Monday, August 22, 2011
Carrot tops right down to the roots . . .
I have always liked carrots and given the reasonable price, they appear as the vegetable at our dinner table about three times a week. Even now, my husband is dicing some up for beef barley soup. I did not, however, realize how far beyond carrot cake the lowly carrot can evolve.
1. Roasted and dried carrots can be ground into power and used as a coffee substitute. Not saying it will taste great but with the economy, these days, it might be something to keep in mind!
2. There is such a thing as carrot syrup! Carrots are on the sweet side so would have a sugar content. I'll have to start reading labels more closely to see if any products employ that ingredient.
3. The perfume industry uses carrot oil! It is also used for flavoring. I'm now wondering how you can get sugar and oil from the same simple vegetable.
4. Carrot seeds are supposed to enhance the flavor of soups and stews. I have never seen them offered in a spice catalog, however. I would advise using them from a packet of garden seeds as they often have coatings on them to keep away the varmints or grow better.
5. Bees will go from carrot flower to carrot flower. Such visits will end up in the bee's honey production. From what I've read, the flavor isn't that great but the carrot flower clusters can be used to great advantage in fine cooking. Again, this fact hasn't come across my radar but I'm thinking about investigating.
For now, I'm sticking to steamed carrots, carrots braised in garlic, carrots brightening up my soups and stews, or a nice chunk of carrot cake with a tasty half inch of lemon frosting.
No improvement in the situation . . .
As I posted, my high school graduate was unable to get into the community college for the Fall because the college had to cut back something like 2,500 seats available. Being a new student, he was, of course, last on the list for registering for classes. There were no classes available for him when it was his turn to sign up. Believe me, we even started looking at the classes he would take for love or money just to get his foot in the door for the Spring semester.
I had to call the college counseling center today and I asked if things would ease up in the Spring registration. The counselor said, "No." She said my son could just keep showing up for whatever class he was interested in and hope that most of the 40 people ahead of him on the wait list didn't show up that day.
It really makes you wonder how much of our taxes actually for for education, pure and simple and not for the excess of administration. I'm wondering what will happen to my son's eagerness to progress in his education if he gets left out a second time. I know that if he gets a job, he will probably enjoy the paycheck more than living the life of a 'starving' student. You certainly have to shake your head in disbelief at a country who can't provide adequate educational opportunities, makes flying the American flag a problem, sends students home when they wear patriotic tee shirts, and call people who stand up for Christian values, terrorists. You add the increasing 'nanny state' mind set and everyone should start worrying.
Anyway, my son is scheduled to take the college's assessment test next month and can even talk to a counselor . . . I'm not sure about what - - - the classes he would have liked to take to further the education he isn't getting right now? Now we know why we have never discovered alien life forms in outerspace . . . They don't want to be found and have to associate with us!
By the way, I just read that in 545 was one of the first sightings of the Loch Ness monster. Perhaps, my son and the other students left out in non-student land can get federal funding to investigate this in current times. Deep, heartfelt sigh here . . .
I had to call the college counseling center today and I asked if things would ease up in the Spring registration. The counselor said, "No." She said my son could just keep showing up for whatever class he was interested in and hope that most of the 40 people ahead of him on the wait list didn't show up that day.
It really makes you wonder how much of our taxes actually for for education, pure and simple and not for the excess of administration. I'm wondering what will happen to my son's eagerness to progress in his education if he gets left out a second time. I know that if he gets a job, he will probably enjoy the paycheck more than living the life of a 'starving' student. You certainly have to shake your head in disbelief at a country who can't provide adequate educational opportunities, makes flying the American flag a problem, sends students home when they wear patriotic tee shirts, and call people who stand up for Christian values, terrorists. You add the increasing 'nanny state' mind set and everyone should start worrying.
Anyway, my son is scheduled to take the college's assessment test next month and can even talk to a counselor . . . I'm not sure about what - - - the classes he would have liked to take to further the education he isn't getting right now? Now we know why we have never discovered alien life forms in outerspace . . . They don't want to be found and have to associate with us!
By the way, I just read that in 545 was one of the first sightings of the Loch Ness monster. Perhaps, my son and the other students left out in non-student land can get federal funding to investigate this in current times. Deep, heartfelt sigh here . . .
Just the beginning . . .
Right on schedule, the workmen are here to replace our air conditioning system. After 30-plus years, I'm thinking it is about time. Who knows, there might even be some improvements in such items over the last three decades, you think? Anyway, this is just the preliminary work. They said they had a truckload of more stuff to bring tomorrow. Sigh . . . See why I didn't bother to sweep, dust, or vacuum today? And our dog? She is not happy to be in the garage even with the light on, food, water, and regular visits. She just wants to take a little taste of these guys wandering around her property.
Two Days of Company . . .
Okay, it isn't exactly company so much as two days of repairmen running through the house. After 30 years, this tired old house is getting the air conditioning/heating unit replaced. We have thought about this for a long time but either the time or money wasn't available. The time has arrived and we figured out a way to eventually get the money part paid off, too. Besides the deal on the unit and installation, the electric company and the warehouse store are giving us over $3,000 in rebates which we will, of course, plow right back into the balance owing. We knew for sure it was time to update when every salesman who looked at our current unit started laughing . . . a lot!
Yes, we have a lot of hot weather in our neck of the woods. No, we haven't used our present air conditioning at all. Because of it's advanced age, it didn't cool down the house but it sent our electric bill sky rocketing. The reason we made the decision now is that we will eventually want to scale down and move and no one will look at a house without adequate cooling.
Anyway, today, the dog will be in further misery having to stay in the garage so as not to bite the workmen during the first part of the installation. Today, it is yank out the old units and duct work. Tomorrow, they will be back to put in the new ones. According to all that is right in the world, the new air conditioning unit will run more efficiently with less pull on the electric power which means, hopefully, we can have temperatures lower than 90 degrees in the house in the summer.
I don't know how much mess this is going to incur but I decided against dusting the house until they are done! Sigh . . . Since I don't have run of the house today, I suppose I will just have to sit in my sewing corner and keep busy. Good thing I'm of a sacrificial frame of mind, huh?
Yes, we have a lot of hot weather in our neck of the woods. No, we haven't used our present air conditioning at all. Because of it's advanced age, it didn't cool down the house but it sent our electric bill sky rocketing. The reason we made the decision now is that we will eventually want to scale down and move and no one will look at a house without adequate cooling.
Anyway, today, the dog will be in further misery having to stay in the garage so as not to bite the workmen during the first part of the installation. Today, it is yank out the old units and duct work. Tomorrow, they will be back to put in the new ones. According to all that is right in the world, the new air conditioning unit will run more efficiently with less pull on the electric power which means, hopefully, we can have temperatures lower than 90 degrees in the house in the summer.
I don't know how much mess this is going to incur but I decided against dusting the house until they are done! Sigh . . . Since I don't have run of the house today, I suppose I will just have to sit in my sewing corner and keep busy. Good thing I'm of a sacrificial frame of mind, huh?
My smile of the morning!
Which painting in the National Gallery would I save if there was a fire? The one nearest the door of course.
Literally taking each moment as it comes . . .
“God does not ask of us the perfection of tomorrow, nor even of tonight, but only of the present moment.” ~St. Madeline Sophie Barat
A Prayer for Rain
A Prayer for Rain
Almighty God, we are in need of rain. We realize now, looking up into the clear, blue sky, what a marvel even the least drop of rain really is. To think that so much water can fall out of the sky, which now is empty and clear! We place our trust in You. We are sure that You know our needs. But You want us to ask You anyway, to show You that we know we are dependent on You. Look on our dry hills and fields, dear God, and bless them with the living blessing of soft rain. Then the land will rejoice, and the rivers will sing Your praises, and the hearts of men will be made glad. Amen. "The Rural Life Prayer Book" copy write 1956.
Almighty God, we are in need of rain. We realize now, looking up into the clear, blue sky, what a marvel even the least drop of rain really is. To think that so much water can fall out of the sky, which now is empty and clear! We place our trust in You. We are sure that You know our needs. But You want us to ask You anyway, to show You that we know we are dependent on You. Look on our dry hills and fields, dear God, and bless them with the living blessing of soft rain. Then the land will rejoice, and the rivers will sing Your praises, and the hearts of men will be made glad. Amen. "The Rural Life Prayer Book" copy write 1956.
Rain has been in short supply in our state over the last few years. I was surprised to discover that many European countries are lacking in this necessary resourse, too. This is a prayer my family discovered a long time ago and we pray it every evening with out night prayers. Of course, God knows what we need but I imagine He likes being asked, too!
Surprise Pies!
Surprise Pies
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cottage cheese
dash of salt
Jam of choice
Powdered sugar
Combine and set aside:1 egg
1 tablespoon ice water
Place the butter, flour, cottage cheese and salt in a food processor fitted with steel blade. Process until it forms a ball. Let rest a half hour, covered in the refrigerator. You can also work the ingredients together with your hands or a pastry cutter until you have a workable ball of dough.
Roll the dough out as thin as you can with a rolling pin. Cut into two-inch circles. Place a small amount of jam to one side of the dough and fold circle of dough in half, forming a half moon. Crimp the edges with the tines of a fork. Brush with egg and water mixture. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake in 375 degree oven for about 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to rack and dust with powdered sugar while still warm. Makes approximately 36 pies depending on actual size of cookie cutter used.
These little pies are not overly sweet but I’ve yet to hear a complaint. For a fancier presentation, you can dust them with powdered sugar before serving. The fun is using two or three types of thick jam. No one knows what flavor they will get but I doubt that will stop them from having another . . . and another . . .
I am a person who uses recipes as points of reference rather than directions! I was an art major in college and have re-channeled my creativity into homemaking. My husband and I always felt it was very important to connect with our children. The rule of the house is that everyone shows up for dinner. It not only provides togetherness but give me a ‘captive’ audience for my latest culinary endeavors. My earliest memories were of cutting out (rather messily, too!) cookies with my mother. I fixed my first Thanksgiving dinner at age twelve and have been experimenting in the kitchen ever since. We are a one-income family and I find gifts from the kitchen keep the budget in line yet shares the warmth of our home, hearts and hearth.
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup cottage cheese
dash of salt
Jam of choice
Powdered sugar
Combine and set aside:1 egg
1 tablespoon ice water
Place the butter, flour, cottage cheese and salt in a food processor fitted with steel blade. Process until it forms a ball. Let rest a half hour, covered in the refrigerator. You can also work the ingredients together with your hands or a pastry cutter until you have a workable ball of dough.
Roll the dough out as thin as you can with a rolling pin. Cut into two-inch circles. Place a small amount of jam to one side of the dough and fold circle of dough in half, forming a half moon. Crimp the edges with the tines of a fork. Brush with egg and water mixture. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake in 375 degree oven for about 10 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to rack and dust with powdered sugar while still warm. Makes approximately 36 pies depending on actual size of cookie cutter used.
These little pies are not overly sweet but I’ve yet to hear a complaint. For a fancier presentation, you can dust them with powdered sugar before serving. The fun is using two or three types of thick jam. No one knows what flavor they will get but I doubt that will stop them from having another . . . and another . . .
I am a person who uses recipes as points of reference rather than directions! I was an art major in college and have re-channeled my creativity into homemaking. My husband and I always felt it was very important to connect with our children. The rule of the house is that everyone shows up for dinner. It not only provides togetherness but give me a ‘captive’ audience for my latest culinary endeavors. My earliest memories were of cutting out (rather messily, too!) cookies with my mother. I fixed my first Thanksgiving dinner at age twelve and have been experimenting in the kitchen ever since. We are a one-income family and I find gifts from the kitchen keep the budget in line yet shares the warmth of our home, hearts and hearth.
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