Friday, August 31, 2012

On A Quest For...Letting Go of Stuff





According to an anthropological study of 32 California families, Life at Home in the Twenty-First Century, the average home contained 438 books and magazines and 139 toys! I understand...

Just recently sold a home I've had for ten years...a lot of stuff accumulates in ten years. Most of this (excess baggage) is in my garage at the moment because I have a whole houseful of other stuff I already live with. This new garage stuff is waiting for sorting, labeling, tossing, keeping, and eventually SELLING!

Tired of accumulating stuff...too much stuff...high stress levels just taking care of all of this stuff...need to quit buying more stuff...need to quit trying to keep up with those darn Kardashians! See you at the garage sale...I'm sure you need more stuff...

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

On A Quest For My Yin and My Yang


While recently philosophizing (is this a word) with my beautiful, hippie/guru daughter (product of the 60s...late 60s I might add), I realized there have been many control freaks (still are) in my life (as hers). I use to be one...a CF, that is...but gladly gave that up about thirteen years ago (long story/later blog). However, to this very day, I must confess, there is a dilemma (inside my whole self) about giving in to my Yin (dark side) and staying a CF or going forward to the Yang (light side), thus, becoming a leader.

Oh, you say...leader...how presumptuousness...well, somebody has to make a #?*! decision. Sorry, my Yang side, oops, Yin side came out for a brief moment ( #?*! dyslexic, too). Anyway, I learned that the opposite of CF is leader, and I am always in a struggle to let the two forces interact, consequently hoping to form a HAPPY MEDIUM...which is what I have always been On A Quest For in the #?*! first place. Hope you're having less trouble with your Yin and your Yang...Peace, Love, and Joy to you...

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

(Almost New) Greek Haven In Sherwood

Found this great little hole in the wall on Kiehl Avenue which serves a variety of cultures including Middle Eastern, Greek, and American appetites. Actually, I have been to a restaurant at this same location a couple of years ago (named Mama's something or other) however, upon returning this past month, this is not the same Mama it used to be. This (almost) new place is run by a group of guys who really know how to cook authentic Greek food and pretty good American fare as well.

The Hummus Dip w/Pita Chips was really good as were the Shrimp Souvlaki (on pita bread with onions, tomatoes, and tzaziki sauce) and Falafel Sandwiches (chick pea patties with tomatoes, pickle slice, and tahini sauce on pita bread)! Mama's even knows how to make a delicious Spaghetti and Meatballs with Garlic Bread on Wednesday and Thursday. Gotta get there early for the Italian food...goes really fast! Mama has this place in top condition with clean surroundings, reasonable prices, friendly service, and delicious homemade delicacies (don't forget the Baklava)!






Mama's Gyros on Urbanspoon

Monday, August 13, 2012

On A Quest...For the Big One!



This past weekend we went to our favorite trout fishing place in Arkansas, Rose's Trout Dock in the  Norfork area right outside of the quaint little town of Calico Rock, AR. This little hole in the wall area is truly a hidden jewel on the White River! The bluffs and river are breathtakingly beautiful, as well as, loaded with a lots of rainbow, cut throat, and brown trout. Unlike the Red River in the Heber Springs area, the trout up North are well, thriving, and not in any danger of hot waters due to extreme drought and rain conditions experienced in Arkansas this year.

We go a couple of times a year, stay in the fully equipped cabins, rent the boats from Rose's, and have never gone away empty handed! This year I really didn't pull my weight (caught one) but our party did come away with a nice catch for one day of 10 good sized rainbows. No big one yet, maybe someday...will pan fry tonight with a great recipe from Just Trout by Ray Horn.


How to make Calico Rock's Fried Trout:
Ingredients:
6 trout, about 12 inches each
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons spicy brown mustard
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon tarragon, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/8 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup vegetable oil
one lemon, thinly sliced (optional)
Directions:
Rinse trout under cold running water; pat dry with paper toweling. Pour buttermilk into a medium size bowl or shallow baking dish and dip trout in the buttermilk, coating well. In a small bowl combine the mustard, tomato paste, tarragon, salt and pepper. coat trout with mixture on both sides. Combine the flour and sesame seeds in a clean baking dish or pie plate and press the trout into the mixture to coat all over.  Place the trout on a rack and place in the refrigerator, uncovered, for 30 minutes to make the coating stick.
In a large heavy skillet heat the vegetable oil. Place trout in hot oil and be sure not to crowd them. Cook for 5 minutes on each side or until trout flakes easily with a fork.  Transfer trout to a heated platter. Garnish with lemon slices; serve immediately.

Friday, August 10, 2012

My Cure For These HOT Southern Summertime Blues...or Back To The 60s (The Good Ole Days)

Back in the good ole days, summer was always the best season of the year! Sleeping late, cooling off in the lakes, hanging with your friends, and letting the cares of the world (parents/school) not upset your summertime joy. Things do change when you're an adult...and, the summer of 2012 has really been a hard one to enjoy (as an almost elderly adult) in the Natural State. This summer our Arkansas weather will go down in history (just like the summers of '54 and '80) as a record breaking heat and drought nightmare!

Gee, I miss those summers of old (the good ole days) for many reasons. And, I'm aching to leave these triple digits and return to those glorious upper 90s along with thunderous rainfalls that always bring about our famous and unbearable Arkansas humidity. Oh well, this heat and drought shall pass and in the meantime, I've discovered a few amazingly fun indoor outlets...


  1. Buying cool shoes at the mall.
  2. Posting on all my blogs.
  3. Chatting, reconnecting, and emailing with my real sisters.
  4. Digging into good reads like, B. R. Fleming's, Summertime Blues. On my second reading because it is so expertly written about those awkward years from teenager to young adult (along with tons of fun, sex, rock & roll) and is situated in a small Southern town in the 60s. Hummm...been there, done that, bought many tie dye t-shirts, and now I'm reading the book! 
  5. Enjoying simpler recipes like Beef Enchilada Casserole.  
I may be time traveling back to the 60s and beating the heat inside for now, but certainly looking forward returning soon to the great Arkansas outdoors, more normal temps, and life as an almost elderly adult (with days that just don't seem like the good ole days)...and, what pray tell are you doing to beat these HOT Summertime Blues?




  

Friday, August 3, 2012

On A Quest For...the best vet in Central Arkansas or Dash Goes To The Doctor

I know I haven't been to all the vets in the Central Arkansas area but, I think I've found a Pet Angel in the animal care department. Dr. Lee Misak, DVM in Jacksonville, AR has got to be the nicest and most compassionate caring doc for animals, not only in Central Arkansas, but in the whole world! He's also pretty great with diagnosing, surgeries, and plain ole routine office visits. And, he's the most affordable vet I've ever used.

I found Dr. Misak back in 1987 when I lived way over in west Little Rock but would travel to Jacksonville and Dr. Misak for all my animal needs. I have remained a faithful follower all these years. OK, I did have to drop off when I moved to the NWArkansas area but, Dr. Misak was always my back up if I ever needed him.

This Monday, Dr. Misak will do a minor benign lumpectomy on Dash (pictured below anxiously awaiting his diagnosis in Dr. Misak's waiting room). Nice to have a Pet Angel when you need one! Thanks, Dr. Misak and all your staff, for all you do in the animal world and thanks for making Jacksonville Animal Hospital a great place to visit! Oh, BTW your waiting room (STAY, SIT, Doctor Will Be With You Shortly) full of doggie and kitty cat owners are just as special and nice as you and your wonderful wife, Nikki are!


On A Quest For...National Sister's Day 08.15.12

No sisters...no problem! You don't have to have real sisters to celebrate National Sister's Day, just have a memorable day with the real sisters who are in your life. I want to thank those special sisters who are always there for me through thick and thin, who think I'm a good egg even though I'm really half cracked, who hold our friendship with both hands, and who, like myself, finally know who really matters, who never did, and who always will. You are all like different shades of roses from the same magical garden. Thanks for making every day a blooming special day. Love you, sisters!