You Can't Hurry Love

"We should regret our mistakes and learn from them, but never carry them into the future with us." ~ Lucy Maud Montgomery




     I have yet another son getting married shortly; this weekend in fact.  We have had a couple of bridal showers to attend.  It has been a wonderful month and my son is marrying a wonderful girl.  I have been so blessed with the beautiful women that all my sons have chosen for their wives.  Anyway, I am so proud of myself for finishing this quilt before midnight the day before the wedding.  In fact, I finished it in time to give to Jannie at the shower.  My friend, Shelly did the machine quilting and I thought it turned out amazing!

 

     Things have been so busy around here that we need to rely on our old standby recipes that are ready in an instant.  This salad recipe is and oldie but a goodie.  And I think it's a healthy one as well.

Mandarin Tossed Salad

Chopped iceberg or romaine lettuce or

       a combination of both

1 (11 oz.) can mandarin oranges, drained

¼ cup red onion, sliced

Italian dressing

Optional ingredients: sliced almonds, crunchy Chinese noodles, craisins,

In a large bowl, combine lettuce, mandarin oranges and red onion.  Gently stir in enough Italian dressing to just coat the lettuce.  Serve at once.  (This salad does not keep well so just make enough to eat for one meal.)

 

     This is the book I just recently finished reading.  It's by one of my favorite authors, L. M. Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables.  I love reading about Prince Edward Island.  I'm so glad I was able to visit there a few years ago.

 

 

 

Open Your Heart

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."~ Proverbs 3:5-6



     I was fortunate enough to attend a sewing retreat at My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe in Logan, Utah last week.  It was specifically for new owners of Baby Lock Crescendo sewing machines.  Yes, I recently bought a new sewing machine and I love it.  It threads the needle, cuts the thread and has a laser light that shows the seam line to sew on.  I have noticed that I can get projects finished up a little faster than previously.  This is the project that we made at the retreat.  We learned a lot of new things that our machines were capable of while sewing this table runner.  I was so glad I went.  It was a nice break from everyday grind and I met a lot of nice ladies.

      Nothing says love like a big bowl of homemade chicken soup.  I saw this recipe on Pinterest one day and had to try it out.

Creamy Chicken Tortellini Soup

                  From A Spicy Perspective

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 onion, peeled and chopped

½ red pepper, seeded and chopped

2 cups carrots, peeled and sliced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 large chicken breasts

8 cups chicken broth

8 oz. cheese tortellini

¼ -1/3 cup cream

½- 1 cup baby spinach

2 tsp. dried parsley

1 ½ tsp. dried thyme leaves

¼ tsp. crushed red pepper

Salt and pepper

Place a large pot over medium heat.  Add the olive oil and chopped onions.  Saute for 3 minutes to soften. Then add the red bell pepper, carrots and garlic.  Saute for another 3 minutes.

Add whole chicken breasts, chicken broth, thyme, crushed red pepper, 1 tsp. salt and ¼ tsp. ground pepper.  Bring to a simmer.  Cover and lower the heat a little and simmer 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.  Remove the chicken and place on a cutting board.

Turn the heat back to medium.  Add the tortellini and stir often to keep from sticking together.  Chop or shred the chicken and add back to the soup.

When the tortellini is cooked through, about 12-14 minutes, turn off the heat.  Stir in the cream, the spinach and the parsley.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Makes 6 servings.

     Every February I like to read a nice love story.  This book by Jennifer Moore fit the bill nicely.  The story takes place in 19th Century Australia.  I loved learning about the people and the politics of that time.