Glacier National Park - Again

I have a trip to Montana coming up soon which has compelled me to pull out the old Glacier National Park photos.

This is a photo that was taken in to the local Bartell's, (probably in West Seattle, Washington) to be blown up and colorized.
Cool huh!

This is "Going To The Sun Camp"
It is from a series of promotional photo's done by the Great Northern Railroad. I couldn't guess the date but I figure sometime in the 1930's.

"Two Medicine Lake"
Another promotional photo. I have a book of these with the original cover and cord that ties them all together. It is starting to fall apart a bit though so I'll have find some gumption to preserve it.

This photo shows my husband's Grandmother (on the left) and her friend Mrs. McDonald, ca 1920's. Notice the fancy driving clothes. My fancy driving clothes consists of sweatpants and a T-shirt. I like that fact that the car actually takes up more of the picture frame than the people.
Who is the subject here?

Potatoes with sour cream - Yummy!

Need to feed a small army? Want to make something for the potluck? Need a side dish that is easy to make & freezes great. Have I got the recipe for you!

This dish is so versatile you’ll want to make it a bunch of different ways. Sure it’s an oldie but a goody!

Potatoes with Sour Cream

2 lbs frozen has-brown potatoes or 6 cups chopped boiled potatoes*
1 pint sour cream
1 can mushroom soup*
½ cup chopped onions*
½ cup butter or margarine*
1 heaping cup corn flakes coarsely crushed*
2 cup grated cheese*
Salt to taste (optional)

Sauté onion in ¼ cup butter. Mix onion, potatoes, sour cream, soup, salt and 1 cup of the grated cheese. Put into a 9” x 13” pan. Melt other ¼ cup butter and mix with the coarse corn flake crumbs. Put over potato mixture and sprinkle with other cup grate cheese. Now, you can stick it into the refrigerator to bake the next day, freeze for later, or bake now. Bake at 350 for about 40 minutes.

* Now for the fun stuff

Potatoes = I usually bake a whole bunch of potatoes at one time (more efficient that way, not lazy, Efficient!). Use the extras in this recipe. For today's purposes I just stuck them in the microwave.

Mushroom soup = I’m not a particular fan of any canned soup. They tend to be to salty. I either make my own or use a cool sauce mix. Today it's garlic & herb. You'll want to follow the package instructions.

Onions = I always use onions in most everything (onions and garlic they are best friends) but in something like this I like to mix it up a bit. Here I have a little red pepper, zucchini, & onion.

I’ve sautéed them in the butter and mixed in the garlic & herb sauce mix.

Butter = I cut the butter down to ¼ cup (I never use margarine, it's really bad for you! You could substitute olive oil if you want). Oh sure, you say; "like all the cheese and sour cream is good for you!" You're right but the sour cream is fat free and I cut the cheese down also. With the way this dish tastes who really cares. Eat less or go running. Me, I'll eat a little less. My motto is "only run when chased!"

Corn Flakes = I plan to mix a couple of tablespoons of the sauce mixture with some bread crumbs instead of the corn flakes. This is because I don’t have corn flakes.

One of the tenants of cooking for me is to use only what I have on hand. That is why I tend to mix and match a lot.

This recipe would lend itself to other flavors.

How about:

Using a white cheese, like Swiss or Monterey Jack with a Dijon sauce?

Using Pepper Jack with a mild creamy Taco sauce?

Or Blue Cheese with a mild creamy blue cheese sauce?

Here are my helpers! It's not me they love it's the cheese!

Glacier National Park

My mother-in-law grew up in Montana in the early 1900's. While growing up her family spent a lot of time at Glacier National Park. As long as I knew her, she expressed a love for the park. Probably because of all her great memories. I'd like to share a few of the pictures that I have saved with you.

My mother-in-law is the 3rd from the left.
left to right, I believe this is Mrs. McDonald, my mother-in-law's mother (what would that make her, my grandmother-in-law?), my mother-in-law, my uncles-in-law? (William & Ivar), and their father. I'm assuming that Mr. McDonald was the photographer.

This is a great picture. My mother-in-law has such a terrific smile on her face. She is really enjoying herself. Makes me weepy in a good way to look at it (or is that just menopause)?
I love the bloomer pants and hats worn back then.
I estimate that these photo's were taken in the early 1920's.
My mother-in-law is the young girl, the little boy would be her brother Ivar, and Mrs. McDonald.

Here is a picture of my mother-in-law with her mother and little brother.
Gotta love the tepee!

Isn't this a fantastic picture of their car!
Anyone know what kind it was?

Weekend Romp

The gang and I went to the Sonoita Winery on Saturday for the blessing of the vine celebration. We had a little picnic, sampled some wine, and generally enjoyed each others company.

Of course, we may never recover from the drive down there. Talk about a "three hour tour" gone bad! We rented a minivan, there were 6 of us and no vehicle big enough, with seats that were so uncomfortable that each of us felt like we had been beat up. Note to self, NO more minivan rentals!

While there we saw a painting that was listed at $300, being cheap I couldn't understand paying that kind of money for something that I could produce myself. We all decided that I could paint something just as good with the same theme. Here is the start of that project.

Since watercolor is a slow process, mostly waiting for the paint to dry, I'm only about half-way done. I know it might sound immodest but it looks like it will be as good as the one at the winery (ok, so maybe one could say that the one at the winery wasn't any good but work with me here). I'm not sure I like the way the cork, bottom central, is coming out. I may have to wash it out then turn it into grapes, or cheese, or some other wine type thing. We'll see.

Oh, BTW, I got a new easel. I love it! It makes painting so much easier. It is a travel easel so I can take it with me when we go on these jaunts. I have a lot more control of the paint!

P.S. JR was feeling poorly yesterday (probably something he ate at the restaurant on Saturday. I won't go into the fact that his pizza had pepperoni and sausage on it, 2 things he never gets at home.), so I made vegetable soup for him. It got rave reviews from the homeboys. Secret ingredient: V8 juice!

New Trick

Nessa has taken up a new trick. She brings a ball into my office then purposefully rolls it under my desk. She then proceeds to bark and scratch until I get down and retrieve the ball. This reminds my so much of when the boys were little. They would sit in their high-chair then throw their spoon/cracker/cup/whatever they had to the floor so I would retrieve it. I decided that I would do with Nessa what I did with the boys, ignore her. The theory is that if you don't respond to the behavior it will stop.


Seven balls later, yes I got down to dig them all out from under the desk last night, she is still doing it.

This morning she has rolled three balls under the desk already and it is not even 7 am.

When I do get down to retrieve her balls I get an amazing ear wash and hair trim. As Nessa insists on licking me and chewing on my hair. I feel like the long-suffering cat!

So many balls!!!! What's a dog to do!

Photoshop Addict!

I've sadly become a Photoshop addict. I'm having so much fun messing around with it that I have even started on my own stuff. Take a look at the before and after of Lisa's Lighthouse.

Before






After


Has a bit of a Van Gogh effect. Cool huh!

Lisa's Lighthouse - Medio

** Bonus Recipe**
at the bottom
(Sorry! You have to put up with the art stuff first)


Look at this messy dining room table. When I'm in art mode this is what we have to put up with for days. OK, so we don't have to but it seems we do.

This is why I'm so excited about getting my new easel. It's not a sketch box easel that will store all my stuff but it's a start.

Isn't Lisa's lighthouse coming along well?
Where Oh Where are my cleaning elves?

Recipe: This is the best rice and bean recipe I've made. I'm not even sure you can call it a recipe since I just add stuff to the rice but Oh Well!

Rice and Beans
2 cups water
1 cup long grain rice (please not instant rice)
1 - 15 ounce can beans - rinsed (red or black work best)
1/2 cup salsa (I like the chunky stuff)

Optional stuff (I can't help myself there has to be optional stuff) hot sauce (if you like that sort of thing) creole spices (yum, yum) Italian spices

Replace salsa with: canned tomatoes, specialty flavored hummus (my favorites; eggplant & garlic or roasted red pepper) or some of that fancy jarred bruschetta topping.

Add all ingredients to a pot. Bring to a boil. Cover and turn the heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes. That's it! Don't cha' just love a recipe this easy!

Miscellaneous Bits & Bobs

Ok so this weekend was filled with bits & bobs. JR and I went down to the home improvement store. Never a good place for us. We can, and frequently have, spent way too much money there. This weekend was no exception. Here's what we got: roll-up bamboo shades to put on our covered patio. Our goal here is to block out the Western sun that shines through our kitchen window. This was an important purchase since the sun has been bothering JR's eyes while he washes the dinner dishes. I cook he cleans. I try not to make too big of a mess.


Our second purchase was some herbs. Remember, I cook and what cook worth her/his salt doesn't use fresh herbs if they can? See my cute little herb pot. Now, if I can keep Nessa from digging in it I should be in the money.


It joins my other little herb pot. See the rake next to it? That is not to rake the garden, I have no real garden, but to rake the rocks. Never in my life had I thought to rake rocks.

Our next purchase was this fountain. Totally not needed but there you go. Our fountain that sat at the back door had died. So, instead of just buying a new pump we got this little baby. I love it! It makes great noise. Plus, it sits at the door with the lucky bamboo. Very good Feng Shui. And I need all the feng and shui I can get.

I started a new lighthouse drawing this morning. Made JR run screaming from the house.
Not really, he had to go to work anyway. This one is not for our house but for my friend Lisa. Lisa of dish washing fame. Whenever she comes over she helps with the dishes. Do you see a theme here?

BTW, we celebrated Julie's birthday. See the princess crown? See her knight her beer. A good time was had by all.
Julie, "I dub you good beer."

Scones

This is the best scone recipe I’ve ever come across. Trust me I’ve tried a bunch! You should hear the whining from the homeboys.

It has become a Sunday morning tradition. Though, not every Sunday morning! My homeboys would then take it for granted that we had to have them every Sunday. No! I want them to think of them as a treat. So, when I do make them I’m a hero. And, as I keep saying, “it’s all about me!” Someday someone will believe that.

It was given to me by my mother-in-law back before JR & I got married. She got it from her Aunt Pearl. Even with all the genealogy work I’ve done I still haven’t come across an Aunt Pearl yet. Imaginary friend?

Give it a try!

Scones

Sift together:
2 1/2 cup flour*
2/3 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt

Cut in:

¾ cup butter*

Combine:
1 egg slightly beaten & fill cup with sour milk* to make 1 cup.

Save a little of this mix to put on top of each scone then sprinkle with sugar.

**optional items: Gently fold in these now.

Drop or “shape” on baking sheet with depression in center (heaping tablespoon 2 inches apart.

Bake at 400 degrees for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

* I’ve been known to mix this up a bit. I’ve used half flour and half cake or quick bread mix. Just remember to cut down on the baking powder & baking soda by just a little.

* You could use shortening or margarine if you have it on hand though I really don’t use either of them. Another option I like is to use half butter and half fruit flavored cream cheese.

* Sour milk: If you don’t have sour milk. Fill cup with milk and add 1 tsp of white vinegar before you start putting all the other ingredients together. When you are ready for the milk it will be sour. Another option is to add a tablespoon or 2 of sour cream to the milk. Buttermilk is also a great option.

** Some people put raisins, cranberries, orange zest, dried fruit, etc into their scones. I tend not to because my family prefers them plain with jam. Sometimes I sneak in a little fruit or nut flavored liqueur or flavoring, or a tablespoon of pumpkin pie filling, or a tablespoon of frozen fruit juice concentrate into the milk mixture for fun.

Princess Julie

Princess For A Day


Happy 50th Birthday Julie!

Cookery

Funny title for the blog today. This is the Library of Congress subject heading (I'm sure one of many but I'm not a cataloger) for cookbooks. It makes me laugh. Nobody uses this word. Sorry, it's a librarian thing.

I bought this Fire Feta spread on Saturday at Costco

(yes, I'm a Costco achiever. Sign me up for the 12-step program), thinking that it would be great on crackers. And it would be if; 1. you really like spicy stuff or 2. you want to abuse your taste buds. My family is not really into either scenario. So, what was I do to with it. I'm way too cheap to throw it away. Shoot! I paid over 5 bucks for the stuff! I put my little pea brain to work yesterday and came up with something pretty good (best indication was the homeboys going back for seconds) and it passed the true test; dinner on the table in about 30 minutes. Hey, I work full-time!

I came up with Fire Feta Stir fry. True, not original but tasty none the less. I boiled up some rice, sautéed up some veggies then stirred in about a quarter of a cup of this stuff. Yummy! Oh, for the homeboys I sautéed up some shrimp (in a separate pan mind you, it's the vegetarian thing) and put some of the Fire Feta in that also. It melts down into a nice little sauce with a little water added to give it the right consistency.

I love stuff like this. Bruschetta toppings, fancy cream cheeses, and kooky dips (as in chip dip not goofy people). These make the greatest bases for sauces, soups, and the like. And a little dab will do ya. So that tiny expensive jar will go a long way. I keep a few different varieties in my refrigerator or the pantry at any given time. Here are some that are in the frig today.


One of my favorite ways to use this kind of stuff besides the obvious (over rice, pasta, and potatoes that is), is fruit flavored cream cheese in place of some of the butter in scones. Be creative.

Oh, BTW, be sure not to pay full price. These little babies can be pricey. So unless you know you'll love it wait until they go on sale or clearance before you buy. Another great way to get this stuff is to encourage friends and family to give you those gift baskets for Christmas or birthdays. Then it is the best price of all Free!

TTYL,
M

P.S. I don't advocate any one brand of this kind of stuff just whatever I can get my hands on cheap at the time.

Tripper as a baby

Tripper was the most adorable baby. Didn't he have the sweetest smile and the cutest sticky-up ears you ever saw. He still has them.
Check out his new nose.


And of course, like his human mommy he produces too much saliva. We both slurp a lot.

Don't you want to just nibble on those paws.

Day Trippin' II

As I’ve mentioned before JR and I like to take day trips. When gas was cheap and we were empty-nesters, of which we were for all of ten seconds before one of the kids moved back in, we hopped in the car for one of these day trips. Being North-westerners we had never seen a covered bridge. This was a situation that had to be rectified as soon as we hit Indiana, where we were living at the time. We had a great time driving around Pike (I think) County. One of the things I will always remember is how friendly the people in Indiana were. Here we were driving around the back country roads with Washington State license plates on our car with people waving to us from the side of the road, on their tractors, in their cars and from their porches (not all at the same time). It was amazing. The highest concentration of covered bridges is in this particular county of Indiana. As JR would say, "you couldn't throw a cat without hitting a covered bridge." He would say that and I would cringe. He says the dangest things.

This covered bridge was burned by an arsonist the next fall. It was very sad. I don't remember the date on this bridge but it was probably built in the late 1800's, most were.

Most of the bridges you were allowed to drive over. Scared the bee-gee-ous out of JR and I the first time. By the end of our two year stay in Indiana we became old hats.

Here is our favorite. Bean Blossoom Bridge. It was about 10 miles from our house.

Multi-tasking

What makes toilet water the ultimate dog beverage? Is it more refreshing than the water in their water bowl? Does it have more energy boosting qualities? For Nessa the answers to all these questions are YES! She will walk twice as far to drink out of the toilet than her water bowl. I tried to get a picture of her drinking from the toilet but lately she has become a photo queen. She sees me get the camera out and she preens. So every photo I take now has to be a candid shot.

Another thing that Nessa is obsessive about is her toys, especially her tennis ball of which I have thrown about a hundred times today. I will never get all the dog slobber off my hands. Doesn’t she understand that dog slobber belongs on the cat’s head? I was calmly trying to finish a drawing that I started before I left on a work trip and she decides that it is ball throwing time. Thank heavens I can multi-task.

In between ball throwing I think I finished this. I’m not totally sure that I’m done yet so I’ll leave it alone for awhile and see how it goes. I'd sure like to know where Nessa's off button is. My arm is tired, the ball is a firm mass of dog slobber, and Nessa's tongue is hanging. But she still can't stop.

Doggie Bath Time & Presentation Update

Nessa got a bath today. She was a real good girl in the tub but once she got out she went into crazy dog mode. She will stand in the bathtub pretty as you please but the moment she gets out of the tub she goes nuts. You would think I was releasing her from solitary confinement. Obviously, I had been torturing her. Trust me, my house is not a secret CIA prison. Not that you could ever convince Nessa of that.
She was running through the house, chasing Tripper, and doing whatever she could to avoid me. Now granted lots of times I should be avoided but all I really wanted to do was brush her. Forget trying to brush her. She runs, she squirms, and she bites at the brush. For a girl she really doesn’t like the whole couture thing.
Then she drops. Now, she looks like an angel doesn't she! Don't you just want to bury your face in that fur. I wouldn't though she's still wet. I'd pay good money for that hair color.

Most of this whole time Tripper is trying desperately to stay out of the fray. Look at him hiding under the chair. Like I'm going to pick up that hefty boy. I'd put my back out.

P.S. For all you that have kept up with the presentation anxiety I was having you will be happy to know that everything turned out OK. The presentation went well. There were about 130 people in the room but since I didn’t realize that until later I didn’t seize up like a zombie. I must not have done anything too stupid either. I didn’t break out in a rash, or have something stuck in my teeth, or drop the F-bomb, pass gas, pick my nose, or any other socially unacceptable thing. Some of them, the audience members, even asked me to give it again somewhere else. I’d like to think that they weren’t pity invitations. Though I’m perfectly happy accepting pity invitations or pity anything else for that matter.