Hello Friend, How are you this morning? Me? I can't sleep (3rd night in a row) so, it's 4:30am and I've already washed up the few dishes that landed in the sink last night, cleaned the stove top, washed a gigantic water bath canning tub, cleaned out the dishwasher, edited some video for the YouTube channel, made coffee and now I'm sitting down to chat with you. In a couple of hours, my 9 month old baby grandson will arrive for a day of crawling everywhere, eating like you can't believe and babbling all of his precious baby words that I wish I could immortalize forever. Yesterday he said, "Thank you" when I handed him a baby biscuit. OK, let's be real, it sounded like daaaaayyyyyyyy dooooooo, but a Mimi knows these things and he is definitely precocious and has impeccable manners already. That was a thank you! (smile). Anyway, please tell me what you are up to? Most days I am just dying for some adult conversation. I would love to know what you are cooking up in your kitchen, how are you dealing with what appears to be "life getting back to normal", do you have plans for summer and how are you feeling in your heart about where we are? You can always shoot me an email by clicking "reply" to this newsletter. It comes straight to my inbox and I answer too! With that, let's move on TO THE FOOD! It's SPRING and that makes me think about these Easter Cake Pops, a real favorite around here. These Peanut Sauce Chicken Skewers are on our dinner plan at least once per week now - terrific on the grill or the smoker! (especially the smoker). Homemade Super Easy Sloppy Joes? That's what we are having tonight! (because, you know, baby will be here all day and I don't have time to cook more than something that only takes minutes) This week, I put some recipes through the testing loops around here and I can't wait to show you my smoked jerk chicken wings and my delicious crockpot lentil stew (it's even good for you). The Peanut Butter Cake with Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting will be complete and up on the Loaves and Dishes website and YouTube channel sometime today or over the weekend (depends on how long the baby naps today). Since we last chatted, I filed away some more of my beginner cook series with "How to Steam in the Microwave (broccoli, cauliflower, peas and carrots" and Rice Cakes with yummy toppings Someone asks, I try to answer. You'll find those on the Loaves and Dishes Homepage ________________________________ HOT COOKING TIP OF THE WEEK Go through your spices. I made a dish week before last and when I finished, it just didn't have the pizzazz and flavor that my dishes usually do. In sleuthing to figure out why, I found out that the spice I was using for that dish was WAY out of date. (I'm not telling anyone, but it had expired in 2019!). When I stuck my finger in there and tasted a bit of the spice, it just tasted like dust to me. I chucked it in the bin. That led me to check all of my spices and I ended up throwing about 1/2 of them away. That's heart breaking. Spices are so expensive. How often do you buy several ounces of a spice or herb for a special dish and only use a tsp of it? Some years ago I did a video and wrote an article about how to save money on herbs and spices. (I even went to some stores and felt foolish recording myself inside the store, but I'll do absolutely anything to bring you the best info!). So, I'm encouraging you this week (its spring cleaning time, after-all) to go through your spices. If they are near or past the expiration date, taste it. Does it taste ok? Fine, keep it. Is it tasting like dust or not as powerful as you know it should be? Throw it out. ________________________ THREE LITTLE THINGS As you know, I am trying to be more thankful in my day to day life and sharing some of those things here with you. As I reflect on the small things that I'm thankful for, I remember that gratitude brings humility. Nothing is promised to us and we must take some time to just sit in gratitude, even for very small things. For example, this morning, I made my coffee with clean water that comes right out of a tap in my home. What a miracle. So many people in the world do not have that basic luxury. Anyway, as I work on this in myself, I'm sharing it here in hopes that you'll be a little bit more thankful in your own life. Feel free to share yours with me. I'm happy to listen.
________________________ A FINAL THOUGHT We are hopefully entering the last phases of this awful virus. I have lost a few acquaintances to it and have one acquaintance right now struggling for life on a ventilator at the hospital. It has swept through part of my direct family. The vaccine is coming available here in my state for many people this coming week so that those who want it are able to take it. Those who don't want to, don't have to. No judgements here, either way. We all must do what we feel is right for us. I hope that as we start to get back to normal that we will remember a few lessons learned during this time. For me, I am valuing my alone time so much more. Doubt I'll ever be one to go into a crowded event again. I've learned how to enjoy things at home a whole lot more. The biggest thing? I've learned how kind and supportive strangers on the internet can actually be. I value YOU and my connections with YOU so much. YOU brighten my day. I know I don't say it enough. I hope to never lose that. I know we mostly talk about food, but I want you to know that I SEE YOU and I HONOR YOU. YOU are quite seriously, THE BEST. Thank you! Until next Friday in your inbox. God Willing and the Creeks Don't Rise. Wendi Unsubscribe | Update your profile | PO Box 82 , Danbury, NC 27016  |
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