on a road trip to San Francisco

Happy Valentine's Day from teaorwine

photo credit: decorativecountryliving.com

spinning wheel, got to go round....

I do not cook as much anymore as I used to. However, I love to make soups. Soup made from butternut squash and another one made from tomato and fresh basil are my favorites. In a large stock pot, these vegetables cook down with low-fat chicken stock to make a tasty soup. In the past, I have dragged out the blender to puree to a smooth texture. Messy. My most recent purchase is a Kitchen-aid immersion blender, red in color for Valentine's Day! With little effort and in less time, I have wonderfully creamy soups. Cleanup is minimal. Into recycled takeout and deli containers, I portion out the concoction and freeze. Wonderful and sooo much better than canned soup! I have plans to order the whisk attachment as well very soon.

a gracious couple

Regardless of how you feel about politics and its players, you must agree that an urbane Mitt Romney and his wife bowed out of the race cordially. What follows is the letter sent out to all supporters after he removed himself from the campaign:

Dear teaorwine,
If you have not heard by now, I have decided to suspend my campaign for president. This was not an easy decision for me, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support from the beginning to the point where we are today. We’ve come such a long way, and our hard work together will leave an imprint on the course of history.
As I addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) yesterday in Washington, D.C., I outlined what I know is the right course ahead for our nation – a course based on conservative principles such as individual responsibility, strong faith and values, economic strength with lower taxes and a national defense that will not retreat from the threat of evil extremism.
I disagree with Senator McCain on a number of issues, as you know. But I agree with him on doing whatever it takes to be successful in Iraq, on finding and executing Osama bin Laden, and on eliminating Al Qaeda and terror. If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I would forestall the launch of a national campaign and make it more likely that Senator Clinton or Obama would win. And in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding surrender to terror.
This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. My family, my friends and, you, our supporters, have given a great deal to get me where I have a shot at becoming President. If this were only about me, I would go on. But I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I feel I must now stand aside, for our party and for our country.
You can be sure I will continue to stand for conservative principles. I will fight alongside you for all the things we believe in. And one of those things is that we cannot allow the next President of the United States to retreat in the face evil extremism.
It is the common task of each generation – and the burden of liberty – to preserve this country, expand its freedoms and renew its spirit so that its noble past is prologue to its glorious future.
Please stand proud today that you fought for a cause greater than yourself, and please continue to fight to preserve our ideals.
Thank you again so very much.

I believe we have not seen the last of this candidate.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Mardi Gras!

The Colonel and I attended a fund-raiser this past weekend

with a Mardi Gras theme.

Grand fun!