Tag Archives: winter

Whatever

Holiday Apology

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You might get a Christmas card from me this year. But you might not. In fact, it’s likely that you won’t.

I’m sorry. Really, I am.

I actually like sending holiday cards – I like getting them. In this day and age of digital communication, there’s something special and personal about receiving a tangible, hand written/signed card in the mail. So it’s something I plan on and look forward to each year. In fact, I purchased the cards in October with the best of intentions and chances are you’re on my list. They just need to be written in, signed, address, stamped and mailed.

But, due to working 60 additional unexpected hours in November, this holiday season is not going as I had planned. It all just feels so overwhelming this year. No tree, though I have hung a garland under my mantle. After 2 weeks I finally hung a few decorations on it.

And I managed to finally make/send an advent calendar to Kennedy just in time to start the countdown to Christmas… a much bigger project than I’d initially imagined, but it turned out really cute.

Happily the holiday package for family in Costa Rica made it in time for them to enjoy a few treats and crafts for the season. So I didn’t bail on the holidays entirely… but the greeting cards will probably sit here unused this year. Maybe you’ll get a postcard from Costa Rica in January instead. No promises 🙂

But even though you might not get a card this year, I want you to know that I’m happy you’re in my life – whether in person or online.   And I hope you have a beautiful Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Kwanza, or whatever you celebrate.

I’ll leave you with a seasonal photo of Molbak’s poinsettias in case a card is not forthcoming…

Happy Holidays! How are yours shaping up this year?

Recipes

Beef Stew

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Some people (i.e., Paul, Craig, Margie) really enjoy cooking and delight in mastering complicated recipes.

Sadly, I’m not one of them.

However, I really enjoy eating, which necessitates engaging in a bit of cooking – since I live alone with no one to cook for me, and eating out all the time gets expensive.

I can cook – I just don’t enjoy it. So, with rare exception, I look for simple to make foods that please my palate. I do enjoy the “presentation” aspect of meal preparation – creating a beautiful place setting, food arrangement with garnishes, etc. But none of that matters with out the food, I’m afraid.

Now that dreary winter is upon us, I turn to soups and stews. I especially like them because one recipe can last me for several days. I can handle reheating soup. In fact, about this time 2 years ago, I shared my Taco Soup recipe with you. Did you try it?

This week I had a hankering for some hearty beef stew. And I just so happen to have a delicious recipe – even if it does rely and the simplicity and convenience of some canned ingredients. It is really, really good. Especially with a slice of fresh french bread.

Here is the recipe for your winter eating enjoyment.

Hearty Beef Stew

  • 2 lbs beef cubes
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 can beef broth
  • 1 can Cream of Mushroom soup
  • 1 can Cream of Celery soup
  • 2 – 3 beef bullion cubes
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 1 envelope onion soup mix
  • 1 quart water
  • 5 – 7 cubed potatoes
  • 4 – 6 carrots, cut
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 – 2 bay leaves
  • Fresh mushrooms (optional)

Brown beef with onion. Add remaining ingredients, except potatoes and carrots, and simmer for several hours. Add carrots and potatoes and cook for another hour. Serve with fresh bread.

Sound good? Before I added the potatoes and carrots, I divided the stew and have frozen half of it. So in a couple of weeks when I get another hankering, I can pull it out of the freezer, add potatoes, carrots and cook for an hour – and have my dinner for another 4 days. Yum.

Do you have any good soup or stew recipes to share?

Family/Friends, Photography, Travel

Christmas in Salt Lake

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Christmas morning with Marie and EmilySanta delivered me to Salt Lake on his sleigh this year.

At least I think that’s what happened – I went to bed in Seattle and woke up Christmas morning in Salt Lake.

A bow on the door led Emily and Marie to open it and see what Santa had brought. It made for a fun surprise.

The camera is not my friend first thing in the morning.

Jennifer prepared a fabulous meal (I have no idea how she keeps the kitchen totally clean the entire time she prepares the meal… I’m thinking it must be magic.)

Brandon expressed his anticipation for his move to Costa Rica by donning a tropical shirt. They are becoming ‘Location Independent‘ and moving there in less than a week – you can read about why and how they are doing it on his blog.

jen-meal Brandon is ready to go to Costa Rica

Ashley and family joined us for dinner and visiting for the rest of the day (and I didn’t take any pics!). But the girls had a blast together. And I got nauseous when I attempted to play Mario Cart with them.

Kennedy on Christmas DayI joined Ashley and family for the next couple of days. Kennedy opened her gifts from me on Christmas night. Justin had to work a graveyard shift at the hospital, so after Kennedy went to bed, Ashley and I stayed up for hours and played on their new Wii. I suck at Super Mario Brothers, but at least I didn’t get nauseous. And I bowled pretty good…. Wii is fun.

Oh – did I mention that it’s been FREEZING here? Not as cold as forecast (3 degrees at night) but still pretty damn cold. These are the frost crystals that form on Ashley’s kitchen window. Cool, huh?

A frosty window

Cool Frost CrystalsIt snowed a bit and I slid all over the road – even in a 4 wheel drive Tahoe. OK, not all over the road – just down the hill, but even so I did NOT enjoy it. But I had to venture out to have a meal at Cafe Rio…

And the Salt Lake Valley inversion has been horrible. I am finally seeing a little sunshine today! I hope it lasts…

But the frost crystals – very cool.

And to finish up, a few more pics of the granddaughters….
Marie the snow angelEmily hugs her snowman

cousins-xmas_6061

Tonight, I’ll be helping out with Ashley and Justin’s New Years Eve party.

How was your Christmas? What are you doing for New years?

Whatever

Happy Winter Solstice

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Happy Winter Solstice

Today the sun is at it’s lowest pint on the horizon, giving us the shortest day of the year. The word “Solstice” is derived from the Latin phrase for “sun stands still.”
Tomorrow the days will begin getting longer… Are you settling in to enjoy winter? It does have it’s own, special beauty.

Are you doing anything to celebrate or mark the arrival and passing of the solstice? Perhaps you can celebrate by enjoying this video – a Winter Solstice Meditation.

I love the stillness of winter. It doesn’t last long – and it is often colder than I’d like, but there is something quite remarkable and centering about a quiet, still winter night – especially with snowfall. I’m especially enjoying the twinkling lights on my tree and the glow of candles each night.

You?