Retro Advertising Signs on Yardsellr

Love retro advertising signs? Visit me on Yardsellr to purchase Coca-Cola, Mustang, Chevrolet, Texaco, Shell, Corona signs and more!

Cream of Shrimp Soup

The Seamaiden has fallen head over tail fin for her new slow cooker!

Ingredients
1 lb. potatoes, peeled and cut into small cubes
1 medium-large onion, chopped
1 celery rib, chopped
1 cup shredded carrots
2 cups water
1/2 cup vegetable broth
2 tbsp. white wine
1/4 tsp. dried thyme
1 lb. large shrimp, precooked and cut into pieces
2 1/2 cups shredded Italian cheese blend (Mozzarella, Provolone, Parmesan, Asiago)
1 cup whole milk
1/2 tsp. Old Bay seasoning

Directions
Place the potatoes, onions, celery, carrots, water, broth, white wine and thyme into a 4-6 quart slow cooker.
Cover and cook on high heat for 4-5 hours.
Add the shrimp and cook on low heat for 30 minutes.
Add the cheese, milk and Old Bay to the cooker.
Cook on low heat, stirring every 15 minutes, for 1 hour or until cheese is completely melted.
Makes 4 servings.

Beer Beef Soup

This hearty soup is the perfect accompaniment to Sunday football!

Ingredients
6 red potatoes, cut into cubes
30 baby carrots, peeled
3 1/2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
4 cups beef stock
1 1/2 lb. skirt steak, cut into large cubes
1/2 pepper
1 onion, sliced
3 garlic cloves
12 oz. beer of your choice
2 1/2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 1/2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 1/2 tsp. dried thyme

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a roasting pan, toss potatoes and carrots in 1 tbsp. olive oil and 1/2 tsp. salt. Roast until golden and tender. Set aside and keep warm.
In a medium-large pot, bring stock to a boil. Cook until reduced to 3 cups. Set aside and keep warm.
In a large skillet, heat 1 1/2 tbsp. olive oil. Season steak with remaining salt and pepper. Cook to desired doneness. Remove steak from heat and keep warm.
Add remaining olive oil to skillet. Saute onions and garlic until tender.
Return stock to heat. Add beer, mustard, soy sauce and thyme and simmer. Add potatoes and carrots and steak to stock mixture and cook until heated through and broth reaches a slightly thicker consistency.
Serve with French bread.
Makes about 4 servings.

Honoring Our Veterans 11-11-11

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.
-- Elmer Davis

The members of the Historical Society of Harford County and various volunteers from Bel Air and Harford County have worked tirelessly over recent months to create a celebration that is truly worthy of the sacrifice and dedication of Harford's veterans. In the Seamaiden's humble opinion, they have succeeded admirably. I only wish my two WWII veteran grandfathers were still here to take part in the festivities.

Festivities in downtown Bel Air today include a parade at 10 a.m. and the rededication of the Bel Air Armory at 2 p.m. In addition, a two-day exhibit, including maps, uniforms and memorabilia from every major conflict dating back to the American Revolution, will open at the Bel Air Armory. Many items have never before been exhibited to the public.

For all the details and a schedule of events, visit Celebrating Harford Veterans.

Project Indoor Lagoon

For the landlocked mermaid, the bathroom is refuge #1 when the workaday world starts to get her tail in a bunch. There, she can let Calgon carry her away to the bubbly waters of a warm, tropical lagoon to rejuvenate her fun, frisky sea nymph tendencies.

But for now, the Seamaiden must make do with the laundry room shower while the Seamaster remodels our spacious bathroom into an updated substitute lagoon. I thought it would be fun to chronicle the transformation, beginning with these photos of our stripped down, formerly blue-tile haven. For the sake of convenience, the commode, vanity and sink will stay in place while the other areas of the room are being addressed.

And as you can see, our lovely Sasha also patiently awaits the return of her personal comfort station.