A Mother’s Journal

My dear readers, I was thankful for lovely words in my mind upon getting up this morning.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there by any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  (Phil 4:8)

Good for copywork, I think.

Yesterday the weather here was really nice.

I took a walk in The Little Wild Garden.  I admired Faithful, our dogwood, realizing that I have not journaled about her again and that I need to.  Coming soon to a blog near you.

Much to my delight, there were snowdrops in bloom around the goldfish pond.  Aren’t they sweet little flowers!  I wandered over to see if the hellebores showed any signs of blooming.  There is new growth, but no sign of a bloom yet.

The sun was so bright!  The air was warm enough to turn the fountain on for the goldfish.  My goldfish pond does not have a heater, so if it’s too cold (think ice) I can’t turn the pump on to run the water that climbs up through the fountain and runs back down.  I do love that splashing sound.

The birdseed fills the feeder that hangs, of course, from Faithful’s branches.  (Note to self:  Journal soon about your dogwood. )   The birds make me happy while I’m typing.

I consoled myself (over the fact that here it is cold February, which sometimes can get a person down) knowing that there will soon be daffodils in bloom in The Little Wild Garden.  The little neighbor girls will ask if they can have one. 

I’ll say, “Yes, take two.” 

They’ll make us all very happy.

Finally, friends, it is quite the chore keeping enough food for a crowd.  Remind me.  Is six a crowd?  I thought so.

Anyway, I’ve been buying the organic broccoli that’s on sale locally and keeping it cut up for dipping in Newman’s Own Ranch Dressing (I could drink that stuff).  I hate throwing out the broccoli stems, and yet they are rather tough and not as delicious as the crowns for dipping.  I decided to cut them into chunks and then run them through the food processor with some sweet onion.   Used in a recipe I have for broccoli quiche, with venison sausage, oh my did it turn out lovely!  I went ahead and made four of them, because three boys gathered around the table can eat one whole quiche as a “snack.”

Broccoli Quiche – Meant to make one deep dish quiche

Pastry or shell for deep dish pie shell
1 to 1-1/3 cups half and half (I use 2% milk)
6 oz sharp cheddar cheese, grated
4 oz swiss cheese, grated
6 eggs, beaten until frothy
1 bunch fresh broccoli — steamed and chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup chopped cooked meat (in my case, venison sausage)

Combine all ingredients.  Pour into uncooked pie shell(s).  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until done. 

Now, I doubled this recipe, using only 12 eggs, 2-2/3 cups of milk, only cheddar cheese (no swiss)–and probably more of it than called for as far as cheese in total, and lots of venison sausage.  It came out fine.  I made four regular pie crust sized quiches (not four deep dish).   The point is, I think this recipe can be altered quite a bit.  You just need to have enough egg (and milk/moisture) to hold whatever else you’re putting in.  Twelve eggs for four regular pie crusts worked out well, but I did have the added moisture of probably a cup and a half of broccoli and sweet onion for two of them. 

Anyway, I am thankful today for food and the fact that I can easily walk, even, to a local fresh market and get good things.

I’m working on my goal to have 10 new things in the shop by the end of the day.

Enjoy this day.