Saturday, February 26, 2011

Potato Pancakes

My mom used to make these a lot, especially when we had leftover mashed potatoes.  I didn't have any potatoes this time, but was craving them.

David helped me shred about 8 Yukon gold potatoes. We rinsed them in cold water.  It is important to drain the potatoes before adding any of the other ingredients.  The drier the shredded potato,. the crispier it gets.
You will need:
Potatoes
onion
Flour
Salt
Pepper
2 eggs
oil

Shred the potatoes (as many as you like), and shred the onion.
It is the same texture, and same size as the potatoes so 
the cooking time remains the same ratio.
Soak in cold water to prevent the potatoes from turning grey or brown.
Patted dry.
Use a clean dish towel to squeeze the water from the potatoes, and onions.
I didn't have any mashed potatoes (it is the best binding agent), so I used flour.
Regular flour (I started with about 1/4 cup, and then added more),
two eggs, salt and pepper.
Mix.  If it appears watery, add more flour.
Drop by spoonfuls into a hot pan with oil.
Test the oil first, by adding a shred or two and it simmers.
Spread out into an even flat layer.
Flip (they should hold together), and brown the other side.
Don't crowd the pan, it decreases the heat of the oil.
Remove from the pan, and rest on paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
You can keep them warm in a 250 degree oven,
on a cooling rack on a sheet pan until ready to serve.
Serve warm.
Mom used to serve them with some applesauce, 
but they are good as is,
or with gravy, or ketchup.

Enjoy!


Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Office Area

One part of my New Year's goals was to reorganize my space in our office.  
It is coming along, but it still has a long way to go, 
but I wanted to show you something I have accomplished.
Plus it is an incentive for me to get busy and finish!  

Please excuse the glare from the lamp (bad photos).
I added this wonderful measuring tape from Stampin' Up to my desk.
It's official name is "Finial Ruler" from their Decor Elements.
It rocks!!
I applied both lines (the bottom one is used for matching - 
but David and I liked the way it looked) plus I think it adds depth.
I applied the 1 inch to the 36 inch sections, 
and added the adjoining images for some applique bling.
I love it.

I can use it for sewing (my goal is to pick up sewing again), 
and for scrapping and stamping.
YES!

If you need a consultant for your craftiness...
 call Julie - she rocks.


I will post pictures of the before (I still can't believe that it got that bad), 
and some of the after pictures soon.

Love, 
and blessings,

Jerry Ann

Monday, February 21, 2011

Anne Burrell's Beef Brisket

Saturday afternoon, David and I are sitting around (I was resting from the week) watching the Food Network.  I could watch this channel12 hours a day.  Anne Burrell's show came on, and we watched her make this incredible looking brisket.

Well, I didn't have to convince David to go to the store to purchase the ingredients.  He got home, and we got busy.

You can find Anne's recipe here:

Anne Burrell Braised Beef Brisket

We did our best, but substituted some of the ingredients.

David got the only brisket he could find.
We seared both sides of it.
Added the 2 onions chopped, 4 ribs of celery chopped, and 4 slices of bacon chunked.
Then added 4 cloves of garlic, minced, and the mushrooms.  
We used white button, and baby portabellas sliced.
Stir, and let cook about 5 minutes longer.
Then add the chicken stock (I used the entire box), and balsamic vinegar (1 cup).
We didn't have enough of the balsamic so I had about a cup and a half of red wine.
Placed the brisket back into the pan, in the middle of the sauce.
Added 4 bay leaves, and salt and pepper.
Then cover with foil, and cook for a hour at 375 degrees.
Turn the brisket over after 1 hour.
Cook for an additional 1 and 1/2 hours.
Once it is done, take the brisket from the pan, and let rest for 15 minutes covered.
Reduce the sauce by half (we really should have let it reduce more, but this turned out nicely).
Serve with potatoes, rice, or noodles.
We served with rice, and a nice apple salad.
It was really good (if I do say so myself ---David loved it). 

Enjoy!


Friday, February 18, 2011

Memory Verse #4

Oh, I know I am so behind.  It has been a difficult couple of weeks.  I have a ton of pictures to post, and just haven't had the "get up and do it" energy that I so need.  Too many things to do, and not near enough time to do them in.

And, so this verse sings to me this week.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28, NIV

The comfort I receive with this verse is just amazing. 

Blessings,
Jerry Ann

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Anniversary

Today marks the fifth anniversary of my Mother's passing.  In so many ways, it seems like forever ago.

I sit here and think about all of the things she could help with, or be here for, and end up making myself more upset than normal.  Stephen registered for his high school classes last night.  Carmen has her Senior Cotillion in March, then graduating high school in May. Reconnecting with family in Texas.  Big stuff.  And then there are the things that she cooked or how she would do something.

Having lost her so early (she was 69 - me 39)--hurts, today especially.  I would really love to hug her one more time, or have her play with my hair again.  Yell at me or the kids for silly things.  Even with it being difficult when I was young, she was a remarkable woman.  I can say that now.  I didn't appreciate all that she did when she was here.  Regret.  Especially with things that she did and never spoke about.  Things that I had no idea about.

Death is hardest on those it leaves behind.

She believed in a Savior that gives us eternal life.  I believe in a Savior that gives me eternal life.  I know where she is, and that she is no longer suffering.  There are days that I just miss her.  Today I miss her.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Changes

Life changes...

David will be starting a new job on Monday.  It is a great opportunity for him professionally, and will enable us to climb out of our debt hole just a bit quicker.  Changes...for me as well at work.  Trying to stay focused on the organization of the house, getting things ready the evening before, memorizing Bible verses, doing my bible study, and...laundry.  ha.


Today was a hair day.  I love hair days, you can change your hair as often as you want.  You could have blond, red, auburn, brown, black hair in a matter of minutes.  Short, long (extensions) doesn't really matter any more either.

This picture was taken on New Year's Eve.  David and I celebrated with dear friends (and neighbors), and had a great time.   One of my favorite colors is pink.

My hair used to be thick, brown with highlights when I was younger.  I am thinning (I do not like this at all), and try to style to hide it.  Men can have thin hair, and they are called distinguished.  Well, not me.  My mother was a hair dresser/stylist/beautician in a small town.  I grew up having my hair cut (not always the way I wanted), but whenever I wanted, and she loved to play with color.  When a new product came in, she would want to try it out on me.  I loved/love being able to change my hair so quickly.  Changing habits or physical appearance (body) is much harder to do.

So...my new do: 


The picture is from a iphone, and a self portrait (with the help of a bathroom mirror).  So...I love the color, especially this time of year.  I am a creature of habit with my hair, and normally default back to styling one way.  I do like the way this frames my face (I have lost a little bit of weight), and thins me.

So...what do you think?

Blessings,
Jerry Ann

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Memory Verse #3

Memory Verse #3

I have tried to memorize this one before, and it is one of my favorite verses.  It is important now, as ever, so here goes:

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
Galatians 6:9 NKJV

Whatever you do, do it joyfully...smile...even when you don't feel like it...it makes everything better. 

Have a good week.
Blessings,
Jerry Ann