Hello Nee my old friend,

It's been two years now since I last heard from you. I hope you are well and very happy. I know I became a burden to you with all my problems and Brian's too. But I still miss you old girl.

All those years invested in our friendship will never be regretted. I enjoyed you tremendously. I had a ball and still remember the fun we had very fondly. Stay healthy old pal. 

I wish you all the best ,

Love, your friend forever Jeannie 💗

Summer Pudding

A simple, traditional British dessert that combines fresh berries, buttered bread, and a little sugar — and it couldn't be more delicious. Start the recipe at least 12 hours ahead.
 

Ingredients

2 pounds strawberries, hulled, sliced (about 2 3/4 cups)
6 tablespoons sugar, divided
Pinch of salt
1 pound blueberries (generous 3 cups)

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
12 slices firm-textured white bread, crusts removed

2 cups chilled whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

 

Preparation

1. Place strawberries, 2 tablespoons sugar, and salt in large bowl. Mash to coarse purée. Stir blueberries and 4 tablespoons sugar in large saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves and berries release juices, about 7 minutes. Increase heat; boil until mixture thickens slightly, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; add strawberry mixture.
2. Line 6-cup bowl with 3 sheets plastic wrap, leaving 6-inch overhang. Generously butter 1 side of bread slices. Line bowl with bread, buttered side up, cutting pieces to cover bowl completely. Pour berry mixture into bread-lined bowl. Top with remaining bread, buttered side down, cutting pieces to cover completely. Fold plastic wrap over bread. Place plate slightly smaller than top of bowl atop pudding. Weigh down plate with 4 pounds of canned goods or dried beans and chill at least 12 hours and up to 36 hours.
3. Beat cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla in large bowl until peaks form. Remove weights and plate from pudding. Open plastic wrap. Place large plate atop bowl and invert pudding. Remove bowl, then plastic. Spoon pudding onto plates. Serve with whipped cream.

 

By Lori Longbotham

 

HeHeHeHe

When I see lovers' names carved in a tree, I don't think it's sweet. I just think it's surprising how many people bring a knife on a date.

A doctor accidentally prescribes his patient a laxative instead of a coughing syrup.
Three days later the patient comes for a check-up and the doctor asks: “Well? Are you still coughing?”
The patient replies: …. “No. I’m too scared to.” 

 An old grandma brings a bus driver a bag of peanuts every day.
At first the bus driver enjoyed the peanuts but after a week of eating them he said: "Please granny, don't bring me peanuts anymore. Have them yourself.".
The granny answers: "You know, I don't have teeth anymore. I just like sucking the chocolate off them."

Doctor: “I’ve found a great new drug that can help you with your sleeping problem.”
Patient: “Great, how often do I have to take it?”
Doctor: “Every two hours.”

A woman comes home late in the night and goes quietly in the bedroom.
To her surprise, she sees male and female feet peeking out from under the blanket.
Shocked and raging, she gets her baseball bat and beats and beats until all movement stops.
After that she goes into the living room and sees her husband laying on the sofa. He turns to her half asleep: "Oh, you're home, darling. I'm afraid we have to sleep here tonight, my parents came for a surprise visit."

Big woman: Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all? 
Mirror: “Please move aside. I can’t see anything.”

I was sitting in a bar one day and two really large women came in, talking in an interesting accent.
So I said, “Cool accent, are you two ladies from Ireland?”
One of them snarled at me, “It’s Wales,  jerk!”
So I corrected myself, “Oh, right, so are you two whales from Ireland?”
That’s about as far as I remember.

I can’t believe I forgot to go to the gym today. That’s 7 years in a row now.

The inventor of AutoCorrect is a stupid mass shole. He can just fake orf.

Wife calls her mother: "Today I fought so much with my husband. I am coming to live with you again.
Mother: No. He should pay for being a jerk. I'm coming to live with you.

I was making you some Russian tea... But I can't get the teabag out of the vodka bottle.

So much has changed since my girlfriend told me we’re having a baby. For instance my name, address and telephone number!

Yesterday I learnt that 20 piranhas can strip all flesh off a man within 15 minutes. - Unfortunately, I also lost my job at the local swimming pool.

Doctor says to his patient: "You have cancer and Alzheimers."
 Patient: "At least I don't have cancer."

Question: Why did the cow cross the road?
Answer: To go to the mooovies.

A man noticed his credit card has been stolen - but he didn't report it because the thief was spending a lot less than his wife.

Today I went to a barber’s shop for a shave. The barber asked me to put a small wooden ball in my mouth so he could get a closer shave around my cheeks.
I asked: “But what if I swallow the ball?”
He replied: “No problem sir, you just bring it back tomorrow like everybody else.”

Spice-Roasted Pork Tenderloin

Total Time : 50 Minutes       Serves : 4
Tip: Slice 2 of the tenderloins and reserve the rest for making Pork Tenderloin Tacos with Avocado Salsa on a busy weeknight. 

2  pork tenderloins (about 4 pounds) 
2 teaspoons smoked paprika (pimenton) 
2 teaspoons ground cumin 
1 teaspoon garlic powder 
1 teaspoon dried oregano 
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
 Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Preheat the oven to 375°. Set the tenderloins on a large rimmed baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix the smoked paprika with the cumin, garlic powder, oregano and cinnamon. Rub the pork with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the spice mixture all over the pork. Roast the tenderloins for about 25 minutes, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the centers registers 145°. Transfer the tenderloins to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice the tenderloins 1/2 inch thick and serve.

Diabetic Healthy

My Back Yard 2019

 



Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken

 7  Ingredients      35  Minutes

4      boneless skinless chicken breasts
1      lemon juiced (1/4 cup)
1      tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
3      teaspoons lemon pepper
2      teaspoons dried basil
2      teaspoons dried oregano
1      teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
Lay chicken breasts out into baking dish. Drizzle with lemon juice and rub with olive oil.
1 .   In a small bowl, whisk together lemon pepper, basil, oregano, and salt. Season chicken with mixture, coating all sides.
2 .   Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
3 .   Serve hot. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and lemon slices (optional).
great  dish for diabetics

Stuffed Tomatoes with Pesto Rice

Total Time: 50 Minutes              Serves 4
Stuffed tomatoes are a delicious choice for a quick supper or even a mid-day luncheon. Hull the tomatoes as gently as possible. If you break the skin, they will over-soften while baking and could fall apart. Stir in browned ground beef, sausage, or shredded rotisserie chicken for extra heartiness. In order to quickly make this recipe,  Mamie suggest using store-bought pesto. If you happen to have a surplus of basil in your herb garden, however, try this easy recipe for homemade basil pesto. Serve these tasty stuffed tomatoes alongside a salad or steamed green beans for a light vegetarian dinner. Or try them as a side dish with grilled seafood, steak, or chicken. They also make a great potluck dish for summer cookouts.

8           (6-oz.) tomatoes 
3/4        teaspoon kosher salt, divided 
2           tablespoons salted butter 
2           cups chopped yellow onion
 5          ounces baby spinach
 1          (8.8-oz.) pouch microwavable long-grain white rice (such as Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice) 1/2        cup chopped fresh basil 
1/2        cup refrigerated pesto (such as Buitoni), divided
 1 1/2     ounces pecorino Romano cheese, shaved (about 3/4 cup )

 1              Preheat oven to 350°F, with oven rack 6 to 9 inches from top. Cut about 1/2 inch off tops of tomatoes; discard tops. Cut a small (1/8-inch) slice off bottoms of tomatoes so they will sit flat in baking dish. Carefully scoop out tomato pulp, using a serrated tomato corer or melon baller, leaving a 1/2-inch shell intact. Sprinkle shells with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Place pulp in a wire-mesh strainer over a bowl; press to remove 1/3 cup tomato juice. Reserve juice; discard pulp.

 2               Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add onion to skillet; cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, about 4 minutes. Add spinach to skillet; cover and cook until wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Add rice and reserved 1/3 cup tomato juice to skillet; cook until warmed through, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in basil, 1/3 cup of the pesto, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Divide mixture evenly among tomato shells. Place shells in an 11- x 7-inch baking dish.

3                Bake in preheated oven until tomatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. Top with cheese and remaining pesto.

Thanx  Mamie  Landrieu   
You  can  leave the cheese  off  ... they are delicious  either  way .

Witchy

Hanging out in my reno-messy house

Hello Knights,

 It's cold up here... about 20 degrees below freezing. We re snug in our house, keeping warm and trying to clean up after more renovation. I have no climate change story today, so I will give you a tour of the downstairs of my house.  I thought Wandering Brook was a more appropriate place to put it. You will see it is a bit messy but clean and cozy. We have crammed a lot of stuff into fewer rooms because we have turned the upstairs into a separate apartment.

 

Uncle Brian has taken over my desk in my private office that I call my' hidey hole'. His papers are everywhere...even on top. His desk is in another room but he can't use it at the moment so he is messing up my desk.

 As you can see there are polar bears on top. People buy them for  me. I wonder why. I also like pictures of all the people I love around me.

This painting is in my 'hidey-hole'. It is Indonesian and about two hundred years old. It was given to me by the man I married before Brian. I think he said it was a wedding. I wouldn't have those people at my wedding. But I love it for it's antiquity and out of respect for the artist who is long gone.

See the little rug under the chair  in the hidey-hole? That is Mika's secret hiding place. She thinks no one knows about it.

This bear is Huggy and Mister Noodle always sits on his head because he is the brains and makes all the decisions for both of them. I have lots of stuff in my little office. Uncle Brian made me let him get that new floor put in. I don't like it but it's stays warm no matter how cold it gets.

This is a real eskimo carving, not the fake stuff you see in gift shops. Most Eskimo men carve and they used to sell the carvings for necessary supplies. Nowadays, I think it is just a good business for amusing the tourists.

Uncle Brian used my petrified dinosaur poop to hold his papers down. He has no respect for my treasures.

 

 Even when it is arctic outside, Mika still has to go outside to do her business.  You can see she is not happy to about it. She is so spoiled, she thinks she should be allowed to poo on the carpet when it is so cold outside.

 This is an old painting by a well known American Artist who lives in the south. Most of his paintings, I believe are of things in the Florida Keys... lots of boats and water.  His name is Russ Smiley. I think it was painted in the early fifties and was so abused and discolored, you could hardly tell what it was. The paint  was cracked with parts missing.I am restoring it. I love to restore old art. I have had to paint most of it over and guess at some of the colors. I still have more to do.

 This painting is by an indigenous artist who  died very young because he, tragically, got mixed up with drugs...Cecil Youngfox. His paintings are worth more because he is dead and there are not many of them.

I like the painting on the left because it is of the Canada I grew up with before climate change, frigid, white and starkly beautiful. Sorry I did not get a good picture of it...the camera shifted down when I wanted up.

This is some of uncle Brian's collection of chunks of lead crystal. He likes all shapes and colors. They are heavy. When I dusted them, one fell on my foot. My foot was black for a month and hurt to walk.

This is the family room. If you look really close in the corner, guess what you can see?? Polar bears of course.

I love this old antique sideboard. Someone kept it highly polished for  a century or so. You touch history when you touch where all those loving hands touched. It's not crooked like in the picture.
 Uncle Brian's crystal balls are here too. At least I own the two Antique plates.

I just noticed the  candy dish is empty again. Uncle Brian and his sweet tooth. It's amazing he still has his teeth. He has strong bones and teeth. Drink your milk Knights.

This is my Dad's old cabinet. He kept his treasures in here. Some things from his family were hundreds of years old. They are in a very safe place now.

This is one of the ugly tapestries I told your mama about. My Aunt Rose makes them. I have two. They don't look good no matter where you hang them. Maybe it's the peach colored sky. Nana would come down from heaven and bonk me on the head if I dared to get rid of them. Maybe I can hang them in my closet.

 Uncle Brian's papers are all over the kitchen too

 My daughter Jaye had my dogs' pictures  put on canvas. Maxy was always smiling, Moochy always looked sad. Black Scruffy lived to be eighteen and could say 'hello' and 'go out'.  But Chucky was the smartest dog I ever saw. You could say, "Bring me my slippers, newspaper and an apple", and he would.

I stopped painting this picture because it was boring. Maybe I should put all my dogs in the picture. Or at least a little clown on the bridge

 

I will show you some more sometime when my brain is too dead to write something useful.

Love to you all

 Aunt Jeannie

Southern Fried Pork Chops with Cream Gravy

 Prep Time: 5 Minutes             Cook Time: 25 Minutes
Serve this Southern classic with mashed sweet potatoes, green beans, and biscuits. 

1         cup all-purpose flour
 1        teaspoon Cajun seasoning
 1/4     teaspoon garlic powder
 1/4     teaspoon pepper 
8         (4-ounce) boneless center-cut pork chops 
1         cup nonfat buttermilk 
Vegetable cooking spray
3         tablespoons vegetable oil  
1         cup fat-free milk
 1/4     teaspoon salt Garnish: coarse ground pepper

1        Reserve 2 tablespoons flour, and set aside. Place remaining flour in a shallow dish.

 2        Combine Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and pepper. Rub pork chops evenly on both sides with seasoning mixture.

3        Dip pork in buttermilk; dredge in flour. Lightly coat both sides of pork with cooking spray.

 4        Cook pork, in batches, in hot oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

 5        Add reserved 2 tablespoons flour to pan drippings in skillet; stir in milk and salt, and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly. Serve immediately with pork. Garnish, if desired.

Ferrari - Carano Wine Pairing Guide

PINOT GRIGIO
Light-bodied white wine, gently aromatic with palate-cleansing fruit acid. Great as a sipping wine, brunch or first-courses.

FLAVOR PROFILE:
Poached chicken, white-fleshed fish, summer stone fruits, melons, citrus sauces, snow peas, fava beans, baby lettuces, goat cheese, feta cheese, ginger, chives, fruit chutneys, walnuts.

Fume  Blanc

Light-bodied, dry white wine, with hints of citrus, melon and herbal/grassy notes, slight oak character giving the wine richness with a delicate creaminess.

FLAVOR PROFILE:
Chicken, turkey, white-fleshed fish, scallops, oysters, mussels, vegetable-based appetizers, goat cheese, feta cheese, light salads, soups or pasta, Asian food, slightly piquant sauces, asparagus, peas, bell peppers, fresh tomatoes, lemon and orange zest, chives, cilantro, chervil, dill, ginger, parsley.

SANGIOVESE
Medium-bodied red wine, with luscious fruit berry flavors. Ferrari-Carano’s mountain grown Sangiovese has a deep richness and earthiness that is complemented by full-bodied foods with moderately robust flavors.

FLAVOR PROFILE:
Duck, pork, lamb, beef, turkey, roast chicken, grilled tuna, salmon, mushroom, pepper, tomato-based pasta sauces, dark berry fruits, fig, cinnamon, clove, walnut, chestnut, thyme, mint, oregano, rosemary, aged cheeses.

MERLOT
Medium-bodied, mellow red wine with a natural softness and full-flavored.

FLAVOR PROFILE:
Duck, pork, lamb, beef, turkey, roast chicken, roast pork, French onion soup, caramelized onions, tomato, cherry, plum, fig, balsamic vinegar, mint, rosemary, thyme, rosemary, orange zest, Roquefort and cheddar cheeses, hazelnuts, walnuts.

ZINFANDEL
Full-bodied, rich and deep with spicy intense berry flavors.

FLAVOR PROFILE:
Grilled red meats, cioppino, blackened fish with Cajun flavorings, ribs, grilled sausages, hearty winter dishes, stews, meat braises, heavy pasta dishes with stewed tomatoes and/or meat, eggplant, cassoulets, barbecue sauces, pepper, nutmeg, oregano, sage, bay leaf.

CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Full-bodied red wine with rich austere fruit with an elegant refined taste.

FLAVOR PROFILE:

Roast beef, rack of lamb, grilled red meats, venison, game meats, grilled tuna or salmon, root vegetables, red wine sauces, aged cheeses, chestnut, bay leaf, rosemary, sage, garlic.

Mulled Wine

Over-boiled mulled wines, made with headache-inducing quantities of sugar, have long given this holiday classic a dire reputation. This version,  is gently infused with nutmeg, vanilla, and star anise, then lightly sweetened with honey and maple syrup. The result is a concoction you’ll want to sip all winter long.

20       whole cloves 
8         whole star anise 
6         cinnamon sticks 
1         whole nutmeg, smashed 
2        (750-ml) bottles dry red wine (such as Blaufränkisch, Zweigelt, or Pinot Noir)
 4        (6- x 1-inch) orange peel strips (from 2 large oranges) 
2         vanilla bean pods, halved lengthwise
 2        ounces pure maple syrup 
2         ounces honey 
3/4     cup (6 ounces) applejack brandy (such as Laird’s) (optional)

 1       Heat cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and nutmeg in a small skillet over low, stirring often, until toasted and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

 2       Transfer spice mixture to a large saucepan over medium-low; stir in wine, orange peel strips, vanilla bean pods, maple syrup, and honey. Slowly bring wine mixture to just below a simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat, and let steep until spices bloom and infuse into wine, about 30 minutes.


3       Return saucepan to medium-low; stir in applejack, if desired, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 5 minutes. Pour mixture (through a fine wire-mesh strainer, if desired) into a large heatproof bowl. Ladle mulled wine into glasses.

Merry Christmas Jeannie & Brian

A Christmas wish is sent to you 
that all your your Christmas wishes   come true
and happiness and mirth abide with you and yours  this Christmastide and let the joy of festive cheer  be yours throughout the coming years.
Merry Christmas 
Gil (Gary)  Nee (Baby)

 

WITH A WHOLE LOT OF LOVE AND WISHES FOR AN

EXCITING CHRISTMAS
&
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR

 

AUNT JEANNIE



Dear lovely young friend

   Witch or wizard or warrior queen,

Don't rush to become what you wish to be.

Samaritan, defender or savior of worlds,

Grow gently and enjoy just being a girl.

Relish the time you have to be free,

There are wonders aplenty to venture and see.

Sights and sounds to nourish your soul,

People to meet, to love or just know.
Expand your horizons and feel yourself grow.

Your voyage will bring you a spiritual wealth,

And the wisdom to know and cherish yourself.

Youth is so sweet, you can do little wrong.

 So embrace it my love,

For too soon, it is gone.

Shadow

 

Love and fondest wishes for a wonderful 'sweet sixteen' party

Aunt Jeannie

Okay Man...This time I've fooled you ...... Plus Recipe for Rice krispie snowballs

Find the cup of hot chocolate

 

 

Now the next one is impossible

Find the ballerina

 

Hahahahahaha!! Got you Man

Rice Krispies Snowballs

 

 

 

Ingredients

5 tbsp. butter

1 (10-oz.) bag marshmallows

1/2 c. smooth peanut butter

Pinch kosher salt

6 c. Rice Krispies cereal 

30 Reese's Minis

1 1/2 c. white chocolate chips, melted

Sprinkles

 

 

Directions

*In a large pot over medium-low heat, melt butter. Stir in marshmallows and peanut butter, and stir until mixture is melted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Add Rice Krispies.

*Line a baking sheet with parchment. Flatten about a tablespoon amount of Rice Krispies mix and add a mini Reese's in the middle and roll into a ball. Dip in melted chocolate, then place on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with sprinkles and repeat with remaining Rice Krispies.

 

*Refrigerate 20 minutes or until chocolate is set.