Greetings friends –
Christmas! What’s happening around your home/world right now in preparation?
First Bell Ringer sighting! She graciously posed for the pic. (I feel super bad – me the name rememberer – has lost her name in my head right now. Big fat boo on me! Anyway, look at how cool she has dressed for her shift! And she had music + was moving + ringing the hand bells. She brought me great joy. I always strive to put a buck or two in the kettle whenever I see a Bell Ringer or at the very least all the spare change I have on me.
My Rubber Tree Plant (I lost from leaving it outside one day too long) gives me one last smile of joy – decorated with a string of red twinkle lights and a vintage Santa I found years ago at a thrift store for, if I remember correctly, was $45 dollars. SCORE. I treasure this Santa piece.
Wreath in the dining room window. There was a time I would have never-ever-never purchased a faux wreath or tree. But time and the realistic looks that are available now has changed my mind on that one. I added a few pieces of faux mistletoe to the wreath and a super cool bell (thrift store find) in the middle to make this beautiful window piece.
My wonderful original piece of art Cat painting I scored off of a job when we were shooting the TV series Chase. The location happened to be at an artist’s home and she had many fabulous paintings in her studio. I asked Adam, locations, if he might see if the piece was for sale. Yes, it was. She sold it to me for $250. Another giant score! I found the Be Merry string at World Market one year and it just seemed the two should be hanging out together this Christmas.
No Peekie Stew recipe is soooo good. My great-aunt Suzy shared it with me years and years ago. I still make it every fall/winter. Just simple, wholesome comfort food. Plus … its name is totally fun! Ha
Christmas playlist is not what you’re hearing on the radio right now. Pretty sure. It’s an eclectic, great, beautiful collection of 5. Hope you have the time to give it a listen.
As always. Thank you for being here. I am grateful.
QUICK QUESTION
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE CHRISTMAS TRADITION AS A CHILD?
NO PEEKIE STEW
- 2 pounds good quality stew meat, cut in medium chunks
- 6 large carrots, cleaned and peeled
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled
- 1 large yellow onion, peeled
- 5 rib/single piece/stick of celery (the rib or stalk thing is confusing sometimes)
- 1 – 10.5 oz can beef broth
- 1 1/2 cups stewed tomatoes
- 1 TBSP dried Basil
- 1 TBSP sugar
- 5 TBSP Minute Tapioca
- salt and pepper to personal preference
Place the meat in the bottom of a large casserole dish or pot with tight fitting lid. Add beef broth. Sprinkle meat with salt, pepper, tapioca, basil. Cut vegetables in chunks and place on top of meat. Add stewed tomatoes, and sprinkle with sugar. Cover (tight foil or tight fitting lid) and bake at 250* for 6 hours. And remember – No Peekie!
Serves 4-6 depending on appetites.
~ Hippie Cowboy recipe box
Spotify Playlist
MUSIC TO YOUR EARS
