About The River

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Harvard Beets

Harvard Beets
From Betty Crocker
No one knows exactly how these beets received their name, but it's a safe bet that it's connected to the best known of Harvard's colors - crimson. ( Betty Crocker also has a recipe for Yale Beets) 
  
Prepare and cook beets as directed. I boiled mine for over 1 hour to have them nice and soft. 
Heat your water to a boil, add 1 tablespoon vinegar. Place beets in the boiling water. Bring beets to a boil and then reduce heat and cook for an hour or so. Run cold water over beets; slip off skins and remove root ends. Slice, dice or cut into slices.

Mix cornstarch, sugar, salt and pepper in 2-quart saucepan. Gradually stir in water and vinegar. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in beets. 

5 medium beets
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
2/3 cup water
1/4 cup vinegar

I do not get real excited for beets, but my 12 year old loves them! This was a fun way to prepare them, and I liked Harvard Beets! So go ahead, try something new.

Let me know about something new you ate this week.

Enjoy!

Monday, July 30, 2012

Summer and Winter

Fun Fact
Did you know that only four Olympians have won medals in the Summer and Winter Olympics?

 Eddie Eagan
He won a gold medal in the light-heavyweight in the 1920  Summer Olympics at Antwerp

1932 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid he won a gold in the 4 man bobsleigh.


Sunday, July 29, 2012

Flicker of the Campfire

Flicker of the campfire, wind in the pines, stars in the heavens, the moon that shines, a place where people gather, making friends of all mankind, a place where all mans troubles are always far behind. So give me the light of the campfire warm and bright. And give me some friends to sing with or I will be here all night. Love is where you find it, I found mine right here. Just you and I and the campfire and the songs we love to hear!

Carla TePaske
I am linking up with Lori at Life, Love, and Laughter 

Friday, July 27, 2012

On the Road Friday

On the road to a beautiful garden.
A dear friend of ours shared a garden with us last night. We enjoyed all the flowers and decorations.
Sit back and stroll with us.
It just rained... the flowers are so pretty to photograph. I loved this lily, I have never seen a double lily before. I just loved this flower.

I love this photo too. I want to draw a smile!!

See the rain drops on the beautiful green?

I love this deep pink.

A gorgeous splash of orange.

I want to add a smile.

I love the color!! My favorite!

Hope you enjoyed our stroll in the garden. What are your favorite flowers? Do you have a flower garden?

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Medal of Honor

Medal of Honor
Hundreds of athletes earn gold, silver and bronze medals. But there is one medal that only a few Olympians have earned, and it is the Pierre de Coubertin medal. The Pierre de Coubertin medal is also knows as the True Spirit of Sportsmanship medal, and it has been awarded only 11 times.

I am going to give a few fun facts about the Olympics for the next week. Here is a story about one of the winners of the Pierre de Coubertin medal.

Lawrence Lemieux
It was September 24, 1988, and the sailing competition was underway in the waters near Seoul, South Korea, site of the 1988 Olympic Games. The once-peaceful weather suddenly became very windy. A Canadian sailor named Lawrence Lemieux was running in second place when he noticed an emergency occurring on another course. A boat carrying two sailors from Singapore had turned over, injuring the men and dumping them into the sea.  Lemieux broke away from his race and headed straight for the sailors. He pulled them from the water and waited with them until a patrol boat came. Lemieux then rejoined his race, but he had lost so much time that he ended up in 22nd place.

The International Yacht Racing Union unanimously decided to award Lemieux second place and the International Olympic Committee gave him the Pierre de Coubertin award for displaying such great courage and self - sacrifice. 

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

A stroll in the flower garden

Happy Wednesday 
Lets take a stroll in my flower garden


Have a beautiful day!
Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you.
 1 Peter 5:7

Monday, July 23, 2012

Double Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

Double Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
What you need:
1 pkg lemon cake mix
1 pkg Jello Lemon Flavor Gelatin
1 1/4 cups water
1/2 cup oil
4 eggs
1/4 poppy seed
1/2 cup of Cream Cheese
2 Tbs. butter softened
1 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. shredded lemon peel and 1 Tbsp. juice from 1 lemon

Make it: 
Heat oven to 350 degrees
Beat first 5 ingredients in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Stir in poppy seed. Pour into well - greased 12 cup fluted tube pan.
Bake 50 minutes or until toothpick comes clean.
Beat cream cheese and butter with mixer on low speed until well blended. Gradually beat in sugar and lemon juice. Spread over top of cake. Garnish with peel.

Enjoy! 

Friday, July 20, 2012

On the Road Friday

Porcupine Mountains
The Waterfalls
Waterfall lovers will love the Porkies!
The following falls are on the Presque Isle River.




We enjoyed the beauty of the falls, the green trees and the sound of the thundering falls.
Have a great weekend.
Get out and Enjoy!!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

PG - 13 Continued

Hi Friends do you remember this post?


Fuzz had six babies, she had 3 brown and 3 black and brown.

This was a great learning experience for the boys.

I Love You!

What's up doc?

Can I go home with you? The time has come for the babes to leave the nest. We hung a sign up at our local library - FREE BUNNIES - we will be able to keep one. Now we are praying for five babies to go to good homes. They are a Rex/Lionhead mix and sweet as can be.
 

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

What to say:

We all have been in a situation where we just do not know what to say when something sad has happened, or a person is depressed.
 A few helpful hints...

I know this is a difficult time you are going through, and I want to stand with you. How can I help? 
(You can offer suggestions such as bringing a meal, meeting for coffee, driving to appointments, etc.)

"To everything - there is a season"


Check out all our cards at our shop
Studio 206 you will find unique photo cards ready to brighten someones day!

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Raspberry Vinaigrette

Raspberry Vinaigrette
You will need:
Olive Oil
Red Wine Vinegar
Sugar
Onion
Raspberries

Chop onion in blender - add raspberries pulse 2 times - add sugar
Add oil and vinegar blend
For the amounts of oil and vinegar, I used 9oz olive oil and 3 oz of red wine vinegar

Enjoy!
We use this for salad and for marinating our kabobs.

Facts
The most neutral flavored vinegar is white vinegar, but we would not likely use this in a vinaigrette. At the very least, use a white wine vinegar. But the flavors and types of specialty vinegars, like balsamic, sherry or raspberry, are as varied and diverse as can be. Cider vinegar is made from apples and is a good choice for fruity vinaigrette's. Balsamic vinegar, sweet, dark and aged in specially treated wooden casks, is one of the most sublime vinegars you can find. Another interesting choice, especially for Asian-flavored vinaigrette's, is rice vinegar, which is made from fermented rice. 

Saturday, July 14, 2012

You Scream, I Scream, We all Scream for Ice Cream

You Scream, I Scream, We all Scream for Ice Cream!
I made Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream, it is not lasting long in this house of boys! Have a great Saturday!

I am teaming up with Lori at Life, Love and Laughter in a Large Family for Think Quotes! Did I get you to think about Ice Cream. :)

Friday, July 13, 2012

On the Road Friday

Summit Peak Tower Trail
Porcupine Mountains
Ontonagon, Michigan
Summit Peak


The hike to Summit Peak Tower is nice for all levels of hikers. It is worth the effort! This short trail leads to Summit Peak, at 1,958 feet, the highest point in the park. A viewing deck and observation tower provide outstanding views of the park.

Photos are taken from up top of the tower. If you look close, you can see a black and white smoke stack, that is the White Pine Mine of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. At this time, the mine is closed.


The map explains what you should be able to see. This all depends on the clarity of the day.


Happy Friday!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

It is Fair Time!

We will be visiting the Northern Wisconsin State Fair this weekend for the first time. We like to take in fairs. I grew up participating in 4-H. I sold a sheep every year at the Price County Fair at our Market Animal Sale. I will never forget my first lamb I sold. Yes, I cried, I loved him so much. His name was Washington.It is fun to visit different fairs to see what the kids are up to and how things have changed. States or counties do different activities or judge exhibits differently, we find it interesting. Last year we took in the Montana State Fair that was a lot of fun. Check out the beautiful ribbons the folks receive.

I decided to do a trip back in time...ready, set, back in time to 2008!
Barron County Fair
Our boys participated in 4-H and look how excited they are to be involved with all the fun activities our county fair provides.
Our club booth of 2008.

A sweet heart with two boys.

Harness racing at the Barron County Fair.



Going on a ride with Dad. Look at that smile!

My favorite! Sheep! Do you want to come home with me?

What's up Doc?

Hey buddy, what pen are you suppose to be in?
How about you? Do you like to go to fairs? What is one of your favorites? What do you like to do at the fair? Besides eating cotton candy :) Hee Hee, I love cotton candy. My hubby always buys me a bag to bring home.
Have a great time getting out and exploring!

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Earwigs

Do you know what an Earwig is? I wish I did not. This ugly insect has decided to live on our property for the past four years! The first two summers we tried to get rid of them on our own. We bought spray and granules to try and kill the EARWIG! It did not work. Last summer we called Guardian Pest Solutions, a wonderful thing happened. The tech  came to our home and blasted the earwigs. We were so happy. "No More Earwigs" we danced around the kitchen.
 June 23, 2012...I saw my first earwig in our garden fence...then I saw another...NOOOO they can not be back. Yes, they were. Tons of them. I called Guardian Pest Solutions....the tech came and sprayed and said "this should take care of them"

Yesterday, we found several more nests of Earwigs. This morning I declared WAR on the Earwig. I called Guardian Pest Solutions. When the tech showed up this morning, he said "I am getting my shotgun ready for them this time." He sprayed big time! 

We had to stay in the house for an hour and a half. After the time was done, we went to investigate. Yes, they were dead.

The earwig is so gross, because it gets into things. It likes to hide. When you move something tons of them drop out. Lawn decoration, furniture, toys, flowers and they EAT plants.

Our first summer having them, I picked a pretty bouqute of flowers for a sick friend. I gave them to her with a smile and she set them on the dinning room table. Drop, drop, drop the earwigs stared to come out of the sunflower, tons of them hid in the sunflower area of the flower. YUCK!! I declare war!

Have you had to deal with a PEST? How about earwigs, have you had to deal with earwigs? What did you do to get rid of your pest?


An interesting note, the tech told us that because Northwest Wisconsin is doing well this summer (no drought) it is like the Garden of Eden...all the bugs are leaving and coming to Northwest Wisconsin. A flying bug can travel 50 miles a night using the jet stream!! Wow! Our tech was very busy! I asked him to share a few fun stories about getting rid of pests. :) That was fun...and will be saved for another blog post.


Operation Earwig
Sending out the troops against the Earwig
Calling all good spray to work against the Earwig
 

Monday, July 9, 2012

Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette

I had fun making this vinaigrette dressing. What I find so cool about vinaigrettes, they defy the laws of nature.


That is because oil and vinegar don't mix. No doubt you've seen this yourself - shake up a bottle of salad dressing and the two parts come together. But set the bottle down and in seconds they start to separate again, until the oil is at the top and all the vinegar is at the bottom. The best we can do is to encourage them to come together for a little while, which they will grudgingly do, provided we shake, stir or otherwise mix them up really well. 


If you remember nothing else about vinaigrettes, remember this: the magic ratio of oil to vinegar is 3 to 1. As long as you know that, you won't need to consult a vinaigrette recipe ever again. Just remember three parts oil to one part vinegar and you'll be all right. If you get them backwards and do three parts vinegar to one part oil, your puckered mouth will ensure you don't make that mistake a second time.

Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 small onion, chopped
1 Tbsp soy sauce 
3 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp white sugar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
In the blender, process ingredients, except olive oil. Puree on high until smooth. Continue pureeing while drizzling olive oil into mixture. Process an additional 1-2 minutes or until thick and well mixed.

Best way to test the flavor of your vinaigrette is to dip a piece of lettuce in, shake off the excess and then take a bite. This will give you a better sense of how your salad will taste than by tasting the vinaigrette "straight".


Have fun, and let me know if you create a fun dressing this summer.
  

Saturday, July 7, 2012

Think Quote

Life is a voyage that is homeward bound.
Herman Melville
Photobucket
I am teaming up with Lori at Life, Love, and Laughter with Think Quotes.