Sun Up to Vacation Up & Chocolate Fudge Rum Balls / 2-26-2020

      Well, another day, another happy memory to make right here on Cape Cod. From sun rises to sun sets. they are all spectacular. Although I will say right now the sun is rising just as I am getting into my office, and it likes to peek it's rays right over the top of the neighbors house across the street and would like to blind me. Last several days I have enjoyed seeing that blue sky and that oranges and yellows all across the horizon. But I have to tell you, when the sun actually starts to creep above the roof line it is unreal. So I have to lower my blinds just enough so I can continue to work and see my computer screen. Have you seen the crocuses out yet? Or the daffodils blooming especially up against some homes? And to think it is still February, here on Cape Cod. Ya,, where spring normally does not stick its head out till at least April. And year since I have moved here I have seen it snow on Easter morning at Sunrise services on Nauset Beach. So with all this happy warm talk, let's not loose sight that winter is not over yet and we can still experience winter for a few more months. Really? Humm. I wonder. Anyway with all the warm weather are you thinking of vacation time. Are you making your plans for this summer? You know we are now only 3 months away from Memorial Day and the unofficial start to summer. I urge you to start thinking about and make those plans to ensure you get the time you want. Then start talking to the kids about what they want to do, what funds do you need to save up to do the things you want. Whale watching is absolutely a wicked awesome thing to do, but it ain't cheap, but well worth it. What about a canal cruise, what about a charter fishing trip? What about playing golf every morning? Now that ain't cheap either. The point is, if you want to do some of these things plan ahead and save up. But remember there are plenty of things to do free or very inexpensively. So here is to warm weather now and fun in the sun to come, and where else would you want to be than right here on old Cape Cod. Hope to see you soon.   

      Small and or local business report time. Now I am always looking for year round places, you know quite a few of us actually live here hear round and well without these places open some of us just could not do our days right. We start out with the Chatham Perk, located at 307 Orleans Rd, in North Chatham, or online at https://www.chathamperk.com/. Hours Monday - Friday 6:30 - 3 and Saturdays 7 - 3, closed Sundays. They do have breakfast sandwiches and items to go with that coffee, and they also do lunch grills and sandwiches. So if you are in or around Chatham and need a get me going, stop into the the Chatham Perk and get perked up and going. 

      Most folks thing that farmers markets are only 3 season projects, well the Orleans Farmers Market goes year round. from December - April they meet at Nauset Middle School on Saturday mornings from 9-Noon. Then from May to November they gather on Old Colony Way over by Hot Chocolate Sparrows and across from Rock Harbor Grill. So don't forget our friends and go support you local vendors. 

      And last up but not least are our friends at Cook's Seafood Restaurant will be opening this weekend. As someone said a sure sign that spring is just around the corner. Folks, I have different places for different foods. But I have to admit that Cook's is one of my favorites when it comes to fried seafood and we love their clam chowder, second only to the wife's. Ok her recipe, I do all the rest from raking in the clams to peeling and cutting potatoes and onions as well as cooking and chopping the clams. But Cook's does that all for you, and you don't have the mess to clean up afterwards. Their specials are terrific and they do not skimp on the portions. So if you're ready for some wicked good fried seafood, get ready for Cook's opening this weekend. Watch for them on Facebook as they count down the days and post pics of scrumptious offerings.   

      Well hello my friends, I hope that as we traverse this final week of February that you are doing well, fine, good, (whatever grammar rule fits your preference). With this changing weather I know the sniffles, drippy noses and sinus issues are having a heyday. And with all this other stuff floating around, all I can say is, stay as medicated and health precocious as you can. I know around here we are taking the time to wipe down everything with disinfectant after each school group and bus group we have right now. So if you have one of your little ones coming to visit, know that we are taking time to be safe. Well, other than that, there are no whales about, no sharks, no major runs on schools of fish, and the lobster are just be lazy about it all. But I am still getting reports that the shellfish collecting is going well and there are still oysters in some areas for the taking. But I am still hearing that mussels are few and far between, which I am still not understanding why? But anyway, no big ocean issues, no seagoing vessels having problems, and no wicked storms to upset the apple cart or the fish tub. What can I say, the beacon is still doing her thing, her life partner foggy toots his nose from time to time as needed and that is about it. So that is the grand and wonderful of it this winter. Don't forget we have an extra day this year to enjoy the Cape that much more, So if you get a chance, come on out and stop by, The grounds are accessible, it's just the station and tower that are not open the public right now. But if the skies turn out as bright as they are suppose to be, it might be a bit nippy but the views should be for miles and a wonderful day to hike down to the beach and do some combing. That's all for now my friends, please have a great and wonderful and especially if you can do it right here on Old Cape Cod. 

      Now tis is a dessert I can get into in so many ways. I love cookies balls, fudge balls, truffles (the dessert kind not the fungi kind for this section. Truffle mushrooms is a whole nother issue and so tasty yet so expensive more on that another time.) So that is why I went this direction this year, I don't think you can ever have too many or find a time of year that they don't work. So let's face it, adults love their fudgy chocolate desserts, add some booze to it and it becomes even a hotter topic. No with all that, warning the alcohol stays in these as these are not baked, so they are not recommended for under age drinkers. So, before I dribble all over the keyboard, let's get on with the show.

      This week's recipe: Chocolate Fudge Rum Balls

      1      cup      semi-sweet chocolate chips, (Use a quality top line chocolate)

   1/2     cup      powdered sugar
      2     Tbsp    light corn syrup
   1/2      tsp      vanilla extract
   1/2      cup      dark rum
      3      cups    vanilla wafers crushed
      1      cup      pecans crushed
   1/2      tsp        salt

      Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl. Start by microwaving the chocolate for 35 seconds. Stir the chocolate and microwave it for an additional 20 seconds. Repeat until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Pour the powdered sugar into the melted chocolate through a sifter or a strainer. Stir the powdered sugar into the melted chocolate. Pour the dark rum, corn syrup and vanilla into the chocolate mixture. Mix everything together until it is smooth. In a separate bowl, mix together crushed vanilla wafers, crushed pecans and salt. Stir the vanilla wafer mixture into the chocolate mixture until everything is evenly distributed. Cover the mixture and chill it for 20-30 minutes.
Remove the mixture from the refrigerator and roll 1 inch balls, chill them in the refrigerator until firm and serve. (Now, you can dust with confectionary sugar, roll in jimmies, or nuts, an just about any other topping you can think of. The nuts and jimmies do as final step before refrigerating. Powdered sugar do right before you service otherwise the sugar will dissolve into the Rum Balls. The idea here is to have fun and go with the holiday or season.)