Author: Gail

Sea Mist Slickers

“Tree-top spires and exterior gables
Form the image of New Hampshire stables
And three-story homes along misty shores
With waves playing leapfrog across porch floors
Where foamy bubbles turn creams to sables.

Screaming seagulls perch on walls of wet stone
Not reading the signs of “Caution: Flood Zone”.
O’er head more birds drift on wings of the fog
While caps of high tide slam a ship-wrecked log.
And tourists, amazed, get drenched to the bone.” 

~ Gail Dorna

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter J

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Jalapeño Corn Stix. Cornbread is always the right accompaniment to dried bean dishes. Serve it hot, right out of the oven. Leftovers can be warmed in the microwave nicely. Go south of the border!  Jalapeño peppers give these golden stix the right amount of gusto to compliment the creamy cheddar center. 

JALAPEÑO CORN STIX
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal 
1 1/2 cups sifted flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 cup skim milk
1/4 cup jalapeños, diced
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Instructions:
Sift dry ingredients into medium-size mixing bowl. Blend beaten eggs and oil; add milk. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until just blended. Gently fold in jalapeños and cheddar cheese. Pour into a molded corn stick pan or an 8 by 8-inch pan which has been sprayed with a non-stick spray. Bake in 400° oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. 

“The Real Neat Blog Award” Nomination is Beyond Thrilling!

Being nominated for the “Real Neat Blog Award” is moving forward with confidence!

e of authenticitee enjoys my blog enough to nominate me for this awesome award.  Her posts are chocked full of inspiration, encouragement, music, and more.  You must see!!


Though it is not a requirement to accept the nomination, who wouldn’t want to pay it forward?!

These are the rules:

1. Put the award logo on your blog.

2. Answer 7 questions asked by the person who nominated you.

3. Thank the person who nominated you, linking to their blog.

4. Nominate any number of bloggers you like, linking to their blogs.

5. Let them know you nominated them (by commenting on their blog etc.)


~~~ THE INVALUABLE 7 QUESTIONS ~~~


1. Where do most visits to your blog come from?

United States, Indonesia, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

2. What is your favorite sport?

Bowling, because you can eat and drink while competing.

3. What has been a special moment for you in 2014?

Celebrating a milestone birthday at the top of the Eiffel Tower…..in Vegas!

4. What is your favorite quote?

“Lo, I am with you always.” ~ Matthew 28:20

5. What was your favorite class when still at school?

English Composition; Big Surprise!

6. Anything you wished to have learned earlier?

It is impossible to survive as a “People Pleaser”. I had to learn to live by the mantra, “What is right for Gail?”

7. What musical instrument have you tried to play?

I tried to learn to play the guitar, but decided I could live without the calluses…..not the manicure!

And now, the Nominees for the “Real Neat Blog Award”, in my opinion, are as follows:

http://facetfully.com

Confessions of a Wanderer

Dee’s Dating Diary

Karl’s Blog, Feelings From the Pit

Vagabond Chloe

You are Bold, you are Visible, you are Acknowledged!!!

Unlock Your Newfound Potential; Part 2

Next she attaches the hose, deciding which nozzle to use in order to keep from shattering the window pane. 

“Let’s go easy to test the waters. No pun intended”, she says in amusement. 
“But what about the bleach?”, she ponders. “After all, there’s got to be something to use to keep that Shrek-beast from returning once it’s clean. That’s better than soap suds, right?”
Dashing back into the house, she promptly returns with a gallon jug of Clorox, Original Scent. Procrastinating a little, she waves at the neighbors passing by and tries to avoid the task at hand. It’s time to face things head on. 
“So where is the plug?  Maybe it takes one of those handy, durable battery packs to get things started,” she vacillates.  “Can’t be……doesn’t that look like a gas tank, which was probably emptied last summer when we split up? Sheesh.” 
Breakups are so ugly. With renewed conviction she turns the black knob, pulls out that skinny little wire, and gives the starter handle a vigorous jerk. Once, twice. Sputter, sputter, and then off it goes! 
“Work fast, now,” she commands herself.
“Squeeze the handle, make sure to stay away from the window!”
“But where’s the power surge? It’s not doing anything except giving the house a gentle shower. Seriously?”, she thinks out loud in exasperation. 
Deep breath. Time to be aggressive, act boldly, and attach another nozzle. 
“Stay Away From That Window!!”, her brain cautions for the umpteenth time. 
Not realizing the force of water might lend itself to a loss of balance, secure footing is regained, and clean streaks slowly begin to shine through on the vinyl.
“Wow, that really looks good”, she congratulates herself. 
It’s all a matter of rhythm. Using both hands, she swings the wand back and forth across one side of the window, beneath the glass, along the pane, and on to the other side. The pressure washer made the front of the house look new again. 
“This is awesome!  Job well done!”, she beamed with a winning smile. Further affirmation that Spring is the perfect time to unlock your newfound potential.  

Unlock Your Newfound Potential; Part 1

It’s an Indiana Spring. New beginnings. The boxwood bushes show youthful growth every day. Before long their wild shoots will reach out to bridge the gap between the solid hedge and the vinyl siding on the front of the house just beneath the office window. Over time, in a slow determined effort, Nature left its mark on the pale gray siding. Remnants of fuzzy, green moss attached to the north side of the house. Being determined to challenge Nature and eliminate the blobs, an intimidating bright yellow machine on wheels is parked in front of the pane of glass. Its reflection shows a timid, middle-aged woman, hair hanging loose with several strands tucked behind one ear. Worn blue jeans threadbare at the knees, long-sleeved shirt (to keep mosquitoes from having a smorgasbord), canvas garden gloves protecting a recent manicure, and dingy white Nikes, all come together as protective armor for the job at hand.  

“Now how in the world do you start this thing?”, she murmurs to herself. 
“Oh yeah, it needs water.”
Around the back yard a sun-bleached rubber garden hose hangs coiled over the fence to keep it suspended above the ground. She checks for spiders and bees, two vicious insects that snicker and laugh every time the woman jumps, scrambling to stay out of reach. Following a wave of her gloved hand and the stomp of her foot, the hose uncoils and snakes around to the base of where the power washer sits patiently to begin the task at hand. Stay tuned………

Eating My Way Through the Alphabet; Letter I

What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen?  Italian Pasta Mediterranean!  This exotic colorful pasta dish will have you rolling your eyes in satisfaction over the hearty gourmet intensity. Its blend of gastronomic flavor tempts the taste buds to have a second helping of this culinary delight. 

ITALIAN PASTA MEDITERRANEAN 
Ingredients:
8 ounces penne pasta
Salt to taste
1/2 pound Italian salami, thinly sliced
1/2 pound asparagus spears
1/2 cup diced sun-dried tomatoes 
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon marjoram 
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
Parsley Sprig for garnish 
Instructions:
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add salt. Add penne pasta and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large pasta bowl. 
Next to steam asparagus, place water in the bottom half of a steamer pan set. Bring to boil. Trim ends off the asparagus. Cut into quarters. Place in top half of steamer pan set. Steam for 5 minutes until tender. 
For dressing, mix olive oil, oregano, basil, marjoram, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes in small bowl. 
Combine penne pasta, asparagus pieces, diced sun-dried tomatoes, and salami rounds. Pour olive oil dressing over all. Gently mix. Add pine nuts. Garnish with fresh parsley sprig. Serve warm with garlic toast. This is an excellent side dish to Chicken Cacciatore.