Friday, May 30, 2014

Foodie Friday: Apple Chicken

Istiqlál (Independence), 12 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur), 171 BE - Friday, May 30, 2014 about 11:16 am Pacific Daylight Time

I tried something new this week, I put two chicken thigh a casserole  and then added two cups of apple juice. Next I put the cover on the casserole dish, placed it in the refrigerator, where I let the apple juice marinate the chicken for a couple of days. This morning, I took it out of the fridge, sprinkled some Buffalo hot sauce over the chicken, and then placed it in the microwave for twelve to eighteen minutes. I like the taste that the apple juice gives to the chicken. If you want the chicken browned then place it in a fry pan for a few minutes before putting it in the Microwave.

For my lunch I will warm some of the green beans I have in the refrigerator up in the sauce from the chicken, to see how the apple juice make the green beans taste. I receive apple juice in my senior food allotment every month, so I need to find creative ways to use the juice and cooking with it make using it much easier. I like apple juice, but not every day unless I can find different  ways to cook with it.

I will continue to work on this recipe until I have it perfected. I know that the next time I make it I will have to add more hot sauce. I also my add some celery or some other kind of vegetable besides green beans. I enjoy cooking as long as I can do it  creatively.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Works for me Wednesday: Apple Juice

‘Idál (Justice), 10 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur), 171 BE - Wednesday, May 28, 2014 about 5:44 am Pacific Daylight Time

I have three jugs of apple juice in the refrigerator that I have to use in a recipe or dink. Since this is my least favorite juice, I do not drink much of it; however, I have to use the juice so I am going to use it in cooking. That being the case, I am going to use the juice in cooking. This morning, I can think of only two options  (1) use it to marinate chicken thighs and with my hotcake mix instead of water.

I know there must be other recipes for the apple juice, but his morning I am too sleepy (because I woke up earlier then normal and could not get back to sleep) to think of them. As soon as I wake up enough to surf the internet safely, I will search for recipes using apple juice. I think the only way for me to use it is in cooking because three jugs is just too much for me to drink.

I could also try mixing some apple juice with cranberry juice. That might taste good and it would be a bit different, I just cannot drink that much apple juice without mixing it with something. Next time I go to the store I will get some ginger ale because I know that taste good mixed with apple juice. Right now, I will post this because I am having a difficult time typing while I am half asleep.

Monday, May 26, 2014

Meditation Monday: Memorial Day Poem

Kamál (Perfection), 8 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur), 171 BE - Monday, May 26, 2014 about 5:25 pm Pacific Daylight Time

My Grandmother made crepe paper rose
Each rose was meant for a hero's grave
My Grandfather would drives us from cemetery to cemetery
On Memorial Day to find the veteran and family member
I remember seeing flags other kinsmen had left
And I wondered what stories the deceased had told about the war
Listening the wind blow through the trees echoing my curiosity

Days have passed into years
And years into decades, but each
Year I remember them on Memorial Day.


Sunday, May 25, 2014

Sundry Sunday: A Warm and Beautifu Sunday in Las Vegas

Jamál (Beauty), 7 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur), 171 BE - Sunday, May 25, 2014 about 11:33 am Pacific Daylight Time

It is a warm and beautiful Sunday morning in Las Vegas. I had the door to my apartment opened earlier today and heard birds singing in the palm and pine trees scatter across the front lawns of the apartment buildings in my neighborhood.

It is a beautiful and warm Sunday morning in Las Vegas and I am making chicken soup. I do not use a whole chicken to make soup because I do not like to cut up chicken. I use only the thighs, legs, or leg quarters to make the soup. That way I do not have to cut up the chicken and I do not have very many bones to take to the trash.

It is a warm and beautiful Sunday morning in Las Vegas and I hear the neighbor's dog barking at something. I do not know what caught her attention because I do not hear anyone knocking at any of the doors in this building.  I know something must have upset her because the only time she barks is when something catches her attention. She wants to let every one know that the cannot enter he apartment without permission.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Thankful Thursday: May 22, 2014

Istijlál (Majesty), 5 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur), 171 BE - Thursday, May 22, 2014 about 12:53 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Today I am thankful...

1. ...for homemade chicken soup make with hot sauce  and fresh vegetables.

2. ...for iced tea.

3. ...for iced coffee.

4. ...that yesterday was so cool that I did not have to turn on the cold air.

 5. ...that the sparrows are sing in the pine tree across the street.

6. ...that today is a beautiful day in Las Vegas.

7. ...that I received my sample ballot so that I can vote in the primary election.

8. ...that we have early voting here in Nevada, so I can early vote and go to the mall at the same time.

9. ...for Hostess Twinkies, which make a good First Breakfast.

10. ...that I can open my apartment door on cool days and let the fresh air in.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Tuesday Ten: Ten Reasons to Get Out of Bed on a Summer Morning

Fiḍál (Grace), 3 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur), 171 BE - Tuesday, May 20, 2014 about 7:54 am Pacific Daylight Time

The reason I get out of bed on a summer morning is...

1. ...to open my prayer book and read my morning prayers.

2. ...to eat Hostess Twinkies for breakfast, since I live alone I do not have to be a good example for anyone at breakfast.

3. ...to drink iced coffee made from freshly brewed coffee.

4. ...to access writing.com.

5. ...to make chicken soup from a chicken thigh with the skin still on and either fresh or canned vegetables whichever I have in the refrigerator on any given day.

6. ...to carry the trash to the alley after I have cooked the chicken thigh and fresh vegetable in either the microwave on top of the electric range.

7.  ...to listen to the morning noises of my neighborhood, so that I can use them in a short story or poem.

8. ...to read my e-mail to see if anything important is waiting for a response.

9. ...to compose a blog entry on a beautiful summer morning.

10. ...to write a short story, poem, novel chapter, or essay so that I can post it in my writing.com port or blog.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Sundry Sunday: At the Beginning of the New Week of May 18, 2014

Jamál (Beauty), 2 ‘Aẓamat (Grandeur), 171 BE - Sunday, May 18, 2014 about 9:11 am Pacific Daylight Time

It is the beginning of a beautiful new week in May 2014 and I am looking forward to warm seven days here in Las Vegas.  I have checked the seven day forecast on weather.com, it shows the highest upcoming temperature as 98 degrees. This means I may not have to worry about triple digit temperatures until next week. This is not very much comfort because I still have to turn the cool air on or I cannot work on-line, but I guess that is the price I have to pay for living in a beautiful place like Las Vegas.

I have set my writing and housekeeping goals for this week and began making my To Do List. I check the local news every hour or so to see what the outdoor temperature is so I know when to turn the cool air on to keep me and my computer comfortable. I considered working on-line at night, when it is cooler, and doing housework during the day, but I would still have to turn the air conditioner on while I am doing housework.

Since I need to get a little sleep, I cannot do housework all day and write all night. I cannot write if I am too tired either mentally or physically, so I have to get some sleep. The power bill is not that high in this apartment, but it still causes me worry. I think I have spent so long worrying about the power bill or something else that I cannot stop worrying without focusing on something else. When my mind is busy I do not worry.



Friday, May 16, 2014

Foodie Friday: Leftover Beef Stew

Istiqlál (Independence), 19 Jamál (Beauty), 171 BE - Friday, May 16, 2014 about 11:38 am Pacific Daylight Time

“The most remarkable thing about my mother is that for thirty years she served the family nothing but leftovers. The original meal has never been found.”
Calvin Trillin 

 I am eating leftover beef stew this weekend. After considering all my options, which was the vegetable I purchased at the Farmer's Market on Wednesday and the canned good in the cabinet, I decided that before going to the grocery store I needed to see what was in the freezer. I found the beef stew I made in April (I think that is when I made it). I had to get the beef stew out of the freezer because I needed the container to store cheese. I think I need to get more storage containers.

When I made the stew I used canned carrots and green beans for the vegetables. However, I did not use stew meat for the beef; I think I used either round steak or flat stake. Since I did not write the recipe down I do not know which one I used. I have to go to Smith's Food & Drug store on Saturday to pick up a prescription, so I will purchase  a package of chicken (which I need to go with  the vegetables) and maybe a box of frozen fish sticks. I do not need any canned good because I have everything in the cabinet I need.

I know I will not get any beef because I have a package of some type of steak in the freezer when I want to make another batch of beef stew. I think that may be all the beef I purchase because I am considering eating only chicken for my meals because I have to cut down on the beef and there is no use having it in the freezer when I do not know when I will use it.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Works for me Wednesday: A trip to the Farmer's Market

‘Idál (Justice), 17 Jamál (Beauty), 171 BE - Wednesday, May 15, 2014 about 5:15 pm Pacific Daylight Time

This morning I picked up my senior commodities and went to the Farmer's Market to spend the $18.00 in coupons I had left. The Farmer's Market was in the parking lot of the place I picked up the commodities, so I had to make only one trip. I plan my trips to the grocery stores, library, and gas station so that I have to make only one or two trips in a day. I especially like going to stores that are in the same section of town because I use less gas.

I have not checked everything I received in the commodities, but I do know one of the bags contained a small jar of peanut butter. Now all I have to do, when I go to the grocery store tomorrow, is get some bread so that I can have a peanut butter sandwich. I also need to get some spices and maybe a jar of honey. I have to check to potassium content of honey before I purchase any. It is difficulty enough figuring out what items I can eat and if I have to cut the serving size to make sure the potassium content is on the low side.

Fortunately, I have access to the internet. I can search for the potassium content in foods. I also have two website on my favorites list that I can use to check the potassium content in my food. It takes a while to do this, but if I plan my menu two to four days ahead then I can keep my potassium intake low.This approach to my diet works for me most of the time.

Monday, May 12, 2014

Meditation Monday: Be Still

Kamál (Perfection), 15 Jamál (Beauty), 171 BE - Monday, May 12, 2014 about 2:25 pm Pacific Standard Time

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalms 46:10 The King James Bible
 
It is beautiful Monday here in Las Vegas. I woke up when the alarm went off this morning and pressed the snooze button because I stayed up later then normal last night. After pressing the snooze button a couple of time I finally got up, took my first morning medication, put the dishes away that I washed last night, and made a carafe of coffee. I could not think of an entry for today's theme, so I did some other work on-line before fixing myself something to eat. After eating, meditating, and I think a short nap, I turned the computer back on to do some more work.

As I was waiting for the computer to boot, the verse from Psalms 46 popped into my mind. The only part of the verse I could remember was "Be still, and know that I am God;" I could not even remember in which book it was located. I found several different translations, but chose the King James because that is the version I prefer to read. Every time I read it, I remember growing up in Blackwell, Oklahoma, and going to Vacation Bible School and memorizing this verse.

Meditation Poem
Breath in
Exhale

Silence surrounds the peaceful mind
Tranquility comforts the lover of God
In stillness and silence my soul
Listens for the music of the spheres
Listens for the whispers of faith



Sunday, May 11, 2014

Sundry Sunday: Mother's Day

Jamál (Beauty), 14 Jamál (Beauty), 171 BE - Sunday, May 11, 2014 about 7:28 am Pacific Daylight Time

On this second Sunday in May,
I celebrate Mother's Day,
with a hot cup of Café Mocha
made with Rich Chocolate Ovaltine©
and remember Mama's smile
the first time
I made it for her.

On this second Sunday in May,
I celebrate Mother's Day,
I open my prayer book to read
a prayer for the departed
and remember Mama's favorite prayer
was the one for protection
that she read
before going to work each day
at the old Showboat.

On this second Sunday in May,
I celebrate Mother's Day,
by calling my sister-in-laws
to wish them
a Happy Mother's Day.



Thursday, May 08, 2014

Thankful Thursday: On May 8 I am Thankful for

Istijlál (Majesty), 11 Jamál (Beauty), 171 BE - Thursday, May 8, 2014 about 1:07 pm Pacific Daylight Time

On May 8, 2014 I am Thankful...

1. ...that I have $20.00 in Farmer's Market coupons to use before June 30, 2014.

2. ...for the beautiful and pleasant spring weather we are having here in Las Vegas.

3. ...that I receive a spring savings packet from Smith's Food & Drug store yesterday, which contains coupons worth over $11.00 on products I purchase most often.

4. ...for the environment merit badge I received on writing.com for my poem We Need Green Cities, which won second place in the Earth Day writing. contest.

5. ...that someone came to my apartment last night and unstuck the flatware drawer because now I have access to all of my silverware.

6. ...for the pigeons and sparrows I hear cooing and singing everyday.

7. ...that I earned $20.00 from doing on-line surveys. The money was deposited into my checking account yesterday.

8. ...for the sound of the Harley-Davidson I hear almost every morning. When I moved from my house I thought I would never hear that beautiful sound again.

9. ...that the savings package from Smith's Food & Drug store contained a coupon for a free container of 1 dozen large eggs.

10. ...for the step stool that allows me to reach the top shelves of my cabinets.

Tuesday, May 06, 2014

Tuesday Ten: Ten Cloud Shapes I Have Witness while Living in Las Vegas

Fiḍál (Grace), 9 Jamál (Beauty), 171 BE - Tuesday, May 6, 2014 about 1:34 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Today, Tuesday, May 6, is wind, cool and partly cloudy. The white clouds stand out against the blue sky, I can see them change shapes as they float by. This brought to mind some amazing cloud shape I have witnessed since moving to the city a few decades ago.

1. I once saw a could that look like a huge archangel, with his wings outspread.

2. I once saw a cloud in the shape of a flying dragon, which the winds in the upper atmosphere transformed into a walking oak tree.

3. I once saw a cloud in the shape of a windmill that became a wisp of gray smoke as the wind blew it apart.

4. I just saw a cloud in the shape of a baby dragon chasing another cloud in the shape of a unicorn,

5. I once saw a cloud in the shape of a pig running on chicken legs.

6. I once saw a cloud in the shape of a whale floating across the morning sky.

7. I just saw a cloud shape like a bearded person looking toward the west.

8. I once saw a cloud in the shape of a castle.

9. I once saw a cloud in the shape of an oak leaf.

10. I just saw a cloud in the shape of a small fuzzy dog.

Sunday, May 04, 2014

Sundry Sunday: A Beautiful Day to Pray

Jamál (Beauty), 7 Jamál (Beauty), 171 BE - Sunday, May 4, 2014 about 8:18 am Pacific Daylight Time

It is Sunday morning in Las Vegas. The temperature is about 78 degrees and it is supposed to get up to around 9:00 am. The temperature has not gotten into the triple digits yet, but I do have to turn on the cool air between 11:00 am and 12:00 pm. It also means I have begun drinking iced coffee instead of hot coffee of a morning or any other time of day.

It is a beautiful Sunday morning in Las Vegas. It is a good morning to pray; to say other prayers besides my normal morning prayer. I opened my prayer book to Detachment. The page that it opened to contained a prayer revealed by The Bab about taking refuge in God and putting your whole trust in Him. I read the prayer aloud and felt the spirit of God flowing from the words into my soul.

It is a beautiful Sunday in May.
It is a good day to pray,
A good day to take refuge in God.

Friday, May 02, 2014

Foodie Friday: Three Greens Soup

Istiqlál (Independence), 5 Jamál (Beauty), 171 BE - Friday, May 2, 2014 about 6:56 pm Pacific Daylight Time

Yesterday, a neighbor informed me that when you make soup you have to have at least three greens in it. Therefore, tomorrow I will put the spinach and the asparagus  in the celery soup I have in the fridge. I will finish the soup after breakfast because I am making a spinach omelet for breakfast. I usually make a three egg omelet, but this time I will make it with only two eggs.

After I cut the spinach for the omelet I will put the rest in the soup and then cut the asparagus up. I think I will fix the soup in the electric skillet tomorrow. I will fix the omelet and then finish making the soup, which should last me three or four day. I also need to start my grocery list for Monday because I did not purchase everything I needed today.