The Woodmans Garden - Part 5

Just a reminder to head over to Mother Moons Message to catch up on my ongoing story through the month of October.  Today part 5 will be posted.  Be sure and check out all the other neat things that are also happening. 

The Woodmans Garden - continued

Don't forget to head over to Mother Moon's Message and read the second entry to the on-going story "The Woodmans Garden" 

Spaghetti

As I am sure Ihave mentioned before, probably several times, I love to cook especially when the weather is cooler.  Yesterday being the first day of fall, came in just as it should.  It started off a wonderful summer day yet by mid afternoon a cold front had blown in and the weather shifted much cooler.  A stiff north breeze made it seem all that much colder.  Of course this immediately put me into the mood, so for dinner I prepared one of Vince's favorites Spaghetti. 

I love the aromas this meal puts through the air... Garlic, Oregano, Rosemary and they are just a few.  Of course my sauce starts first, as I love to let it simmer for as long as possible.  Start to brown a pound of suasage.  I know many people prefere beef, yet to me sausage gives it a bit more of a spicy taste.  As that is browning, I add chopped onions, any peppers I may have (green, red, yellow whatever), and a few cloves of garlic.  Seasonings of salt,

pepper, oregano, thyme,  and parsley are also added while the meat is browning.  I then add about 2 cups of sliced fresh mushrooms. Add a small splash of olive oil, about a Tablespoon or so.  You may not necessarily need it but it gives a wonderful hint of taste.   When the meat has cooked thoroughly, I then add my sauce.  I am all about easy so... I use a jar of good sphaghetti sauce, 1 can of diced tomatoes, and a small can of tomato paste.  On the top I place a fresh sprig of Rosemary.  It is wonderful to have my own herbs growing outdoors where I can just go and pick them when I wish.  The difference of fresh is wonderful.  Cover and let simmer on low while you prepare the rest of the meal and enjoy the wonderful aroma.

Next of course are the noodles.  While boiling your water, add salt, pepper, 2-3 crushed

garlic, olive oil, oregano, & parsley.  Place your noodles in when the water comes to a good boil.  It seems everyone likes their noodles a different consistency... Yet I remember an old woman once told me the way to check for doneness is to take a couple noodles and throw them at the wall.. If they stick they are done.. Now I dont necessarily do that yet I found her method quite funny.  Strain the noodles in a colandar.  Much of the herbs added eariler will cling to them giving that much more flavor and appearance to the finished product.  The olive oil also helps to keep them from sticking.

Of course no spaghetti dinner would be complete without garlic toast.  Slice up a small loaf

of french bread and place on a cookie sheet.  In a small bowl combine:  olive oil, pepper, sesame seeds, 1 Tablespoon butter, and 1-2 crushed garlic cloves.   Microwave this briefly just to melt the butter .  Spread on both sides of cut bread and broil in oven until lightly brown.  Turn as needed.  The rest... well that is simple... sit down and enjoy.  Needless to say it was an enjoyable dinner and just the right meal to start off our Fall season. 

The weather this morning is cloudy and a cool 56... I may just have to bake a little.. I did promise my son a goodie box in the mail.... Enjoy your day.

My Other Blogs

Some of you are already aware of that besides "Rantings" I have a couple other blogs.  However there may be a few of you who are not.  I'd like to take a moment to invite you to visit my other two sites.

The first is Mother Moons Message.  This is a blog that is quite dear to my heart.  It reflects a bit more of a personal side of myself and my inner feelings and beliefs.  Although "Rantings" is quite personal too, it is more the mother, wife & grandma (gg) side of me.  To some it may bring new enlightenment to your understanding of me.  I ask that you view it with an open mind.  I am still very much the same person I have always been.  This is just an area of my life that is very real and I would like nothing more than to share it with those who know me.  I have kept it back far too long.

The next site is The Picture as Janie Sees it.  It is strictly a photography blog.  This activity has become one of my most cherished past times.  It is an attempt to protray my world via photography.  It is still very much in the early stages, as I have learned this can become a very time involving process.. Yet it is something I wish to do. 

The buttons for each of these bog sites are to the left side.  You need only click to venture to the other sides of me... I hope you enjoy them.  I look forward to your comments. 

Update on my Button

I have been saved... by a younger and much wiser (in computer jargon) woman... Heather from Girlchef was my hero for the day.... She helped me out with my button. She did everything but paste it on my site...

And might I add her site is incredible... If you like to cook or if you just like wonderful recipes with some beautiful photography... I urge you to click on the picture above and take a gander... I am sure you will enjoy it...

I already have plans to make the party nuts this weekend during football.... Thanks again Heather you are a doll... But it is like I said... what else would you expect from a Scorpio...

My New Button

As some of you may have noticed I have attempted to create and add a button to my site.  To be honest this has almost drove me crazy... I finally got the picture added to my sight, figuring out all the little quirks etc.  Yet when attempting to figure out the addition of the hmtl text below... well let just say I think my computer savy went out the window.

The instructions I were given were simple enough and I attempted several times to complete them yet each time in doing so, it would raise havoc with my button.

Seeing how it only makes sense to me that when there is an easier route that does exactly what I want it to do is available I opted to go for it. 

So in saying this, if you opt to post my button to your sight, it is quite simple.  You just copy the picture and add it as a picture gadget.  There is an area above to add a link.  Simply put my blog site:  RantingsOfACrazedWoman.blogspot.com  Save and it is finished.

I guess I am just one of those girls who "has" to be different... Honestly... I am one of them old women who can't figure it out... Have a wonderful weekend...

Janie