Monday, July 6, 2015

July, 2015


        I can't believe it's been a year since my last post.  This past year has not been good to me.  With Pulmonary Rehab, Physical Rehab and having the flu and a torn rotator cuff injury, I haven't done anything.  Haven't been anywhere, but I have been cooking.  I do have quite a few new recipes for you, and a few Rants and Raves that should give you a laugh or two.  I have embarked on a project, redecorating my living/tv room.  I will be posting pictures as it progresses, when I get started.  So, read, enjoy, and comment.  Send me an e-mail or post in the comment section.  I always enjoy hearing from you.  

RANT OF THE WEEK

        Well, people, it has been a while since BizzyLizzie was active, but I’m back now and better than ever. 

What I want to rant about today is Men’s obsession with brown.  What is it that almost all men prefer brown to color?  Brown paneling, brown recliners, brown cabinets, brown pants, brown shoes.  Ask any man about furniture.  Natural wood, naturally brown.

I am redecorating my living/tv room, which is actually a great room that opens up into the kitchen and dining areas.  The cabinets in the kitchen are cherry, but they look sorta brown.  The floors are wood, luckily they are a light color, but still in the brown family.  My recliner is oxblood, sort of a dark wine color, the couch is a non-descript beigey/green, really difficult to describe, but it looks good with the oxblood recliner.  Then there’s hubby’s recliner.

It is brown.  Yes, brown.  We were in the furniture store looking for an occasional chair and he spotted this recliner and refused to leave the store without it.  It is a very nice recliner, but it is BROWN!!!  Any other color would have been great, but they only had the brown one.  

Okay, so this is not too much of a problem because the occasional chair we bought is red/beige/green plaid.  I really like it as it coordinates with the oxblood recliner and the hard-to-describe sofa.  Then there’s the brown recliner.  It just does not GO.

But trying to make the best of a dull thing, I decided I wanted to paint my coffee table to brighten things up a bit.  You guessed it, it is wood, and naturally BROWN.  When I mentioned it to hubby, what do you think he said?   “I like the wood finish.”  “But it’s BROWN,” I whined.  

Needless to say, it is getting painted.  When I get it painted I will post a before and after.  Also a before and after of the area of the living/tv room that I am trying to lighten up.  I HATE LIVING IN A CAVE!!!!

And speaking of caves, most men would not mind living in a cave, that way they would not have to dust, vacuum, paint, wash blinds, or any of the hundred other small jobs that have to be done to keep a home looking like a home and not a cave.

But leaving on a good note, hubby did get the shrubs trimmed and the ivy out of the Poplar tree, so the house does not look totally abandoned.  I guess one of these days we’ll get around to some more badly needed outside maintenance, but until it cools off a bit, not a lot is going to get done outside.



RAVE OF THE WEEK 

     When I first started this blog I promised on Religion or Politics, however, I must post this as my Rave of the Week.

     I hope this doesn’t turn some of you off, but I have just had a miracle.
In September of 2014 I made a stupid movement with my left arm and tore my rotator cuff.  It hurt like the “dickens”.  After several trips to the orthopedic surgeon for steroid shots, pain meds, etc., we decided on surgery.

     Because I have COPD and certain adrenal issues because of the COPD meds, the surgeon was not real excited about operating on me. He as much as told me so.  He did not give me a prognosis I was comfortable with, but I went ahead with all the pre-op preparations, etc.
In the meantime, I contacted my Sunday School class and asked for some heavy-duty prayers.  I asked the Lord to guide me in the right direction, that I would not force anything, if it didn’t feel right I would not do it, and I would leave it all up to Him.

     And guess what?  Within three days the pain had subsided, I could move my arm again, I could even drive.  Something I have not been able to do for months.  I can even pick up not too heavy items.  Before I could not even make the movement, let alone pick up anything.

     Yes, there is still some pain, but not anything I can’t control.  Haven’t had to take a pain med in almost a week, and I am back to crafting and planning on redecorating my living/tv room.  (See Rant)

     I talked with the orthopedic surgeon and he was actually thrilled at the news.  Said he really had not wanted to operate on me, and was glad everything was working out for me.  I will see him again in three months for a check-in, and if everything is okay, then another three months.  If, however, he said it gets to the point I cannot stand it, we would go ahead with the surgery.

     I am fully confident the Lord has other plans for me, and surgery is not one of them.

     Prayer works, Praise the Lord.  I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.  Phil 4:13.


RECIPE OF THE WEEK

FUDGE-CAKEY FLOURLESS BROWNIES


     Sorry the picture isn’t better, but these are absolutely delicious.  They really taste better than they look. 

Oven 350 degrees

6 Tablespoons butter
¾ cup dark brown sugar
8 oz chocolate chips (I use the dark chocolate)
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
3 Tablespoons almond flour
1 teaspoon baking powder (or ¼ t. salt, and ½ t. baking soda)
Nuts (depending on your preferences as little as 2/3 cup or as much as 1 cup) walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, whatever you like)

When measuring out everything I like to add the almond flour and cocoa powder and baking powder together.

A double boiler comes in handy, but if you are like me, you don’t have a double boiler.  But I do have lot of metal mixing bowls and I found one that fit perfectly on a boiler I had.  Put water in the boiler, brought it to a boil, placed mixing bowl on boiler and VOILA!! a double boiler.  Just be sure to wear an oven glove as the mixing bowl will get hot.

You can use an 8 X 8 or a 9 X 9 square pan, but I used a 5 X 8 loaf pan.  I found non-stick aluminum foil which I lined my pan with, then buttered it real good.  The brownies just fell out.  Just be sure to put the dull side up, it’s the non-sticky side.

First measure everything out in separate bowls, it just makes it easier when mixing as you don’t have to stop to measure anything.

In the top of the double boiler melt the butter, then add sugar and make sure it is dissolved.  When this is done, add the chocolate chips and stir until they are melted and well incorporated.

Remove from the heat (actually take the mixing bowl off the boiler or it will continue to stay hot because of the hot water), add the eggs one at a time mixing well after each one, then add the vanilla extract.

Now using a sifter (or a metal strainer) sift the flour mixture into the egg mixture making sure it is incorporated well.  Beat for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the dough is nice and shiny.  This is when you add the nuts, stirring them in until they are consistently within the dough.

Pour into the pan of your choice.  Bake for about 30 minutes at 350.  I had to lower the temp in my oven to 300 and bake for another 10 minutes, but that’s just my oven.  Watch and test after 30 minutes.  Don’t overcook.

Let them cook on a rack in the pan for at least 30 minutes, then turn them out on the rack to cool completely.  Be sure to peel off the aluminum foil when you take them out of the pan.


NOTES:
       As stated before you can add nuts of your choice, but you can also add dried fruit, raisins or craisins come to mind. 
       Peanut butter chips could be used instead of chocolate chips for a different taste.

       And if you are vegan, you could use a flax egg and coconut oil.  If you are concerned about the chocolate chips, use a candy bar such as Lindt’s 90% cocoa.