The Grandest Lady in the Land ( The history of my Biscotti)

  ....was my Grammy. ~ Helen Louise Baldini-Bragdon
       That's where my Biscotti recipe came from.
                               
                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
           *The Viking legend of Grammy starts like this....She came over on the Nina...Christopher Columbus is her 'il nipote' (grandson).... KIDDING!!!
     
                                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~
                            Grammy was First Generation American/Italian

                 Biscotti is the plural form of Biscotto...It means Twice Cooked/Baked. .The correct name is Biscotti di Pratto. It is also called Cantuccini. (coffee bread)

Grammy Helen

          * Interesting fact*...Twice baked breads were a staple of the Roman Legions.
Biscotti, if kept airtight, can last for centuries. It was staple for long journeys and on ships. It was treated much the way pioneers treated Hard Tack.
   Biscotti is usually a very hard, very dry biscuit/cookie. To soften up the biscotti, it is usually dipped in Coffee or Tea or Wine. Many people use biscotti with Soups and Sauces.

    The history of MY Biscotti recipe:
          When we were little, my Grammy made Biscotti for us. Grammy told me that her Mama told her how to make it....That makes my recipe nearly 100 years old!  Grammy also said plain (country) folks had more traditional Biscotti while 'City Folk' had  fancy Biscotti. 


Grammy is 2nd from the left

      Grammy made ours as smaller Biscotti.Usually about 3-4" long, vs  the more traditional Long biscotti. Why, you ask? "Because a LADY (as she's staring me down) would NEVER be caught in public with an 8" long anything hanging out her mouth"...Now that I am older and infinitely wiser, I think it was twofold. 1) it was much easier for little hands to hold and dunk, and 2) to teach her heathen granddaughter some manners.
     I make ours at Buffalo Gals in both the shorter 2paks or the single long biscotti. The 2paks are great... One for now. One for Later!
     As I got older, she didn't make it as often.
Many, many years went by..... my Mom gave me a set of handwritten cookbooks. Tucked into the back were a few loose recipes on scraps of paper. Among them, was the Biscotti recipe!
                                                             Lucky me!
   Now I get to share my history and my Yummy Biscotti with you!...and while I will NOT share my recipe, I do have some hints and tricks...
      * For a higher, fluffier Biscotti~ use the mixer and whip it good.
      * When sending through the oven the second time~ bake 5 min on each side and then stand up for 3-5 more minutes. They will bake better like this and the bottoms wont scorch.
      * Using Cocoa Powder? ~ for every 1/2 Cup cocoa, decrease flour by 1/4- 1/2 cup.

Ciao! ~

My Cinna-Mocha Biscotti

Katy

   

  

What does being 'BuffaloGals' mean?

 
A heck-of-a-lot!
     So, what does it all mean?
     Being the Buffalo Gal in Buffalo Gals Bakery & Country Store is more than just being a business owner. It's more like being a community.
     My little bakery and country store is my way of helping support our family farm.  It means I can use my domestic and homesteading skills to stay on the land that I love.    We have cattle and grains. And it's a bit like being the Pied Piper for me. My 'girlz' are mostly tame and follow me around like very big dogs.
     Buffalo Gals means self-sufficiency, giving, hard work and more. It's thinking outside the box to find solutions. It's helping others. It's enjoying the land and little play time.

Bohemian Brew Bag

     When somebody buys a  Bohemian Brew Bag , it doesn't just mean that I got paid for something I created. It helps a whole lot of other people. Right off the bat I give a percentage to Dakota Prairie Partners~A philanthropy group. "Hope, Inspiration & Vision"  It also means that the incredible lady from MoJo Roast Inc is doing well, because I am able to get the Coffee Bags from her. In turn, her being able to empty the coffee bags of beans, means that her dollars (and yours by purchasing her coffees) are supporting the Cafe Feminino program which in turn empowers women in Guatemala to be self sufficient. 
    When somebody buys Old Glory sugar cookies they are helping me support our troops. The proceeds from these fabulous soft cookies goes to Wounded Warrior Project. This is important to me, as I have two boys who serve. (Marines and Nat'l Guard)
  I also give to the PBR's Rider Relief Fund....
    Through my business I have met incredibly wonderful people, and had some amazing opportunities come my way. Last year I was able to participate in OSU's "An evening of Art & Fashion" by donating a handmade quilt to the silent auction.  The monies raised were used to help  Deployed Service Women finish their educations long distance.   
   It seems like we are all connected to each other in some way. Through giving, mentoring, donating and more.
   I know many, many other small business owners that give tirelessly of their time and talents outside of their own businesses.
   We ARE part of a Community.  

So~ Thank you!  For supporting my community ...

Katy

    
   
  
    
    

A Tammy Faye moment

NOT my eyes!

AND OTHER MIS-ADVENTURES!

     Once upon a time in a far off land, I was baking pies in the cafe we owned...Back them Miss Maybelline and I were best friends...being the essentially lazy wench that I am, instead of pulling out the oven tray to inspect the pies, I leaned into the oven instead for a closer look....
    I BLINKED.
    MY EYELASHES MELTED TOGETHER.
Thankfully there was a customer with a sense of humor and HE came back there and pried my eyes open.....While laughing his butt off......
                                                    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    I saw this picture online....And my Mutha reminded me of an incident....A little history first...for those who don't me...I was a Late Bloomer, One-of-the-Guys, Never wore a dress kinda girl.... So.. I was asked to a DANCE by a boy I had known all my life. Very giddy was I! I got a dress and a pair of Candies high heels. Feathered my hair, put on stockings.....


Me 1982

   The BOY came to get me. He came up to the door, jerked a finger towards his car and went back down the walk. I decided if I was going to look like a lady, I should ACT like a lady. So I waited for him to open the car door. BOY went around to the drivers side. I assumed he was going to open the door from the inside.
                                         HA!
                                         HA!
                                         WRONG!
        He sat in the car. I stood outside the car...Apparently I waited too long.  HE DROVE AWAY!
When he finally came back he asked
          "WHY the heck didn't I get in the car????"
          "Because I thought you'd open the door"
           "I never had to before!"
                                         LESSON LEARNED!
                                                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                                                HE's a DayGlo....Not a Dego!!

   We had given our boy some Glo Stix. He asked if he could take them to bed with him. I said YES! Middle of the night in the country s pitch black...He comes screaming down the hall...all we could see is Glow-In-The-Dark mouth and hands!
   He said the more he stared at it, the more it looked like candy.............
                                                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                                                         Moonlight and Romance

Randy (#1)   1988

         I was doing the dishes one night (by hand) and my hubby comes up and puts his arms around me and says "It's way to nice to be inside doing the dishes. It's a beautiful night for a walk...The stars are shining. the breeze is gentle.Wouldn't you like to go for a walk?" Me, being all giddy... said YES! he goes "GREAT! here's two bucks. Walk over to Sev (7-11) and grab me a pack of smokes"
       And he was ALLOWED to live....But he's NOT my hubby anymore...:))
                           ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   Well- That's it for this installment of my life!
If you have any mis-adventures...I'd like to hear them!

Katy



     


                                              
                                                  




..
~

Just BEET It!!

It's that time...To just BEET it...

We like Detroit Reds

          I am the first to admit I hated beets as a child. With a purple passion...My dad loved the hateful things. My husband likes Pickled Beets.
    Even after meeting him, I still did not like beets. ( musta been a Ukrainian thing) Finally I broke down and let him force feed me a 'no thank you' bite. And you know something...They were GOOD.
  So now, they are a garden staple every year.
         I grow.
         I Hoe.
         I pluck.
         I can.
         And Can.
         And can some more.
Hubby will eat a few quarts a week...

    Things I have learned~ They stain. And to always make sure I didn't dribble any on the floor to step in. It really was a sad day when I had little red foot prints on the carpet!
   I also know that Kroger Pickling Spice is hands down the BEST pickling spice ever. Not just for beets. But for all your pickling needs. (www.kroger.com just click on cantact and call customer service for help locating the store nearest you)  It has a taste that makes you want to keep on eating. And not nearly as much cloves as McCormicks.
  Unfortunately, it's not a brand that is just carried in ND. (though I did find out I can order it by the case from the local grocery) I have mine sent up from friends in Colo.
   Here is my Hubby's mom's recipe. It is simple, but good!
                                              Best Pickled Beets Ever!
                                Pick, clean and cut tops off of beets.
                                Boil until tender. Put in ice water to cool quickly so skins come off easily.
                                Cut into small pieces.
                                In a large pot mix:
                                              2 Cups Sugar
                                              2 Cups Vinigar
                                              2 Cups Water
                                              Egg size bag of pickling spice
                               Add beats. Simmer until tender or desired tatste

The little soldiers

                               Pack and seal.
                               Water bath can for 30 minutes

Perfect addition to the table! Happy eating!
Katy

                                           
           
 

Make it do, or do without!

Remember the old adage "Use it up,
                                          Wear it Out,
                                          Make it Do,
                                          Or do Without"?
      My grandparents said that. My own parents said it. I even uttered it to my kids. Once.
What were we called? Thrifty. Penny-wise. Tight. Creative....

           Some people have been making do forever...I am one of them. Mine is more a crafty thing. I almost can't pass up a neglected object without thinking "Gee, I can make a......."
     Nowadays there a boodle of fancy names for it. "Green. Up-cycle. Re-cycle. Re-purpose. Salvage.Re-utilize.
      I know it absolutely drives my husband nuts when I drag something home.  I happen to have a pile of projects. In the spare room, in the potting shed, in the barn, in the basement, and sometimes on the kitchen table.
    Currently I have been making Purses and Aprons. I am very lucky to have friends that give me stuff. I have a good amount of Burlap Coffee Bags that I got from my friend Jo Khalifa at MoJo Roast. She is a "Personal Coffee Roaster". Good for me that she gets some killer coffee bags that she passes on!
    This is a Win-Win situation. She buys some of her coffees from the Cafe Feminino project. A portion of those proceeds go to women's causes in coffee producing countries. In turn, I receive the bags and am able to make purses and other items. The money from these not only funds my business, but allows me to give back in return.
    Leftover wood becomes garden trellis's, (usually painted some shocking color) Old jeans become quilts, Any kind of found boxes become planters....and so on.
   For those who know me, they know that found usually involves me tip-toeing cheerfully through some abandoned homestead, willfully plundering...:)  
    As much as I love Flea Markets, I try to stay away....I have found out that's where the Under Stuffed go to get more stuff! Too easy for this girl to get way too much.
   When was the last time you made something? Isn't creating fun?

Katy
  
  

                    

Down on the Farm

That would be THE FARM (with emphisis) as opposed to the Other Farm. We live on THE FARM, and the rest of our land is at the Other Farm.

        I have cows. They are trained. They all have names.
There's Barbie & Q, Rusty, Bubba, Wheezy, Teriyaki, You're next, ....

    We have a horse...Pricess Di. There were others over the years... Bambii the Amazing Albino Elk, Ebony (Black Irish-hahaha), Mini-Me...
Assorted other animals...Cats 'Faahhhsssaaaah' ( like Mufasa from the Lion King), Smokey, Wild Kitty and more.
The lone dog- Missy.  She is the only animal hubby named.

Rusty and crew

      Hubby says we have Catholic Cowz. I have a bunch of them trained to line up and stick their tounges out for Cheese It's. All in a row. He says it looks" COW-munion".
   My Girlz also know when Mama is in the garden and come running.. They are accustomed to hand outs over the fence when I weed.
   Bambii The Amazing Albino Elk was the favorite horse. We grew older together. When we moved back to ND, I brought her with. And what an ordeal that turned out to be! Up until that point Bambii and I had NEVER been anywhere that I couldn't ride her to.

Bambii the Amazing Albino Elk

  So, hubby bought a very used trailer AND hooked it to HIS pick-up. Now mind you, I had NEVER towed anything. Ever. (except for time we tried to tow the silver-bullet with duct tape and panyhose)
Bambii gets in. The lone goose gets in. The last chicken followed the goose. The dog tried to get in.
       A little bit like Noah's Ark
And we're off. Hubby got a CB radio for the truck. So he could yell at me every couple miles, I presume. In Nebraska it was WINDY & RAINY. And everytime a semi would pass the trailer would move. So I would slow down to a crawl. I was parinoid to say the least. Worried I would wreck and hurt my Bambii. And (a little less) worried I would do something to HIS truck. I was literally in tears on that ride. And when he tried to call me on the CB I was maybe blubbering a bit about my girl. In SD we stopped at a little Chinese joint for lunch. We parked towards the back of the parking lot. I let Bambii out and tied her up. In we go to eat. There was only one other customer the whole time we were there. In retrospect- I'm sure it must have looked pretty funny to have a horse tied up outside the backdoor!
   Eventually we made it here, to THE FARM. I could have kissed the ground. Bambii could have cared less.

That's it from here!
Katy
 
    

I could be a very happy girl!

THIS BARN

THIS KITCHEN

                  PLUS







                                          Would make me a very happy girl!
      I need a commercial kitchen here at the farm. We have some ideas. Of course there is the tug of war of  Mine vs His. Hubby needs Vision. To be able to think outside the box. ~ Or barn, as the case may be.
    In my wildest dreams, my space would have a full Atomic Kitchen from the 50's. It would be bright, cheery, wildly colorful and comfy at the same time.
     Many years ago I visited an old man who was remodeling his kitchen in Flagler, Colorado. It was a complete Pale Pink Atomic Kitchen. Rounded counters, under the counter refrigeration, pull outs, over-under matching double ovens....Ohhhhhh myyyyyy. I was in heaven!
    I also about cried when he just 'junked' it to the pile. Poor Kit couldn't even begin to understand why I was so distraught!
      When we needed a new stove and fridge for the house, I headed to my favorite Antique store in Sacramento. (I was on vacation) There I found THE kitchen for me! I tried to reason with hubby. I could buy this 'whole' kitchen...working even...for the price of a new fridge. He wouldn't budge an inch. I'm still kicking myself in the shorts over that!
       I spent many hours next to Grammy's massive old stove in the kitchen in San Francisco. I recall it had a warming drawer and a place where you could hook up tubing for hot water. Grammy used to make my favorite round grilled cheese on it. She also heated her metal curling iron on it. (for the rare occasions I would sit still long enough...)
    Around 2003 hip magazines started touting the "Joys of Housework"  calling it 'theraputic', 'self-esteem building',  yes....even 'thrilling'.  Fiesta Ware and metal tumblers started making a comeback. And Martha rocketed to stardom!
       Funny, ain't it?

Where is this NOW?

Fun fact***** In the '50's Ladies Home Journal Art of Homemaking suggested that a ladies (house)dress should be "Wide enough for action, but not so wide that it will get in your way or make you trip on stairs or a ladder...."
                             Can you just see me now? Stop laughing already!
   But I digress...
In a nut shell, I want to bring some nostalgia to my little space. To be comfy and cozy. And have you want to come by, have a cup of coffee and a chat. I want to share my recipes with you and gardening tips.
    And speaking of...How about this recipe for Cheese Straws... A friends mom used to make these.
                (the paper it's on says it came from a Kraft Cheese box)
                             1/3 cup grated American Cheese
                             1 Tbs Butter
                             1 1/2 Tbs milk
                             4 Tbs Flour
                             1/2 c Bread Crumbs (seasoned to taste)
               Cream together cheese and butter. Add milk. In a small bowl combine flour and seasonings. Add to mixture. Knead lightly until smooth. Roll to pastry thickness. (about 1/4 inch) Cut into strips 6" x 3/4". Bake on greased cookie sheets in oven until browned.
           * these are good with soups and salads*
                      
 I have the Vision. I WILL make it happen! (soon)
Katy

  

Potato, Pataaahhhhhtoe

Me and my huge Reds

      So here I am. A smidge after 5 a.m. The sun  is up, the birds are chirpping away and I am doing nothing. Just sipping my coffee and thinking that I should be out hilling my potatos before it gets hot today.

     Instead, I know I will end up eating some potatos first!
    We eat so many potatos, you would think we were Irish! - Mostly fried in the cast iron skillet with onions and peppers....YUM

potato field...100 hills

There are many ways to grow potatos. And just as many types of potatos. We generally grow Red's..Pontiac is fave. Though we occasionally have Yukons. But rarely standard Russets.

The =K guard 'Mingos (I like this shade of lipstick!)

  I hill ours. Not because I think it's the best way...But because my Holstein painted yard 'Mingos look cool out guarding the potato patch! :)
   My uncle puts in rows of Potatos out in the field and just leaves 'em to make it on their own. And they grow just fine.
  I have also has great success growing some in cardboard boxes with layers of newspaper and dirt alternated. This is great for patio gardeners!
  This gardener has always wanted to try the 'Tire' method, but hubby Vetos it...that's where you would use old tires in stackable rings. I know a lady in Denver that does this to save on garden space and conserve water. She starts with one tire on the ground filled with dirt. She usually puts about 4 potatos in it. as they grow, she adds more 'rings' and dirt. When they are 3 or so tires high, she stops stacking. And just waters for the rest of the season. After the first hard frost she takes off the rings. And presto...Many potatos without the back-breaking work of hilling!
   Storage- Most years we just dig, and store in the basement. We put ours in cardboard boxes (no lids) and don't pack them in. We pack loosely so they  can 'breath'. The reds seem to hold the best and we can eat ours all the way through April most years. Then we use whatever is left for Seed when we plant again.
  One year we had the Great Potato Fiasco. I personally planted and hilled 100 hills! -My cousins had just moved here from California and I said I would share my garden with them the first year... Fall came, hubby and boys dug the potatos. We were also still 'in the field' at this point. So hubby told the boyz to fill every barrel they could find with potatos and to drag them to the barn. He swore he'd have the boys sack 'em up and bring  'em in sooooooon. Well, soon turned out to be at Christmas when we were completely out in the house. He sent the boys out to the barn to grab a barrel and bring it in. Lo and behold... every single potato was FROZEN solid!!!....
   Did I mention that we like Potato Salad??? Every family has their own 'recipe'. Some like mustard, some put in jalapenos, some like it warm. I like it cold.
   Here's our 'family' recipe...

  Potatos & Hard Boiled Eggs  2:1 ratio  (we do 10 & 5)
  MAYO!!!! (not miracle whip)
  Onions - diced small (usually 1 good size onion does the trick)
  1 Stalk Celery - Minced
  1 can Sliced Black Olives
  Dill - lots
  Mustard - standard yellow. No fancy stuff
  Dill Relish - or a couple-three pickle spears diced up

        There is no exact recipe...You just kinda start putting it all in a big bowl and add until it tastes 'right'. ....You'll know.

( And yes... I know that the correct plural spelling is p-o-t-a-t-o-e-s)

   Have a favorite Potato recipe or story?
I'd like to know....

Katy
 

How does your garden grow?

Forever stuck in my mind is the nursery rhyme:
     "Let's marry" said the cherry.
     "Why me?" said the pea.
     "Cuz you're sweet" said the beet
     "Say you will" said the dill
     "Think it over" said the clover.....

And YES, I know the remaining 36 verses!

     Over the years have honed my gardening skills. Some of my methods are unconventional. Some are handed down tips. And some I just learned as I went. There were definitely many failures. But just as many successes spurred me on.
   I think I just absorbed a love of the dirt and the whirrrrr of the mower. My Dad was forever puttering in the yard, My Grandpa was a master tomato grower and my Grammy always had geraniums in buckets on the stairs in San Francisco.

My dad and me

   My first flowers were Nasturtiums. It remains a favorite. We planted them in like the first grade at school as a Mother's Day project. On the way home with my precious plant, my brother knocked it out of my hand and the pot broke. I think I've been growing them ever since just to prove a point!
  One year my hubby brought home 'seed' potatoes from one of his customers. I planted them with care and hilled. And hilled. and hilled some more. Fall came. We went to dig up the potatoes...and imagine my surprise to find out they were Fingerlings! Nice, pretty, fancy, itty bitty potatoes.
  One year we had potatoes as big as my head!

I usually plant a double row of corn all the way around my garden, leaving little 'gates' on all four sides. The first year I did it I called it Corn-wallis...It wasn't so funny after I had to explain Cornwallis.

Corn-Wallis

  The cornwall protects everything else. It can blow gale force winds and nothing on the inside is ruined. The corn just stands back up. It also helps to keep it a little more humid in the square, which makes my plants happy. You can also plant shade loving plants near the corn.
  Hubby likes hot radishes, so they are planted with the onions.  I make my tomatoes grow bigger and sturdier by pinching off all the bottom leaves and most of the first blooms as well.
   An old kettle BBQ is a planter for my carnations and petunias. And We have a HOT PINK Adirondack chair and ottoman one of the boyz made in school. ( he swore he would take it when he moved....he didn't so now it's mine) That's where hubby sits to watch me garden.
                    For me I think it is the satisfaction of knowing 'I did it!'
   In a later post I will have my favorite pickled beet recipe and one for corn relish.
     Some tips I have learned..*Never plant a full 25 ft row of lettuce at one time. You will never eat it all!
* Do not forget your potatoes in the barn...They WILL freeze solid in the winter in ND * As in the field, you should rotate your 'crops' in the garden. * When you are stressed, you can work it off in the garden by beating the hoe on the ground and imagining who is annoying you!


This how part of my garden grows!

Happy Gardening!
Katy

It's all in a name!

                                        I have been called many names.
                                                     Rarely the one I prefer...

Me and Hubby

    Honey, Baby, Kate, Pita, Sweetie, Sweetheart, Mutha (it's an Italian thing...) Darling, Sugar, Katherine, LeMoo (a nickname for LeDoux) Mom, Mama, Mother (one word and two!) Mommy, Cookie, His wife, Kathy, The Boyz's mom - as in "Hey! James' (insert kid name here) mom..."  Boo Boo Kitty, Queenie, Light of my life, Katchya, Katya, Mom-Kat, Mrs. TomKat, Jim's daughter, Stace's sister, Hey you, Damnit!! -usually attached to a Kate or Katherine...
                              But rarely KATY!!!!!

Never tow a car with duct tape and pantyhose

....A lesson I have learned!

    Living the life of a veritable nomad for many years has led to countless adventures. ( I now live permanently in North Dakota!)

Must be Silky, Sheertoe & Control Top!

   One such adventure happened waaaay back when women still wore NYLONS. Because it was the IN thing to do- that's why. Some friends and I had gone out to the country for giggles. Somehow one car just quit working. After mulling it over (... a drink or two) and batting around some ideas- we had an 'Ah Ha' moment.
  Since we were positive it had been proven somehow, somewhere that pantyhose have the textile strength of a tow rope, we ladies were persuaded to fork over the pantyhose we had on. The men then used duct tape to attach the pantyhose to the car.  Much wrapping and taping and yelling went on...
    And they're off! One to steer the broken car, the rest to ride in the other car and 'help' the driver.
We got going alright. And then  a funky noise.. and poof! The other car is waaaaaay back there. Apparently pantyhose are NOT that strong after all!
                                            Ahhhh-My trusty Leggs let me down!

      Stay tuned for more adventures!