Good evening -- now don't faint - two nights in a row! Everything on this new laptop is turned around - different places for all the keys I use the most -- delete, backspace, and insert!
Have you ever had something or someone touch you so emotionally that every time you try to talk about it or think about it - a tear drops, your throat tightens up, or you catch yourself asking, "Why God?" Today was one of those days for me. A family came by the bank to visit and I was in the lunchroom finishing lunch -- actually about to leave the bank to go visit a customer, when my assistant came in and said "some friends from out of town are here to see you." I asked who and she didn't know - so I said I would be right in. I walked in and did not recognize the people she nodded to -- but I walked on over and said, "Hello." They turned around and of course I recognized them. It was a family that had left several years ago - after the wife and mother had died. She died leaving two children (probably about 17 and 15 at the time -- both mentally challenged - and her husband had his own problems too! When she died - several people in the church did all they could to help them pay for her cremation and burial. We stood in the lobby visiting, them telling me what each one was doing, and them asking about my family - and other people we each knew. I finally told them I had to go visit a customer who was expecting me and thanked them for remembering me and coming by. After I got to my car - I felt like my heart would break for them. They looked so lonely and helpless - the Mom was the only one that was very smart - and took care of the other three. It is hard to understand why someone that precious and so needed had to be taken so early. Before I had time to question God - I remembered to thank God for my blessings and my family.
I had already had an email conversation with someone else that was hurting and I just pray that while I was trying to uplift I didn't do the opposite. I should have just picked up the phone and called her! Oh how perfect hindsight is!! Wow - what an emotional day!!
Last night I told you about the Chinese Five Spice and how good it is and the Red Black spice which is also wonderful if you appreciate HOT! Tonight I want to introduce you to two more spices I bought at Penzey's on Sunday afternoon. One is called "Balti" and it is a combination of coriander, garlic, ginger, cumin, dunicut chiles, Ceylon cinnamon, mustard, cardamon, clove, fennel, fenugreek, chamushka, star anise, ajwain, black cardamon, cilantro, anise seed, and bay leaf. NO - I don't know what some of those are -- I can't even pronounce them -- but I did read a letter to Penzeys saying that she likes to make vegetable soup to give to neighbors or shut-ins and she will not make it without putting Balti in it. It smells delicious and I can't wait to try it!
The other spice is simply called "Southwest" and just by its name you can pretty well figure that it has a bite to it. Well - correctly guessed because it is a combination of the following spices: salt, ancho pepper,onion, garlic, black pepper, Mexican oregano, cayenne pepper, cumin, chipolte, and cilantro. Just listing the ingredients makes me want to cook something and a several dashes of this. I think I will take a tiny taste. Yes - I did and yes it is hot and delicious!!!
Now I just need to make veggie soup and something else and give it a Mexican flare with my new Southwest seasoning!
When I was in Ruidoso - we went to Santa Fe for the day. The restaurant where we had lunch brought out three muffins - they were blue corn -- and very tasty. From then on - the search was on -- Mary and I wanted "Blue corn meal." We finally found it and both bought a bag. I made mine up last night - using the recipe on the bag -- adding jalapeno, green chiles, and fresh corn. I thought it had a good taste (Travis said it didn't have any taste) but it was very crumbly and dense. I would like to buy some more blue corn meal and make my own recipe -- I would use about half blue corn meal and two thirds of regular white or yellow corn meal, and about 1/4th cup of flour.
I do like to make muffins though -- they may seem like too much trouble but actually they are really easy -- especially if you use the cute little paper liners. Here is a neat recipe.
BACON AND PIMENTO CHEESE MUFFINS
2 cups all purpose flour
1-1/4 cups crumbled cooked bacon
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup whole milk (wonder why skim would not be better??)
1/3 cup prepared pimento cheese
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Preheat oveb to 400 degrees. Spray a 12 cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray (or line all 12 holes with paper liners!)
In a large bowl, combine flour, bacon, baking powder, and salt;
In a small bowl, combine milk, pimento cheese, oil, and egg; pour into well in flour mixture (make a well by just making a clearing a whole in the center of the ingredients); stir ingredients with a fork just until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Serve warm!!
Have a blessed evening and day tomorrow. Oh I do have a favor to ask of each of you! I had mentioned this on FB last week -- but this is so important -- it could be important to you or someone you love. The Red CRoss needs money and volunteers very badly. One way you can donate at least a dollar is in a 24 hour strech - starting at noon tomorrow - if you will sign up with IGive.com and choose Smith County American Red Cross as your charity - we - the Red Cross will receive $1.00 for each person that signs up in that time period. We also receive one cent for every time you search for something through IGive. THen if you buy something from one of the stores listed (over 700) we get a percentage and if you purchase within 45 days from when you sign up - we get $5.00. So please go to IGive.com and sign up between 12:00 noon tomorrow and 12:00 Thursday. Thank you - and that will definitely be your "I did something good today!"
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
RECIPES AND MORE RECIPES - COOKING AT ITS BEST!!!
Well - welcome back - and I must say I am thankful to be back! After the fiasco last Wednesday night - I was discouraged - but I was taught one important lesson - SAVE - SAVE - SAVE!!
Before I was so rudely wiped out - I had given you a recipe that sounds like a fun - and delicious salsa -- so early on, I am going to try it again!!
TOMATILLO AND APPLE SALSA
1 lb. tomatillos, husks removed ( tomatillos can usually be found at Brookshires or Walmart - but I like to buy them at the Mexican Food Store -Monterey - in the Wedgewood Shopping Center at the West Loop and Hwy 31. They are fresher there and always less expensive -- in fact -- I love to go there and buy lots of my Mexican food!!) Take the husks off the tomatillos wash them (really good), and quarter them - about 14 medium tomatillos is what you will need!!
1 Granny Smith apple - peeled, cored and quartered
1 Chile pepper, serrano - deveined and seeded - a good hot jalapeno will work too!
1/2 cup cilantro leave -- washed and cut off lots of stem
2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice (You can also buy wonderful lemon and lime juicers --e kind Rachel Ray uses-- at the Mexican food store too!)
2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice -- juice of about 1 whole lime!!
Boil quartered tomatillos in water for about 5 to 7 minutes, until fork tender. Drain and cool. Place all ingredients in the blender or (what I prefer) food processor and puree until smooth. Place in tightly covered container and store in refrigerator for up to 1 week. --
LET ME TELL YOU -- this recipe needs some garlic and salt and pepper. Then you will have a recipe you can serve with pride. Serve with grilled chicken, pork or fish. Makes about 2 cups!!
Bet you have never read a recipe with so many comments unless you have read one of mine before. Well - here is another one!!!
CHICKEN STIR FRY -- Original by Jon Carole
Tonight -- I had four limp, thawed out chicken breasts - and didn't know what to do with them. I didn't want to grill them, boil them, or fry them. SO -- I cut them up in diagonal strips and then half the strips! I sprinkles them, rather heavily, ith Pensey's Chinese Five Spice (a wonderful spice full of "Chinese Five Spice Powder" which is China Cassia Cinnamon, star anise,anise seed, ginger, and cloves -- a wonderfully flavorful and sweet spice, about 2 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce - which isn't really necessary) some black pepper, 2 tablespoons Pensey's minced garlic, several dashes of black pepper, about 2 tablespoons white wine, 1 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar, a dash of sugar, -- ok I was making it up as I went. Anyway it marinated for about 30 minutes and then I sauted chopped onion, about 3 very small ones and about 4 cloves of garlic, and three very small bell peppers (that I grew, and a half of a jalapeno that was very hot. I let this cook about 3 minutes and took it up. I added a little more oil (ran out of olive oil) and then : Took 3 tablespoons of corn starch, a tad of salt, dash of black pepper, and put in plastic bag. Took the chicken out of the marinade (but did not dry off) and put in bag and shook really hard to semi-coat he chicken. Added to hot oil and then turned heat down as chicken started to try to fry. I let cook until done and then turned it down for a while. I added the garlic, onion, and pepper I taken out of pan, and one bag of Minute Maid Steamable veggies - carrots, brocoli, carrots,and water chestnuts. I let cook about 2 minutes and added one chopped up fresh mango -- let that cook for abut 1 minute on low, low heat. (Wanted pineapple chunks but didn't want them bad enough to go to the store!!!)
Travis said he loved the chicken -- that is wonderful and amazing!!! I served it with fresh boiled corn, brown rice (which MR. T shunned -= saying if you have corn - you don't need rice!) I also make blue corn bread -- but when I stirred it up according to the recipe on the bag, I knew it was "WRONG!!!" I added jalapenos, green chiles, and fresh corn -- but still no taste. We had wonderful "blue corn muffins" at a restaurant in Santa Fe and I, could not wait to buy blue corn meal. Well - don't buy the blue corn meal in a sack and go by the recipe on the box -- just doesn't do justice to what it could be!! I plan to buy some more and create the muffins on my own!!
My sister, Michelle, and my precious niece, Maura, went to Dallas on Saturday and had a great time. That Maura makes a great time of whatever you are doing. At one time she was singing "I am a hungry girl, please feed me, Yum, Yum, I am starving" to a tune on the radio and we were amazed at how her words fit ever note!(The music and song was by Mily Sirus` Smart and wonderful little eight year old!! SHe also told her grandmother she needed to learn Spanish so she could "communicate" with the painter! I don't think I even knew that word at 8 years old!!!
We were late getting to Penseys and I was so disappointed - so disappointed that Travis took me after church on Sunday! I bought so many new and wonderful spices and I will try to introduce each one to you! Besides the Chinese Five Spice Powder, I love the Black and Red Spice we bought. It is Tellicerry black pepper and Cayenne Red Pepper! I put it on my sandwich today and it is wondrful -- with just the right bite!! (I will even try to remember to tell you about the great sandwich I made today -- based on my nephew's trainer's advise!!
Have a great evening -- what is left of it -- an even better tomorrow - and the best way to have a great tomorrow -- is to make it that way for someone else! God bless each of you!!!
Before I was so rudely wiped out - I had given you a recipe that sounds like a fun - and delicious salsa -- so early on, I am going to try it again!!
TOMATILLO AND APPLE SALSA
1 lb. tomatillos, husks removed ( tomatillos can usually be found at Brookshires or Walmart - but I like to buy them at the Mexican Food Store -Monterey - in the Wedgewood Shopping Center at the West Loop and Hwy 31. They are fresher there and always less expensive -- in fact -- I love to go there and buy lots of my Mexican food!!) Take the husks off the tomatillos wash them (really good), and quarter them - about 14 medium tomatillos is what you will need!!
1 Granny Smith apple - peeled, cored and quartered
1 Chile pepper, serrano - deveined and seeded - a good hot jalapeno will work too!
1/2 cup cilantro leave -- washed and cut off lots of stem
2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice (You can also buy wonderful lemon and lime juicers --e kind Rachel Ray uses-- at the Mexican food store too!)
2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice -- juice of about 1 whole lime!!
Boil quartered tomatillos in water for about 5 to 7 minutes, until fork tender. Drain and cool. Place all ingredients in the blender or (what I prefer) food processor and puree until smooth. Place in tightly covered container and store in refrigerator for up to 1 week. --
LET ME TELL YOU -- this recipe needs some garlic and salt and pepper. Then you will have a recipe you can serve with pride. Serve with grilled chicken, pork or fish. Makes about 2 cups!!
Bet you have never read a recipe with so many comments unless you have read one of mine before. Well - here is another one!!!
CHICKEN STIR FRY -- Original by Jon Carole
Tonight -- I had four limp, thawed out chicken breasts - and didn't know what to do with them. I didn't want to grill them, boil them, or fry them. SO -- I cut them up in diagonal strips and then half the strips! I sprinkles them, rather heavily, ith Pensey's Chinese Five Spice (a wonderful spice full of "Chinese Five Spice Powder" which is China Cassia Cinnamon, star anise,anise seed, ginger, and cloves -- a wonderfully flavorful and sweet spice, about 2 tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce - which isn't really necessary) some black pepper, 2 tablespoons Pensey's minced garlic, several dashes of black pepper, about 2 tablespoons white wine, 1 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar, a dash of sugar, -- ok I was making it up as I went. Anyway it marinated for about 30 minutes and then I sauted chopped onion, about 3 very small ones and about 4 cloves of garlic, and three very small bell peppers (that I grew, and a half of a jalapeno that was very hot. I let this cook about 3 minutes and took it up. I added a little more oil (ran out of olive oil) and then : Took 3 tablespoons of corn starch, a tad of salt, dash of black pepper, and put in plastic bag. Took the chicken out of the marinade (but did not dry off) and put in bag and shook really hard to semi-coat he chicken. Added to hot oil and then turned heat down as chicken started to try to fry. I let cook until done and then turned it down for a while. I added the garlic, onion, and pepper I taken out of pan, and one bag of Minute Maid Steamable veggies - carrots, brocoli, carrots,and water chestnuts. I let cook about 2 minutes and added one chopped up fresh mango -- let that cook for abut 1 minute on low, low heat. (Wanted pineapple chunks but didn't want them bad enough to go to the store!!!)
Travis said he loved the chicken -- that is wonderful and amazing!!! I served it with fresh boiled corn, brown rice (which MR. T shunned -= saying if you have corn - you don't need rice!) I also make blue corn bread -- but when I stirred it up according to the recipe on the bag, I knew it was "WRONG!!!" I added jalapenos, green chiles, and fresh corn -- but still no taste. We had wonderful "blue corn muffins" at a restaurant in Santa Fe and I, could not wait to buy blue corn meal. Well - don't buy the blue corn meal in a sack and go by the recipe on the box -- just doesn't do justice to what it could be!! I plan to buy some more and create the muffins on my own!!
My sister, Michelle, and my precious niece, Maura, went to Dallas on Saturday and had a great time. That Maura makes a great time of whatever you are doing. At one time she was singing "I am a hungry girl, please feed me, Yum, Yum, I am starving" to a tune on the radio and we were amazed at how her words fit ever note!(The music and song was by Mily Sirus` Smart and wonderful little eight year old!! SHe also told her grandmother she needed to learn Spanish so she could "communicate" with the painter! I don't think I even knew that word at 8 years old!!!
We were late getting to Penseys and I was so disappointed - so disappointed that Travis took me after church on Sunday! I bought so many new and wonderful spices and I will try to introduce each one to you! Besides the Chinese Five Spice Powder, I love the Black and Red Spice we bought. It is Tellicerry black pepper and Cayenne Red Pepper! I put it on my sandwich today and it is wondrful -- with just the right bite!! (I will even try to remember to tell you about the great sandwich I made today -- based on my nephew's trainer's advise!!
Have a great evening -- what is left of it -- an even better tomorrow - and the best way to have a great tomorrow -- is to make it that way for someone else! God bless each of you!!!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
WEDNESDAYS ARE SPECIAL -- ENJOY!!
This is horrible -- I have been writing for about an hour and somehow it all was lost. Truthfully - and not bragging -- it was one of my best in a long, long time because I was so sincere in what I was saying, and now it is not here!! I will try to recreate tomorrow. Right now I am too sick about it to do anything! I thanked people - and then I worried about the meal and then was thankful the meal at church was over and so many people thanked me and bragged on the meal! How do you recreate your feelings when they are so raw when you write about them. Tomorrow a whole new set of worries, thanksfulnesses, etc., will occur! I am sick about this tonight -- all of my thoughts and thanks being deleted!!! I will express my thanks to Michelle, Travis, the VanScroders, Sue and Brenda - but I know it won't be the same as tonight!
I pray God will bless your night, your life and that you in turn will bless someone else by your friendship or kindness!!!
I pray God will bless your night, your life and that you in turn will bless someone else by your friendship or kindness!!!
Monday, September 20, 2010
BACK WITH A POTPOURI OF THOUGHTS
Finally --a week later I am back! It was one week of absolute desperation and dispair over a stupid new computer that I could not get to work! Finally after 2 more miserable, disgusting hours at Best Buy - they resolved all of the problems and after the purchase of a new printer - I am back in business! I printed the Pilot Light,that I edit once each month for the Pilot Club, in about half the time it has taken in the past!
How is everyone? I had a great day at work -- I won't give details but one of my customers that I had defended as honorable, but having had some terribly bad luck due to the down turn of the economy came in with a large check to pay off one of his loans proving I knew he was honorable and would pay as soon as he could. A great recovery for him and me!!!
I am cooking for Wednesday night meal at Church this week and have been busy gathering my supplies and getting prepared. I think it will turn out to be good - how can you go too wrong when you are having Sopapilla Cheesecake for dessert? (Recipe is posted on March 7, 2010!) You know though - sometimes what you think is a very simple and easy meal turns out to be very expensive!
I've not been cooking at home hardly any the past couple of weeks - I was so wrapped up in the computer problems and we always are running so late, and I must say my sweet husband has been more than considerate and not complained. I have several meals I want to prepare and hopefully by next week I will be back on track!
Have you ever cooked with Blue Corn meal? I haven't, but in Santa Fe, the restaurant we ate lunch at brought out each of us a Blue Corn muffin and it was out of this world -- so we looked and looked until we found packages of blue corn meal and it even had the recipe!! Can't wait to try it and let you know if it is as good as the one we had!
I am going out of town this weekend - I am sorry to miss the wedding this weekend - actually there were two wedding invitations that were 1 hour apart and miles apart - both weddings I would love to attend - impossible as it would have been! I have had this little trip planned for several weeks and it was the only week that it could be arranged - so - on my way, I plan to stop at Penzey's --so if anyone is still reading and would like for me to bring them anything - just call or email me and let me know!
Today I was shocked - yes - as old as I am (and no I am not telling) I am still shocked at some peoples behavior. I was told about a friend of someone at work who has become re-acquainted with someone she knew in high school over the internet and then by phone. Now he is going to come pick her up and they are going to fly to some island for-- a reunion I suppose or it sounded more like a love-in.. One of the kickers is she said since she is a Christian they are going to have a "Common law marriage" so they can have all the romance they want and then if it doesn't work out - well it will be ok! Oh by the way - she has already been married twice! How can so called Christians twist the truth of the scriptures to just fit whatever they want! I know Jack Paul when he preached would say, "There is no "the Bible says it, buttttttttt!" IF God said it -- there is no "butttttttt!"
I am not much on casseroles - I often equate them to "lazy" but lots of people really like them! Sometimes something comes around that sounds really good -- this one does!
COMPANY CASSEROLE (from the GREEN CHILE BIBLE)
4 Tbs. cooking oil
1 large onion, diced
1 mediun bell pepper, finely chopped
1 (10 oz.) can tomatoes
1 (10 oz. can tomatoes and green chiles (like Rotel)
1 can (10 oz.) green chiles seeded and coarsely chopped
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
12 corn tortillas
2 Cups mild cheddar cheese
1 Cup sour cream
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet saute' the onion and green pepper in the cooking oil. Add the next four ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes.
Cut the tortillas into quarters and fry them lightly in hot oil. In a large casserole, place a layer of tortilas and top with part of the hot tomato and chile mixture. Sprinkle with part of the cheese. Repeat the layers and top with sour cream. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes.
Serves 8.
Sounds really good as an appetiser, but I think it would need a couple of cloves of garlic sauted with the onion and bell pepper. If you try it - I would be interested in what you think!!!
More to come! Have a blessed day tomorrow and make it a day where you bless someone!
How is everyone? I had a great day at work -- I won't give details but one of my customers that I had defended as honorable, but having had some terribly bad luck due to the down turn of the economy came in with a large check to pay off one of his loans proving I knew he was honorable and would pay as soon as he could. A great recovery for him and me!!!
I am cooking for Wednesday night meal at Church this week and have been busy gathering my supplies and getting prepared. I think it will turn out to be good - how can you go too wrong when you are having Sopapilla Cheesecake for dessert? (Recipe is posted on March 7, 2010!) You know though - sometimes what you think is a very simple and easy meal turns out to be very expensive!
I've not been cooking at home hardly any the past couple of weeks - I was so wrapped up in the computer problems and we always are running so late, and I must say my sweet husband has been more than considerate and not complained. I have several meals I want to prepare and hopefully by next week I will be back on track!
Have you ever cooked with Blue Corn meal? I haven't, but in Santa Fe, the restaurant we ate lunch at brought out each of us a Blue Corn muffin and it was out of this world -- so we looked and looked until we found packages of blue corn meal and it even had the recipe!! Can't wait to try it and let you know if it is as good as the one we had!
I am going out of town this weekend - I am sorry to miss the wedding this weekend - actually there were two wedding invitations that were 1 hour apart and miles apart - both weddings I would love to attend - impossible as it would have been! I have had this little trip planned for several weeks and it was the only week that it could be arranged - so - on my way, I plan to stop at Penzey's --so if anyone is still reading and would like for me to bring them anything - just call or email me and let me know!
Today I was shocked - yes - as old as I am (and no I am not telling) I am still shocked at some peoples behavior. I was told about a friend of someone at work who has become re-acquainted with someone she knew in high school over the internet and then by phone. Now he is going to come pick her up and they are going to fly to some island for-- a reunion I suppose or it sounded more like a love-in.. One of the kickers is she said since she is a Christian they are going to have a "Common law marriage" so they can have all the romance they want and then if it doesn't work out - well it will be ok! Oh by the way - she has already been married twice! How can so called Christians twist the truth of the scriptures to just fit whatever they want! I know Jack Paul when he preached would say, "There is no "the Bible says it, buttttttttt!" IF God said it -- there is no "butttttttt!"
I am not much on casseroles - I often equate them to "lazy" but lots of people really like them! Sometimes something comes around that sounds really good -- this one does!
COMPANY CASSEROLE (from the GREEN CHILE BIBLE)
4 Tbs. cooking oil
1 large onion, diced
1 mediun bell pepper, finely chopped
1 (10 oz.) can tomatoes
1 (10 oz. can tomatoes and green chiles (like Rotel)
1 can (10 oz.) green chiles seeded and coarsely chopped
1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce
12 corn tortillas
2 Cups mild cheddar cheese
1 Cup sour cream
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet saute' the onion and green pepper in the cooking oil. Add the next four ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes.
Cut the tortillas into quarters and fry them lightly in hot oil. In a large casserole, place a layer of tortilas and top with part of the hot tomato and chile mixture. Sprinkle with part of the cheese. Repeat the layers and top with sour cream. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes.
Serves 8.
Sounds really good as an appetiser, but I think it would need a couple of cloves of garlic sauted with the onion and bell pepper. If you try it - I would be interested in what you think!!!
More to come! Have a blessed day tomorrow and make it a day where you bless someone!
Monday, September 13, 2010
WHY ARE COMPUTER HOOKUPS SO COMPLICATED?
It is 9:33 and I am worn out -- got home about 5:45 and have been trying to get email on Travis' new computer since then. I am about ready to take it back, not even try on mine and just give up. He can use his old one even if it does take 5 minutes for email to come up and I will just let everyone know to send my email to work! It should not be that hard -- even the "suddenlink geek" could not figure it out! Well I just deleted a couple of paragraphs =-- don't ask me how - I sure don't know! I was saying I need help! Does any one have any suggestions??
Here is something that is so sweet! I can't send the pictures but it is the words that count:
"A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said:"I am blind, please help." There was only a few coins in the hat.
A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.
Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.
That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were.
The boy recognized his footsteps and asked: "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? "What did you write?"
The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way." I wrote: "Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it!"
Both signs told the people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?
Moral of the story: Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. be innovative. Think differently and positively. When life gives you 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to live.
Face your past without regret.
Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear.
The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling and even more beautiful, is knowing you are the reason behind it!!!!"
Tonight I have another recipe!!!
HOMEMADE MEATBALLS:
1 lb. very lean hamburger meat or ground turkey or ground veal
2 tbls. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cloves of garlic - pressed or finely minced
1 tsp. black pepper
2 Tablespoons dried parsley
1 tsp. Italian seasoning or Pensey's Foxpoint and any other seasoning you like
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (or to taste or if you have sissies -- omit!)
1/4 cup seasoning bread crumbs (I like the Italian seasoned ones by Peppridge Farms or Food Club is just as good)
You can add one beaten egg or not!
Combine well and roll out your meatballs - about 1 inch in diameter.
Pour about 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil in skillet and get hot. Add meatballs (do not crowd) and brown on all sides -- they will almost be done - but then put in a pan, cover with foil and put in about a 225 degree oven while browning others. Leave in oven until ready to serve with pasta and sauce. I promise your family will never want meat sauce again -- they will want the meat in meatballs!
There sister -- now you know how!!! (Just a little family notation!!!)
Have a blessed rest tonight. Thanks for logging on. Remember - smile and the world will smile with you -- cry and you cry alone!!
Here is something that is so sweet! I can't send the pictures but it is the words that count:
"A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said:"I am blind, please help." There was only a few coins in the hat.
A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.
Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.
That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were.
The boy recognized his footsteps and asked: "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? "What did you write?"
The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way." I wrote: "Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it!"
Both signs told the people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people they were so lucky that they were not blind. Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?
Moral of the story: Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. be innovative. Think differently and positively. When life gives you 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to live.
Face your past without regret.
Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear.
The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling and even more beautiful, is knowing you are the reason behind it!!!!"
Tonight I have another recipe!!!
HOMEMADE MEATBALLS:
1 lb. very lean hamburger meat or ground turkey or ground veal
2 tbls. olive oil
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cloves of garlic - pressed or finely minced
1 tsp. black pepper
2 Tablespoons dried parsley
1 tsp. Italian seasoning or Pensey's Foxpoint and any other seasoning you like
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (or to taste or if you have sissies -- omit!)
1/4 cup seasoning bread crumbs (I like the Italian seasoned ones by Peppridge Farms or Food Club is just as good)
You can add one beaten egg or not!
Combine well and roll out your meatballs - about 1 inch in diameter.
Pour about 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil in skillet and get hot. Add meatballs (do not crowd) and brown on all sides -- they will almost be done - but then put in a pan, cover with foil and put in about a 225 degree oven while browning others. Leave in oven until ready to serve with pasta and sauce. I promise your family will never want meat sauce again -- they will want the meat in meatballs!
There sister -- now you know how!!! (Just a little family notation!!!)
Have a blessed rest tonight. Thanks for logging on. Remember - smile and the world will smile with you -- cry and you cry alone!!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
THANKFUL FOR SO MUCH INCLUDING NEW COMPUTER!!!
Finally have a new computer that works and all my connections (FB and Blogger) recognize me. What a relief!!! Still don't have email set up -- don't really know how!!! I am so computer illiterate -- but at work someone else does all of that!
Sunday night again -- tomorrow starts a whole week of work! Need I say more about that???
It was great to be back at Shiloh today -- didn't realize how much I had missed everyone until I got back. Mark had another great sermon -- had definitely missed his preaching too!!
Yesterday I attended our Red Cross Retreat at one of the board member's house on Lake Palestine. IT is a wonderful place and she has the most awesome bathroom -- it is about the size of a big bedroom and the open shower is about the size of my entire bathroom! IT is a truly great place!! She is a great lady too! We plan our year's work, goals, and how to raise enough money to cover all of the local disasters that happen - primarily single family house fires! We provide shelter, clothing, food - and all of the necessities to get back on one's feet when they have lost everything and have no means of helping themselves.
Glenda and I took breakfast and lunch. Glenda did all of breakfast and then she brought all of the trimmings for hamburgers, Travis made the hamburgers and brought them out at lunchtime and I did the desserts, chips, buns, etc. My desserts were a great hit -- with the winner the Sopapilla Cheesecake (in my blog on March 7! I also made another great dessert and got to bring some of it home. IT is:
VERY BERRY PIE BARS
CRUST AND CRUMBS
3/4 Cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
Zest of 1 lemon
1-1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
3/4 tsp. almond extract
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
FILLING
2 Large eggs
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar (11 tablespoons total)
1/2 cup light sour cream (I used Daisy brand)
1 tsp. vanilla extract (I used Mexican, of course!)
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 - 6 oz. box fresh raspberries
1 - 6 oz. box fresh blackberries
1 - 6 oz. box fresh blueberries (store didn't have fresh and I found our that if you run cold water on freshly frozen blueberries, drain and dry well, they are just like fresh -- so that is I did! GREAT DISCOVERY!!!)
(Together - this should be about 3-1/2 cups of mixed berries)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mist a 9 by 13 baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
MAKE CRUST AND CRUMBS: Add sugar, salt, and lemon zest to bowl of electric mixer. Mix on medium speed until combined and fragrant, about 1 minute. (This infuses the sugar with some of the lemon oils!) Add flour and and butter and mix on medium until crumbs form. (DON'T TURN YOUR BACK AS I DID OR LIKE ME YOU WILL HAVE CREAMY CRUMBS!) With mixer on, dribble in almond extract. Continue mixing until crumbs get more moist and look like they might begin to clump!
Press about half the dough into the bottom of prepared pan, Place pan in hot oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes, while working on the rest of the recipe.
Meanwhile, add nutmeg to the remaining crumbs, and mix until combined. Remove crumbs to a separate bowl and set aside.
MAKE FILLING
In same mixing bowl (no need to wash it), beat eggs, sugar, sour cream, and vanilla until well mixed. Add flour and stir in until combined. Genly fold in berries by hand, taking care not to mash them.
Pour berry mixture evenly over partially baked crust. Sprinkle with remaining crumbs and bake 60 minutes.
Remove from oven and cool about 1 hour.
Cut into 24 to 30 pieces.
MADE me want to go get a piece just writing about it --- but I won't!!
I bought two new cookbooks -- one in the little Teralinga Ghost Town trading village and another in Ruidosa. Both have some great sounding recipes and finally the man is through painting in my kitchen and I can cook again! I want to find a recipequickly for what I want to make next Wednesday night (the 22nd) -- I know I want to do some type of Mexican and do the Sopapilla Cheesecake for dessert!
These sound great and I want to fix them soon!
CHILE BREAKFAST WHIRLS
4 Cups biscuit mix
1/2 Cup butter
1 Cup milk
1 lb. hot pork sausage
1 lb. regular pork sausage (I would probably use 2 hot)
1-1/2 cups green chiles, chopped (or 2 cans)
Mix the biscuit mix, margarine and milk well; refrigerate 1/2 hour.
Meanwhile, mix the sausage and green chiles and let stand to room temperature
Divide the dough in half. Roll out each piece to a large rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Spread half of the sausage mixture completely over each piece of dough; roll up like a jelly roll. wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for 1 hour.
Remove from freezer and slice 1/3 inch thick. Freeze until ready to use. Then place the frozen slices on a cookie sheet and bake in preheated over 400 degrees - for 20 minutes.
Makes 50 to 60!! I THINK IT SOUNDS GREAT!!!
In Proverbs - verse 24 says: "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones!" Ever thought about how your words can affect someone? They can lift one up, or tear one down! Have you every experienced this? It can be like "honeycomb" to have someone sincerely praise you or acknowledge you and it can break your heart if the words are mean or critical. Please - for your own salvation and for the sake of others -- watch your words and be careful not to hurt someone intentionally or unintentionally!
May God bless and protect each of you through out tonight and tomorrow and please - find a good deed and do it for someone! I will also look for an opportunity!
Good night!
Sunday night again -- tomorrow starts a whole week of work! Need I say more about that???
It was great to be back at Shiloh today -- didn't realize how much I had missed everyone until I got back. Mark had another great sermon -- had definitely missed his preaching too!!
Yesterday I attended our Red Cross Retreat at one of the board member's house on Lake Palestine. IT is a wonderful place and she has the most awesome bathroom -- it is about the size of a big bedroom and the open shower is about the size of my entire bathroom! IT is a truly great place!! She is a great lady too! We plan our year's work, goals, and how to raise enough money to cover all of the local disasters that happen - primarily single family house fires! We provide shelter, clothing, food - and all of the necessities to get back on one's feet when they have lost everything and have no means of helping themselves.
Glenda and I took breakfast and lunch. Glenda did all of breakfast and then she brought all of the trimmings for hamburgers, Travis made the hamburgers and brought them out at lunchtime and I did the desserts, chips, buns, etc. My desserts were a great hit -- with the winner the Sopapilla Cheesecake (in my blog on March 7! I also made another great dessert and got to bring some of it home. IT is:
VERY BERRY PIE BARS
CRUST AND CRUMBS
3/4 Cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
Zest of 1 lemon
1-1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into cubes
3/4 tsp. almond extract
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
FILLING
2 Large eggs
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar (11 tablespoons total)
1/2 cup light sour cream (I used Daisy brand)
1 tsp. vanilla extract (I used Mexican, of course!)
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 - 6 oz. box fresh raspberries
1 - 6 oz. box fresh blackberries
1 - 6 oz. box fresh blueberries (store didn't have fresh and I found our that if you run cold water on freshly frozen blueberries, drain and dry well, they are just like fresh -- so that is I did! GREAT DISCOVERY!!!)
(Together - this should be about 3-1/2 cups of mixed berries)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mist a 9 by 13 baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
MAKE CRUST AND CRUMBS: Add sugar, salt, and lemon zest to bowl of electric mixer. Mix on medium speed until combined and fragrant, about 1 minute. (This infuses the sugar with some of the lemon oils!) Add flour and and butter and mix on medium until crumbs form. (DON'T TURN YOUR BACK AS I DID OR LIKE ME YOU WILL HAVE CREAMY CRUMBS!) With mixer on, dribble in almond extract. Continue mixing until crumbs get more moist and look like they might begin to clump!
Press about half the dough into the bottom of prepared pan, Place pan in hot oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool 10 minutes, while working on the rest of the recipe.
Meanwhile, add nutmeg to the remaining crumbs, and mix until combined. Remove crumbs to a separate bowl and set aside.
MAKE FILLING
In same mixing bowl (no need to wash it), beat eggs, sugar, sour cream, and vanilla until well mixed. Add flour and stir in until combined. Genly fold in berries by hand, taking care not to mash them.
Pour berry mixture evenly over partially baked crust. Sprinkle with remaining crumbs and bake 60 minutes.
Remove from oven and cool about 1 hour.
Cut into 24 to 30 pieces.
MADE me want to go get a piece just writing about it --- but I won't!!
I bought two new cookbooks -- one in the little Teralinga Ghost Town trading village and another in Ruidosa. Both have some great sounding recipes and finally the man is through painting in my kitchen and I can cook again! I want to find a recipequickly for what I want to make next Wednesday night (the 22nd) -- I know I want to do some type of Mexican and do the Sopapilla Cheesecake for dessert!
These sound great and I want to fix them soon!
CHILE BREAKFAST WHIRLS
4 Cups biscuit mix
1/2 Cup butter
1 Cup milk
1 lb. hot pork sausage
1 lb. regular pork sausage (I would probably use 2 hot)
1-1/2 cups green chiles, chopped (or 2 cans)
Mix the biscuit mix, margarine and milk well; refrigerate 1/2 hour.
Meanwhile, mix the sausage and green chiles and let stand to room temperature
Divide the dough in half. Roll out each piece to a large rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Spread half of the sausage mixture completely over each piece of dough; roll up like a jelly roll. wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for 1 hour.
Remove from freezer and slice 1/3 inch thick. Freeze until ready to use. Then place the frozen slices on a cookie sheet and bake in preheated over 400 degrees - for 20 minutes.
Makes 50 to 60!! I THINK IT SOUNDS GREAT!!!
In Proverbs - verse 24 says: "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones!" Ever thought about how your words can affect someone? They can lift one up, or tear one down! Have you every experienced this? It can be like "honeycomb" to have someone sincerely praise you or acknowledge you and it can break your heart if the words are mean or critical. Please - for your own salvation and for the sake of others -- watch your words and be careful not to hurt someone intentionally or unintentionally!
May God bless and protect each of you through out tonight and tomorrow and please - find a good deed and do it for someone! I will also look for an opportunity!
Good night!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
THANKFUL TO BE BACK --READERS ARE YOU THERE?
Anyone there??? I have not written a blog for nine days. My computer would not type-- I sent a little message on Travis' -- which I am using now. His keys are not spaced the same as mine and I will probably spell half what I am writing wrong. Tonight I could type on mine, but this message keeps popping up, "Windows has experienced a problem and has to shut down." Then I try to log in to write my blog and it says it does not recognize my user name. I got on Travis' computer and everything is fine. It is like a real life nightmare!!!
I just got back Monday from a wonderful trip to visit my very best friends Jack and Mary Paul in Ruidoso. They have a lovely home on a mountain top and they treated me like royalty. I arrived on Thursday after about two hours of delayed planes and Mary had a lovely lunch prepared when we arrived after a one hour trip from Roswell and then we went to a fun neighborhood party that evening. Friday morning we arose early and went to Santa Fe for a day of shopping and eating. Two wonderful restaurants -- both with wonderful Mexican or Southwest food -- my very favorite.
Throughout the weekend, we watched a mamma deer and two little fawns from their deck, a beautiful male turkey flirting with a hen, and many other beautiful sights. The entire trip was one I will never forget -- I love Mary and Jack so much and miss them when they are away from Tyler either in Ruidoso or Naples!!
I bought a wonderful cookbook in Ruidoso and will be sharing recipes as I try from it; and the caterer at the party gave us her website and there is a delicious dip on it. She actually had it at the party. Then a friend of Mary's shared the following recipe and it was so good --tasted much like tamales!!
Taquito Pie (I made up the name because I don't guess the caterer that gave her this recipe told her the name)
Cover the bottom of a 9 X 12 pan with frozen taquitos (she used beef - but I can't wait to use chicken)
Pour 1 can Green Enchilada Sauce over it.
Cover with shredded cheese - either cheddar (tradionally what is on Tex-Mex) or Mexican cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes or until bubbly and hot through and through.
Serve with Salsa.
___
That is it - how easy is that??? I added 1 small can green chiles for a little more heat! Not only easy - but delicious!!!
I have many more recipes to share -- but it is after 10:30 and I must do my evening choses -- so I will write more later-- hopefully on a new computer!!
Here is one more -- sent to me by Pam Lott and it must be good!!(My sister will love this!!!)
APRICOT SALAD
1 Can of Apricot nectar
1 Box of orange jello
1 small can of crushed pineapple (do not drain)
1 (8 oz.) tub of Cool Whip
Bring apricot nectar to a boil and add box of JEllO, stir to dissolve and add pineapple. Pour into bowl and refrigerate for about an hour or hour and half. Take out of refrigerator and add Cool Whip. Pour into what you would like to serve it in and place in refrigerator. (You can add pecans or minature marshmallows if desired!)
Enjoy - from Pam and me!
I have so many thoughts to share with you but time is short tonight!
Here is one I really like:
"Many times trouble in marriage comes when a man is so busy earning his SALT, he forgets about his SUGAR!" This powerful little quote was in the Gateway Church of Christ, Ruidoso bulletin! You wonder how often this happens???
The calendar I sometimes refer to always has a quote and tonight it is:
"Without faith, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible." How true can that be? We all need to know God is with us, He can and will help us if we just ask and believe, He will! He has helped me through some tough times and I know it was HIM that did it.
Have a blessed evening - be thankful tomorrow is Friday - and please look for something good to do for someone that needs you!!
I just got back Monday from a wonderful trip to visit my very best friends Jack and Mary Paul in Ruidoso. They have a lovely home on a mountain top and they treated me like royalty. I arrived on Thursday after about two hours of delayed planes and Mary had a lovely lunch prepared when we arrived after a one hour trip from Roswell and then we went to a fun neighborhood party that evening. Friday morning we arose early and went to Santa Fe for a day of shopping and eating. Two wonderful restaurants -- both with wonderful Mexican or Southwest food -- my very favorite.
Throughout the weekend, we watched a mamma deer and two little fawns from their deck, a beautiful male turkey flirting with a hen, and many other beautiful sights. The entire trip was one I will never forget -- I love Mary and Jack so much and miss them when they are away from Tyler either in Ruidoso or Naples!!
I bought a wonderful cookbook in Ruidoso and will be sharing recipes as I try from it; and the caterer at the party gave us her website and there is a delicious dip on it. She actually had it at the party. Then a friend of Mary's shared the following recipe and it was so good --tasted much like tamales!!
Taquito Pie (I made up the name because I don't guess the caterer that gave her this recipe told her the name)
Cover the bottom of a 9 X 12 pan with frozen taquitos (she used beef - but I can't wait to use chicken)
Pour 1 can Green Enchilada Sauce over it.
Cover with shredded cheese - either cheddar (tradionally what is on Tex-Mex) or Mexican cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 50 minutes or until bubbly and hot through and through.
Serve with Salsa.
___
That is it - how easy is that??? I added 1 small can green chiles for a little more heat! Not only easy - but delicious!!!
I have many more recipes to share -- but it is after 10:30 and I must do my evening choses -- so I will write more later-- hopefully on a new computer!!
Here is one more -- sent to me by Pam Lott and it must be good!!(My sister will love this!!!)
APRICOT SALAD
1 Can of Apricot nectar
1 Box of orange jello
1 small can of crushed pineapple (do not drain)
1 (8 oz.) tub of Cool Whip
Bring apricot nectar to a boil and add box of JEllO, stir to dissolve and add pineapple. Pour into bowl and refrigerate for about an hour or hour and half. Take out of refrigerator and add Cool Whip. Pour into what you would like to serve it in and place in refrigerator. (You can add pecans or minature marshmallows if desired!)
Enjoy - from Pam and me!
I have so many thoughts to share with you but time is short tonight!
Here is one I really like:
"Many times trouble in marriage comes when a man is so busy earning his SALT, he forgets about his SUGAR!" This powerful little quote was in the Gateway Church of Christ, Ruidoso bulletin! You wonder how often this happens???
The calendar I sometimes refer to always has a quote and tonight it is:
"Without faith, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible." How true can that be? We all need to know God is with us, He can and will help us if we just ask and believe, He will! He has helped me through some tough times and I know it was HIM that did it.
Have a blessed evening - be thankful tomorrow is Friday - and please look for something good to do for someone that needs you!!
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