A WONDERFUL GIVEAWAY

What a wonderful way to bless someone. Give them a beautiful leather bound Bible. One of my Team Christian Artists and Crafters is hosting this giveaway. The name of her shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/helenscorner

Her shop items are truly beautiful and anyone would be blessed to give one of her items as a gift.

Please visit her blog at

http://helenscornerblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/special-giveaway.html

OLIVIA'S CREATIVITY DAY 2

One of my TeamCAC members has started a 10 day Creativity blog. I decided to try to participate each day. Day 2 was to find a photo or object that inspires you and to sketch it. Mine is pictured here. The photo and the sketch. This was really a lot of fun. I have not sketched in many years. Thanks Olivia!

BANANA BREAD/CAKE RECIPE

This is a recipe that has, again, been a long standing part of my family heritage.

Do not substitute to make it low fat cause it will not taste the same. Use real sweet butter.

1/2 cup real sweet butter - 1 stick

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1/2 cup whole milk

1 tsp each baking powder and baking soda

3 mashed ripe bananas

nuts and chocolate chips are optional

Mix all the wet ingredients together including the bananas.

Add the dry ingredients

Add the nuts or chocolate chips or both.

Put in a loaf pan baking dish (make sure you grease your baking dish.

Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until your toothpick comes out clean.

Depending on your oven, check midway.

DELICIOUS!!!!!

COLOR IS GOOD

Yesterday I went to the doctor
for my yearly physical.
My blood pressure was high ....
My cholesterol was high ........
I'd gained some weight, and I didn't feel so hot.
My doctor said eating right doesn't have to be complicated and it would solve my physical problems.

He said: Just think in colors. Fill your plate with bright colors.
Try some greens, oranges, reds, maybe something blue, etc.

So I went right home and ate an entire bowl of

And sure enough, I felt better immediately.
I never knew eating right could be so easy !!!

TSIMMIS ANYONE???

One of the constant Passover traditions in my family was the food. It has been many years since I have tasted Tsimmis so I decided to make it this year for our Church Sedar and for the family. This dish is very labor intensive so making it is usually for a special occasion.
This labor of love begins with peeling white potatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Then cutting them up in pieces, no special size, whatever meets your fancy.
The meat is usually beef flanken that you can get from your butcher, mostly around the Holidays. We were not able to get it so chuck stew pieces and short ribs are a good substitute.
First you brown your meat in some oil and then put in a stew pot with a little water, salt and pepper. Stew the meat until tender adding the carrots and some brown sugar.
While you are doing that, put your potatoes in a baking pan, spread out and pour honey over them. Take some of the stewing liquid and put that in also. Cover with foil and bake at 375 until the potatoes are tender. Add the meat, carrots, and pitted prunes. Continue baking until all the ingredients just meld together.
This is a sweet dish so you would add honey and brown sugar during baking to your taste.
Jenifer, Noah and I went to the Sedar at our Church which was okay but not authentic. Actually I am glad since an authentic Sedar would be hours and hours long instead of just the 3 hours that we did. Imagine the children of years past having to sit all those hours, smelling the delicious aromas of the promised foods wafting through the air!
A typical Passover dinner for my family started with a piece of gefilte fish on lettuce. Then a small plate of chopped liver. Then a delicious bowl of homemade chicken soup with a matzo ball. THEN - if you could find the room - a delicious dinner of leg of lamb, string beans and tsimmis, always served with Manishevwitz wine and ginger ale. The children were always allowed a tiny sip. Desert was always honey cakes and macaroons.
I miss those days.