No Time For Dilly Dallying

Next week I am going on a road trip with my mom.  We will be driving to Texas to see my sister & her family.  Hopefully by then, she will have had the baby.  All of us are looking forward to meeting the the new baby!

Road trips were always interesting with my dad. He always had a time we were to leave by, but it was rare that left at that time.  He would be upset for a few hours.  But after a while he would get over it.  He was the kind of person who focused the destination, and he was on a mission to get there.  Time should not be wasted.  I remember when we would stop to get gas, he would pump the gas, we would go to the bathroom and get some food.  We would meet back at the car and go.  No time for dilly dallying.

My mom, on the other hand, is all about the journey, and then when we get to the destination, she enjoys that.  She would pack snacks for us.  She had things for us kids to do.  We played games to distract us from the trip being so long.  She tried to make the trip fun.

But because my dad's personality was so strong, we kids learned that trip wasn't supposed to be the fun part.  Until I was an adult, I didn't get that you can actually enjoy the trip.  The driving was about making good time and getting there.  I still want to make good time and just get there.  But I am trying to learn to enjoy the journey too.  I would love to take a trip that is just about the journey.  It doesn't really have a destination.  It would have to have a plan though.  I can't get too crazy now.

A great way to make a trip fun is to take games and snacks.  A game we always played was the license plate game.  Before you start the day, everyone guesses how many different state license plates you think will be seen.  Then you begin to call out the states as you see them.  Someone is in charge of writing them down.  At the end of the day, whoever is the closest wins.  We never played for prizes just the satisfaction of being the winner.   A great snack to take along on road trips are Southern Pecan Bars.

Southern Pecan Bars
Crust:
1 cup flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans

Filling:
2 eggs
3/4 cup light corn syrup
2 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans

Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanila
1 - 2 tsp milk

Preheat oven to 350.   Grease a 9" square pan.  In small bowl stir together flour, powdered sugar.  Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Stir in pecans.  Press evenly in bottom of pan.  Bake 15 minutes or until light golden brown.  Cool completely on wire rack.

In medium bowl, whisk eggs until combined.  Whisk in the rest of the ingredients for the filling except for the pecans.  Pour over cooled crust.  Sprinkle with pecans.  Bake 25 - 30 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.  Cool on wire rack.

In a small bowl, stir together powdered sugar, vanilla & milk.  Drizzle over bars.

Tip:  For easier removal and cutting, line pan with foil & grease foil.

It Was As Familiar To Me As My Own House

I was reminded this week that living in a small town is like living in a fish bowl.  For the last 15 years, I have lived in places that allowed me to be fairly anonymous.  I had gotten used to that.  I liked that.  But with everything, there is a good and bad side.  Living in a place that allows you to be anonymous also has traffic, lots of people, and crime.  I think I am ok with giving up my privacy to have no traffic, being able to get in and out of the grocery store in 5 minutes, and not hearing emergency vehicle sirens for months on end.

Fortunately, this go round of living in a fish bowl isn't near as bad it is was when I was a kid.  Being the pastor's daughter in a small church in a small town is far worse.  Not only do you have everyone knowing your business, you also have everyone criticizing everything you do.  Somehow you were supposed to be perfect.  I finally gave up on that idea.  Some pastor's kids give up on it early and just rebel.  I wasn't that kid.  I waited till my 20's to give up being perfect and by then knew better than to do stupid stuff.

Although I lived in the ultimate fish bowl, for the most part I enjoyed my church family.  We had children's choir, Christmas plays, youth conferences, and church camp.  We always had a great time with all the activities we did.

The church building became a second home.  We spent lots and lots of hours there.  When we first began meeting, we met in the basement of an old church building.  The neighbors to the building didn't like us meeting there so they would flood the basement weekly.  To prevent this, we would spend the night at the building on Saturday nights.  I am sure I slept at church many other times.  But of course not during the service! After we moved to the new building, it was as familiar to me as my own house.  I think Christians should be just as familiar with the throne room. 

Most everyone knows that church and pot lucks go hand in hand.  I attended so many.  One of my favorite things to take to a pot luck is Cornbread Casserole.

Cornbread Casserole
1 can corn, drained
1 can cream style corn
1/2 cup butter
1 cup sour cream
1 box Jiffy cornbread mix
6 oz grated cheese

Preheat oven to 350.  Mix all ingredients together.  Grease a 2 quart baking dish.  Pour batter into dish and bake for 50 - 60 minutes.

No Matter How Old We Were She Wouldn't Let Us Win

My family has always been a game playing family.  I learned to play a watered down version of poker when I was 5.  Games were what we played when we got together with family.  Games were what we did when friends came over.  Games were what we did instead of going to the movies.  Games are great entertainment.

One of the games we play most often is called Bounce.  It is also called Nertz.  I don't remember when I learned to play.  I've just always played.  I do remember my little sister learning to play.  She was 3.  She played a watered down version of the game, but she played.  As she's gotten older, she has gotten a lot better at the game and a lot less competitive.  Or at least she handles losing better.

My grandma loved to play Gin.  She was good at it too.  No matter how old we were she wouldn't let us win.  It was a great feat to be able to beat her.  I remember sitting at her dining room table playing Gin with her.  I don't think I ever won.  After she moved to Idaho, we would play when I would visit.  I would win occasionally.  But I don't think it was that I was getting better; I think it was that she was loosing her sight.  Even after she could hardly see, we would play.  We used the cards that had the numbers really big. Occasionally she would ask what a card was.


While I lived in Texas, I spent time with a family who also liked to play games.  We didn't play often, but we sure had fun when we did.  I got a lot of recipes from them also.  One of those recipes was Chicken Spaghetti.  I had forgotten about it until the other day when someone asked me if I had it.  I did a little digging and found it.  It is oh so good!


Chicken Spaghetti
4 c. cooked chicken, shredded
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
2 tbsp. dried parsley
2 cans mushroom soup
2 1/2 c. chicken broth
1 (12 oz.) pkg. spaghetti, cooked
3/4 tbsp. salt
1/2 tbsp. pepper
1 lb. Velveeta cheese
1 sleeve saltine crackers

Preheat oven to 325.  Add all ingredients to medium pan, except chicken and cheese. Simmer about 15 to 20 minutes. Add cheese and simmer until it melts. Add chicken.  Put spaghetti noodles to a 9x13 baking dish. Pour cheese mixture over noodles.  Smash sleeve of saltines before opening.  Spread over the spaghetti.  Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes. Freezes great. Makes a large quantity.

I Love My Soldiers

Yesterday there was a horrific tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas.  13 people killed and 30 injured.  Because I lived 30 miles from Fort Hood for 7 years, I have many friends stationed there.  When you live that close to the largest military base in the world, you become very aware of what the soldiers sacrifice for us.  I am very thankful for those brave men and women.  Most don't like to be called heroes, but they are.  They do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.  Protect our freedom.

When you get to know me, you will find that I love my soldiers.  I use the word "my" meaning my friends.  And my soldiers include airmen as well.  Unless we have gone to Iraq or Afghanistan, we will never understand what they go through.  But the basic things of food, shower and sleep, what they experience in those things I would not like to put up with, especially the sleep part.  They deal with so much more beyond those basics.  I know I couldn't do it.  To get a small glimpse of what they do for us gives me great appreciation for them.

I strongly encourage you to find a way to show your appreciation to our troops.  There are many organizations that can help you with that.  You can adopt a soldier for his or her deployment.  You can just send a thank you card.  And there are many organizations you can donate to to help wounded soldiers.
Here are a few that are helping us to show our appreciation: Any Soldier  Wounded Warrior Project Tell Them Thanks Hero Box Yellow Ribbon Fund  There are so many more.  Just google "support our troops" and lots and lots pop up.

This summer, I had an unexpected trip to back to Texas.  While I was there I got to spend a day with 2 of "my" soldiers.  That day is one of my favorite recent memories.  Both guys are officers.  One is currently stationed at Ft. Hood and the other at Ft. Campbell.  The one at Ft. Hood is an excellent cook. He introduced me to crock pot cookies.  Just about anything he makes is excellent.  While I was there he made a sweet bread.  It was some of the best bread I've ever had.  I was able to get that recipe from him.  So I will share it with you.  It is a more difficult recipe.  But well worth it.

Portuguese Sweet Bread with Honey
Makes 2 Round Loaves

Sponge:
1 1/2 tablespoons (1 1/2 packages) active dry yeast
1/2 cup warm water (105 to 115oF)
1 cup warm milk (105 to 115oF)
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups of unbleached all-purpose flour or bread flour

Dough:
8 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature cut into small pieces
1/2 cup honey
2 teaspoons salt
3 large eggs, at room temperature
3 1/2 to 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour or bread flour

1. To make the sponge: In a large bowl using a whisk or in the work bowl of a heavy-duty electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the yeast, water, milk, sugar, and flour and beat until smooth. Scrape down the sides and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand at room temperature until bubbly, about 1 hour.

2. To make the dough: Stir down the sponge and add the butter, honey, salt, eggs and 1 cup of the flour. Beat hard until creamy about 1 minute. Continue to add the flour 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft dough that just clears the sides of the bowl is formed. Switch to a wooden spoon when necessary if making by hand.

3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until a soft, smooth, and springy dough is formed, dusting with flour only 1 tablespoon at a time as needed to prevent sticking.
a. If kneading by machine, switch from the paddle to the dough hook and knead for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the dough is soft, smooth, and springy, and springs back when pressed. If desired, transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead briefly by hand.

4. Place the dough in a greased deep container. Turn once to coat the top and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise at room temperature until doubled in bulk, about 1 1/2 hours.

5. Gently deflate the dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface. Grease or parchment0line a baking sheet. Divide the dough into 2 equal portions. Form each portion into a tight, round loaf and place on the baking sheet. Cover loosely with plastic and let rise at room temperature until puffy, but not quite doubled in bulk, about 30 minutes.

6. Twenty minutes before baking, preheat the oven to 375oF. Brush the loaves with the egg glaze. Place the baking sheet ona rack in the center of the oven and bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped with your finger. Transfer the loaves to a cooling rack. Cool before slicing.

Thank you to all "my soldiers"  Kyle G, Mike, Adam, Nick, Vill, Chad, Jason K, Jason B,  Kyle J, Caleb, Brandon, Brad, Dax, Jon R, James R, Chris and anyone else I can't think of at this moment.  And also to my soldier's wives.

I Learned Quickly Not To Pick Dare

I do not like to exercise.  I am willing to admit that I avoid exercising at all cost.  I have a few friends that encourage me regularly to exercise, but despite their best efforts I don't.  I don't mind the kind of exercise that disguises itself as fun.  Like hiking, biking, swimming, and I recently discovered how much fun the Wii Fit is.

As a kid exercise wasn't really apart of our lives.  At one point one of my dad's doctors told him to walk to improve something.  But that's really the only time exercise was discussed.  Us kids played enough that we didn't need to actually exercise.  I played a lot of sports when I got older so still no extra exercise was needed.  In high school, we were taught the importance of exercise in P.E.  Now as I get older, I see I need some exercise, but just do not like it.

One of the ways I got exercise in high school was snow skiing.  The local ski resort allowed us to come each Friday of January, rent skis and get lessons for a nominal fee.  After a couple years I decided I didn't really like skiing, but I did enjoy the time we spent together on the trip up there and back.  I don't know  about any of my friends, but I liked getting to know them better.  We shared stories and played truth or dare, which really became a game of truth or truth.  We rarely picked dare.  I think I ended up kissing a boy when he picked dare.  I learned quickly not to pick dare.  Not only did we have those times on our way to skiing to get to know each other.  We had sleep overs and other trips.   I miss the times that we spent together.  Although recently, I've been able to spend some quality time with my friends.  I am very thankful for my friends in Idaho and in Texas.

One of my friends has asked for more soup recipes.  I was afraid that I was giving you too many, but the cold weather has made up want soup.  This recipe I got while I was in Colorado.  It has a few steps to it, but it is well worth it.  It is SO good.

Roasted Red Pepper Bisque

6 Roasted Red Peppers

To roast peppers – wash, rub with oil, salt & pepper. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 500º till skins are roasted. Place in bowl and cover with plastic wrap to steam skin – this makes peeling them easier. Peel after 15 minutes.

1 onion (small dice)
3 stalks celery (thinly sliced)
2 carrots (thinly sliced)
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup white wine
4 cups heavy cream
4 cups chicken stock
Salt & Pepper to taste

Sauté onion, celery, and carrots in oil for about 5 minutes or until soft and onions are translucent. Add wine and reduce liquid by half. Add chopped roasted red peppers, chicken stock and cream. Slow boil soup for at least ½ hour, longer is better. Put soup in a blender and puree, put it through a fine sieve. Adjust your seasonings. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

He Loved His Grandchildren

Today is the second day of Day of the Dead.  Another day of remembering loved ones gone on before us. It is good for us to remember people we love.  Especially, to remember the good things about the person.

My grandfather passed away when I was 5 or 6.  So I don't remember a whole lot about him.  I know what I've been told about him and have seen pictures of him.  My memories of him are very vague.  What I do remember is that he used to sing 2 songs to us.  Well maybe only part of those songs, or at least I only remember part of them.  The first was I Like Bananas.  The only lyrics I know are "I like bananas because they have no bones."  I googled the song and apparently it is a very long song.  One verse is

I don’t like your peaches
They are full of stones
But I like bananas
Because they have no bones

The other song he sang to us was Lazy Bones. The part that I know is "Lazy bones sleepin in the sun, how do you ever spect to get a day work done, sleepin in the noon day's sun."  Apparently Harry Connick Jr has redone the song. There's a lot more to that song also.

What I also know about my grandfather is that he loved to watch baseball. He would have 2 games on 2 different tv's and one on the radio. He would turn up the volume on the game that had something exciting happening. And he never turned the volume back down. So by the end of the games, it was pretty loud in the house. I also know he had an array of delivery jobs. Newspapers, milk and dry ice (for ice boxes). He loved his grand children.  I remember my grandpa being a good grandpa.

In thinking through writing this blog, I figured a banana recipe would be appropriate.  Except I don't really like bananas so much.  However, this summer I found a way to eat them that I like.  I call them Banana Pops.  I know it's a little on the cold side for frozen bananas, but they are still good.

Banana Pops
4 medium bananas
8 wooden popsicle sticks
16 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
Candy sprinkles or nuts

With the peel still on, cut the bananas in half.  On the cut end, stick the popsicle stick in.  Peel the bananas place on a baking sheet lined with waxed paper.  Place in the freezer for an hour.  In a double boiler, melt chocolate chips and vegetable oil together.  Once bananas are frozen, dip in chocolate until coated and sprinkle with candy sprinkles or nuts.  Place back on baking sheet  and put back into the freezer to harden the chocolate.  Once hardened serve.  Best served on the day made.

He Knew How To Flush Your Radiator

Going to a Christian school, we didn't celebrate Halloween, but we did celebrate All Saints Day.  Or at least we did one year.  It must have been 5th grade.  The building we had school in had an unfinished part of the basement.  Our teacher took us down there to teach us about All Saints Day.  I don't remember the significance of being in the dirt and dark, but we sat down there for her to tell us about the holiday.

I don't recall what she told us about the holiday.  What I do know is that I've learned a few things over the years about Day of the Dead.  Day of the Dead is actually 2 or 3 days depending on who you ask.  I'm gonna stick with 2 days for now.  November 1 & 2.  November 1st being All Saints Day and November 2nd All Souls Day.  Both days are meant to remember people we loved and have passed on.  Memorials are set up to remember those people and food is offered.  Some of the things they do seems a bit creepy, but I think the idea of the holiday is a good one.  To remember and honor people we love who have passed away.

Today I spent the day with friends I've had for a long long time.  And while my mind was not on All Saints Day all, I was brought back to remembering my dad.  And what an honor it was to him for a friend to say that she and her husband respected my dad and always appreciated his wisdom.  My dad was a quiet man, but he was wise.  My dad was the person I called when I had a question.  He knew where to find just about anything in the Bible.  He knew how to flush your radiator.  It was rare for him to not know the answer to one of my questions.

He was also a man with great faith.  We moved to Idaho to start a church.  That is not a high paying job.  Well monetarily speaking.  My dad always believe that God would provide for us.  And He always did.  We didn't live a life of luxury, but we had what we needed.  My dad also always trusted that God would guide him in leading a church.  Even though that's not something that's as easily measured, I think He did.

Not only was my dad wise, he was also funny and loved sports.  He was a meat and potatoes kind of guy.  I once made dinner that had no meat.  He acted like I was crazy.  I always made sure to serve some kind of meat after that.  Since the days of making dinner for my family, I have gone through phases of what I like to eat.  Actually, I have gone through phases my whole life.  I didn't eat much meat for a while.  Now I eat some but not a ton.  And because of that, I don't have a lot of recipes with meat in it.  I can cook a mean ribeye or burger.  But those don't really call for recipes.  So I had to dig deep for this recipe.

Easy Oven Lasagna
1 lb ground beef
2 - 15oz cans marinara sauce
1 - 10oz pkg lasagna noodles
1 cup ricotta or small curd cottage cheese
12 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced or grated
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup water
1 tsp salt

Brown ground beef, drain.  Add water, marinara sauce and salt, bring to a boil.  In 2 t. baking dish, layer hot cause, uncooked lasagna, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses.  Repeat layers, ending with sauce.  5 layers with 6 noodles each later.  Garnish with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.  Cover tightly with foil.  Bake at 375 for 1 hour.  Let stand 5 -10 minutes before cutting into squares.  Serves 8.  Decrease temperature 25 degrees last 1/2 hour in black pan.