Saturday, January 30, 2016

Before it's gone....

January is quickly speeding past us!  Before it is time to change the table decor, I'd like to share a  picture of a very simple January dining table.


January seems to call for blue to me, and I enjoy seeing the blue, white, and silver during the month that follows the red and green of Christmas.  This table will soon give way to another month and another decor.  Are you ready for February?  The red returns!:-)

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

That ham bone....

....was especially tasty in Split Pea Soup!


It had been a long time since we enjoyed this soup!  Great mileage from that Thanksgiving ham!  I had stored the ham bone in the freezer along with a few more nice pieces, already chopped and ready to add to the soup!

SPLIT PEA SOUP
8 cups water
1 pound dried split peas (about 2 1/4 cups)
1 ham bone
1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
2 medium stalks celery, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
- Heat water and peas to boiling in Dutch oven.  Boil 2 minutes; remove from heat.  Cover and let stand 1 hour.
- Stir onion, salt, and pepper into peas; add ham bone.  Heat to boiling; reduce heat.  Cover and simmer until peas are tender, about 1 hour.
- Remove ham bone; trim ham, cutting into 1/2-inch pieces (about 4 cups). Stir ham, carrots, and celery into soup.  Heat to boiling; reduce heat.  Cover and simmer until vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes.  8 servings (about 1 1/2 cups each).

This recipe is once again from Betty Crocker, the same 1986 issue as my previous post.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Is it soup yet?

The recent cold temperatures, which included a bit of snow in our area, have made it a time to focus on soups/stews around here.


This one was especially warming and comforting!  

LENTIL-SPINACH SOUP
2 medium onions, sliced
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
2 Tablespoons olive or canola oil
3 cups water (I did have to add water to this as it cooked, so I'd advise being prepared to do this).
1 teaspoon salt
8 ounces dried lentils (about 1 1/4 cups)
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
2 teaspoons lemon juice
10 ounces spinach, chopped (about 4 cups) or 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach, thawed
    (I substituted fresh chopped kale)
- Cook and stir onions and garlic in oil in 3-quart saucepan over medium heat until onions are tender.  Stir in water, salt and lentils.  Heat to boiling; reduce heat.  Cover and simmer one hour.
- Stir in lemon peel, lemon juice, and spinach.  Cover and simmer until spinach is tender, about 5 minutes.  (Kale will take a bit longer).  Four servings, about 1 1/4 cup each.

I thank Betty Crocker from 1986 for this recipe! Always a favorite!

Monday, January 18, 2016

Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr......

The third Monday in January has been determined to be a federal holiday by virtue of the bill passed by Congress in 1983 honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  As the main leader of the civil rights movement in the United States during the 1950's and 1960's, he effectively expressed the demands of black Americans for social justice.

Following are some quotes from Dr. King:

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

"A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better."

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is....what are you doing for others?"

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

"....But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward."

"Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend."

For his efforts in leading non-violent civil rights demonstrations, Dr. King was awarded the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize.  Under his leadership, much was accomplished.  There is still much more to be done. 

Friday, January 15, 2016

For this new year....

The United Methodist Women Reading Program publishes a new listing of books with each new year.


This has already been greatly used, as you are able to determine by the rolling back of the front few pages.:-)

One book listed in the program for this year is this one:


There are five categories for reading - Spiritual Growth, Leadership Development, Social Action, Education for Mission, and Nurturing for Community.  This one is from the Social Action category.

I am writing this post today in an effort to call awareness to the problem of human trafficking.  From the back cover of this book, compiled by Mary Frances Bowley, there are these words: 
"Every year over 100,000 children in the United States are forced to do someone's sexual bidding.  Most of them are between the ages of 9 and 19."

Sadly, each year, in the city hosting the Super Bowl, reported incidents of human trafficking reach a high level.  Currently, groups of United Methodist Women across the United States are opening their umbrellas symbolically offering a "white umbrella of protection and purity over these girls on the road to restoration."  

Brokenness surrounds us every day.  As you read this book, you will be inspired to do something to bring wholeness to the world!

My wishes to you for a blessed week-end! 

Monday, January 11, 2016

It's time....

....to head back to the kitchen!  The holiday leftovers are all gone! :-)

Rugby, Tennessee is a settlement of some historical significance "off the beaten path."  It was established by English aristocracy for the second-born sons as the first-born sons were the heirs of the estate "back home."  Unfortunately, these second-born sons lacked the "know-how" of keeping the settlement going in good stead, and after some years, the effort was unsuccessful.  The village, however, has been "preserved," and there are special events that appeal to visitors scheduled during the year.  

The Harrow Road Cafe is an establishment that has been available for serving food when we have visited, the last time in 2005.  At that time, I jotted down a recipe for the rolls that were served with our order.  I simply call them "Harrow Road Cafe Rolls."


Ready for the oven.


Baked and ready to enjoy!


With a bit of butter....yum!

HARROW ROAD CAFE ROLLS
1 package yeast
2 cups lukewarm water
1 1/2 sticks melted butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg, well beaten
4 cups self-rising flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
- Dissolve yeast in warm water; stir.  
- Add butter to sugar in large bowl; then add the egg and the dissolved yeast.
- Add the flour and cornmeal gradually, stirring well.
- Spoon into a greased muffin tin.  Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
- Recipe makes 2 dozen.  Remaining batter may be covered and kept in the refrigerator for a day or so.

The Husband enjoyed these with a bit of honey!


Wednesday, January 6, 2016

A request....

For some of you who follow this blog, today's subject will not give you any knowledge you did not already have.  You may already know about this:


A fellow blogger has written a book!  She has an Etsy shop, though this one came from Amazon.

Diana blogs at Nana Diana Takes A Break, and her posts are generally guaranteed to bring a smile to your face.

However, there has been a development with her Hero that brings about a bit of uncertainty.  He has received an unexpected medical diagnosis, and she has given details on her blog.

My request is that you add him and the family to your list of those for whom you express daily thoughts and prayers.  Diana has been so very consistent informing her followers of the health concerns of others.  Now it is time for us to exhibit our caring for her.

Thank you.