iPod stand from Coffee Sleeve

OK crafters... I know these would be easy to embellish... I'm saving this idea for when I get an iPhone. LOL!

Mughlai Chicken & Rice

Tonight I made another Nigella Lawson recipe and it was WONDERFUL. We had Mughali Chicken and Aromatic Rice. Oh it was heavenly... so many wonderful spices but not hot. It reminded me of Colonel Brandon's famous line... "The air was full of spices."

I will warn you this recipe was more labor intensive than I expected and somehow I was missing the 2nd page which included instructions to simmer for an additional 20 minutes... what with all of this
I didn't get dinner onto the table until past 8:30 but what a heavenly plate it was when it finally arrived.

I left out the chile flake (I am a definite spice wimp) and the golden sultanas (because I'm allergic to fruit and Ethan doesn't like raisins.) I used just under 2 pounds of meat rather than 3 and my family of 3 polished it off, we do have a little rice and a lot of sauce left, but the meat is all gone.

I made 1/2 a recipe of the rice as I was not serving a banquet, only my family of 3. I tracked down all the specialty ingredients at H.E.B. Market including the almond flour - which was a bit pricey, the Nigella Seeds (which were labeled as "black sesame seeds"), Greek Yogurt, and whole cardomom.

This dish was decadent and I will totally be making it again! --- Perhaps next time I'll take some photos....

Broccoli Casserole

This is a recipe out of Paula Deen and friends. It is one of Ethan's favorite things to eat and I made it tonight because he informed me that he was tired of meat, he wanted to eat Broccoli Casserole. Everybody does seem to like this one.

Paula states that you need to use a metal spoon to mix this up because it's really stiff. To this I say "Pish" just add the ingredients in the order I describe and it goes together fluffy and light.

Broccoli Casserole

Two eggs
One cup mayonnaise
One 10 3/4 can condensed cream of mushroom soup (original recipe is best)
1 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese
Two 10-ounce packages frozen chopped broccoli, cooked and drained
2 cups crushed Ritz or cheese crackers (I used one sleeve of Ritz use 2 sleeves if you like a taller layer of crackers - those golden, buttery cracker crumbs are quite tasty!)
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a very large bowl beat the two eggs, then add mayo, soup and cheese and mix thoroughly, then mix in the broccoli. Spread broccoli mixture into a 9"x13" baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray (Pam.)

Place Ritz crackers in a 1 gallon zipper bag, squeeze out excess air and seal. Crush crackers, you can roll with a rolling pin, bash with a skillet, or just push down on the bag a few times with the baking dish. Melt the butter, pour into the cracker crumbs, re-seal bag and shake a few times to distribute butter. Spread buttered crumbs onto the top of the casserole and bake until set and browned, about 35 minutes in an oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

serves 8-10

Google Wave - What will you use it for?

So I have been hearing about this upcoming Google Wave, that it's going to be the next "thing", that it will be revolutionary. It is now in "limited preview" release, a small number of invitations have gone out for people to try it. I signed up on the website and eventually when it goes out to wider release, I'll get my invitation. The original video about Google Wave was 80 minutes, so I never got around to watching it... but today I found a nice little 8 minute video.



WOW this is incredible... and it answers a question I have had at the back of my mind. I have really been wanting to try to start some sort of an online Bible Study... but I couldn't quite figure out how to make it work. I think this would be the perfect tool, as it would allow discussion and interaction in a way that a usual style chat room would not. I'm also excited to see that it can be added to a blog. That could be really interesting.

So - are you interested in Google Wave? What might you use it for?

If you're interested in Google Wave, Here is where you can register for an invitation... from what I hear it's a really long list.... but eventually they'll get capacity up to be able to accommodate all of us.

Here is a link where you can go see the Loooong Video & a few others.

Monday

Today I can not see past the pile of dishes that will be dirty again, tomorrow.

Wanda posted this on facebook I had never heard or read this quote before. I like it!

“Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself.”

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

See Post: How the Fragrant Hand Got It's Name

Wendolonia - Bento Box Lunches

Wendy Copley is one of the many creative Moms I enjoy conversations with on Twitter. Her website Wendolonia first came to my attention when she shared about her son's lunches. Here's a picture of one of them.

You see Wendy packs these amazing Bento Box lunches. I wasn't really aware of Bento before I saw it on her site. I've been looking for Bento supplies as I think this creative and attractive way of packing food would make it more fun to eat... and Ethan has trouble eating his school lunches in the small amount of time allowed. He also has trouble opening commercial packaging so this would be a great way to go. The site has also helped me get some new ideas for fresh and healthy things to put in a lunch box. Here is a link to Bento Box Posts on Wendy's site. Oh wow I missed her Lunch Box Ideas post the first time around, this is a great list of things to consider. Today Wendy added a great FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page about Bentos http://wendolonia.com/blog/bento-box-faq/

Update: December 12, 2009 Wendy was mentioned in the Jan 2010 issue of Parents on page 23 her blog was sited as an example of setting a daily challenge for yourself.

Do You Have Fragrant Hands?

A bit of fragrance clings to the hand that gives flowers.

As women we turn our hands to so many tasks. We clean and beautify our homes, kiss and bind up hurts. We express our creativity in our interests, develop special talents and deep friendships. We help with homework, and teach our children some of life's most important lessons. It is we who prepare the sustaining meals that fill our homes with aroma & bring our families together. We create the holiday and everyday traditions that give our children a sense of belonging.

Our hands are fragrant with the perfume of our labors. This is the meaning I had in mind when I called my blog The Fragrant Hand. I thought of my lovely mother's soothing hands, so full of talent. I considered my own hands and found them fragrant.

As you go about your day-to-day, think not of the dishes that will need to be done again tomorrow... think instead of the sweet fragrance that you alone can add. Your hands are perfumed by all you do. You too, have fragrant hands.

In memory of my lovely Mother, Cathy Black.