Z's Accidental Kitchen

Lunch yesterday with accidental choices.

Decided to change my "stand by" chili recipe.

Started by adding green pepper, I never did before.

Halfway through I remembered another stand by in freezer.

Menage A Trois from Trader Joe's.

So picked out red and yellow peppers and used those also.

Kept spices the same.

I only use Gebhardts.

This will not taste the same with something else.

Whoops no tomato paste!

A quick google and a can of diced tomatoes.

Pull out my favorite Todd English gizmo and puree.

Then begin to boil down.

In my favorite Todd English green pan.

Till it gets like...well, a paste.

After browning some

 ground round this time 2 1/2 #, recipe calls for 3,

 remove from Mom's chili pot, and drain well.

Yep, this was her chili pot,

now easily over 50 years old.

Add some EVVO and add garlic, peppers

 and onions and saute till soft.

Then add the seasonings till all veggies are covered.

Add in the paste, canned or home made.

Add in 4 cups beef broth (says recipe)

 or my choice three cans.

Bring to boil and and then simmer 

partially covered for 1 1/2 hours.
Add beans 30 minutes before serving.

This time I added 1 can of black beans, 1 can of kidney.

Topped it off with some grated sharp white cheddar 

and a wee bit of leftover Tres Pinos.

Very wee bit, but it was lunchtime after all.

The recipe:

Here is the Original from my longtime friend Bernie.
We shared this every Halloween 

at her house for over a decade.

I still make it then,

and when I need comfort from the cold like yesterday, 

and today as well. Makes a nice big pot.

3 # hamburger

6 TB veg oil (I use far less EVVO)

2 C chopped onion

2 TBS chopped Garlic

1 TB Chili Powder

1 tsp grnd oregano

1 tsp grnd cumin

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1 can tomato paste

4 C Beef Stock/Broth

1 tsp salt

Black Pepper

1 1/2 C kidney Beans ( drained)

So I changed it up and I like my new version better. 

For me it's a keeper, with maybe even 

more red/yellow peppers next time,

and maybe only black beans.

Accidental success.

Been getting good feedback to PU

yesterday's post,

so please join us and show us.

You just may help someone else 

get started.

I hope to have my first group up tomorrow.

See you then.

Z

PU

Those of you who stop by frequently will 

notice a change at the home of oldgreymare.

A "lightening" of sorts.

You need only remember some 

magazine shoots or prior posts to see that 

large pieces of furniture were hauled

hither and thither, and up and down stairs.

(I use a large tarp and stupidly accomplish 

on my own with DD scolding)

Still debating the window covering change to come.

These linen drapes were a quick cheap choice years ago,

and then...well I got lazy and never changed them out.

They'll go soon. I'm thinking of burlap strung or simply pinned.

That skinny mustard cupboard to the right 

was dragged down the stairs from Hannah's room.

During the holidays the kids tried to convince me to move

my studio down to the first floor and though 

I seriously considered it, drawing floor plans etc.,

ultimately I opted for a first phase approach.

One of the benefits of a neutral palette is of course, that

everything can be moved everywhere. It all goes.

When I can no longer navigate the stairs, maybe the 

studio will come down here after all.

( I had a major fall this winter, and banged 

up my already bad knee pretty severely, 

so that day may be closer than I like. :D )

While moving furniture I was watching 

Jimmy Stewart and Sandra Dee in 

"Take Her She's Mine". That's the Cleopatra's barge scene.

One of the main reasons for the change is that I still had the home

set up for lots of people visiting, taking classes, 

friends of kids, and 4 of us living here.

That is no longer the case. I no longer need 3 couches

and I needed to set up the entertaining spaces to 

suit me and my current needs.

So one big easy chair and ottoman now 

comforts me in the den. ( first picture).

The large floral sofa from the family room

 is in the garage awaiting pick up from a friend.

The sofa from the den came in here. 

It is my favorite. Well over 30 years old, a Drexel,

 and recovered by me twice and now slip covered,

admittedly with a cover that really doesn't fit

 but works for now.

Large gatherings will still occur

but less seating will not matter,

we all hang in the small kitchen anyway...

The family room now seems so much larger and early yesterday a.m. the beautiful light was so soothing as I was curled in a fetal position for the second day suffering from

 some kind of intestinal attack. It's over thank heavens.

I am researching diverticulitis.

( the symptoms fit - no more seeds for me)

The type trays relocated from the den to family room and

now show to much better advantage right next to a window.

The light was beautiful on the porch also

but it was much too cold to enjoy.

We're in a cold snap, windy and 32 degrees.

So..where have I been, what have I been up to?

I've been finishing up my holiday job, which I will

dearly miss going to each day. I love the women I work with, 

I love the physical labor aspect, so good for me. 

Hopefully there will be more work to come soon.

I have been tending to Justice

who has more good days than bad.

I solved the issue of the passage way she was

 terrified to cross by placing a runner half way in each room 

and she calmly walks through.

( I called a friend to say I'm a genius! lol)

I am purging. AGAIN

I was already on the path but

after reading my pal Chania's post,

I have upgraded to a goal of 100 items which 

I will begin to show here this week.

I preach the same message to clients she details in her post, 

but I've never before set an actual number as a goal.

I have hope this will speed things up, 

declaring it will keep me honest and on track.

Thanks again my dear friend.

Local clients and friends will get a typical email

 from me and they call and buy from that.

However, if you see anything shippable 

that you want, email me.

It's always first come.

So if you made it this far...

so happy to see you,

and please stay tuned for the 100 piece purge.

Perhaps you wish to join us?

Declare it and show it.

Purgers United.

uh oh..that is PU

Z

Merry Merry To You

The gifts are unwrapped,

the paper and ribbons gathered 

up and put away.

The standing rib roast is just about

 to hit the oven

and my thoughts drift toward 

the Yorkshire Pudding to come.

Breakfast was omelets with a little 

Pride and Prejudice viewing post eating.

That scene of him walking 

across the moors...

gets me every time...

The kids and I have spent each late night

 watching Season 1 of Homeland, that 

I purchased just for that purpose.

We have thoroughly enjoyed it, 

and now I have to find a way to see Season 2.

Spending each evening with them 

in pj's on the couch, 

noshing on a variety of snacks

 has been...well exquisite....

We hit all our favorite stores last week, 

and their Father treated them to many fabulous 

meals about town, while I was at work.

Tonight they attend the annual 

Christmas Day movie with him.

Dearest Son leaves for LA tomorrow

 and Darling Daughter 

heads back to NYC, weather permitting,

on Thursday.

It will take me several days to adjust

and not be sad...even knowing they 

return to good friends and significant 

others who love them.

A few more days of holiday work and 

then it's on to 2013 and job searches 

and house redecorating/purging plans 

and a return to my list of all those

 things left undone in 2012,

and moved over to the New Year.

I have been so blessed.

I wish peace, love and joy

to all of you this day....

and I pray each day

that soon this world will

end the hatred, greed,

dishonesty and cruelty 

that makes this 

gift of life so difficult 

for so many.

I love finding you here

each day, each week.

You make my days brighter,

and fill my heart with laughter.

Thank you for your love, 

your support and exceptional kindness.

Merry Merry to you all.

Z

Blessings

A heavy NYC winter coat hanging from the hook

 A jumbled mess of her favorite throws
 and smooshed pillows on the couch. 

I saw this first thing as I rounded the corner
 into the den this morning. 
Darling daughter is still asleep after working 

until 3 am (6 am her time) on the computer last night.

I cannot explain why seeing these two sights made me well

up with tears, except to say...

She's Home

She's Home

Dearest Son arrives in one week.

His shoes, his jackets will be strewn everywhere.

He's Home

He's Home

I have a lovely roof overhead

Nourishing food in the pantry

Generous and loving friends

Glorious children

A holiday job I adore

Life is so good

..and the tears fall gently again

merry merry everyone

I pray you are as blessed

Z

Waiting on Justice

I was awakened VERY early this morning by howling and 

quickly discovered our Justice 

seemed to have lost her sight entirely. 

Terrified and unable to hear me reassure her, 

she was hiding under chairs and 

behind them scurrying around the living room. 

I had a thought that her collar and leash might reassure her,

so I grabbed them and sure enough she walked calmly

 out the door to the yard with Howie leaping along side.

 Once she got there, she calmed down and I sat on the porch

 and watched them and snapped some quick pics.

Anyone remember my floppy stars from a few years ago?

I solved the problem...uh..so far....

(Since the pic, I removed the wreath, they looked silly together)

After about 15 minutes Justice trotted back inside

and went to her water bowl and then 

calmly walked straight to her bed and went to sleep,

apparently able to see out of her one eye once more.

She still seems to have a problem with the 

smaller doorway into the kitchen and family room.

She hesitates, then shakes a lot and then dashes through. 

The peripheral vision thing must be difficult for her.

I know there will be more incidents like this morning in our future.

Darling Daughter has not yet seen her like this.

I am glad that she will be home during 

the day to provide Justice comfort when I cannot, 

and perhaps spend her last days with her.

I have no idea how we will care for a blind and deaf dog,

who has many other health issues.

 One day at a time.

Today I'm just going to enjoy the chilly weather

 and the holiday dressings around oldgreymare, 

drink my coffee and get to work.

Refuge

Simply felted pieces this year in the master.

On the garland, wreath, birds, figures.

Add candles and a few touches of blue.

Refuge

The patterns in here are brown striped, 

blue florals, brown checks,

cream/brown stripe, blue quilts, etc.

The ceiling is painted blue with heavy cream walls,

and cream wool patterned carpet.

All mixed together willy nilly.

The blue house painting is mine.

The photography darling daughters'.

I made this advent over 10 years ago.

Almost all are Rennie family pieces 

including my Aunt Iva's frame.

Button hooks and eye wear were my Dad's collections.

As requested: a closer look at the felt birdies...

and a couple of the Sarah Lugg ornaments

 Howie DID NOT BREAK....

(remember he broke 4)

Have a great week,

if I don't see you before then.

Z