Poetry Saturday . . . Children's Song

Source: iheartfaces.com via Marie on Pinterest

We live in our own world.
A world that is too small
For you to stoop and enter
Even on hands and knees,
The adult subterfuge

Source: prettypic.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

And although you probe and pry
With analytic eye,
And eavesdrop all our talk
With an amused look,
You cannot find the centre

Source: mypansyeyes.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Where we dance, where we play,
Where life is still asleep
Under the closed flower,
Under the smooth shell
Of eggs in the cupped nest
That mock the faded blue
Of your remoter heaven.
~R S Thomas

Source: google.com via Marie on Pinterest

Don't you ever just wish you could be a child again, if only for a moment . . . and be able to recapture all the innocence and joy that was yours before you knew the world was round, and the reality of life punched a hole into your balloon? Every once in a while I catch a little glimpse but it is fleeting at best . . .



I did a bit of a self portrait the other afternoon. I fell in love with it. I do seem to lose myself in another world when I am painting and creating. It's all quite lovely. I suppose it is then that I escape and run away into childish thoughts and dreams . . .

As usual it is available as a card or a print.

If you could spare a few happy thoughts or prayers for our good friend Sybil (A Day in the Life) right now. She's had a hard year filled with great loss, and has just had to have her much beloved pup Dee put down. If you could pop over and give her some positivity that would be lovely, and I know she would appreciate it so very much. It is so heartbreaking when we have to say farewell to our furry family members and we feel their loss as keenly as we would any family member. Sybil is a dear sweet friend and it grieves me that she should have to suffer yet again another blow . . . Sybil, we love you and are carrying you in prayer.

When my kids were growing up I made this tasty supper dish at least once a week for them. They loved it. It’s an old recipe given to me by the mother of a friend out in Alberta when we lived there. It’s called Goulash, but I always told the kids it was called Monkey in the Middle . . . probably because I always put it into the middle of their plates and surrounded it with rice or noodles and a vegetable on the outside. They couldn’t wait to devour it. I’m not sure if that was because it was so delicious or because of the name . . . most likely it was both. This is another recipe from my Big Blue Binder.



*Mrs McNevin’s Goulash*
Serves 4 - 6
Printable Recipe

I have an old blue binder that holds recipes that I have collected from friends and family and magazines throughout the many years. This one is a real treasure and I never make it but what I don’t think of Mrs. McNevin. The mother of a friend of ours, she was so kind to me, a young bride living far away from the bosom of my own family. She took me under her wing and treated me just like one of her own. This deliciously spicy stewed meat goes very well with rice or noodles.

2 pounds of stewing beef, trimmed of any fat and cut into cubes
2 TBS cooking oil
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
1 garlic clove, peeled and minced
½ cup tomato catsup
2 TBS Worcestershire Sauce
1 TBS soft light brown sugar, packed
1 tsp salt
2 tsp sweet Hungarian paprika
½ tsp dry mustard powder
¼ cup flour
1 cup water

Pre-heat the oven to 160*C/325*F/ gas mark 3. Season the meat lightly and coat it in the flour.

Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet and add the meat. Brown it very well on all sides. Add the onion and garlic, Cook for a few minutes longer until the vegetables are softened and quite fragrant.

Add the catsup, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, paprika and dry mustard. Stir it all together well. Stir in the water.

Tip it all into a casserole with a lid and then put it into the oven to cook for 2 hours or so, until the meat is very tender and the sauce is thickened. Delicious!



Over in The English Kitchen today, you will find some deliciously scrummy Fruit and Nut Flap Jacks!

Finding balance . . .

Do you have a favourite artist? How about a favourite piece of music which you like to listen to? I am sure you must have a favourite kind of flower. (Mine are Sweet Peas) Do you like to go on woodland walks? When was the last time you went picking wild flowers? Attended a concert? Walked on the beach with your beloved? Skipped rocks on the surface of a lake or pond? Sat on a chair and did . . . nothing but admire your surroundings and ponder on your blessings?



We lead such busy lives it seems and we fill our hours with chores and work. Sometimes though . . . taking a few minutes or hours to unplug ourselves from our routines, losing ourselves in life's art, can be the most healing thing we can do for our overstretched selves.







This is why good therapists recommend using handcrafts in recovery programs, and Doctors recommend Vacations . . . why a great number of people escape for a few weeks a year into tents and cabins, up into the mountains, onto boats and off to camps, armed with sketchpads, cameras and journals. They seem instinctively to understand the human need to be creative and to express themselves with art, words . . . photographs.



We seem to know instinctively that if we can sit for a few hours on a pier with a fishing line in the water that we may be able to snag a little balance in our lives. Or if we spend an evening sleeping under the stars . . . we'll be able to air out our crowded and stuffed up minds. That if we allow ourselves the time to float across the calm waters of a beautiful bay, we'll be able to step back on the land afterwards much calmer and better prepared to handle whatever storms may come our way.







There is a human need to work . . . but we also have a need to play and ponder on all that is good and beautiful, and praiseworthy in our lives. It needn't take a lot of money . . . or even a lot of time. It needn't be a full blown holiday. Sometimes my most relaxing moments are the ones I spend simply in our back garden, on my own . . . watching the fish in our pond and listening to the bumble bees buzz around the flowers. Little getaways that give me balance in my life between work and play and help me to be able to appreciate and reflect on just how very much I have been blessed . . .



Just my thoughts this morning.







We were glued to the television off and on for most of yesterday watching all the events that have unfolded over the past few days with the riots and looting . . . it was so very sad to see and impossible to understand, and difficult to watch. This is a country I love. Sure we have problems . . . just like anywhere. I fail to be able to see how destroying the communities you live in and destroying people's livelihoods . . . how taking things which are not yours to take . . . etc. can solve any problems at all. Doesn't this just add to the misery? We consider ourselves, because of our intelligence, to be above animals . . . but in truth, an animal would never behave in such a way . . . I have not turned the television on this morning, nor read any news reports, so I don't know how last night went. I can only hope and pray that this needless and insane behaviour has come to an end. Please keep our country in your prayers. This is what happens when a people remove God from the equation . . . you end up with a people that are filled with hopelessness . . . lacking in respect for themselves and for others, without honour or care . . . without standards or morals . . . without barriers . . . lives lived without meaning or purpose. It's all so very sad.



I had my tooth removed yesterday afternoon and was in quite a bit of pain last night, but it seems to have calmed down somewhat this morning. I was sad to see it go but in looking at the x-ray of the tooth it was obvious that there was no saving it. It had been causing me a great deal of pain and problems over the past several years, so it was time to say goodbye. I worked through my pain however, in creating something very new to show you. I'm not quite ready yet, but once it is finished . . . well, I just can't wait to show it to you!



This recipe here today is something that is very family friendly and very easy to make. I hope that you enjoy and I hope that wherever you are, whatever you are doing . . . your Wednesday is the very best that it can possibly be!







*Taco Bubble Pizza*

Serves 8

Printable Recipe



A casserole style pizza, which is very easy to do. Rounds of biscuit dough are baked in a meaty taco sauce for a real family pleaser, and then topped with your favourite taco toppings to serve.



For the Biscuit Dough:

2 cups of plain flour

4 tsp baking powder

1 TBS sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup of vegetable shortening

2/3 cup milk



For the Casserole:

1 1/2 pounds extra lean ground beef

1 package of Taco seasoning mix

3/4 cup water

1 tin of condensed tomato soup

salt and black pepper to taste

2 cups of greated strong cheddar cheese



Optional Toppings:

2 cups shredded lettuce

2 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped

1 cup of thick and chunky tomato salsa

1 (2 1/4 oz) tin of sliced ripe olives, drained

1 (8 oz) container of sour cream

3 spring onions, sliced



First make your biscuit dough. Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder and sugar. Cut in the shortening untiul the mixture resembles coarse meal, using two round bladed knives or a pastry blender. Stir in the milk with a fork, to form a soft dough, working quickly. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead about 14 times, then pat out to a rectangle that is 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 16 rounds, using a 2 inch biscuit cutter. Set aside.



Preheat oven to 1290*C/375*F/gas mark 5. Cook the beef in a large skillet that you have sprayed with nonstick cooking spray, over medium-high heat for 8 to 10 minutes or until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Add the taco seasoning mix, water and soup, mixing all together well. Heat to boiling, then reduce heat to low. Allow to simmer for about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and adjust seasoning as necessary.



Pour the taco mixture into a 13 by 9 inch ungreased baking pan. Add the biscuit rounds, turning them over and coating them in the taco mixture, and spreading them out to fill the pan.



Bake for 18 to 23 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and biscuits are golden brown. Sprinkle with the grated cheese. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes longer or until cheese is bubbly. Remove from the oven and serve.



To serve, cut the pizza into 8 squares. Top each serving with toppings as desired.



Note: This recipe has been adapted from one which uses prepared refrigerated biscuits. You are free to use those if you wish. I prefer to make my own.







Cooking in The English Kitchen today a Pork and Roasted Roots Tray Bake with an Apple Relish. Delicious!

Poetry Saturday . . . A Song Of Living

Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.
I have sent up my gladness on wings, to be lost in the blue of the sky.
I have run and leaped with the rain, I have taken the wind to my breast.
My cheek like a drowsy child to the face of the earth I have pressed.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.



I have kissed young love on the lips, I have heard his song to the end.
I have struck my hand like a seal in the loyal hand of a friend.
I have known the peace of heaven, the comfort of work done well.
I have longed for death in the darkness and risen alive out of hell.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.



I give a share of my soul to the world where my course is run.
I know that another shall finish the task I must leave undone.
I know that no flower, nor flint was in vain on the path I trod.
As one looks on a face through a window, through life I have looked on God.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.
~Amelia Josephine Burr



I love this poem . . . it speaks to me of how I live my life, living each day that I can to the fullest. When Angie passed away in January, I realized how very fleeting life is . . . how we are not here forever and how each one of us knows not when we will leave this life. That the end can come very suddenly and very unexpectedly. Each day is so very precious and will never come again. We need to squeeze all the joy out of each one that we can. Each day is a gift to be unwrapped and enjoyed to the fullest!

Here's a recipe that Todd really enjoys. He loves chicken drumsticks and these are a real favourite! I always remove the skin from my chicken before I cook it. That way I get rid of all the extra calories and fat that I can. Enjoy!



*Honey and Soy Glazed Chicken Drumsticks*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

Deliciously tender drumsticks with a yummy sticky glaze. Quick and easy to do as well! Make sure you line the baking dish with foil for an easy cleanup!

1/2 cup of honey
2 TBS dark soy sauce
1/3 cup of water
8 chicken drumsticks, skin removed (3 pounds)
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 230*C/455*F/ gas mark 7. LIne a shallow 9 by 13 baking dish with aluminium foil.

Mix together the honey, soy sauce and water in a large bowl. Add the chicken drumsticks, tossing to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper and then tip the whole mixture into the prepared baking dish.

Place into the oven and bake, basting the chicken with the pan juices, scooping from around the edges, every 10 minutes, until the chicken is tender and cooked through. This will take approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Serve the chicken hot and drizzled with the pan juices.



Baking in The English Kitchen today, English Lavender Buttermilk Scones! Deliciously Different!

The Simple Woman's Day book

FOR TODAY, May 3rd, 2011...

Outside My Window...
The sun is up, the birds are signing. All is right with the world.

I am thinking...
I am wondering what Osama Bin Laden thought when he reached the other side and didn't find all those virgins waiting for him . . .

I am thankful for...
My knowledge of the Gospel and of a LOVING Heavenly Father who sent His son to die for us. He does not ask us to die for Him or to kill any of His other children for redemption.

I am grateful too, for my husband who loves me, for family and friends. For my relative good health and for the humble and warm roof over my head, for having enough to eat ands sufficient for my needs. Anything else is just the icing on a very nice cake.

From the kitchen...
I think I need to get busy! Not a lot!

I am wearing...
Pink Jim Jams and my slippers. It is a bit chillier in here this morning, but it will warm up as the day progresses I am sure!

I am creating...
I just have a few revisions left to do on my stamps. If you would like to see the ones that are already available you can check them out here. Next will be Christmas ones. I am going to enjoy doing them. The other ones were on QVC last week, but unfortunately I wasn't told they were going to be on and so I missed them. I also did this canvas this week, which I really enjoyed! It was nice to work in colour after doing so much in black and white.



This is the detail from the bottom of the canvas. It wraps around right to the back.



And this is a closeup of her little face. I think she looks quite serene.



And in her entirety. I was so pleased with how she turned out. The scenery on the bottom and the clouds were something I added at the end. At first I only had the little girl floating and hanging on to the flower, but then I thought it needed something else and this is what I came up with. I will be selling the original. It is a box canvas and the picture wraps around all the way to the back, no need for a frame. If you are interested, send me a message.

I am going...
I have a Presidency Meeting tomorrow night and we may try to get to the Temple sometime this week as well. Money is a big consideration these days. Petrol is so expensive. I saw it at 144.9 a litre yesterday. Where will it stop?? If this keeps up we will have to give up the car.

I am reading...




A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness

I am still reading this book and it's really good! It is a very thick book so I will be reading it for awhile to come! I only read at night after I go to bed, so that means that I only get a few pages read before I am nodding off. That is why it is taking me so long!

"It beings with absence and desire. It begins with blood and fear. It beings with a discovery of witches."

When historian Diana Bishop opens a bewitched alchemical manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library it represents an unwelcome intrusion of magic into her carefully ordinary life. Though descended from a long line of witches, she is determined to remain untouched by her family’s legacy. She banishes the manuscript to the stacks, but Diana finds it impossible to hold the world of magic at bay any longer.

For witches are not the only otherworldly creatures living alongside humans. There are also creative, destructive daemons and long-lived vampires who become interested in the witch’s discovery. They believe that the manuscript contains important clues about the past and the future, and want to know how Diana Bishop has been able to get her hands on the elusive volume.

Chief among the creatures who gather around Diana is vampire Matthew Clairmont, a geneticist with a passion for Darwin. Together, Diana and Matthew embark on a journey to understand the manuscript’s secrets. But the relationship that develops between the ages-old vampire and the spellbound witch threatens to unravel the fragile peace that has long existed between creatures and humans . . . and will certainly transform Diana’s world as well.

I am hoping...
That Lura will be ok leaving the hospital and flying back to California on Thursday. It doesn't seem possible that it has been so long since the accident and that she is ready to go home. I know she doesn't feel ready to go home and that she has felt the agony of every day. The time has probably felt very long to her. Please do continue to keep her in your heart and prayers, and especially pray that the transition will go alright for her and that once she is home and settled her healing will really start to progress. If you would like to give her a message of encouragement and hope, you can leave one for her HERE.

I am hearing...
Early morning sounds . . . the house cracking and snapping as it comes alive. The birds are chirping loudly in the back garden. The tip tapping of the computer keys, Mitzie gently snuffling here next to me on the sofa. Early morning traffic. I love the early morning. It is my favourite time of the day. It is when I am at my sharpest and my best. I am a morning person!

Around the house...
Not a lot. I am still working on my craft room/library. I've put it on hold until I finish up these last few designs and then will really crack on with it. The hard part will be deciding what to get rid of. I love all of my books. It will not be easy to give any up!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
A bit of work, a bit of play and everything in between! Sounds like a good week to me!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



Yesterday afternoon, Todd and I took a drive with some friends to the Norton Priory, Museum & Gardens in Runcorn. I did not get any photos except for this one! I forgot all about the camera in my bag until we were getting ready to leave. The gardens were beautiful and they are not even in full swing yet! At the last few hundred yards I spied these stone pigs and remembered my camera. My husband is such a sweetie. He did not even bat an eyelid when I told him to hop on the pig and straddle it so I could take his picture. He has such a great sense of humour and would do almost anything for me. He has crawled inside lobster traps in Lunenburg and now he has straddled a pig. What more could I ask for?

And just as a closing thought for today . . .

"Nothing is all wrong. Even a clock that has stopped running is right twice a day!"

There is a lot of food for thought in those few words, don't you think??

And there you have it . . . my day book for this week. 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!

Here is a cheap and cheerful main course that is easy on the budget, uses store cupboard ingredients and children just love!



*Taco Macaroni Bake*
Serves 4 - 6, depending on appetites
Printable Recipe

Cheap and cheerful! A real family pleaser! You can use low fat ingredients too, quite successfully!

1 pkg. (14 oz.) Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner mix

1 lb. of extra lean ground beef

1 pkg. (1-1/4 oz.) Taco Seasoning Mix (I like Discovery brand)

3/4 cup Dairy Sour Cream

1-1/2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided

1 cup Thick 'N Chunky Tomato Salsa

Preheat the oven to 200*C/400*F/ gas mark 5. Spray an 8 inch square baking dish with some cooking spray and set aside.

Prepeare the macaroni and cheese dinner mix as directed on the packet. While the macaroni is cooking, prepare the meat with the taco seasoning as directed on the taco seasoning packet.

Stir the sour cream into the prepared macaroni and cheese. Layer half of this mixture in the prepared baking dish. Spread the meat mixture over top. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheese and then the other half of the macaroni mixture. Cover and bake for 15 minutes. Uncover and top with the salsa and remaining 1/2 cup of cheese. Return to the oven and bake for a further 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Let stand a few minutes before serving.

I'm cooking up a lovely Springtime Frittata over in The English Kitchen today!

Poetry Saturday . . . Forever Spring . . .

I wish it were forever spring
Never the summer or the fall,
But larks forever on the wing
And mating birds that croon and call
Each other in the scented dawn
While yet the dew is on the lawn.



I wish that it could always be
Just like today . . . the field and flower
Could keep the freshness of today
And hold the beauty of this hour
Like precious wine in crystal bowls,
To quench the thirst of weary souls.



I know it could not be . . . I know
The blossoms on the apple bough
Must wither to produce the fruit
And all this shining beauty now,
Must pass like moons upon a lake
Unmindful of the toll they take.



But still I wish that Spring could stay,
Forever as it is today.
~Edna Jaques



Another one of my favourite poems by Edna Jaques, one of Canada's favourite poets, long since passed away. It is taken from her book, Fireside Poems, a small green volume. My mother had this book, and as a child I loved to take it from the bookcase and read through the poems. I thought they were beautiful and they spoke to my soul. I was so pleased last year to find my own volume of them on Amazon.ca. It was like coming across a long lost friend.



Oh, wasn't the wedding yesterday beautiful??? Todd and I were absolutely mesmerized by it all. Nobody does pageantry like the British. The Bride was stunningly beautiful, I thought. The Prince so handsome in his uniform. The church, very understated, and yet beautiful as well, and full of meaning. I loved all the hats! Never have I seen so many different hats in such a wide array of colours and styles . . . although admittedly some of them looked quite hilariously ridiculous . . . like reindeer antlers, and serving dishes . . . I was amazed by the crowds that turned out to watch in person. I would not have wanted to be in that crowd for anything in the world, although they all seemed to be having a wonderful time! I think the Bride and Groom looked fabulously happy and so much in love. I wish them all the best in the years to come!



Here's a little something I have been working on over the past couple of days. I am so in love with her! She has been painted in acrylics on a box shaped canvas, that wraps around to the back and all the sides are finished as well. The country scene you see at the bottom goes around the sides to the back and bottom, and the sky and clouds also go to the sides and top. It measures about 12 by 10 inches in size. I'm really pleased with the way she turned out. I haven't been able to get a good scan of her really and so I think I will have to sell the original instead of prints. I don't really like parting with my originals, but one has to do what one has to do. If you are interested in purchasing it, send me a message! Thanks!



We are off to the shops this morning to pick up a few groceries and then this afternoon we are going to take a drive to Tatten Park which is not too far from here, so we can get some more use out of our National Trust membership! The day looks to be sunny and warm so far! I promise to take my camera!!

Here's a tasty supper dish that most people love. It's like a combination of pizza, spaghetti and lasagna, all rolled up into a tasty pie! This version is particularly low in fat and calories. Of course if you are not worried about those things, you can use whole eggs instead of egg whites and full fat everything else! It's delicious any way you make it! I like to serve it with a tossed salad.



*Spaghetti Pie*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

A lower calorie version of an old favourite!

Nonstick cooking spray
4 ounces dried spaghetti
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
1/3 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
1 TBS olive oil
2 egg whites, lightly beaten
1 1/4 cups low fat cottage cheese, drained
8 ounces ground turkey breast, or extra lean ground beef
1 cup of sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 8-ounce tin of tomato sauce
1 1/2 tsp of dried Italian Seasoning, crushed
salt and black pepper to taste
1/2 cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Spray a 9 inch pie plate with the cooking spray. Set aside.

Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions. In a medium bowl, stir together 2 of the egg whites, the Parmesan cheese and olive oil. Drain the cooked spaghetti well. Add to the egg white mixture and toss to coat. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pie plate. Set aside.

Whisk together the 2 remaining egg whites and drained cottage cheese, along with a pinch of salt and some black pepper. Spread over the spaghetti in the pie plate. Set aside.

Brown the turkey (beef) in a large skillet, along with the onion, peppers and garlic until the meat is browned, draining off any fat that may accumulate. Stir in the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as required. Spoon over the cheese mixture in the crust.

Bake for 20 minutes in the heated oven, until completely heated through. Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese. Bake for 5 minutes longer. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting into wedges to serve. Delicious!



Over in The English Kitchen this morning, some delicious Apple Muffins with Cinnamon Butter!

Solitary walks . . .

The silence of a wood is a living silence . . . it is full of breath and rustlings and movement . . .
The wind stirs, a mere sigh in the sentient trees . . .



A sudden flutter of wings ripples through the air and is lost in the muffled whisperings of startled leaves . . .
The crack of a distant shot makes the heart race, serving only to emphathise the peace which it disturbs . . .



The trill of a bird sets up a soft ripple along the surface of stillness, and the sobbing of doves beats like a hidden pulse at the heart of the silence.
A solitary walk in the woods is never boring . . . so say I.



I just love the beauty of this country I live in. You are never very far from the countryside where you can walk for seemingly miles in solitude, breathing in all that nature has to offer. It is a real wonder to me. Everything so green and lush . . . carpets of bluebells in the springtime . . . and the distant braying of sheep and lambs . . . so, so restful and inspiring.

We are off to Runcorn this afternoon to the Specialist Hospital for my check up, where I suppose they will be wanting to know if the cortizone shot has helped any. It has helped a bit, but I still have good days and bad days. There is a brother at our church who had his knee operated on at the same hospital a month or so ago and who was intially doing very well, but who now seems to be worse than ever and in an incredible amount of pain. Something's gone wrong somewhere! I do hope it is only a temporary blip for him!

I attended my first Relief Society Presidency meeting last night. I was a bit daunted, but it went well. I do have a problem knowing the names of all the sisters in the Ward . . . that comes from having been closeted away in with the children for this past year. I expect it won't be long though before I know who they are speaking of! They are a nice bunch of women and I am looking forward to my association with them! I will be in charge of organizing the extra meetings and activities, so that will be fun!

Speaking of fun, here's a deliciously fun recipe that will really please your family! Kind of like a stuffed Chicken Parmesan! Sort of like Lasagna Roll Ups, but made of chicken instead! Delicious!!



*Chicken Parmesan Roll Ups*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

If you like Chicken Parmesan, you will love this. Tender Chicken Breasts stuffed with a delicious cheese filling, rolled up, covered with a crunchy crumb, sauce and then baked.

4 ounces of cream cheese, softened
1 (10 ounce) package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
1 1/4 cups grated part skim mozzarella cheese, divided
6 TBS grated Parmesan cheese, divided
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, pounded to 1/4 inch thickness
1 medium free range egg
10 round buttery crackers, crushed (about 1/2 cup)
1 1/2 cups of spaghetti sauce, heated

Preheat the oven to 190*C/375*F/ gas mark 5. Lightly grease a 13 by 9 inch baking dish. Set aside.

Mix the cream cheese, spinach, 1 cup of the mozzarella and 3 TBS of the Parmesan cheese together until well blended. Spread onto the Chicken breasts. Starting at one short end of each breast, roll up the chicken tightly. Secure with a toothpick if necessary.

Beat the egg in a shallow dish. Mix the remaining Parmesan cheese and the cracker crumbs in another shallow dish. Dip the chicken rolls into the egg and then roll them in the crumb mixture to evenly coat. Place, seam sides down in the prepared baking dish.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until the chicken tests done. (Juices run clear when pricked with a fork.) Serve with some of the heated spaghetti sauce spooned over top and a sprinkling of the remaining grated mozzarella cheese.



Cooking in The English Kitchen today, a delicious Roasted Asparagus Salad with Parmesan and a Lemon Vinaigrette.

Poetry Saturday, Falling Stars

How many stars have softly slipped
from Heaven's gentle knowing grasp
falling, landing, bodies tipped,
to slumber in the darkened grass?


(image courtesy of Sarah Summers Illustration)

How many stars have kissed the trees
with gold and diamond-spangled dust
as they tumbled through the leaves
in graceful arcs as all stars must?



I wonder when I wander there,
through timeless forests still and deep,
If I am walking unaware
upon the dreams of stars that sleep.
~Rachel Wallace-Oberle



Oh, I do love the thought of prancing upon dreaming slumbering stars . . . don't you? It is a sweet, sweet thought . . .

Specific prayers needed for Lura today. First that they will be able to keep infection away from her epidural. This is so important to her. It is the epidural that helps to keep the pain at bay, enough so that she can move about and keep her lungs working. Secondly that her body will be able to rid itself of the fluid that is still left in her lung and preventing her lung from inflating. Thirdly that her lung will re-inflate. I spoke to her yesterday and she does sound so much stronger and was able to laugh, but then I do believe that Lura would smile and laugh through anything. She is such a precious soul and does appreciate our prayers so very much. Do pop on over and give her some love. It truly blesses her days.

I was able to have my tooth fixed yesterday so that was an extra special blessing. I really was not looking foward to facing the whole weekend in pain, especially where it is Conference Weekend! I love listening to the talks from the leaders of our church and I wanted to be able to fully concentrate on them, not on my hurting mouth!

I also wanted to apologize to anyone who got some wonky e-mails from me yesterday. It seems someone had compromised my e-mail account and was using it to send out spam to everyone on my contact list. I was able to get it sorted and change my password via my server. Totally annoying that there are ruthless individuals out there that get a kick out of things like this. It was not a virus, just in case any of you are worried that it was. Just some idiot sending out spam. The only thing I can think that happened out of the ordinary was that I deleted some distasteful comments that some individual from India had left on my blog. I hate it when spammers do that, and so I have not changed it so that you need to put in a word verification to comment. I don't like doing that, but you have to do what you have to do and I am sorry for that. I always hate word verifications on blogs. I can't understand the letters on them half of the time!

A recipe today! A delicious potato and ham casserole that is rustic, hearty and comforting! We love this. Over here we can't get the cream of potato soup, so I just use cream of celery, or potato and leek is good too. Have a wonderful Saturday everyone!



*Scalloped Potatoes with Ham*
Serves 10
Printable Recipe

A deliciously comforting oven baked casserole that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

1 can of undiluted condensed cream of mushroom soup (10-3/4 ounces)
1 cup of milk
1 can of undiluted condensed cream of potato soup (10-3/4 ounces)
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup of butter, melted
1 clove of garlic, peeled and minced
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp of seasoned salt
8 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
3 cups of cubed cooked ham
1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 180*C//350*F/ gas mark 5. Butter a large deep casserole dish well. Set aside.

Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl, mixing together well. Pour into the prepared casserole dish. Smooth out the top. Place iinto the preheated oven and bake for about an hour and a half. Cover for the first 45 minutes, then remove the cover and finish baking until the top is lightly browned and the potatoes are tender. Remove from the oven and allow to stand for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. We like to have a tasty salad on the side with this. Delicious!



Over in The English Kitchen this morning a delicious Tortilla Soup.