Wednesday, November 9, 2011

To Brine....or ...Not To Brine....

This question may not be not be familiar to you....you may not know what on earth ...."BRINING" ....is
Not to worry....I didn't either ....until 2 Thanksgiving's ago when my daughter and her sweetie bought a jar of Brine to use that Thanksgiving on the turkey...
This is a Jar of Brine from William Sonoma...it is filled with spices and in this case fruit..
  • For moist, succulent turkey, professional chefs and home cooks alike rely on the old-fashioned technique of brining. Brining helps keep the meat juicy without giving it a salty taste – you’ll never have to worry about serving a dried-out holiday turkey again.
    • Our perfectly seasoned blend takes the guesswork out of brining.
    • Includes coarse sea salt, dried apples, juniper berries, lemon peel, Spanish rosemary and other herbs, plus large black tellicherry, sweet Indian green and Madagascar pink peppercorns.
    • Combined with water, the mix draws moisture and flavor into the meat, keeping it tender and succulent as it cooks.  The pictures and above instruction is from William Sonoma...check it out...
This Brine is from Bed Bath and Beyond....I share that to say you can find it almost anywhere....when the kids first used a Brining kit on their Turkey I was amazed at how succulent....juicy...moist....and tender the process made the meat....
One of the things I never expected was how tasty the meat was for  sandwiches....casseroles..when Thanksgiving is over....there is always so much food to consume ...with some imagination.. .(maybe a good Gooseberry Patch Cookbook for inspiration)... they're are LOTS of things we can do to use up the last tasty slices of ...Brine soaked Turkey
When it's time to make the gravy ...the Brining juices are incredible for taste....no salty bite...as well as making for a creamy ...smooth gravy....this is something my daughters sweetie and I work on together.... It' our "  Tradition "...                                    
I hope this suggestion has been helpful....I love to learn new things when it comes to cooking ....it's one of my all time favorite experiences...I am trying to get into the doctor today...I am suffering way to much with my back...I need to find out what is wrong...and God willing ...FIX IT......I hope you girls have a splendid day...blessings to you and big hugs till next time........Karena

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

OUR LITTLE GIRL....CELEBRATES A BIRTHDAY....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE GIRL.....27 years ago today....at 5:45 pm you came into the world....we are so blessed that your here....good morning girls....today is our youngest daughter's birthday...I want you to know little one that we are proud of you....proud of the woman you've become...

Proud of your accomplishments...I pray your day is blessed...I hope you have fun...just know that we are thinking of you...

A yellow daisy to remind you that ....when we have time to spend with you it brings light and sunshine into our lives...WE LOVE YOU...thank you girls for allowing me to speak first to our.... BIRTHDAY GIRL....how are you all doing this morning....I am fine.......still hurting a little but nothing like I was...why do back problems take so long to heal....?????....I am going to try and move around a bit more today...I think it will be good for me ....what are you doing today...I hope what ever it is you are in for a GREAT day...will be back tomorrow....blessings and hugs till next time.......Karena  


Monday, November 7, 2011

A Monday Morning Minute...

Happy Monday Morning ladies....I've been away for a few days ...somehow I hurt my back....yes...it has been a painful 4 or 5 days of trying to get comfortable...with not much luck...Friday night my sweetie took me to the hospital I was hurting so bad...they did some tests for kidney infections...bladder etc...the conclusion was I was fine ....except for a ....BAD BACK...

They gave me some drugs and sent me on my way....I am feeling much better than I was ....but I can still tell time by the hour my medicine is wearing off....

While I was in the thick of it ...I couldn't sit...or lie down...or do anything but... PACE...so I found myself wondering around the house looking at things....stopping to peek inside our cabinets...looking at vignettes...smiling at things that I never really take the time to look at...

Like this fabulous ...."BEECHNUT GUM"....Tray from the 20's or 30's...it would have sat at the register as an impulse buy back then....I love the collection of dog friends on top....

This adorable little Lemax Christmas House caught my eye....my sweetie and I find these little cuties this time of year...they have lights inside them so when dusk comes....and eventually it gets dark...they throw the most charming glow....

Looking through my sweeties eye's ....he took this picture sort of looking past  my fern into the living room...a different perspective is ....INTERESTING...don't you think.....

He took this too ...this antique dressing mirror is... VERY OLD....I loved how he captured the rest of the guestroom in it's reflection


 Something tells me it's time to end this post....my back is barking....I hope you all have a great day....I will be back tomorrow....blessings and big hugs.......Karena