Sunday, October 21, 2012

Wanted: Firewood for the cabin

The prediction is for a cold, hard winter.
Our fear is running low on firewood.
The answer is the Diamond R.

Steve and Debbie, my FBIL and FSIL,
own a farm/ranch (The Diamond R) in East Texas
 and are always happy to share their
plentiful supply of wood with the family.
Thank you, Steve and Debbie for your generosity!
In return, they get a little help removing dead trees.
Believe me, there are lots of them in East Texas!
Well, a few less now.

The farm is a great family retreat.  
We celebrate Mother's Day, birthdays, and fall here.
The fall get together is to cut wood.
This year, it is an unofficial gathering
with just a few of us who invited ourselves out 
to insure that we stay warm this winter.
Steve and Nani Dot rode out with us from Dallas
 and Debbie arrived after her cut and color appointment.
A little later, our nephew, Bart (Steve's son) also arrived.


The barn is our official meeting spot.
The barn's official owner is the boss.


One of the huge, healthy trees.


The fallen tree.

The tools:


Steve's tractor.


Chainsaw.


Mighty major log splitter!


Assessing the damage.


Sawing.


Brother's duet.

The mighty major doing it's job!


Making the job easier.


Pull!


And, it's down.


Loaded to go.


Left behind.

Off to the mountains with the loot...
I mean wood!
  

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Along the way back to Amarillo...

Tapates de Lana & the Mora Valley Spinning Mill
called to me to purchase yarn.


This yarn was all spun right here in Mora.
It is discounted 40% if bought here.
They offer tours of the weaving facility.
And, Mickey loves the espresso.
Win-Win, right?

I have been motivated to crochet.


As we passed the Raspberry Farm at Salmon Ranch,
we were in awe of the trees.


No elk, but beautiful trees!

Monday, October 15, 2012

Thankful

I did it!
Dressed, make up and my new scarf!


Thank you, Rachel!


Don't you love the look of gold 
flowing down the mountain?



Patiently waiting.


Still waiting for our ride.
OK, I'm coming!

We stopped by to thank our neighbor 
who is responsible for our cell phone tower.
He provided the land 
and made sure that ATT is a provider.
We are truly thankful! 

Recently Requested Recipes


White Christmas Chili
8 chicken breasts
2 medium onions
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 T vegetable oil
2 cans chicken broth
4 cans cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 can cannellinin beans, rinsed, drained and mashed
2 cans chopped green chiles
1 t salt
1 t ground cumin
3/4 t dried oregano
1/2 t chili powder
1/2 t black pepper
1/8 t ground cloves
1/8 t ground red pepper

Toppings: shredded monterey jack cheese, salsa, sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro.
Cut chicken into bite-size pieces
Saute chicken, onion and garlic in hot oil in a dutch oven until chicken is done.
Stir in broth and next ten ingredients; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat. and simmer uncovered, 30 minutes.  Serve with desired toppings.  Yield: 15 cups

Apple Dumplings
2 Granny Smith apples
2 cans crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoons vanilla
cinnamon
1 small can Mountain Dew

Peel and core apples. Cut apples into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9 x 13 buttered pan. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, and pour over apples. Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.

Mountain Muffins
12 eggs, boiled, peeled and chopped
1 # bacon, cooked and chopped
1 # shredded cheddar cheese
Mix together
Mayo - add to spreading consistency

English muffins, lightly toasted, then topped with mix and broil until bubbly
Serve hot.

Breakfast Casserole
5 C rice crispies cereal, put in a 9X13 (Longaberger cleans up the fastest and easiest)

Brown and crumble 1# sausage or use chopped ham and/or broccoli

Mix together
6 eggs
2 cans cream of celery soup
1 can green chilies
1/2 C milk
1 1/2 C grated cheese

On top of rice crispies, add sausage, then egg mixture
Mix 1 C rice crispies with 2 T melted butter and add to top

Bake 350 for 45 minutes or until set like a quiche
Allow to set 20-30 minutes
Serve warm

Lemon Herb Tilapia
1 t salt
1 t dried thyme
1 t dried rosemary
1 t dried basil
1 t pepper
1/4 t ground red pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 lemons, thinly sliced
Tilapia Fillets

Combine first six ingredients; sprinkle evenly over both side of fillets.  Arrange on lightly greased rack in a broiler pan.  Sprinkle evenly with garlic.  Arrange lemon slices on fish.  

Broil 6 inches from heat for 10 to 12 minutes or until fish flakes with a fork.  Drizzle with lemon vinaigrette.

Lemon Vinaigrette
1/2 t grated lemon rind
1 1/2 T fresh lemon juice
1/4 t salt
1/4 t dried basil
1/4 t pepper
1/4 C olive oil
Whisk together 

French Dip Sandwiches
Ingredients:
2 French loaves
1 small onion
Sliced roast beef
12 slices provolone cheese
Butter

Melt 2 tablespoons better in a large skillet.  Chop the onion then sauté in the butter until translucent.  Remove the onions and add the au jus gravy mix and water to the skillet.  Follow directions on the packet then allow gravy to simmer while making the sandwiches.

For the sandwiches, slice the French bread lengthwise, and place on a pan. Toast the bread slightly about six inches from the broiler in the oven.  Remove the bread from the oven, add roast beef to one side of the bread and cheese slices to the other.  Top with the sautéed onions then return the still open sandwich to the oven until the cheese begins to melt. Remove from the oven then place the two halves together and slice for serving.

Spoon the gravy into small bowls and serve hot.















Sunday, October 14, 2012

Ya'll come back now, ya hear?

Many times after a weekend at our place,
a guest starts thinking about coming back
with her own friends and family.
This thought formed this group.


Friends from Austin.


Sisters


Sisters-in-law.


Friends from childhood,
separated as adults.
One in Amarillo and one in Colorado Springs. 


Sweet friends.


New friends through their daughters!


My new friends were fun and one was a scarf making machine!
This is my new scarf.
I will try to model it tomorrow and snap a photo.
I will try to be wearing make up and real clothes,
not pajamas.
Good night!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Food, Four Wheeling & Fashion!


Mountain Muffins are a great way to start the day.


And are even better when served on a buffet.


This is a typical morning at our NM Mountain Retreat.


Blue skies beckoned us outdoors,
but the cold temperatures
quickly drove us inside again.  



The clouds in the distance are powdering 
Tres Ritos and Sipapu with a light snow.


This is such a pretty and peaceful time of year 
to be in the mountains.



Anyone up for a ride?


Rachel was ready for a break from her crocheting.


Elaine was anxious to go!


Now, have you ridden before?


That looks a little more like what we had in mind.

Returning with an appetite is a good idea.


Lemon and Herb Tilapia


Or
Lemon and Herb Chicken.


Served with couscous and a salad.


 Just look at all these cute crocheted scarves!
Rachel made them all
and offered a class for us
to learn how to hand crochet. 


Sisters, Sisters-in-law, & Friends.

Thanks for coming this weekend!

Friday, October 12, 2012

Just another day in paradise!

It just keeps coming!
Today was cloudy and cool
with a chance of
fabulous fall foliage! 


The colors look brighter with the cloudy gray background.


We were actually in the cloud for a while this morning.


Ah, but inside,
the creative juices were flowing!


And the CM sale was enticing.


These Austin girls enjoyed the cool. cloudy morning
with coffee and conversation under the heater on the front deck.


We had a yummy brisket for dinner
served with laughter and fun!


They seem to like the mountains.
Maybe they will stay to quilt, crochet, knit and scrapbook with me!