New Years & The Changes

You may have heard about it.  But I'm officially an "upriver" gal.  I no longer live in the hubub of the city, but amid cows and dirty 4x4 trucks, and that makes me happy!! Concrete is a great little town and I'm excited to become apart of this small community.

Things have changed with Books N Brew.  We had a great Christmas offering, and since everyone was surprised this year with their Soda Breads, we're planning on making an Irish Stew and making our Soda Bread Mix, so stay tuned to see how it turns out!!  We'll provide the step by step pictures, but the tasting is remaining at home.  As you guessed it, our annual St. Patrick's Day Dinner will be limited, as I just don't have the room for 30 people.  So, I hope you get an invitation, and if you do, please make sure to RSVP!!

I have not bought any new books so far this year, but I'm rereading quite a few.  I've decided to reread all of my Stella Cameron books.  For those that don't know, Stella Cameron is a Washington Author, but the series I have are based in Louisiana.  I'd love to have her do up a series about the North Cascades.  I'm sure we've got enough stories and drama around here to keep the rest of the world entertained!!

Wedding plans are coming along. . . We're planning a simple & elegant wedding.  A down-home shin-dig that is comfortable and relaxing.  Just telling y'all now, boots are required!! Seriously, you won't want to break your ankle in spike heels!  The only and solid ground is on a patio we are not using!  So you can call this the Sturdy Shoe wedding!!

My New Years Resolution is to blog at least once a month, letting y'all know about what we're reading, cooking, creating, and the plans for our wedding!!!

Until then, keep on cooking!!

A Hem Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is done and over for another year.  Want to know what we had?  Here's the BNB menu for A HEM Family Thanksgiving 2011:

Tom Colicchio's Herb Turkey
Perfect Mashed Potatoes
Herb Stuffing
Pan Gravy with Neck Stock
Spiral Ham
Whole Berry Cranberries
Thyme and Orange Juiced Roasted Carrots
Potato Salad
Green Bean Casserole
Green Salad (which no one ate)

Prawn Cocktail
Veggies and Chips with Dill and Chipotle Dip
Costco Pumpkin & Apple Pies with FRESH whipped cream

What didn't get made was:
Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Balsamic Glazed Pearl Onions

We had enough leftovers for everyone to take home, as this year there was only 7 of us (about 12 people couldn't make it this year).   This was the second thanksgiving that I was the "chef". I broke in a new apron and found out I need cooking shoes.  The ones I wore were not meant to stand around for hours.

Our day was pretty perfect.  The menu was built around tradition and fresh ingredients. The gravy was made with homemade turkey stock (neck + onion, carrot, celery & boiled for 2 hours until rich and hearty), the stuffing with FRESH herbs, and the carrots were roasted with a low acid orange juice.  We had a few smoke-outs in the kitchen (forgot to clean the family oven before the bird went in).  But all in all, it was a GREAT day!!

So the question is, do we stay traditional and do Lasagna for Christmas Eve, or do we spice it up and do a Prime Rib Roast?  I'm not sure.  We spent a few $$ on this holiday.  My birthday comes next.  THEN I will worry about Christmas.

Unfortunately, this year I did not get any images of our meal.  All I have is full bellies and warm smiles.  That's all this home-cook needs!

Happy Monday!

The end of an era. . . and the start of a new Adventure

So it's Official.  I have a new job.  After 12 years of working with Ventura products, I'm moving onto new challenges and adventures!

Many of you who may view this may not know me well.  But those of you that do know me, you understand that this decision was not made lightly.   I started with Ventura products in 1999 under Hoppe & Associates.  Mr. Hoppe gave me a chance and to this day, he still credits me with keeping the product afloat in North America.

It has been an honor to be the customer service person for Ventura products and Avon Tyres.  While it's been two years since I worked with Avon Tyres, they are as much apart of me as Ventura is.  Working with both products, I've traveled around the USA, made lots of friends, and created tons of memories!!  Come on, who remembers my crazy summer campaign of "Show us Your Rack"??  That was a good one!  I still wanted one for Gryyp Products that say "Get Screwed!!"  But no such luck as of yet.

So what's going to happen with me?  I'm getting married next year and I want to live with my soon to be husband, and I'm not willing to commute to Lynnwood daily.  So I've found a new job, and it's not in motorcycles.  I won't say who my new employer is, just that it's in the medical field.  I'm really excited for this new opportunity!

What's going to happen with Ventura MCA?  Max and Jesse have been in "Amy Training" since late August.  While they won't need to don the blonde wig and proclaim "I'm the Amy Now!", I'm fully confident that they will continue to provide the best in customer service, product support, and give awesome technical advice!!

I wanted to say Thank you to my friends and customers.  It's you who have made me into the woman that I am today.   My wonderful motorcycle family, I will always cherish our great memories.  From IMS shows, to the races at Mazda Laguna Seca Raceway to hanging out on the porch at Deals Gap to drinking wine at Rally Week in the Gorge and getting kicked off the docks in New York.  We've had great fun!!

Thank you to everyone at Dold Industries, Avon Tyres, Kenma AU, Motohaus, Ventura MCA, IXIL, Sound Rider, Dave Preston, Advanstar, and so many other companies and friends I've made over the years!


Wish me luck on my next adventure!

Happy Trails, and remember my friends, keep the rubber side down!!

Amy

The Weather's Turned Colder

So today I've worn my sweater for over 5 hours.  We closed the warehouse door to keep the heat inside the office, and I think I may vacuum out my heater at home, so it's ready to kick on at 55 degrees!!

Yikes, here's Fall!! But that also means good news. Pot Roast, Apple Stuffed Pork Loin, Chili, and other hearty cold weather dishes!!

Luckily for me, I bought an elliptical machine yesterday on Amazon.  This should help get me moving so I can enjoy my favorite fall/winter foods!!

One of my newer favorite cold weather foods is Gumbo. While it may not get too cold down in NOLA, I actually like the heat and flavor of Chicken/Sausage Gumbo on a cool day!  Okay, getting hungry now.

Another thing I LOVE to make is anything with Apples!  Do a search for Stuffed Pork Loin with Apples and drool.  Here's a preview of some pictures I found on Google:

I Butterfly my loin, add the chosen stuffing, tie it up, and roast (i use a dutch oven).

Okay, enough already.  I've got to hit up Smallwood Harvest and buy me a box of Apples already.  

Did you know that the Honeycrisp Apple has now become one of the "Famous" Apples?  It's the "In" Apple to have, as it's a perfect a balance of sweet, juicy and firm!  Well when I tried them 5 years ago, I thought so too!!  So I love using them to make Apple Crisp, Apple Muffins, Apple Sauce, Apple Butter.  It's all good!!

Until then,

Enjoy the bounty of the Season!!

Klein Cedar Salvage & Timber Falling

New Website is up and running!!  9 Months in the making and we've got the Logging website live on the web!

Klein Cedar Salvage & Timber Falling is ready to work!  We're now available for private Timber Harvest Consultations, be the first to book and you'll get a cool sticker!!

Take a look, let me know what you think!

www.kleincstf.com

Concrete, WA