01 November 2008

How to Make Compound Butter

Compound Butter:

Things you'll need:

Butter...1 lb. (4 sticks) unsalted, please
Fresh Sage...1 Tbsp
Fresh Rosemary...1 Tbsp
Fresh Thyme...1 Tbsp
Olive Oil...1Tbsp

These three (sage, rosemary, and thyme) are also referred to as a Poultry Mix. All measurements are considered a baseline; if you prefer a stronger flavor, you can increase the amount of herbs or reduce the amount for a milder flavor. If you cannot find fresh herbs and need to use dried herbs, you will need to reduce the baseline measurements by 1/2, as the dried herbs have a more concentrated flavor.

  • Place butter on counter to soften

  • Take the herbs (try to avoid including the stems) and chop them very fine or, if you have a food processor, place them in there and pulse until finely chopped.

  • Next take your softened butter and place in your food processor

  • Add a small amount of olive oil (1Tbls)


    • If you do not have a food processor (like me), place butter and herbs in a bowl and mix with a mixer until well combined.

  • Pulse until well combined

  • Take plastic wrap and place on the counter

  • empty butter onto the plastic wrap

  • fold the wrap over the butter

  • Using the edge of a cookie tray or other straight object, press it against the butter and tightly form into a log about 1-inch in diameter (the plastic wrap acts as a mold)

  • careful not to get the plastic wrap under the butter, roll-up and twist both ends

  • place butter in refrigerator
Photo courtesy of...The Hungry Mouse

30 October 2008

Happy Halloween

I am sorry, but I have moved and renamed this post to The House. Please click through and enjoy the story.

29 October 2008

Ghostly Encounters

After I listed my seven things, I received several replies from those wanting to know about the ghosts I have seen. Well, here are three instances which stand-out in my mind...

This first instance occurred when I was at work. During college, I had a job delivering papers in the early morning. There was a portion of my route which consisted of a series of interconnected apartment building and was easier to deliver on foot. So, I put the papers in my bag and started to walk through the complexes. Then time was around 2:00 AM and I was walking along the sidewalk. As always, there were cars parked along the street and as I passed one car, I noticed that there was a man sitting inside the car. Since it was 2:00 in the morning, this seemed a little out of place, I did a double-take and the car was empty. Believe me, I checked the entire car and there was no one inside. You may be thinking that I must have imagined it and that would be a valid question. However, firstly the car was parked under a street light, so the interior was well-lit. Secondly, my job required me to be very observant...you do need to be able to recognize landmarks and addresses, etc. in the dark. I also needed to be observant with regards to my own safety. (Stockton is not exactly a safe city).

This next occurrence happened in our apartment; However, I will need to try and give you a visual image of the layout.
Our apartment was a one bedroom unit located on the third floor. When you stood in our bedroom doorway and turned to the right, you could see the kitchen counter. On the left side of the counter was the kitchen and straight-off the kitchen was the laundry room; on the right would be the living/dining room. Walking straight and jogging slightly to the left then right, you would be in the kitchen and if you continued walking, you would be in the laundry room. If you would have jogged-right, you would be in the living room.

Now, When we had our first child, we placed the crib in the dining room, since it made a perfect fit for the crib and changing table. For the first few weeks, I took the night shift and stayed-up and watched the baby while my wife slept. Finally, once a routine had been established, I started sleeping in our bedroom again. One night about four months later, I woke up when I heard our daughter screaming. As I exited the bedroom door, I saw three "things" running from the crib, through the living room and into the kitchen. They then went through the kitchen and into the laundry room where they disappeared. All I remember was that they were about 3 feet high and did not resemble anything I had ever seen before. Whatever it was had been bothering my little girl. I stood over her and comforted her and as I was doing so, I said a prayer over her. This never happened again.

This final instance occurred just a few years ago. I had recently broken my foot and was in a constant state of pain. (maybe this made me more receptive??)We usually leave a nightlight on in the kitchen to make it easier to see if we need to get up. One night, I went to sleep and for some reason I suddenly woke up. Silhouetted against the nightlight, standing inside the bedroom and to the side of the doorway was a woman with blond hair and wearing jeans. She stayed for a moment and then just disappeared. The next day, I learned that at roughly the same time she appeared, a young woman was killed in a fatal accident not far from where we live.
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