Fall! Just Fall!

One of the advantages to living in Cleveland, Ohio, is the ability to see all four seasons. Winters can kinda suck with snow, ice, cold and months-long skies of grey. Spring is nice but very wet. Rain is ever-present. Summers are generally mild with only medium levels of humidity and typically with highs in the mid 80’s (it is news when it is over 90 for more than a few days and breaking news when we hit 100). Fall, though, is where it is at.

Fall in Ohio is nothing short of spectacular. The days are in the 60’s and 70’s. The nights are in the 40’s and 50’s. Take a light jacket to work and you won’t need it when you leave for the day. Sleep with the windows cracked and throw on a heavy blanket during the night. I love it. The weather is true football weather. And Oktoberfest weather. Perfect weather for chili, apple picking and having a campfire in the pumpkin patch.

While New England gets all the press, Ohio has its share of beautiful fall foliage. The leaves turn to bright oranges, yellows, reds and even purples. They are gorgeous and add to the beautiful weather. That is, except for my yard.

I’ll drive down the street in October and see the beautiful colors. Leaves will be falling down to the ground. I’ll arrive at my yard and what do I see? Trees full of green leaves. I look up at the trees and scream “Fall! Just Fall!” The weather starts to get colder. Still green. The cold rain comes. A little color change. The snow hits. Then, and only then, do my trees decide to drop their leaves.

My trees are the last on my street, and for what I can figure, the entire state, to drop their leaves. The city where I live allows you to rake your leaves to the edge of the street and they will come around three times over six weeks to suck them up with a big vacuum (they compost them). The third time they come around, I still have leaves on my tree.

One of my neighbors had the same issue a few years ago and took his leaf blower, pointed it at the tree and tried to blow the leaves down! Anyone have a leaf blower that will reach 100 feet up?

Spicy Pork Stir Fry

I used some edamame, peppers and onions in this one.

The orange marmalade is an unusual addition.

The strips of pork have been fried.

Ginger and garlic frying.

Great flavors.

Spicy Pork Stir Fry

Prep Time: 20 min | Cook Time: 10 min | Servings: 4 | Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

2 tsp chili oil, divided
1 pound(s) lean pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips
4 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced
1 Tbsp ginger root, minced
1 tsp red pepper flakes, crushed
2 tsp cornstarch
1 pound(s) frozen mixed vegetables, Asian stir-fry mix or fresh equivalent
3 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp rice vinegar
1 tsp orange marmalade

Directions:

In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the oil. Cook pork until it begins to brown and is just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove to a plate.

Heat remaining oil in the same skillet over high heat; add garlic, ginger and pepper flakes. Cook, stirring constantly, until golden and fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Mix cornstarch with 1/4 cup water. Add vegetables; cook, stirring frequently, until just tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in soy sauce, vinegar and marmalade. Add cornstarch mixture and bring to boil.

Toss vegetable mixture with pork to heat through. Serve immediately.

Source: http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeId=50404