Flotsam and Jetsam

I wanted to tell you about it, but it didn't make it to the blog.

November 12, 2008

The Pied Piper of The Flea Market

I heard "Dust In The Wind" being played on the pipes at the flea market, and followed the sound.  It was hard to believe that such haunting music could be emanating from a stall next to the Turkey Legs for sale, but there he was: the Pied Piper.  I don't know his name, but I gladly forked over my coffee money to buy a disc of his music.  It says his group is called "Ayahuasca."  He calls the song by its Spanish name: Polvo en el Viento.  By either name it is lovely.  I listen to it every day now.

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November 11, 2008

This spice is a "shoo in."


I know that you envy me my high-heeled spice rack.  You wouldn't be the first.  It was a find from the bottom of a pile at an antique store, and there isn't another one like it around.  I'm sure it was once used in some kind of retail display, but now it works perfectly for my kitchen spices.

Recently, I made myself toss the old spices.  I had some that I would swear I bought when Jimmy Carter was President.  However, there is one spice on my rack that I use almost daily.  I can't keep it in stock around here.   It's called "Coast To Coast All-In-1" and is by Urban Accents.  I get mine at the local World Market.

Sprinkled on vegetables, a salad, or used to season chicken or pork, it is delicious.  I use it especially on fish, because I do not like to eat fish!  I have to gag it down!  However, I've found that if I coat tilapia with this spice I don't even know it is fish!

[Note:  Usually I drench it in marinara sauce and wash it down with a Negro Modelo, so you might not want to trust my judgment.]

   

Click here to download:
This_spice_is_a_shoo_in..zip (3096 KB)

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November 10, 2008

The Tea Dance


I didn't think I needed instructions on how to steep a cup of tea, but decided to read the label as I waited for the water to boil.  The directions said:

"Bring fresh water to a boil and carefully pour over a sachet of Golden Chai.  As you dance with a loved one, steep 3-5 minutes."

 At first thought, that seemed romantic.  But, then I remembered that my Mamaw was a Baptist, and I know what dancing leads to...ahem!

That tea might get over steeped -- or very sweet (if I'm lucky!).

"Love and scandal are the best sweeteners of tea."  ~Henry Fielding, "Love in Several Masques"

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November 09, 2008

Handmade Jewelry at the Flea Market

There was much more at that flea market in Houston.  I've told you about it in the previous posts.  The lovely jewelry of Lina Rubia at Blue Angel Arts was on display.  If I win the lottery, I will be her best customer!

         

Click here to download:
Handmade_Jewelry_at_the_Flea_M.zip (15178 KB)

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November 08, 2008

The Christmas Bunny?

At Trader's Village Fleamarket in Houston, you could find just darned near anything...even live animals.  This little bunny and his siblings were on a table for sale.  Perhaps he was intended to be a pet, but if he is to be a Christmas gift, he won't be "cute" anymore by then.  I don't have good feeling about his future, and I've been "stewing" about that a little bit.

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November 07, 2008

"Cutting Edge" Neon


They specialize in "flashing scissors" in all shapes and sizes.

It was at the Flea Market in Houston called Trader's Village that I found the place called 81 Neon. Like a Siren's song, those bright neon lights just called my name and I had to see them all.  I wish I had the photographic expertise to show pictures that did justice to the spectacle.  The scissors were wonderful, but The Car was my favorite.  I seriously want it.

If you need a custom made Neon sign, or need to have one repaired, they will do it for you.  In case you need to know:
7979 N. Eldridge Rd, Suite 938, Houston, TX. phone: 713/854-9325

What is it about flashing lights that makes me stand with open-mouthed wonder?  I'm just as silly about Christmas lights.  I could have watched them blinking at me all day long.

     

Click here to download:
Cutting_Edge_Neon.zip (6493 KB)

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November 07, 2008

Lemon Dill Chicken in a Jiffy

Do you avoid cooking because it seems like too much trouble?  When I was single, I did.  And, I was avoiding it when our youngest son moved out of the house, because it seemed ridiculous to try to cook for just two people.

I've discovered that there is absolutely no reason not to have a delicious and healthful meal super quickly!  I've blogged about foil cooking before on my main blog, but I thought I'd share it here. 

I'm cooking Lemon Dill Chicken tonight and cooking it in foil. It took about 10 minutes to prepare it, and it will cook in 15 minutes.  Then, we will sit down and dine with a glass of red wine in hand.  Cleanup will be minimal!  That's the best part.

Here is the recipe for four people.  It divides well (I'm cooking for three tonight).

Cut about one and a fourth pound of chicken (you could use fish, pork, or beef if you prefer) into 1/2 inch slices and put it in a large bowl.

Add this "flavoring combo":
1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
4 large garlic cloves, minced
4 large green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
1 tsp. lemon zest
1 tsp. each, salt and ground black pepper (I reduce the salt)

Add one pound of your favorite vegetables (you can choose from squash, bell peppers, asparagus, bok choy, tomatoes, mushrooms...or just about anything else you can name!).  Make sure it is cut into small pieces--about 1 inch lengths.

Mix that all together in the bowl until everything is well coated.  Then divide it into fourths.  Place each fourth of the mixture on heavy duty foil (12-by-18 inch sheets).  I usually put the protein on top of the vegetables.  Fold up the foil to make a packet and crimp it to seal it.  Set the packets on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes in a 500 degree oven.  You can also grill it on the charcoal grill for 8 minutes.  Let the packets stand for 3 minutes, open them up, and EAT!

MMMM.  Tasty!

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October 17, 2008

The Whimsical "Art Fence" in Denton, Texas


In Denton, Texas, there is an eyesore of a fence that is covered with artwork.  You'll see why I am posting it, if you visit me at This Eclectic Life.

                     

Click here to download:
The_Whimsical_Art_Fence_in_Den.zip (8154 KB)

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October 13, 2008

It's Chili Weather!


Some would say it was a travesty that I took this beautiful steak from Nolan Ryan Beef company and made chili from it.  It was the last steak I had, and alone it wasn't enough to feed two of us.  I needed lean meat to make the chili, because I'm trying to reduce my cholesterol levels (though beef isn't the best way to do that!).

Now, I won that beef in a blogging "contest" for the Texas Beef Council --but I'd buy beef from Nolan Ryan if I could afford it!  It almost melts in your mouth.  It is certainly expensive, though.

It's getting a little bit cooler here in Texas, so it seemed like chili weather.   I assembled the ingredients for Cowboy Beef and Black Bean Chili, substituting that one steak.  A true chili connoisseur would never add beans to chili.  On the other hand, I have pedestrian taste, so beans are fine with me. 

I always change the recipe somewhat, and I reduced it to cook for just two, but I definitely added beer to it.   I didn't show it in the picture, and I used a dark ale instead of just a plain old beer.  It adds a good flavor.  We liked this recipe well enough to do it again, so I thought I'd give you a link.

 

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October 12, 2008

If only I were an artist!

I found a link to a wonderful tool, if one can "paint."  It's called SUMO Paint, a free image editing software.  First go to that link and browse some of the pictures that have been made on it.   Then, go to this link.  You will be given a blank canvas to let your creativity flow.

Now, if I'd just get over my inhibitions and paint!

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