Voting today in a run-off...

I hope every one in my area, (and any other area) where a run-off election is being held today, will go out and vote.  Here I think we have 3 different offices in the run-off.  I don't have a problem deciding who to vote for in two of the races, but there's one, where I'd rather not vote for either.  I wish I could show my distaste for both men in some way, but I don't know how I do it so they will know how I feel.  They have both been really nasty mud slieedngers.  Is there a way, we as a civil, honest, Christian society can let the politicians know that we do not appreciate this type of politicking.  The only way I can think of is not to vote for either of them.  Do you have any suggestions?
PS Just as I posted this and ad for one of the men I do not want to vote for apeared on my blog..is there a way I can remove it???

Another week has flown by...

Imagine today that you found out you are go to die, today.  You are given time to be alone and write down a note to your friends.  What would you say? What would be a Scripture passage you ask all to read?  (A Reflection from Anthony de Mello a Jesuit priest)
My note:  I love you.  Please become closer to Christ in this life, so that you may be closer to Him in the next.  You will continue to be in my prayers.  Mathew 13:4-9.  I hope I sowed some seed on good soil.....


On the menu for today:  Pork Roast a la Lipton Onion soup mix crock-potted, something green (beans I hope) Rice and Gravy, and rolls.  It sure smells good can't wait to eat when Mari Ann and the girls get here.  Have a wonderful Sunday with your family

A plate of left-overs for tomorrow

This simple pork roast tasted great, the rolls were a first time recipe for me,  I don't remember where I found the recipe, but they were wonderful.  I made a half a recipe of the rolls it is noted on the right.

Pork Roast a la Lipton Onion Soup

1 Pork Roast                                                           2 T butter
Salt/Pepper/Garlic Powder                              1/4 C flour
Flour                                                                        1/4 t pepper
4 T oil divided                                                       Apx 2 C water or broth
                                 1 envelope Lipton Onion Soup

Sprinkle all side of the roast with the Salt/Pepper/Garlic Powder and the flour while 2 T of the oil heats in a skillet.  I use cast iron.  Get the oil really hot then brown/sear the meat on all sides. Set the skillet aside you will use it later to make the gravy, DO NOT wash it.   Place the meat in your crock pot, sprinkle with the onion soup, cook on high for 2 hour then on low about 4 depending on the size of your roast.  When the roast is done remove from the crock pot, heat the skillet again adding about 2 T butter and 2 T oil, Stir in the flour and the pepper, allow the flour to brown, stir in the juices from the crock pot and the water/broth.  Cook till thick.  Turn the thermostat down to warm on the crock pot, place the roast back in the crock pot, pour the gray over the roast, keep warm till dinner time.

Legendary Lion House Rolls these are worth the extra effort!!

2 - cups warm water                                           1 C

2/3 - cup nonfat dry milk                                   1/3 C

2 - tablespoons dry yeast                                   1 T or 1 pkg

(2 tablespoons =2 packages)

1/4 - cup sugar                                                     2 T 

2 - tsp salt                                                             1 t 

1/3 - cup butter                                                   5 T

1 - egg                                               Beat the egg till well scrambled and use about 2 T of it

5 to 5 1/2 - cups all purpose flour                     2 1/2 to 2 3/4 C

In your mixer combine water and dry milk. Stir until dissolved. Add yeast, sugar, salt, butter, egg and 2 cups flour. Mix on low speed until ingredients are wet, then for 2 minutes on medium speed. Add 2 more cups flour, and mix on low speed until ingredients are wet, and 2 minutes on medium speed. Add remaining flour (I only add one more cup, and leave out the last 1/2). Once combined, knead with hands, or turn on your kneading function on your bread mixer. Place dough in a oiled bowl. Turn over once so dough is covered with oil. Cover with plastic, and let rise in a warm place until double in size. Place dough on floured surface. Roll out dough, and brush with melted butter. Cut rolls into desired shape and size. Place on a greased or parchment paper lined baking pan. Let rise in warm place until rolls are doubled in size. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until browned. Brush with melted butter while hot.

How to freeze rolls: After shaping the rolls place them 2 inches apart on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Place the rolls in the freezer and freeze until firm. When the rolls are firm, transfer to a large zip lock freezer bag. Date and freeze for up to 4 weeks.

To use freezer rolls: Arrange frozen rolls 2 inches apart on baking sheets coated with nonstick cooking spray or covered with parchment paper. Cover rolls with plastic wrap coated with baking spray. Place in a warm place and let the rolls rise until doubled in size. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with additional butter while hot.

T.G.I.F.....

Well folks, we made through another week full of ups and downs, mostly ups, but the downs were really in the muddy deep ditch.  It's when you hit those muddy deep ditch lows you find out who you can depend on, who is just going to be there and who is just going to be a pain in the rear.  I hit a pretty tough financial snag in the past few days, that's not to say we were financial set before, but we were getting by.  Our monthly income was cut by about 25%. OUCH! ! ! ! !   But thanks to my daughter,  my husbands brother, some very dear friends at the Christus House and a few budget cuts we will survive.  I won't cause the others embarrassment by mentioning their names.


For the "ups" I give full credit to "my daughter,  my husbands brother, my dear friends at the Christus House, and my granddaughters, who say some very sweet things to their granmaw, but at the same time not so very truthful.  You know, things that make you laugh or smile and you soooo wish they were true....Thank you, all of you for the time, the smiles, the laughter, and the love, without you I could not make it to tomorrow.


On the menu for this getting colder by the minute day:  Semi Homemade Tomato Soup and Grill Cheese Sandwiches.

The Soup:

Butter to sauté apx 1/4 C

1/4 C each:

    Onion chopped finely

    Celery chopped finely

    Bell Pepper chopped finely

Apx 1 T. Pesto

1 can Campbell's tomato soup

Optional:

Add a dash of crushed  red pepper or cayenne

A sprinkle of basil or Italian seasoning

In a sauce pan sauté onion, celery and peppers in butter  until tender and transparent.   Add soup per directions on can.  Milk can be substituted for water for a creamier less  "tomato-ie" flavor.  Heat to serving temperature.

The Sandwich: Is some left over oat bread I made for Sunday dinner, a little mayo on the inside, a slice of American Cheese, then some grated cheddar/Monterrey jack and then a slice of provolone, grilled in butter. Don't you love it when the cheese oozes over the side...of anything...

Later today I am going to make so Moon Pies for my grandgirls to put in their lunches, recipe and picture coming soon.  Oooooops! I'm getting my pies mixed up.  Actually I'm making Whoopie Pies.  The grandgirls love them in their lunch boxes.

Whoopie Pies: I doubled the recipe and got 10 small and 8 large pies.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup natural cocoa powder, such as Hershey's or Scharffen Berger

• 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoons fine salt
• 18 large marshmallows, (the minis will work but they are a little more trouble)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking sheet.

Put the unsweetened and semisweet chocolates and butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl; heat at 75 percent power until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir, and continue to microwave until completely melted, about 2 minutes more. (Alternatively, put the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching the water, and stir occasionally until melted and smooth.)

Whisk the sugar, eggs and vanilla into the chocolate mixture until smooth.

Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt into another bowl. Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until moistened. Switch to a rubber spatula and finish folding the batter together; take care not to over-mix.

Use a ice cream scoop for a consistent size drop of batter or spoon to drop a heaping tablespoon of batter onto the prepared pan. Space them about 1-inch apart. Bake until the cookies spring back when lightly touched, about 6 minutes for the smaller and 9 for the larger.

Cool the cookies slightly. Transfer half of the cookies to a rack. Turn the remaining cookies on the pan over, so they lay flat side up. Place a marshmallow on top of each flipped cookie and return pan to the oven. Cook just until the marshmallow begins to soften and puff, about 3 minutes. Cool marshmallow topped cookies slightly, about 2 minutes. Top with the remaining cookies, pressing lightly to make sandwiches. Cool whoopee pies completely on wire racks. Serve.

Store in tightly sealed container for up to 1 week.

Note:

• Do not use the cream cheese, marshmallow cream filling recipe for this or just marshmallow cream It doesn't work buy marshmallows...

The Christmas rush is over....

The feast has been consumed, the gifts have been received...and given with wonderment and joy.  But let's not forget, December the 25 is the first day of the Christmas season, not the last.   All Saints Day nor even Black Friday, are not the first day of the season, as many would have you believe.  The hardest part, and for some the worst part is over (except for paying the bills you may have run up).  Now sit back take a deep breath and say, "Thanks you Jesus, for all the many blessings and graces you have sent my way."  tonight, and every night for the next 11 (eleven) nights.  What a wonderful birthday present that would be for Jesus, if everyone would just take the time to thank Him for all the gifts, He has given us, even while knowing, so few of us will reciprocate or even send a simple thank you His way.  To tell Jesus thank you each and everyday would be a wonderful and easy New Years resolution to keep.  Think about it....  May you all have a Glorious 12 days of Christmas and a Blessed New Year....

Have a wonderful Christmas eve...

Over-Night Yeast Rolls

Mari Ann and I just finished all the prep work for Christmas dinner tommorrow.  On the menu is:

 Breakfast:

Sausage Cheese Egg Muffins

Orange Juice - Milk - Coffee

Dinner

Ham

Grown-up Green Bean Casserole

(made from scratch no canned soups or onion rings for me)

Crispy Parmesan Asparagus Sticks

Strawberry Spinach Salad

Rice and Sauage Dressing

Grown-up Green Bean Casserole

Over-Night Yeast Rolls

Apple Pie and Cherry Pie

(I cheated and bought these)

French Silk Chocolate Pie

(made with Hazelnut coffee)

Tea/Coffee

It's 2pm and I need to get ready for Mass at 4.  It will be really crowed this afternoon at the children's Mass, in order to get a seat I will be there an hour before Mass is due to start.  I really enjoy the quite time before Mass starts.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

My love to all of you who read this along my wishes for you and your family to have a Blessed Christmas.