Skillet Sausage and Potato Cassarole

This quick dish is a favorite of my son, Matt, and works great if you are pressed for time after work and have some basic ingredients in your fridge and cupboard.

Ingredients

Smoked link sausage, sliced (low fat turkey is great if you are watching fat intake)
Two or three medium potatoes, peeled and sliced medium
1 medium white or yellow onion, sliced
1 bell pepper (any color), cored and sliced the same width as the potatoes and onions
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp dried dill
1 tsp rosemary
parsley sprigs
dash salt and pepper
(you may use your favorite spice mix if you do not have dill or rosemary, but for shame if you don't)
1 gallon size plastic bag

Add sliced potatoes to the bag, pour in oil and spices. Toss thoroughly to mix and
set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium flame and pour in the seasoned, oiled potatoes, discarding bag. Saute until potatoes are beginning to brown, stirring frequently to expedite even browning, but do not cover. After browning has begun add the onions and peppers, and stir frequently until onions are clear. Add the sausage, stir and cover, reducing flame to low.

Dish is done when the potatoes are fork tender and the sausage is heated through. Garnish with parsley and serve with a green salad and, if you prefer, a red wine or beer.

Politics And Me

Those of you who really know me understand that I do have a sense of political justice and I do take stands with close friends, but I have never been one to publicly spout my political viewpoint or try to persuade others over to my way of thinking. No need for all that because we're going to think and do as we please anyway.

But once in awhile I come across something on the web that I find interesting, even poignant. I like this website a lot; a friend on Twitter tweeted it and I have re-tweeted it and posted it on Facebook too. I don't expect everyone will appreciate the ideas here, but that is why we choose to live in a democracy. We can all have our viewpoints, whether we disagree with each other or not. And we should be able to do it with civility.

There is a profanity laced, F-bomb ridden version of this website, but this is my place and I don't prefer to indulge in such language gratuitously. I hope you can at least appreciate it!

Go to www.whattheheckhasobamadonesofar.com/

Update

This morning I tried on a pair of blue jeans that I had purchased 8 years ago, knowing then that I could not fit into them. I took them out and slipped right into them! That means I have lost over six inches off my waistline since October 1, 2010, and approaching 50 pounds lost.

What am I doing? Really nothing more than 45 minutes to a hour of aerobics, including treadmill, stationary bike and walking three to four days a week for a workout program. In terms of diet, I have cut out breads, soda, candies, chips and other things that are weaknesses of mine, and except for Subway occasionally stopped my visits to fast food franchises.

I know that my cholesterol level is way down now, under 170, based on blood work in November. I do enjoy steaks, ribs and the like and can eat them; I just pick and choose when and where. It's really been a lifestyle change in so many ways. Yeah I still crave those fries, burgers and other fatty foods. I have realized that they can still be enjoyed, just like alcohol can, but in moderation and as more of a treat then as a dietary staple. I have really been helped by subscribing to www.calorieking.com. It's a very comprehensive fitness site that allows you to keep track of what you ea and the caloric values, set goals and design workout programs.

I still feel that I need to lose another 30 pounds, so I am devising some knew workout goals to help make that happen. I'll keep you updated on my progress in the weeks to come. I hope my success inspires you to keep with your fitness goals.

Dianne Reeves - A Breath of Fresh Air

There are artists who come along once in a generation who are at once throwbacks to an older period, and in the same sentence forward looking. Dianne Reeves for me epitomizes that statement. She celebrates the tradition of Ella Fitzgerald and, perhaps even more closely, Sarah Vaughn, while at the same time fully embraces current trends in world music. Her stage is the world; she travels extensively.

Her voice is rich, yet ever so fragile, breaking deliciously on the the most beautiful and subtle phrases. She is in total command of her instrument and delivers not only the lyrics, but the depth of emotion that embody them. And there is never a question about what she has sung; her diction to me is impeccable!

I saw her once in concert with my wife here in Tucson three years ago, a magical night I remember to this day. She rocked Centennial Hall on the University of Arizona campus with a full display of her vocal prowess, backed by a wonderful quintet of talented musicians. Jazz music is well-served by her presence on our stages.

These two favorite songs in her repertoire represent her subtlety and silky smooth voice, on the one hand, and her marvelous swing timing on the other. She's backed in Too Close For Comfort by Gordon Goodwin's Phat Band, another favorite ensemble of mine, made up of gifted studio musicians. The lead alto in that band, Eric Marienthal, recently gave a clinic for my own high school jazz band at Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

I hope you enjoy these two songs as I do!

Anaheim Adventures

Here are a few more pictures that I took while I was with my choir. The concert pics are still to come!

SHS Chorale at Heritage Music Festival - Anaheim

Here are the three madrigal songs recorded at the festival on April 1, 2011. It's a raw recording, unedited. The first is Fire, Fire, My Heart by Thomas Morley 1557-1602), arranged and edited by Linda Spevacek:




The second selection is Your Lovely Face by Adriano Banchieri (1568-1634), arranged by Patrick Liebergen:



And the final selection that day was All at Once, Well Met Fair Ladies by Thomas Weelkes (1576-1623), also arranged by Patrick Liebergen:



The scoring was fair from the three clinicians but not always consistent; yes it came out about where it should - an 85/100 average from three judges and earned a Silver rating. 90 points would have earned a Gold plaque. We did very well and were happy with this rating of unknown music and genres. Also this group has an eclectic repertoire, from classical to Broadway. They sang against school madrigal groups who meet everyday and specialize in that music. We started rehearsing this music at the end of January after our Night of Broadway show wrapped up. Oh about the "crowd". Our group was the first up on the first day, so no one was in the audience, except for the judges, one of whom obviously was a fan! Please enjoy!

SHS Chorale Trip Update

Here are some images from our Heritage Festival trip to Anaheim March 31 to April 3. I'll have some You tube footage to upload at a later date. The kids sang well this weekend and deserved some down time for the work they put into the performances. I'm just the patrolman after the music is done.

Saturday (April 2) we'll be in Disneyland all day. Woe to my poor feet!