Fresh Hot Italian...

November...WOW

Where did the Fall go....?!!  

The temperatures here in PA certainly do reflect the fact November 

some how snuck up behind us..

As much as I enjoy my spring/summer time cook outs and grillin,

I also love spending time in the kitchen...

Today is Sausage day...

WE have on the Menu today..

Fresh Sausage...Italian Sausage....Hot Sausage

And let me share with you...

It smells heavenly!

I purchased the different types of sausage at a local farm market.

The main two reasons I prefer a local market is the quality and quantity..

If I had purchased the sausage at the local grocery store,

it would be prepackage in an amount way too much for my needs..

and I am always very leary on the shelf date when it comes to Pork.

First, I cut the sausages into smaller pieces and placed in

the stewing pot with some olive oil...

You can also add your own favorite seasonings to the meat at this time.

I let the sausage pieces cook on Medium heat for about 15 mins..

Then added some Chopped Green Peppers,

Red Sweet Peppers and Onions..

This cooked for about an hour, giving it a stir on occassion

on Medium heat...

After the sausage, peppers and onions had cooked and simmered in their

own juices, I added some Marinara Sauce...

Gently stirring while I incorporating all the ingredients together.. 

Replaced the lid, lowered the temperature to Med-Low

and walked away...

This will simmer for about two hours,

giving it a gentle stir every 30 mins or so...

So easy and Ooooo..So Good!

This dish can be served alone, on a bun, your favorite bread

 or on top of your favorite pasta...

Happy Monday and Enjoy Your Week..!

Too many miles between...

I received this little note today from my 8yo Nephew in TX...

Although I love all my nieces and nephews,

there is just this little "special" bond with "my buddy named Seth"..

(This is what I say to him when I first see him after a long absence)

Seth is the sweetest and most caring little guy...

O....Don't get me wrong, this boy is ALL Boy!

Loves his sports, especially baseball..

He is one good little catcher in Little League!

And he can certainly hold his own against his Big Sister, Shayna...

I am witness to that..!!

However, when it comes to his "heart and soul"

Seth is exactly all that!

Nothing gets passed this guy...

and so full of questions...I LOVE IT!

Maybe this is why he has that "special" hold on my heart...

He's not afraid to ask and loves Everyone!

Unconditionally..

He has reminded me on several occasions to stop and enjoy the moment..!

Aunt Kathy Loves You, Seth!!

The Great Pumpkin Patch

In preparation for my Open House with my Business...

I am busy searching and creating Autumn Decor.

This quick and easy pumpkin cost me approximately $5.00 to create.....

Michaels Crafts is having 60% off their entire line of Fall/Autumn Items.

I also started a project to display my cupcakes I'll be serving the day of my 

Open House...

A small hint....the project does include pumpkins

I will be sure to post some pics when the final creation is complete!

HAVE A FANTASTIC WEEK...!

K

 

7UP Biscuits

Check Out These yummmo Biscuits posted by Blogger "plainchicken"

Only Three ingredients....WOW I am going to make these, for sure!! This biscuit recipe will go fantastic with Chili or a Steaming Hot Bowl of Homemade Soup...!!

7UP Biscuits | Plain Chicken

30 Years Young....

This past weekend was my 30th class reunion...

Warwick High School

Class of 1980

I can not believe it's been 30 years since we last sat and walked the halls of Warwick High...
 

 

 

 

     

Friday night meet up

The weekend long activities started Friday evening at a local establishment,
with a meet up for all those who could attend.
This very informal gathering was a great way to reconnect and for those to stop by
who were unable to attend the Dinner Reunion on Saturday...
Saturday's big event was at the The Barn,
Which is located on the grounds of Overlook Golf Club and Community Campus...
The venue was Outstanding..!
I think we overstayed our visit there by an hour or so....

Then it was off to another local establishment for some more
reconnecting and hanging out...
I really enjoyed meeting up with so many classmates I haven't seen since graduation,
Even though I have only missed two reunions in 30 years,
you don't always get a chance to chat with everyone...

My buddy Kris...we grew up around the corner from each other

Me and my girls...So many good times we shared!!

After dinner gathering at a local establishment..

The final meet up was Sunday Morning at Starbucks for a few of us,
we planned to meet around 11, I think the last one showed up at 12 noon...
This reunion truly was a good time had by all...

This picture below tells the story..!
We laughed til we cried sharing stories from our school days.....
(I apologize for the poor lighting)

Cindy, Me and Sharon..Cindy and Sharon are Twin Sisters and our Class Valedictorians, who also lived across the street from me....

Cindy and I...We were/are best friends throughout school and were joined at the hip..!!

Another great Reunion...!



 

Show me the Lemon and Sugar....

Today was one of the most beautiful Fall days EVER,

here in PA..

We spent the day meandering around Lancaster County...

Shopping at one of my favorite stores,

Stauffer's Of Kissel Hill in Lititz..

This weekend and next,

Stauffer's is having their annual 

Fall Festival Days...

We literally ate our way around the store

tasting all the "free" stuff available,

as I picked up my 

grocery items I like from this particular store.

After picking and choosing,

I grabbed a few bags of the prepared ice Stauffer's has available for free,
for my items that needed to be kept cold.
I packed the food with the ice into my cooler and forward to the next destination...

I was still on a mission,

wanting to savor every day light hour on this awesome day..

Having been a huge fan of Crepes most of...ALL

my life..

I knew exactly where the next stop would be..

Rachel's Cafe and Creperie

I have been wanting to check out Rachel's for way too long,

and with the overly hot summer we just experienced here in PA,

Rachel's was put on hold...

Today there were no excuses...

The front of the cafe along the sidewalk,

has small black tables and chairs

with table service for customers who enjoy the business of the city...

That would be ME..!!

I am a people watcher and enjoy meeting and chatting with new people..

you just never know who you may be talking to ...?!!!

I tried the Lemon and White Sugar Crepe

along with freshly brewed unsweetened ice tea...

I was not disappointed in either..!!!

The Crepe had the right amount of lemon with butter and sugar,

all melted and warm inside the crepe...

If I would have been at home or tucked away in a corner somewhere,

I would have licked the inside of the wax paper the crepe came in....

Yes, it was that darn good...!!!  

Lemon and Sugar Crepe

I know I will be going back to Rachel's...

Good thing its not just around the corner,

like my favorite coffee shop is,

which makes my very own Mocha Latte Every morning for me,..

But that's another blog post..!

Fruit Smoothies at Rachel's Cafe and Creperie

Enjoy this wonderful Autumn,

and be safe..!!

Sloppy Joe Biscuit Cups

I am always looking for those easy, "grab on the go" meals to freeze. I will be making up a batch or two of these, filling them with our favorite filling for those days, most days I dont have time to spend in the kitchen....

Sloppy Joe Biscuit Cups from Pillsbury.com

It has to be Granny....

When I think of Apple Pie....

Only one word comes to mind

"GRANNY!"

This for two reasons..

One for the type of Apple (Granny Smith) used in my pie

and Two for the person who taught me how to bake...

Granny as in "My Mother"

My niece being the first grandchild born,

had the privileged rights to name her Grandmother, (my mother) what

would be the name her grandchildren would come to know her as..

As I was picking and choosing the perfect apples from the high, very well stocked bin,

My thoughts were moving faster than lighting thinking how tasty this pie was going to be

on this Beautiful Autumn Day..

 

Deep dish pie plate filled with Granny Smith Apples and Spices

Crust Topping with egg wash

Top sprinkled with generous amount of white sugar and slits made on top for release of heat and steam during baking

Straight from the oven Hot Apple Pie..

RECIPE:

2 (9 inch) pie shell
6 cups sliced apples
1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
3/4 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter
One egg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Place sliced apples in a large bowl. Sprinkle with lemon juice if desired. In a small bowl, mix together white sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, cinnamon, brown sugar and nutmeg.Sprinkle mixture over apples. Toss until apples are evenly coated. Spoon mixture into pastry shell and place butter cubes on top of apples.  Top with second pie crust sealing the ends together by pinching dough.
3. Place egg in small bowl and whisk, spread egg wash on top of pie crust with pastry brush.
4. Sprinkle white sugar very generously on top of egg wash.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes or until top crust is golden brown.
6. Cool to desired temperature and serve with your favorite ice cream... 

                
This pie did not make it one hour before 
the first piece was cut

              
 Baking Pies is something I very much enjoy doing,

                                   However, I do not do it often enough, though... 

                                  And last evening as I was chatting
                                       away with my cousin on the phone,

                                  My Aunt, (Mother's Youngest Sister) phoned ME  

                                     to ask a question about Pumpkin Pies
                                 I was so honored my Aunt thought of me when
                                     needing directions in baking...

                               Yes..Granny, I was paying attention to
                                       EVERY detail....

How much is this??....."One Dollar"

A blog friend posted a few days ago her beautiful creation she made for $10.00,

A Fall Wreath made from items she purchased for $1.00 each at the Dollar Store....

I have the most awesome Dollar Tree in my area,

it's clean, organized and stocked like an old fashion 5 and Dime Store..!!

Evey time I stop in, I feel like a kid in a candy store..

and they really do have candy..

Came home with a package of Hershey's PB Cups...

FOR ONE DOLLAR!

Here is my $10.00 Fall Wreath Creation...

Basic wood wreath

I purchased Garland Fall leaves on a vine and removed the leaves from the vine

Hot glued the leaves evenly around the wreath

Added the pumpkin and two gourdes I purchased...Final Outcome

This project was easy in preparation and in the wallet..!

Take me back in time......

 

Old Sturbridge Village In Massachusetts,

was one of my most favorite places to have visited..

Particularly this time of  year,

When the days are warmed with the sun and the air has a bit of cool crispness to it...

I love strolling along old cobble stone lined streets that once 

had the presence of children playing while the live stock were herded 

throughout the town, the clanging of the town blacksmith could be heard in the distance

while maybe a political debated or two had once been discussed at the town square...

Our visit to this quaint little piece of history was on one of the most spectacular

Fall Weekends during that year...

It was the first stop of several as we made our way north to 

Kennebunkport, MA

Kennebunkport is a small East Coastal town,

The streets are lined with many novelty stores to which I remember having

a fun day of shopping and talking with the locals...

The Ocean was within our sights as we found our way walking around

the narrow sidewalks, feeling the cool ocean breeze on our face...

During our little stroll, we eventually found our way to

The Landing 

along the water front...

Our trip home the following day had one stop in Massachusetts,

The Plimoth Plantation

Here we spent a entire afternoon at the Plantation 

stepping back in time with the 

Native Wampanoag Indians and Pilgrims of

the 17th century... 

I must share, this is where I had the most

delectable Whole Maine Lobster Meal..EVER!

I do not recall the name of the restaurant,

only remembering it was on the water front and very comfortable in

decor...And

The lobster was sweeter than sweet with no butter needed or added...

 

So...If you find yourself traveling the East Coast,

I highly recommend taking the time and stepping back into history,
throughout the New England States.

 

It's Time To Say Good-Bye For The Summer....

Niece Shayna, Nephews Keegan and Seth at Hershey Park Chocolate World

I can not wrap my brain around the fact summer is coming to a close...

Although I LOVE Fall,

Summer is by far my most favorite season...!!

Shayna and Amy(BFF's Daughter) getting in some Ice Cream Time at the "Cone"  These two lovely young ladies are four days apart in age...

Keegan eating one of Aunt K's Cuppies

NYC...Brother Mike, SIL Trina, Keegan, Seth and Shayna

This summer was filled with many visitors to my home,

which meant my time away was very little...but I'm not complaining..!

Keegan getting in some swim fun at Aunt K's

Brother Mike and I

The summer started off with a visit from my Oldest Brother, Mike 

and his family from Texas.

The last visit for Mike home to PA was almost 12 years ago,

so it was time for him to make the trip..!

The time spent here went by very quickly,

Day trips around the area, NYC

Family gatherings and just hanging out made for a really good time for all....

Mike and I can talk for hours and hours....its probably a good thing we do not live too close to each other!

Waiting to board train for NYC

Me and Sue during her visit

Another visitor was my good friend, Sue from Florida.

Sue and I have been friends from way back during our Nursing years 

at the same hospital...

Sue's daughter, Danielle and my son Jere are the same age,

We became friends quickly after meeting while on duty and

sharing every day events about our children and life in general...

Much of the summer was also spent having friends over for summer time swims

and cook outs...

 The very last gathering was a surprise today from my dear friend, Paula

along with her son and daughter...

I haven't seen Paula for some time,

We do keep in touch, just not "in person"

those busy schedules just have a way of keeping people..busy

Ending the visit with more chocolate, the kids made their very own chocolate bar...

All in all, this summer turned out to be a very memorable one...

I am so very lucky and blessed to have good friends and family who want to 

share time with me and my family..!

 I hope your summer was a memorable one too..in a very good way!

Happy Fall

Faded Memories...

Recently my dear cousin, Patti and I were able to steal some time away from busy schedules

and go back in time a bit to our childhood with old photos her mother had tucked away in an album.

When my cousin went in search for some photos I had asked if her Mother may have,

She found an entire album filled with years of memories...

Each picture was carefully placed and labeled...

We had such a good time remembering while looking back through the years...

Growing up there were six grandchildren..

My two brothers, Mike and Doug

My cousins and siblings, Patti and Jim

Then I came along, with our cousin Tracy bring up the rear...

We do have two younger cousins,

Todd and Shane..they however came way behind us in age and unfortunately did not

experience growing up with the fearless 6...

My grandparents built the farmhouse after all four of their children were born..
My grandfather, my father and great-grandfather worked together building what would
become a place we all came to know as....
Grandpa and Grandma's.


My Grandmother cooked Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner
every year for the entire crew...
Never taking any help or covered dish from either of her daughters or daughter in law.
Grandma cooked for days,
preparing the pies and cakes, puddings and stuffing...
We all sat around the very large dinning room table and ate until our hearts and tummies were filled to the brim...
At the end of the meal, 
it was a contest to see who would get to the chocolate pudding first..
And grandpa usually...almost always...DID win..!

Through out the year, there was never a question where or what we
would be doing...
It was spent on the farm on Sunday evenings, where all of us gathered..
The grown ups sat either on the porch or in the very large kitchen
and chatted away for hours...
while the kids rode bike, roamed the farm,  or all 
piled on top of Grandpa's Hemock and swinging as fast as we could until it did eventually come lose, which at that point we all found 
ourselves on the ground.
The cold winter months were spent playing in the basement where we
rode bikes continuously in a circle around the steps,
avoiding a head on collision with the coal stove,
to which none of us to this day understand how that never happened..

During the summer months,
our time together was spent from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon
at the Family Cottage at Red Point, MD along the Chesapeake.
Here is where we would gather early in the mornings and eat a huge 
breakfast prepared by my grandmother, Aunts and my mother,
I can still smell that bacon..!
Eggs were made to special order, mine was always...Sunny Side Up!
After breakfast the men would take off
in the boat and fish for a good part of the day
returning with their catch, (cleaning what they caught in the back yard on the
wooden stump), the daily catch would  then be part of our dinner....

The rest of us would wonder the grounds or play games while the men fished,
eventually finding our way to the beach.  We had a very short
walk to the beach, our cottage was water front and within a very short walking
distance to the road leading down to the beach and docks..
Our entire afternoon would be spent swimming and playing off the floating dock..
Red Point was where all the grandchildren learned to swim and we all
were/are very good swimmers...!

What I will always remember:
My grandmother made her own Popsicles...used Miracle Whip for everything,
always had a fresh pie made and sugar cookies in the cookie jar...
Grandpa was very quiet, but had a smile that melted your heart..!
He chewed tobacco, never ate from a paper plate or drank from a paper cup,
he could fix anything, cleaned his dinner plate with a piece of bread,
and always had a piece of that pie for dessert grandma had freshly made...

Patti, Aunt Sally and Me on Aunt Sally's Wedding Day at the Farm House before the ceremony...

Me apparently getting ready to take a nap on Grandma's kitchen floor

Me taking early steps at the Farm House

Me on the beach at the family cottage, Red Point, MD

(L) Cousin Jim, Brothers Doug and Mike, Cousin Patti standing in front of huge Evergreen Tree at the Farm

The Fearless 6..Back row: brothers Mike and Doug, Cousin Jim..Front: Me, Cousins Tracy and Patti

Brother Mike on beach at Red Point, MD

(L) Grandparents, Hannah and Leroy, kitchen at Farm (R) Grandparents on Porch swing at family cottage in Red Point, MD

Grandmother, Hannah...this is how I will always remember her...dressed like a lady adorned with apron.

Thanks for taking this trip down memory lane with me...

I have so many great memories of my childhood to which I owe credit to wonderful family and values...

Cupcake sadness (but still delicious!)

My next visit to NYC,

I will be stoppin by "Baked By Melissa" Bakery...!!!

Click on link for a peek at some of her O So Yummmmmoo Cuppies.......

Cupcake sadness (but still delicious!)

Oh Baby...

After a busy morning at the Salon,

I came home enjoying the beautiful day we were having here in PA...

As I was puttering around my kitchen,

wondering what I felt like eating for lunch

or rather what I felt like making for lunch...

my attention, as always was drawn to what is happening

outside my kitchen window....

I counted well over 20 butterflies on the bush

and saw a sight I just adore...

A woman pushing a baby carriage,

Not because she was in a Mall or on some

errand....

Simply taking a walk pushing her baby,

Just because...

I know this because where I live, 

there are no sidewalks, only paved roads

with areas safe for taking a walk..

And my admiration for this Mother grew when I saw she had

a blanket laid across the opening of the carriage to protect the baby from the 

sun and wind....

I loved walking and pushing my son in his carriage....

Looking forward to doing the same with grandchildren someday!

A Flutter Here and A Flutter There.....

As I was preparing smoked turkey and gravy for a 

"help yourself" dinner...

My attention was quickly distracted with the dancing butterflies outside my 

kitchen window, as they attached themselves to my overly grown and wild Butter Fly Bush....

This year the Butterfly population is in abundance,

to which I am not complaining..!!

I LOVE THIS PLANT..!!

Signs Of The Season......

This time of year is all about Clam Bakes at our home....

It's a tradition we have done for so long I honestly 

can't remember not doing one...

And with this time of year also comes the close of summer...

As we sat on the deck enjoying our fresh bake,

the day was so peaceful with a nice breeze and temperatures in the high 70's.

This is always a bitter sweet time of year for me,

I so love the summer months,

but also enjoy the cool mornings of Fall,

the warm afternoons with the anticipation of a cool evening that Fall brings,

to which I fully embrace......

With my son preparing to start his classes at the University this week,   

today was the day we invited some friends to join us

and so thoroughly enjoyed this last summer outing...

 

Fresh Steamed Clams....We only had 400

Prepared Bags of Vegetables to be steamed with the clams

Way too much food....

What a plate looks like after....just had to have one more clam

A visitor during our bake...a Humming Bird

I just love sitting out on my deck, 

watching the birds and butterflies who come visiting

my Butterfly Bush all day long..

Have a great week...

K