Author: Norma

Lake Roesiger/Trees

Sabbath is just about over.  A restful day.  I wish everyone could feel the peace that Sabbath brings.

We headed out this morning for a walk around Lake Roesiger Park in Snohomish County.  We were just a wee bit disappointed.

Lake Roesiger            .  

The lake is beautiful although you can’t walk around it — only drive.

The park, such as it is, really can’t be reached as there is a boy scout camp that takes up most of one side.

We took a drive and found this old barn.  I’ve always wanted to remodel a barn.  But, so far, that has not been my destiny.

Ultimate Guide: Barns, Sheds & Outbuildings

After the drive, we went back to the lake and walked across to the park where we walked through a closed campsite.  The campsite has not been taken care of.  We stepped on strawberry plants and pine needles.  Soft.

What impressed me the most were the trees.  I enjoy looking at trees.

Here are a few of the ones I took pictures of with my cell phone:

Trees intermingled.  We humans have a harder time mingling.  This picture reminds me to try and flow with what happens in life without resisting.  One learns to have that peace in Christ.
The light filtering through the trees represent hope to me.  In the midst of darkness (hurt, negativity, war, shame, anger, etc) we can find a light that shines in our heart that lets us know that there is more to life.
The path in life is not always smooth.  We walk weaving in between struggles, joy, loneliness, happiness … human frailties and strengths.  But in the end, the journey finds us satisfied if we take life one step at a time.

This scene was most fascinating to me.  A tree had fallen between two trees.  And yet, the two trees remain standing.  A crack in our human lives does not mean we have to fall.  Rather we can stand tall.
Ahhh, to be like trees.  There are many lessons we can learn as we take our walks in life.

Basil Pasta

Friday.  Ever since I started keeping the Sabbath over 29 years ago, Fridays have become interesting.

My body automatically slows down by evening time.  It feels restful.

I like to make my favorite food for Friday dinners.  One of them is this basil pasta.

I start by using a Christmas present — a blue pot given me as a gift by my son from Williams Sonoma.
(But you can get them other places too.)  It’s called Le Creuset.  A must have in every kitchen.

Le Creuset

I keep it on the stovetop all the time as it’s used quite often.

Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 5-1/2-Quart Round French Oven, Red

I found this recipe at allrecipes.com and it has never failed me.

Ingredients:

8 ounces uncooked linguine (but I’ve used 12 oz with a pinch more butter)
3 medium tomatoes, chopped
6 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh basil, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 tablespoons butter

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions.

While pasta is cooking, in a medium sized bowl, combine all the other ingredients except the butter.

Drain pasta and toss with butter.
Add basil/tomato mixture.
Toss to coat.

Basil Pasta
Enjoy!

Vegetarian Teriyaki

Ahhh, this is a really nice recipe. I use Worthington Vegetarian Skallops.
You sometimes have to ask where they are in the store. A lot of times they are in the natural foods section.

Recipe:
1 can Worthington Vegetable Skallops, halved
3 tbsp oil
Cornstarch

Put oil in frying pan on low heat.
Put small amount of cornstarch in a bowl (enough to coat the skallops).
Toss skallops in cornstarch.
Add to frying pan and increase heat to medium.
You can have the skallops as crispy or non-crispy as you like.
Sauce:
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
1/4 cup water or juice from skallops
After the skallops are as crispy as you like them, pour the
sauce over the skallops and stir well on low heat until the sauce has evaporated.

Advocates for Seniors

When I was younger, I had a boyfriend who had the most wonderful mother.

I kept in touch with her throughout the years. Every time I would visit Chicago she would more than likely get a visit from me.
The last few times I went to see her she was not well. She lives with one of her sons and he was being neglectful of her.
She had a rooster and birds that were allowed to roam freely through the house.
And she was suffering from onset dementia.
She used to have her own room. Now she was sleeping on the living room couch as her son had taken over her bedroom. Never mind that there are 3 bedrooms in the apartment. The other two were filled with junk piled high — clothes and everything else you can think of.
Last time I was there, she was shredding meat by hand in the living room. When the rooster would come over she would put the food down and pet her rooster. Then (without washing her hands) she would go back to preparing the meat.
Her son thought nothing was wrong with this.
The apartment reeked of bird feces as the carpet, walls and couch was filled with the feces.
You’d walk in and pray that you could breathe for more than 5 minutes.
She was now unkempt, smelled of urine and her home was no longer clean like she used to keep it.
Recently another son went to court to get custody of her so that he could make sure she was well taken care of. It was denied.
How heartbreaking this is. To live your life giving to others and then to have it end like this.
She hasn’t passed away yet. I can only hope that she is not able to recognize all that’s going on and that she is in no physical pain.
What a tragedy! We need more advocates for seniors. If I didn’t live so far away …
Life as it unfortunately is …

Tuna Casserole

Another recipe. This tuna casserole tastes delicious.
Today I tried it with 1/2 whole milk and 1/2 skim milk because I had whole milk left over from another recipe. It gave the casserole a much smoother texture. But it works well with skim milk also.
4 tablespoons butter
4 level tablespoons flour
1 tsp. celery salt
1 can Tuna (or tuno for vegetarians)
12 ounces noodles (penne, spiral, etc.)
Shredded cheese
2 cups milk
3 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
Bread crumbs (optional)
Sauce:
Heat butter until soft. Add flour and stir with whisk until smooth.
Add milk. Stir. Add celery salt. Stir.
Heat all under low/medium heat.
When the sauce thickens & starts to slowly boil, turn off heat.
Add shredded cheese. (You can make the sauce as cheesy as you’d like.)
Stir. Set aside until the pasta is ready.
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain.
Combine tuna, pasta & eggs. Stir.
Pour mixture into a greased casserole dish.
Pour sauce over mixture (do not stir).
Add bread crumbs if you like.
Bake at 325-350 for approximately 20-25 minutes until it bubbles.
Enjoy!

Orcas Island/Mt Constitution

Just returned from Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands.

The weather was absolutely beautiful. We went canoeing — my first time in over 30 years. Didn’t do too bad thanks to my friend Ron who glided us through the water.
Seems like the people move much slower there so it was a great way to unwind.
I’ll be attaching pictures soon so stay tuned.