A Haven for Vee

Tuesday, March 15, 2022

Possible Post and More

 Let's see if I can make sense of today's entry. I am always looking for blog worthy topics. I was looking for the recipe for the bread below because I prefer it to soda bread. It is, after all, time for such things. 

Tea-Soaked Raisin Tea Brack

Why, yes! I do love butter!


For whatever reason, writing is not as easy for me as it once was. So imagine my surprise when I found the post below hiding in a notebook just ahead of the recipe for the bread named above. How perfectly serendipitous.  I wrote the post in June of 2018. I'm using it today.  And what a title!

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Possible Post


You and I are not what we eat; we are what we think.


                                                           ~Walter Anderson




Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?

                                                          

                              ~Winnie the Pooh 



As so often happens, I find a new think to think every time I read my favorite blogs. This time it was about thought itself: what do I find myself thinking about? I had never truly considered it, but now that I have, I am surprised, even shocked. 


Perhaps the few things I share may also shock you. Perhaps you'll try paying attention to your own thought life. I was once told that if we could be privy to another's thoughts, we would be frightened to death. I believe it. 


For starters, I do not think in complete sentences. No. I think in little snatches of thoughts, sometimes in pictures.


I am something like the White Rabbit who runs along looking at his watch saying, "I'm late. I'm late for a very important date." 


"I've got to get going. Get going. Do something. Move. Move. Get going." Apparently, I am cracking a little whip on myself much of the time. 


Sometimes I practice double think especially while reading, watching tv or listening to the radio. This may or may not be productive. Double think is a simple repeating of what is heard or read. "Many wonderful choices" is a fragment of a commercial, for example, that has been running through my head for about twenty minutes.


There's also a fair amount of negative self-talk. Guard that stuff! I'll be paying closer attention. 


"Ouch. Ouch. Ouchie" figures prominently in my thought life. Lots of pain as I grow older...pain upon rising, bending, climbing stairs, you get the picture and may be able to relate.


"Oh John. Oh Mom. Oh, Oh, Oh."  Well this bit goes without saying.


My prayer life is greatly reduced... sometimes only "Dear Lord." Then my wee little mind wanders off to some far less important thing.


                         And what blogger caused me to ponder all this? 

Linda B! She wonders why she is not giving God the praise that He so richly deserves. I've been wondering the same thing. Obviously, I am much too busy with my fascinating thought life. 😏


You can find her post *here.*



Happy summer! 



Psalm 139


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Recipe for Tea-Soaked Raisin Tea Brack



Tea-Soaked Raisin Tea Brack


1 cup raisins

1 cup strongly brewed tea

2 cups all-purpose flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

¾ cup brown sugar, packed

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon cinnamon

1 egg 

Rolled oats for sprinkling


Brew one cup of tea. Pour over raisins in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight or 8 hours. 


Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl. Create a well in the center of the flour mixture. Pour in the egg, raisins, and tea. Stir until just combined. Do not overmix. Then, pour into a prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle rolled oats on the top of the loaf. 


Place loaf in an oven that has been preheated to 350 degrees. Bake until the top is browned, about 1½ hours. (Mine was done in 1 hour and twenty minutes.) When done, cool slightly and remove from loaf pan. Allow to complete cooling on a wire rack. 


(This recipe was amended from the one listed in my Recipe Box in the sidebar.)


Have a blessed week and a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!


Love,

Vee


39 comments:

  1. And this why we get along, grin...I too think in short bursts of whatever. However, I will say, since our son passed away, my prayer life has become more meaningful. Shockingly, less anger, although short tempered having more of being an issue. If that makes any sense. Thank you for the smile you leave on my blog, grin.

    Your Tea-Soaked Raisin Tea Brack sounds really nice and tasty. Have a beautiful day, friend. OHHHHHHHHHHH and I love your new banner here. smiles

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  2. Good Morning. I enjoyed this post because my thought life and line of thinking is in the titles and words! Notebooks full of, ideas never completely formed. I refuse to stop what I call Ponderings others may call rambling (smiles) I do get frustrated over forgetting a word or something I want to say... But prayer seems to come quicker to my lips! I have gotten more comfortable in my own skin and how I live my days. I do what I can and don't worry bout the rest! And even blogging comes in spurts anymore!
    Hugs, Roxy

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  3. That bread sounds really good. I am not a fan of soda bread. My mind tends to wander into songs for no apparent reason. Lately, the song by Kelly Clarkson, A Moment Like This, keeps running through my head at odd times day and night.

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  4. Does anyone think in complete sentences? I wonder. These days my heart is turning to prayer more often and I am so glad that the Spirit knows my heart and mind, because it's hard to come up with the words. It's more of Lord, have mercy, than anything else.

    So great to see a post from you, and that bread looks delicious! Enjoy every morsel.

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  5. I think you were just reading my thoughts. I'm not sure where my mind has gone. I'm still looking. I did have a gospel song that kept going through my head while trying to sleep for several nights, but I can't remember what it was. This is why I no longer blog!

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  6. What a wonderful post! I so enjoyed reading it. It's making me stop and take stock of what I think about.

    And how serendipitous indeed that you found this while searching for a recipe. I have made Irish Tea Brack in the past and it really is good. I think I will bake a loaf. Maybe two! What size loaf pan? 9x5 or 8x4?


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    1. Oh, Sara, I don't know. I think the larger. I only allow myself one piece a day. The rest is in the freezer. If I can get out of my chair, I'll measure.

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    2. It's okay. Wait until you are getting out of your chair for something else.

      I won't be baking it until tomorrow or Thursday, and if need be I can look at a few other bread recipes to get an idea of what size pan.

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    3. 9x5...I probably could have used a smaller pan as the loaf was not large. This always tastes better to me the following day.

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    4. Thanks so much! Good to know! Maybe I will use the 8x4 then. And I will plan to bake it tomorrow so it will be at optimum flavor for Thursday. My granddaughter's youth orchestra is presenting an Irish concert and I will bring a loaf of this along, hopefully. Thanks for the idea and the specs!

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  7. Why, yes, I'd love to pop in to have some of your tea-soaked bread! (smile)

    As for my thoughts, they are all over the place much of the time. Complete sentences? Probably not.

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    1. Tea-soaked bread doesn't sound too appetizing. 😁

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  8. So good to see you pop up. What treasures you found in your recipes - both the blog post and the recipe for Tea Brack! Sounds so deliciously Irish. Yup, my though life these days seem to come right out of my mouth. I've been intentionally practicing "Be Still and Know ..."

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  9. That bread sure looks good to me. I love all kinds of bread!!
    I think like I talk and mostly think out loud. Ken is always saying are you talking to me or thinking!! :)

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  10. Umm....unfortunately my thinking life seems to occur in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping. Maybe I should be thinking more during daylight!
    Your tea brack smothered with butter looks wonderful! Enjoy.

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  11. Oh this recipe sounds good. I wonder if I can use craisins? I think I'll try it!

    I always have songs going through my head. And words. I think in sentences. But quickly. I'm a quick thinker and come to conclusions quickly. It's how God made me.

    I like your header, too!

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    1. Yes, you can certainly use craisins. They are what I used the first time I made this recipe. It came out perfectly tasty.

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  12. Are you sure you weren't in my head? Reading my thoughts? Uncanny. I, too, wonder if anyone thinks in complete sentences. I do when I'm talking to myself, but when my mind is just hopping from one thought to another, no. I enjoyed this post. ☺

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  13. Sometimes, it can be difficult to think of what to post about, I agree. You did a fine job, Vee, and thanks for including that recipe as I definitely plan to give it a try. It looks fairly easy and yes I like butter too!

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  14. Hi Vee! Thank you for posting this recipe as I’ve always wanted to try Tea Brack. I know I’d love it. I
    I have to admit that I pray a lot, but my poor mind wanders so much. I’m sure God understands!
    Happy St. Paddy’s Day!
    P. S. I like butter, too, and just made another batch of Irish Soda Scones, and I ate one with butter.

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  15. I have found painting in the margins of my bible and doodling prayers help to focus my mind a little. The tea brack looks delicious.

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  16. Great to see a post from you Vee, and just think ... you didn't even have to think about it, since you pre-wrote it for such a time as this. I'm afraid your winnie quote fits me quite well - "Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?" That's me on a regular basis. I actually have to tell myself out loud not to be distracted, to focus!!! If I wrote a daily story about myself, it would be something along the lines of the book . . If you Give a Moose a Muffin . . . Glad I'm not the only one. ~ Abby

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  17. What a lovely post! It's funny, I was just "thinking" about what I was thinking in a picture that my sister just found of me and sent to me on FB. I was 16. It was a very formal portrait. I never liked that particular photo because it was just so serious looking. What was I thinking about when I was 16? I hate to say. Anyway, moving right along...that tea-soaked raisin bread does sound good. I may try that. I have some raisins I need to use, and I bet that would be so good with a cup of tea! This was a fun post which made me think about what I think...nowadays my thinking is very scattered and rarely makes a lot of sense, but somehow it all comes together coherently when I say something. LOL. I am sorry you are hurting so much. I am sure the weather affects those creaking joints. I know it does mine. I just made a cup of tea and am nursing a bit of a headache right now. Spring has sprung here and I sat outside and breathed the pollen for too long I think. (There's that word again!). Thank you for writing. I always enjoy your posts and the pictures too! Have a blessed day my friend in Maine!

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    1. I was hurting that much back in 2018, but things have improved I am happy to report. Thank you for your visit!

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  18. What fun to find some words from yourself! Have I ever stopped to think and then forgotten to start again? All. The. Time. And I don't even have my age for an excuse because I've been doing it all my life. (Yikes.) My mom is worse though, proving that a scatterbrain can get more scattered with time. That's not too encouraging.

    Nice to hear from your past and your present self! I love the cheerful, cozy photo of your table and tablecloth and tea things!

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  19. I want to try this recipe. Sounds and looks delicious. Oh Vee...my mind will wander quick like. Seems the older I get the more distracted from things I become. Speaking of reading negativity...I have truly been trying to guard myself. I have found myself walking away from a group conversation that the whole conversation was NEGATIVE NELLY. There is so much negativity today that Lord have mercy I don't need to purposely put myself in that situation. I am not trying to step away from reality but I have tried to think of Phil 4:8 and sometimes that is hard! I pray...but if I am not truly careful and purposely give my attention I can become distracted. But, prayer is surely my life line and sometimes it might be a breath prayer and sometimes it might be one of those "get out your bed at 3 am and pray. God surely knows how I am! LOL! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  20. Vee, you have a gift of writing and expressing yourself that I hope you continue to use to bless us bloggers. A selfish wish but one I hope you can embrace. Your observation skills are exceptional, too. Thank you for your perseverance with Wordpress and I appreciate your emails when Wordpress thwarts your attempts to comment on my blog. I appreciate you as a human being, too. Looking forward to meeting you in heaven if I never get the chance to travel to your neck of the woods. Praying for you!

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  21. What a wonderful, wonderful post, Vee. I can relate to so much of what you wrote here. Fragments of thoughts that flit in and out. Painful days of not being able to move like I want, negative self-thoughts, reduced prayer life. You have hit on many of my 'hot' buttons. Glad to know I am not alone! lol. Love to you- Diana

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  22. Dear Vee, You truly write beautifully. You tell any negative self talk that when next the little devil on your shoulder says something untrue. Think of your wonderful musings that we are so lucky you share with us. Sometimes they are light, sometimes they are truly thought-provoking. But they are always pleasant to read.

    Hope you are well and are watching for pretty yellow flowers that should be blooming in your neck of the woods in a little while. Stay well. Hugs. ♣

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  23. I tend to scatter-think, but it all works out in the end. I just have so much going on in life that I have to stay on top of so many things, so that's what happens. I don't worryr about it as I work best that way. I totally understnad the getting older aches and such. Yep, got 'em. Have a blessed week, Vee!

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  24. Hi Vee~

    I just noticed that you put a new photo of yourself on your blog! I have always thought that you had the kindest eyes, you really are just beautiful. My mind tends to wander a lot. Covid brain is real. You truly have a way of writing that touches my heart and the hearts of so many others. I think as we get older, our brains just have too much to think about, and most of the time, it comes out as small chunks of what used to be and what is to come! Thank you for always making me smile...and think in full sentences. Your recipe sounds delicious. I love raisins, and butter I'm going to copy it and put it in my kitchen or I'll forget :0) Your header is also very cheery and pretty! Hope o see you soon in this little corner of blog world.

    Hugs,
    Barb

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  25. Enjoyed your post so much, Vee! Thank you for the peek into your thought life - haha - I admit to everything you say happens with you....short bursts, incomplete sentences, urges to get busy.... oh yes. And especially the reminders to be grateful and acknowledge Him in all things. Turns out that's how I write in my journal too sometimes. Anyone trying to read it would think it was in code - :). Your recipe looks delicious, especially that slice with melting butter on it. Yum Yum!

    Wishing you a beautiful weekend. Like that new photo of you.
    Brenda xo

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  26. I knew it, I just knew it, we are twins, you just described me to a tee! I am in such great company!
    Thanks for the recipe, I like that it is not loaded with sugar, I also love raisins and oatmeal together.
    Hope all is well with you, and yours, we are busy planning for Susan's wedding, and getting ready for our gardening season.
    Love and miss you.
    Sue

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  27. Well, now that made me think! So glad my thoughts aren't out there for all to know. Yikes! I pray Psalm 139:23-24 often. I am a little (a lot) scatterbrained at the best of times, and that is not improving with age. Thanks for the recipe. I think I will try it. Warm..with lots of butter!

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  28. Hi Vee,

    I can't believe I'm just now commenting on your blog post; I'm having a hard time keeping up these days. ;>\ I, too, have a harder time writing than I have in the past; I hope I don't give up on blogging all together. I would miss it, I know. Love that you kept the original title for this post. ;D Yes, my thoughts are so often incomplete and my silent prayers, too. There is so much to pray for in this broken world, I should be doing a better job of it. We need Him more than ever.

    I'm glad you shared a picture with your recipe for raisin tea brack because it looks delicious. Thank you for the recipe -- I shall have to try this. I really enjoyed your post, Vee, and now I'm interested in paying attention to what I think about. An interesting experiment. :D Have a great week, my friend!!

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  29. Had to pop in and let you know that I've now made four loaves of Irish Tea Brach. It's really good! I really like that it is firm enough to slice and toast. And one needn't feel guilty about adding butter, since the bread itself contains no fat ...

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    1. Thank you for letting me know! I may have another slice left in the freezer. You're making me want to go digging. 😊

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  30. Paying attention to our thinking........

    Mmmmmmm, The monkey mind is a weird thing, to notice. And getting relief from it, as in 'turning it off,' is nigh on impossible. I never mastered meditation, which is supposed to do that. -sigh-

    Pain! Ouch now and ouch then and ouch, ouch, ouch,ouch. Ain't it the truth!!!!!!! And STIFFNESS!!!!!!!!!! I am the Tin Woman!!!!! When did all this become a way of life?????????? -sigh-

    Guess we really have to be glad we are still walking around, even slowly!!!!!

    Gentle hugs,
    🌸🌱🌷🌱🌸🌱🌷🌱🌸🌱🌷🌱🌸

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