Bread For The Journey

What is faith?  It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us even though we cannot see it up ahead.(TLB) Hebrew 11:1

What is is that this world is looking for?  HOPE!

The definition of Hope: a feeling of expectation and desire of something to happen.
This past winter I was dealing with some injuries and was gifted a plaque with the words HOPE. 
This plaque sits on my window sill, reflecting the words inside and outside and people driving up on my driveway could see the word clearly as it was spelled backwards.
There is not a day that I pass this sign thinking of what HOPE really means.   Over the past few months, I have reflected on a running tab of conversations with family and friends that always end with the phrase...
 "And we are hoping for...." 

• Restored relationships of those who have abandoned marriages
• Recovery from on-going health issues....Cancer shingles surgery alzheimer dementia
•  Renewed strength to support aging parents making transitions to assisted living.
• Healthy pregnancies and healthy new-borns.
• That God will find favor in business, job searches and benefit packages.
• Safety for our adult children serving in ministry overseas.
• For confidence and integrity when purchasing/selling homes.
• For complete recovery for a loved one on life support.
• A stable government
• Freedom, a world without war and famine.
• Salvation for our kids and grandkids and extended families.

 I love watching the women's soccer matches and HOPE is not hoping that the Canadian Women's Soccer Team wins the world cup. Hope is not based on emotions, feelings and wishful thinking.  Biblical hope is more than wishing for something to happen. It is a hope that is like faith, a faith that cannot be moved by circumstances or what the eye sees, because an unseen God is seen in His faithfulness. A believer confessing true faith has the solid, concrete evidence because it is grounded on God's word.
Over the years I have discovered that it's not always about me making all these personal requests to God, but understanding that when things don't go as expected I can ask God, "What can I learn?" rather than thinking "why me?"  Learning that  is a sweet reality, and learning to deal with the issues,  gives much more HOPE than "Why Me?"
This does not say that life is going to be easy, but it is one more way to find a perspective in which God can allow something to happen in our lives that we may not understand.  This allows us to cultivate new habits that move us along so that we can become more 'growth focused' in our lifestyle. It's about moving beyond and looking ahead to see how God can teach us through our daily challenges. Let's continue to ask God to transform our hearts and allow us to experience the power and freedom of true HOPE!

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Simply Pretty Floral Ideas

Spring and summer backyard gardens are the best place to find a few little posies to make up a pretty and economical centre piece or wee gift to bring to a friend, put on your window sill or bedside stand.

Several weeks ago I hosted a bridal shower for my niece and needed a centre piece with some height  for the food table. I have a cupboard full of serving pieces that I only use occasionally and this tiered cupcake stand is often a go to for me for decor or food presentation.

For the flowers I picked large hosta leaves from my garden and peonies that were in full bloom.
The problem with peonies is that they are often the hiding place for little bugs and ants that one certainly does not want to have crawling out and onto a food table. 

Here's what I did.
Several hours before the party I picked my peonies and hosta leaves.
Filled a sink with warm water and a bit of dish soap.
Snipped peonies near the base of the flower. Turn flowers upside down into the sink of warm soapy water and swished flowers gently. I then rinsed them gently under running water and lay upside down on a cookie cooling rack to 'drip dry' the flowers petals.
Washed and patted dry hosta leaves. Laid large hosta leaves on each tier and arranged cleaned peonies on top of hosta leaves. They were still be a little bit wet which was fine.

The cut flowers won't be immersed in water in this arrangement but I find that peonies last this way for up 6-7 hours before they begin to wilt.
Try arranging any of your seasonal blooms on unique serving pieces for a pretty and inexpensive centre piece.

On another special occasion I used the same stand to display teacups from my grandmothers, mom and mom in law. It was so pretty and made for a nice conversation piece. Try adding small flowers from your garden to teacups. 

Why not pot some posies in an old roaster. This old roaster is from my mother in law's kitchen that I remember being the turkey roaster....a gift at their wedding over 60 years ago. The enamel has chipped away making it unsafe for cooking...but it makes for a fun and whimsical way to add colour to my backyard table.
Think outside the box.....create some centre piece fun. 

A simple vinegar jar becomes the perfect little posy holder. My hydrangea's are just beginning to bloom. Try tying a tag to the little handle with a note and this becomes a perfect little hostess gift. Simple and pretty.

This teapot was a wedding gift almost 40 years ago. I've maybe used it a few times to serve tea, but it's been one of my favourite containers when my roses bloom and I want a pretty bouquet on my table.

I really enjoy perusing the dishes isle of second hand stores. I look for little cream and sugar pitchers in glass or silver. They make for another fun hostess gift when filled with a few small snips from my garden...and I like to bring a little bit of what's blooming in my garden inside every few days.

Banana Coffee Cake

I had one ripe banana and wanted to find a recipe that would work using it. This is what I came up with. It turned out lighter, more moist, and fluffier than banana bread. That was my husbands analysis! Delicious!

Ingredients:

• 4 oz. of sour cream
• 1/4 cup softened butter
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1-1/8 Cup flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Topping:

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, beat the sour cream, butter and sugar until blended. 
3. Add egg, beating well.
4. Add the banana and vanilla. 
5. Combine flour, baking powder and baking soda; 
6. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the creamed mixture. 
7. Combine topping ingredients; add half to batter. 
8. Transfer to a greased 9-in. x 9-in. baking pan. 
9. Sprinkle with the remaining topping. 
10. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. 
11. Cool on a wire rack.  
12. Yield: 6-8 servings. 

Filipino Macaroni Salad

This is not the usual macaroni salad that I make but sometimes it's good to try something new. My friend who is from the Philippines says that back home they served this as an appetizer but that most Filipinos eat this as an afternoon or midnight snack. This would be a great side dish for pork.

• 2 cups macaroni..I used penne but elbow macaroni would be good too
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 398 ml / 14 oz can of pineapple tidbits, drained and chopped finely, reserve juice
• 3 tablespoons pineapple juice
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 chicken breast, cooked and shredded
• 1/3 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup carrots, finely shredded
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated

1. Cook macaroni according to package instructions, set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, finely chopped pineapple, 3 tablespoons of reserved pineapple juice, sugar, salt, and pepper. 
3. Stir in macaroni, chicken, raisins, and carrots until well combined.
4. Gently stir in cheese.
5. Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least an hour.
6. Serves: 6

Bread for the Journey

A few weeks ago we planted our first grape vines.  

  It's mostly an experiment and we are hoping there will be some fruit in the years ahead that will be enjoyed by the grandkids who are always interested in what is growing in our garden.

I couldn't help but think of the Jesus talking about being THE vine.  He is not one of the vines but he  he is "the vine". 

In John 15:4 - 5 Jesus said...

"Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."

What does it mean to abide in Christ? 

It is a choice we can make to spend time in prayer, reading the Bible and focusing on Christ.

We cannot bear fruit in our lives apart from a connection to the vine. Any good fruit we bear will be Christ's work in our lives and not something we ourselves have produced.  

The good news is that fruit is the natural result of abiding in Christ.

'Salad Bowl' / 'Herb Bowl' Planter

Some years ago my daughters gave me a salad bowl like this for mother's day. Cool idea. They even found this large wooden spoon and fork at our local thrift store, you know the kind that used to hang on our kitchen walls in the 70's era. Ever since then I have kept up the tradition and filled the bowl up with salad fixings every spring. These bowls are a pretty and useful addition to our deck, as well as a conversation piece.

This year I decided to add a herb bowl. Very handy to have these planters on the deck close to the kitchen door. A quick snip here and there and you have a salad and a vinaigrette made from your herbs, vinegar, and oils.

Find your favorite herbs at the greenhouse to place in your 'bowl'. You can also start from seeds, I prefer buying the plants so I can start using the herbs right away.

This salad came from the first pickings of the 'salad bowl' and I used some of the herbs for the zingy vinaigrette.

• 1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon red grapefruit infused olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh basil, chopped
• 1/8 teaspoon Worcesteshire sauce.

1. Whisk ingredients together and drizzle over salad.
2. Yield: enough vinaigrette for 2 plates of salad.

These are some of my favorite vinegar and oils I like using purchased at our local Prairie Oils & Vinegar store.

Tex Mex Burgers

For my flashback Friday recipe I chose to republish one of our favourite summer burgers.

I've left up the original photo and post I published June 13, 2011, and below I added a photo showing these same burgers served without the bun and wrapped in lettuce. Either way...they are packed with great flavour and taste so fresh with Pico de Gallo and spicy mayo.

Serve with large leaf fresh lettuce that can wrap around the meat and toppings. 

Ingredients for burgers:

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup fine bread crumbs
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1/4 cup grated onion
• 1 1/2 tbsp dry taco seasoning

Using your hands mix all ingredients together well. Form into 4 burger patties.

Ingredients for Pico de Gallo:

• 3-4 Roma tomatoes, diced
• 3/4 cup diced yellow and red pepper, combined
• 1/2 cup red onion, diced
• 1 small seeded jalapeno pepper, dice very small
• 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro or parsley
• 2-3 grinds fresh pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• juice of one fresh lime (do not use bottled lime juice)

Add all ingredients together in a non metallic bowl. This can be made earlier in the day, covered and refrigerated. 

Ingredients for spicy mayo and other toppings:

• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp Sambal Oelek, which is ground fresh chili paste. You could substitute with hot sauce, or if you don't like it hot use ketchup.
• 2 avocados, sliced
• Tex Mex cheese
• 4 kaiser buns

Method: Once you have all your toppings ready, fire up the barbecue. The last few minutes the burgers are on the grill top with cheese. Build your burger and enjoy!

Greek Dip and Veggies

My niece introduced us to this dip many years ago at a shower. I like to serve it with veggies that you would find in a Greek salad.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup miracle whip
• 1/3 cup plain or Greek yogurt
• 2/3 cup crumbled feta with oregano and sun dried tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp ranch salad dressing (optional)
• 1 Tbps Greek salad dressing (optional)
• 1 small clove garlic, crushed
• 1/3 - 1/2 cucumber (peeled and finely chopped)

1. Stir ingredients together, adding cucumber just before serving.
2. Serve with your choice of cucumbers, green and red peppers, tomatoes and olives

Yellow Split Pea Soup

Mom has always been great at making soups.  If she invites us for lunch, saying she has made a pot of soup we know we are in for a treat.  This soup is delicious anytime of year and is chocked full of fiber and protein. 

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 large carrots, diced
• 3 stalks celery, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 8 cups / 2 liters  broth of your choice, (vegetable, ham, chicken)
• 2 cups dried yellow split peas, rinsed and drained
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
• 2 - 3  cups chopped fresh kale leaves
• juice of 1 large lemon

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.  Add onion, carrots, celery and garlic.  Stir until softened.  
2. Add broth, yellow split peas, seasonsings and bay leaves.
3. Simmer 2 hours.  Add chopped Kale in the last 15 minutes.
4. Add lemon juice.

Lemon Dill and Honey Vinaigrette with Salad Suggestions

Here's a dressing we've really enjoyed on a number of different salads recently

I based it on a recipe I found on the internet and changed up a few ingredients to suit our taste.
I know the ingredient list looks long
but it is light and tasty and makes enough for a week's worth of salads.

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1/2 - 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned pepper
• a few drops Tabasco Sauce
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1/4 up grapeseed oil (you can use salad oil but I like the  clean, light taste of the grapeseed oil)

1. Combine all ingredients except grapeseed oil and boiling water  in a blender.
2. Process until well blended and smooth.
3. Add water and oil and process again until well mixed.
4. Pour into dressing bottle and refrigerate until an hour or so before serving.

Note: the dressing will separate in the bottle so it will need to be shaken well before serving.

Dressing will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Serving Suggestions:

Mediterranean Salad - (this is the one in the picture) red lettuce, romaine, thinly sliced red onion, sun dried tomatoes (the moist ones in a package) sliced black olives, chopped yellow pepper, feta cheese and toasted pine nuts. *Add the black olives just before serving.

Pear Salad - red and green lettuce, thinly sliced red onion or green onion, sliced fresh pears, feta or goat cheese and chopped cashews

Other uses:

Use Dressing to marinate salmon or chicken before grilling

Heat Dressing and thicken slightly with cornstarch and serve as a sauce over salmon or halibut.