Pear crisp, oh my!

Well this is a first for me. I've had a lot of apple crisp as well as other fruit deserts but I must say pear is my first.

A friend of mine was so generous and kind in giving me

a large bag of fresh pears.

Hum?

What to do?

I don't know the name of them. They were small and very juicy.

Filling ingredients:

pears enough to fill bottom of pan. ( at least 4 cups of fruit)

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

Peel, core, and dice pears. Mix in a bowl with the sugar. Pour into a square baking dish or deep pie pan.

The ones I used were so small that I had to peel several to fill up the bottom of my baking dish. Anyway you can never have to much fruit.

Topping:

1 1/2 cup flour

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 cup toasted pecans, finely chopped

1 stick butter, melted

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl. Stir together.

Pour the topping out over the pears.

Sooooooooooo easy!

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.

You can leave it in for an additional minutes to brown the top.

This topping with the cinnamon and nuts, oh my oh my!

The picture doesn't do it justice. Sorry it looks a little blurry.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

In linked to: Skip to my Lou

Iced Coffee and Coffee Ice cubes

Yum!

I have seen lots of iced coffee recipes lately. As usual I decided to try it my self.

So I brewed some strong coffee and put it in the fridge. I also froze some into an ice cube tray. I thought that when the ice starts to melt this way it wouldn't it wouldn't become all watered down.

Next I added a little cream and sugar and that was it!

Nothing fancy.

Good to the last drop!

Have a super Friday!

Homemade Tomato Soup

I found this recipe at Pioneer Woman. You know I'm starting to think that I should personally write a book review about her first cook book! Everything in it just speaks

to me. Ha ha!

I have always liked tomato soup. Almost like a comfort food for me, add a crusty grilled cheese sandwich and all is well with the world.

I'm not going to bother with writing out the recipe, instead you can link over to her post and check it out yourself here.

One of the things I changed was omitting the sherry and replacing it with white wine. I didn't have and sherry so I went to the grocery store and bought some white wine.

I put in one cup.

Also I thought it was a little too chunky so I used a food processor and scooped in the chunky tomatoes. Just a couple pulses to smooth it a bit.

Also her recipe didn't call for salt but I added a smidgen.

My family really liked it. Croutons on the top were added later.

You definitely should try this out if you like tomatoes!

This soup is better than most restaurants I have tried.

Thanks for stopping by.

Love ya!

Peggy

More lovely crochet

I have been working a lot on my crochet lately. When I was looking around blog land I found so many beautiful projects. Wow! Crochet has really changed from what I remember. However, if I start to make a toilet paper holder please stop me! Ha ha!

What I am really crazy about is flowers!

Mostly Japanese flowers.

These are not Japanese Flowers though, just a simple little pattern I found.

I have been finding them every where. But finding a pattern was a bit difficult.

I became obsessed and stayed up late at night looking for a pattern.

Thanks goodness I'm not back to work yet.

Most of the blogs I have found are from over seas.

The British, Swedish and gals from Germany all use different sizing than USA.

I have found some beautiful Japanese flowers used to make shawls.

This beautiful creation came from Attic 24. This blog is filled with the most beautiful crochet!

Isn't this beautiful! Such lovely colors.

Some day I I would love to make this!

Have a wonderful day!

Best Chicken Salad

A neighbor friend of mine served me chicken salad a few months ago. When I asked for the recipe it was like a secret or something. Hum!

I decided I wanted to make this for a few friends of mine at my house.

I bought what ingredients that I thought the recipe would call for.

Then I confronted my neighbor point blank.

I said, " So what are the ingredients for your chicken salad?"

Well what do ya know. I had all the ingredients correct.

Gee, this wasn't hard. Now I have the key. I can make it myself and eat my fill of this wonderful salad!

Doesn't this look yummy!

Just makes my mouth water.

Chicken salad recipe

4 large chicken breast sauteed in butter seasoned to taste cut in small cubes.

About two hands full of red grapes.

One half cup pecans cut in half.

Small hand full of finely chopped parsley.

2 green onions chopped.

2 T of Hellman's

1 1/2 cup of unflavored yogurt

When you saute the chicken. Use about 2 T and cook slowly. This will insure the chicken will be tinder. I seasoned with only salt and pepper. This will smell so good. saute until lightly golden brown. Cool and then chop in small cubes.

Add grapes, pecans,( toasted in oven for 7 min brings out the flavor) parsley, and green onion. This should be a chunky salad.

Stir up the mayo and yogurt in separate bowl.

Now mix all ingredients together.

Sorry none of this is exact. Most of my cooking is done to taste and my family preference.

Enjoy!

Have a great day.

I am linking to: Friday Potluck@ girlchef.com

A night of ART

We all gathered at the kitchen table tonight for a group art session.

It started out with my daughter asking if I wanted to do something fun. "Hum?" What is she up to I thought. When I came into the kitchen there she was with a hand full of brushes, a box full of paints and a folder full of art paper. Then we were joined by my son and his girlfriend. He put on some creative music ( The Beatles) and then the creating started. It's amazing how those creative juices flow. How do you like my dishes I used for the paint? I didn't have and paper plates. That's ok they wash. Ha ha Oh I almost forgot, there was an ice cream break! Here I am work and in deep thought. A master piece is created. My son Colin did the photography for me. I think he did a super job. Hum? Art can also be on a arm or hand. A good time was had by all.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed the show.

Empanadas!

A new recipe was used last night. I love empanadas and can't find any in town so.......

I created my own recipe. Ha ha! I'm so talented.

I lived in Spain for three yeas with the Navy and enjoyed several dishes from southern Spain.

One of which was Empanadas. They are pastry pockets filled with meat, vegetables, cheese or a combination of all. Then it is either baked or deep fried.

I had an idea already what went into it but wasn't sure. Well, first I searched the

web and came up with a plan.

Most all of the recipes I found were very similar. I just tweaked it to suite me.

Be warned: The following photos are scary!

We had so much fun making theses little lovelies!

Each of the kids made their own. It got real messy there for a while.

We had flour every where.

This one is how they are suppose to look neatly folded in half.

Carmen is being a bit creative here. She is attempting to make a braid. Not too bad I think. Using her creative juices. Colin and I played it safe and simple.

This one was made by Colin. I think it turned out quite well.

They are suppose to be neat little half circles.

Mine looked like a an alien egg opening up and oozing out. Ha ha!

Sorry that picture is a little blurry. I didn't wand to get to close. It was scary!

It was way better that it looked. Thank goodness!!!!

Anyway we ate every last one.

If you would like to try it out ( It was very easy and fun) here is my recipe:

Turn oven to 450 degrees.

1 lb hamburger

1 can mild Rotel ( chopped tomatoes and green chillies)

1/2 chopped onion

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp basil

1 T flour

a small sprinkle of crushed pepper flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

1 egg

Brown hamburger and drain off excess fat. Add Rotel and remaining ingredients.

I made pizza dough but you could use can dough if you wanted.

I divided into several small ball and then rolled them into about 6 inch circles.

Place a scoop of meat filling in the middle and fold over crust.

I used an egg wash to seal the edges and painted the tops.

Bake on a cookie pan or stone of about 15 min until golden brown.

So easy!

I'm linking to Skip To My Lou

Thanks for stopping by.

Chocolate Sheet Cake

My mom called this Texas sheet cake.

This was my dad's favorite cake. I came from a long line of chocolate lovers.

I can remember my dad finishing a meal and he would say, "Now we need a big ole piece of Texas sheet cake". Ha ha I miss him.

I put the icing on only half of the cake. Why you might ask?

My daughter is not a big fan of nuts.

Wouldn't a scoop of vanilla ice cream be good with this?

Yumm! Heaven!

I must say this is to die for. It so moist and so easy to make. My mom made this all the time. It could be for a special occasion of just because you love chocolate.

My family has made this for as long as I can remember. I haven't made this is in a while because I simply forgot about it.

I found the exact same recipe at Pioneer Woman.

Wow! I just thought of something. Do you think she got her recipe for my mom? Ha ha!

You can go to her web page and get her recipe It's basically the same as mine and she does such super photos!

Have a super Sunday!

Thanks for stopping by.

Pilot Mountain, North Carolina

Last week my daughter and I got to visit this beautiful mountain.

Oh my! What a sight. If you are ever in this area this is a must see.

This picture was taken from Little Pinnacle looking at Big Pinnacle or

"The Knob".

Pilot Mt is 2,421 feet above sea level.

This is the view coming down from the north but looking east. When you have been traveling for very long, you don't realize how high up you were. This is such an awesome view!

From this view you can see the shape looks like a saddle. See the dip in the middle?

The Native Americans and European hunters used this as a navigation landmark. You can sure see why. What a unique shape that can be seen for such a long way.

A paved road took us most of the way up. Then we parked and walked the trail around the "Knob."

Nice little hike, about a mile. There were steps in several places. I'm glad we didn't wear sandals. If you had a problem with your knees you sure couldn't climb this!

Once we got to the top we were greeted with a s

tone wall all the way around.

Looks like I'm trying to climb up. Ha ha

I could just imagine Native Americans making this as their summer home.

The temperature is cooler up there and the hunting must have been super.

A little fire and bright stars, must of been something else!

This could be a little slippery at time. I beat with a little rain It would be scary.

This was the only place that was a little difficult. Thank goodness for good shoes.

Isn't this interesting?

At first I just noticed the moss and after I saw the photo on the computer I saw that there were initials that had been carver into the stone.

Oh, I almost forgot! The mountain is just a few miles from a town called

Mount Airy.

Andy Griffith's boyhood home. Isn't that crazy! Mayberry was modeled after his home town.

So...Mount Pilot ( on the tv show) is really Pilot Mountain.

Well enough of that. I hope you enjoyed the pics.

Bye now

New project underway!

Isn't this beautiful fabric! I bought this a few weeks back when I was in D.C.

I have had this idea for something I want to make. I can't give it all away cause it's a surprise!

Shhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!

I can't tell which one I like. I like them all. I have had a fabric fetish for some time now.

I have been known to purchase fabric just because I liked it.

I try to stay out of a fabric store unless I really have a project in mind.

More will be reveled later.

Stay tuned.

Kosse

I couldn't wait to share these beautiful designs with you all.

Did you all notice the button I added on my side bar? Well this is what it is all about.

Isn't this a cute head band!

Oh, by the way that is my nephew's daughter.

His wife is so talented and owns her own business. She makes the most beautiful accessories for babies and little girls.

My favorite is her head band with feathers attached to it. Her baby Ella definitely steals the show!

Isn't this gorgeous! When I was at her home she showed me all of her work in her studio. Oh my goodness! I was acting like a kid in a candy shop. Ha ha! I could go on and on, so instead you need to check out the web site Kosse.

Thanks for stopping by.

Have a super day!

Bird Houses in Kentucky

While driving through the beautiful state of Kentucky we decided to pull off and look around.

I saw this sign that read Patty's 1880's Settlement.

I wondered ,"what's that?"

Well...this place started out as a restaurant in the 70's. Now it's a huge restaurant and tourist stop. We didn't eat there but it sure sounded good!

They also have several shops and beautiful gardens!

Oh my goodness, that was all I could look at! They had hosta plants to die for. Waterfalls and hidden paths everywhere. It was like an oasis

in the desert!

I'm not sure what this was all about but I thought it was so pretty. The sheer curtain made it look rather romantic don't ya think. I didn't know if it was private or not.

There were several bird houses around the property.

They were so cute I thought you all would enjoy them as well.

This whole area was a resort-vacation spot, lots of fishing and camping also. It was so pretty there. Western Kentucky has some beautiful lakes. I wish I could of had more time to stop and stay a few days. Thanks for stopping by.

Trying to keep my head above water

I finally got home last night from my trip to Missouri. My sister, my daughter and myself all made the trek and had a great time.

We attended my nephew's wedding last Saturday and had so much fun dancing with all their young friends. I was surprised at all the oldies

they played.

Next we went to the fireworks display in my sisters home town. I was so surprised at all the fireworks people had. Wow! At one point we could see

5 displays all at once. I was so sooo cool!

When we were in St Louis we visited the zoo. Did you know the St Louis Zoo is free? Every zoo I have visited in the past always had a charge. It was really really hot there, but what a nice zoo and the landscaping was beautiful!

When I saw this hippo I couldn't stop laughing!

Oh my goodness! He kept going in circles and then taking a deep breath. I thought "hey, that's me." I keep running in circles while trying to keep my head above water.

I thought you all might get a laugh too.

My daughter is in love with St Louis. She was checking out all the colleges they have.

They really have lots to do there. There is always a festival to go to and great parks.

They also have several museums. We visited the science museum but that was all we had time to visit. Alas, time to return home.

I'll post later to show ya'll Pilot Mountain we stopped at.

Oh I almost forgot, my Jeep got hit while parked! And there was a fire in the condo community where my sister lives! Crazy I tell you!

I now have a huge to-do list! Like: auto body shop, painting, sewing, canning, crochet, yard sale...

So much to do, so little time. Ha ha.

Hope you all are having a great day.