Lets Hash It Over!

Lets hash it over, Christmas-dinner-leftover hash, that is. On the morning after Christmas, watching The Today Show, with coffee in hand, I saw a chef making roast beef hash. The beef was left over from his Christmas dinner as were the roasted potatoes. It looked good. I jotted down the recipe.

I have never had hash in my life. My family didn't eat it, I have never ordered it or prepared it. I have never given much thought to hash. Still..... I thought, what a good way to use up leftovers.

I didn't have a roast beef, but I did have a steak in the fridge, some roasted potatoes, mushrooms, onion, bell pepper and wine. Maybe the steak would work. So I cut the steak in bite-sized pieces and sauteed in olive oil. The onions, peppers and mushrooms were sauteed also and combined with the steak. Everything was steamed until tender. Then, because the chef on TV had used it, I stirred in 2 large tablespoons full of sour cream and about 1/3 cup of white wine and salt and pepper. It smelled wonderful.

I was not sure if this hash was "hashy" enough and then remembered that one of the the key ingredients was the roasted potatoes but then thought how mushy they would be if I put them directly into the meat/sauce mixture. The chef had, but he was using stringy roast beef and I was not. So, I spooned the meat/vegie/ sauce over the hot roasted potatoes and served it to my husband. I waited for his response. He thought it was really good.

My husband grew up eating hash. His mother prepared it often. Roast beef, lots of potatoes and onions but he liked this version. I thought the meat/vegie/sauce would be better over noodles or rice, skipping the potatoes altogether, but that would make it sort of Stroganoff-ish.

I looked up hash in some cookbooks and found out that most people make hash for breakfast with baked eggs. There is ham and cheese hash, turkey or chicken hash, corned beef hash, pork hash or heavenly hash (which is something completely different.) The ingredient they all have in common, except for the heavenly hash, is potatoes. That is the part I would skip.

So, if I ever make hash again, and it is a great way to use up leftovers, I would make a Hashganoff. Half hash and half Stroganoff. Yum.

Two Little Boys

Two little boys came to our house today. Henry, age 2, rushed in like a whirlwind and into his Grandpa's arms and heart. He is a cutie, soft spoken and very busy. He stripped off his shoes and socks and headed for the spiral staircase, causing all the adults to worry a little bit. Adventure was what he was after and he was off to explore.

Baby brother, Adam, age 7 months was watching every move Henry made. A whirlwind in training, Adam cooed and giggled his way into our hearts. Grandpa played peekaboo and got wet from Adam's kisses.

Henry, his dad and Grandpa went to see the cows after lunch. A farmer in the making, Henry made the mandatory MOOOOO sounds and saw Grandpa put out the grain and hay. It was cold but Henry explored the automatic water feeders and saw how very large those moo cows are.

Back in the house, Adam was fed, changed and, with Binky firmly planted in his little mouth, looked with fascination at the lights on the Christmas tree. Awe and wonder, curiosity and happiness all glowed in Adam's eyes. His first Christmas, what a wondrous thing!

Two little boys headed home, all bundled up against the December cold. Their parents were loaded down with diaper bags, toys, snacks and sippy cups. Grandpa was all worn out and headed for his chair for a nap. It was a very good visit.

Cranberry and Apple Casserole

Here is another wonderful, quick holiday recipe. I am trying to remember where I got it last year. Maybe it will come to me around 2 am in a dream! Very sweet and could even be used as a dessert. Enjoy!

Cranberry and Apple Casserole

4 cups diced apples
1 pound whole raw cranberries
1+1/2 cups sugar

Mix and place in an ungreased casserole dish or square pan.

Combine:
1 +1/2 cups uncooked oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 stick melted butter
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I use pecans)

Spread over cranberry and apple mixture and bake @ 350 for 1 hour.

Sara Mason's Dessert Pumpkin Bread

This is a good breakfast, brunch, dessert or with coffee bread. My late mother-in-law, Sara Mason baked this at the holidays for gift giving. It smells really good while baking.

Sara Mason's Dessert Pumpkin Bread

3 Cups sugar
4 eggs
1 Cup vegetable oil
2 Cups canned or fresh pureed pumpkin
3+ 1/2 Cups flour, unsifted
2 teaspoons baking soda
1+1/2 teaspoons salt
1+1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
2/3 Cup water
1 Cup chopped pecans
1 Cup raisins.

Mix sugar, eggs, oil and pumpkin. Combine flour, soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add dry ingredients alternating this with the water. Fold in pecans and raisins. Pour into 4 greased 1 pound coffee cans (half full.) (* note: I use loaf pans.) Bake about 1 hour at 350 degrees. Test with a toothpick. When done, let cool for 5 minutes then shake bread out of cans. Can be frozen.

"It Looks a Little Naked!"

Now y'all don't get excited! I said "It looks a little naked" when I looked at my undecorated Christmas Tree. I know what you people thought.... but this is all about Christmas decorating.

Our tree is 12 feet tall and huge. It is a "faux" tree and comes in 4 parts. It is pre-lite, thank goodness, and is stored in a big box in the garage. My husband had pacemaker surgery a month ago and is not supposed to lift more than 10 lbs with his left arm. That meant, I was on my own. Now, I have to explain that as a floral designer, in a former life, I decorated Christmas trees sometimes 8 hours a day... for years! But... now, I am 64 years old. Need I say more? It is hard work, especially with a 12 foot, very heavy tree. Besides, I want to do it myself, no husbands allowed. Selfish? Maybe, but I am very fussy about my Christmas tree.

So, it took hours to bring each piece in, assemble the stand and tree parts, and fluff it. I was taught to "touch" every single tip of every branch. Make it look real and full. That is what "fluffing" means. It takes time but is worth it.

Our house is a cedar home with lots of wood and stone. There is a vaulted 26 foot ceiling in the living room, which requires a tall Christmas tree. The house is decorated in a western style with modern furniture, leather and even long horns over the door. The Christmas tree is "woodsy" with one hundred red and gold balls, red bird houses, bird nests with cardinals (the Virginia state bird) and pine cones hung with red ribbon. I spiral pine garland and berries all around the tree and put a woodland rustic-looking Santa on the top. Red glass bead garland goes on last. When I put on the garland, I do it in a "messy" way. It is not perfect. It dips up and down, crossing the garland above. The tree takes two days, considering my many coffee and computer breaks.

I love Christmas decorating. Candles are everywhere and Santas sit or stand among brightly colored packages. Red throws and Christmas plaid pillows make the sofa comfy and with a warm fire in the fireplace and a cup of cocoa, who would want to be anywhere else?

The First Snow Day

I went to Martinsville today for a little shopping at several open houses downtown. My first stop was Studio 107 on Church Street where I chatted with Mary Powell, watercolor artist. She was demonstrating her painting technique while two dulcimer musicians played somewhere in the back of the studio. I followed the sound and, of course, the smell of refreshments and found the source of the music which added to the festive atmosphere. All over the studio were lovely handcrafted quilts, jewelry, handbags and Christmas ornaments. Carolyn sort of "runs the show" and everyone is always so nice there.

My second stop was a great consignment shop also on Church Street called Consignment Corner. I am not a stranger to this shop and love to poke around to see what is new. In the past I have found many blue and white china treasures to expand my already huge collection. Today I hunted Christmas items and was delighted with the tin Santa advertisement and two new (with the tags on) red and white sets of pot holders, apron and mitts that I can use for gifts. Then I spied the treasure of the day, a set of 8 clear glass cup and saucers to use for cider. The prices are incredible! I read somewhere that being frugal is the new "chic." Stop in and talk to Dave and Becky, the owners. They are friendly and knowledgeable. They offer furniture, antiques, books, quilts, pictures, lamps, dishes.......on and on and on.

On to The Southern Virginia Artisan Center for a look at some gorgeous hand crafted art items. I saw my friend, Iris Gillispie's photography there, interesting jewelry, pottery, painted gourds, paintings, bookmarks and even a handmade turkey call box. You name it, they have it. Even Santa Claus showed up! The visitors center is also in the same building.

My last stop was Martha's Baskets, Gifts and More on Ellsworth Street where I started a little pile of merchandise to purchase. I bought the cutest little round soaps that look like peppermint candy. Martha's has great gourmet items such as Wind Willow cheese ball/dip mixes, wine, Virginia peanuts, crackers, preserves, Nancy's fudge and mulling spices. A wonderful tasting honey mustard was there for tasting. And I did! For you Paula Deen lovers, her products are for sale at Marthas.

While at Marthas, I spoke to artist Susie Pool who works with fused glass. The plates with reindeer on them were darling. OMG! I need to go back and get one for my Reindeer Chow, why didn't I think of that? Anyway, Susie gives classes upstairs, but you can purchase her ornaments, sun catchers and all kinds of beautiful glass.

As I left my last stop, it started to snow. The first snow of the season! As I approached my car, my hair and red coat were covered with white snowflakes. It was such a happy feeling to be standing in the snow, the cold nipping at my already pink nose and feeling really happy, which is something I have not felt very often since my mother died last September. Life is good even though bad things happen sometimes. I pulled my coat a little tighter and hurried to my car.

As we approach the Christmas holiday, please let us all remember people in nursing homes, shut-ins and those who are, through no fault of their own, having a difficult time making ends meet. It is fun to run around, shopping and enjoying the Christmas rush but there are some of our neighbors who won't have a happy Christmas this year. If we have a little extra to give, let us give it.

A little Christmas Cheer- GSO Style

The Christmas party was a huge success! Wonderful friends, food and gifts! Here is a picture of the GSO Girls singing you a Christmas carol.

We wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

The GSO Girl's Christmas Party

Well, the diet isn't going very well. I do realize that the holidays aren't the best time to diet. I have shed one pound, which is pretty good considering all the Thanksgiving food I managed to consume. I am trying to do well because.......

It is Dec. 1st with 24 days left until Christmas. In a few days I will go to a party in Greensboro with a group of women I worked with years ago. I call us the "Greensboro Girls" although none of us could ever qualify as "girls" again and only one of the six lives in Greensboro.

What a diverse group of women we are.

There is Helen, originally from Holland. I talked about her in the post called "Some Girl Talk." She is a gourmet cook. She has things like truffle oil in her kitchen! I am so impressed! Helen cooks everything from scratch and doesn't bat an eye. She has her own business, works full time, entertains, takes care of her grandchildren, and scrapbooks. She is amazing.

Becky may be the oldest, but she is the youngest in spirit. She is also amazing! Works rings around people half her age, is always doing or cooking something for someone, in fact, I'll bet she has fried a ton of chicken in her life. Does her own yard work too. She is little but mighty. Becky always brings dessert. What a great baker she is, although she always complains that we fill up on the meal and won't eat dessert, so.... we are eating heavy hors d'oeuvres and LOTS of dessert.

My diet will suffer and so will my thighs!

Marie has recently moved from a lovely, large house to a smaller, easier to manage beautiful home. Downsizing has enabled her to expand her social life. She is in a retirement community that anyone of any age would love. Swimming pools, bridge games, dining rooms and on and on. Lots of fun things to do. She loves it. One of Marie's special dishes is sweet potato souffle- to die for!

Janet is a tiny little lady but feisty as can be. She is sort of the glue that holds this group together. She has objected to being the "plan maker" of the group but continues to do it because we think she should. She is a steadfast friend, one of those people who are always there for you, no matter what the circumstance. Janet is the center of her family also. There isn't anything she wouldn't do for a friend or family and she makes a heck of a shrimp mold.

Tricia is a whirl wind with red hair. She is always on the go, sings in the choir at church, loves to decorate for every holiday and event. She makes the best french onion soup and pimento cheese ever, but it is her decorating skills which delights us. We are always blown over by Tricia's style. She is the hostess with the mostess!

I live in another state- but close enough that I can travel once in awhile to see everyone. I miss not being close enough to go out to lunch or go shopping at the drop of a hat but I manage to see the girls several times a year, especially our annual Christmas party. The girls gave me a lovely bridal luncheon at a tea room before I married Andy four years ago. We had tea, scones and wonderful little finger sandwiches. Then I moved away, but not too far and.... there is always the phone!

We have been through a lot together, this band of sisters. Whether it be births, marriages, deaths or illness, we are there for one another. The good, the bad and the ugly hair days, we were there.

We have taken some memorable trips over the years. The North Carolina beaches have felt our presence many times. We have danced the chicken dance (with the help of a margarita or two) in Myrtle Beach and not everyone can say that! We have boiled and eaten pounds and pounds of shrimp. The hours spent playing Taboo and spoons are legendary. We also got kicked out of the parking lot of our hotel in Myrtle Beach after singing our theme song (Friends by John Denver) and I guess we got a little loud. But.... the acoustics were really good in that parking garage. We were leaving anyway. We do have our little coffee arguments though.... two of us like coffee as thick as mud.... that would NOT be me. And.... some of us snore... but, I won't go there.

One trip to Abbingdon, VA was lots of fun. Janet drove her big van. We stopped at every gift store, boutique, festival and pottery along the way. Tricia was decorating a new house and needed lamps, among other accessories, and found two beauties at one shop. We loaded the car and all climbed back on board and someone started laughing. We all turned around to the third seat in the van. There sat little Becky with packages piled all around her, under her feet and a lampshade on her head. The car was loaded to the gills. We saw the play Oklahoma at the Barter Theatre (Marie slept through the whole thing) and ate dinner at The Martha Washington Inn. There is a live-in (sort of) ghost there and I want to go back, spend a night and see it. Tricia does too. The rest are chicken.

So, at our annual Christmas party this week, we will all bring food, dessert and wine. We will play the dirty Santa game, and will actually grab the best gift if necessary- dirty is the name of the game, right? We will catch up with each others lives, family, challenges, good and bad times. It is a relaxing time with old friends, a tradition; with good food and, most of all, sisterly love.