Finding time to be creative . . .

http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php?PID=4606

Anyone interested in crocheting/knitting, this site has some great, FREE patterns! Free is always a good price. I made a couple of prayer shawls a few years ago and keep meaning to get back into this. My husband always drives whenever we go somewhere so I'm aiming to keep my yarn and project at hand for easy grabbing on the way out the door.

In order to get some extra crocheting time in this week, I looking at dragging out my ever faithful crockpot. This is something I've made for the family and it always gets a good welcome. Yes, they prefer a meal they see me prepare at the stove but don't mind me taking a day off and still provide the dinner.

Easy Crock Pot Meal

1 - 1 1/2 pounds beef, cut into chunks or just buy stew meat
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 packages dried onion soup mix
1 cup water or wine
3-4 large carrots, sliced
2-3 potatoes, peeled and quartered

Place the vegetables in the bottom of the crock pot; put the meat on top of the vegetables. Add the rest of the ingredients and set for 6-8 hours.

Can be served as a stew with bread and salad or served over rice or pasta.

Hope my husband is NOT a philosopher!

My advice to you is get married: if you find a good wife you'll be happy; if not, you'll become a philosopher.

Socrates

Where's the Catholic help for Japan?

I was kind of shocked at church, yesterday. There was no mention of the disaster in Japan nor a second collection for sending some help to them. It didn't happen with the Christchurch quakes, either. Sure, the United States, as a whole, sent help but I had to wonder why our bishops weren't right on it. In view of the magnitude of the quakes and tsunami, we felt sure our parish would do something and came prepared with an extra check for the collection. Nothing. The last time we had any extra collection was for Chile. Sure, Christchurch and Japan are not considered third world countries but they need help. It doesn't matter that they are an modern, up-to-date country. A great deal of their country is in ruins. They need all the help they can get right now. I'm hoping that there will be some mention next Sunday but, just in case, I'm dropping a note to the diocese. It was a real let down that we were so busy with the bishop's latest agenda that people in real need were neglected. I don't like pick and choose Catholicism.

Still recovering from Daylight Savings . . .

I do not understand why they continue the Daylight Savings Time deal. The original reason for it has long gone by the wayside in the wake of modernization . . . yet we persist! Seems the world never knows when to leave well enough alone and when a change is needed. Anyway, being a bit sleepy today, my mind turns to thoughts of something with caffeine. Yes, coffee would have less calories but I maintain the thought of a chocolate brownie would do more to wake me up! Unfortunately, I gave up sweets for Lent . . . and I don't currently have baking chocolate in the cupboard. Anyway, with a view to the future, I'm sharing a favorite Brownie Recipe.

EASY BROWNIES

8 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 cup butter
5 eggs
3 cups sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups chopped nuts, your choice (optional)

Melt chocolate and butter together. Cool slightly. Beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl. Blend in chocolate mixtures. Stir in flour to just blend. Add nuts. Spread in a greased 13x9-inch baking pan (or two smaller pans). Bake at 350 for approximately 20 minutes. Cool in pan before cutting into squares.

Interesting quotes for a Monday . . .

He's turned his life around. He used to be depressed and miserable. Now he's miserable and depressed.
- David Frost

There are many who dare not kill themselves for fear of what the neighbors will say.
- Cyril Connolly

The older I grow the more I distrust the familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom.
- H. L. Mencken