Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Eggs, anyone?

A couple of weeks ago I happened to tune into Martha Stewart's New Cooking show.  She was demonstrating every which way to make eggs.  I have to say it was a very enlightening lesson.  Martha explains so many of the details so thoroughly.  She is a pleasure to listen to.

So what did I do?  I went to the kitchen that afternoon and made one of her recipes.


I did not have fingerling potatoes, but I used the baking potatoes that I had on hand it cooked up beautifully.




I did not have a pan that I could put into the oven so I transferred the egg mixture into a pie dish.


It was very tasty, and a nice change for supper.

Frittata with Potatoes
Filling-
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
2 Tablespoons butter
1/4 lb small fingerling potatoes, thinly sliced
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
4 basil leaves, chopped

Eggs -
12 large eggs
1/4 cup heavy cream
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

 Topping -
3 oz fresh goat cheese, cut into 6 pieces (any kind of mild white cheese can be substituted)
2 oz Parmigiano or Asiago cheese, finely grated (1/2 cup)

Heat 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a 10" nonstick skillet over medium heat.  Cook onion until soft and transparent, stirring occasionally.  Remove onions and add remaining olive oil plus 2 Tablespoons butter.  Add potatoes and season with salt and pepper.  Saute until golden brown, about 4 minutes.  Return onions to skillet in an even layer.  Add seasoning.

Use a whisk to lightly beat eggs in a large bowl, then whisk in cream, and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

Pour egg mixture into skillet.  Cook, pushing eggs from edges to center of pan, until eggs are almost set, 2 to 3 minutes.

Drop dollops of cheese on top of frittata, distributing evenly and pressing down into eggs with spatula.   Sprinkle with Parmiagiano cheese.  Broil until frittata is set on top and has puffed slightly and cheese is melted.

Slice into six wedges and serve hot.

Martha Stewart's Cooking School - Eggs episode


Monday, October 29, 2012

If Teacups..........

........ could talk, what would they say.

Have you ever wondered what teacups would say if they could talk?  Would they tell you about their travels from.....
England





France



perhaps Germany or Japan



Would they tell you if they served tea to a Lady, a Duchess or maybe even a Queen?

Would your teapot tell you the secrets of it's past.  In the book If Teacups Could Talk by Emilie Barnes, she states -

For hundreds of years, "Come for tea" has been another way of saying, "Come, let's share a little bit of our lives together." Quietly and gently, this inviting phrase calls us out of ourselves and into special relationships with others

I have collected tea cups for many years now.  Some are new, some of old, some are just plain used.  Some were gifts.  And a few were inherited from a special friend who passed away.  


There are special memories with each teacup.  Memories of good times, and some painful times.  And yet, it isn't the teacup, or the tea that makes the time spent special.  It's what happens when you sit down and share your heart as you  pour a cup of tea, coffee, or lemonade.

If teacups could talk, I think what they would say is-

"Come and share a pot of tea,
My home is warm and my friendship's free."

Friday, October 26, 2012

If tomorrow starts without me


If tomorrow starts without me, And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today,
While thinking of the many things, We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me, As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name, And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready, In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind;
All those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away, A tear fell from my eye for all my life,
I'd always thought, I didn't want to die. I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible, That I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays, The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all that we shared, And all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday, Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized, That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories, would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did, My heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me, From His great golden throne, He said,
"This is eternity, And all I've promised you."
Today your life on earth is past, but here life starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow, But today will always last,
and since each day's the same way, There's no longing for the past.
You have been so faithful, So trusting and so true.
Though there were times you did some things, 
You knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven, and now at last you're free.
So won't you come and take my hand, and share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me, I'm right here, in your heart.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Fall Harvest Cake






Fall Harvest Cake 
1 1/2 cups of sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 Tsp cinnamon, 2 Tsp baking soda, 1/2 Tsp salt, 1/4 Tsp nutmeg, 1/4 Tsp ginger, 1 cup oil, 1/2 Tsp vanilla, 4 eggs, 16 oz pumpkin, 2 cups flour, 1 large peeled and chopped apple, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS:  

1.  Mix together sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, spices, oil, vanilla and eggs
2.  Add pumpkin and stir well
3.  Sitr in flour - 1/2 cup at a time
4. Stir in apple and nuts

Pour into a well greased and floured bundt pan.


Bake 60 minutes at 350 degrees - let cool till only slightly warm



 I found this wonderful recipe on Bernideen's Tea Time Blog.  It is such a good cake for Fall.  The batter looks a bit runny, but when baked, it turned out perfectly.  You can top with confectioners sugar.

Joining these parties -

Monday, October 22, 2012

Fall Shadows

This morning, when I saw the sunlight streaming in the windows, I was taken by the lovely fall shadows playing on the coffee table.  A perfect spot for tea, wouldn't you say??





 

The kettle is hot and the tea is almost ready.




Friday, October 19, 2012

The God who made the world


.......being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything."
Act 17:24-25

Can we look at the blazing of the sky and not see the wonders of the maker of this world?

"I will sing to the Lord.  Because He has dealt bountifully with me." Psalm 12:6

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Thrifty Things

Several months ago I found a few pieces of Homer Laughlin Eggshell Georgian china at Good Will.  I have been back several times, but never could find any more.

But at the end of last month I happened to go the the Hospice Thrift store and spied these.


The funny thing is, I thought they were the same Eggshell line, but when I got home, I discovered that these are called Nautilus and not Georgian.  They are very similar in design, but the color of the flowers are slightly different.

The one on the left is Nautilus and the one on the right is Georgian.  Even though they are a little different, I love them none the less.

I am finally acquiring enough pieces to be able to use them all together.  But that doesn't mean I will stop looking for these delicate little beauties :-)

One other thing I found that day was a package of these Depression Glass dessert plates.  Five in all.  They are marked $9 but on the day I was there, everything was half price!

I have been collecting these for a long time as they were started with some cup and saucers that were my Mom's.  


Nothing like a thrifty day to bring a little song in your heart :-D

Monday, October 15, 2012

Time for Tea

 
This very delicate vintage china were all gathered together and looked so inviting.  These pieces belonged to my sweet mother in love.
I always imagined they would make such a lovely setting for tea.

 Please have a seat and let's enjoy some fellowship together.

One lump or two??

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Foto Finish - Leaves

I'm joining Barbara at Cat Patches for Foto Finish.  The theme this week is -  Leaves

While visiting my BFF in Ohio a couple of years ago, I captured this picture on an early November day. 


Friday, October 12, 2012

Faith through pain



Is anyone among you suffering?  Then he must pray. James 5:13 NASU

Through the seasons of life, it is always difficult to walk through a painful time.  Spurgeon said " The God of prayer is the ear of God."  Attaining the ear of God can only be reached by patient and persistent waiting upon Him.  By pouring out our hearts and permitting God to speak to us, we come to know God better.  And as we know Him more, we will spend more time in His presence. 

During times of testing, God reflects His faithfulness. A few years ago I read this -

"Will you trust Me?  Will you trust the God you know?  If you will trust the God you know, you will be at peace."

 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His SonHe would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.   What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?  Who will bring a charge against God's elect?  God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns?  Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.  Who will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  Just as it is written,  "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."   But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:29-39 NASU



Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Outdoor Wednesday

 We have a bird feeder in our back yard.  For years we have had an ongoing battle with the squirrels.
 You see they like the bird food just as much, if not more, then the birds that visit the feeder.
A couple of years ago we bought a baffler and it has worked pretty good in keeping the squirrels at bay.  The squirrels now just clean up the seeds that drop to the ground.

I have been following Susan's blog (Between Naps on the Porch) and her adventure with squirrel wars.  It is a never ending battle just keeping an eye on what these little guys will come up with next. 

Monday, October 8, 2012

Fall Dinner for Two

We don't often have an intimate dinner for two at our house.  But if we did, wouldn't this be a lovely setting to enjoy during this time of year??



 Stemware by Gorham.

 I picked up these cute napkins at Kohl's last week.

 "Autumn Harvest" soy candle by Illume.  Made in the USA.


 Fall dishes were from Target a couple of years ago.

 Acorn Salt and Pepper - Cracker Barrel

 Autumn Delight by Johnson Brothers.




 Dinner music by Greg Howlett

It's always a pleasure to have you stop by.  Enjoy your change of season, wherever you are :-)