groundHOG's day!!!

The day has come,

February 2nd...

blog.al.com

when the world looks foolishly 

to an absurdly named groundhog

to forecast their weather for the rest of winter.

I mean really...

is anyone serious?

Does one really think 

this Hollywood Nutria Rat can determine the weather?

Around here...

we rely on a much more reliable and 'powerful' tool...

Something that looks a lot more like

a groundHOG

than that

Punxsutawney Phil 

and much more reliable than his 'sketchy' shadow...

Introducing...

 The StormTeam Power Piggler 3000,

aka

Cochon,

a bonafide GroundHog!

(She's low to the Ground and considered a HOG!)

According to legend,

if Cochurrito's Cochon 

comes out of her hiding

from

the ever present Paparazzi...

there will be 6 more weeks of winter.

BUT...

if she continues to play

Pig-A-Boo

with her followers...

it will be an early spring.

So, 

let's see what her forecast will be...

Keep your coats on guys...

Looks like 6 more weeks of winter!

One kind word can warm three winter months - Japanese Proverb

This test was brought to you by the 

Public Broadcasting of Senility...

 PBS

BEEF STEW

Nothing like 

comfort in a pot 

for a Cold & Rainy Day!!!

5-6# Beef Cubes (tip roast) in cubes

4 oz. pancetta diced

2 TBSP olive oil

2 yellow onions  big chopped

4 carrots sliced

3 garlics cloves minced

2 bay leaves

1 cup flour

2 cups good red wine

2 cups beef stock

1 TBSP beef demi glace ( from William Sonoma)

Season Beef Cubes with salt and pepper... 

Season Well!!!

Secret Ingredient #1

Over medium heat,

brown pancetta until crispy.

(about 7 minutes)

Transfer to plate .

Increase Heat to Medium High

and brown beef in batches

til nicely browned.

5-7 minutes

On Medium High Heat,

Saute onions and carrots

in olive oil

about 5 minutes...

Add garlic and bay leaves and stir.

Stir in flour and cook about a minute.

Add wine and scrape brown bits off pan.

Secret ingredient #2

Add stock, demi-glace and cooked pancetta...

Simmer

Then add beef cubes with juices.

Cover and cook on low for 2 - 2 1/2 hours.

Serve with noodles or rice 

with lots and lots of gravy!!!!

Recipe inspired by William Sonoma Beef Stew Recipe!

SALUTE TO SINGLE MOMS

Hats off to all the single moms out there!!!

I think of you often

and pray for His strength

to help you through your days.

I pray for His comfort

when your times get hard.

I pray for His peace

when your world encounters chaos.

I pray for His words

to speak life into 

every part of your being...

to help turn your mess

into His message!

Please know...

you are an inspiration to all those around....

especially the little ones whose

world you surround.

This is a salute to 

you

and all that you do!

YOU

ARE

LOVED!

SICK PUPPIES...

Josephine's

been tendin' to some

sick lil pups

in her sweet homey nest!!!

Please pray for their healing

and all the rest!!!

Will be back bloggin'

when they r

feelin' their best...

Image from Sodahead.com

PULLED PORK IN A SLOW COOKER!

Just discovered why so many cooks at home
are lining up to tryout Pioneer Woman's fixen's.
In the bookstore, I ran across her cookbook
and could almost taste what was being cooked
in the book!

Saving the family favorite recipe's
to the blog seems to soothe my soul.  
I'm hoping that after my little one's fly the coop
 and start their own nest... 
they will be able to go to Josephine's Vittles to find their favorite recipe's with pics right at their fingertips. 

This one is definitely a quadruple keeper!!!


It was cooked in a slow cooker for 8 hours 
and served smothered in it's tasty gravy 
with fresh lime juice and sliced avocado's.


Unbelievably delish!!!

Please do not consider 

Cochon's shoulder

for this dish...

RECIPE ... CLICK HERE!

ROOTS N FRUITS

3' x 4'

$ 500

This is a piece based on "What's in the Root produces the Fruit".... which is written along the side of the canvas.  Their are 12 roots leading to 12 limbs.  Very simple and peaceful to ponder.  I have it in my bedroom until it finds its future home.

THE DEFINITION OF HAPPINESS...

Success

is getting what you want,

happiness

is wanting what you get.

Dave Gardner

FAMILY IN NEED

This is a follow up to the previous blog...
BROWN SUGAR
to help a family in need.
Click HERE
if you would like to catch up to speed...


There are 11 empty boxes waiting to be filled...

Please don't feel like you have to help everyone...

It can be overwhelming when we look at the whole picture...

but if you see a box that you can add to that would bless one or more...

please let me know!

The first box is for 
PRAYER...
The father most of all needs your prayers
to help him through the grief he is going through.


The 2nd box is for 
FOOD...
canned goods,
easy cook boxed meals,
drinks, etc...


The 3rd box is for 
HOME...
blankets, books, first aid, etc...
A little bird told me
that their fridge has been on the brink...
so possibly a refrigerator!

NEHEMIAH

13 years old

pants.... size 0

shirt.... medium

shoe...7.5

JEREMIAH

12 years old

pants...29/30

shirt... adult large

shoe...9

AMARIAH

11 years old

pants...12

shirt...girls small

shoe...4.5

HEZAKIAH

9 years old

pants...boys tall 8

shirt... med/large

shoe...4

KENANIAH

7 years old

pants...boys 7

shirt... medium

shoe...2.5

ZEPHANIAH

6 years old

pants... boys 7

shirt... medium

shoe...2

NEARIAH

5 years old

pants...girls 6x

shirt...7

shoe... 11

JEDIDIAH

2 years old

pants...2 or 3 T

shirt... 2 or 3 T

shoe...boys 7

Every little bit will help this family...

hand me down clothes, books, toys, blankets, food, 

money 

and most of all 

prayers! 

Let's help this family through this difficult time...
You can call or contact me above.

I pray that we all pray

for a healing in this sweet man's heart

break down the walls of grief

that are hindering him from receiving the love that is waiting for him on the other side.

Each box will be delivered anonymously.

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means 

caring for orphans and widows in their distress 

and refusing to let the world corrupt you."

James 1:27