Book Review: The Book of Joan


This month I've read, The Book of Joan, written by Melissa Rivers in honor of her mother's memory.  I liked Joan Rivers in her early days and really enjoy watching reruns of her old talk show on JLTV.  I wanted to 'find' that Joan Rivers once more in the pages of her daughter's book...

Melissa's book is not so much a memory of her mother as a compilation of Joan's one liners and a plethora of her own.  The humor in it is harsh at times and the language is sometimes questionable.  What I found was that Melissa's 'voice' is much the same as Joan in the latter years.  I find it difficult to believe that some of the supposed conversations took place at the young ages Melissa suggests they might have. 

If you are looking for sweet memories of a loving mom, or a history of Joan's early years, then look elsewhere.  The book becomes an unrelenting and never ending 'routine' and isn't really anything more than overly long script for a final appearance. 

This book provided for review by Blogging for Books

In My Home This Week: Sunshine and Shadows

In my home this week...


It's lovely out this evening but for the first time in days.  It's been cool out there as well.  Nothing unseasonal, mind, but today has been one of those heat in the morning, air conditioner in the afternoon sorts of days.  I was glad to see the sun come out this morning.  Glad to find myself up early with time to pray and have coffee long before John rose.  Glad too, that it was Shabbat.  I love the pace of our Sabbath day.

I was 'reading behind' this afternoon, going back to read of other Mays on the blog and suddenly was bitten by the nostalgia bug, so I went over to Yahoogroups and pulled up the old back issues of Penny Ann Poundwise newsletter.  I think I got back to 2012 and there I stopped.  Looking back at that May, at that year, was painful.  I was just beginning to be aware of some boundaries in my life I was never going to cross over, right in the midst of a frustrating realization that old dreams were dead and gone and never were to be anymore.  I think I spent the next three years crying off and on.  Can I just say that the new season that is upon us, the one that isn't a season of nature but of life, is most welcome?  And looking back, I'm glad for NOW, this place.

My Weekend Reading Spot

         

                                      

I'm so glad you all enjoyed last week's reading post. I haven't had as much time as I thought I might to peruse items but I have a few to share with you.

Dee shared the link to this item on her Facebook page.  I thought it lovely.  I guess really it doesn't matter what country, I like the look of country décor.
http://www.veranda.com/decorating-ideas/g1209/rural-romance/?
This room was my favorite.  I'd like to see it a tiny bit more yellow.  I swooned over the fabric on the chair.

Coffee/Iced Tea Chat: The Itching Season



Now isn't that pretty?  Well, you'll not have fancy cookies with me here, but we've banana bread and peanut butter and crackers and some lovely chilled slices of orange to snack upon.  You can take your choice of coffee or tea in  this weather, which is middling cool and a tiny bit muggy.  Pull up a chair, take a bite to eat and let's talk, okay?

Pardon my odd blotchy appearance.  Poison Ivy.  I get one spot to settle down and stop itching and another starts up.  I have it from chin to mid-thigh and heaven help me I really don't know how that is possible since it was the most covered parts of me.  None on my hands or arms which were completely exposed.  I'd love to say I got it during my weeding, but the lack of poison on my arms and hands belies that.  I'm kind of laying odds it came off doggy paws, as he was steadily putting his paws all over my chest while I was trying to pet his great big self.  That is a 'grand' puppy, belonging to my son and his family.  He's part pit bull and has a lovely black and white tuxedo and white spats.  He's a little intimidating but really was just longing for love and wanting to climb into my lap where he didn't fit, not in the least.  But in the meantime, I was thoroughly pawed and so I suppose it was he who gave me poison, though I can't say for sure.  I told Samuel that my skin really burned and itched after petting him and we were putting it down to my pet allergies.

Anyway, regardless of the original source, it's misery and I mean that sincerely.  Adding to the overall misery is the need to be terribly careful that John doesn't get exposed to it, as my allergy is mild despite the current appearance and when he is exposed, his allergy requires weeks of steroids.  So no hugs or little kisses and no snuggling in bed!  I've only allowed him to kiss my forehead this week which isn't very satisfactory.

Tried and True: Recipes To Share II




There was a nice amount of participation last month in the Tried and True post.  I hope that you will participate this month and if you didn't join us last month, please do this time around.  If you'd like to see last month's recipes, just check in the archives file in March 2016.

For my part,  I made two old favorites I haven't made in  quite a long while and I tried a couple of new recipes as well.  I'll share all four of them. 


http://shewearsmanyhats.com/mayonnaise-roasted-turkey/

I used a turkey breast roast, and greatly decreased the ingredients for the size of my turkey.  I forgot the rosemary entirely and look forward to adding that to my next try at this recipe.  Even though I had a bit of a disaster with the turkey roast falling apart when I removed the binding to stuff and rub.  If I use the Aldi turkey breast roast again, I'll be sure to have cooking twine on hand.  All in all, despite difficulties in executing the stuffing and despite over cooking, the roast was delicious.  It is going into my files to be used again and again.


http://realhousemoms.com/roast-beef-horseradish-cheese-baked-sliders/

This recipe is easy enough.  Surprisingly I found a block of Horseradish Cheddar at Aldi for just under $3.  It is, in my opinion, even better than that from the deli.  I made these using regular bakery dinner rolls.  I baked just enough for John and but put the rest in the freezer for a future meal.  I think they will reheat very well, much like the Marinated Sandwiches we like so well.

I shared Rhonda's Enchilada sauce on the lead post for this month's recipe which is one of my long time Tried and True recipes.  The other I made came from a 1980 Better Homes and Gardens magazine.  I tore it out that year, shortly after Amie was born and I've made it at least twice a year ever since.  I really liked it then and I really like it today.

Corn Moussaka

1 17-ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
1 1/2 pounds ground beef  *I've never used more than a pound in this recipe
1 tablespoon all purpose flour
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1/2 tsp garlic salt *I use 1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 slightly beaten eggs
1 1 /2 cups cottage cheese with chives, drained *I have never noticed the part where it says to drain the cottage cheese!  I add 1 tablespoon dried chives to plain cottage cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
slivered almonds (optional)

Spread corn in an ungreased shallow casserole, 10 x 7.  In medium skillet, brown ground beef.  Drain fat if necessary.  Add flour; cook and stir for 1 minute.  Add tomato sauce, garlic, and cinnamon.  Pour over corn in dish.  Bake at 350F for 15 minutes. 

Mix cottage cheese and eggs.  Spread over warm meat mixture.  Top with cheeses.  Sprinkle almonds on top of the cheese.  Bake 10-15 minutes more. *I usually end up baking a little longer.  The cottage cheese topping should be just soft set.  If it is a little wobblier than you feel comfortable with, cook up to 1/2 hour, but check every five minutes.  The point is not to cook the cheese dry and hard atop the meat mixture.


Lake Livin'  shared this:

Hello, I'm new! I'll introduce myself on the next post, but I have many recipes to share. I'll start with just one for now. I only make this during the holidays but it is a HUGE hit. My former coworkers almost threw a mutiny the year I didn't bring it to the Thanksgiving potluck. :) I don't know where I obtained the original recipe - it was typed on a small sheet of paper.

Sweet Potato Souffle

3 cup mashed sweet potatoes (baked) - ~3 large (I cook them in the microwave until soft, let them cool, then peel off the skin with my hand)
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/3 stick butter
1/2 cup condensed milk (I use fat-free)
1 tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients together and pour into greased baking dish. Cover with topping.

Topping:
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup flour
1 cup chopped nuts (I use walnuts)
1/3 stick melted butter

Mix thoroughly and sprinkle over souffle.

Bake 35 minutes at 350.

Lana shared:   I can't remember what I shared last month so I hope these are not duplicates.

This is the best dip for veggies I have ever had. The herbs in the recipe are dried herbs even though it sounds like it calls for fresh. herbs.http://www.littlehouseliving.com/recipe-for-dill-dip.html

I absolutely love this salad. You can add chicken to make it a main dish.
http://www.fortheloveofcooking.net/2008/07/asian-noodle-salad.html

We love this chicken. I bake it in a dish in the oven.
http://diaryofarecipeaddict.blogspot.com/2011/07/sweet-spicy-bacon-chicken.html

An finally the egg salad recipe I tried recently. It does not get watery and change flavors in the fridge which has been something I hate about egg salad.
http://www.southyourmouth.com/2015/02/egg-salad.html

Looking forward to everyone's recipes! How do we find last month recipes?

This one sounds good to me, but like Colleen I shall change up the herbs.  I'm allergic to marjoram...

The sauce sounds good, I will try .I am sharing a recipe for a crowd, a brunch or maybe. It could be cut down & other meats substituted. I also added carrots, & celery & onions to my meat as I was making soup & had extra. I also used different spices since we don't like dill.
Beef Quiche in Cookie Sheet
• 2-crust pie crust recipe
• 1 pound ground beef.1 onion, chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup flour, S&P
• 5 eggs, beaten,2 cups half and half cream or evaporated milk
• 1 teaspoon dried dill weed, 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
• 2 cups shredded Cheddar or Colby cheese
• 1 cup shredded Havarti cheese,1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Line a 15x10" jelly roll pan with the pie crust, including up sides. I drop pieces of the pie dough around the pan and press until it covers the bottom and sides. Place in refrigerator while preparing the filling.Brown the ground beef, onion and garlic in a heavy skillet. Drain off any excess fat.
Beat together flour, salt, pepper, eggs, half and half, dill weed, and marjoram., Sprinkle ground beef mixture
into crust lined pan. Sprinkle with Cheddar and Havarti cheeses. Carefully and slowly pour egg mixture over cheese so it fills the pan. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese., until filling is puffed and beginning to brown. Cut into squares to serve. Bake at 400 degrees for 25-35 minutes

Colleen

From Tammy comes this Blue Cheese Dressing.   I love homemade blue cheese dressing! 
I make our salad dressings as much as possible, and Greg loves blue cheese dressing. Here's the recipe I use. It calls for Maytag blue cheese, but I use much less expensive crumbles and it's still very tasty.

“Maytag Blue Cheese Dressing”
Place in mixing bowl:
1 C sour cream (I actually used part light sour cream and part homemade yogurt)
½ tsp. dry mustard
½ tsp. black pepper (fresh ground would be best)
scant 1/3 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Blend two minutes at low speed (I used a hand mixer).
Add 1 1/3 C mayonnaise (NOT SALAD DRESSING); blend 30 seconds at low speed to mix, then blend two minutes at medium speed. Crumble 8 ounces Maytag Blue Cheese; add half to blended mixture; blend well at low speed. Add rest of crumbles, stir in by hand. Refrigerate 24 hours before using. Yield: 3 Cups

Kathy:  I tried the enchilada sauce, and it is so good. Much better than store brand. Thanks!
*We really like this too!  I made beef enchiladas for family this week while they were in and they raved over Rhonda's sauce. Now I must make more so I can put some in the freezer for future meals.*
Kathy also share this link and note: We like Taste of Home recipes...another one of our favorites...
Sesame ribs
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/sesame-pork-ribs





What I've Read This Week

Over the past few weeks I've come across some really interesting articles, items, blog posts, etc.  Each time I've thought, "Oh I'd love to share that with my readers..."  Well having, thoroughly enjoyed Dee's weekly newsletter and blog, and Rhonda at Down to Earth 'Weekend Reading' post, I  thought I'd start archiving these things for you all to check out, as well.

I've been following Rhonda's blog If You Do Stuff for a number of years.  In the past two weeks, she's shared several great posts but these two really stand out.  If you don't know Rhonda's blog, then please check it out, not just the two posts I'll be highlighting.  She's something of a CVS aficionado and really works the deals there.  This week she shared her most recent haul and her stockpile in this post:  http://ifyoudostuff.blogspot.com/2016/04/today-cvs-purchases-and-if-you-want-to.html
She loves to have a great manicure and has found, for her, press on nails work best.  She shared her favorite tips for applying and favored products in this post:

Kroger stores is featuring Spain this month and set up an entire website of recipes, travel highlights and such.  It was a fun spot to spend a half hour or so and the recipes sound delicious.  You can look about the site here:

Dee shared this item in her Facebook feed.  I enjoyed reading this article and am amazed at the dedication and professionalism of this young journalist who is following her passion at a tender age.  Frankly, after reading her article I thought about one I read last week in our local paper.  I asked John what ever happened to the old standard of 'Who, What, Where, Why, When' as I struggled to find all these answers in the article...  I think this article is proof that Pro is Pro...

This Week In My Home...

This week in my home:
...I expect I'll be seeking out a quiet spot.  Family in this weekend.  Family coming in next weekend.  I'm looking forward to having my dear family back in the state but they are house hunting and trying to a sell a home and dragging about the baby and dog and frankly it's a little stressful for them and a little stressful for us.  So in order to keep stress levels as low as possible, I mean to relax, rest and plan for the coming weekend.  I'll not be pushing myself hard to accomplish a whole lot of stuff.  I've done plenty of that in the past week or two anyway, which my 'to do' list this past week reflects.

I reminded myself when overwhelm threatened me this weekend to enjoy this as part of my 'new season' and if that means decreased project work and resting up to spend time with family, then I'm going to do just that.  It's times like this I recall my promise to myself to grab hold of the things I cherish and enjoy them.  


...I plan meals


John works a 36 hour shift Sunday and Monday and will work again on Thursday.  I'll be on my own those three days which means I will try to rely on leftovers.  So a brief meal plan this week.  I'm still using the cookbook I chose from my bookshelf last week.  Recipes with an * are from that book.

Speedy Beef Burgers*, Onion Fries*, Pear Salad, Cherry Crisp

Foil Baked Chicken*,  Black Eyed Peas, Coleslaw

Taco Salad, Whole Grain Chips,  Banana Coconut Bake*

We're certain to eat out while getting groceries.  It's John's choice that day.


...I plan my work
I'd love to plan for NO work but we all know that won't happen in an average run home and mine is average just like your own. 

Change sheets on our bed.  I won't change guest sheets since they will just be back next week anyway, unless some one shows up on spur of the moment.

Harvest Week,  bills, groceries, errands

Finish weeding the privet from under the back yard trees.  I've grown very cautious after reading about copper head snakes and it being mating season...shivers.  Likely I shall rake away the leaves I've been digging about in and then weed.

It is my wild hopes to get mulch, which isn't so hard to put out as it is to load and unload.  However, John is never cooperative in that task as he loathes hauling mulch in the car...Not that we have any other option, mind you.  So I'm on my own with this one.  And since I'm hoping to get mulch, I'll hope to get a big bag of soil as well, so I can get more plants so I can pot more flowers and herbs, so I can...uh huh, work!

Booth...I must get some new items into the booth. 

Books:  I didn't deliver after all this last week.  I got the days confused on which afternoon the library was closed and that was the only afternoon I could get into town.

Just normal routine chores.  And really if I do any of the rest of the above list that's more than plenty.



...I RELAX...

Foolishness and Rest