Like a Las Vegas "ALL you can Eat buffet" this gang of 11 elk have feasted upon our neighbors hay barn. Eating all they can , and then some. Lucy for us, not so lucky for the owners of the hay, this as created a wonderful wildlife spectacle. The other evening while driving up my lane about 10 Elk were standing in our road. With just one leap, they all jumped over a 4 foot fence. Wow that was a sight to see. As you can imagine the amount of hay 11 elk consumed, causing our neighbors to cover the rest of there hay stack. The Elk have moved on, but the turkeys are here to stay. Why am I so shocked turkeys fly? they are birds after all. You just think of them walking around strutting their stuff. Strutting their stuff around here at night would mean certain death , and a delicious meal for the Coyotes. Now you have proof even freezing Cache Valley is beautiful in the winter!

Visitors welcome, Cheers Peggy

I'm back in the saddle again. To start off the new year I have a lovely little cookie, that's simple but delicate and delicious. I hope you enjoy them.. Watch for more recipes to come.

Lavender Shortbread cookies

2 cubes unsalted butter chilled

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp. dried lavender buds

2 cups flour

20 minutes before baking cookies , set out butter. Put sugar and lavender in a food processor and grind until fine. If you don't have a food processor use a pistil and mortar to grind lavender. add to sugar. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment mix butter and sugar until soft (but not over mixing). Add 2 cups flour all at once mix until dough holds together. Roll out on floured surface and cut into desires shapes. Cook for 10-15 minutes in a preheat 350 oven. Or until bottoms are slightly brown.

Cheers, Peggy

Ok, Ok, I don't want to hear it, you don't like yams. You will never think of yams the same once you've tried the Nelsons "Favorite things" Thanksgiving Yam Souffle. People who claim to hate Yams have changed their tune once they've put this tasty dish in their mouth. It's not to late the run out and get the ingredients. It whips up fast, and is easy to transport. This recipe would complement any holiday menu.

Bon Appetite. Peggy

Yam Souffle

3-4 large peeled and boiled yams

3 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/3 cup melted butter

In a large mixing bowl, mash yams. Add all other ingredients, mix well with an hand mixer or your stand mixer. Pour into greased baking dish. Sprinkle with topping. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.

Topping

3 Tbs. butter

1/3 cup flour

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup chopped pecans

Thanksgiving is this week, and being inspired by Opah's "Favorite Things" show. I thought I would let you in on some of the Nelsons favorite things for Thanksgiving. Our first favorite thing is going to be our simple stuffing. No wild mushrooms, or truffles just simple delicious ingredients. It's easy to remember too. Every ingredient is in the amount of 1. Thanksgiving is all about tradition. If you don't have a stuffing your family uses. Try this one you'll be extremely happy with the end product.

Nelsons #1 Stuffing

1 Loaf of good quality white bread ( I use french bread)

1 cube butter

1 onion chopped

1 celery stalk chopped

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. sage

chicken stock

The night before, tear the bread into small pieces. Let set over night so it dries out a bit. In a large frying pan melt butter. Saute in melted butter the onions and celery. Saute until soft about 5 minutes. Place bread in a large bowl, pour over bread the sautéed onions and celery. Toss with bread. Add salt and sage and toss once more. Now add the chicken stock, starting out with a small amount. The only trick to this simple recipe is how much stock to add. To much stock will cause for a soggy stuffing. Add just enough so the stuffing feels moist. cook in an oven proof dish which has been buttered. Bake at 350 for 25- 35 minutes or until the stuffing is lightly browned on top.

Bon Appetite Peggy