For those who aren't fluent in French, like me, the above title translates to: The New cat house. As I mentioned on my blog yesterday, we had a bit of a mystery on our hands. Actually it was a bit more than a bit of mystery and more like a puzzle wrapped in a conundrum all tied up with a big mystery bow....
It started like this: me, sleeping upstairs in 3M's room, coming down to start coffee before everyone else got up, daintily tromping downstairs and yawning mightily...headed straight for the bathroom. When I reach the bottom of the stairs...and with no warning whatsoever from the Doodle of Wonder...I'm greeted by a friendly MMMMRRrrreeooowwww wrapped in grey striped fur that's twining itself around my ankles. My excursion to the bathroom would not wait so I untangled myself, wondering who had let Connelly in, (our dark grey striped cat) and hurried off to complete my mission. I definitely wasn't fully awake at that point so it slooooowly penetrated that the friendly cat outside the door was so NOT Connelly; at which time I began to wonder if one of the possible side effects of the carbidopa (hallucinations) had developed.
Having taken a deep breath and screwed up my courage I slowly opened the bathroom door to be confronted, again, by the stripy grey purring monster who was not one of our cats. He immediately began headbutting my legs and wrapping himself around my ankles before he spotted Lily's food and began helping himself. Our *ahem* ferocious guard dog still hadn't realized we had an intruder in the house whilst I went around checking doors and windows to make sure that they were, in fact, securely locked; and they were.
At this point I'm seriously questioning my sanity so I call Jess and 3M downstairs, hoping that if I am hallucinating they'll be kind enough to point it out before I have to call Doc and arrange for a long vacation in a small room with extensive padding. It is at this point that Lily realizes we have a visitor so along with two people running around re-checking doors and windows we have the cat trying to charm everyone at once with Lily barking and trying to, erm, 'dominate' it... Once we get Lily in her crate Jess gives the cat a bit of milk and catfood and we start to examine both the cat and the mystery. I, for one, quickly realized that said puss is a cat burglar since it not only broke in the house....just how we still don't know....but it quickly stole Jess and 3M's hearts. (Me? I'm rough and tough and hard to......oh okay, it suckered me as well.)
In between bites of catfood Harry (Jess decided to name him Harry Houdini for obvious reasons) cuddled up to 3M's ankles and played with Jess; rolling all over the floor and showing Jess his tummy, letting her pet him whilst he was eating with nary a hiss, growl, or claw in sight. They put him outside, thinking that he would make his way home after having suckered us out of some food, but he's stuck around for almost 2 days now....Connelly and Blue (our two cats) aren't thrilled with the situation but Harry doesn't seem to be starting any fights with them; he just refuses to leave and strolls into the house or cuddles up with us whenever given the opportunity. Sadly, as much as I love cats I'm highly allergic to them so outdoors they have to stay. (They are neutered, vaccinated, and have safe space from inclement weather or the occasional stray dog.) None of this explains how he got inside our locked house, nor why he did so.....nor why we suddenly have several other cats showing up around, but not inside, the house.
Around town: I found a new, to me, Terre Haute blog: Kevin's Simpler Times Homestead. It was quite nice to find someone else in the area whose interests in gardening, etc... were similar to mine. I urge you to check it out Here Also, the students at Rose Hulman have been involved with the EcoCar challenge for several years....it's quite an interesting project you can learn more about if you Click Here And last but not least, found a quirky little eatery here in town that we have to check out, (click on name) it's called Harry and Bud's and looks like it would be delicious and fun.
Good thing for the day: Taking a day to luxuriate in doing nothing much at all. Oh! And fresh-baked blueberry muffins!
Music for the day: In honor of Harry's mysterious arrival I give you these songs.........
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Musically Misc. Menu Mondays: Playfully Parkinsonian
One of the hallmarks of the Bletherskites of Blether House is humour. We're all irreverent and we all love to laugh; some might find our humour a bit....erm......strange, especially when it comes to potentially painful subjects. It isn't uncommon for us to get shocked or even angry reactions if we're out in public and someone overhears one of us cracking wise about Parkinson's-related movement (or other) problems and I certainly wouldn't appreciate such remarks from someone I didn't know well and trust implicitly, but because it's us and we deal with the reality every day it's not only okay...it's hilarious!
For example: before we got a handle on the really major movement problems 3M used to joke about entering me in breakdancing competitions because I'd win every time! When we go to big stores that would be too much for me to walk through (not to mention the very real possibility of someone walking into me, etc... and knocking me to the floor because, well, my balance sucks muchly) 3M or Jess generally take me around in a wheelchair and constantly crack jokes about finally getting to push a crip around, or I'll smart off about being surrounded by pushy people. The fact that it's in such poor taste, but pointed at ourselves, is what makes it so funny to us.
Honestly, there is a great deal of pressure when one is a caretaker or needs to be taken care of, ( gonna volunteer for a major loss of independence anyone?) and there are days when it's our weird, flaky, offbeat and just plain wrong use of humour that keeps us going so in celebration of being a playful Parkinson's family I give you these musical selections: (Click on name of song.)
Elvis Presley All Shook Up
And a great song from Lou Rhodes Tremble . Now, without further ado....the menu!
Menu beginning Monday February 20, 2012
Breakfasts and Lunches: Cereal, toast, fruit, leftovers, sandwiches, eating out.
Suppers:
Monday 2/20: 'Fried' pecan and buttermilk chicken, potato puffs, broccoli
Tuesday 2/21: Cubed pork in orange sauce with rice
Wednesday 2/22: Everyone was feeling a bit urky so supper was skipped.
Thursday 2/23: Extreme cheese lasagna, brussels sprouts.
Friday 2/24: Chinese takeaway
Saturday 2/25: Pork chops and roasted cauliflower
Sunday 2/26: Vegetarian ravioli saute' with vegetables
Speaking of the ravioli saute'.....it's a quick, delicious and VERY satisfying vegetarian dish that is a huge favourite, even with the most carnivorous Bletherskite!
Ravioli Saute'
16 oz. refrigerated cheese ravioli
3 c. torn kale leaves (fresh of course)
1 large red sweet pepper, seeded and sliced into thin rings
1 med. zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
1 med. red onion, sliced into thin rings
1/2 c. mushrooms, sliced (I prefer baby bellas for this but you can use whatever you have on hand.)
1/2 c. freshly grated Asiago or Parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. turmeric
salt and pepper to taste
Heat butter and ONE Tbsp. olive oil in large skillet (reserve 2nd Tbsp. of olive oil) until just beginning to bubble and add kale, onion, red bell pepper, and saute on medium high heat for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add zucchini and mushrooms...stir and cook for 5 more minutes.
Place ravioli and garlic on top of vegetables, drizzling reserved olive oil over top and sprinkling on salt, pepper, and turmeric. Reduce to low heat, cover, and cook for an additional 10 minutes, stirring once. Remove lid and sprinkle freshly grated cheese over all...serve immediately. Serves 4-6.
Good thing(s) for the day: Combined my workout with doing dishes; and a mysterious happening I'll share tomorrow.
For example: before we got a handle on the really major movement problems 3M used to joke about entering me in breakdancing competitions because I'd win every time! When we go to big stores that would be too much for me to walk through (not to mention the very real possibility of someone walking into me, etc... and knocking me to the floor because, well, my balance sucks muchly) 3M or Jess generally take me around in a wheelchair and constantly crack jokes about finally getting to push a crip around, or I'll smart off about being surrounded by pushy people. The fact that it's in such poor taste, but pointed at ourselves, is what makes it so funny to us.
Honestly, there is a great deal of pressure when one is a caretaker or needs to be taken care of, ( gonna volunteer for a major loss of independence anyone?) and there are days when it's our weird, flaky, offbeat and just plain wrong use of humour that keeps us going so in celebration of being a playful Parkinson's family I give you these musical selections: (Click on name of song.)
Elvis Presley All Shook Up
And a great song from Lou Rhodes Tremble . Now, without further ado....the menu!
Menu beginning Monday February 20, 2012
Breakfasts and Lunches: Cereal, toast, fruit, leftovers, sandwiches, eating out.
Suppers:
Monday 2/20: 'Fried' pecan and buttermilk chicken, potato puffs, broccoli
Tuesday 2/21: Cubed pork in orange sauce with rice
Wednesday 2/22: Everyone was feeling a bit urky so supper was skipped.
Thursday 2/23: Extreme cheese lasagna, brussels sprouts.
Friday 2/24: Chinese takeaway
Saturday 2/25: Pork chops and roasted cauliflower
Sunday 2/26: Vegetarian ravioli saute' with vegetables
Speaking of the ravioli saute'.....it's a quick, delicious and VERY satisfying vegetarian dish that is a huge favourite, even with the most carnivorous Bletherskite!
Ravioli Saute'
16 oz. refrigerated cheese ravioli
3 c. torn kale leaves (fresh of course)
1 large red sweet pepper, seeded and sliced into thin rings
1 med. zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
1 med. red onion, sliced into thin rings
1/2 c. mushrooms, sliced (I prefer baby bellas for this but you can use whatever you have on hand.)
1/2 c. freshly grated Asiago or Parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. butter
1/2 tsp. turmeric
salt and pepper to taste
Heat butter and ONE Tbsp. olive oil in large skillet (reserve 2nd Tbsp. of olive oil) until just beginning to bubble and add kale, onion, red bell pepper, and saute on medium high heat for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add zucchini and mushrooms...stir and cook for 5 more minutes.
Place ravioli and garlic on top of vegetables, drizzling reserved olive oil over top and sprinkling on salt, pepper, and turmeric. Reduce to low heat, cover, and cook for an additional 10 minutes, stirring once. Remove lid and sprinkle freshly grated cheese over all...serve immediately. Serves 4-6.
Good thing(s) for the day: Combined my workout with doing dishes; and a mysterious happening I'll share tomorrow.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Sometimes on Saturday: A Moving Experience
Since I didn't post much of a blog entry on Thursday and none at all Friday I decided a quickie might be in order; especially since I had the ouchies but today I feel fine.
So I had a very moving experience today, literally; I got up and moved, lol. Exercise is very important for everyone but for Parkinson's patients certain types of exercise help tremendously with balance and flexibility problems and can maintain, even increase, stamina....all of which can make a big difference in quality of life. Exercise is also of significant benefit to those with fibromyalgia.
On the other hand: those same balance, rigidity, and pain issues can be quite a deterrent to beginning, and maintaining, an exercise program so what to do? My mother and stepfather are pretty lucky in that regard; one of the programs associated with their Medicare supplemental program allows them to join YMCA for free and they've wisely chosen to do so. Not being on Medicare, or being able to reliably drive back and forth to the YMCA, that isn't an option for me so... Instead I'm opting to go for a mixture of things I can do while on the floor and 'chair exercises' (for an idea of what I'm talking about click Here ) for the days when balance is a real problem. On my better days I can do Tai Chi moves, (look on youtube for Tai Chi for beginners videos) or simple stretching and aerobic exercises while holding onto the back of a sturdy chair. As the weather improves I'll walk when I can.
For the immediate future my goal is to exercise for 15 minutes 3 days a week; it may seem like a small goal but every little bit helps! Eventually I want to be able to exercise for 30 minutes 4-5 days a week, and I have no doubt I'll get there!
In other news; I'm going to be trying another growing experiment. On one of the gardening blogs I follow the writer was starting seeds in some of the clear plastic containers greens are often sold in at the grocery store. It looked like such a great way to re-use things which normally get tossed into the landfill I decided to try raising some microgreens the same way.....I have a sunny window, potting soil, seeds....so I'm going to start by trying to grow some microbasil and microlettuce. We'll see how it goes! My good friends Carolyn and Betty, of Letters From An Urban Trench, have had such good results with sprouting that I've also decided to give that a try as well; we all love sprouts here but there are so many concerns about sprouts contaminated with e. coli and salmonella, etc... that we won't buy them anymore. Sprouting seems like a great way to get our sprouts again while ensuring they are both healthier and less expensive than getting them at the store; not to mention the greater variety of sprouts we'd have access to. Broccoli sprouts anyone?
Good thing for the day: Having the house allll to myself for a few hours while 3M and Jess run errands.
Music for the day: (Click on name of the song.) Three songs I love to exercise to...yeah, yeah, I know they're weird but as long as they get me moving who cares?
The Blackeyed Peas: Great for aerobics.
David Bowie: Art Decade Perfect for stretching and Tai Chi.
Shawn Mullins: Shimmer This one keeps me moving. And smiling.
So I had a very moving experience today, literally; I got up and moved, lol. Exercise is very important for everyone but for Parkinson's patients certain types of exercise help tremendously with balance and flexibility problems and can maintain, even increase, stamina....all of which can make a big difference in quality of life. Exercise is also of significant benefit to those with fibromyalgia.
On the other hand: those same balance, rigidity, and pain issues can be quite a deterrent to beginning, and maintaining, an exercise program so what to do? My mother and stepfather are pretty lucky in that regard; one of the programs associated with their Medicare supplemental program allows them to join YMCA for free and they've wisely chosen to do so. Not being on Medicare, or being able to reliably drive back and forth to the YMCA, that isn't an option for me so... Instead I'm opting to go for a mixture of things I can do while on the floor and 'chair exercises' (for an idea of what I'm talking about click Here ) for the days when balance is a real problem. On my better days I can do Tai Chi moves, (look on youtube for Tai Chi for beginners videos) or simple stretching and aerobic exercises while holding onto the back of a sturdy chair. As the weather improves I'll walk when I can.
For the immediate future my goal is to exercise for 15 minutes 3 days a week; it may seem like a small goal but every little bit helps! Eventually I want to be able to exercise for 30 minutes 4-5 days a week, and I have no doubt I'll get there!
In other news; I'm going to be trying another growing experiment. On one of the gardening blogs I follow the writer was starting seeds in some of the clear plastic containers greens are often sold in at the grocery store. It looked like such a great way to re-use things which normally get tossed into the landfill I decided to try raising some microgreens the same way.....I have a sunny window, potting soil, seeds....so I'm going to start by trying to grow some microbasil and microlettuce. We'll see how it goes! My good friends Carolyn and Betty, of Letters From An Urban Trench, have had such good results with sprouting that I've also decided to give that a try as well; we all love sprouts here but there are so many concerns about sprouts contaminated with e. coli and salmonella, etc... that we won't buy them anymore. Sprouting seems like a great way to get our sprouts again while ensuring they are both healthier and less expensive than getting them at the store; not to mention the greater variety of sprouts we'd have access to. Broccoli sprouts anyone?
Good thing for the day: Having the house allll to myself for a few hours while 3M and Jess run errands.
Music for the day: (Click on name of the song.) Three songs I love to exercise to...yeah, yeah, I know they're weird but as long as they get me moving who cares?
The Blackeyed Peas: Great for aerobics.
David Bowie: Art Decade Perfect for stretching and Tai Chi.
Shawn Mullins: Shimmer This one keeps me moving. And smiling.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Thinking About.........Thursday: The Kidling
Please keep my daughter in your thoughts; she's just found out she has a pretty major, and painful, dental problem. It's going to be expensive to fix and she doesn't have insurance.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Whimsical Wednesdays: Blue Bloods, numpty re-incarnation? and a recipe
Read an interesting article on the Internetz earlier this week: it was about families in the hills and hollers of Kentucky that had a peculiar problem; at least a quarter of them were blue! No, really, I'm not joking. They carried a recessive gene for a blood disorder called methemoglobinemia which causes the body to create excessive amounts of a type of hemoglobin called, surprisingly enough, methemoglobin. Unlike normal hemoglobin methemoglobin doesn't carry oxygen, which results in blue lips and skin (particularly if the person gets chilled) and chocolate-colored blood. Located in a small isolated geographical area there was a higher than normal chance that carriers would marry other carriers of the recessive gene. For more about this story click Here and Here
I happened across another interesting article today; it was a very serious article from LiveScience.com about the sociological effects of the massive expansion of prison populations in the USA; unfortunately I was a bit distracted by this bit of information: "Criminal justice contact has become normative among some sociodemographic groups, particularly among low-educated African-American men. Incarnation has become a repository for the most disadvantaged segments of the population." (Bold underlined word is courtesy of moi.) So, if they must return to prison does this constitute numpty [Scottish slang for silly, foolish, or stupid.] proof of re-incarnation? Go ahead, groan, I deserve it! Seriously however, this was a very thoughtful if not exactly well-written article. Click Here if you would like to read more.
Now for another recipe; I made these the other night to go with our Buttermilk-Pecan "Fried" Chicken, we call them Tatty Poofters. So without further ado, I give you......
Tatty Poofters
2 c. leftover mashed potatoes
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 c. Each: shredded Parmesan and sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 c. Each: sour cream, dried minced chives, dried parsley flakes, and biscuit/pancake mix
1/2 tsp. Each: garlic powder and onion powder
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 400F. then grease or spray regular-size 12 muffin tin; place baking cups inside and spray again. (These will stick somewhat, the baking cups help with clean up.)
Whisk together 2 large eggs, sour cream, and all herbs and spices until eggs are thoroughly incorporated and mixture is slightly foamy; set aside.
Mix together leftover mashed potatoes, baking mix, and 3/4 c. of shredded cheeses; set remaining cheese aside. Slowly pour egg mixture into potato mixture and stir together thoroughly. Spoon mixture into muffin tin and sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
Bake for 25 minutes or until poofters are set and browned on top. Great as a side dish, snack, or quick re-heat and eat breakfast. Enjoy!
Good thing for the day: Lots of laughs and curling up on the couch to watch Torchwood. (a spinoff of Dr. Who)
Music for the day: (Click on name of the song.) LeAnn Rhimes Blue
I happened across another interesting article today; it was a very serious article from LiveScience.com about the sociological effects of the massive expansion of prison populations in the USA; unfortunately I was a bit distracted by this bit of information: "Criminal justice contact has become normative among some sociodemographic groups, particularly among low-educated African-American men. Incarnation has become a repository for the most disadvantaged segments of the population." (Bold underlined word is courtesy of moi.) So, if they must return to prison does this constitute numpty [Scottish slang for silly, foolish, or stupid.] proof of re-incarnation? Go ahead, groan, I deserve it! Seriously however, this was a very thoughtful if not exactly well-written article. Click Here if you would like to read more.
Now for another recipe; I made these the other night to go with our Buttermilk-Pecan "Fried" Chicken, we call them Tatty Poofters. So without further ado, I give you......
Tatty Poofters
2 c. leftover mashed potatoes
2 large eggs, beaten
1/2 c. Each: shredded Parmesan and sharp cheddar cheese
1/4 c. Each: sour cream, dried minced chives, dried parsley flakes, and biscuit/pancake mix
1/2 tsp. Each: garlic powder and onion powder
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 400F. then grease or spray regular-size 12 muffin tin; place baking cups inside and spray again. (These will stick somewhat, the baking cups help with clean up.)
Whisk together 2 large eggs, sour cream, and all herbs and spices until eggs are thoroughly incorporated and mixture is slightly foamy; set aside.
Mix together leftover mashed potatoes, baking mix, and 3/4 c. of shredded cheeses; set remaining cheese aside. Slowly pour egg mixture into potato mixture and stir together thoroughly. Spoon mixture into muffin tin and sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
Bake for 25 minutes or until poofters are set and browned on top. Great as a side dish, snack, or quick re-heat and eat breakfast. Enjoy!
Good thing for the day: Lots of laughs and curling up on the couch to watch Torchwood. (a spinoff of Dr. Who)
Music for the day: (Click on name of the song.) LeAnn Rhimes Blue
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Tuesdays in Terre Haute: More Stupid Hoosier Politician Tricks
Yup, it's official: Indiana is going for the crazy backward state award, nor are we resting the entire burden on Mitch Daniel's shoulders. The second member of the 'Proud to be an Idjit' team is Bob Morris, Republican Indiana state representative from Fort Wayne. We can all be very proud of the determined stance he has taken against the 'radicalized organization' which is the.............Girl Scouts? Really? Really! According to good ole Bob he ain't gonna support no resolution to celebrate the Girl Scout's 100th anniversary 'cuz he read somewheres on the Internetz that "abundant evidence proves that the agenda of Planned Parenthood includes sexualizing young girls through the Girl Scouts, which is quickly becoming a tactical arm of Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood instructional series and pamphlets are part of the core curriculum at GSA training seminars. Denver Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley of Denver last year warned parents that “membership in the Girl Scouts could carry the danger of making their daughters more receptive to the pro-abortion agenda.” [...]"
Wowsers, I must have totally missed those meetings when I was in Girl Scouts. I never get to have any fun! The ones I really pity, however, are his daughters who are now going to be yanked out of Girl Scouts so their father can make a political point. Lets not even mention having to grow up under the control of a total idiot. To read the story, and the full letter Bobby wrote to the Indiana legislature, click Here and Here (And on a sidenote: he mentions them allowing boys who 'claim' to be transgender or crossdressing into the troops...yeah, um, transgender and crossdressing isn't the same at all. Those who are transgendered have a specific diagnosis of gender dysphoria that it takes more than one doctor/psychologist to reach; especially in someone of this age range...crossdressing just involves clothes. Goodness knows we just can't abide teaching our children acceptance here in Indiana. Oh Boooobby.....the Girl Scouts aren't even remotely radicalized but people like you might radicalize me!)
On the other hand: there are signs of hope, even here in Terre Haute. Indiana State University's Community Sustainability division has teamed up with Terre Foods...a grassroots initiative aimed at creating an organic, local production, grocery cooperative! In the words of the article: " The Terre Foods project seeks to establish a member-owned food business in town, one that will feature organic and local products. The cooperative also hopes to offer natural household goods and bulk spices, as well as serve as an educational resource for healthy eating. Membership benefits would include patronage refunds, bulk order discounts and voting rights. " Combine this initiative with the organic CSA's which are starting up around town and you have a happy camper here.
I'd like to give a nod here to Benjamin 'Scatman' Crothers who was born in Terre Haute on May 23, 1910. Some of you may remember him as Louie the Garbage Man on Chico and the Man....or as the voice of Hong Kong Phooie, Meadowlark Lemon, or Jazz the Autobot in the Transformers (all cartoons). A longtime friend of Jack Nicholson's, he appeared in several movies with him, including One Flew Over a Cuckoo's Nest as Turkle and The Shining as Dick Hallorann. To see a bit of his work click Here He also did voice work in an incredibly controversial Ralph Bakshi animated movie called Coonskin as Pappy/Old Man Bone. He was also in the Twilight Zone movie as Mr. Bloom. For all the acting Mr. Crothers did, and this is nowhere near a complete list, he got his start singing here in Terre Haute speakeasies. He was supposedly a favorite of Al Capone's!
Quip for the day: Why are there so many famous people from Indiana? Because it's such a great place to get away from!
Good thing for the day: Dried cherry and pecan oatmeal cookies fresh from the oven.
Music for the day: (Click on song title.) In honor of Mr. Crothers, and his talent for singing scat, I give you a song from Disney's Aristocats: Everybody Wants to be a Cat And for a more modern version of scat singing I give you Scatman John's Scatman
Wowsers, I must have totally missed those meetings when I was in Girl Scouts. I never get to have any fun! The ones I really pity, however, are his daughters who are now going to be yanked out of Girl Scouts so their father can make a political point. Lets not even mention having to grow up under the control of a total idiot. To read the story, and the full letter Bobby wrote to the Indiana legislature, click Here and Here (And on a sidenote: he mentions them allowing boys who 'claim' to be transgender or crossdressing into the troops...yeah, um, transgender and crossdressing isn't the same at all. Those who are transgendered have a specific diagnosis of gender dysphoria that it takes more than one doctor/psychologist to reach; especially in someone of this age range...crossdressing just involves clothes. Goodness knows we just can't abide teaching our children acceptance here in Indiana. Oh Boooobby.....the Girl Scouts aren't even remotely radicalized but people like you might radicalize me!)
On the other hand: there are signs of hope, even here in Terre Haute. Indiana State University's Community Sustainability division has teamed up with Terre Foods...a grassroots initiative aimed at creating an organic, local production, grocery cooperative! In the words of the article: " The Terre Foods project seeks to establish a member-owned food business in town, one that will feature organic and local products. The cooperative also hopes to offer natural household goods and bulk spices, as well as serve as an educational resource for healthy eating. Membership benefits would include patronage refunds, bulk order discounts and voting rights. " Combine this initiative with the organic CSA's which are starting up around town and you have a happy camper here.
I'd like to give a nod here to Benjamin 'Scatman' Crothers who was born in Terre Haute on May 23, 1910. Some of you may remember him as Louie the Garbage Man on Chico and the Man....or as the voice of Hong Kong Phooie, Meadowlark Lemon, or Jazz the Autobot in the Transformers (all cartoons). A longtime friend of Jack Nicholson's, he appeared in several movies with him, including One Flew Over a Cuckoo's Nest as Turkle and The Shining as Dick Hallorann. To see a bit of his work click Here He also did voice work in an incredibly controversial Ralph Bakshi animated movie called Coonskin as Pappy/Old Man Bone. He was also in the Twilight Zone movie as Mr. Bloom. For all the acting Mr. Crothers did, and this is nowhere near a complete list, he got his start singing here in Terre Haute speakeasies. He was supposedly a favorite of Al Capone's!
Quip for the day: Why are there so many famous people from Indiana? Because it's such a great place to get away from!
Good thing for the day: Dried cherry and pecan oatmeal cookies fresh from the oven.
Music for the day: (Click on song title.) In honor of Mr. Crothers, and his talent for singing scat, I give you a song from Disney's Aristocats: Everybody Wants to be a Cat And for a more modern version of scat singing I give you Scatman John's Scatman
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Musically Miscellaneous Menu Mondays: Life's Little Luxuries
Over the weekend I took a poll...okay, okay, I asked 3M and Jess...what 'little' luxuries they most enjoyed. We all have those little luxuries, things that aren't terribly expensive but which help us smile even on rainy days, or the depths of winter. Here are a few of our favorite things, what are some of yours?
Here are a few of 3M's favorite things:
A 'shoe-in' for first place........chocolate
But wait! There's a tie! 3M just wouldn't be 3M (or awake and ready to take on the world) without the help of these little coffee beanie babies:
But wait! There's more! Last, but certainly not least, 3M says that pedicular manipulation (also known as a foot rub) when getting home from work is the last word in being pampered. And, yes, the picture below really does resemble the Great Scot when in the throes of foot rub glow *snickering*..
So now for the Jess: At the top of her list of life's little luxuries has to be hot chocolate, (notice how it all comes back to chocolate?) and it really brings out the little kid in her.....or would that be kitten?
And third on her list would be a good massage....while she likes a good foot rub, after a long day working in the kitchen what really makes her go 'Aaaaah' is a good back and neck massage:
Me? I'm pretty simple really; I just love climbing out of bed:
But seriously folks..........I love reading; give me a book and I'm your friend for life! (Unless it's a romance.)
And I could live on cheese; quite happily in fact.
And finally..........I really love getting out of the house and seeing the sights!
And now for the menu portion of our programme:
Monday February 13 through Sunday February 19, 2012
Breakfasts and Lunches: Cereal, toast, yogurt, grits, sandwiches, soup, etc...
Suppers:
Tuesday 2/14: Asian-style chicken noodle soup
Wednesday 2/15: Steak, lobster, asparagus tips (a late Valentine's supper)
Thursday 2/16: Phillipines-style fried fish and veggie wraps
Friday 2/17: Sausages and baked potatoes
Saturday 2/18: Shepherd's Pie
Sunday 2/19: Butterflied and rolled herb-stuffed pork loin, cheese grits with hominy, triple berry and white chocolate 'fluff'
I picked up a great bargain on half a pork loin this weekend; it's going to be more than enough to make 3 suppers for all of us and 3 lunches for 3M this week. (Which works out to about $2.25 per meal!)
So this week's musical selections will be focussed on our 'Life's Little Luxuries' theme.......and a couple at the end in celebration of Mardi Gras; after all, tomorrow is Fat Tuesday!
Click on the name of the song to bring up the video in a separate window.
In honor of 3M's love of footrubs I give you Ladysmith Black Mambazo's version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight .
And for Jess's hot chocolate fetish we have Tay Zonday's Chocolate Rain
For my love of getting out of the house there is Queen's Bicycle Race
We definitely can't forget about Mardi Gras, enjoy!
The Hawketts Mardi Gras Mambo
Buckwheat Zydeco Hey Joe
Koko Taylor VooDoo Woman
Good thing for the day: Leftover white chocolate and triple berry fluff, yummmmm.
Here are a few of 3M's favorite things:
A 'shoe-in' for first place........chocolate
But wait! There's a tie! 3M just wouldn't be 3M (or awake and ready to take on the world) without the help of these little coffee beanie babies:
But wait! There's more! Last, but certainly not least, 3M says that pedicular manipulation (also known as a foot rub) when getting home from work is the last word in being pampered. And, yes, the picture below really does resemble the Great Scot when in the throes of foot rub glow *snickering*..
So now for the Jess: At the top of her list of life's little luxuries has to be hot chocolate, (notice how it all comes back to chocolate?) and it really brings out the little kid in her.....or would that be kitten?
Another big one for Jess is music, and lemme tell you....she can dance!
Me? I'm pretty simple really; I just love climbing out of bed:
But seriously folks..........I love reading; give me a book and I'm your friend for life! (Unless it's a romance.)
And I could live on cheese; quite happily in fact.
And now for the menu portion of our programme:
Monday February 13 through Sunday February 19, 2012
Breakfasts and Lunches: Cereal, toast, yogurt, grits, sandwiches, soup, etc...
Suppers:
Tuesday 2/14: Asian-style chicken noodle soup
Wednesday 2/15: Steak, lobster, asparagus tips (a late Valentine's supper)
Thursday 2/16: Phillipines-style fried fish and veggie wraps
Friday 2/17: Sausages and baked potatoes
Saturday 2/18: Shepherd's Pie
Sunday 2/19: Butterflied and rolled herb-stuffed pork loin, cheese grits with hominy, triple berry and white chocolate 'fluff'
I picked up a great bargain on half a pork loin this weekend; it's going to be more than enough to make 3 suppers for all of us and 3 lunches for 3M this week. (Which works out to about $2.25 per meal!)
So this week's musical selections will be focussed on our 'Life's Little Luxuries' theme.......and a couple at the end in celebration of Mardi Gras; after all, tomorrow is Fat Tuesday!
Click on the name of the song to bring up the video in a separate window.
In honor of 3M's love of footrubs I give you Ladysmith Black Mambazo's version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight .
And for Jess's hot chocolate fetish we have Tay Zonday's Chocolate Rain
For my love of getting out of the house there is Queen's Bicycle Race
We definitely can't forget about Mardi Gras, enjoy!
The Hawketts Mardi Gras Mambo
Buckwheat Zydeco Hey Joe
Koko Taylor VooDoo Woman
Good thing for the day: Leftover white chocolate and triple berry fluff, yummmmm.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Frabjous Friday: Wotsa Frabjous anyway? + a fishy recipe
In case any of you are wondering what, exactly, frabjous means: it, like other words now considered a standard part of the English language, (such as 'galumphing', or 'chortle') was invented by Lewis Carroll and used in his nonsense verse poem 'Jabberwock'. I happened to love both his book 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'Through the Looking Glass' and had Jabberwock memorized when I was younger. Who could forget such immortal lines as:
"Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogroves;
And the momes rath outgrabe."
Wiktionary claims that frabjous is probably a combination of the words fair, fabulous, and joyous; whilst Urban Dictionary defines it as being like fabulous but with a lemon twist. Hmmm, I rather like Urban Dictionary's definition so I'm going to adopt it! Searching further, I even found this beautiful rendition of what a frabjous might look like..........
And for my idea of what frabjosity (hey, if Lewis Carroll can invent words why can't I???) might sound like take a listen to an old Jefferson Airplane tune: (click on song name) White Rabbit
Speaking of frabjous things....3M gave me a wonderfully frabjous gift for Valentines, the disability bear!
.JPG)
I realize the picture is pretty shaky but you can see the quite obviously (and probably accidentally) mismatched legs. Methinks the giving it to me part may have been accidental as well but when 3M pulled it out of the bag I squealed like a 3 year old and scooped it up! I will love it and pet it and call it George! Speaking of frabjous things.....I made this for a Valentine's decoration:
I call it my low-tech Valentine's clipart...if you squint really hard and poke your tongue out the left corner of your mouth you can see the teeny tiny, multi-colored, 'clothes pins' I used to hang the decorations from a length of twine. Told you we don't spend a lot on Valentine's! So now for a fishy recipe...
Phillipine-Inspired Spicy Fish Rolls
This recipe is done in 2 parts, the fish and the vegetables, for the fish:
6 pollock fillets (or other firm white fish)
2 c. buttermilk, or 2 c. regular milk with 1 Tbsp. lemon juice added
3/4 c. cornstarch
1 Tbsp. salt
2 tsp. basil leaves
1 tsp. Each: powdered ginger, turmeric, ancho chili powder, ground cumin
1/2 tsp. lemon pepper
Canola oil
Soak thawed fish fillets in buttermilk for 1 hour, refrigerated of course. Mix cornstarch, salt, herbs, and spices in a large plastic bag.
In large frying pan, heat 1" Canola oil until a slice of bread dropped into the oil begins sizzling immediately. Drop fish fillets into plastic bag, one at a time, then shake gently to completely coat fish before placing in hot oil (don't cook more than 3 fillets at a time or you'll end up burning some of them) and allow to cook for 3-5 minutes. Turn over carefully and allow other side to cook until golden brown, about another 3-5 minutes.
Remove fish to a heat safe plate lined with paper towels and continue frying the fillets. Place dish in warm, but not hot, oven until ready to serve.
Vegetable Mixture
1 bag rainbow slaw mix
1 red or orange bell pepper, cut into thin strips
half of a large red onion, cut into thin 'half moons'
1 c. fresh kale, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp. olive or canola oil
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
Heat olive or canola oil in skillet until hot, but not smoking. Add all other ingredients, balsamic vinegar last, and cook on medium high heat...stirring frequently....until vegetables are crisp-tender.
You will also need 6 burrito-size tortillas, jalapenos, and sour cream. (Jalapenos and sour cream are optional.)
To serve: Place a fish fillet, a generous spoonful of vegetables, and toppings of your choice on tortilla; wrap them up together and enjoy! Serves 3-6
Good thing for the day: Totalling up savings on groceries and gas since the beginning of the year and realizing I'd saved us well over $400.00 so far!
Music for the day: When my father was in hospice a few years ago I had a very long drive each way and music helped me pass the time on the road. Ingrid Michaelson's album 'Girls and Boys' had just come out and her song (click on name of the song) Breakable was the one which resonated most deeply with what I was feeling at that time. It still touches me deeply.
"Twas brillig, and the slithy toves
Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:
All mimsy were the borogroves;
And the momes rath outgrabe."
Wiktionary claims that frabjous is probably a combination of the words fair, fabulous, and joyous; whilst Urban Dictionary defines it as being like fabulous but with a lemon twist. Hmmm, I rather like Urban Dictionary's definition so I'm going to adopt it! Searching further, I even found this beautiful rendition of what a frabjous might look like..........
And for my idea of what frabjosity (hey, if Lewis Carroll can invent words why can't I???) might sound like take a listen to an old Jefferson Airplane tune: (click on song name) White Rabbit
Speaking of frabjous things....3M gave me a wonderfully frabjous gift for Valentines, the disability bear!
.JPG)
I realize the picture is pretty shaky but you can see the quite obviously (and probably accidentally) mismatched legs. Methinks the giving it to me part may have been accidental as well but when 3M pulled it out of the bag I squealed like a 3 year old and scooped it up! I will love it and pet it and call it George! Speaking of frabjous things.....I made this for a Valentine's decoration:
Phillipine-Inspired Spicy Fish Rolls
This recipe is done in 2 parts, the fish and the vegetables, for the fish:
6 pollock fillets (or other firm white fish)
2 c. buttermilk, or 2 c. regular milk with 1 Tbsp. lemon juice added
3/4 c. cornstarch
1 Tbsp. salt
2 tsp. basil leaves
1 tsp. Each: powdered ginger, turmeric, ancho chili powder, ground cumin
1/2 tsp. lemon pepper
Canola oil
Soak thawed fish fillets in buttermilk for 1 hour, refrigerated of course. Mix cornstarch, salt, herbs, and spices in a large plastic bag.
In large frying pan, heat 1" Canola oil until a slice of bread dropped into the oil begins sizzling immediately. Drop fish fillets into plastic bag, one at a time, then shake gently to completely coat fish before placing in hot oil (don't cook more than 3 fillets at a time or you'll end up burning some of them) and allow to cook for 3-5 minutes. Turn over carefully and allow other side to cook until golden brown, about another 3-5 minutes.
Remove fish to a heat safe plate lined with paper towels and continue frying the fillets. Place dish in warm, but not hot, oven until ready to serve.
Vegetable Mixture
1 bag rainbow slaw mix
1 red or orange bell pepper, cut into thin strips
half of a large red onion, cut into thin 'half moons'
1 c. fresh kale, coarsely chopped
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 Tbsp. olive or canola oil
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
Heat olive or canola oil in skillet until hot, but not smoking. Add all other ingredients, balsamic vinegar last, and cook on medium high heat...stirring frequently....until vegetables are crisp-tender.
You will also need 6 burrito-size tortillas, jalapenos, and sour cream. (Jalapenos and sour cream are optional.)
To serve: Place a fish fillet, a generous spoonful of vegetables, and toppings of your choice on tortilla; wrap them up together and enjoy! Serves 3-6
Good thing for the day: Totalling up savings on groceries and gas since the beginning of the year and realizing I'd saved us well over $400.00 so far!
Music for the day: When my father was in hospice a few years ago I had a very long drive each way and music helped me pass the time on the road. Ingrid Michaelson's album 'Girls and Boys' had just come out and her song (click on name of the song) Breakable was the one which resonated most deeply with what I was feeling at that time. It still touches me deeply.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Thinking About.......Thursday: Granny
First things First......a great big thank you to Jake! Wow, a blog post dedicated to me; you just put a HUGE smile on my face! To read his post click Here
Tonight I was telling Jess the story of how my Granny set her heart on marrying Pa and it was such a sweet tale I thought I'd share it here. I've written about my tenacious Granny and her talent for creating beauty out of virtually nothing, ( for that story click here ) so now I'll write about her first, and only, love as best I can remember it. (I know you'll read this Mom so feel free to correct me if I make a mistake.)
I don't remember Granny Alice ever saying what year this happened but she was young; probably what we would call a 'tween' these days, she and her older sister Mary had very long hair at the time. It was summer and they'd both just washed their hair; with long hair and no hair dryers on the horizon they'd decided to go sit on fenceposts along the road...they must have made a lovely picture perched up on those posts with their hair flung down in front of them so the underside would dry... Granny especially, who was all of 5' tall and about as big around as a minute; with her lovely black hair, bright blue eyes, and sweet smile.
Pa, a tall and handsome young man at the time, was riding along with his older brother who stopped and spoke with the two young ladies; Granny's older sister, Mary, would be married to Pa's brother before too much time had passed. I remember Pa as a tall, handsome, remarkably sweet.. but reserved.. man but it must have been a good conversation because Granny turned to Mary after the two men left and said of Pa "that's the man I'm going to marry".
Sure enough and she did too! A few years later, when Granny turned 16, her father took her to Rockville....quite a trip at the time...bought her a new outfit, all in her favorite color: blue, and married her off to Pa. Together they made it through the Depression, WWII, (he served in Europe) and raising two big boys on the family farm. They always treated one another with love, respect, and kindness. I loved spending time with them; helping Pa with haying and making maple syrup, etc... helping Granny raise a runt piglet and so on. She always seemed to be happy to look through family pictures with me, telling me tales about the people in them (like the time Aunt Reggie peed on a fire started by a cinder popping out on the rug to put it out!) and telling me about the flowers fairies had planted for different reasons. She loved what she called my 'baby hands' with their dimpled knuckles, and would hold and stroke them for hours....and I loved her talented, long-fingered, hands with their perfectly oval nails.
In actual fact Granny and Pa were my step-grandparents, my stepfather's parents, but they never made me feel I was any less 'theirs' than their other grandchildren...and that was a wonderful gift of love from two people I adored.
Good thing for the day: Warm buns from the oven, slathered with butter.
Music for the day: (Click on song name.) That great Newfie group, Great Big Sea, with their song Ordinary Day And as a special bonus, because I LOVE the video that goes with it, their song Everything Shines .
Tonight I was telling Jess the story of how my Granny set her heart on marrying Pa and it was such a sweet tale I thought I'd share it here. I've written about my tenacious Granny and her talent for creating beauty out of virtually nothing, ( for that story click here ) so now I'll write about her first, and only, love as best I can remember it. (I know you'll read this Mom so feel free to correct me if I make a mistake.)
I don't remember Granny Alice ever saying what year this happened but she was young; probably what we would call a 'tween' these days, she and her older sister Mary had very long hair at the time. It was summer and they'd both just washed their hair; with long hair and no hair dryers on the horizon they'd decided to go sit on fenceposts along the road...they must have made a lovely picture perched up on those posts with their hair flung down in front of them so the underside would dry... Granny especially, who was all of 5' tall and about as big around as a minute; with her lovely black hair, bright blue eyes, and sweet smile.
Pa, a tall and handsome young man at the time, was riding along with his older brother who stopped and spoke with the two young ladies; Granny's older sister, Mary, would be married to Pa's brother before too much time had passed. I remember Pa as a tall, handsome, remarkably sweet.. but reserved.. man but it must have been a good conversation because Granny turned to Mary after the two men left and said of Pa "that's the man I'm going to marry".
Sure enough and she did too! A few years later, when Granny turned 16, her father took her to Rockville....quite a trip at the time...bought her a new outfit, all in her favorite color: blue, and married her off to Pa. Together they made it through the Depression, WWII, (he served in Europe) and raising two big boys on the family farm. They always treated one another with love, respect, and kindness. I loved spending time with them; helping Pa with haying and making maple syrup, etc... helping Granny raise a runt piglet and so on. She always seemed to be happy to look through family pictures with me, telling me tales about the people in them (like the time Aunt Reggie peed on a fire started by a cinder popping out on the rug to put it out!) and telling me about the flowers fairies had planted for different reasons. She loved what she called my 'baby hands' with their dimpled knuckles, and would hold and stroke them for hours....and I loved her talented, long-fingered, hands with their perfectly oval nails.
In actual fact Granny and Pa were my step-grandparents, my stepfather's parents, but they never made me feel I was any less 'theirs' than their other grandchildren...and that was a wonderful gift of love from two people I adored.
Good thing for the day: Warm buns from the oven, slathered with butter.
Music for the day: (Click on song name.) That great Newfie group, Great Big Sea, with their song Ordinary Day And as a special bonus, because I LOVE the video that goes with it, their song Everything Shines .
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Oh my
Not feeling so good this morning; dizzy, off-balance, and shaky. I even bonked my head on the wall; thinking I need to get my b.p. checked. The only other time I remember feeling like this was when my blood pressure was low.
Whimsical Wednesdays: Lily the Pink! (doodle) recipes, and random pictures
As promised, here are pictures of Lily the Wonderdoodle in the pink of health....
Relax folks, it's food dye, we wouldn't do anything to hurt the Li'l Lily for the world and all the gold within it! It must be impressive, there's even a song about it! (Click on song name.) The Scaffold's Lily the Pink This is what happens when we get really really bored...watching 3M's face this morning was a hoot! Oh, speaking of hoots....3M stepped out of the room shortly after seeing Lily and Jess and I looked at one another and started snorting. Then I (yes, sweet angelic moi) said "What if we waited until the Great Scot is asleep, put an empty Cheetos bag by the bed, then slathered some orange food dye on hand and...um...'other' body parts....." Needless to say, (but I'll say it anyway) when 3M walked back into the room we were both holding our sides; red-faced with tears of laughter rolling down our faces. Stay tuned for what happens next....
By the way, I keep intending to post pictures of the matching curtains and pillow I made from an old quilt I loved which had seen better days. I'd posted pics of the pillow but kept forgetting to post the curtains, so here goes....I'm including another pic of the pillow as well.
They aren't anything fancy but I definitely took a great deal of satisfaction from the project and enjoy their whimsical look. Since the quilt backing is a dark red they do a great job of blocking the sunlight as well. *daysleepers here*
This first recipe is a carnivore's dream; if you can't find thinly sliced steaks I'd suggest you get a good quality roast and ask your butcher to slice it about 1/3" thick for you.
6 'breakfast' steaks
6 sprigs, fresh rosemary
12 whole, peeled, cloves of garlic
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. sour cream
zest of one lemon, lime, or orange
1 tsp. dijon mustard
generous splash of Worcestershire sauce
Preheat oven to 350F. Dust steaks with salt and pepper and roll one rosemary sprig and two cloves of garlic in each steak; place it seam side down in an already sprayed oven-proof casserole. Do the same with the remaining steaks.
Whisk remaining ingredients in a small mixing bowl and spread over the top of steak rolls.....cover your casserole tightly and bake until steak rolls reach your desired level of doneness.
Next up: 'Taking Stock' Asian-influenced chicken and noodle soup. The first step in making any soup like this, for me, is making homemade stock.....
When I'm preparing veggies for any of our meals I toss any odds and ends (except for cruciferous vegetables, they tend to turn stocks bitter) into plastic bags and keep them tucked in the freezer until time to make soup. So anyway....on to the recipe; I hope you enjoy the sprightly flavour of this soup....
2 quarts chicken stock or broth
approx. 4 c. fresh spinach, rinsed and drained
2 c. cooked, chopped chicken
1 1/2 c. uncooked whole wheat egg noodles, broken up
1 c. fresh shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and caps thinly sliced
1 c. fresh basil leaves
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced on the diagonal
1/2 c. red bell pepper, cut into matchstick pieces
1 bunch of green onions, sliced, white and green parts
zest of one orange
2 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
1 Tbsp. Each: rice wine vinegar and minced garlic cloves
1/4 tsp. Each: turmeric and red pepper flakes
salt, pepper, and soy sauce to taste
1 egg (optional)
Bring your stock to a rolling boil and toss in everything but the chicken (and egg, if using). Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes, then add chicken. If using the egg, dip out two ladles of broth and stir egg into it with a fork, then add back to the soup. This will give you the lovely egg 'shreds' you find in eggdrop soup. How many will this serve? A LOT!
Good thing for the day: Waking from my nap to find the garbage taken out, dishes done, and heater filled; thanks Jess!
Music for the day: (Click on name of the song.) Clanadonia's Hamsterheid (aka Hamster Head)
Relax folks, it's food dye, we wouldn't do anything to hurt the Li'l Lily for the world and all the gold within it! It must be impressive, there's even a song about it! (Click on song name.) The Scaffold's Lily the Pink This is what happens when we get really really bored...watching 3M's face this morning was a hoot! Oh, speaking of hoots....3M stepped out of the room shortly after seeing Lily and Jess and I looked at one another and started snorting. Then I (yes, sweet angelic moi) said "What if we waited until the Great Scot is asleep, put an empty Cheetos bag by the bed, then slathered some orange food dye on hand and...um...'other' body parts....." Needless to say, (but I'll say it anyway) when 3M walked back into the room we were both holding our sides; red-faced with tears of laughter rolling down our faces. Stay tuned for what happens next....
By the way, I keep intending to post pictures of the matching curtains and pillow I made from an old quilt I loved which had seen better days. I'd posted pics of the pillow but kept forgetting to post the curtains, so here goes....I'm including another pic of the pillow as well.
This first recipe is a carnivore's dream; if you can't find thinly sliced steaks I'd suggest you get a good quality roast and ask your butcher to slice it about 1/3" thick for you.
6 'breakfast' steaks
6 sprigs, fresh rosemary
12 whole, peeled, cloves of garlic
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. sour cream
zest of one lemon, lime, or orange
1 tsp. dijon mustard
generous splash of Worcestershire sauce
Preheat oven to 350F. Dust steaks with salt and pepper and roll one rosemary sprig and two cloves of garlic in each steak; place it seam side down in an already sprayed oven-proof casserole. Do the same with the remaining steaks.
Whisk remaining ingredients in a small mixing bowl and spread over the top of steak rolls.....cover your casserole tightly and bake until steak rolls reach your desired level of doneness.
Next up: 'Taking Stock' Asian-influenced chicken and noodle soup. The first step in making any soup like this, for me, is making homemade stock.....
2 quarts chicken stock or broth
approx. 4 c. fresh spinach, rinsed and drained
2 c. cooked, chopped chicken
1 1/2 c. uncooked whole wheat egg noodles, broken up
1 c. fresh shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and caps thinly sliced
1 c. fresh basil leaves
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced on the diagonal
1/2 c. red bell pepper, cut into matchstick pieces
1 bunch of green onions, sliced, white and green parts
zest of one orange
2 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
1 Tbsp. Each: rice wine vinegar and minced garlic cloves
1/4 tsp. Each: turmeric and red pepper flakes
salt, pepper, and soy sauce to taste
1 egg (optional)
Bring your stock to a rolling boil and toss in everything but the chicken (and egg, if using). Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20 minutes, then add chicken. If using the egg, dip out two ladles of broth and stir egg into it with a fork, then add back to the soup. This will give you the lovely egg 'shreds' you find in eggdrop soup. How many will this serve? A LOT!
Good thing for the day: Waking from my nap to find the garbage taken out, dishes done, and heater filled; thanks Jess!
Music for the day: (Click on name of the song.) Clanadonia's Hamsterheid (aka Hamster Head)
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Tuesday in Terre Haute: Bad restaurant food and a couple of heroic folk.
As I wrote in yesterday's blog, we had a couple of bad food experiences in the last week; one of which wasn't a big surprise and the other of which should have been but, sadly, really wasn't either.
For 'fast food' I've long been rather partial to Subway....it's reasonably priced and you can actually get lower-fat alternatives, with veggies! Weekend before last 3M and I did a quick shopping run and decided to pick up a quick bite to eat; the servers were rude, surly, and incredibly distractable. I had to repeat, and remind the servers of, our order several times...then 3M went to pick up a sandwich for Jess; a very simple roast beef and cheese sandwich. No problem, right? Yahuh....
Got home, handed Jess her sandwich, then looked on in horror as she opened up a horrendously goopy conglomeration in a paper wrapper. What we ordered was a simple roast beef and cheese...no veggies or dressings whatsoever. What we got was some awful buffalo chicken mess dripping with hot sauce and mayonnaise(which she can't eat) and loaded with double helpings of lettuce, tomato, and onion (none of which she will eat) and some other, unidentifiable, garbage.
3M, being a thoughtful sweetheart, went to a different Subway to pick up a sandwich for Jess and this one, to our relief, was what we ordered and Jess snarfed it down in short order. All's well that ends well, right? Not exactly....a half hour later she was in the bathroom vomiting and had stomach urk the rest of the night. I wrote a complaint to Subway to which I received a reply yesterday........two free sandwich tickets! Nope, I'm not joking, and this after stating I wouldn't be eating at Subway again. I think I'm going to write a wee note thanking them for the tickets, with the tickets enclosed.
Now for the Taj Mahal Indian restaurant located on 3rd St. (41) When we discovered this place back in 2008 we were at first a bit reluctant to try it; the exterior was decidedly unimpressive since it was a mostly unchanged former IHOP, but when we finally went in and tried the food our tastebuds were in foodie heaven! The service was incredible, efficient, and unobtrusive, the owners friendly and happy to come out and spend time explaining the different foods to newbies or chatting up regulars. 3M was especially delighted, not having had a decent shrimp vindaloo since moving here from Scotland; on one visit they even made a '7' (their spiciness scale runs from 1-mild- through 6-you need an asbestos coating for your tongue) and applauded us as we left...3M having eaten every bite!
We were delighted when the owners, a lovely couple with two beautiful little girls, were able to open a second restaurant in Vincennes and for a while the restaurant remained a little mecca for us. Until, that is, both owners needed to concentrate on the new restaurant and left 'ours' in other hands and it began to slowly slip downhill. It wasn't as clean, the staff less personable and friendly, the food quality ever so gradually decreasing... This past weekend while I was ill Jess and 3M decided to get some takeout and it was awful: watery, the dishes that were supposed to be hot were bland and the dish that was supposed to be bland was far too hot. Only the naan was halfway decent and as we all know 'man cannot live on naan alone'. Sadly, we don't seem to be the only ones to feel this way since the parking lot is usually empty these days: Taj Mahal has gone from the top T.H. restaurant I would recommend to the bottom of the list....
On a happier note, there are a couple of heroic Terre Haute citizens I would like to draw attention to...the first being Ezell Odom, a Montford Point Marine. For those of us too young to remember World War II, Montford Point is where the first black Marine regiments were trained. Although the Marine Corps. were still officially segregated at that time Mr. Odom was a member of the first (unofficially) integrated Marine regiment; he has written a book about his time in service called "A Montford Point Marine". Although he and his fellows weren't given official recognition of having served in combat (nor was he recognized for having gained his sergeant's stripes) at the time President Obama signed a bill on November 23, 2011 awarding the Montford Point Marines the Congressional Gold Medal. These men deserved that, and more, for bravely and honorably defending a country which still held their skin color against them. For more information on Mr. Odom and his Marine brethren you can check out: Click here and Here .
The second Hero, or Heroine rather, I'd like to talk about is one I've mentioned before; a brave, brilliant, and determined woman named Eva Mozes Kor. She and her twin sister, Miriam, were one set of twins infamously experimented on by Dr. Josef Mengele in Auschwitz during WW II. She and her sister survived although many of the twins did not due to Mengele's horrific policy of killing a surviving twin if one died during the course of the experiments. In the latter part of the 20th century Eva and her sister decided to begin looking for, and publicizing what had happened to, the other twins; eventually gaining contact with many of the survivors.
In 1995, after her sister Miriam died as an eventual result of the experiments done on them, Eva and her husband Michael Kor decided to open the C.A.N.D.L.E.S. Holocaust Museum here in Terre Haute. Sad to say, the original building was set on fire on November 18, 2003 by what is presumed to be a hate group (the message: "Remember Timothy McVeigh" was left behind) but the Kors didn't give up. Thinking they would have to put the money together they were shocked and amazed when a number of people contributed significantly to the endeavour. Area school children came up with $25,000 themselves! (I remember giving the kidling $$ so she could contribute at her daycare.) With her outreach, museum, writing about her experiences as well as forgiveness, Eva Mozes Kor has reached the minds and hearts of many, many people around the world. For more about her life and her museum click here here and here . Ms. Kor, I salute and thank you!
In other news.....there will be a recipe or two and pictures tomorrow for Whimsical Wednesday!
Good thing for the day: 3M's face when seeing Lily the WonderDoodle painted pretty in pink! (Food grade dye btw.) Laughing until I was holding my sides with tears streaming down my face.
Music for today: (Click on name of the song.) BBC Promotions of Perfect Day (Thanks to you know who!) And in honor of the heroes I've written about tonight: M People's Search for the Hero (Inside Yourself)
For 'fast food' I've long been rather partial to Subway....it's reasonably priced and you can actually get lower-fat alternatives, with veggies! Weekend before last 3M and I did a quick shopping run and decided to pick up a quick bite to eat; the servers were rude, surly, and incredibly distractable. I had to repeat, and remind the servers of, our order several times...then 3M went to pick up a sandwich for Jess; a very simple roast beef and cheese sandwich. No problem, right? Yahuh....
Got home, handed Jess her sandwich, then looked on in horror as she opened up a horrendously goopy conglomeration in a paper wrapper. What we ordered was a simple roast beef and cheese...no veggies or dressings whatsoever. What we got was some awful buffalo chicken mess dripping with hot sauce and mayonnaise(which she can't eat) and loaded with double helpings of lettuce, tomato, and onion (none of which she will eat) and some other, unidentifiable, garbage.
3M, being a thoughtful sweetheart, went to a different Subway to pick up a sandwich for Jess and this one, to our relief, was what we ordered and Jess snarfed it down in short order. All's well that ends well, right? Not exactly....a half hour later she was in the bathroom vomiting and had stomach urk the rest of the night. I wrote a complaint to Subway to which I received a reply yesterday........two free sandwich tickets! Nope, I'm not joking, and this after stating I wouldn't be eating at Subway again. I think I'm going to write a wee note thanking them for the tickets, with the tickets enclosed.
Now for the Taj Mahal Indian restaurant located on 3rd St. (41) When we discovered this place back in 2008 we were at first a bit reluctant to try it; the exterior was decidedly unimpressive since it was a mostly unchanged former IHOP, but when we finally went in and tried the food our tastebuds were in foodie heaven! The service was incredible, efficient, and unobtrusive, the owners friendly and happy to come out and spend time explaining the different foods to newbies or chatting up regulars. 3M was especially delighted, not having had a decent shrimp vindaloo since moving here from Scotland; on one visit they even made a '7' (their spiciness scale runs from 1-mild- through 6-you need an asbestos coating for your tongue) and applauded us as we left...3M having eaten every bite!
We were delighted when the owners, a lovely couple with two beautiful little girls, were able to open a second restaurant in Vincennes and for a while the restaurant remained a little mecca for us. Until, that is, both owners needed to concentrate on the new restaurant and left 'ours' in other hands and it began to slowly slip downhill. It wasn't as clean, the staff less personable and friendly, the food quality ever so gradually decreasing... This past weekend while I was ill Jess and 3M decided to get some takeout and it was awful: watery, the dishes that were supposed to be hot were bland and the dish that was supposed to be bland was far too hot. Only the naan was halfway decent and as we all know 'man cannot live on naan alone'. Sadly, we don't seem to be the only ones to feel this way since the parking lot is usually empty these days: Taj Mahal has gone from the top T.H. restaurant I would recommend to the bottom of the list....
On a happier note, there are a couple of heroic Terre Haute citizens I would like to draw attention to...the first being Ezell Odom, a Montford Point Marine. For those of us too young to remember World War II, Montford Point is where the first black Marine regiments were trained. Although the Marine Corps. were still officially segregated at that time Mr. Odom was a member of the first (unofficially) integrated Marine regiment; he has written a book about his time in service called "A Montford Point Marine". Although he and his fellows weren't given official recognition of having served in combat (nor was he recognized for having gained his sergeant's stripes) at the time President Obama signed a bill on November 23, 2011 awarding the Montford Point Marines the Congressional Gold Medal. These men deserved that, and more, for bravely and honorably defending a country which still held their skin color against them. For more information on Mr. Odom and his Marine brethren you can check out: Click here and Here .
The second Hero, or Heroine rather, I'd like to talk about is one I've mentioned before; a brave, brilliant, and determined woman named Eva Mozes Kor. She and her twin sister, Miriam, were one set of twins infamously experimented on by Dr. Josef Mengele in Auschwitz during WW II. She and her sister survived although many of the twins did not due to Mengele's horrific policy of killing a surviving twin if one died during the course of the experiments. In the latter part of the 20th century Eva and her sister decided to begin looking for, and publicizing what had happened to, the other twins; eventually gaining contact with many of the survivors.
In 1995, after her sister Miriam died as an eventual result of the experiments done on them, Eva and her husband Michael Kor decided to open the C.A.N.D.L.E.S. Holocaust Museum here in Terre Haute. Sad to say, the original building was set on fire on November 18, 2003 by what is presumed to be a hate group (the message: "Remember Timothy McVeigh" was left behind) but the Kors didn't give up. Thinking they would have to put the money together they were shocked and amazed when a number of people contributed significantly to the endeavour. Area school children came up with $25,000 themselves! (I remember giving the kidling $$ so she could contribute at her daycare.) With her outreach, museum, writing about her experiences as well as forgiveness, Eva Mozes Kor has reached the minds and hearts of many, many people around the world. For more about her life and her museum click here here and here . Ms. Kor, I salute and thank you!
In other news.....there will be a recipe or two and pictures tomorrow for Whimsical Wednesday!
Good thing for the day: 3M's face when seeing Lily the WonderDoodle painted pretty in pink! (Food grade dye btw.) Laughing until I was holding my sides with tears streaming down my face.
Music for today: (Click on name of the song.) BBC Promotions of Perfect Day (Thanks to you know who!) And in honor of the heroes I've written about tonight: M People's Search for the Hero (Inside Yourself)
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Musically Miscellaneous Menu Mondays: Everyday Miracles
Well every plan we had this weekend was completely derailed because my stomach was in serious rebellion; I wasn't able to take my meds ... not even carbidopa (Parkinson's med) or pain relievers. What an eye opener!
It's been months since I'd had to function whilst constantly 'on the move' with tremors and shaking or have my balance totally offset by postural instability and muscle rigidity. By Sunday night I was exhausted, my right wrist was swollen from the constant movement of my hand, and my spine ached because of the rigid muscles. Oddly, perhaps, it wasn't as much of a downer as one might suppose although I confess to wondering how I dealt with it all those years; it did cause me to focus on something it can be easy to ignore when 'in the trenches'. What did I realize?
I live with miracles on a daily basis.
Truly, I do. What else would you call a little pill which restores your ability to control your own body? That it comes from, was discovered by, the human mind makes it more of a miracle, in my opinion, than otherwise. And what of having people who care enough for me to live with me day by day; gracing me with love, friendship, laughter and the physical care I sometimes need? How miraculous is that? Everyday miracles; the gracenote which allows me to have a life...
On to the past week's menu (since I often have to change our planned menu to accomodate schedule changes, etc...it makes more sense to post what we actually had)
Menu beginning February 5, 2012
Breakfasts, lunches, and snacks: Yogurt, fruit, waffles, toast, sandwiches, and grits.
Suppers
Monday 2/5 Cubed pork and mushrooms with sour cream gravy, over brown rice.
Tuesday 2/6 Yummy Yummy Goodness Soup
Wednesday 2/8 Homemade Pork Lo Mein
Thursday 2/9 Homemade Macaroni and Cheese with prosciutto and spinach
Friday 2/10 Rosemary and Garlic stuffed Steak rolls, Parmesan mashed potatoes and balsamic sauteed spinach and mushrooms
Since I was ill over the weekend I mostly had soup and toast, and the other two Bletherskites had take-out; there will be a review of a couple of the take-out places tomorrow.
Now for the music.....do you have a musical genre that almost always gets you up and moving (in a good way!) or helps perk you up when you're feeling a bit down? For me, drum music always gets me going and I have several favorites, both old and new....
The song that got my fascination with drums and a strong beat started: (Click on the names of the songs, and if someone wants to tell me how to embed the videos it would be appreciated!) Fleetwood Mac Tusk
Next, a couple of world beat selections... from the Brent Lewis album 'Drum Sex' Dinner at the Sugarbush and James Asher's Send in the Drums
Considering the Celtic roots of this family I would be terribly remiss if I left out Albannach, a great Scottish drum group and their performance video Celtic Fling 2008 not mention a group which plays 3M's old uni town of Glasgow frequently...Clanadonia, with their song Egyptian . To finish up the Scotts section I give you Spirit of Scotland Glasgow Drums I absolutely love the energy of these groups! Oh, and I was not so subtly reminded; it's incumbent on me to include the archetypal drum of Ireland, the bodhran. Here's a a bit performed by Brad Meyer: Bodhran Dance
We certainly can't forget the drummers of Africa, America, and Asia! Here we have Bax Yaie of Senegal (playing in Genoa) Live in Genoa and Native American group Southern Boyz drumming and singing Round Dance Songs .
Last but certainly not least: a couple of videos by Drum Cats, a female drumming group from Korea....their music is hotter than hot! Street Performance and Korean Percussion Solo
Good thing for the day: Pink Grasshopper brownies!
It's been months since I'd had to function whilst constantly 'on the move' with tremors and shaking or have my balance totally offset by postural instability and muscle rigidity. By Sunday night I was exhausted, my right wrist was swollen from the constant movement of my hand, and my spine ached because of the rigid muscles. Oddly, perhaps, it wasn't as much of a downer as one might suppose although I confess to wondering how I dealt with it all those years; it did cause me to focus on something it can be easy to ignore when 'in the trenches'. What did I realize?
I live with miracles on a daily basis.
Truly, I do. What else would you call a little pill which restores your ability to control your own body? That it comes from, was discovered by, the human mind makes it more of a miracle, in my opinion, than otherwise. And what of having people who care enough for me to live with me day by day; gracing me with love, friendship, laughter and the physical care I sometimes need? How miraculous is that? Everyday miracles; the gracenote which allows me to have a life...
On to the past week's menu (since I often have to change our planned menu to accomodate schedule changes, etc...it makes more sense to post what we actually had)
Menu beginning February 5, 2012
Breakfasts, lunches, and snacks: Yogurt, fruit, waffles, toast, sandwiches, and grits.
Suppers
Monday 2/5 Cubed pork and mushrooms with sour cream gravy, over brown rice.
Tuesday 2/6 Yummy Yummy Goodness Soup
Wednesday 2/8 Homemade Pork Lo Mein
Thursday 2/9 Homemade Macaroni and Cheese with prosciutto and spinach
Friday 2/10 Rosemary and Garlic stuffed Steak rolls, Parmesan mashed potatoes and balsamic sauteed spinach and mushrooms
Since I was ill over the weekend I mostly had soup and toast, and the other two Bletherskites had take-out; there will be a review of a couple of the take-out places tomorrow.
Now for the music.....do you have a musical genre that almost always gets you up and moving (in a good way!) or helps perk you up when you're feeling a bit down? For me, drum music always gets me going and I have several favorites, both old and new....
The song that got my fascination with drums and a strong beat started: (Click on the names of the songs, and if someone wants to tell me how to embed the videos it would be appreciated!) Fleetwood Mac Tusk
Next, a couple of world beat selections... from the Brent Lewis album 'Drum Sex' Dinner at the Sugarbush and James Asher's Send in the Drums
Considering the Celtic roots of this family I would be terribly remiss if I left out Albannach, a great Scottish drum group and their performance video Celtic Fling 2008 not mention a group which plays 3M's old uni town of Glasgow frequently...Clanadonia, with their song Egyptian . To finish up the Scotts section I give you Spirit of Scotland Glasgow Drums I absolutely love the energy of these groups! Oh, and I was not so subtly reminded; it's incumbent on me to include the archetypal drum of Ireland, the bodhran. Here's a a bit performed by Brad Meyer: Bodhran Dance
We certainly can't forget the drummers of Africa, America, and Asia! Here we have Bax Yaie of Senegal (playing in Genoa) Live in Genoa and Native American group Southern Boyz drumming and singing Round Dance Songs .
Last but certainly not least: a couple of videos by Drum Cats, a female drumming group from Korea....their music is hotter than hot! Street Performance and Korean Percussion Solo
Good thing for the day: Pink Grasshopper brownies!
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Frabjous Friday: Yummy Yummy Goodness Soup and my first give away
Before I forget, since I wasn't able to post last night, here is last night's musical offering: (Click on the name of the song.) Asobi Seksu's Thursday (acoustic version)
Gah, last night was sick and achy city; between stomach urk and being in a good deal of pain it was not a good evening to be me. On the other hand: Jess and 3M took very good care of me, as always, and I got a lovely surprise from my friends Carolyn and Betty from the snowy North......Nigella seeds! (aka love-in-a-mist, how appropriate with Valentine's Day coming Tuesday!) I remember seeing these in old country gardens when I was wee and still love them, wouldn't they be absolutely perfect in a cottage-style garden! For those who don't know what Love-in-a-mist look like, this first photo is of their unusual but lovely blooms.
This second photo shows more of their feathery, or 'misty', foliage. Nigella is an annual that is great in those sunny, rather dry, spots in your yard and is excellent for cut flowers as well as dried flower arrangements; plant it directly in the soil after your last frost date has passed and enjoy it's unusual beauty. Once you've planted them you can easily collect seed from their unique pods...which provide winter interest in the garden btw, something which can be difficult to come by. Here, see what I mean?
Hmmm, methinks I'll succumb to give away madness and send a few seeds to one lucky reader...post a comment telling me where you'd plant them and if your name gets (randomly) chosen I'll send you some seeds for this great garden Lady. I'll post the name of the lucky winner on Valentine's Day!
Speaking of Valentine's Day; what are your plans, if any? It's usually pretty low key here at Blether House...no huge amounts of money spent or anything of that nature...we do keep it fun however. In the spirit of fun-ness, this year Jess and I decided to put the names of several local restaurants in a hat (literally!) and have 3M draw one out. Methinks we were both hoping to get (click on restaurant names) Umi and we will make it there one of these days, but we were also quite happy when the Ichiban restaurant was drawn out of the hat. Onion volcano! I'm sure we'll have fun and Jess, as a professional chef herself, will enjoy watching the awesome knife skills display.
In addition to going out I'll be making a special dinner on Valentine's proper, along with a Valentine's cake tomorrow night, and making a few (inexpensive) decorations to brighten things up a bit. I read and hear a lot of grousing about Valentine's Day and, yes, it has become far too expensive and commercialized but as gloomy as February is (notice how it seems to last forever even though it's the shortest month of the year?) it needs some kind of celebration to help us through it!
And finally I can post the recipe I keep talking about...the soupy goodness that 3M voluntarily ate three days in a row and that Jess called the soup of yummy, yummy goodness, which I think is a great name incidentally.
Yummy Yummy Goodness Soup
2 c. dry black beans
1 c. dry lentils
2 bays leaves
26 oz. salsa (I used medium but use what you prefer.)
4 oz. can diced green chilies
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1 bunch fresh parsley, tops only (toss the stems in with other stock ingredients in the freezer)
1 red sweet bell pepper, cut into matchstick pieces
3 stalks of celery (including leaves) sliced
6 cloves of garlic, coarsely chopped
1 lime, both zest and juice
2 Andouille sausage links, sliced on the diagonal
10 oz. medium raw shrimp (frozen is fine and more won't hurt a thing)
salt and pepper to taste
sour cream (optional)
First step: Add black beans, and 8 c. water to large pot and bring to a boil. Turn heat off under pot as soon as it boils and put a tight-fitting lid on top; allow to sit 2-4 hours, drain, and refill pot 3/4 full of water.
Next: Add 2 bay leaves and lentils, bring pot to a boil and then reduce to a simmer; cook for one hour. Cut up vegetables, fresh herbs, andouille sausage and zest and juice the lime....
At the end of the first hour of cooking add all ingredients except the shrimp and allow to simmer for another hour; add your (peeled and deveined) raw shrimp and simmer for another 15 minutes, taste and adjust salt and pepper to your preference.
Serve with a dollop of sour cream (optional) and a nice crusty bread.
This can easily be made into a tasty vegan dish by simply omitting the sausage and shrimp! (If you like cilantro I would suggest using it in place of the parsley; unfortunately one of the other Bletherskites despises cilantro so parsley makes an acceptable substitute.) Serves 6-8.
Even though I had the sickies yesterday I went ahead and made the other meal I'd been looking forward to creating all week: Rosemary and garlic beef rollups, parmesan mashed potatoes, and sauteed balsamic spinach and mushrooms ...recipes next week.
Good thing for today: feeling better!
Music for today: (Click on name of the song.) It seemed appropriate on the Friday before Valentine's to post The Cure's Friday I'm In Love
Happy Weekending!
Gah, last night was sick and achy city; between stomach urk and being in a good deal of pain it was not a good evening to be me. On the other hand: Jess and 3M took very good care of me, as always, and I got a lovely surprise from my friends Carolyn and Betty from the snowy North......Nigella seeds! (aka love-in-a-mist, how appropriate with Valentine's Day coming Tuesday!) I remember seeing these in old country gardens when I was wee and still love them, wouldn't they be absolutely perfect in a cottage-style garden! For those who don't know what Love-in-a-mist look like, this first photo is of their unusual but lovely blooms.
Hmmm, methinks I'll succumb to give away madness and send a few seeds to one lucky reader...post a comment telling me where you'd plant them and if your name gets (randomly) chosen I'll send you some seeds for this great garden Lady. I'll post the name of the lucky winner on Valentine's Day!
Speaking of Valentine's Day; what are your plans, if any? It's usually pretty low key here at Blether House...no huge amounts of money spent or anything of that nature...we do keep it fun however. In the spirit of fun-ness, this year Jess and I decided to put the names of several local restaurants in a hat (literally!) and have 3M draw one out. Methinks we were both hoping to get (click on restaurant names) Umi and we will make it there one of these days, but we were also quite happy when the Ichiban restaurant was drawn out of the hat. Onion volcano! I'm sure we'll have fun and Jess, as a professional chef herself, will enjoy watching the awesome knife skills display.
In addition to going out I'll be making a special dinner on Valentine's proper, along with a Valentine's cake tomorrow night, and making a few (inexpensive) decorations to brighten things up a bit. I read and hear a lot of grousing about Valentine's Day and, yes, it has become far too expensive and commercialized but as gloomy as February is (notice how it seems to last forever even though it's the shortest month of the year?) it needs some kind of celebration to help us through it!
And finally I can post the recipe I keep talking about...the soupy goodness that 3M voluntarily ate three days in a row and that Jess called the soup of yummy, yummy goodness, which I think is a great name incidentally.
Yummy Yummy Goodness Soup
2 c. dry black beans
1 c. dry lentils
2 bays leaves
26 oz. salsa (I used medium but use what you prefer.)
4 oz. can diced green chilies
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1 bunch fresh parsley, tops only (toss the stems in with other stock ingredients in the freezer)
1 red sweet bell pepper, cut into matchstick pieces
3 stalks of celery (including leaves) sliced
6 cloves of garlic, coarsely chopped
1 lime, both zest and juice
2 Andouille sausage links, sliced on the diagonal
10 oz. medium raw shrimp (frozen is fine and more won't hurt a thing)
salt and pepper to taste
sour cream (optional)
First step: Add black beans, and 8 c. water to large pot and bring to a boil. Turn heat off under pot as soon as it boils and put a tight-fitting lid on top; allow to sit 2-4 hours, drain, and refill pot 3/4 full of water.
Serve with a dollop of sour cream (optional) and a nice crusty bread.
This can easily be made into a tasty vegan dish by simply omitting the sausage and shrimp! (If you like cilantro I would suggest using it in place of the parsley; unfortunately one of the other Bletherskites despises cilantro so parsley makes an acceptable substitute.) Serves 6-8.
Even though I had the sickies yesterday I went ahead and made the other meal I'd been looking forward to creating all week: Rosemary and garlic beef rollups, parmesan mashed potatoes, and sauteed balsamic spinach and mushrooms ...recipes next week.
Good thing for today: feeling better!
Music for today: (Click on name of the song.) It seemed appropriate on the Friday before Valentine's to post The Cure's Friday I'm In Love
Happy Weekending!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Whimsical Wednesdays: Copacabanas and silly place names, etc...
Don't we all need a day to be whimsical every once in a while? I've decided that Wednesdays will be my day of whimsy....why? Well, alliteration and all that...
At the top of my whimsical list are these lovely wallpapers from a couple of extremely talented Portugese artists and they are just perfect for children; I wish they'd been available when my daughter was wee!
Isn't that gorgeous? I found them during one of my regular hunts for interesting and informative blogs; you can check them out here---> 2littlehands
Also tripping my whimsy meter today: Funny town names here in the US....Indiana definitely has it's quota filled with place names like Gobbler's Knob, Turkey Run, Floyd's Knobs, Lickskillet, Gnawbone, and French Lick but the Hoosier state doesn't have a lock on the funny names. How about Monks Misery-Maryland, Climax-Georgia, Spunky Puddle-Ohio, Monkey Box-Florida, Bacon-Delaware, Cheddar-South Carolina, Half Hell-North Carolina, and last but not least....Boring-Oregon. So, are there any unusual or funny place names in your neck of the woods???
Last night I promised you some recipes....the recipe tonight is for the cookies we invented last night and named Copacabanas; mostly because, to 3M's consternation, one of the songs I regularly play for a little 'pick me up' is Barry Manilow's 'Copacabana'. Hey, it made Jess and I laugh!
Tomorrow night I'll post the recipe for the soup I invented....the other Bletherteers voted it 2 thumbs way, way up.
Copacabana Cookies
2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
2 c. sugar
2 c. white chocolate chips
3/4 c. minced dried pineapple
3/4 c. chopped macadamia nuts
1 c. butter, softened
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
In large mixing bowl beat butter and sugar together with hand mixer until well blended; add eggs and vanilla, and beat until smooth. Combine flour, baking soda and salt then add to butter and sugar mixture, mixing until combined then stir in white chocolate chips, pineapple, and nuts. (Next time we make them we're going to add a half cup of shredded coconut, although it's great just like this as well.)
Cover cookie dough and place in refrigerator while oven is preheating to 350F. Drop by the tablespoonful on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a light golden brown. Cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. Makes about 4 dozen.
Good thing for the day: Talking with the Florida contingent; it was great to chat with my mother and my daughter!
Music for today: (Click on song name.) John Lee Hooker's Wednesday Evening Blues and, in the spirit of whimsical Wednesdays, this offering from....of all places....North Korea. A-Ha's Take On Me
At the top of my whimsical list are these lovely wallpapers from a couple of extremely talented Portugese artists and they are just perfect for children; I wish they'd been available when my daughter was wee!
Isn't that gorgeous? I found them during one of my regular hunts for interesting and informative blogs; you can check them out here---> 2littlehands
Also tripping my whimsy meter today: Funny town names here in the US....Indiana definitely has it's quota filled with place names like Gobbler's Knob, Turkey Run, Floyd's Knobs, Lickskillet, Gnawbone, and French Lick but the Hoosier state doesn't have a lock on the funny names. How about Monks Misery-Maryland, Climax-Georgia, Spunky Puddle-Ohio, Monkey Box-Florida, Bacon-Delaware, Cheddar-South Carolina, Half Hell-North Carolina, and last but not least....Boring-Oregon. So, are there any unusual or funny place names in your neck of the woods???
Last night I promised you some recipes....the recipe tonight is for the cookies we invented last night and named Copacabanas; mostly because, to 3M's consternation, one of the songs I regularly play for a little 'pick me up' is Barry Manilow's 'Copacabana'. Hey, it made Jess and I laugh!
Tomorrow night I'll post the recipe for the soup I invented....the other Bletherteers voted it 2 thumbs way, way up.
Copacabana Cookies
2 1/2 c. all purpose flour
2 c. sugar
2 c. white chocolate chips
3/4 c. minced dried pineapple
3/4 c. chopped macadamia nuts
1 c. butter, softened
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
In large mixing bowl beat butter and sugar together with hand mixer until well blended; add eggs and vanilla, and beat until smooth. Combine flour, baking soda and salt then add to butter and sugar mixture, mixing until combined then stir in white chocolate chips, pineapple, and nuts. (Next time we make them we're going to add a half cup of shredded coconut, although it's great just like this as well.)
Cover cookie dough and place in refrigerator while oven is preheating to 350F. Drop by the tablespoonful on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a light golden brown. Cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes before carefully transferring to a wire rack to finish cooling. Makes about 4 dozen.
Good thing for the day: Talking with the Florida contingent; it was great to chat with my mother and my daughter!
Music for today: (Click on song name.) John Lee Hooker's Wednesday Evening Blues and, in the spirit of whimsical Wednesdays, this offering from....of all places....North Korea. A-Ha's Take On Me
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Tuesdays in Terre Haute (Sweeping generalizations ahead.)
With the exception of a few years in the long-gone past I've lived in Indiana; this state and I have a love-hate relationship going on that doesn't look like it will be ending anytime soon. It's rather like the siblings that pick at, and argue with, one another constantly but woe upon the outsider who dare attack one of them! I love the land here, I love the people.......perverse as they can often be I 'get' them. I definitely do not love the sometimes extreme conservatism, often rampant hypocrisy and insularity, nor the culture of cultivated ignorance. Think I'm joking? I posted a couple of weeks ago about Indiana being the first state in the Rust Belt to join the 'right to work' parade; just last week our ludicrous legislature tried to make it law that creationism (aka creation "science") had to be taught in schools along with the theory of evolution, and with as much creedence given to it! I must give a great big "hail fellow, WELL met" to the genius who decided to re-write the bill to include the teaching of ALL religious creation myths....including that of Scientology; she or he sent this stupid bill back to legislation limbo, although I have no doubt it will be resurrected time and time again. For the whole funny story click HERE . Really, is my state trying to look as stupid as possible in the public eye?
Getting to the subject of Terre Haute: Terre Haute has only recently become my hometown and it wasn't a place I ever had any ambition to live but needs must. Recently I've been digging into Terre Haute's history a bit and must admit I've been surprised and entertained by the results. Admittedly, this small city has long had a less than spectacular reputation despite the fact that there are several fine establishments of higher learning here (click on the names for more information) like Indiana State University , Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and Rose Hulman Institute of Technology . We even have our very own saint! St. Mother Theodore Guerin
On the other hand, Terre Haute has long been infamous for it's overwhelming stench, being hated by Steve Martin......yeah, that guy, the famous comedian and truly excellent banjo player.....and being a major meth center. Al Capone, John Dillinger, and other assorted criminal types often spent time in Terre Haute 'back in the day' and Burl Ives claimed that one of the most popular singers in the area's bordellos and speak easies, "Big Ione" Williams, inspired and taught him while he lived in Terre Haute.
So anyway, I've been enjoying learning more about my adopted home town; there are good things going on here to balance out all the bad. I'm going to enjoy continuing to learn about and sharing the good, the bad, the racy, and the very very smelly. Click here---> Smell BAAAAAD!
In other news, the new recipe I'm experimenting with is proceeding apace...when I'm done here I shall go chop up some goodies to go in it. Jess made a double batch of a new cookie recipe I'd suggested this weekend: dried pineapple, macadamia, and white chocolate chip cookies, and they are heavenly; next time we're going to toss some shredded coconut in as well. Tomorrow I'll post a picture of them along with the recipe. Jess mostly bakes the cookies around here, she's far more patient with the process than I am; I just invent new recipes and eat the cookies....hmmm, is it any wonder they call me the cookie monster?
Good thing for the day: COOKIE!
Music for the day has a couple of offerings to share: (Click on the name of the song.) The Pogues- Tuesday Morning and Earl Scruggs, STEVE MARTIN, and a whole lot of other fantastic musicians in what may well be the best ever rendition of that bluegrass classic: Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Getting to the subject of Terre Haute: Terre Haute has only recently become my hometown and it wasn't a place I ever had any ambition to live but needs must. Recently I've been digging into Terre Haute's history a bit and must admit I've been surprised and entertained by the results. Admittedly, this small city has long had a less than spectacular reputation despite the fact that there are several fine establishments of higher learning here (click on the names for more information) like Indiana State University , Saint Mary-of-the-Woods and Rose Hulman Institute of Technology . We even have our very own saint! St. Mother Theodore Guerin
On the other hand, Terre Haute has long been infamous for it's overwhelming stench, being hated by Steve Martin......yeah, that guy, the famous comedian and truly excellent banjo player.....and being a major meth center. Al Capone, John Dillinger, and other assorted criminal types often spent time in Terre Haute 'back in the day' and Burl Ives claimed that one of the most popular singers in the area's bordellos and speak easies, "Big Ione" Williams, inspired and taught him while he lived in Terre Haute.
So anyway, I've been enjoying learning more about my adopted home town; there are good things going on here to balance out all the bad. I'm going to enjoy continuing to learn about and sharing the good, the bad, the racy, and the very very smelly. Click here---> Smell BAAAAAD!
In other news, the new recipe I'm experimenting with is proceeding apace...when I'm done here I shall go chop up some goodies to go in it. Jess made a double batch of a new cookie recipe I'd suggested this weekend: dried pineapple, macadamia, and white chocolate chip cookies, and they are heavenly; next time we're going to toss some shredded coconut in as well. Tomorrow I'll post a picture of them along with the recipe. Jess mostly bakes the cookies around here, she's far more patient with the process than I am; I just invent new recipes and eat the cookies....hmmm, is it any wonder they call me the cookie monster?
Good thing for the day: COOKIE!
Music for the day has a couple of offerings to share: (Click on the name of the song.) The Pogues- Tuesday Morning and Earl Scruggs, STEVE MARTIN, and a whole lot of other fantastic musicians in what may well be the best ever rendition of that bluegrass classic: Foggy Mountain Breakdown
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)