Ever Roast A Garlic Bulb Whole?

We have a wonderful Greek restaurant BT and I LOVE to frequent. It seems each time we go we try something new. This week we tried the roasted vegetable platter, which was a delight!

For the first time ever, I experienced eating a whole roasted garlic bulb among other delicous veggies . . . mushrooms, banana peppers, red peppers, olive spread, eggplant and pita triangles.

Let me tell you ... I am craving that roasted garlic! So, I did a little googling and was amazed to find out just how easy it is to prepare. Perhaps tomorrow I'll try making my own.

Here are the directions if anyone else is a garlic lover! So yummy.

ROASTED GARLIC

3 whole garlic bulbs
2 - 3 tsps. extra virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 375

Peel away the outer layers of skin of the garlic bulb, leaving the skins of the individual cloves intact; leave garlic bulb whole.

Using a sharp knife, slice 1/4 - 1/2-inch off of the pointed end of the garlic bulbs, exposing the individual cloves of garlic.

Put the garlic head in a small ovenproof dish, garlic roaster, or pan. Pour 1/2 teaspoon olive oil over the top of each bulb and let it sink in between the cloves. Wait 2 minutes and then repeat with another 1/2 teaspoon olive oil over each garlic bulb.

Either cook in a garlic cooker or place on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil (this is great for cooking large amounts of garlic).

Bake approximately 45 to 60 minutes or until cloves are browned at the exposed end and soft throughout.

Remove from oven.

Allow to cool enough so you can touch it without burning yourself. Use a small small knife cut the skin slightly around each clove. Use a cocktail fork or your fingers to pull or squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins.

Garlic may be stored in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for several days.





Interestingly, when I further googled "Roasted Garlic" I found this . . . .

It's called R.oasted G.arlic E.press.




Can you guess what's going on my Christmas list? :-)

On being thankful . . .

Thanksgiving wasn't the same. . . it just wasn't. Life has been hard lately. So I took time to reflect and discovered there is so much to be thankful for.

I AM THANKFUL . . . . .

I am a child of God and HE loves ME!

I know Him and can pray for those who do not.

for my wonderful husband who loves me so much and has been my best friend.

for my family who have stuck together unconditionally through such dark hours.

for our home.

for being able to be next door to my parents during the time they need us most.

for still having my parents and the medical community that has made that possible.

for my friends whom I love so much and love me right back!

for girlfriends who let me talk . . and talk . . and talk.

for my wonderful business. It is He who is to be given the praise.

for my business partner and every staff member.

for every child and opportunities to touch small hearts.

for my health and the ability to take care of my body. Exercise is a wonderful thing.

for my silver Rendezvous that's bops me all around town!

for my community.

for living in an area where we can appreciate all 4 seasons.

for the internet, where I met so many wonderful friends (and my dear husband). ;)

for telephones! How can a girl live without a phone? ;)

for good food and diet Pepsi. ;)

AND OF COURSE, I AM SO THANKFUL . . .

for the road to adoption.

for His most perfect plan and the little blessing yet to come.

for the child who will call me "Mommy"

for the small hugs that are yet to come.


And Lord, thank you for the patience and wisdom you've given me.

I marvel at how good You are to me. Help me to be a fine example of your love to others.

Blogger Boutique

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Visit her site at BloggerBoutique.com for details.

Enter by Dec. 1

GOOD LUCK!

I need to post .... something ?

It's been a few weeks. I haven't posted because life is one day at a time in my world right now. My Dad is still very sick . . . very, very sick. He's back and forth between the hospital and the nursing home. He'll likely never have food or drink again and it's so hard to understand what he is saying. He was supposed to be ok, come home again, but just because he was not cared for properly, his life is being cut short. I can not wrap my brain around it. Mom is so down, so afraid ... I can't imagine being her. And as most of you know, she has serious health complications herself. I am having a horrible time, we all are. My emotions are all over the place. I really want to keep my blog happy - while we wait for the adoption. Truthfully, happy is so hard to achieve during such times.

Along with all the stress comes some concerns regarding my own health. I am doing the best I can. . eating right . . exercising . . . taking better care of me. But, the reality is stress can play havoc on our systems. It's tough to control my blood sugar levels, so I am now giving myself insulin shots. I hate it. I am also taking vitamin B-12 since my labs came back I was deficient.

I am working hard to keep a healthy balance between my own needs, our marriage, my parents and my work (in that order). Unfortunately, my work suffers the most.

I've heard NOTHING from our agency (since August). Things must be super slow, cause 3 mths. ago we were couple #2.

I just keep telling myself to keep praying, trusting God, doing what I need to do for the "right now" and someday soon our baby will come and we will experience joy like we've never experienced before. Our little blessing will here soon!

National Adoption Month

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this- so I am putting it out there for anyone else who may want to read it.

Presidential Proclamation for 2008 National Adoption Month

During National Adoption Month, we recognize the compassion of adoptive and foster families as we seek to raise awareness of the need for every child in America to have a safe, loving, and permanent home.

Adopting a child is a great joy and also a great responsibility. Parents are a child’s first teachers, and adoptive families can help children learn character and values, the importance of giving back to their community and country, and the courage to realize their potential. On November 15, caring parents across our Nation will celebrate National Adoption Day by finalizing their adoptions and bringing home children in need of a hopeful life.

My Administration is committed to helping young people find the love, stability, and support that a family can provide. We have joined with community and faith-based organizations to raise public awareness of foster children awaiting adoption. With the help of the Congress, we are assisting families in overcoming the financial barriers to adopting children through programs such as the Adoption Incentives Program. In addition, the Collaboration to AdoptUsKids project, which can be found at adoptuskids.org, provides guidance and resources for parents exploring adoption.

During National Adoption Month, we honor adoptive and foster parents who have shown America the depth and kindness of the human heart. Their love and dedication inspire the next generation of Americans to achieve their dreams and demonstrate the true spirit of our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2008 as National Adoption Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities to honor adoptive families and to participate in efforts to find permanent homes for waiting children.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Election Day 2008

And we picked the best time. We didn't have to wait in line.

All Because 2 People Fell In Love

You asked me earlier if it seems like we've really been together 11 years ( married 7 ) and I told you in many ways it doesn't seem possible, yet at times it seems I've known you forever. That's because I can not imagine life without you, my best friend and soul mate.

When I think about the trials we've faced in our first several years of marriage, I am thankful for you being here with me, sharing the good, the bad and the ugly. I have no doubt we've loved better, grown closer, laughed more and hugged every day because of how our admiration has grown in spite of all the challenges.

God makes no mistakes. His promises are clear. We both know that and we both hold tight to our faith no matter the circumstances. We've been blessed and God has an even bigger blessing He is waiting to present to us in His most perfect timing.

Thank you for holding me up when when I am down and encouraging me all along the way. Thank you for being the wind beneath my wings.

I love you sooo much. XOXOXOXOXOXO

'Ti

Halloween 2008

Our beautiful, sweet nieces! :-) A happy Halloween, indeed.