what's cookin?

The brightest thing outside.... (even through all the clouds)
The farmers almanac pretty much says rain for most of the summer... yippeee...

The brightest thing inside!

Tastiest things around....
We are a little rhubarb crazy around here...It's a huge family favorite..

This morning we made:
Rhubarb cookies, Rhubarb and strawberry muffins, Rhubarb bread, and rhubarb Chutney...

I will have the recipes on my food blog a little later today, or tonight...

new food blog

I've moved my Foodie blogs over to a new blog just for recipes I've made, find deserving of keeping and like to pass on to friends.

It's JUST RECIPES, no frills. Just to satisfy my other habit of wanting and eating only GOOD FOOD...

So check it out and pass it on...

http://trythisyourself.blogspot.com/

YUM YUM. Enjoy!

Coasting along....

Empire State Building shining over Madison Square Park

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree

I spy Santa ice skating below the tree!

Sigh.
Christmas in New York is SOOO BeAuTiFuL!

I had to run over to Rockefeller Center this morning, so I had to snap a picture of the tree and Santa Ice Skating!

We are all going for a family outing on Monday to see the tree and go out to dinner to the
China Grill. the BeSt Fried Spinach ever! yeah, really. So good!
(deep fried spinach leaves in Peanut oil and salt. makes it crispy, and melts on your tongue.)

It even started to snow while I was out, which made it even more magical. We are supposed to get 3-5 inches of snow.... we'll see.


My friend, Monica is coming down for our weekly quilting fun. She's never made a quilt, so we are working on one for her, together. It's been great fun.

These pictures are from last week. She picked out fabrics she loved, and we decided to start simply learning cutting fabric, and sewing the strips together.

Today we are going to cut out some different size dark brown Circles, and various sized pattern
fabric circles and applique them on top.

Then after Christmas, find backing , pinning etc...
and ultimately teaching her to machine quilt it.

Its been very gray so its hard to get great photos!! no natural light...

I Know most of us know what it looks like to have snow coming down, but I tried to capture it anyway. It is so Peaceful! So Your getting a few shots out of my studio window...I even got two more strings of lights flung over the tree, to make up for the burnt out ceramic ones I posted about the other day!!! no more dark xmas tree!

ok. I'm off to finish a pot pie... Get B from school, take her to Tae kwon do to test to become a red/black belt. THEN, I get to get my computer, and go out with a bunch of girlfriends for a fun girls night out dinner!


Chicken POT PIE

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed 1 cup sliced carrots 1 cup frozen green peas 1/2 cup sliced celery 1/3 cup butter 1/3 cup chopped onion 1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon celery seed 1 3/4 cups chicken broth 2/3 cup milk 2 (9 inch) unbaked pie crusts

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C.)
2.	In a saucepan, combine chicken, carrots, peas, and celery. Add water to cover and boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, drain and set aside.
3.	In the saucepan over medium heat, cook onions in butter until soft and translucent. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Slowly stir in chicken broth and milk. Simmer over medium-low heat until thick. Remove from heat and set aside.
4.	Place the chicken mixture in bottom pie crust. Pour hot liquid mixture over. Cover with top crust, seal edges, and cut away excess dough. Make several small slits in the top to allow steam to escape.
5.	Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Today's whatevers...

I'm starting to realize how much of closet quilter I am.
Most of my friends have no idea I sew, let alone quilt...
I just had an email form my hubby, saying a friend of ours,
Debbie Taylor-Kerman, designed a line of quilting fabric for Henry glass.
She had no idea I quilted! I didn't know she did a line of fabric.
(back in APRIL!) Holiday fabric at that! Called tis the season. check it out.
I'm sure there will be more to come. Way to go Debbie!


Perhaps that will inspire me to finally get around to doing something over at spoonflower.... well, thats on the 2009 calendar... I Haven't been able to wrap my brain around what I want to do...
my invite lies in waiting in my inbox...


I have no pics today. no time. Just got back form a Field trip with B's class to Theodore Roosevelt's birthplace, right here on 20th st in NYC. I had no idea it was there and have walked past it probably a million times. And,
can I tell you , I was amazing? Who new!


The guide was hilarious, with the bunch of third graders. I even got a badge because I new what the secret cabinet was in the dining room.
Any guesses? Bringing food up from the basement?
the DUMB WAITER!
yes, thank you. I'm quite proud of my Junior Ranger badge I earned for that one!

But I have to say, these kids know so much its scary. They new what # president he was, who he was married to, how many kids, what he did before he was president, who the next president was...
ok? any of you know?



Taft.
With great disappointment, as everyone wanted Roosevelt to run for third term... If anyone said to Taft, Hello Mr. president, he figured Roosevelt must have been at his elbow. Thought that was funny. Poor guy.

I knew he was a rough rider,(only because we live near a base which is in Montauk, long island, NY) but so did the kids, so I didn't get my badge for that!

The kids asked about Roosevelt's kids, and he said he couldn't go into that, as the kids had some issues, and this was a PG rated tour. Now I'm curious and want to run to Barnes and noble and buy the book!
ha! You do to, I know it!


So thats about all I know kids. well, I learned a heck of a lot more but I won't bore you, you'll have to go look him up . He was a pretty interesting fellow.

oooh! this was funny, one last fact. he had asthma, and one of the "cures" the Dr. told him to try was smoking cigars. How funny is that?
ah,. we've come a long way!

GIFT 3 - 3 spices

Gift three.

So, these are all things I am giving as gifts this year. Since this was a HOMEMADE XMAS, I had to come up wiht more things besides the HOT CHOCOLATE that I do every year. Its so yummy.

So I thought I 'd give my recipes I found for yummy Spices mixes.
I was surprised this past summer that one of my favorite Spice mixes, that I used regularly had a listed ingredient of MSG... I guess I never bothered to read the l label. I assumed if it said basil it had basil in it. or whatever the spice was... And since I am a nut about not eating prepackaged foods, I went finding my own spice mixtures that were pure and hopefully chemical free...

So here are the three I gave as gifts this year...

This is the recipe for Emeril Lagasse's

"Southwest Spice" seasoning

as found on the Food Network recipe pages.

2	Tbs. chili powder	1	Tbs. dried oregano
2	Tbs. paprika	2	tsp. ground cumin
1	Tbs. ground coriander	1	tsp. black pepper
1	Tbs. garlic powder	1	tsp. cayenne pepper
1	Tbs. salt	1	tsp. crushed red pepper

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container

Yields about 1/2 cup.

*********************************************************

The Ultimate Taco Seasoning
6 tablespoons minced onion
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons cumin
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1/2 tablespoon oregano
1/2 tablespoon cornstarch

Using a mini food processor (a blender would probably work, too), chop the minced onions until smaller. Put the rest of the ingredients in with the minced onions and process until you have a powder with mini pieces of onion.

Label and use within 6 months.

Note: 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon is equal to one store bought package of taco seasoning mix.

To Use: Combine 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon mix with 1 pound cooked meat. Add 1/2 cup water; stir. Cook on low, covered, for about 10 minutes.

Yield: 3 batches

NOTES: To make this REALLY REALLY spicy, add 1/8 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the blender. (Try the recipe as is first, before adding the red pepper flakes.)


************************************************

Cinnamon Sugar

1/4 cup granulated sugar
4 tsp cinnamon


Easy I know. But we love this on our popcorn, but add some salt too!

UPDATE

December 8th started like this for me:


I read this passage at breakfast, a tradition we have at the breakfast table... to read thoughts of the day, and to write affirmations to everyone in our family each day. A beautiful way to start the day.

I've learned that when something seems like the worst thing, it may be the best thing." Lea Thompson


There's an old story about a man who had 20 stallions. One day, they all ran away into the hills. The man cursed his bad luck - until the 20 stallions reappeared with 20 mares. Later, when his son fell from one of the mares and broke his leg, the man was disappointed and cried "this is very bad!" Then a battalion of soldiers stormed through the village, collecting all the young men for battle - except for the son, who couldn't fight with a broken leg. The man said "Perhaps, in this case, a broken leg is good."


Today, I'll look for the gift inside the disappointment.

As my day progressed, I was feeling a lot of anxiety as I had so many things to get finished. I felt like I was going to lose it! I lost my wedding rings,(later i found them right where i left them!) was feeling under the weather, and then, after posting my little bird (below) my computer froze, It then crashed.

I stopped. Took a HUGS DEEP BREATH. Remembered what I had read that morning, and realized this was probably a blessing in disguise!

Do you know how much work I got done, not running back and forth to my computer?

I went to the DR., went to the art supply store, took a few pictures at CANAL street because they inspired me to make the yellow rose quilt below, Finished binding on a lap quilt, made another lap quilt (see below orange and light blue), Packaged up three more boxes that need to be mailed, finished my Xmas cards, got the kids auction project plates transfered,finish two pillows for gifts, and got dinner prepared early.

I have not even thought about getting my computer fixed yet. Which it won't anyway, it will be seeing if I can get anything off the hard drive...

For now I used my husbands computer but don't plan on making a habit out of it, and then in the new year to get a new computer...


These Dishes are for B's class Auction project. The children drew many fruits and veggies, and then we found a set of dishes to "RECYCLE" by transferring their drawings on to them and tracing them with Pebeo Porcelaine pens. After letting them sit for 24 hours, You then bake them in the oven, at 300, for 15 minutes.

They are now going to sign them and write their fruit or veggie name on the plate to finish!

Aren't they awesome? The kids did a great job on the drawings!

And they have made a very boring set of dishes interesting and ready for a second serving life! Since its Porcelaine, it doesn't come off... Its sort of like reglazing..

The only catch I sort of had is if you are transferring , using the red wax paper transfer gets sort of globby on the end of the pen, which you need to keep cleaning. not hard for grown ups but a child would get frustrated trying to get the pens to work. If they write directly onto the plate, there will be no problems.

***************************************************
Amy over at commonplace is doing some baking... Here's a
pumpkin bread recipe I love:

Ingredients

1 cup butter or margarine,

softened

3 cups sugar

3 eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons ground

cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves

1 1/2 teaspoons ground

nutmeg

1 (16 ounce) can solid pack

pumpkin

Directions: In a mixing bowl, dream butter and sugar. Add eggs; mix well. Combine dry ingredients; stir into creamed mixture just until moistened. Stir in pumpkin. Pour into two greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until bread tests done.

ENJOY!

Its always good to keep a check on positive thinking. I had my moment.
Now I am trying to enjoy it.

Have a great day!

Peanut Butter Yummy Cookies

Every time I make these I have third graders asking me for the recipe...

I play around a lot with this recipe. I make my own peanut butter, leave out the walnuts and raisins, go with less sugar, and add flax seed instead of wheat germ....

But give them a try. They are SO good!

(No quilting today!)

Peanut Butter Yummy Cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar (you can go less on the sugar)
  
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup toasted wheat germ ( add crushed flax seed)
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS

1. Cream the butter, sugar, molasses, and peanut butter in a large bowl. Blend in the eggs and vanilla. Mix the flour, wheat germ, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a separate bowl. Stir the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, until evenly blended.
2. Stir in the oats, raisins, choc chips, and nuts. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
4. Shape dough into large balls using 1/4 cup of dough per cookie. Place on greased cookie sheets, leaving 3 inches between them. Flatten slightly with a fork. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes. When done, the tops will still be soft to the touch. Cool on the sheets for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool.

***Storage INFO***

What should I store in my refrigerator?

I recently gutted my kitchen cabinets and storage for a good cleaning, and was reading online about what can be stored in the fridge.

Since there is very little I eat that comes out of a box or a can, I eat everything fresh, somethings, you still need to have around like flour, sugar, etc. But somethings that we keep in the fridge do not need to be there. Please read this article below.

Even if you're not a person who lies to cook,
I found this article VERY interesting and helpful.

http://www.cookingindex.com/info/34/features/what-should-i-store-in-my-refrigerator.htm

FOOD

******************************************************************************************

Having been a VERY PICKY eater as a child, I thought that having a kid meant cooking boring foods, simpler the better, and don't mix anything.... But when B was a baby, she would grab food off our plates in restaurants, stuff I thought most kids would not eat...

So I completely changed the way I cook. She loves Spicy hot foods... Salsa on everything... Indian, Turkish, Mexican, Sushi etc...So I am constantly looking for new very flavorful food recipes... Got any? Send them my way!

Here is a mixed up recipe I did this summer on the grill, pretty much throwing everything together to make some taste... She loves it! go figure...

V's mixed up SEASONING

2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons paprika
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 1/4 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/4 teaspoons dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon ground bay leaves

Combine all ingredients thoroughly. Store in airtight container.

Great for marinade over chicken smothered in onion and fresh garlic, and Red pepper...

I like to let it sit over night... the more spice the better...

tastes best on the grill, or add some chicken stock and cook covered on the stove slowly...

GEES BEND INSPIRED

You all know the Quilts of Gees Bend, right? There gorgeous, simple & complicated at the same time. Worn in before there made...

I watched with B a show on Martin Luther King last year. It was a great mom daughter moment. They talked a lot about Gees Bend, which is where we first saw these quilts.

" Wow! Mom those are beautiful", she said to me. So I ordered a book, and we sat and looked through them together equally impressed and inspired... These above won me over right away, by Loretta Pettway...

The next day I went and bought my fabrics and made a top for myself in honor of these beauties...


So, I have had it sitting here for a while now, and I want to put it on my quilt stand and quilt it out. ...But I have no idea how to stitch it... And I'm thinking that's a good thing. I'll Just let it wander.


Something to Do...


B wanted to make something yesterday after she saw these scraps of fabric in my studio.


So I sort of pieced together these slippers, and in the end, I think they turned out pretty cute! She likes them! And now M wants a pair... I wish I would make a pattern when I make things.


YUM.
Sunday Supper.

Pork medallions with sauce, veggies and rice

• 1 pork tenderloin, or medallions
  
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
  
• 1 1/2 teaspoons butter or margarine
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 2 garlic clove, minced
• 3 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup cut carrots
• 1 cup fresh spinach (add in the last minute of cooking.)
  
• 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• Minced fresh parsley

1. In a skillet, brown pork in oil for about 2 minutes on each side. Remove from skillet and set aside. In same skillet melt butter. Add the onion, mushrooms and garlic; saute for 1 minute. Stir in flour until blended. Gradually stir in the broth, carrots, rosemary, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened.
   
2. Lay pork medallions over mixture. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until meat juices run clear. Add Spinach in the last minute of cooking. Sprinkle with parsley if you like.
   

Serve over whatever kind of rice you like.

Quick, easy, delicious.

A little country in NYC

So, we've made it back, animals and all to NYC. Everything needs cleaning. not fun.
But before I left my house, I cleaned out my garden and have several yummy cucumbers left! One more batch of marinated cucumbers coming up! (for my friend S)

Marinated Cucumbers
Ingredients

6 medium cucumbers, thinly sliced
1 medium onion sliced
1 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup sugar ( I prefer agave)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp ground mustard

Combine the cucs and onion, and in a small bowl mix all other ingredients mix well, and pour over, stir, cover and refrigerate for a couple hours... but better the next day!



http://www.copiousmagazine.com/08_summer/art+photography/kara_walker.html


All though the show was a while a go, I encourage everyone to to go check her out when she comes around. Well, any art for that matter, even if you THINK you don't know anything about it... TRUSTING YOUR EYE is all that is required. A line taken from my husband, who teaches a class called, Trusting your eye, for that exact reason. People think they need to know something about art to appreciate it. But just GO to a museum or gallery, and find something that moves you. Most if it won't, and that's ok.

Let me know what you find interesting...

My husband works for Acquavella Galleries here in New York. They handle mostly Impressionist and Modern and Contemporary pictures. Meaning people like, Monet, Picasso, Miro, Lichtenstein, Warhol, Calder, to living artists, Lucian Freud, James Rosenquist, and currently a show by a younger artist, Damian Loeb.