Yesterday the 80s and today back down in the 50s. We are on a weather roller coaster. At lest the low is in the 50s not the 20s like it has been. More and more green is showing up all the time.
Today I am making a pork roast with bread dumplings for dinner. Most of the recipes I find have you dropping the dumplings in salt water but my Grandma Deeley used to make them by pressing the dumplings on the roast for the last hour or so of cooking. This kind of bakes them and the juices of the meat soak into them a bit too. Leftover dumplings fry up in butter the next day and are really yummy.
My cousin Patty showed me how to do this when she stayed with us for a couple of weeks when she was working out in California. I did not write down the recipe, so I searched the internet and have come up with a recipe that should work.
I took 4 hardrolls and soaked them for a while in 1/2 cup of milk. Then I added two tablespoons of butter and 2 eggs and some parsley to the soaked bread. It was pretty soupy so I added some more bread crumbs, formed the dumplings and slapped them onto the pork which had been roasting about an hour. It sure smells good. I will let you know tomorrow how they turned out.
Dick and I are also having sauerkraut. Jim hates sauerkraut, but I have some green beans for him so he will survive. I used up the last of the hard boiled eggs as deviled eggs so they won't care what else I fixed anyway.
Later
Mary
Saturday, April 17, 2004
Friday, April 16, 2004
I had lunch with the "girls" I used to work with at Wells Fargo. It had been about three weeks since I saw or heard from anybody. Within the past two weeks, two of our friends who are still working had problems which I will add to my prayer list and I hope you do to. One friend, Karen, was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo a double mastectomy. Another friend, Barb, has a daughter who gave birth to a baby girl with Downs Syndrome and apparently also heart, sight and hearing problems. Lots of prayers for that little person and lots of prayers for the family. Barb said that the baby is beautiful. God always gives us something. Anyway, we will pray and try to offer encouragement.
The temperature on the car thermometer was 80 degrees on my drive back from Plymouth. This is a far cry from the 32 we had just a couple of days ago. I went out and trimmed the blossoms off of a bush in the front this morning and let Chelsea enjoy the fresh air with me. I'll bet we will both sleep very well tonight.
I read the most wonderful paragraph in a book called ANAM CARA by John O'Donohue today on the transience nature of time. I would like to share it with you.
"There was never a dawn, regardless of how beautiful or promising, that did not grow into noontime. There was never a noon that did not fall into afternoon. There was never an afternoon that did not fade toward evening. There never was a day yet that did not get buried in the graveyard of the night. In this way transience makes a ghost out of everything that happens to us."
He goes on to say that these vanished moments secretly gather in a special place. That special place is memory.
Have wonderful moments to story in your special place.
Mary
The temperature on the car thermometer was 80 degrees on my drive back from Plymouth. This is a far cry from the 32 we had just a couple of days ago. I went out and trimmed the blossoms off of a bush in the front this morning and let Chelsea enjoy the fresh air with me. I'll bet we will both sleep very well tonight.
I read the most wonderful paragraph in a book called ANAM CARA by John O'Donohue today on the transience nature of time. I would like to share it with you.
"There was never a dawn, regardless of how beautiful or promising, that did not grow into noontime. There was never a noon that did not fall into afternoon. There was never an afternoon that did not fade toward evening. There never was a day yet that did not get buried in the graveyard of the night. In this way transience makes a ghost out of everything that happens to us."
He goes on to say that these vanished moments secretly gather in a special place. That special place is memory.
Have wonderful moments to story in your special place.
Mary
Thursday, April 15, 2004
Today is April 15, Tax Day. We have been done for about a month now. We paid the State and got a refund from the Federal and have spent it already.
Our dishwasher was a disaster. Not old particularly, and still kind of working but the dishes on the top shelf never got clean and it ruined all of our glasses. So we had enough of a refund to buy a new one and did. So far so good. At least the top shelf comes out clean. It is the quietist one I think we ever had and Jim said it sighs. Twice it has sighed at him while he was getting something in the kitchen and made him jump because he thought someone was there.
It was pleasant enough this afternoon that I was able to go out in the yard and clear the leaves off of my herb garden.. I am pleased to tell you that my chives, parsley, thyme, oregano and lavender are all coming back and the rhubarb is coming up too. We are supposed to have rain and warm weather this weekend. I hope there is a bit of a thunder storm because that seems to make the leaves just pop out on the trees. Yea for Spring.
Sheboygan Falls has their annual Home and Hearth Days this weekend. Every year they have a food contest. Three years ago it was bread and I won third prize with my Irish Soda Bread. Last year was cheesecake and I didn't win. This year is cheesecake again and the following is the cheesecake that I am going to enter.
I haven't tried it before so will make three little tastes for Jim, Dick and I.
Fiesta Cheesecake
Source: Casa Sedona Bed & Breakfast Inn, Sedona, Arizona
1 1/2 cups finely crushed tortilla chips
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups (10 ounces) shredded Monterey
jack cheese with peppers
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 (8 ounce) carton sour cream
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped sweet yellow pepper
1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/2 cup green onions
1 medium tomato, chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped ripe olives
2 bunches fresh cilantro or parsley (optional)
Combine tortilla chips and butter; press onto bottom of a lightly greased 9-inch spring-form pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
Beat all 19 ounces of cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer for 3 minutes or until fluffy; add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in cheese, chiles and ground red pepper. Pour into prepared pan, and bake at 325 degrees F for 30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes on a wire rack.
Place on a bed of fresh cilantro or parsley, if desired. Gently run a knife around edge of pan to release sides, and let cool completely. Spread sour cream evenly over top; cover and chill.
Arrange green pepper and remaining ingredients on top as desired.
Yields one 9-inch cheesecake or 25 appetizer servings.
Wish me luck
Mary
Our dishwasher was a disaster. Not old particularly, and still kind of working but the dishes on the top shelf never got clean and it ruined all of our glasses. So we had enough of a refund to buy a new one and did. So far so good. At least the top shelf comes out clean. It is the quietist one I think we ever had and Jim said it sighs. Twice it has sighed at him while he was getting something in the kitchen and made him jump because he thought someone was there.
It was pleasant enough this afternoon that I was able to go out in the yard and clear the leaves off of my herb garden.. I am pleased to tell you that my chives, parsley, thyme, oregano and lavender are all coming back and the rhubarb is coming up too. We are supposed to have rain and warm weather this weekend. I hope there is a bit of a thunder storm because that seems to make the leaves just pop out on the trees. Yea for Spring.
Sheboygan Falls has their annual Home and Hearth Days this weekend. Every year they have a food contest. Three years ago it was bread and I won third prize with my Irish Soda Bread. Last year was cheesecake and I didn't win. This year is cheesecake again and the following is the cheesecake that I am going to enter.
I haven't tried it before so will make three little tastes for Jim, Dick and I.
Fiesta Cheesecake
Source: Casa Sedona Bed & Breakfast Inn, Sedona, Arizona
1 1/2 cups finely crushed tortilla chips
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups (10 ounces) shredded Monterey
jack cheese with peppers
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 (8 ounce) carton sour cream
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup chopped sweet yellow pepper
1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/2 cup green onions
1 medium tomato, chopped
2 tablespoons finely chopped ripe olives
2 bunches fresh cilantro or parsley (optional)
Combine tortilla chips and butter; press onto bottom of a lightly greased 9-inch spring-form pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
Beat all 19 ounces of cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer for 3 minutes or until fluffy; add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in cheese, chiles and ground red pepper. Pour into prepared pan, and bake at 325 degrees F for 30 minutes. Cool 10 minutes on a wire rack.
Place on a bed of fresh cilantro or parsley, if desired. Gently run a knife around edge of pan to release sides, and let cool completely. Spread sour cream evenly over top; cover and chill.
Arrange green pepper and remaining ingredients on top as desired.
Yields one 9-inch cheesecake or 25 appetizer servings.
Wish me luck
Mary
Wednesday, April 14, 2004
We concluded our study of the Vatican II Constitutions at the Bible Study today. We only went about half way through the book - through the changes on Sacred Liturgy because we really want to get back to a Bible Study. Next week we start the letters of Peter. We had some rather heated discussions of sacred music (how contemporary should we get? What about Gregorian Chant -where has it gone?) It was fun.
I am writing a poem about my Uncle George Deeley. He was my Dad's brother and a bachelor. He was born and raised in the home on School Street in Sheboygan Falls that my brother Randy bought after Aunt Helen died. He stayed with Aunt Helen, who also never married until he died of cancer. He was a good looking guy, rather shy and very well liked.
Once a week, he would walk down town and go to three or four bars throughout the evening, meeting friends and lifting a few and exchanging tales and whatever guys do. The last time I saw him was back in 1978. I was living in California at the time but was visiting Sheboygan Falls for my 30th High School Reunion. The boys and I were coming out of Evans (You know Evans. It is the dime store in Sheboygan Falls that has been there since I was a little kid and probably before. They say if you can't find it at Evans - it doesn't exist. Children LOVE to go to Evans.) Anyway we looked down the street and Dales Bar (now Chuck and Sue's) was burning. I rushed up the street to see and ran into Uncle George coming down the street. I said. "Dale's is burning." He said. "I know, I was in there." George used a cane for years but his friends said he really made good time getting out or that bar.
He always sent me a cheese box for Christmas. I was his goddaughter you know.
Love
Mary
I am writing a poem about my Uncle George Deeley. He was my Dad's brother and a bachelor. He was born and raised in the home on School Street in Sheboygan Falls that my brother Randy bought after Aunt Helen died. He stayed with Aunt Helen, who also never married until he died of cancer. He was a good looking guy, rather shy and very well liked.
Once a week, he would walk down town and go to three or four bars throughout the evening, meeting friends and lifting a few and exchanging tales and whatever guys do. The last time I saw him was back in 1978. I was living in California at the time but was visiting Sheboygan Falls for my 30th High School Reunion. The boys and I were coming out of Evans (You know Evans. It is the dime store in Sheboygan Falls that has been there since I was a little kid and probably before. They say if you can't find it at Evans - it doesn't exist. Children LOVE to go to Evans.) Anyway we looked down the street and Dales Bar (now Chuck and Sue's) was burning. I rushed up the street to see and ran into Uncle George coming down the street. I said. "Dale's is burning." He said. "I know, I was in there." George used a cane for years but his friends said he really made good time getting out or that bar.
He always sent me a cheese box for Christmas. I was his goddaughter you know.
Love
Mary
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Again, I have two cats sprawled on my desk. I really need two desks. One to work on and one for the cats to "be with me" under a nice warm desk lamp. I am going to add a picture of them on the desk. If you look at the computer screen, you can see our old cat Waylon. He was with us for 18 years and we still miss him. It is taking both of these kitties to make up for him. They are something else. The black one is Big Oscar and weighs 15 pounds. The tabby is Foxy Roxie. She weighs 9 pounds and has no tail.
Every day has one hour in which a wish may be granted and in which a person has the power to see spirits. Only by trial and error can that period be known. (An Irish Superstition)
May you find your hour.
Mary
Every day has one hour in which a wish may be granted and in which a person has the power to see spirits. Only by trial and error can that period be known. (An Irish Superstition)
May you find your hour.
Mary
Monday, April 12, 2004
It was a meeting day. This morning the book discussion group met. Our topic was Stretching Your Limits. We are a group of doers, it appears. They suggest stretching physical, mental and spiritual limits. We decided that by establishing a bible study group, we are stretching our spiritual limits and perhaps that is enough for right now. I think I mentioned in an earlier entry, that Liz Holtz, one of our participants, said that she would like to study Psalms, so that is where we will start. We have decided to skip the last week in April and begin our study on May 3rd at the same time as these discussions. I will send for the study guides from The Liturgical Press. We will use the Collegeville Bible Commentary series which I have had experience with at the Wednesday morning group that meets at St. Clements.
I am going in to quite a bit of detail because Tom Keyes, a member of the group, and Blessed Trinity's webmaster is going to put a link to my web page on the parish site. This means that I need to be more informative about some things and I want to be more entertaining as not everybody will know me so well as most of my current readers.
I figure I will be sure to add a poem (mine or some master poet), a quotation, a recipe, or an anecdote or story to each entry. Today you are getting a poem. I was at Writer's Club today and read two new ones to them and they seemed to find them likeable. I welcome comments and you can do so on the web page, on the left at the bottom of all of those dates. Just click on Tell Me and you will link to my AOL address. Otherwise, it is mkunert@aol.com. The poem I will share today is an early morning experience shared only with my dog as we walked. It is an attempt to share it with others.
AVIAN BALLET
By
Mary J. Kunert
We saw them in the morning sky
Sweeping, swirling up on high.
The starlings rival Fosse's dancers.
Never falter - forwards, backwards.
Never a trip or misstep there
Death defying in the air.
Blue Angels can't compete
With Avian Dancers o'er the street
Feathered dancers wing to wing
Glide in silence - deafening.
Thirty - forty we can't count
The tension and the beauty mount.
Back and forth in joy they flow
Like a disc on blue they go
So close we hold our breath in wonder
They do not touch or stray or blunder
Alighting finally in the trees
They chatter proudly to the breeze
Have a wonderful week
Mary
I am going in to quite a bit of detail because Tom Keyes, a member of the group, and Blessed Trinity's webmaster is going to put a link to my web page on the parish site. This means that I need to be more informative about some things and I want to be more entertaining as not everybody will know me so well as most of my current readers.
I figure I will be sure to add a poem (mine or some master poet), a quotation, a recipe, or an anecdote or story to each entry. Today you are getting a poem. I was at Writer's Club today and read two new ones to them and they seemed to find them likeable. I welcome comments and you can do so on the web page, on the left at the bottom of all of those dates. Just click on Tell Me and you will link to my AOL address. Otherwise, it is mkunert@aol.com. The poem I will share today is an early morning experience shared only with my dog as we walked. It is an attempt to share it with others.
AVIAN BALLET
By
Mary J. Kunert
We saw them in the morning sky
Sweeping, swirling up on high.
The starlings rival Fosse's dancers.
Never falter - forwards, backwards.
Never a trip or misstep there
Death defying in the air.
Blue Angels can't compete
With Avian Dancers o'er the street
Feathered dancers wing to wing
Glide in silence - deafening.
Thirty - forty we can't count
The tension and the beauty mount.
Back and forth in joy they flow
Like a disc on blue they go
So close we hold our breath in wonder
They do not touch or stray or blunder
Alighting finally in the trees
They chatter proudly to the breeze
Have a wonderful week
Mary
Sunday, April 11, 2004
Easter was very special. The Mass was very special to me and all the choir. We sang our hearts out and even got applause a couple of times which is unusual, because, as you know, it is not a common thing during the services. We even has a Celtic dancer during the song the Lord of the Dance just before the offertory.
I talked to Bret today. He is still a bit tired but is feeling fine and will be back to work this week. We had a nice phone visit.
Steve told us the funniest Easter story today. It seems that some friends of ours took their children to see the Easter Bunny at the Mall. It was not a successful trip at all, because the four year old stated immediately that that was NOT the Easter Bunny. Easter Bunnies do NOT walk, they HOP.
Then they filled the Easter Baskets after the kids were in bed and hid them in the bathtub. The Daddy got up in the morning, reached behind the shower curtain and proceeded to turn on the shower to warm it up while he brushed his teeth. Thought it sounded funny and threw the curtain back to find a river of chocolate floating down the drain. The Easter that is best forgotten but will be remembered through all family history.
Hope your chocolate didn't get floated down the drain.
Love
Mary
I talked to Bret today. He is still a bit tired but is feeling fine and will be back to work this week. We had a nice phone visit.
Steve told us the funniest Easter story today. It seems that some friends of ours took their children to see the Easter Bunny at the Mall. It was not a successful trip at all, because the four year old stated immediately that that was NOT the Easter Bunny. Easter Bunnies do NOT walk, they HOP.
Then they filled the Easter Baskets after the kids were in bed and hid them in the bathtub. The Daddy got up in the morning, reached behind the shower curtain and proceeded to turn on the shower to warm it up while he brushed his teeth. Thought it sounded funny and threw the curtain back to find a river of chocolate floating down the drain. The Easter that is best forgotten but will be remembered through all family history.
Hope your chocolate didn't get floated down the drain.
Love
Mary
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