Abigail-Madison Chase's Blog: Chasing Abigail , page 6

Finding Wilder

America was in a deep ice age and no one knew when it would end. The entire US was a frozen tundra including the Southernmost of Florida. Scientist in America and around the world were puzzled as to why the weather changed.
Families now had to rely on themselves to grow fruits and vegetables. Communities had banned together to create large greenhouses and most homes had their own smaller greenhouses that were issued by the government to help people survive. Livestock was weathering the age in side of barns.
      Most folks learned to adjust to life in the cold without a study source of heat from the sun to warm their bodies. Much of the homeless population was lost the first winter when temperatures dropped to below zero. Most folks now try to spend what use to be winter on the outside when the sun breaks through the clouds for an hour each day. Most of the time the clouds and the heavy fog obscure the sun.
The world was a new place with the Overcast. Planes where no longer a viable transportation option so the government had built high-speed trains that would carry folks underground all over the US.  Schools, hospitals, fire stations and other public building were still open and operating despite the cold. Nothing much changed. People adjusted and learn to live without.
The US survived and thrived as usually under the new weather condition. Elections were still held every four years and folks still found time to complain about politicians.  The panic that was supposed to grip the US if a global disaster happened never materialized.
In the 12thyear without the sun Wyoming became one of the first states to reopen its borders to outsider as the temperatures in many states began again plumb it. The government has planned for many scenarios and this was one of them. A large spread of land had been taken by the government to build homes to house those who were fleeing their homes in other states.  The first mass migration of Southerners came in the Fall of 2025.  Hundreds of thousands made their way to Wyoming and within a year the borders were closed again for good. The year after North and South Dakota opened up and more people poured in until the borders closed a year later. The next year Colorado, Virginia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York opened their borders for six months and many folks from the south relocated. Now all the borders are closed and everyone has to stay put where they are. No one is authorized to travel over land accept the military.
The South is not totally uninhibited but those who stayed have to wait months for supplies to come by military transport.

It's Friday and summer for my blog is off to a roaring st...

It's Friday and summer for my blog is off to a roaring start!

Abigail devours Caramel Cashew White Chocolate Blondies

My favorite go to snack is brownies. I love brownies especially blondie brownies. Last week I found the most delectable recipe for brownies and its so delicious I have made it twice. Celebrating Sweets is the blog that I found the recipe and I am eternally grateful for her post. ! Yummy

Caramel Cashew White Chocolate Blondies
  Print Prep time15 mins Cook time20 mins Total time35 mins  Soft and chewy brown sugar blondies loaded with caramel pieces, white chocolate chips, and salted cashews. Sweet and salty, chewy and crunchy - so addicting!Author: Allison - Celebrating SweetsRecipe type: dessert, barsServes: 12Ingredients½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted¾ cup light brown sugar, packed1 large egg1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1 cup all purpose flour¾ teaspoon baking powder¼ teaspoon salt10 soft caramel candies, unwrapped and cut into eighths (about ½ cup)½ cup roasted, salted cashews, chopped½ cup white chocolate chipsIce cream, for serving (optional)Salted caramel sauce, for serving (optional)InstructionsPreheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9 square pan with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Set aside.In a large bowl, whisk butter and brown sugar until thoroughly combined. Add egg and vanilla extract, whisking to combine.In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, until combined. Fold in the caramel candies, cashews, and white chocolate chips.Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread into an even layer. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until light golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. You want to remove them from the oven just short of being done. They'll continue to cook as they cool. Place pan on a wire rack to cool completely.http://celebratingsweets.com/caramel-... sure the caramel candies you use are fresh and soft.

It's important to use roasted, salted cashews, not raw cashews. The saltiness is needed to balance all the sweetness. You could also add a sprinkling of sea salt to the top of the blondies for extra saltiness.

Abigail's Healthy Snack

When the summer sun is high temperatures can make it impossible stay indoors, why not make a nutritious snack and take the kids outside. One of my favorite go to snack in the summer is a nice nutritious skewer of fruit. It’s also a way to get the kids to eat fruits.

Abby
http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2014/0...


Fruit is made fun and convenient with these colorful grab-and-go fruit kabobs. A variety of fruit is encouraged in the daily diet for maximum health benefits. These threaded layers of fruit not only create a beautiful presentation but pack multiple vitamins, minerals, micro-nutrients, and antioxidants onto one easy to eat wooden skewer.
Some of the fruit we love:
Strawberries:
excellent source of vitamin Crich in vitamin B-6, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and folic acidcontains vitamin A, vitamin E and many antioxidantscontains a good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, fluorine, copper, iron and iodineMango:
rich in dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant compoundsexcellent source of Vitamin-A and flavonoids like beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthinrich source of potassiumgood source of vitamin B-6, vitamin C and vitamin EPapaya:
contains a good amount of soluble dietary fiberhas one of the highest vitamin C content for fruitexcellent source of vitamin A and flavonoids like beta carotenes, lutein, zeaxanthin and cryptoxanthinsrich in folic acid, vitamin B-6, riboflavin, and vitamin B-1contains a good amount of potassiumKiwi:
rich source of soluble dietary fiberexcellent source of antioxidant vitamin-Cvery good levels of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K and anti-oxidants such as beta-carotene, lutein and xanthinkiwi seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acidsrich source of potassiumcontains good amounts of minerals like manganese, iron and magnesiumBananas:
replenishes energy and revitalizes the body instantlycontains a good amount of soluble dietary fibercontains health promoting flavonoid poly-phenolic antioxidantsvery good source of vitamin B-6moderate source of vitamin Ccontains adequate levels of copper, magnesium, and manganesevery rich source of potassium

Finding Wilder

     The dry fog rolled in on the first day of Spring and on the first day of summer it was still covering the city.  Two weeks ago the fog began to redden and dim the sunlight. On the rarest of occasions sunspots were visible to the naked eye. Nothing seemed to effect the fog.  Farmers at the higher elevations the climate changed. It was cooler and the local formers were unable to grow crops. On June 3rd all the crops were killed by frost and snow began to fall on June 12th.  Ester Morganfield wrote on her blog that the weather was backward. Bennett Hollingsworth wrote on his blog that "The Lord is coming back.”   Bennett Holyfield reported on his blog that the temperature in upstate Wyoming had been below freezing every day since June 1st.  By the 4th of July is was so cold that everything has stopped growing.

The entire US was in a deep freeze. Crops were failing and severe frost was in Miami.  Food prices were high and supermarkets were having a hard time getting food. Lakes and rivers were frozen. Temperatures did not rise above freezing during the entire month of July and August. Summer highs of 95F would drop to near-freezing within hours.  
The winter was a hardship even for those accustomed to cold weather. The New York Times reported that “scientist continued to diligently working a solution.”  The sun remain obscured and overcast with clouds; while the air was damp, and chilly all summer long. NASA sent up several satellites up in the atmosphere to try and dissipate the clouds. Nothing worked.
By September the small farms were able to produce crops but the prices were still high. The government began to ration the dwindling food supply. Travel bans were implemented in major cities to keep ensure that only citizens of the state were able to buy food. The effects were widespread and lasted beyond the summer. Europe, Asia and Africa experienced the same pattern of weather. The skies were overcast and Summer eventually became winter never to return to summer.
The Year with A Summer had return and this time winter seemed to never end. Scientist nicknamed the phenomenon Overcast.

Abigail Loves Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich

Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad - Easy chicken salad recipe filled with tender chicken, dried cranberries, walnuts, apples, celery, dill and parsley.

I found the most delectable salad recipe at kitchenista ( http://www.kitchenistadiaries.com)/ in  my quest to discover the most delicious chicken salad on the planet.


Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad Sandwich

Ingredients:2 c. chopped cooked chicken1/2 c. dried cranberries
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
1/4 c. mayo1/4 c. full fat strained Greek yogurt1/4 c. finely diced shallot 2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley1/2 tsp celery seed2 tsp whole grain dijon mustard2 tsp apple cider vinegarKosher salt, to tasteCracked black pepper, to tasteFresh whole grain breadArugula, baby kale or mixed greens
Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Equipment Needed: N/A

If you've cooked the chicken yourself, just make sure it's cooled completely before making your chicken salad. This is one of those sandwiches that's great to make when you have leftovers in the fridge! It's super economical to cook your own whole chicken, and for a small family you can usually get several meals out of it. I used 1 large breast and 1 thigh, skin removed.


http://www.kitchenistadiaries.com/201...

Abigail Picnic Basket

   When I was a kid I dreamed of owning a really nice picnic basket. Over the course of my adulthood I have owned at least three very nice picnic basket. This summer will be no exception. I have ordered the most delightful picnic basket from Amazon. My picnic basket is a must have! Eight ceramic plates, matching napkins, wine glasses, stainless steel flatware, salt and pepper shakers cheese-knife, corkscrew, tartan blanket and coffee mugs. This is the ultimate picnic basket.
Abby
Picnic at Ascot Dorset English-Style Willow Picnic Basket with Service for 4, Coffee Set and Blanket - London Plaid
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ESIES4

Abigail Love Berry Watermelon Fruit Salad

One of my favorite things to eat as a summer is fruit. I love fruit and when summer arrives and my local market puts out the fresh fruit on Tuesday I am the first inline to purchase some. One of my favorite things to make is Berry Watermelon Fruit Salad. Berry Watermelon Fruit Salad is a simple easy delicious treat that is easy to make for breakfast lunch or and afternoon or  morning snack.
Abby

A fresh and healthy Berry Watermelon Fruit Salad, perfect for Summer gatherings. Vegan and Gluten Free.
Ingredients Vegan, Gluten free, Paleo Produce 1/2 pint Blackberries 1 pint Blueberries 1 pint Cherries, pitted and halved 1 pint Raspberries 1 pint Strawberries 4 cups Watermelon

Abigail's Summer 2016 Summer Blog

Welcome to the Abby. Today at we kick off our Summer 2016 Schedule.
This summer, like last summer, I will feature foods, drinks, travel, romance, fashion and all the fun that make us love summer. I will also try and improve my terrible writing skills with a summer story called Finding Wilder, every Tuesday.
Abby
                                                             Summer 2016 Schedule
Monday- Travel
Tuesday-Finding Wilder
Wednesday-Summer Food & Fun
Thursday- Summer Fashion
Friday-Summer Tranquility & Romance
Saturday-Sunday Closed For Summer Fun

Cinnamon French Toast Fingers with Greek Yogurt and Blueb...

Cinnamon French Toast Fingers with Greek Yogurt and Blueberry Sauce
Save Print Prep time10 mins Cook time5 mins Total time15 mins Sweet and crunchy, these cinnamon French toast fingers make a delicious Sunday breakfast.Author: Nicky @ Kitchensanctuary.comRecipe type: BreakfastServes: 2-3 servingsIngredients6 thick slices of brioche bread2 large eggs4 tbsps milk½ tsp vanilla extract100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar2 tsps ground cinnamon2 tbsp unsalted butter Blueberry Sauce: 1 cup blueberries1 tbsp granulated sugar1 tbsp water To Serve: Greek YogurtInstructions

Place the blueberry sauce ingredients in a small pan and put to one side.Cut the crusts off each slice of bread, and cut each piece of bread into three fingers.Whisk together the egg, milk and vanilla extract in a wide, shallow bowl.Place the sugar and cinnamon on a plate and mix together.Place the pan for the blueberries on a medium heat and bring to a bubble, then stir and turn down the heat to low. Cook for 2-4 minutes until the blueberries release some of their colour and the sugar is completely dissolved. Don't overcook or the blueberries will lose their shape. Turn off the heat and put to one side.Heat the butter in a large frying pan (skillet) on a medium heat until just bubbling. Briefly dip the bread fingers in the egg mixture so that all sides are covered.Place the fingers straight in the hot pan. Fry for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove the fingers from the pan and place them straight in the cinnamon sugar. Turn them over to fully coat.Stack the cinnamon fingers on two or three plates, then top each plate with 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt and the blueberry sauce.Serve immediately.http://www.foolproofliving.com/strawb...