The Goal List

What did you accomplish?

What did you not?

Another year's gone

with memories, a lot.

The goal list is out.

I'm marking them off.

I succeeded here...

And, here, I did not.

The year's ending soon

After I take stock,

of the goals that I've met

And, what I have not.

I'll take out my pen

Make a new list.

Working real hard

on my accomplishments.

(c) Connie Lavy 2007

The fourth Sunday of Advent. The fourth Advent candle is lit that represents love.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Check out my Slide Show!

Six Days Until Christmas!

Can you believe it... only six days to Christmas! Time sure flies when you are older and expecting to celebrate an event. With Children the time seems to drag on. They anticipate Christmas morning and the gifts that they will get.

I remember when the Children were home all the fun we had Christmas morning. We did not teach them that there was a Santa Claus. All our gifts were from each other and given in love. But, sometimes, my husband would wear a Santa hat and we would laugh and pretend. Of course, with so many of us, it was lots of laughs, loving and fun!!!

Happy Birthday to my husband, Merrill Lavy.

Cold Snowy Monday Musings...

It's cold, down in the teens, the ground is covered with snow and it's all peaceful and calm. The wind quit blowing so the roads should not be drifting today. I just don't think I'll check them out.

Today's just a good day to stay in and take it easy!

The Third Sunday of Advent

On the third Sunday of Advent we traditionally uses the pink colored candle which symbolizes Joy at the soon Advent of Christ.

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad

Today, the second Sunday of Advent, the second candle is lit that represents peace to remind us that true peace is possible, because through Jesus we are reconciled to God and to one another.

"Peace, peace, the people say, but there is not peace." We look around us and we certainly don't see peace. Trouble and trials, pain and suffering is rampant. Even is this violent and hurting world we can trust God's great love which is stronger than all our weakness, troubles and fear.

Comparing V8 Juices

I started drinking V8 Juice this year. You get two servings of vegetables in the regular V8 juice per 8 oz. glass and there are 3 sevings of vegetables in the individual serving bottles that you buy. This is a great way to get your vegetables. The regular V8 has 480 mg. of sodium and the low sodium has 140 mg. of sodium. The tastes are a little different, but the health benefits are the same.

Today, I noticed the V8 Fusnion for the first time. It has one serving of vegetables and one serving of fruit per 8 oz. glass. It does taste more like a fruit drink. The one that I bought was the strawberry banana. It is not very cheap, but the good thing about it is that it only has 70 mg. of sodium. It does not have as many vitamins as the regular V8, but it does have a good amount of vitamins. I like the low sodium as well as the health benefits.

I would recommend the low sodium or Funsion V8 to anyone watching their sodium intake, which by the way should only be 2,300 mg. per day. But, if you do not eat a lot of canned food, the regular V8 is great and it does have more vitamins than Fusion.

Something else...the single serving bottles are great for taking to work or traveling. They just seem to give an instant pick me up.

The Coffee's Hot...

It snowed again, here in Ohio, last night. It is so peaceful, white and calming. I just love snow. But, I like to be inside looking out.

I'm trying to catch up on some writing and work around here that needs to be done. I am really pushing hard today. Of course, we only have so many hours, minutes and seconds in a day...at my age...everyone of them counts so I need to be productive or restful, whatever is needed. :)

Have a cup of coffee and let's talk...

Do you ever wonder why my blogs have entries show up at later times? Well, it's like this, sometimes, I start an entry and I don't get back until later because I am looking for something to add to it such as a picture, poem or link. I even forget, if I don't look in the edit post section of my posting entries.

Hopefully, I will get better a this. You know, someday I might even get it right. But, sometimes, I go ahead and publish the entry even though I know it is an older entry. There are archives and looking back, plus, I can refer to it myself.

I hope this is a helpful explanation!

It is a beautiful snowy day! Just what I have been waiting for. I love the snow, but I do not like to be out in it. I just like to look at it. It is just right, the ground is covered and it is the right depth. What more can you ask for on such a beautiful day?

Advent Centerpiece

Back To The Bible is a great site to get your Advent reading guide.


You can make an Advent centerpiece to be used for your supper hour and make it more special during the Christmas season. You will need greenery, 3 purple candles & 1 pink candle plus on large white candle for the center.

The fourth Sunday before Christmas, light one candle. The candle of "hope". You can use the Advent guide for the scriptures to read during the week. Light it and let it burn during your supper hour or it can be used in evening worship. Light the second candle on the third week of Advent and so on... The white candle is lit Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to represent Christs birth.

This is one nice way to keep Christ in Christmas!

As we are entering the advenst season, I want to share this poem that I heard a few years back.

"Advent Advent the Little Light burns,
First one, then two, then three, then four,
Then The Christ Child at the door."

Come on in and have a cup of coffee...
This is the last day of November. It is very cold here in Ohio. I am trying to adjust to the quick drop in temperature.

We have just come through the wonderful Thanksgiving time and tomorrow will start our celebrations for the Christmas Season. These are two of my most favorite times of year because we take time to really be thankful for our blessings and we remember anew the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ our Lord.

Coffee With Connie



I have a family blog that I started because I couldn't access this blog. I didn't know a lot about blogging even back in the spring of 2007,but I knew even less when I started Coffee With Connie in 2006. I have learned so much and try to do blogging that will interest people. People do not like to read long entries online and they definitely do not like boring. Sometimes, when I'm in a hurry, I will post boring things, but I try not to do that. Although, I want to post what interests me...because it is my blog.

I've separated the link between the two blogs because I want to take this one in a different direction and I want my family blog to remain a family journal which could possibly bore those that do not know me. I want this one to become what I intended, a discussion of daily events, products or whatever can be discussed over coffee. And, I just figured out how to make them separate entities.

"Yes, it is a press, certainly, but a press from which shall flow in inexhaustible streams, the most abundant and most marvelous liquor that has ever flowed to relieve the thirst of men! Through it , God will spread His Word. A spring of truth shall flow from it: like a new star it shall scatter the darkness of ignorance, and cause a light heretofore unknown to shine amongst men." Johannes Gutenberg

The printing of the Gutenberg Bible which was the light of God's word to the world.

Bless the Lord
I like this scripture at this Thanksgiving season because it reminds of all that God has done for us and our many blessings.

Psalm 103: 1-22
1Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
2Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.
19The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.
21Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
22Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.

Involvement & Commitment

The difference between 'involvement' and 'commitment' is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast: the chicken was 'involved' - the pig was 'committed'.

This Thanksgiving season, I want to become more committed to sharing the message of the gospel and encourage the world around me that there is hope, love and salvation in accepting Christ as Savior and serving Him.

God Bless and Have a Good Day!

"Whoso dispiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded." Proverbs 13:13

Come on in, pull up a chair and have a cup of coffee and we will discuss God's word.

There are voices in the world today that tell us what is and is not right about God and His word, but they do not read it. They just go from hearsay or their own thoughts. That's kinda like going to someone that wants to operate on you and take out your appendix, but he has not studied how to be a doctor and he does not know how to take out an appendix.

You can't really discuss something sensibly unless you read it. God gave us his word to read and learn by.

This thanksgiving season is a good time to start reading God's word and find out what he says about salvation and how to live. The Bible is the greatest book ever written!

The Thanksgiving season is upon us and we have so much to be thankful for. Some people will be celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend and others at different days all through the week. Many will be on the road this week. The important thing is to be with those we care about and be thankful for what we have.

It is good to settle down and Thank God for all that He has given us.

"It is good to praise the Lord and make music." Psalm 92:1

Grab a cup of coffee and sit a spell...

My Grandmother Martha would say this and laugh. She loved family and loved to laugh. She had some Irish in her blood so that might contribute to her fondness of laughter.

It's a nice cold November day. It was quite windy earlier, but that has died down and now it is just calm. Looks like it might rain soon. The weather hasn't been anything to complain about when it comes to degrees. We didn't get a lot of rain, but it has rained recently to make up for some of our earlier loss here in Ohio.

The leaves are dropping fast, but I do think in a more cool October and November, they would have dropped sooner. Can't complain!

"Rejoice in the Lord always."

Philippians 4:4

Knockout Rose Still Blooming

My Knockout rose is still blooming. That is one thing I like about this rose. It just blooms and blooms. It is my last rose to bloom. It is not unusual for it to bloom up into November. I do have it in a little bit of protected area, but I am not sure that would make it bloom this late.

Next year, I plan to plant one more out in the open. We will see how they bloom in an unprotected area. If they bloom this late out in the open and can go through the early frosts, I'll recommend them to everyone. It is one of my most favorite roses anyway!

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart." Proverbs 15:30

"A heart at peace gives life to the body." Proverbs 14:30

Coffee in hand ...

I have another page that I have designed this year that I would like to share with you. It is of a rose which is my most favorite flower. I have it in a couple of colored backgrounds, but today I am going to show you the pink pages.

You are welcome to download them for your scrapbook. I am giving them to my readers for free.

(Directions to copy are on yesterdays blog entry if you do not know how to save it to your computer to copy.)















(c) Connie Lavy 2007

Sit back and have a cup of coffee...

Today, I would like to show you a scrapbooking page that I designed. This is a digital design that I did with an elk picture. This is a great outdoors page that could be used by a nature lover or hunter.

They show up darker here. Printed out they are a nice soft page. I made it in a 8.5 and 12 X 12 size. To download...right click on your mouse, save picture as, & put it in the folder you want. You can print it for your scrapbook. Compliments of me. Check back from time to time for more designs!














(c) Connie Lavy 2007

God's Painting ...

My daughter, Amy, sent me this picture of a Kansas sunrise this week . God's painting are best. How magnificent!

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." Psalm 3:24

Who's Your Advisor?

Do you sometimes think that you are getting advice from a horse, when things just don't come together right?

Advice is always abundant, especially on the Internet. The work is researching websites, information pages and advice. The BBB is a great help in checking out legitimate businesses.

This picture was sent to me this week and I thought, "what a good example for remembering to check out my advisors".

Grab a quick cup of coffee ....

Grabbing a cup of coffee, that is about how long the month of August is going to last. School has started, gardens are ending, summer vacations are over and soon we'll be into Fall.

I love Fall. I love the Fall colors. Spring is my favorite month because everything begins anew, but Fall is next because everything is winding down and we're getting into the slower resting months. I love the changing seasons.

Each new month holds new adventures. Enjoy today, the last day of August 2007. Hopefully, it will hold pleasant memories for you.

Have a great day!

Young People Now A Days
By Connie Lavy

With a twinkle in her eyes Emily excitedly pulled out of the drive and started on her journey. “I’ve never been late for lunch and I won’t start today!” she said as she drove to see her adult children in a neighboring town. This is our annual family gathering to remember papa. I know that I can make it,” Emily said as she pushed the accelerator to the floor.

Reaching over to pick up a falling paper and swerving. She looks up and squeals, “What in the world is that man doing? I have never seen a man jump purposefully in a mud puddle before. What some people won’t do for a little attention. I just don’t know about young people now a days. He’s crazy!”

Emily is thinking, “It must be foggy outside. It’s just a little blurry, maybe I’ll just clean my glasses.” Reaching up she pulls off her glasses, pulls the hankie out of her blouse top, and rubs off the lens’. “Trying to steer and clean my glasses isn’t as easy as it was 50 years ago,” she thought. “Why is that car running off the side of the road? I just don’t know about these young drivers now a days!”

Smiling Emily reminisces about former days. “ Papa was a big man. Kindly loved by everyone including his two children, John and Sarah. We had so much fun swimming, camping, and sledding. I miss papa.” She said to herself.

Picking off a mailbox after coming up out of the ditch, Emily says loudly, “Why in the world would anyone put a mail box right on the road? You’d think they would be more considerate that that! Someone’s going to have fun picking up all his letters in that mud. Just serves them right. These young folks now a days!”

Today reminds me of the day Papa forgot his umbrella and boots. He was walking home from the neighbors when it started a downpour. No place to get in to keep dry. He got home and went to the outbuilding and took off his outer clothes to keep my floors from getting wet. He runs in the front door with nothing but his long underwear on and meets the new minister and his wife as they are leaving. Everyone was shocked! Papa’s face was so red!

“Well, why in the world, would a car just sit there and not move. Guess I’d just better go around them. Hey why are you honking at me, you nit wit, you almost hit me in the side. Boy, these young people now a days, they just don’t know how to drive.”

“I remember when papa decided to surprise the children and take them on a holiday trip.” thought Emily. “We hid our luggage under some blankets in the back of the wagon. Picked the kids up playing down the road and started off. They fell asleep on some straw and a cover in the back of the wagon. When they woke up it was almost night.” Both said in unison, “Where are we?” Smiling, Emily thought, “Such fun, the good old days.”

“Wonder what all those people are looking at? I don’t see anything; oh wait a minute that looks like laundry on the back of my car. Sure is a funny way for people to dry their clothes. I sure don’t know what to think of young people now a days.

“Say, look at the pretty lights!” Emily says as she pulls to a stop. She rolls down her window and says, “Hello young man do you need help?”

“Lady, I need to see your drivers license”, frowned the officer. “Yes sir,” replied Emily pushing her cockeyed glasses higher on her nose and reaching over for her purse. Pulling out her knitting needles, scissors, magnifying glass, safety pins, milk of magnesia, vitamins and an apple, she finally finds her license.

“Lady is this some kind of joke?’ the officer scowls, “this is a hand made license.” Looking sheepishly with her glasses cocked on her face again she grins,”Yes, sir, I failed my eye exam 20 yrs. Ago and I had to make my own license because they would not give me one. I just couldn’t break the law. You know I am 95 years old. I should not even have to have a drivers liscense with the driving experience that I have.”

Sitting in the seat of the cruiser, Emily’s thinking, “How considerate of this young officer to take me to town. Young people sure are nice these days.”




Connie Lavy (c) 2006

Come on in and have a cup of coffee!


Today, I want to show you an oil painting that I did several years ago.I think I am going to paint another picture to go with it this fall. I have a commissioned picture to do first. But, I thought I would share this one with you.

Most of my recent commissioned work is whimsical prints done in acrylics. For myself, I have been working in water color pencils. I love water color pencils because you can draw anywhere and then finish your work when you get home or in your studio. Drawing and colored pencil work is very nice also.

A Time of Reflection

A time of reflection
Thinking of the past.
Memories renewed.
Events went so fast.

A time of reflection
Lessons learned
Heartaches forgotten
Happiness returned.

A time of reflection
We must go on.
New events will come
We’ll reflect upon.


Connie Lavy (c) 2006

Just a thought ...

A lot of things we think are impossible. With God all things are possible. He gives us the strength to go on and bear or accomplish things. We just need the faith to trust Him and the courage to go on.

Have a Blessed Lords Day!

School Days

It's hard to believe that it is that time of year again. School is starting and Fall is just around the corner. Seasons come and seasons go. I look forward to each one and what that season brings.

I would like to see the beginning of school pushed back until after labor day to give the children a longer vacation. They have so much on them already when in school. But, these are different times than when I was a girl.

Let's get a cup of coffee ...& get out the scrapbooking materials. I have been scrapbooking several years. I was doing it before it had a name. I was just making albums with pictures and poems & sayings etc.

Of course, my earlier albums have been taken apart as well as most of my recent albums. I was concerned with the acid free plastic, so my winter project is to redo many of my albums. I want to make sure that as many acid free materials are used as possible and I wanted to get away from the old fold back plastic & sticky surfaces that just were not holding up.

I'm checking out my supply of papers & embellishments. I want to make sure that I have everything in order and ready to begin my projects. I store what I want to do in the slipcovers in my albums, but there are many pictures in mini albums and still in the envelopes that I got them in. Yet lots more on cd. I'm trying to get an organizational system going. With years compiled it is not an easy task.

I'm trying to scrapbook my special events as they come and go. I can catch up on the older pictures and events over time. One thing about scrapbooking, the pictures and memories are there, you just need to record it.

Maybe there will be lots of snow this Winter and I can be here in my cozy home by the fireplace scrapbooking. Well, I don't know if I'm quite ready for that because I like my seasons. Fall and Spring are my favorite. So, I'll take it as it comes. Snow will be here soon enough!

Water Color Pencils

This is a water color basket picture that I did last year. I love to work with water colored pencils. I started working with them in 2006 when I found out how easy it is to take them with you. I take them with me when I travel. I can draw and then when I get back home I can finish my project. Sometimes I do finish my picture if there is space and water available.

Water color pencils can be used in card making & scrapbooking as well as making pictures. I highly recommend giving them a try if you like to draw.

I need to get some better lighting because the background is white. But, I love this basket. I hope you enjoy the picture.

These are not just suggestions ...



Exodus 20:1-17

God gave us the Ten Commandments to follow to live happy Godly lives. By obeying His laws we can live guilt free happy lives. God loves us and knows what is best for us.

Have a good day!

Story Telling with Digital Scrapbooking


Digital scrapbooking is one way to scrapbook using a program that has scrapbooking designs or using a program such as photoshop or elements. It is done on your computer. The picture that I have here was done in 2002 for a Christmas Project and this is the first page. It is using a scrapbooking program.

Use your scrapbooking to tell a story. Years from now when someone looks at your pictures, they may not recognize the people or the event. So, find a way to incorporate your story into the scrapbooking project. Use titles, name holders and even write or type a little description of the event.

Happy Scrapbooking!

It's time for another cup of coffee!
It has really been a busy time of year. Today I had to spray the garden with seven. The bugs are getting into everything really bad.
We have had garden produce to eat. So far we have had, tomatoes, spinach and squash. The green beans and corn have been from other family gardens and they have shared with us. Ours should be on soon.

It's hard to believe that school is already starting. When I was young school did not start until after labor day and was over by the end of May. Things do change.

Friday will be the start of the Great Darke County Fair. One of the best in Ohio. Some say the best.

www.darkecountyfair.com

It's that time of year ...

Now is the time to start fall planting. Hostas are good plants for the shade. Other plants for fall planting are day lilies, hydrangeas, dianthus, scabiosa, coreopsis, peonies & tulip and daffodil bulbs. Don't forget, that this also is a good time to plant trees.

Check out your local garden centers for more plants for fall planting.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good." Psalm 136:1

Gardening

My favorite flowers are roses. The picture to the right is of my Knockout rose. My garden isn't the best this year because of the drought. The watering got be be too much, so I just cut back. Plants have died that could have lived under different circumstances. The hardiest have made it. We'll try again next year.

It is getting close to time to start preparing for next years garden. The clean up & removal of the bad areas of our gardens. It's time for planning for next year with our fall plantings. Check back in future weeks for some of the fall plants and gardening tips that we can do for next year.

Today, I am reminded of just how awsome God is! I want to share these words with you. At the bottom of the page is a website that you can go to to hear the song.


Awesome God
Rich Mullins

When He rolls up His sleeves
He ain't just putting on the ritz
(Our God is an awesome God)
There's thunder in His footsteps
And lightning in His fists
(Our God is an awesome God)
And the Lord wasn't joking
When He kicked 'em out of Eden
It wasn't for no reason
That He shed His blood
His return is very close
And so you better be believing that
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

And when the sky was starless
In the void of the night
(Our God is an awesome God)
He spoke into the darkness
And created the light
(Our God is an awesome God)
Judgement and wrath He poured out on Sodom
Mercy and grace He gave us at the cross
I hope that we have not
Too quickly forgotten that
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God (Our God is an awesome God)
He reigns from heaven above (He reigns from heaven above)
With wisdom, power, and love (With wisdom, power, and love)
Our God is an awesome God

Our God is an awesome God
Our God is an awesome God

Check out:
http://www.geocities.com/nana5576/ourgodisanawesomegod.html

(Directions: with mouse highlight web address, right click copy, right click paste into web browser.)

The Gateway To The West


This is one beautiful sight when entering Missouri. I love to look over at the Arch.
Take a tour up into the Arch. A tram car takes you to the top of the Arch. It is really neat to look over the city from the observation area at the top of the Arch. The view is magnificient! It is next to the Mississipi River which has story of it's own.

Directly under the Arch is the Museum of Westward Expansion. It has a movie theater that shows a 45 minute documentary depicting the arch under construction. The museum has artifacts from the Lewis and clark era, rare Indian medals, and Indian headress, tepee and a covered wagon. National Geograpic has a Lewis and Clark, Great Journey West production in the Odyssey Theater.

This is a part of history and beauty well worth checking out!

Quilters Site

Check out this sewing shop. The “Happy Sewing Room” sells online. This is a nice site for quilt patterns and fabrics. It even has a customer quilt gallery that shows some of the customer’s quilts. They have some great quilt ideas. They have a monthly quilt club for those in the area.

Some of the things that can be purchased are: fabrics, books, patterns, notions, magazines and sewing accessories. They can be ordered from the convenience of your own home.

Happy Sewing Room
335 State Street
Hamburg, PA 19526(610) 562-7173

http://www.happysewingroom.com/

Check this out!

Coming Soon...

The World's Longest Yard Sale
August 2-6, 2007
Thursday - Sunday

This is also knowas the Hwy 127 Corridor Sale

This sale goes 630 miles and covers five states. This is one of the biggest and best events in the world. Homeowners in these states sell things that they have accumulated. Professional dealers and vendors also get into the sale.

This is one fun sale. It is impossible to cover the whole sale, but you can get a big start … and finish it in the years to come. Just start in the state nearest you. The states covered are: Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia.

Make sure that you wear comfortable walking shoes, carry your camera to get pictures of the awesome shops & displays (ask first), & cute places you might want to remember.

Check it out at: http://www.127sale.com/
The official headquarters is in Jamestown, Tennessee at the Feutress County Chamber of Commerce.

If you can’t make it this year mark your calendar.
Next Year’s Sales: August 7-10, 2008

"A heart at peace gives life to the body."

Proverbs 14:30

Variety is the Spice of Life

People are creatures of habit and largely base choices on that which is familiar. Although some habits are good, cooking the same types of food over and over zaps creativity and breeds indifference in the kitchen. Food is not only necessary for survival, it is also a main source of enjoyment. Making the most of our meals increases pleasure and happiness. If your dinner hour is hum-drum bring something less predictable home from the market. One thing certain to add variety to your meals is broadening your selection of mushrooms. Mushrooms add flavor, texture and nutrition to appetizers, soups, salads and entrées. The possibilities are endless, and the results are fabulous.

Mushrooms are high in fiber and protein, and provide vitamins such as thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), biotin (B7), cobalamins (B12) and ascorbic acid (C), as well as minerals, including iron, selenium, potassium and phosphorus. Maitake, shiitake, and reishi are being researched for the possibility of use for anti-cancer, anti-viral, and/or immunity-enhancement properties.

If you are new to the world of mushrooms, you should know that mushrooms are best when used within a few days of purchase. Like other vegetables, it is best to wait until you are ready to use them before rinsing your mushrooms. Remove mushrooms plastic from their container and store in a paper bag, because if they are stored in an air-tight container the moisture trapped inside will cause early spoiling. It is not recommended to freeze fresh mushrooms, but if they are first sautéed, cooled and stored in an airtight container they may be frozen for up to a month. Care should be taken to cleaning your mushrooms, especially morels.

Shiitake, portabella and morels are great mushrooms to experiment with because they are becoming increasingly more available in local markets. Shiitakes are often dried and sold in packages. These must be re-hydrated by soaking in water about 15 minutes before using. The button of the Shiitake mushroom has a smooth and spongy texture. They are a great addition to any dish. Portabella mushrooms are sold both with the stem or just as caps. They are light tan, rounded, with black, visible gills on the underside. As they age and darken the flavor is richer. They are especially great sautéed in butter and wine, or you can grill or roast them. Portabellas not only enhance the beauty of your dinner, but also add a hearty flavor. Morels have short, thick stems with pointed caps and have a lot of texture. Morels may be tan, yellow or black in color and have a nutty flavor. The darker this mushroom, the more intense the flavor. As you gain experience using these mushrooms, you can venture out or order different varieties rather than hunt for them yourself.

Cooking mushrooms is easy and there are several ways to prepare them. Mushrooms taste great when seasoned! Use salt, pepper, garlic, or any other spice or herb that complements your meal. Sautéing is probably the most common cooking method. Place 8 ounces of mushrooms in a frying pan with a tablespoon or two of butter. Cook on medium high heat for a few minutes until soft. Don’t put too many mushrooms in a pan because the heat won’t be high enough to brown them. Equally tasty is grilling, roasting, or broiling mushrooms. Coating the mushrooms lightly with olive oil will keep them from drying out. When roasting mushrooms heat in a 450 F oven for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. To grill or broil, place your pan about 4 to 6 inches from the heat source and cook about 5 minutes. Oil may be added when turning them to ensure even cooking.

It does not take a lot of effort to make your meal more exciting, and adding variety with mushrooms will spice it up. Changing an everyday item for one that is extraordinary will please every pallet and make you look like a gourmet chef!

This is an article by Emma Snow .
I thought it would be a great help for those who are looking for variety in their meals. Enjoy!