VAL'S MIXED MEATS PAELLA Recipe; Castle Rock-WA

Val's Mixed Meats Paella

There are as many Paella recipes as there are cooks 🤔 - this recipe is my version … husband tested 😎 & a tasty repeat meal 👌

We both like tasty, appealing casserole style meals.

I like fowl, fish, & veggie packed dishes 🍗🦐

My husband likes bacon 🥓

We both like rice 🥢

This rice, veggies, & mixed meats meal fits the bill 🥘

Paella, of itself, is fairly basic and minimally seasoned - but, I like flavor & color in my supper fare, so I've added onion, peppers, & chicken broth. We both like a liberal use of onion in our cooked dishes, & I like chicken bone broth whenever it can be swapped out to replace the water content: the onion & chicken broth are both nutritional & medicinal; together they are akin to penicillin in staving off winter ailments. Colorful Bell peppers pair beautifully with green beans, adding sweetness, color, and extra flavor without overpowering the dish.

Chicken Breast, cut in half - and cut again length-wise … works best if meat is still half frozen.

Chicken Breast; then sliced cross-grain into thin bite-size bits.

Ingredients prepped ahead of time, saves time in the kitchen.

Val's Mixed Meats Paella ~ serves 4

4 ounces skinless/boneless Chicken Breast, cut in half length-wise, then sliced cross-grain into thin bits * 9 ct. slices of thick-cut Bacon, sliced * 5 ounces Shrimp, shelled & deveined (about 10-12 ct. Large) * 1 c. long-grain white Rice * 2 TBSP Olive Oil * 1 sm. Yellow Onion, chopped * 3 Garlic cloves, pressed * 1/3 c. EA of Red, Yellow, & Orange Bell Peppers, chopped for a colorful medley * ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt * 1/8 tsp.  Turmeric * 1 cup frozen Green Beans, thawed * 2 cups Chicken Broth

1 Lrg. Skillet, w-lid * 1 Cutting Board * 1 Lrg. Kitchen Knife * Measuring Cups & Spoons * 1 Garlic Press * 1 Pyrex Liquid Measuring Cup * 1 Cooking Spoon, slotted * 1 Serving Spoon * Supper Plates & Silverware

1) In large non-stick skillet heat the oil on medium heat and sauté chicken & bacon until chicken is no longer pink …

Add onion & garlic - continue cooking until onions are soft & translucent:

2) Add rice, seasoning, and broth; bring to a boil – cover, reduce heat, and simmer about 5 minutes.

3) Stir peppers & beans into the rice mixture; cover and cook over medium-low heat about 10 minutes.

4) Add shrimp - cover and cook 5 to 6 minutes more … or until shrimp are opaque and firm.

When shrimp are done, turn off heat - dish up, & serve with a side of honey biscuits. YUM!

AMBER WARMTH; Castle Rock-WA

Yesterday we drove into Longview to grocery shop at Safeway, & Holland surprised me by saying, "Be sure to get some candy for the trick or treaters, that may or may not show up." My head did a sharp swivel: Holland has been very vociferous our whole marriage to date, in his avoidance of Holidays - except Thanksgiving. There are kids on the grounds, and they may show up; so, I agreed & we came home with a bag of candy 🍁🍬🍭🎃

Bob was always opposed to Halloween. But, I grew up with it. So, when he worked away from home during October, I let the kids carve pumpkins & go from house to house with their treat bags (I wasn't being sneaky - Bob knew I would do it): the costumes were not gory and heathenism was not encouraged, but they did go. And when the grandkids came along, I did small-scale lawn decoration, too … and Bob kept his peace about it.

There are several spaces here with holiday decorations littering their grass: but, I'm pretty sure Holland would not go in for lawn decorations, even if he is allowing the candy bag.

For myself - this is the time of year, when the air turns crisp and leaves shimmer like sunlit jewels. Evenings stretch longer, calling for pleasant scented candles, blankets, vintage holiday movies, & relaxing book time. The kitchen smells of spice and carries coziness on the scent; while laughter mingles with gentle lighting - and October leans in through the windows. Everything feels slower, sweeter, & touched by amber warmth.

Vibrant red-yellow-orange leaves; leaving … & returning; Toutle River RV Resort-WA

Tonight, while waiting for the timid knocks on our front door, I switched out my October book cover for my November design:

61 Days until 2026 ends.

How the Days have flown!

HOLLAND = FREEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE; Castle Rock-WA

Holland is the freest relationship I've ever been in.

I've been in relationships which had open ends = my choice; the guys were fun to be with, but they were easy to let go of, too. So, I did.

I had a 44 year old relationship, married to the love of my life. I waited for him - I always knew he was mine, always. So, I waited for him to realize that. Bob was my "it" man. But with pressures on all sides (ex-wife, stepson, mother, our daughter) I never felt like I belonged (I was actually TOLD that, by stepson, mother, & daughter) - it seemed to me, that I was always on the outside of my Life, looking in. At 17, I finally landed the man who stole my heart at 10 … and I was happy to be his wife for 44 years (95% of that time very happy) but I never felt free in that loving marriage. I always felt hobbled from being ME; because being me upset too many people making claims on Bob. Bob did love me, there is no doubt of that … but I had to shrink myself for decades to keep everyone else happy. And in the end - Bob is gone, and they are all still miserable people. The only one who is enjoying a life of freedom, now, is ME.

Holland, is the freest relationship I've ever had. YES, he can be overbearing some Days - BUT 100% of the time, I KNOW I'm wanted, loved, & protected: 99% of the time, he is open-handed in generosities. YES, some Days are difficult … but, I can be a bit of a live wire, myself, some Days. Marrying Holland was not hard for me to do = by the time I said "yes", stopped running & agreed to join  my life with his - I felt like he had always been a part of my life (sounds weird, but strangely true). He made my heart feel comfortable (even when the heat is on, full force). Laughter comes easy (there is a joyful lightness in freedom). He likes it when I "doll up" in my bold, colorful outfits & sparkly makeup ("enjoy your day shopping - buy what you need & want, I'll like whatever you wear"). When possible & feasible, he goes out of his way to make my dreams & wishes come true (he never questioned my want for a life on the open road, he just hitched his wagon to mine & off we drove: 21 States in 3-1/2 years). He is protection alert; always on guard & stresses to me what I need to be on guard about, myself (and I listen, because he's been around some pretty rough & sketchy people, and understands the underbelly of society much better than I ever could). 

Holland is an experience, that's truth; and most of the time, he's a good & pleasant experience. He gave me friendship when my life felt need to make space for friends. He gave me love when I wasn't aware that my Life needed more than comfortable companionship, He gives this "I can do it myself" woman, protection against the storms of life & unseen/unknown predators: with him by my side, I don't have to do it all by myself. For the first time in my entire life, I can set the heavy loads down, breathe easy, and simply rest without explaining to anyone, why.

Holland IS the most freeing experience I've ever indulged in.

And, I find myself enjoying it. It's a pleasant feeling to know that your mere existence puts the sparkle in someone else's eye, & the smile on their face. Freedom without conditions, is freeing indeed ❤️

HYGEE VIBES~Self-Care 2026; Castle Rock-WA

I have been a bit under the weather this past week 🤧🤢😴 and rain is going to continue into the weekend ☔️

An understanding husband 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨, home comforts ☕️💻🌐🍵📖🎬🎶 & a furry little foot warmer have been my saving grace ✨

Drinking my morning coffee while making contact with internet friends via various internet connections, I saw that my crochet headphone sunflower pattern was featured on Sinea's Blog Hop Link Party - I'm glad people like my designs 👍

MOD HEADPHONES CROCHET SUNFLOWER STRIP BAND Pattern, was featured on Sinea's Blog @ 

(https://ducksnarow.com/2026/10/happiness-is-homemade-in-october.html)

During a brief break in the rainfall … we drove to Castle Rock & let Bleu off-leash to run one of the river 🦈 trails, there 🐕🐾

He's such a happy little fella; and I enjoy getting out, too - even feeling punk. I'm always up for a nature walk 😊

He's a happy little dog, again - and smack dab in the middle between us, too ;-)

Took Bleu for a short river walk; Castle Rock-WA

Back home, Holland fix supper in the pressure cooker; then we all just lazed around … and I got cozy in my little corner of the family room, with a robust warming tea, a lapghan across my lap, & read a good portion of my recent Cussler-Fargo Read, before turning in:

Cussler~Fargo Adventure novel with an Aztlan link uncovered in Zanzibar.

Regrouping & refocusing.

Movenpick Royal Palm Hotel~Tanzania

L'Oliveto Restaurant~Movenpick Royal Palm Hotel, Tanzania

Pilot - who, joins forces with the Fargos.

Sukuti Island, Tanzania

Recouping the mystery-laden bell …

Mud & crocodiles …

She's a mud & mascara kind of team player.

The Fargos jet from Sukuti Island, Tanzania to Washington D.C., USA to track down a complexing mystery.

There are no coincidences.

Today, despite the lingering punkiness & rainy atmosphere, was really a very good Day.

I am thankful & blessed.

MOD CROCHET TURKEY COFFEE COASTER Pattern: Castle Rock-WA

MOD Crochet Turkey Coffee Coaster; Castle Rock-WA

I get bored easily & I like to keep things switched out 🤭 - especially around the whirlwind 'ber holiday season.

Today's switcharoo thingee is a coffee coaster ☕️ for November 🦃

I have lots of little left-over-yarn balls of previous projects, and coffee coasters is a fun, colorful, way to whittle them down a bit 😉

This is a large coaster, designed to fit under a coffee mug … and also as a safe-gap for coffee spills (I am a klutz; especially before I am fully awake).

The other day while scrolling through my FB feed, I saw this reel that made me laugh - I do toning exercises … and I also design yarn crafts: it fit. I hope it lightens your morning coffee hour, too:

Handcrafter's Exercise Moves

MOD Crochet Turkey Coffee Coaster Pattern

Materials: Worsted Scrap Yarn, in Brown, Purple, Turquoise, Green, Yellow, Orange & Red; a snippet of white marker yarn; #G aluminum crochet hook; scissors; tapestry needle

Terms used:

ch = chain

st = stitch

dc = double crochet

hdc = half double crochet

jn = join

sc = single crochet

sl st = slip stitch

trbc = treble crochet

EA = each

EO = end off

rpt = repeat

x = times

Body: With Brown, ch 3 - make 11 dc in 1st ch; jn with a sl st (12 dc)

Row 1: Ch 3 - 2 dc in EA st; jn with a sl st (24 dc)

Row 2: Ch 3 - 1 dc in same space, *1 dc next st, 2 dc in next st*, rpt * - * around; jn with  a sl st (36 dc)

Row 3: Ch 3 - 1 dc in same space, *1 dc x2, 2 dc in next st*, rpt * - * around; jn with a sl st & EO (48 dc)

Feet: Fold circle in half & mark center st.

Count 3 sts to the left of marker & with Gold, ch 6, sl st to same space - ch 6 & sl st to same space; EO

Count 3 sts to the right of marker & with Gold, ch 6, sl st to same space - ch 6 & sl st to same space; EO

Tail Feathers & Head: Fold circle in half again, & mark center st.

Count 15 sts to the right of marker & with Purple, ch 6 - sl st into top of 3rd dc, EO purple & draw up Turquoise, ch 6 - sl st into top of 3rd dc, EO turquoise & draw up Green, ch 6 - sl st into top of 3rd dc, EO green …

Draw up Brown & make a shell as follows: sc, hdc, trbc x10 in marked center st, hdc in next st, sc next st, sl st next st - EO brown; then begin tail feather chains again in colors - yellow, orange, red as directed previously for feathers; EO with red.

Sc & hdc …

Make 10 trbc in marked center st.

Hdc in next st, sc next st, sl st next st - EO brown.

With Red, make a waddle.

With Gold, ch 5 - fold over & sew in place, for a beak.

With Black, make 2 eyes.

Your coaster is finished: enjoy!