Downy Woodpecker

The great thing about winter is bird feeders.  It's been so warm so we were kind of concerned about putting them up because the bears like to go after them.  However, we finally got a freeze and some snow this weekend so up they go.   We get chickadees, nut hatches, tufted titmice, and our favorite - the ever elusive Downy woodpecker.  We hear them all year round in the woods but rarely get to see them but occasionally they will make an appearance at the bird feeder.  It's even harder to get a pic of them but Tim managed this one this weekend.

Pillsbury Barbecups

There are certain Gifts From God and one of them is Pillsbury Grand Bisquits.  We use them for just about everything imaginable. Great for mini breakfast cups, mini dinners, lunches etc.... We had a lot to get done this weekend plus taking care of Mom so we wanted something simple to make for dinner.  Tim loves any excuse to fall back on family recipes and Pillsbury Barbecups are one of them.  So easy to make and add a bag of tater tots in the oven with a salad - easy, breezy voila dinner is served.  Plus they are great for leftovers. A classic recipe from being a kid. 

 Ingredients:

1

lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef 

 1/2

cup barbecue sauce

 1/4

cup chopped onion

 1

to 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

 1

can (12 oz) Pillsbury™ Grands!™ Jr. Golden Layers® Refrigerated Buttermilk or Flaky Biscuits

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar or American cheese (2 oz)

1. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 10 regular-size muffin cups with No-Stick Cooking Spray.  In 10-inch skillet, cook beef over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in barbecue sauce, onion and brown sugar. Cook 1 minute to blend flavors, stirring constantly. 

2. Separate dough into 10 biscuits. Place 1 biscuit in each muffin cup. Firmly press in bottom and up sides, forming 1/4-inch rim over edge of cup. Spoon about 1/4 cup beef mixture into each biscuit-lined cup. Sprinkle each with cheese. 

3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges of biscuits are golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from muffin cups.

Grrrrrrrrr

Little project for the weekend or maybe a couple hours.  I love these DIY trophy mounted animals.  I have been looking at them for years but haven't been able to find the level of quality that I wanted. I finally came across this great website - www.cardboardsafari.com.  They have these great designs of trophy animals in cardboard or wood. Mammals, fish and fantasy animals - great for guest or kid's rooms. I bought three of them in wood because I thought they would be sturdier.  The kits are easy, well made and the quality of the detail and they were very easy to put together.  Great DIY project for adults or project for kids.  They come painted or ready to decorate or leave plain.  I had the three animals completed in a couple hours and mounted them the next day.  They look great in the guest room.

Snowblowers, Snowshovels and Roof Heaters... Oh My!

Someone must have known my mother was moving here from Texas and didn't want to shock her with her first Catskill winter.   We have done everything to prepare for the snow.  After last winter, with all of the snow that accumulated on our roof and we had roof leaks around our roof vents - we came prepared this year.  We bought a brand new snow blower which remains under a tarp aching to be used. We bought a 21 foot roof shovel, heater cables for the north side of the roof and additional snow shovels.  So, where is the snow?  We installed the roof heater cables today.  No one tells you how difficult these little tasks can be.  It took most of the day and forget the manicure - what a booger that was!  Then, while assembling the roof shovel - I somehow managed to slice open the tip of a finger.  My hands were so numb, I did not notice.  However, when Tim fainted from all the blood I suddenly had all over the aluminum shovel - I realized I needed a medic.  Bandaids in place, we finished the heater cables, the shovel assemblage and made a couple of cocktails.  Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

Happy Holidays and Goodbye 2015

The Holidays are past us and the New Year begins.  A year ago, I couldn't believe how bad a situation my mother and I were in.  A year later, we are in a much better place. Mom is safe and starting a new life. Our Christmas was so different from last year. It was an absolutely perfect day.  We got up and opened stocking gifts, had breakfast, got dressed and then Tim's parents arrived.  We opened gifts and relaxed and Tim and his mother cooked an amazing dinner.  Then afterwards, we watched "It's a Wonderful Life" on the movie screen. It was awesome.  I feel blessed that I have my Mom, Tim and his lovely parents to share the holidays. It couldn't have been better.  I look forward to a new year, with love and hope that things will get better and those around you are the best gifts of all.

Catmus

Now that Atticus is slightly less destructive, Tim decided he was going to have a Xmas tree alternative for the apartment.  He ordered a wall tree and he hung it on a column wall in our living room.  Both Sookie and Atticus got right into the action right away!  It screams Catrastophe!

Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

Getting ready for Christmas.  I am a total Grinch but with Mom here - I committed to Tim to try and get in the spirit of the holiday.  Spent the weekend putting up the tree and finding tubs of ornaments and hanging lights.  I have ornaments from when I was 5 years old - these pitiful elves that I have kept forever - they are so beat up but mean a lot to me. I grew up with icicle trees and I love them.  I don't care but that's the tree for me.  It was such a nice day and Tim made this delicious faux pot pie. Maybe our crock pot was on the fritz because he cooked it on high for 4 hours instead of low - so just adjust y'all!

Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 pound red potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, diced 
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup corn kernels, frozen, canned or roasted
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 (16-ounce) tube refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 
  
• For the sauce 
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• Pinch of paprika
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

• To make the sauce, melt butter in a large saucepan. Add garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1-2 minutes.
• Gradually whisk in chicken stock, thyme, basil, oregano and paprika. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce has begun to thicken, about 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Lightly coat the inside of a 6-qt slow cooker with nonstick spray.
• Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, to taste, and place into the slow cooker. Add potatoes, onion, carrots and celery. Stir in chicken stock mixture and bay leaves. Cover and cook on low heat for 3-4 hours or high for 1-2 hours. Add corn and peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking time.
• Remove chicken thighs from the slow cooker and shred the chicken before returning to the pot with the juices. Cover and keep warm for an additional 30 minutes.
• Prepare biscuits according to package instructions.
• Serve chicken immediately topped with biscuits, garnished with parsley, if desired.