What is he doing?

Yes I have been neglecting my blog. In fact my sister asked me just a few days ago, why I haven't done an up date to the blog.  Well !I haven't been anywhere to write about, so I said.  Wrong…(she said), The people that follow your blog are interested in you, not where you've been.  They want to know what your doing.  So! what have I been doing all this time. Most of you know that I decided to stay in Oregon this year and not go back to Deming. The main reason for this is because it is costing to much to come up every year to see how mom is doing. And the other is my sister got me a job caretaking a 5 acre piece of property for some clients of hers. These clients don't know me from Adam, but they decide to give it a try. While they are still working in another state, I will be taking care of the property. You know mowing the lawn and keeping people out that might want to steal or vandalize the property. That's the whole job and for it I get free rent and utilities. Sounds good, why not give it a try. So here we are in Bandon, Oregon for the winter.

  I know it is hard to believe this is winter. But it is, and alot warmer than what it is in Deming right now. In fact here on the coast it has been low about 38 degree's so far this year and not any rain to speak of. Highs are running in the mid 40's to average 60's.  Tiger and I have a real problem of just sitting around doing nothing so we are always busy doing work around the property. This property was neglected for several years while up for sale so lots to do. And we love getting back to nature. Everything I learned and hated when I was a kid growing up here, is now knowledge that just springs to life.

Like building a green house. Yep, I did that. And Tiger helped. We've also build above ground planters.

Tiger helping to level planter. As you can see he has done well… 

So now we have three planter and one green house for our herbs. The idea of above ground is that you don't have the freezing that you would get in ground. We have also built tool caddies. They are on wheels so you can take them to any place on the property and use the tool you need. Saves alot of going back and forth.

Now you can't have a back yard with out a burn barrel or a burn pit. So we have both. The pit I dough and a slab of concrete that had to be moved for a base for the barrel. Believe it or not Oregon has alot of clay and hardpan compared to nice soft sand. This is no small chore.

Now for the big one. This is a 42"X42"X4" slab of concrete. Concrete weights about 148 to 152 pounds per cubic foot. So we have about 600 pounds of concrete to move all the way across the yard. (A long way…)

So how would you do this without a vehicle or a crane or a truck or any other modern equipment? Well let me tell you I just put a harness on Tiger and got behind him and yelled MUSH, MUSH.. And presto it was done…To be honest Tiger looked at me and said I'm no sled dog, you dummy. I'm a healer…

So now you know a little of what we've been doing since August. Tiger loves the weather and the free roam of the acreage. I love the freedom and even the work. It feels good and we are accomplishing something that feels good. Our landlords have been up several times and they are like family. I will try to keep up the blog and keep you all informed. So from Tiger and I, keep healthy and safe.

Miss you all…..Merry Christmas

Tiger on the Beach

All of you know that Tiger likes the water.  And some of you have seen him on the beach.  But these pictures are taken by my sister and she has a great camera.  My friend Chuck has a great camera and has taken some great pictures of our ATV rides and even of the petro-glyphs of New Mexico in some of my earlier blogs.  But sis captured Tiger and Sweetie, (Sheila's dog) on the beach with such precision, I just have to share with all of you.

                All you know Tiger is my soul mate…LOL

            He's just having to much fun…

            I'm a guess he thinks he can swim to Hawaii. (Awe!! we'll miss him)

             Darn he's back, sure hope he doesn't want alimony…..

           My camera wont take these action shot. Thanks Sheila.

             These are just a few of the pictures sis took. Hope you enjoyed them.

  Mosses and Stu…  Tiger and Me.  Tiger wants to play..

Hope you all are safe and healthy. Till the next time. Tiger and Stu..

PS. Tiger and I are going to stay in Bandon this winter. Maybe see you all next year. Be safe.

Black Berry Jam

Since the last post Tiger and I have been busy with two more pies. Also a Fruit Salad an a Black Berry Cobbler. (This is fun!)   

But the most fun was canning and preserving the Blackberry Jam. Tiger even helped as usual.

You might notice he really doesn't give a Damn….LOL   But don't know what I'd do without him.  So what I did was to wash the berries and then mash them in a pot and cook them.  While I'm cooking the berries I sterilize the jars and then can the jams in a water bath.

                                       Let them cool and refrigerate for 24 hours to make sure we canned them properly. Here's the recipe we used.

Blackberry Jam

    * 6 cups crushed blackberries (about 3 quart boxes berries)
    * 1 package powdered pectin
    * 8½ cups sugar

Yield: About 11 or 12 half-pint jars

Procedure:

Sterilize canning jars and prepare two-piece canning lids according to manufacturer's directions.

To prepare fruit. Sort and wash fully ripe berries; remove any stems or caps. Crush berries. If they are very seedy, put part or all of them through a sieve or food mill.

To make jam:

Measure crushed berries into a kettle. Add pectin and stir well. Place on high heat and, stirring constantly, bring quickly to a full boil with bubbles over the entire surface. Add sugar, continue stirring, and heat again to a full bubbling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; skim.

Fill hot jam immediately into hot, sterile jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Wipe rims of jars with a dampened clean paper towel; adjust two-piece metal canning lids. Process in a Boiling Water Canner.

I know this is old to most of you, But its my first and the jam is great. Came out just like you would buy in the local store. Except much less money.  However that is a trade off for the amount of time involved.  And believe it or not Tiger still could care less…

So till next time stay healthy and safe. From Tiger and Stu

Blackberry Pie

Yep!! You guessed it. The blackberries are in full bloom and most are ripe and sweet to eat. My sister and I went out to pick blackberries and had a great time. I remember when I was a kid we use to pick these and sell them for fifty cents ($.50) a gallon. Now they are still wild and easy to pick and are selling for Ten Dollars ($10.00) a gallon. So all you inventors out there thinking about running you car on blackberries, (Forget It).

But if your thinking of making a pie. That will work. These berries are quite large and very taste.

 

If you can't stand the thorns on the vine, Where long sleeve shirts, it helps.

Oh! be sure to stay standing. I slipped and fell twice, right on my ____(feel free to insert any word you like) and found every thorn that this particular bush had to offer. The bad thing is they don't come out till you get home. So take a bus so you can stand up on the way home. You know I don't remember ever doing that when I was young.

But I do remember the purple lips and the purple fingers. I do have a way for you to pick your berries in half the time. The secret is not to eat them as you pick them. Don't fall down so your bowl will stay full longer. LOL

 

Okay so were home now and ready to wash our bounty and make a pie. Believe it or not this is my first pie I've made from fresh fruit. Not out of a can. I must say it came out just right. One of my favorites is Blackberry.

Make the dough and wash the berries and you will have everything just right and ready for a great pie.  Roll out the dough and fit it to the pie pan and fill the pan with berries and bake.  

Blackberry Pie Recipe

Ingredients:

    * 1   pie dough recipe for top and bottom crust
    * 5-6 cups blackberries, rinsed, picked clean, patted dry  (if you use frozen berries, defrost and drain them)
    * 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup sugar (depending on how sweet your  berries are)
    * 1   teaspoon lemon juice
    * 1   teaspoon lemon zest
    * 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    * 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
    * 3   Tbsp quick cooking instant tapioca (can usually find  in the baking aisle of your local supermarket)

Method:

1 Place blackberries, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, cinnamon, almond extract, and quick cooking instant tapioca in a large bowl. Gently fold the berries until they are all well coated with sugar. Let sit for 30 minutes.

2 Preheat oven to 400°F. You should have two balls of pie dough, one for the bottom crust, one for the top crust. Roll out one  of the balls of pie dough on a lightly floured surface to 12-inch diameter if you are using a 9-inch pie pan, or 13-inch  diameter if you are using a 10-inch pan. Line the bottom of  your pie pan with the dough. Chill in refrigerator while you  roll out the bottom crust.

3 Roll out the second ball of pie dough for the top crust. If  you would like to do a lattice top, weave the dough strips as  described in How to Make a Lattice Top for a Pie Crust.

4 Spoon the berry mixture into the dough-lined pie dish. For a  lattice top, weave strips of pie dough over the top of the  fruit-filled pie dish. For a solid top, place the second  rolled-out pie dough crust on top of the pie. Press ends of   strips into the rim of the bottom crust. Use scissors to trim    the edges to 1/2-inch from the outer edge of the pie pan. Fold   the edges back over themselves and use your fingers to crimp  to seal the edges. If you are using a solid top crust, score  the top with a sharp knife to create air vents for the steam  to escape.

5 Place the pie on the middle rack of the oven. Put a baking  sheet on the lower rack to catch any juices that might bubble out of the pie while it's cooking. Bake the pie in two stages. First bake it at 400°F for 30 minutes. Then place a sheet of  aluminum foil over the pie to protect the edges and tops from getting too burnt. (A pie protector is quite useful here.)  Reduce the heat to 350°F and bake for an additional 30 minutes, until crust has browned and filling is bubbly.

  Remove from oven and place on a wire rack.
  Cool completely before serving.  Makes 8 servings.

 

When cooled or at least just warm you can serve, and it is great with Vanilla Ice Cream.  Sorry I didn't have any ice cream with mine. Tiger and I have a lot of blackberries left so I'll just make some jam with them. Now you know what the next blog up date will be.

Stay safe and healthy till the next time from Tiger and Stu.

Donuts For Everyone

As most of you know I'm in Bandon, Oregon at this time. But since I don't really have anything to do here, I thought I would make some Donuts. This would be a great way to pass the time and to give my Sis, and Roger a treat.  So should I make cake donuts or yeast donuts? Boy you know that I can't do anything easy. Like just cake donuts…So Tiger enthused as always about the idea, and I decide to make yeast donuts.  I have a friend in Deming that would make me donuts. And she always made them great. Lew and Diane are great people to know and she is a good cook. So lets try the recipe for a start.

Crispy and Creamy Doughnuts

Prep Time: 10 Min
Cook Time: 30 Min
Ready In: 2 Hrs 40 Min

Yield 18 doughnuts
Ingredients

    * 2 (.25 ounce) envelopes active dry yeast
    * 1/4 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees)
    * 1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk
    * 1/2 cup white sugar
    * 1 teaspoon salt
    * 2 eggs
    * 1/3 cup shortening
    * 5 cups all-purpose flour
    * 1 quart vegetable oil for frying

Frosting:

    * 1/3 cup butter
    * 2 cups confectioners' sugar
    * 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
    * 4 tablespoons hot water or as needed

Directions    1. Sprinkle the yeast over the warm water, and let stand for  5 minutes, or until foamy.
   2. In a large bowl, mix together the yeast mixture, milk,  sugar, salt, eggs, shortening, and 2 cups of the flour.  Mix for a few minutes at low       speed, or stirring with a  wooden spoon. Beat in remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time,  until the dough no longer sticks to the bowl. Knead for          about 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic. Place the  dough into a greased bowl, and cover. Set in a warm place  to rise until double. Dough is ready if you touch it, and the indention remains.
   3. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, and gently roll  out to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with a floured doughnut cutter. Let doughnuts sit out to rise again until double. Cover loosely with a cloth.
   4. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Remove from heat, and stir in hot water one tablespoon at a time until the icing is somewhat thin, but not watery. Set aside.
   5. Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large heavy skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slide doughnuts into the hot oil using a wide spatula. Turn doughnuts over as they rise  to the surface. Fry doughnuts on each side until golden  brown. Remove from hot oil, to drain on a wire rack. Dip  doughnuts into the glaze while still hot, and set onto wire racks to drain off excess. Keep a cookie sheet or tray under racks for easier clean up.

So now we have the dough…

So lets roll it out to 1/2 inch thickness and cut our donuts. And then will let them rise to twice their size.This is where I screwed up. Cause if I would have let them rise a bit longer they would have been really nice and fluffy. But they did come out nice and very good. Just not like I had expected.      Yes it is a requirement to do the holes as well as the donuts or else they get lonely…(I'm sure we've all been there.)

Now that our do-Nuts and Holes are all together we will have some fine eating.  But first we have to let them cool.

 

Of course we have to sugar coat them and let them cool for awhile. You see he new wave oven there with my donuts. These are not baked, they are deep fried.  But the racks in the new wave make great cooling racks.

 

Just dip the donuts into the sugar topping and let cool and you have great donuts. And yes my Sis and Roger both enjoyed them. Thank you Diane for giving me the idea to make donuts. I haven't done this before except when I was a kid.

Now you know what Tiger and have been doing.  From Tiger and I till the next time , keep healthy and safe.