Truffles and Tea

Many Hands One Heart

Cathy Ross — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 17:59:12 +0000

WE ARE ALL CONNECTED

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If everyone would join hands and become one with the universal heart of LOVE our world would be a happier, warmer, safer place.

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These hands include my Mom who is 77, my daughter who is 21, and my neice who is 10. Can you tell which hands belong to which person? They all painted their nails with glitter nail polish over Christmas. I love this photo. It says so much.

Cheers,

Cathy

Home For The Holidays

Cathy Ross — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 10:45:37 +0000

Memories are treasured moments in time that stay in our hearts forever. I am blessed with an awesome family and many happy memories. Like all families, we have our share of trials and tribulations, illness and challenges. But along with that, we all have a positive outlook on life and share laughter between us as often as possible. I want to share a few photos from my holiday journey to Vermont this year. It was a special time together and many new memories came to be. This first photo to the left is a view of Mt. Ascutney from the front porch. It’s a beautiful mountain that’s great for hiking up in the summer and skiing down in the winter.

This is Mom and Dad back in the early 1990′s.

A woodburning stove warms the whole house in the winter!

Here’s my Mom, Grammy, with my daughters and Meggie!

And here’s my Dad, Gramps, with McKenzie. We love to shoot the 22 off the deck…winter, spring, summer and fall. Dad and Kenzie have rigged up some tin cans to aim at off the deck!

This photo of my daughters is over-exposed and blurry from low light, but I still love it!

Here’s Meggie. She rules the house!

One of my favorite childhood memories is my Dad reading his childhood book of “Uncle Wiggily” to us each night. The illustrations are fabulous, and this one of the Skeezix is one of my favorites ….or Nurse Jane Fuzzy Wuzzy…or Sammie and Susie Littletail…

Dad has a small room, it’s about 8′ x 8′ and we call it Dad’s Museum. Dad has treasures, collected over his 77 years, from numerous butterflies to a miniature Taj Mahal, hand made gifts from grandchildren, a Reagan button, and countless other special remembrances on shelves and in cases, all artfully and carefully arranged. One could spend hours looking at the unique items. But even more fun is when Dad tells the story behind each one..

One of our traditions over the years has been hand made gifts. The forget me not egg above is one I painted for my Dad many years ago. Forget me Nots are a favorite flower of ours!

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This ship is a model ship, also in Dad’s museum, that is framed. The photo in the corner is a picture of my Dad in younger years.

Every year, at Christmas, the grandchildren and children gather to make gingerbread houses. Mom and Dad construct the house frames ahead of time, so that the afternoon can be spent decorating the houses with an amazing variety of candy. Here are some photos of our fun afternoon this year…

And last, but not least, a view of the mountain from the back deck. It’s like a little piece of heaven on earth in Vermont…

Cheers,

Cathy

Spinach Casserole

Cathy Ross — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 23:44:29 +0000

My daughter Brooke got this spinach casserole recipe from a friend of hers at Michigan State, so I’m not sure who to credit for this easy and delicious dish. It has been a big hit and as I’ve had quite a few requests for the recipe, I’m sharing it here on Truffles and Tea. Enjoy!!

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Spinach Casserole Recipe

2 boxes spinach – defrost

6 eggs

6 Tbs. flour

1 stick melted butter

1 larger carton of small curd cottage cheese (24 oz.)

1 bag shredded cheddar cheese (2 cups)

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Drain and squeeze excess water from spinach. Set aside.

Whisk the eggs and add in the flour.

Melt the butter, and add the cottage cheese and cheddar cheese to the eggs and flour.

Mix well with spinach.

Add seasoned salt or salt and pepper.

Put in greased baking dish.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

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Cheers,

Cathy

Christmas Cookies

Cathy Ross — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 18:22:56 +0000

As I mentioned in my last post, I’ll be posting the Twelve Days of Christmas Cookies. Since the season is well underway, today’s post has four of our family favorites. Hope you enjoy them as much as we do! Posted are: Rum Balls, Vanilla Crescents, Spritz Butter Cookies, and one of my favorites, Butter Nutties.

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Rum Balls

1 cup crushed vanilla wafers

1 cup powdered sugar

1 cup chopped walnuts

2 Tbs. cocoa

2 Tbs. light corn syrup

1/4 cup rum

1/2 cup fine granulated sugar

cherry halves (candied)

Combine vanilla wafers, powdered sugar, nuts and cocoa. Add corn syrup and rum. Mix well and shape into 1″ balls. Roll into granulated sugar and top with cherry halves moistened with corn syrup. Store in airtight container. Can be frozen.

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Vanilla Crescents

2 cups flour

3/4 cups sweet butter

1 1/2 cup almonds (blanched and grated)

1/2 cup sugar

Topping:

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 to 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract or original recipe 1 vanilla bean scraped out

Work flour, butter, almonds and sugar into a dough. You can grate the almonds in a food processor. Form into small crescent shapes and bake in 300 degree over for 15 – 20 minutes. Let sit for a few minutes and then dip in vanilla sugar while still warm.

Note: For vanilla sugar topping: the original recipe calls for a vanilla bean scraped out and added to the 1/3 cup of sugar. Vanilla extract can be used. Make ahead of time and let the sugar mixture dry before rolling the cookies in it.

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Spritz Butter Cookies

1 cup soft butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

3 cups sifted flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

Mix dough with all ingredients listed. Add food coloring, ie. green for trees. Put into cookie press/gun and choose your favorite design. Sprinkle with multi colored baking decorations or colored sugar before baking. Bake on teflon or greased cookie sheets. Bake 5 – 7 minutes at 375 degrees.

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Butter Nutties

2 1/2 cups flour

1 cup chopped walnuts

3/4 cups sugar

1 tsp. grated lemon rind (packed)

1 cup soft butter

2 eggs, separated

12 – 15 candied cherries

Grease baking sheets lightly and pre-heat over to 325 degrees.

Chop nuts to the size of split peas.

Cut cherries in half or quarters

Grate lemon rind

Cream butter until shiny, then add rind and sugar gradually creaming well.

Beat in egg yolks until fluffy.

Stir in flour in 3 or 4 portions mixing until smooth after each.

Cover and chill for an hour or so.

Beat egg whites very slightly and pour into shallow pan.

Put nuts in shallow dish.

Measure dough by tablespoons on to waxed paper and shape into balls.

Roll the dough balls in egg whites then nuts.

Place 1 1/2″ apart on prepared (greased) sheets.

Press 1/2 cherry on each (may have to use clear corn syrup to make stick)

Bake 20 – 23 minutes (until golden)

Remove to cake rack to cool on pan for a minute or so and slide carefully onto rack to finish cooling.

Makes about 2 1/2 dozen.

12 to 15 candied cherries

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If you have any questions on any of the recipes, leave a note on my blog and I’ll check with my Mom and get back to you! Happy baking and Merry Christmas!!

Cheers,

Cathy

Sweet Tradition

Cathy Ross — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 23:52:14 +0000

Growing up, the Christmas season started with putting up the Christmas tree and the aroma of Christmas cookies baking in the oven. My mom makes the best Christmas cookies in the whole world. The variety seems endless, but I’m guessing she makes about 30 plus cookie recipes and the same ones year after year. Some of the recipes came from her mother (Dolly), some came from my Dad’s mother (Granny), some just from Mom. We all have our favorites and now the grandchildren have their favorites too, so Mom starts right after Thanksgiving baking these delightful and mouthwatering favorites. Dad loves this time of year because he gets to do all the taste testing and in return, Mom lets Dad do all the cleanup but he says it’s well worth it! They’re a team, Mom and Dad. So, for my 12 days of Christmas treat to all of you, I will post 12 all time favorite cookie recipes between now and Christmas. We’ll start with one of my favorites…Russan Tea Cakes (mid left in photo)…

Russian Tea Cakes

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1 cup butter

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 1/4 cup sifted flour

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

3/4 cups very very finely chopped walnuts

Extra powdered sugar to roll cookies in

Mix all the ingredients together and form into 1 inch balls. Bake for 14 – 17 minutes in a 400 degree oven. While still hot, roll in powdered sugar.

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Cheers,

Cathy

Solitude

Cathy Ross — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 14:53:53 +0000

In every moment we are alone and one with the vastness of the universe. In every moment there is hope and sorrow. In every moment there is grace and gratitude. In pensive reflection in the middle of a crowded market this beautiful young soul sat quietly as her friends played their violins to passerbys. Some stopped to listen and watch the young musicians. And while their music rang melodiously through the crisp and bustling air…I connected with the one on the sideline…in stillness with her thoughts.

Cheers,

Cathy

The Man Selling Orchids

Cathy Ross — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 23:48:34 +0000

The glow of the human spirit is so bright. Where before I might have passed on by, I now notice the uniqueness of each person. No two are alike. No two have ever been the same. Throughout time. Throughout history. Each human being contains the same blueprint for life but the master architect makes each one of us unique and perfect in our own way. We each have our own special gifts we bring to the world during our lifetime. The key to happiness is the treasure hunt and cherishing each gift we discover along the way.

Wishing You JOY On Your Unique Journey!!

Cheers,

Cathy

Grateful For Tradition

Cathy Ross — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 18:59:44 +0000

Today is Thanksgiving and I have so much to be grateful for. I have two lovely daughters, an awesome family, passion for life, good health and amazing friends. My Mom is a great cook and many of the recipes I’ve posted and will post in the future come from her little brown wooden and worn recipe box. Favorites that we enjoy year after year, holiday after holiday. Every Thanksgiving we have corn pudding. So, my Thanksgiving gift to you is this all time favorite recipe!

Mom’s Corn Pudding

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1 can corn niblets

1 can creamed corn

1/2 cup sugar (1/4 to 1/2)

2 Tbs. flour

3 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1 cup whipping cream

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Mix sugar, flour, eggs and milk

Add corn and cream, mix well

Grease a baking dish

Dot with butter on top and sprinkle with nutmeg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Bake uncovered for 1 hour

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Cheers,

Cathy

Art With Soul

Cathy Ross — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 23:46:01 +0000

There is a wonderful, deviant, and internationally recognized art exhibit in The Motor City called the Heidelberg Project. It’s an eclectic and artsy outdoor living space with homes and yards that span a couple of blocks on Heidelberg and Elliot Streets. You really have to experience it to fully comprehend it’s scope. Some of it is way too deviant for my taste but much of it is cooler than cool. People actually live in these houses that have accumulated years and years of rescued “junk yard” artifacts like moldy old mildew infested stuffed animals that hang out of windows and are piled high in high piles…or rusty old bicycles and tires twisted around rocks…or neon painted shoes hung on fence posts and heaped under old lawn mowers. It’s eclectic and horrid and magical. The project was started in 1986 by an artist named Tyree Guyton and his Grandfather after he witnessed the Detroit riots at the age of 12. Armed with paint brushes and massive amounts of creativity, they embarked on their vision by turning a few inner city blocks into a gigantic art environment. Read more about this on http://www.heidelberg.org/history.html. I find it fascinating and intense and raw. Some of it is bone chilling, some amusing, some fanciful, some down right creepy…all at the same time. Most of all, it’s art. An expression, an emotion, an enigma. You can’t see it and then forget it. It’s one of those places with a dark soul personified in exotic artful expression as the light shines upon it. It’s run down and blighted but beautiful and bright. Although hard to explain, here are some images I took there this weekend. It’s perfect for lensbaby shots. Come on, let’s go on a tour…

The first house I stopped at had alot of girlie pink stuff…

A truck cab turned planter

Each house has it’s own style…this next set is from my favorite house…lots of great textures and forms and sculptures…

Check out this rusted oven filled with all these crazy things that look like big walnuts…

And crazy face sculptures

This one, is, Ummm, creepy…

This one is a little different…

And this next one I took looking up towards the sky and had some fun with it in post editing…I used the “ghostly” filter in Topaz…

This next one one is pretty cool I think…

This image begged for HDR…

Next is a colorful sculpture thing perfect for my lensbaby…

Remember those shoes I mentioned above? Well, voila…

There’s rust down here. Lots of rust. Have I mentioned that I LOVE to photograph rusty things? Well, now you know…and I had alot of fun photographing lots of rust…

Seriously, this is a rust lover’s heaven…

Rust and lensbaby…what a combination!!

Just one more, I promise…

OK…now for some colorful and fun collectibles…or junk??

In case you need to make a quick call…

Or Pray for Salvation…

You’re covered…

Not even the trees or fire hydrants were left untouched by a paint brush…

Did I also mention that I love to photograph chipped paint?

Check out the tree…

And to wrap up this little tour, here are some views of the houses…

Remember those mildewy stuffed animals I mentioned earlier, well…

One more house…

And last but not least…one little bloom, still blooming, HOPE…

Hope you enjoyed the tour of this unique little treasure…

Cheers,

Cathy

Friendly Faces And Market Places

Cathy Ross — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 02:00:53 +0000

As most of you who read my blog know, I get alot of my inspiration from my weekly jaunts to Eastern Market. One of the things I love is that I can get lost in the crowd down there. Time is non-existent and I am one with my lens. More often than not, however, my zone is penetrated by farmers or vendors or musicians who strike up conversations with me or make a gesture that makes me smile. Today was no exception. Come with me and I’ll give you a little tour…

Rosalie

This is Rosalie. Her Dad is 88 years old. He’s been a farmer and market vendor since he was 13 years old. For over 70 years he’s been selling his home grown vegetables, every week, every year, at Eastern Market. Roslie asked me to take some photographs for her Dad. She wants him to keep his enthusiasm going as he grows older, and she thought some photos of his stand would help. I’m going to bring her the photos next week. Here are a couple…

This is Rosalie’s 7 pound turnip. She was so proud of it.

Rosalie’s Dad’s Heater!

These friendly ladies were there with Detroit Council of the Aging…

The market has five sheds. This is the new, big shed. It’s really nice. It’s heated and architecturally pleasing. This fellow was just hanging out in the crowd.

One of the things I love most is the cultural diversity. There are all kinds of people who frequent the market.

This friendly musician is there almost every week. He and I were laughing so hard when I took this photo because he had just blown his horn really loud with a Christmas jingle and startled these two women so much so they practically fell over. Don’t cha love his smile?

These guys are friends. The guy on the left makes popcorn

I posted this woman a few months ago. She is wonderful. Now she’s making beautiful vine wreaths and I think I’ll get one next week. She is so knowledgeable and friendly. This week I gave her this photo and a couple others I’d taken of her. I always try to bring photos to the vendors that I’ve photographed. It makes us both happy!

Truffles and Tea

Many Hands One Heart

Home For The Holidays

Spinach Casserole

Christmas Cookies

Sweet Tradition

Solitude

The Man Selling Orchids

Grateful For Tradition

Art With Soul

Friendly Faces And Market Places

This is Rosalie’s 7 pound turnip. She was so proud of it.

Rosalie’s Dad’s Heater!

These friendly ladies were there with Detroit Council of the Aging…

The market has five sheds. This is the new, big shed. It’s really nice. It’s heated and architecturally pleasing. This fellow was just hanging out in the crowd.

One of the things I love most is the cultural diversity. There are all kinds of people who frequent the market.

This friendly musician is there almost every week. He and I were laughing so hard when I took this photo because he had just blown his horn really loud with a Christmas jingle and startled these two women so much so they practically fell over. Don’t cha love his smile?

These guys are friends. The guy on the left makes popcorn

Sadly, I think we know the fate of this little fella…

I’ve noticed quite an array of vehicles down here

Lots and Lots of Bikes down There…

This woman was waiting for her daughter…

Nothing like the sound of drums beating on a hot summer day…

I love listening to the musicians!

And I love when the mimes perform…

And then….there are those….that actually fall asleep…on the job