Menu Monday: Sweet & Saucy Ham Sandwiches

As temperatures in New England drop, nothing pleases me more than dragging out the old crock pot. I love crock pot cooking because it's easy and the portions are usually large enough to have a few meals instead of just one. On days I use the crock pot I'll make something late morning and let it cook all day while I enjoy an adventure in the great outdoors. When we return, chilled to the bone, dinner is piping hot and ready to eat.

I love cooking with Betty Crocker because her recipes are easy and don't require expensive or elaborate ingredients/planning. The recipe below is from her Slow Cooker book.

Betty Crocker's Sweet & Saucy Ham Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pounds fully cooked smoked ham, chopped
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard (I used 1/4 Dijon with 1/4 yellow mustard because I don't love Dijon)
• 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon instant minced onion
• 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple in juice (undrained)
• 18 sandwich buns

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients except buns in 3- to 4-quart slow cooker.

2. Cover and cook on Low heat setting 4 to 5 hours.
3. Stir well before serving. To serve, fill each bun with about 1/4 cup ham mixture, using slotted spoon. Ham mixture will hold on Low heat setting up to 2 hours; stir occasionally

This makes a very large pot of sweet and saucy ham. Eat what you want and then freeze the rest. Voila! another meal awaits you on a lazy day!

Photographic Friday: Therapy is for the birds

A long while back a new store moved into the neighborhood where I was living at the time. I try to support small business and this particular store is an antique-esque place that sell all sorts of furniture and home decorative pieces from all over the world (i.e: remember the armoire I purchased for my bathroom? The big white one from France that weighs about 250 lbs. and almost caused the demise of my marriage as we tried to move it up the stairs? I got that piece there.) Anyway, I digress. One of the displays were origami cranes. I love birds and I was obsessed with these cranes. Immediately, I asked the owner if I could purchase them and, to my disappointment, she told me they weren't for sale -- even after I gave her "the look" that says "Really, there is no price that would allow me to take these home?" Every time I would visit the store (which was often- she has great taste) I would demand she sell me my cranes remind her how much I would enjoy making the cranes the focal point of my office. Finally, one day, she called me to let me know she was changing the scenery and I could have my cranes.

With a little bit of tweaking (and some paint) they found their way to my office and, not only do my clients like them, I find them very relaxing. A huge thank you to my wonderful husband who suspended them from the ceiling.

If you're in the vicinity of Concord, NH, visit Kaza. It's worth the trip!

Fun Fact Thursday: So give them blood, blood, gallons of the stuff!

I couldn't resist using the lyrics of one of my favorite songs, Blood, by My Chemical Romance for the title. I thought it was fitting.


Please read the below information from The American Red Cross and consider donating blood. One pint from you could save the life of another person; you do have the opportunity to make a difference!

Severe winter weather throughout much of the United States has caused the cancellation of more than 14,000 blood and platelet donations since January 1. There is a critical need for donors now. In fact, someone is counting on you at this very moment.

The Red Cross urges all eligible donors in unaffected areas to make an appointment to give blood or platelets in the coming days, and those in affected areas to donate as soon as travel is safe.

To make an appointment for a whole blood or double red cell donation, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit us online at redcrossblood.org. To make an appointment for a platelet donation, click here.

If you are not eligible to donate, please encourage a friend or family member to donate.

Donations will help replenish the blood supply to ensure that blood continues to be available for patients with serious medical needs.

I really struggle to comprehend why some people do not/will not give blood. I understand some people have needle fears, or are not eligible to donate for various reasons but, what about the rest of you? There are a lot of good reasons to not donate but, "I'm too busy" should NOT be one of them! I am a regular donor; the entire process takes about 45 minutes every 56 days. Many employers even allow you to leave work to donate. If you're able to donate please get out there and give blood. If you're one of the ones who "doesn't have time" I sincerely hope someone else took the time to donate a pint for you if you're ever in need of blood.

Wednesday, Oui? Shine on, Friends

I am so fortunate; lucky beyond measure. I have a great core group of friends who I consider to be my "family of creation," I have an amazing family of origin, I have a beautiful home, I have everything I need and most things I want, I have a husband who supports and loves me unconditionally, I have a career which allows me to be creative, challenged and accountable. I can do anything I set my mind to.

I have been incredibly busy lately. When I get busy I sometimes put on blinders, or worse, a searchlight. I can't explain what I mean by that but, those who truly know me, know what that means and what it looks like. Sometimes I can't slow down and I end up crashing in one metaphorical way or another.

One of my very best friends recently taught me a valuable lesson, just when I needed it. If I have any one person in my life who challenges me, in every way possible, it's this friend. I both hate her and love her for it. In my honest opinion, I am a better person because of this friend and I would be absolutely lost without her. I am certain of it.

When my hackles rise, most back off. She never does and sometimes it makes me want to crouch down into a ball because her brightness seeks me out and finds me in the darkest hiding places. She doesn't retreat, she engages me even further. Even when I must be completely unapproachable, she wrestles my quills; when I slam my metaphorical door shut with such force that it shakes the walls, she quietly knocks.

Recently, at a moment when I was seeing red, not only did she calm me but, later, left a slip of paper with me. At first, I'm not going to lie, I shoved it in my bag, refusing to budge. Later, I read it and my knees buckled a little bit.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne Williamson (A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles)

I can't say I am going to be a beacon of light every day for the rest of my life but, I am going to screw my light bulb all the way in. I'm not going to turn on the dimmer, in fact, I'm installing a switch. I am powerful beyond measure-- not anymore powerful than the next guy but, powerful in a way I grew into, a way I earned, a way I know I am capable of.

At times when I am completely exhausted and resigned to curl up in ball, I need a friend like this one to kick my ass, challenge my thought process and remind me of exactly who I am and how hard I worked to get here. To this friend, you know who you are, thank you for not letting me make my escape and lick my wounds... you're my equivalent to an alternator because you charge my battery. I can't believe you put up with me.

Top Ten Tuesday: Must See T.V.

I'm not one to sit on the couch and stare mindlessly at the television; I get too restless. That said, Aaron finally convinced me to allow a television into our bedroom. I've been pretty picky about it in the past because I, personally, don't think a television belongs in a place meant for sleeping. I must say, given my busy schedule, it has become more of a convenience rather than an inconvenience. I've been getting home so late that, by the time I sit on the couch, I doze off in the first 15 minutes of any given program and find myself sleeping through Aaron's feeble attempts to wake me prior to 2 AM. Now, I can slither between my sheets at 9:30 PM and if I doze off, convienently, I'm already in bed. Score me!

There are about 10 programs that I will turn to if they're on. (*note* I DO NOT schedule time to see these programs but, if I plunk my ass in front of the tube, these are the first shows I check for.)

1. Forensic Files: This is probably one of my favorites. I love forensic science.
2. Pawn Stars: This has become one of my favorites on the History Channel. I love the old man.
3. Antiques Roadshow: I could watch this (and only this) for the rest of my life!
4. Whale Wars: This show makes me angry on so many levels but, it did inspire me to buy a whale over the summer.
5. Survivor: Okay so, I lied, I DO schedule my life around this show. Aaron and I are obsessed!
6. Full Throttle Saloon: This is not a show I would normally watch but, there is something about it that appeals to me!
7. Glee: Although sometimes this show makes me an uncomfortable voyeur to inappropriate teacher/student relationships that lack healthy boundaries, it's a guilty pleasure!
8. Hardcore Pawn: This is Real T.V's equivalent to Pawn Stars; same idea as Pawn Stars but with added drama and subtracted historical education.
9. 1000 Ways to Die: I can't look away.

10. American Pickers: I love these guys. If you haven't seen it-- check it out!!