Someone Loves you, more than you know...

A Dad, Chef, Freeper, A FRIEND ^ | Dec. 19, 2003 | Carlo3b, a FReeper lover.

[carlo3b]

Someone Loves you, more than you know...

Everyone, every single person on this earth has someone that loves them. Everyone!

This magical time of the year is when we turn our attentions and our thoughts to all of the special people in our lives that we love above all others. Most every faith, creed, and nationality has some special season that is set aside to ponder on our emotions, and the real meaning of life. For many, this is a Holy time, the Holiest time of the year. It is a time of faith, of reflections on our past, rejoicing in our good fortunes, and the expectations of our future. It bring us together for celebration, and for many it reminds us of those who we love from afar and brings back memories of those far beyond.

For most of us, these are the happiest time of the year, and we look forward to these days with excitement and joy. But for some of us, far too many, these are emotional times, stressful, and lonely times. While the world around us seemingly enthralled with the celebrations, it has a deepening sadness for others, and since the majority of us are thrilled at moment, I'd like us to think about those less fortunate.

I was fearful to bring this subject to the fore at this time of the year, as it is too often, for less than charitable reasons, we are punished for our good fortune and made to feel guilty for our happiness, no matter how hard fought to achieve it. However, it is the exact opposite that I want us, you and I, for just a moment, to focus on those who can't, or won't, or unfortunately, those truly unable to share in the glory of these holidays.

Love, is the secret, love is the answer, and being in love is summit of our lives. The deeper in love we are, the closer to the surface is our emotions. Love is the driving force that brings Kings to tears, and paupers to euphoria. We love, because we need love, and we are born wired to give and receive love. Which is why the absence of love is so devastating, and those who don't feel loved, are so very sad.

When we are painfully reminded of our emptiness, as in the season of love like the holidays, that we are without someone special to share love that we feel most lonely. Everyone needs love. Babies left untouched, and unloved after birth will invariable die, or left emotionally scared for life. We all need to be loved and we all, need to love someone or something to fulfill our existence. Loneliness is an unnecessary crime, and loveless emptiness is a death sentence.

But are we really unloved, or are we alone? Being alone isn't as bad as being unloved. Are we alone by choice, or have we been forgotten, or left behind? There are very few good reasons to truly be alone in this world. If you can read this, you are never alone. If you have access to a phone, a TV, a neighbor, or a friend, you are never really alone. However, if you are unloved, now that is a problem. Are you unloved? Or, sadly, are you unlovable? Have you become bitter and unapproachable perhaps because of loneliness? Only you know the answer, but I have an answer that you may not know. Someone Loves you, yes YOU, more than you know.

Everybody is loved by someone, yes even you. GOD loves you, and nothing that you can do, or have done changes that. Sometime GOD uses things to do his work for Him, He is GOD after all, and has those kind of perks. Sometime GOD uses my puppy Zeke, to bring love to someone that needs to feel loved. I know, don't ask me how, that GOD uses my puppy, and millions of his cousins in all different shapes and sizes, to bring true love to a lonely older person, or even worse, a shy withdrawn child.

Sometimes GOD, without your knowledge, even uses you, yes you, to bring love to someone devastated in loneliness. He may remind you, out of the clear blue sky to call someone left alone, sick, or maybe forgotten. Sometime GOD may even makes you smile at a stranger or remind you to hug a kid or worse your own spouse..YIKES!  And sometime, and again don't ask me how I know, GOD uses even me to do something I seem to always forget.. that is to tell you that..

.....I LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH, ...MORE THAN YOU KNOW.. kiss......  developing ... :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR
I LOVE YOU!

[Willie Green]

Who Loves Ya, Baby?

[Lazamataz]

LOL

[reformed_democrat]

Thank you, Carlo.

And a Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[MontanaBeth]

Thanks carlo3b I was feeling very unchristmasy.

[carlo3b]

Nobody loves me. This I know.

Who loves ya baby... ;)

[carlo3b]

I hope you didn't frighten anyone, but I'm sure that you provided comfort to most.
Now, what's to eat? ;-)

LowCarb Twice Cooked Pork Chops with a Lemon Chive Cream Sauce

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 shallots, crushed
• 3 pounds pork chops (4 large chops)

Cream Sauce

• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1/4 cup minced fresh chives

1) Using a shallow pan, stir together oil, salt, pepper, and shallots. Place pork chops in pan, coat with marinade on both sides, and let rest for 15 to 30 minutes.

Cream Sauce:
2) In a small saucepan over medium heat, place cream and lemon extract. Simmer until reduced by about one third; keep warm over low heat. Just before serving, season with salt and pepper, then stir chives into warm cream sauce.
3) Prepare a charcoal fire or preheat broiler. Place pork chops on grill or under broiler, about 4 inches from heat, and cook until browned on one side (about 4 minutes). Turn and cook second side until lightly browned and slightly firm.
Serve immediately, with sauce.
Yields 4 servings.

[carlo3b]

I had a problem locating your request because I knew it as Provitica. There were many eastern Europeans in our neighborhood, and my Great Grandmother had friends that made this fabulous recipe at this time of the year. Thanks for reminding me of those great memories.. Enjoy . :)

Provitica

Also known as Kolachi, Potica, or Slavic Nut bread

• 5 c. all purpose flour
• 1 pkg. dry yeast, about 2 1/2 oz.
• 3 lg. eggs, beaten
• 3/4 c. granulated white sugar
• 1 c. warm whole milk
• 1 c. butter

1) Melt butter in warm milk, dissolve yeast in warm milk.
2) Add beaten eggs to warm mixture.
3) Mix into flour sugar mixture. Then mix together with small amount of flour until dough comes off hands and bowl.
Refrigerate overnight or let rise 2 1/2 hours.

FILLING:

• 2 lbs. nuts (4 c. ground walnuts, black walnuts, or pecan)
• 1/2 c. milk
• 1 2/3 c sugar (more or less)
• 1/2 c. butter, melted
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven 325F
1) In a bowl, mix all ingredients.
2) Divide mixture into 6 parts. Roll each part about the thickness of cardboard on back of tablet.
3) Roll in mixture of flour and sugar.
4) Spread with nut mixture. Roll up as tight as possible. Let rise 1 hour.
Brush with beaten egg when filled. Make air holes with fork before baking.
Bake on wax paper on a baking sheet for 25 to 35 minutes at 325 degrees.

[carlo3b]

Carlo, you always lift my spirits!

Just knowing that makes my day..Merry Christmas my dear FRiend.. :)

[carlo3b]

May you and yours have a happy and healthy Holiday Season.. :)

[carlo3b]

Bless you my friend.. :)

[carlo3b]

You da Man.. What an accomplishment, congratulations.. :)

[mylife]

Thank you Carlo! I was in fact kinda testing you! Mmmmmm Kolachi! Thank you for your version, I am glad to see that it uses butter!(flakey Bakey crust) you may add cinnamon to this recipe or use apricot,poppy, or a ricotta cheese with flavoring of your liking...Mmmmm...dont forget to slather with Butter!(and go light on the sugar) and enjoy with Coffee! Merry Xmas!

[carlo3b]

I was in fact kinda testing you!.. you may add cinnamon to this recipe or use apricot,poppy, or a ricotta cheese with flavoring of your liking...Mmmmm

Mmmmm indeed, I will try those ..soon.. Thank you, and I hope I got a good grade.. LOLOL.. :)

[carlo3b]

Thanks carlo3b I was feeling very unchristmasy.

No fair feeling blue around FRiends.. HUGGGG . . :)

[carlo3b]

Merry Christmas.. :)

[carlo3b]

Thank you.. blush..

 

Sour Apple Raisins and Rum Custard Cake

Screw the diet, this is worth the 2 mile walk.. HA!

Crust

• 1 1/2 cups flour, unbleached, unsifted
• 5       Tbls. sugar
• 1       Tbls. lemon, rind of, grated
• 2/3    cup butter  or margarine
• 1       Lg. egg yolks
• 1       Tbls. milk

Filling

• 1/2    cup soft bread crumbs
• 2       Tbls. butter  or margarine, melted
• 4       cups apples, tart, sliced
• 1       Tbls. lemon juice
• 1/4    cup sugar
• 1/4    cup raisins -- Soak raisins in 1/4 cup rum for 1/2 hour before using.
• 1/4    cup rum
• 3       Lg. eggs, beaten
• 1/3    cup sugar
• 1 3/4 cups milk

1.  CRUST: To make crust, mix flour, sugar, and lemon rind.
2.  Cut in butter or margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3.  Add egg yolk and 1 T of milk; mix gently to form a dough.
4.  Pat into bottom of a 10 inch Springform pan that has sides only greased.
5.  Press dough up sides of pan for 1 inch.
6.  FILLING: Toss together bread crumbs and melted butter.
7.  Spread evenly over pastry crust.
8.  Toss apple slices, lemon juice, and 1/4 c of sugar.
9.  Spread apples over crumbs.
10.  Drain raisins, reserving rum, and sprinkle raisins over apples.
11.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree F. oven for 15 minutes.
12.  Beat eggs and sugar until thick and lemon colored.
13.  Stir in milk and reserved rum.
14.  Pour custard over apples and bake for 45 to 60 minutes at 350 degrees F. until custard is set.
15.  Cool completely before serving.
16.  Do NOT remove springform pan until cool.

Prep time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yields: 8 servings

[carlo3b]

we'll try the LC Eggnog Puddings on Christmas eve.

Almond Pecan Puffins

• 1 1/2 ounces pecans
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 packets sugar substitute
• 3  large eggs -- room temp, separated
• 1/4 cup full fat soy flour, unsifted
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• dash salt
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• 3 Tbs.. sour cream
• 3/4 tsp butter extract
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 20 drops bitter almond extract
• 3 Tbs.. cold water
• 1 1/2 packets sugar substitute
 
Preheat oven to 325 degree.
1) Chop nuts (easily done in a blender).  Combine with cinnamon and sugar substitute equal to 1 tablespoon sugar and mix thoroughly. Set aside for topping.
2) Separate eggs.  Beat egg whites with cream of tartar until stiff but not dry.  Beat egg yolks till thick and lemon colored.
3) To egg yolks, add sour cream, extracts, sugar substitute equal to 1/8 cup sugar, and water and beat thoroughly.
4) Combine soy flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, and salt and sift into the yolk mixture.
Stir until combined, then gently fold in the egg whites.
5) Grease a muffin or cupcake tin for 8 puffins.  Spoon 1 tablespoon of batter into each greased section.
Sprinkle a little topping mixture over this batter, then spoon in remaining batter, dividing it evenly.
Top with remaining nut mixture and bake in preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes.
Cool the puffins completely in the pan (even if takes a few hours).
Serving Size : 8

[mylife]

Mmmmm indeed, I will try those ..soon.. Thank you, and I hope I got a good grade.. LOLOL.. :)

I don't know what it is...but the "kolach" as they call it in mylife, is just...well..yummy...we have it for breakfast..we have it for lunch and we have it before bed, at this time of year.

The apricot filling is nice but sweet, the ricotta with spice is nice.....but allow for expansion....make this "heavy" dish with light in mind!

By the way....are you hispanic? LOL! some of the best pastries I have had are from that part of the world!(not so heavy on the sweets!).. The French are good as well!

You got an A + in my book

[carlo3b]

This is a wonderful story that the kids might enjoy as well.. Have a Happy, Holy, and Merry Christmas.. :)

[carlo3b]

Ok... you emotional silly idiot... STOP IT.... the pie crust was enough.. you can never out do that!...

Oh yea, take this.. :)

LowCarb Nutty Hot and Spicy Banana Cake

• 1/2 cup real butter (1 stick) at room temperature
• 1/2 cup cream cheese (full fat) softened
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, (or, pecans)
• 1 cup granulated Splenda *
• 1/2 cup Diabetisweet *
• 1 tsp Sweet 'N Low Brown Sugar *
• 5 eggs, at room temperature
• 2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 tsp cayenne Pepper
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 2 tsp sugar free banana extract
• 1 tsp sugar free vanilla extract


1) Cream butter, cream cheese, nuts, and sweeteners well.
2) Add eggs - one at a time - beating well after each.
3) Mix almond flour with baking powder and spices.
4) Add egg to mixture a little at a time while beating.
5) Add banana, and vanilla extracts.
Pour into greased 9"-10" Springform pan (or 9" round cake pan) and bake at 350°F for 50-55 minutes.

*  There are many great sweeteners now being marketed, these are a few that lean itself to baking. Diabetisweet, is new to me and I am really impressed with it's stamina in baking.
Makes 8 servings. 6.2 grams of carbohydrate per serving.