Shhhh.....Listen........

Shhhh.....Listen......the sound of silence!  :)     Today, all day, it is just The Honey & I home!  The older 2 grands are in school all day, 3rd grade and kindergarten.  Grand #3 is at the sitters for the day. 
As I have mentioned, my daughter and her three boys are living with us at the moment.  Her fiancé decided that his friends and the bottle is what he wanted and has left (that is called a scumbag).  So to have 4 extra people in a one bedroom apartment has been fun.....yeah.....  Luckily we do have an extra room that has become a bedroom/closet for the boys.  The baby is in a playpen that gets moved around and my daughter is either on the couch or asleep in the recliner. 
It does get very noisy here sometimes (you think!!!)  I have not had a chance to get online much.   I have been working in the kitchen, but not baking like I would like too.  I'm in the dinner mode.  I forgot what it was like...... Lol!

Yesterday, we did go for a nice bike ride.  We went to Bath, NH (tiny ass little town) that boasts the oldest continuous running general store in the US.  I laugh, you look around the town (turn in a circle, you basically see the whole town) you have all these old homes, barns and then you have the double wide.....lol..  After Bath, we went east to the other side of the state towards North Conway.  Out through the woods on RT 302 is a nice quiet ride.  I told The Honey that I was going to ride bitch.  My back and hip where not feeling good, and I knew that I did not want to ride my bike.  So I was able to sit back (not really relax) and take some pictures of our lovey state!  Below are a few of the 89 that I ended up taking. 

Since it is quiet, I have already got the third load of laundry (kids, my god) in the dryer, only 1 more to go.  The dishes are done.  And I'm going to now make some lunch for The Honey before any one of our coffee regulars decides it's time to show up. 

Enjoy the day all, I just wanted to say I have had the blog in the back of my mind, but absolutely no time to even think of typing more than one sentence. 
:)

Hello there!  Nice cool evening tonight, will be crisp already for sleeping.  I can handle that.  Love to have the a/c off and the windows open, nice fresh air to sleep in!  The last couple of days we have gone to several different areas with the canoe and done some blueberry picking!  We ended up with about 20 cups!
It took me about 3 hours to pick through them all ( I don't like to have stems or dried up little ones) last night.  Today I cooked and canned up some preserves.  They tasted real good even though they were warm.  Now I want to get some more to freeze up to have some this winter. 
The Honey really likes to go out through the woods to travel.  We were on some pretty rough dirt roads (my poor car!) to get to a couple of ponds.  We got to see some wild life along the way.  You know, a turkey is a pretty ugly bird! 

 

So we finally get to the pond and I was in heaven!  There were a lot of berries to be picked!  Out and around the edges of the islands, one of them we got onto land and continued picking.  My poor arms and legs were so scratched up! 

After getting every thing all picked clean last night, my back & shoulders were killing me.  Today I made the preserves and a coffee cake.  Both came out well I think.  I will get those 2 recipes on here real quick.  Here are a couple of shots to see what a beautiful day it was for picking and being out on a pond with The Honey. 

 

Nothing like fresh picked berries!  So much better than buying them at the grocery store.  It is a lot of work associated with the picking, cleaning, cooking and canning.  But they are so worth it!  I do want to get some more berries and also want to get some black berries.  That will be the next adventure, to go & find them.  Time for bed, I just wanted to drop in and say hi all.  Have a good evening!

Biking & Baking

Good evening all!  In the last couple of days, I was able to get in both biking & baking!  Yeah!  As I had mentioned, my daughter and the three Grands moved in with us for a bit.  I'm still amazed how much stuff for 3 boys!  Haha! 

Biking :)
Yesterday, we had a beautiful summer day here in New Hampshire.  High 70's, no humidity and just perfect.  About 9:30am I'm telling The Honey that there is sunshine and it was time to hit the fair (Yes, can you believe that the fairs have started already!).  We had to have our coffee regulars that come over first, you know, grand fucking central station!!!!  3pm we finally left to go to Swanzey to go to the Cheshire fair (only about 2hrs away).   That was the first time we had been to that fair (we have now hit all the ones in NH).   We are not ones that will go on the highway very often at all.  We like to hit the back roads, less traffic, scenic, able to just cruise.  Coming back, The Honey decided he wanted to take a left, so we went left.  Ended up on this back road and then had to take a detour!  There was absolutely no other people on this road.  Was awesome!  Along a river (I couldn't catch a name sign anywhere) and peaceful.  Trying to get home we ended up about 50 miles west of where we wanted to be. Lol!  Not the first time that we decided to take an adventure.  !!!!

 

 

 

Baking -

 

So today, Grand #3 (6 months old) is not feeling well, pool little bugger.  Teething and I believe his ear may be bothering him.  He was trying to nap, and I was trying to keep Grand #2 (5 yrs) quiet.  So he was Meme's baking helper.  He tried to say that he couldn't be a baker because he had a tattoo on his arm (Smokey the Bear tattoo from the Forestry booth at the fair).  I was really trying hard not too laugh at that one.  I had to remind him that I do ALOT of baking, and I have several tattoos. So this picture is to show that you can be a baker with tattoos.  Love it!!!

 

Today, I had an abundance of lemons that had to get used up and found one of my recipes for lemon brownies that is real simple and delicious.  Just the right hint of lemon, not too tart.  Had the stamp of approval from S & B (which are another one of the coffee regulars that come over).  If I am baking anything, The Honey will take a picture with his phone and send it to S.  He will call right back and ask what time!!!  Lol.

Here is the lemon brownies

1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter (2 sticks) room temperature
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 lemon zested & juiced

Glaze
1 cup powder sugar
2 - 4 Tbls lemon juice & some zest (I make it runny to just glaze the top)

:Preheat oven to 350 - line a 9 x 13 pan with parchment paper

  Stir the dry ingredients together.  Cut in the butter with a pastry blender ( or 2 knives) until course crumbs.  In a small bowl, combine the eggs, vanilla, lemon juice & zest.  Add to the dry mixture and mix to combine well.  Pour into pan and bake 25 - 30 minutes until set.  Let cool completely and then add the glaze too the top.  Enjoy!!!

Very good, not to tart, not too sweet.  Just yummy.  Sorry I didn't get any pictures of the baking or finished product. 

Well that's it for tonight, I hope all get to enjoy the evening and the goodies!  xoxo

Good evening.  Sorry it has been awhile, family stuff going on that has made it hectic. 
We have my youngest and her 3 boys staying with us for a bit.  I can say that I'm not used to having the boys here 24/7.  It has been awhile since I have had kids around like that. 
And you know, babies are so small, why the hell does all there stuff have to take up so much room! You have the tub, the vibrating chair, the walker, the walker table thing that takes up half the living room, the bassinet, never mind all the stuff that goes along with him.  I was laughing looking at all the items needed for 3 kids. 
Ahhhh..... at least I have an excuse to do some more baking.   I told The Honey this would also be a good excuse to get the bikes out and go for rides. 
Well, I am rambling, I'm tired and ready for shower and bed.  Have a good evening all.

(sweating.....)

Good evening all!  As all across the country can attest to, it is to friggen hot!!!  The humidity is like hitting a wall when you walk out of the door.  Has been way to hot to have the bikes out, and baking is most definitely out of the question right now!  (That part I don't like, I want brownies damn it!!!)  I just took some lemon bars  out of the freezer last night for coffee with a couple of regulars.  *I'll find my recipe card for that one and post that*  The crust was a different consistency and seemed more of a fudge said one of the coffee crew.  Still had the pucker from a tad too much lemon, but still good.

I also took out some lemon-poppy seed donuts out of the seal-meal bag, I did not freeze them first on a sheet pan then seal them.  They did not come back, so we have flat donuts.  Oh well the taste was still good, you could tell they were lemon and the glaze did not all stick to the bag.  * I'll find this recipe too*

Sunday is only supposed to be in the low 80's.  We are going to pack a lunch and head to the mountains on the bikes.  Will be much cooler, have lunch along the river some where. 

Thanks for stopping by, time to get a cold drink and take it easy.  :)

Hazy, hot & humid!

Good evening all!  It has been a bit, sorry, but with the weather, I am not baking at this time and it has been too hot to do a lot of bike riding. 

I was smart this winter when I was playing Betty Crocker every day, I actually put some goodies in the freezer just for these days that I will not be baking. 

Today, the honey & I along with a couple of friends jumped on the bikes and went for a ride.  One of those 200 mile rides that you don't go any where.  You all know what that is like.  We headed north to try and get a little bit of relief from the heat.  Glen Ellis falls is a beautiful area to stop and have lunch and walk down to the falls.

 

New Hampshire is such a beautiful state!  There are many things to see no matter what area that you go to.

 

I packed some goodies from the freezer to have with our coffee stop.  I made some baked donuts, and they went very good with the dunkins.    I have tried many recipes for baked donuts, and the one that is the best so far that I have found is the King Arthur Flour recipe for donuts.  Very good!!!!!  Everyone has said they are the best ones I have come up with.  You can add flavors, fruit, or crumble to make a coffee cake donut. 

 

Well, I really need to jump in the shower and get the heat off me now.  I hope you all have a great evening and don't forget,

Ride Safe!

Grand #2 5th birthday cake.....

Good evening.  Tomorrow the middle grand is turning 5!  Where has the time gone.  It was just yesterday that I was cuddling away with  him.  Now I'm lucky I get my hugs.  That is ok, since #3 is only 4 1/2 months old, I will get all my snuggles I want.  Lol!

#2 is always pretending that he is spiderman.  My SIL found me a spiderman cake pan, so of course I had to try and make it.  #2 had asked for a chocolate cake, so I used a recipe that I have had for years, I believe I got it from my MIL.  Here it is...

Chocolate Mayo Cake
1 cup water
1 cup mayo ( I used salad dressing, no mayo here)
1 cup sugar
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
4 tbsp. cocoa powder

Mix all together, grease and flour your pan.  Bake 350 for 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. 
That is it.  Very moist!  I did not have any of the gel for coloring the frosting
 (basic buttercream frosting - here is the recipe for that one.  I believe it is Wilton's recipe that I have used.
Buttercream Frosting
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup Crisco
1 tsp vanilla
4 cups sifted powdered sugar
2 tbls milk

Since I only had the regular food coloring drops, my poor spiderman is sort of "friendly"!  Very pastel.  I had to laugh.  You can too.

So there is my "friendly" spiderman.  Hopefully #2 doesn't mind the pastel colors.  I'm sure he will be happy just to have the chocolate cake.  I can't wait to see his face tomorrow. 

That's all for now.  Just wanted to get the cake on here.  Had been awhile since I had made the mayo cake and thought of it when he said chocolate. 

Good evening all!  Ride safe!

Sweets.....

Good evening.  We have been having rain, thunder showers and more rain.  We have had quite a few humid days, so that means no baking.  With the rain & lightning that also means no bikes....boo......

One of the regulars that come over for coffee and what ever goodie I have on hand had his birthday at the beginning of the week.  I did not know, so I made a very good honeybun cake for him.  I had seen it on my pinterest board and then I happened to see it on facebook also.  Here is the link for her recipe....http://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/cake/honey-bun-cake-annettes.html

It would be good with coffee in the morning also.   Then I decided to make some whoopie pies. 

So now we do have some goodies.  (Does not help the waist line any that is for sure)

Looking at the weather we have coming up, maybe next Tuesday we won't get wet and get to go for a ride. 

Have a good evening all.  :)

Hazy, hot & humid.....

Good afternoon!  Raining, again, it is hot & humid, but I want sweet!!!!  Solution, No Bake Cookies!  Don't have to worry about heating up the house with the oven. 

 

The grands sure devoured these quickly.  I have been using the same recipe for years.  Not sure where I got that one from.  I have heard them called No Bakes and Missouri Cookies.  Here is what I do:

 

2 cups sugar

3 Tbls cocoa powder

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1/2 cup milk

pinch of salt

3 cups quick cook oats (rice crispies are good also)

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla

 

In a large sauce pan, bring the milk, sugar, cocoa, butter and salt to a rolling boil.  Keep stirring, boil for 1 full minute.  Remove from heat and add the peanut butter, stir to be sure all melted.  Add the vanilla and the oats.  Stir to combine.  Using tablespoons, spoon onto waxed paper on a cookie sheet.  Let set in the fridge for about 30 minutes.  I do keep these in an airtight container.

 

Enjoy! 

Good afternoon.  Has been a few days, sorry about that.  Finished off bike week by flagging in the parking lot and got to watch all the interesting bikes that come to the area.  Was sorry that we were not able to ride like we normally do. 

Then on Monday, packed up the car & trailered up the bikes and headed to the ocean for the week.  Just love the Old Orchard Beach area!  It is the best of all worlds for me.  I get to have beach time in the morning, we jumped on the bikes and headed to Oxford Casino.  The honey ended up $27.00 in the hole.  While I came out with $200.00!!!  I was happy.  Normally I'm the one taking the honey's winnings and putting them back into the slots. 

Did some fishing on the jetty at Camp Ellis (you have to stop for breakfast at the tiny ass little store/restaurant that is right there, Trina cooks real good!)
Only caught 3 mackerels which the honey used for bait trying to catch the stripers.  He did catch 2 nice ones on the beach in front of our hotel. 

 

These always taste real good!!!!

 

So that is it for now, will leave with a few pics of the beach!

 

 

Friday Night

Good evening!  It is Friday of bike week (90th) and I actually had the night off!  Was able to take the bikes out (went away from the weirs!) and went for a nice long ride.  Stopped to have dinner at a diner and watched the bikes going by.  Did get a little bit wet, but we don't melt.  The Honey saw the clouds coming up and we stopped in time to put our jackets on before the downpour came! 
Real quick tonight, tired and ready to put my feet up.  Have a good evening all and ride safe!  :)

Good evening.  It is the middle of bike week here in the Lakes Region.  Of course, its raining, has been since last night.  Would not be bike week with out a bit of rain.  I have been working at my bro-in-law's parking lot.  So I have the awesome chance to watch all the bikes going by.  The people are all awesome!  I have never had an issue with anyone, always friendly.  I haven't had a chance to really ride yet with working but at least I get to ride to & from work.  Last week I made some goodies ahead of time to bring with me to work.  Chocolate chip cookies, brownies and some "brookies"  half brownie half cookie.  I found it on pinterest (doesn't that have just about everything!!!)  (That could be a blog all itself!).  Jocelyn over at Grandbaby Cakes put on these and are very good! 
http://www.grandbaby-cakes.com/2013/05/lemon-brookies.html

So, I'm tired, and am putting my bod to bed.  Tomorrow the bikes will be really coming in and I will be standing all day/night.  Ride safe & enjoy!

Sunset

Sunset over the lake......Great ride around the lake and stopped to catch these pictures.  Enjoy.
:)

Weather.....wait 5 minutes.......

Good afternoon!  What they say about weather in New England is so true!  In the last week, we have had all four seasons!  Beginning of the week we saw some snow in areas and now for the end of the week we are going to see the 3 H's.  Hazy, Hot & Humid!  Yeah! 
Tomorrow the Honey & I are loading up the car with all the fishing gear and we are heading to the ocean.  I sit & soak up the sun more than he does!  But if he asks if I want to go to the ocean, who am I to say no?!  We hear that the mackerels and strippers are in, so we will try to catch us some. Yummmm......

That is it, just a quick note, take care & stay safe!

Good evening!  Hope all had a good weekend.  We have finally had some sunshine and able to get the bikes out.  They both got a good cleaning and waxing and then we left.  If felt good to get out.  The Honey & I are going to be riding the "Kank" (kangamangus highway) through the White Mountains in the next few days.  We will pack a pic-a-nic lunch and just head out into the woods.  There is always some where along the river that is good to stop and have a lunch.   The views are awesome!  Never know what you are going to see around the next corner.  Sorry for rambling, just spitting it out there tonight.  Lol!  Good night all!
Stay safe.....

Memorial Weekend

Happy Memorial Weekend!  Be sure to thank a veteran for their service! 

We are having a very wet weekend.  The weatherman says Monday we should have some sunshine!  I know my bike is calling me, it is sick of the rain also!
I am thinking that the Honey & I will pack a picnic lunch and see where we would like to head out to.  The White Mountains are always a nice bike ride.  I can usually get some real nice pics! 

Baking wise, it is awfully wet.  I am thinking that I will have to do something with the lemons that I just bought.  I found a recipe on Pinterest, for homemade lemon curd in the microwave.  I believe I will have to try this today and make some cupcakes to use the curd for a filling.....Hmmmm... that does sound good. 

Thanks for stopping by, I am heading into the kitchen to play with some lemons now.

:)

UPDATE:   King Arthur Flour website has a recipe for homemade Lemon Curd made in the microwave...Awesome!!  Very lemony. tart & thick.

 

So I used that lovely lemony concoction and put that into some lemon cupcakes.  The middle grand gave it a thumbs up and said this recipe is a keeper.  Love that little redhead!

 

 

Sorry, I am out of plain cups for the cakes.  I always seem to find the Christmas ones on sale and have an abundance of those :)

 

Just wanted to give an update on the lemons that were just sitting there.....

 

 

 

Brownies!!!

Good afternoon.  Just finishing up laundry, and looking for something to nibble on with my coffee.   Hmmmm.....my tin is empty.  So I guess I will have to throw some brownies in the oven for me and also for the grands who will be popping in shortly. 
I had thought that I had lost my recipe last week (just a scrap piece of paper that is well stained) and could not believe it.  Luckily one of the regulars here, asked me if I went through the recycle pile of newspapers I had just taken out to the bins.  OMG!!! My recipe was headed for the trash!  Not allowed, this is my go to when I want something ooey, gooey, chocolaty goodness!!!   I had to email the recipe to myself, for future use and also figured I would add it here.  I will eventually get the pics on here too. Lets see....


My Favorite Brownies

2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp salt
5 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350, grease a 9 x 13 pan ( I usually use parchment paper larger than the pan for easy removal after baking)

Stir together all the dry ingredients.  Dump in the rest and stir very well.  Bake for 28 - 32 minutes.  Cool and enjoy!

Before pouring into the pan is when you can add what ever flavors you would like.  Consider adding chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, malted milk balls that have been broken up, mini marshmallows..... use the imagination.

Newbie!

Good evening!  I am just starting this and we will see how far along this will go. 

I love to play in the kitchen to see what else I can come up with something for goodies. Our house is sometimes known as "Grand Central", and we go through a lot of coffee!  So, it only seems right that there be a little nibble to go along with the coffee. 

I have to thank my family and friends who have to put up with my experiments.  I take criticism well, I ask for it. 

I do have some recipes that I will be posting. I just had the name pop into my head as I was heading over to my fav-o-rite seester's house. (BTW - my only sister) I had some chocolate cupcakes and some peanut butter stuffed chocolate cookies for dessert.  Visiting with a cousin that was on business from Quebec! Love visiting and eating good food.  The remember whens.......

 

Ok, so lets see how I do and we can go from there.  Thank for stopping to take a peak, and we will see.

Have a good evening!