Don't forget to double click on pictures to enlarge

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

It's all about the senses

I am in the process of learning more about taking the time to make special note of the things around me and even enhancing them to make them even more pleasurable to me. For example I often wear a little red bed jacket sweater when I am on the computer early in morning because I sit next to a window and it is sometimes chilly, so today I went into my bathroom and put some power on the sweater of a fragrance of old (unlike perfume it doesn't go bad)...brings back memories:) I also am lighting a little fragrant candle when it is still dark and surprisingly the thing that I have loved the most is the smell of the match when lighting it. Haven't used the old little book of matches in a long time and it brings back a memory of my grandmother keeping  some in the bathroom to remove any offensive odors:)  and unfortunately my old smoking days.
 
Here is a special little space I happen to love....
 
 
this is in my sewing/laundry room and I love the sun streaking through the window both summer and winter and I am sure hoping for some blooms on that African violet. Also note the book "making it your own"? That is some sewing inspiration  and what is that little orange thing you see there?
 
A miniature suitcase?
 
Nope...it is a little travel alarm that still works and reminds me that just like planes....time fly's.
 
Encouragement: Whatever you have and where ever you are...make it special to you!


Monday, February 25, 2013

Easy Peasy

This is so clever....

Two small red potatoes
A container of sliced mushrooms
Milk
Left over shredded chicken (next time I am going to use bacon bits)

Cook a potato in the microwave, meanwhile saute the mushrooms in butter. Add flour to make a paste and add milk to make a white sauce gravy. Add chicken and heat through. Half the potato and remove most of the inside and set aside. Pour the sauce mixture into the potato shells, mash the potato's and set on top, add salt and pepper to taste.
Gives two days of the potato's for lunch and with that left over mushroom gravy mixture???





Toast a half of a English muffin, put a scrambled egg on top and top the with gravy....yum, yum, yum.
 

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Where or where


Where do you suppose you can find this stature?














In front of the UN building in New York City and it is suppose to represent "non-violence"............... personally I think it is a slap in the face of our second amendment.
Don't you find it interesting that tied up/restrained is suppose to represent freedom?
It has been sitting here since 1988 and I guess I am the first to complain.

Monday, February 18, 2013

Denny's



Every Friday hubby and  go to Denny's for breakfast. We have done this for several years now but last Friday morning I was plesantly surprised to learn that they give a 10% discount to veterans. No, neither I or hubby are veterans but it is nice to see a business honor our military......

Way to go Denny's!!
http://www.militarydiscountlist.com/d/dennys-military-discount.shtml

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Valentine cont.


This is the Links restaurant and we come here at least once a week.....

This is the beautiful Vistas golf course which also offers casual dining with a fun and friendly atmosphere. Owner Gabriel Rivas and Manager Chef Peter Salazar have put together an incredible menu that will satisfy anyone’s taste.

They were having a special Valentine's dinner and at first we didn't think we would go and instead go somewhere new but we ended up going and am so glad we did....
 Chef Peter came to our table and prepared a special desert...
 
 Banana foster and was it ever good:)
 
(Side note: since I have been concentrating on creating more interesting lunches I saved and froze a bit of the steak and broccoli for a quick stir fry)
 
 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Happy Valentines Day

 
Sharing my beautiful roses with you....
 
A most unusual color....
 
 
Hubby done good:)
 

Monday, February 11, 2013

Some cleaver ideas

Here are some cleaver ideas that can make your life easier and better.....

 
 
 
 Aren't they pretty....
 
 
 Who knew?
 
 
 The wonders of dental floss
 

 
 
  My favorite:)

 

 

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Cat litter

Originally people used ashes for the litter box but of course had to deal with sooty paw prints all around the house.
A neighbor asked Ed Low in St. Paul Minnesota for some sand to use instead and he suggested clay because it would be more absorbent and wouldn't track all over the house. He filled a brown bag of clay for her and very soon it was in big demand. He never dreamt that anyone would pay 65 cents for a five-pound bag of clay but they were indeed willing to do so and so in 1964 he created Tidy Cat brand that was sold in grocery stores and the rest is history as they say......



Happy cats and a $210 million annually income

Monday, February 4, 2013

Left overs

So if you decided to give that soup a try you will find you have a little bit of the kielbasa left so what to do.......

Chop it up and freeze it and one morning treat yourself to this...

Toasted muffin with scramble egg and kielbasa topped with cheddar cheese (from the freezer) and slipped under the toaster over broiler
 

Friday, February 1, 2013

Cabbage, Kielbasa, and Rice Soup

(not too pretty but yummy)
 
Cabbage, Kielbasa, and Rice Soup
 
7 3/4 sups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cups long-grain white rice
1 tbl. vegetable oil
3/4 pound kielbasa, halved lenghtwise and thinly sliced
1 onion, halved and thinly sliced
1/2 med. green cabbage, cored and finely shredded ( used the pre-shredded bag)
Kosher salt, garlic salt and freshly ground pepper
 
Directions:
1. In a med saucepan, combine 1 3/4 sup of the chicken broth with the rice and bring to a simmer.
 Cover and cook over low heat for 18 min, until the rice is tender. (I did this step ahead)
 
2. In a  soup pot, heat the oil. Add the kielbasa and cook over moderately high heat until lightly browned, about 4 min. Add the onion and cabbage and cook until softened, about 6 min. Add the remaining 6 cups of the broth and bring to a simmer, cook until tender, 10 min. Season with salt and pepper, stir in the rice and cook until heated and serve.
 
 
Am hoping it will freeze well.