Author: Gail

Magnolias Are Petal Pink Perfection 

What beauty and magnificence has spread across the Indiana countryside. When the magnolia buds first appear, their cone-shape is quite appealing to wild animals. Sometimes the lower branches show evidence of being nibbled upon. As soon as the sweet flowers appear, the entire tree is a vision of crinoline resembling the hooped petticoat of a Southern belle. The petal pink flowers often mark the beginning of Summer. Without a doubt, magnolias are a symbol of perseverance!

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter L

Letter L – What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Lemon Citrus Cookies. With the arrival of Springtime comes the refreshing citrus flavor of this season’s lemons. Even if you’re not a fan, think about the benefits to your immune system. And then have another cookie…..or two. 

LEMON CITRUS COOKIES 

Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened 
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 1/4 cups flour
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Add egg and beat well. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. When blended, add salt, baking powder, and flour. Mix together into dough. Roll cookies into 1-inch balls and place 2 inches apart on greased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until lightly golden on the edges of the cookies.

Lemon Icing:
3 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened 
1 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract
2 tablespoons milk
In a large bowl, beat butter and powdered sugar with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Stir in lemon extract and milk; beat until frosting is smooth and of spreading consistency. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel. 
Spread evenly on cooled cookies; top with yellow sprinkles. 

    Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter K

    What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Kona Coffee Molten Cake! A couple months ago, Gerald and I spent some time on the tropical island of Kauai. While there we sipped on freshly brewed coffee uniquely grown in the Hawaiian Islands. The taste is so richly smooth and delicious, I had to blend its flavor with dark chocolate. Each recipe is one serving, unless you share a bite. “Friends are the spice God adds to the cake of life!”

    KONA COFFEE MOLTEN CAKE
    Ingredients:
    1/4 cup all-purpose flour
    2 tablespoons Dutch chocolate powder 
    1/4 teaspoon baking powder 
    2 tablespoons granulated sugar
    1/8 teaspoon sea salt
    1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
    2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    1 tablespoon Kona brewed coffee*
    1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter**
    Instructions:
    Mix dry ingredients together in medium bowl. Add milk, oil, and coffee to the dry ingredients. Stir until smooth. 
    Pour batter into a tall microwave-safe mug. Make sure there is room at the top for the cake to rise. Drop the tablespoon of peanut butter in the center of the batter. Do not blend in. Bake in microwave on high for 1 minute. If it is not done, cook in additional 10-second intervals until done. Remove from microwave. BE CAREFUL. Enjoy the warm molten cake topped with a dollop of whipped cream. 
    *Any strong brewed coffee may be used. If you omit the coffee, substitute 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract. 
    **The creamy peanut butter may be omitted or substituted with a hazelnut spread or marshmallow creme. 

    Sea Mist Slickers

    “Tree-top spires and exterior gables
    Form the image of New Hampshire stables
    And three-story homes along misty shores
    With waves playing leapfrog across porch floors
    Where foamy bubbles turn creams to sables.

    Screaming seagulls perch on walls of wet stone
    Not reading the signs of “Caution: Flood Zone”.
    O’er head more birds drift on wings of the fog
    While caps of high tide slam a ship-wrecked log.
    And tourists, amazed, get drenched to the bone.” 

    ~ Gail Dorna

    Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter J

    What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Jalapeño Corn Stix. Cornbread is always the right accompaniment to dried bean dishes. Serve it hot, right out of the oven. Leftovers can be warmed in the microwave nicely. Go south of the border!  Jalapeño peppers give these golden stix the right amount of gusto to compliment the creamy cheddar center. 

    JALAPEÑO CORN STIX
    Ingredients:
    1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal 
    1 1/2 cups sifted flour
    1 tablespoon baking powder
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    1/4 cup sugar
    1/2 cup olive oil
    2 eggs, beaten
    1 1/4 cup skim milk
    1/4 cup jalapeños, diced
    1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
    Instructions:
    Sift dry ingredients into medium-size mixing bowl. Blend beaten eggs and oil; add milk. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just blended. Gently fold in jalapeños and cheddar cheese. Pour into a molded corn stick pan or an 8 by 8-inch pan which has been sprayed with a non-stick spray. Bake in 400° oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. 

    “The Real Neat Blog Award” Nomination is Beyond Thrilling!

    Being nominated for the “Real Neat Blog Award” is moving forward with confidence!

    e of authenticitee enjoys my blog enough to nominate me for this awesome award.  Her posts are chocked full of inspiration, encouragement, music, and more.  You must see!!


    Though it is not a requirement to accept the nomination, who wouldn’t want to pay it forward?!

    These are the rules:

    1. Put the award logo on your blog.

    2. Answer 7 questions asked by the person who nominated you.

    3. Thank the person who nominated you, linking to their blog.

    4. Nominate any number of bloggers you like, linking to their blogs.

    5. Let them know you nominated them (by commenting on their blog etc.)


    ~~~ THE INVALUABLE 7 QUESTIONS ~~~


    1. Where do most visits to your blog come from?

    United States, Indonesia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

    2. What is your favorite sport?

    Bowling, because you can eat and drink while competing.

    3. What has been a special moment for you in 2014?

    Celebrating a milestone birthday at the top of the Eiffel Tower…..in Vegas!

    4. What is your favorite quote?

    “Lo, I am with you always.” ~ Matthew 28:20

    5. What was your favorite class when still at school?

    English Composition; Big Surprise!

    6. Anything you wished to have learned earlier?

    It is impossible to survive as a “People Pleaser”. I had to learn to live by the mantra, “What is right for Gail?”

    7. What musical instrument have you tried to play?

    I tried to learn to play the guitar, but decided I could live without the calluses…..not the manicure!

    And now, the Nominees for the “Real Neat Blog Award”, in my opinion, are as follows:

    http://facetfully.com

    Confessions of a Wanderer

    Dee’s Dating Diary

    Karl’s Blog, Feelings From the Pit

    Vagabond Chloe

    You are Bold, you are Visible, you are Acknowledged!!!

    Unlock Your Newfound Potential; Part 2

    Next she attaches the hose, deciding which nozzle to use in order to keep from shattering the window pane. 

    “Let’s go easy to test the waters. No pun intended”, she says in amusement. 
    “But what about the bleach?”, she ponders. “After all, there’s got to be something to use to keep that Shrek-beast from returning once it’s clean. That’s better than soap suds, right?”
    Dashing back into the house, she promptly returns with a gallon jug of Clorox, Original Scent. Procrastinating a little, she waves at the neighbors passing by and tries to avoid the task at hand. It’s time to face things head on. 
    “So where is the plug?  Maybe it takes one of those handy, durable battery packs to get things started,” she vacillates.  “Can’t be……doesn’t that look like a gas tank, which was probably emptied last summer when we split up? Sheesh.” 
    Breakups are so ugly. With renewed conviction she turns the black knob, pulls out that skinny little wire, and gives the starter handle a vigorous jerk. Once, twice. Sputter, sputter, and then off it goes! 
    “Work fast, now,” she commands herself.
    “Squeeze the handle, make sure to stay away from the window!”
    “But where’s the power surge? It’s not doing anything except giving the house a gentle shower. Seriously?”, she thinks out loud in exasperation. 
    Deep breath. Time to be aggressive, act boldly, and attach another nozzle. 
    “Stay Away From That Window!!”, her brain cautions for the umpteenth time. 
    Not realizing the force of water might lend itself to a loss of balance, secure footing is regained, and clean streaks slowly begin to shine through on the vinyl.
    “Wow, that really looks good”, she congratulates herself. 
    It’s all a matter of rhythm. Using both hands, she swings the wand back and forth across one side of the window, beneath the glass, along the pane, and on to the other side. The pressure washer made the front of the house look new again. 
    “This is awesome!  Job well done!”, she beamed with a winning smile. Further affirmation that Spring is the perfect time to unlock your newfound potential.  

    Unlock Your Newfound Potential; Part 1

    It’s an Indiana Spring. New beginnings. The boxwood bushes show youthful growth every day. Before long their wild shoots will reach out to bridge the gap between the solid hedge and the vinyl siding on the front of the house just beneath the office window. Over time, in a slow determined effort, Nature left its mark on the pale gray siding. Remnants of fuzzy, green moss attached to the north side of the house. Being determined to challenge Nature and eliminate the blobs, an intimidating bright yellow machine on wheels is parked in front of the pane of glass. Its reflection shows a timid, middle-aged woman, hair hanging loose with several strands tucked behind one ear. Worn blue jeans threadbare at the knees, long-sleeved shirt (to keep mosquitoes from having a smorgasbord), canvas garden gloves protecting a recent manicure, and dingy white Nikes, all come together as protective armor for the job at hand.  

    “Now how in the world do you start this thing?”, she murmurs to herself. 
    “Oh yeah, it needs water.”
    Around the back yard a sun-bleached rubber garden hose hangs coiled over the fence to keep it suspended above the ground. She checks for spiders and bees, two vicious insects that snicker and laugh every time the woman jumps, scrambling to stay out of reach. Following a wave of her gloved hand and the stomp of her foot, the hose uncoils and snakes around to the base of where the power washer sits patiently to begin the task at hand. Stay tuned………