Puzzling away the Pandemic

Completed my fourth pandemic puzzle, this one a 1000 piece from Ravensburger. Lots of challenge on this one, especially the different windows. I have a holiday themed one ready but don't want to take this apart quite yet!
 

Quarantine Day 28

A beautiful Spring day, in stay at home mode, quarantine Day 28. So saddened to have lost music legend John Prine, passed away from complications due to COVID-19. He has brought so much joy to my life since I discovered him through my sister, Kathy. 
Thanks to Google Play I am able to hear his albums today in loving tribute to him, the first four records so far. I find myself smiling often as I listen, he had a unique way with words and had such a profound understanding of people and the times. A born storyteller. I found out that his father was a tool and die maker, just like mine. 

top down day

Day 26 of quarantine and stamping is a wonderful outlet, helping to stay busy and send some love on to someone in need.

This is part of the new release from The Greetery, called Top Down Day. If you have a convertible it would be an awesome day to go out for a ride. Nobody is worried about how your hair looks right now :)

Little Robin Redbreast

These cute cards were made using the Hunkdory "Little Robin Redbreast" kit and sample patterns in the magazine (from Great Britain). I've never done one of these kits before and it was fun and will go to my collection of cards to pass out at the assisted living center for the coming Christmas 2020 season.

Eat What You Love

This is another useful cookbook, your favorite foods made lighter. I couldn't resist picking this up at my old library for 50 cents. Breakfast and muffin recipes in this one are pretty good!

On Vegetables

If I could recommend a vegetarian cookbook above all others (except maybe Mark Bittman's, which is also very good), it would be this one by Deborah Madison. You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy all of these recipes, there are so many marvelous ideas for sides and entrees here. You can find a super cheap copy on ebay through some of the Goodwill Industries stores or at your local thrift shop, which is where I picked up mine for about $3 or $4. Well worth it!!

Rose gold skies

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.
The sky was so breathtaking this morning, turning the front of the house a rose pink color. Nice to see that sun making an appearance! Days like this get us Pacific Northwesterners through so many wet,  gray days.

Turkey Meatballs

The most tender meatballs we've ever had.
Recipe 1: (The full directions can be easily found if you Google Giada's Turkey Meatballs).
This was a hit and worthy of a repeat some day soon.
1/4 c. plain dried bread crumbs
1/4 c. chopped flat leaf parsley
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 c. grated Romano cheese
3/4 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 pound ground turkey, dark meat if you can find it
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil for frying.
Brown meatballs on all sides and then plunk in your favorite sauce and simmer. As always, they are better the next day! I added a clove of minced garlic to the recipe and it was wonderful.

Menu Planning

It seems I have a bit of a cookbook obsession. Not making the recipes, just collecting the books.
I've decided to choose one book a week, this one was a random grab, and make my favorite recipes.
This way I won't feel too guilty about buying even more. I just know that I will.

I like Giada's style, many of her dishes are quite healthy and not the heavy kind of Italian fare, although that is my favorite. If I come across something amazing, I will share it with you.
Hoping to blog more, resurrecting this site because it is already here and I love the name.
Be well and I hope the coming year is filled with so many lovely things for you. Peace, joy, family, love, and good health.