Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Kitchen Sink Soup

It is inevitable.  I must post my Kitchen Sink Soup recipe. This is just one iteration of hundreds of Kitchen Sink SoupS.  

Where did this silly name come from?  This is the name that I give to everything but the kitchen sink--all the compatible leftovers in the fridge cooked in a pot.  You know how those pesky leftovers pile up in the fridge.  Just stick them all together and call it soup.  Kitchen Sink Soup!

This soup could also be called Creamed Tortellini Florentine, if that sounds better.  I was in a hurry and didn't want to have chicken tonight, so I remembered a pin that I added this last week and it sounds good called Creamy Tomato Tortellini by Two Peas in a Pod.  http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/creamy-tomato-tortellini-soup/#_a5y_p=1277451

I didn't have all the ingredients, as usual, but I did have good stuff in the freezer that I had put away for another day--1/2 bottle of Bertolli's Alfredo Sauce, 1/2 package of Totellini, part of a can of Evaporated Milk and part of a large package of baby spinach--all in the freezer (didn't hurt any of them). The tomatoes were in food storage. 



Store leftover spinach flat in the freezer in a zip lock bag.  

When ready to use you can break it into small pieces while it is still frozen by rumpling up the bag, or use whole for baby spinach.


Creamed Tortellini Florentine
(Kitchen Sink Soup)
1 pkg Tortellini with cheese (1/2 of the Costco 2-pack--1 package) That size
2 Cans Petite Diced Tomatoes (15 oz. or one large can)
1 qt. chicken broth
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder (this is a quick meal--feel free to saute fresh onion and garlic)
1 package frozen chopped spinach (or fresh frozen)
1 bottle Bertolli's Alfredo Sauce
1 can Evaporated Milk or fresh cream (whatever you have)

Combine tomatoes, chicken broth and spices. Bring to a boil and add tortellini. Boil gently for about 5 minutes. Add spinach and cook on medium low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add Alfredo sauce and milk or cream and serve.  (If it needs more heating, do not boil or the cream will curdle.) Makes about 6 servings.
Kitchen Sink Tortellini Soup

I had half of these ingredients and made 5 medium bowls of soup.  This soup is a fun and looks a little pink with the tomatoes and cream.  Would be fun to serve for a Valentine's day lunch, or for Christmas with the green and red.


HAPPY COOKING

CYBERGRAM

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Sunday Breakfast

And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden: and there he put the man whom he had formed. . . And the Lord God commanded the man, saying Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made.  And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall eat of every tree of the garden? (and she told him about The Tree.) The Lord had said  Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.  (I didn't know about touching it.) 
And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that the it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Genesis 2: 16-18; 3: 1-6

It did not say it was an apple.  I would choose a mango--so desirable.  Perhaps she didn't tell him of the fruit (I know better) and baked him a German Apple Pancake.

We love to make a special breakfast on Sunday:  German Apple Pancakes.  It is a special breakfast. I got this recipe from a magazine ad for Parkay Margarine and Kraft Strawberry Preserves. I would like to share that recipe with you. (Substitute Butter for margarine.)

High Rise Apple Pancake
1/4 C butter or margarine
6 C peeled apple slices (I do not peel)
or use 2 C dried apple slices softened in boiling water to cover for 30 minutes. Squeeze out any extra water before use.

1/4 C sugar  (use less if apples are sweet)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

2 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 C flour (whole wheat doesn't work)
1/2 C milk (real milk not soy, etc.)
1/4 tsp salt

1 T butter or margarine
Strawberry preserves, syrup or honey

Melt butter in large skillet over low heat.  
Add combined apples, sugar and cinnamon, cook until apples are tender.
Combine eggs, flour, milk and salt; beat until smooth.  (I like to use a hand mixer to incorporate air into the batter.)  Heat oven-proof 8-inch skillet in 450 degree oven until very hot.  (I use my 9-in cast iron skillet.)  Coat skillet with butter, immediately pour in batter.  Bake on lowest rack in oven at 450 degrees for 10 minutes.  Reduce heat to 350, continue baking 10 minutes or until golden brown and puffed up on the edges. Fill with apple mixture; top with preserves, maple syrup or drizzle on some Kempe honey. Serve immediately.  4-6 servings.

For the two of us I double the recipe and heat two cast iron skillets dividing the batter between the two. I spray the pan with pan spray and use half the butter in the pan. I also divide the apples between the pans and cut each in four. We eat two pieces each and save one pan for tomorrow for a special treat another day. (Half of a pan is only one egg, 2 T. flour and less than 1 apple; and it is too good!)

















Such a treat: German Apple Pancake
Happy Sunday

CYBERGRAM

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Foreman Panini

Panini Without Buying a Panini Grill

This is my tip of the day:  You don't have to go out and buy a Panini Maker to make a panini sandwich.  Just dust off that George Foreman grill (everyone has one somewhere) and use it instead.  You can get the same striped sandwich with that never-used grill.

I don't care for chicken grilled on the Foreman grill because it is too dry so I store it high on top of the cupboard out of site, out of mind. Some day I should  try burgers, but I have a gas grill in the conservatory.

Here is the way to do it--a smashed sandwich with grill marks.  Make your sandwich.  I use Mesquite or other smoked luncheon meats and/or smoked cheese on sliced Italian Loaf bread or French bread.  (I buy smoked turkey because it keeps a couple of days longer in the refrigerator than oven roasted turkey.)  Add some greens--spinach or basil leaves and mayo.  Butter the outer sides of the bread like making grilled cheese sandwiches.    


Place in the grill and top with one or two heavy cast iron skillets to squish it down.  The grill comes with little adapters that you can put on the front feet to make the grill flat or even on top.  Grill away until it has grill marks on the sammy and melts the cheese.  Voila, a panini!  How hard is that?






I was watching Rick Bayless gilling some vegetables while making these sandwiches and so I threw on a couple of thick slices of Roma tomato.  Then I just slipped them into my sandwich.  Yum.

Happy Grilling!

CYBERGRAM

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Fish Thursday

Most Yummy Fish Tacos

This is the best fish taco I have tasted yet. It is in a slightly older edition of The Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook, 2002, page 283.  I could not find it online or on pinterest so I will copy it here and then pin it myself.  

Fish Tacos
Start to Finish: 20 Minutes                Oven:  450 degrees F                  Makes 4 servings

1  pound fresh or frozen skinless cod, orange roughy or other fish fillets
2  T butter or margarine, melted
1/4  tsp. ground cumin
1/8  tsp. garlic powder
3  T mayonnaise or salad dressing
1  tsp. lime juice
1 1/2 C shredded cabbage with carrot (coleslaw mix) or shredded cabbage
8  corn taco shells, warmed according to package directions
1  recipe Mango Salsa (from page 291)

Thaw fish, if frozen.  Rinse and fish and pat dry with paper towels. Cut fish crosswise into 3/4 in. slices.  Place fish in single layer in greased shallow baking pan.  Combine butter, cumin and garlic powder.  Brush over fish and bake in 450 degree oven for 4-6 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl stir together mayonnaise and lime juice.  Add cabbage; toss to  coat.  Spoon some of the coleslaw mixture into each taco shell; add fish slices.  Top with Mango Salsa.

Mango Salsa
                                       Makes 2 cups
1 1/2 C chopped mango or peaches
1 medium red sweet pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1/4  C thinly sliced green onions
1  Jalepeno chili pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1  T olive oil
1/2  tsp. finely shredded lime peel
1  T lime juice
1  T vinegar
1/4  tsp salt    1/4  tsp pepper

Mix together and serve on the tacos.

That is the original recipe.  Now here is my adaptations.  The fish, I used cod, was very watery.  After 6 minutes it was swimming in water so I drained the pan and cooked another 10-15 minutes or until it was dried out a little and starting to crisp.  I also used medium sized uncooked flour tacos that I fried up on a hot oiled griddle.  I had no fresh mangoes or peaches nor time to go to the store.  I used some home canned peaches that no one will eat because they turned a little dark and chopped them up and put them in some Pace Salsa and it was sooo good. It was like Costco's Mango Salsa that I love,(but my husband does not like.) Now I know I can have Mango Salsa whenever I want without trying to use up a huge bottle all by myself.

Pix from the Better Homes and Garden book.

I didn't take my own pix because I didn't know they were going to be so good.  Just wanted to share.

Happy Cooking

CYBERGRAM








Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Can't Get Enough Hearts

So many hearts. . .
I cannot stop making heart jewelry.  I have trays full of beautiful hearts.  Why do I have to make hearts only for Valentine's Day?  

This set of jewelry was designed for packages of beads that I have been keeping for just the right moment. I have one pyramid bead left from three packages that I bought at JoAnn's.


 I love the cut crystal pyramidal shape and the Capri blue color with a purplish AB haze.

  I discovered that the Swarovski Cyclamen Opal color coordinates and enhances the purple undertones.

I introduce: 
Capri Opal Jewelry Set





I just had to use up all the beads--I will never find another like it.  

Happy Beading

CYBERGRAM  

Monday, February 16, 2015

Serendipity

I just popped into Walmart today to pick up a prescription and there were baskets full of Valentine Stuff for 50% off.  I couldn't help myself, I had to look.  There were many chocolate heart values, a couple of Lindt and Ghirardelli packages which I grabbed up quickly, and a bunch of junk packages of stuff like pens, erasers, pencil sharpeners with several in a pack.  I filled my cart for gift stuff and then put them all back.  Don't buy it if you don't need it!  I did make out like a bandit on Valentine flowers.  I got an orchid for $5. Hope I don't kill this one.  (Actually the last one bloomed twice before it croaked.)  I got miniature roses for $2.50. They can be planted outside--each pot has four or five roses in it.  They do better in the ground overwinter than in pots.
Miniature roses in the window 

I also got four cyclamen.  They were almost drowned, but came right out of it when drained.  They don't do as well outdoors when planted in the ground but I am going to try pots on the shady porch.  My mother and I used to collect them and exchange them as gifts.  I think of her when I see a cyclamen plant.  They are so pretty.


Cyclamen in my greenhouse window

Tip of the day: Remember to cut out the bottom of the pretty foil covering the pots so they can drain properly or they might drown.  (If you remove the foil, you will just have an ugly pot until you can repot into something respectable.:)

Tip:  If you do take them outside later remember to harden them off slowly to the outdoor weather.  If the leaves of your plant get white, it is too cold and windy, or too sunny for them.

Happy Houseplants!


Sunday, February 15, 2015

Day of Rest

Here is the Scripture du jour:
Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a  house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.  (Doctrine and Covenants 88: 119)
Working on it.  

Happy Sunday.

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Happy Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

The day was fun and full.  I did end up shopping again on Saturday. I don't have to do that now, but I needed some Valentine Stuff.  

I went to Costco--never on Saturday--because I just had to have a red velvet cake and theirs is the best.  I want to tell you about a food demo that I tasted (and bought).  It was Kirkland Signature Macadamia Clusters with salted caramel.  Oh, to die for!  They are better than Turtles.  I cannot describe how good they are.  You gotta get some. 
DON'T PASS THIS ONE UP!


My sweetheart and I celebrate the day before.  We don't like to go to restaurants on holidays.  We went to our new favorite restaurant The Lone Star Steakhouse Restaurant.  Dan can have his steak and I can just check out the rest of the menu.  I love, love, love the Parmesan Crusted Chicken--very high in fat, however.  I tried a more cholesterol friendly Napa Valley Grilled Chicken and it was good, too.  Grilled chicken with mushrooms, artichoke hearts and sun dried tomatoes in a wine cream sauce.  I like the salmon, and the baked sweet potato is yummy, too.  All served with hot bread, salad and choice of side.  Lots of food;  enough for a doggy bag.

For the next two days I planned special comfort foods for my Valentine and I.  Today is homemade spaghetti sauce on spaghetti noodles.  This is my favorite 20 minute meal.  It was especially good today with mushrooms and Pecorino Romano cheese. The original recipe came from my grandmother.  My mother may have tweaked it because my dad didn't like the oregano in it.  I tweaked it to remove the sugar because tomatoes are sweeter these days than they were in the past.  Mom said that the reason sugar was added to spaghetti sauce was to sweeten the extra tart tomatoes.  I don't know if that is true, but sugar is not needed.  I put the dried oregano back in, decreased the dried basil and leave out the tomato paste.  I don't like bottled sauce because of the basil, tomato paste and the sugar.  Tomato paste and dried basil are too strong for me, especially when canned (or bottled). I like the real tomato flavor, but do not have success with fresh tomatoes.  Too watery no matter how long I cook it (carrots don't do it, neither does tomato paste).  I use a 15 oz. can of tomato sauce and drained diced tomatoes, sauted onion and garlic. The consistency is perfect and nothing is too over powering as with tomato paste and basil. I don't use fresh basil mostly because I never have any.  I learned to put EVOO on the spaghetti noodles after cooking, not in the cooking water.  These are the secrets to the best spaghetti.

Tomorrow--chicken fried steak--Dan's comfort food.

Happy Valentine's Day!


Remember "stickies"?
(that's me -- the ghost of Valentine's present.)




My Wooden Heart

Happy. Happy Day

My Wooden Heart--a pendant found in someones buy-out of Blue Moon Beads.  This is a fun, not dress-up necklace.  The color was a challenge to match to other beads.  It is not quite red, not pink, not burgundy.  It took a long search in the bead stash to come up with something that would compliment the odd color.  Finally, I found a rubber covered round bead that worked  It is not black, but reddish brown.  Here we are:  My Wooden Heart:


A Wooden Heart




The necklace had two 9  mm red bicones next to the heart as spacers, then the 16 mm rubber coated round beads broken up with 10 mm acrylic hearts.  All are strung on a 1 mm red cord with handmade copper wire cord end and clasp.  It looks great on a rose pink turtleneck sweater.

To go with this fun-day necklace I created the Retro Heart Earring.

I remember wearing large dangle silver balls back in the sixties.  I still have them.  (remember--I am a cyber grandma) 

These are really only 16 mm and not as large as they look. They are the same rubber coated round beads in reddish brown.  Below that bead hangs a 9-10 mm pink AB crystal heart to go with the heart theme.  


Happy Beading!


cybergram

































Friday, February 13, 2015

Missed Me?

CONFESSIONS OF A HOARDER.

This blog and all scheduled work has been on hold this week so the black hole could be cleaned.  That is my downstairs studio, sewing room, beading room and all around craft area. So far the room is about 50% cleaned.


A laundry basket full of table linen

My desk area
My poor computer desk

My sewing area.


Boxes of beads to hang on the wall and other stuff to put way

Another box of missionary white shirts to clean up

For the first few days the stuff just sorta moved from one place to another.  I don't know where to put it all. It was too discouraging.  I decided to watch Hoarder. I am so close to being one of them.  Unfortunately, I have the same responses.  If I am put on the spot, I cannot continue to dejunk. I just freeze up.  I bought this stuff for a purpose, a wonderful project I just never got done. I think for some silly impractical reason that I can just work on it really hard and get all these project made up. Not going to happen in this lifetime. I also hate to give it away.  I feel like crying about this.  How hard can it be?  Totally Hard! If I can just get it all put away, out of sight, neat and organized. . .  You know, out of sight, out of mind.  That is not the solution, but that might be the only possible way right now. I need to sew, bead, etc., etc., etc. 

So, I am slowly going through it.  It may take forever, and this life will not be forever. I am keeping on task, sort of, and trying not to get too distracted.  

Back to the dungeon.

Happy Hoarding.   

More Hearts

Now the jewelry making has begun, I just don't want to stop. There are so many nice heart beads just waiting to be made into jewelry.

This is a different type of metal drop that makes great year- round earring.  It is named Fluttering Hearts.
Fluttering Hearts Earrings


Closer details -- Fluttering Hearts Earring


Notice the cute butterfly on the heart. This earring took a little more time because of the dangling wire wrapped crystals, but it was not that difficult to make.  I chose Swarovski's Indian Red 4mm bicones for a different red color.  I think I will make a matching necklace* with chain and inserted crystals. There is an extra drop that doesn't have a mate to make more earrings to sell.

Next, I needed a pair of earrings to go with  a Turquoise necklace I made a while back.  The earrings pick up the colors in the necklace that has inlaid coral, yellow and black obsidian (and more).




South Western Heart Earrings
The hearts are 15mm Magnasite dyed turquoise with Coral chips and size 11 seed beads in yellow, black and turquoise.
South Western Heart Set
The pendant is a 30mm Turquoise and inlaid gemstones like Malakite, Lapiz, Coral, Obsidian, (Not sure what the yellow is?) with Sterling Silver divisions across the heart.  The necklace is made with Turquoise mini chips dissected with Coral, Calcite and Lapiz small chips and SS beads. I have one pendant left, first come first serve.

Happy Beading!

*Note: I don't appreciate Oprah Winfrey starting the "matchy, matchy" thing on her program years ago.  I still like matching jewelry.  So there! 





Thursday, February 12, 2015

I (Heart) Hearts

Can you believe it?  The beading table is clean.  I worked hard on it and now I can bead again.  My first project is a dangling heart earring. Actually, I made three pair of heart earrings tonight. I don't have any heart earrings to wear this season except one that won't go into my ear smoothly.  It always hurts and I have to put a rubber backing on it or it will fall out.  Not my favorite.  The others seem to be hiding somewhere.

Hugs and Kisses Earring

This beauty is the Hugs and Kisses Earrings.  It is a version of Fusion Beads earring of the same name.  It is virtually the same, but the size of Swarovski crystal heart is larger.  I used a 18mm heart rather than the 14mm one.  This was very simple with an "X" dangle in front of the heart on one and an "O" dangle on the other.  I like it.

Cascading Hearts Earrings

Second, the Cascading Hearts Earrings.  The chain of red glass hearts already attached  (I bought them that way) is hooked to the loop of the Silver Plated Earwire and voila' the earring is completed.  Easy, peasy.

Chained To My Heart Earrings

Third, Chained To My Heart Earrings.  The 18 mm red enameled hearts are attached to the earwire with a 5mm jumpring. The small red enameled hearts are connected to a 3-3 1/2" Sterling Silver delicate chain then offset so they are not dangling evenly and attached to the back of the first jumpring with a tiny 2mm jumpring.  All done.  These are fun and fancy.

Now that's my cup of tea

So good to be back.

Happy Beading 



Tuesday, February 10, 2015

How To Clean Stuffed Animals

While cleaning today, I found a box full of stuffed animals that had been stored in the garage, uncovered for a few years.  Gross.  I can't even give them to charity  (who really don't need them) because who knows what has been crawling in the box.  I braved the box and there was no evidence of rodents, no mouse tracks, just sawdust and regular dust.

Wash Me

I found some worth keeping so I decided to clean them up.  Here is my method:  Place the animals in a pillow case, tie the top with string or baste across the open end.  Wash them in a gentle cycle with warm water and a soap with some perfumed fragrance.  It will make them smell better.  (Don't do this if the owner is allergic to additives in the soap.)  

Use the soak cycle first if the animals need it then a gentle cycle.  Place the pillow and animals in the dryer and dry on cool for two or more long cycles.  Note:  don't put felt clothes (like Winnie The Pooh), or ribbons that won't wash.  Replace worn ribbons and put new eyes on any that have felt eyes that have fallen off or are ruined. Notice, the Olympics bear that I made has no eyes because they were glued on and made of felt. They disappeared?? He was never a baby toy, by the way. Don't panic.

Some dirty stuffed animals that are like new now.

The rest of the animals in the box went in the gabage except for a red bear that went out for Valentine's Day and a bunny for Easter.  The Care Bears are like new so I will give them to my daughter's girl.  They were her mother's toys--she loved Care Bears.


Still cleaning the craft room.

Happy Cleaning.
 

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Faith Worketh Patience

Here is something to consider:

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  James 1: 2-4
It doesn't say here that trials make you strong;  it worketh patience, and we must give it time with patience to become entire. Think about it.

  

Saturday, February 7, 2015

A Special Day

What constitutes special day?

  • The sun is shining.  It was 69 degrees in the afternoon. We are talking about February in Utah. I believe it is a year without winter here.  Here's a little factoid you may not know: In 1815 Mount Tambora in India erupted causing extreme havoc around the world.  In the year of 1816 many countries experienced a year without summer. The cause was attributed to the volcano eruption column that reached into the stratosphere causing global cooling. Crops failed all over the Northeastern states and many people were driven out of their homes. One family was that of Joseph Smith, Sr  He moved his family from Vermont to New York.  Coincidence? There were no Gold Plates buried in Vermont.  This year, only in the West, there is no winter. The Northeast has many feet of snow and below freezing temperatures. But not here. The sun is shining and it is a special day.
  • I finally got out of the house to get groceries.  I spent too much money.  Stayed too long looking for Valentine Decorations. But now we have food and burlap.  Good things to have. That is special; now we can eat.  (and decorate) 
  • I worked many hours in the black hole craft room. Everything gets piled in there, more and more every day. I bought a tote and filled it with new fabric. Not a dent in the room. But it is a special day, because I went in there and didn't throw up looking at the mess. I saw a little flicker at the end of that tunnel. Work schedules are on hold this week. I must chain myself to the cutting table (a long chain) and see it through to the end.
  • Today's Burger Bust is a winner!!!!  From the tiny book, Beans,The El Paso Chili Company, by W Park Kerr comes the tastee recipe, Beef and Black Bean Burgers. I have made this before with ground turkey, but beef is better, you can cook it medium and it is much juicier.  This is a simple recipe with ground beef, black beans and S&P, but the 'special' part is the Cumin Mayo. Sooo YUM.
Beef and Black Bean Burgers
   1 pound ground beef                
   1 cup cooked and drained black beans
   Olive oil
   Salt and freshly ground black pepper
   4 hamburger buns, split and toasted
   Cumin Mayonnaise

In a bowl, lightly but thoroughy mix together the ground beef and beans.  Form into 4 thick patties.
Set a large, heavy skillet over medium heat.  Film the pan with olive oil.  Add the patties and cook until brown, about 4 minutes. Turn the patties and cook until brown and done to your liking, about 3 minutes for medium rare.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  (Note:  It doesn't grill too well because the beans fall out and it doesn't stay together as well.  You could mash the beans, I suppose.)
Place each burger on the bottom of a bun.  Add a dollop of mayonnaise, cover with a bun top, and serve immediately.

Cumin Mayonnaise
   1/2 cup mayonnaise
   1 1/4 teaspoons ground cumin, preferably from toasted seeds
   2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
   1 teaspoons minced lime zest

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, cumin, lime juice, and zest. Cover and refrigerate until using. 


Hope you have your own special day.

Friday, February 6, 2015

April in February



The sky is cloudy.  The wind in blowing.  The camera is taking its own shots of the grape trellis, but I like it.  Makes me want to work in the garden.

It is 4:00 P.M. The date is February 6, 2015 and the temperature is 67 degrees and has been that way all day. 





The flowering quince has leaves and flower buds.  Incredible.

























Yesterday Dan tilled the garden 
and planted the peas.  IFA had the seeds already so in the ground they went.  Can you believe that?

With our last several weeks of warmer than usual weather, the peas might just begin to grow. Or not.  It is worth a try.






The Girls and Fritz



Here's the girls out taking a stroll around the yard.  They are as happy as a chicken could be.
Fritz, the Bantam Cock of the Walk
Agatha checking out the filberts I found on the ground


Oldtimer Molly, our first chicken six years ago


Hawkeye and Dixie  (too shy)



Bella Deux

And the naughty cat, Bella.  She is in big trouble all the time. 

Notice the rain barrel.  It got full then froze solid so the bottom bowed out and tipped it over.  No one is able to move it so it stays in the path until it finishes thawing out (which won't be long at this temperature.

And the camera got it last lick in with this picture.  I should let it take its own pix more often.
Hens and Chicks



Happy Gardening