Windsday/Pinsday

I found a couple of good recipes on Pinterest to pass on this week.  I finally made the Thai Chicken Salad with Orange Peanut Dressing.  I pinned it to Salads and Salad Dressings Board.  Here is a link the blog: http://www.cookingclassy.com/2015/02/thai-chicken-salad-orange-peanut-ginger-dressing/http://www.cookingclassy.com/2015/02/thai-chicken-salad-orange-peanut-ginger-dressing/

It was delicious and Dan even had seconds; he doesn't like recipes with peanuts in them so I was sceptical how he would respond.  I only changed one thing; I didn't use raw garlic, used powdered (not my favorite thing) because My GERD has been acting up and raw garlic and onion seem to rile it up.  Pity that.

The second was called: Cinnamon Roll Pancakes.  Don't confuse it with Cinabon Pancakes.  Not the same.  This is an easy peasy retrofit for your own pancake batter mix.  Just mix together 1/2 C Brown Sugar, 1 tsp. cinnamon and 2 T melted butter. Place in an empty honey container and squeeze onto unturned pancakes in a spiral pattern. Turn when bubbly and finish cooking. Voila. Very good. 

That is not how I did it, of course.  I didn't have time to look it up on my computer so I just took out 2/3 C. batter, added at least 2 tsp. cinnamon and 1-2 tablespoon of raw sugar then tried to make the spirals with a spoon.  Not so accurate, but so tasty.  Dan said he loved them, and he never comments on a recipe.  I  will give you my own pancake batter recipe later.  

Spiralized

This is actually on my waffle iron.  The pancakes pix are on the camera memory and I haven't figured out how to access them.  Will change it later.  PS  Waffles stick a lot and do not turn out as well.

I have spent the last few mornings out on my new patio eating my breakfast or reading or just sitting here enjoying the outdoors--that Spring/Summer luxury that spends such a short season here.  It is a bit chilly this morning, but warming up.  I decided to place a post on by blog while out here. I have been busy preparing for the SL County cleanup dumpster that came this week so I had to focus all my time to yardwork.  Sorry about the hiatus on blogging. Now I am behind in every aspect of my schedule--that is why I try to be flexible on days like these.  I do not regret being outside.  Love, love, love it!!!! 

HAPPY PINNING


BLOG'nGram

(Birdbath on the left)

PS A darling little finch just came to my birdbath that I am sitting next to.  It was nervous but got a drink anyway.  Cute!

All Gone

 We took down the greenhouse.  Whoa!  As I looked at it, i was thinking, "What aneye sore." I told that to Dan one day, "I decided to get rid of the greenhouse.'  That's all it took. With the garbage dumpsters scheduled next week, he got up Tuesday morning and said, "We are dismantling the greenhouse today."  Now that was not on my schedule.  I worked outside all day Monday (where was he then?), and planned to tackle the basement on Tuesday.  I had already walked the dogs and taken a shower and dressed in nice clothes for the day.  I didn't plan any sweaty, dirty work; just putting a bookcase back together and organizing the DVDs.  

I changed my clothes, donned my grubbies and set out to demolish the greenhouse.  Now Dan just doesn't understand the order of things.  First, I had to clean out the shed, then move a ton of stuff out of the greenhouse into the shed.  That wasn't going to happen.  I pulled the six tables I had stored in the shed and the chicken coup stuff and discovered mouse and rat dropping all over the shelves. (I quit that disgusting job!). 

I assigned Dan to start on the back and side of the greenhouse dismantling while I began the arduous task of removing the contents of the greenhouse.  Everything was covered with spider webs and dirt blown in so I just put it all out on the lawn and cement to be washed with the hose. 
(Interesting factoid, my Aracana, Hawkeye, loves spider nests.  She spent a lot of time pecking them off the greenhouse stuff.)

Working out there reinforced my decision to get rid of the greenhouse.  It had become a junk storage area.  I didn't like to do my repotting, etc., out there because it would just get too hot so I moved it under the deck.  Under there I make an awful mess when I repot so that potting area has to go, too.  I had a set up in the garage once and didn't like that either.  I prefer to be out in the open air.  Now the potting paraphernalia is all over the place and I need some think time to decide what to keep, what to store and where to put my nice redwood potting table that has been collecting dirt out in the now extinct greenhouse.  Dan is getting antsy about my timetable, but that is another story or disagreement.  I have until Wednesday to make a decision before the dumpsters come. 
 

Only part of the 'Stuff"

 

More 'stuff' to come.

Looking like a junk yard

My nice potting table (with dirt)

The potting table won't fit here as is.  I may have Dan remove the shelves and make a shelving space at the side.  He likes projects and it takes him away from his sick time.  He always feels better when working.

So, back to the demolition derby.  I worked inside and Dan worked outside and, of course, he got done in no time.  Then he sat on the stool waiting and watching me and telling me to throw this away and that away.  I can't think clearly about that when I am in the middle of it.  I have to spend think time in the shade with a glass of icy something for making my gardening decisions.  Good grief!

After emptying the space, it took no time for the shell to disappear.  We are now left with a pile of denailed 2 X 4s to use for shelving in the shed.  Dan was so into tossing stuff that he was tossing the wood, too.  I had to reign him in and show him the error of his ways.  Now I have shelves in the shed.  There are some things that I need to keep in order to do my planting. It is my hobby, at least one of them; a lifesaving hobby after the long, dreary winter.

Now there is a lovely area to decorate in my never used back yard. I sat out there this morning, ignored the mess until Saturday, and just soaked in the feeling--the cool breeze, the freshness, the exhilarating morning beauty of it all.  I plan to eat my breakfast outside and lunch until it gets too hot. Won't that be great?  Nature is my happy place, where I have my 'happy thots.'

Building Shelves

Shed with part of the shelves.

Rescued Lumber plus Chicken Barricades

Dan, probably grumbling about More Junk.

This area will be cleaned, no potting stuff.  Just  a nice area to rest in the shade.

Temporary chicken barricades to keep the girls off the cement.  Y'all know why.

More barricades--nice little spot coming together

Now to decide which tree to plant at the back of this spot for shade.  Do I want a fast growing Green Ash, Catalpa or Mulberry for my own pleasure quickly, or something slower, but more lovely like a Red or Green Maple? I have my own nursery of free seedling trees that I rescued from my yard.  I also have a Hickory from The Arbor Society.  I know nothing about them. 

Trees, pots, and temp chicken proofing.

There is beauty hidden here somewhere.  Patience.  I'm thinking. 

BTW:  I am putting three or four tables out on the curb for free.  Any takers?  These were from weddings.

HAPPY OUTDOORS

BLOG'nGRAM

(How's That?)

  

Always On a Windsday When the Pins Begin To Flow.

Pardon my pun.   I plan to try new pin recipes each week otherwise, why am I pinning them??? just to look at the pretty pictures???  So Windsday will be Pinsday. This is my menu making day and I search through my pins to find something to add to my menu.  I love to try new recipes because the old stuff is getting old, just like me.  

On Windsday I will review the ones I tried and evaluate them for all to see.  I am sure Pooh Bear would approve.

From the last week there are three pin recipes I tried.   I finally tried the Cauliflower Pizza Crust.  There are many recipe versions on Pinterest.  I used this one:  http://www.sweetashoney.co.nz/cauliflower-pizza-crust-paleo-low-carb/
FYI the pin is on my board called 'Dairy, Sugar or Gluten Free'.  I searched forever to find where in the world I pinned it and finally had to pin it again and go to the prompt 'pin already saved' and click on the red portion to find out where.  It works.  I will fix that problem soon and open a new board called 'Pizza, Pizza' and coordinate all my pizza and pizza crust recipes.  

I made this pizza almost as it is listed.  I did put my pizza stone in the oven to heat up. before starting.  I also grated my cauliflower by hand because I didn't want to dirty the food processor.  Silly me.  I put the first baking process on parchment paper on my metal pizza pan and set that on top of the pizza stone for the first 10 minutes.  Then after peeling the pizza crust off of the paper I flipped it over and slid it off of the metal pan onto the stone for the second bake before topping it with spiced tomato sauce, Mozzarella and pepperoni, and finished cooking. 

Some cauliflower substitution are great and others are so, so, and other are not so good.  This one is good. but it tasted like there was just no crust on the pizza; like the topping were just holding together all alone.  It was different.  I am not saying it is not good, and the carb count is incredible.  I will make it again.  I do miss the bread.

The second recipe I did not get on Pinterest, but on TV from Sara Moulton's Work Week Meals, or something like that.  She had a guest chef, Joey Campanaro who has a restaurant in NY.  

The recipe is:  Salad Dressing Chicken.  He suggests using chicken legs because they are fatter and so more flavorful.

1 doz chicken legs (more or less)
Dressing:  
1 T Dijon Mustard
2  T Sherry Vinegar (I used Pomegranate Red Wine)
1 T Rice Vinegar
1 T Honey (adds depth of flavor and helps caramelize chicken)
2 shallots chopped
4 T EVOO
S&P

Place chicken in baking dish, cover with dressing.  Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. (I put mine in the crock pot for 3-4 hours on low for Sunday dinner)

Salad:
Chop escarole, herbs: dill, parsley, cilantro and add coarse salt.  Mix and place in serving bowl.  Top with 1 can drained Cannellini beans.  

When the chicken is done, remove to serving plate and pour the warm dressing and drippings over the greens and serve.  

This was good, but lots of oil/grease in the cooked dressing.  It added flavor (and fat grams). Chicken breasts can be used.  I would say not cooked so long if they are boneless.  The extra fat comes from the skin, I think, but it is tasty and crusty.

Last but not least, I made Cinnamon Roll Pancakes and I will do that tomorrow.  No more time for blogging today.  I need to clean the refrigerator and make a menu and go shopping at Sprouts because it is double ad day.  Ta, Ta.

I cannot find any pix on my camera for these.  Guess I didn't take any; I am becoming a slacker.  I'll try better next time.


HAPPY PINNING


CYBERGRAM

(Looking for a better moniker.  Any ideas?  Cyber seems to last decade.)


  

Snow Day

Today would be a snow day anywhere else, at least for schools, but it won't be here.  We are used to snow. Actually, it is an April Fools Day joke.  We had maybe one storm this winter that stuck on the ground and piled up like this.  Not a good day for snow this deep for all the trees that are leafed out already.  Spring snow is damaging to the trees.  

The winds were so viscous yesterday that it knocked down several trees in the valley.  Dan finally found someone that we could afford to take out the dead cottonwood tree on the side of the house, but it was almost too late.

Large limbs (about 3 inches across) blew off yesterday.  It was frightening as they hit the roof and broke up sending debris over the roof, and one hit the chicken coup or shed while I was downstairs.  I didn't dare go outside for fear that one would fall while I was out there.  It sounded like the house was coming down.  Its a good thing the trash cleanup is in a couple of weeks.

These are some of the smaller branches that fell through the skylight on the porch roof.

The coup and shed and greenhouse are okay because the limb was a smaller one and blew off toward the gate which it was caught on.

Here is a preview:  (it is still snowing)

My measuring view is the amount of puff on the pots.

Lot of snow and still coming.

Alicia calls these my funeral pots. That's alright.  They are classics.

Tulips popping through

Chairs blown over

You can see the snow falling in this picture.  It may not be over.














Good day to hunker down and clean house or something.

HAPPY SNOW DAY


CYBERGRAM

Another Sad Day

I decided to repost some of the pictures that Dan posted on his blog with labels so you would know who everyone is--everyone that I know, that is.

Russell Troy Kelsey, or nephew and cousin, died on Sunday March 29, 2015 just before 7 PM.  He was 37 years old.  He had been in the hospital for almost two weeks.  He went into the hospital for Celulitis--a skin infection that spreads across the area and causes redness, pain and swelling. Russell had this several times in his life as a truck driver.  It requires strong antibiotics and often hospitalization.  When the body is in distress with multiple problems (like diabetes, too) it is vulnerable to attacks of other infections like Necrotizing Fasciitis which Russell developed.  He was sent to the Burn Unit of the University of Utah Hospital and they operated removing a big chunk of his leg.  They said he would need many surgeries to get it all out.  

Soon after surgery his breathing shut down and he went on a ventilator.  He was pumped full of all kinds of medications to counteract the infections, but his body was just not able to fight it off.  Eventually his heart was unable to pump oxygen to his body and brain so he had to be removed from lifesaving apparatus.   That is the short version that I observed while visiting the hospital

The long and painful version was experienced by his wife, LeAnda, and Joy and John and family members as they waited out his stay in the hospital.  I cannot convey the pain of such an ordeal.

Dan and I left when the Doctor gave the family the final news and it was so heart wrenching that I just had to go home and let the close family sit it out the rest of the day until arrangements could be made.

I can assure you that this has not gone down well with me. It is too close to the passing of our sweet Grandaughter, Emily.  Too many difficult memories are brought to the surface--too many years of hospitals and surgeries and death.  I have not been well since the funeral.  The weather is grey and heavy and I just need some sun to help me get out of the funk.  It is only half sunny today, and I still sit in my pjs at 1:30 PM and writing this is making me cry.

On to the pix. 

You may recognize the backs of the cousins, Paul in the center and Johnny in the forefront.  In the way back is Chet and LeAnn.  I put this one in to show you that the Kelsey Family chose to wear purple shirts and ties to honor Russell because it was his favorite color. It was Grandpa Hunter's favorite color, too.

I won't put in pictures of the coffin.  I just don't want to see that again.

Bethany had lots of fun playing with Karen, John's Sister.  She had buttons on her wheel chair that lit up and were fun to push.  Karen tickled her and she giggled.

I must say that she got along with Karen much better than with her grandma.  

Here is Roger Kelsey.  Still has a beard and mustache.  I like the purple.  He looks quite handsome.

This is the only picture Dan took that includes LeAnda, Russell's wife.  On the left is Cindy, Adam's former wife, but always one of the family.  Next to her is LeAnda, and on the couch is her family who drove in from Shreveport, Louisiana.  We didn't get a good picture of his son, Brayden or his stepsons David and Thomas.  Brayden is adorable and looks so much like Russell as a child.

Here is Johnny with his new son, James Dean Kelsey.  He is so cute.  John has lost weight and is looking very good.

Here is John's sister LaDoris.  She is holding James Dean.  

Graham and Debbie came down.   Debbie is not in these pix.  Left:  Graham, Jenifer, Me, Bethany and Alicia.

Roger and his latest Grandson, born to Adam and his newest girlfriend.

Chet, Cindy, Clint and Dorothy (Dot) Chandler.

Dot, Jim Hall, Karen and LaDoris with Brayden Kelsey, Russell's boy, in the front in the black shirt.  Yes, he is that old and they were married that long. Who knew?

This is me, John and Joy.  It's a great picture.  I like it.

Johnny and Paul.  Brothers together.

LeAnn and Connor, Paul's Family.

The remainder of the pictures were taken at the cemetery. I picked ones that were interesting and memorable.

Here is half of Cindy, Dana Shepherd (all grown up at 15), Debbie Bronson, Jenifer Kelsey, Julie Hall, Alicia Woodruff and Connie Hall.  It was windy and chilly.

Getting ready to release purple and white balloons.  In the center is Henry Kelsey, John's younger brother, Clint Chandler, Graham and Debbie Hunter behind, James and Johnny and Joy Kelsey.

Releasing the balloons to honor Russell.  Some blew into the trees and popped, buy the rest went into the sky on the way south.

After this we went to John and Joy's house for a delicious meal provided by Paul and LeAnn as a gift to the family.  

I am going out for a walk with the dogs now before the sun disappears.  Perhaps I should get my sweats on first.

BE HAPPY

CYBERGRAM

The Promise of The Resurrection

The Promise

On Easter Morning Our Savior rose from the tomb and saved all mankind from the deep, dark chasm of death.  Like the blossoms of Spring that return after the cold and dreary deathlike Winter, The Promise is fulfilled for life and beauty and happiness in the Eternal Home of God.

Buds awakenng

Peonies

Promise -- Peonies

Opening to Spring's Warmth
Future Bonsai

All things bright and beautiful coming to life after winter's sleep.

Daffodils  --  first large bulb

All the pretty bulbs have come out except the tulips.  The Temple Square bulbs are miraculously bloomed.    (Probably force bloomed.) Mine are not out yet.

Hyacinth

Blossoms that have not frozen in this past weeks below freezing nights.  

Apple Blossoms

Newly Planted Flowering Pear

And the last of the 

Flowering Quince:

Other Daffodil varieties:

Double

 


















HAPPY EASTER



CYBERGRAM