2011 The Year of the Metal Rabbit

This illustration (flickr user hagerstenguy) caught my eye for two reasons. First, for my post about this year being the year of the Rabbit by the Chinese zodiac. But secondly, after a further look-I noticed a hunter taking aim behind the rabbit which is now fleeing for his life through the snowy, rocky woods! This reminded me of Miss Laurie's rabbit problem-and that's a whole other story... Well, the rabbit lives-after all it's his year and he is extra luck coming his way. Sorry Miss Laurie-those bunnies may not be leaving!
The Chinese zodiac consists of 12 different animal signs. The rabbit is the fourth, always after the tiger and before the dragon. The zodiac follows people by their birth year AND by lunar cycle. To become familiar with your animal sign start looking here.
Wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! All of us just may have a little more luck from Mr. (or Mrs.) Rabbit.

Happy Holiday postcard to you!

I love this postcard-something about it brings a smile! Santa's sleigh quickly and smoothly flies away at the end-be sure not to miss! Santa's Quarters

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

10 River Street, South Natick, MA 01760 | Powered by ZingDing

10 River Street, South Natick, MA 01760 Powered by ZingDing

Hey Folks, if you have seen me lately, you have probably heard me rave about this listing of mine. Check out the link for cool and quick picture postcard of the property. This townhome has been totally renovated with taste and modern style - a hip place to live. The property is located on the Wellesley/South Natick town line-near Mass Hort's Elm Bank, Charles River, Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, Belkin Family Lookout Farm and Natick Organic Farm. This home is a must see if you are looking for a condo or a single family home-this is something right in the middle. This townhome is set off of a quiet street, down a drive with a private yard and deck.

The EASY (near) Perfect Pie Crust

For those of you that know me well, you know that I love baking. If possible, I would be baking cookies, breads, muffins, bars and last but not least- pies! My mother, and my mother's mother, and more than likely her mother's mother (and so on) makes the best pies. These are the one's that I try to copy. Not Emerill's, or Paula's- my own Momma's. One of her secret weapons is the most perfect crust. My Mom's crust is light and flaky, stays firm on the edges and moist on the inside bottom layer and baked just right on the bottom. I know her recipe. I try to make it over and over-but it just doesn't taste as good. Ahhhh-if only we lived closer than 3000 miles apart!

Since I will not be spending this Thanksgiving holiday with Momma, I am responsible for the dessert selection for the feast. Now, I have been 'bent out of shape' about the outcome of my pie crusts for a while. So I decided to try 4 different crusts (2 from scratch and 2 pre-made).

Ina Garten's Perfect Pie Crust: Is just about that! Her mix of vegetable shortening and butter make a balanced taste. The crust is sweeter, more firm and the pie took longer to bake.

Crisco's Classic Pie Crust: I must say-it closest to Mom's. This crust is not as sweet as Ina's and much flakier and felt "lighter" to taste.

Depending on the pie-both of these are no fail crusts that are delicious. However, the task of rolling out the dough seemed to be more than I want to do this Thanksgiving at Seaglass Cottage in Harpswell, Maine. So I ventured into the 'already made' refrigerated pie crust options. Now these refrigerated (or frozen) crusts are great. All the mixing is done-just unroll them out onto your own pie plate-so EASY!

I always wanted to try the Pillsbury pie crusts, I see them all the time. Now, let me tell you, I am not a fan of the Pillsbury doughs. With the cookies,there seems to be an aftertaste, or a texture that gives it away. This crust baked very quicker and browned consistently. The end result was a harder crust that was very smooth in appearance almost making it look fake. There was not too much flavor.

Finally the last pie was to be made! I opted to make an apple pie, from my dear friend, Miss Kim's CSA farm apples she shared with me! Trader Joe's makes a frozen pie crust-the label says it's gourmet and all natural-so why not try it? The crust comes folded four times and requires some time to thaw. While unfolding, the crust breaks at the creases. AHHH- -slight set back, I am trying not to use a rolling pin. After a few attempts, I realize I must pull the pin out and mend the crust together, then roll to blend the med. (Hope that makes sense.) This plan works and the crust goes on. This is the thickest crust! I have plenty of overlay. This crust bakes exactly as specified on the instructions, has a nice even color and actually puffs up a little bit! The taste is very authentic-like homemade from scratch! The edges are nice and crunchy with the inside of the crust a teeny bit doughy. This crust, hands down is the winner! So, if you are about to make a pie-this is the way to go! Thanks Trader Joe's for making my baking pies just one step easier!

Oh-and the boys at home thanked me, Ina, Crisco, Pillsbury and TJ's for so many wonderful desserts lately!

Check out these helpful tips for the season!

I don't normally do this, but-these tips are good. If the tips are correct (sources tell me they are!) then the seasonal differences of opinion in my household have come to an end. We now have an answer!! From what to do with leaves in my perennial beds; keep them as a blanket for my growing green buddies, although ugly and messy looking during this time of year. Or, raking them out for a tidy winter garden? Daily dilemma over here:to program your thermostat or not? What about using the fireplace; which kind of wood?

READ MORE HERE

Oh! The Terror!

We couldn't help ourselves-we had to freak the bigger kids out on Halloween night! From the street, one would see the stone cottage with lights flickering, fog and a spooky cemetery. There is a bit of a walk up to the haunted house, many were relieved that there was no need to walk through the cemetery grounds to get to the candy. However, little did they know-they would be passing me, a VERY scary witch (see photos supplied by a welcomed guest, Miss Laurie)-I was standing so still-most thought I was some freakish prop that was incredibly lifelike! OH what fun it was to move and shrill and see them jump by the spook! The guests would then need to past a floating witch-set in a dimly lit environment and scary music dancing through the air. The path played host to mice, rats and snakes-something around each corner. My witchy sister, Karyn, played the final witch with the candy. Her face was even more treacherous than mine-so bad, it looked like she was unreal. Karyn would also wait very still until just the right moment to make the spook! Ohhhhh-the shrills and shrieks!!!

Pre-Halloween

I can't help myself every year. There is something about this Halloween Holiday. My neighbors probably think I'm crazy. Well yes, CRAZY for HALLOWEEN! Friends that know me-know what I'm about during this season. Year after year my collection comes out and comes to life! Our new digs host it well-this will be the spookiest season yet. Enter if you dare trick or treater's! I must say-even I am scared!


I feel so grateful to obtain these real deal props: wrought iron fencing and enormous dead, rooted tree trunks. These items are the foundation for our cemetery. The tombstones are concrete, homemade by me-so fun to make when "there's time." These elements, plus the lighting are all weatherproof so they can be out a few weeks in advance.

For those of you who know: Scary Man Charlie (nicknamed after my brother), is up waiting to greet any "Ghoster's" that come to the front door-best to go to the side door-it's just a little bit safer over there. And make sure to look up in the lonesome window on the second floor -there is something just SOOOO SPOOKY up there!!

Check back for more coming soon!