J L Kirkman's Antique Mall

Kirkman's Antique Mall on Hwy 17 in New Bern.

I can't resist popping into an Antique Mall, and I visited this one last week when I was in New Bern.  I didn't have as much time as I would have liked.  I could have spent a day here.  I saw lots of pretty things.

I actually bought this pretty tangerine tray.

Our Fireplace Doesn't Turn On

Nothing like a nice wood fire in the fireplace.

I love the smell of wood burning in the fireplace, and there's nothing like sitting by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book---a great way to spend the afternoon.  We usually have a fire at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or when it snows.  However, this winter has been so warm that we've not had a fire until the other day.  We had a dusting of snow, and that gave me an excuse to build a fire. 

Hot chocolate and a book by the fire.

Our kids have been after us to convert the fireplace to gas logs, and we've thought that once we use up our firewood we might consider doing that.  I realize that burning wood contributes to pollution, and it is a chore to haul wood and clean ashes. And every few years we have to hire a chimney sweep to clean out the fireplace and chimney.

Son Michael and his family like their fireplace with gas logs. Once when grandson, Tyler, was about three years old, and he was visiting, he asked me, "Grandpat, will you turn on your fire?"  He had seen his family turn on a switch, and presto there was a fire in the fireplace.  I had to explain to him that our fireplace didn't "turn on".

Our firewood.

Perhaps, when we use all our firewood, we will convert to a fireplace that "turns on", but unless it gets a bit colder. it looks as if we will have another winter's worth of wood and another winter to sit by a real fire.  Suits me.

A fireplace that "turns on" may be in our future.

Our Garden Witch is Dressed for Mardi Gras

I have dressed our garden witch for Mardi Gras.  I usually have her dressed according to the season, and I think she looks ready for a Mardi Gras party.

I hope everyone has a Happy Mardi Gras Day!

Jambalaya for Mardi Gras

Jambalaya.

 I'm making Jambalaya today to serve tomorrow for Mardi Gras.  Tomorrow I'm having outpatient eye surgery, so I want to have dinner ready when I get home. This will be good warmed up.

I'm using Mark Bittman's recipe from Cooking Light. 

1 teaspoon olive oil  
1 cup chopped onion  
1/2 cup chopped celery  
1 tablespoon tomato paste (Tip:  When just a small amount of tomato paste is needed in a recipe, I use a tube rather than open a can.  A tube will keep in the fridge for up to a year.)
1 teaspoon dried basil
Dash of ground red pepper 
3 garlic cloves, minced  
1 bay leaf
2 (14.5-ounce) cans Cajun-recipe stewed tomatoes with pepper, garlic, and Cajun spices (such as Del Monte)  ( I couldn't find these, and I just used cans of diced tomatoes, but I added a teaspoon of Texas Pete to spice this up a bit).
6 ounces andouille sausage, cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices (Andouille is a spiced, heavily smoked pork sausage).
1 (2-ounce) jar diced pimento, drained 
3 cups cooked long-grain rice
1/2 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion and next 9 ingredients (onion through pimento); cook 7 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring frequently. Stir in rice and shrimp; cook 6 minutes or until shrimp are done.

Cook first 9 ingredients about 7 minutes.

I use tomato paste from tube when recipe calls for small amount.

Add cooked rice and shrimp and cook until shrimp are done, about 6 minutes.

Jambalaya ready to enjoy.

Hank Williams Sr. sang this song in 1952 and it was a big hit.  It was a favorite of my Dad's, and I can remember him singing it as he was working around the house.  This is Hank Williams Jr's version.

Les Miserables

Dan and I are going to see Les Miserables this afternoon at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.  This production is part of the Broadway Series South.

"Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand new 25th anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical, LES MISÉRABLES, with glorious new staging and dazzlingly reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo.  This new production has been acclaimed by critics, fans and new audiences and is breaking box office records wherever it goes."

Raleigh Memorial Auditorium.