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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Seriously? A 'Rose' By Any Other Name Costs Twice As Much

One of the things I'm doing this year is trying even more foods that are new to me.  


So on our last trip to Whole Foods we passed through the produce section where there was a display of small citrus fruits labeled "Satsuma".

With the pretty 'leaves-on' display and higher than average price for a citrus fruit I assumed it was something a bit more exotic than the normal fare.

I bought one to sample.



Peeled, Himself and I tried it.  It had a some what deeper or more musky taste than our normal Clementines.  But it wasn't what I'd call unique.

So I Goggled "satsuma".

It's just a TANGERINE!!

An over-priced tangerine with a fancy name.


Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Salud! at Whole Foods: Chicken Roulade Stuffed With Fontina, Proscuitto, and Sage

Just back from a new Chef Dan class at Whole Foods.  I have a new favorite chicken recipe!  This is so good and it is easy to make too.  Hardest part is pounding out the chicken super thin so it rolls up nicely.

Dad and Mom... you're going to love this one!




Monday, January 25, 2016

Incredible Norwegian Folk Art and Handicrafts

Coming home from our Minnesota trip we stopped in Decorah, Iowa to visit the Vesterheim (Western Home) Norwegian-American museum.  A friend had recommended we make the stop and Carol was oh-so right.

There was so much to see that we are going to have to stop again some day.

The museum covers just about every aspect of life on the early 'frontier' as lived by the Norwegian immigrants.  The portion that absolutely amazed me were the outstanding folk art pieces.  Talk about making everything beautiful...

Like the embroidery:


Are not those some amazing gloves?


Incredible.


I love that red and black shawl.



I could never gather the patience to do bobbin lace.



I love this little loom and what it does.





Here is the room where I positively swooned.  I adore wool sweaters.









Besides textiles, there were many other wonderful handiwork's.



Years ago I took Rosemal painting classes.  Never got this good...



These chairs are made from a single log.



Even their 'irons' are gorgeous!

Figure carving is a big pastime.  I guess with those long dark winter nights it would be an excellent hobby.




Or course my favorite are the dahl horses.


Evolution of a dahl horse... from blank to finished piece.


There were so many different styles.


Traditional to modern.


These are fun.


Thoroughly modern.


And here's a realistic Dahl horse... a Fjord pony (think of Han's horse Sitron in "Frozen").

I like the life carvings.







This one is Himself's favorite.





Not all the carving were pocket sized!




This painting I would hang in my house!  Beautiful.  I would love to see a big Northern Lights display.




If you are near Decorah, Iowa make sure you carve a few hours out of your schedule for a visit.  It is well worth it.



Sunday, January 24, 2016

Improv Cooking: Panettone Bread Pudding

The January challenge at Improv Cooking is "Pastry/Bread Dough and Chocolate".  Crazy month and I never did get to making the recipe I intended.  

So here's a cheat recipe (hey, it has BREAD in it).  It is SO good.






Saturday, January 23, 2016

How To Spend a Snowed In Day

It just takes a little bit of snow in Tennessee to be 'snowed in'... especially when you live on a steep hill.  After the salt truck slid down sideways last year, they are kind of slow getting our hill plowed.

So what is there to do?


1.  Feed the birds.



2.  Bird watch the feeder guests.



3.  Watch Persia watch the birds.  She's found her comfy spot right in front of the heater!



4.  Amuse ourselves at Persia's expense.  She had no idea what she was asking for when she wanted to go out on the deck!  LOL



5.  Enjoy fresh baked biscuit with local honey (a gift from a friend).



6.  Rescue a she-Cardinal who hit the window.  We have a pitcher dedicated to being the 'recovery room' for birds who need to get their wits about them after hitting a window.




7.  Rescue another bird... this time a Yellow Bellied Sap Sucker.  He didn't care for our hospitality.


(This is where he landed after hitting the window.  You can see the three places where his wings flapped on the snow.)

(Himself's footprints from the rescue.)


7.  Send Himself out to get a big bowl of snow...


7b.  To make a big bowl of snow ice cream!



8.  Then watch the sun set from our warm and cozy home



How did you spend your day?