Souvenirs
Life is a work in progress. This cork board is where I document my efforts - humble, humorous and personal as they may be. Over the years it has seen some editing but not so very much, actually. Even mistakes have earned their place.
Ratatouille & Sausages
Love this recipe. It requires a bit of time to bring it together, but so worth it. I found it on Simply Recipes at http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/italian_sausages_with_ratatouille/ . I serve it beside lemon couscous and the pairing works.
A Garden Respite
Right about now if you live where I live you're craving warmth, sunlight, the sound of cascading water and the scent of green and growing things. What to do? Hawaii sounds about right. Or maybe Costa Rica. But that takes time and money and the willingness to be patted down by perfect strangers. While sober.
My suggestion - indulge in an express escape and visit your local botanical garden. Bring a book, maybe lunch, but leave your watch at home. It's summer in there! Yes, it's a tease. But at least it's a cheap tease and what do you have to lose? It's frisk-free.
How To Embrace Your Inner Winter
By sipping smores, of course!
One cup of excellent hot cocoa,
topped with mini-marshmallows,
drizzled with chocolate syrup and
served with graham crackers.
Repeat as necessary until the crocus bloom.
Hearty Vegetable Soup
This goes together in a jiffy using a mixture of fresh and frozen vegetables, canned broth and pesto from a jar. It’s warming, healthful comfort food. Enjoy.
49 oz chicken broth
3/4 cup carrot, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/2 cup scallions, sliced
14 oz. canned diced tomatoes
3/4 cup chopped zucchini
3/4 cup frozen chopped green beans
1/2 cup frozen baby lima beans
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
2 oz. (dry) small shell pasta
1/4 cup chopped parsley
3 Tbsp prepared pesto
Grated Parmesan garnish (optional)
In a large stockpot combine the broth, carrots, celery, scallions, tomatoes, zucchini, green beans, lima beans, garlic, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Add the pasta and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Stir in the parsley and pesto. Garnish each portion with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Makes 10 cup of soup.
The Grand Canyon
It was quiet at the rim of the Grand Canyon. Oh, there was a bit of wind playing with the brittle autumn leaves, but otherwise there wasn't much to hear. The Colorado River is churning far below but too distant to be audible at the top. There were birds about but their chatter must get lost somewhere within the immensity of it all. But here is what surprised me - when I turned and looked at the other visitors there wasn't a lot of conversation going on. What was said was in whispers. This vast space humbles and demands reverence. If you are religious I'm sure you see God's hand. If you are a geologist you see the mother load of matter yielding to pressure over time. And if you are a tourist, seeing it for the first time, and you're like me, you feel small and fleeting and awed, and no words can do it justice.
