One of my new designs- Pop Art

I

I love art.  I mean I REALLY love art.  Reason: I love to make something that no one in the world has done.  It's not like a cure for the common cold, but pretty special to me.

I have a very special girl in my life and she is turning 18 on Saturday. She is a senior in high school, then off to college and has so much greatness ahead of her. 

I have been pondern on what to do that would be the "essence" of her.  I didn't want to buy her a gift card, or some shoes (seriously, when do we ever have enough shoes) or something that would be gone in a few months.

No, something different, something unique...that's it!  'll make a pop art of her!

Her mom sent me some great pictures and honestly, it was difficult to choose which one.  We always joke, she is the son we never had.  She is on the golf team, on the flag football team, skiis, snowboards, river rafts, you name it she'll do it.  She doesn't take crap from anyone, yet is very gracious in her approach.  You could say, she is my little hero.

So, with that being said I came up with this design,  she was at Red Rock, a part here in Las Vegas and her Ray Bans and smile was something I wanted to definitely capture. (She never goes anywhere without her sun glasses)

I sat down at my computer through out a dozen or so ideas and came up with this, what do you think?

It says exactly what a 18 year old needs to hear.  If I say so myself.

"You're Beautiful, Just Be You" .

Sent it over to Walmart and for the 12x18 was nine bucks and then took it to Hobby Lobby and for 10 bucks they put it on foam board.  Viola"

I am so excited about giving this to her tomorrow.  I hope she loves it as much as I do!


Give me your thoughts, I'd love to hear them!

Well Hello There!

Here I am! Wow was that a crazy endeavor! I thought that would be easy pezy undertaking, but NOOOOO!

I really underestimated the craziness of changing my blog name.

Just when I was ready to throw in the towel, I look up my blog address and IT WAS THERE!

I'm so excited!!!!!!

So let me go get a cup of coffee and calm down (oxy moron, huh?) and get some thoughts together and I'll be back!

Yay!!!!

Way too many exclamation marks but I really am excited.

Hello,hello,hello hello

Is anybody out there? 

Wow, just when you think you are doing something easy. WHAM!  Right up side the head!  I have been struggling with the new name and url address for too long!

Well, What do you think?

I am so excited about this name! I have "pondered"  this name for a while.  With the help of George Carlin in one of my earlier post, he was my inspiration.

• Now what do I want to do with the "reinvention" of myself?

Hum, I want to put just about anything on this.  I want my readers to be a part of my blog. I want to write with the idea that my best friend is sitting across from me with either a cup of coffee or glass of wine.

• Where do I see this blog in the next 12 months? 

 I would love to see this actually have a life of it's own like your favorite author, or one of your favorite TV shows.
I promise to have cool facts, fun things to do and experience, giveaways, and just a laugh or two, or hopefully three.

There you have it.  Maybe an indulgence  of myself but I am in hopes of just to have someone out there that you can say "I get it" or "I've pondered that"  or "Really" 

Life is truly in the eyes of the beholder, I understand that and this will have a lot of my "eyes" in it.  I can promise, a lot of "Jeanineism's".  Which means the strange and wacky ways I do and see things.

So, enjoy the ride, grab a cup or glass and share a bit of time with me.   Just sometimes you, and I, need to walk away from our reality just for a bit and honestly, that is why I have changed this blog title this week....the story to be written later, stay tuned. 

I, as with all blog authors, love to get comments, or even better, I would love for you to be guest of my blog, by putting something in here of yours, I'm open to all.

For today, this is enough,  have a great week and enjoy the ride.

I've figured it out!

Well, finally came up with my PERFECT Blog name!
Details to come!!
Stay tuned.
Try to get some sleep.
Pay attention during the day. Don't let this overtake your thoughts.
Exciting huh?

Something to Ponder

I LOVE THIS!

SOMETHING TO PONDER: George Carlin

George Carlin's wife died early in 2008 and George followed her, dying in July 2008. It is ironic George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent and so very appropriate. An observation by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

And always remember, life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those moments that take our breath away.

Have you ever thought about changing your blog name?

Hey everyone!

I have been thinking about "reinventing" my blog since I feel as though I am constantly "reinventing" myself ALL the time.

Therefore, I am thinking of changing my blog name. I would like to come up with a general name that wherever direction I choose to bring this blog, the name will follow.

What changes? I really don't know, I have a lot of my followers say that my blog is like listening to a girlfriend talk to them. And, we all know that talking with a girlfriend and be about ANYTHING. I don't want to have myself in a box but bring this blog into a life of its own.

So, any ideas that would be cute I would love to hear!

You all know me by now, my silliness, crazy, witty, intellectual side, and overall great human being, oh, I love myself! Haaaa-ha! I crack myself up!

I am looking forward to bringing this to a new level. It will be a lot of fun.

I will be playing around with this idea and hopefully by next week I'll have a hit.

Until then, have a great weekend!

Blogger is now connected to IPhone and IPad!

Just wanted to post this beautiful picture taken straight out of my camera:




Sunset that evening:




Stunning

Short Ribs Baby!!!! I'm Back! Again

 

I have to tell ya, cooking intrigues me.  There are just some things in my life that I just have to cook.  I may not every do it again but now I know that I have "been here done that".

I have a favorite blog, actually I am addicted to this blog.  Everyone that knows me knows I talk about this blog all the time.  Its called The Pioneer Women.  Ree Drummond is the author and has become a very close friend of mine.  She doesn't know it yet, but she is. 

I got into photography because of her.  Bought expensive cameras, because of her, took expensive classes, because of her, and am having the time of my life, because of her.

She cooks and takes photos of her steps, and now I have to do it all the time.  I have so many recipes that I have cataloged on my computer and the number of pictures, OH MY!  I have a lot.  I like to put recipes on my blog and have the photos to go with it.  My private desire is to be a food stylist and that takes a special eye something that takes time, but for now I am having fun!

I saw this recipe on her blog and wanted to try it as soon as I could.  Now, I know people just don't have short ribs in their freezer (except for me) and I am was not a fan of short ribs, until just the other day......

We went out to dinner in Vegas with my family and Andy ordered short ribs that were on the special menu of the day.  I thought "Yuck".  I ordered the salmon.  Well, when it got there I thought "Hey that looks good, then looked at it again and thought, "I am going to need to try that" as Andy was cutting this rib meat with a fork.  I asked him for  a bite and bit into HEAVEN!!! Oh my it was incredible!!!  The tenderness, the intense flavor, I ended up eating his dinner! (Good thing he likes salmon).

How does something like that happen?  How can I make something that incredible?!!!  After a lot of research, I finally found out tried it last night and all I can say is Come to Momma!!!! LUUUVE this recipe and Ree helped me make it happen.

I HIGHLY recommend this for you to make, take my tips to heart, I have seen the light and OH BOY!!!!!

I had some short ribs in the freezer as I said earlier.  We like to buy a half of  cow from a butcher we LOVE in Barstow, named Purdy's.  The owners name is Tommy and he is such a nice guy, that is for another story.  I found him because of my pigs I used to own, that is for another story, too.  Jeanine, stay on track...Ok...  Anyway, our best friends bought the other half of the cow and didn't know what to do with "short ribs" and gave them to us, (see the label, thanks Daryl).  The way Tommy wraps his packages the meat stays for a LONG time.  He triple wraps them and doubles the butcher paper.

For Christmas, my BIL gave Andy a Le Creuset Dutch Oven.  What was really funny, is we bought him the EXACT same one color and all for his Christmas present!  Now I am addicted to this dutch oven.  I have a few pieces of Le Creuset and they are an investment, but you can hand these down to your children and their children and their children.  They will last FOREVER!  I like going on EBAY and looking at the vintage ones and just dream of having a kitchen filled with all the colors and sizes, one day.... Jeanine, stay on track...OK

 The recipe and directions follow:

2 Packages of Short Ribs ( if you don't know where they are, ask the butcher, he knows)
1/2 pound of bacon
2 Tsp of canola oil
Flour
1 medium onion  diced
3 medium carrots diced
1 package of Lipton Onion Soup mix

2 cups red wine
2 cups beef broth
 

Here we go!

Now I like to time how long sometime takes me from start to finish, however, it really isn't accurate because of the picture taking.  For a meal I may take up to 75 pictures and the editing takes me FOREVER. That is why some of my recipes haven't made it to my blog.

Time:  You will want to make this on a day that you are home, kickin back, playing on the computer, listening to music with nothing that you have to do....other than smell it's goodness while it cooks.

Preheat the oven to 350:

Here is the package.....

Here they are once opened:

 They were HUGE compared to what the store sells, they were as large as my hand!

I let them get to room temperature and get the rest of the goodies out.

I have pepper bacon, I had bits and pieces on hand that I got to make pinto beans (another post another time) I LUUVE pepper bacon! 

Take a half a pound and cut them up in small pieces and put them into your preheated dutch oven on top of the stove. By the way, did I tell you this was a one pot meal?  Yeah!

Cook the bacon until all the fat is rendered and the bacon is almost cooked all the way, don't cook it too high or you will burn the fat.  Remove the bacon and put aside.

When the bacon is cooking, I salt and pepper the short ribs and dredged them in flour.

 
See how big these ribs are?  WOW!

Now I have a confession to make, flour is my nemesis.  Truly, just like paint.  It doesn't matter how careful I am, I get flour (and paint) everywhere!!!!! In my hair, in my shoe, don't get me started on how it gets on my plants, (still have no idea).  It just does.  You should have seen my camera, Andy is sill laughing.  Jeanine..stay on track....OK..


I then add the canola oil and each of the Flintstones ribs to sear, about 60 seconds on each side.  This is an important step because you want to lock in the goodness of the meat and the bits that will be on the bottom just adds more flavor and flavor is where its at baby!

I remove the ribs then added the diced carrots and onions to saute, just until they are soft.

I tell you at this part to add the RED wine.  I took a bottle out of the wine cooler and was excited about opening this bottle, I have had this for a while and wanted to keep it for  a special occasion, and what more of a special occasion than this dish, open her up, I say! 

Listen when I say to you it is the utmost importance to make sure EVERYTHING is fresh and good before you use it, so I strongly suggest you take a sip of the wine, not only for good luck and to give thanks for such a bounty but to make CERTAIN the wine is good.  (See the lengths I go to, someone has to it might as well be me).  Cheers to me as I take a swig out of the bottle.  Oh my! UGGGGG!  The wine had turned and I turn and spit it out in the sink!  Am I sure, stupidly I take another swig.  UGGGGG again!  Pour the WHOLE bottle down the drain, YUCK!  Well there went my only bottle of red, desperate measures now, I take a bottle of white and use it, again take a swig of out this one, YUM ok another one just to make sure YUM again, alright one more for good measure as I giggle to myself, good thing it is after 12PM, it's 5 o'clock somewhere in the world. Right?

I poured 2 cups into the pot and then added some homemade beef broth that I had made a while ago.  Deep rich dark ummmmmm....and added that.











I decided to add the onion mix at the end just for more intense onion flavor.  I am normally a purist when it comes to cooking but I wanted intense flavor.

Scrape the bottom of the pot to remove all the bits and caramelized goodness!  Oh my mouth is watering writing this out!

I now added the short ribs and made sure that they were completely covered, if not add more liquid, wine (remember to taste it first again, you now, just to make  it is still good).more broth or even water.

I waited until it all came up to a slow boil and added the bacon I had removed earlier, does it get  any better than this?

Put the top on it and into the oven it went!

I let it cook for 2 hours on 350 and then 325 for another hour.

Personal note:  It ran me out of the house an hour and a half due to the incredible smell.  You should have heard Andy again and again "I can't believe how hungry I am!"  over and over, it was quite funny.

I took it out and let it sit for about 20 minutes.  In the meantime I made fresh mashed potatoes (out of my pressure cooker, that is another one of my favorite tools).

Took a big spoonful of potatoes, added a rib on top of the pile (you may want to put three ribs on yours) and then put the gravy over it, WOW the presentation was OUT OF THIS WORLD!

The taste, can't even put into words how these just melted in your mouth!  Gift from God I tell you!!!!

You may want to have some warm  bread to go with this, that is on another one of my posts.

  MAN oh Man!

Drop me a line and let me now of your experience in making these!