Gifts For The Foodie In Your Life

It's no secret that I'm a foodie. Big time. I absolutely love to cook, and love to find new gadgets and tools to make my meals even more amazing.

My sweetie is my guinea pig. He eats each and every one of my experiments without question.....and usually without complaint.

There aren't many fails, although there have been one or two.

Christmas Blessings

Christmas morning dawned bright and sunny, with temps in the 30's.

 

It wasn't the white Christmas I had dreamed of, but it sure was nice to see all the sunshine streaming in through the windows.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Wishing a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, and Happy Holidays to all of you wonderful people out in Blogland!

One Thing Leads To Another

So, I did something stupid this weekend.

 

Well, in all honesty, I'm sure I did more than one thing that was stupid....but I'm only telling you about one thing.

That Rascally Monkey

I realized today that  I have very few photos of my home without that rascally Monkey in the picture.

What's Going On Around Here

The holidays are always a busy time of the year, for sure.

But when you take on major renovations at the holiday season, well....you're just nuts!

 

So, I guess I'm nuts.

Baby, It's COLD Outside!

Brrrrrrr - it's frigid on the mountain top today! We're hitting a low of -2 tonight - winter is here with a vengeance!

Christmas, Christmas Everywhere!

Can you believe Christmas is less than two weeks away?

Where on earth do the days go?

I know they say that time flies when you're having fun....but this is ridiculous!

Oh My Gosh, These Books!!!!

I have always been an avid reader. There's just something about slipping into bed, propping up the pillows, and opening a good book. The chores of the day are complete, and the rest of the evening is just for me.

A Few Of My Favorite Things

I have a new favorite gadget. 

Seriously, I'm in love with this contraption (as my mom would say!)  and I don't know how I have lived this long without it. 

So, of course I had to share it with all of you. 

Evenings at Our House

We all have our little routines, don't we?

Things we do pretty much every morning....and usually an entirely different routine in the evenings. 

Mornings are hectic...lots of little chores to be done before I head out to work for the day. 

Evenings are precious, meant to be savored. 

A Woodland Forest Christmas

Boy, it was tough not to share this with you before now.....but I feel like there's some sort of law out there that says that even if circumstances and busy schedules force you to decorate for Christmas even before Thanksgiving.....heaven forbid....there's no way you can let anyone know!

Well, that's exactly what happened with us this year. 

Bourbon Vanilla Cranberry Sauce - and Giving Thanks

As we get ready for the celebration of thanks tomorrow, I want to take a moment and thank all my wonderful readers for taking time out of their lives to check in with me regularly.

Winter Wonderland.....WHAT?

Saturday on the mountain top it was nearly 70 degrees. In late November.

 

What??????????

Mid November On The Mountain Top

It rained cats and dogs yesterday.

 

All. Day. Long.

 

By the time I was heading home from work, the rain was turning to ice pellets, hitting my windshield. I was chilled to the bone, and couldn't wait to mix a cocktail and sit by the fire.  

The Most Amazing Split Pea Soup...and Conquering My Fear

Growing up, we never ate split pea soup. I'm not sure why, but I never so much as sampled it until I was an adult, working in restaurants.

 

The first time I tried it, the soup was served with sliced hotdogs and greasy croutons floating on top.

 

At the young age of 20, that was ok with me.

 

Now? Not so much.

This & That

In the wake of the most...shall I say, INTERESTING...election in history - most of the country is still reeling over the results.

Yesterday was quite the day.

I'm glad the election is in the past, but I'm afraid for our future.

Meanwhile, on our little mountain top, life goes on.

I'm Craving Cozy

Our cold weather has returned, and there's a chill in my bones today. My fingers are stiff as I'm trying to type this post.

 

I'm glad it's the end of the workweek, and I can't wait to spend some time in my cozy house this weekend.

The Food Fight

As most of you know, I'm a definite foodie. 

I wake up in the wee hours planning what I'm cooking the next day. 

Butternut Squash & Apple Bisque

In my last post, I shared a photo of a pot of soup I had simmering on the stove during a snowstorm. 

Since then, we've had days in the mid 60's mixed with nights in the low 20's....it's the weirdest weather, no doubt!

Welcome To My World

So, it's not even Halloween yet and we are having our SECOND snowstorm of the season on the mountain top!

Yup, welcome to my world. 

The Garden In Late October

Where have I been, you ask?

Why, playing nurse for my sweetie, of course! He had surgery on his arm this week, to reattach his bicep tendon to his elbow.

Heaven On Earth

Saturday was such an absolutely glorious autumn day on the mountain top that I started snapping photos the second my feet hit the ground!

I never tire of waking to the sights and sounds of horses outside my bedroom window, although they managed to escape my camera on this gorgeous morning. 

Try as I may, it was impossible to truly capture the golden glow that was shining in through the windows. 

While I was enjoying my coffee, the Monkey was enjoying her usual morning spot....in a sun puddle, as usual. 

She always makes sure she has a few of her favorite things up on the chair with her. When I straighten up the house and fluff the pillows I typically find 5 or 6 toys tucked into the corners of this chair!

After a trip to my local farmers' market, there was work to be done around the house. 

I decided this heavenly autumn day called for a vegetable beef stew in the crock pot that could cook as I took care of some necessary chores. 

I browned some ground beef that I picked up at the market and threw it in with some onions, garlic, shallots, sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, and celery. All the items were either from the farmers' market or grown in my crooked little garden. 

Next came some beef broth, herbs, pepper, and a couple of bay leaves. I gave everything a good stir, turned it on high, and went about my day. 

Eventually I couldn't resist the pull of the outdoors. It was time to abandon any further chores and enjoy the amazing beauty I am so blessed to be surrounded with. 

The firepit was calling my name. What better way to spend a lovely fall afternoon in the mountains? 

So, I did what any good mountain girl would do and made myself an apple cider martini....with a cinnamon rim, of course.....put on my ugly old uggs, grabbed a throw, and headed outside. 

It was time to settle in and watch the show at the feeder. I gave the birds a bit more seed and some peanuts before I got comfortable, and I knew they would show up within minutes. 

Oh, how I missed feeding the birds and critters! I know the bears haven't hibernated yet, but they haven't been bothering my home lately, so all is well. 

There's nothing I like more than spending time in nature enjoying the beauty God created, while my little furry and feathered friends enjoy the feast I put out for them. 

That's heaven on earth, right there. 

My sister asked me when she visited last if the squirrels can climb the feeder poles clamped to the deck. 

The answer would be a resounding yes!

There's nothing that keeps the squirrels off the feeders for good - they always seem to figure it out. It's just part and parcel of feeding the birds. 

Although the firepit on my deck is propane, the smell of woodsmoke surrounded me from both my woodstove and my neighbor's. 

I love the way the afternoon sun hits the mountain across the way. The mountain top just seems to glow....and then the sun dips down and is gone, as dusk settles onto the mountain top. 

It was time to put out the fire and go inside, to warm up by the woodstove. 

And enjoy a bowl of vegetable beef stew and some warm crusty bread. 

Heaven on earth. 

I'm so blessed. 

Fall Fashion Over 40

It's that time of the year when I transition from sandals to ballet flats and boots....scarves and sweaters. 

Layers....lovely layers!

October On The Mountain Top

We're nearly at the middle of October and things are starting to look, well...a bit spooky around here!

Although there is still some gorgeous foliage around, we are most definitely past 'peak' leaf peeping season...and there are more and more naked trees surrounding the house these days. 

The Last Hurrah

Well, that's it - gardening season is officially over.

That's not to say there's not plenty of work that remains to be done, in and around the garden. Not a chance.

It's just that our short growing season has officially come to an end.

Seasonal Harvest Tour

I still can't believe I'm here, part of this incredible Bloggers Seasonal Harvest Tour! I'm so honored to be among this amazingly talented group of bloggers, opening their homes for an autumn tour. 

I am eternally grateful to Brenda from Cozy Little House for her friendship, her guidance, and for including me among the 25 talented bloggers for the 2016 Bloggers Seasonal Harvest Tour. 

Fall Is In The Air!

Fall has well and truly arrived to the mountain top and I'm delighted to see all the vibrant colors everywhere I look!

We could  all sure use a little happiness and light after the sad week we had last week. 

Life Goes On

Thank you all for your sweet words and prayers on the losses in my family last week. 

It was truly a stressful and terribly emotional time for those of us left behind, and I have never been so happy to get back to my office and resume some semblance of 'normalcy."

Grief

You know how sometimes life just likes to kick you in the teeth? 

This was one of those weeks. 

It's Coming!

Every day brings more changes to the mountain top, now that Autumn is nearly upon us. 

Tuscan Beef & Vegetable Soup

It's rainy and dismal on the mountain top today, but I don't really mind. 

Yesterday was such a busy day, it's nice to have an excuse to spend time indoors today, puttering around my little house. 

I do love to putter, that's for sure!

It's the everyday domestica that feels so calming and grounds me after a busy day, week, month. 

The smell of the laundry as the sheets are tumbling in the washer. 

The sound of the dishwasher as it goes through the cycles, cleaning up the breakfast dishes. 

Freshening up the house for fall, bringing in little touches of autumn with candles, throws, pillows. 

It's time to be cozy and embrace the interior once more. 

I realize I never did tell you what happened with the Amara awards. I wasn't one of the select few who made the shortlist, unfortunately, but that's ok - I am truly so honored that I was even nominated, and I sincerely thank all of you who voted for me, for your belief in my little blog. 

The folks that made the shortlist are incredibly talented bloggers - you should go check them out when you have some free time to bounce around - here's the link to all the shortlisted blogs: Amara Awards - Shortlisted Blogs.

On a completely separate note, do you remember the other day I told you I was going to make a nice pot of beef and vegetable soup? Well, I did....and it was one of my favorite soups ever, so I am so glad I took photos during the process, so I could share it with you!

As per usual, my 'recipes' are really more of a tutorial and less of an exact science. My cooking style would be called 'winging it' for sure!

Ok, here we go - Mountain Mama's Tuscan Beef & Vegetable Soup. 

I started off with 3 chopped onions, rough chop, in my large LeCrueset dutch oven, over a medium flame with a drizzle of olive oil. 

While they were sauteeing, I chopped 3 carrots and 3 stalks of celery. They were added to the onions, and all got sauteed for another 5 minutes or so. 

When they had softened, I made a hole in the center of the veggies, and added 2 heads of garlic, minced, in a tbs of butter. 

When the garlic was nice and fragrant and golden, I stirred all the veggies together and made a new hole in the center for a lb of organic grass fed ground beef, 90 percent lean. 

After the beef was nicely browned, I stirred everything together and added in a zucchini, diced small. I wanted all the veggies to be about equal in size. 

I sprinkled some dried thyme leaves over the zucchini - about a half teaspoon or so. I've noticed that zucchini and thyme really work well together and I've been using thyme in all my zucchini recipes. 

At this point, I added in 2 containers of Swanson's Low Sodium Beef Broth. 

Next I popped a tray of cherry tomatoes into the oven at 425 degrees for about a half hour. 

I added a can of crushed tomatoes with basil to the simmering soup. 

I seasoned the soup with some dried basil and my favorite all purpose seasoning, Vermont Country Seasoning. I would guess about a tablespoon or more of basil, and a little less than a teaspoon of the Vermont Seasoning. 

I put the lid on the dutch oven at this point, turned the heat to low, and let it simmer for about a half hour, while the tomatoes roasted in the oven. 

Oooh, it's starting to look really good already - but I'm not done yet!  In went a half package of imported pasta - the shape I used is called Trofie, and it's made by Pirro, one of my favorite pasta companies. Amazon sells it here, but I purchased it in a local Italian specialty market, the same place I buy the Tuttorosso canned tomatoes. 

The cherry tomatoes were absolutely gorgeous when done roasting, and I dumped the whole tray with the juices right into the soup. I used a potato masher to 'pop' the tomatoes in the soup, as I didn't want any tomatoes left whole in the completed soup. 

I also added two cans of Cannellini beans, drained and rinsed. 

The finished soup - oh my gosh, I can't even describe how heavenly this soup was! The roasted tomatoes gave the soup such a fresh taste, far superior to any soup you will ever, ever eat out of a can! 

I have been ruined forever for canned soups - I haven't touched them in years, once I realized how much sodium was in them. I guess that's when I started experimenting with making my own soups - and once I did, there was no return. 

I served the soup with a hearty sprinkle of shredded 6 cheese Italian blend, by Sargento. 

Can you just see all that amazing goodness in there?

We enjoyed the soup with a warm, crusty whole grain baguette. 

Heaven, right there. 

And guess what? 5 quarts for the freezer - you know how happy that makes me! 

This is just one of the three freezers that I have - this is the freezer in the downstairs fridge. Not much room left, that's for sure - and the other two freezers are worse! 

I don't know what I'm going to do with all my produce when I run out of freezer space. I guess I'll have to send home containers with Sweetie - he's got two empty freezers just waiting to be filled!

It's a good problem to have, for sure. And all these amazing meals will be so very welcome in the long winter months, when all our fresh home grown produce is nothing but a memory. 

But we'll be eating well, that's for sure - after all, isn't that what all this hard work right now is all about? Preserving the bounty?

We are so blessed. 

Snuggling Into Fall Weather

Last night, when I finally got home to my little house after a long, busy day, I sat on my leather chair in the living room and ate a sandwich for dinner and read a book. Not quite a gourmet meal, but it was late and I was hungry. 

My feet were freezing while I was sitting there. I had to put on my fuzzy slippers. 

And The Winner Is......

Well, I'm a day late on selecting the winner.....I'm so sorry but life gets in the way sometimes! 

Last Day of Voting....and a GIVEAWAY!

Remember a while back I told you my little blog was nominated for an Amara Award? 

I still can't believe it, yet it's true!

Zucchini & Roasted Veggie Lasagna

I know I've been swamping you with zucchini recipes but I truly can't help it. As soon as I cook off a few zucchinis, five more are ready to pick! 

A September Glow in the Dining Room

This morning was truly a fabulous way to welcome the month of September!

Temps were cool, there was a soft rain falling, and the clouds were sitting on the mountain peaks all around me. 

Welcome To My Heaven On Earth

It's that time of year when we are transitioning from a season of heat and humidity to a season of cool breezes and chilly evenings. 

At least, that's what's right around the corner for us up here on the mountain top. We've already had our first night that dipped into the 40's and it was heavenly! Clear and cold with a billion stars twinkling brightly in the sky - the kind of night that reminds you that fall is on its way!

Summer Garden Ragu

As you know, I've been featuring zucchini in my meals quite a bit lately. 

It's hard not to when the garden is being ever-so-generous spitting out zucchini after zucchini!

My Crooked Little Country JUNGLE

Remember a while back I shared some photos of my crooked little country garden?

Well, it's out of control. 

The Sweet Scents of Home

As most of you know, I absolutely love to cook. 

But almost as much as I love to cook is how strongly I absolutely detest the smell in the house after the meal is done. 

Time To Hit REFRESH

You know that feeling, as summer is dwindling, that it's time to do a little more 'nesting?'

It's not quite fall...but the nights are getting cooler, and the leaves are starting to give us a hint of what's to come. 

Happy Birthday To My Sweet Baby Girl

I can hardly believe it, but my baby girl is 25 years old today. 

Wowzers, how the heck did that happen?

How I Get Inspired To Get Up And Clean!

Do you ever feel like you need a 'boost' in order to get your energy up to clean the house? 

I do. Especially when it's hot and sticky out, like it is this week. 

Uggghhh. Who wants to run around with the vacuum in 90 degrees?

Finding Your Strength

Some folks hold onto resentment and it lies right under the surface, just waiting to erupt at a moment's notice. They carry around grudges forever, and never let go. 

It's MountainMama's Birthday!

Exactly one year ago today I hit 'publish' on my very first blog post. 

265 posts later, I can't believe how many of you have stuck around to read the drivel that pours from my head to my hands, and ends up traveling the globe via the WWW. 

Mountain Mama Is Up For An Award!!

So....I can't even believe I'm saying this, but MountainMama has been nominated for an AMARA award - how is that even possible?

Glorious Summer Weekends

The work week seems to take forever, dragging along, but finally it's the weekend - time for the happy dance!

Fashion Over 40....and Beyond

Let's face it, things change once you hit 40. And for me, that wasn't today or yesterday....I'm getting on up there and rapidly approaching 50!

I can't believe it, but it is what it is. 

The Garden in MidSummer

I've wanted to share updates on the garden throughout July, but somehow the month got away from me! 

Five Ways To Use All That Zucchini!

I know I'm not the only one who has an abundance of zucchini and yellow squash coming out of the garden right now....after all, 'tis the season!

I've been trying out some new recipes lately for all that zucchini goodness....and so far, each and every recipe has been an overwhelming success!

Busy as a Bee

I'm sure you've guessed that things have been pretty darned busy around my little house recently....thus the lack of blog posts! 

There's so much I want to tell you and show you, and yet I don't have the time to get frequent posts written these days. 

Summer Garden Bolognese

Ok, I have an absolutely amazing recipe for you today. 

One that might well and truly knock your socks off. 

If you're wearing any. 

It's Good To Be Home!

It's lovely to get away for a few days, isn't it? 

But I think it's even lovelier to come home. 

I'm Back!

Consider yourself forewarned....this post is going to be chock full of gorgeous photos! 

Grab yourself a cup of tea....or a cocktail....and settle in for a picturesque journey along incredible Lake George in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate NY. 

I'll Be Back......

I know I've been missing....and I'm sorry. 

It's been one of those weeks. 

Farmer's Market Kabobs

We finally got rain this weekend....blessed, glorious rain!

And boy, did we need it!

What's On My Nightstand

When life gets stressful, as it has been for me lately, I need to be more conscious of what I do in the evenings to wind down before bed. 

I shared some of my evening routine with you in this post. 

The Herb Garden in July

I haven't been bombarding you with garden posts lately.....just because I don't want you to think that all I do, day in and day out, is sit outside and drool over my garden. 

I only do that in the evenings. 

Bringing Peace To My Mind and Soul

One of my favorite things to do at the end of the day is to spend some time outdoors, enjoying the sounds of the night. 

Last night, after dinner was all cleaned up and Sweetie moseyed on home, I headed outside to end my day on a quiet note. 

The Land of the Free

Independence Day is the perfect time to stop and reflect on how fortunate we are to live in this great country of ours. 

Thank you to all those men and women who risk their lives so that I may live in this beautiful country. 

Contentment

Breakfast is over, my belly is full, and the kitchen is clean once more. 

In The Still Of The Night

Do you ever lie awake in the wee hours of the morning, unable to sleep, and compose a blog post in your head?

Oh....you don't? 

Never mind, then....

The Garden in Late June....and My Critters

Exciting things are happening in the garden these days!

Well....exciting for me, but maybe that's not saying much about me, huh?

Some of My Favorite Summer Cocktails

The days are long and oh-so hot, the nights are sultry....summer is the perfect time for a frosty cold cocktail. 

What To Do With All Those Radishes?!

It's that time of year, when the veggie garden finally starts producing, and you are faced with the wonderful yet challenging task of figuring out to do with all that beautiful produce. 

For us up here on the mountain top, right now the garden is giving us lettuce like mad, and radishes up the kazoo!

What do I do with all those radishes?

Healthy Summer Smoothie

I laugh when I hear people talk about the "Lazy Days of Summer."

In what lifetime?

My summer is anything but lazy.

Heaven On The Mountain Top

The garden is an explosion of color these days. 

Every time I walk outside the door, I see something new blooming. 

A Celebration of Life and Love

I apologize for my radio silence. 

It's been one of those weeks. 

I feel as if I have barely had time to breathe, never mind write. 

Bear Update

I promised you an update on the Bear situation, so here it is. 

He was missing for a few days. I thought, perhaps, that he had moved on, since he didn't find any food around my house. 

Sweet Summer Memories

As many of you know, I grew up in New York City. 

But I was one of the lucky ones. 

Life Is A Gift...Focus On The Present

As a gardener, I think I am always looking for what's blooming next. What's budding. What's doing well. What didn't work. What did better last year. 

Sometimes I think I look right past what's blooming now. 

The Perennial Bed in Mid June

My perennial bed is certainly not a manicured, mulched space. It's a true country garden, a cottage garden of sorts. 

But even a cottage garden needs to be tamed from time to time, or it will soon get out of control. 

Life And Love On The Mountain Top

I often share my projects with you, here on my blog. But what you don't see is that while I'm planting flowers and veggies, or cooking up a feast, my sweetie is very often here at my house, working his little butt off. 

He sees things that need to be done and takes it upon himself to tackle the project. 

He's a very, very good sweetie. 

My Crooked Little Country Garden

Yesterday I mentioned that one project seems to lead to another....and another....and 50 more. And my list just keeps growing and growing. 

Well, today I'm happy to share one big project that is finally complete!

Bear Update....and a Slice of Life

Our weather has been so bizarre. Not just ours, of course, but all over the globe. 

Global warming? I suppose. 

The Battle of The Bear

I've been missing you all and wishing for more time to spend here. 

But life gets in the way sometimes. It's been super busy around here. 

Summer Cocktail Party Menu

I haven't hosted a dinner party in a while, so I started planning a date for a get-together. 

As things do, it snowballed into a gathering of about 20. 

This Is WAR!!!

Last night we finally got rain. 

A lot of rain. 

My veggie garden was flooded this morning. 

Real Life and The Little Things

It truly is the little things, isn't it?

They add up to create a space and a life that makes us happy. 

The Garden In Late May

It seem's we've gone from winter to summer in the blink of an eye. Wasn't it just the other day I was stressing over the fact that we got snow, after I had already begun planting?

Herbs and Their Many Uses

I am loving my new herb garden up on my deck!

I think that was a very wise choice I made, to transplant the herbs right outside the kitchen door. 

The Things I Don't Show You

I have shared parts of my home, both indoors and out, in various blog posts but usually it's the 'pretty' side of my life. 

Today I'm sharing the utilitarian part of my deck. 

What's Planted In My Veggie Garden

It might not look like much yet, but there's a whole lot going on in this little crooked country veggie garden of mine! 

Time To Chill

I have had a few of my wonderful readers remark on how much I do around my house. 

Yes, that's true. I always seem to have tons to do. But isn't that part of owning a house?

Progress on the Deck

Wow, what a busy weekend! 

I'm sure with this glorious weather many of you were doing much the same as I was all weekend....spring projects and chores....and all of it outdoors!

Inspiration For My Secret Garden

Remember I told you a while back how I want to create a secret garden? 

I know it's going to be an awful lot of work, and I want to make sure I do it right. I need to be happy with the results for a long, long time. 

Since I'm never moving ever again!

It's Finally Spring!

Spring has finally arrived, in all its glory!

The sun is shining, the trees are leafing out, and the lilacs are just beginning to bloom. 

What could possibly be more beautiful than spring in the mountains?

Finding the Balance

My little mountain top house has been a busy one lately. 

For many, summer is a time to slow down and take it easy. The lazy days of summer. 

For me? Not so much. 

A Wacky Weekend

This was a strange weekend on the mountain top. Life up here can be so bizarre. I feel like I'm in a Twilight Zone episode at times. 

Planting Around a Tree....and Sweet Memories

I remember when I bought my very first house a million years ago. 

I was so young, just 23 years old. Just a baby myself, and I had two tiny tots who kept me very, very busy.

Why now?

Well, it's happening. 

Just when I think we're beyond the 'danger zone' we are getting a frost this weekend.

Natural Ways to Combat Seasonal Allergies

As I get older there are more and more things happening to my body that make me crazy. One of the biggest challenges right now is dealing with these seasonal allergies that have appeared in the past few years. 

Sigh. Isn't it enough that I'm getting wrinkled, sore, tired, hot flashes, and all the rest? Must I also deal with constant congestion in my head and throat?

Gorgeous Garden Combos

I love playing with new combos in the garden each year. There's just something so satisfying to see a couple of plants you paired hit it off so well together. 

Almost like speed dating....but better.