Poached Pear Dessert

The new year has begun and light desserts

are/should be on my menu!

I don't usually make New Year's Resolutions but I am resolved

to eating healthier and making the job of staying active my new career!

It's never too late to start is it?

Since celebrating my 64th a few days ago there's no time to waste - eek.

This pretty and delicious dessert

is easy to make and makes a perfect finish to any meal.
Introduced to me by a dear friend some years ago who is forever elegant.
She even brought along her own margarita glasses to present this dessert.

Any ripe and firm pear will do but I like to use Bosc Pears when available.

Simply core the pear with a melon baller from the blossom end. It takes two or three "scoops" and the core is out.

Carefully peel the pears leaving the stem intact.

Add the peeled and cored pears to your favourite poaching liquid.

The recipe I use is:

2-3 Cups cranberry juice

2 bay leaves

1 star anise

5 whole cloves

orange zest (optional)

2-3 cinnamon sticks

Gently simmer the pears for 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally with a large spoon. Pears should be tender but still hold their shape.

Drain the pears and cool.

Pat them dry and place upright on a serving plate

(they look so great served in a Margarita glass)

Scoop a ball of ice-cream and drizzle with caramel sauce (see recipe below).

Also, lovely served with a sprinkle of roasted nuts or a rolled wafer!

You can make your own delicious caramel sauce or purchase a good quality one for this dessert.

Caramel Sauce:

½ Cup granulated sugar

¼ Cup brown sugar

1 ½ Cups heavy cream

Put granulated sugar in a heavy saucepan and crumble the brown sugar on top.  Melt the sugars over medium heat undisturbed until the granulated sugar is mostly melted.  Continue to cook, stirring with a fork until a deep golden caramel – watch closely.  Carefully pour in the cream (mixture will bubble up and caramel will harden).  Simmer, stirring until caramel is dissolved and sauce is reduced to about 1 Cup – approx. 10 minutes.  Cool slightly before pouring on pears or serve as a cold sauce.

Till next time .......... gathering my lean and healthy recipes and meal plans. At least I'm trying.

The Tree of Life Barn Quilt

I have always been intrigued by and loved the

quilt pattern called

"The Tree of Life"

To me, trees signify stability, deep roots, shelter, and hope

for generations to come.

They enrich the air we breath and provide fruit for us to eat.

Many years ago, in 2003, we had a very large international family

reunion and I was inspired to make a Tree of Life quilted wall hanging

to be auctioned off at the event.

Years later, as in a couple of years ago, I incorporated that same

pattern into a small quilt I pieced for our RV trailer.

This pattern was also the inspiration for me to paint 

a very large "barn quilt".

A Sunday drive in Middlesex County, Ontario helped me decide to do this!

2 4X8 pieces of plywood were set up in our driveway and painted with 4 coats of primer.

The process had begun!

The "quilt" took up most of the garage which was a good incentive to keep working at it because we do like to park our car in there!

The basket of my old folk art paints was hauled out of the upstairs closet and the colours were chosen.

I hadn't used these paints for a long, long time and some were completely dried up.

This was a great project for using up these colours.

The summer flies and mosquitoes also made their "impressions" on this work in progress.

The intention was to mount it on the West side of our old barn

(the side that faces the house and just for us to see)

The other 3 sides of the barn had been covered with steel soon after 

we moved here (36 years ago).

As we talked about where to hang the "quilt" we realized that perhaps

this side of the barn should be sided with steel too before we do that.

The mounting was delayed and the very heavy 8 foot X 8 foot Tree of Life

was moved into the barn till further notice!

A couple of weeks ago, the end of December 2015, the workmen came to remove

the old worn barn boards and to put up the new steel siding.

The weather was perfect - unusually mild for this time of year.

They came with the self propelled boom and we asked them if they would do one more thing

for us before they leave - you can guess what it was.

I was super excited!

These young, strong and fearless Amish workers were willing and able.

We just stood back and watched as they hoisted that heavy quilt and bolted it into place.

On the last day of the year 2015, my barn quilt has finally been mounted.

It will aways remind me of the year our darling Granddaughter was born

and of how blessed we truly are.

This is my "YES" picture ....

Now - what can I make with those beautiful old and worn barn boards?

I think the farmer is worried.

This is the first day of 2016, the snow is falling, the wood stove is glowing,

and I'm still in my PJs (and it's 5:30 5:53 p.m.).

Oh, and there's a quilt outside my window!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Our Best Gift Ever!

Sweet baby Noa - our Christmas Angel and Star.

Our best gift ever!

How can our hearts hold so much love for this little family?

Happy times with doting grandparents

Selfies ... with Daddy and Mommy

Grammie snuggles

Grandpa snuggles

Relaxing with these beauties.

Baths in the kitchen sink.

Unwrapping Gifts

Oh, how I miss this sweet face! Her quick smiles and happy sounds!

What a special Christmas this was!

Till next time ........... holding on to the memories and looking forward to many more!

Cheddar Thumbprint Cookies

How are your Christmas preparations coming along?

This beautiful Nativity Snow Globe gifted to us many years ago by my

parents-in-law sets the tone for this time of year.

It's also the only "snow" over here right now as we are experiencing unusually warm temperatures (record breaking temperatures) this December!

We just might have a warm and green Christmas this year.

However, soon the 25th will arrive and thus the urgency to prepare some

appetizers and do some baking.

Today I made one of our favourite appetizers,

savoury cheddar thumbprint cookies.

To make these I dug out my food processor (which hardly ever sees the light of day).

This recipe works so well using this pulsing method - and it's quick to make!

A new to me kitchen utensil that is getting quite a bit of use

during this baking season, is my little Tupperware chopper.

This little chopper makes short order of chopping nuts, onions, veggies, fruit, etc.

When I first saw this demonstrated I knew that I "needed" to have one.

It worked perfectly for chopping these almonds.

It will be going with us in the trailer this summer for sure - no hydro needed!

 I also own it's big brother - excellent for chopping salsas, and mixing hummus!

This simple recipe only takes a

few ingredients ...

A few quick pulses blends the cheeses and the butter

Add the flour and pulse again

till you get a nice soft dough.

Now you just make little balls of dough, dip them into water,

and roll them into the chopped pecans.

Place them on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Thumb press them and

chill for 15 minutes

while you clean up and preheat

The oven to 350F

Pop them in the oven for 15 minutes till golden.

Spoon on a dollop of hot pepper jelly and serve them warm.

They also freeze very well without the jelly!

Be sure to "recrisp" and fill them just before serving.

Savoury Cheddar Thumbprint Cookies

1 ½ Cups Shredded white or Old Cheddar Cheese             

½ Cup freshly grated Parmesan Cheese                                                     

½ Cup butter – softened                                                                      

1 Egg yolk

¼ tsp. pepper

1 Cup all purpose flour

1 Cup finely chopped pecans or almonds

¾ Cup hot pepper jelly

Method:

In food processor, pulse together cheeses and butter until smooth.  Add egg yolk and pepper, pulse until blended.  Add flour, pulse just until soft dough forms.  Place pecans on a plate.  Place 1 Cup water in a bowl.  With hands, roll scant Tbsp. of dough into a 1 in. ball – dip into water – roll in nuts.  Place on ungreased baking sheet. With thumb, make indentation in center of each.  Refrigerate for 15 minutes.  Bake in center of 350 oven for 15 minutes or until lightly golden. Let cool on baking sheet and store or freeze until ready to use.  Recrisp by baking at 350 for 3 min. and fill indentations with hot pepper jelly. Serve warm.
Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

It won't be long now till we can hold this little beauty in our arms!!!

Till next time - what are some your favourite kitchen utensils this time of year?

Preparations

And so it begins ....

Nothing like a beautiful snowfall to get into the mood!

Sometimes I have a hard time getting my Christmas on.

The end of November is always so busy, dark and dreary, 

I struggle to keep up my energy levels.

In spite of myself .... I'm starting with the decor this week.

This special little Christmas incense smoker always helps to get me going.

A long ago gift from dear friends who were in Germany at the time.

Next is the living room mantel.

I used to load it with a collection of snowmen but have simplified this area considerably over the last few years.
I like it better this way.

The front hall banister gets the same old treatment each year.

The chalk board in the background says, 

"Let it Snow"

"Let it Snow"

"Let it Snow"

Oh yes, and the china cabinet!

The wall unit shelf  - the plate called Snow Angel - given to me by my mom

when my daughter, Becky was a little girl - it even looked like her!

Now she has her own little Snow Angel and I can hardly wait to hold 

that sweet baby again

 in a few short weeks when they arrive home.

This will be the best part of Christmas for us this year ....

I suddenly feel much better!!!

Tomorrow I'll work on the outside decorations - one day at a time.

Do Christmas preparations make you tired and anxious or do you feel exhilarated?

I shall carry on and remember the reason for the season!

Till next time ....... wishing all my American friends and families a very Happy Thanksgiving and the energy and spirit to prepare for the most important event of the year!

Imagine!

.... All the people 
Living life in peace ...

John Lennon's song is going around in my head these days too!

This verse came to me this morning as I walked down our country road.

"He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore."    Isaiah 2:4

Our hearts are broken and deep sadness fills our souls .... let this madness come to an end! Amen.


Praying for the world today!