Friday 23 October 2009

Words of wisdom to share on a Friday . . .



"It is often better not to see an insult than to attempt to avenge it."


This was a warning given by Seneca the Younger, who died in AD65. Although a great many years have passed since he first issued it, the wisdom of his words has stayed strong, and they are no less worthy of emulation now, than they were then.

"A true friend will never take offence or harbour a grudge. Real love makes allowances, suspends judgement and withholds uncharitable comments."

A bit of advice found in these modern times. Probably a lot easier said than done I would think, but, well worth practicing and making the effort to keep, until it becomes a natural habit to us . . .

The French have put it best of all in this old proverb . . .

"Write injuries in the sand . . . kindnesses in marble."



We had a really busy afternoon here yesterday. I got home from work, and we had to dash off right away to get to the Chiropodist in time. When we got back from there afterwards, I started working on organizing my studio upstairs. It's something that I've wanted to do for a while, so that I don't have to keep working at the kitchen table, and having to move my things back and forth all the time.

Anyways, one thing led to another, and before we knew it, we'd set up my studio on a table up in the upstairs lounge, which led to us moving the telly out of there and down into our bedroom, which led to us taking down the clothing rail that we had in there holding all our extra coats and things, which led to us weeding out the wheat from the chaff so to speak, and getting rid of things we no longer wore . . . funny how that goes eh? You start off doing one thing and end up doing half a dozen others! Is that just me, or does that happen to you too??

I made up this muffin mix yesterday. It's a recipe I've had for a long time. I used to have my own coffee shop way back in the day, and I always had a bucket of this waiting in the refrigerator to be baked into fresh muffins each morning. They're nice and moist and quite, quite delicious! (although they don't photograph well!)



*Six Week Bran Muffins*
Makes 8 cups of batter
Printable Recipe

This mixture is really handy to have in the fridge, ready to bake up fresh muffins whenever the mood strikes you. In truth, these muffins are so very good, that the batter never lasts as long as six weeks!

1 cup boiling water
2 cups raisin bran cereal
1 cup all bran cereal
1/2 cup plus 1 TBS vegetable shortening, melted
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs, beaten
2 cups low fat buttermilk
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 tsp of baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans (Optional)
1/2 cup extra raisins (or even more if you wish. I like lots of raisins in mine.)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla



Mix the two brans in a large bowl. Pour over the boiling water. Let stand for about ten minutes before stirring in all the remaining ingredients in the order given. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to six weeks.

When ready to bake, pre-heat the oven to 200*C/400*F. Butter whatever size muffin pan you are using generously. Scoop out the batter into the muffin cups filling them 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes. Let sit in the cups for about 5 minutes before loosening the muffins and tipping them out onto a wire rack. Eat warm. Delicious!



There's a mighty tasty side dish cooking over at The English Kitchen today!


10 comments:

  1. Those are all such great quotes.

    This morning my little girl asked if I have any "amenies"(enemies). I replied that I don't, but that there are people I don't wish to see. When she pressed for information, Jason told her that there have been people who unkind when I needed kindness.

    Time to remember the kindnesses & engrave them in marble.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely muffins and thoughts as always!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You really did a lot in one day. To be organized though will help you get more done in the long run. My craft room as I call it will hopefully get straightened around this weekend. I will be starting on some things I want to get done for Christmas gifts so I'd best get it done. Hope your Friday is a wonderful one!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So true, Marie, about how one thing leads to another. I remember my dad complaining about this when I was young. He bought our family our first color TV and the whole house had to be spiffed up to go with it. First paint and then some new furniture and then a few little decorations...you know how it goes. We women never stop nesting.

    And oh, if only we could all live by the words you have written about being kind...what a different world this would be.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What good thoughts for today... And the French proverb really ties it all together so nice to consider! Food for the soul and the body here, that's what I love about your place here, Marie--there's a little bit of everything! Lovely muffins...mmm... Have you ever thought about opening another coffee shop or little restaurant again? Hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend. We'll painting & wallpapering some more tomorrow...LOL! But should be around Sunday--hope we get to chat. LOVE YOU HEAPS ((BIG HUGS))

    ReplyDelete
  6. You do have a way of combining you thoughts to produce an interesting blog; love it.
    Rita

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love nothing better than getting organized.

    xoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Marie
    We used to make that muffin mix all the time when the kids were younger and we were still living in Canada. It brings back lots of memories for me.
    Hugs, Rhondi

    ReplyDelete
  9. I agree...I try to remember that..everyone is for the most part, just doing the best they can and assume that no one really was trying to offend. Your muffins look so delish..looks like one of those "good' recipes!
    Come say hi :D

    ReplyDelete
  10. I do it all the time, LOL. Sometimes it's a good thing because multiple things wind up getting done, but other times I wind up getting totally sidetracked from what I started out to do and then feeling overwhelmed because now I've created yet something else that needs to get finished.
    P.S. Love that old French provern.

    ReplyDelete

Your comments mean the world to me, and while I may not be able to address each one individually, each one is important to me and each one counts. Thanks so much!