Back to School

I had a unique opportunity recently of going back to my alma mater at the University where I spent my last two years before I graduated.  Being on campus and seeing the beautiful buildings where I had taken so many classes brought back many memories of days past.  Walking along the same sidewalk with all the trees that line it, seeing the administration building where one would have to stand for hours to get registered, (unlike today where the computer does all the work for a student at his leisure and at his home to get his classes), was fun and exciting.  There was a certain feeling that came with being there that made me feel like I should be carrying a ton of books and be headed for the library to study.  My boyfriend (later this handsome boy became my handsome husband) and I would spent every evening there, each studying our perspective courses' homework.  Sometimes I would be so tired that I would lay my head down and have a short nap on those hard oak tables.  Once in a while we would walk down the hill to an ice cream shop and treat ourselves to a cone afterward.  Then he would walk me back to my apartment that I shared with seven other girls.
  I was not prepared for the nostalgia that came with this experience because the purpose for my visit was to meet the first recipient of a fellowship that was established in the department of Science in my husband's name.  Koushik is a very nice young fellow who, with his wife, has come to the University from Calcutta, India just 5 years ago.  He is a graduate student studying the mobility of flagella in the field of microbiology.  He took me on a tour of his lab and explained his research.  I also met with the Dean of the College of Science who interviewed all the candidates and helped choose Koushik.   Afterward, the three of us walked down the hill to a lovely restrauant where we had a delicious lunch together and talked about Koushik's plans for the future.  What a nice way to spend a fall afternoon!

Simple Woman's Daybook

Simple Woman's Day

FOR TODAY...October 19th

Outside my window... cloudy with a chance of meatballs rain this morning.

I am thinking... this is the start of a new week and one that brings us closer to Christmas!  Yikes!

I am thankful for... all my patio furniture, my statuary, grill, and ceramic pots neatly tucked and stacked in my garage in preparation for winter weather.


I am wearing... grey jeans,blue long sleeved top and my old faithful Uggs slides that keep my feet warm.

I am remembering... how warm and beautiful the weather was yesterday--nearly 80 degrees!

I am going... to begin a big project for Christmas today and hope it gets done by then.

I am reading...  I can't seem to keep up on the magazines that I have laying around.  I stopped subscribing to all but about 4 but not finding time for those and I am still on the Julia book along with Letters by Marjorie Pay Hinckley.


I am hoping... to get a lot done on my project today,and take pictures of my giveaway (coming soon!).

On my mind... several must-do chores--like order furnace filters and winterize the birdhouse and last planter, and place ad to sell the snow tires.

From the learning rooms... just everyday living and learning.

Noticing that...The beautiful red and orange leaves are beginning to make piles beneath the trees.

Pondering these words..."We all have a responsibility--a responsibility to make a difference, to be an influence, to lift someone.  We are all in this together to work out our salvation, to reach our potential, and to be our brother's keeper--to help each other." --Marjorie Pay Hinckley


From the kitchen... the hearty beef stew and cornbread that was made yesterday and there are leftovers for today-Yes!

Around the house... it's beginning to look a lot like Halloween--those cats and spooky signs are appearing.

One of my favorite things~ time to create and time to bake when I have extra time.

From my picture journal..

To read what other women are thinking and doing today click here.

Foodie Friday--Garlic Mashed Potatoes

 Foodie Friday-October 16

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Foodie Friday is hosted by Michael of Designs by Gollum who always has wonderful food and recipes.  Click here to see what's cooking in the kitchens of many bloggers today.  I, myself, had the most delicious Garlic Mashed Potatoes for dinner Sunday.  I usually just wing it when making mashed potatoes but Sunday I mostly followed the wonderful food icon, Ina Gartner, for this recipe which I share today.  I think Ina and Julia Child share some of the same techniques.  One of them is to cook each vegetable separately before putting them together.  At least that is what Ina did in this recipe when she instructs to cook the garlic in olive oil first, then combine with the cooked potatoes when mashing them.

1/2 cup garlic cloves, peeled
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered (I used Idaho russets)
Kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup heavy cream, half and half, or creme fraiche (I used buttermilk)
In a small saucepan, bring the garlic and oil to a boilk then turn the heat to low and cook uncovered for 5 minutes, or until the garlic is lightly browned.  Turn offf the heat and set aside.  The garlic will continue to cook in the oil.
Meanwhile, place the potatoes in a large pot of salted water, bring to a boil, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the potatoes are very tender.  With a slotted spoon remove the potatoes from the water, reserving the cooking water, and remove the garlic from the oil, reserving the oil.
Process the potatoes and garlic through a food mill fitted with the medium disc.  Add the reserved olive oil, 2 teaspoons of salt, the pepper, cream, and 3/4 cup of the cooking water to the potatoes ad mix with a wooden spoon.  Add more cooking water, if necessary, until the potatoes are creamy but still firm.  ( I did not use the cooking water, but used more buttermilk instead. I also did not use all the olive oil.  I added 3 big serving spoons of oil only and it seemed like plenty).  Yumm.
A side note:  To make ahead, keep the potatoes warm in a heat-proof bowl set over  simmering water.
Enjoy reading other wonderful recipes today by going to Designs by Gollum.

Thursday Tablescape-Autumn table

Thursday Tablescape -The Autumn table

For today's table I chose an autumnal theme with lots of brown and white, rust and orange.

  
The table is set with a lovely brown and gray damask linen with scenes of harvest.  Overlayed on that is a gold and rust quilted runner with lots of small pumpkins and flowers in its design.

For the setting I started with round tan woven place mats that give a dried grass textured look.  Next I've used gold chargers and placed my Harvest scene brown and white plates on top.

The napkins are really over sized because they are dishtowels with a lovely large pumpkin screen printed on each one.

At the top and to the side of the plate I have wonderful little antique brown and white butter pat plates that are about 2" in diameter.

Also on the table I love to use antique salts with silver spoons. I found a lot of poems about fall that I typed up and adhered to the back of some seasonal paper that I used at each place for fun.

The centerpiece is dried gourds, hydrangeas, grasses and black-eyed Susan heads.  There are so many beautiful colors that belong to this wonderful season that it is always fun to use them in a tablescape. I cooked a very fall meal of Saged Pork Roast on apple and onions slices, Baked acorn squash with Brown Sugar and Butter, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Tossed Salad with Candied Walnuts and Pears and Oatmeal Cake for dessert. The house smelled heavenly and very much like fall.  For more lovely tablescapes visit our hostess, Susan at Between Naps on the Porch here.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

We are surrounded by autumn's majesty!

A Week of Inspiration and Renewal

Someone recently asked me why I didn't have any pictures of my sisters from our Sisters Week.  So, here are a few that I took with them doing some of the things we did that week.

They came with luggage and stuff for a month! (They stayed a week.)

We made cards,

We took a color tour.




We took field trips.

We each made a quilt like this.

One of us started a second quilt!

 Another had to refer to her owner's manual of her new machine before she could begin sewing.

We ate in (Cooking in her new apron made that week)

 We ate out.

We visited historical sites.

Our finished products:  

They went home inspired and renewed. (I went to bed!:)

We are all looking forward to next year and more fun and adventures!

Simple Woman's Daybook

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...October 12th, 2009
Outside my window... I have red and yellow and purple and lime green in my yard and the mountains are ablaze with color.  There has not been any rain for a week so the color is staying for a while although there are a few dark clouds in the sky this morning.

I am thinking... Who makes all this mess in my house?

I am thankful for... family and friends who show love to me.
I am wearing... a long sleeve heathered blue henley top with a back knit collared vest (very warm) and black pants.
I am remembering... actually I am feeling guiltly as I remember that I used to work out every morning and that I need to sign up again.  But, each day it so easy to start in with my regular household  routine which squeezes out those thoughts and each day blends into another.


I am going... to start cleaning up the kitchen first thing this morning.  Later I am hoping to be able to visit my dear friend who came home from the hospital after spending over 70 days in ICU.  She has experienced not just one miracle but many there.

I am reading...the Julia Child book, My Life in France

I am hoping... to begin teaching my granddaughters how to sew.
On my mind...
Just the myriad of items that need taking care of today and this week.
 

Noticing that... time is flying by and my list for the week has not even been made so I must hurry to catch up.

Pondering these words..." Fill your life with as many moments and experiences of joy and compassion as you humanly can.  Start with one experience and build on it."  Marcia Wieder

From the kitchen... I am happy.  I have my favorite (leftover cake my family made for my birthday) Oatmeal Cake.

Around the house... I am cleaning out clothes from my closet so there are sorted piles around.  This is brought about by an episode on Oprah about hoarding!  I decided I was not going to ever let that happen here!

One of my favorite things~being with family and friends.

From my picture journal...

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