February thoughts . . .

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"Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle ... a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dream."
- Barbara Winkler

There is something about the word . . . February . . . that stirs the heart with an irrepressible joy, however irrational that may be.

Arrows of rain may fall . . . sharp and cold from a wintery sky.

The doors of the North are not yet barred to the possibility of snow.

Source: countingyourblessings.blogspot.com via Marie on Pinterest

But . . . once the month of January slips off our calendar . . . nothing can ever be quite the same again. Little ghostly snowdrops flutter in the grass.

This year . . . the sharp spikes of daffodils can already be seen poking up through the ground, and the camelia bush by the front door is covered with pink tinged buds of blossom . . . just waiting to burst into a riot of colour. It seems that they do not know what month it is, and the mild air that was January has fooled them somewhat . . .

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There is a blue light which lingers on the edge of the lengthening days, and the voice of the February's thrush comes trickling down the wind . . . the promise of sweeter, warmer days to come.

Soon . . . it seems to say . . . soon . . . but not . . . just . . . yet.



With the threat of snow across most of the country yesterday, I was in a very wintery mood and so I painted this little girl with her offering of a cute little snowman. That's the most snow we get over here for the most part . . . just enough to make a little snowman, and only ever very rarely enough for a biggun! We still don't have any snow here in Chester, but we did have a spot of freezing rain yesterday.

I'm all ready for my lesson that I have to teach this morning. I was a bit worried that I wouldn't sleep last night because of nerves, but I did manage to sleep, even if I did have quite a few crazy dreams. That will teach me to watch crazy stuff on the telly before I go to bed!

My left knee is still very sore after the shot I had in it on Friday, but I am hopeful that will soon pass and it will be a bit better. My right hip is popping now . . . I have never had any injections in my hips yet. Not sure that I want to. Todd has decided he is going to come with me to Canada to go to my Daughter's wedding in July as we are not sure I could manage everything by myself. I am relieved to say the least. We can't really afford it, but we'll just have to do what we can. I cannot miss the wedding, and I cannot go alone.

Having said all that I must dash off as I just remembered a few little things I need to do before we go to church. I will leave you with a tasty recipe from my Marie's Muses archives . . . some delicious Vanilla Glazed Apple Bars! Moist and scrummilicious!



*Vanilla Glazed Apple Bars*
Makes 32
Printable Recipe

Moist and delicious apple bars topped with a sweet vanilla glaze.

2 medium cooking apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped (about 1 3/4 cups)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large free range egg, beaten
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp soda
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
14 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped nuts

For the Vanilla Glaze:
1 1/2 cups of icing sugar, sifted
3 TBS butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 to 2 TBS milk

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Butter a 13 by 9 by 2 inch baking pan. Set aside.

Stir together the apples and sugar in a bowl. Let stand for 10 minutes. Stir in the egg and vanilla. Stir in the remaining ingredients until smooth. Fold in the raisins and nuts.. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake for 20 10 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Spread with the vanilla glaze while warm. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 4 rows.

To make the glaze, mix all the ingredients together until smooth and spreadable.



Over in The English Kitchen today, Valentine Berry Cutie Pies!

Poetry Saturday . . . My Cupboards

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My cupboards white are very fine,
I love them one and all.
Dressed up in coats of gleaming white,
They grace my kitchen wall.

Source: desiretoinspire.net via Kim on Pinterest

If only all my cupboards had
Been built down near the floor,
Instead of far beyond my reach,
I could have loved them more.

Source: countryliving.com via Kim on Pinterest

My cupboards all are good to see,
They are my kitchen pride;
Although they're much too high for me
I'm glad they're side by side.

Source: google.com via Kim on Pinterest

My cupboard shelves are broad and deep,
And long and high and tall;
Oh! How I wish that they were not
So high upon my wall.

Source: pinterest.com via Kim on Pinterest

One holds my precious dinner set,
One holds my pots and pans;
Another holds my mop and broom,
While others hold my cans.

Source: theinspiredroom.net via Kim on Pinterest

One hides my tarnished silverware,
One harbours all my food;
While at the top another hides
The things that are no good.

Source: tumblr.com via Mindy on Pinterest

My cupboards all are very fine,
Their beauty I adore;
But how I love the only one
That stands upon the floor.
~Ethel Adelaide Allen

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Don't you just love all the pictures of these country kitchens that I have showcased here this morning? I sure do . . . oh . . . what one could do had they the money, time and resources! Some people are so very blessed!

I tried to find out what I could about the author of this poem here this morning, but came up really with naught, except that perhaps she was Canadian and wrote one book entitled, Hymns and Miscellaneous Musings.

As you know I am a big fan of Coronation Street. I've been watching it for yonks and yonks. I've grown up with it really. The big story line recently has been Carla Connor's rape by Frank and her affair with Peter Barlow. It all came to a head on Thursday evening and the affair came out. Of course Peter's wife Leanne was devastated and the show ended that evening with her getting in a cab and driving away . . . Peter's son, the cheeky little son Simon running after the car, crying and shouting to her . . . Mom, don't go or some such. Oh my . . . the look on his wee little face just broke my heart, and the tears came, and I found myself thinking back to the night before I left my marital home and was tucking in our Bruce for the very last time. He was 11 and I remember his little arms around my neck and him crying and begging me not to leave the next morning . . . oh how my heart broke into a million little pieces . . . I had no choice, or I thought I didn't at any rate. Even now . . . it remains as the single most heartbreaking moment in my life.

I found myself yesterday thinking . . . if you could go back to one moment in time, knowing what you know now, would your hugs last that little bit longer . . . mine would.



*Molasses Crinkles*
Makes about 4 dozen
Printable Recipe

Thick, chewy crackle topped cookies. A family favourite for many years.

3/4 cup shortening
1 cup soft light brown sugar, packed
1 large free range egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 1/4 cups plain flour
2 tsp soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
a small bowl of white sugar for dipping

Cream together the shortening, sugar, egg and molasses, blending well together. Sif the flour together with the soda, salt, cloves, ginger and cinnamon. Stir this into the shortening mixture. Cover and chill for about 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 190*C/375*F/ gas mark 5. Butter several cookie sheets. Set aside.

Remove from the refrigerator. Scoop out bits and roll into balls about the size of large walnuts. Dip the top of each ball in the bowl of white sugar to coat and place 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets, sugar sides up. Sprinkle each cookie with 2 or 3 drops of water. (This produced a crackled surface.)

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until just set, but not hard.

Remove to a wire rack to cool. Store in an airtight container.



Over in The English Kitchen today, Spice is Nice Plum Cake.

For today . . .

Source: holidaycottages-england.com via Julie on Pinterest

Who could guess the century?
It might be any year.
Time, it seems, in passing by
has left no footprint here.
The village with it's narrow street,
The church, the mill, the pond.
The ploughman on the furrowed slope,
The Sussex Downs beyond.
~Patience Strong

One thing that I absolutely love about England are it's quaint little villages and towns. You don't have to go very far to find one . . . a short drive of any one of the larger urban centres will find you smack dab in the middle of one small place or the other . . . each one beautiful in their own right, with a certain charm that can't be found any place else on earth . . . well, that's my opinion anyways!

Source: picturesofengland.com via Julie on Pinterest

I was in bed last night at 8:30 pm and I slept right through until gone 7:00 am this morning. Most unsual for me. I just could not keep my eyes open last night . . . I was so very tired. That happens sometimes I guess. I've been a bit blue lately, which is also not like me. I think that the pain issues and a few family issues have been wearing on me, neither one of which I can do all that much about . . . so they are just things I have to learn to live with I suppose.

I feel a certain pressure sometimes of wanting to be all things to all people. I know that physically it's just not possible . . . but that doesn't stop me from trying. I have all these grandiose ideas in my head, much of which are realistically not possible and difficult to execute . . . but still I dream. Is anyone else like that??

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For instance, we are having a special activity at our church this month for the ladies and I have it all pictured in my head with beautiful Valentine Decorations and a wide assortment of pretty Valentine type of goodies to eat. It looks really lovely in my head. There are Valentine swags and mobiles . . . cake pops and crispy hearts all decorated with beautiful sprinkles and candy bobbles . . . the reality will be something a lot different of course . . . because I just won't have the time to do all the swag and decor . . . and cake pops??? They probably won't happen either, although I could probably manage the crispy hearts.

And then . . . when I don't manage to pull off what nobody realistically could . . . I feel like I have let people down, or that I have let myself down. Is that the mark of an over-achiever???

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Then there is blogging . . . most people have one if any at all . . . but I have to have more than that . . . coz one just isn't enough is it? At last count there were twelve that I had started, although in reality there are only three that I post on with any regularity . . . and I love it, I really do. It's an integral part of my day, and I would never want to give it up. I love sharing my thoughts, and my creations, and my cooking with all of you. It is one of the things that brings me the greatest joy in my life . . . but I can't leave it at simple can I . . . I have to go the extra mile. It just can't be a simple thought, or a simple recipe can it . . . I have to try to do something that will knock your socks off. Over-achiever again. I go to several blogs which only have three sentences on them each day . . . three things that blessed their lives . . . and I love them! Why do I think I have to do so much more???

And I do that with everything in my life. And sometimes I just get tired. Sometimes I just need to kick my own arse and tell myself . . . look, you just can't be ALL things to ALL people. You just can't do everything you want to do. You just can't be everything you want to be . . . and that's ok. It's ok to have beans on toast for supper three days in a row because you just don't feel like cooking anything else. It's ok that you are not super mom, or super wife, or super church member, or super blogger. It's ok that your artwork will never rival the accomplishments of Rembrandt or that you will never see your work as cards lining the local card shop. Perhaps that is just not to be . . . that it's ok to be mediocre in some things, spectacular in few things and downright horrible in some. The only thing that really counts is that you enjoy the journey . . . and I do.

It's ok to sometimes be happy and it's ok to sometimes be angry and it's ok to sometimes be sad.

Coz . . . that's just life.

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So . . . from now on you may see a few words from me here each day . . . and somedays maybe even more than a few. Some days it may just be something I made, or something I cooked. Other days . . . it may be nothing at all . . . I'll be taking a nap or two or three . . . and that's ok, coz that's just the way we're gonna roll. But it doesn't mean that I don't love you.

And That's OK.

*Chicken Tetrazzini*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

A simplified version of an old family favourite.

1 slice bacon, finely chopped

1/4 cup minced onion
1/4 cup minced green pepper
1 cup of shredded medium cheddar cheese
1 TBS cut up pimento
a small handful of toasted flaked almonds
1 cup cooked peas
1 cup cut up cooked chicken
4 ounces hot cooked macaroni
hot chicken broth to moisten

To serve: (all are optional)
chopped fresh parsley
sliced tomatoes
ripe olives
hot buttered toast

Cook the bacon in a skillet until brown and crisp. Stir in the onion and green pepper. Brown lightly. Add the remaining ingredients, with the exception of the macaroni. Stir together well. Mix in the cooked macaroni. Mix together lightly and heat through using some chicken broth to moisten. Serve hot, garnish with tomato slices, chopped fresh parsley, ripe olives and some hot buttered toast.



Over in The English Kitchen today, some delicious Sticky Toffee Pudding Bars.

Thursday thoughts . . .

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Faith . . . is it a holy thing which we keep just for special days??? Is it only something we think about when we need our hearts and hope raised up??? Is it something to be added to the joy, strife and pain which is the common stuff of life???

Perhaps it is the secret yeast . . . the yeast that makes the bread of our lives raise . . . the power of God at work in us, that which glorifies homely tasks and daily duties . . . which helps our daily lives to glow and become more what they are meant to be.

This leaven called faith . . . this secret yeast . . . without it we are only lumps of dough, without flavour or substance. We need to tip it out onto our breadboards daily, working it into everything we think, do or say . . .

Where would I be without mine??? I daren't hazard a guess . . . I only know that I need mine daily. It's the stuff that keeps me going.

Source: flickr.com via Marie on Pinterest

Sometimes I lay in bed at night alone with my thoughts going round and round about my head . . . family, health, the economy . . . but mostly just family, and my heart just aches. It is the time of day that I cannot bury my thoughts beneath the quilt of busy-ness, or tuck them into hidden corners. Tears often fall . . . I know I have my Todd by my side, and I am ever grateful for his presence in my life . . . but he is a man. How can he ever begin to understand that part of my heart that is reserved for being a mother and the keen loss that it feels every single day of my life. I daren't talk to him about it . . . he only gets annoyed. He does not understand . . .

This is where my faith comes in . . . I must trust in all the promises of the Lord, and lay my heart at His feet. I know that He shares my burdens . . . always, that He loves . . . always . . . He does not judge me and find me wanting, as the frailties of the human heart might do. His forgiveness is complete and through Him, though my sins be they as scarlet . . . are washed as white as snow . . . let this be enough, it must be enough. As many times as I may beat myself with the guilty stick, I need to remind myself to . . . just . . . let . . . go . . . and yet, my heart still aches. I do not know how to make it stop.

Thank you for indulging me this morning . . .



My latest piece . . .

“Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount—that is the measure of God’s love for you. God does not look on the outward appearance. I believe that He doesn’t care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God love encompasses us completely. He loves us because He is filled with an infinite measure of holy, pure, and indescribable love. We are important to God not because of our résumé but because we are His children. He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken. God’s love is so great that He loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant, and the wicked. What this means is that, regardless of our current state, there is hope for us. No matter our distress, no matter our sorrow, no matter our mistakes, our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father desires that we draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us.”
― Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Inspiration for my heart . . . these words they comfort me.

and in the kitchen . . .



*Bread Bowl Meatball Sandwiches*
Serves 6Printable Recipe

Crispy bread roll bowls with a delicious meatball filling! What's not to like?

6 large crusty bread rolls
18 frozen cooked Italian meatballs, thawed
3 cups frozen bell pepper and onion stir fry strips
3 cups Italian Tomato pasta sauce
6 TBS shredded fresh Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 TBS chopped fresh basil or parsley

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Place your bread rolls on a baking sheet.

Combine the meatballs, pepper and onion mixture, and pasta sauce in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat until heated through, about 15 to 18 minutes. Stir occasionally. Stir in Parmesan cheese. blending in thoroughly.

Place the bread rolls in the oven to heat and crisp up, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven. Using a sharp knife cut a small portion off of the top of each roll. Using the bowl of a spoon, lightly press the centre of each roll down inside to form bread bowls. Place each bowl on an individual serving plate. Spoon the meatball mixture into each, dividing it equally. Sprinkle the tops with mozzarella cheese and some basil. Place the top of each bread roll on the plates as a garnish. Serve immediately!

These go well with a side of fresh coleslaw and pickle slices!



Over in The English Kitchen today, something healthy . . . a delicious Buffalo Chicken Salad, with a scrummy low fat Blue Cheese Dressing!

Wednesday Thoughts . . .

Source: imgfave.com via Marie on Pinterest

I cannot pretend to know a lot about American Politics. Having grown up in Canada and having experienced the Parliamentary System my whole life, it is somewhat of a mystery to me. What I have observed though is that it takes an awful long time to elect someone as President of the US of A. It seems to go on for several years before they actually are elected and it seems that almost as soon as one is elected, talk begins about the next one.

I do know as well, that although he is not a man I would have voted for, I was pleased a few years back when it became a reality that a black man became President of America. That showed the world that America had come a long way since it's earlier history. I didn't and don't agree with Obama on many levels, but that has nothing to do with the colour of his skin. I happen to have thought for a long time that Colin Powell would have made a great President. The colour of a man's skin should be irrelevant. Surely it should be "the best man for the job." End of.

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I am watching with great interested this latest Presidential race, not the least because there is a Mormon man running for the head of the Republican Party, a man called Mitt Romney. Of course I am interested on a variety of levels, religion being only one of them. I am a Mormon, and of course this is a big thing to me.

What astounds me however is the number of people who are against this man, quite simply because he is a Mormon. Surely this shouldn't be an issue??? Surely it should not matter any more than it did that President Obama was black and had potential Islamic leanings??? (I know that this was proven not to be true, or at least I think it was.) Why should a man's religious background come in to it at all??? Why should it matter that he is a Mormon, any more than it should matter that he is Evangelical, Catholic, Muslim, Jewish, or an Agnostic or Athiest???? I would think that the most important things would be that he is honest, law abiding, upstanding, decent, a man of great integrity and character and that his policies and goals be what will be in the best interests for America and Americans???

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I know I am a Brit/Canuck, and I don't really get a say in any of this, but the election of the leader of one of the most powerful nations in the world is a matter of interest around the world and to all peoples . . . I am willing to concede even that I am a bit biased because he is a Mormon . . . but I will also say that in having looked at all the Candidates, surely it is evident that America could do a lot worse than to elect a law abiding, man of character, decency and integrity, with nothing but the best interests of America and it's people in his heart and motives. A man who has maintained honesty and truth in all of his dealings, with no hint of scandal attached. A man loyal to his wife and his family and his country. A man who wants nothing but the best for his country because he understands that in working hard and providing the best for his country, he does so for his family and all the other law abiding, decent, honest and hard working people of America.

I think it's really sad that a Nation can pat itself on the back for having evolved enough to be able to elect a black man as President and then turn around and be against another man simply because of his religious affiliation.

Just sayin' is all . . .

Source: weheartit.com via Marie on Pinterest

Here is a delicious family comfort meal that my children always loved me to make when I was growing up. I loved it too, mostly because it only involved getting one pan dirty. I didn't have to cook the macaroni first, or fry the meat in another pan or anything. It all happened right there in the one skillet. A bit of cheese melted on top is a wonderful addition.



*Chili-Roni*
Serves 6 to 8
Printable Recipe

This is a real family favourite. I haven't made it in years, but when I did make it my children were always very pleased!

1 pound extra lean ground beef
2 medium onions, peeled and chopped
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp paprika
1 can (28 ounces) whole tomatoes, undrained
1 can (15 1/2 ounces) kidney beans, undrained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce

Cook and stir the ground beef, onions and green pepper in a 12 inch skillet until the beef is brown and the onions are tender. Drain if necessary. Stir in the remaining ingredients, breaking up the tomatoes. Heat to the boil, then reduce heat to a simme Cover and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the macaroni is tender. Serve hot.

Note: You can omit the macaroni and just cook uncovered vur about 45 minutes or until desired consistency. Then you have chili. Serve with cooked rice.



Cooking over in The English Kitchen today, some delicious Maple & Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs!