Learn Something New

We went to Michael’s last night. It’s a crafts store and ee shopped there because I needed to buy a large canvass to paint, and place over our sofa. And for some new ribbons for my baked goods, which I will be preparing over the upcoming holidays. Homemade is always better.

Today is the new baby’s due date but she is going to take her own good time making her appearance. In the meantime, I purchased this skeen of yarn and a crochet hook. Wish me luck is all I can think, because my previous attemts to make something this way, was when I was much younger and impatient. I ended up with a long squiggly string. My niece, the new Mother-to-be is very good at this and she will understand whatever I eventually produce will be a work of love. 

The nice lady at Michael’s suggested I go on line to seek instruction. Like I said, wish me luck. I intend to make a baby blanket as it is square and hopefully, simple. So I am off to get instruction and work on a homemade gift.

Join Us!

This is my response to Tony Berkman’s latest BrooWaha Post:

“Our Giving Makes Us Rich” Catherine Ponder

Sharing what we have is like purchasing insurance. It doesn’t mean nothing bad will never come our way, but it does level the playing field.

When we share, donate or give to others, by this very act we prove that we are rich enough to share our portion. Giving to help another will not deplete your resources. Because when we all chip in and help, WE Make A Huge Difference!

I feel guilty when I eat a wonderful meal and my mind plants the face of a child in my head, a child who has insufficient food, water, shelter, protection or love. The only way I keep my sanity is with the knowledge that I give on a constant basis. Every week. I tithe. I donate. I purchase insurance and I send care out into the world with the money I earn. When combined with others’ gifts, WE Make A Difference!

No one person or government can do this alone. It is when we come together to insist upon a change that WE Make A Difference!

I stand with Tony and urge you to sign-up today at BloggersUnite.org and take a little time to show your concern for our fellow man. Make our voices stronger. Donate and share.

One day it could be you, or I, who needs assistance. Think on it. Doctors Without Borders is a worthy organization. They are heros.

Click to ChipIn * I donated today 9/10/2010. Won’t you join in, too? All proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders/Pakistan. Thank you!

Families Of The Gulf

One day you’re going along pulling shrimp into nets or taking tourists out into the blue-salty Gulf waters, and showing up later with the daily fish caught. You are often asked to take a photo of someone who caught their very first fish. Could be you own a little shrimp shack where the locals hang out and more tourists stop in to eat your gumbo and seafood. The sounds from the water lapping against your boat as the sun sinks beneath the horizon is what you’re used to. It’s your life. It’s your living. Life has gone on like this for decades, and before that, your ancestors worked in some manner along the coast and passed down their knowledge of how to make a living in and around this beautiful shoreline. Full of hope … full of promise.

This past Spring, things drastically changed and what started as a terrible tragedy of fire, explosions and many oil rig workers losing their lives, turned into something even worse, dark, horrible, unthinkable, and horrendous. It was no ordinary rig fire and collapse. Oh no. This was the Big Disaster no one really ever thought would happen. But happen it did and it changed everything. For almost four months oil spewed into the Gulf and quickly turned the idyllic scenery, people’s lives, nature and wildlife, into a dismal gloom full of death and destruction, sickness, and a recovery which might take generations to be resolved. It could have been avoided. Ii should have been avoided.

Millions of lives have been adversely affected. The death toll of mammals, fish, crustaceans, birds, and the lasting health issues are still unknown. Families and individuals who earned their livelihoods and fed themselves is gone and the work they did take (in order to earn a paycheck), in clean-up efforts, has ultimately sickened them. These people need our help, and we can support them by joining together and blogging. We can speak out in order to make their plight continued to be heard. We will not forget our citizens that are still waiting for financial help and remedies. Their ecosystem has suffered real disaster. Their way of life is in dire peril and their futures look bleak. That is unless people like you and I do something toward filling their needs. We cannot do it all, but together we make a tremendous impact because we choose to do something, rather than sit back and read about it, watch the news or see blurbs on the internet. “Out of sight … out of mind”, is the old saying. We cannot permit this to happen.

Today, August 25, 2010, we at BloggersUnite have decided to get involved with the attempt to impact as many readers as possible. We ask that you seek out the places where you can make a donation to help these people. Plus help this event by passing on our blog posts, by word-of-mouth, tweeting, social networking, texting, by phone and any other ways you can think of. Please visit BloggersUnite to learn how you can sign up and get involved, too. Visit Citizens National Day of Action.

Orzo Is Love

Orzo is love and add in bacon and purple grapes to bring out a complex perfection for your mouth. Fast and easy.

Been zipping across the cyber universe. …

Been zipping across the cyber universe. Everyone read on and enjoy your day.

Share Yourself

* Excerpt from my article on BrooWaha

You need to realize that you do hold the power to affect someone’s day … be it positively or adversely.

I live a simple, meaningful, yet busy life. The way I conduct myself toward others, is something that I do my best to stay aware and on top of. I have been a participator in and a witness to the results of cause and effect. While I do remember (mostly), the instances when I acted impulsively or unwittingly, in a negative way toward someone or some thing, I have repented inwardly, with the hopes I will not lash out or say something unkind again. For the most part, I conduct myself with honor, gentleness, civilly and compassion. This is what I want to touch upon. Civility and compassion, or kindness.

Read More …

Nighty-Night.

Nighty-Night.

Just posted another article on http://ww…

Just posted another article on http://www.broowaha.com/articles/7432/you-made-me-feel-so-nice

On My Menu: Beef Wellington

Chef Gordon Ramsey is always having his Hell’s Kitchen cooks make Beef Wellington. Never made it before and I went  searching on the computer the other day for a recipe. It uses duck liver pate and I don;t want to use this in my recipe. So I kept looking. I noticed this photo and saw that Chef Paula Dean has a recipe that teaches us to make an oyster pate. Now I can go for this.

Just planning ahead as my sister will be coming in from the West Coast after the baby is born (our niece is the Mother-to-be), and I want to try some new recipes before she gets here. Being prepared is like band rehearsal, I practice so I will know the best way to fix the dish. For instance, if I’ll use frozen puff pastry sheet, or if I go the whole route to make real puff pastry or a quick puff. I also want to make brioche, and I can prepare the doughs I’ll need for other foods, and in many cases freeze them. Like croissants … she likes the apricot and pain au chocolate ones.

There are quite a few recipes I want to experiment on at least once before she arrives. I can present some well-planned dinners and should be full-proof, because I planned ahead and tried new things. I also want to make Savarin and eclairs and custards and mousse and Paris Brest. I’ll take photos so there will be evidence. I really miss being a student in culinary school. Perhaps I should apply for a scholarship and become a full-time student. I know I graduated already, sshh … I want to go back and make all those French desserts. Students only get to taste a little but really, the most important part is making it.

Late Breakfast Today

Even though I was woke up early today, I was not hungry until around 1PM.

Heart-Bound – Heart-Found

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eyes cast down

Entreating quiet

Search within

Living outward

Complex duality

I’m Heart-Bound

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Diving deep

Casting aside

Shrouded haze

Aware my hope

Hidden still

Heart-Bound

Heart Found

~~~~~~~~

Theresa H Hall

All Rights Reserved

Opinions Are Important

First you have to think something over, mull it over in your mind and look at it from all sides. Consider the pros and cons and if it is important or not. Opinions matter because too many of us do not examine a thing or a subject enough, and jump headlong into a situation and realize oops … should have done it differently. Sometimes when this occurs we express expletives and later have to pay the price.  Opinions matter and in order to have a thoughtful opinion on a matter one should really think things through.

Whip It!

The trick is to whip with abandon and discretion.

The Legacy of Buck Bannister

Over the past year I have been a site manager, coordinator and food writer for Half Hour Meals. During this time I have met cooks, chefs, cookbook authors, culinary instructors, culinary students, food radio and TV personalities, other food writers, and people just wanting to find good things to eat. They hail from around the globe and because of the different hours I keep, and the different times these people (many from different time zones) keep, we have been able to hook-up and talk about food, generations, ancestors, traditions, farming, gardening, preserving, religious and cultural cuisines, plus all sorts of spices, markets and bazaars. I feel very honored and privileged to be in the company of these fine individuals, many of whom are bloggers, just like me.

Also over these twelve months, I have watched these people grow and branch out, turning their love for food and cooking into something so valuable that others want to have a little bit of them in their homes, too. One of these personalities is a young man by the name of Buck Bannister. We immediately became food friends and it wasn’t long before I discovered I was trying his recipes and tasting the goodness he has called “Sugar Pies”. No, he doesn’t just bake pies, he prepares all types of food, desserts, drinks, and he does it all drawing on his Southern roots, plus a whole lot of help from his Mama and his ancestors, too. He adds that special ingredient called love and you can taste it in every bite. I know, because I have eaten his food.

When I found out that he had made a compilation of some of his favorites, I thought I had to get a copy of his first cookbook, because in my heart, I know he will be writing many more food tributes to what he knows, what he will create, and in honor of all the people who taught him to cook. He is a Southern Gentleman, a really fabulous cook & baker, he has a heart of gold, and I’m glad we are friends.

Please visit him on his website Sugar Pies and see the difference quality can bring when it’s presented so sweetly. Congratulations Buck on your first endeavor in bringing us “Sweet Decadence”.

Here is my HHM review of his recipe: “Gert’s Mama’s Pound Cake”

Inscription:  Theresa,Thanks so much for the kind words and support when I was starting Sugar Pies! Your friendship has meant so much to me during this adventure! Bon Appetit, Buck Bannister

ISBN-13: 978-1-452-87120-2

ISBN-10: 1452871205

Happy Birthday To Me!

Happy Birthday To Me! My nephew made me brownies, pickles and he and my niece (along with Baby Girl … due in 16 days …), came over and my husband got me a cake and we all had a good time. Thanks for the well wishes.