Here comes Raine again

2/25/2021

February 24th - Happy Skylark Day

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Ethereal minstrel! pilgrim of the sky!

The Lithuanian version of Ground Hog Day, Skylark Day is a weather predicting holiday. Traditionally, if the vyturys (skylark) returns from the south before February 24, there will be an early spring, but after the 24th, winter will remain.
A brown crested bird with white-sided tail, the skylark is smaller than a starling, but larger than the common sparrow. The Audubon calls skylarks one of the most famous songbirds in the world, celebrated by British poets and naturalists. Today, European skylark population is in rapid decline.

Lithuanian’s have many other Skylark Day superstitions.

Young women and girls should never comb their hair on that day or chickens will invade the summer garden. They should wash their face in snow on this day to make them bright and beautiful.
Shifting flour on Skylark Day draws aphids to the summer wheat crop.
They must spin Wool before Skylark Day or the birds will nest in the wool.
Run twice around the house, then to the end of the village and back to become fast as a skylark., (Hopefully you don’t live in London, or Los Angeles.)

To celebrate Lithuanian Skylark Day. treat yourself to a plate of yummy Čepelica, the national dish of Lithuania. Eat them piping hot and covered with a creamy grave. (See picture above.)

Ingredients
Filling

1 lb. ground beef (or 1/3 lb. pork, 1/3 lb. beef, 1/3 lb. ground turkey)
1 medium onion (peeled and finely chopped)
1 t salt
1/4 t pepper
1 large beaten egg

Dumplings

8 large potatoes (peeled and finely grated)
2 large potatoes (peeled, boiled, and riced)
1 t lemon juice
1 medium onion (peeled and finely grated)
1 t salt, more or less to taste
1 T cornstarch

For the Gravy

1/2 lb. bacon (diced)
1 large chopped onion
1 c sour cream
Black pepper to taste
1 to 2 T milk (if necessary)

Instructions
Meat Filling

Mix ground meat, finely chopped onion with one egg and 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper.
Keep cool until ready to use.

Dumplings

Gather the grated potatoes into cheese cloth or cotton dish towel, squeeze a tad of lemon over the mixture, then twist fabric over a bowl to remove excess water. Pour off the water, reserving the potato starch at the bottom of the bowl.
Unwrap the cheesecloth and pour drained potatoes in with the potato starch.
Add the riced cooked potatoes, grated onion, and 1 teaspoon salt or to taste. Mix thoroughly.
Put water on to boil.
Put one cup potato mixture into the palm of a dampened hand and flatten.
In the center add 1/4 cup or more of meat mixture in the center
fold the potato mixture around the meat into a football shape, sealing well.
Repeat.

Cook the Dumplings

Add a tablespoon of cornstarch and salt to boiling water.
Place dumplings into boiling water and boil for 25 minutes.
Remove dumplings with a slotted spoon or strainer, drain in a water dry place.

Gravy

Make the gravy while boiling the dumplings. Fry the bacon and chopped onion in a skillet.
When tender, fold in sour cream and black pepper. If needed, thin your gravy with a splash of milk.

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2/13/2021

Mercury Retrograde Comfort Food

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On January 30th, 2021, the relative motion of the planet Mercury appeared to reverse its course in the sky and move backward. This reverse relative motion continues through February 19th. Astrologers believe that during this period areas of life ruled by Mercury (travel, communication, health, etc.), become confused. Retrograde in the house of Aquarius can also affect technology and the internet, so don’t become surprised if your gadgets stop working, emails and letters lost, and your doctor must redo important medical tests. Aquarius also rules the intellect, so study hard and prepare to mishear and misunderstand important information.
I’m not sure how I believe, but last year, I scheduled my gall bladder surgery AFTER mercury went direct. I am also not bent out of shape by low click through on my Amazon Ads.
My research shows mercury retrograde is a great time to eat comfort food, like Chicken & Waffles, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Mac & cheese, Deep-Dish Pizza, Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup, and Chili con carne.
It is snowy retrograde day here in Washington. So, tonight I’m cooking a warm & comfy favorite for dinner.

KETO Garlic Butter Ground Turkey with Cauliflower

Ingredients

1 lb of ground turkey breast
1/2 head cauliflower, broken up into bite sized pieces
2 t avocado oil
1 t lemon juice
3 T butter
2 T minced garlic
1 T dried onion
1/4 c Tamari Sauce
1-2 t Tajin Seasoning (or hot sauce)
2 t sesame oil
Dried cilantro or parsley
1/4 c water
Red chili pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Cauliflower

Microwave cauliflower for 2 minutes.
Heat avocado oil in large skillet and sauté cauliflower until slightly browned.
Deglaze with lemon juice and add cilantro or parsley, salt and pepper to taste.
Set aside.

Turkey

Melt butter and oil in the same pan.
Add ground turkey and break apart.
Cook until no longer pink
Add garlic, onion and stir
Add Tamari sauce, water and hot sauce/spice
Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes

Combine

Push turkey aside and return cauliflower to skillet
Coat cauliflower with sauce and turn up heat.
Drizzle sesame oil over the dish
Sprinkle of cilantro and chili pepper to garnish.
Serve with sour cream

Keep your communications clear, your medical procedures postponed and have a safe retrograde.

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2/3/2021

Happy February

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All over the world, winter and the hope of spring is celebrated in the month February.
Here are a few of these celebration.– the twelve-day observance of Entschtanning (the emergence), the Shinto Festival of Setsubun (February 3), the feast day of Saint Brigid of Ireland (February 1), and of course for many Pagans, the fire festival of Imbolc with the Goddess Brigid at its heart. Ground Hog's Day, Strove Tuesday (Feb. 12) and Carnaval/Mardi Gras (Feb. 16) are in the same vein. I'm not sure how St. Patty's Day and Valentine's Day fit in.

Here is a opportunity to clean out the fridge and celebrate UK Pancake Day on Feb. 12. with this genuine BBC Pancake Recipe.

BBC Pancake Day Recipe
Ingredients

120g/4oz plain flour
pinch salt
2 free-range eggs
210ml/7fl oz milk
90ml/3fl oz water
1 tbsp vegetable oil
butter, for frying

To serve

caster sugar
lemon juice
lemon wedges
and a modern squige of chocolate

Method

Mix the flour and salt together in a large bowl.
Make a well in the centre and crack in the eggs.
In a separate bowl mix together the milk and the water.
Beat the eggs into the flour with a wooden spoon and gradually beat in the milk and water mixture to get a smooth liquid the consistency of single cream.
Stir in the oil and allow to stand for 30 minutes before using.
Heat a non-stick frying pan until very hot, then add a small knob of butter. Ladle in a ladleful of the batter, quickly turning the pan to coat the base evenly with the batter. Cook for 30 seconds to one minute, until the base is lightly browned.
Using a palette knife, gently flip the pancake over and cook on the other side for a few seconds, until lightly browned. Slide the pancake onto a plate, cover with greaseproof paper and keep warm. Repeat the process with the remaining batter.
To serve, sprinkle the pancakes with caster sugar and lemon juice, then fold twice to form triangles. Serve the lemon wedges alongside.

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February 24th - Happy Skylark Day

Mercury Retrograde Comfort Food

Happy February

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