Good Morning!

(Image from Paragon.com)

***

Sorry I haven't visited or posted recently.

Mr. Dragon has been in the hospital since Sunday.

The good news, all tests negative for cancer.

The bad news, he needs help breathing and has some other problems.

He may be home today.

Keep those good vibes, juju, prayers, thoughts, white light and all coming!

Thank you!

I promise I'll visit -- hopefully soon!

Medicine Buddha

Image from Dharma Crafts

This is the Medicine Buddha (Bhaisajyaguru in Sanskrit). He is invoked for healing physical illness as well as to pacify the inner afflictions of attachment, hatred and ignorance. His right hand, extended in the gesture of giving, holds the stem of a healing plant. His left hand holds a jar of healing nectar.

Once again we are asking for your good thoughts, prayers, white light, good juju as Mr. Dragon once again is going to M.D. Anderson for more tests next week. He has had a rough time the last two months, continues to lose weight and because of an injury during the surgery has trouble breathing.

Thank all of you so very much.

Wishing you well.

Postcard Friendship Friday

It's December.

The Winter Solstice is just around the corner.

Christmas! Twenty one days away! Oh, My!

The hurrier I go the more behind I get ... or something like that! 

Two postcards to celebrate winter 

and Christmas.

The postcards were made by Current, Inc. I've had them for years and love the art work.

A big thank you to Beth for being our hostess for PFF!

Wishing you well and a fun weekend!

Edit: Current Inc is still in business!

Good Morning!

Image from Paragon.com

I Cooked!

Not only did I hook on my blog break, but I cooked, too.

Mr. Dragon was hungry for Brunswick Stew and suggested I add dumplings.

So I did!

This recipe comes from Campbell's Great American Cookbook.

It's one of my favorite cookbooks with a copyright of 1984.

It is a fun cookbook. Good, down home recipes, with a little culinary history and I've only found one recipe that mentions using soup -- and that as a short cut.

Here is the recipe straight from the cookbook.

Brunswick Stew

Everyone agrees that Brunswick Stew is the most Southern of dishes, whether it originated in Brunswick, Georgia, Brunswick County, North Carolina, or Brunswick County, Virginia. Some purists insist that it is not authentic without rabbit or squirrel meat, but most of today's cooks use chicken. The vegetables are certain to include tomatoes, lima beans and corn.

Begin: 3 hours ahead                                                                          12 Servings

1/2 cup diced salt pork

2 pounds chicken parts

8 cups water

3 medium potatoes, diced

3 medium onions, chopped

1 can (28 ounces) tomatoes, chopped

2 cups corn kernels or 1 can (16 ounces) whole kernel golden corn

1 package (10 ounces) frozen lima beans

1 tablespoon Worcestershire

Salt and pepper to taste

1. In 6-quart Dutch oven over high heat, heat salt pork, chicken and water to boiling. Reduce heat to low. Cover; simmer 45 minutes or until chicken is fork-tender.

2. Remove chicken; cool until easy to handle. Cut chicken from bones, discard bones and skin. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces; return to soup.

3. Stir in remaining ingredients. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, uncovered. 1 hour or until flavors are blended. Yields 16 cups.

Okra Soup: Prepare as above but add 1 pound okra,sliced, to the vegetables.

Enjoy!

Wishing you well and a JOY filled day!