Friday, August 27, 2010

Haiku my Heart Friday



'Fridge nearly empty
Pasta, shrimp, garlic, white wine
Dinner last evening


Yes, it was true - the 'fridge was nearly empty last night, but I managed to eat well!  Amazing how a few ingredients can make such a great meal.  Add a little fresh basil, lemon and some Grana Padana cheese and it was sublime.  

Happy Haiku my Heart Friday!  For more delicious offerings, head on over to Rebecca's place for a sampling - you'll leave feeling quite satisfied!




No, that picture isn't mine, but it does look like what I made - image is from Photobucket.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Cat lover extraordinaire

Since this is the last day of Leo, I thought that this video would be appropriate.  The relationship that this man has with lions and other big cats is truly amazing and inspirational.  I believe that the more we strengthen our bond with the natural world, the more human - and humane - we will become.  The video will probably view better over at You Tube than here.

Happy Birthday to all Leos!!













Thursday, August 19, 2010

Haiku my Heart Friday

"



butterfly dancing,
dainty feet tickle flowers....
caterpillar dreams.


I remember reading "Illusions" by Richard Bach so many years ago...one of the passages he wrote went something like this:

"The mark of your ignorance is the depth of your belief in injustice and tragedy.  What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls the butterfly."

I also recall the Gary Larson cartoon of 2 caterpillars inching along on the ground.  They happened to look  up and saw butterflies flitting about.  One of the caterpillars looked at the other and said, "You'll never catch ME up in one of those things."

Well, change greets all of us, whether we are prepared for it or not....

Me?  I feel as if I'm in my chrysalis, about ready to break through and pump my newly formed wings.  An interesting place to be at this age....

It's Haiku my Heart Friday.  Won't you participate?  To see more offerings, head on over to Rebecca's place.  You won't be disappointed.







Thursday, August 12, 2010

Haiku my Heart Friday




Pretty green parrot ~
White eye looks into your soul.
Her sharp beak draws blood.


Ah, Millie - she is a Maximillian Pionus parrot who is sweet sixteen - we've been together since she was 4, when her owner decided to give her up for a dog. Now, I had 2 dogs at the time and couldn't bear the thought of her going to a place she didn't know - or worse, a place she didn't survive.  So, she came to live with me and has done - well, whatever she wants for these past 12 years!

Millie came across country with me on the plane from California - a real trooper, surviving the "inquisitors" that made sure that her little travel cage didn't have explosives - you know, 911 and Code Orange and stuff.  We were separated when my Gypsy jewelry set off alarms and we went in two different directions:  she headed down the moving thingy and I had to be patted down by the security "agents."

Eventually, we were reunited, made the trip to Newark and have survived here since 2003.  She does well with Kylie, the border collie - in fact, she goes "walk about" when I fall asleep on the sofa after a couple of glasses of wine, bypassing Kylie and all obstacles in her way to explore whatever she wants.  One day, she decided to do this while I was doing dishes in the kitchen - when I felt "something" on my feet and let out a gasp, I'm sure she was cackling to herself about scaring her mom!

We've had a tempestuous relationship, but I think it's getting better - we're both older and a bit wiser. Or more tolerant.

Squawk!






For more Haiku my Heart, please visit Rebecca here. You won't be disappointed!


Monday, August 9, 2010

Ruby Tuesday - again!




Yum!!  Strawberries and blackberries with vinegar....Balsamic Vinegar!  Delicious!  I thought it sounded quite horrible when I first saw The Barefoot Contessa make it - but, I was brave and decided to try it a few weeks ago.

O. M. G.  Was it delicious!!

I bought some organically grown strawberries and blackberries the other day and decided to do both of them with the Balsamic Vinegar....it was so worth it.

Wash, hull and slice the strawberries; wash the blackberries.  Toss them with about a tablespoon plus a bit more sugar - I almost used Agave Nectar, but passed on it this time around.  Make sure you put a PINCH of salt into the fruit - it just makes the fruit taste better.

Since I had lots of fruit today, I took half of it and put it into another bowl while it marinated in the sugar; then tossed the other half in about 2 tablespoons of the Balsamic Vinegar plus a few turns of the pepper grinder.  I let it sit for about 30 minutes while we ate*.  I served it in some pretty glass bowls.

Really - give it a try.

Happy Ruby Tuesday!  For more offerings, please visit Work of the Poet!




*Dinner was salmon on the stove top grill (marinated in some EVOO and Kosher salt), steamed Basmati rice and grilled tomatoes, broccoli, garlic and lemon zest with fresh herbs (oregano and thyme) tossed in some extra virgin olive oil and Kosher salt.

Yes.

It was GOOD.

Try it.

Happy Ruby Tuesday, everyone!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Dogs, Dolphins and Love

What could be better?  Not much for me!  This video is best watched over at You Tube rather than the small screen here.

Forget that the language isn't English and that the video runs 11 minutes - just enjoy the story and the photography.  I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Oh - I needed a couple of tissues while watching...just a warning!



Friday, August 6, 2010

Haiku my Heart Friday



Sultry steam bathing,
cool dressing on exposed flesh ~
Potato Salad!


I have no idea why I cannot write a serious haiku!  All that goes through my little brain on Thursday evening or Friday morning is silly stuff for haiku - today it's potato salad, because I made some yesterday and just had a small bite of it.  The haiku demanded to be exposed!

My recipe is simple and delicious - at least, I think so!  

Steam your favorite kind of potatoes - I used the small California whites, but have done this with small red potatoes or even Yukon golds.  Don't over steam them - you want the shape of the potato to hold up when mixed with the other goodies!  Of course, you can also boil the potatoes if you're more comfortable with that method - I just like steaming them.

After they're done to perfection, let them cool.  You can either skin them or leave the skins on, your choice.  I've done both.

Cut them into chunks, put into a big bowl and salt with Kosher salt, to taste.  Add all of the following to taste:  chopped celery, chopped fresh dill, chopped fresh Italian flat leaf parsley, freshly ground pepper, finely chopped or grated onion, good mayonnaise and a bit of apple cider vinegar.  Toss, chill and enjoy!

It's Haiku my Heart Friday!  For more haiku offerings, head on over to Rebecca's place and enjoy!




Top image is from Photobucket