Lorraine, Author at Lorraine D. Hebler

Hidden Valley Ranch Sausage Stars

By Lorraine

Easy recipe for Hidden Valley Sausage Stars. Popular appetizer for parties, holidays and even Super Bowl festivities.

I have been wanting to share this appetizer recipe since Christmas. It wouldn’t be Christmas Eve dinner without Hidden Valley Sausage Stars at our house. But now we are in the middle of summer and these delicious appetizers are just as popular.

The Boys

By Lorraine

It was a long wait but we finally got miniature golfing with three of our grandsons this evening.

It began as a birthday celebration for Noah who had his 7th birthday way back in September.

The miniature golf course closed for the winter before we were able to get there.

When Silas had his 5th birthday in May, he wanted to go golfing too.

In June Jared turned 14 and always enjoys the opportunity to see if he can get a hole-in-one.

Miniature Golfing sounded fun to him .

So this Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop set aside this weekend just for

the boys.

~*~

After a fun time golfing, we headed home for a kid friendly dinner, birthday cake, make-your-own ice-cream Sundae’s and a little wiffle ball in the back yard.

~*~

A blueberry pancake breakfast is on the menu for tomorrow morning

before heading to Strawbridge Lake to do some ‘frogging’.

Because…

that’s what little (and not so little) boys are made of.

~~~~~

I saw the eye doctor again this morning and am happy that my eye is improving. I need to continue the drops and should be good as new next week.

Little Girls

By Lorraine

We drove six hours up to our daughters this past Friday afternoon where I shot the wedding photography

for my son-in-law’s sister on Saturday.
The day began at 8am at the salon and ended in a send-off of bright sparklers.

It was a gorgeous day and how I loved seeing everyone again.
After church on Sunday we enjoyed lunch together at Friendly’s and then drove back home, arriving at 8:30pm.

Here is a glimpse of precious little girls doing what little girls do best ~

being adorable!

Shaela Jamie

Top row: Shaela ~ Sarah ~ Maeve. Bottom row: Shaela ~ Maeve ~ Maeve Brenna and Shae

I am reading my Google Reader but slow on commenting as my plate is full with editing 1000+ photos and making a slideshow.

Squeezing in a sleepover/miniature golfing birthday party this Friday and Saturday for three of our grandsons (Jared, Noah and Silas).

~*~

Also had to spend a few hours at the eye doctors yesterday for a cornea problem that came out of nowhere.

Suddenly I noticed a cloudy film over my right eye that made it look like I was seeing through a sheet of plastic.

The doctor said the entire surface of the cornea looks as though it was scratched with sandpaper and is swollen. Home with eye drops and an appointment for Friday morning to repeat the exam to make sure it has healed.

Hope to be back to emailing and commenting in a week or so.

♥

Fluffy Chocolate Frosting

By Lorraine

Fluffy Chocolate Frosting is incredibly light, creamy and delicious! If you are from the Philadelphia area where Tastykake bakery items are sold, this frosting might remind you of a Chocolate Junior cake. Only better!

Flower Berms Project Status: Completed… finally

By Lorraine

Truckload of topsoil has been shoveled.

Mountain of mulch (that still didn’t go far enough) has been spread.

New berm created (to replace lost grass)

Walkway extended (for better footpath)

Perennials divided and relocated. (for low budget goal)

(billions) of weeds pulled

Watering system in place. (sort of)

Chicken wire installed (not soon enough for some plants)

Two (4′ x 8′) Square Foot Raised bed created (one for herbs and veggies and one as a cutting garden)

Leftover pieces of sod from daughter used to patch lawn.

Wheelbarrow and shovels returned to their place in the shed.

Knee pads and work gloves stowed.

Time required for project: grossly underestimated.

Another Wedding and a Night of Dancing!

By Lorraine

Yes, another wonderful celebration of the marriage of a sweet, young couple. Did I mention John and I have been invited to “7” weddings this year. Three of which I have been asked to photograph. (Not this one but I just can’t pass up an opportunity to shoot some photos!) Yesterday was the wedding of John’s cousin’s daughter.

The service

Independence Day Celebration ~ The Parade

By Lorraine

Hometown love for America…

A few words that popped into my head as we watched the parade

Jamie and family

God bless America,Land that I love.Stand beside her, and guide herThrough the night with a light from above.From the mountains, to the prairies,To the oceans, white with foamGod bless America, My home sweet homeGod bless America, My home sweet home.

~♥♥♥~

Trash to Treasure ~ A Garden Screen

By Lorraine

Last fall I noticed eight metal scroll-like things lying at the curb by

my neighbors trash.

(they were originally the four sides to a canopy that had seen better days)

I noticed them while walking the dog but didn’t haul

them home right away.

I liked them too much to leave them so, without a clue what I would do with them, I went back and lugged them home to the shed where they remained all winter.

I tried using them separately as a kind of trellis but I didn’t really need another trellis.

Then I thought to stand them together to form an open screen and use as a backdrop to a sitting area we have along the back edge of our yard.

The posts are open and hollow on the bottom end.

John bought and cut conduit and drove half of it into the ground.

Then we slid each section over the above ground conduit.

It worked perfectly and is very stable!

To keep each section tight at the top, we secured them together with black nylon ties.

~*~

I transplanted some tiny Morning Glory plants that have begun springing up elsewhere.

I don’t think there is enough sun for the Morning Glories so I might have to root some ivy cuttings if I want foliage growing up my new garden screen.

Toll House Cookies

By Lorraine

Our forever go-to recipe when we’re in the mood for a

chocolate chip cookie.

I’m a fancy kind of cookie girl.

Not my family.

They want chocolate chip.

Slightly crispy on the outside ~ soft on the inside.

They’re fussy about their chocolate chip cookies!

Original NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Chocolate Chip Cookies

INGREDIENTS:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

* May be stored in refrigerator for up to 1 week or in freezer for up to 8 weeks.

Mildred Daylily

By Lorraine

One of my first blog followers soon became a dear friend.

We have shared our hearts, prayed for and encouraged one another though we have never met in person.

Mildred Daylily was a gift from a friend. The blossoms open to reveal the lovely pink, green and chartreuse colors as it blooms in my front garden and reminds me of her thoughtfulness and our friendship each time I see it.

Last summer I mentioned that I really liked a photo she posted of a Mildred daylily that bears her name.Continue Reading

Crepes and Chicken with Rosemary

By Lorraine

I usually think of dessert when using crepes but thought I would do something a little different with leftover chicken and make a savory filling.

If you prefer extra gravy, think about doubling the ingredients for the filling. I don’t think you would need to double the chicken, just the other ingredients.

Chicken Crepes with Rosemary

adapted from allrecipes.com

For the crepes:
(I got 8 crepes from this recipe)
Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, water, salt and butter; add flour and stir until smooth.

Heat non-stick pan over medium high heat. (I didn’t need to, but you could spray the pan for the first crepe to prevent sticking) Pour about 1/4 cup batter onto the griddle. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly.

Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side.

Filling for Crepes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup chicken broth (I used water and a chicken bouillon cube)
2 tablespoons dry white wine
1/8 teaspoon finely chopped fresh Rosemary
1 egg yolk
1 1/2 cup diced cooked chicken
salt to taste (not needed if using the bouillon cube)
2 tablespoons milk

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in onion, and cook 2 minutes. Stir in flour until blended. Slowly whisk in 1/2 cup milk, whisking constantly until smooth. Mix in broth, wine, and Rosemary; stir over medium-low heat until thickened (about 4 minutes).

In a small bowl, gradually stir 3 tablespoons of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolk; then pour egg mixture into sauce, whisking briskly. Cook 1 minute more, then remove from heat.

In a medium bowl, mix together half of the sauce with the chicken. Season with salt to taste.

Fill each crepe with chicken mixture. Roll crepes, and place seam-side down in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Thin the remaining sauce with the 2 tablespoons of milk, and pour over crepes.

Bake in a preheated oven 20 minutes, or until sauce begins to bubble.