August Layover in Toronto

Toronto Pearson International Airport

When returning from Cape Breton in August, we flew through Toronto.  The airport there is very nice, and I used our layover time to shoot a few photos in the terminal. 

Lentil Soup: A Favorite in the Palmer-Livingstone Kitchen

Bowl of delicious and nutritious lentil soup served with slice of buttered sunflower bread.

Now that the days are getting cooler, I begin to think about making soups of various kinds.  One of our favorites is lentil soup, so easy to make and so economical and very nutritious. I tend to make soup in big batches even though there are just two of us for most meals, because I can then freeze small portions and have them ready for a quick lunch or dinner.

Ingredients simple and inexpensive:  lentils, carrots, garlic, smoked ham hock, salt, pepper.

Rinse the lentils.  I use the whole package. Dice a couple of carrots and prepare two or three cloves of garlic. To these ingredients add 8 cups of water. (If I have chicken stock, I use half chicken stock and half water.)  I usually toss in a smoked ham hock for flavor.Salt & pepper to taste.

Rinse the lentils. 

Add diced carrots, ham hock, cloves of garlic.

Add 8 cups of water, or 4 cups chicken stock and 4 cups of water.

Bring the ingredients to a boil.  Lower the temperature, cover and simmer for about 35 minutes.

Cover and simmer.

This recipe makes 8 large servings.  I freeze, in small containers, all but two servings, and we have a quick lunch ready in a moments notice.  So good on cool fall days or even better on cold winter evenings.

Willie Nelson at the DPAC

Willie Nelson performed at the DPAC on Thursday night.

I went with Patrick last night to see Willie Nelson perform at the DPAC.  Willie Nelson is a favorite of mine.  The concert was great!!  Before the concert, we grabbed a quick bite at the Cuban Revolution restaurant across the street from the DPAC.

The DPAC is beautiful with the evening sun illuminating it. Patrick in foreground.

We had great seats, almost like box seats, second row back from front of First Tier.  I managed to get a quick shot of the stage (photos were not permitted, but everyone was using their cell phones to take them anyway) and you can see the large screen which was near our seats.  Willie played for almost two hours straight, no intermission, and played most of his favorites.

The stage from the First Tier.

There was a sellout crowd, and the crowd loved the concert.

And I managed to get a photo taken with Willie.  Lucky me!!!!

Pat and Willie, (also got his autograph) . My friend Jesse will love this.

Italian Doors

 
I was absolutely fascinated with the beautiful and diverse doors we saw in Italy.  There must have been a wonderful door store, but I never saw it.

My favorite in Deruta.

Foot Long Hotdogs, Funnel Cakes, Corn on Cob, etc.

I had my annual foot long hotdog on Monday night at the NC State Fair.  Dan and I usually go to the fair just to eat and to see the crafts people at the Village of Yesteryear.  I always have a hotdog---about the only time I eat a hotdog. 

My foot long hotdog.

Ice cream from the NC State University booth.

I almost rode this.

 

The midway and Dorton Arena.

 

Pretty balloons.

Nice brooms.

Midway at night.