VALENTINES DAY DESSERT..............

I love holidays! Januarys holiday seems to come and go with the First but as the sprinkles of
snow flutter through the air .............I am thinking Valentines Day.......... I saw this pretty little
dessert ........that is full of sugar; cream cheese and good things to enjoy and I thought this
might be a nice one to share for Valentines day coming up next month............
I found it on the Barefoot Contessa site and she always cooks good! I made some changes
that I have noted with stars ** ; that I dont think will not affect the recipe...........So........ this is an idea to think on for the holiday
.......... I also noted she put the ingredients in this special bowl to chill..........You might find this at Walmart..........It seemed easy..........Mix; chill; add fruit and sauce.............

I bought several Valentine cards yesterday......and put up my kitchen Valentine colors and bath hand towels for a bit of cheer!

Ingredients

nocoupons

• 12 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 1/2 cups cold heavy cream
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• Seeds scraped from 1 vanilla bean* I wouldnt probably use this but you may
  
• Raspberry and *orange extract
  
• 2 half-pints fresh raspberries

Directions

Place the cream cheese and confectioners' sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Scrape down the beater and bowl with a rubber spatula and change the beater for the whisk attachment. With the mixer on low speed, add the heavy cream, vanilla, lemon zest, and vanilla bean seeds and beat on high speed until the mixture is very thick, like whipped cream.

Line a 7-inch sieve with cheesecloth or paper towels so the ends drape over the sides and suspend it over a bowl, making sure that there is space between the bottom of the sieve and the bottom of the bowl for the liquid to drain. Pour the cream mixture into the cheesecloth, fold the ends over the top, and refrigerate overnight.

To serve, discard the liquid, unmold the cream onto a plate, and drizzle Raspberry and Sauce around the base. Serve with raspberries and extra sauce.

Raspberry and Sauce:

1 half-pint fresh raspberries

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup seedless raspberry jam

2 tablespoons orange-flavored **extract

Place raspberries, sugar, and 1/4 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 4 minutes. Pour the cooked raspberries, the jam, and orange extract into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until smooth. Chill.

SOME OF MY FAVORITE THINGS...........

Everyone has their favorite things.....I thought I would share a few .....I really dont like clutter or too much nick nacks but I have one hutch in which I keep some of my favorite things upon.... Here are a few reminders of those I love......a place in which brings me joy when I think of them... I love blue and white dishes. Old ones from the 40's even with little chips...Here is a little cup I found at a flea market for a few cents..it holds some dried roses from flowers given by my hubby...

" Psalm 104: 33 "I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being".

These things make me sing....
This little bunny has been on here before......( my granddaughter loves to hold it) My husband bought this on one anniversary trip..I just love him.....(picture of my dad when a young boy in background)
This was my dads....I dont know where he got it actually but I know my dad always wore his wing tipped shoes and polished them up until they had a real shine...I loved that! Found this little plate for .25 years ago. I have served many cookies on this..... I used to collect old children s books......I loved the front covers and could just see a young girl enjoying Little Women....my children grew up with some of these to read.... Rose in Bloom.........(dont you love the names....) This sweet little angel came to me for Christmas from my sister Phyllis in a box filled with fun things....I had to put her on top of the hutch beside the clock.......... This little doll is my reminder of my sister Kay who went to heaven with cancer many years ago...She told me "not to forget her"and I dont...in every laugh..She brought laughter and joy to so many and became a nurse late in her life.....she was wonderful!...This little white doll came from my sister Joyce....She quietly sits peacefully I think.... Birds always remind me of my mom....She loved nature and I do too...I also have their pictures on my hutch to remember sweet memories............ I love touches of a small flower; fluer de les ; small old paperweights...
My sister Barbara gave me this iron girl ...I loved her because she had a tiny bird on the end of her toe...........behind that is a small flower vase that used to sit on my mothers dresser; and a glass penguin that my mom kept in her hutch....
I got this Globel from my aunt Eula when I was about 5. She had it for many years.....I just love how she looks at her dolly ...(like a mother and child) I found this "old printing metal press" of the song "When the Roll is called up Yonder" many years ago at an estate sale for a few dollars...I just love how it may have printed an old songbook that someone may have used in church...........
I had this sitting on my hutch since Christmas but I kept it there because it reminds me of my dad ( I think someone bought it for him)...He loved to fish at the pond out back of his home.

STANDING BY THOSE YOU LOVE.............

The other day I walked into my livingroom only to find "red marker " on my glass tabletop...
At first I was taken back....."I quickly thought" where is my sweetest girl?.........I looked around and there she stood with "evidence" in her hand....."Did you mark on grandma's table"? ....
"She nodded yes" (which is a surprise itself with little ones")........."We dont mark or do anything on grandmas good tables do we?"............( I didnt care if they were old or new her mama wanted her to learn to care for things that were grandmas..........

I took her aside and she told me she was sorry......then she and I went into the kitchen to get
a small cleaning rag and some Windex and take back to the glass table....I explained how this was
wrong to do but I forgave her and she was to clean up her mess.........She scrubbed and scrubbed
until all the marks were gone......( I helped some).........Then she put the cleaning rag and the Windex away.........We hugged and back off to doing the next thing a 3 year old does.....

I was thinking..........how things could have been different....I could have yelled and threw a hissy fit over why she had the marker; why she didnt know better; and then even fussed and fussed to her mother how bad of a child she was..........Would that have helped her in this lesson of life?

Someone once told me to be careful not to "air out" all your laundry to everyone about your
family.........Why? .......because they may change. They may want to change and need to know you love them..........

When my children were very young at school I remember standing in a group of ladies at a basketball game and some were remarking "well if my "Johnny ever gets his grades up....he is just so bad........."; or my husband is out of work again and never helps with the kids"........
What were they doing? They were painting a picture to others of their family..........
Now to be honest they probably ddnt even know what they were doing at the time but as time changes things ....those words could be reaching ears that could discourage someone...

Sometimes others will not understand you being so "unknowing" about that child; husband; friend; or relative.......but you know what they need and have taken it to God and that settles it.

I remember a sweet lady who seemed to have such a good family.....I would ask her "how is your family doing? " "Oh great ;and she would begin to tell me "good things about each of her family members"....( I learned years later that not everything was perfect but I saw how she loved and stood by her not perfect but very happy family)

What should you do if someone in your life isnt perfect at a time? These are some things I have learned from others..........

. Take the problem to God.......if need to take this problem to your pastors wife or a very good friend who will pray for you.

. Shut your mouth.....quit trying to fix it and love them.........You do not have to allow bad behavior that is against your morals or values . Set some rules. (like the table) Love them not the bad behavior....

. Dont air your laundry to everyone........

. Stand by your husband; your child; your friend; your relative.........you may know there is hope.
A friend of my husband and his wife were standing chatting with me when the husband said to me" Boy your husband was sure bragging on you the other day".........she does this and that......
( I was surprised but delighted that he had spread good things about me" ) to someone else.
(If only they knew I wasnt everything that he said that day" ) ha ha

. Remember we are not perfect and will slip up.......We are but flesh ........but with yielding our "mouths" to God and "words" we will get better.......

..I remember a time when I heard some ladies just bragging on this woman I also knew........These ladies were going on and on......( In my heart I thought ; if they only knew what I knew.......I know; I will tell it all...........) Then this little voice said " Stop" ..........(let it go).......and I did. Did that make me righteous? No , it was just one of many many lessons I would learn. By telling all I knew about this person might get back to that person or that persons children and
hurt them very much.

. You may not always understand "why" someone is distant or quiet....They may be going through some "quiet times" with those they love.......Be understanding. Pray for them quietly.

. I am so thankful that my Pastor; kind lady friends and my mom taught me these things over the years......and that God has given me a wonderful husband and children ; relatives; and friends through the years..........I am very blessed.............

. Dr. Jack Hyles used to say on his morning radio broadcast " Be kind to everyone because everyone is having a tough time".................

That has stuck in my head.........all these many years...........I am sure I am not done learning these lessons through my life........but I am thankful for the lessons learned...

I LOVE MONDAYS.........GETTING BACK ON TRACK...A RECIPE FOR LEMON CHICKEN

I love Mondays...I love it because it comes after Sunday where a great message was given to
help us along through each day......
My husband and I have started trying to get back on track after the holidays of eating so many goodies and delicious foods.....But I ddnt want to go back to eating a 'carrot stick' or a iceburg lettuce salad .......I want my meals to look appealing; smell delicious and be filling ....
I may be asking for alot but this is important for my husbands health and mine as well and why not do your best at even eating well.........
So........our Saturday meal . Lemon Chicken. I have made this many times since the Fall but this is with some simple changes.......
** My cameras lighting was off abit....oh well.......
So I threw on my apron and went to work..............I love collecting various old aprons and the Vera Bradley ones my daughter has given me......they make it feel like working in the kitchen.
I had "two" chicken breast since I was making this for two. I would do more if I was serving more.....So......I put them in a ziplock and pound pound pounded them them...This is a great workout for you....
I then used just a "smiggen" of flour (maybe 2Tablespoon) to lightly dust.....
I then put them in a "hot skillet of about 2-3 T of Olive Oil..........I would brown them on both
sides about 4 minutes our until brown.....I then take them out and place them on a plate to set aside.........
I took out my one lemon.......(its really an inexpensive dish as well)..................and squeezed
this into my skillet..............
I also add..........About 1 T Smart Balance (no butter today)........and about 1 cup chickenbroth
and bring to a boil......I set it back to simmer and add back the browned chicken....Now I cook on about medium heat.......the whole thing and let the sauce reduce to about half and abit thicker...
I might add 1 more T Smart Balance to give it a glaze.........I taste test the broth ..
When I say "Ummm delish" I know its ready......

I served it with two twice baked potatoes; and Green Giant mixed carrot; cauliflower; broccoli with light butter sauce frozen veggies.....(my hubby had picked these out and they were delicious!

Low-Fat Lemon Chicken

Chicken Breast ( thin or pounded thin)
Flour
1 Lemon
Olive Oil
Chicken Broth 1 C
Smart Balance
Salt and Pepper

1. Pound Chicken Breast Thin
2. Dip in light flour and brown on both sides (about 4 minutes each)
3. Take chicken out and put aside on plate
4. Add chicken broth; lemon juice; salt and pepper; Smart Balance 1-2 T
5. Add chicken back in and simmer (medium) for about 20 minutes....
6. Serve with sauce over it.....

WELCOME 2011............A NEW YEAR!!!

I love "renewal" and the start of something new.....oh dont get me wrong I enjoy traditions
and a schedule to live by but I love the freshness of "new beginnings".............Think Spring; new babies; your haircut; start of school; getting married.........and many other "new things"

So Welcome New Year! As you walk through that door.........dont drag your feet...........lift up
your head and put a Spring in your step..........and walk with Jesus along this journey.....He is
your everything and can meet you wherever you are in your life..................
Most of us have a place to live..........a place to call home. Whats around you that makes it your home? I love homey things.....like clean but not a showcase; sofas and pillows to sit and talk;
candles flickering; pictures of those you love; a table to eat on ; do homework on; or play a game on; a place for things so your not tripping over clutter; some pretty things to brighten your day; a wreath on the front door; a kitchen with soup on the stove comforting your heart..........

So many things could be in others home but for me ...a place where those I love can find comfort
and a solace from the outside world.........Is it perfect? Probably not, but its what is in my heart
that brings the most to a home........
If I had a table with chairs; a couple of chairs and a place to lie my head what would I do with it?

When my sweet mom ended up in the hospital for weeks I watched ;as each of
my sisters would come into the room and maybe tidy up the room; bring a beautiful flower for her to enjoy; fluff her pillows behind her neck; bring some snacks and magazines for us to enjoy together........my one sister who lived close by even had to make some quick meals for family to enjoy together in a drs waiting room area....It turned into our home away from home.......

I find that interesting that we make a "Home" where we are at...........
This is the New Year.........so what does that really mean..........For me; it means I want to get closer to God......closer to my hubby..........love on my grandbabies more ...and love my adult children (but not too much Let them be adults)...........love others more..........laugh more.......
eat and learn how to cook "healthy better"......rest when I need it more........be creative .........
enjoy the quiet time as well as fuller times.........learn more.........read more..........
cherish moments more.........enjoy Gods nature.........listen more.........and the list could go on and on.........

This is my list. My home. My road traveled.........I hope to make my blog an encouragement;
inspire more........and show everyday life can be lived to its fullest with God........
.
I almost canceled the comments list on my blog..Why ? because when I first started this I wanted to hear from others . I needed their approval but now.....I dont ... I enjoy hearing from anyone that may make a comment but there is a reason why I continue to do this blog... I do this as a hobby per say.....I do this so that maybe someone who may be discouraged could be encouraged in their walk.... I do this to encourage myself as I see how great God is in everyday life...

There are so many creative; teaching blogs out there. I have taken many a recipe; a thought; or a tip for my home.......from so many.......
This year I hope to "lighten the load" and help someone take one more step through this journey of life.........

THIS AND THAT HOLIDAY TREASURES...

I thought I would post a few pictures of Christmas eve dinner and Christmas day.......
We had glazed ham; green bean casserole; delicious corn bread souffle; assorted extras and rolls....
I just love this little cup and saucer I found for a few dollars....and wooden cranberries to sit beside.......


White chocolate dessert with shavings....turned out pretty nice...........
I couldnt find the glasses I wanted to put this in but found some pretty hobnail pink cups I had
found many years ago at a tag sale in town...........
Dinners ready for all to eat.............
My married daughter seems to have a knack for wrapping...I just love when she takes care of this.....
Presents ready to go out of town as well..............
I was very well loved........a friend dropped this by....pretty ruffled sweater and skirt; some books; my husband spoiled me with my favorite perfume; some jammies; and a nice sweater with a necklace and earrings....; my daughter bought a beautiful set of Rachel Ray pots and pans;
and my other daughter a Vera Bradley agenda planner for 2011......
My hubby also bought home this box of delicious chocolates.........( I am afraid they are already gone).......but enjoyed by all!

I am looking forward to 2011!
I have gotten almost all Christmas things cleaned up and put away....I have worked on my closet and ridded out some things not needed.........I have even brought out Valentine towels and placemats! They seem to brighten things up ........
I am making small celebration for my hubby and I for New Years Eve......
I made out a list of meals to start back eating right again...(you would think I would know by now but I dont so this helps me)........I have gotten in my new agenda and made some plans for
January and some February..........WHY is she doing all this you may say......It keeps me keeping on........looking forward to the journey God has for this life..........

May you have a blessed New Year and New Year to come......

This may sound abit overplanning

WHAT IS YOUR WILDERNESS??

WHAT IS YOUR WILDERNESS??

During my morning devotions....this verse caught my eyes.......

Isaiah 51:3 "For the Lord shall comfort Zion:he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

I was quickly reminded in my own self how tired my physical body was after a few days of eating alot of junk; being off schedule; and enjoying the holidays a little too much.......

But........as always the Lord gives us hope inspite of our wilderness.....
He gives us a "promise" from HIm.....


What can he give you when you are in the wilderness of your life?

. He gives you joy

. He gives goodness

. He gives us ways to be thankful and full of thankfullness

. He gives us a new song in our hearts.............

You may think that no one understands about Your wilderness..........
it may be too hard...........

But..........God knows and gives us "Grace" to follow through each day.........

. How can you give joy?

. How can you show goodness to someone?

. How can you be thankful to others?

. If you do these things you may end up with a "song" in your heart and a skip in your step....