Tuesday, November 27, 2007
It's That Time of Year!
I guess I took a little blogging break for a few days. I really didn't intend to, it just happened. So, what have I been doing?
This is a part of what I've been doing for the last few days. I'm sure you can relate!
Those bins are full of cherished Christmas decorations. I really do enjoy lifting the lids and seeing all those memories from past years. As I have been pulling things out and putting them around the house I realize I have several treasures to "Show and Tell" for the next few weeks. I bet you have some treasured Christmas items to share also. Let's get together here on Friday.
I am almost finished with the decorating agenda for the year. The first things I put up were these two wreaths. I love them so much because they were made for us by a dear friend the year we moved to this house. This is the tenth year for them to greet friends and family to our home. I have considered replacing them, but have decided that If I do just a little more sprucing up they will make it through this year.
And here's another thing I've been doing during the last few days.
Some people are not going to believe this! I'm going to share a recipe! I know. I know. Somehow there is rumor among people I know IRL that I do not cook. Not true! I do. I especially enjoy cooking this time of year. I just have never cared for the idea of "fixin' (as we say in the South) supper!
So, for all the non believers--Here goes! I made these bread loaves for the sweet ladies in my Monday night Bible Study. We had some cranberry cookies a couple of times that they loved, So--I thought they might enjoy this little treat as an end-of-study/Christmas gift. What a precious group of women! I loved every minute I spent with them. Monday night just won't be the same--until we start another study after Christmas.
Cranberry Banana Nut Bread
Ingredients
2/3 cup All Vegetable Shortening--such as Crisco (It's a southern recipe, ya'll!)
1-1/3cups sugar
3 eggs
2 cups mashed bananas--about 4 large
3-1/2 cups Self-Rising Flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 cup chopped nuts--I use pecan/ walnut would also be good
16 oz. can whole cranberry sauce
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350*F. Grease--or spray--bottoms of two 8x4 inch loaf pans.
2. In large bowl, cream shortening and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Add bananas, flour, soda, nuts and cranberry sauce, stir gently to blend. Pour batter into prepared pan.
4. Bake at 350*F for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cook in pans 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool on wire rack. For easier slicing, wrap loaves and store overnight in a cool place.
I like this recipe because it easily makes two good sized loaves. I have a good recipe that uses fresh berries. This recipe uses the whole berry sauce so chopping berries is not required. Since I needed eight loaves this was much quicker than using fresh berries--and still good! I actually made six small loaves with one recipe. So, if you're in the neighborhood, I have a couple of extras. Drop by--I'll gladly share!
Here they are all wrapped and ready!
I am almost finished with the decorating agenda for the year. The first things I put up were these two wreaths. I love them so much because they were made for us by a dear friend the year we moved to this house. This is the tenth year for them to greet friends and family to our home. I have considered replacing them, but have decided that If I do just a little more sprucing up they will make it through this year.
I hope you are planning to join in for this fun time.
I would love to see what Christmas looks like at your house!
I would love to see what Christmas looks like at your house!
And here's another thing I've been doing during the last few days.Some people are not going to believe this! I'm going to share a recipe! I know. I know. Somehow there is rumor among people I know IRL that I do not cook. Not true! I do. I especially enjoy cooking this time of year. I just have never cared for the idea of "fixin' (as we say in the South) supper!
So, for all the non believers--Here goes! I made these bread loaves for the sweet ladies in my Monday night Bible Study. We had some cranberry cookies a couple of times that they loved, So--I thought they might enjoy this little treat as an end-of-study/Christmas gift. What a precious group of women! I loved every minute I spent with them. Monday night just won't be the same--until we start another study after Christmas.
Cranberry Banana Nut Bread
Ingredients
1-1/3cups sugar
3 eggs
2 cups mashed bananas--about 4 large
3-1/2 cups Self-Rising Flour
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 cup chopped nuts--I use pecan/ walnut would also be good
16 oz. can whole cranberry sauce
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350*F. Grease--or spray--bottoms of two 8x4 inch loaf pans.
2. In large bowl, cream shortening and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Add bananas, flour, soda, nuts and cranberry sauce, stir gently to blend. Pour batter into prepared pan.
4. Bake at 350*F for 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cook in pans 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool on wire rack. For easier slicing, wrap loaves and store overnight in a cool place.
I like this recipe because it easily makes two good sized loaves. I have a good recipe that uses fresh berries. This recipe uses the whole berry sauce so chopping berries is not required. Since I needed eight loaves this was much quicker than using fresh berries--and still good! I actually made six small loaves with one recipe. So, if you're in the neighborhood, I have a couple of extras. Drop by--I'll gladly share!
Here they are all wrapped and ready!
You know, I don't remember the last time I made a recipe that called for that much shortening. However, that was an easy quick bread recipe that I had used before--good ole' southern recipe from the good folks at Martha White. And--good folks they are. I mean, you know, I have that Tennessee, Grand Ole' Opry, hometown connection to uphold and all.
But, nevertheless--look at this recipe I found after I was already making that batch of bread loaves!
Cranberry-Orange Bread
1 cup nut-like cereal nuggets (Grape-Nuts)
1 cup uncooked regular oats
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/3cup sugar
1/2 tsp. baking aoda
1/2 cup nonfat buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 tsp. grated orange rind
1/2 cup low-sugar orange marmalade
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1. Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl, make a well in center of mixture.
2. Whisk together buttermilk, oil, and eggs, add to dry mixture, stirring just until moistened. gently fold in grate orange rind, marmalade, and cranberries. Spoon into a lightly greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pan.
3. Bake at 375* for 28 to 32 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pan to wire rack, and let cool 20 minutes or until completely cool.
I found that one in Southern Living. I think it sounds like a tasty as well as healthy choice. I may give it a try--after I find homes for these last few loaves in my basket! :-)
Yes, I am definitely enjoying preparations for this season. I have shopping online to do, more baking, a little more decorating, some blogging fun to participate in, and plenty of IRL traditions to savor and cherish. I pray that, through all the busyness of the season, my family and I will retain our focus on the reason for the traditions and activities--the very precious reason for the celebration.
But, nevertheless--look at this recipe I found after I was already making that batch of bread loaves!
Cranberry-Orange Bread
1 cup nut-like cereal nuggets (Grape-Nuts)
1 cup uncooked regular oats
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/3cup sugar
1/2 tsp. baking aoda
1/2 cup nonfat buttermilk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 tsp. grated orange rind
1/2 cup low-sugar orange marmalade
1/2 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1. Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl, make a well in center of mixture.
2. Whisk together buttermilk, oil, and eggs, add to dry mixture, stirring just until moistened. gently fold in grate orange rind, marmalade, and cranberries. Spoon into a lightly greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pan.
3. Bake at 375* for 28 to 32 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pan to wire rack, and let cool 20 minutes or until completely cool.
I found that one in Southern Living. I think it sounds like a tasty as well as healthy choice. I may give it a try--after I find homes for these last few loaves in my basket! :-)
Luke 2:11
"Today in the city of David a Savior had been born to you;
He is Christ the Lord!"
I hope you, too, are enjoying preparing your home and heart for the most wonderful season of the year."Today in the city of David a Savior had been born to you;
He is Christ the Lord!"
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Autumn Glory
This year we have had crazy weather! We had a very late freeze in the spring that caused a lot of trees, shrubs, and flowers distress at the beginning of our normal growing season. Then we had one of the hottest summers on record for our area. Many school systems in the area even cancelled classes early in September because of the unbearable heat! In addition, we suffered through a devastating drought that lasted most of the summer and into fall.
Many people predicted that the fall colors that we enjoy every year would not be very vibrant. It appeared, for awhile, that those people might be right. We usually hit the peak of the color season several weeks before now. This year, however, the trees changed color very slowly. Some of them just seemed to be losing leaves with little change in color.
THEN, just a day or two ago, I began noticing a difference in the Autumn Glory Maple tree in our backyard. I began to think that, maybe, there was hope for color after all. This is what I saw off our deck yesterday:
Last night we had a storm--lightening, thunder, rain, and wind. The temperature dropped significantly during the night. I just knew the storm would strip the trees of the leaves before we had really gotten our fill of the color that was beginning to really pop!
This afternoon, as I drove through the neighborhood--This is what I saw:
Genesis 8:22
As long as the earth endures,
seedtime and harvest, cold and heat,
summer and winter, day and night
will not cease.
Many people predicted that the fall colors that we enjoy every year would not be very vibrant. It appeared, for awhile, that those people might be right. We usually hit the peak of the color season several weeks before now. This year, however, the trees changed color very slowly. Some of them just seemed to be losing leaves with little change in color.
THEN, just a day or two ago, I began noticing a difference in the Autumn Glory Maple tree in our backyard. I began to think that, maybe, there was hope for color after all. This is what I saw off our deck yesterday:
Last night we had a storm--lightening, thunder, rain, and wind. The temperature dropped significantly during the night. I just knew the storm would strip the trees of the leaves before we had really gotten our fill of the color that was beginning to really pop!
This afternoon, as I drove through the neighborhood--This is what I saw:
Genesis 8:22
As long as the earth endures,
seedtime and harvest, cold and heat,
summer and winter, day and night
will not cease.
Labels: It's That time of Year
Thursday, July 19, 2007
A Day of Tests
Today I had to make the trek into the big city.
That once a year trek that all women of a certain age must make.
To get that test done.
You know, the one we all love!
That once a year trek that all women of a certain age must make.
To get that test done.
You know, the one we all love!
I was a few months late for mine. It was really bothering me because I am usually very prompt about it. I let life get in the way.
Well, it's done now and I feel pretty good about it. At least the technician did not come back in and take more pictures. Yay!
The one time they had to do that I ended up having to come back and have ultrasound and more pictures done. That time I had a small cyst. It was gone the next year. The doctor cautioned me about caffeine and I really did try to be careful about coffee and soft drinks. This year I will admit to a St*r*bu*cks addiction! The report will comes in a couple of weeks.
Well, it's done now and I feel pretty good about it. At least the technician did not come back in and take more pictures. Yay!
The one time they had to do that I ended up having to come back and have ultrasound and more pictures done. That time I had a small cyst. It was gone the next year. The doctor cautioned me about caffeine and I really did try to be careful about coffee and soft drinks. This year I will admit to a St*r*bu*cks addiction! The report will comes in a couple of weeks.
After that lovely experience I had that other test.
Yes, the one that lets you know if your body is beginning to show its age!
The old bone density test!
Yes, the one that lets you know if your body is beginning to show its age!
The old bone density test!
This one is not so difficult. You just lay on the table and "be very still, please." Then it is over and you are on your way--Hoping that the missed calcium tablets will not show up as a problem! I should hear from that one in about a week.
Well, it's over for me for this year--At least I hope and pray it is! How 'bout you? Have you had your mammogram and bone density test. Have you had your gynecological check-up for the year? (I didn't share that one--it was two weeks ago!)
If you've been putting it off, take a quick look here and here. Then, please, run to the telephone and make some appointments!
**Hey! Please go over to see Tammy at Family Doin's. She has a Giveaway going on right now in honor of her 201st post. If you've never been to her place, you will love getting to know her. If you are a regular, you know she'll be glad to see you!
**Before I went to the big city for the dreaded tests I won! I won a CD by going to Boomama's link to Monk and Neagle and signing up. You can go here to check out the CD. They may get some more to give away. Go have some fun!
If you've been putting it off, take a quick look here and here. Then, please, run to the telephone and make some appointments!
**Hey! Please go over to see Tammy at Family Doin's. She has a Giveaway going on right now in honor of her 201st post. If you've never been to her place, you will love getting to know her. If you are a regular, you know she'll be glad to see you!
**Before I went to the big city for the dreaded tests I won! I won a CD by going to Boomama's link to Monk and Neagle and signing up. You can go here to check out the CD. They may get some more to give away. Go have some fun!
Labels: It's That time of Year, Just Having Fun
