Re-purposing Done Right

We have some of the most incredible Hummingbirds in our back yard. It's funny how the more time you spend watching them, the more you start to notice their personalities. It's fun. They aren't "pets" by the standard use of the term, but in a way they become like pets. One of our favorite things to do (and if this makes us old farts, so be it) is sit outside and watch them at the feeder. It was a sad, sad day when the feeder we had up died. We were discussing needing to get a new one and debating on where to go or whether to order it online and then I saw it. Sitting on the counter was a very cool, empty rum bottle. Guess what? The base fit so WALLAH! You recycle or re-purpose your way, we'll do it our way. Ha ha!

Yes, the bottle was thoroughly cleaned and the birds are perfectly happy with it.

Pick a Peck of Pickled...Beets?

Harvest continues today! Yesterday I "channeled" my paternal grandma, but today was my maternal grandpa's turn. Yes, you read that right. Grandpa grew this huge garden every year and made sure his cellar was as full as he could get it so his kids and grandkids always knew where to go for food. He didn't have a lot, but what he had he shared. I learned a lot from him about a whole lot of things and I have nothing but the happiest of memories with him.

Grandpa knew pickles. He did. He was the authority on all things pickled. You knew if he was smacking his lips, it was a winner. I am so lucky because he, like me, scribbled notes on things. I have his old canning book with his notes and changes written in it and I cherish that book. So today, even though I didn't get to my pickles, his book got pulled out of the cupboard for pickled beets and pickled peppers.

When I'm canning and working in the kitchen, I can't help but wonder what those that have gone before that I learned so much from would think. I swear there are time when I can feel my grandma looking over my shoulder or hear grandpa smacking his lips saying "You're doing good Little Doll". I don't believe for a second that's my imagination. I think it's one of those tender mercies that help us remember there's much more to this life than just this life. Sure thankful for the influence they've had on my life.

Canning Tomatoes

Harvest season has begun. Today, fresh from the garden, TWENTY pints & ONE 1.5 pint jar of tomatoes. So tired, but so very grateful for the harvest, the ability to do this and my Dad's help.

Can't tell you how happy my grandma would have been to see us working together canning. This time of year always makes me feel like even though she's gone, she's not really that far away.

For way too long I was intimidated by the thought of canning tomatoes. In my head I was thinking you had to pressure can them, but you don't. Not sure why I thought that, but I'm glad I've seen the error of my ways. Canning tomatoes can be time consuming, but it's not difficult at all. And there is nothing quite as good on a cold winter day as being able to grab a jar of tomatoes (that still taste fresh from the garden) and whip up a stew, a soup or some goulash. It makes a difference.

Homemade Ranch Dressing

As we're nearing the end of summer, there is NOTHING better than a great big salad with produce from the garden (especially fresh tomatoes)!!! What goes better than homemade Ranch Dressing on it? Not that icky store bought stuff or the stuff from a packet you add milk & mayo to, but real honest to goodness Ranch. You'll never go back once you whip this super simple dressing up.

In a bowl, whisk together until smooth:
1/2 C. Mayo
1/2 C. Sour Cream (or Plain Greek Yogurt)
2 tsp. Dried Chives
1 tsp. Dried Dill
1/2 tsp. Dried Parsley
1/2 tsp. Granulated Garlic
1/2 tsp. Onion Powder
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Black Pepper
1 tsp. Lemon Juice
1/2 C. Milk

Yes, it's that easy. Try it...

Oh, but be warned...Once you go down this homemade road, you'll never be able to eat the other stuff again. It's a good thing though.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

How many recipes have you read that claim that this is the BEST recipe for chocolate chip cookies you'll ever try? Seriously - I think everyone makes that claim. No offense to any of them, but they're all wrong. For real. THIS is the best chocolate chip cookie recipe in the entire world. 

• 10 T. Salted Butter, Softened
• 1 C. Packed Brown Sugar
• 3/4 C. Powdered Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1 tsp. Butterscotch Extract*
• 2 1/2 C. Flour
• Pinch of Salt
• 1 tsp. Baking Soda
• 2 C. Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 335F. (Not a typo!)

Combine Butter, Brown Sugar & Powdered Sugar in a bowl and mix with an electric mixer until creamed and fluffy. Add Eggs, Vanilla & Butterscotch Extract until well combined.

Slowly add Flour, Salt and Baking Soda until mixed well. Stir in Chocolate Chips. (I prefer to use a mix of Semi-Sweet, White & Milk Chocolate)

Scoop using an ice cream scoop onto ungreased baking sheet. (If you prefer, use a Tablespoon to scoop dough.)

Bake about 12 minutes, until golden brown.

*So a funny thing happened the last time I made these. I ran out of Butterscotch Extract so I used Almond Extract instead. Know what? They were still amazing! Let me know if you experiment and how it turns out.