Teas and T's

Thoughts and Quotes: February 9 marked one year since my brother, Sonny, died from injuries sustained in an auto accident. I sent my nephews (his sons) an email saying that I was trying to stay busy and not think about it, but just wanted them to know my thoughts were with them. I've chosen nephew Ron's response as my quote this week.

"A year already (sigh). I miss him, but I don’t think about February 9^th as the day dad died. I think about it as the day he started his new journey and I can only imagine what wonders he must be seeing J."

And that night I felt as if I'd received a message from Sonny that he's doing well - take a look at this sunset.

Time for Others: I spent the better part of this week making Valentines -

and Valentines

plus a few I didn't photograph.

Tablescapes: Martha has Bunco again this week. They only use dishes in December - the other months they use paper. But - take a look at the decorating she does for winter and Valentine's Day.

My photo doesn't do the tree justice - it's covered with cardinals.

And she made her front door wreath

Thank You: To my Lil' Bro' Jim and his wife, my Lil' Sis' Becky who bought me two packages of lobster tails (two in each). Why have a lobster tail for dinner if you can have two, right? And yes, I ate both of those potatoes, too.

The Pepper Report: He got a bath on Friday, but I still feel some scabbing on his back near where his tail starts. Seems it's something left over from when he was feral and had fleas and started some sort of sores. I'm treating him with emu oil now to see if I can soften them up.

Making a mess by knocking everything off the shelves just wears him out.

Muffin Tin Monday: I cut some circles from ready-made pie crusts and fitted them into my muffin tin. I baked them for 12 minutes at 375 degrees. When cool, I made vanilla pudding from instant pudding mix and added 1/2 tsp rum flavoring. I cut some banana slices and dipped them in lemon juice and blotted them for the top. I'd use banana pudding next time.

Tidy-Up Tuesday: Took a back seat once more.

Where To Wednesday: Salvatore's in Ozark.

Jim had a sausage and pepper sandwich and a Caesar salad

Bill had penne with chicken and spicy rosy sauce and a Caesar salad.

I had chicken parmesan.

Joey had Chicken Florentine

The bread and pasta are made on the premises. Oh, yum!

Try It Thursday: I bought a personal drink mixer this week at Aldi for $15. I'm really trying to eat more fruits and vegetables, honest.

I made a smoothie with a small banana, six strawberries, a 6 oz can of pineapple juice, a little Splenda, and a 1/3 cup low-fat milk. It was pretty good and I whipped it up in minutes.

Friends Over Friday: On hold again. I took Pepper in at 8:00 a.m. for his bath and didn't get the call to pick him up until 12:30.

Theme Dining: Remember the Winter Wonderland table?

I decided to change it slightly. Just finished today.

After I do the food and photograph it, January will be finished. I decided to use the table and food on Tuesday. I can do a traditional Valentine's Day table next year. No sense wasting this when it's all finished, and I have to cook anyway. Then on to February and it needs lots of work.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

FLY THE FLAG ON FLAG DAY

EAT YOUR GREENS

CALL YOUR MOM

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE

Thoughts and Quotes: Whatever you want to do, do it now. There are only so many tomorrows. Michael Landon

Muffin Tin Monday: When I met Katie at the library, we had tea in their little coffee-tea shop, and I had the best muffin ever. I told Katie it might be a recipe I keep running across called Morning Glory Muffins. The name is not for the flower, but because they're good for breakfast. If they aren't the same, they're very close. Try these - they're really good.

MORNING GLORY MUFFINS

(Many versions on the internet)

2-1/4 cups flour

1-1/4 cups sugar

1 Tbs cinnamon

2 tsps baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup drained crushed pineapple

2 cups finely grated carrots (see note)

1 large apple, peeled and shredded

3/4 cup raisins

1/2 cup flaked or shredded coconut

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

3 eggs

1 cup salad oil

1 tsp vanilla

Heat oven to 350.

Line 18 muffin tin cups with paper liners (or grease).

Whisk together flour through salt.

Add pineapple through nuts and stir to combine.

Place eggs, oil, and vanilla in a small bowl and whisk to combine well. Add mixture to flour mix and stir just until combined.

Spoon into muffin cups. The batter should come almost to the top.

Bake 30-35 minutes in lower third of oven until they test done.

Note: I was short 1/2 cup of carrots, so I substituted sweet potato and it worked out fine.

Tidy Up Tuesday: As my grandmother used to say, I gave the house a lick and a promise.

Where To Wednesday: Five of us went to Beth's Bake Shoppe. In one word, "Yum". We were all pleased. Next week we're going to Salvatores in Ozark at noon.

Try It Thursday: I saw some scrumptious-looking soup on The Bee Lady at Hilltop Farm's post on Five on Friday. I asked about it and she was kind enough to post the recipe. I was in a hurry and wanted to make it on the stove. I'm not a very confident cook - I even need a recipe to boil water. I found Zuppa Toscana on the internet and combined the two. Here's the result. Again, "Yum". For original recipe, click HERE and scroll down.

ZUPPA TOSCANA

1 lb mild Italian sausage (if you can’t get ground, buy links and remove the skins)

2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp of the minced in a jar)

4 cups small-cubed potatoes

2/3 cup finely chopped onion

2-15 oz cans chicken broth (or 1-qt container and only 3/4 cup water)

1 can water

4 cups bite-size pieces of Kale (slightly pressed down)

1 cup whipping cream

Salt and white pepper to taste (optional)

Fry sausage, breaking it up as it cooks, and when almost browned, add garlic and cook a little longer. Drain and set aside.

Put potatoes, onions, broth, and water in a large soup pot. Cook gently until potatoes are tender.

Add the sausage, garlic, and kale, and simmer an additional ten minutes.

Add cream and give it a taste. Add salt and pepper, if desired.

Friends Over Friday: Again, I was the friend who went over. I took some of the soup to my taste tester (Joey), as this is one of her favorite things to eat at Olive Garden. She gave it the okay.

Sayonara Saturday has to wait. Working on the books.

Linda told me that she likes photos of the feral kitties, so this one's for you, Linda. I made bean soup and left some ham on the bones which I put out for the kitties. The Weather twins, Stormy and Sunny were very pleased.

Tips: Go buy the little red skillet. I wondered if it would brown properly, so I made some fried chicken thighs. It does.

And look at the clean-up. Couldn't be easier. Nothing is stuck to the pan.

New order of things to save in case of fire: Pepper, the hammered metal cat my son made when he was four:

the cutting board he made in wood shop in high school

and my little red skillet which can cook fried eggs like this:

Tips: Yes, another. If you aren't subscribed to this blog, you should be. A daily post and each will make your heart sign. Click HERE.

Tips: Yes, still another. Amy at http://lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/five-on-friday.html shared this information. Wish I'd had this when I was a teen. Click HERE

T Books update: First of all, Mama's Mercantile comment on last week said that she loved the Snow Village table, so I thought I'd show some more photos.

I changed the Snowmen table from this:

to this

I made the Black and White Indoor Picnic food all over again, so I'd have photos.

I made a new menu

And added recipes

BLACK BEAN AND WHITE CORN SALAD

15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

11 oz. can white shoepeg corn, drained

1 large stalk celery, finely chopped

3 green onions, finely sliced

10 small radishes, halved and sliced

10 grape tomatoes, sliced

Add – green pepper, jicama, zucchini, broccoli, cauliflower, parsley, cilantro (optional)

Dressing:

1/2 cup oil

3/4 cup white vinegar

1 cup sugar

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl.

Combine all dressing ingredients in a saucepan. Stir over medium-high heat until sugar is dissolved.

Remove from heat, and when cool, pour over salad.

Cover and chill – overnight is best.

Note: Radishes may be added just before serving to avoid turning the corn a slight pinkish color.

WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

(Cooking with Eleanor, a cookbook from a church in Jefferson City)

2-1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

3/4 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 Tbs light corn syrup

2 tsps vanilla

2 eggs

12 oz pkg white chocolate chips

1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Heat oven to 325°.

Combine first three ingredients and set aside.

In large bowl, cream butter and sugars.

Blend in eggs, syrup, and vanilla.

Add dry ingredients and mix.

Fold in chips and nuts.

Drop by rounded tablespoons on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 10-12 minutes.

Since I'd already finished the January tea, I decided to go ahead and do October since I'd already bought the supplies.

Olive spread finger sandwiches, deviled ham on biscuit halves, snickerdoodles, cranberry tea cookies, pumpkin scones with butter and orange marmalade.

And duh! I forgot the water glasses. And yes, I know the pot is for coffee, not tea, but these are everyday teas, and I didn't invite the queen.

All recipes except scones are on Year 1, Week 45.

PUMPKIN SCONES

(Submitted by Brenda Jackson to a magazine) (altered)

2 cups flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsps baking powder

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground ginger

Dash of ground cloves

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking soda