Some smoke, a sunset, and some comfort food

 This is the first full week of school, and it's not pretty, so dinner, by necessity is quick comfort foods.

Today, I have one of my go-to favorites - lentils with rice and cheese. It's so easy.  I don't have to tell anyone how to cook rice, but I will say that Jasmine is my go-to rice because I love the flavor.

I have sprouted lentils that cook in about 4 minutes.

Put the rice on the plate, add the lentils, and then cover it with cheddar cheese. A couple of minutes int he microwave and dinner is ready.

It doesn't look all that appetizing in the photo, but it's so good and filling.

Now, for a bizarre photo. Last night the weatherman was warning that the smoke from the west coast fires would reach our area today and might make things hazy.

For most of the day it was fine - cool and breezy. But when I looked out my back window a little before sunset, the sun had an apocalyptic look to it. 

I realize this is nothing compared to the terrifying photos coming out of the west coast, but if you consider I'm 3,000 miles away, this is some eerie stuff.

The photos don't quite do it justice - the sun was this glowing red ball surrounded by haze that had a pinkish tinge.

Has the smoke from the fires affected the sky where you live?

Another Comforting Dessert

Here at the ranch, we're enjoying a few glorious days of moderate temperatures and low humidity. The kind of weather that has us throwing open the windows and spending a lot of time outdoors. 

Baby wrens are learning how to fly.

And this mulberry tree that we've never seen fruit on before is suddenly bursting with berries.

Even an afternoon rain shower can't make us head inside. Peaceful. Relaxing.

BTW, that's the mulberry tree with the ladder beside it. Hubby has been picking the berries. They're very tasty, though I don't think we can gather enough to do anything with. 

With temps in the 80s though, I wasn't about to turn on the oven. Even for comfort food. Fortunately, comfort food doesn't always come out of the oven. The pantry and fridge can play well together to come up with a satisfying treat.

Whether you call it Cherry Yum-Yum, Cherry Delight or some other name, this easy dessert is a classic. The best part is that the ingredients could very well be in your fridge or pantry right now.

• 1 3/4 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
• 1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1 envelope Dream Whip
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 tsp vanilla, divided
• 8 oz pkg cream cheese, softened
• 1 can cherry pie filling

Mix crushed graham crackers, 1 tablespoon sugar and melted butter in medium bowl, then pressed evenly into 9x9 baking dish.

Mix the Dream Whip with milk and 1/2 tsp vanilla in medium bowl. Mix on low to blend, then beat on high for 4 minutes, until peaks form.

Set aside.

In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese, 1/3 cup sugar and the remaining 1/2 tsp vanilla.

Add Dream Whip to cream cheese mixture and mix on low to medium, until completely mixed.

Spoon over crust.

Spread evenly.

Spoon pie filling over that, taking care when spreading so as not to disturb the cream layer.

Cover with plastic wrap and chill for a minimum of 3 hours, or overnight.

 That's some good eatin' right there. I like that it's not super rich. And the tang of the cherries with the cream is one of my favorites.

Our delightful weather had us washing windows all weekend. Inside and out. It's a chore I gladly procrastinate on, but I sure do love the results. 

What's keeping you busy? Chores? Writing? Kiddos?

Three time Carol Award finalist Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, one sassy pup, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching copious amounts of the Hallmark Channel. Learn more at mindyobenhaus.com

Taking Comfort in Cookies

I don't know about you, but when chaos reigns, I want to bake/cook. There's a reason we refer to things as "comfort food." It's because it's something that comforts us when life gets wonky. Well, life has gotten pretty wonky for most of us these days. Things we once took for granted are now taboo. We can't go to the gym or the beauty shop...or church!

All of this social distancing has required some creativity. Many of us are doing more things online, like church. But we also feel uncomfortable, fearful, because suddenly, we're being ruled by some invisible force that is spreading across the world. 

Things just aren't right. Therefore, I need comfort food. I'm in control when I'm in my kitchen. And lately, I find myself wanting to make things I haven't had in years. Things that remind me of simpler times or being a kid. And what's more kid-friendly than cookies?

Peanut butter cookies have long been a favorite of mine, but for some reason I can't remember the last time I made them. Wait, that's not completely true. I do make peanut blossoms--the ones with the Hershey kiss in the middle--during the holidays. But I'm talking about old-school peanut butter cookies. The kind with the little crisscross of the fork on top.

Lightbulb moment! Now I remember why I don't make them. Because I'm the only one in my house who likes them. And you know what that means.

I wasn't about to let that discourage me, though. So I pulled out my tried and true Betty Crocker cookbook and went to the same recipe I've always used.

Here's what you'll need:

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix sugars, shortening, peanut butter and egg. 

Stir in flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt. 

Shape dough into 1 1/4 inch balls and place 3 inches apart on baking sheet. Flatten in crisscross pattern with fork.

Bake 10-12 minutes. I don't let mine get too brown, because I don't like crispy cookies.

Remove from cookie sheet and cool on wire rack. Of course, I didn't let them cool completely before I dug in. Warm cookies are always the best.

Mmmmm… My childish heart--not to mention my taste buds--were happy dancing.

Isn't it interesting how food can effect our mood? How there are certain things we gravitate to depending on our mood. And I have no doubt many of us are indulging in our favorite comfort foods these days. 

What are some recipes you turn to when life gets bumpy?

Three time Carol Award finalist Mindy Obenhaus is passionate about touching readers with Biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. She lives on a ranch in Texas with her husband, one sassy pup, countless cattle, deer and the occasional coyote, mountain lion or snake. When she's not writing, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, cooking and watching copious amounts of the Hallmark Channel. Learn more at mindyobenhaus.com