Visiting Mom and Harrisburg

My mom lives in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area and we visit her monthly if not more. She'll be 93 in October and is still going strong.

She lives in a small efficiently apartment and is quite independent.  She won't move closer to me so my hubby and I make a monthly trip to tend to her needs.  It's a long drive and quite tedious but thanks to my hubby who drives we make the most of it occasionally checking out a restaurant or an area on the way that we haven't been to..

We don't get to do much other than grab a bite to eat when we are travelling to and from her house.  Hubby goes several different routes to her house so as not to get too bored on the trip and also being it is so far we both get tired so stopping at a rest area and getting out of the car to stretch sometimes helps.

I have tried having her move closer to me especially that my dad and brother are no longer alive.  She won't hear of it so I'll do it as long as I am able to. It was an enjoyable two days and she likes all the mini meals and goodies I make for her.


On our trip back to Pittsburgh we decided to take the route to Harrisburg on the turnpike instead of our usual route 80 and 28.  

Since we were going to Harrisburg I contacted a very good friend to have lunch with us.  Her and her husband met us at a local eatery and it was wonderful to connect.  Good food and good conversation with friends is certainly good for the soul.  I much needed friendly lunch.

I took some photos of the city as well as a special bakery my hubby loved to patronize when he worked there.  The people are so nice and Italian.  The whole family contributes to the success of this business.  Husband, wife and children are involved on a daily basis.

The name is Alvaro's and you can't find nicer and friendlier people who take pride in their business.  It is on Green Street near McClay, a block or two from the Governor's Mansion.

Here's some of the goodies and freshly baked bread. Of course we took some home.  A must!

Make sure if you're in the Harrisburg area to check this place out.  They serve lunch and dinner too!

After checking out this familiar stop, we were off to do a car tour of the city. 

I hope you enjoyed this mini tour of Harrisburg.

As Always,

Visiting with long time friends Ernie and Diane was great.  You can't beat having friends to share memories with.

Chicken cacciatore meatballs

Hi everyone!

Hope you and yours are doing well and enjoying the weather and most of all staying safe.  These days are tough dealing with what is happening all over the world and keeping our families safe.  We can work hard wherever we live to share love and peace to all of our family and friends.  If we give a little love we'll get it back I am sure.  We must never give up.  Love will prevail.  xo

Okay now on to this yummy meal.  First I'd like to mention if my family were into mushrooms these meatballs would have diced mushrooms in them as well but you must go with the flow on your families likes and dislikes so unfortunately there are no diced mushrooms in my recipe which doesn't effect the yummy taste and texture of this easy crockpot meal.

If you follow my posts you will see I add chicken broth to my ground turkey and chicken meatballs.  I think it keeps them moist and tender.  I personally like moist and tender meatballs.

Hubby and I are staying with our youngest grandchildren a few days so when I stay there I immediately want easy.  I want to enjoy our time together without any fussing.  They really like to eat so this is an easy meal to prepare and if you manage to have leftovers you can either make some wheat pasta on the side(they are into healthy eating) finally or make a few meatball sandwiches. Maybe a little mozzarella to top them would be a nice addition. :)

There are grated green peppers in this recipe.  I decided to add them to see how the boys liked this add on.  I do not usually add grated peppers to them.  I do add them to the sauce always when thinking of a cacciatore recipe.

My recipe:

1 lb. lean ground chicken breast

1 Clove minced garlic 

1 tsp salt

Pinch pepper

1 tsp. Dried parsley

1/2 to 3/4 cup dried breadcrumbs (seasoned optional )

1/2 cup Romano cheese

1 egg slightly beaten 

1/4 chicken broth to moisten

1/2 grated green pepper

1 green pepper sliced in strips

In a large bowl place ground chicken, minced garlic, salt, pepper, parsley, breadcrumbs and cheese.  Add grated green pepper, egg and chicken broth.  Mix with your fingers until all is moistened.  Note: you may not need all of the chicken broth.  If necessary you can add a little more breadcrumbs.

On a large cookie sheet place parchment paper for easy clean up.  If you don't have any available, lightly spray sheet with cooking oil.  Make small to medium size meatballs and bake 400 degrees for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.  Remove and place in crockpot with your favorite red sauce.  Add peppers and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours depending on your crockpot.  If you use high they will be done much quicker.  About 4 hours.

**Depending on how much time I have I roast my peppers ahead of time and don't put them in the crockpot until ready to serve. 

Suggestion:  Make em smaller and serve with a side of marinara as an appetizer. 

Enjoy!

From my kitchen to yours,

My Mini Garden

If you love flowers and plants as much as I do I'm hoping you'll enjoy these recent photos taken in my small but pretty garden.

I've had many gardens because I have moved a lot.  Wherever I have lived I always have found a space or a place for my plants or flowers.  Fortunately where I live now I have a sunroom which I can play with my plants even in the winter.  It's my little haven.  A place to relax, think (meditate) and either work on my blog or putter with plants. 

Not all plants take a lot of care and those inside and out I work to find carefree and little work to maintain.  Most of the shrubs were here when we moved here but now I have been able to add some of my choices in a few areas.  I check most often before I buy what garden flowers and plants do well in a sunny area.  I get full sun.

In our home back 9 years ago I had a 75 ft. perennial garden so I pretty much have had most outdoor annual or perennial flowers and know what I like and what I don't..

When you go to plant a flower garden consider where the sun sets and if you get full, part sun or shade.  If you follow that you should succeed in having a beautiful garden.

Check your soil and if it has a lot of red clay make sure to mix some good planting soil when you plant. Water in the summer frequently(never in full sun) if we don't have rain and feed them occasionally.  I use Miracle Grow.  It works for me.  Several times a month I feed using Miracle Gro to keep my flowers healthy outdoors.

Here are a few of my beauties.  

ANNUAL VARIETY

SMALL GARAGE SALE WATERING CAN

COREOPSIS 

BEE BALM

ASIATIC LILIES

THE FIRST ROSE

MY PAINTED GARDEN BIKE

BEGONIA

DALIA

WINTERED GERANIUMS

PETUNIA'S

MY ZEN GARDEN

VARIETY

LILY

INSIDE VARIEGATED JADE PLANT

SOLAR OIL

PURPLE SALVIA

ASIATIC LILY

UMBRELLA PLANT

GERBER DAISY

I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED A MINI TOUR OF MY GARDEN.

FROM MY GARDEN TO YOU!

Strawberry cream trifle

It's been very hot and humid here in Pittsburgh this weekend so I wanted to make a light, easy to digest dessert.  I had every item available so I just created one yummy light strawberry and cream dessert.

Some of the best recipes come when you least expect it and this one managed to top off a light dinner perfectly.  Also we got unexpected company so I had someone other than hubby to taste test. Yummy!  

Food Alert!  So light and perfectly sweetened you may want more than one serving. :)

I had Cool Whip and Whipping Cream but with all these wonderful ingredients it had to be real whipped cream on this dessert.  No question a good choice but Cool Whip would work too.

Found usually at an Italian Grocery Store

The Ingredients:

1-14 oz. pkg. of lady fingers ( depending on size of bowl you may not use all of them).

1 qt. of chopped and sugared strawberries (I put mine in the small chopper with the sugar(about 2 tsp. and pulsed until it was the consistency I wanted) or 2 packages frozen strawberries in syrup thawed. You want it on the thin side.

1- small pkg. vanilla instant pudding
1- 13.5 can coconut milk( I'm sure you could use all coconut milk if you want)

2 cups milk

1 pint Whipping cream
1 tsp. vanilla
4 T confectioners sugar

Using an electric mixer beat 1 pint of heavy whipping cream. While beating the cream add 1 Tsp. vanilla and 4 T confectioners sugar. Beat until soft peaks form.  Set aside

In another bowl place instant pudding, 2 cups whole milk and 1 can coconut milk.  Whisk until smooth.  The mixture will be thin.

In a large bowl place some of the pudding then place several lady fingers.   I was able to use approximately 8 lady fingers.   Add some strawberries and then place another row of lady fingers, then pudding , strawberries and so on until bowl is just about full. My bowl was deep so I managed to get several layers.

Cover and refrigerate approximately 3 to 4 hours.  Top with beaten cream and spoon to serve.  Awesome.  Reminds me of strawberry shortcake but even better if that's possible.  

Enjoy!

From my kitchen to yours,

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