A Day At The Farm

The other day I was craving sweet corn.

I could have driven down the street to the grocery store in town, but instead decided to drive a few minutes more to Stade's Farm and Market.

I'm glad I did, I not only came home with the sweetest corn, but a jar of pickles and fresh beets.

Thanks to the gal at the stand for giving me an easy way to make the beets. All I did was cut off the tips of the green leaves leaving about an 1" of the stem, boiled till tender, cooled slightly and cut both ends off, rubbed the skin right off, sliced thin added pepper a little salt a tiny bit of butter. They were perfect on top of my salad.

Growing up in Wisconsin my heart still loves the smell of country air, fresh fruit and vegetables and the view of open land.

Inside their market all the crates are full of fruit and vegetables, shelves overflowing of canning goods and homemade quilts. On the weekends there is family entertainment for all.

They soon will have Shades of Autumn includes hayrides and picking your favorite pumpkin.

Also on the grounds they have outdoor concerts and...

(this old barn was down the road and caught my eye)
on Sunday outdoor contemporary Christian worship. Pretty cool, huh?

Have a moo-i-ful day my friends!

xoxo...

P.S. A BIG thank you to my friends at Stade's Farm for allowing me to take photos.

Happy Friday:Recipe

II have been trying to eat more fruit and vegetables so when a friend shared this bean burger recipe I was thrilled. I think it is my favorite bean burger so far. I added a bit of mango chutney from Trader Joe's adds a nice flavor. I either serve ithe burger on a bun or on a bed of mixed greens.

Homemade Black Bean Veggie Burgers
by LAURENMU
Prep Time: 15 MinutesCook Time: 20 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Serves 4

INGREDIENTS:
1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and
rinsed
1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
1/2 onion, cut into wedges3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 egg
1 tablespoon chili powder (I used 1/2 tablespoon to cut down the heat)
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce1/2 cup bread crumbs
DIRECTIONS:
If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.

In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.
In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.
Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.
If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy my friends!
Hugs n' kisses,

A Sure Sign Autumn Is Near

Enjoying the remaining summer days, I found this jewel.

Isn't she a beauty? Even though I enjoy summer, fall is my favorite time of year. Labor Day is still a bit away, but our driveway is already starting to slowly fill up with acorn caps left over from the squirrels as they take their prize treasures, finding a special place for the winter months ahead.

Have a golden day my friends!

xoxo

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me..."

~Emily Bronte~

Where Did The Time Go?

There is the time of our every day moments, the time of watching the seasons change and another year gone by. It is the bigger moments of time that has me thinking, the time of yesterday.

Just yesterday I was flying to California after work to visit my nephews or a turnaround trip literally getting off one flight to catch another to help my sister come home for a visit with 3 little boys. Today those little boys are young men. While Zack was here we had a wonderful time as I always do with my nieces and nephews. The visit also left me a little melancholy wondering where did all the time go.

The other day as Gary and I were driving, tears started to fall they were happy and sad tears all in one. As I realized Zack is not the little boy who ran to me with his arms outstretch wanting to be picked up and held, laying his head on my shoulder. I saw him for the first time as a young adult, and God willing, someday will have his own family. I said to Gary it is a bittersweet moment, and how I miss the time of yesterday. As the kids grow I feel as if I am on a raft, floating further away trying to hold on (I am a visual person).

As I was coming to terms my youngest nephew grew up overnight, it dawned on me this week my youngest niece is going off to college.

Eighteen years ago was magical to be at the birth of Malissa, watching as she made her entrance into the world. As Malissa goes off to college there is a part of me selfishly wishing she would stay nearby, but I know there is a whole lot of world out there waiting for her to discover, to make her mark and to touch other lives as she has touched mine.

I have truly been blessed to have nieces and nephews that are not only compassionate, loving, caring and respectful young adults, but they enjoy spending time with a silly aunt. I am very PROUD of all five, plus one great-nephew and deeply honored to be their aunt, a role I never took for granted. As they all begin to spread their wings, I hope they will continue to know I’m only a heartbeat away. Forever my heart will be filled with love and admiration for each of them.

Since I have no control over time or a magic stopwatch, I couldn't let my niece go off to college without a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies to share. Remember, this is the cookie jar I had everyone sign a couple of months ago at her high school graduation party. Thank goodness the oven fairy kept an eye on it so it didn't crack or break.

Do you ever wish you had a magic stopwatch? Or is this one of those silly aunt moments?

Enjoy your golden day my friends!

xoxo

Happy Friday: Another Celebration

Another August birthday for us to celebrate. Our baby girl, Kelly is 15 years old today! In people years she is 73 years, so they say HERE . She came home to us 10 years ago, today and we decided this date would be her birthday. Gary gave her a bath yesterday, the cake and cookies are here, so let the party begin. Kelly loves a good party, as my friend Gregg said she is just like her momma. Happy Birthday sweet Kelly girl!

Since we are on the subject of birthdays, I didn't want too much time to lapse in sharing a couple of recipes (more to come) from my mom's birthday party last week. I like this recipe, OK I LOVE this recipe and thought it would be perfect as we head into the weekend. This is one of my all time favorite recipes from
Ina Gartner . I have all of her cookbooks and was lucky enough to briefly meet her at a book signing. The onion dip is so easy to make. The only thing that takes a bit of time is sauté the onions, but I guarantee it is worth the wait. I always make a double batch and barely have any or little leftover. Save a few of the caramelized onions for garnishing and serve it with either regular or gourmet potato chips . If you are watching the calories even carrots taste good with it.
Pan-Fried Onion Dip
2 large yellow onions*
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper*
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup good mayonnaise
Cut the onions in half and then slice them into 1/8-inch thick half-rounds. (You will have about 3 cups of onions.) Heat the butter and oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions, cayenne, salt, and pepper and saute for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 more minutes (I usually sauté about 40 minutes) until the onions are browned and caramelized. Allow the onions to cool. Place the cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat until smooth. Add the onions and mix well. Taste for seasonings. Serve at room temperature
* I use 3 sweet onions and 1/8 of ground cayenne pepper (depends on your taste bud)

Oops as I was finishing up this post I realized onions and dogs do not mix. They are dangerous for dogs. Dang... I should have went with the potato salad recipe.

I hope you have a “dipping” time this weekend and as always make it a golden one my friends!

Hugs and kisses!

xoxo...

Another Fine Day

It started out with rain while driving to Wisconsin
By the time we got to the lake the sun

was trying to break through the clouds

until finally we had crystal blue skies

warm weather with a lakefront breeze

shared with our feathery friends

enjoying the view

of the lighthouse

and a walk in the sand

Enjoy the moment of your day my friends!

Many hugs and kisses too!

xoxo

A Sweetful Day

We still have family here this week, and my niece will be going off to college next week, so I apologize for my limited time for posting and visiting your corners.

You know how much I love birthday celebrations, even if it isn't my birthday. One of my highlights last week (Thursday) was celebrating my mom's birthday.

The cake was a 2-layer yellow sponge cake, filled with fresh strawberries and bananas , whip cream frosting with lady fingers along the outside piped with more whip cream between. Yummm...

It was fun to have most of the family here to celebrate. Don't you just love birthdays?!

I will have recipes to share soon.

In the meantime enjoy and make it a golden moment!

Hugs...

Happy Friday!

I hope your week has been filled with sweetness.

My sister Jeannie, nephew Zack and his girlfriend Kristen arrived safely. We have been trying to squeeze a whole lot of things into a short time.

This was my first time meeting Kristin and it has been my pleasure. She is a sweetheart and beautiful. I wanted to make her feel as special as she makes Zack and my family feel. I found out some of her favorite candies and had them waiting for her on one nightstand and on the other fresh flowers to brighten her room.

Sending you hugs and kisses...

(Jody and Denny, this photo is for you!)

... my friends and wishes for a golden weekend!

xoxo

"Cherish Family, I live for those who love me, for those who know me true"

Grow, Grow, Grow...

Little Black Eyed Susan

As she slowly opens her petals

One by one they unfold

Until one day she stands tall and bright greeting the day with a golden hug

I hope your week is off to a great start. We have family coming into town this week and I have a couple of deadlines by Friday, so if I seem to me MIA, it is because my dance card is a tad full.

Enjoy my friends!

xoxo...

Friday: Recipe

I was going to share another ice cream recipe today. Instead I'll give you a kitchen hint, don't attempt to make ice cream when you are bone tired. I burnt the cream and didn't think you wanted to see a photo of burnt cream.

Instead I'll share this pastry cream recipe I made a couple of weeks. You can find the recipe here HERE

I served it with fresh strawberries and blueberries, but you could use any of your favorite fruits. It was a perfect dessert.

My dear friends not only have a golden weekend, but a fruitful one!

xoxo...

Purple Flowers...

...And blue

My little butterfly bush went from this

to this!

The bees and a butterfly or two are enjoying this little bush

Do you ever see something or a color and it reminds you of someone? Everytime I see purple flowers I think of this lovely gardener and her beautiful Purple Flowers . When I'm out in the yard, I mean garden, pulling weeds and doing my best to enjoy this task, this sweet caretaker at St. Mary (oh how her garden grows) comes to mind and her wonderful garden.

Enjoy my friends!


xoxo...