Fried Solar Potato-Carrot Medley Ring With 12-Bean Filling

Fried Solar Potato-Carrot Medley With 12-Bean Filling

Finding names for recipes can be difficult, when there are so many similar ones out there. But, I wanted to see how a two-step recipe would work with the solar oven and still have a crispy taste. Taking pictures can be tricky -- especially, when you're trying to prepare a meal at the same time and your other two hands are busy!  Potatoes and beans can make a very satisfying meal and, when arranged prettily, make a great company meal, too.

Happy Anniversary to Me! I'm One Year Old, Today!

It's My First Anniversary!

Well, I never thought I would last, this long, but here it is, my First Bloggerversary! Well, it couldn't have happened without you, my visitors, commentors, and new friends. It's been a delight to discover the world of blogging and, although there's much for me to learn, I appreciate the support of each and every one of you. 

There will be a lot happening in the next few months with solar energy and mainstream cooking and hope you will continue to follow and encourage others to join in this new world we're creating. My oven is progressing, believe it or not, and we're in the tweaking stage which takes longer than one would expect. But, it's important to take care of any problems at this stage rather than find out we screwed up down the line. So, please, bear with me and we'll all share in the journey together.

I've seen where others have Bloggerversaries and open it up into all-day specials, but I don't know how to do that, yet, so you'll just have to settle for my sincerest heartfelt thank-you for all that you've done and been to me through this past year.  I love you all and always look forward to your comments, as well as visiting you and keeping up with your posts. 

Have a great day!

Sharlene

Opening Night for 'Is He Dead' and NC Fair Entry Follow-Up

We Open "Is He Dead" This Weekend
Just to keep you posted, rehearsals are over and we open "Is He Dead" this weekend. Here I am in my second act costume as Bathilde. This is going to be a fun run...

It is always nice to be reminded of just how restrictive these styles were for women. I literally have to be dressed into this outfit that has at least four closure steps. No wonder women were always fainting. But, this really is a fun show and I'm looking forward to it. The cast is really top drawer and it's a privilege to be on stage with them. The run is almost totally sold out, and it's always fun to play to a full house. Wishes of "break a leg" are welcome!

Which Pots, Pans, or Jars, are Best to Use in Solar Oven

Which Pots, Pans, or Jars, are Best to Use in the Solar Oven?

 Recently, a reader asked me for help in selecting the correct size of pans to use in her Global Sun Oven(R). Below is the round 3-quart roasting pan with cover that works very well in the oven. There's plenty of room for your meats and vegetables and it's already dark, so you don't have to worry about heat reflection. Without handles on the sides of the pan, it can be a little tricky getting it out of the oven when it's hot. This pan is the reason I invented my SolarWear(tm) and it works like a charm.

Solar Lamb Stew w/Butternut Squash-Apple Casserole

Solar Lamb Stew w/Squash-Apple Casserole

I love the Fall.  It's time for all those yummy serious vegetables and entrees like Lamb Stew with Butternut Squash casserole. Can you smell the leaf fires? Ah... This is one of those recipes that surprise you with how good they taste. I knew it was a winner when all I could hear was my sister's 'drinking' the juices from her plate! The Butternut Squash Casserole is very easy to make, while the lamb stew requires some prep work before final cooking. I wanted to use some of my dehydrated tomatoes, too, so I put 2 Tablespoons in a dish and added 4 Tablespoons water to rehydrate them.  Then, went out to preheat the solar oven, which reached 325F in fifteen minutes.

October Toast, The Play, and Catch-up

October Toast and Catch-up

Phew! September just flew by And, it has been a very busy month for me. In addition to my solar cooking, it's the time of year when the garden is put to rest and I get to play a little.

The Play's the Thing

Speaking of playing, I was recently cast in a play called, Is He Dead, a new comedy by Mark Twain, as adapted by David Ives. A young painter of genius, Jean-François Millet, is in love with Marie Leroux but because of his debts, is being threatened with debtor's prison unless Marie marries him. (What an interesting judicial prospect!) We open October 22 at Deep Dish Theater in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.