Jani's Peach Blueberry Cobbler

It's Summer...time for fruit cobblers!

This very special peach cobbler is fabulous!  I adapted it from a Martha Stewart recipe to meet my more simple needs. One of the things that I believe strongly about cobbler is that it must have a buttery, sweet, crumbly biscuit topping...never pastry.  This one is perfect.  The biscuit portion can be used with any type of fruit you fancy.  I happen to love peaches in season.  The blueberries partner nicely with the sweetness of the peaches, and adds beautiful jewel-like color. The sprinkling of sanding sugar puts a spectacular boost on the finished dessert.  Just make sure your peaches are properly ripe.  I'm sure frozen peaches would be OK, but fresh is what I prefer.  No need for a lot of extra sugar.  There's not even a need for ice cream on the side...but by all means, indulge as you please!

Jani's Peach Blueberry Cobbler

Filling:
5 cups peaches, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup blueberries
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp ground ginger

Biscuit Topping:
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup butter, cut into small pieces
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup heavy cream, plus more for brushing
sanding sugar for sprinkling

Toss peaches and blueberries together with all of the filling ingredients.  Pour into an 8X8 inch baking pan.  Set aside.

For the topping, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and sugar.  Cut in butter until you have crumbles the size of peas.  In another small bowl combine cream and vanilla.  Add cream mixture to flour mixture. Stir until you have a soft, sticky dough. 

Spoon globs of dough evenly over the fruit.  It doesn't have to be perfect.  In fact, the more imperfect it is the better...its more rustic that way.  Brush the dough with a little cream, and sprinkle with sanding sugar.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 45-50 minutes.

Let it cool a bit, but serve it warm with vanilla ice cream on the side...or just by itself.

Makes 6 generous servings or 9 small servings.

My Little Garden Tour 2010

It is with great pride that I introduce my little garden.  Little though it may be, it is hearty, persistent, and loyal.  Regularly, my family finds me outside just staring at it fondly, like a painter at his painting.  There truely is something peacful and fulfilling about it.  I'm a new and inexperienced gardener, and am learning that my garden is a very effective anti-anxiety/antidepressant.  But as far as asthetics, I need some help.  I need someone to give me pointers. So come and look with me...

These were some pictures that I took in the Spring:

Columbines, Baby Apples, Strawberries and Cherries;  Morning Glories, and Basil.

Spring blossoms brought summer fruit...

I see applesauce in my future...and I'm taking orders.  Let me know.  I will be swimming in it!  I need recipes.

Those are my boys playing basketball in front of the apple and cherry tree in the spring.  On the right are my apples this morning.  The birds ate all the cherries...which is just as well because they were sour cherries...and I don't know what to do with sour cherries.

And my tomatoes...oh, my tomatoes.

This is when I first planted them, a couple weeks later, and this morning.  I have a forest on my hands.  The basketball is there to show you the size.  They stand about as tall as my head.  I don't know what's with the brown leaves.  Again, any suggestions? 

Does anyone notice something missing in the picture of my tomatoes?  Yes, tomatoes!  I've got great big plants, but no tomatoes!  I've got a few blossoms, but that's it!  What'd I do wrong?  Where's Martha Stewart when I need her?

I did have some losses this year.  My cucumbers and watermelon got dug up by the dog, I uprooted my spaghetti squash when I was moving the sprinkler, the birds ate my cherries and strawberries; and the dog trampled my columbines, bleeding heart, and peonies.  I mourned.  Especially about the peonies.  And my heart bled over my bleeding heart.

But not everything was a loss.  Here's some of my flowers:

And my herbs:

That's Oregano and Mint, my giant Basil and teeny Thyme, and my beautiful Parsley.  I also have Cilantro and Chives not pictured.  I love my herb garden.   I think Martha would approve...and so would Ina.

And, well this...this just has to stand alone...in all it's glory...

These are my Disneyland Roses that Dave planted for me last year.  There are no roses more glorious than these.

Thanks for walking with me through my garden this year.  Its not perfect, but I love it. 

She Finally Got It!

After many long years of quietly wishing, my 67 year old, very hip mother got her ultimate dream: a cherry red Mustang convertible. Congratulations Mom. You deserve it. 

See the fullsize version at: http://s987.photobucket.com/albums/ae353/janilong1/?action=view&current=db4e491f.jpg&evt=user_media_share

Sent from my iPhone

Awesome Time At Frontier Days

It's the Daddy Of Them All!  This is what they call the huge rodeo otherwise known as Cheyenne Frontier Days.  I took the kids up the weekend of July 24th to visit my folks and we enjoyed some of the festivities.  It was a blast.  Here's a slideshow of some of the sights, a lot of them are from the parade...manure and all!



Andrew was all ready for the occasion!

Yee Haw!!!!

We drove up to Cheyenne after my call shift on Friday night, spent the night and enjoyed a breakfast made by cousin Brian before heading out to the Parade.

My Mom is recovering from major back surgery and really hung in there.  Here's us waiting for the parade to start. 

Mom had to wear her back brace.  (BTW, this is really how my stylish, fabulous Dad dresses now days.  Isn't he handsome?)

We went to the parade, saw the indian dancers, shopped in the indian village, and high-tailed it to the rodeo.  I loved every single moment of the rodeo!  That was good enough excitement for the day.  Rachel bought a pretty little beaded necklace as a souvenier.  The boys?  Typical boys.  Andrew a coyote skin (just the face...eeww) and Adam got a wooden toy crossbow (that really works).  Ahh, the joys of bringing up boys!

Here's some cool stuff we saw.

She's the princess of what?  Hmmm...  Well, congrats to her.

This is Miss Frontier.  Rachel was so excited that there were "Queens" in this parade, and even more fired up that this young lady waved at her.

On Sunday we went to hear my Dad preach and enjoyed his church family at Sonrise Church of the Nazarene.  And took some time to celebrate the boys' 11th birthday before heading home.

Love you guys!

Anyway, thanks Mom and Dad.  We all had a great time.