A Few of FR's Finest .... Every Day .... 1-25/26-06 .... Winter Poetry and Potpourri

1-25-06 | JustAmy

[JustAmy]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

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~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, Mama_Bear, GodBlessUsa ~

COLD!

It has a bitter bitingness, that turns all things to metal,
And colors freeze to shades of gray, and restless dust must settle.
It creeps in every nesting spot, like damp upon the soul,
My grasp becomes most tenuous. I'm sure I'll lose control,

As every surface seems to lose its rough and gripping texture,
The world is slipping into ice. At least, that's my conjecture.
Cold has orbited round again, to shade our hope, and kill it.
It slowly inches inward toward the soul, to try and chill it.

Darkness seems to last, and last, with daylight wan and bleak,
And every dawn a cheerless one, as cold light shows its streak.
The cold seeps in, its metal-gray sleek hardness like a gun,
To stifle hope and joy. We freeze instead of run.

For where is there to run to? Even rivers have been stopped.
And even sheltering leaves of trees have all been crisply cropped.
The fangs of Winter's frozen teeth hang down like smiles of looming death,
And frozen remnants of one's life condense with every breath.

The first time that I shivered I was ready to shout, "Hold!
The years that I've seen Winter, I recall, and this is getting old!"
I'm disagreeable most days, but I'll nod if you happen to mention,
To the first poor soul who says to me, "It's as cold as the Devil's intention!"

NicknamedBob . . . . January 18, 2006

Fog Flowers

I like to call them Fog Flowers, those tiny crystals of rain.
They carpet the world in silence, they glorify dirt in the lane.
There seems all a hush to their presence, the softest tinkle of sound,
And even the animals quiet, as a blanket descends on the town.

Some look upon it as frigid, but warming and soft is the throw,
The flowers asleep in the garden, will snuggle and smile under snow.
“But it makes the road too slippery!” I hear the complaints starting now.
As it furrows and windblows and softens, the marks that were left by the plow.

You seem to not understand it, this miracle silently wrought.
For where will you go now to find it, when this is what you have sought?
A promise of hope from your Father, a gentle reminder of love,
Each entity fallen from Heaven, is getting a kiss from above.

NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . . . December 5, 2004

Shepherd Pie

1 1/2 lbs. Ground Meat
2 small onions, chopped
1/4 C. Beef Bouillon
1 can (16.5 oz.) English Peas
4 to 5 carrots, thinly sliced
2 C. Gravy
8 potatoes (2 1/2 pounds) mashed and seasoned with salt, pepper, and butter

Cook meat and onions in 1/4 cup bouillon until well done. Drain and season.

Place mixture in an 8 by 11 inch baking pan, cover with layer of carrots and peas.

Prepare two cups medium thick gravy using bouillon to flavor.

Pour hot gravy over meat and vegetables.

Mash potatoes, seasoning with a little milk, salt, and pepper. Spread potatoes over meat mixture and dot the top with butter.

Bake 1 hour in a preheated 300 degree oven.

CREAMY CHEESY POTATO SOUP

4 c. diced white potatoes
1/2 c. chopped celery
1/4 c. chopped onion
1/4 c. chopped parsley
4 c. water
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. celery salt
1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 c. whole milk
1 c. evaporated
3 tbsp. butter
4 oz. Cheddar cheese grated
4 to 6 slices of Velveeta cheese

Combine the vegetables, water and seasonings in a pot and boil until vegetables are tender. Drain water from potatoes. Add the milk and bring to just under the boiling point. Add the cheeses and

butter and stir over a very low heat just until cheeses and butter are melted. Stir gently as not to mash your potato chunks. Serve garnished with fresh

parsley.

WINTER COOKIES

1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup of brown sugar
Lemon juice
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila

Sample the Cuervo to check quality.

Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo again, to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.

Turn on the electric mixer...
Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar...Beat again.

At this point it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still OK, try another cup ... just in case.

Turn off the mixerer thingy.

Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit, .....
Pick the frigging fruit off floor

Mix on the turner.

If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver.

Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity.

Next, sift two cups of salt, or something.

Check the Jose Cuervo.

Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.
Add one table.
Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find.

Greash the oven.

Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.
Don't forget to beat off the turner.

Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.

12-28-05 ~ Hall of Fame #14

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 01-23-06 Military Monday 01-24-06 A Birders' Eye View

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[LadyX]

Time for me to turn in, too -- sweet dreams, everyone,
and may God richly bless all your days...

[JustAmy]

I'm looking for a tea room here. Marissa would love to take a friend from pre-school someplace for tea. Her friend moved to Kingsburg.

Like you, it is a trip that I will always remember too. Meeting friends and enjoying the entire experience of the inauguration (even if we did miss it!).

[JustAmy]

Good night, Meg.

I enjoyed visiting with you today. Hope to see you tomorrow.

[JustAmy]

Good night, LadyX.

Sweet dreams. See you tomorrow.

[JustAmy]

Wonderful picture, Meg. Thanks.

[Mama_Bear]

Your mention of "the tea" sent me to my Inauguration photo folder and one thing led to another. I couldn't resist putting some frames on these and posting them.

[JustAmy]

What wonderful memories. I saved these. Thanks.



Decisions, Decisions.



Ice skating while waiting for the Metro.
To tell the truth, I think several are my favorite.



Enjoying the experience.

[Mama_Bear]

What a lovely contribution to the thread, Victoria. I love the painting and the Shakespeare. It's perfect!

[JustAmy]

[JustAmy]

[JustAmy]

[JustAmy]

Chili with Corn Dumplings Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 can (15.25 ounces) whole kernel corn
1 can (16 ounces) stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon red pepper sauce
1 1/3 cups Original Bisquick® mix
2/3 cup cornmeal
2/3 cup milk
2 to 4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, if desired

1. Cook beef and onion in Dutch oven over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Reserve 1/2 cup of the corn. Stir remaining corn with liquid, tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili powder and pepper sauce into beef mixture. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.

2. Mix Bisquick mix and cornmeal. Stir in milk, cilantro and reserved 1/2 cup corn just until moistened.

3. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto simmering chili. Cook uncovered over low heat 10 minutes. Cover and cook 10 minutes longer or until dumplings are dry.


Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto simmering chili. Cook uncovered over low heat 15 minutes. Cover and cook 15 to 18 minutes longer.

[JustAmy]

Poised

Some save the best for last. Not us!
These yucky berries can sit here a while.
They aren’t so very tasty, even though,
You can spot them from a country mile.

As brightly colored as they are,
Like a bit of sweetened candy to the eye,
If their taste were closer to the image,
Then none of us would deign to pass them by.

On the coldest, darkest Winter morning,
When the biting, savage fury rears and rips,
We will snuggle deeper in the thicket,
With these bitter morsels poised upon our lips.

NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . December 14, 2004

[JustAmy]

Beef Brisket with Savory Carrots & Prunes

Ingredients:
2-1/2 to 3-1/2- pound boneless beef brisket
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 cups sliced carrots (1/4-inch)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces pitted prunes

Instructions:
1. Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium heat until hot. Brown beef brisket; remove. Pour off drippings.

2. Add onion to Dutch oven; cook and stir 5 minutes or until tender. Add 1/2 cup water. Return brisket; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover tightly and simmer 2-1/4 hours. Add carrots, brown sugar, lemon juice, salt, cinnamon and pepper; continue cooking, covered, 30 to 45 minutes or until brisket is fork-tender. Remove brisket and carrots; keep warm.

3. Add prunes to Dutch oven; cook, uncovered, over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 1 cup and prunes are plumped. Trim fat from brisket; carve diagonally across the grain. Serve with carrots, prunes and sauce.

Makes 6 to 8 servings.

[JustAmy]

[.30Carbine]

I see the Creator in His Creation! Thank you so much for sharing your pictures!

[.30Carbine]

Thank you very much, Just Amy! I love what you all do on this Finest Thread! Thank you for keeping me on the ping list! Be blessed this day and always!

[MEG33]

*Good morning!*

[NicknamedBob]

Bent Icicles

My house has bent icicles,
We've had some wind today,
It's like some ice-age carnivore,
That seeks to hold its prey.

Nature isn't nurturing,
That seeks to tear and rend.
Those icy fangs are scaring me.
It is a biting wind.

I'll venture out, quite soon I guess,
They don't scare me that much.
Even though they're growing longer,
And sharper to the touch.

I have something I have to do,
It seems compelling now.
I'm hoping later that I won't,
Regret it all somehow.

The imagery may seem quite bleak,
So stark in black and white.
It's warmer in the daylight though,
At least it isn't night.

And how much could it bother me?
I'm big and strong, and tough.
Those frigid fangs of winter,
Though dripping, are a bluff.

They cannot really hurt me,
It is a threat display.
I stand up straight and say these words,
"Can I stay home today?"

I have one thing consoling me,
When I walk out the door.
I'm not the sweetest person,
I'm salty at my core.

My warmth will not win me a friend,
Out in the frozen waste.
I've got this big, old ugly coat,
It will not like my taste.

I guess you wonder what it is,
I'm trekking out there for.
I found out that I'm running low,
There's birdseed at the store.

NicknamedBob . . . . . 2/22/2004

[DollyCali]

Love the pix Meg.. the white stuff is falling here, although gently and I see blue skies & puffy pink clouds around the sunrise.... woke up with same headache that I went to sleep with. Bummer.