Did You Have a Good Weekend? I Did!

I work at an office, with 12 women and 9 men. The men are rarely in the office. For the most part, the women interact about home life and things going on at the office.

Something that really bugs me lately is the fact that I come in on a Monday morning, after a wonderful weekend, and everyone else is gloomy and sulking.

Last week, we all knew well in advance that a storm was coming and it would be raining all weekend. I thought I planned well for a weekend of bad weather, and staying home. I found a new recipe for stew, and made plans to finish a bathroom project that was long overdue.

I felt great, going to work Monday morning. I had accomplished my goal of finishing the bathroom project, made a wonderful stew and, in spite of the nasty weather, had an overall enjoyable weekend.

Road Trip!!

In just a couple of days, my youngest son is accompanying me on the greatest road trip I’ve ever taken. My youngest daughter moved from Texas to Delaware last year. She seems to be having a hard time adjusting to her new surroundings, and missing family much more than she anticipated. So, I decided to plan a trip to go see her. Of course, travel by plane was researched first. I got frustrated trying to find the flight for the best price, with a schedule that worked for me. Then, the idea to drive came to mind. Well, I decided, I really don’t want to drive halfway across the country in a car I don’t know, and have to worry about the time I pick it up and return it. So, I’m taking my own car, on my own time!

 

 To make the trip more interesting, challenging, and adventurous, I got the idea to travel by map! When’s the last time you actually used a map? Shortly after I got this bright idea, I heard a broadcast on the radio that reported the percentage of Americans who have never used a road map. I believe it was 48%, and they conducted a street survey to ask random people if they had every used an actual map. Surprising, and sad, but all the more reason to proceed with my plan for our road trip. 

 

A couple of weeks later, I presented the idea to my son. He was ecstatic! He immediately dug out his Road Atlas from the closet where he still stores some of his belongings at my house. My youngest son is 27, but is not the typical twenty something. He detests technology, no Facebook for him, and no cell phones during a meal! I appreciate that he prefers “old school” ways of doing things, but it’s somewhat humorous when I “out-tech” him. 

 

The Road Atlas my son has is from 2008, if I remember correctly. He has taken a few long distance road trips – Texas to Ohio, Texas to New York. I recently read that if a map is more than a couple of years old, toss it.  Oh, this should be interesting!

 

I’ve been traveling for as long as I can remember. My family took road trips all the time, but that was pretty typical for my generation. I took my kids on many road trips, too. My youngest son enjoyed sitting in the front seat, following the route with the road map spread out on his lap. I called him “My little navigator”. He’s a great road companion. 

 

I’ll confess, I have used Google Maps to get an idea of the general route, but we’re not breaking out the phones, except to take pictures! (Here’s a sampling of my road trip pics) 

 

It has been exciting, and stressful, planning this trip. I’ve never planned such a trip, and there’s even a bit of nervousness in me, but I keep telling myself whatever happens, it will all work out, and we’ll have fun! By the time we leave, I’ll have myself convinced!

 

Maybe next time I plan an adventure like this, I’ll do it on National Read A Road Map Day.

 

 

Oven Roasted Herb Veggies

Oven Roasted Herb Veggies

Here’s a recipe for Oven Roasted Herb Veggies I found on Pinterest, and tried recently. I love all of these vegetables, and the herb combination really complimented their taste. This is a BIG batch of vegetables! I had a family gathering coming up, so needed plenty to feed my army. I did have leftovers, which was fine for dinners the next week. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 bundle of asparagus
• 1 small bag of snow peas
• 2 medium to small yellow squash
• 1 zucchini
• 1 small bag of baby carrots
• 1 package of grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes)
• 1 small bag of baby red potatoes
• EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), about 1/4 cup
• 2 T Rosemary
• 2 1/2 T Basil
• McCormick’s Steak Seasoning’s (pepper mix-it’s part of their Grinders series)
• Salt
• 1 1/2 T Garlic Salt

Directions:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees
2. Cut squash and potatoes into chunks.  For the asparagus, snap at the appropriate areas for them.  This is usually about 1 to 1 1/2 inches from the bottom of the asparagus.  Then cut Asparagus in half.  Not down the middle in half, but across.  We want to leave the spears intact.
3. Next, mix the vegetables in one bowl.  You may need to use 2 separate bowls.
4. Sprinkle EVOO all around the top of them.
5. Add all of the seasonings on top.  Now, Use the salt and McCormick’s pepper mix to your own liking.  Everyone has their own salt and pepper threshold.  Some might even want to add more rosemary and less basil, but to each their own.  With a wooden spatula, fold all of the vegetables and seasoning together.  Keep mixing until you are sure that the ingredients are nice and spread out.
6. When done, place your vegetables into a deep baking dish.  I had to use two! Cover the dishes with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.  Then, take off the foil and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes.  If you like your vegetables more al dente, then lessen the covered cooking time.

Grilled Peanut Butter Chicken

The Farmers Almanac posted this recipe on their Facebook page for National Peanut Butter Month. It did not sound appealing to me, but I decided to give it a try. I was amazed, and hope you will be, too!

Grilled Peanut Butter Chicken

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/3 teaspoon curry powder
1 dash ground cayenne pepper
4 skinless, boneless chicken halves

Directions:
Preheat grill for high heat. In a bowl, mix peanut butter, lime juice, soy sauce, garlic, curry powder, and cayenne pepper. Lightly oil the grill grate. Place chicken on grate and brush with 1/2 the sauce. Grill 6 to 8 minutes. Turn chicken, and brush with remaining sauce. Continue grilling 6 to 8 minutes, until chicken juices run clear.

Daily Prompt: All It’s Cracked Up to Be

Tell us about a time when everything actually turned out exactly as you’d hoped.

Photographers, artists, poets: show us PERFECT.

Sour Milk Ginger Bread

In 1976, my mother gave me a cookbook; a compilation of recipes from some of the finest church ladies of the South. But, I was 16. Whatever, thanks Mom.

I’m 54 now and, since 1976, I have been married three times, raised four kids, and moved countless times, but I still have this cookbook.

Recently, I decided to open it up and look for a good, old fashioned, bread recipe. I was flipping through the pages and came across a recipe titled “Sour Milk Ginger Bread.” I love anything with ginger, and I started looking at the other ingredients. I even happen to have some molasses! I was excited to find this recipe, and couldn’t wait to make this bread! Then, I looked at the bottom of the page, “Mrs. L.L.Smith” my grandmother! Of course I will love this recipe!

Sour Milk Ginger Bread

SOUR MILK GINGER BREAD

1/2 cup shortening                                                    1 tsp ginger

1/2 cup molasses                                                        1 tsp cinnamon

2 eggs, beaten                                                             1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 cup brown sugar                                                 1/2 tsp clover

1-1/2 cup flour                                                           1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder                                                3/4 cup buttermilk

Cream shortening, add sugar, and beat. Add eggs, and molasses and mix.

Sift flour, baking powder and spices together.

Dissolve soda in milk.

Alternately add dry and liquid ingredients, blend until smooth.

Cook in any size pan you wish, at 350 degrees, about 45 minutes.

NOTE: Be sure to test the bread after 45 minutes. I had to add another 15 minutes for it to be completely baked.

Also, if you don’t have molasses on hand, honey is a good substitute.

This bread was divine.

Be sure to test with toothpick, more time may be necessary.

Baking Chip Cookies

I can’t even tell  you how long I’ve had this recipe. I clipped it off the back of a bag of chocolate chips a LONG time ago. They have been a big hit with my family, neighbors, friends, and co-workers. I refer to them as, “the best chocolate chip cookie recipe EVER!” and I know many will agree. Enjoy!

BAKING CHIP COOKIES

1 cup softened shortening

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar              3/4 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla          1/2 teaspoon water         2 eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour          1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt          1 cup chopped nuts

1 package (12 oz.) baking chips

Beat shortening, sugars, vanilla, water, and eggs until light and fluffy.

Mix flour with soda and salt; blend into shortening mixture.

Stir in nuts and chips.

Drop 2 inches apart from teaspoon onto greased baking sheets.

Bake at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Makes about 8 dozen.