Banana Nut Bread

1/2 cup or 1 cube of unsalted butter or margerine (soften in microwave)
1 cup organic sugar (Trader Joe's)
3 tbsp buttermilk (or 3 tbsp milk with a splash of white vinegar)
3 mashed ripe bananas  
dash salt (I skip this)
3 Tbsp vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups flour  
1 tsp baking powder 

Mix together in mixer
mix in 1/2 cup walnuts ( I skip this) 
Put in loaf pan lined on the sides with parchment paper
350 degrees for 1 hour, check with a toothpick  
or make muffins in muffin liners and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean 
Very moist recipe

Pumpkin Cookies

In a bowl:
2 cups flour 
1 tsp. baking powder 
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon 
1/2 tsp salt 
(mix together, it says sift, but you do not need to, set aside)

Cream together:
1 cup margarine
1 cup margarine
1 cup sugar 

Add:
1 cup pumpkin (canned)
1 egg (beat well)

Add dry ingredients, all at once and beat on low speed

Add:
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional, I do not use them)
1 cup raisins (soaked in warm water when you start preparing this recipe)
1 tsp vanilla 

Drop by teaspoonful onto a greased cookie sheet.  Can use crisco sticks to grease.

Bake 350  10-12 minutes 
switch cookie sheets around 1/2 way if making two sheets of them.  

Put on cookie racks to cool completely. 

In the past I have bought the large can of pumpkin or two cans and doubled this recipe.   To store them I place them in my oblong Tupperware container and separate each layer by waxed paper. 

They can be frozen in ziplock bags or containers.  

The Best Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients (I usually make a double batch so double everything)

8 tablespoons of salted butter (1 cube)
1/2 cup white sugar (I use Trader Joe's Raw Cane Sugar)
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar 
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour  
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup chocolate chips 

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Microwave the butter for about 20-30 seconds or until mostly melted but not hot

Using a stand mixer or electric beater, beat the butter with the sugars until creamy.  

Add the vanilla and the egg and beat on low speed until incorporated (10-15 seconds) (if you beat the egg too long the cookies will be stiff). 

Add the flour, baking soda and salt and mix till crumbles form (mine is always a bit moist and I use it this way)   

Add the chocolate and mix in your mixer.  The directions say to hand mix in but I use my mixer with no problem. 

I use a teaspoon to get a heaping amount of the the mixture and roll it in my hands to form balls then place on the cookie sheet.  I get a dozen on the cookie sheet each batch.  I make small cookies versus the actual recipe saying to make a few large ones.  

Bake 9-11 minutes.  I usually bake 10 minutes.  
DO NOT OVER BAKE

Let them cool on the pan for 30 minutes (I let mine cool 10 minutes and then place on a wire rack to totally cool before packing them up). My favorite way to store them is to place them on a large paper plate and put that in a gallon size ziplock freezer bag for the next day or freeze as is.   I pull one out as I want one or can grab some for family or friends.    

ENJOY!

the original recipe is from 
www.pinchofyum.com/the-best-soft-chocolate-chip-cookies

Spinach Dip

1 1/2 cups mayonnaise (Best Foods) or what you like

1 cup lite sour cream (can use regular sour cream)

1 pack leak soup mix

1 Green Giant frozen chopped spinach (brand is not important)

Thaw spinach, squeeze out water

Add to other ingredients and mix well

Make the day before to let the soup mix soften

service with Hawaiian Rolls and/or homemade bread

Instant Potatoes - Dan's Recipe - 6/26/2018

In a measuring cup
3/4 cup water 
1/2 cup milk 

put into a pot to cook

Add:
1tbsp unsalted butter
sprinkle salt on top

Blue measuring cup:
2 cups Idahoan Instant Potatoes
leave on side till needed

Turn pot on medium high
When comes to a rolling boil
and as rises before boiling over 
turn off and stir in potatoes (approx 1 cup) till stiffened consistency
Put on lid

put what's left in cup back in box

Fried Chicken - Dan's Recipe - 6/26/2018

Flour  approximately 1 cup - 1 1/2 cups

sprinkle on large dinner plate (paper for a few pieces, glass for more chicken)

Add bread crumbs about 1/4 the amount of flour 

Garlic powder sprinkle across the top of the flour mixture

Season salt sprinkle lightly

Mix the seasonings in with the small silver whisk

Bowl - 1 egg beaten with spring metal whisk

Cut chicken in 1/2 horizontally if needed 

Canola/vegetable oil to coat bottom of electric skillet - 325 degrees

Put on gloves and

place chicken in egg wash

place chicken in breading and coat well pressing into both those of chicken

place chicken in pan

cook approximately 3 minutes

flip - color will be brown

flip at 4 minutes

cook 2 more minutes and will be done

put in between double paper towels on a paper plate

Darlene's Turkey Meatloaf

1 lb Trader Joe's ground turkey $2.49
1 cup quick oats
Trader Joes Spaghetti Sauce

In skillet with a little EVOO:
1 slice red onion chopped (approximately   1/2 inch thick)
1 large carrot peeled then spiralized or grated
2-3 cloves garlic chopped
3 medium size or 2 large chopped mushrooms

cook the above in enough oil to almost coat a small skillet, (approximately 2-3 minutes on medium till wilts down
put lid on as and turn burner to as low as it goes for 10 minutes

In bowl:
1 egg beaten
add ground turkey
add Oats
add 2 tbsp Trader Joe's Spaghetti Sauce or your favorite sauce
add mixture from skillet when cooled a bit

mix well adding seasoning you like (garlic, salt, pepper) and place in foil lined loaf pan squaring it off to make a loaf (it is usually gooey)

put thin slices of tomato on top

Bake:
350 degrees for 1 hour

ENJOY!

Dan's Coleslaw Recipe

1 bag of shredded angel hair cabbage (the regular one not the mixed one)

1 large or 2 medium carrots peeled and shredded

about 1/4 cup of chopped red onion, less if you like and more if you like

4 heaping Tbsp regular mayo

3 Tbsp plus a little Gerard's Lite Champagne Dressing

Mix & place in covered container and refrigerate overnight.

ENJOY!

MINDY

We met a goose at our park that we have named Mindy.  She spends most of her time alone but loves to eat the foods we bring for her.

Happy 2016

I cannot believe how time has flown by.  Another year has come and gone.  The photo site I joined along with some medical problems have consumed my time.

Our cat Oscar is now 12 years old and our little ferrel cat, Miko is becoming more and more a part of our family.  She and Oscar sure enjoy each other which has made this so easy and fun.

It Has Been A Long Time

Wow, how things change when one has not posted since February.  This is so odd to me to see a new format and will try to figure it out as I write this post. 

I may have lost someone I followed for two years to Ovarian Cancer but not sure so reaching out via this post.  She is not on Facebook any longer, her Blog is gone (says last post was 4 days ago) and her e-mail address is inactive.  Shocked to say the least.  My only connections to her are no longer connections.  I have read through all e-mails that we sent back and forth for the past two years and reached out to a Blogger that we both were followed by.   If by chance all is well, Ashley, I would love to hear from you.  My thoughts are with you as always. 

Hugs!!

COSUMNES RIVER PRESERVE - 1/7/2012

A friend told us about a Wildlife Preserve
close to home,
so we took a drive there today.

It was so windy so we stuck close
to the trees and skipped the wetlands
for another time

We took many photos of each other
and the beauty around us

We walked a lot
on
wood, concrete and dirt paths

and
enjoyed everything that we saw
What a world away from everyday life
and a place we will be back to visit

SUNSET - 1/6/2012

There was such a beautiful sunset tonight
that we had to stop so I could
take a photograph
of it.

PURPLE FLOWER - 1/5/2012

A photo of the last of my purple flowers
on my favorite shrub in our front yard,
till the Spring.

SUNRISE TODAY - 1/4/2012

Went out this morning and took
a few sunrise photos
What a Winter we are having,
cold but sunny and beautiful mornings.

SOAKING IN THE SUN WITH OSCAR - 1/3/2012

To think that 2 years ago
Oscar did not know what grass was
and was hysterical to watch tip-toe on it,
to a Spring like Winter day today
where he plopped for the first time
on the lawn to soak in some sun

We both enjoyed the warmth of the sun so much

He made funny faces as usual,
eating his crunchy treats

Then he saw and heard the little birds
playing in the trees behind our house,
so it was time to go back inside for today.
Since the weather will be like this for
at least a week, we will be enjoying it
while it is here.
After all,
Winter weather has to arrive eventually!

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2012

CHRISTMAS DAY - 12/25/2011

Cards, stockings, decorations and our tree.
Our annual Christmas set up

Family to spend time with on
Christmas Day
December 25, 2011

CHRISTMAS MORNING - 12/25/2011

We had a little visitor on Christmas morning
a green hummingbird
getting nectar from
my Pineapple Sage plant flowers

OUR ANNUAL FAMILY CHRISTMAS PHOTO

MERRY CHRISTMAS
FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS
Dan, Darlene, Erik and Oscar
December 2011

SHOPPING AT THE ROSEVILLE GALLERIA - 12/15/2011

Erik and I arrived at the Mall at Noon
We shopped, sat and ate and shopped more
There are over 200 stores/shops

We met a man who was selling CD's
that he and his partner recorded
Al Fabrizio plays the best sounding Italian Mandalin
and his partner plays guitar
I came home with one CD to enjoy
and a photo of me with Al

We left the Mall at 7pm
What a long and fun day with my son

OUR CAT SLEEPS AS MY HUSBAND PLAYS HIS GAME - 12/5/2011

Our cat Oscar loves to lay next to my husband
like this every evening and any time he can
even while he tries to play this crazy game

CHRISTMAS AT SUNRISE MALL

We went to the Mall last weekend
their Christmas tree was up
nearby
Santa sat waiting for children to
tell him their wishes for Christmas.

DICKENS STREET FAIRE - 11/26/2011

Today we went to the Dickens Street Faire
held in Old Town Elk Grove
Snow was brought in from the mountains
for the kids to play

Santa cruised through
in an old fire truck with sirens going

Wonderful holiday music
was a delight to stop and listen to

Lots of food and craft vendors
were enjoyed by many including us

There were rides on a buggy pulled by two horses

My purchase of the day
a
Soy Caramel Macchiato Candle
Wow, does it smell good in here
even without lighting it
which I do not plan to do

THANKSGIVING - 11/24/2011

Thanksgiving Day - November 24, 2011
Table set for our dinner
turkeys stuffed and on the BBQ's

Pumpkin Cheesecake
for dessert
What a wonderful dinner and a busy day,
so busy I forgot to take photos of our dinner
or the turkeys
one on gas and one on charcoals
delish!!
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving

CHRISTMAS LAMP

Bored?? Me??
Yes, and usually at night.
I am supposed to be asleep, but cannot get tired enough,
so I decided to make a Christmas lamp shade
with some of my old (stored for a long time)
Christmas wrapping paper.
I made it a bit, well a lot too small
and was lucky
to have my small thrift store wine glass
for it to fit perfectly.
Guess I better call it a night.

FALL

I love the colors of Fall
All the trees are becoming so beautiful

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

I bought this shelf at a craft fair we recently went to
I came home and quickly found a place for it
along with some of my favorite things.
It makes me so very HAPPY,
filled with MEMORIES
and DREAMS

HAPPY HALLOWEEN - 10/31/2011

Happy Halloween to all.
I finally fixed today's photo problem.
Turned off my computer,
let it sit,
then turned it on and my photo was there.
I made two more Halloween lamps
that I added to one I had made already
and added some of our decorations.
Getting in the spirit of the day.
Thank you to Carol for getting me into making
these fun, cute and festive lamps.

FOLSOM HARVEST FESTIVAL - 10/29/2011

We went to the Harvest Festival
in Old Town Folsom
It warmed up in the afternoon to the 70's
to make it a wonderful day to walk the street
filled with lots of vendors
including a few we had see at a previous Festival

There was entertainment that drew many
with a great singer that you just had to move to
and a musician playing music

Dancers and what a view beyond

Old shops that we will go back to
but went into one that brought back memories
of our lives years ago
What a fun place to go to
and what a wonderful day we had
Brought lunches, so went back to the car
got our lunches and sat at a bench
where the light rail picks up and drops of people

LOOK WHAT WAS SITTING ON OUR FENCE - 10/27/2011

Look what was sitting on our fence
when my son and I got home
from shopping tonight.
Thinking it is a white dove,
though we have only had gray doves where we live,
so not sure where it came from,
but it was not too afraid of us
till my husband got really close to it
and it flew on the neighbors lattice overhang.
Will have to see if it is around tomorrow.
Lucky for this bird that all the cats
in the immediate area
are indoor cats wanting to get out and get it.
This bird is not around this morning,
but found out from a friend what it is:
A White Homing Pigeon
"They are specially bred this way;
so it probably escaped from a breeder.
These white pigeons are often released
as "white doves" at weddings.
They call them white doves,
but they're actually pigeons."

ERIK'S JAZZ BAND PERFORMANCE - 10/25/2011

We love going to see our son perform in
the Jazz Band he is in
at our local Junior College

They sound wonderful this year
with a full band and a wonderful band director

I only wish the photos would come out better
which seems impossible with their lighting

or get it on video to share,
maybe next time

What a wonderful evening
and wonderful memories
as my husband's sister and our nephew
were able to make it
and enjoy it with us

SUNSET - 10/21/2011

I love a beautiful sunset
and will miss them with the change in time
in 2 weeks
as it will be dark before I can get
out and take photos