A Baby Is Born

Today, at 8:32 a.m. a grand daughter was welcomed into the world. Everyone is healthy and thanking God for this little miracle who weighed 7 pounds and 13 ounces. More to follow. Thank you God.

Christmas Aftermath

'Twas the day after Christmas and all through this house, not a creature was moving 'cept FJ at his mouse. The stockings lay empty beneath the tall tree, save only for gift cards and mugs and some tea.

The beds have been stripped and the wash is a going, the self-cleaning ovens are smoking and groaning. While I in my jeans and a new black zip sweater, decide on a menu for more Christmas splendor.

The baby-to-be has not yet shown her face, so a trip to Milwaukee with gifts, food and grace will toast the great season and wish Taryn and Jack a big Merry Christmas from the rest of the pack.

So load up the Volvo, BMW too, and head north to snow land (where there's also a zoo.) A dinner, some gifts and a jolly good day will add to the season, we can not delay. The season's been jolly, though the snow has been high, another great Christmas will soon say good by.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Cheers, Jack!

The food, the frenzy, the fun, the friendship and the presents are all a blink, over in a few hours, with memories that last a life time. This one's for you, Jack. Next year. Cheers!

Merry Christmas to All

Christmas is in one's heart, whether with family and friends, or away, unable to attend familiar festivities. May all the warm wishes of the season find you, and remind you 'tis the season to be jolly and thankful for all you have. For those unable to make it back to Chicagoland for Christmas Eve, we will all be together soon. You are in our thoughts and you were even able to watch a streaming video!

With northern Illinois covered in snow, may the day find you blessed and loved, and hopefully on a beach.

Merry Christmas to all . . .

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Spinach Irmane -- Best Appetizer Award

Back by popular demand, this elegant appetizer will make your Christmas celebration a delectable event. Christmas Eve is always a happy time in this home, with appetizers on silver trays, crystal stem ware, silver pate spreaders, and china plates filled with exactly the same thing, year after year. While several items are prepared for guests, the winning appetizer is something that is served only on Christmas Eve, a meal in itself, and as good the next day as the night before. Spinach Irmane, a puff pastry crust filled with Italian sausage, cheese and spinach, has been the Christmas Eve star for many years and could shine brightly in your home as well.

Traditions start now, so gather a box of frozen Puff Pastry, a quarter pound of butter (one stick), 2 pounds of ground Italian sausage, grated mozzarella cheese, 2 boxes of frozen chopped spinach, and a large jar of apricot jam.

Puff Pastry, available in the frozen bread section of the supermarket, is thawed, unwrapped and rolled out flat into a large rectangle, triple the original size. Melt 1/2 a stick of butter, and brush onto the pastry. Heat 1 cup of apricot jam and brush on top of the melted butter. Brown the Italian sausage in a fry pan until cooked and in small pieces. Layer cupfuls of cooked sausage onto the pastry, then continue to layer thawed and thoroughly drained chopped spinach. Add a layer of mozzarella cheese and roll into a jelly roll shape. Seal the edge with cold water. Gently place the tube onto a greased cookie sheet. Melted butter may be brushed onto the top of the puff pastry if desired. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 25 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before cutting into half inch thick slices.

Though Spinach Irmane can be eaten with a fork, once it has cooled it can be easily picked up with one's carefully sanitized fingers. A delicious and elegant appetizer or main course, it will surprise and delight all who have the good fortune of tasting it. The apricot jam adds an unexpected flavor that will keep guests returning to the buffet.

The Italian sausage can be browned a day ahead of time, and the Spinach Irmane can be assembled early in the day, then baked as needed. This is such a hit, and so good the second day heated in the microwave, you will want to make two loaves. An elegant appetizer tradition can begin this year; let me know how you like it. Guests have loved it and so will you.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

On the Ground

With winds blowing and snow falling at record speeds, FJ landed safely at ORD today. So far northern Illinois has received 6 inches of snow in the latest storm, with more on the way. Enough already. A new pair of Uggs now sit in my closet. What else can one do?

Here Comes FJ

The holidays are complete when kids far and wide show up to eat cookies and share the spirits of the season. FJ arrives from DC today for a quick stop in Chicagoland. Picking him up at O'Hare and then lunching, shopping, and appreciating the lights of Michigan Avenue are all part of the deal. The rest of the family will gather on Christmas Eve, without a new baby (due any day), weather permitting. Flexibility is key when involving a baby.

Welcome back to Chicago, albeit a short visit. Hopefully United Airlines will be true to the flight plan and have no delays.

Chicken Soup - for Jessica

Jessica has been cooking quite a bit lately, and asked how to make chicken soup. Here is the quickest way to make chicken soup that tastes good, originally posted on this site November 8, 2008. On a cold blustery Chicagoland day, nothing gives added humidity and warmth to the kitchen better then a large pot of soup simmering on the stove. A pot of potato leek is simmering on mine as I write this.

Easy Chicken Soup:
4 cans (14 oz.) of Swanson's Chicken Broth (without MSG)
1-2 carrots diced
3 stalks of celery, diced
1 large onion, diced
1-2 cups of shredded or cut up cooked chicken breast.

Simmer for 10 minutes. Then add Yolkless Egg Noodles, cook 5 minutes and enjoy. Serves 6 and takes about 30 minutes from kitchen to bowl.

Homemade Dumplings for Soup:
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups flour
Salt and pepper
Mix together to form a thick dough. Drop by spoonful into boiling water or broth. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, not peeking. Uncover and enjoy. Dried parsley or dill can be added to dough prior to boiling for additional flavor. Dumplings can be made large, or small, your choice. I make them small for a chicken soup broth.

Easy but longer to make Chicken Soup:
Place a washed whole chicken in 5-6 quarts of water in a large pot.
Add 2 cloves of garlic, 1 large onion cut into quarters (this can be removed later)
4 scallions (if you have them) cut into 2 inch pieces
4 carrots peels and cut into 2 inch pieces
4-6 stalks of celery cut into 2 inch pieces
1/4 cup dried parsley or 2 cups fresh cut parsley
2 bay leaves
Slowly bring this mixture to a boil, then simmer for four hours. To strain, place a large bowl in the sink, and inside the bowl place a colander. Pour the soup mixture into the colander, catching the broth in the bowl. Lift out the colander containing the chicken mixture. Pour the liquid broth back into the large pot. Allow chicken mixture to coo, then slowly remove chicken from the bones, placing chicken back into the strained broth. Add salt and pepper to taste, and noodles of your choice.

Enjoy the soup. In this economy, every meal should start with a bowl of homemade soup that adds needed nutrients and fills the tummy.

Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

Christmas Cut Out Cookie Recipe - For Jessica

Making Christmas cut out cookies is easy if the recipe followed makes soft, melt-in-your-mouth morsels. This recipe is for Jessica, who is making rolled out Christmas cookies on Sunday. These are easy to mix, easy to roll out, and easy to eat.

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup butter (softened in microwave)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
2 1/2 cups Gold Medal flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

In a large bowl, mix powdered sugar and butter on low speed (or with a spoon) till light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla, almond extract and egg. Stir in flour and baking soda. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Try not to eat too much dough.

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Divide the dough in half. Roll out each half to 1/4 inch thick on lightly floured surface (I use my granite counter top). Cut into desired shapes. If cookies will not be frosted, sprinkle with colored sugar. Place cut out shapes on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 7-8 minutes or until edges are light brown. Immediately remove cookies from cookie sheet to waxed paper or cooling rack. Makes about 4 dozen cookies, if you don't eat any of the cookie dough or warm cookies. Good luck with that as the dough is delectable.

To make frosting, soften 1 stick of butter, mix in enough powdered sugar to make a really thick paste, then add a tiny bit of milk and mix well. Add a drop of vanilla or almond extract. Make enough frosting to divide into 4 small bowls, and then add food coloring to each mixture. Apply to cookies and allow to dry.

I double the recipe each time I make these cookies, and after eating dough and warm cookies, end up with about six dozen cookies of various shapes. Your feeling of accomplishment will last several hours, and will return each time you serve your tasty cut out Christmas cookies. Happy holidays!

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Christmas Cookies Done

Every year there is a special request for Mom's cut out Christmas cookies. And every year they are patiently mixed, cooled, cut out, frosted and decorated. Whew! The fun is over for another 365 days, the kitchen is now a flour-free zone, and the cookies are hidden -- until Tuesday.

Cut out Christmas cookies evoke youth and the excitement of the season. They remind grown up kids of bygone days, drinking hot chocolate after sledding, making a snowman on a day too cold to attend school and moving one's arms and legs to create a snow Angel. All were normal childhood activities and all were a part of this somewhat fortyplus household. Making cut-out Christmas cookies was part of the deal.

Setting out a tray of cut out cookies always brings smiles. If you can't make yours, visit the local bakery and pick up a few to place on a silver tray. Suddenly a childhood Christmas will come to mind. Smile and enjoy the sweet memory.

Photo attribution: Somewhatfrank

Snow Blankets Chicagoland (Again)

We heard the warning, the schools closed last night in anticipation -- and it came. Nine inches of snow fell in northern Illinois in the past few hours, with 2-4 more inches on the way. As a lover of sun and summer, and not necessarily snow and slush, precipitation measured in inches is never good news.

Take a look at the snow, and the beauty of the summer.

Christmasing in Chicagoland

The big tree is up, the garland is displayed through out the house, and the three Santa's stand in wait. Even the Christmas presents have been wrapped and carefully displayed, waiting to delight the lucky recipients. But this year will be different. We wait not only for Christmas, but for baby Beverly Margaret, due soon at a hospital near you, actually near me.

Mom-to-be and soon-to-be dad wait patiently, knowing their sleep patterns will change once the baby enters the world. Their laundry will increase. Their eating habits will be altered. Their lives will forever be changed. Many of us already wear the "parent" tee-shirt, and these soon-to-be parents will wear it with love and respect.

We can select our automobile and cell phone plan; we can decide whether it's Italian or sushi for dinner; coffee or tea, light meat or dark, and a slew of other choices can be made. Lineage is not one of them. We all arrive where the stork drops us, and with luck and love, we make it to adult hood. This soon-to-enter-the-world little one is fortunate to be able to land in a home filled with loving parents, aunts and uncles and grandparents.

Each phone call could be "the one." Each text message could share a new baby photo. None yet -- but we wait. The trip to the hospital has been charted and practiced. The pink clothes are all washed in Dreft and hang patiently in the closet. The Stokke oval crib is empty, but not for long.

Christmas has always been memorable for this Chicagoland family, but this year could push it over the top if a certain young lady decides it's time to join us and see what the Christmas tree her mom and dad discuss actually looks like. Won't she be excited!

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Potato Leek Soup

A cold Chicago day cries out for a thick supple soup to warm one's inners with style. Potato leek soup to the rescue. Also called "Vichyssoise," white potato soup with leeks and shallots becomes so thick a spoon could stand up in the bowl. Or glass, as seen in the photo.

Pronounced Vee-she-su-waa-ze, one thinks it's from France, but one is wrong. Invented by a French Chef, Louis Diat, Vichyssoise had its origins in New York's Ritz-Carlton Hotel in 1917. Prepared with added cream to make it even thicker, Chef Diat made the soup his mama used to make and serve warm. On this warm day Chef Diat served Le Vichyssoise cold, and it was a big hit. Now, you can make it at home in less than an hour, with the help of finedining.com. It's quick, it's filling, it's inexpensive and it's delicious.

Ingredients - Serves 6
2/3 cups leeks, slided thinly, white part only
1 small onion, sliced
2 Tablespoons butter
2 1/2 cups potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly
2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream (or half and half)
Salt and pepper to taste
Snipped fresh chives or parsley for garnish

In a saucepan over medium heat, saute leeks and onion in butter until tender but not brown. Add the potatoes and chicken broth. Bring to a boil then cover and reduce the heat, simmering for 35-45 minutes or until the potatoes are soft. The soup mixture needs to be blended (in a blender or food processor) to become smooth. Scoop soup out of the saucepan and place into a blender or food processor; blend until smooth. Return the mixture to the pan. Add milk and cream, mixing well. Add salt and pepper to taste. The soup can be served immediately or refrigerated.

If the soup will be warmed for serving at a later time, use caution when reheating. It is much easier to slowly heat the soup in the microwave instead of the stove top to keep it from burning. Garnish with chopped chives or parsley, sit down and start eating. The soup is extremely filling so there is no need to serve large bowls -- small glasses with spoons can be used to give the soup an even more interesting touch.

Photo attribution: petesmith

Simple Low Floral Arrangement

We've all been there, sitting at the beautiful dining table looking around, through or over the flowers that bedeck it. A low arrangement, one guests can look over to see each other's faces, would be best. How tall is too tall? Hostesses use this rule to determine if a floral arrangement is short enough for a dinner table. Sit at the table, place your right elbow on the table top and hold the right arm up, with the full hand extended, reaching toward the ceiling. The floral arrangement should be no higher then the top of the extended hand. Here is a quick way to create a beautiful low table display without breaking the bank.

Purchase two or three clear inexpensive rectangular shaped glass vases, about six or seven inches tall. Also purchase three or four clear square glass vases, approximately four or five inches tall. Be sure to end up with an odd number of vases. Now hit the local supermarket for flowers that have a full bloom to fill the top of the vases. The mums in the photos were used for the Thanksgiving table, but could be used at any time of the year by varying flower colors.

Fill the vases with cold water. Cut the flower stems so when placed in the vase only the bloom emerges. Fill the tall vases first so any short-comings can be adjusted and placed in the shorter vases. Alternate the blossom colors. If you read me regularly you already know I love strong colors that make a statement, so three bright green mums along with two purple mums look fabulous together. Remember to always end with an odd number of flowers in any vase. Wipe away any water from the outside of the vases, then set on the dinner table, at angles to create interest, alternating between a short vase and a taller vase. A few votive candles mixed in and lit for dinner will add the extra "va-voom" that will have your guests commenting on just how clever you are. Accept graciously and then pass the butter.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus and somewhatfrank

First Chicagoland Snow

While some may say it is beautiful and others may say it is messy, the first major snowfall of the 2008 season has hit Chicagoland and it is certainly white and peaceful outside. Cars move slowly, buses crawl, and horses stand in awe. Judging from my footprints in the snow this morning retrieving the Chicago Tribune, approximately 5-6 inches of snow fell in this northern Chicagoland area. Soon the snow plow will appear to clear the driveway and start the new snow pile of the season.

O'Hare has cancelled most flights headed east, so Adult Child 1 will work out of her Chicago office today, instead of a client's location. Adult Child 2 is waiting at Dulles to head to San Fran for the week, but the flight is delayed two hours due to weather. Our weather. And Adult Child 3 is in class, in snowy Milwaukee. I'm headed to class as well -- wonder how many students will show up today?

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus