The wind is whipping around the corners of the house this evening. I went for a short walk this afternoon and brrrr, it was cold. Perhaps it's the restless wind that's affecting my mood. I can't settle to much. So I wandered around with my camera for a bit. Not much inspiration there, either, but I did snap this paperwhite bud beginning to form. The earlier bulbs I started are long, 18-20 inches tall and beginning to straggle. These are much shorter, perhaps because they are on the windowsill where it's colder. I don't really know, but I'm enjoying them nonetheless.
We had an appointment at 5 pm this evening and I wanted to have some dinner ready to go when we got home afterwards. This sausage and pepper pot came together very quickly. No real recipe - sauteed sausage (I used polish sausage, sliced into rounds), sauteed peppers (4), onion (1), garlic (2 cloves), a can of diced tomatoes and some frozen green beans. Served over elbow pasta and sprinkled with asiago cheese it made for a fast and satisfying dinner.
Do you have any recipes that come together quickly after a busy day?
I snapped this photo from a magazine; the December issue of Country Homes and Interiors. I thought the rustic branch with the red heart berries so pretty, and suitable for almost any season, including Valentine's Day.
The wind continues to clatter all around, but the fire is cozy. Perhaps I'll pick up my slow knitting project, or make some more hexies. Or perhaps I'll just and dream. It's one of those evenings.
Our wind was pretty horrid today, too, Lorrie. I had two huge limbs fall and land on what I was afraid were power lines. They were cable lines thankfully, and surprisingly didn't cut off the cable. Still the gusts scared me as we are surrounded by old trees.
ReplyDeleteI love simple dinners that we put together by available ingredients and just knowing what tastes good. This is a keeper.
Stay warm!
Jane x
We had icy rain today and all the schools were delayed by two hours because the roads were so slick. Your easy meal looks very good - I think I'll try that tomorrow night. Thanks for sharing that. My daughter is coming for a visit :) The berry hearts are very sweet. A night of needlework in front of the fire sounds wonderful. xx Karen
ReplyDeleteI love the berry hearts, perfect for Valentines. I generally keep a couple of casseroles in the freezer for quickness, a few moments defrosting in the microwave and then reheat saves all the preparation work.
ReplyDeletehello lorrie,
ReplyDeleteyour quick meal looks very good! love the red berry heart....a lovely idea.
have a nice day,
regina
I came back and I'm going to start blogs again. I feel great joy of re-commencement.
ReplyDeleteIt's very windy here today, and I should be cleaning the greenhouse, but I'm not!
ReplyDeletePasta is one of favourite quick dishes, pasta with anything.
Cold but quite sunny here in Normandy today, the daffodils are out nodding their heads in the sunshine and the bird table is a hive of activity. Your pasta dinner looks very tasty, just the thing when you need something quick but delicious.
ReplyDeleteYour pepper-pot meal looks so yummy and very much what I would call comfort food. I make something like this quite often since I cook just for myself so often while hubby is working. I use the sausage like you do, always add onion and many times zucchini and/or yellow squash and mushrooms...peppers too if I have them. I do change it up, depending what I have on hand. Stay warm and enjoy the rest of your week :)
ReplyDeleteI have a picture my sister in law sent me of a branch with and advent calendar hanging from it (little boxes) I think the branch could hold anything. Isn't that one so pretty? I've never had paper whites but should try them someday. The new growth right on your windowsill must be nourishing!
ReplyDeletePretty blustery all over, I guess. What a wonderful branch display for Valentine's Day! It is a nice way to use those leftover cranberries. I'd copy, but then I would just be getting weird. ツ LOL!
ReplyDeleteI usually buy an amaryllis bulb or paperwhite bulbs but didn't this year as we were going to be away so I missed the enjoyment of watching them grow. Last night we had leftover salmon and basmati rice from supper the night before so I put them in a casserole dish with frozen peas, a bit of milk, bread crumbs and shredded cheddar cheese. Popped it in the microwave for about 10 minutes and it was quite delicious. :) I love the berry shaped hearts for Valentines Day.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed a glimpse into your Tuesday evening. You painted a good word picture. Can you believe we had the same meal on Tuesday evening at our house. It's one of our favorites because it's so quick and easy. I just don't include the green beans. Sometimes I add black beans. Left overs make a good soup. Spices are cloves and cilantra--yours too?
ReplyDeleteYour sausage and pepper pot meal looks delicious, Lorrie! Yummm! :) I meant to start some paper whites before Christmas but unfortunately didn't get around to it. Perhaps it's not too late? I really like the idea of the rustic branch with red berry hearts; it is charming. I'd like to try some of those type things here at our house. I need to get back to Pinterest again.
ReplyDeleteIt was terribly cold here over the weekend and first of this week (down to 5°F Sunday night, and in the teens and 20's the other nights). It has warmed up considerably today, and our beautiful snow is melting. We haven't really had that cold wind like you have, but that could change. Enjoy your hot meal and your cozy fireplace and have a good week!
Hugs,
Denise at Forest Manor
My quick dinner idea is tuna casserole using elbow macaroni last night but other varieties depending on what's on hand. The berry hearts hanging from a branch are a nice decorating idea, rustic seems more appealing these days for some reason. :-)
ReplyDeleteVery windy here yesterday IN wisconsin. Today expecting freezing rain. Your quick dinner looks delicious . Quick for us:
ReplyDeletesalmon on the grill or in foil, salads , or store bought chicken roasted rotisserie style
I love those kinds of meals that come together with things on hand. Glad you can sit by the fire and stay cozy.
ReplyDeleteLove the red berry hearts!
ReplyDeleteLove the hearts on the pretty twig. Are you staying warm and cozy or are you having snow? We have a foot of snow now on the ground, which is quite unusual for us. Quick and easy we call it Mama's surprise. A can of cream of mushroom soup with a pound of cooked hamburger, salt, pepper, and chili powder to season, then at the last add a cup of sour cream and serve over rice or egg noodles. The surprise is the chili powder, as the original recipe from my childhood didn't have that.
ReplyDeleteWe had gale force winds over here yesterday with trees crashing down across main roads in wooded areas and tree-lined streets in the city suburbs, disrupting the morning traffic to work, schools and colleges. Thankfully the wind has calmed down today. A tomato sauce is often the answer for us especially when the grandchildren come by and our daughter picks them up after work and stays for a meal. (She doesn't eat meat). Have a good day! Hope you stay warm and cozy.
ReplyDeleteYour quick dinner looks hearty and delicious! You are making the most of these gray winter days!
ReplyDeleteLorrie, your quick dinner looks wonderful. We love peppers, and we are overdue for Polish sausage. I, too, feel unsettled on a windy day! (PS I've sent you an email to congratulate you on winning my giveaway!)
ReplyDeleteOh I love those kinds of dinners that come together so easily and are so satisfying! Our favorite is Rotel rice and beans supper, served with iron skillet toasted tortillas, it is quite satisfying. We don't have the wind you do, that would make you feel a bit edgy, for sure. We do have the cold though! Hugs to you today :)
ReplyDeleteAll looks cozy and inviting over there! Let the wind blow outside...you know how to make the best of it.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, I don't much like wind either. It does cause a restlessness and uneasiness. A good hot soup or stew in the slow cooker are always nice to come home to after a busy day, but your dish looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteI love paperwhites! I should pick some bulbs up today. Your meal looks yummy. We are trying to eat a Mediterranean diet this month. It comes together very quickly! Lots of olives and nuts and some chicken or fish!
ReplyDeleteI love those berry hearts, so simple and so beautiful. HUgs,
ReplyDeleteMeredith
Your quick dinner is similar to one I've made many times, though I usually do rice rather than pasta.
ReplyDeleteI love inspirational photos!
Stay warm and have a lovely weekend!
What a delicious sounding dinner! I love dinners like that. Hope your bulbs are doing well.
ReplyDelete