Storm Hektor Is Causing Wicked Icy Conditions

January 12, 2015

Good morning.  Yesterday I had a request for the slow cooker stuffed pepper recipe, so I posted it here.  Just look below this post if you would like the recipe.

It's not quite so cold this morning, mid 30's, with the promise of getting one or two degrees warmer later in the day.  We're also supposed to be getting a mix of snow and rain.  Tonight the temps will drop to around 20F so the rain will create an icy problem for a lot of folks.

Because of storm Hektor, 70 million people are under winter weather advisories.  13 million folks are right now under freezing rain advisories.  Incredible!!   If all of this wicked weather is part of the changing climate, then I'd say Mother Nature got us back really good! 

I really did not do much of anything yesterday.  At least nothing of importance was accomplished.  I did check the birdie's water bowl and replenish some of the water.  Except for one time, I don't ever see any of the birds at the water bowl.   Maybe more will use it when the weather gets warmer.  We'll see.

Remember a while back I said that I was making a lightweight ponco?  Well, I've been wearing it nights to ward off cold chills.  It keeps my shoulders and back warm.  I may have to make it a bit longer, and I still have to finish off the neckline, but it really has come in quite handy.

Last night, I worked a bit on the Sunshine yellow afghan, but my eyes get tired so I stopped after a while.  I do have an appointment coming up next Monday for an eye exam, and most likely a prescription for a new pair of eye glasses.  This should help my eyes get back to normal.

Today I have a few photos of an adorable little Tufted Titmouse enjoying the peanuts that I toss out for the birds and small critters.   These photos were taken through the kitchen window.

My enjoyment of our little birds has spread to all of the dwarfs.  Whenever any of them is in the kitchen, they spend a few minutes at the windows watching these fun little birds. 

I've been neglecting my kitchen/pantry project quite a bit lately but I think today I shall get back to it.  Also, yesterday I did not get to the store to pick up bird seed and maybe a small tree, so I'm hoping to do this maybe tomorrow.  Today's weather is too yucky to go out.

While I'm out tomorrow, I'll have to stop by the bank.  No matter what the weather brings, the bills must be paid.  Interesting, but paying bills is probably one of the few things that bad weather does not stop. 

Well, that's about all the news for this morning.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all try to stay warm and have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Slow Cooker - Beef And Rice Stuffed Peppers

Per a request, here is the recipe for the slow cooker
stuffed peppers from the Jan. 11, post.

Time :  Approx 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 hours 15 minutes
Serves 4
Per serving:  358 calories, 10 G fat (4 G sat fat)
     59 mg chol, 500 mg sod, 23 g pro, 44 g car,
     5 g fiber.

1  15 oz can crushed tomatoes
3 lg cloves of garlic finely chopped
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced
   Kosher salt & pepper
4 lg bell peppers (red, orange, yellow
       or a mix)
3/4 lb. lean ground beef (at least 90%)
3/4 cup instant brown rice, uncooked
2 Tbsp raisins, roughly chopped
2 Tbsp crumbled feta cheese
Green salad, for serving

1 - In a bowl, stir together the tomatoes, garlic, tomato
paste, oregano, sugar, all but 1/4 cup of the scallions
and 1/2 tsp pepper.  Transfer half of the mixture
(about 1 cup) to a 5 to 6 quart slow cooker.

2 - Slice the tops off the peppers just below the stems.
Roughly chop the tops and add them to the bowl with
the remaining sauce, along with the beef, rice, raisins
and 1/2 tsp salt;  mix to combine.

3 - Remove the ribs and seeds from the peppers.
Slice a very thin piece from the base of each pepper so
that they sit upright and flat, but do not cut through.
Season the inside of the peppers with 1/4 tsp each
salt and pepper, then stuff with the beef mixture.
(about 1 cup per pepper).

4 - Transfer the peppers to the slow cooker, cover
and cook until the peppers are tender and the rice is
cooked through.  3 to 4 hours on high, or 5 hours
on low.

5 - Transfer the peppers to plates.  Stir the sauce  to
incorporate any excess liquid from the peppers.
Spoon the sauce over the peppers and sprinkle with
the feta and remaining scallions.  Serve with a
salad, if desired.

This is the recipe per the magazine.  Obviously,
you can make changes according to your taste.
Enjoy.

I'm Not So Cold If Pogo Is Warm

January 11, 2015

Good morning.  Brrrrr.  It's still too cold for these old bones.  Granted, it has been colder, and other folks are coping with even worse temps, but none of that makes me feel warmer.   And poor Pogo!  When I am cold, he has to wear a warm sweater.  If I'm still cold, he has to be wrapped up in a pile of warm blankets.  Somehow, I feel better if I think he is toasty warm.

I was just looking through the new Womans Day magazine, and I came across an interesting item.  In just four weeks, it will be "Random Acts of Kindness Week".   The dates are February 9 to 15.  It's a whole week to just do something nice every day for a loved one, a friend or a stranger.  Wouldn't it be great if folks all over the world celebrated this week? 

There are so many wonderful, yet easy, things one can do for this week.  You could cook a meal for a struggling neighbor, pay for the car behind you at a fast food drive through, take out the trash for a neighbor (and bring the barrels back in), or shovel a walkway for a neighbor if you have snow.  There are just so many fun and thoughtful things that you can do.  Have some fun and give it a try.

I also cut out a recipe for stuffed peppers that are cooked in a crock pot.  I love stuffed peppers, but I have never cooked them in a slow cooker.  This sounds like a great idea for me.  Just stuff the peppers, pop them in the crock pot, set the timer and go about my business while dinner slowly cooks.  Perfect!

Sad to say, these past few days have not been so good for loved ones.  Audrey and Janet are beginning to get better, but now Dee Dee and Eddie are sick with a cold and the flu.  Also, a couple of the dwarfs are a bit under the weather with the same stuff.  I'm wishing all of you a speedy "get well".

Yesterday, I got caught up on some laundry, and started a new "Sunshine" afghan.  This one is mostly a beautifully bright lemon yellow.  When I get a bit of it done, I'll be taking a photo to share.  I have no idea who this one is for, but it's a treat to work with such a happy color.

Today, I'm trying to work up the courage to go out in the cold to buy some more bird seed and hopefully a new Christmas tree for next year.  Walmart did not have any trees on clearance this week, so today I would like to have a look in Ocean State Job Lot.

That's about all the news for this morning.  Now I'm thinking that a nice hot cup of cocoa would taste just awesome.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all try to stay warm and have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

A Small Reprive From The Wicked Cold

January 9, 2015

Good morning.  Oh my, we're having a mini heat wave.  Temps during the night were around 15F degrees, and right now we are up to 23F degrees.  I can walk across the floor without my feet turning into popsicles!   (Wearing socks and slippers, of course.)

There's no cellar under my part of the house, so every bit of cold comes right up and chills the floor.  All but the kitchen and pantry are carpeted, but when it gets really cold the carpets can't keep the floors warm.

Today is supposed to get up to about 32F degrees, so Joe and I will do the food shopping today.  I can't really put it off because I'm running very low on several things.  I think I'll pick up the fixings for a corn chowder too.  This always tasted extra good in this wicked cold weather.

Yesterday, I finally covered the air conditioner with plastic.  There is a cover on the outside of it, but the cold still comes in.  Somehow, I missed one little spot where the cold comes in, so later I will check it again and fix this.  This year I chose to leave the AC in the window all winter because it will be there when I need later in the year.   I can't lift it in and out of the window, and this way I won't have to ask anyone to put it back in for me.  However, I will have to look around for a better outer cover for it.

Today I have another photo (taken with my phone) of our beautiful Amaryllis.  I changed the background to black to show off better how really pretty this plant is. 

I also have another cute photo of my handsome little fellow.  This photo was also taken with my phone.  I'm getting better at learning how to use this little camera.  Pogo is wearing one of his new Christmas sweaters.   At first I was thinking that maybe he had too many sweaters, but with all this wicked cold, the sweaters are a blessing.

On the Weather Channel, they are showing a mother and young daughter that have been evicted from their home in New York.  Right now they are at a shelter trying to keep warm.  I know business is business, but how can you evict someone in this wicked unhealthy cold?  Especially when there is a child involved? 

Also in the news, Mr. O in the White House is suggesting that two years of community college should be free for everyone.  Well, he hasn't yet defined the word "everyone".   I think free college for "citizens" is a great idea, but first we need to know how it will be paid for.  I'm sure Mr. O is not meaning "citizens" only. 

Right now, most of us who are working, or have an income, are struggling to pay for all the free medical and medical payment grants that are being given out.   I would love to see free college education for our children, but I think the public has a right to know how this will be paid for before it becomes law.  I know a lot of folks who already have to choose between their meds and their bills, and now their taxes are even higher because of the new health care law.  Add the free college to this and I wonder how many folks will still be able to keep a roof over their heads.

Mr. O, it's time to cut back on the billions of dollars you are giving away all over the world, and use this money to take care of our own citizens and the cost of all these wonderful new laws.  Nuff said.

Now I'm going into the kitchen and make myself a nice hot cup of coffee and some breakfast for Pogo.  So, till Sunday, Y'all try to stay warm and have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Happy Birthday Kyra

January 8, 2014

Good morning.  Did I say it was nasty cold yesterday?  Well, I have to say it was a lot warmer yesterday than it was last night and this morning.  It was -4F degrees during the night, and it is -2F degrees this morning with a wind chill of -15F.   The weather man says that we should get up to 19F today, and only down to 15F tonight. 

If I thought I was bad for counting the days away till Spring, the weatherman is worse.  He's counting the days till Summer.  Only 164 days away!!  That's very little comfort right now though, because my fingers are rather cold as I sit here typing.

Today is my good friend Kyra's birthday.  It would be nice if you could stop over to her blog and leave her some birthday wishes.   Kyra, I'm wishing you a beautiful day filled with lots of love and happiness.  Happy Birthday, Kyra.  I'm so glad to call you my friend.

Well, this morning I have lots of news, some good and some not so good.  The good news is that my granddaughter Jasmine auditioned yesterday for a part in a new musical coming up, "The Wizard Of Oz".     Last evening, she got a call and was offered the part of Dorothy.  Woo Hoo!!  Congratulations Jazzy!

The not so good news is that my daughter Audrey is sick in bed, and daughter in law Janet is also sick in bed.   Girls, I'm hoping for a speedy recovery for both of you.  I love you. 

Before Christmas, I bought a new Amaryllis bulb, and Joe planted it.  We've all been watching the plant very closely, waiting for it to bloom.  Well yesterday it was in full bloom. and oh is it ever beautiful.  Here are a coupe of photos that I took with my phone.

While I was having fun with my phone, I also took a couple of photos of our Poinsettia plant which also is quite beautiful.

About an hour ago, I used my remote starter to start my car.  With this bitter cold, I wanted to make sure that it would start.  And it did!!!  I let it run for about ten minutes, then shut it off.  I'll try it again later this afternoon.  I'm not sure if Joe and I will do the food shopping today or tomorrow.  Either way, I need to know that my car will start.

When I started typing this blog, I had a full cup of hot coffee.  I didn't gulp it all down, so now I have a mug full of ice coffee.  Not quite what I was wanting right now.  So I think I'll head on out to the kitchen and make myself a hot cup of cocoa. 

When my cocoa is ready, I'm going to curl up in my lounge chair with my new afghan that Kyra made me for Christmas, and crochet for a while.   So, till tomorrow, Y'all try to stay warm, and have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Oh Baby, It's Cold Outside

January 7, 2015

Good morning.  I say that with a smile on my face, but I really want to say "Grrrrrrr!!!, it's cold!!"   I know, I am so wimpy when it comes to the cold weather.  It was only 10F degrees during the night, and I don't think it is much warmer right now.

In my right mind, I realize that there are others trying to cope with even colder temperatures, and I really do try not to complain, but darn I don't like this cold!!  This kind of weather gives me the doldrums.  (Now there's a word you don't hear very often!)  I don't want to go out, or do much of anything.  Once I actually get out the door, I'm okay, but it's the getting out the door that is difficult.

Yesterday, Pogo and I went out to do a couple of errands and keep my appointment at the nail salon.  Would you believe?  It was snowing!  And it snowed all day.  Granted, it was a light snow and did not amount to much more than a dusting.

Last night, I broke down and put on a sweatshirt and sweatpants to sleep in.  Yup, it was that cold.  And I think I'm going to keep these warm jammies on all day today.   Hang in there self, it's only 74 more days till Spring.

I found a really nice saying on a friend's blog and thought I would share it here.  This one is special because most everyone in my family had (or has) light blue eyes.  I have hazel eyes, and three of my children got either brown or hazel eyes.   So this is for all the blue eyes.

I also found another really cute image on the web that seems quite fitting for mine and Pogo's late night raids on the refrigerator.  It sort of takes the guilt away from having our late night snacks.

I've been watching QVC shopping channel on TV all morning, and they have had some really great ideas for household clean up and storage.  I've been really good, I did not order anything.  But, I enjoy watching all the different products and ideas.

Now I think I'm going to make a nice hot cup of coffee, and enjoy it while I think up some fun mischief to get into today.  I may even have to run the vacuum.  I believe I injured a few dust bunnies  by stepping on them when I walked across the floor this morning. 

Gosh, have you ever heard a dust bunny cry out?  Gee, they sound so pitiful.   I may have to stay curled up in my lounge chair till Spring.  It's really too cold to throw all the little bunnies outside.  You know, dust bunnies got to live too!

That said, I'm off to the kitchen to make that coffee.  Till tomorrow, Y'all stay warm and have a great day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Happy Birthday Jasmine

January 6, 2015

Good morning.  Brrrrrrr!!!  This is just too cold for my comfort.  During the night, it was 13F degrees, and this morning it was up to 17F.  I have to go out for an appointment and to do a couple of errands in an hour, so I'm hoping it warms up a bit. 

Yesterday was Jasmine's birthday, and once again I'm a day late sending Birthday Wishes.  I realize it is all psychological.  Today would be my daughter Kerri's birthday, and every year I seem to send Jasmine her birthday wishes on this day instead of on the 5th.  At least this year, I got her card to her on time. 

So Happy Birthday to you Jazzy.  I hope all your dreams and wishes come true.  I love you.

This morning I've been watching some of the old game shows on TV.  Do you remember Match Game?  I took these photos off the TV with my phone.   Recognize Betty White in the middle photo?

The next program that came on after this one was Card Shark.  This episode featured young kids as contestants.

I have to admit that it's quite refreshing to watch these old shows.  There's no profanity used, and they're full of good clean fun.   Now that television has lowered some of it's morals and language standards, a lot of the programs today aren't as enjoyable as they used to be. 

Last night I did not do any crocheting.  I just watched a program, Major Crime, and turned in early.  Maybe being out in the cold air will give me a bit more energy.  You think?  I keep checking the calendar to see how many more days till Spring.  Just 74 more days. 

I am so bad sometimes!!  I just looked out the window to check the bird bath, and it had no water in it.  This is not good.  I checked it two days ago and it had plenty of water in it, so I wonder where all the water is going?  Of course I quickly got a bottle of water and filled it again.  I'll have to remember to check this daily. 

This afternoon, I'll have to call and make an appointment for Pogo at his beauty salon.  He's overdue for a bit of pampering.  Now I must get ready to leave for my appointment.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all stay warm and have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.