Reality Check!

My son just called and asked why none of the previous post's photos were of where actually lived ... he said the photos really "romanticized" winter and were taken of beautiful settings ... like Colorado, where he and his lovely wife live.  So to appease my first born, here are some ACTUAL photos of Omaha, Nebraska in the wintertime ...

Where our "moutains" are made in the middle of streets ...




Where it takes DAYS to clear all the streets with the ONE plow in our city budget ...




Where kids have to be INVENTIVE to enjoy a "snow day" from school ...



Where when after a HUGE snowfall, and after several hours of shoveling your driveway, that one city plow comes down your street and buries the end of your driveway in snow ...




So maybe I was really was romanticizing the winter season ... but it was probably to disquise the fact that the next season ahead is TORNADO season ... run, Toto, run!

I simply adore photos that are stories in themselves ... no words are needed, but the images conjur up memories for all those who look.

One of my favorite blogs that I visit is The Rusted Chain.  Beki is an amazing photographer and her images always make me stop and smile.

You can check out her blog here:  http://www.blog.therustedchain.com/

Here's some recent images that I just love ...

Happy First Day of Spring!

Johnny Angel

I've had this little song running through my head all day ... I can actually remember when she sang this on t.v. so very many years ago ... hard to believe I can remember things from when I was a baby (grinning).

Pan Fried Cabbage

I'm not a huge fan of any "boiled" vegetable, but most St. Paddy's Day recipes call for boiling the corned beef, along with the cabbage, potatoes, carrots and onions. 


This year Sterling is making something outside the traditional recipe and is "frying" the cabbage instead of boiling it. 





Here's the recipe he's going to be trying out:

FRIED CABBAGE
6 slices bacon, chopped

1 large onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 large head cabbage, cored and sliced

1 tablespoon salt, or to taste

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon paprika


Place the bacon in a large stockpot and cook over medium-high heat until crispy, about 10 minutes. Add the onion and garlic; cook and stir until the onion caramelizes; about 10 minutes. Immediately stir in the cabbage and continue to cook and stir another 10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes more.

Corned Beef !!

Several years ago, my son called asking for a quick recipe for anything containing corned beef ... he was entering a contest where he worked ... you can read the fun details in the scrapbook page I made below. You might have to click on the image and enlarge if you want a better reading of the actual recipe (which is VERY good and one I always use if we have leftover corned beef)!!



Terrarium

I have ONE plant in our house that has not met its fate from our two cats - and it is kept very high up so as not to attract their attention.  Cats LOVE plant life ... actually, they love to feast on plant life, which in turns destroys any chance of keeping a house plant from meeting its doom in our home.  Then I stumbled upon THIS great idea ... a terrarium to host living plants that will shatter any kitty's attempt at making it a Happy Hour appetizer!  One of those "why didn't I think of that" moments!






Now we can concentrate on our next issue ...

Chicken Curry

Growing up in the 50's and 60's, I can honestly say that the closest thing we ever got to spice was table salt and pepper.  I had no idea there was such a thing as "ethnic" food.  It wasn't until the late 60's when I had my first taco from Taco Bell - yep - thought I was experiencing a true international cullinary delight.  And since then it's only been in the last 10 years or so that I've really began to try things outside my mother's pot roast comfort zone.  I've discovered that I love the flavor of curry.  Here's a relatively quick and simply recipe that you can make at home without needing a bazzilion different spices.





India Chicken Curry

1/2 cup finely chopped onion (about one medium)
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
2 Tablespoons butter
3 Tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon (more or less) curry powder
1-1/2 cups chicen broth
1 tsp. worcestershire sauce
1-1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1/2 cup tomato juice (I use V-8)
2 cups hot cooked rice
scallions

Cook onion and celery in butter until tender.  Stir in flour and curry powder and cook for one minute. Add chicken broth and worcestershire sauce.  Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.  Stir in the cooked chicken and tomato juice.  Heat through.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Serve over hot rice and add chopped scallions or green onion if desired.

Turning 60

What turning 60 really feels like ...