There is one thing that is a given if one visits the Range (either crash pad one or otherwise.) You will NOT go hungry.

After a good night's sleep, our hostess and the tired travelers were to bed early Friday night, they being tired from the trip, me tired from some long duty days and early mornings this week.

Saturday morning, I awoke before anyone, and baked some pastries, set out to rise overnight, assembled a couple of days prior then put in the freezer.

Homemade  croissants, these  from my Croissants Pain au Chocolat  recipe with a tiny dab of  sweet and fragrant almond paste replacing the chocolate in the center.


Then it was off to half priced books!
I love the antique typewriters on the top of the shelves, but laughed at the Sci Fi Fantasy aisle also containing Westerns AND paranormal romance (The Quick and the Undead? Bella Star?) I was amazed at the growth of the paranormal romance books (Dad hates your boyfriend, bring home a horny werewolf, that will show him).

I think the audience is either housebound soccer moms or hormonally overactive young teens (In my day, we just went and rode the horse around for a while). Still it it made me smile to see the mix of what was in the aisle.
New Reading material for everyone, with a couple books for friends!

Then it was time for lunch, meeting a couple of friends, including Scout26 and offspring for lunch at one of the area Irish pubs. Miss D., on the left had the corned beef and cabbage, the rest of us trying less traditional fare, including a barbecue flat bread pizza the kitchen made up for young R. even if it wasn't on the weekend menu!
The young man had a brand new RC airplane, Miss D. gave him some lessons in aerodynamics while I scouted out a good operations site that was flat, open to the public and free from hard things to fly into. Unfortunately the local winds picked up to almost 30 miles per hour, double that of the max allowance for the craft, so the aircraft had to remain hangared. Barkley offered him self as backup to the boy, who got to play with big black dog for a while, while the grown ups caught up.

Then it was "girls afternoon out", while Miss D. and I took the bat truck and headed into the city.  We'd invited Tam and Roberta X. to join, but they were out of town with other plans, so we did the solo trek to some of our favorite haunts.
Goose the Market.  A piece or two of the jowl bacon will go well in green beans tonight simmered in a bit of stock with shallots and a pinch of red pepper, Along with that, a simple Goose the Market locally raised pork tenderloin, encrusted with French herbs and cooked in a few Tablespoons of garlic infused stock in an enamel pot until spoon tender. A simple supper after a day of fine food.

But for now? Bacon and chocolate gelato? Oh my. . but alas, we are still full from lunch. Next time.


So many good flavors, carrot cake with cream cheese, frosting, Turkish coffee and others. It was tempting, but we still have mead tasting and dinner together later.

With a little bit of everything including the kitchen sink, in our Goose the Market bag,  we were on our way to the  New Day meadery. 

D. and Peter have brought me their wines before, but I'd not visited.  How fun!  I'd never tried mead until Partner in Grime  made some Christmas of 2011.  I was hooked,  but when we had run out of the small bath, I found that  the liquor store pre bottled mead tasted like alpaca spit mixed with lemon scented dish washing detergent. The first taste I had of New Day's product was "THIS is what it's supposed to taste like, it's as good as what I first tried!"

50 mph winds at home tonight.  I'd like to stay in but I have a pet.

Just think . . . . . Control Line Labrador Retriever.   (No!  No! Barkley, elevator UP, trim, then drop the cargo load!)

You all stay safe out there, this is a nasty storm.
Love - Brigid

Want something warm, spicy and sweet for your Christmas brunch?

You need to have some good friends.

I was out at Dad's, I don't usually post as to the quick visits, but I do get out there regularly to check on him.  It's 6 hours on a plane and a couple hours or so in a rental car, neither cheap or easy, but I do what I can to make sure he is safe and happy. Big brother lives close by so I don't worry too much.

One visit, a few months ago,  my good friend Brighid at  Brighid's Place  was able to came over, as she was visiting her grandkids who live only an hour or so from Dad.


When you see a beautiful blond  in tight jeans in a HUGE truck pull up, there's not much guessing who it is.

It was a fun visit, and between fun visits out West we share all sorts of things, bad jokes, photos of kids, gun reviews, elegant poems that rhyme with Nantucket and recipes.  She's a budding chef, I'm her muse and she is my supply of really, really good wine when I'm at Dad's (Thunderbird?  Dad,  Really?)

So here is one she sent me a few days ago to try, with just a couple  of HOTR tweaks (OK, alcohol and Scandahoovian Spice was added).  Enjoy!

Whip two Tablespoons of unsalted butter until very fluffy.  Then add:

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 and 1/2 teaspoons Vietnamese cinnamon
1 and 1/2 teaspoons cloves
1 and 1/2 teaspoons nutmeg
a tiny pinch of Cardamon
a pinch of lemon zest (the finely grated peel of a washed fresh lemon).

Mix 1/2 cup Cognac and 1/2 cup heavy cream (you can do all cream for young adults and non drinkers) in a separate container with an airtight  cover.

Christmas just isn't Christmas around here without a party with food, friends and a Billy Mays "Big City Slider Station Mini Slider Maker"

The house was tidied up, and the 1960's Aluminum Tree and color wheel assembled.  This is not a reproduction but an actual tree from the Sixties, complete with old color wheel. The house seemed empty without Barkley, but guests in nice clothes (one with a serious dog allergy) a table full of snack sized food, and a excitable lab don't always mix. So he was having a sleepover elsewhere during the party, though I made him his own dog friendly "cheese straws" for later.

Just a few things left to do. Extra chairs were brought over and a couple digital cameras were made available for guests to take shots to share by email later.
Now for the food assembly. Bacon wrapped dates are always a hit.  Here's the first tray ready to go in the oven.

Chips, fresh veggies and dips were prepared.

The Pimento Cheese Dip was a huge hit (recipe in the comments).



Eggnog was made and the bar was readied with some things for cocktails, plus red wine, mead and . . . Liquid Wrench? That got a few smiles before it was set aside and drinks mixed.
. . . . while guests more loosened up with Liquid Wrench had the option to play with Mr. Blick, International Bean of Mystery (much safer).
The sandwiches and hot food were put out. Bacon!
There's sandwiches with cranberry, turkey and Swiss, marinated bits of steak on top of smokey cheddar and toasted baguettes, bacon!, apples with homemade caramel dip, chips, dips, veggies, cheese straws and two rolled dark chocolate cakes, one filled with peanut butter frosting, the other cream cheese and raspberry frosting, waiting to be sliced and of course, Christmas cookies and drinks on the side buffet.

Someone, get a picture.  To friends!
The food went quickly, the conversation lively, not a blog friend group, just folks that go back many years and some new friends, an assortment of squirrels, scientists, engineers, architects and teachers. Always a fun group for parties.

The evening went well, even as the food disappeared, no limbs were lost in the Bat Cave and there was only one or two near mid airs with the RC helicopters. Time to open the White Elephant Gifts, which some of the group brought to share.
There was an assortment of the deliberately useless and tacky, including the Billy Mays Slider Maker (because just making 5 small burgers is SO hard but wait there's more act now and get the special slider flipper for only $19.95 shipping and handling.) Another fun one was the small children's story books, hard bound. Or shall I say 10 for $10 BADLY edited children's story books. "Jack and her Brother Jill went up the hill" (??) and a little Red Riding Hood where the editor just couldn't handle the historical ending of Red Riding Hood which did NOT end happily ever after, instead, substituting a vague, "we're not sure what happened to Red Riding Hood, no animals were harmed in the making of this book. THE END."

The party wrapped up about 1 am, everyone  tired and full, heading home to sleep and church the next morning. It was a great time but I was getting sleepy as well. Dishes were washed and soon, I too, was snoozing.

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!
The weekend wasn't over yet, Sunday, was cold and grey, but the earlier rain had let up. The phone rang about noon. It was time for another adventure, a late lunch with Midwest Chick and Mr. B.


The Warsaw Inn in Lynwood IL. Even at 2 pm the place was packed.  Fortunately, we got a parking spot near the door as someone was leaving. Mr. B and one of the Og Clan had discovered this little gem and Mr. B. suggested meeting there for a meal, as though the drive would not be short, it would be about the same distance for all of us.  Partner in Grime was free to join us as well.  Excellent!

The decor was dated, yet the overeager wallpaper, framed prints and a room full of families wearing everything from day wear to formal suits with bowler hats just "fit", and if you add in the accordion player that frequents the place some days it doesn't get more Polish than that. The buffet itself is a bit smaller than most "buffet restaurants", but quality takes time, and there was everything we wanted, all tasting like something one's Polish Grandmother spent all day cooking.

There's daily specials in addition to the daily sausages and chicken, carved beef and ham.  This day was turkey and a pork tenderloin that was as good as Mom ever made, plus all kinds  of side dishes (perogies!) salads, homemade noodle soups and homemade bread with honey butter (check them out at www.angieswarsawinn.com )

There was much catching up, tales of daring, stories of mountaineering and dog hair and the latest in home renovations, during this wonderful meal which Mr. B.generously treated us all to.

After the last little plate of pastries and blintzes was picked up by our outstanding waitress, plans were made for a weekend together after the New Year. A few hugs were dispensed, goodbyes were exchanged and it was time for the long drive back home. Our waitress offered money off coupons for the next visit. There WILL be a next visit, I'm certain.

Soon it was home and nighttime again, a couple hours to just put the feet up with a glass of Mead, Dr. Who and many thanks for good friends and the blessings they bring, year round.

 See how easy that is?

I always hate the drive home alone the early mornings  or evenings Barkley goes to Doggie Day Camp, missing him huffing like a demented air compressor from his harness that locks into the seatbelt. He goes several times a month, to get some activity on days I'm busy late, or overnight if duty requires an unexpected all nighter.  On planned stretches, he stays with those that are his extended family, by blood or by bond.

He loves it though,  lots of attention, outside playtime and a frozen treat and dog "cookies" before he goes to sleep on his own dog bed. It's almost as much fun as staying at home.


No!Do NOT eat the Wookie!  Wookie BAD! Cookie GOOD!

So when I had to drop him off (he doesn't even look back, he's so excited, OK, miss you too!) I was missing him already, his company being part of my routine.  But I know he will have such a good time and I had to smile at their Christmas tree with the pet ornaments.

I expect during all his fun, he will get into his usual good natured mischief which they love to take pictures of and post on their wall and website though (some of which I've posted here before).

So when I saw the angel topper on their Christmas tree, I somehow figured Barkley was NOT the model.

Have a Safe and Wonderful Christmas Season.  You all are friends and family, in so many ways.

Love - Brigid and Barkley

Enchiladas with no beef or bacon?  Or Gluten or Dairy?  Who are you and what did you do with Brigid??

It's really me folks. Many of you here read my friend  Girl and Her Gun  She has a husband and teen with Celiac disease and some dairy issues as well.For such folks, eating this way is essential.  For some people, this way of eating is a trend or a take on a healthy lifestyle.  For others,  Celiac Disease, unchecked, can be a dire threat to one's health and well being.

But eating gluten and/or dairy free isn't easy.  Especially with a teenager around that likely wants to eat pizza and Mexican food like her friends.  So, the other day, when I was experimenting in the kitchen, I played around with a recipe for enchiladas and homemade enchilada sauce to see if I could make them gluten free for A Girl's daughter.  The results were quite well received by my guinea pigs dear friends, who didn't even know they were flour and dairy free, so I sent the recipe for -  

Gluten/Dairy Free Enchiladas with Spicy Sauce

It started with some chicken, a family pack purchased in bulk, cooked and frozen.  Then the tortillas.  The best gluten free ones I have tried to date are  Whole Grain Ivory Teff Wraps from Sonoma All Natural by La Tortilla Factory –they hae a nice texture and hold up well to both filling and sauce.

What else do I have?  I have beans and chilis and  I purchased some Teese Vegan Cheddar from Chicagoland (it melts better than any dairy free brand I've tried  but I've not seen it a lot of places). What I did NOT have was enchilada sauce. Canned enchilada sauce, for a lot of brands, is full of refined sugar, preservatives and some chemicals and most are not gluten free. Not to mention they are a couple bucks for a tiny can. How about making a sauce from scratch that you can make for pennies?  I was looking for something other than traditional salsa, with a dark smoky richness, an almost undetectable hint of sweet and cheap to make.

The sauce was made with bulk spices on hand that I use frequently, topping the enchiladas made  with pre cooked chicken breast with green chili and  caramelized onion, black beans, a Tablespoon or two of Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese, and the dairy free cheese.   Wrap it up in the tortillas, served with salad and iced tea, and anyone would enjoy it.  It was a hit. The response? "Excellent!, can you make these again?"   I missed my bacon, but still, I need to continue these healthy habits to set an example for the young folks.  Time to to floss!