the Life and times of the Musical Nomads...

Friday, February 13, 2009

LOVEDAY

One of the most needed Days of the year! seriously, not so much the $5.00 cards or the really bad candy...(those candy hearts are a dentists dream)
BUT ...LOVE !!! sweet pure love! I love this holiday! I love the heart breaking story of how it all began

archaeologists have unearthed a Roman catacomb and an ancient church dedicated to Saint Valentine.] Alongside a woodcut portrait of him, text states that Valentinus was a Roman priest martyred during the reign of Claudius the Goth [Claudius II]. Since he was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding any Christians who were being persecuted under Emperor Claudius in Rome [when helping them was considered a crime], Valentinus was arrested and imprisoned. Claudius took a liking to this prisoner -- until Valentinus made a strategic error: he tried to convert the Emperor -- whereupon this priest was condemned to death. He was beaten with clubs and stoned; when that didn't do it, he was beheaded outside the Flaminian Gate [circa 269].

Saints are not supposed to rest in peace; they're expected to keep busy: to perform miracles, to intercede. Being in jail or dead is no excuse for non-performance of the supernatural. One legend says, while awaiting his execution, Valentinus restored the sight of his jailer's blind daughter. Another legend says, on the eve of his death, he penned a farewell note to the jailer's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine."

wow not really a Halmark movie is now LOL

BUT none the less, LOVE is the reason and that my friends is a GREAT reason for ANY DAY!!! and everyday!

I have always been a fan of Valentines day , My dad would always buy my mom teh BIGGEST prettiest heart he could find. OH how I loved to look at that heart all decorated with lace and ribbon and a big ole fabric rose in the middle , I thought it was the end all !!!! Sliced bread ??? what?? this was the best invention EVER!!!!
I always got one as well ......not as big but who could eat all taht candy........yeah right!

then there was the school parties and the cards all pink and red ! what a great girly holiday!!!
mom would always say a prayer for our family taht was extra special.

I try to spread the love on to my kids and show them how important it IS to always show folks you love them!!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

I love the Owls..........I LOVE OWLS!!! no idea why.....maybe it remends me of when I was izzy's age in the 70's....OWLS were big then too ...

I quiet night sewing and finishing Izabel's Valentines did'nt go as I planned .....BUT again a night at this house seldom follows the "plan" I had set out to accomplish. needless to say it went a bit sideways and upside down.....but thats life unexpected and always keeping you on your toes!!!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

photo.......how I love thee.................??????

how much do I love to snap snaperoo ? I can not put into words ...BUT I must admit sometimes I believe its not JUST taking the photos BUT also creating something with them that is my passion.

My HAPPY VALENTINES DAY Project 2009

Just keep sewing...just keep sewing....sewing sewing sewing.....

awwwww thread and fabric so many options so many wonderful ideas!!!!!
I am excited about jumping back into a hobby I have always loved since I was given my very first cute little pink sewing machine at age 7 .

so with a little energy and and a whole lot of thought of what cute little trinket I can conjure up OFF I GO TO the fabric store!!!

I crocheted some cute head bands as well .

here is sweet Izzy modeling the result !!!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

RECIPYS , YUMMY ...easy ...Inexpensive ....

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork

Ingredients
3 cups cubed peeled potatoes (Idaho or Yukon gold)
1 cup chopped onion
3 pound pork roast, trimmed
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup water
1/2 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Salt
Directions
Arrange potatoes and onion in bottom of slow cooker. Place pork on top of potatoes and onion. Spread garlic all over pork.
In a medium bowl, whisk together water, ketchup, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, mustard, black pepper and salt. Pour mixture over pork.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours or on HIGH for 3 to 4 hours.
Slice pork crosswise into thin slices and serve 12 ounces for this meal. Serve with all of potatoes, onions, and sauce
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Salmon Steaks with Ginger

Prep: 5 min, Cook: 10 min.
2 Tbs. unsalted butter, softened
2 tsp. soy sauce
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. fresh ginger, minced
2 Tbs. sesame oil
4 salmon fillets, about 6 ounces each
8 slices lime
Combine first 4 ingredients in a bowl and set aside. Heat oil in a heavy nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add salmon and dot with half the butter mixture. Cook about 5 minutes or until browned on one side. Turn, dot with remaining butter and cook another 4-5 minutes until salmon flakes easily when tested with a fork. Garnish with lime slices.

Per serving: calories 487, fat 23.6g, 45% calories from fat, cholesterol 181mg, protein 63.7g, carbohydrates 1.9g, fiber 0.5g, sugar 0.6g, sodium 367mg, diet points 12.1.Dietary Exchanges: Milk: 0.0, Vegetable: 0.0, Fruit: 0.1, Bread: 0.0, Lean meat: 0.0, Fat: 3.7, Sugar: 0.0, Very lean meat protein: 9.5
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Almond Dijon Baked Chicken
Prep: 5 min, Cook: 20 min.
4 boneless skinless chicken breast fillets
2 Tbs. Dijon mustard
2 Tbs. mayonnaise
1/2 cup almonds, chopped
Preheat oven to 375°F. Place chicken in a lightly greased baking pan. Blend mustard and mayo together and spread on top of chicken. Top with almonds. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is cooked.

Per serving: calories 351, fat 16.6g, 43% calories from fat, cholesterol 110mg, protein 45.7g, carbohydrates 4.0g, fiber 2.0g, sugar 1.1g, sodium 220mg, diet points 8.5.Dietary Exchanges: Milk: 0.0, Vegetable: 0.0, Fruit: 0.0, Bread: 0.0, Lean meat: 0.5, Fat: 2.7, Sugar: 0.0, Very lean meat protein: 5.5

ALFREDO sauce
this sauce can be mixed with just pasta OR
kick it up with cooked chicken or shrimp!
Alfredo Sauce:
1 pint heavy cream
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
Freshly cracked black pepper
Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
To prepare alfredo sauce: Heat heavy cream over low-medium heat in a deep saute pan. Add butter and whisk gently to melt. Sprinkle in cheese and stir to incorporate. Season with freshly cracked black pepper. In a large stockpot, cook pasta in plenty of boiling salted water for 3 minutes. Quickly drain the pasta and add it to the saute pan, gently toss the noodles to coat in the alfredo. Transfer pasta to a warm serving bowl. Top with more grated cheese and chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

Facts That Can't Be Ignored...

- The average parent spends 38.5 minutes per week in meaningful conversation with their children. (A.C. Nielsen Co.)

- Family dinners are more important than play, story time and other family events in the development of vocabulary of younger children. (Harvard Research, 1996)

- Frequent family meals are associated with a lower risk of smoking, drinking and using marijuana; with a lower incidence of depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts; and with better grades in 11 to 18 year olds. (Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 2004.)

- Adolescent girls who have frequent family meals, and a positive atmosphere during those meals, are less likely to have eating disorders. (University of Minnesota, 2004)