After having to abandon our previous house buying attempt due to the DEA’s sudden interest in the property, Carrie and I turned our attention to a similar house just two blocks away. Built in the 1920’s, it is a California Craftsman style with lots of woodwork and moldings, pocket doors, hardwood floors, and a stone […]

Who Looks Worse, Paul or the Possum? We had seen evidence of what we thought was a raccoon under the house. We had seen a raccoon in the backyard and assumed the tracks and spoor under house was his. The way the house sits on the foundation leaves gaps between the siding and the stones […]

Here is another take on the steamed dumpling for Char Siu Bao.

from simplyrecipes.com Servings: 2-4 Prep time: 10 Minutes Cook time: 30 Minutes Difficulty: Easy 1 pound asparagus3 tablespoons plus one teaspoon butter1/2 cup chopped shallots1 cup arborio rice1/2 cup dry white wineAbout 3 1/2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable stock for the vegetarian version)1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheeseSalt and pepper Prep the asparagus by […]

From simplyrecipes.com Servings: 4 Prep time: 20 miutes Cook time: 10 minutes Difficulty: Easy Marinade1 tsp Soy Sauce1 tsp Sherry1/2 tsp Flour1/8 tsp Pepper Sauce2 TBS Oyster Sauce1 TBS Sherry1 TBS Soy Sauce1/4 cup Chicken Broth 3/4 lb sirloin, sliced thin in 1/2 inch long strips2 cloves Garlic, pressed1 TBS oil1 TBS flour, to thicken […]

Crust1 1/2 cups flour1/2 tsp salt1/2 cup sweet butter – diced into cubes and chilled in freezer for at least 15 minutes1/4 cup vegetable shortening, also chilled in freezer3 – 4 TBS ice water Solids1 1/2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts2 Russet potatoes1 3/4 cups peas Liquid6 TBS sweet butter1/2 cup flour2 1/2 cups […]

Ingredients 3 Cups flour5 TBS Lawry’s Seasoned Salt3 TBS Garlic Powder4 eggs, beatenSalt and Pepper to taste2 chickens, cut into 8 or more piecesEnough vegetable oil to fill a large frying pan about 1" deep Instructions Mix flour, Lawry’s, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a medium bowl.Roll chicken pieces, one at a time, in […]

2-4 Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed1/2 tsp salt1/4 tsp white pepper1/4 tsp black pepper1/4 tsp onion powder1/4 tsp garlic powder1/4 tsp cumin1/4 tsp cayennevegetable oil Drop cubed potatoes in boiling water for 7-10 minutes.Mix spices in medium bowl.Drain potatoes and stir into spices.Add oil to pan to a depth of 1" and heat to 350 degrees.Add […]

Simply Recipes 1 1/2 cups of rice, cooked Marinade6 cloves of garlic, crushed1 1/2 cups of water1/2 teaspoon salt The Rest1 pound of shrimp, deveined and peeledJuice of 1 lime1 jalepeno, seeds removed, scraped and finely chopped1/2 teaspoon salt2 Tablespoons olive oil1 can (about 12 oz.) Coconut milk, halved1 teaspoon chili powder (or sauce) Cook […]

Denise 5 – 6 lb. roasting chicken1 bunch carrots (4 – 6) cut into 1-1/2 inch chunks (bias cut if you like)1 bunch thyme1 large yellow onion, thickly sliced1 head garlic2 tablespoons melted butter1 lemon halvedolive oilsalt & pepper Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a medium to large roasting pan, place the carrots, onion […]

Denise 2 large heads romaine lettuce1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese For the dressing: 1 tablespoons good real mayonnaise (I like Best Foods)2 teaspoons Dijon mustard2 large garlic cloves, chopped1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (~3 lemons)2 teaspoons kosher salt1/2 teaspoon fresly ground black pepper1-1/2 cups good mild olive oil*1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese […]

The Complete Potato Cookbook 2 lbs, 6 or 7, red potatoes 1/3 cup red wine vinegar 1/3 cup sugar ¼ cup olive oil ½ teaspoon granulated onion 1 teaspoon basil, chopped fine 1 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon dried (or 2 fresh) parsley Salt and pepper Boil potatoes 15-20 minutes in salted water until done but […]