2 good recipes and 1 terrible one in the same week

When I discovered my wheat flour was full of bugs, I tried making Mike some rye pancakes. I got the recipe from Mr. Breakfast, which is otherwise a great website. However, whether operator error or the fault of the recipe, my rye pancakes had a hockey-puck quality that filled the stomach and not much else.

BUT, I found 2 amazing recipes on the Olive Garden web site. The tomato soup is quick, cheap and delicious. The beef recipe is a little pricey (for me the beef was $12, but that's still a lot cheaper than going out to eat at a nice restaurant) but we couldn't stop groaning with pleasure as we ate it. So here you are:

Beef Filets in Balsamic Sauce
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Serving Size: 4 8 12

Ingredients
4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 Tbsp butter
1 yellow onion, medium and sliced thin
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
1/2 cup dry white wine
3 fresh rosemary sprigs, finely chopped (I didn't have any and used dried.)
1/2 cup Marsala wine
1/2 cup beef broth
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
4 beef tenderloin filets (6 oz each)
1 dash parsley, finely chopped
Rosemary sprig, for garnish

Procedures
1.HEAT oil and butter in large saute pan over medium heat. Add sliced onions, salt, and pepper.
2.COOK 10 minutes or until caramelized (softened and golden brown), stirring frequently.
3.ADD wine, broth, vinegar and chopped rosemary. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until sauce is reduced by half.
4.RUB beef filets with oil, then season with salt and pepper. Grill to preferred temperature.
5.PLACE grilled filets on a large platter; top with sauce. Garnish with parsley and rosemary.

I can't get to the tomato soup recipe right now, but I'll post it soon.

Vertigo is not always a bad thing

I just looked up the definition of vertigo in one of my prized possessions--a reproduction of Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English language. Vertigo = giddiness; dizziness or swimming of the head; an affection of the head, in which objects appear to move in various directions, though stationary, and the person affected finds it difficult to maintain an erect posture.

This time of year can easily become overly-packed and stressful. For me this means report cards, students half-crazed with the nearness of vacation and Christmas, online shopping, and church events. But for you, my dear daughters-in-law, I know it is even more frenzied.

Today I am home trying to ward off severe vertigo by dealing with it at the medium stage where the world isn't spinning, but jolting around a bit. Usually a day in bed with a lot of reading heads it off.

And I'm struck by the blessings of a totally quiet day. Mike is out of town. (Although I do wish he were here.) Reading the psalms quiets my soul. Reading a delightful young adult book feeds my writer's eye as I enjoy the deft writing. I haven't even opened my mouth to speak to anyone. Sometimes in the midst of frenzy we need a tranquil pool. Vertigo knocked my legs out and gave it to me, perhaps you can choose it somehow, in some creative way.

See the full PicLit at PicLits.com

Classic Julia Child. Classic Omelettes.

I watched this video that someone posted on Facebook, and when I tried it we thought they were terrific! Normally I make a different kind of omelet, but you've got to try these.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

I don't usually make movie recommendations, and I haven't even seen the whole thing, but this sounds hysterical!

Family Wedding Last Night

Translating

Last night we went to the wedding of our cousin--Emily Goss--to an Ecuadorian named Alex. We had so much fun as we hosted Emily's family here for the week of the wedding. I even talked Walter, Sharon, and Sara into giving a talk to my class about berry farming. P.S. You can become a fan of Goss Berry Farm on Facebook!

Hanging Out With Nate and Tessa

Nate, Tim, and Mike using a few on the golf course.
Lobsters on the deck.

Teegan and Sydney do Hannah Montana.

Mike and Nolin at the Kindergarten program.