My Little Hen

Wash those hands

photo credit: hand in hand 

March came in like a lion. Stomach bugs for the whole family, the domino effect.

This post inspired me today- partly because it's about soap, great design, and good causes. Read more about this clean, clever idea here. Great photos too. 

snowdrops

We brought a little of late winter inside this weekend. First sign of spring.

 

Green

We move from red to green in the holiday mode thanks to the crafts department at Martha Stewart. It is still winter but one can start the plan for spring.
Gardens, flowerboxes, fresh rooms (yes open the windows), trips. And you?

Hot off the press

My friend Blake made this for her son Grayson this morning and sent it to everyone. Isn't it the best? Last night I made a nice rich chocolate sauce from Cooking Fun for G to have with her chocolate milk. Make a big old jar for your loved ones. Drizzle on ice cream, make a glass of chocolate milk after school, eat a spoonful whenever. Delight in the little joys of the holiday...you don't have to make heart cards to show your love.

Follow this link to my recipe. It's part of a Paula Deen's Real Women of Philadelphia blog spot (no chocolate milk for Paula) web interview...

Quick thinking valentines

Valentine's day is fast approaching. I went back to review some ideas from my books Crafting Fun and Homemade Fun.Thought you might just enjoy these for fun and inspiration. One of the titles for the project is "Quick Thinking valentine's" because don't we always need to make the last minute effort tonight with our kids to pull together the valentine's for all the friends at school?

Valentine projects from my books:

1 Valentine Ice Pictures (click on that 1 to get the link.

Quick Thinking Valentine's ( as featured on Crafty Crow!)

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Busy workday meal

I've been away so much doing other work, writing new books, keeping myself and my family moving ahead in life. I miss my blog but I have to confess I am one of the 99%. I work for a living. Now that my family is growing up a little more and I'm past the intensive childcare mode, we are breezing into teenage life and all the glories and angst that accompanies that era in a family.

I am often bone tired when I get home and can't always muster up the energy to cook a good meal. Being a believer in homemade, I don't like to buy frozen food that often. This morning, having a little extra time and all ingredients on hand, I made a standby Shepherds Pie recipe with a twist. I didn't have enough baking potatoes so I added the last lonely yam to the mix and got a delicious result. The color is also pretty. As I prepared this dish I started thinking about my grandmother, a farm girl, and her waste not want not attitude. In honor of farm women who worked so much harder than I ever will I plowed the potatoes with the fork and made tractor paths with the mashed potatoes.Creativity is a funny thing. It pops up in the most unexpected places.

Hooray, a home cooked meal will be ready for this evening.

Bird in tree

My husband gave me a pair of binoculars for Christmas. When we kayak I always ask for the little "binos" so I can scout out the birds. Now I have a great pair of "binos" and hope to bird watch this winter into spring. It's amazing how differently things look when we can see clearly.

January 22 already! Happy 2012...

Turkey Noodle Casserole

Occasionally, I crave comfort food. Since we are on the cusp of spring and at the edge of winter around here, I felt the urge to make my family (and myself too) a big comforting hot casserole.

A native Ohioan, granddaughter to early Pennsylvanian German and English settlers and farming types, the influence of American cooking is always right beneath the surface. Yep, it never leaves. One memorable American casserole is the infamous Tuna Noodle Casserole which blesses many a table throughout the states. My mother made this dish and I alway see it at picnics and potlucks. 

The dish I made last night is a natural adaptation of its relative Tuna Noodle Casserole. I prefer freshly roasted turkey breast and a homemade white sauce to the traditional canned tuna and soup. My recipe could go either way depending on your preference for canned tuna. I also skipped the bread crumbs on top but I'm sure they would be good too. Worcestershire sauce, fresh nutmeg, and the red and yellow peppers flavor the white sauce nicely and gives it dimension.

All in all, it was blog worthy. I'm only sorry I don't have a good photo of the dish. I'm not food blog worthy yet until I can shoot food in natural light. My kitchen does not have good light. 

Turkey Noodle Casserole (My Little Hen's)

1. Roast a large turkey breast, and cut 2 cups of warm or cooled turkey into cubes. Set aside. Leftovers can be used for turkey sandwiches.

2. In a separate medium pan add 1/2 pound of wide dry egg noodles. Boil until done (not too soft), drain and set aside.

3. Finely chop 1 large organic sweet onion,1 small red and 1 small yellow pepper. Set aside.

4. In a medium pan, add 5 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Warm oil and add chopped vegetables. Saute on medium heat for about 5 minutes or until soft.

5. Add 2 heaping tablespoons of flour to the butter and vegetables and mix well. When the mixture is bubbling add 3 cups milk to flour mixture and stir until thickened.

6. Add 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce to the mixture and a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg, mix well.

7. Add 1 cup shredded parmesan, 1 cup shredded cheddar, and 1 heaping tablespoon of cream cheese to the sauce and stir until the cheeses have melted and are well blended. Salt and pepper to taste.

8. Add chopped turkey and stir. Pour mixture in a lightly greased casserole and bake at 350 for 10 minutes or serve warm from the stove top.

Serve as a side:

Sauteed baby spinach:

1 lb bag of baby spinach. Wash and spin or pat dry.

2 cloves of garlic, chopped fine.

Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a pan and sautee the garlic for about 1 minute, then add spinach leaves and cook until wilted. Stir occasionally.

Serve warm with Turkey Roasted Casserole.

I know it seems a little corny to ask but I am wondering if you have a favorite casserole?

Genoise Cake

The simple secret to this traditional sponge cake is to whip the 6 eggs and 1 cup of sugar for 15 minutes on high speed. Fold in flour and butter. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

6 eggs

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour

1 stick unsalted butter (melted and cooled to warm)