Azoresgal~Life on an Island

I know we say that alot "life is too short", but do we really believe it, do we really try to live our best life. Over the weekend, I found out a family friend, is very ill, so ill in fact,the doctor's believe, our friend may only live another 2-3 months. How's that for short, makes you stop and think, doesn't it. I have often heard, of people who have a bucket list, where they list off things, they want to do before they die. Try as I might, my list always comes up very short. That may come down to me being , perhaps , dare I say it boring. Sure there are things I would like to do, but it's kind of what I tell my kids, put your needs before your wants. When it comes down to, it, I am happy with where and what I am doing, plain and simple (see boring ;). I love where I live, I love being a wife and a mother. I love my friends and family, and I believe I show them, in how I take care of them. If I could change anything, it would be the people, who bring drama, ...

INGREDIENTS 1 pkg.Regular Flavor Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage 10 eggs, lightly beaten 3 cups milk 1 teaspoon salt 6 cups cubed bread 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 1/2 teaspoon black pepper DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 325 F. In large skillet, cook sausage over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until thoroughly cooked and no longer pink. In large mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, pepper and salt; stir well. Distribute half the bread evenly in a buttered 9" x 13" x 2" baking dish. Sprinkle half the cheese, half the sausage. Repeat layering using remaining bread, cheese, sausage. Pour egg mixture evenly over casserole. Bake uncovered for 55-60 minutes, or until eggs are set. Tent with foil if top begins to brown too quickly. May be assembled ahead and refrigerated up to 12 hours before baking.

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar 3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened 3 eggs 1 1/2 cups white sugar 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/4 cup lemon juice confectioners’ sugar for decoration Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan. Combine the flour, 2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar, and butter. Pat dough into prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until slightly golden. While the crust is baking, whisk together eggs, white sugar, flour, and lemon juice until frothy. Pour this lemon mixture over the hot crust. Return to the preheated oven for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until light golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Dust the top with confectioners’ sugar. Cut into squares. Enjoy, Diana

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend :)

A couple of days ago, someone visiting our home, asked my 8 year old daughter a question. They asked her " so what do you want to be when you grow up ?". My daughter replied quickly " a mother!" The person asking, just about gasped, and said " no, you need to pick a real job " My heart started to beat really fast, and I could feel my blood boil, just before I said something, my sweet daughter responded : "that is a job, my mother's job, she is very busy all day long, taking care of us ". Well, how do you like them apples, the person asking was left speechless. I then decided to chime in. I said that, being a mother is a real job , I take what I do just as seriously, as any other job I had before I had children, and consider it to be the most important thing I have ever done. This guest in our home, quickly added "what I meant, was , you know a paying job." Obviously, not having understood I thing I had said, I responded " oh it...

Ingredients 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cocoa powder 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature 2 large eggs, room temperature 2 tablespoons red food coloring 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract For the Cream Cheese Frosting: 1 pound cream cheese, softened (cold) 2 sticks butter, softened but still cool 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers. In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in ...

Happy Valentine's Day friends :) This morning, I overheard, someone comment, how she thought Valentine's Day was over rated and not necessary, because her husband all ready said how much he loved her everyday. I thought to myself, then what's wrong with hearing it one more time , on a special day. I think people don't show they care enough, and if it takes one day a year to show how they feel, then what's wrong with that. Remember when we were kids, and we gave out valentine cards, to all of our friends at school, and how special you felt when you recieved cards back. What is wrong with making people feel special, even if only with the smallest gesture. I made blueberry waffles this morning, for mr. G and I, and for the kids and friends I baked Red Velvet cupcakes. It just took a little time, and alot of sugar to make something for the people I care about, I don´t see that as a bad thing. I am all for having Valentine's Day once a month, if that's what it ...

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend :)

This little cake, is one of my favorites, it is easy to make, and made with basic ingredients,from the pantry. It has a lovely crumb, and a very delicate caramel flavor, but what I most love about it, is that I can mix it up in my grandmother's old bowl, and just use a wooden spoon, to make it all come together. So simple, but so good. Enjoy :) Ingredients 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar 2/3 cup vegetable oil 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 cup milk 2/3 cup white sugar 4 tablespoon butter, melted 1 cup sliced almonds Directions 1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 1 -9 inch round pan. 2.In a large bowl, beat brown sugar, oil, egg, and vanilla together until smooth. Combine flour, salt and baking soda; add to sugar mixture alternately with milk. Beat until smooth. Pour into prepared pan. 3.In a small bowl, combine white sugar and butter or margarine. Stir in cup almonds. Sprinkle ...

Happy Monday everyone ! Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend ! Today we woke up to a beautiful sunny day on the island. Seeing as the sun was out, I took the sheets off of the beds and washed them, so I could hang them on the lines. It's always quiet, and peaceful when I carry my laundry basket outside. I have to say it's when I do my best thinking, and praying, helps me clear out my mind. It's also when I usually get to take a look around the gardens, and see whats going on. I suppose when my grandmothers, and their mothers before them did laundry, perhaps it was a chore, hard work. Hand washing everything, putting everything out on the lines, hoping it would all dry, so they could dress their children with the one or two pair of pants they had. My children today could probably go a whole month, if not longer before they ran out of clothes to wear. My machine, does the washing for me, and when ever the sun doesn't come out, I stick everything in the dryer, not so much...

Can you believe it's friday evening already ? I have to confess, I love fridays, especially when the kids are all home from their schools. I love that they are here under my wing, safe and sound. For them friday means, no homework, they get to come home, and not worry about books,pens papers for atleast one evening. Tonight it will be just me and them, papa bear is working the night shift. Outside the wind has picked up, and the ocean is getting louder, I believe we are in for a stormy weekend. I started a fire in the woodburning stove, so that will keep us warm and cozy this evening. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend. Diana

Baked these yummy M&M cookies today after dinner. WHY ?? Just because, I don't think you need a reason to bake, well not around here anyway :) This is the recipe I use : Ingredients 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 1 cup shortening 2 eggs 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups candy-coated milk chocolate pieces Directions 1.In a large bowl, mix sugar, eggs, shortening, and vanilla thoroughly. Add flour, salt, and baking soda to creamed mixture. Blend well. Add 3/4 cup of M&M candies. 2.Drop dough by teaspoonful onto cookie sheet. Slightly push a few candies on top of each dough ball with remaining candies. 3.Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 9 to 11 minutes, to your liking. Enjoy, Diana

The following is a link to some information about the Azores : Destinazores - Azores Tourist Guide And just one of the many beautiful videos about the Azores, that can be found on the internet.

So how does a Canadian girl, end up living on an island, in the Azores ? My mother and father are both from the Azores, from the island of Terceira. They married, and moved to Toronto,Canada in the early 70´s. It is there, they start a family, I am the oldest of four children. We visited my mothers family in the Azores, many times during my childhood, this is a wonderful gift I can never thank my father enough for. As early as six, I can remember telling people, I wanted to move to the Azores, they thought it was cute. By the time I was twelve, I was still saying I wanted to move to the Azores, everyone would roll their eyes, and ask why would you want to do that ? That is something I could never explain, it was just a feeling, something that felt right. But how do you know that at six or twelve ? Can you move somewhere just because, the smell of the ocean is intoxicating, and as blue as sapphires ? Can you move somewhere, just because the fields are as green as emeralds, and life is s...

Do you remember, when you were a little kid, that feeling you got, when school started......you know, that knot in your tummy. Not sure what your teacher was going to be like, or if you would make any friends ??? Well thats a bit how I feel starting this blog. I am bit nervous, but I suppose anything new is a little bit scary. Seriously, this little blog of mine, was started last year, but I just never posted anything. I do however post alot on my facebook page, so if I start posting on here instead of there, this should all come together nicely.....I hope :) If this were the first day of school, the teacher would eventually get to me, and ask me to stand up and introduce my self.......so here goes........ Hello, my name is Diana, and this is my blog and I hope that you and I are going to be friends :) <