Parting With Old Friends

 

We have bookshelves and books in every room of our house except the bathrooms, and even there we often have a stack of books on the floor. We are beginning to downsize now, and we are having to part with many of our books.  It's like losing old friends.  It's particularly hard for Dan.  He only recently agreed to start thinning out our bookshelves.  He's saved every book, even every paperback, and is reluctant to part with a single one.  I, on the other hand, have no problem parting with most paperbacks. I am attached to many of the hardbacks though. But as we begin to think about downsizing and perhaps eventually moving into a retirement community, the books are one thing we can start to winnow.  

Hallway.

Den.

Guest room.

Living room.

Living room.

Dining room.

Study.

Utility room.

Bathroom.

Bookshelves have been a major component in our decorating over the years, and I like the following quote from Anna Quindlen:  "I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves."  ~Anna Quindlen, "Enough Bookshelves," New York Times, 7 August 1991

My Kindle, soon to be my library.

Oh well, I have my Kindle, and I can carry around a lot of old friends with it. But I must admit, it's not quite the same as settling down for a good read with a real book. 

The Glenn Miller Story

One of the nice things about NETFLIX is the chance to see old movies.  I remember seeing the Glenn Miller Story when it came out way back in 1953, and I enjoyed seeing it again the other night---our NETFLIX pick. I've always liked Glenn Miller's music, and I enjoyed this movie for a second time.

And now have a listen to one of his most famous songs A String of Pearls.

Bison Burgers for Supper

Bison Burger.

We're not much of a hamburger fan, but boy do we like bison burgers.  When I was in Costco and Trader Joe's on Saturday I looked for ground bison, but no luck.  Kroger's, on the other hand, did have it, and I bought a pound.  It's a bit more expensive than hamburger, but it is a much leaner meat, and we prefer it to hamburger.  I was going to fire up the grill, but the weather looked a bit threatening so I just cooked the burgers in the frying pan with a little olive oil.  I find it is necessary to add a little oil because of the lack of fat in the bison meat. 

Bison burgers with salt and pepper ready for the pan.

I just add salt and pepper and it's ready to go.

Bison burgers cooking in just a bit of olive oil.

Burger on top of a Trader Joe's whole wheat bun with slaw and condiments and side of potato salad and tomatoes.

Supper's ready.

Munch Madness

Maple-glazed walnuts and pecans.

Here are some suggestions for healthy munchies while watching tonight's basketball championship game.

Maple Glazed Walnuts/Pecans
2 cups walnut or pecan halves or mixture of both
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
Directions:  Place 1/8 teaspoon salt in a dry skillet and heat over medium-high heat.  Add the walnuts and syrup.  Cook, stirring often, until the syrup is absorbed and caramelized and nuts are toasted.  3 to 5 minutes.  (Recipe modified from one by Ellie Krieger of the Food Network)  These are good as munchies, but are also good in salads.

Another really healthy snack is cheese stuffed apricots.  Use the large dried apricots and be sure they are soft and supple and not hardened.  You can make a half moon slit entering the knife in the opening where the pit was removed.  Place about 1/2 teaspoon of cheese into the pocket and top with an almond.

Cheese stuffed apricots:
Dried apricots (large ones--the ones from Trader Joe's are very good) And as someone said if you don't have a Trader Joe's, then you need to move.
Softened cheese (Brie, Blue Cheese, or Mascarpone) I used Brie for these.
Almonds (I used Marcona almonds from Trader Joe's)

This is a healthy snack. Almonds are high in protein and fiber and rich in vitamin E.
Dried apricots are rich in carotenes and a number of minerals as well as vitamin C.

Dried apricots stuffed with Brie and topped with Marcona almonds.

We'll be snacking on these tonight as we watch the game.  Go Kentucky!

Happy April 1

I tried to think of something I could post that would be a good April Fool's joke on those who might read my blog today, but I wasn't able, so I'll just wish everyone a Happy April First.

I do remember a good joke my Mom played on me one April Fool's Day though.  Dan was in Africa on sabbatical, and I was spending the weekend at Mama's.  Early on April Fool's Day I got some kind of joke on her, and after doing so I was commenting on (probably bragging about) the fact that rarely anyone got an April Fool's joke on me.  That I was always on guard.

Later in the day I was working out in her garden, and Mama came to the back door and called, "Dan's on the phone for you."  Dan did sometimes call from Africa, and I think it had been a while since I had talked with him.  I ran to the house eager to talk with him and into the house where Mama had the telephone off the hook on the end table.  I picked up the phone and said, "Hello---. Hello---, Hello--- Dan?".  I thought he was having trouble hearing me and that there was a weak connection. About that time Mama said, "Hardly anyone ever gets an April Fool's joke on me." 

I think about this every April Fool's, and I no longer declare that I'm not likely to be fooled.