CAUTION !!

Caution: In the future don't mess with A - Z challenges. It could be hazardous to your mind.

This challenge has had it moments but now that I am approaching the dreaded "X" I realize that my life has enough difficulties without adding the last 3 letters into the mix. I never wanted this to be a situation where I had to put something up every day whether I had a good contribution or not. Sadly that is the point have approached with this challenge. Therefore, I will go back to just being "Odie".

I am enjoying just being a part of this big blog family that includes people who are happy, hurting, confused, inspirational, lovely, encouraging, generous, depressed and entertaining. I see these as people who either are helping me or need my help in whatever little way I can. That is a pretty good combination and I know for a fact I have been helped along the way and I appreciate it so much.

Quitting is not a good thing but to be honest I have had "lots" of practice over the years so it really doesn't make me feel that bad as I probably saw it coming from the start. The good part is that in the whole picture I see Odie as being much better that I was when I started this adventure June of last year, even though I feel I am so very far from where I feel I should be spiritually & emotionally. So my friends, if you are saying your prayers, remember this old NC boy who could use all he can get.

Thankful Thursday

Today Odie is thankful that I am stopping the A-Z challenge because I have been fighting with Blogger and Blogger won. I didn't like the idea that my daily blogs were being grouped together and other types of blogs were spaced above the recipes. I tried changing the title hoping it would allow the blog to be the first thing you see but no, my L blog is below about 3 other blogs I've posted. I may insert a recipe from time to time but I will stop with L and get on with life as I know it. Hope everyone has had a great week.

A-Z Challenge Recipes "B"

Bean Stew- Tuscan:

1 lb. dried cannellini beans (about 2 cups) rinsed and picked over. 1 Tbl extra virgin olive oil plus extra for drizzling 1/2 lb. bacon cut into 1/4 inch pieces 1 large onion, chopped medium (about 1 1/2 cups) 2 medium celery ribs cut into 1/2 inch pieces (about 3/4 cup) 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces (about 1 cup) 8 medium garlic cloves, peeled & crushed 4 cups low sodium chicken broth 3 cups water 2 bay leaves 1 bunch of kale or collard greens (about 1 pound) stems trimmed & leave chopped into 1 inch pieces (about 8 cups loosely packed) 1 14.5 oz. can of diced tomatoes, drained & rinsed 1 sprig of fresh rosemary Ground black pepper Salt 8 Slices of country white bread each 1 1/4 inch thick, broiled until golden brown on both sides and rubbed with garlic clove

The night before: Soak the beans overnight in 4 qts of water with 3 Tbl salt. Drain

and rinse well.

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position & heat oven to 250 degrees. Heat oil &

bacon in a large dutch oven over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally,

until bacon is lightly browned and fat has rendered, 6 to 10 minutes. Add onion

celery & carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and

lightly browned, 10 to 16 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about

1 minute. Stir in broth, water, bay leaves & soaked beans. Increase heat to high

and bring to simmer. Cover pot, transfer to over, cook until beans are almost

tender (very center of beans will still be firm), 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Remove pot from oven and stir in greens and tomatoes. Return pot to oven and

continue to cook until beans & greens are fully tender, 30 to 40 minutes longer.

Remove pot from oven & submerge rosemary sprig in stew. Cover & let stand 15

minutes. Discard bay leave & rosemary sprig & season stew with salt & pepper

to taste. If desired use back of spoon to press some beans against the side of pot

to thicken stew. Serve over toasted bread if desired, and drizzle with olive oil.

Taken from Cooks Illustrated "All-Time Best Recipes" and slightly tweaked.

Barbequed Ribs: 5 to 6 lbs. pork ribs 1 qt. apple cider vinegar 2 Tbl crushed red pepper Salt Ground black pepper 1 Turkey size oven bag

Season the ribs with salt & ground black pepper. Place into the oven bag on a large

roasting tray. Sprinkle crushed red pepper over the ribs and carefully pour the qt.

of vinegar into the bag controling the open end so it doesn't spill out. Twist the

open end of the bag tightly and fasten with a tie. Make a small vent hole in the top

of the bag and place on the middle rack of a preheated oven at 300 degrees. Set

the timer for 4 hours and do not open the oven door until time is completed.

Bones will simply lift out of meat it will be so tender. Will become an instant

family favorite.