Old Photo Friday: Thanksgiving Part II

WHO: Mom (Jennifer Dare)
WHAT: Thanksgiving Dinner
WHERE: Aunt Pat and Uncle Bud's in Eugene, OR (check out Aunt Pat's macrame plant hanger or her old fridge)
WHEN: Thanksgiving 1979

I must say that this picture makes me a bit sad.  It was taken Thanksgiving 1979, and was the first Thanksgiving after my parents divorce.  I remember it quite well and the feeling that everything had changed in my life.  I believe my Dad dropped me off at Aunt Pat and Uncle Bud's, perhaps stayed for a drink or maybe he had to head off to work at Weyerhauser.  At any rate, my holidays changed forever this fall.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy!
Stacy

Recipe of the Week - Thanksgiving Countdown! Jalapeno-Ginger Butternut Squash Soup

One year for Thanksgiving dinner, I would love to have a super formal, sit-down dinner....you know with courses and not the grab and go buffet.  If I were planning a fancy-schmacy dinner, this would be one thing I would serve.

Enjoy!
Stacy

Jalapeno-Ginger Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

6 gloves garlic, shopped

2 tablespoons grated ginger

1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped

1 tablespoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

4 pounds butternut squash, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces

3 cups vegetable stock

1 tablespoon light brown sugar

3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream

creme fraiche

Directions:

Heat oil in a 4-5 qt pot over high heat.  Add garlic, ginger, jalapeno and salt.  Cook, stirring frequently until fragrant, but not yet browned, about 1-2 minutes.  Add cayenne and cook for another 30 seconds.  Add squash, broth, brown sugar and 3 cups of water.  Bring to a boil, lower the heat and summer until squash in tender (about 20 minutes).

In a blender, puree the soup in batches until smooth, then pour back into the pot.  Stir in the cream and adjust the seasoning.  

Serve hot, with a swirl of  creme fraiche if you like.

Recipe found on Sunset Magazine website

Image located on Google

I'd serve the soup in these bowls!!!

46/52: Molbaks

Around this time every year, Brian and I head over to Woodinville, WA to visit Molbak's.

Last year, there was a big rain and windstorm, which knocked out power to the entire Woodinville area, so we ended up cutting our visit short and didn't get the chance to have lunch in Woodinville.  

This past Saturday, our weather was perfect.

Molbak's started back in 1956 by Egon and Laina Molbak who arrived in the U.S. from Denmark.  They brought over with them a passion for gardening, and a dream to create their own business that would take root and grow in the small suburb of Seattle.

 Gingerbread House Competition

For over 5 decades, Molbak's has grown into one of the Northwest's premier garden and home stores.There is everything from gardening gear and plants to one-of-a-kind gifts and furnishings.

But this time of year, the entire place is magical! Their Christmas treasures are truly spectacular!

After we shopped (and bought a few treasures of our own), we had lunch at The Station Pizzeria and a wine tasting at Patterson Cellars.

A rare treat in November, Brian and I actually sat outside for lunch!  It was the calm before the next storm and probably our last opportunity before the rains arrive for good. 

Enjoy!
Stacy

Menu Plan Monday: November 10-13, 2014

Welcome Monday!

We are heading into the middle of November....hard to believe, right?!

Here is our menu for the week and remember to check out Laura's site for more planning ideas.

Enjoy!
Stacy


Monday: Salmon, Brown Rice and Asian Stir-Fry Vegetables
Tuesday: Taco Tuesday!
Wednesday: BBQ Flank Steak with Baked Sweet Potatoes
Thursday: Healthy Living Fettuccine Alfredo

45/52: Halloween Wrap-Up!

We just barely got home from our Chicago trip, then the first major end of the year holiday was upon us.

HALLOWEEN!

This year I was a "little" devil..........

Chick dressed up as a kitty cat.....

We've had the house decorated for a few weeks with all kinds of lights, pumpkins and decorations.

 I just love these skull goblets I got at the Halloween store for $6!

We had 47 trick-or-treaters this year, not quite as many as I anticipated given that the rains stopped and it was Friday night.  Our first little beggar was at 5:50 and the last one was at 8:15 (we pretty much turned out the lights at 9:00).

How did you spend Halloween?

Enjoy!
Stacy

Old Photo Friday: Thanksgiving Part I

WHO: Uncle Mickey, his Daughter (my cousin) Monica and his first wife, Judy (to his left is Candy Dahl), to Judy's right (in the dark rimmed glasses) is my Great Grandma, Bea

WHAT: Thanksgiving Dinner

WHERE: This is the dining room at Gram and Ralph's place on Hilyard Street in Eugene, OR

WHEN: Thanksgiving 1967

I am not sure why my Grandma Virginia and Ralph hosted Thanksgiving in 1967.  Every year since before my birth until the mid 1990's, Thanksgiving dinner was held at my Aunt Pat and Uncle Bud's home (Candy's parents).  At any rate, I found this photo in an album with the heading, "Thanksgiving 1967" (plus the napkins have turkeys on them)...so I can only assume that this year we had dinner on Hilyard Street.  My Uncle (mom's brother) has always been a clown, the life of the party and one of the funniest guys I know.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy!
Stacy

Recipe of the Week - Thanksgiving Countdown! Herb Smoke-Roasted Turkey Breast

One of the first things I thought about after Chick bought the Traeger smoker this summer was the opportunity to smoke a turkey breast for Thanksgiving.

Now, in just four short weeks, I will get my chance.

Enjoy!
Stacy

Herb Smoke-Roasted Turkey Breast

Ingredients:

Brine

6-7 lb bone-in, skin-on turkey breast

4 quarts cold water

3/4 cup kosher salt

1/3 cup brown sugar

Herb Butter

8 tablespoons butter, at room temperature

1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs, a mix of parsley, sage, rosemary, oregano, marjoram

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

Remove any excess fat from turkey breast.  In a large stock pot, combine the water, salt and brown sugar and stir until the salt and sugar crystals have dissolved

Add the turkey to the brine and refrigerate 6-8 hours or overnight.  If necessary, weight the bag in ice to keep the turkey submerged.

Drain and pat dry the turkey breast with paper towels and discard the brine.  Put the turkey breast on a roasting rack in a shallow pan.  Add one cup of water to the bottom of the pan.

Make the butter.  In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, herbs, garlic, lemon juice, zest and pepper.

When you are ready to cook, start the smoker with the lid open until the fires is established (4-5 minutes).  Set the temperature to 325 and preheat, lid closed for 10-15 minutes.

Gently work your fingers or the handle of a spoon under the skin of the turkey and insert 2 tablespoons of the butter mixture on each side of the breastbone, massaging it with your fingers to distribute it evenly and push out any pockets of air.  Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in the microwave.  Brush the outside of the turkey breast with some of the butter (baste with the remaining butter after 1-1 1/2 hours).

Roast the turkey for 2-2 1/2 hours, or until the turkey is golden brown and the internal temperature is 165F.

Let the turkey breast rest for 15 minutes before carving.



Recipe off the Traeger Web Site
Image found of Google

44.5/52: Girl's Trip to Chicago, Part II

 Over looking Chicago River

After two days of meetings in Chicago, Chick and I walked from our hotel to Chicago's Union Station for our 2:15 departure aboard the Amtrak Empire Builder last Monday.

We found the most perfect place for lunch, Townhouse Wine Bar before the train departed.  

It was so nice to relax, enjoy a Chardonnay and some shrimp tacos and say a proper goodbye to Chicago!

Chicago Union Station is absolutely gorgeous!  I am glad that Chick had time to see the architecture and hang out in the Metropolitan Lounge before boarding.

The Empire Builder is an interesting train and I've taken it from Portland to Chicago, but not west...so even though the route was not new to me, I knew that it would still be enjoyable.

Along the way, we pass through rural America.....Milwaukee, WI....Winona, MI....Fargo, ND....Minot, ND.....Wolf Point, MT....Glacier National Park, MT........Spokane, WA.....White-Salmon, WA and on into Portland, OR.

The funnest thing was Chick's experience on board.  Everything from the introduction to our roomette to our first dinner was good for a laugh!!  We both had a wonderful trip!

We enjoyed a bottle of wine in our room before dinner, and opted for a dinner reservation after sunset.  We passed the suburbs of Chicago and finally over into Wisconsin.  

There isn't much to "do" on the train, but there is a lot to see (and eat).  

Despite not sleeping much that first night, neither one of us wanted to miss the sights of America from the train.  We played cards, drank Bloody Mary's and ate three meals a day!

Before we knew it, we were in Washington and soon to cross the Columbia River into Oregon.

Columbia River Gorge

It took us 50 hours and 23 minutes to go from Chicago to Portland (and we ended up being 4 hours and 4 minutes late).

We were EXHAUSTED, but what a fun adventure!

Enjoy!
Stacy

Menu Plan Monday: Welcome November!

Welcome Monday!  

Seriously...November!?  Wasn't it just 4th of July like yesterday!?

This is the week that I typically start adding some Thanksgiving staples to my weekly grocery list.  This way, when you shop for Thanksgiving Day, your grocery bill doesn't increase by like $$$$$$$$$$$$$.  Think about adding a few pantry items to you list this week.

Here is our menu for the week ahead.

Head on over to Laura's site for more menu and organizing ideas.

Enjoy!
Stacy

Monday:  Grilled Pork Chops with Acorn Squash
Tuesday:  WW Crockpot Beef Stew
Wednesday: Tortilla Crusted Tilapia with Red Potatoes and Broccoli
Thursday:  California Chicken Burgers with Tater Tots

44/52: Girl's Trip to Chicago, Part I

Chicago River

This time, it was Chick's turn to take a train trip with me.

Last week was my fall meeting in Chicago and it gave us the opportunity to spend one afternoon in the city (I had two and a half days of meetings) then it was all aboard westbound on the Empire Builder for Portland.

Friday we flew into Chicago to begin our adventure...plus our weather could not have been better (upper 60's and sunny). We packed at least two days worth of eating, drinking and sightseeing into 6 or 7 hours!

Cloud Gate

First stop, Millennium Park. 

We walked past Cloud Gate, a sculpture by Indian-born British artist, Anish Kapoor.  It's actually nicknamed the bean because of it's legume-like shape.  It's made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together, it's highly polished exterior has no visible seems.

I would have loved to explore the entire park, but we had 3:30 reservations for a river cruise so we snapped as many pictures as we could and kept walking!

We then continued to walk down Michigan Avenue and found the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour aboard Chicago's First Lady.

The boat accommodates up to 250 people and they run tours daily that last about 90 minutes. The First Lady is the official cruise line of the Chicago Architectural Foundation.  

The river cruise highlights more than 50 architecturally significant buildings and is led by passionate volunteer docents from the foundation.

 Wrigley Building

The tour was awesome and I would highly recommend it for any visitor to the city.  I had no idea of the architectural significance of some of Chicago's buildings including the Wrigley Building, Chicago Tribune and the NBC Tower.

The Bridge House Tavern with outdoor bar right on the Chicago River

As we cruised along the Chicago River, I spotted the Bridge House Tavern, which I had researched as a spot for us to grab Happy Hour on Friday.

After the tour, we walked across the river and had an amazing dinner and shared a bottle of wine.  It was just the most perfect spot along the river (and an amazing 67 degree day in Chicago).


For dinner we enjoyed.....

 Charcuterie - cured meats, house pickles, stone ground mustard, sun-dried tomatoes, sweet peppers and toasted ciabatta ($18)

Tavern  Oysters Rockefeller - 5 Blue Point Oysters, spinach de-glazed in tequila, apricot fennel breadcrumbs, melted brie, bacon and Bearnaise sauce ($17)

 
A full Friday in Chicago, but well worth it!  

The rest of the weekend was spent working, but we both still managed to have fun.

On Saturday morning, Sandra toured the Willis Tower. 

On Saturday, I had a hard hat tour on the Amtrak train yards.

We met up for dinner on Saturday night and found the most perfect place to watch the World Series Game at American Junkie.  

Great food and a wonderful atmosphere.

Sunday was a 13+ hour day of work for me and shopping and lunching along the Magnificient Mile for Chick!

Monday began our train adventure home!  More to follow......

Enjoy!
Stacy