Category: Uncategorized

Red, White and Blue

“As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.”
 – George Washington
I hope so too, Mr. President.
 As screwed up as this country seems at times,
we’re still in far greater shape than many out there…
I am grateful and I hope we persevere.
Happy Freedom Day, All –
I’m making one of these versions today for tomorrow’s family picnic…

Hatchlings

The cycle of nest building to egg laying
to hatchlings to taking flight is nothing less than amazing…
Just a few weeks ago one nest was abandoned for another…
then eggs were laid…
and yesterday I noticed what appeared to be momma bird
feeding babies.
So I got the bar stool out and snuck up while she was
out grocery shopping..and took a few more blind shots.

Interesting facts:
 For the Barn Swallow,
Incubation period is about 15 days.  The nesting period is 16 to 23 days.
Once established, pairs usually stay together to breed for life,
but extra-pair copulation  is common, making this species genetically  polygamous,
 despite being socially monogamous.
 Males guard females actively to avoid being cuckolded.
I’m not touching that one.

grilled sirloin with blackberry sauce

 I found this recipe in Family Circle Magazine…
made it last night and oh MAN…
it’s my new favorite thing…
I promise you, you won’t be disappointed if you try it.

1½ pounds sirloin steak, about 1 inch thick

1 teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon plus ⅛ teaspoon pepper

⅓ cup balsamic vinegar

¼ cup finely diced shallots

1½ cups fresh blackberries

2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Directions

1. Heat grill to medium-high. Allow steak to come to room temperature; season with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper. Grill steak 4 to 5 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 135 degrees for medium-rare. Set aside to rest for 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, combine vinegar and shallots in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Bring to a simmer and reduce liquid by half, about 5 minutes. Stir in blackberries, thyme, honey and 1 tablespoon water. Bring to a simmer and cook until berries burst and sauce thickens, about 10 minutes.

3. Slice meat thinly against the grain. Pour any accumulated drippings into sauce. Remove sauce from heat and stir in butter to melt. Add 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and remaining 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt over sliced meat. Serve with sauce.

. 

Sport’n Short

 I’ve had longish hair for most of my life…
except for when my mother imposed that hideous
Pixie cut on me back in the day.
Between sporting the Pixie and
those striped matching  Danskin outfits…
you know.. that weird material kind that never wrinkled, EVER?…
..I still bear the emotional wreckage.
Love you, Mom!
So….
a few weeks ago I looked in the mirror and saw
a scraggly haired middle aged woman
whos face looked a bit pulled downward.
Gravity is not our friend as we begin to age…
and it was plain as day that I was avoiding
something that needed doing.
That little voice inside.. you know the one..
said loud and clear…
The HAIR, Karen… DO something about THE HAIR.
Normally this decision is made over long periods of time
as I hem and haw and browse magazines and celebrity pics
searching for that much needed haircut.
Somehow, the two times a year I might have wandered into the salon…
…no matter what the picture was that I had in my lap…
my insistence that it still stay “longish” worked against me
and I didn’t look much different coming out. 
I think it’s sort of a shield, the longer hair.. a layer of protection
between you and the bad stuff. 
 Or something.  
ANYWAY.
a few weeks ago I said.. enough.
I called my kids’ hair stylist because she’s really really cool.. just ask them..
and she said.. how about 3pm!
TODAY??… (gulp)
Yes, today!
crap.  
And so THAT VERY DAY.. I went in.
No plan!  No pictures! Just did it.
And I said… Just cut it. ….Shorter. ….I mean it.
She meant it too…
With the very first snip there were four inches of hair in her hand.
and you know?  It’s just liberating.

The above is when I put effort into the cut…
This below is the reality most of the time.
Still messy yet uplifting in some spiritual way I haven’t yet been
able to put into words. 
I feel LIGHTER….
and lighter is good.  

Today the temps are supposed to soar to godawful.
So I picked peas and squash before high noon…

and I think I’m going to make these tonight…

recipe HERE

Scenes from an Italian Restaurant

Hey locals!
I bet you’ll remember the old Marty’s Seafood Restaurant in Westbrook on Route 1.
When I was a  young’un it was my favorite place to get breakfast
(good coffee!)
or a hotdog on a summer afternoon.
Their actual Seafood  (mostly fried) was just OK…
but it was a staple around these parts for many years.
I missed it when it was gone.
I bet some of you have been to their car shows in the parking lot…
Marty’s changed hands a few times…
it was Rays for a while…
but I guess Ray gave up the ship.
Welcome SOPHIA’S…
http://sophiasrestaurant.net/about.html
What was once a sea chanty is now an Italian Restaurant..
and a pretty good one at that.
What’s even better is that the prices are reasonable
and the portions are big…
the bread? DIVINE coming from New Haven…
Which is a real bummer for this gluten free girl.
oooh, the fried Mozzerella and fresh bread….
…and Rosemary infused olive oil for bread dipping….
pitcher of lemon water…

What a cool idea!

My old HS friend Denis
posted these really cool jello citrus slices on FB yesterday..
so I ripped them off to post here 🙂
Instructions…
Cut oranges in half (orange, or large lemon, grapefruit, whatever)
take out the insides so that you are left with just the rind
Fill the halfs with jello liquid and let set in the refrigerator.
When the jello is set, cut halves in half…
and you get this!
I suppose you could do to these what some do with “jello shots”…
vodka anyone?



What I love best

That picture I didn’t capture yesterday
because I was too busy cheering and crying?…
Someone else did.
Pure Joy…
this..
And today…another victorious day for the underdogs!

I have to give a shout out to my dear friend Carol…
Carol and I are animal fanatics together.
She was in my wedding, we’ve been neighbors on and off…
Our kids grew up together.
Her son, Jordan, has been volunteering at Dog Days Events..
Two so far. 
It appears Carol isn’t able to visit Jordan at the event
without going home with a “souvineer”.
They are now the proud adopters of Dog Days Dog Number 2…
which would make their total… SIX
Now, they have the space and the love and the knowledge for six dogs
ranging from big to little.
But I just gotta say this..
TOM!! 
I HAD ALREADY LEFT FOR THE DAY BEFORE CAROL GOT THERE!!
I SWEAR IT… REALLY AND TRULY, HONEST TO GOD.
So.. I had nothing to do with this one. Nothing, got it?
LOL…
oh, I didn’t mean that.