Martha Washington...

Recently, I was reading Lies Women Believe by Nancy DeMoss (which is a really good book, by the way), and found this wonderful quote from Martha Washington. "I am still determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances.  We carry the seeds of the one or the other about with us in our minds, wherever we go." 
I know that I thought for years that if circumstances were different then I would be happier.  It is such a relief to discover that that isn't true.  I can choose to be happy no matter what.


Finally pictures for my lamp project:

Before:

The two brass lamps after:

Spray Painting Tips:
Put the lamp chord in a sandwich baggy. Use some clear packing tape to cover the chord where it comes out of the lamp and overlap the tape on the baggy where the chord comes out of the baggy.  Make sure to fold over each end of the tape onto itself to make it easier to remove the tape when the new paint is dry.

Use shipping tape to cover the cream colored plastic piece at the top of the lamp.  Again, turn each end of the tape on itself to make it easier to remove later.

Take the lamp outside and place on a large piece of cardboard or a large plastic sheet.  Wear a protective mask to keep from inhaling the spray paint. Shake the can well - you will hear a ball rattling inside the can. Spray back and forth putting light coats on the lamp.  Continue spraying until the lamp is completely covered.  Make sure you tip the lamp by putting a finger where the light bulb goes as you paint so the whole surface gets covered.
Tip:  purchase one of the plastic handles shown below to use when spray painting.  It makes the job so much easier.

Let paint dry completely before removing tape and baggy.


Today's Recipe - Four Step Dinner (Next Food Star Chef Melissa D'Arabian
So many delicious options...

1.  Dredge your choice of meat in flour and spices.  Saute in olive oil until cooked through.  Remove from skillet and set aside.
2. Saute your choice of aromatics - onion, leeks or garlic in the same skillet.  Remove from skillet and set aside.
3.  Add liquid to skillet - chicken broth, vegetable broth, lemon juice, or red wine vinegar...simmer to reduce.
4.  Add 1 tablespoon butter to sauce and whisk until smooth.

Plate the meat, putting aromatics on top of meat.  Spoon sauce over meat and aromatics.  Serve with your choice of vegetables, potatoes or salad.