Category: Uncategorized

Hello December

From Photo Challenge

Hello December. So far we haven’t had a major chill. The garden seems to be doing well. Tomatoes are very slow to ripen because the winter sun doesn’t warm the tomatoes enough during the day. Just this week we are finally seeing some tomato ripen action.

From Photo Challenge

Those tomatoes will be great on all the lettuce we still have growing. I need to start more seeds of this so I can continue the crop.

From Photo Challenge

One of the figs became ripe this week.

From Photo Challenge

The blueberry bushes are beginning to bloom for some early spring blueberries.

From Photo Challenge

Finally, as you see in the picture at the top, the muscadine grape is dormant for the winter. See you in the spring!

Running with Bricks

Today is one of those days. A day when you want to call it quits.
After a two full day break from Saturday long run I ran this morning. As soon as I got out there I wanted to quit. I felt like I was carrying a ton of bricks with me the entire run. I pushed through as my mind raced through negative thoughts. Why the hell did I sign up for a half marathon when I have never even completed a 5k entirely by running? Defeat and quit were all that were on my mind this morning. The run was completed and I am dealing with all that is left of my motivation. “It does get easier each time. Be patient, you have a long journey ahead of you. You can accomplish it.”

Winter Sangria

From Food

It is that time of year again, time for me to make a red sangria – one of my favorite drinks to make. It is so simple. This time I halved the recipe. Double everything below for more (I like to mix half Beaujolais and pinot noir together).
1 cup grapes
1 cup apple juice
1/3 cup Grand Marnier
1 tbsp sugar
2 cloves
1 orange (blood or navel)
1 bottle fruity wine (I like Beaujolais)
1 cinnamon stick
1 lemon
1 apple

Cut up fruit and mix it all in an attractive pitcher. Cover and chill over night in the refrigerator. Serve chilled or on ice.

Warning: This is not fruit juice, it is really strong….don’t make the mistake one of my family members did and pour yourself too much at once.

From Food

My recipe is inspired by a similar recipe from Cooking Light (December 2004). For a similar recipe, see here.

Fun With Quiches

From Food

If the name sounds French, I am cooking it lately.
We had a work pot luck today and the theme was supposed to be “Thanksgiving Breakfast”. Peeking at the sign up sheet I discovered that most of the items consisted of store bought baked goods.  I decided to make a quiche.
My only fancy egg dish experience is making a few frittatas in the past. My quiche was a hit at the pot luck.
I pretty much followed the recipe below….

Ingredients

frozen pie crust
5 slices thick cut bacon, chopped
2 large eggs
2 large egg yolks
1 cup half-and-half
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
1 cup grated gruyere

How to make it

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line pastry shell with foil. Bake in oven for 12 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until crust is set and dry. Remove from oven.
In a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Crumble the bacon and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together milk, salt and eggs. Stir in bacon and cheese. Be sure to mix well. Pour egg mixture into pie crust.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until knife inserted in center of quiche comes out clean. If necessary, cover edge of crust with foil while baking to prevent burning or overbrowning. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Note: I cannot find the original recipe I used when searching online. The recipe comes from a Spring 2009 issue of The Nest Magazine. However this recipe is similar and I used it when documenting the recipe here.

What I want to do different in the future
Use whole wheat crust or attempt to make my own crust out of healthier flour.
Use less or no bacon.
Use chives, roasted red peppers.
Add more eggs….it could have been thicker.
I tried this recipe once more and cooked the bacon in the microwave. It made the bacon very tough and chewy – best to stick with pan frying.

What did you make for your pot luck?

And More:
After eating crap food for the past week, it has become very difficult to run. I must get my diet back on track if I am going to meet my running goals. There might be a half-marathon that I will be walk running in the future. I will keep you posted.