A budding artist in action! Check out the ongoing cartoon stories of Slipping Through and Pretzel and the Princess.
http://apatheticartist.blogspot.com/
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Determination in quilting . . .
I'm on a mission to drastically reduce my collection of scraps in my fabric stash. I tend to fall desperately in love with some of the patterns and keep even the smallest piece 'in case it comes in handy' someday. Enough! Okay . . . Well, maybe . . .
I started a crazy quilt/scrap quilt yesterday and finished piecing the twelve squares this afternoon. I'm planning on a solid border around each wild square with a scrap border along the top and bottom edges. It did clear out half of a bag of scrap fabric and I'm not EVEN going to glance up at the big, plastic container on the shelf which harbors even more . . . fabric scraps. My husband says that even using scraps, I tend to make MORE scraps and it is a losing battle. Fortunately, I'm rather enjoying the sewing confrontation but the next quilt will come from 'new' material not the fabric scrap collection.
How secure are airport security checks?
Although I was blessed to get through the various airport security checks without mishap on my vacation, I did see people who were not so lucky. The one that really got to me was an elderly lady in a wheelchair. I had just gone through the metal detector and was home free. As I walked past the exit area, they pulled aside this woman and were giving her a pat down to end all pat downs. No, she wasn't taken to a private area. I walked by within a foot of the woman as the security probed and patted her down. I had to wonder how this woman signaled such invasive treatment.
Today, I read in the news that some guy managed to sneak on one flight with NO matching ID to go with his boarding pass . . . which was a day old. From what I understand, he wasn't held. He claimed he had found the boarding pass and decided to try and see if he could catch the flight. Later, guess what? He was found, AGAIN, trying to board a plane with mismatched identification. A more thorough search found ten, more such phony/used boarding passes in his carry-on bag. Why wasn't he checked more thoroughly when he was caught the first time?
It just seems so wrong and unnecessary to put that elderly woman to such personal invasion while letting someone with obvious mild to serious criminal intent get through at least once . . . that we know about.
Just my thankful rant for the day that I wasn't the security target on my flights!
Today, I read in the news that some guy managed to sneak on one flight with NO matching ID to go with his boarding pass . . . which was a day old. From what I understand, he wasn't held. He claimed he had found the boarding pass and decided to try and see if he could catch the flight. Later, guess what? He was found, AGAIN, trying to board a plane with mismatched identification. A more thorough search found ten, more such phony/used boarding passes in his carry-on bag. Why wasn't he checked more thoroughly when he was caught the first time?
It just seems so wrong and unnecessary to put that elderly woman to such personal invasion while letting someone with obvious mild to serious criminal intent get through at least once . . . that we know about.
Just my thankful rant for the day that I wasn't the security target on my flights!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Fourth of July - Freedom Comes With a Price
Freedom comes with a price. I wonder how many people who party this weekend, drink, and set off fireworks realize how many people have already paid this price . . . for them? I watched my son spend an hour just walking through the American cemeteries overseas and thanked God he was only passing through and not a resident under a marble cross. The world is changing and only prayer will prevent another world war . . . or worse.
Dachau Crematorium
Even after having read about this part of World War II, actually visiting Dachau was a sobering experience. Standing within inches of the crematoriums where other human bodies had been disposed of like trash . . . no words for it. The picture on the far right is my son approaching the Jewish memorial at Dachau. When you enter, it is a steep path downward ending under a beam of light coming from the high ceiling. It represents the chimneys of the ovens at Dachau - the only way out for so many innocent people.
Lots of truth in these two quotes . . .
"As an adolescent I aspired to lasting fame, I craved factual certainty, and I thirsted for a meaningful vision of human life - so I became a scientist. This is like becoming an archbishop so you can meet girls."
-- M. Cartmill
-- M. Cartmill
"Ninety-eight percent of the adults in this country are decent, hard-working, honest Americans. It's the other lousy two percent that get all the publicity. But then--we elected them."
-- Lily Tomlin
-- Lily Tomlin
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Favorite quick night dinner . . .
This is a quick dinner to throw together but we like to have it even when we have all the time in the world to prepare it. Very easy, few ingredients, and most people will not complain especially after they smell it cooking!
Enough our your favorite sausage or bratwurst to feed your family.
One, large onion, chopped.
Two bell peppers (I like to mix red and green ones when I have them), chopped
20 cloves of peeled garlic, chopped
A pinch of chili flakes
Cooked Jasmine rice to serve with it.
Cut the sausage into slanted slices and lightly brown in a large, oiled frying pan. Add the onion, garlic, and chili flakes and cook until vegetables are limp and starting to brown. Add the bell peppers and continue cooking until warm through but still a bit crisp. Serve over the hot Jasmine rice and serve.
You can use any rice you like. It goes well with brown rice, too. We just like the flavor contrast with the Jasmine rice.
Today, I tried something a bit different and parboiled the sausage in beer before slicing and browning it. We are about to sit down for dinner and get the verdict!
Computers are always sources of surprises . . .
Although I can find my way around a computer pretty well, I am still far from being computer literate in many facets of that particular machine/genre. My daughter just informed me earlier in the week that I could 'label' my recipes so they would be easier to find. I willinging figured out how to do this and one can now access recipes by title/ingredient.
Sigh . . . Someone else mentioned that it would be easier to find just, my vacation pictures if I would . . . label them and that has now been accomplished! So, anyone wanting to view pictures of my tour of the World War II battlefields need only 'search' Vacation to see a list.
Some day, I will get this computer era all figured out . . .
Sigh . . . Someone else mentioned that it would be easier to find just, my vacation pictures if I would . . . label them and that has now been accomplished! So, anyone wanting to view pictures of my tour of the World War II battlefields need only 'search' Vacation to see a list.
Some day, I will get this computer era all figured out . . .
Mostly a day for myself . . .
After I finish doing the bills, this morning, I have most of a day for my own. We did our weekly cleaning on Sunday instead of today because of prospective company which freed up Tuesday for sewing for me . . . after I complete the bookwork that keeps us up to date and our bill collectors happy!
I'm trying something new before settling down to quilting. My husband and I were browsing through a fabric/craft store, yesterday, and came across a sale on a tool that will fold and iron fabric into bias tape. I use a lot of bias tape for hems and designs on quilts. The prepacked stuff gets expensive. This little machine thing will make bias tape out of any cotton fabric and I can now match the bias tape exactly to the project . . . since I can actually use the same fabric. The best part of this find? It was on sale for 50% off otherwise I would never have even considered it. My husband made the final decision on the purchase, handed it to me and said, "Early Merry Christmas or belated Happy Birthday!" I'm looking forward to figuring out a new sewing adventure today . . .after I do the bills!
A week of hot weather which is kind of scary when I realize the real heat of summer hasn't even hit yet. We usually have two or three weeks during the summer months where the temperatures go up to triple digits and stay up. When it only goes down to 80 at night, you know you are living in California and you know it is hot.
We live in a rapidly aging house so don't have central air conditioning. We cope with stragically located fans and keep bottles of ice-cold water on hand. It bothers my husband more as he works in a nicely air conditioned office all day and goes through a 'weather shock' when he walks in the door at night. Just so you know, I'm always ladylike and do not sweat . . . I sure do glow, however!
I'm trying something new before settling down to quilting. My husband and I were browsing through a fabric/craft store, yesterday, and came across a sale on a tool that will fold and iron fabric into bias tape. I use a lot of bias tape for hems and designs on quilts. The prepacked stuff gets expensive. This little machine thing will make bias tape out of any cotton fabric and I can now match the bias tape exactly to the project . . . since I can actually use the same fabric. The best part of this find? It was on sale for 50% off otherwise I would never have even considered it. My husband made the final decision on the purchase, handed it to me and said, "Early Merry Christmas or belated Happy Birthday!" I'm looking forward to figuring out a new sewing adventure today . . .after I do the bills!
A week of hot weather which is kind of scary when I realize the real heat of summer hasn't even hit yet. We usually have two or three weeks during the summer months where the temperatures go up to triple digits and stay up. When it only goes down to 80 at night, you know you are living in California and you know it is hot.
We live in a rapidly aging house so don't have central air conditioning. We cope with stragically located fans and keep bottles of ice-cold water on hand. It bothers my husband more as he works in a nicely air conditioned office all day and goes through a 'weather shock' when he walks in the door at night. Just so you know, I'm always ladylike and do not sweat . . . I sure do glow, however!
Homemade Granola
I remember when granola first made an appearance in my neck of the woods. These days, it shows up everywhere but is often a bit expensive. Although the ingredients for making your own might seem a tad pricy, remember that it goes a long way and you will know exactly what went into your creation. Your family can also have their input into the end result so you have some assurance that they will actually eat it.
Homemade Granola
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup sunflower seeds, shelled
1/2 cup pumpkin seed, shelled
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup toasted almonds
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I like olive oil)
2 tablespoons molasses
1/4 cup corn syrup
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Combine the rest of the ingredient in a separate bowl and stir until well combined. Pour into the dry mixture and mix well to coat all the nuts and oats.
Spread the mixture in a shallow baking pan or rimmed cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven for about 15 minutes. Stir several times during the baking. Bake until the mixture is dry and has crunch.
Additions:
This is a very basic granola mix. You can make it your own with ingredients that appeal to your own family. Here are some ideas/suggestions:
After the granola has cooled, mix in some small, candy-coated chocolate candies.
Toss in a handful of tiny marshmallows. The colorful ones are fun!
Toast some coconut and mix in 1/4 cup for taste.
Some toffee bits couldn't hurt.
Raisins or dried fruit bits can be tasty.
Some sweetened cereal can be added for texture.
Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to the granola before baking takes it to a whole, new level.
A teaspoon of vanilla extract before baking is good.
When you batch of designer granola is completely cooled, put servings into individual sandwich bags that seal. You now have something to hand your hungry family when you hear that familiar refrain, "Mom! There isn't anything to eat!"
Homemade Granola
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup sunflower seeds, shelled
1/2 cup pumpkin seed, shelled
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup toasted almonds
3 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I like olive oil)
2 tablespoons molasses
1/4 cup corn syrup
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Combine the rest of the ingredient in a separate bowl and stir until well combined. Pour into the dry mixture and mix well to coat all the nuts and oats.
Spread the mixture in a shallow baking pan or rimmed cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven for about 15 minutes. Stir several times during the baking. Bake until the mixture is dry and has crunch.
Additions:
This is a very basic granola mix. You can make it your own with ingredients that appeal to your own family. Here are some ideas/suggestions:
After the granola has cooled, mix in some small, candy-coated chocolate candies.
Toss in a handful of tiny marshmallows. The colorful ones are fun!
Toast some coconut and mix in 1/4 cup for taste.
Some toffee bits couldn't hurt.
Raisins or dried fruit bits can be tasty.
Some sweetened cereal can be added for texture.
Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon to the granola before baking takes it to a whole, new level.
A teaspoon of vanilla extract before baking is good.
When you batch of designer granola is completely cooled, put servings into individual sandwich bags that seal. You now have something to hand your hungry family when you hear that familiar refrain, "Mom! There isn't anything to eat!"
Quesadillas
If you are wondering what that 'funny' word might be in the subject line, it is Spanish for a great way to have a cheese sandwich! Basically, it is cheese melted between two tortillas. In case you don't have easy access to the required tortillas for this recipe, I posted an easy one earlier in the year. You can find it by way of the search engine on the home page of the blog.
My favorite way of having a Quesadilla is with cheddar cheese, thinly sliced tomatoes, and lots of black pepper and chili flakes. My children prefer just the cheese and tortilla and none of that potentially healthy stuff.
Since tortillas are mild in taste, you can use just about anything inside of one for a great lunch or snack. Here are a few suggestions/ideas to go along with the cheese:
Grilled onions
Spicy salsa
Bell pepper
Chili peppers if you are brave and adventurous
Shredded chicken
Lunch meats like salami, etc.
Cheeses other than cheddar
Once you have actually made a batch of your own homemade tortillas, you have a lot of other options besides just the savory. You can cut the rounds into wedges, quickly deep fry them, drain, and toss with cinnamon and sugar. You could do the same thing but substitute a spicy seasoning. When my children were little, they liked them cut into strips and fried for dipping into salsa. You can even spread peanut butter and jelly on a tortilla, roll it up, and hand your child a relatively mess-free snack.
Buying a package of tortillas isn't all that expensive but making them at home does save some money and that trip to the store when you realize you don't have any on hand.
If all else fails, grab a warm tortilla from the pan, butter it, and enjoy life!
My favorite way of having a Quesadilla is with cheddar cheese, thinly sliced tomatoes, and lots of black pepper and chili flakes. My children prefer just the cheese and tortilla and none of that potentially healthy stuff.
Since tortillas are mild in taste, you can use just about anything inside of one for a great lunch or snack. Here are a few suggestions/ideas to go along with the cheese:
Grilled onions
Spicy salsa
Bell pepper
Chili peppers if you are brave and adventurous
Shredded chicken
Lunch meats like salami, etc.
Cheeses other than cheddar
Once you have actually made a batch of your own homemade tortillas, you have a lot of other options besides just the savory. You can cut the rounds into wedges, quickly deep fry them, drain, and toss with cinnamon and sugar. You could do the same thing but substitute a spicy seasoning. When my children were little, they liked them cut into strips and fried for dipping into salsa. You can even spread peanut butter and jelly on a tortilla, roll it up, and hand your child a relatively mess-free snack.
Buying a package of tortillas isn't all that expensive but making them at home does save some money and that trip to the store when you realize you don't have any on hand.
If all else fails, grab a warm tortilla from the pan, butter it, and enjoy life!
History trying to repeat itself?
Very scary as the following excerpt from an historical proclamation sure sounds a lot like what our own government is trying to implement into our lives today. You don't study history, you tend to relive it.
We ask that the government undertake the obligation above all of providing citizens with adequate opportunity for employment and earning a living. The activities of the individual must not be allowed to clash with the interests of the community, but must take place within its confines and be for the good of all. Therefore, we demand:... an end to the power of the financial interests. We demand profit sharing in big business. We demand a broad extension of care for the aged. We demand... the greatest possible consideration of small business in the purchases of national, state, and municipal governments. In order to make possible to every capable and industrious [citizen] the attainment of higher education and thus the achievement of a post of leadership, the government must provide an all-around enlargement of our entire system of public education... We demand the education at government expense of gifted children of poor parents... The government must undertake the improvement of public health—by protecting mother and child, by prohibiting child labor... by the greatest possible support for all clubs concerned with the physical education of youth. We combat the... materialistic spirit within and without us, and are convinced that a permanent recovery of our people can only proceed from within on the foundation of the common good before the individual good.
Nazi Party, Munich, February 1920.
We ask that the government undertake the obligation above all of providing citizens with adequate opportunity for employment and earning a living. The activities of the individual must not be allowed to clash with the interests of the community, but must take place within its confines and be for the good of all. Therefore, we demand:... an end to the power of the financial interests. We demand profit sharing in big business. We demand a broad extension of care for the aged. We demand... the greatest possible consideration of small business in the purchases of national, state, and municipal governments. In order to make possible to every capable and industrious [citizen] the attainment of higher education and thus the achievement of a post of leadership, the government must provide an all-around enlargement of our entire system of public education... We demand the education at government expense of gifted children of poor parents... The government must undertake the improvement of public health—by protecting mother and child, by prohibiting child labor... by the greatest possible support for all clubs concerned with the physical education of youth. We combat the... materialistic spirit within and without us, and are convinced that a permanent recovery of our people can only proceed from within on the foundation of the common good before the individual good.
Nazi Party, Munich, February 1920.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Inspiration Scones . . .
Like a blouse or skirt that can be used in different combinations, a recipe that is flexible and useful is always a great addition to your recipe collection. I like this recipe because you can easily substitute just about anything for the blueberries and come up with a winner.
Original Blueberry Scones
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon each of lemon & orange zest, freshly grated
2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pea-sized chunks
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup blueberries
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Use vegetable spray to grease a baking sheet.
Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and zest in a mixing bowl. Add the butter and blend with a fork of pastry tool until the mixtures looks like rough crumbs.
Beat the milk and egg together in a separate bowl. Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the blueberries and stir until the dough comes cleanly off the side of the bowl.
Flour your working surface.
Knead the dough on the floured surface until it sticks together. Sprinkle in more flour if it's too sticky and clings to your hands.
Form the dough into six balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and flatten each to about 1/2-inch thick.
Bake for about 12 minutes until light brown on top and cool before serving.
You can substitute the blueberries for dried cranberries
Roughly ground cranberries with a bit of sugar makes an equally good scone.
One-half cup of chopped nuts would never hurt.
Chocolate chips are always welcome and even better if you use them half and half with one of the fruits.
Some finely chopped banana sprinkled with lemon juice is good.
Original Blueberry Scones
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon each of lemon & orange zest, freshly grated
2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into pea-sized chunks
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup blueberries
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Use vegetable spray to grease a baking sheet.
Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and zest in a mixing bowl. Add the butter and blend with a fork of pastry tool until the mixtures looks like rough crumbs.
Beat the milk and egg together in a separate bowl. Add the liquid to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in the blueberries and stir until the dough comes cleanly off the side of the bowl.
Flour your working surface.
Knead the dough on the floured surface until it sticks together. Sprinkle in more flour if it's too sticky and clings to your hands.
Form the dough into six balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and flatten each to about 1/2-inch thick.
Bake for about 12 minutes until light brown on top and cool before serving.
You can substitute the blueberries for dried cranberries
Roughly ground cranberries with a bit of sugar makes an equally good scone.
One-half cup of chopped nuts would never hurt.
Chocolate chips are always welcome and even better if you use them half and half with one of the fruits.
Some finely chopped banana sprinkled with lemon juice is good.
Mark Twain's words to the wise . . .
Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.
The Three Wonders of the World in our Own Backyard!
Didn't know that some of the wonders of the world were local, huh? The picture on the left shows our major wonder of the world. The dog that can get a screen door open without help and chew any and everything insight except for her chew toys. The lower picture in the right-hand corner is the Chick's water bowl. It started out as a very large plastic tub that could hold a lot a water. This is important especially when it get so hot so she has access to enough water. She woke us one night, panting and dehydrated. We went to fill her bowl only to find that SHE had dumped it, chewed on it, and left it in the far reaches of the yard.
The next day, my husband put one layer of bricks around the tub so she couldn't tip or yank it over. That night, she was again panting and dehydrated. The bricks had been physically removed and the water tub was off in the distance.
The third day, my husband put TWO layers of heavy bricks around the tub. We got got nights of uninterrupted sleep before she figured that one out. That is when the bricks were wired together. So far, she has only undone the wire once. We have hopes. The secured water tub is our second wonder of the world.
The third one, of course, is our former pool residence. We are hoping and praying that it will soon be buried and no longer on the list of personal wonders of the world. Hope the government doesn't decide it is some sort of sanctuary before we get that done!
Good disappointment . . .
We spent a hectic day, yesterday, getting ready to have company and get the fill dirt to finally bury the hole left by a former pool dweller. The previous owners thought it would be a great idea to put an above-ground pool into a recessed hole. Although our children enjoyed it for a few years, it was more trouble than it was worth. The pool, itself, was removed a year or so ago but getting fill dirt was more of a challenge.
Finally, my husband thought he had found a place from which to purchase and have fill dirt delivered to our home. We lined up some help as we didn't want to have that much of a dirt pile on our driveway for more than a day. The company said to confirm on Sunday evening but never asked for a precise address. They also said it would be $250, cash only. We thought that was a bit odd but never having dealt with this sort of thing . . . There were not many places to chose from around here for what we needed.
Sunday evening, I am trying to advance order pizza for the next day with no luck. The site was complicated and refused to show the sale prices advertised. After 30 minutes, I decided that driving down, in person, and ordering them to be delivered the morning of the work day seemed more feasible. I couldn't understand, however, why I couldn't get this site to work. I'm of more than average intelligence and I know that teens are able to access this successfully.
Meanwhile, my husband is calling the dirt place . . . and calling . . . and calling with no answer. Around nine in the evening, he gets through and the receptionish isn't cued in to anything on the subject so my husband cancels the order and we call off our helpers for the day. Good thing the pizza site hadn't worked, huh?
This morning, after a few tries, my husband finds another fill dirt company. Hmmm . . . they are $50 cheaper and . . . they take checks! Kind of makes you wonder if the other one would have actually dumped the dirt after grabbing the cash? And the company we are going to work with now actually wanted our address and phone number up front. Go figure on their business ethic!
I have found that when things do not go as planned on a project, I need to stop and think why? Every time, I've listened to the caution in my mind, it has turned out to be a blessing. I'm thinking we just got another blessing on this project, too. Guardian angels at work!
Finally, my husband thought he had found a place from which to purchase and have fill dirt delivered to our home. We lined up some help as we didn't want to have that much of a dirt pile on our driveway for more than a day. The company said to confirm on Sunday evening but never asked for a precise address. They also said it would be $250, cash only. We thought that was a bit odd but never having dealt with this sort of thing . . . There were not many places to chose from around here for what we needed.
Sunday evening, I am trying to advance order pizza for the next day with no luck. The site was complicated and refused to show the sale prices advertised. After 30 minutes, I decided that driving down, in person, and ordering them to be delivered the morning of the work day seemed more feasible. I couldn't understand, however, why I couldn't get this site to work. I'm of more than average intelligence and I know that teens are able to access this successfully.
Meanwhile, my husband is calling the dirt place . . . and calling . . . and calling with no answer. Around nine in the evening, he gets through and the receptionish isn't cued in to anything on the subject so my husband cancels the order and we call off our helpers for the day. Good thing the pizza site hadn't worked, huh?
This morning, after a few tries, my husband finds another fill dirt company. Hmmm . . . they are $50 cheaper and . . . they take checks! Kind of makes you wonder if the other one would have actually dumped the dirt after grabbing the cash? And the company we are going to work with now actually wanted our address and phone number up front. Go figure on their business ethic!
I have found that when things do not go as planned on a project, I need to stop and think why? Every time, I've listened to the caution in my mind, it has turned out to be a blessing. I'm thinking we just got another blessing on this project, too. Guardian angels at work!
Easy summer fare for the lunch or dinner table . . .
During the summer months, it is nice to have something sort of warm but still not a hot meal that only add to the outside temperatures. Taco Salad always seems to be a good answer and you can add or substract ingredients according to your own tastes.
Taco Salad (serves 4)
1/2 pound ground beef (depends on how many you want to serve)
Chili flakes
Cayenne pepper
Salt & Pepper
Corn or Tortilla chips
1/2 head lettuce
1 large tomato, chopped
1/2 green Bell Pepper, chopped
3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
1/2 cup favorite salsa
Black olives, to taste, sliced
Brown the beef over medium heat, stirring to break the meat up into small pieces. Season with the listed spices. Taste for heat and add as desired. Drain the grease.
Divide the chips into four bowls. Add 1/4 of the lettuce to the bowls and top each with 1/4 of the meat, tomato, green pepper, onion, salsa, and sliced olives. Serve!
If you are having a buffet or picnic-style event, you can put out the cooked meat with the condiments and let your guests build their own salad.
Sometimes, I like to add in some pork sausage to the ground beef for a different slant on the flavors. Some shredded cheese would be good, too.
Taco Salad (serves 4)
1/2 pound ground beef (depends on how many you want to serve)
Chili flakes
Cayenne pepper
Salt & Pepper
Corn or Tortilla chips
1/2 head lettuce
1 large tomato, chopped
1/2 green Bell Pepper, chopped
3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
1/2 cup favorite salsa
Black olives, to taste, sliced
Brown the beef over medium heat, stirring to break the meat up into small pieces. Season with the listed spices. Taste for heat and add as desired. Drain the grease.
Divide the chips into four bowls. Add 1/4 of the lettuce to the bowls and top each with 1/4 of the meat, tomato, green pepper, onion, salsa, and sliced olives. Serve!
If you are having a buffet or picnic-style event, you can put out the cooked meat with the condiments and let your guests build their own salad.
Sometimes, I like to add in some pork sausage to the ground beef for a different slant on the flavors. Some shredded cheese would be good, too.
Sweet Interlude at dinner . . .
I was thinking about what to make for dinner this evening. I realized that, for once, I had cornmeal in the cupboard and instantly thought about Honey Butter! I have never been much for the taste of honey except him Greek desserts. I tried honey butter at a restaurant with cornbread and was instantly sold on the combination. There are two ways to make it but I prefer it without the added vanilla extract. Some people even like to add a dash of cinnamon to their recipe.
Honey Butter
Two tablespoons softened butter
Two tablespoons your favorite honey
Optional additions:
One teaspoon vanilla extract
One teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
Dash of cinnamon
Mix the honey into the slightly softened butter. Add any of the optional ingredients as desired. Refrigerate until needed, however, take it out about 15 minutes ahead of time so it will be spreadable.
The recipe is easy to increase according to your needs. In fact, I like to make a larger batch to have some at the ready in the refrigerator for a few days.
Cornbread is easy! Just follow the directions on the package of cornmeal. Aside from adding more spices, chili, etc., I've found that most cornbread recipes are more than adequate. Besides, aren't we only using the cornbread as a means of conveying honey butter tidily to our waiting mouths?
Honey Butter
Two tablespoons softened butter
Two tablespoons your favorite honey
Optional additions:
One teaspoon vanilla extract
One teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
Dash of cinnamon
Mix the honey into the slightly softened butter. Add any of the optional ingredients as desired. Refrigerate until needed, however, take it out about 15 minutes ahead of time so it will be spreadable.
The recipe is easy to increase according to your needs. In fact, I like to make a larger batch to have some at the ready in the refrigerator for a few days.
Cornbread is easy! Just follow the directions on the package of cornmeal. Aside from adding more spices, chili, etc., I've found that most cornbread recipes are more than adequate. Besides, aren't we only using the cornbread as a means of conveying honey butter tidily to our waiting mouths?
For your added convenience . . .
My college daughter relies heavily on my other blog, College Cuisine and Beyond, for her cooking needs at school. She suggested to me that it would be easier for her to find what she needed, remembered, or wanted from the blog if I labeled them. Duh! Something I should have thought of at the inception otherwise, I wouldn't have had to spend time today revising that! Live and learn. Anyway, I've started labeling the recipes on Crazy Quilts, Catholics, and Cookies, too. Not done yet, but the search engine will now find a lot more of the recipes more easily. I've tried to put in enough labels so they pop up in a variety of word requests.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Potato Pancake Day!
Okay, so we don't exactly have a day to celebrate having potato pancakes but three out of the four of us currently at home like them very much. I recently started serving them with a stew of beef, onions, and carrots. To add to the interest, I place a slice of Provolone cheese on each potato pancake while it is hot and then ladle on the stew mixture. It was an instant favorite. The family now watches the leftovers because that is where I make this particular potato pancake.
I like the shredded, raw potato pancakes, too, but enjoy having something to cook that uses up the mashed potato leftovers. Okay, okay, enough torture! I have started throwing a couple of extra potatoes in the pot to insure we have leftovers!
The hot weather is settling in more definitely so any meal that can be cooked entirely on the stove, is considered extra tasty.
I like the shredded, raw potato pancakes, too, but enjoy having something to cook that uses up the mashed potato leftovers. Okay, okay, enough torture! I have started throwing a couple of extra potatoes in the pot to insure we have leftovers!
The hot weather is settling in more definitely so any meal that can be cooked entirely on the stove, is considered extra tasty.
Happy Sunday Morning!
"Blessed are the children of the piecemakers for they shall inherit the quilts!"
Glad my family feels this way about my quilting pasttime! There has been some mention about the fact that quilting does keep me out of trouble.
Yesterday proved to be a productive day which included some catch-up work on various quilting projects. I actually finished one . . . completely! I'm making two quilts for a couple I know. The fabric and pattern are basically the same but I'm using some feminine touches for the wife's while maintaining the bolder colors and patterns for the husband's. I'm excited that one of the two Christmas gifts are done and the second one is being worked on already.
Time is just flying by so I am turning my thoughts and ideas towards Christmas. Still need to maintain a small amount of income so am making religious Christmas stockings, again, this year. They sold pretty well, last year. It is humbling to think that something I made is in states across the country.
Tomorrow, my husband, son, and friend are finally filling in an ex-pool hole in the backyard. The estimate is that they will each end up moving 44 barrows of dirt before the task is complete. I will be the encouraging party as the dirt will be dumped on our driveway and will definitely not add to the curb appeal of our home . . . that, and the fact it will block access to the garage! Pictures will soon be forthcoming on this adventure.
Another Sunday morning and it seems like it was just a Sunday morning. The flight of time often scares me a bit so I try and remember to be thankful that I am here to participate in the beginning of another week . . . even if it includes the advent of a dump truck of dirt tomorrow. :-)
Glad my family feels this way about my quilting pasttime! There has been some mention about the fact that quilting does keep me out of trouble.
Yesterday proved to be a productive day which included some catch-up work on various quilting projects. I actually finished one . . . completely! I'm making two quilts for a couple I know. The fabric and pattern are basically the same but I'm using some feminine touches for the wife's while maintaining the bolder colors and patterns for the husband's. I'm excited that one of the two Christmas gifts are done and the second one is being worked on already.
Time is just flying by so I am turning my thoughts and ideas towards Christmas. Still need to maintain a small amount of income so am making religious Christmas stockings, again, this year. They sold pretty well, last year. It is humbling to think that something I made is in states across the country.
Tomorrow, my husband, son, and friend are finally filling in an ex-pool hole in the backyard. The estimate is that they will each end up moving 44 barrows of dirt before the task is complete. I will be the encouraging party as the dirt will be dumped on our driveway and will definitely not add to the curb appeal of our home . . . that, and the fact it will block access to the garage! Pictures will soon be forthcoming on this adventure.
Another Sunday morning and it seems like it was just a Sunday morning. The flight of time often scares me a bit so I try and remember to be thankful that I am here to participate in the beginning of another week . . . even if it includes the advent of a dump truck of dirt tomorrow. :-)
This brought a definite smile to my face . . .
Men marry women with the hope they will never change. Women marry men with the hope they will change. Invaribly they are both disappointed.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Something to relate to . . .
I liked this quote because we have all had a dream trampled on at some point in our lives. It doesn't even have to be a life-changing, huge, important dream . . . just the fact that it was YOUR dream. Especially as a mother, it is something to remember when our children confide their ideas and thoughts so we treat them tenderly.
There are many ways of breaking a heart. Stories were full of hearts broken by love, but what really broke a heart was taking away its dream - whatever that dream might be.
There are many ways of breaking a heart. Stories were full of hearts broken by love, but what really broke a heart was taking away its dream - whatever that dream might be.
Quotes that live . . .
"It's a poor sort of memory that only works backward."
-- Lewis Carroll
-- Lewis Carroll
"It's not the voting that's democracy, it's the counting."
-- Tom Stoppard
-- Tom Stoppard
"Life isn't fair. It's just fairer than death, that's all."
-- William Goldman
-- William Goldman
"The conception of two people living together for twenty-five years without having a cross word suggests a lack of spirit only to be admired in sheep."
-- Alan Patrick Herbert
-- Alan Patrick Herbert
Friday, June 24, 2011
Quilting, sorting, organizing . . .
I made myself organize my fabric stash before letting myself get into any sewing. It has paid off in that I now have more than enough hand sewing to do and lots of inspirations running through my head. My husband figures that my favorite aspects of quilting are the idea and the last stitch.
I keep telling myself to finish everything before starting a new project but what if the idea escapes me by then? Think of the loss to the world? :-) Fortunately, holiday seasons will be here sooner than we think so I'm already planning on making quilted banners and Christmas stockings for selling and gift giving. It will get me off the quilt making . . . for awhile!
Friday NIght Pasta . . .
A favorite around here is vegetable pasta sauce. Ever since I discovered this recipe, that has been the favored stuff the family wants spooned over their plates of spaghetti. It also makes a good soup base for tomato soup. Just because this is a relatively easy recipe to throw together as it just needs to simmer on the stove, I put some bread to rise. After all, one cannot have an Italian meal without some garlic bread on the side, right?
Television vs. psychiatry . . .
"Television has done much for psychiatry by spreading information about it, as well as contributing to the need for it."
-- Alfred Hitchcock
-- Alfred Hitchcock
Besides that, the commercials now advertise just about any medication to take care of those problems in addition to a multitude of others! Sadly, there are probably a lot of people who take the commercials for gospel, want to apply them to their ailments, and convince their doctors to prescribe for them. You have to wonder how many people actually need what they want . . . but, then, that could apply to just abut anything in our lives!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Where are we failing . . . ?
Although I may have mentioned this before, I'm still floored by what people do not understand about their Faith. This morning, we were coming to the Consecration of the Mass. The priest was about to say the words of Consecration and bring our Lord into our presence in an even more perfect way. The congregation is quiet, attention is focused on the altar . . . And then this woman comes clattering into the church. She stops at the votive lights at the back of the church and we can all clearly hear her slide in her quarters for the candle donation. She is not through yet. She goes the entire length of the church to the front. There is another votive light stand to the left of the altar. Again, she dumps in a noisy amount of quarters and stands in prayer in front of the picture of Our Lady of Guadeloupe. She is seemingly oblivious to the fact that there is 'something' going on here and she might be a disruption. Abruptly completing her prayer petitions to the Blessed Mother, she turns and heads back down the aisle . . . just as the Consecration takes place!
Yes, Mary is the Mother of Jesus but Jesus IS God and it was HIS Mass taking place. Granted, this woman was looking for some solace in the confines of the church but how sad she didn't seem to acknowledge or understand was she was missing.
Quilting in spite of the heat . . .
In spite of the very warm temperatures, today, I managed to get started on two, new quilts. Under the green-bordered quilt in progress are three that still need a lot of hand sewing. The colorful balloon quilt is slated to be a baby-sized one. No particular reason for making this one except I liked the colors of the fabric I had on hand.
Summer is here!
The first benefit of summer . . . fresh fruit at reasonable prices! My dessert is a melding of the old and the new. The strawberries were on sale and I had one, last bag of frozen peaches from our tree last year. I decided that something tall and cool was called for since the California summer is starting to make itself known. I have a layer of crushed strawberries, peach whipped cream, peach sauce, whipped cream, and topped with a drizzle of the peach sauce and a fresh strawberry. My husband has a wearing schedule the next two days so I decided to 'build up' his strength a bit.
Interesting quotes . . .
"There's no secret about success. Did you ever know a successful man who didn't tell you about it?"
-- Kin Hubbard
"When a man tells you that he got rich through hard work, ask him: 'Whose?'"
-- Don Marquis
"Everything is funny as long as it is happening to Somebody Else."
-- Will Rogers
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
And, so, it goes on and on and on . . .
One of the most striking differences between a cat and a lie is that a cat has only nine lives.
LIfe can be so exhausting . . .
Sometimes a frisky dog can get tired . . . even in the midst of enjoying a tasty bone.
Where Charity and Love Prevail . . .
At our parish, we have two charitable giving areas in the vestibule of the church. Two good reasons: They are a reminder and a convenience for people who want to give without being a burden. On one side of the area are two, large baskets for non-perishable food stuffs that is collected and distributed by the St. Vincent de Paul group. On the other side is an in-parish donation box for 'pennies for Heaven'. The idea is that people can empty their pockets of loose change, such as pennies, and the pennies add up and go to benefit others. They have both worked out wonderfully over the years.
The years, however, have brought about changes. People from the surrounding neighborhoods have been using the food donation baskets for what they might deem 'shopping' when, in reality, they are stealing. We have one 'regular' visitor who has been counseled to check in with the office and get on the distribution list if he needs food. He continued to raid the baskets even bringing along a grocery bag. He is quite forward about this and will do his 'shopping' even when parishioners are in the area. He has also helped himself to change from the penny box, too.
I actually witnessed this, one day. I was standing right by the food baskets and he comes into the vestibule, goes over to the baskets, and is quite disgusted to not find anything in them. He checked the penny box on the way out and, again, was angry to not find any change.
I noticed that the baskets are now gone and a sign directs us to bring the food stuffs directly to the church office. The penny box is also gone and takes with it a beautiful idea because people put greed over something lovely.
What really annoys me is that some parishioners do their 'shopping' from the baskets! Does the world 'steal' no longer carry and stigma? Judgment Day will be a shock for all of us because we all have glossed over what are, in actuality, sins. One can't obtain ultimate forgiveness for stealing until reparation is made. You have to wonder how these people perceive this 'help-yourself' attitude and do they realize they are not only stealing from the church but from the people who really need the help that comes from the food baskets and the extra pennies fund.
I was glad to see both items for donations put within the safety of the church office. The regular 'shopping' gentleman paid a visit today and he was very angry. Entitlement seems to be second nature to many today.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
How low can we go . . . ?
On the news, last night, the commentator said that a middle school class wanted to do some musical event or something. They wanted to sing "When the Saints Go Marching In" but the powers that be in the school objected to the use of the word 'saint'. They got to perform with one word change: saint was changed to ant. What? I don't know about other people but I would not want to sing a song about wishing I could join a bunch of 'ants' marching where ever it is they will be allowed to go in this song change. You have to wonder about the fear some people have at the mention of God, Saints, Faith, . . .
Marriage counseling - shared from the Internet . . .
After 35 years of marriage, a husband and wife came for counseling. When asked what the problem was, the wife went into a passionate, painful tirade listing every problem they had ever had in the years they had been married.
On and on and on: neglect, lack of intimacy, emptiness, loneliness, feeling unloved and unlovable, an entire laundry list of unmet needs she had endured.
Finally, after allowing this for a sufficient length of time, the therapist got up, walked around the desk and after asking the wife to stand, he embraced and kissed her long and passionately as her husband watched -with a raised eyebrow. The woman shut up and quietly sat down as though in a daze. The therapist turned to the husband and said, 'this is what your wife needs at least 3 times a week. Can you do this?'
'Well, I can drop her off here on Mondays and Wednesdays, but on Fridays, I fish.'
Abstract Tomato?
My husband insists he was trying to take an abstract photo of one of his tomato plants. I contend he just got the sun in the wrong direction when he snapped the picture. With a little touch up, here and there, I think I improved the initial picture. My husband now says it represents isolation, man's inhumanity to man, a fearful world . . . I'm sticking with my first observation - he didn't watch his lighting when he took the picture!
For when you are down and troubled . . .
“The Immaculata permits our falls to cure us of self-love, pride and the rest, and to bring us to humility that we may be dependent on the graces of the Lord... In case of a fall, do not be saddened for that is a form of decadent pride; rather with great love and joy of heart arise at once and go forward! Make up for the fall with a perfect act of love and, of course, with constant, constant effort. … Let us always put our foot on the first rung, as St. Therese of the Child Jesus says, until we win over God, who will come and pick us up and take us above.” ~St. Maximilian Kolbe
Monday, June 20, 2011
Be kind to your potential lunch . . .
I know that a lot of our tax dollars are wasted but this article from the Washington Times was funny yet very sad. It is more than just a lot of our tax dollars going down the drain! Here is the link:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/may/26/tax-dollars-shrimp-treadmills-jell-o-wrestling/
In case the link doesn't come through for some reason, this has to be my favorite excerpt from the article:
In another instance, the agency paid $559,681 to test sick shrimps’ metabolism, which one researcher said was “the first time that shrimp have been exercised on a treadmill.”
Mr. Coburn’s report noted that the researchers found sick shrimp “did not perform as well and did not recover as well from exercise as healthy shrimp.”
Seems we all should get in line for some research money . . . no experience required!
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/may/26/tax-dollars-shrimp-treadmills-jell-o-wrestling/
In case the link doesn't come through for some reason, this has to be my favorite excerpt from the article:
In another instance, the agency paid $559,681 to test sick shrimps’ metabolism, which one researcher said was “the first time that shrimp have been exercised on a treadmill.”
Mr. Coburn’s report noted that the researchers found sick shrimp “did not perform as well and did not recover as well from exercise as healthy shrimp.”
Seems we all should get in line for some research money . . . no experience required!
Castles, castles, castles . . .
I enjoyed visiting all these castles but they sure put a end to childhood dreams of every living in one of these stone mansions. I can only imagine how cold and damp they were in winter. We were there in temperate weather and needed a jacket inside!
Although the Bavarian King Lugwig was eccentric, he wasn't stupid. He invented a flush sort of toilet in one of his castles. Good thinking as it would have been a long, winding staircase of a walk to be comfortable in any other circumstances.
All the castles were in Germany except the one on the upper left which was the Hohen Salzburg in Austria. Didn't hear any mention of ghosts in any of them. There is, according to my mother, some ghostly monk that hangs out in and around the Hohen Salzburg. We did not meet him!
Always finding new favorites . . .
"Hope is tomorrow's veneer over today's disappointment."
-- Evan Esar
-- Evan Esar
"A girl phoned me the other day and said "Come on over, there's nobody home." I went over. Nobody was home."
-- Rodney Dangerfield
-- Rodney Dangerfield
"I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. "
-- Thomas Jefferson
-- Thomas Jefferson
Simply true . . .
What a blessing it would be if we could open and shut our ears as easily as we open and shut our eyes!
Das Kehlsteinhaus or Eagle's Nest
Hitler's Eagle's Nest is on the top of a very high, rocky mountain. The bus ride just to the area where we catch the special bus to actually get to the Eagle's Nest is not for the weak of heart of those who don't care for heights. Although the Eagle's Nest was built as a quiet retreat for Hitler, he only visited there a few times due to his fear of heights and the very high altitude. Not much to do after you've eated at the excellent restaurant and been in the famous elevator but look around. The views are amazing and pictures hardly capture them. We were there on an overcast day but before we left, the clouds and mist lifted and we were treated to views that covered wide distances around the Eagle's Nest. This was my second visit there and both times, the clouds made their presence known. At least there wasn't any rain this time!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Father's Day accomplished . . .
Proof of Father's Day Dinner accomplished. The picture is actually a plate of leftovers which my husband requested for his lunch at work tomorrow. Now, that's a compliment! Oh, what IS it? Meatloaf, grilled mushrooms, yellow squash, green peas, and mashed potatoes with gravy.
My 'secret' to coming up with gravy is to save the drippings, sauces, braised meat juices from previous meals. I freeze them in small containers and then use them for making gravy. I had some beef gravy left from stew last week. I thinned it down with some wine, checked the seasoning, and then pureed it with a grilled mushroom or two, and a small slice of the meatloaf to incorporate the flavors. My blender is pretty good at getting ingredients really smoothed out.
Hope everyone else was able to give their husbands/fathers a wonderful day. Please feel free to share your special recipes of the day.
Peach Crispy from the oven . . .
My dessert offering for this evening ended up being a Peach Crispy. It is kind of amazing that the peaches I used were from our tree . . . last summer! I think this is my last bag of peaches but have hopes for this year's harvest. And to make Father's Day more special, I got my husband the 'real' vanilla ice cream for his dessert and not the low-fat stuff I usually have in the freezer. I know, I'm positively saintly! AND, if you believe that, I might have some swampland you might like to purchase . . .
Who will save our Church?
Who is going to save our Church? Not our bishops, not our priests and religious. It is up to you, the people. You have the minds, the eyes, the ears to save the Church. Your mission is to see that your priests act like priests, your bishops like bishops and your religious act like religious. --Abp. Fulton J. Sheen
What's for Father's Day?
Our pastor was very emphatic about wives and children giving proper respect to their husbands/fathers today. In between the serious notes, he said that we must prepare them a sumptuous feast and when they began to eat their meal, we must keep them cool and comfortable by using a hand-held fan. I heard lots of laughter which lead me to believe that not too many households would be employing the use of a fan today.
On the good side, I am planning a nice dinner for my husband. On the 'bad' side, he has to work today. Sigh . . . He had to work on Mother's Day, too, so I guess we are square in that aspect.
Dinner will probably be meatloaf, which he enjoys, whipped potatoes, and fresh vegetables from his garden. Not sure on dessert, yet, but I do have some peaches from our tree which I froze for just such an occasion. My only question is pie or cobbler?
On the good side, I am planning a nice dinner for my husband. On the 'bad' side, he has to work today. Sigh . . . He had to work on Mother's Day, too, so I guess we are square in that aspect.
Dinner will probably be meatloaf, which he enjoys, whipped potatoes, and fresh vegetables from his garden. Not sure on dessert, yet, but I do have some peaches from our tree which I froze for just such an occasion. My only question is pie or cobbler?
Noticed this when I was in school . . .
"Mankind have a great aversion to intellectual labor; but even supposing knowledge to be easily attainable, more people would be content to be ignorant than would take even a little trouble to acquire it."
-- Samuel Johnson
-- Samuel Johnson
Some quotes for Father's Day!
A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again. ~Enid Bagnold
Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father! ~Lydia M. Child, Philothea: A Romance, 1836
It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons. ~Johann Schiller
A father carries pictures where his money used to be. ~Author Unknown
Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father! ~Lydia M. Child, Philothea: A Romance, 1836
It is not flesh and blood but the heart which makes us fathers and sons. ~Johann Schiller
A father carries pictures where his money used to be. ~Author Unknown
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Frustration . . .
Although I have a good amount of varied quilting fabrics, why is it that someone always requests a specific pattern that can no longer be found? Yes, I have a small amount of the desired fabric but not enough to complete two projects. I figured I would probably use it for accent fabric somewhere down the road. When I was asked about this particular fabric, I figured a thorough Internet search just might turn it up in some forgotten corner of the world but no luck. Sigh . . .
On the bright side, I am just about done with two of the quilts being used for Christmas gifts as well as one that just got started because I happened to like the scrap fabrics I had on hand. Personally, my favorite quilts are the ones made from bits and pieces of leftover fabric. I have two containers of saved remnents and hope and pray I have enough years to get them all incorporated into pretty quilts. Unfortunately, I keep making more scraps with every new project. Not sure if I want to live to be 150 years old!
On the bright side, I am just about done with two of the quilts being used for Christmas gifts as well as one that just got started because I happened to like the scrap fabrics I had on hand. Personally, my favorite quilts are the ones made from bits and pieces of leftover fabric. I have two containers of saved remnents and hope and pray I have enough years to get them all incorporated into pretty quilts. Unfortunately, I keep making more scraps with every new project. Not sure if I want to live to be 150 years old!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Friday Night Dinner . . .
Everything was chopped, sliced, boiling and ready for the moment my husband walked in the door from work. The pie was baked earlier in the day but was still a just-right warm for dessert.
Spider webs and sunshine . . .
I was heading out the door when I knew I had to run back for my camera and capture these spider webs on film. Hey, I don't mind spiders or spider webs . . . as long as they keep their distance from the house!
It seems like cooler weather than it is . . .
For some reason, apples were on sale today so it inspired me to bake an apple pie. The weather has been cooler and overcast in the mornings with it heating up to just beyong Spring weather by the afternoon. Close enough to being cool enough to turn on the oven and bake.
Also found some frozen fish on sale so our Friday meal isn't quite as penitential as usual. The fish along with a vegetable pasta toss and I think my husband will perk up when he comes in the door from work. He is on a 4/10 work schedule which is pretty wearing.
I go shopping prepared for increases in food prices but it is always another case of sticker shock, anyway. The three-pound bag of frozen salmon I used to splurge on when it was $15 is now $27! Needless to say, we don't have salmon these days. I can always tell how the dairy farm business is by the cost of butter. It hasn't gone done at all this year.
It is always interesting to hear various talk show hosts talking about how they have discovered healthy eating and everyone should really think about having salmon three or four times a week. Uh, I'm thinking these talk show hosts haven't had to worry about their cooks paying big bucks for salmon.
I don't dwell on these differences too often as I know we are blessed to have food on the table. I also like how the lack of some wanted foodstuffs has made me more creative with what we do have in the cupboard. We aren't starving and we always try and remember to count our blessings.
The cooler weather seems to be keeping the quilting efforts going. I am now almost done with two quilts with a lot of progress done on the third one. Nothing but hand sewing left on two of them. I try and get the sewing maching aspects done during the day so I can relax with the family in the evening but still keep my hands busy.
Hope everyone is looking forward to a good weekend. We will be busy but that is a blessing, too!
Also found some frozen fish on sale so our Friday meal isn't quite as penitential as usual. The fish along with a vegetable pasta toss and I think my husband will perk up when he comes in the door from work. He is on a 4/10 work schedule which is pretty wearing.
I go shopping prepared for increases in food prices but it is always another case of sticker shock, anyway. The three-pound bag of frozen salmon I used to splurge on when it was $15 is now $27! Needless to say, we don't have salmon these days. I can always tell how the dairy farm business is by the cost of butter. It hasn't gone done at all this year.
It is always interesting to hear various talk show hosts talking about how they have discovered healthy eating and everyone should really think about having salmon three or four times a week. Uh, I'm thinking these talk show hosts haven't had to worry about their cooks paying big bucks for salmon.
I don't dwell on these differences too often as I know we are blessed to have food on the table. I also like how the lack of some wanted foodstuffs has made me more creative with what we do have in the cupboard. We aren't starving and we always try and remember to count our blessings.
The cooler weather seems to be keeping the quilting efforts going. I am now almost done with two quilts with a lot of progress done on the third one. Nothing but hand sewing left on two of them. I try and get the sewing maching aspects done during the day so I can relax with the family in the evening but still keep my hands busy.
Hope everyone is looking forward to a good weekend. We will be busy but that is a blessing, too!
I've had some days where this didn't seem to apply . . .
Time is God's way of keeping everything from happening at once.
Recovering from European memories . . .
I've overdone the German cooking since I got home and we are all ready for something different and interesting from another cultural aspect. In going through my files today, I rediscovered a recipe I shared with my daughter and it got me to thinking about making Asian food this weekend. The nice thing about Asian cooking is that you really don't need any odd or unfamiliar ingredients to put a fun meal on the table. This is a family favorite. I like that it doesn't take much in the way of supplies so works great to impress your family between paydays!
Pot Sticker Dough
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cold water
3/4 cup boiling water
In 2 separate bowls, place 1 1/2 cups flour
Add cold water to one bowl and stir to form a soft dough. Add boiling water to second bowl and stir to form a dough. Combine two doughs and knead until smooth, about
15 minutes. Cover with a damp towel (use paper towel) and let rest 15 minutes.
Pot Sticker Dumplings
1 pound shredded cabbage (I usually look for the bagged cole slaw cabbage for this. It's in the produce section)
1/2 pound ground pork
2 scallions, mined
3 slices of fresh ginger, minced
1 teaspoon dry sherry (optional)
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1/2 salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Pot Sticker dough
Combine all the ingredients EXCEPT the 1/2 cup oil. You can roughly chop it or process it slightly. Refrigerate 30 minutes to meld the flavors.
Divide the dough into 4 parts. Roll each part into a long thin sausage about 1/2-inch in diameter. Cut each dough sausage into 12 pieces. Roll each piece
between palms to form a smooth ball. Sprinkle with flour and roll each one into a 3-inch round pancake. Place 1 teaspoon of filling on each pancake.
Dampen the edges slightly and gather towards the top to form a 'bag'.
In a large nonstick skillet, heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil over medium high heat. Place the dumplings into the skillet with just barely touching. Cook until bottoms
of dumplings are lightly browned, 1-2 minutes. All at once, add enough cold water to almost cover the dumplings. Cover pan and bring to a boil over high heat. cook until tops of dumplinga are waxy and cooked through,
about 5-8 minutes. Drain off the water, return to heat, and crisp bottoms about two minutes. Repeat if you had more dumpling than room the first time around.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Just what a dog needs . . .
We have a friend with a dog costume who shows up unexpectely wearing said costume. Naturally, we had to come up with something to reward Fido on these visits. See? I can do more than just quilt and bake!
Lots of Quilting Work Today!
Okay, so this is a picture of a long-completed quilt BUT I will soon have three to photograph and brag about here on the blog. I'm actually down to hand sewing work on all three and, so far, things have been going smoothly. Shhhhhh! I didn't say that and don't tell anyone, okay?
I started these quilts before vacation and promised myself that I would not cut another scrap of fabric until these were done. Uh, that was before I went to the fabric warehouse and now have the temptation of several new fabrics I desperately would like to turn into quilts.
Some great cartoons . . . even if I say so, myself!
My older daughter is a talent at not writing about the funny side of life but drawing the accompanying pictures to bring the situation to life.
http://theinjoke.blogspot.com/
http://theinjoke.blogspot.com/
Cake that's good for breakfast, lunch, or dinner . . .!
This is a rather solid cake full of good stuff. It makes a cup of coffee taste extra good in the morning. It packs up nicely for a lunch time treat. A scoop of vanilla ice cream turns it into a great after-dinner dessert.
Anytime Cake
2 cups granulated sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups finely diced bananas
8 ounces crushed pineapple with the juice
2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Mix dry ingredients together. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir until well blended, do not beat with the mixer. Pour into a 9 or 10-inch, vegetable oil sprayed, tube pan.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for approximately an hour. The cake will crack slightly and bounce back to the touch. Cool in the pan on a rack. Remove when cold. Wrap any leftovers well and keep in the refrigerator.
As with most any recipe, if you don't have the mentioned cake pan, you can use loaf pans or bake in cupcake pans.
Anytime Cake
2 cups granulated sugar
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups finely diced bananas
8 ounces crushed pineapple with the juice
2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
Mix dry ingredients together. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir until well blended, do not beat with the mixer. Pour into a 9 or 10-inch, vegetable oil sprayed, tube pan.
Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for approximately an hour. The cake will crack slightly and bounce back to the touch. Cool in the pan on a rack. Remove when cold. Wrap any leftovers well and keep in the refrigerator.
As with most any recipe, if you don't have the mentioned cake pan, you can use loaf pans or bake in cupcake pans.
Where have all the morals gone . . .
As most people have heard by now, the United States has been 'blessed' with a politician who seemed to enjoy sending obscene pictures of himself near and far. He finally resigned, today, under pressure. I found his attitude and acts disgusting.
What I found really reprehensible were all the sites that posted pictures of this person's anatomy. The talk shows bragged about how 'awful' the pictures were and you can go right to our home page to view them. Personally, if I admit disgust, I certainly do not want to actually see what all the disgust is about yet people have flooded the various posts to see what most of them condemned. Why?
Even worse are the people who say the guy was still a good politician and what he did in private was his own business. What about his lying about it? I know that the majority of politician are pretty good liars but this guy had the stupidity to prove it. And didn't we have a president who descecrated in real time the office of the presidency . . . and was forgiven. Where have all the morals gone?
Even if one isn't a Christian/Catholic, the Ten Commandments are a great list for keeping yourself on the straight and narrow. They aren't exactly easy but they aren't so difficult that they couldn't be used in our lives. Morality has certainly taken a step back in order for people to find themselves, so each individual can be all they can be, and ignore morality as it inhibits one from enjoying their sexuality.
Interesting how women defend lax morality so vehemently when they have lost so much to the proposed freedom. Women downplay respect and then wonder why they actually do not get much respect.
I have daughters and pray they never fall prey to the current outlook of the world. I'm tired of seeing pregnant brides getting married in white dresses, high schools providing daycare for teenage mothers who haven't finished high school, and first dates expected to end up in bed. Women can rule the world once they go back to demanding respect and respecting the use of one word . . . No! A negative response in the right situations can bring out the positive and good in life.
Just my rant for the day!
What I found really reprehensible were all the sites that posted pictures of this person's anatomy. The talk shows bragged about how 'awful' the pictures were and you can go right to our home page to view them. Personally, if I admit disgust, I certainly do not want to actually see what all the disgust is about yet people have flooded the various posts to see what most of them condemned. Why?
Even worse are the people who say the guy was still a good politician and what he did in private was his own business. What about his lying about it? I know that the majority of politician are pretty good liars but this guy had the stupidity to prove it. And didn't we have a president who descecrated in real time the office of the presidency . . . and was forgiven. Where have all the morals gone?
Even if one isn't a Christian/Catholic, the Ten Commandments are a great list for keeping yourself on the straight and narrow. They aren't exactly easy but they aren't so difficult that they couldn't be used in our lives. Morality has certainly taken a step back in order for people to find themselves, so each individual can be all they can be, and ignore morality as it inhibits one from enjoying their sexuality.
Interesting how women defend lax morality so vehemently when they have lost so much to the proposed freedom. Women downplay respect and then wonder why they actually do not get much respect.
I have daughters and pray they never fall prey to the current outlook of the world. I'm tired of seeing pregnant brides getting married in white dresses, high schools providing daycare for teenage mothers who haven't finished high school, and first dates expected to end up in bed. Women can rule the world once they go back to demanding respect and respecting the use of one word . . . No! A negative response in the right situations can bring out the positive and good in life.
Just my rant for the day!
Men or Animals?
A hocky game, last night, and another riot for no reason. In the light of 'fan' reactions, I would never attend any sports event or take my children. What has happened to the world where so many people actually think it is okay to act like animals because their team has either won or lost? Humans, usually, think over their actions. The destruction of property and looting has no basis in the aftermath of a sports event yet people are taking the situation as a reason to steal, hurt, and destroy. Do they regret it the next day? I don't think so because, given the history of other sporting events, it is happening more and more.
According to news reports, business were broken into and looted of everything after the Canadian loss last night. What does that have to do with the game? Did these over zealous fans lose control because their team lost? Seems to me that people who react instantly like animals were not really there to enjoy a competitive game but to make trouble and steal . . . which they did.
We are living in such an entitlement world these days. If things do not go according to our sights, we break something. If our neighbor has something we don't have, we have reason to steal it. If we don't want to work, the government will take care of us . . . so we can attend games and destroy property?
Yes, the majority of the people just wanted to enjoy a fast-paced game. Sure, the team that lost had disappointed fans. That is the way of the world. Not everyone wins every time and you should not expect compensation to reward you for not winning. You try harder in the future. You don't go out and destroy the present life of other people with looting and random destruction. The news showed burning cars, empty shops, broken windows, and drunken people. How does that reflect on the human race?
When you read and hear about these senseless sporting event riots, you have to wonder how these countries got rated higher than a third world country. Wouldn't you think that people who have the good life would appreciate it more and exhibit manners in line with their benefits of living in such a country. Perhaps, in third world countries, they have learned to appreciate what little they have and have found more self control.
The human race does not reflect well on the Creator Who gave them life and this should not be the thanksgiving given for the good things they enjoy in the world.
According to news reports, business were broken into and looted of everything after the Canadian loss last night. What does that have to do with the game? Did these over zealous fans lose control because their team lost? Seems to me that people who react instantly like animals were not really there to enjoy a competitive game but to make trouble and steal . . . which they did.
We are living in such an entitlement world these days. If things do not go according to our sights, we break something. If our neighbor has something we don't have, we have reason to steal it. If we don't want to work, the government will take care of us . . . so we can attend games and destroy property?
Yes, the majority of the people just wanted to enjoy a fast-paced game. Sure, the team that lost had disappointed fans. That is the way of the world. Not everyone wins every time and you should not expect compensation to reward you for not winning. You try harder in the future. You don't go out and destroy the present life of other people with looting and random destruction. The news showed burning cars, empty shops, broken windows, and drunken people. How does that reflect on the human race?
When you read and hear about these senseless sporting event riots, you have to wonder how these countries got rated higher than a third world country. Wouldn't you think that people who have the good life would appreciate it more and exhibit manners in line with their benefits of living in such a country. Perhaps, in third world countries, they have learned to appreciate what little they have and have found more self control.
The human race does not reflect well on the Creator Who gave them life and this should not be the thanksgiving given for the good things they enjoy in the world.
St. Francis de Sales got it right!
“If we say less than we should, it is easy to add. But having said too much, it is hard to take it away.” ~St. Francis de Sales
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
A Rose to Remember . . .
My children don't really remember my mother as they were relatively young when my mother died. The last few years of her life, it was necessary to have her live in a rest home. It was a nice place run by an order of nuns. My mother wasn't quite in possession of her mental faculties but she knew she didn't want to be there.
The first week she was in residence, we promised to come down and visit to see that she had settled in and all. We lived over an hour away so it was always an event to pack four children in the small car and get going. The planned day for the visit, it was pouring rain. Visibility on the road was minimal. We passed several accidents on the freeway and considered turning back but realized how disappointed my mother would be if we didn't show up. Naturally, the traffic problems and the rain made us late and we arrived just 15 minutes before lunch time. My mother was in one of her vague moods so seemed to enjoy the brief visit but was just as happy going off for her lunch. We sighed and left the building and headed back to our car for the long ride home.
As is the rule with rainy days, we could only find a parking place two blocks away. As is the rule with parking that far away, the rain waited until we exited the building to come pouring down again. We were plodding along, holding the baby, grabbing toddler hands, and just trying to reach the car. Our mood was anything but cheerful.
Suddenly, our eight and six year old broke into song and started dancing along the flooded sidewalk, kicking up water and singing a la Gene Kelly, "I'm just singing in the rain . . .". It broke our somber mood and we joined in the singing if not the dancing/splashing part.
The rain let up when we arrived home and my husband decided to take advantage of the lull to plant a rose bush we had purchased the day before. He prepared the soil, unwrapped the root base, and then noticed the name of the rose on the tag: Singing in the Rain! We have since considered it our little blessing from God for our efforts that day and the rose bush is still flourishing over 15 years later.
Residents at the 'horse farm' hotel in Normandy . . .
True to it's nickname, the horse farm 'hotel' also had resident horses in and around the property. My son and I got up early in the morning for walks and to visit the horses and the family dog. We were still getting used to European time zones so enjoyed filling in our wakeful hours checking out our surroundings.
When we came up to this particular field of horses, they were all calmly eating their own breakfast. Suddenly, one of the horses looked up, saw us, and nudged the horse next to him. That horse, in turn, notified the next horse and so on until they completely stopped their eating and just stood and stared at us.
Interior Design . . .
We got to stay at a 'refinished' horse farm on the earlier leg of our recent tour. The hotel was in Normandy. The rooms were extremely comfortable but you could tell they were 'reclaimed' from what was originally stables in the olden days. The walls were almost three-feet thick. The walls in the rooms were plastered and finished about eight feet up (the rooms all had second stories) with the orignal stone work showing from that point up to the ceiling. Great, private bathroom, comfortable beds, quiet . . . and with this wonderful picture on the wall! I'm assuming it was either an original or a good copy of an original but we found it . . . interesting! My son enjoyed trying to match up the French words to the parts of the cow to which they applied.
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