Some winter mornings

 

There's just not much to say...

Low and slow

 

A rather horrible card! Happy New Year, poor piggy.

Germans love their pork...but it's traditional in many cultures on New Years Day. Eating pork supposedly brings good luck. The meat is rich in fat so it symbolizes prosperity.

Whoa. We should be very lucky in 2022. I cooked this pork shoulder using the  "low and slow" method. It was in the oven (uncovered) for a full 8 hours roasting at 275 degrees. 

The magic happens all by itself while the aroma drives you crazy. I put it on a thick layer of onions, and they melted down into a caramelized goo for the mashed potatoes. The seasoning nothing but salt, pepper and garlic powder.

It tasted as good is it looks. The leftovers get transformed into pork enchiladas. Not a scrap wasted, which is the least we can do to show respect for the animal.

This is the month when some of us make resolutions about our diets. Certainly eating less meat is a good one, for our heath and the environment. Instead of "Meatless Monday" we should eat meat only once a week. Or maybe not at all. Beef is so expensive anyway, as it should be, making it a special occasion treat instead of the main thing on the plate.

Well, the snow is finally melting after a week of below freezing temperatures. Another weather record in Seattle, exactly six months after the highest temperatures ever recorded. It is thoroughly nasty outside, with cold rain and slush.

Winter on the other side

Our quiet street today. A week of below freezing temperatures and life comes to a grinding halt in Seattle.

Meanwhile.  Up at Amanda and Tom's yurt on the snowy hill. Yes, that's a new wood stovepipe.

Friends geared up for a winter trek up the mountain.

Who is in the drivers seat? Fun!

Kids get a free haul up... 

A fire, of course, on a below zero afternoon.

Whee. And a sweet winter face.

Great way to start the New Year.

2022

 

 

Another Year

Another year gone and the old man with the scythe
Is growing closer.  He hasn't been subtle, has he.
Too many good people gone, I could sit and cry
For them except that you look exceptionally snazzy
Despite the miles on your odometer
As if you have a few more aces up your sleeve.
Maybe you were born under a lucky comet or
Maybe it's the wine, but I do believe
When I look at you and take your hand you're
Positively glowing. Maybe you've been sorry a
Long enough time and now we get some grandeur
And go out dance and sing our aria.
May this year bring us before it's flown
All we would have wished for had we only known.

By Gary Johnson

Countdown

 

Over the top weird and creepy vintage cards...

Ready or not, here comes 2022. Happy New year!

Enough, already

 

 

Several inches more fell last night and the "prettiness" is starting to wear thin. Today will finally be slightly above freezing, moving us into grey-slush-in-the-city stage. 

Homeowners are legally required to clear their sidewalks, but most people don't own snow shovels, much less are hale and hearty enough to actually do it. Just taking a simple walk around the block is a dicey proposition with fresh snow on top of trampled down ice.

I don't enjoy being marooned at home and the dark days are quite long. On the other hand, we're in our comfortable house with plenty to eat and not experiencing firsthand the nightmare at SeaTac Airport. For two nights in a row, it was mentioned on the national news as having the "worst airport delays in the world." 

Go, Seattle.