Raspberry Cheesecake Fool

It was a hard week last week.  I was tired and the black dog made us visit the vet twice (Friday and Saturday) only to find out he is fine and didn't eat the glasses lens.  We may never know where that lens is, but my house has been vacuumed twice a day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday looking for that elusive thing.

I needed an easy treat for work this week.  I made this easy raspberry fool.  I used the same recipe as this blueberry cheesecake fool but substituted  fresh raspberries.  It was simple, delicious and almost made up for the tough week I had last week.  I love having dessert with my lunch at work.

Six little jars of deliciousness.  One for every day
this week at lunch...

...and a little treat for right now.

Raspberry Cheesecake Fool

1 6-oz pkg. of fresh raspberries
1 Tbsp. water
8 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup powdered Swerve, or sweetener of choice
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Sweetened whipped cream and berries for garnish, optional


In a blender, mix berries with water, strain seeds through a fine mesh sieve (optional, but I hate those little seeds).  Return berry puree to blender and add cream cheese and sweetener, blend until completely mixed.  Set aside.

Pour whipping cream and vanilla extract into a bowl, mix until stiff peaks form.  Pour raspberry/cheese mixture into whipped cream bowl and fold together until completely mixed.  Divide into 6 bowls or small mason jars.  Refrigerate.

January 30, 2019  Sunrise 9:49  Sunset 4:19  Temp. H 25/ L 12˚F

1 year ago:    Pork Tinga
3 years ago:  Chocolate Muffins and My Grandma's 99th birthday.
5 years ago:  Chocolate Fudge and Losing June's Coat

Franklin

We have a new family member and I am so in love.  Franklin is the cutest little guy you've ever seen.  He is little, but he is mighty, the big white dog is afraid of him, but we are working on that.  We got Franklin for Christmas, and I didn't realize what a hole we had in our family until Franklin came along.  I know who needs one more mouth to feed, but I think we can make an exception for this guy.

Franklin is an iRobot vacuum.  He is scheduled to clean every afternoon at 3:00 while we are at work.  We come home to a clean floor and no more poodles (piles of dog hair) hiding under the table or chairs between me vacuuming on the weekend.  I even put him down the hall every morning to vacuum the downstairs bedrooms.  I can't believe how much dog hair Franklin picks up every time he vacuums and how much I love our cleaner floors!

Tek is afraid of Franklin.  Dave put Franklin in the entry the other night and Tek stood guard the whole time he was working.  Franklin would get a little too close and Tek would run for safe ground, only to creep back on him when he was headed a different direction.  It is a good thing Tek and Mooree are in the garage kennel when Franklin makes his afternoon rounds.

I am loving Franklin so much, I'm looking for iRobots to go on sale and get one for my upstairs.  With 4 dogs we always are struggling to keep up.  I brush the dogs every morning and vacuum every week, but I just don't have time to vacuum every other day, like I should, to keep up with the shedding.  I think Franklin needs an upstairs buddy.

So, while I check for sales, I snack on bagels and cream cheese.

Bagels, you say?  Those are not keto, but yes these bagels are.  There are lots of keto bagel recipes around.  I used the recipe from Carolyn Ketchum over at All Day I Dream About Food.  My bagels didn't turn out at thick as hers because I use my own shredded cheese and she uses pre-shredded cheese, the starch that is added to prevent clumping pre-shredded cheese gives the dough a little structure and so a thicker bagel.  I just choose not to use the pre-shredded cheese, but you can.  These are delicious with Everything Bagel topping from Trader Joe or your made at home mix, or plain with cream cheese or Legendary Foods Apple Pie or Pecan Pie butter (I often eat that stuff just on a spoon!)

So, make some bagels and shop for an Roomba...I could buy one faster if Roomba would sponsor me for this post (hint, hint!)

For Bagels go to:
All Day I Dream About Food

I like to weigh my dough so I can divide it evenly.

First I cut it into 8 pieces.

Then I weigh it to make sure each piece weighs the same.

Roll it into a snake, just like preschool playdough time.

My favorite topping. I stock up when I go someplace that has
a Trader Joe's

Eight little rings of joy in my oven!

January 29, 2019  Sunrise 9:42am  Sunset 4:26pm  Temp. H 14/ L -1˚F

1 year ago:    Moussaka
3 years ago:  Physical Therapy for the New Hip and Beet and Orange Salad
5 years ago:  Lost Books and the Start of a New collection

Dog Emergency

The morning started like any other morning.  I got up, fed the dogs, let them out, built a fire and them went into the exercise room to work out.  During my work out I kept hearing Mooree getting into something.  I called him and threw my empty water bottle to him to play with while I finished up.  After the workout I found this:

The big black dog ate my glasses.  We can't find the lens anywhere.  Dave was sitting in his chair and Mooree jumped up for a scratch and then proceeded to cry like he was getting hurt.  He jumped down and ran over to me.  Dave called him up again and Mooree cried again.

I called the vet.

We have an appointment this morning to see what is going on.  Let's all hope for good news.

My friend, Donna, reminds me often, "Husbands, dogs, and children are God's way of reminding us we are not in control."

January 25, 2019  Sunrise 9:58  Sunset 4:08  Temp. H 31/ L 24˚F

Grandpa's Truck Update #1

We started working on the truck last weekend.  The first order of business was to clean out the fuel system.  The gas tank had to be removed and cleaned since it has unused gas sitting in it for the last 12 years or so.  In order to get to the gas tank, which sits in the cab behind the seat, we had to take out the seat.  This gives us the opportunity to clean the cab well and replace the interior cab lining.

We got the bench seat out, and the tank.  I found about 30 paper receipts from when my grandpa would run down to the hardware store and get something for one of his projects.  Each receipt was for $4.47 or $3.99. It was sweet and sad to see them.  Then I did a good vacuum of the cab.

We unhooked the battery and started unhooking the fuel system.  We worked our way to the carburetor, we are having someone rebuild it for us, but so far we haven't been able to get it off.  It is stuck on with about 60 years of gunk.  We decided to stop there and tackle the carburetor removal during the week.

So, a little step on the road to restoration.  I'm pretty excited and Dave will need to drink more beer!  I really want to be driving this come spring.

Gman checked out the truck when he was visiting in November.

1 year ago:   Pork Dust
3 years ago:  Adult Blondies and Heading Back to School for the Baby Boy
5 years ago:  Tattoos and Crock Pot Chocolate Nut Clusters

January 23, 2019  Sunrise 10:04  Sunset 4:01  Temp H 13/ L 6°F

Coconut Custard Pie and the Vet Visit

Mooree had a vet visit, he has a funny spot on his foot.  It was his first visit since his initial puppy check up when we got him.  He was very happy to jump into the back of the car but he laid down under the cover in the back and cried the whole way there.  Then, once there he tried to hide under me the whole time.  I've never seen him so timid!  The bulky 87 pound dog  trying to hide under my chair.

Then, at home, he was so needy!  He had to be touching me or Dave the whole night.  At one point I turned around and found this:

You can see that Dave is thrilled!

I guess we have to remember that Mooree is really still just a 7 month old puppy, no matter how big he is.  We gave his some extra cuddle time...on the floor...and he seemed to feel better.

One of Mooree's favorite things is to eat the Christmas ornaments.  I have a lot that are hand made, fabric or wood.  On more than one occasion I have found something like this on the floor:

Then I spent the next couple of hours looking at the tree and trying to remember what was attached to this last piece of ornament I found.  The saddest one was the little cross stitch I made for the curly haired boy for his first Christmas - 30 years ago.

Well, keeping up with Mooree takes a lot of energy, and patience. So I figure I deserve a daily treat.  I usually make something on the weekend and it lasts me the week.  Dave doesn't have a sweet tooth, so what ever dessert type thing I make lasts.  I made this coconut custard pie, and it was good (next time I won't use the convection setting on my oven - it over browns the coconut on top), but when I added a little sugar free chocolate syrup to the top, it was wonderful!  I don't think the pie is going to last the week.

Coconut Custard Pie

1/2 cup heavy cream
3/4 powdered Swerve or your choice of sweetener
1 cup full-fat coconut milk (the kind from the can)
4 large eggs
1/4 cup butter, melted and cooled
1 1/4 cups unsweetened shredded coconut, divided
3 Tbsp. coconut flour or 1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350˚ ( I don't suggest the convection setting if you have the choice).  Butter or spray a 9-inch pie pan.

Place the cream, sweetener, coconut milk, eggs and melted butter in a blender and blend until well combined.  Add 1 cup of the shredded coconut, coconut (almond) flour, baking powder, vanilla extract and salt.  Blend again.

Pour the mixture into the prepared pie pan.  Sprinkle with remaining  shredded coconut.  Bake for 30-45 minutes, until the edges are golden and the center is slightly soft in the middle. 

Remove from the oven and let cool.  Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight before serving. 

January 21, 2019  Sunrise 10:10 am  Sunset 3:54pm  Temp. H -13/ L -16˚F

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

I got an email from a friend the other day, just checking on me.  She hadn't seen a new post and wanted to make sure something else didn't break in my body!  I assured her all is well and I was just being lazy.

That afternoon after work, I ran into the grocery store for a few things.  I ran into the same woman I always run into there and she asked why I wasn't blogging.  I said I was being lazy and that life was simple and boring and I didn't have anything to say, so I haven't gotten around to a post.  She informed me she counted on my posts to have something to look forward to.

Then, the next day my husband send me an email telling me I needed to post something before I got hate mail.  I replied with "Too late"

So, all is well with us in Fairbanks.  I'm just being lazy and nothing much is going on.  Every once in a while something passes through my brain and I think I should post about it, but by the time I sit down, I've forgotten what I was going to say!  I'll get back on the wagon here soon.

Dave and Hershey relaxing during the break

In the meantime, I hope you are all happy, healthy and enjoying a new year.  I'm sure something will sneak up on us and I'll tell you all about it.

1 year ago:   Happy New Year!
3 years ago:  Return from Sick Leave
5 years ago:  Eating Soap on Christmas and Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili
7 years ago:  De-Santatizing the House and Aztec Chocolate Cakes

January 18, 2018   Sunrise 10:18 am  Sunset 3:44 pm  Temp. H -12/ -23°F

Antipasta Salad

We had chicken.  Not Dave's favorite, so I made a side "salad" that I knew he would enjoy.  I can eat this for my meal, I just put it over some crunchy greens, but Dave likes this just the way it is.

Antipasta Salad
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained and cut in quarters
1/4 cup aged provolone, broken into chunks or cut
1/4 pepperoni, sliced
1/4 hard salami, sliced into strips
1/2 cup olives, cut in half
1 cup mini mozzarella balls
1/4 to 1/2 cup Italian dressing or good oil and vinegar
1 head roasted garlic, garlic cloves removed and kept intact
2 Tbsp. fresh basil, chopped

Mix all ingredients together.  Serve as is or over greens.

1 year ago:   The Lost Jacket and Cinnamon Cream Cheese Kringle
4 years ago:  Peppermint Pretzels
5 years ago:  Biscuits and Gravy
7 years ago:  When Life Gives you Lemons, Make Meatball Subs

December 13, 2018   Sunrise 10:48 am  Sunset 2:41 pm  Temp. H-9/ L -14°F

Zucchini Chips

I have a new obsession.  It used to be things like hostess cupcakes, snickers bars, ice cream (o.k. so I still love ice cream), potato chips...the list goes on.  But most of those things I no longer eat and feel better for it, also for most of those things there is a keto version that I enjoy just as much.

However, I do miss the salty crunch of potato chips with a burger or hot dog.  In all honesty, I have eaten potato chips once in a while, just a few, but I know that goes directly against my food goals.  So you can imagine how excited I was when I saw some zucchini chips posted on Pinterest!  I tried to make my first batch in my oven, but my oven doesn't go below 250°F, so the chips were not ideal.

So, I did what anyone would do, I went and bought a food dehydrator.

I am loving this thing!  I use my mandolin to cut my zucchini nice and thin, lay them on the screens, turn  it on to 135°F and let it do it's thing.  8-12 hours later I have delicious, crunchy chips.  I like mine with salt, garlic and a little Parmesan. I have to be careful because the first day I ate two whole zucchini with my lunch and drank a ton of water and didn't feel so good the rest of the day!  I do need to learn the art of moderation!

So, this is what I do for my chip fix now.  I'm going to try radishes and see how that goes.  I also want to try cranberries for some keto cranberry bliss bars for the holiday season.  I might be late to the food dehydrator game, but I'm loving it now that I'm here!

Zucchini Chips

2 large zucchini, small just dry up to tiny nothings
2 Tbsp. avocado oil
salt
garlic powder
parmesan

Slice zucchini on mandolin.  Place zucchini in a bowl, add oil and toss to coat all the chips.  Place on dehydrator trays then salt and sprinkle with garlic (if I'm using parmesan, I dip one side in a little bowl of parmesan before I put it on the tray and top with salt and/or garlic).  Using manufacturer's directions, dehydrate (mine take about 12 hours and I like to rotate the top trays and the bottom trays half way through).

What other toppings should I try on my chips?

1 year ago:   Sleeping Pants and Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
4 years ago:  Sometime Home Made Bread is Love
5 years ago:  Words with Friends and Dutch Apple Pie
7 years ago:  Barbeque and Bird Feeders

December 11, 2018  Sunrise 10:45am  Sunset 2:43pm  Temp. H 7/ L -5˚F

Eggnog with and without and the Rum Chata bottle

I sent Dave to the store for some Rumchata.  I'd never had it before but needed it for the Chocolate Cream Pie Martini I made last week.  He came home with this.

The eggnog is in a 4 cup container...you see how much RumChata I have to drink
You can't let that stuff go to waste, it is expensive!

So I used it for the drink of the week and now I have a lot of Rumchata to drink.  It is a tough job, but someone has to do it!  We tasted it plain to see what it would go with, and in my opinion, it goes with everything!  It is creamy and has a hint of spice and the kick from some rum.  Oh my, I can drink this straight.

Now, I will have to control myself because it has sugar in it and therefore carbs. According to My Fitness Pal it has 16 carbs in 1.5 oz.  Not really a keto drink.  I'll treat myself once in a while, but this huge bottle will last a long time at my house...like years.

I did make some keto eggnog.  I do love eggnog and was so happy to find several keto recipes on Pinterest.  I made some and then added some rum one night.  A couple nights later I added a shot of Rumchata oh so good!

Gman loved his eggnog without, and Grandma has her with.  We both had a pretty glass and we were happy!

So, here is to the holiday season, eggnog, pretty glasses and lots of Rumchata.

Gman likes his eggnog without, but in a pretty glass.

Keto Eggnog

2 cups unsweetened almond milk, store bought or homemade
2 cups heavy cream
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. fresh ground nutmeg
6 egg yolks
1/2 cup granulated Swerve, or sweetener of choice
pinch of salt
2 tsp. vanilla extract
3 egg whites, optional

In a saucepan over low-medium heat warm milk, cream, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Let steep for about 10 minutes.
In the meantime, in a small mixing bowl add egg yolks, sweetener and salt.  With a hand mixer, mix on high until egg yolks are light in color and the sweetener has mostly dissolved (it won't dissolve all the way until you mix in the milk).
Temper the egg yolks by adding a bit of the heated milk while you continue to mix.  Add about a cup in a couple different batches, then add the heated egg yolks to the milk mixture and heat over medium heat until it reaches 160°.  Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.  Cool in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

Before serving, beat egg whites to a stiff peak and fold into egg mixture, this is optional and makes a lighter eggnog.  Leave the egg whites out and you get an eggnog like the kind you buy in the store.

Add rum (or Rumchata) or not.  It is delicious all the ways.

1year ago:     Leek Confit
3 years ago:  Christmas Dreams Cocktail and the Kick-Ass Doctor
5 years ago:  Tucker on the Sofa and Pumpkin Brownies
7 years ago:  Chinook Winds - drink of the week

December 3, 2018   Sunrise 10:25 am  Sunset 2:55 pm   Temp H 26/ L 19°F

Dinosaurs

When Gman and his people visit they have to attend to Grandma's naughty dinosaurs.  While we are all asleep, those naughty dinos do all kinds of things, and we have to clean up the mess in the morning (I totally stole this idea from Pinterest).  Gman talks about the naughty dinos and when we Face time he sometimes asks where they are so we have to show him where the dinos are sitting at that moment (The first time he asked, I had to frantically take them out of the box without him seeing - you gotta love Face time!)

So, this year we had four mornings with Gman, and 4 adventures for the naughty dinos.

Dino nest with Kinder eggs.

Eating Gman's favorite fruit snacks.

Not quite sure what this lesson is about.

Eating Grandma's Thanksgiving flowers.

We will keep this up until he is way too old for it.  I can picture us now, Gman is 14 and we are trying to sneak the dinos around so they can be naughty and he looks up from his video game and says "Not again Grandma!"

1 year ago:    Happy Thanksgiving and the Season of Eating

3 years ago:  Crock-Pot Chocolate Lava Cake and Playing in the Snow

5 years ago:  Leah

7 years ago:  Carrot Apple and Mint Salad

November 30, 2018  Sunrise 10:16 am  Sunset 3:02 pm   Temp. H 8/ L 9°F

Chocolate Cream Pie Martini - Drink of the Week

Picking up Gman from the airport.

Gman and his people were here over the Thanksgiving holiday.  We had an untraditional Thanksgiving feast, the DIL and Dave don't like turkey so we had prime rib instead, and lots of play time with Gman.  He is a connoisseur of t.v. because his screen time is limited.  Current favorites are Peppa Pig and Octonauts.

The annual dog sled ride.

Throwing snow at Grandma.

We did enjoy our Thanksgiving drink of the week, but we also enjoyed a couple more.  This is an all time favorite.  Unfortunately these are not keto, so I limited myself to one, but boy is it good.  I'm looking for a sugar free version of Rumchata and chocolate liqueur so I can enjoy this more.

Chocolate Cream Pie Martini

1 oz. chocolate whipped cream vodka

1 oz. Rum Chata

1 oz. chocolate Liqueur, I love Godiva 

chocolate syrup, for glass

Swirl chocolate syrup around the sides of a martini glass.

In a shaker full of ice, add vodka, Rum Chata and chocolate liqueur.  Shake until very cold, strain into prepared glass.  Serve.

You can add a dollop of whipped cream on the top if desired.  I find that is just gets all over my nose and in the way of my drink.  But I'm classy like that.

Warming up with Hershey after playing outside.

Gman would not sit on Santa's lap for our annual
Santa picture.

But he sure would take the candy!  Santa is so awesome.

1 year ago:    Ritz Cracker Toffee and the Oven Explosion
3 years ago:  Crock Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal with Pears
5 years ago:  Apple Butter and Visiting with Tony
7 years ago:  Whole Wheat, Millet and Dried Fruit Bread

November 29, 2018   Sunrise 10:13 am  Sunset 3:04 pm  Temp. H 13/ L 6°F