Song of the Day

Today, I just wanted to get my day started with something upbeat, something fun.  This is on one of my favorite Nancy Wilson albums.  She did this one with Cannonball Adderly.  It's a version of Happy Talk from South Pacific.  A great rendition.  Enjoy!

Recipe of the week - Broccoli Corn Bread

This is another new recipe that I tried this week that turned out to be delicious!  It's not a from scratch corn bread, but it's still pretty great!  Michael and I both enjoyed this and will definitely be making this one again!

Broccoli Corn Bread

1 8.5 oz box of corn bread mix

1 med onion, chopped

1 tsp salt

3 eggs, beaten

6 oz cottage cheese

10 oz frozen chopped broccoli

1/2 cup butter, melted

Preaheat oven to 350.  In a bowl, mix all ingredients together.  Spray your baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.  Pour batter into dish.  Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until golden brown.

* I used an 8" square pyrex, so my baking time ended up being between 45-50 minutes.

A Quiet Moment

This morning, I got up and made my coffee....my normal routine.  Gotta have my coffee! It was around 7 a.m. and the sun was up, but not full blast yet.  So, I took my first cup of coffee and sat out on the porch.  It was so peaceful.  With life having quieted down in so many ways, I just sat and enjoyed the stillness of it all.  Of course, there was movement.  Birds at the birdfeeder.  The breeze blowing through the trees.  Squirrels out on the hunt for breakfast.  No cars yet, no people out yet.  None of the neighbors were up and moving that I could see.  It was just a peaceful moment for me to enjoy my morning beverage.

In my mind, I began singing a song that we once sang in youth choir at FBC Monroe.  I didn't remember all of the words but I remember the melody.  It was called God's Gifts.  I don't remember who wrote the anthem and have not had much luck finding it online, but I do remember the first verse:

Fresh springs, mountain air

Birds singing, beauty everywhere

All of life, so rich and free

God did this because He loves me

And somehow it just fit perfectly this morning.  I sat and thanked God for what was before me.  All of the life going on in nature.  While the world is mostly crazy right now, I am so thankful that He gave me this small gift, this moment of just being one with the world.  Of being an observer and a participate in the same moment.  We are all of one world and this morning I got to see the goodness in just being in His presence.  For that I am very thankful!

My 10 Favorite Musicals from the 80's

The 80's was a great time for musicals.  It was the beginning of the British invasion.  Both Sondheim and Jerry Herman continued adding to their library.  These are my favorites from then.  There are many other great shows that came along as well.  Enjoy!

1.  42nd Street

2.  Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

3.  Into The Woods

4.  Dreamgirls

5.  Big River

6.  Les Miserables

7.  Romance/Romance

8.  La Cage Aux Folles

9.  The Phantom of the Opera

10. Me and My Girl

Song of the Day

I'm just really needing this one today.  I need that sense of unity that does not seem to exist in this country anymore.  I need the hope that one day things will get better.  I need there to be good in this world that goes recognized.  I need people to understand that we should help each other, a factor in life that should not be as hard as it is right now in America.  Before all hope in my heart dies completely, I need this.

That is all

Recipe of the Week - Delicious Potatoes

I was looking for a new potato recipe to go with a new meatloaf recipe that I was making and luckily I found this one in the same cookbook.  It is basically baked loaded mashed potatoes, but I'd honestly never made it before.  We both enjoyed it and I will definitely be adding it to my recipe cycle!

Delicious Potatoes

6 medium potatoes

1/2 cup butter, melted

1/2 cup chopped green onion

1 16oz container sour cream

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 300.  Peel, slice and boil the potatoes; drain.  In a large mixing bowl, mash the potatoes with the butter.  Stir in the onion, sour cream and cheese.  Pour into a greased 3 quart casserole dish and smooth top.  Bake, uncovered for 1 hour.  

This is a great recipe to make ahead and then just cook off later.  I also cooked it at 350 for about 30-40 minutes because I was cooking the meatloaf at the same time.  Turned out just fine!  Enjoy!

Song of the day

With the pandemic restrictions going on these days, I don't see many people I know outside of work.  They are on my mind a lot lately.  This song keeps popping into my head and wanted to share.  Enjoy!