Hospitality Dare

When you were a kid did anyone ever dare you to do something? 

Like jumping from the high dive into the pool or asking out that cute boy in science class? 

What ever the dare it was usually a little scary and  took us out of our comfort zone. There was a bit of danger and the knowledge we were crossing into the unknown. 

Sometimes when we accept a dare it might lead to a less than happy outcome. Like the time in 10th grade when my friend Kathy dared me to skip school and go to the beach. Let's just say when my dad found out it wasn't a happy day!

But today I've accepted a dare that might take me out of my comfort zone. A dare that might cross over into unknown territory but one I'm pretty sure won't be dangerous and will have a happy ending.

I've accepted  the Hospitality Dare!

Krista from Meaning in a Minute and Kristin Schell have partnered together to issue this dare. 

Go to Meaning in a Minute and sign up for the dare. Each day for 7 days they'll send an email that contains a short video that explains the daily dare. 

I've accepted the dare and will be posting about my experience.

 Can you handle the challenge?

I dare you!

You can see what I did to meet these dares:
Hospitality Dares and Challenges

Don’t start with a big program. Start personally and start in your home. I dare you. I dare you in the name of Jesus Christ. Do what I am going to suggest. Begin by opening your home for community. . . All you have to do is open your home and begin.

Francis Schaeffer

Simply Showing You Care-Cook Someone's Favorite Food

When I was little I remember coming in all upset over something I'm sure one of my brothers did to me. My mother consoled my tears by fixing me a little bowl of rice and butter. I sat at the table and ate that rice while she finished in the kitchen.

I'm sure my mother was busy getting dinner ready before my dad got home and the last thing she needed was a sobbing child in her way.

Even now many years later I can't eat rice without thinking about that simple act of loving kindness. 

Growing up each of my children had a favorite dish. 

Meatloaf and mashed potatoes for my oldest.

Chicken and dumplings for my middle boy.

 Sweet potato casserole for the youngest.

When my oldest son came home on leave from deployment in Afghanistan he requested not only his favorite meal of meat loaf,  but also homemade lasagna, my special hot wings and pizza from a local pizzeria.

The middle boy begged me to teach his wife how to make chicken and dumplings. Which I didn't do because I certainly didn't want to alienate my new daughter-in-law. One day she came to me asked me for my recipe and if I'd teach her how to make the dumplings. She wanted to surprise my son for his birthday. I gladly shared with her. 

My youngest son was upset one year because I didn't make his favorite sweet potatoes for our Christmas dinner. So I made them just for him for New Year's day.

Food has a powerful hold on us. Sometimes that hold can be bad but sometimes it can bring back sweet memories of home and love.

That's why I was thrilled when my oldest son's wife asked if I'd teach her to make her favorite thing. 

My Cheesy Biscuits.

So we got in the kitchen together and I showed her how to whip up my simple biscuits. Which we all enjoyed hot out of the oven. 

Food has a way of connecting us and bringing us together. 

It is a simple way to show someone you care. 

Simple Cheesy Drop Biscuits

I have never been able to make what I consider real biscuits. You know the fluffy kind with lots of pull a part layers. But these are good. Kind of crunchy on the outside and tender inside. Good hot out of the oven with lots of butter.

Cheesy Drop Biscuits
Makes about  8 good sized biscuits. Recipe can easily be doubled.

2 cups all purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup milk

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F
Mix the dry ingredients together. Toss in the cheese.
Make a well in the center and add the oil and milk.
Mix with a spoon or your hands.
Don't roll or cut just drop pieces of dough on a greased cooking sheet.
These biscuits don't have to be pretty:-)
Bake for 12 minutes. Flip the biscuits over and bake another 5 minutes until nicely browned.

Slather with butter and enjoy hot out of the oven!

Be Kind to Someone Today!

Patti

Hello Friends It's Been a While

I'm sorry to have been gone so long and I thank those of you who have inquired about my whereabouts. I'm ready to get back to blogging about hospitality and entertaining. I hope maybe there's a few people out there who are still interested in reading. Thank you if you are!!!

I haven't been completely away from blog land. I've been working on my other blog with a friend of mine. After a little health scare she and I started a project that ended up taking a lot of my free time. But I've learned a lot about blogging and posting that have made things easier for me so I'm ready to get back to my first blog love-hospitality and entertaining.

If you're interested you can check out my other blog A Year Of Healthy Habits. I've actually lost 15 pounds (a few more to go)  and lowered my blood pressure all by trading a few bad habits for some good ones. I feel better and have more energy now and I'm ready to party!

Thanks for sticking around!

Patti

Lessons Learned From My Parent's Table

I grew up in a home where the six of us sat around a big trestle table. 

My dad sat in a chair at the head, my oldest brother got the other chair at the foot of the table. Benches on each side were perfect - my mom and I shared the bench closest to the kitchen. (I suppose so she could jump up and grab whatever we kids forgot to put on the table.) My sister and youngest brother shared the other bench. 

Perfect arrangement. 

Except it very seldom worked out that way. 

On My Plate - Fig Glazed Pork Chops and Menu Planning

I know that a lot of people plan their meals for the whole week but I'm usually the type that just wings its. 

I have several go to meals that I can put together as the mood strikes but this week I decided to try a different approach. 

I planned the entire week...Breakfast, lunch, dinner and even snacks. I even picked a few new recipes to try out on my family.

It took me a while to get the menu together, make a grocery list and shop but I'm going to see if it saves me time in the long run.

I won't repeat the menu here but if you're interested you can see what I planned over at  A Year Of Healthy Habits.

I tried a new recipe for dinner last night. 

Fig Glazed Pork Chops

Super simple recipe-the kind I love!

In a large skillet brown pork chops in a little oil. About 3 minutes per side. 

Transfer the chops to a baking sheet. 

Top each chop with about 1 Tablespoon of fig jam. 

Bake at 350 till jam is bubbly and chops are done. 

I served this with sweet potatoes and green beans. 

This recipe got a 5-star family approval!

How do you handle meals?

Are you a planner or do you like to wing it?

Out Reach to the Stars (and Planets)

Several years ago my husband got in to the hobby of astronomy quite by accident. We accompanied our son on a astronomy outreach that he had to participate in for a class he was taking. Our son's interest only went as far as a good grade. My husband on the other hand found a new interest and began following the dark sky with abandon. 

We even have our own observatory in our back yard:-)

The club he belongs to is very active in educating the community and for the past year my husband has been in charge of setting up these out reaches. 

Last night we went to one of our local elementary schools where they were having a science night.

The children rotated through different activities that were set up through out the school. The astronomy club members set up their telescopes in the parking lot and as the kids came through they were able to look through different scopes that were focused on various objects in the night sky. 

My sweetie:-)

Waiting a turn at a scope

Students get a look at a 1 pound Asteroid 

There were 8 members of the club set up with their scopes. This group does 25 or more out reaches a year to the Boy and Girl Scouts, school groups, homeschoolers, church groups, etc. 

I think the thing that amazes me is how they can set up scopes that cost more money than I care to think about and they let kids of all ages use them. Even though over 300 hundred students and parents participated I never heard one complaint from the club members or one harsh word. And we know how rowdy little ones can be!

I did hear it said over and over how it makes it worthwhile when a kid looks through a scope and sees Jupiter and says "WOW!".

It was a fun night and I'm happy I could spend a few hours helping these children search the night sky. And maybe there was a budding astronomer among them!

If you'd like to learn more about astronomy and searching the dark skies check out Go Astronomy website to find an astronomy club near you.

Do you have a gift, talent or hobby that you share with the community? 

On My Plate -Strawberry Lemon Bars

One of my favorite (and easiest) ways to entertain is to invite someone over for dessert.

Later in the evening when everyone has had their dinner. The table is cleared and the kitchen cleaned. Serve a dessert that was made earlier in the day (or even the day before). Put on the coffee pot, set out the cups, cream and sugar and the dessert plates.  And you're all ready to welcome guests.

One of our favorite desserts - Strawberry Lemon Bars

These sweet and tangy bars are made just like regular lemon bars only with the addition of fresh chopped strawberries. Yummy!

Lemon Bars and Strawberry Lemon Bars

Strawberry-Lemon Bars
Pastry Layer
2 cups plain flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup butter, room temperature

By hand or with a mixer combine the flour, sugar and butter.
Press the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 X 9 cake pan.
Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees F.

Once baked let it cool for about 15 minutes.

Strawberry Layer

1 cup chopped strawberries

1 Tablespoon sugar

Sprinkle sugar over the strawberries. Let sit for 15 minutes. 

Drain the juice off and layer the strawberries on top of the baked pastry

Top Layer

4 eggs, beaten until fluffy
4 Tablespoons flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
6 Tablespoons lemon juice (I used bottled)

Mix all the ingredients together and pour over the crust.

Pop it back in the oven for 25 - 30 minutes or until the 

filling is set and the top is lightly browned.

Sprinkle with confectioners sugar.

Let cool for about 30 minutes and cut in to 1 inch pieces.

Sprinkle on more confectioners sugar if desired.

You can omit the strawberry layer and you'll have plain lemon bars. If a lemon bar can be just plain!

I hope you'll try this recipe and invite someone over to help you eat them! 





Patti