Not needed break in the cooling trend . . .

 Our third fire of the season only this one is too close. This was the same area that burned almost down to our house over seven years ago. At that time, however, separate fires were coming from the East and West and met up here and the feared result took place . . . the two fired joined and then came tearing down the fields pictured here and were stopped short of our housing area although some people got their roofs a bit scorched. We got the notice to evacuate the area at two in the morning. The wind was howling and it comes through the very pass where the fire was burning. Fortunately, prayer and God's Grace suddenly stopped the winds and we didn't complain at all about the 'rain' of ash that day because it was cold ash from a contained fire!

Naturally, when we caught sight of this current fire, we drove as close as we could without getting in the way to see what we might be contending with. The wind is supposed to stop this evening and the weather will be cooler tomorrow. Still, we have kept half a mind on what to grab on our way out the door given the worst case scenario!

A break from the elections - an interesting recipe idea!

I discovered a version of this recipe in a magazine the other day. As always, I never have everything required so wing it with what I do have in the cupboard to try and replicate the idea of the recipe even if I don't do the actual recipe!

This one took a bit of time but it was worth in. I forgot to take a picture of the completed dish but imagine it nicely browned and crispy around the edges.

The basic idea is to use those smallish, waxy potatoes. You peel them and parboil them for about five minutes. You don't want to cook them through just get them to 'soften' a bit to make the slits and insert the slices of bacon.

After your potatoes are parboiled and cooled a bit, cut about four or five slits into each one going almost to the other side of the potato. Insert a bit of bacon deep into his cut. Slicing the bacon and freezing it on parchment paper makes this process a whole, lot easier! The parchment paper to prevent sticking on the tray and the freezing to have a firm bit of bacon to push into each slit.

Brush each potato with melted butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake in a 350 degree preheated oven.

This takes about 45-60 minutes depending on the size of the potatoes. Meanwhile, smash a couple of peeled cloves of garlic and saute in melted butter. Stir in a few pepper flakes and some thinly sliced scallions. Baste the potatoes with this mixture periodically during the baking period. When the potatoes are golden with a bit of a crust, they are ready to serve.

The bacon cooked inside the potatoes makes an interesting contrast. They are a nice side to a steak or beef meal or chops. It was kind of an adventure attempting this recipe the first time but it turned out well enough that I'm thinking of ways to do it even better another time.

Capital Punishment is Consistent with Dignity for Life

You might have to cut and paste this link to get it to work but it is worth the time to listen to it.

Listen to this short audio sermon given by a Priest on Oct. 6, 2012 - about this very important sensitive issue which is on the ballot. Vote with informed conscience.

Capital Punishment is Consistent with Dignity for Life

http://www.audiosancto.org/sermon/20121006-Capital-Punishment-is-Consistent-with-Dignity-for-Life.html

And the winner is . . .

I mentioned to my husband, last night, that this election process has been wearing and nasty. Growing up, I never noticed the rhetoric, slurs, and lies as much as the last few months. I was reminded that this sort of behavior showed up beginning in 2000 and the groups and agendas forcing their way into our lives by hook or by crook are just getting more blatant about their behavior. I've taken my children to the polls with me since they were babies. My younger son looked forward to 'voting' as I would let him do the touch screen according to my directions, of course. Tomorrow, I take my children to vote on their own and we are apprehensive about going there, fearing intimidation and possible problems.

Why are people, namely politicians, so afraid of facing their shortcomings? They all had a chance to prove their worth to the voters over the last years and instead misused our faith in them. To add insult to injury, they find ways to lie and cheat their way into reelection on many levels of government. Democracy means we all have a say in the election process. However, many groups are using personal methods to waylay the process in favor of the candidate they favor.

Tomorrow, we will prayerfully vote and also pray for the safety of all people heading to the polls. I also hope that people ignore the doomsday projections stated in hopes of keeping people from voting in the belief it is too late for a change.