Utah SLC So Mission

We're Back!

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Windy Day at the Mission Office

We are now back to the mission office for a while. The people we trained had an early release, and the President is swamped with a major transfer coming July 1.  He called to ask for help.  A lot of picture taking and transfer packets need to be made and pictures are what Dan did before we were released.  I can still answer the telephone.  It seems like we were just on a 4 month vacation and we never left the mission.  We settled back in one day.

This month there will be a major shifting of boundaries in the area missions.  I can't talk about it right now because it is very secret.  It is a busy time here, so we were called to fill in until new office persons can be found and trained. 

At the Reception Desk

At the Computer Specialist Desk

The only thing certain in this life is change and things change all the time.  It will be fun to see the wet behind the ears 18 and 19 year olds come into the mission again and to send the veteran missionaries home.  They are all grown up when they leave--men and women ready to face life head-on.

HAPPY LIVING LARGE


BLOG'nGRAM

HDOY And the Fridge

Yes, you can see it is the hottest day of the year today.  We have been experiencing a rainy spell where the days have been in the sixties if we were lucky.  Today:  already 93 degrees.

 It is 2:24 P.M. and the temperature will go  up more.

Oh, and it is 77.9 in the house.  Time to turn on the AC.

End of Spring.  Start Summer--Bam!

Yesterday I noticed that the ice was not freezing.  It is usually only an hour and it is ready.  This morning the meats and veges in the freezer were soft to the touch.  The milk was sour yesterday.  The lettuce was all going squishy and spoiled.  The refrigerator was going out on us.  Dan opened it up between meetings and pulled off the back and found it all full of frost between the walls.  Not good.

Now he is down there (remember, freezer on the bottom) working on it.  

In his Sunday clothes, of course.  What a blessing to have a handyman in the house who knows how to tear things apart. I hope he can fix it or there goes the money for our trip.

Something doesn't want us to go.  We have been called back to the Mission Office for a few weeks.  More on that tomorrow.

Scripture du joir:

Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy.  Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:  But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God:  in it thou shalt not do any work...

Except if your refrigerator is stuck in the mire.  

HAPPY SABBATH

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Memorial Day

Memorial Day observance was done by us this year on Sunday.  On Monday we worked  on the new patio all day and a  steak on the grill for the two of us.  It seems weird to celebrate the holidays alone.  It doesn't seem like a holiday that way.

We made the rounds to the graves starting with Hanna.  I was able to make some pretty pink and purple bouquets for the girls this year because the Peonies bloomed Sunday morning just in time to cut. The Iris hung on for a long time this year in spite of the early warm weather.  The cool,  rainy stuff we had the last two weeks slowed down their demise.  Roses were out, but not in abundance.  

First Stop Hanna's:

 Memorial for 9/11

Hanna's tree is the big pine tree left of the water spray.  It is easy to find now that they built this memorial.

Sorry about the rose petal covering up the Anderson.  I spread them around, but didn't see it on the name.  I bought the mums in case the flowers were gone.  I just saw these pretty white blossoms and they looked just like angel blooms so I bought them--one for Hanna and one for Emily and Richard.

We moved on to Wasatch Lawns.  We always have to clean up the grave markers there.  They are all overgrown and dirty.  We made a pink and purple bouquet for Emily and a mostly blue one for Richard. 

We clean up the next door neighbor, Bertha Kreutner, too.  She never has any flowers.  We have adopted her as a grandmother. When I was in Elementary School I walked to school with a girl named Jane Kreutner.  I just like Bertha because of it, I guess.

We then located Dan's brother's grave.  It is by this gnarled old juniper tree, probably the only one in Wasatch Lawn.

Then on to the other side of the valley for the rest of Dan's family, at least the deceased ones, Norman, his father, Leona, his mother and Ken his younger brother who died young at 39 with MS.

Ken

Norman and Leona

Last, and least, we buried Molly, our oldest and first chicken on Monday morning.  She died sometime between Sunday afternoon and Monday morning.  So sad to see her go.  She must have been at least 6 or 7 years old.  RIP, Molly.

I made a craft.  This is a door decor that I put together.  I am rather pleased with the way it turned out.  I can do crafts!!  I used vines from my own yard and some pretty flowers from JoAnns.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

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The Tree Is Dead!

Long Live The Tree!

The Cottonwood tree has been dead a long time, and becoming more and more dangerous with each passing wind storm.  It was frightening to be out around it when the winds were gusting.  Large branches were falling down.  It was quite scary when they hit the roof.

Last Snowstorm -  See Post 4/15/15

Now we have just a stump.  Well, an eight or nine foot stump. I made them leave me material for discs to make a pathway behind the new pergola.  Pergola?? Yes, we are replacing the greenhouse with a pergola (more about that later).

A New Canvas

I also want a stump to carve with a chainsaw like I saw on Rehab Addict.  It was so fun with mushrooms and flowers carved into it.  That will be a new experience (for Dan, not me.  I'm not allowed to touch sharp objects.).  Dan suggested making a rooster.  He is the artist.  Maybe a flower or two, too??

I will show two more pictures of the tee cutting process then let Dan talk about them on his blog.  This is the tree cutter's outfit stretched across my front yard.  He said if it were any further out he would have needed a crane.  

The truck was parked up on the sidewalk.  It was quite a reach to the tree.

Of course, Dan watched the whole thing and took pix and movies.  He  was like a kid at a parade.  He would love to be right up there in the cherry picker doing this.  It was a great adventure.  I stayed in the house where it was safer.  My work outdoors that morning was in the danger area.

I told myself I would be well this week.  Dan laughed and said, "That's what you said last week."  I know.  Positive thinking didn't do it last week.  Now I am two weeks out from the start of the flu, and the horrible cyst has been lanced that is on the upper middle of my back.  It became a staph infection with cellulitis and I had to have a week of antibiotics before the doctor sent me to surgery.  It was extremely painful and I spent last week down resting in spite of my plans to be well.  Now it is still doing what things like this do, (gross alert--oozing), but the pain is much less.  I am on another antibiotic now and it still hurts to pick up anything heavy, so I am easing into the work.

Yesterday I spent  few hours potting some of the beautiful flowers I purchased a few weeks ago.  I am on a tropical theme for my new patio--all colorful reds and oranges and yellows.   Here is one of the pots I planted.

I don't expect the lilies to last all summer, even though the tag says it will, but the dahlias will get bigger and I can pull up the lily bulb and plant it in the yard for next year.  I also planted pretty fuchsia geraniums.  I left them out in the rain and they are beat up from the hail. 

 I quit early to rest, and it rained hard all afternoon anyway.  We live in Camelot this year. 

The rain may never fall till after sundown.
By eight, the morning fog must disappear.
In short, there's simply not
A more congenial spot
For happily-ever-aftering than here
In Camelot.

It is not quite that good; it rained all day Sunday--that's OK. Saturday and yesterday the rain came in mid-afternoon (see the blue sky in the pix) through the night and stopped in the morning.  It is cool and everything is damp, but it is beautiful for working outdoors. The rainclouds are forming in the west again and a downpour is expected this afternoon.   Summer is coming at it's appointed time this year.  This is a real Spring.

HAPPY PLANTING

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It's Pinsday!

I have been sick, again.  It seems that I cannot shake the flu bugs that come and go around here.  This is the fifth infection since I got my flu shot last fall.  Of course, it triggers my asthma and really takes a toll on my health.  After two weeks I still have a cough, but it is getting better finally.  One of my doctors said that the flu shot was just not as effective this year.  Amen to that.

When I felt like cooking, I tried a couple of really great recipes from Pinterest.  The first is Thai Chicken Salad with Orange Peanut Dressing.  http://www.cookingclassy.com/2015/02/thai-chicken-salad-orange-peanut-ginger-dressing/  Very yummy.  Actually made it as it was written.  I purchased all of the ingredients and did exactly what it said to do.  I was a little nervous about serving it to Dan, because he doesn't like recipes with peanut butter in them, but he ate it and had seconds (usually a good recommendation).  The day after I found out that I forgot to put the cashews in it, but I just ate them plain (there was no leftover salad).  Next time.  It was still delicious anyway.  The pin is located in my board: Salads and Dressings.

The second was a shrimp dish called Cilantro Lime Quinoa Shrimp Bowl--a warm dish.  http://www.spoonfulofflavor.com/2015/04/15/cilantro-lime-shrimp-quinoa-bowls/   When it says Cilantro it means tons of cilantro.  Each layer was filled with cilantro and lime.  I don't love cilantro, but I made it just like it said.   Interestingly enough, I had most of the ingredients in my freezer;  shrimp, leftover black beans and leftover quinoa.  I did not have a mango, but had a can of mangos (not recommended for texture, but the flavor worked), and my avocado for the dressing was spoiled (it works without the avocado), and I was too sick to run to the store.  We managed without these, and the dish was quite delicious.  This pin is in my board: I Love Food, la Mer.

Both recipes has tons of cilantro, so I consider them a way to broaden my palate.  It wasn't so bad.

Last but not least, by any means is Five Minute Raspberry Chia Seed Jam.  https://www.pinterest.com/pin/201536152051638113/ 
The pin is found on my new board: Condiments, Jam and Pickles along with other jams I want to try.
Raspberry freezer jam is a favorite of mine; I could eat it with a spoon, and I do.  I have seen these recipes for Chia Seed Jams and have the Chia Seed so I wanted to try them.  Smith's had raspberries on sale last week for .99 per cup so I picked up 10 cups and froze the berries.  I saved out two cups to make the jam.  It is good, not too sweet and will be yummy on hot rolls or ice cream.  It is not as good on toast (soggy, but I rushed it not allowing the seeds to thicken the jam).  One must not expect low sugar to taste like regular jam.  If it did, there would be no sinful pleasure in the original.    I used two tablespoons of honey because I like it tart, but you can add more to taste.  

Here are some pictures.  It is such a beautiful color.

I used the shjusher--the wand blender so I didn't have to scrape it out of the blender.  It worked wonderfully.  The touch of vanilla is a good addition.

So good.  I could eat it with a spoon, too.  Not as sweet, but ever so raspberry.  I am not sure how long it will keep in the refrigerator.  I will probably eat it before I find out.  

Here is my breakfast:  an onion omelet with salsa on top, cantaloupe and toast and jam.  

HAPPY PINNING


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Do the Doo

It's a beautiful morning, aah, I think I'll go outside for a while, and smile!

I got up early and after doing my oblations to God, I took the dogs for a walk.  It has been a week or so since my last walk because I don't usually go for a walk if I plan to work outdoors all day.  It is just to exhausting to do both.  Yard work just wipes me out and I am lucky to stay awake for an hour after dinner.  So much for making 10 earrings per day to sell every night. 

I decided to address a delicate subject.  PICK UP YOUR DOG DOO.  It is so gross to step in some dog's doo or find it on the front lawn.  I have a simple method that I employ.  All you need is a clothes pin and a fold top plastic food bag. 

Small bags work for small dogs

 (My dogs are small to that size works for me, and I have several boxes in storage from Costco that were in the combination package a few years ago.)  You can adjust the bag to the size of the dog.  It's a disgusting job, but we must do our part at being a good neighbor.

I fold the bag around the leash and pin it with the clothes pin. So easy.  I also put one on each dog's leash because the minute I walk out the door  and walk 20 feet one of them has to take a dump.

  Invert the bag, put your hand inside and pick up the doo.  No touching,  a little smelling. 

 Fold the bag closed and pin it to the leash away from your nose.  My dogs get to carry their own poop and I don't have to put it in my pocket and smell it percolate. Invariably the other will follow some time on the trip so that is why they carry their own bag.  When you get home, toss the bags in the garbage can and you have done your patriotic duty.  Thank you, my friend.

All ready to go for their walk

After the walk I ate my breakfast out doors.  I had 5 chickens on one side and 2 dogs on the other and the cat arrived a few minutes later.  Wonder who feeds the animals around here???

  Only four here, Rooster Fritz was a little camera shy.










Abby and Boo always begging for food.  Bella just sat under the table.  I'm surprised at that, she is usually on top of the table.  That's her style.







HAPPY DOG WALK



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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


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(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

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(How's That?)