Recipe of the Week - Creamed Cabbage

 

I heard this dish mentioned somewhere but I can't remember where.  It was most likely on one of the food podcasts I listen to, but to be honest, I don't know.  Anway, wherever I heard it, they did not discuss the dish except that it's basically like creamed spinach only with cabbage.  The name stuck with me and I decided to come up with my own version.  I'm sure there are plenty of recipes out there for creamed cabbage, but since I'd made creamed spinach plenty of times I had the confidence to try this on my own.  And I was very happy with the results and I hope that you enjoy it!

Creamed Cabbage

1 medium head of cabbage, chopped or shredded

1 medium onion, chopped

2 Tbsp butter

8 oz cream cheese, cubed

1/2 cup heavy cream or half & half

salt & pepper

Shredded parmesan

Cook cabbage and onion over medium high heat in butter until soft.*  Reduce heat to medium and add cream cheese.  Stir until the cream cheese is melted.  Add cream, salt and pepper.  Stir until everything is well combined and heated through.  Transfer to serving dish and top with shredded parmesan.

*Cook the cabbage to your desired consistency. I tend to like mine on the softer side, so I cook it longer than some people might.  

"Small World" - Pat Suzuki

 I was listening to an album by Pat Suzuki earlier this week.  She is best known for being in the original cast of Flower Drum Song and introducing the classic "I Enjoy Being a Girl" to the world.  I have several of her records and absolutely love her voice.  Here's her version of "Small World" from Gypsy.  I hope you enjoy it!

Simple Gifts

 I heard this arrangement the other Sunday on With Heart and Voice and thought it was beautiful.  I love the message of simplicity that this song always brings.  It makes me really stop and appreciate everything that I have in life.

The Firsts of Grief

 Anytime you grieve the loss of someone or something, you always have to go through a series of firsts.  That's one of the things that I hate the most about grief because no matter how many times you've been through the grieving process, the firsts will always be there.  Losing Squirt has been very painful at times, but I know it was the right thing to do for him and for myself.  Still, those first firsts were really difficult.  And it's the small things that bring on the emotion.  The first time I had to leave the house for work was awful.  My morning used to be filled with getting things done for Squirt before work and all of a sudden I had this huge void in the morning.  I didn't have to do my checklist of things before leaving for work.  And I found that I missed having that routine.  Frankly, it sucked.

And other things as well.  The first time coming home from work and him not being there.  The first thunderstorm without him.  They used to scare the crap out of him, but in the last year not so much.  Still, those memories came to the forefront when the storm passed through.  The first time I sneezed was hard because it used to startle him and I would apologize.  Suddenly, there was no one to apologize to.  I know that there will be many more firsts over the next year.  I'm not looking forward to them but it's all part of the process.  I will get through it.

That is all.

Things That I Enjoy Doing

One of the things that I am focusing on right now is doing things that I enjoy doing.  Things that make me happy.  I am finding that the things that bring me joy are usually things that are right under my nose.  They most often do not cost me any money or if they do, it's very little.  It is important to have these things that you enjoy doing because everyone needs those things to make life better.  It may sound silly or simple but taking the time to treat yourself to something you like doing is an important part of self-care.  And I'm all about the self-care these days!  Here are some of mine (which most of you already know LOL):

Christmas Records

I love Christmas, but especially the music.  It was always such a large part of our holiday season when I was growing up and that still rings true for me today.  I love finding "new to me" Christmas records and my collection is ever growing.  I think I have close to 200 Christmas albums on vinyl so far.  And the great thing....and dangerous things... is that at the used bookstore where I get most of my records, most of the ones I find are for only a quarter and in near perfect condition.  I can spend less than $10 and walk out with a stack of holiday goodness.  I listen to them all the time.  I try not to subject anyone else to them outside of December, unless it's another enthusiast. But it's my happy music.  No matter what kind of mood I'm in, putting on a Christmas record will always lighten my mood.

Old Houses

I love old houses.  I love going in them when I can and exploring the architecture and the craftsmanship that went into their construction.  I love looking at the floor plan and seeing how everything is laid out.  Of course, I always love the decor as well, but I really like looking at the history behind the house.  Right now, I tend to watch videos on YouTube on old houses as sometimes tickets to these houses can be pricey.  But it's a fun way to pass the time and gives me something to dream about.  One day, I'll have an old house and I will add my history to it.  That's the dream, anyhow!

Sunday Lunch

I love to cook, and I love to set the table.  I have all of these dishes, so why not use them if for no other reason than I enjoy it.  Sunday lunch was always a part of my life when I was growing up.  Even though I didn't help with the food, I did help with getting the table ready.  After I started living on my own again, I decided that I wanted to treat myself each week to a good meal and a fun table.  I like selecting the menu and, at the same time, selecting the serving pieces the dishes will go in.  It's fun for me.  Right now, Sunday lunch is just for me but I'm hoping to open it up again one day to friends.  There's nothing like a table full of friends enjoying a meal together!

Letter Writing

I'm very old fashioned in this sense.  I love getting letters and cards in the mail.  That is, when the post office decides that I actually live in my house and haven't moved....but that's for another blog.  Anyway, in order to get letters I need to write letters.  And I try to write as many as I can.  I put it on my list to write one every day but that never works out, so I'm satisfied with getting several written each week.  Last month, I only got 13 letters out in the mail.  I need to work on it this month if I want to do better as there isn't much time left!!

Going Through Boxes

As strange as this may sound, I love going through boxes of stuff and seeing what's in there.  When my love of antiques kicked in as a young man, I went through every nook and cranny of Grandmother's house, discovering lots of treasures and lots of history.  That's one of the things I love is learning about the history of things...who they belonged to, where they came from, etc.  As I am slowly....very slowly...trying to organize my garage, I am going through boxes of stuff.   Some of it gets trashed because the condition it is in, but most of the things I find bring back wonderful memories of times gone by and the people associated with them.  I love that!  Of course, I can't unpack everything and have a place for it, but I can get them repacked and organized somewhat better.  That's a goal anyway.  But I have found lots of wonderful things that I'd forgotten I had.  And I have enjoyed sorting through all of them and still have many, many boxes to go!  

Auctions

 I've been going to some estate sales lately and having a wonderful time.  Some friends of mine in Burlington have been taking me to them over the past few weeks.  It's not only nice to get out of the house more, but it's nice to have people to do things like this with.  Also, it's a whole lot of fun to see inside some of these houses and how they are laid out.  In some ways it does feel like you're trespassing and rifling through people's personal belongings.  Well, that's pretty much what you're doing only it's legal.  Ah, well.

Anyway, going to these sales and the thrift stores and the antiques stores has made me really miss live auctions.  I haven't been to one in years.  I went to my first auction as a young teenager.  It was either the summer of 87 or 88, I can't remember which.  Some friends of ours, the Glenns, had opened up an auction house and invited us to one of their sales.  It turns out that the items being sold were from the estate of a cousin of ours, Isabel Wolfe.  Isabel's will and estate were shady deals and no one in the family was told about this auction.  We only found out because of the Glenns.  But we went and I was hooked.

I loved being able to peruse the items before the sale.  Pouring over the tables of collectibles, I found exactly what I wanted to bid on.  It was a silver Victorian butter dish.  It didn't have its insert anymore but I loved its shape and I became determined to have it.  And, when it came up, I bid and eventually won it for $30.  It was the first auction purchase I'd ever make...but certainly not the last.  Mom bought her great grandfather's walnut desk at that auction as well.  It was a good day for us.

We started going to auctions regularly, both at the Glenn's and at a place in Indian Trail called Lilly's Auction.  Lilly's was more upscale because they had a good following nationwide, but you could still find bargains if you knew what you were looking for.  I bought a brass banquet lamp there once for $18.  It's nothing fine, but I still love it and use it on my buffet these days.  Sometimes Grandmother went with us to these.  Sometimes our good friend Bobbie Yandle went with us.  It was always fun and I miss that.  You started seeing lots of the same people at these auctions and there was a sense of community about it.

While Ebay is nice, it's not the same.  But, both with online and real time auctions, I do give myself a limit and make sure that I stick to it.  Otherwise I'd max out my credit card.  But it would be fun to go to a real live auction again.  Any bidders?

Buying My First TV

 Buying things can sometimes be classified as a rite of passage.  Buying your first car (not necessarily the first car you drove, but the first one you purchased yourself).  Buying your first home (haven't gotten to that one yet).  Those are two examples of buying things that can be considered substantial purchases.  The older that I get, the less I am concerned about the size of a purchase and more about having the resources to guy it.  I am achieving financial goals at very small steps and I am proud of that.  Admittedly, my history with money has not been the best, but it taught me a great foundation to build upon...and it's NEVER too late to start building that.  

So, last week was Amazon Prime days.  If you shop on Amazon, you know there are good deals to be had.  But one can also get carried away because people will buy things they don't need simply because it is a good deal.  Well, I went into prime days with a definite game plan.  I was there looking for possible Christmas gifts....yes I start shopping early...and also a tv.  Michael has the tv that was in our den now and I wanted one to replace it.  My tv is hanging in the bedroom and while I like having it there, it's not good for having people over to watch something.  And sometimes when I eat dinner, I want to sit in front of the tv and it would be nice to sit on the sofa and eat and not in the bed and eat LOL

I found a great deal.  It was in my budget and was the size screen I wanted.  I put it in my cart and got it for myself.  Now, you may think it's just a tv....big deal.  Well, to me it was.  This was the first time in my 48 years of life that I bought a television for myself.  I have bought several in the past to give as gifts but never one for myself.  Most of my tv's have come from either friends who didn't need them anymore or from family members who passed away.  This was my first time buying one just for me.  I had the means to do it and it felt good to be able to provide something for myself that I wanted.  In the end I would have been fine if it had not worked out and I would have gone on with life.  But it's nice to know you can treat yourself and that you've earned that.

That is all.  

The Fenton Glass Basket

 

The other day while I was going through a box in the garage, I came across this glass basket.  This is another one of the first antiques/collectibles I bought.  I can't call it an antique because I'm not exactly sure how old it is.  So, I'm going to stick with calling it a collectible.  I know that I have owned this piece for over 30 years, so it is at least that old LOL

In the late 80s, as my love for antiques was growing at a rapid pace, Grandmother and I would often venture down to Waxhaw to the many antiques shops there.  I would love to go back now and see if it still has those shops there.  For years, that's what the town was known for and it was known nationally for its antiques.  Well, one weekend they had an antiques show and we went. It was my first one.  There were vendors everywhere set up outside.  I remember that on this excursion, I bought the basket and bought an old toy cow for Grandmother for her birthday.  She collected cows.  I paid $15 for the basket.  It's going for more these days, but I have no intention of selling it.

The pattern is called "Water Lilly".  It's just a lovely piece and I have it on display in my living room now.  I'm sure I can find a use for it besides decorative, but if not, I still love it and the memories that it brings me!

Recipe of the Week - Pasta with Brats in Cajun Cream Sauce

 

I had some brats in the freezer that I pulled out the other day.  I wanted to do something different with them for my Sunday lunch.  Not that I don't enjoy traditional brats with Krout and spicy mustard on a bun, I just wanted something else this time.  I went to the internet and found this recipe and thought I'd give it a try.  I had most of the ingredients already, so why not.  It turned out pretty good and I have been enjoying all week.  Btw, the sauce gets hotter the longer the leftovers sit LOL  Enjoy!

Pasta with Bratwursts in Cajun Cream Sauce

*16 oz pasta

**1 package of bratwursts (typically 6 - 8 brats in a pack)

oil

8 oz cream cheese

1 14 oz can diced tomatoes

1 Medium onion, chopped

3/4 cup chicken broth

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp oregano

1/2 tsp basil

1/2 tsp cayenne

1/4 tsp thyme

Shredded parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to directions.  Drain and set aside.  In a Dutch oven, or something of similar size, brown brats in oil, about 8-10 minutes, over medium high heat.  Take out of pan and slice.  Before you return the brats to the pan, use a little of the chicken stock to deglaze the pan, then saute the onion until soft.  Add the brats back to the pan.  Add the cream cheese and tomatoes.  Reduce heat to low and stir until the cheese melts.  Stir in broth and spices until well combined.  Add pasta and toss to coat thoroughly.  Transfer to a serving bowl or platter, top with some parmesan cheese and serve while hot.  

*I like to use rigatoni or some other tubular pasta for this dish, but any will work.

**Leftover cooked brats work well with this and will save some time.

Proverbs 16:24

 One of the things that I believe that this world needs more of is kindness, especially in the way we talk to and about each other.  I'm not just talking about being polite and having good manners, which I definitely think this world is lacking right now....fodder for another blog.... but taking time to say kind things to other people for no other reason than to just be kind.  It does not take much to do at all and means the world, sometimes literally.  It is good for both the person receiving and the person giving. This verse from Proverbs is a perfect example of what I mean:

Song of the Week - Crazy World

 I listened to this soundtrack this morning while I was having my coffee.  It's such a fun score with some beautiful songs in it, this one in particular.  It takes me back to my college days when we would sneak into Aycock Auditorium late at night and I would play the piano and friends would sing.  Mary Floyd once sang this during one of those times and it was breathtaking.  Such a lovely song.  Enjoy!

Going to a boxing match

 

One of the things on my bucket list to do this year is to see a live boxing match.  I've only seen them on tv, mostly.  I have seen an unofficial "tough man" competition at a local bar here in town.  I had a friend who I was training with at the time competing in it and so I went.  While it was fun, it wasn't exactly what I'm looking for.  Finding matches in the area is the problem.  Occasionally they will have some at the coliseum complex, but I usually find out about those too late.  I will have to keep up with their even schedule better.  And I don't mind traveling to see a match.  I think it'd be fun to make a weekend of it.  Of course, it'd be great to find another boxing enthusiast to go with me, but I won't count on it LOL  Still, it's something I'd like to do this year at some point.  Hopefully it will inspire me to exercise more and get my gloves back out!

Gnomes

 I've been going through a lot of boxes from the garage lately.  Sorting stuff and seeing what's still good and what needs to be tossed.  And I have thrown things out, believe it or not LOL  I actually really enjoy looking through boxes because it fills up my time but it also brings back so many great memories of times past.  You know how I love that!

One of the things I have come across in my digging through boxes is my collection, or at least part of my collection, of Tom Clark gnomes.  I have been collecting them since 1984 and I have Mrs. Goebel and our "Academically Gifted" class to thank for that.  One day, she brought one of them into our class to talk about gnomes.  They were beginning to be very popular then.  Our first big project that fall was to create our own gnome village and write a book about it.  I remember mine was a Hawaiian gnome village.  I still have that book somewhere....go figure LOL  We even did a play called The Gnome's Halloween that year.  I was only the sound guy because I was shy and didn't want to be on stage....that didn't last very long LOL

Anyway, I began my love of gnomes with her.  She was just one of the best teachers and I wish I had gotten to tell her that.  But, that Christmas I got my first gnome.  His name is Jeff.  Aunt Sara gave him to me for Christmas.  I was overjoyed with it.  It came from a flower and gift shop in Wingate called Petals and Packages.  Thus my collection began.  I got gnomes for all occasions and loved every one of them.  I remember going into The Candlewick at the Monroe Mall and perusing their display of gnomes.  Pam Laney would often help me pick one out.  

After going through this first box, I had found about 30 gnomes.  I know there are more because my favorite one, McNeal, is still in a box somewhere.  Right now I have them displayed in my bookcase and just love looking at them.  Now, to find McNeal and all of the others!

Quote of the Week

 I do feel that I'm making progress in several areas of my life.  Progress in other areas will come with time and perserverance.  This is a good daily reminder for me!

Saturday chores

 It's interesting to me that the older I get the more I take from the experiences of my childhood.  Those are some of my strongest memories and I embrace them wholeheartedly.  There was such an innocence to those times that I don't think children today can understand.  A lot of that has to do with being protected from the evils of the world and not having everything being a product of instant gratification.  Ah, well, another blog for another time.

Anyway, Saturday mornings were spent, for a while, in front of the tv watching Saturday morning cartoons and eating cereal.  Then it was chore time.  There was no getting around that.  Mom and Dad had things that they needed to get done and Bill and I were there to help with that.  Especially if we wanted to go out and play later.  We had to earn that reward!  Most times, I was in the house with Mom and Bill was outside with Dad.  That wasn't always the case, but usually it turned out that way.  Mostly inside I did things like dusting.  Mom hated to dust so it would come to me to do.  I didn't mind and I still love the smell of lemon Pledge LOL  Sometimes I would be out in the yard pulling weeds or, if it was fall, picking up gumballs.  No one liked doing that and why anyone would ever plant a gumball tree is beyond me! 

But, those Saturday mornings instilled in us a sense of working towards a goal.  To be able to do what we wanted to do, we had to work for it.  So, I'm going to make that my Saturdays for awhile.  There are so many things that I need to get done that I need to work before I play.  Of course, these days play means sitting around watching tv and doing as little as possible LOL  Still, if I give myself a Saturday morning goal, I think I can do it.  So, it's time to get my list together and see what the day brings.  Thanks, childhood Saturday morning chores!

The Curio Cabinet

 

This curio cabinet is one of my favorite pieces that I own.  It's definitely one of the oldest pieces that I have at the moment.  The cabinet has been in my possession for about 20 years now, but it dates back to 1909, when my Great Aunt Mary Lee got married and began housekeeping in Wingate, NC.  

This cabinet has lived in more places than I have.  It started in Wingate, NC, then to New York City, then to Fredericksburg, VA, then to Jefferson City, TN, then to Raleigh, NC, then to Wilmington, NC, then to Monroe, NC and finally Greensboro, NC.  I've only lived in 2 cities LOL  Oh, well.  

It still has its original glass.  There are a few chips in the oak here and there, but overall it is in great shape.  I have misplaced the key for it, but it's a standard skeleton key, so that shouldn't be hard to find.  Chances are I have some out in the garage LOL  And it's a fun cabinet to display things in.  I love it and will pass it on to someone who I hope will cherish it one day...in the very distant future!

Song of the Week - Forrest Gump Suite

 This week, I wanted to play a piece of orchestral music that I find both moving and uplifting and I thought about this piece.  I'm not a huge fan of the movie itself, but I love the soundtrack.  And this original piece written for the film is absolutely beautiful.  Enjoy!

10 Favorite Musical Movies

I do love a good movie musical.  This love was instilled in me by my Mom at an early age.  Growing up in the 70's and 80's, some movies were an annual event and only to be seen once a year on television.  Kids today will never know the joy of that kind of anticipation.  Those movies definitely made a mark on me, as did so many others that I was introduced to.  And I still watch them all today.  Here are my top ten, with several noteworthy honorable mentions:  

1.  The King and I

2.  The Music Man

3.  Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

4.  The Phantom of the Opera

5.  Meet Me In St. Louis

6.  The Sound of Music

7.  Grease

8.  Thoroughly Modern Millie

9.  White Christmas

10. The Wizard of Oz

Honorable Mentions:  Brigadoon, Singin' in the Rain, Oklahoma!, 1776, My Fair Lady

Recipe of the Week - Bob's Comfort Chicken

 

This is a recipe that I threw together with things that I had on hand.  I'm sure there's an official recipe out there for this, but I've never seen it.  And I'm sure it has other names but I like Bob's Comfort Chicken because I do love me some comfort food!  It turned out very well and I will definitely make it again.  There are several reasons that I wanted to share this recipe.  One, because I seldom make anything without using a recipe and was proud of myself for trying.  Two, it turned out very well and tasty.  Three, this was the last meal I cooked while Squirt was in the house with me and so it's special to me.  Enjoy!

Bob's Comfort Chicken

4 large boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 large onion sliced

4 oz large mushrooms, sliced

8 oz sour cream

8 oz mayonnaise

3/4 cup shredded cheddar*

1/2 cup chopped bacon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Layer the bottom of your baking dish with the onion slices.  Place the chicken breasts on top of the onions, then sprinkle the mushroom slices on top of the chicken.  Combine the other 4 ingredients until well blended.  Spread the mixture evenly over the 4 chicken breasts.  

Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour.  Serve immediately.

*you can use other kinds of cheese and more of it if you wish.

I served this with rice, thinking the sauce would create a gravy, but it really didn't and stuck to the chicken well, just FYI. 

Enjoy!

You'll Meet Me in the Light

 I miss my boy so much.  There have been many firsts over the past week:  the first time going to work and not saying goodbye, the first time coming home and not seeing him greet me, the first thunderstorm without him, etc.  This year there will be more firsts to come and I doubt I will enjoy any of them.  But, I will get through them and cling to my wonderful memories of my special boy.  One day we'll be reunited and knowing that helps.  That is all