Fall 2008 'Harvest'

Beautiful picture, huh? I love roaming the farmers' market, viewing all the wonderful and gorgeous products that people coax out of their backyards. In years past, I wouldn't think twice before spending $30 on 'designer' pumpkins and fall decorations. Unfortunately, economic times have structured me into a more callous consumer.

Thoughts I have before a purchase include: 'Do I really need this? Is this purchase a necessity or a nice-to-have? What are other more productive ways to spend this money?'

In my household, $30 could pay for a month's supply of breakfast (yogurt, cereal and fruit) for DJ and myself. And so, I walk away from the farmers' market empty handed, but more confident that I will not be one of the millions of American consumers who can not make a mortgage payment, incur credit card debit that goes unpaid or mar an otherwise great credit record.

Am I upset that hardship has lead us (DJ and I) to a 'Hawaii-less' 2008? At times, yes. However, our move, my (continued) good health and our ability to weather economic downturn dissipate my frustrations.

I was going to use this entry to caution everyone to really think before making a purchase. But, I'm learning I can't control everything and everyone (damn!). I'm fearful of the upcoming holiday season. I'm afraid what family will think if I say I don't have the budget for gifts. Will you, kind reader, interpret that as me loving you less? Why do I feel that I need to spend money in order to prove my love and devotion? Will you think this act selfish or will you recognize it for what it is; me (and DJ) making smart financial decisions so you don't have to bail us out in the future?

I'm not trying to open up a shitstorm. I'm just having a frank blog entry.

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse . . . and a little point to ponder

Back in August, we were lucky enough to get an invitation to visit the Outer Banks. During that visit, we took a day trip all the way down to Cape Hatteras. Why? Because it was the only lighthouse in the area that we had not seen in person.

At 208 feet, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest in the nation. Still in use, the lighthouse flashes a short beam every 7.5 seconds. The beam is said to be seen over 20 nautical miles in clear conditions and almost 51 miles in exceptional conditions. (Sorry, the Park Service did not define “exceptional conditions” for me.) Constructed of 1.25 million bricks (fired in kilns along the James River in Virginia), this oversized barber shop pole can be hiked by the intrepid visitor. Don’t worry, there are only 268 steps and 8 landings where you can stop and rest (if that’s your thing). Of note though, you can only scale the lighthouse April to mid-October. I highly recommend the hike to the top. The view is superb. From that vantage point, the flatness, and fragility, of Hatteras is quite obvious.

It is a fact that the barrier islands of North Carolina are very, very environmentally fragile. There is a fine balance between allowing Mother Nature to ‘do her thing’ and allowing development to occur. When our lives end and we meet our Maker, will we have to account for our treatment of Mother Earth along with our other mortal (and moral) sins? Nine years ago, the lighthouse was moved over 2800 feet inland due to erosion. That’s not the scary part. The information that makes me most fearful is that, if this rate of erosion continues, it is predicted that the lighthouse will have to be moved again in 100 years. If that is to be the fate of the lighthouse, what will be the fate of the barrier islands in North Carolina?

The Visitor that Sticks

We love the abundance of nature that inhabits our new surroundings; a myriad of birds, insects (OK, don't love them so much), turtles, fish, deer (saw 4 while eating dinner last week) and tree frogs.

Evidently, the 'love' is mutual. For example, we've had two tree frogs come visit (inside the house) over the past two weeks. The first one decided to cling to DJ, didn't like that and did a back flip and onto the front door. This little guy showed up about 10 minutes ago on the crown molding over the door to the garage. Lucky for us the animals realize that, although larger, DJ isn't the threatening type (unless you are a snake, then all docile-acting bets are off). He very gently chases them (if necessary), scoops them up and deposits them to a more habitable environment . . . . outside.

September 24th Sky

Change is in the air. There is some sort of weather system off the NC coast which is causing us to have Nor'easter like conditions without the rain. The blustery north winds have caused the water level to rise higher than it was after Tropical Storm Hanna. The lower kayak dock and one of the steps is totally underwater. However, this weather system is making for some spectacular sky shots!

Quote of the Day (and a Daily Dose of Cute)

"To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness."

--Bertrand Russell

OMG (!) Apple-Pear Scones/Muffins

As you know, pears are in season and are multiplying like bunnies (or in our area, deer) in the aisles of Sam's Club. So, I'm looking at the cooler size box of pears thinking, 'Yeah. DJ and I could easily eat all these before they go bad.'

Famous last thought before I found myself drowning in a sea of pears.

It would have been a doable task had they ripened at different rates. Not my fate. They all ripened within a 36 hour window and I thought I was screwed. I race to the internet and start checking some of my trusty recipe websites. Nothing was really catching my eye (except for a Spiced Pear Butter) and I was getting desperate knowing I needed to use these pears . . . . NOW!

Then, I remembered my stepmother talking about these sweet apple-pear scones that were a hit with her crew at work. Hmmmmm. I jumped over to email and shot her a pleading note for her to share her recipe with a fellow baker who was overwhelmed with soo ripe, they-might-bruise-if-you-look-at-them-wrong, pears. The woman came through. After reviewing the recipe, I found some ways to improve the nutritional status without sacrificing the taste. The picture above is the fruition (pun intended) of the recipe below.

Now, before you ask, of course I modified from the original recipe. Just trying to improve their nutritional value. I will say that this dough is really, really sticky. It will stick to you, your clothes, your walls and pretty much every surface that is available in your kitchen. You'll lose about one scone's worth of dough probably. As such, I started to experiment with ways to make these without spending 20 minutes trying to cut them into scones (while still making the end product look beautiful). So, at the end of this recipe, you'll also see instructions on how to make them as 'drop' scones and muffins. The picture above was using the 'drop' scone method.

Christa's Oh My God (OMG!) Apple-Pear Scones/Muffins

1 cup flour
1 and 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 cup Splenda
1/2 cup light margarine (place in freezer for about 15 minutes before use)
1/2 cup diced apple (peeled)
3/4 cup diced, ripe pear (peeled)
2 T sugar free maple syrup
1/2 cup fat free vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup fat free milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In bowl, stir together first 5 ingredients (flour thru Splenda). With a pastry blender, cut in semi-frozen light margarine until coarse crumbs form (will have the consistency of a coarse cornmeal). Stir in fruit. Stir in last three ingredients until dough is mixed. Be sure not to over mix.

For scones: Spray a cookie sheet with Pam. Shape into two seven inch rounds. Using a greased pizza cutter, or sharp knife, cut each round into six pie shaped wedges. Pull wedges apart, leaving about an inch between them. Bake for about 22 to 25 minutes (my oven took 23 minutes).

For 'drop' scones: Spray a cookie sheet with Pam. Using a 1/4 measuring cup, fill with dough and scrape out onto the cookie sheet, placing about 2 inches apart. Use your hands, quickly shape into rounds and flatten the top. Again, don't over handle the dough or they won't bake up fluffy. Bake for about 15 to 17 minutes. Makes 15 drop scones.

For muffins: Spray muffin pan with Pam. Drop approximately 1/4 cup dough into each tin. Smooth tops. Bake for 15 to 17 minutes. Makes 15 muffins.

By the way, if you are going to serve these immediately, you can sprinkle the tops with large, raw sugar crystals (see picture above). However, be forewarned, if you do this and then wait until the next day to eat them, the tops will be super soft. Turns out that the sugar crystals will absorb the moisture from the air thus losing their crystaline appearance and making a scone/muffin thingy top that is way too wet. Still eats well, just doesn't look as nice.

And before you ask the next expected question, yes, they do freeze. Without the sugar topping, of course.

'Yak Attack

No, no, no. We don't have pissed off water buffalo in New Bern. When I say, 'yakin, I mean kayaking!

We woke up this morning and started to go about our usual morning routine, when DJ said, "Hey. Did you see the temperature gauge? It's only 60 degrees out."

I'm thinking, '60? I haven't seen that since Pennsylvania . . . in June.' Needless to say, I was impressed by our moderate climate this morning. So much so that I said, "Let's go kayaking?"

In a flash (OK, really 10 minutes), we changed, grabbed breakfast, got the kayaks down, life vests on and were hitting the water.

What a gorgeous morning. Early on in the trip, we had the sun rising on our left (picture #1) and the moon setting on our right (picture #2). The only tainting to a beautiful morning was the realization that the osprey have already left the area for the winter. Anyone know where osprey migrate to?

You lookin' for me?

Yes, yes . . . . I have been MIA . . . . again. But, I'm back and have a ton of things to share with all you interested readers!

I've got vacation stories, Tropical Storm Hanna pictures and a handful of wonderfully good recipes to share. Even some funny cooking stories about getting used to a 'new' oven and a location with high humidity. (Can you say 'runny bread dough that turns into coiling snakes instead of loaves,' boys and girls?)