Proverbs 27:5-6

 

There's always something interesting in the cabinets

 It's interesting the things I find when I'm going through each drawer and cabinet.  There is always something that I forgot I had and think "Oh, that's where that has been all this time!"  Not like it is anything vital to my day, but it is usually something interesting.  When I was going through one of the kitchen cabinets, I reached up to the top shelf as I could see a plastic bag, but not what was in it.  I pulled it down and it was a bag of cookie press discs. I knew exactly what they were the moment I saw them.  They were Grandmother's.  But why were they not with the actual press itself?  And where was the actual press?  I know that I had seen it recently.  I have used it in a few years, but it's in this kitchen somewhere.

Later on, I went to get some plastic containers for leftovers out of another cabinet.  I looked up, again on the top shelf, and there was the cookie press.  Actually, there were two cookie presses.  One that was Grandmother's and one still unopened that she bought for me.  It's not in the fun vintage packaging as in the picture but it's the same cookie press. It just made me feel good to know that another part of her kitchen is a part of my kitchen.  Now, I need to make her famous cheese straws and put that cookie press to work!

Some Days - Audra McDonald

 This is one of my favorite go to songs whenever I need a shot of hope.  I don't know what it is exactly about this song that does it for me.  It might be memories associated with the song or James Baldwin's amazing words.  But, in the end, it does not matter.  It means a lot to me and gets me through difficult times.  I hope you're inspired.

50 at 50

 

One month from today, I will turn 50. I am simply happy that I have made it this far because there were times in my life that I seriously doubted that I would.  I don't want to tempt fate since I still have four weeks to go, but I will hopefully make it!  So, this coming yearly trip around the sun, I am going to come up with a list of 50 things I want to do while I'm 50.  Again, with the chaos of the world right now, I need something to look forward to.  Some things may be big, some may be small.  Hopefully they will all be either new things or things I haven't done in a long time.  I am going to start putting 10 things up on here as soon as I figure them out.  And of course, if anyone wants to join in with me on my adventures or suggest something, I am all ears!  I'll keep you updated!  Thanks!

Recipe of the Week - Jalapeno Dip

 A friend of mine gave me a bag full of jalapenos.  Thanks, Debbie! Her garden had a lot of them late in the season.  She already gave me some earlier in the summer, which I pickled but I wanted to find some other things to do with these.  I found this recipe for Jalapeno Dip online and thought I would give it a try. I really liked it and plan on making it many times!  Hope you all enjoy!

Jalapeno Dip

8 ounces of cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup sour cream

3 jalapenos, seeded and diced

1 Tbsp cilantro, diced

2 Tbsp green onion, diced

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

In a mixing bowl, stir together all ingredients until well combined. Cover and store in fridge until ready to serve.  It's good with Triscuits or pretzel sticks. 

Quote of the Week

 Like most of you, I just want to make it through the next few days and the next four years.

Cooking is Good for My Spirit

 

Cooking is very therapeutic for me.  It is one of the things that I enjoy doing and my skills have grown and improved a great deal over the years.  Much like listening to Christmas music, which is also something that I do to relieve stress, cooking relaxes me.  It gives me a sense of purpose and makes me feel like I have accomplished something.  Which I have because I have made something to eat LOL

My stress levels have been pretty high lately.  With all of the chaos in the country over the election and with my recent health concerns I have had to work really hard to keep myself in a calmer state of mind. Cooking helps me with that.  However, I have not been doing a whole lot of cooking lately like I used to.  I have done some things here and there but have just been lazy.  I need to work on that one and I intend to do just that.

It's Saturday and I am working this afternoon.  This is not my norm but one of our regular weekend CSR's asked for today off and I am happy to fill in.  So, as a result, Sunday is my only weekend day off.  While it should be a day of rest, for me it is going to be a day of cooking.  At least part of the day.  I have selected several new recipes to make, which is always fun for me. I am excited about it.  It's been a while since I have cooked a Sunday lunch.  And after that, I can spend the rest of the day relaxing.

Cooking is very grounding for me.  It connects me with Mom and Grandmother.  It is an artform that I am good at and I love doing. I can focus on that for a few hours and forget the troubles of the world.  I appreciate having the opportunity for that escape right now.  It's good for my soul. 

I will let you know how the new recipes go!