tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44931741954047160662024-03-08T04:58:33.680-08:00As A FlowerPsalm 103:15 "... as a flower of the field..."LuvRainyDazehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436263462964075287noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493174195404716066.post-15711167084289750112012-04-04T10:47:00.001-07:002012-04-04T10:47:19.531-07:00Ello, lovelies :)<br />
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Sending you a hunchback smile (named such by Twitter friend, @tpjost ) and 'Hello' to you!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Lz9b1lbf6U/T3yIdU5IqsI/AAAAAAAABD4/hnffOIxFcpI/s1600/hunchback+smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Lz9b1lbf6U/T3yIdU5IqsI/AAAAAAAABD4/hnffOIxFcpI/s320/hunchback+smile.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
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Hope you are all well. Drop me a line and let me know what is going on with you! I would love to hear.<br />
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Recipe from Twitter friend @musicheckher coming soon!!<br />
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~Thanks for stopping by :)LuvRainyDazehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436263462964075287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493174195404716066.post-5934365132711993192012-02-05T11:43:00.001-08:002012-02-05T11:43:16.691-08:00Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens<div style="padding: 0; overflow: hidden; margin: 0; width: 500px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6358967551/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="Fall has such beautiful colors!" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6096/6358967551_5d22774095_s.jpg" alt="Fall has such beautiful colors!" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359229767/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days. ~ John Burroughs" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6106/6359229767_f1bd7ce00c_s.jpg" alt="How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days. ~ John Burroughs" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6358981491/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6108/6358981491_696f705f59_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6358994707/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6116/6358994707_59d2691c84_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359223791/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="Mirrored Layers" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6231/6359223791_fc1ffbf985_s.jpg" alt="Mirrored Layers" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359039299/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="Fall Flowers :)" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6225/6359039299_9276e886a8_s.jpg" alt="Fall Flowers :)" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359219157/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6115/6359219157_771268493b_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359140143/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6113/6359140143_e0e692b866_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6358954751/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6231/6358954751_805b7ee3df_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359242013/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6216/6359242013_dda3d10877_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359232575/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn. ~ Elizabeth Lawrence" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6033/6359232575_53b3dc03df_s.jpg" alt="Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn. ~ Elizabeth Lawrence" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359239361/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6107/6359239361_416993f078_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359237819/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6240/6359237819_8a2ece604e_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359134227/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6213/6359134227_8b81e8d245_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359223237/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6048/6359223237_5cb83b5eee_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359226517/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6113/6359226517_b5faec2f1c_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359213815/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6040/6359213815_1726ae8bc7_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359220219/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="Sparkle Fish" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6097/6359220219_a0e60dc17b_s.jpg" alt="Sparkle Fish" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359235127/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6217/6359235127_089d2b7a08_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6358959095/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face. ~ John Donne" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6235/6358959095_0eda87d29d_s.jpg" alt="No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face. ~ John Donne" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359135649/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6092/6359135649_86d7801ce7_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6358677797/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6039/6358677797_7895d4c79a_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359216395/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6043/6359216395_bb534e0ee4_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/6359213021/in/set-72157628040706375/" title="" style="display: block; padding: 0 0 10px 0; width: 75px; height: 75px; float: left;"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6095/6359213021_482086362a_s.jpg" alt="" style="border:none; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 75px; height: 75px;"/></a><br clear="all"/></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px"><p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/luvrainydaze/sets/72157628040706375/">Fall Arboretum</a>, a set on Flickr.</p></div><p>In November of last year, I visited the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens for, "Autumn in the Arboretum". This was my first visit to the 66 acres of lush horticulture displays. The arboretum was beautifully ornamented with fall colors including over 40,000 pumpkins and decorative gourds! I'm sharing my camera's view with you.</p>LuvRainyDazehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436263462964075287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493174195404716066.post-6067668369063568972011-12-13T21:59:00.000-08:002011-12-13T22:11:19.355-08:00My thoughts on, 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (1945 film)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n21iJiBg2rY/Tug914GYHiI/AAAAAAAABBs/94hfymrZygM/s1600/pictureofdoriangray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n21iJiBg2rY/Tug914GYHiI/AAAAAAAABBs/94hfymrZygM/s1600/pictureofdoriangray.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The film, based on Oscar Wilde's novel, 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', stars George Sanders, Hurd Hatfield, Donna Reed and Angela Landsbury. Dorian Gray, youthful and naive, has his portrait painted, whereupon he is introduced to Lord Henry, a friend of the painter. Shortly after hearing Lord Henry speak of his personal views of youthfulness and the enjoyments therein, Dorian wishes to keep his youthful appearance forever in exchange for his soul. We soon learn that the portrait of Dorian will be a mirror, more or less, to his soul wherein, the portrait becomes more and more disfigured with each sin he commits. Two things stood out in my mind at the completion of this film: Firstly, Lord Henry, whom seemingly lurks and suggests wrongdoings to Dorian at key moments, reminded me of the role Satan plays in our lives. Satan can and does tempt us, but we make our own decisions. Decisions, good or bad, lead to outcomes. We may make mistakes and learn from these mistakes to make better decisions in the future, but we are still left with the outcomes from those mistakes. For example, when Lord Henry suggested Dorian "use" the girl he had otherwise planned to marry and Dorian did so, he was later sorrowful about his decision and had decided to marry the girl after all. However, before he could make it right, he learned of her suicide. Faced with the guilt of her suicide, it seemed to me, Dorian hardened his heart and gave up on himself. The film implied he went from one bad act to another; I'm sure the novel would fill in the blanks better than the film. The second thing that stood out in my mind, was the fact that Dorian's fate seemed set in stone, whereas ours, thankfully, is not. As I said before, we may have to live with outcomes from our mistakes, but that should not stop us from righting those wrongs as best we can and trying to do better in the future. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail." Also, don't be discouraged. It's often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.<br />
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</div><div>I would love to hear your thoughts on the film! :)</div><div>Thanks for stopping by ~ Julie</div>LuvRainyDazehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436263462964075287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493174195404716066.post-40637512626959740262011-11-03T13:08:00.000-07:002011-11-03T13:08:14.929-07:00Broccoli/Cauliflower Cheese Soup Bowls<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Ingredients</span><br />
<ul class="ingr-list" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.4; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 2.5em; padding-right: 2.5em; padding-top: 0px;"><li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingr-unit">3</span> <span class="ingr-meas">cups</span> <span class="ingr-descr">broccoli pieces, chopped</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingr-unit">3</span> <span class="ingr-meas">cups</span> <span class="ingr-descr">cauliflower pieces, chopped</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingr-unit">2</span> <span class="ingr-meas">cups</span> <span class="ingr-descr">onions, chopped</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingr-unit">5</span> <span class="ingr-meas">tablespoons</span> <span class="ingr-descr">tablespoons butter or margarine</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingr-unit">8</span> <span class="ingr-meas">cups</span> <span class="ingr-descr">cups chicken broth, divided</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingr-unit">1</span> <span class="ingr-meas">teaspoon</span> <span class="ingr-descr">teaspoon dried leaf oregano, crumbled</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingr-unit">¼</span> <span class="ingr-meas">cup</span> <span class="ingr-descr">cup flour</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingr-unit">2</span> <span class="ingr-meas">tablespoons</span> <span class="ingr-descr">tablespoons Dijon mustard</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingr-unit">⅛</span> <span class="ingr-meas">teaspoon</span> <span class="ingr-descr">teaspoon pepper</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingr-unit">1 ½</span> <span class="ingr-meas">cups</span> <span class="ingr-descr">milk</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingr-unit">2</span> <span class="ingr-meas">cups</span> <span class="ingr-descr">shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, more if you like your soup cheesy</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingr-descr">dash of Worcestershire sauce</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingr-unit"></span> <span class="ingr-meas"></span><span class="ingr-descr">salt and pepper to taste</span></li>
<li style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="ingr-descr">Bread soup bowls (make your own, or buy them)</span></li>
</ul><div class="page_title_large" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Method</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Cut florets off broccoli and simmer in lightly salted water (about a cup of water) for 2 minutes; drain (saving the water for the soup) and immerse in cold water to stop cooking then set aside.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Cut and chop broccoli stalks and cauliflower into small pieces. Chop onion.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Add chopped onions and 3 tablespoons of butter to soup pot; sauté over medium low heat for 5 minutes or till lightly brown. Add chopped broccoli, cauliflower and 4 cups chicken broth, Worcestershire sauce and oregano to the saucepan; simmer 20 to 30 minutes. Carefully process hot mixture in batches in a blender until smooth and add back to soup pot. Or blend with an immersion blender. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in saucepan; stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly. Stir in mustard and pepper and then gradually add the milk. Stir milk mixture into processed mixture and remaining 4 cups of chicken broth and water from simmered broccoli florets. Continue to cook, stirring, until mixture begins to bubble. Add cheese; stir until smooth and cheese is melted. Add remaining broccoli florets and heat through.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Cut the tops of the bread bowls off carefully and scoop out the insides and toast for croutons. Don't add croutons until ready to serve.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">**Fun for kids** Make shaped veggies for dipping! Choose large carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, etc. and use cookie cutters to cut into fun shapes. Brush with olive oil and place on a baking sheet sprayed with olive oil spray and roast. You may want to add another baking sheet on top for veggies that will curl, or simply use a George Foreman</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"> grille if you have one.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Thank you, Cyndee for this awesome recipe! I look forward to trying it.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #4d4d4d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">~Thanks for stopping by :)</span></span></span>LuvRainyDazehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436263462964075287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493174195404716066.post-63332752679939829472011-11-03T12:43:00.000-07:002011-11-03T13:18:45.314-07:00Hello :) It's been a while!I haven't written anything in a while, and seeing as my last post was left on a sad note, I wanted to let you know it was written for a friend who had lost her parents and was feeling a bit low in spirits. I was thinking of her when I wrote the post. Hope you have been well, Friends. I have a recipe to share with you I received today from a friend. I haven't made it myself yet, but it seems delicious and perfect for the cool weather we are having here! I will post it next .... two posts in one day, that's a record for me! :)<br />
<br />
~Thanks for stopping by :)LuvRainyDazehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436263462964075287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493174195404716066.post-53867073246085557112011-09-24T20:59:00.000-07:002011-09-24T20:59:21.933-07:00Reminiscent Of Loved Ones Gone But Not Forgotten ...<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Farewell </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Farewell to Thee! But not farewell </div><div style="text-align: center;">To all my fondest thoughts of Thee; </div><div style="text-align: center;">Within my heart they still shall dwell </div><div style="text-align: center;">And they shall cheer and comfort me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Life seems more sweet that Thou didst live </div><div style="text-align: center;">And men more true Thou wert one; </div><div style="text-align: center;">Nothing is lost that Thou didst give, </div><div style="text-align: center;">Nothing destroyed that Thou hast done. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Anne Bronte </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>1820-1849 </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth </div><div style="text-align: center;">you are weeping for that which has been your delight.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Kahlil Gibran</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Kenji Miyazawa</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow,</div><div style="text-align: center;">May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Author Unknown</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Psalm 30:5</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Psalm 34:18</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Psalm 46:1-2</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div>Thanks for stopping by ~ Julie :)</div>LuvRainyDazehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436263462964075287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493174195404716066.post-36251181924861965692011-09-07T13:36:00.000-07:002011-09-07T13:36:04.535-07:00Spicy Tortilla SoupA warm, velvety soup, filled with spicy chicken and zucchini squash, topped with shredded Monterey Jack cheese and a slice of avocado.<div><br />
</div><div>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div>Ingredients:</div><div>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div>1 cup onion, shredded</div><div>2 cloves garlic, minced</div><div>6 medium zucchini, sliced and quartered</div><div>8 cups water</div><div>6 chicken breast</div><div>1 can stewed tomatoes</div><div>1 can Rotel</div><div>1 can 15 oz. tomato sauce</div><div>1 can 12 oz. can corn, undrained</div><div>3 tsp. cumin</div><div>4 cubes chicken boullion</div><div>2 tsp. garlic powder</div><div>1 1/2 tsp. black pepper</div><div>1 bag of Tortilla chips</div><div>1 cup Monterey Jack cheese</div><div>2 or 3 avocados</div><div>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><div>To make broth, boil chicken breasts in 8 cups of water until chicken is cooked. Remove chicken, allow to cool, then shred. Add bouillon cubes to broth. Add all remaining ingredients except chips, cheese and avocado to broth. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Spoon soup in bowls, add chips, cheese and a slice of avocado.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Thanks for stopping by! ~Julie :)</div>LuvRainyDazehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436263462964075287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493174195404716066.post-15101159249083330122011-09-01T13:04:00.000-07:002011-09-02T14:44:06.729-07:00Hungry?!<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever wonder if some of the plants in your backyard or nearby park are edible?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If the answer is: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">YES!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, keep reading...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If the answer is: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">NO!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm with you, but we are going to be a good sport and go along anyway...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This morning my husband found this AWESOME website:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.foragingtexas.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://www.foragingtexas.com/</span></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Merriwether's Guide to Edible Wild Plants of Texas and the Southwest)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and he had a brilliant idea called:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Let's go foraging for edible plants in our neighborhood park!"</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, we got out the double-stroller (which, by the way, did quite well off-roading; I may have to review that on here sometime, ha ha), packed up the kiddos, grabbed water and our handy dandy list copied from the above mentioned website and headed out on an "adventure"! :)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are still with me, right?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay, so are you ready to see what we found?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did you bring your appetite???!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sBvRypZ3s-Y/Tl_Q_3N5NHI/AAAAAAAAA9o/Zaq4S83asIg/s1600/IMG_5577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sBvRypZ3s-Y/Tl_Q_3N5NHI/AAAAAAAAA9o/Zaq4S83asIg/s320/IMG_5577.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are acorns somewhere </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in that photo...I think.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guess, what? Acorns are edible!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And if I had to eat out of the park,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would be eating A LOT of acorns I believe.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Plus, also, squirrel.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mainly, because they would be fighting me for my acorns, but also because they would taste way better than the other things we found! No, really.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fair Warning: It is going to get much worse before it get's better...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Many kinds of Algae are edible (with a LOT of boiling, etc.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ymHteNJRAE8/Tl_Uo4gF2rI/AAAAAAAAA9s/MwPRilHKsLY/s1600/IMG_5596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ymHteNJRAE8/Tl_Uo4gF2rI/AAAAAAAAA9s/MwPRilHKsLY/s320/IMG_5596.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tasty, right?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This may be a good time to say... Don't use these photos to eat ANYTHING!! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These photos are purely for entertainment!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We found Alligator Weed or Smartweed, not sure which...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IYaUxnChCBo/Tl_X11VauVI/AAAAAAAAA90/ZH0X44UfndM/s1600/IMG_5597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IYaUxnChCBo/Tl_X11VauVI/AAAAAAAAA90/ZH0X44UfndM/s320/IMG_5597.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pony's Foot</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43-yNlhb8iQ/Tl_YxJYtkqI/AAAAAAAAA94/RTgjCpW6loQ/s1600/IMG_5602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43-yNlhb8iQ/Tl_YxJYtkqI/AAAAAAAAA94/RTgjCpW6loQ/s320/IMG_5602.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dandelion</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5H6n-5VYhQM/Tl_ZGXE4N-I/AAAAAAAAA98/gzi9bLOtDss/s1600/IMG_5601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5H6n-5VYhQM/Tl_ZGXE4N-I/AAAAAAAAA98/gzi9bLOtDss/s320/IMG_5601.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What, you can't see the dandelion in that last photo? It is there. Look harder.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lichen</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lMe2LYeuLZE/Tl_Z7ixxb_I/AAAAAAAAA-A/E0R4wRuhAXc/s1600/IMG_5599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lMe2LYeuLZE/Tl_Z7ixxb_I/AAAAAAAAA-A/E0R4wRuhAXc/s320/IMG_5599.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Honey Locust</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lPblo5oga3Y/Tl_aksuw6bI/AAAAAAAAA-E/tf1SzF1Wjg8/s1600/IMG_5585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lPblo5oga3Y/Tl_aksuw6bI/AAAAAAAAA-E/tf1SzF1Wjg8/s320/IMG_5585.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We digress...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, in our neighborhood park...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to learn THIS:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7w4sJsK5cfw/Tl_bgZKIp-I/AAAAAAAAA-I/MZPMp7sD_0Y/s1600/IMG_5583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7w4sJsK5cfw/Tl_bgZKIp-I/AAAAAAAAA-I/MZPMp7sD_0Y/s320/IMG_5583.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">DISC GOLF!!!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Okay, back to the point...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That was all the edible things we found in our neighborhood park.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had a great time and learned a few things.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Most importantly, I will be VERY thankful</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">each</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">every</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">single</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">time</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I forage in my fridge for something edible!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MBHuUeuSOzU/Tl_cgm5xfcI/AAAAAAAAA-M/gPbI4OkekWg/s1600/IMG_5618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MBHuUeuSOzU/Tl_cgm5xfcI/AAAAAAAAA-M/gPbI4OkekWg/s320/IMG_5618.jpg" width="229" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9i1jfN1xx5o/Tl_cjRphpgI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/osHuSgTY6Xw/s1600/IMG_5604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9i1jfN1xx5o/Tl_cjRphpgI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/osHuSgTY6Xw/s320/IMG_5604.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><b>Ephesians 5:20</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;"><b>Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; line-height: 21px;"><b>Thanks for stopping by!</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: inherit; line-height: 21px;"><b>~ Julie :)</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div>LuvRainyDazehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436263462964075287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493174195404716066.post-21181322427418241802011-08-26T19:49:00.000-07:002011-08-26T19:49:56.332-07:00Zuppa Toscana Inspired Soup<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I'm sharing with you one of my favorite soups of all time! A creamy sausage soup that is absolutely delicious and a big family favorite at our house. This soup tastes very similar, if not identical, to Olive Garden's Zuppa Toscana soup. We like this soup year round, served with a Caesar salad and fruit in the summer months or inside your favorite mug perched by a cozy fireplace in the winter. I hope your family loves this soup as much as I do!</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Ingredients </div><div style="text-align: center;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 lb. Italian sausage </div><div style="text-align: center;">2 large Russet baking potatoes, sliced in half, and then in 1/4" slices.</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 large onion, chopped</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/4 cup bacon, crumbled</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 cloves garlic, minced</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 cups kale or swiss chard, chopped</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 cans chicken broth </div><div style="text-align: center;">1 quart water</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 cup heavy whipping cream</div><div style="text-align: center;">--------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div><div style="text-align: center;">Brown sausage and crumble. Drain and set aside.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Place onions, potatoes, chicken broth, water, garlic in pot and cook on medicum heat until potatoes are done.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Add sausage and bacon.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Salt and pepper to taste.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Simmer for another 10 minutes.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Turn to low heat.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Add kale and cream.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Heat thouroughly and serve!</div><div style="text-align: center;">~ Delizioso! ~</div><br />
Thanks for stopping by :) ~Julie<br />
LuvRainyDazehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436263462964075287noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493174195404716066.post-74999747637869244972011-08-24T23:17:00.000-07:002011-08-25T06:37:42.028-07:00FriendI was asked twice by a Twitter friend who lives in Turkey (How cool is that?!) to write more on my blog, and that got me thinking about friends.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">The definition of friend is as follows:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">1. A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">2. A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">3. A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f;">4. One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement: friends of the clean air movement.</span><br />
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We see a friend can be anyone from a mere aquaintance to one who is more endearing; who supports and sympathizes with us.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #741b47;">A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words. ~ Danish Proverb</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: purple;">A hug is worth a thousand words. A friend is worth more. ~ Charles Caleb Colton</span><br />
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What does the Bible have to say about a friend? A couple of my favorite verses concerning a friend are as follows:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000;">Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. ~ Proverbs 17:17</span><br />
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And yet . . . Yes, let's flip the coin over, so to speak. None of us are perfect, right? If we put all of our faith and trust in humans who will sooner or later let us down, we will likely crumble when they do let us down. Whereas, God will never let us down!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;">Loving someone is risky only when you are dependent upon their love in return for your emotional well-being. ~ Lauren McEachran</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;">Do not trust in a friend; Do not put your confidence in a companion. ~ Micah 7:5</span><br />
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Friends will let us down from time to time, but remember, they are also born for adversity. Adversities are difficulties and misfortunes!! How wonderful to have friends stand beside us when we go through hardships and misfortunes. In fact, this reminds me of another Bible verse:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000;">Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ~ Galatians 6:2</span><br />
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So, a friend can help me carry my burden & vice versa!<br />
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~ Friends are a blessing & I am thankful for each and every one of mine ~<br />
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Thank you, Friend, for stopping by :)LuvRainyDazehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436263462964075287noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4493174195404716066.post-27041827348559335552011-08-06T17:42:00.000-07:002011-08-06T17:42:29.180-07:00If the shoe fits . . .Today I was rummaging through a couple of bags of baby clothes in our guest room closet to find some dresses for my youngest, Anna, who is now six months old. Violet, my second oldest, came to investigate like she usually does. Violet's two favorite things are hats and shoes. Faster than I could blink my eyes, she picked up a pair of glittery pink baby shoes, with glee, from the floor where I was sorting the clothes. She then, of course, proceeds to try them on. They were only five sizes too small, so they almost fit, right? Wrong! But, she had to try nevertheless! ~ This reminded me of the idiom, <em>If the Shoe Fits, Wear It.</em> Meaning, if something applies to you, accept it. With acceptance, comes understanding. Proverbs 2:6 says, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." . . . If we do not accept that we need the Lord, we will not gain true understanding, knowledge or wisdom.LuvRainyDazehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05436263462964075287noreply@blogger.com0