Sede Vacante MMXIII

How many days to wait for a Pope?

Here is the list of 

Past Sede Vacante periods 

1799 - 2005.

1799:  Pius VI - Pius VII ~207 days (longest)

1823:  Pius VII - Leo XII ~39 days

1829:  Leo XII - Pius VIII ~49 days

1830:  Pius VIII - Gregory XVI ~63 days

1846:  Gregory XVI - Pius IX ~15 days

1878:  Pius IX - Leo XIII ~13 days (shortest)

1903:  Leo XIII - Pius X ~15 days

1914:  Pius X - Benedict XV ~14 days

1922:  Benedict XV - Pius XI ~15 days

1939:  Pius XI - Pius XII ~20 days

1958:  Pius XII - John XXIII ~19 days

1963:  John XXIII - Paul VI ~18 days

1978:  Paul VI - John Paul I ~20 days

1978:  John Paul I - John Paul II ~18 days

2005:  John Paul II - Benedict XVI ~17 days

2013:  Benedict XVI -  ~? days

Southwest Burgers & Low Fat Cornbread

 I have to be honest.  When I found this recipe online, I wasn't sure how good it was going to be.  And once I had it cooked and in front of me, it looked like it might be too dry or bland.  BOY WAS I WRONG!

Southwest Burgers & Low Fat Cornbread

Total Time: 50 min

Prep: 15 min

Cook: 35 min

Yield: 8

Ingredients

1 1b package Marie Callender’s Low Fat Southwestern Corn Bread Mix

1 pound lean ground beef*

1 cup yellow onion, finely chopped

½ cup crushed baked tortilla chips (1 ounce chips)

¼ cup orange bell pepper, finely chopped

1 egg white

2 teaspoons Spice of Life’s “Southwestern Mesquite” spice**

Fresh ground pepper, to taste

8 tomato slices from 2 large tomatoes

Tostitos Chunky Salsa, Medium

½ cup fat free sour cream

½ cup green onions, chopped

Sharp cheddar cheese, Topping

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat bottom and sides of a cast iron skillet with cooking spray.  Whisk together the cornbread ingredients and water until the lumps disappear.  Pour the batter into the cast iron skillet.  Bake for about 25 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

2. While the cornbread is baking, add the beef, onions, tortilla chips, red peppers, egg white and all the spices including fresh ground pepper to a large mixing bowl. Shape the beef mixture into 8 patties. Tip: Break up the beef before adding the other ingredients so everything combines better; otherwise, the onion and pepper won’t adhere to the beef.

3.Place all 8 burgers on a grill and continue to cook each for around 10-12 minutes.  Flip the burgers and cook the opposite side for another 10-12 minutes.  Before removing them from the grill, slightly cut open each burger to make sure there is little to no pink remaining. ***

4. Cut the cornbread into 8 slices (one for each burger patty).

5. Place one slice of cornbread on each plate. Place a burger patty on top of each cornbread slice. Top each with cheese, sour cream, salsa and scallions.  Enjoy!

*I used ground beef because that’s how I prefer my burgers.  For an even healthier option, substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef.

**Make your own southwestern mesquite spice blend using: ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder and ½ teaspoon cumin

***This burger can also be made using a panini grill, George Forman grill or nonstick pan.  Just coat the grill with cooking spray. It only takes 4-5 minutes total with this type of grill because both sides of the burger are cooked at once. To cook in a nonstick pan, coat the pan first with cooking spray and cook burgers on each side about 4-5 minutes.

This was such a fantastic meal, and my husband couldn't stop raving about it either!  If you like southwestern flavors, you will love this recipe!  And believe it or not, even though these look small and simplistic, I was full  after eating just 2 of these delicious burgers and cornbread.

I'm curious to know what you all think about this recipe.  What do you like?  What would you change?  Have a great day everyone!

"Pope Emeritus"

The Pope wearing the white mozetta or shoulder cape.

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI

 wearing the simple white cassock without the white mozetta.

It was announced today,

that after his retirement

the Holy Father will wear a simple white cassock

without the mozetta (the shoulder cape). 

He will not wear the red papal shoes. 

His official address will be: 

"His Holiness Benedict XVI, Pope Emeritus"

or

"His Holiness Benedict XVI Pontiff Emeritus"

not "Bishop Ereritus of Rome".

On the loss of Cardinal O'Brien

Professor Tom Devine, 

OBE, BA, PhD, 

DLitt, HonD Univ (Strathclyde, 2006), 

Hon DLitt (Queen's, Belfast, 2001), 

Hon DLitt (Abertay, Dundee, 2001), 

FRHistS, FRSE, Hon MRIA FBA 

senior research professor at the University of Edinburgh 

and a Catholic: 

“My first reaction is one of personal sadness about the turn of events and also of human concern for the Cardinal; his terrible suffering at this time can only be imagined.
“Keith O'Brien has been a courageous leader of his flock, well respected and liked by many beyond the Catholic community and a doughty champion of his church who has spent a lifetime as pastor and teacher proclaiming its principles without fear or favour. Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.
“The imprecise anonymous allegations against the Cardinal are not accepted, legal advice has been sought and nothing has yet been proven.
“Nonetheless, and surprisingly perhaps, there is no denial of the charges in the formal announcement of resignation today; that must be a cause of concern.
“This is probably the gravest single public crisis to hit the Catholic Church in Scotland since the Reformation and its effects in the short term are incalculable.
“Many of the faithful in Scotland will be stunned by the seismic turn of events and left demoralised. But some perspective is necessary. The Church is very much more than Episcopal hierarchies no matter how eminent.
“The powerful resilience of a global faith, now one sixth of the earth's population and still growing in numbers, which has endured for more than two millennia through many vicissitudes, much more fundamental menacing than this personal tragedy, should not be underestimated.
“Moreover, in the cause of transparency and indeed fairness to all, it is now time for O'Brien's anonymous accusers to step forward into the public domain. If Catholicism in Scotland is to move on from this tragic affair a number of serious questions urgently require frank and honest answers from all concerned. The nation's Catholics deserve nothing less.”

Source: The Telegraph

Markets - March 2nd and 3rd

SATURDAY 2ND MARCH
Ballarat Town Hall
Bundoora Park
Daylesford
East Gippsland
Echuca
Golden Plains
Hume Murray
Kingston
Koonwarra
Murrabit
Myrtleford
South Gippsland
Spotswood
Sunraysia
Tatong
Torquay Central
Veg Out St Kilda
Westerfords Park
Woodend Community

SUNDAY 3RD MARCH
Castlemaine
Flemington (ex Melb Showgrounds)
Heathmont
Hurtsbridge
Lilydale
Maffra
Mulgrave
North Melbourne
Tallarook

Enjoy Breakfast for More Than Just Breakfast

 

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Wal-Mart

I love breakfast foods so much I could literally eat it for every meal of the day!   Now my husband, normally he could go for weeks without having anything for breakfast (including breakfast for lunch or dinner).  Then, he actually came across this book online, and his mindset totally changed!  You can tell just by the cover that this book offers much more than the typical scrambled eggs with toast and jam.  

Italian-Style Stuffed French Toast (picture c/o Eat. Drink. Smile.)

These recipes will appeal not only to women but more importantly to men!  So for all you ladies out there like moi that want to cook Breakfast for Dinner, I think there is finally a solution to our problems!

Bacon Old Fashioneds (picture c/o Eat. Drink. Smile.)

I think at this point it is a must to buy this book!  Once we start experimenting with the recipes, I will let everyone know the verdict!  Have a blessed Sunday!

In illo tempore: Assumpsit Jesus Petrum....

In illo tempore: Assumpsit Jesus Petrum....

At that time, Jesus took Peter...

(Gospel, II Sunday of Lent, 2013)

#358 - Monarch

I was going to give you queen as a prompt, but then I realised that a much wider prompt would be: monarch.  Have a great weekend!

Mixed Berry & Apple Pie

I made this pie for my husband for Valentine's Day, and he loved it!  And the best part is that it's done in the skillet so it cooks the pie crust more evenly and allows the crust to brown slightly before the bottom cooks and starts to bubble up around the sides.

Tip: This recipe includes making your own pie crust, but if you are in a hurry (like I was on Valentine's Day), you can just buy a refrigerated pie crust from the grocery store.

Mixed Berry & Apple Pie

Total Time: 45 min

Prep: 15 min

Cook: 30 min

Yield: 8

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust (optional)

2 ½ cups flour

Pinch of salt

2 sticks of butter, cold

¼ cup cold water

For the Filling

2 tablespoons cornstarch

½ tablespoon cinnamon

½ tablespoon nutmeg

¼ cups sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

5 medium-sized golden delicious apples, peeled, cored and cut into 1/4-inch thick wedges

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1 package (12 oz) frozen mixed berries, thawed

1 egg, beaten

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon sugar

*Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust

Directions

For the Pie Crust – Makes 2 (Optional)

1. In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together flour and salt.  Add butter and blend until it resembles a coarse mixture.

2. With the machine running, slowly add water and process until dough forms.  Add more water if dough seems too dry.

3. Divide the dough into two equal size balls and flatten into disks.

4. Wrap each disk in plastic wrap and chill at least 1 hour before rolling out.

5. On a floured surface, roll out only one of the pie crusts; refrigerate the other pie dough for another use, or freeze it.

For the Filling

1. Preheat oven to 400.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, and salt.  Add the apples and toss to coat.

3. Melt the butter in a large iron skillet over medium heat.  Mix in the berries and let them cook down for 4 minutes.  Stir in the apples and continue to cook for 2 more minutes.  Remove from heat and let cool for a minute or two.

4. Roll out the pie crust and lay over the fruit filling, tucking the sides in.  Brush the top of crust with egg wash.

5. Combine the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and sprinkle the top of crust with the mixture.

6. Place the iron skillet in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and fruit is bubbling. 

My husband is not a huge dessert person, but when I do make him something sweet, he usually prefers pie.  So I'm always looking for new pie recipes, especially ones that use healthy substitutes.  What is your or your family's favorite kind of pie?