It seemed like the perfect evening for a pot pie. Rainy and chilly .

Our guys are at the ranch, braving the cold, taking care of cows, and fixing an old yellow truck and two chain saws. They are killing mice and stalking one sneaky raccoon that has taken up residence in our fruit shed.

My daughter and I decided to make a chicken pot pie and watch chick flicks !

Pot pies usually describe a method, rather than a recipe. Generally, a pot pie is a crusted pie made with poultry or meat and chopped vegetables in some kind of sauce. A little trivia note: the first frozen pot pie was made by Swanson in 1951.

This recipe is delicious and perfect for leftover turkey.

We just put the chicken and vegetables in the crust, now it’s ready for the oven.

Ready for serving.

Tender flaky crust, yummy chicken and vegetables….oh so good !

Chicken or Turkey Pot Pie

Ingredients:

A delicious moment in time is when I can sit with a good cup of tea and a good book. (Unless you have your own stash of great tea, a good book will be much easier to come by than a good cup of tea).

I was raised by a father and mother who revere books. My father reads strictly for information. His books center around whatever subject he happens to be pursuing at the moment: auto mechanics, horse racing, stock market, health products or internet sales. His office resembles the “How To” section of a bookstore.

My mother reads for pleasure. She reads best sellers, historical fiction and a few self-help authors. It is hard for me to suggest a “good read” for her, because, usually, she has already read the book and one or two others by the same author! Several months ago I thought I had a genuine “find”. I wanted to introduce her toBig Stone Gap, by Adriana Trigiani. I called to share my excitement and discovered she had read that book, and several others by this author. Recently I had been thinking about purchasing Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls. My mother and I were discussing Thanksgiving plans and she mentioned she had two books she wanted to loan me. Oh yes, that’s right, Half Broke Horses ! And of course, the other book by Jeannette Walls, The Glass Castle. I’m telling you, when it comes to books, it’s hard to keep up with her.

Her office is like an overstocked library. Her desk is surrounded by bookcases on each wall. Books are shelved, stacked and in various states of cascading disorder. And she has read them all. She is a book lover and a book giver. She is of the opinion that a book is one of the finest gifts to give or receive.

The other day I had the privilege of thumbing through the worn red notebook she takes when shopping for a book gift. A page is designated for each family member where she has listed what book she purchased and for what occasion. This wouldn’t seem unusual, except over the years, her family has continued to expand and now, counting the youngest great-grandchild, there are thirty-three family members and another one on the way !

A personalized bookplate adorns the inside of each grandchild and great grandchild’s book. Each bookplate is chosen according to the child’s interest. I have to check with her before I can buy a book for my own grandchildren !

I tell myself this explains why I am a little fanatical about books. I tend to purchase for future reading, not necessarily for the moment. I’m not sure I know what to do with myself, if I don’t have something to read !

At the Author’s Fair in the Shasta Mall I scored these treasures.

A stop at Barnes & Noble to gather a few joke books…our grandson is memorizing jokes, and of course, making them up. He’s also crazy about baseball and learning to read….

and our granddaughter loves dogs, horses and rhyming.

On Tuesday, Cindy Martinusen Coloma was at Barnes & Noble for a book signing. I anticipate curling up with one of these lovely books and a nice cup of tea.

There are few pleasures as enchanting as a good book and a good cup of tea…both carry me into other realms.

Happy Reading and Happy Infusions,

Kate

http://tea4kate.com

http://orgegonstretteacompany.com

http://twitter.com/tea4kate

Good News is happening on Oregon Street !!

After months of patiently working to obtain a building permit….

the Oregon Street Antique Mall ……

is in full swing ( that’s with a hammer and crow bar) in creating a new stair case…

which will open up the entire second story. Several dealers are arranging their wares in anticipation of the completed project. I know there is a grand opening planned and we’ll keep everyone up to date !!

And right next door at Tapas Downtown there is more construction activity….

come take a peek…..

Yes, the walls have been knocked down and the gallery area is being expanded !!

This new room will accommodatelarge groups…so book your Christmas party now !!

We are blessed and thankful to be multiplying and growing on Oregon Street !!

All this work just makes me want to have a cuppa tea !

Happy Infusions,

Kate

http://tea4kate.com

http://oregonstreetteacompany.com

http://twitter.com/tea4kate

Our family made our annual trek to McCloud for our Pumpkin Train trip this last weekend !

Riding in the open air car on the top deck, through the piney woods, our view was spectacular….

though a bit windy.

We delighted in being together on a train full of friendly, happy families….

We joyfully discussed how to find the exact, perfect pumpkin.

And we were transported by the magical sound of the train whistle….

Departing the train for the pumpkin patch, we left our faithful “guardian of stuff”….

and began the search for The Right Pumpkin…..

Studying the pumpkin possibilities is one approach….

another approach is checking to see how tough it is.

At last a selection is made…our rule is you have to be able to carry the pumpkin you choose !

And everyone agreed, it was worth the price of admission !!

Happy Pumpkin Days….have some tea and enjoy !

Kate

http://tea4kate.com

http://oregonstreetteacompany.com

http://twitter.com/tea4kate

My “Honky Tonk Man” sang, ” Momma, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” at the Maritime Restaurant & Bar on California Street in Redding. www.maritimeredding.com . Roger & Casey, friends from the Oregon Street Antique Mall (anewscafe.com/placeolder/oregon-street-antique-mall-2/), were guest bartenders at Maritime Friday night. We stopped by for a drink, and to say hi. Uni, owner of Maritime, ask Phil if he would sing. How did she know he could sing ? Maybe she randomly ask people if they would like to sing? I don’t know. She is very sweet and wants everyone to have a good time at her establishment.
I said, “He knows lots of country western tunes”.
Phil and Jimmy Bryant, the talented, and very accommodating musician who was playing that evening, decided on a Waylon Jennings tune. Phil is a gifted singer, but his audience is usually a church congregation, and he usually brings his guitar.

Phil has been singing since I’ve known him. And that’s a long time now. He’s always played a guitar or banjo and he’s always written songs. Whether he is working, driving, or plowing a field, he’s usually mulling over a “tune”.

He had lots of practice. He sang to our children every night at bedtime. Now, in their mid-twenties and early thirties, they have fond memories of his version of various Bob Dylan, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, or Tim Harden tunes.

Jimmy asked Phil to send him some cowboy music so he’d be ready the next time we stopped by. I told you, he was accommodating ! Well, we just might hunt up some of those old “honky tonk” tunes…it was sure fun !

“Happy Trails To You”, and may all your infusions be fun,
Kate

www.oregonstreetteacompany.com