Dogs

I have heard horror stories from people as they explain how their adult child moved back home. When Libby moved back home last spring I was thrilled. Libby would be bringing her dog Lucy. Mister was not so thrilled about this. Lucy, a 5lb. fully grown Yorkie throws her weight around as if she were a snarly old hunting dog. Watching Lucy run (and keep up) with Tucker and Cookie is the funniest thing ever.

Having been the product of apartment life, this little dog, adjusted slowly to the life here at Columbia Creations. For the first few weeks we could barely get here to go outside and experience the great outdoors. She preferred carpet to grass and air conditioning over a summer breeze. A year and a half later she has grown up to become a real dog now. She drinks from puddles, frolics in the tall grass, and playfully interacts with the insect world. City dog likes being a country dog now!
The tour of our animal kingdom is now complete. We are harvesting some great stuff from our garden. As soon as I figure out the snafu with my camera I will start posting more garden/food stuff.

Dogs

A New Friend Moved In 18 months ago!

Without warning Cookie came home from work with me one day. She needed a home. Her birthday is New Years Day. She is Pomeranian/Toy Terrier mix. On the day she road home with me that was all I really knew about her. I considered changing her name. I didn't though. If I am posting on this blog chances are she is right next to me.

Cookie has become the best part of my day on many occasions. She loves Tucker and grooms him regularly. This motherlike grooming is quite a sight. If it rains, you can be sure, Cookie will be there to dry Tucker off. She is the Little Mommy of our dog kingdom.  

She is also my personal body guard. She growls and puts up the biggest fuss whenever someone approaches me while she is on my lap. Cookie is possesive and jealous. I had never experienced those traits in an animal before. It's pitiful and sweet. It is an absolute need that I pet her before petting the other two dogs. Her feelings are hurt easily and she wears them on her sleeve. Our second edition to the family animal kingdom, Miss Cookie Bookie, is the sweetheart.

Lucy the Yorkie is next! 

Dogs

The Ode To Tucker Boy

Our canine friends entered this family unexpectedly. Each one has their own story and their own place in our lives. I love spending time watching the pecking order our dogs have established.
First off, Mister Tucker Boy. He has been with us since April 2005. Mister had gone to the local Humane Society to do a little dog shopping. The Humane Society in our county has a website to view all dogs available for adoption. While Mister shopped in person, I was able to view the selections, simultaneously online. I have to admit that Tucker was a larger dog than I had planned on getting. Mister, however knew right away that he was the one. Socks was his given name at the pound. Socks went straight to Mister and laid his head down on Mister's knee.
The personality of Tucker is pure charm. His butterscotch color is as warm as his heart. He is kind to the little dogs and plays ever so gently with them. He loves being shaved. We have his groomer leave the little poofy tail on the end. Tucker is Lab/Collie mix.
Tucker has an invisible fence. He roams around on border patrol. Just don't cross over the line if he doesn't know you. His protective instinct for our family is passionately loyal. Mild mannered snuggle buddy turns into grand protector with the slightest amount of threat. He is a long haired pooch.

Next time around meet Cookie and hear her story.

Looks good enough to eat!

Do you see what I see? It's photograph update time of the garden progress.

Crazy Sexy Cabbage

  Then there's this, if you look closely, look deep down inside to see the beginnings of broccoli.

Here you can see the dill seeds forming on the dill grown in the main garden.

Our strawberries are juicy and sweet albeit sparse this year.

We are tinkering away at pulling the rascally weeds. The rain has made this task difficult. I've resorted to weeding a few rows a day in an effort to keep up. Corn is rocking...almost waist high! We will be eating our potatoes in the next week or so. Onions galore. Oh and much much more. This garden will bring us goodness.

Vietnamese Style Coffee

I found the perfect use for my Chocolate Mint. It is a tasty addition to Ca phe sua da. Translation is, iced coffee with milk, or Vietnamese Coffee. I've never claimed to be the most cultured person. In fact, I'm rather set in my ways. Iced coffee, hot coffee, cappuccino, but Vietnamese coffee?? This is new to me. Oooo this was a daring new experience for this ole' girl.

First of all I refer to this as "Vietnamese Style Coffee" because I do not own a phin. A phin is the special filter used to brew one cup of coffee at a time. I had considered waiting to share this coffee with you until after I purchased this special filter. A phin is a metal brewing instrument that sits directly on top of your cup. Then... I said, "Nah, I can make do with my coffee maker and following the measurements".

 Technically Vietnamese coffee is made with chicory and a french roast.

Use 3 tablespoons of ground coffee and one cup of water per serving. At this point, I washed 20 small chocolate mint leaves and added them to the coffee filter prior to brewing.  

You will end up with a very strong cup of coffee.

I measured one cup per serving.

Sweetened condensed milk is added to the bottom of your glass. Most of what I have read suggested 2 tablespoons. I actually added more to mine because I have a sweet tooth. Libby was my coffee buddy and she liked her coffee with the suggested 2 tablespoons. Note we used fat free condensed milk. Fat free isn't required but hey why not!

Ice on top of milk. Coffee on top of ice. One cup of coffee to be precise.

 The sound of clanking ice, as the sweetened milk is swirled around the glass, raises the expectations of refreshment.

We added a sprig of chocolate mint because we were in the garnishing mood.

The chocolate mint was my addition to the beverage, traditionally it isn't used. It turns out this wasn't so daring. The name makes it sound so impressive. I suggest buying a phin and make a friend with a creamy glass of Ca phe sua da.

Chocolate Mint

Miss Ashlee P. said to me once, "Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream tastes like toothpaste" From that time on my view of Chocolate and Mint together had changed. Until now!

I found this unique herb, while wandering around an outdoor market a month ago.

This is a Chocolate Mint plant. Really, it smells and tastes like Chocolate Mint (only not in a yucky artificial way)!

I wondered as I wandered around the marketplace...what will I do with this! 

Work, Party, Life, not always in that order!

As performed by the great 10,000 Maniacs "These Are Days" is music that whispers in my ear and reminds me of what matters most in life. With that said, my friends, I have a confession to make. This past week has left my slow down lifestyle forsaken.

I spent the holiday weekend camping. This was a working/camping trip. We had great fun and accomplished many things. Between that and the holiday Monday I found myself behind.

Laundry day is Sunday here at Columbia Creations.

 Well, Sunday and Monday were spoken for.

Tuesday found me unloading/unpacking from the weekend.

 Wednesday was a 9 hour work day at my day job.

Thursday the garden and flower beds cried out for me to please weed them.

Today, finally the laundry was done...well almost! If you have ever gone camping (tent style) you know how much laundry needs to be done when you get home.
Ahhh too bad I didn't take photos of the weeds and dirty clothes for you!

I am so excited to be hosting a party tomorrow for family and friends. Just a few people. I think we have a confirmed 16 adults plus their children coming over.

The Menu

Chicken Drumsticks and Thighs on the grill with homemade BBQ sauce
Burgers and all the fixin's
Italian Sausage with peppers and onions
Baked Beans
Potato Salad
Macaroni Salad
Inside out Chocolate strawberries
Watermelon
Vegie Salad Bars
Oreo Cake
and whatever else I whip up!

The house is almost impeccably clean. The  guest bedrooms have fresh linens for the overnight guests. Plus, somehow I managed a blog post.

Maybe Libby is right... Starbucks adds something funny to their coffee! Thank goodness for my great team of helpers.

I will be slowing back down on Sunday and staying in creeper mode for awhile. Right after I make a breakfast of Sausage Gravy and biscuits for the overnight guests.

These Are Days I promise to find time for a few photos of the garden. Which is rockin' out some gorgeous goodness.These are the days.


These Are Days/ 10,000 Maniacs

These are days you'll remember
Never before and never since, I promise
Will the whole world be warm as this
And as you feel it,
You'll know it's true
That you are blessed and lucky
It's true that you
Are touched by something
That will grow and bloom in you
These are days that you'll remember

Broccoli Cheese Soup

Memorial Day 2010

When our hearts are lost in grief, the first year after the death of a loved one, it's hard to imagine life ever being okay again. Yet, this Memorial Day as I remember my beloved brother Tim who died in 2003 I am filled with a flood gate of happy memories. The raw skinned heart feeling has healed.

Tim was a sailor. I heard so many great stories from his Navy days. He was my older brother. As with most siblings, we had grown apart during different time periods of our adult life. I am very fortunate to know that during the last ten years of his life we were connected and enjoyed each others friendship on a regular basis. Tim was my friend. He was Uncle Tim. The smell of his pipe and the Captain Black tobacco will forever be an endearing scent for my children and myself.

For several years during the holidays he would request that I make my Broccoli Cheese Soup. My recipe card reads "Uncle Tim's Favorite Soup" and it will forever be named that. It's nothing fancy. A foodie with a more fabulous palate may poo poo at the thought of using Velveeta Cheese and bouillon cubes. Tim didn't. He loved it!

I think if you whip up a batch, you will like it too! It's quick and easy to make.

Uncle Tim's Favorite Soup

3/4 cup finely diced onion
3/4 cup butter
6 cups water
6 chicken bouillon cubes
1 (8oz.) pkg thin noodles
2 (10 0z.) pkgs frozen broccoli fully cooked  I like Birdseyes brand.
1/4 tsp.garlic powder     PLEASE not garlic salt
6 cups milk
1 lb. Velveeta brand cheese cubed
pepper to taste

In a large dutch oven saute onions in butter until tender. Add water and cubes, bring to a boil. Gradually add noodles and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in broccoli, add garlic powder, and cook for 4 minutes. Reduce heat, stir in cheese until melted then add the milk. Season with pepper and heat through without boiling.

From start to finish this takes less than 15 minutes to make. A huge pot of delicious soup for a crowd with very little time or effort.

Tim liked Club crackers in his.

For Libby, Anna, and Aimee

This post is for Libby, Anna, and Aimee. A kindred spirit exists between us in many ways. Finding Four Leaf Clovers is among the list of common qualities that we share. Since childhood I have found these rare characters in nature. The same can be said of the ladies for whom this post is for.

For as long as I can remember I have found at least one 4 leaf clover every year. Today's 4 leaf clover find is just as charming as the first.

Just as charming as my three lovely daughters, Libby, Anna, and Aimee.

Pinto Beans

 I define down home cooking as simple food prepared by people of character with a sense of family and roots. For generations the cooks in my family have prepared good old down home meals. I doubt a recipe exists for much of what has been served in the kitchens of my grandmothers and great grandmothers. This meal is just that kind of food.

How does one teach the art of frying potatoes? I'm not talking about hash browns or home fries. Yes, those are examples of potatoes that are fried but they aren't Fried Potatoes. I don't have a recipe for this simple food. I just cook them the way my mom taught me. She never had a special little cooking class and showed me how. I learned by watching her.

I can tell you how I made the Pinto Beans this time.

Speaking of those pintos, my grandma always called them Brown Beans. Navy Beans were known as White beans. My Grandma Ruth was a woman of great wisdom. I miss her.

Brown Beans

Fried Potatoes

Cornbread

Slice of Tomato

Get it in ya!

Here goes... Now if you are a snob just look away at this point...Cause this is down home cookin' 

Down Home Brown Beans

One small bag of dried pinto beans

3 smoked pork hocks

carrots

onions

salt

pepper

bay leaves

Wash the beans in a colander and pick over them for small rocks etc. Place the beans into a large dutch oven and cover with water. Think of it like this... the more water you use the more broth you will have. I'm only guesstimating here... Approximately 4 quarts. Toss in the smoked hocks and the bay leaves. Bring the beans to a boil and then turn down to simmer. Cook for about an hour and a half. Drain off most of the liquid and add the same amount of fresh boiling hot water back to the pot. Boiling water is a must at this point to keep the beans cooking.

When the beans are smooth and tender, remove the smoked hocks, to cool slightly. Toss in one onion that is quartered and chopped. Add around 3 cups of carrots. Cook until carrots are tender. I taste now for the salt need. Sometimes I salt, most times I do not. Separate the meat out of the hock bones. Just do it...this meat is the best. Add the meat back to the pot. Simmer a little while longer. Season with pepper to taste. Only salt if needed.

Some people soak their beans, I do not.

Some people salt their beans during cooking, I do not

Most do not remove the cooking liquid and then add more, I do.

See I told you, no recipe!