Wednesday ponderings . . .

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"I like living. I have sometimes been wildly, desparingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know quite certainly that just to be alive is a grand thing."
~Agatha Christie

I found this quote by Agatha Christie the other day and for some reason found great comfort in it. Here she was a famous mystery writer . . . a woman who wove many human stories into the tapestry of her novels, and enjoying a long and successful career until her death in 1976. As famous and as wealthy as she may have been . . . she still had the same doubts and frailties that affect the rest of us from time to time. Having success and money do not necessarily mean you will live happily ever after. Bad times come to us all . . . despite them, life is still a beautiful gift, and there is joy to be found in every day.

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I think one of the unhappiest and most miserable women I have ever known was my last employer. Here was a woman who had everything that money could possibly buy, a beautiful home, designer clothing, expensive jewels . . . a handsome husband, lovely children, people at her beck and call 24 hours a day . . . and yet . . . I have never known an unhappier person in my life. She had no joy in her life . . . or at least none that really mattered, or that was lasting. If you have ever seen the film, "The Devil Wears Prada," then you have seen her . . . because the character that Meryl Streep played in it is almost identical in personality to my ex boss.

It was quite sad really. There was not a charitable bone in her body . . . all her feelings, thoughts, desires etc. were centred only on one being . . . herself . . . and that is all she cared for or about. In fact she made the statement to me on one occasion that, anyone who knew her would know that she never did anything for anyone without expecting something in return . . . She was the most selfish creature I ever came across and I doubt that I will ever meet anyone quite like that ever again. She was the perfect example to me of exactly what money can never buy . . . class, character, humility, respect, love and most important of all . . . happiness.

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We're invited out to lunch today. We are going over to some good friends for lunch and I'm really looking forward to it. I love spending time with friends. I love spending time with the Toddster too . . . but friends are nice as well. I am sure that Todd must get tired of my chatter from time to time. It's always nice to have times spent with other people and to enjoy all that they bring to the table. Variety is the spice of life!

Here's a quick skillet meal that is perfect for those weeknights when you are in a real hurry and starving. It can be put together in literally minutes and within half an hour you can be sitting down to a nice meal that is not only delicious, but very healthy as well. All you need serve on the side is perhaps a nice tossed salad, and perhaps some crusty rolls. If I'm serving pasta to Todd . . . he better have a crusty roll to make up for it! ☺




*Skillet Turkey Primavera*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

You can use chicken breast for this if you wish. Make sure that if your asparagus spears are thick and woody, you peel the lower half of each stalk to get rid of the woody bits. Quick, easy and delicious!

1 1/2 cups uncooked bow tie pasta
1/2 pound fresh asparagus spears, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces (2 cups)
1 1/3 cup fresh baby carrots, halved lengthwise
1 cup chicken broth
4 tsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 pound fresh turkey breast slices, cut into thin bite sized strips
1 cup fresh whole mushrooms, quartered
1 (14 oz) tin of whole baby corn, drained and rinsed
1 tsp grated lemon zest.

Cook the pasta to desired doneness using the package directions, adding the aspagarus and carrots during the last 2 to 4 minutes of cooking time. Cook until the asparagus is just crispy tender. Drain.

In a small bowl, combine the broth, cornstarch, garlic powder, salt and black pepper. Blend well and set aside.

Spray a large nonstick skillet with low fat cooking spray. Heat over medium high heat. Add the turkey and mushrooms. Cook, stirring frequently, until the turkey is lightly browned and no longer pink. Add the broth mixture, cooking and stirring until the mixture begins to thicken. Add the cooked pasta and vegetables, along with the corn and lemon zest. Cook and stir until thoroughly heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Serve hot.



There are some tasty Ciabatta Pizzas cooking in The English Kitchen today.

Friday ramblings . . .

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I've always been somewhat of a people watcher. There is nothing I like more, in nice weather of course, than to plunk myself down onto a bench somewhere and just watch the people around me, or the people that go by. I like to imagine what their story might be . . . Everyone does have one you know. Some may be a bit more interesting than others. Still others may be a bit sad and tragic . . . but everybody has one.

Sometimes I will sit in the car while Todd pops into a shop (a man shop of course . . . like Halfords, filled with rubber tires and car parts.) Parking lots are wonderful places to people observe as well.

The stories that I imagine are always happy ones though . . . I would not want to visit tragedy upon anyone. Young people are the most fun to watch, especially young girls. Watching them takes me back to my own teen years and all the wonderfully giggly feelings that I had once upon a time . . . the teen crushes and dramas experienced . . . that feeling that everything was at once possible and impossible all at the same time.

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Elderly people are also quite fun to watch. I like to imagine what adventures their lives have held . . . and nothing is more tender or sweeter than old love . . . the sight of an elderly couple, who still take the time to treat the other with love and reverance . . . love is not always wasted on the young. Elderly lovers are a delightful sight.

The sight of young mums and toddlers can take me back instantly to all the rigors of young motherhood . . . the trials, the joy . . . the sticky little kisses and hugs. They are tender memories . . . filled with longing and sometimes regret. I expect that we all feel from time to time that we could have done better, and wish that we had.

At our RS Presidency Meeting the other night we were talking about the recent World Leadership Training and how we all need to step up to the plate and be more observant of the sisters under our care. Often a sister will appear like there is nothing wrong . . . presenting an "I'm ok, all is right with the world" face to all who she speaks to . . . but this can mask how she is truly feeling . . . I know I have been guilty from time to time of pretending to the world that all is ok, when really it isn't . . . and there have been times when it would have been really nice if someone could have seen through my prideful facade and given me a much needed hug anyways, or a kind word. Body language often tells a different story than a smiling face would have us think . . . or believe. We need to be more observant and caring, and to act more on the promptings of our hearts. I believe we will be blessed for doing so.

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I was sooooo exhausted last night when I went to bed. I don't really sleep well most nights. I spend hours and hours dreaming it seems, never really falling into that deep dreamless sleep we all need so very much. Last night I was tired to the point where I thought I would fall asleep right away . . . but in reality it took a while because I was probably really over tired! It seems odd to me that I can be falling asleep in front of the telly, so much so that I would be hard pressed to tell you what we are watching . . . and then when I hit the pillow I actually wake up! Does this happen to anyone else???

We are off to help teach with the missionaries this morning, which should be good. I hope I wake up before then! I am feeling quite tired again actually! I may even go back to bed, but not before telling you about this delicious recipe of course! I love pizza, but Todd does not. I don't think he actually even tries to like it . . . but, he will eat this casserole quite happily, which satisifies both my pizza craving and his desire not to eat it. ( ☺ Does that make sense? Probably not!!)



*Upside Down Pizza*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

If you like pizza you will love this novel casserole, which has the pizza toppings on the bottom!

1 pound of extra lean ground beef
2 TBS oil, divided
1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 small green pepper, peeled, deveined and finely chopped (optional)
1 clove of garlic, peeled and chopped
1 (14 to 15 ounce) jar of pizza sauce (Can use Spag bol sauce if you wish. I like the Napolina Tomato and Basil sauce)
2 large free range eggs
1 cup milk
1 cup of plain flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups (8 ounces) of grated strong cheddar cheese
2 medium spring onions, chopped

Preheat the oven to 220*C/425*F/ gas mark 7.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1 TBS of the oil and heat til it shimmers. Crumble in the ground beef, onions, peppers and garlic. Cook, stirring for about 10 minutes, until the beef is browned completely and the vegetables are softened. Stir in the sauce. Heat to a boil, then reduce heat to low and keep warm.

Whisk together the eggs, milk, remaining TBS oil, flour and salt together until foamy.

Spread beef mixture into a 13 by 9 by 2 inch baking dish. Sprinkle with the cheese. Pour the batter over top of the cheese. Sprinkle with the onion.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until puffy and golden brown. Serve immediately. Delicious!



Over in The English Kitchen this morning, a delicious low fat Big Breakfast Sarnie!

Poetry Saturday . . . The Star

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Twinkle, Twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.

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When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.

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Then the traveller in the dark,
Thanks you for your tiny spark,
He could not see which way to go,
If you did not twinkle so.

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In the dark blue sky you keep,
And often through my curtains peep,
For you never shut your eye,
Til the sun is in the sky.

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As your bright and tiny spark,
Lights the traveller in the dark . . .
Though I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
~Jane Taylor

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You know my whole life I have been singing "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star," and until this morning I never realized that there were more verses or even knew who wrote it. I had always thought it was just a little child's nursery rhyme.

It actually is an early nineteenth-century English poem, first published in 1806 in Rhymes for the Nursery, a collection of poems by Jane Taylor and her sister Ann. Born in 1783, Jane wrote the poem at the age of 23. You can read more about her here, on the wikepedia page. It's all very interesting and tragic. She died at the young age of 40 of breast cancer. I wonder how they know things like that . . . amazing to me.



The Wiggles for your amusement.

At any rate that is my poem for today! Oh, I do so love poetry, don't you?? I also love all these starry pieces of artwork that I have showcased here this morning as well. You can click on the source links at the bottom of each piece and see more of the work of these very talented artists. I am hoping to get into my artroom at some point today myself. (Fingers crossed!)

Here's another star!! A star in my kitchen in the way of a delicious casserole that we just love. It's a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken and one that my kids always really enjoyed. I have never been to Mexico. I have never even been to New Mexico, but I love anything with a bit of Mexican flavour! Ole!


*Chicken Enchilada Pie*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

A Tex Mex favourite, lightened up a bit. Delicious as ever.

8 flour tortillas for burritos
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
1 cup cooked long grain rice
2 cups grated low fat Monterey Jack Cheese
1 (15 ounce) tin of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (19 ounce) tin of Red Enchilada Sauce
1 cup of sweet corn, thawed
1 cup of thick and chunky tomato salsa
2 TBS thinly sliced spring onions, green and white parts

To Garnish: (optional)
reduced fat sour cream
chopped spring onions

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Spray a round (1 litre) baking dish, 9 inches in diameter, with some nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

Cut 5 of the tortillas in half. Cut the remaining tortillas into 2 1/2 inch wide strips. In a large bowl, combine the chicken, rice, 1 cup of the cheese, the beans and 1 cup of the enchilada sauce. Mix together well.

Layer 4 tortilla halves in the bottom of the baking dish. Top with 1/4 cup of enchilada sauce and half of the chicken mixture. Top with 2 tortilla halves. Fill in any empty spaces with 3 tortilla strips. Spoon the corn over the tortillas. Spread the salsa over the corn. Layer with 2 more tortilla halves and 3 strips. Top with remaining half of the chicken mixture. Finish layering with the remaining 2 tortilla halves and strips, the remaining enchilada sauce, the remaining cheese and the 2 TBS of spring onions.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the mixture is heated thoroughly and the cheese has melted. Cool for 5 minutes before cutting into wedges to serve. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream and some spring onions if desired.



In The English Kitchen today, a delicious Treacle Gingerbread Loaf.

For today . . .

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Who could guess the century?
It might be any year.
Time, it seems, in passing by
has left no footprint here.
The village with it's narrow street,
The church, the mill, the pond.
The ploughman on the furrowed slope,
The Sussex Downs beyond.
~Patience Strong

One thing that I absolutely love about England are it's quaint little villages and towns. You don't have to go very far to find one . . . a short drive of any one of the larger urban centres will find you smack dab in the middle of one small place or the other . . . each one beautiful in their own right, with a certain charm that can't be found any place else on earth . . . well, that's my opinion anyways!

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I was in bed last night at 8:30 pm and I slept right through until gone 7:00 am this morning. Most unsual for me. I just could not keep my eyes open last night . . . I was so very tired. That happens sometimes I guess. I've been a bit blue lately, which is also not like me. I think that the pain issues and a few family issues have been wearing on me, neither one of which I can do all that much about . . . so they are just things I have to learn to live with I suppose.

I feel a certain pressure sometimes of wanting to be all things to all people. I know that physically it's just not possible . . . but that doesn't stop me from trying. I have all these grandiose ideas in my head, much of which are realistically not possible and difficult to execute . . . but still I dream. Is anyone else like that??

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For instance, we are having a special activity at our church this month for the ladies and I have it all pictured in my head with beautiful Valentine Decorations and a wide assortment of pretty Valentine type of goodies to eat. It looks really lovely in my head. There are Valentine swags and mobiles . . . cake pops and crispy hearts all decorated with beautiful sprinkles and candy bobbles . . . the reality will be something a lot different of course . . . because I just won't have the time to do all the swag and decor . . . and cake pops??? They probably won't happen either, although I could probably manage the crispy hearts.

And then . . . when I don't manage to pull off what nobody realistically could . . . I feel like I have let people down, or that I have let myself down. Is that the mark of an over-achiever???

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Then there is blogging . . . most people have one if any at all . . . but I have to have more than that . . . coz one just isn't enough is it? At last count there were twelve that I had started, although in reality there are only three that I post on with any regularity . . . and I love it, I really do. It's an integral part of my day, and I would never want to give it up. I love sharing my thoughts, and my creations, and my cooking with all of you. It is one of the things that brings me the greatest joy in my life . . . but I can't leave it at simple can I . . . I have to go the extra mile. It just can't be a simple thought, or a simple recipe can it . . . I have to try to do something that will knock your socks off. Over-achiever again. I go to several blogs which only have three sentences on them each day . . . three things that blessed their lives . . . and I love them! Why do I think I have to do so much more???

And I do that with everything in my life. And sometimes I just get tired. Sometimes I just need to kick my own arse and tell myself . . . look, you just can't be ALL things to ALL people. You just can't do everything you want to do. You just can't be everything you want to be . . . and that's ok. It's ok to have beans on toast for supper three days in a row because you just don't feel like cooking anything else. It's ok that you are not super mom, or super wife, or super church member, or super blogger. It's ok that your artwork will never rival the accomplishments of Rembrandt or that you will never see your work as cards lining the local card shop. Perhaps that is just not to be . . . that it's ok to be mediocre in some things, spectacular in few things and downright horrible in some. The only thing that really counts is that you enjoy the journey . . . and I do.

It's ok to sometimes be happy and it's ok to sometimes be angry and it's ok to sometimes be sad.

Coz . . . that's just life.

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So . . . from now on you may see a few words from me here each day . . . and somedays maybe even more than a few. Some days it may just be something I made, or something I cooked. Other days . . . it may be nothing at all . . . I'll be taking a nap or two or three . . . and that's ok, coz that's just the way we're gonna roll. But it doesn't mean that I don't love you.

And That's OK.

*Chicken Tetrazzini*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

A simplified version of an old family favourite.

1 slice bacon, finely chopped

1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup minced green pepper
1 cup of shredded medium cheddar cheese
1 TBS cut up pimento
a small handful of toasted flaked almonds
1 cup cooked peas
1 cup cut up cooked chicken
4 ounces hot cooked macaroni
hot chicken broth to moisten

To serve: (all are optional)
chopped fresh parsley
sliced tomatoes
ripe olives
hot buttered toast

Cook the bacon in a skillet until brown and crisp. Stir in the onion and green pepper. Brown lightly. Add the remaining ingredients, with the exception of the macaroni. Stir together well. Mix in the cooked macaroni. Mix together lightly and heat through using some chicken broth to moisten. Serve hot, garnish with tomato slices, chopped fresh parsley, ripe olives and some hot buttered toast.



Over in The English Kitchen today, some delicious Sticky Toffee Pudding Bars.

Monday thoughts . . .

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"The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt within the heart."
~Helen Keller

Who knows what a blind person sees of cherry blossoms or songbirds . . . who knows what any of us sees from the privacy of our own personal blindness . . .

You may stand aghast and say to yourself . . . "I am not blind!" . . . but think about it. Each of us carries a blind perspective of certain things . . . just as each of us carries with us a unique seeing perspective of other things.

Fear can blind each of us.

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The person who is afraid of heights will never see the beauty of a canyon floor from above, or the beauty of cotton boll clouds from the window of an airplane as it soars through the sky. A person who is afraid of spiders can never appreciate the beauty or splendor of the woven web. If you fear small places . . . you are blind to the secrets of sudden solitude. Fear of passion might make one blind to the comfort and joy of oneness. Fear of change blinds us to the abundance of life and all that it holds. Fear of death . . . might prevent us from embracing the unknown and the power of faith . . . the act of trusting an unknown future to an all-knowing God.

Being afraid is completely human . . . and so to be blinded in this way is a part of the human experience that we cannot hope to avoid. It is the one thing we must, each of us . . . struggle to overcome. In the course of our lives, we all stumble and struggle repeatedly. In and out of relationships . . . with being or not being . . . with peace and disquietude . . . with sorrow and with joy . . .

There is an opposition in all things. As we pass through life, stumbling in and out of the grace of the wholeness of our lives . . . would it not be better to reach out to one another and admit our fear . . . admit to our blindness?

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A blind child
guided by his mother,
admires the cherry blossoms . . .
~kikaou

I think one of the things in this life that we are most afraid of . . . is allowing ourselves the luxury of becoming close enough to another human being that our very heart can be held in their hands . . . experiencing a oneness with each other that can only come from complete and utter abandonment of self . . . and allowing another to guide us through our fear . . . and in turn guiding them through theirs . . . by taking turns being the blind child, the loving guide . . . and the blossoms that others can't see . . . never knowing that which we are called to be . . . until we have learned what we have been called to learn. The art of seeing with the heart.

Does this make sense??? Or is it only prattle . . . I don't know. I only know it's what's on my mind this morning. Of course . . . we could always just . . . Let Go . . . Let God . . .

"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body more than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"
~Matthew 6:25-26

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Gas works again today people. No heat all day, but we have kept the heat on all night so that the house is toasty warm and hopefully will hold some of that heat through the day. fingers crossed!

One thing that is good for when you are feeling cold is a nice heart warming soup! This is a quick and easy recipe. It makes rather a lot, but it also freezes beautifully, so no worries!



*Quick Beef, Vegetable and Barley Soup*Serves 8
Printable Recipe

Delicious and filling. The perfect warm me up for a cold winter's day!

1 pound extra lean ground beef
2 medium onions, peeled and chopped
2 cups shredded cabbage
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
3/4 cup uncooked, quick cooking barley
1/2 pound of frozen mixed vegetables
5 cups of stewed tomatoes, undrained
8 cups beef broth
1 TBS Worcestershire sauce
3/4 tsp seasoned salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp dried thyme leaves

Spray a non stick dutch oven with some cooking spray and then brown the beef in it, over medium high heat, until the beef is thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain off any fat that may accumulate, however if you are using the extra lean beef, there should not be any.

Stir in the onions and celery and continue to cook, stirring occasionally until the onion and celery are beginning to wilt, but have not coloured. Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and cover. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are all tender and the barley is cooked.

Serve, ladled out into heated bowls, along with some crusty bread. Delicious!



Cooking in The English Kitchen today, delicious Lemon and Poppy Seed Drop Scones!

Winter memories . . .

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One of the things I really loved to do as a child in the Winter time was to play out in the snow. We spent 6 years in Manitoba, living in a small town next to Lake Winnipeg, called Gimli, and it was very cold there in the Winter, with lots and lots of snow . . . but I can't remember ever feeling the cold. Perhaps children do not feel the cold like adults do . . . I am sure it was often -27*C or -30*C or even colder . . . with any wind chill added, that would have been very cold indeed. Our breath would puff around in the air about our heads like little chilly frozen winter clouds . . .

I do remember being bundled up within an inch of my life though, so much so that it was a wonder that I could move about with any freedom at all. There would be the ski pants, which were thick and insulated . . . the lining quilted and filled with stuffing of some sorts, probably wool . . . a thick wool coat, also lined with a quilted and stuffed lining. A thick wool cap with ear coverings would be on my head and a wool scarf would be wound about my neck and face . . . on really cold days only my eyes would be exposed, because . . . well, you needed to be able to see where you were going. I would have on my wool stockings (of course) and several pairs of socks and shoes and then my feet would be stuffed into these brown plastic winter boots, which were also lined and had wooley fur cuffs around the top of the insides . . . to keep snow from getting down into there I presume. On really cold days, two pairs of mittens were essentials to keep the hands from freezing. Thus attired, I would be set to go and could spend several hours outside playing with my friends.

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And play we did . . . oh what fun we would have, making snowmen and building snow forts, slipping and sliding on the frozen smooth roads which were pounded down to a lovely slippery surface by the many cars that would pass over them during the week . . . just perfect for sliding on. I can remember running as quickly as I could and then sliding . . . seemingly gliding across that smooth surface for miles . . . but it was probably only inches. You know children's imaginations . . . I remember one of the neighbors building his children a real live igloo in the back garden one year. What a magnet that was for the neighborhood kids. I can remember sitting inside it's icy coolness and looking up at the sky through the hole in the centre of it's roof. It seemed just like a magical place . . . all cool . . . and eerily quiet inside . . . the light tinted mysteriously blue . . .

The snow seemed to sparkle back then . . . it's surface glinted like a million diamonds underneath the light of the sun. It would get very hard on the surface and you could walk along it's hard crust without falling down into it. You could punch down into it if you tried really hard . . . which was a game in and of itself . . . I can still remember the sound that my boots would make when they punched down into it. It was a magic world . . .

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Often a neighbor would have built a snow slide in the back garden for all the neighborhood kids to use to slide down. This involved shoveling and stacking all the snow up into a huge mound. . .with one side angled at the perfect angle for a sled to slide down with some speed. That side would have been watered . . . along with a good length of snow in front of it, in order to get the most speed and length possible from such an endeavor . . . we lived on the prairies . . . there were no real hills to slide down. Improvisation was the order of the day. Once frozen solid it was like a huge icy slip and slide, that was just wonderful to slide down and across.

I can remember always envying the children who had what we called a flying saucer . . . a big metal disc sort of shaped like a flat bowl, with two leather or fabric handles at the sides to hold on to. Kind of like a big aluminium frisbee. These flew like the clappers and twirled you around at the same time! We had to make do with a flat piece of coloured plastic . . . I forget what they were called now . . . but I know that they were cheap and colourful. The exhilaration of sliding down was fabulous, and I can't remember there ever being any arguments. Everyone seemed to wait their turn and get along with each other.

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Other days we would go skating at the outdoor rink. In those days you could have an outdoor rink. There was none of the freezing and thawing that makes it almost impossible nowadays. The ground froze in November and stayed frozen right through to the spring. I lived on an airbase and long about the end of October the base would put up a fenced in area just outside of the school. It seemed huge, but probably wasn't much larger than about 3 back gardens . . . once the snow began to fall and the ground began to freeze, they would flood it with water, which would then freeze and provide the perfect surface for ice skating. They even strung electric lights across so that you could see at night. There were several covered shacks erected nearby, with seats in them so that you could put your skates on right on site . . . nobody ever worried about anyone stealing their boots. It just didn't happen back then. I can remember skating for hours on Saturday afternoons. It was so much fun!! All my friends would be there too.

It is no wonder there were not many overweight kiddies in those days . . . we all spent our days outside, winter or summer . . . playing and running and just moving about. Hot or cold . . . it made no difference. We very seldom were indoors. I can still remember how in the wintertime everyone's cheeks would be so red and cold when we came back in from playing outside . . . how the inside of our scarves would smell like wet wool . . . and the line my mother always kept up which stretched from the furnace in the utility room to the wall . . . which is where all the mittens and scarves, caps and extra socks would be hung to dry until the next time. Our heads would be all sweaty from all the exertion of play and extra layers of wool. It always felt extra warm and cosy indoors after having been outside . . . looking back with my rose coloured glasses . . . it felt like family should feel . . . warm and safe and right. I have no other explanation for it . . .

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Oh, I have enjoyed going back in my mind and thinking back on those days this morning . . . thanks so much for humouring me. I would love to hear about your childhood winter memories. Please do share!

We were not in town for very long yesterday. All of a sudden my knees which have been doing so very well for these past 6 months gave out and I was in agony. It was all I could do to hobble back to the bus. I will be calling the Doctor tomorrow to get an appointment for more shots. I was in serious pain and still am today. I'm ok sitting, but it's when I get up to move that it starts . . . it's quite difficult going up and down the stairs . . . I kept the wheat bag on it all evening and in bed, and am going to go and heat it up again so that I can apply it once more. I have had a good run of relatively painless movement these last few months so I mustn't complain . . . hopefully a couple more shots will knock it back for a few more months. I do so want to go to my daughter's wedding in July, but cannot imagine being able to manipulate the airports and sitting on an airplane for the 6 hours it requires with knees like they are right now. I will be going on my own so Todd will not be with me. I will be staying off my feet as much as possible today!

Here is a delicious and easy supper that even my pasta hating husband enjoys, from time to time that is . . . he grumbles a little bit . . . but he tucks in anyways, and often has seconds. It's very simple to make and very tasty! From the Big Blue Binder, of course! (Only the best recipes are in there!)



*Cheeseburger Spaghetti Pie*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

All the flavours of your favourite cheeseburger baked in a spaghetti crust.

For the Crust:
6 ounces uncooked vermicelli or spaghetti
1 large free range egg
1 TBS prepared mustard

For the filling:
1 pound extra lean minced beef
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
1/2 tsp seasoned salt
1/2 cup cooked real bacon pieces (about 4 slices)
2 cups marinara sauce
1 cup finely grated cheddar cheese
9 burger slice pickles

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Spray a 9 1/2 inch glass pie dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.

Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. Drain well. Beat the egg and mustard together in a large bowl. Toss in the cooked pasta. Toss together to coat evenly, then press the spaghetti mixture into the prepared pie dish, pushing the mixture up the sides to form a crust.

Crumble the meat into a large nonstick skillet. Add the onion and sprinkle with the seasoned salt. Cook over medium high heat, stirring frequently, until the meat is no longer pink. Drain well. Stir in the bacon and tomato sauce. Spoon this mixture evenly into the spaghetti lined pie dish. Sprinkle with half of the cheese.

Bake for half an hour. Top with the pickle slices and sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake for an additonal 10 to 15 minutes, or until thoroughly heated and the cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes before cutting into wedges to serve.

I like to serve this with a nice tossed salad on the side and some crusty french bread.



Over in The English Kitchen today, a delicious Apricot Bread Pudding.

Poetry Saturday . . . Armchair Tourist

Source: google.com via Marie on Pinterest

He doesn't need a coach and four,
To call for him at his front door,
Or trains or buses or white wings,
To show him the amazing things,
Scattered abroad upon the earth,
Of every kind of creed and worth.

Source: myfotolog.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

His magic is the printed word,
Whose wings are swifter than a bird,
And here within one golden line,
He visits ancient Palestine,
Follows a camel caravan,
O'er dusty roads as old as man.

Source: diana212m.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

He journeys up the sluggish Nile,
Visits the pyramids a while,
Hops with a glance to far Bombay,
Walks in the streets of old Cathay,
Buys silk and lace at the bazaars,
Dreams in the night beneath the stars.

He hears the hucksters call their wares,
The Arab priest recite his prayers,
Walks in a meadow bright with flowers,
So far away . . . yet much like ours,
With grass and rocks and grazing sheep,
And arching skies serene and deep.

Source: gypsypurplehome.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

The clock strikes ten . . . and with a start.
He sees the old log fall apart,
Scattering bright coals upon the hearth,
And he comes back to common earth,
The quiet room, the curtains drawn,
A table with bright dishes on . . .
~Edna Jaques

Oh how I love to read . . . the journies I take, the people I meet . . . and the places I see, are absolutely amazing to me. Todd is a reader as well. That is something we both have in common and our tastes in reading are somewhat similar as well.

Last night we were reading travel brochures and dreaming . . . oh, if only one had all the resources you could ever want to be able to travel and go wherever you wanted to go. How wonderful that would be! We had a set of Geography Books as an addition to our encyclopedia when I was a child and I used to love going through them and looking at the pictures of all the foreign and exotic places within their covers. I remember dreaming of being able to see some of those places for real one day. Holland springs to mind as does Italy.

Oh well . . . you got to have a dream to have a dream come true. I never dreamed way back then that I would ever be living in England, and look at me now! Life does take some amazing and interesting twists!

Had no gas in the house yesterday until almost 8pm, it will be the same on Monday, but blessedly we will have gas all weekend. It was getting rather cold in here last night before it got turned on, and I couldn't cook using our stove . . . so I made do with microwave and electric skillet! We got there in the end!

Happy Saturday everyone! We're off in to town today for a boo around, and I want to pick up some Hot Cross Buns at M&S. Theirs are fabulously fruity and soooo delicious!



*Tex Mex Taters*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

These please my meat and potatoes loving husband to no end. Baked potatoes topped with chili and cheese!

4 medium baking potatoes
1 lb extra lean minced beef
2 chipoltle chilies in adobe sauce, chopped (if desired)
1 can (8-oz) tomato sauce
1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chilies
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups grated Mexican Cheese Blend
salt and pepper to taste

Prick the potatoes several times with a fork. Place on a microwavable paper towel in the microwave. Microwave on high for 11 to 14 minutes, or until tender, turning them over and rearranging halfway through the cooking time. Let stand for 3 minutes.

Brown the ground beef over medium high heat in a large skillet, until no pink remains. Stir in the chipoltle chilis, tomato sauce, green chiles, water and 1 cup of the cheese. Cook, uncovered for several minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.

Slice the potatoes in half lengthwise. Place on plates. Fork up the insides a bit with a fork. Spoon the beef mixture over top and then sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Serve immediately.

Note: You may serve with some sour cream and chopped spring onion and salsa if desired. A green salad goes very well on the side!



In The English Kitchen today, a round up of my favourite British Main Courses and my tweaks on them!