grandma peggy's new grandson (mine too)
http://lylahledner.blogspot.com/2009/01/grandma-peggys-new-grandson-mine-too.html
Thursday, January 15, 2009
swordfish with balsamic butter sauce
Tonight's feast.My husband actually made these yummy steaks awhile ago and tonight I'm serving them again. This butter sauce recipe was on the back of Whole Foods swordfish package.
Ingredients:
1 package Swordfish Steaks, thawed
1/cup or 1 stick of unsalted butter
2 T balsamic vinegar
2 T honey
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 T drained capers (this makes the recipe)
Chopped fresh tomatoes
Directions:
Simmer butter until melted in medium saucepan until deep golden brown. Remove from heat. Whisk in balsamic vinegar, honey and mustard.
Brush swordfish steaks with olive oil; season with salt and pepper to taste.
Heat heavy large skillet over medium/high heat. Add swordfish steaks. Saute just until opaque in the center about 4 minutes per side.
Transfer to plates. Whisk sauce over low heat to re-warm and spoon over steaks. Sprinkle with capers and chopped tomatoes.
Then call Michael and I - we'll be right over and bring the rice and green garden salad.
Labels:
From my kitchen,
The Simple Home
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
stuff
One of the Simple Home principles in creating sanctuary is to declutter, organize then decorate.
Every January (and every three months), you'll find me in a decluttering mode. I really love to reduce down, eliminate and then breathe.
I used to be more of a "stuff" person, but the older I get the more I value simplicity. Stuff makes my head shut down. The more "stuff" I have the more "stuff" I have to manage - because unmanaged stuff piles up and clouds right and good thinking.
Did you know that you're a steward? Did you know the Book says that God gives us all things - richly to enjoy. Did you know the Book also says that everything in the heavens and everything on the earth are His?
That means He owns it all and He gives us those things (that He owns) to enjoy and that means we're to steward them. For example - this beautiful earth - how have we (all beings) enjoyed it and how have we managed it? How have we squandered it's resources and how have we managed them well so the next generation can also enjoy?
We're to manage life here: resources, relationships and time. As a woman, I've been assigned the stewardship over my home. I'm to manage my margins, my relationships and my time.
What I'm wrestling through lately is this: how can I richly enjoy if I have too much stuff? Am I spending time managing my stuff and not doing that which is needful and of greater value?
I'm thinking that especially in our Western mind-set culture - stuff is often an idol. We're bombarded for the appeal of stuff. Our choices for stuff inundate us. We teach our children - by modeling - that we need stuff. We horde and gather to ourselves - stuff - because we think we need stuff.
The thought process goes like this: if I get this new "piece of stuff" I'll feel better about myself. It will fill this void in my soul that I need to fill.
We don't like what we have so we get other stuff. We're not content with what we've been so richly given so we go get another piece of stuff, because if I have "that" stuff I'll make me happy. It's almost like an addiction. Almost?
Since the fall, I've been facing my stuff, wading through my stuff and reckoning with the growth areas in my feminine soul that makes me "think" I need stuff.
If I have an unnecessary abundance of stuff that I will have to manage that and the more I spend time managing stuff, the less time I'll have for the important stuff - loving and caring for people.
What's your relationship with your stuff? Do you have stuff in your closet that another woman could really use? What stuff can you eliminate today by giving it away to someone in need? How about having a garage sale and donating the money from the stuff to a woman's shelter? How about finding a community of refugees in your city and donating your stuff to them - chances are they might have a need.
What's your plan for your excess stuff?
Labels:
Declutter,
spiritual life,
The Simple Home
Monday, January 12, 2009
salsa corn chowder soup
Cooler weather definitely calls for soup simmering on the stove.
I'm a big soup fan and here's my list of posted favorite soups - most of which I've made. This Crock Pot Tortilla soup is one of my favorites and I even make this to serve here in the desert sun.
I used to make this Salsa Corn Chowder frequently but for whatever reason, haven't made it in ages.
Guess what will be on our dining room table tonight?
Salsa Corn Chowder– Serves 6—8
Ingredients
1 1/2c chopped onion
1 T chili powder
1 t ground cumin
1 T flour
1 16 oz pk. sweet corn (thawed)
2 c salsa
13 3/4 oz can chicken broth,
1 8 oz container of soft cream cheese,
1 c milk, fresh
springs of cilantro
First, in a large saucepan saute your onions in butter in a large saucepan.
Stir in your flour and your seasonings.Add your thawed corn, salsa, broth and bring this to a boil and then immediately remove it from the heat.
Now, gradually add 1/4c of your hot mixture to your cream cheese (which you have already put into a bowl).Stir this well until it’s blended.
Continue until it’s all combined and blended.
Cook this until it’s thoroughly heated. DO NOT BOIL. Serve immediately in bowls and top each bowl with a small sprig of cilantro.
Labels:
the simple home - soups
try these uses for peroxide
I'm all for frugal tips and here's one from Becky Ransey of Indian. She writes about the great benefits of a little $1 bottle of 3 % peroxide.
1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. (I do it when I bathe)
No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash. (Small print says mouth wash and gargle right on the bottle)
2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of 'Peroxide' to keep them free of germs.
3. Clean your counters, table top s with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.
4 After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.
5. I had fungus on my feet for years - until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.
6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband (in the medical profession) has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine, but was healed by soaking in peroxide.
7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.
8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, or plugged sinuses. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes then blow your nose into a tissue.
9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.
10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages, but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, reddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually so it's not a drastic change.
11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.
12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them.. If there is blood on clothing, pour directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.
13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors with, and there is no smearing which is why I love it so much for this.
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