Okay, I am from Kansas, the Land of Oz, or as the promotional material says, The Land of Ahhhs. I am also a citizen of the world, a traveler on the Web. I posted in a previous entry that I am a member of MyLot. Another place I call home is Gather.com http://gardengerty.gather.com/
I post as Heather E. Gather is a worth while site to join, because you make friends, learn new things, and also, you can earn points, that translate into gift cards.
Remember the muffins from a previous post? Here is the recipe:
The person who posted it to Gather gives credit to hillbillyhousewife.com
Oatmeal Muffins to eat when you are broke.
1 cup dry oatmeal
1 cup sour milk, buttermilk or yogurt (you can use powdered buttermilk)
1 medium egg
1/2 C white or brown sugar
1/3 C oil
1 1/4 C flour
1/2 tsp. each salt and baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
In a large bowl combine the oatmeal and buttermilk or sour milk or yogurt
Let it set awhile so that the oatmeal soaks up some of the liquid.
Add the egg, sugar and oil, beat really well with a wire whisk.
Stir in flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, but do not over stir. It should only take 20-30 strokes to mix all the dry patches in.
Spoon the batter into a dozen well oiled standard muffin cups and bake at 4oo for about twenty minutes. Best served hot.
Like I said, I tweaked it a little. I stir in flax seed meal and wheat germ, a tablespoon or so of each. I also add a good handful of dried fruit, and chopped nuts. If the batter is too thick I stir in a tablespoon full of milk as well. This makes 30 or so mini muffins.
I usually use yogurt for the liquid--Vanilla or fruit flavored.
These make great little bites for breakfast or snack, and they are just sweet enough to take care of cravings.
I hope I made you want to bake.
Tomorrow, I may go spend part of the day with a friend.
Have fun,
Heather
Friday, February 25, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
It is Wednesday
Normally, I would have gone to choir practice, but I have a cold. I keep sneezing and I did not feel that was something I wanted to share with the rest of the choir. We had run some out of town errands today, and then I have stayed home this evening.
Bob sent in the registration fee for the Kustom Kemps Show. It will be July 29, 30, and 31 in Salina, Kansas at Kenwood Park. These custom hot rods are awesome. I guess there is a television show that features some of the customization work. I will have to ask Bob what it is. This event is nice family oriented fun.
There are a lot of places you might find me online, when I am not here. Google the name Garden Gerty and you may find me.
My first real experience online, other than e mail was with a discussion site called MyLot, I have been there almost five years. www.myLot.com?ref=GardenGerty. This is a wonderful site because it is truly international. We discuss lots of things and it is not just random, social stuff and it is not paid to post. We do get paid for our participation, though.
I will feature some other sites as the days go by. Hope to see you around.
Bob sent in the registration fee for the Kustom Kemps Show. It will be July 29, 30, and 31 in Salina, Kansas at Kenwood Park. These custom hot rods are awesome. I guess there is a television show that features some of the customization work. I will have to ask Bob what it is. This event is nice family oriented fun.
There are a lot of places you might find me online, when I am not here. Google the name Garden Gerty and you may find me.
My first real experience online, other than e mail was with a discussion site called MyLot, I have been there almost five years. www.myLot.com?ref=GardenGerty. This is a wonderful site because it is truly international. We discuss lots of things and it is not just random, social stuff and it is not paid to post. We do get paid for our participation, though.
I will feature some other sites as the days go by. Hope to see you around.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Upcoming Events
It has been ages since I have been part of a garage or yard sale. That is in part because I do not have a garage. That is not going to stand in my way this year. My friend Marsha told me about a Monster Garage Sale that takes place at the Kansas State Fair Grounds twice every year. She and I and another friend from Gather are planning on having booths there. That will be March 12, in Hutchinson, Kansas. I hope to get rid of lots of "treasures".
The last weekend of March Bob and I will be heading off to Las Vegas. He is a representative for Dri WashnGuard, and they have their annual meeting there in Las Vegas as that is where the home office is. We will be staying at the Golden Nugget Hotel. Neither of us are gamblers so the spare time will not be spent in the casinos. Meetings are April 1 and 2.
Our daughter will visit here from Minnesota early in July. She will bring the grand girls, her hubby is accompanying teens on a missions trip
The only other firm date we have is for Kustom Kemps Car Show in Salina, Ks. This is one of the largest car shows in North America, almost 1600 entries last year. We go as vendors for DWG.
In between times, we hope to go to Oklahoma, and Minnesota to see family and friends. Let me know where you are, I may wave as we go by.
Heather
The last weekend of March Bob and I will be heading off to Las Vegas. He is a representative for Dri WashnGuard, and they have their annual meeting there in Las Vegas as that is where the home office is. We will be staying at the Golden Nugget Hotel. Neither of us are gamblers so the spare time will not be spent in the casinos. Meetings are April 1 and 2.
Our daughter will visit here from Minnesota early in July. She will bring the grand girls, her hubby is accompanying teens on a missions trip
The only other firm date we have is for Kustom Kemps Car Show in Salina, Ks. This is one of the largest car shows in North America, almost 1600 entries last year. We go as vendors for DWG.
In between times, we hope to go to Oklahoma, and Minnesota to see family and friends. Let me know where you are, I may wave as we go by.
Heather
Monday, February 21, 2011
Drive and Dine Content
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Osage Beach, Missouri
I cannot believe that we made our Missouri trip almost a month ago. On our way out of Kansas, we stopped at the Topeka, Kansas, Denny's. Denny's is a reliable chain with a 50's diner feel, and lots of good food 24/7. Fresh coffee as well.
I posted a bit about the Chestnut Roast, including a recipe for Butternut Squash Soup. We also bought chili from a vendor at the Chestnut Roast. I will post a recipe for that later. The fresh air was invigorating, and we learned a lot about raising trees of all kinds while we were there. We left the Columbia, Mo. area headed for Osage Beach, Mo. around 2:00 pm.
We had two purposes in visiting Osage Beach, a resort town on the Lake of the Ozarks. I had some old memories to revisit, and Bob and I were going to visit a church plant from our denomination in the town.
The Lake of the Ozarks is a wonderful recreational lake, with resorts settled around it, as well as an outlet mall, and more rustic accommodations such as camping areas. Of course there is golf, fishing, boating, casual and fine dining and other evening entertainment. We booked a motel room, at fall rates, and proceeded to look for food. We did not have to go far.
Our supper that evening was at The City Grill and Blue Room. There is a Sports Bar Lounge, but we ate in the dining area. The lighting is subdued, and conducive to good conversation. The waitstaff was beginning to light the lanterns on the individual tables and other diners filtered in. Some were regulars, you could tell, like the lady who came alone and brought her book. She was greeted as an acquaintance by the waitress. A large party came in and was seated all together, with no hint of the host being flustered. We received good attention and looked through a menu that went from salad and soup, pasta and steak, burgers and fries to other great sandwiches
Bob, my wonderful driving and dining companion ordered a South Philly Steak Sandwich and Cajun Fries. It consisted of sliced roast beef, not shaved, but thicher slices, topped with roasted peppers and onions and pepperjack cheese. This was served on a sourdough bun with Au Jus on the side. The Cajun Fries had a nice spicy kick as well. They are available as a side with any sandwich. My sandwich was called The Bistro. It was a one half pound burger that was topped with carmelized mushrooms and onions. The sandwich was garnished with Bleu Cheese Crumbles, Bacon and spread with horseradish sauce all on a foccacia bun. I chose to have a fruit cup of seasonal fresh fruit instead of fries.
Each of the sandwiches were less than nine dollars, and did I mention, they had the best coffee I have had in years? It was wonderful, and I would go back there even just for the coffee any time.
The City Grill
5384 West Hway 54
Osage Beach, Mo, 65065
573-302-0848
The menu says every Thursday is German Night from 4:30-900 pm. We will plan our trip accordingly the next time we go to Missouri.
This was a two day trip, and we are finishing day one.
I posted a bit about the Chestnut Roast, including a recipe for Butternut Squash Soup. We also bought chili from a vendor at the Chestnut Roast. I will post a recipe for that later. The fresh air was invigorating, and we learned a lot about raising trees of all kinds while we were there. We left the Columbia, Mo. area headed for Osage Beach, Mo. around 2:00 pm.
We had two purposes in visiting Osage Beach, a resort town on the Lake of the Ozarks. I had some old memories to revisit, and Bob and I were going to visit a church plant from our denomination in the town.
The Lake of the Ozarks is a wonderful recreational lake, with resorts settled around it, as well as an outlet mall, and more rustic accommodations such as camping areas. Of course there is golf, fishing, boating, casual and fine dining and other evening entertainment. We booked a motel room, at fall rates, and proceeded to look for food. We did not have to go far.
Our supper that evening was at The City Grill and Blue Room. There is a Sports Bar Lounge, but we ate in the dining area. The lighting is subdued, and conducive to good conversation. The waitstaff was beginning to light the lanterns on the individual tables and other diners filtered in. Some were regulars, you could tell, like the lady who came alone and brought her book. She was greeted as an acquaintance by the waitress. A large party came in and was seated all together, with no hint of the host being flustered. We received good attention and looked through a menu that went from salad and soup, pasta and steak, burgers and fries to other great sandwiches
Bob, my wonderful driving and dining companion ordered a South Philly Steak Sandwich and Cajun Fries. It consisted of sliced roast beef, not shaved, but thicher slices, topped with roasted peppers and onions and pepperjack cheese. This was served on a sourdough bun with Au Jus on the side. The Cajun Fries had a nice spicy kick as well. They are available as a side with any sandwich. My sandwich was called The Bistro. It was a one half pound burger that was topped with carmelized mushrooms and onions. The sandwich was garnished with Bleu Cheese Crumbles, Bacon and spread with horseradish sauce all on a foccacia bun. I chose to have a fruit cup of seasonal fresh fruit instead of fries.
Each of the sandwiches were less than nine dollars, and did I mention, they had the best coffee I have had in years? It was wonderful, and I would go back there even just for the coffee any time.
The City Grill
5384 West Hway 54
Osage Beach, Mo, 65065
573-302-0848
The menu says every Thursday is German Night from 4:30-900 pm. We will plan our trip accordingly the next time we go to Missouri.
This was a two day trip, and we are finishing day one.
Friday, November 6, 2009
University of Missouri Chestnut Roast
The weekend of October 17 we had a great getaway. The University of Missouri division of Agroforestry hosts an event they call the Chestnut Roast. It focuses on reintroducing chestnuts to the United States, and also features other crops as well. There is usually a guest chef who prepares recipes using chestnuts and this year was no exception. Our favorite so far is the Butternut Squash and Chestnut soup.
Steam or roast chestnuts, peel one cup full.
Saute one small yellow onion in large sauce pan, using 2Tbsp. Olive oil.
Add one pound cubed butternut squash, and 1/2 tsp. fresh grated ginger or 1/8 tsp ground ginger. Brown squash only slightly.
Add 4 cups broth or stock, vegetable or chicken is best. Cook until squash is fully cooked. If starting with raw squash, about 20 minutes.
Add chestnuts.
Puree soup to desired consistency, either in batches in a conventional blender or using a submersible (stick) blender.
Return to pan or put in crock pot. If too thick thin with more broth.
Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with one T each chopped pecans, and blue cheese crumbles. Bacon bits are nice on top as well.
Makes six servings.
I will point out that this is a thick, rich, slightly sweet soup. It is gluten free, dairy free, and if made with vegetable broth it is vegetarian.
Order chestnuts online for the freshest ones. When we get them at the grocers they are not as fresh and more expensive.
www.Chestnutcharlie.com
Charlie is a favorite Kansas Chestnut grower.
Steam or roast chestnuts, peel one cup full.
Saute one small yellow onion in large sauce pan, using 2Tbsp. Olive oil.
Add one pound cubed butternut squash, and 1/2 tsp. fresh grated ginger or 1/8 tsp ground ginger. Brown squash only slightly.
Add 4 cups broth or stock, vegetable or chicken is best. Cook until squash is fully cooked. If starting with raw squash, about 20 minutes.
Add chestnuts.
Puree soup to desired consistency, either in batches in a conventional blender or using a submersible (stick) blender.
Return to pan or put in crock pot. If too thick thin with more broth.
Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with one T each chopped pecans, and blue cheese crumbles. Bacon bits are nice on top as well.
Makes six servings.
I will point out that this is a thick, rich, slightly sweet soup. It is gluten free, dairy free, and if made with vegetable broth it is vegetarian.
Order chestnuts online for the freshest ones. When we get them at the grocers they are not as fresh and more expensive.
www.Chestnutcharlie.com
Charlie is a favorite Kansas Chestnut grower.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Java John's
Sometimes you do not have to drive far to find something great to eat, or drink. In my hometown, McPherson, Kansas, we have several unique places to find food. Today we stopped for coffee at Java John's on Main Street. Java John's is an internet hot spot and a favorite place for local business people to take their breaks and visit with friends. There are comfortable couches, current magazines and coffee brewed from beans fresh roasted on a daily basis. If you do not care for coffee there are other beverages, both hot and cold. I had a spiced chai, and my companion, my husband had a french vanilla hot chocolate topped with whipped cream. We munched on milk chocolate coated espresso beans. Bob was skeptical of this tasty treat at first, but I quickly won him over.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
The Dinner Bell at Eagleville, Missouri
On a trip this year from Kansas to Minnesota, we stopped in at the Dinner Bell . It is less than ten miles from the Iowa State Line on I35, exit 106. Dine All Night.
I had a Belgian waffle that was shaped like an eight petalled flower. My husband had homemade hash. The restaurant was quiet and sleepy, it was before 6 a.m. A small truck stop cafe. The counter featured jars of jam for sale, and bars of homemade soap. Our bill came to $16.04, you can be sure we had plenty of coffee and eggs along with our waffles and hash. Sausage for me as well. This is one we would definitely visit again.
I had a Belgian waffle that was shaped like an eight petalled flower. My husband had homemade hash. The restaurant was quiet and sleepy, it was before 6 a.m. A small truck stop cafe. The counter featured jars of jam for sale, and bars of homemade soap. Our bill came to $16.04, you can be sure we had plenty of coffee and eggs along with our waffles and hash. Sausage for me as well. This is one we would definitely visit again.
Drive and Dine
Before we were computer literate, before we knew that we could share in a blog, we thought it would be really neat to be able to share some of the restaurants we found as we drove around the country, visiting family and friends. We thought about publishing a book, but never found the time. Ten years later, I am finally starting to blog about the beautiful drives we have taken, and the wonderful places we have stopped to eat along the way. Sadly, some of the places we have been no longer exist, and the posts will just contain memories of those places.
Once upon a time
Once upon a time, about fifteen months ago, I started a blog. On looking back, the focus was much too narrow. It was called "Drive and Dine" and my husband and I were going to cover all the neat places we ate, whenever we took a trip, plus the nice places we visited as well.
With the cost of gas, and the cost of sometimes questionable road food, this has not been a stellar endeavor. Especially with being out of work.
Considering the amount of food I am preparing at home, I thought of changing the blog to be "In Heather's Kitchen", but again, that is a narrow idea. I am much more than what I cook and eat.
I like to do crafts, and cook, and grow things, and travel, and be online, and so on, so forth. So that brings me to another title.
I am going to wake up that old blog, give it a new name, and pictures, and I am going to call it . . . . Heather's Hobbies.
I hope you are all having a great President's Day. One of the foods often featured for this holiday is cherries. In Heather's Kitchen today are oatmeal muffins with pecans and dried cherries.
I obtained this recipe from a friend on Gather, who got it from a blog called Hillbilly Housewife. I have, of course, tweaked it.
The muffins are almost ready to come out of the oven. It is time for lunch.
Have a great day, and I will be getting that new blog up and running.
Heather
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