.....movember or december

My whirl-wind trip to South Cal and back has come and gone. It was one week packed with fun swim days, birthday parties, wine trips with loads of laughs, hugs and sad good-byes. Happy to be back home it feels like so long ago now that I was hanging out with my sister and her awesome family. My goal of quality time with my son was achieved as well as the blessing of getting him to hang out with his cousins. These kids had an absolute blast and it was so great to witness their relationship and reconnecting, just like they left off last summer:)

My fondest memory is the taste of the almond champagne from Wilson Creek Winery. Such a delicate taste with a hint of almond and the bubbles....I just love the bubbles......I did manage to bring a couple bottles back for some future celebrations.

Wilson Creek Winery

Catching up with all my blog reading....I can't believe it is almost a month since my last posting........tisk tisk
With that said  it is November...already November. Around here November is a big deal! Being the month of MOvember and the count down to the holidays start around this time and well my personal favorite month as it is my Birthday.

Birthday Champange

With this crazy month also comes the anticipation of snow.....we watch the snowline come down then go back up and then come down again to eventually land right on our tongues. Snow brings out the kid like qualities in all big and small!

WoW I totally thought I posted this blog posting and here it is sitting in my inbox....eeeks! It has been super long since I have blogged....my apologies! The ole busy life excuse is just so passe even if it is the only truth I know!

A little update on the home front Opening day for the mountain has come and gone and we are all loving the days at the hill and the nights watching our favorite Christmas movies! I see a winter bone fire in the future with some marshmallows and hot bevies! Our littlest of souls has embraced winter like a true Andrews and has filled her days of waiting for more snow!
Grade two is fairing well for our wee man! To be expected his favorite times at school is gym and recess and the days I show up with cookies and hot tea of an after school play in the yard. It is mid December and happy to announce that papa bear has finely shaved the mo from his face and is looking back to his handsome self.....gawd that was a long phase for me:)

..............well for me I have filled my days with my sweet baby girl trying the odd recipes, baking the odd treat. I am totally addicted to homemade cream of mushroom soup...recipe can be found at a fellow bloggers site the worthy cook (drying these sunflowers STILL, what a process) and my evenings with work and the odd night of Christmas Cheer! My weekends are dedicated to my handsome boys and shuffling them around the hill....my life is full and the only thing I can wish for more is SNOW!

Andi

A nice way to end our travelling back from Spokane at Halcyon Hot Springs:)



on the road.......to get some two buck chuck!

We are taking the show on the road...well 1/2 of the show anyways. The lil man and I are off to the sunny skies of Southern Cali, where they are still swimming in their pools and chillin on the beach and who I mean by "they" is my sister the "queen" and uncle doctor and the best niece's ever!

However that is still in my future...the very near future but right now the house is in utter chaos and I don't think our littlest of the souls actually realizes we are heading out for a week. I am leaving the packing to the very end and not getting too stress about the request of you might want to bring two "going out"outfits maybe a dress.  This was a reminder that I am leaving Kansas and heading into the shiny world of OZ. Up until now hubs has been wondering why the heck we trucked all this stuff across country....now he knows! My nightlife here in the Rev consists of wearing the same footwear during the day as I would at night and ...maybe changing my shirt into something a little nicer...but still in my mukluks:) Don't get me wrong I am totally stoked for some guilt free nights out!

Heading out in the morning and looking forward to the drive through southern BC into Washington State some uncharted roads are over due for this gypsy mama. More of this beautiful country I get to see the better and a little quality time with my sweet boy is the best part of the drive! I will take time to check in a give a few reminders of what the great big world can bring. The secure lifestyle of this lazy lil town has brought to me is priceless, so heading out into a bigger world with my priceless treasures I will have to give some reminders of safety and a wee bit more handholding will in in store.

All the plans that are in store for us once we arrive is really hard for me contain my excitement....for one place I am dying to browse and spend some time in is Trader joes...and what I like to call the home of the 2 buck chuck.....any place where you can get a reliable cheap table wine for two bucks, in my mind would be a place like heaven! ( have also been know to even wrap my wine in paper for a fancy night out )

 for an up close look go here......Trader Joes

Well I better get cracking and start my packing....I am also wondering if the usual gong show of the Andrews family will appear while we are away.....or will it be just 1/2 the show either way we hit the road tomorrow for a week of full filled days and a few surprises I am sure!

Cheers,

gypsy mama

Perfect example of what I am talking about

last of the last.......

I pulled the last of our root vegetables from our community garden recently. I did do a little procrastinating as I just didn't want the summer freshness to end! My new love for beats was a surprise to me. When I planted the seeds in may I really didn't know what I was going to do with these ruby bulbs. Out of all the many veggies I find this type so beautiful, from the leafy greens with bright red veins right down to the bulbous rounds of meat flesh. I admire everything about these little darlings.

Here is the last harvest for this season of beats

I tried a wonderful salad at a local restaurant that was made of beat and feta cheese and some sort of vinaigrette's. With that in mind I tried my hand at my own beet and goat cheese salad...for me this is the best salad to have at home...I am the only one who will eat beets....and goat cheese:)

Recipe

cooked beets

splash balsamic vinegar

splash rice wine vinegar

evo

feta or goat cheese of choice.

fresh thyme or other herbs of choice

sea salt

pepper

ingredients are mixed and measured accordingly to taste ..... you can always add more but it virtually impossible to take it away.

Once you have your beets prepped and cooked to desired tenderness... whisk together balsamic vinegar and rice vinegar and evo to make a nice vinaigrette....once immersed together mixed with beets. I then add the goat cheese as I like the contrast of the white cheese to the vibrant beets. If the cheese is mixed too much into the beet salad you will get a wonderful bright fuchsia pink goat cheese. I just sprinkle more on top! I have also had a beet salad that was similar with the addition of shredded swiss chard in it. It totally was  a great addition..a hearty leaf it barely wilted once mixed together...thanks to another foodie friend here in Rev!



I kept aside some beets to try something different..... what came to mind was chili fig balsamic with a shaving of organic dark chocolate and ginger...thanks to my dad who left a full bar here for us:)

Cheers,
Andi....may your harvest time be bountiful!

the seasons best........

I . am . ready......ready to dive into these pretty little jars of goodness that I have saved this season. This year has been a canning whirl-wind of one week of daily canning with various friends! So the schedule was as follows

Thursday: apple pie filling Me, but I'll share!
Friday: salsa Lisa, Josie and Moi
Saturday: peaches Josie and Me and our little helpers
Sunday: tomatoes Sara and I
Monday: pickles.....more pickles Sweet Sara and Moi



I must say the salsa was the most involved of the canning sessions....all the chopping, dicing, roasting had lasted the better part of the day....but oh so worth it. We made some changes to each batch, we ended up with over 20 jars each of: mild, chipotle, jalapeno and a roasted blend...which is my  most favorite!

Our army of Salsa!

So conquering the need for a winter supply of salsa, I moved on with Josie for a Saturday of Peaches, returning to her house with heavenly smells of roasted salsa.....knowing that the house would soon have the smells of spiced peaches. Saturday went a little differently then Friday. All kids were in tow for a total of 5 kids and one nanny dog Sydney! I must say it was a busy blast day of fun!

Crazy Canning Kids

The reason why I am in so much need of salsa......our basic staple food in our house is Quesadillas and salsa for dip-dip!

Sweetly Spiced Peaches of Life

 These are what memories are made of! I look at this day fondly of our kids playing all day, in the house outside in the yard while Nanny Sydney watches over them! I can still picture the diaper clad two year olds holding babies waddling around, a wanting 6 yr old desperate to help with the canning process and a couple of rugged boys running all over.....days like these are exactly what makes me oh so happy here in Rev!

What a delightful sight of freshly skinned Roma's ready for a little chop and warm roast in the oven. This is day three of canning and today is was with my gal Sara. Just when I thought maybe I'd be tired of tomatoes I had a couple boxes ready for some attention. I loves cooking with these ruby beauties.....I love them in sandwiches, with salt, roasted with goat cheese, in stews, with chicken reducing in my cast iron pan and most definitely in soup.



I love this earthenware pan, part of my hand me down kitchen collection..and my most favorite dish to bake with. I am a firm believer that all people come into your life for a reason. Some people stay longer then others. Some leave as fast as they come. But there is a certain friend that it doesn't matter how far and wide you may be you are always close at heart. This particular girlfriend was my confidant while I lived in Northern Ontario, she had moved many a mile from S. Africa to Canada. She has found her way back to S.Africa with her two weeins and I headed for the west coast! We hang a piece of our friendship on the walls of the kids room and this particular piece of kitchenware is used on a weekly bases and I get to think fond thoughts of my dear friend.

Pickles were the order of the day on this Monday, they spent the the night in an ice bath all for the greater good of crunch! By this day I have been slicing and dicing for 4 previous days and have become quite speedy in the process of preparing the jars for their water bath. Another basic staple in our household.....as you need a garlic dill to side yummy deli!

Well I am planning this Thanksgiving to crack open a few different types of jarred goodness! A complimentary pallet teaser of peaches and a yummy dessert of some sort...be sure. I will be sharing my choices as why else put up for the winter in you can't share with your friends!

Jarred Apple Pie Filling

4 1/2 cups white sugar

1 cup cornstarch

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 teaspoons salt

10 cups water

3 tablespoons lemon juice

6 pounds apples

in a large pan, mix sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add salt and water and mix well. Bring to a boil and cook until thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and add lemon juice.

Sterilize canning jars, lids and rings by boiling them in a large pot of water.
Peel, core, and slice apples. Pack the sliced apples into hot canning jars, leaving a 1/2 inch headspace.
Fill jars with hot syrup, and gently remove air bubbles with a knife.
Put lids on and process in a water bath canner for 20 minutes or according to your elevation....best to check!



Random pooch shot!

Cheers,

Andi

thanksgiving.......

OK so.......well.....I am just going to say it! We bought a HAM for Thanksgiving! No! not a kosher ham, just a regular porky pork ham! And I am soooo excited! 

After years of turkey for Thanksgiving and turkey for Christmas....turkey is my least favorite meat! I may order a hot turkey sandwich for dinner if I am out, that is because the amount of sodium is what flavours the luscious meat, bread and the gravy mmmmm! But I do pay for it, I usually end up drinking scads of water for the next day or so! Last year we were in Vernon for Thanksgiving and I had one of those sandwiches at the White Spot and man it didn't disappoint!

This year we are having a traditional sit down and feast kind of dinner....with all the fixings! All while we watch the snow line appear on the trees...we may even throw in a Bone-fire. This will be the perfect opportunity to twist open a few different types of canned goods for the occasion! I am thinking a Ginger-peach brown Sugar Glaze, with a homemade apple pie.....fresh scones!

Cheers,
Andi

The great seed giveaway.........

And the Winner is.......................

Jen Hardy-Tait!

Jen Hardy is an old friend and fellow blogger and her expertise in pastries and all things iced is

something to envy. You can check out her blog here Bediels she is also known to hold giveaways:)

Jen please email me your info

@ andi.andrews01@gmail.com



Cheers,

Andi

rainy day bread.......


So....the rain arrived about two weeks ago and has stuck around just to show us it is officially fall! I love this time of year the cloud cover is low and wisps of little clouds get stuck in town and in the not so far off mountains, it really is a beautiful sight! By nature this is my favorite time of year...maybe it is because I was born in the waning part of the calender year. I can remember walking to school and not being bothered by the rain falling or the leaves falling I have always embraced the rain...at this time of year.....(not cheery about a summer of the wet stuff) The dark mornings are a reminder that Halloween is just around the corner.

With the temperature turning down I start to crave that home cooking of comfort food. My favorite entree is fresh bread and red wine. Ok so not the most balanced choice......but a staple while in college, with a plate of balsamic, evo and fresh herbs for dipping! I see this type of evening in my future for my hubby and I.

In the frugal ways I have adapted a habit of having a bread starter in the fridge for fresh bread at anytime. Some of you will know of this recipe as I have posted in in my fb page foodies  Foodies an awesome network for sharing and gaining recipes, check it out! This basic starter has been the savior of many dinnertime needs. I have made pizza dough with it, calzones, stuffed herb and olive bread and good ole sandwich bread....this is the type of bread where you drink the wine with, smothered in a flavour butter!

artisan bread in five mins a day

the official website for the amazing book!

The recipe as follows:

master recipe

Enjoy every season as if it is your favorite......The great thing about Autumn is that all this rain will be turning to snow and it is coming....embrace it, it is mother nature at her finest!

Jeff on top of the world!

I am going to label this as the North Bowl, this a guess!

Cheers,

Andi

P.S don't forget last day for the giveaway:)





sunflowers......

Sunflowers are probably the most loved flower....I know for me they are the first on my list!

This dates back years and years ago when a  brown envelope arrived on my doorstep with a bright yellow sunflower gently stuffed in it from.......A boy! Why, because he missed me:) From that day on it didn't matter what kind of roses, mixed bouquets or bunches of I am sorry flowers I have received that sunflower has always remained my favourite. I have grown sunflowers before on the odd year....but this year they seemed to just flourish in our petite jardin. This is the year that I would harvest these beauties as they grew so beautifully. With our main growing pleasure of vegetables this year the sunflower was one of the only flowers we had in our yard and yielded quite a bit of our attention! 

The unfolding of the bloom, with it's feathery soft petals is another layer of beauty.

I had no structured plan on deciding where to plant the seeds. We have a fenced backyard and thought it would look nice to plant the flowers along this wood fence as our backyard gets a fair amount of sun.....until. The large obstruction of a shed was build by our neighbour. This did cut off the angle of sunshine that was suppose to reach this area. (I am sure that it is also way out of proportion to building regulations of town) But that didn't stop my hearty little plants from reaching out in search of the sun. These little beauties grew out instead of up. The 2in stem grew along the ground and rooted itself securely. The other bunch of seeds were planted by our huppah the entrance way to the vegetable garden.

They stood about 2-3 feet high, perfect height for the kids to explore this species. Apparently it also made it a challenge to mow the lawn in this area!?!

Sunflowers by our wedding huppah. Both our huppah and pooch have seen many miles. I will always have this structure as part of my garden. My husband made this for me as a wedding present, he carried it on top of the Jeep from Ontario to the FL Keys for our wedding and back, it has moved Northern Ontario and now it resides out west as an entrance to our vegetable garden and shelter for the kids sand box.

Just one of the visitors to our garden, these beauties attract the fuzziest and bumbly bees around! The mama of all sunflowers, the head of this plant was huge.

Step 1. Once all of the leaves fall off, it is time for the sun to do it's job. One way of harvesting is once the back of the head turns from green to brown and has dried out, you can test if the seeds are ready. What I did was every couple days I would pick one and check the seed size. Another sure test is if the shell is white with black stripes. A way to early harvest is once the seeds appear to be ready you can chop off the head with a 2-3 foot stem and hang inside to dry. This is the method I chose. This method was more suitable for me because of the visiting birds, bears and other creatures looking to store up for the dark months of the year!

I did attach paper bags over the heads while drying to prevent any lost seeds to the floor. I did take a picture but it wasn't pretty to post :)

Step 2. Once the head is dried out I shortened the stem and broke the head in to pieces. I bent it back and ran my hand over the seeds and they popped out right into a paper bag





It remindes me of honey comb

Step 3. I transferred the seeds to a earthen ware roasting pan .... thanks to Kim it is part of my hand-me-down kitchen collection from friends that move and can't bring the extras! I left these seeds out to dry on the stove-top. I didn't use any direct heat, only the heat from what ever was in the oven. This process I have left the seeds in this pan for about 4-5 days.

Step 4. If you are harvesting to eat and want them salty....soak in a salt-water mixture over night. I recommend a sea salt...that would be my choice. Next day: drain and roast for 10-15 mins @ 350. cool and eat.

I am using my seeds to grow and share. Now that they are moisture free I will put them in an envelope and store in a dry dark place.

Our other furry family member basking in the autumn sun, Miso. Or otherwise know as his name change to Neeno the handsome cat!

In celebration for my new blog I am holding my first contest-givaway! Instructions as follows.......

"follow" my new blog page, leave a comment and your name will be put in a draw. I will collect all names and draw out a name and you win.........a seed selection, homegrown and harvested by moi! Contest will close Tuesday evening!

I will then post who the lucky person is and I will send you (in the snail mail) some fabulous seeds for your springtime planting:)

cheers,

Andi

P.S. I still have that sunflower packed in the brown envelope!

Rugelach.......

So I got myself situated at the table this past Sunday with laptop, tea Sunday football on (that is American football...not the real footie) all because my husband had decided he was going to get in on all the homemade action....by doing a little research he decided that making Rugelach was going to be the feature on the day.

With the help of a picture recipe and my expertise he would try his hand at it! With the abundance of Plums on our adjoining neighbouring yard we were going to make Plum and Walnut Rugelach! The pastry was a cream cheese pastry and it was awesome!

I absolutely love how vibrant the skins make this filling!

this part takes alot of concentration!



Rugelach recipe

I did alter this recipes to suit our likes and to what we had on hand for the pastry......we also used some homemade raspberry jam for a batch

but the technique was borrowed from the above site:)

L'shonah Tova

Andi

a new look......

With our famillies anniversary of mountian living so fresh and all the changes life has brought us it would only be natural to evolve my blog as well. I had come to terms that I always want to keep our family travel blog, I didn't have the heart to change it in any way..........So mountain babes and gypsysouls it is.

With our feet grounded into this lil mountian town we have moved into a more healthier thoughtful way of living...from growing our own to putting up for the winter right to harvesting our own seeds for next year .....this is my life as I know it!

One thing that will never change is how much I love to cook, bake and how much my kitchen means to me. OK.......I can do without the dishes in the sink. With the amount of hand me down jars I received from a fellow jar head I took the time to organize my kitchen. I now have all spices, nuts, dried fruit, grains all neatly in a row...and I feel so satisfied with this task completed as well as my attempt of  more sustainable food practices.

I still want to share all the pleasures that I have made time for in my life.........like, the view through my lens which I most often dream about,(well that and how I would love to have chickens one day....your know the real colorful ones) the hows of baking up delights for the family and how sharing with my gals is one simple pleasure I love to do!...the old saying from a long time friend that she had taught our wee man years ago.....sharing is caring......simple but so true!

It is that time of year where we pull out our hoodies and start to watch the snowline....the season for homemade soups, fresh loaves and the celebration of a sweet new year are on all our minds at the Andrews household......L'shonah Tova my friends.

Andi