Getting Ready for Winter

For most of us, winter is a time to hibernate with good books, good Websites and good food (always a priority around here for some reason.)

Bob (Well-Marbled) Brodsky, Ph. D, wrote to announce publication of his 7th or 8th book title "Pat and Bob TRIP the Light Fantastic."  

The husband and wife collaborated on this tome and their travels and enjoyment, mostly, of same are  quite interesting.  I'm  going to resort to quoting.

"You will visit the amazing sites that ancient Egypt established; inspect the Holy Land and Middle East; the Kasbahs of Northern Africa; the wonders of China, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore; the countries of Western Europe as well as Russia from the Baltic to the Caspian Seas; boated down the Danube from Budapest to the Black Sea and visited both the eastern and western shores of Central and South America."  Whew - no one they're both in their '80s - they just got home!

Karatedr.com is an interesting site if you are into martial arts and arguments - er, "discussions" about karate styles and origins with some lush photographs of Okinawa dotted throughout.

Winter quick breakfast - buy a jar of almond butter and add a handful or two of candied ginger to it and stir.  Cut up an apple, dip slices in the jar and be on your merry way.  The vitamin C and the protein are good for you and the candied ginger will warm you up!

Bring summer back!  Whip up a jar or two of pineapple pickles.
1 qt. distilled white vinegar
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 chilis de arbre
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 small pineapple, peeled, quartered, cored crosswise in 1/4 in. slices.

Put everything EXCEPT the pineapple in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  When the sugar has dissolved, let the pan cool, poor the contents into a bowl and add the pineapple.  Let cool, then refrigerate.  Said to be good served with a pork roast...