Simply Sunday

Flowers are the sweetest things God ever made, and forgot to put a soul into.  ~Henry Beecher, Life Thoughts, 1858

Monday's Musings

Chicago Bill's Golf - Hanover Park, IL

Ah, spring has arrived and with it the joys of the season - like swirl cones and miniature golf.

These quirky courses always bring memories of my youth: camping trips, fires, s'mores, lightening bugs, hide-in-seek, board games to name a few of the things I remember doing during these precious months of pleasant weather.

With all the technology that surrounds us, it is a pleasure to watch families still enjoying such simple pleasures. As I enjoyed my cone, the thought crossed my mind that these courses need to be photographed.  Some day, these courses and their large, fiberglass figures will be a thing of the past.  Where else can you see a ten-foot gorilla, Mother Goose's Old Woman's Shoe or swinging bowling pins?

This has been the start of a strange spring with snow still coming down in May in parts of the country.  So grab your chance of nice weather when it comes and do something fun.  I'd love to hear from you what your favorite activities are.

Simply Sunday

My Mom and Grandma.  Happy Mother's Day to mothers and mother wannabes everywhere.

Savory Saturdays

Talk about easy!  This recipe makes a colorful salad for your dinner. One of my favorites.

COPPER PENNIES

1 pound carrots (slice, cook, and cool)

1 medium onion, diced

1 large green pepper, diced

1 can tomato soup

1/4 Cup vinegar

1/4 Cup salad oil

3/4 Cup sugar

1 teaspoon mustard

dash of Tabasco sauce

salt and pepper to taste

Mix together and pour over carrots, onion and green pepper.  Refrigerate overnight.

Simply Sunday

I wrote a novel and realized I didn't know what I was doing.  So I joined a writer's group, then another group.  Signed up for seminars, went to a writer's seminar.   Felt I should work more on my blog, but wasn't sure what direction to go.  A friend wanted to co-write a story.  I realized I wouldn't mind taking a stand up acting class.  Stop!

Do you feel like I do?  There's not enough time to do all the things we want, learn new crafts, read more books, etc., etc., etc.  That's probably why the Lord said, "Be still, and know that I am God."

So my posts for Sundays from here on out will just be a photo with perhaps a short saying to accompany it.  Be still my friends.  We need a day to rest.  Enjoy your Sunday and rejuvenate for the rest of the week.

Savory Saturdays

The phrase, "The farther I go, the behinder I get," is becoming reality for me.  I'm tired.  However, there's so much to do and places to see, that I need to cram more and more into a quickly diminishing time frame.  To that end, I like recipes that are quick and easy and are tasty with an elegant appearance.  Following is such a recipe that I found in the Sunset Light Cuisine cookbook.

Marinated Asparagus with Sesame

   Ingredients   
1 lb. asparagus          Snap off and discard tough ends of asparagus; peel stalks, if
                                 desired.  Bring about 1 inch of water to a boil in a wide frying
                                 pan over high heat.  Add asparagus, cover, and cook just until
                                 barely tender when pierced (3 to 5 minutes). Drain, immerse
1/4 cup seasoned      immediately in ice water until cool, then drain again.   
rice wine vinegar;    
or 1/4 cup rice wine
vinegar mixed with      Place asparagus in a shallow bowl and add vinegar and sesame
2 teaspoons sugar        oil.  Cover and refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until cold
and salt to taste.           (about 30 minutes).

                                    Meanwhile, toast sesame seeds in a small frying pan, shaking
1 tablespoon each        pan often, until golden (2 to 3 minutes).
of sesame oil
and sesame seeds         To serve, lift asparagus from marinate and arrange on a
                                    serving plate.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds.  Makes 4 servings.

Prep time - 10 minutes
Cooking time - 3 to 5 minutes
Chilling time:  about 30 minutes
Calories per serving:  81

Finally Friday

Family, Storms and Popcorn

Fridays were once the day of the week you anticipated.  It was going out, staying up later, meeting friends.  When did that stop?  A decade ago?  More?  I seem to have lost track of time.  I still anticipate the weekend, but it generally involves jammies and a movie.

One thing I look forward to tonight is watching the Blackhawks in the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs.  Pop a few snacks into the oven, wash it down with a beverage, heck, I may even wear my Hossa jersey to help cheer them on.

While I wait, I will share with you my reflections.  As I watched the rainy, gray sky today, I thought of stormy days as a child.  Sometimes the storms knocked out power and families were forced to wait in the dark until the utility company could get electricity restored.  Not my family.  If the rain stopped, my parents would get out the camping stove and Coleman lantern.  My brother and I watched the wick slowly glow brighter and brighter, illuminating the backyard.  Dad would make popcorn on the little stove and my mouth watered in anticipation as each kernel exploded, emitting its tantalizing aroma into the night sky.

While many people I know are scared of storms, the sound of thunder working its way closer and closer followed by lightening stretching across the sky like slender fingers gives me comfort.  I like to look at life in the same way by associating good things in bad situations.

I hear the game starting so must sign off, but I hope each of you discovers what gives you comfort during the storms of your life.  Have a happy Friday and a wonderful weekend!