Tracks.
So many delectable things I want to cook!
I’m going to make all the savories, but plan to skip the sweet stuff recipes. One exception - I definitely have to try the schmaltz rice crispies treats.
After the turkey soup tomorrow, I am officially done with turkey for at least 6 months, maybe more.
Hey, @John, any chance you bought a lottery ticket in Cottonwood recently? Sure hope so.
If anyone makes the pressure cooker chickpea and pork rib stew, please report back!
I will almost certainly be making that one! Although I kind of want to make it with boneless pork “ribs” that are strips of shoulder.
That makes a lot of sense to me because looking at the recipe I was thinking, “you’d need to be family or good friends to eat this with anyone else.” Hardly first date food… 
Hopefully first dates are well behind me except for friend dates
Happy new year — happiness, harmony, good health, and good eats!
The Pig: A Universal Symbol of Prosperity and Good Fortune
Across cultures and continents, the pig holds a special place as a symbol of prosperity, good luck, and abundance. From the Chinese zodiac’s Year of the Pig to European folklore associating pigs with wealth, this creature signifies a bountiful year ahead. In Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, the New Year’s table is graced by a beloved tradition: indulging in pork and sauerkraut. Rooted in German heritage, this culinary custom comes from the Pennsylvania Dutch and is believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the coming year. In the early days of Pennsylvania Dutch settlement, fresh pork became a prime choice for Christmas and New Year’s meals due to the winter hog butchering season. The timing aligned with practicality, making it a staple for festive celebrations. Sauerkraut was served as a side during cabbage harvesting season in winter. But this tradition goes beyond practicality—it’s a belief in good luck for the year ahead. Pigs, known for rooting forward, symbolize moving into a new year with optimism. And sauerkraut is made with cabbage, which is symbolically linked to riches, prosperity and a long life due to its long strands.
Pigs are awesome, with or without makeup 
Made it yesterday for our NYE dinner. Main alteration was that I used a dutch oven instead of Instant Pot since there was no hurry.
Butcher was happy to slice one rack of baby backs across bones then I removed the membrane and sliced to individual bones. Dry chickpeas had been well soaked and rinsed but still had to deal with a fair amount of aquafaba foam. No problem scooping it off the top periodically.
Used a little more tomato paste than the recipe called for in order to get the broth slightly thicker and more colorful.
Very easy dish to prepare and let simmer for several hours. It was in the 70’s here in Central Florida but I can see where this would be great on a cold winter’s night.
Happy New Year!
NOLA, sadly. What horrible news to wake up to in the new year.
People are so angry all the time. Disheartening, to say the least.
Over the 272 days I walked in 2024 after returning, I walked a total of 3157.87 km/1960.94 mi for an average of 11.61 km/7.21 mi.
The most I walked was in September where I walked 509.20 km/315.16 mi over 30 days, averaging 16.97 km/10.51 mi.
Some problems with my toes and heels have kept me from walking as much as I’d like pm but I hope those problems have gone the wayside.
Now that it is officially 2025, I can start doing some preliminary work on my 2024 taxes.
Fun times!!
It looks terrific!
The year ended with a reunion of sorts.
A friendship lost 9 years ago over hurt feelz and misunderstandings may yet be salvaged, and I couldn’t have asked for a greater gift 
Let go of your anger, your resentment, your grudges — you’re only poisoning yourself with negativity.
What better time to do so than the start of a new year!
I’m sitting in the darkened living room staring at the twinkling Christmas tree. The live tree we got this year is particularly pretty. I will take it all down this weekend, but I’m sad the holidays are over. Real case of the blues tonight.
I keep forgetting to turn the tree lights on in the evening (because they’re on a battery pack) so we will leave it for a few more days so we can enjoy the twinkling.
