Cooking with Shira!

 

Shira and Heather with our freshly made Maple Pecan Sandwich Cookies.

Our 13 year old granddaughter Shira took the train up to Rutland from NYC for a all too short visit. It's a treat to have one of our grandchildren on their own. We really had time to get to know each other better. One thing we know of her is that she loves to cook, Heather and she love the Great British Bakeoff series!  So we did a lot of cooking/baking together. We made Maple Pecan Sandwich Cookies first - Yum! It's from the All-American Cookie Cookbook by Nancy Baggett so I've included the recipe at the end here. 

Enjoying our Lumpia our on the deck..

Then we made Fresh Veggie Lumpia for lunch. It was a modified recipe from several on line as we wanted to work with tofu for a change. That recipe is here as well but really you can put most anything inside the wrappers! The traditional Filipino brown sauce recipe was mostly followed  Lumpia or Lumpiang are Filipino Fresh Spring Rolls. Heather was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines from 1966 - 68. This year she is running two Cooking Classes to benefit Pierce's Store here in Shrewsbury (for the past 8 years she's been doing this once a year). The first one in July will feature Philippine dishes. Shira plans to make these for her siblings at home as everyone can make their own lumpia, choosing the ingredients that they like! 

Lumpia with Tofu and Veggies

That afternoon Scott and Shira made Focaccia with fresh rosemary: https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/big-and-bubbly-focaccia-recipe. This is a easy recipe although you need to be around the kitchen for a half day as there are many steps at intervals. As this was a rainy afternoon, it was a perfect time. It was amazing!

Blueberry Cheese Danish and 
scrambled eggs for breakfast!

The following morning she and Heather made Blueberry Cheese Danish for breakfast.  Here is the basic recipe: https://homemadehome.com/20-minute-blueberry-cream-cheese-danishes/#tasty-recipes-27883, We made several modifications - no almond flavoring, and a large teaspoon on blueberry jam over the cream cheese and under the fresh blueberries. Also brush the egg mixture on the edges before filling the centers - much easier.  I highly recommend buying Dufour puff pastry if it's available - it uses butter (although they do make a non dairy one as well). 

And here it is when it came out!

Scott and Shira pose before the focaccia goes
in the oven.

Shira also helped me with my latest painting. My small studio is in the local Maker Space, called The Mint. We spent a morning working on it together and she really helped me work out a bunch of problems! It's the second of two big paintings for my 2 year old grandson that include favorite children's and young adult's (and old folks) characters in an imaginary landscape. 

We hated to say good-bye! But Shira had to go back for final exams. She graduates from 8th grade this year and has been chosen for the Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan next year - a real triumph!

Maple Pecan Sandwich Cookies

(from The All-American Cookie Book by Nancy Baggett)

1 cup (4 ounces) chopped pecans

2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour

½ tsp baking soda

Generous ¼ tsp salt (ordinary kind)

¼ cup packed brown sugar

¾ cup unsalted butter (1 and ½ sticks), slightly softened

⅔ cup powdered sugar

3 and  ½ T pure maple syrup

1 large egg yolk

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 T finely chopped pecans (not toasted) for topping

Maple Buttercream filling:

⅓ cup pure maple syrup

1 cup powdered sugar

6 ½ T cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks

⅛ tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Spread the pecans on a cookie sheet and toast in the oven, stirring frequently, for 6 to 8 minutes until lightly browned. Be careful not to burn - it’s easy! Immediately turn out into a small bowl and cool, set aside.

In a medium bowl thoroughly whisk together the flour, soda and salt, set aside.

In a food processor, process the toasted pecans and brown sugar continuously until the pecans are completely pureed and form a paste, 3 to 4 minutes, scraping down the processor sides and bottom several times. Add the butter and process until well blended. Add the powdered sugar, egg, vanilla and maple syrup and process until very well blended and smooth. Add the flour mixture and process in on/off pulses just until evenly incorporated.

Turn the dough out on a clean surface and knead together briefly into one piece, then divide into thirds. Place each portion between large sheets of waxed paper (parchment paper would work too) and roll out a generous ⅛ inch thick. Check the underside of the paper and smooth out any wrinkles that form. Stack these layered sheets on a baking sheet and freeze for 30 minutes (or chill in the refrigerator for a few hours) until chilled and firm. These can also be frozen for up to 24 hours, let thaw before using. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease several baking sheets or coat with nonstick spray. Working with one portion at a time and leaving the remaining dough chilled, gently peel away and then put back one sheet of paper. Flip the dough over, then peel off and put aside (sometimes the original sheet tears during the cutting process so I use the discarded sheet to reroll).  Using a 1 and ½ or 1 and ¾ inch cookie cutter (fluted or scalloped makes it prettier), cut out the cookies and transfer to a baking sheet, 1 and ½ inches apart. Reroll any scraps. If the dough gets too soft, chill until it’s usable. Sprinkle half the cookies with a small amount of finely chopped pecans and press down into the dough. These will be the tops of the sandwich.

Bake the cookies, one sheet at a time in the upper third of the oven for 6 to 8 minutes, reversing the sheet halfway to ensure even browning. Transfer the sheet to a wire rack and cool to firm up about 2 minutes before transferring the cookies to another wire rack with a spatula. Let cool completely.

Buttercream

In a small heavy saucepan, bring the maple syrup to a simmer on the stove over med high heat. Simmer briskly for 2 minutes, remove from the heat and cool slightly. Then pour into the food processor. Let stand until barely warm. Add the powdered sugar, butter and vanilla and process until well blended a smooth.

Spread a generous amount over the underside of the undecorated cookie and top with a pecan sprinkled cookie. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for one month.

Fresh Filipino Lumpia (very modified from: https://panlasangpinoy.com/asian-vegetable-dish-fresh-spring-roll-lumpiang-sariwa-recipe/), We cooked onions, peppers, garlic and carrots together (as everyone liked all of these), Then another dish or stir fried mung beansprouts and cabbage. Then we fried crisp the extra firm tofu. Everyone helped them selves to these, added a fresh romaine leaf and peanuts and added them to the softened rice wrapper. The sauce was the same except for no beef powder but several spoonfuls of peanut butter and more soy sauce, I'll make the homemade lumpia wrappers next time.

Longwood Gardens, Pennsylvania

 

The trip home from Virginia was too far for one day so we stayed two nights at the Pennsylvania Westchester KOA near Longwood Gardens so we could spend a day there. As you can see we really lucked out on the weather.  After you leave the visitor's center you can head over first to the extensive greenhouses, seen here in the distance,

Longwood Gardens is a public garden, 1100 acres in the Brandywine Valley, purchased in 1906 by Pierre Dupont from the heirs of the Pierce family. George Pierce purchased 406 of the acres in 1700 and his grandsons began planting an arboretum in 1798. It covered 15 acres and the possible destruction of the trees caused Pierre to save it. He did extensive renovations and enlargement of the Pierce home and used it as a vacation residence. He designed formal gardens and water features and opened the property to the public in 1921 and in 1937 created the Longwood Foundation which runs it. 

We went out to dinner both nights as we'd been away from the RV for two weeks and the cupboard was unusually empty. We enjoyed our first choice so much, Hood's BBQ, we went back there the second night.

There are 1.6 acres (0.65 ha) of Conservatory gardens under glass, with 13 indoor gardens and 859 different types of permanent plants, as well as fountains

We  managed to walk around the main part of the garden and that took about 4 hours (with plenty of rest stops).  There are extensive walks further out on the property and you could spend may days here and not see everything. The one thing we really missed due to the early season was the fountain shows. They are pretty spectacular from what we heard! 

There is fabulous orchid room and we enjoyed
a long talk with the staff person there. 

The flowers change with the seasons and 
who doesn't love spring flowers.

There are three enormous conservatories all in a row. 

Scott poses in a lovely spot - due to the early season we had
very light crowds. It must be crazy in the summer.

It was all breathtaking!

The older home, the original section from the 
Pierce's time is joined to the new building with 
a conservatory garden

The outside of the home's conservatory was covered
with  blooming wisteria.

From the main path around the garden there were views of the meadows and forests beyond. We could see people on the trails off in the distance

Tulips of every color and combination in the formal gardens. 

As you can see the weather was almost good enough to eat outside, but not quite - sunny but around 60 degrees.

I didn't take a photo inside so used one from a google review. But you can see how attractive it was 

Our Three Sons

Heather got to celebrate her birthday with family this year with our oldest son Josh and his family. For many years we've been away during April.  And every year is a milestone year now - she's 81! From left Scott, Jonnie (old friend), Jonathan, Josh, Maya, Michal, Shira, Heather and Daniel in their dining room.

Over the next several weeks we schlepped back and forth between our three sons and their families.  Our youngest had asked us to babysit their 2 year old, Rowan, while he and Will went to New Orleans. It was too early to get to Boston with the RV, so we flew down from Washington DC. 

Rather a gloomy rainy Easter but it didn't stop the 5 kids from
their Easter egg hunt!

Kolya diving into his Easter basket
with Mom looking on.

But first we spent a long Easter weekend in Washington with our middle son, James, daughter-in-law Morgen and grandson, Kolya who is 7.  Easter day itself was with Morgen's parents and sister's family. Despite the rain there was a successful Egg Hunt and then a wonderful holiday meal. On Monday we spent the day at the National Aquarium in Baltimore with Kolya. It's one of his favorite places and a remarkable building and location on the inner harbor as well as, of course, an excellent aquarium.

The live version of the stuffed alligator we brought
back from Florida for Kolya.

Kolya added a Moray eel to his collection at the
Aquarium Gift Shop. 

Our time in Boston with Rowan was great as always. We got to see son Sean the first night and he and husband Will the night they came home. Two days were with daycare so very easy but then two full days over the weekend. He is so much fun but keeping up with him was exhausting. One day we went to the Franklin Park Zoo. A huge success were the groundhogs, cranes, and especially the giraffes, which includes a baby one! The second day we stayed close to home. There is a terrific playground and park at a nearby beach. 

It was a windy day at the Franklin Park Zoo -
as you can see from Rowan's hair!

He loves to climb and is pretty fearless - he
keeps us on our toes!

After returning to Washington we spent three more nights including our 47th Wedding Anniversary with James and family. We went to dinner at a local Trinidad Restaurant and it was great. We spent many months there on 3 different times on our boat, including two summers and the 2 months of Carnival preparations and events. We also had another fun day with Kolya at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History - another big favorite of Kolya's, especially since it includes another gift shop. This time a beautiful butterfly. And Scott had a day visiting politicians for a bit of lobbying. He talked to staff at Chuck Schumer's, Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch. One of Bernie's staff took Scott on the underground train over the Representative Becca Balint. He was really sorry he didn't get a photo of that!

Lunch with a butterfly at the Natural History 
Museum.

James, Kolya and Morgen

Scott at Chuck Schumer's

The Capitol District's gardens were fabulous with
spring flowers and trees. 

Last, we took the Amtrak down to first, South Orange, NJ for a night with Scott's brother Brent followed by 3 nights at our oldest son's home in the upper east side of NYC. Josh, Michal and 4 of our grandchildren were at home. They had a wonderful birthday party for Heather, who turned 81!.  Several of their friends joined us for that. On Sunday we visited the Frick Museum and saw the Gainsborough Exhibit. We're usually away for my birthday so it was a treat to celebrate this year with family.

Michal and Daniel look on while I
attempt to blow out the candles.

Then back to Washington once more to pick up our RV at the Virginia State Park and head home James kindly offered to pick us up at Union Station and drive us. We decided to break up the long trip with 2 nights in Pennsylvania seeing Longwood Gardens. That will be my next entry.

A Birthday Bash!

Heather, Honoree, Lynn, Todd, Walt and Scott having lunch at The Holly Inn

Our fantastic friend Honoree celebrates her birthday every year with a lot of family and friends. And I mean a lot of them! This year over a hundred gathered at Honoree and Walt's home in Carthage, NC and we were lucky enough to be there. We've been friends since 2006 when we met in Trinidad sheltering from the hurricane season at Chaguaramas Bay. Since then we've buddy boated with them around the Caribbean, spent 2 months in Peru and another 2 months in France and Italy. More recently we cruised the Norwegian coast past the Arctic Circle. We visit them every year and they come up to see us in Vermont. So - very good friends and such fun!

The Carolina Inn at Pinehurst, NC

Honoree, Scott, Heather, Lynn, Todd and Walt touring the charming village of Pinehurst

We arrived three days before to help with the preparations and it was a good thing. Honoree and Walt are avid pickle ball players. They built a court on their property. Walt is a certified instructor and Honoree a competitor in the Master's category in that and several other events. But that day she had a bad fall on the court and broke her wrist. That didn't stop her though! She was a bundle of energy even in her cast. 

Lynn and I blew up a lot of balloons
but needed help tying them

Honoree never let her cast get in the way of fun - but
despite the photo, she didn't play pickleball.

Then we posed with our creations!

Two other cruiser couple friends joined us. John and Brenda Magruder and Lynn & Todd Fulks. Lynn and Todd came the following morning and we all went to the World Golf Hall of Fame in Pinehurst, followed by a tour of the Carolina Hotel and the small charming village. Finally, an excellent lunch at the historic Holly Inn, opened in 1895. 

Kelly and Will

We all pitched in with preparations for the party. Tables were set up in the "event space garage" and outside on the lawn. Balloons were filled and tied (a machine for the former but fiddly hands attempted the latter). It is a pot luck but all the paper products and tables were set for the food. Brenda and John joined us the next day and we enjoyed a festive dinner reminiscing about our cruiser days out on the newly expanded terrace. 

Corey Comer played for hours and it was a great
playlist of Rock and Blues favorites.

Honoree and Walt's two sons Will and Kelly came early in the morning. We had never met either and had a chance to really talk to both during the day. Folks started arriving around 1 PM and Corey Comer, an excellent Blues and Rock musician began to play. The weather had cooperated perfectly - sunny and around 74 degrees!  The tables were soon laden with food and people were helping themselves. Lynn and myself established a post at the high top table on the terrace and were joined by a variety of others including Honoree's sister Lily and her husband. 

Heather, Brenda, Honoree, Scott, Lynn, Todd and Walt (John is taking the photo) the night before the party

And here is John with Scott

Here's a shot of the party looking away from the "Garage" to the pickleball court at the right, the end of their home on the left with the terrace.

The pickle ball court was soon busy with players and remained so all afternoon. One of the highlights of the afternoon was the pickleball race across the pond. Kelly manned a kayak with leaf blower to assist the laggers! What a spectacle! 

The balloons towed the pickleballs across the pond.

And Kelly helped out the laggards. 

The birthday cake was fabulous, pistachio cream with beautiful decorations (see the photo) and there was enough for everyone. One of the tables was heaped with presents and flowers. Altogether a wonderful party!

Honoree cuts the cake and we all sing Happy
Birthday. This is their garage/barn/event space!

The Birthday Cake was beautiful and delicious and
served over 100. 

Many participated in the clean up so those of us visiting were able to sit around that night enjoying a "light" meal, wine and reminisces. Kelly had flown from San Diego so was staying in their trailer and we particularly enjoyed hearing his stories and ideas - an amazing guy. But it was an early night for us as we had a long drive the next day up to Washington DC. But what a wonderful time it was and sad to say good-bye.

Just a few of the presents. We gave Honoree a painting I did of a village we visited together in Provence, France. 

The Cruiser Reunion at the party: Scott, Heather, Todd, Lynn, Honoree, Walt, Brenda and John.