Wednesday, February 29, 2012

What Snow?

I'm ignoring the snow storm out the window.
My friends and I went on a little trip Monday/Tuesday and one
of the places we visited was a butterfly house.
Warm and sunny, a lot of beautiful flowers
and of course plenty of colorful butterflies.









Hope you're having a great day!
-Lynn

Friday, February 24, 2012

Snow?

Didn't I just say it was in the 50's here?
My son and I sat in the yard yesterday for a little sunshine.
I even got some clean up done in the garden.
Then at 6am the phone rings-
it's the school-2 hour delay! What?
I looked out the window, snow...

Well, today I'd rather look at a photo from a vacation a few years ago.
My son and I were going out for a ride.
I can feel the warmth on my face and the water on my feet.

Ok Winter, you can go now...



Here's to warmer days ahead!
-Lynn

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Garden Dreaming

It's going to be in the 50's here in the northeast today!
I was going to do some baking, but I might have to pop into the garden
and do a little clean up. I can't wait to get my garden planted.
Ok, I know it's only February-
I can at least start planning!







Are you planning your garden yet?
-Lynn




Today I'm joining:
A Delightsome Life for House and Garden Thursday

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Stuffed Red Peppers

If you're looking for something easy and healthy
this recipe is perfect. I made these for dinner last night and everyone loved them!
We like the red peppers, they're sweeter than the green, 
but if you like the green use them. 
I like to play around with recipes, add something different, take something out.
This is one of those recipes. 
If you don't eat meat, take it out, use more grains and veggies!
You can make it your own.




Stuffed Red Peppers:

6 Medium Red Peppers
3 Cups Cooked Whole Grain Texmati Brown Rice & Wild Rice w/ Soft Wheat & Rye (or whatever grain you prefer)
2 Cups Ground Beef or Ground Turkey or Ground Chicken (your preference)
1 Cup Diced Cooked Celery
2 Cups Diced Cooked Zucchini
1 Cup Diced Cooked Onion
1 Cup Black Beans
1 Small Can Tomato Paste
Water
1 Cup Grated Cheese (your choice-I used Mozzarella this time)
+ Extra cheese to sprinkle on each stuffed pepper, about a tablespoon each
Salt & Pepper

Wash and cut tops off of red peppers, remove seeds, place in stock pot with about 3" water, cover and steam until slightly tender. When finished, remove peppers with tongs, empty water from each and place standing up in baking dish.

In a bowl add cooked ground meat, grains, celery, zucchini, onion, black beans, tomato paste & water.
Add enough water (about 1 1/2 cups), enough to make a saucy mixture, stir until well combined. Mix in grated cheese. Add salt & pepper to taste.

Fill each pepper to the top with the cooked mixture, don't over stuff. When each pepper is filled, sprinkle with extra cheese. Place peppers in the oven at 350 degrees for 1/2 hour to 45 minutes. Until heated through.

Now when I made this, I had smaller red peppers, so there was extra meat, grain and veggie mixture. It tastes delicious alone. I'm sure someone will eat it for lunch this afternoon!


Happy cooking!
Enjoy
-Lynn



Joining:

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Valentine's Day Treats

Cream Puffs,
one of my favorite desserts to make.
I brought these to a Valentine's Day party
this weekend. They're always a hit!


  


 Cream Puffs
(Better Homes & Gardens New Cookbook)

Puff Paste:
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter
1/8 tsp. salt
1 cup flour
4 eggs

Whipped cream, pudding or ice cream
Powdered sugar

In a saucepan combine water, butter & salt. Bring to boil. Add flour and stir until paste forms a ball.
Remove pan from heat and cool about 10 minutes. When cool add eggs one at a time and stir until well combined and smooth. 

Drop dough by tablespoon onto greased baking sheet. Makes 12 puffs. (or cut size in half for mini puffs) Bake at 400 for 30-35 minutes until golden. Cool on wire rack.

Cut tops from puffs, remove soft dough from inside. Fill with your favorite filling, whipped cream, ice cream or pudding. Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with chocolate.

I usually fill the cream puffs with whipped cream. For Valentine's Day I tinted the whipped cream pink. Half of the tops were drizzled with chocolate and half were sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Enjoy!

-Lynn


Today I'm Joining:
(I know this is a sweet treat, but the puffs can be also be used in savory recipes, for example creamed chicken)

Friday, February 10, 2012

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Sunday, February 5, 2012

New Creations


At the beginning of the new year
I said if I was going move forward, I had to work on or complete something each day.
My creative room is slowly getting organized and hopefully will be painted soon.
Each day I've done something creative, put together a few necklaces,
worked on a painting, painted some cotton napkins, etc.
When I don't feel creative I go on a little field trip.
This weekend my friend came up from the city and we visited Rhinebeck, 
 did a little shopping and had lunch at a cute french bistro. An afternoon
talking about ideas and plans.

Now, that I've gotten a few things done, 
it's time to post them on Etsy.

 Here's a sampling of the necklaces. 







Take a peek at my shop and let me know what you think!
(see sidebar)
Since you're all creative I would love to hear what you have to say.


Have a great weekend!
Enjoy the Super Bowl if you're watching!
(I'm looking forward to the commercials & snacks)

-Lynn




I'm linking to:
Whimsical Musings for  Woman Thing: Link Party

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Red Smashed Potatoes

Who likes a quick and easy side dish?
Me!
Although I say I love to cook, when you have to do it every day it's not always thrilling.
So, I try to keep a list of quick dishes that everyone enjoys.
This is a favorite.

Red Smashed Potatoes





Red Smashed Potatoes


Small Red Potatoes, Washed & Halved Or Quartered (Now I just use what I think I need, depending who's eating that night.)
Add These To Taste:
Butter or Butter Substitute (I can't Believe It's Not Butter) 
Kosher Salt
Course Black Pepper
Fresh Parsley

Add potatoes to pot and add enough water to cover potatoes. Add desired
salt and cover pot, bring to boil. Once potatoes boil, turn heat to medium and cook until tender.
Drain potatoes, put back in pot and add butter, salt, pepper and snipped parsley.
Stir and chop potatoes with large spoon until they are the consistency you like.
Serve.

Hope you enjoy this simple side!
Happy cooking.

-Lynn



 I'm joining: