If you stay busy enough you don’t recognize the truth of the matter. You are busy enough that horrible things may only seem like a nightmare. Something like a family member finding out they have cancer. A mass in the lung the size of a grapefruit, inoperable. Something you’ve been unable to wrap your mind around, something that knocks you and your family off the trail of everyday, content life and makes you want to do almost anything but face or talk about it (I was gone last week) or do much cooking in my case. But I couldn’t say no to the waffle recipe below.

The drive to get Henry

Once you stop, when you pause during the day, a time you purposely try to fill with activities and ways to still embrace life and hope. Paint a nursery dresser for new life coming, work on your first house, find more mid-century dressers to hoard collect, go out to a new restaurant, ogle over hardware, spend time on Pinterest, care for your new puppy-you realize that not only is this real, it’s happening as your life in a few states away is happening. You are not there, there’s nothing you can do.

He was jumping and running around in August over our visit. Being the person, being my grandpa, the man I’ve known for almost 30 years. My grandpa was going to be the one, if any of us in the family were going to, to live to be over 100. He’s active, in his 80’s, and full of energy, wisdom and an orneriness that gives him vitality and a lust for life. And he has cancer. In his lungs, in his bones (in the bones being something I found out over the weekend).

Greg and my grandpa playing pool

Then in January, he was down in the hospital with what they thought was pneumonia. Not pneumonia, it turns out, it’s a grapefruit size cancerous tumor in his lung. The thing to take him down is something that’s been there while he’s been so full of life. It was most likely there while he was driving around in his Studebaker and playing pool, grilling the family meal at gatherings, there while he was farming and there while everyone commented about his huge appetite and ability to cram so much food into his small body without gaining weight or slowing down. It’s been rumored he has a hollow leg where he stores that excess food. Something I wish I had inherited.

My grandparents

A smart man, a fun person, a loving husband for over 60 years, father to 4 daughters, grandpa of 7 grandchildren and almost 2 great grandchildren (my sister is about to have Baby Girl any day now). We don’t have kids yet and the plan was for him to be around when that day came.

My grandpa is charismatic, to know him is to love him. He’s not one to slow down. Not even his hair grays and he’s compact at 5’3” (same as me) with brown eyes that sparkle (same as me…well just the brown eyes). He whistles and hums songs that make whatever it is you are doing with or near him that much more enjoyable.

I know some will hate this but I'm posting it any way.

A record plays in their finished basement. A place the family often congregates and one of the most common memories to pop into mind when I’m not busy enough to keep this all at bay. There he sings along, his deep voice booming, while he stokes the fire. He’s the type of grandpa to sing ‘You are my Sunshine’ or ‘Say, Say Oh Playmate’ while he swings you in the hammock. You feel like he has nowhere else to be and nothing else to do but spend time with you and you feel great. Then my mind flashes to another time and he’s leading me through the garden to the gooseberries and strawberries so that we can eat to our heart’s desire. The warm, sun-ripened berries taste enhanced by his company. And the marble game known as aggravation, the hundreds of games we’ve played, with all of our habits, phrases and teasing we’ve acquired through the years and that does it for me. I’m crying and angry. Really? To grandpa? What is grandma to do? What would any of us do without him? He’s a fighter though. He has our support. He has our love. That’s about as much as we can do.

So I’ve been out of my mind with worry, blurry-eyed and angry. Yes, that is different from every other day to you smartasses.

Sonora Grill and Blue Ox Coffee-our weekend

We’re waiting to hear the treatment plan. Doctor appointments, scans, oxygen supplies all going on to someone you love somewhere else while I’m playing and loving on the new puppy in our household, Henry. He’s a darling boy and long-awaited in our lives.

Henry our Old English sheepdog and newest member of the family

Greg and I are pet people and our last 8 years of apartment living didn’t allow for a dog. We have the house now and I went for it. He’s an 8 week old, 7 lb., Old English sheepdog. He is ornery and sweet and a character much like my grandpa. And he consumes a lot of time which is nice. He’s our baby. He will be around 70 lbs. as an adult so he will turn into our very big baby.

We did purchase a waffle maker before the news and you have to try those out. Even when you don’t want to eat, you hear waffle and become hungry, right? Hungry enough to eat your weight in waffles.

I came across this recipe by accident but I trust the sources-Serious Eats and Better Homes and Gardens- and it does make some delicious waffles. If you have this handy pancake pen, you’re good to go for a fast breakfast. I’m not affiliated with the company-it just works great and is worth a mention. Premade, frozen waffles no longer necessary.

photo from Real Simple by Levi Brown

When you want to change it up a bit, these cinnamon sugar waffle fingers look awesome.

“The Greatest Waffle Recipe Ever” from Serious Eats and BHG
Serves 2 to 4 (or one)
Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.
Ingredients:
1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
2 egg yolks
1 ¾ cups milk
½ cup canola oil
2 egg whites

In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat the egg yolks slightly, stir in milk and oil. Add the egg yolk mixture to the dry mix and stir until moistened (should be lumpy).

In a small bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form (stands straight up). Gently fold the whites into the flour mixture. Do not overmix. Spoon the batter into the waffle maker (don’t overfill), following its cooking directions then serve with syrup and butter or however you like your waffles. I like a little butter between each waffle topped with a good amount of syrup. Boysenberry syrup would be lovely too. That’s another memory from my grandparent’s house. Excuse me, I have to go make these again…for dinner. And some extra for a snack and then again for breakfast.

It’s cold. Turning colder. After a freakishly mild winter thus far in Minnesota, as it has been in other parts of the United States, the chill has arrived. Our house (we’ve lived here for about a month but it seems much longer) needs more insulation. It’s an upcoming project-renting the machine and blowing it into the attic. We’re trying to avoid high bills so I just bundle up in layers or with cozy blankets made by my mom. Sanding and painting help too.

By the by, if you’d like to see what we’re up to around the house-how we created our closet system, the new blinds issue, tips, our newest mid-century dresser, the upcoming attic entry idea or check out the progress on a client’s nursery dresser, follow this link. We’re busy bees.

But not too busy that I can’t make some decent meals like this soup created by Kalyn. There are lentils, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), a little smoked and sweet paprika, and tomatoes. I only added a smidge of butter and optional goat cheese as a topping. The use of two kinds of paprika with the lentils, that pretty much melt, with the chickpeas work so well together. I highly recommend the toppings too. I didn’t use the crockpot method this time as she did but just know if you head to her site, you’ll see how that’s done. Otherwise, pull out a large pot and get cracking.

Red Lentil, Chickpea and Tomato Soup with Smoked Paprika adapted from Kalyn’s recipe
Serves 6 to 8
Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.
Ingredients:
1 large yellow onion, diced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp sweet paprika
1/2 tsp dried thyme
salt to taste
freshly ground pepper to taste
5 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 cup red lentils
28 to 30 ounces canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed
29 ounces (2 cans) petite dice tomatoes with juice
sour cream, plain yogurt or goat cheese for serving, optional

Heat the oil and butter in a large pot. Sauté the onion until it’s soft and starting to brown lightly, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, smoked paprika, sweet paprika, dried thyme, salt/black pepper (add a little here then do it to taste at the end). Sauté 2-3 minutes or until spices are fragrant.

Add the stock to the pot along with the red lentils and chickpeas. Bring to a boil then lower to a slow simmer for 25 to 35 minutes or until the lentils are starting to soften and dissolve into the soup. This time will vary with the age of the lentils.

When the lentils are starting to soften, add the diced tomatoes with the juice. Simmer for 30 or so more minutes or until the lentils and chickpeas are both quite soft. It’s at this point you can carefully puree the soup in batches. I did not do this. I just let it sit on the stovetop on low for the day until dinner and refrigerated the rest. It’s even better the next day. You can also freeze this recipe. Don’t forget some sour cream, plain yogurt or goat cheese when serving.

But if you’d like to puree it, here’s how: remove about half of the soup to a bowl. Puree the soup using an immersion blender, food processor, or blender. (If you’re using a food processor or blender, be careful.)

Stir the pureed soup back into the pot; taste and add more salt or fresh ground pepper if desired. Serve hot with some sour cream, plain yogurt or goat cheese if you want.

Just stopping in real quick, on a break from painting the closet, to tell you about or maybe remind you of this recipe. It’s all over the foodie blogosphere. I’m a little late to the sauce party. I have sauce on my face. Color me saucy. I’m done. But I’d rather be late than not experience this recipe at all.

This tomato sauce…it’s…well…3 ingredients and I had doubts about the rave reviews for these 3 little items simmered together (4 with salt). Whole peeled tomatoes, an onion and butter. Just those things make one of the best pasta toppings ever? Nah but yes, they do. Ridiculously good. Even “wasting” the onion is dandy with me on this one. I say waste because the onion imparts its flavor then is removed.

3-Ingredient Tomato Sauce

I don’t think you’ll be complaining. Give it a go and tell me what you think. Just don’t do what I’ve done almost every time I’ve made this (which has been several times in the last few months) and let the tasty sauce plop you in the face as it simmers. Stand back. Let the sauce cool and thicken then get close and personal.

By the way, did you happen to see me on the Weather Channel last week? Well, my recipe and some photos. Uh, awesome! Growing up, if you were passing through the living room when dad was home, you would most likely see him watching the Weather Channel. He would dance to the local forecast elevator muzak. And it would be hilarious, good fun. When I think about my younger days, my dad busting a move to the weather channel is one of my best memories. Makes me smile. So I feel like I’ve “made it” by being on there. I’m only partially joking.

Thanks to them and also to Yummly who have made me an official “delicious blog” on their fantastic site with a feature on my cheddar cheese soup. The entire post is about delicious, cheesy recipes. Nice.

Tomato Sauce with Butter and Onion
From Smitten Kitchen adapted from Marcela Hazan’s recipe in the Essentials of Italian Cooking

Makes enough to coat about a pound of pasta
Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.
Ingredients:
28 oz. canned whole peeled tomatoes (San Marzano brand is my choice)
5 tbsp unsalted butter
1 medium onion, peeled and cut in half
salt to taste

Put the tomatoes, butter and onion in at least a 3 quart pot (I like my Dutch oven for this), set over medium heat. Bring the sauce to a simmer then lower to a slow simmer for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally, crushing the tomatoes against the side of the pot with a spoon. Watch your face with those plops. Remove the sauce from the heat, discard the onion, add some salt to taste and keep it warm while you prepare your pasta or store it in the refrigerator and use it in the next few days.

Welcome to 2012! I don’t know why but even numbers (and right turns) are more appealing to me. Call me a weirdo. But I could be extra excited about this year because we’re so in love with our first home. Greg and I jumped right into projects. I attacked a few closets after oh, about 5 minutes in the door.

We’ve been here for a little over 2 weeks with most of the work happening over the extended weekends (too bad those are gone for a long time). Hello, hammer, crowbar and being exhausted in the best way!

No more ceiling tile downstairs

I’ll spare you most of the boring details of our holiday season, resist posting a “best of 2011” or the “what I learned in 2011” post and instead show you some pictures of the house with a few shots of things that went on in my writing absence.

Some things we've consumed in the last few weeks

I insist on updating you about the house here at the Dabble for my first post of 2012 but will most likely continue house updates at my other blog- the Wits- which focuses on furniture, design and décor. You can subscribe or stop by there once in a while if you’d like.

Conjunction junction

We had to cut a number of holes in the wall during the electrical work.

Old, thick drywall

Anywho, I find myself, in moments of rest, saying “I can’t believe we have a house” followed by a big smile. Greg does the same. It’s bigger than we thought even with our oversized, modern furniture. The ceiling is awesome. The soft water rocks. The dishwasher actually cleans. We can do laundry whenever we want in our very own washer and dryer. We have a basement and garage. We have nice neighbors that bring us welcoming gifts-a candle and some homegrown frozen raspberries.

The ceiling

We’re working to make it great for resale in 3 to 5 years and at the same time, work within our tastes as much as we can but there will have to be compromise. Our style is not your average Midwesterner’s ideal. (I’m having a hard time finding super dark hardwood flooring in a 50 mile radius.) We also hope to get a renter in a few months to help with the cost which gives us incentive to get that area remodeled pronto.

new numbers

Plans have changed since we’ve had time to live in the space. We’ve changed our layout idea downstairs to accommodate something open in place of another bedroom (would have been the 5th). We’re extending the bathroom wall down there and opening up the hall to mirror the openness of the upstairs. Which means we’ve decimated a room we intended to leave intact for a project much further down the line and are using the room we intended to work on first as our dump. All of the material needs to go before we can continue…something in the works for the weekend. No dumpster for us. Why spend that much money when you can haul the material to the dump a lot cheaper on a trailer? But you have to have access to a trailer and vehicle to transport it or know someone who does. We know someone.

Before...

Before...(same room)

Before...(other side of room)

Thus far it doesn’t look like much and I’m light-years away from getting to the decorating portion. It doesn’t stop me from planning though. Anyone looked at my Pinterest boards lately? Crammed full of inspiration.

Demo

During with black mold and all (someone did a poor job of framing this basement space)

View from the hall

Greg and I spent Christmas Day working on the electrical. While the homeowners took care to maintain this ship, they hired someone who wasn’t as organized and tidy. It’s crazy and haphazard. A job we now get the pleasure of fixing and grounding. Most of the upstairs is finished. We also had cable and internet installed. When we get the other rooms finished, we’ll install the cable ourselves this time and save hundreds of dollars.

After (no more closet)

After-nice and open

After

I’m learning from my experienced husband, absorbing information like the crazy-eyed, new home buyer I am. Our evenings are spent doing demo and repairs followed by a meal, shower, maybe a little tv watching or research online.

But this is the mess

More mess

hubby

So some electrical, insulation, demo, utility room overhaul, organization and a bunch of tiny things have been accomplished. The furniture refinishing room is set up and ready to go (something I will be working on during the week). Good thing because we have a nursery dresser to start for a client. I also scheduled to pick up another dresser.

Next client project

In the midst of working on the house, I started sewing again after a long time away. Not to paint the picture that I was ever an avid sewer. Not me. I also started working on a few projects for our etsy store-think along the lines of picture frames, fabric and wallpaper. Plus we picked up a cane barrel chair for $19 at a local shop which will be for upholstery practice. I love being busy.

new project

And then there’s the cooking, writing and taking photos. There will be a recipe next time. I’ve collected a multitude of ‘em over the last month. Anything I should try come across your radar?

Five Guys Burgers and Fries-our first visit (yum)

There’s no tooting my own horn going on around here or that “hey, everyone, look at me donate” thing which seems to be going around these days nor am I bashing anyone that did post a wish list. Still am thinking about it even though it’s getting a bit late in the season.

You might be like us and on a tight budget but I believe any bit you can do, paired with others doing the same, can make wonderful things happen. Volunteering your time is an amazing idea as well. Plus it doesn’t have to be on one day or once this holiday season, you can donate any time of the year and repeatedly. But you know that. So here are my choices for charity donating-what are yours?

Heifer International: donations support families around the world with livestock that will help their future and the future of their community by providing nutrition and income, a “hand-up” rather than a hand-out. Another good reason is that the family accepting the livestock promises in turn to give one of the offspring to another family in need. Paying it forward. Nice.

Why Hunger: their goal is to “end hunger and poverty by connecting people to nutritious, affordable food and by supporting grassroots solutions that inspire self-reliance and community empowerment” or donate to Why Hunger by purchasing the Trampled By Turtles version of “Where Is My Mind” by the Pixies (love both groups).

Dress For Success: they say it best again “(we) promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.”

Gifts That Give: making some purchases online? Stop by this organization and shop where every $5 spent, $1 is donated to a charity of your choice. For someone like me who frequently shops online, I love this idea.

The organizations that tear at my heartstrings most are those catering to children with an illness-the ones that also help families through the most difficult times (especially the hospitals paying fully for the services through donations).

found on Pinterest

Children’s of Minnesota , St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and Riley Children’s Foundation.

I worked as a social worker/case manager after I graduated from college (as some of you may recall)-an experience that changed me forever. I worked with teens and tweens, many without a stable home and role model, often lacking things we take for granted. It broke my heart not being able to do more.

That said, children and adolescents need advocates as much as donations. Many just want to know that someone sincerely cares. Support and volunteering are always a great route.

Big Brothers Big Sisters
Child Help
It Gets Better Project (for bullied LGBT young adults)

Hey, it’s not just the humans having a tough time, pets need attention too. What can I say, I’m an animal lover.

The Humane Society
Beagle Freedom Project (I have a soft spot for beagles because I grew up with the best dog ever, Levi, a red haired pup)
Why not open your home and love to a pet that needs adopted by finding them through Petfinder or Adopt-A-Pet

Happy holidays!

My husband and I move into our first house in a little more than a week. What? That’s crazy talk. The scene around the apartment looks like this in multiple areas…

While the view outside is like this…

Not too many aggravating snowy circumstances getting in the way just yet. I’m actually a little melancholy. I like this view. The view from our front window in the house will be of the house across the street.

But with that view comes the beauty of being in our very own place and all the ideas we have that will become realities and all the things to create and how long it’s taken us to get to this point and all that annoying paperwork for the rural development loan…just wow.

And I think about things like someone purposely flooding two laundry rooms in our apartment complex this past weekend, causing the fire alarm to sound outside of our door and a lot of damage, on what was a pleasant Sunday evening. Things like that snap me right out of any sentimental feelings here and I’m grabbing my coat, tossing a “sayonara” to the door.

Being busy with the house helps keep the gloomies away (did I really just say that) since we will not be spending the holidays with family for the second year in a row. Getting wrapped up in the holiday season isn’t happening so much for us. It just feels like winter. I have a theory that this will not help the whole “winter lasts too long, where is spring in Minnesota” thing later on. Just as I claim to be busy, I’m reminded of the times these past few weeks where I was doing this….

staring at the ceiling

because nothing more can be done until it’s go time.

So we don’t have any decorations up. None whatsoever. Even after my mom sent us a special ornament to commemorate our first house. I have plans for it, mom, and the flowers you made me using this tutorial I found on Pinterest. My mom is awesome.

adorable first house ornament from my mom (and family)

As is this recipe. I’ve posted my love and a great recipe for Panzanella Caprese (bread salad with tomatoes and mozzarella in this case) which is more for summer but when I saw this version in Better Homes and Gardens, I thought it would be perfect for fall. I made it maybe a month ago and forgot to share. But the point is that I am passing on the goodness now.

This is great for us olive lovers. I suggest using quality balsamic vinegar and olive oil-it really makes a difference. Next time I might add some dried herbs to the bread before toasting but it’s not necessary. The bread soaks up all the dressing then you grab a bit of olive and tomato on your fork and you get one delicious bite…the best part being that you get to keep doing that to your heart’s desire. Bite after savory bite.

BHG calls it roasted tomato-bread toss but we know its name is Panzanella or Ms. Bread Salad if you’re nasty (Janet Jackson song reference).

Roasted Tomato and Olive Bread Salad from Better Homes and Gardens
Makes 8 side dish or lunch servings
Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it.
Ingredients:
2 lbs. cherry or grape tomatoes (about 6 cups)
6 cups torn or chopped baguette pieces or Italian bread (12 ounces)
2 to 3 tbsp olive oil plus 2 more tbsp olive oil
½ cup pitted Kalamata and/or green olives
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
4 cloves garlic, minced
salt/freshly ground pepper

Preheat the oven to 375F (originally 400 but that seemed too high for the amount of time for cooking) and position one rack in the upper third of the oven. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Wash and dry tomatoes then arrange them in a single layer on the baking sheet. Place the bread pieces in a large bowl and toss with 2 or 3 tbsp olive oil (maybe some dried herbs). On a second rimmed baking sheet, arrange the bread in a single layer.

Roast the tomatoes on the upper rack and the bread on the lower for 20 to 25 minutes. Keep an eye on the bread so it doesn’t burn. Toss the tomatoes and bread once halfway through cooking. When the tomatoes are wrinkly and begin to split, remove and when bread is toasted remove it as well.

Add the bread and olives to the tomato pan then add the remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper; toss gently and allow the bread to absorb the liquid then serve immediately.

By the way, we finished another client order and wanted to share the before and after. Robin egg blue antique secretary with crystal knobs on its way to St. Louis this weekend.

Thanksgiving was nice minus the rolls turning out more like biscuits and the pie was lacking (not making that recipe again and next time I will find out exactly what to do with the rolls after they freeze since I think that led to their biscuit-like nature). We watched the parade, gave a nod to our anniversary, ate at noon, watched the dog show, Greg napped, took a nice walk in decent temps, ate again, watched some home improvement shows online, maybe a movie and then slept. Exciting, I know.

Thanksiversary 2011-Thanksgiving and our anniversary fell on the same day this year

I enjoyed the 4 days with my husband even though it was laid back the entire time. But we factor in that we’re moving into our first home in a few weeks. That will be action packed and once we’re in, we don’t intend to slow down with the project train. Until the budget can’t handle it which is inevitable.

There were cringeworthy moments watching how some people tackle remodeling their homes. Numerous persons were electrocuted, a bunch of pipes/lumber/cabinets/etc. were unnecessarily destroyed and rational thought was lacking (making for great tv). Geez, it was entertaining. Do you have a favorite renovation show?