to interrupt our regularly scheduled program...

My Dear Bloggy Friends,

Just a quick hellooo from the land of the perpetually overbooked. This week is crazy busy with appointments, writing deadlines and general family chaos and anarchy, so I am going to take a wee little bloggy break. Thanks for your understanding.

I look forward to seeing everyone back here on Sunday, same bat time and same bat channel. I promise to have lots of yummy things to blog about as well as laughs from the life and times of Mary the Menopausal Mistress of Snark.

TaTa for Now,

M

mary's book basket ~ "swinging on a star"

As part of the Revell Blog tour I am blessed to receive new books to review each month. The only thing expected is an honest review of the material, good or bad. I was absolutely thrilled when this little gem showed up in my mailbox. I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Thompson's debut novel "Fools Rush In", so I was all in for the second in her Weddings by Bella series.

I was not disappointed. Again, do not read these books while sipping, drinking or eating anything. You will laugh so hard things will shoot out your nose and you may choke. I am NOT kidding people. Ms. Thompson takes her physical comedy seriously and she out does herself in this novel.

We witness DJ and Bella grow in their relationship as they begin to contemplate a future together. It is a sweet and wonderful romance. Then there is the rest of the Rossi clan. Ms. Thompson is an absolute marvel with her secondary characters. They are so believable and you really care about them and everything they are going through. The scenes around the family table are still my favorite. I am desperate at this point for Aunt Rosa's recipe stash. I just love her character. I aspire to be as wise and welcoming as she is. Add to that her Food Network adventure, a Renaissance wedding and the craziness surrounding the arrival of a Hollywood hunk and Swinging on a Star provides a fabulous escape for a quiet afternoon. Thank you Ms. Thompson for another delightful adventure in fiction.

This book can be found at your local bookseller or online. Don't waist a moment. Check out Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson today.

Happy Reading,

Mary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The FCC now requires book reviewers to disclose the following. Book reviews appear regularly on this website. There are books I review on this site that I purchase myself or get from the library. However I do receive books, at no cost, in exchange for a fair and balanced review with no other compensation provided.

small successes (vol.27)...

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

Danielle Bean ~ Faith and Family LIVE!

1.

I survived Ash Wednesday...fasted...no t.v...no computer...no chocolate...and I was happy!

It was an amazing day...God is good!

2.

I finished the rough draft of the first half of the memoir. My critique partners liked it...phew! It's much harder than I ever imagined to dig through the past. Now to finish...

3.

I have made a Lenten cleaning plan for the house. This is a new way of looking at Spring Cleaning. How awesome to be done for the biggest day of the year...EASTER!! I am actually looking forward to it. Crazy, I know!

Check out these awesome woman over at Faith and Family LIVE!! They will uplift, inspire and make you laugh.

Blessings and Grace,

Mary

Tomato and Basil Baked Fish...

This week Lifeasmom.com Ultimate Swap theme is potluck, so anything goes. I decided to post this fish recipe now that we have entered Lent. I made it for the first time this week and it was delightfully delish. I am always looking for new healthy fish recipes and this one fits the bill. I used talapia but any firm white fish will do. It appears dark in the photos because the recipe calls for fresh whole wheat bread topping. It came together in less than 15 minutes and while it was baking I made a simple pasta with roasted veggies. Add a fresh salad and you have a power packed meal full of fabulous flavor and less fat.

Celebrate the Feast!

Mary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tomato and Basil Baked Fish

adapted from Crisco.com

Ingredients

1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil, divided

3 slices whole wheat bread

1 tablespoon finely minced garlic

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

salt and pepper to taste

4 firm white fish fillets (talapia, cod or flounder)

1/2 cup seeded chopped Roma tomatoes

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon fresh basil

Directions

1.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Coat bottom of a 9x13 pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Chop bread to form bread crumbs (I used a food processor).

2.

Saute crumbs in remaining olive oil over medium high heat, stirring often, until they begin to brown. Stir in garlic and Italian seasoning. Cook and stir until golden brown. Remove from heat; season with salt and pepper.

3.

Pat fish fillets dry; place skin side down in prepared pan, Season fish with salt and pepper. Combine tomatoes and bread crumbs; cover top of fillets with mixture. Sprinkle with fresh lemon juice. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until fish flakes easily. Top with fresh basil.

40 days...

so we begin

...40 days in the desert

prepare ye the way

...40 days spent in prayer

prepare ye the way

...40 days of sacrifice

prepare ye the way

...40 days filled with love

prepare ye the way of the Lord

May we enter into Lent with hearts contrite and open to the voice of our Beloved Lord who gave his last breath for our salvation.

May His Mercy and Love Reign Forever!

Amen

making peace...

I have spent the last ten days in yoga pants. Now some of you might find this to be a good thing. However, I only wear my yoga pants at home. That means...I have been homebound for ten days. To be completely truthful I have had a brief affair with my jeans and boots for a Valentine's date, church on Sunday and one meeting last Saturday night. Other than that it's been me and yoga pants.

I love my yoga pants. They embrace my curves and declaring their true love with their elastic waist. They have allowed for bread baking and quilt making in comfort while the snow has piled up outside my window.

I love the look of snow, the beauty and majesty of God breathing purity and light out into the world. Unfortunately, I have noticed over the course of the past week that my temper is shorter and my yoga pants are tighter with each passing day. The walls have been moving in a teeny bit everyday and my smile has all but disappeared. I woke up this morning and realized it's time for me and my yoga pants to part ways. It is time to squeeze into those beautiful denim dreams, put on those boots and get back out into the world and live once more. It's time to embrace the wind and beautiful winter landscape living in this moment that I have been given by My Creator.

Dear Yoga Pants,

Thank you for loving me through hot chocolate and movie marathon's . Thank you for accepting ALL of me and not creating an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction. I will never forget our time together. They say if you love something you must set it free. I release you, my sweet yoga pants. I pray you do not return for many, many, many months.

Love,

Mary

PS. Could you please take a little ice and snow with you...pretty please...pretty, pretty please??

This is my first time participating in Tuesdays Unwrapped over @ Chatting In the Sky taking a look at the little things in life and learning to live in the moment. Head on over and be inspired.

Blessings and Grace,

Mary

** image comes from

http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/433285/6800372/0/1220359266/Organic_cotton_yoga_pants.jpg

lebonease chicken and rice

Since it's Fat Tuesday, you get TWO recipes today for the price of one! So it's time once again to check in with the Farmer City's Wife over at City Life, Country Wife for Fat Tasty Tuesday.

This weeks recipe has a little international flair to it. It's an oldie but goodie in my house. My friend Maria handed this one over many years ago at a recipe swap. It has a wonderful balance of subtle sweet and savory. This dish is all about the spices. It's magic on a cold snowy day taking you to a faraway land filled with exotic flavors and hot sun. Love the crunch of the pine nuts as well. I use brown rice to up the nutritional value but any type will do. This can easily be doubled to feed a larger group.

Celebrate the Feast!

Mary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lebanese Chicken and Rice

recipe from Maria C.

One baked or broiled chicken, deboned

1/2 pound of ground beef or lamb

1 cup rice

3 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoons pine nuts, (optional)

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon cinammon

1/4 teaspoon allspice

2 cups chicken or beef broth

(if using brown rice add 1/4 cup more)

Brown meat in Dutch oven. Add butter, pine nuts, salt, pepper, cinnamon and allspice cooking all together for just a minute or two. Add rice and broth. Cook until rice is done (covered). Add small pieces of chicken torn from the bone. Stir and serve.

whole wheat pancakes w/ellie

Happy Shrove Tuesday!!

For as long as I remember I have had pancakes and polish sausage for dinner on Shrove Tuesday. I make my grandmother's egg pancakes and serve it with kielbasa. The pancakes pictured above (adapted from Ellie Krieger's recipe) are a healthier pancake. This is my go to recipe for Saturday morning goodness usually served with over easy eggs. This past weekend I put my honey's favorite addition in - blueberries! So good.

Celebrate the Feast!!

Mary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Whole Wheat Pancakes

recipe adapted from Ellie Krieger

Ingredients:

3/4 cup whole-wheat flour

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 cup 1 percent lowfat buttermilk

3/4 cup lowfat milk

2 teaspoons honey

Nonstick cooking spray

Directions:

In a large bowl, whisk the flours, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, 1/2 cup of the milk and honey. Slowly whisk the egg mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. If the batter seems too thick, add as much of the remaining 1/4 cup milk as necessary.

Spray a large non-stick griddle with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Spoon about 1/4 cup batter per pancake into the pan. Flip when the pancake tops are covered with bubbles and the edges look cooked, about 2 minutes. Cook until the pancakes are golden brown and cooked through, an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately or transfer the cooked pancakes to an ovenproof dish and keep warm in a preheated 250 degree F oven while making the rest. Serve with maple syrup.

a little valentine love...

So it's the day after. Did you have fun? Was it wonderful? What made your Valentine's Day? In my house food = love. Gee, I bet you didn't know that. ;>)

Anyhoo, yesterday it was Jerry's turn to choose the dessert and oh what a dessert he chose. Ladies and gentleman, let me introduce you to the Red Velvet Whoopie Pie brought to you by the foodies at the Food Network Magazine. This recipe was crazy insane for my glycemic levels. I mean brutal! The taste however was much more palatable.

The whoopie pies are a cross between a cookie and a brownie. I must admit red velvet is not my favorite flavor, but these weren't bad. The texture was rather thick and got stuck in my teeth. It felt like red velvet peanut butter. The frosting is what saved the day. Sugar +cream cheese+butter= BLISS my people. I mean BLISSS!!! The combination of the two made for a fairly decent dessert. On a scale of 1-10, a solid 6 from the American judge.

I promise no more sweets this week as we head into Lent. I will still post them in the coming weeks but not as many so that those of you who are giving them up for Lent will still like me on Easter morning. I know, I'm generous that way.

Happy Shrove Tuesday everyone!!

Celebrate the Feast!

Mary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Red Velvet Whoopie Pies

from the Food Network Magazine

Ingredients:

For the Cookies:

1 ounce semisweet chocolate, chopped

1/2 ounce milk chocolate, chopped

12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/2 cup sour cream

2 large eggs

1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon red food coloring

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Filling:

8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted

1 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise and seeds scraped

Directions

Make the cookies: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine the semisweet and milk chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 50 percent power until melted, about 2 minutes. Whisk until smooth.

Whisk the melted butter, sour cream, eggs, vinegar, vanilla and food coloring in a bowl until combined. In another bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in four equal batches, whisking each batch completely before adding the next. Stir in the melted chocolate.

Scoop heaping tablespoonfuls of batter onto the prepared baking sheets and smooth the tops with a damp finger. Bake until the cookies spring back when lightly pressed, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the filling: Beat the cream cheese and butter with a mixer until smooth. Beat in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla seeds. Sandwich a heaping tablespoonful of filling between 2 cookies; repeat with the remaining cookies and filling. Refrigerate 30 minutes before serving.

love a little...

Happy Valentine's Day!!

So I am going to borrow and idea from Kelle over @ Enjoying the Small Things.

On this day what are three things you LOVE about life??

#1

I LOVE the man who has stood beside me for almost 22 years through every devastation and celebration life can bring.

#2

I LOVE the lovely 17 year old who sits next to me unable to see me, talk to me or hug me, yet with one smile she loves me for an eternity. I am honored to be her mother.

#3

I LOVE what God does with failed plans and a 20 year old son who is searching for his place in this world wondering what God wants of him. It is amazing to watch prayer in action. AMAZING! He is always with us...always!

Bonus Love:

YOU!! My wonderful readers who come by and say hello sharing our journey through this crazy thing called life!

So leave a comment and tell me the three things you LOVE!! Can't wait to read them.

Blessings and Grace...

Mary

**image from http://refineddesigner.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/valentines_day.jpg

i heart cooking clubs ~ linguine w/lemon, garlic & thyme mushrooms

This week's theme over at I Heart Cooking Clubs is A Little Romance. What food says love to you? What would you cook for your love?

Well, in my house food is love. There is nothing my honey loves more than a home cooked meal shared with his family. So when I was thinking about this challenge, I thought what would I want someone to cook for me?

30 seconds later I knew. Pasta...yummmm...I Love Pasta!!

Nigella has many recipes to chose from but this one hit the right note for me. Mushrooms, garlic and lemon. Heaven on a plate. Now in her original recipe, she does not cook the mushrooms. She allows the heat from the pasta to soften them. I don't like my mushrooms that crunchy, so I sautéed them with the garlic and lemon. I also used whole wheat linguine. It was fabulous!

My guys had one complaint. No meat. They would have loved it as a side dish better. Next time I might add some shredded chicken to make it more hearty. For me though...it was perfection.

Celebrate the Feast!

Mary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Linguine with Lemon, Garlic and Thyme Mushrooms

Recipe adapted from Nigella Lawson

Ingredients

4 cups finely sliced chestnut/cremini mushrooms

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon Maldon/kosher salt or 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt

Small clove garlic, minced

1 lemon, zested and juiced

4 sprigs fresh thyme stripped to give 1 teaspoon leaves

1 pound linguine

1 bunch fresh parsley, leaves chopped, to give 1/2 cup

2 to 3 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan, or to taste

Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Slice the mushrooms finely, and sauté them with the olive oil and garlic. Toss in lemon zest and juice, salt, and gorgeously scented thyme leaves.

Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions and drain loosely retaining some water. Quickly toss the pasta with the mushroom mixture.

Then add the parsley, cheese and pepper before tossing again. Eat with joy in your heart.

7 quick takes friday (vol. 21)...

1.

I have finally conquered Vegetarian Lasagna. Every time I have tried this before I have gotten a soggy, runny mess. I could not figure out what I was doing wrong. Then I did a little research. It became clear to me pretty quickly what I had been doing wrong. I had been using fresh raw veggies like zucchini and mushrooms layering them into the lasagna. Well, zucchini is filled with water, so when it's baked there is a lot of run off. So how to solve the problem? Saute the zucchini, mushrooms before putting them into the lasagna.

Light bulb moment people!! So if your looking for a good veggie lasagna recipe, especially with Lent approaching, just take your favorite meat lasagna recipe and use zucchini, mushrooms, garlic and roasted red peppers in place of the meat layer. Saute the veggies in some olive oil. You can toss in a teaspoon of Italian Seasoning to boost the flavor.

FABULOUS!!

2.

The Olympics begin tonight. Two weeks of fabulous winter competition. I am an ice skating freakazoid with the Olympics. LOVE it! Can't wait to see what the best of the best come up with. I am concerned about the Russian ice dancers though. Their taste in costuming reveals a rather bazaar love of sequins and feathers and that's just the male ice dancers!

GO TEAM USA!!

*********

3.

I am absolutely loving Kelle Hampton's blog Enjoy the Small Things. She has opened her heart and spilled everything out in her writing about newest daughter, Nella Cordelia. Nella was born three weeks ago with Down's Syndrome. This was a surprise to everyone. Kelle has written with such honesty about her journey to love this child that God chose just for her. The photographs will melt your heart. The site is beautiful, haunting and will make you weep one moment and laugh the next. May God bless this courageous family and all of those who love these special kids.

4.

These Sweetheart Rose Cupcakes over @ Joy the Baker look divine. If your still pondering what to make for Valentine's Day this weekend, search no further.

Go forth and bake.

5.

I was finally released from snow prison yesterday. FREEEDDOOMM!!

My friend Caroline came to my rescue with her 4 wheel drive Suburban, whisking me away for an afternoon of lunch, book store hopping and grocery shopping. It was so much fun to simply run errands. I know, my brain has been affected by so much time indoors. Errands were actually FUN!!

What would we do without our girlfriends???

6.

I am a HUGE Nicholas Sparks fan and my guy knows it. I have read every single book. I should have bought stock in Kleenex years ago. Sparks is so good at pulling the emotional heart strings. So good! As a Valentine's treat, I get to go out on a date tonight to see this new movie. I have read the book, so I know how it ends. I am just thrilled that my guy agreed to see it with me. It will be wonderful!

7.

I cannot wait for this lovely little book to arrive:

Amy over @ Angry Chicken has a wonderful series of posts on the book. She also made this fabulous dress, using one of Wendy's patterns, modeled after an Anthropology dress she loved. It's awesome!! I love it. It inspires me to get upstairs and sew, sew, sew.

Head on over to Jennifer's blog to see what else is happening in the blogging universe.

Happy Weekend!

See you on Monday!!

Mary

**image found at The Sydney Morning Herald

barefoot bloggers ~ coconut cupcakes...

This weeks Barefoot Bloggers recipe was chosen by Jamie @ Jamies Green Kitchen. Now I have made these cupcakes many, many times. This time I decided to switch things up a bit and use white whole wheat flour. I have to say, it was a good substitution. The cupcakes were delightful plus I didn't have all the guilt associate with all that white flour. I also did not frost them. They were rich enough without it.

These would be fabulous for a potluck, especially one with a winter theme. It's amazing how much coconut looks like snow flakes. Thanks Jamie. Great choice. Come by and check out other Barefoot Bloggers. Their creativity will inspire you.

Celebrate the Feast!

Mary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Coconut Cupcakes

Recipe from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

Ingredients

3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

2 cups sugar

5 extra-large eggs at room temperature

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup buttermilk

14 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut

For the frosting:

1 pound cream cheese at room temperature

3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract

1 1/2 pounds confectioners' sugar, sifted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In 3 parts, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in 7 ounces of coconut.

Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Fill each liner to the top with batter. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove to a baking rack and cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on low speed, cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.

Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.

small successes (vol.26)...

"It’s important for moms to recognize that all the small successes in our days can add up to one big triumph. So on Thursday of each week, we do exactly that."

Danielle Bean ~ Faith and Family LIVE!

1.

I survived Snowmageddon 2010!!!

I bent like this bush...but I did NOT break!! Although I must admit I came pretty close!

2.

I stayed ahead of the "snow" laundry and am all caught up. I even put it all away. The laundry room is empty...for now.

3.

I picked up the quilt I have been working on for my daughter for the first time in 10 years. Yes...I said 10 years. It felt good to be working with my hands again.

Check out these successes over at FaithandFamilyLIVE! Let's support and encourage one another.

Blessings and Grace,

Mary

tasty tuesday...on wednesday :0>

So the lovely Farmer City's Wife is hosting Tasty Tuesday on her lovely blog City Wife, Country Life. You might wonder why I am posting this on a Wednesday. Well you can blame Snowmageddon 2010 for my timing.

Now that the power and Internet are back up I can post my recipe. It is meatless, filled with spinach and yummy artichokes. It was Rachel Rays #1 downloaded recipe on her website in 2009. I can understand why. It is rich and filling. I doubled the spinach and used whole grain pasta to relieve some of the guilt associated with fontina cheese...lots and lots of it!

Come on over to City Wife, Country Life website, join the fun and link one of your favorite recipes.

Celebrate the Feast!

Mary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spinach and Artichoke Mac and Cheese

adapted from RachelRay.com

Ingredients

Salt

1 pound semolina or whole wheat penne

2 tablespoons EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil

3 tablespoons butter

1 medium onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated

3 tablespoons flour

1/2 cup white wine

2 cups milk

Freshly grated nutmeg, about 1/4 teaspoon or to taste

1 10-ounce box frozen chopped spinach, defrosted and wrung dry in a kitchen towel

1 10-ounce box frozen chopped artichokes, defrosted and wrung dry in a kitchen towel

Black pepper

1 1/2 cups shredded Italian Fontina cheese, plus additional for sprinkling on top

1 1/2 cups grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, plus additional for sprinkling on top

Yields: 4 servings

Preparation

Bring a large pot of water to a boil for pasta, salt water and cook pasta to al dente.

While the pasta water comes to a boil, place a medium pot over medium-low heat with 2 turns of the pan of EVOO, about 2 tablespoons, and the butter. Add the onion and garlic to the pan and cook the veggies until very soft, about 10 minutes. Then heat the broiler and position rack in the middle of the oven.

Turn the heat up to medium-high and sprinkle the flour into the pan. Cook for about 1 minute then whisk the wine into the pan, cooking for another minute to burn off the alcohol. Whisk the milk into the pan and bring up to a bubble. Add the nutmeg, spinach, artichokes, salt and pepper to the sauce and simmer until thickened and vegetables are warmed through, 2-3 minutes more. Add 1 cup of each of the cheeses to the sauce and stir until melted.

Toss the prepared sauce with the cooked pasta and transfer to a casserole dish. Sprinkle some more Fontina and Parmigiano over the top and bake until the cheese has melted and the top is golden brown, about 30 minutes.

a new blogging venture...

Yes...I am stuck inside while the wind whips the snow around and bends my trees. I wanted to pop in for the fourth time today to let you know about a new blogging venture I have begun with three of my dear friends.

It's called Feminine Geniuses and on this site we will be talking about the feminine genius and how God calls us as woman to be authentic Christian Catholics in a world filled with anything but.

So stop on by and take a peak. I hope you'll enjoy the conversation there.

Blessings and Grace...

Mary

maddy curtis on AI...

Well...it didn't turn out as we hoped. However as Barbara has stated God has wonderful things in store for this beautiful young lady. Check out her Mom's blog and leave a note for Maddy...

American Idol...Maddy Curtis cut in Hollywood

something to look forward to...

This wonderful movie based on a true story arrives in theaters in April. I know I will be in the front row. Can't wait!

wordsless wednesday...

i heart cooking clubs ~ tomato rice soup & bread...

Since apparently I now live in the frozen tundra, I have spent many hours in the past week in the kitchen experimenting as well as catching up with my cooking blogs. I realized that I missed last weeks I Heart Cooking Clubs. The theme was Budgets and Bargains. I came across a very simple and budget friendly recipe from Nigella on the Food Network website. It's called Rice and Tomato Soup and it is super easy. Talk about budget friendly...WoW! It was under $3 to feed four people a filling lunch. AMAZING!!

I paired the soup with my grilled cheese sandwich made with some of the yummiest bread known to mankind. I tried a new bread recipe from King Arthur Flour Whole Grain Baking Cookbook called Irish Porridge Bread. It is filled with heart healthy ingredients. Tasted it is a little slice of heaven. Put it with cheese and we have achieved nirvana here on earth. Oh...my...good gravy it is delish!

So while I dig out yet again from another storm, get in the kitchen and make some magic baby! You will not disappoint with these recipes. I promise!

Celebrate the Feast!

Mary

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rice and Tomato Soup

adapted from Nigella Lawson

Ingredients:

1 15 oz can of tomato sauce

2 cans of water or milk

1/2 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning mix

a handful of rice (brown or white, your choice)

Parmesan

Directions:

Place the ingredients in a pot. Bring to a boil and then simmer until rice is tender.

Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Irish Porridge Bread

recipe from the King Arthur Whole Grain Cookbook

Ingredients:

1 3/4 cups water

2/3 cup Irish Oats (Steel cut oats)

1/4 cup packed light or dark brown sugar

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 6 pieces

1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1 Cup old-fashioned rolled oats

1/4 cup wheat germ

2 tablespoons vital wheat gluten

2 cups unbleached bread flour

1/4 cup nonfat dry milk

2 teaspoons instant yeast

Directions:

The night before you make the bread, stir together the water and Irish oats, cover, and refrigerate.

Next day, transfer the oats and water to a small saucepan, and simmer until the oats are tender, but not "toothsome," all the water is absorbed and the mixture is thick, 15 to 20 minutes. Add the brown sugar, butter, and salt stirring until the butter melts. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl or the bucket of your bread machine and allow to rest at room temperature, covered, for 1 hour.

Combine the remaining ingredients with the oat mixture and mix and knead them-by hand, mixer, or bread machine-until you have a soft, smooth dough. Cover and allow the dough to rise until puffy and nearly doubled in bulk, about 1 to 2 hours.

Lightly grease and 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 inch loaf pan. Gently deflate the dough and shape it into and 8-in log. Place it in the prepared pan and cover with a lightly greased plastic wrap and allow to rise until it's crowned about 1 1/2 inches over the rim of the pan-45 minutes to 1 hour. Near the end of this time, preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Uncover and bake the bread for 35 to 40 minutes, tenting it with foil after 15 minutes. The bread is done when it's golden brown and an instant read thermometer inserted in the center registers 190 degrees. Remove it from the oven, an after a minute or so turn it out onto a rack. Brush with melted butter, if desired, this will keep the crust soft. Cool the bread for 30 minutes before slicing.

slowly...losing...my...mind...

This photo is from New Year's Eve. However I think it adequately describes how I am feeling today thank you very much!

Hello World,

It's Tuesday morning and I am snuggled in my bathrobe with a cup of hot tea beside me and my laptop burning up cyber space. My 20 year old is outside shoveling once again trying to stay ahead of the 12-18 inches of snow expected later today into tomorrow. This will pile on top of the 24 inches that are already here. He and my husband shoveled enough yesterday to allow my hubby to crawl into work earlier this morning. There have been no plows in our neighborhood for three days. I have left the house once to get milk and paper towels from the store. It was so scary. Like snowboarding with a car, slipping and sliding our way to civilization. Not good!

I was in high school the last time this much snow fell in Virginia. It was fun then. My days were filled with reading and snowball fights with my brothers. I baked in the kitchen with Mom and enjoyed the fact that school was canceled for a WHOLE week. It was awesome!

So what's different for me now? I am a 42 year old cranky menopausal woman who is snow bound with her 20 year old college sophomore and 45 year old even crankier "I hate this freakin stuff - isn't this is why we moved away from Maine" husband. At the moment their relationship with one another is experiencing...ummm...growth pains shall we say. Being cooped up together is NOT always FUN people! How's Courtney you ask?? Not happy. She is missing the routine of school and all the physical activity she gets to do there. At home it's just floor exercises with mommy and LOTs of reading. Now we are looking at 2-3 more days of close personal contact, never has my 900 square foot house felt so small.

So what's a girl to do...

1.

Pray that the power does NOT go out...DVD's have saved us and allowed for family togetherness filled with laughter.

2.

Bake bread every day, freezing it for when we get back to our regular schedule and home made bread becomes a memory.

3.

Learn to love Mexican Dominoes...because we have played about 52 million more rounds with 78 million more to go. So...many...spots...

4.

Take one room at a time and deep clean...again taking advantage of this slower pace and forced time inside.

5.

Dream of a tropical vacation filled with warm beaches, sand and a really cute cabana boy bringing me chocolate and lovely drinks with umbrellas in them...sigh...

6.

Write...write...write...write...well you get the idea.

7.

Be patient with my hubby and children. Not only am I stuck with them BUT they are stuck with me! I know, I feel their pain!

8.

Stop watching the news...it's just pi*#@$& me off. We need less federal government in our lives. 'Nuff said!

9.

Eat chocolate...ALL DAY LONG! It has healthy antioxidants you know. Who cares if my face breaks out like a teenager...NO ONE WILL EVER SEE IT!

10.

Come up with a yummy Valentine's Day menu that uses my freezer and pantry since I am apparently NEVER LEAVING MY HOUSE AGAIN!!

So what are you doing today? Is there snow where you are? Are you enjoying being out and about? I will try to curb my jealousy.

Leave a comment and let me know what's happening in your world.

Until we meet again...Happy Snow Days(weeks)!!

Mary