End of my vacation.

330:366 11/24/12

I spent the day relaxing and recuperating from falling off a horse.  For dinner I used turkey leftovers to make turkey pot pies with garlic herb crust.  They weren't favorites, but I have ideas to make them better for next time.



331:366 11/25/12

The sun came out today and we worked on the yard a bit.  Robert and Adam did poo duty and raked up leaves and Carus and I pulled weeds in the garden and planted garlic.

I then worked on laundry, made cookies and canned turkey stock.  Timmy is now helping me relax by stealing my heating pad.  I'm still so very sore, but getting up and down are getting easier.

And then I fell off a horse

Robert and I ventured out on Black Friday for a little shopping around noon, well after the crazies cleared out a bit. We went after two things in particular, a good price on a gift for Adam, which we got, and half off on a fuzzy blanket from Target that I wanted, that I didn't get.

We then hung around and was being lazy when my friend called and asked if I wanted to go ride a horse - I did.  Carus and I took off for the barn with her, did a few chores and then we saddled up Starlet and I got on. I did a few laps around the arena with a lead on the horse, which we then removed so I could get a picture for my 366 and left it off.  (Geneva took the photo with my cell and I later processed it with Instagram.)



I did a few more laps without the lead.  I was just starting to pick up speed just a bit when Starlet stumbled, and then she sidestepped to correct her gait and I started to go over the side.  There was a moment when I really thought I was going to be able to stay on and then I lost it and just committed to the fall. Starlet's back is about 5 feet from the ground so I had some time for a few thoughts on my way down. First thought was, I hope this doesn't hurt as bad as I think it's going to.  Then, I noticed I had started to put my hand out to catch myself, like I usually do, and knew that would definitely break something so pulled it up and let my hip/butt/side area take the hit.

I then proceeded to scream out obscenities.  Or one obscenity. I was not eloquent.

After a few moments I was able to get up, though painfully, and calm down.  Geneva got me home, apologizing profusely and I showered and iced my side.

I am so very sore and stiff, sleeping last night was fitful, but I'm okay.  I haven't even bruised.  I don't know how I'm not black and blue because it feels bruised, as well as a few other things.

I do not blame Geneva or Starlet. Shit happens, and I'm not surprised when it happens to me because I'm a bit of a klutz.  I will get back on, just as soon as my butt/hip stops hurting like hell.

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was a lovely day.  Our guests were my in-laws, Barbara and Alan, Alan's parents, Dave and Eula, and grandmothers, Helen and Edna.  This has been the usual Thanksgiving crowd for the past few years.  I wish some of my family could make it, but if I have to holiday without them it's nice to have some lovely company.




Since I was busy with the food, I put the camera on auto and passed it over to Barbara and let her take photos.  I did take the family sitting down to dinner shot that I counted as my 366 and one other shot in the slideshow, but the rest where by Barbara.  Thanks dear!

Apple crisp pie

327:366

This pie is my own invention and I'm pretty proud of it.  Though I'm now seeing them everywhere, a bunch of copycats.

Normally, I'm not a fan of pie crust. It's just too bland for me.  So one time I added a bit of sugar and cinnamon to my apple pie crust and loved it.  You could go the other way for a savory pie crust for pot pie and add some herbs or roasted garlic or garlic butter, etc and that would be good too.  I haven't messed with that one so don't have a recipe for it...yet.

Now as for the changing from a pie crust on top of this pie to the crisp topping: Once, I was making an apple pie and I didn't have enough crust for both a top AND bottom crust...and I didn't want to make another crust.  One of Robert's favorite desserts is apple crisp (which I shared recently here) so I put two and two together - crust on the bottom, apple filling, and crisp topping.  Voila!  I'm awesome.

Pie crust:

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter  (Use the real stuff, trust me.  Not shortening - butter. You want FLAVOR baby!)
1 cup flour
1 tbsp sugar
Sprinkle of cinnamon
Just enough water to bring the dough together

1.  Take the stick of butter and rub it along the bottom and sides of the pie plate, generously. (This step isn't necessary, but I like being sure my pie crust isn't going to stick.)  Cut up rest of the stick into cubes and put in bowl.
2.  Cut the flour, sugar, and cinnamon in the bowl into the butter until pieces are about pea sized.  You can use two butter knives, a pastry cutter, or my favorite (cause it's the fastest method) a stand mixer.
3.  Slowly add water, a teaspoon or so at a time until the mixture comes together into a ball.  You don't want it too sticky.
4.  Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface or between two lightly floured sheets of wax paper.  Transfer to pie plate and smooth from center out. Flute, crimp, or otherwise finish your pie edges as you prefer.

Pie filling or Apple filling:

Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (about 5-7 apples fills a 9 inch pie)
2 tbsp sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp flour
sprinkle lemon juice

Peel, core, and thinly slice Granny Smith apples. Tart apples are good. Embrace the tart. Immediately toss with lemon juice.  This will prevent browning and keep the apples looking pretty.  Mix sugar, cinnamon, and flour and sprinkle over apples and mix well.  Pour into pie crust mounding it up to the center.  They will cook down so really mound them in there.

Crisp topping:

1 cup oatmeal
1 cup flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/3 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup butter, melted.

Mix dry ingredients and pour in melted butter and mix until all incorporated and crumbly.  Sprinkle on top of pie.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes until crust and crisp are golden brown.

Blue skies

326:366

The calm after the storm and what makes all the rain easy to handle.

We had a storm come in with rain blowing sideways and wind gusts so strong poor Simba was nearly blown away when he tried to go outside. Our power flickered a few times, but it never stayed off long; there have been tree limbs and a few trees around that have fallen, but none of ours; and there is flooding in some areas, but we aren't flooding.

The clear sky didn't last long before the storm returned for a slightly weaker encore.

I heard something about the Portland metro area getting 4 inches of rain in October, and we've already out-rained that in November, but don't quote me on that. I'm sure the numbers are off somehow.  I was thinking we were going to get a cold winter with lots of snow, but now I'm thinking it's just going to be soggy.

Just as long as the sun comes out every now and then. . .

Happy birthday Robert!

Happy birthday to Robert!

Even though we didn't do anything special, I really hope you had a great day!

I wanted to take a picture with Robert, but he is being a party pooper and doesn't want to take any pictures so I took a picture of Yoda.

Sewing day

I'm still working on my mystery quilt that I started at the beginning of this year.

Actually, it seems the only time I make any progress is when I get together with Jessica and we work on our quilts together.

I finished the blocks today and have every intention of putting the top together this week while I'm off work.... and then there is sandwiching and quilting and binding... So another year of work then.

Maybe if Jessica and I can get another craft day this week I will succeed in getting a top.  If I do I'll take a picture with the camera and not my phone so you can really appreciate the colors (red, white and blue, and the dark flower fabric has brown - I didn't intend to be patriotic with my colors, it just happened).