Ordinary Miracles . . .

"On this June day the buds in my garden are almost as enchanting as the open flowers. Things in bud bring, in the heat of a June noontide, the recollection of the loveliest days of the year . . . those days of May, when all is suggested, nothing yet fulfilled."
~Francis King

Once upon a time two men were sitting in a garden, enjoying the sunshine on a bright summer's day.

One turned to the other and said:

"If only God would perform a miracle before my very eyes, well then, I could believe in Him."

The other man looked at him, said nothing, and then simply bent down, plucked a blade of grass and silently held it out to his companion.



We are surrounded by miracles every day. They come in splendour and they come in silence. We can choose to pluck them, or we can go on our merry way looking for and expecting, but never seeing what's right before our very eyes . . . as for me and my house . . . well . . . you know the rest.

Todd and I went for a lovely walk last evening when I got home from work. Down the drive and into the village. All the foxgloves are out now, wild ones blooming in the hedgerows, just waiting for Mr Fox to come along and slip his golden paw inside . . other's around the edge of our garden, so pretty and so quaint. I love them so very much.



Our lawn is full of wild daisies and buttercups, at least, until it gets mowed again. It is so peaceful here where I live, a world within a world. Once the gates are shut at the end of the drive, we are locked away in a gentler place, surrounded by beauty and we need not ever think of the world beyond, or allow it to encroach upon our peace . . . all is quiet and still except for the chitter chatter of birds and the sound of leaf against leaf as the wind blows them together, gentle reminders of all the ways I have been blessed in this lifetime. May I never take all this for granted.



We had the most delicious chicken for dinner yesterday. I saw this recipe in the latest issue of Fine Cooking. As soon as I saw it, I knew it was something I had to make. I changed it a wee bit to suit our own tastes of course, which is a cook's prerogative you know. (I just love grabbing the ball and running with it!)



*Chicken with Chilies and Cheese*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

Not only was this very quick to put together, but it was delicious. You can serve it with a rice pilaf if you wish, or spooned into warmed tortillas. Or . . . you can be totally hedonistic and serve it with both!

1 1/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed and cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
1 1/2 tsp mild chili powder (more or less to your own tastes)
1/2 tsp ground cumin
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 1/2 TBS sweet butter
1 1/2 cups fresh or thawed frozen sweet corn kernels
1/2 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
1 small green chili, seeded and finely diced (optional, and use care when handling. I wear disposable gloves)
1 fat clove of garlic, peeled and minced
3 TBS fresh lime juice
1 TBS chopped fresh oregano, or 2 tsp of dried oregano
1 cup grated strong cheddar cheese
1 lime, cut into wedges to serve



Heat the broiler in your oven to high. Toss the chicken with the chili powder, cumin, some salt and black pepper and the flour. Shake off any excess flour.

Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. (Preferably oven proof. If it is not ovenproof, cover the handle with foil) Add the chicken and cook until browned on both sides, some five minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate and set aside.

Add the corn, peppers, garlic and a bit of salt to the pan drippings. Cook, stirring, until the corn begins to slightly brown and caramelize. Return the chicken to the pan along with the lime juice, oregano and 1/2 cup of water. Cook, stirring, just until the chicken is cooked through, about 2 minutes longer. Sprinkle with the cheddar cheese and transfer the skillet to the broiler. Broil until the cheese melts and begins to brown. Serve hot with lime wedges to squeeze over top.