Why Not Wednesday Mango Chutney

I forgot to post this delicious Chutney yesterday so why not today. This Mango Chutney goes really well with Pork Chops, Chicken, you name it. If you like it a little spicy just add more red pepper flakes. It's up to you.

Fresh Mango Chutney

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 inch piece fresh ginger root, peeled and minced
• 1 large yellow bell pepper, diced
• 3 large ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, and diced
• 1 can crushed pineapple
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons curry powder ( totally optional)
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar (or whatever you have on hand)
• 1 cup golden raisins
• 1 cup macadamia nuts

Directions

Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the red pepper flakes and cook until they begin to sizzle, then stir in the onion. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally until the onions have softened, about 20 minutes. Remove the lid, increase the heat to medium, and stir in the ginger and yellow bell pepper. Cook and stir until the ginger is fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the mangoes, pineapple, brown sugar, curry powder, raisins, nuts, and vinegar. Bring to a simmer, and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to reduce liquid. Cool the chutney and eat with pork chops or chicken. Can store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for about a week or so.

Monday Gratitudes- Back to School

Okay! This summer went by way to fast. There were still a million things that I wanted to do with the kids. We still had a great summer.
Here are a few pictures of the kids the first day of school. My oldest had already gone to school before I pulled the camera out.

My youngest started Kindergarten.

Of course he received the traditional Schultüte. Buzz Lightyear theme. He had so much fun opening it and finding fun school supplies and candy inside.

He's so excited to

finally be a big boy. I hope he'll grow into his book bag. It's almost as big as he is and he's really not that small of a kid. Funny.

Try-it Tuesdays Broccoli Slaw

This is such a wonderful tasting salad. I had this at a get together over the weekend and was surprised at how easy this was to put together. Great for a picnic, potluck, or just for family. I did tweak the ingredients a bit. If you are fat conscious then please omit the ramen noodles. the slaw still tastes fabulous. Enjoy!

Fresh Broccoli Slaw
2 packs ramen noodles
2 bags broccoli slaw
small minced red onion
2 stalks celery, minced
1/3 cup dried cranberries or raisins
1/3 cup pineapple, diced or green apple, diced
1/4 cup roasted sunflower seeds or slivered almonds

Dressing Mix:
1 seasoning packet from Ramen noodle
3/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup brown or white sugar
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

pinch of salt

Directions:
Put the ramen noodles in a bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Whisk together all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Place the shredded broccoli into bowl and toss with the noodles, almonds, and sunflower seeds. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. Garnish with chopped onions. You can also add some of the pineapple juice to the dressing mix. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Let this sit for at least a half hour, stirring a few times.

Monday Gratitudes-Happy Independence Day

Grateful that on July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy was born.
Grateful to live in this wonderful country.
Grateful to all those that came before me, to make all of this possible.
Grateful for the blessings all around me.
Hope you all had a blessed 4th!

Try-it Tuesdays Spritzgebäck

I remember piping these cookies out as a kid and trying to spell my name. They are traditionally a Christmas Cookie but are fun any time of the year.

These cookies are made by pressing dough through a piping bag to create fun forms. They are delicate, crispy, and have a wonderful buttery taste. You can garnish them with fruit, dip them in chocolate, or even sprinkle with decorating sugars, etc.

Spritzgebäck

1 cup butter
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
3 whole eggs
1/4 Tbsp. vanilla extract

grated rind from 1/2 lemon
1 1/2 cups ground almonds or hazelnuts
3 cups flour

Cream butter and gradually add sugar. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla or lemon rind. Beat well, while gradually adding the nuts and flour. Knead the dough briefly.

To form the cookies, use a piping bag or cookie press. Press the dough through the bag or press onto a baking sheet 1 inch apart in the form of dics, rings, sticks, or S-shapes.

Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes or until light brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Monday Gratitudes-Fathers

I am grateful to know several wonderful, inspirational, strong, and loving Father's. That includes my Father, my Husband, my Brother, and my Brother In-laws. They all have different strengths and qualities and I'm grateful to know them and to learn from them.
Two of my favorite quotes about Fathers are:

"...Fatherhood is not a matter of station or wealth; it is a matter of desire, diligence, and determination.... If that prize is lost, nothing else really matters" -Ezra Taft Benson

"God bless you, dear fathers. May He bless you with wisdom and judgment, with understanding, with self-discipline and self-control, with faith and kindness and love. And may He bless the sons and daughters who have come into your homes, that yours may be a fortifying, strengthening, guiding hand as they walk the treacherous path of life. As the years pass—and they will pass ever so quickly—may you know that "peace... which passeth all understanding" (Philip. 4:7) as you look upon your sons and daughters, who likewise have known that sacred and wonderful peace. - Gordon B. Hinckley

Try-it Tuesdays Pumpkin Bars

These are so easy and quick to make. They are great anytime of year and travel well for potlucks or picnics. You can reduce 1/2 the oil and use applesauce. I also opted to use only 2 eggs. Still Delicious!
Pumpkin Bars
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup oil
4 eggs, beaten
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
2 cups flour (whole wheat flour is great with this recipe)
1 tablespoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
Mix altogether. Pour into 11x15" pan. Bake 350 for 35 minutes or until slightly browned.

Cream Cheese Frosting
1 (8 ounce) light cream cheese, softened
1/3 stick butter, softened (or 2 tablespoons skim milk)
2 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar. Spread over cooled pumpkin bars. Cut into squares and ENJOY!

Monday Gratitudes

Ugh I think the previous owners loved pale yellow it is everywhere. Here are some before and after photos of the paint in the stairwell and the flooring in the hallway.

We still have to paint the trim once we take the finish off. We hope to finish that this week.

The Trim work and the stairs are very ornate. It might be hard to see that from the photos. Once we get some of the detail painted, I'll take another photo to give you an idea of how beautiful they really are.

*Very grateful to be slowly getting to the point of loving the work we've done. What a long process but well worth it.
This weekend we took out the front fence which looked liked this fence behind the kids. It never matched the look of the house. The fence across the street is for a horse corral.

*So grateful that our neighbor was able to help us pull up the fence posts with his tractor. Some of the posts were buried 3 feet deep. We are looking into an ornamental iron fence that fits with the era of the house. That might be awhile too many other projects that have to be done first.

Monday Gratitudes

I had every intention of keeping this blog up to date.

I even intended to send out a Christmas letter.

I thrive when things are in order and go as planned.

But things happened.

December was crazy.

We ripped up the flooring in the front foyer.

We painted the front foyer and hallway

We painted the hallway a second time.

and...

I decided to make a ton of Quillows.

They were Christmas presents.

I decided a couple of years ago to start making homemade presents. Who doesn't like to receive a homemade gift? Right!?

It still is a good plan, but I need to start a lot earlier. Maybe March is a good time to start!

I was enthusiastic and thought.... if anyone can do it, I could.

I started sewing.

I realized that my eyesight really isn't as good as I think it is.

They took longer than I thought.

I shipped the last one off a few weeks ago.

I also had to make 2 shepherd costumes and a lamb suit for

our kids Nativity play.

They did turn out good.

So today I am grateful for life...in all aspects.

grateful to be busy.

grateful for things slowing down a little??

grateful to have found beautiful hardwood floors under the tiles.

grateful that we didn't go to Disney-world. Too much to do on this Old House.

grateful that we can go next year!

grateful for all the Christmas letters from family and friends! I vow to do better.

Yummy Food

Happy Thanksgiving!