Strikes my fancy

Either way - fun game!

If you know me - you know I love the pasta! I'm trying to be better and eat less. But also what I do eat, I'm trying to make it whole grain. I even just recently tried some pasta that included a serving of vegetables (it was goooood). Anyhow, over the last month I read a tip in a magazine that I wanted to try a few times before passing along. The tip was this: When you are making pasta, put the pasta into the pot of cold water. Bring to a boil and then TURN OFF THE HEAT. Allow pot to sit there for the allotted time that the pasta is supposed to cook and WALAH! your pasta is ready to eat! Cuts down the energy used to cook because you cut the heat as soon as you're boiling. And it works! Try it - you might convert ;-)

One of the first (only?) things I liked about NYC so, so many years ago (really? 10?) were the ads in Times Square. A lot of them were 3D, few used those light thingies and 90% were creative. Oh how the times have changed! But the ads are still out there! My brother sent me this link . Here are some of my favs

this made me laugh Thanks Grant!

Quick Hominy & Zucchini Chili Cook time: High for 2 ½ hours 2/3 cup chopped tomatoes, undrained 1 15oz can white hominy 2 medium size zucchini, cut into 1” chunks Garlic powder 1 tsp olive oil 1 medium-size white boiling onion or shallot, finely chopped 1 stalk celery, chopped 1 ¼ tsp chili powder Salt to taste Juice and zest of 1 lime 1/3 cup sour cream mixed with the zest of 2 limes, for serving 2/3 cup shredded white cheddar cheese, for serving 1 green onion, chopped, for serving Chopped cilantro, for serving Add the tomatoes and their juice, hominy, zucchini, and a few shakes of garlic powder to the slow cooker. Heat the oil in a small skillet and cook the onion and celery a bit, just to soften. Add the chili powder and blend with the vegetables, then add the mixture to the crock. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on high for about 2 ½ hours. Season with salt and stir in the lime juice and zest. Serve in bowls topped with toppings.

A few pictures from the holiday. In PS there is a HUGE parade (ok, not in comparison to the one in the city, but still big!). A group of us got together and walked the route. Good times! I was Twiggy - but the blond wig didn't work out so well. And that night I figured out that Twiggy didn't smile an any of her pictures. That might have been the hardest part of the costume!

Every fall I pledge that I'm not gonna get caught up in the marathon hoopla. That it won't interfere with my life ad that it will just be a normal day. On the years we've had AM church I've enjoyed making my way across 4th Ave without worrying about getting hit. But it's also a bit eerie. I get to see the first pack of front runners (who run by just a bit before church starts). I've also seen the walkers/slow runners on my way home. And every year - I cry... this year was no different: Checking out the hoopla, trying to decide if I want to walk up and be a part of it... (check out the cool yellow tree!) Fun catching this guy taking pictures - funny that we had this idea at the same time! Never knew I was this close to the 10k... amazing what walking down a few blocks will reveal! I love seeing the unique running outfits! And this is where the tears begin. Even a block away (3rd Ave instead of 4th Ave) you can hear the cheering. These "rude" New ...