Tuesday, March 19, 2013

High Drama

 As you know, I like to watch movies while I walk on the treadmill in the morning.  This is the show I started watching yesterday and finished this morning.  It was about two sisters, Stanley and Roy, and the drama in their lives.  It kept me moving on the treadmill, and this morning I couldn't wait to get up and finish it.   It was a good one!
 
Have a great day!
Karin
 
 

My Dad's Birthday!

On March 2nd, my mom had a 75th birthday party for my dad.
She reserved the party room in their building and had a meal catered.  Here are a few pictures from the event:
 
A picture of me - taken by my cousin Chris.  I'm wearing a black ruffled top that I bought in the lovely gift shop at our grocery store.  The blue blouse is from Boden - I love Boden!  And the strap over my shoulder is my Jeanne Oliver bag - so cute!
 
This is my Aunt Anna Marie and Cousin Chris with my dad.  Anna Marie is my dad's one and only sibling.
 
This is my mom with her brother John and her sister Margaret.
 
Uncle John with his wife Cindy and daughter Jennifer.  Jennifer has been doing the Paleo diet and has lost 30 pounds since October.
 
Aunt Margaret with my cousin Ann.  Ann is launching a knitwear business called AWE.
 
The grandkids provided music.  Blossom #4 played Happy Birthday on the electric piano and Blossom #3 played it on his trumpet.  One of the other grandkids played the violin and the others sang.
 
There were many other guests at the party.  It was a wonderful celebration!
 
Have a great day!
Karin
 
 
 


Thursday, March 7, 2013

Karin's Chili Recipe

Recipe:  
2 Pounds Ground Beef, Browned and Drained
1 Can Cento San Marzano Tomatoes (28 oz.)
1 Can Tomato Sauce (28 oz.)
1 Can Italian Style Crushed Tomatoes (28 oz.)
2 Cans Chili Beans, with Gravy (15 oz. each)
1 Jar Salsa (I use our homemade salsa.)
1/4 Cup Cider Vinegar
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
1 Tablespoon Cocoa
1 teaspoon Cumin
1 Chopped Onion
1 Chopped Green Pepper
 
Heat in large crockpot on low.
Top with cheese and sour cream. 
Serve with Cornbread Muffins and Honey.
 
Enjoy!
Karin
 


Friday, March 1, 2013

New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookies

My favorite chocolate chip cookies!
I use King Arthur Flour and semi-sweet chocolate chips.  The only thing bad about this recipe is that you need to make the dough ahead of time - but the dough tastes good too!
 
Total Time: 45 minutes,
                      plus at least 24 hours chilling
Ingredients:
2 cups minus 2 tablespoons (8 1/2 ounces) cake flour
1 2/3 cups (8 1/2 ounces) bread flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/4 pounds bittersweet disks or fèves, at least 60 percent cacao content (see note below)
*Sea salt (sometimes I add this, sometimes, I don't)
Directions:
1. Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
2. Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them without breaking them. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.
3. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.
4. Scoop 6 3 1/2-ounce mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto baking sheet, making sure to turn horizontally any chocolate pieces that are poking up; it will make for a more attractive cookie. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day.
 
Enjoy and have great week-end!
Karin


William Holden (2) - Man From Colorado

I liked this movie.  William Holden is a very flexible actor.  In the last movie, he played a "starving" Hollywood writer. In t...