Five Things

“When the voices of children are heard on the green
And laughing is heard on the hill,
My heart is at rest within my breast
And everything else is still.” ~William Blake, “Nurse’s Song.”


I sure wish that when my children were growing up, I’d had the knowledge then, that I have now. There’s so many things I could have taught them, things that might now save them a lot of grief in their own lives. But maybe life isn't supposed to go that way. Maybe we aren’t meant to know everything when we are starting out (even though we may think we already do know everything, just ask any parent of a teen) Maybe the falling down and picking ourselves up is a part of the journey, and an important one at that. Lessons learned the hard way are often lessons never forgotten.



I found this meme about five things you want your children to know before they grow up. Mine are already grown, so it is a bit late for me, but I can still list five things I want my children to know now, and here I go:

1. Life is too short to spend it being unhappy. If you don’t like your job, find one you do like, even if it means re-training. If you are carrying the burdens of the past, and they are spoiling your todays, get help. If you are unhappy in your marriage, get help now . . . Before it’s too late.

2. God loves you. You are important to him. He cares about everything you do, everything you feel and who you are. You matter to Him and He is there for you, any time, any day, any place. You don’t even have to ask, but it’s nice if you do.

3. There is nothing you can do or say that would make me stop loving you. I loved you before you were born. From the instant I knew you were there, my heart became so entwined in yours that they became inseparable and will always be so, no matter how distant or how much time passes. You may disappoint me from time to time, as I may disappoint you, but my love for you is constant. It never changes, same yesterday, today and tomorrow, forever will be.

4. Don’t worry about things you can’t change. Make amends and move on. Don’t let the clouds of yesterday steal your sunshine today. You are only given one life here on this earth. Don’t waste it worrying about things that have already passed you by or even worrying about things that might never be. Just do the best you can for now and leave it at that.

5. Never bear a grudge. Doing so never harms the person you are bearing it against but really hurts you. It can colour your life in ways unimaginable and steal your joy. It can get in the way of progress, your progress. It can stop you from becoming the person you were meant to be. Nine times out of ten the person you are bearing resentment against or holding a grudge against doesn’t even know that you are, and if they did, probably couldn’t care less. Don’t let your bad feelings about others get in the way of enjoying your own life.

6. (because it’s my meme and I can do what I like, so there!!) Never lose sight of your dreams. If you want something bad enough, it can be yours, even if it takes a whole lifetime to realize it. Never give up, or stop trying.



Hasn’t it turned into autumn overnight!!! I was noticing when I walked up to the big house yesterday morning that the leaves are already starting to change and fall. It’s amazing. I love the autumn. It’s really my favourite time of year. You get the nice sunny days, without all that blasted humid heat of the summer and you get cooler and more comfortable nights. That’s when our urges to eat comfort food start to kick in and we want to break away from the lightness of what we eat in the warmer months and move on to the stodgy warmth of what we eat in the cooler months. Autumn food is what comes in between . . .



*Sausage and Butternut Mash on a Tray*

Serves 4

Who doesn’t love sausage and mash! This is a delicious version that will have them all coming back for more. I am guessing it will become a fast family favourite. Roasting the squash along with the sausages helps to bring out a depth of hidden flavours in both ingredients. Best part of all it’s cooked on one tray so there’s less washing up!

1 large family pack of pork sausages (use a well flavoured one like Cumberland or something similar. In North America I think a Maple sausage would work very well)
1 large butternut squash
2 TBS olive oil
4 fat cloves of garlic, peeled and mashed a bit
Several sprigs of fresh rosemary and thyme
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Pre-heat the oven to 205*C/400*F. Spread the sausages out on a large oven tray with at least 1 inch sides. Set aside.

Using a sharp knife cut the squash in half. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and discard. (of if you are like me rinse them off, allow them to dry and then put them in an envelope to plant out next spring for a fresh crop of lovely butternut squashes all your own. They grow like weeds) Peel with a sharp vegetable peeler and then cut into 1 inch chunks. Place the squash onto the baking tray along with the sausages. Add the prepared garlic cloves and toss it all together with the olive oil. Pat everything out so that it is in a single layer. Scatter the rosemary and thyme springs over top. Cover tightly with foil.

Bake in the heated oven for about twenty five minutes. Remove the foil and increase the oven temperature to 250*C/approx 450*F. Give everything a good stir and then bang it back into the oven to cook for a further 10 minutes, until the squash is tender and beginning to colour.

Remove the cooked squash, garlic and any pan juices with a slotted spoon to a bowl, discarding the stems to the herbs. Return the sausages to the oven for a further five minutes or so, until they are nicely browned the way you like them. In the meantime, mash the squash with a potato masher until smooth. Season to taste and set aside, keeping it warm.

When the sausages are browned enough to your taste remove them from the oven. Serve them hot with the mash and lashings of oven gravy if you are so inclined. We like to have a steamed green vegetable with this. The purple sprouting broccoli is coming back into season right about now and would go perfectly.

I Am Thankful For

. . . the mess to clean after a party, because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

. . . the taxes I pay, because it means I am employed.

. . . the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.

. . . the lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing, because it means that I have a home.

. . . my shadow who watched me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine.

. . . the parking spot that I find at the far end of the road, because it means that I am capable of walking.

. . . all the complaining I hear about our government, because it means we are able to enjoy freedom of speech.

. . . my heating bill, because it means that I am warm.

. . . the lady in church who sits behind me and sings off key, because it means that I am alive.

. . . the piles of laundry and ironing, because it means my loved ones are nearby.

. . . weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means that I have been productive.

. . . your friendship and all the lovely comments you leave for me each and every day.

~author unknown, last bit added by myself



Late in the afternoon on this Sunday just gone past, Todd and I were lucky enough to receive a visit from our Home Teachers. For those of you who don't know, the home teaching program is a program instituted by our church whereby every family in the church has been assigned what are called Home Teachers. Two priesthood members who make it their duty to visit all the families on their assigned list each month at least once and who bring them a message of hope and spirituality and who see if the families need any help in any way, be it financial, spiritual or just a couple of extra pairs of hands to help with anything that might need doing around the house. A family can be a traditional family, with two parents and children, or a single parent family with just one parent and some children, or it can be a man and wife, or even a single person, male or female. Every situation is covered and taken care of, and as a person who was once single and is now married, I know how much and can attest to how much this program has blessed my life.

Anyways, these two men came to our home on Sunday afternoon. I know that it is a sacrifice for them to do so, and I was touched by their visit. One of them, works 15 and 16 hours a day, 6 days a week, to support his family. When he is not at work, he is watching his children so that his wife can go out to work and earn some money to support the family as well. It meant a lot to me, that he would take a few hours out of his one day off a week, to come and visit us. This time, he had his little boy with him, and as I watched these two righteous priesthood holders sit at our table and share a message of love and hope with us, I thought about that little boy sitting there and watching his father exercise his priesthood in a righteous and meaningful way, and about how very wonderful that was. I never saw my father pray. For that matter, I never saw my mother pray. I know that they do, but I have never seen or heard them. How wonderful that would have been when I was a child to have seen my parent's spirituality in action. What a powerful example that would have been . . . how very beautiful to witness.



There is an epidemic of knife crime in our country right now. Young men and women carrying knives for whatever reason, and there scarce a day goes by when there is not another story in the newspaper about some youth having been stabbed and killed. A lot of it occurs in large urban areas, and is gang related. When you read the stories, and you read about the families of a lot of these young people, they often mention their mother's and their sisters or brothers, maybe friends . . . but you rarely, if ever, hear a mention of a father . . .

In studies that have been done in the US, it has been noted that much of the strength of gangs comes from their ability to provide their individual members with the love and acceptance that used to be provided by families, but is sadly lacking today in a lot of homes. Quite tragically a lot of youth are being brought up by young single mothers on their own, in homes where their fathers are largely absent and missing, or have never been around at all. What a difference that would have made to their lives if they could have seen the positive example of a praying and righteous father in their home, or a father that was not afraid to show other's that he cared and was brave enough to show his sons and daughters that he was a man of God.

I looked at this little boy on Sunday afternoon watching his father and his friend, and I thought about how lucky he was to have their examples to follow . . . and I was very grateful that I was able to see it as well. It really did my heart good.



The hedgerows that surround our cottage are filled to over brimming right now with lovely blackberries . . . sweet and plump and ripe for the picking. I made this lovely dessert for Todd at the weekend on the one sunny day that we had. He really enjoyed it!





*Blackberry and Clotted Cream Shortcakes*
Makes 8

Imagine a crumbly, buttery shortcake biscuit stogged full of lovely rich clotted cream and sweet blackberries . . . this is a little bit of heaven on a sunny autumn day.

300g self rising flour
1 tsp baking powder
a pinch of salt
140g cold butter, cut into bits
100g sugar
75ml buttermilk
1 large egg, beaten

For the filling:
500g fresh blackberries
3 TBS sugar
275 pot of clotted cream
Icing Sugar for dusting over the tops

Pre-heat the oven to 190*C/375*F. Line a baking sheet with some parchment paper, or lightly grease it and dust with flour. Set aside.

Measure the flour into a bowl along with the baking powder and a pinch of salt. Whisk it all together and then tip in the cold butter. Working with the tips of your fingers, quickly rub the butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. Stir in the sugar.

Beat the egg and buttermilk together. Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture and tip in the wet. Gently work it all together with a fork until it forms a soft, sticky dough.

Tip it out onto a floured surface and knead the mixture a couple of times. (it will be quite sticky) Pat out, about an inch thick and then using a sharp cutter (3 inch round) dipped in flour cut out 8 rounds and place each one on the prepared baking sheet at least 2 inches apart. (Alternately you can just shape the dough into one large round about 8 inches in diameter and place it onto the prepared baking sheet.)

Place into the heated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes until nicely risen and golden brown and a skewer comes out clean when inserted in the middle. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack until needed.

To make the filling, lightly mash the blackberries together with the sugar. Split the shortcakes in two through the middle. Place the bottom halves onto dessert plates and spread with some clotted cream. Spoon some of the mashed berries over each and then top with the tops of the shortcakes. Dust with icing sugar and serve. (if you are using one large cake, do the same except with the whole cake on a larger serving plate. Cut into slices to serve.)

An Ode to Peanut Butter . . .

I love peanut butter
it's very plain to see
that I love peanut butter
and peanut butter
sure loves me

I eat it by the spoonful
I eat it by the pan
I eat it in my bedroom
I eat it in my van

I like it in a sandwich
I like it in a pie
but better than a pie or cake
I like it in a . . .

COOKIE!

(rats! I couldn't think of anything that rhymed with pie that had anything to do with cookies, tee hee! Yes, this is my corny attempt to write a poem about peanut butter!)



Well, after my rather feeble attempt to write a poem about Peanut butter and cookies . . . and knowing that this is Tuesday . . . the one day a week that I always play about with a bazillion other Dorie Greenspan baking fans . . . one could be right in assuming that the challenge this week had something to do with peanut butter and cookies!

Yes, this week's recipe was Chunky Peanut Butter and Oatmeal Chocolate Chipsters on page 73, as chosen by Stefany of Proceed with Caution .



I was really excited when I saw the recipe we would be baking for this week, because . . . well, I A-D-O-R-E peanut butter in any way shape or form and, well . . . I also happen to A-D-O-R-E cookies! The two together for me are a marriage made in heaven. Thanks so much Stefany for choosing this lovely recipe!



This was a pretty straightforward cookie recipe as far as cookie recipes go. A drop cookie it made very good use of basic and tasty ingredients. I love peanut butter (as you KNOW!) and when you mix it with the tasty nuttiness of rolled oats and butter and some spice and then stir in some chocolate, well . . . let me tell you, this is a flavour combination that can't be beaten!



Wait . . . yes, I think it can.!! How about if we stirred chopped up peanut butter cups and chocolate covered raisins into the batter instead of chocolate chips??? WOWSER WOWSER WOWSER!!!

I am a person that happens to love raisins as well as peanut butter. I also love chocolate covered raisins too, and when I read in Dorie's recipe that you could also put raisins in these lovely cookies I thought to myself, why not chocolate covered raisins!! So that's what I did and I was bowled over with the results.



My cookies smelled so good when they were baking. I could hardly wait until they came out of the oven and were cooling on my cooling racks. Crisp and buttery they were probably some of the best cookies I have ever eaten (or smelled for that matter!). Just when you think Dorie can't top herself . . . she goes and does it again. I have to say that the money I have invested in this baking book is the best money I have ever spent on any cookery book and that is not only down to the Tuesday's With Dorie group of bakers, but also down to Dorie herself and these fabulous baking recipes! If you don't have the book already, Baking, from my home to yours, I suggest you go out and get it right away. It's probably the best investment you will ever make for you and your family, and will provide you all with hours and hours of baking and eating enjoyment.

If you would like to see some of the other delicious creations this week, take a gander over at the Tuesdays With Dorie Blog Roll, and if you want the recipe then pop on over to Stefany's page. In the meantime you can look at what I did next . . .



Yes . . . that would be an ice cream sandwich made by sandwiching two of these lovely, peanut buttery chocolate raisin studded delights together with some of my homemade raspberry ripple ice cream . . . can you say . . . TO -DIE - FOR???



Next week's recipe will be Chocolate Whopper Malted Drops on page 85, as chosen by Rachel of Confessions of a Tangerine Tart . OH my goodness . . . I love whoppers!!! (Or Maltesers as we call them over here!) Just wrap me up and strap on some wings . . . I'll have died and gone to heaven before the end of the week!

Best Shot Monday

"It is always we who are to entertain the angels, and never they us. I cannot, however, think that an angel would be a very entertaining person, either as guest or host."
~ Samuel Butler

It could simply be a feather from a tiny bird caught up in the branches of a bush in my back garden . . . or . . . it could be something else. I like to think that we spend our days entertaining angels, unaware of the joy that we give them from time to time. I once heard one giggle . . . or maybe it was a sigh . . .



This is my entry in this weeks, Best Shot Monday. Now hop on over to Mother May I and see some of the other wonderful entries for this week!

The Simple Woman's Day Book . . .

For Today . . .

Outside my window . . .
The birds are singing but the earth is showing the tell tale signs of autumn. Everything is looking decidedly tired and I know it won't be long before the leaves begin to fall and the branches become bare. Autumn is one of my favourite times of year. I love the colours, the smells, the sounds . . .

I am thinking . . .
how blessed I am to be sitting here this morning with no real worries and a fine roof over my head. There are so very many people in this world that are not even half as blessed and indeed my mind turns to all those people in New Orleans and the southern US who are once again girding their loins to face another huge hurricane. My heart and prayers go out to them.

I am thankful for . . .
my church family. I go there every week and it is like coming home after having been away for a whole week. Their friendly faces and hugs and words . . . I truly am lucky to have this place to go where I can feel the spirit as strongly as we do and also the freedom to worship God in the way that I do. I know throughout the world there are still people that don't have this same freedom and we must never take it for granted.

From the kitchen . . .
once again I have been gifted with some lovely beetroot from a good and generous friend's garden. I just love beets, and indeed they are one of my favourite vegetables. I wonder shall I roast these? make a delicious soup? or just eat them boiled and doused in some butter, salt and pepper . . . so many lovely ways to enjoy them. I can't make up my mind!

I am wearing . . .
my pajamas. No surprise there! I am always in my pajamas at this time of the morning. Actually I would live in my pajamas if I could. They are my favourite article of clothing, although I don't think somehow they would appreciate it if I turned up at the grocery store in them . . . mind you in Michael Jackson can get away with it, why can't I?

I am reading . . .
I am still working on A New Dawn by Stephanie Meyer. It's a very thick book and I am a slow reader these days. All the latest issues of my food magazine subscriptions have come as well so I am busy devouring them when I get the chance, not to mention the latest issue of the Ensign.

I am hoping . . .
that we get some sunshine this week, instead of all the cloud and gloom we have been having. It has not been much of a summer, We did have a glorious sunny day on Saturday and we went down to Hastings to enjoy it by the seaside. So did every other person in our county, or so it seemed, and who could blame them!!! In this country you really do have to make hay while the sun shines!

I am creating . . .
some calender girls with my artwork. I want to do a calender for next year. I'm not sure how I am going to go about it yet as I haven't thought that far ahead, but I have all the sketches done and they are so sweet. I wish I didn't have to go to work this week and that I could just work on it and get it done!

I am hearing . . .
the earth awaken . . . the birds singing in the hedgerows and wonder of all wonders there is a magpie who comes and taps at our window as if to remind us to put out some goodies for him. He's far too big to manage the feeder. We always put out some crusts and stale bread and cookies or cake for the larger birds each day. Sometimes there is lots and other times there is a meagre offering. They are always grateful and I am reminded once more . . . I am so lucky, there is always plenty on my table. Blessed is the man who has so much that he is able to share with those around him.

Around the house . . .
ironing, sweeping, dusting . . . there is always tons of that to do!! If someone would please invent a self cleaning house and clothes that take care of themselves, I would be most appreciative! I don't know how I ever managed when I had five growing children and a huge home to care for? I guess there is a reason that we have those things when we are younger . . . when we get older the time seems to pass ever so much faster and it seems to take twice as long to get anything done, or is that only me???

One of my favourite things . . .
is hearing the wind chimes that hang on the eaves at the end of the house. Their little tinkle is so magical and heart warming. I don't know why . . . it just is and it makes my heart merry.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . .
Our Young Women's starts up again Thursday night after having had a break this past August. We are having a movie night which I am in charge of. We're going to watch the film Enchanted and everyone has been instructed to show up in their best "Fairytale Princess" gear! I think I will bake some fairy cakes and make some pink popcorn for the girls that night. I bet they'd really enjoy it. Then on Saturday we have two Baptisms at church and I am hosting a tiny Birthday Party here for my Todd! I can't wait! I just love celebrating his birthday and having friends over to help me do it. He's turning 70, which is quite a milestone, hence the party!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you . . .
Early Saturday morning I was out in the garden crawling around the grass taking pictures of the Dew. Isn't it magical??? All those little drops of promise, little bits of manna . By the way I found out what the word Manna means recently . . . "Something unexpected and delightful." This certainly is that!



Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to see some of the other Day Book entries for today!

I did my Make Me Bake challenge winner yesterday afternoon after church. My goodness but these are lovely little bites of buttery yumminess! I love friands. Just a tiny little cake, but so much flavour and goodness inside. Todd loves these. You can bake them in an ordinary muffin pan if you don't have a friand pan. Just use one with medium sized cups . . . I think I know what I am going to have for breakfast now . . . I know it's naughty, but it's not every day I have some of these around . . .



*Coconut and Pineapple Friands*
Makes 12

These lovely little cakes are so absolutely delicious. Just a few mouthfuls, but each one is so perfectly moist and just exploding with wonderful tropical flavours!!!

6 egg whites
(Use the yolks, along with a few other eggs to make a frittata for your lunch!)
185g of butter melted
1 cup ground almonds
1 1/2 cups sifted icing sugar
1/3 cup plain flour
3/4 cup finely chopped glace pineapple**
( I actually used a tropical fruit mix yesterday when I
made these, so there are also little bits of mango and papaya in mine)
1/2 cup shredded coconut

Pre-heat the oven to 200*C/400*F. Line a 12 hole (1/2 cup) oval friand pan with paper cases. Set aside.

Place the egg whites in a bowl and beat them lightly with a fork until a bit frothy and combined. Add the melted butter, almonds, icing sugar, flour, pineapple and 1/3 cup of the coconut. Stir to combine well. Divide the mixture amongst the pan holes. Sprinkle the reserved coconut evenly over top of each.

Bake for about 20 minutes until nicely browned and just set. Remove from the oven and let stand for five minutes in the pan before turning out and standing upright on a wire rack to finish cooling.

**You can vary the type of glace fruit used here. Try using some chopped glace peaches, cherries or even both. Delicious!




PS ~ Don't forget to vote in the new Make Me Bake Poll. This week it's savoury bakes!