In other words, we got more bananas than we could eat and the rapidly browning fruit has now found it's way into banana nut cranberry bread which is baking in the oven even as I type here.
I was wondering if having banana bread broke our Lenten sacrifice to not have sweets but justified it with 1.) It's called bread, right? 2.) Waste not, want not! 3.) If we eat it for a quick breakfast, it can't be called dessert.
Haven't made banana bread in a long time so enjoyed making two loaves of it today AND saving those aging bananas! I always buy fresh cranberries in the Fall and freeze them so I have some on hand to throw into breads, cakes, and smoothies. To me, banana bread is a bit sweet and the tang of the cranberries seems to compromise that in a good way.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Wouldn't this thought improve the world?
“Believe that others are better than you in the depths of their soul, although outwardly you may appear better than they.” ~St. Augustine
Pay day shopping and mom rules!
When it comes down to the line, those last few days before payday, we learn to manage, cope and be farsighted. Supplies are down, appetites unchanging (always hungry!), and you tentatively start working on your grocery list. You hope your anticipation will match the funds left over from the paycheck to cover groceries. Things start squeaking as belts start figuratively tightening but you know all will be well if everyone remembers this: Be circumspect.
These are your first words to your spouse as you head out for the payday replenishment of the cupboards, refrigerator and other miscellaneous needs of your home. You know you will return triumphantly within the next few hours with all the comforts of life that your money can afford. All you ask is that everyone be . . . well, circumspect while you are gone. Your husband wonders at your choice of words, the children could care less and you smile knowingly as you pull out of the driveway.
As you drive to the supermarket, you mull over the word, circumspect. You know life will go much easier for them at home if they keep this word in mind. Circumspect . . . cautious . . . levelheaded . . . prudent . . .reserved . . . vigilant. All words related to circumspect. All words that will help the family make it through the time you are away from home. After all, no matter what their immediate needs, shopping has become an art form. You need to juggle your grocery list, your coupons and whatever club card required by the store to obtain their weekly bargains. You know life may be rough while you are away.
Two hours later, you pull into the driveway. You find your husband and children lined up in the front yard, waiting for you. You realize your return is not any too soon. The first words out of your husband’s mouth are, “Did you know there were only two paper towels, three sheets of bathroom tissue and four Kleenex in this house?” You smile wisely, pat him on the face and hand him the bag of desired paper products. “So tell me,” he mutters, “Were you circumspect?” “Didn’t have to be,” you reply, “There’s a fully-stocked restroom at the market!”
These are your first words to your spouse as you head out for the payday replenishment of the cupboards, refrigerator and other miscellaneous needs of your home. You know you will return triumphantly within the next few hours with all the comforts of life that your money can afford. All you ask is that everyone be . . . well, circumspect while you are gone. Your husband wonders at your choice of words, the children could care less and you smile knowingly as you pull out of the driveway.
As you drive to the supermarket, you mull over the word, circumspect. You know life will go much easier for them at home if they keep this word in mind. Circumspect . . . cautious . . . levelheaded . . . prudent . . .reserved . . . vigilant. All words related to circumspect. All words that will help the family make it through the time you are away from home. After all, no matter what their immediate needs, shopping has become an art form. You need to juggle your grocery list, your coupons and whatever club card required by the store to obtain their weekly bargains. You know life may be rough while you are away.
Two hours later, you pull into the driveway. You find your husband and children lined up in the front yard, waiting for you. You realize your return is not any too soon. The first words out of your husband’s mouth are, “Did you know there were only two paper towels, three sheets of bathroom tissue and four Kleenex in this house?” You smile wisely, pat him on the face and hand him the bag of desired paper products. “So tell me,” he mutters, “Were you circumspect?” “Didn’t have to be,” you reply, “There’s a fully-stocked restroom at the market!”
Sweet benefit of summer . . .
We have a peach tree in our backyard that goes to great extents to overproduce a crop of peaches most years. Last year, we ate, baked, and gave away dozens of peaches. I even had to resort to freezing bags of sliced peaches. Although I do have two or three bags of the frozen peaches left, I am looking forward to having sun-warmed ones later in the summer. Right now, the tree is filling with beautiful pink blossoms and the bees are doing a lot of happy humming.
A favorite way we like our peaches for dessert is baked into a crispy. A peach crispy is sort of like a loosely-made pie with half the trouble of actually making a pie! Thought I'd share my version.
Peach Crispy
5-6 medium to large peaches, skinned, pitted and sliced
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Juice and grated rind of one lemon
Crisp:
1 stick butter or margarine
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup chopped nuts, your choice
Combine sugar and flour and mix into sliced peaches. Add lemon juice, rind and place in greased 9x9 or 11x9-inch baking dish.
Combine the ingredients for the Crisp using a food processor of by hand. Crumble mixture over the peaches. Bake in preheated, 350 degree oven for approximately 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Goes well with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
A favorite way we like our peaches for dessert is baked into a crispy. A peach crispy is sort of like a loosely-made pie with half the trouble of actually making a pie! Thought I'd share my version.
Peach Crispy
5-6 medium to large peaches, skinned, pitted and sliced
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Juice and grated rind of one lemon
Crisp:
1 stick butter or margarine
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup chopped nuts, your choice
Combine sugar and flour and mix into sliced peaches. Add lemon juice, rind and place in greased 9x9 or 11x9-inch baking dish.
Combine the ingredients for the Crisp using a food processor of by hand. Crumble mixture over the peaches. Bake in preheated, 350 degree oven for approximately 20 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Goes well with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Starting off the morning . . . and I have to agree with them all!
"My definition of an expert in any field is a person who knows enough about what's really going on to be scared."
-- P. J. Plauger
"Television is the first truly democratic culture - the first culture available to everybody and entirely governed by what the people want. The most terrifying thing is what people do want."
-- Clive Barnes
"I have long been of the opinion that if work were such a splendid thing the rich would have kept more of it for themselves."
-- Bruce Grocott
"The best way to keep children home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant--and let the air out of the tires."
-- Dorothy Parker
-- P. J. Plauger
"Television is the first truly democratic culture - the first culture available to everybody and entirely governed by what the people want. The most terrifying thing is what people do want."
-- Clive Barnes
"I have long been of the opinion that if work were such a splendid thing the rich would have kept more of it for themselves."
-- Bruce Grocott
"The best way to keep children home is to make the home atmosphere pleasant--and let the air out of the tires."
-- Dorothy Parker
Friday, April 1, 2011
Crocheting with a purpose . . .
I love to crochet but don't always have an outlet to share the multitude of items I just have to try and make! A friend told me about a group that is looking for donations of homemade skull caps for the military to wear under their helmets. The site (which I will include) gives specific directions as to acceptable colors and size for both knitting and crocheting. I made two of the crocheted versions, last night, and they were simple and made me feel like I had spent my time most wisely! : - ) Anyone interested, here is the link:
http://www.skipcares.org/fundraisers/crochet-or-knit-a-skull-cap/
http://www.skipcares.org/fundraisers/crochet-or-knit-a-skull-cap/
Prayer request!
I just received this note from a friend. I do not know the family but can see they will need all the prayers they can get over the next few days. If you have a moment, please send a prayer their way for the suffering mother and worried husband.
****
From another group…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My daughter Claire just called me about a Filipino Catholic woman Claire cared for today at Saint Vincent's Hospital. The woman's name is Lenny. Her husband converted to Catholicism in the last year. Lenny had a baby less than a year ago by C-section and became pregnant again right away. The pregnancy was not healthy. The placenta grew abnormally outside of the womb through the C-section incision. It is growing into her other vital organs, her bladder, bowel and other places so that all the organ's blood vessels are tangled up with the placenta. Doctors told her she had to have an abortion or she would die. She refused. They did an MRI at 22 weeks and cared for her as best they could. Now she is bleeding. They will do another MRI on Friday and operate to do some surgery Monday to try and save her life and deliver the baby which is mature enough to live if they can get the baby out without harm.
Claire has been delivering babies for about 14 years and has never seen anything remotely like this, or any surgery ever so complicated. None of the physicians have either. The best medical team in Portland will be there Monday. There will be a specialist for every organ involved in the operating room to try to help untangle the blood vessels. Claire said Lenny could bleed out in six minutes if they make a mistake. .
Lenny has been in the hospital for three months. Today the two women shared their faith and prayed. Lenny was crying and said she just wants to live to care for her babies.
Her husband is terrified.
Please keep this courageous faithful woman and her family in your prayers. She said she would like to be on prayer lists, so please also forward this message.
****
From another group…
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My daughter Claire just called me about a Filipino Catholic woman Claire cared for today at Saint Vincent's Hospital. The woman's name is Lenny. Her husband converted to Catholicism in the last year. Lenny had a baby less than a year ago by C-section and became pregnant again right away. The pregnancy was not healthy. The placenta grew abnormally outside of the womb through the C-section incision. It is growing into her other vital organs, her bladder, bowel and other places so that all the organ's blood vessels are tangled up with the placenta. Doctors told her she had to have an abortion or she would die. She refused. They did an MRI at 22 weeks and cared for her as best they could. Now she is bleeding. They will do another MRI on Friday and operate to do some surgery Monday to try and save her life and deliver the baby which is mature enough to live if they can get the baby out without harm.
Claire has been delivering babies for about 14 years and has never seen anything remotely like this, or any surgery ever so complicated. None of the physicians have either. The best medical team in Portland will be there Monday. There will be a specialist for every organ involved in the operating room to try to help untangle the blood vessels. Claire said Lenny could bleed out in six minutes if they make a mistake. .
Lenny has been in the hospital for three months. Today the two women shared their faith and prayed. Lenny was crying and said she just wants to live to care for her babies.
Her husband is terrified.
Please keep this courageous faithful woman and her family in your prayers. She said she would like to be on prayer lists, so please also forward this message.
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