The House by the Side of the Road

Sorry for the lack of blogging, however, I really did just veg out on my three-day weekend. I didn't do much of anything. Had a great time with the family for Thanksgiving. I really do have an awful lot to be thankful for.

Oh my ... and I've been a terrible blopper too. I do apologize for that as well. I'll certainly try to do better soon!!!

I hope you all had a fantastic holiday. I'll be blogging at least for the next few days again!!!

ஜ~§Quote of the Dayஜ~§

In these times you have to be an optimist to open your eyes when you awake in the morning.
Carl Sandburg

ஜ~§The Question Of The Dayஜ~§

Fans of Little Women often divide along Jo/Amy lines. Jo was independent and smart, but Amy always seemed to get what she wanted and have more fun. Are you in the Jo camp or the Amy camp?

ஜ~§The Word Of The Dayஜ~§

Innocuous
PRONUNCIATION: [haugh·ty] adj.
MEANING: 1. Having no adverse effect; harmless. 2. Not likely to offend or provoke to strong emotion; insipid.
ETYMOLOGY: 1598, from L. innocuus "harmless," from in- "not" + nocuus "hurtful," from root of nocere "to injure, harm," from causative form of PIE *nek- "death."
USAGE: "The seemingly innocuous e-mail actually contained a malicious virus."

ஜ~§What I'm Readingஜ~§

Nora Roberts: The Pagan Stone
This is book 3 of a trilogy.
Synopsis: Shared nightmares, visions of blood and fire, and random violence plague the longtime friends andQuinn, Layla, and Cybil, the women bound to them by Fate. None of them can ignore the fact that, this year, the demon has grown stronger -- feeding off the terror it creates. But now the three pieces of the bloodstone have been fused back together. If only they could figure out how to use it.

A gambling man like Gage has no trouble betting on his crew to find a way. And though he and Cybil share the gift of seeing the future, that's all they have in common. Were they to take their flirtation to the next level, it would be on their own terms, not because Fate decreed it. but Gage knows that a woman like Cybil -- with her brains and strength and devastating beauty -- can only bring him luck. Whether it's good or bad has yet to be determined -- and could mean the difference between absolute destruction or an end to the nightmare for Hawkins Hollow.

ஜ~§What I'm Watchingஜ~§

Tonight is: Family Guy and True Blood

ஜ~§Poem Of The Dayஜ~§

The House by the Side of the Road

THERE are hermit souls that live withdrawn
In the place of their self-content;
There are souls like stars, that dwell apart,
In a fellowless firmament;
There are pioneer souls that blaze the paths
Where highways never ran-
But let me live by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

Let me live in a house by the side of the road
Where the race of men go by-
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.
I would not sit in the scorner's seat
Nor hurl the cynic's ban-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

I see from my house by the side of the road
By the side of the highway of life,
The men who press with the ardor of hope,
The men who are faint with the strife,
But I turn not away from their smiles and tears,
Both parts of an infinite plan-
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead,
And mountains of wearisome height;
That the road passes on through the long afternoon
And stretches away to the night.
And still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice
And weep with the strangers that moan,
Nor live in my house by the side of the road
Like a man who dwells alone.

Let me live in my house by the side of the road,
Where the race of men go by-
They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong,
Wise, foolish - so am I.
Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat,
Or hurl the cynic's ban?
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

Sam Walter Foss

ஜ~§Recipe of the Dayஜ~§

Coq Au Vin Stew

Ingredients:
Nonstick cooking spray
3 pounds chicken thighs, skinned
1 envelope (1/2 of a 2.2-ounce package) beefy onion soup mix
1-1/2 cups loose-pack frozen small whole onions
2 cups fresh button or wild mushrooms, quartered
1/2 cup dry red wine
Hot-cooked mashed potatoes (optional)
Snipped fresh basil or parsley (optional)

Directions:
Lightly coat a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray; heat over medium heat. Cook chicken thighs, several at a time, in the hot skillet until brown; drain off fat. Place chicken thighs in a 3-1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker.

Sprinkle chicken thighs with dry soup mix. Add onions and mushrooms. Pour wine over all.

Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 5 to 6 hours or on high-heat setting for 2-1/2 to 3 hours. Using a slotted spoon, remove chicken from slow cooker. Use a fork to remove chicken from the bone, shredding it into bite-size pieces. Discard bones. Return chicken to mixture in cooker. If desired, serve with hot mashed potatoes and sprinkle with basil.

Brightest Blessings,
~S~