I wasn't feeling the best and had very little appetite, which for me is a huge indicator of the state of my health. Anyhow, I had to eat something simply because eating was a prerequisite for taking the medication. I searched and searched my food memories, trying to find something palatable. Finally, it hit me! A tomato soup I had cooked once upon a time using canned tomatoes, roasted in the oven! I remembered it being easy-peasy and that fact was super appealing to my sad state of being. I had only prepared it once, so the details were hazy, and as I came to find out, the name of the recipe was too. I remembered Pinning it and did a search in my Pins for "Tomato Basil Soup". After searching through my Pins and doing a broader Pinterest search for fifteen minutes, the recipe was nowhere to be found. However, I did find one that I was about ready to settle for when I had the incredible idea of being less specific and search for plain "tomato soup". Well, there it was! It was not "tomato basil", but "tomato balsamic". I was ecstatic about finding it until I read that it required an hour in the oven! It was getting late and I knew there would have to be A CHANGE OF PLANS. I came up with the idea of combining the best of both recipes for the win.

The following recipe is tasty, hearty, simple, and best of all, quick as far as homemade soups go. My family loved it; it was just what my blah taste buds needed, and served with the hubs' special grilled cheese sandwiches, a definite keeper!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 28 oz Cans of Whole Peeled Tomatoes
• 5 Cloves Garlic, Casing Removed
• 32 oz Beef, chicken, or vegetable broth
• 1 Large Onion, Rough Chop
• 2 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
• 1.5 T Dried basil
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/2 - 1 Cup Heavy Cream or Half 'n Half
• Salt and pepper to taste

In a deep pot, place tomatoes, garlic, onion, broth, balsamic vinegar, and basil. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes until garlic and onion are soft. Turn off heat. Add butter and allow to melt. Blend with immersion blender until desired consistency. Add cream slowly while blending. Heat on low 5-10 minutes to allow cream to warm. Do NOT boil! Add salt and pepper, if needed. Serve.

Cooking with Granna

So many people post recipes on Pinterest, so I thought, "Why not me?" Of course, I can only pin from my blog or other websites. Therefore, it had to be my blog. This recipe is so yummy and colorful, I want to share! The recipe came from a friend, April Joonsar, who told me it came from her mother, who found it in some magazine years ago. 

 Please bear with me as I attempt to share this recipe. You won't regret it, I promise! It is both healthy and delicious.

My family, including my Chinese exchange student, loves it!

 Butternut Squash White Bean Stew

Gather your ingredients.

Cut the onion.

Chop the celery.

Slice the mushrooms (or use canned mushrooms). 

Add to a Dutch oven in which you have put 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  Cook over medium heat until vegetables start to brown - about 8 minutes.

Stir in butternut squash that has been peeled and cut into cubes.

Add canned tomatoes, garlic, water (or broth), spaghetti sauce (or tomato paste), rosemary, salt and pepper and diced ham (if desired).  Mix well.

Cover and bring to a simmer.  Simmer until squash is tender, about 25 minutes.  Uncover and stir in beans which have been rinsed and drained. Simmer for another 10-15 minutes.

Serve with cornbread or rolls.  It is hearty and perfect for a cold, rainy day!

Southern style cornbread - not sweet 

and cooked in a  black iron skillet!

Butternut Squash White Bean Stew

2 T olive oil

1 cup slivered onion

3/4 cup thinly sliced celery (about 2 ribs)

2-3 cups sliced mushrooms

4 cups cubed, peeled butternut squash (a 2 lb. squash)

1 15 oz can diced tomatoes (I prefer with basil, or use fire-roasted to kick it up a notch)

2 garlic cloves, pressed

2 cups water or chicken broth (I prefer the broth for more flavor)

2 T spaghetti sauce (or tomato paste)

3/4 dried rosemary, crumbled

1 tsp. coarse salt

1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

2 15 oz. cans Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup diced ham (optional - or try bacon)

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.  Add onion, celery and mushrooms. Cook until vegetables start to brown, about 8 minutes.

Stir in squash and all other ingredients, except beans.  Mix well.  Cover and bring to a simmer.  Cook until squash is tender, about 25 minutes.  Do not overcook - the squash will be mushy (yuck).  Uncover and stir in beans.  Heat for another 10-15 minutes.  Serves 6 as a main dish - 8 if a side dish.

A Joyful Project

Today's project involved paint, buttons, glue, glitter, ribbon, plastic sheet, cardboard, styrofoam baskets........and a ten year old girl (my first granddaughter). Spending quality time with her was my goal and quality time in her eyes was creating something. Instead of working on MY projects, I helped her with ideas, gathering materials, instructing, cleaning for HER project. I was her cheerleader.

I know you're wondering and are afraid to ask. YES!! I showed her Pinterest! She LOVED it!!

Sometimes it's good to be a keeper of things that can be reused, recycled, repurposed, or just to create with. She had a great time searching for those elements her creativity longed for, and at least all, except the plastic sheet, were found in one room. I give myself some credit for being organized enough for that!

The plastic sheet covered the dining room table and then everything else covered the plastic sheet. She mixed her own paint. She chose her own bright colors. She decorated with ribbon. She fashioned a word that spoke volumes in its simplicity. She painted with long, even strokes....as carefully as any ten year old could. She glued with precision. And then, the masterpiece was unveiled. JOY! Like a button monogram, the word stood out. I smiled.

Every project should bring JOY!

Goal achieved!

Pinaholics Anonymous - Charter Member!

Hi. My name is Martha and I am a Pinaholic. I confess that I have used Pinterest several times every day. I'm sure I could stop - cold turkey - at any time, but please, don't require it of me. This is a helpful addiction. Pinterest has helped inspire me and given meaning and structure to my day. It is both a blessing and a curse - a blessing of encouragement to change the things I can, a curse because I whine about things I cannot change, and wisdom........well.......the jury is still out on that one.

Pinterest has taught me that I can learn new things. It is teaching this "old dog" new tricks in cooking, organization, repurposing, saving money, crafting, sewing, decorating, and dreaming. I am beginning to feel a sense of pride again in the way my home looks. How and why I lost that pride is a long story for another time. Suffice it to say that it feels good and feeling better to think I may host guests in my home again in the near future.

To keep me motivated, I'm posting photos of my projects. I'm too embarrassed to post any "before" photos. Yes, it has been THAT bad. Just rejoice with me over the changes I'm making and the baby steps of progress to find the old me that has been in hiding for awhile.

This is a cabinet that Steve built before I met him, which means it is probably 30 years old, and it has been used in different rooms for different purposes. I decided Steve should paint the interior and use it as open shelving. I love how the red pops against the green, don't you? I will call the arrangement Revision 1 since I'm sure I will be tweaking the what and how on those shelves. Ignore those lumps on the right. I couldn't keep the animals out of the photo.

My pantry closet is not very large and it was in great need of organization. Dollar Tree baskets fit perfectly - 4 to a shelf.

Don't judge me for the contents of this pantry! And, yes, those are tags tied to each basket with twine. Cute, huh?

Stay tuned as I tackle the unruly and unlovely!

Human Trafficking - Put Up a Stop Sign!

I've heard that if you want to be a writer you should write daily. I guess I don't REALLY want to be a writer because the last blog was written back in September. There have been interesting (at least, to me) things that happened, thought provoking books read, challenges, etc. but I was too busy living through it to write about it at the time.

One of the more thought provoking events was hosting a jewelry show and sale to benefit WAR, International (Women at Risk). A DVD was sent along with the beautiful jewelry that told me astounding statistics and gut gripping stories of human trafficking. I was getting just a peak at the fastest growing crime in the world. So, I thought I was prepared to see another DVD last week, Nefarious. I had a box of tissues at hand and prior knowledge. I was nowhere ready to be confronted with what I saw and heard. A friend who saw it when I did remarked about her surprise that she didn't hear a collective sobbing. Of course, I can't speak for anyone else's experience that night, but I was beyond sobbing - speechless, shocked, overwhelmed, undone. The story that Nefarious told took us from eastern Europe, to Amsterdam, southeast Asia, and back to the good ol' USA. Humans are being SOLD to be used in the sex trade mostly - women, young girls and boys, children, and even BABIES! And it is happening right here in Atlanta.

I don't like to think about it. To say that it's uncomfortable is an understatement. But we MUST become AWARE to the point of ACTION. I am praying to become more passionate about what needs to be done and my small part in stopping this abomination. My small contribution is writing this blog. William Wilberforce, in trying to abolish slavery in Great Britain, knew that the first step was making people aware of the evil. After a person is made aware, he or she can never say, "I didn't DO anything because I didn't KNOW." Now, do your part. Become informed and share what you know.

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
Edmund Burke (1729 - 1797)

Fresh Bread

No, I have not miraculously turned into a bread baker. This blog is the result of reading the Bible this morning. The Bible is full of bread references. Showbread in the Tabernacle symbolized that God would "show" up. Manna (a type of bread) came from heaven to feed the Israelites in the wilderness. The Bible is spoken of as bread. There are many more, but the most important is Jesus' reference to bread representing his broken body. We are told to remember by eating the bread and drinking the wine which symbolizes his blood sacrifice. That's the background, but my emphasis is on God's Word being the bread.

There's something incredibly wonderful about fresh bread. It makes me wonder why so many of us are content with stale bread. God has fresh bread for us to taste today and receive sustenance from! In reading Genesis 17 today, the fresh bread for me was verses 5 and 6. In the New King James Version it says, "5. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham: for I have made you a father of many nations. 6. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you." I made some words bold and italicized so you could see the importance. In verse 5, I have made is past tense indicating that God had already done it. He had already spoken the declaration into existence. Then in verse 6, God tells the newly named Abraham what he has already done will look like. God named it and claimed it! God named Abraham a father of many nations without his being a father of even one child. The question for you and me is this: what has God named me that I haven't seen the results of yet? I believe we can easily forget what we've been named because of our impatience to see the results. Abraham NEVER saw the nations or kings; he only saw the tiny beginning. God sees eternity.

My Affair with the Lonely Maytag Repairman

I went to the grocery store today. Normally, I don't get very excited about going. Truthfully, I usually dread the chore, at least the part of bringing the groceries into the house and putting everything away. Sometimes, if I'm in a good frame of mind, I can appreciate the abundance and variety that is available and can spend a couple of hours wandering up and down the aisles. I look at new products, read labels, compare prices, juggle coupons and fantasize about enjoying cooking. Today I was eager to enter those automatic doors and grab a cart. What brought about this change of attitude, you ask? The answer can only be appreciated after knowing the background story.



Two weeks ago I acted on information I received in a letter from Maytag that stated I must get my refrigerator/freezer repaired or risk a fire. So, of course, I called Maytag and within two days, the repairman came. In short order he had replaced some "thingy" and he was on his merry way. A few hours later I decided I needed some ice cream (yes, needed - but that's for another blog). I opened the freezer door and discovered, much to my horror and disappointment, that the ice cream I needed had melted and that other things in the freezer were thawing. Now, I may not be a genius, but I determined that the freezer failure probably had something to do with the "repair." At this point, the repair company office was closed for the day, so I did the only thing I could think of - adjust the settings to a colder temperature and obey the rule, "DO NOT OPEN THE FREEZER OR REFRIGERATOR!!" It was a long night.



Adding insult to injury, I had to get up EARLY - 8 AM - the next day so that I could call the repair shop. I was told, "We'll try to work you in today." and I was thinking, "You'd better!" The same repairman came that afternoon and gave me the glad tidings that the compressor was kaput! BUT he had a magic solution called a hard starter which he installed, along with giving me sage advice on how long the compressor might work - anywhere from 1 day to 5 years. That was comforting................. By this time, the appliance had not been working for a full 24 hours. Day 1 of a non-working refrigerator after being "repaired." I was full of hope the hard starter would last the maximum. It didn't even last the minimum!



I placed another call to the repair shop. By this time, they recognized my voice. The previous visit the repair shop and Maytag had decided they would replace the compressor. It sounded good but I didn't trust that I was being told the truth. I needed to call and hopefully push them to an urgent response. It was now the beginning of Day 3 with no refrigerator. I had tried to triage the contents. What would fit in the dorm fridge in the garage? What would survive in a cooler? You just don't realize how much stuff you can cram into a refrigerator until you try to find another place for it all. I concluded that I didn't really need 6 flavors ice cream toppings, 4 different kinds of mustard, 3 types of pickles, 8 kinds of salad dressings, and 10 cheese varieties - cottage cheese, cream cheese, sharp cheddar shredded cheese, mild cheddar shredded cheese, mozzarella shredded cheese, quesadilla cheese, Mexican shredded cheese, Colby Jack cheese, Swiss cheese, and Havarti. Yes, I like cheese but do I need that much all at the same time?



I learned that an ice chest will not keep ice forever. Being raised by a mother shaped by the Great Depression, I was in anguish having to throw food away. What overwhelming guilt! Why, there are starving children in India! Nonetheless, toss it I did. I was thankful when trash pick-up day rolled around. One week later with no refrigerator, I called the repair shop again to track the shipment of the compressor. No compressor. The next day I received the wonderful news that the compressor had arrived and the repairman would be out the day after to install it. Then, I was told the most amazing thing! The caller said, "We'll call before the repairman comes to make sure someone is at home." I said, "You've got to be kidding! I've been without a refrigerator/freezer for over a week. I'm SURE I'll be home. I wouldn't miss it for the world!"



The compressor has been replaced and that hum is a beautiful sound. That is the reason for my excitement in going to the grocery store. I have a more keen appreciation for that marvelous appliance. I think the interior of the refrigerator will seem more spacious without all the excess. The leftovers won't get lost now. The dreaded job of cleaning out the refrigerator has been done. Best of all, my refrigerator looks new and performs like new, provided by Jehovah Jireh by way of Maytag. I'm wondering if God has a contract with Jenn-Air and Kitchenaid because I sure could use a new stove and dishwasher, and if it takes two weeks to get a stove.............. It will be a sacrifice but I'm willing to endure not cooking.

God's Purpose

I've heard so many times that God has a purpose and plan for each life. Every time I contemplate the depth of that and analyze my purpose, the questions come flying at me. Have I found my purpose; what is my purpose; have I missed it? I can't imagine facing God and him saying to me, "I had great plans for you, Martha. I created you for a purpose, but you never found it." So, several years ago, during the angst of searching my soul, I concluded that my purpose had been and is mothering. It is certainly what I have spent most of my life doing.

Occasionally, God reminds me that I am doing just fine with the mothering thing. This week I received a message through Facebook from the daughter of a long time friend. She stated that I had always been another mother to her! This precious young woman is dealing with some issues resulting from father abandonment, so I called her tonight. Again she expressed appreciation that I am like a mother to her and know her history. God is so good to affirm me in my purpose.

Another way that I saw God's purpose for my life was realizing that most of my friends are young enough for me to be their mother. All young adults are not in need of another mother, but some are. They are the ones that God brings into my life. I pour into them encouragement, teaching, the wisdom of my experience (see my first blog) and, hopefully, an eternal perspective. In return I receive their youthful perspective, energy and humor. I like to think mothering is a win-win situation and I am blessed to be a part of their lives. I am so thankful to have been invited in!

I've lost count of how many children and grandchildren I have. Some were a part of my life for a season and others are forever. I became a mother for the first time at age 20 when my first child was born. Since then, I have had children of the heart and of the womb, a procession of different ages, needs and circumstances. However, one truth is constant: every child, no matter the age, needs and deserves love, respect, and wings.

Sometimes God's purpose and plan for your life can only be seen in retrospect. Keep looking for the patterns.

A House without a Pet is Like a.........

Hello, my name is Martha and I have a love-hate relationship with my pets. I pray the Serenity Prayer daily to help me in this relationship. Sometimes, in irrational moments, I even ask myself, "Are these pets worth what they cost in time and money?" I hate those questions that make me be honest with myself. That's why I don't ask that question very often. I know the answer, but then I have to go on a philosophical binge to negate the answer.

There are three pets in my household, none of which I chose to have in a direct kind of way. The senior member is Hector Hootie, a cat of unknown pedigree but very similar to a Maine Coon cat. Don't laugh at his name - I didn't name him! I have no idea where the name "Hector" came from, but I do know that "Hootie" was from the rock group, Hootie and the Blowfish. Hector came by way of daughter #1. She just had to have a cat, so when a friend heard that she wanted one, he said, "I know where some kittens are!" So, there scampering around and in an abandoned car were kittens of different colors. Hector was the only kitten that allowed itself to be captured and it was his lucky day. Fast forward about six months and daughter #1 decided to move out into her own apartment. Yep, no kitties allowed. AND I never received cat support payments!

Pet 2 is Daisy the cat. Believe it or not, daughter #1 decided several years later that it was time for a kitten again. This time daughter #1 moved back home and brought Daisy. Somehow, Daisy was designated as an irritating kitty and banished to the dark reaches of the basement, outside of daughter's basement apartment. Eventually, feeling sorry for the lonely kitty, Daisy was invited into the main house. It was her lucky day. And no cat support payments for her either.

Pet #3 showed up at the back door of my mother's house on the day of my mother's death. I had just arrived back there from the hospital. The cute dog was being chased by other dogs. Of course I didn't want to be an accessory to murder, so I let the dog in the house. She never left, except to travel to my house. I named her Tuggles in honor of my mother, Tuggle being my maiden name.

Pets are expensive. Pets are time consuming. Pets are messy. Pets are annoying. I think about these characteristics as I pay the groomer, clean up a hair ball that's been thrown up on my oriental rug, brush white cat hair off my black slacks, pick up dog poop (again - on my oriental rug), clean out the litter box and sweep up litter, and try to soak up dog pee (sometimes on my oriental rug). Then there are the times I let the dog out the back door and she disappears and I'm in pajamas chasing her down in the neighborhood. OR Hector decides to sneak out as the dog is being let out at bedtime and I can't go to sleep until all my "children" are accounted for, so I'm out in the dark chanting, "Here kitty kitty! Come on Hector!" It's even worse when it's cold or raining. These are the times that I ask myself why I put up with this stuff.

My wise, philosophical self comes to the fore then to answer my question. Pets teach us so many lessons. Okay, they are expensive lessons. They are dependent on our compassion and care. Pets love us unconditionally. Even though Daisy was very upset that I tried to put her in a carrier to transport her to the groomer, she forgave me quickly and was on my bed nudging me with her head to indicate her desire to be petted in exchange for licking my hand. Since Daisy wouldn't co-operate, Hector was her substitute with the groomer and the experience was no less traumatic for him. But upon return, there he was, laying on my desk just to be close to me. No matter how much I have fussed at Tuggles for an "accident" she still follows me to the bedroom to sleep on the floor next to the bed. Pets are entertaining. Recently I was startled to hear an unfamiliar ringing sound. I determined what it was not - telephone, cell phone, or alarm. I had to laugh when I discovered where the sound originated. The second time I got up to investigate, Hector was sitting near a toddler activity table, looking innocent. That curious cat had been pushing one of the buttons on the toy! I laugh at Tuggles pretending to be a herding breed of dog and try to corral one of the cats. I have days when the only laughs I get are because of the pets. So, I conclude pets contribute to good mental health (when they aren't driving you crazy).

Yes, the love-hate relationship remains. But, I can't imagine my house pet-free either. Maybe I should hang a copy of the Serenity Prayer above the litter box.

So, You Wanted to Blog?

I've always wanted to blog, well, as long as I've known that blogs exist. However, I found out that, in order to blog, you have to actually write about something! I knew that could be a problem. Then I realized I had to make lots of decisions - like what to title my blog, which layout to use, determine my purpose, what to write about. I'm smart enough to know that those issues are important, too important to rush into blogging. So, here I am several years later and it's obvious I didn't rush!

I hope you like the layout I chose. I hope you like the name of the blog. But, purpose? I just want to express myself, explore my sense of humor,hopefully inspire, maybe provoke discussion, but not necessarily all in the same blog. I hope reading my blog will be worth your time. Thank you for allowing me to share a little of who I am.

Aging. It's been on my mind lately. My birthday is approaching quickly, so I am thinking about what it means to get "older" and about our culture's perspective of the "older" person. Okay, I admit it. What do you think about ME as an "older" person? I look in the mirror and I see someone that looks, at least, twenty years younger than my chronological age. Then, I go to the grocery store on Senior Citizens discount day and I get the discount without having to ask for it. Obviously, the mirror lied. How can this be? I've concluded that the mirror reflects accurately the age I FEEL. Now, that's the ultimate magic mirror! So, if I like what I see in the mirror, I'm energized and others are drawn to my zest for life.

Another benefit of beoming an "older" person is feeling wise and superior in that wisdom. (See those wise statements in the preceding paragraph?) I probably have some room to grow in humility too. I just can't help it - that wisdom just creeps into conversations. Why can't I have "young" conversations, be frivolous, without injecting the wisdom of my years? I wouldn't have much to say. I don't keep up with fashion or new television shows, don't gossip, don't have an interesting job, so experience and wisdom is left. And then I don't sound like an "older" person, I sound like an "old" person, one who only has the past!

Yikes! Who knew aging would be so complicated? My earth suit is only temporary, so why be concerned how others in our youth obsessed culture view me? I'm looking forward to escaping the bonds of earth when this earth suit will dissolve and my eternal beauty will emerge! No more make-up, moisturizers, exfoliating creams, volumizing shampoo. Freedom!

Whew! Blogging is exhausting. So until something inspirational, funny, infuriating or a whim to write comes to me...............