Well Tuesday was one of those busy days until lunch time then I read for the next couple of hours while smelling a pot of collards simmering on the back burner, yeow what a delicious meal. I now call it collard soup and I will explain later in this ramble how to prepare this simple but tasty soup that makes a meal.
The morning started with my usual 6'ish rollout. Once again it was 70 degrees to start the day and probably reached the middle 80's. It was somewhat overcast and at times I thought we may get some much needed precipitation, but it stayed dry. I did my routines with my hot cup of tea laced with turmeric while posting this ramble then spent a few quiet moments with my Creator in humble thanksgiving and intercessory thoughts and prayers for others. Afterwards I got ready for the ride to the rec. on my bike for some pickle ball. I hadn't been on the court since last Thursday and I felt it later in the day with some stiffness; oh how quickly we get out of shape or lose that edge. I had a good workout as I left the gym after nearly two solid hours of play. We had a visitor from Wisconsin and she was an A player which made for some good action.
I headed home to hand water the garden then harvested some collards from my garden to add to the ones we harvested from Tyler's garden yesterday. I took about a half pound or so of bacon and chopped it into small squares; adding them to a large cast iron pot with a whole raw onion and sauteed' them together until the fat came out of the bacon then added the chopped collards. I also chop the stems unless they get large then I strip them out. I get the collards melted down with the heat then add a box of chicken broth or more if you want it really soupy bring the pot to almost a boil cover it with a lid and reduce the heat to the lowest setting. I let that simmer for about 4-5 hours and there is your meal an along with some cornbread slathered with butter and honey, Yeow!!!
Nancy had taken her mom, GG and sister Betsy shopping so she was gone for most of the late morning and early afternoon. So after getting supper cooking I retired to the reading room and finish the Ken Follett book THE KEY TO REBECCA, what a great read about the WWII in Africa and the defeat of Rommel. It was after 6 before the girls got back from mailing Christmas packages up north. We were waiting on a shirt that was ordered a week ago to mail out and it finally came today so these package mailed out won't get there until after Christmas unless you want to pay 45 bucks, unbelievable. That was a rip off by our USPS so we opted to let it be a day late, oh well.
Well GG ate with us and she really enjoyed the collards we have enough leftover for a small bowl each for lunch tomorrow(today). Since I've found this new recipe originated by me I can't get these plants to produce fast enough. This is our second batch and they are so good it's hard to describe the flavor in print. I do add a little dried red pepper flakes to my bowl but that's it, no other spices or seasoning. The bacon comes from Va. which we buy when we are near Woodstock and then we freeze it into half pound or so bags. Maybe thats why the liquid is so tasty.
I took GG home after the cleanup as she was falling asleep while watching the news. Betsy finally departed for her home after being with GG for nearly three weeks. She had it good there with GG waiting on her but she is not the easiest attitude to get along with. GG was beside herself at times but managed through the ordeal, oh well. Betsy seems to be doing better but I thinks she lays around too much after her exercises with the therapist. Today she goes back to the doctor for a followup on the surgery.
Well that was about it except for watching the Fox Cable News to learn that Obama is pardoning violent drug inmates and reducing sentences for many criminals as well as trying to release violent jihadist from Cuba, some who have returned to the battlefield killing innocents. I wonder just who's side he is really on while pretending to be our potus. Mr. Trump and the congress will have to undo many of his executive orders he has issued in his final days in office. The country will flourish once again when this malignant inept dangerous leader is finally out of office. Hopefully he will go back to his native country of Kenya.
After the news I watched the Lightning pound the Red Wings in hockey and when I turned the lights out at 10'ish they were up 4-0, LATER
