I've been running around the house trying to get everything in order so that when it warms up later today I can spend some time outside. I've been walking around the lake almost everyday trying to get some exercise in. Exercise is wonderful for stress and anxiety and with this very long Winter I think all of us need to do something that reduces stress, don't you?
The Hibiscus-Sabdariffa seedlings have come up and I'm tickled to death! This is 2 year old seed so I wasn't too sure it would sprout. I have to save my own seed this year because I've just planted the last of the seed I had ordered. Just about all the basil popped through and all but the yellow pear tomatoes came up. This is all old seed. Some of it is 3 years old so I'm pretty happy with everything so far.
Tonight I'm fixing Potato Charlie for supper. I don't know how everyone else fixes Potato Charlie but this recipe has been a family favorite since my boys were in grade school. You take a large baking potato, peel it and slice it in half. Lay a thick slice of onion in the middle. I sometimes get carried away with the onion and it gets cut "really" thick because you see, I'm a huge fan of onions. Anyway, then you salt and pepper it and put the potato back together and wrap with 2 pieces of bacon. Then salt and pepper it again. Put it on a large piece of foil, wrapped loosely, seal real well and lay on a pan. Sometimes the grease seeps out of the foil-wrapped potato, so this is just to protect your oven from becoming a sea of smoke. Bake at 450 degrees for 1-1/2 hours. Now here's the really cool part, I think. Whatever herbs you like can be sprinkled along with the salt and pepper on your potato. Sometimes I'll sprinkle rosemary, sometimes lemon thyme, sometimes I put Italian Seasoning. It depends on what your tastes are. Then when you serve your baked potato you have this nice crusty bacon with a slice of soft, delectable onion. You honestly don't need another thing but many times I've had tomato sauce and poured it over the potato I've sprinkled with Italian Seasoning, or tried salsa with fresh cilantro (yum) and sometimes a couple pats of butter or sour cream could be added. I've got to admit though, I love it just the way it is. It's filling, rather low in calories and you don't push away from the table feeling too terribly guilty but you do push away feeling terribly satisfied. Add a nice side salad or perhaps some peas and it is a really easy, pleasing meal.