Forgotten...Favorite Things Friday #3

Oops, I'm already behind.


Ode to Tulips

um....Okay, I'm not a poet. But if I were I would write a very nice poem about tulips and why I think they are a wonderful flower. My favorite.

Happy Earth Day

Ever since I learned the word "biodegradable" as a Brownie Girl Scout in the 3rd grade, I have tried to respect this planet Earth. Hug a tree here, pick up litter there. Reuse, reduce, recycle. It seems the trend these days is "Green". Everything and everyone is turning "green". We have a new grade school being built down the street that is "green" with solar panels etc. People roll their eyes, but I say the "greener" the better! Call me naive, but I don't care if it is the trend, as long as people are making an effort I think it is a good thing.

Favorite Things Friday #2--Gripe Water

"Here I come to save the day!!!" (Mighty Mouse singing voice) Behold, Gripe Water, the best stuff ever. In the middle of the night, a gassy baby won't sleep for anything. If the baby isn't sleeping, neither is anyone else. Weeping, wailing and gnashing of gums is immediately soothed with 2 tsp. of this nectar sent from Heaven. Ginger and Fennel extracts with a touch of Chamomile settle the gassy stomach and all is well again. Zzzzzzzz.....

Double stroller

We got this Valco baby stroller for $90 at a local consignment sale. It is in good condition and works pretty well for our needs. If only it will stop raining so we can get out and use it!

A dang good haircut

...if I do say so myself.

Favorite Things Friday #1

Maybe a weekly thing will keep me committed to this blog. In no particular order...just things that make me happy.



Yummy Japanese vinigarette-like sauce. A Japanese neighbor of mine recently brought over some cucumbers with roasted sesame seeds soaked in Ponzu sauce and I am addicted to them! It is such a nastalgic taste to me and just transports me back to Japan. The sauce is used with lots of Japanese dishes like Shabu-shabu and Yakiniku, some yummy dishes that I'll have to save for another Friday.
Here is the recipe to make your own if you can't get to an asian market, however, you might need to go to the asian market to get some of the ingredients. :o)

Ponzu Sauce

Yield 2 1/2 cups

Time 15 minutes, plus 2 hours

Mark Bittman

Summary

Homemade ponzu will keep for several days with no loss in quality.

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice, more to taste
• 1/3 cup fresh lime juice, more to taste
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 1 cup good-quality soy sauce
• 1/4 cup mirin (or 1/4 cup sake and 1 tablespoon sugar)
• 1 3-inch piece kelp (konbu)
• 1/2 cup (about 1/4 ounce) dried bonito flakes
• Pinch cayenne

Method

• In a bowl, combine all ingredients. Let sit for at least 2 hours or overnight. Strain. Just before using, you might add a small squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice. Covered and refrigerated, ponzu will keep for at least several days.

Source: The New York Times

Back from hybernation

Apparently, the Shell has been very covered for a very long time. I want to regroup here and get back to bloggin'!