Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 3:05 am on July 27, 2013 Permalink  

  Bear Creek Cheddar Broccoli Rice 

  This recipe is for rice that is literally a meal in a bag.

  The contents of the bag is put in a kettle with 3 1/2 cups of water and brought to a boil.

  The complete directions are on the bag.

  When the rice mixture got thick and creamy I added some deli turkey lunch meat that I diced and wanted to use up before the expiration date. I popped the combined mixture into a skillet (covered) at a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes allowing it to set up further.

  There are so many flavors of the Bear Creek available and it makes for quick meals with no end of what can be added for additional proteins (diced hot dogs, browned ground beef, etc.).

   
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  Noreen 2:36 am on July 26, 2013 Permalink  

  What Was Work is Now Fun 

  

  The Goose’s Blue Rock

  I challenge any farm kid to look back on picking rocks out of the fields in the early spring to call it fun.  It never failed to amaze me that the 80 acres we had walked the year before to the satisfaction of my Dad had an entire new crop of rocks in the next year.  In the depths of the groves that surrounded farm yards would be this huge pile of rocks that had been harvested over the course of the crop years.

  If we ever wondered if the job was appreciated, the proof of the pudding was when one of the elusive rocks was picked up by the snout of the corn picker in the fall of the year during harvest.  Harvest was always extremely busy as we would also have milk cows freshening.  Why was the birth of new calves called freshening? I have no idea.  During the hot summer days the amount of milk that the dairy cows would give was so diminished that they were allowed to “dry up.”

  

  The Little Kids Love the Green Rock

  Back to the elusive rock in the corn picker.  The rock would be carried into the depth of the corn picker and either cause a chain to break or become so wedged that there was metal that needed to be hammered out.  The last thing Dad needed was to have harvest stalled due to a rock.

  Fast forward to Stauffer Avenue and I am always on the lookout for rocks that complete my gardens.  Who would have thought?  It used to be that when we traveled I would point — Dennis would load the rock and away we went.  Now when I see a really good one — I mark it — and I seek and search someone much younger and stronger to come back with me later to get it home.  I recently scored two really good rocks this summer from the building site that Dennis’ son had lived on.  Young and strong neighbor Matt rides shotgun as Dennis mans his little red pickup.  It’s a good thing.

   
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  Noreen 4:57 am on July 25, 2013 Permalink  

  Guests at Stauffer Avenue 

  

  Elvera and Noreen aka:sisters

  Yesterday was a pretty spectacular day.  My sister Elvera was brought to my home by her daughter Kay. It had been early in the 2012 year when last she visited.  Elvera celebrated her 75th birthday this year as well has experiencing two slight strokes this spring. Any visit with family becomes special when one thinks on all the possibilities that life can throw in the mix.

  Not too many years ago I would bring along to Elvera’s home some quilt patterns that I thought would really pique her interest in the art my mom had enjoyed and I had picked up right where my mom had left off.  The colorful pictures were looked at and then the patterns were slipped into a desk drawer.  Perhaps the seed no bigger than than that of a mustard seed did take off and lo and behold while I am doing hand quilting, Elvera owns a long arm quilting machine and can machine quilt a full size quilt in a day.  Elvera found her grove.

  Two sisters with one common interest to keep the relationship fresh and going.  I am a type “A” personality and live in comfort as an introvert and Elvera is a type “A” extrovert and is ready and willing to be out and about in a heart beat.  I keep in touch with Elvera’s children and grandchildren but also our two brothers and their families.  We always will be the four children of Raymond and Lena Wendlandt.  For me staying connected is as easy as breathing and makes me feel so fortunate but Elvera does not go beyond her and my relationship with communication.   Hmm.

   
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  Noreen 5:19 am on July 24, 2013 Permalink  

  Pina Colada Icebox Pie 

      **This is not a quick dish to fix but it is the very first cheesecake I have ever made and I was really proud of how it turned out.  

        Pina Colada Icebox Pie

  

  Pina Colada Icebox Pie

  •  2 cups pecan shortbread cookie crumbs
  (about 16 cookies)

  •  1 cup sweetened flaked coconut

  •  1/4 cup melted butter

  •  1/3 cup sugar

  •  2 Tablespoon cornstarch

  •  1 (8 oz.) can crushed pineapple in juice

  •  1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese

  •  1 cup cream of coconut

  •  2 large eggs

  350 degree oven for 40 to 45 minutes

  Stir together first three ingredients, firmly press on bottom and sides of a lightly sprayed 9-inch pie pan.

  Stir together sugar and cornstarch in small sauce pan, stir in pineapple with the juice.  Bring to a boil stirring constantly until thickened and allow to cool.

  Beat cream cheese and cream of coconut until smooth.  Add in one egg at a time.

  Spread cooled pineapple onto crust and spoon on cream cheese mixture.  After baked allow cheesecake to cool before serving.

  *My friend Doreen made this cheesecake when I was at her home last week.  Doreen had pre-baked the cookie crust and I decided to take a risk and assemble ingredients all at once.  The crust came out baked and tender and totally held the cream cheese together.  Cream of coconut (purchased in a liquor store)  is very sweet.  Doreen had used cream of coconut combined with the whipping cream for a topping.  I chose to top the cheese cake with whipped cream and sprinkled crushed pecans on the whipped cream.  Thanks Doreen for sharing a great dessert.

   
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  Noreen 12:47 am on July 23, 2013 Permalink  

  Empathy Gives Moral Support 

  

  My Space – My Time – My Day

  I keep hearing that the temps are going to begin dropping and the mid 70 degree type of weather would be here for us to enjoy. I am waiting patiently.  When the calendar shows me it is May followed by June and now it is July – I want to be outside.  I have been forced in and down, right into my sewing room.  It just isn’t fair.  I listen to forecasters when they say no one should be outside if they can prevent it.  I can prevent it and my heart goes out to those that had to work in the beast of the heat last week.  It was with relief when news would come at the end of those hot days, the work had been successful in the heat and now it was time to rejuvenate for the next day.  I know in my younger days I was perhaps stacking hay bales behind a New Holland baler in that very same type of heat.  I can so empathize with those that are now in that place where no matter what the heat the work needs to get done.  Mentally I send lots of moral support and that is all I can do.  Who would have thought that one day I would be at an age where that is all I can offer.  In my mind I still think I could be out there with the best of them with the attitude of “bring it on.” It’s a good thing the body sometimes speaks louder than my mind.

  In the shelter of my sewing room I am keeping busy waiting out the weather.  By being busy I feel that I am contributing and have something to show for the day the good Lord has given me.   I did learn that life’s lesson from my Grandmother Laura.  For me, at the end of each day I need to mentally lay down my physical work of the day for the Lord to see I really appreciate and like my life and my day was not wasted.  My old Sears sewing machine is in good working order and it will be my saving grace until the heat and bugs break and I can be outside getting my finger nails dirty.  It’s important to give myself a batch of moral support to stay strong and vital.  Catch ya later.

   
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  Noreen 6:20 am on July 22, 2013 Permalink  

  This is the day the Lord has made and I am so enjoying it. No huge amount of bells and whistles just a feeling of liking where I am and what I am doing with my day. Catch ya later.

   
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  Noreen 7:54 am on July 21, 2013 Permalink  

  What a great day. Could we please have many more? I had been playing it low key during the heat and humidity and this morning I had energy to burn. The patio porch had been cleaned after the winter snow thaw but we had a downpour of rain afterward, totally flooding the patio and the porch. The silt needed to be washed and broom brushed off of the exposed agate patio. That led to realizing how many birds had deposited their business on the patio glass doors. In the end, Dennis was inside the porch running the vacuum and organizing his collection of items. It was such a great day we hated to call it quits when we needed to clean up and get to the VFW to sell tickets for the monthly steak fry. I am hoping tomorrow is a repeat. In the meantime, in between time, what a treat to sit out and about after the cleaning frenzy. Dennis knows that all I believe I deserve in our day to day life is a clean home, and as much as we use the patio and the patio porch, it definitely is part of our home. Catch ya later.

   
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  Noreen 4:36 am on July 20, 2013 Permalink  

  A Day with Friends 

  

  Three Assessor Friends

  It’s not very often that we can spend a relaxing time with friends that have shared a work history that is quite unique.  Doreen, Judy and I have spent the majority of our W-2 Form work days much like Nicodemus of the Bible times.  No, we have not hidden in the tree to protect ourselves as we were known as tax collectors but at times it would have been a good place to take refuge.   The three of us have worked as County Assessors, actually Doreen still has a few years before she will be retiring.  Judy is retired from Brown County, I am retired from Watonwan County and Doreen is still slugging it out in Nicollet County.  All three counties are in Minnesota.

  The three of us managed to form a bond outside of the offices as we share a love of grandchildren, flower gardens and good food.  Today Doreen hosted Judy and I at her home for a five star noon lunch.  In times past our gathering would be a day-long trip to the Minnesota Arboretum or stopping at various greenhouses and nurseries to see if there may have been a plant that had eluded us.  The size of the trunk was important as to who would drive or often Doreen manned the wheel as she had a van.  Fun times over decades.  Most recently we spend time chatting over luncheons catching up with each other.  Relationships either grow or they die.  Some of the plants we were in pursuit of may not have made it but the relationship within our small group is alive and well.  The photo is of a year or so ago when we treated ourselves to day at the beauty college in Mankato.  Getting a little TLC made for a lot of fun.   Today we were too busy chatting to think of a photo.  We’ll get it the next time.

   
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  Noreen 8:37 am on July 19, 2013 Permalink  

  What can I say? Heat and humidity took the starch out of me today. Catch ya later.

   
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  Noreen 5:19 am on July 18, 2013 Permalink  

  Crock Pot Chicken 

   Crock Pot Chicken

  

  Crock Pot Chicken
  

  Spray Crock Pot with Pam

  •  4 Skinless chicken breasts
  placed in crock pot

  •  Pour 1 Can of beer
  over chicken

  •  Sprinkle with:
  1 Teaspoon pepper
  1 Tablespoon seasoned salt
  1 Teaspoon garlic salt

  4-5 Hours on high setting or
  6/8 Hours on low setting