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And Preparing for a New Part of Our Lives
Things are really going to be changing here at Creekside at the end of the summer. After working since he was 14 years old, Larry is finally going to retire.
Well, he’s retiring from carpentry at least. As you will see, we have some big plans ahead – some things that we are really looking forward to. Retirement is not going to be what I would have thought it would be if you had asked me 20 years ago.
Then I would have said that we would likely not be doing much of anything special. To be honest, I could not really imagine us doing “not much of anything”, especially Larry, but that is what people do when they retire, right? But anyone who actually knows Larry already knows that he will never be sitting around for long – unless it’s on the porch with a cold beer after a long day of doing something.
And, I won’t be retiring – I am, after all, waaaaay younger than Larry is, and I can’t imagine what would happen if I tried to stop the flow of ideas that pop into my head when I look at a pile of raw ingredients. Though I am already older than the majority of food bloggers, I am not even close to being ready to quit. But that is cool, because what I already do is going to fit right in with our plans for the future.
I have spoken before of our work to produce more of what we eat. We have chickens, a huge garden, a small orchard and little greenhouse. But, we are also thinking about taking things even further and producing enough to feed some other people too. We are blessed to live in an area that is increasingly interested in local food – food that is responsibly produced and marketed directly to the people who are going to be eating it.
If we can do it for ourselves, why not turn it into a little business – you know, just to keep busy?
The exact shape these plans will take is still evolving, but that is half the fun, and in the meantime, we are still enjoying the fruits of our labors. Like chives! I have a ridiculous amount of them growing because while they reliably come back year after year, I am always afraid they won’t, so I plant more. They might come in very handy when we begin selling our produce though. They certainly come in handy in this great creamy ranch dressing!
Chive Bacon Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon fried crisp
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup sour cream or yogurt
- 1/2 mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1/4 cup finely snipped chives
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop the bacon very finely – it isn't going to stay crunchy in the dressing anyway, so the smaller the better, to distribute the flavor evenly.
- Mix the buttermilk, sour cream or yogurt, mayo and the vinegar in a medium bowl, until combined and very smooth.
- Use a microplane, or mince the garlic and add to the buttermilk mixture.
- Add the chives and bacon and mix again, until smooth.
- Taste, and add salt and pepper to taste.
- Refrigerate for a few hours to blend flavors, and serve over your favorite tossed salad combo or as a dip for fresh vegetables.
- Makes about 2 cups. Refrigerate leftovers.
You know all you have to do is stay tuned here on the blog to find out how this all ultimately shakes out – I can’t think of a better way to spend the next few years than embarking on a new venture with my best friend!
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Tuscan Herb Salt
Maple Glazed Delicata Squash
Green Tomato Jalapeno Salsa
Chili Roasted Butternut Squash
Crash Hot Sweet Potatoes
Creme Fraiche, made at home
Brussels Sprouts with Shallots and Brown Butter
Green Beans with Miso
Garlic Scape Pesto
Crispy Zucchini Fritters
Sounds delicious, I think we’ll try this this week.
Go for it – Scott will love it & the buttermilk slims it down a little bit!
Super recipe & a great way for me use up all of my chives! Thank you, thank you!
Excess chives are a universal problem it seems, Nicolas – thanks for stopping by!
This is such a lovely recipe, Donalyn, and kudos on looking forward so much to retiremnet for your husband. It doesn’t sound like he will be sitting around the house bothering you for sure! I wish you all the best as you guys figure out the new shape of things.
Thanks Bonnie – we are really looking forward to it!
Congratulations on the life changes. Sounds like exciting times, Donalyn! Loving this salad dressing. Adding bacon to ranch dressing? Brilliant! 🙂
Thanks so much Bill!
HI Donalyn!
I’ve been retired for a few years now and I can tell you from experience, I still don’t have enough time to do all the things I dream of doing! Sounds like you two are making promising plans. I’m so excited for both of you and your new path to retirement enjoyment. Starting a business is a lot of work and it is so important to be friends with your partner:)
In the mean time, I’m going to enjoy this “Chivey” Ranch Dresssing. I have a tendency to always plant Chives, just in case:)
Thanks so much for sharing, Donalyn…
Thanks Louise – it really is going to be an adventure. And I’m glad that I am not the only chive-doubter!
This looks so fresh and delicious. . . I happen to have some buttermilk in the fridge, my chives are thriving and I’m sure I can scrape up some bacon. Will HAVE to make it this week!
I hope you do Jenn – I know you guys will like it 🙂
I think I will make this dressing for our upcoming family reunion. Looking forward to seeing how your plans evolve.
Thanks Kathy – hope your family enjoys it!
Retirement is great! Mrs K R and I are both lucky enough to be early retirees. My blog is in part my retirement “work!” I’m overloaded with chives, too (in fact they’re out of control — they’re growing faster than I can use them!). This is the perfect dish for me and my chive situation. 😉 Thanks.
Glad to help John – if you go through salad dressing like we do, you will be using them up for a change.
This sounds so delicious. I too have a ton of chives to use so I think I will give this a whirl. Retirement sounds like it will keep you busy for sure. That’s good because you are too young to be in those rocking chairs yet. 🙂
Yeah – no rocking chairs here, Tes – just a porch swing and margaritas!
That little business sounds like a great retirement plan! A lot of the locals in my neighborhood sell their “extra” at the growers market or just give it away. 🙂 With everything you have going there on your property it sounds like there is plenty of post-retirement activities. Love your recipe for Ranch dressing! I too have plenty of chives, so I’ll be picking some today. Thanks!
We do give a lot away MJ – there is always more than we could ever eat. Looking forward to selling a little too!
I could not be happier for you and I can’t wait to see what the two of you end up doing. We have awhile till retirement still, but we still think about what we want to do. I made sure to get some chives this last weekend and we had thing dressing on our salad last night. SO good!
Thanks so much Sallie – and really glad that you enjoyed the dressing 🙂
That sounds fantastic! I love the addition of bacon.
Cheers,
Rosa
Ah yes, Rosa – bacon makes everything better!
What an exciting time in your lives! This dressing has all of my favourite things in it too! 😀
Thanks Lorraine – it gets more exciting all the time!
My hubby would love your salad dressing…well, BOTH of us would. And congrats on Larry’s impending retirement. It sounds like you have some terrific projects in mind for the future. I can’t imagine Bill not doing anything, either….
This is one of those “moderation” recipes Liz – not for everyday use! 😀 By this time next year, we will be wondering when he ever had time to go to work at all!
Both my husband and I are retired and we’re always doing something or going somewhere. Life is very full. I love your dressing and chives add such a great flavor to almost all salad dressings. Your idea of adding bacon is excellent.
Gerlinde – one of the reason I am glad that I found your blog is because of the adventures that you relate – we are looking forward to some of our own!
You know the way to a guy’s heart – BACON!!!!
Yummo! Looks way better than the bottled Bacon Ranch we usually buy.