A Craft in the Making

What do these items have in common?  They are my next craft project that I hope to have completed by tomorrow.  I am using a book that I picked up at a rummage sale for 25 cents, a $1 wreath form and $2 clearance birds, butterflies and cages from Michaels (I loved the colors).  Please forgive the pictures and the glass of wine in the background.  I would have finished but I had to make a quick trip tonight to the grocery store, assist with a school project on Tootsie Rolls and the usual dinner, laundry and lunches.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday! 

Brotherly Love

This picture makes me smile. Not just because it's cute but because it is a rare sight to see Tigger interact with those beneath him, namely the four legged mutt-like variety. Chance is one of our two Minature Schnauzers and he is like having a toddler in the house. He likes to play, he doesn't like to nap and he sleeps on his favorite toy so he doesn't have to share with others. That's why it was a special moment when I found the two together this past week. I was home and it was quiet. I came in the living room for lunch and found the pair together. Chance was snoring and all was right in the world. Happy Wednesday!!

Paris in Springtime

A few pictures from Paris.

Spring is Here !!

Spring is officially here and I have started thinking about Easter.  I was inspired to decorate using candy and fruit and wanted it to be a little whimsical.  I've had a real thing for oranges lately and I just liked the color they added to the table.  I promised a recipe on how to dry orange slices and then forgot to post it last night.  So, here goes:

Dried Orange Slices for Crafts

Take an orange and slice it in 1/4 inch slices.  Some will be larger than others.  Dip the slices in lemon juice and then tab them with a paper towel.  Place the slices onto a cookie sheet and bake for one hour at 275 degrees, remembering to flip them every 30 minutes.  Then reduce the heat to 225 degrees for 2 hours, again flipping the slices every 30 minutes.  At the end of the time, the orange slices should be fully dried and ready for use in a craft.  The lemon juice helps them retain their color.  If you want them darker, skip that step.  You can also add to their color by sprinkling them with cinnamon prior to baking.  This makes a wonderful aroma as they are baking.





Weekends are made for Cooking - Mujadara

Today is a cooler day,with cloudy skies and a little drizzle. This always makes me want to stay indoors and bake, cook and craft. Already this morning, I made cupcakes and my favorite lentil recipe which I am sharing below. I make this on Sundays and then take it for my lunch during the week. It's addicting and has the right combination of flavor and nutrition. I made it today with brown rice instead of Jasmine rice to add a little more fiber. I got the recipe off of Pioneer Woman's Tasty Kitchen website found here:  http://thepioneerwoman.com/tasty-kitchen/

It was added by confusedhomemaker and I have made it several times now. Don't be alarmed by the amount of onion, it cooks down and it just isn't the same recipe without it.  Here is her website:  http://theconfusedhomemaker.com/2010/03/10/mujadara-lentils-rice-and-carmalized-onions/


Mujadara: Rice, Lentils and Caramelized Onions


Prep time - 5 minutes
Cook time - 45 minutes
6 Servings

Ingredients:

1 cup of lentils
4 whole onions
3 1/2 cups of water
1 cup of rice
1 tsp of Cumin
1 tspn salt
1 tspn pepper
2 Tablespoons of vegetable oil (I have also used olive oil)

Slice the onions so they look like rainbows. Head a pot and add 1 tablesppon of oil and half of one onion. Cook until the onion is caramelized. Add the lentils, water and pepper. Bring to a boil. Cover, rereduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, add the rice and cumin. Cover and simmer for 20 more minutes. Heat a frying pan and over medium head, add the remaining oil and the onions. Cook until they are fully caramelized and blackened. When the lentils and rice are cooked, add salt to taste.

Serve the Mujadara with pita bread. It is delicious. Enjoy!

I will also be posting later today a craft for drying orange slices. The house smells wonderful at the moment.

Camping

Our tent with screened in porch. Fancy, right?

So for Spring Break this year, we had a good time not far from home, for very little money and lots of fun.  We went camping at a local state park.  Even a burn ban did not keep us from roasting smores around a charcoal fire.  Let me just say that the added benefit of a battery operated air mattress, a proper two burner cook stove and the electric coffee pot made the trip even more bearable.  We have tried primitive camping before and lets just say that we won't be staying at any site in the future without electricity and running water.  This trip felt like paradise compared to that as we really have the set up of the tent down to minutes now and we have learned to keep all of our supplies together so we are camping ready at any time.  What do you bring when you go camping?

My Version of a Chicken Pot Pie with a Kick

My family loves chicken pot pie.  I mean they really love it.  Maybe it's because I like to make individual pies and who doesn't like not having to share but I would also like to think that the flavor of mine adds a little something special.  We love the flavors of India, especially curry powder and this is a great way to use leftover chicken or as I used in this particular batch, leftover pork roast. 

Indian Inspired Pork Pot Pies
2 cups of cooked chicken or pork
bag of frozen mixed vegetables
can of cream of chicken soup
1 tablespoon of curry powder
1 tsp of ground coriander
1 tsp of cumin
1 package of Pillsbury grand biscuits
1 egg - beaten

In a frying pan, I heat the meat, soup (don't add water), vegetables, spices and salt and pepper.  Once heated, place the mixture in individual ramekins.  Take an uncooked biscuit out of the package and roll it out with a rolling pin and use that to cover the ramekin.  Push the sides of the dough to seal and then pierce several times on the top of the dough.  Brush with the beaten egg mixture.  Cook on 400 degrees for approximately 15 minutes until the dough is golden brown.

What Mom's Do When Their Babies Are Away

My oldest daughter left today for a trip to France.  She will be in Paris, Normandy and other French locations for the next ten days.  Meanwhile, her slightly neurotic and anxious Mom will be saying an extra prayer that she stays safe and has fun experiencing another country and culture.  She is a mature young woman so my tendencies have nothing to do with her actions.  So, I have vowed that starting tomorrow, I will not worry, I will follow along in her adventure.  Tonight, however, I am left to ponder where my oldest girl is in the world and as of right now, she is 33,000 feet over Montreal, Canada.  She is 3 hours into her flight and has over five more hours until she reaches French soil.  The neat way that I can follow this is with a website, http://flightaware.com/ .  You just have to put in the airline and flight number and it pulls up the flight status for that particular flight.  Pretty neat, isn't it? 

Why Are Girls So Mean?

Okay, so today I am just going to speak my mind as a Mom and as a female.  I really don't understand mean girls.  As the Mom to three daughters, I hear about mean girls almost every day.   It's in the stories about the lunchroom and school activities.  It's about tyring to belong and be a part of something.  And I guess mean just happens and perhaps I should toughen up myself and my girls to this kind of behavior and attitude but today I am just sad that it exists.  Why can't we rally together, be friendly with one another, extend a smile or a moment of our time?  Why do we let the cutting words of some as well the deafening silenece of others cause such destruction to our hearts? 

I wish I could wrap my girls in a bubble and keep them away from all hurt and sadness but it isn't possible.  I want them to interact, to participate and to find lasting friendships that carry them through life.  I want them to experience the joy of having a friend that would truly do anything for them and love them like a sister. 

Maybe I am too Pollyanna in my approach to some things in life but sometimes that is the way I can break down such a monumental problem, piece by piece.  So, if you happen to read this blog, please remember to smile today at someone who might need a smile, share a story, say a kind word or make a call to the person that you call friend.  

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Well, obviously I need help as I was unable to place this photo of the book cover on this page without placing it sideways.  Let that not detract though from what I believe is the best book I have read in a year, perhaps even five years.  I am also very excited to learn that there will be a movie based on the book coming out this year.  I won't spoil any of it but let's just say that I was riveted from start to end.  I read it along with my oldest daughter who had it as a choice for a reading assignment.  I am so glad that I took a chance on this novel. 

Next up on my reading list is The Kitchen House.  Anyone read it yet?

Happy Weekend - Spring is Here!

Happy Weekend Everyone!  It would appear as though Spring has sprung and we are well on our way to warmer weather.  Allergies aside, I love when the trees in our yard bloom.  The blooms only stay for a few days as white and pink but they are beautiful while they last.  They remind me that each year is a new start, that although some things change, others remain the same and that there is still beauty in the world, and sometimes it is right outside your front door. 

Easy and Quick Szechuan Noodles with Pork

I originally got this recipe from a woman's magazine and I have tweeked it along the way.  I love it because it uses staple ingredients I always have on hand, it is very quick to make on a weeknight and it has delicious flavors. 

Szechuan Noodles with Pork
12 oz. of spaghetti or linguine noodles
1 cup of chicken broth
2 Tablespoons of lite soy sauce
12 oz. of ground pork
1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
6 scallions cut into pieces
1 bag of shredded carrots
1 Tablespoon of minced garlic
1 Tablespoon of minced ginger
3 Tablespoons of creamy peanut butter
Fresh Cilantro

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Cook the noodles as directed.
2. Stir broth and soy sauce together in a measuring cup.
3. Heat a skillet and add the ground pork and red pepper flakes.  Cook until browned.
4. Add to the skillet the scallions, carrot, ginger, and garlic.  Cook for 3 - 5 minutes
5. Stire the broth mixture and peanut butter into the pork.  Cook until the peanut butter is melted and blended
6. Reserve one cup of the pasta water.  Drain the spaghetti noodles and add to the skillet to toss.  Stir in some of the pasta water to make the mixture creamy.  Sprinkle with cilantro and enjoy.

Some alternatives:  I have used cooked chicken breast cut into chunks in place of the pork.  I think shrimp would work as well.  I keep fresh ginger in my freezer and it lasts much longer that way and I always have it on hand.  You could also add shredded cabbage to the mix to add more fiber and veges.

Meet Tigger!!

In addition to Tinkerbelle, we have one of the coolest cats ever, Tigger!  He is a very loveable guy who showed up at our doorstep two summers ago and he's been here ever since.  Tig Tig as we sometimes call him, was also very sickly looking at first.  He walked into the house, grabbed a snack and made himself at home.  He is loveable, soft, and a gentleman.  He puts up with our two crazy Schnauzers and the new kitten.  He loves sleeping in human beds during the day, eating milky kitten treats (he's a big baby afterall) and he sitting on our roof.  He is like our very own gargoyle.  He only drinks water from the faucet in our bathroom, likes to drink milk from a proper saucer (while sitting on the counter no less) and he can't be bothered by trivial things like cat toys.