Lemon-Zucchini Lusciousness...

This year, we planted one each of a zucchini and yellow zucchini plant.  I love picking dinner from the garden.  And then, there's dessert!

Found this luscious Lemon-Zucchini loaf recipe on the interwebs, just in time for zucchini harvest.  Here's a link for the recipe from Jessica@togetherasfamily:  Lemon Zucchini Bread.

Made by The Dad.  Mmmmm.  The yellow zucchini worked perfectly!   I like those little yellow flecks with just a touch of green from the zucchini.  So moist, and with a zing of lemon in the glaze...delish. We couldn't wait to tear into this!

Our loaves aren't all dainty and drizzled in a beautiful design like the original recipe, but you get the idea!  Definitely one for the recipe book!    M-m-m-m-mouthwateringly Marvelous!

Please, sir.  May we have some more?

~the Momma.

Atlantic Coast Tour: West Point

Singing in this place may have been the most patriotic experience I've ever felt in my life.

July 4,  2015.  We began the day not knowing exactly where we were going.  It was announced to us on the bus as we drove northward from New York City.  A high school classmate of mine, Mary Ann (Ricks) Ciccotelli and her husband Tom had taken me to dinner at an Italian Restaurant the night before, and had guessed that would be where we'd be performing.

It began as a gloomy, stormy day, but cleared enough for us to take a small tour of the grounds and enjoy the beautiful view overlooking the Hudson River below.  We were served lunch in the "mess hall" which reminded me a little of Harry Potter's Hogwarts.

 

The afternoon was so stormy, most of us spent a few hours in one of the buildings trying to take a nap.  Then the sun came out just in time for our rehearsal.  We wiped off the rain-soaked chairs, and we watched as 10,000 people arrived with their lawn chairs and blankets for the concert. 

Then it was showtime!  We watched and listened to a canon go off for every state as each new plebe marched in with the flag from their state to sit down in front, followed by all the rest of the soldiers attending school there.  My heart was full, and as we opened the show, it was a thrill to sing the songs of America.

Here's a synopsis from Mormon Newsroom.

God Bless America!

What's Cookin'?? Artisan Bread.

We haven't had much luck making bread around here.  We used to like making it with the breadmaker, but for the past couple of years, it turns out flat, sour, gummy, ugh.  Everything we tried just did not work so well.  So we pretty much gave up.  Until now.

The other day, a friend posted a link on facebook about a TV appearance of his son, a local chef, demonstrating how to make great artisan bread.  He posted a link to the video ► bit.ly/1wcl8WX

Watched it.
I watched the video, printed the recipe, and made bread.  I figured I'd give it a shot.  Plus, the kitchen was clean.  *Ü*

Made it.
I followed his tips about not using water from the tap, because in our area, it's so HARD.  As in minerals.  So I used the filtered water from the fridge.  He suggested a thermometer to test the water temp because yeast loves only a certain temperature (85o and 110o).  I used a meat thermometer, but hey.  It worked!

His recipe called for 1/4 TEASPOON of Instant Yeast, whereas I have been using 1 TABLESPOON for the same amount of flour in my bread.... Uhm, yeah.  That could have been my problem!!

Spraying the loaf down with water a couple of times was new to me - so was allowing the bread to rise all day (not really the whole day, but a lot!), knead it forever between risings ( not really forever), and I've never added vinegar to my bread before, either.  But then, aaaah.

Ate it.
We brought it out of the oven.  And then I smeared butter all over the crust.  And we could hardly wait to slice it open, all neat and pretty....

And then, it was gone.

Mmmmm.

I think we'll be making more bread.
~The Momma

Chelsea's new favorite...

 Chelsea's been doodling with our new giant sewing machine...

She loves horses and the color teal - This Laurel Burch panel really fits the bill!

Perfection!

~The Momma

Santa Waffles

 Oh, we love Dad's luscious Sunday Morning Special Deluxe Whole Wheat Waffles.  From the time they were little, the Dad would line all the kids up at the kitchen countertop to "help" make waffles or pancakes on the weekends and for special occasions.  Fun memories.

And there's nothing like a few sliced strawberries and a little whipped cream to take 'em up a notch.

oops... running out of whipped cream!

Delicious!
~the Momma

All-American Apple Pie & Luscious Pie Crust

Feeling THANKFUL!!  

At this holiday season, with the tradition of big family meals and gathering around the table together, it's also a time of remembering, and feeling gratitude for blessings.

I miss my parents at times like these, but remembering Dad's corny jokes and Mom's great cooking brings smiles and warms my heart.

And this recipe for All-American Apple Pie was one of Momma's best. 

I haven't made a pie for ages, but I remember baking pies a LOT as a teenager.  In fact, I think I was the designated pie-baker in the family.  Another sister's specialty was cookies, and another sister's specialty was bread-baking.  Which we did a lot! (Seven loaves a week, at least.)  Actually, we each took turns baking everything.  And my sisters and I usually collected a several blue ribbons at the fair as a result.

I made this apple pie (and the luscious pie crust too) yesterday, and I even remembered how to flute the edges.

Baked for about 40 minutes.  Even got to use my new pot holder <<.

Isn't it amazing how just one bite can be a mouthful of memories?  Delicious!!

Just look at that tender, flaky crust.  I think it's the lard...

Roll out leftover piecrust dough, cut out into fun shapes, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon, then bake just until done - about 10-12 minutes for a great snack.

Then I came home tonight to the pie half-gone with a little note from my dear husband:

I think I may have to start baking a little more often...

Feeling thankful for the blessings of family; for learning and working together, and for my own parents who taught me what it meant to make a house a home.  

~The Momma

Ryler's Fabulous Make-You-Sick No-Bake Cookies

Ryler made some snacks for a family vacation.  These are the type of cookies that you eat until you're sick.  It even says so in the recipe.

Chocolate-Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies!

In a saucepan, mix:

2 c. sugar

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. milk

Add:

1/2 c. butter (1 cube)

Place over medium heat.  

Bring to a boil while stirring constantly, melting butter completely.

Remove from heat and stir in:

1 t. vanilla

Add:

1 c. peanut butter

2 T. cocoa powder (optional, but why?)

OR

3/4 c. peanut butter

1/4 c. Nutella (oh, yeah!)

Add:

3-1/2 c. oatmeal

Stir well.  Allow ingredients to cool in refrigerator until consistency will stay together.  Use a small ice cream scoop and drop on parchment-lined cookie sheet.  Refrigerate to set up, then eat until sick!  

Bite-sized goodness.