Living with an Artist-Kitchen Sink View

Most of my readers know that my partner is a fantastic artist.  No, I am not biased.  I've been trying to think of a subject for my next blog post, and as I was washing the breakfast dishes it came to me.  Two images that may seem strange in some homes, but perfectly normal in ours.

There are usually clean paint brushes drying by the sink.

From left to right, a Pat Summitt bobble head, my bracelet I take off before washing dishes, a Weck jar filled with clips, a Weck jar filled with bottle caps and a chicken wishbone, and another Weck jar with used vanilla beans that I dry to put in sugar to make vanilla sugar.  

That is all I have for now.  Mary Ann and I are headed to The Ohio State Fair this morning in search of another idea for a blog post.

Hilltop Garden Hash

This past weekend I spent 3 days in the Hocking Hills at Lily Fest.  I look forward to it every year and this year was the best one yet.  As much as I enjoy the weekend I also look forward to taking the day after off of work and enjoy being at home with the family.  This morning I wanted to make a breakfast that reminded us how wonderful the place we call home is.  So I went to the garden and gathered potatoes, corn, tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, and chives and made Hilltop Garden Hash.  It was yummy.  Now I am ready for a nap!

We Have Corn!

Some of you may remember our problem with Corn Vandals.   Today we got to reap the benefits of our work and vigilance.  Two ears were ready for a 4th of July lunch.

Wild or Tame

Last week my post talked about being in Tennessee packing up my grandmother's kitchen.  One of the benefits of visiting East Tennessee this time of year is that it is blackberry season.  When I decided that I was going to make the trip I asked Mom and Dad if there would be any blackberries available.  Dad replied, "would you like wild or tame?"  If you've ever had wild blackberries you know that there is no comparison.  This is what the bears in the Smokies have been living on for years.  And bears don't lie.  So Dad greeted me with 4 qts. of wild blackberries in the fridge.  I rinsed them and put them in the freezer so they were ready for me when I got home. This weekend I made two batches of blackberry jam.  If you've never smelled blackberry jam cooking, you don't know what you are missing.  It is heaven!

Granie's Treasures

This weekend I travelled to Fountain City, TN to help pack my grandmother's apartment.  At age 100 everyone has decided that it is time for her to move into an independent senior living center.  I volunteered to spend the weekend at her apartment and help pack, and for some reason I was given the kitchen to pack.  I think it is the only room that I could find a little enjoyment in packing.  After seeing how much sewing stuff she has, I am sure of it.

I found a treasure!  I found the original copy of Granie's famous chocolate cookie recipe.  Granie never kept her recipe a secret.  She gladly gave it to anyone who requested it.  But no matter how many times we asked for the recipe or how many times we tried to duplicate it, hers were the best.  I remember even watching her make them to see how she mixed it and checked the brands of ingredients she used, and they were still no match to Granie's.  So for all who would like to give it another shot, below is the recipe.  Of course, I will be the judge if they match Granie's so please let me know when you have a few for me to try!

I also found this recipe for butterscotch pie.  I love butterscotch pie and am lucky enough to be here on Father's Day.  It is my dad's favorite pie so I am confident that on Sunday I will get to have some.  I don't remember eating Granie's butterscotch pie.  But the fact that she wrote the word "GOOD" on this and emphasized it, this is a recipe that I will have to try.

I don't remember the meal below.  I tried to think of someone else named Amy that Granie would know, but I couldn't.  So I am going to assume that this was for me.  I wish I did remember it, because I am sure that it was very good.  I love that she still had this tucked away amongst her other recipe clippings.

It's time for me to leave this coffee shop and get back to work packing.  I wonder what I will find today?  Somehow I don't think I will find anything as great as what I discovered last night.

Farm Weather

I added a new blog link to my favorite blogs.  It's called Farm Weather and you can reach it by clicking onto the link to your right.  It's about a farm that has lots of goats and they make goat milk caramel to sell online or in some locations close to their farm.  If you like goats,(and who can't resist the charmers), you will love taking a peek at this blog every few days.  If you dig deep enough in their post history you will  be rewarded with a video of dancing goats!

More Firsts

I really enjoy checking out the garden everyday to see if something new has decided to make an appearance.

Our First Tomatoes

Hello Baby Brussel Sprouts

Still Waiting on a Pepper