Monthly Archives: March 2015

Oatmeal Craisin White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

27 Friday Mar 2015

Posted by in New Favorite

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Cookies with oatmeal have a wonderful chewiness that I love. This recipe came from the package of Craisins I purchased at Costco.  They were a wonderful treat shared with friends and family.IMG_5890

OATMEAL CRAISINS WHITE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES

2/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats (I used quick cooking)
1-1/2 cups flour (I substituted 1/2 of the flour with almond flour)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cups Craisins (Dried Cranberries)
2/3 cup white chocolate chunks or chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition.  Stir in dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.

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Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.  Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

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Adapted from Ocean Spray Oatmeal Craisins White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Springtime in the Rockies

20 Friday Mar 2015

Posted by in Garden, Home

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The first day of Spring brings to mind our favorite things: flowers, sunshine, rain showers, sounds of children playing outdoors, and baseball. Iowa Springs means crops being planted, morel mushroom hunting in local Timbers, and one of my favorite flowers, Bluebells.  Bluebells grew wild in the timbers of Iowa, but they grow in the shade of my Colorado home now. In Colorado, the first day of Spring could find 36″ of snow on the ground or summer-like temperatures. Crazy as it sounds, it’s one of the many things I love about Colorado.

Springtime in Colorado also brings back memories of the old song ‘When Its Springtime in the Rockies‘ recorded by Sons of the Pioneers, Gene Autry and many more. The song was written by Robert Sauer /Lyrics by Mary Hale Woolsey in 1929. I’ve included the lyrics below and hope you enjoy the link to YouTube above.

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WHEN IT’S SPRINGTIME IN THE ROCKIES

When it’s springtime in the rockies
I am coming back to you
Little sweetheart of the mountains
With your bonny eyes of blue
Once again I’ll say “I love you”
While the birds sing all the day
When it’s springtime in the rockies In the rockies, far away

The twilight shadows deepen into night,
The city lights are gleaming o’er the snow
I sit alone beside the cheery fire dear
I’m dreaming dreams from out the long ago
I fancy it is springtime in the mountain
The flowers with their colors are aflame
And ev’ry day I hear you softly saying
I’ll wait until the springtime comes again

When it’s springtime in the rockies
I am coming back to you
Little sweetheart of the mountains
With your bonny eyes of blue
Once again I’ll say “I love you”
While the birds sing all the day
When it’s springtime in the rockies
In the rockies, far away

St. Patrick’s Day Corned Beef and Cabbage

13 Friday Mar 2015

Posted by in Family Favorites, Holidays

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Corned Beef and Cabbage is an Irish-American tradition, not one commonly found in Ireland. None the less, it is a tradition many of us treasure and cook only 1 time a year. I always prepare this dish in my trusty Crock Pot and it’s perfect every time. This time I chose to omit the carrots and go with a basic beef, potato, onion, and cabbage meal.

Pair this dish with Irish Soda Bread and a beer (green) and have yourself a Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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CORNED BEEF AND CABBAGE

1 raw corned beef roast (3-4 pounds)
1 head cabbage washed and cut into wedges
8 red skinned potatoes, washed
3 carrots (optional)
2-3 medium onions (optional)
1 cup water
salt and pepper

Place corned beef brisket in crock pot and top with vegetables, water, salt and pepper. Cook on low for 8-10 hours.  If you like your cabbage a bit crisper, you can add the cabbage 2-3 hours before serving.

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Mushroom Barley Soup

06 Friday Mar 2015

Posted by in Czech Heritage, Family Favorites, My Roots

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My beloved Czech cookbook given to me by my Mother many years ago had this wonderful recipe. I added leftover prime rib pieces to mine and loved it. It’s easy, it’s hearty, and it’s healthy.

Beef Mushroom Barley Soup

MUSHROOM BARLEY SOUP

2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 lb. sliced mushrooms
4 cups chicken, beef or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 cup barley

Optional:  chopped cooked beef or chicken

Melt butter in large saucepan. Add onion, celery, carrots, and mushrooms and saute for about 10 minutes. Add flour and stir; add broth, barley, and protein (optional). Cook for about 40 minutes or until cooked through.