4.28.2022

Dreamy Homemaking

Dreams: the stuff of solitude

Dreams: the waking of the mood

Dreams: your home in every room

Dreams: where sun and stardust loom

- J.L.S.

Join me today for some dreamy homemaking… because every homemaker should dare to dream… Welcome back to the Daily Connoisseur. It’s true you can find a lot of practical homemaking videos not only on my channel, but all over YouTube. So today I thought I’d bring you something a little different. Something from a higher realm.

As homemakers we tend to burn out. Our to-do lists are so long. Years seem to go by where imagination is lacking, and our dreams are empty. Our waking dreams, our midnight dreams… where do they go? They wash out to sea with lots of other hopes. But I encourage you, no matter how messy things get. No matter how stressed you are. No matter what burdens are on your plate, to never give up your capacity to dream. To dream by day and dream by night. By doing this, you open yourself up to the realization that what you perceive is not necessarily all there is. In turn, you seek the Divine in everything you do.

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Have you ever taken time to think about dreams? How strange they are? Have you ever woken up from a wild dream and wondered how on earth your subconscious came up with such a thing? The dream world is still one of mystery. Even for science. We can’t fully comprehend why these dreams happen… these detailed fantastical movies that play out in our minds every night when we go off to sleep. Louise Erdrich said, “When every inch of the world is known, sleep may be the only wilderness that we have left.”

We couldn’t explore dreams without daydreaming. I am chief of the day dreamers. I daydream All. Day. Long. Always have. I am always in some other realm in my mind. I'm not sure that’s a good thing, but I try to use it to my advantage. I did a poll on my channel the other day asking you if you daydream and the results were rather interesting. I found out I’m not the only one who lives in my head all day long. But I do find that daydreaming helps me enjoy homemaking more. It gives a dreamy quality to my surroundings, and I am able to seek out the whimsical in the everyday mundane…

J.K. Rowling said, “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” That could be my reminder to not daydream too much while homemaking, but to also be fully present with the task at hand. So, what is dreamy homemaking? It will be different for every homemaker. It will be creating a dream-like atmosphere at home for some. For others it will be day dreaming in the mind and living in lofty realms while tackling the mundane. Whatever it means for you, I hope that your homemaking is dreamy and serene. I want to leave you with some of my favorite quotes on dreaming for you to ponder while you go about the house today:

"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." - Henry David Thoreau

"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before." - Edgar Allan Poe

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Comment of the Week

Christaballerina writes, "Jennifer, I have 2 master's degrees in children's literature, and I congratulate you on finding a new topic of discussion in children's lit, one that I never heard addressed in graduate classes, with regard to the Anne series, or actually, any such literature. One thing I would add to your analysis is a salient reason for such adherence to homemaking. Those were days of sustainability living. Clothing and household articles were made to last, sometimes for generations. Things took time to make and to save for. They were not easily replaceable. They had value from a physical and sentimental value. (Such as the pearls Anne received from Matthew Cuthbert)."

Christaballerina, thank you for sharing that perspective. It is so true! I'm happy you enjoyed the video.

Thank you for joining us for today's video. I hope it inspired you to make your homemaking dreamy. Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you soon!

Keep Calm and Remain Classy and Keep dreaming! And I will see you in my next video. Love, Jennifer

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4.25.2022

Classic Homemaking | Cook with Me

I'm sharing 3 classic recipes in today's homemaking video.

These recipes are delicious and so easy to make. I hope you enjoy them and make them a part of your regular rotation.

Chicken Piccata

Classic Chicken Piccata

Yield: 4

Ingredients

4 - 6 chicken breasts in the thin cut
1/4 cup flour
1 Tbs garlic and herb seasoning (salt-free)
1/2 tsp salt and dash of pepper
2 Tbs olive oil
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup pimiento-stuffed green olives, sliced
1 lemon, juiced
Zest of one lemon
1 Tbs honey

Instructions

Place the thin-cut chicken breasts, flour, garlic and herb seasoning, salt and pepper in a zip up bag. Seal the bag and shake until the chicken is coated evenly. If you do not have the thin-cut chicken breast, pound the meat with a meat mallet until it is around 1/2 inch thick before adding flour and seasonings.
Heat the oil in a pan over medium hot heat. Add the coated chicken breast and cook until brown on each side, which will be around 3 minutes per side. Then add the chicken broth, olives, lemon juice, lemon zest, and honey. Simmer for another 5 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Serve with your desired side dishes. This pairs nicely with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

Creamy Rice Pudding

Creamy Rice Pudding

Yield: 4

Use leftover rice for this delicious dessert. It whips up quickly!

Ingredients

2/3 cup whole milk
4 oz cream cheese
2 cups of cooked rice
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup raisins
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Stir the milk and cream cheese in a pan on the stove over medium heat until the cheese is fully melted. (Do not allow the milk to scorch.) Add the rice, sugar, raisins, cinnamon, and vanilla. Mix to combine. Cook until the rice is thoroughly heated and the mixture thickens, around 5 minutes. Serve warm or cold. This is a great dessert to make ahead of time and keep in the refrigerator. Top with strawberries and heavy cream, if desired.

Fancy Ham and Cheese Pastry Pockets

Fancy Ham and Cheese Pastry Pockets

Yield: 8

Ingredients

1 package frozen puff pastry, thawed
1/8 cup dijon mustard
1/8 cup honey
1 egg, beaten
8 deli slices of smoked ham
4 slices of Muenster or Swiss cheese, sliced diagonally
1 pear, thinly sliced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Unfold each sheet of puff pastry and cut them into 4 squares. Mix the dijon mustard and honey together in a small bowl to create a honey mustard. Spread 1-1/2 teaspoons mustard over each square to within 1/2 inch of the edges. Brush egg over edges of pastry. On one corner half of each square, layer ham, cheese, pear, and onion. Fold opposite corner over filling, forming a triangle and press the edges with a fork to seal. Transfer to baking sheets. Brush tops with remaining egg so they will be golden brown when finished. Bake 12-14 minutes. These are perfect for picnics!

I'm relaxing at the end of a long day of cooking with my Warmies heated neck wrap (I love this and it would make a great Mother's Day present), a good book, and a cup of tea.

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Comment of the Week

Susie writes, "Yes, testing things before serving them is key!! A few weeks ago I had the new pastor’s wife and her kids over for a play date and coffee. I accidentally made her a latte using slightly soured milk!! And here I was feeling a bit miffed that she didn’t finish the whole cup 😂…. I learned at my next coffee break why that was."

Hi Susie, this has happened to me before and I was mortified! So important to test the milk. Oh well!

Thank you for joining us for today's video. I hope it gives you inspiration to make some classic dishes and relax in style.

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4.21.2022

The Chic Assignment Check-In April 2022

Welcome to The Chic Assignment Check-In for April, 2022.

Luigi Boccherini attribution: I, Sailko, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Chic Assignment No. 1 Enjoy Minuetto by Luigi Boccherini. Luigi Rodolfo Boccherini (1743 -1805) was an Italian composer and cellist who influenced the development of the string quartet and who composed the first music for a quintet for strings, as well as a quintet for strings and piano. This month we listened to the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the late Lavtian conductor, Mariss Jansons. In today's check-in we learn 5 interesting facts about Boccherini from Vialma.com

Chic Assignment No. 2 Explore the artwork of Henri Matisse (1869 – 1954). Henri Émile Benoît Matisse was a French artist, known for his expressive use of color.

The Dessert: Harmony in Red, 1908 Henri Matisse

You can see Matisse's paintings for free on Wiki Art. We learn about his interesting exploration into the world of art and color in today's video. Information on Henri Matisse was pulled from HenriMatisse.org

Chic Assignment No. 3 Dress up for no reason this month

Something special happens when you decide to dress stylishly for no reason. You are telling yourself that you are special enough to adorn yourself well for everyday life, which, in turn, boosts your self-esteem and self-respect. This month I would love to know how you felt when you dressed up for no reason.

Chic Assignment No. 4 Replace a recurring negative thought with one of gratitude

This month we endeavored to replace a negative thought with one of gratitude. I focused on the dishes and it helped me get through the chore, which I normally detest. What was your experience?

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I hope you enjoyed The Chic Assignment this month. I look forward to hearing about your experience. Let us know on social media by using the hashtag #TheChicAssignment. Have a wonderful weekend and I'll see you on Monday! Love, Jennifer

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4.18.2022

Life-Changing Homemaking Secrets | Anne of Green Gables

Our Homemaking Series continues as I share10 Life-Changing Homemaking Secrets from Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables in today's video.

1. Strive to be a Notable Homemaker Mrs. Rachel Lynde was described as a "notable housewife; her work was always done and well done". While Mrs. Lynde had other issues going on, no one could dispute that she ran her home notably and efficiently.

2. Cleanliness is next to Godliness… according to Marilla Cuthbert. When Anne first arrived at Green Gables she noticed that “The hall was fearsomely clean; the little gable chamber in which she presently found herself seemed still cleaner”. While Marilla might have gone a bit overboard keeping things too clean, one can find inspiration for her love of a clean home.

3. Untidy Habits Cannot be Tolerated Marilla tells Anne, “Now, Anne, I noticed last night that you threw your clothes all about the floor when you took them off. That is a very untidy habit, and I can’t allow it at all. As soon as you take off any article of clothing fold it nearly and place it on the chair. I haven’t any use at all for little girls who aren’t neat.” Marilla instantly addressed Anne's untidy behavior and nipped it in the bud. It's best to eliminate bad habits before they fully form.

4. Work is done first… then play Marilla says, “But remember this in all your planning, Anne. You’re not going to play all the time nor most of it. You’ll have your work to do and it’ll have to be done first”. This is a similar theme that ran all through the Little House on the Prairie and Farmer Boy series and is worth taking note. We should work first and then play if we want to get anything done and rest with satisfaction.

5. Always test the food and drink you are serving to your guests. Anne was ecstatic that she was going to have Diana over for tea while Matthew and Marilla were away. She wanted to use the fancy rosebud tea set (Marilla said no) and was imagining exactly how the afternoon would go. She gave Diana what she thought was raspberry cordial, but it was actually Marilla’s current wine. Diana got drunk off of three glasses of wine and things went downhill from there. That could have been avoided if Anne sampled the cordial for herself. She would have known it wasn’t Marilla’s cordial at all and the mishap would have been avoided… but then we wouldn’t have had that entertaining story. Ha!

6. Sometimes Homemaking must be put aside when more thrilling matters are present After Anne saves Minnie May’s life and Mrs. Barry forgives her for getting Diana drunk off the “raspberry cordial”, Anne is invited over to the Barry residence. Anne asks, “Oh, Marilla, can I go right now – without washing my dishes? I’ll wash them when I come back, but I cannot tie myself down to anything so unromantic as dish-washing at this thrilling moment.” Sometimes placing homemaking aside to deal with more exciting matters is totally acceptable.

7. Table Décor matters just as much as the food The minister and his wife are coming to tea and Anne is so excited. She wants to be in charge of the whole affair. “You’ll be using the best tea set, of course, Marilla,” she said. “Can I fix up the table with ferns and wild roses?” “I think that’s all nonsense,” sniffed Marilla. “In my opinion it’s the eatables that matter and not flummery decorations.” Anne then goes on to convince Marilla that table decor matters just as much as the food.

8. Always label every bottle properly. Anne’s table may have been pretty for Mrs. Allan, but the cake was inedible. She flavored the cake with anodyne liniment instead of vanilla but it wasn’t Anne’s fault. Marilla said, “I broke the liniment bottle last week and poured what was left into an old empty vanilla bottle.” We should always label bottles properly to avoid tragic mishaps like this one.

9. Look on the bright side with your current decor. Take heart in less than perfect décor as it leaves room for imagination. Anne and Diana visit Diana’s wealthy aunt, Miss Josephine Barry. Miss Barry’s house was furnished with “great magnificence,” as Anne told Marilla afterwards. “Velvet carpet,” sighed Anne luxuriously, “and silk curtains! I’ve dreamed of such things, Diana. But do you know I don’t believe I feel very comfortable with them after all. There are so many things in this room and all so splendid that there is no scope for imagination. That is one consolation when you are poor- there are so many more things you can imagine about.” I believe Anne truly did love Miss Barry’s décor, but she was employing positivity by looking on the bright side with what she did have.

10. Home is a consciousness Driving back from Miss Barry’s house “Anne and Diana found the drive home as pleasant as the drive in- pleasanter, indeed, since there was the delightful consciousness of home waiting at the end of it.” … “It’s good to be alive and going home,” breathed Anne. “I’ve had a splendid time, she concluded happily, “and I feel that it marks an epoch in my life. But the best of it all was the coming home.” Later in the book when she goes away to college, Anne is experiencing homesickness. It says “a horrible choke came into her throat as she thought of her own white room at Green Gables, where she would have the pleasant consciousness of a great green still outdoors, of sweet peas growing in the garden, and moonlight falling on the orchard, of the brook below the slope and the spruce boughs tossing in the night wind beyond it, a vast starry sky, and the light from Diana’s window shining out through the gap in the trees.” When we understand the home is more than a building or a shelter for us, that it is a consciousness we can appreciate it as homemakers and look after it with renewed inspiration.

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Comment of the Week

Jackie writes, "Jennifer, you are such a GOOD COOK! The pasta was a fine-dining experience and so amazingly simple to make; wow! We are sitting here after dinner, feeling satiated and rich 🍤 Looking forward to trying some of these other options. Thank you, Jennifer. Your videos enhance my life."

Thank you, Jackie! I'm so happy you and your family enjoyed the Cajun shrimp pasta!

I hope you enjoyed today's video. I would love to know your thoughts on these homemaking secrets from Anne of Green Gables. Your comment could be chosen as comment of the week on the blog.

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