The Simple Woman's Day book . . .

FOR TODAY, October 18th, 2011...

Outside My Window...
It is very dark and very cold. Not as cold as it can get in the winter, but the thermometer is definitely beginning to dip down there! There is some talk of it getting even colder next week and the possibility of snow. Unheard of!

I am thinking...
I was reading on the news this morning how a little girl (toddler) in China was hit not once, but twice by vans in the street and nobody in the vans stopped after running her over and 18 people walked past without doing anything before a 19th person stopped and dragged her to the side of the road. She is in hospital and in a coma. I know it is China and little girls are not valued there . . . but it is so sad to see that people are so uncaring . . . and oblivious to the suffering around them.

I am thankful for...
I think I live in a country where somebody would stop right away and help you if you got run over by a car. The driver might flee (there are those types everywhere), but I like to think that there would be people on the scene within minutes helping you out and calling ambulances, etc.

From the kitchen...
Oh gosh . . . Apple Pie Roll Ups. Too darn good!

I am wearing...
Long blue nightie, robe, slippers. I think it's time to break out the Jim Jams again though as my legs feel cold.

I am creating...


I was asked to do some place card settings for an event that is coming up next June. The Bride's colours are this mint green. I think this turned out rather sweet. She seems quite happy with it as well, so that's good! The Table numbers will go in the centre heart. I've a few other irons in the fire as well so stay tuned!

I am going...
I have meetings tomorrow night and we are planning on going to the Temple on Thursday. I have the sniffles though so if it breaks out into a full fledged cold I may cancel the temple visit. Saturday and Sunday is our bi-annual Stake Conference for our church, which is always quite enjoyable. Oh, and a new fridge is arriving tomorrow. Our old one has cocked up. It's a fridge/freezer and the freezer part is not working properly. We've had it for 10 years now and to be honest when it was moved this last time the movers broke off both handles and the door to the freezer part is just not shutting properly. We got a good deal at a scratch and dent warehouse on an American side by side refrigerator and so we bought it. There doesn't appear to be anything much wrong with it other than a tiny scratch on one side and a bit of a dent in the grill on the back. Nothing we can't live with! I am also planning on going Visit Teaching on Friday . . . as long as my cold holds off.

I am reading...



Years by LaVyrle Spencer

Eager to begin her first teaching position, lovely Linnea Brandonberg stepped off the train looking as grown up as her eighteen years would allow. The golden fields and fragrant wheat of Alamo, North Dakota, were as new and different as the Westgaard family with whom she would live.

Farm life in 1917 was hard and bitter--but tiny, spirited Linnea was determined to brave its challenges. And as World War I threatened to take those she held dear, Linnea grew to womanhood in the arms of Teddy Westgaard, a man who thought he would never find love.

A story of passion. A story of heartache. A story of a way of life that will long be remembered, with people and places as real as the emotions of the heart. I have read all of LaVyrle Spencers books through the years and this has always been one of my favourites and so I am reading it again. It's quite enjoyable. If I am not mistaken, LaVyrle Spencer retired from writing a while back. It's not a heavy book to read, quite light really, but I can tell you that it's really good. The other night I was crying while I was reading as it was a really sad part. If a writer can stir your emotions in such a way, then they are very talented in my opinion!!

I am hoping...
For good results of my ultra-sound last week. Happy to say that my father's cataract surgery went quite well. Thanks for all your prayers!

I am hearing...
Early morning sounds . . . the clock on the mantle humming as the wheels inside it turn. The odd car as it goes by. Mitzie snuffling as she snoozes, all curled up behind me on the sofa. The tap tapping of the computer keys as I write. They are morning sounds. The sounds as I hear whilst the house wakes up around me and the day begins. I know I say the same thing every week . . . my mornings have the comfort of being the same day after day. I love that about my days. They are quite, quite peaceful. (that's a good thing!)

Around the house...

Source: bhg.com via Marie on Pinterest

I found this picture of a kitchen window one day. I just love it. We have a window in our kitchen that I would love to do this to. The trick is to find an old window like the leaded one that is hanging on the top. You can sometimes find stained glass panels to hang as well, which would be lovely also. I like the idea of a shelf as well. I could sure use one of those in my tiny kitchen too!

I am looking forward to...
Going to the Temple on Thursday. I love to see the Temple and I love to be in the Temple. It's such a beautiful and sacred place. I love the feeling that resides within it's walls. One of my friends has a brother who designed the Preston Temple. She was saying the other day that the safety standards that he was given were to be 20 times higher than any regular building . . . that the temple was built to withstand high winds, floods, earthquakes etc. I only know that it is beautiful inside and that I feel blessed when I am within it's walls . . . that I feel closer to my Heavenly Father there than I do at any other place on earth . . . and there is the same feeling in each temple I have been in. It is like being in another world completely . . .

I am pondering...
We have my eldest son, his wife and their boys coming over next July for a visit and I often think about it. We'll have the two boys on our own whilst they go down to London to watch her sister compete in the Olympics on Canada's Rowing Team. (I believe this will be her third Olympic Games.) I can't wait to have the boys. We started buying some things in charity shops to help keep them occupied while they are with us and the other day we scored Videos of all the Disney cartoon films for 10 pence a piece! Yes, we still have a Video player/recorder! Yes, it still works! We also have a DVD player, so we only very seldom use the video player.

One of my favourite things...
I love doing this daybook each week. It is something that I look forward to. It is nice to unwind with words and to speak from the heart and share my ponderings with others in this way. I would do the daybook every day, but I dare say it would not be as special then as it is now!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
I cancelled my reading lessons this week because of my sore throat and the sniffles. I didn't want to risk passing on my germs. My student also cares for an elderly woman and she is very vulnerable to germs, so I thought it best he stay away. The way my week will pan out all depends on if this develops into a full blown cold or not. We shall see!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Source: piccsy.com via Marie on Pinterest

If this doesn't bring a smile to your face, I don't know what will! That is one very excited child! Either that or she is completely terrified. I can't quite decide . . . what do you think???

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

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover"
~author unknown

What true words these are. We should live each day to it's fullest potention and never let fear guide our steps. As we cast off our fears and expand our horizons . . . at the end we may find that we have perhaps failed, or fallen down, but boy oh boy we will sure have enjoyed the journey!

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 Vegetarian Meal. Oh, how I love brussel sprouts. I think we'll try to grow some next year in our garden. I could eat them every day of the week and never tire of them . . . seriously!!



*Brussels Sprout and Mushroom Ragout With Herby Dumplings*
serves 4
Printable Recipe

This really is special and can make a brussels sprout lover out of even the most die hard hater of the lovely little green gems! You needn't use large onions actually. I like to use shallots, sliced in half. It is well worth the effort of making your own mushroom stock. It tastes so much better than store bought and you can control the amount of salt in it better. I love the little herby dumplings on top! They are like the icing on the cake and, as we all know, cake with icing is always better!

Mushroom stock (see recipe below)
4 tsp olive oil
2 medium to large onions, peeled and sliced about 1/2 inch thick, or half a dozen or so small shallots peeled and trimmed, and cut in half
3/4 pound of fresh mushrooms, a mixture of crimini and white button ones works well
(Wipe clean, trim and slice thickly)
3 TBS chopped flat leaf parsley (fresh)
1 TBS chopped tarragon (fresh)
1 fat clove of garlic, peeled and minced
the juice of 1/2 large lemon
1 pound brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved or quartered if large

For the Herby Dumplings:
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
3/4 cup milk, heated with 3 TBS butter
3 TBS minced fresh flat leaf parsley and tarragon, mixed
1 large egg

Make the mushroom stock, and once it is simmering bring a pot of salted water to the boil. Drop in the brussels sprouts and cook until nearly tender, about 4 to 6 minutes at most. Drain and then set them aside until needed.

Heat the oil in a large deep nonstick skillet. Add the onions or shallots and cook them over medium heat until they are nicely fragrant and nicely coloured, about 12 minutes or so, giving them an occasional stir.

While you are cooking the onions, chop the herbs and garlic, and slice the mushrooms. Once the onions are a rich colour, increase the heat to high and add the mushrooms, herbs and garlic to the pan. Squeeze the juice of the lemon over top and cook until the mushrooms are golden brown in places. Reduce the heat to low and add the sprouts and mushroom stock.

For the dumplings, mix together the flour, baking powder and salt. Pour in the milk, herbs and egg and stir quickly together with a fork. Drop by small spoonfuls on top of the simmering ragout. You only want 12 small dumplings. You will have extra batter, but don't be tempted to use it or your ragout will be too bready. This is one of those times whereby you just can't cut the recipe in half and the full amount is just to much. (Just close your eyes and tip the rest down the drain . . .)

Cover the pan with a lid and steam the dumplings for 10 minutes or until done. (they should be cooked through and dry on top) Serve the hot ragout in soup plates with three dumplings in each bowl. Delicious!

*Mushroom Stock*
Makes 1 1/2 cups

1/2 cup dried porcini mushrooms
2 tsp olive oil
1 onion, peeled and chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 far clove of garlic, peeled and sliced
2 fresh mushrooms, wiped clean and chopped
2 tsp tomato puree (paste)
1 TBS chopped fresh marjoram ( 1 tsp dried)
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 TBS plain flour
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Put the dried mushrooms in a large beaker and cover with 3 cups of boiling water. Set aside.

Heat the oil in a saucepan over high heat. Add the vegetables and saute, stirring occasionally until they are well browned and aromatic. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in the flour. Add the tomato paste, marjoram and wine. Once it has reduced to a syrupy consistency add the porcini and their soaking water. Season with about 1/2 tsp of salt and a little pepper. Simmer for about 2o minutes before straining to use. You may also freeze the strained stock.



Baking in The English Kitchen today, some delicious Apple Pie Roll Ups!

Thursday this and that . . .

"When nothing is sure, anything is possible."
~Margaret Drabble

Margaret Drabble, a well-known writer, made this comment in connection with writing fiction. It certainly brings to mind a blank page or computer screen which presents itself to the writer when they are beginning a project. They may stare at it for hours, feeling quite uncertain and not a little bit afraid, before the words come and they begin to create a whole new world with a multitude of possibilities from whatever corner of their minds these imaginings come from.

I can see a great relevance of these words to other aspects of life as well . . .

Nobody knows what tomorrow may bring. When we are in the depth of despair over some occurrence in our lives . . . with a future which may or may not appear bleak and unclear . . . it would be so very easy to be discouraged and afraid. We may find ourselves having to make difficult decisions in the face of such uncertainty and be very discouraged indeed and more than a bit tempted just to do nothing at all . . .



If we were to stop for a moment and think however . . . we would see that uncertainties, in fact, present us with a gread abundance of possiblity!! Like an author faced with a blank page, it is up to us to aim for a story with a happy ending. We can be the author's of our own futures, and whilst we may not always be able to determine exactly how the story ends, we can make sure we have a pleasant time on the journey! This moment, this today . . . is a journey which will never come again. Why not make it the best that it can be. Don't spoil your present in worrying about an uncertain future.



Here is my latest creation I painted yesterday afternoon. I did this with a mix of watercolours and Copic markers. her dress, shoes and hair ribbon are done in watercolours. I love the subtleness of the mix and the way I was able to get the look of an actual fabric pattern in the material on her dress. That is something you wouldn't be able to get with such success in any other way. This picture makes me think of my mother when she used to be all dressed in her finery and ready to go out dancing with my father on Saturday nights. She always looked so beautiful and she smelled pretty wonderful, wearing her favourite scent . . . MaGriffe. To this day the smell of MaGriffe reminds me of my mother. Her dress would rustle as she moved, along with her crinolines . . . a special sound it was . . . my parents would be so happy as they got read and were waiting for the sitter to arrive. Special memories indeed . . . in any case this little fashionista is available as a print or a card. Just send me a message or a comment to find out how!



Don't you just love this picture of Todd and Mitzie? It looks as if he is reading her a very interesting story that she is listening to with rapt attention! Oh what a little dear she is!



And what a horrible pest I am disturbing her sleep to take silly pictures of her. She is very patient though and co-operates with me most of the time. I love her so very much . . . we both do, and you can tell . . . the feeling is mutual!

My father's cataract surgery went well and except for a feeling a bit uncomfortable he was doing alright yesterday when I called him. Many thanks for your prayers and happy thoughts. I think he will be having the other one done in another few weeks. He was in very high spirits.

I have long enjoyed a love affair with cauliflower cheese, that is until I discovered this little gem . . . my love affair has now expanded to include sweet potato with the cauliflower. Delicious!



*Cheesy Sweet Potato and Cauliflower*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

This is comfort food at its very best. Lovely, meaty, orange fleshed sweet potatoes combined with beautiful, earthy, cauliflower florets . . . all encased in a rich cheese sauce, crusty bits of grilled cheese gilding the top. What’s not to like!

2 large orange fleshed sweet potatoes
1 small cauliflower, broken into florets
Cheese sauce (see below)
3 TBS snipped chives
Salt and pepper to taste
3 oz cheddar cheese, grated

Bake the sweet potatoes in a hot oven until tender. Set aside to cool for a few minutes. Put the cauliflower into a microwavable bowl, add a few TBS of water, cover with cling film and cook in the microwave for 5 minutes on high. Drain and set aside.

Prepare the cheese sauce as below. Preheat your grill.

Cut the sweet potatoes into wedges and lay them in the bottom of a greased oven proof dish. Drain the cauliflower and spoon it over the sweet potatoes. Spoon the hot cheese sauce over top (you may not need it all). Sprinkle with the grated cheese and the snipped chives. Grill for three to four minutes until golden and bubbling. Enjoy!

*Cheese Sauce*
Makes 1 ¼ pints

2 ounces butter (1/4 cup)
2 ounces plain flour (1/4 cup)
1 ¼ pints milk (2 1/2 cups)
1 bay leaf
3 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated
Salt and pepper to taste
Freshly grated nutmeg to taste

Melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour, stirring until smooth. Let cook over low heat for one minute to cook the flour then slowly stir in the milk, whisking until smooth. Add the bay leaf and cook over medium low heat, stirring, for about 10 minutes until thickened. Remove the bay leaf. Stir in the cheese and season to taste with salt, pepper and nutmeg.



In The English Kitchen today, amazingly delicious Sticky Lemon Chicken for 2.

Words fitly spoken . . .

What would you expect to be the hardest words to say in the English Dictionary??? I have no doubt that they have to be, "I'm sorry." They sound like really simple words to say . . . but just think of the amount of marriages that break down . . . or the number of friendships that are lost, simply for lack of saying those two little words . . . "I'm sorry." They must be the hardest words to say . . . or why the heavy price for not saying them??

What do you think are the sweetest words in the English language ever spoken??? I would have to say they are, "I forgive you." Just think of all the marriages and friendships that could be saved were those three words spoken more often! Three little words . . . easy to say . . . seldom spoken.

Words . . . there is much power in them.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."
~Proverbs 25:11



I couldn't wait to show you my lastest piece. I think it turned out really lovely. I like her invisible crown, and I love the way her clothes turned out. Oh, I do love being creative! As always she is available as a print or a card. Just send me a message to find out how. This dress she is wearing reminds me of one I had as a child.



When I was a child, nothing was ever wasted. All the leftovers, and anything that couldn't be made into a proper meal, always went into the soup pot and that is what we had for supper. It seemed there was always a pot of soup bubbling on the back of the stove.

You could always tell what day of the week it was in my childhood home by what we were having for supper. Each day had it's own supper special and they rarely varied, with the exception of special occasions. On Sundays , we'd always have a roast dinner of some sort, be it ham or chicken, beef or pork. On Monday, we would have whatever meat was left for our supper, reheated . . . perhaps with some gravy, or if it was pork, just sliced cold and served with mustard and boiled potatoes. On Tuesdays, the leftover bones and whatever scraps of meat that was clinging to them, would go into the soup pot. Afterwards, my mother would freeze whatever soup that didn't get eaten on that day, in colourful margarine tubs to be brought out at some future time whenever we needed some tender loving care. My favourite was always the Pea Soup she would make after our Easter ham. Even now, when we go home to visit, her freezer is full of little containers of soup, and that is one of the first things we all ask for her to make for us.



My mother made beautiful soups and she didn't have a recipe. The bones and scraps would go into a pot, and then covered with cold water. In would go a carrot, some celery (she favoured the heart with all the leaves) a whole onion, cut in half (she left the peel on telling us it gave the soup colour) some peppercorns, a TBS of summer savoury, a bay leaf or two and some salt. That would be brought to the boil and then simmered for hours, until a really rich and flavourful stock was created. The stock was then strained and she would use it to make soup. In would go vegetables . . . peeled carrots, cut into small cubes, chunks of potato, grated turnips, peas, beans, tomatoes . . . literally whatever was at hand, the end result being, a delicious lovely soup that stuck to our bones and warmed our insides like nothing else ever could.

I used to make soup for my kids in much the same way when they were growing up, only we called it stoop, kind of like a cross between a soup and a stew, because the end result was always so full of good things that it was too thick to be a soup, and yet too loose to be a stew . . .

Soup is one of those wonderful things that immediately conjures up images of comfort, and there it nothing more wonderful or medicinal when you have a bad cold or the flu, than a nice steaming bowl of hot chicken soup. Hot soup has the power to brighten up rainy days and on a cold winter's day it helps to make the heart feel warm and cozy. Soup, in short, is home in a bowl . . . it's comforting, just like a soft blanket or a loving hug.

This is a delicious soup I like to make when that bunch of celery in the bottom of the vegetable drawer starts to looking a bit tired, and I know that I need to use it up right away or I'll soon be tossing it out. It's really easy and we quite love it. Homemade soup really is so very easy to make, and so much tastier than anything that comes in a can. This delicious meal can be on your table in about half an hour. Who doesn't have a tired bunch of celery laying around that needs some loving . . .



*Celery Soup*
Serves 6
Printable Recipe

The simplicity of this soup belies it’s rich flavour and texture. I use my stick blender to puree it at the end, and it ends up with a lovely frothy top . . . almost like a celery cappuccino, but a whole lot tastier, and probably a whole lot better for you!

5 cups minced celery and leaves
4 cups chicken stock
1 medium onion, peeled and sliced
2 TBS butter
3 TBS plain flour
2 cups milk
1 cup single cream
Salt and pepper to taste (I didn’t need any)
Dry Sherry (optional)

Combine the celery and chicken stock in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and then simmer until the celery is tender. In the meanwhile melt the butter in another saucepan and sauté the onion slices in it until tender without colouring. Once soft, blend in the flour. Stir in the milk slowly and then cook, whisking until thick. Carefully pour in the cooked celery along with the stock you cooked the celery in. Add the cream. Season if you need to. (Taste first. I often don't need any salt or pepper in mine. It all depends on the stock you use.) Process with a stick blender until smooth and frothy. Reheat to serve, and serve with a dash of dry sherry on top of each bowl if desired. I like to serve this with some lovely Kracky Snacky crispy cheese sticks . It's delicious!



Cooking in The English Kitchen today, some delicious Sea Salt Chocolate Snaps!

Favourite Views of Britain . . .

A few years ago they had a television program over here on the telly called Britain’s Favourite View. On it, famous British celebrities took us to their favourite British View, and we got to visit it with them, as well as the surrounding local areas. They showed four different places every week, and every week we got to vote on which of those was our favourite one. I cannot remember which place in Britian won the program as being Britain's favourite view, but I do remember really enjoying watching it. We are great armchair travellers in this house, but I guess we are also great real time travellers too, having taken in many beautiful areas together over these past almost 11 years! I thought it would be great fun to share with you this morning Todd and my top favourite views of this beautiful country thus far! So here we go!







The Willow Man



A number of years back, we were on our way down from Chester to Devon for a few days break, when on the right hand side of the car this amazing vision appeared in a field, along side of the M5 near Brigwater. A complete and striding man, racing across the field, made completely from willow. I was totally amazed and enthralled. Standing approximately 12 meters high it is possibly the largest willow sculpture in the world. It sure got my attention, and I fell in love with him immediately. It was at once intriguing and a bit frightening at the same time I suppose, but also very beautiful. I was totally entranced!







Llangollen, Wales



Nestled within the beautiful Dee valley in North East Wales, lies the small town of Llangollen. An ancient market town on the banks of the River Dee, Llangollen lies under the watchful gaze of Dinas Bran Castle. Todd and I often drive there on a sunny Saturday afternoon, and just walk around, stopping of course for refreshments at one of the lovely tea shops. (Impossible to resist!) It is such a beautiful little town and I fell in love with it from the very first time I visited. Aside from it’s lovely little streets and shops it is home to the International Musical Eisteddfod every July. It also has a wonderful steam railway that you can take a tour on if you are so desiring. It’s just a special place and it holds a corner of my heart.







Clovelly, Devon



About nine years ago when we went down to Devon, we went to this wonderful little village. It had been raining the whole time we were in Devon, and despite that, I was still in awe of the county’s breathtaking beauty. Devon is probably one of the most beautiful counties I have ever seen. Fortunately on the day we were at Clovelly, the sun shone down upon us in abundance, at least for the first part of our visit. Set into a steep Devon hillside, Clovelly is one of the most famous villages in the world. The single cobbled high street winds it’s way down the hillside, through whitewashed cottages festooned with beautiful hanging baskets of flowers. Every nook and cranny is full to the brim with it's quaint and pristine beauty. It was quite simply gorgeous, and let me tell you . . . just to walk down it’s high street and back up again was a workout of gargantuan proportions! Not to mention, the heavens opened and it started raining cats and dogs on our way back up to the top. We were totally soaked through to the bone, by the time we got back up to the visitors centre, and had to completely change our clothing, but it was worth it!







The Lake District



From the minute our car rounded the bend on the roadway towards Lake Ullswater, I was completely enthralled and utterly in love. I had never seen such beauty . (and as an airforce brat of long standing, I have been to quite a few places in the world) It was completely charming. The Lake District, also known as The Lakes or Lakeland, is a rural area in North West England. A popular holiday destination, it is famous for its lakes and its mountains (or fells), and also its associations with the early 19th century poetry and writings of William Wordsworth and the Lake Poets. The central and most-visited part of thearea is contained in the Lake District National Park — one of fourteen National Parks in the United Kingdom. It lies entirely within Cumbria, and is one of England's few mountainous regions. All the land in England higher than three thousand feet above sea level lies within the National Park. I actually fell in love with the whole of Cumbria while we were there, and it was very easy to see what inspired Wordsworth to pen his sonnets and prose. We are going back for the third time in just two weeks now and I can't wait! Bring on the Sticky Toffee Puddings and the Cumberland Sausages!!







Long Meg and Her Daughters



The first time we holidayed up in Cumbria, one of the fascinating things we discovered while we were there was an ancient stone circle called Long Meg and her Daughters. We had to drive for what seemed like miles and miles into the middle of nowhere, and it seemed we'd never get there, but when we finally did, we were totally amazed by what we saw. (Can you see her face in this the largest stone?) Second only in size to Stone Henge, this stone circle lies in the wilds of Cumbria next to a field full of softly lowing cattle and hidden down a long country lane, amidst hedgerows and brambles. I think Keats said it well:



“Old Meg she was a Gipsy,

And liv'd upon the Moors:

Her bed it was the brown heath turf

And her house was out of doors.



Her apples were swart blackberries,

Her currants pods o' broom;

Her wine was dew of the wild white rose,

Her book a churchyard tomb.



Her Brothers were the craggy hills,

Her Sisters larchen trees--

Alone with her great family

She liv'd as she did please. “







The Lighthouse at Beachy Head



Beachy Head is the most famous part of the Eastbourne Downland. Rising 162 metres (530 feet) above the sea below, it is the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain. The main reason for Beachy Head's popularity is the wonderful panoramic view which can be seen from the cliff top. If you look east you can see the beaches and town of Eastbourne, the Pier and the Harbour, and then on to Pevensey Bay and Hastings and, on an exceptionally clear day, Dungeness in Kent, nearly 40 miles away. One of the most stunning views from the cliffs is the lighthouse.



It is said that as early as 1670 a light shone to guide passing vessels from the top of the cliffs at Beachy Head. In 1902 under the direction of Sir Thomas Matthews, the Trinity House Engineer-in-Chief, the present lighthouse was brought into service, sited about 165 metres seawards from the base of the cliffs. It took two years to complete and involved building a coffer-dam and a cableway from the top of the cliffs to carry materials down to the site. 3,660 tons of Cornish granite were used in the construction of the tower. It is quite simply amazing to see and on a clear day with the waves crashing at it’s feet, I would call it truly stunning.







Scotney Castle and Gardens



Scotney Castle and Gardens were not very far from where we lived down in Kent. We often went of a Saturday and wandered around the gardens. We never ever tired of it no matter how often we saw it. It was beautiful and peaceful and a wonderful place to walk. I loved the Castle, even though it was largely a ruin. The gardens were beautiful, no matter the time of year that you went . . . and parts of the main house are now open for viewing as well. I always thought it was a very lovely spot to visit. Beautiful really.







This was an early spring view from the Sitting room window of the Manor where I used to work down south, Brenchley manor. The gardens were some of the loveliest that I have ever seen. We were surrounded by beauty there, and the gardens were breathtaking no matter the time of year. This was one of my favourite views looking down onto the Elizabethan Lover's Knot Garden at the front, just behind the ancient Stone Gate that stood along the front drive. This gate was one of the oldest existing examples of stone masonry work in the UK, having been comissioned by an acquaintance of Michaelangelo. It certainly was a marvel to be sure!







To have been able to live and work amongst such beauty was a special blessing and experience. We live a completely different life now though . . . no lessed blessed or beautiful I think . . . it's beautiful and blessed in different ways . . . Chester City is certainly a beautiful place to visit and view . . . and really . . . you can make everywhere you are a beautiful and special place can you not??? I like to think that wherever I am at any given moment is my favourite view! This is such a beautiful country and there is beauty all around us here, in every corner and hidden nook!!



So there you have it, some of my favourite views of Britain that I have been blessed to take in during my eleven years over here. God willing there will be many, many more!



Here’s another tasty dish for a zucchini loving friend. They say variety is the spice of life and this delicious dish certainly is different, and spicy too!







*Calabacitas*

Serves 6

Printable Recipe



This is a Tex Mex dish and a great way to use up some of that glut of courgettes we all have in our gardens this time of year. Courgettes are one of those lovely vegetables that gladly take on the flavour of anything you cook them with. I don’t think there’s anything that you can’t do with them, from tasty and savoury casseroles to delicious moist cakes and breads. This is just another way to showcase their incredible versatility!



1 onion, peeled and chopped

4 tsp olive oil

4 medium courgettes, unpeeled and cubed

½ cup seeded and chopped green chillies

2 cups sweet corn kernels

Salt and pepper to taste

¼ cup whole milk

½ cup grated medium cheddar cheese



Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add the oil. When it is just shimmering add the onion and sauté it until it is softly translucent, stirring the whole time. Add the courgettes and chillies. Turn the heat down to medium low and cook, stirring from time to time for about 20 minutes or until the vegetables are just crispy tender, but still retaining their lovely green colour.



Add the corn and seasonings and cook for about 5 minutes longer.



Finally add the milk and the cheese, stirring constantly to help prevent the cheese from sticking, cooking and stirring until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately. I could eat the whole pan myself and nothing else!







There's a delicious Croissant Brunch Bake over in The English Kitchen this morning!

The Simple Woman's Day book . . .

FOR TODAY, August 16th, 2011...



Outside My Window...

The mornings are getting darker these days . . . it seems only a few weeks ago I was arising in full daylight and now . . . it's only beginning to brighten up when I awaken. Autumn surely is just around the corner. Having said that though . . . today looks to be a dull day anyways, weatherwise!



I am thinking...

Lately every time I do something on the computer I run across an old comment from Angie, or another little something that she posted . . . I miss her so very much. I still have a hard time believing she is gone. It still tears me up . . . I think these little links are like her way of telling me that she is still with me and not far away. It makes me smile when I think of that. She was such a dear and beloved friend . . .



I am thankful for...

All the legal wranglings that I have been messing about with for the past year are now finally over and there is a definite light at the end of the tunnel now. I feel as if I have won the lottery. Not quite . . . but I now have a little nest egg for my retirement years, which will come in handy in about 10 years time.



From the kitchen...

There is a tasty Sticky Orange Marmalade Cake, but little else in the way of goodies! Lotsa lotsa fruit though!



I am wearing...

A blue nightie and slippers. I have decided that I have a lot of blue nighties. I think it's time to break free and buy one in another colour!



I am creating...

I have stacks and stacks of finished cards sitting in my craft room, all glued and glittered, and bagged and stickered up. I still have to list them in my Etsy Shop. I know, I have been saying that for a few weeks now! I am a bit closer to having them done, but yesterday I finished something that I have been working on for a while now. I finished up a lap quilt top!! Yayy!! I should have taken a picture to show you here this morning.







I had purchased myself one of these jelly roll packs of Thimbleberries fabrics several years ago and yesterday I sewed them all together. They look quite lovely . . . very rich, and it will make a lovely big lap quilt for the winter months. I was inspired by this post by my friend Marlene, of Stitching by the Lake. Thanks Marlene!!!



I am going...

A friend of mine is coming over today to view my Craft Room! I hope she is duly impressed! (Somehow I doubt that. I have a long ways to go before it is impressive, but still I count myself very lucky to have a room all to myself!!)



I am reading...







Untied, by Meredith Baxter

“I remember Sarah asking me, when I’d just begun therapy with her, what I looked for in a man. After a few moments of silent, tense deliberation I had it. ‘Hair,’ I blurted. ‘He has to have hair.’”



Meredith Baxter is a beloved and iconic television actress, most well-known for her enormously popular role as hippie mom, Elyse Keaton, on Family Ties. Her warmth, humor, and brilliant smile made her one of the most popular women on television, with millions of viewers following her on the small screen each week. Yet her success masked a tumultuous personal story and a harrowing private life. For the first time, Baxter is ready to share her incredible highs, (working with Robert Redford, Doris Day, Lana Turner, and the cast of Family Ties), and lows (a thorny relationship with her mother, a difficult marriage to David Birney, a bout with breast cancer), finally revealing the woman behind the image.

From her childhood in Hollywood, growing up the daughter of actress and co-creator of One Day at a Time Whitney Blake, Baxter became familiar with the ups and downs of show business from an early age. After wholeheartedly embracing the 60s counterculture lifestyle, she was forced to rely on her acting skills after her first divorce left her a 22-year-old single mother of two. Baxter began her professional career with supporting roles in the critically panned horror film Ben, and in the political thriller All the President's Men.

More lucrative work soon followed on the small screen. Baxter starred with actor David Birney as the title characters in controversial sitcom Bridget Loves Bernie. While the series only lasted a year, her high-profile romance with Birney lasted 15 volatile and unhappy years. Hiding the worst of her situation from even those closest to her, Baxter’s career flourished as her self-esteem and family crumbled. Her successful run as Nancy on Family was followed by her enormously popular role on Family Ties, and dozens of well-received television movies.

After a bitter divorce and custody battle with Birney, Baxter increasingly relied on alcohol as a refuge, and here speaks candidly of her decision to take her last drink in 1990.

And while another ruinous divorce to screenwriter Michael Blodgett taxed Baxter’s strength and confidence, she has emerged from her experiences with the renewed self-assurance, poise, and understanding that have enabled her to find a loving, respectful relationship with Nancy Locke, and to speak about it openly.

Told with insight, wit, and disarming frankness, Untied is the eye-opening and inspiring life of an actress, a woman, and a mother who has come into her own.

I watched her interview on Oprah the other day and was in tears throughout most of it. As I watched and heard her speak of her marriage to actor David Birney, I realized just now many parallels there were in that marriage and my own marriage to my ex. Thankfully Baxter's children are on board with her there and recognize the stigma and horror of emotional and verbal abuse. I was too good at hiding it. I hid it from my family. I hid it from my children. I hid it from my friends . . . as you do. Nobody wants to admit to other people that this is going on . . . a bruise on the face which shows . . . you can't hide that. A bruise to the soul goes much deeper, and is much harder to heal. There is a part of you that believes you deserve it and that it is all you are worth . . . it is shameful, soul wrenching, and debilitating . . . but what hurts even more is when the very people you tried to protect from it, turn on you, because they cannot believe that it even happened.

I am hoping...

That we have nice weather for our holiday in a few weeks time. September in Cumbria . . . rain comes to mind, but we might get lucky!



I am hearing...

Early morning sounds . . . the clock on the mantle humming as the wheels inside it turn. The odd car as it goes by. Mitzie snuffling as she snoozes, all curled up behind me on the sofa. The tap tapping of the computer keys as I write. They are morning sounds. The sounds as I hear whilst the house wakes up around me and the day begins.



Around the house...

Ironing, hoovering, dusting . . . the usual household chores. I don't mind puttering about in the house really, except for the fact that it prevents me from doing what I really want to do all day long, which is play!



I am looking forward to...

I am having my first committee meeting tomorrow with my enrichment (extra meetings) committee for Relief Society. I am so glad to finally have one. It will be nice to have some extra help with these things. They are a couple of great gals and I am looking forward to working with them!



I am pondering...

I am sometimes really astonished at how quickly life passes away. As a child the summer months seemed to last forever . . . but as an adult they flash by, seemingly in an instant! Is that just me or does everyone experience this phenomenom???



One of my favourite things...

Is watching old television programs. We are just about to start the last in the Andy Griffith Series. They were simpler times for sure. I know that they were only a pale imitation of real life . . . but I do so enjoy watching them. I love Leave It To Beaver as well, and Father Knows Best and My Three Sons. I love them all and they make my heart feel so good and warm when I am watching them. We have the first of the Newheart Series as well. For some reason they have never come out with Season 2. From the minute I hear the Introduction Music and see that car winding through the Vermont Hills, my heart sings. I just love it. We are watching it for the 4th time now. It never gets old.



A few plans for the rest of the week...

My friend and Craft Room today, my meeting tomorrow. daily reading lessons, a Ward Picnic on Saturday, but that is all. The rest is blissfully free!!



Here is picture thought I am sharing...







This is our little hedgehog visitor. Isn't he cute? I think him quite adorable. I love that we still have these little glimpses of country life even though we live on a huge housing estate at the edge of a city. I am a country gal at heart. We are so blessed to have such a huge garden at the back of us. I know Todd doesn't think it's so great when he has to mow it, or to trim the hedge, but . . . the rest of the time he glories in it as well. We have discovered this week that we don't just have two frogs, but three! We may even have more, I don't know. But we feel blessed to have even three! What a bonus!!



And just as a closing thought for today . . .



"He who harbours a slight, will miss the haven of happiness."

~author unknown



I discovered a long time ago, the futility of bearing a grudge. It seldom if ever affects the one you hold it against, but it can poison your own life in unimaginable ways.



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!



I have a tasty vegetarian Lasagne to show you today. Oh, I do love my Lasagne. It is one of my absolute favourite things to make and to eat! Todd doesn 't overly mind it either, even if it is pasta!!







*Roasted Vegetable Lasagna Verde*

Serves 4

Printable Recipe



This delicious version of lasagna is so good you won’t even miss the meat! I love the sweetness of the roasted vegetables and the richness of the Bechamel topping. Together they are heavenly …



For the roasted Vegetable Sauce:

½ pounds of red bell peppers, seeded and diced

1 carrot, peeled and cut into matchsticks

2 medium courgettes, cut into half moons

1 aubergine, cut into cubes

1 red onion, peeled and chopped

1 tsp of olive oil with a dash of toasted sesame oil

1 tsp basil

Cracked black pepper to taste

8 cloves of garlic, peeled and wrapped in foil

One jar of really good quality tomato pasta sauce (cheating I know)



For the spinach layer:

½ tsp olive oil

8 medium mushrooms, cut thick

½ pound raw spinach, roughly chopped

Salt and pepper



For the Bechamel sauce:

1 TBS butter

2 1/2 TBS plain flour

1 1/2 cups whole milk, heated together with a bay leaf

½ tsp salt

Freshly grated nutmeg



To finish:

9 non-cook lasagna verde noodles

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

½ cup grated parmesan cheese



Pre-heat the oven to 200*C/400*F. Lay out the vegetables onto a baking sheet and toss with the oils. Lay the foil wrapped garlic alongside. Bake for 30 minutes and then stir. Bake 15 min more. Remove and transfer to a large bowl. Squeeze baked garlic into the vegetables and stir well. Add the tomato sauce and mix well. Set aside while you make the béchamel.



Melt the butter over medium low heat in a saucepan. Stir in the flour and let the two cook together for about one minute. Strain the milk into the pan slowly, stirring the whole time. Cook, stirring until the mixture is thickened. Season to taste with the salt and freshly grated nutmeg. Remove from the heat and set aside.



To cook the spinach, pour the oil into a large frying pan or wok on medium heat and fry the mushrooms until they start to brown. Add the spinach and seasonings and cook until spinach wilts. Add a TBS of water, if needed, to help steam the spinach down. Transfer to a sieve to drain excess moisture.



To assemble, Put a quantity of the vegetable sauce in the bottom of a nine inch square baking dish. Cover with 3 of the noodles. Cover with 1/3 of the remaining tomato vegetable sauce, the mushrooms and the spinach, 1/3 of the mozzarella, add a sprinkle of Parmesan. Cover with three more noodles, 1/3 roasted vegetable sauce, 1/3 of the mozzarella, and another sprinkle of Parmesan. Cover with last 3 noodles, the remaining sauce and Parmesan and the mozzarella. Pour the béchamel on top evenly. Bake at 400 F for 30 to 45 minutes, until the noodles are cooked and tender and the top is nicely browned. Remove from oven and let rest for 15 minutes before serving.







Baking in The English Kitchen today, a delicious Sticky Orange Marmalade Cake!!

A Friday Natter . . .

You cannot master the art of happy and successful living . . . until you have mastered the technique of timing . . . knowing when to do a certain thing, or when not to do it . . . and knowing the psychological moment when all is finished!



There is always the right time to say the right words, and there are times when nothing you say will be right. Wisdom is knowing the difference! Eccliastes, a religious philospopher who penned these words over six hundred years before the birth of the Saviour certainly understood the importance of perfect timing . . .



"There is a season and a time to every purpose under the heavens." he said . . . "A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silent and . . . a time to speak!"







We had a perfectly lovely time last evening. We had our good friends Audrey and Peter over for supper, along with another couple who are friends of theirs. It was Peter's birthday. He was turning 70. Peter is an amazing man. He has had a quadruple by pass (some 5 years or more ago now) and he has never let it keep him down. He is like the ever ready bunny. He just keeps going and going. Audrey had a stroke about 2 years ago now, and has very limited mobility on her left side, but she is like Peter. She just keeps going despite it all. They are wonderful examples to Todd and myself. Peter was Todd's best man when we got married, and I worked with Audrey for a number of years in the Primary as one of her counselors. She is a real sweetheart, mild mannered and soft spoken and at the same time, willing to stand for the right. They are an amazing couple. Anyways, I think we did Peter's Birthday up in style! We didn't get into bed until gone 11, which is really late for us!







I just have to show you this sweet picture of my Granddaughter, Maryn, especially since I showed you all the grandsons the other day! She is so precious and looks just like her mum. The dress she is wearing is one we sent over to her and it was so nice to see her in it, and see that she is just as pretty in it as I thought she would be!







At only six months, she is quite the poser already. I surely with that I could hold her in my arms, and smell that soft sweet little head, although in truth she would probably make quite strange with me . . . a Grandmother can dream though . . .



I am skipping my one step class today. We have to go to the Chapel and clean the windows. We didn't get them done last week at all, and I felt bad about that. This is our month for doing them and I want to do my best. We don't have chapel cleaners any more so each family has to take their turn throughout the year doing different jobs.



Ohh, and my laptop has died! It won't turn on for me at all. I had an episode like that with it one day last week, but then it did come on, but yesterday it would not come on at all and so now we will have to take it in for repair. It figures . . . the warantee is just up on it as I have had it just a year! I think they build that type of thing into them on purpose so it will happen just as the warantee expires! Most annoying. I hope it is not too costly to have it fixed.



Anyways, I have nattered on long enough so I will end this now with a cheery wish for you all to have a great Friday! Don't forget . . .



"We are on a journey and we are not here to stay.

That is why we have to make the most of every day.

We plot and scheme and plan and dream

and build our castles high . . .

But often we forget that we are only passing by."



Have a great day everyone, and don't forget to make every moment count, as it will never come again.



I made us a lovely vegetarian curry for our lunch yesterday. It comes from off those recipe cards you can pick up in the grocery store and I’d been eyeballing it for about a week now and wanting to make it. The picture looked delicious and let me just say, I was not disappointed! Of course I made a few changes and so it’s not exactly like the one on the card. I like to think it’s better!







*Cauliflower and Cashew Nut Pilau Rice*

Serves 4

Printable Recipe



This delicious rice dish combines several of my favourite flavours. Sweet and tender cauliflower, wonderfully crunchy cashew nuts, aromatic spices and basmati rice all work beautifully together to create a very tasty pilau! You can add a can of chickpeas or a peeled, cubed and deseeded butternut squash instead of the cauliflower if you wish.



1 TBS vegetable oil

1 red onion, peeled and finely chopped

400g basmati rice (2 cups)

1 TBS Korma curry paste

750ml of boiling water (3 cups)

1 TBS vegetable stock powder

1 cauliflower, cut into small florets

50g roasted cashew nuts ((1/2 cup)

A small handful of fresh coriander leaves, roughly chopped (cilantro)

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

4 TBS natural yoghurt, to serve (I like Greek no fat)



Heat the oil in a large saucepan and cook the onion for several minutes over medium heat, until softened. Add the rice and curry paste, cooking and stirring until all the grains of rice are coated.



Tip in the boiling water, the stock powder and the cauliflower florets. Bring back to the boil, then cover the pan and reduce the heat. Allow to simmer gently for 13 to 15 minutes, until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.



Stir in the cashew nuts and coriander leaves. Season to taste. Divide between four heated places and serve with a dollop of yoghurt!







I'm cooking up Irish Pancakes over in The English Kitchen today!