STONE SOUP

Today I was cooking potatoes for mashing, but I was running out of time -- so I decided to put some large ROCKS on top of the lid to speed the cooking time.  It seemed to work and the meal was on time.  Years ago, I often used a pressure cooker and it worked on the same principle - shortening the cooking time.

My daughter saw the stones on the lid and asked if I was making 'stone soup'.  Remember the children's story of Stone Soup? 

GARLIC MASHED POTATOES

On Saturday I had GARLIC mashed potatoes at Outback Steakhouse.  Never tasted them before.  Must say they weren't as good as I hoped.  But I'm glad I got to taste them.

Reply to comment (see below):  

Not sure why except I figured it might work.  When I weighted the lid with 3 large stones (approx. 5x3" each) to hasten cooking just like a pressure cooker would, it seemed to work,  So - ever since - I've used this when time is of the essence.  Thanks for the encouragement AND your comment, Weezie. 

PS I washed the ROCKS thoroughly first.  :o)

Enjoying the forum.  Answers abound and friendliness too!

Answer to recent Question:  To enjoy comments that are approved by the blogger, you need to click the title of that particular blog.  Simple, but if you don't know the trick - it can be frustrating to try to find it.

Happy Spring to all of you.

In winter tomatoes are hard, cold, slightly PINK things.  A shadow of their genetic selves and we HATE them.  But every summer we LOVE them.  Then they're juicy, red, and full of life!!!

I blogged earlier here about ripening them in winter.  My 4 pack of those especially cardboardy ones (the cheapest you find at the grocery) on my sill now for several days.  The color is changing, but still I haven't gotten the excellent results I so hope for.

But I do know that refrigerating these so-called "fruit" gems ruins them for sure. 

What are your experiences with tomatoes in winter?  I'd love to hear.

Hello there!  Today was laundry day.  It was piled up, literally!  The washer is not in the best condition so I'm hoping it holds up.  With 6 in the family, it takes a beating - especially when the seasons change.

Last night it was a red sky.  This morning too.  I wonder if that saying applies:

"Red sky in the morning - sailor takes warning.  Red sky at night - sailors dellight."

Oh well, it was beautiful each time.  The paint box of God never ceases to amaze me.  His creation is so lovely.  I especially love trees!  They stretch their arms up to heaven.  And the birds love to rest on their branches. 

Have a good day!

True Grit!  The remake.  Saw it with my 6+ foot son.  It was good; I didn't even fall asleep!!!  (My usual behavior when I sit down, believe it or not.)  Worth seeing, even if you loved John Wayne in the original role of Rooster Cogburn.

A beautiful (if cold) day here in PA.