Beyond the Raging Storm

I keep reminding myself that I am grateful. I keep hoping that I will see the rainbow beyond the raging storm and the cracks in the foundation.

“Abigail,” the voice says, “Your rainbow is there just keep looking,”

While my rainbow maybe just behind the storm, getting soaked is no fun.

Abby

Over the horizon to see the sunrises

Standing on the edge of tomorrow, I always wonder if I have appreciated today.

I am an early riser and I always take the time to lookout over the horizon to see the sunrise. A new day dawns as I put the day before to bed.

I am always rejuvenated by the start of a new day and another chance to be grateful for the day before.

Abby

The Grateful Tortoise

I’ve always loved the story of the Tortoise and the Hare. The Tortoise is slow and it seems everything is passing him by. I’ve always felt the Tortoise is taking his time to enjoy his walk. Slow walks often provide us with time to reflect and see things we would miss if we were running fast. 

Like the Tortoise, I move slowly. I love to take my time and enjoy the view as I meander wherever I am going. I consider it a blessing to move slowly. I feel it reminds me that I should be grateful for all that I have as I move slowly towards the finish line.

Abby

Being Grateful

In a month when we celebrate being grateful, I am reminded that there are time when being grateful is tough.  I have in the past year wish that being grateful was as easy as meme. But it’s not been so easy. It’s tough sometimes to be grateful for the small things when it appears the bigger things we seek are not being allowed to come to us.

I realized that I have been very blessed this year. Though there have been time when it seemed I was not blessed or grateful, I know in my soul that I was and am.  

Sitting on my patio this morning, I began to feel the deep and abiding warmth of being grateful. Surrounded by silence, I listened to the coming rain and said thank you. I’ve said thank you before, but, this time there was something special in my thank you. At a time when I needed it most I was blessed with the most incredible gift of love by so many.

I’ve never made lemons out of lemonade but what I have made is a home in my heart for being grateful.

Abby

I Love Winter

Bourbon Maple Glazed Carrots Abby Loves Them....

 

 

 

I love carrots. One could say “I am a carrot kind of girl”. I’ve found the most delicious recipe for my favorite food called Bourbon Maple Glazed Carrots.

 

Abby

  

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup good-quality bourbon or whiskey
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• salt and black pepper
• 2 teaspoons chopped dill (plus more for garnish)
• 1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch pieces

Instructions

• In a saute pan, add the bourbon. Cook over medium-high heat until the bourbon has reduced by half, about 10 minutes.
• Add the butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, a sprinkle of salt and black pepper, chopped dill and carrots. Toss to combine.
• Reduce the heat to medium to medium-low and cook for 15-20 minutes or until the carrots are tender but still have a nice snap.
• Remove from heat. Garnish with fresh dill and serve immediately.
• Enjoy!

2.5

http://www.cookingandbeer.com/2014/11/bourbon-maple-glazed-carrots/

Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping Abby's Favorite Holiday Treat

 

I love November because it is the beginning of “eat your heart out holidays.”  There is nothing more delightful than spending two months having your tummy filled. One of my favorite treats for the holiday season is Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping. I can’t say enough about how delicious sweet potatoes care with a praline topping. I often beg those who are experts at making is wonderful casserole to make me several throughout the holidays.

Earlier this year while surfing the net I found a recipe that is divine and allows me a non-cook to enjoy my favorite treat on Easter or July 4^th.  This is a great recipe and one I hope my favorite cooks are thinking up.

 

Abby

Abby Loves Sausage and Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms

 

 

I am a traditional girl when it comes to food. I have never been a fan of mushrooms. But I have discovered a new love of mushrooms after trying a recipe I found last week. What a delicious blend of sour cream, sausage and cheddar. I am still licking my lips at the wonder dish.

 

 

Abby

 

Sausage and Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms

 

Ingredients

24 small white mushrooms, stems carefully removed and discarded

1/2 pound Whole Foods breakfast sausage

3 cloves garlic, minced

8 ounces cream cheese

1/2 cup Smoked Seaside English Cheddar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 cup grated Parmesan, for sprinkling

 

 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a large, rimmed baking sheet with oil and place mushrooms in a single
2. layer on it.
3. To make the stuffing, cook the breakfast sausage over medium heat until no pink remains. Drain off fat. Add garlic and cook for about 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add cream cheese and stir around until completely melted. Add Smoked Seaside, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Stir until the cheese is melted and mixture is fairly smooth.
4. Spoon mixture into mushroom caps. Sprinkle with Parmesan.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until mushrooms have softened considerably.

 

http://fakeginger.com/2013/11/04/sausage-and-cheddar-stuffed-mushrooms/

 

Welcome November

 

The cold winds of November have yet to blow in. The weather outside is rainy, humid and more like Spring then Winter. I, nor others, will be throwing another log on the fire. More than likely we will all be churning up the air conditioner and keeping our shorts and sandals in the front of the closet while sweaters and coats still rest in the back.

This November 1 finds most of the US in what could be considered a winter heatwave if that is at all possible. Welcome November your heat is neat.

Abby