Blueberry scones

Winter still has us in its grip!

 Last week we had a bit of a warm up.

The temperatures went above freezing for a day or so.

The snow began to melt,

but the ground underneath is still froze.

We had a lot of running water with no place to go.

Then it got cold again!

Everything froze.

What a mess!

Getting anything else moved from the farmhouse is now on hold!

The roads are treacherous!

More snow predicted for this weekend!

Making it a home

It sure is nice to be back home!

But it has been busy, busy, busy!

We are starting to get everything put in its place at the new house.

I am so thrilled with how the kitchen turned out!

We repainted the walls.

Then added granite counter tops.

I love my middle island!

It will work wonderful when ever I get around to baking!

I bought these canisters at an auction today as a house warming present to myself.

The living room is almost done. 

We are still picking out the window treatments.

I could live with just the view, but the pipeliner thinks the windows need to be decorated!

He has started a collection of crocks to put next to the fireplace.

The room that seems to get the most use would be the sunroom.

Such a cozy spot anytime of the day!

Little man is having a blast going through all of grandmas new kitchen drawers.

We still have boxes in the basement left to unpack.

Things still at the farmhouse that need to be brought over.

But for the most part we are settled.

Everyday it seems more and more like home!

Liz

The Weekend Wrap

I was lucky to finally get some female company!

Two other pipeline wives flew in for the weekend to visit their hubbys.

 We had the days free while the men worked.

( Lucky to have such hard working men!!)

Of course site seeing was on the top of our list.

Saturday we had lunch down by the Jersey coast.

We enjoyed watching the ships pass in the harbor while we ate.

(The fresh stuffed flounder was out of this world at the Barge!)

This area had been hit hard by Hurricane Sandy.

Most homes have been restored to their beautiful coastal look.

I am sure this area must be so charming in the summertime!

Sunday morning we drove to Liberty State Park.

Only a 25 minute drive from the hotel.

Look at the great view of the New York skyline.

It is still such a strange site not to see the twin towers.

We took the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.

We sailed past Ellis island on the way.

The history that surrounds the island is so overwhelming.

I would love to come back and spend the day.

Lots of the buildings are still closed from hurricane damage.

Then you turn the corner and see her.

What a breath taking site!

We departed the ferry to begin our tour.

Tickets were sold out up to the crown.

The pedestal was as far up as we were going.

Thank heavens after reading this!

The view from the pedestal was spectacular!

We made our way back to the bottom.

Bought a few things from the souvenir shop, then got ready for the ferry ride back.

Goodbye Lady Liberty! 

May you stand tall for another 130 years!

No Peek Stew

Day 10 on the road!

I miss the grandson,

I miss my dogs!

Fingers crossed it will only be a few more days until we hit the road for home.

I know the guys are really tired of eating out.

We all have these little kitchenettes in our rooms.

But most men I know really don't want to cook after working 10+ hours,

so they grab something quick on the way home.

The pipeliner asked if I would make something home-made for the guys one night.

I tried to think of a recipe everyone would like.

Plus what would taste great after a long day out in the cold and snow.

Of course, STEW!

I have had a go to stew recipe for years

No Peek Stew!

I made my grocery list, then walked to the store for the ingredients.

Thankfully the store isn't that far away.

I had to lug everything back!

Then it was time to mix it all up.

The secret ingredient:

I had 10 guys to feed plus myself.

I made 5 separate pans.

My son, who is also on this job, has a room next door to ours.

His room has an oven that I have been using.

First I baked a batch of cupcakes, then I put the stews in his oven to cook for the rest of the afternoon.

The cleaning lady raised her eyebrows when saw me carrying all of these covered pans into his room.

I had all of the pans ready to go when the guys got off work. Along with some crusty bread I bought at the bakery.

Plus they got cupcakes for dessert.

My hubby has a great group of guys on his crew!

They all went out of there way to come out here when he asked.

This was the least I could do to make them a little more comfortable.

Tonight,

they are taking me out for supper!

2 lbs beef stew meat

2-3 large onions sliced in chunks

5 stalks celery cut into chunks

6 carrots cut into chunks

3 large potatoes cut into chunks

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

2 tbsp sugar

4 tbsp tapioca ( quick cooking)

1 1/2 cup tomato juice or V8

In a 9 x 12 pan, layer the stew meat on the bottom. Do not brown the meat!

Add the onions, carrots, potatoes, and celery. 

(I added some frozen peas too!)

Combine the salt, pepper, sugar and tapioca.

Sprinkle all over the top.

Pour the tomato juice over the top of everything.

Tightly cover the pan with foil.

Cook in the oven for 4 hours at 300 F.

DO NOT PEEK!

Give everything a good stir after it is done.

Enjoy!

Have a great Friday!

Liz

I thought we left this behind!

Sunday was a balmy, sunny, 55 in this part of New Jersey.

But that darned ol' groundhog had to see his shadow and predict 6 more weeks of winter!

When we woke up Monday morning it looked like this out the window.

The pipeliner went to work.

But it wasn't long before he called to say I am on my way back to the room.

We were under a winter storm warning until 5 that afternoon.

Most of the crew spent the day doing laundry.

And catching up on sleep!

No money to be made when the welders rig is covered in snow!

I ventured out after the snow stopped.

It was a pretty snow!

(can't believe I think snow is still pretty at this point)

Everything that was uncovered due to the thaw on Sunday, was now buried in a world of white again.

Guess what?

We are under another winter storm warning starting tomorrow morning at 5 a.m.

The sun is out nice and bright today.

I am putting on my boots to do some exploring around our area.

I am walking so I probably won't go far.

Found a sushi place about a mile up the road, thats my destination!

Tomorrow will probably be another snow day spent with the pipeliner.

I would never complain about that!

But didn't we drive almost 1000 miles to get away from the snow and cold?

Stay warm!

Liz