Kitchen Mysteries

What's Up Doc?

2011-05-30T09:44:00.012-05:00

Oh me, oh my, lots of things are up here. We have been busy, busy, busy. My work has been crazy, but has now settled down a bit. Honey finished his trucking school, but then had a bit of a health issue, so now should be starting back this next week. Thought I would show you all a bit of what we have been up to! Sorry, sorry, sorry for the quality of the pictures, but a photographer I am not.

Kitchen cabinets have been painted - still green, just a darker shade. We do still need to enclose the dishwasher, just waiting until we can put in the countertops.

Roses have been blooming, blooming, blooming. I made a batch of rose petal jelly! So yummy!

Basement has been carpeted. Honey has been out of work while trying to get his health back on track, so he has been busy with some Honey do's! I thought I had another picture of this, sorry!

Stairs have been completed, carpeted and carved toe boards put in. II Peter 1:5-7. [5] And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
[6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
[7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Honey carved in the boards, stained them and then back lit them with LED multicolored Christmas lights, which he then backed with thin metallic-covered insulation so that it looks like a prism. Then he backed the whole thing with plywood. Looks fantastic! My pictures definitely do not do it justice!

Kitchen floor has been replaced with glazed hickory laminate. What was there before was those stick tiles, the ones that are like linoleum, but they are tiles. Many of the edges were coming up and so we got this laminate and put down. It looks a little redder in these pictures than in real life.

Now we just need to save up and get our new kitchen counters, faucet-sprayer and sink. And put up our new border - just have to get busy and do that.

Bookshelves - built in - downstairs in the "den". Our basement stays nice and cool in the summer. When we bought the house almost 3 years ago, Honey built in a bedroom. I think it measures like 11x13 or so, nice sized. Closet and everything. Back behind it is a storage area, probably 10x6 or so. Where the bookcase area is, we are going to put in a sleeper sofa. There is a twin bed downstairs in the bedroom and we are going to put in a queen or full in the spare bedroom upstairs. We like to have plenty of room for folks to come visit!

Downstairs bathroom. This is really a showpiece, I think. 48" shower, ceramic tile floor. Not very big, but quite functional. Still needs some trim work and touchups here and there.

I am happy to report that Honey's health is back on track, he has even been able to stop one medication.

We did make a flying trip down to Oklahoma when Honey's former pastor passed away. Despite the circumstances, we had a good time visiting with friends and family. Here are the grandkids.

Farmer's market has started again, fresh strawberries, rhubarb, spring onions - oh my! I planted tomatoes the other day, Mr. Stripey!

Our weather here has been rainy and quite cool, interspersed with thunderstorms, more rain and tornados!!! None have hit here, thank the good Lord! We are about 160 miles or so from Joplin, but we have had several on the ground near here and in Sedalia, about 60 miles away, they had one the other day that hit the south end of town and did quite a bit of damage.

They actually call the area right where we live the Golden Valley - because supposedly there is an Indian legend or something of the sort that a tornado will never hit here. We do have a lot of times storms will split and go around north and south of us. However, I know the Maker of the Rain and I know the Master of the Wind and he can who whatever he pleases, so we go to the basement whenever it storms.

I will leave you all with a recipe, quick and easy, a crowd-pleaser!

Pampered Chef Crab and Artichoke Dip
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayo
1 clove garlic, pressed
1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts in water, drained and chopped
8 oz crabmeat
3/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1/3 cup green onions, chopped
zest of 1 lemon
1/8 teaspoon black pepper, ground
1/3 cup red bell pepper, minced
Extra green onions, chopped for topping.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all in bowl except for red bell pepper and extra green onions. Put in casserole dish - I used a 9x 9 pan and bake 25-30 minutes. Sprinkle with red bell pepper and additional green onions. Serve with crackers.

Will be "seeing" you all again soon, as Honey is headed out on the road and I will have more time on my hands. Much love to everyone!

Lilla Rose Giftaway

2011-02-02T10:33:00.002-06:00

Suzanne over at Blueberry Cottage posted about this giftaway. I love these, they are so elegant and pretty! Hop on over to this site and comment for a chance at the giftaway!

Snowy Wednesday

2011-02-02T08:12:00.004-06:00

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window... Snow. Snow. SNOW!!!! Snow everywhere. We survived the blizzard of '11. I think we probably got at least 15 inches. It is hard to tell, as it has drifted so much.

I am thinking... of how grateful I am to be considered "non-essential" personnel! Thankfully, I don't have to work today.

I am thankful for... all of the blessings that my wonderful Jesus gives us daily. A warm house, good jobs, good health, travelling mercies - Those are but a few.

I am wearing... black knit skirt, red t-shirt, cream sweater and pink housieslippers. I am dressed to stay home! I couldn't get out if I tried!

I am remembering... snow days when I was young. Sledding outside - no matter what the temps it seemed - hot cocoa, wet things hung over heat vents to dry, curling up to read, hot chili or soup - those were the days!

I am going... nowhere at all today!

I am currently reading... a bit of this and a bit of that. Most likely will curl up with my latest Pennyfoot Hotel this afternoon!

I am hoping... that Honey will stay warm today - he is at work, scooping out the lot so everyone can get in and out.

On my mind... a precious co-worker - her mother is in the hospital after having had a stroke.

Noticing that... the more I get to be home, the more I want to be at home!

Pondering these words... Love isn't love until it is given away. You can't take it from someone, you can only give.

In the kitchen... Hmmmm. . . I think maybe some lemon curd, a caramel cake, pork chops in the slow cooker with mashed potatoes, homemade bread . . . endless possibilities!

Around the house... nice and tidy - for once!

One of my favorite things . . . a nice, lazy day like today, a blank slate that I can use to write whatever I wish

From my picture journal...

Some friends of ours adopted 9 children from Columbia - after raising 2 of their own. They are going back to adopt 5 more! These children were orphans, I believe they are 2 separate families, brothers and sisters, whose parents died. Aren't they beautiful? Such precious children.

Thanks to Peggy for organizing the daybook.

A quickie recipe to share - so easy crockpot meatloaf!

2 lb ground beef
2 eggs
1 package stovetop stuffing - your choice of flavor, but beef is good
1 can golden mushroom soup - divided

Mix beef, eggs, stuffing and 1/2 can of soup. Grease your crock. Mound the mixture in your crockpot- you don't want it touching the sides if you can help it, so mound it up in the middle. Spoon the rest of the soup on top - can mix with a bit of ketchup if you wish. Cook on high for 4 hours or so. I usually put this in at 8 AM on a Sunday morning, and when we get home about 12:30 it is done to perfection. Serve with mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and butter and a nice fresh salad. A lemon pie for dessert goes nice. This is great winter, spring, summer or fall. If you put mashed potatoes in the crockpot as well before you go, all you have to do is heat up the green beans and toss the salad!

I would love to say that I will be back tomorrow, but I do not yet know what tomorrow will bring. I have come to the conclusion that just like our lives, our blogs go through seasons. Some seasons we are prolific, some we are just now and again. So I WILL say that I wish each and every one of you a blessed day today. The sun is shining brightly here today - trying to make up for not even peeking out yesterday at all! I must be up and about, making bread, baking a cake, doing all of the little things that make a house a home. Much love to all who read this!
~Raquel~

This -n- That

2010-11-13T16:33:00.004-06:00

Sooooo . . . . I have been away forever! Just busy, that is all. Now things are slowing up a bit and I can get back to regular blogging. Just wanted to blog about a few things that I am thankful for.

* A warm house.

* A warm house that is now refinanced, saving us almost $74,000 in interest - more than the price of the house.

* A warm house that will be paid off in 15 years, not 30.

* The beautiful autumn palette of colors . . . creams, yellows, oranges, browns, reds, burgundy, black, green.

* My parents - we went on a road trip today and had such a good time.

* A doctor who listens to me.

* A hardworking husband who is working hard to install our new shower downstairs.

* A really good ham sandwich at one of the Mennonite stores today - freshly cut ham, swiss cheese, fresh homemade oatmeal bread, pickles, mustard and onion. Wowsa - it was great!

* Finding bargains.

* Fresh hot popcorn with butter and a cold Dr. Pepper.

* Kitty kisses.

* Living in a land of freedom.

* The men and women who have sacrificed so we can have that freedom.

* Rain to settle the dust.

* Pumpkin Whoopie Pies.

* A real bargain on 820 count Egyptian Cotton sheets - like sleeping on silk!

* Homemade challah.

Until next time, my friends. Love you all much!

I Remember

2010-09-11T07:25:00.002-05:00

I remember where I was 10 years ago today . . . . about an hour from now . . .

I was at work. It had started out as a normal day and then the secretary said something about the Twin Towers. We went across the hall to the doctor's lounge and watched the footage. I remember the sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach as the smoke towered up. Then, while we were watching live footage, the second plane crashed. The television reporter and everyone else in the room with me was talking about air traffic controller mistakes, which is what it was originally thought to be.

I turned to the other girls and said - oh, girls, this is not just an air traffic controller mistake. That just doesn't happen - not with a building that big. Mark my words, girls, this is a terrorist act . . . . and the man behind it is Osama Bin Laden. Those words had to come from the Lord. There is no other way. I had heard of Osama Bin Laden - vaguely. But I don't watch the news and I had no real thought of him before I spoke. The words just came out.

I remember the hurt I felt for those people, the outrage I felt that such a thing had happened.

I know that America has not had to deal with the kind of terrorism that many other countries have. We don't have daily bombings everywhere and we can generally walk the streets without having to worry about snipers. We have been fortunate that way.

I remember the outrage I felt as an American, even being so far removed from what happened. But burning the Quran isn't going to bring those people back. It will not reverse any of the damage that was done that day. All it will do is incite other terrorists and hate crimes. No, I do not think that they should be allowed to build a mosque at the proposed site. Both actions will cause further tensions in this world that is already riddled with them. But two wrongs don't make one right.

Let's remember our brave heros and mourn our dead from that fateful day - not commit further terroristic acts.

Sorry if this offends anyone, but this is my blog and this is how I feel.

Glorious Fall Day

2010-09-03T16:21:00.005-05:00

Hello everyone! It is an absolutely be-yoo-ti-ful day here in Missouri. Fall is finally starting to peek its head around the corner. We have had a bright, sunny day with bright blue sky and warm temperatures. These kind of days could just last forever, as far as I am concerned. I had a great day (even tho my hay fever is in full swing) just out and about. I mailed a package at the post office, stopped in and paid the water bill, did a bit of grocery shopping, got breakfast from Wendy's (bacon panini, seasoned red potatoes and iced coffee - YUM)and have just been lazing around home, doing a bit here and there. Then my parents came over with my niece who is up visiting from South Carolina. We ordered pizza for lunch and had such a good visit. DS and his girlfriend, Liz came thru on their way down to visit Liz's parents. Such a great change from the hectic work week. Only thing is, I do have to work tomorrow and Sunday - blah. Then I am off Monday and Tuesday. Oh, well, it pays the bills I guess.

Thought you all might like to see a few pictures from our sister's tea last weekend. I say sister's tea - it is actually my mom and her sisters. Alas, I have none.

This is a picture of my Mom's oldest living sister, Colleen. It was her house that we were at for the tea party. She polishs rocks and makes jewelry, etc. out of them. My mom is leaning over her shoulder.

This is my aunt Marilyn, the next oldest. She does house cleaning, etc. She is an ordained minister - Methodist, I think.

This is my aunt Naomi. She has a twin sister, Ramona, who lives in Nebraska and so was not at the tea party. Naomi is an LPN at a local hospital.

This is my aunt Charlene. She is a widow and works as a janitor at a local school.

This is my aunt Loqueeta. She and her husband farm-sit year-round for a jet-set couple.

This is a picture of all of them together. They really have a strong resemblance, don't you think?

We have a lot of fun, they gab and gab and gab. Well, me and my cousins do as well.

Thought you might want to know what I whipped up to take!

Ham Salad

I am very bad about measuring anything, but here goes. This turned out very moreish.

1 lb sliced ham
1 hard boiled egg
2 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
1 large or two small stalks celery - chopped
1 tablespoon (more to taste) chopped white onion

Dressing:
1 tablespoon honey
2-3 tablespoons Dijon mustard (I used the country style with the seeds)
1-3 to 1/2 cup mayonnaise
2-3 tablespoons pickle relish
Fresh ground black pepper, to taste

In a small bowl, mix dressing ingredients. Throw everything else in the food processor and process until finely chopped. You can make this as chunky or smooth as you like. Pour dressing over top and mix well. Serve with crackers, like Ritz. I used the buttery garlic club crackers - oh yeah!

Hope everyone is having a fantastic week.

Late Summer Busyness

2010-08-28T06:32:00.006-05:00

Hello everyone! Sorry that it took me so long to get back, but we have been soooo busy! Had company from Oklahoma, Honey's daughter and her children, then Honey turned the big 5-0. We got a new (to us) car and gave our old(er) one to his daughter.

A picture of our *new* car.

Work has been crazy, our newest girl quit (thankfully, she just was not happy) and so with all of that (and just normal, everyday life) I have not been able to post. I do believe, now that things are settling down, that I can post more regularly. I am determined to do so.

The weather is slowly, oh-so-slowly, (definitely turtle-like) turning to fall. We had several weeks of such high temperatures, 100+ every day. I do not tolerate heat very well, I do better in cooler temperatures, so I am so grateful. I would love to have my windows open, only thing is ragweed season is upon us. *Do pray for me in that regard, won't you?* My doctor will just want to give me a steroid shot - no thanks. I am praying for an early frost. But the skies have been getting bluer - have you ever noticed that in summer they have the look of an old, washed out pair of jeans? In fall, they slowly turn more azure overhead, with a blending to lighter blue at the horizon. We are having cooler temperatures and the locusts sing with all their might, a buzzing drone signaling the end of summer.

Personally, I am ready for crisp fall leaves, pumpkins and all the other accouterments of fall.

Poor kitty - he wants outside with me.

Books on the piano.

My newest fleece tie blanket. Red and white stars on one side, navy on the other. These blankets are sooooo warm and they wash so well. They take about 3 hours to make. Easy peasy!

A picture a dear uncle painted for me that hangs in my office.

Art. I found these at a flea market for $1.

Honey's daughter, Kelilah and her sons, Dillon - green shirt and Austin - gray.

Hot and sweaty Grandpa with hot and sweaty grandsons. Our backyard sits right against a soccer field and they were out playing soccer. You can see some of the bleachers in the background. The dividing line is where the grass looks different.

Grandpa and Austin.

Dillon licking chocolate frosting off of the mixer beater.

I do hope that each and every one of you are well and winding up your summer with fun. I am looking forward to going to the local orchard and getting some apples and just taking long walks in the crisp fall air.

I am off today with Mama to her oldest sister's house for a tea party. Better get cracking on making some goodies!

Traditions

2010-07-25T06:31:00.003-05:00

My friend Rosie did a traditions post, so I thought I would follow suit. Now that I am older and my son is grown, we don't do some of the things that we did when he was little. When (if) I have grandchildren, I am sure that will change!

We have always been a close family. My Dad was in the military, got out when I was about 5, so we moved a lot. I was born in Germany and, until I was 5, we never lived close to any of my grandparents. In fact, I did not meet any of them until I was 3. Living away from extended family, we kind of started our own family traditions to celebrate holidays. From age 5 to 11, we lived near my Dad's parents, so we celebrated holidays with them. From 11 on, we lived near my Mom's parents. Now, my mom was 1 of 14 children, so holidays at their house was usually out, especially in the winter, too many people to fit in the house. We settled for a family reunion once a year. So, back to holidays with just our family. We usually ended up having some friends around as well. Then when I got married and was out on my own, I started some traditions of my own.

Holidays at our house has always meant fun, laughter and lots and lots of great food. My mom is a great cook and cooking is my passion. There are still some things that she makes that are just better tho! Nowadays, with my brothers married and have families/children/grandchildren of their own, about the only holiday that we ALL get together for is Thanksgiving. My mom likes to do it at her house. We still get together for other holidays, just not all of us.

New Years Eve/New Year's Day
New Year's Eve, we have a smorgasbord. Usually all kinds of snacks: fresh veggie tray, chips and dip, maybe pizza, cold boiled shrimp, bbq meatballs, sandwiches, cookies, fudge. I like to stay up to see the New Year in, but my parents don't like to drive that late. We play games - scattergories, catch phrase, taboo, etc. Sometimes we will watch a movie, Dad likes documentaries. On New Year's day, some of us will get together and have a meal. It is traditional to have some kind of greens (cooked with onion and bacon, served with a bit of vinegar) and black-eyed peas. We usually have cornbread, fried potatoes and maybe pork roast with this as well. Sometimes on New Year's Eve, our church will have a watch night service and we take snacks, play games, etc. Some times we have a foot washing as well.

Valentines
For Valentines, my Honey usually gets me the most beautiful card and roses. Sometimes I cook a special dinner, maybe ribeye steak and sometimes we go out - usually for steak. I usually make cupcakes to take to work. When my son was little, I would make a heart-shaped homemade pizza and we always had special valentine candy and cupcakes for him to take to school.

St. Patrick's Day
Being Irish on my Dad's side, we have a lot of fun with St. Paddy's. We all wear green - you will get pinched around our house if you don't. As for dinner, either traditional Corned Beef or sometimes Reubens. Colcannon is a must, as is Irish Soda bread. I adore Celtic music, so we have plenty to choose from.

Easter
For Easter, we used to have egg hunts when my son was little. I don't color eggs any more now. We do, however, have a big ham dinner. We get our ham from Burger's Smokehouse in California, about 100 miles from here. Wowsa, it is good. AuGratin potatoes - which my son thought were old rotten potatoes when he was little. Homemade rolls and butter, usually asparagus and a good salad. Then for dessert, either cheesecake or carrot cake. When I was little, Mom would make a Rabbit cake. We of course go to church.

Independence Day
We usually have a big BBQ with friends and family. Hamburgers, hot dogs, potato salad, corn on the cob, baked beans, cold sweet tea and watermelon for dessert. One of my niece's birthday is the 4th, so if she is around, we celebrate that as well! Sometimes it can really be hot here in Missouri at this time of year, so a lot depends on the weather. We have Olde Glory Days uptown on the square. It is kind of like a fair - rides for the kiddies, food booths, crafts, etc. The museum gives free tours, they have an art show, a quilt show, singing, etc. On Saturday they have a parade. I like to go up and get a funnel cake and maybe a fresh limeade. When my son was little, I would buy some firecrackers. Now that he is grown, we just watch the big ones that the City does.

Thanksgiving
This is our big family get-together. Usually everyone is there. We eat at Mom's house. Honey and I usually go over early to help Mom and get the tables set up. Mom and I share the food prep, so I will make my things the day before usually and just bring them and heat them up if need be. We usually take family pictures at Thanksgiving. A tradition for me and my son was to go home and read in the afternoon, eat a turkey sandwich and pumpkin pie for dessert. Our menu usually consists of: Turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, sweet potatoes, homemade rolls with butter, green beans, corn, pumpkin pie, cherry pie, pecan pie. We usually throw in a few extras that vary from year to year. My oldest niece makes some sort of fruit salad. My SIL Jill makes deviled eggs. Last year I made escalloped onions - yummie! Mom sometimes makes creamed corn and oysters, which I think is just gross. My Dad likes it. We have homemade pickles and cranberry sauce as well.

Christmas
Christmas is where the traditions got a little varied. On Christmas eve, I would let my son open one gift. Then on Christmas morning, we have a big breakfast, usually omelets and cinnamon rolls with juice, after opening the rest of the presents. We still have a big breakfast, Mom usually brings the cinnamon rolls - hers taste much better, I think! When I was growing up, Mom was allergic to real trees, so we always had artificial. We have just a small one and I decorate with ornaments I have kept for years. I would like to have a little fresh greenery, but I am afraid the kittie would not leave it alone. We like to do homemade gifts, Mom makes a fabulous chocolate chip cookie mix. Last year I did the pickles I posted about. We have a traditional dinner, usually roast beef with all the trimmings. When my son was little, I would buy up snack foods - pizza, chips, etc. that we liked and, instead of a big family get together, he and I would have breakfast, open presents and then just snack for the rest of the day. We would stay in our pajamas, maybe watch a movie or listen to a book on tape, read or whatever. I have always enjoyed making cookie and candy trays to send to his teachers and to give to all of our friends and family.

I am the only daughter, so I do Mother's Day and Father's Day and I do birthdays for my Honey, my son and Mom and Dad. I usually ask the person we are celebrating for what they would like and then fix it. Mom likes sub sandwiches or maybe pizza. Dad likes roast beef or meatloaf. Honey likes chicken fried steak. My son likes pizza, but this year he requested Cherry-Glazed Ham.

For Memorial Day and Labor day, we usually just barbecue. The last weekend in September, weather permitting, we have a family reunion on Mom's side. There are a lot of us - well over 100. We either bring pot luck or have a weenie roast. I like to make a big crockpot of nacho dip, that goes over well with the kids.

I hope you have enjoyed hearing about our traditions. I would love to hear about some of yours. I promise I will be getting some pictures up soon, I just now got the camera back!

Blessed

2010-07-16T05:50:00.004-05:00

Here are some random thoughts on how God has blessed me over the past days . . . .

1. Seeing a faun, about the size of a large dog, still had it's spots. It walked across the road in front of us while we were coming home after eating breakfast out last Saturday. So beautiful.

2. Getting blue and green ceramic tile for our bathroom floors. They had a great sale and just the colors I wanted - we were able to get enough to do upstairs in blue and downstairs in green. It will be a while before we have time to do it, but when we do, the materials are at hand. We happened to have the finances and it was a great deal. Jehovah Jireh, my provider.

3. The violent storm that came thru last Sunday did not damage any more than what it did. Some houses actually had trees fall on them - we had 90 mile per hour straight line winds and some tornadic activity. All we had was the top out of one of our maples twisted off and deposited in the back yard. Well, that and other numerous smaller limbs and leaves EVERYWHERE. Jehovah Nissi, my protector.

4. For a good working relationship with our head surgeon. I had a small medical problem come up and when I called his office to see if I could get in, they were so nice, got me in immediately, even though I was a work-in. He was really good about it and said no charge.

5. For the medication that my Mom is taking helping her. She has recently been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, which is a very, very painful condition of the nerves in the face. She is quite sensitive to medications and we were not sure if the medication the neurologist gave her would give her too many side effects or not. Thankfully, it works fine. Actually, prayer is what works, the medication just helps. Jehovah Rapha, my healer.

6. For a situation at work resolving. Prayer made the difference in this instance as well.

7. Ripe tomatoes right off the vine!! Plus I had enough to share at work. Last night we had bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches. Yummie!

8. Our car is ready! We recently purchased a new (to us) car, but it had to have a few very minor things fixed. They called yesterday and it is done. Honey and his uncle are going tonight to pick it up. We got a really good deal on it. Now, we can bless his daughter with our current car, which is still a great car.

9. That I did not kill my cat. Our cat is diabetic and is on insulin twice a day. He is really good about taking his shots, does not fuss at all. I usually use 0.5 cc syringes, which are marked in 1 unit increments. My dad gives me all of the syringes, he gets them free. Well, this last batch he gave me are 1 cc syringes, they are marked in 2 unit increments. I DID NOT NOTICE THAT RIGHT AWAY!!! So for a couple of days, I gave my cat twice the normal amount of insulin. Could have killed him, if their blood sugar goes too low, they can go into a coma, just like a human. I wondered why his appetite was off.

10. That my friend, Ruth, linked my blog to hers. She is so sweet!

So that my friends are just some of the blessings I am sharing with you this fine day.

Don't be shy, post me a line and let me know how I am doing.

Hello out there in Blogland!

2010-07-06T07:22:00.004-05:00

I really should apologize for my long, long hiatus - but I don't think I will. I have been so busy living life that my journaling was set aside for a time. I think that there are sometimes in life that some things become "less important" to us. Not that my blog is not important, I just refocused for a while.

My dear mother-in-love has been visiting us from St. Louis. We have had such a good time - Went on a museum tour, the local carnival, out to eat, for drives and walks. Good times.

God has been so good to us. We have purchased a new car. Well, not brand new, but new to us. Honey's younger daughter is in need of good transportation and so we will be giving her our current car. It is still a good car and will last for a good while longer. Through God's grace and Honey's relentless pursuit, we found a really, really good deal. We will go pick it up next week or so.

I have thoroughly enjoyed yesterday and today - no set schedule, just the natural rhythm of things. Time spent cleaning, visiting, cooking, resting - very enjoyable. Peaceful. Time spent with family. Comfortable time. Loving time.

As I had to work on the 4th, we had our holiday dinner last night. We had:
Brisket, cooked in the slow cooker until it was just falling apart - served with BBQ sauce on the side.
Fresh sliced tomatoes, the first we have had this year, sprinkled with sea salt and fresh ground pepper.
Potato salad, my Mom's is the very best I think.
Corn on the cob, oh-so-sweet and dripping with butter.
Baked beans, cooked slow in the oven with onion and little bits of smoked brisket.
Fresh cucumbers and Vidalia onion in Vinegar, so refreshing.
Fresh Bing cherries and cantaloupe.
Pickled baby beets, jewel-toned and sweet-sour.
Cheese cubes - Colby and pepper jack.
Coleslaw with vinaigrette dressing.
Deviled eggs, my SIL's specialty.
Watermelon, juicy and sweet.
Iced tea, liquid amber coolness, sweet and fresh.
No bake cookies - just the perfect ending, crumbly chocolatey goodness.

Sorry for no pictures, DS has my camera just at the moment.

I am going to leave you with my recipe for:

Cucumbers and Onions in Vinegar
Fresh cucumbers - I bought small ones at farmer's market
Vidalia onion - I bought a 10 pound bag from the Shriners when they had a sale **
Sugar
Salt
Apple Cider Vinegar
Water
Fresh ground pepper

Scrub your cucumbers well. I used regular Kirby cucumbers, the kind used for pickling, the ones with the bumps. Just slice off either end. A good way to check them to make sure they are not bitter - stick your tongue on the cut end. You will be able to tell if they are bitter, I guarantee! Anyway, slice your cucumbers fairly thin. You can do this with cucumbers from the store, just peel them first.

Slice your Vidalia onion thinly. I used about half an onion to 4 smallish cucumbers, use more or less to your taste. My cucumbers were probably 5-6 inches in length, maybe 1-2 in around?

Put cucumbers and onions in a bowl.

In the bottom of your liquid measuring cup, mix together about 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and about 1-1/2 tablespoons sugar - more or less of these to taste. Then for the amounts listed above, I used 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup water. Mix until salt and sugar are both dissolved. Pour over the cucumbers and onion. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper. Refrigerate and let flavors mingle, preferrably for a couple of days.

These are so refreshing in the summer. Low cal. Fat free. I like to put them on some bread and butter and make a sandwich - great at tea time.

**Tip for storing onions: I leave mine in the mesh bag and store them on the floor of my basement or garage, out of the light. They stay fresh a long time that way.

Well, I must be up and about, living and loving. Much love to you all - Raquel

Simple Woman's Daybook

2010-03-01T10:22:00.004-06:00

FOR TODAY . . . March 01, 2010

Outside my window... gray skies, nothin' but gray skies - quite cool here this week

I am thinking... of how glad I am that spring is coming!

I am thankful for...a day off to do as I please

From the learning rooms...beginning piano lessons

From the kitchen... chocolate chip cinnamon rolls, marmelade rolls, 15-bean soup and cornbread

I am wearing... black knit skirt, socks and tennies, t-shirt and gray hoodie

I am creating... a clean storage room

I am going... to Ladies' Retreat in April

I am reading...Borrower of the Night by Elizabeth Peters

I am hoping... to get everything done today!

I am hearing...the fan on my little ceramic heater givin' me some love!

Around the house...clean bathroom, sweep and mop kitchen

One of my favorite things... is my new hours at work - 7 AM to 3:30 PM!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Not a lot as I will be working and training - it really drains me

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

Homemade candied rose petals - I can't wait for my roses to start blooming again!

Hot Turkey and Mushroom Subs

These are a quick fix and my guys just love them. They are patterned after a "Dive" sub.

Turkey lunchmeat - I prefer the oven-roasted variety for this
Sub buns - I use uncut ones
Fresh mushrooms
Butter
Seasoning to taste - I use Morton's Nature's Seasoning
Sharp Cheddar cheese
Heavy cream

Cut a v in the top of the sub buns, then pinch insides out, leaving about a 1/2 inch shell. Lay turkey in bun. Saute mushrooms in butter - however many you want - and season to taste. Spoon on top of turkey. In a small saucepan, cube about 3 oz. of cheese and then pour over top about 1/4 to 1/3 cup of cream. Heat gently and stir until cheese is melted. Pour cheese sauce over mushrooms. Put "lids" back on top of buns and wrap in foil. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10-15 minutes. Enjoy!

You can add whatever else you like, but my guys prefer these as is. In place of cheese sauce, I suppose you could use turkey gravy - mmmmmm!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2010-01-25T06:32:00.005-06:00

FOR TODAY... Monday, January 25, 2010

Outside my window... Still inky black, up early today

I am thinking... of how I really enjoyed my weekend, even tho I had to work

I am thankful for... My job, even if it does drive me bonkers most days

I am wearing... pink bunny pajamas and a sweater - it's gotten COLD outside

I am remembering... such sweet kisses from my little Gwennie pig

I am going... to be staying home today until my Honey gets home this evening - then to Wal-Mart for a few things and out to eat

I am currently reading... A Sherlock Holmes story

I am hoping... to watch the rest of Return to Cranford today

On my mind... organizing everything around here

Noticing that... I have been really lax in keeping this blog up!

From the kitchen... Leek and Potato Soup, lemon pie. Later on in the week - Green Chili Beef Burritos, chicken tetrazzini, teriyaki pork tenderloin

Around the house... sweep and mop - again! Otherwise, organizing my cabinets

One of my favorite things . . . food magazines! I am hopelessly addicted!

From my picture journal...

It's CAT TV! Honey put up a bird-squirrel feeder just outside the living room window. Constant, non-stop entertainment for the kittie!

got daybook?

Chicken Tetrazzini

1 (16 ounce) package thin spaghetti (I like to use cavatappi)
1/3 cup butter
1 large onion, chopped
1-2 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms (or use 1-2 cans sliced drained mushrooms)
1/4 cup whipping cream
3 cups chopped cooked chicken or cooked turkey
1 (10 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 (10 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 (10 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup, undiluted
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese, divided
1 cup frozen peas
fresh ground black pepper (to taste)

Preheat oven to 350. Butter a 13 x 9-inch casserole dish (or a large oval casserole dish). Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente (do not overcook the pasta, leave semi-firm as it will cook more in the oven) drain, then transfer to a large bowl. Add in whipping cream and all three canned soups, cooked chicken or turkey, sour cream, Parmesan cheese, 1-1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese and frozen peas, toss well to combine. In a large skillet melt butter; add in the mushrooms and saute until done. To the skillet with the mushrooms, add in onions and garlic; sauté until onions are soft; add to the soup mixture. Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Season with seasoned salt and pepper (I use Morton's Nature's Seasoning). Transfer to prepared baking dish. Cover with foil and bake about 30-35 minutes (or until hot and bubbly); uncover and sprinkle with about 1 cup grated cheddar cheese, return to oven and bake until cheese is melted (about 5-8 minutes).

I also top this with some french fried onions. Sliced almonds are a very welcome addition as well. You can use whatever cheese you like. This makes quite a large dish, will serve 8.

Recipe originally from Kittencal on Recipezaar. I modified just a tidge.

Well, Honey is off to work now, time for me to get busy doing all the myriad of little things that need doing. Wishing you all a warm and productive day!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2010-01-19T17:12:00.005-06:00

FOR TODAY(January 19, 2010)... Pretend its Monday

Outside my window... Gray skies and clouds - supposed to start raining later this evening. I can sure tell, my feet and hands are aching - I have early arthritis

I am thinking... of how lovely it will be when Spring arrives

I am thankful for...the day off today. It is now Friday!

From the kitchen... Roast Chicken, potatoes, broccoli and cheese, wheat rolls

I am wearing... jammies!

I am creating... a tax return!

I am going... to hopefully take my little great-niece to McDonald's for lunch later today

I am reading... 14,000 things to be happy about

I am hoping... that my dear SIL has a speedy recovery from back surgery

I am hearing...the quiet hum of the 'puter

Around the house...sweep and mop, vacuum, straighten up kitchen cabinets

One of my favorite things... sending something to someone - "just because"

A few plans for the rest of the week: Well, off today, work the weekend, off Monday

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

A little gray squirrel we have - not sure if you can tell, but his ears are white!

And now for those pickles I was telling you about!

Jane Maynard Pickles

Hot, sweet, dilly, garlicky and incredibly crisp - oh Mamma!

My boss brought some of these to work and I fell in absolute love with them! Everyone who tries them likes them - if you like sweet pickles that is!

Our local coffeeshop serves a similar pickle with their lunch sandwiches - they are sooo good. I asked them how they made theirs and it involved a 5-gallon bucket of pickles! While not up to making THAT many at a time, I do the following recipe by the 2 quart, 1 pint jars.

Anyway, these are a cinch to make and very, very tasty - by themselves, on a relish tray, on sandwiches . . . . I am looking to try some in potato salad later this year.

First, take a jar of pickles. The amounts I am going to give you are for a gallon jar of pickles. You want whole dills. I use Vlasic, they have them in the bulk foods section at our local Wal-Mart. The jars I get are just over half a gallon. (I am going to post the amounts I use for the 2 quart,1 pint jars below.)

Drain off the juice, reserving 1-2/3 cups of the juice. Remove pickles from the jar and slice into 1/4 inch slices. Or spears. Or cubes. Or however you like them. Put the reserved juice back in the jar. Add 6 cloves of garlic, chopped, 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes, 2 teaspoons hot sauce (I use Tabasco) and 7 cups of sugar. Stir it vigorously. Yes, it will be a sludge. It should look like the picture below.

Now, take the sliced pickles and put them back in the jar, mushing them down a bit as you go. Yes, they will all fit. Yes, they will fill the jar. First time I thought - no way those sliced pickles are going to take as much room as the whole ones. Silly me. Then when putting them in the jar I thought - oh dear, are they all going to fit? Silly me again! Here are my sliced pickles.

Now, put the lid on the jar and roll it around. I just rolled it around on my lap until the sugar was good and dissolved. Otherwise, and this is what the original recipe says to do, lay the jar on its side on the cabinet and roll it occasionally until the sugar is dissolved. I will tell you if you decide to do this - get your hubby to tighten the lid, because mine leaked a bit. I made several jars of these for Christmas presents - my total cost was around $5 a jar.

You need to let these season for at least 2 weeks before eating.

They are edible after 1 week, but oh, so much better after 2. Just let the jar sit on the counter and stir every once in a while. If you are making them to give away, you better make 2 jars - one for you and one for who you are giving them to. Just telling you - they are that good, you will want them all for yourself.

Amounts for the smaller jars:

juice - 3/4 plus 1/3 cup
garlic - 4 cloves
red pepper flakes - 1/2 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon
Tabasco - 1-1/4 teaspoons
sugar - 4-1/4 plus 1/8 cup

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Simple Woman's Daybook

2010-01-04T05:15:00.002-06:00

FOR TODAY... January 04, 2010

Outside my window... cold, cold, cold with fresh snow - so pretty

I am thinking... of how I dread work today

I am thankful for... a wonderful husband who is so patient with me

I am wearing... Jammies - gotta get ready for work tho

I am remembering... of how gorgeous it was watching it snow yesterday - so peaceful

I am going... to nip by Aldi's later and pick up some staples - milk, bread, eggs

I am currently reading... 14,000 things to be happy about

I am hoping... that my SIL's back surgery goes well today

On my mind... just realized today is my MIL's B-day and we forgot!

Noticing that... deliberately living simple is so much easier!

From the kitchen... soft tacos and yellow rice

Around the house... Not a lot, do need to sweep, mop and vacuum

One of my favorite things . . . putting up and taking down the Christmas Tree

From my picture journal... be posting this later, Must hurry off to work

Also I will be posting a recipe - and pictures - for the most beautiful pickles you have ever eaten!

Got daybook?

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-12-07T15:58:00.003-06:00

FOR TODAY... December 7th, 2009

Outside my window... cold, gray skies and the promise of snow - or ice tomorrow

I am thinking... that I really kind of enjoy working the early shift

I am thankful for... a nice warm house

I am wearing... black penny loafers, hose, black straight skirt, black turtleneck with my sage green work polo over top

I am remembering... how beautiful the birds are against the snow

I am going... to the British store - possibly - this weekend

I am currently reading... my new Appalachian cookbook

I am hoping... for a snowy winter

On my mind... a dear sister who lives alone - must go see her and take her some holiday cheer

Noticing that... people are so fearful - of so many things

From the kitchen... beef enchiladas, chocolate chip cookies, homemade rolls

Around the house... Just a bit of picking up here and there

One of my favorite things . . . making homemade gifts for loved ones

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Please don't give up on me yet . . . I have been busy making Christmas gifts and such. Hoping that you all are staying warm and healthy!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-11-23T06:07:00.003-06:00

FOR TODAY... November 23, 2009

Outside my window... inky blackness - Ha, I am up early this time

I am thinking... how blessed I am to have a savior who died for me

I am thankful for... a job to go to - even if it has been crazy this last week

I am wearing... blue knit nightie with stars on it

I am remembering... the noodles my grandma used to make - how I wish I could taste them again!

I am going... to be off Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, AND the weekend!

I am reading... nothing much right now except for the Bible . . . have some Sherlock Holmes pastiches ready for me, tho!

I am hoping... to get some cards made here soon - at least I will have time off to do it

On my mind... people with nowhere to go for Thanksgiving - no family

Noticing that... the older I get, the more precious my time with Jesus becomes

From the kitchen... leftovers tonight - we have spagetti, ribs and baked beans and some roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy. I need the fridge emptied out for Wednesday when I make my pies

Around the house... not too bad, I will clean the bathroom tonite, vacuuming

One of my favorite things~ my little ceramic heater

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Work today (regular shift), work tomorrow (early shift), Wednesday bake pies - pecan, cherry and chocolate, Thursday Thanksgiving at Mom's, Friday - some house cleaning and possibly a bit of shopping

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I will do some catching up and get some pictures going this week - promise!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-11-09T06:59:00.004-06:00

FOR TODAY... November 9th, 2009

Outside my window... Gray skies . . . nothing but gray skies

I am thinking... of how grateful I am to have an industrious Honey that got around and got all the leaves up out of the yard this weekend. Even if he did get his truck stuck when he went to dump them!

I am thankful for... good friends and good fellowship

I am wearing... a white nightgown

I am remembering... Thanksgivings past - good times with family

I am going... to be busy, busy at work this week

I am reading... Stillmeadow and Sugarbridge - found at the thrift store for a quarter!

I am hoping... to get some organizing done this week

On my mind... the soldier's families at Ft. Hood - praying for peace

Noticing that... it gets dark SOOO early now - cozy evenings here I come!

Pondering these words... If you want to measure a man's integrity - give him power. I think George Washington said that.

From the kitchen... pancakes, eggs and sausage - by request of my menfolk

Around the house... not a lot - I think one more load of laundry and a bit of organizing

One of my favorite things . . .fixing my Honey's breakfast - knowing that I am giving him a good start to the day

Got Daybook?

Will be doing some posting on here of recipes - as soon as I get my organizing done. I have a whole slew of them ready to make and post.

I would like to thank you all for your kind comments - know that I do check up on your blogs, I just may not comment every time, but I do read! Keep up the good work!

Fun with Frugality - Entertainment

2009-11-07T07:46:00.003-06:00

Ok - here to talk about entertainment. Before I get started, please allow me to explain something - while we have a television set, we do not have cable or satellite service. We are not set up for "TV" at all. While there are a lot of good things to watch out there, I think the bad outweighs the good. And the commercials - for anything and everything, most of them just trash. We do, however, have internet. I know - advertisements on there - but I can control them a little better. Now on to the post!

1) Use your local library! Ours has an online feature where you can look and see if they have a particular book, renew your current checked out books and probably several other things I don't even use. It is all free. Our library has magazines you can check out, Wilton cake pans you can rent, puzzles . . . many, many features. We go once or twice a week. They also have an internet room for people who do not have internet at home, you can go and get on a computer for 2 hours per day - free. We utilized that a lot before we got internet at home.

2) Read a book. While DS and I LOVE to read, Honey does not. So sometimes, I read aloud. As far as books that your library may not have, ours has a program where you can request a book - I think it costs $0.50 and you get it for 2 weeks. Or, if you just have to buy - check out e-bay or amazon and see if you can't find it used. I have bought many books this way - used - and 99% of them have been just like new. Check your local thrift stores for books.

3) Use your friends. We borrow DVDs back and forth with our friends. And some books.

4) Try Netflix. This is a great low-cost option for movies. Or check with your local movie rental place - we get 1/2 price on all movies for about $10 a month - and end up spending maybe $20 total.

5) If exercise is your thing, check out your local YMCA or civic center. Our civic center is free, doesn't cost a thing. They have a walking track, basketball courts and a great exercise room with all manner of weights and machines. There is also an aquatic center that is low-cost.

6) Take a drive. Out in the country. Just get away for a bit. Doesn't have to be a long drive - you can drive to the local nature preserve or what have you and just park and look.

7) Have a bonfire-hot dog roast. This is good for people who have school-age children - children usually love a bonfire. Roast hotdogs and marhsmallows. Sing songs. Tell stories. Sit and watch the fire crackle. Please use safety precautions when doing this!

These are just a few low-cost things that can be done for entertainment. What are some of your ideas readers?

Hope everyone has a lovely day today!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-11-02T06:32:00.003-06:00

FOR TODAY...November 02

Outside my window... pale morning light - cloudless sky - supposed to be nice today

I am thinking... of how I cannot believe how messy my desk has gotten - quite shocking

I am thankful for... having the day off tomorrow

I am wearing... flannel nightgown, slippers

I am remembering... times spent with my cousins, playing at Grandma's

I am going... to the thrift store tomorrow - they moved and have tons of new stuff out

I am reading... not much, haven't had time lately

I am hoping... to make it thru this week - then things should settle a bit

On my mind... a dear friend who is hurting - prayers going out

From the learning rooms... ordered some card-making material!

Noticing that... the light is so different with this time change

Pondering these words... Psalms 102:25-28

From the kitchen... spagetti and garlic bread

Around the house... not much, sweep and mop kitchen

One of my favorite things . . .walking thru fallen leaves - crunching them

got daybook?

Fun with Frugality - Eating Out

2009-10-29T08:19:00.006-05:00

I am here to give you my take on the economy. Now, granted, I am no expert. But I have been pretty frugal all my life (out of necessity) and now, while not so much of a necessity, it has become habit and I enjoy it. Today I want to speak about eating out.

I know, the first thought is - What? She is telling me to be frugal and then telling me to eat out? Not at all, dear readers. What I would like to tell you is how you can fit a little eating out now and then into a frugal food budget.

First of all, I would like to explain that I live in a small town (10,000) in the Midwest. We do not have a lot of options here. Also, while I know that a lot of fast food is not healthy, once in a while it will not kill you. I am very time crunched a lot of days and I think that my crew appreciates a change now and then.

1) Try ethnic restaurants. Often, small ethnic restaurants have cheaper menus than other franchises. Plus, you get the added bonus of trying something that you might really discover you like. Here in the Midwest, we do not have a lot of ethnic restaurants, so this is not much of an option for us.

2) Order off the lunch menu. A lot of times the dinner menu is just too much food for me. Another thing I would like to explain here is that I dislike eating in a restaurant. I prefer to get my food to go and eat it at home. So, for example, sometimes if we order Chinese for lunch, I will order an extra. Then, I take it home and heat it up for supper.

3) Order takeout or carry out or delivery. Usually - not always, but usually - you get more food with a takeout option than you do if you eat in the restaurant. Example - our local Chinese restaurant lunch specials (around $6) will easily feed me for 2 meals. One of our local Mexican restaurants has a fajita special - you get beef, chicken, shrimp and chorizo with onions and peppers, refried beans, rice, guacamole, fresh salsa, chips, tortillas, lettuce and sour cream (around $12)- will feed 4 people easily. There is usually a delivery charge, so if possible, go pick your food up.

4) Drinks are always costly. Ice water with lemon works nicely for me, if I am eating in. If eating at home or work, grab a can of soda or glass of water - much cheaper.

5) Clip your coupons. We regularly get coupons in the mail for Arby's, Hardee's, Pizza Hut, Dominos, Sonic. Some places will let you use the coupons more than once.

6) Buy a local discount card. I work with a lady who has a son in Boy Scouts. They sell a card every year for $10. The card is good for all year. It has all kinds of discounts on it, some of them a one time use, but most of the restaurants listed are multi-use - you can use them all year, as many times as you like. Granted, some of them are only 10% off, but that at least pays for your tax! Check with your schools to see if they sell any such thing.

7) Order off of the children's menu. This is great for me, especially at a fast food restaurant - just enough food, not too much and I get a toy - I have a Sunday School Class and this goes into the grab bag for treats. The kids love it!

8) Check out local fundraisers. We are always seeing adds for local chicken dinners, hog roasts, etc. Some of the food is quite good and the price per plate less than what you would pay for fast food.

9) Sometimes buffet to go is the way to eat. For example - at our local chinese buffet you can get buffet to go for around $7 a pound. To eat in at the buffet costs $14 per person. Now, I don't know about you, but if I eat at a buffet, I tend to over-eat and be miserable. So get the buffet to go, usually a pound or less is plenty for me - 2 pounds if hubby is eating as well. There - 2 people ate for the price of 1.

Well, there you have them, my biggest tips for Fun with Frugality - Eating Out. Do any of you have any tips to add? We all need to stick together in these hard economic times.

Wishing you joy and happiness on this Thursday - Raquel

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-10-12T06:23:00.004-05:00

FOR TODAY October 12, 2009...

Outside my window...Hmm. . . it is still too dark to see anything, I will be glad when the time changes (although I just wish they would leave it one way or the other)

I am thinking... of what a lovely weekend I spent and I am sorry to see it go

I am thankful for... a loving Honey - we had our first anniversary yesterday and such a sweet day!

From the learning rooms...toilet paper roll pumpkins - pics to come later

From the kitchen...Potato and leek soup, old-fashioned molasses cookies

I am wearing... fuzzy pink PJ pants with stars on them, hot pink tee

I am creating...Teapot bookmarks - will post a pic when I am done

I am going...to run by Wal-Mart tonite to pick up some green pipe cleaners and some boucle yarn

I am reading...my new Tea Time Magazine

I am hoping...to get my relish done tomorrow - also a mini batch of peach jam and some apple chutney

I am hearing...just the quiet hum of the 'puter

Around the house...*embarrassed* quite a lot actually - I spent a nice lazy weekend. I need to vacuum, clean the bathroom and wash another couple loads of laundry

One of my favorite things... is glitter. I love to decorate things with glitter. One can never have enough, can they? All different colors . . .

A few plans for the rest of the week: Working of course - make pumpkins and bookmarks, decorations and snacks for tea party on Saturday, Bible Study Wednesday (as well as my birthday!)finish putting away winter clothes and pack summer ones, making relish and chutney, jam

Here is picture for thought I am sharing... Will be posting these later

Daybook . . . it's what to do today!

I am also thinking about doing some frugal posts - giving you my ideas and views

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-10-05T21:12:00.004-05:00

FOR TODAY October 5, 2009...

Outside my window... a bright, mysterious moon sails in a sea of scuddy clouds, riding on the coming waves of a thunderstorm

I am thinking...of how richly the Lord has seen fit to bless me

I am thankful for...an understanding Honey that took me to our favorite pizza joint for supper tonite!

From the learning rooms...teaching a student at work - keeps me sharp!

From the kitchen... probably Cetak's weiners tomorrow nite, need to make some oatmeal cookies

I am wearing...my celery green nightie, all lacy and feminine

I am creating...a splendiferous tea party

I am going...to be slipping off to bed right soon!

I am reading... an Egyptian short story mystery book

I am hoping...that my arm will not hurt too much- got my flu shot today at work

I am hearing...Honey gently snoring, the fan on the 'puter, my keys clicking away

Around the house... sweep and mop kitchen, get winter clothes out and put away, clean tub

One of my favorite things...is roses - I picked up half a dozen red ones today at Aldi for . . . . . $1.99!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Wednesday night we have a small fellowship at church, so Tuesday I will be doing some cooking, then Friday night we are going to a dear aunt and uncles to do some cast iron cooking over the campfire, Saturday - not sure then Sunday is our Anniversary

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

My front door!

Got daybook?

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-09-29T06:25:00.004-05:00

FOR TODAY...September 29th

Outside my window...inky darkness with just a few twinkling lights here and there

I am thinking...of how grateful I will be to get our current inspection at work over with

I am thankful for...the knowledge that my Savior loved me so much that he bled and died for me

I am wearing...big gray tee, blue paisley PJ pants

I am remembering...Autumns as a child, how beautiful the earth is at this time of year

I am going...to a fancy dress dinner on Saturday - WAAAAAYYYYY out of my element

I am reading...still in Psalms and reading The Twisted Root by Anne Perry

I am hoping... to get some cookies baked this evening

On my mind...a dear auntie with cancer

Noticing that...the air is getting quite chilly lately

Pondering these words...Matthew 7:1 - "Judge not lest ye be judged ...."

From the kitchen...Pork chops, mashed potatoes, cauliflower cheese, fresh tomato, biscuits, oatmeal scotchies

Around the house...little touches of autumn peeking out

One of my favorite things ... Being able to have my windows open

From my picture journal...

I will be back on later to give you a recipe and some pics.

Got daybook?

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-09-21T07:27:00.005-05:00

FOR TODAY(September 21, 2009)...

Outside my window... Puffy clouds in a bright blue sky! I love the bright blue sky that autumn brings!

I am thinking... of all I want to do today versus all I must do today

I am thankful for...Jesus and all he has done for me

I am remembering ... wow - has it been almost a year since I got married? Less than a month to go to our anniversary. I remember how unsure I was - silly me!

From the learning rooms... putting together a Harvest Moon tea party - decorations, food, invitations, games . . .

From the kitchen... freezing pesto and marinara sauce, baking banana bread and wheat rolls, Roasting chicken and potatoes Anna, plus cauliflower with cheese

I am wearing...cream colored PJ's with roses on them - so girly! A gift from my dear mother.

On my mind ... A dear sister who had been coming to church and now won't even accept our calls. Praying that whatever is wrong will come out and be dealt with.

I am creating...teapots. Not clay ones, they are done on cardstock, but what fun!

I am going... to take my dear kittie to the vet this afternoon - oh he hates that. He needs his blood sugar checked and if it is okay, does not have to go back for another year.

I am reading... Still in Psalms - just soaking it in. The Twisted Root by Anne Perry.

Noticing that ...it is starting to get dark so early in the evenings! Yep, fall is here all right!

I am hoping...that our family reunion coming up this weekend will go smoothly

I am hearing...just the fan on my computer and the soft ticking of the clock.

Around the house... Vacuuming, clean the tub, sweep and mop the kitchen, a couple of loads of laundry. Then I am cleaning out and organizing my pantry - it has gotten a bit of a mess.

Pondering these words... Psalms 46:2 "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains be shaken into the midst of the seas." Amplified version
"Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" KJV -- Wow - what a promise - what do we have to be scared of?

One of my favorite things... is my new parallel Bible. KJV on one side of the page and amplified on the other - much easier to understand that way

A few plans for the rest of the week: working (of course), then getting ready as we have a family reunion on Saturday

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...no pictures today as blogger will not allow me to upload any images at all. Bummer - I was going to show you one of my teapots and my candied rose petals. Hmmmm . . . maybe I can do this later.

Not done yet, still have to add some glitz and such!

Peggy is our gracious host - go on and take a look at everyone else!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-09-15T06:50:00.003-05:00

FOR TODAY(September 15, 2009)...

Outside my window... A cloudy sky - possible rain today

I am thinking...that I really need to be more organized and stop leaving this so late!

I am thankful for... A job that supplies my needs

From the kitchen... Chili with corn chips and cheese

I am wearing...my star-spangled nightie

I am creating... a Harvest Moon teaparty, to be held in October - having such fun with everything involved!

I am going... shopping at the Mennonite stores and to Burger's Smokehouse on Thursday!!

I am reading... Psalms - KJV, Breach of Promise by Anne Perry

I am hoping... that we can get a certain bill paid off by the end of the year

I am hearing... the fan running, the computer humming

Around the house... Hmmmm . . . not a lot, I do need to dust and wash the windows in the kitchen and the doors

One of my favorite things... is getting up early in the morning - I feel it gives me a good headstart on the day

A few plans for the rest of the week: Work today, Bible Study tomorrow, Shopping Thursday, Work again Friday and the weekend and then off on Monday

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

One of our tomato plants. They have done so well, around on the west side of the house. We got them planted so late, I wondered if we would get anything, but we are quite pleased. In fact, I need to freeze some more. We have eaten so many fresh - they are so good!

We had Jewels' Dijon Chicken last night and it was soooo good. So simple - just brown sugar, grainy Dijon mustard, a bit of lemon juice and boneless, skinless chicken breast. Bakes so quickly and what flavor!

Got daybook?

Peggy hosts every week and it is such fun!!!

Apron Giveaway

2009-09-13T07:48:00.002-05:00

Hurry, 'cause the deadline is close. Scoot on over to Pansy's Cottage and enter to win this gorgeous apron!

Labor Day Daybook

2009-09-07T08:14:00.004-05:00

FOR TODAY (September 07, 2009)...

Outside my window... Heavy fog, hazing everything with droplets of water, giving the world a sort of fantasy-like feeling - beautiful

I am thinking... of how thankful I am to have the day off today

I am thankful for... good friends, good fellowship at church yesterday

From the learning rooms... working on an Autumn Leaves devotional

From the kitchen... mostly leftovers from yesterday - BBQ, 10-layer salad, etc.

I am wearing... khaki skirt, gray tee, purple slippers, white sweater

I am creating... an Autumn Leaves tea party for next month

I am going... to spend most of my day with my parents - Honey is installing a new microwave for them

I am reading... Breach of promise by Anne Perry; Psalms in the Bible

I am hoping...that the fall weather we have been having will last for a good long while yet

I am hearing... Honey making the bed

Around the house... sweep and mop in the kitchen, quickie clean the tub and I am good to go!!

One of my favorite things... is hot chocolate - in the morning, at night, in the afternoon . . .

A few plans for the rest of the week: work, of course; hoping my roses will bloom so I can make some more candied rose petals; work on menu for tea party

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Idn't he cute? And look how fat he is! He comes up on our front porch railing and eats - the kitty can watch him out the window. We have a feeder set up on the back porch rail also.

Now for a goooooood recipe!

10-layer salad

Yes, this is just an embellishment on 7-layer salad, but I can't count very well!

Romaine lettuce or a nice mix
Chopped, seeded cucumber
Chopped onion
Chopped red pepper
Frozen peas, thawed
Hard boiled eggs, chopped
Shredded Swiss Cheese
Crispy bacon crumbles
Chopped, seeded tomato
Dressing

This is especially pretty in a clear glass bowl, so you can see the layers, but it works equally well in a 9 x 13 cake pan.

1. Chop your lettuce - not too fine. I used all romaine because that is what they had on sale, but you can use a nice mix. I don't use iceberg very much - it is low in nutrition. Put lettuce in bowl.
2. Then chopped cucumber. If you are not using seedless, then peel them and seed them. otherwise, just chop.
3. Then onion - this can be sweet, white, green, red, whatever you like.
4. Chopped red pepper - full of vitamin C and oh, so pretty! You can use yellow or orange for color if you like.
5. Hard boiled eggs next - for these put the eggs in cold water and bring to a boil over medium heat - boil for 5 minutes, turn the burner off and leave the pan on it for another 5 minutes. Then pour the water off and shake the pan to break the shells. Cover with cold water and let sit a bit, pour that off and cover with cold water again and let it sit. Then peel - oh, so easy and chop. Use older eggs, they peel better.
6. Frozen peas - just pop these in a colander and run some water over them and swish them around with your hands.
7. Dressing - I used about 3/4 to 1 cup of mayo, about 1 tablespoon brown sugar stirred in good and probably 1/3 to 1/2 cup ranch dressing. Stir it all up good and then refrigerate for an hour or so before putting on the salad.
8. Shredded Swiss cheese.
9. Chopped, seeded tomato. Just take out all the seeds and gunk that comes with it. this prevents the salad from getting soggy.
10. Crispy bacon crumbles.

I have left most amounts off, use more or less of each to your liking. I made a pretty big bowl, hence the dressing amounts. Just before serving, toss well. As I was making it for our church dinner, I assembled layers 1-6 the night before. Then, in the morning, I added the dressing and cheese. Just before serving, I added the tomato and bacon. This makes a really easy dish, and most everyone loves it.

Hope everyone has a good day off today.

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-08-17T20:39:00.004-05:00

FOR TODAY (August 17, 2009)...

Outside my window... I can just barely make out a few scuddy clouds off in the distance. Down in the yard, I see the twinkle of the crackled glass driveway lights.

I am thinking...of how blessed I have been today!

I am thankful for...God's Word that sustains our very being.

From the learning rooms... Always trying something new - this week a clone of Harry and David's red pepper and onion relish!

From the kitchen... oven baked pork chops, long-grain and wild rice, cucumbers and onions in vinegar, fresh corn on the cob, fresh home-grown tomatoes - life is good!

I am wearing...black skirt, gray t-shirt, slippers

I am creating...a menu for the rest of the week

I am going...to be slipping off to bed in a few short minutes

I am reading...Cain, His Brother by Anne Perry, Psalms and Falling in Love with Jesus by Dee Brestin and Kathy Troccoli

I am hoping...that I can get everything caught up tomorrow at work - almost made it today!

I am hearing...various noises - DS music and Honey's video he is watching

Around the house... clean the bathroom, a little vacuuming, sweep and mop the kitchen

One of my favorite things... is creating a daybook!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Canning a few things tomorrow, then we have company coming this weekend, so general cleaning and such

Had a lovely weekend, just wasn't long enough! We had a nice, rainy Saturday and a nice, slow Sunday. Weather has been somewhat humid but cooler here. I love the coolness, but it is not good for my tomatoes. The roses are loving the rain, however. There is a definite hint of fall in the air - YAY!!! I am planning on having a rose tea and then later an autumn leaf teaparty for the ladies in my church. Will be posting about those later.

Now . . . a nice recipe for all of my wonderful readers (thank you all for the comments - much appreciated!)

Skillet Scramble

1 smallish summer squash, chopped
1/2 cup frozen hashbrowns with onions and peppers
3 slices of thick cut bacon, chopped
1 TBSP olive oil
3 eggs
1 slice cheese

In a medium skillet, saute bacon until some of the fat renders. Then toss in the hashbrowns and squash. Cook until bacon is pretty good and done and squash and potatoes are starting to brown. Drizzle in olive oil. Break eggs into a bowl and stir all together with a bit of water. Pour eggs into the skillet and quickly scramble. Remove skillet from heat and top with cheese. Let it sit a bit to melt the cheese. Serve with toast and juice.

This makes a quick breakfast - and a sneaky way to get some veggies in! We love it! You can use a bit of sausage instead of the bacon - or ham.

Hope everyone is enjoying summer as it winds down!

Verse for Today: II Timothy, Chapter 1, Verse 7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Fear I know can be a crippling thing for many people. I can remember as a teenager waking up in the middle of the night with my heart pounding. My lamp was at bedside, but I was too afraid to reach over far enough to touch it. I would desperately close my eyes and try to regain sleep, while nightmare thoughts raced through my brain. A spirit of oppression, of raw, naked fear was there. Thanks to God, that spirit of fear no longer troubles me. I keep this verse handy in my mind and if that spirit ever tries to trouble me, I quote it. Because God did not give us that spirit of fear. He has given us power, love AND a sound mind! Whoo! So face that fear and tell it how big your God is!

Have a great week, I will try to be back on sooner next time!

2009-08-10T08:44:00.003-05:00

FOR TODAY (August 10, 2009)...

Outside my window... Gray skies and clouds, rain gently wending its way down

I am thinking... of how majestic this day is!

I am thankful for... a day to myself to do whatever I want

From the learning rooms... always learning something!

From the kitchen... Hmmmm. . . ribeye steaks, fresh corn on the cob, fresh tomatoes from our own vines, sauteed summer squash - doesn't get much better. I will also be making some cookies and canning some Spicy Plum Sauce.

I am wearing... my leopard print PJs - how lazy am I?

I am creating... a haven of peace and contentment in the midst of a chaotic world

I am going... to take a shower and run to the grocery store in a few minutes

I am reading... Psalms - makes my heart sing; A Sudden and Fearful Death by Anne Perry

I am hoping... that this day will last a good long while

I am hearing... the occasional rumble of thunder - I love the sound of thunder, don't you?

Around the house... just a little, scrub the tub and a teensy bit of laundry, maybe mop the kitchen floor I do need to clean out the trunk of the car, it has gotten rather jumbled

One of my favorite things... is the sky this morning - we have gray, glowering thunderclouds floating over - but over yonder a ways there is a patch of blue sky

A few plans for the rest of the week: Hmmm . . . . working, of course. If I can get enough tomatoes, canning some pepper and onion relish, then Book Sale at work Wednesday and Thursday, then the weekend cleaning out the garage

I hope that someone still reads this, but if not, I will keep on anyway. I have been absent for a good long while, devoting my time instead to my family and to experiencing the joys of summer - melon gobbling, corn feasting, air conditioner loving. We have had a beautiful summer here in Missouri, which is quite rare. Then too, I just have not felt a huge urgency to blog. I am ready now to have this month over, as I will quite likely be working from home again then, at least most of the time, I may still have to work at the office one or two days a week. And now that I have that to look forward to, I feel like blogging again. So, sorry if I have been gone long, I have missed hearing from everyone.

Much love - Raquel

Daybook

2009-05-18T06:15:00.006-05:00

FOR TODAY (May 18, 2009)...

Outside my window... pale sunlight tinging a cloudless sky

I am thinking... about the awesomeness of God - to think that the Lord of all creation would deem me worthy to serve him - WOW!

I am thankful for... beautiful times spent with family - shopping with my Mama, sweet baby kisses from my great-neice - these are the things that make the world go-round!

From the learning rooms... making some rose petal jelly today

From the kitchen... Pork chops, cheezy potato pancakes, sauteed spinach, chocolate chip croissant bread pudding

I am wearing... green pajamas with cupcakes on them (not real cupcakes, printed ones!)

I am creating... a surprise package for a sweet friend!

I am going...to enjoy my whole day today!

I am reading... the end of the book of Job, Thomas Costain's the Last Plantaganets

I am hoping... that my storage room is completed this week!

I am hearing...the hum of the computer and the twittering of the Baltimore Orioles - they want MORE jelly!

Around the house... not a lot - change the sheets, mop kitchen floor, vacuum. Otherwise, we are pretty good.

One of my favorite things... is making a menu - so much easier to shop.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Today I am going to Moms and make Rose Petal Jelly. Working of course, hopefully finishing storage room and getting tomatoes out.

Here is picture thought I am sharing..

My sweet little Woogie cat wanting out!

Got daybook?

Sorry it has been so long since I posted. I have been busy living the seasons!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-04-20T06:58:00.003-05:00

FOR TODAY (April 20, 2009)...

Outside my window... A clear sky! Thank you Lord, it has rained ALL weekend!

I am thinking... of what to give to my supervisor - she just became Gramma this week!

I am thankful for... the fact that we had business at our garage sale this weekend - Rained all day and there were 97 other garage sales in town the same day.

From the learning rooms...studying up on roses and begin cutting out a new apron.

From the kitchen... Dark chocolate cherry muffins, chicken enchilada bake.

I am wearing...yellow shorts, gray t-shirt (my night clothes)

I am creating...surprise bags for the ladies I am traveling with later this week!

I am going... to go to a Ladie's Retreat on Thursday - Can't Wait for Floodgates!

I am reading... The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry.

I am hoping...that the weather will be nice this coming weekend.

I am hearing...the dishwasher, my little ceramic heater taking the chill off, Honey running water in the bathroom.

Around the house...Vacuuming, ironing, just a little general straightening.

One of my favorite things... is raspberry jam!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Tonight straighten up house. Tomorrow take boxes of left-over garage sale items to the Samaritan Center. Thursday - off to the Ladie's Retreat!

Here is picture thought I am sharing..

Aren't they beautiful - precious sisters in the Lord praying for one another!

Got daybook? If not - go get it!

Hope that you all had a good week last week - mine was pretty consumed with the garage sale and we had inspection at work. Also, our cat was diagnosed with diabetes and was quite sick all last weekend. He is much better now, but we are having to give him insulin injections twice a day. Anywhoo - we are back on track now, weather is gorgeous today. We have planted 2 rose bushes - a Charlotte Armstrong and a Touch of Class. We also planted a Japanese cherry tree - a gift to me from Honey for our 6-month anniversary!

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake

This is the dessert that I made for Easter - very rich!

1 1/2 cups Oreo cookie crumbs (or chocolate wafer crumbs)
3 tablespoons melted butter

3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk (such as Eaglebrand)
3 eggs
2 tablespoons vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
1 teaspoon flour

Mix oreo crumbs and butter in a bowl. Press firmly into a 9-inch springform pan on the bottom.

Heat oven to 300F.

In a bowl mix cream cheese, milk, eggs and vanilla. In a small bowl, toss 1/2 cup chocolate chips with flour. Stir into cheese mixture. Pour into springform pan. Top with remaining chocolate chips.

Bake for 1 hour (i had to make mine a bit longer, maybe 10 minutes or so)

Cool and chill overnight before serving.

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-04-06T07:45:00.004-05:00

FOR TODAY (April 6, 2009)...

Outside my window... BRRRRR! Chilly winds, gray skies and the threat of snow! Winter is throwing us a last hurrah!

I am thinking...of how Great and Wonderful of a Savior I serve.

I am thankful for...a supportive husband.

From the learning rooms...putting together a new apron.

From the kitchen...Chicken Tortilla Soup, Honey White Bread, Parmesan-Garlic crackers, Cheddar Crust Apple Pie, Dark Chocolate Cherry Muffins - can you tell I am in a baking mood? Later this week Smokey Corn Chowder.

I am wearing... a yellow nightgown and my old fuzzy, warm plaid houserobe.

I am creating...a surprise "just because" package for a friend.

I am going...to venture out to the stores after a bit, must have some fresh cilantro.

I am reading...the book of Job. The Hidden Art of Homemaking. Bedford Square.

I am hoping...that I can get everything done for my garage sale on the 18th.

I am hearing...my little ceramic heater givin' me some love!

Around the house...laundry, clean the bathroom.

One of my favorite things... is to get up early, before Honey, and just meditate on the Lord as I do my early morning tasks. Just to feel that closeness and peace!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Today I am off, so baking extravaganza. Tomorrow thru Friday - work. Then Saturday we are having our Easter dinner as everyone is otherwise occupied Sunday, so I will be making chocolate chip cheesecake, coconut creme pie, deviled eggs and probably broccoli-rice casserole. Squeeze in a library run and I will also be working on tagging things in the garage.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... Some more pretty flowers from last year

Got Daybook?

Ok, here is a recipe for all of you bakers out there.

Honey White Bread

This is a soft, delicious loaf that keeps well.

1-1/4 cups warm milk - I test mine on my wrist, it needs to be at or just below body temperature
1-1/2 tablespoons honey
1-1/2 tablespoons butter flavor Crisco
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
3 cups bread flour
1-1/2 teaspoons dry yeast

Place ingredients in breadmaker in the order specified by your machine. Push start button. Wait about 3 hours and voila - fresh bread! I usually just use my dough cycle and then take it out, put in a greased bread pan, let rise a bit longer and pop it in a 350 degree oven and bake it. I'll post a picture later!

Simple Woman's Daybook - a day late!

2009-03-31T16:13:00.005-05:00

FOR TODAY (March 31, 2009)...

Outside my window... a cold, blustery spring wind whisks playfully around the corners of the house, setting the daffy-down-dillys a' nodding and daring the Bradford pear trees to hang onto their beautiful blossoms.

I am thinking... that I am SOOOOOOOOO glad that my co-worker will be back tomorrow. I enjoy getting up early, but I don't believe working at 6 AM is for me!

I am thankful for... Peace and contentment in my heart.

From the learning rooms...attempting to learn to knit. This may take a while.

From the kitchen... Sausage stew and biscuits. Peanut butter cookies.

I am wearing... black skirt, pink housieslippers, blue striped turtleneck.

I am creating... a shopping list for later in April when I go to Columbia.

I am going...to be off on Friday!!

I am reading... The Hidden Art of Homemaking.

I am hoping... that I will get over feeling so old - my baby turned 20 yesterday!

I am hearing... the fan on my little ceramic heater taking the chill off the house.

Around the house... laundry, vacuuming, clean the shower.

One of my favorite things...is our local thrift store. Never know what you are going to find!

A few plans for the rest of the week: working Wednesday and Thursday, off Friday - taking a good friend who has been going thru quite a trial out to lunch and to the local Amish store to poke around.

Here is picture thought I am sharing... Flowers from last year's garden

apologize for being gone so long, just busy with this, that and the other and have been spending quality time with my honey.

I am leaving you with a quickie recipe

Sausage Stew

1 lb smoked sausage or Polska Kielbasa, thickly sliced
1 onion, cut in wedges
1-2 carrots, peeled and sliced
3 medium potatoes (I like Yukon Gold) peeled and diced
Frozen green beans, a cup or so
water
Cream of Mushroom soup, I used the 40% more cans of Campbells or could use 2 smaller cans
1 can mushrooms, drained
Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Spray a deep skillet (what I call a chicken fryer) with cooking spray or put in a small amount of olive oil. Over medium heat, stir fry vegs for a few minutes. Throw in sausage. Pour in water - how much you use is your preference, this can be as thin or thick as you like. For the bigger can of soup, I used not quite 2 cups of water - remember your vegs will absorb some of it. Cover skillet - if you don't have a lid (I don't) - just take a piece of foil and snug it down on top. Turn your heat down and let it simmer for 20-30 minutes or so. Uncover, stir in soup, mushrooms and pepper. Heat thru. Serve with crusty bread and butter and a nice green salad. This is nice and hearty for a cold spring evening.

You can mix and match vegs in this - frozen mixed vegs work well. Use more or less sausage to your preference.

Sorry, no pics, this was snarfed up in a minit!

I will try to do better, should be easier now that the weather has quit being quite so schizophrenic and my work schedule is back to normal!

Much love - Raquel

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-03-16T21:10:00.002-05:00

FOR TODAY (March 16, 2009)...

Outside my window... Inky dark, I am late doing this. However, the light of day would show slowly greening grass, tulips popping up at my mailbox, robins hopping all over the lawn - Spring is here!

I am thinking... that I have had a very full day - It was a typical Monday at work and we had Honey's Aunt and Uncle over for dinner!

I am thankful for...good Christian fellowship!

From the learning rooms...working on some journaling pages and getting some quotes, poetry.

From the kitchen...Ham steak, Delmonico potatoes, steamed broccoli, rolls and butter, cinnamon applesauce, iced tea and Death by Chocolate cake.

I am wearing...khaki skirt, hot pink tee, housieslippers.

I am creating...some new journaling ideas, possibly a flower bed later on.

I am going... to be glad when this working at 6 AM is over!

I am reading... the book of Ezra.

I am hoping... that the rest of my week will go as smoothly as today.

I am hearing... not much, the peeper froggies are singing tho!

Around the house...one more load of dishes tonight, then laundry tomorrow - otherwise spanking clean.

One of my favorite things...is chocolate cake!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Journaling, cleaning out the basement storage area and . . . . groan - the garage.

Go on over to Peggy's and take a look at what is happening with everyone else today.

Apron Giveaway

2009-03-16T21:04:00.002-05:00

Hello out there in blogland! Just an FYI - Monika over at Domestically Inclined is hosting an apron giveaway. She is a good Godly woman - go on over and take a peek! Hurry - before its too late!!!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-03-02T18:06:00.003-06:00

FOR TODAY (March 02, 2009)...

Outside my window... the sun is setting in a blaze of glory, scattering its dying rays over the remnant of the snow we had this weekend.

I am thinking... that I really need to run to Aldi's and get some milk after supper.

I am thankful for... my husband. So understanding, so hard-working, so much fun!

From the learning rooms...learning to trust in God - he has it all under control!

From the kitchen... meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls.

I am wearing...navy sweatshirt, denim skirt, slippers.

I am creating... a new journal.

I am going... to try to go to the mennonite stores again next weekend!

I am reading...not a lot - been working on the new journal.

I am hoping... that they catch whoever was responsible for the arson at my son's old school this past week.

I am hearing...the quiet hum of the computer, honey and DS talking downstairs and bing-banging of the hammer, the sheetrock screw gun.

Around the house...not a lot, I do need to get my closet done and clean out the storeroom in the basement. We did a good clean Saturday as we were snowed in.

One of my favorite things...is pie. I love pie, especially the crust!

A few plans for the rest of the week: clean out closet, work on journal, work on procedures manual, bask in the peace of God!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

DS in full fighting gear!

Won't you go to Peggy's and make your own daybook?

Winter Wonderland

2009-02-28T13:27:00.003-06:00

Hello there from snowy Missouri!

We finally got some snow, to the tune of around 6 inches or so! It is still flurrying a bit.

This is the snow piled up on our back deck railing.

While I usually LOVE snow, I was not particularly wild about this one - I had plans. We were going to go to the Mennonite stores and get some cheese and then down to Burger's Smokehouse and look around, then had a Sister's Teaparty later in the evening.

So, instead, we went out for breakfast - oh how nice. Then we slushed and sloshed around and went to the bank, Walgreen's, the grocery store and Sears - all in the snow! It was so pretty, big fluffy wet flakes.

This is looking across the neighbor's back yard to the corps land across the street.

We ordered our dishwasher! It will be in on the 10th. We also looked at a microwave/vent hood that is very nice - I think maybe once we get the dishwasher paid for . . . . . And of course I looked at new refrigerators and a new stove with a double oven - doesn't hurt to dream - right? We had a lot of fun, tho.

This is our table on our deck - you can't even see the ear of corn that we usually keep in the middle hole for the squirrels!

So, since we are nice and snowy today, I am going to bake something good - probably get started on those chocolate-peppermint scones - and then work on my journaling a bit. Stay warm, everyone!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-02-23T08:43:00.003-06:00

FOR TODAY (February 23, 2009)...

Outside my window... Bright sunshine but still pretty chilly.

I am thinking... of how grateful I am that God looked down on me, a sinner, and chose to give me mercy.

I am thankful for...bills paid off! In the past month, I have paid off 2 bills of mine - now I only have one left and I can make double payments on it!

From the learning rooms...still working on quilt top placement and some scrapbooking this week!

From the kitchen...Calico Bean soup, cornbread with honeybutter and sweetheart cupcakes.

I am wearing... red capri PJ bottoms with crocheted lace trim and an old white T-shirt, my plaid flannel robe.

I am creating... an idea for a heart quilt. Some chocolate-mint scones.

I am going... to go bless my ex-sister-in-law with some groceries as she is going thru a hard time.

I am reading...I got some new old books the other day - have not had a chance to start on them yet.

I am hoping... to be working from home within a couple of weeks!

I am hearing... the hum of the computer fan - it is nice and quiet - DS is gone and honey is at work - I have the day off as I worked the weekend.

Around the house... Not much, Do the breakfast dishes.

One of my favorite things... is purses! I love a new purse!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Today - clean out freezer (finally, I have been planning it for weeks). I do need to clean out my closet and rearrange a few things in there. Clean out storage area in the basement. Weekend plans - going to the Mennonite store again, then to Burger's Smokehouse and a Sister's Tea.

You know you wanna . . . go ahead . . . go over to Peggy's and check out everyone else!

Rest for the Weary

2009-02-20T08:30:00.005-06:00

Hello on this beau-ti-ful sunny day! At least it is here. Our weather has been up and down here lately, but warmer than normal. Brings thoughts of a beautiful spring. I have the day off today, but I have to work the weekend.

I would love to be a homemaker and be at home every day, cooking, cleaning, sewing, crafting. But at this point in my life, that is not what God would have my life to be. Having been a single mother for many, many years, I HAD to work. Along with working came bills - student loans, car loans, etc. So now, I have a few bills to pay off before I could ever think of reducing my work hours.

Believe you me, I cherish the days when I do not have to be in the workplace or tied to my computer! Those are the days I live for. Some people live to work - I work to live.

Rest. God gives us such sweet rest in Him. His is the rest which causeth the weary to rest. "But ye, brethern, be not weary in well-doing". His is the rest that is so complete that it feels like you can just step off of a high cliff and rest assured that he will catch you before you even start to fall. Rest so complete that you are refreshed every day, going forward into each new day with purpose and zeal to conquer whatever tasks may come to you that day. Rest so complete that, while your worries have not disappeared, they no longer cause you ulcers - because you are resting in Him! Rest so precious that not all of the jewels and gold in this world would cause you to leave it. Rest uplifting - knowing that He is your soon-coming King. Rest so wonderful that it becomes hard to leave off communing with Him to go back to mundane life here on Earth.

I pray that everyone who reads this post will know that rest.

Speaking of rest, here is a recipe that will let you rest - while the Crockpot does the rest! (Tee Hee - sorry, could not resist that pun!)

Cranberry Pork Roast

2-3 pound boneless pork roast (I buy a whole pork loin and have it cut into about 4 roasts)
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
A big spoonful of honey
1 can whole-berry cranberry sauce
1 large onion, diced
Salt and Pepper to taste

Bung all of the above in a crockpot big enough to hold it all and cook on high for about 6 hours, or low for 10 or what have you. I usually turn it on high for about an hour or so, then on low for the rest of the day. Can add a splash of worcestershire sauce. Serve with peas and home-made mashed potatoes.

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-02-16T12:30:00.004-06:00

FOR TODAY (February 16, 2009)...

Outside my window... No windows here, alas! When I peeked outside earlier, however, it was bright sunshine - but cold!

I am thinking... that I am going to buy some lotion from my son's friend who makes it - he gave me a trial of orange-spice lotion - MMMMmmmmmm!

I am thankful for... A thoughtful husband. He took me out for breakfast on Valentine's day and then out for frozen custard later!

From the learning rooms...working on laying out a quilt top later this week.

From the kitchen... lasagna, garlic bread. Apple-spice cupcakes with either caramel or cream cheese frosting. Making some blueberry granola later.

I am wearing...long black straight skirt, pink turtle neck, black overblouse with bright flowers on it. My old black penny loafers. Pantyhose - ugh!

I am creating...a procedures manual for work.

I am going... to be off Friday and next Monday! But, I have to work the weekend.

I am reading... not much, anyone have any good suggestions?

I am hoping...that my day off will go as planned.

I am hearing...not a lot, everyone is at lunch.

Around the house... not a lot, we did a good clean Saturday. Need to start spring cleaning, getting in those crooks and crannies.

One of my favorite things... is bath salts - my son suprised me with some rose-scented ones for Valentine's!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Today - make granola. Tomorrow - clean out freezer. Wed - Bible Study. Thu - clean out pantry. Friday - cook birthday dinner for Dad, go to new Amish store, make dessert for Saturday. Sat - work, then dinner with friends.

Hop on over to Peggy's and see what everyone else is up to!

Daybook

2009-02-09T12:32:00.005-06:00

FOR TODAY (February 09, 2009)...

Outside my window... A gray, drippy, rainy day - but that is a blessing, because it has been soooo dry here!

I am thinking... of a menu for the week!

I am thankful for... good preaching and teaching at church this weekend, good inspiration from bloggy friends - thanks Caryn!

From the learning rooms... It is my belief that we should never quit learning. This week, I am going to try to perfect pain au chocolat!

From the kitchen...sliced ham, cheesy potatoes, broccoli and applesauce.

I am wearing...blue patterned turtleneck with hearts, straight black skirt, penny loafers.

I am creating... a Valentine's Menu a'deux!

I am going... back to Versailles on the 28th - my cheese was all gone and I have a rain check!

I am reading... Not much, I really need to do a good Amazon shop!

I am hoping... that our tax refund comes back this week!

I am hearing...computers humming, clicking of keyboard keys - I am at work!

Around the house... not a lot, I do need to straighten up my pantry and clean out the freezer. Otherwise, I have a project for work that I am working on!

One of my favorite things... is garage sales! I got several nice tops and a brand new pair of sandals this weekend at a garage sale!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Today - Wal-Mart for bi-weekly supplies, tomorrow - baking, Wednesday Bible study, Thursday shopping, Friday - no plans yet!

No picture today, that will have to wait until I am back home.

Pop on over to Peggy's and take a look at everyone else!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2009-02-02T18:31:00.005-06:00

FOR TODAY (February 02, 2009)...

Outside my window... it is dark, sad to say - I am frightfully late getting around to this!

I am thinking...of how blessed I am in life. God is so gracious and he blesses us each day - abundantly!

I am thankful for... Patient friends! Whom I hope are reading this and realizing I AM still alive and kicking!

From the kitchen... chocolate cream cakes for Honey's lunch, Chef Salad

I am wearing... *blushes* my pink house robe

I am creating...a Valentine for my Sweetie

I am going... to go shopping at the Mennonite Stores this weekend!!!

I am reading...The Bible, Sherlock Holmes Pastiches - I need some new reading material!

I am hoping... that we will get our tax refund by this weekend - at least state!

I am hearing... the blower on the humidifier running.

Around the house... vacuuming to be done, not a lot else.

One of my favorite things... is granola! I am going to try a new recipe tonight!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Working early tomorrow and possibly Wednesday. Not a lot else, possibly a library run tomorrow after work. Then on Saturday, shopping and we are having the pastor and his wife over for a buffalo roast dinner.

No picture, as I have sent my old 'puter back in and I am using Honey's for this!

I do want to share a good quick recipe with you tho!

Spicy Crackers

1 package oyster crackers
2 sleeves Ritz crackers
1-1/4 cups oil
1 package Fiesta Ranch Hidden Valley Dip Mix
1 Tablespoon (or more!) of crushed red peppers

Place dip mix, peppers and oil in a large ziplock bag. Pour in crackers and squish around gently until all good and seasoned. Pour onto 1 or 2 large rimmed cookie sheets and bake at 225 or so for about 20 minutes.

These are great with creamy soups or with salads.

I am still here

2009-01-09T21:02:00.005-06:00

Sorry for another long absence, this will get better before long, I promise. We are trying to finish up building another bedroom downstairs and I have all the normal housework and laundry to keep up with, as well as working out of the house. I should be coming home in a couple of weeks, so things will be better then.

I will try to get some pictures up here of our progress on the room.

I have been reading all of my regular blogs, so I have not forgotten anyone.

I do, however, want to share my recipe for coconut macaroons. These are not just an average, everyday cookie. They go really well on a holiday tray, though and they are great for a tea party.

Triple Coconut Macaroons
Makes approximatley 4 dozen 1-inch cookies

1 cup cream of coconut (coco lopez or the like) NOT COCONUT MILK - use the stuff that you would use to make a pina colada
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
4 large egg whites
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt

Whisk the above ingredients together in a small bowl.

In a large bowl mix:
3 cups unsweetened, shredded, desiccated (dried) coconut (I buy this at a Mennonite store, it is the little tiny flakes)
3 cups sweetened flaked or shredded coconut

Mix together with fingers. Pour ingredients of small bowl over and mix well with a rubber spatula. Pop in the fridge for 15 minutes.

Prepare 2 baking pans by lining with parchment and then spraying parchment with nonstick cooking spray. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Drop heaping tablespoons on to prepared sheets. Form them into loose haystacks with fingertips. (apparently this is the traditional shape for macaroons)

Bake for approximately 15 minutes, rotating pan front to back halfway through cooking time. Cool on sheets until set, approximately 2 minutes, Remove to wire rack with wide metal spatula and cool.

Can dip bottoms in chocolate - oh yeah baby!

I have some more recipes just waiting for you . . . . cranberry pork roast, spicy crackers, pork schnitzel, stollen bites . . . . so don't give up on me, I will rev it up once I get working from home!

Much love to you all!

Happy New Year!!!!!

2009-01-01T08:37:00.004-06:00

Sorry I have been gone AWOL, but this new job has me out of the home more than I would like. However, if I am to pay the bills, it must needs be done. Hopefully, I will be home soon and have more time.

We are all well here, no sickness thank the Good Lord! Honey has been busy, busy, putting up sheet rock and insulation, putting in a new garage door and working some overtime as well. I have been busy working and keeping up with the housework, too.

Amidst all of this busy-ness, we still find time for God. You know, many people say they don't have time to go to church or worship God, but he gives us 24 hours a day - every day. Can't we take just an hour or two out of that to devote to him? And don't get me started on tithing! The money that you "save" by not tithing will be paid somewhere else - many times to a doctor or an "unexpected" bill. So let's show our Lord some love this year!

I am looking forward to the new year with great anticipation. I am not going to diet as such - just eat more sensibly and exercise more. I may not set the world on fire, but I will enjoy my life. I will pray more, get into the Word more, be more in tune with God!

I mentioned earlier in my blog that I had a Christmas tea party for the ladies in my church. As usual, fuzzy headed me forgot to take pictures whilst everyone was here! But I do have the soup recipe from the party - ummy yummy! I am also going to share the recipe for friendship tea - everyone's favorite!

Mexican Chicken Soup

4 chicken breast halves, cooked and cubed
1 can chicken broth
1 can Rotel
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 Tablespoon chili powder.

Combine all ingredients in crock pot and slowly simmer until hot.

Friendship Tea

1 (18 oz) jar Tang
1/2 to 3/4 cup sweetened lemonade mix
3/4 cup instant tea
2 (3 oz) packages apricot or peach Jello
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Dash of cloves
3 cups sugar

Mix and store in airtight container. To serve add 2 heaping teaspoons tea mix to 1 cup hot water.

As you can tell, I did mix-n-match snowmen for decor and it worked great! I used the tablecloth that I had left over from a work party, then the napkins were from my great friend, Marie. The plates and cups I found on sale at Dollar Tree. The great thing about living in the country is you don't have to be too fancy! I served the cranberry cake with hot butter sauce for dessert and we had finger sandwiches.

I wish everyone reading this a most blessed new year!

Christmas Cheer

2008-12-26T08:01:00.007-06:00

I hope that all of my readers had a wonderful Christmas day, remembering the reason for the season - the glorious gift of salvation given to us by our blessed Savior.

We had a great day, quiet and peaceful. We made phone calls to loved ones and had a wonderful dinner with my parents.

Our menu was:

Peach Glazed Spiral Sliced Ham - this ham is from Burger's Smokehouse in California, MO, a City Ham. They do great hams and bacon.

For the peach glaze, I combined a can of Delmonte Harvest Spice peaches, drained, approximately 1/4 cup country Dijon mustard, about 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice and 2-3 tablespoons brown sugar. Pop that in the blender and then spoon over the ham while baking. (sorry for the pic, I forgot to take pictures until AFTER we ate - duh me!)

Winter Salad Supreme - just a nice green salad - I used mixed spring greens. Then top with Ranch salad dressing, some dried cranberries, tiny dice of swiss cheese and some caramelized almonds.

To make the caramelized almonds in a saucepan melt 2 Tablespoons butter. Then add 3/4 cup of sliced almonds. Stir and toast for about 4 minutes. Then add 3 tablespoons of sugar. Stir and cook for another 3 minutes or so. Dump onto foil to cool and break apart into little clumps.

No picture here as I used all the lettuce! Mandarin oranges are nice with this, instead of the cranberries - or use a vinagrette dressing.

Delmonico potatoes - I was looking for an Au Gratin recipe and stumbled across this. Very nice, we all loved these. From the Taste of Home Recipe book.

Makes an 8 x 8 pan.

5 medium potatoes

Scrub potatoes well. Place in pan, cover with water and cook 30-40 minutes or until fairly tender. Do not peel, do not cut. Drain potatoes and cool overnight in refrigerator. Take potatoes out, peel and shred coarsely. Grease an 8 x 8 pan. Place potatoes in pan.

1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup cream
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Place milk, cream, salt and spices in sauce pan and heat gently. When bubbles appear around the edge of the pan, stir in cheese. Stir in until good and melty. Pour sauce over potatoes and stir a bit.

Bake at 325F for approximately 50 minutes. I topped it with french fried onions for the last 10 minutes or so. Very moreish!

I believe next time I will stir in just a bit of lemon zest, spark it up a bit.

Brioche rolls - this is the recipe I posted earlier, please see the side bar under breads. Light and fluffy, smeared with real butter, a gourmet's delight! Sorry, I forgot to take a pic of these.

English Trifle - this is just my regular trifle, if you will scroll down in my side bar, I did a couple of posts on trifle earlier in the year. Homemade almond pound cake, sandwiched with seedless strawberry jam, sprinkled with Amaretto syrup. Then sliced strawberries (frozen) with sugar poured over top. Homemade trifle custard, flavored with a bit of rum extract on top of that. Then topped with homemade chantilly cream, some of my caramelized almonds and chocolate flakes. Can we say to die for?

All in all, a simple, yet quite tasty meal. As most of the prep work can be done the day before, very easy to execute also! I made the rolls, cake and trifle custard the day before. Also cooked my potatoes. The ham is as easy as taking out of the packaging, putting in a pan and baking, then glazing. The trifle just needed to be assembled. The salad was washed and put in a bowl, then toppings passed, as they were optional. That gave me plenty of time to enjoy the day with my family.

I hope each and every one of you had as good of a day!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T08:08:00.003-06:00

I would like to wish all of my readers the very Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years! I really do love and appreciate each and every one of you. I thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to read my rambling, sometimes incoherent thoughts. Thank you for your encouragement and inspiration. Even though we have never met face-to-face, I feel a special bond towards y'all!

The recipe I am going to give you today may sound complicated, but it really is not. Again, this is one of those things I don't make often, and I usually make it at Easter instead of Christmas. No, I am not Greek, but I do love Greek food. Around here, you can buy pre-packaged baklava at Christmas time, but I think mine is much tastier and probably better for ya!(Not that baklava is a healthy choice but hey, this is my blog)

I got this recipe (which I have slightly modified) from the Joy of Cooking.

Baklava

1 pound of phyllo sheets, thawed

Stir together in a bowl:
3 cups coarsely chopped nuts (I used a mixture of walnuts, pecans and almonds)
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest (I omitted this)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I used more)

Melt:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter

Important: Stack phyllo between sheets of waxed paper and then cover the waxed paper with a damp kitchen towel.

Grease a 9 x 13 pan. Preheat oven to 325F. Place 2 sheets of phyllo in pan and brush top sheet with melted butter. Repeat twice, for a total of 6 sheets. Sprinkle with half the nut mixture. Stack another 6 sheets, 2 sheets at a time, brushing with butter each time. Sprinkle with the other half of the nut mixture. Cover with all remaining phyllo sheets, 2 sheets at a time, brushing with butter.

So basically - 2 phyllo sheets then butter, another 2 sheets then butter again, 2 more sheets and butter, nut mixture and then repeat with dough.

If there is any remaining butter, pour it over the top.

Using a sharp serrated knife, cut through all layers into 2 inch diamonds or squares. This is very important, because you cannot cut it after it is baked, it will shatter.

Bake for 30 minutes. Reduce heat to 300F. Bake another 45-60 minutes.

During last 30 minutes of baking, combine in a saucepan:
1-1/3 cups sugar
1-1/3 cups water
1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Zest of one orange, removed in large strips (I omitted this)

Bring above mixture to a gentle boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Strain the hot syrup and pour over baklava right after you pull it out of the oven. Let cool completely, at least 4 hours at room temperature before serving.

Now, the modification I made was . . . . Way back in the summer, I posted a Rose Petal Jam recipe I had made. Well, you can use rosewater (I was out) in the syrup, so I thought hmmmmmm . . . why not. So after the syrup was done simmering, I stirred in 3 good spoonfuls of rose petal jam. This made the prettiest rose-pink syrup ever! It is not a really pronounced taste, but just a little, almost indefinable perfume. I also halved the recipe and used a smaller, 11 x 7 pan.

(The pink things on top are the rose petals from my jam)

I am going to try some next time with orange blossom water. Then I will definitely use the orange zest and lemon zest.

I had to laugh, I had the dough covered and my son was watching me - he said "so, the dough is light sensitive or what?"

Family Traditions

2008-12-23T15:07:00.005-06:00

We may not have a lot of real family-oriented traditions (we like to try lots of new things) but one of my traditions has been to make kolaches at Christmas time and share them.

Kolaches are a Czech or Slovak pastry - a kind of sweet roll - similar I guess to a Danish. They are so good, kind of flaky and buttery, with fruit filling. Sometimes I put on popsika - another name for struesel. Sometimes powdered sugar icing. Any which way I fix them, they are good. The reason I only make them once a year is they are rather labor intensive!

Where my Mom and Dad were born, there are a lot of people who are of Czech ancestry. My Dad's mother made THE best kolaches. Mine still are not as good as I remember hers tasting. After we had moved to Missouri, she would make some and freeze them for when we came to visit.

You can fill kolaches with many different fruit fillings. I usually do blueberry, cherry and apple. The traditional ones are prune, apricot and poppyseed (an acquired taste). Poppyseed is probably my favorite.

I usually make them right before Christmas and then take some to people at church. This year I sent a dozen with Honey to work.

Kolaches
Makes 3 dozen

This dough is definitely not traditional, but it is oh, so good. I really think Grandma would have approved!

1 package (4 oz, the big box) vanilla cook-n-serve pudding mix
1-1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup butter
2 packages yeast
1/2 cup warm water
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
5-5 1/2 cups flour

Make pudding as directed on box, but use only 1-1/2 cups milk. Remove from heat and stir in butter. Cool to lukewarm. Dissolve yeast in 1/2 cup warm water and stir into pudding mixture. Beat in the eggs and salt and add enough flour to make a soft dough. Turn out onto floured board and knead 10 minutes. The place in greased bowl and set in warm place until dough doubles in size. Pinch off balls of dough about the size of an egg and place on flat baking sheet, 1 dozen to a sheet. Take your fingers and gently pull the dough from the middle outwards to make a depression in the middle. Put in filling - not too much, about a scant tablespoon, maybe 2 teaspoons per roll. Let rise again until double. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool on rack.

For popsika:
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup flour
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
2 Tablespoons of melted butter

Combine all ingredients until the mixture resembles a coarse meal.

Sprinkle popsika over before putting in oven, if using.

If icing, let rolls cool, then drizzle with a simple powdered sugar icing. Solo sells the poppy seed filling - but it is an acquired taste apparently! Any good canned pie filling will do - but I make my own - these are a labor of love after all! I like to do a cheesecake one - about 2 oz. cream cheese, an egg yolk, little sugar and then some orange rind or mini chocolate chips.

Yes, I got my cherry filling a bit thin. But they are edible! For the brownish looking ones, I used Solo Almond filling, not almond paste, but a similar taste, just goopier! Very nice!

I love you Grandma!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-12-22T07:36:00.004-06:00

Go to The Simple Woman's Daybook to read the rest!

FOR TODAY December 22, 2008...

Outside my window... pale morning sunshine and Jack Frost visited during the night and painted some beautiful frost flowers on my storm window.

I am thinking... of how I wish that I did not have to work today.

I am thankful for... a warm house, good food to eat, Jesus in my life.

From the kitchen... Nice hot potato soup, John Wayne Specials, lemon curd, Berry shortbread dreams and Nutcracker Sweets.

I am wearing... my new fleece nightie and some long underwear bottoms, housieslippers.

I am creating... pomanders. I just love the smell of a pomander.

I am going... to go shopping early tomorrow morning. Stamps at the post office, go to the library, Aldi's, Country Mart and Wal-Mart.

I am reading...Not much, but I have some new Janette Oke books set aside for later this week.

I am hoping...that it will not be as cold today as it has been.

I am hearing... the space heater blowing from under my desk - blissful warmth.

Around the house... Not a lot, but the kitchen needs a good scrubbing.

One of my favorite things...is giving someone something - especially when they are not expecting it!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Today - work, bake cookies. Tomorrow - shopping, cleaning, baking. Wednesday - make roll dough, thaw ham, fix potatoes and refrigerate, make trifle custard. Thursday: Fix salad and bake ham and rolls. Assemble trifle. Relax! Friday: Last day of work for the company I work for now. YAY!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Cranberry Cake with Hot Butter Sauce
Serves 12

Cake:
2 cups all purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
2 cups fresh cranberries

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a 9 x 13 glass pan. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt in a small bowl. Combine butter and sugar in large bowl. Beat with a mixer on medium speed until well-blended. Add eggs. Add milk alternating with dry ingredients, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix well. Stir in cranberries. Transfer to baking pan. Bake 30 minutes.

Sauce:
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 cup cream or half-and-half
2 teaspoons vanilla

To make sauce, combine all ingredients in saucepan over medium-low heat and cook 10 minutes or until sugar is melted, stirring frequently. Pour hot sauce over cake.(Best to pour sauce over individual pieces of cake)

Could substitute blueberries, blackberries, raspberries or even cherries!

This is the cake I served at my Christmas Tea and everyone loved it. A very pretty presentation and I could eat the sauce with a spoon!

Christmas Joy

2008-12-18T08:38:00.003-06:00

Christmas should be a time of joy, of celebration, of love, of laughter. Not a time of hurry-scurry, of worry, of fret, of woe.

Why worry about keeping up with the Joneses? The Joneses may have lots of things, but they may not have the love that you share with your family. It is my observation that the more things a person has, the less happy they become.

In our house, we live by the KISS creedo - Keep It Simple, Stupid! We have learned to say no. We have learned that it feels great doing things for other folks - without expecting something in return. That takes the joy out of giving.

My home may not win any decorating contests, but it is decorated with love, laughter and joy. With peace and contentment. I may not have a huge tree with gifts spilling every-which way underneath - but I have hope that I will not live in this world forever.

I do like to make good things for the holidays and I usually bake up a storm.

These "cookies" are one of the most simple ones I have ever made! They are a copycat of the Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies.

Copycat Thin Mint Cookies

1 package (12 oz) mint chocolate chips
2 sleeves Ritz crackers

Melt chocolate over low heat. Dip crackers in melted chocolate on a fork, tapping to get excess off. Put on waxed paper (or foil) and pop in the fridge to harden up.

As you can see above, they are a favorite around here!

Soup - Again??

2008-12-16T08:43:00.004-06:00

Yes, I love soup. I am officially the soup Nazi! Mess with me and you will not get any soup at all! We have been having cold and snow here, so once I again I shifted into soup mode!

However, I had to go grocery shopping with Honey, so DS took over and he did quite a nice job, too! We ended up having to add some chicken broth as I forgot to tell him to only add 1/2 the bag of tortellini, but it was delicious, especially after slogging through the slush and snow and cold!

This is a super easy soup for a busy night!

Tortellini Meatball Soup
Serves 4-6

1 regular-sized jar marinara sauce
1 jar water
Frozen meatballs - as few or as many as you like
1/2 bag Barilla 3-cheese tortellini (or whatever kind you like) I used dried, but can use fresh also

Pour sauce in largish pan. Fill jar to same level with water, put lid on and shake well. Pour into pan and stir. Heat to almost bubbling, toss in meatballs and tortellini and cook until done - ours had to cook about 14 minutes or so. I thinned mine down with a can of chicken broth as we used the whole bag of tortellini.

He also made breadsticks with some frozen bread dough, brushed with butter and sprinkled with garlic powder, parmesan cheese and italian seasoning. Mmmmmmm!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-12-15T16:47:00.004-06:00

FOR TODAY December 15, 2008...

Outside my window... There is slush and sleet. Yich!

I am thinking... that I can't wait for Honey to get home so we can go to the pharmacy and get something for my ear - it is stopped up horribly.

I am thankful for... a God that provides for and even anticipates my every need.

From the kitchen... Tortellini Meatball Soup, Garlic Breadsticks, Pizzelle cookies and fudge!

I am wearing... Navy skirt, socks and tennis shoes, white T- shirt and gray pullover sweatshirt - it is cold here today!

I am creating... cookies and candies for our trays that we are giving to loved ones and friends this year.

I am going... to be starting a new job soon!!!! Actually my old job that I quit 2 years ago. But the company that I am with now has cut our wages for the second time in as many years and not only can I not afford the pay cut, but it is the principle of the thing - if someone is a skilled worker - I have 15 years experience - then do you keep cutting their wages and expect the same amount of work from them? In other words, if my years of experience and expertise mean nothing, then get Joe Blow in off the street and let him do it and see how you get by. Sorry for the rant!

I am reading... Doomwyte by Brian Jacques.

I am hoping... that my ear problem will be taken care of tonite.

I am hearing... not much, pretty quiet around here.

Around the house... not a lot, we did a good clean Friday and Saturday.

One of my favorite things... is hot tea. I just love a cuppa on a cold afternoon!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Today: Make cookies and fudge. Tomorrow: More cookies. Mail Christmas cards. Wednesday: Laundry. Thursday: More cookies and candy.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Black Bottom Cupcakes

1-1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
2 teaspoons vanilla

Combine first 5 ingredients in large bowl. Combine next 5 ingredients in small bowl. Pour wet ingredients into dry and mix well. Fill paper-lined muffin tins approximately 3/4 full - I got 18 cupcakes with this.

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips

Combine these ingredients until slightly lumpy. Spoon into center of chocolate batter in cups.

Bake 20-25 minutes. Let cool in pan 2 minutes and then remove.

Wednesday This-n-That

2008-12-10T09:02:00.004-06:00

Not sure what all I will put on here today . . . Just random things I guess.

We got SNOW last night! Only about 1/4 of an inch, but it was still snow. I was excited, if no one else was! It was so pretty coming down, big fluffy flakes.

This is taken on our back deck.

Dad just called and I guess we are going to cook our spiral-cut ham for Christmas. I was planning on a beef roast. That is ok, I can do the roast for New Year's. The sides I had planned for the roast will go well with the ham. So ham for Christmas and beef roast and chicken (ds does not eat beef) for New Year's.

I cannot find my Christmas cards! I put them somewhere and now I can't remember where! So frustrating. I hope I find them this next week or I will have to go and buy some - Ugh.

I have decided that whoever wallpapered this house was an idiot. I am talking overlap of 4-5 inches. And then wonder why the glue does not hold - DUH! I did manage to get one part of the loose border re-stuck down, working on the other part.

My poor husband doesn't know what to think. I cook all manner of things he is not used to eating. He does not care for squash unless it is summer squash. I love squash of all sorts. He does not like beans - I love them. It is funny, I can always tell when he doesn't care for something - he will eat it in big mouthfuls and eats it all, first thing. He will eat it, tho, brave boy. Last night I fixed this dish that I loved and Honey - well, he ate it in big mouthfuls first thing. I tried telling him how good dark orange veggies are for you but he said it was like having cowboys and indians in his stomach. I settled him down with a rhubarb cookie (recipe tomorrow).

Butternut Squash with Leeks and Bacon

1/2 of a small butternut squash, peeled and sliced fairly thin
a knob of butter
a handful of sliced leek
2 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
cajun seasoning or whatever you like
a bit of chicken broth

Melt butter in a skillet over medium-low heat. Fry squash, turning once. Season well. Toss leeks in towards the end and give everything a good stir. Pour a bit of chicken broth, maybe 1/3 cup or so over all and let it cook until almost totally gone. Top with crumbled bacon and serve.

Comforting

2008-12-09T16:23:00.003-06:00

There is just something about soup that is comforting. Hot, steaming in the bowl, it is just friendly. To slurp or not to slurp, that is the question! We eat a lot of soup when it is cold outside.

Today turned off quite cold, after being warmish yesterday. We are supposed to get some snow tonight, I can't wait!

We received a blessing this past weekend: Apparently one of the potato chip companies had refused some potatoes - not the right size or something, so they were giving them away. My Dad called and procured 350 pounds for the church. We have some widows, so that is great for them. We ended up with 20 pounds. I felt that potato soup was in order.

Country Style Leek and Potato Soup
Serves 2 hungry people or 3-4 not so hungry

2 nice leeks, washed and sliced
2 tablespoons butter
1-1/2 teaspoons flour
1-1/2 cans chicken broth
3-4 medium potatoes, diced
6 ounces kielbasa or smoked sausage, sliced or diced
Salt and pepper

Melt butter in heavy pan - saute leeks approximately 15 minutes. Sprinkle over flour and stir and cook about 2 minutes. Increase heat to high, whisk in chicken broth gradually. Add potatoes, reduce heat to medium and simmer, covered until potatotes are tender. Stir in kielbasa. Turn heat off and let pot stand 10 minutes. Season with salt (lightly) and pepper. Can add 1/2 cup of milk or so, I did. I served with rolls and butter. Would be good with some shredded cabbage tossed in, too.

This is great for people who are lactose-intolerant. I think it would be good for gluten intolerant, too, just leave the flour out or use rice flour.

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-12-08T10:02:00.003-06:00

FOR TODAY December 08, 2008...

Outside my window... it is gray and gloomy-looking. But there are several juncos and sparrows hopping around in my driveway.

I am thinking... that I would like to fast-forward to January. Not that I don't love Christmas, but it is discouraging to see how commercial it has all become.

I am thankful for... A God that loved me so much he made the ultimate choice and sacrifice for me.

From the kitchen... Leek and potato soup with sausage, black bottom cupcakes, lemon curd, double chocolate espresso cookies.

I am wearing... khacki skirt, flowered turtleneck, princess kitty socks and pink housieslippers.

I am creating... decorations for next Sunday's church Christmas dinner.

I am going... nowhere today if I can at all help it!

I am reading... not a lot, need to make a library run.

I am hoping... that I hear from the hospital this week.

I am hearing... silence - blissful silence.

Around the house... not a lot, we had a very productive day Saturday. I do need to go over the bathroom and sweep and mop the kitchen.

One of my favorite things... is popcorn. I just love to eat popcorn, no matter what the weather.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Today: clean bathroom. Finish thank you cards. Get devotional together. Tomorrow: Make venison burgers or meatloaf. Clean the bedrooms. Dig out Christmas cards and get sent! Wednesday: Clean my office. Straighten up basement. Thursday: Deep clean the kitchen. Friday: Clean the living room and do a little baking. Saturday: Christmas Tea at my house for the ladies of the church. Decorate church basement for Sunday. Sunday: Christmas dinner at the church.

Here is picture thought I am sharing . . .

Ain't they cute?

Peggy hosts this every week and it has really grown. Hop on over to The Simple Woman and take a look at everyone!

Devotional

2008-12-04T09:40:00.003-06:00

For Today...

Dear Lord,

I bring you my shortcomings... that I need to learn patience, even though it seems so very hard for me. I know that your time is not our time and for that I am thankful. I need to be more forgiving, not as critical and judgmental.

I bring you my worship and praise... I want to thank you for coming to this world to save me. You did not have to do that . . . yet you chose to. I praise you for knowing my thoughts before I form them.

I bring you my prayer... I thank you for answering prayer for me concerning my job - you are so AWESOME! I pray that your truth will spread throughout this nation, this world.

You spoke to me... in the pages of a book I read - The Happening - about the Nickel Mines School

Tee Hee

2008-12-01T12:40:00.002-06:00

I am a bit of a jokester . . . my top song is now Do You Hear What I Hear?

I am a transcriptionist. I make my living by hearing! And in the office we were always asking each other - are you hearing what I am hearing?

Just a lame joke from me!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-12-01T07:56:00.006-06:00

FOR TODAY December 01, 2008...

Outside my window... We have SNOW! not much, actually just a skiff but snow nonetheless! I am excited.

I am thinking... of how blessed I am to have a warm home, good food to eat, shoes on my feet and that I know who God is.

I am thankful for... the love of God that I feel in my heart.

From the kitchen... Frosted Rhubarb Cookies, Cetak's hot dogs, tator tots. We have venison chili to go over the hot dogs.

I am wearing... a pink-flowered nightie, pink robe, purple striped socks and pink housieslippers.

I am creating... my cookie list for Christmas and the Christmas tree.

I am going... not much of anywhere.

I am reading...The Happening - a book about the killing at the Amish School, written by one of the survivors.

I am hoping... that I will hear something on a new job today.

I am hearing... the heater blowing out warm air.

Around the house... not a lot, I do need to organize the closets.

One of my favorite things... is SNOW! I loved it yesterday, so pretty with the snow coming down. Snow can make the ugliest things beautiful, it softens the lines and covers the bad parts!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Get closets organized. Begin cookie baking. Mail the rest of my Christmas cards.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is from my uncle's house - my great uncles were quite the inventors. This was basically a homemade switchboard to run the electricity. One part of it is made from an old baking soda can, the gauge is from an old Ford car.

Our gracious host, Peggy, does this every week! Come and read all the rest at The Simple Woman's Daybook. It's great fun!

Traditions

2008-11-28T07:51:00.003-06:00

Every family has traditions. In our family, we have quite a few. Whenever we have Thanksgiving dinner, my brother always has to tell the story of my first Thanksgiving turkey. When he is done, then I do the explaining.

You see, my first Thanksgiving turkey was cooked by me - all by myself - at the ripe old age of 18. I was scared to death that the turkey would not be done - so I overcooked it a bit. It came out beautiful, deep golden brown - but it was very dry. However, no one got food poisoning from underdone turkey!

To hear him tell the story, as soon as we punctured the skin with a knife, the whole turkey deflated and turned to dust. And every slice of turkey soaked up a cup of gravy. How we had slices when the turkey had already turned to dust, I have no idea!

I have cooked many turkeys since then and have it perfected now!

Another tradition is going around the table, one-by-one and telling what we are thankful for.

One of my favorite traditional foods for Thanksgiving is sweet potatoes. My mom usually fixes some savory and I fix them sweet. This year she did them with leeks and bacon - ummy yummy! As soon as I get the recipe from her, I will pass it on to you! Today, though, I am going to give you my "recipe" for sweet potatoes. Sorry, no picture as they got left at Mom's!

Sweet Potatoes Raquel

3-4 pounds sweet potatoes, scrubbed and the ends cut off

Bake them in a 350F oven on a cookie sheet lined with foil (for easy cleanup) for about an hour, until good and done.

Take out of oven and let them cool. Slit them open and scrape out the flesh into a bowl. Mash it up good.

To the potatoes add:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice (or more to taste)
1/4 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup orange juice
Grated rind of one smallish orange
1/3 cup butter, diced

Mix that all up good. Place in a greased 11x7 pan. Cover with mini marshmallows and bake at 350 for 30 minutes or so, until marshmallows are good and brown.

This makes a goodly amount (we ended up with 13 at dinner yesterday) so decrease amounts to suit your taste. Also amounts are approximate as I do not measure - so to your taste! This can be made ahead to the point of adding the marshmallows and refrigerated. Just remember to take it out of the fridge at least an hour before you bake it.

The orange juice and orange rind were new this year and I quite like it!

So what are some of your traditions?

More Pie, please

2008-11-27T11:34:00.004-06:00

Well, you just never know. Last night, I was making my pecan pie when I happened to think - I've got peach pie filling in the freezer. I wonder . . . . and I had about 2 ounces of almond paste left-over from making my cookies. So, since I was in for a penny, in for a pound with the pie crust anyway, I went ahead and made two. You know, I took my time and they did not turn out half bad!

Anyway, thought I would share this peach pie "recipe" with you - more of a technique.

Peach Streusal Pie

Filling: (Enought for 4 pies)
9 pounds fresh peaches
2 teaspoons Fruit Fresh, (fruit preservative)
3 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons quick cooking tapioca
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt

Stir all together and freeze in 1-1/2 pint jars. Alternatively, freeze in pie tins lined with foil 4-5 cups per pan. (I am assuming here that you know how to scald the peaches, etc.)

Anyway . . . on the day you are making your pie, pull out your filling and let it thaw a bit. I stirred in about 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract.

Then make a single crust of your favorite pie dough and line a 9-inch pan with it.
Dump your filling in.

Streusal:
2 Tablespoons butter
2 ounces (give or take) almond paste
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup flour

These are approximate measurements! Mix your cinnamon, sugar and flour in a bowl. Cut in the butter and almond paste with a pastry cutter. Sprinkle over top of the pie filling. Bake around 40-45 minutes at 350F. Viola!

Thanksgiving Memories

2008-11-26T09:15:00.001-06:00

I love Thanksgiving. Oh, not just for the turkey, stuffing, cranberries and pumpkin pie. But for the camraderie of family, the hustle and bustle of getting everything ready and the joy - yes, joy - of preparing food for loved ones.

You see, to me it is an act of love to create a special dish for someone. I make homemade molasses spice cookies for my pastor - they are his favorite. I have not made yet - but will - chicken fried steak for my Honey - it is his favorite. I like to find out what someone likes and make it. It gives me joy in the making, knowing that they will really like it and appreciate it - because it is their favorite.

I love our tradition of going around the table and telling what we are thankful for, one-by-one.

I love the idea that people all over this vast country are doing the same thing we are - giving thanks - on this day.

I love left-over turkey for sandwiches, ho yes!

I love not having to work, being able to relax and enjoy the day - well, mostly, I do have to work this year.

I love having traditional foods - turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, green beans, homemade rolls with real butter, cranberry sauce, stuffing, pumpkin pie. We usually throw in something a little different, too. This year we are doing 7-layer salad, cherry pie, apple pie and pecan pie. Sometimes we have corn and oysters - gack! - or maybe a relish tray, some green goop.

My mom usually does the pumpkin pie and this year she volunteered to do cherry - my Honey's favorite - and apple as well. Dad's favorite, however, is pecan. I love it too, so I volunteered to do it. I got some very nice pecans this weekend when we were visiting in St. Louis. I really do not know why most people fear making pecan pie, it is EASY! Except for the pie crust - you all know how I am with pie crust! I am also making the sweet potatoes, so I will share those with you later. Thus, without further ado . . .

(mind you, pictures will come later)

Pecan Pie

1 cup Karo Light OR Dark Corn Syrup
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups (6 ounces) pecans
1 (9-inch) unbaked deep-dish pie crust

Stir first 5 ingredients together in bowl. Stir in pecans, being sure to coat each one. Pour into pie shell.
Bake at 350F for 55-60 minutes. Cool for at least 2 hours before serving.

It is that easy. Serve with pride to those you love.

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-11-24T11:12:00.003-06:00

FOR TODAY November 24, 2008...

Outside my window...Beautiful sunshine and a blue cloudless sky.

I am thinking... that I am glad that I have a humble home where happiness dwells!

I am thankful for... Parents that came to the rescue. No sooner had we started out to St. Louis Friday evening - a 4 hour drive- than the car started making a funny noise. Honey looked at it and said - I think I can fix it when we get to your Mom and Dad's - a 10 minute drive. Come to find out, it was much more extensive than he thought - so Mom and Dad let us borrow their car. Whew!

From the kitchen... cheesy double-decker tacos tonight, venison tenderloin tomorrow, teriyaki chicken for Wednesday.

I am wearing... Purple turtleneck, cream sweater, pink poodle socks, pink housieslippers, navy skirt.

I am creating... Christmas cards!

I am going... to go to Aldi's tonight when Honey gets home.

I am reading... not much right now.

I am hoping... that Honey's new boots will help his feet.

I am hearing... not much, very quiet around here.

Around the house... laundry and vacuuming.

One of my favorite things... is Steak and Shake - I know, my bad!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Put new comforter set on bed today, finish up christmas cards and mail, rake leaves.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is just me!

If you like reading these, hop on over to The Simple Woman and make your own!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-11-17T09:19:00.004-06:00

FOR TODAY November 17, 2008...

Outside my window... Bright sunshine, blue sky with a few horse-tail clouds

I am thinking... of what to wear this weekend (we are going to visit the in-laws)

I am thankful for... a warm home to live in.

From the kitchen... Pancakes and sausage, potato patties

I am wearing... black skirt, cream turtle-neck, pink socks, blue housieshoes

I am creating... cookies to take to St. Louis this weekend

I am going... to enjoy having a couple of days off to relax and be with family

I am reading... I Kings - Solomon and Elijah

I am hoping... that I can find a nice comforter set for our bed this weekend - fairly cheap!

I am hearing... the washing machine whirring

Around the house... kitchen floors to be swept and mopped, bathroom to be cleaned

One of my favorite things... is baking cookies - just something about shaping the dough, baking it and then sharing them with someone - bliss!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Today: Call house insurance, vacuum, do dark laundry. Tuesday: Mail package to Marie, laundry, bake molasses cookies. Wednesday: Make vegetable soup for church dinner, also make cheesecake bars for same. Thursday: Dusting, clean out car. Bake bread and cookies. Friday: Vacuum, pack.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Before

After

Honey said I would never be able to fit it all in there! I did have to do a bit of fancy shuffling, some of the books you see in the case in the first picture have now moved to my office. These are my cookbooks - most of them!

This daybook is hosted by Peggy at The Simple Woman. There are around 200 women who participate. Join in!

Settling In

2008-11-14T09:27:00.003-06:00

There are a lot of things to do in a new house. Not to mention all of the cleaning, but there are just things that have to be done. Furniture has to be arranged. Curtains have to be hung. Drawers have to be organized, as do cabinets. Windows may have to be fixed - we had 4 (storm windows)!

Then, when all the flurry is over, you can pause - Ahhhh! that is more like it! Got a nice, comfy home. Very quiet (except for the muffled "Poom, Poom" of the hunter's guns in the wetland). The cat has finally settled and decided he LIKES being the only cat in the house (he can have his pick of the laps now). The kitchen is finally organized so you feel like cooking something other than frozen pizza and fish sticks. It has been nippy, so the furnace is on, making the house nice and warm.

A routine has been established - I get up first and put coffee on, make Honey's lunch and fix him breakfast. He gets up a little later, but he makes the bed. Then I do my Bible reading while he eats and we discuss it afterwards and pray for our day. Our weekends have been busy, so we have yet to have a good Saturday breakfast, but that is coming, too.

We have things I would like - a dishwasher for one - but that can wait. For now, we are settled in!

I did manage to make these muffins one Saturday. Ummy, ummy good.

Cranberry Sour Cream Muffins

Makes 12

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg, Slightly Beaten
3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup milk (I had to add at least another 1/4 cup)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups raw cranberries, Chopped
1/2 cup sugar

Sift together flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking soda and salt into bowl. Combine egg, sour cream, milk and oil in small bowl; blend well. Add all at once to dry ingredients, stirring just enough to moisten. Combine cranberries and 1/2 cup sugar; stir into batter. Spoon batter into greased muffin cups, filling equally. Bake in 375°F oven 20 minutes or until golden brown.

These reheat well in the microwave. These were perfect with scrambled eggs and bacon, served with coffee and orange juice!

Home, Sweet Home

2008-11-12T09:36:00.003-06:00

I promised some pictures of my new home so . . . .

Kitchen counter with my canisters

Dining room wall - we were shopping at a Mennonite store and saw this sign - we both said "Oh, I like that" - so we bought it - we are truly blessed

My messy, messy desk

One of the walls in my office

Bittersweet on the front door

I will be posting more pictures later on . . . .

Just wanted all of my readers to know that I really appreciate them! We have been rushed for dinners some nights around here, so I wanted to share one of the better ones we have had lately.

Sweet-n-Spicy Sausage and Rice

Serves 4

1 lb Little Smokies - or sliced smoked sausage
1 jar sweet-n-sour sauce - I used La Choy
A handful of chopped green and red peppers
1 small onion, sliced (optional)
1 (8 oz) can tidbit pineapple, drained
1/4 teaspoon (or more if you like it spicier) crushed red pepper flakes
Cooked rice

Bung all of the above in a small crockpot - I used my 1-1/2 quart - and turn it on high for 2 hours or so. Serve hot over rice.

Easy peasy and even my picky DS liked it!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-11-10T10:05:00.003-06:00

FOR TODAY November 10, 2008...

Outside my window... Gray skies, nothing but gray skies . . . The leaves have almost all dropped and I think it wants to rain

I am thinking... of how great and awesome our God is!

I am thankful for... a beautiful home.

From the kitchen... Homemade potato-sausage soup, molasses spice cookies

I am wearing... Navy skirt, gray t-shirt, blue sweater, purple and white socks and blue housieshoes

I am creating... a very fun package for my 'Zaar Christmas Swap partner!

I am going... to the bank and the postoffice at noon.

I am reading... Heidi - I love that book.

I am hoping... for a good week at work.

I am hearing... not much, very quiet around here.

Around the house... Laundry and finishing sorting out kitchen utensils.

One of my favorite things... is roses - I like pictures of roses, I like the smell of roses, I like roses!

A few plans for the rest of the week: Today - laundry and kitchen. Tue - finish putting up pics. Wed - church. Thu - Do some baking. Fri - Make soups and home-made rolls.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

My tired Honey with our kitty!

This is such fun to do every Monday - hop on over to The Simple Woman and take a look at everyone else's daybook!

In Love

2008-11-07T14:20:00.002-06:00

I know, I know - how boring, eh?

Well, let me tell you. When I married my Honey, I cannot say that I was madly, crazy in love with him. Not the knock you down, can't live without them for one second, jealous type of love. Not at all. But my love has grown. And I think that is the best way to go - constantly discovering new things about each other - and delighting in one another. I am happier now than I think I have ever been in my life. Because I put God in the center. If we focus on Him, everything else just falls in place. Like that last piece in a jigsaw puzzle, he makes the picture complete. I now have a comfortable, fulfilling love.

This is a poem I came by on the Internet a while back - it pretty much says how I feel. No idea who wrote it, so if you did - thank you a million times - from the bottom of my heart.

Woman

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being.
When I created man, I formed him and breathed into his nostrils.
But you, Woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate.

I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you.
Man was put to sleep so he could not interfere with the creativity.

From one bone I fashioned you.
I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do.
Around this bone I shaped you.
I molded you.
I created you perfectly.
Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile.
You provide protection for the most delicate organ in a man... his heart.
His heart is the center of his belonging; his lungs hold the breath of life.
The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart.
Support the man as the rib cage supports the body.

You were not taken from his feet to be under him, nor were you taken from his head to be above him.
You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side.

Your lips, how lovely when they part in prayer.
Your nose, so perfect in form; your hand so gentle to touch.
I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep; I've held your heart close to mine.

Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, and yet he was lonely.
He could not see me or touch me.
He could only feel me.

So everything I wanted Adam to experience with me, I fashioned in you: my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love; my protection and support.

You are special because you are an extension of me.

Man represents My image...
...Woman, my emotions.

Together you represent the totality of Me.

So man, treat woman well.
Love her and respect her, for she is fragile.
In hurting her, you hurt Me.
What you do to her, you do to Me.
In crushing her, you only damage your own heart, the heart of your Father, and the heart of her Father.

Woman, support man.
In humility, show him the power of emotion I have given you.
In gentle quietness, show your strength.
In love, show him you are the rib that protects his inner self.

That poem just speaks volumes, don't you think?

You know, those we love will not always be with us. These earthly vessels fail - all part of God's plan - some fail sooner than others. So while you still have your loved ones - LOVE them. Always. No matter what. TELL them you love them. SHOW them you love them. Because one day, you won't be able to.

The Great Pumpkin

2008-11-05T08:36:00.003-06:00

I have always liked Linus. You know, the little character from the Peanuts comic strip, who believes in the Great Pumpkin. I guess I kinda feel sorry for Linus, what with Snoopy always stealing his blankie and Lucy being so mean to him.

Anyway, Linus believes in the Great Pumpkin. Kind of a substitute for Santa, just earlier. Even though the Great Pumpkin never appears, he keeps waiting every year. How faithful! He even convinces (or bribes) Snoopy into waiting for the Great Pumpkin with him. Just as we should take our faith and never let it go, always sharing it with others.

The comics are my favorite part of the newspaper. There is so much sorrow and strife in the real news that sometimes I like a little bit of escape.

Hmmmm . . . kinda like this dessert. It is ever-so-easy and gets gobbled up in no time. Much easier than making pumpkin pie (no crust)!

The Great Pumpkin Crunch

1 can (16 oz) pumpkin
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
3 eggs
1-1/2 cups sugar
4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (18 oz) yellow cake mix
1 stick butter, cubed into small bits

Grease a 9 x 13 pan. Preheat oven to 350 F.

Mix first 6 ingredients in bowl until smooth. Pour into pan. Sprinkle dry cake mix over top and then scatter butter evenly over that. DO NOT STIR! You can add chopped pecans if you wish. Bake for 50-55 minutes until golden brown. Best served warm with real whipped cream or Cool Whip.

Very fallish!

If this post is a bit rambling, please excuse - I worked as an election judge yesterday - 14 hours of sitting in a chair. I about went stir crazy!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-11-03T08:14:00.004-06:00

This is my daybook, I am sure you would love to read the others. They can be found at The Simple Woman. Go on over and take a look!

FOR TODAY November 03, 2008...

Outside My Window... there is gorgeous fall color - bronze oaks, red maples, yellow maples, orange, burgundy. The trees here have finally gotten pretty. There is even a bit of green left!

I am thinking... of how blessed I am. God has been truly good to me, I have such an abundance of love in my life!

I am thankful for... a husband who irons. I absolutely hate to iron anything - so he does the ironing for me!

From the kitchen... Roast chicken, boiled potatoes with butter, broccoli and cheese, mocha-chip coffee cake.

I am wearing... my big fuzzy fleece teddybear robe. I practically live in this thing during the winter. And, of course, my housieslippers!

I am creating... fleece tie blankets for the grandsons. "Cars" movie characters for Dillon and Spiderman for Austin.

I am going... to be an election judge tomorrow! I had applied in August and now tomorrow I will find out what it is all about.

I am reading... The Heretic Queen. All about Nefertari.

I am hoping... that tomorrow will not be too busy.

I am hearing... the fan running in DS's room.

Around the house... don't get me started! However, my project for today (besides working 8 hours and fixing dinner) is to get the bathroom cabinet sorted. And the curtains put up in my office.

One of my favorite things... is kitty kisses. When your cat looks at you kinda sleepy like and they blink their eyes - that is a kitty kiss. My kitty kisses me a lot!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Tomorrow - at the polls. Wednesday - hook up my printer and finish sorting my office. Thursday - get paperwork at bank taken care of, change driver's license, laundry. Friday - finish sorting out kitchen cabinets.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is the baby blanket I made for my niece. We had her baby shower Saturday evening. She is expecting a girl - finally. She has 2 boys already. I thought this would be a little girlie - but not too much. So soft and warm.

I would like to thank everyone for being patient with me during my absence. I have been around, just so *ahem* busy. Things are getting back to normal now, we finally have the living room curtains up!

I'm back - finally

2008-10-16T19:13:00.004-05:00

Well, the wedding went off without a hitch. Well, actually Keith flubbed a few of his lines and my throat was so dry I squeaked. Gorgeous day, everything in place, God really blessed. I aplogize, but I do not have the pictures of the actual wedding yet, they are not back from the photographer. All I have are pictures of the reception and the food! Here are some of them . . .

The food was old-fashioned fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans fixed with onion and tomato and mushrooms, rolls and peach cobbler that just melted in your mouth! We had coffee, ice water and iced tea to drink. Instead of nuts and mints, we had mix - salted peanuts, candy corn, M&Ms and rasins.

OUr table

The blushing bride? This is an absolutely horrible picture of me, I am very un-photogenic!

DS- in dress clothes!

The tables - I thought they turned out really cute

The punch bowl

The cake - oh so good and very pretty!

Keith's family - on left from front to back - His mom, his brother and SIL On right - his uncle, aunt and his sister

My aunt Naomi, uncle Charlie, niece Bobbi Jo and neice Stacy

I would like to thank everyone so much for your patience and for all of your good wishes. They were much appreciated. I wish everyone could have been there to help me celebrate!

I'm still here

2008-10-09T10:15:00.001-05:00

Still hanging around. Just thought I would pop in and say hello to all of my blog friends. I would like to thank everyone for their good wishes and for their patience with me during this busy time. Love y'all!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-10-06T09:17:00.007-05:00

Happy Monday, everyone! Hop on over to The Simple Woman and check out what everyone else is doing today!

FOR TODAY October 06, 2008...

Outside My Window... Weak sunshine of an autumn mid morning. Dry leaves, curled and dusty scattered on the patio.

I am thinking... of how nice it would be to go back to bed! I am a sleepy head today. We had a hard weekend, working on the new house. Almost done cleaning, then comes the sorting and unpacking.

I am thankful for...family that are willing to help. My oldest brother helped us move all day Saturday and my parents and son have been a big help over the whole weekend. My honey's uncle helped out, too. My next oldest brother called asking what he could do to help.

From the kitchen... cube steak, fried summer squash (farmer's market) and corn on the cob (farmer's market). Banana cream cake for dessert. The rest of the week we are having sandwhiches or whatever is easiest.

I am wearing... khaki skirt, princess kitty socks with blue housieslippers (my oldest pink ones finally gave up the ghost) and my Mizzou hoodie.

I am creating... favors for the wedding. Almost done! Then boutinnere and my veil.

I am going... to be taking my time unpacking and sorting. I never realized I had so much junk!

I am reading... not a lot these days, too busy. I do try to squeeze in my daily bible reading tho.

I am hoping...that everything goes smoothly on Saturday.

I am hearing...not much, pretty quiet around here. There is a big frog croaking out in the back yard.

Around the house... LAUNDRY! PACKING! Everything else is good, just little touchups here and there.

One of my favorite things...is the smell of a baby fresh from the bath, when you can snuggle them.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: today - pack up things in my room. Tomorrow - finish hauling things out of shed, stove repairman here, finish cleaning at house. Wednesday - VA Hospital in Columbia with Mom and Dad. Thursday - work, any touchup cleaning, make veil. Friday - unpack and sort.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

My bouquet - not quite done yet, but getting there

Favors - the tag will say: Here's a hug and a few kisses from the new Mr. and Mrs. Keith and Raquel October 11, 2008

Hope everyone has a great week! I may be spotty getting on here, but I will be back next week for sure!

Busy, Busy, Busy

2008-10-03T10:10:00.003-05:00

Sorry that I have been so neglectful here lateley. We have been transferring utilities, closing on the house (this afternoon) preparing to move, getting ready to shampoo carpets, in between working full time and making my veil and bridal bouquet, getting things together for favors and punch and . . . . .You just name it, we are doing it.

I am afraid that next week is not going to be much better, I work Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday take off at 0'dark 30 to take Mom and Dad up to Columbia to the VA Hospital for check ups, dentist apt, and Mom is having an echocardiogram. Then I work Thursday and Friday I will be moving, unpacking and generally going insane. Boy, does that ever sound like fun!

I am giving you today the recipe for my punch. My cake is going to be white with fall-colored roses - just a 2 tier, no topper, the top covered with roses in fall colors - burgundy, yellow, orangey-pink, then clusters of roses spaced out along the sides. We are doing the tables with yellow tablecloths, mini pumpkins and fall confetti and leaves. We are having dinner catered in, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls and peach cobbler. We are having punch, coffee and iced tea. (I know, sounds kinda like a country hick wedding - wait, IT IS a country hick wedding!) Instead of the de'rigeur mints and nuts, we are putting out my autumn mix - peanuts, candy corn, M&Ms and raisins in leaf-shaped candy dishes. I just want everything to be relaxed, not fussy.

Delightful Punch
35 servings

2 (12 oz) cans frozen orange juice concentrate, undiluted, thawed
1 (12 oz) can frozen apple juice concentrate, undiluted, thawed
1 (10-20 oz) can frozn Bacardi fuzzy navel mix, undiluted, thawed
2 (46 oz) cans pineapple juie, chilled
2 (16 ounce) cans orange soda
3 liters Ginger ale
4 cups vanilla ice cream or orange sherbet

In large punch bowl, mix all juices together. Add orange soda, ginger ale and ice cream just before serving.

I am using a mix of vanilla ice cream and orange sherbet to make it interesting. Should taste kind of like a dreamsicle.

That said, I will not be posting until at least Monday again! Love ya 'all!

I Know My God Can Do It!

2008-10-01T14:04:00.002-05:00

God is so good, he's so good to me! We had a bit of a scare yesterday . . . we were approved for our loan on the house, but with the financial situation, the bank was out of money. Whoa - we get married in 10 days! They had said it might be two weeks - meanwhile the real estate company would not hold the house - if someone came along with ready money, bam, it was gone.

Immediately feelings of fear, doubt and depression came on me. That is Satan's arsenal. If he can get you to doubt yourself, or doubt God, he wins. He especially likes to get you doubting God - divide and conquer technique.

I just began to pray. I put everything in my Father's strong, capable hands. You see, my God is a miracle worker. Has been for over 2000 years. I knew that whatever his will was, that was what would happen. I had a deep-seated peace about the whole thing.

This afternoon, my miracle came. My Honey called and we got it. We close Friday. God came thru! May not seem like a miracle to some folks, but it is to me. With the world financial situation, anything could have happened.

II Timothy Chapter 1
7: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Psalms Chapter 15
4: In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

Psalms Chapter 27
1: The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalms chapter 34
4: I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
7: The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

I John Chapter 4
18: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Mark Chapter 4
40: And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?

If Satan tries to smite you with fear, just pray the promises that I have given you above. They will give you strength and faith!

God Has Good Taste

2008-09-30T09:42:00.002-05:00

I mentioned a while back that I would like to take my blog in a little different direction. I will still be sharing the recipes, but I want to add a little more spiritual element in. So here goes.

Taste
1. To distinguish the flavor of by taking into the mouth.
2. To eat or drink a small quantity of.
3. To partake of, especially for the first time; experience.
4. To perceive as if by the sense of taste.

1. To distinguish flavors in the mouth.
2. To have a distinct flavor: The stew tastes salty.
3. To eat or drink a small amount.
4. To have experience or enjoyment; partake
1.
a. The sense that distinguishes the sweet, sour, salty, and bitter qualities of dissolved substances in contact with the taste buds on the tongue.
b. This sense in combination with the senses of smell and touch, which together receive a sensation of a substance in the mouth.
2.
a. The sensation of sweet, sour, salty, or bitter qualities produced by or as if by a substance placed in the mouth.
b. The unified sensation produced by any of these qualities plus a distinct smell and texture; flavor.
c. A distinctive perception as if by the sense of taste: an experience that left a bad taste in my mouth.
3. The act of tasting.
4. A small quantity eaten or tasted.
5. A limited or first experience; a sample:
6. A personal preference or liking: a taste for adventure.
7.
a. The faculty of discerning what is aesthetically excellent or appropriate.
b. A manner indicative of the quality of such discernment: a room furnished with superb taste.
8.
a. The sense of what is proper, seemly, or least likely to give offense in a given social situation.
b. A manner indicative of the quality of this sense.
9. Obsolete The act of testing; trial.

tasta·ble adj.
Synonyms: taste, flavor, relish, savor, tang1
These nouns denote a quality that can be perceived by the taste buds on the tongue: the salty taste of anchovies; the pungent flavor of garlic; the zesty relish of the salsa; the savor of rich chocolate; the fresh tang of lemonade

Noun
1. the sense by which the flavour of a substance is distinguished by the taste buds
2. the sensation experienced by means of the taste buds
3. a small amount eaten, sipped, or tried on the tongue
4. a brief experience of something: a taste of the planter's life
5. a liking for something: a taste for puns
6. the ability to appreciate what is beautiful and excellent: she's got very good taste in clothes
7. a person's typical preferences as displayed by what they choose to buy, enjoy, etc.: the film was good but a bit violent for my taste
8. the quality of not being offensive or bad-mannered: that remark was in rather poor taste
Verb
[tasting, tasted]
1. to distinguish the taste of (a substance) by means of the taste buds: I've got a stinking cold and can't taste anything
2. to take a small amount of (a food or liquid) into the mouth, esp. in order to test the flavour
3. to have a flavour or taste as specified: the pizza tastes delicious
4. to have a brief experience of (something): they have tasted democracy and they won't let go [Old French taster]

All of the above pertain to taste. One word - many different meanings. There are many verses that talk about taste in the Bible.

Jonathan, Saul's son, was almost killed for a taste of honey. Hmmmm . . . wonder what just a "taste" of sin will do for us?

Psalms 34:8
O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

To me this says it all!

Psalms 119:103
How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Don't know about you, but I like honey!

Exodus Chapter 16
"12": I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.

"13": And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host.

"14": And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground.

"15": And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat.

"31": And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.

Just think - no baking, nothing except to gather it like the Lord said. It is interesting to contrast this passage with the next one. In the first it was wafers made with honey. Then it goes to the taste of fresh oil. Don't know about you, but I would rather taste honey than oil. No murmuring, no complaining - eat your manna!Do you really want to go back to being a slave - just to have things that may "taste" good? Not me. I would rather have my freedom and eat manna every day than to have the things that may look good now, but have to be a slave - to not even own yourself? No contest for me!

Numbers chapter 11
4": And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?

"5": We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick:

"6": But our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.

"7": And the manna was as coriander seed, and the colour thereof as the colour of bdellium.

"8": And the people went about, and gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in a mortar, and baked it in pans, and made cakes of it: and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil.

Not only that, but they were not satisfied with just eating manna. They ground it up, beat it up, baked it, seethed it - are we changing in anyway the gospel of God? Do you search for justification of your lifestyle in the scriptures? We should not add to OR take away from the word of God.

Song of Solomon Chapter 2
3": As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.

Is your sweetheart sweet to your taste? Or does everything he does irritate you, make you cranky, crabby. Maybe we should try being a little sweeter to his taste!

I Peter Chapter 2
"1": Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

"2": As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

"3": If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

"4": To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

"5": Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ

Our Lord is indeed gracious - always, constantly forgiving us.

I pray that everyone who reads this will desire a fresh taste of the Lord!

Now - for my taste - I totally apologize for no pics, but this was snarfed up as soon as I set it out!

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

9 medium sized potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 can chicken broth (I used low-sodium)
4 oz. butter
5 fat cloves of garlic
splash of half and half
1/2 cup sour cream

Put potatoes in a pot and pour chicken broth over them. Boil them until good and tender. DO NOT DRAIN! While your potatoes are cooking, melt butter in a small skillet. Mince garlic and add to butter, let brown slightly. Pour half and half, garlic butter and sour cream into potatoes. Mash up, but leave slightly chunky. You can either serve immediately or pop in crock pot to keep warm for a few hours. (I made these before church and this worked fab) Salt and pepper to taste.

When serving, top with chopped chives. This is a rough recipe, use more or less of ingredients to taste.

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-09-29T10:08:00.004-05:00

Here, once again, is the meme that Peggy at The Simple Woman puts together every Monday. Come share your thoughts!

FOR TODAY September 29, 2008...

Outside My Window... There is weak sunshine filtering through the clouds that are covering the sky. A cold front is supposed to be moving in today. There are dead, crunchy leaves on the ground.

I am thinking... of how grateful I am for God's blessings in my life.

I am thankful for... Cheese! I was able to get to the cheese store again this weekend! Only got some provolone and smoked swiss, but they also had peach Nehi!

From the kitchen... Making candied rose petals and green tomato mincemeat later this evening. For supper, baked fish fillets, sweet potato and steamed broccoli.

I am wearing... black skirt, 9-11 tee, blue sweater and pink housieslippers.

I am creating... my bridal bouquet! Bridal favors. My bridal veil.

I am going... to be very busy this week - we should close on the house either tomorrow or wednesday and then we need to shampoo carpets before moving any furniture in.

I am reading... not a lot at the mo'.

I am hoping... that God will comfort my honey. His Dad passed away this weekend. He had been in a nursing home and had Alzheimer's, but 2 months ago they put him in Hospice, so we knew it was only a matter of time.

I am hearing... nothing, it is remarkably quiet.

Around the house... loads to do - laundry mostly and I still have not conquered the filing cabinet!

One of my favorite things...wedding cakes.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Finish filing cabinet. Probably shampoo carpets at new house and move a bunch of things. Get green tomato mincemeat made and candy rose petals. Finish shopping for wedding.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Armour

2008-09-25T09:47:00.003-05:00

We had a great Bible Study last night. My honey gave it and he is so good abour bringing things out!

Ephesians, chapter 6 KJV

"11": Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

"12": For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

"13": Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

"14": Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

"15": And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

"16": Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

"17": And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

"18": Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

II Corinthians Chapter 6 KJV

7": By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left

Romans Chapter 13,KJV

11": And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

"12": The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

"13": Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

From reading these verses, it appears to me that if we put that armour on, we are to walk forwards. I don't think we better turn around, turn our back on God. Because it doesn't say anything about our backside being covered. You can defend with a sword and a shield - from the front and to either side, even overhead. But not behind you. So if you turn tail and run from the enemy, he can smote you from behind. God has given us that armour - so put it on! Walk forwards, be courageous.

I would like to encourage each and everyone who reads this blog. No matter what your task is, what your issue is, God can handle it. We are talking about the author and creator here, who hung the stars in the heavens, measured the waters of the earth in the hollow of his hand - and you think he can't help you? Don't tell God how big your storm is - he already knows - tell that storm how big your God is and watch it run!

May God richly bless everyone today!

AND THE WINNER IS . . . . . . . .

2008-09-25T09:42:00.001-05:00

Country Lady! Come on down, You are the winner!

I had DS pick a number between 1-24 and he picked 16. You Win!!!

E-mail me your address and I will pop your package in the mail tomorrow.

Thanks to everyone who commented, I wish I had enough to send you all something!

A fall Giveaway!

2008-09-24T11:39:00.002-05:00

Pat is having a giveaway over at Pat's Place.

She is a super sweet gal and I really enjoy her blog. Hop on over and check it out, I am sure that you will love her as much as I do.

Little Green Peas

2008-09-24T09:41:00.003-05:00

In autumn, there is nothing more comforting than soup. On a cool day, with a breeze nipping at your nose, how good it is to come in to a warm house and smell a pot of soup bubbling! Add to that some homemade bread slathered with fresh butter and a tall glass of iced tea or milk?

I promised lots of soup recipes this fall and winter! There is something just wholesome about soup. You don't have to worry about cutting it. It will stay warm and not lose its texture. It reheats wonderfully and is often better the next day. You can incorporate left-overs into soup and often no-one will notice. It is nourishing for your body. It is good for those on a diet - fills you up sooner. The varieties are nearly endless - you can mix and match to suit your tastes. Substitutions are so easy to live with!

When my son was little, his favorite vegetable was peas. He would pick them up, one by one, smoosh them and then eat them. Occasionally he would offer someone else one - no thanks! While I am not overly fond of peas (especially smooshed) I do like split pea soup.

I made this the other day and we had it hot with bread and butter - MMMMMM.

Split Pea Soup

Approximatley 3 quarts of water - can use low-sodium chicken broth
Ham bone or package of ham hocks
bay leaf
coarse ground pepper
14 oz. split peas (green or yellow, I prefer green)
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
olive oil
2 medium onions chopped
3 medium carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 fat cloves of garlic, minced
2-3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced

Place ham bone or hocks in soup pot. Add water and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 1-2 hours. (I added some ham bullion, too)

Remove bone from pot and let cool. If there is any meat on it, dice and reserve. Discard bone - or if you have a dog, give it to them. Add split peas and thyme to pot. Simmer for 30 minutes. Uncover pot and simmer 15 minutes more. Add potatoes to pot. Simmer another 15 minutes or so.

Saute vegs in olive oil (I used a combo of oil and butter) until they are good and caramelized. Add garlic at the end to avoid burning it. Add vegetables and ham to soup pot and simmer 10-15 minutes.

You can also puree this soup before adding the ham, add 1 cup of whipping cream, serve with a dollop of sour cream and you have potage St. Germain. I really like it that way! Leeks are a great addition to split pea soup, they have such a depth of flavor. Also a bit of diced turnip, or some diced tomatoes, drained. I like to add some shredded cabbage in with my other vegs to saute.

Tomorrow - Giveaway time!

Sweet, oh, Sweet

2008-09-23T09:46:00.008-05:00

We are having a pretty good week here. The weather has been just gorgeous - cool at night and warm during the day, but not hot. The leaves are starting to turn!

We went for a walk the other night on the Katy Trail and saw 2 snakes. Scared me silly! I hate snakes anyway and one I was sure was a baby copperhead. I looked on the internet tho and I think it was a corn snake. The other one was just a king snake I think.

We had a nice walk anyhow, crunching through the fallen leaves. I love autumn, when things seem to go into suspended animation some days, like they could stretch on forever and ever, like cosmic taffy.

The figs are finally starting to ripen. Although, we only have 2 on the tree. Last year we had loads! Oh, well.

After our walk, we came back and had a little sweet treat. I found this fab recipe for scones in my new Cooking for 2 magazine by TOH. Of course, I could not leave it alone, so it has my twist on it! I had baked them before we left and frosted them when we got back.

Caramel Apple Scones

1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 Tablespoons brown sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons cold butter
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons half-and-half
1 egg yolk
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2/3 cup shredded peeled apple

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Mix first 5 ingredients in bowl. Cut in butter. Mix egg yolk with half-and-half and vanilla in measuring cup. Toss apple with flour mixture. Stir in egg mixture. Turn on floured surface, knead 10 times (my dough was really sticky). Pat out and cut as you like - wedges, bars, etc. Bake 15-20 minutes. Cool. Frost with caramel frosting.

Original recipe called for drizzling with caramel ice-cream topping, but I like this frosting better.

Caramel frosting

1 tablespoon butter
1-1/2 Tablespoons half-and-half
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Melt butter, half-and-half and brown sugar in pan. Boil vigorously 1 minute. Remove from heat and beat in 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar. Cool slightly and beat in remaining sugar and vanilla. (I had to add just a bit more sugar) Frost scones.

Don't forget . . . only 2 more days until the giveaway!

Simple Woman's Daybook

2008-09-22T09:21:00.004-05:00

This is a fun meme that Peggy puts together every week over at The Simple Woman. Take a peek at what everyone else is up to!

FOR TODAY September 22, 2008...

Outside My Window...Bright sunshine, cool breeze.

I am thinking... of simplifying my life. Get a little more basic, it has gotten a little cluttered with things.

I am thankful for...the vast deepness of God. There are so many depths to be explored.

From the kitchen... For lunch - left over spagetti and garlic bread or split pea and ham soup. For supper, broiled pork steak, green chili polenta, steamed broccoli, strawberry cupcakes. I will be making some caramel apple scones later.

I am wearing... Navy skirt, red t-shirt and my housieslippers.

I am creating...my bridal bouquet and veil. I found the perfect suit (on sale!), in a burnt orange color (yes, I will look like a big pumpkin!) I am going to have fall mums and leaves in my bouquet and I found the perfect gauzy material for my veil! God is great!

I am going... not much of anywhere this week, need to go grocery shopping!

I am reading... The book of Ruth. No matter how many times I read it, I always love it!

I am hoping...that we can close on our house this week - they said maybe Friday!

I am hearing... Mom and brother discussing in the kitchen, neighbor mowing his lawn.

Around the house... vacuuming, sweep and mop, clean the shower.

One of my favorite things...fall leaves - I love all the brilliant colors!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Call about cake. Go see auntie and pick up the rose bushes she is giving us. Confirm number of wedding guests so we can call caterer and give her a number. Finish going through file cabinet.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is an old threshing machine that sits high up on a hill on my uncle's farm. We all went up to see it when we were on vacation this summer. We all signed our names, as on the inside we found where my grandpa had signed his name as a young man.

My Wonderful Life

2008-09-20T10:34:00.004-05:00

My life has not always been wonderful. But, that was my own doings. Thankfully, I have learned from my mistakes and right now I feel my life is pretty wonderful. No, it may not always be this way, but for now it is pretty good.

I have peace and contentment. While I may not have everything I want, I have everything I need and that is okay with me.

These are the halcyon days to bask in, to fling wide open the doors to your soul and drink in the vastness of beauty that is God. There is a freshness in my heart. A yearning for simplicity.

I have never been one to much care what anyone else thought of me, or of what I wore or of what I did. Who cares what anyone else thinks, they are not living my life, they are not in my same circumstances.

I know that this post is pretty random, just trying to get a few things out of my head!

As much as I love Chinese take-out, it is expensive. Last night we had family over for dinner. I made some sweet and sour pork (blushing here - from a mix), fried rice and this easy-peasy dish below.

Empress Beef
Serves 4-6

1/2 pound boneless sirloin steak (I think I used closer to a pound)
oil
1/4 pound fresh snow pea pods, trimmed (I used broccoli)
3 celery stalks, julieened
Fresh mushrooms, sliced - probably about half of an 8 ounce container - we like 'shrooms!
1 large onion, sliced
1/2 can water chestnuts
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
Hot cooked rice to serve

Slice steak in 1/4 inch strips. Pour oil in wok or heavy skillet. Heat. Add steak, stirfry for 5 minutes. Take steak out. Add veggies, stirfry until moderately tender, about 3-5 minutes. Combine water, soy sauce, cornstarch and sugar. Mix well. Remove veggies from pan. Pour cornstarch mixture into pan and whisk to deglaze the pan. Cook to thicken. Add beef and vegs back to pan, stir to coat with sauce.

I added some carrot, julieened and 1/2 can of bamboo shoots, julieened. I also added in 2 fat cloves of garlic, minced fine when I added the vegs.

My SIL could not believe how easy this was! It is even easier if you don't burn yourself like I did! I had the bowl with the beef and vegs behind my burner when making the sauce. Duh - it was getting hot! I grabbed it and ow, ow, ow, burned my thumb pretty good.

Friday Musings

2008-09-18T11:03:00.008-05:00

Happy Friday!

God has been so good this week! I have had such fun visiting all the new readers to my blog! So glad to visit you all! Stick around, you never know what might happen around here.

Plans for the wedding are going well, I think we will close on the house next Friday! Exciting times, then we have to shampoo carpets and do fall cleaning before moving everything in. Mom and Dad have taken over plans for the reception and I have found the perfect suit. No white dress for me, I want something autumny, so I can wear it again! Not only did I find just what I wanted, it is on sale and 40% off of the sale price! God is awesome.

Other than that, just working going on here.

I want to share with you a wonderful recipe I made last night. Sorry no pics, camera is being a pain.

Actually I took some and here is what I got:

So we will have to use our imagination today. This chowder is very good, if not very calorie-conscious.

Easy Clam Chowder
Makes about 2 quarts

2 slices thick-cut bacon, cut in 1/2 inch pieces
1 large spanish onion,cut into medium dice
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
4 cans minced clams, clams and juice separated
2 bottles (8 ounces each) clam juice
3 medium potatoes, preferably red, cut into medium dice
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 cup heavy cream
minced fresh parsley
salt
Ground black pepper

Fry bacon over medium heat in large soup kettle, about 5 minutes. Add onion and saute until softened. Add flour, stir until lightly colored, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in clam juices and 1 cup water. Add potatoes, bay leaf and thyme. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook until potatoes are tender. Add clams, cream, parsley, salt and pepper. Heat thru and serve.

Ruth in PA: I live about 90 miles or so north of Springfield, about halfway in between Springfield and Kansas City. I would LOVE to correspond with you!

Maryellen: So glad to hear from anyone else who has wooley-worms! :o)

If anyone needs to get in touch with me or would just like to e-mail me: moodiesmum at yahoo dot com. Just sub in the @ and the .!

100th Post Giveaway

2008-09-18T11:03:00.004-05:00

Ok, this is not post number 100. More like 110. I have been busy with this getting married thing!

I have really, really enjoyed doing this blog and look forward to doing it for a good, long while. I have so enjoyed reading everyone's comments and reading all of your blogs, so I would like to give something back!

I will be adding to this post after I get back from the store later, doing some shopping! I know that I have a cookbook . . . a very nice chocolate cookbook . . . some Dove chocolate . . . and we will see what else I pick up at the store today! Perhaps some scrapbooking stickers? Maybe some lace or a nice fat quarter for the quilters out there? Some tea? Hmmm . . . you never know what I might turn up with!

OK, I ended up with: The chocolate cookbook, 2 dove bars (dark), 2 packages of stickers - 1 leaves and 1 fall borders, some Wilton mini cookie cutters, a package of hot cocoa mix, and a yard of fall-themed material! Just waiting for the lucky winner!

Anyway, to put your name in the hat, just leave me a comment on this post. I will be drawing the winner a week from today. Good Luck!

British 100

2008-09-16T20:48:00.002-05:00

Ok, I know that I am not British. But I like British food. And I am an Anglophile. So I think that qualifies me - doesn't it?

In response to the Omnivores One Hundred, Helen at Food Stories: http://helengraves.co.uk/ has created The British One Hundred.

Here are the rules if you would like to play along:
1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating. I am doing italics here.
4) Link back to Food Stories, if you would be so kind.

1. Grey squirrel.

2 Steak and kidney pie

3. Bubble and squeak

4. Spotted dick

5. Hot Cross Buns (A traditional Easter favorite)

6. Laver bread

7. Toad in the hole

8. Shepherds pie AND Cottage pie

9. Scotch egg

10. Parkin

11. Welsh rarebit

12. Jellied eels

13. Stilton

14. Marmite

15. Ploughman’s lunch

16. Cucumber sandwiches

17. Coronation chicken

18. Gloucester old spot.

19. Cornish pasty

20. Samphire

21. Mince Pies

22. Winkles

23. Salad cream

24. Malt loaf

25. Haggis

26. Beans on toast

27. Cornish clotted cream tea

28. Pickled egg

29. Pork scratchings

30. Pork pie

31. Black pudding

32. Patum Peperium or Gentleman’s relish

33. Earl Grey tea

34. Elvers

35. HP Sauce

36. Potted shrimps

37. Stinking bishop

38. Elderflower cordial

39. Pea and ham soup

40. Aberdeen Angus Beef

41.Lemon Posset

42. Guinness

43. Cumberland sausage

44. Native oysters

45. A ‘full English’ breakfast

46. Cockles

47. Faggots

48. Eccles cake

49. Potted Cromer crab

50. Trifle

51. Stargazy pie

52. English mustard

53. Christmas pudding

54. Cullen skink

55. Liver and bacon with onions

56. Wood pigeon

57. Branston pickle

58. Oxtail soup

59. Piccalilli

60. Sorrel

62. Chicken tikka masala

63. Deep fried Mars Bar - actually a milky way

64. Fish, chips and mushy peas

65. Pie and mash with liquor

66. Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding

67. Pickled onions

68. Cock-a-leekie soup - this is our traditional remedy for colds

69. Rabbit and Hare

70. Bread sauce

71. Cauliflower cheese

72. Crumpets

73. Rice pudding

74. Bread and Butter Pudding

75. Bakewell tart

76. Kendall mint cake

77. Summer pudding

78. Lancashire hot pot

79. Beef Wellington

80. Eton mess

81. Neeps and tatties

82. Pimms

83. Scampi

84. Mint sauce

85. English strawberries and cream

86. Isle of Wight garlic

87. Mutton

88. Deep fried whitebait with tartare sauce

89. Angels on horseback

90. Omelette Arnold Bennett

91. Devilled kidneys

92. Partridge and pheasant

93. Stew and Dumplings

94. Arbroath smokies

95. Oyster loaves

96. Sloe gin

97. Damson jam

98. Soda bread

99. Quince jelly

100. Afternoon tea at the Ritz

I think I would add Bangers and Mash, Kippers, Victoria Sponge, Jam Roly Poly, and Lancashire cheese. (My friend Jan added these, and I totally agree!) I would add Battenburg cake, Cadbury flake and Jaffa cakes!

Taco-Tator Casserole

2008-09-16T20:20:00.003-05:00

Sometimes we get too busy. Too busy to appreciate the blessing of family.

I know I do at times. Working a 40-hour a week job, working in the house, cooking and cleaning, giving time to my son and my fiance. Sometimes I feel there is no time for me.

But then I think - how lonely would I be if it were just me? No family around?

My middle brother has been working here in town doing some yardwork to make some extra money. He comes over in the afternoons after working his regular job and brings his wife and her 8 year old granddaughter. Sometimes, it drives me crazy, as I have to work some evenings. Today, I just decided to let it go. And I thanked God for the blessing of having family close.

I made this casserole with a fresh salad for supper. Turned out great. Nice and restful. God knows what we need!

Taco Tator Casserole
Serves a bunch!

2 pounds ground beef
1/4 to 1/2 cup onion, chopped
2/3 cup water
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 can nacho cheese soup, undiluted
1 can corn, drained
grated cheddar cheese
1 bag tator tots

Brown ground beef in skillet with onion. Drain fat off. (I usually put it in a colander and run hot, hot water over it.) Add water and taco seasoning and simmer for a bit. Add corn and soup, mix well. Pour into a 9 x 13 greased pan. Top with grated cheddar cheese if desired (this was my addition, not in original recipe). Top that with tator tots and bake 30-35 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve with a fresh salad. I think this would be good with some black olives sliced into the soup mixture, and some extra peppers.

It is always good to toss your tots with a little olive oil - makes them crispier!

Simple Woman's Day Book

2008-09-15T09:30:00.004-05:00

For instructions on how to do this oh-so-fun meme, or just to read what the others have said, go to The Simple Woman and follow the directions on the sidebar!

FOR TODAY September 15, 2008...

Outside My Window... A clear blue sky and brilliant sunshine, cool breeze snaking its way around my ankles! We have had 7-1/2 inches of rain in the past week - I am so ready for this sunshine today!

I am thinking... of what a fantastic, awesome God I serve! He is always there, always on time and never, ever fails! There is not a person or thing one in this world that the same can be said of!

I am thankful for...my quiet time with the Lord. I love to bask in his love, meditate upon him.

From the kitchen... 15 bean soup, corn bread and some guacamole and chips.

I am wearing... blue jean skirt, tweety T-shirt, and brand-spanking-new silky pink houseslippers!

I am creating... lists, lots of lists - things for moving, things for the wedding . . .

I am going... nowhere today. Working and then we have company coming for supper.

I am reading... Little Women by Louisa May Alcott!

I am hoping...That our loan paperwork will finally be done this week!

I am hearing... DS tapping away on his laptop, a few crickets and birdies, but it is pretty quiet right now!

Around the house... vacuum and straighten family room, clean the tub/shower.

One of my favorite things... is cooking for those I love. There is such a fulfillment of serving healthy food to your loved ones!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Call about wedding cake. Clean desk. get together goodies for my 100th post give-away!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

A wooly-worm, the first one we saw this year. Supposedly, if they are more orange than black, it means a mild winter. This one is all orange. But he is young and doesn't know any better! TeeHee

Tomato Preserves

2008-09-12T17:10:00.003-05:00

Back in my Grandma's day, nothing went to waste. They made do with what they had. I remember Grandma making these with the little yellow pear tomatoes. She could not tolerate a lot of acid, so the yellow tomatoes were her favorite. This is pretty made with yellow tomatoes, but I did not have enough of the yellow ones. I used some what are called "pineapple tomatoes". They are yellow and red striped, I think an heirloom variety. To have enough tomatoes, I did add some regular red ones, so mine turned out orangey in color.

This is so good. Tomatoes are technically a fruit! A lot of people are disbelieving when you tell them what it is, tho! This can also be made with green tomatoes.

Just imagine - hot, crusty, fluffy buttermilk biscuits fresh from the oven on a snowy day. Slather on some butter and then a smear of tomato preserves - suddenly you are transported back to summer, hot, hazy with the drone of insects in your ear.

Tomato Preserves
6 half-pints

1-1/2 quarts peeled, small yellow, green or red tomatoes (about 2 lb)
1 Tablespoon mixed pickling spices
1 (1/2 inch piece) gingerroot
4 cups sugar
1 cup thinly sliced lemon (about 2 medium)
3/4 cup water

Wash and drain tomatoes. Tie spices and gingerroot in a spice bag - we have a big teaball with a flat bottom, so that is what I used. Combine spice bag, sugar, lemon and water in large sauce pot. Simmer 15 minutes. Add tomatoes, cook gently until tomatoes become transparent, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 12-18 hours in a cool place. Remove spice bag. Remove tomatoes and lemon from syrup. Boil syrup 2-3 minutes or longer to thicken. Return tomatoes and lemon to syrup, boil 1 minute. Remove from heat. Skim foam if necessary. Ladle hot preserves into hot, clean jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Adjust caps. Process 20 minutes in a boiling-water bath.

This recipe from the Ball Blue Book.

Zucchini Supreme

2008-09-12T16:59:00.005-05:00

I am one of those strange people who actually like zucchini. When it is of an edible size. It is so versatile, you can make so many different things with it. I like it raw in a vinagrette pasta salad. I like it in cake or bread. I like it in a stir-fry.

But probably my favorite way to eat it is as described below.

Zucchini Supreme

1 small zucchini, sliced
1/4 of an onion, diced small
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 of a green pepper, diced small
knob of butter
1 cup crushed tomatoes
Italian seasoning, salt and pepper
Parmesan cheese

Melt butter in sauce pan. I use about 1-2 Tablespoons for 1 zucchini. You can also use a bit of olive oil. Toss in zucchini, onion, pepper and garlic. Saute until zucchini begins to brown a bit. Add tomatoes and seasoning - We have pizza seasoning with salt and that is what I used. Let cook until the tomatoes thicken up a bit. Top with cheese.

This is a quick, easy side dish that can be made year 'round. It goes great with a steak or chicken.

Some folks asked about locusts earlier when I posted a picture of the shell - here is a real one! I think this one had just come out of a shell and was drying his wings off. They are kind of a pretty color, but such a nuisance.

Freedom is Never Free

2008-09-11T08:59:00.002-05:00

Freedom is never free. In fact, freedom is the most expensive thing a person can have. For the price of freedom is not measured in monetary terms, but in human lives. In blood, sweat and tears. In bravery and courage. It is measured in sorrow. Separation of families and friends. It is measured in the Daddy's heartache that is not there to see his baby born. It is measured in the family's grief that receives that fatal telegram or phone call or visit from the CO. We should, therefore, treasure freedom before nothing else on this earth.

We in America especially should treasure our freedoms - freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom to bear arms. We are truly blessed to live in a land where we are free from religious oppression. We do not have the bombs like so many other countries have, the police do not come in and arrest us for having Bibles in our homes. We can speak against our leaders or other people without having to worry if our door will be broken down in the middle of the night and we will be taken off and never seen again.

We should especially treasure these freedoms now, for we may not have them in the future. And we should really treasure them today of all days. Patriot Day. 9/11.

I remember the original 9/11. Not having television myself, I had not heard about the first plane. When Vicki, the secretary, got to work, she told everyone what was going on. We all trooped over to the doctor's lounge across the hall to watch the news. I remember tears coming into my eyes as we watched the video replay the first plane and then we watched live as the second plane hit the other tower. They were saying on the news that it was an error on the part of the air traffic controllers and the other gals were discussing this. I spoke up (I always have an opinion to voice) and said, "No, this is not air traffic controller problems. Mark my words, this is a terrorist act and when all is said and done, Osama bin Laden will be the mastermind." I am not into psychics at all, it just came to me. I just . . . knew. For one thing, I lived at a small town airport in the past and used to call the planes down once in a while. One mistake like that - maybe, but about a 100,000 to one. Two, in rapid succession - not a chance.

I remember the numbness, the feeling of invasion, of violation, of innocence lost, of devastation. We stayed in the lounge off and on all day, watching the coverage of the Pentagon and the crash in Pennsylvania. Each successive report just deepened the shock.

I remember driving home and how the world felt different. Felt angry. It felt dangerous. Felt heavy, oppressed. I remember the panic that everyone felt, filling up with gas.

All the feelings I have described are what terrorists are all about. They are bringers of terror, of fear, of oppression. While I may not totally agree with the war, I agree that something needs to be done about terrorism. In so many places. There are many countries who live with terror on a daily basis. While I may not totally agree with the war, I am proud of the men and women who are serving their country to make it a better place.

Thank you for reading my Patriot post today!

Soup of the evening, beautiful soup

2008-09-09T10:03:00.003-05:00

Let's face it - I like soup. In fact, I would say that there are not many soups I don't like. Soup is easy, soup is comforting, soup reheats well . . . I could go on and on. We eat a lot of soup in the fall and winter, but I like it year round.

When I was expecting my DS, I craved cream of tomato soup. Weird, becuase I never liked it before then and I don't exceptionally care for it now.

French onion - who can live without French onion soup? Bean soup. Mulligatawny soup. Chicken noodle soup. Minestrone. Clam chowder. and on and on and on!

One of the greatest reasons I like soup is that it is versatile. If you don't have something, use something else. Or you can throw other things in, if you have them, sort of a bonus!

This soup I am giving you the recipe for is very versatile.

Smokey Veggie Soup

1 pound smoked sausage, sliced in rounds (I used the lower fat turkey)
1 pound frozen mixed vegetables
1 carton (32 oz) beef broth
1 can stewed tomatoes
2 cups frozen O'Brien potatoes (I subbed 2 medium-large potatoes, diced and some onion and green pepper)
Pepper for seasoning

Put all above ingredients in slow cooker, season with pepper and cook for about 5-6 hours on low. Or, cook on top of stove. I added in some fresh zucchini for about the last 1/2 hour of cooking. I also added in 4 nice, fat cloves of garlic, minced up fine. This recipe is easily halved or doubled, depending on your needs. It smells wonderful in the house on a cold, rainy day. Serve with hot, crusty bread for sopping up the juices. Cold milk or iced tea - or hot cider! Very versatile, you can use fresh veggies if you have them, or canned even. Just be sure to get a good mix - corn, carrots, green beans, peas.

Also, as promised . . . a picture

Simple Woman's Day Book

2008-09-08T09:11:00.005-05:00

Peggy hosts this meme every monday at The Simple Woman. Hop on over and check out what everyone else is up to this week!

FOR TODAY September 08, 2008...

Outside My Window... There is pale sunshine just above the trees. Nice cool air is flowing in through the screen door.

I am thinking... of all I need to be doing to get into my house next month!

I am thankful for... Family who have the same faith that I do. Not all of them have that. It is very nice to be able to fellowship with the ones who have that same faith though!

From the kitchen... Dijon chicken, wild and long-grain rice mix and california blend vegs.

I am wearing... navy skirt, gray T-shirt, hair in scrunchie, ladybug socks and my ratty old houseslippers that just need to be thrown away. Oops! Almost forgot to add - my engagement ring! I'll try to post a picture later!

I am creating...Not much at the moment, I will be moving next month, so I am waiting until then!

I am going... to be calling for house insurance quotes today.

I am reading... The book of Judges, the low-carb cookbook by Fran McCullough

I am hoping...That my oldest brother will get a job soon, so he will have something else to do besides hang around and bug us!

I am hearing... Not much, pretty quiet here.

Around the house... Hmmmm. . .vacuum family room, sweep and mop kitchen and utility room

One of my favorite things... is stickers - I love pretty stickers!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Can some pizza sauce, look for concord grapes in the store, Really not a lot else, gardens are just about done, leaves are not ready to be raked yet. Might sort thru a few things in my shed.

Here is picture thought I am sharing . . .

Our two boy kitties - Tuxedo mister in the back is Moodie and stripey is Finnegan. This is a rare quiet moment for them.

Comfort food

2008-09-05T08:03:00.005-05:00

Autumn is that time of year that most people lean towards more comforting foods. Gone are the salads and light dinners. In are stick to your ribs soups and stews. We have had rain here - finally - and it has been rather cool. Autumn is surely here!

I like soups and stews of all sorts and I will be posting many of them as time goes by. I like a good beef stew, but DS does not care for beef. He will eat hamburger occasionally, but no steak or roast or sadly, beef stew. So, in order to fulfill my stew craving and still get him to eat it, I make chicken stew quite a bit.

Served over top of big, fluffy buttermilk biscuits, it is comfort food at its finest. Add a cold glass of milk and some sliced ripe tomatoes - now you're eatin'!

Chicken Stew
Serves 6

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or you can use breasts)
Seasoned flour, for dredging
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 large onion, diced (I leave mine in big pieces so DS can fish them out)
3-4 large cloves garlic
chicken broth
carrots, cut in chunks, about 2 medium-large
potatoes, cut in chunks, about 3 medium
1 cup frozen peas
1 can mushrooms, drained

flour and water, for thickening

Seasonings to your taste, thyme is good, black pepper a given

Chop your chicken thighs into pieces, not too small. Dredge them in well-seasoned flour and brown in the olive oil - set aside. Cook them in 2 batches, 1 tablespoon oil per batch. Add onion and garlic (cut in slivers) to pan and saute lightly. now pour about 3/4 cup of broth in your pan and deglaze it. In a large pan, combine chicken, onion, garlic, carrots and potatoes. Add Broth. How much broth you use is up to you, I covered my ingredients with it. Simmer for about an hour on low heat. Then add the peas and mushrooms. Take some of the broth off and stir in some flour - I don't measure this, just eyeball it. I used about a heaping 1/4 cup. Stir that together and then stir it back into the stew. Let it get good and bubbly to thicken it. Season well to your taste with salt, pepper, etc.

This is also good made with frozen mixed vegs. The left-overs can be used for chicken pot pie. Or you can put biscuit dough (refrigerated or homemade) on top and stick it in the oven. Or you can use pie dough and put it inside and make pasties.

It is best made the day before and reheated.

When I was working out of the home, I would throw my frozen chicken in the crockpot, along with frozen peas and carrots and frozen diced hashbrowns and some broth. I would let it cook all day. Then when I came home, out came the chicken to be diced up, in went the peas and mushrooms and thickening while the biscuits went in the oven. Worked a charm. Or you can use just plain water and drain it off and then throw in a can or jar of chicken gravy.

Skald the Dawg

2008-09-04T18:51:00.005-05:00

Sorry for being absent yesterday, things have been a little discombobulated around here. We have bought a house! Whoo Hoo! A very nice, 3 bedroom raised ranch in a nice part of town, right at the edge of town in fact. Our back yard abuts the town soccer field. There is corps of engineer land across the road, so it is all undeveloped and pretty. Very quiet, just my style. The house was a bank repo, so a very good price, we got it for about $20,000 less than normal. The basement is unfinished, but that is ok, we can do what we want to with it! It has room for a nice large utility room down there as well as room for another bedroom or family room. I think we are going to put in another bedroom so DS can have his own privacy as it were. It has a nice big back deck, not a lot of yard (yay, less mowing).

Here are a couple of pics, one from the front and one from the back:

Anyway . . .

Relish. Most people like relish. Some people do not. Until just a few years ago, I was in the latter category. Could not stomach the stuff. Now that I have made it a few times, I have changed my mind about that. This recipe that I am going to give you is a mix-n-match recipe. I was making some bread and butter jalapenos and I had about a gallon bag of sliced jalapenos and onions left over. Hmmmm . . . . Dad was wanting some sort of picallili, so Mom and I got our heads together, looked to see what we had to work with (besides the jalapenos and onions) and this is what we came up with. It is sweet, spicey and has just a bit of a kick to it. We love it on hot dogs or in potato salad. Or on a sandwich.

Skald The Dawg Relish
Amounts given here are approximate!

1-1/2 quarts sliced jalapeno peppers
3 medium onions, sliced
6 medium green tomatoes, chopped
1 small-to-medium head of cabbage, chopped
1/4-1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper (for color)
1/4 cup salt
5-1/2 cups sugar
4 cups vinegar
4 tablespoons whole mixed pickling spices

Grind jalapenos, onions, green tomatoes, cabbage and red peppers in food processor.
Place in bowl, sprinkle with salt and cover with cold water. Let sit 12 hours.
Drain well. Push down on veggies to get excess water out.

In large pot, mix sugar, vinegar and spices (in cheesecloth or spice ball). Bring to boil and simmer 15 minutes. Add veggies. Simmer for 10 minutes. Take pickling spices out. Pack in hot jars and hot-water bath for 10 minutes.

Fare thee Well

2008-09-02T19:26:00.003-05:00

I had a bit of a shock Monday. My ex-husband died. He was considerably older than I was and had not been in real good health for a number of years, but it was still a shock.

He and I definitely had our differences, but in the end, we had decided to just agree to disagree and go on. We talked occasionally.

I will miss him in a strange way.

So, in honor of him, I am posting one of his recipes.

Wayne's Pico de Gallo

Cucumbers, seeded and diced
Black olives, sliced
Tomatoes, diced
Garlic, minced
Onions, diced small
Green peppers, diced small
Jalapenos (fresh) minced
Garlic salt
Fresh cilantro, chopped fine

Can add juice of 1-2 limes, depending on how big of batch you make.

Mix as much as you want (preferrably large quantities) in a big bowl and refrigerate. Eat with tortilla chips. Makes loads. This was done totally by taste, use more or less of any ingredient until you have the taste you want.

This is great to make and take to a picnic in the hot summer time. Can add some diced avacado.

We used to make this in the summer when his grandkids would come and visit, they loved it. We got everyone in on chopping things up. Then we would sit around and eat this and tell stories.

Simple snackies

2008-09-01T11:01:00.002-05:00

I like simple snackies. Something you can throw together in a flash and nibble on.

So this is not as much of a recipe as a guideline as it were:

A slice of cheddar cheese and half an apple

Pepper jack cheese and plain saltines

Fresh pear slices and a bit of Gorgonzola

Fresh cherries and custard

Hershey's bar and peanut butter

French bread slices with left-over steak

Sliced turkey breast with Dijon Mustard - this is my fave for after Thanksgiving

One of my favorite little snackies is one that my dear Mother made for us when we were kids. It is best eaten in the fall! Just take a bag or container of candy corn and a can of cocktail peanuts (without skins). Mix the two together and much away. Horrible for you, but oh, so good! I like to mix in a bag of plain M&Ms and some raisins, too! This is good at Halloween in little bags, too. Something about the sweet and salty together - MMMMMMMmmmmmmm.

I am absolved of all blame if anyone becomes addicted to the above mixture!

Simple Woman Day Book

2008-09-01T10:46:00.005-05:00

FOR TODAY September 01, 2008...

Outside My Window...There is a lazy sunshine filtering down through the tree leaves, making beautiful patterns on the patio.

I am thinking... of making some potato salad at lunchtime.

I am thankful for...my blogging friends! You all keep me going!

From the kitchen... Salmon on the grill, potato salad, fried squash and apple pie.

I am wearing...Navy skirt, gray T-shirt, slippers.

I am creating...a paper journal. Today is my first day! I am so excited, I have some pretty stickers to use, some dried flowers and stacks of old magazines.

I am going... to view a house tomorrow!!!!!! It is very nice, raised ranch in a nice, quiet neighborhood that is right at the edge of town. In fact, Corps of Engineer land is right across the road.

I am reading...A fondue book and The Perfect Table - giving me some good ideas for decorating!

I am hoping... that we can get this house we are viewing - it is perfect for us and a very good price!

I am hearing... The hum of the neighbor's lawn mower and Mom mixing up pie crust in the kitchen.

Around the house... Loads of laundry but not a lot else. We had a work day Saturday and got quite a bit done!

One of my favorite things... is chocolate ice cream. We went to DQ last night and it is soooooo good!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Tomorrow: View house, sort through stack of papers, etc. in bedroom. Wednesday: Not much. Thursday: Sort thru a couple of totes. Friday: Not much.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Snackies

Autumn Clematis on the fence

Apples

I could not decide which one to use, so I used all 3! Can you tell I am ready for fall?

This is such a fun meme to do. To join, just go to The Simple Woman and follow the directions on the sidebar! Peggy hosts this every week and it is such fun!

Feeling like fall

2008-08-29T08:19:00.003-05:00

Yep. Its feeling like fall to me. Despite the fact that it was 100 degrees here yesterday, it still feels like fall. Kind of like there is an essence of fall that filters through the air and my being drinks it in in great gulps, exhilarating me. So I am looking to some more "fallish" feeling recipes.

To me, scones are a right proper fall food. They are best eaten warm. You can drench them in butter and scarf them with a hot cuppa on a chilly afternoon. You can grab one and take it with you on an afternoon walk under the changing canopy of leaves. You just can't beat a good scone, hot and crusty and meltingly soft in the middle.

These are one of my favorite scones. They combine 2 favorites - apples and cheese. My neighbor gave me some Granny Smith apples the other day - very nice - and I made these. TOH recipe.

Apple-Cheese Scones

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup cold butter or margarine (5-1/3 tablespoons)
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
1 cup diced peeled apple

In a bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in buttermilk just until moistened. Gently fold in the cheese and apples. Turn onto a floured surface; knead 10 times. Pat into a 9-inch circle.
7Cut into eight wedges. Separate wedges and place on a greased baking sheet.
Bake at 450 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

These make a good breakfast grab, they are not too sweet. Even my picky DS loves them!