Biking the Raccoon River Valley Trail

Colleen had company this week and stayed home this morning to see them off so I decided to ride the trail. I have not done it all summer! Oh, it was wonderful. The trail was quiet. No people. Just animals and birds. And calm and quiet. There is something about being in the country alone with nature that is hard to describe. Some of you know what I mean. There is such a peacefulness that is hard to capture in any other way. I rode 4 miles out and 4 back stopping to take some pictures along the way.. It was a special treat.

Spicy Cabbage Salad

  This is one of my newer recipe's that my friend Colleen says is one of her favorites and also one I am making for supper tonight.

 Spicy Cabbage Salad    
 
Spicy Cabbage Salad with Tomatoes, Radishes, and Celery (Puerto Rican Cabbage Salad)
(Makes about 6 servings, recipe adapted from Puerto Rican Cabbage Salad at Champaign Taste.)

5-6 cups finely chopped green cabbage (about 1/2 large head of cabbage)
1 cup diced tomatoes (I used diced grape tomatoes)
1/2 cup celery, sliced (or if the celery is large, I would cut in half before slicing)
1/2 cup chopped celery leaves (optional, but good)
6 radishes, stem and root cut off and cut into half-moon slices (optional, but good)
1/4 cup sliced green onions (dark green part)

Dressing:
2 T apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4-1/2 tsp. hot pepper sauce (I used Sriracha sauce; use any hot sauce that has a good flavor. If you have some type of Carribean hot sauce it would be perfect in this.)
3 T grapeseed oil (or other neutral-flavored oil such as canola will work)


Chop cabbage, tomatoes, and celery leaves, and slice celery, radishes, and green
onions. Toss all the salad ingredients together in a large bowl. (If making ahead
use a plastic bowl with a tight-fitting lid.)

In a small bowl, mix together the apple cider vinegar, fresh lime juice, salt, and hot
sauce to taste. (I would start with a smaller amount of hot sauce, because you can
always add more.) Whisk in the oil, one tablespoon at a time. Taste to see if you
want to add more hot sauce

Toss salad with desired amount of dressing. (You may not need all the dressing if
you omit some of the optional ingredients.) Salad can be made ahead and stored in
the refrigerator for a few hours, and is even surprising good when it's been
refrigerated overnight.

Could use some rain...

I sure did not think I would say that we needed rain after the Spring that we had but we have not had any measurable rain since then.  Some places around us have had rain but Jefferson has been high and dry. We have cracks in the yard that look like we have had an earthquake. Today we had a light shower but Butch did not even check the rain gauge as we know it was not enough to make a dent in the dust that has settled in the bottom of it. This morning it really looked like Colleen and I would get wet while on our walk and we would not have cared but it didn't happen.

Tomorrow the people of Greene County will vote on the casino issue. That is the first step as I understand it. If the people of Greene County approve, the next step will be if the gaming commission gives their approval. I am assuming if that answer is yes that we will soon be getting a casino located at the intersection of highway 4 and highway 30. Butch and I voted early and we voted "yes". Not because we are big advocates of casinos, because those of you who know me well  certainly know that is not true but because it will provide lots of jobs and revenue to town.
Jefferson used to be on a downward slide a few years back but some people got their heads, hearts and hands together and those of you who haven't been here for a few years would be very surprised. There is a very different feel to the town with a much more positive attitude about the future and all this started to happen before a casino was even a twinkle in someones eye.
You really ought to mosey on by and take a look at us.

For all of our fishing friends