The Needle in a Haystack

Date Night.... Iron Lady

With Chris traveling for 18 hours on Tuesday we knew we would be celebrating our Sabbath on Wednesday. One of the things we like to do is pick a movie to watch together.  This week it was Iron Lady with Meryl Streep .  It had been recommended to us by Dave and Sandi when they came to visit and since we both love biographical things we were anxious to watch it.

  Let me say that Meryl Streep was phenomenal.  Her acting was brilliant!

If the story had been written about a woman suffering dementia and the progression and struggles... it would have been interesting, but maybe not date night interesting... the fact it was to be a  series of falshbacks from Margaret Thatchers life and her dementia I felt was a bit degrading to her. It made me feel uncomfortable veiwing such a personal look at some one so powerful and strong.  I thought how we would feel as Americans if a film had done that to Reagan?  

   We tried these for our movie snack... soooo good.. and fun to do!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feb 21, 2012... Date night

We got lots of small projects done around here today, spent a bit of time on auctions for the business...and some times getting dinner and snacks planned for our date night ( which we did at home).

 Chris tried his meat searing techniques on a chuck roast.... I would call that a fail... chucks require a slow cooking to tenderize and lossen the fibers... disappointing with a 12.00 piece of meat.

  I tried this  Soft Pretzel Bites recipe from Making Memories for us it was fail . The baking soda taste was really strong...AND I learned a very hard lesson  about baking soda and aluminum pans, I might have ruined this one.. I am not sure... but I do know I am going to start collecting stainless pieces... I know of two folks who have tried this recipe and loved it, so I am not sure if it was the pan..or some other operator error... I ended up tossing them and making chex mix instead.

   Despite our cooking failures, the movie we had picked was awesome!  You can stream it for free off the internet or buy the DVD...  We watched it off the internet projected on the TV.... both of us enjoyed it so much.  Back to Eden , is a true story of gardening God's way, quick, easy sustainable. We had studied this method for a few months now and this movie pushed us over the top to give it a try. We will certainly be keeping you up to date on the " no till " method of gardening.

   Matthew 6:19-20

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . .

..makes you wonder how much "stuff' we really need..

  Think about it...and have a fine day...all day long!

Feb 16,2012

Another busy day around The End of the Road.   After breakfast we headed out to a tree and vine pruning demo provided free of charge by a local Ag agent.  I can not recommend using your local extension office for free or almost free classes. We really enjoyed getting to know some new folks and learned a bunch too.

Peach and Apple tree pruning

 Grape vines ( and yes, this helped make our decision to plant grapes this year)

raspberries, blueberries and figs.

Thanks to Robert and Mary Jane for allowing us at their farm!

It started rainy just as we were leaving  so we were able to do a bit more cleaning ont he spare room.... 3 box loads for the local women's shelter. The room is really coming together.... a nice visit with my friend Shelley and it was time to fix dinner.

Chris decided to cook again... its a new sport of his I could get use to! Tonights menu... homemade chili cheese fries

 We found this fry maker at the market for 3.00... sturdy and well made it did the job perfectly!

The insides were tender... the outside crispy!

I was not idle!  A friend at the shoppe gave us this recipe for Microwave Bread and Butter Pickles...  easy and delicious!

 Billy's Microwave Bread and Butter Pickles

  2 sliced cucumbers

  1 onion ( sliced)

  1 1/2 cup sugar

  1 cup distilled vinegar

   1t  mustard seed

   1t salt

   1/2 t celery seed

   1/2  tumeric

 Place all ingredients in a microwave bowl and microwave on high for 4 minutes

stir and microwave for another 4 minutes

stir, microwave 2 more minutes then pour into sterile jar ..allow to cool and stick into fridge. They are ready to eat when cooled.

...these are delicious!

 

"Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."  Matthew 17:20

..have a fine day...all day long!

Feb 15,2012

Guest Post by Chris on Pizza-pa-looza and how to cook a steak.... he really has been doing more food prep the last couple of days...

next up we need a pizza stone and a pizza peel. The pizza was delicious but the center was not as done as the crust.

Beef...it's what's for dinner! Believe it or not, I cooked this in 5 minutes in the OVEN. I'll be perfectly honest, it's not quite as good as grilled....but it's mighty close!

See this link for instructions: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/pan-seared-rib-eye-recipe/index.html

It is VITAL that you get your cast iron skillet HOT HOT HOT on the stovetop before putting the steak into it

 

²² The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, ²³ and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

 ²⁴ Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”

   They replied, “Certainly, O king.”

 ²⁵ He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

 ²⁶ Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!”

   So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, Daniel 3:22-26

Chris

   post script.. I told Chris when he picked a verse he had to find one that sort of went along with his post... :)... God IS faithful........all the time...so have a fine day, all day long!

 

Rustic Cabbage Soup

I do believe my body is in sugar overload!  Chris and I both decided we needed something healthy and hardy  for dinner . 

 Scrounging the fridge today we had a kielbasa, cabbage, carrots.... int eh pantry was chicken stock...

We decided a nice Rustic Cabbage Soup would hit the spot.....and that it did!

RUSTIC CABBAGE SOUP

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
a big pinch of salt
1/2 pound potatoes, skin on, cut 1/4-inch pieces
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
5 cups stock (see head notes)
1 1/2 cups white beans, precooked or canned (drained & rinsed well)
1/2 medium cabbage, cored and sliced into 1/4-inch ribbons

1 keilbasa

soften potatoes and onions in olive oil, add chicken stock,garlic & keilbasa , beans and cabbage... allow to simmer until cabbage is cooked... grated parmesan is good on top!

....and how about a few Christmas pics....

our family played Bingo for White elephant gifts this year... we had a blast...

Jamie and Emily hosted the family Christmas this year and did a great job with food and fun!

Emily made this cute little tree cheese ball... Delicious!

Chris gave the family Christmas sermon  on families.... not just our earthly family... but our spiritual family

For rwhoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:50

  have a fine day......all day long!

 

 

Tamale Traditions

In a corner of our market there is a wonderful Hispanic family that sells fruits, vegetables and other products for the local Hispanic community.  I love shopping there! Many times I will try new fruits and veggies and am in awe of preparations and products.

...This past weekend as we enjoyed the holiday festivites at the market they graciously shared their Christmas tradition with us........... handmade tamales!  I have ordered tamales at the local Mexican resturant but let me tell you, they barely compare to these handmade treats made for us.

  Each bundle contained cheese, pork or chicken with a VERY hot pepper contained in a corn meal pouch... There were red and green ones... with a salsa or a mole sauce.   Delicious! 

  The second traditions they shared with us was roasted corn on the cob spread with mayo, sprinkled with chese & chili powder.....

  I must confess I prefered the tamales... but what a blessing to be able to experience first hand a tradition from another culture... Thank you so much!

  I read up on the tradition of the tamales HERE .

and here is an article on how to make tamales.

 

Tomorrow begins our 7 days of festivites. Except for a tad bit of cooking and wrapping I do believe we have nothing to do but enjoy.....

               what traditions do you have for the holidays?

Middle Eastern Dinner

Chris and I love cooking cultural meals.  In our small town we don't have a variety of resturants to offer us a culinary trip around the world , we have to do that for ourselves

 So tonight we decided to take a trip to Lebanon. Some of the ingredients we had to travel to Durham  for , but if you live in a rural area some of these things can be ordered if necessary.  we understand this isnot exactly being a true locavore... but for us experiencing a countries culture through food is entertainment for us... the preparing and the eating...

Our Appetizer was Hummus and sliced pita bread

Hummus

• 1 16 oz can of chickpeas or garbanzo beans
• 1/4 cup liquid from can of chickpeas
• 3-5 tablespoons lemon juice (depending on taste)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons tahini
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation:

Drain chickpeas and set aside liquid from can. Combine remaining ingredients in blender or food processor. Add 1/4 cup of liquid from chickpeas. Blend for 3-5 minutes on low until thoroughly mixed and smooth.

Place in serving bowl . There are recipes for homemade pita bread but we bought ours this go round.

Main course: Shish Taouk

• 2 lbs cubed chicken breast
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne

Preparation:

In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Allow chicken to marinate for 2-24 hours, covered in the refrigerator.

Place chicken on the skewers (about 5 pieces on each). Grill for 15 minutes or until done. Remember to turn skewers during cooking.

 

Lebanese Rice

• 1 1/2 cups rice
• 1/2 cup vermicelli, broken to small pieces
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 1/4 cups water

Preparation:

Brown vermicelli in butter in large pan. Add rice and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low for 20 minutes, or until water is absorbed and rice is tender.

..I also served with a green salad

Dessert: Ghoraibi cookies

MELT IN YOUR MOUTH

• 2 cups butter, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups blanched almond halves
• 1 teaspoon clear almond extract

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Beat butter in mixing bowl for 5 minutes, or until fluffy. Cream in sugars. Add almond extract. Slowly add in flour. If you do not have a heavy duty stand mixer, you may want to mix in half of the flour with the mixer, then the remaining with a spoon. You don't want to burn out the motor on a hand mixer.

Chill in the refrigerator for up to one hour.

Roll out chilled cookie dough on a floured surface. Roll into a rope that is 1 1/2 - 2 inches thick.

Cut diagonally into diamond shapes.

Place on ungreased cookie sheets.

Place one almond in the center of each cookie.

Bake for 12 minutes. Remove and cool on cooling rack.

Psalms 104:16 The trees of the LORD are full of sap; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;

Have a fine day.................all day long!

Menu Monday ( except its Tuesday)

I forgot I had a promise to do Menu Mondays..at least through the end of January..the snow /power outages have thrown me off game...so.. here is the menu through Saturday...I will have recipes for each day( or links )....

 

Monday: Chicken Speghetti,green beans, applesauce

Two tried and true recipes... Pioneer Woman's chicken Speghetti is pure comfort food around here...and Amanda's easy peasy applesauce ( minus the littles) has filled our pantry with wonderful hoemmade applesauce.  I warm ours before we eat.

Tuesday: Baked ham, baked potatoes, peas and corn fritters

These corn fritters are so yummy. I used frozen corn that I let thaw.... we put butter on ours

Wednesday: Sweet and Sour chicken crockpot bake , veggie medley( I'll post the recipe tomorrow)

Thursday: Baked Ziti , salad and garlic triangles

Friday: pancakes and sausage

  Dinner in Mt Olive, NC as we go to watch the giant pickle drop

Saturday: Pork Roast, saurkraut, blackeyed peas, collards, mashed potatoes, green beans, cornbread and biscuits.

 There is a new yahoo group a few of my friends have started called Mealsforadollaraday perperson.  I will not even pretend to be able to spend 90 dollars a month on groceries for the three of us... but we are more aware of how we spend our food money, where our foods come from, and what we can buy locally or grow ourselves.

Today we did the big grocery shop for January and have just a little over half the budget for the beef and perishables. We also include household goods and petfood in there too.

 So  weekly there will be posts about how to become more food aware... eating locally ..its a good thing...

esus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Matthew 4:4

...and have a fine day ...all day long!