Growing And Taming Mint

Mint is a staple in my herb garden. It is such a versatile  plant.  

It smells fresh and tastes even better! My favorite way to use mint it to put a couple of springs in my water. YUMMY!

Here's some tips to help you grow and tame the invasive mint...

StoneGable Weekly Menu June 21- 27

Weekly Menu:

News Flash! Before I begin this post I just found out that I am a contestant in a "Pink Contest" at Daisy Pink Cupcake! My peony tablescape was chosen. Please visit Daisy and see all the wonderful entries she chose. And if you are so inclined, I would appreciate your vote!  Please vote for me in the FIRST voting section (there are 2 sections). Click HERE to visit all the pink and to cast your vote! Thanks!

This is catch up week at StoneGable! Catch up on gardening, catch up ( or continue my peace accord ) on housework, catch up on bills, catch up on friends, catch up on odds and ends. It seems I have been away for several weekends in a row, or at least part of them.  So I am happily at home for awhile!

This week I am serving my family some StoneGable favorites as well as some new and exciting recipes! I am also busying myself  creating some fun posts for the next couple of weeks! See sidebar for upcoming posts (hopefully) this week.

Thanks to Kendra at Haden New for Monday's Twice Baked Potato Recipe! Her blog is adorable and one I visit often. I hope you will try some of these recipes! Let me know what you think if you try any. I really appreciate the feedback.

Monday:
Twice Baked Potato Haden News Style
Roasted Broccoli with Drizzled Garlic Oil

Recipe: Twice Baked Potatoes
What a yummy sounding recipe! Kendra at Haden News featured them on her blog last week, and I 'm making them! Click HERE for this delicious recipe!

Tuesday:
Mongolian Beef
Sticky Rice
Leftover Roasted Broccoli and Roasted Carrots.

Recipe:Mongolian Beef
I am a big fan of flank steak. In this recipe it is sliced thin and sauteed quickly to keep it tender. Lots and lots of great flavor in this recipe!

1 1/2 lb. flank steak, thinly slice across the grain
1 TBS + 1 tsp butter
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
2 TBS water
2 tsp. minced peeled fresh giner
1 TBS roasted garlic (recipe below)
2 tsp dark sesame oil
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
4-6 green onions, cut crosswised into 1 inch pieces

Heat oil and butter in a skillet over medium high heat. Cook steak for 3 minutes on each side until browned. Do not overcook steak.

Remove steak to a plate. Add onions and cook until slightly browned and soft.

Meanwhile combine all other ingredients in a small bowl. When onions are slightly browned add steak and sauce back to the pan. Heat for 2 minutes until sauce is slightly reduced.

Serve over sticky rice .

Wednesday:
Spicy Oven-Fried Chicken
Smashed Potatoes
Collard Greens

Recipe: Spicy Oven-Fried Chicken
4 Chicken Thighs
salt and pepper
1 TBS Mrs. Dash
1/3 cup yellow cornmeal
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp paprika
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup crushed cornflake crumbls
1 packet dry ranch dressing mix
olive oil-flavored cooking spray

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Salt and pepper chicken.

In a shallow dish combine cornmeal, flour, Mrs Dash and paprika. In a second shallow dish add buttermilk. In a third dish add cornflakes and ranch dressing mix. Dredge chicken in the cormeal. Dip in the buttermilk and dredge through the cornflakes, pressing firmly.

Place a wire rack on a large rimmed baking sheet pan. Coat rack with cooking spray and put chicken on rack. Lightly spray chicken with cooking spray.

Bake at 400 degrees for 45-50 minutes until juices run clear.

Recipe: Collard Greens
If you are from the South you know how fabulous Collard's are. If you have never tried them... DO! They are fabulous. The best I've eaten are from  Paula Deen's restaurant's The Lady And Son's!!! And I make her recipe. This is a real winner!!! And worth the work. To see Paula's recipe click HERE.

Thursday:
Grilled Salmon With Sweet Corn, Tomato and Avocado Relish
Cheesy Polenta
Grilled Asparagus

Recipe: Grilled Salmon With Sweet Corn, Tomato and Avocado Relish
When I saw this whole dinner recipe I knew I would make it this week. The corn in our area is still being brought in from Georgia, and it is WONDERFUL. This recipe looks so good, doesn't it? Click HERE to visit Emeril and get his great recipe!

Friday: Company's Coming~Light Relaxed Dinner and Game Night

Cheese Board
Chicken Ceaser Salad
Individual Cherry Cobbler With Homemade Vanilla Frozen Yogurt
Recipe: Chicken Ceasar Salad With Homemade Ceaser Salad Dressing
This week's menu has many of many of my favorites! But if you are going to make 1 thing this week, make the ceaser salad dressing! I am often told that my ceaser salad is the best... I say with humility (sorry, I didn't mean to sound braggy). Click HERE and look for Tuesday's menu.  You will be swamped with compliments when you make it!
Saturday:
Grilled Sausage With Carmelized Onions and Peppers
StoneGable Tortellini Salad

Sliced Tomatoes Drizzled With Pesto

Recipe: StoneGable Tortellini Salad
I get many requests to bring this summery salad to picnics!

1 large bag frozen tortellini
4 green onions, thinly sliced, use white part only
1 carrot, grated
4 slices of roasted red pepper, chopped
1/8 lb. sliced pepperoni, cut in thin strips
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup shaved parmesan cheese

1 jar marinaded artichoke hearts, rough chopped

1/2 cup sliced greek olives, pitted
1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
2 TBS chopped fresh parsley
2 TBS chiffonade fresh basil
Greek dressing, Gazebo House
salt and pepper to taste

Cook tortellini according to directions, drain and cool. Add all ingredients, except Greek dressing and salt and pepper. Once all ingredients are mixed, add dressing to taste. DON'T OVER DO IT! Salt and pepper to taste.

Sunday: Slow Cooker Soup Day

StoneGable Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
Arugula, Pine Nuts, Shaved Parmesan Salad With Lemon Viniagrette

Recipe: StoneGable Slow Cooker French Onion Soup
This is as good as the often tedious stove top method! Click HERE and see Wednesday's menu. This will be one of your go-to best recipes! It's one of mine!

Recipe: Arugula, Pine Nuts, Shaved Parmesan Salad With Lemon Viniagrette
This is another absolute favorited!!!! Click HERE and look for Tuesday's Menu. I eat this at least once a week. Usually much more. It is fabulous for lunch!

Bon Appetit!

Sunday Scripture, Father's Day June 20, 2010

Sunday Scripture

Sermon on the Mount Location, Galilee Israel

Let your light so shine before men that they see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matt: 5:16

Where Do You Create?

My Study

My study is like a comfortable slipper! It just fits! It is a soft place to land and a sanctuary from all the clamor of the day!

Come on in ...

And see where I create!

Please excuse the color and quality of these photos. The room has little natural light and it was an overcast day when these pictures were taken. I had to adjust my camera to get these photos without a flash and they are not up to my usual standards~sorry!

Every morning when I wake up, I pour myself a BIG cup of coffee and head to my small study for time with God.  I am a Bible Study teacher and a speaker so this is where I do most of my studying and prepare for my speaking engagements.

It is also where I blog.

Just recently this room has  become my study. Before that it was a craft room/ kids computer and homework room/sewing room/ overflow room. The walls were painted terracotta (I think it looked like pepto bismal pink, though) and the furniture was white. My sewing machine cabinet was in here. But since my children have  left home, I felt I needed a space to read, study, and now blog. A more defined space.

I chose soft colors for my new space. Philadelphia Cream  by Benjamin Moore is a very warm and neutral wall color.This is a truely beautiful wall color!!!!! 

I was tired of white furniture (my kitchen is white) and wanted this room to be warm and old world-ish. I found this lovely french inspired chestnut desk at a local furniture store and it was love at first sight. It JUST fit in my study!

Using soft aquas and greens and butter in my study became a nice contrast to the wood. Aqua is such a popular color right now. But I wanted to really soften it up. No bright or in your face tones! And I did not want to buy any investment pieces in that color. When it falls out of vogue or I get tired of it I want to be able to change the color without any guilt!

My big investment was an unusual shade of green (the photo does not do it justice~sorry) persian rug. Perfect size, perfect color, perfect feel for the room. It was worth the investment!

This room is very much still a work in progress. I do not rush into decorating. It is a thoughtful process to me. And I am patient. I love the hunt of finding beautiful things that speak to me. The thrill of thinking about and finding a home for each element.

Adding to and editing things in the study is a slow and gratifying activity!

My desk, where I spend a good deal of time each day, always has flowers. Mostly from my garden now. And pictures of my family. Lots and lots of them. I have kept all my gilded frames- even though they are not so popular right now- they are still popular with me!  I also have a small painted wire basket (GW) that holds note cards, a pen and some stickers. A pretty tile from the Biltmore waits for that cup of morning coffee.  And where would I be without my reading glasses! They sit in a little silver bowl with legs. This bowl was a Good Will find and I am so wild about it!

Behind the closet doors are a good many of my dishes! And on the door knob hangs a flora dora holding fresh flowers. This was made by Jane at Flora Doora. Isn't it darling? It give me something so pretty to look at. I want to do SOMETHING with these doors... but what? Any ideas? Paint them to match the walls is what I have come up with so far.

I have been collecting things I love to display in the bookshelves. Not nearly done, I am taking away and adding often. I like a ballance of books and meaningful pieces. These are just a few of my decorating books. I have sooooo many books of all kinds! Books are an addiction!

I am a huge fan of Degas, and LOVE the ballet! A dear friend sent me this Degas card and I put it into a frame. I am captivated by this little work of art.

My study is a very tiny room. It sits right off of my kitchen. It feels confined (in a good way) and cozy!  The only thing missing is a fireplace! I added this large comfy taupe and pale aqua chair to the corner by the door (Calico Corners). This chair and the porch swing are my favorite places to get away from it all!

I am reading a couple of wonderful books about the art of note writing for an upcoming post.

Here's the pink for Pink Saturday!

There is still much to do! My desk chair fell apart last month and is not able to be repaired. I am in search of a new one. I have a huge wall decal to hang that says "Faith... makes things possible, not easy" above my closet. And so much more. The next two pictures are visual aids to show you what I am planning to do. I feel like John Madden with the circles!

Beverly at How Sweet The Sound has asked us to post, "Where Do You Create" for Pink Saturday. She asked us to show off our craft rooms or studies. When my craft room is more organized, I'll show you that too... in about 2 years! Venture over to her blog and see where other bloggers create!

Pesto

 PESTO!

This post was done the very first week I started blogging~ on September 15, 2009.  I surely learned a lot since then!I know that the basil in many gardens is ready to be picked and made into pesto. This is a fabulous recipe! Pesto is a StoneGable staple! If you have never made pesto please give it a try! You will be glad you did.

As summer’s heat gives way to crisp autumn mornings, my garden is having its last hurrah. My veggies are quietly diminishing while my marigolds are riotous! And the pumpkins that grow in my compost bin, because they refuse to grow in my garden, are turning orange.

Tomatoes and peppers are presenting their late harvest offerings. My basil, the great summer standard of my garden, is full of flowery spikes and woody stalks telling me that I need to pick it today if I want to salvage it for pesto. I have really let it go too long. Ignoring it and only picking it when I needed it for culinary purposes. I did not pinch off it’s budding tops regularly, so that it would not flower. I did not make pesto like I have in years and years past as the summer goes along and the basil grows.






Now I am left with “bushes” of basil…with a lot of flowers. But I think I can redeem this green gold, as I like
to call it, and make a pesto to freeze so I can enjoy a taste of summer all year round.


I have made this recipe for many years. I love it! I use pesto liberally and often. I no longer measure, I can just eyeball it.

Pesto:

2 ½ c. fresh basil leaves, packed

¼ c. toasted pine nuts

½ c. parmesan cheese, chunked

or grated

½ c. Locatelli cheese, chunked or

grated.

¾ c. light olive oil

3 cloves garlic

2 TBS butter

dash of fresh ground pepper

In a dry pan, add pine nuts and toast over low heat. Be very careful, they easily burn. Put in food processor.






Wash and dry basil leaves and add to food processor. Put in all other ingredients with the pine nuts and basil and process until blended.

Refrigerate or freeze until you are ready to use it.

I freeze pesto in ice cube trays and then pop the pesto cubes out into a plastic container. Take it out of freezer 1 hr before use, or on low microwave it in 10 sec. intervals, stirring. Do not overheat!




















Enjoy the summer yumminess!

Printable Recipe


I am participating in Foodie Friday at Designs By Gollum. Thanks for hosting Michael Lee. This is a huge recipe book of a party!

I am participating in in Vegetarian Foodie Friday at Breastfeeding Mom's Unite for the first time.

I am joining my dear friend, The Tablescaper, for Summer Sunday's. Find the best of Summer here!

An Invitation To A "Design Challenged" Party

A Big Party Faux Pas!

I knew the minute I walked into Catherine's beautiful home that I was out of my element, over my head, bitten off more than I could chew and not on the same page!

But it was too late to turn back. I spotted Sean Connery , a secret crush from way back, schmoozing at the dessert table and I went a little weak in the knees!

This confusing tale of misfortune and mistaken woe started when I was so kindly invited to the Finale Party for the Design Challenged... or so I thought! And I am certainly designed challenged! Catherine from the Shiny Pebble had invited me herself!

I have the blessed fortune to hang out with some pretty impressive fashionistas in bloggland. I'm not quite sure what they see in me, but they have accepted me none the less and I am so thankful for their friendship. They are so fashion forward and glamorous! I was hoping that tonight I could learn from them and that their stunning style and panache would rub off onto me.

It had taken me over a week to pick out the perfect outfit. On wash day, Monday, I had scrubbed all of my best frocks and hung them on line to dry! It really helps to get the manure smell out of the fabric. Living in the heart of Amish country, this is a continual battle for me!

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So I chose a simple black dress, white cap and black lace up sneekers. Typical dress for my community.

I kissed the kids...

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And off I went to the Design Challenged Party!

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It was well after dark when I arrived at Catherine's with my hostess gift of a homemade shoo fly pie in hand. Nothings says "thanks for letting me be a part of your party" like shoo fly pie!

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Catherine, in her most gracious way, answered the door herself! Never too busy to greet a guest! She looked stunning. As I entered I noticed that everyone was stunning! Dressed in the most beautiful and unique fashions. Her decor was upscale and elegent. The food and bubbly were the finest I had ever seen! Marsha and her entourage of Mom-Mom, Chanterel, and Chelsey were all gorgeous!

That's when I knew that I had certainly missed something! Rushing to the powder room I pulled my invitation out of my pocked and reread it by the light of a drop crystal candelier!

Then it hit me~ this was  a party to mark the final interior designer challenge, NOT for the design challenged!!!

There was only one thing  to do. Escape!

I shimmied out of the bathroom window, hitched up my horse and buggy and high tailed it back to Lancaster Pa!

I was able to garner a few tidbits and beauty secrets as I breezed through the fabulous party~

1- sneekers, no matter how comfortable are NOT very becomming footwear

2- An amish cap and severly parted hair ages women and makes them eventually bald

 and

3- red lipstick makes anyone look better (as long as you get your teeth whitened)

So if you are traveling in my neck of the woods and see a middle aged Amish women with kitten heels, tousled hair and red lips, wave and say Hi! It's probably me!

I want to thank our wonderful hostess Catherine for a lovely evening. And although it was not the party I expected I had a blast. And learned a few new fashion tips, tricks and trends too!

And thank you to my fashion friends who love me just the way I am. I am so happy to know all of you!You inspire me!

Please join the party. Click HERE to be amazed at this fashionable blog party!

Artichokes And White Hydrangeas

Artichokes, such a funny vegetable! But absolutely delicious, and in a very unique way... beautiful. This week's tablescape pays homage  to the... ARTICHOKE!

StoneGable Weekly Menu 6-13~20, 2010

Weekly Menu:

Before I talk weekly menu I want to tell you about a fabulous and FUN party being planned! My friend Catherine at The Shiny Pebble is having a "PARTY"  party! This  fashionable soiree  will begin on  Wednesday June 16th. It is to celebrate the finale of the Interior Design Challenge. The fun starts at 12:01 (Central Time) sharp!

All are welcome! You are to post about anything party. What you would wear, what you would eat or drink, or anything party related!

Catherine, our hostess extraordinare, will explain it all. Go visit her and get in the know about this very interesting, upscale and brilliant party.  Click HERE to get all the info.

Now I know for a fact that fasionista and spectacular friend Splenderosa will be there along with a FABULOUS story about Mom-Mom Chanterel and Chelsea~ these wonderfully eccentric (and fictional) characters. It is worth participating just to read the story!!!!! Click HERE to visit Splenderosa and see her delicious take on the fun!

Please join in! It should be the fashion event of the blogging year... and you won't believe what I am wearing!

Now to something much less spectacular, but very yummy...

The Menu:

This week I must tend to my house. It is VERY angry at me! Every room has a problem!  

My laundry room is sick... it keep throwing up the clothes I have not folded and put away all week. I hate clothes vomit! 

 My kitchen has a mental disorder... multiple personalities. It  thinks it's my office, and is trying to come up with a new filing system for all the bills, papers, magazines, instructions, gift wrap, books and all the what-not notes lying all over my island!

My bedroom is totally fed up and running away from home. It is packing the suitcase that has been lying on the floor half unpacked since my last overnight away. And it is trying to use the unmade bedsheets as a ladder to escape out of the second story window!

 My bathroom has given in to being the most juvenile of delinquents! There is no more toilet paper in it and the kleenex is running low. It has been out late each night toilet papering the neighborhood trees! 

My most trusted confidant, the office, has a huge eating disorder. I can see the tell-tale signs... crumbs on the desk, popcorn kernels on the floor and a two weight watcher fudge bar boxes in the trash can.

Thank goodness my living room and dinning room seem to be holding it together. But things could get ugly very soon. They have created an alliance and are threatning to kidnap the front stairs in an act of defiance if things don't change. I heard them whispering about writing the ransom note in the dust on the dinning room table!

And you thought you had housekeeping problems!

So this week I am signing a peace accord with my house! I promised it that I would spend 6 hours a day- a part time job of a day- nursing it back to physical and mental  health! And that within 10 days (not counting the days I am away... sorry house!) it would be organized, clean and calm.

My house agreed to this arangement but is skeptical. For it's part in this peace accord it will continue give sanctuary and love to all who enter... and it will forgive me! No wonder I love my house.

Now I hear rumors of the garage staging a lock-out in protest. Both of the garage doors don't seem to be opening!

Monday:

Pan Fried Boneless Pork Chops with White Gravy

Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Broccoli with Grated Cheddar Cheese

Recipe: Northern Girl With A Southern Daddy's Pan Fried Bonless Pork Chops With White Gravy

4 boneless pork chops

1 egg

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs

1/2 tsp paprika

salt and pepper

2 TBS olive oil

1TBS butter
1/2 cup flour

2 cups milk

Beat eggs in wide shallow bowl. Mix 1/2 cup flour, breadcrumbs, paprika, a little salt and pepper inn a wide shallow bowl. Dip pork chops, one at a time, in egg and dredge in flour mixture.

Heat oil in large pan over medium high heat.  Put pork chops in pan and pan fry until browned, about 5-6 minutes. Turn over and cook on other side until done through, about 5-6 minutes more. Remove pork chops to platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm.

Add butter to pan and melt. Add flour to pan and cook for 3 minutes. Stir so it does not stick or burn. Add milk and stir up all the brown bits on the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer, stirring. Simmer until thick gravy.  Plate each pork chop and pour white gravy over it. Very Yummy!

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Day
Beef Barbeque on Buns
Oven fries
Homemade Coslaw

Recipe Beef Barbeque:
I posted this recipe and got so much positive feedback. I hope you will try this delicious, souppy, tasty barbeque! Click HERE and look for Monday's menu. You will find it there.

Wednesday:
Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs
Ceaser Salad

Recipe: Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs
I love italian food! I am using my tried and true recipe, but using turkey instead of other meats to make the meatballs. Click HERE and look for it on Monday's menu.

Thursday:
StoneGable Crab Cakes (Do over from last week~ we went out)
Sauteed Rice
Roasted Carrot Sticks

Recipe: StoneGable Crab Cakes
If you make these please use lump crabmeat. It makes all the difference. I know it is expensive, so wait and get it on sale. These are one of my most requested dishes. Click HERE and look for Monday's Menu.

Friday ~ Monday
Bobby and Scamp home!Out of Town...AGAIN!
Bobby there is food in the freezer... no takeout!

Have a wonderful week! Please be thinking of me as I strive to be back on civil terms with my house!

Sunday Scripture: June 13, 2010

Sunday Scripture

Jezreel Valley, Israel

The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. 

 Isaiah 51:3 (God's prophesy concerning Israel in the last days)

StoneGable Strawberry Jam

How To Make Strawberry Jam

Let's make JAM!!!!

My day started early at a local farm stand. I wanted first pick of the locally grown strawberries and raspberries, My car smelled delicious on the ride home!

STONEGABLE WOW FACTOR DESSERT... PART IV

StoneGable's Strawberry Festival Dessert

This yummy and EASY dessert was inspired by the Strawberry Festival Tablescape I shared yesterday.

Click HERE to visit this cheery tablescape.

To be a StoneGable WOW Factor Dessert a sweet treat must be delicious, easy and adaptable. And this scrumptious strawberry creation meets all the criteria and then some.

It is a formula dessert. That is, if you follow the formula it can be adapted and transformed into so many different kinds of desserts! This kind of dessert is my favorite. I can let my imagination run wild to make new creations. And I can use what I have on hand if I need a last minute dessert!

The Formula:

1 puffed pastry shells (I use pepperidge farm) + jam in the bottom + filling + fruit + topping + fruit.

The Recipe: StoneGable Strawberry Festival Dessert

1 pkg (8 count) puffed pastry shells

8 TBS strawberry jam (StoneGable Strawberry Jam tutorial post on Saturday)

1 cup lemon pudding (Jello pudding cups)

1 cup chopped fresh strawberries

Fresh whipped cream (I just used cool whip with a touch of added vanilla)

8 beautiful strawberries sliced to be fanned on top

mint to garnish

Make the puffed pastry cups according to directions and cool.  Removes tops and insides. The shell is what you want to fill.

Build your dessert by filling the bottom of the shell with 1 TBS strawberry jam. Top the strawberry jam with 2 TBS lemon pudding. Top with 2 TBS chopped fresh strawberries. Add whipped cream (not from a can, it gets too runny) and a beautifully fanned strawberry on the top. Refrigerate or serve immediately. 

Now let your imagination go on a sugar high and make a dessert all your own!

Here's some ideas to get you started!

*Raspberry jam, nutella or chocolate pudding, fresh raspberries, whipped cream , raspberries and shaved chocolate.

*Lemon curd, vanilla pudding, blueberries, whipped cream with grated lemon peel, blueberries with a thin lemon slice.

*Orange marmalade (use sparingly), mascapone mixed with confectioner's sugar and orange grated orange peel, mandrian oranges , whipped cream with grand marnier, orange slice

Now it's your turn to make a signature dessert!

I am joining Designs By Gollum for Foodie Friday.

I am joining my friend Holly from 504 Main for Tickled Pink Friday- Show Me What You've Got. So very fun and creative... join in!

I am linking up with a new friend, Sam at The White Blue Sky for Culinary Evolution- There are some wonderful recipes and cooking blogs there!