Grandma's Chicken Soup

When Mom would get sick, Grandma would move in with her homemade chicken soup and cure the entire household from the common cold. Ironically, studies show that Gram was right. Chicken soup really can help you get over a cold! Those miserable symptoms of the cold usually include coughing, sneezing, and a stuffy nose. Actual university studies have proven ingredients in chicken soup have anti-inflammatory properties that inhibit certain white blood cells from traveling into airways that contribute to the inflammation that causes cold symptoms. Chicken soup contains compounds that also help inhibit mucus production. In addition to the soup's anti-inflammatory effects, the heat and steam may help open nasal passages especially if you add some garlic or cayenne pepper! Always drink the broth, researchers determined most of the help comes from the liquid. 

  Here's Grandma's recipe: 

3-4 lb stewing chicken 

1 onion 

2 -3 qts water 

1 Tbsp chopped parsley 

1/2 tsp salt, dash pepper 

1 Tbsp butter 

1/2 cup diced celery 

1/4 cup diced carrots 

2 cups noodles or 1/4 cup rice 

Heat to boiling then simmer until meat is tender. Gram would simmer hers all day. She also said you could always add lemon juice to "help cut a thick throat" or garlic for a stuffed up nose. 

Grandam always thought ahead and would prepare batches of soup so she'd be ready at a moment's notice to aid her ailing family. 

The Magic of Crows

  "The crow represents change or transformation. But much more than that, it refers more to a spiritual or emotional change. These intelligent birds give us valuable insight into situations around us and help us adapt as needed". - Crow Symbolism & Meaning

I grew up listening to legends and tales of animals from a neighbor who was a member of the local Chippewa tribe. The intelligence as well as the beauty of the crow always drew me in. Perhaps the attraction led me to write Crow Magic, where the hero is a Native American Crow Shifter. He uses his body and mind to cleanse a person’s soul; taking it from darkness to light.

Available on Amazon 

 Some cultures think of the crow as a bad omen. It has been said this idea came from the wars during the Dark Ages when crows would be seen after a battle picking at the dead. The Vikings believed it was the spirit of a raven that escorted the souls of the dead warriors to Valhalla. Story tellers simply put a dark spin on the tale.

The Native Americans consider a crow to be a sign of good fortune. Crows are cleansers of both the land and the mind. My Chippewa friends hold steadfast to this belief and always express joy when they see crows visit their feeders.

Since moving into the woods, we've attracted a variety of critters. For several years we were blessed with a family of crows. Seeing their antics and family dynamic up close was amazing. The hawks moved in for a couple years chasing the small murder away. However, the hawks moved out and by fall the crows were cautiously returning.

This spring brought two handsome couples into my office view. My building is located along the Flint River. A pair of eagles nest not far from here as well, but they haven't disturbed the crows. I'm not sure where the crows roost, but they come to our yard to feed. 

Do you have some unique critters visit your yard?

#Thursday13 - Autumn Date Ideas

I love FALL.  Everything about the season is wonderful! Acorn squash smothered with butter and brown sugar cooks in the stove while a hot apple pie cools. Burning leaves and then enjoying a glass of wine with friends. Here are a few ideas for you and your honey to have some time to yourselves.

1. Visit a local orchard or pumpkin patch.

2. Go apple picking then make caramel apples.

3. Bake an apple or pumpkin pie together then eat it before it gets cold. Have fun with the left over whipping cream. Enjoy a glass of local wine or brew.

4. Find your inner child and go on a corn maze and hayride. Rake leaves into a pile and jump in!

5. Make Apple Cider Floats and snuggle in front of a fire.

Apple Cider Float

1 cup of real apple cider

½ cup ginger ale

1-2 scoops vanilla ice cream or a seasonal flavor such as cinnamon or apple pie

Ground cinnamon and nutmeg for sprinkling

1-2 TBSP caramel sauce

Pour apple cider and ginger ale into a glass. Add vanilla ice cream. Sprinkle on nutmeg and cinnamon to taste and drizzle caramel sauce on top. Serve with straw and spoon.

 

6. If you are in a warmer climate, take your lap top and a bowl of popcorn to the backyard and watch a movie.

7. Have a thermos picnic at the park. Pack soup and hot cocoa.

8. Go on a Fall Foliage Drive. Pick up some pumpkin spice coffee and enjoy the ride.

9. Visit a local book store. Many offer special autumn displays and events.

10. Hop in the car and go for a drive to find a coffee shop or a local pub to visit.

11. Go on a Sunset Date. Grab a thermos of cocoa and a blanket then head off to a park to watch the sunset. If a park isn't in the cards, simply step onto your porch or back deck.  Weather permitting, do some star gazing too. Super romantic!

12. Have a “Power Outage” Date. Turn all the lights off, light some candles and have some fun.

13. Try a Spa Night. Take a bath together, give each other massages and put on your comfy-cozies.

What word do you use to describe this season? Autumn or Fall?

Click HERE for more super cool Thursday 13 lists.

Don't Throw Away Old Canning Jars

Fall is the time when many folks can produce collected from their gardens. When I had a big garden, I canned salsa and tomato sauce. I shared an extremely large collection of canning jars with my neighbor. The jars ranged in shape and size; some were even considered antique! (Look for colored Ball or Mason jars at yard sales!) Now that I live in the woods, my canning days are gone. However, instead of throwing out all those wonderful canning jars, I found a new use for them. Candles! I love the jars with some cut or pattern to them. Pick up some candle inserts that hold tea lights(I find mine at craft shops for around .40 each). Gently place the insert into a narrow mouth jar. I like to add items to the jar... changing with the season or my mood. If you are crafty, paint the jar before adding the insert. These make wonderful gifts! Take the larger sized, wide mouth jars - place a little sand or dirt on the bottom of the inside then add a brightly colored candle. I use a three of different heights placed on a silver tray with greens and metallic balls or ribbon as a decoration on my porch for the holidays. When they are lit, I find them to be very warm and welcoming to my guests. Get creative and have a great week!

#TastyTuesday - Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars

I always say to take advantage of cooking up a batch of romance in the kitchen. 

It's a great opportunity for some fun "couple time". 

Enjoy a glass of chardonnay while making this recipe.

If you're a beer lover, 

try Screamin' Pumpkin from the Griffin Claw Brewing Co 

Here's a tasty little sweet you and your honey can make in advance to your Thanksgiving dinner.

Base

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup quick-cooking oats
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

Filling
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 can (15 oz) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
3 eggs

Topping

2 cups sour cream
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1.    Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In medium bowl, mix flour and brown sugar. Using pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in oats and walnuts. Press in bottom of pan; bake 15 minutes.

2.    In large bowl, beat filling ingredients with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Pour over hot base. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until set and dry in center.

3.    Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix topping ingredients. Drop mixture by the spoonful over the pumpkin layer; spread evenly over hot filling. Bake about 5 minutes or until topping is set. Cool completely, about 2 hours. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

Makes 16 bars

 Screamin' Pumpkin captures the essence of a Michigan Fall with smooth taste. Cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, roasted pumpkin and a dab of molasses makes it perfect for an autumn day or night. Griffin Claw Brewing is located in the Rail District of Birmingham, MI.

Photo by 365 Days, 365 Beers

This year, the brewery took the Screamin' Pumpkin and aged it in bourbon barrels for 10 months. It has a bit of a vanilla, oak and spice flavor. I can't wait to try a Bourbon Imperial Screamin' Pumpkin!