The week-end....

The week-end is here!  Do you have some good plans? 

Did you know that the Belmont Stakes is this afternoon?  California Chrome is entered.  Do you think there will be a Triple Crown winner this year?  From what I've heard, California Chrome is the overwhelming favorite.  It has been a long time - 38  years - since we had the last Triple Crown winner with Affirmed.  We will be watching the race on NBC!

Do you have a special breakfast on the week-end?  Does this look like a special week-end treat?

Biscuits!

Chocolate gravy!

This was a big surprise for The Husband!  He loves having leftovers and will enjoy this treat for a few more days.:-)  Recipes will follow next week!

Stainless gravy ladle - Chateau by Oneida.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Anniversary....

Today is the 70th anniversary of D-Day.  While this event occurred in my lifetime, I was too young to have any memory of what happened on this day. 

Ann McFeatters, a newspaper columnist, has written an article which appeared in our local Sunday newspaper.  She states, "But Normandy still stands as a synonym for courage, heroism and the best humans have to offer - making the supreme sacrifice to help others."

On the 50th anniversary, Bill Clinton was serving as president.  This is a quote from what he had to say on that occasion:  "Let us never forget, when they were young, these men saved the world."

While I do not come from a background of military service - with the exception of an uncle who served for a short time during World War II - and I've a nephew who is serving in the Air Force - I recognize the sacrifices made by those who serve our country in the military, and I'm grateful to them for their service.

This book has been on our shelves since it was first released.

The subject - those who served in World War II.

I think it is past time for me to become more familiar with what is inside the cover of this book!

I look forward to watching the coverage on television today of the special events marking this special anniversary.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

In the kitchen - Part 3....

Good Thursday morning to you!  The predicted storms did not occur here overnight, nor did we have the rainfall that was hoped would come with them.  We are nearly six inches behind in average rainfall for this point in the year, so we really do need rain!

I am tardy in welcoming new followers!  I have noticed that there are now 100 of you!  That certainly calls for a celebration!  A give-away, perhaps?  I will be on the lookout for something suitable in the next week or so.

Continuing with a "leftover" from the previous post, here is that picture I couldn't locate to go along with yesterday's recipe.

Bean Salad!

One of the benefits of this salad is that no heating of any kitchen appliance is required to make it, making it perfect to make on a hot summer day!

China details - Strawberries and Cream by Villeroy and Boch, now discontinued.:-(  This is a soup bowl from the collection.

Now - on to today's recipe.  This is one that we have enjoyed for years and years.  It comes from Betty Crocker from years ago.  Unfortunately, I have no picture of this one. 

CHICKEN SALAD FILLING
1 cup chpped cooked chicken
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise
- Blend all together.  (I used the food processor for this.  Just don't make it too fine.)  Refrigerate.  1 1/2 cups. 

This will make enough filling for four or five sandwiches.  We prefer using a good whole wheat bread for them. The filling is also good for a stuffed tomato!  Place the tomato on some crisp lettuce leaves and sprinkle a bit of paprika over the top of the chicken salad.  Yum!  I should tell you that I've rarely made this without at least doubling the recipe.:-)  If you wish, a rotisserie chicken from the super market would work very well, and there would be no need to heat the kitchen for this one, either.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

In the kitchen - Part 2....

Happy Wednesday to everyone!  Are you expecting severe storms today?  We have a possibility of stormy conditions later this evening.  We really need the rain - over five inches behind our usual rainfall for this point in the year - but it would suit me fine if the storms didn't arrive!

Some more time has been spent in the kitchen in recent days.  This recipe is one that I have had for many years.  The Husband's sister-in-law gave it to me early in our marriage, and it has been enjoyed many times.

BEAN SALAD
1 can (28 oz.) cut green beans
2 cans (14 oz.) French cut green beans
1 can (14 oz.) kidney beans
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 cup salad oil (I used canola.)
1/4 cup vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
salt and pepper (to taste)
- Drain beans.  Place in bowl.  Add green pepper and onion.
- Mix oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper in a jar.  Pour over beans  green pepper, and onion.  Toss and refrigerate.

I thought I had a picture of this one, but am not able to find it.:-(  I'll check later and it may appear in the next post.:-)

I send wishes for your safety if you are experiencing severe stormy weather today!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

In the kitchen....

As I mentioned in the previous post, I have spent a bit of time in the kitchen recently. 

There was a request for volunteers from among my Circle members to make a main dish to take to serve a church family before the memorial service of one of our friends. 

The following recipe is one I chose from a church cookbook, actually contributed by a college friend of our daughters.

BAKED SPAGHETTI

1 lb. ground beef
1 green pepper (chopped)
1 onion (chopped)
1 pkg. pepperoni (chopped - optional)
1 jar mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, pressed
2 jars spaghetti sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup Parmesan
Italian seasoning
Angel hair pasta (1 lb.)
- Brown ground beef, green pepper, onion, pepperoni, mushrooms, and garlic together in a large skillet.  Drain well on paper towels.  Mix with sauce.  Cook angel hair pasta according to package directions, drain.
- Layer pasta, cheddar, mozzarella, sauce.  Repeat.  Sprinkle with Parmesan and Italian seasoning.  Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes.

As I mentioned earlier, pictures of this process are non-existent.:-(  I have, however, a picture of the pan I used so you might be able to determine the quantity this recipe makes.

A large pan!

For this instance, I did not assemble the pasta in two layers.  I simply added all the pasta to the pan, then topped with the cheddar, followed with the mozzarella and sauce, then the Parmesan and Italian seasoning.  When I have made this before, I have been able to divide the entire recipe between two separate baking dishes (approximate 8x8 size),, layering as the recipe instructs.

Reports are that this dish was a real hit, especially with the younger ones.:-)

I hope this day will be a good one for you. 

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

What is it about week-ends?

Happy Monday to you - the start of a brand-new week!  I sincerely hope you have some good things in store during this week.

It does seem, however, that week-ends are very often filled with plans that are designed to fill the time.  Such was the case this past week-end for us here.

Saturday found us on the road early, on the way to the site for a Conference United Methodist Women Committee meeting.  The Husband went along with me this time and "explored" a few golf courses in the area.  The Committee meeting began on schedule and ended at the expected time as well, so that was definitely a good thing!  Thanks to KA for keeping us on track!

On our return trip, we stopped off at the baseball stadium where there was an area gathering of alumni of Emory and Henry College, the college from which I graduated.  It was a special night at the baseball game, with a tribute to the Armed Forces in a pre-game ceremony.

Part of the action on the field.

Lined up alongside the field.

The group of people in white represent those who have lost family members in combat.

This crew was hosing down the infield.

Beautiful mowing job on the outfield!

A souvenir of the game.

Appropriate handouts to game attendees.

It was a great occasion, though somber as those members of the various armed forces who are no longer with us were memorialized. 

It was exciting to see other fellow Emory and Henry alumni!  Unfortunately, the Tennessee Smokies lost the baseball game to the Birmingham Barons.:-(

There has been a bit of kitchen activity here in recent weeks.  I'm behind posting a recipe - or two - or three.:-)  I hasten to add, however, that there are very few pictures of that "kitchen activity."  The recipes are forthcoming, though.  I hope you will return for the next post.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Sunday, June 1, 2014 - Ascension Sunday

Paul writes these words to the early Christians of Ephesus ~

                                      "I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you

                                          to lead a life worthy of the calling to which

                                              you have been called,

                                       with all humility and gentleness, with patience,

                                           bearing with one another in love,

                                               making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit

                                        in the bond of peace."

                                                                       ~ Ephesians 4:1-3 (NRSV)

From the United Methodist Women 2014 Prayer Calendar, today's Mission Focus is the Susanna Wesley Learning Center, East Prairie, MO.

May this be a blessed Sunday for you.