Holiday Party Prep In The Kitchen

This year I decided that I wanted to make picadillo as an appetizer for the party, however I didn;t want to use it as a stuffing for empanadas but as a dip. I have made it before but for a filling and cooked beef and pork in liquid with onion and garlic then shredded it before adding. This time I wanted to make it with ground beef. I consulted with two Foodie friends, Sonia and Pepe who are both originally form Cuba to learn how they make theirs using ground meat. I then took their ideas, and incorporated what I love about Mexican picadillo and created my own.

For each pound of ground beef I used 1 chopped onion, 1 red or green bell pepper chopped, 6 garlic cloves minced, 1 can of diced tomatoes drained well, 1/2 cup dry white wine, 1/4 cup cup sultana's (golden raisins), 1/4 cup sliced pimento stuffed green olives, 1 1/2 tablespoons capers, 1/4 cup tomato paste, 2 tablespoons Splenda or sugar, 1 tablespoon dried Mexican oregano, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 3/4 teaspoon cumin and kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

I will serve it in a chafing dish and have Tostito Scoops to serve with it. I am thinking of sprinkling toasted slivered almonds on top to serve. I made a triple batch and I have to say it turned out vcery good. In fact I had a hard time staying out of it. It is now safe from me in the freezer.

I also made some fudge that will be one of the offerings on the dessert table. The basic old Fantasy Fudge recipe. Adding chocolate chips to sugar, butter and evaporated milk that has been at a rolling boil for 5 minutes.

Stir in marshmallow creme and vanilla, pour into a 13 x 9 inch baking dish sprayed with Pam, and let cool before cutting into serving size pieces.

Mmmmmm, it turned out creamy and yummy. Everything else I will make the day of the party. I also made it easy on myself this year and have purchased many hot appetizers from Sam's Club. They are so good so I do not feel guilty. Only 7 more days! Had a lot of fun creating the picadillo this afternoon.

Gifts

A gift for Jacob so he can be Santa at our holiday party.

I made wine journals as gifts for friends.

David's grandfathers pocket watch. His Aunt Vaden had borrowed it, had it cleaned and fixed, and sent it back to him for his birthday. He is thrilled, this watch means so much to him. Thanks Vaden!

Wrapping Christmas gifts today.

Poopie helping me; I am trying to curl the ribbon, and he grabs on to the end and I can't move it.

He had a great time. so did I. I love to watch him play because he doesn't do it all that often.

Gifts for local friends.

Gifts ready for friends who are coming to the party from out of town and state.

Gifts ready and waiting for Christmas in Truckee. with family.

A wonderful Thanksgiving gift from my brillantly creative friend Kelli. She not only presented them in a special way but she hand made the tags too!

She sewed me market bags using a vintage tablecloth! I swear I look forward to what she comes up with to make next. She fuels my creativity.

I love them, what a teasure. And I will use them all the time. Thank you Kelli!

Happy Thanksgiving- The Blessing of Friends

David and I shared a lovely Thanksgiving at our friend Rose's house along with her family. Did we pull out our camera? No, we were too darn busy enjoying the company, food and drink. It was a wonderful time and meal of turkey, ham and all the trimmings prepared by Rose's daughters Fran and Beth. We are so blessed and grateful for our family of friends.

Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. - Anais Nin

An open home, an open heart, here grows a bountiful harvest. - Judy Hand

Wishing you love, joy, and an abundance of blessings on Thanksgiving and every day.

David's Birthday Celebration Lunch at The Firehouse

David and I had a lovely birthday celebration meal at The Firehouse in Old Sac this afternoon. We were seated in the main dining room next to the fireplace in a booth. We started with 2 appetizers; the Dungeness crab cakes with Meyer lemon and coriander confit and crisp pancetta frisée salad and black pepper aioli and the Drunken Balsamic Steak which was pan roasted with white balsamic-bourbon glaze and onion-thyme marmalade oven-warmed grape tomatoes, and spinach with crumbled Valbreso feta. Both choices were to die for. David's favorite was the crab cakes and I leaned towards the steak.


For entrees we both had the special which was macadamia crusted baramundi. (Not sure of my spelling of the fish.) There was a grilled polenta cake (which was the moistest polenta cake we have ever had, beautiful texture) which was topped with grilled asparagus. The fish a top of it all. It all sat on a plate of cream sauce that I can not for the life of me remember what it was made of but I think there was sherry in it, some lovely clear green chive sauce and drops of a blackberry reduction. It was all wonderful, and when eaten with a little of everything on the fork it was divine. We brought a bottle of VJB Cab to enjoy with our meal.

We decided to go all out and ordered dessert as well. The birthday boy went the Chocolate Decadence; bittersweet chocolate cake with silken ganache,raspberry coulis and crème anglaise. I as usual went with the dessert choice offering Meyer Lemon which was a Meyer Lemon Napoleon; layered sponge cake with lemon curd and tart lemon mousse, raspberry coulis and crème anglaise. The meal, service atmosphere, and our seating was a real treat.

We arrived early and walked hand-in-hand along the high wooden sidewalks of Old Sac browsing through a few of the shops. Unexpectedly we found a few Christmas gifts which was nice to get done.

Thanks to my sister girlfriends for the gift certificate last Christmas. We had an absolutely delightful time!

Wine Tasting, Gifts From the Kitchen, Cork 'n Fork

Friday night we attended a benefit wine tasting at Mc Connell Estate winery for the elementary school of friends of ours who's grandchildren attend. The tasting room is in Elk Grove and has been around for quite a while, though new to David and I. The owners have children who attend the school as well. It was limited to 30 people. Our friends Verona and Bill bought 7 tickets at the schools harvest festival a while back. We each paid them for the donation cost of the tickets we used. There were 6 wines for us to taste throughout the 2 hour event. There was a table of hot and cold appetizers as well. The tasting room was filled with unique Christmas decorations, wine related items and jewelry to purchase. It was a lovely start to the holiday season spent with good friends.

This morning I put together cookie mix in jars to complete my homemade food favors for the holiday party and as gifts. I was determined to stick with the spirit of using what I have already on hand, so I did chocolate chip cookie mix, chocolate and peanut butter chip cookie mix, mint chip cookie mix, chocolate/caramel swirl chip cookie mix and Christmas shapes and chocolate chip cookie mix. I used wide mouth quart canning jars that Eva (Grandma Hoekman) gave to me.

Holiday candy representing party prep I did this weekend as well.

Tonight was the Elk Grove Cork n Fork which was at The Brickhouse restaurant in old downtown Elk Grove. We have enjoyed this restaurant before with friends and we took Theresa and Shawn here for Theresa's birthday celebration. The woman on the far left is Norma, the president of the Newcomer's club and that's Helen to her right who is the 1st vice president.

The handsome smiling man on the right is Ed, Helen's husband. I promised I would take a picture of him facing the camera and smiling since he said I got the last shot of him with his head turned. (And I thought women were vain.)

The Dunlops. He has managed (or is that coached? I am so bad at this sport stuff) many major league baseball teams in his time. They are avid golfers in retirement.

Rosalyn and Ed. They have such a zest for life.

The group.

Who is this nice looking couple?

Group enjoyment.

That's pretty much my weekend other than other projects around the house. Tomorrow the grocery shopping begins for the holiday party at Sam's and Costco.

Containers, Red, Flaming Food, Firemen, Squash, Buffet

Wednesday evening I attended a Tupperware party at my neighbor Deborah's house. I hadn't been to one in years.

Always impressed with their ideas for food storage.

I bought an 8-piece set of these. They will keep fruits and vegetables farm-fresh picked for weeks, some even months. Yep, you read that right. The best part was they were being offered bu the consultant at a low price.

I was busy minding my own business yesterday afternoon making red pepper jam to can.

When I had barely finished the doorbell rang. When I answered it there was a young woman I didn't know standing there.

She is staring me in the eye and tells me that there was a fire behind my backyard fence in a gated area owned by the county. She said she had called the fire department. She explained that it looked like a cup-of-soup container that was on fire, that someone threw it there from over a fence perhaps after catching it on fire in the microwave.

I was shocked to say the least, and it was very clear she felt I was the culprit! I asked if the firemen were still there and she said yes. Then she walked back to her car, at this point I think she was reconsidering her belief that it was someone in our house to tossed it there.

As she walked to her car, I walked around the corner of my house towards the back, when I ran into two very young and very handsome firefighters. I explain that a woman came to my door and what she said, and we talk. At first I could tell that they thought it came form our house too. However as we spoke it was apparent they were changing their minds. I explained I was making red pepper jam and canning it for holiday gifts and didn't even hear anything. I thanked them for coming out and how scary it is to think my fence could have gone up in flames as well as my entire garden because someone did something so foolish. Then one of them said it was a good thing it wasn't me because they would have had to give me a bad time. (Little bad-girl inside the back of my head filled my head with this thought; go ahead you hunky firefighters, punish me!) After they left David and I went back to see where the flaming food had been. It was very close to our fence, however the angle it had to have come from was right out the path of the slider of the people on the street behind us. For us to have thrown it out there we would have had to go through our slider, walk the path from it, turn to the left and walk another path for a while and then toss it over the fence. Now why would anyone walk that far with a flaming container of food? Trust me, I am not blaming the people back there until I talk to them and find out what happened. It could have even been the people on the side of us as well. What I will say is if that woman wasn't driving by and saw the fire, we could have lost our fence and everything growing in our garden. So thank you anonymous woman, even if you came to my door accusingly.

Spaghetti squash for dinner last night. Cut in half and seeds scooped out.

Baked in a 375 degree F oven for about 45 minutes for this size squash.

I heated up some store-bought mushroom-garlic pasta sauce while the spaghetti squash was in the oven.

With a fork I scooped out the spaghetti like flesh and tossed it with the sauce.

Presto! A healthy, simple, delicious meal prepared effortlessly and quickly.

I spent a little time working on the buffet tables for the holiday party yesterday.

The bags of non-perishable food items that guests will be bringing to donate to "Food For Families" will go under the longest buffet table to be out of the way and not take up room I need for guests to be. The number one priority on my list yesterday was to finalize the menu for the party, then make the grocery list so I can get started shopping. I almost have it written in stone. Almost. There are a few things I want to change. I had better run. This morning I have a hair appointment and I am going to be late if I don't get moving. Have a great day!

SIX - Erin Complete

Erin's Six facts about herself are on her blog. Click here.

In Loving Memory - Ruth Provance

Last evening at 8:15 PM a dear Foodie friend passed away after a very long battle with breast cancer. We lovingly called her Big Ruthy and in the realm of baking she was famous for her homemade breads and pizza. Ruth taught me so much about battling such a horrible disease as cancer with dignity, grace, a sense of humor and a strong faith in her God. She leaves behind her husband Paul, and sons Matt and Timmy. May God hold them in the palm of his hands. Big Ruthy you will be terribly missed and never forgotten my friend. Until we meet again..........

SIX - Jen Complete

Jen's Six Check it out.

Fun In Truckee

We went to the new house when we first got in to town. It is really looking great.

The paint color choices on the interior walls are beautiful. Gives the house some extra warmth.

This is my favorite wall color. Sadly I did not do justice to the warm cinnamon tone of the wall. I am trying to decide where I can use this color in our house.

Pretty sage green tone on the walls of the great room.

Jacob with his sippy cup.

And eating dry Cheerio cereal. Like most little ones he loves them.

Playing in his Bounce Bounce Baby. He is so fun to watch and play with.

Grandad making Jacob laugh. Jacob gave Grandad a kiss afterwards too.

Jen's table. These dishes belonged to David and I and we brought them up to Jen and John. They are Denmark by Franciscan and made in England. they were our every day dishes when we lived in San Mateo. Our kitchen and dining room was done in delft in that house. They match so many things Jen and John have.

Centerpiece of gourds.

Justin scrubbing the little red potatoes for dinner.

All done and ready to be added to the pot.

Corned beef and potatoes cooking.

Jen slicing cabbage to add to pot as well. She made a delicious corned beef and cabbage dinner with potatoes.

Hanging in the kitchen while dinner was cooking. We had a great time!

Boys Will Be Boys

Justin and Grandad finding new creative uses for magnets. No other words are necessary.................

Erin Update

She is eating, sleeping, resting and doing well. Yay! Good news all around!

TSO

The Trans Siberian Orchestra concert yesterday was awesome! It was a stupendous, spectacular, poignant assemblage of voices, instruments, colors and lights. A sensory experience like you have never experienced before. The spectrum of people attending the concert ranged from teenagers, families with children to senior citizens. And David wasn't the only person there walking with a cane!

The first two-thirds of the concert was taken pretty much from the Christmas Eve and Other Stories CD, covering all the songs on the CD plus others added from The Christmas Attic CD.

The synchronized light show consisted of regular lights, lasers, tube lights and light grids above the stage (that you can see in the above picture with the line lights), that actually moved up and down, and turned in all directions. There was also snow which drifted down on the audience in the floor seats at different times.

This is an assemblage of some of the most creative and talented musicians and vocalists ever heard. The Christmas joy and story they share of extending kindness even to strangers all year long filled every one's heart with the spirit of Christmas. This group of mastermind visionaries is a must see.

The last third of the concert was a free-for-all-let's-get-crazy segment whitch included solos of both musicians and vocalists.

At one point near the end of the concert, they let lose with the light show and pyrotechnics's, using everything they have in one segment. WILD.

The pyrotechnics they used were impressive. There were many different areas with fire, and they came on and off, danced and changed colors. Let me tell you lime green fire is wild! One of the guitar players left the stage and walked up the aisle of the section we were in. We had aisle seats so he was right there next to us.

Cameras were not allowed into the concert, and all bags and purses were checked before entering the arena. I thank Theresa for using her cell phone to snap a few pictures so I could share this astounding concert experience with you. I also thank her and Shawn for taking David and I as a birthday gift to David. After the concert they also took us out to dinner to Celia's for some delicious Mexican food. It was a great time.

I'm going to sound like an ad here, but if TSO comes to your city do sttend the concert. However get your tickets right away because their concerts sell out very quickly. This is a wonderful holiday experience for every one. We decided that this needs to become a annual holiday tradition for all of us. Thanks again Theresa and Shawn, we had an awesome time!

Moments

There was an incredible full moon Thursday night. I'm just sorry my picture doesn't do it justice. It's light shone so bright in my windows that night I kept waking up.

Thursday evening was also the night I had dinner with friends Ginger and Karen at The Sheepherder's Inn. We hadn't gotten together in quite a while, so we had a three hour gab fest over a delicious dinner. We had a great time.

Okay, we talked so much I never even thought to take pictures of our salads and entrees. However I did get shots of two of the desserts we ordered. We figured we would go all out since we were celebrating our sisterhood. The above is what Karen ordered; Warm Chocolate Granache Cake, with Intoxicated Raspberries and Whipped Cream.

I love lemon so I chose the Lemon Pudding Cake with Raspberry Coulis and Vanilla Creme Anglaise. To die for! Ginger had the Toffee Sundae with Chocolate Sauce, though I didn't get a picture of it.

Friday night was our dinner group. This time we gathered at Averill's and Bob. Averill baked a spiral ham, Paulette brought homemade chunky applesauce, Verona baked sliced potatoes in beef broth, Rose made a killer green salad, Barbara brought homemade buttermilk biscuits and I made Pumpkin Mousse for dessert.

This recipe is so easy. My foodie friend Sonia first shared it with me. Mix 2 pkg's of instant vanilla pudding (regular or sugar and fat free) into 2 cups milk (regular or 1%) until set. Fold in 1 15-oz can pumpkin puree, 1 container of Cool Whip (regular or lite), and 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice. That's it. Spoon into individual serving dishes/glasses and refrigerate until serving time. You can also make this using instant butterscotch pudding. I find you need very little pumpkin pie spice with the butterscotch if any.

A small floral arrangement inside a gourd for our hosts.

The end of the sunset as we were driving to the dinner last night. The colors were gorgeous. I couldn't get my camera out in time to catch it at it's height of color. This afternoon we are going to Arco Arena to see Trans Siberian Orchestra. Theresa and Shawn are taking us for David's birthday which is later this month. We are so looking forward to it and the time with the kids. We will be stopping somewhere afterwards for dinner, so hopefully I remember to take out my camera. Have a great day!

More Christmas in November

David puts the trees together each year for me to decorate. When we first moved into this house I put up 4 trees. The last few years I did 2 trees. This year I did only one tree. Older age is getting me. I used to find joy in decorating ther house for Christmas. I still enjoy them thoroughly when they are up, but I dtest taking them down. I seem to be thinking of that while I am decorating so that I do less each year!

The finished tree. This tree is done in gold, off white and cyrstal.

My lighted forest scene with snowmen. Have you gotten the snowman theme yet?

This is in the entry way. Again a lighted tree and snowmen. The basket is filled with the homemade canning I did this year as party favors for our guests.

Our kitties Christmas stockings; Poopie, Scruffy, Meiling and Riley.

Another lighted snowman.

These are both David and my very favorite Christmas decorations; Annalee Christams elves. They are so playful they make us and our gursts smile and laugh when they see them frolicking in our diningroom hutch and display cabinets.

Wheeewww, that's some champagne!

Weeeeee, party time!

Some of my kitchen related Christmas decorations. I am always on a look out for them.

There's those snowpeople again and they are baking this time.

Snowpeople cookie jar I am looking forward to filling for Justin to enjoy.

Santa s and helpers baking.

and to all a good night.........................

Christmas in November

Yes, you read that right. I know what you are thinking; this chick has OCD or something. Trust me I do not. We do have an annual holiday party the first weekend of December each year and that requires me to get the house decorated early. Now I can concentrate on planning the menu, shopping, cooking, getting prizes, favors and gifts together and wrapped and still live my life.

A couple of wreaths I made for out first Christmas in this house 7 1/2 years ago.

This baking Santa is one of my favorite decorations.

Candlelight for the coffee table.

Lighted snnowman. I love lots of white lights and candle light at the party.

This nutcracker stands near the front door. He either offers favors or pepermint candy to guests when they leave. It depends what I am doing that particular year.

Grennery in some areas of the house.

Annalee Santa and Mrs. Claus. These had belonged to David's mother. They are the orginals that Annalee made and hand painted the faces herself. These are David's favorite decorations.

Another lighted snowman.

Decroations on the shelves in the downstair guest bath.

Aunt Vaden and Uncle Arlen bought this Christmas frog for me one year. Another of my favorite decorations. He sits regally in the guest bathroom as well.

Six

My friend Kelli tagged me. In the spirit of friendship I am playing and tagging others. Here are the offical rules:


* Link to the person who tagged you.*


* Post the rules on your blog.*


* Write 6 random things about yourself.*


* Tag 6-ish people at the end of your post.*


* Let each person know he/she has been tagged.*


* Let the tagger know when your entry is up. *

1. When I decide to do something I jump in with both feet, rarely do I get my toes wet first. I remember Father Chad at Transfiguration Church in San Mateo where Jen and I belonged said to me when we were moving from the area, "I remember you walked in one day and said here I am and jumped right in."

2. I love the ocean. It is like a baptism to cleanse my soul.





3. In my freshman year of high school I received an A+ in Home Economics the semester we cooked. I did a special project where I invited guest to my parents house near Christmas, set the table with a holiday theme, created the menu and did the shopping and cooked and presented the meal. I remember the main course was Cornish Game Hens Stuffed with Wild Rice. The guests made comments about the evening and meal, and I included pictures. However, the semister we sewed I got a C-. I have never had the patience for sewing unless it is basically straight lines.





3. I once lived in a hippie commune in San Francisco.





4. I didn't start crafting until my late 40's.





5. Even though I ran the eatery and catered, I have never been a career minded person. I would have much prefered to have remained a stay-at-home-mom.





6. I am petrified of dogs I do not know.




Speak up, fellow tagged friends:


Jen

Sarah

JJ
Erin

Erin Update - 11 AM

Erin is still having problems with nausea and vomiting, though has medications to stop it in it's tracks which works well. She is going through symptoms of post tramatic stress caused by the surgery as well. It will continue to be taking it one day at a time until her recovery is complete, which will take a while. Erin, Rob and Debra can't thank everyone enough for the prayers, love, support, cards, gifts, visits, and the food people have been so kind to make and bring to them. God bless.

Erin Update - 11:30 AM

If you didn't see my brother Ron's comment -- Erin was back in the ER last night. She was vomiting and not able to keep anything down. They feel it was caused by the third spinal tap she had over the weekend. She is back home now.

Erin Update

Deb called this afternoon. Erin had another bump in the road this weekend with adverse reactions to medications. The real message here is that her recovery is going to be a very slow process. She is doing good though. Everyone is grateful for the continued prayers.

Joy

Saturday John spent the day in Rocklin at a go-kart meeting. Justin continued to play with paper airplanes he and Uncle Shawn were making the night before after dinner. They made little small ones too out of the place cards.

Just watching cartoons while his Mom and I talk and enjoy a cup of decaf coffee. We were laughing, because it is tradition that Jen and I go shopping the day after Thanksgiving and take advantage of the fun sales. So we went to Costco with the boys and Grandad to get things we needed and we also ended up Christmas shopping too.

Scruffy is one of our cats that is afraid of having people in the house and usually hides. He decided last evening that he was coming downstairs and joining the fun. He decided that Jacob and Justin were pretty neat after all.

Justin playing "Dragons" on my laptop. It's the first time he and his Mom have played. The three of us played, taking turns and helping one another.

I love the star on Jacob's bum!

Jacob and his Grandad.

Jen and Justin playing "Dragons." I cracked up when Justin did this thing with his eyes. My brother Ron was never serious in a picture my parents took of us; he would always cross his eyes. Looks like Jus is a chip off the old block -- the old great-uncle Ron block that is.

How sweet is this face? He fills my heart with joy.

John got home late from the meeting yesterday so we had a simple dinner of spaghetti with meat sauce and grilled garlic and cheese bread.

Moments around the dinner table..................

There's that precious face again. I will admit I burst into tears as they drove out of the driveway late this morning. It's always so hard saying goodbye to Jacob and Justin until the next time. However the next time will be very soon. We are thinking of driving up to Truckee one day this week to see them. They are so special to Grandad and me.

Abundance and Blessings

We always look so forward to time with our special boys and our kids.

Jacob is cutting his first tooth and he was chewing on a prosecco cork. I let him know that when he is old enough to sip prosecco he will find that it tastes much better than the cork does.

He was fascinated with his Daddy's beer bottle.

Auntie Theresa and Uncle Shawn join us too.

Mickey Turkey ready to carve. Every year we name our Thanksgiving turkey. Justin has had the honors the last two Thanksgivings.

It was a gorgeous turkey.

Waiting for the turkey to be carved.

Piping hot stuffing out of the bird.

Around the dining table. We all said things that we are grateful for. Jen shared she is grateful to be able to be a stay-at-home Mom, the love of her family, and her parents. Shawn was grateful for the opportunities he and Theresa have had. Theresa is grateful to be able to buy a new house and move, even though they do not have to. John was grateful for Jen, his children, family and being able to build a home for his family. Justin was grateful for each and everyone at the table, I was grateful for my children, grandchildren, David, being all together, the strength and love of my parents and for loving and being loved. Jacob? Well I think he was grateful for tasting mashed potatoes and turkey gravy for the first time.

Justin eating a turkey leg.

Just being Jus.

Besides eating mashed potatoes and gravy, Jacob also ate turkey and sweet potatoes out of a baby food jar. He had it all going and enjoying every minute of it.

Good wine on the table too.

Shawn and Theresa talking phone company stuff with John.

I think Jacob had as much food on his face and bob as he did in his tummy! He is just too cute and fun.

Justin's empty plate.

You just gotta love that face!

Jacob, Justin and their Mommy between dinner and dessert.

Love

I realized Friday that we were going to need a high chair for Jacob now that he is 7 months old and eating foods, so David and I ran to Target to get one.

Once home I just had enough to,me to make the Italian Sausage, Apple and Cranberry stuffing to get the turkey in the oven time. Started by sauteing leeks, apples, celery and poultry seasoning.

Then I added dried sweetened cranberries and fresh minced rosemary.

Then I added to a pound of bulk Italian sausage I had cooked earlier.

Added to that the bread cubes and fresh minced parsley.

Eggs lightly beaten, then I added a can of low-salt chicken broth.

Rosemary butter goes under the breast skin of the turkey.

Filling the turkey cavities with stuffing.

The bird ready to hit the oven.

While I was preparing the stuffing and turkey, David was putting together the high chair we had bought.

We all love that Jacob has a place at the dining table now too.

The family room ready for the family to arrive.

Our four very favorite little ones; Mackenzie. Steven. Jacob and Justin.

Erin Update

Erin and I talked for a while yesterday on the phone. I felt quite honored since she doesn't have much voice, so she saves it to be heard in her needs and talk to her children. She is so happy to be home and with her children. The home nurse comes in the morning and sets up her IV antibiotics for the day. They despense themselves atuomatically. The only thing is Erin has to carry the bag aorund with her and she is too weak to do that, so someone once again has to walk with her and go into the bathroom with her. She was thinking of trying to rent an IV rolling stand if that is possible so she can have a little independeance back.

She said she is so grateful and appreciative of her nurses, doctors, nurses aides, friends and family caregivers. They are gettying settled in at home and she of course is very tried, though did exceptionally well on the long drive home. She gets stronger everyday.

Well, I am getting back to my family. Dabid and I have tiockets to see the musical "The Color Purple" today, but we opted to miss it to have more time with our grandsons. Time goes so fast when they are here.

Erin Update

Rob and Erin made it home safe and sound yesterday. She did well on the ride and they got home around 6:30 PM. More later from Erin or I. Just wanted to relieve everyone's minds. Have a great day!

Bountiful

As I mentioned, we are having our Thaksgiving dinner celebration together as a family tonight since we will be all together. I did quite a bit of cooking yesterday so today would be a much easier day for me.

Fresh Cranberry-Orange Relish.........

Finely chop fresh cranberries and a thin skinned orange in food processor.

Add sugar to it in bowl and let stand for sugar to dissolve completely. Then stir in Cointreau.

Ready for the table.

Making pumpkin pies. Sugar and spices.

Lightly whip eggs in anoter bowl.

Add pumpkin and sugar mixture to eggs.

Mix together.

Add condensed milk and mix well.

Pour into pie shells and bake.

I am a cook, not a baker. I cheated and used prepackaged refrigerated pie crusts. They fit 9-inch pie pans, mine are 10-inch and they always cook dark for me. Hmmmmm

Mashed potatoes.......

Peel and cut potatoes in large dice and cover with cold water. Cook until tender. Rinse well and place back in the warm pot.

add cream cheese and butter and whip with handheld electrice mixer. Add milk to get the consistency you like. (You can also add sour cream instead.) Add white pepper and kosher salt to taste.

Whipped and ready to go..........

Place in a baking dish, cool comletely, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. To reheat; remove plastic wrap and heat in a 350 degress F oven for 30 to 40 minutes until heated through.

Apple pie. This was homemade at apple Hill and I just had to bake it off. Look how gorgeous this crust is. Note to self: Master pie crust this coming year.

Simple fall table set.

Stained gourd, placecard and napkin on top of each plate.......

We are so looking forward to seeing the kids and grandchildren! May blessing be bountiful in your life.................

Election Day

Yesterday was such an important election in our country. I believe the most important election in my lifetime so far. It was amazing to see the huge turnout at the polls, people even waiting 3 and 4 hours to vote and that people spoke their minds so clearly. It was a history book making day in our country, one I have prayed to see in my lifetime. As the saying goes, we have come a long way baby! We are filled with hope of much needed change and a man entering the office of president who is seriously dedicated to bridging the wide bi-partisan gap we have had for way too many years in this country. I pray we stand together once again as a nation, listening to one another, working together for the better of our country, and respecting and trusting the man who will now lead our country. God Bless America.

After that political note, I will move on to happenings in my kitchen on election day and other things. The weather has been cooler and David and I have been thinking more on the lines of cold weather comfort foods lately. I made good old-fashioned beef stew last night. It sure smells good simmering on the stove top.

Trimming and cutting beef into more manageable bite-sized pieces.

It's so good to hear from Erin herself on her blog and knowing that she is doing so much better then she was and will soon be making her way back to Fortuna.

Tossed pieces of meat in flour....

The scenario has changed some; Rob will be driving her back home, not traveling by ambulance. She will also be going home with home care nursing instead of going to a nursing facility. The nurses will be directly in contact with Dr. Jackler. We all know how much Erin needs to see her children and touch them.

and browned well in a bit of canola oil.

Jen and her family are arriving Friday to spend the weekend. John has go-kart meetings to attend in this area over the weekend. Since they most likely will be moving into their new house over Thanksgiving, we decided to have our Thanksgiving celebration dinner Friday night. Theresa and Shawn are joining us as well, so we will all be together. That is all that is really important to our family.

Added spices, tomato sauce and water, brought to a boil, lowered heat to a simmer and cooked for about an hour.

I will be making most of the traditional dishes I make on Thanksgiving Day; Rosemary Roasted Turkey with Apricot Glaze, Italian Sausage, Apple and Cranberry Stuffing, Gravy, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Cranberry-Orange Relish, and Whole Green Beans. For dessert there will be Pumpkin Pie with Whipped Cream that has been whipped with orange liqueur and apple pies. I will be sure to take pictures.

Cutting vegetables into chunks to add to stew.

I am almost done with my Diane's Home Kitchen newsletters for the rest of the year. It's time consuming, but enjoyable for the most part. It will be so nice not having to worry about writing them during the holiday season.

Ready and waiting for their moment. Once in the stew, bring back to a simmer and let cook for another hour or so.

Getting ready for the party season. Yes, I will have to start decorating here at the house next week for Christmas so I have time for shopping, cooking, and gift wrapping before the first Saturday in December when we have out annual holiday party. The menu is still spinning through my head at this point. We are having a fine wine exchange this year for those interested, and also guests will bring bags of appropriate groceries if they care to to donate to "Foods For Family." Together I believe we can make a difference. Giving and creativity feeds the soul.

Piping hot in a serving bowl ready to eat. I have to say it sure tasted good as we watched the election coverage on CNN.

My brother Ron is directing the play "Arsenic and Old Lace," in Omaha. It opened Friday and runs through this week. If you live out that way I hope you will see it. I used to love going to see him act and direct plays when he lives in California. I miss that. Break a leg Ron! Wish we were there.

Blackberry Dumplings. I did not make these, these came homemade and ready to bake from apple Hill.

I haven't done any crafts this week but I have been getting my creativity fix from writing the food/wine newsletters and planning holidays dinners and parties. I have to organize my shelves that hold mostly items I use for entertaining and in my kitchen. Maybe I will get that done before this week is done.

Flaky buttery puff pastry stuffed full of fresh blackberries. Each melt-in-your-mouth bite was a taste of heaven.

Well, speaking of the organization, planning and not mentioned laundry and household chores, I had better get on with my day. Hope everyone has a great day!

Check Out Erin's Blog Post On Her Blog

It's wonderful hearing from her first hand!!!

Erin! Wonderful To See Your Comments!!

I have missed you Sweetie and so good to see you are feeling at least well enough to peek at blogs and your mail on the laptop. What a wonderful surprise to see your comments! Uncle David and I think about you always and continue to send prayers up and good vibes your way. We are so proud of you for doing exactly what the surgeons and doctors tell you too to get your weight and strength back again. Uncle David knows well how slow recovery can be and the frustrations that can bring with it. He also knows the importance of behaving so he doesn't end up back where he started.

Accepting that this is going to be a slower recovery than you had first hoped is the first step in getting better. You are such an amazing woman Erin. You truely are and we love you very much.

Love and hugs both you and Rob.
PS> I bet he is keeping those nurses on their toes and in line!

Moments of My Week

This week has been one mainly spent at home catching up on things I have gotten behind on and playing in my kitchen when I can.

After making so much applesauce and also spaghetti sauce that needed to be frozen, and having been using a lot of things from the freezer, I had to tackle the job I have been putting off for quite a while -- clean out and organize the freezer in the garage.

This is one of those jobs that I never want to do, but always feel so good once it is done.

After I finished with the freezer in the garage, I organized the one in my kitchen.

It is nice k wing exactly what I have again, what needs to be used soon and what can lounge around for longer periods.

I found ham hocks in the freezer I needed to use so I made a pot of pink beans. One of David's favorites.

I make them very simply by adding chopped onion, a touch of granulated garlic and dry mustard. Add pepper at the end.

We did make a trip to Costco this week and they had beautiful golden pineapples from Hawaii. This has been a snacking source this week.

RAIN! YES RAIN! After an October that was mostly in the high 70;s and low 80's we have gray skies and rain. It smells and feels so good! I was ready for the rain and to feel fall weather.

I was way behind on writing my Diane's Home Kitchen e-newsletters so I have been busy with them this week. I am through November and writing the one for the first Thursday in December right now. My goal is to have them done through New Years so I do not have to worry about then except for sending them out during the holidays.

I have been craving pumpkin bread and had pumpkin in my pantry I needed to use and cranberries in the freezer, so I made Pumpkin-Cranberry Bread.

Mix flour, baking soda, salt and pumpkin pie spice together. I use a whisk which also incorporates air into it at the same time.

Mix pumpkin, eggs, sugar, orange juice, and oil together with mixer.

Pour into flour mixture and stir just until mixed. Stir in cranberries, pour into pans and bake for an hour.

Breads cooling on racks.

Inside of bread - moist and the tartness of the cranberries with the pumpkin I love. You can use sweetened dried cranberries for a sweeter taste. I would imagine most people would prefer that with the pumpkin.

Potatoes in the pantry so I made potato soup for diner last night. Perfect for a rainy day.

Addition of shredded cheese and bacon bits from the fridge and pepper and we were set to eat. David likes extra bacon bits on top of his.

I'm a cheese lover myself.

Today I am hoping to bake pumpkin-pineapple breads and make red pepper jam and preserve it. I was not happy with the last batch I made. I have the red bell peppers and everything else I need, so I think I will try it again.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! I am enjoying the rainy weekend at home.

Erin Update - 7:50 PM

Deb and talked again since we had to stop our earlier conversation because someone came to her door. Erin does have to have the metal plate put in at the top of her spine to hold her head up. They are not sure when they will do this surgery. I am sure not until she has recovered well from this last one. They are looking at doing the vocal cord procedure at the same time.

Yes, loving the rain. We needed it here too. It has been in the low 80's the majority of October. It is nice to feel a bit of fall weather finally.

Erin Update - 5:30 PM

I talked to Deb a bit ago. She is doing well with the kids. She was tired today and needed to take a short nap, bless her heart, but she is hanging in there. Weekdays are obviously much easier on her because Steven goes to Nellie's for pre-school. Steven had a great time trick-or-treating with his little friends last night and he is wearing his Steelers uniform again today. Too cute.

Erin is doing good. Dr. Jackler saw her yesterday and said her main goals right now have to be eating, gaining weight and getting her strength back. He talked of having her transported up to Fortuna to her home and having some kind of in-home nursing care for a while. Not sure if that was round the clock or someone who checks in on her every day. Erin is such a thin little thing to begin with so losing weight was not a good thing for her.

Deb also said she did not think they would be releasing Erin from the hospital for at least a few more days. Hope everyone is having great weekend. I am loving the rain we having!