Working through the storms

I love Missouri, I don't think that I would live anywhere else (unless it involved a castle or a HobbitHole).  The only thing I truly dislike about Missouri (Blah is not the description, more like intense fear) is storms.  I don't like lightning storms and I certainly don't like tornadoes.

Sunday night (April 27 for all those who are reading later), our cell phones went off, letting us know that severe weather had arrived and to take shelter.  We were already inside and asleep, so that part was taken care of.  I flipped on the television to track the storms.  What irritated me was that the weathercaster said, and I quote, "It is JUST a tornado warning."  HELLO!  That is the bad one!  What grade did you get in meteorology studies?  We 'watch' for a tornado so that we may 'warn' people that it is here.

Major mistake.  I have heard so many people not know which is the more dangerous of the two.  That could be a matter of life or death if you make the wrong choice.  In a watch, it means that severe conditions are possible, and you should be prepared to take action and shelter.  It is not a time to picnic or boat. 

One of the best sites to use in preparing for a tornado (in advance, PLEASE do not look it up while the sirens are blaring) is http://www.ready.gov/tornadoes  .  Keep a few bottles of water in your safe room.  A few energy bars.  Blankets and flash lights with either fresh batteries, better yet, the flashlights that have the crank for energy.  If you have a crank radio or a battery powered radio to help you keep track of the storm, make sure it is down there.  The television and the internet are great for the pictures, but when the storms really gets going, they are more likely not to be able to be accessed.  Battery and crank powered resources are more reliable.

I am a complete basket case in regards to tornadoes.  I have an actual safe room that is under our porch.  It is completely encased in concrete with a steel door that swings inward.  It has emergency lighting, a land line and a few stores of water and food.  There is also a few chairs and a small bed with blankets and pillows.  The room is not very big and I would hate to be down there for several hours, but it is secure.  I also have a radio and flashlights and candles with matches as well.  One thought on the phone.  Cells are good if there is no electricity and the land lines are down, but if the towers aren't working, the cells won't either.  I have an old fashion telephone down in the safe room.  It doesn't need electricity like my newer phones do.  If we lose power, we will still have a phone (if the lines are still up).

If you do not have a safe room (like lucky me), get into the lowest level of the house and put as many walls between you and the outside.  Get under a table and curl into a ball.  Protect your head and the back of your neck.  Throw a blanket or towel to help protect you from any flying debris.  People are more often hurt by something flying into them than something landing on them.  Stay away from windows and electrical items like televisions and computer monitors.  If you have time, make sure you have sturdy shoes on.  If you have to walk through debris, you want to protect your feet from broken glass, nails etc.

Well, the sky is turning green again, so I am heading to the basement.
Later!

HOW TO CONQUER CLUTTER-THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION!!!!

Stop bringing stuff home!!!!   

Don't buy it!  

Don't accept it as a gift!  

Don't pick it up along side the road!!!

Now that we have said that, just do it!  Really!  And don't buy magazines or books to help you on this.  It just adds to the clutter.  Throw things away you already have that you don't need or better yet, donate them to someone else who truly needs it.  Or, sell it on eBay.  See, isn't this cheaper than the therapist or life coach you have been paying to help you with your clutter? 
 (someone asked me offline why it was so short.  It is short to reduce clutter. Nuff said)

Upcoming blogs....
1. Searching for scholarships...tips and traps.
2. Pikl-it....my latest obsession......recipes and explosions to follow~

Why I haven't been blogging lately is our youngest son is applying to colleges and applying for scholarships.  This means a lot of work for Mom as I have to look everything over to make sure it looks good and he hasn't forgotten anything.  We are also doing scholarship searches.  If you have any tips, let me know and I will share them when I come up for air.

I am also playing with my new Pikl-it   http://www.pickl-it.com/  
This is my newest obsession and I am producing lovely foods that my family are enjoying....or at least trying.  Heehee.
Love to you all
Yay or Blah!

Just to keep you updated, I am at the Mexico Missouri Walk Back in Time
http://www.audrain.org

Story and pictures to follow.
Love to you all

Rushed Saturday, Kitchen Testing Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauce

This is a very rushed Saturday for me.  In addition to the normal cooking, cleaning and errands, I went with my youngest to a cross-country race (he came in 12th! for Varsity).  This meant that I got up early and stood for hours in the hot sun while I watched young people run until they got sick.  After that, we both wanted a nap.  But what about dinner?  Dear Husband is going to want something tasty and I don't want to deal with anything. 

The Test Subject

 Quickly pulling down the big crockpot, searching the pantry, came up with this that was an impulse purchase.

3 lbs chicken thighs

chicken, sauce and chopped carrots

Grabbed the package of boneless, skinless chicken thighs (love those thighs).  Tossed them into the crock.


Decided to boost the Middle Eastern flavor up a notch.  Took out my home-preserved lemons and 3 carrots.  Rinsed and chopped half a lemon and 3 carrots.




Tossed the lemons and carrots into the crock onto the chicken and then opened the sauce pouch.  Poured the Moroccan Spiced Stew with Green Olives and Lemon over the carrots and my own lemons.  Set the crock pot on high for 3-4 hours.  Now it is nap time for Mommy.

Make sure to comment on what we should have with it.  Rice, couscous or bread?

Baba Ganouj=Spoiled Daddy

Baba Ganouj is a wonderful vegetable dip that can be enjoyed with chips, bread or even as a sandwich spread.  My family has even used it to dip other veggies in.  

Ingredients:

3 average sized Italian (purple) eggplants.

6 cloves of garlic

salt

the juice of 2 lemons

3 tablespoons olive oil

6 tablespoons of Tahini (often found in the oil section of the grocery store)

Lemon Juice

My mother's food processor that I snagged 20+ years ago when I got married

Use the lemon rinds in the garbage disposal to freshen and clean it.

Slice the stems off the eggplants and cut lengthwise.  Place cut side down on grill and broil in oven.  Watch and pull them out when the skins are crispy and the flesh under is soft. (see video below) (audio in video is from a webseries I must have been watching while I cooked.  Sorry about that.)

This is the brand of tahini I use.  Ziyad Brothers is a Chicago based food importer and processor.  They have excellent quality.  Tahini is a sesame seed paste that is kind of the consistency of old fashioned peanut butter.  You have to stir it before you measure it out as the oil will separate from the paste.

Add the tahini into the processor with the lemon juice, chop the garlic cloves and toss them into the processor as well with the olive oil.

This is how I incorporate the eggplant into the rest of the ingredients.  When the eggplant is done, I pull them out of the oven and flip them flesh side up.  I scoop out the hot eggplant out of the crispy skins with a spoon and place it into the processor bowl.  Some people say to not use the seeds, but I think that they add to the flavor and texture.  I also add some of the burnt skin to give it a smoky flavor.

Pulse everything and check it every so often.  You want a smooth consistency, but you don't want it watery.  Add salt to taste.  Remember that you are making this to the taste of your family.  Some like more tahini, some like more lemon, I like lots of garlic.  When it is done, smooth onto a deep dish plate and chill.  Decorate it with chopped parsley or paprika.  Serve with bagel chips, toasted pita bread or veggies.  Also a wonderful warm vegetarian sandwich spread.  Tell me if you enjoy this and how you served it.

Life is too short for blah!

An URGENT message.

This is the not posting that I planned to send out today.  We have a crisis in the works in our nation.  We are in great need of doctors, nurses and especial general SURGEONS in rural America.  
http://www.ruralsurgeonsfilm.com/
Please help out this director who is finishing a film about the need for surgeons in rural America and what can be done to help.
Thank you for all the attention and help you can give.