Friday, May 12, 2017

Rainy cozy day!!!

Well, yesterday was nice during most of the day so I rushed outside to get some work done before the storms arrived.  I watered my plants under the eaves as unless it REALLY blows they don't get much moisture.  I then went in the back yard and started working on (weeding) the North East flower bed.  I got it about 1/2 done before my arms gave out.  It was about 85 degrees F so if you were working you got very warm.  I raked up the mess and then planted some flowers in the trough and called it quits for the outside work.  I planted some perennials with annuals hoping the annuals would fill in while the perennials had a chance to get started.
 I tried to blog and read blogs yesterday but the Internet kept going up and down so I finally called them and indeed it was them and not me...PTL!  They must have fixed it because all is working well today.  It put me in a bit of a bind though as I depend on the pc and my tablet for the  weather but I had batteries for my weather radio so I turned it on instead.  I usually only turn it on when I go to sleep.
I went uptown for some mulch, softner salt and a few other essentials, came back home and hunkered down while the clouds moved in.  I finished the foot of my sock but I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open.  I had done my chores, the cat girls were in the basement and I fed Nitty and Annie but by then the storm had blown in and they couldn't go out which they usually do after supper.  I feel so bad for them but they will turn around when I open the door and they see the rain coming down.
 I had my pj's on by 5:30 and I heated up my Vermicelli Soup with Tomato and Basil.....this soup is phenomenal!  I could not believe how with such few and simple ingredients you could make something taste that good! I am sharing the recipe with you here so you can see for yourself if you so desire..........mind you...I did not have fresh basil so I used dried and I used good old Kraft Parmesan cheese as that is all I had.  Tessa Kiros, the author of Apples for Jam, says this is her 'crisis saver' whether you are tired, sick or just don't feel like cooking this is a great 'go to' recipe.  It is also quick, inexpensive, easy and you usually have these ingredients on hand.
 So here it is:
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Vermicelli Soup with Tomato and Basil by Tessa Kiros from the book Apples for Jam
7 cups water or broth
1 Tablespoon of tomato sauce
4 basil leaves
1 1/2 teaspoons of salt (optional )
1/4 (of a 16 ounce package) vermicelli or angel hair pasta broken up
olive oil (to serve)
grated Parmesan cheese (to serve)
Directions:
Put the water (or broth), tomato sauce, and basil leaves in a pan and add 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt (this shouldn't be necessary if you are using broth).  Bring to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 6 to 7 minutes before adding the pasta.  Cook the pasta until a few seconds before the package says it will be ready (it will continue cooking in the hot broth) and then immediately remove the pan from the heat.  Ladle into bowls, diving to the bottom of the pot each time to make sure that everyone has a fair helping of pasta and broth.  Drizzle a little olive oil over each bowl if you like, but definitely give a good sprinkling of Parmesan (about 1 very heaping Tablespoon for each bowl).  Serve immediately.  Serves 4-6
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 Tessa also had a recipe for Cranberry syrup that you could use over pancakes, ice cream and even use with water or sparkling water for a refreshing drink.  I may try this with some other fruit as there are no cranberries, not even frozen, at this time of year.
Her chapters are divided into colors.....I'm on the Red Chapter...can you tell? LOL!
More treasures came in the mail..........this is a book that Joyce of Ruby Moss Cottage had a giveaway for and since the giveaway was over I decided to order it 'used' and I am so happy!  It is by Tiff Fusell (Dottie Angel) and Rachel Blondell (Ted and Agnes).  I can't wait to delve into this book.....right up my 'granny' alley!  If you like this style you would love Ruby Moss Cottage podcasts too.  Tiff does not blog anymore at Dottie Angel but the posts are still out there and you have to be invited to Rachel's blog and her blog where she sells things is no longer in business or she has moved.  But if you Google either one of them there are plenty of 'pins' on Pinterest and people have somehow 'archived' Ted and Agnes blog posts before she went 'private'.
I also received this awesome book that Katie of Inside Number 23 mentioned in one of her first podcasts and I put it on my  'never ending book list'  back then.....did I mention I love bees and all things botanical?  You can visit What Delilah Did here
It's a rainy, blustery day here on the homestead.....a perfect day for curling up with these inspirational books.....just as soon as I clean the tub, do some ironing, make that pie and pay some bills......yeah....right after that! LOL!
I hope you are having a wonderful Friday full of accomplishment in whatever you endeavor!
Happy Trails!
 

17 comments:

  1. My brother lives in East TX and his wife called last night to let him know they lost power. It was out for 4 hours. Not to mention their tornado warning they had too. You all have had some ugly weather. Once again you have been a busy lady. Your soup sounds very yummy. Will copy that recipe for sure. I was smart and bought several bags of cranberrys when they were in season. We vacuum sealed them so we could have them throughout the year. Haooy Mother's Day, if I don't get back to you this weekend.

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    1. Well aren't you smart about the cranberries! I will be doing that come November! LOL! Unfortunately, Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri seem to get the worst of it so far this year. We've been really fortunate...a few years back we weren't and there were several tornadoes in neighboring communities like where I go to the Walmart. Happy Mother's Day to you too! I know you will have a great one!

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  2. It's a rainy cool day here too. We had such a beautiful week but a change has definitely come in for the weekend. That soup looks wonderful. I may just have to make some of that tomorrow as it sounds good for a cool and rainy day. Both of those books look very good. I can't even begin to catch up with the ones I already have though. I must not be tempted. Maybe if I repeat that enough I won't buy any more books. Ha! Have a lovely evening. Rest and read some books work can wait. :-)
    Blessings, Betsy

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    1. I must have heard you because I was 'done' about 3:00 p.m....yawning and really tired....it must have been the weeding! LOL! I have to get back in shape for yard work!

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  3. Hi Sam :)) Another rainy cozy day for me too! It started off with hope, but then the clouds took over, I got NOTHING done outside, sigh. But I did get 17 dinner planned for my shopping day on Monday, so it was productive indoors! When our internet is out, for emergencies, we use our smart phones. We don't have a land line, only cell phones so we can use them for our computers as long as we're careful not to use more than our limits. It's a good back up for us!

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    1. Alas, I have no smart phone or even a cell phone. I'm back in the dark ages! LOL! I so want to do your monthly grocery but it seems I am in need for food before I have time to do it...but I will get there hopefully! It's beautiful today and I need to go to Walmart and it's Saturday which I never do but the rain and flash flooding warnings kept me home so today's the day! LOL!

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  4. I'm glad you got some interesting reads to curl up with. Take it easy and give yourself some time off.

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    1. I did....I was pretty much 'toast' by 3:00 p.m.! LOL! Finally finished that danged Hermione's sock too....it wasn't the pattern but the yarn, I think. I may be turning into a yarn snob whether I like it or not! LOL!

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  5. Ha-ha! You always accomplish so much. I worked on the balcony yesterday, too. We went plant shopping in the morning. Still have some things to pot up. Having a problem with aphids so had to get rid of all my tomato plants and every day am trying to use natural ways to get rid of them. They were selling some toxic concoction at the nursery but the label said it was unsafe for bees, so why would I buy something like that for my plants when I want bees to visit? Those books definitely look very interesting. Loved Dottie Angel -- a shame she stopped blogging as so many others have done, but I do follow her on Instagram. It's 7:24 am and already 93 F here. Ugh! Summer has arrived. Take care!

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    1. I know, it is not easy to keep the bugs or plants away....like with my poison ivy and oak...I had to use chemicals as it kept coming back every year. The Terminex guy couldn't get into the crawl space to check for termites because there was poison ivy/oak/sumac in front of the door. Plus, the dogs would brush against it and then I would pet them and I got it and had to get on Steroids to get rid of it as it was on my face and close to my eyes. It's a jungle down here! For my plants in pots I spray with just some detergent and water. You have to do it daily for awhile. and under the leaves too. I'll have to check IG but the last couple times it said my password was wrong....I don't have time for some of these site's nonsense....I have work to do! LOL! I need to stop looking and start doing! Pinterest is the worst/best for inspiration but I can get lost and when I come up for air....many minutes have passed! LOL!

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  6. Thanks for all the book titles again. I had a wonderful day in the kitchen Friday. And we grilled out - pork chops.

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  7. That soup sounds good and healthy too! I love books with pretty covers. I was going to buy myself some new magazines yesterday but I just couldn't bring myself to pay the price. I'd rather have a book! Happy Mother's day weekend!

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    1. I hope you had a great Mother's Day and yes...magazines are too expensive! Some of the knitting and crafting I understand as they include patterns but not only do most get paid by all their advertiser's but then they turn around and charge up the wazoo too! Books are a much better value, I agree!

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  8. Sending you big hugs and love x

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    1. Thank you, Cucki, big hugs to you and lots of love!

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