What's for dinner?

As the years go by, I am getting really bad about cooking for myself. Did I say bad?.....like seldom. Sandwiches and salads are so much easier and quicker with less clean-up time. I have other things that I want to do and ...sigh...have to do. Right? Right? I know you are agreeing with me.

But about once a week I make something that leaves plenty for left-overs and semi-healthy meals.  For instance a big meat loaf. I can have it with a salad or side vegetables or my favorite...meat loaf sandwiches. Yeah, yeah, I know it's still a sandwich but it isn't processed luncheon meat or fast- food take-out.

This morning, searching in the crisper for lettuce... (for a sandwich of course)...and noticed fresh peppers and tomatillos. Wow! I had forgotten about them and also the 3 pound pork roast in the freezer. Of course chili verde sprang to mind.  I dug out my slow-cooker....literally dug it out of a bottom cabinet...ohhh my knees!

Isn't this a pretty color? Yellow always makes my day a bit brighter feeling.

I have a hard time following recipes as I tend to throw in a bit extra if it sounds good or make do if I am short. This calls for a large sliced yellow onion.  Slicing? Ha! Don't need the tears, thank you. I put in a generous handful of home dried onions (thanks Mom). You all know that onions are good for you....the more the better.

Then, in went 2 fat cloves of garlic, chopped fine and 5 medium tomatillos cut into quarters. For those of you who aren't familiar with them they look like green tomatoes and add a citrusy taste to the dish. It is something like adding lime juice.

 Where was I?  Oh yeah....the recipe. 

I don't like real hot peppers so I use poblanos that give the rich pepper taste without the fire.

Sometimes I also add a sweet bell pepper, 
...but I ate that last night 
with a chunk of cheese while reading..... 




I then tossed in about a teaspoon of crushed dry oregano and a cup of water. I rubbed the pork with black pepper, powdered cumin and granulated garlic and placed the meat on top of the pile.

I started the pot on high but I will check it in a couple of hours and turn the pot to low. It will be done when the meat falls into shreds. I may even get ambitious and make fresh flour tortillas to go with it.  Maybe.

Drop by...... there will be plenty.

SURPRISE GIFT...or... WHO INVITED YOU?

Ember brought me a "gift" a couple of weeks ago. It all happened so fast I thought at first he had a bird in his mouth...I swear I caught a glimpse of feathers. It all happened in a flash, he came in.... I saw... I yelled...I ran for the broom (?) and Ember opened his mouth and released a big lizard. Yes...lizard! Which of course ran under my freezer. Uggh! During these past two weeks I have caught flashes of the lizard as it goes from freezer to stove to pantry. I have heard scratchings and rustlings but have never been quick enough to catch it. I've left the outside door open most of the day hoping the reptile would find it's way out. And don't you know...Ember has completely ignored the creature since he dumped it on me. (the little wretch!)

Yesterday I heard faint scratching on the window and looked to find a beautiful lizard on the window ledge.
I opened the door a little wider and then reached for the lizard......"blink" ....it was gone!

I never saw it move but it went outside.  I know that because Ember was chasing it....again

I got a real good look before it ran and after checking online I find it is a Desert Spiny Lizard.

My guest was not as brightly colored as this photo so probably was female or a very young male. And the "feathers" that  I saw? Look at the head and neck.


'Just hoping that your guests don't end up under the appliances.

TWO YEARS!! OH MY!  
Does anyone even remember that I have a Blog?

I knew that I was neglecting my Blog and I kept thinking of posting. But what I did not realize is how fast time can pass. According to the date on my last entry it has been almost 2 years since I posted!  Where has the time gone?  I have often heard that time seems to move faster as we age and this seems a prime example. 

There is a lot going on in my life at present that I want to share and doing it on this Blog should keep the family and friends in the loop. There are pictures to share and tales to tell, but since I am easing back into this blogging slowly this is my share for today.

                                                                    ~*~

Ember Katz has appointed himself my assistant. At least it appears that way. Every time I sit down to the computer he shows up. It is a comedy act trying to keep him off the keyboard. You can imagine the hair problem he leaves. But hey....he is my buddy and traveling companion so I can't be too harsh with him.

Some of you may remember Ember. 

He has been with me since he was around 9 months old. 

I figure he will be 14 years old in June. We been together longer than some marriages last. 

For an old guy on thyroid meds, he is good shape. 






........And despite his scowl in the photo, he is a gentle loving guy.

He can also be a big butt!

May the rest of your day be full of cheer.  

Sharing....

Here is my recycled garden bench. I found it in a badly weathered, broken condition at a yard sale. Recently one of my grandsons surprised me by replacing the slats with a resin based material designed for decks. Inspecting it is one of my traveling companions, Ruthie May.

Desert life

Living in the desert has several perks. Number one on the lists of both good and bad is the weather. Six to seven months of the year we have comfortable temperatures, clear skies and mild sunshine. The other months are scorching hot, full of glare and with occasional monsoons. But even with the heat you can count it as good for you, giving you an excuse to stay inside to read, think and/or create without feeling overly lazy.

Doves! Doves all over the yard!  They eat continually, leave droppings on everything and build nests.... what a life!  I enjoy their cooing and they are attractive but that said, personally I think they are about the stupidest birds around. They build nests on top of slick metal trailers, piles of wood, flower pots.... anything they can lay or wedge a stick in.  Of course  a large percentage of the nests blow away. Perhaps that is why they build so many. 

This one actually was smart and anchored her
 nest material under the edges of the old Christmas lights that were wrapped around the tree limbs.



Here is a bakers rack on my patio. Note the square looking pot on the top left shelf.
                                                    

Somehow, my cats didn't seem to notice the comings and goings of the parent birds. But to be sure, I placed a large plastic picnic plate in front of the nest which gave me peace of mind at least.


I really breathed a sigh of relief when the "kids" finally left the nest.

But this!  ???

This is an ornamental bird cage completely enclosed, with a votive candle inside.  The pair must have spent days gathering their perfect material and poking it through the wires.

I sort of feel sad for them.....

Did you ever notice?

The same exact letters compose the words

LISTEN

and

SILENT