Do remember to fly by next year, dearies.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Menu Plan Monday
Breakfast~
steel cut oats with dates & walnuts, hot tea (x2)
buttered toast & hot cocoa
breakfast burrito, clementine
rice pudding, pears, hot tea
pumpkin muffins, hot cocoa
biscuits & gravy, clementine
Lunch~
veggie soup, crackers, apple slices, cheese stick
poorman's meal
eggsalad & crackers, carrot & celery sticks
Banana Protien fruit smoothie
left over baked beans, corn muffin
peanut butter & jelly, cheese stick, banana(x2)
Dinner~
penne with roasted vegetables & pesto, garden salad, whole wheat roll
baked beans sugared parsnips & carrots, corn muffin
roasted chicken, rosemary roasted potaotes, sauteed garlic& spinach
salmon cakes, baked sweet potatoes, green beans
roasted red pepper & carmelized onion pizza, garden salad
poched egg on sauteed mixed greens & whole wheat toast, baked apples
pork chop casserole, steamed broccoli
Have a brilliantly blessed week!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
A Merry Christmas Wish for You
We hope your Christmas Day is filled with
love, gratitude, friendship and family.
The Night Before Christmas
Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!
"Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.
His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"
~ Clement Clarke Moore ~
Victorian Christmas Recipes
Christmas Coffee
1 square chocolate
1/4 cup sugar
Dash of salt
2 cups boiling water
1 cup milk & cream, mixed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups hot coffee
Melt chocolate in top of double boiler. Add sugar, salt and boiling water. Stir for about 5 minutes. Pour in milk and cream. Do not let it boil. Add vanilla and hot coffee. For a cold drink, add a pint of vanilla ice cream. Mix in big bowl with electric mixer. Top with whipped cream and use candy cane for stirrer.
Sugar Plums
4 pounds dried mixed figs, dates and raisins
1/2 lb crystallized ginger
2 lbs walnuts
2 large grated orange rinds
3 tbsp brandy
1 cup granulated white sugar
Finely chop up the dried fruit, orange rinds, ginger and walnuts. By hand, but if you prefer, you can use a food processor. Add the brandy and mix. For into balls (1" diameter), then roll each one in the sugar until it is completely coated. Store in a cookie tin for two to three days before eating, to allow the flavors to thoroughly soak in. They can then be eaten and/or used to fill your cornucopia.
1 square chocolate
1/4 cup sugar
Dash of salt
2 cups boiling water
1 cup milk & cream, mixed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups hot coffee
Melt chocolate in top of double boiler. Add sugar, salt and boiling water. Stir for about 5 minutes. Pour in milk and cream. Do not let it boil. Add vanilla and hot coffee. For a cold drink, add a pint of vanilla ice cream. Mix in big bowl with electric mixer. Top with whipped cream and use candy cane for stirrer.
Sugar Plums
4 pounds dried mixed figs, dates and raisins
1/2 lb crystallized ginger
2 lbs walnuts
2 large grated orange rinds
3 tbsp brandy
1 cup granulated white sugar
Finely chop up the dried fruit, orange rinds, ginger and walnuts. By hand, but if you prefer, you can use a food processor. Add the brandy and mix. For into balls (1" diameter), then roll each one in the sugar until it is completely coated. Store in a cookie tin for two to three days before eating, to allow the flavors to thoroughly soak in. They can then be eaten and/or used to fill your cornucopia.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Menu Plan Monday
Things are a whirlwind around here as I am sure it is at your place this holiday season. I do hope every one has a very blessed Winter Solstice and a very Merry Christmas.
Breakfast~
buttered toast, hot cocoa
gingerbread with lemon sauce, spiced cider
banana muffins, hot cocoa (x2)
oatmeal with pecans & dried cranberries, spiced cider (x2)
French toast with bananas & cinnamon, hot tea
Lunch~
grilled cheese, tomato basil soup
toad in the hole, applesauce
macaroni & cheese, carrot & celery sticks with ranch dip
chabatta roll pizzas, side salad
peanut butter & jelly, celery sticks, apple slices (x2)
each man is out for himself - I'm cooking Christmas dinner!!
Dinner~
cider glazed pork chops, mashed potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts
Winter Solstice - Granny's potato, garlic toast, baked apples
salmon patties, fried potatoes & onions, peas
Beans, cornbread, seasoned greens
Christmas Eve at Mom's - finger foods & desserts
Christmas Dinner at our house - cinnamon apple baked ham, mashed potatoes & gravy, brown sugar glazed parsnips & carrots, rolls, Black Forest cake
scalloped potatoes & ham, green beans, Harvard beets
Have a Brilliantly blessed week!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
My Booklist from 2010
In the past years I know I read books, however, I never could recall what or when unless I came across the book on the shelf or at the library. If you were to ask me if I even read I would answer, "Not Much." So this year I kept a running list of books as I read them – I guess I can officially answer, "Yes, I do read. And it would seem on a variety of literature, poetry and topics. The ones in Bold print are my favorites.
Books Read in 2010~
The Conscious Cook – Tal Ronner
The Pioneer Woman Cooks – Ree Drummond
Rustic Fruit Desserts – Cory Schreiber
Earth to Table – Jeff Crump
Plenty – Alisa Smith
Spaghetti for the Soul – Kathy Troccoli and Ellie Lofaro
Simply in Season – Cathleen Hockman-West
Radical Homemakers – Shannon Hayes
Charlotte Mason Companion – Karen Andreola (I re-read this once a year- it helps me to keep my focus on our educational journey)
Farmers Market Cookbook – Richard Ruben
Harvest of Hope – Jane Goodall
Sense and Sensibility – Jane Austin
The Age of Innocence – Emma Wharton
Entertaining with the Sopranos – Allen Rucker
Story's Basic Country Skills
The Creative Family – Amanda Blake Soule
Handmade Home – Amanda Blake Soule
The Self Sufficientish Bible – Andy & Dave Hamilton
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle – Barbara Kingsolver
Flower Fairy Library – Cicely Mary Baker
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – J.K. Rowling
Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austin
Nature Study and Life - Clifton Scott
Lady of the Lake – Walter Scott
Little Men – Louisa May Alcott
Under the Lilacs – Louisa May Alcott
Vegetarian Soups for All Seasons – Nava Atlas
Vegetariana – Nava Atlas
The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas – Linda Dobson
The Inner World of Farm Animals – Amy Hatkoff
The Backyard Homestead – Carleen Madigan
Faith Books and Spiritual Journaling – Sharon Sonefe
The Face on Your Plate – Jeffery Moussaieff
Nature's Playground – Fiona Danks & Jo Schofield
Three Cups of Tea – Greg Mortenson & David Oliver Relin
The Wholefood Harvest Cookbook – Rachel Hunt
The running list worked so well for me that I can wait to get started on the list for 2011.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
The Death of Autumn
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When reeds are dead and a straw to thatch the marshes,
And feathered pampas-grass rides into the wind
Like aged warriors westward, tragic, thinned
Of half their tribe, and over the flattened rushes,
Stripped of its secret, open, stark and bleak,
Blackens afar the half-forgotten creek,—
Then leans on me the weight of the year, and crushes
My heart. I know that Beauty must ail and die,
And will be born again,—but ah, to see
Beauty stiffened, staring up at the sky!
Oh, Autumn! Autumn!—What is the Spring to me?
And feathered pampas-grass rides into the wind
Like aged warriors westward, tragic, thinned
Of half their tribe, and over the flattened rushes,
Stripped of its secret, open, stark and bleak,
Blackens afar the half-forgotten creek,—
Then leans on me the weight of the year, and crushes
My heart. I know that Beauty must ail and die,
And will be born again,—but ah, to see
Beauty stiffened, staring up at the sky!
Oh, Autumn! Autumn!—What is the Spring to me?
~ Edna St. Vincent Millay ~
Menu Plan Monday
Do hope everyone is doing well at this busy time of the year. Life has been filling our lives fully so I haven't been posting. One week was down with a cold, the next my uncle who lived with my mother passed away, the following week was Thanksgiving dinner for the family- thankfully we have finished up school for the year and plans for the next are already laid out. Did get a spot of wonderful news this week. Our oldest son and his wife are going to have a baby - that will give them 5 and us and even 10 grandchildren. It's hard to belive that it was just hubby and me thrity-three years ago!
So the plan is just Christmas for the next three weeks. We have all our shopping done except for one person. Planning to put up the tree this week and do some baking. Now about the baking - My mom and the boys went to Braum's for ice cream the other night and they were putting out fresh bananas. My mother made the off hand remark that they should make them down in stead of throwing them away to one of the boys. The salesman asked her if she was interested. She asked what the price was and he asked,"How about $2.00?" She said, "I'll Take them!" Now this is a woman who doesn't cook much and bakes even less. Guess who ended up with a large brown grocery bag filled to the top with speckled bananas! So I peeled, sliced, froze and bagged up all the bananas to use in smoothies and baking. I only had to toss out three that were mashed and had holes poked in them. I ended up with 3-one gallon freezer bag full. I was amazed at how many sliced bananas could fit into a freezer bag! The boys and I figured out that 13 slices equal one banana for recipes.
Breakfast~
rice pudding, hot cocoa
banana muffins, hot tea (x2)
toad in a hole, applesauce
oatmeal with walnuts & figs, hot tea (x2)
peanut butter on toast, banana, hot cocoa
Lunch~
veggie fried rice
grilled cheese sandwich, carrot, celery sticks with ranch dip
Leftover Irish stew, soda bread
baked sweet potatoes, ants on a log
Leftover ziti, orange slices
peanut butter & Jelly sandwich, apple slices (x2)
Dinner~
beans, fried potatoes, spinach, cornbread
feta & pea egg cups, herb roasted potatoes & carrots, bread & jam
baked fish, fried okra, french style peas, seasoned greens
Irish stew, soda bread
ziti, garden salad, garlic toast
creamed turkey on biscuits, roasted parsnips & butternut squash
chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans
Banana Fruit Cake
3/4 cup butter, room temperature
2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup chopped walnuts
3 cups candied fruit
1 cup crushed pineapple
2 cups chopped dates
1 Tablespoon orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1/2 teaspoons orange extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
Prepare two loaf pans (9"x5") and preheat the oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl combine the fruit, dates, and walnuts. dredge them with 1/4 cup of the flour. Sift the remaining flour together with the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set the bowl aside.
In another bowl cream together the butter and the sugar and beat the mixture until it is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Beat in the orange rind, orange juice and orange extract. Mash the bananas with a fork. Alternately stir in the bananas and flour mixture into the creamed mixture. Stir in the flour fruits and nuts.
Turn into the prepared pans and bake for 2 hours or until a skewer inserted into the middle of each cake comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 20 minutes, then turn our onto baking racks. Each loaf makes 12 servings.
2 cups brown sugar
4 eggs
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup chopped walnuts
3 cups candied fruit
1 cup crushed pineapple
2 cups chopped dates
1 Tablespoon orange juice
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1/2 teaspoons orange extract
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
Prepare two loaf pans (9"x5") and preheat the oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl combine the fruit, dates, and walnuts. dredge them with 1/4 cup of the flour. Sift the remaining flour together with the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Set the bowl aside.
In another bowl cream together the butter and the sugar and beat the mixture until it is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Beat in the orange rind, orange juice and orange extract. Mash the bananas with a fork. Alternately stir in the bananas and flour mixture into the creamed mixture. Stir in the flour fruits and nuts.
Turn into the prepared pans and bake for 2 hours or until a skewer inserted into the middle of each cake comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 20 minutes, then turn our onto baking racks. Each loaf makes 12 servings.
Banana Spice Cake
2 2/3 cup sifted flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2/3 cup shortening
1 1/3 cup sugar
2 eggs, well beaten
1 2/3 cups mashed bananas
2 teaspoons vanilla
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices together. In another bowl cream shortening with sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and beat throughly. Add sifted dry ingredients and bananas alternately in amall amounts, beating after each addition. Stir in vanillla. Pour int greased pans and bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. Makes 2 (8-inch) layeres. This recipe can also be used for 24 cupcakes frost with cream cheese frosting if desired.
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2/3 cup shortening
1 1/3 cup sugar
2 eggs, well beaten
1 2/3 cups mashed bananas
2 teaspoons vanilla
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices together. In another bowl cream shortening with sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and beat throughly. Add sifted dry ingredients and bananas alternately in amall amounts, beating after each addition. Stir in vanillla. Pour int greased pans and bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. Makes 2 (8-inch) layeres. This recipe can also be used for 24 cupcakes frost with cream cheese frosting if desired.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Fresh Apple Cake
This is a wonderful apple cake recipe that my grandmother use to make that she got from her friend, Georgie in the 1960's. I ate the things for years not knowing what was exactly in it - it was just grandma's good eats. Then about ten years ago I asked for the recipe -WOW! I'm not much of an oil and sugar user in recipes and this one floored me. It isn't low anything but it is the best fresh apple cake I have ever eaten. It has a nice semi-crispy outer crust. Perfect with a cup of coffee or tea for breakfast, Thanksgiving or Christmas. Remember the batter will be thick and you will be tempted to add some type of liquid, but don't , just put it in the pan and bake it. You definitely will not be disappointed with this one.
Fresh Apple Cake
1 1/2 cups canola oil
2 cups sugar
3 cups peeled, cored, diced apples
3 cups flour
2 eggs, well beaten
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts
Grease and flour an angel food pan, don't use cooking spray stuff - it will not work with this recipe. Beat eggs, add sugar, vanilla, and oil in a small bowl and set aside. In a large bowl sift the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together. Combine the dry and wet ingredients by hand . Add the apples and walnuts, mix well. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Let it cool completely before removing from the pan or it will crumble apart. This keeps well simply wrap it in aluminium foil.
Apple Carmel Cookies
This cookie recipe was my favorite when I was a child. I'm not a bit fan of chocolate so chocolate chip cookies didn't score points with me. So when great grandmother dishes out these and I was in heaven! They are simple comfort food and a simple to make recipe. I entered the cookies and recipe in the 1991 Oklahoma State Fair and they won 4th place. Not to shabby for a recipe that my granny has been making since my mom was 5 or 6.
Apple Carmel Cookies
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup grated apples
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup butterscotch morsels (granny called these carmel chips, in the day she use to by carmel chips that they quit selling years ago and she changed to the butterscotch morsels.)
Cream together the shortening and sugar, add egg and blend well. Stir in grated apples and set aside. In a large bowl sift together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix well. Stir in the butterscotch chips. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet by the tablespoonfuls and bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.
Apple Carmel Cookies
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup grated apples
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup butterscotch morsels (granny called these carmel chips, in the day she use to by carmel chips that they quit selling years ago and she changed to the butterscotch morsels.)
Cream together the shortening and sugar, add egg and blend well. Stir in grated apples and set aside. In a large bowl sift together the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix well. Stir in the butterscotch chips. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet by the tablespoonfuls and bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Menu Plan Monday
Breakfast~
oatmeal with walnuts & chopped figs, peppermint tea (x2)
potato cakes, sausages, orange slices
cinnamon chocolate chip pancakes, hot tea
apple pie bars, milk
toad in the hole, pumpkin juice (x2)
Lunch~
feta pea and egg cups, banana, bread & jam
spaghetti with spicy peanut sauce, pineapple chunks
veggie pastries, baked apple
curly fries with chili
peanut butter & jelly, apple slices (x2)
fish cakes with tartar sauce, Bavarian sauerkraut, roll
Dinner~
beef roast, potatoes, carrots, onions, sweet potatoes (use extra veggies in pastries)
Italian bean soup, rye bread & jam
baked pumpkin pasta, mixed greens salad, rolls
baked potato bar- sour cream , chili, green onions, cheddar and small green salad
lemon & herb roasted chicken, roasted new potatoes, steamed broccoli
Italian gravy on biscuits, roasted parsnips & carrots
winter pear, apple & butternut soup garden salad, rolls
Have a brilliantly blessed week and don't forget to pop on over to Organized Junkie for more meal ideas.
Autumn Song
Now's the time when children's noses
All become as red as roses
And the colour of their faces
Makes me think of orchard places
Where the juicy apples grow,
And tomatoes in a row.
And to-day the hardened sinner
Never could be late for dinner,
But will jump up to the table
Just as soon as he is able,
Ask for three times hot roast mutton--
Oh! the shocking little glutton.
Come then, find your ball and racket,
Pop into your winter jacket,
With the lovely bear-skin lining.
While the sun is brightly shining,
Let us run and play together
And just love the autumn weather.
All become as red as roses
And the colour of their faces
Makes me think of orchard places
Where the juicy apples grow,
And tomatoes in a row.
And to-day the hardened sinner
Never could be late for dinner,
But will jump up to the table
Just as soon as he is able,
Ask for three times hot roast mutton--
Oh! the shocking little glutton.
Come then, find your ball and racket,
Pop into your winter jacket,
With the lovely bear-skin lining.
While the sun is brightly shining,
Let us run and play together
And just love the autumn weather.
~ Katherine Mansfield ~
Monday, November 1, 2010
Menu Plan Monday
This past week wasn't any less busy then the week before. I had hopped it would slow down once we had
our Halloween Party, however, as usual it seem like once things get rolling with the first holiday celebration the hurried work and fun continue until after Christmas. You know the pan this, do that, make this, some more do that, and how about we try this this year. My mom called the night after the Halloween Party and wanted to know what was happening for Thanksgiving! I told her let me get over the Halloween and breath and I'd let her know.
The weather is changing fast and hovering between chill and cold. Have to turn on the stoves to get the chill out of the house in the morning and tonight I have them on to keep warm. It's been nice to sit and watch the fire's flames flicker in the fire place stove at night. It's hard to believe we are already into the last half of autumn already. It seems like it was just September and I was so excited it arrived. What is it about getting older that makes time pass more quickly? It doesn't seem fair when you are ole enough to appreciate and enjoy it you have less of it to enjoy. This week I'm excited to try my hand at my first English meat pie. After a Halloween Eve Night viewing of Sweeney Todd I just couldn't resist.
Breakfast~
pumpkin breakfast cookies, hot cocoa
rice pudding, hot tea
toad in the hole, peppermint tea
oatmeal with raisins & walnuts (x2)
cinnamon toast, pumpkin smoothie
biscuits & gravy, orange slices
Lunch~
veggie fried rice
grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato basil soup
waffles, banana
peanut butter & jelly, pears (x2)
winner wraps, carrot sticks, apple slices
Dinner~
veggie burgers, curly fries
talipia, sugared carrots, long grain &wild rice with mushrooms & red onions
cheese pizza, garden salad
hearty English meat pie, mixed greens salad, rolls
vegetarian Hungarian chili on polenta, seasoned greens
spinach-cheese enchiladas, Spanish rice, pinto beans
stuffed pork chops, herb roasted carrots & parsnips, green beans
Have a brilliantly blessed week!
Autumn Fires
In the other gardens
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!
Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The grey smoke towers.
Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!
And all up the vale,
From the autumn bonfires
See the smoke trail!
Pleasant summer over
And all the summer flowers,
The red fire blazes,
The grey smoke towers.
Sing a song of seasons!
Something bright in all!
Flowers in the summer,
Fires in the fall!
~ Robert Louis Stevenson~
Pumpkin Beverages
Pumpkin Smoothie
1/2 cup organic pumpkin puree
1 frozen medium-sized organic banana, chopped
1 frozen medium-sized organic banana, chopped
3/4 cup Greek yogurt
1 tbsp. wildflower honey
1/2 tsp organic pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp organic vanilla extract
1 cup crushed ice
Place all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth, making sure the ice is completely crushed. Makes two servings
Pumpkin Cider
1 gallon organic apple cider
1 can organic pumpkin puree
2 teaspoon organic pumpkin pie spice
Combine all the ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Then simmer for 5 more minutes. Remove from the fire and let cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm. Makes 1 gallon.
Pumpkin Milkshake
1 frozen, peeled organic banana, chopped
3 Tablespoons orange juice concentrate
3 Tablespoons organic pumpkin puree
1 scoop vanilla ice cream or non dairy ice cream
1/3 cup filtered water
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until smooth. Pour into two tall glasses and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of Cinnamon or nutmeg.
Pumpkin Cider
1 gallon organic apple cider
1 can organic pumpkin puree
2 teaspoon organic pumpkin pie spice
Combine all the ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil for 2 minutes. Then simmer for 5 more minutes. Remove from the fire and let cool for 5 minutes. Serve warm. Makes 1 gallon.
Pumpkin Milkshake
1 frozen, peeled organic banana, chopped
3 Tablespoons orange juice concentrate
3 Tablespoons organic pumpkin puree
1 scoop vanilla ice cream or non dairy ice cream
1/3 cup filtered water
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend on high until smooth. Pour into two tall glasses and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of Cinnamon or nutmeg.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Happy Halloween Treat 2010
The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker ~ ah, yes, the things of fairy tales and nursery rhymes. Well around here things have taken a rather deliciously morbid twist and there is no candlestick maker involved in this tale. We have the baker, the barber who become the butchers ~ ah, yes, the things of dark, dank and creepy and a whole lot of sinister smiles. For your Halloween pleasure come along on our journey with Mr. Sweeney Todd & Mrs. Nellie Lovett.
One thing has lead to another in conversations of this mysterious serial killer of old London and we wanted to know more and here is what we found out-
Sweeney Todd was one of those morbid tales you tell your wicked children to keep them in line that became a full blown Urban Legend. As a matter of fact for about 150 years of London's history people thought he was in fact a real living person, however it has been long since proved to not the case. Sweeney Todd was in fact a character from The String of Pearls: A Romance by Thomas Perskett Prest in 1846. It was originally published in a Penny dreadful for its morbid thrills.
Now if you are interested in a non-human variety of delicious English meat pie recipe I would suggest you pop in on to The Brass Sisters and pass by Mrs. Lovett's shop altogether. I' just saying - know what I mean? Don't forget to click on the String of Pearls : A Romance above for a free download able copy of the the original book by Thomas Perskett Prest.
Be sure to pop over to A Fanciful Twist more Halloween delights.
HAVE A WICKED GOOD HALLOWEEN
FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS
Monday, October 25, 2010
Menu Plan Monday
Breakfast-
applesauce oatmeal muffins, hot cocoa (x2)
pumpkin waffles, banana
rice pudding, pear, hot tea
scrambled eggs, toast & jam
oatmeal with raisins & walnuts, pumpkin juice (x2)
Lunch-
grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato basil soup
mini chef's salads, crackers
poorman's meal (used smoked sausages)
peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, carrot sticks, apple slices (x2)
chicken noodle soup, banana, crackers
macaroni & cheese, celery sicks, orange slices
Dinner-
Baked BBQ blackeyed peas & rice, seasoned greens, pumpkin pie
pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, picked okra & cauliflower
vegetarian Irish stew, soda bread
BBQ chicken thighs, sour cream & chive mashed potatoes, mixed greens salad, corn
shepherd's pie, garden salad, rolls
Granny's easy chili (making taco salads with this)
Spaghetti with veggie sauce, garden salad, garlic toast
Have a brilliantly blessed week and if you don't pop back in latter in the week have a magically Happy Halloween!
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
2005 Pumpkin Carving
These are our pumpkin carvings that I found in a scrapbook album from 2005. If you compare these pumpkins to ones they did when they got older. You probably wonder what happened to their artistic carving talents. Well, the reason for that is - when they were younger I wasn't so keen on them wheeling a sharp knife about - they had different thoughts! There was a lot more adult involvement in the carving department when they were younger. The older the boys got the more work they did on their own. Hope you enjoy.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Theodosia's Magical Emporium
I heard the trailing garments of the night,
sweep through her marbled halls!
I saw her sable skirts all fringed with light
from the celestial walls!
I felt her presence, by its spell of might.
swoop o'er me from above,
the calm majestic presence of the night...
Oh, hello. Isn't it lovely here along Witch Lake? Are you going to V's for tea? Me, too. I just thought I'd pop by Theodosia's Magical Emporium since it's along the way. Come along, dear heart, you might find that missing ingredient you are in desperate need of.
There is only one rule in this shop each item must be paid by services bartered or with a trade. I got this crazy broom here last year. Theodosia called it a Firebolt. I call it a wicked good ride. She acquired it from some young lad named Harry that lives across the pond. It seems he up graded his.
I come here to gaze and adore at all the wonderful objects from near and far shores. the enchanted jewelry and charms to protect one from harms - she found these in a buried chest at Pumpkin Hill Farm.
Freeze-dried spiders from Hell Hallow that really pack a punch. Dragon scales that if ground can protect from evil spirits that cause ill. Jars of graveyard dirt and even a book of spells from the faerie world.
Door knobs from a haunted house, a Chinese gryphon's spell egg, mermaid's hair and pure vampire's blood imported from Transylvania.
Theodosia's prised object- a Chinese Fireball Dragon's Egg. It's been decorated for outrageous magical powers.
Oh, you must give her book collection a look. Spells, herbs, brooms, beasts and ancient Egyptian scarabs to say the least. A pumpkin teapot that never runs dry is always handy to have near by.
Her best had items are the never ending money bags that are hand sewn by a sexy old hag. Dried white roses for the perfect love spell and green Banshee tears to mend a broken heart.
Let me tell you, the mushroom charts are might handy - never can have too many of those. Roses that came from a fresh grave down at Dead Woman's Crossing. Dangling dolls to tuck in slips of paper holding your wished and desires.
A bottle of Happiness Elixir for those with a sad disposition. the freeze-dried mice are nice for boiling up potions that chase away that unwanted guest. Isn't that hand sewn wish box just dandy? I often put in my wishes for candy.
The shrunken skeleton of Captain Horace from a dark Caribbean island. It is rumored that he asked too many questions and stole the native tribes ritual jewels.
Bottles of Blue Dragon's Blood, a few drops can extend your life or make you well. Theodosia says there's ground bones of an Egyptian mummy's dust in those large white jars. I've never looked the idea gives me the creeps because the mummy walked off and was then found at Skull Creek.
Oh, my, it's getting late we must fly over to V's magically creepy place. And as I flew away
from below I heard Theodosia say, "Glad you came by for a spell and be sure to tell you friends to fly by as well."
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