My mother was born and raised in Germany. She came over to the United States after the War. After working for a year, she married my father who she had met in Germany. The rest, as they say, is history.
My mother brought several traditions from her childhood to our family. One of them that is very memorable were the candles on our Christmas tree. Yes, we actually had open flames on a pine tree! Although we never had a mishap, I never continued this practice in my own home. I figured why tempt fate at this point in life?
Anyway, decorating for Christmas was always a major event at our home. My mother would bring out the 'Christmas Box' with it's carefully saved tinsel, candles, candle holders, tiny crib scene, etc. My mother had been greatly influenced, in her youth, by a stately tree that was decorated solely with shimmering strands of silver tinsel, silver stars, and candles. Every year, we tried to replicate this memory for her. It was tedious job as I had to put the tinsel on, one strand at a time, starting from the inner part of each and every branch. It was worth it, however, once everything was in place and the fluttering of the candles shivered the fragile tinsel. The smell of the candle wax and pine tree is a sensory memory I carry with me to this day.
And, if the fact that we had burning candles on our tree wasn't enough, come the New Year, we would let the candles burn themselves out while we sat in the dark of the evening, talking, and watching the lights go out, one by one. We used to give each candle a 'name' of a friend or relative and that was our 'fortune telling' game because who ever's light went out first, would be the first to leave this world in the New Year. Naturally, it was in fun and not one of our candle prophecies ever came true.
I knew I was grown up when we would visit my mother for Christmas and once we were seated at church for Midnight Mass, I'd start worrying . . ."Did we, indeed, extinguish all the candles?" My husband would glance over at me and I knew he was thinking the same thing! Some of the magic had left!
My children love color so we let them decorate the tree with any and everything each year. Now, we have to wait for them to come home from college on vacation and the whole process isn't quite the same as I enjoyed with my parents when I was growing up and that is a bit sad to me. I just hope that as they adorn the tree with our mismatched garlands and ornaments, they are accumulating some special memories, too. Oh, and NO, I have NEVER had candles on our tree.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Extensive link with lots of free patterns in knitting, crocheting, and more . . .
I was lining up some projects to work on this coming year and discovered this site which has a huge number of patterns for free in just about any hobby genre. I already downloaded two of them and wish I had known about this treasure trove of patterns before I went to the store . . . so I could have purchased some yarn and gotten started!
http://www.favecrafts.com/
http://www.favecrafts.com/
Overlooking a four-leaf clover . . .
Many
an opportunity is lost because a man is out looking for four-leaf clovers.
- Unknown
In view of the New Year . . .
"You have achieved success if
you
have lived well, laughed often
and loved much." - Author Unknown
have lived well, laughed often
and loved much." - Author Unknown
Worth a smile but all too true . . . sadly
"Drugs have taught an entire generation of Americans the metric
system."
-- P. J. O'Rourke
-- P. J. O'Rourke
"War is a series of catastrophes that results in a victory."
-- Georges Clemenceau
-- Georges Clemenceau
"It is easier to fight for one's principles than to live up to
them."
-- Alfred Adler
-- Alfred Adler
Friday, December 30, 2011
Worst Nativity Sets Ever . . .
http://whyismarko.com/2011/27-worst-nativity-sets-the-annual-growing-list/
Check these out before the site goes down. Wow, talk about losing the reason for the season.
Check these out before the site goes down. Wow, talk about losing the reason for the season.
Keeping our eyes on Christmas . . .
Teach, O teach us, holy Child,
By Thy face so meek and mild,
Teach us to resemble Thee,
In Thy sweet humility!
Hail, Thou ever-blessed morn!
Hail, redemption's happy dawn!
Sing through all Jerusalem,
Christ is born in Bethlehem.
All the Days of Christmas . . .
Practically the day of Christmas, discarded trees were put out on the curb for trash pick up. How sad that people didn't realized that Christmas was only beginning and they were cleaning up and heading out for the after-Christmas sales . . . which seemed pretty much like the Black Friday sales . . . and the other pre-Christmas sales. I think they might be filling in the 'spirit' of Christmas with material items and still going spiritually hungry . . . so they continue to search for a meaning in the market place.
I was shocked at some of the published remarks made on various social networks from people complaining about what they got for Christmas One teen was actually livid and said her Christmas was ruined because the car she was expecting wasn't going to arrive until two days after Christmas. No matter to her that she was, indeed, getting a car for Christmas. She was angry because, as she put it, "No car in the driveway with a big, red bow for me. My Christmas is ruined!" Obviously, she required instant gratification and lost the grace of being thankful that she was still getting a huge gift! If I were her parent, the car would never arrive with that attitude!
I wonder how many of the complaining people were as generous to their friends and family at Christmas. Did they gift all of them with wonderful gifts that didn't disappoint?
I could tell who hadn't been to church since last Christmas at Mass. They settle into their pew, rustle the bulletin like a program, and chat . . . out loud!
I guess the world has gotten so far from God in their personal lives that they have nothing to carry over into their spiritual life. Everytime one of these people exclaim with an OMG, God listens but the people aren't responding.
New Year Reminders . . .
When my husband was a teenager, he worked weekends as a dishwasher and cook's helper at a local lodge. There was a big event one weekend and the owners hired an extra helper and asked my husband if he knew of anyone who wanted to earn some money. He volunteered his younger brother. During the course of the evening, my husband found himself short tempered and demanding of his younger brother. Nothing he did was right, he was too slow, etc. Meanwhile, the other kid hired for the evening was doing about the same job but my husband treated him with a lot more kindness and respect. Suddenly, he realized that he was only picking on his brother because he could but was being polite to a complete stranger. It brought him up short and he started thinking about how we often treat our own family less worthily than strangers. I suppose family can't leave and we are stuck with each other . . . but that shouldn't be the mind set. Now that he is a grown up with children, he always admonishes our teens and older to treat their siblings as strangers if they can't find it in their heart to treat them like family. The first time he made this announcement, it stopped them short until he explained it to them. No, they still aren't perfect children but they have come to realize who should be first in their hearts.
I remember a situation from my own childhood. I must have been around five or six and my mother, as always, was busy baking for some special event at our parish. She was known for her baking and always called upon or volunteered herself to help out. I had witnessed these frenzied baking sessions before and knew to keep clear of the clouds of flour and motherly muttering as she tried for perfection. The delightful smells and pretty cookies finally got to me and I quietly asked, "Mom! If you have a cookie that doesn't look good or is burned, can I have it?" There was a sudden lull in the culinary storm. My mother sighed and a tear crept down her cheek and she handed me a little plate with several of her most perfect creations. She, too, had gotten lost in the process and, perhaps, the 'fame' of her baking. I guess I had made her realize that family should always come first.
These episodes in our lives seem to pop into mind around New Year's and reminds me to share the best that I am with the people who mean the most to me in this life. My husband's story reminds me to respect the ones who love me the most. No, I'm far from perfect but I'm remembering more often to try!
I remember a situation from my own childhood. I must have been around five or six and my mother, as always, was busy baking for some special event at our parish. She was known for her baking and always called upon or volunteered herself to help out. I had witnessed these frenzied baking sessions before and knew to keep clear of the clouds of flour and motherly muttering as she tried for perfection. The delightful smells and pretty cookies finally got to me and I quietly asked, "Mom! If you have a cookie that doesn't look good or is burned, can I have it?" There was a sudden lull in the culinary storm. My mother sighed and a tear crept down her cheek and she handed me a little plate with several of her most perfect creations. She, too, had gotten lost in the process and, perhaps, the 'fame' of her baking. I guess I had made her realize that family should always come first.
These episodes in our lives seem to pop into mind around New Year's and reminds me to share the best that I am with the people who mean the most to me in this life. My husband's story reminds me to respect the ones who love me the most. No, I'm far from perfect but I'm remembering more often to try!
Remembering to not cast blame . . .
Each
of us makes his own weather, determines the color of the skies in the emotional
universe which he inhabits.
- Fulton J. (Bishop)
Sheen
The best way to shop . . .
After Mass, this morning, my son and one of my daughters headed out for the stores. My son had in hand a gift card from Best Buy and one for Barnes & Noble Books. Since each card was valued at $25, we didn't expect to spend much of our own on this venture. Having had several bad experiences at Best Buy, we weren't sure we'd be able to find anything. My son did his research, however, and got himself a cover/shield for his IPod.
Going to the bookstore wasn't a problem at all except at narrowing down the choices to stay within the limit of the gift card. A stop for some Chinese food and it was said to be a good day.
The weather has turned and we are having Spring weather which always confuses our orange tree. Besides being loaded with golden orange fruit, it is now starting to sport orange blossoms!
My husband patroled the backyard before we went to sleep last night to make sure the cat didn't wander in, again, to set off the Chick alarm! The dog went to bed on time and slept as did we.
Going to the bookstore wasn't a problem at all except at narrowing down the choices to stay within the limit of the gift card. A stop for some Chinese food and it was said to be a good day.
The weather has turned and we are having Spring weather which always confuses our orange tree. Besides being loaded with golden orange fruit, it is now starting to sport orange blossoms!
My husband patroled the backyard before we went to sleep last night to make sure the cat didn't wander in, again, to set off the Chick alarm! The dog went to bed on time and slept as did we.
Orange-Scented Oatmeal Short Bread
The one cookie I never got around to baking this year was shortbread. Although I very much enjoy a plain, buttery piece of shortbread, I also like oatmeal. This is one of those recipes that have both the buttery texture/taste with some bite with the crusted sugar and oatmeal. The orange zest and glaze only enhances the whole experience.
Orange-Scented Oatmeal Short Bread
½ cup regular rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
Dash of ground cloves
½ cup butter, cubed
Milk as needed
1 tablespoon coarse sugar
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees and toast the oats until lightly brown. Let cool completely. In a food processor, combine 1/3 cup of the oats; flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, orange zest, and cloves. Cover and process until oats are ground. Add butter pieces to food processor. Cover and pulse until mixture just comes together.
Pat dough into an 8-inch circle on an ungreased baking sheet or one lined with parchment paper. Form an edge around the circle. Brush dough circle lightly with milk. Sprinkle with the remaining toasted oats, coarse sugar, and press oat-sugar mixture lightly onto circle. Cut circle into 10 wedges (leave wedges in circle).
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until center is set. Re-cut circle into wedges while warm. Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes. Drizzle with Orange Glaze and let set. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Orange Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon orange extract
Enough fresh orange juice to make a glaze.
Orange-Scented Oatmeal Short Bread
½ cup regular rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
Dash of ground cloves
½ cup butter, cubed
Milk as needed
1 tablespoon coarse sugar
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees and toast the oats until lightly brown. Let cool completely. In a food processor, combine 1/3 cup of the oats; flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, orange zest, and cloves. Cover and process until oats are ground. Add butter pieces to food processor. Cover and pulse until mixture just comes together.
Pat dough into an 8-inch circle on an ungreased baking sheet or one lined with parchment paper. Form an edge around the circle. Brush dough circle lightly with milk. Sprinkle with the remaining toasted oats, coarse sugar, and press oat-sugar mixture lightly onto circle. Cut circle into 10 wedges (leave wedges in circle).
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until center is set. Re-cut circle into wedges while warm. Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes. Drizzle with Orange Glaze and let set. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to finish cooling.
Orange Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon orange extract
Enough fresh orange juice to make a glaze.
Benjamin Franklin said it best . . .
Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to. ~Bill Vaughn
An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan
Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits. ~Author Unknown
A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. ~Author Unknown
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin
An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan
Many people look forward to the new year for a new start on old habits. ~Author Unknown
A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other. ~Author Unknown
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin
Heading into the New Year . . .
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Just to grin a bit . . .
"I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to
quit going to those places."
-- Henny Youngman
-- Henny Youngman
"You might as well fall flat on your face as lean over too far
backward."
-- James Thurber
-- James Thurber
Chick the Night Terror . . .
My husband went outside with a flashlight and discovered Chick's source of concern . . . a fluffy, white cat. The cat was about five feet from Chick and poised for flight . . . if only the stupid dog would retreat first. Chick was very interested in this night creature but didn't like the hissing very much. Neither one of them would back down so my husband dragged Chick into the garage with her dog bed. After about 20 minutes, Chick was released back into the wild and all was quiet . . . for about ten minutes. At that point, Chick rediscovered the cat under the tool shed so proceeded to enjoy a noisy, barking scrabble around the foundation. The cat knew it was safe so was probably taking a nap which was not something we were going to enjoy with the dog's antics. Said dog was dragged back into the house for another 30 minutes. The next release was a success as the cat had gone home so Chick curled up in her dog house.
Both Chick and my husband looked very much worse for the wear this morning. When I ventured that I was glad that Chick hadn't the killer instinct 'enjoyed' by our previous dogs vs. cats, my husband said he really wasn't interested in the virtures of either the dog or the cat right now. Unfortunately, while Chick is sleeping off her adventure in her cozy doghouse, my husband still had to go to work!
Easy Dessert Idea . . .
Over the last year, I've noticed that the newest treat idea has been Cake Pops. I read up on a few recipes and the concept is pretty easy with a great outcome which would make you look like a kitchen expert. The basic recipe is to bake a sheet cake from a boxed mix, your choice of flavor. Once the cake has been baked and cooled, you crumble it into a large bowl and then bind the cake crumbs together with either store-bought or homemade buttercream frosting. You need to add enough in order to form balls of 'dough'. You insert a lollipop stick into each of them and freeze the cake balls until firm. You dip them in either candy coating or melted chocolate to cover and form a shell.
Now, that is the bare minimum, however, it seems to me that so much more can be done to enhance these little cakes on a stick.
Ideas . . .
You could include some crushed candy cane in the crumb mix.
Have some ground nuts on hand so you can immediately dip the end of the cake ball into them.
Put some melted coating into a squeeze bottle and drizzle a design on the freshly coated treats.
Dust them with colorful sugar or sprinkles before the coating sets.
Add some tiny chocolate chips to the crumb mix.
If we hadn't been gifted or treated to so many treats over Christmas, I'd be running into the kitchen to try some of these right now. I'm thinking that this would be a great way to pass out some Valentine's Day happiness in February.
Now, that is the bare minimum, however, it seems to me that so much more can be done to enhance these little cakes on a stick.
Ideas . . .
You could include some crushed candy cane in the crumb mix.
Have some ground nuts on hand so you can immediately dip the end of the cake ball into them.
Put some melted coating into a squeeze bottle and drizzle a design on the freshly coated treats.
Dust them with colorful sugar or sprinkles before the coating sets.
Add some tiny chocolate chips to the crumb mix.
If we hadn't been gifted or treated to so many treats over Christmas, I'd be running into the kitchen to try some of these right now. I'm thinking that this would be a great way to pass out some Valentine's Day happiness in February.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
A Thought for the Upcoming New Year . . .
When one begins to purposefully perform acts of kindness, the spirit changes and
soon doing good deeds becomes a focal point for our life; doing good begins to
be the same as feeling good. The periods of emptiness when we search for the
"meaning of it all" begin to fill with acts of kindness.
- Gary Ryan Blair
Back to the needle and thread . . .
I actually found time to pick up my needle and thread and go back to working on my quilt project begun over a month ago. Gifts that I needed to knit, crochet, or quilt have been completed and distributed. I'm now back to my own creative wanderings and to quilting. I have the one quilt that just requires the final hand sewing. I have quilt tops done for four more quilts. I have several ideas in mind but need solid colors for them and will have to wait a few months until the budget and my conscience will allow me to indulge in some fabric purchases.
Reviewing the waning year . . .
Every December, after the bustle of Christmas has calmed down, I pull out both my old calendar and new calendar in order to transfer important dates, birthdays, etc. It is always a poignant time as I fill in the squares with memories. Adding birthdays to my calendar reminds me of the blessings of friendship that God sends into my life. Add an RIP to a birthday date reminds me of how fragile and temporary our human life is here on earth. As the years go by, it sometimes seems as if there are more days reminding me of people who no longer need a birthday gift but a prayer sent to them in honor of their eternal reward.
I also notice how many doctor appointments were noted on the calendar, last year. Last year, was a good year in that few visits to the doctor were required. I see the deadlines noted as my son and I prepared for our trip in May. I recall how anxious I was about the trip and how soon it became an event of the past.
I already have a milestone noted for January 2012 . . . my 18 year old's first day of college! I still remember him opening his first reader and discovering the magic of the printed word.
Well, as I completed my work on the calendar for 2012, I realized that I didn't have any more birthdays to remember for the 'rest of this year'! The day after December 31st, however, the days of 2012, noted for something special or not, will start marching by and probably go even faster than this last year.
I also notice how many doctor appointments were noted on the calendar, last year. Last year, was a good year in that few visits to the doctor were required. I see the deadlines noted as my son and I prepared for our trip in May. I recall how anxious I was about the trip and how soon it became an event of the past.
I already have a milestone noted for January 2012 . . . my 18 year old's first day of college! I still remember him opening his first reader and discovering the magic of the printed word.
Well, as I completed my work on the calendar for 2012, I realized that I didn't have any more birthdays to remember for the 'rest of this year'! The day after December 31st, however, the days of 2012, noted for something special or not, will start marching by and probably go even faster than this last year.
How My Dog Spends her Busy Day . . .
She gets very excited about going on walks. She, however, has her own opinion about where and how long the walk should be. Unfortunately, she tends to get tired several blocks from home and then just stands there looking off into the distance. Tugging on her leash gets no reaction. My son has become known as the kid that 'carries' his dog rather than 'walking' the dog as he has often had to do just that to get home. One time, he was long an extraordinarily long time so I got into the car and went looking for the two of them. Three blocks away, I saw Chick standing in a puddle and Marc on the curb looking frustrated. Chick didn't want to go home right now and that was that. We hauled the dog into the back of the van and she was most perturbed that she arrived home and not somewhere more interesting.
Finding Peace in Your Own Heart . . .
The Real Meaning Of Peace
Author Unknown
There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures.
But there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them. One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.
The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.
But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest - in perfect peace.
The king chose the second picture.
Author Unknown
There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The king looked at all the pictures.
But there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them. One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.
The other picture had mountains, too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky, from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.
But when the king looked closely, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest - in perfect peace.
The king chose the second picture.
Wish I'd said that . . .
"In the first place, God made idiots. That was for practice. Then
he made school boards."
-- Mark Twain
-- Mark Twain
"If it weren't for Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of television,
we'd still be eating frozen radio dinners."
-- Johnny Carson
-- Johnny Carson
"The case has, in some respects, been not entirely devoid of
interest."
-- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
-- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Market Place Manners . . .
I have to wonder how people would feel if they knew they were viewed as 'animals', ill-manners slobs, uncivilized morons . . . and worse! Would they change their ways if they knew . . . or would their reason for this behavior supercede good manners and Christian behavior?
I was out running errands, yesterday. I avoided the after-Christmas sales because I saw much evidence of the above-mentioned attitude when I made the mistake of trying to shop the day after Christmas last year. I had thought that by going in the afternoon, the worst of the frenzy would have died down. I was shocked when I walked into Walmart. It looked like a bomb had gone off. The floor was knee deep in discarded stock. I actually saw people ripping into packaged items, opening bottles of cologne, dumping items they changed their minds about, and, basically, looking like very low-class beings. I saw over 40 shopping carts loaded with items the clerks were trying to reshelve and it was a losing battle as the shopper slobs continued the distruction in their search for a bargain. We had gone in for some 'normal' shopping for the week and had forgotten about the annual frenzy of crazed shoppers.
This year, we went out two days after Christmas . . . to make sure! The stores were in a normal state, we still found a lot of unexpected bargains, and we didn't have to deal with hoardes of disrespectful shoppers. The clerks were smiling and the stores were clean. I chatted wtih a few employees and as soon as you mentioned December 26th, the smile left their faces and they just shook their heads. What has gotten into the world where saving a few dollars turns people into grasping animals? Last year, an employee got killed as shoppers beat down the door, mowed the man down, and then trampled over him. When the police tried to clear the 'crime' area, people did not want to cooperate lest they lose the bargain they had literally 'killed' for. I wonder how many people realized they were smashing their feet over a human being in their surge for savings?
There is a video of a shoe store in detroit where they actually had a riot because of a shoe sale. Again, the people, with little respect for themselves or others, broke down the door before it opened. And we can probably remember the woman who brought along pepper spray in order to thin the crowd around the bargain she wanted to have on Black Friday.
I imagine there aren't too many actual, practicing Christians in these mobs. From Black Friday until the day after Christmas, they are on the prowl for bargains. They have no thought beyond getting something for as close to nothing as possible. They want to fill their 'hearts' with materialistic stuff and forget about the 'reason for the season'. I'm thinking they must need this constant spending to fill in a empty place in their souls . . . and without much luck as the majority of them will repeat their performances year after year. Kind of reminds me of the Scripture that tells of the man who has finally filled all his storage with enough grain or whatever to last him 'forever' and then God asks him WHY as he is being called from this life that very night.
I was out running errands, yesterday. I avoided the after-Christmas sales because I saw much evidence of the above-mentioned attitude when I made the mistake of trying to shop the day after Christmas last year. I had thought that by going in the afternoon, the worst of the frenzy would have died down. I was shocked when I walked into Walmart. It looked like a bomb had gone off. The floor was knee deep in discarded stock. I actually saw people ripping into packaged items, opening bottles of cologne, dumping items they changed their minds about, and, basically, looking like very low-class beings. I saw over 40 shopping carts loaded with items the clerks were trying to reshelve and it was a losing battle as the shopper slobs continued the distruction in their search for a bargain. We had gone in for some 'normal' shopping for the week and had forgotten about the annual frenzy of crazed shoppers.
This year, we went out two days after Christmas . . . to make sure! The stores were in a normal state, we still found a lot of unexpected bargains, and we didn't have to deal with hoardes of disrespectful shoppers. The clerks were smiling and the stores were clean. I chatted wtih a few employees and as soon as you mentioned December 26th, the smile left their faces and they just shook their heads. What has gotten into the world where saving a few dollars turns people into grasping animals? Last year, an employee got killed as shoppers beat down the door, mowed the man down, and then trampled over him. When the police tried to clear the 'crime' area, people did not want to cooperate lest they lose the bargain they had literally 'killed' for. I wonder how many people realized they were smashing their feet over a human being in their surge for savings?
There is a video of a shoe store in detroit where they actually had a riot because of a shoe sale. Again, the people, with little respect for themselves or others, broke down the door before it opened. And we can probably remember the woman who brought along pepper spray in order to thin the crowd around the bargain she wanted to have on Black Friday.
I imagine there aren't too many actual, practicing Christians in these mobs. From Black Friday until the day after Christmas, they are on the prowl for bargains. They have no thought beyond getting something for as close to nothing as possible. They want to fill their 'hearts' with materialistic stuff and forget about the 'reason for the season'. I'm thinking they must need this constant spending to fill in a empty place in their souls . . . and without much luck as the majority of them will repeat their performances year after year. Kind of reminds me of the Scripture that tells of the man who has finally filled all his storage with enough grain or whatever to last him 'forever' and then God asks him WHY as he is being called from this life that very night.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
And he can rhyme, too . . .
"The heights by great men
reached and
kept, were not attained by sudden
flight, but they, while their companions
slept, were toiling upward in the night." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
kept, were not attained by sudden
flight, but they, while their companions
slept, were toiling upward in the night." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Lemon-Glazed Banana Bread
Two of my children like bananas very much and will gobble down a bunch of them with a day, using them in milkshakes, on cereal, or just popped out of the peel. I never learn, however, that once I've provided them with a bunch of bananas more than twice in the same week, they suddenly stop eating them and I get to watch the transformation of bananas from a pretty yellow to a mushy brown. That's when banana bread inspiration kicks in for me. This is an easy recipe. Most recipes call for walnuts but I prefer pecans as the lemon seems to enhance the over all flavor. Hey, it could be our New Year's resolution - no more brown bananas wasting away on the kitchen counter!
Lemon-Glazed Banana Bread
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Dash of ground cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (1 cup)
½ cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
grated zest of one lemon
1 cup chopped pecans
Directions
Beat together the eggs, bananas, oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and lemon zest in a mixing bowl. Add everything except the nuts and mix to just combine. Fold in the nuts and spread batter in a vegetable-oil sprayed loaf pan. Bake for approximately one hour at 325 degrees or until golden brown and done.
Cool for a few minutes on a rack. Glaze with lemon icing and finish cooling. Glazing it while it is still very warm helps the icing seep in a a bit.
Lemon Icing1 cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
Enough fresh lemon juice to form an icing
Lemon-Glazed Banana Bread
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Dash of ground cloves
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2 medium ripe bananas, mashed (1 cup)
½ cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
grated zest of one lemon
1 cup chopped pecans
Directions
Beat together the eggs, bananas, oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and lemon zest in a mixing bowl. Add everything except the nuts and mix to just combine. Fold in the nuts and spread batter in a vegetable-oil sprayed loaf pan. Bake for approximately one hour at 325 degrees or until golden brown and done.
Cool for a few minutes on a rack. Glaze with lemon icing and finish cooling. Glazing it while it is still very warm helps the icing seep in a a bit.
Lemon Icing1 cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
Enough fresh lemon juice to form an icing
Saving a trip to the store . . .
This is the second time I've tried this and my family has said this should be the only way I prepare lasagna now. I think I've mentioned it before, but instead of buying the packages lasagna noodles at the store, I make my own. It takes a little bit more effort but everyone says it tastes better . . . cheaper, too.
Making pasta dough is easy . . . flour and eggs. I usually go with 4-5 cups flour and 3-4 eggs. On dry days, you might need more eggs. It's a very forgiving recipe as your aim is a workable dough. I have my tomato/meat/spinach sauce at the ready. The cheeses are shredded and standing by. I divide the dough into as many layers as I want and then start rolling! You need a good amount of flour for rolling the sticky dough out. You try for a rectangular shape and cope with what you roll out. You just layer with the filling, cheeses, and layers of dough as you proceed. Top with extra cheese and bake at 350 until bubbling and hot. That was my main dish for our party, last night, and that is what disappeared the fastest.
What I like about making my own egg noodle dough is I can use the organic eggs that have less cholesterol in them. And, I never have to fret at the last minute, discovering I forgot to buy lasagna noodles when I went shopping. Between the flour bin and the eggs in the refrigerator, I'm ready to cook.
I also like to make this dough and cut it into wide noodles and simmer in chicken soup. The noodles take less than five minutes to cook through and really make a plain bowl of soup pretty special.
Making pasta dough is easy . . . flour and eggs. I usually go with 4-5 cups flour and 3-4 eggs. On dry days, you might need more eggs. It's a very forgiving recipe as your aim is a workable dough. I have my tomato/meat/spinach sauce at the ready. The cheeses are shredded and standing by. I divide the dough into as many layers as I want and then start rolling! You need a good amount of flour for rolling the sticky dough out. You try for a rectangular shape and cope with what you roll out. You just layer with the filling, cheeses, and layers of dough as you proceed. Top with extra cheese and bake at 350 until bubbling and hot. That was my main dish for our party, last night, and that is what disappeared the fastest.
What I like about making my own egg noodle dough is I can use the organic eggs that have less cholesterol in them. And, I never have to fret at the last minute, discovering I forgot to buy lasagna noodles when I went shopping. Between the flour bin and the eggs in the refrigerator, I'm ready to cook.
I also like to make this dough and cut it into wide noodles and simmer in chicken soup. The noodles take less than five minutes to cook through and really make a plain bowl of soup pretty special.
Quotes to grow by?
"A bore is a man who deprives you of solitude without providing
you with company."
-- Gian Vincenzo Gravina
-- Gian Vincenzo Gravina
"You can only be young once. But you can always be immature."
-- Dave Barry
-- Dave Barry
"By the time I'd grown up, I naturally supposed that I'd be grown
up."
-- Eve Babitz
-- Eve Babitz
A poignant milestone . . .
Although there is always a sigh of resignation as each of my children reach the age of 18, there is something a bit more poignant about the youngest one arriving at that milestone. Sigh . . . my youngest turns 18 today! It surely is a measure of how quickly the years go by. I remember when he was born and I thought to myself, "I still have a baby in arms! I'm blessed." I've acknowledged the blessings over the years but that baby in arms certainly grew out of my protective grasp all too soon. Anyway, he is most happy with his birthday gifts and decided he would like German sausage, sauerkraut, and garlic mashed potatoes for his birthday dinner at home. Later in the week, he gets treated to lunch out at a favorite restaurant/fast food place. Cheesecake with strawberry topping is his birthday cake of choice.
Both he and one of his older sisters have December birthdays. It kind of rushes us through the season as we have Christmas and two birthdays for which to prepare. We have always been careful to not count Christmas presents as birthday gifts. I know families that do that but it doesn't seem fair to me to muddle their special day into a feast day for the sake of convenience.
We got together for an annual party with friends, last night. Lots of good food and much laughter. My daughter discovered our wedding album (28 years this February!) and I'm not sure I appreciated the gales of laughter coming from their viewing of it in the living room.
Today, I get to face the bills and bookkeeping that went by the wayside this last week. I imagine a lot of people are getting in the credit card bills and such this week and having to deal with it all. We don't carry a balance on our cards but don't use credit cards when there isn't money to back expenditures on them. I think a lot of people make the mistake of living up to their expectations in life when the paycheck doesn't cover them. And what an example we all have just watching our government in action! Seems like from the president on down all need a basic course in how a checking account actually works!
Both he and one of his older sisters have December birthdays. It kind of rushes us through the season as we have Christmas and two birthdays for which to prepare. We have always been careful to not count Christmas presents as birthday gifts. I know families that do that but it doesn't seem fair to me to muddle their special day into a feast day for the sake of convenience.
We got together for an annual party with friends, last night. Lots of good food and much laughter. My daughter discovered our wedding album (28 years this February!) and I'm not sure I appreciated the gales of laughter coming from their viewing of it in the living room.
Today, I get to face the bills and bookkeeping that went by the wayside this last week. I imagine a lot of people are getting in the credit card bills and such this week and having to deal with it all. We don't carry a balance on our cards but don't use credit cards when there isn't money to back expenditures on them. I think a lot of people make the mistake of living up to their expectations in life when the paycheck doesn't cover them. And what an example we all have just watching our government in action! Seems like from the president on down all need a basic course in how a checking account actually works!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Somber and amusing . . .
"I can picture in my mind a world without war, a world without
hate. And I can picture us attacking that world, because they'd never expect
it."
-- Jack Handey
-- Jack Handey
"What others think of us would be of little moment did it not,
when known, so deeply tinge what we think of ourselves."
-- Paul Valery
-- Paul Valery
"Democracy means government by discussion, but it is only
effective if you can stop people talking."
-- Clement Atlee
-- Clement Atlee
"Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone."
-- Anthony Burgess
-- Anthony Burgess
On the Second Day of Christmas . . .
We had a wonderful but quiet Christmas at home with just our family. It was great to have three of our four children home and we very much missed our older son who lives too far away to visit often. In the face of the economy, we were careful in our Christmas buying and put a lot of thought into each and every gift. It made the preparation for Christmas more meaningful for me as I put much of my own 'talents' into making gifts rather than buying them.
One friend, a fellow quilter, surprised me with a box of well-chosen, unique lengths of fabric. I am not excited to begin another quilt once the holiday celebrations calm down a bit.
No weird stuff happening at our 7:30 a.m. Mass, yesterday! We always have the quirks of one of the readers to contend with but the beauty of the Christmas hymns overshadowed the wannabe, female priests of the congregation. Also, one of our favorite Carmelite priests helped out with the Masses and gave his usual, excellent sermon.
We got a visit in the afternoon from friends who came with a plate of homemade cookies and gift card in hand.
Today, is our Christmas party and we will have 14 people at the dinner table. I fixed the three salads yesterday which frees up my time to put bread to rise and get the desserts done this morning.
My first attempt at a crown roast pork with apple stuffing went well. Anyone interested in checking out the recipe, can Google Anne Burell's recipe on the Food Network site. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/crown-roast-of-pork-recipe/index.html I highly recommend it as her instructions are perfect and you are guaranteed an excellent result. My daughter remarked, "Whatever you have cooking in the oven, smells fantastic, Mom!"
Hope everyone had a wonderful day of happiness, blessings, and celebration. Remember to keep the people who are suffering in poorer countries or ones under bad governments in your prayers. The way our government is going, we might need to be on that prayer list by next year! Now, THAT is a sobering thought! :-(
One friend, a fellow quilter, surprised me with a box of well-chosen, unique lengths of fabric. I am not excited to begin another quilt once the holiday celebrations calm down a bit.
No weird stuff happening at our 7:30 a.m. Mass, yesterday! We always have the quirks of one of the readers to contend with but the beauty of the Christmas hymns overshadowed the wannabe, female priests of the congregation. Also, one of our favorite Carmelite priests helped out with the Masses and gave his usual, excellent sermon.
We got a visit in the afternoon from friends who came with a plate of homemade cookies and gift card in hand.
Today, is our Christmas party and we will have 14 people at the dinner table. I fixed the three salads yesterday which frees up my time to put bread to rise and get the desserts done this morning.
My first attempt at a crown roast pork with apple stuffing went well. Anyone interested in checking out the recipe, can Google Anne Burell's recipe on the Food Network site. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/crown-roast-of-pork-recipe/index.html I highly recommend it as her instructions are perfect and you are guaranteed an excellent result. My daughter remarked, "Whatever you have cooking in the oven, smells fantastic, Mom!"
Hope everyone had a wonderful day of happiness, blessings, and celebration. Remember to keep the people who are suffering in poorer countries or ones under bad governments in your prayers. The way our government is going, we might need to be on that prayer list by next year! Now, THAT is a sobering thought! :-(
On Beyond Christmas . . .
There is a reason they call it the Twelve Days of Christmas as there are so many things to celebrate and reflect upon from Christmas Eve until the Three Kings arrive at the manger. It is sad when people set up their Christmas trees and start the festivities weeks before the 25th and then it is all over the minute the gifts are unwrapped and the party foods and treats are consumed. Here are a few of the days to remember and reflect upon.
Boxing Day is the day following Christmas when wealthy people and homeowners in the United Kingdom would give a box containing a gift to their servants. Now, Boxing Day is better known as a bank or public holiday that occurs on December 26, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day. It is observed in Great Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and some other Commonwealth nations.
In South Africa, Boxing Day was renamed Day of Goodwill in 1994. In Ireland it is recognized as St. Stephen's Day. In the Netherlands, Lithuania, Austria, Germany, Scandinavia and Poland, December 26 is celebrated as the Second Christmas Day.
For Catholics, December 26th is the Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr.
December 28th is the Feast of the Holy Innocents. When the Three Kings were following the Star and seeking Jesus, they stopped by King Herod’s palace. He, jealous and fearful of competition, pretended great interest in this ‘new king’ and asked the Kings to come by and let him know where they had found the child. They were given heavenly knowledge to not return so, in his fury, King Herod had all the male children, two years and younger, slaughtered. Given this wholesale murder of babies, it is a good day to reflect on how our world had gone way beyond that massacre and call it abortion today.
Boxing Day is the day following Christmas when wealthy people and homeowners in the United Kingdom would give a box containing a gift to their servants. Now, Boxing Day is better known as a bank or public holiday that occurs on December 26, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day. It is observed in Great Britain, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and some other Commonwealth nations.
In South Africa, Boxing Day was renamed Day of Goodwill in 1994. In Ireland it is recognized as St. Stephen's Day. In the Netherlands, Lithuania, Austria, Germany, Scandinavia and Poland, December 26 is celebrated as the Second Christmas Day.
For Catholics, December 26th is the Feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr.
December 28th is the Feast of the Holy Innocents. When the Three Kings were following the Star and seeking Jesus, they stopped by King Herod’s palace. He, jealous and fearful of competition, pretended great interest in this ‘new king’ and asked the Kings to come by and let him know where they had found the child. They were given heavenly knowledge to not return so, in his fury, King Herod had all the male children, two years and younger, slaughtered. Given this wholesale murder of babies, it is a good day to reflect on how our world had gone way beyond that massacre and call it abortion today.
Thinking into the New Year . . .
Dreams,
ideas, and plans not only are an escape, they give me purpose, a reason to hang
on.
- Steven Callahan
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas is here . . . at least in our time zone!
Christmas morning, as we knew it would, has ceased it's silent but steady approach and is totally upon us now! I am relishing in the fact that I'm done with the related motherly chores pertaining to the holiday as I listen to one of my children hurriedly wrap packages she forgot to do earlier in the week. Trying not to be too complacent about this fact.
We are heading out to the 7:30 a.m. Mass this morning in the hope that the worst of the once-a-year Catholics attended either the 5:30 or Midnight Mass last night. We learned, long ago, that when you deal with children and Christmas, the best plan is to open presents after Mass as it almost insures good behavior during Mass. The 'tradition' has stuck throughout the years.
After Mass and the materialistic side of Christmas - gifts, I have to put the dinner in the oven as it takes a long, slow roasting. I made the bread for the crown pork roast stuffing last night and with the abundance of chocolate gifts, I don't think I need to think about making a dessert.
Also have some extra housecleaning . . . Yes, I know, it's Christmas, but we planned our annual party tomorrow to accomodate everyone's schedule. We are looking forward to it as it has been awhile since the whole gang has been together. I have some cooking for that to do, too, but I enjoy working toward a get together with good friends.
Off to Mass in hopes that the various laity, who think they are on par with the priest, do not do anything too weird for Christmas Day Mass! I'm praying the one rather hefty extraordinary minister has her chest modestly covered when she distributes Communion. We live and hope!
God bless everyone's day and I hope it is peaceful, wonderful, and shared with family and friends.
We are heading out to the 7:30 a.m. Mass this morning in the hope that the worst of the once-a-year Catholics attended either the 5:30 or Midnight Mass last night. We learned, long ago, that when you deal with children and Christmas, the best plan is to open presents after Mass as it almost insures good behavior during Mass. The 'tradition' has stuck throughout the years.
After Mass and the materialistic side of Christmas - gifts, I have to put the dinner in the oven as it takes a long, slow roasting. I made the bread for the crown pork roast stuffing last night and with the abundance of chocolate gifts, I don't think I need to think about making a dessert.
Also have some extra housecleaning . . . Yes, I know, it's Christmas, but we planned our annual party tomorrow to accomodate everyone's schedule. We are looking forward to it as it has been awhile since the whole gang has been together. I have some cooking for that to do, too, but I enjoy working toward a get together with good friends.
Off to Mass in hopes that the various laity, who think they are on par with the priest, do not do anything too weird for Christmas Day Mass! I'm praying the one rather hefty extraordinary minister has her chest modestly covered when she distributes Communion. We live and hope!
God bless everyone's day and I hope it is peaceful, wonderful, and shared with family and friends.
Christmas Blessings . . .!
From lands that see the sun arise
To earth's remotest boundaries,
The Virgin-born today we sing,
The Son of Mary, Christ the King.
Blest Author of this earthly frame,
To take a servant's form He came,
That, liberating flesh by flesh,
Whom He had made might live afresh.
Roman Breviary, Feast of Christmas, Hymn
A solis Ortus cardine at Lauds.
(Tr. J. Neale) (Sedulius, 5th century)
To earth's remotest boundaries,
The Virgin-born today we sing,
The Son of Mary, Christ the King.
Blest Author of this earthly frame,
To take a servant's form He came,
That, liberating flesh by flesh,
Whom He had made might live afresh.
Roman Breviary, Feast of Christmas, Hymn
A solis Ortus cardine at Lauds.
(Tr. J. Neale) (Sedulius, 5th century)
Early Morning Humor . . .
"That all men are equal is a proposition which, at ordinary times,
no sane individual has ever given his assent."
-- Aldous Huxley
-- Aldous Huxley
"When everyone is somebody, then no one's anybody."
-- W. S. Gilbert
-- W. S. Gilbert
"An effective way to deal with predators is to taste terrible."
-- Unknown
-- Unknown
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Oatmeal Fruit & Nut Drops
After all the baking and candy making, my mind is thinking about a plainer type cookie with some substance and this one comes to mind. I think that after all the busy holiday plans are over and done with, I will put a batch of these on the counter to go with glasses of cold milk.
Oatmeal Fruit & Nut Drops1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 stick butter, room temperature
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed golden brown sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup old-fashioned oats
½ cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup diced dates
1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or use vegetable oil spray to grease.
Stir flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in small bowl to blend. Set aside. Using electric mixer, beat butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large bowl until blended. Mix in egg and vanilla. Mix in flour mixture. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Drop tablespoonful of dough for each cookie onto prepared baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake until lightly golden, about 12 to 15 minutes. Cool cookies on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to cooling racks. Drizzle with lemon glaze.
Lemon Glaze1 cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Enough fresh lemon juice to form a glaze
Oatmeal Fruit & Nut Drops1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 stick butter, room temperature
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup packed golden brown sugar
1 large egg
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup old-fashioned oats
½ cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup diced dates
1 tablespoon finely grated orange zest
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or use vegetable oil spray to grease.
Stir flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves in small bowl to blend. Set aside. Using electric mixer, beat butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in large bowl until blended. Mix in egg and vanilla. Mix in flour mixture. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Drop tablespoonful of dough for each cookie onto prepared baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Bake until lightly golden, about 12 to 15 minutes. Cool cookies on baking sheets for a few minutes before transferring to cooling racks. Drizzle with lemon glaze.
Lemon Glaze1 cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Enough fresh lemon juice to form a glaze
". . . this Joy repairs."
O dying souls; behold your living spring!
O dazzled eyes! behold your Sun of grace!
Dull ears attend what word this Word doth bring!
Up, heavy hearts, with joy your Joy embrace!
From death, from dark, from deafness, from despairs,
This Life, this Light, this Word, this Joy repairs.
Bl. Robert Southwell: The Nativity of Christ. (16th Century)
O dazzled eyes! behold your Sun of grace!
Dull ears attend what word this Word doth bring!
Up, heavy hearts, with joy your Joy embrace!
From death, from dark, from deafness, from despairs,
This Life, this Light, this Word, this Joy repairs.
Bl. Robert Southwell: The Nativity of Christ. (16th Century)
Liberalism . . .
Liberalism in religion is the doctrine that there is no positive truth in religion, but that one creed is as good as another, and this is the teaching which is gaining substance and force daily. It is inconsistent with any recognition of any religion, as true. It teaches that all are to be tolerated, for all are matters of opinion.
Cardinal Newman: 'Biglietto Speech' on being raised to the Cardinate. (19th century)
Liberalism seems to be creeping more and more into our Catholic Faith. It is a sad commentary on our Faith that we would minimize it in order to fit it with everyone else. The stuff of martyrs was never a matter of compromise.
Cardinal Newman: 'Biglietto Speech' on being raised to the Cardinate. (19th century)
Liberalism seems to be creeping more and more into our Catholic Faith. It is a sad commentary on our Faith that we would minimize it in order to fit it with everyone else. The stuff of martyrs was never a matter of compromise.
Making Candy . . .
I didn't get to make all the candy recipes I was interested in doing but I got an assortment that made up pretty boxes for gift giving tomorrow after Mass. I've posted all the recipes you see here but if anyone can't find it or wonder about a particular one pictured, let me know. The favorite of my children is the chocolate-covered peanut butter balls. Personally, I really liked the fresh orange sections simmered in sugar water, dried a bit, and then sugared. I like orange slice jelly candies but this beats them! Peppermint bark turned out different this year as I tried another type of peppermint candy inclusion that was softer than the usual crushed candy canes. It made the bark have a swirl design that looked festive. The fudge turning out well is always a given as the recipe is easy and you don't need to use a candy thermometer to gauge the perfect time to take it off the heat. I also pictured one of the completed candy boxes.
In spite of the busy morning, one of my daughter and I got to spend an hour with friends when we delivered a box of homemade candy to them. My friend was waiting for two of her sons to return from the store so she could go on with her own baking and I was done for the day. A nice break to catch up on our lives.
Blessings on the Eve of Christmas . . .
The moment is upon us . . . Tomorrow is Christmas! It is time to thank God for our blessings and pray for those who have not been as fortunate in this quickly dwindling year. Next week, is the beginning of a new year . . . a scary thought as many of us have yet to come to terms with all that 2011 has brought us. The world doesn't seem to be getting any better yet God is still in and of the world and we need to pray that more people seek Him out and exhibit more Christian charity to family, friends, and neighbors.
Except for preparing for Mass, tomorrow, and all my usual mom stuff re. fixing dinner, etc., I am pretty much ready for Christmas. I dreamed about a dinner I wanted to make and was shocked and pleased to find the protein ingredient on sale at the store! An extra Christmas gift for me - getting to try a new recipe for Christmas dinner.
Finally, going to make some fudge, peppermint bark . . . and who knows what else today. It's my 'third' dessert for our Christmas party the day after Christmas.
Lots of cleaning to do as I want to greet the feast day with a clean heart and house . . . or, at least, get a clean starting place for the litter of Christmas morning!
We are blessed to have children all in various stages of college but I miss the shopping at the toy store for them. Can you believe it? Not a one of them wanted a teddy bear or a jump rope this year! Go figure on that one!
I see that I have exceeded my computer time and the chores await. I hope and pray that everyone has the most blessed of feast days and that 2012 will be happy, productive, and blessed for each and everyone of us.
Except for preparing for Mass, tomorrow, and all my usual mom stuff re. fixing dinner, etc., I am pretty much ready for Christmas. I dreamed about a dinner I wanted to make and was shocked and pleased to find the protein ingredient on sale at the store! An extra Christmas gift for me - getting to try a new recipe for Christmas dinner.
Finally, going to make some fudge, peppermint bark . . . and who knows what else today. It's my 'third' dessert for our Christmas party the day after Christmas.
Lots of cleaning to do as I want to greet the feast day with a clean heart and house . . . or, at least, get a clean starting place for the litter of Christmas morning!
We are blessed to have children all in various stages of college but I miss the shopping at the toy store for them. Can you believe it? Not a one of them wanted a teddy bear or a jump rope this year! Go figure on that one!
I see that I have exceeded my computer time and the chores await. I hope and pray that everyone has the most blessed of feast days and that 2012 will be happy, productive, and blessed for each and everyone of us.
The Canticle of Zechariah . . .
Blessed be the Lord,
The God of Israel;
He has come to His people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,
Born of the house of His servant David.
Through His holy prophets He promised of old
That He would save us from our enemies,
From the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
And to remember His holy Covenant.
This was the oath He swore to our father Abraham:
To set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship Him without fear,
Holy and righteous in His sight
All the days of our life.
You, My child shall be called
The prophet of the Most High,
For you will go before the Lord to prepare His way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation
By the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our Lord
The dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness
And the shadow of death,
And to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning.
is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
~Canticle of Zechariah
The God of Israel;
He has come to His people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty Savior,
Born of the house of His servant David.
Through His holy prophets He promised of old
That He would save us from our enemies,
From the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
And to remember His holy Covenant.
This was the oath He swore to our father Abraham:
To set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship Him without fear,
Holy and righteous in His sight
All the days of our life.
You, My child shall be called
The prophet of the Most High,
For you will go before the Lord to prepare His way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation
By the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our Lord
The dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness
And the shadow of death,
And to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning.
is now, and will be forever.
Amen.
~Canticle of Zechariah
Tis Christmas night!
'Tis Christmas night! the snowA flock unnumbered lies;
The old Judean stars aglow
Keep watch within the skies.
An icy stillness holds
The pulses of the night;
A deeper mystery enfolds
The wondering hosts of light.
Till lo, with reverence pale
That dims each diadem,
The lordliest, earthward bending, hail
The Light of Bethlehem.
J. B. Tabb: The Light of Bethlehem (19th century)
Christmas Eve!
Fears and hopes, and hopes and fears,
Tears and smiles, and smiles and tears,
Cheers and sighs, and sighs and cheers,
Sweet and bitter, bitter, sweet,
Bright and dark, and dark and bright
All these mingle, all these meet
In this great and solemn night.
Abram Ryan: A Christmas Chant (19th century)
Tears and smiles, and smiles and tears,
Cheers and sighs, and sighs and cheers,
Sweet and bitter, bitter, sweet,
Bright and dark, and dark and bright
All these mingle, all these meet
In this great and solemn night.
Abram Ryan: A Christmas Chant (19th century)
Friday, December 23, 2011
Having been in the courtroom, have to agree . . .
The
penalty for laughing in a courtroom is six months in jail; if it were not for
this penalty, the jury would never hear the evidence.
- H. L. Mencken
Credible Threat to the Internet? Something else to be concerned about . . .
Credible threat to the Internet
Chris Woodward - OneNewsNow - 12/23/2011 3:55:00 AM
A free-market advocate says it's no joke that a movement is under way to internationally regulate the Internet.
FCC commissioner Robert McDowell told The Washington Times this week that the United States is unprepared for a fight over whether the Internet will remain free from government regulations or fall increasingly under the control of emerging global powers. Proponents of Internet regulation could dismiss McDowell's warning, as he is currently the only Republican on the Federal Communication Commission and the only opponent to the "net neutrality" order. Still, Seton Motley, president of Less Government and editor-in-chief of StopNetRegulation.org, says it is a very credible threat.
"Next December, there's going to be this international committee that's going to vote to internationally regulate the Internet," he reports. "And some fabulous places like China are looking forward to voting to take over the Internet."
That notion is based on a lie that America is controlling the Internet and making money off the backs of other countries.
"This is a very anti-capitalist message, and they're selling this international regulation of the Internet so that each individual country can charge companies per click or per page impression," Motley explains.
The 193 nations that make up the International Telecommunications Union, a U.N. agency, will vote on the issue, and the StopNetRegulation.org president says it appears proponents have over 40 percent of the votes necessary for passage. Meanwhile, Commissioner McDowell has reportedly met with state and commerce officials to discuss the matter, so the Obama administration is not only aware of the vote, but it is in the right position -- just behind the curve.
Chris Woodward - OneNewsNow - 12/23/2011 3:55:00 AM
A free-market advocate says it's no joke that a movement is under way to internationally regulate the Internet.
FCC commissioner Robert McDowell told The Washington Times this week that the United States is unprepared for a fight over whether the Internet will remain free from government regulations or fall increasingly under the control of emerging global powers. Proponents of Internet regulation could dismiss McDowell's warning, as he is currently the only Republican on the Federal Communication Commission and the only opponent to the "net neutrality" order. Still, Seton Motley, president of Less Government and editor-in-chief of StopNetRegulation.org, says it is a very credible threat.
"Next December, there's going to be this international committee that's going to vote to internationally regulate the Internet," he reports. "And some fabulous places like China are looking forward to voting to take over the Internet."
That notion is based on a lie that America is controlling the Internet and making money off the backs of other countries.
"This is a very anti-capitalist message, and they're selling this international regulation of the Internet so that each individual country can charge companies per click or per page impression," Motley explains.
The 193 nations that make up the International Telecommunications Union, a U.N. agency, will vote on the issue, and the StopNetRegulation.org president says it appears proponents have over 40 percent of the votes necessary for passage. Meanwhile, Commissioner McDowell has reportedly met with state and commerce officials to discuss the matter, so the Obama administration is not only aware of the vote, but it is in the right position -- just behind the curve.
One, more note about hot cocoa . . .
If you are tired of the plain old cocoa, you can spice it up. For some extra zip to the hot drink, consider adding some cinnamon, nutmeg, a dash of cayenne, and a star anise to the simmering pot. Spicing should be done to your personal taste so . . . taste it as you go along! When you serve it, sprinkle the swirl of whipped cream or the tiny marshmallows with a dusting or cocoa powder or cinnamon. I don't even mind a bit of fresh orange zest on the whipped cream!
Basic Hot Cocoa
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 ½ cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup half-and-half cream (or splurge and go with cream!)
Mix the cocoa, sugar, and salt in a pot. Stir in the boiling water and whisk to get all the lumps out. Pour in the milk and stir to mix. Slowly bring to a simmer, stirring as needed. When the cocoa is hot, add the vanilla and cream of choice. Bring back to serving temperature.
Basic Hot Cocoa
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 ½ cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup half-and-half cream (or splurge and go with cream!)
Mix the cocoa, sugar, and salt in a pot. Stir in the boiling water and whisk to get all the lumps out. Pour in the milk and stir to mix. Slowly bring to a simmer, stirring as needed. When the cocoa is hot, add the vanilla and cream of choice. Bring back to serving temperature.
A Christmas Eve Wish . . . Peppermint Cocoa!
When the anticipation gets to be too much for excited children . . . or adults, plan an after-dinner treat of hot cocoa. There is nothing like warming hand around a mug of chocolate sweetness, sharing memories, and thinking about the reason for the season before bedtime. The peppermint stick makes a great stirrer. I've noticed they also sell peppermint chocolate candy canes, too, which might enhance the final product even more.
Peppermint cocoa
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 ½ cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup half-and-half cream (or splurge and go with cream!)
Peppermint candy canes
Whipped cream
Mix the cocoa, sugar, and salt in a pot. Stir in the boiling water and whisk to get all the lumps out. Pour in the milk and stir to mix. Slowly bring to a simmer, stirring as needed. When the cocoa is hot, add the vanilla and cream of choice. Bring back to serving temperature.
Pour into cups and top with whipped cream and stick in a candy cane for stirring. Your house will smell festive . . . and it tastes good, too!
Peppermint cocoa
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water
3 ½ cups milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup half-and-half cream (or splurge and go with cream!)
Peppermint candy canes
Whipped cream
Mix the cocoa, sugar, and salt in a pot. Stir in the boiling water and whisk to get all the lumps out. Pour in the milk and stir to mix. Slowly bring to a simmer, stirring as needed. When the cocoa is hot, add the vanilla and cream of choice. Bring back to serving temperature.
Pour into cups and top with whipped cream and stick in a candy cane for stirring. Your house will smell festive . . . and it tastes good, too!
Candied orange slices
Oranges are in season both at the grocery store and on our sturdy, little orange tree. I eat as many as I can but like to find more lasting uses for this favorite fruit of mine. I discovered this one, this morning, and copied it out for my files. You know, the pile of cherished recipes I really will organize some day. Yeah, that one!
Anyway, I like the combination of chocolate and orange and when I read this one, it was like a dream come true in that it combines fresh oranges with chocolate and makes a wonderful treat. Also, the syrup that evolves from the long cooking can be saved and used to spruce up other citrus recipes or add some zing to a buttercream frosting.
http://www.food.com/recipe/candied-orange-slices-dipped-in-chocolate-144348
Anyway, I like the combination of chocolate and orange and when I read this one, it was like a dream come true in that it combines fresh oranges with chocolate and makes a wonderful treat. Also, the syrup that evolves from the long cooking can be saved and used to spruce up other citrus recipes or add some zing to a buttercream frosting.
http://www.food.com/recipe/candied-orange-slices-dipped-in-chocolate-144348
Christmas Tidings of Great Joy . . .
“When the appointed time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman… to enable us to be adopted as sons.”
Galatians 4, 4-5
One to think about . . .
“Our actions have a tongue of their own; they have an eloquence of their own,
even when the tongue is silent. For deeds prove the lover more than words.”
~St. Cyril of Jerusalem
Children age you . . .
Without saying a word, just by being, children age you! Up until I had children, time seemed to hover over reality and, although I celebrated my birthdays, it didn't seem to change the time factor much. Once you have children, however, they tend to become the measuring stick of your rapid aging process. Whereas you used to think back on events in a foggy but not that ancient past, you now have the years counted explicitly for you by way of your children.
When a child celebrates a birthday, it quickly brings to mind that another year has gone by and the child has changed. Suddenly, you glimpse an older person in the mirror and realize it it you. Time has sped up and you find yourself keeping track of the years as they quickly sift through your fingers!
Unless I can make the claim stick that I gave birth to all my children prior to age five, time is proclaiming the fact that while the children grow up, I am getting older.
Two of my children are off on their own. My older son is soon to be an author and he wrote the book in Chinese. Even my fourth child, my baby is twenty-one, now. My husband often shakes his head and bemoans the fact that it all happened so quickly. We were so busy raising the children, we regret not always having time to stop and totally revel in the fact.
We are, however, blessed. My advice to the mothers with cranky babies, exhaustion, and not enough time to do what they want to do . . . relish it as it ends all too soon and you will have children who will willingly walk into the future on their own, two feet and you are left with the memories. Rejoice and be glad and be thankful!
When a child celebrates a birthday, it quickly brings to mind that another year has gone by and the child has changed. Suddenly, you glimpse an older person in the mirror and realize it it you. Time has sped up and you find yourself keeping track of the years as they quickly sift through your fingers!
Unless I can make the claim stick that I gave birth to all my children prior to age five, time is proclaiming the fact that while the children grow up, I am getting older.
Two of my children are off on their own. My older son is soon to be an author and he wrote the book in Chinese. Even my fourth child, my baby is twenty-one, now. My husband often shakes his head and bemoans the fact that it all happened so quickly. We were so busy raising the children, we regret not always having time to stop and totally revel in the fact.
We are, however, blessed. My advice to the mothers with cranky babies, exhaustion, and not enough time to do what they want to do . . . relish it as it ends all too soon and you will have children who will willingly walk into the future on their own, two feet and you are left with the memories. Rejoice and be glad and be thankful!
All Keepers in my book!
"Anger is the feeling that makes your mouth work faster than your
mind."
-- Evan Esar
-- Evan Esar
"Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but
backwards and in high heels."
-- Bob Thaves
-- Bob Thaves
"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I
like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."
-- J. R. R. Tolkien
-- J. R. R. Tolkien
"In real life, I assure you, there is no such thing as algebra."
-- Fran Lebowitz
-- Fran Lebowitz
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Mixing together dinner . . .
My husband says that I cannibalize our meals in that there is usually something in the new meal that was already in a past meal. I admit I'm guilty but when you made a great sauce or gravy, even if only a bit is left, it is worth saving. I keep ziplock snack bags on hand just for this purpose. The few tablespoons go into the bag and the bag goes into the freezer. Only I know what the mystery packets hold!
After so much time out of the house on errands, today, I wasn't in a mood to create dinner so much as mix one together. I decided on pasta with a savory tomato sauce. The pasta water is put to boil and I dug around in the freezer for my mystery packets of flavoring. I tossed in a can of dice tomatoes for extra tomato flavor and now have spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove. Before I serve dinner, one of my mystery packets of pesto will join the formula. The warehouse store sells jars of this and I divide it up into packets and freeze them, too.
My husband maintains that saving money on groceries isn't that difficult . . . It is the thinking that needs to go into it that is a challenge. He likes my thinking and appreciates the fact that I didn't come by these 'smarts' overnight but keep working at finding new ways to save and prepare a good meal.
After so much time out of the house on errands, today, I wasn't in a mood to create dinner so much as mix one together. I decided on pasta with a savory tomato sauce. The pasta water is put to boil and I dug around in the freezer for my mystery packets of flavoring. I tossed in a can of dice tomatoes for extra tomato flavor and now have spaghetti sauce simmering on the stove. Before I serve dinner, one of my mystery packets of pesto will join the formula. The warehouse store sells jars of this and I divide it up into packets and freeze them, too.
My husband maintains that saving money on groceries isn't that difficult . . . It is the thinking that needs to go into it that is a challenge. He likes my thinking and appreciates the fact that I didn't come by these 'smarts' overnight but keep working at finding new ways to save and prepare a good meal.
Just figured it out . . .
After a quick trip to the store for last-minute items (my daughter's shopping not mine!), I figured out why shopping takes so long and why people are getting so fat. We pulled into the crowded parking lot and were thrilled to see two parking spaces at the far end of the lot. It was a bit of a walk but was right in line with the entrance so, in my thinking, convenient. I was about four cars behind the line up and didn't think I would have a chance at grabbing one of those parking places. Much to my surprise, all four cars passed them up and preferred to snake in and around the entire lot in hopes of getting a really, really close parking space. The sun is shining, it isn't particularly cold . . . We were heading into the door of the store while those same cars were still waiting for the absolutely perfect parking spot to open up miraculously for them.
I decided that the 15-30 minutes roaming the parking lot and the lack of eagerness to do any walking probably contributes greatly to adding wasted time to the shopping trip and retention of excess weight with the lack of eagerness to walk more than necessary. Meanwhile, my daughter and I are in and out of the store within 20 minutes and on our way home.
I decided that the 15-30 minutes roaming the parking lot and the lack of eagerness to do any walking probably contributes greatly to adding wasted time to the shopping trip and retention of excess weight with the lack of eagerness to walk more than necessary. Meanwhile, my daughter and I are in and out of the store within 20 minutes and on our way home.
Christmas . . .
Christmas--that
magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it
is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day
of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance--a day in
which we think of everything we have ever loved.
- Augusta E.
Rundell
Final Countdown to Christmas . . .
Yes, Christmas is going to happen this Sunday and there isn't much anyone can do at this point in time to slow down the daily progress towards that conclusion. I've ventured out a few times for normal shopping needs and the last-minute frenzy is already in force.
I tend to shop early in the season and am always on the look out for ideas/gifts the months before Christmas. I know that if I put it off until Christmas Eve, I will dump any and everything into my shopping cart in hopes of something filling the bill for needed gifts. Not a great way to enjoy the holiday! I'm a 'list' person. Around the end of October, I make up a list of who gets gifts, who gets cookies, and who gets a Christmas card. It is always available at every shopping venture in case I find a sale or special gift in the store. Around the middle of November, my extra closet becomes off limits and my family knows that the blessings of Christmas and it's subsequent surprises are in the works.
I'm happy to say that my closet is now open to inspection and gifts have been wrapped and distributed as needed. Unfortunately, my 'babies' have grown up too much and there isn't any of the package shaking and guessing of bygone years. The gifts I put under the tree are left alone. Sigh . . .
I did break 'tradition' this year. I dearly enjoy prime rib and our local warehouse store carries beautiful cuts of meat every Christmas. Even though is is about four dollars cheaper than the regular grocery stores, it still would cost around $45 for a great hunk of beef. Every year, I firmly decide that this is the year I splurge. I arrive at the warehouse store, carefully select a prime rib roast, and put it in my grocery cart. This lovely piece of meat gets a ride around the store as I complete my shopping . . . then reality sets in and I think about how many groceries I can purchase with that $45 . . . and the roast goes back to the meat counter. This year I didn't give a ride to any meat! I did find some roasts on sale at the regular grocery stores, however, and will make due. It is definitely not prime quality but I will just have to be more creative with my preparation. The temptation was too strong this year to just buy the stupid prime rib so I knew that going near it would cost me $45 on the spot. No promises about next year, however!
Busy times starting with Christmas Day as the next day, we are having our favorite friends over for dinner. Our respective children have been away at college/seminary and it will be a sort of reunion of old times. The following day is my youngest's 18th birthday. Oh, and two days before Christmas, is my older daughter's birthday! Both of them were born two weeks early and should have been January babies. No sense of planning on their part!
I tend to shop early in the season and am always on the look out for ideas/gifts the months before Christmas. I know that if I put it off until Christmas Eve, I will dump any and everything into my shopping cart in hopes of something filling the bill for needed gifts. Not a great way to enjoy the holiday! I'm a 'list' person. Around the end of October, I make up a list of who gets gifts, who gets cookies, and who gets a Christmas card. It is always available at every shopping venture in case I find a sale or special gift in the store. Around the middle of November, my extra closet becomes off limits and my family knows that the blessings of Christmas and it's subsequent surprises are in the works.
I'm happy to say that my closet is now open to inspection and gifts have been wrapped and distributed as needed. Unfortunately, my 'babies' have grown up too much and there isn't any of the package shaking and guessing of bygone years. The gifts I put under the tree are left alone. Sigh . . .
I did break 'tradition' this year. I dearly enjoy prime rib and our local warehouse store carries beautiful cuts of meat every Christmas. Even though is is about four dollars cheaper than the regular grocery stores, it still would cost around $45 for a great hunk of beef. Every year, I firmly decide that this is the year I splurge. I arrive at the warehouse store, carefully select a prime rib roast, and put it in my grocery cart. This lovely piece of meat gets a ride around the store as I complete my shopping . . . then reality sets in and I think about how many groceries I can purchase with that $45 . . . and the roast goes back to the meat counter. This year I didn't give a ride to any meat! I did find some roasts on sale at the regular grocery stores, however, and will make due. It is definitely not prime quality but I will just have to be more creative with my preparation. The temptation was too strong this year to just buy the stupid prime rib so I knew that going near it would cost me $45 on the spot. No promises about next year, however!
Busy times starting with Christmas Day as the next day, we are having our favorite friends over for dinner. Our respective children have been away at college/seminary and it will be a sort of reunion of old times. The following day is my youngest's 18th birthday. Oh, and two days before Christmas, is my older daughter's birthday! Both of them were born two weeks early and should have been January babies. No sense of planning on their part!
It is a sad commentary on our world today . . .
It was with great sadness that I read this news report. In a country that was founded on freedom, it certainly doesn't bode well when this freedom of choice can be decided by the government or that anyone has to go to court because they don't want to be forced into medical practices that go against their religious freedoms. Such is the case with 12 nurses who do not want to assist at abortions. If the court doesn't rule in their favor to opt out, they could lose their jobs. When did limits on our freedoms become legislated?
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/12/21/court-to-hold-hearing-on-nurses-forced-to-assist-abortions/
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/12/21/court-to-hold-hearing-on-nurses-forced-to-assist-abortions/
Easy Vegetarian Chili
We like to go meatless a couple of days a week but it can be a challenge to find a recipe that doesn’t call for soy products. My husband can’t eat soy. During Lent and the meatless Fridays, I’m always straining my brain for nourishing meals that also taste good, too. This one seems to fit the requirements. It has everything you need to be filling and tasty and you can serve it as spicy as you want. I always put chili flakes on the table along with the salt and pepper for those in the family who like to breathe fire!
Vegetarian Chili
1 cup finely grated carrot
1 Portobelo mushroom, minced
One onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped finely
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons barbecue sauce
2 cans beans (black, kidney, pinto, your choice!)
1 cup frozen corn
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup pasta sauce, your favorite brand
¼ cup chunky salsa
¼ cup fresh cilantro
Chili powder to taste
Ground cumin to taste
Tortilla chips
shredded Cheese
green onions, chopped
sour cream to top
Saute the carrot, mushroom, onion and garlic in a cooking pot with the olive oil until everything is tender. Add the Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce, beans, corn, pasta sauce, and salsa. Stir to mix and simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Stir in the chili and ground cumin, cook another five minutes. Add the cilantro and serve. Top with chips, shredded cheese, green onions, and sour cream.
Vegetarian Chili
1 cup finely grated carrot
1 Portobelo mushroom, minced
One onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, smashed and chopped finely
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons barbecue sauce
2 cans beans (black, kidney, pinto, your choice!)
1 cup frozen corn
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup pasta sauce, your favorite brand
¼ cup chunky salsa
¼ cup fresh cilantro
Chili powder to taste
Ground cumin to taste
Tortilla chips
shredded Cheese
green onions, chopped
sour cream to top
Saute the carrot, mushroom, onion and garlic in a cooking pot with the olive oil until everything is tender. Add the Worcestershire sauce, barbecue sauce, beans, corn, pasta sauce, and salsa. Stir to mix and simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Stir in the chili and ground cumin, cook another five minutes. Add the cilantro and serve. Top with chips, shredded cheese, green onions, and sour cream.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Got that right!
People
are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in
circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and
look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, make them.
- George Bernard
Shaw
We can only hope . . .
| On Easter day, as you're driving to church, call out to your slobovian, atheistic, liberal neighbor sitting on his porch: | |||
"Happy Easter! Our Savior liveth! Sorry yours won't get
reelected!"
|
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Dealing with the employed . . .
In this day and age, one would think that anyone with a job would be most grateful and exhibit such gratitude by doing their job to the best of their ability. Once more, I've been the 'victim' of an employed person who acts like they'd rather not be there.
My daughter was due for her eye examination. The doctor checked her eyes, gave us her prescription, we dutifully paid, and left. We got to the place where we usually get our eyeglass prescriptions filled. My daughter spent a good amount of time chosing her new frames and we were congratulating ourselves about how quickly we had accomplished this errand.
We took the chosen frames to the clerk, she pulled up our records, started to plug in the new prescription numbers, and stopped . . . She said that there was an error in the numbers and an important segment of the prescription had been left out. Suddenly, I remembered that the doctor's receptionist had done the same thing to us three years ago with the very same omission!
The eyeglass people were nice enough to call the doctor's office and have the information faxed over to them. The clerk said the receptionist told her that she thought it should have included the extra information and wondered about it. The doctor is sitting five feet away and all she can do is wonder?
I worked in the public sector for over 15 years and discovered that the good employees always went a few steps further to insure a job well done. If something is glaring enough to make you wonder, you should persue the situation until you discover the reality.
Jobs aren't easy to come by or keep in this 'wonderful' economy of ours. It seems to me that anyone blessed with a job, would do all they could to become indispensible at the job which includes following through when things don't look correct and saving the customer/patients some valuable time.
My daughter was due for her eye examination. The doctor checked her eyes, gave us her prescription, we dutifully paid, and left. We got to the place where we usually get our eyeglass prescriptions filled. My daughter spent a good amount of time chosing her new frames and we were congratulating ourselves about how quickly we had accomplished this errand.
We took the chosen frames to the clerk, she pulled up our records, started to plug in the new prescription numbers, and stopped . . . She said that there was an error in the numbers and an important segment of the prescription had been left out. Suddenly, I remembered that the doctor's receptionist had done the same thing to us three years ago with the very same omission!
The eyeglass people were nice enough to call the doctor's office and have the information faxed over to them. The clerk said the receptionist told her that she thought it should have included the extra information and wondered about it. The doctor is sitting five feet away and all she can do is wonder?
I worked in the public sector for over 15 years and discovered that the good employees always went a few steps further to insure a job well done. If something is glaring enough to make you wonder, you should persue the situation until you discover the reality.
Jobs aren't easy to come by or keep in this 'wonderful' economy of ours. It seems to me that anyone blessed with a job, would do all they could to become indispensible at the job which includes following through when things don't look correct and saving the customer/patients some valuable time.
Never considered it this way . . .
The word angel is the name of a function, not of a nature. For they are always spirits, but are called angels when they are sent.
St. Isidore: Erymologies, 7, 5. (7th century)
St. Isidore: Erymologies, 7, 5. (7th century)
Pumpkin Pancakes
Something easy to whip up for Christmas morning. It satisfies the sweet tooth and provides enough nurtients to satisfy the parental side of our natures. It's a nice change from the usual pancakes and a surprise. Hey, I won't tell if you even put a can of whipped cream out on the table that morning!
Pumpkin Pancakes
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
½ cup canned pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 egg
Whisk together the dry ingredients and then blend in the rest, mixing thoroughly. If the batter is too thin, add a bit more flour. Pour quarter cups of batter onto a hot, buttered griddle or frying pan. When bubbles appear on the surface of the pancake, time to turn it over.
Have the butter ready along with your favorite syrup and enjoy.
Pumpkin Pancakes
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
½ cup canned pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 egg
Whisk together the dry ingredients and then blend in the rest, mixing thoroughly. If the batter is too thin, add a bit more flour. Pour quarter cups of batter onto a hot, buttered griddle or frying pan. When bubbles appear on the surface of the pancake, time to turn it over.
Have the butter ready along with your favorite syrup and enjoy.
Books can be the advantage . . .
"The man who does not read good
books has no advantage over the
man who cannot read them."- Mark Twain
Guessing the weather!
And a supporting tool for this device would be called a window!
Barometer,
n.: An ingenious instrument which indicates what kind of weather we are having.
- Ambrose Bierce
Peppermint Truffles of the Chocolate Variety . . .
http://candy.about.com/od/specialoccasions/r/ccanetruffles.htm?nl=1
Truffles always sound expensive and elegant yet recipes for making these at home have been all over the Internet this Christmas season. Here is that wonderful combination of chocolate and mint together in an easy recipe. An hour's worth of time and an impressive offering for your holiday table or packed in a pretty box for gift giving when you visit family and friends for Christmas.
I still haven't gotten time to do my annual candy-making day but had better get to it soon . . . I keep finding more and more recipes I want to add to the list.
Truffles always sound expensive and elegant yet recipes for making these at home have been all over the Internet this Christmas season. Here is that wonderful combination of chocolate and mint together in an easy recipe. An hour's worth of time and an impressive offering for your holiday table or packed in a pretty box for gift giving when you visit family and friends for Christmas.
I still haven't gotten time to do my annual candy-making day but had better get to it soon . . . I keep finding more and more recipes I want to add to the list.
A good quote for raising children, too!
“Fight all error, but do it with good humor, patience, kindness, and love.
Harshness will damage your own soul and spoil the best cause.” ~St. John of
Kanty
There is hope for Hollywood . . .
http://www.lifenews.com/2011/12/19/top-five-most-influential-pro-life-celebrities-of-2011/
Although the number seems small in comparison to the onslaught on the unborn, celebrities have a following and if they each influence 100 people to reflect on the tragedy of abortion, think of how that
knowledge and action can grow.
Although the number seems small in comparison to the onslaught on the unborn, celebrities have a following and if they each influence 100 people to reflect on the tragedy of abortion, think of how that
knowledge and action can grow.
Monday, December 19, 2011
If the North Pole was taken over by the government . . .
http://youtu.be/0J0ZD6MK0rM
Hope you can access this link. A very funny video with all too much possibility in it . . . which is on the scary side!
Hope you can access this link. A very funny video with all too much possibility in it . . . which is on the scary side!
Where Honesty Begins . . .
Our
lives improve only when we take chances - and the first and most difficult risk
we can take is to be honest with ourselves.
- Walter Anderson
Spicy Almond Treat
A week before Christmas and you are desperate for last-minute gifts for neighbors and friends. This is a fast and easy way to provide a sweet thought for those people and not break the bank or push you over the edge into holiday insanity!
Spicy Almond Treat
4 cups whole unblanched almonds
1 egg white
1 teaspoon water
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spread almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool for approximately 30 minutes.
Beat egg white and water in a large bowl until frothy. Stir in granulated sugar, brown sugar, spices, pepper, and salt. Stir in cooled nuts. Spread nuts in a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Turn down oven to 325 degrees and bake nuts about 20 minutes or until nuts appear dry, stirring once halfway through baking. Let cool and break into pieces.
Ideas . . .
You can fill small, pretty jars with the nuts for a nice hostess gift.
Great to have on your buffet table for holiday parties.
A better treat for the children when they get tired of all the gooey, sugary treats.
Spicy Almond Treat
4 cups whole unblanched almonds
1 egg white
1 teaspoon water
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spread almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool for approximately 30 minutes.
Beat egg white and water in a large bowl until frothy. Stir in granulated sugar, brown sugar, spices, pepper, and salt. Stir in cooled nuts. Spread nuts in a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Turn down oven to 325 degrees and bake nuts about 20 minutes or until nuts appear dry, stirring once halfway through baking. Let cool and break into pieces.
Ideas . . .
You can fill small, pretty jars with the nuts for a nice hostess gift.
Great to have on your buffet table for holiday parties.
A better treat for the children when they get tired of all the gooey, sugary treats.
Prayer Request!
I just found out an elderly friend isn't expected to last out the week. If you have a prayer for Mr. C., today, I know his family would appreciate it. He has been suffering with cancer and other illnesses for almost three years now. A priest has been to the house and helped him prepare for this final journey on earth. I know is wife is happy for this but what a sad and poignant event for the Christmas season.
Brownie Temptation times Thirty!
Wish I'd come across this site before I finished my baking. It makes me want to drag all the baking stuff out and go at it again! The link actually gives recipes for 30 different kinds of brownies. I'm thinking it would be fun to have a brownie party for a Christmas party some year. Two of the listed recipes caught my attention - one with a mint layer covered by a chocolate icing and a similar one only using an orange layer.
http://www.bhg.com/recipes/desserts/cookies/chocolate-brownie-recipes/?sssdmh=dm17.569503&esrc=nw12d2011_06_11&email=4011674711
http://www.bhg.com/recipes/desserts/cookies/chocolate-brownie-recipes/?sssdmh=dm17.569503&esrc=nw12d2011_06_11&email=4011674711
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Sort of an Autumn Morning in California . . .
Early this morning, the rising sun played some pretty light on the surrounding trees. I started taking some pictures when I noticed the bird in the one tree and then the rainbow. Not sure if the rainbow means the rain is over because it is still raining! Not often I can find so many Fall colors in the same area. A huge contrast to our very green orange tree with all it's brightly colored fruit. That's California for you.
Educating thoughts for a Sunday . . .
"An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even
how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you do know and
what you don't."
-- Anatole France
-- Anatole France
"Silence propagates itself, and the longer talk has been
suspended, the more difficult it is to find anything to say."
-- Samuel Johnson
-- Samuel Johnson
"Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less
the artist does the better."
-- Andre Gide
-- Andre Gide
Christmas is NEXT week . . . already?
A few more plates of cookies to deliver and I'm officially prepared for the material side of Christmas. Time to turn my heart more fully towards the actual day of Christmas. Amazing how many years of Christmases there have been in the world and how each year has seen neglect and attacks on this most holy of days. A world that was saved by Jesus is not showing itself to be a very grateful one and that is a sad thread that permeates the feast day.
I guess it has come down to each of us spreading our lights as far as we can within our own corner of the world and hoping peace, kindness, and charity will multiply from there. We can't lose heart because then we lose sight of the final reward for our belief.
The people who don't believe in any kind of higher being are certainly out in full force this season. I don't understand them. Yes, it is a free world and we can believe in God or not. That is our gift of free will. Why do they, however, want to force their non-belief on us in any and every way they can during Christmas? Seems to me they protest too much! Perhaps, they do feel a disconnect among the majority who find solace and joy and hope that by trying to banishing our free will to worship, will find comfort for themselves.
I often think about what it would be like to not believe in God and it opens such a vast darkness in my mind that would keep me from really trying to be the best human being I can be. I mean, if there is no reward for our struggles on earth, why struggle. If any kindness is a selfish act, why be kind? If being good for the sake of godliness isn't necessary, why bother? If you read the Ten Commandments they offer a simple list of do's and don't's that, as people in a social society, should observe just on the common sense level. I guess the first couple of commandments keep a lot of people from reading further.
Christmas is a time to rejoice, share, care, and pray for those who aren't letting themselves be a reality in the season because they don't want to go higher than themselves in prayer and belief.
I guess it has come down to each of us spreading our lights as far as we can within our own corner of the world and hoping peace, kindness, and charity will multiply from there. We can't lose heart because then we lose sight of the final reward for our belief.
The people who don't believe in any kind of higher being are certainly out in full force this season. I don't understand them. Yes, it is a free world and we can believe in God or not. That is our gift of free will. Why do they, however, want to force their non-belief on us in any and every way they can during Christmas? Seems to me they protest too much! Perhaps, they do feel a disconnect among the majority who find solace and joy and hope that by trying to banishing our free will to worship, will find comfort for themselves.
I often think about what it would be like to not believe in God and it opens such a vast darkness in my mind that would keep me from really trying to be the best human being I can be. I mean, if there is no reward for our struggles on earth, why struggle. If any kindness is a selfish act, why be kind? If being good for the sake of godliness isn't necessary, why bother? If you read the Ten Commandments they offer a simple list of do's and don't's that, as people in a social society, should observe just on the common sense level. I guess the first couple of commandments keep a lot of people from reading further.
Christmas is a time to rejoice, share, care, and pray for those who aren't letting themselves be a reality in the season because they don't want to go higher than themselves in prayer and belief.
Last Sunday in Advent!
O Key of David, and Scepter of the house of Israel; Who openest, and no man shutteth; Who shuttest, and no man openeth: come and lead the captive from the prison-house, and him that sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of death.
Roman Breviary, Great Antiphon at Vespers on December 20th. (7th century)
Roman Breviary, Great Antiphon at Vespers on December 20th. (7th century)
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Spicy Persimmon Cookies
A friend gifted me with a bag of persimmons yesterday so I had to dig out a recipe for making Persimmon Cookies! These cookies have a wonderful memory for me. When I was growing up, the choir was a close group of people. The organist would have a Christmas party every year and one of the treats she provided were her homemade persimmon cookies. Being only a child, at the time, I was a little hesitant about this lumpy, bumpy cookies but the spicy scent and moist texture soon had been returning for seconds and thirds. When I received this bounty of persimmons, I immediately thought back on those long ago days and now want to bring some of that memory into my kitchen this week.
Spicy Persimmon Cookies
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup Persimmon pulp
1 Egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground Clove
1/4 teaspoon ground Nutmeg
Freshly grated zest of one orange
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup dried cranberries
Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in the egg, vanilla and persimmon pulp. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix to combine.
Drop by generous teaspoonfuls onto greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
Spicy Persimmon Cookies
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup Persimmon pulp
1 Egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground Clove
1/4 teaspoon ground Nutmeg
Freshly grated zest of one orange
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ cup dried cranberries
Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in the egg, vanilla and persimmon pulp. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix to combine.
Drop by generous teaspoonfuls onto greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
Peanut Butter and Chocolate - the Perfect Match!
Just when I think I have my comtemplated candy-making list in readiness, I come across another recipe that begs to join the ranks. This one makes me seriously think about knocking an old favorite off the list in favor of it Peanut Butter Truffles sound very good! The ingredients are simple and who can argue the benefits of those combined flavors in one delicious bite? http://www.bhg.com/recipe/candy/peanut-butter-truffles/
Religious Freedom?
According to yesterday's Drudge Report, United States Congressmen are barred from saying 'Merry Christmas' in any of their official mailings. I find this restriction to be unnecessary and very much against the reason this country was founded - religious freedom. Isn't that why the pilgrims made that long and dangerous journey to a new country? I imagine the first thing they did upon finally landing on solid ground was to offer thanksgiving to God for getting them there. We keep scraping away all that makes this country good and wonder why everything is falling apart.
It seems to me that everyone is created equal - now where did I hear that before? If a congressman is Christian, he should be able to sign off any and all letters with a holiday greeting of his choice. The same goes for other religions and faiths. Our faith should be what makes us and if we have to supress it because we can't take the chance of ever offending anyone, we are not living up to and supporting what we believe in.
I also think it is silly for people of other faiths or no faith at all to take exception to someone celebrating their happiness in their own religion. If you don't agree, fine. There are no arguments and you can reject the greeting and just get on with your life. A government that dictates what you can and cannot express, is a government heading a country into moral bankruptcy.
By the way . . . MERRY CHRISTMAS!
It seems to me that everyone is created equal - now where did I hear that before? If a congressman is Christian, he should be able to sign off any and all letters with a holiday greeting of his choice. The same goes for other religions and faiths. Our faith should be what makes us and if we have to supress it because we can't take the chance of ever offending anyone, we are not living up to and supporting what we believe in.
I also think it is silly for people of other faiths or no faith at all to take exception to someone celebrating their happiness in their own religion. If you don't agree, fine. There are no arguments and you can reject the greeting and just get on with your life. A government that dictates what you can and cannot express, is a government heading a country into moral bankruptcy.
By the way . . . MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Great to keep in mind during the busy season . . .
"What lies behind us, and what
lies
before us are small matters
compared to what lies within us." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
before us are small matters
compared to what lies within us." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
An Italian Twist to Your Menu?
I first tried Panettone when my husband made it for me. During his bachelor years, my husband took of bread baking and this was one of his favorite recipes. I believe he used the Julia Child version but this link has a much quicker, easier version. You can now add some international flair to your holiday treats.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/panettone-i/
Although the recipe is good as written, I don't care for currants or raisins! I'm thinging I'll go with substituting some finely diced fruitcake fruit and dried cranberries along with some slivered almonds in the dough. The recipe doesn't call for an icing but a browned butter vanilla one would be very nice with a sprinkling of slivered almonds.
I don't have a precise recipe for browned butter vanilla icing. I usually melt half a stick of butter and slowly brown it. I take it off the heat, add vanilla, some lemon zest, and enough cream or milk and powdered sugar to get a thick but pourable icing. I drizzle it over the warm but not hot panettone.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/panettone-i/
Although the recipe is good as written, I don't care for currants or raisins! I'm thinging I'll go with substituting some finely diced fruitcake fruit and dried cranberries along with some slivered almonds in the dough. The recipe doesn't call for an icing but a browned butter vanilla one would be very nice with a sprinkling of slivered almonds.
I don't have a precise recipe for browned butter vanilla icing. I usually melt half a stick of butter and slowly brown it. I take it off the heat, add vanilla, some lemon zest, and enough cream or milk and powdered sugar to get a thick but pourable icing. I drizzle it over the warm but not hot panettone.
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