Tuesday, January 30, 2018

SNOW DAYS - OR NOT...










Around 3:00 Thursday afternoon 
it started to snow.
  It lasted all of about
 two minutes 
and then the sun came out. 
 Once more, 
just before bedtime, 
it happened again.
  
As the big feathery flakes 
came down,
 highlighted by the light of the 
street lamps;
 not to beat a dead horse, 
it resembled a scene right off of
 a Christmas card.
  
The first snowfall 
 is always a memorable
 and pretty sight for me.

  The thought of going to bed
 and waking up to a winter wonderland 
is, in my mind, 
the ultimate dream.






But, 
yet again, 
the dream was 
short lived...





...and the morning news
 tells the
 whole story.






This was the scene 
at the Cottage in 2008. 
Such a pretty sight but
 doesn't happen very often.

 The majority of you 
who live in the part of the world 
where Old Man Winter
 bombards you each year 
are probably thinking: 
"What a mindless twit she is." 
 But, 
for a girl who grew up in a beach town 
on the west coast of the United States, 
snow in winter, 
even after all these years, 
is something to 
get excited about.






But...life goes on...
and we took a ride 
to higher country 
where remnants of the night's snow fall 
were still visible...






...very beautiful views.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~





Of course,
 a day of shopping 
can cure many ills
 and this little battery powered light,
that fits nicely into 
the metal sphere hanging over the game table,
 was just what the doctor ordered.

 We've been looking for
 something other than a candle 
to put inside it
 and didn't want 
electrical wires to show.






  This turned out to be
 just the right thing and 
even though it doesn't give off 
very much light, 
it has just enough twinkle ability 
to make it noticeable. 
 Now, 
the sphere has a purpose.





Have you ever seen
 a more enchanting little rabbit
 in a cabbage patch? 

 Makes looking ahead 
to spring
 an important endeavor.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


FYI:

I want to thank everyone
 for the kind words about last week's post.
  I don't very often 
write about food,
 as I have said, my camera doesn't take
 very good photos of prepared food 
and since we are so simple in our tastes,
 I didn't think there would be much interest. 
 But, I had some asking about
 the mustard potatoes,
 so I thought I would share the full recipe with you here:

I am showing the full recipe,
 but would imagine
 just the potatoes and the sauce 
would make a great
 side dish.


PORK CHOPS AND MUSTARD-SAUCED POTATOES

6 pork loin chops, cut 3/4 inch thick

1 tablespoon cooking oil

1 10 oz. can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth

1/4 cup Dijon style mustard

1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon pepper

6 medium potatoes, cut into 1/4 inch slices

1 medium onion, sliced


1.  In a large skillet brown pork chops on both sides, half at a time, in hot oil.  Drain off fat.

2.  In a large mixing bowl combine soup, wine or chicken broth, mustard, thyme, garlic and pepper. 
 Add potatoes and onion, stirring to coat.  Transfer to a 3 or 4 quart slow cooker.  Place browned chops atop potatoes.  
  Cover;
 cook on low heat setting 
for 7 to 8 hours 
or on high setting 
for 3 1/2 hours. 
 Makes 6 servings.

 ENJOY


...Judy...





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14 comments:

  1. I live in the northeast but still feel the same way about snow....it is such a delight to wake up to. Around this time of year though....end of January, early February....I am over it, as most snow state people are! It's just too much and too long. But we will endure. Your snow pictures are beautiful. The recipe sounds yummy too.

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  2. Judy, I loved the snow picture. That is my favorite kind of snow...very little . LOL. I do know many who love to have a snow every now and then. I like tiny lights about the house. I have a wee chandy in my powder room that is lit with a Christmas bulb. :) I am thinking of spring too. Blessings to you, xoxo, Susie

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  3. Hi Judy,
    It is so pretty for you I know. We take this stuff for granted here in the midwest and most people cannot wait to see it leave! Just like when we get your wonderful California weather in the winter months that is unexpected we feel so happy like you do when you see snow. I have agree with you the first snow of the season here is so pretty and it is so nice at Christmas but after that you can take it all! Enjoy seeing that pretty white stuff. Have a great week.
    Kris

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  4. Your cottage is magical in the snow. Your 2008 photo is a gem. It would be my Christmas card every year, with or without the snow! I love your lamp and thank you so much for sharing the recipe! I confess, as Michigan person the snow we had yesterday after a welcome thaw wasn't too welcome -- but part of life as I know it! I like yours much better!

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  5. I love snow, but then I live where it doesn't snow much at all. I think it is so pretty. I also remember when I did live where it snowed and I had to drive -- forget it! Ha! Your little rabbit is cute -- looking for Spring!

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  6. Your recipe looks very good. I think I would like to try it. Snow is very beautiful when it is fresh and piled up on top of trees. I really do like it. We were out shovelling again this morning and maybe again tomorrow morning. That's just winter in Canada. https://fairmeadowplace.blogspot.ca

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  7. I agree with AnnMarie. Snow is magical, especially the first snow no matter where you live. I'm a little bit snow weary by now though. More of it fell today. It's the mess, the shoveling and the danger of driving in it that I don't love. It sure is pretty though! Enjoy your dustings when they happen and stay cozy inside. :)

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  8. I love snow--it usually doesn't fall when it's bitter cold out, at least here. Unless I have to drive in it, or worry about a loved one, I relish the beauty of it.

    Your recipe sounds so good!!! Do you have interest? If not I can copy and paste.

    Jane x

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  9. Oh Judy, I live in Missouri, and I get EXCITED when we get snow! Since we really don't get it all that often. The cottage in snow photo is absolutely dreamy! Love it! Take care!

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  10. ooooh cool. I like this recipe. I just got some chops and may have to try it out.
    Leaving in the Houston Area there's always excitement when it snows here which is rare. I lived in Nebraska and Missouri in my childhood and have lived here for 40 years and I get excited at the prospect of snow too. LOL

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  11. Love the recipe, sounds so good. I am copying it as I have some great pork chops that would be so good with the potatoes.

    Love all your beautiful snow pictures. Growing up in the Midwest, I can't get excited about snow and really cold weather.

    Love your lamp. looks so good.

    Hugs,
    Mary

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  12. Judy,
    What a lovely post!! I love your light!! I have seen similar battery operated ones in Big Lot's. We have snow predicted for Sunday and then again on Wed. Our Winter will not be over until the beginning of April here in NEPA!!
    Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  13. What fun to get snow again! I live where we expect lots of snow each winter, and I love it, however this winter it has been mostly rainy and mild, and our snow is melting away. I enjoyed reading about your pork chop and mustard potatoes recipe, it sounds really delicious! I will have to give that a try sometime :) Beautiful picture of your home with snow, just beautiful :)

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy