Baking For The Family

I've been going through my old recipes, some of them have been given to me from friends and some from family. However, one thing always puzzles me about the recipes that they all have in common. Strangely enough there is a format for recipes and they all seem to follow it. So that leads me to believe that somewhere along the line, someone had a lot of time to think about the "proper" format for a recipe.

I guess I was just thinking a little too much about it. Excuse me, the house was quiet. Just a movie playing in the background and my daughter was in bed, so all I had time to do at that point was think, think, think...

Maybe you could give me the answer that I have been looking for... Why does your average recipe give an estimated time to prepare? That time seems completely illogical. I totally cannot prepare anything in the given amount of time - so if I was graded, I would have failed. There is so much pressure to finish in that time. I wonder if I will ever be able to do it. I think I would have failed cooking class -even for such "the good cook", that I am.. ha

The second thing that I never have fully understood is the cooking time. For example, the recipe that I am currently working on is for a pumpkin pie. Cook the crust then add the filling - then cook at one temp for 15 minutes and then another for 30 to 40 minutes. If I follow this exactly - I would have had an uncooked pie. I thought, Okay... I will cook for 35 minutes (its between 30 and 40) so I should be okay. Nope. I added another 10 minutes and then another 10 minutes... I never thought that elevation would be a factor where I live. usually down at the bottom of the recipe it says that you have to add time for elevation. Who ever thought that in my house that I would have to add time for elevation. I've never been told that I should, but it seems that my oven only cooks better when I add additional time "for elevation"

So for anyone who may read this ridiculous blog, maybe you can provide the insite that I need to understanding cooking times and prep times. And if anyone can admit to actually doing all their prep work in the suggested / designated time, I sure would like to know how you do it.

Finding Happiness. What does it take to make you happy?

This week, I have a question for you: What does it take to make you happy?
Is it more money, spare time, good friends, a better job? I have found a common theme regarding happiness. It is called the "I'll be happy when …" syndrome. It is a very common expression that we have all said.
"I will be happy when... I don't have to get up at 5:30 am to go to work."
"I will be happy when... my husband/wife shows more respect for me."
"I will be happy when... I get my new car."
And it goes on and on about a state of mind that remains in the future rather than in the here and now.

Happiness shouldn't be something dangling out there in the world of tomorrow or someday.
It isn't a feeling to experience once something else happens. It is something to be experienced now, in this moment. While our anticipation or focus on the future is perfectly normal, connecting happiness to future events can cause us to miss out on any immediate opportunities for joy and fulfillment.

Happiness is more powerful when experienced as an immediate emotion than seen as a carrot to be sought after. Interestingly, many people find that when they place future conditions on happiness, even when those conditions are met, they don't feel the pleasure they had expected to.
The key is to learn how to let go of the unknown future and the unchangeable past and allow the goodness of the moment to fill you with inner peace. The present moment is all that we have, and when you find meaning and satisfaction in the present, your future will take care of itself.

Happiness means feeling pleasure about what you have right this minute. In any given moment, if we try hard enough, we can find good and positive things to be happy about.
Maybe it is simply that the sun is out and shining warmly on our skin
or we are enjoying a nice cup of hot coffee with a good friend.
Or maybe after a tough day at work, we know we have done our very best,
or we shared time with our children at the park.
Or maybe that we are Thankful for all the blessings in our life.

I hope that today you will acknowledge the many blessings in your life that make each moment a cause for joy and happiness.
I must warn you, however, that happiness can be contagious, so you just might end up having a positive effect on those around you as well.

Take the time to think about the reasons you have to be happy and thank God for all the blessings that you have in your life too.