Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Curse You, Danielle Bean!!!
Just kidding! I love Danielle Bean, and I love Faith & Family magazine, of which she is the Senior Editor. I am just complaining (in jest) about the burned cookies which resulted from following the directions for the Gingersnap recipe in the latest (Nov/Dec 2007) issue. I had to reduce the time the cookies spent in the oven to 8 minutes instead of 10 - 12 minutes. I am sure it's my oven's fault, not Danielle's:
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Baby, It's Cold Outside
This is what it looks like outside:
So this is what we did inside:
Yep! It's time to make Christmas cookies! Today we made Gingersnaps, and hopefully in the coming weeks we'll make Rum Balls, Springerle, Pine Bark, and Christmas Eve Mice. If we do get around to doing all that, I'll post pictures and recipes.
Here's the recipe for Gingersnaps (adapted from Faith & Family magazine, Nov/Dec 2007 issue)
2 1/4 Cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. each ground ginger, cloves, and cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
3/4 Cup shortening
1 Cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 Cup molasses
granulated sugar for rolling
Preheat oven to 375*F. Greese 2 baking sheets. In a bowl, mix together the flour, spices and salt. In large bowl, cream the shortening, brown sugar, egg and molasses. Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture until well blended. Pinch off 1-inch-sized pieces of dough and roll into balls. Roll in granulated sugar and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Flatten cookies with the bottom of a glass. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes*. Let cool on wire racks.
* 10 minutes was too long in my oven: I had better luck with 8 minutes.
So this is what we did inside:
Yep! It's time to make Christmas cookies! Today we made Gingersnaps, and hopefully in the coming weeks we'll make Rum Balls, Springerle, Pine Bark, and Christmas Eve Mice. If we do get around to doing all that, I'll post pictures and recipes.
Here's the recipe for Gingersnaps (adapted from Faith & Family magazine, Nov/Dec 2007 issue)
2 1/4 Cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. each ground ginger, cloves, and cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
3/4 Cup shortening
1 Cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 Cup molasses
granulated sugar for rolling
Preheat oven to 375*F. Greese 2 baking sheets. In a bowl, mix together the flour, spices and salt. In large bowl, cream the shortening, brown sugar, egg and molasses. Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture until well blended. Pinch off 1-inch-sized pieces of dough and roll into balls. Roll in granulated sugar and place 2 inches apart on the baking sheets. Flatten cookies with the bottom of a glass. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes*. Let cool on wire racks.
* 10 minutes was too long in my oven: I had better luck with 8 minutes.
Fried Green Tomatoes, Anyone? Please?
My Father-In-Law's greenhouse yielded quite a bounty of tomatoes this year, as you can see.
Unfortunately, the growing season in our part of the country does not allow ALL the tomatoes to ripen, so now we need to do something with the green ones. Does anyone have a recipe or two for unripened tomatoes, and will the recipe freeze well?
Here's Ian making salsa with some of the red tomatoes. Yummy! That will go into the freezer.
This is the recipe we used for the salsa:
Tomato Freezer Salsa
5 large field tomatoes, peeled
2 Tbsp. olive oil
6 green onions, finely chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped*
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 Cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 Tbsp. lime juice
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1. Coarsely chop the tomatoes and place in a sieve over a bowl to drain extra juice.
2. Heat oil over medium heat in a nonstick skillet.
3. Add onions, jalapeno pepper and garlic; cook for 7 minutes or until softened but not brown, stirring often.
4. Let cool.
5. Stir in drained tomatoes.
6. Stir in lime juice, salt, and pepper.
7. Spoon into tightly sealed plastic containers and freeze for up to 4 months.
* For a little bite of spiciness, keep some of the seeds and put them into your salsa with the jalapenos. The salsa we made had NO heat whatsoever without the seeds.
Unfortunately, the growing season in our part of the country does not allow ALL the tomatoes to ripen, so now we need to do something with the green ones. Does anyone have a recipe or two for unripened tomatoes, and will the recipe freeze well?
Here's Ian making salsa with some of the red tomatoes. Yummy! That will go into the freezer.
This is the recipe we used for the salsa:
Tomato Freezer Salsa
5 large field tomatoes, peeled
2 Tbsp. olive oil
6 green onions, finely chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped*
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 Cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 Tbsp. lime juice
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1. Coarsely chop the tomatoes and place in a sieve over a bowl to drain extra juice.
2. Heat oil over medium heat in a nonstick skillet.
3. Add onions, jalapeno pepper and garlic; cook for 7 minutes or until softened but not brown, stirring often.
4. Let cool.
5. Stir in drained tomatoes.
6. Stir in lime juice, salt, and pepper.
7. Spoon into tightly sealed plastic containers and freeze for up to 4 months.
* For a little bite of spiciness, keep some of the seeds and put them into your salsa with the jalapenos. The salsa we made had NO heat whatsoever without the seeds.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
New Christmas blog
Here is a new blog dedicated to spreading the True Meaning of Christmas! I hope you will visit and find some good ideas for this coming Advent!
Idea #20 says to buy an oplatek - if you want to see what oplatki are or buy some, go to my husband's online store Aquinas and More and see!
Idea #20 says to buy an oplatek - if you want to see what oplatki are or buy some, go to my husband's online store Aquinas and More and see!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Pioneer Tough
On Thursday, Sept. 20 I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl at home, with the assistance of 2 midwives, my husband and my Mother-In-Law. I was in labor since 6 that morning, but hard labor didn't come until almost 10 that night, and Maria Isabel Andrea was born shortly after.
On Sunday, Sept. 23 we drove into town and went to Mass. Afterwards we went to the parish hall for donuts and coffee. We met a couple of families with lots of children, like us, and one man looked at me incredulously when he found out how old our baby was and said, "Don't take this the wrong way, but you are pioneer tough!"
I laughed about it then, but after Mass we spent the afternoon and evening at my In-Laws' house where they were having a farewell-to-summer party. I didn't do much more than sit around nursing the baby, but I spent the next few days groaning and staying in bed as much as I could. Not too pioneer-like at that point!
On Sunday, Sept. 23 we drove into town and went to Mass. Afterwards we went to the parish hall for donuts and coffee. We met a couple of families with lots of children, like us, and one man looked at me incredulously when he found out how old our baby was and said, "Don't take this the wrong way, but you are pioneer tough!"
I laughed about it then, but after Mass we spent the afternoon and evening at my In-Laws' house where they were having a farewell-to-summer party. I didn't do much more than sit around nursing the baby, but I spent the next few days groaning and staying in bed as much as I could. Not too pioneer-like at that point!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Fall is Here
Yesterday was a glorious day. The weather was beautiful and we spent the afternoon and evening outdoors with family and friends celebrating the end of summer and the beginning of autumn feasting on paella & gazpacho (two traditional Spanish dishes) and sangria (Spanish red wine punch), as well as desserts and appetizers galore.
Today started foggy and cold, and right now, at 1:30 in the afternoon, the rain has started and the wind has shifted to the North. Definitely tea and cozy sweater weather!
Today started foggy and cold, and right now, at 1:30 in the afternoon, the rain has started and the wind has shifted to the North. Definitely tea and cozy sweater weather!
Birth Announcement!
My newest daughter Maria Isabel was born on Thursday, Sept. 20. She's a real sweetie and we all love her. Praise God she is finally here!
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Forget the Poinsettias this Christmas!
I recently came across this post over at O Night Divine. It seems that 70% of the nation's poinsettias, those beautiful red plants used to decorate our homes and churches throughout December, are provided by the Ecke family in California. Sounds great - support a family business and decorate to celebrate the birth of our Savior!
BUT this family, unfortunately, uses the money they get from the sales of these poinsettias to renovate abortion mills and support Planned Parenthood's agenda of more abortions!
So, can anyone think of a better alternative to buying poinsettias this year? Get the word out to your pastors about this!
Musings from A Catholic Bookstore has more on this.
Please post any church and home decorating ideas!
BUT this family, unfortunately, uses the money they get from the sales of these poinsettias to renovate abortion mills and support Planned Parenthood's agenda of more abortions!
So, can anyone think of a better alternative to buying poinsettias this year? Get the word out to your pastors about this!
Musings from A Catholic Bookstore has more on this.
Please post any church and home decorating ideas!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Everybody Loves a Parade!
* I will add the photos to go with this post later. *
Last weekend (Saturday, September 9, to be precise) we all drove up to Estes Park, Colorado to participate in the Longs Peak Highland Games Parade. I made hard-boiled eggs and gingerbread cookies the night before so we could eat on the road, since we had to leave at 6 AM.
We arrived at the parade site supposedly just before the parade was to start, but had to stand around for a while before we actually started moving because there were many clans and bands there, and we had to wait our turn to go. Next year we'll send one person to sign us all in, and actually bring everyone to the line up later. The littlest ones got a bit impatient, and I (37 weeks pregnant) was anxious to get going, too!
My Brother-In-Law bought the fabric and designed the banners which were carried by the men in the family.
Doesn't Dad look great in his kilt? Mom looks elegant in her Hostess Dress. My beautiful Sister-In-Law made the skirt she is wearing when she was in Junior High School! And look how gorgeous she looks in it now that she is married and has an almost-two-year-old son (the cutie in the Glengarry hat), and a "bun in the oven." The guys looked handsome in their Tweed jackets and driver's caps. My guys all had matching tartan ties. I wore a tartan mini-sash over my shoulder with a navy blue dress my mother wore at my wedding 11 years ago!
It was wonderful to see that many people still know what to do when the Flag of the United States passes by. Many veterans in the crowds stood and saluted, and many civilians and children put their hands over their hearts.
After the parade, we had a picnic lunch at a nearby picnic area. The kids had fun dipping their feet in the stream at our picnic site.
It was a great day - the weather could not have been better. Next year we'll do it again, God willing!
Last weekend (Saturday, September 9, to be precise) we all drove up to Estes Park, Colorado to participate in the Longs Peak Highland Games Parade. I made hard-boiled eggs and gingerbread cookies the night before so we could eat on the road, since we had to leave at 6 AM.
We arrived at the parade site supposedly just before the parade was to start, but had to stand around for a while before we actually started moving because there were many clans and bands there, and we had to wait our turn to go. Next year we'll send one person to sign us all in, and actually bring everyone to the line up later. The littlest ones got a bit impatient, and I (37 weeks pregnant) was anxious to get going, too!
My Brother-In-Law bought the fabric and designed the banners which were carried by the men in the family.
Doesn't Dad look great in his kilt? Mom looks elegant in her Hostess Dress. My beautiful Sister-In-Law made the skirt she is wearing when she was in Junior High School! And look how gorgeous she looks in it now that she is married and has an almost-two-year-old son (the cutie in the Glengarry hat), and a "bun in the oven." The guys looked handsome in their Tweed jackets and driver's caps. My guys all had matching tartan ties. I wore a tartan mini-sash over my shoulder with a navy blue dress my mother wore at my wedding 11 years ago!
It was wonderful to see that many people still know what to do when the Flag of the United States passes by. Many veterans in the crowds stood and saluted, and many civilians and children put their hands over their hearts.
After the parade, we had a picnic lunch at a nearby picnic area. The kids had fun dipping their feet in the stream at our picnic site.
It was a great day - the weather could not have been better. Next year we'll do it again, God willing!
Retreat
Today I am alone in the house for a couple of hours. Normally, Mondays are for grocery shopping and errand running, but today I am just too pregnant to walk, much less drive all over town getting groceries and library books.
So Ian took the kids (all 6 of them by himself - what a man!) and loaded them into the van after treating us to a yummy breakfast of oatmeal and home-made biscuits. They are off to do the necessaries of the day while I waddle around the house looking for the last items I need before the baby's born. And then I'll lie down and let my back relax for a few minutes while I do some spiritual reading. That's probably all I have time for today, but it is enough.
So Ian took the kids (all 6 of them by himself - what a man!) and loaded them into the van after treating us to a yummy breakfast of oatmeal and home-made biscuits. They are off to do the necessaries of the day while I waddle around the house looking for the last items I need before the baby's born. And then I'll lie down and let my back relax for a few minutes while I do some spiritual reading. That's probably all I have time for today, but it is enough.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Back To School
Well, here we are in the middle of August again! Normally we would not start school so soon, but the kids have actually been asking (!) and since baby Snowdrop is due towards the end of September, I thought we should start so that we can take a break when baby is born.
So far so good. All three of my school-aged kids did extra Math pages the first day - they decided to do this without my prompting, and no complaints, except that some of them wanted to do more when it was time to clear the table and prepare dinner. If this good cheer continues, we might finish school this year by Christmas (just kidding)!
So far so good. All three of my school-aged kids did extra Math pages the first day - they decided to do this without my prompting, and no complaints, except that some of them wanted to do more when it was time to clear the table and prepare dinner. If this good cheer continues, we might finish school this year by Christmas (just kidding)!
Sharing the Bounty
Peach jam! Pickles! Applesauce!
My Mother-n-Law is taking time this summer to teach me how to make such culinary delights, and if we can control ourselves and not eat it all before Thanksgiving, there will be a jar of peach preserves for Uncle Tommy and his family, a jar of applesauce for Aunt Mary, and a tin of spiced nuts for Uncle John. Not to mention the rum balls for Aunt Elizabeth and Gingerbread cookies for Grandpa.
I am hoping that Uncle Brandon will share his home-made Christmas Ale in return!
My Mother-n-Law is taking time this summer to teach me how to make such culinary delights, and if we can control ourselves and not eat it all before Thanksgiving, there will be a jar of peach preserves for Uncle Tommy and his family, a jar of applesauce for Aunt Mary, and a tin of spiced nuts for Uncle John. Not to mention the rum balls for Aunt Elizabeth and Gingerbread cookies for Grandpa.
I am hoping that Uncle Brandon will share his home-made Christmas Ale in return!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Win Dairy Products from Horizon
Go HERE to sign up to win $300 of dairy products for your family! Here''s a link to Horizon Organics too.
May She Rest In Peace
Last night our family drove home from the home of my husband's grandmother. She was 92 years old when the Lord called her home on Thursday, July 12. All of her children and many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were with her when she died.
The Rosary was held on Monday of this week, and the funeral Mass was on Tuesday. The ceremonies attached to these events were beautiful and dignified, as was the life of our Nana. Please pray for the repose of her soul as well as for the strength of the family to carry on without her here.
The Rosary was held on Monday of this week, and the funeral Mass was on Tuesday. The ceremonies attached to these events were beautiful and dignified, as was the life of our Nana. Please pray for the repose of her soul as well as for the strength of the family to carry on without her here.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Asking for a Miracle NOW!!!
Please pray! I know someone who needs a large sum of money TODAY. If you would please pray that somehow this money will materialize before midnight, it would be greatly appreciated. Please pray for this person to be able to trust God as well. I beg of you to implore heaven. Give your Guardian Angel something to do: Send him on an urgent mission.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Pro-Family Businesses Wanted
In my previous post "Is it Wrong to Buy at Discount?" Someone commented that her family tries to support Catholic businesses whenever possible. I responded with this (below) and thought I should start a new post on the subject, asking if anyone knows of small family-run businesses that struggle to stay afloat because they cannot compete with larger corporations that discount more than the smaller businesses can (perhaps because they have their items manufactured in China or other countries that do not promote freedom for their people):
Kitty's response: "Which reminds me! I am planning on repainting my kitchen and saw a wall hanging I really wanted at Hobby Lobby. It is just exactly the size and shape of what I was thinking of to put in the mud room - it is black wrought iron and has a rooster at the top and 7 hooks along the bottom - perfect for little coats and gloves in winter and little sun hats and gardening gloves in summer. HOWEVER, it is made in China and you have just reaffirmed why I cannot buy it. It supports forced abortions instead of strengthening families. Do you know any American family-run businesses that make and sell "country" type items for the home?"
SO! If you know of any such small businesses I would like to have a list here. It does not have to sell "country" items, but any small business that sells wholesome items NOT made in countries where Catholic values are trodden upon and people are enslaved. My blog does not reach millions, but I want to do my small part to help families trying to earn a living doing something worthwhile. Tell your friends to send me information on these businesses. I am especially interested in online and "local" stores (local to your part of the country or world).
Kitty's response: "Which reminds me! I am planning on repainting my kitchen and saw a wall hanging I really wanted at Hobby Lobby. It is just exactly the size and shape of what I was thinking of to put in the mud room - it is black wrought iron and has a rooster at the top and 7 hooks along the bottom - perfect for little coats and gloves in winter and little sun hats and gardening gloves in summer. HOWEVER, it is made in China and you have just reaffirmed why I cannot buy it. It supports forced abortions instead of strengthening families. Do you know any American family-run businesses that make and sell "country" type items for the home?"
SO! If you know of any such small businesses I would like to have a list here. It does not have to sell "country" items, but any small business that sells wholesome items NOT made in countries where Catholic values are trodden upon and people are enslaved. My blog does not reach millions, but I want to do my small part to help families trying to earn a living doing something worthwhile. Tell your friends to send me information on these businesses. I am especially interested in online and "local" stores (local to your part of the country or world).
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Pray for Nana
My husband's grandmother is old. Her 93rd birthday is coming up this August, but she may not make it. All of her children and some of her grand children and great-grandchildren are gathering at her house this week and next week to say goodbye. We will probably be headed there on Monday also.
Please pray for safe travel for all of her family who are going to see her, for strength for those of us left behind without her, but most of all for a happy and holy death for this beautiful woman who has touched so many lives with her generosity and hospitality.
Please pray for safe travel for all of her family who are going to see her, for strength for those of us left behind without her, but most of all for a happy and holy death for this beautiful woman who has touched so many lives with her generosity and hospitality.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Put On a Happy Face!
We were talking about all of the kids' cousins, whom we will see at Christmas time.
Me: And Uncle Tommy & Aunt Dwija are having a little boy a little before our baby is born, so we'll see him too!
Andrew (5): You mean they already know it's a boy? How?
Me: Yes. Do you remember that thing my midwife put on my tummy and we could see the baby on a little TV? Well, they can sometimes see if the baby is a boy or girl.
Lucy (8): yeah, they look at the...
Me: Wait, let Andrew answer. Andrew, how do you think they can tell if it's a boy or girl?
Andrew: They can tell by the face!
Me: And Uncle Tommy & Aunt Dwija are having a little boy a little before our baby is born, so we'll see him too!
Andrew (5): You mean they already know it's a boy? How?
Me: Yes. Do you remember that thing my midwife put on my tummy and we could see the baby on a little TV? Well, they can sometimes see if the baby is a boy or girl.
Lucy (8): yeah, they look at the...
Me: Wait, let Andrew answer. Andrew, how do you think they can tell if it's a boy or girl?
Andrew: They can tell by the face!
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