Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Art class

I really do enjoy my art class. I enrolled in a Basic Drawing class at The Samuel S. Fleisher Art Memorial, the class I'm taking is one of the special adult workshops and I have to pay tuition but so far it is worth every penny. The instructor is great. I think my drawing skills are improving but I have so far to go. This is one of my drawings.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

2008 Presidential election

I am already SO sick of hearing about the 2008 Presidential Election and the election isn't until November 4, 2008. It is just so much never ending rhetoric. In the past I've always considered myself a Democrat and for the most part I vote for Democratic candidates but in the upcoming election I have serious doubts that I could vote for the Democratic Presidential Candidate since it appears it will be either Barack Obama or Hilary Clinton -- in good conscience I could not vote for either of these people. And voting for them will keep the United States on exactly the same predictable course we are currently following. So I've made a choice and I am going to actually try to help this candidate get elected and my choice is RON PAUL. If you are interested in him and his opinions please check out Ron Paul 2008, Congressman Ron Paul is the leading advocate for freedom in our nation’s capital. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Dr. Paul tirelessly works for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, and a return to sound monetary policies. He is known among his congressional colleagues and his constituents for his consistent voting record. Dr. Paul never votes for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution.

A Brief Overview of Congressman Paul’s Record:

He has never voted to raise taxes.
He has never voted for an unbalanced budget.
He has never voted for a federal restriction on gun ownership.
He has never voted to raise congressional pay.
He has never taken a government-paid junket.
He has never voted to increase the power of the executive branch.

He voted against the Patriot Act.
He voted against the Iraq war.
He voted against regulating the Internet.

He does not participate in the lucrative congressional pension program.
He returns a portion of his annual congressional office budget to the U.S. treasury every year.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Thank You!

I have so much to be thankful for and I seldom give thanks in any consistent, affirmative way. Every morning when I wake up I'm going to try to remember to think of at least five things that I am thankful for and I'm going to try to do this everyday.

Another thing to consider -- simplicity. Yes less is more but it seems we aren't satisfied with what we have and there is the compulsion to acquire more and more. The 6 Paths to Simplicity:
1. Simple is Enough
2. Simple is Thrifty
3. Simple is Flexible
4. Simple is Timeless
5. Simple is Sustainable
6. Simple is Refined

Something to consider: I don't support the war in Iraq, but I do support the soldiers fighting there and those who return to the United States with severe injuries. The mission of the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) is to raise public awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members to aid and assist each other, and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.

And last but not least -- SOLAR WINTER: We are now in the quarter of the year that is considered solar winter by meteorologists. This period begins in early November and lasts until early February and is characterized by having the least amount of solar radiation reaching the surface and the least amount of sunshine. What this all boils down to is dark and cool days ahead with our darkest days coming in late December around the winter solstice and our coolest days lagging behind that in January and February.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

What is it about the cooler weather?

There really is something about cooler weather, the meals I cook are much different. Last night's dinner -- I really enjoy this dish and the leftovers are great, the number of servings is four, these are good size servings and meant to be the main dish -- if you serve this as the vegetable course you can probably count on six (6) servings.

MOOSEWOOD Cookbook: CAULIFLOWER CHEESE PIE
Yield: 4 servings

POTATO CRUST:

Butter (for greasing pan) [I use Olive oil spray]
2 cups grated raw potato
1/4 cup grated onion
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp. salt
1 tbl. flour
Olive oil (for brushing the potatoes)

FILLING:

1 tbl. olive oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, finely chop
Salt & pepper to taste
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. dried thyme (I don't use this)
1 medium cauliflower, coarsely chopped (I don't chop, I just break the cauliflower into small flowerets)
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
Paprika (for sprinkling)

POTATO CRUST:
1. Set the oven at 400F. Use butter to grease a shallow 9 inch baking dish
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the grated potato, onion, egg, salt, and flour. Transfer the mixture to the buttered pan and pat it down with a rubber spatula (or lightly floured fingers)
3. Set the pan in the hot oven and bake for 30 minutes. Brush the crust lightly with olive oil, return the pan to the oven, and bake for 10 minutes more. Set the crust aside
4. Turn the oven temperature down to 350F

FILLING:
1. In a saute pan, heat the olive oil until it is hot. Add the onion, garlic, salt pepper, basil and thyme. Saute over medium heat for 8 minutes or until the onions are translucent. Stir in the cauliflower and cook for 5 minutes more.
2. Spread half of the cheese on the potato crust. Spoon the sauteed vegetables on top, then sprinkle those with the remaining cheese
3. In a small bowl beat together the eggs and milk, and pour this over the vegetables. Sprinkle with paprika and transfer to the oven
4. Bake the cauliflower for 35 minutes or until the custard is set and the top is browned. Serve at once with a salad.

Other news
Our puppy -- he had his routine vet appointment yesterday (routine for him, he has to go every 6 weeks), well yesterday they told us he was improving and he doesn't have to return except for routine care -- vaccines, etc. and will only need the chest radiographs once a year unless he should get sick or start coughing. This news is great and really makes me happy!