2010 was SO bad ... (how bad was it?!)

Good riddance 2010!

It was a tough year, but I have made it!

But not everyone is as lucky as I am.  The economy is so bad that in today's mail I got a pre-declined credit card.

I ordered a burger at McDonald's, and the kid behind the counter asked, "Can you afford fries with that?"

A Human in Need

 This is just such a beautiful letter to my editor, that I had to share it here too:

Dear Vesta,

I hope all your readers are staying plenty warm and dry these last few weeks! I am so grateful this year for my cozy house, ample firewood supply, food in my cupboard and friends to share it with. It's hard to believe that this will be my fourth winter on the river. By now I am somewhat accustomed to the damp and dark of December-March and ever grateful for wool socks, rain proof outerwear and homemade soup. My second winter season here was survived without heat or hot water. Many of your readers have faced similar circumstances at some time or another. For those of us, it can assuredly be said that we never look at winter the same way again.

Recipe: Broccoli Slaw

I made up my own version of this recipe after having a similar dish from the deli at the grocery store.

BROCCOLI SLAW
(measurements are approx / to taste)

Mix
1 packet cole slaw seasoning with
1 6-to-8 oz tub of plain low-or-nonfat greek yogurt

Toss with
12 oz bag of broccoli shreds
nut & berry trail mix (I used mix w/ sunflower seeds, cashews, almonds, cranberries, & apple)

Optional add-ins
1/4 diced red onion (to taste)
crumbled bacon (to taste)

Chill and serve.
That's it!  :)

You can see it in my eyes

The eyes are the window to the soul.

Deedle took this picture of me out in the yard the other night, and (besides the fact that she can work the camera) what amazes me is the look in my eyes.  You can really see the wariness that I feel these days.  Not "weary" as in "tired," but "wary" as in "suspicious or on guard."  (Though I am weary too! haha)

I look back a pictures from a few years ago and mourn the death of that girl I see there.  Don't be shocked -- that girl is gone, but it's OK.  It is the natural way of the world.  The Celts, in their lovely way of threes, describe the stages of a woman as Maiden, Mother, and Crone.  I am certainly solidly in the "Mother" phase now!

ENCHILADA CASSEROLE

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1/4 cup or 1 packet taco seasoning (Lowry/McCormick/etc)
• 1 can tomatoes w/ chiles
• 8-oz sour cream
• 8 medium flour tortillas
• 3 cup Cheese
• Olives to taste
• 3-quart casserole dish

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, crumbled and drained. Add the taco seasoning. Add the tomatoes+chiles and 1.5 to 2 cans of water. Simmer for 10-15 min. Turn off the heat and stir in the sour cream. In a 3-quart casserole, layer tortillas, seasoned beef, and cheese. Pour remaining "sauce" over all and top with more cheese. Bake (350* for 20 minutes) until heated through and the cheese crusts. Remove from oven and garnish with olives. Serve over a bed of shredded cabbage.


VARIATIONS:

• Try with steak, pork, chicken, turkey, bacon & eggs, or beans for the meat(protein)
• Use chile verde instead of red tomatoes/taco seasoning (best with pork/chicken)
• Try other add-ins, like corn, spinach, potatoes, or carrots!
• Try corn tortillas
• Once I was out of sour cream so I used ranch dressing instead!
• The combos are endless! Use your imagination.

ENJOY!