....... THE BRUNCH

....... THE BRUNCH

I thought I would share a post from the past........."A Brunch with a purpose can be a "brightener" for a snowy winter day.........

IT BEGAN SNOWING AT MIDNIGHT AND FILLED THE AREA.............

I HAD MY CROCK FILLED WITH THE AROMAS OF APPLES; CINNAMON; CLOVES AND ORANGES..
THE TABLES WERE SET...AND I HAD THE HASH BROWN CASSEROLE AND HAM BISCUITS WARMING IN THE OVEN............. THE CANDLES TOOK ON A GLOW AMIDST THE DARK SNOWY SKY'S........ WOULD ANYONE MAKE IT?....THE DOORBELL RANG AND FOOD FILLED THE TABLES

I awoke at 5:15 am. As I looked out my favorite round window I saw the sidewalks filled with snow and huge flakes falling from the sky........I said to God....Its your time......I prepared and I thought this little brunch might be canceled....

I called my friend who is in charge and would run this meeting. She quickly said" I am getting ready and on my way........I thought of this friend and how faithful she had been to many years of our meetings. How faithful she is to her family. How faithful she is to God. How faithful she is to our church and others there. How she has bought many new people to visit our church and made them a part of her life and thus they becoming a part of hers. How faithful she was to a friendship and how she brought me a huge basket filled with snacks for two days when my husband had his heart surgery. And now.....even though it would take her over an hour to get to my house and the snow all around her she was faithful to do her part..........

I fed my family and they went on their ways ....I dressed; drank some coffee and began to get ready for those to come to the brunch. But........I almost forgot and sat down to read Psalm 109 in my Bible. I almost forgot to invite God to our brunch that morning! I told God if only one person came I would be happy and share and have alot of fun leftovers........

I warmed the ham biscuits ; hash brown casserole; and large fluffy biscuits to serve with some special jam ( a blessing from a friend and God the day before). I lit the candles; put on some pretty Christian music; and the doorbell rang............One came; then another; then another and by the time it was done I had the living room full to capacity!!

We ate; my friend shared letters of our missionaries; we listen to a lady from a mission field; and prayed and laughed. I thought of the other ladies that came that morning and how faithful they were also to their God. They could have stayed home in their warm homes; or thought it too much a bother to bring a dish but the ones that came; came because they were faithful to a cause............

I am thankful today for many things........For faithfulness; for friendships; for freedom to pray and attend church; and even for the snow.......I am thankful.........

LETTING GO...............

Last week I spent a few days organizing and cleaning out all my bedroom drawers; nightstands; my closet and my desk and files.....

I dont have a problem with ridding out things to make things neat and in order but on this day.... I struggled with some things I needed to just let go and give away.....
I did that and everything seemed to fall into order and just breathe freshness! I have heard this "term" before from the ladies conference I listened to back in October....but this time I thought of how God had allowed me to see the many times I have "let go"....and "Let God " bring newness in my life...

Sometimes we need to "let go" of our "dreams"...
..I dont mean we cannot have dreams ...( I have many new dreams) but dreams such as " I thought life was going to be this way or that way" and it wasnt what you thought so you are dissapointed Well ......"LET GO"

. Sometimes we need to "let go" of our feelings........well they treat me like this or that; or they dont make me feel..........."LET GO" .

Sometimes we need to "let go" of our wants and desires......I want this ; I want that; This is the way it is and if they dont like it..........." LET GO"

. Sometimes we need to " let go" of past hurts...........I will never forgive them for this or that... (sometimes your hurting yourself more than the other)........" LET GO"..... ..........

.Its easy to think about what "we" deserve and our needs......Its much harder to say " God what should I do about this? " .........or to "let go" of what we want and see what you can do for someone else..........

. This isnt an easy lesson for me to live ; but its a lesson I have had to do over and over and want to keep learning....... "Letting Go"and allowing God to teach you wisdom is a peaceful freeing position to be in...
Maybe sometime I will share some of the lessons I went through ; But for now and today I can say

I am glad I went through them all for I can see "Gold Glittering " through it all!

HEALTHY MEAL...........APRICOT BAKED PORK CHOPS;........

Like so many others I have tried to get back to eating healthier............My husband is a heart patient and I have my own set of health issues so it will help us both to eat better.....
The thing is; we both enjoy grew up with the Mayberry "Aunt Bea" kind of food.........You know where you sit at a pretty table and eat good food and enjoy each other..........Now that we are in our 50's our bodies need different fuels...

I know the foods I should eat .......but needed more help....I called my sis in law......and she spent over an hour with me teaching me so many good things.....She is a wife; mother and used to be a nurse. She takes good care of herself and her family......She knows a man doesnt need a tiny piece of chicken and a carrot stick with greens to be full.......I will share more later........

I also need to do this within a budget ......so First thing was I went to the grocery and found a
great sale on Chicken Breast....I came home and cut them in half lengthwise and grilled them on
my George Forman grill..........( I got this for $2 during the summer at a tag sale) I placed them in
ziplock baggies and labeled the quantity.........

My husband loves pork chops.......we found these boneless chops at a great price and I decided
to bake these and use this recipe. I dont know where I saw it I just put it together and he seems to love it.......and isnt that what its all about ........having him enjoy his meals! I dont think eating
healthy or inexpensive has to be a cardboard pizza from the store......(that may ok in a pinch)
but it should be an enjoyable time for yourself and your tummy!

Apricot Baked Porkchops

Serves 6
6-8 lean porkchops
Smuckers Sugar Free Apricot Preserves
salt and pepper
1 onion sliced in rings.....
1-2 T olive oil

. Season Chops Then Brown the chops on both sides
. Place in a 9 x 13 ( may need two if you have several)
. Add 1/2 cup water in bottom on dish
. Place rings of onions on top of chops....makes the house smell great!

Bake 350.......for about an hour.....

** May serve with baked sweet potatoes and fresh green beans sauteed in little olive oil....

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.....