In my own little corner in my own little chair....

Those of us lucky enough to have experienced Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella as youngsters during the holiday season might recognize the title of my post today.

The 1965 version starring Lesley Ann Warren was truly the most beautiful movie ever.  I looked so forward to seeing it and I wish all the time that it would come back so that the grand nieces and nephews could enjoy it also.  In the beginning of the movie she sings "In my own little corner, in my own little chair, I can be whatever I want to be."  That song resonated with me for some reason.  It often is in my head as I am facing a challenge.  When I was young, pregnant and unmarried.  When I was going through the testing to be a police officer.  When I was going through my divorce. When I suffered the breakdown that ended my career. When my Pops was dying. When my brother took his life. During all these time I would sing this song to myself.  It would remind me that anything is possible.

In my bedroom I have a little nook that I have turned into my prayer corner.  And when I sit down there each day to spend time with my Lord, who through all things are possible, this song runs through my head.

 

It is a peaceful spot for me.  A place where I can go when I feel frightened or alone and know that God is with me.  A place I can go when life is wonderful and I want to thank God for his goodness.  A place I can go when I need to converse with my Lord or just curl up with a good book away from the hustle and bustle that is often my life.

 

I think it is important that we all have our own little corner and our own little chair.  A place where we can dream and plan and relax and pray.  I hope each of you are lucky enough to have that too.

 

I am linking up with Thrive at Home Thursdays.  Please join us.



Repurposing Furniture and Two Audible Book Reviews

When I started packing for the move, I placed this chair and table in my garage sale.  I had no takers so it made the move with me.  This turned out to be very fortuitous since the sunroom was larger than I had recalled and I needed furniture to make a sitting area.

So I had a green recliner and this wingback chair, both bought shortly after we were married over 25 years ago.  The table came with me when I entered into the marriage.  It was part of my dowry LOL

The table had seen better days and had been scratched up and chewed on by numerous pups.  This was not a problem when it was tucked in my own little corner next to my own  little chair but it didn't look too nice in the middle of a room.

So I decided to paint it using chalk paints.  My sister had taught me how to do this a couple of years ago when we were getting the nursery ready for Little Miss.  You can read about it and learn the technique here.   

It is very simple.  I had Frank tighten all the loose screws to make the table more sturdy.  Then I started by applying my undercoat that I chose to make pink.  I put on two coats of the pink followed by one coat of a sage green.  Then I took a wet rag and distressed it...going down to the pink in some spots and all the way to the wood grain in other spots.  I let it dry overnight and then applied three coats of minwax to it.

I am happy with the outcome but wish I had used a darker green.  My sis said "so put on another coat of dark".  I may do that but not immediately I dressed it up for the Fall and I think it looks fine.

Moving doesn't allow much time for reading.  I normally read at night for an hour or so before going to sleep but I have been conking out the minute my head hits the pillow.  Thankfully, I can listen to audible books while unpacking or while painting tables.

The first book I listened to was recommended by Heather of Based on a True Story.  I knew I wanted to order up this book based on Heather's review and I am glad that I did. 

This is the story of Zach Anner, written and narrated by Zach Anner.  I had never heard of Zach prior to this book because, as some of you may know, I live under a rock.  Zach has been a youtube sensation and has had a couple of reality television shows.  He is a comedian, a filmaker, and an author.  He also was born prematurely with cerebral palsy.  Zach writes about his life with transparency, honesty and humor.  I found myself laughing out loud and then wiping away tears.  It is, at once, uproariously funny and tenderly touching.  I felt like Zach was sitting at the counter as I unpacked and keeping me company.  I would recommend this book to everyone and think it would make the mandatory reading list for my class if I were a high school teacher.   There are so many lessons to be learned from Zach's story of tenacity, responsibility, empathy and perseverence.

The next book that I listened to and finished while working on the table was Friction by Sandra Brown.  This is the first novel I have read by this author but it won't be the last.  It is the story of a Federal Marshall who lost his wife in an accident and not coping well, gave temporary custody of his daughter to his in laws.  He has now gotten himself together and is in court for his final day of a hearing to determine whether his daughter should be returned to him.  As he is testifying a gunman charges into the courtroom spraying bullets and killing the officer providing security.  The protagonist, Crawford, protects the judge and then flees after the gunman.  Hence starts the story of Friction....Who was the gunman?  Who was his intended target?  Why was there an assasination attempt?  Who deserves custody of the little girl, Georgia?  Can the judge be impartial having been saved by Crawford and finding that she and Crawford are very attracted to one another?....find the answer to these questions by reading or listening to this book that is hard to put away.

The Nightingale inspired Macarons #FilltheCookieJar #FoodiesRead

I just finished reading The Nightingale, a historical fiction set during the takeover of France by Germany prior to WWII.  It is the story of two sisters who are so very different and yet so very the same.  They reminded me of my relationship with my sister.  We love each other more than life itself and we agree on very little.

Before I go any further I want to just let you know that I waffled back and forth about this post and whether I should publish it.  It goes against my grain to speak out publicly against POTUS but it is exactly for this reason, my discomfort, that I am speaking my mind in this post.

I am not looking for a debate on this matter. This is my blog where I come to write about my life and my feelings.  I don't feel the need to apologize now, or ever, for what I post on my blog.  My readers are free to agree with me or not.  We are all entitled to our own opinions.  May God's peace surround us all.

This story was a very hard read for me.  Not because of the writing, which is excellent and not because it didn't hook me fast and hard and keep my attention, because it did.  This story was hard for me because of how I perceive what is happening in this Country, politically, as history just repeating itself.  This is something my sister and I see very differently as did Vianne and Isabelle.  It is also something at which I am at odds with many of my friends.  

I read in horror as France blindly allowed their President to barter a deal with Hitler saying he was doing what was best for his country.  I cringed as the French turned a blind eye to their fellow countrymen.  People who had been born and raised in France, people who had fought and died for France being persecuted for nothing more than the religion to which they were born and chose or chose not to practice.  I wept as German soldiers took risks to protect the innocent while keeping themselves and their families out of the line of fire and I raged at those soldiers and those in authority of each country who felt that they were better than others because of the station they held or the religion they professed.  

I was physically sick to my stomach when I compared what was happening now to what happened then and I truly wonder if one day, my writing these words could result in me and my family being executed for daring to speak against our Government.  

Food was a huge part of this story.  Mostly because of the lack of food for some while others had so much more than they could possibly use and chose to give the scraps to animals before sharing it with their fellow human beings.  I sit here stunned that our Government is proposing to cut funds that feed our elderly and our children as we pay millions of dollars for one child from one family to live outside of the White House so that he can attend his private school instead of the private school in Washington DC. I feel the hairs stand up on the back of my neck screaming "danger, danger".  

Please, don't get me wrong.  I love my country. There is nowhere else in the world I would rather live. However, we must remember that the French felt the same way about their country, as did the Germans, Poles and Russians.  Many Germans were blinded by that love and could not see the true picture while the others quickly learned to protect themselves and those they loved by staying silent.

I am proud of the fact that our great country fought against the tyranny in Europe but that does not mean that our Government is exempt from making the same mistakes.  Russia, too, fought against Germany in WWII and I certainly wouldn't want to live in Russia.

The book ended, as did the war with people picking up their lives and continuing to live.  Life got better and people went about their business brushing the tragedies, deaths and atrocities under the rug to be hidden and never spoken of.  Be this due to the pain of remembering or the shame of remembering I guess depended on the person.

Back to the family in the novel. The sister who survives is now very elderly and lives in this great USofA and is summoned back to be honored for her, her sister's and  their father's part in the rescue of Jewish people and American soldiers who would otherwise have been taken prisoner.  This sister returns to France, accompanied, by her son who knew nothing of his family's involvement during this historic period. While walking down the streets of France together, she takes her son into a bakery and orders him a Macaron.  It is his first bite of France and the story his mother has to tell.

This scene, with mother sharing history with son, in the form of food resonated with me.  I decided to share some Macarons with my blogging community, my readers.

This recipe came from a publication distributed by my local grocer, Kroger.  I followed the recipe for the cookie exactly but chose to tint mine purple for Easter as this is the theme for this month's Fill the Cookie Jar.  I filled mine with a blueberry/lemon jam that our son made for us.  You can use any jam, lemon curd, caramel or chocolate ganache in the filling...whatever floats your boat.

I am linking this post to Fill the Cookie Jar and Foodies Read 2017.  You will find links to the other FTCJ recipes below mine.

Blueberry/Lemon Macarons
adapted from Kroger

1/2 c. almond flour
3/4 c. powdered sugar
2 egg whites, room temperature
1-2 drops lilac food coloring
2 T. caster sugar
Blueberry/Lemon Jam (or your favorite filling)

Sift together the almond flour and the powdered sugar.  Set aside.

Place egg whites in large bowl of stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment.  Beat on medium speed until foamy.  Add the food coloring and continue mixing until egg whites are tinted.  With the mixer still on medium speed gradually add the caster sugar and beat until glossy and holding peaks.  Do not increase speed on mixer, be patient, it takes a little time.

Sift the flour/sugar mixture over the top of the egg whites and gently fold in.  Scoop the mixture into a large pastry bag fitted with 1/2" round tip.  Pipe 1 1/2" rounds onto two large baking sheets covered with parchment paper.  Set aside and let rest at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 3 hours.

Place in a preheated 300* oven and bake for 10-12 minutes or until the tops don't feel sticky to the touch.  Cool on baking sheets set onto wire racks.

When completely cool, spread a thin layer of jam on the bottom of a shell and top with a second shell.  Repeat with remaining shells.

These cookies are best refrigerated overnight before serving and can be refrigerated up to 3 days. Print Recipe

Let's Fill the Cookie Jar!

• Blueberry/Lemon Macaroons by A Day In The Life On The Farm 
• Carrot Oatmeal Cookies by Join Us Pull Up A Chair 
• Chewy Peanut Butter Chocolate Chips Cookies by Making Miracles 
• Chocolate Chip Bunny Cookie Pops by Cindy's Recipes and Writings 
• Honeybee Cookies by Palatable Pastime 
• Koulourakia by That Recipe 
• Lemon Butter Cookies by Marlys This and That 
• Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies by Feeding Big 
• Loaded Oreo M&M Cookie Bars by Jolene's Recipe Journal 
• No Bake Bird's Nest Cookies by Making Memories with your Kids 
• Spring Garden Malted Milk by Famished Fish

Is it still Monday?

Whew...it is only 7:30 at night and we have completed 3 days worth of chores and running around.  I am very happy to finally be sitting in my chair with my feet up on the ottoman and an icy cold glass of water on the end table.

I had a rough night last night, I awoke at 3 with a bad stomach.  I finally fell back to sleep around 6 and slept until 9:30  I got up and got right to work because, in case you haven't heard, I AM HAVING A BABY SHOWER IN 5 DAYS!!

I am sure that you are all sick to death of hearing about my gardens but I just have to tell you this.....Spence and I went and bought 30 bags of mulch on Friday.  That is a lot of mulch to load and unload into a truck.  It is a lot of mulch to spread in you gardens.  Your back aches, sweat runs into your eyes, your knees hurt, you get dirty and stinky.  It sucks!!  Do you want to know how much 30 bags is in this yard???

It filled this garden.

And this garden.

Except for the area that contained a ground hornet nest.

They did not wish to be disturbed by the mulch.

I always show great respect to things that can cause me pain!!

And this garden.

And a tiny bit of the area by my pig.

That is 3 gardens out of 10.

I probably need another 80 bags of mulch.

I have no idea what I was thinking when I put in all of these gardens.

And that is with us taking out the gardens around the gazebo this year.

I don't think all the gardens are getting completed by the shower.

After having all that fun....I fell into the pool, unheated pool....because the part will not be here until Wednesday.  Just the fact that I would stick a toe into an unheated pool gives you some idea how hot, sticky and miserable I was.  While I allowed myself to air dry. Spence went for a little spin on the 4 wheeler as a reward for all of his wonderful help.

Isn't he a handsome guy!!

Frank got home and we started cleaning out the garage.  It is good for us to have parties every once in a while so that we are motivated to do these chores that we hate.  This is what we had to deal with when we started.

Yes this is the third stall in our garage.

There is a motorcycle parked there somewhere.

Pretty overwhelming, isn't it?

We weren't sure where to even start.  So we just started pulling stuff out and putting it in the driveway.

We sorted it as we went into piles according to where they needed to go.  The piles were trash, donation, back in the garage, put away elsewhere.  As we were working on this, Tingting came over (God bless her) and needed me to go shopping with her for shower stuff.  So we left Frank to finish up the garage and we went to the dollar store, stopped to see Mom, another dollar store, Joann's, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Party City and Krogers.  When we got back, Ting was exhausted and promptly fell asleep.

Frank got quite a bit done in the garage.

It still needs some work but at least now we can walk through it without feeling like we are in an obstacle course.  Frank finally called it quits and hopped in the shower and I started dinner.  

My original meal on the Weekly Menu was Pasta with Spinach Pesto, Corn and Beans that I had found in Cuisine at Home, Issue #46.  But when I went to make it and looked in my larder I changed out Chard for the Spinach, Peas for the Beans, Bowtie Pasta for the Pappardelle, Red Wine Vinegar for the White Wine Vinegar and Mozzarella Cheese for the Ricotta Cheese.  I also followed my own recipe for the pesto using half Swiss Chard and half Basil.  That is the wonderful thing about recipes....they are merely a guideline and an idea giver and then you do whatever you want to make it your own.  My nephew, Jake, had stopped by and joined us for dinner.  He wasn't so sure about this meal when he sat down but he ended up loving it....we all did....and I think you and your family will too.

I shredded fresh Mozzarella Cheese so that it would melt evenly when mixed with the hot pasta and vegetables.

I cooked the pasta according to package directions adding the peas and corn when there was 7 minutes of cooking time remaining.

While the pasta and vegetables were cooking I diced up and dressed the tomatoes.

A perfect Meatless Monday dinner using seasonal and local vegetables.

Pasta with Swiss Chard Pesto, Corn and Peas

inspired by Cuisine at Home, Issue #46

1 bunch Swiss Chard, leaves only, chopped

1 bunch basil, leaves only

1/2 c. pine nuts

3 cloves garlic

Olive Oil

Lemon zest and juice from 1/4 of a lemon

salt and pepper to taste

1 lb. Bowtie Pasta

1 c. grated fresh Mozzarella cheese

Kernels from 2 large ears of corn

1 c.  fresh peas, shelled

1/2 c. shredded Parmesan Cheese

3 small tomatoes, diced

1 T. red wine vinegar

1 T. olive oil

Place Chard leaves, Basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, salt and pepper to taste, lemon zest and lemon juice into a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.  With processor running drizzle in the olive oil until desired consistency.  For this dish I chose to make it a paste-like consistency. Set aside.  The lemon juice will keep the pesto vibrant.

Cook pasta according to package directions.  When there is approx. 7 minutes of cooking time remaining add the peas and corn to the cooking water and allow to cook with the pasta.  While the pasta and vegetables cook.  Grate fresh Mozzarella Cheese into the bottom of your serving dish.

Place diced tomatoes in a bowl, add the vinegar and oil, season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.

When Pasta and Vegetables are cooked, drain and immediately pour on top of Mozzarella Cheese.  Add the Pesto and toss all ingredients until coated with pesto and cheese.  Sprinkle with Parmesan and top with the tomato salad.   Print Recipe

Now it is my turn to get into the shower and call it a night.  I hope you all had a wonderful and productive Monday as well.  And even though this is only Monday, I think I will link up with Wednesday Whatsits...stop by and see what others have been up to.

Chocolate Donuts with Chocolate Chips #Choctoberfest #BakingBloggers

This is a sponsored post.  I received product for use in creating recipes for Choctoberfest.  Sponsors also provided gifts for me to offer in a giveaway during this event.  All opinions, writings and content are my own.

Sweetest Day is coming up fast and these chocolate cake donuts studded with chocolate chips are sure to put a smile on the face of all your sweeties.

C'mon in!!  We are celebrating the first day of Choctoberfest and this month's edition of Baking Bloggers in addition to Sweetest Day today........

A Hot Cup of Comfort for #Food n Flix

Welcome back to Food n Flix.  The fun little club that has us all watch the same movie and then share our thoughts on the movie as well as a recipe that it inspired sometime during the month. December's movie, chosen by Kimberly of Coffee and Casseroles, is The Jane Austin Book Club. You can find Kimberly's invitation here on her announcement post.

This is a star packed movie about a group of women who decide to read their way through Jane Austen's novels in the hopes of distracting one of the member's. Syliva. whose husband just left her for another woman.  They are joined by a male member, Grigg, who they recruit to fix up with Sylvia but who joins because he is attracted to the member who invited him, Jocelyn.

Confused?  You won't be once you start watching the movie.  I had never seen nor even heard of this movie that was released in 2007.  I did a search for it on demand and it was scheduled to play on December 3rd so I set it to record.  A few days later I had time to sit down and watch it.  I was a little disappointed to realize it was a television version so some of the content was removed to make it viewable in the time allotted.  Having not seen the movie before, I don't know what they removed but the movie did flow along nicely and I didn't notice and gaps in information.  

It is a story about women dealing with what life throws at them with Grigg available for a man's perspective.  It is a story of relationships and tribulation.  It is a story of friends gathering to give comfort to each other as they deal with the trials and tribulations of their individual lives.

There was some food included.  Appetizers were served at each of the gatherings and many of the scenes took place in restaurants. But mostly there was alcohol...cocktails, beer, wine, brandy, martini's, whiskey.  There were also soft drinks...soda, lemonade, coffee, tea.  

I happened to watch this movie during a time of trial and tribulation in my own household.  My mom, who will be 95 years old on Sunday and suffers from dementia/Alzheimer's disease, is now suffering from age related congestive heart failure.  Mom had lived with us for several years until I was no longer able to care for her and she was placed in a memory care center a year and a half ago.  Now she is back home with us again on hospice.

In case you are new to this blog and don't know it...I have the best husband in the world.  He is my constant support and strength.  He always has my back and when I need comfort I don't have to join a book club, I just turn to him.  One of the ways he comforts me is by brewing up some tea and serving me a hot toddy when I am feeling under the weather.  Sometimes that is due to illness and sometimes, as now, it is due to stress.  Let me tell you, Frank's hot toddies cure everything, he has been known to brew them up and deliver them to friends when they are under the weather.  I told you he was wonderful.

Today, I am going to share this cup of comfort with you.  I think it would have been a perfect offering for the members of  The Jane Austen Book Club.

Frank says the secret is using real Polish brandy.  He uses only  Leroux Jezynowka (pronounced Yezhonuvca) and insists nothing else works as well.  I say the secret is the love that he puts into it. Either way it results in a lovely hot cup of comfort.

Cup of Comfort Hot Toddy
created by Frank Klik

1 c. of black tea
1 1/2 shots Jezynowka Blackberry Brandy
1 1/2 t. honey
juice of 1/8 of a lemon

Combine all ingredients in a large mug.  Drink while piping hot and cuddled up on your chair with a good book or movie. Print Recipe

Scavenger Hunt

I have just joined the One Kings Hill Scavenger Hunt on Pinterest.  The first thing on their list is a dining room table.  I am submitting my own table because I LOVE it.  I admired this table for about 8 yrs. before I bought it as a retirement gift to myself.  It is from a little store in upper Michigan called the Ruth Conklin Gallery.

 

My Table is carved to depict all 4 seasons in Michigan.

 

 

And then along the edge of the table are carved all these inspirational quotes which I love.

 

 

Each chair is carved to match.

 

 

I don't think I could ever find a more perfect table set for me than this.

 

Welcome to #Cookout Week and a Great #Giveaway

 

 Get those grills fired up... because it's #CookoutWeek 2017! This week, I'm joining forces with over 40 food blogger friends to bring you delicious recipes perfect for every backyard BBQ, picnic, summer party, or cookout. We also have a fabulous giveaway featuring products from the brands who have made #CookoutWeek possible! You can enter below to win:

• From blog host The PinterTest Kitchen: $100 Amazon gift card, to use to buy all the supplies you need for your next cookout
• From our sponsor The French Farm: A gift pack of gourmet products hand-crafted by small businesses and using only the finest ingredients - La Favorita Genovese Pesto, Caprichos del Guadalquivir Cadenera Orange Marmalade, and L’Abeille Occitane Lavender Honey
• From our sponsor Smokin'-Os: A sampler pack of their "smokin'-os" wood rings, to help you add wood-fired, smokey taste to your grilled foods, even if you don't own a smoker
• From our sponsor Primal Kitchen: $200 of Primal Kitchen goodies, including condiments made with avocado oil and bars and shakes with grass-fed collagen
• From our sponsor Langers Juice Company: Your choice of 10 bottles of Langers Juice, with flavors including traditional Apple and Grape, as well as interesting mixes such as Pineapple Orange Coconut, Cranberry Blood Orange, and Mango Peach
• From our sponsor True Made Foods: A 3-bottle sampler pack of sauces with real flavors made from real vegetables and less sugar - Ketchup, BBQ, and Veracha

This prize pack has an ARV of over $400! You have until July 1 at 11:59 PM to enter by following our sponsors and bloggers on social media.

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stay tuned... remember, throughout the week, all of the participating bloggers will be posting delicious cookout recipes.  I am posting a dish each day so that by the end of the week you will have a complete Cookout Dinner to enjoy for the weekend.  It is quick.  It is easy.  It is delicious.  I can't wait to share it with all of you.

Here are all the bloggers who are part of #CookoutWeek 2017.

• The PinterTest Kitchen • 
• 2 Cookin Mamas • 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm • 
• A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures •
• Amy's Cooking Adventures • 
• Ashees Cookbook • 
• Baking Sense •
• Body Rebooted • 
• Bottom Left of the Mitten • 
• Chef Sarah Elizabeth • 
• Cook's Hideout • 
• Cookaholic Wife • 
• Cooking with Sapana • 
• Eat, Drink, Be Healthy! • 
• Fairyburger • 
• Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice • 
• Family Around the Table •
• Fix Me a Little Lunch •
• For the Love of Food • 
• Full Belly Sisters •
• Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks • 
• Home Sweet Homestead • 
• Join Us, Pull up a Chair • 
• Kate's Recipe Box • 
• Kelly Lynn's Sweets and Treats • 
• Little House Big Alaska • 
• My Southern Sweet Tooth • 
• Our Good Life •
• Oven Tales By Syama • 
• Palatable Pastime • 
• Rants From My Crazy Kitchen • 
• Savory Moments • 
• Seduction in the Kitchen • 
• Sidewalk Shoes • 
• That Recipe • 
• The Freshman Cook • 
• The Mad Scientists Kitchen • 
• The Pajama Chef • 
• The Redhead Baker •
• The Saucy Southerner • 
• The Spiffy Cookie • 
• The Weekday Gourmet •
• Tramplingrose • 
• Turnips 2 Tangerines •
• Uncle Jerry's Kitchen 

As one of the bonus entries in the giveaway, leave a comment on this blog post... what is your favorite dish to eat at a cookout?

Here are some recipes being shared today

An InLinkz Link-up