Woodstove-induced peace

Some scenes from the Hagia Sophia

Inside the Hagia Sophia, the early Christian church leaders used to have their Synods behind these doors...


Gorgeous restored paintings inside the Hagia Sophia show a beautiful mix of Muslim and Christian symbols... I especially like the Seraphim.



Partially restored very old mosaic of the holy family with the Emperor Justinian and his son.

Outside the current building is the remains of the first Hagia Sophia which was built in the 300s. This stone panel is part of the remains and depicts the Apostles as lambs.

Some pictures of Turkey

Some pictures of my (too short) unplanned visit to Turkey...


The Hagia Sophia! This version was built in the 500's.


A Medusa head supporting one of the columns in the Underground Basilica. It's upside down because legend states that if it was right-side up, it would turn its viewers into stone. Medusa heads were supposed to be good luck.
A small bazaar near the Blue Mosque.
Inside the Blue Mosque- hundreds of thousands of handpainted tiles.
The Hagia Sophia from the Blue Mosque. The gardens were beautiful, and I can only imagine how nice they would be in summer...

Snow!

We got socked with snow last night- the official count is 14 inches, but we have at least 20 in our backyard. It goes higher than my knees and past Shasta's chest.
We had a movie night last night and our friends ended up staying the night to avoid driving in the blizzard.


It was beautiful, though!And Shasta LOVES swimming in snow! Click on the video below to watch.

Automotive pride

Last weekend I managed to successfully change the muffler in Steph's Car (The picture's of the old one)! It was just like old times helping Dad...freezing cold ground, scratches on your hands you don't remember getting, and the smell of panther piss (Liquid Wrench) in the air, but at the end there was the overwhelming satisfaction of a car that purrs like a kitten for a third of the cost of doing the same thing at a garage.

Curried vegetable stew recipe

I think I'm just posting this for myself, so that when I come up with something that works, I'll remember it...

2 carrots, sliced thinly
1-2 potatoes, diced
1 bunch bok choy, chopped
1 head broccoli, chopped
1 green pepper
3 sticks celery
1 onion, chopped
2 large cloves garlic, minced
16 oz diced tomatoes
vegetable oil
curry powder (or mix turmeric, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, allspice nutmeg, fenugreek, ginger, red pepper, black pepper, to taste)
mustard seeds
cumin seeds
cilantro, chopped

Heat oil with mustard seeds.
Add onions and garlic when seeds start to pop, cook till soft.
Add potatoes and carrots, curry powder/spices and cumin seeds, and cook covered for 10 or so minutes until softening.
Add celery, broccoli, green pepper and some more vegetable oil.
Cook for a few minutes and once oil is mostly gone add diced tomatoes.
Cook until soft. If it appears slightly dry and vegetables appear undercooked, add some water.
Serve with cilantro and rice.

New recipe- hot buttered rum

We took Shasta out for a six mile hike in 10 degree (F) weather. We rewarded ourselves with this:

1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter
2 cups cookie dough ice cream
Rum
Cinnamon
Allspice
Nutmeg
Cloves

1. Melt the sugar and butter together, and mix well.
2. Add the ice cream and mix well.
3. Add about 1 part mixture to 2-3 parts hot water and 1 ounce rum.
4. Top with spices to taste.

MMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmm....