General Life – The Happy Viking

Makin’ Hot Sauce!

Folks, I love hot sauce. I also like trying new ones, always in search of the perfect sauce. It’s difficult because I like a lot of heat, but a lot of flavor, too. And I don’t like sweet sauces or sauces with a lot of vinegar. My two favorite sauces currently are the Bend Sauce,Continue reading “Makin’ Hot Sauce!”

01/01 at the Oregon Coast

January first! We decided to go to the coast for a nice day trip. It’s about one and a half hours, so not far. We went to one of the jetties, and there was a little wind, but not so much that you couldn’t enjoy the day. Here on the coast, the skies were blueContinue reading “01/01 at the Oregon Coast”

A Tribute to Sue Grafton & Kinsey Millhone (plus some ramblings)

Sue Grafton is one of my favorite writers. She died in 2017, but not before writing what is known as the “alphabet mysteries. It started with “A is for Alibi,” and went to “Y is for Yesterday,” coming out the year she died. I read somewhere her family says the letter z doesn’t exist inContinue reading “A Tribute to Sue Grafton & Kinsey Millhone (plus some ramblings)”

Galinhada: A Traditional Dish From Brazil

It was time to make another international dish in our household! This time, a friend, Faythe, chose Brazil for us. After a little research, galinhada became an obvious YES! One of the steps was to put the saffron threads in hot water to let them dissolve and make saffron water. I’ve never done that before,Continue reading “Galinhada: A Traditional Dish From Brazil”

Kjøttkaker med Brunsaus (Meatballs with Gravy) 23Sep2022

This is the second traditional dish from another country that my sweetheart and I decided to try. This dish is from Norway, which I chose because I have Norwegian ancestry. And come on… meatballs. First of all, I have to say that it was harder than I thought to find a traditional Norwegian dish thatContinue reading “Kjøttkaker med Brunsaus (Meatballs with Gravy) 23Sep2022”

Arroz de Marisco 10Sep2022

My sweetheart and I have decided to try something fun: we are going to make a dish once or twice a month that is traditional to another country. (And when I say “we decided,” I really mean I wanted to do this and he is willing to try some new foods.) For this month heContinue reading “Arroz de Marisco 10Sep2022”

Story Time

I haven’t blogged a ton lately, for a few reasons. I’ve been working (of course), I’ve been re-doing the spare room into my office (that was well worth it!), and I’m writing a book. I’m thinking about writing a little series on this blog, but I’d really like to hear your thoughts on this. IsContinue reading “Story Time”

I Made Sushi!

I decided to have a go at making sushi so I could take it for lunch. I worked Monday and Tuesday, so I made these on Sunday afternoon. I learned there are recipes for sushi rice, which was a surprise. Apparently, you take the cooked sushi rice and add a mixture of seasoned rice vinegar,Continue reading “I Made Sushi!”