Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Angry Birds

At first, when presented with the title by a friend, I was thinking of hurling small red, blue, yellow and black missles at porkulent green swine.

Yet, not what the author intended.

Angry Birds mixed with cryptic Church signs, now that's something I can get into.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Divine Assistence...

My brother, yes he of the chili recipe, sends me further links of awesomeness:


A Dominican Sister riding shotgun on a Zamboni at at Texas Stars minor league hockey game!

Viking Chili

So, there was a little event last night on the TeeVee?

The chili I brought (recipe very kindly provided by my brother) seemed to be a good hit, recipe follows:


2 pounds beef stew meat
1 pound ground beef
2 cups hot water
1 can tomato sauce
2 onions peeled and chopped
1 jalapeno chili seeded and minced
2 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

In a large heavy bottomed pot, brown stew meat and beef, drain.
Add water, tomato sauce, onion, peppers, garlic and sauce, bring to a boil
Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
Stir in spices
Gently simmer for 1 ½ hours
Serve warm

BROTHER’s Variety:

I would add a habanero or two (or any pepper), a few bell peppers cut in large chunks as well for color,
About 1 hour before serving, throw in half a stick of Velveeta Cheese for a thickening agent and some color.
Instead of tomato sauce, you can use chunked tomatoes.
Once, I used 5 or 6 different varieties of peppers, just for the fun of it.

FATHER's Variety:
I added a pack of chorizo sausage to the mix to add more texture. Peppers used: two habeneros, two Jalepenos, two others; plus a three pack of bell peppers.

We browned the meat starting at 10, all stewed in a crockpot from 11:00 till game time. By that point, good flavor all around, not too hot, just hot enough. The stew meat didn't stick together that long, so perhaps we stewed it too long, but it was good nonetheless.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

But I have to get my throat blessed!

Earlier this week, my mom told me of the conversation she had with her mother.

While Cincinnati was generally spared the worst of DeathStorm2011 (rev. A), my home town two hours drive north was projected to be in the midst of a snow/ice/sleet/ice/snow band. Not the best weather for a 90-something woman who has had hip problems to be out, I think we would all agree.

However, Grandma was insistent. Knowing that my mother helps out at Mass on Thursday morning, grandma innocently asked: 'So, Sharon, going to Mass on Thursday.' 'Yes, of course.' 'Do you think you could pick me up?' (Grandma doesn't drive, but lives litterally right behind the Church.) 'Mom, if it is nasty, I'm not getting you. I don't want to risk you falling.' 'But, I have to get my throat blessed.' 'No, Mom.' 'Sharon, I always get my throat blessed!' 'Mom, if it is nasty (and it is), I am not taking you out in the weather!' 'How am I to get my throat blessed?!?' 'If you can't get out, I'll call the pastor to have him come over and do it special for you.' 'Ok.'

End of story.

Family is such a joy at times!

(on the flip side, I wish I had time today to drive the two hours home to do it for her, but alas.)

Happy Feast of St. Blaise, today!