Friday thoughts . . .

I recently read that the average size of a woman here in the UK is a size 14, which is roughly two sizes larger than ten years ago. The cheeky side me wants to say, "Great! Who wants to be below average?" and leave it at that . . . but then again, the more reasonable side of me asks myself what difference does the number on a tag make, so long as you are healthy and active? And then there is the realist in me . . . which ponders and wishes I could be a size 14, but knows that I most likely will never see that number again in my lifetime . . . When it comes to our bodies . . . making sense of all the messages we receive in our culture is not for the faint of heart or the thin skinned.

I once read a comment from a fashion designer who made the statement that the fashion industry is all about the clothes . . . that it was not about the people wearing the clothes, and that the best way to show the clothes off was to drape them over a "human hanger," rather than an actual person whose bumps and curves would ruin the lines of the design. Woe is me . . . to think I have been literally destroying every piece of clothing I have put on over the past 40 years!



When I was getting ready to go to my middle son's wedding over in Canada a few years back, I bought myself a really pretty outfit to wear. It was beautiful . . . all pink and flowery, with soft flowing layers . . . the skirt covered with pretty beads and pastel sequins, a real work of art. The tag on it read . . . "I am your special garment. I am unique and often hand-woven, hand-beaded, hand-printed and hand-painted. My defects are a part of my beauty!"

If only our bodies came with a similar tag!



"Beautiful young people are acts of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art."
~Eleanor Roosevelt

Clearly this work in progress of mine is a masterpiece! Today I will celebrate the Monet in me!

It looks to be a sun shiny day again today! I am loving all this beautiful weather. I just hope that this isn't all the summer we shall be getting this year! That happens all too often! The tadpoles are hatching in the pond. Todd was out there tickling them yesterday to see if any were moving and there were quite a few. It will be interesting to see how many actual frogs we get. I do love the sound of frogs on a warm evening . . . We may go and get some bull rushes to plant in the pond. I think they always look really nice.

Mitzie is just loving running around the garden. Most of the winter we kept the grassed area closed off because it was just to wet and we didn't want her getting all muddy. With these drier sunnier days we've let her have free rein out there and she is relishing it! So far she hasn't gone into the pond. I have my fingers crossed that she doesn't!

Here is a really delicious cupcake recipe that everyone will enjoy. Tangy lemon cupcakes filled with the tasty surprise of some raspberry jam. Oh, I do think jam makes just about anything taste better, don't you?




*Lemon Raspberry Surprise Cupcakes*
makes 24
Printable Recipe

Delicious tangy lemon cupcakes with the tasty surprise of a sweet raspberry jam centre!

2 cups self raising flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
scant cup of sugar
1/4 cup softened butter
1/4 cup ounces softened margarine
2 medium free range eggs
the finely grated zest of one lemon
2 TBS lemon juice
4 TBS milk

To fill:
2/3 cup of seedless raspberry jam

To frost:
4 cups icing sugar
1/2 cup of softened butter
1/4 cup of lemon juice

To decorate(optional):
finely grated lemon zest or
candy sprinkles

Preheat the oven to 180*C/350*F/ gas mark 4. Line two muffin tins with paper cups. Set aside.

Put all the cake ingredients into a bowl, with the exception of the milk. Beat together with an electric hand whisk for a couple of minutes, scraping down the bowl halfway through the mixing. Fold in the milk. Spooon half of the batter into the paper cups. Top each with a dollop of raspberry jam, then cover with the remaining batter.

Bake for 20 minutes, until risen and just firm to the touch.

Sift the icing sugar into a bowl. Add the butter and lemon juice. Beat together with an electric hand whisk until you get a creamy mixture suitable for spreading. Smooth on top of each cupcake. Sprinkle with additional lemon zest or sprinkles if desired.



And over in The English Kitchen today a delicious Chicken and Coconut Curry, just in time for the weekend!

The favourite word . . .

No surprise here . . . I am a great lover of words. I think I can thank my father for instilling this great love of words in me. When I was a child, if I wanted to know the meaning of anything at all, he would send me to the Dictionary to look it up. He never simply told me what it was. As a result I learned to love the dictionary, and could often be found simply reading it . . . I know . . . I was always a wierd child!

We also used to play word games like scrabble together as a family but our favourite word game was this one whose name escapes me at the moment. Each person decided on a word they were going to use and then picked out the letters, placing the letter cards face down in front of them in correct order. Then the rest of the players had to guess your word, letter by letter in turn, until one of them had guessed your word completely. Each letter card had a points value and the person who guessed them would get the points for that letter and the person who was able to guess the whole word would get the points for that as well as a bonus. It was great fun!

I can remember always trying to find a word that I thought might stump everyone else, but of course . . . I never succeeded! We used to get a bit frustrated with my dad however, as he would often pick electrical names and terms. (He was an aircraft electrician.) We wouldn't be able to guess his word very easily. (I wish I could remember the name of the game!)



In recent years the British Council conducted a poll in which they asked more than 40,000 English speaking people in 46 countries what their favourite word was. How intriguing!

There were lots of good words to be found in the top 20. Words like cherish, blossom and tranquility took top honours. but can you guess what took the top position??? This will blow your mind.

M-O-T-H-E-R

I know, what a surprise . . . but then again, one wonders why it should be so surprising. What other word could possibly mean so much to so many people of such a variety of different races, creeds or colours?? It is a word that goes right to the heart of us all. The one person on earth that we first learn to love and depend on. Our main nurturer and first teacher.



April 3rd is Mothering Sunday over here in the UK. (Thanks Sheilagh!) We have been teaching the children in our Primary Class at church a special song to sing to the Mother's in our Ward. I can remember learning special songs to sing in church on Mother's Day when I was a girl. I can remember being so filled with love for my mother as we sang them each year, and I still am as I think of those songs this morning. I think that "mother" is my favourite word too.

What is your favourite word?

We went into town yesterday and I managed to walk around quite a bit using the cane, although by the end my back was quite sore as was the hand that was gripping the cane. I will need to get used to that I guess! It was very nice to be out and about though! What a gorgeous day it was!

Here is a quick and easy light supper or luncheon dish which makes good use of leftover cooked chicken. We eat a lot of chicken in this house and often have leftovers so I am always on the hunt for ways to use it up! This is quite a delicious one I have to say!




*White Chicken Pizza*
Serves 8
Printable Recipe

A flavourful gourmet pizza which makes good use of leftovers and simple ingredients.

2 TBS soft butter
1 tsp finely chopped fresh garlic
1 cup of shredded cooked chicken
1 1/2 cups of shredded pepper jack or provolone cheese (6 ounces)
2 TBS coarsely chopped flat leaf parsley
1 (12 inch) pre-baked pizza crust
(Store bought or make your own. I have an excellent recipe here. )


Preheat oven to 230*C/ 450*F/ gas mark 8. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium low heat. Add the garlic and cook gently until the garlic is softened without browning. Stir frequently. This should take 5 to 6 minutes.

Place your prepared pizza crust onto large ungreased baking sheet. Spread the garlic butter mixture evenly over the crust and then sprinkle with 3/4 cup of the cheese. Evenly spread chicken and parsley over that and then finish off by topping that with the remaining cheese. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until cheese is melted and lightly browned. Let sit for a few minutes before cutting into wedges to serve. I like to serve a salad with this.



In The English Kitchen today a delicious Bun and Butter Pudding.

Do you know who you really are?

"Your hands have made me and fashioned me."
~Job 10:8

Do you know who you really are? For years, I struggled with the answer to this question. Oh . . . I knew that I was the daughter of my parents, and a wife to my husband . . . a mother to my children . . . but who was I really???

For years I had been told that I was incompetent . . . and stupid. That I was lazy, and incapable of doing things on my own. It didn't matter that I did just that for months at a time while my husband was away on training courses, or other Military duties . . . I had been made to feel that I was not very much at all. Even the very way I walked was mocked and made fun of.



Not smart. Not attractive. Not competent. No talents. A big nobody, who didn't have opinions, or thoughts, or needs . . . . or anything that mattered at all.

It was not until I joined my present church, that I began to realize just who I really was. I learned that I was the much loved and precious daughter of a Heavenly Father . . . reserved in the Heavens to come to the earth at this special time . . . the end of times.

A beloved and valiant spirit, with a multitude of talents and skills. Beautiful and strong. Intelligent and oh so very precious to my Heavenly family. What a wonderful awakening that was!!



It was not an awakening that occured overnight. I didn't all of a sudden wake up one morning and know this. It happened over a series of days . . . and weeks . . . and months . . . after hours of prayer and study. You can be told something, but it is not until you begin to feel it's truth in your heart, that it becomes real to you. It is not until you can look into the mirror and recognize what has really been there all along, that it makes a difference . . . and this is a beautiful knowledge that is truly life transforming.

The more you soak yourself in the truth of God's word . . . the more you come to realize just who you are and how very important you are to Him. How very much He loves and cares about you. This knowledge is empowering and uplifting and it can change your life for the better . . . because you are the spirit daughter of the King as well. Did you know that? A Princess from the heavens . . .

You are not your broken body, or your imperfect face. That is not where your worth lies. You are not where you live, or who you live with. You are that you which lives inside yourself . . . that beautiful spirit which was created in the Heavens just to come to this earth at this time. And you are so very special, and so very loved . . .



Just my thoughts on this beautiful spring morning . . . I hope you will watch the video.

Here's one of Todd's favourite dessert. His mother made beautiful apple pies apparently. I never got to taste them and I am afraid that I never quite get my apple pies like hers, but I do make quite a good North American version! He does enjoy it, even if it's not quite like hers!




*Caramel Apple Pie*
Serves 8
Printable Recipe

A delicious apple pie topped with sweet caramel and the crunch of toasted pecans.

Crust:
prepared pastry to fit a double crust 9 inch pie
1/4 cup of finely chopped toasted pecans

Filling:
3/4 cup of sugar
2 TBS flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1 TBS lemon juice
6 medium cooking apples peeled (6 cups)

Topping:
1/3 cup of caramel ice cream topping
1/4 cup of chopped toasted pecans

Preheat the oven to 225*C/425*F/ gas mark 7. Roll out half of your pastry on a lightly floured surface and use it to line a 9 inch glass pie dish. Sprinkle the finely chopped toasted pecans on the bottom of the crust.

Mix together the sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice and apples for the filling in a large bowl. ( I use my hands to gently toss them together.) Pour this mixture, with all the juices, into the crust lined pie dish.

Roll the remaining half of the pastry into a circle large enough to cover the top with a bit of overhang. (Again on a lightly floured surface) Place over top of the filling. Trim around and seal and flute the edges. Cut some vents into the top in order to allow steam to escape. Place onto a large baking tray.

Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown. If after 15 to 20 minutes you think the edges of the crust are getting too brown you may cover the with strips of foil to protect them.

Allow to cool for at least an hour before serving.

Serve warm cut into wedges. Drizzle some of the caramel topping on each piece and sprinkle with the remaining toasted pecans. (A scoop of vanilla ice cream also goes very well!)



There's an old standby over in The English Kitchen today, a delicious Ham and Mac Bake.

The Simple Woman's Day book

FOR TODAY, March 22nd, 2011...

Outside My Window...
It's clear and mild. The day promises to be very nice. Actually they have said the whole week will be clear and the weather stable. It was just wonderful yesterday. We hung the wash out to dry. I do so love the smell of clothes and bedding that has been hung outside on the line to dry. I love to smell Miztie as well when she comes in from outside. Fresh air . . . you can't beat it!!

I am thinking...
I was released from my calling as a Counselor in Primary on Sunday morning. I had originally been called for six months to help the new President get it all started off with a good foundation, and stabilized. I was there for 10 months, and was just beginning to love it, but then . . . that's how it usually goes. You begin to love your calling and then you are released to do something else. I'm not sure what that something else is yet, but I have a feeling it won't be long before I find out!

I am thankful for...
When we are children we have simple wants and needs. We think we can be anything at all that we want to be. Our parents are the best parents ever. Our dad's a superman and our mom a Queen. We live in the best house ever and have the best brother's and sisters. We have more fun playing with a cardboard box than with the toy that came inside . . . I am so grateful for a heart that still feels these things and that is able to take joy in simple pleasures. Being content therewith is the secret to a happy life.

From the kitchen...
There is that scrummy Olive, Herb and Cheese loaf leftover from yesterday and I think I'm going to toast myself a piece or two for breakfast!!

I am wearing...
Pink jimjams and my slippers! Why are jammies so comfortable. I could live in mine all day if I was allowed to! I guess they would look kind of funny if I wore them out and about though, and so . . . I get dressed.

I am creating...
Still working on new designs. I was so pleased to see the finished ones last week. (You can see the HERE.) I now have to scan all my artwork into the computer again. This time I think I will also put them onto a disc so that if the computer goes down, I still have them!

I am going...
Visiting Teaching this afternoon. I love Visiting Teaching. For those of you who don't know, every sister in our church (LDS) has a set of Visiting Teachers. This is a group of two ladies who go to visit them each month, bringing a spiritual message, if wanted . . . but more importantly than that . . . love, friendship and support. I have done many things while visit teaching. I have helped harried young mothers fold their laundry, or get the dishes done. Whatever needs doing or that helps to lessen the load they are carrying. I have made good friends. It is a simple thing, but it is a great thing too. Nobody in the church need ever feel that they are alone or that nobody cares.

I am reading...




Tatty, by Christine Dwyer Hickey

I am loving this book. As the story begins, we are in 1964, and Caroline, known as `Tatty' to her family, is 4 years old. Her nickname is a play on the words tell-tale-tattler - she earns it because she's unable to keep secrets. She lives near Dublin with her Mam and Dad and her sisters - Jeannie who is two years older than her and Deirdre who has learning difficulties - and her two younger brothers.

Tatty's parents are drunks who have a volatile relationship. Tatty is particularly close to her Dad, and at times her Mam is very jealous of this closeness. As her parents' relationship breaks down, her mother's drinking becomes steadily worse, and she becomes more aggressive towards her children as they witness their parents' unhappiness.

Warm, sweet, funny, sad and unsentimental. A great read thus far!

I am hoping...
They gave me a cane to use yesterday. I am hoping that it does NOT become a permanent fixture. I'm only 55 for crying out loud says I!!

I am hearing...
Early morning sounds . . . the house cracking and snapping as it comes alive. Clocks ticking. Walls creaking . . . cars passing by the front of the house . . . the honk of the taxi's horn. The world coming alive. Birds are singing. Mitzie is laying against my back here on the sofa, softly snoring. It's a beautiful beginning to a beautiful day.

Around the house...
Ironing. Ironing. and more Ironing. Because we don't have a clothers drier we end up having to iron just about everything. sigh . . . One day I will have a clothes drier.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...
Not a lot really. Visit teaching this afternoon and then the Missionaries are coming for tea. I am doing them a Beef Stew with Dumplings and a scrummy Dessert that I haven't decided on yet. Friday Night we are invited to a Birthday Party which will be fun, but all in all, it's a very quiet week!


Here is picture thought I am sharing...



I just love this table setting. The creamware . . . the apple blossoms . . . the asparagus . . . the dainty colours. It just screams SPRING to me! I would have never thought of using asparagus as a table decoration, but how ingeniously perfect! Don't you just love it? I do!

And just as a closing thought for today . . .

"Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open."
~John Barrymore

I love the thought of that, don't you?

And there you have it . . . my day book for this week. Don't forget to hop on over to the Simple Woman to check out the other day book entries! (Or better yet, do a simple day book entry yourself! It's not that hard and I am betting you would enjoy it!

Here is a delicious side dish that is easy to make and uses things that I always have in my fridge. We are real potato people in this house, as you know. They are so very versatile and tasty!



*Roasted New Potatoes*
Serves 6 to 8
Printable Recipe

A tastily delicious way to prepare potatoes that will have your family coming back for more! Very easy to do and goes so very well with grilled meats, chicken or fish. You only need to add a tossed salad for a complete meal.

2 pounds of new potatoes, halved lengthwise
6 slices of streaky smoked bacon, chopped
3 TBS Zesty Italian Salad dressing
1/3 cup of light mayonnaise
1 TBS lemon juice
1 clove of garlic, peeled and minced
2 TBS shredded Parmesan Cheese
2 tsp chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

Preheat the oven to 200*C/400*F/ gas mark 6. Heat a 15 by 10 inch baking tray with sides in the oven.

Place the potatoes, bacon and Italian dressing in a bowl. Toss to combine well together. Spread them out onto the bottom of the heated tray. Bake for 45 minutes until tender and turning crispy around the edges. Give them a stir after 25 minutes, and then stir them every 10 minutes after that.

Whisk together the mayonnaise, lemon juice and garlic.

Spoon the roasted potatoes onto a heated serving platter. Drizzle with the mayonnaise mixture. Sprinkle the cheese and parsley over top and serve.



Over in The English Kitchen today a delicious Savoury Olive, Herb and Parmesan Loaf!!

The first day . . .

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow.
~Proverb

There is an old saying that, if the wind is in the North East on the first day of Spring . . . it remains in that quarter until the first day of summer, and so, it was with more than a bit of trepidation that I poked my nose out the door this morning to see what type of wind was ruffling the leaves on our Camelia bush . . .

My fears were totally unfounded though, as it was only a tiny ripple of air . . . and coming softly from the South. Whew!!



The ground was sugared with just the merest hint of a light frost, but that was melting rapidly under the warmth of the rising sun. The hope in my heart that has hung precariously on the edge of my mind over these past days now stands firmly . . . it is a fact and official . . . the calendar on the wall and wind confirming what the blackbirds in my garden over these past three weeks have been telling me . . . truly Spring has come!

I could see the great big moon from last night fading away over on the horizon too, which was so very beautiful to see. How utterly amazing!



I'm not sure what I did, but yesterday when I was teaching the Sharing Time to the children during their Sunday School time I twisted my knee!! I know!!! I could barely hobble out to the car afterwards! Todd had to bring the car up closer to the church. I was so disappointed. I had been doing so very well. Too much, too soon, perhaps??? I have my first physiotherapy appointment this afternoon though, so fingers crossed, this is only a minor setback! I so enjoyed our walk on Saturday and have had high hopes that things could only get better!

Needless to say there was nothing fantastically complicated on our supper menu last night. Todd had to make do with these chili cheese dogs. He didn't complain though so all was well! (He never does . . . even when I feed him the dreaded pasta! I just get a disappointed look!)



*Chili Cheese Dogs*
Serves 4
Printable Recipe

A delicious combination of smoky hotdogs and chili. Cheap and cheerful and everyone's favourite!

1 slice of streaky smoked bacon, finely chopped
1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped
2 tsp finely chopped jalapeno chili pepper
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 pound of ground steak
1/2 tsp ground chipotle chili powder
1/2 tsp ground regular chili powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 tsp ground cumin
pinch salt
1/2 cup of tomato sauce
1/4 cup of beer, beef broth, or water
4 (large) hot dogs grilled
4 hot dog buns, split and toasted
1/2 cup of grated strong cheddar cheese

Heat a medium sized skillet over medium high heat. Toss in the bacon and one half of the quantity of onion. Cook and stir until the onion is wilted and the bacon is beginning to crisp. Add the jalapeno and garlic and cook for about a minute. then add the steak. Cook and stir, breaking it up with a spoon, until the meat is evenly browned and there is no longer any pink. Season with the ground chili powders, paprika, cumin and some salt, stirring it all in well. Stir in the tomato sauce and beer/beefbroth/water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture is nicely thickened. This should take about ten minutes.

In the meantime grill your hotdogs and toast your buns.

Place a grilled hotdog into each bun and then top each with a spoonful of the chili, the grated cheese and a portion of the remaining chopped onion. Serve immediately.



Baking in The English Kitchen today, a delicious Traditional Custard Tart.