I will not rant about s.n.o.w. today.

Because I am sure that y'all are tired of hearin' it - almost as much as the stories about Brit's coochie.

So, first I was going to post about horoscopes. I have mixed emotions about readin' them - ever since I attended a sermon about the *evils* of horoscopes, zodiac signs, Ouija boards, tarot cards, physics and the likes.

Now, I was never a fan of the Ouija board. I have never had my cards read and I have never seen a physic. But horoscopes ... yea I can relate to them. Well, when I want to. SO maybe that will be a topic tomorrow ...

Anywho ... I said I was going to write about horoscopes ... then I decided that I would try out the THURSDAY THIRTEEN thingy that I have read on other blogs before - and when I say before, I guess I mean before TODAY. Because I did a quick search around to my favorite bloggin' gals, thinkin' I could get a clue from them - and NO ONE in my 30-40 daily reads (ok, maybe every other day) actually had a THURSDAY THIRTEEN (or THIRTEEN THURSDAY ... whatever it is) post. So, although I have read them before I am not sure that I understand the basic premise, so I am skipping it (at least for now) today.

So, here’s what happens to Frannie … I start out readin’ a few of my favorite blogs and then I end up readin’ the comments and then I start readin’ the blogs of the commenters and – well you know the rest of the story – it is a never ending process, if you let it be. My favorites list is ginormous and if I actually could, I could spend all day just hoppin’ from one groovy blog to the next.

But usually I get to readin’ and such – hopin’ to catch up this blogger or that one … and them one of the kids (darn ‘em anyway) goes and needs somethin’ from me. You know what I mean? And then I almost never get the momentum back … and certainly not the posting momentum. I guess that’s why my posts are generally so all over the place – I tend to write them in bits and pieces.

Oh see, there I go ... I had a point here. Really, I did.

One of my favorite bloggers, who I have read for quite some time, is Manic Mom over at Manic Mom's Mental Myriads. Manic is a very talented writer, just waiting to land her agent - and I know that she will. She has a great banter with Swishy, Hotwire, Drew, Trish & Trish Ryan, Karitown, Ramblin Rose , TTQ - ALL on my favoites list, throw in T-Girl, naivehelga, HolyMama!, Equipped to Fascinate ... oh heavens ... can you see how easily I am sidetracked??

Soooo ... anywho, off I go again. Manic Mom is hoping to increase her readership. Now y’all know that I am all for helpin’ out a fellow mom so off you go now … all 3 or 4 of you that visit here, that don’t already read Manic’s daily musings. It will be fun or at least very funny, I promise.

Now, I just wanna also let you know that this post took me approximately 3 hours to complete. No, I wasn’t just sittin’ here at the computer tryin’ to think of witty things to say … heavens; I would hope that I could come up with somethin’ better in 3 hours … no, I was up and down, up and down; helpin’ sick children, snow drenched children, hungry children, grumpy children, Mr. Farmer … y’all know the drill right?

Final words … I did accomplish some good things today – I actually went to the grocery store ALONE (Hallelujah!). I did buy fruits, veggies, and good healthy foods. But I also bought some *junk food* - I got some Ritz Crackers, but they are whole wheat, them makes 'em better right? I also got some lays - the wavy kind, but I haven't opened them yet and it has been a good six hours since they entered the house. WooHoo.

I wish I could say that I accomplished more today ... but I think I am doin' pretty good since all of the children have been fed, most of them have been bathed and I haven't yelled at anyone today - pretty good for nearly 5pm!

Wishing you peace my friends ...
~ Frannie

The awareness of our own strength makes us modest. -Paul Cezanne

Conscience is the inner voice that warns us that someone might be looking.- HL Mencken, author, critic and newspaperman

The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives. 2 Peter 3:10-11

**oh look** … did you notice that there are 13 bloggers listed above ... maybe that can count as my THURSDAY THIRTEEN …

***oh wait*** No one should assume that the above mentioned 13 are my only favorite blogs - they aren't, really, truly, honestly! I have sooo many that I love, I just couldn't add everyone ... well because I started out by talking about Manic Mom ... and and there I go gettin' all tongue tied and stutterin' and such. What I am tryin' to say is that I like ALL of you, and ALL of you will be mentioned by and by.

This should have been my quote for the day.

"Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing." -- Phyllis Diller

Because I have been doin' both all day .......

Fat cells expanding.

That's what happens when you are stuck in the house for a freakin' WEEK!

Because, really what do you do when you are STUCKINTHEHOUSE?

You graze like a farm animal. Who needs a full on meal - I just keep munchin' all day, never quite feelin' full and never actually reachin’ hungry mode. I can't even recall my last *meal* ...

And here is what I am also learning - I do NOT have enough Junk food in my house - conversely, I do NOT have enough Healthy food in my house. I am, as usual, stuck in the middle.

No chips, but no carrots. No candy, but no actual fruit. No cookies, but no fresh veggies (except the wilted lettuce) - ok, I guess the *no cookies* thing isn't completely truthful ... there are some Oreo's in a Ziploc, but I am NOT trying them, they are Halloween Oreo's and they just don't look right.

We did have one box of Macaroni and Cheese, but SweetiePie was quick to lay claim and now it is gone, gone, gone. So, here I sit, munchin’ on saltines and drinkin’ my Diet Pepsi.

Anywho … I am sure that I will come out of my week of seclusion with thicker hips.

On to another *issue* in the Farmer household.

PAINT

Are we the only couple to get into heated arguments about paint?

Let me back up ... our home is in a constant state of remodel, in one form or another. Mr. Farmer is what you would call a 'Do-It-Yourselfer' ... so he randomly tears down walls or rips out cabinets to make them *new and improved* in a somewhat Tim Taylor sort of way.

So, when he does this, he generally has some specific *ideas* about what the new improvement should be; usually with little account for those who actually use or reside in said space.

One of his recent projects has been to expand the laundry room. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am thrilled about this; with a brood our size a larger, more efficient laundry room is much desired and needed.

However, as I mentioned, Mr. Farmer has some pre-conceived notions about how the room will work most effectively. Now, I can absolutely appreciate his ‘planning’ and ‘graphing’ it all out – planning is a good thing. But, if one doesn’t actually ever do laundry, it is tough to determine the best, most efficient use of the laundry room.

Really, I digress here. I need to stick to one topic – unfortunately with this particular issue there is just sooo much to say.

So, PAINT.

Mr. Farmer has the ideal color in mind for the laundry room. His color choosing process is fairly simple; check the left over cans in the shed and see which color we have the most of, tada … we have the perfect color.

Now, you might imagine that Frannie has a wee bit different determining process. I actually like to look at the room, the space as a whole, the person or objects that will reside in the room and the chose accordingly.

Usually I try to pick my battles. If I am not effected by the odd color choices that are made, I try to let it just slide. But the laundry room, as well as the kitchen, are my domains; the places that I spend the most time, the spots that I almost exclusively use.

Therefore, I think I should be permitted to choose the color of those particular rooms. Especially the laundry room; to me it needs to be a soothing place. I don’t want bright white walls screaming at me, nor do I want to feel like I am in a cave …

Now, Mr. Farmer is generally a fan of white. The entire place would be white – or a very light cream – if he had his way … but we all know that that isn’t how it works. I like color. Not flashy, gaudy color, but some color. So, a few rooms have been painted, with much consideration and a fair amount of relinquishment from Frannie.

This time though, I am not backing down. No way, no how!

My battle?
Mr. Farmer wants to use the leftover aqua blue paint from the kids' fishy bathroom ... Now this color does NOT relax me. I don't think that it will, at all, motivate me to do laundry. Because it certainly doesn't motivate me to clean the kids' bathroom. It actually seems *loud* to me ... maybe that doesn't make sense, I just don't know how to describe the less than pleasant feeling this color gives me.

My color?
Something along this line. A dusty rose, or even a *dusty* lavender. These colors are soothing to me.**I just look @ this on my blog - trust me, (please) it looks much better in real life.**

What is Mr. Farmers gripe with my color? Besides the fact that we would have to buy more paint, he thinks this color is too dark! Too dark? I am so confused.

But mostly, I am just standing my ground, because the laundry room will not be aqua blue - nope, nuh uh, not happenin' ...

OK, well I am off to munch some more, do another load of snow drenched laundry ... and think about makin' an actual meal for the kids.

Oh, by the way ... it just started snowing again. Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

~ Frannie

I believe in fate. I believe that everything happens for a reason, but I think it's important to seek out that reason. That's how you learn. -Drew Barrymore

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. Psalm 136:1

umm, yea, you guessed it.

Still stuck.

Oh my stars. I just can't believe this.

It is so cold out that the brood doesn’t even want to play outside. Well, except for the sick one … of course the sick one tries constantly to make a run for it.

The big rig is out of the ditch, but we can’t get to it. We are hoping for tomorrow, but even now that seems a bit dicey.

So what is a gal to do when she is stuck at home … clean, bake, sew, start a novel (writing or reading, really either would be acceptable), bind with the children? Umm, yea, not so much. I have done NOTHING productive since my marathon on Saturday (it was Saturday, right?)

I have leafed through a number of magazines. Done laundry as needed. Reheated the previously cooked turkey too many times to count. Tried to nap, but never really succeeded. You would think that I would spend a profuse amount of time on the computer, but since we only have one, the kids have had claim. I have watched Lady and the Tramp (1955) more times than I care to share.

Right … I can’t even think of what else I’ve done. I have NOT, NOT, NOT, played in the snow at all. Which is good and bad. Good because I would either hurt myself or get sick – neither one would work well … Bad because I think I would really feel soothed if I could make just one Snow Angel.

Another celebrity marriage bites the dust … Pam files for divorce from Kid Rock. Celebrities? I guess that is taking it too far.

And what about Hilary Duff and what's his name - because we couldn’t see that one coming either??

There is so much to dish about this week.
Brit lookin’ ultra trashy showin’ everyone her coochie
Everyone is weighing on "Kramer's" rant
Anna Nicole Smith continues to speak – come on, can’t some one tell her that she sounds like a drunken idiot. I feel for her, I do … she has probably spent most of her life be exploited by people because of the way she looks and acts – but can’t someone help her out???
Derek Jeter and Jessica Biel Hookin' Up - wow! Could two people make a prettier couple?
Chad Lowe still loves Hilary Swank - am I the only one that says - 'yea, until you figure out that you are actually gay' ... Chad has always seemed a little *closeted* to me. .

Ok, the list goes on. Just like my 'to-do' list. It seems to be multiplying.

Did I mention that I am grateful? I am, really, I am!

~Frannie - buried under 5 feet of snow and grateful darn it!

The art of life is a constant readjustment to our surroundings. -Kakuzo Okakaura

Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 1 Chronicles 16:8

Stuck X's 3!

I could tell you the story, but you wouldn't believe me. Seriously!

There is more snow here than we ever receive in an entire year. My big rig is in the ditch. My children are goin' stir crazy and I am fairly sure this is how many divorce proceedings begin.

Just a thought ...

I am, however, exceedingly grateful. I am, really. We have everything we need. We are all safe and mostly well - LittleMiss is still vomiting, but ... I think that is par for the course when you have little ones. We have power - a lot of folks out our way don't. It's just a car - we can replace it. I am grateful - even though I am so irritated I could ... Damn, I don't even know what I could ...

I will try, really hard, to send out a positive post tomorrow. Although there is no school again tomorrow, so my promises may ring hallow.

~ Yours,
Frannie


I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it. -Maya Angelou

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

Stuck again.

{Rant} Different day, same shit crap stuff.

Oops, does that sound bad? Sorry. Feelin' a little bit grumpy today.

We had a snowstorm last night and I, wrongly, assumed that it would be gone by this morning. Yea, not so much. We now have feet of snow.
And Mr. Farmer had to go back into the city, after getting home at 9ish last night. Thus, he took the big rig and there is too much snow for me to drive the commuter car.

So, I missed church today – never a good way to start (or end, however you look at it) my week.

Ok, not that I could have gone anyway. LittleMiss has a horrendous cough and spent a profuse amount of time vomiting last night … but I would have liked to have the option.

I am sorry if I sound like a whiner. I really am. But even though I am a stay-at-home-mom, I don’t actually stay at home all that often. And I am generally NOT cooped up with all of the kids the entire time.

They are grumpy … and then happy because they can play in the snow … and then grumpy because they missed Sunday school and didn’t get to practice for the Christmas recital … and then they are happy because they can play in the snow and maybe just maybe they will miss school tomorrow … and then they are grumpy because they know it isn’t so … and then they are happy because they get to play in the snow today (be grateful y’all, we don’t normally get snow) … and then they are grumpy because the don’t have the uber cool snow gear and gadgets that the fancy schmancy family across the way has.

You see my battle? It just doesn’t end. And Mr. Farmer won’t be home until late and when he arrives home he will be cantankerous, as he always is when he has to make this trip, and of course he will be hungry and tired and he’ll eat and then head off to bed. Grrr.

So, you see, there will be no break today. Church is a break, but it is also rejuvenation for me. It is the time that I can sit quietly, reflect on the week I have had and prepare myself for the week ahead.

Ok, I am movin’ on now.

Tell me what is up with this Beta Blogger thing. I know that I asked the question before, but now I am getting annoyed. Every time I log in I am inundated with the ‘switch now’, ‘take a tour’, ‘it’s so much better’ .. blah, blah, blah. Leave me alone. If I wanted to switch, I would. But I don’t wanna. I have heard that it is a pain in the ass patootie. Whew, look at me. I miss one day of church and I turn into a heathen.

Alright, so if you haven’t checked out Atomictumor yet. I am askin’ ya nicely to do so. This is a family that needs some support. I have no doubt that they need financial support, but I am also certain that they are in need of some good ole prayer. Lend your heart, won’tcha?

Just finished readin’ Rebecca Wells' Ya-Yas in Bloom. It was okay. Not as good as Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, but entertaining none the less. It was an easy read. Something you could put down and pick up again later, with ease. So it wasn’t riveting. Which I guess is okay, right?

Finally, I must ask the question. What in the world is Britney doin' hangin' out with Paris? Is she trying to prove K-Fed right? Or the tabloids? Or just what? I don't get it. I have felt bad for her in the past, thinkin' she gets a pretty bum wrap ... if people saw how Frannie sometimes parents ... well ya know - there could be trouble for any of us. But seriously, Paris 'IamnmsoselfishIdon'tthinkotherpeopledeservetobreaththesameairasme,
butheylookatmycootchiewon'tya' Hilton?? What the heck? I'm just askin'. {/Rant}

Yep, I am done rantin' now. I'll come down off of my soap box and let y'all get back to your day.

~ Peace Friends ...
Frannie

If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.-Booker T. Washington

Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28

Stuck at home.

It snowed last night.
It's gone now.
Too bad, the kids would have liked to play a little and I would have liked for them to play a little. Since we are stuck at home today ... all day.

Mr. Farmer had to leave at the crack of dawn, well actually before the crack of dawn, he had an appointment in the city and his isn’t a 4-wheel drive, so it wasn’t going to cut it in the snow and ice - so he took my big rig.

It was so early and my brain was still foggy, as I bid him adieu I failed to remind him to take the car seats out of the big rig. Alas, I am stuck at home all day.

Not that I need anything. Not that I have anywhere special to go today – I don’t. It’s just that feeling … you know the one – when you can’t do something, of course you want to do it.
So, of course I want to leave the house.

But I won’t. Instead, I will remain indoors and cook a second turkey. Yippee. The leftovers from the Thanksgiving turkey are long gone and I am coking for a few families this week. So, what better than Turkey Noodle Casserole or Turkey Pot Pie.

I had to clean the oven before I could put the turkey in. It seems someone, no names shall be given, let the yams runnith over on Thursday and there was an almost ashy residue on the bottom of the over.

So since I was cleaning out the over, I should really clean out the fridge … yuck – the grime and nameable sticky substances were just too much for me to take, and I can only say that you know they are bad when they are bothering Frannie. I can overlook almost any kind of grime if it means that I don’t have to clean it.

With all these kids and animals, I am pretty immune to messes per se … but this time the gunk in the fridge had gone too far.

And hey ... while I am at it, AngelBaby is pretty messy - so I think I'll just throw her in the sink for a bath. That is the great thing about having a giant farmhouse style sink - it is big enough for a toddler! Hooray.

Well you just know ... if you give the toddler a sink bath and don't pay enough attention - you are gonna end up cleanin' the floors. Yep - I have now mopped the floors, cleaned the fridge, the oven, given the baby a bath and written a lengthy post. Heck, its only 12:30 - I think I deserve some sort of prize! Oh wait - I haven't taken a shower yet, I guess I'll have to give back the prize, darn it!

So speaking of messes … I am not sure if I have introduced you to Messy Mom at I Am Tired Of This Mess. I love this gal; she is truly a woman after my heart. I also recently discovered Slacker Mom at Slacker-moms-r-us – gotta love a lady with her sense of humor. If you don’t know these ladies … you should absolutely check them out.

On a more serious note, I was led to this blog earlier in the week: Atomictumor.
It's heartbreaking. I keep going back and reading more and more about BJ's life, she was not even thirty years old, had two small children and a husband who calls her his soulmate ... and she died. As CHML said, it could happen to anyone. There is an anonymous fund there, if anyone wants to donate. Please take a look, it really is heartbreaking and should serve as a reality check for those of us who are fortunate enough to have our loved ones with us during the holidays.

Blessings to you, my friends ...
Frannie


Too many people spend money they haven't earned to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like.-Will Rogers

Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

Frannie's Fixin's & Cookin' Tips

Perhaps I should have posted this yesterday .. or even the day before :)

The best tip for roasting meats ~

To have a crispy skin on chicken or a deep brown color on other meats, roast them uncovered. If you cover meats that you are roasting, they will not be as crisp or brown. But they will cook faster because the steam stays inside. Be sure to baste the meat with the liquid in the bottom of the pan to keep it from drying out.

Crunchy Turkey Flautas

Want to use your Turkey leftovers and actually enjoy them?

The Farmer brood loves to eat Flautas, althought I think it is because it sounds like a bad word to them, anywho... they are so easy to make.

INGREDIENTS:
5 flour tortillas
1 cup shredded turkey
1 teaspoon chile powder
salt to taste
2 tablespoons red chile sauce
oil for frying

PREPARATION:
Add chile powder and sauce to turkey and toss to coat. Divide the turkey evenly between each tortilla. Roll each filled tortilla and place seam side down to rest until all of them are rolled.

Heat oil over medium heat, and fry each flauta until golden brown.

Drain on paper towels and serve with guacamole or salsa.

Cut each flauta in half and serve as an appetizer, or serve up enough for a main dish. This recipe makes 5 full sized flautas.

A Thanksgiving Prayer - by Charlie Daniels

A Thanksgiving Prayer
Heavenly Father we give you our praise,
For your bountiful blessings which sweeten our days,
For the bold blazing patchwork of the bright autumn leaves,
For each step that we take and each breath that we breathe,
For the soft breeze that whispers and the ocean that roars,
For the hummingbird's shimmer and the eagle that soars,
For the tall stately mountains that are older than time,
For the vast waving grain fields and the fruit of the vine,
For the thunder and lightning and the tempests that rage,
For the wonder of childhood and the wisdom of age,
For the shimmering cities with their millions of lights,
For the hamlet, the village and the wonderful sight
Of a storm in the making bringing life giving rain,
A late summer sunset or the moon on the wane,
For the luscious green forests all tangled and wild
For the love of a woman and the trust of a child,
For the loyal policeman who stands in harm's way,
And the brave men and women who day after day,
Are the keepers of freedom the bearers of arms,
Who watch and protect us and keep us from harm,
For the fireman who goes where no other would dare,
For the doctors and nurses and the people who care,
For the sick and the needy and those who are kind,
For the homeless, the hungry, the lame and the blind,
For the tellers of tales and the singers of songs,
And the old man who passes his knowledge along,
For a child's giddy laughter at a birthday surprise,
And the soft tender wonder in a new mother's eyes,
For the clean virgin beauty of the new fallen snow,
For the vast sandy deserts where the wild west wind blows,
For my Tennessee valley in the cold morning fog,
And the unfettered love of a faithful old dog,
For the late April buttercups in golden bloom,
And the silvery fullness of an October moon,
For our little brick church and the songs of the choir,
For the snuggly comfort of a warm winter fire,
But most of all Heavenly Father above,
For the blessings of mercy, forgiveness and love
And of all of your sweet gifts the most precious one,
Is the wonderful glorious gift of your Son.
No words can describe the supreme awesome cost,
That you paid for the souls of the wicked and lost,
So now as we pause and look back through the year,
With our bountiful table and our loved ones all near
My cup runneth over as I humbly pray
to my Lord and my Saviour on this Thanksgiving day.

---Charlie Daniels

I was just wondering ...

If you are sorely disappointed when you do a google search for one of the following and end up here?

Unscramble
unscramble the scrambled eggs
unscrambling words into smaller ones
poop-art photos
unscramble the eggs that are scrambled
"frannie farmer" celery stuffing
you cannot unscramble egg
rum balls with sesame seeds
how early can you put whipping cream on cake
how to cook a turkey breast
freezing uncooked scrambled eggs
is it ok to prepare mashed potatoes 4 days ahead?
can you feed babies scrambled eggs
scrambled eggs with blue cheese
pumpkin torte vanilla wafers
vanilla scrambled eggs
how far ahead can you toast coconut for ambrosia
scrambled eggs flour
unscramble nuts
frannie farmer
candybar dolls
leftover oatmeal pancake
you can't unscramble eggs
spiced scrambled eggs
cooking scrambled eggs in oven
***

I can't imagine that for the most part, I provide the answer to any of your questions. But I do find you queries pretty humorous. I have to wonder what exactly a 'candybar doll' is or why you would want to unscramble nuts. But I am hopeful that the person seeking a solution to the leftover oatmeal dilemma found our recipes adequate.

If I don't get a chance to post tomorrow, I want to wish everyone a blessed holiday. Please be sure to eat some green beans for me ... and of course, be safe.

~ Frannie

He who cures a disease may be the skillfullest, but he that prevents it is the safest physician.- Thomas Fuller, British clergyman and author

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

***I didn't include any of the x-rated ones for fear of offending those that actually stay and read.

It just wouldn't be Thanksgiving without ...

Green Bean Casserole ...

Let me just say that this isn't your mother's green bean casserole! There will be no French Fried Onions here. I hate to admit, as it seems a little un-American, that I can't stand those things. So tomorrow I will be making two batches, one with the French Fried Onions and the one I will eat!

INGREDIENTS
4 slices bacon
1/4 cup olive oil
1 pound baby portobello mushrooms, sliced
1/2 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup with roasted garlic
3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt with no MSG
1/3 teaspoon white pepper
2 (15.5 ounce) cans French cut green beans, drained
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Place bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and fry until crisp. Remove from the skillet to drain on paper towels. Pour olive oil into the skillet, and reduce heat to medium. When oil is hot, add mushrooms and onion; cook, stirring frequently until the onions start to become translucent. Add garlic, and fry for a couple of minutes, just until fragrant. Stir in the mushroom soup and almonds, and bring to a boil. Season with seasoned salt and white pepper, and crumble in the bacon. Gently stir in the green beans, then transfer the mixture to a casserole dish.
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle Cheddar cheese over the top. Return to the oven for 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Let it go.

Here is an email I got today ...

What should you let go of?

If I Were Lucky
By Avis Drucker

If I were lucky in this lifetime,

I would learn the art of letting go.
I would start with the bathroom scale,

that little square joy buster.
Gone!

Next would be my watch,

keeper of rigid rituals and joyless appointments.

Gone!

Perfection, next big hit.

Let the housework pile up and invite lots of friends over.

Just put the vacuum cleaner in the middle of the living room

and leave it there for six months.

Next, get rid of that worry dance I do.

The health of my husband,

the safety of my children,

not enough money,

what people think,

being alone,

not being alone,

terrorists, tax collectors,

termites . . .

get a grip!

Let it go.

I would travel the world

and take lots of black and white photos

of all the wonderful faces.

I would sit on the beach with my friends

nd eat junky hot dogs.
I would take long walks with my husband

through the village to the lighthouse.
Sometimes I would sit quietly on my porch

and listen to the birds for hours.

Sometimes I would put on jazz or opera and turn it up really loud.

I would surround myself with people

who love nature, laughter and dessert.
I would spend my time living large and doing nothing.

I would sit back and enjoy the journey.

The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.- George Bernard Shaw, playwright

I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.
For in him you have been enriched in every way -

in all your speaking and in all your knowledge. 1 Corinthians 1:4-5

Frannie's Fixin's & Cookin' Tips

I see your comments and know that I should reply and I will ... but today I am letting it all sink in. No, I didn't do anything horrible, but that doesn't change the way I feel inside. Who wants to do something out of charachter and possibly be remembered for it? Yep, me neither.

Maybe my icky feeling has something to do with this terrible weather we are having ... maybe.

~ Frannie



If you get busy serving God, you're too busy to sin. -Chuck Baker

Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. Psalm 95:1-2

Using Blenders and Food Processors

They will work best if they are filled only two-thirds full. If the blender doesn't operate, it may be too full. Don't try to grate hard frozen foods because they could cause the blade to break.

Ginger Pumpkin Mousse

Ingredients
1/2 cup sugar or sugar substitute* equivalent to 1/2 cup sugar
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
3/4 cup fat-free milk
3 egg yolks, beaten
1 15-ounce can pumpkin
2 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger or 1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 of an 8-ounce container frozen light whipped dessert topping, thawed
3 gingersnaps, halved

Directions
1. In a medium saucepan, stir together sugar and gelatin. Stir in milk and egg yolks. Cook and stir over medium heat until gelatin is dissolved and mixture just begins to bubble. Remove from heat. Stir in pumpkin, ginger, and vanilla. Transfer mixture to a large bowl. Cool about 20 minutes.

2. Fold dessert topping into pumpkin mixture. Spoon into six 6-ounce tall glasses or serving dishes. Cover and chill about 5 hours or until firm. To serve, top each serving with a gingersnap half. Makes 6 (1/2-cup) servings.

*Sugar Substitutes: Choose from Splenda Granular, Equal Spoonful or packets, or Sweet 'N Low bulk or packets. Follow directions to use amount equivalent to 1/2 cup sugar.

Make-Ahead Directions: Prepare and chill as directed. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours. Serve as directed.

Walnut and Sage Pesto Turkey Breast
Ingredients
2 3- to 3-1/2-lb. fresh or frozen bone-in turkey breast halves
Nonstick cooking spray
2 7-oz. container refrigerated basil pesto or 10-oz. jar purchased pesto
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh sage
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 recipe Onion-Thyme Gravy (optional)

Directions
1. Thaw turkey, if frozen. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a large shallow roasting pan and rack with cooking spray. Place turkey breast halves, bone side down, on rack in prepared pan. Set aside.

2. In a medium bowl combine pesto, sage, walnuts, salt, and pepper; mix well. Reserve half the pesto mixture to pass with turkey. Cover; chill until serving time.

3. Starting at the breast bone, slip your fingers between skin and meat to loosen skin, leaving skin attached at top. Rub about two-thirds of the remaining pesto mixture under the skin over the breast meat. Rub remaining pesto mixture over the skin of each breast halve. Insert an oven-going meat thermometer into thickest part of turkey breast, without touching bone. Roast, uncovered, for 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Roast 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours longer or until thermometer registers 170 degrees F., juices run clear, and turkey is no longer pink. Cover with foil the last 30 to 45 minutes, if necessary to prevent overbrowning. Let stand, covered with foil, for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with remaining pesto mixture and the Onion-Thyme Gravy. Makes 10 to 12 servings.

Onion-Thyme Gravy: In a medium saucepan melt 2 Tbsp. butter over medium-high heat. Add 1-cup chopped onion, 3 shallots (about 2/3 cup), and 1 tsp. snipped fresh thyme (or 1/4 tsp. dried thyme crushed); cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes or until vegetables are tender and browned.

Stir in 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add 1 14-oz. can reduced-sodium chicken broth, 1 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce, and 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce. Cook and stir until mixture comes to boiling; reduce heat to medium. Simmer, uncovered, for 8 to 9 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in 1/8 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. pepper. Makes 2-1/4 cups or nine 1/4 cup servings.

Losing your inhibitions.

So, here is my question; what does it take for you to lose you inhibitions?

For a lot of people, a glass of wine or four will do the trick. Other require stronger stimulus … I was actually going to include a list of other stimuli but the internet search was so vast and my personal knowledge so limited that I will just leave the ‘other’ stuff up to your own imagination …

I can sometimes be in the glass of wine category, in actuality I almost always lose my inhibitions with wine. However, I don’t always need to lose those pesky inhibitions. Every once in a while it just takes a few people in the room to cheer me on, tell me how witty or funny I am and throw in the plants being aligned - I am good to go. I can make a completely sober ass out of myself.

I guess that’s why it is easier to make an ass out of yourself when you have been drinking. You have an excuse then, it isn’t just your naturally peculiar self coming out to play. You can look back and blame it all on the Australian Sauvignon Blanc talking.

Although, at this particular moment I almost wish I didn’t have the wine to blame for my latest outing. I knew better. I started out the evening so well. So sober. ‘No thank you, I’ll just have wine with my dinner.’ And I did that. I waited until dinner, except I didn’t actually eat the dinner. And they kept bringing more wine and the evening had started off with numerous people inflating my ego with kind words and accolades.

One of the ladies asked me, early in the evening, to give her a heads up if I thought she was indulging a bit too much at the Chardonnay table. I guess my mistake was thinking that the responsibility was mutual; she in turn would let me know when my glass had been filled too many times. Yea, not so much …

So, my memory of the evening continues to be a bit cloudy … fuzzy … and a little painful if I am truly honest.

I am hoping that if I done anything TOO terribly wrong, I would have gotten a phone call by now. Mr. Farmer was in attendance but he is fairly lenient when Frannie actually has a night out on the town, so I’m not sure he would say anything … also, this was a schmoozing party so we didn’t spend much time together as a couple … we were merely ships passing in the night. But no, I didn’t pass out or anything like that …

I just thing that I might have had a few too many in.detail.colorful.full.disclosure.I.love.you.man type of conversations, ya know what I mean?

Although I did have company over last night - they had the pleasure of my ramblings the night before and they still came, on time, with smiles and when asked if I had morally offended them at any point during the night, they looked genuine when they said no … but they are city folk, so it just might be that they are used to it …

The thing I am having the most trouble with is … oh I just can't post it ... Next year – no heart-to-heart talks. No, no, no, no, no!

A little hair of the dog?

Well, not really ... but Frannie is movin' a little bit slow today.
My adult night out went ok, I think. Spirits we in abundance ... my memory of the late, late, late night is rather foggy, but I believe that my schmoozing skills were acceptable. My shameless flirting? Well that is another post all together.

Time for a nap.
~ Frannie



As the purse is emptied, the heart is filled.-Victor Hugo


Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17


Holiday Rum Balls

INGREDIENTS:

1-1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
3 Tablespoons light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Rum to taste
Confectioners' sugar

TO PREPARE:

Combine the vanilla wafer crumbs, 1 cup confectioners' sugar, pecans, corn syrup and vanilla in a bowl and mix well. Add just enough rum to make a mixture that adheres.
Shape the crumb mixture into small balls and coat with additional confectioners' sugar. Store in an airtight container. May be prepared 1 to 2 weeks in advance.

YIELDS: 1-1/2 to 2 dozen rum balls

Source: Cooking by the Boot Straps

Frannie's Fixin's & Cookin' Tips

Leftover Bits of Cheese? Don't feed the mice ...
Melt any kind of cheese bits with canned skim milk and you will have a delicious cheesey sauce that can be poured over pasta, tortilla chips, vegetables or baked potatoes.

Chicken Quesadillas

This is a healthy version of a tried and ture quesadilla recipe.

INGREDIENTS
4 (7-inch) whole wheat tortillas
1/2 cup shredded light mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup shredded light cheddar cheese
2 slices smoked chicken or turkey, slivered
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 tomato, finely chopped and drained
2 teaspoons pickled jalapeño peppers, finely chopped

DIRECTIONS
1. Place tortillas, one at a time, on a preheated nonstick skillet.
2. Evenly distribute 1/4 of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, chicken, onions, cilantro, tomatoes and peppers over top.
3. Cook over medium heat until cheese melts (tortilla shouldn't brown).
4. Fold to make half moon and press firmly in place. Transfer to baking sheet or platter in warm over. Repeat with remaining tortillas and remaining ingredients.
5. Cut each into two or three wedges, and serve immediately.

Serves: 2



Faith is a living and unshakable confidence, a belief in God so assured that a man would die a thousand deaths for its sake. -Martin Luther

Know this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rank growth of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:19-21

I know I am not the only one ...

That hopes, prays even, that Britney doesn't take K-Fed back. I am sure if you look up the word repugnant in the dictionary, you will find his picture ... he makes me sick - almost literally.

The picture in this article seriously made me want to vomit ... K-Fed wants Britney Back!.

Ok, well maybe you didn't need to know that but urgh ...

I also know that I am not the only SAHM that shudders when faced with the idea of making actual adult conversation; conversation that has nothing to do with children.

This weekend I am faced with such a situation and I am nervous, beyond nervous actually. I have to talk about ‘businessy’ stuff .. small talk, you know topics that don't inclue poop-art,the Reese and Ryan split or how to appropriately grind nuts … yea, I am just not sure how this is going to go.

Usually I am ok When I attend adult functions, but I sorta have a stake in this one going well. It could mean potential, and much needed, income for Frannie … so I have to schmooze and talk myself up - I am soo not good at either of those things ... anymore.

Oh, back in the day I was an excellent schmoozin', small talkin', deal makin' pro-fess-ion-al! YOu bet. And I was ruthless. I could intimidate grown men with my knowledge and tenacity.

But it is different now. I became more sensitive after having children, less able to intimidate or exaggerate the benefits of something that is without merit. It is harder to put my ‘game face’ on, far more difficult to just ‘fake it’.

I was smaller, cuter then too. I am sure that didn't hurt. I feel ok now ... not too bad, but certainly not at the top of my game.

But I will try. I will put on an actual dress, with hose and high heels. I just might wear earrings and a little blush. I will make sure that I don't have any schmutz on my clothes before I walk through the door and I will do my best to impress.

Wish me luck! Please.

~ Frannie

You must do the thing you think you cannot do. -Eleanor Roosevelt

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

A sweet treat.

Ambrosia Layer Cake

If you have all day ... well close ... and want to make a special treat for the family, this delicious cake will be a hit!

Ingredients:
For cake
2 3/4 cups sifted cake flour (not self-rising; sift before measuring)
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 large whole eggs, at room temperature for 30 minutes
1 tablespoon finely grated fresh orange zest
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup whole milk

For orange filling
2 large whole eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons finely grated fresh orange zest

For seven-minute frosting
1 (7-oz) bag sweetened flaked coconut (2 2/3 cups)
2 large egg whites
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
2 teaspoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Special equipment: 2 (9- by 2-inch) round cake pans

Preparation:

Make cake:
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour cake pans, knocking out excess flour.
Sift together flour (2 3/4 cups), baking powder, and salt into a bowl.

Beat together butter and sugar with an electric mixer (fitted with paddle attachment if using a stand mixer) at medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, then beat in zest and vanilla and continue beating 5 minutes more. Reduce speed to low, then add flour mixture and milk alternately in 4 batches, beginning with flour mixture and mixing until batter is just smooth. Divide between cake pans, spreading evenly.

Bake cake layers until they begin to pull away from sides of pans and a wooden pick or skewer comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool 5 minutes in pans on racks, then invert cake layers onto racks and cool completely. (Leave oven on for toasting coconut.)

Make filling while layers bake:
Whisk together eggs in a heatproof bowl until combined well.

With clean dry whisk, stir together sugar, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart heavy saucepan, then whisk in water and juices until smooth. Bring to a boil over moderate heat, whisking, then reduce heat and cook at a bare simmer, whisking constantly, 2 minutes (mixture will be thick).

Add half of hot juice mixture to eggs in a slow stream, whisking, then whisk egg mixture into juices in saucepan and cook over moderately low heat, whisking, just until it reaches a boil. Remove pan from heat, then add butter and zest, whisking until butter is melted. Chill filling, its surface covered with a buttered round of wax paper (buttered side down), until cold, about 30 minutes.

Make frosting:
Spread coconut in a shallow baking pan and toast in oven, stirring occasionally, until golden, 12 to 15 minutes.

Beat together egg whites, sugar, water, corn syrup, and a pinch of salt in a large metal bowl with a handheld electric mixer (clean beaters if necessary) until combined. Set bowl over a saucepan of simmering water and beat mixture at high speed until it holds stiff, glossy peaks, 5 to 7 minutes. (Humid weather may necessitate additional beating time.) Remove bowl from heat, then add vanilla and lemon juice and continue beating until frosting is cooled and very thick, 6 to 10 minutes.

Assemble cake:
Halve each cake horizontally with a long serrated knife. Put 1 layer on a cake stand or large plate and spread with about 3/4 cup filling. Stack remaining cake layers using about 3/4 cup filling between each layer. Spread top and side of cake with frosting and coat cake with coconut, gently pressing to help it adhere.

Cooks' notes:
• Cake layers (not split horizontally) can be made 3 days ahead and chilled, wrapped individually in plastic wrap.
• Filling can be chilled up to 8 hours. Stir before spreading.
• Frosting can be made 4 hours ahead and chilled, covered.
• Cake can be assembled and frosted 2 hours ahead.



Makes 10 to 12 servings.


Source: Epicurious.com

Baby it's cold outside.

A little something to warm the body and soul.

Cream of Pumpkin Soup

Ingredients
3 Tbsp. butter
1 large onion, finely chopped (1 cup)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 to 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
2 14-oz. cans chicken broth
1/2 cup uncooked orzo or wild rice
1- 1/2 cups half-and-half, light cream, or milk
1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 15-oz. can pumpkin
Cracked black pepper (optional)

Directions
1. In a large saucepan melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in crushed red pepper; cook for 1 minute. Add broth; bring to boiling. Stir in orzo or rice. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, about 10 minutes for orzo or 40 minutes for wild rice or until orzo or rice is tender.
2. In a screw-top jar combine half-and-half and flour. Cover; shake well to combine. Stir into orzo mixture; cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly. Stir in pumpkin; heat through. Transfer to an insulated container. Sprinkle each serving with cracked black pepper. Makes 6 to 8 side-dish servings.

Pumpkin Seed Breadsticks

Ingredients
1 13- to 14-oz. pkg. refrigerated pizza dough
1 egg, beaten
1 to 3 Tablespoons shelled pumpkin seeds, plain sesame seeds, and/or black sesame seeds,
Coarse salt or salt

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Lightly grease two large baking sheets. Unroll pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. Using your hands, shape dough into a 12x9-inch rectangle. Brush the dough with some of the egg. Sprinkle with seeds and lightly sprinkle with salt. Use a floured long knife or floured pizza cutter to cut dough crosswise into 1/4- to 1/2-inch wide strips.
2. Place strips on prepared baking sheets. Bake, one sheet at a time, for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks. Makes about 24 breadsticks.

Goldilocks lives here.

emmm, k. Where do I start.
1) with a warning ... ummm don't try to blog when you have had a WHOLE glass of Shiraz ... and you aren't really a drinker any more and you are somewhat of a stickler for grammar and spelling and such ...

2) I truly think that Goldilocks lives in my house - ok, well Goldilocks morphed into three or four beings ... Tonight I heard - these mashed potatoes are too runny ... these mashed potatoes are too lumpy ... yum, MaaMaa these mashed potatoes are just right. What gives? Everyone had the same mashed potatoes.

3) While I am a roll ... a semi-stupered (is that a word?) roll ... I must ask - how is it that I have sooo many visitors and so few comments? I mean, seriously, I have between 20-30 visitors stopping by day (wow!) and maybe 3 comments. Am I boring, if so please tell me ... I will try to come up with something new and exciting. If I can .... but really I am shocked at the number of people that stop by - I never expected that - at all.

4) It's bed time at the Farmer house. AngelBaby is running around saying 'isnotfairisnotfair' - she wants to watch 'nkatenashkley' ... we have about 15 old Mary Kate and Ashley videos and AngelBaby loves them .. I never want her to see the 'current' MaryKate and Ashley - well her, LittleMiss and SweetiePie would all be crushed if they actually knew that the Olsen twins were .. um .. sortof grown ups (??) now. Same with Lindsey ... they still watch The Parent Trap and think that's Lindsey ...

5) k .. well I should go now, before I say anything I will regret ...

Hugs,
Frannie

Stop living life for what's around the corner and start enjoying the walk down the street.- Grant L. Miller, motivational guru

Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit.
1 Peter 3:18