Stolen From Matt

I just stole this picture from my best friend, Matt. Even warned him I'd take it. Now its mine.....

I'm keeping it. He can't have it back. It's mine now...evil laugh....

Stephen

The Answer

For those that need a copy of Unintended Consequences came via a comment from a friend.

xtexanwannabe (http://xtexanwannabe.wordpress.com/) has left a new comment on your post "Bored To Tears":

One can download Unintended Consequences for free at Survival Monkey dot com. One will have to sign up on their site. If unable, I have it as pdf also.

Thanks, Texan....

Stephen

Thanks & Welcome

To my new friend and follower, Dave Hennesey. I promise, Dave, to always answer your comments. It often takes me a few hours and once in a while days but you can bet your last dollar I will reply.

Dave writes a nice blog, The Diabetic Camper. Please take a moment and ride over and tell him Stephen sent you.

Again, thanks and welcome, my new friend. You are now among friends.

Stephen

By Lamplight

How I finished dinner. 

I was worried I'd not have cornbread for my stew but the power came back online just in time. Guess I'll look into one of those old Coleman ovens for future blackouts. Cornbread is important don't 'ya know.

Stephen

The Irish In Me

wanted an Irish stew for dinner. Ran to the market for the ingredients and now the house smells great. If you are one without patience, never mind. It takes time to build a proper Irish stew. It isn't complicated but it will burn an hour of your time.

I use a two or three pound beef roast, thinly sliced, instead of stew meat. Aside from the fact I'm frugal I believe the roast gives the best flavor.

A proper Irish stew consist of four basic parts - the beef, potatoes, onion, and carrots. If you insist dump in a few mushrooms and garlic, it won't hurt.

Coat the beef in flour and brown. Now for those of you in California you might want to find another blog because here comes the scary part....brown in bacon drippings. During the process I also use a half pound of butter, real butter. For New York City residents, that's two sticks. Brown in batches. Don't crowd the pot or you'll just steam the meat, not good. Like I said it takes time.

Above, the beef after its been browned. When you're finished with this process drop in the onions and cook until translucent. Add a touch of butter and beef stock and deglaze the pan. Season to taste. I also like a bit of Cajun seasoning, but that's just me.

Above, all the parts happily mingled. Easy on the beef stock. You want a stew, thick, not a soup. Now, bring to a gentle boil, reduce the fire and simmer for at least six hours. Serve with a good cornbread.

Enjoy.

Stephen 

Thanks & Welcome

To my two new friends, David and Darcy Cobb. I promise to always answer your comments. At times it can take me a few hours, days, and in rare cases longer, but rest assured I shall answer. If, for some odd reason I miss your comment let me know and I will correct my oversight.

I ask my other fine friends to please jump over and visit their blog, The Little Acre God Gave Us. I'm sure they'd appreciate the visit. 

.

Again, thank you and welcome to my humble little blog. You are now among friends.

Stephen

Quiet Time

Sunday by design is a day for rest, quiet time. It's dark and gloomy and I hear distant thunder and light rain like lead shot pelt the roof. Makes me want to build a fire and sip coffee and wish for cold weather as an excuse to wrap myself in an old wool blanket. To settle in with a novel and pretend to read when really I'd rather nap.

Soon, autumn leaves will begin the journey down, bits and pieces of amber and brown and red closely followed by northern winds, the official signal for the best time of the year. My favorite. I believe it's written upon Hemingway's grave marker, 'Best of all he loved the Fall.' I understand.

This morning, after church and fried chicken, we drove home under black threating skies. Sweet Wife asked what I'd like to do today. My first thought was to finish in the garage. I'd worked and sorted odd clutter for several hours well into the night and wanted to reorganize my ammunition and reloading supplies. I voiced this to her. She frowned. Not a good sign.

A mile or so down the road she took note of the weather and suggested perhaps my idea held merit. Now, she sits to my left deep into her bible study.  Over the last few months she's sought solace in her religion and it seems to have worked miracles; she's at peace and for this I am grateful and attend church with her even if I am found on the pew with my Kindle lost within its digital pages.

Yes, I listen to the sermon. It is possible and I have proved one can chew gum and walk with coordination. Once upon a time a friend found it quite shocking that I attended church. He asked if the candles flickered when I entered the sanctuary. I said, for the record, they indeed dimmed on occasion. He asked what had changed me. I said, "A little girl came into my life."

As I type I hear the rain as it hits my old metal wash tub I have hung on the back fence. It reminds me of my days of youth on the farm. Whenever I'd see the weather turn towards wet I'd head straight to the barn. Our barn had a metal roof and if you were able to find a clean spot of hay it made for the best bed in town. The hard southern thunderstorms made for a wonderful late afternoon sleep. 

I suppose I've made a liar of myself. I haven't ventured near the garage and my chores. It's too peaceful to work. Instead I think I'll head to the kitchen and build a pot of coffee return and pretend to read a book. But you and I both know it'll be cover for a nap. After all, the rain won't last forever.

Or will it.

Stephen