Stephanie says

I made an astonishing discovery today!  Saffron (the highly priced spice) is the stamen of a specific Crocus.  It's fall flowering and can grow in the gardening zone where I live. Crocus Sativus Each blossom has three stamens.  Lucky for me Amazon has 10-packs for $6.49.  I ordered two packs. 

I'm the official winner of the local Chamber of Commerce Christmas Lighting Contest:  Best for Less category.  I won $100!

Groom's family photo - November 1981 From left Back row:  Neil, Michael, Helene, From left Front row:  Me, Bruce, Maureen, Damian, Grandma Ethel

From bottom left:  Brown-Butter Sugar Cookies, Spice Cookies, Gluten-Free Chocolate Cookies, Mint Patties, Pistachio Brittle, Penuche The Pistachio Brittle was a big hit this year.  I make it every year although not necessarily to share!  It is very good.  Rich, buttery, big taste of pistachios.  Yum Pistachio Brittle Recipe Nonstick cooking spray 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup light corn syrup 1 1/2 cup shelled pistachios 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon unsalted butter Spray the back of a baking sheet with the nonstick cooking spray and set aside. In heavy saucepan, place 1/2 cup water, sugar, and corn syrup.  Cook the mixture over high heat until it registers 295 degrees on a candy thermometer, about 12 to 15 minutes.  Using a wooden spoon, quickly stir in the pistachios.  Turn off heat, add the vanilla, baking soda, and butter and stir until well-blended. Quickly turn the mixture out onto the back of ...

I was changing into pajamas when I hear this little voice say "Grandma, you fat."  At age three, Clementine's language skills increase exponentially, but still require a three second translation factor. I say "Huh?" "You fat Grandma."  Well the kid is right.  I am indeed quite fat. I say "I beg your pardon?" and give her a stern, eyebrow raised stare. She figures it out, says "nevermind."  Literally "nevermind."  Kids have no filters. With a somber demeanor, Henry announced to me one day, "Grandma, you're very old. You're going to die soon."  He added, "I'm really going to miss you." "Thank you Henry"

Bought an ice cream churner attachment for my Kitchen Aid recently.  My grandchildren are visiting this weekend, so what better time to whip up ice cream? Fall apples are crisping up in the side yard trees, inspiring Fresh Apple Cake link to apple cake recipe , my favorite apple cake.  I used gluten-free "flour" this time with good results.  The cake didn't rise as high as when made with wheat flour, but tasted wonderful and the crumb was good.  Along with Julia Child's caramel sauce, caramel-sauce-la-julia-child .  I'm thinking a parfait trifecta. The kiddos will rave over this combination. Whatever is left over will go to my library meeting.  I expect my fellow board members to swoon.  Is 10:30 a.m. too early for dessert? The results:  The ice cream is so smooth and silky, no ice crystals, and was scoopable right out of the freezer. Very easy recipe.  Sicilian-Style from Food 52 recipe A cooked-until-thick ice cream base, ju...

The power of Thor's hammer! He was so excited to show me that hammer, but first he had to ask his dad to get it off the high shelf.  Turns out he'd tormented his sister and lost usage rights.  After a stern lecture about hammer etiquette, he got a second chance.  He and the other kids at the party were tossing the hammer back and forth until it went flying over the fence into the neighbor's yard.  Henry was absolutely distraught.  He sat on my lap sobbing over his loss. "Are you wiping your runny nose on my dress?" "Yes." "That's what I thought." The hammer was recovered and the day saved.  I too am a sucker for Thor - harking back to the perfect casting in "Adventures in Babysitting."  The Thor character was a chiseled blond god and a delight to my eye. Some years after that movie, I met a woman of Norse heritage whose son was named Thor.  My imagination went into overdrive and I could hardly wait to meet him.  No...