...Rain? What Rain?

Just checking in to report the weather...it's 74 and awesomely sunny :) I worked a few hours this morning and am hanging out with the kitties and Thom for the rest of the day. Hope y'all are havin' a great weekend!

...Sunny days chasing the clouds away

Happy 40th anniversary to Sesame Street!

It's starting to dry out down here....and the sky is a glorious shade of blue during the afternoon. We pulled the boat home yesterday...and I cooked up my first ever batch of homemade tomato soup. I'll post pics later in the week. I wasn't crazy about it...but it tasted okay after some tweaking.

This is Thom's Zyliss Garlic Press . He's had it for over twenty years. Love this thing. Just pop in your little clove of garlic-paper and all- and it presses out the garlic. Genius! Especially since I've turned into a garlic freak. I love kitchen gadgets!

...Ponderings and Figuring out this thing called Life

I've been thinking {again} about why I continue to blog when I don't have anything interesting or fun to share. Sometimes it starts to feel like a chore--not that I have a lot of readers beating at my monitor demanding another installment of desperately seeking {gina}--but, I tend to put a tad bit of pressure on myself to come up with something creative to do, share, or blog about. And the truth is....most days I just don't feel creative. Or motivated.

A lot of why I do this, I suppose is I fear being forgotten.....You know--"out of sight, out of mind." I've been thinking of this in terms of children too. Not having any, I mean. What's going to happen when I'm 80 and there's no one to take care of me. No one to visit me at the old folks home, cuz that's surely where I'll end up if there's no one to take me in. Anyway...thems a whole bunch of other issues...well...sort of non-issues actually....I don't dwell on them too much, too often. They're just random thoughts that pop into my head. And then I start thinking about what dessert I can make...and I'm off topic pretty quickly.

Back to the "out of sight, out of mind." I know the fam and my friends have a lot going on in their lives too. Their own issues to dwell on and solve. But, I can't help thinking don't forget about me way down here in Arkansas! I may have moved 800 miles away but I still want to be a part of your lives! And have you be a part in mine...and I guess that's the biggest reason I do this silly blog so much. I want to share my life with you, even if only with words and a million and one goofy pictures of the kitties. Even if you're just clicking by while working, too busy to leave comments. Just that you're stopping by and peeking in at my little world. That's enough for me.

Okay...so thems my deep thoughts for the day. {"thems" seems to be the word of the day}

It's Wednesday. Naked Wednesday in some circles! Hi, Uncle Mike!

It's my day off. I've been blog surfing and looking up recipes while I wait for Thom to return from running errands and taking his mom grocery shopping. On today's agenda: pulling Thom's fishing boat to the Lake House so he can do some maintenence work. This week marks my two year anniversary of being in Ark...and I still haven't been on the lake. Unbelievable, I know!

I also have a basket of laundry that needs to be hung and put away. I've been living out of the basket for, like, two weeks now instead of putting the stuff where it's supposted to go. I'm always telling Thom that I like organization and tidiness...yet I can't seem to get my clothes situation under control. {sigh}

Also today, I'm making creamy tomato soup from Martha's Cooking School. I bought the book months and months ago and only flipped through it briefly so I dragged it out last weekend and started reading from the beginning. My kitchen is pretty well stocked according to Martha's suggestions so I think I'm good-to-go and learn some techniques and get cooking :)

Hope y'all are well...and feeling fine. Love and lots of hugs to you all!

...Bake at your own risk

Seriously. This bread is so addictive. This is for Liz {sang in my cheesiest DJ voice while holding the make-believe microphone to my lips. Or maybe it's just the whisk. Whatev.}

For the bread/crust:

1 package active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water {110 degrees}
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups high gluten bread flour

Salt/Poppy seed seasoning:

1/4 cup kosher salt
1 tablespoon poppy seeds

{this makes more than needed for this one bread recipe. I'm still using my initial 1/4 cup:1 Tbs poppy seed, and I've made many, many loaves and crusts. You could just eyeball it according to your Kneads. ha ha. Bread humor... I'm so funny}.

Chef Larry's Blessing {Must be one a chef at one of Chuck Muer's restauraunts?}

1 cup olive oil
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoon basil leaves
1 table spoon oregano leaves

Emulsify olive oil and garlic in a blender or food processor. Add herbs and process to combine. This mixture lasts one week at room temp. {again, this makes much more than you'll need for this recipe. Eyeball it for your needs.}


Okay, now that you have all your ingredients mis en place {fancy term for get all your crap together before you actually start to bake...Although I'm fairly certain Martha didn't call it "crap" in her book}, you're ready to put together your dough.

Sprinkle yeast over the warm water. Wait about 5 minutes until it dissolves and starts bubbling a bit. Add sugar, salt, and olive oil. Stir well. Begin to stir in flour. I use my kitchen aid with dough hook...and I'm no bread baking expert so I assume you could stir by hand and then knead it}. Knead in the mixer for 5 minutes. Dough may be a bit sticky. Remove from bowl and knead by hand for 2-3 minutes. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean dish towel or cling wrap. I usually use cling wrap and lightly oil the top so it doesn't stick. Set in a warm, draft-free place and allow to rise for 30 minutes.

Sprinkle your work surface with the poppy seed mixture and remove dough from the bowl. At this point, divide dough into fourths if you're making loaves, or roll in the salt/poppy mixture and spread the dough into your lightly greased pizza pans. We make one big deep dish pizza. It would probably make two crusts using ordinary cookie sheets.

If you're making loaves: divide into fourths. Shape each quarter into loaves and roll in salt/poppy mixture. Place on parchment lined baking sheets. Using kitchen shears or two really sharp knives, cut dough into 5 sections, leaving them attached.

For both loaves and crust: Brush Chef Larry's blessing over the salted/poppied dough. Cover again and let rise a second time for 30 minutes.

After it has risen a second time, bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes and then drop the temp down to 400 degrees and bake for another ten minutes.

Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before devouring. This is excellent as a dipping bread, sandwich bread, or just plain.

And now I'm seeing the benefit of having pictures for each step like The Pioneer Woman does on her blog...but I'm just not that good at actually following the recipe and taking a picture at the same time.

Hope you get the chance to make this Liz...it's definitely worth the work!

...Pumpkin Recovery

I'm feeling Hallweened and Pumpkined out....and I've been thinking all day long about what in the world I'd blog about.

Scotch if feeling the same. This is about the best shot I could get of the Halloween costume I bought for the kitties. I can't imagine why they wouldn't cooperate with me while I was trying to get their pictures. So...I had to settle for stalking them until they fell asleep. Scotch must have been totally tuckered out because she didn't budge while Thom moved her around and even held her up for "the perfect shot." Just for the record- I never thought I'd be the kind of girl who dressed up her cats and photographed them. I'm pretty bored and reaching for blog material, friends!

I've finished the last of the pumpkin bars I had stashed in the freezer and I stalked the markdown people at work today to get the best Halloween decor on clearance. I scored some cool wall adhesives for just 2 bucks each....and with my discount I only spent a whopping $12. And since I had $7 in cash and only used the debit card for $5, I really only spent $5, right? lol I think too much like my mother, methinks.

My mind has started wandering toward Thanksgiving and I'm starting to search the internet for side dishes. Thom and I will be alone for the holiday and we're trying out a Tofurkey this year. I'd love to hear what you'll be doing for Turkey day.

...Farewell Month of Pumpkin

....I will miss thee!

I will freely admit that I was slightly annoyed that I didn't get this last dish made during the month of October. I know what you're thinking: Uhhh....Gina, it's only November 1st...not even a whole day after...but I did dub October A Month of Pumpkin....not A Month & one Day of Pumpkin. {sigh} Anyway...

So, I've made an alfredo sauce only once before...many, many years ago and I was nervous about making this one. Actually, I get nervous cooking anything for Thom cuz he's a really, really good cook. I did have a couple of mishaps like the milk bubbling over spreading a milky, gooey mess all over the stove...but other than that-it turned out great. Both Thom & I loved this. The pumpkin gave the alfredo a mild squash-y flavor. It's definitely something we'll make again.

The recipe can be found at Our Best Bites.

A Month of Pumpkin 2009

Pumpkin Taffy

Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ginger Spice Cookies

Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream Sandwich

Ben & Jerry's Pumpkin Cheesecake Ice Cream

Pumpkin Alfredo

...The second to last Pumpkin Post

One last post for October. I have one last recipe to try but that post will have to wait :)

Have I mentioned that I have the bestest ever boyfriend? Well...I do. I so do. In support of my crazy blogging and my Month of Pumpkin baking, he not only eats and enjoys everything I make, he brings home Pumpkin treats for me. I love, love, love Ben & Jerry's and I haven't ever had this kind. It. was. so. good. Actually, it tasted like my pumpkin ice cream, only sweeter. And it had this caramel-y graham cracker swirl that was awesome. But, seriously? Serves Four? Really?

...Scary Costumes of Halloweens Past

There won't be any silly costumes for me this year. Instead, Thom and I will dress up the kitties and impose some shameful self-esteem issues on poor Hop & Scotch as I attempt to photograph them. Yes, friends...I spent 3 bucks on a costume at PetsMart for the kitties to share. Okay, it's not a full costume...but enough of one that they hang their heads in shame and won't look me in the eye. Does this make a me a bad kittie-mom?

And...for your viewing pleasure...and my horrible shame...Some more of my past Halloween costumes.

My friend Michelle insisted I dress up and come out of the kitchen for my last Halloween Carnival at St. Marys. Tyler tagged along with me, so it was fun. How fitting that Michelle brought along her Medusa costume for me to sport. I have terrible memories of being teased and called Medusa on the bus trip to Florida my senior year. Kids can be cruel {sniffle}.



This was a costume for work...I've only dressed up twice at work. The other costume was Cleopatra. Luckily, I don't have proof of that one!


Actually, this one isn't so bad. Wait a minute. That's not a costume! That's film capturing my real essence. Heather and I did coordinating costumes this year. I love, love, love the picture of her in her horns and pitch fork get-up...but I can't find it to post :(



Hope y'all enjoy the day to dress up and be silly. Oh...and to eat tons of candy. I'll be enjoying Pumpkin Bars and cooking up one last dish for A Month of Pumpkin.

Happy Halloween!

...Another Food Post

Thom found THE bestest pizza sauce recipe. He's been searching for years. We've been making bread and pizza every weekend. It's super easy. And super yummy.

1 {15 ounce} can tomato sauce

1{6 ounce} can tomato paste

1 tablespoon ground oregano

1 1/2 teaspoons dried minced garlic

1 teaspoon ground paprika

1/2 tablespoon basil

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon paprika {optional...we like HEAT!}

Pop all the ingredients into to a blender...whirl a few times and heat.

...Our Weekend in Pictures

The weather was great. Upper 60s. Clear skies. Leaves changing color {the color change here is SO different from the colors of Mich. Everything here has a brownish tint and the colors aren't bright at all. And...there's no red :( } I spent a bit of time on the deck looking at the lake, reading mags and having pumpkin coffee.

The lawn guys came out and mowed and blew the leaves off the driveway. Hop and I played in the drive while Thom trimmed some limbs down near the gate.

On Saturday morning I stalked the kitties while Thom ran errands.

Thom found another interesting bug...the largest Praying Mantis either of us has ever seen. This guy was so funny. I had the camera set on 'macro' so I was putting the lense really close to his face while he crawled over the plant. Every time I'd get super close, he's stop and turn toward the camera as if he was posing for me. It was funny. If you look closely you can see his mouth is open. Looks like he's smiling at me.

Saturday night we drove to Searcy for dinner and hung out at the bookstore for awhile. And, on Sunday, I baked more bread and pumpkin bars.

So, it's Monday night....and it's raining again {sigh}. It's like I moved to Seattle. At least the weekend was nice! Hope y'all are well and feelin' fine!