Spectacular Skies - Country Cousin

Old Man Winter treated us pretty gently for the first few months of this winter, but he sure is making up for it. There we were, basking in above freezing winter temperatures that had melted away most of our snowbanks and thinking that since March was almost here, winter 2023 must certainly be nearly over.

Two weeks ago, we were happily smelling Spring in the air, while those who love snowmobiling and other outdoor winter sports were a little bit disappointed, maybe more than a little bit.

But last week everything changed. The wicked snow, ice and wind that started right at 9 a.m. Monday as predicted and didn’t stop until Monday evening, also as predicted. Then fine weather took over again on Tuesday, with sunshine and temperatures well above freezing.

That may or may not continue. As we go to press on Wednesday there’s a 50/50 chance snow will start falling again and keep it up until evening, bringing another spell of hazardous driving conditions.

But better days are coming. After Wednesday, there’s no significant snow predicted, and high temps are expected to be in the high 30’s, and even up to 40 degrees - with sunshine - on Sunday, March 5.

BEAUTIFUL BOREALIS
The northern lights - otherwise known as Aurora Borealis, have been putting on some fabulous displays in TIMESLand during the intermittent spells of clear skies in the past week, filling the heavens with lights in all colors of the rainbow, and some hues that rainbows never even thought of.

Haven’t managed to see them personally, but friends in Crivitz and areas west toward Mountain have posted some absolutely stunning photos on Facebook. On the next clear night, absolutely must check the nighttime skies, particularly to the west and southwest. Have seen the Aurora Borealis light up the night sky with their waving folds and pipes of light many times, but was blessed to see the stunning full color display only for a few nights nearly 20 years ago.

The National Weather Service has a “dashboard” spot on its web site that forecasts the likelihood of heavenly light shows, and they can predict an Aurora Borealis display 30 to 90 minutes in advance, with information on the expected location and intensity of the display.

Generally, the best time to see them is just after sunset and just before sunrise. They are not visible during daylight hours.

IN LIKE A LION
March is here, and it did sort of come in like a lion, although a wooly white lamb might be a closer comparison to the snow.
Always thought the start of March was a weather predictor, something like the groundhog. If March came roaring in like a lion -  cold, snowy and windy - it was supposed to leave like a gentle lamb, and vice versa.

Turns out that was not true, according to information found on the Web. The information posted said the saying “In like a lion, out like a lamb” most likely started as a reference to astronomy, based on the position of the constellations Leo, which is a lion,  and Aries, which is a ram or lamb, in the night sky at the start and end of the month. That saying evolved into a summation of March’s changing weather as the seasons change from winter to spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

COLD COMMENTS
The recent renewal of wintery blasts brought to mind some cold quotes, for example:
Leave someone out in the cold - to deliberately exclude them from a group or activity.
To be snowed under - too much work or other things to deal with
a cold snap - very cold weather for a short time
To freeze up - has nothing t do with the temperatures outdoors. Means to suddenly not be able to speak or act normally because you are nervous.
Cold Shoulder - to deliberately be unfriendly or ignore someone you know.
Skate on thin ice - Taking unnecessary risks; being in a risky or dangerous situation.

POETIC JUSTICE
All the reports in the past year or three about the horrific rise in robbery and looting of small business places made this tidbit in an old magazine article on weird deaths seem particularly appropriate. Seems budding young robber in Lompoc, California had his career cut short with no outside intervention. He was killed as he fell face-first through the ceiling of bicycle shop he was burglarizing.  Death was caused when the long flashlight he had placed in his mouth (to keep his hands free) rammed into the base of his skull as he hit the floor. Talk about poetic justice!

SPRING CLEANING
Lent is here, and Easter is coming fast. If the urge to do some spring cleaning is unaccountably upon you, but you’re confined to the house due to the weather, it may be time to take the bull by the horns and tackle closets.

It will soon be time to put away garments designed for the dead of winter and dig out spring garb. Some spring outfits may need to be just as warm as winter wear, but they fit the season because of their color or texture.

If your home is short of storage space but has room for another piece of furniture, buy a plastic garbage can just tall enough to serve as a bedside or corner table; a piece of plywood cut into a circle large enough to fit over the top of it with a few inches of overhang, and a pretty round table cloth large enough to cover the whole thing and drape nicely to the floor.

While you’re shopping you might as well buy a couple pieces of 18-inch of brass chain with links large enough to accommodate the hook part of a hanger.

When it’s time to start sorting, lay the can on its side and start going through your closet by removing clothes a batch at a time. Have a donation box ready to receive things you don’t expect to wear again. If you’re fortunate enough to have lost weight recently, be particularly ruthless about giving away things that are now too big. If you don’t you’re in grave danger of growing into them again.

Lay things you’ll wear during the coming season on the bed. Those that won’t be worn again until next winter can be packed away. Roll skirts vertically, hem to waistband, until you have a long, thin roll and place it in the can with the hem against the bottom. It’s okay if the top sticks out. You’ll get to that later. Trousers should be folded with the creases matching and then rolled from top to bottom. Blazers and other jackets should be folded with the lining on the outside, then rolled vertically and placed in the can, again with the hem side down.

The top of the can is generally wider, so you want the bulkier part of things there.

Keep rolling, folding and stacking until the can is full. If it’s full enough they won’t bog down and get wrinkled. If there is overhang, fold it over the top of everything else. If you have the storage space, put the lid on the can, label it and put it in the basement, attic or darkest recesses of the closet. Just be sure the lid is on securely. Failed to do that last year and a mouse made its home there. Tragic end to some favorite clothes!

If you’re going to use the can as a storage table, once it’s full stand it up and put the round piece of plywood on top. Add the table cloth and then top with a pretty lamp, bric-a-brac or whatever you want.

As to the chain, put the hook part of a hanger through the third link and put the hanger on the closet rod. Now you can use the same amount of closet space for a half dozen blouses or shirts. Just put the filled hangers through a link of the chain until the last garment reaches as far toward the closet floor as you want it to go.

COOKIN’ TIME
BRAZILIAN FISH STEW
This makes a great meatless Lenten meal. Use fillets from any nice firm fish, or use mixed seafood. Name of this stew in Brazil is “moqueca,” and it’s generally made with Sea Bass or several kinds of seafood.
2 cups water
1 cup uncooked white rice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons tomato paste
4 cloves minced garlic
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumincayenne pepper to taste
1 (14 ounce) can full-fat coconut milk
1 teaspoon soy sau-ce
1 red or yellow bell pepper, halved and thinly sliced
2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped green onion
1-1/2 pounds fish fillets, cut into chunks (or other seafood)
1 pinch salt
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
Bring water, salt and rice to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook and stir just until onions start to get soft, 3 or 4 minutes.

Add tomato paste, garlic, paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Continue cooking about 3 minutes. Pour in coconut milk and add soy sauce. When mixture starts to bubble, let it simmer about 5 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high. Stir in bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, and green onions. Let mixture come back to a simmer. Transfer fish to skillet; stir. Cover and cook over medium-high heat until fish starts to flake, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add salt, cilantro, and lime juice; stir carefully to avoid breaking up the fish. Serve with rice.

MUG FRENCH TOAST
The recipe calls for cubes of brioche bread, but you can use whatever day-old bread that you have handy, except maybe rye. Once the French toast comes out of the microwave, top it with a pat of butter and then a splash of your favorite syrup, preferably real maple. This quick and easy version of French toast can be enjoyed as an effortless breakfast in bed, or a grab and go breakfast.
1/4 cup milk
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup cubed brioche bread
1 teaspoon butter
1 tablespoon maple syrup (about)
Buttery flavored cooking spray
12 ounce mug
Gather the ingredients.  In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt.  Toss the cubed bread with the milk mixture and soak for a minute or more. Spray the inside of a a 12-ounce mug with buttery flavored cooking spray, and put the egg mixture into it. Microwave for 2 minutes. Use care when taking the mug out of the microwave, as it will most likely be very, very hot. Top with a pat of butter and drizzle with maple syrup. Let it cool for a bit, but do enjoy while it’s still warm. Firmer, crustier breads might need to soak longer than lighter breads. Use care when taking the mug out of the microwave, and probably use a hot pad.

SLOW COOKER CREAMY RICE AND CHICKEN  
Serves 4. Takes just a few minutes to assemble. Let it cook
all day, and it’s ready to eat whenever you are.
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 cups of water
2 10 ounce cans of cream of chicken soup
6 ounce box of long grain & wild rice with seasoning        packet
3 carrots, chopped
3 celery sticks, chopped
Chop the celery and carrots into small chunks or slices. Size is up to you.  Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Tuck chicken in around the sides. Cook on low for 8 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours. That’s it! It’s really that simple! To be sure the chicken cooks properly, make sure to place the chicken on the bottom and along the sides of the slow cooker to ensure that it is making contact with the cooker’s heating element, and move things around so the chicken pieces are covered with the rice mixture.

NO BAKE CHEESECAKE BITES
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
1/2 cup crushed graham cracker crumbs
4 cups powdered sugar
10 ounces chocolate chips
In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese and butter until combined. Add the graham cracker crumbs and mix well. Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until it is all mixed in. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least an hour, preferably overnight. Place a piece of wax paper on a cookie sheet and remove batter form the fridge. Scoop into balls and roll between palms if necessary. Place the balls on the wax paper and then put in fridge for 10-20 minutes if they are too soft to dip. Melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 15 seconds to make sure it doesn’t harden. It should take about 1 minute for the chocolate to completely melt. Dip balls into chocolate, covering completely. Place back on wax paper and let cool until the chocolate has hardened. Store in fridge for the best taste.
        The Country Cousin

Thought for the week: We are in the season of Lent, time for repentance, time to clean our souls for the coming of Easter and the glorious resurrection. Time to teach our souls to grow as Jesus taught us, to live lives of love and compassion, time to cast aside the sin, but embrace the sinner. Jesus suffered and died for us, and all that He asked in return was that we love Him, and love one another. Dante, in his  “Inferno” may have had it right when he described the very depths of Hell not as a blazing inferno, but as icy cold, totally devoid of heat, companionship, love. There, in that cold pit, the worst of the worst - those who showed no love while on Earth - will spend Eternity. Dear Lord, during Lent, help us strive to surrender our angers and animosities and move toward a season of love.
(This column is written by Shirley Prudhomme of Crivitz. Views expressed are her own and are in no way intended to be an official statement of the opinions of Peshtigo Times editors and publishers. She may be contacted by phone at 715-927-5034 or by e-mail at shirleyprudhommechickadee@yahoo.com.)