Our Share of Squirrels

With all the bird feeding we do, there is a fair amount of seed that ends up on the ground.  It isn't wasted though.  We have several birds who are ground feeders as well as squirrels who spend the whole day cleaning up the uneaten seeds.  We have gray squirrels, black squirrels and an occasional white squirrel.  http://www.thecabincountess.com/2013/01/squirrels-living-in-harmony.html

Mourning Doves everywhere.

A lot of male cardinals.

Female Cardinal searching for sunflower seeds in the snow.

And then as dusk approaches,

here come the bunnies to see what is left.

Winter Deer Photos 2015

The winter of 2014-2015 brings a lot of deer to the yard looking for food.  Here just a few photos taken from our dining room window.  Fortunately this has been a winter with very little snow so far.  The deer are looking healthy. 

Slow Cooker Chocolate Covered Peanuts

With St. Valentine's Day only four days away, I thought I would make a special treat.  This recipe or variations of it have been posted on Facebook many times.  It makes a big batch.  I got 212 pieces of candy.  It cost $18.20 for the ingredients.  You could easily make half a batch.  It does take a long time to spoon out all the melted mixture.  I will give some to the kids and save some for those times when you (or at least me) are turning the house upside down for a piece of chocolate.

Slow Cooker Chocolate Covered Peanuts

16 oz. unsalted dry roasted peanuts
16 oz. salted cocktail peanuts
12 oz. bag of semisweet chocolate chips
12 oz. bag of milk chocolate chips
2 - 10 oz. bags of peanut butter chips
24 oz. white almond bark

Layer all of the ingredients in order in a 6-quart slow cooker.  Cover and cook on LOW for 2 hours.

Remove the lid and stir everything together.  Combine completely to make sure all the ingredients are melted.

Then drop mounds of mixture onto parchment paper.  I didn't have any parchment paper so I used freezer paper with the shiny side up.  The size depends on how big you want the piece of candy.  I used a generous teaspoon full.  Allow to harden and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  They can also be frozen.

Meal Planning System

I'd like to think that we are organized.  I know my husband is for the most part.  He has three notebooks with recipes in.  One is for desserts, one is for meats and main courses and the other is soups and salads.   He also has my pantry cataloged so we know what we have and which shelf it is on.  I am the fly in his ointment.  When I am making a meal I like knowing if we have something, but then I don't always cross it off the list.  I have learned not to put away some things after grocery shopping until it gets put on the list.

Recently I found out that we are far from organized compared to our daughter.  She is the master. She has all the kid toys in bins which are labeled.  The legos in one bin, trucks in another and on and on. They have a toy room and one wall is devoted to the bins.  Her laminator and her label maker are her best friend.

She shared with me her system for making meals and grocery shopping.  She has a big stack of laminated cards.  On each card is written a main course meal.  She has over a hundred different meals.  Every week her family chooses which meals they would like that week.  It looks like she chose green for chicken meals, red for beef, orange for pork, light blue for soup etc.  I see she also wrote where she can find the recipe.  On each card she wrote recipe box or the name of the cookbook or website.

On the back of each card is the list of ingredients it takes to make the recipe.

From here she makes her grocery list.  She may have some of the ingredients on hand, so everything doesn't have to go on the list.  For example, if black beans were on sale in the past and she bought four cans, then they don't go on the list.  She cuts coupons for the good buys she knows she will need in the future.  When the list is completed, she arranges it according to the map of the store or stores.  It streamlines the buying process.  This seems like a lot of work to set up, but when it is done it saves hours of time not to mention being able to feed her family real food.  Very seldom do they eat out.  In the morning, she knows before going to work what they will have for dinner (or supper as some of us say).  If it requires the crockpot, then in it goes.  Her favorite appliance is the pressure cooker as it is mine.  You can cook a whole meal faster than take out.  I am pretty impressed with her system although any of you who know Heather will not be surprised.

Little Deer Returns (I think)

Last month I wrote about a Poor Little Deer who had come into our yard.  The deer appeared to be injured.

http://www.thecabincountess.com/2015/01/poor-little-deer.html

I hadn't seen it again and feared the worse.  Today I looked out and saw a small deer trying to eat from our bird feeders.   It looked like the same deer, although all deer look pretty much alike unless they have antlers.  Then it is easier to tell who is who.  This deer seems slightly larger than our little deer, but I suppose it could have grown a little in a month.  She still had a slight limp and some scars on her back.   She was all alone.  I snapped a few pictures until someone pulled into the driveway and she ran off.

For those who were as concerned as I about the Poor Little Deer's welfare.  I want to say (or believe) she is fine.

I really like this time of year.  The deer are hungry and they aren't as afraid, so we see them often.  There must be safety in numbers because we see larger groups than we do after the young are born and the yearlings are sent off to fend for themselves.  I know some communities are sick of them, and I understand not wanting them roaming in metropolitan areas.  We have the perfect habitat, so we can enjoy them instead of worrying about them causing damage.

Enjoying Another Missoula Theater Performance and An Honors Concert

A couple of fun and exciting things happened while I was away from blogging.  While my dad was in the hospital, my sister and her husband spent time sitting with dad.  He was beginning his recuperation so all of us didn't need to hover over him constantly.  My husband and I were then able to attend another Missoula Children's Theater program.  I have written about Missoula before.  http://www.thecabincountess.com/2013/01/missoula-childrens-theatre.html  and http://www.thecabincountess.com/2013/06/missoula-childrens-theatre-snow-white.html

Our granddaughter was in the play and was one of the merry men in a production of Robin Hood.  They always do such a good job especially since they audition, practice and perform in one short week.

The group of Merry Men even though most of them are girls.

Melissa in costume and makeup.  

Sheriff of Nottingham, Prince John and Robin Hood

 

Yes, that is Prince John's real hair.

One week later dad was out of the hospital, but I didn't want to leave him alone.  My husband volunteered to stay home so I could see our granddaughter Melissa and our grandson Dylan in a Middle School honors concert.  Several schools participated in a band and chorus concert.   The students arrived early in the morning and met with the guest conductors.  The band conductor was from Lakeland College and the chorus conductor was from Ripon College.  The individual schools had the music in advance and helped prepare the students, but putting it all together was a big task.  They had a complete concert in the afternoon.  I was so impressed how well they did.  Kids can develop their potential if they take advantage of the opportunities presented to them.

The students were very respectful and I didn't notice any disruptions.  Then when the show was over and everyone was exiting, I saw a heart warming sight.  Just ahead of me was an older woman trying to navigate the bleachers we were sitting in.  A man asked her if she needed help.  He took her hand and helped her down to the floor.  I heard her ask him if he had a child in the performance.  He said he did and asked if she did as well.  She pointed out her grandson.  This nice man held her hand tight the entire time.  Usually you see impatience and pushing in these situations, but the whole mood of the day made everyone happy and grateful.  

When I returned home, my husband had done a wonderful job of taking care of dad and his needs.  It was a wonderful day.

Holy Yum Chicken

Last Tuesday I was sitting in the hospital ICU with my dad.  I wasn't able to post a Tuesday recipe.  I can't believe it is Tuesday again.  I am so busy with oxygen, nebulizers and doctor appointments, I had no idea what I was going to post today.  Then my daughter emailed me a recipe she tried.  She said it was delicious.  I have not tried this recipe myself, but I will take her word for it.  She got it on Pinterest from a blog called Table for Two.  I see the source is actually the I Love Trader Joe's cookbook.  She didn't take a picture of her own creation, this picture came from the blog.  I can't wait to try it myself.  I am sure it is good.   My daughter is an excellent cook.

Holy Yum Chicken

• 1 1/2 pound(s) Skinless, boneless chicken thighs Fat discarded
• 1/2 cup(s) dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup(s) Pure maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon(s) Rice wine vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
• 1/4 teaspoon(s) ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon(s) cornstarch
• 2 teaspoon(s) Rosemary Garnish

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a 8×8″ oven-proof pan with 2 layers of tin foil.
2. In small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, maple syrup, rice wine vinegar, salt and pepper.
3. Place the chicken thighs in the foil layered pan then pour the mixture on top of it. Turn the chicken around in the sauce to make sure it gets all coated.
4. Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes.
5. Remove from oven and let chicken sit for 5 minutes then transfer to a plate. Do NOT discard the liquid.
6. Immediately after plating chicken, whisk in the 1 tbsp. of cornstarch into the liquid in the pan. You’ll create a nice, thick sauce to drizzle over your chicken. You need to do cornstarch mixing immediately because the liquid needs to be hot in order for it to thicken properly. If it’s still not thickening after 1 tbsp., you can add a little more.
7. Sprinkle rosemary on top before serving.
8. Serve with rice or potatoes or vegetables.

My Dad's Super Bowl Ad-A Fan For Life

It is Super Bowl Sunday.  We have been looking forward to this day for a couple reasons.  The first ended as a disappointment on January 18, 2015, when the Green Bay Packers lost a heart breaking game to the Seattle Seahawks.  I know it was exciting for Seattle Fans, but coming from a family of long time Packer fans, it was sad.  The Packers were so close.  My Dad has been a Green Bay fan for as long as he can remember.  The Packer organization was founded in 1919 and dad was born in 1924.   He was still in high school and getting ready to listen to a Packer game with his grandma when the news came of Pearl Harbor being attacked.  The Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers were tied in the Western Division and playing a playoff game.  Chicago won that game, but no one cared because the United States entered World War II the very next day.  He is also a Chicago Cub fan which has also been a source of disappointing seasons, but he never wavered.  Wisconsin didn't have a major league baseball team until 1953, so his Chicago allegiance stuck with him.  Sports are a big part of Dad's life, and that is why we were so excited when a large media company from New York contacted us.  They were looking for Fans for Life and came across one of my blogs talking about dad.

http://www.thecabincountess.com/2013/12/dad-and-his-lucky-sweatshirts.html

These were the photos they were interested in.

For two months we corresponded.  They wanted image releases and forms signed.  I was suspicious at first because now days you can't be too careful.  I researched the company and had others do the same.  I made sure all correspondence was through the company.  When I learned through the contracts that it was a project of NBC Sports, I felt better.  Then last week we learned that his image had made the final edit.  They still wouldn't divulge the exact project but said it would be shown in a large media event taking place on February 1, 2015.  Wowza, that was the Super Bowl.  There was a confidentiality agreement so I couldn't speak of it to anyone.  Then Dad's illness happened.  He was so close to death but has made such a remarkable recovery.  I thought there must be a reason.  It must be that his picture would be shown to millions of people.  Up until two days ago, we were sure it would be shown somewhere or somehow on Super Bowl Sunday.  Then last night I discovered a preview of commercials.  I looked up the You're A Fan For Life promotion.  It was there on Tumblr and another website.  So much for confidentiality.  It was a minute long video and there was no picture of dad.  I thought his image must be sitting on the cutting room floor.  At first we were disappointed.  It would have been nice, but it wasn't to be.  I guess Dad survived for an even bigger purpose or maybe it's just that it wasn't his time.  Mom died three years ago yesterday (January 31).  He was sure she would grab him up and he still isn't sure why she didn't.  I guess we need him here with us for now.

Imagine our surprise when we turned on the Super Bowl pre-show.  My husband set the DVR just in case.  I was talking to my sister on the phone with the television muted.  I looked up and saw dad's photo.  There at 1:39 was my 90 year old father in a Super bowl ad.  He couldn't believe it.  We can't either.  How many of us will ever be able to say that.

Ham and Egg Cups

I have been married for 46 years.  During that time I have done most of the cooking.  Everyone says you can't teach an old dog new tricks.  I thought that was true until the last couple years.  My husband (AKA Old Dog) has turned into the Galloping Gourmet).  He watches cooking shows, he prints recipes and sometimes reposts them on Facebook and then he makes out the grocery list.  I am very tired of cooking so I welcome this with open arms.  On top of that, last weekend I cut my pointer finger very bad and have it all bandaged up.  I didn't realize how much I relied on that finger.  Even typing this is a challenge.

 
I posted his Meatloaf recipe as while back.  http://www.thecabincountess.com/2013/11/tangy-meatloaf-comfort-food.html

This weekend he made an egg dish.  I don't know where he got the recipe, but it was very good.  He wrote it in long hand on a piece of copy paper.  I almost said typing paper, but I would have been dating myself.  Oh yes, I already mentioned how long I have been married.  Talk about dating ones self.

Ham and Egg Cups

24 slices of honey ham
10 large eggs
1/4 cup diced green pepper
1/4 cup chopped onion
Pat of butter
1/4 cup milk
1 t. salt
1 t. pepper
1 Tablespoon shredded cheese per cup

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Prepare muffin tins with cooking spray.
Place green pepper and onion in a bowl with the pat of butter.
Cook in microwave for 1 minute.  Remove from microwave and cover with plastic wrap.
Line each muffin tin with two pieces of ham, overlapping.

 Whisk eggs, milk, salt and pepper

Ladle some egg mixture into each cup.
Top each egg cup with green pepper and onion mix.
Top each with 1 Tablespoon of cheese.

 
Bake for about 25 minutes or until the eggs are set.

These are very good.  The edges of the ham gets crunchy which is the way he likes them. 

Loomed Rag Rug

Last Christmas I received a present from Santa that I have wanted for a long time.  Most of you are familiar with Rag Rugs made on looms.  They are for sale in many places from Amish farms to craft sales.  You can even see them in commercialized stores.  I like those, but I always wanted to make one myself.  I have crocheted many rugs made from fabric scraps but I never made a loomed rag rug.  http://www.thecabincountess.com/2013/02/rag-rugs.html

Through my blog, I have become familiar with other blogs similar to mine.  One such blog is http://ouroldcountrystore.blogspot.com/   I ordered a loom from them.  OK, it's confession time.  I ordered the loom myself, wrapped it in Christmas paper and said it was from Santa.  In defense of my family, they had no idea I wanted this loom or they would have ordered it for me.

On Christmas Day I had my husband assemble it.  My son-in-law and my husband wondered how much I paid for it because it was a very basic design and the actual cost of materials was minimal.  I just said Santa got a deal, which was a little stretch of the truth.  If I would wait for someone to make me a loom, I would have a very long wait.  I think it is harder to make than it looks.  The looms come in different sizes.  There is one for place mats plus the rug sizes.   I opted for a 25 x 37 inch rug loom.  If I was going to learn how to do this, I wasn't going to mess with a tiny place mat.

Loom is just wood, nails, eye hooks and metal rods.

 Fortunately I could start the day after Christmas.  Since I crochet rag rugs, I had some fabric strips already prepared.  I also had unraveled a rug years ago that had been damaged by a puppy.  I could get a good start with this even though a finished rug of this size takes eighteen yards of fabric.  It would be very expensive to buy this much fabric so that is why they are called rag rugs.  People use old clothing, thrift store fabric and best of all, old sheets.  The fabric is ripped into strips about one and a half to two inches wide.  

The warp of this rug is fabric where some use other materials.  Starting on the left hand nail, just string the fabric up and down around all the nails.  The warp threads won't show much except on the very top and bottom.

Warp threads in place.

Now it is time to start weaving.   Instead of using one strip to go over and under like the potholders we all made as a child, this technique uses two strips one in each hand.  In a braiding type technique put right hand strip over the left strip and under the next warp.  Good instructions with pictures come with the loom.

A good start to a long process.

This is a big piece to work on so I had to lean it against the wall and put it on a chair to get the right height.  A few times everyday, I would work on it.  A lot of the rag rugs have a raggedy look.  I like it smoother, so I folded the strips as I wove them through.  They suggested a process for connecting the strips that involved making a knot.  I didn't like that bump, so I used a needle and thread and sewed the strips together as needed.  Since this is my first rug, I tried to develop things that would work for me.  There is nothing wrong with adding strips by layering both strips,  cutting a slit through both and taking the tail of the top strip, pull through the slits and pull tight.  I did both so there weren't a lot of knots.  I think the hardest part is learning to secure the row ends around the metal rod.  If not secured properly, the rug will fall apart on the sides when it is taken off the loom.

After working for several inches, it is time to flip the loom.   This rug is worked toward the center.  It makes it easier to choose colors and helps keep the rug from stretching out of shape.

Rug is worked toward the center to keep it straight.

Finally after a little over three weeks, the rug is finished.

The only thing left to do is take out the metal rods and remove the rug from the nails.  It was a fun project, and I will be making another one soon.  When I was putting away Christmas decorations, I discovered a plastic tote with a lot of pre-cut fabric rolls.  I had forgotten all about purchasing them from a garage sale many years ago.   I don't know how people make these rugs to sell and make a profit.  They take too much fabric and too much time.  For now, I will make them for our use and the fun of it.