I had planned on pizza for dinner but decided the best way to handle a meatless pizza was to make it more intersting and turned the same ingredients into calzones - basically folded over pizzas. They are baking even as I type. Since my husband takes leftovers for his work lunches, a calzone would be easier to pack and eat at work. My son likes anything with the taste of pizza with lots of cheese and tomato.
A long day of sewing but I finally have a quilt on the homeward path to completion. It is an Our Lady of Guadeloupe quilt with Our Lady featured in each of the twelve squares. It turned out even better than I anticipated. Now, if only I could find a market for quilts!
Rain in the forecast which would make me happy! Hot soup and bread will definitely be on the menu as I saved back a nice, meaty bone to simmer to death and enhance for soup.
Currently trying to figure out how to lengthen an altar boy cassock without it looking really tacky. Of course, it couldn't look worse than a cassock that only goes to the knees and reveals less-than Sunday apparel!
Dinner is done and so am I.
Greetings to the rest of the world and peace and no earthquakes!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
There's a difference . . .
One thing I've noticed in all the news reports about the recent disaster in Japan is the lack of stories of looting. Sure, there isn't much left after the tsunami came through but that doesn't usually stop the have nots from taking whatever they can from someone who might have only a little. Whenever I think of the worst possible scenario, the first worry that comes to mind is how to protect my family and whatever provisions we might still have on hand. You think about the most productive way to get through a crisis and that would be to share equally. I've heard so many people, however, say that they will do anything for their children. One guy actually said that if his children are thirsty, he WILL take water away from another person. Guess that's where the basic human kindness goes to pot because taking away someone else's water for your child, condemns the victim's children to dehydration. I'd like to think that people would give consideration to a potential situation as a whole and make sure all the children had a sip of water equally.
I don't have a good feeling about our neighborhood. We actually did have an evaculation alert several years ago in the wake of a massive fire bearing down on our neighborhood. No soon had the police recommended we evacuate, trucks with young men started prowling the area with no good intent in mind. Many of us did pack our cars but stayed poised in our driveways to protect our home to the last minute . . . from these predtors not the fire!
Our modern world provides much potential for disaster. We do have to plan ahead and store extra provisions. We also have to pray that adversity brings out decent behavior from everyone and not an opportunity to get away with murder.
I don't have a good feeling about our neighborhood. We actually did have an evaculation alert several years ago in the wake of a massive fire bearing down on our neighborhood. No soon had the police recommended we evacuate, trucks with young men started prowling the area with no good intent in mind. Many of us did pack our cars but stayed poised in our driveways to protect our home to the last minute . . . from these predtors not the fire!
Our modern world provides much potential for disaster. We do have to plan ahead and store extra provisions. We also have to pray that adversity brings out decent behavior from everyone and not an opportunity to get away with murder.
Makes sense in any faith-based life . . .
“In order that we be exercised in humility, it is necessary for us to be sometimes wounded in this spiritual battle: but we are never overcome except when we have lost either life or courage.” ~St. Francis de Sales
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Enjoy the rest of Winter, Summer is coming!
After a very warm weekend, the weather forecast is pointing towards cooler temperatures and, perhaps, some rain. I hope it isn't the last rain of the year but I expect that with California being what it is, this is probably the end of any inclement weather. I'm a cold-weather person so at the first hint of dropping degrees, I start planning my evening meals around warm, spicy, comfort food. Of course, being on an budget, I have to temper my inspirations with what's on sale.
Chicken is almost always on sale somewhere in the area. I also keep a couple in the freezer for the times the grocery stores let me down. This is a warm and tasty meal that's not difficult but is sure to get you a few compliments from a picky family. Besides, as always, if you streamline your time in the kitchen, you have more time to sew . . . okay, clean house, too!
Hungarian Chicken Paprikash
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
About 3 tablespoons flour
3 pounds or so of cut up chicken (legs, thighs, etc.)
Butter as needed
1 onion, finely chopped
2 generous teaspoons paprika
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup fresh, sliced mushrooms
1 cup sour cream
Mix salt, pepper, and flour together. pat chicken pieces dry and thoroughy dust them in the flour mixture. Melt butter in a large skillet. Over medium heat, brown the chicken on all sides. Add chopped onion and continue until onion is limp. Add 1 teaspoon of paprika, chicken broth, and mushrooms. Stir and lower heat. Cover and cook 30 minutes until tender. Stir in sour cream and heat thoroughly. Sprinkle with remaining teaspoon of paprika. Serve over hot, buttered noodles. Serves about four.
Chicken is almost always on sale somewhere in the area. I also keep a couple in the freezer for the times the grocery stores let me down. This is a warm and tasty meal that's not difficult but is sure to get you a few compliments from a picky family. Besides, as always, if you streamline your time in the kitchen, you have more time to sew . . . okay, clean house, too!
Hungarian Chicken Paprikash
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
About 3 tablespoons flour
3 pounds or so of cut up chicken (legs, thighs, etc.)
Butter as needed
1 onion, finely chopped
2 generous teaspoons paprika
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup fresh, sliced mushrooms
1 cup sour cream
Mix salt, pepper, and flour together. pat chicken pieces dry and thoroughy dust them in the flour mixture. Melt butter in a large skillet. Over medium heat, brown the chicken on all sides. Add chopped onion and continue until onion is limp. Add 1 teaspoon of paprika, chicken broth, and mushrooms. Stir and lower heat. Cover and cook 30 minutes until tender. Stir in sour cream and heat thoroughly. Sprinkle with remaining teaspoon of paprika. Serve over hot, buttered noodles. Serves about four.
Couldn't resist sharing these . . .
Life is nothing but a competition to be the criminal rather than the victim.
- Bertrand Russell
The greatest of faults, I should say, is to be conscious of none.
- Thomas Carlyle
Before I met my husband, I'd never fallen in love, though I'd stepped in it a few times.
- Rita Rudner
- Bertrand Russell
The greatest of faults, I should say, is to be conscious of none.
- Thomas Carlyle
Before I met my husband, I'd never fallen in love, though I'd stepped in it a few times.
- Rita Rudner
Monday, March 14, 2011
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.
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
Socrates
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