Mrs. K At Home This and that, and all the things I love!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Have Yourself A Merry Christmas!


Merry, Merry Christmas!

I hope you all have a wonderful day
filled with love and laughter,
good food and good cheer,
and whatever else makes you happy!

We were supposed to have a quiet Christmas Eve and Christmas day, however, friends came last night for a little while, and other friends are joining us for our traditional lasagna. Dinner, of course, to be preceded by the usual good appetizers; not a real antipasto, but close enough.

It's been a busy December and I am looking forward to a peaceful and quiet New Year. This Christmas sure did come upon us quickly, didn't it? I do suppose, though, if you're five, ten, or thereabout, it took an awfully long time. I certainly don't remember the days flying by when I was a child as they seem to today.

Well, off to the kitchen. Have a wonderful Christmas!!!

Deliciously yours, 
Mrs. K.


 Yeah, right!!! ; )

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Happy Birthday, Jane!


Happy Birthday to Jane Austen, born in 1775. I thank her for many, many hours of delightful reading, watching movies interpret her stories, and feeding my soul. For Jane, that old saying about living on really is true - she does live on in her novels, the movies, and thanks to the Jane Austen Society.

Favorite Jane novel: Persuasion

Favorite movie version: 1995

Favorite Anne actress: Amanda Root

Favorite Captain Wentworth actor: Ciaran Hinds

Favorite Quote from Persuasion: "I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me that I am not too late, that such precious feelings are not gone forever." Capt. Frederick Wentworth to Anne Elliot.

I actually have many favorite quotes from this novel, but this one, well, it is quite romantic and I do love it. The Sampler Girl ( click here) designed a cross stitch pattern with this quote and naturally I purchased it. The Sampler Girl has a whole series of designs inspired by Jane and her novels, so if you enjoy stitching, take a browse. I have yet to stitch this particular design, but it is in my new collection of projects that I recently put together for the next year's stitching. I always do this around Christmas time.  Another little cushion, perhaps, for the connubial couch.

Tangled in threads,
Mrs. K.



Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Stitching Ornaments


To be honest, by this time of my life, after years of collecting and stitching, I have enough ornaments and more! However... that doesn't stop me from stitching new ones or, at least one new one every year. I have a stash of ornament designs to choose from and now.... The Stitcher's Village, click here, will have a free ornament each day until December 1st. This began yesterday, so there are two ornaments so far.

Yesterday's ornament, Colorful Christmas Trees is from Rosewood Manor, a designer who's work I really like. It is very pretty and looks like a quick stitch. Today's design is by Moonflower Designs, Linked Hearts. She stitched it on silver perforated paper and the colors do not appeal to me at all, but stitched on linen in either one color, or some others, it has potential. I prefer more primitive and traditional designs, so other's milage may vary.

If you sign up for the newsletter, you will have access to the designs. Who can't use free designs? Many thanks to the designers for donating their design freebies and Stitcher's Village for hosting this ornament design give-away!!!!

Now... back to my holiday cleaning marathon, tearing apart our little condo and scrubbing it down within an inch of its life!!!

Tangles in threads and dustballs,
Mrs. K.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

After Thanksgiving!


Well, I certainly hope your Thanksgiving was as lovely as mine. That nasty stomach virus I had been dealing with finally let up and I was able to enjoy my dinner. I made sure not to over-indulge. Although the wine didn't sit well, otherwise I am back in fighting form! Yay! I don't do sick well.

Our Thanksgiving was spent at my husband's cousin's club (what a mouthful!) which included very moist and delicious turkey, naturally, but also excellent ham, apple cider glazed salmon, and prime rib that didn't require a knife to cut. Along with these, there were traditional fixings, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing, a wonderful salad table that included a sauteed mushroom and Brussels  sprouts salad with bits of bacon that was out of this world. I will be figuring out that recipe, for sure. There was plenty of breads; cornbread, rolls, sliced breads of all types, butter and honey butter. Then there was dessert... two rooms worth, traditional pies and everything in between and around, including a sugar free table that I don't think anyone touched, hehe. The chef even made his own truffles and white chocolate covered almonds. OH...... delightful. However, with my tender tummy, I did not over indulge, enjoying a few little bites of this and that along with a lovely cup of tea. Best of all, Mike's cousin and his wife, Aunt Harriet and her friend, Arlene, were there to share the day. We sat a good long time, chatting, laughing, and remembering. My own mother was home with my nephew and a few friends. She said she cooked up a feast that she hasn't done in years when we talked on the phone. Thanksgiving, a wonderful day!

How appropriate that Common Sense Homesteading had this post today - all about natural remedies for.... you guessed it, upset tummy! See the post here. Good information to add to one's housekeeping book or file.


Do you remember those old Victorian housekeeping books? I have a number of them, including Mrs. Beeton's, of course. My edition is probably early 1900s, but there were many editions. I also have a copy of A Jane Austen Household Book, which includes Martha Lloyd's receipts; not an antique, but most interesting. I do have many actual antique books which I love to peruse and even attempt the recipes - adjusting measures and ingredients as needed. There is a lot of advice about remedies too, which Laurie's post at Common Sense Homesteading reminded me of.


Folks are  so quick to take a pill when, most of the time, a cup of chamomile tea with a just a pinch of mint will do the trick for the upset tummy. A tea of crushed fennel seeds also relieves the, pardon the expression, burps. Herbal tinctures are also very good - melissa, passionflower, chamomile, all relaxing when stress is about to overwhelm or you can't sleep. Of course, there are good medicines today, so I like to utilize the best of both worlds; the ultimate tummy soother: Pepto Bismol! Works for me, LOL!

Moving along, it is now officially THAT time of year, the countdown to the holidays! On the agenda for me, finishing handmade gifts, candy and cookie making, cakes, homemade eggnog, and, of course, decorating. I like to have my tree up on December 1st so I can enjoy it all month. Last year, I was way behind getting my decorating done and that definitely will not be happening this year. I am ready to go!

We, in this household, celebrate Chanukah as well as Christmas, Mr. K being Jewish. I love it!!! Getting a little Chanukah gift takes the edge off waiting for Christmas, LOL! (oh, I have to stop with the exclamation points! Argh, there I go again.) After all these years being married, we curb the gift giving to just little goodies, but still, it is the excitement of a sweet little something wrapped in pretty paper. So, in addition to the Christmas food making, there will be LATKES!!!! And no latke incident as happened a few years ago - I will post that another day, a funny story, just before Chanukah which begins the evening of December 8th. Out with the menorah and blue paper!!! Onward potatoes, onions, applesauce and sour cream!!! The smell of frying will permeate my home for a few days, but it IS worth it. Nothing like homemade potato pancakes!!!

What about all of you? Ready to decorate? Recovered from the wonderful gastronomic indulgences of Thanksgiving and plotting those for Christmas? My Christmas pudding fixings await me!

Did I say Christmas pudding???? I certainly did. Today is Stir-up Sunday, the Sunday before Advent or the Sunday after Thanksgiving, according to some. In any event, mine is not a traditional plum pudding, but a dried apricot pudding. Each and every Sunday after making it, I unwrap it and douse it in rum, wrap it back up and leave it in the fridge to do its thing. By the time Christmas Eve rolls around, that baby is potent! And quite delicious with a lovely, buttery rum sauce drizzled over it. Lights up like a torch too, hehe! Yes, we set it alight in the traditional manner. Fun, fun.

So, off I go, because in addition to the pudding and some ham steaks for supper, there is stitching to be done.

Tangled in threads and deliciously yours,
Mrs. K.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!


Happy Thanksgiving!

May you be blessed with plenty and more;
lots of love, plenty of delicious food enjoyed with abandon,
family and friends who love and treasure you.
Thanks so much for reading my blog, 

Tangled in threads and deliciously yours,
Mrs. K (and Mr. K. too)


Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Remembering Thanksgiving

When I was a child, Thanksgiving was a very exciting time. Most years, family joined us for dinner, but sometimes, it was just the immediate family, my parents and us kids. My dad always cooked breakfast for us on Sundays and holidays, pancakes! He made great pancakes and we ate piles, literally. He would just keep cooking until he could see we were full, then he'd sit down and have his breakfast.

There was one thing my dad, who's gone now three years as of October, did for us on Thanksgiving when we were kids, that I always remember with such sweetness. We'd come to the breakfast table, waiting for those pancakes, and there was a little gift at each of our places; just small things, a little mini tea set, a little girl's make-up kit - not really make-up, but the play stuff. My brother would find Match Box cars, little tools, those sorts of little toys and goodies one found in the Five and Ten, or in our case, the Hopewell Pharmacy. We could never wait to see what he got us. Small things, big memories.

Yesterday, as I am just getting over a stomach virus from hell, I made a pot of homemade chicken soup. I had a large pack of chicken thighs in the freezer, so I used those. I cooked the chicken with some onions, garlic, celery with leaves, and a couple of carrot. When the meat was cooked, I removed it, but threw the bones and skin back into the pot, cooking another couple of hours. I then strained the broth and put it back into the pot. Along with more fresh onion, lots of garlic - all told, about 8 cloves, carrots, and celery, I threw in a leftover half bag of frozen spinach, some barley, about a third box leftover ditilini macaroni, and finally, some cheese tortellini. That is the best chicken soup I have ever had, and I consider myself a connoisseur. Love chicken soup.

Wasn't sure how Mr. K. would react to such a mixed pot, but he ate three bowls and told me I better make it again just that way. He said I could always add matzoh balls too! As I've mentioned before, we mix it up in our home and it's all good.

Tomorrow we are off to Mr. K's cousin's club, as we have been doing for the past few years, joining relatives and friends. They put on an incredible spread, so it will be a wonderful meal. For leftovers, I've got that pot of soup in the fridge, but who knows, maybe Sunday, as I stir up my Christmas pudding, I'll make a little turkey dinner just for the two of us. As for the pudding, I'll share the adventure of the first one I made later in the week.

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K.  

Monday, November 5, 2012

A Mega Candy Bar!!!


You must visit Cakespy for the directions/recipe for the above - it is an amalgam of mini candy bars melted into one large one. You've got to take a peek, I almost fell into a diabetic coma just reading about it. It looks quite scrumptious as one could add all one's favorite candy bars!!! A fun treat.

Here's the link:  CakeSpy

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Whole Foods Sells Organic Food From CHINA?


Take a look at this! If you shop at Whole Foods, you will want to take a closer look at what you are buying and where it comes from. READ THE LABELS! Whole Foods brand California Blend Frozen Organic Veggies are from China! While California is shown in large type, the "from China" note is in very small print. It isn't only these vegetables, either, it is other foods as well.

I found out about this from The Healthy Home Economist blog. I highly recommend this blog for keeping informed about traditional, healthy foods and how to cook them.

There are problems with products from China all the time. Remember all the dead pets? Why would anyone want to buy so-called organic food from them? Why is any market supposedly dedicated to organic, local, sustainably grown food buying produce from China in the first place? 

Watch this and learn, then let Whole Paycheck Foods what you think. 




Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween!



May no goblins catch you, and don't eat too much
candy, but do have a fun and

Happy Halloween!

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Leaf Bowl


I thought this was really nice when I saw the photo on Facebook. There is a great tutorial and the bowl is easy to make. Thought I'd share, so take a look!

http://www.hellolucky.com/wordpress/2012/10/25/diy-autumn-leaf-bowls/

Tangled in threads, at the moment!

Mrs. K.

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Canning Label Giveaway at Canning Granny


On Facebook, I always keep up to date with everyone's canning by reading Canning Granny's page. She also has a  great blog - Canning Granny - click and it will take you right to the page about her canning label giveaway. Here's her FB page, just in case you'd like to follow her there - Canning Granny FB - people post photos of all their wonderful canning stuff, a great page.

I don't know about anyone else, but I never seem to have enough labels - I like to put them on my canning jars, of course, but baked goods, seasoning mixes, etc. Check it out and enter for a chance to win some nice labels!

The photo above was nabbed from FB - a WWII poster.

Off to bake some cornbread!!!

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Catching Up & Brussels Sprouts




Good grief, I haven't even said Happy October, so first... Happy October!!! This is a favorite month as I love autumn and Halloween. I have been busy finishing up my fruit butters, making pomanders, giving my home a good cleaning, and decorating for the season. Busy, busy.

We are not visiting North Carolina this month and I am so disappointed! It just can't be done, so onward and forward. I look forward to getting away into some real autumn weather every year and I feel rather sad, sort of a deep ache and longing. Oh well, I'll survive. Surely no one ever died from not being able to make their autumn pilgrimage.

I have been consoling myself with plenty of tea, stitching gifts for the holidays - I am even weaving a little bookmark for a friend - and browsing through favorite books. One favorite is Sara Midda's "In And Out of the Garden." No matter how many times I look through this beautiful book, I never tire of Sara's charming and whimsical illustrations. It is filled with old garden lore, recipes, quotes, and other wonderful things, including poetry.


Within this book I found a very sweet little poem about brussels sprouts that I just adore; I am known for reciting it whenever the urge strikes! For many years I didn't like these little cabbage-like vegetables, in fact I didn't like cabbage much, nor onions. Now however, I love all three. Brussels sprouts still require special treatment in order for me to enjoy them though and, over the years, I have found the perfect way to cook them so they are just right for me.


First, I choose baby sprouts if they are available. Second, I toss them with plenty of butter, Celtic salt, and maple syrup. Yep... maple syrup. Brown sugar or honey works well too; that bit of added sweetness just does something to enhance the flavor, but the maple syrup, that makes them extra special. Most important, I roast them at about 350 degrees until they are tender. I don't like my veggies barely cooked, I prefer them well cooked and, according to Bee at Healing Naturally By Bee, it is best for one's digestion. All I know is that MY digestion is happiest with well-cooked vegetables.

Back to sprouts... I make sure I keep an eye on the sprouts, stirring them often, and watching so they don't get charred. I don't like charred veggies. Sometimes, I toss in a couple of apples or pears, which is quite delicious, or even a sliced Vidalia onion. If I use apples, I might even add a splash of Calvados or apple cider, very good indeed! One thing is for sure, after roasting, more butter is added, seasoning adjusted, and none are left! Mr. K. is quite fond of brussels spouts.

Do you like brussels sprouts? How do you cook them? Love to hear how you prefer yours... or not. I shall leave you with the brussels sprouts poem from Sara's book.

Sprouts for dinner, 
Sprouts for tea,
Sprouts for you
and sprouts for me.
Sprouts at Christmas,
Sprouts at Fall.
Whether large
- or whether small,
Sprouts enough to fill us all!

I say, hurray for brussels sprouts!

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K.

Do you like

Thursday, September 27, 2012

So long, Andy


How sad, I read, earlier today, that singer Andy Williams passed away. He was 84 years old. I've always loved his music. As I mentioned in other posts, my mom played a lot of music, all kinds, so I tend to have very eclectic taste in music. There's something about listening to Andy that just brings memories of good times. His wonderful voice relaxes me too.

Moonriver, Canadian Sunset, Days of Wine and Roses, Autumn Leaves, Born Free, Three Coins in the Fountain - all favorites. I'm listening to his wonderful voice right now.

Well, I hope he's meeting up with all the terrific crooners that have gone before, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin. So long, Andy, we'll miss you.

Tangled in memories,
Mrs. K.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Apples, Memories, and Johnny Appleseed



Well. I'm about to get on with making apple butter, and there's also my favorite apple cake, which I am baking for Mr. K. this afternoon. He's fasting for Yom Kippur today. That cake will make a lovely dessert for breaking his fast, while making my home smell wonderful! 

Anywho ... I was buzzing around the internet and found an interesting tidbit about Johnny Appleseed. It just so happens that today is his birthday.

Jason Mankey, a blogger over at Patheos.com , had this to share:


In 1948 The Walt Disney company released a series of shorts as the movie Melody Time. The most well known of those shorts tells the tale of Johnny Appleseed, assuring his place in the pantheon of North American Folklore. I have mixed feelings about the Disney short. In some ways it captures Johnny’s love of the natural world, and in most other ways it, predictably, paints a completely romanticized and cleaned up picture of the man John Chapman.

Chapman was born in Massachusetts in 1774, and by the time he was twenty had already moved “West.” West in 1794 meant Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, where he began his carrer as a somewhat successful nurseryman and unsuccessful land speculator. Disney portrayed Chapman as someone who picks apples, but what Chapman really did was grow apple trees. Chapman’s business model was simple: go where you think the next wave of settlers will be, and set up a small apple orchard near by, usually just a few acres surrounded by a fence to keep livestock out. As the Frontier moved westward, Appleseed moved with it, living most of his long life (he died at age 70) in Ohio, before making it as far as Illinois.

Apple trees were not quite currency in the frontier lands of Ohio, but they were necessary for most homesteaders. The U.S Government required settlers to plant (apple and pear) trees on their property to prove they weren’t land speculators. That requirement is how Chapman made his living. While most of us think of apples as edible, Johnny Appleseed’s apples were often just the opposite.

All of Chapman’s trees were grown from seeds, making the fruit they produced more like crab apples than the Golden Delicious and Macintosh varieties we eat today.

If the fruit from Chapman’s trees was inedible, what were they good for? The easy answer is booze, most specifically hard cider and apple jack (which is a super concentrated cider).


You can read the entire blog post, which is very interesting, by clicking the link above It is worth reading. It seems old Johnny was rather what we might call a mountain man today - unkempt, barefoot, and homeless. I thought this was pretty interesting, because I grew up in upstate New York and we went to a nearby orchard every year to pick apples - bushels of them. They were kept in our cellar through the winter. My mom spent days preparing many apple pies, only one or two went into the oven, then she froze the rest so she could just pull one out and bake it up fresh whenever we wanted one. She also made plenty of apple sauce. We, my brother and sisters, ate our way through those bushels, we just loved apples. I am still overly fond of them and will choose apple desserts over chocolate every time. Of course, there's nothing like a fresh, crisp apple, and sometimes I'm lucky enough to receive a box of fresh apples from home.




Even those apples I grew up on were unlike what I find in the grocery store today. They weren't perfectly shaped, but they sure weren't crab apples either. We had plenty of crab apple trees around our neighborhood, but the apple trees were wonderfully gnarly and great for climbing. We ate as many apples as we picked - no nasty pesticides, thank goodness. I have really fond memories of those times and the apple scent that filled our basement. Nothing makes me feel more homesick and nostalgic than the scent of fresh apples; add the scent of cinnamon and clove and I just want to go home. I must be honest here and say that I've lived longer in South Florida than I did in New York, but once a New Yorker, always a New Yorker. I have discovered, in my visits to North Carolina, that they have some pretty good apples too, so I like to bring home a bushel when we get up there each autumn.


Oh well, it seems to be a day of memories. I better get that cake into the oven, but first I'll have a nice cup of apple spice tea! Have a lovely day!


Deliciously yours,

Mrs. K. 

Sunday, September 16, 2012


A Blessed and Happy Rosh Hashanah!

Happiness, love, good health, prosperity,
and an abundance of goodness and sweet blessings
 is what I wish for you in the New Year!

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K. 

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Plum Butter, Yum!

Yesterday was a busy day as I finally got my plum butter made; I had planned to do it Sunday, but got sidetracked with other things... reading a couple of good mysteries and stitching. I just needed a lazy day, so I gave myself one. However, those plums were ready to go and so I had to get busy.

This jam is such a gorgeous color in addition to being SO delicious! I used a mixture of dark purple and red plums, sugar, cinnamon, and just a touch of cloves. Perfection, if I do say so myself. ; )

I always begin by selecting the most luscious looking plums I can find. I needed about six pounds. I wash them  and let the soak a bit in a tub of water to which I've added some vinegar; this is to clean them really well. I then rinse and quarter them, removing the pit. I add a bit of water, just enough to keep them from sticking, cover and cook until soft. Plenty of checking and stirring is needed. Sometimes a bit more water needs to be added, but these were very juicy so I didn't have to. When softened, I put the cooked plums through a food mill, measure, so I know how much sugar to start with, and put back into the pot. Peels were disposed of and I was ready to make the fruit butter.

Sugar, I started this batch with half a cup of sugar per cup of fruit puree, then the spices, a tablespoon of cinnamon and a half teaspoon of cloves, were stirred in. I slowly brought to a boil, then reduced the heat a bit. Once the sugar has completely dissolved, I taste and make any adjustments in sugar and spice. This batch needed a half cup more sugar, but the spices were perfect.

Bubble, bubble, simmering away, stirring with my lovely, handmade, heart-shapred wooden spoon. I bought it last year at the Southern Highlands Craft Fair in Asheville, NC. Puts a bit of extra love into all this goodness. When I think the consistency is just right, I check my fruit butters by placing a bit on a chilled saucer that has been waiting in the freezer. I put the saucer back in the freezer for a moment or so, then check. Perfect timing yesterday!

Into the jars, edges wiped, lids and screwbands placed, I try not to burn my fingers on the hot, sterilized jars, but, ouch, they are hot!

I use the water bath canning method for 15 minutes. Boiling away!

 The end result... ooh deliciousness! The color is so pretty too. As the jars are removed from the canner, I wait for that "ping" as they seal - love that little sound! Naturally, Mr. K. couldn't wait to sample some, and since there was one jar that was only about two thirds filled and didn't go into the canner, he helped himself. There's always one of these left that goes right into the fridge, after the taste tester has done his job, of course!

Today... pear butter, which I've not made before. I found some lovely pears so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm rather partial to pears. I checked through my cookbooks, but couldn't find a recipe, so I checked on line and found one. I was concerned about the canning method, wanted to be sure there wasn't any issue. The recipe I found adds a little orange juice. Sounds good! I'm also going to get my pomanders done tonight and get them to curing. You can imagine how wonderful my home smells with all this going on.

Next week is apple butter time. Apple butter is my favorite. There is just something about that taste, the apples, my favorite fruit, and all those spices. I love the scent of cinnamon, cloves, allspice, along with apple and orange. I make a simmering pot pourri that keeps our little place smelling lovely with these ingredients for when I'm not making fruit butters!

Oh well, off to the kitchen!

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Farewell Marilyn

Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum, in the garden

Such sad news! I just heard that Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum, the wonderful cross stitcher designer, passed away on August 12th. She was the creator of many beautiful designs. I first became acquainted with her work years ago, the late 1980s, I believe. The stitching group I belonged to decided to have a special meeting night just to stitch the Told In The Garden designs, which are very country-style, Amish inspired designs. We were just crazy about them; I still have a very large collection of the designs. We even called the group Told In The Garden. This is one that I stitched and finished in 1990:
The Quilting

The words, "The Quilting" were designed to be stitched under the quilters, but I decided to leave it out. I think the large, blue quilt has over 3000 stitches, LOL! Marilyn went on to create many other designs, under the Butternut Road, and Lavender and Lace, design names; all beautiful. She was a prolific designer.
Spiritdancer, Butternut Road

 Celtic Banner, Butternut Road

Firefly Fairies, Lavender and Lace

My favorites, though, are the Told In The Garden designs. These designs have a special place in my heart, as does the group I stitched with, and as does Marilyn. 

Farewell Marilyn, stitch away in the stars above.

Tangled in threads,
Mrs. K.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Summer Ending, Jam Making and a Tropical Storm!

So, here we are at the end of August! I am so looking forward to Autumn, well, I always do. It is my very favorite time of year. I have fond memories. Now, however, I have a lot to keep me occupied as I finish up summer. Jam, or more specifically fruit butter, making commences. I am also making some new pomanders, stitching away on various projects, especially holiday ornaments, and deciding on my Autumn decor.

Early last week I made a lovely batch of spiced peach butter. The peaches were perfect and I really enjoy the process. I have been using a stock pot with a cake rack in the bottom for processing my half pint jars, but came across an enameled pot of perfect size with a steamer rack in the bottom. The price was right too. It worked perfectly. However, my new stove runs much hotter than my old 1973 model, so I had to keep my eye on the canner.

I peel and roughly slice my peaches, add them to a small amount of water, then cover and cook until soft. Into the food processor they go to be whirled into a golden puree. I measure the puree and use about half a cup of sugar per cup of puree, holding back the last half cup of sugar until I taste. This year I used half brown sugar and half white. Cinnamon and freshly ground nutmeg are also tossed into the pot and the cooking begins.

I bring this lovely blend of lusciousness just to a boil, then turn the heat down and cook until it is just the right consistency. I keep a little dessert plate in the freezer during the cooking, then when I need to test, I drop a pinch onto the plate and stick it back in the freezer for a minute. If it is the right consistency, we're good to go, otherwise back to simmering.

The color get darker from the spices, I keep testing until it's just right. My jar, lids and screw bands are ready to go and I ladle that golden deliciousness into the jars. I process the jars in a water bath canner for fifteen minutes, remove the jars and wait for that wonderful little ping that signals my lids have sealed.

I just love making these fruit butters. The book in the photo above is from The Good Cook series, which I subscribed to in the 1980s. This particular book is where I learned how to make jams and can. It is rather splattered and worn, but still serves me well. Later today I will be making plum butter - oh, most precious jewel of fruit butters! It is a glorious color and a favorite of mine. I would have done this Sunday, but we had the interesting experience of a tropical storm; Isaac came to visit. At least he was polite, leaving little damage, but that rain pounded our windows and the wind howled all day and night Sunday, as well as Monday morning. I was worried that I would lose power in the middle of the process, so held off. We had a few blinks, but no loss of electricity, just our cable, but even that wasn't very long - thank you Comcast!

In any event, my husband dipped into the peach butter as a condiment for the pork tenderloin I made for dinner last night. He thought it was quite tasty. I sure hope some of those jars last through to the holidays, I plan to give it as gifts. Oh, well, there will be plum butter and apple butter too, so I should be safe!

I have been stitching away, as usual. I have a new favorite designer, The Little Stitcher. Her designs are primitive and just my style. You can see her designs here at her blog: http://thelittlestitcher.blogspot.com/

The Granny and The Deer

Not only are her designs lovely, but she is a very sweet gal. Her designs are available as digital downloads - yay, instant gratification!!!! Of course, the usual paper is available as well. She has a freebie little pair of mermaids available if you leave your email address. I am working on three of her, what I call, harvest designs: Tansy, Yarrow, Rue, The Harvest of Ancestors, and The Granny and the Deer. They are simple, but very meaningful designs. In addition, I am stitching on Salem Remembered, by The Primitive Needle. I had lost one of the chart pages while taking my mother to doctors and just could find another copy anywhere. Luckily for me, a lovely person offered me her copy and I am back in the saddle or, uh needle, so to speak.

In any event, I should be off to the connubial couch as the clock has struck two. My dear husband has come down with a summer cold, yes, in the middle of a tropical storm, he catches cold and I want to add a little eucalyptus oil to the aromatherapy atomizer to help him breathe a little easier.  Oh well, it rained and it poured!

Basic Fruit Butter Recipe

Prepare your fruit, depending on the type. Peaches should be peeled and cooked in a little water; apricots simply put through the food processor uncooked; plums cooked whole in a little water, and then put through a food mill. After pureeing the fruit, measure it, for each cup of puree, add a half cup of sugar. Hold back the last half cup until you taste to see if it is needed. Sometimes, a little more sugar may be needed. Add any spices, as you like. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer until a spoon dragged through the butter leaves a trail. Check for the right consistency by placing a bit on a chilled plate. There should not be any water around the fruit butter and when chilled for a minute, it should be the right thickness. Fill sterilized half pint jars, place lids and screw bands, then process in a water bath for 15 minutes.


Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Happy Birthday Julia!

Today Julia Child would have been 100, so Happy Birthday, Julia, wherever your travels have taken you. I certainly miss you!

And here is a video that is collage of many fun and best moments. I really enjoyed it. Now... in her honor I will make something delicious for dinner!

http://video.wgbh.org/video/2262363727

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Questions


I found this at featherinthenest.blogspot.com - Jennifer says she doesn't tag so just grab it if you feel like participating. So… if you feel like answering these questions and posting on your blog, leave me a comment so I can read your answers!

1. Would you rather live in Svalbard or Papua New Guinea?

Neither, forget it, not happening. My idea of camping is the Holiday Inn.

2. What is your favorite regional cuisine?

Italian

3. If a genie granted you the requisite education and experience for one career change, what career would you choose?

Archeologist

4. What is your favorite book?

Persuasion by Jane Austen

5. If tomorrow you had to choose the last cross stitch pattern you could ever stitch, which one would you choose?

The Loara Standish Sampler - which, by the way, I have the chart and all materials sitting, waiting patiently, nudging now and then.

6. What is your favorite season?

Autumn

7. What is your favorite finishing technique?

Hand sewing, it is so satisfying.

8. What is your favorite band/musician?

This is difficult, my music interests are so eclectic - opera, classical, folk, bluegrass, new age. However, if I have to choose one, I'll choose a composer, Debussy. His music has always moved me, taken me to other realms.

9. Describe your dream holiday.

A tour of Italy - a long tour, at least a year. Of course, I get homesick so maybe my favorite holiday is my life, being home in my little condo with my darling other half and the Doodlebee.

10. If you could instantly solve one problem that is plaguing the world today, which one would it be?

Intolerance.

11. Name two simple things that bring joy to your life.

My needlework and art pursuits. There are so many things that bring joy to my life. I am very lucky, those things are actually too numerous to list, it would go on and on...

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Happy 4th of July!

Have a safe and deliciously happy 4th!

Mrs. K

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Memories

I was reading today's post over at the Blind Pig and Acorn blog, all about life in Appalachia, (www.blindpigandtheacorn.com). Tipper's post was a list of remembrances by one of her readers about growing up in Western North Carolina. I have loved Western North Carolina and Appalachia since my very first visit some years ago. It seems something just draws me there and I keep going back, hoping to move there someday.

I grew up in upstate New York, near the Catskills, and lived in a small town, an area much like Western NC. That's probably the reason I love NC so much - nostalgia. I have always felt I was born in the wrong time because I love to do things the old fashioned way, love old crafts. I prefer cooking right from scratch, canning, weaving and embroidery, etc. There is so much of that back home and in NC. I know I won't get Mr. K. back to New York, but I keep hoping for at least halfway back!

The list Tipper posted by one of her readers reminded me of my favorite spring and summer pursuits as a child in the country. Inspired by that list, I thought I'd share some of them here.

- picking wild strawberries in fields and woods - those little tiny ones.
- going barefoot as soon as it was warm enough. We never wore shoes all summer and we would use our toes to pop tar bubbles on the tar and gravel road. Took a long time to get the tar off!
- building forts, with the trees that fell during winter storms, in the the woods.
- wandering the woods, alone or with friends, without any cares or fears.
- lightening bugs!
- watching bees on the flowers.
- barbecue every weekend - hot dogs, hamburgers, steak; especially my dad's Chinese hot dogs and hamburgers!
- sleeping out on the porch or in homemade tents out in the backyard.
- helping to plant our garden.
- stealing tomatos and cucumbers from the gardens to snack on, fresh and still warm from the sun.
- spraying each other with the garden hose to cool off until we got an "above-ground" swimming pool.
- my mom's potato salad with those hot dogs and hamburgers.
- watching the vegetables grow. I was born in the city and we moved to the country when I was eight. I was fascinated by all the flowers, gardens and trees.
- my mom's daffodils in the spring when it seemed too cold for flowers to be blooming.
- weeping willow trees.
- the row of lilac bushes in our backyard and the scent of them.
- neighborhood block parties.
- my first taste of venison.
- sitting on the patio on a Saturday night with everyone, roasting marshmallows, listening to the adults talk.
- falling asleep with the windows open, listening to the sounds of nature, trying to figure out what each sound was.

When we moved from the city to the country, my first experience was getting stung by a yellow jacket. We had some Lombardi trees along the driveway and I was sitting playing with the dirt around the trees when all of a sudden I felt the most awful stinging on my finger. I let out a wail and my parents and relatives, who were helping with the move, came running out. A neighbor came over and diagnosed the problem. A little ice and love from mom made all well. After that, stepping on bees and getting a sting in the foot was no big deal, we'd just rub our feet on the grass and went on our way. I guess the rubbing pulled the stinger out! Funny, everyone got stung now and then, bees, yellow jackets, wasps, but I never knew of anyone who was allergic.

No one would mind when we kids would steal a few vegetables to snack on. Those were the best, still warm and just so good. Sometimes we'd even make a salad. Everyone had gardens, some bigger than others, and people shared the bounty.

Now, my dad loved to barbecue and we loved to eat it so we barbecued a lot. He came up with a very funny, but really good idea to top burgers and hot dogs - Chun King chow mein!!! It sounds weird, but honestly we loved it. He would take one of my mom's copper bottomed pots and heat the chow mein on the edge of the grill. We'd bring our plates over, rolls open and waiting. He'd give us a burger or dog and top it with a spoonful of the chow mein. Boy, they were good. When friends would join us, they'd hesitate, but eventually give in and try it. They never could believe how good it was.

Weeping willows are still my favorite trees. It was such an amazing thing for us, fresh from the city and even later, to put a branch in some water and watch the roots come out. Those branches grew into trees pretty fast too and made wonderful places to to play under. We would also just stick a branch in the ground and it would grow into a tree pretty much in no time at all.

And I still love the sounds of night time, frogs in the lake, the wind in the trees and hedges, all the other rustles and sounds I can't identify, that lovely stillness that comes on slowly as we turn on a few lamps. We settle down, me with my needlework or a good book, and Mr. K. in the den watching TV or sometimes joining me in the living room, sitting in the willow rocker, chatting.

Life is good and so are the memories.

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Happy May & What's New!

Wow, May already! Time sure seems to be flying by - now that I'm all grown up and would rather it didn't! I remember being a teen and wanting time to whiz by so I would be an adult. Didn't know how good I had it! Now, I'm on the latter side of 50 and would like it to just SLOW down. Seriously, I used to wish for Friday and it took so long to get to the weekend, but now... before I know it the week is over! OK, enough of that! Happy May to all!

 I'm up to a new thing and I thought I'd share. I have very long, butt-length, hair, but it is very, very fine. Mr. K calls it angel hair - he's so romantic, as I've mentioned before. Anywho... I had been reading about how it is very hard on hair to shampoo daily, let alone put all those chemicals that are in shampoo on our heads. I read about the "no-poo" (eyes rolling) method and thought I'd give it a try. Now, my scalp tends to be very oily so I knew going in I was going to have some adjustment issues. That's what gorgeous barrettes and hair clips are for, right? So, about three weeks ago, instead of my usual shampoo, I just threw some baking soda on my wet head - not much, and worked it over my scalp, giving it a good scrub. I rinsed with plain water (in the shower) and then poured about a half cup of apple cider vinegar rinse through it, letting it sit for about five minutes. My rinse recipe is 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar (organic) diluted with 2 cups of filtered water and 6 drops of pure lavender essential oil. I use about a half cup of the rinse, letting it flow down my hair. I sort of gently mix it into the hair. After rinsing, it still smells like vinegar and lavender, but that vinegar smell dissipates. My hair feels very difference than when I use shampoo. Shampooing makes your hair feel squeaky clean, which means all the good oils have been stripped away. My new method leaves my hair feeling heavy and silky, combs out very easily too.

I only do this twice a week, after years of daily shampooing - some people go a few weeks, but I can't, at least not yet. However, I have bangs and they get a little oily looking so I use cosmetic clay which I dust into them and the hair around my face. I let it sit while I do my make-up, then comb out. Voila! Oil-free bangs. The cosmetic clay works great as a dry shampoo; sprinkle, wait, then brush. I like to place a drop of lavender essential oil on my hand, rubs my hands together and then run them through my hair to give it a nice fresh scent. Oh... and I brush out my hair every night with a natural bristle brush. I read that this distributes the natural sebum (oil) down the length of one's hair, keeping it shiny and moisturized.

So far, so good. I am noticing that my scalp's oil production is adjusting and my hair is nice and shiny, tangle free and liking this method. I tend to keep it pinned up most of the time because hair this long gets into everything - including a small fan one time! Luckily I was able to turn the fan off before any damage was done, however, it took a few minutes to untangle myself. I've also dipped it in various items, but I'll skip over that. Yikes!

So this is my second step in getting chemical products out of the house. I began with using coconut oil for cleansing my face and moisturizing. It is a fabulous make-up remover too, just melts eye makeup right off. Next on the agenda is housecleaning products - I've begun making my own after collecting recipes from the internet and various books. Vinegar figures prominently along with baking soda, as you might have guessed. Love to hear from anyone who is making their own cleaners and skin care products. Oh... and if you are using the "no-poo" method, I'd love to hear about your experience.

Well, that's what I've been up to. More progress has been made on the anniversary needlework, but I keep getting distracted by books, ducks, contemplating life - my usual. Time for a cup of tea and some stitching on that anniversary piece. Leftovers for supper, so I'm good to go!

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Passover, Stress and Other Bits

Well, we are still eating matzoh and drinking Milk of Magnesia, but we are enjoying the holiday. As well as Passover and Easter, I read that April is Stress Awareness Month. The recommendations for stress are chamomile and lavender, but Mrs. K. recommends a shot of Jack Daniels then lay back and read a good book!

I've been cooking up a storm on the new stove and enjoying it. Did some baking before Passover, but have put that on hold until after the holiday so as not to tempt Mr. K. Roasted some of those lovely little fingerling potatoes with olive oil and salt last night - yum, crisp outside, creamy inside. They were great along with a nice filet mignon and salad - not exactly traditional Passover fare, but we certainly enjoyed it.

Still stitching away on the anniversary piece, but not as much as I have hoped - really, I've got to buckle down! I'm reading, reading, reading and can't pull myself away. What have I been reading? A mixed bag, as usual. Whistling Woman by Christy Tillery French and Caitlin Hunter; a memoir of Bessie Daniels who grew up in western North Carolina. She has a Cherokee grandmother. I've just begun this and am already really enthralled. Also reading the Sebastion St. Cyr mysteries by C. S. Harris - yes, all of them - Regency mystery/thriller/romance. I am really enjoying them, interesting mysteries. One other that has my attention is If Walls Could Talk, An Intimate History of the Home, by Lucy Worsley. This was recommended by one of the Jane Austen blogs I read and it is quite interesting. It gives you all those answers about how people actually lived over the centuries, such as why did medieval people sleep sitting up, why did the flushing toilet take so long to catch on, what was all that fainting about. So you can see why I'm being kept from my stitching... oh and music practice too. Must work on that today,

So... what's for dinner tonight? Add that on to today's list and it doesn't look like I'll be laying back with a book, let alone a shot of Jack Daniels anytime soon!

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K.

Thursday, March 29, 2012

The End of An Era!

This is my old, 1973, avocado green stove. My mother-in-law chose it, along with the same color fridge, when their condo was being built and since it still worked fine, we didn't replace it when we moved in, around 2001. The fridge passed on in 2002 - not bad, but the stove continued on! Last week, after almost 40 years of service, Madame Hot Avocado passed on. The burners are still fine, but the oven just stopped. She doesn't owe us a penny, she served us well, may she rest in peace.

YAY!!! Oh, I can't help it, that color!!! It just didn't sit well with me. In fact, it was one of my mother-in-law's favorites back in the day; even her living room/dining area had green carpet. Thank goodness that had been replaced! But honestly, almost 40 years - that's a heck of an appliance!

Off we went to the Sears Appliance store and Manny, our extremely helpful and very nice salesman, showed us what was available. Now, I did really want the same type range top - coils. Well, while you can get them, they are rather passe' - my age showing, as I really didn't want that flat glass top range, I had heard horror stories about keeping it clean; in fact, my mom has one and it seems a lot of trouble to keep clean. However, Manny explained it all to me, despite my crabbiness, and with my husband encouraging Manny, they won me over. Of course, they also told me not to expect almost 40 years of service from these new appliances, but I'm not buying that - this will last a good long time. As for Mr. K, I told him that mine is the final word regarding the choice of stove... unless he wanted to take over cooking. He went off to look around. (snicker, hehehe)

Delivery was yesterday. The two men and one woman (delivery/installation guy had two trainees) were really super nice and Madame Hot Avocado was gone and the new stove was in, including moving a little cabinet, in less than twenty minutes! No, I am not a paid spokesperson for Sears, but, honestly, the whole process was easy peasey and the sales and delivery folks were just plain nice.

So... here's a photo of my new stove - black, big oven, those wonderful burners and warming burner too. I know... most people have this, but you have to remember I've been cooking in 1973 for all these years!

Now I have to finish putting everything back in the cabinet that we had to move as well as get rid of another one that will no longer fit - the old stove was 26 inches wide, this one is 30. And yes, I cooked dinner on it last night - tortellini Alfredo - quite yummy. Wow, that water boiled fast on the double burner! The little warming burner kept the sauce at the perfect temperature and Mr. K was very happy with his dinner.

Today I plan to do a little baking, just to try out the oven, among other housewifely chores. I also need to work on my anniversary needlework which needs to be finished and framed by the end of May as well as music practice. 

Oh... speaking of needlework for anniversaries, this is the third time I am stitching something for ours. The first one, in honor of 15 years, I designed myself, stitched it and NEVER framed it! Going through some other unframed work, I found it and Mr. K said we should have it framed - finally. So here it is, after 17 years! Different types of stitches, a drawn thread band, a little heart button and a favorite verse.
For our 30th anniversary, I stitched this little pillow which Mr. K keeps on his side of the connubial couch. He gives it a little squeeze every night before giving me a little squeeze! He's very romantic, is my Mr. K. 

This design is by Beth at Heartstring Samplery with a couple of little changes to personalize it. 

So... there we are, I better get busy! Brownies, music, and stitching!!!


Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K

Friday, February 17, 2012

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day!


Happy Valentine's Day to all! I am planning a lovely little dinner for the DH and myself which will include chocolate wine! Yes... chocolate wine. I had some at a friend's home and it was so delicious, I think it will be perfect for tonight. More chocolate for dessert - DH has a real sweet tooth.


I am marinating a flank steak in wine - not the chocolate stuff - olive oil, onion and garlic, and a little salt. That will tenderize it nicely. Along with the steak, roasted potatoes which I toss with olive oil, salt and pepper and then dot with butter - the butter just gives it the right finishing yummy touch. Of course, we must have a green, so spinach sauteed with garlic and butter. Oooh - I can't wait. Personally, I think garlic is an aphrodisiac.

Dessert - brownies with a little scoop of coffee ice cream on top and a dollop of whipped cream to go along with the chocolate wine.

What about the rest of you - making anything special for your Valentine's dinner or are you going out?

Deliciously yours,
Mrs. K