Lentil Stew

So on facebook I said I would post the stew recipe, it was good and the neighbours really liked it. In fact one called this morning to say they had it for lunch in lettuce cups which sounds rather awesome and nourishing. So the flowers were from the garden, and it was raining (still!) the greens are the carrot tops that were left from the carrots I picked, waste not, want not. They look pretty I think.

Here goes:

1 tbsp olive oil
1.5 cups chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, chopped
6 stubby carrots, chopped
3 large turkey sausages, remove skin
1 package lentils (16 0z)
4 cups chicken broth, low salt etc.
3 stalks of Thyme
1 head of Sage
1/2 tsp of ground pepper
1 tbsp of sea salt
4 cups of shredded chard (or kale/spinach)
1/4 tsp of cumin

In large pot, heat oil , saute onions, garlic and carrots until slightly soft (10 minutes should do it). Add meat saute a little and then add, lentils, broth, sage thyme, pepper, salt. Bring to a full boil. Turn heat down and simmer, covered, until lentils are almost soft. (about 20 minutes). Stir in chard and add cumin, bring to a boil again and simmer for 20 minutes on low.

Serve over rice or pasta in a soup dish, and of course you could add either yoghurt or a little sour cream on top for a creamier taste. Bon Appetite!

Seconds tonight, manga

A World in Confusion Cultivating Inner Clarity

If we can locate the stillness at the center of our hearts, we can find composure in almost any situation.

People who maintain their sense of calm when things around them are in a state of flux and confusion are always wonderful to be around. We feel calmer just being near them, as if they have activated our own sense of inner peace. From them we learn that we can be calm, even when everything around us is in turmoil, because we know that no matter what happens, this inner sense of calm will help us to function well. Often, times of confusion are the times that enable us to find that part of ourselves that knows how to cope, and how to be a light to others in the storm.

If we allow ourselves to be thrown off balance by every piece of disturbing news that comes our way, we may be relying too much on our emotions. On the other hand, our thoughts may also be unreliable at times like these, as they chatter on endlessly about what might happen next. If our feelings and thoughts activate one another in a hectic way, then we become caught up in the confusion that surrounds us. However, if we can locate the stillness at the center of our hearts, we can find composure in almost any situation. In addition, we provide a safe place for our friends and family, who are also prone to taking on the confusion of a world in flux.

It helps to remember that we don't need to completely understand what's happening right now, nor do we need to be able to predict the future. Most of us just want to find our way to being at peace with whatever happens, and we can find this peace inside. Cultivating our inner clarity with meditation, journaling, and reading words that inspire us, will lead us to that place inside us that's already there, just waiting.

The Daily OM Today's message, a wonderful free website that helps each day and I highly recommend.

I drove my car today

Doesn't that sound weird, well it is I haven't driven it for four weeks. There's nothing the matter with it, except it just sits in the garage, I'm not a shopper or need to go here there and everywhere type of person. It is a cute car, I bought it ages ago as a 50 b-day reward, it's a 1995 968 Porsche convertible, midnight blue with taupe ragtop and leather interior. Lovely car with only 45K miles on it, I should sell but there it sits. I keep saying my sister and I should do a Thelma and Louise, except for the last part in the film, we don't want to do that even although it might be quite thrilling with the top down.

Semi back to story, I purchased some lovely dishes several years ago with the intention of giving them to my daughter and son in law, however, they told me they didn't have room for anything more in their flat. At the time they lived in a really cool (no heat) San Francisco victorian, I loved it reminded me of our 1890 brick home back in Illinois, huge wooden sliding doors separating rooms, enormous ceilings with moulding and shutters. Anyway I digress, these dishes I bought in an antique shop, I loved them, translucent, plain, simple and looked absolutely wonderful. About 2 months later I see the same dishes in Martha Stewart's Living Magazine, Eva Zeisel no less. Okay the kids don't have space and they aren't really what they want, I keep.

This year I suggest they have the christmas holidays in their home, especially since they are new parents and it's so much work to load everything up and trudge up to the mountains. Well, we don't have enough dishes for everyone. Okay you want the Eva ones? Can we use everyday? Nope! We like retro like Fiesta ..... great, hence the need to drive.

I found some fabulous pottery. Fiesta, is minor I found LuRay, I found Hollywood, seriously I found wonderful pieces for a song, and no I am not sharing the place that I found a stash because I will be going back. The little gravy bowl, was 5. I looked online, please add a zero to that 5. In fact everything I bought except the fiesta stuff is from the 30's 40's and 50's. I think my daughter and son in law now have dishes for everyday use and entertaining with friends and family. I love the colours and it's retro. I love the ceramic lazy susan (made in calif)

Something Wanted Still - EML 1945

I ask of earth no more than this
A little of her wealth
Some place of of blessed peacefulness
A plenitude of health
And then (but this is more of heaven)
that someone's love to me be given.

Some other things I'd wish but these
Are quite a common need
A quiet retreat wherein, at ease,
To site + muse + read.
And then, ah, yes I'd wish to share
My joy with someone sitting there

A few good friends to meet at times
And talk of olden days
With joke + jingling of rhymes
And such like pleasantries
And then, ah, yes I'd like to see.
The smile of someone close to me.

To music still I would aspire
And give allegiance strong
And pledge unquenchable desire
In memorable song.
If in my praise I might combine
Some voice in harmony, with mine.

I know that, in my humble way.
The things the world holds good.
The garish lust of luxury.
Were foreign to my mood.
Sufficient if I'd but possess
The luxury of one caress

And should.

Written by my mother in the mid 1940's shared by the sisters' studio.