Happenings throughout the Day

Now, one would think that situations you see in in sitcoms only happens on sitcoms.  A few minutes ago, I received the strangest call.  It was from a wireless phone that I did not recognized.  I picked up the phone and the person asked for Jeri Harmon who I happened to know.  I thought what are the odds of receiving the wrong phone number and the person he or she is asking for you you know.  However, as it turns out, Jeri gave the person my telephone number because she does not own home phone number.  Of course, I take down his telephone number to give to Jeri so she can call him.  I have unwittingly become her answering service.

On another note, I stopped by one of my favorite health foods stores in New York City.  There are times when I drink soy milk and use it for smoothies.  There are times when I take a break from drinking milk. Bell Bates is the name of the store, and they have good prices on health food.  I buy a pound of rolled oats for $1.99 and it’s last me at least a month.  I also pick up raw nuts like brazil, pistachios, and walnuts. Flaxseed to put in hot cereals or smoothies, amaranth and quinoa as alternative to rice because I am allergic to rice (and means all rice).  I do not understand why I am allergic to rice, but I know it’s just weird.

I wanted to share a muffin recipe that make a great snack, and a great way to sneak veggies into the kids.  I made it a few years ago, and liked it.  It’s from Better Homes and Garden, do not worry I am not like Cindy McCain and pass off recipes as if there were mine, lol.  I know that the buckwheat might sound too earthy for some, but adding the cinnamon and orange juice will give it a nice balance and taste.  Well, it’s time to turn off the lights and call it a night.  Good night everyone!

Three B  (Buckwheat, Blueberry, and butternut squash)

Ingredients

•   Nonstick cooking spray
• 1-1/3  cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4  cup buckwheat flour
• 1/4  to 1/3 cup sugar
• 1-1/2  teaspoon baking powder
• 1  teaspioon ground cinnamon
• 1/2  teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2  teaspoon salt
• 2  eggs, slightly beaten
• 1  cup mashed cooked butternut squash
• 1/2  cup fat-free milk
• 2  tablespoons cooking oil
• 1/2  teaspoon finely shredded orange peel
• 1/4  cup orange juice
• 3/4  cup fresh or frozen blueberries
•   Rolled oats

Directions

1. Spray twelve 2-1/2-inch muffin cups with nonstick spray or line with paper bake cups; set pan aside. Combine the all-purpose flour, buckwheat flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of flour mixture; set aside.

2. Combine the eggs, squash, milk, oil, orange peel, and orange juice in a separate mixing bowl. Add the egg mixture all at once to the flour mixture. Stir just until moistened (batter should be lumpy). Fold in blueberries.

3. Preheat oven to 400 degree F. Spoon batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each almost full. Sprinkle with oats. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the muffins are light brown. Cool in muffin cups on wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from muffin cups; serve warm. Makes 12 muffins.

Entering the World of Burda?

A few weeks ago, I wanted to see all the excitement about Burda Magazine.  I have been reading blogs and sewing pattern review with people talking about creating clothes from Burda Magazine with patterns that comes with each month.  I decided to inquiry about subscribing to the magazine, and so I received a free May issue magazine yesterday in the mail.  Now I see what the excitement is about.  It’s a very trendy (in a good way) and stylish fashion that would be the envy of all your friends.  I like the accessories article in the magazine, and seeing all of the new sunglasses that would make you glamorous for the summer.  Of course, tracing a pattern will probably seem a little foreign to me, but I probably will figure it out and check the Yahoo group Burdg English to get some ideas as the best way to trace.  I think it’s also worth the $80 to subscribe because you get a lot of patterns with each month.  Of course, one may sew everything in the month, but it’s nice to choose from an array of patterns.  I will start out with a six-month subscription, but committing to a year.

I picked up the new Belle Armoire Art to Wear - May/June issue.  There is an article about Joan McGowan, owner of White Lies Designs and author of Knitting with Style.  I love her designs and how she manages to knit and creates style for all women from 2 to 32.  There is another good article about making hats, nice flapper-inspired hats with a modern flair.  I also have my summer issue of Interweave Knits to see all the knit designs.  There are times when I wish I was independently wealthy and not work again, then I can stay home and knit, sew, and do other creative projects.

On the changing my eating habits front.  I managed to transition from drinking soda to drinking tea and juice and milk.  Yes, I drink juice and milk because they are packed with nutrients like vitamins, calcium, and antioxidants which soda does not have.  I do drink water, but not eight glasses because tea has water as I do not use sugar, milk is made up of 80% of water and fruit juices as well.  Since, I eat more fruit and vegetables, they are packed with a lot of water.  I make sure that I eat breakfast if it only means me picking up yogurt with fresh berries and granola on top, and eating an oz of nuts mid-morning.  I am also intentionally having vegetarian meals two or three times a week, and adding fish into my diet at least three times a week.  Once, I have a regular eating routine, then it’s on to exercise.  I am walking for the time being, but need to add things like weight training and pilates or yoga into the mix.

Where I guess that’s all I have for today.  Have a good day everyone!

New Arrivals

After a day waiting to come home a nice bowl of mushroom bisque soup, I received a couple of packages.  My sewing machine and the new version of MAC’s OS Leopard.  I just had to take the sewing machine out of the box to look at it, and at the same time installed my software.  As you can tell that my desk is not exactly tidiest, but it is my organized mess.  I think the machine is good buy and can not wait to break in for that new sewing project.  I went to bookstore yesterday and purchased the magazine from Threads entitled Quick Stuff to Sew (Craftstylish) and it has a compilation of various projects to create from garments to home decorate projects.

I will be spending the weekend reading the instructions, testing out the new machine, playing with the new features on Leopard and continue my baby blanket knitting project.  I am thinking about cooking a nice meal since it is a three-day weekend for me, so I am going to get out the slow-cooker for a nice chicken with tomatoes and cannelloni beans.  I got the idea from listening to Nigella Larsen the other talking about having a great meal in a short time.  Her new cookbook is called Nigella Express which he recipes are demonstrated on the Food Network show with the same name as the book.  It is true that good meal should take hours to prepare.

Let’s Party!

Tonight after work, I am heading out to a cocktail party at a friend’s house, and am bringing the cheese.  What a wonderful way to spend New Year’s Eve with friends at home.  I think it is great to have a cocktail party with drinks and fun appetizers such as baby back ribs or lamb lollipop chops.  The ribs comes with its own stick in which you can hold in hand and drink in the other.  Food on a stick always work for me at cocktail parties with an assortment of cheeses and fruits.  One does not need a great deal of money to have a fabulous party at home.  If you are a vegetarian, you can always have appetizers such as different types of hummus, spiced nuts, or make a flavored popcorn.

I think champagne or sparkling wine is always great for a New Year’s Even cocktail, and you do not need to purchase the most expensive sparkling wine.  In fact, you can find some nice sparkling wines for around $15.00 and it’s always fun to even try the rose or pink sparking wine and there are even some red sparking wines from Australia.  Do not be afraid, the person at the wine store can help you with choosing a sparking wine within your budget, and may be surprised that you can afford champagne with beer budget.

Merry Christmas!

I just wanted to take out some time express my Christmas greetings to everyone.  Unfortunately, I had to work today, but am hopeful to leave by one o’clock this afternoon to make it the supermarket for my dinner tomorrow.  I know that you are saying to yourself why is going grocery shopping so late.  I am unfortunate that I do not have to cook that much tomorrow because back I go to work the next day.  I am preparing for my Christmas dinner the following:

Prime Rib Roast with a dijon mustard horseradish

Caramelized Butternut Squash

Mustard Greens with garlic

Yorkshire Pudding

Apple Pie for dessert

I choose this menu for its simplicity and believe a wonderful holiday dinner.  In addition, rib roast is on sale this week and all the more reason to make something I do not typically eat during the year.  The apple pie is just a comfort food that is great to have during this time of year when the fruit is in season.  I am going to the holiday season and will be on vacation the week of New Year’s which is a great way to start the new year by simply relaxing with the hope of get some project done during the week.  Merry Christmas everyone, and enjoy!

Holiday Cooking and other things

Can you believe that Christmas is less than twenty days away?  We will be celebrating the holidays this month including attending all those office and private parties, and before it’s all over you weigh ten pounds before the hand strikes welcoming the New Year.  However, it seems worth at the time because you are enjoying the holidays with family and friends and it only once a year.  I will be no different than anyone else.  Tomorrow night, my department will be off to a hotel resort for our annual sales retreat with a cocktail hour and dinner.  The next morning is having breakfast, our meeting (need plenty of coffee for that), and ending the retreat with lunch.

Of course, I am thinking about my menu for Christmas dinner.  When growing up, my grandmother made the same dinner for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  However, I have change that tradition by doing a different dinner for Christmas each year.  I made a goose last year, but want to make a prime rib because it is easy to roast it.  I am thinking about butternut squash and collard greens with onions, but I may change the side dishes.  I need to make something because I have to return to work the next day, so I am thinking about herb popovers, and haven’t decided what dessert to prepare, but may an after dinner drink like chocolate/mint martini.  Let me know what you think.

Gobble, Gobble Everybody!

It’s the day before Thanksgiving, and I know that some of you are preparing tomorrow’s feast.  I thought I would never get out of work on time today because I too have a date with Tom the Turkey.  Last night, I put my bird in a brine solution to soak, today I am making some desserts and candied yams.  What I can prepare today means doing less tomorrow.  Of course in between the cooking and washing dishes, I am going to get some knitting before bed, then it’s getting up around six in the morning to wash the bird, season, and place into the oven by 8:00 am.  I am debating on to stuff or not stuff the turkey because my father wanted to get a 17 lb bird for four people (which means turkey pot pie next week).

I do everything possible to make the easiest recipes that taste wonderful and not out of a can.  Can someone explain green bean casserole to me because from what I’ve seen it doesn’t look very tasty, however, I digress.  At any rate, I hope everyone enjoy the day tomorrow even if means putting up with one relative you cannot stand.  Just look at from this perspective, you will only have to see him or her tomorrow and probably will not see the person until next year.  I’m kidding, lol.  Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Cranberry Sauce and other Ramblings

I went grocery shopping today to purchase all the fixings for Thanksgiving dinner this coming Thursday.  Of course, I start preparing my menu with making cranberry sauce.  It is seems to be the opinion of some people that is far easier to open a can of cranberry sauce and call it day.  However, for me cranberry sauce from the can usually tastes like the can and what is the purpose of cooking a wonderful home cook meal only to dump sauce from the can.  So I decided to make cranberry sauce and to my surprise the easiest thing I make from the entire menu.  Cranberry sauce is easy to prepare with 3/4 cups of water, a cup of sugar, and a bag of fresh or frozen cranberries.  Just boil the water and sugar, add the cranberries, reduce the heat, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes, put sauce in a bowl, the in frig and chill.  The sauce can be made a couple of day in advance.There are times when I make different variations such as adding apples or pears.  You can add orange juice, allspice and cinnamon.  You can use brown sugar instead of white sugar, but don’t use anything like a splenda because it will not chill.  Cranberry doesn’t have to be difficult to make, and it significantly better tasting than the can.  In addition, you will know what is in the cranberry sauce because you made it, and do you really want to eat something from a can that has been sitting on the shelf that only the bugs and insect knows how long it has been there.  Something to think about.  

Thanksgiving is Fast Approaching

Okay, Thanksgiving is fast approaching and finally sat down to write out my shopping list for my menu.  I decided on making roasted Brussel Sprouts, but could very change that to green beans (not that green bean casserole).  Of course, the menu consists of candied yams, cranberry sauce, cornbread stuffing, giblet gravy, and potato sour cream biscuits.  My dessert is still up in the air, but I am leaning towards apple or the cranberry pear oatmeal crumble, either way it will be a simple recipe.  Cooking is my first passion and I can not believe that I have been doing it for more than 30 years.  Yes, I first started cooking at the age of 11 and been cooking ever since, and preparing Easter, Christmas, New Year’s, and Thanksgiving meals for about 20 years.  I use make collard greens for Thanksgiving until my brother did something silly.  It was over ten years ago, I gave my brother ten dollars to purchase the greens for me (I gave him the money four days before Thanksgiving).  I finally told him that he needed to get the greens because it was already Wednesday.  Now believe or not collard greens were cheap and you can get a few bunches for under a dollar.  My brother came back to the house the night before with a garage bag full of collard greens (he spent all of the money I gave him).  The bag was huge and I spent two hours on the floor cutting up and cleaning greens and vowed not to make them again.  Needless to say I was annoyed with my brother because he did not help and it was the last time I sent him anyway to purchase produce for me.

I am going to share a recipe for rolls that I made about nine or ten years ago, but I must warn you that it is a seven hour preparation time.  The rolls will come out nice and fluffy.  They feel like clouds and very easy to make because there is two 2 1/2 rising.  However, you can try this recipe when you have time.  Actually, you make the rolls and do other things between the risings.  I first saw the recipe on Cooking Live on Food Network.  Here is the recipe and decide for yourself:

Georgine’s Fluffy Rolls Recipe Courtesy of Saveur Magazine Cookbook: Saveur Cooks Authentic American       1 1/4 cups milk 1/4 cup vegetable shortening 3/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1 7-gram packet active dry yeast 2 eggs, lightly beaten 4 cups flour 3/4 cup melted butter Combine milk, shortening, sugar, and salt in a saucepan and cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; set aside and allow to cool. Mix yeast with 1/4 cup lukewarm water in a large bowl; set aside until yeast dissolves and little bubbles begin to appear on the surface, about 10 minutes. Pour cooled milk mixture into yeast. Stir in eggs and gradually add flour, stirring with a wooden spoon until dough is too stiff to stir, then use your hands to knead in the flour (dough will be sticky, so grease your hands with a little butter). Brush a small amount of butter on the inside of a large bowl and on one side of a sheet of waxed paper. Place dough in bowl, cover with buttered waxed paper, and lay a clean damp dish towel on top. Set aside to rise until doubled, at least three hours. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead until elastic, then roll out to 1/2 -inch thickness. Cut dough with a 3-inch biscuit cutter, dip each round into melted butter, and fold in half. Line up, round edges up, sides touching, in a baking pan. Cover with buttered waxed paper and a towel, and set aside to rise, at least 2 1/2 hours. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake until golden, about 15 minutes. Rolls are best served warm		Recipe Summary Difficulty: Easy Prep Time: 7 hours Cook Time: 15 minutes Yield: about 2 1/2 dozen User Rating:

Episode#: CL9226
Copyright © 2006 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved

I have to prepare by cleaning the refrigerator, oven and stove, get out my roaster for the turkey, and stop by the farmer’s market to pick up some fresh marajam, rosemary, sage, and thyme for the turkey and stuffing.  I have to get to market early because it’s just like a one-day sale at Macy’s and have to fight the other women for the last dress you want on the rack.  Needless to say, very little knitting and sewing will happen during the holiday.

What’s Happening

I am now into my three-day weekend off. I did not do very much over the weekend, but managed to see “Why Did I Get Married” on Saturday, work on my scarf, and put a muslin together for a pair of pants. It is a very good thing that I created the muslin because it calls for a could of adjustments with the length (a little longer), and just add an 1/2 inch to the waist, and it should do the trick.

I finally received my patterns from Butterick and want to get started with doing the tunic from pattern number 5100, and make a diaper bag for a co-worker at work who’s having a baby. The creative idea is to make a couple of diaper bags and use them as center pieces for the shower. I can put things in the bags like cloth diapers (hey, you can use a couple just in case), baby wipes, glass bottles, lotion, powder, etc. I think it’s different than doing a gift basket and one can get more use from two diaper bags than the basket.

With the arrival of the holidays coming, it can be so hectic. Can you believe that Thanksgiving is next Thursday? I have yet to write out my shopping list as I am still thinking about what I am preparing. Of course, the turkey will be the main event, but still haven’t decided on the side dishes and dessert. I was thinking about preparing a cranberry pear oatmeal crumble and potato sour cream biscuits. I think these will be nice and easy to prepare and tasty along with preparing cranberry sauce. Yes I do prepare my own cranberry sauce and it is very simple with a cup of water, sugar, and a bag of cranberries. I usually do a variation by adding an apple or orange to the sauce, and the dish can be made a few days before the dinner as you will need to allow cranberry sauce to chill and jell together. My father always wants yellow turnips with his dinner, so I will make a batch of that to keep him happy and my sanity will remain in tact. I shall write out my dinner menu by tomorrow night.

Now I am going to do a review of my movie I saw on Saturday “Why Did I Get Married.” I thought it was Tyler Perry’s most adult and mature movie to date. Upon watching the problems of the couples unfold, I thought that a couple of marriages could have ended and one does because of the obvious reason that the marriage between Mike and Sheila . You really don’t know what Mike really marries Shelia although she seemingly loves him and put more than 100% into the marriage and he gave her nothing in return. Actually he does give her something, his contempt and ridicule. Mike is the least mature person in the movie, and doesn’t understand what it takes to make a marriage work. Shelia stays in the marriage for the wrong reasons as it did not matter to Mike what she could have done to change herself (by losing weight), he did not appreciate or love her. I thought the movie brought out the point of the importance of honesty with your spouse. I think have become more of an opponent of discussing any concerns you may before getting married because at least you know where you stand, and a person can make a choice to accept or or not. I thought it was a little disconcerting that Diane who did not want children got her tubes tied without her husband’s knowledge knowing that he wanted more children (he gets a DNA test on their daughter without her knowledge). Perhaps intellectually and legally she does have the right to do whatever she wants with her body, but sometimes being right may not the best thing for a marriage, and she should have been honest enough to discuss with her husband that she did not want to have four children (actually it should have been discussed before walking down the aisle) . I think this movie is good in knowing what happens when you are not honest within a relationship, and it gives one a great to think about what kind of marriage you want and willing to live with.