The Laughing Matriarch

The Laughing Matriarch
ma·tri·arch/ˈ A woman who is the head of a family or tribe.

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Big House, Big Mess


For the past five days we've been house/dog sitting in a 1400-square foot home.

It's too damn big!

You would think that I would covet a kitchen with stainless steel appliances ( they get dirty fast) and marble counter tops, ( can you cut on these or not? The $1 million question. I did not, Ruth.) Hardwood floors and lots of cupboard space- but I don't.




It's a lovely kitchen, but I like my tiny space. Wait, I choose my tiny space!



I found out these past few days that the two of us make a big-ass mess and I'm tired of walking  20- feet to the bathroom. I get my exercise the old- fashioned way- by going outside and actually exercising.

I've made some decent meals here in the big house, but also made big messes, so on Tuesday, when we get back into our RV with the tiny kitchen, I will be once again, a happy camper.

Stay tuned for an apple pie recipe from Julian, CA.


Last Meal in the Sandy Shores Trailer Park




PORK CHOPS WITH HONEY-BALSAMIC GLAZE

Ingredients

  • 4 bone-in pork loin chops (1 inch thick and 10 ounces each)
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • GLAZE:
  • 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary or 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup butter, cubed


  1.  Make glaze and marinate chops at least and hour.
  2. Sprinkle pork chops with pepper flakes, salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add pork; cook for 5-7 minutes on each side or on the BBQ and baste with sauce while drinking a nice Merlot.  Remove and keep warm until serving. (The meat, not the wine.)



Friday, September 23, 2016

The Laughing Matriarch Moves into a Tiny House...

How can it be three years since I last posted? 

What the HELL have I been doing with myself?

Well, moving here and there and everywhere. 
Helping relatives deal and win their battles with cancer.
Healing and helping our first- born get her life back.




Coping with other family issues (as if we don't all have them.)

Traveling and creating new adventures...

And buying and moving into a 30-foot, 32-year-old recreational vehicle.


As you do.

Holy crap, my house is so tiny...I ain't got room to change my mind. My house is so small..when I drop a Kleenex I have wall to wall carpet. (Thanks- I'll be here all week.)

Anyway, I do love my RV (hipsters call it a tiny house...seriously? It's an RV.) I have my own bedroom (sigh,we both can't fit in the same bed.) My bathroom with a shower has everything I need including room for all my lotions and potions, but it's my kitchen that I love the most.

Can YOU sit at your dinning room table and reach over to check if your cake is done in the oven without getting up?



I didn't think so.

After owning two wonderful homes with nice kitchens and renting other great houses with, honestly, better kitchens, than the homes we owned...this is my favorite kitchen.

The small size forces me to wash the dishes immediately, and I don't waste much food because there is no such thing as leftovers, because I've finally taught myself to downsize my recipes. Oh, and I have a tiny fridge.

When I tell young folks I live in an RV, they treat me like a hero and gush that they've" always wanted to live in an RV." 

All 24 years of their lives.

So anyway, I am back and I want to share my travels and recipes with you, so don't change the channel- I'll be right back after station identification.

"Finishing food is about the tiny touches. In the last seconds you can change everything." Mario Batali