Thursday, August 19, 2010

DON'T LOOK DOWN ON THE DOWN AND OUT - WHO KNOWS WHO YOU MIGHT KNOW THERE?

Wow - my how time flies when you are having fun or cooking! Actually I was just mixing!! To call it cooking - I think you have to have pot on the stove! Tonight I made the recipe I posted for MaMaw's Quick Pineapple Pies -- well I think I posted it! I made it to take to the birthday breakfast because even though I am supposed to be off - I have some work that I have to do -- and one of the birthdays being celebrated is Amanda's - one of my assistants. Tonight I added about 1/2 cup chopped pecans to the recipe and it improved 100% - so if you decide to make this simple and easy and delicious recipe -- add pecans -- and don't worry that the container is only 12 oZ. - not 13-1/3 ounces. The recipe makes so much that it overflows in two 9 inch graham cracker crusts -- you actually would have plenty for the larger crust - but I had bought the 9 inch so I filled them and then gave Travis a bowl of the filling and he loved it!! So TRY THE PIE!!!(Note: Friday - Later I realized I had forgotten to put in the 3 Tbls. lemon juice but thought well it tastes good without it! Don't do it unless you want to eat it with a spoon. I found out the lemon juice is what makes it set up and be a nice slice of pie! It was good as pudding!)There I've confessed I make mistakes and learn lessons every day!

THis week has been one of those that you never care to repeat! THere are some crazy people out there just waiting to express their opinion - or anger on someone. I think we have had our share at the bank this week - and they sure made it easy for me to get excited about vacation time - even if it is in Marathon, Texas. I am excited - I just hope there is an adventure there!!!

Oh my gosh - I have a story for you tonight that will make you want to cry or well - it did me. It is entitled "Who Cares?"

WHO CARES?

Who really cares? His was a routine admission to busy Bellevue Hospital. A charity case, one among hundreds. A drunken bum from the Bowery with a slashed throat. The Bowery…last stop before the morgue.
The derelict’s name was misspelled on the hospital form, but then what good is a name
when the guy’s a bum? The age also incorrect. He was thirty-eight, not thirty-nine, and looked twice that. Somebody might have remarked, “What a shame for one so young,” but no one cared.

His health was gone and he was starving. He had been found lying in a heap, bleeding from a deep gash in his throat. A doctor used black sewing thread to suture the wound. Then the man was dumped in a paddy wagon and dropped off at Bellevue Hospital, where he languished and died. But nobody really cared.

A friend seeking him was directed to the local morgue. There, among dozens of other nameless corpses, he was identified. When they scraped together his belongings, they found a ragged, dirty coat with thirty-eight cents in one pocket and a scrap of paper in the other. All his earthly goods. Enough coins for another cheap bottle of wine in the Bowery and five words, “Dear friends and gentle hearts.” almost the words of a song, someone may have thought.

Which would have been correct, for once upon a time that man had written the songs that literally made the whole world sing. Songs like”Camptown Races,” “Oh! Susanna,” “Beautiful Dreamer,” “I Dream of Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair,” “Old Folks at Home,” “My Old Kentucky Home,” and two hundred more that have become deeply rooted in our rich American heritage.

Thanks to Stephen Collins Foster.

Today, some of these forgotten souls are in prison. Some in hospitals. Some in nursing homes. And some silently slip into church on Sunday morning, confused and afraid.

Do you care? Enough “to show hospitality to strangers,” as Hebrews 13:2 puts it? It also says that in doing so, we occasionally “entertain angles without knowing it.”

Angels who don’t look anything like angels. Some might even look like bums from the Bowery, but they may have a song dying in their hearts because nobody knows and nobody cares.

Deep within many a forgotten life is a scrap of hope, a lonely melody trying hard to return.


“May the Lamb that was slain receive the rewards of His suffering.”

Ok - on to happier thoughts. Tonight when I got home there was a box that was recognizable - from a publishing company and I started to just leave it in the box and refuse it -- but something was strange about it. It had an envelope on it instead of a label. So I slipped the letter out the end - not disturbing the envelope. and SHOCK OF SHOCKS! Taste of Home was sending me a complimentary copy of their latest cookbook, EVERYDAY SLOW COOKER AND ONE DISH RECIPES" because my recipe was on page 126. Even though I was excited I was thinking "let it be a different recipe because my Santa Fe Chicken has already been in two other cookbooks. God didn't hear me or I didn't ask in time -- or it was just meant to be - the recipe on Page 126 is for Santa Fe Chicken. One thing about it -- they are really impressed with the recipe or just getting every recipe that fits the title!!
Disappointed? YES! Discouraged - NO! I do think I will write them, thank them and then tell them I have sent in many other equally good or even better recipes! But in the meantime - I can say I have been published three times by a major player in the magazine field! HA!

The bank just published its sixth Southside Bank Recipe book. I have them all and to me - the covers have gotten prettier and prettier and the best looking by far is the one I just got today ,but my very favorite is the first one! I use the recipes in it reguarly. The new one is beautiful - hard back and ring binder, but the contents just aren't the same -- I think because some of the older employees that were such fantastic cooks, have retired and these new girls need to learn there is more out there than hamburger meat!
I am sorry if that sounds tacky because there are some good recipes and I am glad they are learning to cook! Go girls - keep up the good work!! Here is one of them:

CHICKEN FRIED RICE

1 small carrot, finely chopped
1 celery rib, finely chopped
3 Tbls. oil (Canola or Olive oil please)
4 Cups cooked instant rice
3 eggs beaten
2 Cups cubed, cooked chicken
1/4 Cup chopped green onions
2 Tbls. soy sauce

In a large skillet, stir fry carrots and celery in oil for 5 minutes or until crisp tender. Add rice; stir fry for 3 minutes or until heated through. Make a well in center of rice; add eggs. Stir fry for 2 to 3 minutes or until eggs are done. Add remaining ingredients and stir fry until heated through.

Thanks - Shelly Krall - sounds delicious!!!

Ok friends - I am about to pack it up and head to the West and I don't mean Wyoming (I wish) but to West Texas - Marathon,Alpine, Marfa, Ft Davis Mountains and Big Bend.
I am taking my computer but who knows if they have internet capabilities in Marathon or not -- or cell ability -- oh well - I hope to buy a great pair of boots -- since all I am taking are sandals and well - guess I should throw in the tennis shoes! One great thing -- it is cooler -- in the 80's during the day and cold at night -- so I am going to pack some warm clothes too!!!

Take care - do a good deed and I will try to also (even though I am already - taking Travis "Where he has always wanted to go!" God Bless each of you - my loyal readers and friends!!!!

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