Joys of Thanksgiving

I hope that everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving Day! Overall, we had a great day, a bit of drama in the morning but all was well by evening.

We started our day when we wanted to, no alarms! Thought to ourselves, "Hey, let's go on a small ride to start off the day." So a quick stop for some hot cocoa and a cinnamon roll to share, with the dogs excited in the back seat as they love to go for rides, and the radio set to Christmas music. We decided to stay in town, however this area of town is remote and on the side of the Chugach Mountain Range so a bit of terrain to deal with, but not a big deal for a 4 wheel SUV, right?

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3 Wheels stuck in the shoulder, it was 2 wheels but with all the attempts to get out we got stuck even more! Totally my fault as I was the one trying to drive out and Kyle was pushing. We were a bit distracted looking for Moose and didn't pay attention to the curve in the road. You can see the marks in front of the vehicle where we tried for over an hour to get out. Ended up calling for help, Kyle's brother came out and helped pull us out. As we were heading home, crossing the road in front of us, a Moose!

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Once home, decided now was a good time to start a nice fire. Changed into some dry clothes as we were up to our knees in wet pants and soaking socks and shoes. The dogs were happy to be home, and Frank promptly went to the fireplace and found a nice spot to warm himself!

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Kyle ended up bruising his shoulder pretty bad, so I covered him in a blanket and he took a small nap as I got the table set for our Thanksgiving Feast.

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A table set for 2, don't forget the punch!
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Happy Thanksgiving!

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Here's to hoping that everyone has a delightful day filled with lots of laughter, thankful blessings, and full bellies!

Turkey Day

Thanksgiving is almost here, do you have everything you need?
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Homemade Blueberry syrup

The weather has been pretty chilly lately as our daily high has been around 15 degrees, so that means that we have been spending the days indoors. This morning I was up early and thought I would surprise my hubby with a nice breakfast. A plate of waffles with homemade syrup and whipped cream sounded great to me, and thankfully Kyle loves whatever I make (honestly, you can ask him yourself!). I am so grateful that Kyle is not picky when it comes to our meals, as sometimes I tend to make odd dinners, he just smiles and gratefully digs in.
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I've been slowly working on doing once a month cooking, thanks to Erin over at Jane4 girls, she did a great post on whipping up a large batch of waffles in advance and I figured that since I was making waffles for breakfast that this would be a great time to do a large batch as well!
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The blueberry syrup boiled away as I made waffles. Here is my ingredient list for the syrup. Please bear in mind that these are not exact amounts, as you can adjust the sugar as needed or adjust the water or cornstarch if you want it thicker or thinner.

Blueberry Syrup

3 C Blueberries (I use frozen)

1/3 C Granular Sugar

1 1/2 C Water

2 tsp. Lemon Juice

2-3 Tbsp. Cornstarch

1/4 C Cold Water
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Combine berries, sugar, first amount of water, and lemon juice in a medium pot. Bring to a soft boil and continually stir to avoid scorching. I normally let this cook for 10 min. to help break down the berries. The juice will get darker the more you boil the berries. At this point, I use a potato masher to break up the berries, then let boil an additional 5 min. Pour through a fine mesh strainer, put the hot syrup back into the pot, return to a soft boil. In a small bowl combine the cornstarch and cold water, slowly drizzle into boiling syrup, make sure to mix well. Let this boil 2-3 min. If too thick add a bit of water, if too thin add a bit more cornstarch and cold water mixture.

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aaaBerries boiling away

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aaaThickened with cornstarch

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aaaKyle's Breakfast :-)

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The doggies also had breakfast. I broke up 2 waffles and drizzled a bit of syrup on the pieces. They really enjoy the weekend as it means breafast for everyone on both days.

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I let the extras cool, the syrup will be great for future breakfast or would also be super tasty heated up and drizzled on vanilla ice cream, or maybe even for a banana split, yummy!

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Peek-a-boo Winston

Hiding under the bed!

aaWinston taking a nap

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aaHe loves his little monkey!

Versatile holiday dessert

I like to change up my holiday desserts every year, but sometimes find myself in the same old rut. Vanilla Cream Pie is a great holiday dessert. With the addition of several ingredients, this simple pie can be transformed into several varieties of pies.

Vanilla Cream Pie
1 Pint Milk
1/4 C Granular Sugar
2 Egg yolks
1 Whole egg
2 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. Cornstarch
1/4 C Granular Sugar
2 Tbsp. Butter
2 tsp. Vanilla extract

In a heavy saucepan, dissolve the milk and first sugar amount. In a medium bowl, whip yolks and whole eggs. Sift in the starch and second sugar into the egg mixture. Once the milk mixture has been brought to a boil, remove from heat. Slowly stream in egg mixture into hot milk mixture. Return the saucepan to the stove and heat to a boil, stir constantly. When the mixture comes to a boil and thickens, remove from heat. *Make sure to bring mixture to a complete boil before removing from heat, neglecting this step will result in the cornstarch giving a raw starch flavor to your pie!* Stir in the butter and vanilla. If you are concerned about possible chunks, you can pour through a mesh strainer. Pour into a cooled, pre-baked pie shell. Cool until set. Garnish with whipped cream. This recipe will make 1, 9inch pie.

*Coconut Cream*
1/2 C Coconut flakes
Toast 1/4 C in oven til golden. Take remaining 1/4 C coconut, add into the pie after mixing in the butter and vanilla. Top pie with cooled toasted coconut.

*Banana Cream*
Pour half of vanilla cream filling into pie shell. Cover with banana slices, and top with remaining filling.

*Chocolate Cream*
2 Tbsp. Unsweetened baking chocolate
2 Tbsp. Sweetened baking chocolate
Melt together and mix into hot vanilla cream filling (before adding the butter & vanilla).

*Butterscotch Cream*
1 C Brown Sugar
1/4 C + 1 Tbsp. Butter
In small saucepan, heat sugar and butter on low. Once melted, remove from heat. Prepare the vanilla cream filling recipe, BUT omit all the sugar and add an additional 1 tsp. cornstarch. As the vanilla mixture comes to its second boil, stir in brown sugar mixture. Finish as in the basic vanilla recipe.

*You can fill miniature pre-baked pie shells with vanilla cream filling, top with sliced fresh fruit and a dusting of powdered sugar!*

**The basic Vanilla Cream Pie recipe is also the filling for eclairs!**
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Fun Food Facts

In the process of earning my Culinary Degree, I learned a vast amount of foodie knowledge, some if it you may know and some of it you may not. Just some fun and interesting facts.

Smoked & dried jalapenos = Chipotle powder

Coriander seeds and Cilantro come from the same plant.

The great debate: Brown VS White
Do you know what the difference is between brown and white eggs?
Brown chickens lay brown eggs, and white chickens lay white eggs. Viola, mystery solved! A lot of people think that brown eggs are better for you and more organic, free range, yada yada yada... Eggs are not like bread where the whiter the item is the more processed it is.

1 Whole egg weighs 1.66oz
1 oz for the white
.66oz for the yolk
10 eggs (minus shell) = 1 Lb.

Little Miss Muffet who loved her curds & whey, by today's terms, would be eating her cottage cheese.

A truly french croissant has exactly three folds in the dough.

Is it a herb, or is it a spice?
Herb = Leafy parts of a plant
Spice = Bark, seeds, roots of a plant

Why is a hamburger called a hamburger when there is no ham in it? Origins date this tasty food back to Germany. In Hamburg, Germany beef was shredded and served raw. A curious chef decided to cook this shredded beef and thus the hamburger was born. The name is in honor of the city it originated from, or so the story goes.

Mealy VS Waxy Potatoes
Mealy = Russet's, or any variety of baking potatoes. You will know a mealy potato by the flesh crumbling after cooking.
Waxy = Red potatoes or any variety of firm potato. These potatoes will hold their shape after cooking and work best in potato salads, soups and more.
*A good in between potato is Yukon Gold as they will work well as a baked potato and perfectly fine in potato salads.*

If you live in Britain;
Chips = Fries
Crisps = Potato Chips

SPAM = Spiced Ham

Pork Butt is not from the butt of a pig, but is actually from the shoulder. LOL...don't you just love those confusing terms!

Deputy Dog

My pug Winston is my little shadow, he constantly follows me wherever I go. As I was working on the dishes this morning, he must have thought I needed some help, as he proceeded to lick the dishes as I was loading them! I obviously didn't know how to do the dishes properly!


My little Deputy, making sure the job gets done!

Alaskan winters

I cannot believe that Thanksgiving is just two weeks away, yikes!

View of downtown Anchorage

Swans at Potter's Marsh

Bohemian Waxwing

Frozen window

Now is the time of year when I really realize why I enjoy living in Alaska. I am an avid photographer and wherever I go, I have at least one camera with me. With us moving in spring 2009, to Wisconsin, this will be our last winter to enjoy Alaska. Alaska has to be the only place where you can be late to work due to a moose in your yard or one walking down the street, and it actually happens here! I take photos daily, but I have yet to capture a decent photo of the ever elusive Aurora Borealis. Not to mention the challenge this poses as the Aurora isn't fully visible til aftern 11pm and it peaks around 1-2am, and I have to be up for work at 4am so it doesn't really work with my sleep schedule!

We are discussing the possibility of our christmas gift, to each other, to be a trip to Chena Hot Springs where the Aurora Borealis is seen almost nightly during the winter months. The Alaskan Railroad runs to Fairbanks, this takes a day, then spending one night in Fairbanks with the following day taking a snow coach to Chena Hot Springs. Chena is known for its Ice Museum and Hot Springs. For a fee, a professional photographer will take you out to photograph the Aurora, as you stay out all night sipping hot cocoa and watching the northern skies, sounds fun to me!

**Click HERE to see pictures from Chena Hot Springs including the Ice Museum, and the Aurora Borealis.**

Almost better

I've had a couple inquires regarding my sweet pug Winston, and how his eye is doing.

We had another vet visit today, his 9th visit for his eye injury, and I'm happy to report that it is healing!

We finally figured out what was stalling his progress. Turns out he is allergic to one of his eye drops so obviously it is hard for the medicine to do its job if he is allergic to it. Then on top of that the oral antibiotic wasn't working. Last week he developed a skin infection, which isn't possible if the antibiotic is working as it should. We changed out that medicine on Friday, and as of today his eye is mostly brown, but he has still retained a bit of the crater on his cornea which should be gone within a week.

Here is my beautiful brown-eyed boy!

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Winston says "HI", and thanks everyone for checking in on him, he appreciates it!

Homemade labels and more...

I've had readers contact me regarding making labels for homemade items that are given as gifts. I did some searching online and have come across some great resources, they include:

Martha Stewart
I was surprised to see her website offering templates of labels, as well as great gift ideas including felt baby booties, suede headband, fan style family tree, and many more.

HP
These labels are vintage style and really cool!

Tip Nut
Various labels for different projects including canned items, hang tags, recipe cards, and many more templates to download.

Craft Bits
This is a massive crafting site where you can find info on nearly every craft you can safely do from home. Craft ideas include wire jewelry, recycled crafts, gifts in a jar, bath & body, as well as holiday theme craft ideas.


You can always try and make your own labels using programs like Word. It is very easy to do but it does take some patience to figure out how to make everything work. Happy Crafting!

November 4th, 2008

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I am sure you are tired of hearing about this, as I know I am. This is just a friendly reminder to

Get out and Vote!

Most polls are expecting heavy turnout so please be patient, also try to go during less busier times if possible.

I am looking forward to Wednesday as there will be no more harassing phone calls!

Tasty Treats

I have to admit that I absolutely LOVE sweets! And during the holidays, this is the best time for making something warm and sweet. It also helps to heat the house when you use the oven, or at least that is my excuse for why I bake so much! Here are a few sweet tasty recipes for you to try.

Pumpkin Chip Muffins
4 Eggs
2 C Granular Sugar
15 oz. Pumpkin
1 1/2 C Vegetable Oil
1 Tbsp. Vanilla Extract (check out my recipe link to make your own!)
3 C All Purpose Flour
2 tsp. Baking Soda
2 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Salt
2 C Chocolate Chips, I prefer semi-sweet

Beat eggs, mix in sugar, pumpkin, oil, & vanilla. In separate bowl combine flour, soda, powder, cinnamon, & salt.
Add flour mixture into egg mixture, thoroughly combine. Fold in chocolate chips. Spoon into greased muffin tins, fill 3/4 full. Bake 400 degrees, 15-20 minutes.


Chinese Almond Cookies
1 C Butter - soft
1 C Granular Sugar
2 Egg Yolks
1 C Almonds, ground
1 tsp. Almond extract
2 to 2 1/2 C All Purpose Flour

Cream together butter and sugar. Then add in, mixing between each addition; yolks, ground almonds, extract, & flour. Lightly grease cookie sheets.
Dust hands with flour and roll dough into 1 in. balls. Press down balls with flat bottom of a cup, dust cup bottom after each pressed cookie. Bake 350 degrees, 10-15 min. or until golden.
Once cooled ice tops.

Icing
2 tsp. Instant tea - plain flavor
1 1/4 C Powdered Sugar
1/4 C Butter - soft
2 Tbsp. Milk

Combine ingredients, ice tops of cooled cookies. You can garnish tops with a slivered almond.


Fried Chocolate Bananas
1 Package Wonton wrappers
Hershey's chocolate sauce
Bananas - ripe

Take wonton wrappers, cut bananas in halves or thirds so that it fits in the wrapper with plenty of room to seal it up. Place banana pieces in wrappers and drizzle with chocolate sauce. Wrap up banana in wrapper so that ends are folded in, like a burrito, seal the end of the wrapper with a little water so that it sticks to itself. Make sure banana is completely wrapped up or chocolate sauce will ooze out into your frying oil! You are going to deep fry these in vegetable oil, oil needs to be about 250-300 degrees. Fry just until golden. Serve warm with chocolate sauce drizzled over top and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.


Lava Cakes
1 1/3 C Semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/3 C Butter
6 Whole Eggs
6 Egg Yolks
3/4 C Granular Sugar
1/4 C All Purpose Flour - sifted

Combine chocolate, & butter, melt on double boiler. You can also melt in microwave, just heat 10-15 seconds at a time to avoid scorching chocolate. Heat just until melted, let cool 2 min.
In separate bowl combine all eggs, & sugar. Whisk together. Once chocolate mixture cooled, add into egg mixture (you want to cool the chocolate mixture to avoid scrambling the eggs). Stir until all ingredients are well combined. Add in flour, a little at a time, whisk until smooth.
Let sit overnight or at least 4 hours before baking.
Grease and generously sugar muffin tins, fill 1/2 to 3/4 full. Bake 8-12 min. You want the edges to be set but the centers to wobble like jello. Loosen edges from tin and invert on plate. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
When baked properly, the center will ooze like Lave when you cut into it, hence the name!

Newspaper Fire Logs

I blogged a while back regarding making fire logs from newspapers. Click here to read that entry. You can find a tool online to make these for you. I didn't want to spend the money and found that if you layer 3 newspapers together, minus the color portions (comics, ads) and roll as tight as you can, that this log will burn for about an hour. Here is what my finished newspaper logs look like:



It is a bit difficult to roll them tight, then hold them to secure wire on the ends. It is more of a two person job. Once done burning, just pick out the wire and re-use for future fire logs. The downside of burning these is that they create a huge amount of ash! I would recommend burning no more than 2 at a time. I ended up having to clean out my fireplace with just one log burned, but my fireplace is also on the small side.

Poor Winnie-Pooh!

Winnie Pooh is just one of many nicknames that we have for our pug Winston. Little Winnie hurt his eye last week and it is refusing to heal! He has been to the Vet's office 5 times in 10 days. I was working on his list of meds, talk about overwhelming. This is what his daily regimen is:

One of his medicines is his blood. It has been spun to separate the liquid from the blood cells, then the liquid is given as eye drops. Sounds odd but at this point we are willing to try whatever the Vet recommends. We have a re-check in 4 days. The Veterinarian didn't say what we would do next if this also fails, and I am afraid to ask. Also, there isn't a Veterinarian eye specialist in the state of AK, so getting a Vet that specializes in eyes isn't possible.

Winston is in good spirits and seems to only know that his eye is a bit fuzzy, and is starting to recognize the drive to the Vet's office.

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