iPod Roulette - February 2011

Normally when I play this game I use my regular iPod which currently has more than 3600 songs on it. In contrast, I only have 260 songs loaded into the iPod on my phone. I had such fun listening to the music on my phone recently that I decided to use it to play iPod Roulette this month. That playlist is fairly heavy on Classic Rock, but I still came up with a little bit of variety.

1. Crawl (Kings of Leon) - My younger daughter introduced me to this group. I have several of their songs in my iTunes collection.

2. Tom Sawyer (Rush) - My nephew, who is only eight years younger than I am, use to make fun of this group. Now he's a bigger fan than I am.

3. American Pie (Don McLean) - My first two years of college were at a small Liberal Arts school. Don McLean performed there during that time and I remember it was rumored that he never did this song in concert. Wrong. He did and it was wonderful!

4. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (Elton John) - I received this album for Christmas the year it came out. Ages ago!

5. He Still Loves Me (Beyonce and Walter Williams, Sr. of the O'Jays) - There is so much good music in the movie this comes from! (The Fighting Temptations)

6. Skin (Ephraim Lewis) - I made an entire blog entry about this guy. Such a shame we won't get more from him!

7. Hungry (Kathryn Scott) - Also known as Falling on my Knees, I first heard this song when a girl sang it at my church. I loved it and had to track it down for myself.

8. Sitting (Cat Stevens) - Catch Bull at Four is my favorite Cat Stevens album and this might be my favorite song from that album.

9. Europa (Gato Barbieri) - I'm pretty sure Carlos Santana wrote and first recorded this song. Donna Sue (who never blogs anymore) had this on her blog as an example of "as sexy as music can get". She was spot on with that observation.

10. Hand Me Down World (The Guess Who) - If I'm remembering correctly, this song was on one of the first albums I ever bought. (The first was a Tom Jones album - Green, Green Grass of Home)

11. Whispers in the Dark (Skillet) - Contemporary Christian Metal. Some might consider that an oxymoron.

12. Swayin' to the Music (Johnny Rivers) - Also titled Slow Dancing, I had to download this as a single from iTunes. Believe it or not, it isn't on his "greatest hits" album which I already had. I think it's his best song by far.

13. And the Cradle Will Rock (Van Halen) - As much as I enjoy AC/DC and Aerosmith, Van Halen has always been my favorite Hard Rock band. And before you ask.... David Lee Roth over Sammy Hagar.

14. Bring the Rain (Mercy Me) - They performed in my hometown last year and were outstanding!!!

15. Seasons in the Sun (Terry Jacks) - I'm happy to leave you with this one. If you recognize it, it will probably be stuck in your head for the rest of the day!

Shadow Shot Sunday #17

Hosted by Hey Harriet
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Tiny Tree Shadow

Duck & Mushroom Stew

This is a recipe rehash from my old 360 blog. I made it recently and realized I'd never posted it here.


Duck & Mushroom Stew

4 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1-1/2 cups sliced fresh carrots
1 cup sliced celery
1 6-oz. pkg. long grain & wild rice mix w/seasoning packet
6 cups beef broth
approx. 3 ducks, breasted
bottled italian dressing

Marinate ducks in the refrigerator for a day or two in the italian dressing.

In a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker place mushrooms, carrots, celery, and rice mix with seasoning packet. Place ducks on top of vegetables. Pour broth over all.

Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4-5 hours.

If using whole ducks... remove meat from the bone when done, cut or tear into bite-size pieces and stir into mixture before serving.

Ponderings #3

First, let me state something for the record. I do not believe in reincarnation.

But......if I did, I think I know what I might have been in a former life:

A monk in a scriptorium!

I came to this conclusion while working the crossword puzzle one morning. I spent hours in college hunched over a drafting table with pencil in hand (the same pencil that I still use to work the crossword each day) printing the alphabet. I still get a sense of satisfaction in filling the puzzle grid with neatly printed letters.

Give it some thought. Any ideas what you might have been?

Elephant Stew

This recipe appears on the same page of our 1974 church cookbook as the Lazy Girl Stew I shared yesterday.


Elephant Stew

Secure 1 large elephant. Kill, clean, and cut into small cubes. This will take about 2 months. Put in large kettle and simmer over kerosene heat at 465 deg. for 14 weeks. Make gravy to cover. This will feed 3,685 people. If more meat is needed, add 2 rabbits. But use only if necessary, as few people care for hare in their stew!

Reprinted from W.S.C.S. cookbook
Salem Methodist Church
St. Louis, Missouri

Lazy Girl Stew

Isn't it fun when you rediscover an old recipe that you'd forgotten about? Although I continued to prepare meat dishes for my family during the eight years that I was a vegetarian, this is one of the recipes that fell by the wayside. It comes from the cookbook our church music department published in 1974. The church organist at the time contributed this recipe. I'm so glad I remembered it!


Lazy Girl Stew

2 pounds cubed stew meat
1 can small peas (drained)
2 or 3 carrots, sliced
1 large onion, chopped
1 tsp. salt
Dash pepper
2 cans tomato soup
1/2 can water
2 potatoes, diced
Bay leaf

Throw it all into a Dutch oven and bake for 5 hours at 275F, or cook it 8-10 hours in a crock-pot.
(we like to serve it with a scoop of white rice)

Shadow Shot Sunday #16

Hosted by Hey Harriet
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One star, three shadows.

Favorite Five - Trees

I'm tired of Winter and that turns my thoughts to "Springy" things. It was around this time last year that I did a Favorite Five - Flowers post. This time it's Trees.


1. Dogwood - There's no surer sign of Spring and the approach of Easter than blooming Dogwoods. Our woods are full of them! (not blooming yet, of course) I can't see their delicate white flowers without thinking of the Legend of the Dogwood .

2. Magnolia - I think Magnolia blossoms are absolutely beautiful and they make a wonderful centerpiece for a dinnertable. My aunt had a huge tree in her front yard and it was a nice, cool hiding spot in the heat of summer. The only drawback was that mosquitoes also loved it. The broad leaves hold water and make a perfect breeding ground for the pests.

3. Gingko - My aunt (a different one) had one of these trees in her backyard. I love the little fan shaped leaves and they turn the most wonderful golden yellow in the fall! Watch out, though...one big gust of wind and they all come off!

4. Oak - I know that's a generalization, but there are several types of Oak tree that appeal to me. I might like Water Oaks (a type of Red Oak) best, but other varieties have much better acorns for making whistles.

5. Tulip Poplar - My husband moved one of these from a friend's house to our backyard shortly after we built our house. It grew quickly and became my favorite spot for hanging birdfeeders. Sadly, it ended up storm-damaged and we had to cut it down.

Here are a few others I like: Red Maple, Sweet Gum, Loblolly Pine. What about you? What are your favorites?

Jade Lady Burning by Martin Limón

Jade Lady Burning by Martin Limón takes place in South Korea sometime in the 70s. As the story begins we are introduced to George Sueño and Ernie Bascom, two soldiers with the CID detachment of the Eighth United States Army. A local prostitute has been murdered in a horrific manner then burned in her hooch. Sueño and Bascom are thrust into the investigation in an effort to quickly find a suspect - or scapegoat - to satisfy all the "powers that be".

I really enjoyed this novel which had a gritty, almost noir ambiance to it. I found Sueño and Bascom to be quite likable despite, or maybe because of, their shortcomings. Not a part of the world that I'm familiar with (other than old episodes of M*A*S*H) I felt it probably offered a good representation of the time and place. I would recommend Jade Lady Burning to those who enjoy a good police procedural.

This was my first book read for the Asia portion of the Global Reading Challenge.

Mindless

A few years ago I completed a volunteer workshop at our local Hospice facility and would occasionally help with mailouts, filing, and other office tasks. It had been quite some time since I'd helped out when I got a phone call recently from the director. She asked if I was still interested in volunteering and if so, in what capacity. I decided it was time to jump back in and told her at this point I still preferred office work. She hesitantly asked if I'd be willing to do some shredding. It obviously isn't a very popular job. I jumped at the opportunity! There are times in life when something rote and mindless is just what you need!

Seeing the huge stack of paperwork-filled boxes to be shredded, I quickly realized it wouldn't get done in one session. Undaunted, I popped in my earbuds, plugged into the iPod on my phone, and set to work. Four hours later I'd gotten through more than half the stack and best of all, thoroughly enjoyed myself! I think the iPod on my phone must have a better "shuffle" feature than my regular iPod since I listened to such a wonderfully wide variety of music. Classic Rock, Pirate Metal, Rap, Country, Jazz, Pop, Classical, Hard Rock, R&B.... you name it, I heard it! It's not often I have the chance to listen to music without distractions. My only fear was that I'd embarrass myself by forgetting where I was and start singing out loud or dancing!

Pictured above is the Gardenia plant my husband gave me for Valentine's Day. It will look nice in our backyard.

Girl With A Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

I've wanted to read Girl With A Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier for years. Having read two other Chevalier novels (Burning Bright and The Lady and the Unicorn), I felt sure I would like it. When I saw that one of the requirements for the What's in a Name 4 challenge was a book with a jewel or gem in the title, I knew it was the perfect opportunity to finally read it.

Chevalier has a knack for taking an historical person or item and weaving a fictional story around it that is that is totally believable. In Girl With A Pearl Earring we enter the 17th century world of Dutch artist Jan Vermeer. The story follows Griet, a young woman who enters the Vermeer household as a maid after tragedy befalls her own family. Not only must Griet deal with the burdens of her new household duties, she also must face the moods of a mistress who dislikes her, a child who wants nothing more than to cause her trouble, and the dilemma of trying to keep secret her role as an assistant in Vermeer's studio.

I loved this book every bit as much as I expected to and the ending was completely satisfying. I'm tempted now to watch the 2003 movie with Scarlett Johansson and Colin Firth.

Shadow Shot Sunday #15

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Path to the Pond and Pasture

Our meager snowfall

Frozen precipitation is not an every winter occurance for us and when we do get it, it's usually in the form of freezing rain or sleet. I'm not a big fan of winter, but I do think the occasional snowfall is pretty.... especially when it goes away quickly like this one is doing. I'm sure many of you are sick of winter weather and looking at snow pictures is the last thing you want to do. Or, perhaps you're scoffing at our scant snowfall. Please bear with me, though. As one who rarely gets the fluffy white stuff, I had to post the obligatory photos for my friends and relatives.

Oh, and you might be entertained to know my husband said the cows had icicles hanging off their ears. Wish I'd gotten a photo of that!

Game Day Chili

Chili is one of those dishes that I often use a pre-packaged seasoning mix to make. Just add meat, tomato sauce, beans and you're done. When I found this recipe in the January issue of Southern Living magazine I knew I had to give it a try. It's definitely been chili weather lately and this was perfect chili to serve!


Game Day Chili



Ingredients

2 pounds ground chuck
1 medium onion, chopped
3 to 4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 to 2 tsp. ground red pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste
1 (14.5-oz.) can beef broth
1 (12-oz.) bottle dark beer
3 (8-oz.) cans tomato sauce
2 (15-oz.) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 (4.5-oz.) can chopped green chiles, undrained
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Preparation

Cook first 3 ingredients in a 5- to 6-qt. Dutch oven over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes or until meat crumbles and is no longer pink. Drain well, and return to Dutch oven. Add chili powder and next 3 ingredients; cook 1 minute. Add tomato paste, and cook 1 minute. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 2 hours.



What Am I ? (#5)

1. Most of the world's supply of me is found beneath America's Great Plains. The US began stockpiling me in the 1960s, but in 1996 opted to recoup its investment and will sell off the reserve by 2015.

2. At that point, other producers - including Russia, Algeria, and Qatar - will control what's left of the global market: perhaps only 40 years' worth.

3. I'm used to purge rocket engines for NASA and the military and I am crucial for diving equipment, particle accelerators, and MRIs.

4. Most of you know me as the gas that fills party balloons, blimps, and giant cartoon characters in holiday parades.

Have you figured out what I am from my clues? * Scroll down for the answer.




















I am Helium!

* Facts provided by the February 2011 issue of National Geographic.

The Dragon Man by Garry Disher

The Dragon Man by Garry Disher takes place in a coastal region of Victoria, Australia. The novel opens as the killer is stalking his victim, a young woman with car trouble on a desolate stretch of highway. We soon learn this isn't the first victim and more will follow.

An interesting police procedural, I enjoyed the location and the overall story...although I wasn't particularly surprised by the ending. I felt a little overwhelmed by all the personal information given about each of the characters in the novel. This is the first in a series and I assume this was done to set the stage for development in future novels. I'm still not positive whether these should be referred to as the "Inspector Hal Challis" mysteries or the "Inspector Hal Challis & Sergeant Ellen Destry" mysteries (I've seen both descriptions at Amazon). Both characters stood out as central. I'll admit I liked the Challis character more than Ellen Destry.

This novel was read to fulfill half of the Australia portion of the Global Reading Challenge (Victoria, Australia) and I enjoyed it enough that I might read more in the series. After all, I now know so much about this group of law enforcement officers I might as well check out more of their cases!

Shadow Shot Sunday #14

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Mabel

Brrrr!!

Once again, despite having snow in our forecast, we ended up with the nasty stuff instead.  We did get a dusting of sleet and snow overnight, but most of today we've had freezing rain and mist.  Our temperature has stayed below freezing all day so thankfully the precipitation never got heavy enough to cause much damage. (In other words, we still have power!)

 Here are some photos I took on my walk to the mailbox.  

Billions of Birds!

Okay.  Maybe not billions, but I'd wager hundreds of birds visit my feeders each day.  That's one of the pleasures of country living, a large and varied bird population.

I found myself totally mesmerized as I watched them through the window this morning.  They're constantly on the move:  eating, fighting, swooping in and out.  I tried to take a head-count, but there was too much activity for that.  I know there were 50 or more birds at any given time! 

Without a doubt, the majority of the birds are Goldfinches.  A few have started to put on their yellow summertime feathers, but most are still in winter clothes.  I also get lots of Cardinals, my favorite kind of bird.  Most folks speak of the bright red males when referring to Cardinals, but the females are quite lovely, too.   In addition, I have Sparrows (not sure which variety...maybe Song Sparrows?) and a few Purple Finches. 

Naturally the birds all flew off when I went out to take the above photo.  I tried to stand there without moving so they'd come back, but it was too cold!  I bet you can spot a few in the photo, though.  I hope by now you all know you can click on my photos to enlarge them for better viewing.

As winter passes the Goldfinches will move on.  Others, like Indigo Buntings, Grosbeaks, and Cowbirds, will take their place at the feeders.  Nothing, however, beats this time of year for sheer numbers!

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain

I ended up with this book in a round about way. It all started when I saw something about Anthony Bourdain's new book, Medium Raw . I've commented several times here that I really enjoy watching the Food Network. I prefer the reality/challenge based shows at night to the daytime cooking shows, but I've grown quite fond of many of the chefs featured on the network. Bourdain devotes a part of Medium Raw to some of these chefs and the Food Network in general, and not in a good light, I'm sure.

Anyway...all the reviews made reference to Bourdain's first non-fiction book (Kitchen Confidential) and suggested reading it first. The Kindle price was acceptable, so I took their advice.

I enjoyed Kitchen Confidential quite a bit, despite the fact Anthony Bourdain isn't the huggable, lovable person that many of the FN chefs are. I already knew this from watching this season of Top Chef on Bravo, on which he appears. Very different from most of my FN programs! The book, written ten years ago, covers a variety of aspects of the restaurant industry as well as personal reflections from Bourdain. I have enough culinary knowledge that I wasn't lost in the telling and actually learned quite a bit. I refuse to be so cynical as to believe that all the industry is filled with the drugs, alcohol, sex and decadence that Bourdain describes.

Not only did I enjoy Kitchen Confidential, but now I definitely want to read Medium Raw. However, I will wait until the Kindle price comes down some.

I am counting this book towards the North American part of the Global Reading Challenge since the majority of it takes place in New York City.

Chicken-and-Sausage Creole

I'm pretty sure I found this recipe in Southern Living magazine...the December issue, I think. We had it last night and it was delicious. Of course I tweaked it just a bit.

Chicken-and Sausage Creole

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
2 (14-oz.) cans low-sodium fat-free chicken broth, divided
1/2 pound smoked sausage, cut into 1/2-inch rounds
1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
1 cup chopped celery
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 (14 1/2-oz.) can diced tomatoes
2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 bay leaves


Preparation

1. Prepare rice according to package directions, substituting 2 cups broth for water.

2. Sauté sausage and next 4 ingredients in a lightly greased Dutch oven over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in chicken, next 5 ingredients, and remaining broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes. Remove and discard bay leaves, and serve over hot cooked rice.