I admit to losing a few minutes of sleep over the fact that the kitchen I desperately wanted to rip out of my new little house was less than 5 years old.
That would seem to be the epitome of ungreen no matter how much bamboo you replace it with. I am not personally replacing it with any bamboo. I don't have any bamboo farms near me, so I don't completely understand how shipping it from halfway around the world will save the universe. But that's just me.
I am definitely dedicated to re purposing everything I can, so I am happy to know there is a Habitat for Humanities Restore not far from me.
That was definitely the back up plan, but I am happy to report that within 15 minutes of posting our 'complete kitchen' for sale on Craigslist, we had our first phone call. And, I sold the cabinets the next day. At a discount because the buyer wants to come in and remove them himself! Can you say Wahoo!?
Recycling at it's finest. With the $$ coming my way. Now we can buy a new cabinet or two. Hmmm . . .
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Picnic Food
These raspberry bars, based on the people's choice lemon bars by Hillary, key bakery recipe contributor and bread baker, adapted by Rhonda, key early morning baker and recipe contributor, are DELICIOUS.
Try them! Whether you are going on a picnic or not.
Someday, I will tell you about the People's Choice lemon bars. Someday, when I can find the recipe. Hmmm.
Ingredients:
2 cubes (1/2 pound) butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup rolled oats
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sweetened, condensed milk
2/3 cup raspberry jam, heated to pourable consistency
1. Cream butter and sugar in stand mixer, with paddle attachment at medium speed until combined.
2. Add flour and oats and blend at low speed until a rough dough has formed. Similar to a cookie dough.
3. Pat 2/3 of mixture into a 9 x 13 pan, save remaining mixture for topping.
4. Beat cream cheese with sweetened, condensed milk until smooth, spread gently over crust. This requires finesse as it is a crumbly crust. An offset icing spatula works well. I'm sure you all have one of those. If not, a butter knife. A rubber spatula is too clumpy, I don't recommend it. Just in case you were interested in my opinion.
5. Pour melted jam over cream cheese mixture. I melt in the microwave, because I am unafraid of micro waves. If you are opposed to microwaves, melt it on the stovetop. If you are opposed to stovetops, stop reading this recipe, as you are not qualified to cook.
6. Crumble remaining crust mixture over jam
7. Bake at 350 F for 30-45 minutes, or until golden brown.
I am aware that is quite a long time variance. I'm afraid I cannot help you with that, as I don't remember why I wrote the recipe that way. Sorry!
Cool, cut, and go on a picnic!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Try them! Whether you are going on a picnic or not.
Someday, I will tell you about the People's Choice lemon bars. Someday, when I can find the recipe. Hmmm.
Ingredients:
2 cubes (1/2 pound) butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup rolled oats
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sweetened, condensed milk
2/3 cup raspberry jam, heated to pourable consistency
1. Cream butter and sugar in stand mixer, with paddle attachment at medium speed until combined.
2. Add flour and oats and blend at low speed until a rough dough has formed. Similar to a cookie dough.
3. Pat 2/3 of mixture into a 9 x 13 pan, save remaining mixture for topping.
4. Beat cream cheese with sweetened, condensed milk until smooth, spread gently over crust. This requires finesse as it is a crumbly crust. An offset icing spatula works well. I'm sure you all have one of those. If not, a butter knife. A rubber spatula is too clumpy, I don't recommend it. Just in case you were interested in my opinion.
5. Pour melted jam over cream cheese mixture. I melt in the microwave, because I am unafraid of micro waves. If you are opposed to microwaves, melt it on the stovetop. If you are opposed to stovetops, stop reading this recipe, as you are not qualified to cook.
6. Crumble remaining crust mixture over jam
7. Bake at 350 F for 30-45 minutes, or until golden brown.
I am aware that is quite a long time variance. I'm afraid I cannot help you with that, as I don't remember why I wrote the recipe that way. Sorry!
Cool, cut, and go on a picnic!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Pouring in the rain
Today is a special day. A special, rainy day.
The cement truck is outside, and all the kind construction workers are soaking wet.
But, my foundation is being poured.
I can't help being happy, although I do feel bad about the wet workers.
But, really, really happy!
Hooray for foundations!
Hooray for dedicated workers!
Hooray for ocean views!
Hooray!
The cement truck is outside, and all the kind construction workers are soaking wet.
But, my foundation is being poured.
I can't help being happy, although I do feel bad about the wet workers.
But, really, really happy!
Hooray for foundations!
Hooray for dedicated workers!
Hooray for ocean views!
Hooray!
Monday, June 6, 2011
The strangest salad you will ever love!
I am a self described lover of interesting food. No one would describe me as a meat and potatoes girl.
This is a salad I absolutely love, but many people find too odd to try.
Try it! I promise you won't be disappointed. Unless you dislike strange food combinations.
Ingredients:
1/2 small seedless watermelon, cut into 1/2 inch cubes.
2 pints grape tomatoes, cut in half.
1/4 large red onion, sliced thin.
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped.
1/2 cup flat leaf parsley leaves, chopped.
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, and toss to combine well.
Throw this together for your next cook out. Really!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
This is a salad I absolutely love, but many people find too odd to try.
Try it! I promise you won't be disappointed. Unless you dislike strange food combinations.
Ingredients:
1/2 small seedless watermelon, cut into 1/2 inch cubes.
2 pints grape tomatoes, cut in half.
1/4 large red onion, sliced thin.
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped.
1/2 cup flat leaf parsley leaves, chopped.
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, and toss to combine well.
Throw this together for your next cook out. Really!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Brunchtime!
Sometimes, I post recipes simply because someone asks for a recipe they enjoyed, and this is the most convenient format for sharing.
This is one of those times.
Sorry if you have no interest in Overnight Blueberries and Cream French toast.
Feel free to ignore this delicious recipe if you are so inclined.
Ingredients:
1 loaf eggy bread such as challah or brioche. 16 to 20 ounces, preferably not pre-sliced. Cut into one inch cubes
**You can substitute another type of bread, such as French or Italian, but brioche is what I used.
12 ounces cream cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes
3 cups fresh blueberries, divided
12 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup water
1 tablespoon butter
1. Place half of cubed bread in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups blueberries and all of cream cheese.
2. Top with remaining bread cubes.
3. Whisk eggs with milk, vanilla and maple syrup.
4. Pour egg mixture over bread in pan and press to be sure all bread is submerged.
5. Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate overnight.
6. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
7. Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes covered.
8. Remove foil and continue baking 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown.
9. While French toast is baking, whisk sugar, cornstarch and water together in a medium saucepan.
10. Bring to a boil, and cook, stirring constantly, 3 to 4 minutes.
11. Add remaining 1 1/2 cups blueberries, reduce temperature, and simmer for 10 minutes. Berries will burst.
12. Stir in the butter and pour over the French toast.
Serves 12.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
This is one of those times.
Sorry if you have no interest in Overnight Blueberries and Cream French toast.
Feel free to ignore this delicious recipe if you are so inclined.
Ingredients:
1 loaf eggy bread such as challah or brioche. 16 to 20 ounces, preferably not pre-sliced. Cut into one inch cubes
**You can substitute another type of bread, such as French or Italian, but brioche is what I used.
12 ounces cream cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes
3 cups fresh blueberries, divided
12 eggs, beaten
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup water
1 tablespoon butter
1. Place half of cubed bread in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups blueberries and all of cream cheese.
2. Top with remaining bread cubes.
3. Whisk eggs with milk, vanilla and maple syrup.
4. Pour egg mixture over bread in pan and press to be sure all bread is submerged.
5. Cover tightly with foil and refrigerate overnight.
6. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
7. Bake at 350 F for 30 minutes covered.
8. Remove foil and continue baking 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown.
9. While French toast is baking, whisk sugar, cornstarch and water together in a medium saucepan.
10. Bring to a boil, and cook, stirring constantly, 3 to 4 minutes.
11. Add remaining 1 1/2 cups blueberries, reduce temperature, and simmer for 10 minutes. Berries will burst.
12. Stir in the butter and pour over the French toast.
Serves 12.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, May 27, 2011
What to do while waiting for your new tires to be mounted . . .
*read South Shore Living cover to cover and vow to attend an event in the South Shore Music Circus. Really a venue in a tent in Cohassett! Who knew? Also take a moment to feel grateful I no longer have children in day camp as it appears the prices have risen drastically in the last 6 years.
*search my sent messages for house plans to send to Lilia, who begs me every day for the opportunity to bid the siding on our new house.
*ponder the difficulty of finding a new insurance provider who will insure my waterfront property, and offers a building rider for less than $3300. Really?
*ponder the ability of the New England weather to go from 'baby, it's cold outside' to 'it's gonna be a scorcher' in 48 hours.
*hone my iPad solitaire skills, which are dismal despite my best efforts and time commitment to improving them.
*attempt to eavesdrop on other customers phone conversations, some of which are in foreign languages.
*write fascinating blog posts which will entertain my friends and family.
I am into hour 2, so let me know if you have any suggestions!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
*search my sent messages for house plans to send to Lilia, who begs me every day for the opportunity to bid the siding on our new house.
*ponder the difficulty of finding a new insurance provider who will insure my waterfront property, and offers a building rider for less than $3300. Really?
*ponder the ability of the New England weather to go from 'baby, it's cold outside' to 'it's gonna be a scorcher' in 48 hours.
*hone my iPad solitaire skills, which are dismal despite my best efforts and time commitment to improving them.
*attempt to eavesdrop on other customers phone conversations, some of which are in foreign languages.
*write fascinating blog posts which will entertain my friends and family.
I am into hour 2, so let me know if you have any suggestions!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The eye of the beholder
Look what I got!
A really huge dumpster!
And . . .
a moderately huge DEP file # sign.
I made it myself. Actually, Dave made it himself. I just wrote the words. And numbers.
And . . .
a not at all huge BUILDING PERMIT!!!!!
I did not make this (that would be illegal).
But I feel a great sense of accomplishment nonetheless.
And . . .
orange lines on the grass. I hope the excavation people can read these.
And . . .
last but not least, an erosion control fence. Hooray!
It was a family project.
Some people might think these things make our house look hideous.
But not me.
I think they are beautiful!
A really huge dumpster!
And . . .
a moderately huge DEP file # sign.
I made it myself. Actually, Dave made it himself. I just wrote the words. And numbers.
And . . .
a not at all huge BUILDING PERMIT!!!!!
I did not make this (that would be illegal).
But I feel a great sense of accomplishment nonetheless.
And . . .
orange lines on the grass. I hope the excavation people can read these.
And . . .
last but not least, an erosion control fence. Hooray!
It was a family project.
Some people might think these things make our house look hideous.
But not me.
I think they are beautiful!
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