New York Style Cheese Cake Success

It has been quite the week.

Last Friday I made another trip to Eden Valley with the cat. third time in about as many months. She still has a yeast infection in her ear. This time I am back to putting drops in her ears twice a day for a week. At least it is not as many drops as the first time I had to do it. Struggling to drug the cat is never my favorite activity. Dr. Perry did show me how to wrap her in a towel. She said that I still  would not have much time to work with the cat (I don't!), but it might help. This morning I did it while Gracie was in her basket, and it was not so traumatic for either of us.

Then came Saturday, and confession. I have not had tears for quite some time, but every once in awhile the scrupulosity still rears its ugly head. I am so thankful for my patient confessor. This past Saturday things were back to normal, and even changed a little bit. I had finished reading Vinny Flynn's Seven Secrets of Confession last week, and found in it a repetition of Father's admonition to see confession as an encounter with Christ and His Mercy. After confession, and again during mass, I prayed particularly to see these two sacraments as encounters with Him.

Then Saturday evening. I had to bake some things for our Catholic United Financial meeting on Sunday. First was the banana bread. I have made that recipe many times, but I was distracted. I ended up doubling the amount of water when I mixed my buttermilk. I scraped it into the pan and hoped for the best. Afterwards I was thinking that I could have added a tablespoon of coconut flour to absorb the extra liquid, but it was already in the oven. It was very moist, but edible. Then I baked a nut bread from the St. Peter's parish cookbook. I thought that had turned out well, but the next morning when I cut it open I had a large hollow spot and raw dough. That got tossed out for the birds. Then I made a blueberry coffee cake, standard recipe out of my Betty Crocker cook book. It was a cinch to make, but the pan was very shiny, so it took an extra half an hour to bake. I was very nervous about cutting that open for fear it would be raw, too. It was okay. Aggie had called to say that she was bringing bars, but with the bread out of the picture and the banana bread and coffee cake iffy, I was worried that I might have to make a trip to Kwik Trip for doughnuts. We survived. Actually, I almost polished off the rest of the coffee cake on Sunday afternoon because it was so good.

Fast forward to Tuesday. I made blueberry muffins for Arthur's breakfasts, and this time, intending to sneak some white whole wheat flour into the mix, I got distracted and left out the second cup of flour. These muffins fell apart very easily, but were really, really tasty because they were mostly sugar and butter!

Then there was the cheese cake. Twice I had the cream cheese out to warm to room temperature. Twice it went back into the refrigerator. First, I had to run into town to pick up a spring form pan. The next day I discovered that I was missing the required whipping cream. Third day I finally got it baked. We polished the last of it off today. It was very good. We ate it without any toppings, and I have to say that the toppings would have been a distraction to the rich, tangy flavor. Husband says that if lent were not approaching, I would have to make another one right away! Disasters redeemed! Here is the recipe which I used: New York Style Cheese Cake

Then there were the disasters in my sewing room. More feed dog jams with the polyester bias tape for the gift roll, and for the hem on Mom's old blanket. I ended up having to take the bobbin case apart to  get it running again, and then it took me forever to put it back together again. I used to pride myself on knowing the innards of my sewing machine, but I needed to pray for patience on this one. Then I thought I would sew the hem on the dress I bought for Maja at Once Upon a Child, and no matching thread. It will have to wait. But I did get the edge of my vintage tablecloth apron hemmed.

All of these things have me smiling because they were such disasters. I guess that is God's way of teaching me patience, and giving me something to offer up.

I was able to finish Presenting Miss Jane Austen (May Lamberton Becker, Bethlehem Bookds) his week. I had difficulty understanding the first part of the book, but upon completion I have an image of Jane as being a very sweet and kindly person whom I presume was also good. It seems that she would be a good person to emulate. I have so many other books on my plate that I am not ready to pick up Pride and Prejudice  or Northanger Abbey right now, but after reading Mrs. Becker's book, I am sure that I will understand them better than I did when I read Pride and Prejudice  in high school. I have seen several of the PBS movies of her books, but I do not think the pace of movies capable of capturing all of the nuances of the books.

I attended another Shaklee meeting on Saturday. I was able to test the new Build product made with grass-fed whey. I also tested the old product, formerly Physique, which is soy, and banana flavored. I have been using the Energizing Soy Protein, but Physique is a blend of protein and carbohydrates, which is a much better choice for after exercise. It helps build and maintain lean muscle mass. We also had a little bit of a discussion on the amount of protein needed daily. Other countries recommend higher levels of protein than what is recommended here. That makes me less worried about getting too much protein, or giving too much protein to the girls when they are here.

Two more days to pray to see what it is that I should do for lent.

Now, off to watch Victoria.

On UFO's, Bread and Other Things

Much as I had intended, I only completed one of  the sewing projects which I started a couple of months ago. On Saturday afternoon  I did do some sewing on a nearly  complete project, only to have a clog in my feed dog. Polyester twill tape is not nearly as nice to work with as cotton. I will probably end up having to cut a new piece. Then I will wait until the iron is hot enough to press the hem nice and tight before I sew it down. Hopefully that will do the trick. That completed, I can go back to finish the second of the two of these rolls which I cut out at the same time. I cannot give more details since one is a gift item. The other is for me.

I also dug through a yarn bin and selected a red wool for a triangular shawl pattern, just to do something with the yarn. I had originally selected that yarn for a scarf pattern, but thought it would be too itchy around someone's neck. People are no longer accustomed to wearing wool, and no longer require it for warmth. I am enjoying knitting a complex pattern again, although I have spent much time ripping and re-knitting. The count must be perfect, and I have forgotten how to rip with loads of yarn overs and psso's. It is a project which will need to be completed without the distraction of television. I will need to remain very faithful to my marker. I so envy the women who can chart the increases for such patterns. It requires more thought from me than I am willing to give. 

On top of that I picked up a completed baptismal gown from Rose so that I can start a new batch for CUF. I am waiting for my new JoAnn flyer so that I can use a coupon for the fabric. The cutting will be no big deal, but a couple of us are not fond of the basting. I was hoping to modify the pattern to eliminate the basting, but Fr. Tom likes the current style. Once I have the fabric and have done the cutting, I can check to see if anyone is willing to serge the edges, and eliminate the need for the  basting. The embroidered edge which Rose has done is very pretty, but that, too, requires someone with the machine capable of doing it. Mine lacks that capacity.

I tried two new bread recipes, Vermont Whole Wheat Oatmeal Honey Bread, and Wheat Pecan Bread, both recipes from King Arthur Flour. I was a bit shocked at the amount of sugars in the first bread. Way more than I prefer. I was also leery of the cinnamon. However, it is a very soft bread, and the cinnamon makes it smell like cinnamon rolls, so Arthur liked it. I liked the softness, too. Next time I think I will make it without the cinnamon, since I do not care for that flavor in sandwiches. Also, I will add the yeast just after the oatmeal soak cools down, before adding any flour. I made the wheat pecan loaf  by hand instead of using a bread machine. I thought I would appreciate the protein from the nuts, but even chopped, they require too much chewing. I prefer my nuts in salads, brownies or cookies.

Gracie and I are off to the vet again this week. Her ear is infected, and then the vet will draw a urine sample to complete the testing recommended at our last visit. We need to know if she has kidney  malfunction, or if she only had a urinary tract infection. We are spending more on vet bills than we like, but a new cat is not cheap, either, and Gracie's personality is quite entertaining.

Arthur and I ordered a whole slew of books two weeks ago. He ordered two from Fred's assignment list, while I ordered Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons, Taylor Marshall's Sword and Serpent, and Terry Beatley's What If We've Been Wrong?. Every time I buy a book Arthur says, "You've finished all of your other  books, right?" No, I have not. I am working on them, however. I have made good progress on Chesterton's book on Aquinas, and another of our juvenile books on Jane Austen is my vision therapy reading. Perhaps when the vision therapy is done, I will be able to read as fast as he. On the other hand, his books are not interrupted by embroidery and knitting projects!

One of my absolute favorite products from Shaklee has returned again - Scour Off  Paste, a.k.a. bubblegum paste, or the pink stuff, at our house. Wahoo! Shaklee had to look for a new manufacturer after the previous manufacturer retired. I go through tons of the paste since I use it on my stove top. Arthur also uses it to clean the fireplace glass.

Hope for the Future of Christendom

I just finished reading Fingal's Quest (Madeleine Polland, Savio Books, San Jose, California, 1997). This is a reprint from Doubleday and Company, originally written in 1961. The setting is sixth century Ireland and France. A group of Irish monks, including St. Columban, head from Ireland to re-Christianize a France which has become Christian in name only after the barbarian invasions. Yes, sixth century, and  Christian in name only within a few centuries of St. Martin of Tours. Christianity has waned in the past, just as it appears to be waning in Europe and the United States now.  But the waning has  been followed by waxing. Who knows but that in another fifty or hundred years, America will be re-evangelized by Christians from Africa and India, and perhaps even Russia. I found the book to be such a sign of great hope.

We had another Catholic United Financial meeting on Tuesday, and I came home feeling good about all of the things which we accomplished. In December we updated our by-laws lickety split.  Yesterday, thanks to our treasurer's computerized report, we were also able to audit the books in record time. We also voted on a mission statement, planned our February meeting, and set our schedule for the rest of the year, cancelling all but three more meetings. I caught up with the pastoral associate and stewardship committee chair to discuss the MinisTree program, touched  base with the custodial staff on hanging our charter and award plaques, and updated our schedule with the parish secretary. Lots of work done. Now, to re-type our by-laws, write some bulletin announcements, enter the rest of our information into the computer for our annual report and bake some goodies for our February meeting, and I can sit back and relax until it is time to do the newsletter. That, of course, will depend on how quickly we get our funds from the home office. I feel like there is hope for the future of our local council. I did not feel this good last fall!

Yesterday afternoon I was battling a very topsy-turvy stomach. I suspect Maja's little virus from the girls' visit this past week-end, although one can never tell. I went to bed early yesterday and slept much of the day today. Throughout the day today I ate saltines and English muffins, and drank only Shaklee Performance and Stomach Soothing Complex. I had a bit of Dinty Moore Beef Stew for dinner, but no leftover cake. Perhaps tomorrow. 

Hand Made with Love

I stopped at Joann Fabrics today to pick up some odds and ends for some gifts I am making. I was in sticker shock when I left. I spent the entire $40 which I had taken out of the credit union "just in case". All I purchased were spools of ribbon, rick-rack, a couple of zippers, a yard of fabric, and a new plastic bobbin box. I was not able to get twill tape or even the grosgrain ribbon substitute in the sizes that I needed. I also did not find a hook for my newly painted crucifix, or stained glass paint. I sure hope you appreciate hand-made gifts when you receive them. They are far from cheap.

That said, I finally made it to the basement last night to do some cutting for said projects. I discovered that I had fewer fun fat quarters on hand than I thought. I must have given most of them away when I purged fabric last year. I have mostly solids on hand, not exactly the bright and cheerful prints which I saw at my class on Monday. I know I had been collecting solids to go with some of the weird second-hand fabrics which I have cut into quilt squares over the years. One thing at a time. I can buy matching prints as I complete projects.

I had a victory of sorts last night as I did vision therapy exercises. For a flash I saw in 3D while doing the Life Saver exercise. That gives me hope that I will continue to improve.

We had another sunny day, so I spent part of the afternoon cutting back perennials in my flower beds at home. I like to keep a few things up for landscape interest in the winter, and experts recommend leaving plant die-back for animal and insect habitat over winter. I do not like spring clean-up, however. 

I finished the second book of Rebecca Caudill's Fairchild series last night. The main character is Bonnie, the youngest of the Fairchild children. Every incident in the book includes the reactions of each of Bonnie's siblings in order of age from oldest to the youngest. In doing so, the author captures the feelings of a youngest child. I am sure many youngest children would empathize! Iwish that I knew the melodies for the many songs included in the story. My guess is that a first or second grader would enjoy the books.

More on Books

It has been so long since I have posted that I got a bit long-winded the other day. At the same time, I realized I did not get to write about Hilda van Stockum or Graham Greene.

At any rate, this past summer I read through the three Mitchells books from Hilda van Stockum; The Mitchells: Five for Victory, Canadian Summer, and Friendly Gables. I had a great time. Nothing makes for relaxation better than a good children's novel or two. The first was written at a time when most American families had servants or hired hands of some sort. My grandmother was a hired hand with my grandfather's family within a decade of when the story takes place. I liked the Mitchell children because they reflected both the naughtiness and goodness of children everywhere. The Mitchell family started with four children and grew by three more by the time the books ended. Other families in the books were larger, reflecting the time when children were perceived as a good, and not a burden. At one point Joan remarked that she wished she came from a family of 16! Her parents and the parents of neighbors were loving, confident and competent. I was reading a book on St. Marguerite Bourgeoys at the same time that I read Friendly Gables, which was very cool because they talked about her in Friendly Gables. I learned just a tad more about Canadian history and custom, and got an insight into the influence of Catholic culture in Quebec. Hilda van Stockum had some lovely descriptions of seasons and landscapes in her work. I am not accustomed to marking books, but I may go back and copy a few parts into my old nature journal. Those portions would be perfect for dictation or copy assignments for penmanship.

I also did not get to mention another book which elicited great sensual response when I read it, Grahame Greene's The Wind in the Willows. It has been many years, but shortly after reading it a group to which I belonged was writing a cook-book, and I submitted quotes from the book for inclusion, so strong were my reactions. The two parts I still remember were the places where Mole is talking about hot buttered toast, and then when he reminisces about his own home with the smell of sausages and onions hanging from the ceiling. Oh, but did I ever feel like eating when I read those passages! No television commercial or adulterated junk food needed. What a way with words.

Arthur and I took an hour's  walk around Quarry Park Nature Reserve today. The sun refused to come out, but it was still pleasant. We were alone except for in the parking lot. We came very close to a young, white tailed deer. The smell of leaf mold was heavy in the air. Not a good place for people with allergies!

The Black Arrow

Last evening I finished reading Robert Louis Stevenson's The Black Arrow.  I am not quite sure what to think of it. I would not rate it as one of my childhood favorites, as Agatha Christie's Tuppence Beresford did. The language made it a bit difficult to understand, I had a hard time following characters, and there were far too many dead bodies for my taste. The expression, "by the mass" got old by the third chapter, particularly because the only other references to faith in the book were of a corrupt monk and a friar impersonator. Rather like the continuous use of OMG in present society when in every other instance God is banished from the culture.

The book is action packed and fast paced. The swashbuckling would probably be more appealing to young men.than to this middle aged lady.  Dickey comes out relatively unscathed peril after peril, battle after battle. At least he experiences hunger and fatigue, unlike the hero of a certain recent television series who could go 24 hours without even a bathroom break! Now I see that the numerous scripts of television programs containing pictures with moving eyes or people hidden in armor are probably plagiarized from this book and the eyes which Dickey sees behind the arras. The romance with Joanna is the typical medieval fairy tale of quickly falling into an everlasting love with almost no getting to know the other person first.  Of course Dickey has to rescue her from her wicked guardian and from her impending arranged nuptials before he can have her for himself.

I purchased this book while we were homeschooling Anne, since it was on the Mother of Divine Grace syllabus. Anne never read it. I was going to give our copy away after I finished it, but I think I will hang onto it for posterity, just because it is a classic.

Another Allen French

I am hooked on another of the Bethlehem Books/Ignatius Press reprints, this time The Lost Baron, also by Allen French. I am half way through, and told myself that if I go down and walk on the tread mill for half an hour, I can read as I walk. Keep it up for a week, and I should be done with the book and a pound or two lighter. Filled with more wholesome characters, Martin, Ben and Bess, and Lady Rosamund, One known rogue, Halbert. The other characters' virtues and vices are still being unveiled. It is quick-paced and intriguing and at the same time, light.

Snow Day

It has been a snow day, at least for me. I was supposed to go quilting this morning, but after seeing the ice on the back windows, decided that it would not be safe. The friend who was to join me for Valentine stamping this afternoon also canceled. Time then, to read! I have become too addicted to Spider Solitaire on the computer, and, needing emotional and mental refreshment, have taken up a trusted priest's advice of many moons ago and returned to books.

My two latest reads are from my home school collection. The first was Red Falcons of Tremoine (Hendry Peart, Bethlehem Books - Ignatius Press, Bathgate, ND, 2007). The second, which I have not quite finished, is The Red Keep (Allen French, Bethlehem Books - Ignatius Press, Minot, ND 1997). Both take place in the 12th century, the first in England, the second in Normandy, France. Both are listed as for readers ages 10 and up. The first is a part of Bethlehem Books' Living History Library. The second is in Bethlehem Books' Adventure Library. The first is 239 pages, the second 370.  Both are probably more suited to boys, although they both contain beautiful, strong women! Red Falcons has a bibliography in the back making it useful for scholars, and perhaps history teachers. The Red Keep has a nifty glossary of medieval terms making it easier to understand the book during reading. Both books have characters named Fulk (Fulke). If you are a reader of Ellis Peters ;you will see two names similar to characters in her stories, Hugh and Berenger!

 If you have to choose between the two, The Red Keep has been more adventurous and emotionally engaging. My own personal twist to the story has been to imagine the characters of the Red Keep and the town of Vezelay speaking in Norman French instead of English! I liked the inclusion of the town of Vezelay with its tale of St. Mary Magdalene and the masons' guild. The secret passage in the castle is  an early peak into what will later become priest holes, servant's entrances, and secret stair cases in Nancy Drew. Lady Anne is a foreshadowing of Joan of Arc, complete with her own set of armor. I am looking forward to reading other books by Allen French.