degrees. Tent the roast for 20 minutes (no longer) to rest.  When I cut the first slice, I knew it was perfect. A tablespoon of juice was all there was under the roast after resting.  The juices really do stay in with the high-temperature start and the tenting afterward.

Today we have eaten the roast in two different ways. I sliced a portion of it very thinly for Philley cheesesteak rolls.  The scraps from that started a delicious soup and just before serving some very fine slices slipped into position with a lovely soup result.  I still have a nice chunk left for more treats, but that's it so far.

I am feeling really well after my yearly doctor's visit and check-up.  I am still in the top ten of the doctor's healthiest patients. He is head of geriatrics at OSU and a wonder.

Done

Lovely, but glad it is over!  In 15 minutes it will be time to drag it all out again and start over.  Christmas comes faster every year and while I love it, I wish there were a few more months of not having to think about it at all. 

I am doing that rib roast right now.  The schedule that was planned did not work out for anyone, so there the rib roast was staring at me with chagrin.  I snarled back because the curse of the cough once again threw me against the wall during this very merry time of year. It has long worn out its welcome and I am debating what to do to avoid it again.  It is on me before I know what is happening.  One minute I am fine, the next five minutes tells the tale of the week to come.  Oh, well.  That's life. Hence a very fine rib roast with roasted potatoes and carrots awaits some lucky people, ready or not.  The house smells great but I bet the oven will need cleaning because I started it off at 500 degrees for 15 minutes and then changed temps. to 325 for an hour and a half. I never worried so much about a hunk of meat in my life.  I hated opening the fridge--well, I wasn't hungry for four days anyway, so I didn't look in there too often.  Beth, Carly and Brooks were here, and Andy too.  So they helped out.

Corned beef and cabbage

Not a fancy dish today, corned beef and cabbage with potatoes and carrots.  I saw this nice brisket at Sam's and thought of Matt, our grandson who loves the dish sans the cabbage.  What is it about the cabbage family that turns so many people off?  Maybe it is difficult to digest?  I don't know but it is nearly (not quite but nearly) worth it when it is prepared correctly.

The snow is sticking around even though the sun is out and doing its job.  I think we are having a heat wave tomorrow, it is to be 40 degrees.

Do you know we have added three new people to our family circle this year?  Mckenna, our second girl and great-granddaughter, Alyssa's husband, Josh, and Brooks' wife Carly. There is no end to where this can go size-wise.  We still have three unmarried grandsons.  Yiiikes.  Many Branches will have many more branches added to its tree of life.

I have the rib roast marinating in a wonderful concoction of herbs, salt pepper, garlic, and olive oil.  The cranberry sauce is finished and in the fridge.  The cheesecakes are done.  I decided to have those instead of tiramisu this year. Just three appetizers, the scallops with bacon and a cheese and fruit platter...oh and an antipasto plate. I can't stop myself.

Hope all is going well for you all.

Scallops wrapped in bacon. YES, please

Now I have to make another trip to Trader Joe's.  I wanted to try these treats to see if I liked them well enough to serve them to Christmas day guests and then I ate them all right out of the oven! Oink oink. They come a dozen to a box and then you pop them free and clear of all packaging in a 450-degree oven for 8-10 minutes on one side, flip them and a bit less than 8 minutes on the other side. (Bottom shelf of the hot oven.) When the bacon is crisp you know they are fit for a king, although my king did not get a taste.

I figure I will buy 3 boxes for Christmas Day.  That along with an antipasti platter should be enough before I introduce them to a beautiful prime rib boneless roast. Ahhh, the holidays.  I dread and love them at the same time.  Once I get into the mood, however, look out.

We've just been to Sam's and I must say it was delightfully empty of customers.  However, by check-out time people were pouring through the doors with holiday written all over them.

I have a lot going on in the kitchen and the cleaning crew is due at 2:00.  They will have plenty to do today. I'll take that time to go to Trader Joe's to see what kind of trouble I can get in over there with some of his new products.

Doris Lechler

We asked our three-year-old great-granddaughter where she would like to go and she said to Trader Joe's.  The apple does not fall far from the tree at Trader Joe's.

Soup girl

Yep, soup girl (girl is used loosely) is at it again. I am cleaning our the fridge and chopping and washing and simmering and sauteeing all in my nightdress.  Once the cooking bug hits me, I have to get at it.  I have a lovely base going for this unusual soup and although it won't be as good as the last batch of cauliflower soup that I raved about, it will be different and tasty.  Andy and I like a certain kind of brats, Johnsonville original recipe.  Andy discovered brats in miniature... like breakfast brats and brought home a package.  I decided today to put them into the base of this soup that is simmering away on the stove at the moment.  I still have some blanched brussel sprouts, so they are going in as I figure out what to add.  I am trying out a new pot that I got at Marshals yesterday while Beth and I were running around. It holds a lot of goodies and seems to be working well enough.

I am treating Beth and me to roasted fennel tonight. I adore it in any form, but roasted with olive oil and salt and pepper; it's the best way to serve it.

Let's see where this day takes us. Stir in some miniature pasta carried home from Italy...

Hash browns, a new use

I found a new use for shredded frozen hash browns.  I was making cauliflower soup today and needed diced potatoes to add to it, but, I was in a hurry and found the shredded hash browns in the freezer.  I added them to the pot and they not only thickened the soup but added a delicious touch to the broth.  On the porch was the stalk of brussel sprouts from Trader joe's so I blanched them and put the smallest ones into the soup mixture.  I was on fire today! People kept stopping by and having a cup or two of this brew and now there are less than two cups left of the enormous pot that came and left today. Note: To me, this was the best soup I have ever made and I am a soup-making nut.

My monthly maintenance program began today with a pedicure.  I swear the upkeep of my existence is unmanageable at times. Next is the hair and Heather is moving away to Arizona and I have to look for someone new.  All of you ladies know the angst of that procedure! Well, there are bigger problems to consider in this world and I am glad these menial matters are all I have to worry about at my age.  So, bring it on.

I am thankful for Nancy's cookies, all the people who stopped by ate cookies as well and now we are down to a manageable amount.  I have hidden the buckeyes, but I am certain they will be found.  Andy has a sweet tooth and it leads him to all the hiding places eventually.

Cookies galore

Luckily I have a niece who bakes.  Baking used to be a favorite past time of mine, but no more.  So, when Nancy, my niece, showed up yesterday with enough cookies to get us through the season without my help, both Andy and I were impressed and grateful. Dozens of snickerdoodles, lovely oatmeal and, of course, buckeyes.  Thank you, thank you.

Things are moving along lazily around here.  No rush or fuss, just a steady pace this year for some strange reason.  I suppose this contentment bubble will pop pretty soon but until then I am wallowing in it. Unlike the government, many of us are finding peace and thankfulness for what we have and the good health of our family members.

McDonald's has the best sausage muffin with hash browns and a good cup of black coffee, yum.  Andy is on his way home with that tidy little get-me-through the day bag of goodies.  I have dinner all planned and a good book search on the agenda.

Have a lovely week-end. Oh, I bought my new kitchen journal and plan to start it for the new year's goings-on at Many Branches and afar.  We have only one trip planned (so far) for the new year.  Andy and I want to go to Nashville for Brooks and Carly's marriage celebration.  They have been married a year now as of December 5th and in May we gather to celebrate this event, with pleasure.  

Trader Joe's on a Sunday evening...yiiikes

Have you ever had a craving for fish sticks?  If so, Trader Joe's is the place to get them.  Beth and I ran around this Sunday afternoon and evening and I filled the trunk of the car and she filled the backseat!  I unpacked the fish sticks very quickly and stuck them in the oven for 20 minutes and they came out perfectly. I have not served or eaten them since my children were young and they are not young anymore. For some strange reason, I think fish sticks would be delicious in a taco shell dressed with regular lettuce, tomatoes, etc. A fish taco of sorts.

Pier 1, we thought, is going out of business so we stopped in there.  They are actually not going out of business but going to be more of a warehouse distribution (sales) facility.  They did have sales and I bought some darling Christmas table items: jingle bells trimmed placemats, great heavy ,elegant glass candy boxes, a long cranberry centerpiece, to name but a few items.  I want to picture the candy boxes.  They are special.

Back at Trader Joe's, I got one of their chocolate Brooklyn babkas.  I will put it in the freezer and bring it out when Brooks and Carly (now Mr. and Mrs. Brooks Wagstaff) come to Christmas dinner. I am serving a big prime rib roast, Rosemary potatoes, brussel sprouts (I bought them still on the stock), Yorkshire pudding, a salad, and Tiramisu.

I restocked Trader Joe's basmati rice medley It is so flavorful. Well, back to redoing the Christmas table.  It was done and covered and now I have better things to accent it, so I am tearing it apart and starting again.  Oh well, the lighted trees give me the inspiration to move ahead.

Happy decorating.

Pier 1 had these wonderful heavy beautiful glass candy boxes. They are really special.