Patience
is bitter, but it's fruit is sweet.
- Lida Clarkson
Friday, November 18, 2011
What next?
Pelosi told the Washington Post if she were to regain Speaker, her top priority would be "to do to childcare what we did for healthcare."
Now isn't that a scary thought? The government is working hard at mandating how much healthcare we will be allowed as we age, what we can eat, and now taking over childcare? Isn't the government made up of elected officials who are supposed to represent our needs/wants? The majority was against the healthcare plan yet they voted it into place. What happens if they decide they will determine the best thing to do for our children? The government has trouble enforcing the laws already on the books yet they want to invade our homes and tell us how to live? Doesn't sound like a very democratic way to run a society much less a country.
Now isn't that a scary thought? The government is working hard at mandating how much healthcare we will be allowed as we age, what we can eat, and now taking over childcare? Isn't the government made up of elected officials who are supposed to represent our needs/wants? The majority was against the healthcare plan yet they voted it into place. What happens if they decide they will determine the best thing to do for our children? The government has trouble enforcing the laws already on the books yet they want to invade our homes and tell us how to live? Doesn't sound like a very democratic way to run a society much less a country.
No housework done . . . but I'm not complaining!
When my husband has a day off from work, the housework isn't likely to be done with as much care as when I'm on my own. And, that's okay because even though we are running errands, we get to spend some time together. A trip to the department store for shoes turned into some Christmas shopping. We paid for the shoes and got an extra ten dollars off because the shoes cost $50 and that's what they were doing for a sale today. Okay, we got $60 shoes for $40 and we didn't mind one bit.
Lots of 70% off and other sales and for every $40 or $50 you spent, you got more discounts off. We decided to do a little preliminary Christmas shopping for our children. My favorite sale? I found a purse that was $45 but with the sales and another $10 discount, we paid just under $20 for it. Designer purse at Walmart prices! It will make a great Christmas gift for someone special.
Rain in the forecast so I'm thinking of baking bread tomorrow. I will have to make a dinner that works with having fresh bread. A backwards sort of approach but it works for us!
When I see the prices on good bread at the supermarket, I'm glad I can bake my own. Homemade bread is fresher, no preservatives, and cost pennies compared to bread in the store. I may bake a couple of loaves for the Thanksgiving stuffing. I can cube it up, freeze it, and will be ready to go when I make the stuffing.
Interesting sermon at morning Mass. The very, very newly-ordained priest stated that the reason Jesus went to the river to be baptized was because the temple was corrupt. I'm sincerely hoping he didn't mean that Jesus avoided 'His baptism' at the temper . . . because Jews don't have baptism. I'm thinking the poor guy overthought his reflection on the readings otherwise I would hope he'd know this.
Lots of 70% off and other sales and for every $40 or $50 you spent, you got more discounts off. We decided to do a little preliminary Christmas shopping for our children. My favorite sale? I found a purse that was $45 but with the sales and another $10 discount, we paid just under $20 for it. Designer purse at Walmart prices! It will make a great Christmas gift for someone special.
Rain in the forecast so I'm thinking of baking bread tomorrow. I will have to make a dinner that works with having fresh bread. A backwards sort of approach but it works for us!
When I see the prices on good bread at the supermarket, I'm glad I can bake my own. Homemade bread is fresher, no preservatives, and cost pennies compared to bread in the store. I may bake a couple of loaves for the Thanksgiving stuffing. I can cube it up, freeze it, and will be ready to go when I make the stuffing.
Interesting sermon at morning Mass. The very, very newly-ordained priest stated that the reason Jesus went to the river to be baptized was because the temple was corrupt. I'm sincerely hoping he didn't mean that Jesus avoided 'His baptism' at the temper . . . because Jews don't have baptism. I'm thinking the poor guy overthought his reflection on the readings otherwise I would hope he'd know this.
A Possible Side Dish for Thanksgiving . . .
This is a good way to get some vegetables into your family and have them enjoy the encounter, too. Personally, I like my cauliflower raw for a snack but you can't walk away from a cheesy dish with a crumb crust! Not sure if it would work as a side dish for Thanksgiving. If you are having a large party, more side dishes are always welcome and the baking dish may be cleaned out along with the turkey and/or ham.
Cauliflower Casserole
Approximately 2 pounds of cauliflower, cut into florets
½ stick butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup Panko crumbs or toasted bread crumbs
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
2 tablespoons melted butter
Steam the cauliflower until it is almost tender. Remove from heat and set aside.
Melt the butter until bubbling and stir in the flour, salt, and pepper. Gradually pour in the milk, stirring until it thickens a bit. Add the mustard and stir to combine. Add the grated cheese and continue cooking and stirring until smooth.
Topping:Combine your choice of crumbs with the melted butter and the rest of the ingredients, mixing well.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Gently combine the cooked cauliflower with the cheese sauce and spoon into a greased baking dish. Vegetable oil spray works fine for this. Sprinkle the topping over the cauliflower and bake for approximately 45-60 minutes our until golden brown on top and bubbling.
Cauliflower Casserole
Approximately 2 pounds of cauliflower, cut into florets
½ stick butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard
1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup Panko crumbs or toasted bread crumbs
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
2 tablespoons melted butter
Steam the cauliflower until it is almost tender. Remove from heat and set aside.
Melt the butter until bubbling and stir in the flour, salt, and pepper. Gradually pour in the milk, stirring until it thickens a bit. Add the mustard and stir to combine. Add the grated cheese and continue cooking and stirring until smooth.
Topping:Combine your choice of crumbs with the melted butter and the rest of the ingredients, mixing well.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Gently combine the cooked cauliflower with the cheese sauce and spoon into a greased baking dish. Vegetable oil spray works fine for this. Sprinkle the topping over the cauliflower and bake for approximately 45-60 minutes our until golden brown on top and bubbling.
Ready to Face the Day . . .
My sewing and crocheting went well, yesterday. With a little effort on my part, God always comes through for me in one way or the other. I got half the crocheting order completely done and a third way through the second part. I also got an order to two tote bags and have four of them to give the buyer a good choice. I never mind making a little extra money at Christmas time. My husband is an excellent provider but it is nice to earn a bit of my own in order to buy him a gift that is totally from me. Now, if only I could think of something he might want!
My 'turkey day' list of things to do is written up. My busiest day will be the day before when I make the pies, gravy, and stuffing. Our refrigerator won't accomodate the defrosting turkey and the pies so my husband came up with a method of keeping them cold and fresh. He freezes a bunch of ordinary bottles of drinking water and lines the bottom of a cooler with them. He sets the pies on top of the bottles, closes the lid, and it keeps them just right. I wouldn't trust a cream pie in it but it works fine for pumpkin, pecan, and apple. It certainly takes the stress off the capacity of the refrigerator. Also, by the time the dinner starts, the water is defrosted enough to provide cold drinks for anyone who doesn't want soda, coffee, or tea.
I found a 'blast from the past' at Walmart, yesterday. I was browsing the Christmas section and came across tins that were made to look like a giant roll of Lifesaver Candy. They had Butter Rum flavor and Wild Cherry - ones that aren't easy to find at the candy counter these days. I got one for my son and younger daughter for Christmas. They were inexpensive and in flavors I know they both will like.
I have noticed, however, that if you buy the bagged candy and chocolate that is wrapped for the Christmas season, it costs more for less than if you just buy the same candy in the every day wrappers. I figure that if I put the candy out in Christmas dishes or in Christmas stockings, they won't notice it isn't as festively wrapped! Just something to watch out for in order to save a few pennies.
My older son lives overseas and we just got a Christmas box mailed out to him. I guess I'm engrained from childhood that one needs to send out overseas packages before Thanksgiving if you want them to arrive by Christmas. It sure doesn't seem to be the case these days as my son usually gets his packages within a week of mailing from the United States. I remember, when I was a child, my mother didn't get her mother's package mailed to Germany until the first week of December. The package didn't arrive until almost Easter! Times and travel sure changes - sometimes, even for the better!
My 'turkey day' list of things to do is written up. My busiest day will be the day before when I make the pies, gravy, and stuffing. Our refrigerator won't accomodate the defrosting turkey and the pies so my husband came up with a method of keeping them cold and fresh. He freezes a bunch of ordinary bottles of drinking water and lines the bottom of a cooler with them. He sets the pies on top of the bottles, closes the lid, and it keeps them just right. I wouldn't trust a cream pie in it but it works fine for pumpkin, pecan, and apple. It certainly takes the stress off the capacity of the refrigerator. Also, by the time the dinner starts, the water is defrosted enough to provide cold drinks for anyone who doesn't want soda, coffee, or tea.
I found a 'blast from the past' at Walmart, yesterday. I was browsing the Christmas section and came across tins that were made to look like a giant roll of Lifesaver Candy. They had Butter Rum flavor and Wild Cherry - ones that aren't easy to find at the candy counter these days. I got one for my son and younger daughter for Christmas. They were inexpensive and in flavors I know they both will like.
I have noticed, however, that if you buy the bagged candy and chocolate that is wrapped for the Christmas season, it costs more for less than if you just buy the same candy in the every day wrappers. I figure that if I put the candy out in Christmas dishes or in Christmas stockings, they won't notice it isn't as festively wrapped! Just something to watch out for in order to save a few pennies.
My older son lives overseas and we just got a Christmas box mailed out to him. I guess I'm engrained from childhood that one needs to send out overseas packages before Thanksgiving if you want them to arrive by Christmas. It sure doesn't seem to be the case these days as my son usually gets his packages within a week of mailing from the United States. I remember, when I was a child, my mother didn't get her mother's package mailed to Germany until the first week of December. The package didn't arrive until almost Easter! Times and travel sure changes - sometimes, even for the better!
Apple Nut Cranberry Stuffing
If you are looking for a different stuffing this year or would like to give your family/guests a choice, this is a good way to go. It is stuffing-like but very different from the usual bread or cornbread sausage variety.
Apple Nut Cranberry Stuffing
6 cups bread, cubed
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
3/4 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped
½ cup raisins
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
2 peeled apples, coarsely chopped
½ cup chopped celery
1 ½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
1 cup chicken or turkey broth
Cook the butter with the onions until onions are tender. Put all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and thoroughly combine. Add enough of the broth to moisten the bread cubes. You might need a more than called. It’s hard to ruin stuffing!
Either stuff you turkey with this stuffing or place in a greased baking dish and bake until brown on top.
Use a sturdy, quality bread for the stuffing as the white sandwich bread tends to turn into slush. Sour dough works well or a crusty loaf or two from the day-old bakery counter. The bread should be a bit dry and stale so why spend money on fresh?
Apple Nut Cranberry Stuffing
6 cups bread, cubed
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
3/4 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, chopped
½ cup raisins
½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans
2 peeled apples, coarsely chopped
½ cup chopped celery
1 ½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. pepper
1 cup chicken or turkey broth
Cook the butter with the onions until onions are tender. Put all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and thoroughly combine. Add enough of the broth to moisten the bread cubes. You might need a more than called. It’s hard to ruin stuffing!
Either stuff you turkey with this stuffing or place in a greased baking dish and bake until brown on top.
Use a sturdy, quality bread for the stuffing as the white sandwich bread tends to turn into slush. Sour dough works well or a crusty loaf or two from the day-old bakery counter. The bread should be a bit dry and stale so why spend money on fresh?
Working on the 'thanks' in Thanksgiving!
"True thanksgiving means that we need to thank God for what He has done for us,
and not to tell Him what we have done for Him."
-George R. Hendrick
"Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies."
-Charles E. Jefferson
"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."
William Arthur Ward
"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues."
-Cicero
and not to tell Him what we have done for Him."
-George R. Hendrick
"Gratitude is born in hearts that take time to count up past mercies."
-Charles E. Jefferson
"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it."
William Arthur Ward
"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues."
-Cicero
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