Among Friends

[Bird mama]

Welcome to the Back Fence for January 2016.  

[Bird mama]

I just looked out the window and noticed that it has started to snow.  There must not be too much moisture in it because it's the type of snow that has flakes that float down, side to side and actually float up a little. 

Not as dense or heavy as what I call 'snow globe' snow that goes in all directions and sticks.  It's more delicate and dreamy. 

[spix]

Good Morning Back Fencers & Happy New Year!

Quite chilly here, nothing special planned for today, DD has gone to her house for the week-end so I'm on my own, which is a good thing, 

Good Morning Back  Fencers & Happy New Year to All! left hot coffee & cookies as it's quite chilly here today.

Nothing special planned, DD has gone to her house for the week-end & the rest of the family doing their own thing, so it's a relaxing day for me, think I'll go to Buono Beef for a sandwich for lunch & just pick the rest of the day, but I suspect the neighbors will be calling for a get together so that's good too.

Enjoy your day

[spix]

Sorry don't know what happened

[PINKdogWOOD]

@Bird mama Still as sparkley as a snow globe. 

The SUN is finally shining here in OH.  So glad to know she still does rise & shine!

[yock]

I'd love to see the sun.  We are finally having January temps.   No snow yet.   

[Bird mama]

Well I ate two interesting things today.  While my father's side of the family came from the south, my middle sister spent more time with my paternal grandmother and was exposed to southern cooking more than me.

At my sister's recommendation for New Year's Day, she brought me a can of southern season black eyed peas and a jar of sweet and sour red cabbage.

I ate half the can of the black eyed peas.  Kind of earthy aren't they :-)

I ate a few tablespoons of the sweet and sour cabbage.  I think the pink color appealed to me and I actually enjoyed the cabbage.  I'll probably eat some more of the cabbage (jar is in the fridge) tomorrow.

[jlkz]

On our way over to an Open House near Philly, I saw several trees with cherry blossoms---someone had said there were blossoms in DC but we' much farther north !   Too, my daffodil stems are 4" out of the ground as well as the sedums that I had cut to the ground in November.

Have no idea what the Spring is going to be like with this way-too-early stuff going on !!!!

[Winifred]

Birdmama, if you are going to eat blackeyed peas - I do and LOVE them - buy the package of dried beans. Soak them for a couple hours and any floating to the top discard. Then use bacon or ham bits and cook them for several hours. SO VERY GOOD!!!!!! I had them today - do not miss a New Years day without eating some.

[Bird mama]

@Winifred

Okay Freddie, be patient with me as I really am this stupid in the kitchen.

So black eyed peas come in a bag like rice?  Any particular brand?

Soak them - in what?  Just water by itself or do I add any seasoning?

Bacon - do I cook the bacon first or cook it with the peas?

Cook them for several hours - how?  Would I be boiling them, baking them?  How will I know they are done?  Soft to the touch?  Slightly firm? 

What else goes in there with the bacon?  Any onion or anything?

Can they be carried over to the next day?  Can I refrigerate what I don't eat and finish the next day?

The only reason I am thinking of trying these more frequently is they are a great source of protein.

I just had my first parsnips in my life on Christmas Eve.  I'm 53.

Please don't shake your head Freddie - my parents tried, I was just a fussy eater.