Cranberry-Pineapple Jello

Yesterday in an attempt to clean out the pantry and fridge, I tried a new recipe and was happy with the results. I had cherry and strawberry sugar free jello and a bag of tired cranberries. The recipe I came up with on the internet called for a can of cranberry sauce, so the first thing I did was wash the cranberries, pick out the bad ones, then cook what was left with equal parts water and sugar. The recipe on the package called for 1 cup of water to 12 oz. of cranberries. I used 2/3 cup water and 2/3 cup sugar, brought it to a boil and cooked it for 10 minutes.

Here's the recipe:

6 oz of red jello ( I used a 3 oz cherry and a 3 oz strawberry)
2 cups boiling water
20 oz can of crushed pineapple - drained (reserve the liquid)
Can of cranberry sauce or 1 bag of cranberries cooked per the sauce recipe on the package.

Put the jello in a bowl and add 2 cups boiling water. Stir until dissolved.
Add the cranberry sauce
Add cold water to the pineapple juice to bring it to 2 cups - add to the bowl.
Stir in the pineapple.

Chill until set.

I think this would be a nice way to incorporate cranberries into a turkey dinner.

New Twist on Apple Crisp

Yesterday I made the apple crisp recipe I posted on June 2, 2010. However, this time I made it gluten-free on behalf of a friend at church who is gluten intolerant. Apparently rolled oats could have small amounts of gluten due to their place of processing, so I bought some gluten-free oats. I substituted tapioca flour for regular flour. And I checked online and the brand of brown sugar I used (Aldi's baker's corner) is gluten free. The rest of the ingredients (apples, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg) are not a problem. The result was delicious (if I do say so myself!) and I couldn't detect any difference in the taste to the original recipe.

Kickin' Split Pea Soup

Here is the recipe for today's experiment in Split Pea Soup (which was my attempt to copy the seasoning package that comes with Healthy Sisters "June's Split Pea Soup". (Healthy Sisters is a great local organization that helps women in recovery. Their soups are wonderful and you can read about them here.)

1 package split peas
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups water
1.5 cups roughly chopped celery
1.5 cups roughly diced carrots
1 small onion chopped
1 tsp. thyme
2 bay leaves
1-2 tblsps. southwest sizzle seasoning
1-2 drops hot sauce ( I used Kick Yo Ass' "Ass-Kickin' Roasted Garlic Hot Sauce")
1 tsp. kosher salt
6 grinds black pepper
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp. celery seed
10 oz. Hickory Farms summer sausage - diced

Rinse the split peas with cold water. Warm the chicken stock and water in the microwave. Place all the ingredients except the sausage into a dutch oven and cover. Place into a 350 degree oven for 2 hours.

After 2 hours, add the sausage and cook for another 30 minutes.

Little Man's Father asked for seconds, so I guess it was a success!

Clovis Loves Bags

This tote bag was hanging on the back of the kitchen chair and Clovis managed to get himself into it without it falling off the chair or tipping the chair over.

What Perseverance Looks Like - 2011

O Jesus, Friend Unfailing

O JESUS, Friend unfailing,
How dear art Thou to me!
Are cares or fears assailing?
I find my strength in Thee!
Why should my feet grow weary
Of this my pilgrim way?
Rough though the path and dreary,
It ends in perfect day!

What fills my soul with gladness?
'Tis Thine abounding grace!
Where can I look in sadness,
But, Jesus, on Thy face?
My all is Thy providing ---
Thy love can ne'er grow cold;
In Thee, my Refuge, hiding ---
No good wilt Thou withhold.

Why should I droop in sorrow?
Thou'rt ever by my side!
Why, trembling, dread the morrow?
What ill can e'er betide?
If I my cross have taken,
'Tis but to follow Thee;
If scorned, despised, forsaken,
Nought severs Thee from me.

For every tribulation,
For every sore distress,
In Christ I've full salvation,
Sure help and quiet rest.
No fear of foes prevailing,
I triumph, Lord, in Thee!
O Jesus, Friend unfailing,
How dear art Thou to me!

Written originally in German by Samuel Christian Gottfried Kuster (1762 to 1838), translated by Miss Hannah K. Burlingham (1842-1901) on June 13th, 1865, when she was only 23 years old! Moya Brennan has a version of this that is on a CD called Focusfest 2001 - The Sound of Grace. The tune she uses is a traditional Irish tune called "The Dawning of the Day". (This tune was popularized by a group called The Dubliners on a song called "Raglan Road".

You can have a listen here. Check the tabs at the top of the site to find the page.

Happy New Year!!! Welcome 2012

Here are the darlings - ready for a new year!