Photo: Great grandparents at their farm in Blandinsville, IL, with five of their six children .. my grandpa was yet a twinkle in grandma's eye. Stable boy and governess also pictured. Hodges farm, circa 1903-4

Friday, November 09, 2012

This and That

Week in review:


  • Started off with balmy weather ... ending with beautiful first fallen snow.
  • Garden finally put to bed for the winter ~ only regret ... not planting anything this fall with such an extended growing season, no garlic planted (yet) .. there may still be time to get it in the ground ...
  • Made rich (nourishing) beef AND chicken stocks.
  • Baked bread from memory twice this week.
  • Tried a new (old) recipe from a mid century cook book (see below).
  • A trip to Cabellas netted a pair of warm winter boots for Nathan that will give warmth to his toes AND he can put on and take off all by himself.
  • Anniversary (#32) dinner with Mr. Mac ... we're so practical and bought flannel sheets as a present for each other.


Full-O-Flavor Chicken Thighs
1 pound of chicken thighs (I used a mix of thighs and drumsticks).  Roll in 1/2 cup flour; brown in 2 tablespoons butter in a hot skillet.  Remove chicken to a greased casserole.  Heat 1 tablespoon butter in the skillet; blend in 1-1/2 tablespoons flour.  Add gradually 1-1/4 cups milk, 1 teaspoons salt, 1/8 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon thyme, 1/2 teaspoon marjoram .. pepper and a dash of garlic powder.  Whisk together and cook until slightly thickened; pour over chicken and bake uncovered @325F for 50 minutes.


I served this over cooked short-grain brown rice ... but mashed potatoes would be yummy too!

What's up in your neck of the woods?

8 comments:

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

Happy Anniversary! Your snow is beautiful (but I'm glad I don't have any yet).

Anonymous said...

Our town really is pretty under the first snow, isn't it? I love the way the trees look with snow on their branches. You made bread from memory?! You're my hero! Still time to plant garlic? Thanks for the gardening tip.

Cabbage Tree Farm said...

Hi Mrs Mac
That's a pretty snow scene there.
Your chicken recipe sounds good, maybe I'll make it when we cull a few of our hens soon.
Homemade bread would be lovely. I never seem to have time to make it..too many other things going on!
Busy here with getting our summer garden underway. It has suddenly turned very hot and dry, the soil is hard and lumpy. I'm regretting not mulching more and sooner. Hoping to get some rain soon then will get on to it!
Best wishes
Bridget

Sandy Livesay said...

Happy Anniversary to You Both!!! Great gift, you will need those flannel sheets for this winter.
Your first snow, is that the stuff heading our direction for Sunday?
The broth you just made, will you be canning it? Your recipe for Full-O-Flavor Chicken Thighs is one I must keep. We eat alot of thighs in this house.

Were preparing for cold weather and the potential for snow.

Sue said...

I always look forward to the first snow. We've had a LOT of cold, but no snow yet.

Congrats on your anniversary. I love that you bought something practical. Flannel sheets are so warm and soft-what a great gift!

And finally--LOVE the header photo. Nothing more satisfying than a pot of stock simmering....
:)

Mrs. Mac said...

@ Sandy .. I do think this is the same weather pattern with cold air moving down your way. I have just been freezing the stock of late .. but soon I'll run out of space and may can some for emergencies.

Deb said...

That recipe sounds delicious. I may actually make that chicken...since I am practically Amish. ;) ...seriously - working on my family tree for my class --I have been told by my mother that there is Amish ancestry on my Father's side...will be interesting to see what I can find.

And I love the flannel sheets gift! Randy and I give practical gifts to each other too. I received a pistol for my birthday. As I said, I'm practically Amish. Wait, do Amish people own guns?...

Diane said...

Awwww the joy of the everyday!

Many hugs...............