Approaching Glory

The Baking Day

I'm a day behind my normal holiday schedule.  Thankfully, Jbird help me.  We had two mince meat, two pumpkin, and an apple pie to bake.  Actually that doesn't sound too bad - that is until you add up all the crusts you have to make.  (8)  Jbird mixed the ingredients and I did the rolling out and pie innards.  The house smells wonderful.

Hubby came home from the grocery store with a 24 pounder.  I do believe that's more than enough.  The mad dash to make the house presentable has begun!

Guess What I Made?

Yes - those are muffins that I made for breakfast.  But do you know what they are made of?  Nope not bran.  These delicious muffins were made with Krusteaz Pumpkin Spice Mix which I raved about here and here.  Last year I couldn't find the mix - though I looked high and low.  But on Saturday when I went to Sam's there it was!  Each box contains a three pack of the mix.  I bought three boxes.  I think I should have bought a case!  I know I'm going back for more.  This is the first time I tried baking the muffins and they are yummy too (the cookies from the side of the box recipe still have my heart though). Did I say they were easy?  Yup - sure are.

It has been a rather odd day here.  I've been doing tons of laundry.  I've determined we have way too many clothes and it is time to sort through the lot.  But not today.

We made it through the end of the Brit. Lit.  I still think I'm going to give him an AP grade on the subject when he finishes a research paper for me.  There were nearly 1200 pages in the text. Makes me wonder how they figure that book should be covered in 180 days including assignments et al.  Jbird tells me he is ready for Spanish 2.  I told him if he can take the final for the Spanish 1 and pass it - then we will go forward.  Hubby and J will be working weekends on the Chemistry and math.  So I've decided to do an elective that I can't think of a good name for that will cover study skills, grammar, writing, test prep, vocabulary, and some speech (including presentation).  I've got a text/workbook which I'll discuss at a later time (it's great) and I know where I can get a good dvd on the same subject.  He really doesn't need the course cause we are down to 2 maths, Spanish2 and chemistry and we are finished with HS.  Everything else is test prep and life skills.  I have some ideas flying around in my brain to help Jbird acquire some life skills

On another note:  I got the family update through the email today.  We have in our family someone who very graciously keeps track of all of us and our current information.  Considering the size of hubby's family that is no small task.  We are spread out all across the USA now.  We receive three documents in the annual update - The Address, Email, Phone List, The Anniversary/Birthday List, and The In Memoriam List.  The older I get the more touched I am every time I read the memoriam list.  Their names bring back many memories.  I need to remember to make a tree for Jbird so he can "see" how all these people go together.

And It's Tasty Too!

Okay - the first go round with the chicken marsala was not as we hoped.  It was good but not like Olive Garden's.  Now that I knew that it wasn't going to be like the restaurant's dish - I decided I needed to adjust it our tastes.  Which I did.  And everyone liked it.  So here goes:

Lillium's Chicken Marsala (based on the Olive Garden recipe)

Prep time: 30 minutes/Cook time: 30 minutes/Serving size: 4

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
• 1/2 cup flour
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste
• dried oregano to taste
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp corn starch
• 1 tsp chicken bouillon (if you use the cubes I say three)
• 2 cups fresh mushrooms sliced
• 1 cup Marsala wine

Procedures

1. Pound chicken breasts between sheets of plastic wrap until about 1/4" thickness (I use a baggie)
2. Combine flour, salt, pepper, and oregano in a mixing bowl.  Dredge chicken pieces in the flour, shaking off any excess.
3. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.  Cook chicken breasts on medium heat for about 2 minutes on the first side until lightly browned.  Turn breasts over to cook other side, then add mushrooms to skillet.  Cook breasts two more minutes, until both sides are lightly browned.  Continue to stir mushrooms. 
4. Mix the corn starch and chicken bouillon into the Marsala wine.  Add the Marsala mixture to skillet pouring around the chicken pieces.
5. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes.
6. Transfer to serving plate.

Yummy yummy.  I've served with a nice salad or veggies.  I think I'm going to try the Olive Garden recipe for their potatoes -which is the side order I think goes with this at the restaurant.  I'll let you know how it turns out.  Enjoy.

Southern Biscuits

It has taken me years to finally achieve a decent glass of Southern Iced Tea.  I wrote about it awhile ago but can't seem to find the post - anyway - the secret is a pinch of baking soda to make it smooth tasting.  But let me tell you about my biscuits....

First, in my defense, let me say that where I come from (Western New York) we did not have biscuits like they have here in the South.  Hubby and I moved to Raleigh, NC in the late seventies, and that is when I first tasted southern style biscuits.  I called up my mom and dad, who were then living in Ft. Lauderdale, and told them they were going to have to try these wonderful goodies.  At the time there wasn't any place in south Florida that was serving these might morsels - but when they came to visit me, they got their first try at "a little heaven on earth."  My mother's remark was something to effect that it wasn't any wonder I was putting on weight.  And thank you mother dearest!

Well, I've made numerous attempts to re-create the flaky, delicious goodies but I normally end up with what you'd hit with a hockey stick!  I've tried all kinds of tips, flours, Crisco/butter combinations, etc.  I've sought out and experimented with various recipes.  Grandma's Never Fails to Angel Biscuits - nothing worked for me.  My family went from laughing at my culinary bombs - to groaning when I would announce I was going to try again.

Jbird and I were grocery shopping the other day in the baking ingredients aisle, when my little eye rested upon Southern Biscuit Flour. I picked up the package and walked over to the dairy section.   I bought the buttermilk needed.  That's the two ingredients - the mix and buttermilk.  I was getting a little excited here - Biscuits for Dummies.  Jbird rolled his eyes at me. I  was wondering if I should just forget it when he said, "You're not going to try biscuits again are you?"  The challenge had been made!  I marched my little bodacious biscuit making buns right on home with my high hopes and ingredients.

I got up early and read the directions carefully.  I did my absolute best not to overwork the dough.  Checked to make sure the oven was hot enough and that I had spread the dough out a good 3/4 of an inch thick before I used the bottom of a glass to cut out my biscuits.  Yeah - I know.  Somebody out there has some real cute biscuit cutters, but here we use a glass.  I know it says 1/2 " but I wanted to make sure we had high rising, soft-inside biscuits.  I also placed the biscuits a little closer to each other than it says - again I wanted the sides to be soft as opposed to crispy.

And guess what?  They were so good that my family actually asked me when I was going to make some more - wow!  Are those cheers I hear in the background?  Yup.  Thought so. 

Tollhouse at My House

I promised you a recipe.  I thought it would be something sensible and healthy.  Would you settle for full of calories and delicious?

Click here for the Tollhouse Swirled Cookies recipe.  My dear hubby, who is doggedly sticking to THE diet, just asked me why I made them.  I think that you only have to smell them baking and then pop a nice warm one in your mouth to answer that.  But, "just because" would do.

Sonny boy is now a certified lifeguard, certified first aid somethin-or-other, and certified for CPR.  I always knew he was certifiable.  So it is onward to getting re-certified in the swimming CPR and taking the Water Safety Instructor course.

Hubby and I have been having a duel all day with the Bejeweled.  I'm pleased to say that I'm currently the high scorer.  I don't know how that will last but it feels good while it lasts.

I've completed another set on the Baby Aran sweater.  I honestly can't say enough good about this pattern.  Easily memorized (and considering my memory that's definitely a good thing) and to do.  (pretty cardinal and his lady just hopped by on the front lawn).

Got a lovely email from Amy Main.  Her hubby's blog,  The Main Point by Michael Main, is listed in my Blog Reads.  He is an excellent writer and a good read.  I thoroughly enjoyed my email from Amy - it was a blessing.

I updated all the blog-links that I noticed had changed their addies.  I changed colors again.  I'm adding to my Knitters and Blog Reads list.  I want to add some other Typepad lists as well.

Tomorrow morning I have to take Jbird to the cardiologist.  They are just checking to make sure that some of the symptoms he has with the ACM are just that and not heart related.  They said to expect a 2-3 hour long visit.  My knitting will definitely go with me.

Special Evening

Every once in awhile you get to experience a very special evening. Our family had one tonight. We were invited to a gathering of people from our church at our friend's house. This was our first time to their home and while I expected it to be lovely - nothing could have prepared me for how exquisite it truly is. Without pictures it is difficult to explain but let me suffice it to say - it ranks up there with homes I've seen in House Beautiful or Southern Living. I fully agree with greta that our senses cry out to be surrounded by such loveliness. Many years ago I would have been totally overwhelmed and insecure about going into such a situation (for neither my past nor my current situation has me living in these condition myself) BUT I've reached the place in my life where I can thoroughly appreciate its beauty and enjoy myself. I asked permission before I walked appreciatively through each room. Then I gazed with admiration at the skill of the combination of colors and textures - awesome. One area in the home touched my heart - there in a little cove off to the right of entrance way was an obvious little niche of prayer and thought. A lovely ladies sofa, small coverup draped over it, antique secretary type piece filled with books - all ready for the lady of the house to sit and read and gaze out the window. I must say - I have such admiration for people who have the gift of interior decorating. There isn't a bone in my artistic body that can manage it. I know what I like - I can tell if it looks good - but I CAN NOT do it myself. I think you are born with it and then someone causes the seed to blossom. My creative giftings lie in other areas. Not only was the home artfully and tastefully decorated but it was filled with beautiful music as well. I sat (or rather sunk) down in an all leather armchair that felt like butter cream to the body in front of a blazing fire, closed my eyes and drifted away with the music - ah --- I would have gotten up for a cuppa BUT I was too busy munching my appetizer shrimp. The table was set as if ready to be photgraphed - as for the couple who hosted - delightful company, hospitality with graciousness and they ended up serving us communion. An evening to remember.

Girls' Night Out

After a rough - and I DO mean rough day (taxi driver express) Jay here - Megan there. I made it to the Red Lobster to join the ladies for a night out. I had a wonderful dinner of jumbo coconut shrimp and scampi. The pineapple dip was luscious. I didn't eat their famous biscuits and I only had oil and vinegar on my salad. My way of attempting to stay on the diet while eating in style. Great time - and good conversation. Kathy, (my sister-in-law) came to pick up Megz for the weekend. Megz is going for her driver's license on Saturday.

The Four Letter Word

Diet. I absolutely hate the word - and note the little word DIE in there! However, I've been having great success with the following food rules:

1) No pasta

2) No bread

3) No sugar

4) No potatos

5) No corn

No problem! I've tried alot of the main diets and some of the fads but this one is working well and I'm not going through the "check out the refrigerator" syndrome. I think on one diet I wore out the flooring walking into the kitchen to see what I could see. One thing I've told myself this time is that I'm not going to be legalistic about the process and I'm not going to weigh myself. Weighing in drives me beserk. I can tell the diet is working because of my clothes. And this time I'm being patient with myself. Maybe I've finally clued into that I didn't get overweight over night and it's going to take time to inch it off. Of course hubby is dropping pounds a whole lot quicker - but even that is not going to move me this time.

I joined the local Lanier Aquatics Masters swimming group in February and slowly but surely I'm making some progress. Unfortunately the coach is going away for the month of August and there isn't anyone who is going to come in open the pool for us at 6 a.m. I also heard rumors that we may not start again in the Fall because there are so few of us. I sure hope that isn't true because this is one exercise that doesn't hurt my back (old fall injury). I guess if he doesn't offer us the time I'll have to scout out other pools - here it is pretty expensive to join for a year. There are no Y's here as yet.