Urban legend?

No is it not, check out more information on this awesome sight HERE

THIS IS A FIRE RAINBOW - THE RAREST OF ALL NATURALLY OCCURING ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA.

THE PICTURE WAS CAPTURED THIS WEEK ON THE IDAHO/WASHINGTON ORDER. THE EVENT LASTED ABOUT 1 HOUR.

CLOUDS HAVE TO BE CIRRUS, AT LEAST 20K FEET IN THE AIR, WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF ICE CRYSTALS AND THE SUN HAS TO HIT THE CLOUDS AT PRECISELY 58 DEGREES.


Thank you Joyce for the email

KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF SUPER EASY LEMON CAKE

1 box Lemon Supreme cake mix
12 oz. diet 7 up
2 eggs
1 small box sugar free lemon jello

Beat all together for about 2 minutes.

Spray a 13x9 pan with non stick spray.
Bake at 350F for 30-35 minutes.

Cool cake and then poke holes all over the top of the cake. Next, mix jello with 1 cup biling water, stir until dissolved. Very slowly pour all of the jello over the cake until gone.

Let it ripen up in the fridge for about an hour.

Not only is this dessert light in calories, it tastes good. we like it with a dollop of cream or a scoop of light icecream.

Keewee's Ramblings

Friday already, how did it sneak up so fast? What on earth have I been doing all week?

Well, Monday and Tuesday I was at work, Wednesday I sat in front of my computer for a while in the morning, then went for a 90 minute massage around the noon hour. I am now asking myself, "self, why didn't you get your massage today? you sat for several hours yesterday at your PC keyboard submitting recipes for the Fishin' club's cook book, and your shoulders are soooo stiff "

Our Fishin' Club has a scholarship program and through the creation and sales of our cook book, we hope to raise more funds for scholarships. We hope to have our cook book printed and ready to sell by Early August.
So, who wants to buy a cook book or two? They make great Christmas, Birthday, or Just Because, gifts. Yes, I'm shamelessly "yes you are shameless" hush up, head voice, pushing sales, it is a worthy cause, and we don't want all our efforts to be for naught. Sheesh! if you don't ask, you don't receive.

Today, I was planning on getting outdoors to do a little gardening, I hear weeds calling my name," keewee, Keewee " hush, and there are a few plants I bought yesterday which need to be planted soon, but a chilly wind is blowing and being cold is not on my agenda for today. "sissy" Oh do be quiet. Don't you all have little voices in your head too? *grin*

Let's see, it is almost 9am, I am still sitting here in my nice cosy goose down robe, "wuss" and planning my next move. More coffee, breakfast, or perhaps breakfast and more coffee " make up your mind won't you, the day is slipping by" So, what's your point?
I think I had better move before Head Voice takes over completely, *chuckle*

You all have a wonderful day, and don't let those little voices push you around *smile*

True or photoshopped?

This lady lives in a Hummingbird fly zone. As they migrated, about 20 of them were in her yard. Just for a lark, she took the little red dish and filled it with sugar water and these are the results.

These are real pictures. Click HERE for more.

Tuesday Chuckle

FORREST GUMP GOES TO HEAVEN

The day finally arrived. Forrest Gump dies and goes to Heaven. He is at the Pearly Gates, met by St. Peter himself. However, the gates are closed, and Forrest approaches the gatekeeper.

St. Peter said, "Well, Forrest, it is certainly good to see you. We have heard a lot about you. I must tell you, though, that the place is filling up fast, and we have been administering an entrance examination for everyone. The test is short, but you have to pass it before you can get into Heaven."

Forrest responds, "It sure is good to be here, St. Peter, sir. But nobody ever told me about any entrance exam. I sure hope that the test ain't too hard. Life was a big enough test as it was."

St. Peter continued, "Yes, I know, Forrest, but the test is only three questions.

First:
What two days of the week begin with the letter T?

Second:
How many seconds are there in a year?

Third:
What is God's first name?"

Forrest leaves to think the questions over. He returns the next day and sees St. Peter, who waves him up, and says, "Now that you have had a chance to think the questions over, tell me your answers"

Forrest replied, "Well, the first one -- which two days in the week begins with the letter "T" Shucks, that one is easy. That would be Today and Tomorrow."

The Saint's eyes opened wide and he exclaimed, "Forrest, that is not what I was thinking, but you do have a point, and I guess I did not specify, so I will give you credit for that answer. How about the next one?" asked St. Peter. "How many seconds in a year?

Now that one is harder," replied Forrest, but I thunk and thunk about that, and I guess the only answer can be twelve."

Astounded, St. Peter said, "Twelve? Twelve? Forrest, how in Heaven's name could you come up with twelve seconds in a year?"

Forrest replied, "Shucks, there's got to be twelve: January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd... "

"Hold it," interrupts St. Peter. "I see where you are going with this, and I see your point, though that was not quite what I had in mind....but I will have to give you credit for that one, too. Let us go on with the third and final question.

Can you tell me God's first name"?

"Sure," Forrest replied, "it's Andy."

"Andy?" exclaimed an exasperated and frustrated St Peter. "Ok, I can nderstand how you came up with your answers to my first two questions, but just how in the
world did you come up with the name Andy as the first name of God?"

"Shucks, that was the easiest one of all," Forrest replied. "I learnt it from the song, "ANDY WALKS WITH ME, ANDY TALKS WITH ME, ANDY TELLS ME I AM HIS OWN."

St. Peter opened the Pearly Gates, and said: "Run Forrest, run."

Give me a sense of humor, Lord. Give me the ability to understand a clean joke,
To get some humor out of life,

A very full weekend

Yesterday MrC and I went up to the CWSA range for a bowling pin shoot, and today we went back for a hanging steel match.

I did rather well today, coming in second, and yesterday I finished in second also.
You can read about yesterdays match HERE. MrC does a better job at telling the story than I do, and tomorrow sometime, he will have a blow by blow of today's match, so I will update with another link.

The weather today was by far, nicer than yesterday, and by the time were ready to leave for home it was quite warm.
As MrC drove, and I sat in the passenger seat, feeling the warmth of the sun, listening to the drone of our vehicle's engine, and feeling the motion of our *vanmoble* (that's what we call it) *grin* I found myself fighting to keep my eyes open. I could hardly stay awake for the 20 minute drive home, in fact, I thought it would have been nice if MrC had kept on driving and driving so I could have taken a nice long nap. Chuckle!
I did try to nap after we had unloaded the van, but that only lasted about a half hour, dang, I find it hard to sleep during the daylight hours.
I can guarantee I will sleep like a baby tonight.

ITALIAN SAUSAGE BREAD

Frozen bread dough
1 lb. pkg. Italian sausage
Shredded Mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese
1 egg yolk

Let bread dough thaw and rise at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours. Roll out to rectangular shape. Brown and crumble Italian sausage. Drain excess grease, let cool slightly. Spread sausage evenly over rolled out dough, spread Parmesan cheese evenly, followed by Mozzarella. Roll up as you would a jelly roll and pinch the ends closed. Rub raw egg yolk all over loaf. Place on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

RETARDED GRANDPARENTS

(this was actually reported by a teacher)

After Christmas, a teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their holiday away from school. One child wrote the following:

We always used to spend the holidays with Grandma and Grandpa. They used to live in a big brick house but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Florida. Now they live in a tin box and have rocks painted green to look like grass.
They ride around on their bicycles and wear name tags because they don't know who they are anymore.
They go to a building called a wrecked center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all okay now, and do exercises there, but they don't do them very well.
There is a swimming pool too, but in it, they all jump up and down with hats on.
At their gate, there is a doll house with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape.
Sometimes they sneak out.
They go cruising in their golf carts!
Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. And they eat the same thing every night --- early birds.
Some of the people can't get out past the man in the doll house. The ones who do get out, bring food back to the wrecked center for pot luck.
My Grandma says that Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded someday too.
When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the doll house. Then I will let people out so they can visit their grandchildren.

A day to remember

Yesterday I was at work, sitting at my desk, when I happened to glance up, looking through the double glass doors which look out over Saratoga Passage towards Camano Island. I saw the spray, I believe called spume, from a gray whale as it surfaced for air. I immediately rushed outside to see this wonderful sight.
At first there was only one whale and it was quite a distance out so it was no use taking any pictures as my little camera would just record a small black dot in the middle of the picture.

We have been watching gray whales pass by the spa for the last couple of weeks and have always been delighted to catch a view of these magnificent animals, but today was so fantastic.
I had to go back into the spa for a while to take care of business and thought the whale would probably be gone by the time I went outdoors again, but to my absolute delight they were very close in, but further along in front of The inn. Again they were too far away for good pictures.

I stood there for probably half an hour in awe, watching two whales now, as they twisted and turned in the sands dislodging shrimp for their meal. It was a huge WOW!! to see all this.

I had to return indoors to close for the night and after I had locked up, and turned along the boardwalk towards the five flights of steps to take me back up to the parking lot, I was amazed to see the two whales just about 50 yards from the shore and just along from the front of the spa.
I can tell you, my heart raced to see two whales feeding, and in so close to shore.
I did take the pictures below, but they still are not the best quality, but you can tell I am telling you the truth, they were close in. These pictures were taken from the Inn's office balcony, on the third floor up from the boardwalk.

Here they are churning the sands, to scare up shrimp for dinner.

Up for a breath of air before going down again for more shrimp. The seabirds were eagerly snatching up shrimp the whales dislodged.

These guys are HUGE I sure wish I could have taken better pictures for you to see.

And he is only about half way (lengthwise) out of the water.

This is a day I will always remember. How special to see these magnificent creatures so close. Perhaps I may see more today.

Muffins That Taste Like Donuts

1-3/4 cups flour
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp.salt
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/3 cup oil
3/4 cup sugar (first amount)
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar (second amount)
1 tsp cinnamon

In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon.
In another bowl, combine thoroughly, oil, 3/4 c. sugar, egg, and milk.
Add liquids to dry ingredients and stir only to combine.
Fill greased muffin cups, bake 350F for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
Shake muffins out immediately, and while hot dip in melted butter, then sugar mixed with cinnamon.

NOTE: today Sunday 15th, I am going to play with this recipe to lighten it up a little. I will use applesauce instead of the oil, some Splendor instead of all the sugar, and some whole wheat white flour (for extra fiber) in the donuts. And after they are cooked, I will try Weight Watchers buttery spray to coat the donuts before dipping them in the sugar and cinnamon mixture, perhaps just dipping the tops in the mixture, thus reducing the calories.

I will post results later on today, so stop by to read my verdict.

THE VERDICT IS IN:

I replaced the All purpose flour with white whole wheat: The texture of the donuts was a little heavier, but the flavor was good, and of course whole wheat is better for us.

Replaced all of the oil with apple sauce: they were still moist.

Filled the 3/4 cup with about half regular sugar, and topped it off with Splendor: they were sweet enough.

When I pulled them from the oven: I spritzed the tops with buttery spray, turned them out onto a tray, spritzed the bottoms, them tossed them in a bag of cinnamon sugar.

Even though they are a little heavier in texture, than muffins made with all purpose flour, they are still good, and a whole lot lighter in calories and butter.

I polished off three for my breakfast.

Color by the Yard

Roozengaarde, at LaConnor Washington, the home of acres and acres of the most breathtaking tulips, is where my friend Joyce and I spent the better part of today. The weather was a balmy 60F or more, making for a pleasant stroll through the garden like setting of all the display bulbs.

As we strolled past the plantings outside the gardens I knew I was in for a treat when we went inside.
The colors and different varieties of tulips are fabulous, I did not realize how many there were.
There are a 1/4 million bulbs planted in the garden to delight visitors.

Now doesn't this look like a little slice of Holland?

Joyce

Wow! I'm in love, add this to my shopping basket.

Stunning, simply stunning.

I want this one too.

Ohhh lookee there, I want some of the yellow ones too.
By this time I thought I was going to get whiplash turning this way and that, to see all these beauties.

And just when I thought I had seen it all, I discovered these four blooms on one stem.
Please add this one to the shopping basket.

Color, color, every where.

Every time I turned around there was another delicious variety and color I could visualize in my garden

I took 86 pictures and I am sure I could have taken many more. I figure 86 should be good for a post or two or three.
Mentally I spent hundreds of dollars, but settled for spending less than one hundred once I arrived home and had a chance to sit down and drool over the catalog. I ordered the tulips I really, really want, and next year I will order my second choice. To tell you the whole truth, I think planting the 160 bulbs I ordered, will be enough work this fall when the bulbs are delivered.

"Dogs Welcome"

A man wrote a letter to a small hotel in a Midwest town he planned to visit on his vacation. He wrote: I would very much like to bring my dog with me. He is well-groomed and very well behaved. Would you be willing to permit me to keep him in my room with me at night?"

An immediate reply came from the hotel owner, who wrote: "I've been operating this hotel for many years. In all that time, I've never had a dog steal towels, bedclothes, silverware or pictures off the walls. I've never
had to evict a dog in the middle of the night for being drunk and disorderly. And I've never had a dog run out on a hotel bill. Yes, indeed, your dog is welcome at my hotel. And, if your dog will vouch for you, you're welcome to stay here, too."

Another great day at the range

Here are the steel plates we are shooting at and HERE, on Mr. Completely's blog you can read more about the setup, and how the matches are run

Larry, at 89 years young, is one of our most senior shooters

Tony, who is almost 18 years old, is our youngest shooter

Mr.C always has a wonderful report, on the matches so click this BUTTON to take you to yesterday's glowing report.
When the scores are reported, I will update this post. As far as I can remember I was fairly near the top of the pack.

The results are in:

1st Group
Al L. 27
Kim G 24.5 Custer
Bruce L. 23.5 Custer
Jan S 19.5 Custer
Lou G 15
Mike F 14.5
Johan D 13.5
Rainy L 13.5
Steve M 5
Wayne F 3.5
Randy N. ?

2nd Group
Mikee G 32 (alias MrC. )
Tony C. 27
Jim Pfiefer 25.5
Jennifer K 21 ( Kiwi )
Joe L 17
Chris C 17
Jim R 15
Larrie F 14.5
Dean H 14
Al S. 13.5
Brandi D. 5
Larry W. ~

Happy Easter Weekend

Today MrC and I are heading up to CWSA range for a falling plate match. This event is one of my favorites. I may have photos for you later on today, if I don't get all excited shooting, and forget to take some. You all have a wonderful day.

Marble Pound Cake

A lighter version for those of you counting calories

2-1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
8 oz. whole milk vanilla yogurt
4 large egg whites
3 oz. bittersweet chocolate
1/2 tsp. almond extract

Preheat oven to 350F Coat a bundt pan with cooking spray.

Sift together, flour, baking powder, and baking soda; set aside.

In another bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add vanilla and egg, beat well.

Add about 1/3 of flour and 1/3 yogurt , fold in until just blended, repeat until all flour and yogurt is incorporated. Whip egg whites until stiff, (I like to whip the egg whites first, so they will be ready to use) fold into batter until blended. Divide mixture into 2 bowls.

Melt chocolate over double boiler over extremely low heat. (the chocolate can be melting as you are making the batter) pour into one of the bowls of batter, blend well. Add almond extract to the other bowl and blend.

Pour half of the chocolate batter, then half of the almond batter into the prepared pan. Repeat with remaining batter. Run a knife through the batter creating more swirls.

Bake until toothpick inserted in cake comes out clean. About 45 minutes. (I found it cooked in about 40 minutes, so it depends on your oven)
Remove cake from oven and leave to cool in pan before carefully flipping onto a wire rack.

Drizzle a frosting over top.

Wine Storage

Found this wine rack at the Senior Thrift store and could not resist buying it. The wine was not part of the deal, sighhhhh!
I suppose now I have brought these six bottles upstairs, they are in plain view, and I don't have to trek downstairs every time I want a bottle of wine, I will be knocking back a glass or two of wine every night. *grin*

Monster

A fishin' story from the local newspaper, where I grew up in
New Zealand

Manawatu Standard | Wednesday, 4 April 2007

WHAT A WHOPPER: Steve Pedley and his unlucky fish, and top, a lucky black toby lure.

Sorry...experienced anglers who have prowled the Manawatu River for decades trying to land a big one will gag on this story. EWAN SARGENT reports.

``When I cast in, I thought I'd snagged. I started walking out deeper [to free it] and once it realised it was hooked, man it took me a long time to get it in. I don't have a landing net. When I got it on the stones it broke the line, so I had to run and grab it to get it away from the water.''

Ever since he's caught the trophy trout which is on its way to being mounted he's been greeted by amazement at his luck. And it's pretty good luck.

Here's the stuff that will make experienced anglers suffer.

Pedley's only been fishing for six months.

He's a spin fisher, not a fly fisher. He only uses 7gm black toby lures, probably the most common lure chucked in the Manawatu River.

He doesn't sharpen his hooks, in fact the lucky lure was pulled out of his wooden wine rack in the spare room as he headed out the door on the fishing trip.

By this time of year, trout who have seen black tobys flash past them over and over should be ignoring them.

A trout as big as the one Pedley caught (66cm long) should be too old and wise to ever bite at a black toby.

Pedley was fishing in what he calls ``a nondescript spot in the Maxwell Line area'' and it was 3pm.

This should be a dead time of the day to fish compared to the golden hours at first light and dusk.

And he was fishing in an area that gets flogged by throughout the year by city anglers too lazy to travel to better waters and kids on bikes.

``My dad's been trout fishing for over 50 years and he says he's never ever seen a trout that big in the Manawatu. He was blown away,'' Pedley says.

He realises he may have peaked early. He faces season after season of being disappointed with mere six and seven pound trout a bit like the novice golfer who gets a hole in one and quits.

But the trophy on the wall will always be there to remind him of the day the big one didn't get away.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! ! !

Yes folks, that is ice on the window of my car. We had quite a heavy frost this morning and I am hoping it has not damaged the tulips which are coming into full bloom.

I think the Hummingbirds are happy that I have another three feeders hanging in the yard which were sheltered from Jack frost's fingers, and are not covered in ice as this one is.

We are in for a beautiful sunny day, as you can see, by the sun shining on the pasture in the distance. The temperatures, as reported by the weather station, will be in the 60'sF Bring it on!