Someone said, “There’s no accounting for taste!” However when we’re talking about food there is an accounting. Our tongues can detect five basic tastes: sour, sweet, salty, bitter, and umami. My two favorites are sweet and salty. Sweet salty together are awesome. Some people prefer sour – think sour gumballs, lemons, and sour apples. Sister Barb even liked stolen green apples … [Read more...]
A little of this, a little of that
RIDDLE. What do you get when you put two scoops of vanilla ice cream in a stemmed tulip glass and add butterscotch sauce, chocolate syrup, pecans, whipped cream and a cherry on top? A TURTLE SUNDAE! A soda jerk at a Chicago Walgreens in l922 made the first modern milkshake when he mixed vanilla ice cream into a chocolate malted milk. My mother worked as a soda jerk in … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
Now is not the time to mention the “s” word. Nobody wants to hear it! We have received and read the garden catalogs. We have ordered new plants for the garden. We ARE SO READY! Now I remember my grampa’s advice. Don’t plant anything before Memorial Day or you will be sorry. Patience is not one of my virtues. What to do now that my green thumb is itching? I guess I can … [Read more...]
Keeping my sanity
I am a Godlilocks weather person. Winter is too cold and snowy. Summer is too hot and humid. Spring and fall are just right. The moderate temperatures plus the scents of the seasons and the colors make me happy and more productive. The smell of mud and fresh green grass is intoxicating while the color of fall leaves and smell of bonfires makes me sigh with joy. Since … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that.
A tradition of gnomes The holiday season is all about traditions. Foods, decorations and hosting duties are often set in stone. My family has had to become more flexible over the years. We have one unique tradition that can be practiced any time of the year! It all started because my artist husband sold individually handcrafted ceramic figures at Nordic Fest in Decorah, … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
Hocus Pocus, I need wine to focus! Just kidding. I have been watching too many “Fear Fest” movies on television. Most people associate October with Halloween. Who doesn’t like to dress up and get free candy? I think of October as a very romantic month. No, not because of “Bride of Dracula.” I was married on October 4. It was a beautiful day and many people helped make … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that.
“My momma didn’t raise no spendthrift.” She loved sales, particularly with 80% off. She shopped garage sales and often picked up the entire free box. We had few books in our home, but after I learned to read, I discoveredthe public library. Almost everything was free. There was one rack that was a rental usually preventing young children who didn’t have a quarter from reading … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
Growing up, I lived several feet from the Root River and the Preston Soybean Mill. Soybeans and water attract rats. To combat the rats we always had pet cats. They were all free, named Tabby, and died young from eating poisoned rats. After moving away from the soybean mill we didn’t need the cats anymore. When I was a junior in high school, I had boyfriend who had … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
I spent some time recently in a sisterhood. No, did not enter a convent or escape to a nunnery! I spoke at the Root River Conference Spring Gathering at the Chatfield Lutheran Church. The church is beautiful with a rose window. I found the expert on the church organization, Michelle, the administrative assistant. She found a small table that I needed for a demonstration … [Read more...]
A little of this, a little of that
It all started with a walk on the beach to pick up shells. My sisters and I recently vacationed in South Padre, Tex. Take your time and hate me for a few minutes. I usually feel angry at people who take winter vacations while I am at home during February and March in Minnesota. Now that you have that out of your system, I will continue my story. I confess that compass … [Read more...]
A Little of This a Little of That
“LOVEUARY” is what the Hallmark Channel has named the entire month of February. Does that make you deliriously happy or incredibly sad? I guess it depends if you are in a romantic relationship or not. A bakery in Los Angeles bakes 1/2 heart cookies for the broken hearted, and they are big sellers! Of course any business that depends on romance to sell their products will … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that.
I am a carnivore, not a salad lady. I enjoy salad along with my meat. I guess God and inflation want me to eat less of it. I have been thinking about food much of the time lately, especially about stretching meat. Then I realized I already knew how. My mother and grandmother did it all the time. I wasn’t grocery shopping or cooking at the time so I never noticed. Before I … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
Math was never my best subject. My high school algebra teacher, Ken Denny did his best. By the time I figured out how to balance equations, it was time for geometry. It seemed hopeless. Why did I have to figure out proofs? I was willing to accept whatever had been already been proven! I have memorized this formula: Family (friends) + delicious food (and plenty of it) = … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
Without shame, I admit that I have never made a pumpkin pie from scratch. Maybe you haven’t either? Now, before you get testy and mad at me please let me explain. I have never purchased a frozen pie crust. My “never fail pie crust recipe” lives up to its name. My husband says it is even better than his mother’s. Please don’t pout, Myna, everything else you make is better … [Read more...]
A little of this, A little of that
Fabulous fall is finally here. I can’t stand the heat; I can’’t stand the cold. This weather is Goldilocks right for me. The color of fall leaves makes me feel like I live in a fairytale book. Even without a fairy godmother I can finish many chores because of the cool mornings. Getting a good night’s sleep really helps with the fresh air from an open window. I even got … [Read more...]
