jumble

Missy D - against the most perfect greenish, blueish, greyish wall colour

Basking, as she so loves to do, in an arm chair in a sunny window in our upstairs hallway. The dog chair. The basking in sun chair. The look-out (here comes a courier) chair. The afternoon snooze chair.

A jumble of this and that this early morning. A few thoughts, a recipe and a couple of must-tell you about's. Well you know that as I sit at the teak topped desk and draw all day I'm listening to my beloved CBC radio 1 all day, every day - with the very occasional break (if the programming is not to my liking - say they have the car guy on the regional call-in question and answer show which comes on at lunch time, or maybe the home heating expert) to listen to a book on CD from the library. My two favourite week day shows are The Current with Anna Maria Tremonti an hour and a half of current events, political and world affairs followed by another hour and a half of Q with Jian Ghomeshi a quirky mix of pop culture, music and the arts. A near perfect morning of drawing accompaniment.

Yesterday I heard an interview with Laurie Rosenwald (rosenworld.com) talking about her new book titled. All The Wrong People Have Self Esteem. Shut Up !!!
I swear I've been thinking that thought to myself (or versions of it) my entire life - How did SHE-eeee get to be SO confident ? growing up I was a painfully self conscious and shy teenager turning into an adult who suffers still from party (or any event with more than three people - and it doesn't seem to matter who they are) phobia. One thing she said in the interview that really struck me was how she finds people who in conversation are "certain" or sure about everything are the dullest people. Certain = Boring. Shut Up Again !!! That is so true - note to self - always converse with a trace of doubt. Wink.

Also, I thought all of you citizens of the US of A would get a kick out of this. As if we don't have enough to occupy us up here in the North what with the economy, unemployment, proroguing of Parliament, and our trail of continuously dull politicians (by comparison) we are spending quality time compiling the ultimate song play list for Barack's Inauguration. Songs that would/could define Canada and Canadians to the new president - 49 Songs from North of the 49th Parellel. You can check out the list here and vote for your favourite songs.

...and la recipe

Miss D's Favourite Roast Chicken & Squash Stew

1 package of chicken legs or thighs
4 large carrots (cut in half)
1 cup of red lentils
1 cup of brown(or white) rice
2 cups of mashed squash or pumpkin
7-8 cups of water
1 can condensed chicken broth

Place chicken pieces in a 9x13 baking pan coated with oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Roast in a 350 oven, basting occasionally, until skin is browned and crispy. Pour off the drippings and keep refrigerated to use *later in Miss D's favourite Chickin' Cookies. Place carrots, water, broth and chicken pieces in a large pot and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and simmer several hours. Remove carrot and chicken and place in a strainer over a bowl. Turn the heat back up and add lentils and rice to the broth bring to a rolling boil and then cover and turn heat back down to low. When chicken is cool remove bones and cut up into pieces, cut up or mash cooked carrots. Add both along with the mashed squash or pumpkin to pot. Stir well and continue to cook on low heat until rice is done. It may seem like a bit of work but it's actually quite easy to do in steps over a day. Miss D loves it.

* substitute the chicken fat for oil in the cookie recipe adding tons of flavour.