VEGAS BOUND 2023

 

We visited Las Vegas in 2019. My father, Hubby and I had planned to trip. Plane Tickets and lodging was all set for a 2019 Christmas Vacation. Then my father had a fatal stroke and passed away in September 2019. We decided to go anyway without Dad. It was very hard and I was so upset that the enjoyment was tainted. Walking around in a daze most of the time.  However we did have some enjoyment looking at a the decorations. As well as eating at some of the off the beat track places.

This year we are planning to rent a car and do some traveling to other sites and enjoy the holiday fare off the strip. Hubby is still having some difficult walking. Driving to places is a better choice. Will still visit some of the hotels for a look at their Holiday displays. 

I will post some activities we do on my Auntie E's on the Go Site. Hop over there to get notify when those post.

Let's Gab, Coffee Time: My Love Of Cooking

It's time for Morning Gab Over Coffee. Coffee time is one of my Favorite Posting Times. We gab about various things. Today I am enjoying a cup of Hazelnut coffee.  One of my favorite coffees is Tim Hortons Dark Roast. First time I had it was in Niagara Falls, Canada. So Of course I will drink it in my Niagara Fall Canada Coffee Mug!  With an oz of Torani Hazelnut Syrup and a splash of Half and Half.. Kitchen Gadgets are my favorite things to buy. We have several one them. A keurig coffee machine is used every morning in the house. so now that I have my coffee, let's talk Cooking.

I love to Cook! One thing that has aways been a passion is learning to Cook different Foods. Year ago I took Cooking classes in High school. Did some cooking at home as a little girl. Burnt a few things, If you asked my Brothers I wasn't good at it. After I left home, I started to learn how to make things from a can! You know that time when everything was good pre-made in the can. Chef Boyardee the 60's go to meals. Oh boy that was so convenient for us in that time of Mothers working and kids eating on their own. The after school snack/ meal. It wasn't until I got married in the late 70's that I started to think Cooking was a necessity. When you have no Money to eat out and Can food just does not cut it anymore. One has to make changes.

Decided to take some classes in college on Cooking.  Started to cook more at home. found out that  we could save money by cooking at home. Bless my hubby he had to put up with my Cooking. Try and error. He was a sport. When we moved to California I continue to  take classes on cooking on the post or anywhere I could. Took electives in College on Healthy, then called Organic Eating, the California Way of life. We started buying things from health food stores. Like Raw milk and Grain fed eggs.  I was determined to eat healthier. Learned about the amount of Salt in pre-made Food especially Can goods.  We eat too much Salt in those 60,70 and early 80's. the nutrition classes were a good thing for us. It changed out thought on Food we eat and how it affect our bodies.

We moved to Europe in the 80's.  There I continued taking classes on Cooking. European Cooking was fun! I love the flavors and the food was very wholesome. There was also a few neighbors who were great cooks. I learn a lot from them. From Baking pastries, cake and other international Foods. The learning bug was now in my mind make up.  Could not get enough of the classes and the learning bug was set in my mind. Oh yeah in case you where wondering, I gained a lot of weight! So, I understand the Chefs and their battle with weight.

We moved back to the states in the 90's. Continue to take cooking classes. Some in Asia, where we were stationed for a while. Where ever we went I signed up for local cooking classes. Also started to teach some classes on  Healthier cooking  at community centers. By this time I had figured out how to enjoy the foods and lose weight. Not only losing over 60 pounds, but enjoying the foods and keeping the pounds off!  In the 90's I also had recipes published in Southern Living Magazine as well as some community papers. My cooking had become good by then. Hubby loved all my recipes. I was hired to make food and sell it to folks. Specialty Cakes as well as some cooking for Large Crowds. I took a break for nursing and embraced cooking. I did have other hands in fires, but cooking was a passion.
 
In the 2000's I continue to take classes on regional dishes. Took classes in New Orleans, La., Baltimore Maryland,  and Still learning from International friends.

Today, I continue to learn and search for  new ways to  created recipes. My favorite thing to do is to crated a recipe from old to be more in Today's tastes. Diabetes has hit this home in that my 87 year old  Father lives here. He loves his sweets. I have had to find ways for him to enjoys them and not effect his A1C.  Hubby also wants a Low Carb diet. His has health issues with his Liver and Thyroid. therefore I have had to revamp some recipes to make them healthier for them.

Recently I made a Banana Bread that is low in sugars with no artificial sweeteners in them. Those are really bad for you. Instead I use Low Gylcemic choices and Natural Plant Base ones.  I have a cooking blog site,  Auntie E's Kitchen. there is a link on the side bar. There you can find Recipes  created for a healthier life styles. The joy of cooking is in me. I continue to love to eat different Foods and learn how to make them.

Now you know I little more of me. I love these Talks with you, comment as to your experiences with Cooking. Til next time.... "Enjoy a new dish every week."

Monday News.. An Excursion

Saturday we had a excursion to the Amish country. I really enjoyed it. First we went to the Wine shop in Manheim. I love the wines there. Every year at Christmas the smell hot warmed holiday wine reminds me of our Germany years. Drinking a cup a Gluhwine by a roaring fire is a great feeling. Mount Hope Winery make a great Holiday wine. You just heat it up and enjoy! I tasted a couple new ones. The honey wine and pear wine were very good.

After the wine stop we went to Jake's Country Trading Post in Gordonville,Pa. We had purchased a rocker a few years back and needed to get a replacement part for the glider. While there we did some shopping. Found these battery candles perfect for the holiday deer. I think they will look great and no flames to worry about. My daughter found a purse.

We continued on to eat at Miller's Smorgasbord in Ronks. Their food is so good and the pies are out of this world. I had a piece of Oatmeal Pie, it had coconut in it. I really need to find out how to make that one. However Dad and I are the only ones who like coconut. I could make it for the holidays.

Daughter wanted to shop at the Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse Pa. I really like that place. purchase a ledge Santa and some instant snow. we will have a blast seeing the kids touching the snow in the villages. While there we had to enter the Kitchen Kettle shop. I believe they do not have anything that does not taste good. I heard a lady said that in the store. Oh yes. I didn't get out of there cheep! Some Christmas gift and some thing for us. Bought a new product for me, Orange Curd. Think of making a Orange Chicken dish with it.

We closed down the shop and headed back through the Amish country. Love seeing the folks preparing the soil for next year. Horse drawn spreaders and old trackers in the fields. We saw a few buggies on the road, however most folks where in the fields. It was a very nice days Excursion for me and my family.

Sunday was a lazy day. I did manage to get some lights up for the holiday time approaching as well as the trees in the planters on the front porch. Is is that time to start thinking holidays, Love this time of the year.