I'd Rather be There, Perhaps or Perhaps Not!

I'm posting this to provide contrast. Let me simply say this. Going to a warmer, subtropical clime as we did last winter will provide a wonderful contrast.  Some ask me why I purchased a camper-van. The answer I leave to another post, but if you are curious, you can go to my travel blog by clicking the following link. Let me say this; life is short. I think it is best to make the most of it and make a contribution where one can:

Clicking will open a  New Window> roadtrekking

Regarding the weather, no where is perfect. There will be issues, problems, storms and so on no matter where we live in the U.S. However, this country is so diverse and so broad, it is wise to take advantage of what it offers.  It is also wise to do so while we are fit, able, and can afford to do so.

We make choices in life. I suggest we make them well, consider the consequences of our actions and then make the best of the consequences.

Some of my neighbors, my fellow residents here at BLMH complain about the ice and snow in our winters. I suggest we enjoy these things and if they become unbearable, then travel to avoid them when we can. My late uncle relocated from the Chicago area to Clearwater, FL. When I visited him near the end of his life I asked him if he missed anything by living in Florida. He said "I really miss the change in seasons. I miss the fresh dew of spring and the dry crackle of leaves underfoot in the fall." To Uncle Rollie I say "rest in peace." To my neighbors at BLMH I say "Enjoy the seasons and the trees, walks and streams on our property. Enjoy all of our seasons"   This winter is one of many blessings. It will epitomize the "change" so many clamor for. So enjoy it. If you find the cold difficult and want a walk, then go to the walking track at Wheaton's Rice park complex which is about 5-10 minutes away. Go to Arrowhead Golf Club (another Wheaton benefit) and have a lunch.

Winter is an opportunity. I suggest we approach it as such.

Breaking News, or Hype?

Update January 7, 7:00am
The current temperature is -2 and the windchill is -13F. Many schools are closed in the area. One reason is to prevent children from standing in these temperatures while waiting for a bus. Cold, but not quite that predicted, and about the same as yesterday morning at this time  As seems the usual these weather predictions provide the "worst case" situation, This pattern of highs below 15-20F will continue until Saturday.

Original Post
I received an eail from the Glen Ellyn "Patch" this afternoon. The subject line read "BREAKING NEWS: WEATHER ALERT: Hour-by-Hour: Our Plummet to 30/35 Below (Tue 2:12:08 PM)"

Well, what's so? The current (4:30pm) forecast at Weatherunderground is "Clouds early, some clearing late. Lows overnight -8 to -4F".

That's about the same low as last night. So what gives?

Well, I suspect it's all about the hype. Same as the TV weather news, which is designed to get one to stay glued to the boob tube so one will watch all of those commercials. I wonder what Skilling will be saying tonight over at WGN TV? My guess? He'll take ten minutes or so to tell us "It will be very cold tonight."

Now, there is no question that -8F is bitterly cold, and the wind chill is currently -9F.

But we will be above the record low temperature for this date of -17F which was set last year. Global warming? Really? [This is now described as "Climate Change" to cover any and all contingencies.]

The Green Flag is Up

Two posts in one day.
The red flag is up at the park across the street, so the ice skating area isn't ready yet. However, with this weather it won't be long and the green flag will be up, signalling the skating area is ready for skating and solid.

This year, I may again take the ice skates out of the closet and don them.  For me it's all about timing. I need to be here at a time when the ice is good and the temperatures cold, but not too cold. With frequent business travel and other commitments it is difficult to break free during the day and skate my concerns away.

Here's the same area last year and the green flag was definitely up. It is clearly visible in the first photo. G was tossing a snowball as I snapped this photo:

Cold Weather Condo Living

Well, this morning it was darn chilly outside. Nary a squirrel in sight. I kicked the thermostat up to 72F to get the condo well heated. Of course, with the predicted cold the kitchen cabinet under the sink was left open to allow heat to enter. That sink is on an outside wall and this is one of the winter tips which the association provides to residents each year. It's prudent to read those tips and use them.

I've never had a pipe freezing issue, and the temperature in my condo is normally set at 68F. So I guess I'm doing something right.

This morning after I shoveled around my car, one of the neighbors offered to help me. I declined but perhaps next time. We only got about 2 inches of light snow last night and I had very little to shovel this morning. Several days ago I scraped a good portion of the driveway and salted the drive and entrance. We had freezing rain followed by a dip in temperatures and about 1/2 inch of snow.

Not much so far this year.

Breakfast and a Walk
We decided to go to the Park District indoor track to get a good walk/jog in this morning.  I snapped the morning photo on the masthead while the coffee was brewing. I was up making a breakfast of Farina and a pot of coffee for me and ginger tea (fresh ginger) for G. Then we were off to the track. Life is good.

Just for chuckles, here is the current 10-day weather forecast from Weatherunderground.

The Squirrels Go Marching, One By One

Early this morning I looked out the window and observed the family of grey squirrels going about their morning forage. One ran by with what appeared to be a Ritz cracker in his jaws. I guess he got his morning treat from one of the residents. I simply wasn't fast enough with the camera to get a snapshot. Here's one of his siblings, sans cracker.

Winter really has arrived and tonight it will go to -5F or so. Brrr!

It's snowing lightly but will get much colder tonight with approximately 1 inch of snow. 

Here's the http://www.wunderground.com/  10-Day Weather Forecast:

More Condo Cold Weather Cooking - Easy Beef Stew

Salad and Beef Stew

When the weather turns cold, I find there is a desire for what G and I call "Comfort Food."

Here is a recipe I created for an easy to prepare and hearty beef stew. This prepares a sufficient amount for several meals and we freeze most of it to reheat and serve over the next 30 days. I've found that some recipes do well in the freezer and flavors actually improve. This stew is, in my opinion, one of them.

This is an easy recipe. However, I prefer to marinate and brown the meat. I prepare and heat some of the vegetables to add flavor and give them a start prior to adding to a crock pot.

Preparation time is about one hour. Most of that is spent waiting for the ingredients to simmer or brown. Crock pot cooking time is about 3-1/2 to 4 hours.

Step 1 Prepare a marinade of 50% soy sauce and 50% Worcestershire sauce, with parsley leaves. Dried parsley works well for this.

Step 2: Add beef stew meat and allow to marinate. Mix well so the beef is completely coated with the marinade. I used 3 lbs.of beef for this recipe. Adjust per personal preference.

Step 3: While the beef is marinading, prepare and saute onions in a couple of tablespoons of olive oil. I use pepper and a bit of sea salt to season. I'm using a 6 Qt Club Aluminum dutch oven handed down to me by my mother. I suspect it is 70 years old:

Step 4: As the onions begin to change from translucent to clear, but before they can caramelize add the marinated beef to the sauteed onions. Save any excess marinade as it will be used later as part of the sauce, as shown in the photo below:

Step 5: After adding the beef to the onions brown the beef over medium heat, turning frequently:

Step 6: While the beef is browning scrub and slice about 6 carrots. I do not peel the carrots as many vitamins and nutrients exist in the skins of vegetables. Use your preference. Also scrub and cut 6 or more stalks (single ribs) of celery and add to the carrots. Once the beef is browned add the carrots and celery to the dutch over. To this add one large can (28 oz.) of peeled tomatoes. Add any left over marinade. Blend and continue heating:

Step 7: For a little extra zest, add a tablespoon of your favorite chili powder. For less zest, reduce to one or two teaspoons:

Step 7: Once the stew is simmering, turn off the heat and transfer everything from the dutch oven to the crock pot. Put the crock pot on the high heat setting:

Step 8:  Prepare the potatoes.  Potato selection is important, as some potatoes cook down and become mushy. That's a good thing if preparing minestra, but not desired for this stew. I used Green Giant Klondike Rose potatoes in this recipe. Most red skinned potatoes will do:

Step 9: Scrub the potatoes, cut off any "eyes" or damaged areas and cut into slices. For large potatoes, cut into sections. Place the potatoes in a colander to rinse and drain.  Add a tablespoon or two of olive oil to the dutch oven, some pepper and a little salt. Heat and then add the prepared potatoes. Cook over medium heat, toss frequently for even heating:

Step 10: After the potatoes have taken on the flavoring of the oil and spices and begin to brown it is time to move them to the crock pot.

Step 10: Transfer the potatoes to the crock pot. If you've got the proper proportions the pot will be nearly full and there will be sufficient liquid:

Step 11: Cover the crock pot and cook on high. Stir about once every 20-30 minutes. This is what the stew will look like after cooking for an hour and one-half:

Step 12: After a total cooking time of 3-1/2 to 4 hours, the stew should be done. Using a fork, check the potatoes and carrots for doneness:

Step 13: Turn off the crock pot and set aside a bowl of the stew to cool and then take a taste test. Bon Appetit!