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,