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Today’s recipe is a simple one and the post brief, so, I though I’d take the opportunity to share another Grandpa story. If you’re not interested, just scroll down until you reach the peanut photo. That’s where the recipe begins.
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Grandpa was, by all accounts, a Jack of all Trades. Having owned a contracting business, few maintenance and repair jobs around the old two-flat fell outside of his skill set. At any given time, especially in the Summer, he could usually be found performing any one of a number of jobs around the building: cement work, carpentry, tile setting, painting, roof repair, and the occasional electrical project.
As children, we were often enlisted to help him with these projects. When very little, our main duty was to stay out-of-the-way. We soon graduated to beer fetchers and water bearers. “Go-fer” was the next position and, depending on the project and number of men involved, we could be kept running. Soon we were allowed to water the 
dry ingredients to make cement, under supervision of course. Not long thereafter, we were permitted to use the hoe with 2 holes to mix the cement, as well as a variety of small jobs. You might, for example, fill buckets with cement, haul them, maybe cut a board or two, hammer a few nails, etc. And then, one day, you were deemed old enough and big enough to push a loaded wheelbarrow. That was the pinnacle of success for us laborers, for it meant that you big enough and strong enough to do man’s work. Make no mistake, pushing a wheelbarrow full of cement was certainly man’s work. especially under the watchful eyes of the adults present. You did not want it to tip over and there were plenty of opportunities, for every Summer there was at least one job that involved cement. To be sure, though, not all jobs required cement or even a work crew. For those jobs, Grandpa flew solo, like the time he painted the trim of the house.
Unlike bungalows and ranch-style homes, painting a two-flat’s trim was no easy task. As you can see in the photo below, much of the trim is about 25 feet above the ground, with the peak another 8 or so feet higher. To further complicate matters, there were 2 aluminum awnings attached to the front of the house, a small one over Zia’s living room, while a much larger awning shielded our windows and the entire porch minus the entryway. (The photo is current, the awnings having been removed sometime after we left in 1985.) When Grandpa decided the trim needed painting, he was about 71 years of age. This was long before “70 is the new 50”; 70 was 70. I was about 15.
One Summer afternoon, Grandpa called for me to give him a hand. By the time I got to the front of the house, Grandpa had already started up the ladder and was waiting for me. The ladder, however, was not long enough to reach the top, or even near the top, of the peak. Not only that but the awnings prevented it from resting against the building. Instead, it was on a bit of an incline as it laid across both awnings, its top-end suspended a little more than a foot from the wall.
When he saw me, I was instructed to stand on the bottom of the ladder. Grandpa then began to climb higher. In his hand was a hockey stick with a paint brush lashed to the end. I started pleading with him to stop. He ignored me and further up he went. I 
didn’t know it but he had already placed a bucket of paint on top of the second awning. When he reached the end of the ladder, and with his left arm acting as a brace against the side of the building, he started painting the building’s peak, dipping his hockey stick brush into the paint can below him and then swinging it over his head. Whether because he heard my voice or just by luck, a neighbor came out and, horrified, ran to help me steady the ladder, all the while yelling, “Bart, get down!” Grandpa, of course, ignored him, as well. There was a job to be done, after all. Within minutes, more neighbors came, all pleading with him to stop. All for naught.
As I’ve mentioned in other posts, the parish school was across the street and at the end of the block. At the time, Mom worked there as the school’s secretary. That day, being it was Summer, Mom left her office at 4:00 pm. She didn’t walk far before she noticed a crowd gathering on our lawn and quickened her pace. When she got close enough, she noticed Grandpa on the ladder, swinging a hockey stick. Now running, and a few doors away, Mom was yelling, “Pa! Get Down!” Unperturbed, Grandpa kept painting.
When he had finished, the entire episode having lasted about 30 minutes, Grandpa calmly came down the ladder, handed his hockey stick to someone, went back up for the paint can, and came back down again for the last time. Mom and the neighbors demanded that he stop painting and he complied. In reality, his compliance was by no means submission. The peak was the last of the trim to be painted. His work was done.
The men helped Grandpa put away the ladder and paint supplies. For that, he invited them back to “see my tomatoes.” The invitation had little to do with tomatoes but that’s better left for another post. For now, there’s peanut butter to make.
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When I first decided to make peanut butter for Max, he was still a puppy. Then, like now, he loved peanut butter over all other treats. Well, when I read the label of a jar of peanut butter, I decided to make my own. It’s easy enough, as you’ll soon see.
I’ve chosen to remove the shells, roast the peanuts, and then remove most of the “paper skins” before making the butter. You must remove the shells but whether you roast and/or remove the skins is up to you, although I did read that roasting peanuts increases their anti-oxidant effects. That’s about all there is to the recipe. Yes, it really is that simple and your pooch can enjoy a treat without any additives whatsoever.
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Roasted Peanut Butter Recipe
Ingredients
yield: 1 pint
- 3 cups unsalted, raw peanuts, shelled (use organic if you can find them)
Directions
- Pre-heat oven to 350˚ F (175˚ C)
- Place peanuts, single layer, on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes. Stir midway through for even roasting.
- Remove from oven and set aside until cool enough to handle.
- Once cooled, take the baking sheet & peanuts outdoors. Rub a handful of peanuts between your palms. The clean nuts will drop and their “paper skins” will float away on the breeze. (See Notes)
- Once cleaned to your liking, place the nuts in a food processor and run.
- The peanuts will go through stages:
- The nuts will go from coarse to finely chopped in a couple of minutes.
- Soon a “dough ball” will form.
- A couple of minutes more and a creamy peanut butter will develop. The longer you process it, the more fluid it will be.
- Place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator.
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Variations
If using peanuts in the shell, roast for 25 minutes. Once cooled, remove shells and as much of the “paper skins” as you prefer.
If your pooch prefers chunky-style peanut butter — very helpful if this is to be used to hide pills — remove up to 1/2 cup of the nuts after they’ve been coarsely chopped. Add them back to the peanut butter once it has reached the preferred consistency. Stir by hand to combine.
To make peanut butter for the two-legged members of your household, follow the same method as dictated above. When the peanuts are first added to the food processor, you may wish to add salt, and/or a sweetener like honey or sugar, to taste. If you prefer your peanut butter to be more smooth, add a teaspoon or two of a neutral-tasting oil.
Notes
I’ve seen no documentation that states the “paper skins” are harmful or should be removed from the peanuts, whether the peanut butter is intended for use by humans or dogs. Nonetheless, I remove the majority of them, though I’m nowhere near having them 100% cleaned.
As I’ve mentioned, Max loves peanut butter. He has 2 hollow bones that I bought him years ago from a pet store. I put a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter in each and put them in the freezer. If I have to crate him, I give him one of these bones and it keeps him occupied.
Dogs do not sweat as we do. They cool themselves by panting, sending cooler air over the tongue. Giving your dog a frozen treat on the hottest of Summer’s days will help him to keep his cool. With that in mind, I reward my puppy with ice cubes. When fully grown and Summer’s heat is at its worst, I give my dog an ice cube “treat”. He loves it and it will cool him off.
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It’s déjà vu all over again …
In my part of the country, the farmers markets are at their peak. Sure, some fruits and 
berries are gone for the year but the vendor stalls are bursting with many other fruits and vegetables. Judging by what I’ve seen, my use of zucchini blossoms earlier this season didn’t affect their harvest in the slightest. There’s enough zucchini and Summer squash left to go around — and then some. If you’re looking to use some of these squash, while cutting back on carbs, you might wish to check out this recipe for penne with zucchini and Summer squash.
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Coming soon to a monitor near you …
Tomato Jam
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from the Bartolini kitchens 
It seems we have stepladder stories in common, only mine was my dad last year.. although he is a grandpa. He’s now 80, 79 when he climbed a ladder to clean the eaves at the cabin by himself. This year I had to talk him out of the two story ladder to carry the surfboards up to the attic. Anyway, last year the ladder actually broke and he gave us a huge scare.. going into shock from the fall scare.. so I’ve told him no more ladders. Yet he defiantly tells us it was the ladder’s fault and not his so he continues to climb in our absence. I hope I’m tough like him at 80:D Sooo glad your Grandpa was casual about his accomplishment and showed everyone what he’s made of! And.. the peanut butter, I’ve been contemplating making it and not done so yet. I will have to make these treats for my mother in law whose dog barks continuously when she leaves.. this would keep him busy and maybe tie up his tongue to the roof of his mouth for a while;) Oh, I wish I still had a pupster.. xx
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I’m so glad your Grandpa is all right, Barb. I know he gave you all a fright! He and my Grandpa were very much the same. Even had he fallen, I’m sure Grandpa would have gone back up that ladder the next time it was needed. There just was no stopping him when he saw something needed to be done.
Giving a dog a toy/bone filled with frozen PB will keep him licking for a good while until the PB melts. Be careful with bones, though. Max has had these 2 bones for years and I know he cannot break them into shards. I never leave him with a new bone. I want to be around if he breaks it so that I can take it away before he injures himself. There are plenty of hard-rubber toys that can be used if you’re not certain about the bones. I bet your MIL knows which are best for her pupster. Good luck!
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That was a story full of suspense. It’s a joy to read when writers shares something personal and something special. Remembering our memories with our family keeps them close in our hearts. Great recipe too!
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You’re right. These memories certainly do keep my departed family members close. They live on in my heart and on these “pages.” I’m glad you enjoyed the story and recipe. : )
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I love reading stories about your family. My dad is 77 and when I went over to his house a few days ago, he was on the roof trying to fix his tv antenna! He’s happiest when he’s puttering, I just wish he would stick to puttering on the ground.
We can grow peanuts in our area. Have never tried making peanut butter though and I’ve never given it to my dog. she would probably love it. thanks for the recipe.
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Gosh,do you bring back memories! yes, that is exactly the thing Grandpa would have done, ignoring all of us ground dwellers. THere just wasn’t any way to dissuade him.
I have yet to have yet to have a dog that didn’t like PB. It really does come in handy when you need to medicate him. It will hide any pill you may have to administer. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Good luck trying to keep your Dad’s feet on the ground. 🙂
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John, what a wonderful story I could just see him up on that ladder with the hockey stick. Men are funny creatures aren’t they? Oh, perhaps you might not agree falling under that category. As many as I’ve had the pleasure of knowing in one capacity or another over my lifetime, I’ve never really been able to convince any one of them to do anything they had a mind to do if serious about it. Best to just stand back and do damage control I’ve found. The peanut butter recipe, although I’m sure irresistible to Max, probably would probably be less than well received by Boo the Cat.
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Thanks, Susie, and from my experience with cats, they never quite got beyond PB’s ‘stick to the roof of your mouth” capacity. Max, on the other hand, will actually use the side of his crate to clean his tongue, going back to this “reserve” once he’s cleaned out the toy or bone. The dog loves his PB.
As a man, I will gladly say that Grandpa was made from a different cloth. He was as determined as he was fearless. They just don’t make ’em like that anymore, or, if they do, I must have skipped that day when they were handing out those qualities. 🙂
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I too was fortunate enough to have a wonderful grandfather. Unfortunately he died when I was six. Before he went he was my yardstick for what a man could be. Still is.
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Sorry, Susie, that your Grandfather was taken so early in life. To leave such an impression, he must have been quite a man. Grandpa was the only Grandparent I knew, although Nonna, my Cousins’ Grandmother, was about as close to us as any Grandma could be. Grandpa was such a force that The Fates probably felt that we couldn’t deal with another Grandparent. In this case, less was definitely more 🙂
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No dogs, but loved the story about your grandfather.
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Thanks, Karen. I imagine that you probably travel far too much to have a dog. I have family and friends who love dogs but, like you, are away from home far too frequently.
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I always wanted to make peanut butter, but at this point, my dietician is always on my case when it comes to me enjoying peanuts or any type of nuts. Anyway, I am looking forward to your tomato jam recipe. Have tomatoes–will CAN them!!!
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I know what you mean about peanut butter. As much as Max likes it, he only gets a few tablespoons per week. It’s a treat not one of the major food groups. 🙂
The jam is coming. I made 2 batches and they helped to bring my tomato harvest under control. I hope you’ll be able to say the same.
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Your really…vivid Grandpa story makes the recipe special – enjoyed it a lot (the story I mean 🙂 ).
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Thank you … I’m glad your found both enjoyable. 🙂
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Arf Arf…that’s pupster for “yum yum”
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Hmmm .. someone’s got Rosetta stone?
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Love those stubborn Grandpas! 🙂 What a character! Your recipe for peanut butter looks wonderful!
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Thank you. Yes, Grandpa was stubborn, all right. It was part of his “charm.”
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I really enjoyed the grandpa story. What a guy! 😀 I adore peanut butter, but never imagined that a dog would enjoy it. I have also never considered making my own. Thanks for the squash recipe. It sounds delicious. Tomato jam is something I haven’t ever had. There’s always a first time, I suppose. 🙂
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Thank you. I’m glad that you enjoyed the story and both recipes. Yes, Grandpa was quite a character. All of my dogs have loved peanut butter. It’s my ace in the hole when I need to give them pills. The penne with squash recipe is so easy to make and a great way to get your pasta fix but with half the carbs. And, around here, this is certainly the time year to prepare it. 🙂
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Looks like a great treat for pups and ponytails alike!!! I think the girls would have fun making this and they’d be surprised by just how easy it is! Your grandpa sure had lots of uses for that old hockey stick! A gardening tool and a painting device!
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Hey, Barb! Yes, you’re right. I bet your girls would enjoy making PB on their own. I’ve suggested to others to start with a small batch the first time to see if salt & honey/sugar are needed, if the PB is to be eaten by two-legged family members. Once you get the taste you like, you can always go bigger with the next batch. WHen cold weather hit, we boys went on scavenger hunts, looking for our hockey sticks. No telling what Grandpa had done with them and whether any had survived.
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There was so much fun in Ontario over the weekend, there was no way I could have made it until today. Thanks you John, for sharing this hilarious story about your Grandpa. If I was there, I would have preferred never to grow up and just enjoyed the main duty of ‘staying out of the way.’ Your Grandpa was a very talented man, who would have thought of having a ‘hockey-stick-paint brush’ and he was Gutsy, too. I bet some of the female neighbours gathered round the ladder were looking up with their eyes closed, and yelling tops. If I can’t stand looking at something, I just close my eyes, it helps a great deal (thank God we were adorned with eyelids). I always remove the “paper skins” (what a name!), I find them bitter and I love the chunky peanut butter version, with crackers, Marie or Rich tea biscuits or just a slice of bread. Thanks for the ‘ice treat tip’ although I don’t have a pet. My best wishes to Max and thanks again for being so patient and gracious. Have a fabulous week, John.
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Thank you, Liz. Yes, keep busy now for it won’t be long before it will be too cold to do much outdoors. Grandpa sure was a force to be reckoned with. Once he set out to perform a job, there was no persuading him otherwise. It was either help him or get out of his way. Peanut butter has been a life saver for me with my dogs. They’ve all loved it and it makes medicating them so much easier. Getting your puppy to think ice cubes are treats is another life saver. They really do help cool the animal down. Max thinks baby carrots are treats, too. It’s a good thing he doesn’t talk to the other dogs in the neighborhood or I’d be in big trouble!
Thanks, Liz, for your visit and for always leaving such great comments. Have a great week.
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This is one of my all-time favorite John posts. I just love this story. Tell Max, too, that Chase absolutely loves the pupster recipe. It’s better than Pill Pockets and he appreciates having this for the nasty ol’ pills he has to take. Thank you John!
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Hi, Sarah! Yeah, this is a good “Grandpa story.” There are more, you know. He was one of kind, that’s for sure. I started to tell Max about Chase and he was interested — until I mentioned “peanut butter.” After that, his eyes got the same look a 5 year-old gets gazing at a birthday cake. I’d “lost” him. I am glad Chase would like this PB. It really is a life saver when it’s pill time. Have a great week, Sarah!
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My dog would have loved this. She adored peanut butter.
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All of my dogs have loved peanut butter, too. Considering the “stuff” in some of their treats, this is the way to go.
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What a great memory. While I have no dog, seems this would be fine to eat myself!
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It is tasty, Dave, and I often split the batch in two, one for Max and the other for myself. 🙂
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Your Grandpa and my Mom-in-law belong to the same league, I bet. She was one hell of a ‘care-a-damn’ woman. All her 8 children and their families and offspring (in fact, entire herd of 29 people) live in separate flats but in the same building/apartment 🙂 And how sincerely, joyfully, effortlessly she takes care of the humongous herd singlehandedly with a ‘what the hell’ attitude 🙂
Enjoyed every single word of your Grandpa memoir.
Love.
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Thank you so much, Nusrat. I’m glad you enjoyed this post. Yes, your Mom-in-law does sound like she had much in common with my Grandpa, although he never fed 29 people. That’s incredible!!! I wish I could find the source for their energy and resolve. I’d be unstoppable!!! 😉
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i love making my own PB but sometimes I go way to complicated with it. I like your simple approach!
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I don’t want anything but peanuts for my dog(s). When I make a separate batch for myself, I’ll spice it up a bit, though not always. Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment.
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How long will the peanut butter keep? I will have to make a batch of this for my dad’s pups the next time I go home for a visit.
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Hi, Amber! Most sources I read said that homemade PB should be refrigerated and will last months. I use half-pint jam jars to store it and line them up on a refrigerator shelf. I’ve never had it around longer than 4 to 6 weeks and there was never a problem. Hope your Dad’s pupsters love it as much as Max.
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Love reading your stories. Grandpa was a mighty man. I sure he could tell a wonderful story as well. I was really feeling scared for him as well. Thanks for sharing.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
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Thank you, Francine. Yes, Grandpa could tell a story. He’d lived through some interesting periods of history and it was wonderful to hear his views.
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