Making do- with Oatmeal!

Posted on March 9, 2011 by heidiannie

I don’t have a whole lot of ingredients to work with

here in Virginia. I can’t find any specialty flours in the

amounts I want to buy. I brought down my own bread flour,

made an acceptable sourdough starter whilst here, and

have made some very decent loaves, but I wanted to make

another loaf of sourdough rye before I ran out of the loaf

I brought down. Not going to happen, I think.

But I got a box of oatmeal today and made a loaf of

oatmeal bread.

It will do nicely for toast and peanut butter sandwiches.

AND, since I had oatmeal, I decided to make Frank his favorite

cookies ( although I don’t have any raisins, I added walnuts.)

I picked some daffodils this morning-

Don’t they look pretty next to the cookie jar?

Oatmeal Bread

ingredients:

3 cups bread flour

1 cup rolled oats

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 TBS butter

3 TBS honey

2 tsp instant yeast

1 1/4 cup scalded milk- luke warm

Mix all together, it should make a nice soft dough-not too sticky.

Place in buttered bowl and let sit to raise for 1 hour.

It will not be doubled, but nicely puffy. Shape into a log, and place into

a greased loaf pan. Cut slashes across top if desired. Cover and proof for

another 1 1/2 hours, top of loaf should come a couple of inches over

the top of pan.

Bake at 375 F for 35 to 45 minutes.

Cool on rack, don’t slice until completely cooled.

Orange Fig Chorizos with brandy and Pinenuts- eating good at the Sailor’s Rest

Posted on March 6, 2011 by heidiannie

RECIPE

for the chorizos:

1 lb of bulk sausage

6 dried figs- finely diced

1 TBS grated orange peel

2 TBS red pepper preserves ( or hot pepper jelly)

2 TBS lightly toasted pine nuts

1 TBS smoked paprika

1 tsp fennel seeds

1/2 tsp black pepper

2 TBS brandy

Mix all ingredients well together. Form into patties. Pan fry over medium heat, covered, 8-10 minutes- turning once.

for the pasta:

1 lb of angel hair pasta, cooked al dente.

3 TBS snipped fresh chives

3 TBS salted butter

Toss together and put on platter first. Add broccoli next, then put your chorizos around the edge of the platter. Dribble a little of the sauce left in the sausage pan over the pasta.

Decarmelize your pan with a little cream.

for the broccoli:

1 large bunch of broccoli- I peel my broccoli- it’s a pain, but it is really worth the pain- steamed but still a little crunchy.

1clove garlic, crushed

1 TBS olive oil

3 TBS butter

1 TBS basalmic vinegar.

Sautee the garlic in the oil and butter, toss broccoli with garlic and vinegar.

This recipe served 5 people very generously. Add a green salad and some garlic bread and you have a feast!

The King of glory

Posted on March 5, 2011 by heidiannie

Psalm 24

Of David. A psalm.

¹ The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
² for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters.

³ Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
   Who may stand in his holy place?
⁴ The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
   who does not trust in an idol
   or swear by a false god.

⁵ They will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God their Savior.
⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, God of Jacob.

⁷ Lift up your heads, you gates;
   be lifted up, you ancient doors,
   that the King of glory may come in.
⁸ Who is this King of glory?
   The LORD strong and mighty,
   the LORD mighty in battle.
⁹ Lift up your heads, you gates;
   lift them up, you ancient doors,
   that the King of glory may come in.
¹⁰ Who is he, this King of glory?
   The LORD Almighty—
   he is the King of glory.

This is one of my favorite psalms.

The imagery of the ancient doors lifting up their heads

with the gates so that the King of glory may come in

has always held my attention.

Not once, but twice the gates and doors are lifted for

the King of glory.

And who is this King of glory?

Who is the King of glory, we ask once again-

the LORD Almighty.

The Lord who owns the earth and everything in it.

The Lord, our maker.

Almighty- strong in battle.

The King of Glory.

Our father.

Amen.

Burnt Sugar cake and icing with sugared orange peel

Posted on March 2, 2011 by heidiannie

This is such a wonderful cake.

I’m not sure of the history (Wikipedia and Google both failed me in this department.)

I may do some more research – but that will come later- if at all.

It is moist and and toothsome, yet not dense, and the flavor is subtle, yet

enticing. And I used a decorative sunflower pan to bake in and the

end result was very pleasing.

Pleasing. That is the word for this cake. Pleasing to the eye-

pleasing to the palate- and not too much work.

I gave this cake to friends.

And kept this one for us!

Because I decorated the top with fresh sugared orange peel, you need to go

here for instructions to make your own ,first.

And then you need to make some burnt sugar syrup.

Put 3/4 cup sugar in heavy skillet and brown it on medium high until it is dark, watch

it- you really don’t want it to burn. Then add 1/2 cup boiling water, stir well and

continue cooking until it is reduced and thick as molasses.

I made a larger amount and kept it in a bottle and use it when I

WANT this cake. It is a beautiful amber color.

And now for the cake!

Ingredients:

3 cups AP/plain flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup butter- softened to room temp.

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs,divided

1/2 cup burnt sugar syrup

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup water

3/4 cup milk

Method:

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl and set aside.

Cream butter and sugar , using mixer until light and fluffy.

Separate eggs and beat whites until peaks form- set aside..)

Add egg yolks to butter and sugar,beat until smooth and

then add burnt sugar, vanilla and water.

Add flour mixture and beat until smooth, add milk to make it

into a pourable batter. Fold in egg whites.

Pour into pans- it will make 18-24 cupcakes or 2 8 inch cake pans.

Bake at 350 F for 20 to 25 minutes.

To make icing, make a buttercream icing and add 3 TBS burnt sugar

syrup. ( 1/2 cup soft butter, 1 cup icing sugar, vanilla and burnt sugar syrup,

and 3 TBS milk or hot water, beaten together)

Ice cake and add strips or bits of orange peel.

All in a day-

Posted on March 1, 2011 by heidiannie

Time is relative.

Or so they say.

All I know is that it takes me more time to accomplish less-

so maybe I’m not closely related.

I used to tell my mother that she needed to get up,

shower and dress if she wanted to be included in my

outings. She would always say she was still in her

nightgown at the unlikely hour of 10 AM.

And now, here I sit, in my jammies, without any

interest in hurrying up to shower and dress.

So maybe the relativity is more to my mom than

to time?

Anyway- I’ve been busy- but there isn’t a whole

lot to show for it.

I’ve finished another pair of socks.

Happy Birthday, Cynthia!

And I made some Chocolate Sable` cookies-

(and have a lot to be made in a roll in the fridge,Mmm!)

And I made my husband happy with roast beef, potatoes and gravy.

I’m slowly getting ready to go down to Chincoteague, but my husband

is involved in a job that has been extended and we’re not sure WHEN

we will be leaving. So I’m not packing anything yet. Just preparing.

And in this circumstance time is d r a g g I n g along.

So, really what does it matter what I get done in a day?

There is always tomorrow.

…in the house….

Posted on February 27, 2011 by heidiannie

<< Psalm 135 >>
New American Standard Bible

2You who stand in the house of the LORD,
In the courts of the house of our God!

3Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
Sing praises to His name, for it is lovely.

4For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself,
Israel for His own possession.

5For I know that the LORD is great
And that our Lord is above all gods.

6Whatever the LORD pleases, He does,
In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.

7He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth;
Who makes lightnings for the rain,
Who brings forth the wind from His treasuries.

8He smote the firstborn of Egypt,
Both of man and beast.

9He sent signs and wonders into your midst, O Egypt,
Upon Pharaoh and all his servants.

10He smote many nations
And slew mighty kings,

11Sihon, king of the Amorites,
And Og, king of Bashan,
And all the kingdoms of Canaan;

12And He gave their land as a heritage,
A heritage to Israel His people.

13Your name, O LORD, is everlasting,
Your remembrance, O LORD, throughout all generations.

14For the LORD will judge His people
And will have compassion on His servants.

15The idols of the nations are but silver and gold,
The work of man’s hands.

16They have mouths, but they do not speak;
They have eyes, but they do not see;

17They have ears, but they do not hear,
Nor is there any breath at all in their mouths.

18Those who make them will be like them,
Yes, everyone who trusts in them.

19O house of Israel, bless the LORD;
O house of Aaron, bless the LORD;

20O house of Levi, bless the LORD;
You who revere the LORD, bless the LORD.

21Blessed be the LORD from Zion,
Who dwells in Jerusalem.
Praise the LORD!

Talking about the house of the Lord.

Talking about the house of Israel.

Talking about those who stand in the house of the Lord,

And the praise, blessing, and reverence that they are to sing out!

The house of the Lord is a place of protection.

It is a place of heritage and remembrance.

He provides it for His children- for those He has called-

for those who call upon His Name- for His servants.

Next week, my husband and I are traveling to Meredith’s house

in Chincoteague. We are going to work- but it is a welcoming

place and we are blessed even as we work.

Thinking about the long drive and the work ahead is not

daunting, because we are accomplishing a work of love.

And it is a time of communion for us- a time just for the

two of us to talk and work together.

It is good.

And last week Aidan and I put together a gingerbread house.

While we were working I told him a careful story of Hansel and Gretel.

There were no scary witches to worry about. He’s not even three

yet, so we talked about children leaving bread trails in the woods and finding

a wonderful house made of gingerbread and candy. And how happy their parents

were to find them after looking all day. And how their stomachs were too

full of candy so they were a little upset, but they felt so much better in their

own beds that night, safe and sound.

Because that is what we are looking for. A house that is our home.

A place where we belong. Where we are safe and sound.

The house of the Lord is that place.

We have come from unsafe situations in houses where there are

false gods. We have lived amongst the “Egyptians” –looking for

safety and assurance in a place we don’t belong. We lived in a land full

of idols- and are seeking a place with the one true God.

“know that the LORD is great
And that our Lord is above all gods.

6Whatever the LORD pleases, He does,
In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps.”

Psalm 135 – there is no place like home- in the house of the Lord.

Wordle fun

Posted on February 23, 2011 by heidiannie

My friend Joanna at Zeb Bakes made me a wordle from Jonathan Feinberg’s Wordle site.

I really like it!

It is words from my blog- and some of the topics I’ve had up lately.

Want to play? You can go to Zeb Bakes and follow Joanna’s VERY helpful instructions and links that will

take you to the right place and grab the wordle for yourself.

And – Jonathan says you can use the wordle free- even for commercial use.

What I really like is that this is a view of my blog from my friend’s point of view-

and that really adds to the fun! Because it gives a fresh perspective and I can see how well I’m

communicating.

Thanks, Joanna!

Making a treat out of a trial.

Posted on February 22, 2011 by heidiannie

I give up.

We had temperate weather for a weekend and then

WHOOSH back to winter.

Snow and temps below freezing.

BUT- I’ve decided that giving up can be sweet.

I made a orange snow sundae for dessert!

I was making candied orange peel and decided to use the left over

syrup and some scoops of snow from the deck to make a treat.

So I have some orange peel to decorate some cupcakes-

and a yummy frozen treat!

And look how pretty the sun on the snowy treetops look!

I thought I might update this post and add an old recipe for candied

orange peels. In case you’d like to make some!

I love to use something I might have discarded to make something beautiful and delicious. My husband takes an orange in his lunch everyday. When he packs his lunch, the peel is thrown away as garbage. When I pack his lunch, I peel the rind off first and then peel the pith away- saving the rind( the orange part) and tossing out the thick white peeling underneath.

The thin orange rind is where all the oils and flavor are in the skin- so when you peel it off, make sure you don’t pick up the white part- it is bitter and unusable.Cover the rind with water and simmer for about 20 minutes, then pour off the water and repeat (Cover, Simmer, Pour off). The water will be a light orange each time- you are getting rid of the bitter flavor with the water baths.

Add about 3/4 cup fresh water and 1 cup sugar and stir to dissolve sugar, then put on low heat and simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally. The peels will become translucent and the sugar water will become a simple syrup.

Put fine sugar in a filter or plate and, using a fork, lift out the orange peel and dredge in the sugar.

Cover both sides and set aside onto wax paper.

To make flowers, use a long piece of peel and after dredging in sugar,

roll into a rose shape while still warm and pliable.

Shape into rose by wrapping peel tightly at base and flare out the “petal” top.

Allow to dry on wax paper until it isn’t sticky, and then you can garnish cakes- or dip into dark chocolate for candy, or just use in recipes- like in Irish soda bread or hot cross buns.

And, pour the simple syrup into a bottle and save to use in orange flavored punch or sauces or dressings.

It’s a wonderful addition to many recipes.

Psalm 42- patterns of darkness and light.

Posted on February 20, 2011 by heidiannie

¹ As the deer pants for streams of water,
   so my soul pants for you, my God.
² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
   When can I go and meet with God?
³ My tears have been my food
   day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
   “Where is your God?”
⁴ These things I remember
   as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
   under the protection of the Mighty One

with shouts of joy and praise
among the festive throng.

⁵ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
   Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
   for I will yet praise him,
   my Savior and my God.

⁶ My soul is downcast within me;
   therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
   the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
⁷ Deep calls to deep
   in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
   have swept over me.

⁸ By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.

⁹ I say to God my Rock,
   “Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
   oppressed by the enemy?”
¹⁰ My bones suffer mortal agony
   as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
   “Where is your God?”

¹¹ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
   Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
   for I will yet praise him,
   my Savior and my God.

I have diabetes, and my health insurance has a plan

that includes a phone call every couple of months that

goes over my prescriptions and general health to see

if I am keeping well and doing the prescribed activities,

etcetera. They ask a battery of questions- and one that

always makes me smile and answer neither yes nor no is

“Have you experienced any depression that has affected your

work or social activities within the last 3 months?”

Yes. No. Maybe.

It is the middle of February. We have been through a brutal

winter. There has been very little sunshine.

Am I depressed? Sometimes.

I hate answering these questions in regard to my physical health only.

This is a very deep condition. One with mental, spiritual and family

implications and I basically hedge and lie. I say, no. I am not

depressed to the point that it affects me socially or in the amount of

work I can accomplish.

I think depression is very much a part of the healthy human condition.

I once heard Billy Graham say that he had never been depressed and it

made him less real and effective for me ever since. If you haven’t

ever looked up at life from a place of profound depression then I don’t

think you you have ever seen the true face of mankind.

God put Jeremiah into a position where he was in a pit. In a prison of

despair and depression to give him a view of the depravity and void man

is in when separated from God.

So, am I depressed?

YES.

Does it affect my activities?

YES.

Can it be overcome?

YES.

Do I know where to go to find solace and comfort?

YES.

Of course, the same questions could be asked about Joy!

Do I know Joy?

Yes.

Does it affect my activities?

Absolutely.

Is this an overcoming emotion in my life?

Yes.

Aren’t we all a mixture of emotions and points of view?

We NEED shadows- they are created by our place in the sunshine-

I don’t intend to dwell in the darkness, but it adds character and truth

to my life and testimony.

And for me, that testimony is set down in the first lines of this psalm-

As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?

AMEN.