I am in love.
Please bear with me..
my mixer
I am in love.
Please bear with me..
Envy
It is a terrible thing, envy.
I had it regarding my engagement ring. I love my current setting – cathedral 1.25 carrot diamond in white gold. Beautiful. David did all of the investigating of the diamond, color, clarity, everything. We picked out the diamond setting.
A coworker of mine got a solitare diamond recently…gorgeous in a Tiffany setting. The Tiffany setting is simple and beautiful. It really makes the diamond stand out. I wanted mine to look like that…big, showy.
I spoke with David about resetting my solitare. Looked a several options. I am keeping my setting, and just cleaning it more.
Our things are just that – things. Mine is better than yours…mentality. I believe that we are all guilty at that one time or another.
Want.
The one thing that I have been wanting for a very long time (since I left home 30 years ago) was a KitchenAid Stand Mixer. I have even tried to win one on http://www.thepoineerwoman.com – ree drummond gives one away once and a while. Most recently, this past weekend.
We, as a family, went to the movies on Saturday. We wandered into some shops, and of course, into Williams-Sonoma. I went in to price the differences of the Mixers, and ON SALE, was the 90th Anniversary Edition =) Candy Apple Red Artisan Stand Mixer. Last one was the display model….for $150 off. Yes!
We bought it…
and I took it out of its box…and it sits on MY counter…and now – what to make?
No, I am not going to reset my ring. I love it just the way it is. Always have.
I am giddy about my new mixer. Pictures and recipes to come soon. =)
Looking back…
Looking back over your life…are you happy with the choices that you have made?
Do you find yourself questioning where you are?
I do.
I can’t believe that I had a difficult first marriage, one that I would have never thought of ending, but had to.
I am blessed with those surrounding me. Strong personalities, with dynamic choices in life.
Regrets.
We all have them.
I am not strong with algebra. In high school – fine, in college not just once but twice failure.
I believe I need to conquer that fear. Fear of hearing the doubt that was instilled by my first husband. Doubt.
Faith – can I succeed? Yes.
Now, where do I sign up? Okay – Lord, you are my rock. Here I stand.
Thankful I am a child in God’s hands.
What are your doubts?
Mom
Four years ago today my mother passed away. I miss her so. Even though we knew it was going to happen, didn’t make it easier.
You never forget your Mother, good or bad. I miss lots of things about her. How she would yell in German, or her love of Disney World, snuggling with the kids, or her love of chocolate. I think most of all, I miss her stroking my hair when I would sit by her. Her hands were soft, and she liked to wear pink nail polish.
Kiss your Mom. Time goes too quickly.
I love you – Mom.
Exhausting, painful day
The past week has truly been an exhausting, painful week. My hips are throbbing to the point of waking me up out of a drugged sleep. Painful.
Movement is slow. Sharp pains occur, but it is the dull constant pain that bothers me more. Sitting is okay until I need to move, then the movement is okay, but for only a short period of time.
It affects my mood to where is noticeable to everyone. I am a happy person normally around people, but this past week it has been difficult dealing with everyday moments – challenges.
Everyone walks with difficulty, sometimes it is apparent, and sometimes it isn’t.
Smile, encourage someone. You may be the lift that they need today.
God is good all the time. All the time God is GOOD! His grace is awesome. I am so very blessed.
Mac and Cheese
Okay – Macaroni and Cheese…I normally cook this out of a box…yes, you know the one, blue box. It is a good choice, especially when you are in a rush, or have kids. I love the box kind. Never really thought much about making it from scratch.
Well, I get this great cookbook “The Pioneer Woman Cooks” by Ree Drummond. She does this like it is a no-brainer. Check her out at http://www.thepioneerwoman.com.
I had a bunch of leftover plain elbow macaroni. So, I thought I would give it a try.
It was the BEST Mac and Cheese ever!
Ree cooks a mean Mac and Cheese! Yummy! You have got to try it.
Happy New Year! Reflections of 2009…
Happy New Year!
Today I made my mother’s sauerkraut. I really did bring back memories, and I am quite impressed with being able to replicate her and my Oma’s (grandmother) recipe. We had to eat it on New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day along with black eyed peas. I didn’t care for the peas, but always enjoyed the sauerkraut. We have eaten throughout the year when Mom was alive, but I haven’t made it in a long while. It with the peas was supposed to bring luck for the new year. Not to really believe that, but you never know.
Not everyone enjoys it. But I most certainly do. It was a good beginning to the year I believe.
2009 brought Carmen to the hospital last January for approximately 9 days. We are so very blessed that she is doing well, and has grown into a beautiful young woman. We totaled a vehicle by hitting a dear, which sent our finances upside down. It has been a growing experience, one in humility, with our finances. But I believe that we are much better now than a year ago, without using a credit card, and on the road to get out of debt. God has been really good to us.
I am in awe of His grace.
I am doing okay with my health. I am tired, fatigued. My vision seems to go blurry when I am very tired. I am resting, but still feeling like I am not getting anything done. I enjoy cooking, and cleaning and, oh, too many things that I can’t seem to do on a daily basis. Once work is done, and dinner cooked, I am exhausted.
I am blessed. David is a source of strength and my reminder to take things easier than I do. Carmen is a help around the house, and does more than I ask. Stephen is as tall as me, and keeps growing. He is one to give hugs, and snuggles when I need it the most.
Blessed.
I pray you have a wonderful year.
Love,
Jerry Ann
Christmas Goodies
We wanted to make some goodies for friends for Christmas this year.
So…
Almond Bark – Milk Chocolate
Dry roasted peanuts
Pretzel rods
Sprinkles
Begin by melting your almond bark in your crock pot. This is the best way that I have found to melt chocolate. You don’t have to constantly stir it, and it keeps it hot without over cooking.
Wal-Mart or your local grocery store candy section.
I use my small crock pot.
Add 1 jar of peanuts, and stir.
Drop by large spoonfuls onto wax paper. Let cool.
Pretzels are dunked into the chocolate, then lay on wax paper, add sprinkles, let cool.
Enjoy!
Hamburger Soup or Stew
Okay-
I laid out some ground beef (again), and really was trying to decide what to do with it.
So…
Hamburger Soup or Stew (whichever you prefer to call it)
2 pounds of ground beef – cooked medium than drain off fat
1 medium onion – chopped
4 stalks of celery – chopped
4 carrots – chopped
3 cloves of garlic – chopped
1 box of beef broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can of tomato paste
1 can of corn (drained)
1 can of green beans (drained)
2 cups of Pearl Barley
You can really throw anything you have in the fridge or pantry – i.e. peas? lima beans? etc.
But, this is what we had.
So.
Chopped onion, celery and carrot
Chopped garlic
Add to ground beef, and cook until translucent. Then add the diced tomatoes, and paste.
Also, add the corn, and then the beef broth.
Simmer, for 30 minutes or until the tomatoes have cooked down.
Add in the corn and the green beans. I also add the barley here.
You may need to add about 2 to 4 cups of water depending on the water from the vegetables.
Cook for an additional hour.
Serve with warm bread or crackers.
It is a good hearty soup (or stew -ha).
Enjoy!
Potato Soup
Ms. Paulines Potato Soup
1 stick butter
2 onions chopped
3 stalks celery – chopped (didn’t have any – used celery seed)
4-5 carrots chopped
2 T ground mustard
8-10 medium *Yukon Gold Potatoes chopped (varied in size – I like a chunk soup)
4 cups cheddar cheese
4 cups Chicken Broth
1 can Carnation Milk
1 cup milk
parsley (chopped for garnish)
bacon (cooked and crumbled)
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped Potato
Saute onion in 1 stick of butter (Scream Paula Dean!)
add celery, (or celery seed), mustard,
carrots, and
and broth.
Bring to boil, and then simmer until fork tender.
I mash the potatoes a bit, then add
the Carnation Milk, regular milk and cheddar cheese.
Stir until creamy.
Chop some parsley to add freshness.
Oh, yummy, bacon.
Sprinkle some cheese, parsley, and bacon on top and serve.
Enjoy!
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