Fun – Page 11 – NealEnJoy

Holiday Joy

His True Valentine

Posted on February 14, 2025 by Neal Saye

I might have gotten the Cool Card …

… but I know who HR’s True Valentine is …

Five Friday Happy Bringers

Five Friday Happy Bringers 2/7/25

Posted on February 7, 2025 by Neal Saye

My weekly gratitude journal, of sorts.

1. Savannah winter camellias … in my bathroom.

2. My Crock Pot Sunday Sirloin Tip Roast, which we had, well, last Sunday.

Here’s a photo timeline of how it went down.

Put it in the Crock Pot, then walk away for eight hours.

But unlike Lot’s unfortunate wife, you know in the Sodom and Gomorrah saga, I did not look back and be turned into a pillar of Morton Salt.

Gracious, do I ever look like a grumpy old man, even if I am wearing my Christmas jammy pants, which may be out of season, but oh so comfortable and fashionable.

Eight hours later …

And because I’m sure you want to know, I’m out of my Christmas jammy pants by now. But seriously, do they expect you to wear your holiday attire ONLY on the holiDAY itself?!

Oh my GOODness!

Okay, I’ve probably brought you to near catastrophic boredom ranting about this roast, but do you know the difference between top and tip sirloin? I admit that I did not. Well, let AI inform us …

Here is what AI did not tell you: “tip” is substantially cheaper than “top,” (which is why I bought it to begin with).

You can now splash some cold water on your face and continue reading about my remaining Happy Bringers.

3. The amazing ability to SEE! In any direction. Take a moment to be grateful for this miracle. Everybody doesn’t have it.

4. Somehow, on a walk yesterday afternoon near us here in Savannah, being able to see a little beauty even in the wake of destruction.

A tree which had to be cut back because of disease.

Or maybe that’s not beauty. What do you think?

5. Completing 14,000 minutes of meditation this week.

But seriously, wouldn’t you think I’d be a bit more … enlightened by now?! Instead of still sometimes wondering what meditation actually is.

May you have a WONDERful Weekend ahead.

Food Joy

It Takes Muscle to Eat a Mussel.

Posted on February 6, 2025February 6, 2025 by Neal Saye

Living in Coastal Georgia, I LOVE fresh seafood.

HR does too, as long as it’s shrimp, lobster, crab, crayfish or fish. He turns his nose up at oysters, clams and mussels. Poor thing.

So the other day, we were at Fresh Market stocking up on a few weekly deals. We were chatting with our favorite butcher lady, Lise, who just happened to be standing behind the counter hovering dangerously close (I thought) over several bags of fresh mussels.

I absolutely LOVE steamed mussels in garlic and white wine sauce. So I grabbed a bag (before Lise fell on them).

She gave me the suggestion to use leeks instead of shallots “for a better flavor profile.” Ooookaayy.

The next day, I pulled out my Julia Child apron and went at it.

Did you know that first you have to wash the mussels in cold water and … all purpose flour?

“Why?” you ask.

Well, to put a little beard on them, of course! “Beard” is actually the term used in my favorite recipe. The beard somehow attaches to any dirt or grime that still may be on them.

The beard is the little white line at the crack of the mussel where the flour adheres.

The next step is to use your finger to wipe away all those little beards. Which is harder to do than it sounds. And which borders on disgusting.

So I de-beard very quickly and get on with the more fun parts.

Next you throw together your base consisting of white wine, chicken stock, heavy cream, lemon juice, shallots, garlic, red pepper flakes, lemon zest and juice, parsley, salt and pepper. Whew.

Add the mussels and steam the big mess for about five minutes.