It's been forever...

Wow, I looked back at my last post and it was over two years ago.  

I was looking for a recipe this morning for John and found it in my ages old Thanksgiving post that goes back to '08.  Those were the days when I used to love to blog and scrapbook

Lots of good food, after you click on the link below, just hover over the name of what you're interested in, click and it will link to the recipe.  You can't do it from the picture above, you have to link to the actual site.

http://munchiebusiness.com/thanksgivingrecipes08.html

Life is good here in Tennessee, I just wish I had the drive I used to have.  I loved posting on Blogger for many years. I still post recipes on jancooks.com occasionally.  I'm still a foodie, still love cooking, and I'm going to try and pop on here occasionally.  I always have something to talk about.

~ Jan

May is a busy time at our house...

 

 

We had such a late spring, we were behind with planting flowers, but last week the weather cleared, the greenhouses were stocked for Mother’s Day and yours truly had such a good time.  This is just a couple of pictures, a sample of what we planted, it was a job, but it’s finished now and thanks to Micro Irrigation we won’t have to water all summer.  I think we ended up with 35-40 pots by the time it was over, but I enjoy flowers so much.  We also have new bird feeders and a a bluebird house, mama bluebird has been nesting and daddy bluebird has been feeding her.  It’s a wonderful thing, Mother Nature.

I’m going through a dental implant, not fun and a lot of $$, the family is well, we saw everybody Mother’s Day weekend and bad Grammie didn’t take pictures. :( 

I’m looking forward to summer months and sharing some new products with you.  And I will, later, when things settle down around here.

Take care and I’ll be around more frequently.  Pinkie Swear I will.  ~ Jan

 

 

Jan's Favorite Things, Christmas 2017

I have two biggies, both new this year.  If you have read my blog, you all know that I’m the Gadget Queen and I don’t believe on skimping on kitchen equipment.  For me, it’s important to have good tools.  Long after you’ve forgotten how much you paid for things, you will love them and be glad that you didn’t cheap out.  

I bought a new butcher block this summer for my center island.  I’ve been a fan of BOOS blocks for years and have had a couple of their free-standing footed butcher blocks in the past, the one I bought a few years ago for the condo is now sitting in the garage because I couldn’t bear to part with it.  I get sentimentally attached to kitchen things, seriously I do.

I had been eyeing up this beauty for a few years.  You see variations of Boos Butcher Blocks a lot on FoodTV, Pioneer Woman has the 3” thick end grain round block, Trisha Yearwood used to have the 2.4” running grain rectangle and this year she upgraded to the 3” version.  At first I thought I wanted the round version, I knew I wanted the 3” thick one.  I did the research and knew I also wanted end grain wood, not running grain, it looks better and it doesn’t show cuts as much.  I also wanted the traditional maple board, not the cherry or the walnut.  Practicality won out in the end, that round one wouldn’t have worked as well for me, and I made the right choice.

So I bought it.  Don’t gasp at the price, Here’s the link, and it’s worth every . single . penny.  I could have gotten the 2.4” cheaper, but I knew I would never be happy with it, so I just bought the damn thing.  And I love it, I really, really love it.  It looks so great sitting on my counter and it performs like a champ.  You can get beeswax-mineral oil conditioner from Boos online, or you can just oil your board with mineral oil.  Never use olive oil or vegetable oil, it makes the board sticky.  You can also have it monogrammed with your initials as in the picture above, but that wasn’t for me.  I just wanted the authentic board.

I did one change though.  My previous cutting board had little stainless steel flat discs that fit on the corners on the underneath side.  It was great, it gives your board dimension and it also lifts it enough that you can get a Bash n/ Chop underneath it.   What’s a Bash n’ Chop?  It’s this little gadget, I think I got my first one from Galloping Gourmet in the 70’s and it’s great for scooping up your veggies and plopping them in your pan.

This would make a great little stocking stuffer and it’s only $8 and change PRIME from Amazon.  Want the link, sure you do.

But back to the cutting board.  My new board sat flat on the counter, and I wanted to lift it up a bit like my previous board, so I called John Boos outlet store in Effingham, IL, and asked them about those little stainless discs, they had them and they shipped me a set of 4 for under $20.  Then hubby drilled the underside of the board, attached them and now my board has dimension and that little Bash ’n Chop slips right underneath it.

I also purchased Pioneer Woman’s Turquoise Knife Set this year.  It’s inexpensive, as far as knives go, but it’s the best I’ve ever had and I’ve had several in my lifetime.  My favorite knife is her Japanese Signature Knife, it’s my go to, that knife is superb.

They’re out of stock at WalMart onlne, guess I’m not the only one that likes them, but you can usually find them at your local WalMart.  They do have them available in Rosewood, but they’re not quite the color pop as the turquoise or red.  Link here...

And the other biggie I blogged about a couple of months ago, it’s the Phillips XL Air Fryer.  They sell cheaper air-fryers but this is the big dawg that started the whole trend.   It’s amazing, we use it almost every single day.  

Here’s my original article, check it out - it’s GREAT! 

 

 

The Kindle Paperwhite - I was a little late to the Kindle e-reader game.  I started with a Sony Reader when they first came out, it was kinda meh and I got rid of it when I got an iPad and was perfectly content to read books on it.  Then last summer, Amazon had a Christmas in July sale, and the Paperwhite was $89 instead of $119, so I bought it on a whim.  And I love it.  Why, when I have an iPad Mini?  Because it doesn’t get hot, it’s lightweight, it’s so easy to grab, tuck in my purse and go.  The battery lasts forever, and if you have books in .epub format instead of .mobi which the Kindle uses, it’s really easy to convert from .epub to .mobi on your Computer using a free program called Calibre.  

You can buy a Kindle reader for $79 now on Amazon instead of the Paperwhite, which is now $119, but I’m a bells and whistles girl and the $79 version just doesn’t do it for me.  I want the  backlight, perfect for reading in bed without bothering a sleeping hubby, and it has Wi-Fi and Celluar Connectivity.  And it’s WHITE, thats the best part.  You don’t get all of these features on the cheaper version, it’s a matter of what you need.  The best part about the Kindle is that it doesn’t glare like the iPad does, so when you’re outside it’s easy to read.

Here’s the link

And they have really cute covers for them on Amazon, here’s mine, and the link

I also got this bag from Pioneer Woman.  I just love this, the dimensions are 16” x 15” so it’s really roomy and the vertical shape is perfect.  It’s my go-to bag and the more I use it, the more it looks worn-in and vintage, and the pockets on the outside are perfect for my cellphone and my glasses.  I love vintage looking bags and this one delivers and the best part is the smell, you open it and the leather just wafts right up to your nose, it makes me smile every time I open it.  These bags sell out regularly at The Mercantile, if you’re interested you might want to scoop one up here.  When I first opened it, it was a little stiff, but the more I used it the more it softened, it’s really a great bag.

I also bought one of her mugs, talk about vintage, this is so cool and the price is right, $10.  It’s a great stocking stuffer.

You can grab this mug here

And last are Uggs.  I’m a big fan of UGG boots, they’re super comfy and I walk really well in them.  I had quite a dilemna with UGG boots this fall, but that’s for another blog entry.  These are the ones that I really liked and UGG discontinued them.  So, then of course I really wanted them.  And you can find them, they’re on eBay, if they don’t have your size or color, just put an eBay search on them and they will alert you when they are available.  I got them in Chestnut, they’re not exactly Booties, but they aren’t high either, and they work great with that bag from The Mercantile.

Just search Google for Ugg Azalea Boots if you like these, they just recently discontinued them and you can find them.  UGG has replaced them with the LiLou, same boot different button and tassel, but I don’t like them nearly as well.  You can find the LiLou here.

And these are a few of my favorite things, some are a little spendy, but it’s Christmas, and you or someone in your life just might enjoy some of these treasures.  If I have time I’ll post another list of inexpensive favorite things, which tends to be more make-up related.  ~ Jan

Halloween 2017

Here are my cutey patooties all dressed up for Halloween.  We have Shirley Temple, a Super Hero and a real Cowgirl.

Lexi is Shirley Temple "On The Good Ship Lollipop.”  She, of course is clueless as to who Shirley Temple is, and since her petticoats made her dress really bouffant, she announced that she was “The Bubbler.”  No amount of persuasion could get her to say that she was Shirley Temple, she was The Bubbler!

 

Ben was  Super Hero and a scary one at that.  He was flexing his muscles, cause that’s just the way little boys roll.

Abby announced that she didn’t want a costume, she wanted to be an authentic cowgirl and that she was, complete with vintage chaps, neckerchief and belt buckle riding a horse on a western saddle.

It’s so much fun now that the grands are older, they really get into the Halloween experience.  Just had to share this morning, pictures are too cute to keep to myself...

It's that time of year

 

Don’t you just love fall and everything that’s associated with it?

I snagged this great pumpkin pie dish from eBay.  It was originally from Williams Sonoma and it calls to  me.

Five Favorite Fall Things...

I was watching Mellistin YouTube videos about fall this afternoon, and I thought about all of the things I love about it.  So here are my 5 favorite things.

1.  My birthday, it’s in November, but as soon as crisp weather arrives, I know that it’s coming soon.  Why at this age I still get excited about my birthday, I’ll never know, but it’s the one day that I get my favorite meal, and it usually isn’t something my family likes, but it’s something I always look forward to.

2.  This is something I never get to experience anymore, but I love, love, LOVE the smell of burning leaves.  But because of burn ordinances, burning leaves just don’t happen.

3.  Boots and wraps, love both of these, it’s so nice to cover up this old body after the summer months, and there is nothing better than a great pair of boots, I’ve always been a boot girl, mostly Uggs these days, but they work for me.

4.  Chili, Vegetable Soup, Apple Pie and Beef Stew, not necessarily in that order.

5.  Wiener roasts, s’mores and hayrides.  We went on a hayride last weekend, and had s’mores, so all that’s left is the wiener roast and I’ll be a happy girl.

These are my favorites, I bet you are thinking about yours now, too

It's almost turkey day!

Wherever you are this Thanksgiving holiday, stay safe, live in the moment, eat well, enjoy the company of family and friends and most of all,  be thankful for all the good things in your life.

Happy Thanksgiving… ~ Jan

Amazon Echo is AMAZING!!!!

 

I’m absolutely ESTATIC about Amazon Echo. It’s so much fun, performs flawlessly, sounds great and it’s easy to use.

Here’s what it looks like up close and personal. 

Amazon Echo came to reside in my sunroom via my youngest son Ryan in a roundabout way.  Ry turned forty in September and I wanted to buy him something special for his milestone birthday.  Being the techkie mom I am, I thought this would be the perfect gift.

I was at a girl's lunch a few weeks ago with V and Patti in New Harmony.  I was talking about Echo and Patti told me her mom had one and loved it.  So we all visited her mother, and what a delightful lady she was, anyway, Patti showed us the basics, and I decided that’s what I would get for Ryan.

Fast forward to his birthday, I was so excited about his present, he unwrapped it and was immediately skeptical, first because his internet connection isn’t the fastest, he lives in the country and doesn’t have a lot of provider options, second, he travels every week and didn’t think he would use it that much and third, he didn’t know how the kids would act with it.  We stayed with the grands while he and Lindsay went to Chicago for his birthday weekend, and the kids, while enthralled with “Alexa” (the voice you use for Echo) were constantly changing the streaming music.  Ben, at three wanted to constantly listen to Thomas the Train, and Abby at almost six was interested in other venues, and they kept interrupting each other and changing Echo to reflect what they wanted to hear.

So, maybe for his family it will work when the kids are older, but right not it doesn’t, so they brought it back to me, and did I send it back to Amazon?  Are you kidding me????  Echo is the best thing sinced sliced bread.  I love it! 

Below is a brief synopsis of how it works, and since Amazon allows third party apps, it will be constantly upgrading.  Here’s how Im using it.

News, all you say is “Alexa, what’s the latest news?”  She then gives you flash briefings from NPR.  You can set alarms and timers, too, she alerts you, just by talking to her.

Echo has access to everything in Wikipedia.  For instance if you want to know about hydrangeas just say “Alexa Wikipedia Hydrangeas” and she gives you a synopsis of the flower.   If Alexa doesn’t give you enough information, you can then refer to your smartphone for a complete rundown of the entire Wikipedia link.

You can listen to the local police/fire scanners if you’re interested in that kind of thing, not my cuppa but it we ever hear sirens, whether it be police or fire, we can find out from Echo what’s going on.  You can access audio books on it and listen to them, it’s amazing what Echo is capable of.

Echo also has Smart Home features, which enables you to control your lights, thermostat, coffee pot, even your electric blanket.  This entails buying WeMo or Hue devices, which I know nothing about, yet…  

It’s super for weather, current and forecasts from local to International and you can use it for to-do lists which sync to your smartphone.  It’s perfect for when you’re out and about and need to pick up items from the grocery or drugstore.  I know, I know, you’re all saying you already make lists on your smartphone, or you just write it down, but here’s what’s really good about Echo. 

The best part of Echo, It’s . hands . free !  You . just . talk . to it !  Period!  You don’t have to find your phone, push a button and type or text, you don’t have to look for a pencil and paper, you don’t have to put anything into your computer, you just say “Alexa, do so and so and she does it.”  Voice recognition is great, too, she understands what I’m saying 99% of the time.

Hubby says I love Alexa because I can boss her around, she doesn’t talk back and she always listens and he’s probably right.   I’ll give him that, but far and away the best part of Echo is music.

There are so many choices, Amazon Prime, Pandora, IHeartRadio, TuneIn, and Audible.  You simply tell her to play a Pandora station for instance and she starts streaming.  I’m a jazz girl, so I say “Alexa play Pandora Smooth Jazz” and she does!  If you need to pause the music, just say “Alexa Pause” and then say “Alexa Play” to have Echo start playing again.  If volume is too soft or too loud, just say “Alexa turn volume up or down” and she does that too.  I also have a remote control to use from other rooms, but she has a 30 ft. range and seven microphones, so she can hear you from another room without the remote if you aren’t too far away.

She plays all the local radio stations through TuneIn, public radio, talk radio, there are countless stations you have access too.  Well, except for Sirius Radio, it doesn’t sync to that yet, but maybe someday.  Holiday’s are coming soon, I bet Amazon sells a ton of these for Christmas.  

Here’s a video, watch it and see if it intrigues you as much as it does me.

 Echo, definitely a good thing… ~ Jan

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

The grandkids are all ready for St. Paddy’s Day, such a cute picture, just had to share.

I’m baking corned beef and cabbage this afternoon, it’s a blustery St. Patrick’s Day in Heavensville.  This isn’t the normal year for sure, March 17th is always my marker, usually the crabapple trees are in bloom, my  neighbor’s Mary Jane Magnolia is starting to pop, but not this year.  

I do have crocus blooming, and my daffy’s are budding.  Temps down to 25 degrees next week, that should nip everything. Grrrrr

Mother would have been planting peas today if she were in her prime.  She always had a big garden and planted her peas on the 17th.  Peas and new potatoes, oh my, what a treat that was.  So wherever you are and whatever you’re doing, Happy St. Patrick’s Day...

Wishing you a Vintage Valentine Day...

 

 

 

 

 

Black Eyed Peas Casserole for New Years Day

I first posted this recipe back in 2007.  My now ninety-six year old neighbor has made this forever on New Years Day, and yes, she will be making it this year as well, and it is absolutely fantastic.  Pair it with some crusty fresh bread and a green salad and it’s just the best, ever!!!

I posted it again on Jan CAN Cook, if you make black-eyed peas for luck on New Years Day, this is a winner!

Link here to the recipe

Jan's Favorite Things 2014

My list this year has several repeats, things that I’ve blogged about this past year, but are so good that I need to tell you about them again.

 First on my list is the loveliest, best illustrated cookbook I’ve ever owned and I’ve had countless ones.  My daughter-in-law Lindsay is a fan of The Forest Feast blog.  It’s a wonderful site with fantastic recipes and the author, Erin Gleeson now has a cookbook.  She bought it for me for my birthday last month, and it’s hands down my favorite cookbook of all time.  It’s beautifully illustrated, the recipes are fresh and innovative, if you have a foodie in your family, this would be a wonderful gift.  The video above showcases Erin and her cookbook.  

Here’s a link to Amazon if you want to purchase it. 

If you’re an iPhone girl, this is wonderful.  It’s a HiRise charger for iPad Mini and iPhone, works with all of the newer iPhones.  I have it on my desk and it charges really quickly and you can talk hands free easily.   It’s only $27.99 from Amazon, they have a brand new model with more color choices, but it’s lots more money.  

Here’s the link

Loreal Visible Lift CC Concealer - it rolls on, very cooling, firms your skin, conceals those dark circles, just does a great job and the price is right.  Need I say more...

You can buy it here

Not only does Amazon Prime continue to be the best thing ever for me, the number of free albums you can stream on your computer when you subscribe to Amazon Prime are mind boggling.  Wonderful selection, just the best!  And, do you know that if you buy a music dvd from Amazon that they also allow you to download the same album for free on your computer?  I love technology!  Amazon Instant Stream movies, good but it could never replace Netflix for me.

I bought these Ugg Cardy boots earlier this fall and they’re a winner.  I sprayed them with waterproof protectant, and just love them.  Not for rain or snow, but great any other time.  I’m an Uggs fan, they’re easy wear for me.  Free shipping from Nordstroms, too.

MAC Copperplate Eyeshadow - I’m a drugstore makeup junkie, except for eye shadow.  MAC is just the best, always good pigmentation, smooth application, not that pricey and it lasts forever.  I found Copperplate a few weeks ago when I was looking for a grey/taupe color and this is perfect., no blue cast at all, like a lot of grey shadows, this is such a good color.  

We don’t have a MAC store or counter in Heavensville, so I order mine from Nordstroms, $16 and free ship.  

Here’s a direct link 

I bought this red Vitamin 750 Pro this summer, and oh my did it ever create controversy.  My family and friends thought I had lost my ever-lovin’ mind paying this much money for a “blender.”  

Well, let me tell you how wrong they were.  It’s the most wonderful piece of kitchen equipment, and I use it almost daily.  Love, love, love this and would buy it again in a heartbeat. It was a wonderful investment!   

Here’s the click

If I could come to each and every one of your homes with hubby in tow and have him install this jar opener under your cabinet, I would do it.  That’s how much I love it.  Oh how I struggle with jar lids, but no more.  This is the best jar opener you will ever find at the best price, too.  Only $16.95.  Rock star status with this one.

You can buy it here

I’m such a fan of Torani’s Sugar Free Syrups.  I have several varieties, Chocolate, S’Mores, Pineapple, Cherry, Brown Sugar and Cinnamon and they’re all excellent.  I buy mine thru Netrition, which, by the way is the best online seller for Low Carb and Nutrition products.  It’s always flat rate shipping $4.99 regardless of how much you buy.  I could write a whole blog about the wonderful products I buy from Netrition.  They sell other brands as well, but I’ve had the best luck with Torani.

Link to Netrition here

Oh BookBook, how do I love you, let me count the ways.  It’s the best iPhone case ever, looks like you’re carrying around a book, and it has slots for driver’s license and credit cards.  It’s just amazing.  I just upgraded to iPhone 6, and I’m awaiting the new release of BookBook for this phone.

I also have BookBook for my iPad and Mini.  These are just the best products, vintage looking, classy, long wearing,  I’m such a fan.

You can view all the BookBooks at Twelve South

And that’s my list for 2014.  Hope I gave you all some possibilities for your Christmas list this year. 

Happy Holidays!!!

~ Jan ~

Christmas Teas

 

 

I’ve been reading online about Christmas Teas from Bigelow and Celestial Seasonings.  I picked this Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride up at the market today and it’s excellent.

"This cheerful holiday blend will warm your heart with the inviting aroma and delightfully simple taste of freshly baked sugar cookies straight from the oven. Like all of our teas, Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride has no refined sweeteners or added sugars — giving you a guilt-free way to partake freely in the pleasures of the season."

—Charlie Baden, Celestial Seasonings Blendmaster

Deanna had Bigelow Eggogg’n last weekend and it’s really good, too.  Which one was best, oh the Sugar Cookie for sure.  It’s a wonderful tea, very smooth and it does taste like a sugar cookie.  It’s also Caffeine Free, so you can drink it at bedtime.

 

This “Eggceptional” winter tea is a smooth and delicious blend of black and green teas with the creamy flavor of Eggnog. Indulge in this all natural seasonal classic that is perfect to sip on a cold winter’s day. Add a splash of milk and your favorite sweetener for a taste that will melt away the winter blues.

Just some quotes to get you in an Autumnal mood...

 

 

 

 

The Grandkids saw Santa today...

Ben wasn’t a fan of the old guy, but he’s oh so cute snuggling with Abby.  They’re  growing up so fast!

Abby's Christmas List 2013

Dictated and signed by Abby.  Someday she will look back at this post and smile.  Grammie loves you, sweet Abby...

Vintage Budweiser Christmas Commercial

 

This commercial is circa 1987, and one of my favorites.  This is what Heavensville looks like this morning , we had a big snow yesterday.  Unfortunately no live tree or Clydesdale drawn wagon.   I’ll just have to enjoy the magic of the season via YouTube...

What a great Christmas idea...

I’ve been telling people about this today, and even put it in my Twitter stream, but I need to elaborate.   The huge silver ornaments are actually either bouncy balls or beach balls that have been sprayed with metallic silver paint.

What a unique cheap Christmas idea.  Love this!