Thursday, September 21, 2023
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Cooking Thursday
During the summer, our church has several tables set up that people can bring extra produce from their gardens to share. I've brought in tomatoes and basil, and have brought home things like beans and peppers.
Last week someone brought potatoes and there was still some left when we were leaving so I grabbed some, along with a few peppers.
Then I looked for a recipe that had potatoes and peppers in it and found this one. It turned out so good, and got a big thumbs up from Bob too.
Balsamic Roasted Sausage, Potatoes and Peppers
1 pound Italian Sausage links, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 pound potatoes diced (I used my Julienne slicer instead)
1 small sweet onion, sliced thinly
1 red pepper, sliced thinly
1 green pepper, sliced thinly
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment or foil.
Mix oil, vinegar, salt and pepper together. Add potatoes, peppers and garlic, toss to coat.
Stir in sausage links.
Spread onto baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, then flip with spatula. Bake another 20 minutes until sausage is browned and potatoes and peppers are tender. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over top and serve.
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Monday, September 18, 2023
A little project...
When we were cleaning out my Dad's house and barn, there were 2 old window frames found. My brother was going to throw them away, but one was in decent condition, and I know how much these things sell for in thrift stores, plus I love old things like this so we took it home.
It sat in the garage for some time while I tried to think about what I could do with it.
Then I had an idea. My friend Kim, over at Exquisitely Unremarkable frequently shows such cute things she does with decals, and I thought this was the perfect time to try using them.
I went to Etsy to find decals I liked that were the right size.
Here's the finished product! I really like how it turned out, and it has sentimental value since it came from my Dad's shed.
It's going to be hung by the back door in the garage.
Thanks Kim, for the inspiration!
Sunday, September 17, 2023
Random stuff...
I have a few pics from last week to share with you, just random bits of life!
Do you remember when we cut down the maple tree in the back yard? Last week, Bob took the main part of the trunk to a friends house to have it cut into boards. As you can see he got some big boards with live edges and some large pieces that can be turned on the lathe. Now they have to dry for 1 1/2 to 2 years and then we'll see what Bob does with them.
We are entering a familiar season here - the acorns are falling. When we sit outside we hear them hitting the driveway. At night we hear them hit the roof and roll down and off.
Bob was cleaning gutters the other day and this is what he found; acorns. wild cherries and a few leaves. Unfortunately, there are a lot more to fall!
She also discovered this chef hat and apron, and had a fun time playing with the play food.
I marked the photo to show you a few things. There's an arrow (at about 8:00 on the pic) pointing to where our road is, then a circle (at 9:00) where our back yard is. It's a brown patch right now, because of the drain field we had to replace, so it was easier to find in the photo. There's also a black line at the top of the picture which shows where the Grand River is. Much of the property in the upper left corner is protected State land.
Now instead of just seeing my street, you have a new view of my neighborhood.
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
Cooking Thursday
Since Bob is only working 2 days a week, he's been trying to make a few meals. He's never cooked much; grilling burgers and steaks and making grilled cheese and pancakes has been his mainstays.
So this is a new venture! I've been keeping my eyes open for things that are easy for him to try out. This is one he did; something a little different and tasty too!
Chicken Club Roll Ups
1 can crescent roll dough
4 chicken tenders, cooked. You can use Rotisserie chicken, packaged tenders, even breaded ones - whichever you choose
8 slices bacon
4 slices cheese - cheddar, swiss, pepperjack, co-jack. Your choice!
Ranch dressing or BBQ sauce
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Open crescent dough. If you have the type that is just dough, cut it into 4 squares. If it's the rolls, pinch the triangles together to make 4 rectangles.
Spread about 2 teaspoons of ranch or BBQ sauce on each of the 4 sections.
Add a slice of cheese, torn to fit.
Add 2 slices bacon.
Add chicken over bacon.
Roll up and place seam side down on baking sheet.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden.
May serve with extra ranch or BBQ sauce for dipping.
This make 4 rolls, you may double for a larger family.
* Bob made his with BBQ sauce and cheddar cheese, mine had Ranch and swiss cheese. Both were good!
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Monday, September 11, 2023
Sunflower Farm
Last week, I left for work early one morning last week, so I could stop and wander around the sunflower farm. The sun had risen not long before and it was a somewhat cloudy day. But, the flowers were gorgeous!
This place has things like this set up for photo opportunities. They also provide clippers and jars, so you can cut your own bouquet.
I was only taking pictures on this morning.
They have more than just sunflowers. There are lots of other varieties of flowers to add to your bouquet.
After walking through rows of other flowers, here are the sunflowers!
So many types, big, small, and lots of colors.
Isn't this a pretty color? I don't know if I've seen one in this shade before.
I am always drawn to the flower buds. I think they are so intricate and fun to see the different stages.
This one is ready to pop!
What a great way to start a day! Then it was time to head on in to work.
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Reunion!
Last week we had another reunion. This one was with Bob's family. He has 5 siblings, 2 sisters and 3 brothers. His brother Tom has been hosting this for the last 3 years, as he has property with lots of space to hike and play. We had a nice group there, most everyone who lives in the area came. We even had Bob's Uncle and Aunt there, his moms only living brother, so that was an added treat.
After supper we headed to the back yard.
The kids had fun playing some games, although Cassie may have been messing up this one! :)
Here's the picture they were asking me to take.
Soon, everyone gathered around the fire pit.
It was a nice evening with family.
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Cooking Thursday
I had some leftover smoked pork that I needed to use, and in looking for recipes, I came across a few that sounded good. I used things from both and came up with this chili. I used 2 jalapeno peppers in mine, but if you don't want the heat, you could use only one, or none.
It was good, and the BBQ sauce adds some great flavor with the pork. I served it with cornbread and it was yummy!
Pulled Pork BBQ Chili
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 small can tomato paste
1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies
2 large jalapeno peppers, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 can light red kidney beans, drained
1 can dark red kidney beans, drained
1 pound leftover pulled pork
Stir seasonings, tomato paste, tomato sauce, BBQ Sauce and tomatoes together in large crock pot. Stir in peppers, pinto beans, kidney beans and pulled pork.
Cook on low for 4 hours.
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Monday, September 4, 2023
A Day in my Life
September is here! The first day of the month was a very busy one for me, so here's a bunch of photo's to show you how it went.
I so enjoy my drive back and forth from work! (except in the winter)
It takes me about 35 minutes, but there are so many pretty sights along the way.
See the pink sign? One of my co-workers put it up because I have things from my Granddaughters tacked up around there. It says "Welcome to Grandma's corner". :)
We have different things we are assigned to each day. One person does labs, another does prescriptions, another deals with Dr orders - like getting medical equipment, doing referrals. My job on this day was taking care of all the faxes from the facilities we cover, things like someone with a fever, a fall, a rash.., notifying the Dr and getting back to the facility with orders. I also had to do a few death certificates.
It was a quieter day than usual, until about 4:50, when things suddenly got crazy. That meant I got out a little late, at 5:10.
And that was it for the day. It was 9pm, time to sit down and do some internet browsing.
It was a good day as they usually are! I'm blessed!