Friday, November 18, 2011

Simple Woman's Daybook . . .


FOR TODAY - November 18th, 2011

Outside my window... We have very mixed weather here in Idaho today!  In some parts of the community it's snowing and blowing with slick roads!  In other parts, it's blowing and raining!  Where I live, it's just blowing, no rain right now, but we are suppose to get some snow later - Mother Nature . . . make up your mind!

I am thinking... This morning in Idaho, they executed a man who, 27 years ago, was a serial killer, and terrorized our small community.  He brutally killed three people within about a months time.  Two convenience store clerks - one of them I knew, and the other, was a cousin of a friend of mine.  The third woman was a school teacher in Idaho Falls.  She was abducted in a store parking lot, taken about 8 miles out of town, tortured and very, very brutally murdered . . . she was pregnant at the time.  

At the time these murders were taking place, I was working for an attorney, so I was a little more privy to some of the information about these killings - and I was horrified at some of the details of these murders!  This mad man changed our community.  We all  lived in fear.  We were afraid to go outside at night, to be alone in our homes, to go to the grocery store or shopping for fear of what might happen!   

As I watched the news broadcast this morning,  after the execution had taken place, I was very relieved to say the least, just to know that it was over, and that this man will have to answer to his maker.  There will never truly be closure for the victims families or for the family of this man; there will never be closure for such brutal murders.   I think that one of the prosecutors who worked on this case said it best when he  said . . . "There is satisfaction to finally see the law come to its conclusion, it’s done … this case is closed.”

I am thankful for... Justice.

From the learning rooms...
I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me.”
~ Dudley Field Malone~

From the kitchen...  I am going to make this wonderful macaroni and cheese for dinner tonight! It's a recipe that my daughter's  mother-in-law gave her, she's a wonderful cook!  This recipe is wonderful as is, or you can lighten it up with fat-free and light products!   

Custardy Macaroni and Cheese
by: Sheri

1 3/4 C. (about 8 oz.) uncooked elbow macaroni
1 1/4 C. (5 oz.) extra-sharp cheddar, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 T. plus 1 tsp flour
1 1//2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
2/3 C. sour cream
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3 C. Half and half
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 2/3 C. (6 oz) grated extra-sharp cheddar

Coat a 9x13 baking dish with butter and set aside. Cook the macaroni in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 9 minutes. Drain well and spread in the baking dish. Mix the cubed cheddar into the macaroni and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Put flour, salt, dry mustard, black pepper, cayenne and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl and whisk to blend. Add the sour cream and beaten eggs and whisk until well-blended. Whisk the half and half and Worcestershire until blended, making sure the flour is well-incorporated.

Pour over the macaroni and cubed cheese and stir to blend. (it will seem very soupy)
Sprinkle the grated cheese evenly over the surface. Bake about 30 minutes, until the custard is set around the edges but the center is still a little loose.

Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes to allow the custard to thicken before serving. Yummmmy!

I am wearing... Jeans, and a brown fleece sweater.

I am ... Babysitting Clara - she is so adorable!  She's taking a nap right now . . . such a good baby!

I am reading..."A Sound Among the Trees", by Susan Meissner. 

I am hoping... That the roads aren't slick when my husband comes home from work tonight - I hate slick roads!

I am hearing... Lots of silence and the music from my computer.

Around the house... Just getting ready for Thanksgiving - I have to get some cleaning done before the big day!  

One of my favorite things... Standing over the heat-vent in the morning when it's cold!  Makes me feel all warm and cozy!

A few plans for the rest of the week: 

Finish grocery shopping for Thanksgiving
Church on Sunday

Pictures for thought I am sharing...

~Three of my beautiful grandchildren~
Emily

Caleb

Nathan


"Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven."

Warm Hugs,

8 comments:

Arlene said...

Your grandkids are gorgeous, Barb! We got lots of rain today ahead of a cold front. In South Florida, that means it went from being in the mid 80's to the mid 70's, LOL! At least there's a nice breeze blowing through the windows.

I'm appalled that this man was in the prison system for so many years after committing such heinous crimes. Then again, maybe he had time to repent all those years in prison. Only our good Lord knows.

Can you believe Thanksgiving is almost upon us?! My word, it seems like the kids just went back to school and now it's holiday time! I pray yours will be wonderful, filled with the blessings of family and friends. Have fun preparing!

Kimmie said...

Brenton is a huge mac cheese fan. It is not as popular in Aus as it is in the USA and your recipe sounds fantastic. I will def make this for him and go the light option also. You are so blessed to have such gorgeous grandies. I love seeing their cutie pie faces in the photo's that you post. I hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I have always loved the sound of this particular day and what it represents.

Much love to you and your lovely family. I have been thinking of you a lot this week in the warmest of ways.


Love

Kimmie
xxxx

Vee said...

And when you stand over the heating vent do you suddenly feel all shivery as if you hadn't realized just how cold you were? Just happened to me.

I'm glad for your community's sake that such a man will never be able to terrorize again.

Hope that the weather calms and mellows. We are expecting "an event" for next Wednesday. It is good that we have no travelers for Thanksgiving, but it won't be good for those who do go over the river and through the wood.

Shug said...

Hi Barb...
Nothing better than a big ol' dish of mac and cheese...My kids all love it!
I cannot even begin to imagine the fear that was placed upon your town throughout this horrible ordeal...Glad it is over for all of you.
I suppose it's a pretty well known fact that you all get to enjoy a "White Christmas." Still sunny here...temps are a little cooler, but sunny.
This is going to be a very busy week for all of us while getting prepared for Thanksgiving....Just to let you know, I am so very thankful for your friendship...
Blessings,
Shug

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

More precious pics of your Grands. :-)

I'm so glad that this madman is now gone. It's not right that we keep and then sometimes let out again, those who prey on society, in horrible ways. -sigh-

Gentle hugs,
"Happiness is being alone every now and then. And happiness is coming home again." ~ Charley Brown

Linda said...

I'm sorry that your community had to go through this and pray for healing. Mac and Cheese one of my favorites that I can't eat anymore, but this one sounds like a good one. The weather has been unpredictable here also. Last night we got frost, it's blue sky this morning, but probably cold. Sweet, sweet photos. Linda

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Barb, just a quick note to say Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! We will be out of town again this year for several days and I probably won't be online much.
I'm thankful this year for many things, and one of them is for dear friends like you.
Have a wonderful weekend and holiday next week!
Your grands are so adorable!
Hugs, Cheryl

Gina said...

Sweet Barb,

So sad about how terrible our world is sometimes. I am glad there was justice in this case.

MMM on the macaroni & cheese

Your grandchildren have such darling faces!

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