The Buttercreme Baker

My Limbs Runneth Over

I noticed that the little buds, which will soon be lemons, are growing at a pretty steady pace. I am so proud-it's still alive!

So far this winter, the only casualty of my black thumb has been the poinsettia (I won't even photograph it, it's so pitiful). All of the leaves have fallen off but, there are still quite a few flowers still hanging on for dear life. Trial and error, people, trial and error.

This juicy morsel was dinner last night. I had never tried the recipe until then and I'm not so sure I'll make it again. John and Madelyn however, couldn't get enough. You be the judge.

Barbecue Stew Beef (Adapted from Barbecue Beef Brisket by The Pampered Chef, Stoneware Inspirations)

1-2 lbs stew beef

2 garlic cloves, minced

½ t kosher salt

½ t black pepper

¾ C ketchup

¼ C cider vinegar

1/8 C brown sugar

1/8 C Worcestershire sauce

1 T yellow mustard

1 medium onion, sliced

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place beef in a 9x13 pan, preferably stoneware. Sprinkle beef with garlic, salt and black pepper.

*Combine ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire and mustard. Pour over beef.

*Arrange sliced onions over meat. Cover pan with lid or aluminum foil. Bake for 1 hour-1 hr 30 or until fork tender.

 

 

Cheers to the New Year!

Happy New Year, everyone. I'm sure we weren't the only ones that woke up too late to enjoy breakfast. Well, isn't that a great excuse to have brunch?

These quick and easy rolls were the centerpiece.

Tangerine Rolls (adapted from Southern Living's Easy Orange Rolls recipe)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Beat 4 oz of softened cream cheese, ¼ C firmly packed light brown sugar, and 1 ½ t tangerine zest at medium speed in a mixer until smooth. Unroll 1 (8 oz) can of crescent roll dough onto a lightly floured surface, pinching perforations closed. Sprinkle dough with 2T of granulated sugar. Spread cream cheese mixture over sugar. Gently roll up the dough, beginning with the long side. Cut into about 13 slices. Place slices in a lightly greased 8" round pan. Brush tops of rolls with 1T of melted butter. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Stir together ½ C of powdered sugar and 2 T of tangerine juice in a small bowl until smooth. Drizzle over hot rolls.

I can't wait until my new lemon tree fills with fruit. Oh, the possibilities…lemon rolls, lemon meringue pie, lemon chicken, lemon custard cakes, lemon tart, spun lemon sugar-yup, I'm a lemon fiend.

Can you believe it's already bearing fruit?

And from the looks of the little buds, there are more to come. Thanks Morgan and Ginger!

 

 

The mums go out, the geranium comes in

To better acclimate myself in the garden, I have been doing a bit of research. I found this wonderful site made specifically for VA.; it's chock full of great home gardening information. I just know it will soon be a constant reference.

Do you ever find yourself marveling in the beauty of something you've seen time and again? Since choosing to end my career in real estate, I feel renewed both in my thinking and in the way I see things. This Geranium looked almost surreal bathed in the glow of the afternoon sunlight.

I took a moment to "smell the Geranium".

Bought several mums to decorate the entrances for fall but, there is something about this one that begs to be kept inside.

The best recipe for cornbread I've tested by far. Its taste is very southern- a lot sweeter than your average cornbread.