Ramped up Scalloped Potatoes

Even tho' Spring is Springing

it rarely feels like it these days ...

the weather is still damp, dull and cool.

However, on my way home yesterday from a wee "rampage"

to town I caught a glimpse of this shy newborn.

So sweet!

The farmer and I also made a little jaunt to a woodlot

just down the road and brought home a few shovels full of ramps!

Ramps - also known as wild leeks, or bush onions

are a true sign that Spring is here!

They always remind me of my Dad who loved to eat them raw.
Those closest to him always knew he had!

These pungent, strong and earthy tasting treats are used in many different ways.

They are said to be very healthy - if only they didn't have such a strong odour!

Ramps taste wonderful paired with potatoes and since scalloped potatoes is on the menu for dinner I decided to chop a few into the potato casserole.

Taste Note - the ramps added a nice mild and earthy flavour to the potatoes. I would do this again!

Tonight I roasted some in the oven - recommended by my friends Gary and Anita. This was another very tasty way to enjoy Spring Ramps.

Till next time - are ramps/wild leeks something you and your family enjoy?

Mini Things!

Sometimes it's the little mini things in life

that are the sweetest!

My wee mini daffodils and violets are finally blooming.

I love to pick them and fill my mini vases

(this happens about once a year)

Tea Cup added for comparison of size

I've been busy creating mini quilts (well not totally mini but baby size quilts)

There are some very special friend's babies on their way (one set of twin boys no less)

and a God Daughter's baby.

For the twins!

For a sweet little girl?

If it's a boy I might have to 

whip up another ....

The sewing bug was extended to my sweet daughter where I just returned

from a mini visit with her mini family in Alberta.

Her first sewing project! She's a fast learner.

But, I must say that the best mini in my life right now is my darling granddaughter ....

oh what fun and many cuddles we had!

Loved like Crazy by Mommy 

And Daddy!!!!

Becky dubbed this picture "Me and my Mini"

Story Time with Grammie

Noa's Office - notice the mini knee pads for crawling baby!

Saying good-bye for now ...

It has been a fulfilling month and the mini things were the best!

Meanwhile, back at the homestead - we are preparing for the farmer's big 6-6 tomorrow!!!

I found this apple cake recipe and thought I'd give it a go.

It's an Ina Garten recipe so it's got to be good!

I didn't have Granny Smith apples so I substituted with 3 Cortland apples.

Recipe for Apple Cake "Tatin"

Ingredients

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus extra for greasing the dish
1 1/4 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced into 12 pieces
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
Confectioners' sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Generously butter a 9-inch glass pie dish and arrange the apples in the dish, cut side down.
Combine 1 cup of the granulated sugar and 1/3 cup water in a small saucepan and cook over high heat until it turns a warm amber color, about 360 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Swirl the pan but don't stir. Pour evenly over the apple slices.
Meanwhile, cream the 6 tablespoons of butter and the remaining 3/4 cup of granulated sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, until light and fluffy. Lower the speed and beat in the eggs 1 at a time. Add the sour cream, zest, and vanilla and mix until combined. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt and, with the mixer on low speed, add it to the butter mixture. Mix only until combined.
Pour the cake batter evenly over the apple slices and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool for 15 minutes, then invert the cake onto a flat plate. If an apple slice sticks, ease it out and replace it in the design on top of the cake. Serve warm or at room temperature, dusted with confectioners' sugar.

Till next time .......... trying to catch up with the "home" work - mini steps!

(I'm so far behind reading my favourite blogs dear friends - I'll try to catch up this week)

Exploring RV parks in Florida

It's hard to believe that a week has already passed

since we returned from our 20 day escape in our "Escape 19" to frolic

on the white sand beaches of Florida!

Let me tell you ..... it's a long haul down the I75 from SW Ontario.

We were literally rocked by the endless stream of semis as they roared passed us

with enthusiasm to their destinations, going both South and North -eek!

The fearless farmer firmly grasped the steering wheel with determination,

trying not to be intimidated ... as we headed for warmer climates.

Once we arrived, we soon forgot those long 2 days of travelling

and settled in to our first camp site at E. G. Simmons Regional Park

in Hillsborough County. Our GPS called it EggSimmons.

A great RV park with large open sites.

We were surprised to meet some fellow "Escape" campers that we had met

at our Fiberglass RV Rally in Niagara Falls last September - small world!

Next we headed further South to Siesta Key and stayed one night (it was all we

could get or it would certainly have been longer) at Turtle Beach Campground

If you watch the youtube link you'll know why - heaven!
It's a teeny tiny campground but so unique.

We set the sun on the beach that evening.

It was a short jaunt to our next one week campground reservation in Ft. Myers.

Woodsmoke Camping Resort 

Here we settled in and got our "glamping" on. 

This campground offers many services and comfort

(i.e. heated pool, huge hot tub, bingo, community suppers and breakfasts,

shuffleboard, etc.)
We felt a bit like small potatoes amongst these giants but everyone was friendly and kind.

Most RVers stay here from Fall to Spring - can't blame them.

We met some really terrific people, especially Sandy and her son Kevin from MI.

Woodsmoke has a lovely little wildlife area
sporting many birds and a huge turtle pond.

Ft. Myers area is a bit crazy with lots of traffic and such but in this area we took

advantage of shopping at the Miramar Outlet Mall, shelling at Lover's Key and Sanibel Island and meeting up with our 

friends Ralph and Yvonne a few times who were vacationing in Cape Coral.

Lover's Key - we almost had the whole beach to ourselves that morning!

Ft. Myers Beach wasn't quite as 
quiet!!
I played with my Waterlogue app to create this picture - the umbrellas were so pretty.

It was hard to leave that very early morning and think of a 7-8 hour drive

to our next destination on the Pan Handle - but we made it!

The white sand beaches, dunes, and turquoise sea were unbelievable in this area.

We stayed at 3 different RV parks in this part of the state:

Grayton Beach State Park - my personal favourite!

The sand was so fine it literally squeaked - just so beautiful!

Here we met up with our friends Ron and Karen who were vacationing in Destin. We had a late dinner (late, that is by Florida standards it seems). It was so dark we had to use our cell phone lights to read the menu - lol! And our reading glasses of course.
Most restaurants are buzzing and over booked in the late afternoon - go figure. Are we seniors yet?

St. Andrews State Park - right beside Panama City Beach

View from the pier - we saw dolphins here as well

There were gators in that there pond!

Wildlife galore!












We had a rain day so the farmer and I went to the movies!
Zootopia is a must see ...

Top Sail Hill State Park - simply beautiful and worth staying for more than one night!

The "haul" back home was uneventful (thankfully) with dry roads
and a little less stressful driving - maybe we're just getting the hang of it?

The Redbuds were blooming - said with a southern drawl!

We made it home in time for the Easter weekend activities
and pictures of the cutest Easter Bunny ever!

Now we need to decide what to do for next Winter.
Did you know that you have to book these places a year in advance for March bookings - Wow!

That was fun .....

This post was almost as long as our trip - sorry about that!!!

Till next time ......... hopping on a jet plane next week to see that little Easter Bunny!

While the Paska dough rises ...

We arrived back from our quick "Escape" to Florida

just before the ice storm and in time to prepare for the Holiest of Days ....

My Mennonite Girl's Can Cook book is open to pg. 133  and Lovella's dough is on the rise.

I have adopted this wonderful Easter Bread tradition as one of my own.

It reminds me of the celebration of our risen Lord...

"Easter is the most significant day in the life of those that have accepted

the forgiveness of Jesus Christ"

by Lovella Schellenberg, Mennonite Girls Can Cook.

Amen ...

While the dough rises:

 I will attempt to get caught up on my blogging, both reading and finally posting.

I have struggled with keeping up and our internet connections were sparse to say the least while travelling!

I will prepare the homemade mustard for the delicious ham dinner to be shared with my Family In Law tomorrow on Good Friday.

I will bake some homemade bread - my cupboards are bare.

I will carve the Easter Butter Lamb.

Just a few more groceries to pick up but that will have to wait till the Paska is done ... that is if the ice storm that makes my hydro go on and off this morning lets me - eek!

I guess this post is somewhat of a "throw back Thursday" one.

Now skedaddle dear reader and I'll catch up with you all later. 

So much to share about our recent trip to Gator country.

Till next time ..... Happy Easter to you and yours!

Warm Thoughts

Last year on this very day we were packed and on our way to Costa Rica

to celebrate my retirement and for a lovely warm get-away with friends.

Today my cupboard doors have been flung open and

I am packing for the RV kitchen pantry ... warm food coming soon.

Some meals on the menu will include:

Steak

Pineapple Chicken

Crock Pot Ribs

Rice Pilaf

Pasta Crab Salad

Spaghetti

Slow Cooker Apple/Fruit Crisp

Chili Dogs

I'm premixing some of the meat rubs,

dessert toppings, home made mustard ingredients,

etc. to make it easier on the road and also so I don't need 

to pack too many spice ingredients in their original large containers.

Also trying to be mindful of what foods we can and cannot

take across the boarder.

A grocery list for once we are at our destination is growing.

Can't wait to taste the fresh citrus fruit, sea food, and produce!

She is waiting patiently for us to fill her cupboards and travel somewhere warm!

Eek!  What am I forgetting???

Will the oncoming March Lion Winter Storm hamper our plans?

We'll see ......... thinking warm thoughts.

Till next time ......... looking forward to sun rises, high noon sun, and beautiful sunsets on the beach, and making many more warm memories!

From Hawaii via Victoria

It's so exciting to receive a package in the mail ...

this one arrived from Victoria, BC

beautifully wrapped and filled with Hawaiian chocolate,

Murchie's Hot Chocolate and Tea,

chocolate from Roger's (that I immediately regretted sharing with the farmer),

a beautiful Valentine scarf,

a Victoria Sketchbook by Robert Amos from Munro's Book Shop

and a card by the same artist that was hand written by a special blog friend

from Pondside.

If you have never visited this blog - you must!

She writes beautifully and from the heart.

I was picked as the winner of these treats on one of Pondside's

recent posts about her trip to Hawaii

(a someday destination we wish to visit).

So, on this beautiful frosty February morning I am enjoying

a cuppa hot chocolate and the last few of those delicious Hawaiian treats!

Thank you so much for picking me Pondside - what a wonderful surprise!

We are enjoying the sketchbook of Victoria
 and reminiscing about the places we have visited there.
One of the most beautiful places in our country!

Till next time - dreaming of Hawaii .....

"Tasty Collage" - Pepper Steak

If you are on Facebook you've probably enjoyed

those bite size, fast motion videos with yummy recipes

that end with "Oh Yesssss"!

They are called buzzfeedtasty Videos  - click on the link to see some.

I love them and have actually tried some of those "tasty" recipes with good success.

Here's my version of a "tasty collage" - no video - sigh.

You'll have to use your quick video imagination.

This recipe comes from my old Betty Crocker Recipe Card Library C 1970's.
Do you remember those? Mine is even in the typical 70's avocado green colour!

This file lives in my Hoosier cabinet (top right corner) and gets pulled out on occasion for some of those
oldies, but goodies ....

Many years ago, my sister Evelyn lived with us in the city while she attended her last couple of years in high school. Even back then, as a teenager, she was a good cook.

She pulled this recipe card and treated us with a delicious dinner.

Maybe, just maybe, having this recipe library available to her is what helped make her the great cook that she has become?
Actually - Evelyn has followed in our Mother's Good Cooking footsteps and she even married a Cook (her married surname) - so appropriate.

The recipe (slightly revised):

PEPPER STEAK

1 1/2 lbs. round or sirloin steak - sliced across the grain into 1/4 X 2 inch slices

1/4 Cup Oil - I used Avocado Oil

1 Cup Water

1 medium onion - sliced

1/2 tsp. garlic salt - I used 1 clove garlic and 1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp. ginger - I used 1 Tbsp. fresh ginger - chopped

2 medium green peppers - I used 1 green and 1 red pepper - cut into 3/4 inch strips

1 Tbsp. corn starch

1 tsp. sugar

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

2 medium tomatoes - wedged

Heat oil and brown meat for 5 minutes or until nicely browned.

Stir in the onions, garlic, salt, ginger and the water. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes.

Add the pepper strips during the last 5 minutes of simmering.

Blend the cornstarch, sugar and soy sauce and stir into meat mixture for 1 minute until thickened.

Gently stir in the tomato wedges, cover and heat through for an additional 3 minutes. Serve over your favourite rice.

Oh Yesssss!

Sometimes the "old" recipes that remind us of good times are the best.

This made a nice easy dinner for a cold, end of January, Friday night dinner.

There's another thing that warms my heart .... on these cold winter nights.

One of my almost daily pictures of our little love.

The farmer and I look at these text message photos

 over and over again with broad smiles and fuzzy warm feelings.

We also get the most delightful "bite sized" videos of this little lady.

Can you spot her loving mommy and daddy in the reflection?

Till next time ....... enjoying the last days of January and looking forward to a busy February.