Argentine Licuado

The latest post from Mark: When I was a young man on a mission in Argentina, I would often go to a street vendor and purchase something that was called a "licuado". They would have blenders and bins full of cut up fruit and whip us up a frozen beverage that was very refreshing! When I returned to the states and later was married I missed the licuado and created my own recipe from the memory of what I saw them put into the blender. It was very simple:

first I start with ripe fruit. Bananas are my favorite. I also really like apricots, peaches, and strawberries. Use whatever is on hand (and about to be thrown out for being over-ripe!) Two bananas are just right. Use the equivalent amount of other fruits

In the blender: pour just enough milk to cover the blades. Then add your fruit. Add some sugar - I just pour some in - about a quarter of a cup. Begin to blend. Hint: if it doesn't want to blend at first, try the "pulse" or "chop" setting.

Get some ice ready in a bowl (16 to 20 cubes as pictured). Add the ice to the running blender one at a time.

The licuado will begin to 'thicken'. When it is the consistency of a milkshake then you know that you have added enough ice!

Now comes the good part. Pour the licuado into two tall glasses . . .

and . . .

Enjoy!!!!

If you don't have a blender - here is a website to help you pick one out. If you think you need the 12,000 dollar one, I recommend that you take a trip to Argentina instead!!

American Lion

Here is the latest post from Mark:

I was given the book "American Lion - Andrew Jackson in the White House" (Jon Meacham, Random House paperback 2009) as a gift for Father's Day from my son. I had hinted that I would like it. It has been a wonderful read. I am about a fourth of the way through it. Here is a couple of 'fun' facts that you may not be aware of: he was the 7th president of the United States. He was in his early 60's when he took office. His wife passed away suddenly just a few weeks before the inauguration ceremonies. His niece (in her mid 20's) took over the duties of the first lady (hostess and such).He carried around a bullet in his shoulder that he received in a dual where he had killed the other man - it often caused internal bleeding. His opponents thought that he would not be healthy enough to take office, much less make to fill a second term. He made many changes that truly made our government more one of the people (instead of the 'aristocrats'). The thing that I like especially about this book, and others that I have read that are like it (Lincoln, Truman, John Adams, 1776), is that it gives a sense of everyone else that was important at the time and what was going on in the country - not just about the man. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical books.

Andrew Jackson

here is a link to another review of the book

Biking with Ken #2

Here is the second post by Mark (one of these days it will say "Posted by Mark H at the bottom!) -

Sometimes I think the world views Southern California as one big stretch of cities broken up by freeways. This morning I went riding with Ken #2 (there is only one Ken #1) through a place called Thompson Creek Trail and then into San Dimas Canyon. I thought this would be a good addition to my current school assignment. Ken #2 was patient while I stopped periodically to take pictures:

These flowers were growing near the 210 freeway - I had to put my camera lense through a chain link fence to capture them!

This is looking north along San Dimas Canyon Road.

There is a little stream along the Road. Unfortunately, there is trash - I avoided including this in my picture.

Here I am with Ken #2. This is taken along the Thompson Creek Trail.

It is great to get outside and see nature, exercise the body and spirit!

Here is a link to the location of Thompson Creek Trail. I recommend that you start at the parking lot at the top of Mills Avenue. The trail begins across the street to the west. To get to San Dimas Canyon Road: when the trail crosses Baseline, turn right, and then right again on San Dimas Canyon Road. There are other ways to get there, but this is the easiest to remember!

Pansies!!!

Hi Everyone! This is Mark and although Connie and I set up this blog (thanks Nicole!!) to be for the both of us I have never contributed to it. I am in a class this summer at Cal Poly that is teaching me to use technology to help me as a teacher. For one of my assignments I am required to set up a blog (or add to this one!). This is my first posting. I decided to add a few photos that I took recently in our garden and comment on them. Many of you may recall the watercolor paintings that I have done of Pansies - it is my favorite flower. I love the variety of color, contrast, and texture. They are such a 'happy' flower. Enjoy these photos, the poor things have not done well recently with the heat! I realize as I read this that it is rather lame, but hey! everyone has to start somewhere. Who knows - I might get better at it! Each posting (for my class) must have an information/educational element, picture(s), and a link. So if you notice these elements - then I am doing ok (lol)

Pansies are easy to grow from seed. they can be purchased in small pots at the nursery.
As you can see - they come in a wide variety of colors!
Besides the actual flowers, I like the shape and color of the leaves and the buds.
Some of the flowers do not have the dark contrasting centers, I think it gives them a totally different look and makes them seem more delicate.

These seem very regal - dressed in their finest 'velvet'!

The following link tells why pansies (violas) make a good addition to the western garden.

Beach Days

Mark loves the beach! He has beginning skin cancers (and scoops as I call them where some have been removed) on his back to prove his reckless teen years. But his love for the beach is strong. The beach is always in our summer plans so we invited kids and grandkids to join us.

You know these cute faces, so I'll refrain.

We went to Corona Del Mar so that we could show Aidan the tide pools, but we didn't check the calendar and it was very high tide, Scott did manage to find some sea anenimees (I have no clue how to spell this and neither does spell check) to show him. Keep Laughing.
He found lots of sea weed to carry around and each time it kept getting bigger. He called the sea weed gorgeous!

Grandpa found lots of time to enjoy the ocean with Aidan.

What a pretty day. Couldn't have asked for better weather, warm with a slight breeze, and as you can tell, decent waves.

Utah with Grandkids.

My summer vacation is very short this year, so I started it off right where I wanted to. With Grandkids!! With Nicole's family now in Draper and Heidi's still is Payson, Utah I needed ten days (that's all I had) to soak in all the time I could with them.

This is in Nicole's back yard, it had been raining quite a bit since I've been here, the sunshine was a nice escape.

We (them really) ran around for hours enjoying everything and everyone.
I sure do LOVE all of these people.
These pictures should be switched, the kids got to paint/art first, then when things got quite in the evening the adults came out to play I mean paint.
Grandpa always brings art supplies when he comes to teach art concepts, and create with them.
One day we went for lunch and a hike in the mountains not far from Heidi's place.
I Love this pic. Adam is giving his all to the "smile for the camera", and Isabelle just makes me smile. We really had a great time hiking, and then playing in the stream for several hours. It was just beautiful.

I love this picture except for one thing, Nicole sacrificed herself for the good of a pic. Wish we were all in it.
This is what we always seem to do to Grandpa. I don't know if we bore him or wear him out. But after a few zzz's he is back up and rearing to go.

Pecan Graham Cracker Chewy Bars

I have promised several people that I would get them the recipe for these yummy bars (finally posted Danielle). So when I made them to take to the 4th of July celebration I took a couple of pics while I was cooking (sort of Pioneer Womenisk) (is that a word?) This recipe is adapted from a cook book "Celebrating With Julienne". They have a pecan pie taste with a great toffee undertone and a really yummy crunch from the graham crackers. Make and enjoy, if your lucky enough to get one, they were all gone after the pot luck and I didn't take one to munch on so I guess I'll be making some for me to eat! The complete recipe is at the bottom of the post.

Some of the ingredients, the major ones anyway, I assume you have the basics of the rest in your pantry. ie: salt, flour, baking powder and powdered sugar, that's it.
This is how I get my crumbs. Good ole zip lock bag and a rolling pin. Yeah, no mess.
Graham crumbs, butter, sugar and flour, this makes up the crust. I just mix with my mixer and then press firmly into a 9x13 pan, I used a glass one.
While the crust is cooking I whip up the this rich custard filling. If you noticed I didn't clean the bowl after the crust because the filling has some graham crumbs in it also.
Oh these pretty pecans, such pretty halves. Soon to be in pieces.
When the crust is done pour the filling right onto the crust and then just slide it back into the oven for the custard to cook.
Almost there.
If you could smell my kitchen it would make you happy.
I added a dusting of powdered sugar to the top, this hides any uneven surfaces, oh, I didn't have any, it still tastes great with this added addition. Cut when cool and enjoy, then watch the faces of those enjoying as they taste all of great flavors and smile, smile, smile.

Graham Cracker Chewy Bars

From Julienne’s bakery in San Marino

Crust:

3 cups graham cracker crumbs (2 pkgs)

¾ (1 ½ sticks) butter, at room temp.

¼ cup sugar

2 tbsp. flour

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar, and flour until moist and well-blended. Press the mixture firmly and evenly over the bottom of a 13-inch by 9-inch baking pan. Bake until the crust is golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Do not over-bake the crust.

Topping:

2 ½ cups brown sugar

4 extra-large eggs

2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

¾ tsp. salt

½ tsp. baking power

1 cup pecans, chopped

1 prepared crust

Powdered sugar, to sift over the top.

1. While the crust is baking, in a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar and eggs to blend. Whisk in the graham cracker crumbs, vanilla, salt, and baking powder until well-blended. Stir in the pecans.

2 2. Spread the mixture over the baked crust and return to the 350-degree oven until the filling is dark-golden on top and jiggles slightly when tapped, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the pan to a cooling rack and cool completely.

3. Sprinkle a light coating of sifted powdered sugar over the pan, cut into 24 bars. The bars can be made 1 day in advance. Wrap in plastic and keep at room temperature.

Let Freedom Ring

With the 4th of July tomorrow I've been thinking and pondering about so many of the Freedoms that I enjoy. How grateful I am for all who came before me to provide me with so many blessings associated with our Independence. May I never take it for granted. Thank you to all you gave so freely and so much. God Bless America!

As a side note on the light side after my sober contemplations I've posted a table-runner that I made to remind me of this great holiday. It was inspired by my Nicole in her Relief Society and many of the fabric pieces/scraps were donated by Heidi out of her stash. Thanks Heidi for the fabric and Nicole for the Idea. I LOVE you both.

Let's Celebrate our Independence!!! And never Forget!