Small and simple things . . .

One day as I was walking along I saw a piece of paper drifting along the pavement. Nothing annoys me more than seeing litter on the ground and so I picked it up to throw it in the bin. Curiosity got the better of me though and I opened it to look at it before I discarded it . . . just in case it might be something important.

At the top of the page in tidy script was written the date and then this heading . . .

"Ten Things To Be Grateful For Today".

Beneath was written a list of ten items, including such things as "Seeing the new puppies, Not missing my bus, Catching up with an old friend, etc." Nothing earth shattering there . . . simple things, but obviously important enough to the writer for them to have taken note of . . .



I was just about to throw it into the bin, when I had an impulsive thought . . . and instead I tucked it under the windshield wipers of a nearby car.

Food for thought . . . perhaps. I only knew that it had made me stop and think . . . about all the pure and simple things that I had experienced already in my day, things that I was truly grateful for and might have gone un-noticed except for the finding of that piece of paper. Finding that note was, in and of itself, also a great blessing. Who was I to keep that joy all to myself . . . this was too good not to share.



Since then, I have tried to make a list for myself everyday . . . not always on paper though. More often than not, it is just in my head . . . but it is a list nevertheless, and it helps me to be ever mindful of the small and simple pleasures and joys that make up each one of my days . . . it makes a difference to my life and brings me a lot of peace and comfort. I am betting it would make a difference to yours as well. Small and simple things . . .

Here's a little cake that is a small and simple thing and might bring a smile to your face or to the face of a loved one today. Little Butterfly Fairy Cakes. What a wonderful way to say I love you to someone. This was one of the first cakes I learned to make over here using scales and by weighing things out instead of measuring. I have included the American measurements in brackets here, just to help you out a bit. I really love baking by weight though. It's a lot more accurate.

Wait . . . what am I saying??? I just plain love to bake period!



*Butterfly Fairy Cakes*
Makes about 18
Printable Recipe

These are simple to make and so very cute when they are done. Not only that, but they are quite delicious. Food for the eyes and the soul, and the perfect way to say . . . I love you!

For the cake:
4 ounces softened butter (1/2 cup)
4 ounces caster sugar (1/2 cup plus 1 TBS)
2 large eggs
4 ounces self raising flour (3/4 cup plus 2 TBS)
1 tsp baking powder

For the Icing:
6 ounces softened butter (1/2 cup plus 4 TBS)
12 ounces icing sugar, sifted

To Decorate:
a pot of hundreds and thousands
icing sugar for dusting

Pre-heat the oven to 200*C/400*F. Line a medium sized muffin tin with paper cupcake liners and set aside.

Tip all the cake ingredients into a large bowl and beat well with an electric hand whisk for two to three minutes, until well blended and smooth. Spoon into the paper lines cups, filling each one half way.

Bake in the heated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until well risen and golden brown and a toothpick inserted into one comes out clean. Remove from the oven and the tins, placing on a wire rack to cool completely before proceeding.

Make the icing by beating the butter and icing sugar together until smooth and well blended. You may think it is never going to come together when you start, but be persistant, it will . . . just like magic. Place the hundreds and thousands into a small bowl

Cut a small slice from the top of each cake, cutting down into it a bit, like a small cone. Cut this slice in half. Pipe a swirl of the buttery icing into the hollow that has been left behind of each cake. Place the half slices of cake into the icing at the curved edge and then dip them into the hundreds and thousands. Place them onto the buttercream in the centre of the cakes at an angle so that they look like butterfly wings. Dust the completely cakes with some icing sugar to finish.

Sit back and wait for the applause.



Over on The English Kitchen, I'm cooking up some Apple Brown Betty, if you're interested! This version is just a tad bit different, and very tasty.

The Simple Woman's Daybook . . .

FOR TODAY, October 5th, 2009 ...

Outside My Window...
It is dark, dark, dark . . . and so very quiet, except for the occasional shriek of that Screech Owl. Kind of spooky really. I wouldn't want to be out walking about right now . . . no siree!!!

I am thinking...
About all the wonderful talks we heard on the Conference this past weekend. I so enjoyed them. Because of the time difference we don't get to watch all of them right away here. We basically only watch the morning sessions on both days, which we get late in the afternoon. The afternoon sessions are on at 11 pm here and Todd and I are both in bed by then! We have to play catch up and watch them on the computer at another time once they are archived. I also love the fact that they are all published in print in our church magazine in the next month's issue, which will be the November one. That way you can go back and read through them all. You always end up picking up little gems that you missed at the time.

I am thankful for...
We had such a wonderful visit yesterday with Angie, and her husband Keith! ( Can You All Hear Me At The Back ) I've known Angie for about 4 years now. We first started stalking each other met over on AOL journals. We saw something that we really liked in the other's words and next thing we were not just commenting on each other's journal, but e-mailing back and forth. Then it was phone calls. A funny thing is Angie's name is right under Todd's name on my cell phone and she is always getting obtuse text's from me that make no sense . . . like "I am finished, come and get me now." or "Did you remember to put out the garbage?". It's rather funny really. I have to say that Angie is just as charming and dear in person as she is on her page. I just love her to bits! (Keith is a real sweetheart as well, but then again, how could he not be?)

From the kitchen...
Hmmm . . . there's leftover Apple and Hazelnut Brown Betty from yesterday and ohhh . . . look!!! There's some lovely mince pies from Aldi!! Angie remembered me saying how much I missed them and she brought me down a couple of packs as we don't have an Aldi near where we live. OH, and there's some of her delicious Plum Bread as well as a jar of her tasty Green Tomato Chutney!!

I am wearing...
A lovely soft pair of pink stripey pajamas . . . the gift from a sweet, dear friend. I was given these last year by Lura of Grammy's News. They were so pretty and I so wanted to be able to wear them, but alas . . . they have always been a bit too small. Yayy!!! I can finally wear them now. They are so soft and pretty and best of all . . . they remind me of a precious, dear, and much loved friend. Oh how the Lord has blessed me to have brought such sweet and wonderful people into my life.


I am creating...
There has not been a lot of creating going on in Oak Cottage this past week. The time has just been evaporating. Lots of lovely things planned, but not enough hours to get any of them done! I am hoping that this week will be a lot better creatively!!!

I am going...
Not a lot planned for this week, activity wise. I have Seminary to teach on Thursday evening and I have to say I am really enjoying it. I have two boys in my class, so it's a really small class. I try to make it as interesting as I can for them, and so far they seem to be enjoying it. Then on Saturday there is the General Relief Society Broadcast which happened a few weeks back over in America. There is a wonderful organization in our church called the Relief Society. Relief Society is one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in the world, claiming more than 6 million members in over 170 countries and territories. Once a year the Relief Society presidency, 3 lovely women, get together along with our church leaders and present to us some lovely talks on things that are pertinent to our lives as women, both in today's world and as members of our church. Because of the time difference over here we are all asleep when it is normally broadcast so we always get together as a group at a later time to hear it. We are going to do so on Saturday afternoon and will also be treated to a delicious three course dinner. It's really a great afternoon. I was able to go last year and they split the broadcast up into three sessions that we watched before the first, second and last courses. Food for the soul and the body. It's a pretty wonderful afternoon!

I am reading...



No change here. I am still reading The Last Concubine by Lesley Downer, and I am really enjoying it very much. It combines three of my loves . . . oriental history, mystery and romance. The Last Concubine is the story of a shogun, a princess and the three thousand women of the women’s palace - all of whom really existed - and of the civil war that brought their way of life to an end. Growing up deep in the mountains of rural Japan, Sachi has always felt different, her pale skin and fine features setting her apart from her friends and family. When at the age of eleven she is swept off to the women’s palace in the great city of Edo, her life changes forever, and when she is chosen as the young shogun’s concubine, it changes even more. But Black Ships have come from the west, bringing foreigners, and as civil war erupts, Sachi has to flee for her life. Rescued by a rebel warrior, she finds unknown feelings stirring within her, but before she dare dream of a life with him, she must unravel the mystery of her own origins - a mystery that encompasses a wrong so terrible it threatens to destroy her. I am only about 1/3 of the way through, so not much progress since last week really.

I am hoping...
That Angie and her husband get home safe and sound today . . .

I am hearing...
It's all very quiet . . . the clock is ticking. Jess is snoring. The refrigerator is humming. My keys are tapping . . .

Around the house...
Not too much going on really. Everything is all tickety boo and tidy. It's nice to have company, if only for the fact that it gets you off your butts and tidying everything up! We had company all weekend because not only did we have Angie and Keith yesterday, but on Saturday evening we had a couple of really good friends come over to watch the conference with us. What a wonderful time we had. It's nice to share something special like that and so inspiring with a few good friends. Aferwards we sat and ate apple crumble with custard that one of them had brought with her as a treat for everyone.


One of my favorite things...
is collecting salt and pepper shakers. I just love them. My favourite pair is a set of little roosters, a gift from a dear friend of mine in America that lives in Utah. She and her husband were missionaries over here several years back and I love her dearly. I miss her so very much. She was more than a missionary sister to me . . . she was and is a sweet friend. We both lead such busy lives and we don't get to talk or contact each other as much as I would love to, but each time I see these sweet little roosters, I think of her and the special times we have had with each other and I miss her even more . . .

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
Work, Seminary, and hopefully some drawing and painting! It's been a few weeks since I have been able to pick up my paintbrushes and my fingers are just itching to get at them!!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



Oh, how I wish it was a better picture and not so blurry! (Todd took it and did his best) This is a picture of Angie and me right after she arrived yesterday! I wish we had taken more, but we were just so darned busy gabbing with each other and enjoying each other's company! I did get a great picture of her talking to Lura on the telephone though!



Oh how I wish Lura could have been here with us. We have great plans though . . . the three of us are going to get together and spend some time in a cottage somewhere out in the boonies and stay up all night gabbing and all day cooking eating and getting up to all sorts of mischief. Sounds like a great plan!!

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!)

I made us a lovely Cottage Pie for our dinner on Saturday. Todd is a simple man with simple tastes and what better recipe to share with you on my Simple Day Book monday, than one that is tasty, delicious and . . . simple . . .



*Everyday Cottage Pie*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

My Todd is a real meat and potatoes man. He has simple tastes and this is one of his favourite suppers that I make him. I confess that I don't always make it the same, but this is the barebones recipe that I use. Sometimes I add a bit of horseradish, other times perhaps a splash of balsamic vinegar. It all depends on what mood I am in.

1 TBS vegetable oil
1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 clove of garlic, peeled and minced
1 pound lean minced beef
1 14 ounce tin of chopped tomatoes in their own juice
1 cup of strong beef stock
1 TBS worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp summer savoury
1/2 tsp thyme
salt and black pepper to taste

For the mash:
1 1/4 pound of mashing potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1/8 cup butter
1/4 cup milk, warmed
salt and pepper
freshly grated nutmeg

1 cup of grated strong cheddar cheese



Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and carrot, and gently cook them in the hot oil until the onion begins to soften. Add the minced beef and continue to cook for a further 10 minutes, until the beef begins to brown. Add the garlic and cook for a minute longer. Add the tomatoes, worcestershire sauce, beef stock, summer savoury and thyme. Season with a bit of salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.

Place the potatoes in a pot of lightly salted water to cover. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 to 15 minutes until tender. Drain and mash well. Stir in the butter and warm milk. Season to taste with salt, pepper and freshly grated nutmeg.

Pre-heat the oven to 190*C/375*F. Spoon the mince into a 1 1/2 litre oven proof dish. Spoon the potatoes over top to cover, and rough up a bit with a fork. Scatter the grated cheese evenly over top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is crisp and golden and the centre is piping hot.



Over on The English Kitchen today, I am waxing on about Real men and Quiche!! Plus there's an excellent recipe for short crust pastry!

Marie's Sunday Six Smile Makers . . .

Week after week I come on here and I talk about six lovely blessings that I have experienced during the week . . . six lovely things that have made me smile and brought a song to my heart. I thought that today, the second day of our church's autumn General Conference I would give you all a gift . . . six thoughts that might make YOU smile!



A little grace . . .

Dear Lord, keep us from being like Porridge, slow to boil and hard to stir, and make us like cornflakes, always prepared and ready to serve.
Amen



A kitchen verse . . .

Thank God for dirty dishes . . . they have a tale to tell; while other folk go hungry, they show we're eating well.
So even when the sink's piled high, please do not make a fuss; for by this stack of evidence, God's truly good to us.



A beautiful hymn . . .

O love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee,
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths it's flow
May richer, fuller be . . .



Hope . . .

It's sad to see the summer pass,
To feel the autumn's chill,
And watch the early sundown draw
Night over roof and hill.
But, don't forget, though no birds sing,
Soon, soon again will come the spring.



Someone to love . . .

If ever you've a little thought,
An urge to do a friendly act,
Don't stifle it, but go ahead
And turn that impulse into fact.
A kindness done to someone sad
Will make your own heart twice as glad.



Something to smile about . . .

Make little of your miseries . . .
Each pinprick, hurt or loss.
Make much of any bit of luck
You chance to come across.
You'll find, as you go gaily through,
Life's mostly rather kind to you!!

Something to fill your tummy and give you comfort . . .



*Grilled Sausages with Rustic Pesto Mash*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

This is comfort food at it's best. Quick to do and it uses things that I have in my larder and fridge most of the time. Not to mention . . . it's delicious!!

1 1/2 pounds potatoes (use a good mashing or baking potato)
4 fat pork sausages (use one full of flavour, such as a Cumberland)
1 small red onion, peeled and sliced thinly into half moons
1/2 pound of baby spinach leaves, washed and dried thoroughly
3 TBS extra virgin olive oil
2 TBS good quality pesto
the juice of 1 lemon
salt and pepper

Peel the potatoes and cut into chunks. Put them into a pot of lightly salted water and bring them to the boil. Cook for about 15 minutes until tender. Drain well.

In the meantime, heat the grill (broiler) in your stove and cook the sausages under it, turning frequently, until they are thorougly cooked, and nicely browned all over. Set aside and keep warm whilst you finish the mash. (Alternately you can cook them in a hot skillet)

Roughly crush the well drained potatoes with the tines of a fork, leaving them quite rustic looking. Tip in the spinach leaves and the sliced onion, carefully folding them into the hot potatoes until the spinach begins to wilt slightly.

Mix together the olive oil, lemon juice and pesto. Carefully stir this dressing into the potatoes, adding a touch of salt and pepper for seasoning, if required. Gently toss it all together to mix and coat well.

Serve hot with the grilled sausages piled on top. A heated crusty loaf goes very well with this!

Something to tempt your sweet tooth . . .



Tasty Blueberry Scones with a Lucious Lemon Glaze.

Saturday morning this and that . . .

The leaves are falling fast and furious now. As I walked to work yesterday morning I looked up at the blue sky and a cascade of gold and orange was falling down around me, just like snow, except . . . it was leaves. Beautiful, just beautiful.

We've been really lucky this autumn. We may have had a pretty poor summer weatherwise, but autumn seems to be more than making up for it. We've had sunny days and warm temperatures and have been quite, quite spoint in that way. It has hardly seemed like it is October already for I am still able to wear my summer trousers out and about, and scarce have needed a jacket at all, except for early in the morning and at night.



The last few weeks we have been treated to the eerie sounds of a Screech Owl in the wee hours of the morning and again at twilight. It is kind of a scary sound, but fascinating. I don't know much about Screech Owls, and didn't even know we had any over here until yesterday. I kept hearing this sound and had thought it a vixen or some such, but I was told yesterday that it was a Screech Owl. It is a very spine tingling sound and a bit frightening. In fact I have had Todd walk up to the Manor House to walk home with me every night as I haven't fancied walking home alone in the dark to that sound, and who can blame me!



The gardens are filled now with nodding seed heads and drying plants. They are quite beautiful in their own right . . . there are still some blooms of course, but I love to see these pretty prickly heads and have been sore tempted to cut them and place them in a vase to grace our indoors . . . but I resist temptation and leave them for the birds. Likewise the hedgerows and borders are filled with all sorts of tempting berries and seeds . . . this is truly harvest time, not only for us humans, but also for the animals who are storing up for the long winter which awaits us around the corner.



Yesterday we had the opportunity to have the missionaries over to teach an investigator in our home. We have two sister missionaries here in our Ward right now, both from America and they are such sweet young ladies. It was really nice to be able to have them over and to help them teach a young man who is interested in the church and it's teachings. It reminds me of when I was investigating and first learning about the church and how exciting it was. It's also really nice to be able to share and to help these young ladies out. I just love having the missionaries in my home. They bring such a lovely spirit with them, always.



Speaking of the church, twice a year our church has what we call General Conference, both in the Spring and in the Autumn. It is a time of gathering when we all meet together and listen to things that our leaders have to share with us. I just love General Conference and this weekend is the autumn session of it. All over the world Latter Day Saints will be gathering in their meeting houses and stake centres, and in their homes as well (you can also watch it on the computer) to her what our leaders have to tell us. I just love all the talks and it is so nice to feel a part of something large. Most of our local congregations over here in the UK are very small, with not a lot of members. It's wonderful to see all our friends from all over and to hear what our leaders have to teach us. It is even more special for me now since my trip over to Salt Lake City last winter when I got to see the special conference centre where these are held. I can now imagine for real where all of this is taking place and it is pretty awesome indeed! I just love our church leaders. They are such lovely men and so very wise. You can see the love of Christ shining out from them and their eyes just radiate love and kindness, and wisdom. If you are interested in some of what they have to say and would like to watch it yourself, you can access it here.



I'm really excited today because tomorrow I get to meet a lovely lady. Angie from Can You All Hear Me At The Back, is coming to Oak Cottage for a visit and we are finally going to get to meet in person! We've known each other for several years now, having met back on AOL journals when we were both journaling on there. We've talked on the telephone many times and text each other back and forth regularly. She's such a great gal and it will be wonderful to finally get to spend some time together in real life!! I can't wait! I am planning a slap up meal for us all to enjoy, although in reality the men will be the ones who will really be throwing it back . . . Angie and I have both been doing the Hypnosis for weight loss and so whilst we will still be enjoying it . . . it will be in much smaller amounts! If you have never had the chance to look at her page, do take a peek. She is ever so funny and interesting to read! I just adore her!

I must get on now and get started on my day, but I have enjoyed this little visit with you here on Oak Cottage this morning! I hope that wherever you are the sun is shining down on you and that you have a lovely weekend planned ahead!

I have never been to the Olive Garden Restaurant, but I have heard really good things about it. One nice thing about the internet though is that I don't have to actually go because a lot of copy cat recipes from their menu are available right on line. I have no idea if this tastes like the real deal or not, but it was mighty tasty all the same!



*Chicken Vino Bianco*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

Now, I have never been to the Olive Garden Restaurant, but I hear it's really, really good. If this delicious copy cat recipe of one of their most popular dishes is any indication, then it truly must be a real treat to eat there! This was fabulously delicious!!

2 TBS olive oil
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup peeled and finely chopped onion
2 fat cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup white wine (or white grape juice)
1 cup chopped tinned tomatoes
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 TBS chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Cooked and drained pasta to serve

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the oil and heat it until it begins to shimmer. Season the chicken strips and then add them to the hot oil. Cook, stirring occcasionally until they are well browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove them to a plate and set aside.

Add the onions and garlic to the pan. Cook, stirring until tender. Add the mushrooms and cook them until they are golden brown. Try not to stir them too much as stirring them brings out too much of their juices and they end up stewing instead of frying.

Add the wine, and bring to the simmer. Stir in the tomatoes. Let cook and reduce for about 10 minutes, then return the chicken to the pan and heat through. Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary. Stir in the cream and parsley to finish. Serve warm spooned over cooked pasta of your choice. Pass the Parmesan for dusting over the top.



Yes, I did torture Todd with pasta again, but then . . . I did make him a rather tasty lunch. To see what I made, hop on over to The English Kitchen. I think I have more than redeemed myself.

Happy Saturday to one and all!!

Grrr . . .

I just had a whole blog post written and then, when I tried to add a picture, the whole thing disappeared? How very annoying! It was a good one too! Or at least I think it was. And now I've run out of time . . . so I'll have to leave you with a poem and a wish that your Friday is full of joy and smiles and lots of other happy things! When life hands you lemons . . . make lemonade. That's my motto!

Nothing on earth can smile, but man,
Not even the loveliest flower can,
Nor bird, nor bee, nor butterfly,
Nothing, just nothing but you and I;

Nothing on earth that heals so much
As a simple smile it's cheer and such,
Nothing that heartens the soul of folk
When the day goes wrack, and the heart goes broke.

Nothing that lingers so tenderly,
When lips that smile are but a memory,
Nothing that costs so little to give,
Nothing so blest, for in smiles you live.
~author unknown



I recently discovered Pork Belly. Oh my but it is delicious and very economical too, which can't be bad in these days of the credit crunch and all. This lovely meat comes from the belly of the pig, and most of us have been eating it for years, smoked and sliced as bacon. It's been used for years in Korean and Chinese cuisine, and has just recently become a very popular dish in Western cuisines and high end restaurants that like to charge an arm and a leg for the stuff!! For a little more than two quid, I can have a delicious meal on the table with very little effort. It takes a bit of time if you want deliciously crisp crackling and succulent meat, but it's so worth it. Trust me.



*Asian Roasted Pork Belly with Plum Sauce*
Serves 5
Printable Recipe

We have fallen in love with pork belly. Rich and full of flavour, it's very moist and also very economical. This version is filled with lovely asian spices and the plum sauce is just gorgeous.
Adapted from a recipe I found on BBC Good Food.

1 TBS soy sauce
a bit of oil
1 KG piece of pork belly, off the bone, with skin intact
2 tsp fennel seeds
2 tsp coriander seeds
2 whole star anise
1 small piece of ginger-root grated (about 1 tsp)
3 ripe plums, quartered, stones discarded
1 small cinnamon stick
2 TBS sherry vinegar
4 TBS soft brown sugar



Heat the oven to 220*C/425*F. Score the skin of the pork with a sharp knife in a cross hatch pattern. Rub the soy sauce and a little bit of oil all over the skin and meat. Lightly crush the anise, fennel and coriander seeds. Keep 1 tsp of this mixture aside and rub the rest of it into the skin of the pork. Season with some salt and pepper. Place on a rack in a roasting tin and roast for half an hour. Reduce the temperature to 160*C/325*F. Add a cup of water to the roasting pan and cook for 2 more hours, topping up with more water as needed.

To make the plum sauce, heat a tiny bit of oil in a saucepan. Add the ginger and cook until golden. Add the chopped plums, remaining spice mix, the other star anise, cinnamon stick, sherry vinegar and the sugar. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the mixture is thick and syrupy.

Cut the pork into thick slices and accompany with the plum sauce. Yum Yum!!



I made a delicious Ginger Spiced Coconut Rice to go with it as well. My, but it was good. Check it out on The English Kitchen.