There was no debate today ( Friday) whether we needed to wear a coat as we stepped out the door. In fact I went to the closet to pick a parka and one that was a bit longer than the fall jackets I have been wearing. All night I heard the wind blowing and one time when I was up I checked to see if the snow had arrived. I really couldn’t tell as it was so dark but the wind continued and with enough noise I wondered where I would find the deck chairs or branches around the yard. Piles of leaves gathered again in front of the garage but no snow. A light dusting this morning and by noon much of it had melted.
For several days lately I had my sister-in-law Rosella on my mind and should have given her a call. We don’t talk often but occasionally to catch up on each other’s news. She beat me to it and called first only to tell me she had fallen again and this time broke her left arm. A few days in the hospital and was back home in her room at St. Gertrude’s in Shakopee. Too often we don’t listen to our instincts and I should have made the call when I thought of her. I was glad she sounded so good even if she is back in her wheel chair most of the time.
The beans have been harvested and next the corn and tillage. The machinery of today is quite a change compared to what Robert used when we were first married. Up early in the morning to get the cows milked before he went to the field with a two row corn picker, no cab only a canvas heat houser and many layers of clothes. I wonder how he even walked with that long coat and hoped there wouldn’t be a break down out in the field. He was certainly glad to have a phone in later years if he had trouble. Regardless we were all in the same boat and the crop was harvested and fields made made ready for another year.
Ruth has a special birthday on Friday, I won’t tell how old she will be and some years we had a lot of snow for the day and other times it was still sunny and warm. One year it was nice for her birthday and just five days later we had a big blizzard for Mark’s birthday.
This is Minnesota and we have come to take whatever comes our way, wind, snow, sun and maybe all on the same day. Appreciate the changing seasons as they certainly aren’t boring.
Ground Beef Reuben Melts
1 pound lean ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup undrained sauerkraut ( from 14-oz. can)
6 slices dark rye bread, toasted
1/2 cup Thousand Island dressing
6 thin slices Swiss cheese
In skillet, cook ground beef, onion and garlic over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked and onion is tender; drain.
Meanwhile, set oven control to broil. In 1-quart saucepan, heat sauerkraut; drain. Arrange toasted slices of bread on broiler pan. Stir salad dressing into beef mixture. Spoon beef mixture evenly onto bread slices. Top each with sauerkraut and Swiss cheese.
Broil sandwiches 4 to 6 inches from heat 3 to 4 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Servings: 6
Alfredo-Green Bean Casserole
1 bag (1 pound 12 oz.) frozen cut green beans
1 can (8 oz.) sliced water chestnuts, drained
1/2 cup roasted red bell pepper strips (from a jar)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 container (10 oz.) refrigerated Alfredo pasta sauce
1 can (2.8 oz.) French fried onions
In 4 to 6 quart slow cooker, mix all ingredients except onions. Stir in half of the onions.
Cover; cook on High setting 3 to 4 hours, stirring after 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
About 5 minutes before serving, in 8-inch skillet; heat remaining half of onions over medium -high heat 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until hot. Stir bean mixture; sprinkle with warm onions. Servings: 25 (1/2 cup each) good for pot lucks.
Spicy Pumpkin Bars
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup apple juice
1 can (15 oz.) pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
Frosting
1 container (16 oz.) cream, cheese creamy ready-to-spread frosting
Heat oven to 350º. Grease 15x10x1 inch pan with shortening, lightly flour. In large bowl with electric mixer, beat bar ingredients on low speed until moistened. Beat 2 minutes on medium speed. Spread batter in pan. Bake 20-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Spread frosting over cooled bars. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes. Cut into 8 rows by 6 rows. Store in refrigerator. Servings: 48
