MARIE'S MUSES

I like to look at everything --

A snow-capped peak, a sign of Spring;

A moonlit night, a sunny day,

A swallow winging on it’s way;

A rose in bloom, a cherry tree,

A shore’s liaison with the sea;

A lazy river winding by

On which reflections catch the eye.

I like to look at things each day,

It’s all a Theme Park in a way.

The only difference seems to be,

In nature’s park, admission’s free.

~J.M. Robertson

I found this poem the other day and thought how wonderful it was. It fits me to a “T.” That’s pretty much what I am like. A dawdler and observer of things, a bit of a dreamer and fancier. I guess I just see life as a big banquet and I spent each day feasting on it!

Saturday afternoon I was able to talk to my sister in Ontario, Canada on the telephone. Oh, how wonderful that was!! Back when we were both stay at home mom’s, we used to chat with each other every morning for at least an hour and sometimes longer if we could. We never ran out of things to say to each other and the time would just fly by. We talked about everything under the sun. I wish we still lived close enough to be able to do that, if not every day then at least once a week. I miss her so much. She is my best friend in all the world. Still we did have a lovely catch up with each other on Saturday, so that was good. J

Saturday night we had a lovely couple over for supper. Their name is the Boyle’s. They moved down here from Scotland about six months ago. What beautiful people they are! And I don’t mean that physically, although to be sure they are not unattractive, but I meant that spiritually. They are beautiful inside and we thoroughly enjoyed their company. We have ever so much in common as well, as she is American, he’s Scottish and they met on the internet, just as Todd and I did! We’re all members of the same church. Her children are across the ocean as mine are so she knows what that feels like as well. We spent a lovely couple of hours getting to know each other better and were sad to have to say goodbye at the end of the evening. I can tell you it won’t be long before we do it again!

As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we try hard to keep the Sabbath on Sundays, which means that we try to do things on Sundays that are wholesome and conducive to feeling the spirit beside us. That means we go to church every Sunday and then after church we spend the day either visiting friends, family or shut ins, or reading wholesome material, watching wholesome material on the television etc. I reckon it’s a good thing. We all spend so much of the week running after out tails, it’s a good thing to take at least one day a week where you just relax and enjoy the good life that our Heavenly Father’s seen fit to bless us with. I took the opportunity yesterday afternoon to telephone my good friend Honey in Oregon. What a sweet lady she is. We had a lovely conversation and it is only time and distance that kept us from talking for hours. We have never met in person but feel as if we have always known each other. I think it’s pretty magical when that happens with a person. It’s like your spirits connect in a very special way. I truly hope that one day we will get to meet in person, and in fact I know we will, if not here on earth, then afterwards! We’ve met on Recipezaar.com. (I’ve met some really nice people on there. It’s a great site!) Honey is battling the battle of all battles right now, cancer, so if you could spare a few prayers and send them her way, I am quite sure they would be much appreciated!

Later in the day yesterday my telephone rang and it was my friend Sue, from Lake Tahoe, California! What a surprise that was. We met each other on Recipezaar also and were fortunate to meet each other in person last fall when she was over here visiting family. Can you believe there is 7 to 8 feet of snow on the ground right now where she lives???? I know, it’s amazing!!! It’s been a long time since I have seen snow like that! The thought boggles the mind. We enjoyed a lovely conversation with each other. It was really nice catching up.

I think by the end of the day Todd thought he was going to have to surgically remove the telephone from my ear! But what a lovely day it was, beginning with catching up with my Heavenly Father, to catching up with some well loved friends, and ending up with a conversation with my Heavenly Father again, and a snuggle next to my Todd in bed. Every day should be so filled with bliss!! Yes . . . I am a lucky woman! J

I did a completely French meal on Saturday night. We started off with a lovely salad of Endive with celery, walnuts and Roquefort cheese, then the main course was Bouef aux Carottes with all the trimmings, and for dessert a lovely yoghurt cake with berries and cream. My, but it was delicious if I don’t say so myself! I think the company made it taste all the better!  (Tommorrow I'll show something tasty to do with the leftovers!)

(Braised Beef Brisket with Carrots)

Serves 4

This is a lovely meal that requires very little effort. You end up with meltingly tender beef with a rich broth, sweet and buttery in flavour from the carrots. I served it with a celeriac/potato mash and some lightly steamed haricots verts. (green beans)

2 TBS extra virgin olive oil

1.5 kg of rolled beef brisket

1/5 kg of carrots, peeled and trimmed

150g bacon lardoons

1 onion, peeled, halved and thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

1 fresh bay leaf

1 sprig of fresh thyme

1 small leafy celery stalk

500ml dry white wine, or unsweetened apple juice

Coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Heat 1 TBS of the olive oil in a large roaster on top of the stove. (Use one with a fitted lid) Add the brisket and brown it slowly on all sides. Once browned, remove it to a plate, salt it generously and then set it aside.

Heat the remaining oil in the roaster and add the carrots, 1 tsp of salt and cook, stirring them occasionally, until they are browned. This will take from 3 to 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Put the lardoons and onions into the roaster and then cook them over high heat until nicely browned, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Add the garlic, bay leaf, thyme, celery, beef and carrots. Pour in the wine or juice, and add water almost to cover. Bring to the boil. Skim off any foam that may surface, then top with the lid and roast in a pre-heated oven at 150*C/300*F. Roast for 3 hours, turning the meat over at least once during the cooking time.

Remove from the oven and take the meat out of the liquid. Let rest for about 15 minutes before cutting in thin slices to serve, accompanied with the carrots and lovely juices spooned over top. Delicious!