January - the Best Month to Buy...

This morning I was having my coffee and watching the feeders outside on my deck when one of these handsome guys showed up.  What a beauty!!  According to my guide this is a Northern Flicker and he comes from the woodpecker family.  His wings and tail feathers are stunning when he displays them.  He can come back anytime.

Okay.  In case you haven't gotten your flu shot by now, January is a good time to get it.  There are plenty of supplies and you can easily get it at your local pharmacy, and it doesn't hurt.  Miss MoneyPenny thinks that getting the flu is a bad waste of money and time.  And you can die!!  The last time that I got the flu I did think that I was going to die, so I decided that from then on I would get the vaccine, and I have not had a cold or the flu since.  Also, if you have had pneumonia or bronchitis in the past, or just have lung issues (you know who you are, you smokers) get a pneumonia shot while you are at it.  They don't hurt either and are good for 10 years.

Here is my list of what to look for on sale to get a rock bottom price:

Carpeting & Furniture
Linens & Bedding (White Sales)
Motorcycles
Electronics & TVs
Cameras
Computers
Exercise Equipment
Christmas Stuff (on deep mark down)

Produce:

Oranges & Other Citrus
Pears
Broccoli
Carrots
Chard & Other Greens
Avocados
Kiwi

I keep forgetting to tell you how I made the beef curry dish for Christmas Eve dinner.  There were five of us and we ate an entire dutch oven full of the stuff.  It turned out even better than I remember.  Here is how I made it:

2 pounds top sirloin steak, cubed
2 onions, diced
4 garlic cloves, diced
2 stalks celery, sliced
2 peppers, diced (I used red & orange)
Button Mushrooms - to be added later
Beef broth, 1 quart (or more if needed)
S&W Golden Curry Paste (I used hot)

Brown the beef, remove to a plate.  Add the veggies, except the mushrooms, and saute until soft.  Add the beef back in, including any juices.  Cover with broth and let simmer until meat is very tender.  I simmered mine for two hours.  Add mushrooms.  Break up the curry paste (it will look like a chocolate bar) and mix in.  Simmer for another 30 minutes.  Taste for seasoning.

Serve over cooked rice or noodles with the condiments, if desired:

Shredded Coconut Flakes
Chopped Salted Peanuts
Major Grey's Mango Chutney
Chopped Green Onions