My Gang

Ali, Davyd and Nic on Lake Michigan's beach at Schlitz Audubon.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Best Ginger Cookies Ever

2 1/2 c flour
2 1/4 c baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
tbsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp coves
1/2 tsp white pepper
1 cup plus 2 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 c browns sugar
1 c sugar
1 large egg
1/4 c plus 2 tbsp unsulfered molasses

Combine dry ingredients and set aside. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy (about 5 minutes.) Beat in egg and molasses. Blend in dry ingredients. Cover and chill 2 hours to overnight. Roll into 1 inch balls and dip top in granulated sugar. Flatten each ball on cookie sheet. Bake about 10 minutes at 350.

Hungarian Mushroom Soup

I first tasted this delicious soup at Sibley Station in Pequot Lakes MN and then again somewhere in northern Michigan when I was cross country skiing last winter. I found the recipe on the internet. Yum!

4 tbsp butter divided
1 c onion, chopped
Salt and pepper
12 oz fresh mushrooms
2 tsp chopped dill
2 c broth (recipe calls for beef - I use vegetable)
1/2 c chopped parsley
1 tbsp paprika
3 tbsp flour
1 c milk
2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 c sour cream

Saute onions with half the butter and then add mushrooms, salt, half of the broth and half the dill. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Melt remaining butter in saucepan and wisk in four, stirring constantly about 3 minutes. Add milk and continue stirring about 10 minutes until thick Stir in mushroom mixture an remaining broth. Simmer 10-15 minutes. Just before serving add pepper, lemon juice, sour cream and the rest of the dill. Garnish with parsley. Makes 4-6 rich servings.

The Right Choice?

Today marks the sixth month mark of my retirement. Was it a wise choice?

• My retirement income is about half of my salary and my investments are worth about a third of what they were when I decided to retire last December, but I have twice as much time to do what I choose.
• I used to have breakfast with Davyd and could tuck him in bed most nights... I still have breakfast with him but can also make him a healthy lunch, great him when he comes home from school, help him with his homework and piano, volunteer at his school, make a healthier dinner, I know what he is reading and thinking about and we have more time to play and be outdoors together. Last year I was traveling on his and Pete's birthday and Valentines Day - not this year.
• I consistently get 7-8 hours of sleep - twice as much as I got when I was working.
• I have lost 17 pounds.
• I excercize five times as often as I did when I was working.
• I worked for the Forest Service because I love forests. Since May I visited 17 vs the usual 3-5 national forests.
• I spent eight weeks weeks in the last half year hiking and camping and visiting places I enjoy.
  
• I eat breakfast everyday.
• I read for pleasure almost every day.
• I am finally remodeling my kitchen!
  
• I spend more time with my extended family, friends and neighbors.

Easy answer!

Where's Wado?

Where is Waldo???

It's in Wisconsin! We hiked the Ice Age and Kettle Moraine trials and took a zigzag route home through back roads.

Delorme Gazetteer's (http://shop.delorme.com/OA_HTML/DELibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=10096) are among my favorite references - if you don't have one get one for very state you travel in. Wisconsin's Gazatteer even lists cheese shops and micro-breweries!

We passed through Waldo on the way home from our fall hike and just had to get a photo. Next time we'll wear stripped shirts an glasses!