Sunday Quotes...cloudy... still warm

 FRIENDS
We are so thankful for friends, many of whom we've never met, but who share with us as if we'd seen each others' smiles. We've come to know each other online, and words from this community help us through each day.

For the next few Sundays our quotes will be from Max Coots and
his thoughts on friendship, and his wonderful comparisons to gardens.

"Let us give thanks;  For generous friends.....with hearts...and
smiles as bright as their blossoms:  For feisty friends, as tart as
apples:"

Sweet & Spicy Red Bean Soup... partly cloudy... 70* ?

Sweet & Spicy Red Bean Soup

1 large onion
4 cloves garlic
4 ounces ham-hock or ham shanks or salt pork
1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
1 cup carrot slices
3 15 oz. cans red beans, drained
1 1/2 cups apple juice or cider
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 cup dry red wine, optional

Sauté onion and garlic in 2 tablespoons oil, put in crock pot with
meat. In onion pan heat tomatoes w/carrots. When hot add to crock pot.
Heat beans with juice and add to crock pot with sugar. Cook on high
for 3 hours, stirring a couple of times. About 30 minutes before
serving stir in allspice and wine if desired. Turn heat off and leave
covered until time to serve. Sourdough or French bread is especially
nice with this.
Serves 6

Sunday Quotes...... cloudy... chilly

Rushing The Seasons

 

Have you every thought ~
in this sped up world,

We're always in a hurry

No matter what the Reason?

We rush to work, rush home

rush to post the latest gadget that we've bought

Why we even rush the seasons!

In Spring we post pics of red-ripe tomatoes

flip-flops, beaches and swimming gear

We say we sure wish summer would get here!

In Summer we post pics of  bonfires,

Pretty leaves and trees

and say "Hurry up Fall, Please"

 

In Fall we post pics of  mugs of cocoa

Blankets, scarves and snowmen, too

we say "Hurry up winter, do"

 

In winter we post pics of  green grass

bare feet,  and pretty flowers everywhere

We sure do hope spring was in the air!

 

So now, while it's hot
We say, "hurry up fall"
We need you, after all...........
But soon it'll be "get here spring",

so we can start

Rushing the seasons once again!

 

©Jonquiljunction

Simmering soup....... Cloudy....20's

Soup season is upon us! This is a favorite around our house, and unlike many soups that need to simmer for hours it can be thrown together in a few minutes with ingredients you most likely have on hand!!

Italian Soup
1 cup sliced kielbasa sausage
1 medium onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 T. olive oil
4 cups chicken broth
1 can diced Italian tomatoes, un-drained
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup penne or spiral pasta
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1 tsp. salt , or to taste
1 tsp. garlic powder, or to taste
1 cup frozen spinach leaves
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

 

Sauté sausage, onions and garlic in olive oil, about five minutes. Add  next three ingredients and bring to a boil, add pasta and seasonings, simmer uncovered for ten minutes or till pasta is tender. Add spinach, stir well, turn off heat, cover and let sit for five minutes.
To serve, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese, and serve with garlic bread or crackers.

 

Rushing the Seasons..... Cloudy..... 35*

I know better than to rush the seasons, but in the last 2 days I've heard 2 flocks of geese heading North, and my 2 hens that are left after Walter made
his rounds this winter, have each laid their first egg. AND the pigeons, 3 so far, are building their nests and laying. Could Spring be far away? 
Either they know something we don't OR they are in for a big surprise!