Winter Baking in My Little Kitchen

Today was another back-to-back snow storm, so I knew I would be home all day and that means BAKING DAY in my world!!!  There's nothing better than spending the day in the kitchen when the weather is cold and snowy.  Last year on January 1, 2018 I posted about learning how to bake Swedish cardamon rolls.  I made these rolls several times last year, but I think today I finally mastered the twisting and shaping technique. I love the taste of cardamon, but I also love cinnamon too, so I decided to combine both flavors.  Traditional cardamon rolls only use cardamon.....just so you know.

Look for this recipe in the Turtle Recipes on the top menu.  I encourage you to give this recipe a try.

Caramel Corn Puff Sweetness

Several years ago, my parents caregiver gave them a bag of homemade caramel corn puffs.   My parents loved the corn puffs and ate the whole bag, and then they asked for more!  Betty, their Richland Center caregiver, finally gave the recipe to my mom.  So, when we found out mom's new retirement home in Colfax was having an annual craft sale in late November, mom and I decided to make three batches of Betty's Corn Puffs and then donate the sales to the home.  The money earned will be used for activities for the residents....very sweet!

I've posted the recipe in Turtle Recipes, so please take a look if you want to make these highly additive corn puffs.  This recipe is pretty easy.  Put the corn puffs in a brown paper grocery bag and then add your other ingredients in a saucepan for the caramel sauce and bring to a boil. 

 

 Pour the hot caramel sauce over the corn puffs in the bag...fold bag.  Shake, shake and shake!!!

 Put the bag in the microwave and cook for 1 minute.  Shake again, cook another 1 minute.  

Put the corns puffs on a large cookie sheet and cool.  Break up and bag corn puffs.  Because I made them for a craft fair, I bagged each recipe into 4 quart Ziplock bag....I got 8 bags.

Warm and Cozy

The fall season transitions into winter at the snap of your fingers when you live in the Midwest.  I'm not sure why, but as soon as the weather turns cool, I get a craving for sweet and sour cooked cabbage.  Maybe it's the German heritage in my blood!  Decided to make a double batch this afternoon so I could share with friends.

Storage is easy for the cooked cabbage.   Just use canning jars or plastic storage containers.  Reheat and serve warm with a meal....enjoy.   You'll find the recipe in my Turtle Recipe menu at the top of the page.

A Day To Remember

We celebrated our daughter's wedding on Saturday October 6, 2018.  Becca and Seth celebrated their special day at Bunker Hills Regional Park (near the Twin Cities) in Minnesota.  

Becca & Seth

As you can see by the coat Becca is wearing, it was bitterly COLD with a strong north wind blowing all day long.  Becca and Seth stayed warm that day....must have been marital bliss, if you know what I mean?  I was just thankfully the day stayed dry with no rain!  FYI: The flowers were locally grown and designed by our friend Bonnie Warndahl, Winnowborrow Farms.  I have to tell you that I brought home some of the table bouquets and they lasted for ten days, wow. 

Our little Becca girl was so beautiful on her wedding day!  When Becca was a little girl (3-4 yrs old) she used to always place her hands on her hips and pose for the camera....I can still see that little girl expression in her.

I love all the smiles, but baby it was COLD that day and the smiles turned to shivering!  Me included.

These are just a few of the photographs from Liz & Eric, our photographers.  It was such a joyful day to have friends and family join us at the park to celebrate this special event.  Becca and Seth planned a family-friendly wedding with lots of outdoor games, face painting, making S'mores and bluegrass music.  We continued our celebration with a variety of hot soups, bread sticks, salads and lots of homemade pies!  Minnesota has many great bakers and the pies were absolutely delicious.....mother approved.

Thanks for checking in and I hope to post more often.  

When You Live In the North

When you live in the North, you have to make the best of it.  No sense in complaining, especially when the cold weather and snow begins in November!  Just get outside enjoy and play.

My husband and I live on a lake in Northwest Wisconsin, but we don't actually own acreage with our home.  I feel so lucky to have a wonderful friend that does own wooded acreage, with managed trails.  Caryn and I frequently snowshoe during the winter months and hike, bird-watch and look for mushrooms during the spring/summer.  Both Caryn and I find solitude in the woods, especially in the winter months.

I spotted this birch tree several years ago with it's shelf fungi.  I always make a point to break our snowshoe trail next to this particular tree because it just fascinates me.

After another 4 inches of new snow today, the clouds parted and the sun appeared.  An absolute perfect day to be out in the woods.

Caryn took this photo of me yesterday while out snowshoeing.  I explained to her that every time I pass by this leaning Mullein plant, I stop to smell it....or basically just touch it with my nose.  Why?  No particular reason, other than I just like to connect with nature, plants and birds.  Just call me goofy.    

Our snowshoe route takes us down to the mouth of the Hay River that flows into Tainter Lake.  Won't be long now and the Trumpeter Swans will return, along with the Sandhill Cranes, Canadian geese and lots of ducks. 

Time stands still when I'm out in the woods.  My head and mind stays clear and now I get a chance to say "hello" to my dad when I'm out hiking.  Dad loved his woodland walks when I was a young girl.  I'm already missing my dad.

Fly Away Daddy

John D. Curnow May 1928-2018

As my daddy was letting go, separating from this earthly life, I whispered in his ear.....daddy, it's ok, just fly away.  I told him to fly away as the Rose Breasted Grosbeak (his favorite bird) and please be the first spring bird to visit my bird feeder in the spring.  I know my daddy heard me.  He heard every word I whispered in his ear days before he passed.  As I witnessed the opening of his eyes, the slight facial moments and eyebrow movements, I know my dad heard everything I whispered to him for six straight days.  I continued to tell him how much I loved him and reminded him that Jesus forgave him for all his sins....all he needed to do was trust in the Lord and join Jesus as he passed into his new eternity.  Dad finally let go on January 11th at 12:38 am.  Mixed emotions overwhelmed me.  Should I cry or rejoice in his passing?  My twin sister Lynn, who was with me at the time of dad's passing, felt relieved, joyous and sadness all in one.  Death is strange ya know?  As of today, I'm still feeling happy that dad passed over to his new eternal life.  Now, I need to help my grieving mother......my commitment to my parents lives on.

Note:  My dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer 8 yrs ago.  His cancer metastasized two years ago and became aggressive.  Dad was strong (stubborn) and held on for two years.  I will never regret retiring early from my job in order to take care of my parents.  I'd also like to thank my sisters, Debbie and Lynnie for sharing in dad's care with visits and lots of loving!   

Asking for prayers for my mother.

Practicing Hygee

My big Maine Coon cat, Aiden, and I are practicing "hygee" this winter.  Hygee, pronounced hoo...ga, is the Danish art of embracing the cold winter months with warm fuzzy clothing, lit candles, warm drinks, comfort foods, a good movie or great reading materials!  With lots of frigid temperatures this week, it's easy to enjoy the comforts of home.

Just remember, hygee is an attitude to accept our long cold winters and enjoy the shorter daylight with the coziness of home and family life.  Hygee teaches you to slow down your lifestyle during the winter months and appreciate a warm cup of coffee or tea with a little sweet treat, while enjoying time with your loved ones.  In my case, it's usually three cats snuggled on the couch with me during the day or night.  It's funny, but there's no opportunity for me to experience coldness during the winter months because we have four cats living in our home.  Morning, afternoon or night....I always have a cat nearby to keep me warm.

For me, hygee means saying good bye to a busy summer and fall and saying hello to a quieter time of year.  When I think back to years ago, I would always tell my friends that I was looking forward to the winter months when all my gardening and canning/freezing foods was complete.  Now I realize, deep down inside my soul, I wanted to naturally experience hygee as a way to enjoy the winter months.  I also think the Danes are very smart and know how to enjoy the little treasures of life.

I challenge you to enjoy hygee this winter.

PS, I give you approval to enjoy wearing your PJs until 10 am!!!