Life in the Bristolwood

After our totally awesome experience eating at Aladdin’s the other day,  I have been thinking about goodies to make at home.  I get tired of making the same old stuff all the time, but ruts get rather comfortable sometimes!

I had placed some chicken and veggies in some Teriyaki sauce that I  I wanted to make into  some shish-kabobs. I tried to think about something that was “light” to eat with them and was having a tough time trying to come up with something.  Suddenly, I thought…pitas!  Not that I *had* any pitas.  Well, living in this great technological time,  I looked online and found a recipe to make your own pitas! Terrific!! Or, maybe….

I whipped the dough up in the magical Kitchen Aid food processor.  Ah, so lovely to have a machine that will knead dough on command!  There are times when kneading dough is therapeutic, but with my stomach growling and three others looking for something to eat,  I opted for fast!

As the dough was proofing in the oven,  I put together the shish-kabobs to grill outside.  When the dough was ready, I was truly amazed at how easy making the pitas was.  They bake for a grand total of only seven minutes, so they are quick once the mixing and proofing part is done.

So, using the camera on my cell phone yet again,  how do you think I did?

This is my Greek Salad with lettuce, onion, black olives, tomatoes, and feta cheese topped with my own dressing made with Balsamic Vinegar.  The salad was certainly a hit!

Yeah, my shish-kabobs got a tad charred and Mark said the chicken was overcooked.  I didn’t think mine was, but a little blackening on my food doesn’t bother me.   The chicken was less than dry, so Michelle and I gave it a thumbs-up!

The pitas?  They were fabulous!  Ben decided he loved them so much, he cut one in half and made a turkey sandwich with it.  He claims he doesn’t like shish-kabobs.  Well, I know he isn’t fond of peppers and mushrooms, so I guess that’s just Ben.  I made a total of ten pitas and now, there are three left.  I guess the pitas were indeed a hit!

We ate a late lunch and now that it is almost dinner time, I am far from hungry!  No one else seems too interested in eating either.  So, I guess this adventure would be rated a success!

We left our house last Friday, midday.  We made plans to visit with my parents  at the rod and gun club they belong to after we unhitched our camper at Allegany State Park.  We scurried and hurried and were able to meet my parents for a tasty fish fry.

After we finished eating, we went shopping for a bit and then went to my parents’ home.  It is always a treat to visit their house because there are always beautiful flowers everywhere!  I love looking at all the blooms.  I used the cell’s camera to capture some of the beautiful flowers….

I love this photo of the Mock Orange flower.  The flowers are so white and beautifully formed!

Of course, little Fritz found Michelle most accommodating when he wanted to snuggle up with her!

My mom disappeared for a little while and returned with a gorgeous wood carving Randy made. It was so petty!

We went back to our campsite and fell into bed with plans to leave again early in the morning.  Mark had plans to go shopping in Erie, PA.  We stopped long enough to pick Randy up and we were off and on our way! Our Saturday shopping excursion turned into a sauna!  The heat and humidity were so high that day, we took turns waiting in the truck with Angus and Murphy.  They were entertained by styrofoam cups from McDonald’s, and were, in turn, very entertaining!

Angus perforated one cup, trying to get to the bottom of things for a drink of water!

Eww….look at all the hair on the side of the cup!  Yuck! Murphy took his water more gracefully,  making me tilt the cup so he could drink.

We managed to stay hydrated and fit.  After our shopping spree, we called home and Mom said to come on home and she would make dinner!  We had steaks on the grill along with a stir fry and salad.  We ate outside and the food was delicious!

We left to go back to the campsite when we asked if Randy wanted to come along.  Ben has a big tent which easily houses a few campers so Randy came along.  Ben had brought some electronics and he and Randy played games until late! 

Sunday was Father’s Day here in the US, so we planned to grill a meal at the camp.  Mark made some chicken that was tasty and delicious.  My parents visited with us and we thoroughly enjoyed our surroundings!  There were very few campers near us, giving us the feeling of owning the whole woods!  Our lot was very deep with a beautiful little creek behind it.

Take note of that sweet little stream for later….

Mom, Mark, and the kids all played a game of Apples to Apples and laughed and giggled, having a good time.  When it was time to go back home,  my parents were a bit reluctant….it was such a pleasant day!  Randy stayed on and on Monday, we took another little excursion.  I will post about that later.

After Mom and Dad left the campground,  we built a nice little fire and I sat outside by myself, enjoying the quiet.  I think everyone loves just sitting around a campfire and this one felt so warm and cozy, I didn’t want to leave!  I sat, watching the flames moving about and daydreamed about the woods.

I turned around, looking at the camper with its lights on inside. Even it seemed to emit a cozy glow.

Ah, life was good.  It was as I was turning back to the fire that I noticed something moving across the property.  Oh my!  A fat little raccoon was making its way along….I called out to it to “scram!”  and wondered what I might do if the little nocturnal marauder might make its way towards me!

I slowly got up from my chair,  easing my way back to the camper.  Mark asked who I was talking to and when I told him there was a coon outside, he thought I had really lost it.  You were talking to the coon instead of scrambling inside?

Well, thought I, raccoons are known for washing their food before eating!  Perhaps it was *I* who was the intruder, after all. That little coon is a permanent resident, while I was there only temporarily….invading his space and his creek!  It matters not…all ended well!

In the midst of trying to make sense of Mark’s less-than-happy diagnosis last Tuesday,  it seems like we are running in circles!  Well, I realize that isn’t true,  but sometimes it feels that way! With Michelle’s busy college schedule, I am often taking her to school or retrieving her.  Then there is the racquetball that she must play at the YMCA to receive her credits.  Add to the mix things like going to the mall last Wednesday evening to watch the kids’ friends’ band play at a store….you get the idea!

As I thought about the maple syrup season this year,  I committed to drilling the hole in the tree, setting the tap, and producing some syrup.  Now, mind you, it takes 40 gallons of sap to produce 1 gallon of maple syrup.  That requires a great deal of boiling down the sap.  Since I only tapped one small tree, I have been making teeny tiny amounts of syrup every couple days.

Our weather went from wildly warm to bone-chilling cold recently.  Yesterday, while we were running around,  every time we had to leave the comfy cozy truck,  as we opened  the door, the icy wind felt as though it would slice right through us!  This morning when we got up,  the temperature was far below the freezing mark! This, of course, plays right in with the need for a fire to not only heat the house,  but to boil down the sap…

I know this seems like a lot of work for the tiny amount of sweet syrup I’ve made thus far, but, oh my goodness!! I used some of my homemade syrup on pancakes one day and it far surpassed some of the dark maple syrup found in the stores.  It is so sweet, it tastes much sweeter than sugar!

I’ve dreamed of clearing an area for our maples to be isolated into a maple grove for syrup, but thus far, it has remained as only a dream!

I’ll include one more photo I took as we arrived home last night.  This was as it was just getting a little dark….

I just never will understand this family of mine.

Mark’s dad was born in the USA to Italian immigrants. Mark often talks about the delicious foods his grandmother prepared every year for Christmas and other special events.  He fondly recalls her cheese pie and all the tasty Italian dishes she made.

Being a “Heinz 57″ blend myself,  I am not sold on any ethnic dishes, really.  My Ukrainian grandmother made all manner of specialties that just smelled horrible to me.  Perhaps I shouldn’t admit that,  but many times the house smelled strongly of sauerkraut and being a picky eater as a kid, cabbage was one of the last foods I would have wanted to try…..especially “fermented”!  Or, maybe I was just spoiled, as my mom, (maybe fearful I would shrivel up and blow away) often relented and silently placed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on my plate, ending my vigorous protests! I am a much better eater today…..however, there is a line I will not cross when it comes to “exotic” foods!

So, this morning,  I decided I would prepare some Crockpot Lasagna.  I don’t crave Italian foods too often, but since it is bitterly cold and windy outside,  I figured this would be a great day for a filling and tasty dish.  Mark tells me he really doesn’t like lasagna.  Nor do the kids.

I wasn’t the least discouraged by my family.  No sir!  I scrambled up a pound of ground beef and then mixed up my cheese blend.  I had bought some no-boil lasagna noodles the other day when I shopped at Wegman’s, and Mark thought I had lost my mind.  He insisted in his bachelor days when he made up Lasagna (WHO was he making it for, anyway, if he doesn’t even like it?)  he used regular noodles and never cooked them before putting them in the pan. Debatable, say I!

I placed my layers in the waiting Crockpot and turned the button to “low”.  Within about two hours, I tested the noodles and they seemed tender to me.  I turned the pot to “off” and pulled the plug.  Ben walked past the pot and turned his nose in the air, while Michelle insisted she had just had a meal of Ramen Noodles and mixed veggies(GAG!!!) a short time before.  I decided to dish up a serving, sit down, and enjoy.

I sat at the table and with the first bite,   exclaimed to any listening ears, this Lasagna was exquisite!  It really was!  I ate one serving and was stuffed.  As I went back to the kitchen,  I looked into the pot and felt so overwhelmed…..

This is a whole lotta leftover Lasagna!  Mark made his way to the kitchen,  looking for something for lunch, rejecting mine!  I got so bent out of shape,  I decided to go upstairs and read for awhile as the dish cooled so I could put it in the refrigerator.  Mark called up, several minutes later…..Could you fry up some chicken sausages for lunch for me?

With clenched jaw, I headed down the stairs, mumbling that my family is nothing short of a collection of fruitcakes!  As I entered the kitchen,  Mark was sitting in the wheelchair with his back to me.  It was clear he was holding something in his lap, however, and upon looking,  there sat that huge stoneware with the Lasagna in it….on his lap….and a fork in his hand! 

Upon being found out, Mark looked me in the eye and told me….This is the best Lasagna I have ever tasted!

Ugh.  How does one win, anyway?  He then went on to tell me the dish would have been better if I served a salad and some bread with it.

Fruitcakes, I tell ya! Fruitcakes, one and all!

Ugh! Yes, ugh!  That was the type of day I had!

Michelle and I scurried out to the Explorer later than usual this morning.  As I turned the key in the ignition,  I could hear the leak in the exhaust system, causing the vehicle to sound much louder than it should.  The Explorer growled and grumbled as we made our way down the driveway.  By the time we began climbing the hill,  I was sure the whole exhaust system was going to “blow” and Michelle and I would be left riding on a chassis with no doors, windows, and whatnot!

Understand that when I am late,  I begin to grow somewhat anxious.  I have a hard time settling down if I think I am going to arrive later than planned.  As we drove toward Canandaigua,  I could almost feel the tension running from my hands to the steering wheel.

Relief came soon enough.  As we drove parallel to the lake, the sky was just awesome.  Leaving the house so late afforded no time to dilly-dally,  so I shook my head as I passed up the most stellar photo ops.  As soon as I dropped Michelle at the school,  I did an about face, heading to the city pier.

I called Mark and he told me he could actually hear the Explorer changing gears as I climbed the hill this morning.  He advised me to take the vehicle in for an estimate.  But first,  I needed to take care of some other business.  You see,  I received a letter from the Ford Motor Company a short time ago,  advising me not to park the Explorer in a garage or anywhere that might be endangered by leaking brake fluid on another part, which causes fires! Lucky me.

I headed for the Ford garage where the service guy told me I could actually remain in the vehicle while the mechanic placed a small wire harness over the offending part.  There was no sign of leakage,  so my Explorer hadn’t been in any real danger.  The mechanic listened as I told him about my muffler noise!  He took the vehicle into the garage and hoisted it high into the air. A few minutes later,  I could hear the rumble of my wheels. The mechanic advised me to take the Explorer to a muffler place, as the Ford parts would be expensive!

I hopped on over to a muffler place where I sat approximately 45 minutes while the diagnostics were run.  I was presented with a $530 estimate.  I gulped, thanked the man, and made a hasty retreat!  Funny thing is,  I often tease Mark when he tells me he cannot tolerate certain smells.

As I sat in the customer waiting area,  my throat began to ache and burn from the thick essence of cigarette smoke.  By the time I left,  I was convinced everyone within fifty feet of me would think I resemble a smokestack.  It was horrible!

From this business,  I drove up Main Street….

I stopped at another repair shop and when the tech said the solution was a $60.  fix,  both Mark and I were elated.  I sat in the lounge there for almost two more hours.

I got homeafter one and since I had thawed out a turkey breast,  I felt like we needed to make it today.  I bustled about putting together several items for dinner.  As I left very late (the kitchen clock on the stove was set wrong!) I told Ben I would call him with instructions.

Ben rubbed the turkey with butter, then salted and peppered it.  He made a big aluminum foil tent and placed the bird into the oven.  I gave him instructions to place some acorn squash in the oven with the turkey.

When Michelle and I arrived back home, I placed some green bean casserole and stuffing into the oven.  I had made a jello dish this morning,  so everything was finally done!

As soon as dinner was over,  I told the family I really needed some rest. This was such a stressful day!

This morning,  after bounding out of bed and doing my daily chores,  I decided to use some of the grapes I picked up yesterday.  Concord Grapes are one of my favorites!

I love the purply-blue skins on the Concords.  I also have a lot of fantastic memories of going to Lake Erie vineyards and orchards as a youngster….My parents would take us to pick bunches of the sugary treats fresh from the vines.  If I close my eyes and breathe in deeply,  I can smell the luscious seasonal bunches!  We usually picked a bushel or two of Cortland Apples first, then we would head to the vineyards.  We were handed sharp clippers to make short work of snipping bunches into our waiting baskets.  We would fill the baskets as full as possible, then set them on a huge scale to be weighed….Oh, what memories!

So, in honor of my childhood memories,  I created four quart-sized jars of grape pie filling…..

And baked a fresh crumb-topped grape pie.  I cannot wait to taste the pie as I added a few litle “extras” into both the pie as well as the topping.

Memories….the stuff we are made of… Memories are so fabulous so long as they don’t trip us up!

I got up with the Scotties a little later than usual because I had to knit a few rows on the sleeve for my new sweater.  The boys are pretty patient in the morning,  and today they waited without making any fuss as the needles moved along….

When we made it downstairs,  there was a strange “look” in the house.  I looked outside the French doors on the back deck and noticed that everything looked as though it had been “bathed” in orange!  Even the air itself seemed like there was a funny color to it!

As the Scotties ate their breakfast, I went out the door with my camera.  I looked up in the sky

As the “cloud” made its way east, it became less and less “colorful”.

Since we had no major plans to do anything special,  I spent a good deal of the day reading and knitting.  I finished one sleeve for my sweater yesterday, then sewed the fronts to the back at the shoulders.  I thought the sleeves would be so easy to complete,  but all the cabling was driving me nuts!  I don’t need to read the pattern as the instructions are now imbedded in my brain,  but there is so much fiddling around with cables!!!!

This shows the detail on the front….

and the sleeve…..

I am determined to finish this bugger up by the weekend!  After finishing the sleeve yesterday,  I finished the neck edge as I was reluctant to begin the second sleeve!

Mark and I watched another Sabres preseason game last night,  which was another win for Buffalo! Yeah, go Sabres!  They played Washington last night, which is another team they have a hard time beating.  Now, if only they could continue on during the regular season!

Michelle and Mark made a fantastic barbeque sauce they found the recipe for on the internet.   I cooked boneless skinless chicken thighs on the grill for dinner and then swirled them around in the sauce.  I also made green bean casserole and once dinner was served, there was a lot of lip-smacking going on!

Now, if only I could figure out how to make the house self-cleaning…..

The kids are having their friends over late this afternoon for some fun in the pool (probably hot tub as well) and dinner.  Michelle had thought about hotdogs for dinner, but  we talked about it and decided upon grilled chicken,  potato salad,  rolls, and chocolate cake for dessert.

No problem with the potato salad.  I prepared it before eight this morning and it has been in the refrigerator since.  I baked a chocolate cake from scratch.  This one is a killer!!! I really am not fond of chocolate, but this cake is more like a moist, chewy, delicious chocolate brownie with lots of walnuts in it!  The only problem was,  I didn’t have any shortening to grease my bundt pan.  I thought perhaps a little oil with a light coating of flour might work, but I thought wrong.  The “top” of the cake still remains in the pan. ARGH!!! It’s okay….I am sure the kids won’t mind.

So…..

That leaves the chicken.  I got the chicken out to thaw.  I put just a bit of teriyaki sauce on it, because that seems to give it a good flavor.  Then, I got out my Kickin’ Chicken grinder bottle by Weber.  My family adores this seasoning. We all know that freshly-ground spices always tase better, no?

I had a ten-pound bag of chicken to season.  Have you *any* idea how PAINFUL it becomes to one’s wrists to repeat a grinding action over….and over…..and over again?  So, I am sitting on the couch now, complaining because “this is just taking far too long”!

Enter Ben.

Ben takes said bottle of seasoning and reassures me he will grind up as much as I need.  While he is swinging.  Reluctantly, I hand over the bottle, aware he really has helped me with this task previously. Ben walks to his room, then comes back through the living room with a smile on his face and a roll of duck tape in his hand. 

“I’ll be back”! 

Several minutes later, the door bursts open and in comes Ben, grinning ear to ear! I look and see Mark’s unmistakable green cordless drill in Ben’s hot little (well, not so little) hands.

Remember, Mark went to college for Mechanical Engineering!  When I saw this, my mind flashed the thought that this must have been the kind of thing my mother-in-law dealt with when Mark was a lad! Ben placed the grinder directly above the bowl the chicken was in, revved the motor, and….

Within seconds, the chicken was coated in the delightful seasoning.  Not sure how Mark might take this, I took the “modified” drill to him and I suddenly recognized the SAME silly grin Ben had on his face just a while before!  Thus, Michelle took her turn with the contraption.   And, Mark took his turn, calling out all sorts of wild claims about this new invention.  He sounded *just like* Billy Mays!  It was so funny, I nearly fell down laughing!

A  while later,  I got my computer and went to my Twitter account.  I noticed Billy Mays’s name come up.  How funny! It was then that I read of his untimely death and felt so bad.  When I told Mark and Ben, they both looked as though they had lost a dear friend….they said watching his show was one of their highlights! 

Rest in peace, Billy Mays!

Yes, the Springtime Symphony filled the air this morning as I took the Scotties out this morning.  I could hear so many beautiful sounds!  It is such a tremendous lift on a dark, cloudy morning, such as the one we are experiencing today.

After coming back in from taking the boys out,  I got my camera out to take a few photos. Walking past the table,  I looked at the flowers Ben had picked for me on Sunday.  After our little flat tire “escapade” Sunday evening, Ben was so disappointed to find the flowers wilted and looking very forlorn.  When he saw them later on Sunday night after I placed them in water, he was amazed to see them perked up and looking as though they had just been picked!

Sitting near the flowers was this magazine….

A couple days ago, I had taken a turkey breast and cooked it in the Crockpot.  I put it in a little refrigerator in the garage where it FROZE!  Ah well.  After thawing it so I could cut it, I used one of the recipes from the magazine above. The recipe called for two cups of chicken, but we used turkey instead.  The recipe was called “Country Chicken Casserole”.  It had so many goodies in it besides the turkey….mushrooms, onions, cooked potatoes,cubed, half-and-half, roasted red peppers (that I used instead of pimientos). The recipe also called for salt, rosmary, and parsley.  In lieu of those, I used some Weber’s Kickin’ Chicken.  The one thing I added to the recipe which it seemed to be lacking (to our family) was a cup of Co-jack cheese!

Mark doesn’t care for casseroles.  He really doesn’t like potatoes at all, either.  Ben took a look at all he ingredients and his mouth watered, but when I told him I was making a casserole, he turned and walked away saying *he* doesn’t care for casseroles, either. 

Well, after the casserole sat on the stove for about half an hour, it was ompletely gone. AND, Michelle and I did NOT eat the entire thing! Mark asked when I was going to be making it again!

Back this morning….

I went outside where I thought I would show what a spectacular presence the Columbines are making this year in the garden between the house and garage.  But first, I have to show you the GIANT Columbines!

As opposed to the “regular” variety…..

Well, the Columbines all started out the same size.  The giant ones reseeded themselves right next to my (very) wayward Bleeding Heart.  I remember reading that if plants are spaced a bit closer, they do compete with one another,  often growing larger than usual.  Thus, this was the case with the “mutant” Columbines! I did go out and butcher the Bleeding Heart the other day.  I had enough of it taking over the garden, so I trimmed it. Severely!

Here is a photo from the back of the house looking towards the front. You can see how the giants in the back stand a good bit taller than the “norm”!

We had planned to get new tires yesterday, but the day had ideas of its own and we ended up doing little odds and ends that needed attention.  It was just as well as I wasn’t feeling too great….I seemed to have a fever and felt very tired and run down. 

Hopefully, today will be better..I fee fine.  I am hoping to get some photos but so far, the darkened grey skies aren’t very promising!

Yeah, I thought so…

As Mark was going through bills and such today, he discovered that we had a rebate check for $30 that needed to be depostited today or it was VOID!  Argh!!  He asked me if I would mind running to Canandaigua to do “a few errands”. 

I went and got ready and was out the door shortly after one.  I got to the bank well before two, then drove over to Wegman’s to return an ocean full of soda bottles and cans.  I had two large trash bags full of bottles and cans that had been sitting in the garage for a very long time…Mark *gently* remarked that perhaps they needed to be recycled!

After feeding nearly ten dollars worth of recyclables into the hungry machines,  I grabbed a shopping cart and headed inside the store.  I love, love, love Wegman’s produce.  Their fruits and veggies far surpass any other grocers in the area.  I shopped around for awhile, then realized I was hungry.  I  hopped on over to the Chinese food and swooped up some Hot and Spicy Chicken, along with some Fried Green Beans. 

I hurried to the register to pay for my goodies, paper in hand from the bottle machine.  When it came time to pay, I completely forgot the paper and paid.  It was as I looked down for my keys that I realized I needed to redeem the slip of paper.  The cashier laughed and said she does the same thing all the time….she said she is always buying some stupid new item only because there is a coupon and then she forgets to redeem the coupon! Boy, did I feel better!

I rushed to the City Pier and ate my Chinese, watching the Coots, Mallards, and *suddenly* Bufflehead Ducks.  I shot a couple of photos of the ducks.   The water was so choppy and the wind so chilly, I decided to just stay inside the Explorer.

After lunch, I headed to the other side of Canandaigua to have two propane tanks for the grill filled.  Due to a case of daydreaming,  I way overshot my destination, so I took a few photos….

 Old barn (circa 1880) in color…..

And sepia…..

After filling the tanks, I shopped at WalMart (grabbing two roast chickens and a loaf of delicious French Bread for dinner!)  and then off to Big Lots for a jar of olives imported from Greece for Mark.  It was getting late and I knew I was going to be too tired to prepare dinner.

As I left Big Lots,  Ben called wanting to know if I could get him a “Slushy” from Hess.  I reluctantly headed to Hess and went inside to look for “the machine”.  No Slushy machine there. But, there was a drink called an “Avalanche”.  It comes in two flavors….Pepsi and Mountain Dew.

I  grabbed a cup and filled it up.  I turned to grab a lid for the drink and when I was about to place it on the drink,  I nearly shrieked! The drink had risen up a good two inches above the top of the cup! Argh!!! I began to giggle and “swipe” the excess drink off the top and into the runoff trough on the machine.  Being MUCH wiser, I filled another cup, allowing expansion room for the drink to rise.  I smiled as the lid easily snapped on!

I paid and rushed to the Explorer and headed home….As I drove, I made mental notes on the order of preparation for dinner.  Michelle helped me by heating the chickens  as I took a head of cabbage and grated it and made coleslaw.  Everything was ready to eat in fifteen minutes.

I expressed how tired I was and Mark snickered.  After all, he had already composed a NEW list of errands for tomorrow.  Top of the list?  A trip to Canandaigua!!!

Oh, did I mention that I also baked a loaf of Whole Wheat Walnut Bread this morning?  A very full day,  A very full day, indeed!