Monday, June 22, 2009
Turkey Sandwiches with Vidalia Onions
How can you beat turkey sandwiches? Giant Eagle whole grain sour dough bread, real mayo, grilled turkey breast (see yesterday's post), big slabs of raw vidalia onion, salt and pepper. Trying not to overeat but it's hard when something tastes that good.
Living in the Country and Technology
Since we live in a snow belt but formerly worked in Erie PA, where they get less snow than we do, I've always been proud to say that we ignore weather reports. Where we live, the weather is what you see out the window when you get up. When we were working and had to drive into Erie daily, a weather report was pretty meaningless. If you got up and there were two feet of snow, you started digging. The cars had extra cold weather clothes, towels or blankets, and flashlights. Weather reports here are frequently wrong, no matter how high tech the equipment so being prepared is a way of life.
Saying all that, yesterday our little digital outdoor thermometer went on the fritz. Since there is an outside sender and an inside receiver, both requiring batteries, we will have to replace both sets. Meanwhile, it burped out a temperature of 32 degrees last night so we hustled in the plants on the walk. Somehow, I just don't think it really was that cold. For one thing, when I stepped out at 11pm, I was comfortable. That would definitely not happen if it were freezing. We even check it to decide long pants or short, crew socks or cropped, jacket or short sleeves. I guess battery changing is in the plans for tonight.
Saying all that, yesterday our little digital outdoor thermometer went on the fritz. Since there is an outside sender and an inside receiver, both requiring batteries, we will have to replace both sets. Meanwhile, it burped out a temperature of 32 degrees last night so we hustled in the plants on the walk. Somehow, I just don't think it really was that cold. For one thing, when I stepped out at 11pm, I was comfortable. That would definitely not happen if it were freezing. We even check it to decide long pants or short, crew socks or cropped, jacket or short sleeves. I guess battery changing is in the plans for tonight.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Turkey Breast on the Grill
Today was a lovely Father's Day. Since I don't find my way into the kitchen much lately, I thought I'd stretch a little and cook supper.
Dinner was a small turkey breast from the freezer, purple potatoes, and mixed summer squash, all cooked on the charcoal grill. If you've never cooked a turkey breast straight out of the freezer, it is really a time saver. This one was nice and small, almost 3 pounds and just right for two people.
Rules for cooking a frozen turkey breast are basically 1/2 hour for each pound plus an extra 1/2 hour because it is frozen. After starting the charcoal, move it to the outer edges of the grill. In this case, I put the breast on a small rack over a shallow small pan that used to belong to an old toaster oven that died. Put about 1 cup water in the pan. I also made about 1/4 cup of flavoring - mostly soy sauce, a bit of lemon juice, chopped garlic, rosemary, and ginger. After the breast had cooked for about 1/2 hour, I was able to separate the skin from the meat and pour in the flavoring sauce.
After the turkey had cooked for over one hour, I added more charcoal. At that point the foil wrapped potatoes were put in, along with a cake tin of chunked zuchini, yellow squash, onions, garlic and thyme.
In another hour, the meat was done, as were the veggies. Supper was very tasty and we have enough left over for turkey sandwiches and another supper just like tonight. After an ice cream cone, chat with friends, and ride around the lake, we called it a thoroughly pleasant Father's Day.
Dinner was a small turkey breast from the freezer, purple potatoes, and mixed summer squash, all cooked on the charcoal grill. If you've never cooked a turkey breast straight out of the freezer, it is really a time saver. This one was nice and small, almost 3 pounds and just right for two people.
Rules for cooking a frozen turkey breast are basically 1/2 hour for each pound plus an extra 1/2 hour because it is frozen. After starting the charcoal, move it to the outer edges of the grill. In this case, I put the breast on a small rack over a shallow small pan that used to belong to an old toaster oven that died. Put about 1 cup water in the pan. I also made about 1/4 cup of flavoring - mostly soy sauce, a bit of lemon juice, chopped garlic, rosemary, and ginger. After the breast had cooked for about 1/2 hour, I was able to separate the skin from the meat and pour in the flavoring sauce.
After the turkey had cooked for over one hour, I added more charcoal. At that point the foil wrapped potatoes were put in, along with a cake tin of chunked zuchini, yellow squash, onions, garlic and thyme.
In another hour, the meat was done, as were the veggies. Supper was very tasty and we have enough left over for turkey sandwiches and another supper just like tonight. After an ice cream cone, chat with friends, and ride around the lake, we called it a thoroughly pleasant Father's Day.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Choppy Gray Day on Findley Lake
While the weather has been reasonably nice, it has also been unseasonably cool. This was brought home when the natural gas and electric bills arrived. Both were unusually low (what a welcomed surprise to our checkbook!). May saw temperatures at night in the 50's with an occasional night in the 40's. Days were in the 50's and 60's. As long as there is no wind, our house holds it temperature fairly well. With lights and computers running, we generate a fair of amount of heat so with moderate temperatures outside we stay comfortable. On cool days in May, we ran the pellet stove for a few hours. Neither the furnace, using natural gas, nor the pellet stove (which requires electricity to run) were used much and our utility bills reflected that.
Now it's the middle of June and we are still getting by with only screens in the windows. Sleeping temperatures have been refreshingly cool. Normally we install the A/C units in May but so far, we haven't even needed a window fan. It's so nice to not hear the ching ching ching of utility bills ratcheting up.
Today is a good example of this strange weather. Late in the evening and it is 60 degrees out and 73 degrees in our family room with just the TV, computers and light on. Today was gray, rainy, windy and Findley Lake had a chop on it. The big blue weed harvester could not operate because of the wind and chop. There was one teenager fishing on the end of a dock. Everyone else had the sense to just watch from indoors.
Now it's the middle of June and we are still getting by with only screens in the windows. Sleeping temperatures have been refreshingly cool. Normally we install the A/C units in May but so far, we haven't even needed a window fan. It's so nice to not hear the ching ching ching of utility bills ratcheting up.
Today is a good example of this strange weather. Late in the evening and it is 60 degrees out and 73 degrees in our family room with just the TV, computers and light on. Today was gray, rainy, windy and Findley Lake had a chop on it. The big blue weed harvester could not operate because of the wind and chop. There was one teenager fishing on the end of a dock. Everyone else had the sense to just watch from indoors.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Benefits of Small Town Life
When I first moved to Findley Lake, there was no such thing as cable TV. Antennas brought in Erie, maybe Buffalo, and channels 6 and 10 from Canada. That was the extent of TV home entertainment. Locals looked to their neighbors for passive entertainment, a kind of "local" TV.
One lady talked about going out on Findley Lake after Labor Day and using her binoculars to look into the windows of the cottages that lined the lake. I'd never thought of that activity but could see where it would be pretty interesting. Once I related this to a new part-time resident who had a lake house. You should have seen him turn white. Guess he wasn't drawing the drapes on the lake side, assuming that people couldn't see in.
Likewise, being greeted by name the first time I went to vote was disconcerting as I didn't know the people who greeted me. Small town people pay attention to property sales, cars in the driveway, and all other manner of clues as to what is going on at your house. After living here this long, I can say that the effect of that scrutiny ranges from benign to extremely neighborly. When acquaintances notice a change in the pattern, they will step in to see if you need help. You are definitely not ignored here.
At it's best, Local TV is gentle, educational, and promotes a sense of community and generosity for those in need.
You don't have to be on the lake to enjoy Local TV. A ride around the lake at dusk offers little snippets of life due to the propensity of residents to leaves their drapes and shades up. Whether you like home decor (pine paneling was very very in at some point in time), family activities (playing cards and watching TV seem to the the favorites), or just enjoy the warmth emanating from the lights softly pouring out of the windows across the front lawns, a ride around the lake is a gentle, educational, and community affirming activity. When done with an ice cream cone in hand, its' also dessert time !!
One lady talked about going out on Findley Lake after Labor Day and using her binoculars to look into the windows of the cottages that lined the lake. I'd never thought of that activity but could see where it would be pretty interesting. Once I related this to a new part-time resident who had a lake house. You should have seen him turn white. Guess he wasn't drawing the drapes on the lake side, assuming that people couldn't see in.
Likewise, being greeted by name the first time I went to vote was disconcerting as I didn't know the people who greeted me. Small town people pay attention to property sales, cars in the driveway, and all other manner of clues as to what is going on at your house. After living here this long, I can say that the effect of that scrutiny ranges from benign to extremely neighborly. When acquaintances notice a change in the pattern, they will step in to see if you need help. You are definitely not ignored here.
At it's best, Local TV is gentle, educational, and promotes a sense of community and generosity for those in need.
You don't have to be on the lake to enjoy Local TV. A ride around the lake at dusk offers little snippets of life due to the propensity of residents to leaves their drapes and shades up. Whether you like home decor (pine paneling was very very in at some point in time), family activities (playing cards and watching TV seem to the the favorites), or just enjoy the warmth emanating from the lights softly pouring out of the windows across the front lawns, a ride around the lake is a gentle, educational, and community affirming activity. When done with an ice cream cone in hand, its' also dessert time !!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
July 4th, 2009 in Findley Lake NY
Time is just flying by and plans are falling into place for the annual Independence Day celebrations in Findley Lake. This year, July 4th falls on a Saturday and the whole day can be spent downtown, enjoying all this small town has to offer.
Starting around 11 AM, the Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting their ever popular BBQ Chicken. My motto for that is "if you wait, you'll be late" as they sell out surprisingly early. Meals can be eaten there or you can get take-out. Money raised benefits the Fire Department.
If BBQ Chicken isn't what you are hungering for there are plenty of restaurant options in and just outside of town. Gourmet sandwiches, pizza, wings, steaks or ribs, beer, wine, bar options, all can be found so no one needs to go hungry.
While shopping, be sure to pick up your entry for the Duck Race. The race will start at 12:30 PM when yellow rubber ducks are "released" from a starting line near the flume in the lake at the north end of the lake. With a rush, the ducks enter the flume tube and first duck past the finish line in the mill pond wins.
At 2 PM, the annual Boat Parade will take place. If you've never seen this before, there's plenty of excitement and laughter as boats, decorated for this year's theme of "College Football" circle the lake in a parade. It all starts down by the flume and as part of the public, you too can vote for the Grand Prize winner. A panel of judges will pick the first and second prize winners in the two classes, Motor Boat and Float Boat. Formerly organized by the Breter family, the Grand Prize winner will take home the Breter Traveling Trophy and a plaque. Trophies will be awarded in the two boat classes. Decorating the boats is taken seriously by Findley Lakers and many of the entries will have crews dressed in College Football outfits, playing favorite fight songs, and even some song and dance routines. This is truly a family event and enjoyable for everyone.
Check on the sandwich board outside of the Waterwheel Overlook to see the schedule for Nature Center tours. If you've never seen the world class exhibit of animal mounts, this is a great thing to do with children.
At 9:30 PM homeowners along the lake shore will light flares along the water's edge. By this time, dusk is beginning to turn into night and the red ring of flares trimming the lake are one of the most amazing sights. Then promptly at 10 PM, the first firework goes off and the Findley Lake Fireworks display starts a non-stop 20 minute show that draws people for 20+ miles around. The best views of the fireworks are from downtown near the flume and gazebo, along North Road to School Street, and along the stretch of Mann Road from the blinker to the first farm. If you have a boat on the lake, viewing is especially nice out in the middle of the north pond. Don't forget that due to high usage, access to the lake will be restricted over the holiday and the ramp will be closed starting on Friday. To help defray the cost, donations can be made to the Findley Lake Fireworks Fund and mailed C/O Matters of the Hearth, 2842 Rt. 426, Findley Lake, NY 14736.
After the end of the fireworks, it's pleasant to stay and chat with friends (new and old). Many of the visitors who brought their children need to get them home to bed so we like to wait until the traffic clears out before heading home.
Starting around 11 AM, the Findley Lake Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting their ever popular BBQ Chicken. My motto for that is "if you wait, you'll be late" as they sell out surprisingly early. Meals can be eaten there or you can get take-out. Money raised benefits the Fire Department.
If BBQ Chicken isn't what you are hungering for there are plenty of restaurant options in and just outside of town. Gourmet sandwiches, pizza, wings, steaks or ribs, beer, wine, bar options, all can be found so no one needs to go hungry.
While shopping, be sure to pick up your entry for the Duck Race. The race will start at 12:30 PM when yellow rubber ducks are "released" from a starting line near the flume in the lake at the north end of the lake. With a rush, the ducks enter the flume tube and first duck past the finish line in the mill pond wins.
At 2 PM, the annual Boat Parade will take place. If you've never seen this before, there's plenty of excitement and laughter as boats, decorated for this year's theme of "College Football" circle the lake in a parade. It all starts down by the flume and as part of the public, you too can vote for the Grand Prize winner. A panel of judges will pick the first and second prize winners in the two classes, Motor Boat and Float Boat. Formerly organized by the Breter family, the Grand Prize winner will take home the Breter Traveling Trophy and a plaque. Trophies will be awarded in the two boat classes. Decorating the boats is taken seriously by Findley Lakers and many of the entries will have crews dressed in College Football outfits, playing favorite fight songs, and even some song and dance routines. This is truly a family event and enjoyable for everyone.
Check on the sandwich board outside of the Waterwheel Overlook to see the schedule for Nature Center tours. If you've never seen the world class exhibit of animal mounts, this is a great thing to do with children.
At 9:30 PM homeowners along the lake shore will light flares along the water's edge. By this time, dusk is beginning to turn into night and the red ring of flares trimming the lake are one of the most amazing sights. Then promptly at 10 PM, the first firework goes off and the Findley Lake Fireworks display starts a non-stop 20 minute show that draws people for 20+ miles around. The best views of the fireworks are from downtown near the flume and gazebo, along North Road to School Street, and along the stretch of Mann Road from the blinker to the first farm. If you have a boat on the lake, viewing is especially nice out in the middle of the north pond. Don't forget that due to high usage, access to the lake will be restricted over the holiday and the ramp will be closed starting on Friday. To help defray the cost, donations can be made to the Findley Lake Fireworks Fund and mailed C/O Matters of the Hearth, 2842 Rt. 426, Findley Lake, NY 14736.
After the end of the fireworks, it's pleasant to stay and chat with friends (new and old). Many of the visitors who brought their children need to get them home to bed so we like to wait until the traffic clears out before heading home.
Monday, May 25, 2009
More Condiments For The Winter Table
I like having tasty side dishes in the freezer, ready to spark up a meal. Here are a few recipes that I depend on to add a little zing to the plate.
Frozen Applesauce I'd prefer to make this from scratch but have been settling for unsweetened applesauce in a jar for several years now and it works fine.
Needed:
About 12 4 oz. containers (saved from individual fruit cups/applesauce previously used)
Or about 6 Ziploc sandwich bags plus one gallon freezer bag
1 - 50 oz jar unsweetened applesauce
Cinnamon powder (to taste, I go heavy as cinnamon is suppose to help diabetics with blood sugar)
Remove about 1 cup of applesauce from jar and set aside. Into the jar add as much cinnamon as you wish (1 1/2 teaspoons would be about 1/8 tsp. per serving, 3 tsp. would be 1/4 tsp each)
Using a long handled ice tea spoon, stir in powder so it gets wet. Then cap the jar and shake vigorously until the powder is well dispersed and the color is even.
If using the 1/2 cup containers, put a tablespoon of the plain applesauce that you set aside into the bottom of each container, then pour in additional sauce from the jar to fill. Do not overfill as contents will swell some when frozen. Place filled cups on cookie sheet and place flat in freezer. When frozen, either wrap individually with plastic or just take as is and store all in a gallon Ziploc. If using Ziploc sandwich bags, add a little of the plain applesauce first, then measure in a "short" cup. Carefully remove air from bags, seal, and flatten. Place in the gallon freezer bag and freeze flat.
How to serve for dessert: One of us really likes frozen applesauce so often it's served as dessert in our house. Let it sit out on a counter for 15 - 30 minutes to defrost some and then eat with a spoon. If you have popsicle containers, freeze as popsicles and use completely frozen.
How to serve for condiment: Again, defrost at least 30 minutes or more ahead of time. If serving in individual cups, stir each one, breaking up any large frozen chunks that remain. If using the bags, gently squeeze bag to break up frozen pieces and then split between two or three plates or small cups. Goes nicely with chicken, pork, and ham.
Cranberry Relish - it's not just for holiday meals. This brings a visual and taste sensation to your meal while also being very good for you. Make extra at Thanksgiving when cranberries go on sale and use for the rest of the year.
4 cups cranberries (1 lb)
1 orange
1 apple
1 1/2 - 2 cups sugar (absolutely fine to substitute Splenda for part or all of the sugar)
Wash and sort cranberries. Wash, quarter and core apple and orange (leave skin and peel on).
Put all three fruits through a medium blade of meat grinder (the kind that granny use to clamp to the table). Be sure your bowl slips well under the front of the grinder to catch the juice. Mix ground fruit together and add sweetener of you choice (I use about 1 cup sugar & 1 cup Splenda).
Stir well.
Freeze either in 1/2 cup containers or in 1 cup portions in Ziploc sandwich bags as noted in above recipe. This recipe freezes fine so you can freeze in larger amounts for family gatherings.
NPR's Cranberry Sauce - This can be made at the same time as the above Cranberry Relish and is quite interesting. I think that I actually used the above cranberries/apple/orange mix for the fruit base and then followed the rest of this recipe.
2 cups raw cranberries, washed and sorted
1 small onion
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
2 TBSP horseradish (not sauce, real grated horseradish from a jar)
Grind together cranberries and onion, stir in sour cream, sugar, and horseradish. This recipe MUST be frozen before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Freeze in the quantities that you like, then defrost and serve as a side for turkey, chicken, pork and ham. I like it, my husband isn't sure where he stands so usually I give him the standard cranberry relish while I use this.
Frozen Applesauce I'd prefer to make this from scratch but have been settling for unsweetened applesauce in a jar for several years now and it works fine.
Needed:
About 12 4 oz. containers (saved from individual fruit cups/applesauce previously used)
Or about 6 Ziploc sandwich bags plus one gallon freezer bag
1 - 50 oz jar unsweetened applesauce
Cinnamon powder (to taste, I go heavy as cinnamon is suppose to help diabetics with blood sugar)
Remove about 1 cup of applesauce from jar and set aside. Into the jar add as much cinnamon as you wish (1 1/2 teaspoons would be about 1/8 tsp. per serving, 3 tsp. would be 1/4 tsp each)
Using a long handled ice tea spoon, stir in powder so it gets wet. Then cap the jar and shake vigorously until the powder is well dispersed and the color is even.
If using the 1/2 cup containers, put a tablespoon of the plain applesauce that you set aside into the bottom of each container, then pour in additional sauce from the jar to fill. Do not overfill as contents will swell some when frozen. Place filled cups on cookie sheet and place flat in freezer. When frozen, either wrap individually with plastic or just take as is and store all in a gallon Ziploc. If using Ziploc sandwich bags, add a little of the plain applesauce first, then measure in a "short" cup. Carefully remove air from bags, seal, and flatten. Place in the gallon freezer bag and freeze flat.
How to serve for dessert: One of us really likes frozen applesauce so often it's served as dessert in our house. Let it sit out on a counter for 15 - 30 minutes to defrost some and then eat with a spoon. If you have popsicle containers, freeze as popsicles and use completely frozen.
How to serve for condiment: Again, defrost at least 30 minutes or more ahead of time. If serving in individual cups, stir each one, breaking up any large frozen chunks that remain. If using the bags, gently squeeze bag to break up frozen pieces and then split between two or three plates or small cups. Goes nicely with chicken, pork, and ham.
Cranberry Relish - it's not just for holiday meals. This brings a visual and taste sensation to your meal while also being very good for you. Make extra at Thanksgiving when cranberries go on sale and use for the rest of the year.
4 cups cranberries (1 lb)
1 orange
1 apple
1 1/2 - 2 cups sugar (absolutely fine to substitute Splenda for part or all of the sugar)
Wash and sort cranberries. Wash, quarter and core apple and orange (leave skin and peel on).
Put all three fruits through a medium blade of meat grinder (the kind that granny use to clamp to the table). Be sure your bowl slips well under the front of the grinder to catch the juice. Mix ground fruit together and add sweetener of you choice (I use about 1 cup sugar & 1 cup Splenda).
Stir well.
Freeze either in 1/2 cup containers or in 1 cup portions in Ziploc sandwich bags as noted in above recipe. This recipe freezes fine so you can freeze in larger amounts for family gatherings.
NPR's Cranberry Sauce - This can be made at the same time as the above Cranberry Relish and is quite interesting. I think that I actually used the above cranberries/apple/orange mix for the fruit base and then followed the rest of this recipe.
2 cups raw cranberries, washed and sorted
1 small onion
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
2 TBSP horseradish (not sauce, real grated horseradish from a jar)
Grind together cranberries and onion, stir in sour cream, sugar, and horseradish. This recipe MUST be frozen before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Freeze in the quantities that you like, then defrost and serve as a side for turkey, chicken, pork and ham. I like it, my husband isn't sure where he stands so usually I give him the standard cranberry relish while I use this.
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