Tag Archives: Easy Recipe

Maybe…..Tasty Tuesday?

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"This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook--try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, BE FEARLESS, and above all have fun. ~Julia Child

“This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook–try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, BE FEARLESS, and above all have fun.
~Julia Child

Well, it happened again…..twice!  I’m so sorry I missed Mm! Mm! Monday two weeks in a row! A week ago Monday, I was sick, sick, sick and you don’t want to hear about that!  And then there was yesterday….

I had all intentions of posting on schedule and then the unexpected happened. My better half, while working in his wood shop cut his finger with a newly sharpened knife, right through his glove.  As it turned out we ended up in the ER and waited FIVE HOURS for him to get five stitches and a giant bandage! After getting discharged we ate an McDonald’s hamburger at 10:30 p.m. (not highly recommended) and drove the thirty-five minutes home.  Needless to say, writing my blog post never happened.

So, here I am today to remind you to always expect the unexpected!  We never know what life’s going to throw our way but we DO know Things. Will. Come.  I never expected to move to West Virginia, to retire at 55, or even to be writing my own blog; and those are all GOOD things!  But then there are those circumstances that come out of nowhere and blindside us.  We all have them, whether it’s a health issue (or a knife issue), a difficult stage in our marriage, a loss of someone we love, or a challenging job.  The list is different for each of us and somehow we have to be prepared to be unprepared for them to come. I think I’m safe when I say that none of us long for times of trouble, I know I’d like it to stay as far away from me and those I love as possible. Unfortunately, there’s evil in the world and it touches us all.  Isn’t it reassuring to know:

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.  And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment.  For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)

Expecting the unexpected is only half the story. The more important half is that We. Are. Not. Alone. God, who is NEVER surprised provides for us even through our darkest times AND uses those times to help us become more of who He intends us to be!  I don’t know about you, but that’s an “unexpected” comfort to me!

Now to the business at hand…..Here’s an unexpected flavor combination that tickles your tongue and this is perfect timing too, because the rhubarb is ready to pick! I hope you are pleasantly surprised by this dish!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:14]

M’m! M’m! Monday 5/16/16

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"This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook--try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, BE FEARLESS, and above all have fun. ~Julia Child

“This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook–try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, BE FEARLESS, and above all have fun.
~Julia Child

Is it Monday again already?  Time passes so quickly these days it seems! I’m sorry I missed last Monday.  I was lucky enough to be babysitting my little grand.  He’s mobile now so needless to say my attention was on him ( and his keen interest in the dog’s water) and not on my keyboard.

Being in church on Mother’s Day with my daughter, son-in-love, and grandson brought me such joy.  As part of the service they recognized the oldest mother present in the congregation.  (She was eighty-eight.)  Then they asked for the youngest mom and it turned out to be MY daughter!  Boy, talk about overwhelmed with feelings!!! I can’t tell you how proud it makes me to see my baby girl taking care of her own baby!  It’s a feeling so amazing that I find it hard to put into words (and you know I love my words)!

Having Hannah standing beside me as the congregation applauded her took me back to being a young mother myself. I remember being so tired that I didn’t think I could do one more thing; but I did.  I can remember feeling afraid I would make mistakes; of course I did. I remember feeling so overwhelmed with love that I thought I might cry; and yes, I did that too.  Pulled in every direction: home, school, church, community; there were times I didn’t think I could handle it all…..and some days I didn’t, but some days I did!

Being a mom and now MiMi is my greatest blessing!  It isn’t easy. And for those of you just starting out like Hannah, I’d love to tell you it gets easier….but it doesn’t, just different.  I think back now and wish I’d lingered in the everyday just a little longer.  I wish I’d soaked in the tiny hand hugs and sticky kisses just a little more deeply. I wish I’d prayed more, read more nursery rhymes, and said fewer words out of anger.

My grandparents used to tell me that the older you get, the faster time seems to go.  I didn’t understand back when I was a young mom and wife, but I’m living it now! Whether you’re a mom, dad, grandparent, aunt, uncle, sister, brother, or friend I remind you to cherish each moment you’re given! Good, bad, ups, downs, happy, sad….life happens so quickly and all too soon you’re looking back and wondering where that young person went and how the person in the mirror could possibly be you!

I remember one thing about being a young mom very clearly and that was suppertime!  By the time I’d worked all day and picked the kids up from the sitter, making dinner felt like slaying Goliath!  Those were the days of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese and Hamburger Helper. Spending time now with my kids, I know the challenges for young families are the same today, if not greater, and I must admit I still like a quick meal too! So for those of you feeling stretched thin, overwhelmed, or like me; just like easy, I thought I’d share another easy chicken recipe that takes about as much prep time as Kraft Mac & Cheese and the clean up is easy, too!

Well, now that I’m the grandparent I’ll tell you to sit down with your family or friends around your table, say a prayer, enjoy some good, easy food, talk, laugh, and hold tight because you’ll find out that time passes in a blink of an eye, like I did!

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M’m! M’m! Monday 4/25/16

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"This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook--try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, BE FEARLESS, and above all have fun. ~Julia Child

“This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook–try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, BE FEARLESS, and above all have fun.
~Julia Child

The last week of April! Can you believe it?  Where does time go? It’s easy for me to lose track of time these days now that I’m not on a regular schedule. (Sorry to those of you who still are)  I never thought I would need a schedule again but I’m finding that I waste a lot of time and maybe, just maybe it’s time for me to put myself on a “retirement schedule”. I can’t believe I just typed those words. The blessing is; I’ll be in control of the schedule and I can ignore it whenever I want to! Oh boy, I’m thinking it may not be easy to get this gal going!

These spring days tend to quickly become full of to-do’s and can be overwhelming! It’s testing time at school (speaking from experience, it’s always stressful and exhausting), there are ballgames to attend, gardens to plant, lawns to mow, on top of all the normal things that fill your days. Dinner?  Who has time to cook?  With this new recipe, you do!  Talk about easy! It got rave reviews around my dinner table so hope you enjoy it too!

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Now, I’m the kind of eater that isn’t too fond of combining things so I ate my Cole Slaw on the side.  I also LOVE the flavor of dill so added some dill relish to my sandwich. Yummmmm! My dinner companions found the Cole Slaw and meat combo delightful. I did chose to use Hoagie Rolls which are a little more substantial and able to handle both the slaw and meat.   Serve these tangy sandwiches with some potato wedges and WAALAA dinner is served.  You can even eat on paper plates for an easy cleanup, out the door, on with life kind of night.

“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest”.” Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

P.S. For easy potato wedges this is my go to:

IMG_2417

 

M’m! M’m! Monday 4/18/16

2 Replies
"This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook--try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, BE FEARLESS, and above all have fun. ~Julia Child

“This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook–try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, BE FEARLESS, and above all have fun.
~Julia Child

My windows are open bringing in sweet air and bird song.  The sky is the kind of blue that makes you smile no matter what kind of day you’ve had.  The sun reaches down and warms what was once frozen.  I’m in short sleeves! It feels like spring! A time for renewal and growth. Birth and blooming. Sowing and hatching. My favorite time of year! A day like today makes me ready to cook something fun and fresh like this Taco French Bread Pizza! It’s quick, easy, and delicious!  So go ahead…..sit on the porch, dig in the garden, enjoy the day…. just a little longer. With this recipe, dinner’s a breeze!

[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:10]

 

M’m! M’m! Monday…..OK, Tuesday!

2 Replies
"This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook--try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, BE FEARLESS, and above all have fun. ~Julia Child

“This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook–try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, BE FEARLESS, and above all have fun.
~Julia Child

As you can tell I’m off-schedule. Side-tracked. Late. I do have a good excuse though! For the last few days I’ve been a Michigander, back in my home state with the best kind of company….my mom and sisters! I covet time with them and wish we could be together a lot more often! We had some laughs, shared meals and memories, and had a few difficult discussions. The freedom to be ourselves, share our fears and joys, and be surrounded by love are gifts of our relationship. I treasure each day, hour, minute I am with them and it literally feels like my heart is breaking as we say our goodbyes. The wonderful thing is; we may be separated by miles but in reality, we’re as close as a thought or prayer everyday. I am SO blessed!

Now, as I type this I am babysitting my grandson…..another HUGE BLESSING in my life. My accountant daughter is knee-deep in tax returns as the 15th approaches quickly so what better time for “MiMi” to come to help out!  The sun is shining outside and it’s smelling pretty good inside. (If I do say so myself) Sweet and Sour BBQ Meatballs are bubbling away in the crockpot. I’m going to serve them with rice and some corn for an easy dinner. Thought I’d just go ahead and share the recipe with you on this M’m M’m Tuesday…..I hope you are sharing your days and meals with those you love!

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M’m! M’m! Monday 4/4/16

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"This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook--try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, BE FEARLESS, and above all have fun. ~Julia Child

“This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook–try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, BE FEARLESS, and above all have fun.
~Julia Child

It’s been a long day and I’m ready to put on my “night clothes” (as my Aunt Betty calls them) and   relax for a little while.  One of my favorite things about being retired is being able to take it easy and wear comfy clothes a lot more often.  It may sound funny, but when I search for new recipes I’m kind of in the same mindset.  I want something that is easy to make and gives me that comfortable homey feeling. This dish is both!  It was a big hit at our last family dinner.

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I think this Pineapple Stuffing pairs perfectly with ham so add green beans and/or a sweet potato and you have an easy, comfort food type of meal!  So sit back, relax, and enjoy!