An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Funny but true . . .
Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils
- Louis Hector Berlioz
The man who smiles when things go wrong has thought of someone to blame it on.
- Robert Bloch
- Louis Hector Berlioz
The man who smiles when things go wrong has thought of someone to blame it on.
- Robert Bloch
Oatmeal Cookies . . . again!
Yes, another oatmeal cookie recipe but this one has an interesting twist in dealing with the oatmeal. As with most of my favorite recipes, it is very adaptable to change with whatever additions you might like to add to the batter.
OATMEAL COOKIES
1 cup butter (two sticks)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 cups oatmeal
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a blender or food processor, process the oatmeal into a powder. Measure the powder form for the recipe!
Cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and whip to combine. Add the vanilla, baking powder, and baking soda mixing just to combine.
Stir in the flour and oatmeal to form a workable dough. Drop by tablespoons onto a lightly greased or parchment covered baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 5-10 minutes depending on size of cookies.
Ideas . . .
A great basic cookie but what about adding 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the mix?
Want a chocolate/nut taste include 1/2 cup your favorite nut to the above-mentioned chocolate chips.
Remember, there are more than just chocolate chips you can add these days!
Toasted coconut with some fresh orange zest is almost tropical.
Adding 1/2 cup or so of diced orange gum drops is different and actually very good.
OATMEAL COOKIES
1 cup butter (two sticks)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 cups all purpose flour
2 1/2 cups oatmeal
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a blender or food processor, process the oatmeal into a powder. Measure the powder form for the recipe!
Cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and whip to combine. Add the vanilla, baking powder, and baking soda mixing just to combine.
Stir in the flour and oatmeal to form a workable dough. Drop by tablespoons onto a lightly greased or parchment covered baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 5-10 minutes depending on size of cookies.
Ideas . . .
A great basic cookie but what about adding 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the mix?
Want a chocolate/nut taste include 1/2 cup your favorite nut to the above-mentioned chocolate chips.
Remember, there are more than just chocolate chips you can add these days!
Toasted coconut with some fresh orange zest is almost tropical.
Adding 1/2 cup or so of diced orange gum drops is different and actually very good.
Live by the example you'd like to live by . . .
A dearly departed pastor was constantly reminding us that we have to always give a good example because we may be 'the only Bible' some people read. Not being anywhere near perfect, I've fallen down on this more than once time in my life but the pastor's words are always close to the surface of my brain and they have brought me up short on many an occasion and I've remember to act like I'm supposed to not as I want to in order to give a good example.
I ran into a situation a few weeks ago that brought this strongly to mind. A former acquaintance had decided we would no longer be on speaking terms for reasons I have yet to figure out. As chance or, perhaps, God, would have it, we ended up at the same event. I attended with a group of young adult friends who also knew the person. Even as the person was obviously going out of her way to ignore me, I worked equally hard at not letting on to my young friends that anything that petty was going on. No one spoke of it so I figured no one had noticed which was all to the good. The young people (friends of my children who were also there) are very sweet, gracious people and I didn't want anything to hurt them or our outing because I knew they would take it seriously to heart. End of situation . . . or so I thought!
Last week, my son and I were out to lunch with two of the young people, having a good time, talking, joking, and enjoying the time together. One of them asked me if I knew why our former mutual friend didn't like us anymore. I said no and continued with the conversation. The topic didn't go away as the other one said it was very sad and we have to pray for them. I agreed and we finally left the subject.
It made me realize that even if we have a realistic reason to now avoid someone, it isn't always the best way to handle it. One might think the actions aren't noticed and would be very surprised, as in this case, that the actions had been noted and they hurt. When you don't present yourself and actions as the Bible possibly being read by others, you end up extending the ill feelings to more than just the people(s) intended.
I ran into a situation a few weeks ago that brought this strongly to mind. A former acquaintance had decided we would no longer be on speaking terms for reasons I have yet to figure out. As chance or, perhaps, God, would have it, we ended up at the same event. I attended with a group of young adult friends who also knew the person. Even as the person was obviously going out of her way to ignore me, I worked equally hard at not letting on to my young friends that anything that petty was going on. No one spoke of it so I figured no one had noticed which was all to the good. The young people (friends of my children who were also there) are very sweet, gracious people and I didn't want anything to hurt them or our outing because I knew they would take it seriously to heart. End of situation . . . or so I thought!
Last week, my son and I were out to lunch with two of the young people, having a good time, talking, joking, and enjoying the time together. One of them asked me if I knew why our former mutual friend didn't like us anymore. I said no and continued with the conversation. The topic didn't go away as the other one said it was very sad and we have to pray for them. I agreed and we finally left the subject.
It made me realize that even if we have a realistic reason to now avoid someone, it isn't always the best way to handle it. One might think the actions aren't noticed and would be very surprised, as in this case, that the actions had been noted and they hurt. When you don't present yourself and actions as the Bible possibly being read by others, you end up extending the ill feelings to more than just the people(s) intended.
Homemade Cheese Crackers!
I'm on a quest to make healthier snack crackers for my family. From my Internet surfing, it appears that I am not the only one. Within minutes, I had three likely recipes at hand The one that appealed to me the most, mainly because I like cheese very much, was one from the recipe page on the New York Times. Thought I'd share. I'm planning on trying it today or tomorrow.
Cheddar Cheese Crackers
By MARTHA ROSE SHULMAN (Printed in New York Times)
1 cup whole-wheat or whole-wheat pastry flour
1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour (more as needed)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 cup tightly packed grated sharp Cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
1/4 cup tightly packed grated Parmesan (4 ounces)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 eggs
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Sift together the flours, salt and sugar, and place in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the butter, and pulse until the mixture is crumbly. Add the cheese, and pulse several times to distribute it evenly throughout the flour mixture. Turn on the food processor, and add the olive oil and eggs. Stop the machine when the dough comes together. It will be soft and somewhat sticky. If it seems very moist, add another tablespoon of flour and pulse until incorporated.
2. Lightly flour your hands and your work surface. Scrape out the dough and form two equal pieces. Shape into rounds, wrap in plastic and let rest for 15 minutes.
3. Roll out each piece of dough between pieces of lightly floured parchment. Cut into squares or rectangles, and place on the parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, switching the pans after the first 10 minutes from front to back and top to bottom. They will foam in the oven because of the cheese, but that will subside and they will bake crisply. The crackers are done when they are lightly browned. Remove from the oven, and cool on racks. Store in an airtight container.
Yield: About five dozen crackers.
Advance preparation: These crackers will keep for about a week in an airtight container.
Nutritional information per cracker: 28 calories; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 1 gram monounsaturated fat; 9 milligrams cholesterol; 2 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 39 milligrams sodium; 1 gram protein
1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour (more as needed)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 cup tightly packed grated sharp Cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
1/4 cup tightly packed grated Parmesan (4 ounces)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 eggs
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment. Sift together the flours, salt and sugar, and place in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the butter, and pulse until the mixture is crumbly. Add the cheese, and pulse several times to distribute it evenly throughout the flour mixture. Turn on the food processor, and add the olive oil and eggs. Stop the machine when the dough comes together. It will be soft and somewhat sticky. If it seems very moist, add another tablespoon of flour and pulse until incorporated.
2. Lightly flour your hands and your work surface. Scrape out the dough and form two equal pieces. Shape into rounds, wrap in plastic and let rest for 15 minutes.
3. Roll out each piece of dough between pieces of lightly floured parchment. Cut into squares or rectangles, and place on the parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake 15 to 20 minutes, switching the pans after the first 10 minutes from front to back and top to bottom. They will foam in the oven because of the cheese, but that will subside and they will bake crisply. The crackers are done when they are lightly browned. Remove from the oven, and cool on racks. Store in an airtight container.
Yield: About five dozen crackers.
Advance preparation: These crackers will keep for about a week in an airtight container.
Nutritional information per cracker: 28 calories; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 1 gram monounsaturated fat; 9 milligrams cholesterol; 2 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 39 milligrams sodium; 1 gram protein
Inexpensive but priceless Christmas gifts
We are getting to the time of year when we all rush around preparing for the holidays and company. The children are excited even before they get a sugar charge from the multitude of candy canes that eventually find their way into our celebrations. An unexpected kindness would be just the thing to make us feel appreciated!
When I was in high school, the entire school (small school!), would exchange names and then be that person's secret friend for the month of December. It didn't require an outlay of cash, just a note here and there, a reminder that someone is praying for them, or an unexpected treat left where your chosen person could find it. At the end of the month, you revealed your secret status.
Busy mothers with families don't have time to play extended games like that but what if we each decided to expend a stamp and sent an anonymous note to someone you wouldn't ordinarily socialize with, just to share some of the sacredness of Christmas?
Imagine, going through your mail and finding a note offering you a heartfelt prayer from someone who thought of you that day?
It's a simplistic idea but one that might renew someone's waning energy during the coming season. And think of the graces, not to mention the good feelings you will have, knowing you extended a kindness.
Here is the idea; plan on splurging on five stamps and five note cards and send them to five different people. It could be someone you've talked to on rare occasions, met once at a park day, or know could use a lift. Don't sign the cards, of course, but let the person know that someone's thoughts and prayers are with them.
The catch? At the end of December, you remain the anonymous friend! You attempt to bring some joy into the lives of five different people and sacrifice the fun of telling them you did it. You extend a cup of kindness with absolutely no strings attached.
When I was in high school, the entire school (small school!), would exchange names and then be that person's secret friend for the month of December. It didn't require an outlay of cash, just a note here and there, a reminder that someone is praying for them, or an unexpected treat left where your chosen person could find it. At the end of the month, you revealed your secret status.
Busy mothers with families don't have time to play extended games like that but what if we each decided to expend a stamp and sent an anonymous note to someone you wouldn't ordinarily socialize with, just to share some of the sacredness of Christmas?
Imagine, going through your mail and finding a note offering you a heartfelt prayer from someone who thought of you that day?
It's a simplistic idea but one that might renew someone's waning energy during the coming season. And think of the graces, not to mention the good feelings you will have, knowing you extended a kindness.
Here is the idea; plan on splurging on five stamps and five note cards and send them to five different people. It could be someone you've talked to on rare occasions, met once at a park day, or know could use a lift. Don't sign the cards, of course, but let the person know that someone's thoughts and prayers are with them.
The catch? At the end of December, you remain the anonymous friend! You attempt to bring some joy into the lives of five different people and sacrifice the fun of telling them you did it. You extend a cup of kindness with absolutely no strings attached.
I can't figure this thinking out, either!
| Express profound bafflement over a liberal's positions on abortion and capital punishment. | |||
"So let me get this right: you're in favor of saving the
lives of convicted murderers and terrorists? But you're in favor of killing kids
who haven't gotten around to doing anything wrong yet and who might turn out
nice? Interesting!"
|
Too true about the third quote these days!
"I get up every morning determined to both change the world and
have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult."
-- E. B. White
-- E. B. White
"Read over your compositions, and wherever you meet with a passage
which you think is particularly fine, strike it out."
-- Samuel Johnson
-- Samuel Johnson
"I think the world is run by 'C' students."
-- Al McGuire
-- Al McGuire
"I took a speed reading course and read 'War and Peace' in twenty
minutes. It involves Russia."
-- Woody Allen
-- Woody Allen
Pumpkin Discoveries . . .
As mentioned, pumpkin is a favorite around our house. I imagine it is favored by a majority of households. Up until a few years ago, pumpkin meant pumpkin pie and it seemed to me that it was a major crop intended for such a narrow market. I've since learned through my cooking explorations that pumpkin can show up on any meal course from appetizer to dessert. This one, however, is a first for me - Pumpkin Salad Dressing! Needless to say, it is going to grace my dinner table in an experimental manner to see if my family figures out the 'secret' ingredient. What a great idea, too, in getting some extra nutrition into the tastiness of mealtime.
Pumpkin Salad Dressing
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
3 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons grated red onion
2 teaspoons dijon-type mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and mix for 2-3 minutes or until well combined. Remove to a sealable container and refrigerate until ready to use. Makes about two cups of dressing.
Seems to me that it would make a good dip for vegetables, too.
A salad suggestion: Romaine or iceberg lettuce, green pepper, slices of radishes, carrot, red onion, tomatoes, celery, crisp bacon, cucumber, hard-boiled egg slices, mushrooms . . .
Pumpkin Salad Dressing
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
3 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons grated red onion
2 teaspoons dijon-type mustard
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Combine all the ingredients in a blender and mix for 2-3 minutes or until well combined. Remove to a sealable container and refrigerate until ready to use. Makes about two cups of dressing.
Seems to me that it would make a good dip for vegetables, too.
A salad suggestion: Romaine or iceberg lettuce, green pepper, slices of radishes, carrot, red onion, tomatoes, celery, crisp bacon, cucumber, hard-boiled egg slices, mushrooms . . .
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