Wednesday 10 March 2010

Wednesday Ponderings . . .



'Trouble is an inevitable part of life. When it comes, hold your head high, look it squarely in the eye and then say, "I will be bigger than you. You cannot defeat me."'

~Anne Landers

I came across these words from Anne Landers recently and thought them to be incredibly sound advice, and very fitting for the challenges that Todd and I are facing at the moment. It seems I am now completely finished at work, which is great, as now I can get on with the task to hand of sorting through everything and organizing it all so that things will run a lot smoother when we get to the other end.



I am no stranger to moving house. When I was married before we moved 16 times in 22 years. You could say that "change of residence" and I are good old friends!

Admittedly this move was not of our own choosing, and has come as a bit of a shock to us both, but we have decided to look at it as an opportunity rather than something bad, as difficult as it has been to come to terms with. We knew the day would come eventually that we would have to find someplace else to live and other things to do . . . we are neither one of us, getting any younger, so it is a blessing in a way that our hand has been forced to do it now, while we are that much younger and change is much easier to deal with.



This is not the first challenge that I have had to face in life . . . there have been many through the years and some of them a lot harder to deal with than this. Sure, it is quite heartbreaking to lose your home and job in one fell swoop, but it was much harder to lose my home and family all those years ago and have to start anew. It was soul wrenching for Todd when he lost his oldest son at the young age of 18 months, and I was quite devastated when I learned that my eldest daughter was developmentally challenged. Hard times . . . but we each got through them . . .

Things are different now . . . we have each other . . . wonderful life's partners . . . people to share our lives with that think on the same page . . . that are there for each other with a deep and abiding eternal love . . . and a shared faith in a Gospel that never changes. I truly believe that makes a profound difference in how you cope with things that life may hit you with.



First you cry . . . then you pray . . . and then you move forward . . . in faith. He has never dropped me before, and He's not going to start dropping me now. I am trusting in His plan for me . . .

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
~Jeremiah 29:11 niv



Look what I found this morning!! A great big bowl full of dollies!! These are going to be listed a bit later on today over on Blossom Time Creations and in my Etsy Shop. You'll probably have to act fast if one of them is going to make it's way to your place. Be sure to check back later on today.

This is one of our favourite supper dishes. It goes with just about everything and is delicious. Not only that but it's quite economical as well. My kids always loved it when this was on the menu. You can serve it as a side dish, but I am here to say that it's also pretty delicious as the whole shebang! (The leftovers are great heated up for lunch the next day too!!)



*Noodles and Cabbage*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

This is a lovely dish that goes well with most meats, and I have even been known to eat a big plate of it all on it's own. My family always used to love it when I made this. I most oftenuse flat egg noodles such as Fettuccini, but as you can see here, Farfelle works really well also. I don't think that it is suited to the rounder types of pasta. You can top it with sour cream if you like, but we have always loved to have ours with a dusting of freshly grated Parmesan Cheese.

2 cups egg noodles, or other pasta
(Uncooked)
1/4 cup butter
1 large onion, peled and thinly sliced
1 small head of white cabbage, quartered, core trimmed away, and thinly sliced
2 tsp brown sugar
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Sour Cream or freshly grated Parmesan Cheese for serving (optional)

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to the boil. Add the noodles and cook according to the package directions. When done, drain well, rinse in warm water and then keep warm until they are needed. (Tossing them with just a touch of vegetable oil helps to keep them from sticking together.)

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the butter and once it is foaming add the onion. Cook, stirring until the onion begins to soften. Add the cabbage and sprinkle it all with the brown sugar. Cook, stirring and tossing until the cabbage begins to wilt and brown in a few placed, and the onion and cabbage are well mixed together.

Turn the heat to low, pop a lid on top, and cook for five to ten minutes, giving it a stir every few minutes, until the cabbage and onion are nicely softened and beginning to caramelize a bit. Remove the lid and toss in the noodles, mixing all together well. Heat through and season to taste with some salt and black pepper. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream on top of a light dusting of Parmesan Cheese. Delicious!!



Over on The English Kitchen today, Spicy Baked Kibbee, a delicious middle Eastern Appetizer made with ground lamb, spices and bulger wheat. ☺

16 comments:

  1. Good Morning Dear,
    I was just making a comment on your last post when this one popped up. I am about to fall asleep but I had to take 1 more minute to say hello to you. I hope that you had a good evening and got some rest since we talked this morning. You are always in my thoughts and prayers.

    I must try your pasta and cabbage dish. I have never heard of it before and it sounds really good to me.

    I hope it is a good day for you. Your little dolls are delightful. They make me smile....so do you. Much love, Lura

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  2. "What makes you bad makes you better" is what my dad used to say. I used to think that was a bit of a cock-eyed way of thinking but that was just a kid thinking of foul tasting medicine. Now I think of it as being the bad things make for a better person. I wish I had realised while he was alive how wise my dad was.

    I must say cabbage and pasta is not something which immediately occurs but reading the recipe my mouth is watering already!

    Welcome back bhy the way. You wouldn't believe how you've been missed.

    love, Angie, xx

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  3. I for one are pleased you are moving, you a such a sociable person you need to out and about enjoying that, not stuck behind gates tending to one persons needs! I'm sure you will be like a butterfly in Chester spreading your wings and making lots of new friends! Glad its nearly all sorted!
    I suppose it will mean the end of oak cottage? I better get over to English Kitchen and bookmark it...
    Glad its all working out for you both - Love Tulip x

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  4. I have been wondering about you a lot Marie. Hoping that you were able to resolve everything and bring your move closer. You have a wonderful attitude to life. How could anyone with such love for people and God not find a resolution to her worries.
    HE certainly isn't going to let you fall. You are too precious.
    Missed you!
    Jeanie xxxx

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  5. "First you cry...then you pray...and then you move forward..." This is such great advice for handling tough situations, Marie! You are definitely shaking off the dust and moving forward, and with your strength of character & faith I know you & Todd will find your footing in Chester soon and that all will be well! I am so glad to hear you sounding so positive--does my heart good. :o) LOVE this pasta/cabbage for today. Must try this one. Glad your work is done there, and now you can concentrate on getting on to Chester...Happy Days, dear friend--LOVE YOU HEAPS! OXOX ((BIG HUGS))

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  6. I absolutely love cabbage and noodles and often make my own noodles when I fix it too. We add bacon to ours. I brown the bacon and then use the drippings instead of the butter. But as you've shown in your recipe you can use butter and its very good that way too. After its all done then I crumble the cooked bacon on top and serve. It's good to read that you are keeping your positive attitude. Trusting that all will be well isn't always easy to do, but certainly the best way to be. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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  7. Hi Marie,

    So glad to hear from you after the silence... and am glad that you've found a home in Chester. Just want to let you know that I was thinking of you and praying for you and as I read your posts, I simply admire your faith, courage and hope.. and your faith in the Lord.

    Hugs, Angela KL

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  8. Awake and arise to every challenge... you do it more valiantly than most. I love that Ann Landers quote..food for thought fills us with wisdom.

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  9. Beautiful thoughts, my friend. Your attitude is wonderful...such a good example you are!

    Love your sweet dollies--you are a true artist---look at all the beauty you create--cloth, paper & ink--FOOD! You amaze me!

    Love your dinner recipe--looks like a winner to me!

    Lots of love sent your way this rainy California day.

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  10. Yum to the recipes. I have no doubt but that wonderful things lie ahead for you guys...just keep going forward in faith and see what happens! Come say hi :D

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  11. Your heart is so pure! I love coming and be uplifted, spiritually fed even when times are hard. Bless your heart, you are a wonderful example for me and I imagine so many others.
    Your approach is so encouraging and inspiring. I love your attitude and I know the LORD will never give us anything we can't handle.( Sometimes we sure woner though!) You and your beloved Todd seem to have had your share. Being done with work, I hope this will be an enjoyable time and as you both prepare to move on to your next adventure.
    You dollies are so charming! I haven't ever heard of the cabbage and noodle recipe, but it sounds scrumptious.:-)
    ~♥

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  12. I do love being able to find solace in the reminder of His blessings...
    So glad the post you made today helped my soul as well as many others, do just that!

    As we go through the path...we meet and embrace so many...I am glad He has chosen to your posts for helping others along the way...as you too find your trail...

    May the days of this week find you filled with the joy and hope you have given others, ms marie :)

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  13. I have felt rather sad of late Marie reading your posts and knowing what you have had to contend with.Tonight was differant,I just had the biggest smile on my face when I saw that bowl of dollies.They are so cute I love them all he-he.I know good things are waiting round the corner for you.As in the song."Keep right on to the end of the road" I know you and Todd can do it.Prayers always.Take Care God Bless Kath xx

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  14. sweet Marie, my prayers are with you as you get ready for this new life that awaits you. I have no doubt that God walks with you and that He is orhestrating great things. His plans are indeed for you to prosper!

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  15. Evening sweet Marie,

    God is giving you strength, wisdom, and the ability to move forward. I agree with Tulip...you are a social butterfly! You will quickly and easily enlarge your friendships. Did you know I have left-over cabbage from yesterday? I am going to adapt your recipe for dinner tomorrow...thanks for giving me another way to eat cabbage as it's sooo healthy for us! I'm trying to eat better since my recent health scare. I see a cardiologist in less than 2 weeks now. I so need to lose weight and start, at least, a walking program.
    Your new place will soon become your comfortable home!

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  16. Hi Marie
    You are in my prayers. I just know that evrything is going to turn out as a blessing in the end.
    Your newest little dolls are so sweet.
    Hugs, Rhondi

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