Of Family Heirlooms, the Pretty Things

 A lot of lovely things sit in boxes for decades, never being used or shared. How often do they get discovered by adult children sorting through what their parents have left behind? We as humans do a lot of collecting and never using things, leaving them to sit in storage with a "maybe someday", or "they're for company", attached to them, that never happens. That someday never comes, and that special occasion meal ends up being served on paper plates and plastic cups, for convenience sake. That antique occasional table sits in the garage waiting for the right place to be placed, and the family photos pile up in cardboard boxes, while modern wall hangings with clever sayings are hung, where that great photo of grandpa Frank and Grandma Mildred should be.

My husband thinks he remembers these beautiful plates hanging on his grandmother's wall. He says she loved pretty and elegant things, even though she never had a big home, or a well off lifestyle, she managed to collect a few that got passed on after she was gone. She was an extraordinary cook I hear, and could stand up to anyone on the major cooking shows. She always wore a dress, and loved to wear brooches. She had a quick sense of humor, and introduced classic movies to my husband and his sister. Whenever my husband sees some of her things he loves to share what he remembers about her, as they spark a walk down memory lane. These plates are hand painted if I'm not mistaken, but regardless, they are designed to be hung on a wall to beautiful a room or area.They are a constant reminder of that loved one who is no longer here, and the good times to be remembered.  It's a shame they didn't get put out, to be a part of new memories being made.

Pretty things accompany memories, of dinners around the table at Christmas, or that quiet conversation over some warm drink during the cold winter months, where  you learned about your grandma's first sweetheart. Maybe grandpa shared his memories of the war, as you sat in front of the fire, and you cried inside to think that he had to go through such horrible things. Always present, never interfering, but silently there, something to gaze upon as life, and sharing, and caring go on. 

Hopefully this home will be a place of peace, and a sanctuary of love and family heirlooms. A place where memories are hopefully cherished, and maybe someday, these pretty things will hang in another of our children or grandchildren's homes, a reminder of stories of yesterday.  A reminder of the special events, or times of struggle, but in all are attached to memories to be shared. 

Put out those pretty things, and use them if possible, and hang those family photos. Use them to tell your children and grandchildren the stories they don't know. Have them out when you create your own memories, so some day they will be a reminder of the great times you've shared together. I know we will.

Sometimes You Win, and Sometimes You Have To Try Again

I recently bought this really nifty vintage metal cabinet that had been painted white, but had no top. I found some wide wood boards at Home Depot, and made a top for the cabinet, then painted the cabinet, top and handles so they somewhat match the microwave.  I've been looking for something to use to set my KitchenAid on, as it's too tall to fit on the counter. I love the color and how it turned out.

I got it because I've been looking for something to use to set my KitchenAid on, as it's too tall to fit on the counter. I was hoping to set up a baking area on the right end of the counter, over where all my baking supplies are. Well the best laid plans went awry when I didn't measure the depth of the counter, taking into account that the heat register and the base board take up some space. It's okay at the other end of the counter, but totally defeats the purpose I got it for. I also have other things in mind for that area. So the search goes on, and this can go downstairs in the someday to be art studio, as it will match my desk perfectly. 

As you can see by the mess on the counter I'm still unpacking and trying to decide where everything will go. For now I need to go hunt down my shoes. I know they're in one of those boxes somewhere.....

He Is Risen Indeed!

At 6:30 this morning we had the opportunity to attend an interdenominational Sunrise service for Easter. What a gorgeous morning for gathering to welcome the Easter sabbath! It was a cool 54 degrees at Edwin A. Pape lake, but the setting, with birds raising a joyful noise in the background was perfect. 

It was a short but sweet service, where I learned that other churches don't believe in what the resurrection is, the way we do. I won't go into that now, as we learned that these kind folks, who had to split from a larger group in order to include our church in this service, are faithful and sincere in their belief in Jesus Christ. Regardless of doctrinal differences, which are few by the way, they accepted us as fellow Christians, when others wouldn't. They truly represent what the gospel of Jesus Christ is all about, loving everyone, and including them in our lives, and our worship of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We also had the opportunity to show support for their benevolence fund, and thus support their good efforts to help those in need. 

Afterwards we talked with and got to know some of our new branch members. Our branch president pointed out that when Joseph Smith went out into the grove that early spring morning so long ago, where he experienced the first vision, he probably saw trees the way we were seeing them this morning, with the tiny green buds on the tree branches. We saw the remnants of winter die off, among patches of newly growing grasses, and some trees still standing bare, unlike the beautiful green trees and undergrowth depicted in so many paintings of that sacred event. An interesting perspective, as we often paint things with limited vision, not knowing all the details. 

Through that event, regardless of the surroundings Joseph Smith experienced, because of his sincere desire to know the truth regarding religion and the gospel in general, we have been blessed with the opportunity to have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and to know that He died for us that we might live again. The resurrection is for us all, and we can in all sincerity say, He is risen indeed! 

 

Earth, Wind & Fire - September (Official Video)

Yukin Gold & Turnip Gratin with Fresh Thyme

Sometimes you don't get the best photo, but hey, that's okay. It was too late to do a full on photo shoot, so I had to settle for the mad dash photo because we were hungry and the aroma from this was heavenly! Give it a try and I think you'll understand.

Yukon Gold & Turnip Gratin with Fresh Thyme

3-4 Medium Size Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed

3 medium size turnips, scrubbed

1 clove of garlic
butter for greasing
fresh cracked black pepper
sea salt
leaves from 6 sprigs of fresh thyme

about 4-5 oz. Gruyere or Pepperjack, finely shredded

1/4 c. each sour cream and plain nonfat yogurt blended

2/3 cup chicken or vegetable broth

Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter sides of a shallow round or oval baking dish.
Crush clove of garlic and add to broth.
Thoroughly wash the potatoes and turnips. You can peel them if you want, but I like the skin on. Slice the potatoes and turnips (start with 3 each) into 1/8-inch rounds using a mandolin. Beginning with the potatoes, place the rounds in overlapping concentric circles until the bottom is covered. Sprinkle with some salt, a good grind of pepper, dollop with 1/3 of the sour cream and yogurt mixture, leaves of two thyme sprigs, and a third of the cheese. Repeat these steps using turnips. For the third (and last) layer, alternate the potato slice with turnip slices. Then evenly pour the broth over the top. Add the pepper, salt, thyme, and top with the remaining cheese. Sprinkle a few dashes of Parmesan cheese over all.

Cover with foil or lid and bake for about 15 minutes. Then remove the cover and bake until the potatoes and turnips are fork tender and the top is golden, about 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let sit for above 5 minutes before serving.

Cast Iron Skillet Breakfast Eggs, Potatoes & Sausage

This is an amazingly delicious change of pace egg, sausage and potato breakfast. The mildly spicy sauce reminds me of a Spanish omelet. Smoked paprika and a touch of cumin makes all the difference in the savory flavor of this dish. This is perfect for 4 average appetites, or two hungry folk. It's easier than you think, and well worth the effort. 

To Start preheat the oven to 350 degrees 

 You'll need:

4 cups cubed microwave baked potatoes (3-4 medium)

1 15oz. can crushed tomatoes

1 T. ea. chopped fresh oregano or basil, parsley

3/4 t. salt, divided

1/2 t. each smoked paprika, and black pepper

1/4 t. cumin powder

1/8 t. crushed red pepper

2 T. EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

1 cup chopped smoked sausage

1/2 c. chopped onion

1 clove of garlic, minced

4 large eggs

1/3 cup grated smoked Gouda

1. In a medium saucepan combine tomatoes, oregano, 1/4 t. salt, 1/2 t. paprika, 1/4 t. black pepper, cumin powder, and red pepper. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; partially cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Cover and set aside. 

2. In a 10-inch cast iron skillet, heat oil over medium high heat. Add sausage, and onion. Lower heat to medium; cook until sausage begins to brown, about 3-5 minutes. Add potatoes, garlic, remaining 1/2 t. salt, and remaining 1/4 t pepper; cook until lightly browned, about 7 minutes. Pour tomato sauce over potatoes. Make 4 indentations in mixture and crack 1 egg in each.  

3. Bake until eggs are just set, about 15 minutes, or until desired doneness. Sprinkle with Gouda. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh oregano, or minced parsley. Enjoy!

 

Chocolate Covered Cherries

It's almost that time of year again, when the store shelves are covered with boxes of all sorts of sweet delights. As a young child chocolate covered cherries always caught my eye, and was one of my favorite treats, even for my birthday.

I stumbled across a small pamphlet of chocolate treats from Nestle that I picked up waaaay back in 1982 and still have. The rest of the recipes I may get to some day, but I've never tried them, because my family loves these so much. It's time to share this recipe with you.

Chocolate Covered Cherries
60 maraschino cherries with stems (are about 30 cherries in a 10-ounce jar)
3 tablespoons butter, softened
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 cup each milk chocolate chips and semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 T. vegetable shortening

Drain cherries thoroughly on sheets of paper toweling (several hours or preferably overnight). In a small bowl, combine softened butter and corn syrup. Stir in sifted confectioners' sugar, salt, vanilla. Sometimes I add just a touch of the marachino cherry juice as well. Knead mixture until smooth. If mixture is too soft to handle, put it in the refrigerator to chill well. On a surface dusted with confectioners sugar roll out dough to about 1/8 inch thick with a small round cutter, about 1" in diameter, cut the dough into circles. Shape around each cherry. Place the coated cherries upright on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper or parchment paper. Chill until firm. Melt chocolate and shortening in a double boiler over low heat. Holding cherries by the stem, dip one at a time into the chocolate. Spoon chocolate over the cherries to coat. Be sure to completely seal the cherries, otherwise the cherry juice may leak out after the chocolate has set. Let excess chocolate drip off cherries. Place the dipped cherries stem side up on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Chill until chocolate is firm. I sometimes double dip. Don't skip the shortening, it makes the chocolate smooth and keeps it from "blooming" when hardened. Enjoy!