Thumbprint Cookies
I don’t think there’s ever been a Christmas when I haven’t made these cookies. My kids have always loved them! Ingredients: Cookies: 1 stick butter 1/4c packed brown sugar 1 large egg, separated 1c all purpose flour 1/4t salt 1c finely chopped pecans Filling: 1c powdered sugar 1/2t vanilla 3-4t milk food coloring Directions: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the butter and sugar. Add the egg yolk and vanilla, and mix. Stir in the flour and salt. Shape into 1″ balls. Beat the egg white slightly. Dip the cookie balls into egg white, then nuts. Place about an inch apart on an…
Master Bath Pampering
The one room in the house that usually doesn’t get enough attention or creativity in a remodel is the master bath. All too often, 2 sinks are jammed into a 5 or 6 foot vanity with no creative thought. This was not the case with this months featured bath. Pine Hills is a beautiful development in the southern part of Plymouth off of exit 3 on route 3. Beautifully designed and manicured, Pine Hills is the ultimate spot to retire or fill in for that summer home. With multiple golf courses, its own fire department and a slew of stores and restaurants,…
Raised Ranch Restoration, Transitional Style
This month’s feature kitchen remodel reminds me of my very first home, a small raised ranch in Raynham. I had just gotten married and I was young and full of energy. It was the summer of 1988. I had moved in about 3 months before our wedding. The home needed work, so I pretty much renovated the entire place, inside and out. I think I tore out the kitchen the first week I moved in. I ripped up the floor, took out the wall between the kitchen and dining area. That opened up the area and gave it a much larger…
Sausage and Apple Stuffed Acorn Squash
Ingredients 2 acorn squash, halved and seeded 1 tablespoon butter, melted 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt 1/4 teaspoon ground sage 1 lb. pork sausage ( regular seasoning) 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped 1 celery rib, finely chopped 4 ounces mushrooms, chopped 2 apples, cored and chopped (Macintosh) 1 cup fine breadcrumbs 1/2 teaspoon sage salt and pepper 1 egg, beaten 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped Directions Combine the melted butter, garlic salt and 1/4 teaspoons sage; brush over cut sides and cavity of squash. Salt and pepper to taste. Bake in a large roasting pan, cut side up, at 400 degrees…
Apple-Cranberry Crisp
Ingredients 3 cups cubed Granny Smith apple (about 1 pound) 2 cups fresh cranberries 1/2 cup sugar Cooking spray 1/3 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup regular oats 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/4 cup canola oil Preparation Preheat oven to 350°. Combine the first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl; spoon into an 8 x 8-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Lightly spoon the flour into a dry measuring cup, and level with a knife. Combine flour, oats, sugar, and oil, stirring with a fork until crumbly. Sprinkle over the apple mixture. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes…
Early 20TH Century Home Makeover
One of my hobbies is to buy an old home and fix it up to today’s standards. That brings me to an old home that I came across on Pearl Street in Middleboro in the spring of 2015. The home was an estate sale and had not been updated for many years. It’s a turn of the century older home that is normally found in this farm community. I love the charm of these older homes and a lot of my inspiration comes alive in me when I do find a gem like this home. It needed a lot of…
Zucchini Bread
Recipe By: v monte “Really, really good and moist- my kids eat it as quickly as I can make it. Bread will freeze well, and keep in refrigerator for weeks.” Ingredients 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon 3 eggs 1 cup vegetable oil 2 1/4 cups white sugar 3 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups grated zucchini 1 cup chopped walnuts Directions 1. Grease and flour two 8 x 4 inch pans. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). 2. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, soda,…
Beach Blanket Bingo Summer Home
I’m sure you all remember the movie back in the 60’s with Frankie & Annette. This home on the water reminds me of that fun and colorful movie. It’s a home that as soon as you walk in, you smile. Our clients style for the home was beach of course, since it is right on the water. The beautiful blue and green colors throughout the very open floor plan home give you a calming effect that you want from an ocean home. I love the fact that the outside walls are mostly occupied by windows and doors. It gives the…
Recipe of the Month – Beer Braised BBQ Pork Butt
Ingredients: For the dry rub: 2 tablespoons salt About 40 grinds black pepper 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon garlic powder 2 teaspoons ground coriander 2 teaspoons ground mustard seed 12 ounces good ale or dark beer, such as Bass 4 cloves garlic, chopped 1 5 -pound pork butt (shoulder of the animal) Directions: Combine rub ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Rub all over pork butt. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour and as long as overnight. Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Unwrap pork and place in a roasting pan with sides…
Millennials Remodel Their New Home
The trend of people buying an existing home and remodeling right away has to be the trend of today’s Millennial’s. If they are not building a new home, finding an older home and remodeling it to meet their young family needs is an upward movement towards “Family First.” With both people working while raising a new family, time spent at their home with family and friends during holidays, gatherings for football, cook outs and parties is how we unwind these days. When I first met my clients, their concern was the way the home was originally designed with the typical…