Rain, rain going away … maybe The weather and reports about it is a big thing at our house. We are very certainly, dependent on it. The weather situation affects all outside activities for everyone and there are a lot of those. Of course, you must know this has been one of the wettest springs ever and now we are having crazy hot days. Maybe with the heat we will finally have some tomatoes at our house, which sadly, may not ripen until September. Our pitiful little plants have had too much water and not enough sun. Also, I…
Author: Melanie Behrens
Pictured above is the family of Newton and Mary Graham at their house for their 40th anniversary celebration on Oct. 20, 1927. They are, left to right, first row, Edwin Graham, Richmond Graham, Dean Graham, Rollo Graham and Virgil Graham; second row, Margaret Main, Nina Graham Bennett Leona Graham Crabbe, Marie Chandler, Eunice Main, Lillian Graham, Etta Bella, Gladys Graham and Silas Bell; and third row, Clara Graham, Allen Main, Estella (Tellie) Main, Audrey Graham, Grandpa Newton Graham, Grandma Mary Graham, Wendell Main and Lawrence Graham. (Photo submitted) Pictured above is the Newton Graham farm and house with draft horses…
Summer desserts are here! Campfire cobbler 6 peaches, chopped 2 C raspberries 1 C blueberries 1 C chopped strawberries 1/4 C plus 2 TBS sugar, divided 2 TBS cornstarch 2 tsp. ground cinnamon pinch of kosher salt 2-1/3 C Bisquick Mix 1/2 C milk In a large re-sealable plastic bag, combine fruit, 1/4 cup sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt. Seal tightly and shake bag until fruit is evenly coated. In another large re-sealable plastic bag, combine Bisquick and milk. Seal and mix, kneading with your hands, until completely combined. Butter a large cast-iron skillet. Add fruit mixture and top with…
Some people just say the things you have been thinking and it fits right into your life. I just received some of those thoughts from a friend and see them in my life. I know as you read these quotes at least a few will hit home with you, too. We will begin with one of my favorites – “Drinking responsibly means don’t spill it.” I have a friend who I have a problem with when she drinks red wine. In my home there is a lot of light colored furniture. Are you getting the picture? She will start swirling…
Desserts! Now that I have your attention, let’s proceed. Caramel apple squares 1/2 C unsalted butter (melted) 1/4 C granulated sugar 2 tsp. vanilla 1/4 tsp. salt 1 C all-purpose flour Apple Filling: 2 large apples (thinly sliced) 2 TBS flour 2 TBS sugar 1 TBS ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg Crumb Topping: 1/2 C old-fashioned oats 1/3 C brown sugar 4 TBS all-purpose flour 5 TBS chilled butter, cubed jar of caramel sauce Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spray 9×9 pan with non-stick spray and set aside. For crust, mix butter, sugar, vanilla and salt in bowl until…
Maybe it was preventable It was not long ago that our friends went through a terrible event. It was something we thought could never happen to anyone we knew, but it did. The couple had a house fire caused by lightning. It was a very rough weather night in our area. Warnings were everywhere and some people were taking cover in basements. It was about 10:45 p.m. and my friend had gone to bed. Fortunately her husband was awake. He saw lightning and it looked like four or five giant balls, all at one time hitting near the corner of…
Dessert is important to our wellbeing… I’m sure! Special krispies 2 C Rice Krispies cereal 2 C Cocoa Rice cereal 4 C mini marshmallows 1/2 C peanut butter 3 TBS butter 1/2 C peanut butter chips 1/2 C chocolate chips 1/2 C crushed Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan with butter. In a microwaveable bowl, heat marshmallow and butter in microwave for 1 minute or until marshmallows become puffy. Mix peanut butter and marshmallows. Add 4 cups of rice cereals and mix well with a spatula. Scoop cereal mix into greased baking pan and pat down with…
They give us a reason to smile You hear this all time – being a grandparent is a wonderful thing. They say there’s nothing like it. You get the best part of the child’s life. You don’t have to discipline them much, just have a good time. Well, I believe that’s correct! If you are a grandparent you will know what I mean. If not, bear with me. Grandchildren say the funniest things, especially in their early years when they are so cute and count on you for learning about the world. These stories seem to fit this thought: A…
I took this first recipe to an event where it was a big hit. Hope you enjoy it, too. Chocolate and peanut cake Cake: 1 box devil’s food cake, plus ingredients called for on box 2 C peanut butter, melted 1 C chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups 1 C Reese’s Pieces Frosting: 1 C peanut butter 10 TBS unsalted butter, softened to room temperature 2 C powdered sugar 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1/4 tsp. kosher salt 2 TBS heavy cream Bake cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper and grease with cooking spray.…
A good example of man’s best friend We have recently had a very sad thing happen in our family. Close family members had to put their little dog to sleep because he was old, tired and very sick. If you’ve ever had to do this, it’s not only very sad, but also the kindest thing you can do for your most loved pet … you know what I mean. It’s as though the pet was a member of the family. Many of our pets have been elevated to human status by their owners. The last of our own dogs has been…
It would be nice if dessert, the most important thing, could always come first. So here we are. Chocolate mousse 1-1/2 C whipping cream 1/4 to 1/3 C cocoa powder, sifted (use 1/3 C for dark chocolate flavor) 1/4 to 1/2 C powdered sugar (use 1/4 C for dark chocolate flavor) 1/4 tsp. almond extract, optional In a chilled mixing bowl, begin whipping cream. Whip until frothy and slightly thick. Add powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Carefully mix until soft peaks form. Add almond extract if desired. Whip until stiff peaks form. Spoon into plastic bag or piping bag with…
We might as well laugh! Getting older is not a bad thing, especially if you still have your brain and good health. Many of my friends do and we are enjoying life. Having said that, sometimes one’s memory is a problem. I struggle for a word I want and usually can think all around it and how to get it. The best place is when I can search the answer on my iPhone. But sadly, not all answers are there, especially the name of your friend’s cousin you just met. Sometimes you just can’t retrieve the information you need. So…
A good main course is the center of the meal. Try these. Yes, to this chicken 2 lbs. chicken breasts 1 TBS olive oil 1/2 C mild salsa 3-4 TBS brown sugar 1 4-oz. can mild diced green chilies 1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes, drained 1 TBS chili powder 1-1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. each ground cumin, garlic powder and onion powder 1/2 tsp. each smoked paprika, dry oregano and pepper 1/2 tsp. ground chipotle chili pepper 1 tsp. liquid smoke hot sauce to taste Rub chicken breasts with oil and place in bottom of slow cooker. Add all remaining…
Both aces, but not the same This is a tale of two very different aces. The first hole-in-one was mine and since it’s my column and I have pictures courtesy of my friends, I will begin with me. The two exciting times on the golf course had opposite outcomes. Here’s my story. It’s a time all golfers hope for, but most never attain. I certainly thought this would never happen in my golf game. We were just talking a few days ago about how much real luck is involved in a hole-in-one … and maybe some skill. It was my…
Some people say that breakfast can be eaten at anytime of the day. Breakfast egg “muffins” 6 to 8 strips of bacon, chopped ½ large onion, chopped 1½ C cheddar cheese, shredded 2 to 3 C of spinach 12 eggs cooking spray Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray cooking spray in a muffin pan. Set aside. Beat together eggs, add shredded cheese and stir to combine. Set aside. In a frying pan on the stove, cook onion and bacon over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Add spinach and stir to combine. Cook for about three minutes or until…