Friday Musings . . .

A little laughter, a little song.
A little teardrop
When things go wrong.
A little calm,
And a little strife.
A little loving . . .
And that is LIFE.
~Helen Steiner Rice

Oh, I do love the poems of Helen Steiner Rice. She always manages to say things perfectly with wit, wisdom, sensitivity and passion. Born in the year 1900, she was acclaimed as "America's beloved inspirational poet laureate". No stranger to sorrow, her father died when she was 18 from the Spanish Flu, and her banker husband committed suicide after the great Wall Street crash . . . somehow she was able to rise above her sorrows and penn wonderful poems filled with faith and inspiration to all who read them. The strong faith she had in God and the ability she had to express deep emotion have given her poems timeless appeal. For millions of readers the world over, her poetry is a living testimony to the reality of God’s action in human lives. She died in 1981, but her poetry still brings much pleasure and comfort to all who read it. I don't think there is a person alive who hasn't read something that she has written and loved it, or been able to apply it to their own lives in some way. She wrote from the heart and that always appeals to the heart, don't you think?



I am right at the pinnacle of my busy work weekend. It all kicks off today. It's quite exciting really. I just love it when I get to stretch my abilities like this. My hip and back complain about it all, but I am thankfully able to work through the pain most days. It is pouring bucket loads out there this morning, but I am just thankful it isn't snow, which it could so easily be this time of year! If I haven't been visiting your pages like I normally do, don't think I have forgotten you. I am just uber busy this week and haven't had a lot of time for blog hopping. If you haven't done so already, please hop over to my Blossom Times page to get in on the One World One Heart Giveaway over there. It's going on until February 15th.

And with that I must dash! I hope you all have a great Friday! I won't go without leaving you with a tasty recipe though. Who out there doesn't like a tasty burger. These are simple, but delicious. Adapted from the delicious cookery book, which celebrates that great American tradition, The American Diner Cookbook by Elizabeth McKeon & Linda Everett. (A treasure trove of roadside epicurean delights found on diner menus across America!)



*Deluxe Burgers*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

Who needs Burger King when you can make these at home!

1 1/2 pounds ground round
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp coarse ground black pepper
1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
3/4 tsp garlic salt
4 tsp mayonnaise
2 tsp mustard
4 hamburger buns
lettuce
1 medium tomato sliced



Blend the ground round, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon juice together in a bowl, mixing thoroughly. Shape into 4 equal sized patties. (Here's a tip. If you want them to turn out nicely flattened when cooked, make the middles thinner than the outsides but indenting a groove in the middle of the pattie with your thumbs)

Heat a non stick skillet until very hot. Sprinkle garlic salt in the centre. Place the patties in the hot skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and sear both sides. Reduce the heat once more and cook for 3 minutes or until done through as you like them.

Spread the bottoms of burger buns with the mayonnise and mustard. Top each with a burger. Place the lettuce and tomato on top and serve.

Note - I also like to serve some thinly sliced onions and sweet pickle relish with mine. A slice of process cheese slapped on top is also very delicious!



This was a Marbled Fudge Cake. If you'd like the tasty recipe, hop on over to The English Kitchen to check it out! mmmmm . . . tis very scrummy yummy!