Pot pie anyone?

Since we haven't been traveling lately, I thought I would keep in touch by sharing some recipes.  Everyone knows I love to cook and I  sure have been doing a lot of it since returning home from our trip.  But, sadly all of my cookbook collection is already in storage, so I have been using the few books I left out and websites.

Tonight's dish is courtesy of
 http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/

Chicken Pot pie; I used her recipe but played with it a bit by adding mushrooms to the veggies, leaving out the cream and not using an egg wash.  
I also added some garlic and

some smoked paprika.  Also, I used my secret crust recipe
( you know in the red box).  :)

 

 Here it is ready for the oven.

 

So check out the recipe and her website, if you never have, as it is

quite entertaining.  I usually get a good laugh, which is pleasant as

you can never have too much laughter.  

 

The pot pie passed Dave's taste test, so it's Dave approved.   :)

 

Have a good weekend!!



Nothing happening

Yes, that's about it around here.  Well truthfully Dave is keeping busy, sending bid requests out to different sub-contractors for bids on the new house.  If we ever get around to building it, which now looks like April 2014 before we can start as our builder Jeff needs an answer by 30 August if we want to start building in September.  Since we don't have an offer let alone a closing date, I seriously doubt we will make that time line. Sure hope it sells by February or March!!!!!

Let me see if I can remember what has been happening around here for the last couple weeks.  Our daughter came home a couple weekends ago and we went for a long (for me) bike ride.  We had fun together and a good workout.  If you ever get to the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area, bring your bikes because there are over 80 miles of bike paths in the area.   She and I did a bit over 9 miles, so I was pleased.  Here's our route:

 

It was cool with the shade on the route we took, which is nice for a hot day.

Next, this last weekend, dear and long-time friends came up for the weekend.  Since it is a recognized fact that this area doesn't have a lot of choices for entertainment, we were limited to taking them to a Antique Tractor/Thresher show at Antique Acres in rural Cedar Falls.  Whoa, exciting I know!!!!  It is a very small version of the Thresher Reunion held every year in Mount Pleasant, IA.  Maybe, someone has heard of that, (I won't be surprised if you haven't).  :)    My girlfriend was laughing that she grew up on a farm, but had never seen a tractor pull and didn't know what a thresher was; well now she does and has seen one.  

Part of the afternoon's entertainment was a parade, so here's a few pictures:

 

 

Silly me, I didn't even take a picture of a thresher!!  I sure thought this old truck and old teardrop trailer was pretty neat though!!!!

We had a good visit and time to catch up on each other's lives.  It's so nice getting together with long time friends!!! 

That's about it from here.  This week we are replacing the carpeting in the house, with hopes that having new carpeting will bring on an offer.  The house is pretty move in ready, with the entire home being freshly painted including the garage, now new carpeting and due to hail damage a new roof and gutters. 

Thanks for checking in and will update again soon.  I should have lots more to post as Nacho and I will be heading for Vermont to "Camp Gone to the Dogs" with our friend Pamela and three of her dogs.  It should be a fun time, so check back for updates from camp.  

Hugs to all!

Biking along the Great River Road

Friday, August 2, we headed out to Thomson Causeway, a Corp of Engineer campground along the Mighty Mississippi in Illinois. 

We arrived in the late afternoon and got set-up at the campground.  Just as we finished up my brother and sister-in-law arrived.  After they got set up, we decided to have a simple supper of roasted hotdogs and mac & cheese.  Seriously, what's camping without hotdogs!!???  Right?

We had an enjoyable evening sitting around the campfire and catching up until the mean, nasty mosquitoes had to start attacking me!!!  Off to bed we went with plans to go for a bike ride after breakfast.

My son should be so proud of me, we did approximately 15 miles or a bit more on our ride from Thomson to Fulton. I wasn't sure how I would do but obviously with the walking I have been doing and the stationary bike has helped a bit as I handled the ride just fine!!!  Yeah me!!!!  :)

A much needed stop at Dollar General was needed because I always forget something when I load the trailer, even when I make a list.  So everything on my list was packed, I was thinking good job Candy!  Only to realize on Saturday morning I forgot to pack underwear!!!!  Gee!!!!  But my dear sister-in-law informed me that she was sure the Dollar store would carry Ladies Hanes and whoo, she was right!!!  Thanks Chris!!!  :)  LOL!!!!

Then my sister and her family, my parents and brother and my niece and her hubby and new little boy arrived for our evening cookout.  It was so nice to have all of them drive up for the afternoon and having the opportunity to see them.  Thanks for coming!!!

The next morning after a leisurely breakfast we headed out going north out of Thomson.  The ride was along a back county road and not nearly as scenic as the bike path, so after just a couple miles we made the decision to head back into Thomson and check out the bike shop.  Good thing, as about 3 blocks from the shop my bike broke!!!  Actually, the chain came off the track and neither Dave or Kevin could get it fixed.  Chris rode up to the shop and called the number on their door; they said they would open in just a few minutes.  So up to the shop we went with Kevin carrying my bike for me.  Thanks brother!!!  It only took a few minutes and the owner had it fixed and adjusted so hopefully it won't jump off track again.   Well, this particular bike shop is known for recumbent bikes, so we just couldn't leave until we learned a bit about them and of course tried a few out.   I thought I would like them, but have riding one, I'm happy to say I am quite satisfied with mine.

After a lunch of leftovers and more river viewing, we packed up to head home.  Another great weekend!!!  

Better late than never

Last week, we took a drive to Decorah, Iowa with friends and had a great time as usual with them.   We had lunch upon arriving at the Angry Pickle; they had decent sandwiches so we all walked away full, no need for dessert.   :)

After walking around and viewing a few shops, we headed to our ultimate destination, "Seed Savers".   This was a first time visit for them and a second visit for us.  Walking through their gardens and inspecting all the variety of plants, both vegetable and flowers was an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon. 

I'm including a few pictures:

Vegetable garden plot at front entrance

Spider Flower

Another garden

Chicken house

Love these, want some planted at the new house when it is finally built!

 

 

After a short drive to view the orchard section and the greenhouses, we headed to Whippy Dip for ice cream, yum!  Great end to the day. Then off to home we headed with plenty of conversation to make the trip back go fast.

 

If you ever get to the Decorah area, check out Seed Savers, even for a non-green thumber, like myself it is very pleasant, educational and you will walk away wanting to plant many things in your yard.   :)

 

Thanks Friends for a wonderful time!!!