I'm sure that someone out there wouldn't agree that food is frabjous but since this is my blog I get to decide on what is and isn't frabjous. Today I'm going to share some of my favourite foodie blogs with you and some of them are definitely frabjous!
(Click on blog name.) First up is Abundance on a Dime Not only does this blog share frugal living tips you'll find great recipes in the blog and sidebar.
You'll also want to check out Jen at Beantown Baker She does every kind of recipe imaginable although I must confess that her dislike of pizza makes me wonder just how compatible we are....Jen also writes for the Cooking New England blog (part of Yankee magazine)
Then we have Cecilia's blog at Casa Baluarte which features Illongo (from the Phillipines) recipes as well as restaurant reviews from the Los Angeles, CA area. I've borrowed a couple of her recipes and believe me, they're great!
Kevin, from Closet Cooking is incredibly imaginative and creative with his recipes; I never fail to say "wow, gotta try that"!
If you're in the mood for a funny, intelligent blog with the occasional gem of a recipe you should visit Bellona at Confessions of a Recalcitrant Goddess I made her sausage and apple stuffing tonight and it was delicious; also, she uses big words like recalcitrant and that makes me very very happy.
Melissa of I Breathe........I'm Hungry has a unique take on cooking; most of her recipes are diabetic friendly as well as being lowfat, lowcarb, and delicious!
If you love Spanish, Mexican, Cuban, etc... food you'll love La Cocina de Nathan ! It's the blog of a 20-something young man who loves to cook and share the recipes handed down in his family. Makes me want to drop by for a visit in the hopes he has something on the stove.
The blog Little Red Said shares great food and craft ideas; if you enjoy eating or creating you'll love this blog.
Do you have celiac's disease or know someone who does? Then Mom, What's For Dinner is a blog you must check out. Doctors diagnosed Christi's then 16 year old daughter with celiac's and she provides delicious gluten-free recipes that will keep even the pickiest eater healthy and happy!
Now this is a wonderfully frabjous food blog! Maria from My Life in Food: A Culinary "Art" Journal is funny, intelligent, and pretty darn creative. Not only does she do some hilarious food cartoons, she creates and sells jewelry as well as cooks! I always look forward to her posts; they brighten my day considerably.
Siobhan lives and works in London; her blog Siobhan Claude Van-Damme talks about life, work, love, her upcoming wedding and of course recipes. Can't wait until fresh, local, plums are available so I can try making her plum cake.
From Kentucky we have Beth of The Goodness of the Garden
She blogs about gardening and using garden produce during the winter...if you've ever wondered what to do with those winter squashes, etc... you've saved, here is the place to find out.
Last but certainly not least, we have Val Loves To Cook from Florida. This blog is a buried treasure in my opinion....I'm not sure why she doesn't have more followers since her recipes look luscious!
Good thing for the day: Getting to talk with my bestie on messenger; it's been ages!
Music for the day: (yes, it does have to have a food theme)
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thinking About....Thursdays - Preventing Abuse
Today I'm writing mostly for caregivers....
It's a painful subject but one which must be addressed; the elderly and disabled are often the victims of abuse in many forms...physical, emotional, mental, sexual, verbal, financial. You name it, someone has done.....is doing....or will do it to someone they see as 'prey'. Now if you're reading this it's not likely that you are an abuser but you, as the caregiver, may be setting your pycsie (person you care for) up for abuse or humiliation without realizing and most likely without intending it. There are a number of internet resources about elder and disabled abuse which are helpful and I will share some but in all honesty the internet or agencies are not as significant as the attitudes and awareness of you, the caregiver, as well as other family and friends......and members of the general public. Watching for, and reporting, any suspicions of abuse or neglect of the disabled and/or elderly is as important as reporting sexual or violent abuse and every bit as important ethically. There are far too many stories, such as the one Here ,in the news and while it's good the woman's niece finally contacted the police for help why was the situation allowed to go on for so long?
It isn't my intent to insult those who care for others but there are a number of Do's and Don'ts which will help keep the person you care for safer; things you might not think about but which are important. Because you don't look at older people or the disabled as targets or weak don't assume that others think or feel the same way. I can tell you from personal experience as both a caregiver and a person needing care that anyone with a visible disability or weakness becomes an automatic target for taunting, verbal abuse, and humiliation at the best. At the worst they are targetted for robbery, rape, beatings, and murder.
Be realistic....how quickly could she get away from someone intent on humiliating her or worse? It does happen, it's happened to me; enough of that however, on to a list of Do's and Don'ts.
DO speak with your pycsie in a normal tone of voice; especially in public.
DON'T use the super-sweet tone of voice some speak to children or the sick in. By doing this you have already marked them in other people's minds as 'different' and different often equals less to others.
DO listen to what your pycsie has to say, especially if a situation or person/people are making them uncomfortable...the face people show you may be very different from the one they show your pycsie.
DON'T finish sentences for your pycsie, speak over them, or allow others to speak to you over your pycsie, or as if your pycsie wasn't there. Doing any of these things, unless your pycsie is unable to speak or has asked you to speak for them, is rude, thoughtless, humiliating and tells those who observe it that it's okay to treat your pycsie in such a manner.....a big step toward turning them into an object rather than a person. And DON'T ever yell at, talk down to, or otherwise deliberately humiliate the person you're caring for. I can tell you quite honestly, because I have done it in the past, if I hear you I'm going to tell you all about yourself and, if I think the situation warrants it, I will call protective services or the police.
DO work with your pycsie, if they are capable of it, on strategies for remaining safe both in public and in private. A cellphone or panic button can enable them to call for help when you aren't around...whether the issue is one of health or one of safety. When out in public with your pycsie DO be aware of where they are at all times.
DON'T assume your pycsie is safe in public places; I have been humiliated, taunted, cursed at, etc... many times in public, but never when someone able-bodied was obviously with me. While it might be somewhat reassuring to think that the perpetrators were cowardly imagine what those same people would do in a slightly less public venue like a dark parking lot?
DON'T lose sight of the person you care for, even in public places...don't just walk out into the parking lot ahead of them and not realize they are dozens of feet away from you where you may not be able to help them in case of a fall or an attack of some kind. Yes, it might be just taunting but each time it happens can take away just a little more self-respect and feeling of being safe in the world. Public venues like bathrooms, etc...??? Go in them with the person you care for unless they tell you they are okay and are competent to make that decision.
DO help your pycsie in ways they ask but DON'T make a big deal of it. Every time the fact they need assistance is made obvious is a time they may become a target.
DO treat the person you care for with the same compassionate respect you would hope to receive if you were in their position. If you're not sure how you would feel then try living a day with the kinds of limitations they have; I guarantee it will be an eye-opener!
DON'T set your pycsie up to fail....if they have severe tremors don't order soup for them in a restaurant. In fact, don't order for them at all unless they can't. If they have low stamina don't take them out for a long walk; simple thoughtfulness will go a long way toward preventing others from seeing the person you care for as a potential target.
Linkies! (Click on name.)
cape Curriculum on Abuse Prevention
What Is Abuse Prevention?
Violence and Abuse Against People with Disabilities
Issues and Concerns Confronting Disabled Assault Victims
US Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs
Elder Abuse
Good thing for the day: Finding a local Parkinson's support group!
Music for the day:
It's a painful subject but one which must be addressed; the elderly and disabled are often the victims of abuse in many forms...physical, emotional, mental, sexual, verbal, financial. You name it, someone has done.....is doing....or will do it to someone they see as 'prey'. Now if you're reading this it's not likely that you are an abuser but you, as the caregiver, may be setting your pycsie (person you care for) up for abuse or humiliation without realizing and most likely without intending it. There are a number of internet resources about elder and disabled abuse which are helpful and I will share some but in all honesty the internet or agencies are not as significant as the attitudes and awareness of you, the caregiver, as well as other family and friends......and members of the general public. Watching for, and reporting, any suspicions of abuse or neglect of the disabled and/or elderly is as important as reporting sexual or violent abuse and every bit as important ethically. There are far too many stories, such as the one Here ,in the news and while it's good the woman's niece finally contacted the police for help why was the situation allowed to go on for so long?
It isn't my intent to insult those who care for others but there are a number of Do's and Don'ts which will help keep the person you care for safer; things you might not think about but which are important. Because you don't look at older people or the disabled as targets or weak don't assume that others think or feel the same way. I can tell you from personal experience as both a caregiver and a person needing care that anyone with a visible disability or weakness becomes an automatic target for taunting, verbal abuse, and humiliation at the best. At the worst they are targetted for robbery, rape, beatings, and murder.
DO speak with your pycsie in a normal tone of voice; especially in public.
DON'T use the super-sweet tone of voice some speak to children or the sick in. By doing this you have already marked them in other people's minds as 'different' and different often equals less to others.
DO listen to what your pycsie has to say, especially if a situation or person/people are making them uncomfortable...the face people show you may be very different from the one they show your pycsie.
DON'T finish sentences for your pycsie, speak over them, or allow others to speak to you over your pycsie, or as if your pycsie wasn't there. Doing any of these things, unless your pycsie is unable to speak or has asked you to speak for them, is rude, thoughtless, humiliating and tells those who observe it that it's okay to treat your pycsie in such a manner.....a big step toward turning them into an object rather than a person. And DON'T ever yell at, talk down to, or otherwise deliberately humiliate the person you're caring for. I can tell you quite honestly, because I have done it in the past, if I hear you I'm going to tell you all about yourself and, if I think the situation warrants it, I will call protective services or the police.
DO work with your pycsie, if they are capable of it, on strategies for remaining safe both in public and in private. A cellphone or panic button can enable them to call for help when you aren't around...whether the issue is one of health or one of safety. When out in public with your pycsie DO be aware of where they are at all times.
DON'T assume your pycsie is safe in public places; I have been humiliated, taunted, cursed at, etc... many times in public, but never when someone able-bodied was obviously with me. While it might be somewhat reassuring to think that the perpetrators were cowardly imagine what those same people would do in a slightly less public venue like a dark parking lot?
DON'T lose sight of the person you care for, even in public places...don't just walk out into the parking lot ahead of them and not realize they are dozens of feet away from you where you may not be able to help them in case of a fall or an attack of some kind. Yes, it might be just taunting but each time it happens can take away just a little more self-respect and feeling of being safe in the world. Public venues like bathrooms, etc...??? Go in them with the person you care for unless they tell you they are okay and are competent to make that decision.
DO help your pycsie in ways they ask but DON'T make a big deal of it. Every time the fact they need assistance is made obvious is a time they may become a target.
DO treat the person you care for with the same compassionate respect you would hope to receive if you were in their position. If you're not sure how you would feel then try living a day with the kinds of limitations they have; I guarantee it will be an eye-opener!
DON'T set your pycsie up to fail....if they have severe tremors don't order soup for them in a restaurant. In fact, don't order for them at all unless they can't. If they have low stamina don't take them out for a long walk; simple thoughtfulness will go a long way toward preventing others from seeing the person you care for as a potential target.
Linkies! (Click on name.)
cape Curriculum on Abuse Prevention
What Is Abuse Prevention?
Violence and Abuse Against People with Disabilities
Issues and Concerns Confronting Disabled Assault Victims
US Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs
Elder Abuse
Good thing for the day: Finding a local Parkinson's support group!
Music for the day:
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday's Whimsies - Steampunk Couture
Wow, Wednesday already! My how this week has flown! Still, ready or not, it's time for Steampunk... For many of it's adherents steampunk is more than a clothing style, it's a lifestyle; how fun would that be? You can catch glimpses of steampunk, and western steampunk, style in movies ranging from 1999's Wild Wild West with Will Smith, Salma Hayek, and Kevin Kline(how much would you like to bet that they'd love to forget about that one?!?) to the Robert Downey Jr's forays into playing Sherlock Holmes, to Cowboys and Aliens with Harrison Ford, Daniel Craig, and Olivia Wilde...
Even Dr. Who has gotten in on the act:
People have gone so far as to have Steampunk weddings......complete with steampunk wedding cakes. Hmmm, wonder if I could talk the Great Scot into having a second wedding with a steampunk theme???
That looks like way too much fun to eat!
Of course, since we're talking fashion, we need examples and links...so for a good understanding we should begin with shoes, yes? (Oh my, was that a pun?) Fortunately for the guys, men's Steampunk fashions are just as much fun as the women's....and without corsets!
I LOVE the women's shoes; so cheeky and fun.
And of course there must be underthings..........
Yeah, not so much into that myself but it's still cute as can be. And of course we have pictures of the things which go over the unders...
For those who don't recognize them, these are the actors who were in the original Wild Wild West television series...the originators of the steampunk craze.
And now for all those lovely links: (Click on website name.)
Clockwork Couture
Etsy Yes, you really can find almost anything on Etsy!
Steampunk Emporium Everything from undergarments to shoes for men, women, and children.
Lip Service Steampunk
Milanoo
Modcloth Let's face it, they have just about any style you want.
Demonia Shoes and Boots
Rivithead
Oh, and a heads up for next week: Jess has asked me to do a bit on anime fashion; that should be interesting...
Good thing for the day: Getting the ducks all in a row.
Music for the day: Gotta have some steampunk-related music, right??
People have gone so far as to have Steampunk weddings......complete with steampunk wedding cakes. Hmmm, wonder if I could talk the Great Scot into having a second wedding with a steampunk theme???
Of course, since we're talking fashion, we need examples and links...so for a good understanding we should begin with shoes, yes? (Oh my, was that a pun?) Fortunately for the guys, men's Steampunk fashions are just as much fun as the women's....and without corsets!
I LOVE the women's shoes; so cheeky and fun.
And of course there must be underthings..........
Yeah, not so much into that myself but it's still cute as can be. And of course we have pictures of the things which go over the unders...
For those who don't recognize them, these are the actors who were in the original Wild Wild West television series...the originators of the steampunk craze.
And now for all those lovely links: (Click on website name.)
Clockwork Couture
Etsy Yes, you really can find almost anything on Etsy!
Steampunk Emporium Everything from undergarments to shoes for men, women, and children.
Lip Service Steampunk
Milanoo
Modcloth Let's face it, they have just about any style you want.
Demonia Shoes and Boots
Rivithead
Oh, and a heads up for next week: Jess has asked me to do a bit on anime fashion; that should be interesting...
Good thing for the day: Getting the ducks all in a row.
Music for the day: Gotta have some steampunk-related music, right??
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Tuesday in Terre Haute-Blogs and Recipes
Morning glories; hope everyone is doing well, is wide awake, and camera ready! I have the first one in hand but as for wide awake and camera ready, well...........
Maybe not so much. Coffee! Make up! And as you can see, there's some serious bedhead going on. Hehe, Jess didn't think I'd really post the picture after she'd taken it, but life is too short to take oneself seriously all the time.
Thought I'd take the time to post a few blog links from around the central Indiana area, beginning with these from Terre Haute....(Click on blog name.)
Kevin's Simpler Times Homestead (About local urban homesteaders.)
Lizard in the Leaves (Knitting, reading, books, local happenings, etc...)
Not to mention these, from a bit further afield....
As it Happens (From a couple who have moved from city to country dwelling and their 'adventures' in country life.)
In The Path (A new blog about storm chasing which, if they keep it going, should prove to be very interesting.)
No Page Left Behind (The blog of a lively young woman who loves to read and review a wide array of literature. Oh and by the way, I just love the way blogger keeps changing my font on me.)
Photo Potpourri (Hobby photography and prose by a veteran newspaper reporter/editor; mainly focusing on the Indianapolis area.)
And last but not least, I give you The Vintage Farmhouse . Nicki, who is a young wife and mother shares the experience of moving from the city to the country, as well as some great and realllly inexpensive ideas for decorating on a budget.
This next bit is for Carolyn from Letters From An Urban Trench who wanted some of my recipes. The first one has already been posted here -->Cerdo y Sopa Choy del Bok . The next is my extremely easy and tasty blackberry cobbler or as Two Bear used to call it, Blackberry Fool. He said it was because it looked like something a fool would put together (gee thanks) but I notice he usually ate most....and sometimes all...of it. (I'll add the rest of today's pictures when blogger decides to be more cooperative.)
Blackberry Fool Cobbler
1 9" pie crust of your preference
6 c. fresh blackberries
1 1/3 c. sugar plus 1 tsp.
1/3 c. flour
1 Tbsp. butter, divided
1/4 tsp. Each: salt and ginger
Combine blackberries, flour, salt and ginger in deep dish pie pan, combining gently. Dot butter over the fruit mixture and flop your pie crust down on top so it looks lumpy and frumpy, cut four small slits in center of crust. Sprinkle remaining sugar on top of crust and bake in preheated 350 F. oven for 40 minutes or until cobbler is bubbly and crust is golden brown. Makes 6-8 servings for a total cost of $ 3.95
Carne Asada (with crockpot directions as well)
1 1/2 lbs. top round steak
2 ancho or corno del toro chiles, seeded and sliced (sliced sweet peppers can be substituted but if so add 1 heaping tsp. chile powder)
1 large onion, sliced in thin rings
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
zest and juice of 1 lime
6 cloves garlic, cut in chunks
salt to taste
Place beef in 9" x 13" baking pan and cover with other ingredients. Bake in 350 F. oven, uncovered, for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until beef is falling-apart tender.
For the crockpot: Slice beef and mix all ingredients together before cooking on low for 6-8 hours.
Carne asada, which could be considered the Mexican version of barbecue, is incredibly versatile.....it can be used on top of salads, in tacos or burritos, as carne asada nachos or fries; you name it! We used this recipe, along with homemade re-fried beans, for carne asada soft tacos as well as carne asada nachos. Made 6 hearty meals for a total cost of $10.93 (and that includes sides of salsa, shredded cheese and sour cream, as well as the whole wheat tortillas and tortilla chips we used)not bad, eh?
There you are Carolyn, hope you try these recipes and like them.
Good thing for the day: Laughing until I cried and my stomach and sides ached!
Music for the day: (Because I'm in the mood for something LOUD! )
Thought I'd take the time to post a few blog links from around the central Indiana area, beginning with these from Terre Haute....(Click on blog name.)
Kevin's Simpler Times Homestead (About local urban homesteaders.)
Lizard in the Leaves (Knitting, reading, books, local happenings, etc...)
Not to mention these, from a bit further afield....
As it Happens (From a couple who have moved from city to country dwelling and their 'adventures' in country life.)
In The Path (A new blog about storm chasing which, if they keep it going, should prove to be very interesting.)
No Page Left Behind (The blog of a lively young woman who loves to read and review a wide array of literature. Oh and by the way, I just love the way blogger keeps changing my font on me.)
Photo Potpourri (Hobby photography and prose by a veteran newspaper reporter/editor; mainly focusing on the Indianapolis area.)
And last but not least, I give you The Vintage Farmhouse . Nicki, who is a young wife and mother shares the experience of moving from the city to the country, as well as some great and realllly inexpensive ideas for decorating on a budget.
This next bit is for Carolyn from Letters From An Urban Trench who wanted some of my recipes. The first one has already been posted here -->Cerdo y Sopa Choy del Bok . The next is my extremely easy and tasty blackberry cobbler or as Two Bear used to call it, Blackberry Fool. He said it was because it looked like something a fool would put together (gee thanks) but I notice he usually ate most....and sometimes all...of it. (I'll add the rest of today's pictures when blogger decides to be more cooperative.)
Blackberry Fool Cobbler
1 9" pie crust of your preference
6 c. fresh blackberries
1 1/3 c. sugar plus 1 tsp.
1/3 c. flour
1 Tbsp. butter, divided
1/4 tsp. Each: salt and ginger
Combine blackberries, flour, salt and ginger in deep dish pie pan, combining gently. Dot butter over the fruit mixture and flop your pie crust down on top so it looks lumpy and frumpy, cut four small slits in center of crust. Sprinkle remaining sugar on top of crust and bake in preheated 350 F. oven for 40 minutes or until cobbler is bubbly and crust is golden brown. Makes 6-8 servings for a total cost of $ 3.95
Carne Asada (with crockpot directions as well)
1 1/2 lbs. top round steak
2 ancho or corno del toro chiles, seeded and sliced (sliced sweet peppers can be substituted but if so add 1 heaping tsp. chile powder)
1 large onion, sliced in thin rings
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
zest and juice of 1 lime
6 cloves garlic, cut in chunks
salt to taste
Place beef in 9" x 13" baking pan and cover with other ingredients. Bake in 350 F. oven, uncovered, for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until beef is falling-apart tender.
For the crockpot: Slice beef and mix all ingredients together before cooking on low for 6-8 hours.
Carne asada, which could be considered the Mexican version of barbecue, is incredibly versatile.....it can be used on top of salads, in tacos or burritos, as carne asada nachos or fries; you name it! We used this recipe, along with homemade re-fried beans, for carne asada soft tacos as well as carne asada nachos. Made 6 hearty meals for a total cost of $10.93 (and that includes sides of salsa, shredded cheese and sour cream, as well as the whole wheat tortillas and tortilla chips we used)not bad, eh?
There you are Carolyn, hope you try these recipes and like them.
Good thing for the day: Laughing until I cried and my stomach and sides ached!
Music for the day: (Because I'm in the mood for something LOUD! )
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Musically Misc. Menu Mondays: So long and thanks for everything
After a lovely weekend involving another long drive and the spotting of a number of farm market stands to visit this summer today was a sad one.
We got up early this morning and headed off to Indianapolis for an appointment with Doc (well over an hour drive) only to get a call when we were 5 minutes away telling us that Doc wouldn't be in the office after all. Since the staff was in the office we decided to go by and pick up some more of the 'hungry' med for 3M and try to set up another appointment, only to be told that Doc was retiring. So that's it; no Doc, not even a goodbye. Still, it might be for the best since it's going to be difficult enough to replace him as a physician; impossible as a friend.
Menu from Monday March 19th to Sunday March 25th, 2012
Breakfasts and Lunches: Homemade banana bread and muffins, toast, fruit, yogurt, leftovers, sausage sandwiches
Suppers:
Monday 3/19: Smoked chicken, cheddar, apple and pecan salad on mixed greens
Tuesday 3/20: Warm potato and sausage 'salad'
Wednesday 3/21: Corned beef hash and eggs
Thursday 3/22: Jess's beans with ham hocks
Friday 3/23: Hot dogs (early night)
Saturday 3/24: Cerdo y sopa choy del bok and blackberry cobbler
Sunday 3/25: Goat cheese and cranberry stuffed chicken breasts, sauteed mushrooms and greens
A quick note: I'm going to be cleaning out my blog list again; if you aren't one of my followers and I'm not learning something from your blog then, nothing personal, but I'll be removing your blog from my list.
Good thing for the day: The carne asada I'm making smells sooo good!
Music for the day:
We got up early this morning and headed off to Indianapolis for an appointment with Doc (well over an hour drive) only to get a call when we were 5 minutes away telling us that Doc wouldn't be in the office after all. Since the staff was in the office we decided to go by and pick up some more of the 'hungry' med for 3M and try to set up another appointment, only to be told that Doc was retiring. So that's it; no Doc, not even a goodbye. Still, it might be for the best since it's going to be difficult enough to replace him as a physician; impossible as a friend.
Menu from Monday March 19th to Sunday March 25th, 2012
Breakfasts and Lunches: Homemade banana bread and muffins, toast, fruit, yogurt, leftovers, sausage sandwiches
Suppers:
Monday 3/19: Smoked chicken, cheddar, apple and pecan salad on mixed greens
Tuesday 3/20: Warm potato and sausage 'salad'
Wednesday 3/21: Corned beef hash and eggs
Thursday 3/22: Jess's beans with ham hocks
Friday 3/23: Hot dogs (early night)
Saturday 3/24: Cerdo y sopa choy del bok and blackberry cobbler
Sunday 3/25: Goat cheese and cranberry stuffed chicken breasts, sauteed mushrooms and greens
A quick note: I'm going to be cleaning out my blog list again; if you aren't one of my followers and I'm not learning something from your blog then, nothing personal, but I'll be removing your blog from my list.
Good thing for the day: The carne asada I'm making smells sooo good!
Music for the day:
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Sometimes on Saturday - From ballerinas to bok choy
As my regular readers know, I don't generally post on the weekends but since my Frabjous Fridays have been missing of late and it's a quiet day hereabouts I thought I'd do a surprise post today. First is a sweetly frabjous story about a loving husband and breast cancer......
Bob Carey is a professional photographer with an offbeat sense of humour; after he and his wife Linda moved to New York he took a picture of himself wearing a pink tutu, how frabjous is that??? Six months later his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer; remembering his tutu funny self-portrait and inspired by the thought that laughter is the best medicine he began The Tutu Project...a series of photos of he and his pink tutu in a variety of locales. After many years of photographs (and his wife beating her cancer only to have it come back in 2006) he is ready to put together a book titled Ballerina and publish it, with all profits earmarked for breast cancer organizations. Now I'm not going to post any pictures of him (although I will give you some links) but I can assure you that he does not look anything like this:
If you want to find out what he looks like I suggest you go Here here or directly to The Tutu Project .
Now about this recipe: I based it on the recipe for Giniling na Karne at Pechay at Casa Baluarte (to see the original go Here ) but decided to play with it a little. Sorry I didn't get pictures this time, we ate it up too quickly! I will endeavour to take a picture or three the next time we have it. With my version I suggest having some lovely (nonsweet) coconut rice on the side; it makes a great combination. I call my version:
Cerdo y sopa choy del bok
2 lbs. bok choy; washed, drained, and cut into bite-size bits
1 lb. ground pork (any ground meat will do really)
1 c. chicken broth or stock
1 onion, halved and cut into thick half moon slices
1 red poblano OR corno del toro chile, seeded and sliced
zest and juice of one lime
1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
6 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
In large, deep, skillet cook pork, chile, onion, and ginger until no pink shows; drain.
Add all other ingredients and cook on medium-high heat until onion is transluscent and bok choy is cooked but still crisp.
That's it, it's just that easy! Serve with plain or coconut rice.
Serves 4-6 for a total cost of $7.23
Good thing for the day: My mother, who is also a breast cancer survivor. I love you Mom.
Music for the day:
Bob Carey is a professional photographer with an offbeat sense of humour; after he and his wife Linda moved to New York he took a picture of himself wearing a pink tutu, how frabjous is that??? Six months later his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer; remembering his tutu funny self-portrait and inspired by the thought that laughter is the best medicine he began The Tutu Project...a series of photos of he and his pink tutu in a variety of locales. After many years of photographs (and his wife beating her cancer only to have it come back in 2006) he is ready to put together a book titled Ballerina and publish it, with all profits earmarked for breast cancer organizations. Now I'm not going to post any pictures of him (although I will give you some links) but I can assure you that he does not look anything like this:
Now about this recipe: I based it on the recipe for Giniling na Karne at Pechay at Casa Baluarte (to see the original go Here ) but decided to play with it a little. Sorry I didn't get pictures this time, we ate it up too quickly! I will endeavour to take a picture or three the next time we have it. With my version I suggest having some lovely (nonsweet) coconut rice on the side; it makes a great combination. I call my version:
Cerdo y sopa choy del bok
2 lbs. bok choy; washed, drained, and cut into bite-size bits
1 lb. ground pork (any ground meat will do really)
1 c. chicken broth or stock
1 onion, halved and cut into thick half moon slices
1 red poblano OR corno del toro chile, seeded and sliced
zest and juice of one lime
1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
6 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
In large, deep, skillet cook pork, chile, onion, and ginger until no pink shows; drain.
Add all other ingredients and cook on medium-high heat until onion is transluscent and bok choy is cooked but still crisp.
That's it, it's just that easy! Serve with plain or coconut rice.
Serves 4-6 for a total cost of $7.23
Good thing for the day: My mother, who is also a breast cancer survivor. I love you Mom.
Music for the day:
Friday, March 23, 2012
Thinking About.....Thursday - Burnout
Burnout when dealing with chronic illness, aging, terminal illness, disability, etc.... is a very real and present concern for both caregiver and cared-for. While it is closely related to both stress and depression and contains elements of each it is an entirely different and noxious creature altogether and being the main, or sole, caregiver for someone you care about all too often leads to severe burnout. Now let me be clear here, when I speak of caregivers in these posts I'm referring to unpaid carers; usually female, often family members, and quite likely to still be raising children. Being a paid caregiver can also produce burnout and some of the information I hope to share can help but being a paid caregiver means you can leave the job behind at the end of your shift and you have the additional option of being able to change jobs if it all becomes too much; options not generally available to the unpaid (usually family) caregiver.
It's not surprising that being a caregiver can, and often does, produce burnout considering the financial, social, family, time, and emotional stresses it places on a person. If the person being cared for also suffers from depression or the little-discussed reality of chronic illness burnout it makes avoiding caregiver burnout that much more difficult. The fact is: no matter how much you care about the person you're caring for you will have to deal with burnout to some degree...what you can control, to some degree at least, is how bad the burnout becomes and how long it lasts. There are also a number of things you can do to help prevent or ameliorate burnout for both yourself and the p.y.c.f. (person you care for).
As always, there are innumerable resources online for learning more about burnout and for finding the help you, yes you supertakecareofeveryoneelseperson, are going to need and I'll share links for some of them. I'm also going to point a few suggestions that have worked for me as both a caregiver and a p.y.c.f. Hmmmm, perhaps I'll just change that to pycsie, (pronounced pixie of course) it's ever so much funner!
Top of the list for me, on either side of the equation, has always been humour; if you have something to smile or laugh about everything is better....and shared humour reinforces the positive bonds between the caregiver and their pycsie. As a caregiver one of the things I found helped was to provide funny videotapes and dvd's. Some were family videos of funny incidents at weddings, birthday parties, and so on; others were of tv series, movies or comedians that particularly appealed to my pycsie. When I was caring for my Dad before his death he especially enjoyed the Red Green series; it helped him remain calm even on his most anxious days. Not only does humour help emotionally, it gives you a little time for some self-care, housework, etc... Talking about and sharing funny incidents and memories also helps keep things on a more positive footing. One of the (many) things I most appreciate about 3M and Jess is that they both love to laugh and to make me laugh and I try to return the favour whenever possible!
Self-care, however, runs a very close second for preventing burnout in both the caregiver and the pycsie. Do not convince yourself that taking time to care for yourself is selfish or unimportant; it is, in fact, much more selfish not to care for yourself! If you find that difficult to swallow then look at it this way: You, as the caregiver, are a giant care battery....if you don't recharge yourself on a regular basis then you have nothing left to give to your pycsie or anyone else you care about and how does that help anyone? Also, as a caregiver you are much more likely to develop an illness, including chronic illness, yourself....taking care of yourself and your own health is the best preventative available. As a pycsie, not taking care of yourself as much as you are able will lead to further ill-health, which places additional burdens on your caregiver(s). It also leads to, or worsens, the depression that often accompanies chronic illness and furthers social and emotional isolation. By committing yourself to self-care you also regain some sense of independence and autonomy while lightening the burden of your caregiver. Sure there are days it all just seems too much but for the sake of others around you, as well as yourself, you need to try to have more days when you take as much care of yourself as you can. As a pycsie myself I consider caring for my caregivers so far as is possible to be part of my own self-care; (since it gives me a sense of accomplishment and shows I still have much to give) some of the things I do include giving footrubs, making our meals much of the time, and sending 3M and Jess out on their own from time to time.
Setting boundaries: it can be very difficult on both sides of the coin to set and maintain appropriate boundaries and which boundaries can and should be set vary with each situation but it is necessary for everyone. I can't tell you what boundaries you'll need to set in your caregiver-pycsie relationship but I do suggest negotiating them with love and respect. As a caregiver remember to take time to imagine how you would feel and what you would need if the situation were reversed; as a pycsie respect the fact that your caregiver, especially if they have a home and family elsewhere, has a life they need and want to maintain.
Lastly, look for and ask for help. There are many sources of help for both caregiver and pycsie and anything which provides care, relief, and a lightening of the burdens connected with care is worth pursuing.
Informative links (click on name/description)
For a laugh.......Aha! Jokes Funny Pics lolcats at Icanhazcheesburger
(Cute picture time!)
For information on pycsie and caregiver burnout: Joy Benchmarks: Chronic Illness Burnout and What Is Caregiver Burnout on WebMD
A few care resource links as well as things to help keep the tricky business of scheduling, etc... under control (all are free btw) Preventing Caregiver Burnout National Family Caregivers:Protect Your Health NCOA: Benefits Checkup (This is a great way to find programs that will both help your pycsie and take some of the weight off your shoulders!) Free Online Calendar for Family Schedules Remember the Milk! Online to do list This last one is especially good since you can access it through your phone as well as get online, email, and phone reminders, etc...It is also a free service.
Last but definitely not least: If you find yourself getting extremely depressed, frustrated, etc... step back and get help. Call on family members, friends, church members, senior centers or adult daycare facilities to get the break you need because you do neither yourself nor your pycsie any good by not doing so; remember that it is the relationship which is most important!
Good thing for the day: Jess is making supper and mmmmm does it smell good!
Music for the day: (Just because it makes me laugh and we all feel like this some days.)
It's not surprising that being a caregiver can, and often does, produce burnout considering the financial, social, family, time, and emotional stresses it places on a person. If the person being cared for also suffers from depression or the little-discussed reality of chronic illness burnout it makes avoiding caregiver burnout that much more difficult. The fact is: no matter how much you care about the person you're caring for you will have to deal with burnout to some degree...what you can control, to some degree at least, is how bad the burnout becomes and how long it lasts. There are also a number of things you can do to help prevent or ameliorate burnout for both yourself and the p.y.c.f. (person you care for).
As always, there are innumerable resources online for learning more about burnout and for finding the help you, yes you supertakecareofeveryoneelseperson, are going to need and I'll share links for some of them. I'm also going to point a few suggestions that have worked for me as both a caregiver and a p.y.c.f. Hmmmm, perhaps I'll just change that to pycsie, (pronounced pixie of course) it's ever so much funner!
Top of the list for me, on either side of the equation, has always been humour; if you have something to smile or laugh about everything is better....and shared humour reinforces the positive bonds between the caregiver and their pycsie. As a caregiver one of the things I found helped was to provide funny videotapes and dvd's. Some were family videos of funny incidents at weddings, birthday parties, and so on; others were of tv series, movies or comedians that particularly appealed to my pycsie. When I was caring for my Dad before his death he especially enjoyed the Red Green series; it helped him remain calm even on his most anxious days. Not only does humour help emotionally, it gives you a little time for some self-care, housework, etc... Talking about and sharing funny incidents and memories also helps keep things on a more positive footing. One of the (many) things I most appreciate about 3M and Jess is that they both love to laugh and to make me laugh and I try to return the favour whenever possible!
Self-care, however, runs a very close second for preventing burnout in both the caregiver and the pycsie. Do not convince yourself that taking time to care for yourself is selfish or unimportant; it is, in fact, much more selfish not to care for yourself! If you find that difficult to swallow then look at it this way: You, as the caregiver, are a giant care battery....if you don't recharge yourself on a regular basis then you have nothing left to give to your pycsie or anyone else you care about and how does that help anyone? Also, as a caregiver you are much more likely to develop an illness, including chronic illness, yourself....taking care of yourself and your own health is the best preventative available. As a pycsie, not taking care of yourself as much as you are able will lead to further ill-health, which places additional burdens on your caregiver(s). It also leads to, or worsens, the depression that often accompanies chronic illness and furthers social and emotional isolation. By committing yourself to self-care you also regain some sense of independence and autonomy while lightening the burden of your caregiver. Sure there are days it all just seems too much but for the sake of others around you, as well as yourself, you need to try to have more days when you take as much care of yourself as you can. As a pycsie myself I consider caring for my caregivers so far as is possible to be part of my own self-care; (since it gives me a sense of accomplishment and shows I still have much to give) some of the things I do include giving footrubs, making our meals much of the time, and sending 3M and Jess out on their own from time to time.
Setting boundaries: it can be very difficult on both sides of the coin to set and maintain appropriate boundaries and which boundaries can and should be set vary with each situation but it is necessary for everyone. I can't tell you what boundaries you'll need to set in your caregiver-pycsie relationship but I do suggest negotiating them with love and respect. As a caregiver remember to take time to imagine how you would feel and what you would need if the situation were reversed; as a pycsie respect the fact that your caregiver, especially if they have a home and family elsewhere, has a life they need and want to maintain.
Lastly, look for and ask for help. There are many sources of help for both caregiver and pycsie and anything which provides care, relief, and a lightening of the burdens connected with care is worth pursuing.
Informative links (click on name/description)
For a laugh.......Aha! Jokes Funny Pics lolcats at Icanhazcheesburger
For information on pycsie and caregiver burnout: Joy Benchmarks: Chronic Illness Burnout and What Is Caregiver Burnout on WebMD
A few care resource links as well as things to help keep the tricky business of scheduling, etc... under control (all are free btw) Preventing Caregiver Burnout National Family Caregivers:Protect Your Health NCOA: Benefits Checkup (This is a great way to find programs that will both help your pycsie and take some of the weight off your shoulders!) Free Online Calendar for Family Schedules Remember the Milk! Online to do list This last one is especially good since you can access it through your phone as well as get online, email, and phone reminders, etc...It is also a free service.
Last but definitely not least: If you find yourself getting extremely depressed, frustrated, etc... step back and get help. Call on family members, friends, church members, senior centers or adult daycare facilities to get the break you need because you do neither yourself nor your pycsie any good by not doing so; remember that it is the relationship which is most important!
Good thing for the day: Jess is making supper and mmmmm does it smell good!
Music for the day: (Just because it makes me laugh and we all feel like this some days.)
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Wednesday's Whimsies: Whimsical clothing....Rockabilly
In my exploration of all things whimsilicious how could I possibly ignore something as whimsical as fashion; quite possibly the most whimsy-filled thing in culture today...well, other than music. I thought I'd begin with one of my personal favorites (although I've never been quite brave enough to attempt pulling it off myself) rockabilly! It's a look eminently suitable for those who are curvaceous and not allergic to industrial strength spandex, i.e.: Spanx. For all those men and women brave enough to go for this look; I salute you! Herein you will find pictures, links, and even some examples of rockabilly music; enjoy....
Rockabilly embraces all aspects of fashion from hair to shoes, women and men, petite to plus size; even makeup and tattoos.
Hair you are Mom, this one reminds me of you.....
For a hair how-to, click Here
These are shoe-ins...
For great rockabilly shoes you can click Here or Here , but if you really want to dress for excess....
(click on names) Check out Stop Staring Clothing or Pinup Girl Clothing or Starlets and . Men, women, and even the kids can get in on the act at Daddy-O's . Oh and don't forget you can find most anything at Etsy, including all things rockabilly!
Rockabilly music's start is popularly attributed to the big three of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins but a number of great artists are rockabilly at heart or by inspiration and it's easy to find any number of videos, blogs, and websites dedicated to rockabilly...tonight, of course, the musical offerings will be rockabilly or inspired by the genre; how could I not?
Good thing for the day: A clean and tidy front porch; Jess and I worked on it for an hour or so and it looks good as new.
Music for the day: (Click on name of the artist for those that are given as links.)
Carl Perkins-Blue Suede Shoes
Elvis Presley-Jailhouse Rock
Roy Orbison-Only the Lonely
And for some more modern practitioners of rockabilly (or who were inspired by it) I give you....
Rockabilly embraces all aspects of fashion from hair to shoes, women and men, petite to plus size; even makeup and tattoos.
Hair you are Mom, this one reminds me of you.....
These are shoe-ins...
(click on names) Check out Stop Staring Clothing or Pinup Girl Clothing or Starlets and . Men, women, and even the kids can get in on the act at Daddy-O's . Oh and don't forget you can find most anything at Etsy, including all things rockabilly!
Rockabilly music's start is popularly attributed to the big three of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins but a number of great artists are rockabilly at heart or by inspiration and it's easy to find any number of videos, blogs, and websites dedicated to rockabilly...tonight, of course, the musical offerings will be rockabilly or inspired by the genre; how could I not?
Good thing for the day: A clean and tidy front porch; Jess and I worked on it for an hour or so and it looks good as new.
Music for the day: (Click on name of the artist for those that are given as links.)
Carl Perkins-Blue Suede Shoes
Elvis Presley-Jailhouse Rock
Roy Orbison-Only the Lonely
And for some more modern practitioners of rockabilly (or who were inspired by it) I give you....
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Tuesday in Terre Haute: Tuesday Morning - recipe
I woke up and felt cruddy....a circumstance which has been all too familiar of late....the fault, I suspect, of the incredibly early warm temperatures this year. All the little allergy triggers are out in force and working overtime, hence all the urk that follows. It's been in the 80's during the day for a week now and shows no signs of cooling anytime soon; heck, it's after 3:00 a.m. and still 70, something I have never seen this time of year. Sadly it will be unsurprising, to me at least, if there is a drought this summer and a horrible, terrible, no good, very bad winter next year....
So anyway, wasn't up to going to the Labyrinth to take pictures this evening but I'm hoping to be up to it sometime this week, in the meantime here's a picture of the results of yesterday's appointment with Kylie.
Short, messy, and easy to care for; I love it!
Have been looking for a new colour for my bedroom; the former occupants left it a hideous shade of muddy purplish pink that somehow manages to be both garish and depressing. My drapes are a soft mossy green and thought perhaps a pale violet-grey would set them off nicely as well as creating the peaceful feeling I'd like the room to have; as soon as I'm feeling up to it there's a sample of Valspar's Gentle Violet that is going to be splashed on one of my walls. Click Here to see a sample.
Oh, and made a warm potato and sausage salad for supper yesterday that had the other two Bletherskites raving and I thought I'd share the recipe; it's simplicity (and a meal) itself.
Blether House Warm Potato Salad
2 lbs. small red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into bite-size bits
5 sweet Italian sausages, cut into bite-size bits
1 large onion, cut in half and sliced into half-moons
1/2 c. minced fresh parsley
3 fat cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2/3 c. sour cream
1/3 c. mayonnaise
1/4 c. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. canola oil
You can go the route of roasting the potatoes (and the results will be very tasty) but in the interests of expediency I heated the canola oil in an extra-large skillet with a tight lid then added the sausage and potatoes. Cook for 10 minutes on medium high heat, stirring occasionally, then add onions, garlic, and parsley; reduce heat to medium and cook 10 minutes longer or until potatoes are tender and sausages are cooked through.
Remove lid and allow to cook 5 minutes longer before draining and stirring in all other ingredients. Serve warm with fresh fruit on the side. Serves 4-6 for a cost of $4.66
Good thing for the day: Waking up with cute bedhead!
Music for the day: Since I'm feeling sentimental; a couple of songs from my wedding....
So anyway, wasn't up to going to the Labyrinth to take pictures this evening but I'm hoping to be up to it sometime this week, in the meantime here's a picture of the results of yesterday's appointment with Kylie.
Short, messy, and easy to care for; I love it!
Have been looking for a new colour for my bedroom; the former occupants left it a hideous shade of muddy purplish pink that somehow manages to be both garish and depressing. My drapes are a soft mossy green and thought perhaps a pale violet-grey would set them off nicely as well as creating the peaceful feeling I'd like the room to have; as soon as I'm feeling up to it there's a sample of Valspar's Gentle Violet that is going to be splashed on one of my walls. Click Here to see a sample.
Oh, and made a warm potato and sausage salad for supper yesterday that had the other two Bletherskites raving and I thought I'd share the recipe; it's simplicity (and a meal) itself.
Blether House Warm Potato Salad
2 lbs. small red potatoes, scrubbed and cut into bite-size bits
5 sweet Italian sausages, cut into bite-size bits
1 large onion, cut in half and sliced into half-moons
1/2 c. minced fresh parsley
3 fat cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2/3 c. sour cream
1/3 c. mayonnaise
1/4 c. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. canola oil
You can go the route of roasting the potatoes (and the results will be very tasty) but in the interests of expediency I heated the canola oil in an extra-large skillet with a tight lid then added the sausage and potatoes. Cook for 10 minutes on medium high heat, stirring occasionally, then add onions, garlic, and parsley; reduce heat to medium and cook 10 minutes longer or until potatoes are tender and sausages are cooked through.
Remove lid and allow to cook 5 minutes longer before draining and stirring in all other ingredients. Serve warm with fresh fruit on the side. Serves 4-6 for a cost of $4.66
Good thing for the day: Waking up with cute bedhead!
Music for the day: Since I'm feeling sentimental; a couple of songs from my wedding....
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Musically Misc. Menu Mondays: Nice and quiet
Nothing much to report from Blether House this weekend but it was a nice, quiet, relaxing time for all. We caught up on our sleep....used the big, thuddy, massager on one another; (which I especially appreciated since my back was really not happy with me) 3M took us out to eat at Crazy Buffet Saturday night, it was surprisingly good, and Sunday night was a quick evening trip to Vincennes. It's SO good to have a vehicle we can all ride in together.
Tonight Jess and I went to Wally World and I visited my hairdresser, Kylie; you'll see the results of the visit tomorrow night. Tomorrow evening we're going to take pictures of the Labyrinth for Tuesday's in Terre Haute...and now for our weekly menu round-up. As always, I'm printing our menu for last week since every menu...no matter how well planned....often gets changed during the week.
Menu beginning March 12, 2012
Breakfasts and Lunches:
Yogurt, fruit, leftovers, sandwiches, toast.
Suppers:
Monday 3/12 Italian meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, brussels sprouts
Tuesday 3/13 Chicken, white bean and hominy soup
Wednesday 3/14 Bangers and mash with sauteed kale
Thursday 3/15 Pork cutlets stuffed with carrot, apple and sage with a Dijon sauce, dressing
Friday 3/16 Pork roast with carrots, potatoes and onions with gravy
Saturday 3/17 We were all hot, tired, and still stuffed from the buffet so elected to skip supper.
Sunday 3/18 Spicy fish and corn on the cob
I've been keeping track of how much money has been saved during the March challenge and so far it's approximately $289.00, give or take a few cents. Not as much as I would like at this point but better than I feared.....there are still 2 weeks left on the challenge since I began it a few days after the beginning of the month; the menu and the beginning of the month didn't start at exactly the same time.
The weather has been incredibly warm for this time of the year; in the 80's and it's to continue at that level for the rest of the week at least! It has, in fact, been so warm that 3M put the air conditioners in upstairs since it's been 90+ up there during the day.
Good thing for the day: Jess making zesty lime cookies, find the recipe Here
Music for the day (in honor of the warm weather)
Tonight Jess and I went to Wally World and I visited my hairdresser, Kylie; you'll see the results of the visit tomorrow night. Tomorrow evening we're going to take pictures of the Labyrinth for Tuesday's in Terre Haute...and now for our weekly menu round-up. As always, I'm printing our menu for last week since every menu...no matter how well planned....often gets changed during the week.
Menu beginning March 12, 2012
Breakfasts and Lunches:
Yogurt, fruit, leftovers, sandwiches, toast.
Suppers:
Monday 3/12 Italian meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, brussels sprouts
Tuesday 3/13 Chicken, white bean and hominy soup
Wednesday 3/14 Bangers and mash with sauteed kale
Thursday 3/15 Pork cutlets stuffed with carrot, apple and sage with a Dijon sauce, dressing
Friday 3/16 Pork roast with carrots, potatoes and onions with gravy
Saturday 3/17 We were all hot, tired, and still stuffed from the buffet so elected to skip supper.
Sunday 3/18 Spicy fish and corn on the cob
I've been keeping track of how much money has been saved during the March challenge and so far it's approximately $289.00, give or take a few cents. Not as much as I would like at this point but better than I feared.....there are still 2 weeks left on the challenge since I began it a few days after the beginning of the month; the menu and the beginning of the month didn't start at exactly the same time.
The weather has been incredibly warm for this time of the year; in the 80's and it's to continue at that level for the rest of the week at least! It has, in fact, been so warm that 3M put the air conditioners in upstairs since it's been 90+ up there during the day.
Good thing for the day: Jess making zesty lime cookies, find the recipe Here
Music for the day (in honor of the warm weather)
Friday, March 16, 2012
Thinking About.......Thursday: Caregiver Resources
Statistically it's likely that anyone reading this is, has been, or will be a caregiver and if not (or even if) you'll be in need of care at some point. Funny how so little thought is given to the stresses of caregiving...emotional, physical, time-wise, and financial...when it's even more likely to happen than retirement.
Tonight I'm going to post some links for caregiver websites to help you navigate the tricky situation of caring for someone you love and hopefully provide you, the caregiver, with some of the support you need. But first, for all those who give of yourselves to help another, I want to thank you for all you do.
(Click on the website name.)
For good basic information about caregivers and caregiving: Caregiver-Wikipedia and Caregivers: Medline Plus
Caregiver support sites: Family Caregiving 101
Caregiving.com
Family Caregiver Alliance
Today's Caregiver
There are a number of websites out there which are dedicated to caregivers, this is only a brief overview, and they are invaluable for support as well as scads of useful information. You are not alone in this.
Music for the day:
Good thing for the day: Lily being all sweet and cuddly......I think she's trying to make up for yesterday!
Tonight I'm going to post some links for caregiver websites to help you navigate the tricky situation of caring for someone you love and hopefully provide you, the caregiver, with some of the support you need. But first, for all those who give of yourselves to help another, I want to thank you for all you do.
(Click on the website name.)
For good basic information about caregivers and caregiving: Caregiver-Wikipedia and Caregivers: Medline Plus
Caregiver support sites: Family Caregiving 101
Caregiving.com
Family Caregiver Alliance
Today's Caregiver
There are a number of websites out there which are dedicated to caregivers, this is only a brief overview, and they are invaluable for support as well as scads of useful information. You are not alone in this.
Music for the day:
Good thing for the day: Lily being all sweet and cuddly......I think she's trying to make up for yesterday!
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Wednesday's Whimsies: The Great Chicken Heist of 2012
I promised to post pictures of the whimsical little general store we went to this weekend and I'll get around to them but first I need to talk about a certain criminal mastermind who is living in our midst...
Yup, that would be the one, Lily the Doodle of Criminal Intent...note the hang dog expression! What, you might ask, you expect us to believe such a cutie is a criminal let alone capable of plotting a heinous caper?? Well let's look at the facts.....
Fact #1 I made chicken stock for the soup this morning which meant using, and disposing of, chicken pieces and parts. We have one of those trash bins with the pedal you have to step on to open the top and we've seen her do so with our very own eyes!
Fact #2 Lily did not follow us upstairs and park herself outside our bedrooms which is suspicious in and of itself.
Fact #3 When I had to come downstairs to use the bathroom I found chicken parts strewn over the dining room floor and Lily was running so fast toward her crate I heard her butt squeak as she 'braked' to keep from hitting the back wall!
In Conclusion: This judge and jury (yup, I'm both) finds Lily the CriminalDoodle GUILTY of plotting to heist chicken from the trash bin after she was sure we were all tucked away in bed!
In other whimsical news: Several female legislators have decided it behooves them to be as careful of men's reproductive and sexual health as they are of ours, to whit: Requiring, among other things, thorough rectal exams and having them watch graphic videos of the possible side effects of Viagra before they may obtain a prescription. Is this a case of what's good for the goose is good for the gander??? For more on this story click HERE
Jess and I went to the newest Goodwill in town this evening; I wanted to find out where to drop off deliveries because I'm in that spring-cleaning to get rid of stuff we no longer use mood and of course I ended up finding a couple of things. One was a set of cut crystal salt and pepper shakers that had never been used and still had a 'From West Germany' label on the bottom...wow, there hasn't been a West Germany for quite a while now! My second score is making me quite burbly; a matched set of Fenton hobnail milk glass candlesticks! I looked them up online and found prices ranging from $24.99 to $46.00 for one candlestick. My price? $5.98 for both! They really are quite whimsical too...
Jess took one look at them and said, very unenthusiastically I might add, "well those are....different." Harrumph! Harrumph I tell ya! She'll sing a different tune if we ever have a burglar (other than a chicken-stealing dawg) break in and I bang them in the head with a candlestick. Now on to whimsical store pics.........
As you recall, this is the outside of Cataract General Store:
I don't know the guy who was walking out as we took the picture but we had quite a long conversation about where the gas pumps used to be located when they were still working, local schools, etc... etc... It's something you learn to expect if you speak the local cultural 'language'.
Yup, they still keep cold drinks in the old Coke cooler; I remember getting cold glass bottles of Coke from it when I was a kid...Yes, it really is older than dirt.
This doll was resting on a wood and glass case full of them but some were too scary looking to be photographed!
They even have a working track-ladder (behind the shelves of ceramic wares) with a track that runs the length of the store....I remember seeing the proprieter climbing up it to retrieve things from the top shelves.
And a front view of the old Coke cooler.....there are a lot more interesting things in the store but unfortunately it's too dim to get very good pictures. Since Cataract is in the back of beyond the store isn't a tourist trap although it certainly has some whimsically kitschy things; no, it's just a small store the locals use with rocking chairs by the wood stove they use for heat in the winter and I love it to bits.
Good thing for the day: Getting out of the house and scoring some fun deals!
Oh! Can't forget some whimsical musical selections........Mom, these are for you! (They used to be some of her favorites.)
Yup, that would be the one, Lily the Doodle of Criminal Intent...note the hang dog expression! What, you might ask, you expect us to believe such a cutie is a criminal let alone capable of plotting a heinous caper?? Well let's look at the facts.....
Fact #1 I made chicken stock for the soup this morning which meant using, and disposing of, chicken pieces and parts. We have one of those trash bins with the pedal you have to step on to open the top and we've seen her do so with our very own eyes!
Fact #2 Lily did not follow us upstairs and park herself outside our bedrooms which is suspicious in and of itself.
Fact #3 When I had to come downstairs to use the bathroom I found chicken parts strewn over the dining room floor and Lily was running so fast toward her crate I heard her butt squeak as she 'braked' to keep from hitting the back wall!
In Conclusion: This judge and jury (yup, I'm both) finds Lily the CriminalDoodle GUILTY of plotting to heist chicken from the trash bin after she was sure we were all tucked away in bed!
In other whimsical news: Several female legislators have decided it behooves them to be as careful of men's reproductive and sexual health as they are of ours, to whit: Requiring, among other things, thorough rectal exams and having them watch graphic videos of the possible side effects of Viagra before they may obtain a prescription. Is this a case of what's good for the goose is good for the gander??? For more on this story click HERE
Jess and I went to the newest Goodwill in town this evening; I wanted to find out where to drop off deliveries because I'm in that spring-cleaning to get rid of stuff we no longer use mood and of course I ended up finding a couple of things. One was a set of cut crystal salt and pepper shakers that had never been used and still had a 'From West Germany' label on the bottom...wow, there hasn't been a West Germany for quite a while now! My second score is making me quite burbly; a matched set of Fenton hobnail milk glass candlesticks! I looked them up online and found prices ranging from $24.99 to $46.00 for one candlestick. My price? $5.98 for both! They really are quite whimsical too...
Jess took one look at them and said, very unenthusiastically I might add, "well those are....different." Harrumph! Harrumph I tell ya! She'll sing a different tune if we ever have a burglar (other than a chicken-stealing dawg) break in and I bang them in the head with a candlestick. Now on to whimsical store pics.........
As you recall, this is the outside of Cataract General Store:
I don't know the guy who was walking out as we took the picture but we had quite a long conversation about where the gas pumps used to be located when they were still working, local schools, etc... etc... It's something you learn to expect if you speak the local cultural 'language'.
Good thing for the day: Getting out of the house and scoring some fun deals!
Oh! Can't forget some whimsical musical selections........Mom, these are for you! (They used to be some of her favorites.)
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Tuesday in Terre Haute: Blethargy
Blethargy is such a great word and I inventered it myself!
It's, like, the self-aware version of lethargy maaaan and I get it at least once every spring. I'm not entirely sure why it happens since I live for those warmer-but-not-too-warm days before the summer's extreme heat and humidity hit but it's almost as though the universe gives a huge yawn and grumps out a MEH! before turning over and going back to sleep for a while, taking me with it. This spring has been exceptionally mild but 2 weeks of 70+ weather (ongoing) in the middle of March along with 3 very active days in a row has me feeling like this:
So tonight I've given myself a wee break and done nothing much but reading and starting a big pot of a new soup I decided to invent; that, along with the bread I baked last night will make a tasty supper without a huge amount of effort. I'll do better tomorrow, especially since I'll be planting the first peas of the year.
Good thing for the day: Self-indulgent relaxation!
It's, like, the self-aware version of lethargy maaaan and I get it at least once every spring. I'm not entirely sure why it happens since I live for those warmer-but-not-too-warm days before the summer's extreme heat and humidity hit but it's almost as though the universe gives a huge yawn and grumps out a MEH! before turning over and going back to sleep for a while, taking me with it. This spring has been exceptionally mild but 2 weeks of 70+ weather (ongoing) in the middle of March along with 3 very active days in a row has me feeling like this:
So tonight I've given myself a wee break and done nothing much but reading and starting a big pot of a new soup I decided to invent; that, along with the bread I baked last night will make a tasty supper without a huge amount of effort. I'll do better tomorrow, especially since I'll be planting the first peas of the year.
Good thing for the day: Self-indulgent relaxation!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Musically Misc. Menu Mondays: What I (We) Did this Wondrous Weekend
Sorry about missing out on Friday folks; I had the not-Frabjous joy of continued stomach urk. Fortunately I had an early bed Friday night and woke up Saturday in perfect health and with an absolutely wondermous day ahead of me!
Since we now have our new vehicle with room for all three Bletherskites and Lily the WonderDoodle we checked the weather...sunny and upper 50's....then loaded up sandwiches, drinks, and crisps along with food and water for our furry companion and headed out to Cataract Falls. About 45 miles from where we live, the Fall's immediate area is part of the smallest State Park in Indiana and contains the largest water fall in the state. It also has a family connection (once belonged to the other side of a niece's family) and is one of my favorite places. There is also the small town of Cataract with a 2 room school house my father went to and a funky old-fashioned store which has been there since Methusaleh was a pup. Since Jess hadn't yet seen Cataract General Store we headed there first:
I'll post more pictures of the store on Wednesday since it's definitely a whimsical place! After we left the store we headed down to the big bend and the lower falls where, incidentally, 3M and I were married at night.......by candlelight.....almost 11 years ago now.
This is Jess, 3M, and Lily at the big bend in Eel River.
This is the view over the lower falls and down to the island in the middle of the river; if you look closely you can see several people who have made their way down to go fishing.
And a view of the lower falls from the front. I'm even going to include a picture of myself......parked at the picnic bench with my cane and wrapped up in my biggest, warmest sweater after having walked about a half mile. Yay for getting out and walking around!
Saturday night I went out by myself and did the week's shopping and last night (Sunday night) made a celebration dinner which was eaten by candlelight. All in all it was the loveliest of weekends! And now for the menu portion of this post.....as always, I'm posting what we had last week since, even though I always plan our menu ahead you just never know what each day will bring.
Menu beginning March 3, 2012
Breakfasts and Lunches:
Homemade blueberry muffins, yogurt, fruit, toast, pastrami sandwiches, hash, leftovers.
Suppers:
Monday 3/5: Baked fish and spinach casserole
Tuesday 3/6: Carnitas, refried beans, hominy
Wednesday 3/7: Marinaded quick steaks and roasted broccoli and cauliflower with freshly grated Asiago cheese
Thursday 3/8: Hoosier Mexican chicken and rice casserole
Friday 3/9: Smoked sausage, cabbage, carrot, potato and onion skillet stew
Saturday 3/10: Homemade bacon cheeseburgers and fries (Jess and 3M cooked this!)
Sunday 3/11: Crusty oven-baked pork cutlets, fried eggplant ala Siciliana and sauteed green beans with mushrooms, lemon bars.
Music for the day, with a watery theme:
Good thing for the day: The temperature got up to 71 F. today so went out and started working on the porch! What a lovely day it was and it's supposed to be warm all week.
Since we now have our new vehicle with room for all three Bletherskites and Lily the WonderDoodle we checked the weather...sunny and upper 50's....then loaded up sandwiches, drinks, and crisps along with food and water for our furry companion and headed out to Cataract Falls. About 45 miles from where we live, the Fall's immediate area is part of the smallest State Park in Indiana and contains the largest water fall in the state. It also has a family connection (once belonged to the other side of a niece's family) and is one of my favorite places. There is also the small town of Cataract with a 2 room school house my father went to and a funky old-fashioned store which has been there since Methusaleh was a pup. Since Jess hadn't yet seen Cataract General Store we headed there first:
This is Jess, 3M, and Lily at the big bend in Eel River.
Saturday night I went out by myself and did the week's shopping and last night (Sunday night) made a celebration dinner which was eaten by candlelight. All in all it was the loveliest of weekends! And now for the menu portion of this post.....as always, I'm posting what we had last week since, even though I always plan our menu ahead you just never know what each day will bring.
Menu beginning March 3, 2012
Breakfasts and Lunches:
Homemade blueberry muffins, yogurt, fruit, toast, pastrami sandwiches, hash, leftovers.
Suppers:
Monday 3/5: Baked fish and spinach casserole
Tuesday 3/6: Carnitas, refried beans, hominy
Wednesday 3/7: Marinaded quick steaks and roasted broccoli and cauliflower with freshly grated Asiago cheese
Thursday 3/8: Hoosier Mexican chicken and rice casserole
Friday 3/9: Smoked sausage, cabbage, carrot, potato and onion skillet stew
Saturday 3/10: Homemade bacon cheeseburgers and fries (Jess and 3M cooked this!)
Sunday 3/11: Crusty oven-baked pork cutlets, fried eggplant ala Siciliana and sauteed green beans with mushrooms, lemon bars.
Music for the day, with a watery theme:
Good thing for the day: The temperature got up to 71 F. today so went out and started working on the porch! What a lovely day it was and it's supposed to be warm all week.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Thinking About.........Thursday (better late than never?): Caregiving from both sides and recipes
Yesterday was all about fever, chills, and sleep that was interrupted by occasional irresistible calls to get down on my knees and worship the porcelain goddess. Ah well, I woke up around 10:00 a.m. today fit as a fiddle and hungry enough to eat a horse. Having the flu isn't nearly as fun as writing my blog so I'll make up for it by posting yesterday and today's blogs today; still, it makes my subject rather more pertinent than not.
As the population ages (and sometimes even when they're not that old) more and more people are finding themselves becoming the main caregiver for family or loved ones...or in a situation where they need care. More studies are being done about the cost of caregiving in terms of physical exhaustion, time constraints, frustrations in dealing with medical personnel and the de-personalization of both the caregiver and the one seeking care. Having been a caregiver more than once, and currently being the one in need of care, I find these studies helpful but feel they fall short in many critical areas....and studies alone are not enough.
Over the next few weeks I'm going to share my thoughts on both sides of what I consider critical areas in the care equation as well as attempt to offer some solutions. Areas I'll be examining include, but aren't limited to: social and emotional isolation, control issues, infantilization of the cared for as well as parentization of caregivers, (I realize those aren't real words but if you understood what I meant they worked well enough, yes?) respect, depression, the stigma of illness, personality changes, empathy vs. sympathy, and burn out. I'm not a medical professional but these opinions come from years of observation and research as both a caregiver and one who will need to be cared for, to some extent, for the rest of my life.
Since this week was "Mexican" week on the menu I have a couple of recipes to share.....the first is for carnitas, those luscious cubes of pork that are caramelized and slightly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. It's a simple recipe that, like a good roast chicken or homemade chocolate cake, really shows if you're a whiz in the kitchen. The other is for a chicken and rice casserole that is anything but bland and boring.
Jacqueline's Orange Carnitas
3 lbs. pork roast, cut in 1" or 2" cubes (I prefer smaller but your choice.)
1/2 c. unsweetened orange juice
2 Tbsp. ancho chili powder
1 Tbsp. Each: salt and ground cumin seed
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
That's it, all the ingredients, although I will often taste a cube partway through cooking and adjust if I feel it's needed.
Preheat oven to 425 F. and add pork cubes and orange juice to a 9"x 13" baking pan. Sprinkle seasonings over top of pork and stir well before placing in oven. Bake uncovered at 425 F. for 20 minutes then reduce temperature to 350 F. for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, depending on size of your cubes, stirring occasionally. Carnitas are very versatile; they can be eaten plain as an entree', served up taco style or on top of salads, etc...
Ancho chili powder is great stuff btw; it adds a lot of flavor and smokiness without a lot of heat. Make sure and leave a little bit of fat on your pork since it helps keep your carnitas tender and juicy. Number of servings depend on how you use it. Total cost for this dish $5.18
Hoosier Mexican Chicken Casserole
3 c. cooked, shredded, chicken
4 c. cooked rice
1 can fire-roasted tomatoes
1 4 oz. can green chiles (these only sound hot, they are actually very mild but flavorful)
1/2 jar salsa, your heat preference...we use medium
1 tsp. Each: ancho chili powder, turmeric, and ground cumin seed
4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, sliced or shredded
Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray baking dish ( I use a deep dish pie pan.) and spread rice in an even layer over the bottom.
In large mixing bowl place all other ingredients, except cheese, and mix thoroughly before layering over rice. Spread cheese on top and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through and top is bubbly and cheese melted. Serves 4-6.
Total cost for this meal was $6.35.
Music for the day:
Good thing for the day: Being off my knees!
As the population ages (and sometimes even when they're not that old) more and more people are finding themselves becoming the main caregiver for family or loved ones...or in a situation where they need care. More studies are being done about the cost of caregiving in terms of physical exhaustion, time constraints, frustrations in dealing with medical personnel and the de-personalization of both the caregiver and the one seeking care. Having been a caregiver more than once, and currently being the one in need of care, I find these studies helpful but feel they fall short in many critical areas....and studies alone are not enough.
Over the next few weeks I'm going to share my thoughts on both sides of what I consider critical areas in the care equation as well as attempt to offer some solutions. Areas I'll be examining include, but aren't limited to: social and emotional isolation, control issues, infantilization of the cared for as well as parentization of caregivers, (I realize those aren't real words but if you understood what I meant they worked well enough, yes?) respect, depression, the stigma of illness, personality changes, empathy vs. sympathy, and burn out. I'm not a medical professional but these opinions come from years of observation and research as both a caregiver and one who will need to be cared for, to some extent, for the rest of my life.
Since this week was "Mexican" week on the menu I have a couple of recipes to share.....the first is for carnitas, those luscious cubes of pork that are caramelized and slightly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside. It's a simple recipe that, like a good roast chicken or homemade chocolate cake, really shows if you're a whiz in the kitchen. The other is for a chicken and rice casserole that is anything but bland and boring.
Jacqueline's Orange Carnitas
3 lbs. pork roast, cut in 1" or 2" cubes (I prefer smaller but your choice.)
1/2 c. unsweetened orange juice
2 Tbsp. ancho chili powder
1 Tbsp. Each: salt and ground cumin seed
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
That's it, all the ingredients, although I will often taste a cube partway through cooking and adjust if I feel it's needed.
Preheat oven to 425 F. and add pork cubes and orange juice to a 9"x 13" baking pan. Sprinkle seasonings over top of pork and stir well before placing in oven. Bake uncovered at 425 F. for 20 minutes then reduce temperature to 350 F. for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, depending on size of your cubes, stirring occasionally. Carnitas are very versatile; they can be eaten plain as an entree', served up taco style or on top of salads, etc...
Ancho chili powder is great stuff btw; it adds a lot of flavor and smokiness without a lot of heat. Make sure and leave a little bit of fat on your pork since it helps keep your carnitas tender and juicy. Number of servings depend on how you use it. Total cost for this dish $5.18
Hoosier Mexican Chicken Casserole
3 c. cooked, shredded, chicken
4 c. cooked rice
1 can fire-roasted tomatoes
1 4 oz. can green chiles (these only sound hot, they are actually very mild but flavorful)
1/2 jar salsa, your heat preference...we use medium
1 tsp. Each: ancho chili powder, turmeric, and ground cumin seed
4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, sliced or shredded
Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray baking dish ( I use a deep dish pie pan.) and spread rice in an even layer over the bottom.
In large mixing bowl place all other ingredients, except cheese, and mix thoroughly before layering over rice. Spread cheese on top and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until heated through and top is bubbly and cheese melted. Serves 4-6.
Total cost for this meal was $6.35.
Music for the day:
Good thing for the day: Being off my knees!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Wednesday's Whimsies: Gardens and recipes
It's no secret I love gardens of all kinds but the ones which truly capture my heart and imagination are those with a touch of whimsy. Now let me clarify a bit: pink flamingoes and garden gnomes are all very well, (I guess) especially if done with an eye toward tongue-in-cheekiness, but what gives this Bletherskite little shivers of delight are the creatively whimsical touches that take a garden from generic to genius.
My first real introduction to garden whimsy was at the home of Richard and Marj Peeler, ceramic artists extraordinaire....an example of some of their whimsical work:
It was my great good fortune to live 'just down the road a piece' from the Peelers, and having the opportunity to develop a friendship with them; time spent in their home and studio enriched my life tremendously and they'll always have my respect, admiration, and love. Anyway, to get back to whimsical gardens...here are examples of theirs:
Their home and studio, both hand built, were surrounded by numerous in-ground ponds as well as huge ceramic 'ponds' that were filled with trained goldfish that would jump through hoops, etc....at feeding time. Richard always delighted in showing off the fishy tricks to visiting schoolchildren!
On the other hand, I also learned what not to do when putting together a garden from local, erm, whimsical gardeners. For example, this 'garden' is not frabjous!
Other gardens which make my heart sing..........
Even formal gardens can make room for whimsy.
And wouldn't this whimsically romantic allee' be lovely to wander through?
Even if you don't have space outside for a magnificent folly you, too, can have a whimsical garden, see?
Per the request of one of 3M's coworkers I'm posting two versions of my red beans and rice recipe; the first is the "I have all day to cook" version and the second is a quicker, but still tasty, version.
Hoosier Red Beans and Rice #1
1 lb. dried red beans
3 c. cooked rice
4 links andouille sausage OR 1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced
1 large onion, diced
5 stems celery, sliced
1 large red or green sweet pepper, diced
1 can fire-roasted tomatoes
1 can diced green chiles
4 strips bacon, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. ancho chili powder (regular chili powder can be substituted)
1 tsp. ground cumin seed
2 bay leaves
salt, pepper, and hot sauce to taste
Optional: Jalapeno slices and chopped pickled onions on the side.
After picking through dried red beans to remove rocks, etc... soak overnight in enough water to cover. Adding a pinch of baking soda will help reduce the, erm, 'flatulence' factor. Drain well and rinse before adding water, I would recommend water be at least 3" above the top of the beans, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, add tomatoes, and allow to simmer for 2-3 hours; stirring occasionally and adding more water when needed to keep beans covered.
After beans have simmered for 2 hours place bacon in large frying pan and cook on medium high heat for 5 minutes. Add onion, celery, and sweet pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is transluscent and all vegetables are crisp-tender; add to beans. Drop bay leaves into soup and allow to simmer for one hour more or until beans are done.
Remove bay leaves then add all other ingredients into the soup (except optional ingredients) and cook 15-20 minutes more so flavors can blend. Serves: A lot!
Hoosier Red Beans and Rice # 2 Quicker Version
5 - 14 oz. cans red or kidney beans, rinsed and drained
3 c. cooked rice
4 links andouille sausage or 1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced
1 large onion, diced
5 stems celery, sliced
1 large red or green sweet pepper, diced
2 cans fire-roasted tomatoes
1 can diced green chiles
4 strips bacon, diced
1/2 c. water
1 Tbsp. ancho chili powder (regular chili powder can be substituted)
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. ground cumin seed
salt, pepper, and hot sauce to taste
Optional sides: Jalapeno slices and pickled onion.
In large pot with lid cook diced bacon over medium high heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring constantly until just beginning to brown. Add onion, celery, and sweet pepper and cook until all vegetables are softened, stirring frequently.
Reduce heat to medium and add two cans of fire roasted tomatoes and 1/2 c. water (more liquid is needed for this recipe since you don't have the water from the beans) and andouille or smoked sausage; simmer for 5 minutes. Add all other ingredients to the pot, reduce heat to low, cover tightly and cook for 10-15 minutes longer. Stir frequently and add a bit more water if necessary to keep from sticking.
You can make either recipe vegetarian by not adding meat and cooking your vegetables in a bit of olive oil....I would suggest adding some chipotles in adobo sauce (to taste) for that great smoky flavor.
Tomorrow night I'll post my recipe for carnitas that will knock your socks off!
Music for the day is from one of my favorite whimsical bands; Travis from Scotland:
Good thing for the day: Getting out of the house for lunch and to help Jess put out resumes....love the blue skies and no coats!
My first real introduction to garden whimsy was at the home of Richard and Marj Peeler, ceramic artists extraordinaire....an example of some of their whimsical work:
On the other hand, I also learned what not to do when putting together a garden from local, erm, whimsical gardeners. For example, this 'garden' is not frabjous!
Even formal gardens can make room for whimsy.
And wouldn't this whimsically romantic allee' be lovely to wander through?
Per the request of one of 3M's coworkers I'm posting two versions of my red beans and rice recipe; the first is the "I have all day to cook" version and the second is a quicker, but still tasty, version.
Hoosier Red Beans and Rice #1
1 lb. dried red beans
3 c. cooked rice
4 links andouille sausage OR 1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced
1 large onion, diced
5 stems celery, sliced
1 large red or green sweet pepper, diced
1 can fire-roasted tomatoes
1 can diced green chiles
4 strips bacon, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. ancho chili powder (regular chili powder can be substituted)
1 tsp. ground cumin seed
2 bay leaves
salt, pepper, and hot sauce to taste
Optional: Jalapeno slices and chopped pickled onions on the side.
After picking through dried red beans to remove rocks, etc... soak overnight in enough water to cover. Adding a pinch of baking soda will help reduce the, erm, 'flatulence' factor. Drain well and rinse before adding water, I would recommend water be at least 3" above the top of the beans, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, add tomatoes, and allow to simmer for 2-3 hours; stirring occasionally and adding more water when needed to keep beans covered.
After beans have simmered for 2 hours place bacon in large frying pan and cook on medium high heat for 5 minutes. Add onion, celery, and sweet pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until onion is transluscent and all vegetables are crisp-tender; add to beans. Drop bay leaves into soup and allow to simmer for one hour more or until beans are done.
Remove bay leaves then add all other ingredients into the soup (except optional ingredients) and cook 15-20 minutes more so flavors can blend. Serves: A lot!
Hoosier Red Beans and Rice # 2 Quicker Version
5 - 14 oz. cans red or kidney beans, rinsed and drained
3 c. cooked rice
4 links andouille sausage or 1 lb. smoked sausage, sliced
1 large onion, diced
5 stems celery, sliced
1 large red or green sweet pepper, diced
2 cans fire-roasted tomatoes
1 can diced green chiles
4 strips bacon, diced
1/2 c. water
1 Tbsp. ancho chili powder (regular chili powder can be substituted)
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. ground cumin seed
salt, pepper, and hot sauce to taste
Optional sides: Jalapeno slices and pickled onion.
In large pot with lid cook diced bacon over medium high heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring constantly until just beginning to brown. Add onion, celery, and sweet pepper and cook until all vegetables are softened, stirring frequently.
Reduce heat to medium and add two cans of fire roasted tomatoes and 1/2 c. water (more liquid is needed for this recipe since you don't have the water from the beans) and andouille or smoked sausage; simmer for 5 minutes. Add all other ingredients to the pot, reduce heat to low, cover tightly and cook for 10-15 minutes longer. Stir frequently and add a bit more water if necessary to keep from sticking.
You can make either recipe vegetarian by not adding meat and cooking your vegetables in a bit of olive oil....I would suggest adding some chipotles in adobo sauce (to taste) for that great smoky flavor.
Tomorrow night I'll post my recipe for carnitas that will knock your socks off!
Music for the day is from one of my favorite whimsical bands; Travis from Scotland:
Good thing for the day: Getting out of the house for lunch and to help Jess put out resumes....love the blue skies and no coats!
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