Beautiful Day

Beautiful Day, Isn't it?

The day started out rotten. I overslept and was late for work. Everything that happened at the office contributed to my nervous frenzy. By the time I reached the bus stop for my homeward trip, my stomach was one big knot.
As usual, the bus was late-and jammed. I had to stand in the aisle. As the lurching vehicle pulled me in all directions, my gloom deepened.
Then I heard a deep voice from up front boom, "Beautiful day, isn't it"?
Because of the crowd, I could not see the man, but I could hear him as he continued to comment on the spring scenery, calling attention to each approaching landmark. This church. That park. This cemetery. That firehouse. Soon all the passengers were gazing out the windows. The man's enthusiasm was so contagious I found myself smiling for the first time that day. We reached my stop. Maneuvering toward the door, I got a look at our "guide": a plump figure with a black beard, wearing glasses, and carrying a thin white cane.

barbara johnson

from Fresh Elastic for Stretched Out Moms

Easter Cards

In my free time (which isn't much lately!) I've been making Easter cards! I also want to share some Easter images from my old copies of Ideals magazines.

The following images are reduced to 2x3 in size and 300 DPI

Thanks for stopping by!

Lunch Bag Upcycle

You start out with a good old brown lunch bag, a theme, and away you go!
This months theme was "Birthday" for the Lunch Bag Upcycle group at
http://yourpaperpantry.ning.com/
Turned out so cute!

Click here to see start to finish on youtube.

Have a great day!

Luscious Lentil Soup

I try to cook healthy, wholesome delicious foods for my husband and I as often as I can. This quick and delicious soup is from Gloria Roses' cookbook called 'Cooking for Good Health'.

Here's the recipe:
7 cups Chicken Stock ( I used store bought organic)
1 tbsp. olive oil
4 medium sized carrots, sliced ( I used 2)
2 celery stalks, sliced
1 medium size onion, chopped
1 leek, thinly sliced
1 tbsp fresh parsley
11/2 cups red lentils ( I used only 1 cup)
1 tomato chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1-2 bay leaves
1/8 tsp ground pepper
1/4 tsp ground thyme
1/4 tsp cumin ( not part of the recipe, I love cumin!)

Method:
Saute carrots, celery, onion, leeks in olive for 10 minutes in large stock pot.
(There is no olive oil in the original recipe or sauteing the vege's. I love the flavor of sauted onions and do this for most soup recipes)
Add rest of ingredients. Cook over medium heat for 1 hour. Puree 2 cups of the soup in a blender. Return puree to soup pot.  Heat thoroughly and serve.
Serve with lemon wedges for added zest.
Or add 1 tbsp Miso for extra flavor.

Thanks for stopping by!
Enjoy!

Heart and Home Vintage Images

Click on a picture: the picture viewer will open in another window. Right click on a photo and save picture to your computer.

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shepherds' Pie Recipe

I love to cook and collect cookbooks! Especially cookbooks that are from the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. This shepherds' pie recipe is from a cookbook called: 'Seventh Heaven'. Heavenly recipes from the Gordon Head Grade Sevens. Here's the write up for the recipe.

"My Great Nanny Ivy lived in Ascot, England. When my Great Nanny was 18 she cooked at Windsor Castle, near London. One of the dishes she cooked was Shepherds' Pie.

Well heck... I just had to try it! Comfort food for my sweetie indeed!
Here's the recipe...

My husband and I thought it was DELISH!

I did make a few changes.

I used 6 large potatoes not 8.

I cooked the onions in 1-2 tbsp. of oil, not 1/4 cup!

I only used 2 packets of beef oxo not 4.

I baked it for 35 minutes @ 375.

And as far as making a design on the potatoes. NOT!

Hahahaha just sqiggley lines with my fork! lol

Give this a try! If you do, please drop me a line or two and let me know if you liked it.

Bye for now!