2010

credits: CatherinesDesigns

Greetings

credits:ArtisanGuild

To all my friends out there who celebrate this holiday!

My Grandchildren

These kids are just the best!!! and i am not just saying that cause i am their Mimi!!

Latkes

These were really good!! and easy ... thanks to a food processor....

4 russet potatoes (important to use russet or yukon gold)

2 medium onions

2 Tablespoons of flour (or matzo meal)

1 teaspoon of salt

couple shakes of pepper

1/4 teaspoon of baking powder

2 eggs-beaten

vegetable oil

With the "grating" blade on put your onions thru first...the onion juice will keep the potatoes from turning dark....than the peeled potatoes....place in strainer...take half the mixture and put back into the processor but this time with the "chopping" blade and pulse a few times...put this into the strainer with the rest of the mixure...now...squeeze all this to release all those juices...put the "dry" mixture into a large bowl...add the remaining ingredients and stir...in the hot veg.oil (i keep it at medium so not to burn pancakes) place 1/4 cup of "batter" .. with the back of the measuring cup just gently press each pancake to make nice rounds...cook on both sides until nice and brown/crispy....serve with applesauce (i make my own) and / or sour cream.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!

Happy Hanukkah

Great time at Rebecca and Shawn's on Sunday night.....she made a wonderful meal; the kids were in such great spirits; lighting the candles; opening gifts...warm and fuzzy!!

A Layout Challenge

credits: CatherineDesigns

Wow...it has been awhile since i posted a layout....here is my sweet Sammy who now walks and calls me "Mimi"... My JoJo was confirmed with the H1N1 yesterday...but she is feeling good today ... staying home with her momma and making gifts for her friends for the holidays!! She called me this am and told me she loves me....melttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt!!!

Great Turkey Weekend

This turkey was sooooooo Good!

Papa playing with the Grandchildren

The sisters with Sammy

CandyBar PlaceCards

Lovely Table Before the Feast

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies!! - Amazing!
http://bakeat350.blogspot.com/2009/10/flavor-of-month-pumpkin-whoopie-pies.html

What a nice weekend!!! Sarah was up from New York and to have the family together is such a blessing! Rebecca did a GREAT job with the dinner and setting the stage for warm holiday gathering...the grandkids were just the best!! Shawn's soup was MMMMMMMmmmm good!! Friday night we went to Giggles to hear some comedy (Lenny Clark) and eat pasta....feel good!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Rebecca and Shawn

The Opera

Mike and I went to the Opera...my first time....we both researched the story line before (all in French) and Mike played the music for days prior...He was familiar with this opera but not me....I love Musical theatre and was not sure how i was going to respond to this...whole different ball game....I liked it!!

This is sooooooooo Good

http://annies-eats.com/2009/11/04/herb-rubbed-grilled-chicken-with-creamy-orzo-2/

Made this dish last night...soooooooo Yummy...and sooo EASY!!

It has been awhile since i posted anything..wow...nothing going on just everyday "stuff"...looking foward to the holidays..i have been given my list of things to make and the big day will be at my dd Rebecca's...one new thing-Pumpkin whoopie pies...mmmm

New Class

Scents of Fall

Beef Stew and Apple Pie....also made "tons" of applesauce...Have you all seen this fabulous site:

http://foodgawker.com/

I could spend hours here (i have)...think i will be doing some cooking this winter...mmmmmmmm

OHHHHHHHHHHHHH

These little sweetttteeees are NOT scarry....they had so much fun on Halloween but i think their Momma had more!! They promised me some of their candy!!

Birthday Boy

credits: CinnamonDesigns

Wow....Sammy is one years old...can you believe that!!? What a sweeteeeeeeee!!! He was so happy to have all those Balloons and he wanted us to sing "happy birthday" forever...Chinese Takeout and sweet cake...mmmmmmmmm

Cold and Snowing

Hello....we have not even seen Halloween yet...what is this...and it is covering all the beautiful maple trees...i don't remember ever getting snow (this much) so early....so i got the fireplace going and i cooked all day....made a Dill-Onion Bread and some apple crisp and then i did a oven roasted cauliflower,potato, fennel soup....oh,my...sooooooooo good!!

Roasted Cauliflower, Potato, Fennel Soup

I just took a head of cauliflower (separate the florets); "chunked" 1.5 medium onions; chunked about 5 medium peeled potatoes; cut up some fennel (save the fronds for topping the soup)...Tossed this all with some olive oil and sprinkled with kosher salt...place in oven at 350 degrees for about 1.5 hours (turn once and watch that it does not burn..i had a nice color on the all)...Place all of these goodies into soup pot and cover with chicken stock...simmer and than I blended until smooth (i use a submersible blender..makes life easy)...Enjoy!!<

This recipe came from my Kitchen Aide Mixer(page 67)...first time i used it for making and kneading bread....will do all my breads in it now..fab!

Apple Crisp is from Barefoot Contessa(click and it will take you to the recipe)....love her! This evening i will dig into this and add some vanila ice cream...Nice Day!! even if it snowed...

The Best

JoJo and Sam in the Pumpkins....aren't they just the best!!!???

Happy Birthday - Helen

one day late....sending you Birthday Hugs!!

Morning Activity

Just a few of the 70 pictures i took this morning...the guys are still out there as we speak....what a show....these men are so skilled... i just could not imagine how they were going to do this....bye bye willow...this is the fourth down with two more left since we moved in over 30 years ago...

Great Evening

Went out to dinner last night with DH and than to the Theatre...August Wilson's Fences...So Powerful!!!

A few Chefs

here is my Sarah with a chefs she has met while producing the "Platelist" series on Nightline abc news....top pictures is with Jacques Pepin-he is right up there with Julia Childs and the bottom two pictures are with a Chef at the Culinary School of America....boy, tough job but somebody has to do it....Chefs are my super stars...i am such a foodie!!I think she has met (and tasted their food) over 50 great chefs...I have some great pictures...need to do some digital layouts...on my "to do " list!

Energy Returning

Finally....it has been a long bout with this illness...and of course the weather has been beautiful...just love this time of year...apple picking this weekend!! Here are some pictures of the family feeding the ducks and waiting for dinner at the Old Mill Restaurant...a tradition for the beginning of autumn...took my kids all those years and now the grandchildren...and as i walked into the dining room..who yells out my name...old friends that i have not seen in years!!! Great time!!!

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

well...i am finely feeling better...what a couple of weeks....still coughing but breathing better and able to cook for the holidays...I am going to make this salad for tonight to go with the brisket...this recipe was seen on "the Barefoot Contessa" which airs on the Food Network TV. She is a fabulous cook (Ina Garner)...and her recipes are easy and delicious!!

1 (1 1/2-pound) butternut squash, peeled and 3/4-inch) diced
Good olive oil
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons dried cranberries
3/4 cup apple cider or apple juice
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 tablespoons minced shallots
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
4 ounces baby arugula, washed and spun dry
1/2 cup walnuts halves, toasted
3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Place the butternut squash on a sheet pan. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, the maple syrup, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and toss. Roast the squash for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once, until tender. Add the cranberries to the pan for the last 5 minutes.
While the squash is roasting, combine the apple cider, vinegar, and shallots in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the cider is reduced to about 1/4 cup. Off the heat, whisk in the mustard, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper.
Place the arugula in a large salad bowl and add the roasted squash mixture, the walnuts, and the grated Parmesan. Spoon just enough vinaigrette over the salad to moisten and toss well. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Sick

Well...went to the doctor's yesterday and guess what i have..."walking pneumonia"....so i am on some powerful drugs....will take it easy for awhile...chicken soup!!

Future Artist or Comedian?

Here is my little JoJo...she insisted on wearing the bucket to make people laugh.....I could just squeeze her....she makes me smile, always!
I have been fighting a $%^& cold..been going on too long...might have to see the doctor...i am from the old school...if you wait long enough it will go away...(not smart, i know)...

Jersey Boys

Went to the theatre last night and saw Jersey Boys...AMAZING..one

of the best shows i have seen...The music was so like the Four Seasons!! the set and story line....what can i say...i LOVED it!!

Our Anniversary