The Simple Woman's Day Book . . .

FOR TODAY, November 23rd, 2009 ...

Outside My Window...
It is dark and very, very windy. It's also raining. It looked on the weather forecast last evening like we have strong winds and rain with us for another week. Cumbria has been devastated by all the wind and the rain of the past week. It's so very heartbreaking to see the places that I have visited and loved so much on the news . . . my heart and prayers go out to the people there. They are telling people not to travel there and for the people there to stay indoors. It's all so very sad.

I am thinking...
About the lovely Primary Presentation we had in Sacrament meeting yesterday at church. For those of you who don't know, Primary is the name we give to our children's Sunday School Organization. Once a year all the children and their leaders put on a special presentation after the Sacrament has been passed in our Sunday family meeting. It's always so wonderful to watch. The children share all the songs that they have learned throughout the year, special talks and activities that have to do with whatever the theme has been for the past year. This year's theme was My Eternal Family. For this past year the children have been taught their role in Eternal Families and how they can strengthen the families they have now and how they can prepare to be faithful fathers and mothers in the future. It was lovely, absolutely lovely. We only have a small group of children in our Primary, as we are only a small congregation. There are only six or seven children, but they did a fabulous job and none of the adult workers did anything at all except supervise the presentation. Everything was presented by the children. All the talks, all the songs . . . everything. I was most impressed. It was the best Presentation I have ever seen.

I am thankful for...
My church and all of it's teachings, especially those about families. Sometimes I feel really bad, because I do not have an eternal family . . . well, Todd and I are joined together eternally, but none of my children are sealed to us forever . . . and as a mom that does make me sad. We have been able to have two of his sons sealed to us eternally, so that's pretty special. I feel a bit sad when I see all the other families together and I think about the family I had . . . the family I have . . . and how split up it is, and how they don't really look up to me as their mother. I have one child only that really cares about me in that way . . . the rest can't be bothered. I sit there and think to myself, I must have been a really horrible mother that none of them really have anything much to do with me. I tried to be the best mom possible for them. I chose to stay home with them so that they would always know where I was and so that I could always be there for them. I loved, and love them totally and unconditionally. They were my whole life. It is funny how you can be really good at something for like ever . . . and then make one mistake, or slip up once . . . and that is what you will be remembered for . . . and judged for. It's so sad.

From the kitchen...
There's cookies and leftover pumpkin crunch. I'm not sure how much I'll be cooking around here this week, with a full load of people up at the big house for this Thanksgiving holiday and all. I shall be very busy at work . . . things will be a bit full on crazy!!!

I am wearing...
Pink jammies and my blue slippers. I think pink is one of my favourite colours, as I seem to have a lot of things that are pink and know what??? Purple is slowly slipping into my wardrobe as well. It reminds me of that poem about wearing purple when you get old! Yikes!! Am I getting old???

I am creating...
I was busy sewing Gingerbread Man Ploppers yesterday afternoon. I have them all sewn together and just have to put the finishing touches on them now. I made several snowmen as well. They are really cute when they are finished. You fill the bottoms of their feet with rice so that they just kind of plop into place. Cute, Cute, Cute!!! I can't wait to finish them so that I can show you!

I am going...
I have a very busy few week ahead! There will be lots of people staying up at the Big House this week for the holiday. All the family will be there, plus friends. I am not sure of total numbers yet, but I know it will be a lot for the actual dinner itself on Thursday. I have a ton of food to cook just for that day alone . . . I can't tell you exactly what I will be cooking as they wouldn't like me to do that, but there will be three appetizers, one first course, a main (turkey of course) along with 7 side dishes, and three desserts. I shall have my hands full!! My very first Thanksgiving up there I burnt the turkey. I know!!! What am I like!!! Todd had to hurry down to the local shops and try to find two turkey's to replace it at the last minute! Fortunately he was able to. Dinner was a little late that year to say the least!

I am reading...



The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams.

Thirteen-year-old Kyra has grown up in an isolated polygamous community without questioning her father’s three wives and her twenty brothers and sisters. Or at least without questioning them much—if you don’t count her secret visits to the Mobile Library on Wheels to read forbidden books, or her meetings with the boy she hopes to choose for herself instead of having a man chosen for her. But when the Prophet decrees that Kyra must marry her 60-year-old uncle—who already has six wives—Kyra must make a desperate choice in the face of violence and her own fears of losing her family.

I am totally fascinated by polygamist communities. (I know that must seem wierd because I am a Latter Day Saint and we really are adamant in proclaiming to the World that we do NOT practice Polygamy at all. I know that there are a lot of people out there that believe that we do and it is a hard fact from our past that we all work very hard to live down. Lots of people out there think that we still do and I have heard many jokes from people that purpote this same idea. It's just not true folks. Mormons do not have multiple wives and the church does not condone or tolerate that at all. Polygamists are not Mormons!) I still find it fascinating even though I would never accept living like that, and I feel sorry for the women and children that do have to live like that. I say have to . . . because I don't think they have been given the choice not to, and I don't think they really know that there is another way, and that their lives are guided by fear, ignorance and deceit. I also find the Amish very fascinating as well, but in a completely different way.


I am hoping...
That I make it through the coming week with all my faculties! haha

I am hearing...
I am hearing nothing but the ticking of the clock, the humming of the refrigerator, the clicking of my keys and Jess's gentle snores from over in the corner. It is so very quiet in here. Outisde the wind is raging but in here there is peace. There is a great peace in the silence, and comfort. I feel all cosy and warm and safe.

Around the house...
I have one more package to post for Christmas, to my mom and a few for some good friends, and then I have all my cards to do. I don't think I'll be getting much done in that way this week, but at least I have a plan!!

One of my favorite things...
Is reading all of your lovely comments. They really do mean the world to me and I read each and every one. Sometimes one or another of you will ask a question. I try to e-mail the person back if I can, and if I can't I leave a comment myself. Just so you know. If you have asked me a question and haven't had an answer, go back and read the comment thread. Oftimes you will find my answer there!


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
I don't even want to think about it!!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



I know alot of you are familiar with the famous Norman Rockwell painting of Thanksgiving with the whole family sitting around the table in great anticipation of eating the turkey that the family patriarch is just placing down in front of them. It is my favourite one of all. I found this one though and thought it rather humorous and perhaps one that we don't get to see all that often, so I thought I would share it with you today. I love the art of Norman Rockwell. What a great talent he was!!

And there you have it, my Simple Woman's Day Book for today. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!)

We've been eating a lot of soup and comfort foods lately. Probably because of the cooler temperatures and the nasty weather. This is a delicious soup I recently made that went down a real treat!! I do love soups made with pulses. They are quite filling and nutritious, and in this case, quite delicious!!!



*Leek and Bean Soup*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

This soup is a complete meal in a bowl. It's really rich and flavourful with leeks and potatoes, and the addition of beans and toasty little cheese croutons floating on top. Lip smacking good and very quick to get on the table as well!!!

1 TBS olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
2 large leeks, washed, trimmed and chopped
2 medium to large potatoes, peeled and diced into a small dice
3 cups vegetable stock
4 TBS of finely chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
410g tin of borlotti beans, drained and rinsed
1 small french baguette, sliced into 8 slices
3 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan. Once it is hot, add the garlic and the leeks and cook them over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until they are soft but not coloured.

Add the potato and the vegetable stock. Stir, then bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are quite tender. Remove from the heat and puree with a stick blender, or in the electric blender or food processor. (Use care and only puree a small quantity at a time if you are using either of these. The heat of the soup can make the lid blow off. I always put a tea towel over top if I am using the blender or food processor)

Return to the pan (if using the blender or processor) and add the beans, along with half the parsley. Gently allow to hear through.

In the meantime, set the grill to high. Place the slices of bread onto a grill rack and toast them on both sides. Remove from the oven and place them on a baking tray. Sprinkle each slice on one side with the cheese, using only about a TBS of the cheese on each. Place back under the grill, and grill until the cheese is just melted. Stir the rest of the cheddar into the hot soup, stirring it until it is melted.

Ladle the soup into four heated bowls and float two cheesey croutons on top of each. Sprinkle with the remaining parsley to serve. Delicious!



I'm baking cookies over on The English Kitchen today! Tasty Florentine Biscuits! Yummo!!

Maries Sunday Six

Welcome to my Sunday Six post. Oh how I love Sundays! It is good to take some time to pause and reflect on all that is good in my life. It would be so easy sometimes to just think about all the irritating and depressing things. I'm only human, and my life is just like anyone elses! I, too, have my boo hoo moments, and days when nothing seems to be going right. It doesn't help to dwell on them though . . . . there is much more joy in accentuating the positive! Life's far too short to wallow in the mire!!!



That is one thing that makes me smile. Being able to find joy in the journey. Life is not easy for most of us at the best of times. Even those that you might think have anything and everything their heart desires or that money can buy, are not necessarily happy and might not have joy. Joy is in the living . . . and in the giving. It's being able to look at each cloud and pick out the silver linings. It's being able to look at the glass as being half full instead of half empty. It's being able to pick yourself up and move forward. It's in being grateful and content. Joy in the journey is not found in the things you might acquire but in the love that finds it's way into your life . . . love of home, love of family, love of friends . . . love of the Lord. Our stay here in this mortal coil is very short in the scheme of eternal things . . . best to dwell on the positive and find joy in the journey, no matter where it takes us, or how many potholes we find along the way!



This past Friday was the annual Children in Need Broadcast on the BBC. Despite a very uncertain year of spiraling costs and the credit crunch, we here, in the UK, dug into our pockets for this most worthwhile charity to the tune of over Twenty Million pounds!! One thing that I have discovered about the people over here in my nine years of living here is that they may have stiff upper lips, but they have big hearts and deep pockets! Time and time again, no matter what, when someone is in need the wonderful people in the British Isles dig deep, especially when it comes to helping children. That really makes me smile. I love the broadcast on the television. It's entertaining and inspiring and it's for a very worthwhile cause. It's nice to see celebrity doing good for people and setting positive examples.



The telephone makes me smile. I am really very grateful for this modern blessing. It helps me to stay connected with my family and my friends. I am grateful that I am able to call my mother every couple of weeks and talk to her. I really miss my mom, probably more than any one person in my family. It must have been ever so hard on the pioneers when they left their homes to start lives in a new country all those years ago . . . it took months for a letter to get through to them, and there were no telephones . . . I am so very lucky to have been born in a time where I am able to have contact with my faraway family within seconds. Every Tuesday night my good friend Lura calls me from California and that makes me smile too. Quite often while I am at work, I will be puttering away and a text message will come in from my eldest son, or from my sweet friend Angie, or Pat, or from my Todd. They always make me smile as well! Oh, how good it is to stay connected to the people you love!



Facebook makes me smile. I have hundreds of contacts on there and I just love keeping up with their lives and goings on. I love all the wonderful little messages that get sent my way and I have loved being able to get in touch with old school chums from near and from far. It would be too easy to dwell on all the negative things about these types of social networks . . . I much prefer to dwell on the positive. It's a quick way to just drop a few words to someone you care about to let them know you care about them, that you haven't forgotten them, and that they are in your thoughts! It's like sprinkling little bits of sunshine here and there and having it sprinkled back.





My Jess and my Todd make me smile. No matter how difficult a day I have had at work, or how nasty the weather is that rages outside my door . . . I know that I have these two to come home to and to find comfort with. Home is where you hang your heart and my heart is firmly fastened on these two very important beings in my life. Jess gives of her love so willingly and unconditionally and is always happy to see me, no matter what. Todd is my greatest supporter and just the best partner in life that I could have ever hoped for, even when he is being grumpy, which isn't often. I am just so grateful for these two . . . they make my heart smile every minute of every day.



My faith makes me smile. My faith in my Heavenly Father and in my Saviour and the love and care that they give me, and the relationship that I have forged with them. My faith in my church and it's leaders and all that they do for me, the guidance that they gives. My faith in my family and my friends and the love that they share so abundantly with me. It's just all so good and enriches my life in so very many ways. My faith gives me hope . . . . where would we be without hope.

And there you have it . . . another Sunday Six. What things made a difference in your life this past week? What made you smile? I'd love to hear about it!

I know many of you are looking forward to some Happy Thanksgiving celebrations in the coming week. Your homes will be filled with family and thanksgiving for all the bounty in your lives and a lot of you will be cooking a delicious meal to be shared with your loved ones. I am thinking that this tasty dessert would be a wonderful addition to your holiday meal. I know we just love it. It's very easy and quick to put together and my oh my, it's so very delicious, and it uses very common and easy to come by ingredients.



*Pumpkin Crunch*
Serves 6 to 8
Printable Recipe

Move over pumpkin pie! There's a new kid in town and it's kickin your arse!! This is fabulous!

1 package of double layer yellow cake mix, dry and un-prepared
1 425g tin of solid pack pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1 410 tin of evaporated milk
3 large eggs
1 1/2 cups white sugar
4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chopped toasted pecans
1 cup melted butter
To Serve:
Whipped Double Cream



Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Lightly grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish. Place on a baking sheet. Set aside. (I used a large round glass flan dish, probably 14 inches in diameter, and it worked out perfectly)

Combine the pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar, spice and salt. Whisk well together and then pour this mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over top of all. Sprinkle the chopped pecans over top and then drizzle the melted butter evenly over top.



Place in the heated oven and bake for 55 to 60 minutes until golden brown, set in the centre and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Remove from the oven to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Spoon out into serving dishes and pass the whipped cream!



There be some mighty tasty chicken on offer over on The English Kitchen today! Chicken, bacon . . . cheese . . . this is mmm . . . mmm . . . good!!

A Merry Christmas Giveaway

Welcome to my Christmas 2009 Giveaway! You all give to me so cheerfully every day of the year with your wonderful comments and your special kind of love and so I want to give something back to you in the way of a Christmas Giveway. Yes! One of you, my wonderful readers will be the lucky recipient of the following goodies! (I tried to take some good pictures of them this morning, but for some reason my camera is not uploading to our computer. I'll have to wait for Todd to get up so that he can sort it out!)



First of all there is . . . . not one, but TWO lovely little Christmas Cookery Books. The one put out by Women's Weekly, which is an Australian Women's magazine and the other the very first Christmas Cookbook put out by Waitrose stores this year. They're both filled to overflowing with delicious Christmas recipes and goodies!



Second, a lovely selection of Cath Kidston hand creams. There's three of her most popular fragrances in a very handy purse size. Wild Rose, Honeysuckle and her newest fragrance, Bluebell! Your hands will be smelling great!



Three, a tasty box of Mistletoe Kisses. A delicious combination of milk chocolate, chocolate mousse and gooey caramel. They're just like a tasty kiss under the mistletoe!


Four, an incredibly edibly smelling candle by Lily Flame Candles, called Festive cheer!! Oh, it smells like all the good things about Christmas . . . gingerbread, chocolate, tangerines and nuts!! Hooray!! It's one of my favourites yet, and I DO love Lily Flame Candles!



Five, your choice of one of my Christmas Prints, 8 by 11 sized, suitable for framing or whatever else you want to do with it. You get to pick which one you want.

and finally . . .



It will all get pulled into your home by this tasty milk chocoalte Lindt Gold Reindeer!!!

So much goodies to call your own, and all you have to do is to leave me a comment here on this post by the end of the month! Yes, on December 1st, I shall be drawing one name out of my hat as a winner of all these goodies, so spread the word, the more the merrier! In fact if you do post about it on your own blog, I'll put your name into the hat twice, so let me know if you do!

You've got to be in it (the hat) to win it, so leave me a few words today! Good Luck everyone!

(Pssst! It doesn't matter where you live either, I'll post it anywhere, even Timbuctoooo!)

I'm off to get my swine flu shot this morning, and then we are popping up to visit Terri for an hour or so, maybe take her shopping for a few bits. I can imagine she wasn't able to get out and about this week with the rain and all. It must be so difficult for her these days, as she isn't able to drive herself anywhere anymore, because of her arm, and I know she will enjoy our company if nothing else. I shall bring her your love.

This is a very tasty Salad Dressing that we just love here at Oak Cottage. It's sweet and tangy and reminds me of a very popular salad dressing from home, called Catalina Dressing. We can't buy that variety over here, but I have to say I could not tell the difference between that and this if asked. They both taste quite, quite identical!



*Tangy Tomato Salad Dressing*
Makes 2 cups
Printable Recipe

Is it Toe Mae Toe or Toe Mah Toe?? I love this salad dressing. Very similar to one you can buy in the shops back home, it has a lovely tangy sweet and sour tomato flavour, with just a hint of spice. It keeps very well in the refrigerator for weeks and weeks. This is my absolute favourite. A little goes a loooong way!

1 cup white sugar
2 tsp salt
1 dash of sweet paprika
1/2 tsp mild chili powder
1/2 tsp celery seed
1/2 tsp dry mustard powder
grated onion, to taste
1/2 cup white vinegar
2/3 cup tomato ketchup
1 cup vegetable oil

Measure all of the ingredients into a blender, or into the measuring cup that came with your hand held stick blender. Blend well until completely amalgamated. Stir in a jar in the refrigerator and give it a good shake before using.

Note - You can also marinate Chicken pieces in this before grilling and it gives them a wonderful flavour!!



We're doing comfort food over on The English Kitchen today! Pop on over and have a look!!

Pearls . . .

"I hope for you the very best that life has to offer, but I hope even more for a few simple things . . . things that come of the heart, things that come of the spirit, things that come of the divine within each of us.

When all is said and done, when you have lived your life and grown as old as I am, you will recognize that it is the simple virtues that count, that make the great differences in our lives. It is better to sleep at night with a clear conscience than to worry oneself sick while living a fraud.

When all is said and done, our success in life will not be spelled out in the money we make, in the honors we attain, in the plaudits of men, but in those virtues which become the essence of that which is greatest within each of us."
~Gordon B Hinckley

I have a lovely string of pearls that my Todd gave to me, very early on in our married life. They're so wonderfully beautiful . . . their lustre, their shape, their colour . . . they are almost a creamy white. I treasure them so much so that, much of the time, I am afraid to wear them, lest they fall off without me noticing . . . and I lose them. I have always loved pearls, and I believe them to be amongst the most beautiful of all our jewels.



Interestingly enough . . . this very loveliness which is contained in a pearl . . . is the result of great suffering. At the very beginnings of what becomes a pearl, is a sharp grain of sand which becomes buried in the folds of an oyster, and . . . like a speck of dust which can greatly irritate the eye . . . causes such discomfort to the oyster, that the oyster continuously tries to cover it with calcium carbonate. In the end, what was a great irritant, turns into a smooth and roundish beautiful object . . . the pearl.

There is a lesson in there for each of us. Our pleasures are indeed to be enjoyed, for what is life without a bit of joy to temper the pain. But . . . when problems, vexations, pain and misfortunes threaten to spoil our life . . .it is up to us to exercise restraint and courage . . . patience. It is only in this way that we can make the best of the worst and turn what so might easily spoil us into . . .
a pearl . . . of great price.



Just my thoughts today.

I was so thrilled the other day when I saw that once again there are fresh cranberries in the grocery store. I just adore fresh cranberries. They remind me of home and at this time of year they are particularly a joy . . .both to cook with and to eat! Yesterday I made a delicious cranberry loaf, which I think you will find is quite different than the usual cranberry loaf. I make several of these each year and we really enjoy them. I hope that you will too!!




*Cranberry Loaf*
Makes one 9 by 5 by 3 inch loaf
Printable Recipe

This loaf is a bit different than most cranberry loaves. This is so scrummy, you are going to find yourself wishing that you had made two of them!

1 cup flour
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
(here in the UK use digestive biscuit crumbs)
1/2 cup soft light brown sugar, packed
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
1 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 TBS finely grated orange zest
1 large egg, beaten
1 cup orange juice
1/3 cup cooking oil



Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Lightly grease a 9 by 5 by 3 inch loaf pan and dust it lightly with flour. Set aside.

Whisk together the flour, cracker crumbs, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Stir in the cranberries, raisins, and walnuts. Beat together the egg, orange juice, cooking oil and orange zest. Stir the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mis together until all are moistened. Scrape into the loaf pan, leveling it off.

Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before removing from the pan to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. Wrap tightly to store.



If you are looking for a delicious dessert to serve over the holidays that is not only easy to prepare, but quick and mighty tasty, look no further. I have posted a real beauty today, over on The English Kitchen.

Tune in tomorrow for a great giveaway, just in time for Christmas!!

Thirteen Guilty Pleasures . . .

No theme, no questions, just thirteen of my guilty pleasures . . .

1. Malted Milk Cookies, spread with Nutella. You get the lovely cripsness of a slightly sweet malt flavoured cookie, covered in delicious and creamy hazelnut chocolate spread. Need I say more?

2. Fresh, cheap store bought white bread (must be incredibly fresh and soft) spread with softened butter and Heinze or Kraft Sandwich Spread. I love the softness of the bread that goes so well with the creamy, tangy crunchiness of the sandwich spread.

3. Crisp buttered toast, spread with Cheese Whiz. Cheese Whiz is a processed cheese spread that you can get in North America. It tastes quite a bit like the Dairy Lee slices that you can get over here, except that it is creamy and comes in a jar. You can spoon it out onto stuff and spread it around. I always loved it melted and spooned over cooked broccoli too. I sure miss it sometimes!

4. Bacon Baps . . . soft white rolls filled with oodles and oodles of sauteed back bacon, crisp only on the edges and topped with lashing of brown sauce. Salty, tangy and soft all together on one juicy mouthful after another . . .

5. A big bowl of freshly opened Rice Crispies Cereal, topped with sugar and sliced bananas. It must be fresh cereal, not stale, and the bananas just slightly ripened . . . not green, but not going brown either. It's even better with a slice of toast and jam on the side. You take one bite of the cereal and banana and then one bite of the toast and then eat them together. I know . . . it sounds gross, but it's my guilty pleasure and it's what I like.

6. British pancakes, spreadk with nutella and rolled up like cigars. Totally gorgeous!

7. Tangy thick and creamy Greek yoghurt drizzled with Golden Syrup. You get that lovely creamy tang accompanied with the caramel-like sweetness of the golden syrup that all sort of melts in your mouth . . . mmmm . . .

8. Fresh baked bread, still hot from the oven, thickly sliced and spread with cold butter and creamy smooth peanut butter. The butter so cold that you can't actually spread it evenly so that you get little pockets of ice cold buttery goodness and the bread so hot that some of the butter melts into it and mingles with the soft peanut butter into a gastronomical delight!

9. Frozen miniature Mars Bars. You trick youself into thinking these aren't really all that bad for you, coz they're so small, right? Only a tiny mouthful. But frozen hard. The chocoalte crackles under your teeth. Along with that smooth icy caramel and nougat, this has to be way better than a deep fried one. (The mind boggles at the thought of a deep fried Mars Bar . . . only in Scotland you say?)

10. A heated cake type of doughnut, sliced in half with a slice of cold processed cheese in the middle like a sandwich. This is to die for. I love the nutmeg flavour of the doughnut and when you combine that with the flavour of the cheese, you just have the right combination that is quite simply divine. It's a good thing we can't get those doughnuts over here . . .

11. Crisp and butter TUC crackers spread with Seriously Strong Cheddar Cheese spared. W-O-W!

12. Chip butties. Once again, thich slices of soft white bread, lavishly buttered and folded around crisp French Fries, that have been drizzled with lots of malt vinegar and salt. To die for!

13. Crisp slices of apple, spread with cream cheese. It feels healthy, coz it's an apple right? You get the crisp sweetness of the apple mixed with the rich creamy tang of the cheese, and actually if you use low fat or no fat cream cheese, it's probably not all that bad for you after all!!

So, there you have it, thirteen of my guilty pleasures. I think I just gained ten pounds writing about them, but what a way to go!!! Where's my breakfast???

Here's a lovely little dish that I have discovered over here called Colcannon. I believe it's Irish in origin. It's delicious paired with grilled or roasted meats, and I confess . . . even all on it's own!



*Colcannon*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

I can remember reading a story once about a big rough and ready Irish family. They had this for supper and it was set in a big bowl in the middle of the table, a large crater scooped into the middle and filled with melting butter. They all sat around and scooped into it, eating it together with scraps of freshly baked crusty bread. It sounded so delicious. It is delicious, truly and so very easy to make. We might not sit around scooping it up with chunks of bread now, but a dip in the middle filled with melting butter is still a pretty tasty thing to do.

1 pound cabbage, finely chopped
7 to 8 fluid ounces of milk or cream
2 small leeks or green spring onion tops, chopped
2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
salt and freshly ground black pepper
a pinch of ground mace
4 TBS melted butter



Cook the cabbage in a large pan of boiling salted water until very tender. Drain well and keep warm.

Put the milk or cream in a small pan with the leek or spring onion and simmer until soft. Set aside and keep warm.

Put the potatoes in a saucepan and cover with salted water. Bring to the boil and then simmer until cooked through and they can be pierced easily with the tip of a knife or the tines of a fork. Drain well and then place back on the warm burner, giving them a good shake to dry them out. Mash well. Mix in the leeks and enough of the milk or cream to give it a creamy consistency. Add the cabbage and season with salt, pepper and mace. Drizzle with the melted butter and serve immediately.

Of course being totally hedonistic, I also add a knob of butter to mine at the time. Why not!!



Got Bacon??? Be sure to check out The English Kitchen!!