Turkey Blues are over!

In Quechee - What fun!  and just for added interest we had a dusting of snow!

But now, what do we do with all the leftover turkey?  Here's an idea for you I saw on a daytime cooking show (I call it recycling recipies).  

One dish meals - gotta love this - under a half hour to prepare!

I started with sweating some onions and celery in a cast iron frying pan.  I used a piece of the skin of the turkey leftovers for the fat to flavor the onions and celery.  I turned the Oven on to 400 to preheat.

While this is going on, I take the time to cut up about two cups of chopped turkey.  I used a blend of white and dark meat, but you are welcome to use whatever part(s) of the turkey you like!

 Then, I added some Bar-B-Que sauce.  I would normally make my own, but a friend from St. Louis (Kelly, you know who you are) sent me this and I think it may be the Bar-B-Que sauce I've ever (ever) tasted! YUM. 

 Here's the website if you are interested in ordering some.  Kelly sent me the Sweet and Spicy, but I looked and I think they offer four or five different types.  And the prices are very reasonable!   http://www.bandanasbbq.com/html/Merchandise-products.html

 So mix in a bit extra to Bar-B-Que sause t ocarry the dry topping, just be careful to not overdo it too much!  Then I mix up a batch of Corn Bread.  (Here's a hint, I add a tablespoon of honey to my cornbread to keep it moist and add some sweetness - I use local Vermont honey, but use whatever you have).  When you mix up the batter, make sure not to over mix and try to keep the batter on the dryer side so it doesn't seep into your mixture.

Take your Turkey with the Bar-B-Que sauce added and put it in the skillet.  I also added a bit of stuffing, but you can add some leftover veggies if you like or whatever......

Pour your Cornbread mix over the top of everything.  Then moving quickly - take your whole skillet and place it in the over at 400 degrees for about 22-25 minutes (depending on the oven).  You want your cornbread browned but not overcooked!

 And when it comes out of the oven yo will have a sweet yummy meal - all in one dish!!



CHAD Hospital 1/2 Marathon

The hottest day in August by far, and my gals pals Plus one Super Man and one Spidey Man decide to run! Check this out! Everyone raised money and dressed like Superheros - The CHAD website officially said proceeds were approximately $430,000 raised to help seriously ill children and their families! Good Job to everyone!! If you can't run next year, please sponsor a runner!!

(Photo: Bill, Jesse, Me, Kim, Michele and Cheyenne)

Beer Can Chicken Bar-B-Que!

Every year, my husband and I host our BMW Motorcycle Club to a Beer Can Chicken Cookout at our house. This year was no exception. Join me for the way to make the best chicken on the grill. We cooked 10 chickens this year (down two from last year).

1. Start by washing the chickens very well in cold water. 2. Be sure to remove all the gizzards and necks.
(The house is ready and the dogs are thrilled! - we keep the doors wide open all summer long to the kitchen and the sun-room.)

3. Wash the beer cans off (since they will be inside the chickens) and dump off half the beer for use later.

4. Oil the chickens up a bit so seasoning will stay on the bird while cooking. Sprinkle with Salt, Pepper, parsley, garlic and any spices you like.

5. Prop the chicken up on the beer can so the two legs and the can form a tri-pod.

6. The chickens need indirect heat and they drip alot of juices, so I use a roasting pan when cooking multiple chickens on the grill. The large roasting pans hold six smaller chickens.
If you are only cooking one chicken, try using a cast iron skillet.

7. Place the birds on the grill and turn the heat to just shy of medium heat or around 275 degrees. Use the poured off can of beer and a mix of soy sauce, honey and mixed seasons to baste the chicken. Remember, the more you baste, the moister the chicken.

Keep the temp consistent!

8. Cook the birds for two hours minimum. You can keep the chickens on the grill longer, but remember to turn the heat down to 220 after 2 hours and fifteen minutes, otherwise your meat could dry out. When the birds are done, they will slip easily off the beer cans and the chicken will fall off the bone!

Did someone say Chocolate Chip Cookies????

Sixty Cookies all in a tower! YUM - A sweet ending.

If you try this, please let me know how it worked out for you! I'd love your feedback.

Check out VTBeemer.blogspot.com for more pictures and shots of the bikes at the meet!

Cousin's Reunion in The Catskills

The IRISH ALPS

When we were kids, my parents would load up the kids, the coolers and drive us all up to the Catskills during the Summer. We would stay in one of the "Irish" houses in East Durham a.k.a. The Irish Alps. My parent's preferred the O'Neill House (now defunct). All my cousins would come and we would have the run of the place for a few weeks. All meals included, so my parents just said show-up or lose out. We swam all day and "hung-out" all night. Horseback riding, mini-golf or walking to the other "Irish" Houses.

My cousins and I decided it was time to revisit this tradition. So we packed up and traveled to the Catskills. For me, now, the ride is south toward Albany, NY. Dan and I traveled on motorcycles and the ride was great.

About four hours total about 200 miles on nice twisty roads. Here's my husband revisiting his childhood on a 70cc Honda

Ronnie and Scott come to see what all the laughter is about and they find me hitting the hay!

I had to take a spin myself! This bike is fun fun fun

My brother, Tom and his youngest daughter Callie - What expression is he wearing?

When we arrived it was great fun! My brother and sisters all rented a house to stay together with my mom. Since we broght the bikes we had some fun when we weren't drinking, dancing or singing with the Irish bands.

Skeet Shooting later on this trip!!

I encourage everybody to reconnect with their family and traditions!!

New Mayor for Wassilla AK

Levi Johnston's political run!

Now normally I would steer clear of political subjects on my blog, but this one is just too good to pass up. If you haven't heard, Levi Johnston, former 2-time ex-fiancee of Bristol Palin, and Tripp Palin's Johnston's daddy is considering a run for Mayor. This office was once held by Bristol's mom and former Vice-Presidential Candidate Sarah Palin.

The office is currently held by Verne E. Rupright. Currently, the seated Mayor is not too worried about his new competitor since our boy who may be working on getting his GED. The Mayor does have some advice for Levi though, he suggested he "get his high-school diploma and keep his clothes on, people like that"!

Talk about a snow-ball's chance in ..............................well. I will be printing larger copies with bulls-eye's printed for your Dart practice sessions!!

Join me next for how to shorten your dress slacks at home!

Places I love

Where Women Create




I encourage all blog friends,

near and far,

to visit this site

Tons and Tons of yard work

I did tons and tons of yard work this weekend. I couldn't believe how far behind I had fallen.

So, I painted the Adirondack Chairs (oil paint - big clean-up).

Picked up sticks in the yard.

Planted vegetables (it's not too late). Planted and pruned my roses, pinched back my pansies and planted more lillies at the entrance to the drive.

Picked up more sticks (this task never ends)

Killed and weeded - I have to kill all the weeds in the gravel drive or people would just pass our house looking for the driveway.

The dogs wait patiently all day for me to complete my tasks.

When all is said and done, I load the dogs into the truck for a visit to the park and a swim in the lake.

The dogs love this part of the day!

Blogs you should visit

http://www.earthenwood-beads.blogspot.com/

Earthenwood Studios - Very cool

http://www.lyricinard.blogspot.com/

Cheers to a mom who makes time for art!! My Hero!

Don't forget the BMW RA Rally is July 29-August 1, 2010

Pownal Vermont - All bikes welcome - you should come too!

Parazul

I love these bags!! Does anyone know of a deal or discount available? I don't live near a cruise town!

Help would be appreciated!!

BALLOON FEST 2010! Quechee, Vermont

BALLOON FEST 2010!

For one weekend each year, my little village grows - by about 30 balloons! Then come the spectators, the trailers, the concessions, the crafters and the fun that follows! Check out the gorgeous pictures, then pack your friends and family into the car next father's day weekend for the event! It's great!

Here's the Monster Balloon!
The cowboy Teddy Bear, and the American Flag - flying high!


I love this shot, the airplane, the moon, the balloon and the clearest sky!

Look how beautiful!

Up , Up

And away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(for a view of my little village from a balloon, check out the post in early June, "Up, Up and Away")

Happy Fourth of July Everyone!

Garden Salad!

True! My Garden is producing food!

I keep the Mixed Salad Greens in a pot on the porch so I have easy access.

Here is Mysti trying to help harvest some lettuce! How do you know when a Radish is ready? He pokes his little red head up out of the dirt!

I love fresh radish! YUM!

Here's my lettuce picked in the collander and ready for washing!Just add some fresh onion and pepper - Wha La! Salad!Served with Fresh Lasanga (with meat, but you can see some of the fresh spinach from the mixed green pot on the porch in the smaller lasagna dish).
You are not seeing double, I'm lazy! Uber Lazy! If I am going to make Lasanga, I usually make two at a time so I can freeze one - then if I'm not in the mood to make dinner, I can just pop one in the oven ! It's usually better after it's frozen, the moisture has been soaked up after baking .

RECIPIE:

• 1 Box of Lasagna noodles - boiled in salted water with 1 tblspn olive oil
• 32oz. Red Sauce of your choice
• 1/2 lb of ground beef
• 1/2 lb of ground sausage
• 32 oz of Ricotta Cheese
• 2 eggs - beaten
• 8 oz (or more if you like) of Mozzerella (low moisture)
• Bowl of fresh spinach (washed well) - You can use frozen, just defrost and dry well
• 1 medium onion - sliced or diced (your choice)
• tons of garlic (okay 3-4 tablespoons) or one fresh head of a garlic - smashed or chopped
• Parmasan Cheese to taste (I use quite a bit)

Boil your noodles to just undercooked so they soak up extra moisture while cooking. I suggest boiling for approximately 4-5 minutes then add cold water to stop the cooking/boiling water.

I brown the sausage and ground beef together with sliced onion. I also add the garlic to this mix close to the end so as not to burn it. If you need to add moisture or a tablespoon of olive oil, go ahead - live large! If you just want moisture try chicken stock.

I mix the ricotta cheese with the two beaten eggs to help bind the lasagna.

Now's a great time to turn on the oven - heat to 375

When all these steps are done you can prepare your pan. I use glass, but you can use metal if you prefer. I put a bit of sauce on the bottom of the pan so the noodles don't stick (key!).

Begin to layer your lasagna noodles. I slightly overlap the edg.es. After your first layer is down, I usually start with meat and I mix the ricotta cheese with the meat, but some people do cheese one layer, meat one layer. It's your preference. Sprinkle this layer with parmasan cheese.

Now repeat by layering the noodles again, the meat and the cheese, also add a bit of sauce if you like. Then top the whole pan off with more noodles. Add a bit of sauce to the top layer and then sprinkle or layer your Mozzerella cheese over the top. Cover the top with Foil or parchment then foil and bake for one solid hour covered. Then take the foil/parchment cover off and brown your top for another 10 minutes or so. Watch it doesn't burn! Let your pan set for five to ten minutes before cutting and then enjoy!!

Next up - Quechee Balloon Festival 2010!

Up! Up and Away in this Beautiful Balloon

Every year on Father's Day weekend my village hosts the Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival! It's great fun! I've known Gary Lovell, a local pilot for a few years and tonight he gave me the surprise of a lifetime! A ride in a Hot Air Balloon. Piloted by Gary Lovell of Balloons over New England. A perfect calm night for a balloon ride! We started from the Green in my home town of Quechee.

Here I am helping to inflate the balloon.

Close to full!

The Balloon is filled almost completely before the Pilot adds the heat and tips up the balloon.Into the Basket I go!Do I look Excited???Basket View!My beautiful village from the air looking down (you may be able to make out the Quechee Covered Bridge on the River Edge. Center top of the photo).More village shots!Looking East from my village I heart Ballooning! (do you see it?)

You will only see this view in Vermont

(Our chase vehicle and my husband wait below for us).

Another Balloon pops out of The Quechee Gorge, Derek

Derek climbs higher into the evening sky - Beautiful!Here we are coming in for a landing - We touched down very softly!My Husband (in the tye-dye) helps pack up the BalloonPOP! Yes! We upheld the 200 year old tradition of Champagne on the landing!My Pilot Gary Lovell and his helper Bruce Toast to Cheating Death (??*%! - Now he tells me?)Wonderful picnic at the landing!Here I am with Gary happy to have had such a wonderful flight!Ever wonder how they get all the passengers home? Now you know!

I highly recommend Gary at Balloons over New England - You can just make out his phone number in this photo, but let me give it to you just in case! 800-758-5562!

Book early for the best flights!!

Until Next time!