End of Summer

It's almost the end of summer.  It's not official, IMHO, until Labor Day.  That means the next thing to look forward to is Hockey.  But before the puck drops, I'm going to fill you in on my summer.  We've had some milestones this year and I've been a bit too busy to blog, as indicated by my last post being in May.

June brought us the usual birthday bashes, including a niece, a daughter-in-law, 2 kids, and 2 grandkids.  A trip to Chicago was in order to celebrate with the "big kids".

Along with these yearly events, we had 3 graduations.  A granddaughter with a high school diploma, a daughter with an associates' degree, and her boyfriend with a bachelors.  Yay!  Congrats to the parents on these too!

Talk about emptying the pocketbook (which is what my grandma always referred to as her purse and writing this just popped into my head with a chuckle).  Lots of parties and celebrations.  Family fun!

July continued with the celebrations of the 4th and 3 more birthdays. Heat and sunshine occupied the days while granddaughter and I occupied the pool!  Lots of swimming.  We even had additional occupants when the girls across the street came over and some friends from school joined us after a sleep over.  That's another story! She can now do a handstand, front and back somersaults, and a "dolphin" or backflip in the water.  A real cygnet I tell you!  

This brings us to August.  Back to School!  The High School Graduate is attending Rock Valley College, the Associates Degree is going on to become a Surgical Technologist, The Bachelors Degree is job hunting, and the Cygnet is drying out while going into 2nd Grade!  The older I get, the faster time goes.  

That's it in a nutshell.  Now, as mentioned, let the puck drop!  Join me as I follow the Rockford IceHogs and the Chicago Blackhawks as a staff writer for Blackhawk Up!  Don't worry, I will still have product reviews and family stories here.  Maybe I'll even have time to get back into the kitchen and share some creations with you.  As always, thanks for stopping by the castle!  Drop in anytime, it's one place I don't have to clean.  :)

Family Secret Recipe Using Reddi-wip®

When chosen to write a review on Reddi-wip® and berries I was anxiously looking for a recipe to try.  I thought it would be fun to create a breakfast, rather than a dessert.  Then, my story was going to include how we have had Reddi-wip® to eat with fruit, brownies and cookies at family gatherings, outdoor picnics to be precise.  Inevitably this has resulted in a “who is the best shot” competition with many eager volunteers to be the target.  What could be more fun than standing there trying to catch a squirt of Reddi-wip® in your mouth?  Not much and apparently my entire family has adopted this sporting event.

You too may wish to join in some Reddi-wip® fun by entering the #BerryJoyfulSweeps Sweepstakes.  You do not have to shoot, aim or catch Reddi-wip® in your mouth or anywhere else.  Now through July 7, 2014, you can share your everyday Reddi-wip® berry-licious moments on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook using the #BerryJoyfulSweeps hashtag for a chance to win a trip for two to the 2015 Watsonville Strawberry Festival, Reddi-wip® coupons or berry keepers.

Along with desserts, breakfasts and games Reddi-wip® is now being added to one of our family traditions making it easier than ever to make and share.  Before this family secret recipe for this delicious Reddi-wip® and berries creation is divulged, let me give you a bit of history.

It is a dessert tradition started by Great Grandma Anna and Grandma Inga, both from Norway, and was served at Christmastime.  The children and grandchildren have continued with this creation adding it to the Christmas cookie and dessert table.  In her broken English, Grandma Anna called it “Katalani”.  The family is not really sure how to spell it.  I’m sure she made it with freshly whipped whipping cream, baked biscuits and fresh picked lingonberries, but through the generations the recipe has been simplified.  Reddi-wip® makes it easier than ever to bring the joy of real dairy cream, never hydrogenated oils, to berry creations such as our secret family recipe here.  By the way, each serving of Original, Extra Creamy and Chocolate Reddi-wip® has only 15 calories and each serving of Fat-Fee Reddi-wip® is only five calories.

What you'll need.

  Now, for the recipe; You will need 1 cup milk, 2-3 packages of ladyfinger cookies, 1 jar of  lingonberries, one container of frozen whipped topping (thawed) and 1 can of Reddi-wip® Original, Extra Creamy or Fat Free and a decorative glass bowl, because it sure looks pretty when complete!

  The process is simple.  Dip a ladyfinger cookie (on at a time) in milk and let soak for a few seconds  until absorbed with milk yet, still stiff enough to  move easily.  Place them flat in the bottom of the   bowl and  vertically around the sides forming a layer.  

First Layer

Spread the container of thawed whipped topping over the cookies to form a second layer.  

Second Layer

Spoon ½ the jar of lingonberries over the topping forming the third layer.  Repeat with ladyfingers and lingonberries.  (*Reserve a spoonful of lingonberries for a dollop in the center of the Reddi-wip® for decoration.)  

Third Layer and Repeat

Lastly, squirt Reddi-wip® over the final layer of ladyfingers and put your reserved dollop of berries in the center.  

Ready for Reddi-Wip

Refrigerate.  You may also add a few blueberries for a “red, white and blue” holiday dessert.  Use a big spoon to dip into this delicious bowl of scrumptious Reddi-wip® and berry-licious moment.

There you have it, a family secret recipe.

If you have a family secret, or any berry joyful moments, you would like to share, go ahead and enter the #BerryJoyfulSweeps Sweepstakes.  For more creations and information visit the Reddi-wip® Website, the Reddi-wip® Facebook page and follow Reddi-wip® on Instagram (reddiwip) and Twitter (@RealReddiWip).  Want to know where to buy Reddi-wip®?  Click here for the store locator. 

I am participating in a Vibrant Influencer network campaign for Reddi-wip®.  I am receiving a fee for posting; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own.  I am in no way affiliated with Reddi-wip® and do not earn a commission or percent of sales. Click here for #BerryJoyfulSweeps Official rules.

Our Five Forks Market Experience

The Five Forks Market is not new to Rockford but it was new to us.  I've heard good reviews, but just never made it over there, until last night.  Wow.  What have I been missing?  This is one of the finest dining experiences in the city.  We set out to celebrate our 13th Wedding Anniversary, and it was a perfect setting for this occasion.  Quaint, out of the way, yet fairly busy for a Monday evening, we enjoyed our table along the back wall with an exquisite bottle of cabernet wine from the Washington area vineyards chosen by our "cork dork".  The dining room was tastefully decorated and the lighting reflected the sparkling water bottles and glasses brought to each table.  We almost requested seats at the bar to watch the chef prepare the tapas, however, we opted for a small, secluded table to gaze into each other's eyes for the anniversary "date".  It was very romantic and did not disappoint.

Moving right along, we paired our wine with two "small" tapas being crab cakes and the risotto of the day.  I admit, I Googled "Tapas" before going.  Appetizer sized portions or small samples best describe the process.  The curry lamb meatballs came in a pair that made it easy to share while the risotto of the day came in a small glass boat in which we spooned out onto our plates.  The meatballs were fun to try but not a big hit with me, however, Mr. is a huge fan of lamb and mutton and thoroughly enjoyed them.  We shared with his portion being the meatballs and mine was the goat cheese in the sauce.  After much debate on the spices of the risotto, we had to ask the waiter.  I detected a cinnamon while the Mr. detected a hint of cherry. We were both correct.  The sauce was cherry inflicted while the duck sausage was cinnamon flavored.  Delicious on all accounts.

Next we moved on to the "medium bites" and chose the crab cakes and the gnocchi.  The crab cakes were perfect texture and served in a lemony, corn salsa type sauce. Definitely a favorite of the evening in my opinion.  The gnocchi served with butternut squash, kale and pine nuts also had a lemon cream sauce topped with Parmesan.  I would love to take credit for choosing two tapas with coordinating sauces but it was by chance.  We loved the gnocchi combination, though I felt the lemon taste in the creamy sauce was a bit overpowering.  Very good and still would get 4 stars.  I learned the bold tastes are much easier tolerated in small portions and really enjoyed this type of dining experience. Besides, we were still hungry for desert.  

Ah, yes desert.  Mr. ordered the crème brulee.  Soft, creamy, custard with the perfect burnt caramel topping and a blackberry.  As for my choice, the mascarpone cheese mixture layered fillo dough triangles sprinkled with powdered sugar was off the one to five star rating system.  A definite 10.

Five Forks Market is definitely a must visit dining destination.  Overall we rated our experience five stars and were already discussing our choices for future visits.  Happy Anniversary Mr.!  And many more.