Hey Babe take a Walk on the Wild Side!

I haven't been very wild lately.

In fact, for the last 3 1/2 months I've had no desire to be wild.

But no matter how bad I felt I always got dressed for the day.  

I'm not one of those beings who can stay in my Jams all day.

Just can't do it.  Maybe I feel exposed. Vulnerable.

Or maybe it's from, seeing to many people wearing their 

Jammies at the local Wal Mart.

 

Back in the day it was okay to go without a bra.  It was the feminist thing to do.

A rebellion? 

I don't remember, because somewhere along the line of time, I wouldn't be caught...without one.

The more under-wire the better.

But during this long period...not knowing what the blipety blank, was wrong with me,

  I rolled out of bed and knew I couldn't constrict my weak body with the binds of a bra.

Maybe the the fems of the day were on to something after all.

I did get dressed, but decided to wear this

wild leopard cammy, with a built in liner.

Enough to give support and enough loose so I don't feel I'm wearing 

a straight jacket.

 

 I've been to more medical rounds in the last 3 months, than I have in the last 3 years.

One young Duggie Houser, suggested these things happen with age...wanted to cry!

not because he thought I was old, because, really?  with all of 

today s technology, 

he's going to stand there, shake his head, and say, it comes with age?

I wanted Dr. House, so bad at that point.

And I wanted him NOW!

So while many of you live where the wild things are,

this is about as wild as I'm getting for the time being.

Made from mostly scratch, Wild Mushroom Soup.

(No the mushrooms, aren't why I was sick!)

I did get pretty wild, with the shitaki and oyster rooms!

 And somewhere in the vast picture files I have, 

there's a lovely bed of Wild Rice!

 

But for now!

Someday soon, I plan to slip these pretties back on,

And take a steady Walk on the Wild Side!

Full of Garbage!

Something I can't stand...a full garbage can!

And worse, is taking the full bag out of the can, tying 

it up and leaving it by the kitchen door,

in preparedness to trek it out to the back alley.

It's just a subconscious peeve I have.

I'll let the dust bunnies multiply under the sofa,

and the shedding kitty fur nest in the corners.

I'll even let those spindly cobs webs float down from the 

ceiling with grace. (When I notice them shimmering at night when the lights go on).

Yep, I let the bag of garbage sit.  It's been about 3 hours now, because

it snowed, and I can't find one of my snow-boots.

So I dug through the closet, and thought, "might as well get rid of that and that and that

while I'm, in the closet."

That took 45 minutes.  

And I didn't find the, now lost boot.

What's a phobia about becoming a hoarder, maniac, suppose to do?

That's how it starts isn't it. Not taking the garbage out?

Oh I'll do it later, and then another bag sits beside the first one.

I'll tell ya! Of course I will!

I run in ankle deep snow with just my skippies on.

Well, not run, because then I might slip and fall, hit my head

and no one would know! They're all inside where it's warm and dry.

You know life will stop, til I find that boot!

Just one of those days for cocoa and cinnamon toast.

A Black OlIve, Night!!! And Why Dinner is Late!

I'll tell ya, why dinner is late!

 It's because of a can opener!

It's probably why, we have late suppers!

Mind you, it's only 7:30 pm...

and I could have grilled this, flank steak an hour ago...

but, and I say But!

I couldn't open a can of Olives!

I couldn't open anything with my can opener!

If there are no black olives to eat with the flank steak...

Well, no one eats!

Which, brings me to, # 1!

# 1, refers to my first Grandson.

Wesley!

His Mom, used to be # 1...Ha!

(Summer Photo)

Wesley, likes, black olives! He always has.

Maybe it was because I'd put the olives on my fingers...!

When he was little! 

Always, teaching bad habits!

You could open a can of them, and he'd have them 

eaten in a flash...don't count on adding them to your condiment plate!

Just saying!

My Can opener wouldn't cut tonight!

I am not, advertising California Olives, though they are the best in

my opinion.

(I'd love to get a case of them)!

I, was cursing... how did they open cans in the 1800s?

I remember my husband showing me a can opener

he was issued in the army...Gawd how primitive...like using a knife and a hammer!

He still has it, but it would take a day and 1/2 for him to find it.

Really, I can use a regular can opener... and I did!

and don't ya think it looks like a star?

Well, kinda'!

but you can't tell by my photos!

I am Starving!

..I was going to slice this flank steak 

and wrap it in  a corn tortilla with cheese and 

onions and peppers...?

Looks like I only have 5 tortillas left!

Some one isn't getting seconds tonight!

But I will!

Because I'm the cook!

yum!!! but no guacamole!!!

sliced avocado, lime, salt and pepper...and don't open that jar of hot peppers!!!

Okay, Kids...

Soups On!!!

I was in the mood for Chinese Noodle Soup!

But of course, I didn't have all the traditional ingredients,

but really, that's the beauty of soup, you make it up as you go!

I simmered one thigh in 3 cups of water, with salt and pepper.

I took the thigh out to cool, and added cabbage, carrots, a 

bit of thyme and mushrooms. But the kicker...peanut sauce!

I had two turkey thighs, one for soup and one to bake!

I marinated the baked thigh in olive oil, fresh garlic, thyme and lime juice.

I left the skin on...I know, I know!

It cooked slow, and as the skin got crispy, I added a 1/2 cup of water,

to braise the pan, then I added portabella mushrooms!

Oh Yum!!!!

Here's to a Great New Year! 

What's Cooking...

This was, last night!

Linguini and Clam Sauce!

I didn't have linguini so I had to use

Spaghetti, not the same but still good.

I start with olive oil and fresh chopped garlic,

and cook over low heat til the garlic starts to infuse

with the oil.

Then I add about a tablespoon of butter.

(the real stuff).

As the butter starts to melt I add fresh copped parsley,

not much, again, enough to meld the flavors together.

This is the base, I use.

Then just open a can of chopped clams, juice and all,

and dump it in the mix of garlic and oil.

Depending on how much sauce you want you can add

a bottle of clam juice...makes more, in case someone 

happens to stay for dinner! 

I let this simmer for about 1/2hr. and add grated Romano cheese

and let that simmer down, on low heat,

I start cooking the pasta...you can also add the water from the pasta

to the sauce, again, this melds flavors.

Sometimes I add hot pepper flakes, most of the time not.

Fill the bowl with pasta, 

add a little salt and pepper,

grated cheese and parsley,

and you're ready to eat.

 Oh, and maybe a glass of wine!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Do ya remember the dresser and chair I showed in a previous post?

this is the finished piece.  It was black, and I liked it black,

but the customer wanted white. 

and the finished chair.

You can get an idea, of the room she's going for.

I don't have photos of the foot stool, but it matches the chair.

I made the sign for her after she saw the one I have hanging outside,

so this customer was a happy camper, when she picked everything up,

and she fit it all in the back of her SUV!

I've got tons to do!

Be well!

Diamonds in the Rough!

But Treasures To me!

A few weeks ago, I was driving home from my daughters

house and spotted and old beat up wicker rocker on the

side of the road.  Now I knew the rocker was garbage,

but this, I was after.

I know, it's not a diamond, but it is to me!

Then the sewing machine, I've had it for years, but

it was just stored away, passed around,used

for an entry table, moved from one spot to another, 

because it was, well just in the way, so I started taking it apart,

I could use the iron legs for something else...!

It still has the thread in it, old and dusty.

Yet beautiful in it's passing stage!

How many dresses were stitched with this needle?

It's a diamond to me!

Then I was driving by one of the local second hand shops, and

spotted this in the window!

I wanted it!

I walked in and checked it out.

It was heavy and solid...it was an Ethan Allen piece,

and I figured I'd be paying a hefty price.

$50.00!

Mine!

Just because a brick landed on it during a tornado, so what!

The crack doesn't go through the seat all the way, and anyway, 

I could fix it, 

it's a diamond in the rough!

Now I'm going to make some cushions,

and live happily ever after.

Yes I am!

It's time for Wine, because...

of  this!

it's only a little mess, and I knew it would be,

because, we, Mr. Honey and I, live in

an old house. 

When we first bought it, I ripped the kitchen walls 

off...plaster and lathe, and insulated. 

Now it's been awhile, but I remember the two by fours had 

horizontal 2x4s staggered up between the beam, (back then,... I was told,

 fire wall safety.)

 Well, now that Mr. Honey,

decided to install a light fixture to light up the steps outside,

(which we needed), all hell broke loose.

An Electrician by trade, (oh yes, Union labor) and he knows what he's doing,

he casually asks, "do you remember where the cross beams are?"

Well hell, Richard, that's been what?  15 years?

I know what the drill is when an electrician has to run cable. 

He complicates things by trying to find the beams.

Just cut a hole in the wall and look!

Really what's the big deal, you know your grunt worker will

follow behind and do the clean up!

(that would be me)!

And since I don't mind patching drywall, (to me it's like icing a cake or sculpting!)

I have to tell him to go ahead, like he needs my permission, he was going to

do it anyway!

Hole # 5, you don't see the ones

at the floor!

(not counting  the little holes from poking the

awl  into the wall at various points)!

really, this stuff doesn't bother me,

I live with the Electrician!

And honestly, I'd rather keep him off a ladder,

because he moans and groans so much afterwards.

Oh, okay, about the Wine?

It was greatly appreciated.