Tick tock . . . tick tock . . .

Source: womenofweddings.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

My Gran had an old wooden clock that hung on the wall in the living room of her house . . . just above the wine covered velvet sofa, with it's careworn arms and cushions. I remember it clearly . . . it was all carved and used to ring out the hours as they passed, and throughout the day there was that comforting tick tock that melted into the background so much that you didn't really hear it anymore . . . but would have clearly noticed if it stopped. My Grandfather used to wind it up with a key each day to keep it going.

Source: 26.media.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

You can learn a lot from a clock. They have a lot to teach us.Oh, for sure they keep us up today with the time of course . . . but they also do much more . . .

Their steady "tick-tock" . . . "tick-tock" . . . reminds us not to rush things, but to do them at an even pace. Their faces have a serenity and stillness about them, which soothes and . . . the most important lesson of all . . . their hands never, ever . . . go backwards.

A reminder that we, too, must keep moving foward with confidence in what may or may not lie ahead.

Source: vmburkhardt.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

We have several clocks down here in our lounge . . . a silver coloured dome clock with a twirling pendulum which sits on the mantle. The pendulum has never worked and it makes a low grinding noise as the hours tick away . . . but it has a Westminster Chime and Todd loves it so. At first I found it quite disturbing . . . but now I hardly notice it. Our doorbell is a Westminster Chime as well and the funny thing is, Mitzie can tell whether it is the doorbell going or the clock. She always immediately gets up and goes to the door if it's the doorbell.

Our other clock is a cuckoo clock which we brought back from the Black Forest on one of our visits. It cuckoos on the hour and little dancers come out and twirl about to a different tune for each hour. The dancers have stopped working and don't come out and twirl about anymore. We've had it a very long time. It is battery operated and if I could do it over again, I would buy one with clock works . . . I think you may pay more, but it's worth it.

We'll be taking both clocks in to be fixed as we can afford it this year. It's time we got them working properly. Other than their little kinks both are excellent time keepers. I've always wanted a Grandfather clock . . . but I do believe that will remain a dream that never comes true! (Beautiful, but outrageously expensive!)

Source: sweetchaoshome.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

I am up late this morning . . . the sun is already rising . . . and the sky looks tinged with pink. Not sure what the day will bring weatherwise, although the high winds seem to have calmed down. Our front fence was blown over and Todd has had to tie it back up again. It needs replacing as the wood has rotten off all along the bottom, which is why it blew over. We'll have to get in touch with the landlord for that. It also blew out our back gate, which also needs fixing. And . . . this is the kicker . . . it blew our wooden birdhouse, which we had nailed to a light post out back right off and into a parking lot way over. Todd just happened to discover it when he was walking Mitzie! Those were some very powerful winds!

I discovered a new way to cook Kale the other day. I am a real vegetable lover so if you are a vegetable hater you better look away now! What you are about to see may cause you to break into a cold sweat.



*Braised Kale*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

I am a lover of all the brassica vegetables, kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbages cauliflower, broccoli. I think they are all pretty wonderful. This is a simple way to bring out the very best of Kale. The fennel seems to bring out it’s natural sweetness. I think it goes very well with the delicate flavours of lamb, fish and chicken.

200g of curly kale, washed, trimmed, and any thick stalks discarded
(about 1/4 pound, 8 cups)
1 TBS olive oil
1 tsp fennel seeds
¼ cup water or chicken stock
Salt and black pepper to taste

Heat a large skillet with a lid over medium heat on the stove and add the oil. When the oil is hot and starts to shimmer add the fennel seeds. Cook stirring for about a minute until quite fragrant. Add the washed kale and cook for a minute or so, stirring to coat the leaves well with the oil and the fennel seed. Add the stock and turn the heat down to low. Cover the pan and let the kale simmer for about 6 to 8 minutes until tender. Remove the lid and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve.



Baking over in The English Kitchen today a delicious Chocolate Chip Tray Bake that I made for the missionaries!

“What we love determines what we seek. What we seek determines what we think and do. What we think and do determines who we are — and who we will become.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Look not behind thee . . .

Source: sunsurfer.tumblr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Yesterday I took down all the old calendars and put up the new ones for 2012. It was nice to see some thing new and fresh hanging in the spots where the old calendars had hung . . . the written over, dog eared and old was gone, replaced with nice pristine, clean and crisp pages. How clean and bright the new ones look!

They seem to symbolize the high hopes of the new year. As I flicked through the pages of one of them I suddenly became aware of the mysteries of an unknown future . . . all those clean pages representing unlived time, all the promise of the seasons to come and not yet fulfilled dreams of the future . . . days not yet granted, which are still God's secret . . . it is quite awesome and wonderful to think about. What amazing and wonderful things will this year hold for each of us.

Source: pixdaus.com via Marie on Pinterest

We had a very good lesson in Relief Society yesterday. The teacher began by writing these words on the white board: "Look not behind thee." We then read the story of Lot and his family who had been living in the Cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, which were very wicked places and how they had been visited by Angels and told that the Lord was going to destroy those cities, but because they were righteous that they were to flee immediately, leaving everything behind . . . but also warning them not to look back, or they too would be destroyed. When they were fleeing Lot's wife looked back and was turned into a Pillar of salt. You can read the whole story in Genesis, Chapter 19 in the bible. Here are the angel's exact words:

Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

That is some pretty heavy duty warning . . .

For the remainder of the lesson we sat and talked about the ways this warning can still pertain to us today, in today's climate of fear and uncertain times. As I sat there listening to the other sister's speak . . . the thought occurred to me that this story could also be an allegory for our own pasts . . .

We all come with one. Our pasts stretch behind us like the written on pages of a calendar . . . the pages all spotted and tattered . . . words and works scribbled all over them . . . some pages dirtier than others. Sometimes it seems that we can only remember the things that we have done that we may be ashamed of . . . and we carry them into our futures like badges of dishonor, bringing them out every once in a while to beat ourselves with . . . or I do at any rate. I have made some terrible choices and mistakes in the past . . . things I cannot change or undo . . .

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Things I am terribly sorry for and that I have repented of . . . but still I cling to them, allowing them to punish me even now. The thought occurred to me as I was sitting there . . . that as long as I clung to the past that I have no power over . . . I risked turning my present and future into a pillar of salt . . . just as Lot's wife had done in turning back to look towards Sodom and Gomorrah as they escaped into the mountains.

When I was Baptised . . . my sins were washed clean from me . . . "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." (Isaiah 1:18) Why do I still lug that past along with me? I have no need to . . . in Baptism I was given a new life . . . a fresh life and I am a new person. It is time to forgive myself, and even if there are still people in my family who wish to use and hold some of these things against me, I just have to move forward and stop looking back at things which I should have done differently, or things I should not have done at all. I should not let the narrow mindedness and unforgiving natures of a few people colour my future or write on my pages. Let this be their sin . . . for it is no longer mine.

Source: toniraper.com via Marie on Pinterest

Anyways, that was my thoughts . . . and I just wanted to share them with you. We all have a past. We all have a future. Let us move into our futures embracing all the promise and hope that they hold, leaving behind the things we cannot change.

"Look not behind thee." Don't you think it's time?

Here's a tasty way to dress up plain old ordinary oven chips. I always buy the low fat ones . . . the ones with less than 5% fat. I feel better inside myself when I do so, because every little helps. In doing so I don't feel as quilty covering them with cheese, lol. Seriously this is a delicious way to dress them up and if you use the half fat cheese, well . . . how bad can that be?



*Spicy Cheese Fries*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

These are delicious. I make good use of low fat oven chips and also half fat cheese, so that I can do as little damage to my hips as possible! You can serve these with a dip if you like.

1 4-serving size bag of frozen low fat oven chips, crinkled or not as you desire
mild chili powder
oregano flakes
salt
pepper
garlic powder
grated half fat strong cheddar cheese (a good handful)

Preheat the oven according to the package directions for your oven chips. Line a large baking tray with foil. Pour the chips on top of the foil. Sprinkle with the chili powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to your own taste. Some may like more than others. I like mine with lots of flavour.

Bake in the heated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the chips are golden brown, but not overly crisp. Have the cheese ready. Remove the pan of chips from the oven and immediately sprinkle with the grated cheese. Let sit a few minutes to melt the cheese and then serve immediately.



Over in The English Kitchen today . . . Flat Meatballs & Gravy!! Comfort food at it's best!

“The heavens will not be filled with those who never made mistakes but with those who recognized that they were off course and who corrected their ways to get back in the light of gospel truth.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

New Year Traditions and Folklore . . .

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Good morning everyone and a very Happy New Year to you all. Old fuddie duddie’s that we are, we were in bed by 10 o’clock last night (and that is late for us!) and we missed the new year coming in, but I can see that it came along without us, so that’s that, not to worry!

I thought it would be fun this morning to go over a few superstitions and old wives tales about New Years. I grew up with a very superstitious mother and so experienced a lot of this stuff as a child, although now as an adult I don’t put much credence in them for the most part. You will still find me knocking on wood and stuff like that, but then as they say, it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks!

Traditions are things we do because we do them. Consistently. Always, forever and ever. They're often easier than thinking up new ways to celebrate or commemorate, and they're comforting in their predictability, though it's not always easy to figure out why we cling to certain traditions with such tenacity.

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Superstitions, too, have a way of hanging on for no good reason, and New Year's Eve/Day is a great time to indulge in tradition and superstition — just in case. It never hurts to start the new year with personal traditions covered and superstitions heeded, because it's quite possible that breaking a New Year's tradition will bring bad luck in the coming 12 months, and I believe in hedging your bets whenever and wherever possible!

Here are some New Year's traditions and superstitions culled from Internet sources that come with varying degrees of solid research, truthfulness and believability. Pick one and make it your own — or don't: The thing about New Year's is that it's new. Start fresh. Start over. Start again. And if it doesn't work out, start thinking about next year.

Kissing at midnight: Make it count — these midnight New Year's kisses serve to seal the affection of your nearest and dearest through the coming year. Failing to smooch sets the stage for a year of — well, a year without kisses. (Oh shoot . . . I was asleep! Dangit, now I have a year without kisses to look forward to!)

Stock up: The state of your cupboards at the new year will be the state of your cupboards for the whole year, so fill them up. Put food in the pantry and money in the wallet. (Got this one covered as my cupboardsare always full and I just happen to have some money in my wallet leftover from Christmas!)

Pay it off: Mail the bills out before Jan. 1, because the New Year should not be started in debt. (Thankfully we don’t have a lot of bills anyways!)

Source: google.com via Marie on Pinterest

First footing: This is an old tradition — the first person to enter your home on Jan. 1 will determine the fate of the household for the year. What you're looking for is a dark-haired, tall, handsome man bearing coal, a coin, some bread or salt. Blonde and red-haired first footers are bad luck, and female first footers are not to be encouraged for a second. Don't let a woman in the door before a man steps over the threshold, or you'll be very sorry.

First footers (sometimes known as Lucky Birds) should knock and be let in, even if they live there. They should say hello, pass out the gifts, walk through the house and leave by a door other than the one they entered. No one should leave before the first footer arrives.

(I doubt very much if anyone other than Todd or myself will be coming in or out of our house today. I better make it Todd and I’ll get him to carry in a loaf of bread just in case! Hmmm… I wonder what it means if a bald man wearing glasses and lugging a loaf of bread walks through your door on January 1. Perhaps I better give him a few coins to jingle as well, just to make sure it‘s a good thing!)

Not to worry. It's perfectly acceptable to stage your own first footer arrival, by asking a party guest to step outside at 11:59 p.m., only to knock and be allowed in just after midnight. In fact, if you plan your first footing, you can relax a lot quicker. (Once again too late for us!)

Nothing leaves: Don't let anything leave the house on New Year's Day. If you're going to a potluck, put the food in the car the night before. Seriously. Don't take out the garbage, collect the recyclables or shake out a rug. (sounds like the perfect excuse to me for getting out of a lot of work!)

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Eat your peas: Eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day brings good luck and money. It's worth a try. (I don’t have any black eyed peas, but I do have lots of tins of beans. I wonder if they’ll do?)

Work: Do something work-like on Jan. 1, and do it well, even if you're not at work. Don't do a lot, just a little, because hard work on Jan. 1 is unlucky. (I wish they’d make up their minds! Actually I was planning on going up to the big house later on and clearing out the fridge in time for the garbage men tomorrow. I know, disgusting that I have left it this long, but I was on my Christmas holiday and they have been away!)

No laundry, no dishes: Some believe that washing clothes and dishes will open the gates to allow a family member to be washed away in the coming year. Why take chances? (It’s a good thing I did my laundry yesterday then isn’t it!)

Cut the tags: Wear something new on New Year's Day, and it's likely you'll get a lot more new clothes. (Oh shoot! Guess I am doomed to have no new clothes this year!)

Source: kevinandamanda.com via Marie on Pinterest

You break it? You bought bad luck: If you break things on Jan. 1, you'll be breaking things all year; and if you cry on Jan. 1, that sets a sad tone. ( that tears it, I’m not picking up anything breakable today and no sad movies for me, only comedies. Hmm….I wonder what happens if you laugh so hard that you cry?)

Open the doors: At midnight, open the doors to let the old year escape. (0nce again too late!)

Make some noise: It's more than a celebration; banging pots and pans or yelling or whatever is a way to scare the evil spirits away (evil spirits hate loud noise — that's why church bells are so loud when something nice happens). (Does snoring count?)

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Watch the weather: Wind from the south means good times ahead; wind from the north means bad weather all year; wind from the east brings calamities and famine; and if the wind comes from the west, there will be plenty of milk and fish but somebody great will die. If there's no wind at all, a good and prosperous year will be had by everybody. (The weather page on the BBC says that it’s going to be cloudy today with sunny intervals and there’s a wind from the south as well, so that means good times ahead! Yahoo!!!)

Hmm….if you happen to look out your doorway today and you see a rather odd lady walking down the road, with a few pots and pans rattling and dangling around her waist, in dirty clothes eating black eyed peas out of an unwashed tin, that might be me . . . But then again, on the other hand it might not, because as I have already said, I am not a superstitious person! Now where did I put my new socks???

This is a lovely side dish to have today with your Roast Ham or whatever it is you will be munching on to celebrate the arrival of the new year! I think Green Beans are one of my favourite vegetables. Mind you . . . I have never met a vegetable that I didn't like! (Psst! by the way, it hasn't snowed here. I just fancied using these lovely wintery pictures here this morning! That's the best way to enjoy snow . . . in pictures! When you get it for real, it just complicates things!)



*Green Beans Almondine*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

This probably isn't an authentic way of making Green Beans Almondine, but it is my way of making them! It's quick, easy and quite, quite delicious!

1 pound of green beans, washed and trimmed
2 TBS butter
1 shallot peeled, and minced
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped
1/4 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/4 cup of flaked and toasted almonds
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Bring a pot of lightly salted water to the boil. Drop in the green beans and bring the water back to the boil, then reduce the heat and allow to simmer for 4 minutes. Drain well, then refresh with cold water to stop them from cooking any further. Drain again. Set aside.

Melt the butter in a large skillet, over medium heat, until it begins to foam. Add the shallot and cook, stirring, until it is softened. Do not brown. Toss in the bread crumbs and thyme. Cook and stir until the bread crumbs are golden brown and crisp. Toss in the almonds and green beans. Heat through and stir until the beans are quite hot. Season to taste with some salt and pepper and serve immediately.



Cooking in The English Kitchen today some very naughty Old Fashioned Apple Dumplings!

“We have a choice. We can seek for the bad in others. Or we can make peace and work to extend to others the understanding, fairness, and forgiveness we so desperately desire for ourselves. It is our choice; for whatever we seek, that we will certainly find.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The Simple Woman's Day book . . .

FOR TODAY, December 27th, 2011...

Outside My Window...
It is damp and dark . . . it's been unseasonably mild though, which is good. That will save a bit on the heating bill for sure! It is hard to believe that this is the last Woman's Day Book entry of 2011. Where has the year gone???

I am thinking...
We have had a really good Christmas. It started off with our attending a beautiful concert of Christmas Music at the Runcorn chapel and ended with our preparing a feast for all four missionaries yesterday. In all we have had a lovely few weeks, filled to overflowing with love and joy. You can't ask for much more than that!



The Elders yesterday after dinner! They are a nice group of lads. We are losing two on Wednesday as they are changing areas. (Insert sad face here.) We will get two new ones and we will love them as much as the ones that are leaving, but it is always sad to see any of them leave.

I am thankful for...
The love of family and friends, the reality of the Gospel in my life, the Gift of the Saviour, Peace in my heart, Joy in my life . . . my cup runneth over for sure.

From the kitchen...
There are leftover mince pies, Christmas pudding, Christmas Cake . . . the usual after Christmas goodies!

I am wearing...
Blue long sleeved nightie (M&S), Pink jim jam bottoms, pink slippers, aqua robe. Layering for warmth and comfort . . . again! I enjoyed seeing my daughter in law and grandsons wearing matching jim jams via web cam on Christmas day. Perhaps I should get Todd and myself matching jim jams . . . naaaahhh!! He would look better in them than I would. That might make me jealous!

I am creating...
I just did this one yesterday afternoon:



I had sketched her before Christmas and then yesterday I finished her off. I think it turned out quite nice. What do you think? As always she is available as a card or a print!

I am going...
We don't have a lot planned this week. I have a lot of things to do for my calling in Relief Society and we are teaching someone here in our home this morning. Then, there is a Baptism on Friday evening at the chapel. Todd and I have done a lot with this girl who's being Baptised and so it will be quite special to us. She is a sweet girl and we are so happy for her. ☺

I am reading...



Cross Stitch, by Diane Gabaldon (first in the Outlander series)

It has been a very long time since I have read anything deemed to be historical romance, although at one time I read a lot of them. I was particularly drawn to stories with either vikings or scotsmen wearing kilts in them.

The novel is not easily classified by a single genre. On one level, the work is a romance novel with a focus on the romantic relationship between the two main characters. The book could be described as a work of historical fiction with a detailed account of 18th century Scottish clan life. The novel could also be considered fantasy with a plot propelled by magical time travel as the main character, a woman named Claire, journeys from 1945 to the 18th century.

Cross Stitch(published in the US as Outlander) is the first novel in a series of seven by Diana Gabaldon. The book focuses on two main characters, Claire Randall (née Beauchamp) and James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser, and takes place in 18th- and 20th-century Scotland. It was awarded the RITA Award for "Best romance novel" of 1992, so it's not a really recent novel.

So far, whilst it isn't what I would consider to be "great" literature, I am finding it to be somewhat of a page turner and quite entertaining. I think we all need to read something light once in a while. I just skim over the mushy parts . . . where they would have held my interest when I was younger, I just find them boring now. Funny how that goes . . .

I am hoping...
That 2012 will be a year that brings lots of good things and blessings for everyone.

I am hearing...
Early morning sounds as the world wakes up around me. Every day sounds. Peaceable and comforting. The odd sound of a car as it passes . . . the clock ticking . . . Mitzie chewing on her bone . . . the keys tap-tapping. Home Sweet Home.

Around the house...

Source: hgtv.com via Tori on Pinterest

If money and space were no object I would love to have a kitchen like this, with lots of room to work in. I only have about 2 feet of counter space in my kitchen to work on. It's very limiting and when it comes to having to prepare and serve a large meal I am frequently frustrated by the lack of space. I need to work on finding out a way of getting more coounter space into that room!!!

I am looking forward to ...
The Baptism on Friday evening. The new year. Ohh, and this year we are studying the Book of Mormon again in Sunday School. I am really looking forward to that. The more I read this book, but more convinced I become that it is inspired of God. I am grateful for those feelings, I truly am.

If I could change one thing it would be ...
That my family would be united more. That there would be only good feelings amongst us and amongst the stepmom and myself. I had always hoped that we would be able to have a pleasant and co-operative relationship. That is what would have been best for the children. I do not know what I have ever done to make her hate me so, but she's hated me since the beginning. I just wish we could all get along, if only for the children's sakes . . .

One of my favourite things...
Is teaching with the missionaries. I really enjoy that and I enjoy sharing my love of the Gospel with any one who is willing to listen. I would love dearly to be able to go on a mission with Todd, but I can't see that ever happening.

A few plans for the rest of the week...
A bit of work . . . a bit of play . . . and everything in between!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Source: Uploaded by user via Luann on Pinterest

To try is to risk failure. But risk must be taken, as the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing . . . does nothing, has nothing and is nothing.
~Author unknown

I think the fear of failure often prevents us from achieving our full potential. My goal for 2012 is to try to be fearless, or as fearless as I can be. Obviously I won't be walking in front of a bus or anything!

As a closing thought I would like to leave you with this:

"Wisdom is knowing what to do next. Virtue is doing it."
~David Starr Jordan (1851-1931)

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's a delicious way to prepare green beans that would be a fabulous side dish for your New Year's Celebrations. They are wonderful with Lamb, or Beef! In fact, I can't think of anything they would be great with!



*Haricots Verts with Pancetta and Pine Nuts*
Serves 4 to 6
Printable Recipe

Haricots Verts is a fancy name for those lovely little French green beans. I suppose you could term this as a wonderful example of European fusion cooking, for it combines a truly French Ingredient with an Italian twist! These tasty morsels would add a delicious accent to your New Year's dinner celebrations this year.

1 pound haricots vert
1 TBS salt
½ cup pine nuts
2 ounces of pancetta, finely chopped
Basil infused olive oil
1 shallot, minced
2 or 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 TBS minced fresh rosemary
¼ cup white wine vinegar
¼ cup butter
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Trim the stem ends off of the haricot verts and wash. Add the salt to a saucepan of water and bring it to the boil. Add the haricots vert and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, just until crispy tender. (they will begin to give off their delicious aroma when they are ready) Drain well, rinse with cold water to stop them from cooking any further, and then drain them again. Set aside.

Toast the pine nuts in a slow oven for about 10 minutes, or until light brown. Set aside.

Heat a very large skillet and add a drizzle of the basil infused olive oil. Add the pancetta and fry until crisp. Add the shallots, garlic and rosemary, and sauté over medium high heat for one to two minutes until tender. Add the vinegar and cook for minute or so to redice and then stir in the butter. Add the beans and pine nuts and heat through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot.



Baking in The English Kitchen today a delicious Maraschino Cherry Cake!

Boxing Day Lore . . .

Source: myvintagemending.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Happy Boxing Day everyone! Boxing Day is a holiday that is celebrated in Canada as well as tbroughout the Commonwealth, but I am not sure it is a day that is celebrated in the United States. Nowadays it is a day that generates a great deal of retail shopping, ie. The Boxing Day Sales, but it has a long history that goes back quite a ways.

Generally speaking Boxing day is the day that follows Christmas, or the 26th of December, and it is always a public holiday, or “Bank Holiday” as we call them over here, although a lot of those working in the retail trade will most certainly have to work today. Traditionally it was the day to open the Christmas Box to share with the poor. This was usually a wooden or clay container that contained money and gifts which had been gathered up and saved for those unfortunate souls.

During the Age of Exploration when great sailing ships were setting off to explore new lands, “A Christmas Box” was used as a good luck device. It consisted of a small box that was placed on each ship while it was still in port, prior to sailing. It was placed there by a priest and any sailors that wanted to ensure the safely of their journey and return home would place coins in it. It would then be sealed off by the Priest and kept on board during the whole voyage.

Source: alexperlin.com via Marie on Pinterest

If the ship returned home safely the box would be handed back to the Priest, it’s contents intact, and a mass would be said to give thanks for the safety of the voyage. The Priest would then save the box and hand it’s contents out to the poor on the day after Christmas, which then became known as Boxing Day.

Many poorly paid workers were also required to work on Christmas Day, most notably those in Domestic employ. They were then given the day after Christmas Day off to go and visit their families. As they prepared to leave their employers gave them Christmas Boxes, which were always well looked forward to and most welcome to both their employees and their families.

During the 18th century , the Lords and Ladies of the Manor, would box up their leftover food, and sometimes gifts and distribute them to the tenants who lived and worked on their lands. This is a custom that continues still today only now more often than not it is customary for householders to gift small gifts or monetary sumsto the trades people that service them throughout the year, such as paper boys, milk men and dust bin collectors, and also in some work places for employers to give their employees Christmas Bonus’s.

Source: veryvintageimages.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

Boxing Day is also known as St Stephen’s Day. (the day when Good King Wenceslas looked out!) St Stephen was one of Christ’s disciples and was the first man killed for believing in the teachings of Jesus Christ. As he was being stoned to death he looked up into the Heavens and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. You can read all about him in Acts 6:1 to Acts 8: 2.

Some people claim he shares this day with another St Stephen who hails from Sweden, St Stephen the patron saint of horses. It makes sense in a way as boxing day is also a day commonly associated with outdoor sports, in particular horse riding and hunting.

Traditionally Boxing Day has been the day for Fox Hunting in particular. Horse riders dressed in red and white, accompanied with packs of hounds, chase foxes through the countryside in hopes of tiring it out enough so that the dogs will be able to catch it and kill it.

Thankfully the practice of hunting with dogs was banned in 2004 and has been a criminal offence since 2005, although it is still legal to exercise dogs, chase out a scent and flush out foxes to be shot.

Source: flickr.com via Lindsey on Pinterest

Boxing day is the day that families traditionally get together and watch sports or play board games, go for long walks in the countryside and enjoy a feast of all the Christmas leftovers. That is if they are not waiting in long queues for the shop doors to open their way into the sales racks!

We will not be doing any of that on this day! We are blessed to be able to have all FOUR missionaries over to our home for supper tonight, so I am really excited about that! We often have two over for supper, but this will be a first to be able to have all four at once! I have a big ham I am cooking with all the trimmings and plans to cook a chocolate cake! (Todd will quite happily have leftover Christmas pud instead!)

I hope that you are all continuing to enjoy your Christmas Celebrations, and that you are, each of you, surrounded with love!

Here's a tasty gratin that I will be baking later today to go along with our ham. It uses a delicious combination of root vegetables. I just know the lads will love it!



*Root Vegetable Gratin with Blue Cheese*
Serves 10
Printable Recipe

This recipe makes a large portion, but can very easily cut down to serve fewer. It’s also a great make ahead, as you can prepare it a day ahead and then just reheat it, covered when you are ready to serve it. You get a delicious sweetness from the various root vegetables in a deliciously savoury sauce. It’s a great way of making some pretty humble vegetables into something that is quite special and most delicious!

1 ½ pounds of parsnips
1 ½ pounds carrots
1 ½ pounds of rutabagas (Swedes)
2 ½ cups heavy cream
1 cup chicken stock or vegetable stock
4 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
1 tsp minced fresh thyme or ¼ tsp dried, crumbled
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
¾ cup crumbled Gorgonzola or other blue cheese (about 3 ounces)

Pre-heat the oven to 205*C/425*F. Lightly butter a deep 9 X 13 inch baking dish and set aside.

Peel the parsnips and carrots and slice them into ¼ inch thick slices. Peel the swede and cut it in half, then cut each half into ¼ inch thick half rounds.

Mix the cream, stock , garlic and thyme together in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and then add the swede. Place a cover on top and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the carrots and parsnips, cover again and simmer for another 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Transfer the vegetables and the cream mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake, uncovered, until thick and bubbly, and the vegetables are quite tender, about 35 minutes. Crumble the blue cheese evenly over top and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool for 15 minutes before serving. Delicious!



Over in The English Kitchen today we are doing leftovers!

Deep thoughts on a Wednesday morning . . .

Source: twigsandhoney.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

I was thinking yesterday . . . and you know how that goes! Sometimes I come up with something profound and sometimes I don't! I think yesterday that I did . . .

As we journey through this life of ours we often struggle with what we bring along with us on the journey and the things we need to leave behind. I am a bit of a clutter bug in real life . . . and as difficult as I find it to throw away tangible, touchable things . . . I sometimes find it even more difficult to throw away all the baggage that I have a tendancy to carry along with me as I move forward in life.

I don't think I am alone in this . . . but it came to me that if I can not learn to do this . . . I risk drowning beneath the weight of it in a river that should be flowing clearly and smoothly into my future.

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I think a river is a good example to use . . . the water that rushes through it isn't owned by the river bed, and yet they share an existance that is co-dependant on each other . . . the force of the water which flows through the river bed shapes it . . . and the river bed itself keeps the water flowing. Still water grows stagnant and muddy in due course, filled with algae, unclear and hard to see through . . .

It is the same with our lives . . . if we cling to our pasts, hanging on to things that would be better left in the past . . . holding back the flow of water in our river . . . we too can become stagnant and muddy, filled with algae in an unclear present and a difficult to see future.

The past is the past. We cannot change it. All we can do is to make amends as best as we can, in whatever way that we can . . . and then . . . leave . . . it . . . there. We must learn not to pull the weight of it along with us into the future. It is crucial, and life changing.

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We can learn to lay our pasts at the feet of the Saviour and accept the Grace and Forgiveness He so freely offers. There is nothing that we have done that He cannot forgive and make right. We are promised that if we bring them to him . . . He will carry them and wash them away.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
~Matthew 11:28-30

He can make the muddy water of our lives clear and clean again. I promise it to be so. I know it to be so. People may never forget. They may always hold your past against you . . . you have no control of that. Leave it with them. Let it be their baggage, don't let it be your own. If the Saviour has given you permission to drop it and leave it behind . . . then that is all you need to know. You can just . . . let . . . it . . . go . . .

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Just my ponderances on this November morning. Thanks for humouring me.



I did another little piece yesterday afternoon. I used a different technique with this one on the background. I did my little character and then covered her with some masking fluid and then I painted in the background with my water colours and I sprinkled salt on it while it was still wet. Not a lot and I used a combination of regular table salt and some sea salt flakes. I love the result it gave. Very textural. As usual it is available as a print or a card. The perfect gift for that Diva in your life n'est ce pas???

I have a veggie box delivered every second week in the winter months when we don't have our garden to rely on. We just love fresh vegetables and it works out a lot cheaper than buying at the shops, believe it or not. We just get a small fruit and veg one and it is enough for the pair of us. There is often something different in it that you would pay a bomb for at the shops. This week it was a celeriac. A celeriac is quite similar in size and shape to a Swede, except it is all nobblie and has a mild flavour similar to celery but not as strong. It makes lovely soups and is great in stews. It's even nice roasted. This week I mixed some of it with some potatoes and made a very delicious celeriac and potato crush. It's nice to have something different once in a while don't you think?



*Celeriac and Potato Crush*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

Celeriac has a lovely mild flavour that goes well with most things. It makes a lovely soup and goes beautifully in a gratin. Another way we like to eat it is in this delicious potato crush! Simple to do and oh, so very tasty!

1 ½ pounds floury potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1 inch cubes
(use a Maris Piper, King Edward or Idaho potato)
¾ pound celeriac, peeled and chopped into one inch cubes
3 TBS milk
1 TBS double cream
Sea salt and white pepper to taste
2 TBS finely chopped fresh chives

Put the potatoes and celeriac into a pan of lightly salted water and bring it to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer them for about 8 to 10 minutes until tender. Drain well in a colander and then return them to the pot.

Place them over the burner and give them a shake to really dry them out.

Lightly crush them along with the milk and cream. Try to leave them with some texture. You don’t want them too smooth. Stir in the chives and season them to taste with some sea salt that you have rubbed between your fingers and a dash of white pepper to taste.

Serve hot.



Over in The English Kitchen today a delicious Roasted Butternut Squash Lasagne!

“The divine love of God turns ordinary acts into extraordinary service.”
~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Marie's Sunday Six

Have you all gotten turned on to Pinterest yet? I think I am quite addicted. I could spend hours on it each day, so I have to limit myself. You create virtual bulletin boards for yourself and you can pin pictures of whatever you want to them. It's a way of collecting things without them taking up any space in your house. I have about, oh gosh!!!! I have 53 boards on there! (I didn't know!) Oh well, that is me . . . I always take everything I do to the nth degree! Anyways, my boards are all filled with pictures of things I enjoy and that I find beautiful or that make me smile. I thought it would be fun to show some of them here this morning so you can see what kind of things I find fascinating. I'll show you my six favourite ones and perhaps they will make you smile like they do me!

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One of my boards is called Amazing Cutness. On it you will find pictures that I have found, well . . . amazingly cute! There are babies and kittens . . . puppies and hamsters . . . squirrels and guinea pigs . . . there are even a few hedgehogs, bunnies and the sweetest baby giraff you will ever see! Looking at these pictures always makes me smile and I am always finding new cuteness to add to the mix!

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Another one of my favourite boards is entitled It's All Country. I love anything country style. You know what I mean . . . chickens and roosters, red barns, fields of wheat . . . rustic kitchens and outhouses, cowboy boots and egg baskets. That is what you will find on that board. Everything that makes this little country gal's heart go twang! That makes me smile.

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Then there is my All Things Barbie board. I have been in love with Barbie since I saved my allowance up and bought myself my first one back in the early 1960's. She was one with a black bubble do and I had enough money to buy her and a couple of outfits for her to wear. My mother made me some more and then through the years I collected even more of them. My sister had the one with the blonde ponytail. We used to spend hours playing Barbie and at one time I was even President of the local Barbie Fan Club. (I got to be President because I started it . . . not fair I know, but I was only 8!) Anyways on my Barbie board I get to collect all the Barbies that I could ever want and beautiful outfits too. There are movie star Barbies and Foreign Barbies and antique Barbies. It makes me smile big time.

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Another favourite board of mine is entitled Here's My Heart. You guessed it! It's filled with hearts of all kinds! There's felt hearts and flower hearts, window hearts, glass hearts, paper hearts, finger hearts, knitted hearts, cookie hearts and well, just every kind of heart you can imagine! All pretty, all inspiring and all smile creating! I just love them!

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Another one of my favourites is called Eye Candy for Mama. You guessed it . . . it's filled with male hunka hunka burnin loves! It's all in good fun. These are pictures of male persons that I find attractive. As you will see Rufus Sewell figures big in it. I can't get enough of him. But there is probably a bit of eye candy there to suit every taste imaginable!!!

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Then there is my Whimsies board, which is filled with things that I couldn't quite fit anywhere else, but that caught my eye and looked like things I might like to try to make one day, or whatever . . . little whimsies that I found pretty, or cute, or just interesting. I stick it all on that board and hopefully one day when I decided I want to make something I will be able to find something on there!

I have all sorts of boards . . . with buttons . . . or toadstools . . . polka dots . . . or gingham . . . or quotes and sayings . . . clocks . . . They are all things that I enjoy looking at and collecting. Todd does not mind me collecting things this way because it doesn't cost him any money. It is a big time waster though . . . not sure I needed another one of those . . . but oh well!! It's too late now, I am well and truly hooked!! (I have a HUGE scrumminess board too! But then again . . . you probably took that for granted!)

I hope you all remembered to put your clocks back last night! (I wish they would just leave the time alone, but then again, what do I know!) I also hope you all have a very blessed and wonderful Sabbath!

I've never been very good at making yeast breads from scratch. I am so glad that someone invented the breadmaker. It's the only way we get decent homemade bread around here. My ex husband used to make fabulous homemade bread. He used to make our kitchen table dance across the kitchen floor. The kitchen was always a mess when he was done, but we would have some pretty delicious loaves of bread as a result and so it didn't matter too much. I think the secret to a good loaf of bread or rolls is in the kneading of the dough . . . I just don't have enough oomph when it comes to that. These little batter rolls don't need any oomph. They come out perfect every time. You just drop the batter into some muffin cups and away you go. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy and they taste pretty darned good too!



*Easy Peasy White Batter Rolls*
Makes 18
Printable Recipe

These truly are a no fail recipe. They always turn out light and fluffy for me. If you have bad luck with baking bread as I do, you really must give these a try. They turn up trumps every time. Baking these will help you to restore faith in your culinary abilities and boy oh boy, they sure go well with a big pot of homemade baked beans!

1 1/2 cups warm water
2 packages active dry yeast
4 cups bread flour
1/4 cup caster sugar
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup vegetable shortening (Crisco, Fluffo, White Flora or Trex)
1 large egg

Pour the water into a large mixing bowl. Add the yeast, give it a stir and then let it sit for a few minutes or until it starts to work. Stir it again to totally dissolve.

Add half of the flour, the sugar, salt, softened shortening and the egg. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes, or until completely smooth. Stir in the remaining two cups of flour by hand with a wooden spoon.

Cover the bowl with a clean cloth and set aside in a warm place to rise, until doubled in size, about 3o minutes.

Grease 18 large muffin cups with shortening. Stir the batter down and then spoon it into the greased muffin cups, filling them 1/2 full.

Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place once again, until the batter reaches the top of the muffin cups. This should take 20 to 30 minutes.

Pre-heat the oven to 205*C/425*F. Place the muffin pans in the oven and bake the rolls until done, about 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm or cold. They are delicious either way!



Baking in The English Kitchen today, some delicious Jam Drops. Oh so scrummy!