Heavenly Smoky Collard Greens

 Base of this is from Garden and Gun Magazine I made changes to for my our personal preferences

Smoky Greens  

2 tbsp.reserved bacon grease or lard

1 c Kirklands naturally smoked bacon pieces (costco)

1 large onion, diced

1 tbsp roasted mashed garlic spread
1 smoked ham hock or 1/2 tsp of smoked chipotle season
½ cup red wine vinegar
½ cup brown sugar
3 tbsp. Tabasco sauce or shiracha
1 serrano chile, split
1 gallon pork stock or chicken stock
Salt and pepper, to taste
6 heads young collards stems removed, leaves chopped in inch or more size pieces.

 In a cast iron skillet, sweat the onions in the lard or bacon fat until soft. Add all remaining ingredients except greens and bring to a boil. Add the greens and let them cook down slightly, seasoning with a little salt. Cover and simmer until tender the greens are darker and tender, about 1 hour or longer. Season with salt, pepper, add hot spiced vinegar if you want. 

Christmas notes

Is it me or are the holidays getting more difficult?
Two years ago mom and dad were in the nursing home-—mom recovering from fractured femur, dad in the same room because we all worked and he was not able to stay home alone. I cooked for 2 days and the day of dinner brother Mike was 2 hours late, daughter Amber 4 hours late, brother Dennis didn't want to enjoy since mom and dad were not home. Amber and I ended in a shouting match and made for a very unpleasant holiday.

Last year Christmas was good but as soon as we opened gifts with my family, James and I had to drive from Nashville to Hilton Head to see his brother Abe.  Abe was diagnosed with cancer in April and by Christmas, he was at the end of his days.  Very emotionally draining and Christmas was just another day for James and I.

This Christmas was equally stressful and yet another unhappy one all in all. Don't misunderstand me, the family time and gifts were wonderful and I am grateful to have each and every one in my life.  Mom has been so sick this year and coupled with the loss of her last two family members this year and one last year, depression engulfed her like a thick fog. She has been in a motionless, uncaring battle with life and close to giving up completely. I feel sure if God would grant her a wish this year, she wouldn't be here with us tonight. I wish I had magic words that would make her better but I'm at a loss. Her mind is not sharp, her memory is delusional at best and the emotion she shows most often to me is anger. I assume it is because I am with her most of the time and I encourage her to walk, which she refuses. She sleeps most of the time these days. She goes to bed at night around 6:30, wakes up in the morning around 7:30. goes into her recliner and cat naps until 10 then back to bed for a 2 hour nap. I try to get food in her between all the sleeping. She finally is somewhat awake around 2:00 and watches TV until dinner and it starts all over again.  I did the shopping for us both for all the gifts and food, cleaned, cooked, wrapped etc along with the usual care and was still in the Kitchen when everyone arrived. Feeling tired but coming down the home stretch at 8 pm when my daughter says "I talked to ninny and she said she's depressed because you are overbearing". Seriously! I have never been overbearing in my entire life, are you kidding me! Definitely not one of my best ending days. merry christmas...

Give Me Roses While I Live

     After 18 years I was laid off off from work and began receiving emails, texts and calls from vendors, friends and co workers. They told me how sad they were but also told me conversations we had and how something I said or did impacted their life. I had no idea and began wondering how many people had made an difference yet had no idea because it had never been said. I am starting this blog  to record inspirational moments others may he be impacted by as well. 

     

     The first I will add was from me.  I lost a very dear friend to cancer 7 years ago. She and I worked together many years side by side and had lunch every day together. She was a natural personality that everyone loved. I adored her and felt a huge void. At the funeral the only thing I could remember was the owner of our company hugging me with sincerity and said "she loved you so much". That has always sit in a special in my heart and I thank him for the kind words and will never forget the moment.

I'm interested to hear your story.

Kickin' Out

This is a new phrase that caught me off guard last night after talking to Mom and Dad. Dad has stoke damage to the brain with a touch of demential, Alzheimer's or what ever you want to call it. Its not pretty but occasionally it is interesting and even entertaining. 


Yesterday I discovered that my checking account had been hacked and I was explaining to Mom the procedures you have to go through to get it corrected by filing claims through the bank and making a police report. Dad said with a kicking motion combined with a karate fists said "She's Kickin' Out". Mom and I were puzzled trying to figure out his meaning, so he repeated the gesture a couple more times still to no avail,  we didn't understand. So he proceeded to explain in his terminology that it meant I was taking care of business. So there you have it. A new buzz word created by Arnold Troglen, my 81 year old father with and interesting thought process that I continue to admire.
Pat Troglen Lee

Cute Shoe of the Day (CSOTD)

Work or golf?

Really want to play but looks like work is the winner today...

I see faces!

feel like Im being watched

Maybe that is why

scary monkey face in the shower!

Frustrated Creator

I love more than anything to be in my studio creating, cards, embroidery, jewelry etc, you name it, I want to do it. I spend about 9 hours at the office, go home, and cook dinner for family, chat about the day and everyone is off to bed around 8:30. I find myself withdrawing from conversations so they will go to bed early and hopefully I can go create something. Every night, I seem to miss the opportunity to do that though. My husband worries about my health and wants me to go to bed for rest, uh huh, I know thats really what you want for me ; ). When I do get a few minutes, there are so many things I want to do, it is hard for me to settle and do something. I guess we all are like that to some extent. Oh well, maybe tomorrow night.