He knows nothing; and he thinks he knows everything. That points clearly to a
political career.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Deceptive honey . . .
How many times have we grabbed a jar or bottle of our favorite honey from the grocery shelf thinking we were doing something good for ourselves and our family. Seems like it might not be so, after all. Interesting link . . .
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/
http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/11/tests-show-most-store-honey-isnt-honey/
Windy days . . . again!
Around midnight, the infamous Santa Ana winds made themselves known arriving with a sudden blast. Even realizing what it was, the noise of the wind produces restless sleep. My poor husband had a four-day weekend but lost out on the caught-up sleep with the wind last night.
The wind has been worse so I was able to get my morning walk around the church before Mass this morning. It is a nice part of my personally-devised exercise program which I thoroughly enjoy. On a good day, I can get around the property five to six times. It is also a good time to remember sending thanks to God that I'm able to make the daily walk and to appreciate the daily changes in the weather and scenary. Once in awhile, other people will join me on the walk. I enjoy both having the company and having the solitary time to myself.
Father's sermon dealt with remembering thank God for what is sent our way. It was in line with me and my morning walk as he mentioned that the weather is changing from day to day and we should welcome the colder mornings as well as the more temperate ones because they are all gifts from God. He said something to the effect that if we are alive to witness the day, we should thank God and enjoy the variations of our days.
My husband is back to work, my chores are done, and my ironing board is set up in anticipation of some sewing today. My daughter contacted her brother on Skype to ask me to call her cell phone as she had misplaced it at college. I guess I was the monitoring device. I called, she found, and we didn't have to break it to her Dad that she had just gone through a second phone in as many months. See? Lots to give thanks for and the day has just started! :-)
The wind has been worse so I was able to get my morning walk around the church before Mass this morning. It is a nice part of my personally-devised exercise program which I thoroughly enjoy. On a good day, I can get around the property five to six times. It is also a good time to remember sending thanks to God that I'm able to make the daily walk and to appreciate the daily changes in the weather and scenary. Once in awhile, other people will join me on the walk. I enjoy both having the company and having the solitary time to myself.
Father's sermon dealt with remembering thank God for what is sent our way. It was in line with me and my morning walk as he mentioned that the weather is changing from day to day and we should welcome the colder mornings as well as the more temperate ones because they are all gifts from God. He said something to the effect that if we are alive to witness the day, we should thank God and enjoy the variations of our days.
My husband is back to work, my chores are done, and my ironing board is set up in anticipation of some sewing today. My daughter contacted her brother on Skype to ask me to call her cell phone as she had misplaced it at college. I guess I was the monitoring device. I called, she found, and we didn't have to break it to her Dad that she had just gone through a second phone in as many months. See? Lots to give thanks for and the day has just started! :-)
Corn Cakes - an interesting side dish . . .
My husband used to experiment with various kinds of pancakes and waffles. His interest in new things, keeps me on the lookout for something different to serve at meals. I just found this one and plan to incorporate it into a savory, spicy meal soon. Thought I'd share now before it slips my mind.
Corn Cakes
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon red onion, finely diced
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 beaten egg
1 can your favorite creamed corn
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
In a large mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add in the rest of the ingredients and mix to just combine.
On either a non-stick griddle or frying pan, melt a bit of butter and heat until bubbly. Spoon out pancake sized helpings of the corn cake batter and cook. Turn one until both sides are golden brown. Keep warm while you complete the cooking.
You can enjoy these as is or provide salsa, sour cream, chopped green onions, or shredded cheese on the side. Might be fun to have alone side a bowl of soup or chili on a cold evening.
Corn Cakes
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon red onion, finely diced
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 beaten egg
1 can your favorite creamed corn
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
In a large mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add in the rest of the ingredients and mix to just combine.
On either a non-stick griddle or frying pan, melt a bit of butter and heat until bubbly. Spoon out pancake sized helpings of the corn cake batter and cook. Turn one until both sides are golden brown. Keep warm while you complete the cooking.
You can enjoy these as is or provide salsa, sour cream, chopped green onions, or shredded cheese on the side. Might be fun to have alone side a bowl of soup or chili on a cold evening.
Back to Pumpkin . . . already!
With the availibility of premade pie crusts at the supermarket and the ease of putting together a pumpkin pie filling, there is no excuse to make do with store-bought versions. Here is my take on the classic pumpking pie filling. This makes two pies.
Pumpkin Pie
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons brandy
4 large eggs
1 29-ounce can of pumpkin (NOT the pumpkin pie filling type, just the pumpkin)
2 cans evaporated milk (12 ounce cans)
2 unbaked pie shells
Combine the sugar, salt, spices, pumpkin together in a large mixing bowl. Beat the eggs and add them to the pumpkin mixtures. Mix in the brandy. Whisk in the evaporated milk, stirring to mix together thoroughly. Divide between the two unbaked pie shells.
Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees and continue baking for approximately 40-50 minutes. Pie is done when a sharp knift inserted in the middle of the filling comes out 'clean'. It means the pumpkin custard is baked.
Cool thoroughly and then refrigerate until served.
Pumpkin Pie
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons brandy
4 large eggs
1 29-ounce can of pumpkin (NOT the pumpkin pie filling type, just the pumpkin)
2 cans evaporated milk (12 ounce cans)
2 unbaked pie shells
Combine the sugar, salt, spices, pumpkin together in a large mixing bowl. Beat the eggs and add them to the pumpkin mixtures. Mix in the brandy. Whisk in the evaporated milk, stirring to mix together thoroughly. Divide between the two unbaked pie shells.
Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 degrees and continue baking for approximately 40-50 minutes. Pie is done when a sharp knift inserted in the middle of the filling comes out 'clean'. It means the pumpkin custard is baked.
Cool thoroughly and then refrigerate until served.
A Departure from Pumpkin . . .
There is life after pumpkin so I'm sharing a recipe idea that has worked well for me over the years - a filled cupcake. It sounds difficult but is really easy and quite a surprise when people bit into your creation and find an extra treat.
Quick Basic Chocolate Cupcake
1 package of chocolate cake mix
1 small package of instant chocolate fudge pudding mix
1 cup applesauce, unsweetened
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Combine all the ingredients and beat to combine and smooth out into batter. Divide the batter into 24 paper-lined muffin tins. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 20 minutes or until the tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool thoroughly.
Filling/Frosting
1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
Approximately 4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Milk or cream
Whip together the butter and shortening until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the sugar until well incorporated. Add the milk or cream by teaspoons until the frosting is spreadable but not runny. Depending on the weather, etc., you might need a bit more of either the milk/cream or powdered sugar to reach a good result.
Fill a pastry/frosting bag (using a large opening tip on the bag) with frosting. Poke the tip of the pastry/frosting bag about halfway down the middle of the baked cupcake and squeeze in frosting, pulling up slightly as you feel it fill up. Don't worry about the frosting now peeking out on top of your cupcake as you will ice over that.
With the remaining frosting (after you have filled all the cupcakes), you can whip in a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder to make a chocolate frosting. Thin just a bit and ice the top of your cupcakes and sprinkle with nuts, decorations, coconut, etc., your choice.
If you have a cupcake recipe you prefer, this works on any type.
Quick Basic Chocolate Cupcake
1 package of chocolate cake mix
1 small package of instant chocolate fudge pudding mix
1 cup applesauce, unsweetened
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup water
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Combine all the ingredients and beat to combine and smooth out into batter. Divide the batter into 24 paper-lined muffin tins. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for approximately 20 minutes or until the tops spring back when lightly touched. Cool thoroughly.
Filling/Frosting
1/2 cup softened butter
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
Approximately 4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Milk or cream
Whip together the butter and shortening until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the sugar until well incorporated. Add the milk or cream by teaspoons until the frosting is spreadable but not runny. Depending on the weather, etc., you might need a bit more of either the milk/cream or powdered sugar to reach a good result.
Fill a pastry/frosting bag (using a large opening tip on the bag) with frosting. Poke the tip of the pastry/frosting bag about halfway down the middle of the baked cupcake and squeeze in frosting, pulling up slightly as you feel it fill up. Don't worry about the frosting now peeking out on top of your cupcake as you will ice over that.
With the remaining frosting (after you have filled all the cupcakes), you can whip in a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder to make a chocolate frosting. Thin just a bit and ice the top of your cupcakes and sprinkle with nuts, decorations, coconut, etc., your choice.
If you have a cupcake recipe you prefer, this works on any type.
Simple explanation . . .
Human
beings must be known to be loved; but Divine beings must be loved to be known.
- Blaise Pascal
My 'Cheer Up' treat of the day . . .
Whenever I need a pick me up, I watch the Susan Boyle audition, again. Although she did wow the crowd, I'm always a bit sad at how the audience, on the whole, judged the woman before she even opened her mouth to sing. The camera pans out over the crowd and you see some people mouthing snide remarks at the middle-aged woman on stage who dared to try for her dream. She was judged before she presented anything to be judged about based on her age and innocence.
Once she began to sing, however, faces immediately changed and people sat up and reevaluated the situation but they had to have proof that Susan Boyle was worthy of respect before they gave her any respect. An audition means you give a person a hearing before you pass judgment. I get a tear or two in my eye every time I watch the video replay of that famous audition when Susan Boyle showed the world that great things can come in brown paper wrappings. She is now famous so the same people who were ready boo her off the stage would give anything to meet her in person.
I watched a show about her life with interviews from the people in the town, etc., yesterday. One resident of the city Susan Boyle has lived in all her life said that she was always considered a 'bit off' and the teens would often egg her house. She went on to say that they don't do that anymore because of who Susan Boyle is today. Huh? She is still the same person so why change? Why is it that some fame and fortune makes her more likeable in their eyes? Shouldn't she have been given respect regardless of whether she could sing or not?
One of the judges said that Susan Boyle's performance was a wake up call. It should remind everyone that we all can be the victim of judging so why not refrain from doing so until you know the person?
Once she began to sing, however, faces immediately changed and people sat up and reevaluated the situation but they had to have proof that Susan Boyle was worthy of respect before they gave her any respect. An audition means you give a person a hearing before you pass judgment. I get a tear or two in my eye every time I watch the video replay of that famous audition when Susan Boyle showed the world that great things can come in brown paper wrappings. She is now famous so the same people who were ready boo her off the stage would give anything to meet her in person.
I watched a show about her life with interviews from the people in the town, etc., yesterday. One resident of the city Susan Boyle has lived in all her life said that she was always considered a 'bit off' and the teens would often egg her house. She went on to say that they don't do that anymore because of who Susan Boyle is today. Huh? She is still the same person so why change? Why is it that some fame and fortune makes her more likeable in their eyes? Shouldn't she have been given respect regardless of whether she could sing or not?
One of the judges said that Susan Boyle's performance was a wake up call. It should remind everyone that we all can be the victim of judging so why not refrain from doing so until you know the person?
A compensation to growing older . . .
I
look forward to being older, when what you look like becomes less and less an
issue and what you are is the point.
- Susan Sarandon
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