Canning Season

Loved this time of year as a girl when my grandma would begin canning

The old stove in the basement used to make the currant berry jelly, chunky applesauce, and canned pears. The aroma would fill the house.

An essential tool for sealing the jars as something else was being prepared. Miss you grandma

Ramp Up the Flavor

Its that time of year again to dig leeks in Northwestern Pennsylvania. The ham bone from Easter is going to make tasty ham leek potato soup. My family enjoyed my leek spread over the holiday and it is my favorite food I make with leeks. I made chili tonight and also sauteed greens in butter which I was told was better than spiniach. Think I'm going to try something new and make humus with leeks. Bradford's Leek Fest is May 7th and can't wait to have Betty's leek dumplings from Chu Lee Garden : )

Never had a wild leek, you don't know what you're missing !

That Takes the Cake

Made my first hypnocake today
this before baking

and this is hypnocake ready to be devoured

Christmas Leftovers

This Christmas I not only cooked a ham, but lamb as well. Unfortunately the lamb did not make it to the dinner table. I don't know why, but my lamb took way longer than my cookbook said and dinner was done before it was. I enjoyed some lamb with mint jelly as a late night Christmas snack, however I did not want to eat it that way for days on end. The gyros with tzatiki sauce hit the spot for a dinner and a lunch.

The herbed lamb stew warmed me on yet another cold night. Of the 2 I preferred the gyros even though they were not as good as the ones I've had while visiting my sister in N.C. . And of course I made navy bean and ham soup.

There were gingerbread men, but no house this year. Cherry bon-bon cookies, but no homemade candy. Pumpkin pie, but no cheesecake. The one thing I really wanted for Christmas no one can give, time. If I only had more time ......

Fresh Brewed

Ahh... a fresh cup of coffee to greet your day, to warm you up from the cold, to dip your Christmas cookies in as you chat with friends. Kaylee painted this steaming cup with coffee. Can you smell the aroma as the steam wafts into the air encircling your nose?


Kaylee was on creative high last night when she painted this picture. It was good to see her all sparkly and happy as she skated the brush onto the paper releasing her imagination.

It inspires me to create some cookies. What inspiration or memories does the painting evoke in you?

Can I Have a Bite ?

One of the best things about fall is the abundance of crisp tart apples. Apple dumplings out of the oven with vanilla ice cream is a family favorite. I would love to make some chunky applesauce like my grandma used to make, hopefully I'll find the time.

India Fest 2009

Today I purchased cumin,turmeric, chili powder, garam marsala, and coriander from India Fest. The spices were so beautiful i couldn't resist using them to make a picture.

Kaylee is having the symbol for Hindu applied in henna.

Kaylee is enjoying her chickpeas and rice, along with some delectable samosas, and chai tea. She looks forward at trying her hand at making samosas at home.

Blue at Last!

Finally blueberries are ready for picking and luckily I have my grandmother's recipe for cottage pudding.

The start of great things yet to come - mmm... the possibilities!

The net not only keeps out the birds, Evan can't keep seem to get his hands on them either!

Sweet

The sweet tastes of summer are just begining !