The Simple Woman's Day Book . . .

FOR TODAY, January 19th, 2009 ...

Outside My Window...
The wind is blowing to beat the band and rain is lashing itself against our windows. Yes, it is raining again. We did have a brief respite yesterday afternoon, but alas it could not last. They are saying to batten ourselves down as more storms, rain and possibly even snow are on their way to England. We shall see. My first year over here ended up being the worst autumn and winter on record for rain with widespread flooding etc. I thought I was going to develop webbed feet!

I am thinking...
About my stove dying yesterday. Yes, it finally happened. I wore the poor thing out I guess. I had turned the oven on to pre-heat it for some cupcakes I was making (Lemon Meringue) and went to put them into the oven and lo and behold . . . no heat. It had happened earlier in the weekend as well, but I was able to get it working that time. No such luck this time. What to do . . . what to do . . . I tried baking one in the microwave, but we almost died from smoke inhalation. Warning: Do not try to bake Lemon Meringue Cupcakes in the microwave.
I ended up having to throw them and my pretty polka dot cupcake cases into the bin . . . sad, so sad. Anyways, it was our own stove and about 8 years old. It was a floor model when we bought it, so we had gotten a really good deal on it. I expect we will not be getting a good deal on another one. Todd is going out to look today. It's not something we can really afford right now, but we do need one so . . .

I am thankful for...
all the many blessings I do have in my life. I was sitting there having a little boo hoo about my stove yesterday afternoon and Todd said to me . . .

"You could be sitting in a grass hut somewhere in the world right now, with a starving child on your lap, but you're not."

No, I'm not and I have been richly blessed in so many ways, so yes, while it is a bit of a pain to have to go out and get a new stove and we can least afford to do so right now, but I do have a lovely roof over my head, food in my belly, a man who loves me, and the gospel in my life. What more could a person want! Never cry over spilt cupcakes! (Even Lemon Meringue ones!)

From the kitchen...
See above . . . nuff said!

I am wearing...
My trusty old pajamas! Thank goodness for comfy old pajamas and the way they feel. All cosy and tucked up in my chair, I feel so at home and at peace. I hate to have to get dressed later on, but alas, I don't think it would do to turn up at work in my pajamas . . . mores the pity!

I am creating...
I dug out my book on creating sock dolls the other day and am trying to decide which ones I want to make. They are all so cute and something I would love to make for my grandsons. No sock monkeys, but I can't get the proper socks over here for them. At least not that I've been able to find. I thought about bartering for a couple of pairs, you know . . . like trading a set of my greeting cards for some . . . but then I thought maybe nobody would want to do that, so I will make them elephants or some such.

I am going...
I have a luncheon to prepare for on Wednesday so I will be busy planning that and then shopping for it today. I just love doing luncheons and dinner parties. They give me a chance to stretch my abilities and I just love the challenge of executing one to perfection. I love the planning, the shopping and everything to do with it. I love setting the table and seeing it when it is finished. I love dressing the plates. I just love everything about it. It's so much fun for me!

I am reading...
I admit I got bored with the Cranford Chronicles . . . well not bored, really so much as I was not really able to get into it right now. I have to read to suit my mood. There is a film coming out called Ink Heart that I want to see when it comes over here, and it is based on a book by the same name, written by Cornelia Funke. Now how could a book written by someone with a name like that not be delicious!!! I have always found the books to be far better than the films and so I am reading the book and enjoying every page turn!

I am hoping...
that when Todd goes out to look for a new stove today he is able to get a good deal on one and that I will like what he picks out. I would normally go to pick one out with him, but I have to work and won't have the time and I cannot go too long without one, so it is being left up to him. As long as it is white and fits in the proper space, and does what it is supposed to do, I guess that is all that counts! Self cleaning would be nice, but we will see. They cost more.

I am hearing...
The clock on the wall is ticking as the little teacup pendulum moves back and forth. Jess is laying by my feet snoring away. (her favourite place first thing in the morning) The wind is raging and the rain is falling and I am at peace. Here, safe within these comfy walls, I am at peace . . .

Around the house...
We ordered the paint to paint the kitchen. It is a pale yellow called calico. I hope it works out ok. Our home teachers are going to come over and help Todd paint it one day, probably on Saturday. It's kind of exciting really!! Then this new kitchen will finally be finished! You know, I still haven't managed to fill up all my cupboards!! I must be slipping!!

One of my favorite things...
is dancing. I love to dance and have always done so. Todd and I never go to dances. In fact I have never really truly danced with Todd. I feel self conscious now because of my size, but when I was younger, I used to love to dance and danced through my days. I took ball room dance at one time and really enjoyed that . . . the Viennese waltz, the cha cha, rumba, jive, fox trot. My favourite one was the fox trot, followed closely by the rumba. I also love square dancing and line dancing. Line dancing is great exercise and you don't need a partner to do it with! Plus, being a big fan of country music, I just love the music! I should dig out my dance dvd's this week and do some more of it. It couldn't hurt could it!! I definitely need the exercise!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
There is the luncheon on Wednesday and then on Thursday, there is Seminary and YW mutual activity. We are sorting out our YW's room at the chapel and decorating it. Our room kind of gets used for a lot of things, but it can't hurt for us to have it looking a bit more like a young women's room. We are going to put up some posters and create a bulletin board for the girls. I expect there will be some food involved as well at some point, knowing the girls! It should be fun!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



Here is a little glimpse of my latest creation that I will be posting over on my Blossom Time Creations blog a little later on today. It's a bit of departure from the art I've been doing. I have always loved Raggedy Ann and I thought I'd do a raggedy one. It's called Raggedy Joy. I think I will list it as a print in my Etsy shop later today as well. I did a bit of work on my Etsy shop yesterday as most of my listings had run out. I wanted to do more, but there just wasn't enough time. Perhaps later this week. I have made a sign and gotten some cards ready for Todd to take them down to the Post Office in the village. Hopefully they will do well.

Well, I had planned on showing you some delicious looking Lemon Meringue Cupcakes this morning, but they will have to wait for another time unfortunately so I have had to dig into my archives from my Muses to find a recipe to share with you today. This is a really delicious one though so I don't think you will mind!



*Breaded Pork Chops With a Honey Mustard Sauce*

Serves 2
As written this recipe serves two, but can be easily multiplied to serve more. Covered on the outside with a crisp coating, tender and moist on the inside and accompanied with a deliciously sweet, yet tangy sauce, there’s much to love with this one!

2 boneless pork loin chops
Salt and pepper
1 cup dried seasoned bread crumbs (I used Italian)
1 large egg
2 TBS milk
2 TBS olive oil
1 small red onion, peeled and minced
½ cup dry white wine or apple juice
1 TBS grainy mustard
1 tsp Dijon mustard
2 TBS honey
¼ cup heavy cream
Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/375*F.

Put the two pork chops into a heavy plastic freezer bag and then pound them as thinly as you like with the side of a rolling pin, until they are roughly twice the size you started out with. Try hard not to tear the meat.

Beat the egg and milk together in a shallow plate. Place the bread crumbs into another shallow plate.

Dust the beaten pork chops on both sides with some salt and pepper. Dip each one first in the beaten egg to coat, allowing the excess to drip off and then roll each in the bread crumbs, coating them well, using your fingertips to help them to adhere. Repeat once more, so that they are double coated. Let sit for about 10 minutes for the crumbs to dry on well.

Take a heavy bottomed skillet and heat it over medium high heat. Add the oil and when it is starting to shimmer add the pork hope. Reduce the heat to medium and then brown them well on both sides, about 3 minutes on each. Put them onto a small oven tray and place them into the heated oven. Turn the oven heat off and let them sit in the oven while you make the sauce.
Add the chopped onion to the skillet and cook it in the drippings, stirring it frequently until it is quite soft, but not browned. Add the white wine and cook for a few minutes until it is reduced by about a third. Stir in the mustards and the honey. When the honey is melted and they are completely amalgamated together stir in the cream. Heat through.

Remove your chops from the oven and place on warm plates. Serve with the pan sauce spooned over. I like to serve a green vegetable and some type of potatoes with this.

Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries!



PS - I was just over at my friend Susan's blog Not Quite June Cleaver, and she is hosting a wonderful giveaway, a beautiful book and one of her lovely aprons!!! Hop on over and have a gander. You could be the lucky winner if you enter!