RECIPE: Banana Praline Sundaes

Marcia Norwood, AMERICA'S STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

Folks in the Midwest are calling The Winter of 2012...The Winter That Never Was.   Here in Missouri, the Heart of America, we had a very mild winter and barely any snow at all. 

The SPRING of 2012  has been beautiful with gentle rains and record-setting warm temperatures.  It's the end of March and this weekend temperatures are heading upwards to 90 degrees.  Our daughter, Kristin, has already turned on the air-conditioner at their house.   

I'm preparing for the warm weather with....ice cream! 

RECIPE:  BANANA PRALINE SUNDAES

Ingredients:
1 Pint Vanilla Ice Cream
1/3 Cup Packed Dark Brown Sugar
3 Tablespoons Butter
1/4 Golden Raisins
2 Medium Bananas, SLICED
1/3 Cup Pecans, CHOPPED

Directions:

1. Remove ice cream from freezer, and let it stand at room temperature to soften slightly...about 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in 10-inch skillet over low heat, heat brown sugar and butter until mixture is melted, STIRRING frequently.
3. Add raisins and bananas and cook 5 minutes or until fruit is heated through...gently turning fruit.
4. Spoon ice cream into four dessert dishes.
5. Top with banana mixture.
6. Sprinkle with chopped pecans.
7. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings. 

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!

COME BACK AGAIN, AND INVITE A FRIEND!

Marcia

Website:  http://www.marcianorwoodstoryteller.com/

Marcia's BLOG:  hhttp://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/

Email:  mailto:marcia.norwood@sbcglobal.net

REASONS WHY I LOVE SPRING

Marcia Norwood, AMERICA'S STORYTELLER
Telling Untold Stories in Photographs, Prose and Public Speaking

The heat and drought of the Summer of 2011 are long gone.

God has showered us with SPRING RAINS, and the tulip blossoms in our garden are magnificent!

The photos I took this afternoon of the gardens at our home

reveal some of the reasons why I LOVE SPRING!

Be glad then, ye children of Zion,

and rejoice in the LORD your God: 

for He hath given you the former rain moderately,

and He will cause to come down for you the rain,

the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.

Joel 2: 23, King James Version

Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD:
His going forth is prepared as the morning;
and He shall come unto us as the rain,
as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

Hosea 6: 3, King James Version

Thanks for stopping by! 

 Please come back and invite a friend to read by blog.

Marcia

Website:  http://www.marcianorwoodstoryteller.com/

Marcia's BLOG:  hhttp://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/

Email:  mailto:marcia.norwood@sbcglobal.net

REFLECTIONS

Marcia Norwood, AMERICA'S STORYTELLER

"Reflect upon your present blessings --

of which every man has many --

not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."

Charles Dickens

A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings

It's fun to match my photographs with favorite quotations.  Today I'm sharing  photographs of the cement birdbath in my front yard...paired with a Dickens' quote.

Cherry blossoms fell from the Chinese Cherry tree that is reflected in the water of the birdbath.

Isn't it interesting how the reflection of the tree in the water moves in each photograph?  It appears as if the red petunias are a part of the tree.

 "Reflect upon your present blessings --

of which every man has many --

not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."

Charles Dickens

 A Christmas Carol and Other Christmas Writings

Red Petunias

UNTIL ALL HIS CHILDREN HAVE HOMES!

Marcia

Website:  http://www.marcianorwoodstoryteller.com/

Marcia's BLOG:  hhttp://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/

Email:  mailto:marcia.norwood@sbcglobal.net

PLEASE VOTE FOR MY DESIGN!

Marcia Norwood, AMERICA'S STORYTELLER

Marcia's photograph is featured in this T-Shirt Design

 Please help me by voting for my design and tell your friends to vote, too!

If it wins, my design will appear on T-shirts this year at the TULIP TIME FESTIVAL! 

My WINDMILL design was selected as one of three finalists in a contest for TULIP TIME in Pella, Iowa.

You can vote this week (March 21 - 23) for my design in two ways:

 1. Send an email to: pellamill@iowatelecom.net and tell them you choose Finalist #1 the Windmill Design.  

 2. Go to facebook page for Pella Tulip Time and click on "LIKE" for my color windmill design...which is numbered as the #1 Finalist. It's the one with my photograpah of the Vermeer windmill and it has a definition of a windmill.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

UNTIL ALL HIS CHILDREN HAVE HOMES!

Marcia

Website:  http://www.marcianorwoodstoryteller.com/

Marcia's BLOG:  hhttp://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/

Email:  mailto:marcia.norwood@sbcglobal.net

FIRST DAY OF SPRING and the 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF JAPAN'S GIFT TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

Marcia Norwood, AMERICA'S STORYTELLER

Today is the FIRST DAY OF SPRING 2012, and the 100-Year Anniversary of Japan's gift to Washington, D.C. of 3000 cherry trees!

We have two cherry trees in our yard...one with pink and one with white blossoms.

Pink Cherry Blossoms on the tree in our front yard.

White cherry blossoms on the tree in our side yard. 

I cut branches from trees and shrubs make beautiful bouquets.  It brings a bit of the miracle of SPRING indoors. 

Branches from our Peach tree, Chinese Cherry tree, and Forsythia bush. 

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

Thanks for stopping by!

Come back, and invite a friend to visit!

Marcia

Website:  http://www.marcianorwoodstoryteller.com/

Marcia's BLOG:  hhttp://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/

Email:  mailto:marcia.norwood@sbcglobal.net

WHAT'S FOR SUPPER TONIGHT?

ONE-PAN POTATOES & CHICKEN SANTA FE
Marcia Norwood, AMERICA'S STORYTELLER

This recipe appeared in the February 1995 edition of Country Living Magazine.   I began making this one-pan meal in 1995....and I'm making it again tonight!

Ingredients

• 4 Medium Potatoes (Cut into 3/4-inch Cubes and MICROWAVED 8 to 10 minutes until tender)
• 1 Pound Boned and Skinned Chicken Breasts (Cut into 3/4-inch Cubes)
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 1 Cup Prepared Tomato Salsa
• 1 Small Can Whole Kernel Corn, DRAINED
• Cilantro (This is something I added to the recipe.)

Directions

1. While potatoes cook (in microwave):  in large skillet toss and brown chicken in oil over high heat 5 minutes.
2. Add potatoes
3. Saute and toss all until potatoes are lightly browned. Add salsa and corn...toss until heated through.
4. Top with cilantro

Time:  20 Minutes

Servings:  4

Potatoes are America's Favorite Vegetable!

What's for supper tonight at your house?

UNTIL ALL HIS CHILDREN HAVE HOMES!

Marcia

Website:  http://www.marcianorwoodstoryteller.com/

Marcia's BLOG:  hhttp://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/

Email:  mailto:marcia.norwood@sbcglobal.net

MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH GARDEN ART

Marcia Norwood, AMERICA'S STORYTELLER

I fell in love with the idea of using a vintage bicycle as garden art when I saw one many years ago planted with flowers at the Historical Village in Pella, Iowa. 

I searched for three years in three states for a vintage bicycle for my garden.  I discovered just what I was looking for in May 2006 at Pella's Windmill Mall. 

How in the world would we get it home?  Our van was already filled with  daughters Sarah and Faith, granddaughter Megan, friend Cynthia, and her daughter, Moriah, and our luggage!

I purchased bungie cords at Pella's hardware store, and their  friendly salesman helped Cynthia and me strap the bicycle to the top of my black Nissan Quest.  We put blue pillows under the bike, and prayed it wouldn't scratch the van. 

The normal four-hour-drive home took much longer as I drove well under the 65 mile-per-hour speed limit.  I was concerned that the bicycle would fly off the top of the van.

It's was all worth it!

The vintage bicycle has become my favorite piece of garden art.  Each spring I plant it with new annuals, and find a special place for it in our yard.

My vintage bicycle is featured on one of the cards I designed for my greeting card line.

My STORYTELLER greeting card line soon will be for sale at www.marcianorwoodstoryteller.com .
The beautiful 5 by 7 inch cards are printed on linen paper, and suitable for framing.

This SPRING (2012) - I renewed the bicycle to its former glory with blue and black spray paint. 

My vintage bike now has only one iron basket on the front planted with tulips.  I will probably add two baskets to the back, and more flowers when spring turns to summer. 

For now - we are enjoying it's simple beauty.  

I'm always inspired by Monet-like colors in the garden.  The bicycle looks a bit French to me - don't you agree?!

How about adding some personality to your garden this year with a vintage bicycle planted with your favorite flowers?

Go ahead!  Have some fun!    

RECIPE: CUTIE SMOOTHIE

Marcia Norwood, AMERICA'S STORYTELLER

My granddaughters, Emily Grace and Megan Jewell, asked me to make them a "fruit smoothie." 

How could I refuse when they added:  "Your smoothies are better than any other smoothies in the world - even the ones at Sonic!"

Granddaughter Emily Grace, Grandson Caleb Edward, Granddaughter Megan Jewell

"I'll make the smoothies....if you will help,"  I said.

So my cuties helped me make smoothies....with CUTIES (an easy-peel California mandarin) plus some other fresh fruits and juice.

I never helped my mom in the kitchen when I was a child.  Mom didn't want me or anyone else to get in her way.  I never learned to make much of anything -  other than a sandwich  - until after I was married.  

I've marinated myself in children since I became a parent and a preschool and Kindergarten teacher in the 1970's.   I have fun with my children and grandchildren in the kitchen.  We continue to makes messes, memories and lots of good food. 

Fresh Fruits make delicious smoothies! 

Megan and Emily peeled the CUTIES (E-Z Peel, Seedless California Mandarins) and cut up the STRAWBERRIES carefully with a knife, and washed the STRAWBERRIES and BLUEBERRIES.   They filled large cups with ice to put in the blender. 

Blender makes smoothies - smooth!

Granddaughter Megan, Granddaughter Emily and Grandson Caleb

CUTIE SMOOTHIE

RECIPE:  CUTIE SMOOTHIE
Ingredients:

• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• CUTIE Mandarin Oranges
• Cranberry/Grape Juice  (About 1 Cup)
• Country Time Pink Lemonade Mix (About 2 Tablespoons)
• Ice  (Fill blender About 3/4 full)
• Water  (As needed)

Smoothies are easy to make.  I don't really have an exact recipe.  We decide which ingredients to use (depending on what we have in our pantry/refrigerator), and throw them in a blender with lots of ice and  liquid (water or juice) until you have the consistency you like.

My granddaughters choose their favorite blue glasses for their smoothies, and added a fresh fruit garnish.  Of course - they also  chose a different color straw for each person.  They served our smoothies with a straw and spoon.

Granddaughter Megan Jewell enjoys her CUTIE SMOOTHIE in her favorite blue glass with a neon green straw.

I encourage you to invite your children or grandchildren into your kitchen to help you create a delicious smoothie that is good for them, and fun to make.

Granddaughter Emily Grace chose a blue straw for her CUTIE SMOOTHIE.

CUTIE SMOOTHIE:  View inside the blender

CUTIE SMOOTHIE:  Pretty in a clear glass

Have FUN!

Have you tried CUTIES....the California mandarin?

Our family loves them. 

We keep a bowl of CUTIES out on our counter.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! 

COME BACK AGAIN, AND INVITE A FRIEND!

Marcia

Website:  http://www.marcianorwoodstoryteller.com/

Marcia's BLOG:  hhttp://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/

Email:  mailto:marcia.norwood@sbcglobal.net

TWO RECIPES: ALMOST INSTANT PIZZA DOUGH and CHOCOLATE CHIP PANCAKES

Marcia Norwood, AMERICA'S STORYTELLER

I admit it.  I'm a sucker for television ads.  I watched Cathy Mitchell cook with her Xpress Redi-Set-Go grills for almost a year before I gave up and purchased a set of grills. 

You know what?  I liked the grill so much that I ordered more....and now we have four of the little red grills.  The grills are really easy and fun to use.  My children and grandchildren love the meals I prepare in the grills, and they even like to help cook with them.  Clean-up is super fast.

Some of our favorite recipes for the grills are: Veggie and Cheese Omelet, Tortilla and Eggs, Paninis, Frittatas, Homemade Pizza Dough and Pizzas, Mini-Cakes, and Mini-Chocolate-Chip Pancakes.

Cathy Mitchell says: "It's the healthiest, quickest and easiest cooking machine ever invented."

I have to agree.

Today - I'm including two of our favorite recipes to use with the Xpress Redi-Set-Go grills. One is my recipe for Chocolate Chip Pancakes and the other is Cathy Mitchell's Almost-Instant Pizza Dough. You can use both recipes even if you don't have one of Cathy's grills......but I would suggest you do yourself a favor and buy two or three or four grills!

RECIPE: 

MARCIA'S CHOCOLATE CHIP PANCAKES

Combine These Ingredients In A Bowl and Set Aside:

• 2 Cups All-Purpose Flour
• 2 Teaspoons Sugar
• 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt

In a Separate Bowl Combine:

• 2 Eggs, Lightly Beaten
• 2 Cups Milk
• 1/4 Cup Melted Butter
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Stir Egg Mixture Into Dry Ingredients Until MOISTENED.

Add 1 Cup Miniature Chocolate Chips.

COOKING ON HOT GRIDDLE:
POUR batter by 1/4 Cupfuls onto greased hot gand TURN when bubbles form on top of pancake.  Cook until second side is golden brown.

COOKING WITH XPRESS REDI-SET-GO GRILL:

SPRAY divider pan with non-stick cooking spray and preheat.

Divide batter into wells and fill.

Cook about 7 minutes.

Two Divider Pans for Xpress Redi-Set-Go Grill.
My kids and grandkids like to use the heart-shaped Divider Pans.  There are several options.
Page from Cathy Mitchell's Meals in Minutes
www.RediSetGo.com

RECIPE:

CATHY'S ALMOST INSTANT PIZZA DOUGH

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Warm Water
• 4 Cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 Envelope Yeast (2 and 1/2 Teaspoons)
• 1 Teaspoon Salt

1. Place warm water ("baby-bottle-warm"...too hot kills yeast), yeast and salt in mixing bowl and STIR.
2. Add flour, mixing until combined and scraping into ball in bottom of bowl.
3. Cover and let stand 2 hours.
4. Dough is now ready to use or store.
5. Scrape down sides of bowl, dump mixture onto floured surface, turn to coat with flour and flatten for easy measuring.
6. Divide dough into 12 sections.
7. To store, place a ball of dough into a small bag, twist closed and store in refrigerator up to 1 weeks.
8. To use:  flatten ball into a 6-inch round, place in Xpress Grill and add toppings as desired.
9. Cooking Time for Individual Pizzas:  4 to 7 minutes in Xpress Redi-Set-Go Grill.

Page from Cathy Mitchell's Meals in Minutes
www.RediSetGo.com

SAUCES:
Use such sauces as:

• Pizza Sauce
• Spaghetti Sauce
• Alfredo Sauce
• Creamy Salad Dressings like Ranch, Caesar or Garlic
• Cream Cheese

TOPPINGS
Possibilities re endless for toppings.  Make your own personal pizza and choose all the ingredients. 
For example:
Cooked Meats
Cold Cuts
Cheese
Cooked Vegetables
Olives
Mushrooms
Thinly Sliced Raw Vegetables
Tomatoes
Fresh Herbs
Pineapple

Note:  Our daughter, Sarah, likes to make her individual pizza using Ranch Salad Dressing as the sauce, and she adds Frozen Hash Brown Potatoes, Canadia Bacon, and sometimes crumbled up Bacon pieces...and chives.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!

COME BACK AND INVITE A FRIEND TO READ BY BLOG!

Marcia

Website:  http://www.marcianorwoodstoryteller.com/

Marcia's BLOG:  hhttp://tellmeastory-marcia.blogspot.com/

Email:  mailto:marcia.norwood@sbcglobal.net

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! Recipe for Sweet GREEN Pretzels

RECIPE: Sweet GREEN Pretzels
Marcia Norwood, AMERICA'S STORYTELLER

Most American's can't resist "wearin' the green" on March 17th, St. Patrick's Day.  Even if you've never kissed the Blarney stone or visited Ireland, you may feel a bit Irish on St. Patrick's Day.

The shamrock is a symbol of Ireland

and has been registered

by the government of Ireland as a trademark.

It is used as an emblem for sports teams as well as organizations within the Irish government.  A four leaf clover is a symbol of good luck.  A shamrock is  an Irish Christian symbol.

RECIPE: Sweet GREEN Pretzels

Here's a tasty new twist on the traditional St. Patrick's Day shamrock -- sweet green pretzels fashioned from canned refrigerated bread stick dough and coated with a sprinkling of colored sugar and cinnamon.

INGREDIENTS:

Canned refrigerated bread stick dough (We used Pillsbury Original Breadsticks)

Colored sugar
Cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat it with cooking spray.

To create the clover shape, mold 3 sections of bread sticks into hearts and press them together as shown. Attach a small stem, decorate with colored sugar and cinnamon.

Bake according to the package directions, and serve them up to your lucky guests.