Living Simply
I went to view a home in Eagan, Minnesota recently. The property is very nice although it was a little steep on the side.
 |
| Eagan, Minnesota |
 |
| Eagan, Minnesota |
Okay, so I had a craving for cornmeal.
I called my sister up and asked her for her recipe for something we called “rocks” when we were growing up. It was a simple recipe that mainly used cornmeal. The answer came back “I don’t remember.” Eeekkk! That just made me want the cornmeal more.
So — since my cookbooks are still in storage in Seattle, I did the next best thing and did a search on the internet for anything cornmeal-ish.
I came across this recipe that I found at cooks.com. I have to warn you though, it’s not a perfect recipe and although it satisfied my craving for cornmeal, I still felt like I was shortchanged.
Part of the problem I think is that the recipe is not clear enough in one area — whether to oil the griddle or not. I am a basic cook. I always tell people “don’t assume I know anything.” I wish recipes would do the same unless they say “for the professional cook only.”
Anyway, here’s my experiment. It wasn’t too bad but I know there’s a better recipe out there.
Here are the ingredients:
3/4 cup cornmeal
6 tblspns flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp sugar
1 cup milk
1 egg, well beaten
1 tblspn oil
Put all dry ingredients in a bowl.
Sift the dry ingredients together. I use a whisk since my sifter is still in storage.
Beat the egg well.
Combine the egg, milk and oil, then stir.
The consistency will be a little liquidy.
Drop 1/4 cup full of the mixture onto a griddle. I put a little bit of oil on the bottom because I was afraid it would burn.
When the cakes have bubbled on top, turn them and cook them on the other side.
The cornmeal cakes should look like this.
 |
| Cornmeal Cakes |
I served the cornmeal cakes with vegetarian links and maple syrup.
In our quest to check out different neighborhoods in the Minnesota area to find the perfect place to buy a house, we drive around Saturday afternoons.
We came across a small town called Hugo that’s approximately 14 miles north of Saint Paul and has 14,000 or so residents.
The area we drove through was not very impressive but I’ve been told that there are areas that are nicer. The picture below is of an area that has “cookie cutter” homes. It reminded me of the song called “Little Boxes.” The song is about houses being built in suburbia that are built out of “ticky tacky” and they all look just the same. Click here to view the wikipedia article.
 |
| Hugo, Minnesota |
Not all the houses looked “ticky tacky” but there was a sameness to the area where we were. A beige-i-ness.
 |
| Hugo, Minnesota |
 |
| Hugo, Minnesota |
Close to where we drove was a park called Oak Shore Park. Although it was snow-filled, I can visualize this park being used by all the neighborhood children.
 |
| Oak Shore Park in Hugo, Minnesota |
 |
| Oak Shore Park in Hugo, Minnesota |
While driving through Hudson, Wisconsin I came across this old Denny’s Classic Diner. The outside looks as if it hasn’t changed since the 50’s. I didn’t have an opportunity to go inside.
 |
| Denny’s Classic Diner, Hudson, Wisconsin |
It reminded me of the old television sitcom called Happy Days.
Where’s Fonzi I wonder?
Overnight, a gentle mist of snow fell in Grant, Minnesota lightly touching the trees with a white and fluffy powder. The branches welcomed the mist and a peaceful scene was created.
 |
| Grant, Minnesota |
 |
| Grant, Minnesota |
The deer came out to enjoy the magical quietness that filled the air.
 |
| Deer in Grant, Minnesota |
 |
| Deer in Grant, Minnesota |
 |
| Country road in Grant, Minnesota |
Whimsical settings are left by residents for those passing by to enjoy.
 |
| Trees in Grant, Minnesota |
When the weather drops to 10 or below, the weather person tells us to make sure we have all of our “skin” covered so that we don’t get hypothermia. This is because the windchill can get to -10 and -20 depending on how strong the wind is.
This morning, we noticed two teenagers on a corner street waiting for the school bus. One of them was wearing shorts. It was unbelievable to me, although when I was younger I remember going out with my coat unbuttoned when it was cold.
Still, today was the first day that I actually experienced what the weather person was talking about. Forgetting my gloves at home, I headed into Starbucks to work on my writing. When I left a couple hours later, I climbed into the car. The short distance between Starbucks and the car was not short enough. My fingers were almost frozen when I started the car.
Frost bite … one has to be careful living in Minnesota.
I recently came across a “new” song. It’s actually been out awhile. The artist is Casting Crowns and the song is called “Somewhere in the Middle.”
Sometimes as humans we are caught in the middle — the middle of the war between good and evil. Our struggles can take us down some dark roads. But even there, God finds us.
Somewhere in the Middle
Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle, You’ll find me.
Somewhere between the wrong and the right
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
Somewhere between who I was and who You’re making me
Somewhere in the middle, You’ll find me.
Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender
Without losing all control
(Refrain)
Fearless warriors in a picket fence,
reckless abandon wrapped in common sense
Deep water faith in the shallow end and we are caught in the middle
With eyes wide open to the differences, the God we want and the God who is
But will we trade our dreams for His or are we caught in the middle
Are we caught in the middle
Somewhere between my heart and my hands
Somewhere between my faith and my plans
Somewhere between the safety of the boat and the crashing waves
Somewhere between a whisper and a roar
Somewhere between the altar and the door
Somewhere between contented peace and always wanting more
Somewhere in the middle You’ll find me
Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control
(Refrain)
Lord, I feel you in this place and I know You’re by my side
Loving me even on these nights when I’m caught in the middle.
We had dinner at the Green Mill Restaurant and Bar which is located in Woodbury, Minnesota.
 |
| Green Mill Restaurant and Bar |
The restaurant is right next to a hotel so I was not expecting the food to be very good. We had received a $10 coupon in the mail — spend $30 and get $10 off.
 |
| Tortilla Soup |
 |
| Chicken and Wild Rice Soup |
For the entree, I had the Butternut Squash Ravioli with asparagus. I had expected the asparagus on the side but it was tossed in with the ravioli. The ravioli didn’t have much flavor and was cooked too long as it tasted a little soggy. This was served in a garlic cream sauce with sun-dried tomatoes, basil leaves and asiago and parmesan cheese.
 |
| Butternut Squash Ravioli |
My husband had the Bourbon Flat Iron Steak. The steak was topped with a bleu cheese crust and served with asiago mashed potatoes and broccoli. He said it tasted good.
 |
| Bourbon Flat Iron Steak |
The service here was great. The food was good overall.
There are always different ways to look at things.
 |
| Photo by PhotoFriday |
Some look at a glass that’s filled halfway and say “it’s half full.” Others would say “it’s half empty.” And still others would say “there is no line, so it’s neither half full nor half empty.” Others might say “Is that a glass?”
Perspective. How we view life and others is shaped by how we grew up and what challenges and struggles we went through.
Take the story of Philip and Andrew, two men who decided to leave all and follow Jesus. That was actually rather bold since they really didn’t know Him. Jesus was unemployed and homeless. Not too many people want to follow someone with those labels.
Yet they did. And one day, because the people heard that Jesus had healed the sick, large crowds followed Him to a hillside where they sat to hear what He had to say.
Jesus looks at Philip and says “Where shall we find bread for this people to eat?” John 6:5
Philip, undoubtedly, looks around. There is no store here on the mountainside. And they don’t have enough money to feed all these people. Jesus is asking a question that Philip believes has no solution. So he states clearly, as might I, “It would take more than a half year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite.” John 6:7
Indeed, that would be me. Realistic. Philip and I would get along well.
Another follower of Jesus named Andrew speaks up and says “Here is a boy with 5 small barley loaves and 2 small fish, but how far will they go among so many?” John 6:9
Bless Andrew’s heart — he has a limited solution. Perhaps they can feed the ones that are closest to them. But, they certainly can’t feed them all!
Then we have the Jesus’ solution — the can-do and relying on God solution. “Have the people sit down.” That’s what Jesus says. No explanation. I can visualize Philip and Andrew wondering why. They can’t feed this many people. Oh — perhaps Jesus just wants them to rest. All 5000 men? That didn’t include the women and children. But — okay. The people sat down on the grass.
Then Jesus does something we don’t think to do very often if at all. He gave thanks for something that hadn’t happened yet. “Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.” John 6:11
It takes a certain mentality to think that all is going to be well even when the signs are not there. For after giving thanks, the Bible says “When they had all had enough to eat …” John 6:12 Wait a minute. Something isn’t right here. We only had 5 loaves and 2 small fish. And 5000 people. And they ALL had enough to eat. Not only that, the rest of the story tells us there were leftovers that they had to gather.
IF this story is true (of course I believe it is), I have to imagine that Philip and Simon were in a state of shock. Going through the motions and not knowing what was happening. But how different their “view” now — when one is with the Son of God outlooks change.
It’s called a miracle. A wonder. Or, as dictionary.com defines it “an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause.” I believe this would qualify.
Three different people looking at one scenario and all having different thoughts about what could and couldn’t be done. But only one — the one with the closest relationship to God — knew there were possibilities.
Funny — I sometimes go through life the same way. I believe something can’t happen because of circumstances and then it does. Or vice versa.
Being a realist can have disadvantages . A square box is sometimes all I see. I can’t see that there’s a place inside the box that can be used or that I can stand on the box or that maybe the box needs unwrapping.
Next time I have a problem, I need to ask myself if I’m limiting my thinking and missing out on possibilities — possible because of dependence on God.
To read the whole story in the Bible, click here.
Photo website: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=1942
It is still a tough choice to make whether to live in Minnesota or Wisconsin. It is made more complicated when there are new houses being built that cost less than the older ones in the same area.
I drove past a development in Hudson, Wisconsin, right off of Exit 4. The house is supposed to be completed by the 4th of March. I didn’t step inside, but I can’t see how it can be. Perhaps things move much quicker than I imagine.
 |
| New House in Hudson, Wisconsin |
 |
| New House in Hudson, Wisconsin |
This house is actually pretty private — not too close to its neighbor, at least not for now. More houses will be built further down the road.
 |
| House in Hudson, Wisconsin |
Bales of hay can be seen in the farmland that surrounds this new development. I’m not sure how long it will be before this area is totally houses and the farms are gone.
 |
| Bales of hay in Hudson, Wisconsin |
