Spicy Sweet-Potato Fries!

By popular demand, here is the recipe for our famous and delicious
Spicy Sweet-Potato Fries:

Preheat oven to 450
Place 1 Large Sweet Potato, peeled and cut into shoe-strings (1/4" strips)
in a Large Ziplock Bag.
Add:
Some Olive Oil
Lots of Salt and Pepper
Lots of Chili Powder
Some Cumin
Lots of Red Pepper Flakes
Lots of Tabasco/Hot Sauce
Some Sriracha HOT Chili Sauce (found in our "foreign foods" section)

Seal bag, shake 'til evenly coated.
Spread evenly on a baking sheet.
Cook for 10 minutes, stir/flip, then for an additional 10 minutes (or until warm and soft all the way through).

Janie calls them "Fire fries," but I think they could be hotter. Found a way to improve my recipe? Let me know!
-DAve

Try Chai with policy

I am writing my last paper for Social Policy in North America. Challenging, life changing. I wrote a little reflection here, but cut it away because I changed my mind about posting it for today.

Instead wanted to share with you a little beverage that is pulling me through my paper writing morning: Homemade Chai Tea (yeah, I know, so 2000... the fad has come and gone, but I'm right there again)Chai Tea (from better homes and gardens)
1 black tea bag
1 3-inch piece of cinnamon stick
2 cups milk
2 Tbsp raw sug or honey
1 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp ground ginger (i used about 1 tsp chopped fresh ginger)
1/8 tsp ground cardamom (i used 3 pods)

In a small saucepan combine tea bag, cinnamon stick and 1/2 cup water. Bring to boil. Remove from heat. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove and discard tea bag. Add and stir together all other ingrediants. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture is heated through (do not boil).
That's the original recipe. I actually added my fresh ginger and cardamom in the beginning, and left them in till the end. I brought mine to a boil with everything and then let it simmer for a minute. I wanted lots of kick!

Corrina was doing some lovely posing for me this weekend. (Notice the hair clips Claire, and the shirt Rachel! Thanks!)
And then in came dad, and out came the tongue!
Corrina went to a really neat birthday party this weekend and had her face painted like a princess! This was her request!
Cute and disturbing all at the same time.
I have planned my vegetable and cutting garden for the summer. Photos to come.

A time to Breathe

Janie here. I've had a weekend to breathe. I have one more paper coming due, and one exam to prep for, but I decided I needed at least ONE day where I did not do any school work. I try to carve in at least 1 hour a min a day, and I usually end up being so busy that it gets pushed to the late hours, leaving me constantly warn out and tired. I thought having one day where my mind was free from constantly trying to fit in a study time would be refreshing. It was!

We had a great weekend, and I have some photos to share later. But, for now, off to get morning chores and errands done, hopefully followed by an afternoon stroll in the park, with a snow suit on!

Good days to all!