First Class Mail Brought a Box of Whoppers
Laura noticed a box of Junior Mints (mailed right in their original box) in a post she saw on Pinterest!
Now I have a Pinterest account but don’t really know what to do with it but she saw the mailing of the box of candy, the size you might have gotten at a movie theatre years ago.
Slap a label on it and head to the Post Office and they didn’t blink an eye. Just asked if the contents were hazardous, liquid, flammable or fragile? There is a whole listing at Pinterest of fun things to mail.
(It reminded me of when her brother Mark sent her a coconut from Hawaii when he was stationed in USMC. A coconut with stamps!)
By the way, Laura told me on the phone tonight that eating Malted Milk Balls gives her the chills, like fingernails on the blackboard, the texture of them makes her cringe.
But she remembers it was the candy of my choice when I was in high school. A good friend and I could’ve choked to death, loading our mouths with them, seeing how many we could fit in at once. Seriously.
I tasted a couple tonight and the coating tasted a bit like I imagine car wax to taste and the inside seemed a bit stale, dry and sandy and less enjoyable or flavorful as I remember loving malted milk balls. My taste buds must have changed.
But they were fun to receive and shake the box and think about her mailing them to me right in the box! Thanks for the fun in the mail, Laura. A terrific post holiday pick-me-up!
Parmigiano Reggiano Soup Bones
The only problem is that they are resting in my DIL’s fridge in Ohio and I am back in Pittsburgh. The temperature going down to nine and I am thinking SOUP!
I just got a kick out of the label from their market. Soup BONES?
I had never heard the rinds called soup bones and it struck me funny. I use a rind in my minestrone and it really adds to the body of the soup flavor. Any be any soup will do.
and a prettier shot with the lid off
Christmas Mice to Admire and Eat
Guest Blog from Euthemia where my sister is spending the Christmas holidays.
Her friend Joanne brought these to Christmas dinner . Euthemia emailed me the photo of them and then I wrote back to ask if it would be okay to post. Directions below. Thanks Euthemia and Joanne. 
Weekly Photo Challenge: Surprise
Seven surprises!
The weekly photo challenge: surprise.
I’m thinking about Stef’s Three Daily Delights blog and how she faithfully lists three delights from her day. Thanks Stef for the inspiration.
Here are 7 surprises captured by the handy iPhone, save #2,shot with Canon 5D.
1. Jack found the fresh snow when he opened the front door Saturday morning. That’s my unpacked suitcase by the front door. Surprise!
2. My wonderful DIL Erika sent a hot cup of coffee out with Anna as I was watching the kids play in the snow in the backyard. (this is the only shot with the regular camera) Yes, that’s a Roadside America souvenir travel cup. Surprise!
3. Penny the Golden Doodle actually watches TV(Christmas Vacation) at Laura and James’ house. Matthew and I arrived Friday night and ate delicious bowls of chili and cornbread, after a 6 hour drive in the snow and traffic (usually a 3 1/2 hour trip).
Surprise!
4. My SIL James’ parents sent the wonderful gift of perfect, juicy pears. I sliced one and it disappeared in seconds. Thanks Chuck and Sharon.
Surprise.
5. Thursday afternoon I was stuck in traffic in the rain and saw this pink building and two pink vehicles for Bread and Pastries. This is the true color, not enhanced! Surprise.
6. Anna(9) baked a cake all by herself then took a sandwich bag, turned it inside out and filled it with buttercream and then snipped the tip of the corner off and proceeded to decorate the chocolate cake.
7. Kerry, the student teacher(Art Department) did some serious baking and made special message cookies for the last day of school before Winter Break. Surprise!
I Finally Met Domo
Hanging from a college student’s book bag. I asked if I could photograph the little creature with his mouth wide open. She told me it was Domo!
Domo?
So I looked up Domo and learned about him and realize I am really behind the times in not having met him before. He’s been around awhile.
And I just met him now. And a quote from Wikipedia “Domo’s favorite food is nikujaga, a Japanese meat and potato stew, and he has a strong dislike for apples because of an unexplained mystery in his DNA” You can check him out in stop animation features on Youtube, too.
And the urban dictionary says ”Domo-kun is a small brown open-mouthed monster (hatched from an egg) who lives with a wise old rabbit underground and really, really likes TV. Domo-kun is the mascot of NHK’s BS2″
There are book bags and plush toys and I have never noticed him until a couple of weeks ago and that open mouth caught my eye.
Home of the 5 lb. Hamburger!
Yes, that’s 80 ounces of meat. But not a photograph to prove it exists. Just this sign on the overhang. A site describes this place as a Sports Bar, a local hangout, a joint!
Maybe the five pound hamburger weighs a bit less after grilling? The way the punctuation goes I’m not sure if there is a five pound hot dog or a five pound pirogue, too
I was at a red light on Friday at the intersection in some traffic. Good timing. When you have a 50mm fixed lens on your camera and you’re in the driver’s seat, stopped, there’s no maneuver room, no way to get more of the establishment in the frame. This is the shot. There was no place to park or get out. I was on my way to see the family. Friday afternoon traffic, bumper to bumper.
But it was the sign that caught my eye. Nobles on Nobles Lane down the street from school. It wasn’t open when I was stopped in front. I know it would’ve been cool to actually go in and order one, document the gargantuan meat.
Christmas Shopping at the Annex Cookery in Homestead PA
After school let out, I drove down to Homestead from Carrick. Judith and Daniel extended a warm welcome and we caught up. I hadn’t been there in awhile but was so glad I went.
I had my Christmas list and wanted to support my Independent Kitchen Store.
First, I ordered the 4 cheese pasta bake with a side of sautéed spinach at the Tin Front Cafe. where I sat at the old Chioda’s bar. The restaurant is vegetarian. A lovely Spring mix salad with balsamic dressing and asiago cheese shavings, a slice of crusty bread.
Yum. I heard about the up and coming new restaurants coming to the avenue in Homestead. Judith showed me the special honor in the Pittsburgh Magazine. Her son, Daniel Valentine, was recognized for his work to rebuild and revitalize Homestead and was chosen as a winner in the Forty Under Forty awards.
“Winners were chosen based on their passion, commitment, visibility, diversity and overall impact on the region.”
Congratulations Daniel!
Then after dinner I shopped in the adjacent Annex Cookery which is the most beautiful store. (Smidge of Just a Smidgen blog would love it!)
You might remember I blogged a visit to both places when Laura visited Pittsburgh.
Supporting independents! Scroll down and see the specials on USA Pans- Bakeware manufactured in Ambridge PA!
Buy three (any shape) and get a free jelly roll pan. (I love jelly roll.) Everyone needs a new cookie sheet!
I can’t say what I bought as that would be a spoiler. You can call Judith 1-800-862-6639 and she’ll ship out in time for the holidays.
All- Clad is manufactured in Canonsburg PA, just down the road from Pittsburgh.
Judith has a Holiday Special on an All-Clad 3 quart lidded saute pan for just 99$! WOW! I love cooking with my All-Clad pans.
This is the store where I bought my Nespresso machine before the display was so high speed.
I hear George Clooney is advertising them on TV in France, oui?
Check out the elegant and classy Museum of Modern Art flower vase. Understated and stunning.
Love the quirky clocks! A 3 cup steamed pudding mold. The Twoolies and the Riviera Bags are one of a kind gifts.
Shop YOUR Independent Store today. Now to gift wrap everything………………..
MOMA vase
Espresso Beans covered in chocolate to see you through the holidays
Setting the Table for Sunday Breakfast
The holly bush outside provide a few branches. Photo by iPhone.
I have 3 Christmas plates in the Naif pattern but they made it feel festive.
Menu was scrambled eggs with a bit of extra sharp Cabot cheddar, toast. Coffee and orange juice. The tangerines looked beautiful but the taste was a bit disappointing.
Nothing fancy, simple but good. And the individual butter dishes from my elegant friend J in Omaha. They inspire me to entertain.
Filled with Irish Kerrygold Butter! You can’t go wrong with Irish butter.
Jim, the Baker at Slippery Rock
Field trip today with high school students, exploring Slippery Rock Univeresity. The weather was almost like early Spring if you can believe it.
At lunch the kids were thrilled with the fare in the Boozel Dining Hall. Especially the desserts. Jim the baker was gracious and allowed me to photograph him and his cupcakes but I was shooting into the window light so he allowed me to take another. His coworker said he is already famous. He told me he comes from England, or at least his forbears did. It was crowded and loud and we had to catch the bus back to school. I wish I had gotten more info, how he became a baker and how long he has worked at the university. Thanks Jim!
What a great day the students had, touring and visiting the library and a dorm room and trying out the climbing rock wall and pool, eating in the dining hall.
First photo taken with the iPhone.
And the middle portrait shot with Canon 5D with a 24-70mm L lens, available light,no flash ISO 400 f /4 shutter 100
Final cupcakes photo with the Canon 5D as well. When you compare the first and third cupcakes you know you need your camera at all times.
Cheesecake Pie Made with Coconut Palm Sugar
Some of the family is eating gluten-free. You might have seen the crumbled cake top from the other day (which was delicious)
And the family is trying to reduce intake of refined sugar. I wanted to bake something they could eat if they wanted to do so.
My mother used to make this with regular sugar when I was growing up. I just switched to the coconut palm for the body of the cheesecake pie and used a bit of maple syrup for the sour cream topping. I used FULL FAT cream cheese and sour cream. Some free-range organic eggs
I made this for Saturday night after Thanksgiving
This is a crustless pie. Not too sweet. It looks like it has a brown crust but it is just the butter browning the edge and the color of the coconut palm sugar. It’s an iPhone photo today.
Here is the recipe.
Butter a glass pie plate. Heat the oven to 325 degrees. I baked this one at 350 and the electric oven where I was staying is hotter and faster than mine at him and I think it was too hot for it. I think that is why it had more cracks than usual.
Mix well 2 -8 oz. packages of cream cheese (room temp) with 3/4 c coconut palm sugar
Add 3 eggs. Beat well. Add 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract. Mix.
Pour into the buttered pie plate. Bake for 45 minutes.
Take out of oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes, it will deflate and a crater will form for the topping, forming a “crust” without crumbs.
Spread on a topping mixture of 1 c sour cream, 3/4 teaspoon vanilla and 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
Bake for 5 more minutes.
Cool. Serve with sour cherries or fresh blueberries or strawberries or eat plain. Put it in the fridge when cool.
Turkeys of the Day
;
;
The haystack turkey is in Roanoke VA
And the live turkeys are at the farm next door in Hardy, Virginia
The turkey chrysanthemum centerpiece is from my sister who is visiting at E’s in Albany. She sent it on her phone.
The gluten-free pound cake I posted early this morning was appreciated but best of all it tasted good! Some added ice cream and others ate it plain. My grandson Michael ate some and gave me the thumbs up and a big MMMMMMMMMMMMM!
What else could you askfor? Grateful for family and friends, far and near.
and Flat Ruthie is with the main course on Cardboardmetravels
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
;
<;/askA Failed Cake is a Reminder
What really matters. It’s good to be reminded by the universe. There’s no time for a do-over. Be humbled.
I was so disappointed. Wanted to take this to the feast today and feel I had really outdone myself for them. For me. Or really i wanted to feel good about my offering. I baked a special cake for the gluten free portion of the family. For my grandson Michael.
but the picturebook result did not go as planned. It stuck to the bundt pan despite my preparation. Like cement. A bowl of chiseled crumbs and a raggedy looking cake? It’s gluten free and has a cup and a half of butter in it. Five eggs.
I think a dollop of ice cream, a ladle of crushed berries, and the loving hugs if family will make everything all right.
I’m taking it and we’ll have a good chuckle. The being together and feeling their love and affection is what will feed my heart.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Green
Emeralds. Emerald City. The color of money. And some mold.
Green as the grass. Green as ecologically sound. Green seems the color of Spring.
I’ve already shown my Green eggs on a spork for Dr. Seuss day (the ham was regular pink!)
The weekly photo challenge often inspires me to shoot specifically for the challenge but today it was archives except for the dresses on display last night at the Fairfield Commons Mall out side Dayton, Ohio.
Swivel Stools and Ice Cream Counter at Yetter’s in Millvale
It gets dark early these days. The interior of Yetter’s caught my eye after we parked and headed down Grant Ave to Sedgwick Street.
Steve and I were on our way to Panza Gallery for an art opening reception last Saturday night. Do you remember Millvale Days when I didn’t bring my camera and had to shoot with my phone? Well, we headed for the art opening and all I had was my phone to capture this scene at night.
Yetter’s is known for their homemade candies which you can mail order online although I must confess I have never eaten a chocolate covered potato chip. Just an old fashioned place with fresh candies and ice cream and delicious milkshakes.
Looks Like South America to Me
I won’t be selling this pancake on ebay. It is not a religious experience but there are a ton of items out there claiming to see a lot of different images in food. This one just looked like South America To me. Pancakes in Columbus OH. The kids ate it.
“Pareidolia = phenomenon when a random stimulus is perceived as significant”
Red Pears by Candlelight
This winter will be the winter of photography by candlelight. I mean you have to have a plan. Try something new. Challenge yourself. The early darkness seems a good opportunity to light candles and experiment with low light. Bought some red pears. They don’t look red in this photo but my goal is to not manipulate the images. Find the right white balance. Not going to poach these orbs in wine or make a pear tart. I’ll pack them in my lunch bag for school and slurp their refreshing juice at the end of my lunchtime – hurriedly before period 8 starts.
Will be doing some more candlelight images and dm looking for some human volunteers for portraits by candlelight, right in my dining room.
Pignolis- An Heirloom Recipe from a Friend’s Mother
The one thing I can tell you is, don’t mess around with the confectioner’s sugar amount as it is needed to make the cookie take shape!
Parchment paper is key, too.
You can see I should have put this recipe in a plastic sleeve. It is well used and always appreciated. People devour them.
Thinking of how wonderful it is that Esther was so generous to share her hand written recipe at least twenty years ago. Her daughter, Diana, will take her iPad to show her this post on Tuesday as we have no school due to the storm winds and rain predictions. I called and asked if it would be okay to post and Diana said, “Yes” so thank you Diana and her mother, Esther.
I baked these for Laura’s wedding last year and made them for the House Concert for my gluten-free friend.
(Smidge, this recipe is for you, too!)
At the Grocery Store in the Meat Department. You Tell Me…..
The grocery store was packed and sales brisk, everyone stocking up on water, milk,bread. Batteries. Toilet paper.
Lots of shoppers dressed up from church and all the store workers sporting black and gold for the Steelers game that was about to start. Carts filled with chips and dip for the football game today, in addition to preparation for the impending storm. The high winds are to start tomorrow.
The power not affected yet.
Later at the gas station I saw a man at the next pump filling huge gas cans for his generator.
BUT as I walked through the meat department looking for the rest of my family, this is what I saw on the floor.
There was no one to ask what this was or why.
A display gone wrong? Deflated? Someone practicing balloon art on break? You tell me.
Music Makes the House Come Alive
Saturday night, Christopher Mark Jones accompanied by David Hart on Mandolin.Expert musicians played two sets to an appreciative audience. Their music made the house come alive.
Laura and James came in from Columbus to help host. I couldn’t have done it without them. We made a Gourd Tree on the cupcake stand my friend Joanne sent last birthday. I baked a New York Cheesecake, the kind with no crust where you start at 500 degrees then turn it down to 225 and let it bake undisturbed into the night after you turn the oven off.
L said it was the best house concert she had ever attended! Everyone seemed to be in agreement that it was a wonderful concert and lively evening. Friends and neighbors joined in singing a few choruses with the sing along portion and the house lent itself with a warm, welcoming spirit and ambience.
They left their umbrellas at the door. The threat of five days of rain with Sandy coming up the East Coast didn’t prevent anyone from coming.
It was a lovely, musical event. Thanks to Christopher and David! The candles provided a warm glow.
Reverse Root Beer Float at Jeni’s
Columbus Ohio
We got ice cream cones after supper at Jeni’s. Their salty caramel flavor is really good. There was a sign for a reverse root beer float.
Of course, I had to ask…. Cream soda and root beer ice cream. I had a scoop of root beer ice cream along with the salty caramel. Next time I will try the float!
Jeni’s is delicious
Duck Eggs in Iceland- Guest Post
My sister and her friends went on a trip to Iceland. Euthemia sent me this photograph yesterday in response to the farm eggs post. I emailed and got permission to post her photo today.
Here’s what she wrote-
“Thought you’d like to see these. To add to your collection of beautiful naturally colored eggs. They taste much stronger than chicken eggs. I think scrambled with herbs would be better than the hard boiled were.
Love, Euthemia”
Fresh Eggs Color Study from Mar’s Neighbor’s Hens
They look as if they were dyed with food coloring for Easter.
They are not.
These eggs were a gift to Marlene from her neighbor when the family was visiting in Hardy, Virginia. The variety of colors in the shells was amazing to me. And they tasted delicious. 
Skip if Squeamish- Live Crickets Containers at the Food Market in FL
Florida. A couple of years ago. I was shooting a friend’s daughter’s wedding. We stopped at the market to shop for supper. Not for live crickets. I just happened to see them there at the market.
Remove bottom lid to fill?
This display was something I’d not seen before. Seemed an interesting offering in a food market. I have driven by signs for Live Bait over the years but never really thought about it as I’ve never gone fishing. I didn’t pick a canister up to see if it was filled or empty. There are no holes for air? Maybe these are empty, waiting for you to fill them? Maybe some of my friends and followers who fish or keep spiders will know.
I looked up Live Crickets and discovered there is a whole industry. Also read a lot about crickets being kept as pets. People need them to feed their pet spiders and reptiles. Never really thought about that either.
Maybe best not thought about. The food chain. These are for fishing?
Just a bit different photo to start off the week. Once in second grade, a long time ago, we studied a unit on Grasshoppers and then the teacher opened a tuna size can of them and we all tried to eat a piece of grasshopper. No kidding. What I remember is that it was like the hull of a popcorn kernel and it was oily. I can’t remember any taste to describe. It did not taste like chicken.
Recent Comments