It doesn't have to be fancy....just dare to improvise!

Dish - Winter, or cold weather, for some people can really cramp their desire to grill outdoors. But a strong desire to have the "smoked wood flavor" can drive our ingenuity and often times a new invention or method is born.

That is just what we did! We wanted to put a pork shoulder roast on the grill and have BBQ pulled pork with a hint of apple smoked flavor to it, but didn't feel like standing out in the chilly weather. Since we haven't invested in a fancy smoker pan for the oven that holds wood chips and has a cover, we improvised. Like I said, it doesn't have to be fancy or even pretty, it just has to do the job. I must admit, we felt a little like Alton Brown.

First we took a tin of apple smoked wood chips and soaked them for about 20 minutes. Next we drained the wood chips and placed the tin in our blue roasting pan. Next, we took our 3-4 lb. pork should roast, washed it, patted it dry and rubbed on some Dub's Rubs North Woods Style Seasoning (for pork) and then placed the roast in the roasting pan next to the wood chips put the cover on the roasting pan.

Preheat the oven to 275 and bake the roast for approx. 4 hrs. When done remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before pulling pork apart. Slather with BIG JAKE'S North Woods Style BBQ Sauce and serve on a bun or as an open faced sandwich topped with cheese (if you top it with cheese; place cheese on top and put under broiler for a few minutes until melted.)

Dish - The sad ending to a ski lesson that ultimately cost Natasha Richardson her life. Her family is devastated and the community is in shock! The devastating story of Natasha Richardson's death following a tragic skiing accident has sent shock waves through the Hollywood community.
Sadness is felt due to the loss of a vibrant 45 -year old women who was loved by so many. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.
http://omg.yahoo.com/celebs/natasha-richardson/1729

Embellish - Live for today.

I have a confession......

Food - I have a confession. All of my creative energies have been absorbed by preparing my taxes, the job search circuit and the everyday chores. Even my love for food has taken a back seat to these pressing chores that need to be done. Not much food is being prepared, however that has not stopped my apepitte, or the extra weight, I have managed to put on over the past few months, but I am hopeful that food regain the space in my brain that has been occupied with other things lately, and my creative juices will start flowing. A bonus in all of this would be if I can lose the extra weight. Let's keep our fingers +.

Dish - '70s radical Sara Jane Olson released from prison! Should Minnesota allow her to server her yearlong parole in Minnesota? The Govenor says: "NO!" But it appears the answer is YES!

Star Tribune Story:
http://www.startribune.com/local/41364847.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiU

CNN Story:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/03/17/olson.release/index.html

I am sure if Sarah were given one wish, she would wish for a chance to go back in time and take the road more often followed by law abiding citizens. And the innocent by standers whose lifes were taken, would choose to live.

My thoughts are with the families who have lost their loved ones as they struggle to move on from this and try to find some closure.

Embellish - Spring is a new beginning!

Eggs! They are whats for dinner, sometimes....

Food - Ignore the fancy plate, but feast your eyes rather upon the yummy fried egg croissant sandwich. Sometimes the job of preparing food for a family can become mundane and the task of planning the meal can be down right tedious.

The evening was fast approaching and I had not answered the question of the day: What am I going to make for dinner? I had bought a hodge podge of food at the grocery store (I went on an empty, but a very hungry stomach,) but I bought nothing that really resembled a meal so to speak; when all of a sudden it hit me like an egg being cracked on the side of a frying pan - I'll make an egg crossant sandwich! My husband loves eggs. This was going to be more than just a normal fried egg sandwich though. I had bought some fresh butter croissants; made some fresh home-made salsa; and bought some avacados and bacon too. There, in egg, lied the answer to the question I had asked so often that day - dinner will be served after all.

I prepared the pan so that it was hot enough to toast the butter croissant; set that aside. Next I fried up 3 eggs, piercing the yolks ever so slightly so that they would spread a little bit, and then holding a spatula against the eggs until they set up, thus making sure to keep them in the shape that would fit the butter croissant. When properly cooked on the one side, I flipped them so that they would be done; easy over. Added a bit of cheese and allowed that to melt a bit. Removed them from the pan and placed it on top of the bottom piece of croissant bread, topped the egg with bacon, avocado, and fresh salsa and placed the top piece of croissant bread on and who la! Dinner was served. (I served this with fresh fruit.)

Who says you have to have an elaborate dinner? This simple meal, brought me some nice compliments from the hubby. Can a girl ask for any more? Okay, if you insist, a nice piece of jewelry will work too.

Dish - OMG - like totally awesome day out today! I walked around the lakes and people were out in full force. Joggers, bikers, walkers....when you live in Minnesota and the temperature gets above 32 degrees (okay, maybe even 10) we feel as though spring has sprung! It was absolutely beautiful day with the sun shinning brightly and the birds singing. I saw my first Robin yesterday. It's funny how the little things in life can bring so much joy.

Embellish - Listen to the birds singing!