Rays Retreat Ramblings

Morels should be popping

Rain + Warm temps nighttime and day = Morels!

The Gaylord paper had a picture of two giant morels found in the Pigeon River area earlier this week.

This should be a great weekend to for finding them.

Mike and I were awakened early this morning… 5 am early with the dogs announcing that it was storming, just in case the crashes of thunder had not woke us up.

Sparky does it by trying to lay on top of you, yeah…. not comfortable. Gizzy is on top, jumping around and then talking and telling us … storm,storm,storm.

Lots of panting too. When I drove into work a little before 7 it was a downpour with bold flashes of lightning. I jumped at least twice.

Once at work, I tried convincing the maintenance man he should provide valet parking for us. He informed me he was going to sell umbrellas.

It is what it is....

I am ready for winter! Bring it on! The summer of 2010 is just not off to that great of a start - for us personally that is. Weather wise its a great improvement over last year which was officially the year of no summer in northern Michigan. This summer we have enjoyed some sunny days and hot days. The tomatos are off to a great start. The best we have had in our 7 summers here.

The month of June was taken up with many road trips, and not the fun adventures we normally enjoy. These were visits to doctors, specialists, hospitals, labs. Nothing fun about these outings. Enough driving that I think I can get a job driving truck, except that I did not enjoy any of the long trips. Especially did not enjoy the city driving!

To end the month of driving I had to make a trip down home - another 4 and 1/2 hour drive. Managed to time it so I could enjoy the Grand Rapids rush hour - still nothing compared to Detroit. This was an overnight trip - fast and furious. It was worth it for the time with my sister, and cuzzin otherwise it was not a pleasant trip. Just more impending hard decisions to be made.

BIG SIGH. June was a high stress month.

It ended on a happy note when we finally got the pathlogy report showing surgery was successful and Mike is free of cancer!!!

We were so happy and excited to see July arrive, but its off to a grumpy start. .. with grumpy people, grumpy old equipment around the Retreat, and a grumpy old man trying to deal with it all leaves this old woman grumpy too. Its still early in the month so I am hopeful things will turn around. Praying things will turn around and quickly.

We have always said summer people are so different from winter people. Overall winter people are happy people. Just happy to see snow and cold. They enjoy a good hot breakfast, enjoy chatting and just enjoy being here. Very few complainers.

Not so the summer crowd. The summer crowd is a difficult bunch. That's always been true, but this year is even more difficult. The summer of discontent. Overall I think the American people are discontent - especially those without jobs, with job cutbacks who are still trying to hold onto their homes, new vehicles, and lifestyle with less money. They want to enjoy their vacations like they always have, but they just don't have the money to do it. So they look for the 'cheapest rooms' they can find but once they get it, it is not the Hyatt Regency like they are used to... its out in 'the wild' with spiders...;etc... I think you get the idea. I sure have gotten the idea the past two weeks. oh people, ...

I am going to let that drop. It is what it is, and we are what we are. A small country motel. Our downstairs rooms are old rooms yet they are clean, comfortable with modern conveniences such as electricity, wifi, cable tv, mini refrigerators and microwaves. And your 'cheap room rate' comes with breakfast! That is a value.

Our upstairs newer rooms I will match with any Holiday Inn, Quality Inn around! And since it comes with a hot breakfast you cannot even match it with the big names.

We have a lovely backyard garden patio area that all our guests have enjoyed and complimented. The backyard firepit has been a lively spot this week, and I am sure there will be a circle around it tonight. Try to find that at your Holiday Inn.

Maybe its time for a cocktail........

or time to find another profession.

Fruit flavors have went too far

Have you noticed how everything has become fruit flavored/enhanced?

In 'the old days' when I was a kid, the only fruit flavored things were jello and kool aid, and as I became a teenager they had started showing up in cereals.

Now, even non food items are fruit flavored or scented at the least. Bath products, shampoos, soap, body lotions all fruit flavored. Some of the scents are yummy, but that's just it.... it just doesn't seem right to be smearing fruit gel all over my body when I am supposed to be washing it.

I use those products like everyone else, but if often amuses me as I get out of my bath ready to go raid the kitchen fruit bowl. ..

now its really went too far! I am looking at an advertisement for Michelob Ultra Beer that now comes in flavors! You heard me.  Tuscan Orange Grapefruit, Pomegranate Raspberry and Lime Cactus!

My father has been gone for ten years but I can hear him loud and clear. My ....! That's not beer. A real man wants a cold beer. A man's beer. Not this flavored crap for wimps. If you want fruit, drink fruit juice. ... anyway, that's what I heard him say.

The fruit flavors do sound rather yummy though......

Censored.............Chicken Wings

Presentation is the key item................

How to serve chicken wings to a man...

Hearty Chicken & Noodle Casserole - Peanut Butter Bars

Are you looking for something good for supper tonight? We enjoyed both of these recipes this week. The Chicken and Noodle Casserole has been in all the magazines lately. Its quick, very easy and just as good eating. The Peanut Butter Bars Janelle brought into work before Christmas. They were quickly gone, they are so so yummy.

Hearty Chicken & Noodle Casserole

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1/2 cup milk

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup frozen mixed vegetables

2 cups cubed cooked chicken

2 cups egg noodles, cooked and drained

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Stir soup, milk, black pepper, grated parmesan cheese, vegetables, chicken and noodles in 1 1/2 qt casserole. Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes or until hot. Stir. Top with Cheddar Cheese.

Layered Peanut Butter Bars

Cookie Base

1 pouch 1 lb 1.5 oz peanut butter cookie mix

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 tablespoon water

1 egg

Filling

1/2 cup butter softened

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

2 cups powdered sugar

2teaspoons milk

Frosting

1 cup semisweet choclate chips

1/4 cup butter

Heat oven to 350. Spray hottom of 13 x 9 inch pan with cooking spray.

In large bowl, stir all cookie base ingredients until soft dough forms. Press dough in bottom of pan using fingers. Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

In small bowl, beat all filling ingredients with mixer on med speed until smooth. Spread mixture evenly over cookie base.

In microwaveable bowl, microwave all frosting ingredients on high 30 seconds. stir until smooth. Cool 10 minutes, spread over filing. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until set. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows.

Autumn Cooking

My favorite season most of my life has been autumn. I only discovered the joy of winter since moving to Northern Michigan. That's when I realized the full beauty and fun of snow and cold.

Days like the last few days with partly sunny/cloudy skies, temps in the 60's and low 70's. After a chilly night. Leaves turning and falling to the ground. Love it!

The fall colors, fall smells, sweaters, and foods!

This recipe is definitely a fall recipe. Simple to prepare, very little prep time.

Pork Chops with Apples/Stuffing

Heat oven to 375.

Prepare 1 pkg 16 oz Stove Top Stuffing Mix for Chicken

Spread 1 can 21 oz apple pie filling onto bottom of 13x9 baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.

Top with 6 boneless (I used just two butterfly chops) pork loin chops; and stuffing.

Cover with foil.

Bake 30 minute, uncover.

Bake an additional 10 min or until chops are cooked through.

Sweet Corn Shortcakes with Summer Berries

We enjoyed a great weekend with son Bryan and family from Lake Leelanau. Bryan arrived Friday with the girls. Mom, Angie joined us Saturday afternoon. It gave me the opportunity to play with the girls, and also do some cooking that I wouldn't normally do.

Friday evening we tried a little variation on the traditional Somemores around the campfire. Instead of graham crackers we made Somemore Bannana Boats.... slicing a banana down the center, opening it (leaving the peel in tact)... and placing marshmallow, chocolate peices and nuts. Placing in heavy duty tin foil, and placing them on a rack over the campfire to warm and melt. Messy yummy.

Mike, Bryan and Daylen went out fishing Saturday and returned with a great mess of fish for our lunch. Nothing fresher than that!... straight from the lake, into the frying pan.

Our desert today was extra yummy. I'm sharing that recipe with you.

Sweet Corn Shortcakes with Summer Berries

In a medium bowl, stir together 4 1/2 cups assorted fresh berries (blueberries,raspberries, blackberries, and or sliced strawberries. Add 3-4 Tablespoons of sugar; set aside.

Preheat oven to 350F. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 king cup all purpose flour, 1/2 cup cornmeal, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 teaspoon baking power, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/8 teaspoon salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in 1/3 cup cold butter, cut up. Mix until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of the mixture. Add 1/4 cup buttermilk and 1/4 cup whole milk all at once. Using a fork, stir until moistened.

Drop dough into mounds on a large ungreased baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

To serve, place a shortcake in shallow dessert dishes. Spoon fruit over, add whipped topping if you desire. (I forgot I had it!)

Inside Out Cabbage Rolls

Here's a yummy and good for you meal! Easy to fix, and easy to eat.

 

INSIDE OUT CABBAGE ROLLS

Cook 1 pound lean ground beef, 1 large onion/chopped, and 1 large green pepper/chopped over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Drain.

Stir in 1 small head cabbage/chopped, 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chilies, 1 cup reduced sodium beef broth, and 1 can (8 oz) pizza sauce. Bring to a boil.

Reduce h eat; cover adn simmer for 20-25 minutes or until cabbage is tender. Stirring occasionally.

Stir in 1 cup cooked brown rice, heat through. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese.. Cover and let stand until cheese is melted.