Grandma's Cucumbers

Grandma taught me to cook by feel. It wasn't something that she specifically talked to me about, she wasn't that type. Grandma just quietly showed me, by her example, how to cook. She still does lead me by example and I love her so much for that.

The first summer cucumbers were a treasured treat. We'd wait with anticipation until they were just big enough to pick, only about 2 inches long, and then Grandma would whip up a batch of her, well, I don't know what to call this. They're not really pickles and it's not really a salad. Let's just call them Grandma's Cucumbers. I don't have enough room in my little garden for cucumbers. One year, I planted some that were a bush variety, but I couldn't find them this year. I found these baby cucumbers at the farmer's market yesterday and couldn't wait to make this recipe.

Grandma's Cucumbers

Some cucumbers--could be a few, could be a lot. Clean them real good. Peel them, or at least score the outside with a fork. Or don't peel them. Whatever you have time for. Soak them in salt water. How much salt? I don't know, sprinkle them real good. Then let them soak. How long? Oh, a good long time, maybe most of the morning or at least a couple of hours. Enough time to do a few loads of laundry or weed the garden and the flower bed.

Then, drain the salt water, but don't rinse them. Add some cider vinegar and not that imitation stuff. How much? Oh a couple of glugs. Add some more cold water and some black pepper. Sprinkle with some sugar. How much? Enough to sweeten them just a bit, I don't know, depends on how many cucumbers you've got. If it's not tart enough, add some more vinegar. Add a thinly slice onion. And then stir 'em real good. Then let them sit in the fridge until supper.

And remember, this isn't a recipe!

Thanks Grandma!

When it gets cooler again, I'll share with you her recipe for Roast Pork, Sauerkraut, and Potato Dumplings (with her world famous, shake your fanny it's so good, gravy).

Hot Mama

Why on Earth did I decide to bake today? It's 80 degrees outside, humid and I've turned on the oven. It's a peanut butter craving day, that's why! Young One has one of his many friends over, our house seems to be the kid hangout. So, with kid free time, and two hungry boys plus MY peanut butter craving to feed, I decided to try these Weight Watchers friendly bars.

I once worked for a doctor who said your body craves certain things because it needs something that those foods provide. I NEVER craved peanut butter before I started Weight Watchers. So, there must be something my body needs in it! Especially mixed in with sugar and butter and that wonderful food group: frosting! Enjoy!

Four Point Peanut Butter Bars

cooking spray
1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp table salt
1 1/2 cup quick cooking rolled oats, do not use instant
3/4 cup reduced-fat peanut butter
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 Tbsp sugar, granulated
1/2 cup light butter, from a stick, softened
2 large egg(s)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup fat-free skim milk

Icing
3 Tbsp reduced-fat peanut butter
1 1/2 Tbsp light butter, from a stick
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp fat-free skim milk

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a 9- X 13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil; coat foil with cooking spray.
Whisk together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. Whisk in oats and set aside.
With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat peanut butter, brown sugar, granulated sugar and butter in a large bowl until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition; beat in vanilla.
At low speed, add one half of flour mixture to peanut butter mixture, then one half of milk, beating just until incorporated. Repeat with remaining flour mixture and milk, beating until well mixed. Spread batter in prepared pan. Bake until golden at edges and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a rack.
Meanwhile, to make icing, combine peanut butter and butter in a medium microwavable bowl. Microwave on high until butter is melted, about 30 seconds; whisk until smooth. Add powdered sugar and milk; whisk until smooth. Immediately spread icing evenly over hot cake. Cool completely. Cut into 24 bars. Yields 1 bar per serving.

Just an update. These are good, as is, but I think next time I'm going to sub mashed banana for all of the butter. I think that will make them more WW friendly.

A Doings

My Grandma speaks another language sometimes. No, it's not Swedish, I don't think she knows much of that to speak of, even though she is of that nationality. This is another language altogether. I think I'll call it Old Timers. She moves in and out of it in every conversation I've ever had. It's just one of the many reasons why I adore her.

Today she's at a "doings". That's a party, a gathering, or an event. It can be used in any number of ways. Could be a church event or a funeral. It could be a graduation or birthday party. This "doings" just happens to be a Fourth of July holiday picnic at a cousin's house.

Mom and I were talking last night about this Old Timer's language. It includes phrases such as, "We were going neighboring" and closing each phone conversation with, "Talk to ya." And it got us thinking about the slower pace of life that Grandma had when she was my age. Sunday afternoons might mean attending a "doings" or going "neighboring", which meant dropping in to visit your neighbors. It conjures up images of the men discussing farming and the women talking about the garden and speculating on local gossip while the children played. I would imagine there may be a simple meal or a bit of pie and coffee to converse over.

When someone is sick, Grandma always asks if they've been "doctoring." Or if someone is struggling with their health, they've been "doctoring" for a long time. She will say someone is "sicky" if they have a virus or ask if we've been "sicky" if the flu is going around. And if someone is not looking as good as they used to or getting around as well as they used to, they're "failing." One time, she said that someone seemed "kind of punk" when they weren't feeling quite themselves. I've heard this from a neighbor as well, so I guess this is common Old Timer talk.

I'm sure I'll think of more examples as time goes on and I'll try to write them down. I'd love to hear from others that know a bit of this Old Timer language. I think it's important that we keep it alive, remember it, and reminisce about our loved ones.

In the Garden of Eatin' or In the Garden of Weedin'

Those are my two pet names for my garden. Since, that's pretty much what I've been doing in it lately. Weedin' and Eatin'.

Since the Demon Bunny has been relocated and it seems none of his siblings, parents, or any other hungry relatives have taken up their munching in my little plot, I've been really enjoying it out there. But, I have to let you in on a little secret. I don't often share everything in that garden with my family. And I've found, that some of the best meals, can be had while leaning against the garden gate.

This year, in a fit of inspiration found from a library book on container plantings, I planted a hanging basket of June and Ever-bearing strawberry plants. It was a cold, damp Spring, so it took a while for these beauties to get going, but now, I get a handful of strawberries almost every time I head out to my little garden. With all good intentions of sharing them, they usually don't make it to the house. There's something about a sun warmed strawberry, just plucked from the plant. It's like sugar sweetened sunshine, I suppose. Well, anyway, I have shared a few, but for the most part, that container has been like a snack machine for me. Hey, I do all the planting and weeding. I guess it's a just reward!

We also have a few raspberry plants that are leftover from a time in my life that I thought I could control raspberry plants. Yes, I learned the hard way that those beasts just can't be contained in a small area of my garden, so I got rid of the bulk of them, but thanks to their prolific runners, we have a few that angle in over the back fence. They should be ready in a few weeks and I can't wait! Maybe, there will be enough to share!

I've included a shot of my little garden plot and some potato blossoms. They're quite pretty flowers, aren't they? I don't remember what type I planted. There weren't many seed potatoes left at the nursery when I picked them up, so I took what was left. It's probably about time to see if there are some new potatoes hiding under those beautiful blossoms!

I'm Glad My Tupperware Cupboard is a Booby Trap and Other Reasons Why I'm Happy at Home

Being a stay at home mom can be a mundane job, but then there are those days that just rise above to be either extremely frightening in their disgusting-ness, never ending in their tasks, or just plain surprising. Today is not one of those days, but I've just got to tell you about a some of those experiences that stand out in my memory as particularly noteworthy.

• I bet you didn't know that baby mice can both travel and swim? Well, I found that out shortly after a camping trip a few summer's back. Camping is dirty work and I was just finishing sorting the mountains of laundry that we had accumulated in the woods. While shaking out our sleeping bags (a task I now know to do outside of the house!), a family of funny looking field mice shook out of one of our bags. I shuddered to think that I had been sleeping with them and panicked for a short time wondering if Young One had contracted rodent rabies or some other mouse malady from them. That proved not to be the case, however the little gray critters scattered throughout my basement in the blink of an eye. I had not only freaked myself out, but I had infested our home in less than 5 seconds. Well, I resigned myself to trapping vermin (OK, I resigned Hubby to trapping vermin) and moved on to the laundry. After washing the mouse filled sleeping bag, I noticed a little gray fuzzy thing on top of the bag in the washer. Yep, Squeaker had swum and spun through a wash cycle and sat there looking quite furious at me. It took a lot of courage to pick him up (with some old leather gloves on, thank you very much!) and take him outside. Yes, the rest were rounded up later.
• I can singlehandedly destroy my kitchen in less than five minutes. While putting away groceries, I dropped a glass jar of honey on one counter top, spilled an entire bottle of 100% organic grape juice in my refrigerator, and tripped on the dog while putting the flour canister away spreading the fine, white powder over every surface (including the honey spill). Yes, we went out for dinner that night. Yes, I almost cried. Yes, it took almost a month to remove the stickiness.
• Young One LOVES to help. And he's a great helper too, well, for the most part. I remember when he first learned how to empty the dishwasher. I used to remove the knives and he'd do his best to put everything else away. He was so proud, right before Thanksgiving as I was busily preparing for a house full of in laws, that he did it "myself." And he did, what appeared to be a great job. The doorbell rang and a girlfriend was there to help me with some of the advance cooking. We were busily wrapping up our cooking session when she opened my Tupperware cupboard to get some containers. It literally exploded with bowls and lids scattering all over the floor. Young One walked in and said, "Sorry about that mom. I couldn't figure out how to put it away except for making it a booby trap." It's still a mess, doesn't spring all over the floor anymore, but I'll never forget the booby trap.
• Eagles can mistake your dog for lunch. I really love watching the Eagles sore over our house. What an awesome sight! And for a bird that was formerly on the endangered species list, it's a real treat to see them thriving. But, please don't eat my dog. We have a timid, nervous Upper Class Mutt (yep, that's a breed, right up their with the Poopiedoodle and the Wirehaired Doxiecocker). He was out "helping" me weed the landscaping. I stopped to stretch and rest my aching back and watched a beautiful Bald Eagle soaring high up in the sky. He circled lower and lower, giving me a closer look at his bright white head. Soon, he was close enough that I could see his sharp, yellow beak. I was overjoyed. I'm a birder. I love watching birds. I love feeding birds. Hey, he's really close now and swoop, he makes a pass close enough to see his talons baring down on my Nervous Nellie of a dog. Nope, he didn't swoop Tucker up and take him for lunch. I think my speaking in strange, alarmed tongues while sort of screaming and running for my pup's rescue not only frightened him off, but solidified my backyard neighbors' opinions of me being an odd sort of person.
• Making homemade bread with a kid is really fun. Answering the doorbell with Young One's tiny flour handprints strategically placed on the front of my black t-shirt will get the Jehovah's to go preach at another house without any comment.
• Ten, ten-year-old boys can take a home from pristine to armageddon in less than ten minutes. It's the ten-ten-ten rule.
• Amoxicillin induced vomit stains never come out of carpet.

I am so very happy at home. Today I planted some flowers, cleaned my kitchen, made lunch, cleaned my kitchen, did a load of laundry, planned dinner, worked out, took Young One to cello lessons, did another load of laundry, cleaned up the kitchen again (don't ask), watered some plants, answered some emails, cleaned the kitchen again ("I'm not doing this again, YOUNG MAN!"), looked at some fireworks, chased a butterfly, looked at the garden and thought about weeding and rationalized that this wasn't a good time for weeding, got my haircut, visited a collector's store, and watched a TiVo-ed show about Meteorites sparking some very interesting discussions about the possibility of finding meteorites in the Suburbs "probably at parks". And all this, done, and it's only 2:30 in the afternoon.

The great thing is, I get to do it all and differently, tomorrow. Yes, there are days when I could just scream from the monotony, but I think that's the price I pay for having the priviledge of staying home. It's pros so outweigh the cons. I get a lot of grief from people about being a stay at home mom of one child, but these sweet summer days, I know I'm doing the right thing for my little family. Making a home is an art. Managing a home is an extremely hard job. Being at home is where I'm supposed to be.

It's great when you find your little place in the world, isn't it?

We Caught the Bunny

Two nights ago, we caught the little demon bunny that had been terrorizing the garden. I was beginning to give up hope or maybe actually hoping that he had moved on to more fertile fields. He did knock back our Swiss Chard as his last supper, but I consider it my parting gift to the little fella.

In all it's cuteness and furry innocence, hopping about the live trap borrowed from a savvy neighbor, I debated momentarily about keeping him. But, then reason stepped in, along with the thought that I would be denying him his right to frolic in the county open space fields that we had chosen for his new location.

So, off he went, on to new bunny adventures. And I went out to weed the garden. My plan is to replace my now absent peas with some pepper plants purchased at 50% off at the garden center. And to hope that the broccoli, kohlrabi, and chard that demon bunny polished off will rebound before the first frost!

Happy Gardening!

The Five

Sight

I've been reading up a storm lately. Not during the day, but in the cool summer evenings. I'm getting a couple of hours in every night, so I've been reading a lot. Let me catch you up.

The Girls by Lori Lansens

This was another of my hold it to my chest when it's finished while deep sighing books. I loved loved loved this book. Oh, how can I even sum it up with a few lines here? You just have to read it. Rose and Ruby Darlen are born conjoined twins, linked at the head. The story of their lives is told from both of their unique perspectives. I'm not going to say much more here except to say, again, you must read it. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass,Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office by Jen Lancaster

I thought there was no way I would enjoy this book. By cover appearance alone, it just looked like a fluff novel and I was in the mood for something meatier. But, this book got to me. The title sums up this author's humor: sarcastic and with a great twist. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. It's predictable, lesson filled ending was still savored.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver

This book was devoured (pun intended) just like the other two. I'm on a roll here with great books. This book was really life changing for me. Take a family, a year, and the quest to eat only locally available foods and you've got one interesting story. Add to that a great deal of information about how seasonal eating can help save our environment and you've got a great read. Knowing and being more conscious about food choices started being more of a priority last fall. Taking this to the next level is a new goal of mine.


Sound

The Best of Arlo Guthrie

I remember seeing Arlo and Pete Seeger at the Minnesota State Fair when I was young. I can still see Pete lounging on an Oriental rug and literally kicking up his heels as Arlo played. We had this CD on vinyl and it was played frequently. I just had to expose Young One to The Pickle Song!

Scent

You know that incredible smell that only happens in the summer when a sprinkler hits hot pavement? Well, it can happen with rain too, but we've been without rain for a while, so we're improvising here! Well, that's the scent I'm appreciating today. It's warm and just a bit humid, but with a great breeze. It's not our day to water, but it's the neighbor's and their sprinkler splashed on pavement scent was a nice catch on the way to the mailbox.

Taste

Grill roasted cauliflower with fresh Parmesan and extra virgin olive oil. It's really nothing more than a head of cleaned cauliflower, chopped and placed on a large piece of foil. Drizzle with olive oil, fresh cracked pepper, and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. Roast on your outdoor grill until tender, about 40 minutes. I enjoyed leftovers from last night's dinner with lunch today.

Touch

My Minnesota Grown catalog. It's strawberry picking time and I've been perusing the pages for a farm close by.