What the Hell Stew

In a spirit of perversity, I decided to make a dinner that I would like instead of worrying whether or not the other members of my family would eat it. Once I started, I just kept throwing other things in. I have mentally dubbed it "What the Hell Stew," and I am very sure it is extremely healthy and delicious.

I am 85% that no one in my family will eat more than a bite or two of it. I have given them a cop out by making corn bread for the side.

What the Hell Stew

[amounts are uncertain; I just threw stuff in without measuring]

Turkey kielbasa (Fiona no, Rob yes, Delia maybe)
onions (all three no)
chopped green peppers (girls no, Rob yes)

Browned that and then threw in:

canned tomatoes, chopped (Rob yes, girls no)
tomato paste (no strong opinions)
black beans (all three no)
butternut squash (all three no)
barley (Rob yes, girls maybe)
kale (all three no)
balsalmic vinegar (uncertain. Maybe they won't notice in the general revulsion)



I will report back later. Bwahahaha.

I am sure it will freeze well and I will be taking it for lunches.

Edited to add: The report:

Delia retired to her room in tears at the sight of the horror that filled her soup bowl. She eventually came back and ate some corn bread.

Rob, to my utter astonishment, ate a whole bowlful and went back for seconds. What was up with that? He must have been starving and desperate. He graded it only 4 out of 10, though. He, too, had extra corn bread.

Fiona carefully picked out one piece of kielbasa and ate that, along with her cornbread. The rest of the stew was left untouched.

I rated it 10 out of 10. But then, I would. I will be perfectly happy to eat the leftovers.

An intriguing way to celebrate the Solstice

I am awfully tempted to go to this. minnehaha B. and K. told me about it.

Mystik Toyz, Robin "Adnan" Anders, and Illumination Fire Dancers Present A Winter Solstice Drum And Dance Circle

What better way to celebrate the winter solstice and darkest day of the year than with drums and fire? Robin "Adnan" Anders and some of the Twin Cities' hottest percussionists lead the drumming as Illumination Fire Dancers heat things up even more with soulful and mesmerizing dances of fire. Bring your drums and dancing feet as everyone is encouraged to participate in this annual celebration - all skill levels are welcome! You don't have to travel all the way to Hawaii (although that would be pretty nice this time of year) to experience fire dancing at its finest. Illumination is the Twin Cities' premier fire troupe and will be featuring a variety of fire dances such as baton, staff, poi, devil stick, as well as elegant fire fingers, fans, palms, and wands. Nothing fuels these dances more than the heartbeat of the drum. Read more

Hmm . . . $10.00. Reasonable if it just me. But minnehaha K. and B. say it goes very late. Logistical problem. Thursday night is Rob's night out, and if I take the girls and pay for them too (they would probably enjoy it), it'd be more of a financial stretch. And what do I do when it's time for them to go to bed, if I want to stay? They have to get up at 6:00 a.m. to get to school for heavens sake. (Well, I have to get up at 6:00 a.m., too, but I'm tougher about going without sleep.)

Not asking for advice, exactly, just thinking out loud. Maybe I can work something out with Rob. Anyway, it does sound like fun. Anyone else going? If not to this event, what are you doing to celebrate the solstice in your area?