Sunday Scripture Jan 17, 2010

Sunday Scripture:

Judean Desert, Israel

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you shall go. I will guide you with my eye.       Ps. 32:8

Pink Saturday: Drink The Pink

Berry Smoothie:

Smoothies come in all flavors with a plethora of ingredients. But berry smoothies rank at the top of my flavor list!

Filling, satisfying and good for you, these frosty libations are easy to make and portable. Very good for a quick breakfast or snack when on the go!

I make mine with any berry fruit I have on hand, either fresh or frozen.  I use "pom" juice, but I have also used apple, orange or even a little water in it. My yogurt of choice is raspberry, but cherry, strawberry or blueberry tastes great too. I usually eat no fat yogurt.

Recipe:

1 6oz. container of berry flavored yogurt
1 cup berries (frozen or fresh)
1/4 cup Pom, pomegranate juice
1 cup crushed ice

In a food processor, blend yogurt, berries and juice until smooth. Add ice and process until smooth. You may need to add a little more liquid at this point if smoothie is too thick.

This smoothie is more like a melty sorbet than a creamy smoothie.

Enjoy!

I am participating in Pink Saturday hosted by Beverly at howsweetthesound.typepad.com. Thanks, Beverly. I just love being a part of this wonderful event!

Christi at A Southern Life has a wonderful post about forcing spring flowers. Go see her beautiful blog!

How To Make Perfect Chicken Noodle Soup

Nani's Chicken Noodle Soup:

I know, it really sounds like I am boasting... sorry! But you too can make a chicken noodle soup that is more delicious than you can imagine. There are a few old time secrets that can turn a good soup into one that makes the angels sing. And I can't wait to share them with you. An astrick (*) notes tips to a better soup.

Recipe:
2-3 lbs. chicken backs, wings, necks and thighs with skin (any combo) A turkey or a couple of chicken
  carcasses can be used. When using chicken carcass, add additional chicken pieces such as backs or wings.
4-6 quarts water- or enough water to cover chicken, plus 2-3 inches
mirepoix: combo of onions, carrots and celery
   2 onions, skins on and quartered
   3 carrots, peeled, cut into 3-4 pieces
   3 celery ribs, cut into 3-4 pieces
2 TBS salt
6 peppercorns or more
bouquet garni- bunch of parsley and thyme tied together + 2 bay leaves
1 onion, peeled and chopped into small pieces
6 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch rounds
4 celery ribs, cut  horizontally if thick and cut into 2 inch pieces
3 medium potatoes, peeled, and cut into bite size pieces
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and cubed
3-4 TBS chicken bullion
2-4 TBS fresh parsley, chopped
2 bags very thin egg noodles


Proceedure:
Put chicken and water in a very large pot over medium heat.  Add mirepoix, salt and peppercorns.  Bring pot to a simmer, DO NOT BOIL. Skim scum off the top of soup as it develops. *This is a very important step- it will give you a clearer soup. Simmer for 2  hours uncovered.

In a seperate large pot, bring water to boil, add salt. Cook thin egg noodles  according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Using a "spider", or large slotted spoon scoop out all chicken and vegetables into a large bowl and then discard. Make sure you get it all.  * Do not use these veggies and chicken when serving soup, they have given all of their flavor to the broth.

Taste broth. *If needed add bullion. Be bold! You should have a very full bodied, chicken broth.

Bring soup back to a simmer and add chopped onion, carrots and celery. *Using new veggies gives a second layer of fresh veggie flavor, and taste delicious to eat in your soup.

You can also add boneless chicken and cook in broth at this time. Simmer for 20-30 minutes. Remove chicken when fully cooked and set aside to cool.

Add potatoes, and cook until tender 15-20 minutes.  While potatoes are cooking cube chicken. When potatoes are tender add chicken and 3 TBS minced parsley and simmer for 5 minutes. *Using fresh parsley at the very end of cooking enhances the fresh flavor.

To Serve:
Add noodles (as much as you like in your soup) to a wide soup bowl. Ladle hot soup over noodles.
Serve. Yummy!

*Always keep the noodles and soup separate. If combined the noodles get soggy. This makes a huge difference in the taste of the soup. When refrigerating, keep soup and noodles in separate containers.
When ready to serve, reheat soup until piping hot and add to cold noodles.

Enjoy! My grandmother taught me how to make this soup. I don't have a recipe, but learned by wathching and doing. This is not rocket science, so relax and enjoy the process. A little less of this or more of that will change the flavor, but it should still be delicious!

Note: I also make this broth for Matzo Ball Soup, Italian Wedding Soup and as stock to freeze and keep on hand.

I am participating in Foodie Friday, Hosted by the one and only Michael Lee Gollum at Designs by Gollum.
There is a fabulous line up of great food and recipes!

Breakfast At The Dressing Table

Mid Morning Goodie:

I am not much of a breakfast eater. Although an early riser, I am not usually ready to eat until about 10:30.  Just give me a great cup of coffee, or 3 or 4 and I am very happy. Early mornings are spent in my study doing paperwork, bible study, e-mails and now blogging. Then it's off and about the days business.

Today's tablescape was inspired as a result of  participating in a "Pillow Party" (see Monday's post)  where I shared pictures of my bed, piled high with pillows. That got me thinking... wouldn't it be fun to do a simple tablescape in my bedroom.

I have just the perfect spot... my dressing table. An antique 1850's spinet secretary desk I found in wonderful condition at a local antique shop (the same shop that I found the china in my Swan Table post). This is where I sit each morning getting ready to meet the world.

This desk is cherry and has ornately turned legs, and a carved  front. I love rich mahogany and cherry, although it has fallen out of vogue lately. Pity- it is so beautiful!

 I appreciate the mix of old and new, priceless meets Walmart! When my decor looks collected over a long period of time- bliss!  (Sorry, I did get a little carried away!)

This morning the dressing table is set with a little mid-morning treat.

Hot tea with lemon, fesh cherries and a Butter Rum muffin are waiting.

I found this charming material on sale and made a napkin just for today.  I will post a tutorial on how to make napkins.  Good quality napkins can be so expensive, yet they are quite reasonable and easy to make!

Tea is served from a Toile inspired tea pot. A lovely gift from a friend. It is served in my Italian Countryside cup and saucer from Mikasa.

The cherries are served up in a floral pedestal  bowl. Cherries are my favorite (at least now)!

 

The yummy Butter Rum (yes, they are as delicious as they sound!!!!) muffin sits on an antique Staffordshire bowl and plate.

These same plates and bowls hang on the wall around a mirror near my dressing table. I find them in antique shops all over, they are quite common, but I think they are so pretty. (Notice the cover on the bench at my dressing table.The bench cushion is very worn. I am making a monogrammed rug hooked cover for it- not finished yet.)

Yellow roses are another big favorite of mine, especially sweetheart roses. I usually have faux Black Eyed Susan's in the blue and white vase, but I could not resist these little beauties!  The small arrangement is tucked in a spice jar. I aquired a set of these when visiting Savannah last spring.

I have collected many interesting blue and white pieces to display in my bedroom. There is a good mix of old and new pieces.

I think after breakfast I will sit and do a little reading. There is a chair with my name on it!

I am joining Susan for Tablescape Thursday. Stop over at Between Naps On The Porch to see all the creativity going on!!!

Winter Wreath- A Tutorial

Winter White Wreath:

In my area, many people keep their Christmas wreaths up on their front door for the month of January. All other signs of Christmas are long gone, but a Christmas door wreath is something to be enjoyed through January.

This year, I wanted to make a clean sweep of all things Christmas, and had a fancy to make a winter white wreath for my front door. Because our home sits alone in the middle of farmland amidst gently rolling hills, the winter winds can really whip around us. I need a wreath that would be sturdy and secure to withstand any wind. We are somewhat protected from the elements thanks to our wrap-around porch, but I used materials that could withstand anything mother nature could throw at us- and usually does!

Winter Wreath Tutorial:

Materials:
"twiggy" wreath- grapevine, willow, spray painted soft white
white plastic "paper coin" branches
silver leaves, I bought a garland after Christmas and  cut it up
hot glue gun
wire cutters
dust buster*
garbage bags*
I decided not to use the Spanish Moss or the white moss. I am making another white wreath and will use it for that one.

Proceedure:

Spray paint a wreath soft white.  I used the spray can with some self control. I didn't want the whole wreath to be totally flat white. I left some areas just barely sprayed, and some untouched.  I did spray the ends of the wreath quite heavily. I thought they would "get lost" in the total visual affect if they did not stand out. The overall look though, is white with depth and interest.

I was surprised that spraying the wreath white made each individual twig so noticeable. Pretty!

*NOTE: This is a messy project- so USE YOUR DUSTBUSTER! I lothe doing a project and having to take as long to clean up as to do the project. I have found if I clean as I go- the mess is soooooo much more manageable, and my project is more enjoyable.  Toss everything into a garbage bag at hand as you work.

*NOTE #2: While I am standing on my soapbox, keep your work area, tools and elements of your project orderly. It saves time and clutter kills creativity (at least mine!).

Cut spray of coins into individual small bunches. Some are longer and have quite a few coins, and some are short with just a couple coins on them.  Use the long stems first.

Using your hot glue gun generously, afix stem between twigs, towards the middle or back of the wreath.

Glue stems around the whole wreath, not too close together, for the first layer.

Glue coin stems around the surface of the wreath for a subtle second layer of coins. Compare to previous picture.

Cut silver leaves into clumps. Beginning at the inside rim of the wreath, using hot glue liberally, afix silver leaves.

Continue to glue silver leaves in the inside rim of the wreath. Every here and there glue a longer stem of leaves to the twigs further up the wreath.

As you work around the wreath leave an empty space between the leaves at 6 o'clock, 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock on your wreath (as if it were the face of a clock). These will be filled in with white coins. Fill the inside rim of the wreath with silver leaves.

Wire small clusters of silver coins together to have a nice little bunch. Glue coin clusters into the empty spaces between the silver leaves at 6'oclock, 10 o'clock, and 2 o'clock.

Continue to add little touches of coins and leaves till you are happy with the ballance look of the wreath.I tend to go a little over-the-top, so I have to be very aware when enough is enough!

Clean up any glue spider webs. I always give my wreath a good shake to detect any loose elements. Re glue anything that moves too much. I give my wreaths a once over with a critical eye. Hang and Enjoy!

I have a problem that I would like your good advice and imput on. Because of the winds that whip around my home, I have to keep my wreaths tightly fixed to my door. I would love this wreath positioned further down on my door and tied on with a burlap or white satin ribbon. I now use a wreath hanger that is screwed into the inside  of the door. I have tried a suction- but that did not work. I have put a screw with a hook in my old door. But then I cannot adjust longer arrangements. Help! Any advice! Thanks!!!

I am participating in Metamorphasis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch. Thanks, Susan for hosting. Go see all the new creations!

I am participating in:

Make It Monday, at Twice Remembered

It's So very creative, at It's So Very Cheri