A Year From Oak Cottage

Now and then . . .

2012-01-27T06:46:00.004Z

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Now and then . . . in between all the grim and grey days of winter . . . in between all the storms and gales . . . God sends us a golden beautiful day, with bright morning skies of blue which are so beautiful to behold. It is only because of the dull days they are sandwiched in between though that we really can appreciate them for the little gems that they are!

Source: pixdaus.com via Marie on Pinterest

Now and then . . . in life's darkest times . . . times of sorrow and distress . . . in between tears and dismay . . . there will come a flash of happiness . . . loving words from much beloved friends, tender smiles, gentle hugs and kisses . . . these too, making everthing seem worth while and oh so very appreciated. Joy felt amidst sorrow is double joy, I think . . .

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Now and then . . . we're given glimpses of a perfect love . . . breaking through out hearts like shafts of sunlight from above. A sudden glory fills our sky and our hearts are filled with an unseen presence . . . we know who it is. His name is engraved upon our hearts . . . his presence fills our lives with joy and peace. His arms help to carry us when we are down . . . when we feel like we just can't move forward any further . . . He lifts us up and helps to shoulder our burdens. Oh, now very grateful I am . . . that He sees this little sparrow fall . . .

This was one of my favourite hymns when I was a child. You know . . . I was thinking last night in bed, as you do . . . and I cannot remember a time when I did not feel the Lord's presence in my life. I may not have always enjoyed the close relationship that I enjoy with Him now . . . but that was because of me. I have always known He was there though, and I am grateful for that.

I did another painting yesterday afternoon. I have always held a certain fondness for Alice in Wonderland. I know a few years ago when the movie came out lots of people were painting her. As usual . . . I am a bit behind the times . . .

What do you think? Todd really loved this. I am thinking that I may do a whole series of storybook girls. Sounds like a plan.

The gas people pushed a note through the door yesterday afternoon saying that they want in to our house by 8am this morning and then off and on all day. We have to go out this morning though as Miztie has an appointment with her groomer and so we won't be available for part of the day. They'll just have to work around our absence. We sure won't be letting them in without us being here. Another day where I will have to prepare our meals around the gas supply being interrupted. Such is life. These little interruptions are what makes it so exciting!

Here's one of our favourite meals. A delicious Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry. You don't have to use Beef if you don't want to. You could also use pork strips or chicken strips. All are equally delicious in my opinion!!

*Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry*
Serves 4-5
Printable Recipe

This is one of our favourite quick suppers. You can't beat a good stir fry. You can use any vegetables which you wish, or that you have on hand. I find also that you can often get a good stir fry vegetable mix at the supermarket already packaged up, which makes it even easier. (It's often cheaper as well to just buy a bag of the mix, rather than all of the vegetables on their own.)

For the sauce:
1/3 cup water
1 TBS cornstarch
2 TBS soy sauce
2 TBS runny honey
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/3 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cinnamon

For the stir fry:
2 TBS oil
3/4 pound of less beef sirloin
(Freeze slightly, then cut into paper thin strips,
about 2 by 1 inch in size)
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
1 1/2 pounds (about 6 cups) assorted cut up fresh vegetables
(Snow peas, cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, onions, peppers, etc.)

Blend all the sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium high heat. Add 1 TBS of the oil and heat until it ripples. Add the beef and garlic. Cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes, or until browned. Remove and reserve the beef and any liquid which has accumulated in the skillet.

Add the remaining 1 TBS of oil to the same skillet. Once again, heat until it ripples. Add any firm vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, carrots) and cook, stirring, until the vegetables are slightly limp. Add the less firm vegetables (onions, peppers) and cook and stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Add soft vegetables (mushrooms, bean sprouts, snow peas) and cook for 1 to 2 minutes longer, until all vegetables are crispy tender. Return the beef and any juices to the skillet. Stir in the sauce mixture. Cook and stir until the sauce is bubbly and thickened. If you are using tomatoes, stir in and heat until warm.

Serve the stir fry with hot cooked rice or Chinese noodles if desired. Delicious!

Cooking in The English Kitchen today, Crunchy Tuna Wraps!

Thursday thoughts . . .

2012-01-26T06:28:00.003Z

Source: idesigniphone.com via Marie on Pinterest

I think that there is a deep and penetrating lesson that we can learn from the ways of birds. Within a few weeks of their birth their wings grow and stretch and span patches of air. First with reservation . . . and then with the utmost confidence, they lift . . . they flap, they glide and they land . . . the act of flight seemingly their raison d'etre, or purpose in being.

Quite unlike birds . . . we seem to confuse our time on Earth, wandering here and wandering there with no real sense of purpose. We frequently stall our human ability to fly . . . and often forstall our need to love . . . to learn . . . to know the truth of our spirit, until we are absolutely positive that all our efforts are not going to be for naught. We set conditions. We hesitate. We make excuses . . . turning our human journey upside down, never letting our hearts truly unfold.

Birds are stirred to sing and lift merely through the presence of light. They cannot comprehend such concepts as holding back, or only investing if the return seems certain. We . . . are the only creatures on earth that want a warranty before we will begin . . . and, in doing so, I fear we smother the spark that is discovery, and bury our hopes and dreams.

Source: cuded.com via Marie on Pinterest

More often than not, we let our fear of the unknown, with all of it's risks . . . cripple us, and prevent us from learning how to really fly and to soar. How very often do our fearful hearts prevent us from stretching our wings and discovering the full passion of our hidden gifts and talents? How often do we search from without for the guidance that we need, guidance which can really only come from within??

When I look back over my years, I can clearly see where my fear of failure and lack of expectation has held me back, and kept me from going places where I really should have gone . . . from embracing the things I needed to embrace . . . from becoming the self that I really needed to become . . .

Wings can only fly if they first flap. They don't grow any differently to fly south, or east, or west, or north . . . Our lives, no matter how we would train ourselves . . . are more fundamental than any direction of worldly ambition. Like the birds, we were meant to fly and to soar and to sing. We cannot soar unless we discard the encumbrances of fear and hesitation that would keep us in the nest . . .

"If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astonish ourselves."
~Thomas Edison

Source: img.tusea.com via Marie on Pinterest

We should not live our lives chained by "what-if's" or "might-have-been's" . . . . we should live our lives filled with all the promise that is ours to hold if only we will sing the songs we were meant to sing . . . and fly to the places that we were meant to discover . . . without fear or hesitation.

Just my thoughts this morning.

For the past few years that we have been back here in Chester they have been replacing all the old lead gas pipes with new plastic ones. Today it's our turn. They started digging outside our house yesterday and today we will have no gas all day as they replace the pipe from the road into our house and also give us a new meter. Then we will have to endure a few weeks of them replacing all the ones along the street. A bit of a pain . . . but once it's done, it's done . . . I expect it's a good thing. I do hope that they have the gas turned back on in plenty of time for me to be able to cook what I need to cook for our Relief Society Activity tonight! My fingers are crossed!

We eat a lot of chicken in this house. I don't know why that is. I expect that it's because it is one of the cheaper sources of protein and also because it is so adaptable. Chicken breasts are one of those things that you can dress up or down in a myriad of ways. This is one of my favourites here. Bacon always makes everything taste delicious don't you think??? I like to serve this with rice and a green vegetable.

*Bacon and Mushroom Sauced Chicken Breasts*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

Deliciously moist chicken with a rich and lucious sauce. If you don't have any Brandy for the sauce you could use a fortified wine such as Marsala, Port or Sherry. Or do like I do and just use chicken broth.

4 slices streaky bacon, cut into pieces
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/4 tsp salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 small onion, peeled and chopped
2 TBS of brandy or chicken broth
1 (8-oz) container of sour cream
chopped fresh chives

Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon onto paper towels to drain. Set aside.

Discard all but 2 TBS of the drippings from the skillet. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and then brown them in the remaining drippings for 2 to 3 minutes per side, turning only once. Move the chicken to one side of the skillet. Add the mushrooms and onions. Cook and stir for 3 to 4 minutes or until tender. Reduce the heat to low. Add the brandy (chicken broth). Cover and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chicken juices run clear when the chicken is pierced with a fork. Remove the chicken to a heated platter and cover to keep warm.

Add the sour cream to the same skillet. Cook over low heat until thoroughly heated, stirring constantly. Spoon some of the sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle with the bacon and chives. Serve and pass the remaining sauce at the table.

Over in The English Kitchen today, Stove Top Mac & Cheese.

“Never give up on anyone. And that includes not giving up on yourself.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Family togetherness

2012-01-25T06:54:00.003Z

Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Laying in bed last night as I was waiting to fall asleep my mind went back to a particular memory that I have of a special time spent with my children. For a few minutes I was back there with them and it was just lovely.

We had recently moved to a small town in the Northern part of Southern Ontario and my husband had gone on a golfing trip to Myrtle Beach with his buddies. It was in the early Spring and we were having some really bad weather. Rain, rain and even more rain, accompanied by high winds. It was early in the evening and all of a sudden the power went off. I quickly gathered up all the candles in the house while we decided what to do.

We waited for a few minutes, thinking that the power would be coming back on shortly, but alas . . . it did not, and so we settled in for an evening without electricity. My eldest daughter was particularly upset as it meant she would not be able to watch her favourite show that night, and that was really important to her . . . but after a while even she settled in. We decided to play Monopoly.

Source: jensownroad.blogspot.com via Melanie on Pinterest

Monopoly by candlelight. It was a lot of fun and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves. We sat around the table in the flickering light and without the distraction of television or telephone we had a really great time together as a family. I can't remember who won, if anyone . . . only that we were happy.

After the game, we decided we were going to camp out together in the living room that night instead of going off into our various rooms to sleep. We dragged a few mattresses into the living room and made up some beds for everyone. I think I slept on the couch. We spent another few hours chatting and singing and telling stories until one by one we all fell asleep. The wind was raging outside, the thunder was clapping loudly . . . but we were together and that somehow quelled any fears that any of us might have had.

It was only in the light of the next day that we learned that a tornado had passed by very closely to where we were living. Thankfully we had not been directly affected, other than having lost our power. We took a drive out into the countryside to see the damage done and I remember it looking as if a big giant hand had just reached down snapping off trees like they were twigs etc. One elderly man had actually been plucked from his yard and set down in another place, and lived to tell the tale. We saw a house with no roof . . . but thankfully most of the damage had been done only to trees and such.

I was very thankful that we had not known what was really going on . . . had we done so, I think we have spent a very different night together . . . but as they say . . . "Ignorance is Bliss," and in our bliss we instead built a lovely memory together. A memory that I treasure. I lay there thinking about it last night and I smiled into the dark with the warmth of my thoughts and I wondered if they remembered that evening with as much fondness as I do . . .

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Far too often we allow the distractions of modern life take us away from the things that are truly important. We spend our evenings watching the television or on the computer . . . instead of communicating with each other or building family memories together. I think sometimes it is a good thing to turn it all off and to just be together. In the olden days people had to entertain themselves . . . and would often spend evenings together singing songs, telling stories, etc.

In our church we have a practice of having a Family Home Evening on one night each week. The normal night designated for this is Monday evenings, although it does vary from family to family as a result of working schedules etc. This is a night where we are encouraged to do something as a family, something that will help to bring us closer together, and to strengthen family ties and love for each other. It may have a spiritual theme at times and be an opportunity to learn something new, or to draw closer to our Heavenly Father . . . at others it may simply be an evening where we do something fun together.

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All families . . . from the large to the very small, and everything in between, we are encouraged to set this special time aside. In my Ward there is a group of single adults who get together to do something as a group with each other, as they have no family at home to share it with. Todd and I are just two . . . but we are a family, and even we do something special together on Monday evenings. More often than not we will read the scriptures together or watch an uplifting film from our church. We talk and we pray and we just enjoy a few hours together without the distractions of the world. It's a pretty special time.

Family togetherness . . . it's a good thing.

This is an old favourite from my Big Blue Binder. I expect that it was copied out of a magazine once upon a time, although I can't remember which one anymore. It is delicious! The pear centre makes it quite unsual. Everyone loves it!

*Walnut-Pear Sour Cream Coffee Cake*
Makes 12 servings
Printable Recipe

A beautifully moist coffee cake with a tasty layer of pear running through it's centre.

1 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup soft light brown sugar, packed
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup plain flour
2 medium pears, peeled, cored and sliced (approx. 2 cups)
2 tsp lemon juice
1 3/4 cup of plain flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 large free range eggs
1 (8-oz) carton sour cream

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Grease a 9-inch spring form pan or a 9-inch square baking pan. Set aside.

Combine the walnuts, brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. In another small bowl, rub the butter into the 1/3 cup of flour until crumbly. Stir in 3/4 cup of the nut mixture. Set this aside. (This will be the topping.) Reserve the remainder of the nut mixture.

Toss the pear slices with lemon juice and set aside.

Combine the 1 3/4 cup of flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

Beat the 1/2 cup softened butter in a large bowl for about 30 seconds. Beat in the sugar and vanilla. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the flour mixture, alternately, with the sour cream, beating on low after each addition until combined.

Spread 2/3 of the batter in the prepared pan. Lay the pear slices on top and then sprinkle them with the reserved nut mixture. Spread the remainder of the batter over top to cover pears. Sprinkle with the topping mixture over all.

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing the sides. Allow to cool for half an hour before serving. Serve warm.

Over in The English Kitchen today I am cooking a Chicken Taco Salad, (low fat).

“We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. We talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities. We establish a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The Simple Woman's Day book . . .

2012-01-24T06:48:00.003Z

FOR TODAY, January 24th, 2012...

Outside My Window...
All is calm, and dark, and very wet. The calm makes a change from all the wind we have had lately. Our fence along the side of our front garden blew down yet again. Whoever put it up, all those years ago, never put in cement posts or anything, so all the wood that was put into the ground has rotted away, making it very unstable. Something for the Landlord to take care of when he returns from Ireland in March.

I am thinking...
I do so enjoy writing on my blog each morning. It is such an integral part of each day for me. It helps me to gather my thoughts for the day, or work out things that are preying on my mind. On the first Sunday in February I am teaching in Relief Society. The lesson is supposed to be on all the resources we have as Latter Day Saints to help us when we perhaps have to give a Sacrament Talk, or a lesson, or are troubled etc. I am really struggling with it. I know all the resources, but it is finding a way to get it across to the class in an interesting manner, which will involve my students that I am struggling with. Nobody wants to just sit there and listen. A good lesson is one which invites participation . . . and I feel a bit like I am banging my head against the wall with this one! Any suggestions???

I am thankful for...
My knees are beginning to act up again. Grrr . . . I think it is time for some more cortizone shots. I am thankful though that they have behaved for as long as they have. That has been a real blessing to me over these past 6 months.

From the kitchen...
There are leftover muffins and cookies. I need to give some away. Anybody want some? Would that I could!

I am wearing...
Pink jim jams and my robe. I am beginning to realize that I have a LOT of pink in my wardrobe. I never thought I was a pink girl much, but it seems that I am!

I am creating...
I have nothing on the table at the moment. Most unsual for me, but I have been working hard to get ready for our Relief Society Extra Meeting which will be on this Thursday and then the one for February which follows close on January's heels! I have been making little gift bags for January one, which is entitled Chicken Soup for the Soul. I also have to make a big pot of chicken soup on Thursday, plus a vegetable one for any vegetarians. The February one is going to be based on Love and so I have been researching some Valentine themed crafts and such. There are some really amazing ideas out there . . .

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Things like Valentine Cake Pops! Aren't they pretty???

Source: howaboutorange.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Lovely Heart Garlands for decorations!

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Beautiful wreaths to decorate and more treats and cards etc. than you can shake a stick at! The hard part will be on deciding what I am going to use!!

I am going...
I have an appointment for a haircut this afternoon, plus I have to cut Todd's hair. I have my daily reading lessons of course, and then on Thursday morning I am going Visit Teaching, then there is the RS Activity on Thursday night and we are taking Mitzie to be groomed on Friday morning. We had tried a different groomer last time, one that was closer to where we live. We'd been taking her to her breeder since we began taking her to be groomed, but it is rather far away in Neston. The one we took her to here in Chester before Christmas made a real mess of it. I don't think she was used to doing Cocker Spaniels at all. So now we are going back to Neston with our tail between our legs. I am dreading it . . . they have a lot to fix up.

I am reading...

Once Upon A Time There Was You, by Elizabeth Berg

Even on their wedding day, John and Irene sensed that they were about to make a mistake. Years later, divorced, dating other people, and living in different parts of the country, they seem to have nothing in common—nothing except the most important person in each of their lives: Sadie, their spirited eighteen-year-old daughter. Feeling smothered by Irene and distanced from John, Sadie is growing more and more attached to her new boyfriend, Ron. When tragedy strikes, Irene and John come together to support the daughter they love so dearly. What takes longer is to remember how they really feel about each other. Elizabeth Berg’s immense talent shines in this unforgettable novel about the power of love, the unshakeable bonds of family, and the beauty of second chances.

As you know I am a real fan of Elizabeth Berg. I just love all of her books and this one is no exception. I am loving this one too!!

I am hoping...
We went to the shops yesterday to buy groceries. Everything seems to be getting more and more expensive. For instance I remember buying a certain brand of tinned vegetables only last week and they were on offer for 2/£1. This week the same ones were on offer at 2/£1.29!! That's an increase of 29 pence in one week! Outrageous! I am hoping that the Government can soon get a handle on this economy and that things will improve, although . . . as we all know . . . once stores and shops get away with charging a higher price for things, they never ever go back down again to what they were . . .

I am hearing...
Nothing much. Mitzie is eating her breakfast in the kitchen. The keys are tapping. All is quiet outside . . . the birds are waking up so a bit of chirping and the odd car that drives by. A very normal ordinary start to the day.

Around the house...

Source: nuit-artdecor.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Don't you just love this idea??? Although I am not fond of the colour, isn't this just the most fabulous idea for a Kitchen Island/Baking Station, etc.!!!! Of course my home is too small for one of these. You can barely turn around in the kitchen for hitting something or knocking something over, but a gal can dream can she not???

I am looking forward to ...
Thursday evening. It is always a lot of fun to get together with the ladies from church!

If I could change one thing it would be ...
That someone would invent self cleaning, self ironing, self putting away clothes! lol Don't think that is going to happen for some reason!

One of my favourite things...
Is cuddling with Mitzie. She is so loving and affectionate. Of course we just adore her. I can never get enough of cuddling her.

I know she does look rather a bit like a snob . . . but she's not. She's a little softie with a HUGE heart and would love to lick you to pieces, given the chance!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
A bit of work . . . a bit of play . . . and everything in between!! There is NO rest for the wicked!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Source: bravegirlsclub.com via Marie on Pinterest

The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions, and not on our circumstances. We carry the seeds of the one or othe other about with us in our minds wherever we go.
~Martha Washington (1731-1802)

I am a firm believer in miracles which are brought about from faith and positive thought. Miracles happen every day . . . and not just for the chosen few, but for anyone who has the eyes and the heart to recognize them and seek them out.

As a closing thought I would like to leave you with this:

“Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood. Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I just love all the words of President Uchtdorf, don't you? I can never get enough of them.

And there you have it . . . my day book for this week. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!

I have a recipe here today from my Marie's Muses archive. I remember baking this same cobbler for the nephew of the people I worked for down South. He was on his travels and had stopped by for a few days to wash some clothes, rest and visit with family. I remember thinking he was such a nice young man. I know my boss was not overly fond of him, but I did like him. He was nice and most appreciative of anything anyone did for him. He got lost picking blackberries in the hedgerows one night and Todd had to get his flashlight and go rescue him one night while he was there. I baked him this lovely Blackberry Cobbler with his pickings and he really enjoyed it. You know . . . it doesn't take a lot to make people happy . . . you only need to show that you care.

*Blackberry Cobbler*
Serves 9 - 12
Printable Recipe

This wonderful version of blackberry cobbler is quite unusual in that you make a batter first for the blackberries to sit on. They don’t. They sink down into it and make a luscious and delicious filling that will have you coming back for seconds. The yummy streusel topping is chock full of crunchy nuts. This truly is the best!

½ cup of butter, melted
1 ½ cups caster sugar
1 ¾ cups plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup milk
24 ounces blackberries (fresh or frozen)
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar

TOPPING:
1 ¾ cup light brown sugar
¾ cup chopped toasted walnuts or pecans
1 cup plain flour
1/3 cup butter, melted

Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Place the first amount of melted butter in a 9 X 13 inch glass dish and set aside.

Mix together the 1 ½ cup caster sugar, flour and baking powder. Add the milk and whisk lightly together until smooth. Pour over the melted butter in the baking dish.

Put the blackberries and the 1 ¼ cups of the granulated sugar into a saucepan and heat over medium heat until the mixture begins to boil. Pour over the top of the batter in the baking dish and place in the pre-heated oven. Bake for about 30 minutes or so until the batter begins to brown.

In the meantime make the topping. Whisk together the brown sugar and flour. Stir in the chopped nuts and the melted butter, mixing until crumbly.

Once the batter has begun to brown, remove from the oven. Sprinkle the topping over top and return to the oven to bake for a further 15 to 20 minutes or until it is nice and bubbly and the topping is nicely browned.

Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack. Serve warm with some vanilla ice cream if desired. Custard and pouring cream also go very well with this, or nothing at all, which is how Todd likes it.

Over in The English Kitchen today, a delicious batch of Popina Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookies!

What we do . . .

2012-01-23T06:37:00.006Z

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I read a story the other day about a kind and quiet man from India who would pray in the Ganges River every morning. One day when he had finished his prayers, he noticed a poisonous spider struggling in the water. He cupped his hands to carry it to shore. As he placed the spider on the ground, it stung him. Unknowingly however, his prayers for the world diluted the poison so that he was ok.

The next day the same thing happened.

On the third day, the man was in the river again and, sure enough, there was the spider . . . legs frantic in the water, struggling to stay alive. As the man went, yet again, to lift the spider out, the spider asked, "Why do you keep lifting me? Can't you see that I will sting you every time, because . . . that is what I do???" The kind man cupped his hands, once more, around the spider and replied . . . "Because that is what I do."

Source: littlecottagebg.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

There are many, many motivational reasons to be kind in this world, but perhaps there is none so compelling as the spiritual truth that it is quite simply what we do. I believe it is the most natural thing in the world for a person to want to reach out and help another when faced with the other's need. Just as wasps sting and flowers bloom . . . human beings have a natural instinct to life each other, no matter the consequences, even when we know that we risk being stung by the one we seek to help. It is in our instinct that when we see a drowning man . . . the urge to save him rises to the forefront of our being, even though to do so means risking drowning ourselves.

One might argue that this makes us a rather sorry lot that never learns . . . but I think it is one of the things that makes us beautiful creatures . . . beautiful in the same way that berries which break through the ice and snow each spring are beautiful. Berries do not have a sense of purpose or charity. They are not altruistic or self-sacrificing . . . and yet they grow. Why??? Because that is simply what they do.

Source: dreamywhites.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

If we see something about to fall, we will reach to try to stop it. If something breaks, we will work to put it back together. If we see a sink about to overflow . . . we pull the plug. If loved ones cry . . . we will reach out to comfort and to smooth . . . simply because . . . that is what we do. And . . . even if it sometimes seems like a mistake, or if we are afraid of being stung . . . we do it anyways. It is the reaching out that is more important than the sting, for in doing so, we really lift ourselves.

Unconscious kindness . . . it helps to feed the human heart. It is what we do.

Source: louboosandshoes.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

I'm sorry if I have been a bit neglectful lately in visiting your pages. Time just seems to be evaporating and I haven't been able to get around as much as I would like to. I haven't been sleeping very well and so as a consequence I've been getting up later in the mornings, which means I don't have as much free time in the morning. Hopefully this week will be a better week in that way! Visiting and reading is one of the things I enjoy so very much each day and I miss it very much when I can't find the time!

Here is a delicious casserole from my archives which goes down a real treat with some salad on the side. It's one of those dishes that makes you think of grandma's apron and grandpa's lap . . . comfort, pure comfort. This is another one from my Big Blue Binder.

*Deep Dish Salmon Pie*
Serves 4 - 6
Printable Recipe

Cheesy, tender rolls rest atop of a mouth-watering creamy sauce. This delicious dish will have everyone clammering for seconds. This casserole is very hot when it comes out of the oven, so before serving it, make sure to let it stand for ten minutes.

Creamed Salmon:
3 TBS butter
2/3 cup of finely chopped onion
3/4 cup of finely chopped green sweet bell pepper
5 TBS plain flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 2/3 cups milk
1 large tin of salmon, drained, flaked and the skin and bones removed
1 TBS lemon juice
a dash of hot pepper sauce
freshly ground black pepper to taste

Cheese Rolls:
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1 TBS baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 TBS cold butter, cut into bits
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Swiss etc. I used a combination of red leicester and strong cheddar)
1/4 cup chopped pimento stuffed olives

Pre-heat the oven to 205*C/425*F. Lightly grease a 2 litre baking dish and set it aside.

Place the butter for the creamed salmon into a saucepan and heat it over medium heat until it just begins to foam. Add the onion and green pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are tender. Stir in the flour and the salt. Add the milk slowly, stirring until it is well mixed in. Cook and stir until the mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in the flaked salmon, hot pepper sauce, lemon juice and the black pepper. Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Using a pastry blender or the tips of your fingers rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in the milk until the dough just clings together and is evenly moistened. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and kneat it gently for about 10 to 12 strokes. Pat out to a 12 by 8 inch rectangle. Sprinkle the cheese and the olives over top. Roll up as for a jelly roll, rolling it as tightly as you can.

Using a sharp knife, cut the roll into 8 thick slices and then flatten each one slightly with your hand. Place the resulting spirals on top of the salmon mixture.

Bake in the pre-heated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the top is nicely browned and the creamed mixture is bubbling. Let stand for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Over in The English Kitchen today, some delicious Cranberry, Orange and Pistachio Muffins!

Sunday morning thoughts . . .

2012-01-22T06:51:00.003Z

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Just imagine for a moment that you are a Princess living in a Fairy-Tale world. The beauty of birdsong wakes you up every morning. As you sit up and stretch . . . you notice beautiful clothes have already been set out for you to wear and are just waiting to adorn your beautiful Princess-like body. There is a song on your lips and your very own Fairy Godmother awaits your every instruction so that she can make all your dreams come true . . .

Contrast that with the real world . . . where each day is a struggle to keep your dreams alive . . . because the reality is . . . life is hard in this not-so-fairy-tale world, and hope is a comodity which is not easy to cling to.

But . . . think about it. Are either of those worlds really real? Before you settle for either one of the two extremes . . . let faith show you another place . . . a new place, an invisible place which can only be seen with the eyes of the heart.

Source: padgetthoke.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

It's a place where those small glimpses of all the goodness of a fairy-tale-world can fit into the reality of an every-day-world . . . perhaps a view of the world that is a bit different. It's where the realities of the so-called real world become framed in such a way that darkness is lightened and any bitterness or mistrust you may be feeling is removed.

In this new reality you can discover that unseen dreams to come are bigger and much more powerful than any small ones you may have held on to in the past . . . filled with hope that is far stronger than any despair you may be feeling now.

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

This is the Father's kingdom . . . and you are His Daughter. Imagine . . . a beautiful daughter of God, created in His image and for His purpose. You have value beyond compare, and worth beyond measure. You have a beautiful and wonderful reason for being here . . . and you are not alone. He has promised to help you to get through this life, and given you all that you need in order to do so . . . protection and guidance on a journey towards a Divine Inheritance which awaits your return. All you need to do is to reach out your hand, and allow the Saviour to take it in His. He will guide you home and protect you along the way, and along the journey??? Well . . . you will experience more beauty, more hope, and more joy than you could ever have imagined possible. I know this to be true.

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
~Jesus, Luke 12:32

Just my thoughts this morning . . .

I finally managed to get another painting done yesterday afternoon. I don't know where my days disappear to, but they seem to pass by in a flash!

I thought it quite sweet and I love the sentiment on it. As always it can be yours if you want, as a print or a card, and it would make a lovely gift for someone you care about who perhaps needs a bit of inspiration.

It's very cold and windy out there this morning. Brrrr . . . if you need to go out, wrap up warm and stay safe. We'll be going to church of course, and I'm going to make sure I put my woolies on before I go out that door!

Here's a delicious way to prepare chicken. Poached in the microwave, it stays beautifully tender and moist. Served with a simple sauce which is also cooked in the microwave means you can have a delicious and simple supper on the table in the time it takes you to cook some rice or pasta to have along with it. Easy peasy, lemon squeasy!

*Dill Sauced Poached Chicken*
Serves 4Printable Recipe

Moist and tender Chicken Breasts topped with a lucious dill sauce! Cooked in the microwave, so very quick!

For the poached Chicken:
4 Chicken Breast halves, skin removed
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
paprika
Pepper

For the Sauce:
2 TBS butter
4 tsp flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 cup milk
1 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 tsp dried dill weed

First prepare the chicken breasts. Place the chicken breast halves into a microwave baking dish (12 by 8 inch). Place the thickest portions towards the outside edge of the dish. LIghtly sprinkle each breast with the seasoned salt, paprika and pepper. Cover with waxed paper or greaseproof paper. Microwave on high for 12 to 14 minutes or until the chicken is fork tender and the juices run clear, turning the chicken halfway through cooking. Keep warm while you make the sauce.

Place the butter in a 4 cup microwaveable safe measuring cup. Microwave on high for 30 to 40 seconds until melted. Whisk in the fl, salt, pepper and mustard until smooth. Whisk in the milk, gradually blending it in. Microwave on high for 3 to 5 minutes, whisking it once or twice during the cooking time. The mixture should thicken and boil. Stir in the cheese and dill, stirring until the cheese is melted.

Remove the chicken breasts from the bone. Place on a serving plate and spoon sauce over top. If desired serve with hot rice or cooked pasta.

Over in The English Kitchen today some delicious Fruited Scones!

Poetry Saturday . . . A Mile With Me

2012-01-21T07:42:00.004Z

Source: arikaanne.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

O who will walk a mile with me
Along life's merry way?
A comrade blithe and full of glee,
Who dares to laugh out loud and free,
And let his frolic fancy play,
Like a happy child, through the flowers gay
That fill the field and fringe the way
Where he walks a mile with me.

Source: simplypix.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

And who will walk a mile with me
Along life's weary way?
A friend whose heart has eyes to see
The stars shine out o'er the darkening lea,
And the quiet rest at the end o' the day . . .
A friend who knows, and dares to say,
The brave, sweet words that cheer the way
Where he walks a mile with me.

Source: eu.art.com via Marie on Pinterest

With such a comrade, such a friend,
I fain would walk til journey's end,
Through summer sunshine, winter rain,
And then?
Farewell, we shall meet again.
~Henry Van Dyke

I love, love, LOVE this poem! To me it is a gentle reminder that we never walk alone if we have a friend. Be it our bestie mate or the Saviour. Troubles and burdens are always lighter when someone walks by your side . . . and maybe they can't make them go away . . . but they can help you to carry them, if only for a mile . . .

I am up way late this morning. I have had a lot of trouble falling asleep nights lately and it has played havoc with my schedule! Must dash, but not before I show you this delicious storecupboard soup recipe!! Proof positive that you are never without a tasty meal if you keep a stocked cupboard ready at the draw!

*Tomato and Bean Soup*
Serves 6Printable Recipe

A delicious and hearty storecupboard supper. A tasty grilled cheese sandwich goes very well with this!

2 sliced streaky bacon
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 (28-oz) tin of whole tomatoes, cut up
1 (10 3/4-oz) tin of condensed tomato soup
1 (15.5-oz) tin of red kidney beans, drained
1 (11-oz) tin of sweet corn, undrained
1/2 cup water
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp dried thyme leaves, rubbed between your fingers
salt and black pepper to taste

Cook the bacon in a large saucepan or Dutch oven until crisp. Remove the bacon. Reserve 1 TBS of the drippings. Crumble the bacon and set aside. Reheat the drippings over medium heat until sizzling. Add the onin and celery. Cook, stirring, until tender. Stir in the remaining ingredients and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until thoroughly heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning using salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into heated bowls and serve garnished with the crumbled bacon.

Over in The English Kitchen today a delicious Blueberry and Almond Breakfast Bake.

Every life has its dark and cheerful hours. Happiness comes from choosing which to remember.

Have a great Saturday everyone!

How to Hug a Porcupine

2012-01-20T06:18:00.004Z

Source: browndresswithwhitedots.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

“An aged grandmother, who never attended school, once gave her grand daughter a slip of paper with all the advice she would ever need to lead a good life. What she wrote is valuable for all of us: Wash what is dirty. Water what is dry. Heal what it wounded. Warm what is cold. Guide what goes off the road. And, love people who are the least loveable, because they need it the most.”

Very sound advice indeed. For an uneducated woman it is very profound and full of great insight. Especially the last bit. I would say that loving the unlovable is pretty much akin to hugging a porcupine, difficult to do, but not entirely impossible.

I once had a friend, (and am glad to say still do) who was a very difficult person to be friends with, let alone to love. It didn’t matter what you did, she was always bristling and full of complaints. Not only that . . . she was very demanding and hard to get along with.

Source: basketbike.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

One day she would be as sweet as pie and the next . . . as cantankerous as the day was long. It was almost as if she would push you away the minute you started to get close to her, and she was constantly wanting you to prove that you were her friend by being so very difficult to get along with. Not many people stuck around her for long and indeed, I was asked many times how on earth did I put up with her.

Many of her friends came and went . . . hardly any stayed for long, but . . . every once in a while I would catch a glimpse of the person she could have been had she only let herself be that person. I just could not find it in myself to abandon her, no matter how many times I felt like doing just that!

Source: etsy.com via Marie on Pinterest

I never gave up on her. I persevered on the strength of that person I caught occasional glimpses of. I just shrugged it off when she was difficult or insulting, and I enjoyed the moments that she wasn’t. Through it all though, I prayed for her . . . daily.

Even after we moved away and I wasn’t living in the same location as her anymore . . . and never got to see her, I prayed for her. And I wrote her letters. Little chatty letters filled up with the things I was doing, and little stories of faith. I rarely, if ever, heard back, but it didn’t matter to me. I just always wanted her to know that, no matter what, I loved her. I kept hugging her, although distant, and letting her know that I was hugging her.

One day though, I did get a reply, and one cannot imagine the joy I felt to read her words. She had been diagnosed with a mental illness and was finally on the medication she had needed for a very long time. She was finally living the life she was meant to live . . . finally able to be the person that she was meant to be. She thanked me very much for all the support and love and the prayers I had given her through the years, and told me how much it had meant to her that I had been one of the few who had never given up on her. We remain good friends to this day, and she is a true gem in my life. Gold, pure gold.

Source: google.com via Marie on Pinterest

I was so glad when I read her words that day. Glad that I had persevered and never given up on her. Glad that she had been able to get the help she had so obviously needed for so very long, and grateful for a friendship that had spanned several decades and grown and developed into something that was most precious to me.

I had hugged a porcupine and gained a priceless friend. Luke 6:28 says “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” I have a testimony that these words are very true, and I testify that it is quite impossible not to love someone for whom you are praying. In fact . . . I highly recommend it!

Off into town today to pay a bill and then a friend is coming over this afternoon for a visit. We had a wonderful time feeding the missionaries yesterday. I made them a big pot of Beef and Vegetable Stew and some Buttermilk Mashed Spuds, with a salad, rolls and for dessert my Apple Pie Roll Ups with Custard. I think they were quite happy with the meal. It's a win/win situation really, because I am sure that I probably get every bit as much, if not more pleasure out of cooking it than they could ever get out of eating it all.

Here is one of my favourite ways to prepare fish that is not only easy, but quite healthy. You get all the crunch of breaded fish without frying. I like to use a well flavoured crouton. You can get baked croutons, which is what I use.

*Light and Crispy Fish FIllets*Serves 4
Printable Recipe

Mom always said fish was brain food. This is a great way to prepare it giving your fish that is moist and flaky with a beautifully crisp coating that is baked, not fried.

3/4 cup of crushed seasoned croutons
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tsp dried parsley flakes
1/4 tsp paprika
salt and black pepper to taste
1 large free range egg
1 TBS water
1 TBS lemon juice
1 pound fresh or frozen fish fillets (thawed)
(I like cod or haddock)

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/gas mark 4. Lightly spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

Combine the crushed croutons, cheese, parsley and paprika in a shallow bowl. Set aside. Beat the egg, water and lemon juice together in another shallow bowl. Set aside.

Cut the fish into 2 1/2 to 3 iinch pieces. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Dip the pieces first in the egg mixture, and then into the crumb mixture, coating well. Tuck any thin ends of fish under to form pieces of uniform thickness and place onto the prepared baking dish.

Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Baking in The English Kitchen today, delicious Breakfast Oatmeal Muffins, made from leftover cooked oatmeal. Very tasty indeed!

“Love is spelt T.I.M.E.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Bloom where you are planted . . .

2012-01-19T07:54:00.003Z

Source: sundayinbed.tumblr.com via Meredith on Pinterest

“And the day came when the risk (it took) to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
~Anais Nin

For years I resisted change because I was afraid that growth was always a painful process. I guess it had seemed that most of the lessons I had learned in life, and my opportunities to grow had always been accompanied with a lot of pain and misery. It has occurred to me this morning though that, in resisting change and growth, I was also wasting a lot of time, creative energy and emotion. Things that could be far better spent on other things.

Why does change come with such difficulty? Why do we allow ourselves to become stuck in ruts? I think the greatest stumbling block to freeing ourselves from these chains is fear. Fear of change, fear of stepping out into the unknown, fear of judgement, fear of failure . . .

Source: imgfave.com via Marie on Pinterest

In giving in to our fears, I think we fail ourselves. I think we prevent ourselves from becoming and from being the very best that we can be. The whole reason for our presence here on earth is to grow and stretch, and to become the best that we can be. We cannot do that without expanding our boundaries and embracing change. If we think we "never can" . . . we truly "never will."

There is a scripture that says that in our weaknesses we are made strong. Who has not heard the story of the old man and the butterfly. An old man was once watching a butterfly struggle to emerge from it’s cocoon. As he watched it struggle frantically in it’s cocoon to free itself, he began to feel sorry for it. It was working so hard, and seemingly getting nowhere. He thought to help it a bit by taking a pair of scissors and cutting it free. When he was done . . . the butterfly lay there limp and unable to fly. In his eagerness to help, the man had missed the great secret to a butterfly’s strength . . . for it is in the struggle to free itself from the cocoon that the butterfly strengthens it’s wings enough to be able to actually fly.

Source: tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

And so it is with life. It is through the struggles and the agonies we suffer that we too are made strong and beautiful. It is in the growth that we learn and evolve and become what we were truly sent here to become, that we can fulfil the measure of our creation. Change is not always bad. We need to exercise our wings and break free from our cocoons. It truly is a good thing.

I know it is really late in the year, but, if you can, try to find one perfect rosebud in your garden or at a flower shop if need be. Pick it and place it in a small vase on your desk or night table. Watch it bloom. “Each blade of grass has it’s Angel that bends over it and whispers, “Grow, grow.”’ We are likewise blessed. Let us listen to it’s voice and bloom where we are planted.

I am very late this morning. We got home quite late from our church meetings last night and so went to bed late and I didn't wake up until 7:30 this morning, so I must dash. I hope I'll be able to take a look at some blogs later today. We shall see how it all unfolds. Now I must get ready for my reading student and get things started on our supper tonight as the missionaries are coming and you know how very much I love to spoil them! Have a wonderful day everyone!

Here's a lovely dish to make when you have leftover chicken from a roast dinner and you are wanting a tasty way to use some of it up!

*Deep Dish Chicken Pie*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

A family favourite gleaned from a supermarket recipe booklet many moons ago.

1 single crust refrigerated pie crust

For the filling:
2 TBS butter
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 (10 3/4-oz) tin of condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup milk
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
1/2 tsp summer savoury
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
4 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 (1 pound) package of frozen mixed vegetables thawed and drained
(I like the one with broccoli, cauliflower and carrots)

Preheat the oven to 200*C/400*F/ gas mark 6. Have ready a 2 quart casserole or 10 inch quiche pan.

Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Add the celery and onion. Cook, stirring, until softened. Stir in the soup, milk, poultry seasoning, savoury, salt and pepper. Heat through, then taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Gently stir in the chicken and thawed vegetables. Pour this mixture into your dish.

Place the crust (which should be rolled out large enough to completely cover the dish) over top of the chicken mixture. Roll up edges to fit the top of the casserole and flute. Cut slits in several places to vent.

Bake for 40 to 50 minutes until golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Cooking over in The English Kitchen this morning delicious Vanilla Spiced Breakfast Oatmeal.

Ha Ha Ha . . .

2012-01-18T06:27:00.004Z

Source: google.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

“There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor.”
― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

Anyone who ever meets my eldest daughter Eileen, cannot help but fall in love with her. She is such a special spirit and despite any handicap she has had to learn to cope with, she is one of the most handi-capable and happiest people you could ever want to meet. She has the loveliest laugh. It peals out like aa church bell tinkling in the early morning air, inviting all who are within it's earshot to share in her love and zest for life.

In thinking about her beautiful smile and laugh this morning, I am reminded of that old saying . . . "Laugh and the whole world laughs with you." Indeed it is true, the sound of laughter echoing across a room can be quite infectious.

I have heard laughter described as being "God's Sunshine," and the happy times in life are what most of us like to keep in our mind and reflect back upon. Fun and light-hearted moments should be prescribed as a part of our daily lives, to be taken at least once daily and in company of friends. What a difference that would make in the world.

Source: google.com via Katie on Pinterest

The study of laughter is known as "gelotology," and people who study it are called "Gelogologists." (You learn something new every day!) They have come to surmise that there are many reasons people laugh . . . We laugh when we find something funny, and when we are embarrassed or when we want to avoid a difficult situation. We also use laughter to build friendships with people. For example, we are 30 times more likely to laugh in front of other people than when we’re alone.

It is also interesting to note that children can laugh up to 200 times a day, whilst adults, on average, only laugh up to 20 times a day. That could be why kids have more fun! They also say that laughing is good for your health. Have you ever heard the saying, ‘Laughter is the best medicine’? It has been scientifically proven that laughter benefits our health and our immune system, in particular. Laughing is good for you. It relaxes you and makes you feel good by releasing chemicals into your bloodstream.

Source: mybodypeaceofmind.tumblr.com via Danell on Pinterest

All science aside . . . I happen to think that laughter is just plain good all round. It brings joy into our lives and into the lives of those around us. It helps us to feel good and can get us through some very tough times. They say that the happiest people are those who can laugh at themselves. I like to think of laughter as a way for the soul to dance. There are some days I'm sure my soul must look just like Gene Kelley in "Singing in the Rain." And that can't be bad.

“A day without laughter is like living in darkness; you try to find your way around, but you can't see clearly.”
― Emily Mitchell

I have to say that we thoroughly enjoyed the film "War Horse." If you haven't gone to see it you really must. It was beautiful and very moving. I even cried at one point. It was beautifully filmed and the story was quite inspiring. If you only go to see one movie this year, I highly recommend this one. Tuesdays is cheap day at our local cinema. You get in for just about half price. The theatre was filled with grey and wrinklies, of which I guess I am now one when I really think about it! How did that happen???? I guess it kind of sneaks up on you! The only down side to our afternoon was the old man who sat down right in front of Todd and kept his stocking cap on throughout the whole movie. It was standing straight up and added at least 4 inches to his height. I kept hoping he would take it off . . . as any gentleman would . . . but he did not. Oh well . . . what can you do . . .

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone. Be well, be blessed, be loved . . . and . . . don't forget to laugh!!

Source: meggielynne.tumblr.com via Terrie on Pinterest

This is one of my favourite ways to prepare chicken. You can buy a whole chicken and cut it up yourself, or you can buy chicken already cut into pieces. The nice thing about the crumbs is that you can make up the whole batch and then only use what you need, storing the remainder in a container in the freezer. That way you have a chicken coating mix ready to use whenever you need it. It uses potato flakes so it is gluten free, which is great for anyone who is on a wheat and gluten free diet! (Note: do remove any crumb mixture which you plan to freeze before coating your chicken.)

*Crisp Oven Fried Chicken*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

The flavour and crunch of fried chicken without any of the hassle or mess!

1 1/2 cups of mashed potato flakes (dried)
1 tsp seasoning salt
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup of butter, melted
1 large free range egg
1 TBS water
3 to 3 1/2 pounds of chicken pieces, skin removed if desired

Preheat the oven to 200*C/400*F/ gas mark 6. Line a baking tray with foil wrap and then spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

Combine the potato flakes, seasoned salt, paprika, garlic powder and pepper in a large bowl. Add the melted butter and mix all together well. In another bowl combine the egg and water, beating that together well also.

Dip the chicken pieces into the egg mixture and then roll them in the potato mixture, thoroughly coating them on all sides. Place onto the prepared baking sheet, skin side up.

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, until the chicken is fork tender and the juices run clear.

Cooking in The English Kitchen today, some delicious Plum Fudge Puddings!

The Simple Woman's Day book . . .

2012-01-17T07:05:00.003Z

FOR TODAY, January 17th, 2012...

Outside My Window...
All is calm, and dark, and very cold. I think there is even a frost, for the third day in a row. Winter finally came.

I am thinking...
I have to tell you a funny story. As you know we love our Mitzie to bits and she is a tad bit spoiled. Well . . . I know it's naughty, but . . . I always give her the milk left in the bottom of my bowl after I eat my cereal in the morning. She really looks forward to it. We have a dishwasher so I know the bowl will be really well washed afterwards, not that she doesn't do a good job of licking it clean! Well, yesterday I cooked a pot of old fashioned oats. I usually have my breakfast before Todd even gets up. (I'm always up a good 2 hours before him!) Anyways, when I went upstairs to get dressed I told him there was oatmeal in the pot for him. Later on when I went to load the dishwasher I noticed there was only one bowl in the sink. I said to him, didn't he have any breakfast. And he said yes he did. So I wanted to know where his bowl was. He then told me he had used the one I had left for him on the side of the sink. Proof positive that Mitzie really licks the bowl clean, and that ignorance is bliss! I didn't have the heart to tell him . . .

I am thankful for...
My knees have been behaving themselves since last July! Finger's crossed it continues! I get the odd twinge, but for the most part they've been fairly good! Todd gave me a blessing just before I left on that trip to Jimmy's farm and it worked very well it seems!

From the kitchen...
There is not an awful lot . . . I really should bake something. I don't want to eat it though . . . so I am stalling. We are having the missionaries for supper on Thursday, so I will probably bake something then!

I am wearing...
Pink nightie and pink jim jam bottoms, slippers and robe. Yes, I know it is a bit of an odd mix, but it does keep me warm.

I am creating...
I have nothing on the table at the moment. Most unsual for me, so I'll show you something that I'd like to make shall I??

Source: annette-paperbistro.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

It's a cute little hanging Valentine Heart pouch to hold all your Valentines. Not that I get many Valentines mind . . . only one, but I do think it's very sweet and would look adorable hanging in our bedroom somewhere. Perhaps we could use it to leave little love notes to each other on occasion . . . it never hurts to keep the romance alive does it?

I am going...
WE are going to go to the movies this afternoon to see a film! War Horse. We've both been really looking foward to it and Tuesday afternoons are cheap at the Cinema, so today's the day! It looks really good!

I am reading...

(watch the trailer, it's good)

Sadie, by Rebecca Belliston

Sadie Dawson thinks she has the perfect life until one Christmas Day when a misunderstanding leads to a brutal event that changes everything. Terrified, Sadie flees her boyfriend's wrath, two FBI agents, and her "perfect life." Lost in a Montana snowstorm and desperate for refuge, she's rescued by four guys on their annual holiday ski vacation. But even as her physical wounds heal, Sadie wonders is she will ever be able to escape the clutches of her wealthy and determined boyfriend. While her heart tells her there is more to a perfect life than diamond necklaces and elegant dinner parties, Sadie doesn't know who she can trust. And just when her heart settles, she finds herself abandoned by the one person who swore to protect her for a religion she doesn't understand. Will she have the courage to follow her heart and find the life that is perfect for her?

I am loving the strength and personalities of the characters in this book. It has caught my interest and kept it, a real page turner. Plus it is wonderfully refreshing to be able to read a "Romance" novel which is wholesome and doesn't have any nasty colourful bits. I highly recommend! (On a side note, she is also the daughter of Gerald Lund, author of a bazillion great books, my favourite of which is called Divine Signatures.)

I am hoping...
My son has changed his wedding date. It's been pushed back to next January now because of financial comittments etc. and they've also decided to get married in Cuba. I am hoping that I can afford to go.

I am hearing...
Nothing much. Mitzie is eating her breakfast in the kitchen. The keys are tapping. All is quiet outside . . . the birds are waking up so a bit of chirping and the odd car that drives by. A very normal ordinary start to the day.

Around the house...

Source: learning-to-b-me.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Don't you just love this idea??? Who doesn't have extra space on either side of their refrigerator! I do! I can't believe I have never thought of something like this. It only makes sense, a pull out shelf unit, just big enough to hold tins and jars. The perfect hideaway larder don't you think???

I am looking forward to ...
Seeing the film this afternoon!! The trailers look very good and I have heard nothing but good things about it from the people I know who have seen it!

If I could change one thing it would be ...
That Todd and I would have met each other early enough to have been able to have a family together. He would have made such a wonderful father. Don't get me wrong . . . I also appreciate the fact that we don't have to share each other with anyone else . . . but my heart aches when I see other couples in church with their children gathered all around them, and I just think that we both have missed out on that. Oh well, there is always the eternities!

One of my favourite things...
Is the Book of Mormon. I know that sounds very cliche, but it's completely true. We are studying it again in church this year for Sunday School and Todd and I got some books from the LDS bookshop entitled "The Book of Mormon, Made Easier." They go through the book, line upon line and expand one's understanding of it all. They are really bringing the scriptures alive for us. I love that we are studying it together. Reading and studying the scriptures with the one that you love is such a special and sacred thing to do. God may not have been able to give us a family together here on earth, but He has given us each other. I prayed for many years to have a husband who was on the same page spiritually as I was and this prayer was answered in a very beautiful and unsual way . . . at the time I had been praying this prayer, I was meaning that I wanted my ex-husband to become a Christian . . . and a man of faith. Oh, I prayed for years and years to that end . . . I did get a man of faith . . . just not the one I thought I would have. It's pretty amazing when you think about it!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
A bit of work . . . a bit of play . . . and everything in between!! I have meetings for my church calling, and the reading lessons continue, and the missionaries are coming for supper on Thursday. It's a pretty full week, but shaping up beautifully!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Source: jasmine-marie.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Make it a rule . . . never, if possible, to lie down at night without being able to say, "I have made one human being at least a little wiser, a little happier or a little better this day."
~Charles Kingsley (1819 - 75)

I like to think that these words and thoughts that I share with you each day prove to help someone in some way at times, or bring a smile to someone's heart at others. I like to think that in doing so I am making a difference somewhere for someone. I cannot do much financially to make the world a better place . . . would that I could . . . but if I can impress even one person with my thoughts and words in even the smallest of positive ways . . . then it is worth every minute spent.

As a closing thought I would like to leave you with this:

“Often the deep valleys of our present will be understood only by looking back on them from the mountains of our future experience. Often we can’t see the Lord's hand in our lives until long after the trials have passed. Often the most difficult times of our lives are essential building blocks that form the foundation of our character and pave the way to future opportunity, understanding, and happiness.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

He is such a wise man isn't he???

And there you have it . . . my day book for this week. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!

I whipped up this delicious oven stew for Todd and myself yesterday. It's been one I've been making for years and always pleases anyone who eats it. This is my cheat version, as it uses a tin of soup and there's no browning of the meat on top of the stove before hand. It's easy peasy lemon squeasy!

*Oven Beef Stew*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

This is a quick and easy stew to make. Other than peeling the vegetables and chopping them up there is literally no work to do. Your oven does it all! It’s just plain delicious too, so it’s a win/win combination!

1 pound of well trimmed stewing beef, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
1 clove of garlic, peeled and crushed
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tsp mixed herbs, or summer savoury
1 tin of condensed tomato soup (Campbells)
1 soup tin of water
2 large carrots, peeled and sliced
1 small rutabaga, peeled and cut into cubes
2 parsnips, peeled and sliced
4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered

Pre-heat the oven to 230*C/450*F. Put your beef, onions and garlic into a deep casserole dish with a lid. Season with some salt and pepper to taste and then place the casserole (without the lid at this point) into the heated oven and bake for about 10 minutes, just until the meat is beginning to brown.

Remove from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 160*C/350*F.
Put soup and the water into the casserole dish along with the mixed herbs. Put the lid on and bang it back into the oven and let it bake for about an hour. At the end of the hour remove it from the oven and stir in the vegetables. You may need to add more water as the mixture should have reduced by then, and you want the liquid to just barely cover the vegetables and meat. Put the lid back on and return the casserole to the oven. Bake for another hour or until the vegetables and meat are tender.

Remove from the oven and let stand for about 10 minutes before serving.

You can use other flavours of soup if you wish such as mushroom, which is very good also.

If stew isn't to your taste perhaps Pork Chops Lyonnaise will be. You can see them today over in The English Kitchen!

Sleep garden . . . sleep . . .

2012-01-16T06:04:00.006Z

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

We have had heavy frosts the past three mornings . . . all the garden covered as if by a magic brush, each leaf and errant petal, fooled into blooming far too soon by an overly mild winter thus far . . . tinged with tiny crystals, so very pretty.

The garden sleeps now. No splash of colour stains the fallow mould. The trees are stark, the hedges bare . . . the air all damp and cold. It is as if nature, on the quiet, has spread a quilt of crystal ice over all . . . as if to cover and protect the life that hides below . . .

Source: etsy.com via Melissa on Pinterest

How very still it is. No sound, save that of the odd car or bus which passes, disturbs the silence of the day. No sign or hint revealing what lays beneath the frozen clay . . . oh bulbs and roots and seeds from which will come at Winter's close a flurry of bloom . . . flames of gold and crimson . . . dreams of ivory and rose . . . the lavender and pinks and blues.

It seems like a miracle at the moment and doesn't seem possible . . . yet the Camellia is covered with buds, just waiting for the warmth of the April sun to burst out in colour . . . and here and there a snowdrop nods it's tiny white head . . . a tiny promise of what's to come.

"Lone Flower, hemmed in with snows, and white as they
But hardier far, once more I see thee bend
Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend,
Like an unbidden guest."
~Wordsworth

Source: shellsonthebeach.tumblr.com via Joni on Pinterest

Sleep garden . . . sleep. Rest in repose. These are the days of healing peace for all of us. For though the cold is bitter and the wild wind blows . . . there are joys to compensate for fog and frost and sleet. The world of firelight and books is cosy and comforting. Sleep garden . . . sleep.

Now that she has received it, I can show you the Baptism piece that I did for a little girl who was recently Baptised. She has the original piece, but this is the scan that I used to make her cards. There was a full sized picture, the original, with her full name, birth date and Baptism Date on it and then a bundle of cards which were exactly as above for her to use as thank you cards, etc. That is the nearest temple to where they live in the picture and that is the Baptism Dress that she wore on the day. I love doing these Baptism Commission pieces. They are really special to me and a wonderful keepsake for the recipient of their special day.

We are off into town today to pay a bill. I dare say we will have a frosted journey! It is very cold and wintery, although they do say it will become milder as the week goes on and with that will come . . . what else but rain! Whatever you are going to get up to this day, stay safe and warm. Go with God . . .

This has to be my all time favourite cake recipe. It's a lovely version of a Victorian Sponge filled with raspberries and baked, then filled with clotted cream and more raspberries to serve, covered in a sweet drizzle and garnished with sugar frosted rose petals(optional). It is a cake that you bake when you want to pull out all the stops for sure!!

*Golden Jubilee Cake*
Serves 12
Printable Recipe

This delicious Victorian sponge type of cake was developed in the Queen’s Jubilee year. It’s lovely and moist with a delicious clotted cream and raspberry filling. The perfect “tea party” cake.

6 ounces golden castor sugar (3/4 cup)
(Can use regular caster sugar with no problems)
(Caster sugar is fine granulated sugar, I think it is called fruit sugar in North America)
6 ounces butter, softened (3/4 cup)
4 large free range eggs, separated
4 ounces self rising flour (1 cup)
1 tsp baking powder
4 ounces ground almonds (1 1/3 cup)
3 to 5 drops almond essence
1 cup fresh raspberries

FOR THE FILLING:
1-227g container of clotted cream (about 1 cup)
1 cup fresh raspberries

FOR THE TOPPING:
2 - 3 ounces golden castor sugar (1/4 to 1/2 cup approx.)
1 egg white, lightly beaten to a froth
4 ounces icing sugar (scant cup)
pesticide free rose petals

Make the frosted rose petals the day before. Separate the petals and spread the castor sugar over a plate. Holding one petal at a time, lightly paint both sides with egg white. (I used tweezers to hold the petals) Spoon sugar over it, then using tweezers, shake off the excess. Dry on parchment paper for a day. (Use only pesticide free roses)

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

Butter two 8-inch round cake tins and line their bases with parchment paper. Tip the sugar into a mixing bowl and add the softened butter. Beat for a minute or so until pale and fluffy, then beat in the egg yolks. Sift together the flour and baking powder, then sift over the cake mixture. Fold in as lightly as you can using a large metal spoon, then fold in the almonds and extract. Stop folding as soon as the flour traces have gone.

Whisk the egg whites until they just hold their shape. Gently fold in a third of the egg white into the cake mix, using a whisk. Repeat with another third, then the final third. Take care not to over mix and lose the lightness of the egg whites.

Lightly fold in the raspberries. Divide between the prepared tins and level the mixture using a round bladed knife. Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then turn out, peel off the lining paper and leave to cool completely.

Set one cake on a serving plate. Spoon the clotted cream on top. Scatter the raspberries over the cream and put the other cake on top.

Blend the icing sugar with 1 to 1 1/2 Tbsp cold water until it is smooth and coats the back of a spoon thinly. Drizzle the icing over the cake.

Scatter the rose petals over and around the cake, dust with icing sugar and serve to some very lucky people.

Cooking in The English Kitchen today delicious Pappardelle with Roasted Winter Squash, Rocket and Pistachios.

“Patience is a godly attribute that can heal souls, unlock treasures of knowledge and understanding, and transform ordinary men and women into saints and angels. Patience is truly a fruit of the Spirit. Patience means staying with something until the end. It means delaying immediate gratification for future blessings.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Life is not always fair . . .

2012-01-15T06:49:00.003Z

Source: fraeulein-klein.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

One of the earliest lessons in school which I learned was that life isn't fair. Up to that point, I'd been under the mistaken impression that things in life were pretty much even-stephen, or should I say . . . even-steven.

I'd learned that candy was something you shared equally among your siblings and friends, along with your toys and games. I had learned that the oldest child gets to enjoy privileges that the youngest doesn't . . . that you don't get dessert unless you eat the main course and all of your peas and carrots . . . that Santa Claus leaves the same amount of presents for everyone in the family . . . that mom and dad love you equally as much as your brother and your sister . . . that grandma's think you are the greatest thing since sliced bread . . . as do grandpa's.

Source: gypsypurplehome.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Starting school, however, was a really a bit of a rude awakening. I learned that the cake is not always divided into equal pieces. For instance . . . some kids got to go on cruises or to Disneyland for their summer holidays . . . whilst I got to spend one day at the local beach . That made writing the "What I did on my Summer Holiday's" essay real interesting in comparison . . .

The popular kids at school get picked first for EVERYTHING, even if you are more athletic, smarter or more talented . . . popularity is always a huge draw. Being picked last means you always get stuck with the one partner nobody else wanted either. Looking back on it . . . I don't think that's such a raw deal . . . but from an 8 year old's stance . . . it kinda sucks.

Source: maisoncharmante.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Having to wait in a queue means that the kid in front of you will get the last cookie with the M&M's on it that you've been eyeballing all morning . . . and you get stuck with the oatmeal cookie that somebody else has already picked the raisins out of . . . or worse yet . . . the raisins.

If your last name begins with a V, like mine did . . . sorry to have to tell you this, but . . . A to U come before you (the only good thing about that was that WXY and Z were slightly harder done by ) . . . it also meant that if you had to give an oral composition . . . instead of getting it over with quicker . . . you had to suffer through almost everyone else's as you got nervouser and nervouser, before you could get up to give your own.

Sometimes you get the box of broken crayons in art class . . . the cute girl always gets asked to the Prom first . . . some kids have to work harder to pass . . . and sometimes your friends decide they don't really want to be friends with you after all, and exclude you from everything.

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

The minute you get to the front of the line to take your turn at skipping during recess . . . the bell rings, or someone shouts out "No more joiners!" . . . nobody will see that big kid stomping on your foot during line up to go back in to class, but the minute you decide to retaliate and stomp back . . . all eyes are on you!

The day you get a really big zit on the end of your nose is the exact day you will be picked to get up in front of the class and read, write, draw . . . anything. Or the day you get picked to read your poem . . . is the day you forgot to write it. The day that really cute boy you've had a crush on all year decides to sit next to you at lunch . . . well . . . it's the day your mom made you Egg Salad sandwiches!

Source: getcottage.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Sometimes though . . . when you go to your fiftieth class reunion, if you are brave enough to go at all . . . you discover that those formerly mean, popular friends with names that began with the letter A, that always took the fabulous summer holidays, and always got the good cookies . . . well, they ended up old, fat and ugly too!

Now that . . . my friends, is fair!

Just a bit of humour this morning friends. Something that I wrote a long time ago on my Marie's Muses blog. I polished it up a bit. I am running really late this morning because I slept in! I know . . . how dare I!!!

Before I go though, I do want to show you my latest creation:

I saw this quote on the cover of a notebook yesterday morning and it was all I could do to get through all my chores and everything so that I could get into my craft room and put it to paper! My fingers were just itching to create something to go along with the words . . .

I think that this is one of my favourites thus far! What do you think??? I just love how her hair turned out and her wings . . . oh and the flower and her boots. I guess I just love it all! As usual it's available as a print or a card.

Now I'll leave you with my recipe for the day, again . . . from my old Marie's Muses blog. I hope you don't mind. It's not the best food photo in the world, but I think the recipe will speak for itself . . . not only does it have a scrummy name, but it is also delicious. I just adore mashed potatoes when it is mixed with mashed turnips and to add cabbage and cheese to the mix, well, it's just gorgeous!

*Rumbledethumps*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

This is a variation of a much loved Scottish border dish. It is delicious! We love it. It can be prepared in advance and popped into the oven at your convenience. I think the name comes from the noise your tummy makes a few hours after eating it. RUMBLEDETHUMP - oh, excuse me. (tee hee)

2 ½ pounds potatoes
1 ¼ pounds turnips
4 ounces butter
14 ounces Savoy cabbage, finely sliced
Sea Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 ounces cheddar cheese, grated (I probably use more, but then…I AM a glutton)

Peel and chop the potatoes and turnips and boil them together in a large pan of salted water for 25 to 30 minutes until tender.

Preheat the oven to 160*C/325*F.

Drain the vegetables well, return them to the pan and cover tightly, then shake over a low heat to dry them off completely.

Heat half the butter in another pan, add the cabbage and cook until just tender, but still bright green (about 3 to 4 minutes) Tip all the buttery cabbage into the potato pan and add the remaining butter.

Roughly mash everything together and season to taste with salt and pepper. Tip into an ovenproof dish, top with cheese and bake for 30 minutes. Before serving, preheat the grill and flash under the grill for 5 minutes to brown the top.

Cooking over in The English Kitchen today . . . delicious Apples in Custard.

“We have a choice. We can seek for the bad in others. Or we can make peace and work to extend to others the understanding, fairness, and forgiveness we so desperately desire for ourselves. It is our choice; for whatever we seek, that we will certainly find.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Poetry Saturday . . . Out In The Fields With God

2012-01-14T06:13:00.005Z

Source: moonlightrainbow.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

The little cares that fretted me,
I lost them yesterday
Among the fields above the sea,
Among the winds at play;
Among the lowing of the herds,
The rustling of the trees,
Among the singing of the birds,
The humming of the bees.

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

The foolish fears of what may happen
I cast them all away
Among the clover-scented grass,
Among the new mown hay;
Among the husking of the corn
Where drowsy poppies nod,
Where ill thoughts die and good are born,
Out in the fields with God.
~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Source: sundayinbed.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

I've often felt that one cannot get much closer in to the presence of our Heavenly Father than when we are communing with nature . . . such a talent that Elizabeth Barret Browning . . . I love all the old poets. Living over here in the UK now, I can actually picture the things they wrote about . . . and feel their emotions as I have seen many of the same things and felt the same feelings. It's amazing!

Todd is off to the hospital bright and early this morning to have a head scan. Not as scary as it sounds I think . . . the audiology department just want to make sure that there is nothing un-toward causing his hearing loss. We are not concerned in any way.

My newest creation. Absolutely Everything to Me. I don't do a lot of little boys, so this is a rarity. I don't do a lot of dogs either. Double rarity! They do say that little boys and puppies belong together and these two seem quite comfortable in each other's presence. I do believe they are the best of friends! I did this yesterday afternoon and was quite pleased with the results. As usual it is available as a print or as a card.

Must dash as Todd is stirring and it's time to get things organized to get going. I hope you all have a great Saturday! Remember . . . life is beautiful!

Here are just about my favourite version of biscuits, next to my mom's of course! You can freeze any that you don't eat on the day and then gently rewarm and they will taste fresh as new. They are not great keepers though so you will want to eat as many as you can on the day and then freeze the rest! Eating as many as you can??? NOT a problem!!

*Angel Buttermilk Biscuits*
Makes about 16
Printable Recipe

These lovely biscuits turn out perfectly every time. Light and fluffy they are a cross between a traditional baking powder biscuit and a yeast roll. They hold up well, but are incredibly tender and are really quite delicious. Why are they called angel biscuits? I suppose because they are as light as an angel's wings, but don't take my word for it, try them out yourself!

1 TBS yeast
¼ cup warm water
2 ½ cups plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 TBS sugar
½ cup vegetable shortening (Crisco, Trex, white flora etc.)
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk (or regular milk soured with 1 TBS white vinegar)

Stir the yeast into the warm water and set aside for a few minutes.

Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar into a large bowl, lifting the sifter up high to aerate the flour as much as possible. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blenderuntil it is quite crumbly and has the texture of small peas.

Give the yeast a stir to dissolve it and then stir it into the flour mixture along with the buttermilk. Mix it all in well.

Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and then leave it aside somewhere to rise for at least an hour, or up to two hours.

Butter a large baking tray and set it aside.

Scrape the dough out onto a well floured surface. The dough will be really sticky. Flip it over and knead it lightly four to six times. Pat out to ½ inch thick.

Cut into rounds with a biscuit cutter, re-patting the scraps, until it is all used up. (Remember cut with a straight down and a sharp tap, lifting the cutter straight up again. Try not to twist the cutter or you will have lop sided biscuits!) Place on the prepared pan, leaving a couple of inches in between each. Cover with the clean cloth again and let them rise slightly, from 10 to 30 minutes.

Heat the oven to 200*C/400*F. Once it is heated place the pan of biscuits into the oven and bake until lightly browned and well risen, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and to a wire rack to cool slightly. Serve warm.

Over in The English Kitchen today a very healthy Pumpkin Spice Cake!

“Since the beginning of time, love has been the source of both the highest bliss and the heaviest burdens. At the heart of misery from the days of Adam until today, you will find the love of wrong things. And at the heart of joy, you will find the love of good things."And the greatest of all good things is God.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

On true beauty . . .

2012-01-13T07:38:00.003Z

Source: sundayinbed.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

There are things which grow in beauty in the long years that pass . . . and if anything, they grow lovelier day by day . . . things like old oak furniture and English china . . . silver and gilt . . . coloured glass and pottery . . .

Old English towns . . . with their charming names . . . old pubs . . . mellowed bricks and weathered stones . . . quaint old houses and ivy covered walls . . .

Each one gathers richly to themselves a beauty each their own . . .

Source: moonlightrainbow.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

It is the rare woman though . . . who can follow the years into old age, and maintain the beauty of her youth . . . Men seem to be able to do it fine. They appear to become more attractive as the years pass, or at least they do in a lot more instances do women . . .

Or is it that we place far too much value in the the superficiality of looks and outward appearances??? Rather . . . we should place our value in the growth of virtue, kindliness and truth. Able to do this we would face the sunset with tranquility and ease . . . the lines of beauty that time and experience would draw upon our aging faces would be valued beyond measure.

I think there is no more beautiful a woman on earth than one who has lived an abundant life filled with joy and love . . . and love of others and self . . . grace and humility . . . loving duty and service to others . . . simple pleasures . . . accomplishments, both great and small . . .

Source: ca.images.search.yahoo.com via Wanda on Pinterest

It matters not that the hair is grey . . . or the eyes surrounded by wrinkles. What matters most is that she has lived a life that has counted for something, a life filled with truth and purpose. When I think of women like these . . . I am reminded of women such as Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Golda Meir, Marjorie Pay Hinckley, Indira Ghandi, Helen Keller and Margaret Mead . . . and many, many others. All being women of substance and great beauty . . . no . . . maybe not at first glance, but when you stop to scratch the surface . . . an astonishing amount of beauty oozes out and wraps around each of us.

Source: google.com via Beth on Pinterest

That is the kind of beauty that I strive for. It doesn't come in a bottle or a box, or from the tip of a needle . . . it comes from within. It comes in many shapes and sizes . . . and colours. You cannot buy it. It must be learned and earned, and it is the reward of a life that is measured in service and achievement, in caring compassion, and in a genuine love for others . . . in a life well spent . . . in having made a difference. When we leave this earth . . . will anyone know that we've even been here?

Just my thoughts this morning . . . thanks for humoring me!!

I am up late this morning . . . had a bit of a lie in. I must have needed it!
I wish for each of you a beautiful Friday . . . filled with smiles, and joy . . . and lots and lots of love!

Here's another recipe from my old blog Marie's Muses. It is quite delicious to the taste and very easy to make.

*Inside Out Chicken Cordon Bleu*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

Technically this has nothing whatsoever to do with Chicken Cordon Bleu, only faintly resembling the original. With an outside wrapping of tasty pancetta preserving it’s moisture and lovely filling of pesto and cheese, these tasty chicken breasts are real winners in my books. I hope they become winners in yours as well!

4 medium size boneless, skinless chicken breasts
150g pack of sliced pancetta (Italian bacon)
(About 8 slices)
4 TBS pesto sauce (homemade or good quality store bought, from the chiller cabinet, not that nasty stuff from bottles on the shelves)
4 slices of gouda cheese
1 TBS olive oil
1 banana shallot, peeled and minced
½ cup white wine
1 cup chicken broth
½ cup single cream
1 further TBS of pesto sauce

Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F.

Take your chicken breasts and slice them in half through the middle with a sharp knife, NOT all the way through, but only ¾ of the way through, so that they open up like a book. Spread 1 TBS of pesto on half of each one and then top it with a slice of gouda cheese, folded in half to fit. Fold the other half of the chicken breast over top, encasing the pesto and the gouda inside. Take some slices of pancetta and wrap them around each breast to cover them. It should take about 3 slices for each. As you wrap them take care to gently stretch the pancetta. This will ensure that the filling stays in when cooking.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Once the oil is well heated, add the wrapped chicken breasts and gently brown them on all sides. Remove them to a shallow baking dish and pop them in the oven to bake while you make the sauce.

Sauté the minced shallot in the pan drippings over low heat, until soft, but not browned. Increase the heat to high and add the white wine. Cook and stir until it has reduced to almost a syrup with the shallots. Add the chicken broth and let that reduce down a bit as well, until you have only about ¾ cup of liquid in the pan. Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream and the pesto sauce. The sauce is now finished.

Remove the chicken breasts from the oven. They should be cooked through. Serve hot with some of the sauce spooned over.

These go lovely with a nice rice pilaf on the side and some tasty purple sprouting broccoli, just steamed until it is crispy tender. You can easily double the sauce ingredients if you like more sauce. I often do!

In The English Kitchen today . . . dangerously delicious Gingerbread Blondies!

“We sometimes confuse sin with sinner, and we condemn too quickly and with too little compassion. We know from modern revelation that ‘the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.’ We cannot gauge the worth of another soul any more than we can measure the span of the universe.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

All about smell . . .

2012-01-12T07:03:00.004Z

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

"Smell is a potent wizard that transports you across thousands of miles and all the years you have lived." ~Helen Keller

There is something really special about smells. They have the power to grasp your mind and take you back to any memory in your experience. They can make you feel really safe, or afraid . . . sometimes comfortable and sometimes sad.

My old wooden spoon has absorbed the smell of many a year, and . . . no matter how many times it has been washed and scrubbed, time's compelling odour abounds. The smell of garlic, onion and tomato paste permeate it and whisper golden memories of evenings shared with loved ones now living miles and miles apart.

Source: roomseventeenstyle.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

The smell of molasses cookies baking always takes me back to my grandmother's ample lap and the feeling of warmth and love as I cuddled there . . . the creak of her rocking chair and the crinkling sound of her kitchen linoleum as someone walked across it.

One time when my oldest son was a baby, I opened a bottle of gripe water and was instantly transported back to a time that was long hidden in the recesses of my mind. It is very hard to describe the feeling . . . but I remembered the taste and I felt comforted and safe . . .

Occasionally when I am in a chemists, I will encounter an elusive smell that I can't pin down to anything in the shop . . . but that in my memory reminds me of being a teenage girl and getting ready for Saturday night out . . . washing my hair and then using Lady Patricia hair conditioner . . . the pink one . . . it's a smell that makes me feel excited and warm inside, and quite, quite nostalgic. I don't even know if they make Lady Patricia hair conditioner anymore.

Source: reverberaquerida.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

The smell of Ma Griffe perfume always takes me back to my mother's bosom and the memory of watching her as she got gussied up to go out for a night on the tiles with my dad. There was always a feeling of excitement in the air and my mother always looked so pretty and my father so handsome. If I close my eyes, I can almost hear the rustle of her crinoline as she brushes past me . . . She would sometimes get the sitter to take a picture of them together, and when I go to visit her now, in her later years, I love to sit and look at the pictures, and remember that same air of excitment.

The top dresser drawer of the high boy dresser in the spare bedroom at my mom's still smells like a combination of leather, tobacco, cork grease and butterscotch wafers, or in other words . . . my dad. He was a consummate clarinetist and used to keep a hidden stash of butterscotch wafers in that drawer along with his cork grease and wallet. He's not been there in that room for a very long time . . . but the smell lingers on and reminds me of secret forays into the forbidden stash of buttery sweetness.

Source: whiteandshabby.com via Marie on Pinterest

The smell of a turkey roasting carries with it the smells of 56 Thanksgivings and 56 Christmases and all the feelings to go along with them . . . some happy, some sad . . . and everything in between. The love of family and friends . . . loved ones still here and other's long gone . . .

Evening in Paris . . . burning leaves . . . a freshly sharpened pencil . . . a wood fire . . . musty moth balls . . . these smells and others all hold the keys to magical moments in time, known only to me. Little treasures and gems hidden in my mind just waiting for me to take them out and hold them in my hands again, if only for a moment . . .

This is Chris and Tess! Chris served here as a missionary not that long ago and has returned for a short visit. I took this picture when they stopped off here last evening. Chris had been going to stay with us for a few days, but the trial he was a witness at got mis-trialed or some such, in any case . . . they ended up not needing him and so he is flying back sooner, so we only got to spend a few hours with him last night. (Tess is a good friend of his since Grade School and a really nice girl. Just friends folks!) Anyways, it was soooo good to see him and to finally be able to give him a hug now that he is not an Elder anymore and to meet his friend. We enjoyed a nice chat and he sang one of his favourite songs for us by Gordon Lightfoot and it was just lovely. He was always the singing Elder and has a beautiful voice. It was such a nice visit with these great young people. Would have been nice to have him stay a few days, but that's life! I'm sure we'll see him again one day!

I have people coming for lunch today and so I must dash. I do so love having company. I'm doing meat pies and mash, with a salad and soup to start and then for dessert . . . well, you'll just have to wait and see! In the meantime here's a lovely Pavlova which I made earlier . . . a couple of years earlier actually!! Yes, it's one from the archives!

*Classic Pavlova*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

The fruit used to top a pavlova is largely dependant on seasonal availability, although the classic pavlova is usually topped with mixed berries and some passion fruit pulp. Here I have used fresh raspberries and some raspberry coulis. Delicious! Please note that it is really important that the bowl you use to whip the egg whites up in is scrupulously clean from any grease. I always use a metal bowl as plastic absorbs grease.

4 egg whites
1 cup caster sugar (220g)
1 TBS cornflour
1 tsp white vinegar
300ml thick cream, whipped until soft peaks form (1 1/4 cup)
1 TBS of peach schnapps (Optional)
3 cups fresh raspberries
1 cup raspberry coulis

Pre-heat the oven to very slow, about 120*C/250*F. Cover a greased baking tray with a piece of parchment paper.

Place the egg whites into a small clean dry bowl. Using an electric mixer beat on high speed for about one minute, until soft peaks form. Gradually add the sugar, one TBS at a time, beating well after each addition until the sugar is dissolved. Fold in the cornflour and the vinegar.

Spoon the resulting meringue into a round shape on the prepared baking sheet, about 20cm in diameter. Level the top of the meringue with a rubber spatula.

Bake, uncovered, in the slow oven for about 1 ½ hours or until the meringue feels firm and dry to the touch. Turn the oven off and open the oven door. Leave the oven door ajar to cool the meringue slowly in the oven.

Remove the cooled meringue from the oven. Place it top side down onto a serving plate and carefully peel off the parchment paper.

Fold the peach schnapps into the softly whipped cream and spoon it onto the top of the bottom side of the meringue. Scatter the raspberries over the top and then drizzle with about half of the raspberry coulis.

Serve immediately, cut into slices with the rest of the raspberry coulis on the side so that people may add more if they wish.

Cooking in The English Kitchen today, The Ultimate Nachos!

“Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely. ... He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Learning to fly on the wings of love . . .

2012-01-11T06:30:00.005Z

Source: thelittlecorner.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

When I was about 6 years old, I got my first and the only bicycle I ever had as a child. I had a little job cleaning telephone booths and saved up the money I made by doing so to buy it. Way back in the olden days not alot of people had telephones in their homes, so there were a lot more telephone booths scattered about. I guess there must have been 6 or 7 of them in our small sub division in Gimli, Manitoba, and each week I would go around to them all and clean them. I would wash the floor, pick up any garbage, etc. I got $1 a week and to a 6 year old that's plenty of moolah!

I started when I was 5 ( I know amazing eh? How many 5 year olds would do that today!) I saved and saved and finally I had enough money, not only to buy myself a Brownie uniform, but also a bicycle! A brand new CCM bicyle! It was blue, with a blue and white seat. Nothing spectacular by today's standards, but it was pretty special to me! I also had enough to buy myself a little red bicycle horn with a fantastic propeller on the front and a red wire basket to match!

Source: stumbleupon.com via Marie on Pinterest

My dad taught me to ride my new bicycle in the back garden of our small two bedroom house on Willow Drive. It had a lovely sloping grassed area with a nice big fence separating it from the train tracks, so it was pretty safe there . . . and well cushioned should I fall down.

My bicycle was a full sized bike . . . so it was quite a stretch for my little legs, but I perched myself up on it's seat and my dad ran along with me, holding onto the back of the seat, countless times. I sat there . . . my little face grinning, the wind blowing through my hair and adrenaline pumping through my veins. I knew I was safe, coz dad was holding on . . . I was flying!

He did this over and over again, and then finally, when he thought I could manage it on my own, and my confidence was built . . . he let go. I flew down the back garden straight as an arrow . . . the only wobble occuring when I realized he was no longer hanging on. But then . . . recovery . . . I could do it. I was riding my bike . . . all by myself!

Source: yama-bato.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

That was only the beginning of many adventures! Before too long, I was cruising up and down the gravel roads and back lanes of Gimli with all the confidence of a well seasoned bicycle rider and new world adventurer explorer! I had a few spills from time to time . . . but nothing could keep me down for long. My job cleaning the telephone booths also got alot easier beacause I could now lug all my "tools" around in my little red basket. Going to the store for my mom became alot easier too!

That bicycle meant the world to me and I had it for a very long time . . . well into my teens. I'm not sure if the reason it was so special to me was because I had bought it for myself, with money I had earned, or if it was because of those golden memories of my dad running alongside of me, pushing me along. I suspect it was a little bit of both.

Source: hannasform.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

My dad did that alot for me in my life . . . run along side of me . . . pushing me. Holding on when I needed him to and only letting go when the time was right. Encouraging me to succeed, and then applauding me when I did . . . commiserating with me when I didn't . . . but mostly loving me. He calls me the apple of his eye, and that is special to me. I'm sure he has pet names for my brother and sister as well . . . but I am the apple of his eye . . .

"Keep me as the apple of the eye , hide me under the shadow of thy wings.
~Psalm 17:8

That is what a good parent does. Thanks Dad.

Here's a nice quick lunch that, aside from the cheese . . . I like to think it a tiny bit healthy! It has lots of vegetables in it and is very tasty. It makes a change from a regular grilled cheese sandwich!

*Tortilla Veggie Melts*
Serves 2
Printable Recipe

This is a delicious way of getting your kids and husband to eat vegetables. You can use the vegetables as described or be inventive and use leftover cooked veg such as broccoli spears or sweet corn. Great as an accompaniment to soup, or on it’s own as a light lunch or snack. It’s real easy to increase the amounts and feed more people.

4 wheat flour tortillas
2 tsp olive oil
2 cups baby spinach leaves
1 medium carrot, peeled and shredded
1 small onion, chopped
6 cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 cup shredded strong cheddar cheese
¼ cup shredded gouda cheese
1 tsp garlic granules
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Pre-heat oven to 200*C/400*F/Gas mark 6. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet and saute the onion and carrot for a few minutes, until the onion is tender. Toss in the cherry tomatoes and spinach and turn off the heat. Addthe garlic granules, Italian seasoning and Worcestershire sauce. Season to taste with the salt and pepper.

Place two tortillas on a large baking sheet. Divide the vegetable mixture in half and spread over the tortillas. Divide the cheese evenly between the two scattering on top of the vegetable mixture. Top each with another tortilla.

Bake in the pre-heated oven until the cheese is melted and oozing out and the top is lightly browned. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before cutting into quarters to serve.

Over in The English Kitchen today, some delicious Pizza Puffs!

“The divine love of God turns ordinary acts into extraordinary service.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The Simple Woman's Day book . . .

2012-01-10T06:43:00.003Z

FOR TODAY, January 10th, 2012...

Outside My Window...
All is calm, and dark, and somewhat cold. We've really had a very mind winter so far this year, and I dare say . . . with a LOT of wind. No snow as of yet. My mom says they haven't had a lot of snow either. Snow one day, rain the next so nothing stays. She says the ground isn't even frozen yet, which is very unusual for Canada in January!

I am thinking...
I got an e-mail from my daughter this morning wanting to know what colour I would be wearing for the wedding. That is the first time I have been asked that question. I don't know what to say. I haven't even begun to look for a dress yet. When I do though, it will probably be either blue or pink, because those are the colours I like and that look best on me.

I am thankful for...
The Holy Ghost in my life. It helps to guide me and helps me to make right choices most of the time. I know it may sound a bit corny to some, but it's true. I am so grateful for it's presence in my life. I don't know how anyone copes without it!

From the kitchen...
There is not an awful lot . . . leftover cookies I think. I am trying hard to be good.

I am wearing...
Turquoise Nightie, grey and pink jim jam bottoms, slippers and robe. Yes, I know it is a bit of an odd mix, but meh . . . it keeps me warm.

I am creating...

I think I am finally getting the art of shading hair properly!! What do you think??? I sat down and did this little lady yesterday afternoon after Todd got home from town. I never know what I am going to paint when I first sit down. I sit for a few minutes, plug in my Walkman and let the music speak to me and then, and only then does my pencil begin to move on the paper. What comes out comes out. I think she looks quite relaxed and reflective.

I am going...
I have an appointment this afternoon on the other side of town and then tomorrow the council is coming for another appointment for our shower. I think this is the final approval. (Fingers crossed it goes through!) I have invited some friends for lunch on Thursday. Todd has a hospital appointment on Saturday for his hearing, and I think an old missionary who is now home from his mission is coming to stay with us for a few days. I can't remember the exact day he arrives, but it will be nice to see him again! He was a nice lad! He has come back to be a witness in a trial over here. Apparently he witnessed a crime when he was on his mission. I had told him did he ever need a place to stay we had a room, and you know how the rest goes!

I am reading...

(watch the trailer, it's good)

Sadie, by Rebecca Belliston

Sadie Dawson thinks she has the perfect life until one Christmas Day when a misunderstanding leads to a brutal event that changes everything. Terrified, Sadie flees her boyfriend's wrath, two FBI agents, and her "perfect life." Lost in a Montana snowstorm and desperate for refuge, she's rescued by four guys on their annual holiday ski vacation. But even as her physical wounds heal, Sadie wonders is she will ever be able to escape the clutches of her wealthy and determined boyfriend. While her heart tells her there is more to a perfect life than diamond necklaces and elegant dinner parties, Sadie doesn't know who she can trust. And just when her heart settles, she finds herself abandoned by the one person who swore to protect her for a religion she doesn't understand. Will she have the courage to follow her heart and find the life that is perfect for her?

I am loving the strength and personalities of the characters in this book. It has caught my interest and kept it, a real page turner. Plus it is wonderfully refreshing to be able to read a "Romance" novel which is wholesome and doesn't have any nasty colourful bits. I highly recommend! (On a side note, she is also the daughter of Gerald Lund, author of a bazillion great books, my favourite of which is called Divine Signatures.)

I am hoping...
I was greatly relieved last week to find out that Todd only has Blepharitis in his eye, not a detached retina. Our eyes are so very important. I have often thought about had I to choose one thing to give up . . . sight or hearing . . . I would rather lose my hearing than my sight. You can feel sound if you need to . . . but I know of nothing that would take the place of my eyes.

I am hearing...
Nothing much. Mitzie is eating her breakfast in the kitchen. The keys are tapping. All is quiet outside. A very normal morning.

Around the house...

Source: marthastewart.com via Marie on Pinterest

The ideas that people come up with for storage are amazing to me. I don't know why, but my brain just doesn't work that way. I can think of a hundred ways to mess some place up, but to tidy it and organize it . . . I just have no clue. This idea here is from Martha Stewart and shows you how to organize and store your bedding. Just keep sheet sets folded tidily inside one of the matching pillow cases! It's such a simple idea and yet . . . why didn't I think of it????

I am looking forward to ...
I have a darned cold again, with the cough. I don't think I have ever really shaken it 100%. It just keeps coming back. Most annoying. I am looking forward to a day, hopefully in the not too distant future when I will no longer have it!

If I could change one thing it would be ...
That I could lose some of this extra weight I carry around with me. I know the solutions . . . but I can't seem to take hold of them. I wish I didn't like food so very much, or that I was one of those lucky people who never seem to truly feel hungry, instead of someone who lives, breathes, sleeps and EATS food! I'm almost always hungry, or at least thinking about my next meal.

One of my favourite things...
Is discovering new things . . . new ideas, new concepts, new books to read, new pictures to paint, new friends to make, etc.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
A bit of work . . . a bit of play . . . and everything in between!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Perhaps it would be a good idea, fantastic as it sounds, to muffle every telephone, stop every motor and halt all activity for an hour some day to give people a chance to ponder for a few minutes on what it is all about, why they are living, and what they really want.
~James Truslow Adams (1878 - 1949)

We lead such busy lives. I think it would do us each some good to find a quiet space each day, even if only for 5 or 10 minutes to just stop and reflect on what life is really all about. We might be terribly surprised at the answers we get!

As a closing thought I would like to leave you with this:

"Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life."
~Sophia Loren

(I had no idea she was so deep!)

And there you have it . . . my day book for this week. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!

Here's a tasty meal that I often cooked for my kids when they were growing up and now cook occasionally for the missionaries. What young person doesn't love burgers and since I am young at heart, I love these too. They're very scrummy indeed and a wonderful once-in-a-blue-moon treat!

*Easy Cheesy Topped Burgers*
Serves 4 to 6
Printable Recipe

Delicious open faced burgers topped with full on cheese flavour! Cheese, Bacon, Onion . . . What’s not to like about these! You know you shouldn’t . . . but you will anyways. . . go ahead, enjoy!

2 ½ cups shredded Cheddar cheese
8 slices cooked smoked streaky bacon, crumbled
1 cup chopped spring onions
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 TBS tomato catsup
3 tsp hot pepper sauce (Optional)
12 minced beef patties (3 pounds)
Bread or hamburger buns, if desired

Heat gas or charcoal grill, or oven grill. In a small bowl mix all ingredients except for the beef patties.

When the grill is heated, place frozen patties on the grill. Cover grill, and cook over medium heat 4 to 8 minutes, turning once, until the patties are nicely browned and cooked through.

Carefully top each patty with about some of the cheese mixture. Cook, covered, for 4 minutes longer, or until cheese is melted. Serve on toasted bread.

Cooking in The English Kitchen today, a delicious Chunky Puy Lentil and Veggie Soup!

Summertime memories on a Winter's afternoon . . .

2012-01-09T07:17:00.004Z

Source: themeadowbrookblog.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Todd and I love watching old television shows. We often tune into the Gold Channel on the telly and we have lots of dvd's of old sitcoms, which we watch frequently. (It is surprising that despite having SKY television, there is often nothing on the tube to watch or at least that we feel like watching!) Last night we watched some Country Files that we had taped over the holidays and then we watched an episode of Leave It To Beaver just before we retired for the night. It was the one where Beaver and Wally go camping in the back yard.

It's raining cats and dogs. Beaver says to Wally that Eddie told him that if you touch a tent on the inside when it's raining it starts a leak. He touches the inside of the tent to see if it's true . . . and sure enough . . . it starts to leak. "That's crazy!" says Wally, and then he touches the inside of the tent. Sure enough up springs another leak . . . and then it came to me . . . something I had forgotten entirely . . .

Source: flickr.com via Enifur on Pinterest

The memory came rushing back and filled my mind with the smell and sound and all the joys of days gone by. One year, when my brother, sister and I were young children . . . my parents bought us a tee pee. It wasn't a really fancy one . . . with bright colours or anything, or with sticks poking out the top. Ours was orange, and it had the black silouette of an American Indian printed on the outside.

It smelled like a strange mixture of canvas, wax and petroleum. We thought it was cool. You could sit in there, in the orange twilight and block out all the outside world. Things seemed quieter in there. Things seemed special in there. In there, we were Indian Princesses and Princes. I remember laying in there with my face pressed against the grass (it wasn't a fancy one . . . there was no floor) and I would daydream about what it would be like to be a real Indian.

Of course it was my childlike imaginations of what a real Indian was like . . . not the reality. These imaginations had evolved from having watched hours of Saturday afternoon matinees at the local cinema, and Cowboy films with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans . . . Hop Along Cassidy . . . and of course Sunday Evening hours spent watching Bonanaza. Some days I imagined myself to be Annie Oakley, pigtails flying in the wind as I practiced my sharp shooting for the imaginary Wild West Show.

Source: betterphoto.com via Enifur on Pinterest

Sometimes I just lay in there and read . . . in my own private orange lit oasis. It made playing house better. We didn't have to stretch a blanket over a skipping rope across the front porch anymore. We had an actual dwelling, and many a salad composed of grass, dandelion heads and chickweed was tossed inside it's confines. . . . plastic babys were lulled to sleep . . . and imaginary husband's were chastised and told to take their feet off the coffee table.

We used to beg our mother to let us spend the night outside in it, but . . . of course . . . we were never allowed. I think she knew it would be a sleepless night for her. A night where we would want to come crawling back into the house at three or four in the morning. Besides we had no sleeping bags . . .

Source: theconstantbuzz.com via Enifur on Pinterest

Every child should have a tee pee to help fuel their dreams and imaginations. Things so ordinary are sadly lacking in today's mad rush of video games, television and computer technology. I suppose a child today would probably find it quite boring actually. The child which lives in my memory though, would love to go back and once again feel the innocence and the lack of urgency that runs our modern lives . . . once again to smell that odd smell . . . once again to be an Indian Princess in a small, small world . . . if only for a day or a moment or two . . .

I wish you Summer memories
To warm each Winter's day,
And all the hope and joy of Spring,
When Winter slips away . . .
I wish you many blessings
Along the path you tread,
And all the love of all the years
To light the way ahead.
~Iris Hesselden

Source: tumblr.com via Enifur on Pinterest

Isn't the mind a wonderful thing? I do believe that I actually was back in that old orange teepee for a few minutes! Did anyone else have a teepee??? I know . . . I am a big daydreamer and time waster . . . but I can't help myself. I think all creative people are like that, don't you?

I haven't had one of these delicious treats in years. My, but it's so very good to revisit an old friend like this after such a long absence . . . I love delicious friends such as these . . .

*Aunt Ferns Coconut Cookies*
Makes about 4 dozen
Printable Recipe

Aunt Fern was my ex husband's Aunt on his mother's side. She lives in an rambling old farmhouse set amongst huge old oak trees in the beautiful countryside of rural Prince Edward Island, and these cookies are exactly what country cooking is all about. Crisp, buttery, wholesome and moreish as the British say. I bet you can't eat just one!

1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup flaked coconut
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup chopped pecan nuts (not in the original recipe, but something I like to add)

Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Line some baking sheets with aluminum foil and then spray them lightly with cooking spray.

Cream together the butter and the sugars, until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, soda and salt. Stir this into the creamed mixture. Stir in the coconut, oats and pecan nuts. Mix well.

Drop by tablespoons onto the prepared baking sheets, at least 2 inches apart. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes until lightly browned.

Remove from the oven and let sit on the baking sheet for several minutes before removing to a wire rack to finish cooling.

Over in The English Kitchen today, a delicious Golden Rice and Chicken Pilaf!

“What we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are — and who we will become.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Sunday this and that . . .

2012-01-08T06:03:00.003Z

Source: google.com via Marie on Pinterest

Hands up if you've climbed any mountains recently!! Hmmm . . . that many of you eh? I didn't think there would be very many of you who put your hands up . . . in fact I would have been quite surprised and amazed had any of you put them up! But what if I told you I wasn't talking about rocky peaks . . . but metaphorical mountains . . . the challenges we sometimes encounter which can seem very daunting and much like mountains in our lives??? Ahhh . . . thought so. Everyone's hand is up now!

We are all mountain climbers, are we not??? I am reminded immediately of a friend of mine who never lets anything stand in her way of accomplishing anything. When the children in her village recently were in need of a playground, she totally ignored all the scoffers and set about organizing fund raisers and the like . . . rallying friends and cajoling local businesses into supporting the scheme. Amazingly within a year she had raised enough and the playground went from being a dream into a reality.

Source: faithfulnessfarm.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

There is an old adage that says . . . "Those who say something can't be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it." I say . . . "Never say never." If you stand still in life . . . you will go nowhere, accomplish nothing, and mountains will never be moved, climbed or conquered. One foot in front of the other is the way to go. You can take baby steps or you can take giant steps, but the end result will be the same. Mission accomplished.

I like to think that I am a mountain climber. If you never climb . . . you never progress, or grow. It's all a part of the refinement process!

Can you believe it? I am getting another cold! This is so annoying! I have never totally shaken the one I got in the autumn . . . it's coming back again with the tickle in my throat and cough. It just doesn't seem to want to let go. Hopefully it won't be as bad this time around!

We took ourselves off to a film at the cinema last night with some friends. We saw "The Iron Lady", starring Meryl Streep. Wow! If she doesn't win an academy award for her portrayal of Margaret Thatcher I will be amazed. She did a fabulous job and was most believable as Margaret Thatcher. She had the accent/voice down pat and I felt was very convincing as the character. Not having lived over here when Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister, I found it all very interesting. I know the film has quite mixed reviews with some saying that it ignores things that it shouldn't have and glosses over others, but if you are looking to see some brilliant acting and be entertained for a few hours, I say go for it. The four of us all really enjoyed this film. There was no swearing (that I heard in any case), no gratuitous sex or violence, except for news footage of some of the rioting/bombings/ etc. which occured during her time as PM of this great country. I came away with the opinion that she was probably one of the greatest Prime Ministers the UK has ever had, putting her right up there with Churchill . . . but that is only my opinion, you must go see it and form your own! The next movie we want to see is War Horse. That looks fabulous as well.

I have a real treat for you here this morning. You know those boxes of After Eight Mints that you get every Christmas??? This is the perfect way to use them up, just so they don’t go stale-like, you know, sitting on the counter there all alone and not being eaten or anything . . .

*Chocolate Mint Snacking Cake*
Makes 1 8-inch square cake
Printable Recipe

Over in North America you can buy these lovely little cake mixes called Snacking Cakes. They come in all sorts of flavours and are just the right size for an after school snack or a drink and gab with your neighbours on a coffee morning. This is a little snacking cake of my own. Deliciously chocolately with wonderfully melting chocolate mints on top. This one is a keeper. It comes from my old blue binder, where the page is well spattered. You just know it is good coz it’s so well loved!

¾ cup caster sugar
½ cup flour
½ cup butter, softened
1/3 cup cocoa powder (not drinking cocoa)
½ tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
3 large eggs
16 squares of thin chocolate after dinner mints
Icing Sugar for dusting over the top after baking

Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Lightly butter and flour an 8 inch square baking tin and set aside.

Put all the cake ingredients, except for the mints and icing sugar into a bowl and beat well together on medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes. Spoon into the prepared pan and smooth over.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until it tests done. (a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean, or when the top springs back when lightly touched) Remove from the oven and immediately, while it is still hot, place the mints on the top in rows, overlapping the points. Set aside to cool

When cool dust the top lightly with icing sugar. Cut into squares to serve.

Baking over in The English Kitchen today some delicious Chocolate Filled Peanut Butter Cookies!

Poetry Saturday . . . Spell Bound

2012-01-07T07:08:00.003Z

Source: ginsui-rin.deviantart.com via Marie on Pinterest

The night is darkening round me,
The wild winds coldly blow;
But a tyrant spell has bound me
And I cannot, cannot go.

Source: weheartit.com via Marie on Pinterest

The giant trees are bending
Their bare boughs weighed with snow,
And the storm is fast descending,
And yet I cannot go.

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Clouds beyond clouds above me,
Wastes beyond wastes below;
But nothing drear can move me,
I will not, cannot go.
~Emily Bronte

Source: bonjour-celine.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Oh how easy it is to be completely spell bound by a winter's snow when you are out walking and it begins to fall . . . first those fluffy fat flakes like goosedown . . . melting almost as soon as they land on the ground. But then . . . they begin to fall faster and faster . . . and one after another begins to add up and soon . . . the ground is covered, but . . . still it falls.

And you stand there as it accumulates on your shoulders and hair and eyelashes . . . and perhaps you stick your tongue out for just a taste . . . and it tastes like magic. It has you in it's spell, the magic woven around you and over you . . . and under you. You cannot help but stand still and take it all in. That is a winter's day . . . in the snow . . . in the wood . . . on your own. Can anyhting on earth possibly be more beautiful, or serene?

Snowy thoughts for today . . . The wind is blowing again. I can hear it howling down the chimney. We had the fab offer last night of a week in Spain. All we have to pay for is our airfare. It is very tempting. We shall give it some thought for sure . . . but with two weddings coming up and a very strict budget, I'm not sure we dare chance it. Best pray about it I think!!

Have some apples in your fruit basket that need using up? This is a very delicious way to do just that. One of our favourite cakes, this is one from my archives. The picture's not that great, but I can still remember how very wonderful it tasted. I just may have to break down and bake one today. Sigh . . . I am so weak.

*Caramel Apple Cake*
Serves 12
Printable Recipe

Tart apples combined with a delicious caramel glaze are a classic combination. This pleases everyone who eats it. Serve it sliced with some vanilla ice cream, for a simple dessert that will, at once, both impress and tantalize your guests. This one will have them coming back for more!

3 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup castor sugar
¾ cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence
4 cups chopped Granny Smith apples (3 to 4 large apples)

GLAZE:
½ cup butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
¼ cup milk

Combine the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg in a bowl; set aside. Beat the brown sugar, castor sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla in a mixing bowl. Add the flour mixture to the sugar mixture and beat until well blended; mixture will be very thick. Fold in the apples. Pour into a greased and floured tube pan (bundt). Bake in a pre-heated 180*C/350*F oven for 1 hour, or until a wooden pick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack, then invert onto a serving plate.

For the glaze combine the butter, brown sugar and milk in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Pour the hot glaze over the cooled cake. You may also bake this cake in a 9 X 13 inch rectangular cake pan, in which case the cooking time will only be about 45 minutes.

Cooking over in The English Kitchen today, Fat Rascals!

Tick tock . . . tick tock . . .

2012-01-06T07:46:00.003Z

Source: womenofweddings.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

My Gran had an old wooden clock that hung on the wall in the living room of her house . . . just above the wine covered velvet sofa, with it's careworn arms and cushions. I remember it clearly . . . it was all carved and used to ring out the hours as they passed, and throughout the day there was that comforting tick tock that melted into the background so much that you didn't really hear it anymore . . . but would have clearly noticed if it stopped. My Grandfather used to wind it up with a key each day to keep it going.

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You can learn a lot from a clock. They have a lot to teach us.Oh, for sure they keep us up today with the time of course . . . but they also do much more . . .

Their steady "tick-tock" . . . "tick-tock" . . . reminds us not to rush things, but to do them at an even pace. Their faces have a serenity and stillness about them, which soothes and . . . the most important lesson of all . . . their hands never, ever . . . go backwards.

A reminder that we, too, must keep moving foward with confidence in what may or may not lie ahead.

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We have several clocks down here in our lounge . . . a silver coloured dome clock with a twirling pendulum which sits on the mantle. The pendulum has never worked and it makes a low grinding noise as the hours tick away . . . but it has a Westminster Chime and Todd loves it so. At first I found it quite disturbing . . . but now I hardly notice it. Our doorbell is a Westminster Chime as well and the funny thing is, Mitzie can tell whether it is the doorbell going or the clock. She always immediately gets up and goes to the door if it's the doorbell.

Our other clock is a cuckoo clock which we brought back from the Black Forest on one of our visits. It cuckoos on the hour and little dancers come out and twirl about to a different tune for each hour. The dancers have stopped working and don't come out and twirl about anymore. We've had it a very long time. It is battery operated and if I could do it over again, I would buy one with clock works . . . I think you may pay more, but it's worth it.

We'll be taking both clocks in to be fixed as we can afford it this year. It's time we got them working properly. Other than their little kinks both are excellent time keepers. I've always wanted a Grandfather clock . . . but I do believe that will remain a dream that never comes true! (Beautiful, but outrageously expensive!)

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I am up late this morning . . . the sun is already rising . . . and the sky looks tinged with pink. Not sure what the day will bring weatherwise, although the high winds seem to have calmed down. Our front fence was blown over and Todd has had to tie it back up again. It needs replacing as the wood has rotten off all along the bottom, which is why it blew over. We'll have to get in touch with the landlord for that. It also blew out our back gate, which also needs fixing. And . . . this is the kicker . . . it blew our wooden birdhouse, which we had nailed to a light post out back right off and into a parking lot way over. Todd just happened to discover it when he was walking Mitzie! Those were some very powerful winds!

I discovered a new way to cook Kale the other day. I am a real vegetable lover so if you are a vegetable hater you better look away now! What you are about to see may cause you to break into a cold sweat.

*Braised Kale*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

I am a lover of all the brassica vegetables, kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbages cauliflower, broccoli. I think they are all pretty wonderful. This is a simple way to bring out the very best of Kale. The fennel seems to bring out it’s natural sweetness. I think it goes very well with the delicate flavours of lamb, fish and chicken.

200g of curly kale, washed, trimmed, and any thick stalks discarded
(about 1/4 pound, 8 cups)
1 TBS olive oil
1 tsp fennel seeds
¼ cup water or chicken stock
Salt and black pepper to taste

Heat a large skillet with a lid over medium heat on the stove and add the oil. When the oil is hot and starts to shimmer add the fennel seeds. Cook stirring for about a minute until quite fragrant. Add the washed kale and cook for a minute or so, stirring to coat the leaves well with the oil and the fennel seed. Add the stock and turn the heat down to low. Cover the pan and let the kale simmer for about 6 to 8 minutes until tender. Remove the lid and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve.

Baking over in The English Kitchen today a delicious Chocolate Chip Tray Bake that I made for the missionaries!

“What we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are — and who we will become.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The love of reading . . .

2012-01-05T07:20:00.004Z

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Oh how very much I love books! I would feel most deprived if I woke up one morning and all of my books had disappeared and I was left with nothing fresh to read . . . and I have the greatest sympathy for the man who I heard of whom was reduced to reading the cornflakes packet at the breakfast table. Further . . . I just cannot imagine what it must be like not to be able to read . . .

I think of all the things I was taught at school, how to read has been the most valuable and I have been a voracious reader since day one. My father is a reader . . . he was always reading me stories when I was a young child . . . my mother is not a reader. Oh, she will read the newspaper, do crossword puzzles, read short articles . . . but don't ask her to read a book. They just don't interest her. I get my love of reading from my father and it is not unusual for me to be reading two or even three books at once. (Not at exactly the same time mind you . . . but . . . individually!)

Books have long been seen as a form of instruction, recreation and relaxation. In one of his essays, Sir Francis Bacon wrote: "Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed and some few to be chewed and digested; that is, some books are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and some few to be read wholly and with diligence and attention."

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In "The Tatler", Sir Richard Steele wrote: "Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." Sure you can get along without it . . . but your mind will most likely end up flabby and quite out of shape!

I like most the witty words of Hilaire Belloc, who penned:
"When I am dead, I hope it may be said:
His sins were scarlet, but his books were read."

Raising a glass today to our favourite books . . . and all the pleasure that they give to us. Reading opens up new worlds, and takes us on adventures we could never hope to take without having first learned how to read. Taking the time today also to thank those early teachers of mine who worked hard to teach me now to read, and to my dad who set the example and instilled in me my love of reading!

Source: beachychic.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Todd's news from the hospital was good news. He has Blepharitis, which apparently can sometimes mock the symptoms of a detached retina. Many thanks for all the happy thoughts and prayers sent his way, they were very much appreciated! It was a great relief to find out it was nothing serious and an important lesson has been learnt . . . I must start driving again, no matter what!

I did another little picture yesterday afternoon. This is my second one of the year. I quite like how it turned out. As usual it is available as a print or a card.

We were talking to a friend last evening who lost his job last year. He's been trying to get a photography business started and has gone to great expense to buy the proper equipment, take some courses, have a web page developed, etc. It is such a difficult time for anyone trying to get a new business off the ground. People just aren't spending and if they are it is with a lot more thought and on different types of things. For instance did you know that one company which enjoyed a great increase in business over the past year is a company who manufactures and sells false eyelashes??? Who could figure that one out! They are selling them around the world and apparently they can't make enough of them! John Lewis, a very expensive store over here, has also made record profits, which is really strange as well. This economy thing is a great mystery to me! Todd thinks I shouldn't be painting more paintings until I sell the ones I've already painted . . . but I explained to him it doesn't work that way. I don't paint because I want to sell . . . I paint because I can't not paint. It is something which brings me great joy and I just have these things inside my head that need to get out. I can't explain it really. It just fulfils a need in me that can't be fulfilled in any other way.

Well, I have prattled on long enough this morning. If you have made it this far, good on you! I'll leave you now with a recipe from my Marie Muse's Archives for a delicious Breakfast Cookie. Yes . . . cookies for breakfast are not a bad thing! What is a cereal bar after all . . . but a cookie in a different shape. These are stogged full of healthy goodies such as oats, nuts and raisins!

*Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies*
Makes 4 dozen
Printable Recipe

Moist and chewy and chock full of raisins and nuts these are just plain wonderful! The recipe makes a lot but they freeze really well and are just perfect for a breakfast on the go!

3/4 cup butter softened
1 cup soft light brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
3 TBS molasses
1/2 cup skim milk
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup bran
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cup quick cooking oats
1-2 cups raisins

1 cup chopped pecan nuts

Preheat oven to 180*C/375*F. Lightly grease several baking sheets and set aside.

Cream together the butter and the sugar. Stir in the eggs, molasses and milk. Add the flour, bran, baking soda and salt and mix well. Blend in oats, nuts and raisins. Drop by large tablespoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Repeat as necessary until all the cookies have been baked. Remove to a wire rack to cool.

Over in The English Kitchen today a belly warming recipe for Ham and Split Pea Soup!

“You can't go through life on "Borrowed light.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Wednesday Ramblings . . .

2012-01-04T06:24:00.004Z

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At the start of each New Year I am reminded of a a piece of writing entitled "The Gate Of The Year" by Minnie Louise Hoskins. King George VI quoted it in his Christmas message to the nation and I feel it is every bit as reassuringly valid today as it was then.

"I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, 'Give me light that I may tread safely into the unknown.' And he replied, 'Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.'"

Todd went to the Doctors yesterday afternoon and they were able to get him an eye appointment with the hospital for 9 am this morning. I am sincerely hoping that it is nothing serious. That is his stronger eye and he relies on it a lot. He had a squint in his other eye as a child which they corrected for him when he went into the army, but it has never been really strong, even though he was a marksman. This is another test of our faith . . . which can move mountains if it is strong enough . . . so we will be putting our hands in the hand of God on this one, just as we try to do in all things.

Did any of you watch the adaptation of Great Expectations which was on the television over the Christmas period?? We had taped it and finished watching it last night. It was very, very good . . . very well done indeed. It just goes to show you how brilliant those old writers were . . .Charles Dickens, Jane Austin, the Bronte's, Louisa May Alcott, Elizbeth Gaskill . . . Shakespeare even. All that they wrote remains every bit as entertaining and interesting today, as it was in their own days. I expect that is the one great test of anything's value is it not . . . Can it withstand the test of time? Will it be worth as much to me in ten year's time, or more than it is right now?

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I expect that would be a good question to ask ourselves when we are faced with making most decisions in life . . . what is the eternal value of this? Unless it is of great long term or even eternal value . . . perhaps we would do better to rethink the situation, or purchase, or whatever it is we are trying to decide upon.

I have been busy over the past couple of days trying to put together a prospectus of all the Relief Society Extra Meetings for the following year. Arranging monthly activities for the Sister's in my Ward falls under the umbrella of my calling as the Second Counselor in the Relief Society Presidency. I have to say I really enjoy my calling. It is a blessing to be able to serve the Sister's in my Ward, and a wonderful opportunity for me to grow and to stretch. I know that some people might think that a church calling is an extra burden, and that some might even be frightened to take one on. I can say, with all honesty . . . any calling I have ever had in my church has been far more for my own benefit and improvement than it has been for anyone else's. I always look them as wonderful opportunities to serve both my Heavenly Father and also my Church. Some of them have seemed a bit daunting to begin with, but I have come to love each of them. I find that as long as one does what they are asked to with love and with strength of purpose, looking to the Lord for help and guidance in all things, then one is quite alright and can even bloom! I have been very lucky in each of my callings to have had the wonderful examples of strong sisters in the church to follow, examples which I have been really grateful for.

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The strong winds of yesterday seem to have died down now. My goodness but it was really wicked! I know that it caused a lot of problems nationwide. It seems odd, coming from a country as wide and as vast as Canada . . . when something happens here in the UK, it pretty much affects the whole country as we are such a small place . . . and yet we have roughly three times the amount of people living here than they have in Canada. It would be unheard of that a Blizzard in . . . say Ontario, would create problems in British Columbia. Here in the UK though, a blizzard anywhere is pretty much everywhere, or at least the whole country would feel the fallout from it.

Well, I am prattling on about not a lot now so I will sign off and get ready to take Todd to the hospital. I say that rather loosely as I am only going with him, my reading student is actually driving us there. Todd would not be able to drive home afterwards, and I am not confident enough in driving our car as I should be . . . so we are prevailing upon our good friend today. I need to drive our car more . . . in truth, I have not driven it once since we got it. I used to be very confident in driving our old car as it was brand new and I felt completely safe in it . . . when we had to give it up and got this really old one, I seem to have lost all confidence and have not driven it at all. I need to give myself a kick up the backside I think!

Here is a recipe for a really tasty cookie! Cookies with jam are my absolute favourite kinds! I know that I have a great fondness for anything with jam in it, but cookies with it are the best! I have endeavored to convert the measurements into North American ones as best as I can.

*Not Quite Jammy Dodgers*
Makes 20-24
Printable Recipe

These lovely shortbread like biscuits have a wonderful light texture and basically just melt in your mouth. Deliciously crisp with a tasty dab of jam in the middle, these are what the British call moreish. You cannot eat just one. I dare you to try!

90g icing sugar (11TBS)
185g plain flour (scant 2 cups (1.84))
60g corn flour (corn starch) (6.5 TBS)
30g ground almonds (1/3 cup)
250g butter, cut into cubes (1 cup plus 1 1/2 TBS)
½ tsp almond extract
Icing Sugar for dusting
Jam such as strawberry or raspberry

Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F/gas mark 4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.

Sift the icing sugar, flour and corn flour into a large bowl. Add the ground almonds and give it a good stir. Drop in the butter. Rub the butter into the dry mixture with your fingertips until there are no visible lumps of butter.

Stir in the almond essence. Turn the mixture out onto a lightly floured board and knead it a few times to form a smooth dough.

Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces and roll each piece into a ball. (about an inch and a half in diameter) Using a 3 inch smooth edged cutter place the cutter on top of the parchment paper lined baking sheet. Drop one of the balls inside and push it down to fill the ring, flattening the top slightly with your fingertips. Repeat with the remaining dough balls, placing them about 2 inches apart. You will not be able to fit all of them on one sheet, so will have to do this in two batches.

Bake for 8 to 12 minutes until they are light golden in colour. Remove them from the oven and immediately tamp down an indentation in the middle of each biscuit to hold the jam. I use the tip of a wooden spoon and make an indentation about ½ inch in diameter.

Let the biscuits cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before removing them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely.

When completely cool, dust the tops with icing sugar and place a dab of jam in the centre indentations. Simply wonderful!

Over in The English Kitchen today, a delicious Meatloaf Pie.

The Simple Woman's Day book . . .

2012-01-03T06:30:00.003Z

FOR TODAY, January 3rd, 2012...

Outside My Window...
The wind is blowing like crazy, although it doesn't seem all that cold and it's not raining . . . not yet at any rate! It's hard to believe that this is my first Daybook entry for 2012! Only 51 more to go! lol

I am thinking...
I was talking to my mom on the telephone on Sunday . . . like I do every Sunday and she mentioned how the step mom had felt duty bound to tell my eldest son, who was visiting in between Christmas and New Years, that I had not called my youngest daughter at their (the ex's) house on Christmas Day. First of all I had no idea any of my children were there. I had been told my eldest daughter was at her future In Law's for the day, and so I called her there. Secondly, I had been told my youngest daughter and family would be in New Brunswick for Christmas. Third, I've been told in no uncertain terms that I am not welcome in that house (eldest daughter's wedding) . . . so . . . why on earth would I want to telephone there? I am left wondering why on earth she has this need to constantly try to undermine me with my children. She must be terribly insecure.

I am thankful for...
With the way that wind is blowing, I am thankful for a roof over my head this morning!

From the kitchen...
There is half of a very dangerous pie, half a Christmas Cake and a few mince pies. I think it's called "Living on the Edge!"

I am wearing...
Pink M&S Nightie, grey and pink jim jam bottoms, slippers and robe. Yes, once again layering for warmth.

I am creating...

My first creation of 2012! A sweet little Valentine with a sweet little message! As usual she is available as a print or a card. I love her very colourful leg warmers!

I had sketched her before Christmas and then yesterday I finished her off. I think it turned out quite nice. What do you think? As always she is available as a card or a print! Just message me to find out more.

I am going...
We both have Presidency meetings at the chapel tomorrow night and then on Thursday I have the missionaries coming for their first 2012 dinner with us. I've also invited the new girl that was Baptised last week. She's a Vegetarian so I will be cooking a Vegetarian meal. I want it to be interesting and exciting enough that the lads won't be missing the meat. I have my thinking cap on!

I am reading...

Cross Stitch, by Diane Gabaldon (first in the Outlander series)

It has been a very long time since I have read anything deemed to be historical romance, although at one time I read a lot of them. I was particularly drawn to stories with either vikings or scotsmen wearing kilts in them.

The novel is not easily classified by a single genre. On one level, the work is a romance novel with a focus on the romantic relationship between the two main characters. The book could be described as a work of historical fiction with a detailed account of 18th century Scottish clan life. The novel could also be considered fantasy with a plot propelled by magical time travel as the main character, a woman named Claire, journeys from 1945 to the 18th century.

Cross Stitch(published in the US as Outlander) is the first novel in a series of seven by Diana Gabaldon. The book focuses on two main characters, Claire Randall (née Beauchamp) and James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser, and takes place in 18th- and 20th-century Scotland. It was awarded the RITA Award for "Best romance novel" of 1992, so it's not a really recent novel.

So far, whilst it isn't what I would consider to be "great" literature, I am finding it to be somewhat of a page turner and quite entertaining. I think we all need to read something light once in a while. I just skim over the mushy parts . . . where they would have held my interest when I was younger, I just find them boring now. Funny how that goes . . .

I am hoping...
Todd has had a flickering of light in his right eye, which is his best eye. His left eye is very weak, due to a squint he had operated on when he was a child. He also had a rather large floater in it a week or so back. It sounds like a retinal detachment to me. He is on strict orders to call the Doctor right away today when the surgery opens. I know that is cases such as this the sooner you have them attended to the better. My Aunt ended up blind because she never had hers attended to. I am hoping that whatever the problem is with Todd's eye, something can be done and soonest.

I am hearing...
The Westminster Chimes are gonging on our clock, that means it is now 7 a.m. The wind is blowing. Mitzie is snoring. Life is good.

Around the house...

Source: elfenpulver.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

I love this little storage ches which has been covered in scrap book papers. It would be so very easy to do and would look great in our bedroom, or on a smaller scale it would be wonderful as a jewelry box. I may have to give this a think and try to do one myself this year. What do you think??

I am looking forward to ...
I am really looking forward to seeing how 2012 turns out. One never knows do they . . . the future is always such a mystery. I am thinking that is a good thing . . . if we knew what lay ahead, perhaps some of us would just lay down now and get it all over with! I am grateful that our futures are in our Heavenly Father's hands and that we don't know what they hold. The only thing we know for sure is that He is ultimately in control.

"Be of good cheer. Be not afraid." ~Jesus Christ

If I could change one thing it would be ...
Right now I wouldn't change a thing about my own life . . . but if I had the power to change others for the better it would be that everyone recognized their worth and that everyone felt loved.

One of my favourite things...
Is sitting in front of a blank page, blank piece of art paper, blank computer screen and then filling them up with whatever whimsey my creative self feels like exploring.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
A bit of work . . . a bit of play . . . and everything in between!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

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Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.
~Helen Keller

I have always admired Helen Keller. She was so wise and did not allow her limitations to hold her back from living a very full and unlimited life. What wise advice this is. Words we all should take in and then try to apply to our own lives. We must walk through our lives with confidence, trusting in the Lord's promises and knowing who we are . . . and how very valuable we are in the scheme of things.

As a closing thought I would like to leave you with this:

"To be wronged is nothing . . . unless you continue to remember it."
~Confucius

And there you have it . . . my day book for this week. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!

Comfort food for January. One thing I love about January is being able to hunker in and wallow in comfort . . . the warmth of the fire, cosy lap throws, warm drinks, and comfort foods. January is the one month of the year we can indulge ourselves with stodge and substance without feeling too guilty about it. Our bodies need the extra fuel!

*Swede and Bacon Pies*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

I love Swede, or rutabaga as it is often called. It has such a natural earthy sweetness to it and goes with just about anything. Bacon and swede are perfect partners!

8 slices of back bacon, trimmed of all fat and cut into small pieces
1 TBS olive oil
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
1 large swede, peeled and cut into ½ inch cubes
1 large carrot, peeled and sliced
400ml chicken stock (about 1 2/3 cup)
1 tsp summer savoury or mixed herbs
A small handful of chopped fresh parsley
Freshly ground black pepper

For the Topping:
4 large potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
4 ounces strong cheddar cheese, grated (1 cup)
2 TBS butter
A little warm milk
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 TBS melted butter
½ cup bread crumbs

Put the bacon in a non-stick pan along with the olive oil. Brown on all sides and then remove from the pan. Add the onions and sauté them in the same oil until soft and beginning to brown slightly. Return the bacon bits to the pan along with the Swede and carrot. Season with some black pepper and the summer savoury and then add the chicken stock. Cover and cook over medium low heat until the vegetables are tender. About 5 minutes or so. Stir in the parsley and then divide amongst 4 individual pie dishes. Set aside and keep warm while you prepare the potato topping.

Place the potatoes into some boiling salted water and cook until tender, about 10 minutes or so. Drain well and then mash along with the butter and a little warm milk. Add the cheese and stir it in until it is melted. Season to taste with some salt and black pepper. Loosely spoon onto the Swede mixture dividing it equally amongst the four dishes and piling it up a bit in the middle. Don’t smooth it out, you want somewhat of a rough texture.

Heat the oven to 205*C/425*F. Melt the butter in the microwave and then stir in the bread crumbs, mixing it all together well. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs evenly over top of each dish, dividing them equally amongst the four. Bake the pies in the heated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the topping is nicely browned in bits and the filling is bubbling away. Eat and enjoy!

Baking over in The English Kitchen today, a delicous Brown Sugar Cream Pie. Not for the faint of heart! (Just a warning. This is seriously delicious, trust me!)

Look not behind thee . . .

2012-01-02T06:48:00.004Z

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Yesterday I took down all the old calendars and put up the new ones for 2012. It was nice to see some thing new and fresh hanging in the spots where the old calendars had hung . . . the written over, dog eared and old was gone, replaced with nice pristine, clean and crisp pages. How clean and bright the new ones look!

They seem to symbolize the high hopes of the new year. As I flicked through the pages of one of them I suddenly became aware of the mysteries of an unknown future . . . all those clean pages representing unlived time, all the promise of the seasons to come and not yet fulfilled dreams of the future . . . days not yet granted, which are still God's secret . . . it is quite awesome and wonderful to think about. What amazing and wonderful things will this year hold for each of us.

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We had a very good lesson in Relief Society yesterday. The teacher began by writing these words on the white board: "Look not behind thee." We then read the story of Lot and his family who had been living in the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which were very wicked places and how they had been visited by Angels and told that the Lord was going to destroy those cities, but because they were righteous that they were to flee immediately, leaving everything behind . . . but also warning them not to look back, or they too would be destroyed. When they were fleeing Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a Pillar of salt. You can read the whole story in Genesis, Chapter 19 in the bible. Here are the angel's exact words:

Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

That is some pretty heavy duty warning . . .

For the remainder of the lesson we sat and talked about the ways this warning can still pertain to us today, in today's climate of fear and uncertain times. As I sat there listening to the other sister's speak . . . the thought occurred to me that this story could also be an allegory for our own pasts . . .

We all come with one. Our pasts stretch behind us like the written on pages of a calendar . . . the pages all spotted and tattered . . . words and works scribbled all over them . . . some pages dirtier than others. Sometimes it seems that we can only remember the things that we have done that we may be ashamed of . . . and we carry them into our futures like badges of dishonor, bringing them out every once in a while to beat ourselves with . . . or I do at any rate. I have made some terrible choices and mistakes in the past . . . things I cannot change or undo . . .

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Things I am terribly sorry for and that I have repented of . . . but still I cling to them, allowing them to punish me even now. The thought occurred to me as I was sitting there . . . that as long as I clung to the past that I have no power over . . . I risked turning my present and future into a pillar of salt . . . just as Lot's wife had done in turning back to look towards Sodom and Gomorrah as they escaped into the mountains.

When I was Baptised . . . my sins were washed clean from me . . . "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." (Isaiah 1:18) Why do I still lug that past along with me? I have no need to . . . in Baptism I was given a new life . . . a fresh life and I am a new person. It is time to forgive myself, and even if there are still people in my family who wish to use and hold some of these things against me, I just have to move forward and stop looking back at things which I should have done differently, or things I should not have done at all. I should not let the narrow mindedness and unforgiving natures of a few people colour my future or write on my pages. Let this be their sin . . . for it is no longer mine.

Source: toniraper.com via Marie on Pinterest

Anyways, that was my thoughts . . . and I just wanted to share them with you. We all have a past. We all have a future. Let us move into our futures embracing all the promise and hope that they hold, leaving behind the things we cannot change.

"Look not behind thee." Don't you think it's time?

Here's a tasty way to dress up plain old ordinary oven chips. I always buy the low fat ones . . . the ones with less than 5% fat. I feel better inside myself when I do so, because every little helps. In doing so I don't feel as quilty covering them with cheese, lol. Seriously this is a delicious way to dress them up and if you use the half fat cheese, well . . . how bad can that be?

*Spicy Cheese Fries*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

These are delicious. I make good use of low fat oven chips and also half fat cheese, so that I can do as little damage to my hips as possible! You can serve these with a dip if you like.

1 4-serving size bag of frozen low fat oven chips, crinkled or not as you desire
mild chili powder
oregano flakes
salt
pepper
garlic powder
grated half fat strong cheddar cheese (a good handful)

Preheat the oven according to the package directions for your oven chips. Line a large baking tray with foil. Pour the chips on top of the foil. Sprinkle with the chili powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to your own taste. Some may like more than others. I like mine with lots of flavour.

Bake in the heated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the chips are golden brown, but not overly crisp. Have the cheese ready. Remove the pan of chips from the oven and immediately sprinkle with the grated cheese. Let sit a few minutes to melt the cheese and then serve immediately.

Over in The English Kitchen today . . . Flat Meatballs & Gravy!! Comfort food at it's best!

“The heavens will not be filled with those who never made mistakes but with those who recognized that they were off course and who corrected their ways to get back in the light of gospel truth.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

New Year Traditions and Folklore . . .

2012-01-01T06:37:00.003Z

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Good morning everyone and a very Happy New Year to you all. Old fuddie duddie’s that we are, we were in bed by 10 o’clock last night (and that is late for us!) and we missed the new year coming in, but I can see that it came along without us, so that’s that, not to worry!

I thought it would be fun this morning to go over a few superstitions and old wives tales about New Years. I grew up with a very superstitious mother and so experienced a lot of this stuff as a child, although now as an adult I don’t put much credence in them for the most part. You will still find me knocking on wood and stuff like that, but then as they say, it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks!

Traditions are things we do because we do them. Consistently. Always, forever and ever. They're often easier than thinking up new ways to celebrate or commemorate, and they're comforting in their predictability, though it's not always easy to figure out why we cling to certain traditions with such tenacity.

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Superstitions, too, have a way of hanging on for no good reason, and New Year's Eve/Day is a great time to indulge in tradition and superstition — just in case. It never hurts to start the new year with personal traditions covered and superstitions heeded, because it's quite possible that breaking a New Year's tradition will bring bad luck in the coming 12 months, and I believe in hedging your bets whenever and wherever possible!

Here are some New Year's traditions and superstitions culled from Internet sources that come with varying degrees of solid research, truthfulness and believability. Pick one and make it your own — or don't: The thing about New Year's is that it's new. Start fresh. Start over. Start again. And if it doesn't work out, start thinking about next year.

Kissing at midnight: Make it count — these midnight New Year's kisses serve to seal the affection of your nearest and dearest through the coming year. Failing to smooch sets the stage for a year of — well, a year without kisses. (Oh shoot . . . I was asleep! Dangit, now I have a year without kisses to look forward to!)

Stock up: The state of your cupboards at the new year will be the state of your cupboards for the whole year, so fill them up. Put food in the pantry and money in the wallet. (Got this one covered as my cupboardsare always full and I just happen to have some money in my wallet leftover from Christmas!)

Pay it off: Mail the bills out before Jan. 1, because the New Year should not be started in debt. (Thankfully we don’t have a lot of bills anyways!)

Source: google.com via Marie on Pinterest

First footing: This is an old tradition — the first person to enter your home on Jan. 1 will determine the fate of the household for the year. What you're looking for is a dark-haired, tall, handsome man bearing coal, a coin, some bread or salt. Blonde and red-haired first footers are bad luck, and female first footers are not to be encouraged for a second. Don't let a woman in the door before a man steps over the threshold, or you'll be very sorry.

First footers (sometimes known as Lucky Birds) should knock and be let in, even if they live there. They should say hello, pass out the gifts, walk through the house and leave by a door other than the one they entered. No one should leave before the first footer arrives.

(I doubt very much if anyone other than Todd or myself will be coming in or out of our house today. I better make it Todd and I’ll get him to carry in a loaf of bread just in case! Hmmm… I wonder what it means if a bald man wearing glasses and lugging a loaf of bread walks through your door on January 1. Perhaps I better give him a few coins to jingle as well, just to make sure it‘s a good thing!)

Not to worry. It's perfectly acceptable to stage your own first footer arrival, by asking a party guest to step outside at 11:59 p.m., only to knock and be allowed in just after midnight. In fact, if you plan your first footing, you can relax a lot quicker. (Once again too late for us!)

Nothing leaves: Don't let anything leave the house on New Year's Day. If you're going to a potluck, put the food in the car the night before. Seriously. Don't take out the garbage, collect the recyclables or shake out a rug. (sounds like the perfect excuse to me for getting out of a lot of work!)

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Eat your peas: Eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day brings good luck and money. It's worth a try. (I don’t have any black eyed peas, but I do have lots of tins of beans. I wonder if they’ll do?)

Work: Do something work-like on Jan. 1, and do it well, even if you're not at work. Don't do a lot, just a little, because hard work on Jan. 1 is unlucky. (I wish they’d make up their minds! Actually I was planning on going up to the big house later on and clearing out the fridge in time for the garbage men tomorrow. I know, disgusting that I have left it this long, but I was on my Christmas holiday and they have been away!)

No laundry, no dishes: Some believe that washing clothes and dishes will open the gates to allow a family member to be washed away in the coming year. Why take chances? (It’s a good thing I did my laundry yesterday then isn’t it!)

Cut the tags: Wear something new on New Year's Day, and it's likely you'll get a lot more new clothes. (Oh shoot! Guess I am doomed to have no new clothes this year!)

Source: kevinandamanda.com via Marie on Pinterest

You break it? You bought bad luck: If you break things on Jan. 1, you'll be breaking things all year; and if you cry on Jan. 1, that sets a sad tone. ( that tears it, I’m not picking up anything breakable today and no sad movies for me, only comedies. Hmm….I wonder what happens if you laugh so hard that you cry?)

Open the doors: At midnight, open the doors to let the old year escape. (0nce again too late!)

Make some noise: It's more than a celebration; banging pots and pans or yelling or whatever is a way to scare the evil spirits away (evil spirits hate loud noise — that's why church bells are so loud when something nice happens). (Does snoring count?)

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Watch the weather: Wind from the south means good times ahead; wind from the north means bad weather all year; wind from the east brings calamities and famine; and if the wind comes from the west, there will be plenty of milk and fish but somebody great will die. If there's no wind at all, a good and prosperous year will be had by everybody. (The weather page on the BBC says that it’s going to be cloudy today with sunny intervals and there’s a wind from the south as well, so that means good times ahead! Yahoo!!!)

Hmm….if you happen to look out your doorway today and you see a rather odd lady walking down the road, with a few pots and pans rattling and dangling around her waist, in dirty clothes eating black eyed peas out of an unwashed tin, that might be me . . . But then again, on the other hand it might not, because as I have already said, I am not a superstitious person! Now where did I put my new socks???

This is a lovely side dish to have today with your Roast Ham or whatever it is you will be munching on to celebrate the arrival of the new year! I think Green Beans are one of my favourite vegetables. Mind you . . . I have never met a vegetable that I didn't like! (Psst! by the way, it hasn't snowed here. I just fancied using these lovely wintery pictures here this morning! That's the best way to enjoy snow . . . in pictures! When you get it for real, it just complicates things!)

*Green Beans Almondine*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

This probably isn't an authentic way of making Green Beans Almondine, but it is my way of making them! It's quick, easy and quite, quite delicious!

1 pound of green beans, washed and trimmed
2 TBS butter
1 shallot peeled, and minced
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped
1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/4 cup of flaked and toasted almonds
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Bring a pot of lightly salted water to the boil. Drop in the green beans and bring the water back to the boil, then reduce the heat and allow to simmer for 4 minutes. Drain well, then refresh with cold water to stop them from cooking any further. Drain again. Set aside.

Melt the butter in a large skillet, over medium heat, until it begins to foam. Add the shallot and cook, stirring, until it is softened. Do not brown. Toss in the bread crumbs and thyme. Cook and stir until the bread crumbs are golden brown and crisp. Toss in the almonds and green beans. Heat through and stir until the beans are quite hot. Season to taste with some salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Cooking in The English Kitchen today some very naughty Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings!

“We have a choice. We can seek for the bad in others. Or we can make peace and work to extend to others the understanding, fairness, and forgiveness we so desperately desire for ourselves. It is our choice; for whatever we seek, that we will certainly find.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Poetry Saturday . . . My Creed

2011-12-31T06:19:00.007Z

Source: greenlikebathwater.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

To live as gently as I can;
To be, no matter where, a man;
To take what comes of good or ill,
And cling to faith and honor still;
To do my best, and let that stand
The record of my brain and hand;
And then, should failure come to me,
Still work and hope for victory.

Source: zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

To have no secret place wherein
I stoop unseen to shame or sin;
To be the same when I'm alone
As when my every deed is known;
To live undaunted, unafraid
Of any step that I have made;
To be without pretence or sham
Exactly what men think I am.

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

To leave some simple work behind
To keep my having lived in mind;
If enmity to aught I show,
To be an honest, generous foe;
To play my little part, nor whine
That greater honors are not mine,
This I believe is all I need
For my philosophy and creed.
~Edgar A Guest

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Well, here we are on the brink of a new year . . . What will it hold for each of us??? Who knows . . . but I wish for each of you, something good . . . much joy, peace . . . happiness. Good health. Love/ May your cup of 2012 truly runneth over! Happy New Year.

I'll see you . . . next year!

I love anything with lemon in it, which puts me in a bit of a quandary as Todd does not. It’s just like pasta or chocolate cake . . . not his favourite thing. I do make him suffer through the odd lemon delight though . . . because I am mean, haha. This is a lovely lemon tart to start off the new year right.

*The Perfect Lemon Tart*
Serves 6 to 8
Printable recipe

The perfect lemon tart to me has more filling than crust in it and has a delicious full on lemon flavour, sweet but with just enough tartness to let you know you are eating lemons. I also like the crust to be crisp and light. This fit’s the bill on all counts!

Pastry:
6 ounces plain flour (1 3/4 cup)
1 ½ ounces of icing sugar (1/3 cup)
3 ounces softened butter (6 TBS)
Pinch of salt
1 large free range egg, separated
1 TBS water

Filling:
6 to 8 unwaxed lemons
6 large free range eggs
6 ounces caster sugar (Scant cup)
200 ml of heavy cream (7.2 fluid ounces)
A little icing sugar and crème fraiche to serve

First make the pastry. The easiest way to do this is in the food processor. That way the warmth of your hands can’t interfere with the process. Place the flour, icing sugar, butter, salt and the yolk of the egg (reserving the white for a bit later on) into the bowl of the food processor. Add the 1 TBS of water and process until it forms a firm dough. Remove from the processor and shape into a flat disc on some cling film. Wrap it up and place in the fridge to chill for about half an hour.

Pre-heat the oven to 200*C/400*F/ Gas Mark 6. Place a large flat baking tray in the oven to warm as well. Remove the pastry from the fridge and roll out as thinly as you can on a lightly floured surface with a floured rolling pin to a circle large enough to fit into a 9 inch tart tin with removeable sides. You will want it to come at least ¼ inch above the edges of the tin. Place it into the tin and then prick it all over with a fork. Lightly beat the egg white and then brush the crust all over with this. Place it onto the heated baking tray and then bake in the heated oven on the middle shelf for about 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven and turn the temperature down to 180*C/350*F now.

Make the filling as follows. Finely grate the zest from 6 of the lemons and squeeze enough juice to give you 10 ounces. Break the eggs into a large bowl and add the sugar, whisking to combine. Don’t over whisk it, just do it until they are well mixed. You don’t want the eggs to start to thicken. Whisk in the lemon juice and the lemon zest. Finally whisk in the cream and pour the whole mixture into a large jug.

I find the easiest way to fill the tart is to place the pastry case back on the baking tray and place it into the oven and then to pour the filling into the tart case while it is in the oven. That way you don’t have to try to carry the case and risk spillage. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the tart is set and feels springy in the centre. Remove from the oven and let it cool for about half an hour if you want to serve it warm. I actually prefer it chilled. Either way you have it, dust it with some icing sugar just before serving. Cut into slices to serve and serve with a nice dollop of crème fraiche on top!

Over in The English Kitchen today we have a delicious round up of the deliciousness that was 2011!! A month by month review of what I think was the most delicious recipe that I posted that month!

"Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely. ... He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Thoughts to end a year on . . .

2011-12-30T06:59:00.003Z

Source: vmburkhardt.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

“It’s a valuable exercise to close your eyes every once in a while and think, “What is the most wonderful moment I have lived through during the past year?”

It might be part of a grand event or a very simple moment, perhaps a brief interaction with another person. The grand or the simple, it doesn’t matter. Just remembering will lift your spirits, and warm feelings will fill your soul.” ~Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Just a simple thing to do, and no more fitting time to do it than at the end of a year, with the promise of the new year to come sitting before us, full of wonderful experiences waiting to be held.

I have wracked my brains this morning to come up with one wonderful moment during the past year that stood out above the rest. I've had such a wonderful year, filled to overflowing with lots of blessings . . .

I was deeply saddened earlier this year when we lost our Angie, of course . . . that broke my heart . . . and then when Lura was in a near fatal car accident my heart was taken to the brink, yet again. Thankfully she was saved and, although it has been an excruciatingly painful year for her, she is well on the mend now and lives to bring us yet more joy, which is a great blessing to me. I don't think my heart could have borne the loss of another dear friend . . .

Source: eu.art.com via Marie on Pinterest

I suppose it has been a year of small and simple blessings and moments to treasure. Moments spent in the garden with Todd, growing our own veg and fruit. Managing to raise tadpoles into 4 full grown frogs! Our fish having babies. Moments spent playing with Mitzie and enjoying all of her puppyish enthusiasm and vigor. Times spent with good friends . . . those are always sweet. Seeing my stamp designs as actual rubber stamps! Being called onto the Relief Society Presidency . . . a calling that I absolutely love. The birth of my first Granddaughter. Teaching moments with the Missionaries . . . feeding the missionaries! Real time Video visits with my grandsons. My visit to Jimmy's Farm on a sleepover in July with Julie, and being able to spend some quality time with her, and us being able to meet Jimmy and tour his farm together. Getting to go to a fun Craft Workship with Sheilagh and Trish in August, and meeting some lovely talented ladies. Visiting Cumbria in September with Todd, Mitzie and Hurricane Katrina. Celebrating eleven years of wedded bliss together at the Temple in November. Finding out that I did not have cancer! That was a biggie. My dad surviving and having his pacemaker fitted and finding out he didn't have cancer as well, another huge blessing . . . and interspersed between all of these big moments that stand out was hundreds of smaller moments which were equally as special and as blessed.

Source: moderncountry.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

There is nothing there that is spectacular . . . we didn't win the lottery or anything . . . or did we??? Our year was filled with an abundance of every day joy, the sweet lightly mixed with the bittersweet, with a bit of fear and anxiety thrown in for good measure. The truth is that every day joys are the best joys of all and the things which bring us the happiness and peace that lasts forever. They are the most valuable of all. True joy comes from finding happiness and contentment in simple things, every day things . . . the stuff that lives are built from.

"Contentment is a pearl of great value, and whoever procures it at the expense of ten thousand desires makes a wise and happy purchase."
~Balguy

I do believe that yesterday I painted the best picture that I have ever painted.

What do you think??? I love the expression on her wee face . . .

Sometimes I surprise even myself. Of course this is available as a card or a print. I think I will frame a print of this myself for in our living room. I am so grateful for the ability to create these little paintings and drawings . . . and I am so grateful for the joy which I feel in having the time and being able to do so. Had I still been working fulltime, I'd never have been able to explore my talents thusly so . . . another silver lining to that cloud. ☺

My mom always cooked us a ham at the New Year. It is hard to break with a tradition that goes back to your childhood, I find. We will have ham too! A butcher over here explained to me that a ham is only a ham once it's been cooked. Before that it's gammon. It doesn't really matter what you call it I think . . . just so long as it takes good and this tastes like a mightly delicious ham to me! No after cooking picture I'm afraid . . . the lighting was just too poor. You'll have to take my word for it when I tell you it was absolutely fabulous darlings!

*Festive Spiced Ham*
Serves 8 to 12 with leftovers
Printable Recipe

This is the perfect ham for your celebratory dinners. It smells incredible when it’s cooking. Once finished, it’s mouth wateringly delicious with it’s spicy crumbed coating being the perfect finishing touch!

6 to 8 pound smoked or unsmoked boned gammon
1 onion and 1 orange, halved and studded with 12 whole cloves
1 cinnamon stick, broken in half
4 bay leaves
6 juniper berries, bruised coarsely
500ml can of sweet cider (2 cups) (I used apple juice quite successfully)
2 oranges quartered

GLAZE:
6 TBS clear runny honey
Zest of 1 orange and 2 TBS fresh orange juice

TOPPING:
2 ounces fresh white bread crumbs
A large knob of softened butter
A handful of parsley leaves, chopped finely

Put the gammon into a large pan along with the orange and onion halves, the cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, juniper berries and the apple cider. Add water to cover and then bring slowly to the boil. Cover loosely and reduce the heat and allow it to simmer for 20 minutes per pound, plus 20 minutes. Keep it topped up with water so that it remains covered at all times.

Pre-heat the oven to 220*C/450*F. Remove the gammon from the cooking water and let cool slightly. (Reserve 4 TBS of the cooking liquid) Taking a sharp knife cut away all the skin, leaving a layer of fat. Put it into a large roasting pan along with the quartered oranges, arranging them around the ham. Drizzle the reserved cooking liquid around. Mix together the honey, orange zest and orange juice. Brush some over the ham and the oranges. Bake for 15 minutes. Brush with some more glaze. Bake for 15 minutes longer, basting two or three times until golden and starting to char in places. Remove from the oven and let sit while you make the topping.

Spread the bread crumbs on a baking sheet and put into the hot oven for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring often until golden brown. Remove from the oven and mix together with the softened butter and the parsley. Brush the ham once more with the glaze and then sprinkle the warm crumbs over all, pressing them slightly so as to make them adhere. Serve garnished with the glazed orange wedges.

Over in The English Kitchen today there is a delicious Cranberry Swirl Breakfast Cake baking!

“You can't go through life on "Borrowed light.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

And so this was Christmas . . .

2011-12-29T06:49:00.003Z

Source: lovelyclusters.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Oh but we did have a lovely Christmas this year. I was so glad that it all worked out fine and thatTodd was feeling ever so much better on the day than he had been for the few weeks prior to it!! My mother called first thing and I got to speak to her, which is always nice. It just would not seem like Christmas without having talked to my mum. It was also nice going to church in the morning. One of the bonus's of Christmas actually falling on a Sunday!

My Christmas Lunch turned out beautifully. I had done the Simple Turkey range from Piper's Farm and it was quite delicious, and true to their word it cooked in just 60 minutes! We had Doreen and Billy (remember them from our trip to Llandudno last summer?) come to lunch and the four of us enjoyed the feast together and some quality time with each other.

After they had gone, Todd and I watched the Queen's speech, which is another integral part of Christmas day you know! For as long as I can remember I have always watched the Queen's speech on the television on Christmas Day. I thought she gave a really nice one this year, but then . . . she always does!

I had a text from my eldest son to see if I was free and then we both went onto an MSN Video call and I got to see our Gabriel and Luke in their Christmas jim jams playing with some of their Christmas presents. That was really nice! I loved being a part of their Christmas Day. I am so glad that we live in a day and an age where technology allows this type of thing. What a blessing!

I called my father on the telephone after that and spoke to him for a time. He was pleased to get the call. He was all on his own this year. He lives in Quebec and they do something called Reveillion on Christmas Eve, which is midnight mass and an all night celebration. He just didn't feel up to all the festivities this year, what with just having been fitted with his pacemaker etc. and so he stayed home. He just wasn't up to it and says he tires easily. We were so happy to find out also that he didn't have cancer so double blessing and gift to us that we will have him around for a lot longer!

Then Todd and I spent a quiet evening on our own, just enjoying each other's company along with Mitzie and watching a few things on the telly. I am trying to remember now what they were, but alas . . . I can't! I must be getting old!

This is a picture of little Maryn on Christmas Day with her dad Tom. Doesn't she look sweet enough to eat? I thought so at any rate! It's amazing to me that she looks just like I did at the same age!

This is Jonathan and Joshua wearing the jim jams I sent to them! It is really nice to see my grandsons actually wearing something from me! I was very excited about that. All my grandchildren got matching pajamas and a book and some choccies from us. The boys all got exactly the same ones, printed with circus clowns and animals, and little Maryn got Beatrix Potter pink ones with Flopsie Bunny embroidered on the top and ruffles on the bottoms of the pantlegs. She got a board book as well (Goodnight Moon) along with a little pink sock monkey.

Here's Gabriel and Luke visiting Santa with their mom, Anne. Apparently Luke wasn't going to sit on Santa's lap without mom being there. My daughter in law is such a good sport. I love her to bits and Santa looks like he's enjoying her too!

We worked towards it for what seemed like forever . . . baking, planning, decorating . . . and then in just a few short days it was over. The best part of Christmas it seems happens in the planning and the run up to Christmas, or at least that is how it works for me. There is this huge build up, and not enough hours in the day . . . and then, like a sneeze, all of a sudden it is finished and all we're left with are a few Christmas goodies and some happy memories. It always makes me a bit sad when I have to take the decorations down and put them away. Kind of like saying goodbye to a few old friends, and the kitchen here in our cottage always seems a little bit empty for a few days . . . like something big is missing.

And then, all of a sudden, like a breath of fresh air, a forgotten gift arrives and it's Christmas all over again. A lovely brown paper bag decorated with Santa Claus's and full of little surprises, each one pretty and daintily wrapped and decorated, not the least of which was this beautiful little gold box tied up with a pretty pink ribbon.

Deep inside it's recesses, hidden under some pretty parchment paper folds lays a beautiful sweet Christmas surprise. What pretty colours these chocolates are . . . a wonder to behold and I am a child again . . . I don't want to eat them they are so lovely. I want to hoard them like the Easter Bunny I hid in the book case headboard of my bed for a whole day when I was eleven, only to discover the morning after, that my cousin's had been and eaten it when I wasn't looking. The only evidence of it's having been there a few telltale chocolate crumbs and some crumbled foil . . . Dare I take that chance again?

Oh look!!! A lovely Santa's hat and stocking, even a cute little snowman and a Christmas pudding . . . almost too cute to eat, but who am I to resist temptation. I must nibble . . . before someone else does . . . and we all know who that someone is!

Just another little painting I did yesterday afternoon. I got my Sunday talk all written and so I wanted to play for a bit and I had seen a photograph of two little girls posed just like this . . . it so tempted me to want to replicate it with some of my characters and so I did. As usual it is available as a print or a card. I need to post some of these newest creations in my Etsy shop I think!

After all the excesses of Christmas can I . . . dare I . . . tempt myself into eating just one more?? There is still a tin of Celebrations Chocolates on the counter that beckons to me, making it very hard to resist it's sweet treasures hidden inside. Whoever invented these was surely a genius, imagine all your favourite Chocolate bar temptations tucked into small packages, each one just a tiny bite . . . Mars . . . Maltesers . . . Bounty . . . Milky Way . . . they are too lovely to stay away from for very long. What could possibly be any better than these ???

Why Celebrations Brownies of course! This is a recipe adapted from the Green and Black's Chocolate cookbook, and yes . . . it was impossible to eat just one . . .

*Celebrations Brownies*
Makes 15
Printable Recipe

Imagine a brownie so rich and gooey that you can’t help gasping with pleasure when you sink your teeth into one . . . now add the hidden surprise of your favourite chocolate candy bar deep inside it’s decadently rich, chocolaty depth . . . Yes, you have died and gone to heaven.

7 ounces butter (13.8 TBS)
3 ½ ounces dark chocolate, broken into pieces (use really good quality, no less than 60% chocolate solids)
12 ounces dark soft brown sugar (1.69 cups)
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
8 ounces self raising flour (2 cups)
Pinch of salt
10 ¼ ounce box of Celebration** chocolates, or other chocolates of your choice (Imagine Maltesers dotting the middle or a lovely layer of thin chocolate After Eight mints)

Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Brush an 11 X 7 inch tin with melted butter and then life with greaseproof paper. Set aside.

Put the butter and the chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering, but not boiling water, making sure the water does not touch the bottom of the top pan. Allow to melt, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat. Stir in the chocolate, mixing it in well.

Beat the eggs together with the vanilla and the pinch of salt. Stir this into the chocolate mixture, mixing it in well. Sift the flour and stir in until well combined.

Un wrap the chocolates.

Pour half of the chocolate batter into the prepared tin. Lay the chocolates evenly spaced carefully over the top of the batter, making sure that there will be at least one in each portion that is cut. Pour the remaining batter over top, ensuring that all the chocolates are completely covered.

Bake in the heated oven for 15 to 30 minutes until the top is crispy and glazed looking but the insides are still soft. Remove from the oven and to a rack to cool. Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.

**Celebration chocolates are a mixture we can get over here of small miniature chocolate bars such as Milky Way, Bounty, Mars, Snickers, etc. If you can’t get those use any favourite chocolate of yours. Malted milk balls sprinkled over the layer work quite well, as do thin chocolate mints. Chunks of caramel bar work equally as well. Let your decadent foodie imagination run free!

And over in The English Kitchen today, a genius and most delicious way to use up some of all those parsnips you got in for the holidays, scrummy Parsnip Patties with a Cranberry Mustard!

“Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely. ... He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Wednesday Ramblings . . .

2011-12-28T06:11:00.003Z

Source: splendidwillow.com via Marie on Pinterest

It is hard to believe that 2011 is now winding down rapidly towards it's end . . . it seems like just yesterday it was a year that was young and full of promise , which we all greeted with joy when it was all fresh and new!

I cannot let it pass away without a thankful thought . . . of all the happy times and all the blessings it lay at my door. I will not dwell on any of the disappointments or hopes that missed the mark . . . for what would that change?

Nothing at all . . .

I think that is the secret to a happy life . . . to dwell on the good rather than the bad . . . on the things we have the power to change rather than on the ones we cannot . . . on the simple pleasures each day brings to us in a myriad of beautiful ways . . . on blessings found, rather than on treasures lost . . .

Source: enchantedserenityperiodfilms.blogspot.com via Jac on Pinterest

We've had a very enjoyable couple of days. We got caught up with the Christmas Special from Downton Abby that we had recorded on Sunday Evening! Oh my but it was some good!! Just brilliant in fact! I love Downton Abby. If you're never watched it you really must get yourself the DVD's and get caught up. It's probably one of the best television series that has come out in recent years!

Yesterday we were privileged to have a young woman come to our home and be taught by the missionaries. We've had her at our home many times before. She's such a lovely young woman and brings such a special spirit with her. I'm really excited as she is going to be Baptised this Friday evening. That is such a special time and I've been asked to give a talk at her Baptism as well, so guess what I am doing today? Yep! Writing a talk and you know that old saying "It never Rains but what it Pours???" Well, I've also been asked to give a talk in church on New Years day, fifteen minutes! Soooo . . . I shall have to put on my writer's hat over these next few days and get cracking!

Source: jasmine-marie.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

I was thrilled and excited on Christmas Eve to have been featured over on my friend Miranda's page, A Duck In Her Pond! I've known Duckie for a long time now, since my days over on AOL Journals way back when! If you would like to go and read what she wrote about me, do hop on over HERE to see. While you're there, I do hope you'll also take a gander at her brilliant writing! Why she is not a famous author already I do not know, as she certainly should be!!

I also won a brilliant prize in a Giveaway over on Random Thoughts of a Great-Grannie Grandma! A fabulous MyMemories Suite V3 Digital Scrapbooking Software set! I can't wait to get started on using it! Many thanks to Sandy for hosting such a fab giveaway. I was so chuffed to win!! It is not often that happens! In fact this was pretty much a first and a great way to end the year, feeling a winner!

I am not one to make a lot of year end resolutions . . . I just strive each year to be a better me. This next year though I want to be more creative. I used to do a lot more creating when I was younger . . . oh, I know . . . I paint almost every day, but I want to do even more. There is this yearning in my soul that I can't quite put my finger on . . . I just want to make some things for our home . . . I don't know what though . . . quilts, wall hangings, etc. I am always seeing new ideas and thinking to myself I would love that . . . so why not??? I think 2012 will be the year I create even more!

Source: louboosandshoes.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

I'm just rambling now and so I'll leave you with a thought . . .

Life offers compensations for our troubles and our care.
Consolations shed their light around us everywhere.
Things that make life worth the living;
Blessings great and small.
The things through which God speaks to us . . .
Take comfort from them all.
~Patience Strong

After all that baking I've been doing lately, I felt the need last night to eat something that at least appeared on the surface to be good for me. We all need to get more fish into our diet and not the kind that is covered with batter and deep fried either. I have been preparing this delicious dish for years. It is easy and always turns out lovely. You can decrease or expand the amounts very easily according to how many people you want to feed.

*Tomato & Herb Crusted Haddock*
Serves 2
Printable recipe

Haddock is such a mild and sweet fish. It is one of my favourite types. Cheese and tomatoes go very well with it. Just be careful not to overcook your fish. It should just barely flake beneath the tines of your fork and still be moist. You can have this lovely meal on your table in less than half an hour depending on what you serve it with.

2 thickish haddock filets, about 4 ounces each
1 slice of bread, crumbed into soft crumbs (I use my blender for this)
2 ounces of cheddar cheese, finely grated
2 TBS finely chopped flat leaf parsley
4 sundried tomatoes in oil, drained and finely chopped
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
a drizzle of olive oil

Pre-heat your oven to 200*C/400*F. Lightly butter a shallow gratin dish.

Wipe your haddock fillets and place them, right side up in the prepared dish. Season with some salt and pepper.

Place the bread crumbs, cheese, parsley and sun dried tomatoes in a small bowl and toss them together until they are well combined. Divide them between the two fish filets, piling it lightly on top of each. Drizzle with a bit of olive oil and then bang them into the pre-heated oven.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they are lightly browned and you can gently flake the fish with the tines of a fork. Remove from the oven and serve. I like to serve them with some oven roasted greek potatoes and some lightly steamed green beans on the side.

In The English Kitchen today I'm preparing a Salad of Baby Gems with a Blue Cheese Dressing!

“What we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are — and who we will become.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The Simple Woman's Day book . . .

2011-12-27T06:14:00.003Z

FOR TODAY, December 27th, 2011...

Outside My Window...
It is damp and dark . . . it's been unseasonably mild though, which is good. That will save a bit on the heating bill for sure! It is hard to believe that this is the last Woman's Day Book entry of 2011. Where has the year gone???

I am thinking...
We have had a really good Christmas. It started off with our attending a beautiful concert of Christmas Music at the Runcorn chapel and ended with our preparing a feast for all four missionaries yesterday. In all we have had a lovely few weeks, filled to overflowing with love and joy. You can't ask for much more than that!

The Elders yesterday after dinner! They are a nice group of lads. We are losing two on Wednesday as they are changing areas. (Insert sad face here.) We will get two new ones and we will love them as much as the ones that are leaving, but it is always sad to see any of them leave.

I am thankful for...
The love of family and friends, the reality of the Gospel in my life, the Gift of the Saviour, Peace in my heart, Joy in my life . . . my cup runneth over for sure.

From the kitchen...
There are leftover mince pies, Christmas pudding, Christmas Cake . . . the usual after Christmas goodies!

I am wearing...
Blue long sleeved nightie (M&S), Pink jim jam bottoms, pink slippers, aqua robe. Layering for warmth and comfort . . . again! I enjoyed seeing my daughter in law and grandsons wearing matching jim jams via web cam on Christmas day. Perhaps I should get Todd and myself matching jim jams . . . naaaahhh!! He would look better in them than I would. That might make me jealous!

I am creating...
I just did this one yesterday afternoon:

I had sketched her before Christmas and then yesterday I finished her off. I think it turned out quite nice. What do you think? As always she is available as a card or a print!

I am going...
We don't have a lot planned this week. I have a lot of things to do for my calling in Relief Society and we are teaching someone here in our home this morning. Then, there is a Baptism on Friday evening at the chapel. Todd and I have done a lot with this girl who's being Baptised and so it will be quite special to us. She is a sweet girl and we are so happy for her. ☺

I am reading...

Cross Stitch, by Diane Gabaldon (first in the Outlander series)

It has been a very long time since I have read anything deemed to be historical romance, although at one time I read a lot of them. I was particularly drawn to stories with either vikings or scotsmen wearing kilts in them.

The novel is not easily classified by a single genre. On one level, the work is a romance novel with a focus on the romantic relationship between the two main characters. The book could be described as a work of historical fiction with a detailed account of 18th century Scottish clan life. The novel could also be considered fantasy with a plot propelled by magical time travel as the main character, a woman named Claire, journeys from 1945 to the 18th century.

Cross Stitch(published in the US as Outlander) is the first novel in a series of seven by Diana Gabaldon. The book focuses on two main characters, Claire Randall (née Beauchamp) and James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser, and takes place in 18th- and 20th-century Scotland. It was awarded the RITA Award for "Best romance novel" of 1992, so it's not a really recent novel.

So far, whilst it isn't what I would consider to be "great" literature, I am finding it to be somewhat of a page turner and quite entertaining. I think we all need to read something light once in a while. I just skim over the mushy parts . . . where they would have held my interest when I was younger, I just find them boring now. Funny how that goes . . .

I am hoping...
That 2012 will be a year that brings lots of good things and blessings for everyone.

I am hearing...
Early morning sounds as the world wakes up around me. Every day sounds. Peaceable and comforting. The odd sound of a car as it passes . . . the clock ticking . . . Mitzie chewing on her bone . . . the keys tap-tapping. Home Sweet Home.

Around the house...

Source: hgtv.com via Tori on Pinterest

If money and space were no object I would love to have a kitchen like this, with lots of room to work in. I only have about 2 feet of counter space in my kitchen to work on. It's very limiting and when it comes to having to prepare and serve a large meal I am frequently frustrated by the lack of space. I need to work on finding out a way of getting more coounter space into that room!!!

I am looking forward to ...
The Baptism on Friday evening. The new year. Ohh, and this year we are studying the Book of Mormon again in Sunday School. I am really looking forward to that. The more I read this book, but more convinced I become that it is inspired of God. I am grateful for those feelings, I truly am.

If I could change one thing it would be ...
That my family would be united more. That there would be only good feelings amongst us and amongst the stepmom and myself. I had always hoped that we would be able to have a pleasant and co-operative relationship. That is what would have been best for the children. I do not know what I have ever done to make her hate me so, but she's hated me since the beginning. I just wish we could all get along, if only for the children's sakes . . .

One of my favourite things...
Is teaching with the missionaries. I really enjoy that and I enjoy sharing my love of the Gospel with any one who is willing to listen. I would love dearly to be able to go on a mission with Todd, but I can't see that ever happening.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
A bit of work . . . a bit of play . . . and everything in between!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Source: Uploaded by user via Luann on Pinterest

To try is to risk failure. But risk must be taken, as the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing . . . does nothing, has nothing and is nothing.
~Author unknown

I think the fear of failure often prevents us from achieving our full potential. My goal for 2012 is to try to be fearless, or as fearless as I can be. Obviously I won't be walking in front of a bus or anything!

As a closing thought I would like to leave you with this:

"Wisdom is knowing what to do next. Virtue is doing it."
~David Starr Jordan (1851-1931)

And there you have it . . . my day book for this week. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!

Here's a delicious way to prepare green beans that would be a fabulous side dish for your New Year's Celebrations. They are wonderful with Lamb, or Beef! In fact, I can't think of anything they would be great with!

*Haricots Verts with Pancetta and Pine Nuts*
Serves 4 to 6
Printable Recipe

Haricots Verts is a fancy name for those lovely little French green beans. I suppose you could term this as a wonderful example of European fusion cooking, for it combines a truly French Ingredient with an Italian twist! These tasty morsels would add a delicious accent to your New Year's dinner celebrations this year.

1 pound haricots vert
1 TBS salt
½ cup pine nuts
2 ounces of pancetta, finely chopped
Basil infused olive oil
1 shallot, minced
2 or 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 TBS minced fresh rosemary
¼ cup white wine vinegar
¼ cup butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Trim the stem ends off of the haricot verts and wash. Add the salt to a saucepan of water and bring it to the boil. Add the haricots vert and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, just until crispy tender. (they will begin to give off their delicious aroma when they are ready) Drain well, rinse with cold water to stop them from cooking any further, and then drain them again. Set aside.

Toast the pine nuts in a slow oven for about 10 minutes, or until light brown. Set aside.

Heat a very large skillet and add a drizzle of the basil infused olive oil. Add the pancetta and fry until crisp. Add the shallots, garlic and rosemary, and sauté over medium high heat for one to two minutes until tender. Add the vinegar and cook for minute or so to redice and then stir in the butter. Add the beans and pine nuts and heat through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Baking in The English Kitchen today a delicious Maraschino Cherry Cake!

Boxing Day Lore . . .

2011-12-26T07:12:00.004Z

Source: myvintagemending.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Happy Boxing Day everyone! Boxing Day is a holiday that is celebrated in Canada as well as tbroughout the Commonwealth, but I am not sure it is a day that is celebrated in the United States. Nowadays it is a day that generates a great deal of retail shopping, ie. The Boxing Day Sales, but it has a long history that goes back quite a ways.

Generally speaking Boxing day is the day that follows Christmas, or the 26th of December, and it is always a public holiday, or “Bank Holiday” as we call them over here, although a lot of those working in the retail trade will most certainly have to work today. Traditionally it was the day to open the Christmas Box to share with the poor. This was usually a wooden or clay container that contained money and gifts which had been gathered up and saved for those unfortunate souls.

During the Age of Exploration when great sailing ships were setting off to explore new lands, “A Christmas Box” was used as a good luck device. It consisted of a small box that was placed on each ship while it was still in port, prior to sailing. It was placed there by a priest and any sailors that wanted to ensure the safely of their journey and return home would place coins in it. It would then be sealed off by the Priest and kept on board during the whole voyage.

Source: alexperlin.com via Marie on Pinterest

If the ship returned home safely the box would be handed back to the Priest, it’s contents intact, and a mass would be said to give thanks for the safety of the voyage. The Priest would then save the box and hand it’s contents out to the poor on the day after Christmas, which then became known as Boxing Day.

Many poorly paid workers were also required to work on Christmas Day, most notably those in Domestic employ. They were then given the day after Christmas Day off to go and visit their families. As they prepared to leave their employers gave them Christmas Boxes, which were always well looked forward to and most welcome to both their employees and their families.

During the 18th century , the Lords and Ladies of the Manor, would box up their leftover food, and sometimes gifts and distribute them to the tenants who lived and worked on their lands. This is a custom that continues still today only now more often than not it is customary for householders to gift small gifts or monetary sumsto the trades people that service them throughout the year, such as paper boys, milk men and dust bin collectors, and also in some work places for employers to give their employees Christmas Bonus’s.

Source: veryvintageimages.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Boxing Day is also known as St Stephen’s Day. (the day when Good King Wenceslas looked out!) St Stephen was one of Christ’s disciples and was the first man killed for believing in the teachings of Jesus Christ. As he was being stoned to death he looked up into the Heavens and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. You can read all about him in Acts 6:1 to Acts 8: 2.

Some people claim he shares this day with another St Stephen who hails from Sweden, St Stephen the patron saint of horses. It makes sense in a way as boxing day is also a day commonly associated with outdoor sports, in particular horse riding and hunting.

Traditionally Boxing Day has been the day for Fox Hunting in particular. Horse riders dressed in red and white, accompanied with packs of hounds, chase foxes through the countryside in hopes of tiring it out enough so that the dogs will be able to catch it and kill it.

Thankfully the practice of hunting with dogs was banned in 2004 and has been a criminal offence since 2005, although it is still legal to exercise dogs, chase out a scent and flush out foxes to be shot.

Source: flickr.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Boxing day is the day that families traditionally get together and watch sports or play board games, go for long walks in the countryside and enjoy a feast of all the Christmas leftovers. That is if they are not waiting in long queues for the shop doors to open their way into the sales racks!

We will not be doing any of that on this day! We are blessed to be able to have all FOUR missionaries over to our home for supper tonight, so I am really excited about that! We often have two over for supper, but this will be a first to be able to have all four at once! I have a big ham I am cooking with all the trimmings and plans to cook a chocolate cake! (Todd will quite happily have leftover Christmas pud instead!)

I hope that you are all continuing to enjoy your Christmas Celebrations, and that you are, each of you, surrounded with love!

Here's a tasty gratin that I will be baking later today to go along with our ham. It uses a delicious combination of root vegetables. I just know the lads will love it!

*Root Vegetable Gratin with Blue Cheese*
Serves 10
Printable Recipe

This recipe makes a large portion, but can very easily cut down to serve fewer. It’s also a great make ahead, as you can prepare it a day ahead and then just reheat it, covered when you are ready to serve it. You get a delicious sweetness from the various root vegetables in a deliciously savoury sauce. It’s a great way of making some pretty humble vegetables into something that is quite special and most delicious!

1 ½ pounds of parsnips
1 ½ pounds carrots
1 ½ pounds of rutabagas (Swedes)
2 ½ cups heavy cream
1 cup chicken stock or vegetable stock
4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 tsp minced fresh thyme or ¼ tsp dried, crumbled
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
¾ cup crumbled Gorgonzola or other blue cheese (about 3 ounces)

Pre-heat the oven to 205*C/425*F. Lightly butter a deep 9 X 13 inch baking dish and set aside.

Peel the parsnips and carrots and slice them into ¼ inch thick slices. Peel the swede and cut it in half, then cut each half into ¼ inch thick half rounds.

Mix the cream, stock , garlic and thyme together in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and then add the swede. Place a cover on top and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the carrots and parsnips, cover again and simmer for another 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Transfer the vegetables and the cream mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake, uncovered, until thick and bubbly, and the vegetables are quite tender, about 35 minutes. Crumble the blue cheese evenly over top and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before serving. Delicious!

Over in The English Kitchen today we are doing leftovers!

Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T04:00:00.004Z

Source: nathanielandlilly.blogspot.com via Ryan N Mandy on Pinterest

"But in this season it is
well to reassert that the hope of
mankind rests in faith.

*As man thinketh, so he is.*

Nothing much happens unless you
believe in it,
and believing in it there is hope
for the world is a way
to move toward it."
~Gladys Taber

Source: google.com via Julie on Pinterest

Recipe
for a
Happy Christmas

Fill a house with equal parts of
Love, Hope, & Peace
Add the Joy of Children &
the Strength of Older People
Season with the Music of
Laughter & some
Mistletoe Kisses
Warm before a Cracklin Fire
& serve with Tidings
of Comfort & Joy!

Source: Uploaded by user via Julie on Pinterest

May you all, each of you, have a wonderful Christmas filled with lots of peace, joy, love and blessings beyond measure.

Poetry Saturday . . . The Christmas Guest

2011-12-24T06:36:00.002Z

Source: aquieterstorm.tumblr.com via Mary Beth on Pinterest

When I was a child I loved to hear
This story my grandma told each year,
She told it in her native tongue,
And I was very, very young,
But yet this story seemed to be
Filled with wonderment for me.
For in my childish heart there grew
The dream that I might see Him, too,
For He might call on me this way
So I must watch for Him each day,
And that is why "The Christmas Guest"
Is still the story I love best . . .
And I retell it to you now,
For I can't help but feel somehow
That children everywhere should hear
The story Grandma told each year . . .
For Christmas Day is doubly blest
When Jesus is our Christmas guest . . .

Source: aquieterstorm.tumblr.com via Mary Beth on Pinterest

The Story of the Christmas Guest

It happened one day at the year's white end . . . two neighbors called on an old time friend . . . and they found his ship so meager and mean . . . made bright with a thousand boughs of green . . . and Conrad was sitting with a face a-shine . . . when he suddenly stopped as he stitched a twine . . . and said, "Old friends, at dawn today . . . when the cock was crowing the night away . . . the Lord appeared in a dream to me . . . and said, 'I am coming your Guest to be'. . . so I've been busy with feet astir . . . strewing my shop with branches of fir . . . the table is spread and the kettle shined . . . and over the rafters the holly twined . . . and now I will wait for my Lord to appear . . . and listen closely so I will hear . . . His step as He nears my humble place . . . and I open the door and look in His face."

Source: whimsydecor.blogspot.com via Mary Beth on Pinterest

So his friends went home and left Conrad alone . . . for this was the happiest day he had known . . . for, long since, his family had passed away . . . and Conrad had spent a sad Christmas Day . . . but he knew with the Lord as his Christmas Guest . . . this Christmas would be the dearest and best . . . and he listend with only joy in his heart . . . and with every sound he would rise with a start . . . and look for the Lord to be standing there . . . in answer to his earnest prayer.

Source: whimsydecor.blogspot.com via Mary Beth on Pinterest

So he ran to the window after hearing a sound . . . but all that he saw on the snow-covered ground . . . was a shabby beggar whose shoes were torn . . . and all of his clothes were ragged and worn . . . So Conrad was touched and went to the door . . . and he said, "Your feet must be frozen and sore . . . and I have some shoes in my shop for you . . . and a coat that will keep you warmer, too" . . . So with grateful heart the man went away . . . but Conrad noticed the time of day . . . and he wondered what made the dear Lord so late . . . and how much longer he'd have to wait . . . when he heard a knock and ran to the door . . . but it was only a stranger once more . . . a bent, old woman with a shawl of black . . . a bundle of twigs piled on her back . . . she asked for only a place to rest . . . but her voice seemed to plead, "Don't send me away . . . let me rest for a while on Christmas Day" . . . So Conrad brewed her a steaming cup . . . and told her to sit at the table and sup.

Source: flickr.com via Mary Beth on Pinterest

But after she left he was filled with dismay . . . for he saw that the hours were passing away . . . and the Lord had not come as He said He would . . . and Conrad felt sure he had misunderstoood . . . when out of the stillness he heard a cry . . . "Please help me and tell me where am I" . . . So again he opened his friendly door . . . and stood disappointed as twice before . . . it was only a child who had wandered away . . . and was lost from her family on Christmas Day . . . Again Conrad's heart was heavy and sad . . . but he knew he would make this little child glad . . . so he called her in and wiped her tears . . . and quieted all her childish fears . . . then he led her back to her home once more . . . but as he entered his own darkened door . . . he knew that the Lord was not coming today . . . for the hours of Christmas had passed away.

Source: frenchlarkspur.blogspot.com via Mary Beth on Pinterest

So he went to his room and knelt down to pray . . . and he said, "Dear Lord, why did You delay? . . . What kept You from coming to call on me? . . . For I wanted so much Your face to see" . . . when soft in the silence a voice he heard . . . "Lift up your head for I kept My word . . . Three times My shadow crossed your floor . . . Three times I came to your lonely door . . . for I was the beggar with bruised cold feet . . . I was the woman you gave to eat . . . and I was the child on the homeless street."

~Helen Steiner Rice, Christmas Blessings

Source: flickr.com via Mary Beth on Pinterest

Nobody does Christmas Poetry better than Helen Steiner Rice. I have been saving this one up for you to show you on this day, Christmas Eve. I know it's long, but I think it is so beautiful and a wonderful reminder to each of us that the Saviour visits each of us daily in small and simple ways.

Another piece to show you today. Will this be my last piece of 2011??? I somehow think not, but we are getting close to the end of the year. I just love seeing how my work is changing and developing through the years. What do you think???

A final Christmas recipe for you that you just might be able to get done today. Sometime sweet to snack on this evening as you relax in front of your fire with your family . . . coz we all know that you have everything done, right??? It's all sorted and now all you have to do is to sit back and enjoy the day . . . well . . . maybe not, but one can dream can they not? We're actually going to take a bus into Chester City today and face the maddening crowds! Call us crazy!! Merry Christmas everyone!

*White Chocolate and Cherry Fudge*
Makes 3 dozen squares
Printable Recipe

A classic combination made with white chocolate and dried cherries. Topped with a garnish of maraschino cherries and mint they are both beautiful to behold and delicious to the taste!

2 1/2 cups icing sugar
3/4 cup of half and half
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into 4 equal pieces
12 ounces white chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 1/4 cups dried cherries
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
18 maraschino cherries
2 bunches fresh mint

Line the bottom of an 8 inch square cake pan with parchment paper.

In a sauce pan combine the icing sugar and half and half over medium heat. Add the butter and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Once the mixture reaches the boil, stop stirring and allow to cook for 5 minutes. It will be thick.

Reduce the heat to low and stir in the white chocolate, whisking it in until smooth. Stir in the dried cherries and vanilla extract. Pour into the prepared pan and then place into the refrigerator to chill until firm, about 2 hours.

Invert the chilled fudge onto a cutting board. Peel off the paper. Cut the fudge into 1-inch squares. Cut the maraschino cherries in half. Remove sevently two mint leaves from the springs. (Use the smaller ones if you can.) Decorate each piece of fudge with a cherry half, cut side down, pressing gently into the fudge to help it to adhere and press two mint leaves at the top of the cherry to represent cherry leaves.

Note: You can store in an airtight container for up to 1 week, without the mint leaves, adding them just prior to serving if you wish.

In The English Kitchen today, some delicious Ginger Cutouts!

Christmas is the Warmth of Friendships, letter writing, card sending, news exciting, goodwill extending, neighbors gathering, friendly greetings, manger scenes . . . community meetings.
~VJR