tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62173506367376864532024-03-19T07:11:40.911-04:00Sherry's PlaceTime for a change. I'm going to focus on my love of writing. Don't expect a novel, just whatever is in my heart. Look for anything from something that happened years or decades ago to a thought or sight in current day. . . sometimes heartwarming and happy, sometimes a look at the obstacles we all face. Hope you like my new venture.Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.comBlogger1116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-36032391901845799052024-03-13T10:56:00.002-04:002024-03-13T10:58:19.228-04:00A possible new venture. . .<p> <span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When you think of it, many times when life seems unfair and doors keep getting slammed in your face, that is a good thing. It's God's way of pointing you in the right direction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I retired some years ago. The office politics and extreme mindset of the leadership wore me down, probably more than I realized. A handful of jobs since just didn't go right. Not only the jobs themselves, but I went to many interviews and didn't get the job. Although I present myself well and, in some cases, even overqualified for the job, time after time I was not selected. Age discrimination is alive and well folks, believe it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Recently I was at home, my mind wandering about any number of things, certainly not about finding the right job. One of my dogs walked over to me, put her head on my knee and looked at me with "those eyes"! I've often said my dogs control me with their eyes!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That's the first I remember of a new idea going through my head. I love dogs. . . if I see a dog, I just have to get my hands on it and talk to it. Then I thought of a trip coming up and the need to board my two. When I called my usual kennel, they were booked solid. In a state of panic, I began calling different kennels. In my opinion, there are only a few quality boarding kennels in my area. The prices are sky high. I don't even want to think about what I am paying for the kennel that I chose for this trip.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Still staring at Morgan's eyes looking up at me, it hit me! Why not open an in-home dog boarding and dog day care business? I stumbled onto a website online that features in-home day care right here in my town. It's kind of like the Etsy for dog boarding!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Of course, I would have to limit the number of dogs I take in at one time. . . right now I'm thinking no more than two customers at a time, but I would not have the overhead that the commercial boarding kennels have.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There is much thought and planning that needs to go into this before I go live, but it does seem encouraging. I posted on our neighborhood facebook page to judge interest. With only a little over 200 people on the page, I was pleased with the response I got. Almost all of them spoke of the extreme prices they pay to board their dogs. I believe I can charge less and still make a reasonable profit.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Let's see where this goes. One step at a time. Laugh if you want, but I truly believe God had a hand at that moment in Morgan coming to me, resting her head on my knee and looking at me with those eyes!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-70974261402000471382024-03-04T20:04:00.001-05:002024-03-04T20:04:28.843-05:00The Ice Storm of the Century - 1991<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">People who were in Rochester, New York on this date 33 years ago will never forget the Ice Storm of the Century. There are ice storms and there are ice storms! </span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Being a sound sleeper, the crashing trees and tumbling power lines went on overnight unbeknownst to me. Just before dawn, the phone rang. When I answered, a friend asked, "Are you all right?" </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">"I think so" was my answer. "Is something wrong?"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hundreds of thousands of people were without power, many for weeks. Even though many mutual aid power companies made their way here to help, there was just monumental damage. My home had no power or heat for over a week. We slept with thermal underwear and all the blankets we could gather. We cooked on a Coleman camp stove. If you went to the store for food or supplies, they were working with flashlights and could only accept cash.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Schools were closed for over a week. My sons were in high school. The school organized a large group of kids to go around removing debris from neighbors' yards.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Letting my dogs out caused ice to stick to their paws and they tracked blood into the house.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Yes, those were bad times. But we persevered and survived. I don't remember any deaths being reported due to the storm. When the going gets tough, the tough get going!</span></div>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-34545815292738089282024-02-24T16:01:00.000-05:002024-02-24T16:01:06.872-05:00Lost in books<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It's no secret I love to read. Give me a stack of good books and I'm happy. I keep lists of books I want to read.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That's the problem! Not long ago I began reading a series of Detective Quinn novels, by Lisa Regan - she has written 18 to date. I made it through book 5 and discovered another book I wanted to read, and another! Never turn me loose in a library or on Amazon's book section! I find books on Amazon, then go get them from the library.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I ran across a novel from the Gilded Age, An American Beauty. Wow! That one captured me, page after page.</span> <span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And that author has another one I must read - The Second Mrs. Astor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This morning I made a quick trip to the library to return two books. I decided to check their small cabinet of books outside, a sort of community library where you take whatever you like and add books that you no longer want to keep. The Great Alone. . . that title caught my eye. Kristin Hannah - the author - who is she? Never heard of her.</span> <span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Checked her out on Amazon. How is it I never heard of her? She's written quite a few books I simply must add to my list, stories from World War II, the Great Depression, and a young idealistic nurse who chooses to join the military and finds herself in the jungles of Viet Nam.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I like too many genres and time frames from history. I like the simple stuff - Nora Roberts and Danielle Steele - and things with more substance - John Jakes, historical romance, thrillers, biographies, and the list goes on.</span> <span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I probably shouldn't classify Danielle Steele as "the simple stuff." Over the years, she has increasingly written more books with substance. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When my twin sons were little, I insisted they read books. I didn't specify which books, only a book that interested them. Michael was okay with that. . . then there was John. I finally gave up on him. But I am proud to say, today, much older, even with hints of gray in his hair. . . he reads a lot! On occasion, I have passed on books to him that I owned that he actually enjoyed reading!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Now back to my latest book, Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p> </p><p> </p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-66304225932196671862024-02-21T20:04:00.000-05:002024-02-21T20:04:54.337-05:00Juicing<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOeNQ9gPQt5DmP2m997BwwHqJioh1sUwFWXwB383DYzoUAlREKTJRM1zndflBcIwKX77vB8uKFyGaCRrpDluQGfw9-xYbWw3trO688VvwaW-fsRKUZG0BxK3Nxk2dYf1SviBOk4OsjuA2FyTmHZSsTjXqSFB_tulVEaRR1M2hWcK49kU9vj-qMfcmDZM/s1900/IMG_1680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1900" data-original-width="1019" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOeNQ9gPQt5DmP2m997BwwHqJioh1sUwFWXwB383DYzoUAlREKTJRM1zndflBcIwKX77vB8uKFyGaCRrpDluQGfw9-xYbWw3trO688VvwaW-fsRKUZG0BxK3Nxk2dYf1SviBOk4OsjuA2FyTmHZSsTjXqSFB_tulVEaRR1M2hWcK49kU9vj-qMfcmDZM/s320/IMG_1680.jpg" width="172" /></a></div><p><br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">If you aren't into juicing, you should be! Juicing is a way to get more vitamins and nutrients and it is pure nutrition. No preservatives, no additives, just good healthy juice.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This serving above is made from beets, apples, carrots, cucumber, and ginger. Sometimes you may look at the list of ingredients in a juicing recipe and not be excited. But all the flavors come together to make a refreshing drink.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There are dozens of good quality juicers on the market. The masticating ones are the best. They extract more nutrients. I've been happy with my Tribest Green Star Elite. Had it for quite a few years now.<br /></span> </p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-9130653159666860772024-02-08T20:16:00.000-05:002024-02-08T20:16:06.813-05:00The Winter Blahs<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYFpfeP2iyRFcMcpo_blPF2xVOrUO_W2KS03U_FqM9BeJsp3qPha4bgSgvtBgdD50emMooPCGavX0oiiUbhF_1TOu1xXAFbUeinYlE-EQZMtIDJYKjrdFHQ9S5GO5dagfg26kD3hyphenhyphentrIsMznHhtFBvpjsYGKouOTwLPiIjGLxjYImOAxdGioPB08HBdQ/s2016/IMG_1673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="1512" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYFpfeP2iyRFcMcpo_blPF2xVOrUO_W2KS03U_FqM9BeJsp3qPha4bgSgvtBgdD50emMooPCGavX0oiiUbhF_1TOu1xXAFbUeinYlE-EQZMtIDJYKjrdFHQ9S5GO5dagfg26kD3hyphenhyphentrIsMznHhtFBvpjsYGKouOTwLPiIjGLxjYImOAxdGioPB08HBdQ/s320/IMG_1673.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">There was a time when I enjoyed winter in the North Country. . . I was an avid downhill and cross country skier. Over a number of years, back in the 80's and 90's and early 2000's, I spent a week in the Adirondacks, snowshoeing, skiing, just having a wonderful time with friends.</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">These days, I'd rather curl up on the couch with a good book, with the dogs cuddling next to me.</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I saw an electronic sign today while running errands, "Spring is 40 days, x number minutes, and x seconds away." That got my heart beating!</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Looking around my house, I realized I'm down to just one house plant. Little by little over months, the few others I had died. So I made a trip out to the Garden Factory on the west side of town. I bought 3 house plants. I planned to buy a Wandering Jew and a Purple Passion, two of my favorites. They were out of those but expect to get a new shipment early next week. The three plants I bought were small. I like to buy them small and watch them grow. One plant, in the picture above, is in my living room. The Spider plant is hanging in the kitchen. The third one I haven't decided where it will go yet.</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Just a small thing as going shopping for new house plants went a long way to boost my spirits. And tomorrow is one day closer to Spring!</span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p> <p></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-66950805275809951492024-01-19T19:55:00.000-05:002024-01-19T19:55:08.114-05:00A Gem from Betty White<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Butterflies are like women. We may look pretty and delicate, but baby, we can fly through a hurricane!</span></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-48379514987207585872024-01-01T13:18:00.000-05:002024-01-01T13:18:22.471-05:00Sourdough Mindset<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Okay, let me start at the beginning. Thirty years ago, I wanted to learn to make sourdough</span> <span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">bread. I researched everything about making the starter. Just when I thought everything was going great, we had an ice storm and were without power for over a week. Needless to say, the starter died.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I am otherwise an exceptional cook and baker.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Several other times over the years, I tried again. Somehow the Sourdough Gods were against me. My ego was crushed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Now I've got the urge to try again and THIS TIME, come hell or high water, I will succeed!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I found a good sourdough support page on facebook and I've scoured YouTube videos. I'm going to try to make my own starter from scratch. I will give it two chances. If neither works, I will swallow my pride and buy a dehydrated starter from King Arthur Flour. I think one reason I may have failed, I've learned recently you should use filtered water and not tap water, since most of us have chlorine water in our towns.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I've always loved to cook and bake. But it's more than that for me. Have you seen the price of a quality loaf of bread in the grocery store? And so often a loaf has already started to go stale by the time I open it up. I yearn for that soft, fresh taste of bread right out of the oven. And who doesn't just love the "tang" of sourdough?</span></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-48555410398378979172023-12-31T10:55:00.002-05:002023-12-31T10:57:11.185-05:00Do I fly or drive???<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is one I really struggle with! Once a year, I go to Alabama for a cousins' reunion. And for the last two years, I have gone to Virginia over the holidays to visit with my son and his family, along with other family members from points North and South!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The cousins' reunion has been a tradition since 2009 that we all look forward to. Until the last two years, I drove down. Ten to eleven hours on the road for two days both going and returning. Yes, it was very tiring. . . and stressful, going through several large cities, which I seem to always hit during rush hour. Both my kids and my cousins had been after me almost from the beginning, "Why don't you fly?" One year, my daughter-in-law even sent me a proposed airline itinerary. I deleted it. No, I am too independent and territorial to deal with airline policies and procedures. My skin crawls at the idea of strangers going through my luggage. And, what do you mean, you are taking my carry-on bag from me at the airplane door to store underneath the plane??? The ground crews toss your bag around like it is a rubber ball.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">And what about those huge, HUGE airports, crowded with people and little kids pitching temper tantrums right in front of you as you are desperately trying to get to your next gate in time to board your flight???</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last year, I was supposed to have a two hour layover in Philly on my return from Virginia, plenty of time to catch my next flight, right? WRONG! When all passengers were seated on the plane in Virginia, I noticed they had not closed the airplane door. What does that mean? Then the announcement came. . . "We are sorry for the inconvenience, but all passengers need to deplane and go to gate. . ." I made a quick call to my daughter-in-law (she has traveled all over the world extensively and knows all the ins and outs). "You aren't going to make your connecting flight in Philly. . . " NOT what I wanted to hear.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">She did some research and called me back. "Okay, there is a flight to Rochester at 9:00 pm tonight. See if you can get on that one." </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">What? Twelve hours in a huge and crowded airport? I'll go nuts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Although this year's flight went reasonably well (keyword here "reasonably") I still found myself thinking maybe I will drive next time.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In the end, I know, given my age and how my body and brain shut down once I get really tired, it is better for me to fly. And I've learned to accept the fact that things are going to go wrong and won't go smoothly. Once I learned that, it is somewhat easier for me to deal with that monster known as airline travel.</span></p><p><br /></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-84693006613326725702023-12-09T17:52:00.002-05:002023-12-16T22:00:49.943-05:00Little things mean a lot<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Sometimes it is the little, unexpected things that bring joy.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Earlier this week, I had lunch with four friends that I used to work with. We get together on occasion for lunch and it is a fun time. We don't exchange Christmas gifts. But one in our group, Carol, walked in with a bag from Bed, Bath, and Beyond. At the end of lunch, she gave each of us a candle. But these weren't just any candles!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">The were glass enclosed and each one had a different title on them. Mine said "Baked with Love." She had chosen each candle based on the interests of the one receiving it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">"How did you know I like to bake?" I asked.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">"From your facebook posts!" was her answer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">We were in awe that she had taken the time to find such unique gifts!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">It made my day!</span></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-62828119810809430032023-11-20T15:50:00.003-05:002023-11-20T15:50:32.548-05:00Quote for the Day<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">All of us could learn a lesson from the weather. . . it pays no attention to criticism.</span></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-83901284817364025722023-11-12T18:53:00.000-05:002023-11-12T18:53:07.404-05:00Memories of the Adirondacks<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Back in my younger days, in the 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s, I
spent many pleasant times in New York State’s Adirondack Park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was my playground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the summer and fall there was canoe
camping, car camping in some of the fantastic state campgrounds, day hiking and
backpacking, and in the winter there was cross country skiing and
snowshoeing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mind is racing, as I
write this, of all the fun times I had there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I have climbed 17 of the 46 High Peaks, including a few on
snowshoes in winter. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend, Nancy
Lauterbach and I, who unfortunately passed away some years back, spent many
great times all over the place up there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One trip, in particular, stands out as truly splendid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were spending a long weekend at a B&B
in Keene Valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The innkeeper helped us
shuttle cars, dropping us off first at our ending to leave a car and then
taking us to our beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent a
wonderful day ski touring the Jack Rabbit Trail from Lake Placid down to Keene
Valley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather and snow conditions
could not have been any nicer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For most of
the day we had the trail all to ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The scenery went from snow covered evergreen trees on a flat trail to
rolling terrain through a forest of barren trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the middle of the day we stopped at Mt.
Van Hoevenburg to enjoy a lunch of hot bowls of chili before continuing on our
way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">On that same trip, on another day, we decided to climb
Cascade Mountain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a fiasco!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The snow conditions that day required full crampons
on your snowshoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our snowshoes only
had a V-shaped metal piece underneath – not crampons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We struggled along since turning back was not
in our vocabulary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We weren’t doing too
badly, albeit slow going, until we came upon an incline, close to a 45 degree
angle that was a sheet of ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s
it, I’m not going up that!” Nancy swore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Oh, come on, Nancy, we can figure this out!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wouldn’t budge and neither would I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were so close to the summit and I wasn’t
quitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally I realized if we held
on to the small evergreen bushes/trees along the side, we could pull our way
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nancy wasn’t buying it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started up without her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey, this isn’t hard at all!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called back to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can do it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Piece of cake!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me maybe ten minutes to get to the top
unscathed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turned around and tried to
talk her into coming on up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally she
started up, cussing me and calling me every bad word she could think of along
the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to go behind a bush so
she couldn’t see me laughing at her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
made it to the top and then glared at me, “Just how do you expect us to get
back down this death trap?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“I don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll
figure something out,” I laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
usual, the view from the summit was well worth all our struggles to get
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On our way back down, we ran into
a young man with a full backpack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
asked him how to get down “that icy spot.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“Oh, that is the fun part!” he smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll show you”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He had an ice pick that ice climbers use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He taught us to sit down with the pick to
your side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you wanted to go down
slowly, you pushed the pick harder into the ice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you wanted to go faster, you put less
pressure on it going down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
demonstrated, then quickly climbed back up, gave the pick to Nancy, who by this
time was beginning to think this could be fun!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">She laughed all the way down and couldn’t wait to get back
up to the top to try it again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After her
second trip down, I said, “Hey, Nancy, mind if I get a turn?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">That young man probably told everyone he knew about these
two crazy women he ran into on Cascade Mountain that day!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Rollins Pond Campground is a very popular state run
campground that offers miles of paddling opportunities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You could spend almost a week there and
paddle a different destination each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One night, the boys were in their tent asleep, thankfully our dog was in
her cage in the van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just me and
my husband sitting around the campfire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Suddenly this large animal walked through our campsite and behind our
fire pit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took a few seconds to
realize this was no dog, but a bear, not even 8 feet away from where we were
sitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don!. . . Bear!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those were the only words I could get
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seconds later we heard a loud
crash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bear ran into our canoe at
the edge of the pond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is one night
I will never forget!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I led many outdoor trips for the local chapter of the
Adirondack Mountain Club over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You listed your hike/paddle/whatever in the newsletter and people signed
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I did try to screen the
participants to ensure they would be able to handle the trip, that was not
always fool proof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes their
definition of their skill level and my definition were not always on the same
page.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take Charlie (not is real name)
for example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was February and my canoe
trip was not until May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as the
trip was announced, I got a call from this older gentleman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was so enthusiastic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had bought a brand new Wenonah Kevlar canoe
and was anxious to get it in the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh,
yeah, I can handle myself well in a canoe,” he assured me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Fast forward to May.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were paddling from Blue Mountain Lake down into Utowana Lake and camping
at a leanto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we all parked our cars,
unloaded our gear, Charlie was ahead of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was the first red flag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
canoe was sitting on a dock, fully loaded with gear, NOT in the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We gently told him it might work better if he
loaded it in the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had paired him
with an experienced paddler who was very patient with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon we were off and paddling down the
lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember thinking everything was
going to be fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather turned
sour and it was either raining – which kept the black flies away – or the rain
stopped and the black flies were out in force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most of us had prepared to deal with the black flies and we had rain
gear. . . then there was Charlie. . .<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The next morning, I crawled out of the tent to a sunny
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only person I saw was
Charlie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good Morning, Charlie!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“How are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">“TERRIBLE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When is
the next train out of here?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Oh well, you win some and you lose some.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Over about a ten year period, I hiked the 120 mile
Northville-Placid Trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have many
fond memories of those days on the trail, some over weekend trips but mostly
over weeklong trips on the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
with close friends, Nancy among those, and others with folks that signed up for
my trips through the ADK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had the
pleasure of introducing a few people to the joys of backpacking who were ever
so grateful to me for.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">On one of those trips, it was just Nancy and me, for a week
long trek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She brought along a 2 pound
roll of German sausage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now 2 pounds on
a backpacking trip is a lot of weight!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t really care for it, although I ate some of it with crackers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really was way too much for the two of
us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked about ways to get rid of
it, but truthfully, throwing it away on the ground, or in an outhouse was just
more than we could justify.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About the
third day out, we ran into a couple who were hiking the trail end-to-end over
three weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For that kind of trip, you
REALLY have to pack lightly!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We struck
up a conversation with them and immediately, it was clear, these guys were
GERMAN!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked at Nancy and she
looked at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, I think it was
her that asked them if they would like to have our German sausage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their faces lit up with joy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had been eating rice cakes, dehydrated
food, and crackers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You would think we
were giving them a treasure chest full of gold!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were happy to get the sausage and we were glad to get rid of it!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I love all kinds of cooking and baking and learned to do
camp dutch oven cooking with my canoe and car camping trips. . . kind of hard
carrying a heavy cast iron oven on a hike!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As much as I love camp dutch oven cooking, even more so did I thrill to
the response I got from campers who didn’t know what that was all about and
were not expecting a delicious meal cooked over hot coals deep in the woods!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Years
after one of those trips, I ran into one of the participants. . . I had
actually forgotten about him, but he remembered me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He raved about how he remembered that dutch
oven meal and what a big surprise it was for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was his first ever canoe camping trip!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">These and so many more precious memories will stay with me
for the rest of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have truly
been blessed by my experiences in the outdoors of the Adirondacks</span><o:p></o:p></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-45201769447592308752023-11-07T11:51:00.003-05:002023-11-07T11:53:15.605-05:00Dogs<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-family: verdana;">“A dog doesn’t belong in the house.” . . . . “Dogs carry
germs.”. . . . “Stay away from strange dogs, they could bite you.” . . .</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Growing up in a house where I heard these comments over and
over from my father, it is a wonder I grew up to passionately love dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized at an early age that he had a lot
of strange beliefs, not just on dogs!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I do love dogs very much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have often said I love dogs more than some people I know.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Dogs have an enormous sense of what is going on in your mind
and your heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They know when you are
heart broken and respond by cuddling close to you and licking your hand and
looking at you with those eyes that say, “I’m here for you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring a newborn baby into the family and they
will wag their tail and show a protective nature toward that new bundle of joy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Don’t bother remembering when it is time to feed them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will let you know with that look of
anticipation in their eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I have owned a Labrador Retriever since 1985 – five of
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Teri, Cash, Molly, Morgan, and
Bailey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still have Morgan, age 11, and
Bailey, age 8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To my way of thinking,
the Lab is the ONLY breed in the world!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are just so loving and so adaptable to your lifestyle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feed them and give them a good home and you
have a loyal friend for life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is
something undeniably special about a Lab that sets them apart from other
breeds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-74585366326302745502023-11-01T16:43:00.003-04:002023-11-01T16:45:02.535-04:00An absolutely, fantastic, wonderful read!<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I am a voracious reader. Nothing destroys stress and emotional pain in me more than a good book. . . and there have been hundreds of them throughout my life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Enter Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. Wow! I was not prepared to be totally gripped by this story. It is not a book I would normally be attracted to. But I have a habit of seeing someone with a book and asking them what they are reading. This man's face lit up as he began telling me about this book. Either he was a good actor or he had led me to something I should look into!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It is the story of a beautiful nun from India who falls in love with a British doctor and their union produces twin boys. She dies bringing them into the world and the father disappears for the next 30 years. There are so many plots and characters to this story. The reader is taken from Ethiopia to New York and back to Ethiopia again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Verghese is a phenomenal storyteller and you will be grabbed from the beginning pages. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Those who know me will tell you I rarely rave to others about a book I have read. This one is an exception. It is an unforgettable story of love and betrayal, medicine and ordinary miracles, and two brothers whose fates are forever intertwined. A definite page turner!</span></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-15915834778548798222023-10-22T13:16:00.000-04:002023-10-22T13:16:08.558-04:00On smoking meat<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGj5AwWXmRgMXB-NKhp7RK7HcZt9bTGs2iyiRXpYT4UxC2ZOJnsRldXldHcE2EibJJv1HNc6OfGFMGj_1Gfu1_Kt2LcvM18RKws1-AqWKhLPkSiW5nUzq_GgmWsy3bbxYH1vDx7iicFs3YeMk8_dlXub_i40dfSFO2r7QmeeZXS0VPEeqizvrFv_zxTE/s1582/IMG_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1582" data-original-width="768" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGj5AwWXmRgMXB-NKhp7RK7HcZt9bTGs2iyiRXpYT4UxC2ZOJnsRldXldHcE2EibJJv1HNc6OfGFMGj_1Gfu1_Kt2LcvM18RKws1-AqWKhLPkSiW5nUzq_GgmWsy3bbxYH1vDx7iicFs3YeMk8_dlXub_i40dfSFO2r7QmeeZXS0VPEeqizvrFv_zxTE/w205-h358/IMG_0116.JPG" width="205" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> I get it. We live in
a fast paced, dog eat dog world. It is a
struggle just to get by in a minimum sort of way.</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It is easy for me to say, “Slow down. . . take time for YOU.” My sons are adults and I am long past the
constant running here and there, keeping up with their sports and school
schedules. But, SLOW DOWN! Take time for YOU!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Enter smoking meat into my life. I had wanted to try it for quite a few years
before I took the dive. It seemed so
difficult. What if I ruined a piece of
meat? And how do I go about finding the
right smoker for me? . . . there are dozens of models out there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">About ten years ago, I turned “thinking about it” into “just
do it.” Before I knew it, my 18 inch Weber
Smokey Mountain smoker was spread out all over my living room floor and me
wondering if I could really put this thing together. An hour or so later, it was standing up,
fully assembled in my living room and the dogs sniffing and marveling at this
thing Sherry brought home.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">With the help of the internet and cookbooks, I was on my
way. I smoked a whole chicken first, the
easiest and idiot proof. I admit to
being a bit nervous at first but I was overjoyed at the way it turned out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Then I discovered a whole different side of this new interest
that I never saw coming. Aside from the
excitement of preparing the chicken for smoking and getting the smoker up and
running, I felt a sense of joy and contentment sitting by the smoker, letting
my mind go blank as I stared at the puffy white clouds in the blue sky above,
watching the dogs chase each other around the yard. I would get up once or twice every hour to
check the thermometer on the lid of the smoker and if needed, adjust the bottom
vents to control the temperature. My
body had slowed down, my mind wasn’t crowded with endless pressure. Why did I wait so long before doing something
that brings me so much joy? The aroma
coming from the smoker was just divine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Over the years I ventured out from a whole chicken to baby
back ribs, even a brisket, pork, and a roast beef. Not once have I ruined a piece of meat! Instead, I have had some of the best tasting
meat you could ever imagine. Every year
I say I am going to do a Thanksgiving turkey.
But honestly, when there is snow on the ground and winter has set in, I
lose interest in firing up the smoker.
Someday. . .</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I am a strong advocate of a charcoal smoker with chunks
of wood (apple, hickory, cherry, even wood from old wine barrels). You get the best flavor that way. Leave the pellet and electric models to those
with a “fix it and forget it” mindset. The Weber Smokey Mountain comes in three sizes and is used by beginners and professionals alike. It is easy to use, a snap to assemble, has no moving parts to break down, and a large water pan that adds moisture. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-37164275424611376802023-09-30T11:37:00.001-04:002023-09-30T11:37:13.341-04:00Carrot Soup with Nutmeg<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">As summer winds down, I begin thinking of my many soup recipes. This one definitely is a favorite.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">1 medium onion, chopped</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">2 tablespoons white wine</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">about 4 cups carrots, peeled, and sliced thin lengthwise </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">2 cups chicken broth</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">1 teaspoon salt</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">pinch of ground nutmeg</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">1 - 1 1/4 cups whole milk</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">2 teaspoons minced fresh mint or parsley for garnish</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Heat the olive oil in a dutch oven over medium high heat. Add onion and cook about 5 minutes. Add the wine and carrots, stirring constantly, until the wine evaporates, about 30 seconds.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Add broth, salt and pepper to taste, and nutmeg to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until carrots are tender, about 20 minutes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Add milk and process with a hand blender until mixture is smooth, adding more milk if needed to thin the soup.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with mint or parsley as desired.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This can be stored in the refrigerator up to 3 days and reheated just before serving.</span></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-69910476508282928582023-08-20T16:22:00.003-04:002023-08-20T16:23:08.981-04:00Taco Salad<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Although I'm into Mexican cuisine, I've never made Taco Salad. Found a friend that had a recipe and made it. DELICIOUS!!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Ground beef cooked and sprinkled with Taco Seasoning</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Chopped romaine lettuce</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Cherry tomatoes chopped in half</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Grated cheddar</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Catalina dressing</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Fritos corn chips, original flavor, loosely crumbled</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Combine all ingredients and serve. It's best to add the corn chips just before serving so they don't become soggy. I make a big batch of this, refrigerate or freeze in serving size containers and add the chips at serving.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-44022719760147248012023-06-17T14:47:00.003-04:002023-06-17T14:47:33.642-04:00Asparagus Chicken Stir Fry<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">This one is a real winner! It's the marinating that sets it apart and the chili paste gives it a nice kick.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">1 pound, boneless, skinless chicken breasts</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">1 tablespoon lemon juice</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">2 teaspoons cornstarch</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">3 tablespoons chicken broth</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">1 tablespoon oyster sauce</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">1/2 teaspoon chili sauce</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">3 tablespoons vegetable or peanut oil</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">2 cloves garlic, chopped</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">1/4 teaspoon salt</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">1/2 pound fresh asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Cut the chicken breasts into thin strips approximately 1 1/2 to 2 inches long. Place the chicken strips in a bowl and add the lemon juice, soy sauce, sugar and cornstarch. Marinate the chicken for 20 minutes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">In a small bowl, combine the chicken broth, oyster sauce, and chili paste. Set aside.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Heat a wok over medium high heat until it is almost smoking. Add 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil is hot, add the garlic. Stir fry for 15 seconds or until the garlic is aromatic.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Add the chicken strips. Let them brown briefly, then stir fry, stirring and tossing the chicken for 3 to 4 minutes until it turns white and is nearly cooked. Remove the chicken from the pan.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Heat 1 tablespoon oil in the wok. When the oil is hot, add the salt and asparagus. Stir fry the asparagus, stirring and moving it around the pan for one minute.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Add the red bell pepper. Stir fry for one minute, then add the oyster sauce mixture.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Add the chicken back into the pan. Stir fry for another one to two minutes to heat everything through.</span></p><p><br /></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-20595159337903749902023-05-13T11:17:00.000-04:002023-05-13T11:17:13.633-04:00Apple Salad<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This one comes from one of my vintage cookbooks, Menu Magic, published in 1975 by the First United Methodist Church in my hometown, Pensacola, Florida.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">5 diced apples</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">chopped pecans, cut into small pieces, or use walnuts</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Mix the above together and add the following dressing just before serving:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 egg</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">3 tablespoons vinegar</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 cup sugar</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">3 tablespoons milk</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Beat the egg until light, add other ingredients. Cook slowly over low heat until syrupy, stirring frequently. Set aside to cool to room temperature. This salad goes well with turkey and pork.</span></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-88949711084672558972023-04-16T20:04:00.000-04:002023-04-16T20:04:03.284-04:00A Summer Salad<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Ah. . . Nothing says summer like a delightful fresh salad. Here is one I found recently and I really like it. You can do a search on my blog, upper left hand corner of "salads" and find many more of my favorites.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Green cabbage, shredded</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Red cabbage, shredded</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Carrots, shredded</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Green onions, chopped, including the green part</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Apple, cut in match sticks</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Dressing:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> Olive oil</span><br /></span></p><p><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> Sugar</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> Lemon juice</span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span> Mustard</span><br /></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Combine all the salad ingredients. Then combine the dressing ingredients and pour over the salad. I didn't include amounts because sometimes I make more than others. Roughly, 3/4 cup olive oil, a tablespoon or so of sugar, splash or two of lemon juice and a couple tablespoons of mustard - I use Dijon mustard.</span></span></span></span></span></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-17643489543302970462023-04-08T09:26:00.003-04:002023-04-08T09:27:38.331-04:00Chinese Walnut Chicken<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This one comes from one of my old, old cookbooks, The Hour Magazine Cookbook by Gary Collins, copyright 1985. Gary Collins had a TV program in the afternoon featuring many great cooks so he compiled this cookbook.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 teaspoon cornstarch</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 tablespoon water</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 egg white</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2 large whole chicken breasts, skinned and deboned and cut into cubes</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 tablespoon soy sauce</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 tablespoon bourbon</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1/2 teaspoon sugar</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">4 tablespoons oil</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 green onion, cut into 2 inch slivers, both green and white parts</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2 slices fresh ginger, minced</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 clove garlic minced</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1/4 cup chopped walnuts</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Hot cooked rice</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Combine cornstarch, water, and egg white. Add chicken cubes and toss until well coated. Set aside.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, bourbon and sugar. Heat wok and add 2 tablespoons of the oil. Stir fry chicken about 3 to 5 minutes till done. Remove from wok. Add remaining oil to wok and stir in onion, ginger, and garlic. Stir fry one minute. Add soy sauce and bourbon mixture and cook until sauce has thickened. Stir in walnuts. Combine this with chcken. Serve over rice.</span></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-57525776031536122302023-04-07T19:35:00.000-04:002023-04-07T19:35:02.980-04:00Wild Rice with Fruit & Nuts (crockpot recipe)<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This one appealed to me because it is different than my usual style of eating. I think you'll like it too.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2 cups wild rice, rinsed</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1/2 cup dried cranberries</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1/2 cup chopped raisins</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1/2 cup chopped dried apricots</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">5 to 6 cups chicken broth</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 cup orange juice</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2 tablespoons melted butter</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 teaspoon ground cumin</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2 green onions, thinly sliced</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2 to 3 tablespoons chopped parsley</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">salt and pepper</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Combine wild rice, cranberries, raisins, apricots and almonds in crockpot. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Combine broth, orange juice, butter and cumin in medium bowl. Pour mixture over rice and stir to mix.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Cover and cook on LOW for 7 hours or on HIGH for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Stir once, adding more hot broth if needed.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When rice is soft, add green onions and parsley. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper. Cook 10 minutes longer and serve.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">NOTE: to toast almonds, spread in single layer in cast iron skillet. Cook over medium heat 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until they are lightly browned. Cool before using.</span></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-2101032120390539042023-03-05T09:08:00.000-05:002023-03-05T09:08:00.444-05:00Chocolate Chia Pudding<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I have long used chia seeds in oatmeal and baking. Recently I found recipes for chia pudding. Delicious! Here is one recipe I have tried so far. Chia seeds are a nutritional powerhouse.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2 tablespoons cocoa powder</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2 tablespoons brown sugar</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1/4 cup chia seeds</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 cup milk</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2 teaspoons honey or to taste</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Mix the cocoa and brown sugar. Stir to remove all lumps. Fold in chia seeds. Pour in milk (use a little less than a cup for a thicker pudding). Stir for about a minute. Let mixture sit for a few minutes and stir again. Repeat the stirring/sit process for 20 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours, but better overnight. Drizzle with honey to serve. You can also add toppings, such as nuts, blueberries, or strawberries.</span></p><p><br /></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-59905239915295021632023-03-03T11:50:00.003-05:002023-03-03T11:50:57.649-05:00Sweet and Sour Green Beans<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This one comes from my Southern Plate cookbook, by Christy Jordan, a collection of excellent Southern comfort food recipes. Wonderful to read and even more enjoyable to try the many recipes.</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">6 or 7 slices of bacon</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1/2 onion, chopped</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">32 oz. can french-style green beans</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2 tablespoons vinegar</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2 tablespoons sugar</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">salt and pepper</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Cut the bacon into one inch pieces. Place the bacon and onion in a skillet and cook over medium heat until browned, stirring often. Remove to a plate. Add the green beans to the bacon grease and continue cooking over medium heat until they are cooked to the desired tenderness. Add the vinegar and sugar and stir to dissolve the sugar.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Return the bacon and onions to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.</span></div>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-39261267858025304802023-03-01T14:31:00.002-05:002023-03-01T14:31:52.912-05:00Beef Pot Pie with Cornmeal-Cheese Crust<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 lb. stew meat, cut into 1/4 inch pieces</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 tablespoon cooking oil</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 large green bell pepper, chopped</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 medium onion, chopped</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 (14 1/2 oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 (8 3/4 oz.) can whole kernel corn, drained</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2/3 cup water</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1/4 cup tomato paste</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 tablespoon chili powder</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 teaspoon sugar</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1/4 teaspoon salt</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 recipe Cornmeal-Cheese Crust (see below)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In a large sauce pan, brown the beef in hot oil. Remove beef with a slotted spoon. Cook pepper and onion in drippings until tender. Add beef, undiluated tomatoes, corn, water, tomato paste, chili powder, sugar and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Cover, simmer about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, prepare Cornmeal-Cheese Crust. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough for crust into a 12 x 8 rectangle. Spoon beef mixture into a 2 quart rectangular baking dish. Carefully top with crust. Cut slits in top of crust for steam to escape. Bake, uncovered in a 425 oven about 20 minutes or until crust is a golden brown.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Cornmeal-Cheese Crust: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in 1/2 cup butter and 1/4 cup finely shredded cheddar until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cold water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing gently until all is moistened. Form into a ball.</span></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6217350636737686453.post-78407176418621069072023-02-20T15:09:00.002-05:002023-02-20T15:11:09.175-05:00Italian Beef and Spinach Pie<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This one comes from my Better Homes and Gardens Treasured Recipes cookbook. Every recipe in the book is a winner. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 10 oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 unbaked 9 inch pastry shell</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1/2 pound lean ground beef</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1/4 pound mild bulk Italian turkey sausage</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">3/4 cup chopped red and/or yellow sweet pepper</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1/2 cup sliced mushrooms</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 clove garlic, minced</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 cup water</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1/2 cup tomato paste</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 1/2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1/2 teaspoon salt</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">2/3 cup light ricotta cheese</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">1 cup chopped tomato</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Drain the thawed spinach well pressing out excess liquid; set aside. Line pastry shell with a double thickness of foil. Bake in a 450 oven for 8 minutes. Remove foil. Bake for 4 to 5 minutes more or until set and dry; remove from oven. Reduce oven temperature to 350.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In a large skillet, cook the beef, sausage, sweet pepper, mushrooms, and garlic until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender. Drain off fat. Stir in the water, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together the spinach, ricotta, and 1/4 cup of the mozzarella. Spoon the spinach mixture into baked pastry shell. Top with the meat mixture. To prevent overbrowning, cover the edge of pastry shell with foil. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Remove foil. Top pie with tomato and remaining mozzarella. Bake for 2 minutes of until heated through and cheese is melted. Let stand for 10 minutes.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Makes 8 servings.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00025393028275333234noreply@blogger.com0