Sunday 26 October 2008

Life . . . the Great Adventure



I lay in bed last night thinking about Christopher Columbus. Don't ask me why. My mind just thinks about odd things from time to time. As I lay there I thought about what a brave man he must have been to set out on his voyage of discovery at a time when most of the world was thinking that the earth was flat and that they would sail right off of the edge.

He didn't know where he was going when he set off, he didn't even know where he was when he got there. When he'd been there, he couldn't even tell you where he'd been. He only knew that he'd discovered a whole new world in the process.

I guess we should be a little more like Christopher Columbus when things perplex and bother us, at those times when we don't know which direction in life to take. If we are brave and just plunge forward in faith, we may discover a whole new world as well, and wouldn't that be great!



The wind is howling away out here this morning. It sounds quite blustery and stormy. I wonder if that's why I dreamt of tornadoes all night? Perhaps I could hear the wind and it was interfering with my sleep. Who knows??? I looked up dreaming about Tornadoes on google, but none of the suggestions seemed to apply! They were quite frightening dreams though and the sky was just full of dark funnel clouds almost touching the ground and coming my way. There were hundreds of them! I can remember feeling like the whole world was being destroyed! there was a baby in the dream as well, or a toddler, and I was trying to protect them. Sounds quite ominous doesn't it!



We are off to our Stake Conference later this morning. I can't wait!! The talks are always very good and it's always so nice to see people that I haven't seen in months. All the members of our church from the whole stake, which reaches up almost to London and all the way down to Hastings will be there. It's quite exciting really! We didn't go to the Adult session last night, but Todd did go to the Priesthood session and when he got home I had his tea all ready and waiting for him.

I made these wonderful potatoes for him. I have heard them called many different things, roadkill potatoes, accident potatoes, smashed potatoes . . . no matter what you call them, they are delicious potatoes!



*Smashed Potatoes*
Serves 4

It doesn't really matter what you call these tasty potatoes, they are always a delight. Crunchy and spicy and oh so good. It's more of a technique than a recipe. You can choose your own seasonings to put on them rather than the ones I've chosen here. I also like to serve them with a bit of sour cream for dipping, garnished with some chopped chives.

16 small potatoes, washed (I used small Maris Piper potatoes)
1 TBS of extra virgin olive oil (Or more if desired)
freshly ground sea salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
freshly ground garlic flakes to taste
a dusting of sweet paprika
1 TBS chopped herbs (thyme, rosemary, oregano)
2 TBS seeds (caraway, fennel or cumin for example)
Sour cream (I used half fat)
2 TBS chopped fresh chives



Pre-heat the oven to 250*C/450*F. Lightly grease a large baking sheet and put it aside.

Place the unpeeled potatoes into a large saucepan of salted water and bring to a boil. Boil until fork tender. Drain carefully and transfer them to the greased baking sheet.

Using a potato masher, carefully squash each potato flat, until it is twice the size that it was. It doesn't matter if it crumbles a bit as these will give you nice and crunchy edges.

Drizzle the olive oil over top evenly. Scatter on the herbs, seeds and seasonings.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until crisp and golden.

Serve with little bowls of sour cream, garnished with chopped chives for dipping.



PS - Thanks for all your lovely comments re my cards. If you would like to purchase some please feel free to e-mail me and we can talk about it!

14 comments:

  1. Hi Maria hope you have a wonderful day your conference.Christopher Columbus was a very brave man as you said you wonder how long it would had taken if he had not been. Love Joan

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  2. A leap of Faith. That's very hard to do. Many people prefer to stay in their own comfort zone. But as you say who knows what might be waiting out there for us.
    Have a lovely day today Marie.
    The potatoes look scrummy.
    Hugsxx

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  3. Hi, Marie! Yes, we all ought to just try, give anything a go and see what happens, be brave, be bold, believe!! :o) Have a terrific time at your conference today. Hope we'll get to chat this evening. We're a bit worn out from all our company yesterday--LOL! Those potatoes look sooo good...very comforty for a chilly fall day. We such stormy weather again yesterday...bbbrrr...Happy Day, dear friend--LOVE YOU HEAPS! ((HUGS))

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  4. Hi Marie back from another break away from home at the seaside..Sorry I havn't been over here this week.Yes I watched Coast this weeknd on TV and a very similar journey four men took as Columbus did..Those brave brave seamen.Makes me wonder sometimes if I will ever take a plunge at anyhing as such.They say your never too old LOL!!Love the look of the smashed potatoes.Hope you had a brilliant time at yoru conferance.Take Care God Bless Kath xx

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  5. I have to be honest about C. Columbus Esq - he must have had some sort of death wish or something to do what he did. And the guys who sailed with him - now THERE'S a story I'd like to read! How did he inspire them to reisk as much as he was risking, maybe more? I do admire explorers and discoverers but - gosh no - I couldn't do it!

    I'll stay home and make crushed potatoes!

    love, Angie, xx

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  6. I love the message and the beautiful potatoes, but Columbus discovering a new world..that's where we differ. I'm part native american and wonder how you discover a people and land who are already there haha. It's like someone coming over to your house and discovering that Marie exists and taking credit for that discovery ;)
    Not offended just making conversation sweety :)

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  7. first of all, those smashed potatoes look SO good!!! and what awesome thoughts on columbus. he WAS a brave man! i hadn't thought about him for awhile until the other day aubrey came home from school telling us all about him and even taught us a song about his 3 ships:)

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  8. I appreciate your thoughts on bravery and faith of Christopher Columbus. He was truly inspired as we read in the Scriptures to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to find a land to be our America. Those potatoes...mmmm....mmmm. Gonna have to try those. My guys will enjoy for sure.

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  9. Isn't it funny what kind of random thoughts pop into one's head from time to time! The potatoes look absolutely scrumptious.

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  10. Your spooky dreams and Columbus thoughts are perfect for October. Plus the howling wind... And those potatoes! Yum! Can I make them with regular sized potatoes or with the effect be lost? Please let me know because if I can we will have them for dinner tomorrow.

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  11. Hello Dear,
    I only have a minute on the computer, my son needs to do some work and Grampy wants to check his email.... but I wanted to use my min. to say hello and let you know I am thinking of you. We are having a wonderful visit...just no time for computer use....
    Sorry you had bad dreams last night...sleep well tonight.

    I send love, Lura

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  12. I hope you had a nice time at Stake Conference! I love those potatoes. Yours look delicious! I hope you have better dreams tonight!

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  13. Your words are always so thought provoking. Hope you are doing well and taking care of you too.

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  14. Hi Marie, I made these potatoes last night to go with a pot roast. I used just garlic powder, salt, pepper and some smoked sweet paprika. The kids and my husband LOVED them and ate them all up.
    I'm still on a diet but do still appreciate your recipes for the rest of the family (who also appreciates them!).

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