Thursday, November 20, 2014

Some area news

The orange trees are still in the same state of orange as they were two months ago.

The orange Trees update

Every time I drive past them I expect that they will have lost their needles….maybe they are just discolored needles and not dead needles.  I can hope!

Fishook River is froze4n

In Park Rapids Fish Hook River was frozen but the lake was still open.

Fishook Lake was still open

Fish Hook Lake

Yesterday the wind howled and blew up a mini blizzard for awhile.  We stayed home.  I busied myself with beads and cooking.  Cook once and eat three times..that is my new motto as I packaged up the leftovers and put them in the freezer.  Last week we made French Dip (Pork Roast baked with a can each of French Onion Soup, Beef Broth and Beef Consume)…and that was good for three nights with another night packaged for the freezer.

On Tuesday I had lunch with my cousins.  Afterwards I hit the bookstore.  A book was released last summer.  I donated a old photo of my father in laws for the book and I helped research some of the  the history. I was thanked in the acknowledgements.  I thought that was nice.   So I bought the book.  The Best of Itasca.  I had hoped to get to one of the several book signings in the area…but that just didn’t happen.

Oh yes I finished with the Cousin’s Cookbook!! Yippee!  The cookbook program and a copy of all the recipes is in my cousin Kathy’s capable hands.  I proofed it one last time…I am certain it will have some mistakes…but so be it…it is what it is. I will be glad to see it in print.  It is a project that I have been working on for three years..maybe four. 

Blog Signature

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow, your lake photo looks so cold. Glad you purchased the book that you helped with; sorry you did not get it signed. Congrats on finishing the cook book project. You are smart to eat leftovers and freeze some. A neighbor brought us a small chicken casserole - it was hot out of the oven and appreciated. Stay safe and warm today.

linda m said...

Congrats on finishing the cookbook project and getting you name in the the book you helped with. We had some pine trees that turned brown last year but never lost their needles; so maybe yours will just stay that way. Keep warm and safe.

DJan said...

That cookbook will be enjoyed by many, I suspect. Will you be sharing some of the recipes here? Wow, three or four years of work and this is the first I think I've heard about it. Or have I just forgotten? :-)

Linda Kay said...

I can definitely relate to being pleased to have it finished, and it will be very rewarding to have it in your hands!

Nancy said...

I finished a quilt yesterday and wasn't completely happy with the fabric I used for the final border, and when my sister suggested I replace it with something I liked better, I said, "it is what it is!"

I freeze portions for future meals, too. It is convenient.

Anonymous said...

Looks cold but lovely!

Dreaming said...

Congrats on the acknowledgement and the cookbook! Oh, and cooking extra meals!

Karen said...

Congrats on the two books! Brrr, the pictures make me feel cold. Our cold weather and sunshine is over for now, back to milder and wetter.
I love leftovers, and usually they don't make it to the freezer, we just keep eating it each day until it is done. Today will be day three of the beef stew, there is just enough left for lunch I think. Gets better each day!

Cynthia said...

I have meals in the winter down to cooking twice a week. If you get a little ahead, you end up with a variety in the freezer and eat well all week. Works for me!
Hooray for finishing the cookbook. Just in time for Christmas giving. I bet it will be a hit.

Primitive Stars said...

Morning, good for you, that's great you finished the book Connie,Blessings Francine.

Intense Guy said...

Fish Hook Lake looks so coooooooooooooooold!!!!

I hope both of "your" books are smash hits!

Red said...

Those nasty little cold fronts go through and can kick up a stink.

L. D. said...

The wind break of a property north of Granger had the same kind of thing on its pine trees. It is a windbreak of dozens of large trees. I was concerned that they would start trimming back on them but they are big trees. Anyway they are now green again and they look normal. The time that they looked like that was during the second summer of drought. I don't know the people but I do know their three kids. I have never asked what happen.

Henny Penny said...

Glad you finished the cook book. I am sick of cold weather already and it has hardly begun here!

Lynda said...

Good for you with book projects! Those are huge.
I try to do the same with cooking whenever possible. I have the vacuum-seal Food Saver appliance. It's wonderful to be able to open the freezer and pull something out. Right now the process of restocking it has begun. Taco Soup needs to be frozen tonight since it was cooked yesterday. Crockpot Chicken Salsa went down there this past weekend. During Christmas Holidays, I need to cook up another batch of chili for Bill. Also, I need to make some more Cafe Rio Chicken. That stuff is really good on Nacho Salads or Tacos. If you need any blog ideas, I love hearing what you are cooking. You make some dishes many of us have not ever tasted. And it might give us some menu ideas when our minds are frozen this winter. Thanks.

Linda Reeder said...

You are sounding very efficient. It must be the cold weather. :-)

Alan Burnett said...

Busy, busy, busy. I always look forward to seeing your photos - I feel I almost know your area now.

Sam I Am...... said...

I'm afraid to say ......those trees are dead....the only reason a pine tree turns orange. So sad. I love trees and that's a lot to lose. It looks like pesticide run off or over spray? Unless it's that Spruce Bug they have up in Canada? That's a mean bug....to trees and humans alike. They're like a grasshopper and they land on you but then they bite and they are like "jaws" of the bug world. They literally take a chunk of your skin out.....ask me how I know this. They are really bad bugs.
Congratulations on being mentioned and given credit and also on the cookbook! You need to post a picture when it gets published and all ready to go. That was/is quite an accomplishment. You always inspire me not to let any grass grow under my feet. Stay warm and dry!

Terry and Linda said...

I like the cook once eat twice routine here. As Terry and I age we don't like lots of food anymore...gosh. When did we become our Grandparents....................?

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/?s=The+Adventures+of+Fuzzy+and+Boomer&submit=Search
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com