A Half Full Glass . . .

How many people do you know that are *Half Glass Empty* people??? You know the type of people I mean . . . the ones who always look at the gloomy side of life.

Thankfully, most of my friends do not fit that description, but sadly enough, there are many in this world who do. For them, whenever a small cloud passes by overhead in a summer sky . . . it heralds an impending thunder storm. If they sneeze . . . well then, they must be getting a cold. A partly used bottle of anything is always half empty instead of half full. They never look on the bright side of things, but always the dull . . .



Pessimists are folks who say to themselves (and unfortunately to a lot of others also) "What do I have to smile about today??? The cost of living has gone up again, crime is on the rise, nobody likes me, everybody hates me, I'm going to eat some worms . . . "

That kind of negative attitude clouds all the enjoyment there is to be found in life, the simple pleasures that are free for the asking, the small joys that colour each one of our days. There's actually a verse in the bible that sums it up all nicely.

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones."
~Proverbs 17:22




Me . . . I'm a half glass full kind of person! I like to look on the positive side of most things and I'm very lucky in that I'm usually able to see the silver lining in every cloud.

I got my first rejection letter yesterday from the card company I had sent some samples off too. Unfortunately my art does not fit the image that they are presently using for their line of cards. It got me down for a couple of minutes, and I had a little boo hoo, and then I pulled my boot straps up and went searching online for a few other companies. I have sent letters and samples off to each of them. I'll not give up. I know my work is good and that someday, somehow, someway, sombody will want to use it. After all, if I can't believe in myself, then how can I ever expect anyone else to. You've got to have a dream before you can have a dream come true . . .

Here's a delicious muffin that is sure to please your family. Light and fluffy they go great with soups, stews, chili, baked beans, or even just on their own with a nice warm drink.



*Marie's Delicious Corn Muffins*
Makes 12

I have a fondness for corn muffins. I could eat them every day, but instead I reserve them for special occasions. They are so lovely when eaten with stews, soups or homebaked beans. These ones are my absolute favourite recipe. I have tried many others but always come back to this one. It's the best!

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup vegetable shortening, such as crisco, Trex, or White Flora
1/2 cup sugar
2 extra large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup whole milk

Preheat oven to 200*C/400*F. Line 6 Texax size or 12 regular muffin tins with paper liners or spay them with Pam.

Whisk the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and salt together in medium-sized bowl and set aside.
Cream the butter and shortening together in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high for 2 minutes. Gradually beat in the sugar and then eggs, one at a time. Continue beating until the batter is creamed and light yellow colored, and then add the vanilla.

Slowly beat in half of the flour mixture, then half of the milk, beating about 1 minutes after adding each. Repeat, beating in the rest of the flour mixture, then the rest of the milk.
Beat the batter until well blended, about 1 minute more.

Spoon into muffin tins, almost up to the top. Bake at 200*C/400*F for first 10 minutes, then reduce temperature to 190*C/375*F for about 15 minutes or until golden and toothpick comes out clean.

Remove from the pan and cool on a wire rack for a few minutes, before serving warm with lots of butter for spreading.



We had a lovely time last night. Todd really enjoyed his first American Thanksgiving. We ate far too much, and rolled back home quite late, stuffed to the eyeballs with great food and best of all wonderfully warm feelings of having spent a delightful evening in the company of some great old friends, some lovely new friends and the beautiful spirit that was present throughout the whole evening. I hope that your celebrations were as blessed as ours were. The evening ended with the son of our hosts playing the piano for us and singing some beautiful hymns. It was just wonderful. I could have stayed and listened forever . . .

Over the River and Through the Woods

"Over the river and through the woods
Trot fast my dapple gray.
Spring over the ground
Like a hunting hound
On this Thanksgiving Day, Hey!
Over the river and through the woods
Now Grandmother's face I spy.
Hurrah for the fun,
Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie."
~English folksong, It's Raining, It's Pouring

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends out there in blog land!! Thanksgiving is one of my favouritest times of year. (And yes, once again, I know that's not really proper English!) Of course in Canada we celebrate it in October, but I have to say right up front, that I love the American way of celebrating it in late November. Having it then truly helps to usher in the Holiday Season in a wonderful way, so the American Thanksgiving to me symbolizes the gateway to Christmas, and Christmas is my very favourite time of year!




Thanksgiving has always been very dear to my heart, and I've cooked many, many Thanksgiving dinners through the years. None so special as the very last one I had with my family altogether just prior to the breakup of my last marriage. I believe that was the very last time we were all together as a group and as a family. There was lots of delicious turkey and stuffing and all the other fixings to go with it, such as sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie.



My oldest son makes the best gravy in the world. It must be that extra special touch of love he puts into it. Oh my, but there was lots of noise and laughter. My three sons have always battled with each other to be the "mashed potato kings", but that year I think my daughter in law, Anne, was vying for the title as she kept warning my son not to take them all so that there would be plenty left for her!



There can be no more special feeling on earth than that of sitting down to eat dinner together as a family, looking around the table and seeing all the faces of your loved ones so dear, and then holding hands and saying a prayer of thankfulness together. It's like the Waltons, Little House on the Prairie and All in the Family rolled up together into one happy conglomeration. Coz that's what life's all about, and that's what we're here for, to be a family, and whether your family consists of a whole passel full of children and grandparents and aunts and uncles, or of just you and your partner/loved one, or even just you and a houseful of animals . . . today is the one day a year when we pause to reflect on all that is good about our lives and to give thanks for our many blessings, both big and small . . .



Later today Todd and I will be travelling to our Bishop's home where we will be sitting down in Thanksgiving with dear friends. There will be the Bishop, his wife and son, a young couple, the wife of whom is from America, another young man the Bishop works with and the two missionaries that are serving in this area right now, one of whom is from Southern California. I'm in charge of all the side dishes and I have pots of peeled vegetables waiting on top of my stove right now, all ready to go. There'll be mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole (complete with praline and marshmallows, not for the faint of heart!) my Gorgonzola parsnips, a carrot swede mash and of course green beans and another Thanksgiving Twofer Pie for dessert. But the food is not the best thing . . . the best thing will be that we are all together and that we all care about each other and that we are thankful for our many blessings . . . blessings of home . . . blessings of family, both near and far away . . . blessings of friends, love and good health . . . blessings of employment . . . blessings of the Gospel in our lives . . .





Your life can change in an instant, and you never know what the next year, day, or moment will bring . . . so for now, we are thankful and mindful of all that is good in our lives, and the great giver of all good things . . .



After all the turkey and fuss of today here's a hearty brunch/breakfast to further tempt the palates and appetites for tomorrow morning . . .



*Morning After Breakfast Waffles*
Serves 8

Cheese on toast has always been the ultimate comfort food for me. How about an oozing cheezy waffle topped with bacon, egg and lovely grilled tomatoes? Mmmm . . . the perfect way to get your day off to a great and hearty start!

Waffles:
180g flour
120g fine cornmeal
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 large eggs, separated
225ml milk
200ml sour cream or yoghurt
2 TBS olive oil, plus extra for roasting
120g strong cheddar cheese, grated
2 TBS freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
2 TBS snipped chives

To Serve:
20 cherry tomatoes on the vine
16 rashers of streaky bacon
8 large free range organic eggs (If I'm going to eat an egg like this,
I want it to be the best!)
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Pre-heat the oven to 200*C/400*F. Grease a baking sheet. Lightly grease and heat the waffle iron.

Put the vine tomatoes onto the greased baking sheet, sprinkle with olive oil and then season with some sea salt and black pepper. Set aside for the time being.

Sift the flour, cornmeal, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. Beat together the egg yolks, milk, sour cream and olive oil. Whisk this mixture into the flour mixture. Beat the egg whites in a clean bowl, until stiff peaks form. Fold the stiffly beaten egg whites into the batter with a metal spoon, along with the cheeses and the chives.

Spoon 1/8th of the batter into your heated waffle iron, adjusting the amount of batter according to the size of your iron. (I have one that makes heart shaped waffles!) Cook your waffles until nicely crisp, at least 4 to 5 minutes. Set aside and keep warm until all are baked.

Place the vine tomatoes into the oven and roast for 5 minutes, until their skins begin to split and blister. Remove from the oven and keep warm.

Brush a small frying pan with olive oil and heat. Add the bacon and fry until crisp. Remove from the pan and drain on paper kitchen toweling. Brush the pan with some more oil and then crack in 2 eggs. Place 4 rashers of cooked bacon on top and cook the eggs gently until they are cooked to your preference. Set aside and keep warm while you cook the rest.

Place a cooked waffle on each of 8 heated plates. Slide the bacon and eggs on top along with some of the roasted tomatoes and serve immediately!



Many, Many thanks to all of you for your continued prayers for my Daughter in Law Kayla. She had an ultrasound yesterday and everything looked quite good so they may be allowing her to come home from the hospital today, but she will still be on bedrest. My son, Doug, is still concerned about her being home alone while he is at work, but we shall just have to leave it in the Lord's hands for now.

When the Frost Gilds the Pumpkin . . .

"A tingling, misty marvel
Blew hither in the night,
And now the little peach-trees
Are clasped in frozen light.
Upon the apple-branches
An icy film is caught,
With trailing threads of gossamer
In pearly patterns wrought.
The autumn sun, in wonder,
Is gayly peering through
This silver-tissued network
Across the frosty blue.
The weather-vane is fire-tipped,
The honeysuckle shows
A dazzling icy splendor,
And crystal is the rose."
- Evaleen Stein, November Morning

As I walked home from work, quite early in the wee hours of this morning, I could see it all around me . . . the magic of Jack Frost's brush had painted everything high and low, under a crystal clear night sky full of the magic of starlight, icy crystals twinkling and adoring all the hedgerows and grasses . . . the first heavy frost of the year.

The air almost tinkled and rang with the magic of it all and I tarried down the lane, breathing it in and basking in the wonder of it all, and thought about what a gift it was. Most nights I would miss this, laying upstairs in my warm bed in the cottage, sleeping . . . totally unaware of the wonder weaving it's way through branch and on leaf. I breathed in the air and felt it's cold sting in my my nose and down in my lungs . . .



I am so thankful for a heart that has passion enough and the will to take the time to soak it all in, the wonder of life and the joy that it brings, blessings both great and small . . . sometimes I think that the smallest joys are the greatest blessings of all . . .



I had a quiet afternoon yesterday before I left for work. I was able to do a new painting. Todd says she is his favourite one thus far . . . but then again we both say that every time. I just love the magic that springs from the end of my paint brush, not quite as beautiful as the magic from Jack Frost's brush, but I hope that what comes out weaves a spell over the viewer just the same . . .

I cooked us the Irish Stew from my Cookbook challenge of last week for our tea. It was lovely, comfort food, stick to the innards food . . . just what the body is wanting on a cold autumnal day. We sat at the table, enjoying our meal together as we looked out at the darkening sky . . . the blanket of night fell down upon us, the firelight from the flames in our fire flickered against the walls as Jess lay hopeful upon the mat in front of it. This is what life is all about, what more could a body want or possibly need . . .



*Irish Stew*
serves 4 to 6
(I cut the recipe in half quite successfully)

Apparently there is no definitive recipe for Irish Stew, each family placing layers of their chosen vegetables and lamb in a pot, seasoned with salt and pepper, covered with water or stock and stewed gently for several hours. Searing the meat and vegetables first adds a lovely depth of flavour to the stew.

3 pound 5 oz of mutton chops from the neck or shoulder,
still on the bone, cut about 3/4 inch thick
(I used lamb chops cut from the loin)
3 TBS olive oil
3 carrots, peeled and cut into
thick slices at an angle,
(or 12 small baby carrots, scrubbed and left whole)
12 baby onions, peeled, or 3 - 4 medium onions,
peeled and cut into quarters through the root, which
should keep the wedges intact
2 large parsnips, peeled and cut into chunks (my addition)
1/2 of a small swede, peeled and cut into chunks (my addition)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
14 fluid ounces of lamb or chicken stock, or water
a large sprig of thyme
8 to 12 potatoes, peeled and cut in half if very large
to finish:
1 TBS chopped fresh parsley
1 TBS snipped fresh chives

Pre-heat the oven to 160*C/325*F.

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and then add the chops, cooking for a minute or so on either side until nicely browned. Remove and set aside. Add the carrots, swede, parsnips and onions and cook for several minutes, allowing them to brown in places. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.

Place all the vegetables into a deep casserole dish with a lid. Lay the chops on top of them, seasoning them with some salt and pepper as well. Scrap the leaves from the spring of thyme and sprinkle it over top. Place your peeled potatoes on top and then pour the stock over all.

Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until the meat is very tender and the vegetables are nicely cooked, and potatoes just beginning to brown. Pour off the cooking liquid and allow it to sit for a minute and then skim off any fat. Pour the juices back over the stew and serve hot, sprinkled with the parsley and chives.

A nice crusty roll to mop up the juices is nice along side.

Merry Christmas Giveaway

It's hard to believe but Christmas is exactly one month from today!!! I know, it's crazy. The time since last Christmas has just flown.

I meant to have a giveaway to celebrate my 365th post, but because of my computer downtime etc. and all the excitement around here with me getting a new kitchen and all I didn't get around to it, so I am combining a celebration of my 377th post (this makes 378) and my love of Christmas, and I am doing a Merry Christmas Giveaway. (Or as they say it over here, Happy Christmas!)



I just love the idea of spreading a little Christmas Cheer, especially to you, my much loved readers. To get in on a chance for some Christmas Goodies, all you have to do is leave a comment at the end of this post. If you would like an extra chance, spread the news about my Giveaway on your own blog and then let me know.

Here's what you have a chance to win. I just love giving presents and there is nothing nicer to give away than something you would love to have yourself!



First up is a lovely Christmas Cookery book, "Women's Weekly Christmas Cooking." These Women's Weekly books are lovely and I just know you are going to love this one, as I already do. Full of lots of lovely Christmas goodies to make and bake!



Next is a wonderful Scented Candle from Lily Flame Candles, called Whispered Wish. Ohh, but it smells delicious . . . all spicy and Christmasy! Just for you!




I'll also include an assortment of five of my Christmas Cards, for you to fill in and give away to the ones you love.



Finally some Mistletoe Kisses Chocolates put out by Galaxy. Once there was a Gnome who had to get rid of all the leftover kisses. One year he decided to make them into Mistletoe kisses, or so the story goes . . . lucious little bites of chocolate filled with an indulgent mousse and caramel centre!



You only have five days to get in on the giveaway as I will be drawing it on November 30th so that I can have it into the post in plenty of time for Christmas!

If I have a chance to finish it in time, I may even throw in a secret Christmas Craft Surprise!
I'm so excited! I wonder who the lucky winner will be!!! You just never know . . . it could be
Y O U !!

Peter, Peter . . .

Pumpkin Eater!
Had a wife and could not keep her!
Put her in a pumpkin shell,
And there he kept her very well!

Welcome to Tuesday's With Dorie, the November 25th, 2008 edition of that wonderful baking club of fantastic bakers that get together every week and bake one decadently delicious recipe from the splendiferous baking book, Baking, from my home to yours, by the greatest cookbook author of them all, Ms Dorie Greenspan! Yes, people, each week the group, which numbers well over 300 bakers, gets together and bakes the same recipe from this book, and then we reveal our results in unison each
Tuesday.



This week Vibi from La Casserole Carrée chose the recipe Thanksgiving Twofer Pie, from page 321.



Now, I have to admit upfront I am not a real pumpkin pie lover. When I was a kid this was the kind of pie that I hated most of all. I'm not sure what exactly it was about it that I hated so much, but hate it I did. As an adult I have come to like it somewhat, but it's still not the one pie I would choose given a table full of a variety of pies to choose from!



I have to say though that this pie was S-P-L-E-N-D-I-F-E-R-O-U-S!!! I think it has made a pumpkin pie convert of me . . . yes . . . I have gone over to the pumpkin side! This is not just any old pumpkin pie, but a pumpkin pie mixed up with a pecan pie in a glorious combination that has your fork digging in for more, and your brain thinking about the last piece sitting in the fridge at two 'clock in the morning. In other words . . . THIS PIE IS TO DIE FOR! In face I think Dorie should have named it Thanksgiving Diefer Pie!



Pecan Pie has always been one of my favourite pies. Back when I was younger and had not yet really honed my baking skills I used to splurge once in a while and buy a Mrs Smith's Pecan Pie. I remember buying one when I was pregnant with my eldest daughter. My then husband was away on a course and so there was just myself and my oldest son, who was a toddler of about 18 months at the time, in the house. I remember buying this pie and taking it home. I ate one piece and then was so worried that I'd eat the whole pie I threw it into the garbage . . . and then because I was still worried that I'd be tempted to take it out, I dumped an ash-tray of cigarette butts on top of it. I was uber worried that I would gain too much weight with my pregnancy and Pecan Pie was too much of a temptation for me.



Happy to say . . . I now don't have that problemo. If I had to do that to everything that was a temptation to me, we would have to have the hugest garbage bin in the world and it would always be full. I just love food, but I digress . . .

One of the weird things about England is that they don't really have ordinary pie shaped pie dishes over here. I have two Pyrex ones that I brought over here from Canada, but they were eight inch and ten inches in size. The only nine inch one I have is a stack of aluminum ones I brought back the last time I was in Canada some two years ago. I think I freaked the shop keeper out because I must have bought about 50 of them, not to mention Todd when he saw me coming through the door of my mother's house with them!



I also didn't have pecans . . . . I have a hubbie I sent to the store for pecans . . . but he brought back walnuts, so my pie was not a pecan pie in every sense, but umm . . . err . . . a walnut pie, but then again this was not a pecan pie at all was it? It was a Thanksgiving Twofer Pie!

The recipe called for a pumpkin pie mixture, flavoured with rum, and put into the bottom of the pie shell and then, topped with the nuts, and finally the pecan pie mixture. For some reason I thought that they would lay there in layers, and I admit I panicked a bit when I went to pour the syrup mixture over top and it sunk down into the pumpkin mixture. I thought it was ruined, but I baked it anyways. Rum is not something we have in our home, so I used a tsp of rum extract in the pumpkin filling instead.



This pie is gorgeous. It called for light or dark corn syrup in the pecan filling, which of course we don't have over here. We do have a glorious thing called Golden Syrup though, which works very well as a replacement, and I used a bottle I have of special Limited Edition Golden Syrup that I have been hoarding for just this type of thing. Lyle's Golden Syrup with Rum and Festive Spice. Wowser, Wowser!!! It said on the bottle, Perfect on Christmas pud & Mince Pies. I'm here to tell you that it's fantastic in Thanksgiving Twofer Pie!!! It imparted a delicate rum taste with just a hint of spice that was just a wonderful combination!



We liked this pie soooooo much that I am going to bake another one tomorrow to take to our Thanksgiving celebrations on Thursday. I just KNOW it will wow everyone there!

Run, Run as fast as you can to your local shops and pick up some tinned pumpkin today so that you can make this pie yourself. You will not regret it! If it could make a pumpkin pie lover of me, you just know it has to be one of the best pumpkin pies ever!



If you would like this delicious recipe pop on over to Vibi's page, and make sure you check out some of the other Dorie Bakers as well on the Tuesdays With Dorie Blog Roll. There's bound to be some delicious concoctions there to oggle/drool/salivate over! In the meantime I think I'm going to go over to the counter right now and inhale another piece, coz pumpkin is a vegetable and veggies is good for you!

Next week's recipe is Linzer Sables on pages 134-135 as chosen by noskos of Living the Life. Yummo, that will get us all in a Christmas mood for sure!