It Doesn't Seem Fair

We're just recovering from grieving the loss of our best friend, Theo.  And now, PooPoo seems to be shutting down.  Granted, she's a gazillion, trillion years old.  But she has always been too mean to go away.  Mean, aggressive, just plain full of chutzpah!

PooPoo has been with me for the raising of my children, she has moved to three different homes, she understands more about me than anyone I know. 

We've said for months now that she is nothing but skin and bones, despite her appetite.  Well, she is a hundred and a gazillion years old.  It's just that this week, I'm noticing.  She lives to warm herself on the radiator, and not much more

PooPoo, I love you.  I know it's almost your time, but I don't have to be ok with that just yet.

Bless her.

Just What We Are

This video is a few months old.  But it's just what we are.  Just down-home.  Some music, some sewing, a dog or two, some ancestors.  Good times.  There are those who think we're ultra-interesting.  And I'm sure there are those who think we're excruciatingly boring.  And I'm sure they're right.  But seriously, this is just what we are.

He's Going to Haiti

We have been troubled here at the Haney Place as much as anyone else by the tragedy unfolding in Haiti.  We were encouraged today to learn that Anthony will be leaving for Haiti imminently, as early as tomorrow, as part of the US Military response.  Our prayers go with him.  We know he goes with God.

News of world events is bleak these days.  There is so much loss, so much suffering.  Wars, and rumors of wars.  Pestilence.  We won't continue.

In these days that try men's souls, let us focus on what is good, what is positive.  We offer two thoughts:

"In the best of times, our days are numbered anyway.  And so it would be a crime against nature for any generation to take the world crisis so solemnly that it put off enjoying those things for which we were designed in the first place:  the opportunity to do good work, to fall in love, to enjoy friends, to hit a ball, and to bounce a baby."
     - Alistair Cook

And more importantly, God's word, which seems to be so much more relevant in this day:

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
     - Philippians 4:8

It's not that God is giving us an "out".  It's just that He understands there is just so much pain that the human spirit can handle.  He is encouraging us to concentrate on His creation, His beauty, His love.  If we truly walk with him, even in these days, there can be a perfect peace.  We can be productive, positive, respondent, at any time.  We can be a part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
     Philippians 4:7

All American Apple Pie

From Better Homes & Gardens "All-Time Favorite Pies" - 1978.

Pastry for double crust pie
6 cups thinly siced cooking apples (2 lbs)
1 tlb lemon juice
1 cup sugar
2 tlb all-purpose flour
1/2 to 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
Dash ground nutmeg
1 tlb butter or margarine
sugar (optional)

1. Prepare & roll out pastry  line a 9" pie plate with half of the pastry.  Trim pastry to edge of pie plate.
2. In mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg (for a very juicy pie, omit the flour).
3. Add sugar mixture to the sliced apples.  Toss to mix.
4. Fill pastry lined pie plate with apple mixture; dot with butter or margarine.  Cut slits in top crust for escape of steam; place pastry atop filling.  Seal and flute edge.
5. Sprinkle some sugar atop, if desired.  To prevent overbrowning, cover edge of pie with foil.  Bake i 375 oven for 25 minutes.  Remove foil; bake for 20 to 25 minutes more or till crust is golden.  Col pie on rack.  Serve with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Ok, so that's what the recipe says.  And it's awesome.  But please, put a foil lined cookie sheet under your baking pie.  Stiva was seriously concerned about the amount of smoke in our house tonight, until he saw the pie and the source of the smoke.

I can't eat it (not gluten free) and I don't care.  BH&G rocks when it comes to somewhat vintage baking recipes.  Just looky here:

Shakespeare

Oh my.  I declared, to the agreement of those within earshot of me within my office space, "I am in semi-hibernation".  Oh, yes.  This year, worse than many and worse than any in my recent recollection.

I'm not sure William Shakespeare completely understood, but I have a hint:

WHEN icicles hang by the wall
And Dick the shepherd blows his nail,
And Tom bears logs into the hall,
And milk comes frozen home in pail;

When blood is nipt, and ways be foul,
Then nightly sings the staring owl
Tu-whoo!
Tu-whit! tu-whoo! A merry note!

While greasy Joan doth keel the pot.
When all around the wind doth blow,
And coughing drowns the parson's saw,
And birds sit brooding in the snow,

And Marian's nose looks red and raw;
When roasted crabs hiss in the bowl—
Then nightly sings the staring owl
Tu-whoo!

Tu-whit! tu-whoo! A merry note!

Tribute to Theo

So we are finally able to do this.  Saying goodbye is so hard.  Theo was so much to us.  He was the first real dog Steve ever loved.  He was the portrait of what a Christian ought to be.  He was a true friend.  He was a good and faithful servant, to the end.  We could go on for pages on what he meant to us.  Anyway...

Theo

???/1996 - 1/2/2010

Also known as

"Good Puppy"

"Best Boy"

"Handsome"

"Bless Your Heart"

To know Theo was to understood why dogs are known as "Man's Best Friend"

Theo's favorite activities were

Rolling around on the warm grass

Guarding Mommy

Hanging out while Dad worked in the garden

We miss you, dear friend.

Mommy, Dad & Tuffy

Stiva's Italian Sausage Casserole

I had a recipe in mind to make tonight, but Stiva totally reworked it.  I'm sure my original recipe would have been awesome (to me) but Stiva had definitive ideas about what he was hungry for tonight

So.....I have to admit, it was delicious.  We all had seconds, and we've already made our lunches tomorrow from the leftovers.  The pan is already washed and in the drainboard.

So we're sharing.  And best of all, it's gluten free.

Stiva's Italian Sausage Casserole

1.5 - 2 lbs. hot italian sausage
1-2 onions, chopped
garlic, if you like it
10-12 potatoes, peeled and cut up small
2 15 oz. jars of Classico Alfredo Sauce (because it is certified gluten free)

• Cut up the sausage into bite size pieces and brown in a bit of olive oil.  Drain and place into a casserole dish (we used a broiler pan tonight).
• Lightly brown the onions (and garlic if you like it) in the same pan, and then toss into the pan with the sausages.
• Put the peeled, cut up potatoes into the same pan, and toss again.
• Finally, put in the alfredo sauce, and toss thoroughly.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 90 minutes

YUMMY!!  Seriously, you can't go wrong with this recipe.  Now, we don't mind eating at 7-ish, or so.  We appreciate the ease of preparation over the time it takes to cook.  There's always something else to do while the oven is doing all the work, and when the timer goes off, it's such a splendid surprise.

Best Cornbread Ever

This recipe is worth a try.  It is simply the best cornbread ever.  It' more like a side dish than a bread.  But it does cut into squares like regular cornbread.  If you try it, let me know what you think.

http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,168,132175-243199,00.html

CORN CASSEROLE


1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 c. chopped celery
1 can undrained corn
1 can creamed corn
1 box Jiffy cornbread
2 eggs
8 oz. sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar
sugar

Sauté onion and celery in butter. Mix eggs and Jiffy, add corns, onion and celery. Pour into greased casserole dish. Top with sour cream dollops, sprinkle lightly with sugar and the cheese.

Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes.

I left out the sugar, and mixed the cheese into the bread.