Howard makes a wonderful winter dish of braised short ribs with creamy polenta that I want to tell you about along with my other favorite things this week like a smart clock that can help you sleep better and a fun game for the family.
We are still in Palm Springs, California for the Christmas holidays. We rented a house and have family that live nearby too so it’s a great gathering spot.
1. Smart Clock To Enhance Your Sleep
Do you sleep well? I hate to complain but I have trouble getting a good night’s sleep and staying asleep all night (especially when I grab my phone in the middle of the night to see what time it is). But I slept so well at our son, Tommy’s place in Los Angeles last Wednesday! I think this smart clock really helped.
Lenovo Smart Clock With Smart Bulb On Sale
Tommy has this older version that is only $24.88 on sale now. It comes with one smart bulb. He liked it so much that he ordered more smart bulbs (which you can program to turn on and dim on a schedule). You can also get this one with a phone charging station ($69.99).
Sleepytime features and why I want one:
- The screen can be programmed to dim for nighttime
- Tommy had it play gentle ocean waves for 60 minutes at bedtime for us.
- He’s going to program it for me 🙂
More features:
- Quickly set up morning and night routines
- Stream cameras, control 50,000+ smart devices
- Play music, audiobooks, radio & podcasts
- Ask Google to check weather, schedules, etc
2. Howard’s Braised Short Ribs In Red Wine With Creamy Polenta
This is a staple in Howard’s entree repertoire: rich Braised Short Ribs with Creamy Polenta. He’s made it so many times that he doesn’t use a recipe but he said the link above is very close. Howard served it with chopped, steamed green beans. He sometimes uses asparagus or broccoli.
Howard prefers ordering the short ribs directly from the butcher, as opposed to picking up the pre-cut ribs in the meat section, to make sure he’s getting the best cuts.
“These flavorful short ribs perfectly illustrate how braised meat cooked on the bone can turn out succulent and tender enough to cut with a fork. “
3. Staub Dutch Oven Quality Kitchen Staple
Howard uses our Five Quart Staub Dutch Oven so often for stews and things like the short ribs above, that he gave our son and son-in-law each one for Christmas. It comes in lots of colors and it is a great buy right now.
4. What To Watch on Television: The Sabrina Remake
I watched it again on Netflix. I forgot about the scenes of Sabrina in Paris. It’s a nice “feel good” romance.
“A remake of a 1954 Billy Wilder romance, this updated version of the play Sabrina Fair was directed by Sydney Pollack. Julia Ormond stars as Sabrina Fairchild, the daughter of a kindly chauffeur (John Wood) at the Long Island estate of the upper crust Larrabee family.”
5. A Fun Family Game For Italian NIght
On Christmas Eve, we had spaghetti alle vongole made by our new Italian in-laws. And we played an easy, traditional Italian bingo game called…Tombolo. It’s fun for a group…you could do it on a Pizza Night, too.
If you are new here, each Sunday I share my top five favorite things along with my friends, Cindy and Annie. It’s like our weekly “catch-up” phone call. If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.
Let’s see what Cindy’s Five Faves are this week:
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I just made Howard’s short rib recipe. Both my husband and I loved it. My husband said it is one of the best recipes we’ve made. It is one the short list of repeat recipes.
Thanks so much for telling us, Diane!!
Merry Christmas Mary Ann, your holiday looks and sounds amazing. We typically have Italian on Christmas Eve, this year as we went to my brothers we did prime rib.
I love this clock, the only time I have trouble sleeping is if I am too hot. In the winter we have the windows open and I slept great. In the summer we keep the air at 68.
Howards short ribs look delicious!
Have a wonderful vacation/holiday.
You are so lucky not to have sleeping issues, Elizabeth. I like it a bit cool too.
Clock sounds great. When I can’t sleep
I use to use the relaxing music. Now o use free ‘adult bedtime stories’ that I google on my phone. It takes a while to find a voice you like but it puts me asleep
In 15 minutes or less. Happy New Year.
I’ve used those “bedtime stories” too…but they keep Howard awake. Wave sounds, don’t.
You sold me on the clock; I just ordered one. This was timely as my 20+ year old clock radio alarm clock is no longer reliable and I need a replacement.
I bought it, too, Cathy!
Sounds like a lovely Christmas, MA! Howard’s short ribs look amazing. And spaghetti made by the Italian relatives … yes, please. I could really use that smart clock … and a good night sleep. xo
I love Sabrina I just watched it a couple of weeks ago too! Sounds like you are having fun. Howard’s short ribs look amazing. That clock sounds like something we need and at such a great price!
Such a good movie!
Both versions of Sabrina are on my list of feel-good favorites. Can’t wait to try the braised short ribs and dig out my aunt’s rhinestone broaches for New Years Eve. Thanks for a fun read. Happy New Year!
Sounds like you had a nice Christmas Mary Ann! My son-in-law is a good cook but rarely uses a recipe. (but I bet he would love this short rib one) I knew he wanted a Le Creuset but it isn’t in their budget right now. I waited until they were on sale around the holidays and bought him the teal blue one. He had no idea so was super surprised when he unwrapped it yesterday. The best gifts are the ones they don’t expect!
Linda
That’s a nice gift!! We have Le Creuset and Staub and Howard loves them both.