Jazz it up a bit

Peach Crisp

My grandmother would always have the best desserts on Sundays when family would come over. Some of her yummy desserts were pudding dishes others cookies but the ones I love the best were her pies, crisps and cobblers. Oh my goodness she baked love into each of these. As far as I know she would pick, freeze and can her own fruit yumminess to be made into some sort of dessert. This is not her recipe but it simply helped me recall how yummy here recipes were

1 large (29) ounce can sliced peaches - drained
2 sticks or 1 cup of butter - melted
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons baking powder


Preheat oven to 350°.
Pour drained can of peaches into skillet or 9x13 baking dish.
Pour melted butter over the peaches.
Mix sugar, flour, milk and baking powder together to form batter.
Pour batter over peaches and butter.
Bake for 30 to 45 minutes until top is golden brown and edges are crispy.
May take longer in a cast iron skillet.

recipe source here

April 13th , 1743 was a great day as one of the important men in American history was born. Thomas jefferson  the drafter of the Declaration of Independence and the nations political theorist was born on that day. Without great men like Jefferson would the United States been developed?? 

Jefferson, one of the United States founding fathers, had a personality with character and love for the people. Jefferson played many roles including architect, philosopher, musician and essayist. Jefferson had a love for fossils and a large collection of them as well. I personally envy him for this as I love to get in nature and find fossils such as this. 

Jefferson had a every day simple man relaxed attitude. His desire to be seen as a common man was reflected in the way he would welcome guest at the White House. He was said to be seen in a robe and slippers He demanded and backed freedom of speech and religion and denounced oppressive government. He believed that presidents before him had used the office like a monarch. He argued against strong federal government that included a national bank and strong federal military. He feared that creating such objects in government would lead to tyrannical leader that would be against American citizens. 

Jefferson did take part in smear tactics against political opponents. He would do this in print using a pseudonym. He also helped fund the anti Federalist press. Jefferson desired the abolition of slavery but owned slaves that worked his plantation. He treated his slaves well and some say that a slave named Sally Hemings was Jefferson's lover. Together it is believed that they had a child. 

Jefferson died July 4th 1826

FND

I have shared many disorders on my blog before and some you may have heard of and others not so much. Since my career line off of the great blog is in the medical field I think it is my job to help you understand what is out there as well. Today I want to share with you one that you may not have been aware of. The Functional neurological symptom Disorder or FNsD. This disorder affects individuals neurological system with weakness, movement disorders, sensory symptoms and blackouts. The brain of a patient with functional neurological symptom disorder is structurally normal but functions incorrectly. While others have suffered in silence there is a new group that helps draw those who suffer together.

Those suffering with functional neurological disorder or FND was given hope on April 30, 2012 when the group FND Hope was established. The non profit advocacy organization was set up for those with medically unexplained symptoms. The website fndhope.org was created by patients, caregivers, doctors and researchers who were brought together for one goal. The goal was to promote better treatment and care for FND patients.

The purpose of this group was to and is to advocate for the men, women and children who have had their lives turned on end by what they are experiencing. The physical and often debilitating functional symptoms are tough to deal with alone. The FND Hope group can offer current information and dispel biased stereotypes and ill conceived myths.

The 13th of April was the date the website went live. Since that time over 40 countries have joined the cause and many national publications have been shared as well. Where conversation begins a path can be found and now that there are thousands of people talking over the multiple support group forums the light can be seen.

1 3/4 cups sugar
1 1/4 cups oil
4 eggs
2 cups flour
2 t baking powder
2 t baking soda
1 t salt
2 t cinnamon
3 cups grated carrots, raw
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour desired pans. Cream sugar and oil until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at at time, mixing well after each addition. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together. Add to sugar mixture. Fold in carrots and pecans. Bake for 15-25 minutes, depending on the size of your pan, until cake tester comes out clean and the cake springs back when touched. Ice with cream cheese frosting. (Frosting recipe follows our comments. I used a double recipe for the cupcakes.)

Cream Cheese Frosting

1/2 cup butter
8 oz cream cheese
1 t vanilla
1 box 10x powdered sugar (1 pound)

Let butter and cream cheese come to room temperature. Then cream together until smooth. Add vanilla and powdered sugar. Mix until smooth. Double this recipe for 3-layer cakes. Refrigerate if using for piping decorations.

Recipe in a Drexel First Baptist Church Compilation Cookbook

Gardening like a Detective

Gardeners have many talents and having detective skills is on the list. Finding the problem with the rose bush or veggie plant is just part of it. It may be pests, nutrient deficiencies or inadequate watering. Knowing what to do about it when you find out what the problem is the gift.

Holes in leaves, small webs on the plant can be tell tall signs of pests in your garden. The underside of leaves is a great place to look for bugs like aphids. Store bought insecticidal sprays or homemade sprays can help them keep in check

Two things that plants need to perform photosynthesis are water and sunlight. Without these two needs trouble is sure to be around the corner. Poor sunlight can be spotted by leaves that are faded or droopy. If the plant is transported to a brighter location you may just find out the problem is solved. If the plants leaves are droopy and dry they most likely need water. You should slowly apply about an inch of water to the affected plant. However, if the leaves look wilted with yellow color in the leaf then the plant has most likely been overwatered adding a bit of sand to the soil should help here.

Doing a bit of work will help you find out what the problem with. A bit of detective work will help you find what you need to do to help your plant.


shared at
Bouquet of Talent

Licorice Day : Make An Easter Basket

Licorice is made from the root of the licorice plant. So now you may be wondering what a licorice plant is. Believe it or not the licorice plant is the same thing as the legume or bean plant. The word licorice means "sweet root". Licorice is often something to disagree about, while there are many that love it there are many others that do not. The distinctive licorice taste comes from acid in the licorice roots that is 50 times sweeter than sugar

Licorice is often used for medicinal purposes. The chinese in early times used licorice to fight cancer. Since that time the Rutgers University have performed studies that show that licorice may be effective in treating prostate and breast cancer. Licorice can relieve the pain of ulcers and is supposed to be healthy for the adrenal glands too.

First you will need these ingredients: pull-n-peel licorice, and any small Easter candy. Take 2 pull-n-peel licorice and peel apart. You should be left with 18 thin pieces of licorice. Taking 2 pieces of licorice form an X. Repeat this step so that you have 3-4 separate X's. Lay these on top of one another staggering their positions. The end result should look like this:

Now, take another piece of licorice, starting at the center of all the X's, choose one of the ends and go over the piece. Then going around the circle, alternate going over and under each licorice end, staying as close to the center as possible. As soon as one of your licorice pieces runs out, grab another piece and start where the other one ended. To bind the two together, you can squeeze and roll them together. Continue going over and under the licorice ends until you have a base size that you desire.

Once you have completed your base, cut the end of the licorice you were using to weave and tuck in. To form the sides of your licorice basket, take a piece of licorice and measure how big your licorice will need to be to form the side. Cut the licorice piece to size (let's call this licorice piece y). Once again, weave over and under each licorice end and seal licorice piece y by squeezing and rolling the ends together. Continue this step up the side of your basket. Keep in mind that the first loop (licorice piece y) that you will use to form the side will be the hardest step, but once you have established that you are now weaving on top on each licorice piece y, it goes easier. Weave as many licorice piece y's as necessary until your basket is your desired height.

Now that your basket is the appropriate height, you will notice that you have extra ends of the licorice. Simple trim these shorter and tuck into the basket. Some will be tucked on the outside of the basket and some will be tucked on the inside of the basket. This depends on whether the licorice end was over or under the final licorice piece y. *Make sure that you leave two pieces (on opposite sides of the basket) left untrimmed. These will help form the handle of the basket.
Finally, Take The two opposite ends of licorice and seal together over the basket (again, twisting and squeezing the ends together). Now, take 2 new strips of licorice. Using these two pieces along with the licorice ends you just sealed together, braid the handle. leave a tiny bit of extra licorice on both sides so that you can tuck the two ends of the new pieces of licorice into the basket, and you're done!

Trust me, this is a tough project. I definitely underestimated it; however, the result is worth it. I now have a completely original Easter treat that is completely edible! If you need any clarification on any of these steps, please leave me a comment below.

Thanks for stopping by :)

this Easter post was shared at
funtastic friday

Great Reasons To Read Today

Today, Wednesday April 12 2017 celebrates our nation's bookmobiles and library workers who are dedicated to providing valuable service to the community. Today, take the time to thank those who take care of the book mobile by writing letters, emails or visiting the library to let them know how you truly love them.

Today is also a great day known as Drop Everything and Read. It is a day that should be devoted to a day if reading if possible. How many books can your read or how many chapters of your favorite book can you get through?? Read to your little one and let them count how many your read to them. Since DARE day is dedicated to Beverly Clearly why not write a letter to her or another great children's author to let them know how thankful you are for great books.

Grilled Cheese Party Bar

Grilled Cheese Party is an idea for busy weeknight or summer nights like tonight when I went from work to baseball practice to home. Grilled Cheese are easy to make and everyone can add their own favorites. Here are some great ideas:

muenster and goat cheese grilled cheese with spinach, turkey, basil added

cheddar, provolone and muenster cheeses, with tomato, caramelized onion, bacon, serrano ham with fresh spinach all on a sour dough bread grilled cheese

or how about one of these:

turkey with white cheddar cheese topped with cheddar spread with horseradish topped with caramelized onions, jalapeno peppers all on olive rosemary bread

cheddar and muenster cheese topped with ham, tomato, onion, basil and seasoned with horseradish and sriracha on sun dried tomato bread.

or better yet make up one of your own.

have a great party with your friends making grilled cheese
Have a great variety of cheese and ingredients easy to reach at a well laid out bar
fruits, all kinds of condiments will allow guest to surprise you with their gourmet grill cheese as well
butter should be at room temperature
offer lots of bread choices
each guest should be able to make 2 sandwiches. One to eat and the other to share
have someone in charge of working the griddle

Crockpot Italian Chicken

chicken

(I used tenderloins I bought on sale and froze)

Spagetti Sauce from a jar

(I used part Barilla and part Ragu)

Noodles

(I used whole wheat linguine)

crushed red pepper

italian seasoning

basil

oregano

pepper

Lawry's All Season

onion powder

garlic powder

mozzarella cheese, grated

parmesan cheese, grated

In a crockpot, pour some of the spagetti sauce in the bottom of dish.  Place chicken on top. Cover with sauce. Bake on low until cooked through. (I threw mine in frozen and after 5 hours they were done. They might have been done earlier, but I didn't check!)

Cook noodles according to package directions.  In a saucepan, heat up some more spagetti sauce and season with the above dried seasonings. Heat until bubbly.  Place a little sauce in a baking dish; remove chicken from crockpot and place over sauce in baking dish.  Cover with more sauce and grated cheeses.  Broil in the oven until cheese is melted. 

Toss cooked and drained pasta with some the seasoned sauce.  Serve chicken over pasta.  Grate more parmesan over chicken and sprinkle with parsely if desired.

Sound easy enough?  Crockpots are so wonderful! If you haven't used yours in a while, dust off the cobwebs and get slow cookin!  They really do make life a little easier!

Be Our Guest

"Tafathalo" means "Do me the honour". It is an invitation to come to the table. So we invite you to share with us an Arabic recipe that we can all dine on. Enjoy!!!

• 1kg / 2lb skinless chicken legs
• 2 tbsp Arabic 7-Spice (baharat) - or - a generous dusting of cinnamon and allspice plus a dash of nutmeg or cloves
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F. Pat the chicken pieces dry to remove any excess moisture. Place the chicken and all of the spices in a roasting pan (metal and ceramic are both great) or a baking sheet. Drizzle over the olive oil, and toss together thoroughly to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Cover the pan tightly with foil, and roast for 1 hour. Remove the foil and continue roasting for an additional 30 minutes, occasionally basting the chicken in the pan juices, until the skin is golden brown and the meat is coming off the bone. Heat the broiler, and let the chicken crisp up for 2-3 minutes at the very end of cooking.

Serve immediately or at room temperature.

Spring Trail Mix

Almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, coconut, dried cranberries, and dark chocolate. YUMMY!!

First you toast the nuts and coconut in the oven.  Toasting nuts bring out their flavor.

Then while the mixture is still warm, you add the chocolate and cranberries.  The original recipe called to stir these in when mixture is completely cool, which I did many times.  Then one time I accidentally left my trail mix in the sun. It melted the chips and when it cooled, the mix sort of clumped together and I thought it was good that way! So I do it both ways now.

Talkin' Trail Mix

1 bag (6oz) slivered almonds

3/4 cup shelled pumpkin seeds (they are green)

1 cup sweetened coconut

3/4 cup walnuts (optional)

1/2 cup dried cranberries (Ocean Spray)

1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  On a foil lined baking sheet, combine nuts, pumpkin seeds, and coconut.  Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the coconut is golden brown.  Remove from the oven and let cool.  Combine toasted mixture with cranberries and chocolate.

recipe was tweaked a bit but was copied from Sandra Lee

Every Bunny Loves Carrots, Carrot Cake That is

Homemade Carrot Cake

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 c. oil

3 eggs

Beat together then add....

2 c. flour

1 1/2 t. cinnamon

1 t. baking soda

1 t. vanilla

1/2 t. salt

1/4 t. nutmeg

Mix all together then add...

3 cups of grated carrots (DON'T use the pre-grated carrots from the store, both times I did, my cake

failed and I had to make another one)

Spray pan coating and flour cake pans (2 rounds or 1-9x13) then pour cake batter into 2 round cake pans or 1-9x13 oblong pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool and then frost cake.

Cream Cheese Icing for Carrot Cake

1 8oz pkg. of cream cheese

1/4 c. butter

2 t milk

1 t. vanilla

blend until smooth then add...

4 c. powdered sugar-1 c. at a time. (if its too runny add more powdered sugar until you get your desired

consistency)

Mix all together and frost cake.

Beware of The Full Moon

Tonight, April 11, 2017 will see a full moon. It will be its fullest around 2 a.m but dont worry if you will not be up at that time if you look up at any time you will see a full moon. April's full moon is referred to as the pink moon. This does not mean that you should expect it to look pink. It is named after pink flowers that grow wild and bloom in early spring. The phlox can be found around the United States and Canada

The Earth will see a full moon every 29.5 days. The side of the moon that faces the Earth is fully illuminated. The phases of the moon occur because we see it from different views as it revolves around the Earth. The moon is 90 degrees to the left or right of the line that connects the earth and sun then it is half lit up that results in a quarter moon and is 1/4 of the way around the orbit. 

Equal Pay Day

Can you believe even in the 21st century Women are still not paid equally to others. Women for many many years have been fighting to solve a problem that has existed far longer than what it should. Why women are paid far less for doing the same job is beyond my knowledge. Equal pay day encourages everyone to spread the word and help the fight for employment equality for everyone.

I believe in equal pay for equal work. A set standard should be created that pays according to how much or what work is done Everyone included should be paid accordingly. Te fight for true employment equality for everyone including women.

The Equal Pay Day was created in 1996 by the National Committee on Pay Equity. They wanted to bring awareness of the ongoing issue with the gender wage gap. Society has devised a system that creates factors that are directly related to unequal properties.

This issue exists in many countries and thus should be discussed. The date of Equal Pay Day is changeable. It is celebrated on the day in the year when a woman would have finally caught up with her male contemporaries wages from the previous year. This amount varies each year and in each country.

Teaching Your Child About Earning Money and Responsibility in Spending

As parents it is our responsibility to prepare our children for the outside world. There is so much learning in the first few years but life learning continues years after. One thing that parents should teach our children is how to be smart shoppers, save money and take care of their money. My grand-children 8, 6 and 4 are at different stages but are learning money skills at their young age. Demonstrating smart financial decisions is important as well. I plan to share some tips to start teaching your children to be financially smart. 

First thing I did was to set up a way for them to make allowance. Since they are all at different ages the list for each of them was different but for now each of them make the same amount of money. As their needs go up this system may go up as well. We first instructed each of them to save 10 percent or $.50 cents for tithing, another 10% for saving. The chore / allowance system is set up to teach them how to be responsible with money as well as take care of their selves and help others.

The allowance system will help them learn to save and hopefully be patient while they do it. We all have that one item that we want and we have to save to get it. 

Do you pay your child an allowance?? Have any tips to share we would love to hear them

The Dark History of The United States Should It Be Told

So many want to get rid of the Souther History. That may just be my own opinion but it does seem that way. The truth is that the battle that was called the Civil war was due to 2 large issues. One was slave rights but the other was state rights. They could not agree who would hold power whether it be the south or the north. In the end there was a battle and a Civil war between the states. 

Confederate Lives Matter and for that  fact so does the history they were involved in. At the same time Union lives matter and so do their stories. I believe all of American History should be shared and passed down through history. Do I agree with making men and women no matter what race , religion etc... slaves?? Definitely not but if we do not remember our past we are destined to repeat it. While I prepare this post I begin to look at facts and wonder wow how can so many hate?? I have 2 choices here (1) post this because it is what my grand-mother would have me post or (2) choose not to post because of fear of what others would think. I am a lover of life and all who live it. I am not prejudice or hateful or anything. I do love history and I do believe that both sides of this great war should be told. I hope that you understand this

On April 9, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered in Virginia The war was over but the stories should be told. 

Chinese Almond Cookies

Chinese New Year Almond Cookie

Adapted from My Secret Recipe Series: New Year Cookies by Alan Ooi
Makes approximately 50-60 cookies, depending on size

100g ground almonds
150g plain flour
100g caster sugar (I might cut down the sugar to 75g next time, as I prefer a less-sweet cookie)
3/4tsp baking powder
3/4tsp baking soda
pinch salt
100ml corn oil, or other flavourless oil (you may need a little more/less oil depending on the climate you are in)
1 egg yolk, beaten

1. Sieve the flour, caster sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt into bowl of your stand mixer.
2. Add the ground almonds to the flour/sugar mixture.
3. With your mixer on medium speed (with the beater attachment),* slowly trickle in the corn oil into the bowl containing the flour/sugar/almonds. Mix until a cohesive dough forms. You may need more or less oil depending on the humidity/moisture levels – the aim is to reach a dough which is just able to hold it’s shape (and doesn’t crumble) when you attempt to roll it into a ball. It’s rather dry here in London at the moment, so I had to use an extra 10ml of oil before the dough came together.
4. Heat the oven to 180’C.
5. Roll the dough into ~2.5cm balls, and place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper/a silpat mat. Repeat until all the dough is used up.
6. Using a pastry brush, lightly glaze the tops of the cookie balls with the beaten egg yolk.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cookies become slightly golden.
8. Leave to cool on a wire rack, then tuck in.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is a Christian feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. Because Easter is a holiday that does not fall on the same date each year Palm Sunday moves as well. Palm Sunday marks the date of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Many congregations will celebrate with congregation holding palms. The palms represent the palm branches the crowd scattered in front of Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem. 

The four gospels in the bible share that Jesus entered the town of Jerusalem about a week before his resurrection. His entry was one of much joy and triumph. The entry had been predetined in the old testament. 

Zechariah 9:9 "The Coming of Zion's King – See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey". 

The Bible shares the story of Jesus riding a donkey into Jerusalem as the people celebrated as they laid down their coats and small branches of trees in front of him. The donkey may refer to the Eastern tradition that it is an animal of peace, versus the horse and animal of war. A king would have rode a horse when he was at war and a donkey to symbolize arrival in peace. Jesus entered the city as the Prince of Peace 

Many ancient lands in the Near East had a custom to cover the path of someone thought worthy of the highest honour. The arrival of Jesus saw the people laying down their garments. The Palm Branch was a symbol of triumph and victory. However, in ancient Egyptian religion the palm was carried in funeral processions and represented eternal life. The palm branch later was used as a symbol of Christian martyrs and their spiritual victory or triumph over death. 

The Palm Sunday celebration originated in the Jerusalem Church. It was during the late fourth century. The ceremony consisted of prayers, hymns, and sermons from the clergy while people walked to holy sites through the city. The final site the place where Christ ascended into heaven. The gospels would be read and the theme would be the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. In the early evening the crowd would regather with children carrying palm and olive branches and the people would return through the city back to the church where services would be held.

Past 100 more years and the Palm Sunday celebration would spread to Constantinople. Time would continue and the ritual blessings of the palms, and morning procession instead of an evening one would take place. The western church would adopt the Palm Sunday in the eighth century. 

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Consider Christ

This Easter Season Consider Christ and his great love for us all.