Wednesday, April 10, 2013

My World this Week


This week has brought with it a change in temperatures from far below normal to far above normal.

Big storms are forecast this afternoon through tonight... such is life in the Midwest in April.  At least we're not getting snow as those West and North of us are receiving!

Reading

I had pre-ordered this latest Tessa Kiros book a couple months ago, waiting patiently not so patiently until the American version was sent out.  Yes, pre-ordering provides one with a great price and quicker shipping when it does become available... but one has to wait instead of receiving immediate gratification.

I'm planning on an entire post soon about the hows and whys and of my latest recipe book additions (maybe next week).  However, I can tell you that I am truly enjoying this gorgeous book with great recipes called Recipes and Dreams From an Italian Life.

You can get a look inside it... here.

Listening

Actually, I'm listening to Kendall Payne's single from this album called Aslan.  Stephanie told me about it at least a year ago.  It's one of the singles on the itty bitty iPod that separates entire albums I've either uploaded from a CD or downloaded from Amazon.

Since the tiny iPod has no window, this is the way I keep my albums organized.  If I come to a single... I know another album will begin after it is over.

Anyway, I LOVE this song about Aslan... here.

Thrifting

It never ceases to amaze me how I can be thinking of an object and then notice it (or them) in a thrift store or as in this case, an antique mall.  I think it was an episode of Andy Griffith that brought these back to mind.

If you are above a certain age, you will remember when churches had no air conditioning and cardboard fans were often on the back of the pew next to the hymnal.  These five came in a bundle for only $2.00 and I keep them on my desk just to enjoy.  They remind me of a simpler time...

Cooking

There is something about the mixture of onions, garlic, peppers, and in this dish... mushrooms, that brings a smile to my face as well as a rumbly to the tummy.  My inner Pioneer Woman is coming out with not only a picture but food in an iron skillet.  :)

This mixture is the base of my favorite casserole called Holiday Spaghetti, perhaps my most often made dinner dish over the years.  You can find the recipe... here.

Her Fluffiness

She really isn't suppose to hop into this window as I'm afraid she'll knock over the vintage sewing machine (it's only sitting there precariously).  But she was so cute, I had to take a picture.

I do feel sorry for her, this was her favorite place to sit on a summer afternoon when Christopher's bed made it easy for her to hop up there without disturbing anything.  I think she misses his bed even more than him.  :)

10 comments:

Rebecca said...

How blessed you were to find those vintage fans! How I'd love to stumble on a few -- especially at that price! Enjoy.

The iron-skillet picture makes me want to pull mine out. I'm going to go check out your recipe :)

Have a pleasant rest-of-the-week...

Heather said...

I just ordered the book Brenda. It looks fantastic. Thank you for sharing about it. I am really looking forward to your post about your recent cookbook purchases. ;o)

Anonymous said...

My latest thrift purchase was not so pretty like your's! :-) 3 pair of new sox. I had been looking and looking but most sox seem to come in groups of 3 with 3 colors. I only wanted navy. Well I found them and they were less than 1/4th they would have been at the store and still new. Like you said you never know what you will find. At times with even the used stores raising their prices I have to go to 'regular' retailers to see the price and appreciate how little still buying used is. And it is!! Let alone the surprise and fun factor! Last week we found 3 pieces of old china to match our set. Those fans really helped so much in our hot and humid churches years back didn't they! :-) Between those and the bulletins waving around all over the church to keep people cool enough to concentrate on the service! What a sweet old memory those fans do bring!! :) :) Sarah

Vee said...

We attended a really low tech church...plenty hot, but no AC and no fans. I was totally charmed by that memory of yours. Nope, no fans at John's childhood church either.

Nothing says yummy like glistening food in a skillet. Off to listen to the music...

Angela said...

I well remember those fans, and sitting in church with the big side windows open.

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Those fans were a fun find!

I looked at your Holiday Spaghetti recipe and it looks yummy!

We're supposed to have storms tomorrow with hail. I guess we have to pay for all this early summer time weather!

Cheryl said...

Indeed I do remember those fans! (I must say though, I am thankful for modern air conditioning, even as I enjoy the nostalgia!)

I must go and check out that recipe. The beginning of it sure has appeal...

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

I've always wanted to use cast iron - my mom had one when I was growing up. I bought a cast iron griddle and it didn't do so well with my electric stove. I see you have electric too, and I assume the skillet works fine on it?

Fun finds....

Deanna

Deb said...

I've fanned many'a time with those funeral home fans! Talk about memories!

Your casserole sounds delish.

Anonymous said...

The bulletins still wave in our church (smile) - it's us gals who are in menopause that keep them waving! I love my cast-iron skillet. I know some young couples in our area who are looking at a set of stainless steel pans for their kitchens that are around $9,000 for the complete set. I'm just going ... what??? I guess to each his own. Pam (SD)