Day 23

Today I am thankful or trying something new.

            I have been doing a lot of this lately. The newest thing I have done ( literally like 20 minutes ago, well actually more than that by the time I post this) is start walking the dogs. Ha more like walking myself! I have heard that is takes a month ish to make something a habit. We are house sitting for almost 2 months, meaning we walk the dogs (ourselves) everyday. This is great! The best part is we still have "Bucky" to walk when we get home! Sure it will be more difficult physically, the road behind our house has a pretty good hill. Also harder road wise as we have no side walks but that's what the next couple of months are for...training! 

             I also have tried a couple of new recipes that were good but need perfecting so I am not ready to share. But I am willing to share a new adventure The hubs and I had with Ethan, Mel and one of their friends who doubles as the O.T.P. marketing guy (I believe) Russ. We went to Mt. Vernon Winery to taste some really good wine. We tried 7or 8 of their 16 varieties. My favorite as usual is the Old Vine Zinfandel. We are looking for some great placer county wines and I think we are going to make a "thing" of this. There are 16+ wineries on the placer county wine trail! I KNOW RIGHT!  I was shocked. Apparently we have great soil for it, I had NO idea!! I digress, so we are thinking that we are gonna try for every Friday we hit up a winery on the trail! I am so excited. Especially because this Friday is my birthday! Whoot Whoot! We are not sure where we are going this week yet but stay tuned for reviews! Or if you have any favorite Placer county winery please share!

Peace and love to all. Namaste.

Day 21

Day 20: Today I am thankful for Food/Cooking.

              I love food! I love all kinds of food and trying new food. Which is a big growth from about 10 years ago. All I would eat was mac-n-cheese and PB&J. Now I love veggies, and fish! Although my Dad always tells the story of how he used to put me in my high chair ( which clipped to the side of the table) and feed me broccoli and holindays sauce until I was covered! Still my favorite way to eat broccoli. One of my first memories is having my favorite childhood dinner with Tommer, pork chops with mac-n-cheese and creamed corn. I used to only eat Kraft mac-n-cheese now I have switched to Annie's cheddar buns.
            Now not only do I love food I am completely fascinated by cooking. I could being the kitchen an cook all day just for fun. I have recently discovered  so many food recipes and food blogs! I never knew cooking could be so creative. I have tried some, but the possibilities are endless. One of the things that got me into cooking was baking. Baking makes my heart sing! Baked goods are one of the first things I remember "cooking" on my own. I love to bake all kinds of things  savory or sweet and share them with everyone! I have recently made empanadas, mini pot pies and chocolate chip cookies lately. I am a total experimental chef. for instance today I am trying to make my own teriyaki sauce. (recipe at bottom) I did a bit of research in to what the ingredients needed were and I using things in my cupboards that can be substituted so I don't have to spend to much money. So its really going to be an experiment. I am always open to new recipes and exchanging ideas so please share with me your favorite things to cook. 

Teriyaki sauce:
Soy sauce
ground ginger
Garlic
Dark Karo syrup
Apple Cyder vinegar
Lemon Juice
brown sugar
pure cane sugar

combine in small sauce pan to boil, reduce heat and let simmer until thick. Remove from pan and serve.

Day 7

Day 7: Today I am thankful for tradition
      

        The holidays with my family are all about traditions. Certain people prepare certain dishes, certain days are hosted at certain peoples houses, and poker is played by 9 o'clock sharp! I just love them, and that my family takes the time to pass them on and instill in the next generation where we come from and how to stay connected. I plan to pass these traditions on to my children. Best of all is homemade pies. My Grandma Trish makes great apple pie and for my bridal shower gift she gave me the recipe and all the the tools/ingredients needed besides apples. So I thought what a great time to continue her tradition and get to use my fabulous gift! I am not going to share this recipe with you guys (sorry, some things gotta stay in the family) but I will include pictures.

Mary (my mother-in-law) makes a killer pumpkin pie so I am also continuing her tradition, at the request of my boys, and making pumpkin pie. 

 





   


                             Berry pie is my personal favorite
and I make a pretty mean one so I am also making one of those, you know just to keep our options open, HA! Or because I am selfish and want my favorite. While I love our combined family traditions I am excited for Adam and I to make some of our own with our family some day! 

All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey...

I know I know it’s been awhile, things have been busy and stressful around these here woods. Adam and I both started working at our favorite pizza place, Old Town Pizza (OTP) and are really enjoying it. It is a very fun and family oriented place and we fit in quite nicely! Adam had also started a new job with 2 of his brothers at a construction company out of San Francisco, but they were let go because they were too expensive. The guy couldn’t keep paying them what they were worth plus gas and company vehicles. So now we are all making it work and learning a little more how to work together and I think the true nature of our hippy commune!

That said I am so thankful to live in a place that sees all four seasons, and a beautiful property that I can sit and breathe it all in any time I want. Not everywhere, even in America sees all 4 seasons. Growing up Summer was always my favorite, as I think is true with most kids. Now I am torn. I love the Spring time. The sun comes back out, you get a warmer rainy day than in the frigid Winter months, and of course ALL the flowers start to bloom. There is a beautiful wash of warm bright colors every where you look. I am a Flower Child through and through, thank you Grandma Barbara! To be totally honest though, the older I get the more in love I fall with Fall! The urge to cuddle up with my love, pumpkins, cider, and the way the leaves that so skillfully and timidly poked themselves out in Spring now gracefully and boldly turn to the most breath taking shades of yellow, orange and red. Man, when the sun hits a liquid amber at just the right angle, at just the right time of day in mid November, it lights up like it’s on fire, and my heart begins to sing. One of my favorite things about Fall…the change in weather! So cold and snuggly. And it’s soup, stew and chili season! I love any food that requires a bowl and some dipping bread. I am Italian and Irish for goodness sake. We live of that kind of food! Last week was no exception. I made Chicken Chili. I also had sweet Melanee O’Hagan (whose family owns and operates OTP) and her precious little Rosanna to share in the gloriousness! They loved it. “Mo beans peese!” was all the little one could think about. We also had a fun time coloring with Bryan after dinner, and she even tried to steel my markers by stuffing them ALL in the front pocket of her sweatshirt…some without the lids! HA! I guess she figured that she didn’t need those. Good thing they are washable! We had some leftovers and normally I would have just packed ‘em up and put ‘em in the fridge, but Adam was working that night…he was closing. So I was a good wifey and brought him enough to share…it was devoured! I hope that you try my recipe and if you have a great chili recipe please share with me! 

Chicken Chili

Garlic Salt

Chili Powder

Cracked Black Pepper

Coriander

Cumin

Cayenne Pepper

Beer

Black Beans

Red Kidney Beans

Pinto Beans

Whole Corn Cornels

Diced Tomatoes

Cheese/Sour Cream/ Chives

Mix in crock pot: black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, corn, and diced tomatoes. While they get to know each other, on the stove cook 3 chicken breasts. In frying pan: oil bottom, add chicken, water and beer until chicken is covered. Beer does not need to be fancy. Add a bit of garlic salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder. Boil until fully cooked. Shred or cube, and add to crock pot. Add more garlic salt, pepper, coriander, cumin, and chili powder to taste. Simmer on high 2 hours. Top with your choice of grated cheese, sour cream and chives.