Life at Willis Creek Ranch: August 2022

Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Random August

August 4, 2022

Daddy sent this photo to me on Mama and Daddy's wedding anniversary. They were married 68 years ago this day. So much love.

I made my own visit on August 9. I was soooo stressed out and was coming home from running errands feeling a bit teary. Sometimes you just really need your Mama. You never outgrow that... ever.

How blessed was my life with her as my Mama.

I was working in Daddy's camper - getting it ready to go to the fair. As soon as I stepped inside it hit me so hard... I realized I hadn't been in that camper since before Mama died. The last time I was in there, so was she. I felt it in my chest as soon as I stepped inside. Then I opened a kitchen drawer and saw this...

And then I started laughing and sobbing all at the same time. I had to sit down on the sofa and just let it all go. THIS is so quintessentially my Mama. That precious woman, who was shaped by her childhood in the depression, wrapped twistie ties in foil and carefully laid them in the drawer. Shortly after this Julie walked in and found me - a total mess - still laugh/crying on the sofa. She asked if I was okay and I just held these out to her. She then joined me on the sofa in the same state of laugh/crying. 💗 Oh, how we all miss Mama.

August 11, 2022

Julie flew out to see James, Rojina and Aasha Lee. James and Rojina took advantage of a babysitter and went out for a date night. They sure looked sharp!!

August 28, 2022

Dear Alicia sent me this photo she ran across of Jerry and Daddy. That was a few years ago - but boy, I remember it like it was yesterday.

Alicia asked in her message with the photo...
"were we 18?" :D (the answer is, we were close enough!)

Julie and I were to meet a friend on campus -
it was such a peaceful lovely sight I took this photo.

Also enjoyed some time with Maverick on this day. Playdoh is always fun!

some books of interest for the coming year

August 29, 2022

Had a fun end of summer pool party with my Books With Friends group. Sure do love these ladies!

Laura, Debbie, Anne, Brenda, Sheryl, Karla, and Colleen

Brian and Nancy took Giulia to Lucky's to get a breaded tenderloin 'as big as her head'. I know she thought that was an exaggeration, but not when the plate arrived!! I love that Nancy sent me this whole montage of photos of Giulia's shock and awe. :)

Now that is truly impressive, Giulia!! :)

August 30, 2022

Heading to town and spotted the crew here to put the new water line in to the new barn. Always exciting! :)

August Puzzles

Preview of puzzles from the month of August 2022. See more detail at my Puzzles, Books and More blog at https://puzzlesbooksandwine.blogspot.com/

Puzzle #51 of 2022

Finished August 7, 2022

Ravensburger - Tropical Island Charter - 1000 pieces

Puzzle #52 of 2022

Finished August 15, 2022

Bits & Pieces - Victorian Spring - 300 pieces

Puzzle #53 of 2022

Finished August 16, 2022

Sunsout - Main Street Memories - 300 pieces

Puzzle #54 of 2022

Finished August 21, 2022

Sunsout - State Fair Picnics - 300 pieces

Puzzle #55 of 2022

Finished August 28, 2022

White Mountain - Writer's Paradise - 1000 pieces

Puzzle #56 of 2022

Finished August 30, 2022

Hennessy - The Joy of Reading - 1000 pieces

Artichoke Bites

August 2022

I used to make this one all the time. It was in our old family cookbook (that Jennifer and I keep intending to update!) but it had fallen off my radar. Luckily, it is back again! This is such a delicious and simple recipe. A real winner!!

Artichoke Bites

1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

½ cup mayonnaise

½ cup Parmesan cheese (shredded or grated)

1 loaf cocktail size pumpernickel bread

Note - I can't seem to find the cocktail size bread anymore but have successfully used either regular pumpernickel or a pumpernickel/rye combination bread and just cut the pieces in half (or even quarters).

Preheat broiler. Be sure the artichoke hearts are chopped. Combine mayonnaise, parmesan and artichokes in a bowl and mix well. I usually add some garlic, too, truth be known. :) Spread about 1 Tbsp. mixture on each piece of bread and arrange on a baking sheet. Broil bread until artichoke mixture is lightly browned, about 5 minutes. (You can also bake them for about 8 minutes at 450 degrees.)

Here is another photo from NYE 2022/2023

Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

August 2022

Spinach and Artichoke Dip (this one is baked in the oven)
1 jar (6 oz.) marinated artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped

1 package (10 oz.) frozen creamed spinach, thawed

½ cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

½ cup mayonnaise

1 garlic clove, minced

3 oz. fresh Parmesan cheese, grated (about ¾ cup)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Drain and coarsely chop artichoke hearts then combine with the thawed creamed spinach, garlic, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), mayonnaise, and Parmesan cheese. Stir to combine. Spoon into a Deep Dish Pie Plate and bake for 20-25 minutes or until heated through and lightly browned on top.

Serve with beer bread chunks and/or canapé bread slices (toasted in oven at 350 degrees for about 8 minutes).

I often double this recipe. :)

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

August 2022

This is the spinach and artichoke dip recipe that is found on the back of the Knorr Vegetable Recipe mix. It is my favorite cold spinach/artichoke dip.

Knorr Spinach and Artichoke Dip

1 (16 oz.) container sour cream or plain Greek yogurt

1 cup mayonnaise

1 (8 oz.) can sliced water chestnuts, drained and chopped

3 green onions, thinly sliced

1 (1.4 oz.) packet Knorr Vegetable Recipe Mix (also sometimes labeled Vegetable Soup Mix - also note - you may use their Leek version if you can't find this one.)

1 (10 oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, cooked and squeezed dry

I also like to add a jar of artichokes, drained and chopped

Parmesan cheese - optional add-in (shredded or grated)

Bread chunks, crackers, and vegetables for dipping and serving.

In a large bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, water chestnuts, green onions and Knorr mix. Stir to combine. Add in cooked/dried spinach and the chopped artichokes. Be sure to stir enough to break up any clumps and distribute ingredients evenly throughout the dip. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours or overnight. Serve with bread, crackers, and fresh vegetables.

Saturday, August 27, 2022

Janet's Cold Cucumber Soup

From August 2022 wine night - so good! And my goodness... this was a perfect pairing with Loveblock Sauvignon Blanc!

Janet used 2 recipes as her guide for this delicious soup. One from Love and Lemons - https://www.loveandlemons.com/cold-cucumber-soup/

and the other was from Food and Wine
https://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/cold-cucumber-soup-yogurt-and-dill

Here are Janet's notes about making this recipe...

The Love and lemons recipe was the starting point...didn't have a clove of garlic so added the parsley and shallot from the 2nd recipe.

And I used Missouri garden variety cucumbers, cuz where does one get Persian cucumbers in Kirksville?

Bonus Wine Club Tasting Course

Friday, August 26, 2022

On this evening we gathered to go through a Wine Folly tasting of 10 different wines from various regions. We watched videos that went with each wine from Madeline Puckett at Wine Folly. This was the 'Tasting Course - Learn by Drinking' course. Aptly named. :) The wines were all quite good and the food was amazing and the company, well, I love these wine club ladies so very much!! :)