This Just In...

My Mom's insanely good Peaches and Cream Pie recipe over at The Nutty Family Kitchen.

Enjoy!!


:)

Hiatus

The reason is.... (how apropos!) over here.

:P

On A Roll

The previous weekend's dinner party debacle has sparked an overhaul in the Nut House weekly menu planning.

I had been in a serious rut, as if the only recipes in the world were already in my rolodex and we'd just have to deal with the endless cycle of beef stew, chicken and rice casserole, and hamburgers. Really and truly, I was tired of cooking. Period.

Enter the wonders of google and allrecipes.com.

Anything I remotely had the inkling to make, I would search on allrecipes, turning to the vastness of google if the former did not reveal the results I desired.

A whole world has been opened up to me.

Last week we embarked on a whirlwind tour of my pantry and the internet. The biggest flop was the apple pork chops (meat and fruit doth not mixeth in the Nut House) The best by far was the flavored rice... gotta love a recipe where the directions are "place all ingredients in rice cooker, turn on."

We had crock pot Butter Beef complete with darling Suzanne's bread. My favorite spring mix salad recipe with feta, apples, red onion and raspberry vinagrette became a staple, and I even found time to make a few treats for Valentines Day. (using the leftover chocolate for strawberry dipping, or finger dipping...)

It's been an adventure, a great way to wile away the chilly afternoons. And the kids, while still a bit wary of the "new" dinners coming at them, are pleased overall with the results.

The next problem to be tackled? Getting enough exercise to justify eating all of this yummy-ness.

:)

The Loveliness of Comfort Drinks

When I was newly engaged, at the tender age of 23, I went to go live in Canada with my future in-laws. The beautiful province of British Colombia has much to offer. From the Canadian Rockies to the Georgia Strait, to the eclectic city of Vancouver, I loved my new hometown and was eager to be acclimatised.

One of my favorite memories of those days was the evening ritual of tea and cookies after dinner. My Mother-in-law and I would sit and chat over a plate of Dare cookies (which were always conveniently in stock once she realized I was a big fan of them) and a pot of tea. The content of the teapot would vary, depending on who was home. Her favorite was a mixture of earl grey and lemon zinger... one that would elicit a wrinkled nose from my sister-in-law who pronounced it "yucky tea" and thus it has forever been named. Ask any of my in-laws in Vancouver what "yucky tea" is, and they will laugh and gladly prescribe the tea involved.

It was during these nightly conversations with my Mother-in-law that I heard firsthand her own history. I listened to the many stories of her upbringing, her own parents, and their tragedies and triumphs. I learned the story of how she met my Father-in-law when she was a waitress, working her way through nursing school.

Through it all, I became acquainted with her as a person both young and old. Her story, an important part of the family I was to be a part of, became as familiar to me as the anecdotes of my own extended family. Their names and faces are forever written on my heart, and while I haven't lived it all, their stories have enriched me, thanks to my Mother-in-law... and the nightly tradition of tea.

Over a simple cup of tea, stories are handed down. Tales of life and death, of love and heart break, are re-lived and re-told. The memories are still fresh and the emotions are just below the surface. A cup of tea allows us to linger long enough to bring them forth. And in so doing, entire generations find a common ground.

***********************************************************************

Many people thought of tea as their ultimate comfort drink.

Sarah likened it to a perfectly soft blanket. One that has seen many Sunday mornings cuddling with her version of hot Lipton tea, loaded with milk and sugar. Ever since my childhood in frigid upstate NY, this has been a favorite of mine!

In the comboxes here and here, Rachel (a "real life" friend) and Mrs. Bear passed along their own tea suggestions...

Rachel recommends Celestial Seasonings Cinnamon Apple Spice Tea, which she claims needs no sugar. This from a woman who admits that her coffee must taste "like a dessert" to be palatable. Well, I am with you, dear friend, and can't wait to try this one out!

Mrs. Bear prefers chai tea, a particular favorite of mine... especially the decaf spiced chai.

Both ladies had other suggestions as well... hot toddies (which the hospitable Margaret invited me north to try... is it too early for another trip?) sangria, Arnold Palmers and hot chocolate! (Which we will come back to... never fear!)

Dawn has a plethora of ideas which range from the many varieties of tea to eggnog to flavored coffee! The best part about comfort drinks is the delicious food that goes along with 'em, and Dawn does not disappoint. I am completely inspired to do some Autumn cooking with my kiddos.


The hot chocolate fan-club is filled to the brim.

Helene shares her husband's favorite recipe, along with his favorite cookbook. I think I'm sold on both!

Emily admits an addiction to Williams-Sonoma's hot cocoa mix. She includes her own personal flair with the addition of cinnamon sticks, or cinnamon hearts. And the never-to-be-forgotten dollop of whipped cream.

Elaine had so many different suggestions, you are sure to find what you may be in the mood for! I'm especially intrigued by the coffee drink her husband concocts which includes kahlua and vanilla vodka. Definitely a must try.

Speaking of coffee, which supercedes tea in my book any day... (it being my constant companion in the sanity department around here) Karen does a beautiful job "counting the ways" in which she enjoys her daily cup. (or three?) A woman after my own heart, she gets it exactly right. "For surely there is coffee in heaven."

:)

The Bridegroom is Still Among Us...

... so, feast away!

Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino

3/4 cup espresso coffee
3 tablespoons sugar
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons chocolate syrup
whipped cream for topping
chocolate syrup for topping

Mix coffee, still hot, and sugar in your mixer until sugar is dissolved.

Add milk and chocolate syrup and continue mixing, about one minute.

Pour mix into a sealable container for easy storage.

Store in fridge until ready to use (Note: Do not store any longer than you would milk).

To make drink, combine equal parts mix and ice in a blender and blend on high until smooth.

Pour into glasses.

Top each glass with whipped cream and drizzle with chocolate syrup.

Slurp Serve.