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Is winter here yet?
You can feel it in the air. The temperatures are dropping. Soup is on. People are buying boots and coats to be prepared for colder temperatures and snow.
A couple of weeks ago, Air Force played TCU, the No. 10 team in the nation. At 1 o’clock in the afternoon, it was 19 degrees outside, and we had a football game to attend.
What was I thinking? Go to a football game that was being televised? I could stay home in front of the fireplace, under my afghan and snuggle with my two miniature dogs while watching the game instead of sitting in the freezing rain and low temperatures. I told my husband he was on his own.
My husband left at 1:30 to tailgate, and the game didn't start until 5:30 p.m. He came home at halftime, about 7:30 p.m., and said he was getting a glaze of ice on his pants. The new Coleman stove wouldn't work in the icy temperatures, so they had to eat their chili lukewarm. He said it was the coldest he had been in his entire life.
Now he's coming down with a cold. Wonder where he got it? I should have had him committed for not thinking on this one, but then there were a lot of crazy people out there that day. He said the cadets were all sitting and huddled in the warm bathrooms.
Air Force lost by 3 points, but we thought the team did well despite the freezing weather.
By the next weekend, Bill and I were playing golf in shorts in 80-degree temperatures, putting on sun block and enjoying the sunshine. This is Colorado.
It snowed again last Wednesday. Back to winter clothing again. No wonder we're all getting sick and getting bad colds. We don't know how to dress. Do we get out the scarves and heavy coats or keep the shorts and T-shirts handy?
Then the conditions turned to ice. It took me 20 minutes to travel a 10-minute trip to work. Drivers don't know how to use their lower gears on the ice when going through Woodmoor. A man I was following was using his brakes the entire while.
In Colorado on a winter day, one can choose to go skiing, go fishing or play golf, and sometimes on the same day. We enjoy the sunshine here. The sun rules me. I feel great when it the sun is shining.
One year when we lived in Grand Rapids, Mich., we went 90 days — yes 90 days — without seeing the sun. It was depressing and scary. Grand Rapids is on the western side of Michigan and gets the "Lake Affect" clouds formed by the moisture created by the Great Lakes. I imagine the same is true in the states of Washington and Oregon.
When it would rain in Michigan, it would rain for days and we would get a down pouring of rain. As a result everything is green and lush and you have to cut the grass more, basements are smelly, mold is more prevalent and allergies are more intense.
Winter had the same "Lake Affect" snowstorms. Snow was deeper and lasted longer. We got a lot of snow but the skiing was on smaller hills. It is a great place to learn to downhill ski. It prepared us for Colorado skiing, which is more fun.
I have been transferring my summer clothes to off-season closets and bringing out the winter wardrobe. I love to wear my sweats at home, bring in more plants, and fall colors in my room to create a more cozy feeling.
The firewood has been delivered and I'm making more soup rather than salads these days. The crockpot has come out on several occasions and warm soup has showed up at tailgates and potluck dinners we've attended recently.
Hockey games, football games and golf still consume our weekends. Soon skiing will be finding a place in our hearts, too.
Bill has put the patio furniture away and brought out the snow blower. The time change happened last weekend and we are now in the winter mode. I'm already buying Christmas presents for family and friends. I feel great when I get some of these decisions done early.
We are getting stocked up on our bird food. When the snow starts flying, we start getting prepared for the colder weather and shorter days of sunshine.
The early settlers prepared early for winter and stocked up on food and firewood. Our ancestors taught us well. Being prepared saves a lot of headaches and anxiety. It must be instinct that takes over. The animals are starting to feel the need to gather and be prepared. The bears fatten up, and the squirrels gather nuts. I recently saw a fox with one of these fat squirrels in his mouth.
Our dogs are developing their winter coats. The birds are fluffing up and looking for warmer weather by flying south for the winter. The hummingbirds have left the feeders. We have taken down the hummingbird feeders for the winter feeders.
My philosophy is if you are not playing and enjoying the snow, then you are complaining about it. Let's embrace it and enjoy it. It's only with us for a short time. Many people enjoy ice fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, skating, tobogganing and sledding. Others enjoy walking in the snow, making a snowman and snow angels or building a snow fort and having a snowball fight. Some enjoy laughing as they watch their dog, kids or grandkids play in the snow.
For me, I enjoy watching the snow come down through my window as I sit in front of the fireplace snuggled under my afghan with my two dogs watching TV or eating popcorn.
You can smell and feel that winter is on its way. We are prepared for it. Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
Sweet and Sour Chicken
I created this recipe for a recent potluck luncheon. I wanted to try using different ingredients to re-create a classic dish. I got positive feedback.
5 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 sweet onion sliced
1 green pepper, sliced
1 red pepper sliced
1 can pineapple chunks with juice
1 cup margarita mix
1/2 jar orange marmalade or apricot jam
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 teaspoon Cavender's Greek seasoning
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup corn starch
Season chicken pieces. Sauté chicken in vegetable oil until lightly browned (or microwave the chicken on high for 10 minute and then cut into 1-inch cubes.) Add to crockpot. Add vegetables to pan and sauté. Add to crockpot. Add pineapple with juice, margarita mix, orange marmalade, and orange juice. Cook on high for 3 hours. Make a slurry of cornstarch and water. Add to mixture 1/4 cup at a time and stir to desired thickness. Cook on high for 1/2 hour. Serve over cooked rice.
Confetti Rice
I made this rice for my sweet and sour chicken. It was flavorful and pretty too.
2 tablespoons finely chopped green pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped red pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped yellow pepper
1 tablespoon finely chopped sweet onion
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 1/2 cup long grain white rice
1 12 oz can chicken broth
1 cup plus 6 ounces water
Salt and pepper
Sauté chopped vegetables in butter or margarine until translucent. Add rice and coat with butter. Add chicken broth and water, salt and pepper and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and simmer for 20 minutes covered. Fluff with fork and serve in decorative bowl.
NOTE: The liquid equaled 3 cups.
Lemon Cake Cookies
I ate a couple of these tasty cookies that Officer Samantha "Sam" Griebel made. I love lemon. These cookies were my kind of cookie and so simple to make. There is no liquid other than the eggs, oil and lemon juice.
1 box lemon cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
Squirt of lemon
Mix and drop batter by teaspoonful on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 7-9 minutes. Cool. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Makes about 30 cookies.
NOTE: Any kind of cake mix can be used instead of lemon. Just leave out the lemon juice and substitute vanilla or almond flavorings depending on the flavor of the mix.
A couple of weeks ago, Air Force played TCU, the No. 10 team in the nation. At 1 o’clock in the afternoon, it was 19 degrees outside, and we had a football game to attend.
What was I thinking? Go to a football game that was being televised? I could stay home in front of the fireplace, under my afghan and snuggle with my two miniature dogs while watching the game instead of sitting in the freezing rain and low temperatures. I told my husband he was on his own.
My husband left at 1:30 to tailgate, and the game didn't start until 5:30 p.m. He came home at halftime, about 7:30 p.m., and said he was getting a glaze of ice on his pants. The new Coleman stove wouldn't work in the icy temperatures, so they had to eat their chili lukewarm. He said it was the coldest he had been in his entire life.
Now he's coming down with a cold. Wonder where he got it? I should have had him committed for not thinking on this one, but then there were a lot of crazy people out there that day. He said the cadets were all sitting and huddled in the warm bathrooms.
Air Force lost by 3 points, but we thought the team did well despite the freezing weather.
By the next weekend, Bill and I were playing golf in shorts in 80-degree temperatures, putting on sun block and enjoying the sunshine. This is Colorado.
It snowed again last Wednesday. Back to winter clothing again. No wonder we're all getting sick and getting bad colds. We don't know how to dress. Do we get out the scarves and heavy coats or keep the shorts and T-shirts handy?
Then the conditions turned to ice. It took me 20 minutes to travel a 10-minute trip to work. Drivers don't know how to use their lower gears on the ice when going through Woodmoor. A man I was following was using his brakes the entire while.
In Colorado on a winter day, one can choose to go skiing, go fishing or play golf, and sometimes on the same day. We enjoy the sunshine here. The sun rules me. I feel great when it the sun is shining.
One year when we lived in Grand Rapids, Mich., we went 90 days — yes 90 days — without seeing the sun. It was depressing and scary. Grand Rapids is on the western side of Michigan and gets the "Lake Affect" clouds formed by the moisture created by the Great Lakes. I imagine the same is true in the states of Washington and Oregon.
When it would rain in Michigan, it would rain for days and we would get a down pouring of rain. As a result everything is green and lush and you have to cut the grass more, basements are smelly, mold is more prevalent and allergies are more intense.
Winter had the same "Lake Affect" snowstorms. Snow was deeper and lasted longer. We got a lot of snow but the skiing was on smaller hills. It is a great place to learn to downhill ski. It prepared us for Colorado skiing, which is more fun.
I have been transferring my summer clothes to off-season closets and bringing out the winter wardrobe. I love to wear my sweats at home, bring in more plants, and fall colors in my room to create a more cozy feeling.
The firewood has been delivered and I'm making more soup rather than salads these days. The crockpot has come out on several occasions and warm soup has showed up at tailgates and potluck dinners we've attended recently.
Hockey games, football games and golf still consume our weekends. Soon skiing will be finding a place in our hearts, too.
Bill has put the patio furniture away and brought out the snow blower. The time change happened last weekend and we are now in the winter mode. I'm already buying Christmas presents for family and friends. I feel great when I get some of these decisions done early.
We are getting stocked up on our bird food. When the snow starts flying, we start getting prepared for the colder weather and shorter days of sunshine.
The early settlers prepared early for winter and stocked up on food and firewood. Our ancestors taught us well. Being prepared saves a lot of headaches and anxiety. It must be instinct that takes over. The animals are starting to feel the need to gather and be prepared. The bears fatten up, and the squirrels gather nuts. I recently saw a fox with one of these fat squirrels in his mouth.
Our dogs are developing their winter coats. The birds are fluffing up and looking for warmer weather by flying south for the winter. The hummingbirds have left the feeders. We have taken down the hummingbird feeders for the winter feeders.
My philosophy is if you are not playing and enjoying the snow, then you are complaining about it. Let's embrace it and enjoy it. It's only with us for a short time. Many people enjoy ice fishing, snowmobiling, skiing, skating, tobogganing and sledding. Others enjoy walking in the snow, making a snowman and snow angels or building a snow fort and having a snowball fight. Some enjoy laughing as they watch their dog, kids or grandkids play in the snow.
For me, I enjoy watching the snow come down through my window as I sit in front of the fireplace snuggled under my afghan with my two dogs watching TV or eating popcorn.
You can smell and feel that winter is on its way. We are prepared for it. Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!
Sweet and Sour Chicken
I created this recipe for a recent potluck luncheon. I wanted to try using different ingredients to re-create a classic dish. I got positive feedback.
5 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 sweet onion sliced
1 green pepper, sliced
1 red pepper sliced
1 can pineapple chunks with juice
1 cup margarita mix
1/2 jar orange marmalade or apricot jam
1/2 cup orange juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 teaspoon Cavender's Greek seasoning
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup corn starch
Season chicken pieces. Sauté chicken in vegetable oil until lightly browned (or microwave the chicken on high for 10 minute and then cut into 1-inch cubes.) Add to crockpot. Add vegetables to pan and sauté. Add to crockpot. Add pineapple with juice, margarita mix, orange marmalade, and orange juice. Cook on high for 3 hours. Make a slurry of cornstarch and water. Add to mixture 1/4 cup at a time and stir to desired thickness. Cook on high for 1/2 hour. Serve over cooked rice.
Confetti Rice
I made this rice for my sweet and sour chicken. It was flavorful and pretty too.
2 tablespoons finely chopped green pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped red pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped yellow pepper
1 tablespoon finely chopped sweet onion
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 1/2 cup long grain white rice
1 12 oz can chicken broth
1 cup plus 6 ounces water
Salt and pepper
Sauté chopped vegetables in butter or margarine until translucent. Add rice and coat with butter. Add chicken broth and water, salt and pepper and bring to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and simmer for 20 minutes covered. Fluff with fork and serve in decorative bowl.
NOTE: The liquid equaled 3 cups.
Lemon Cake Cookies
I ate a couple of these tasty cookies that Officer Samantha "Sam" Griebel made. I love lemon. These cookies were my kind of cookie and so simple to make. There is no liquid other than the eggs, oil and lemon juice.
1 box lemon cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
Squirt of lemon
Mix and drop batter by teaspoonful on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 7-9 minutes. Cool. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Makes about 30 cookies.
NOTE: Any kind of cake mix can be used instead of lemon. Just leave out the lemon juice and substitute vanilla or almond flavorings depending on the flavor of the mix.
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