I know, I did not use too Much!

After driving home from work in the rain, I parked my car and started up the front steps to go inside. As I got near the flower pots I had planted a couple of days ago, I noticed all the white on top. The first thing that crossed my mind was, darn, I must have used too much *soil moist* (a product you add to the soil which absorbs and releases water) then said to myself " I did not use too much, besides it was put down below the roots of the plants."
About this time I decided it is too cold standing around and I will figure it out tomorrow, so went indoors.

As I came inside Mr. C asked, "did you see all the hail today?" Mystery solved, that is what is on the pots, I went back outside and noticed the hail also on the garden

There is still quite a lot of hail left a few hours after the storm had passed over.

What is THAT?

Doesn't move like a lizard, doesn't smell like a lizard, but it sure looks like a lizard.

Hmmm! must be one of those fake lizards.

Whew! what a relief, I thought I was going to have more chores added to my already heavy work load of watching out for mice and birds, and making sure my family is safe.

Keeping an eye out for lizards isn't in my job description.

Comments made in the year 1955:

"I'll tell you one thing, if things keep going the way they are, it's going to be impossible to buy a week's groceries for $20."

"Have you seen the new cars coming out next year? It won't be long before $2000 will only buy a used one."

"If cigarettes keep going up in price, I'm going to quit. A quarter a pack is ridiculous."

"Did you hear the post office is thinking about charging a dime just to mail a letter?"

"If they raise the minimum wage to $1, nobody will be able to hire outside help at the store."

"When I first started driving, who would have thought gas would someday cost 29 cents a gallon. Guess we'd be better off leaving the car in the garage."

"Kids today are impossible. Those duck tail hair cuts make it impossible to stay groomed. Next thing you know, boys will be wearing their hair as long as the girls."

"I'm afraid to send my kids to the movies any more. Ever since they let Clark Gable get by with saying 'damn' in 'Gone With The Wind,' it seems every new movie has either "hell" or "damn" in it.

"I read the other day where some scientist thinks it's possible to put a man on the moon by the end of the century They even have some fellows they call astronauts preparing for it down in Texas "

"Did you see where some baseball player just signed a contract for $75,000 a year just to play ball? It wouldn't surprise me if someday they'll be making more than the president."

"I never thought I'd see the day all our kitchen appliances would be electric. They are even making electric typewriters now."

"It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where a few married women are having to work to make ends meet."

"It won't be long before young couples are going to have to hire someone to watch their kids so they can both work."

"Marriage doesn't mean a thing any more; those Hollywood stars seem to be getting divorced at the drop of a hat."

"I'm just afraid the Volkswagen car is going to open the door to a whole lot of foreign business."

"Thank goodness I won't live to see the day when the Government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people to congress."

"The drive-in restaurant is convenient in nice weather, but I seriously doubt they will ever catch on."

"There is no sense going to Lincoln or Omaha anymore for a weekend. It costs nearly $15 a night to stay in a hotel."

"No one can afford to be sick any more; $35 a day in the hospital is too rich for my blood."

"If they think I'll pay 50 cents for a hair cut, forget it."

RECIPE: Easy Cheesy Meat Loaf

Haggis and tax laws are both the result of bloody processes; the end result is a mystery and you wouldn't want to watch either being made.

Substitution for Haggis:

Easy Cheesy Meat Loaf

1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix

2 eggs, beaten

2 cups fresh bread –crumbs

ground black pepper to taste

1 cup tomato juice

6 slices Singles process cheese, divided


DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. In a large bowl combine the beef, soup mix, eggs, bread- crumbs, pepper and tomato juice. Mix well and spread half of mixture into a 9x5 inch loaf pan.

3. Cut 4 slices of the cheese into strips; arrange on meat

4. Top with remaining half of meat loaf mixture. Press edges together.

5. Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes.

6. When baked top with remaining cheese slices

7. Let cool 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Mount Tarawera Eruption

Near Rotorua, New Zealand: At 2:00am 10 June 1886, terrified families awoke to a rumbling giant, the noise was heard over 500 kilometres away. The mountain, lit by a tremendous display of lightning, rained ash upon her neighbours and began the deadly renovation of her buried landscape.
The very violent eruption of Tarawera, was one of the most notable events of the 19th century in New Zealand. That eruption was heard over most of the country; about 108 people were killed, and the world-renowned White and Pink Terraces were utterly destroyed.

Charles Blomfield - The White Terrace
Alexander Turnbull Library

The White and Pink Terraces at Lake Rotomahana had aroused worldwide attention once the first pakehas to see them (in the 1840s) had reported their existence. An organised tourist industry flourished at Te Wairoa village from about 1872, and by 1886 no visit to the Antipodean colonies was considered complete without the climactic experience of bathing in the uniquely beautiful hot pools of the Terraces.

Victorian travellers recorded their experience in a rich legacy of art, photographs and words.
Writer Anthony Trollope enjoyed a bath in one of the pools of the Pink Terrace in 1874:

"In the bath, when you strike your chest against it, it is soft to the touch, you press yourself against it and it is smooth.....The baths are shell-like in shape, like vast open shells, the walls of which are concave and the lips ornamented in a thousand forms."



Images Courtesy of Alexander Turnbull Library




On 1 June 1886, a party of tourists claimed to have seen a Māori war canoe appear out of the mists on Lake Tarawera. It was being paddled by Māori in traditional dress, and disappeared when only half a mile from the tourist boat.
A tohunga or Māori priest in Te Wairoa claimed that it was a waka wairua, or spirit canoe, and that it was an omen of a great calamity, which would strike the land.

There are eye witness reports of the eruption.



Destroyed by the eruption of Mt Tarawera in 1886, the village of Te Wairoa is today a living museum where visitors can experience a unique piece of New Zealand history.

Buried Village

The crater of Mount Tarawera as seen today.

We Will, We Will, Rock You

Evian has a great commercial with rockin' music.

Turn Up Your Sound

CLICK HERE

Tuesday Eye Teaser

DonQuixote

Gold, Primroses and Fish

So what has gold, primroses and fish have to do with my day?

It all started a few weeks ago. I was unfortunate enough to have one of my molars on the right front side break. The tooth broke in half and down to the gumline, so it is going to take major restoration work on the part of Dr. Bob, who, by the way, is an artist when it comes to this type of work.

This morning I finally had time to go and have Dr Bob start on repairing the damage.

We have decided to crown the broken tooth in gold, which is what he did to the same molar on the left side when it broke. Seems our teeth, which have been filled, get rather fragile over the years and tend to break.
This morning I had the impressions done and the broken molar prepared to receive the crown Dr. Bob is creating himself.

After spending a couple of hours in the dentist chair, I was ready to get out doors and play in the dirt. There were the primroses and other plants I had bought at Key Center over the weekend to be planted.

The day was sunny and warm, just perfect weather to spend time potting the plants, hopefully taking my mind off the feeling of discomfort in my mouth from the mornings dentistry.
The plants were first photographed, for recording in keewe's Garden blog, then some were planted in pots, and others in the garden.

Just about the time I was cleaning up my gardening mess Mr. C came outside and asked if I would like to go over to the gun club for their Tuesday fish and chip dinner. I sure did not need to be asked twice if I wanted to go, not only do I like fish and chips, but eating out meant I did not have to cook dinner

I love restaurants that have malt vinegar for the fish and chips, and it goes without saying, the fish has to be perfectly battered and cooked.


My tummy is full, the gum around my tooth is no longer painful, and in a few weeks the pots of new plants will be looking beautiful.

LIFE IS GOOD.

NEWSFLASH: Old Lady Invading Homes

---

This just in from Hostagirl at Lifes Adventures.

A very weird thing has happened. A strange old lady has moved into my house!
I have no idea where she came from, or how she got in. I certainly did not invite her. All I know is that one day, she wasn't there, and the next day she was.

The strange old lady has also invaded my home.

What a Fun Weekend

Chris showing how it is done.

This weekend, Mr Completely and I worked and played, actually, Mr. C. is the one who worked.

On Saturday we attended a "Fun Steel" match at the Kitsap Rifle and Revolver club. We had not done this kind of event before so decided we would go to the club and see what it was all about.

There were six stages set up with a different set of steel plates at each one. We shot five strings at each stage with the slowest one timed in thrown out.

This first plate was 18x24 inches and only 25 feet away. We had to hit the target five times as quickly as possible. Oh! Boy! what a rush, I had not shot that fast before.

It was the strangest feeling shooting at this target, as I felt that I was slow and could not get my finger to pull the trigger any faster. Imagine my surprise when the timer called out 2.7 seconds for five shots hitting the target. WHOO HOO not bad for a girl!


The second set of targets were fun and a challenge, as they were set at different heights. Mr. C Knocked the paint off these in double quick time. I didn't do too bad as well.


This third stage was a challenge to us in that it was quite a sweep across all five plates, something we were not used to.

There were three other stages after this one which we did not take pictures of, as it had started to rain by this time and we had put our cameras away.

You are probably asking "what have plants to do with shooting?" the answer is, Nothing.

On Sunday morning, after spending Saturday night at Manchester State park in our RV, we drove to Key Center which is not too far from Silverdale. Mr. C had some work to do for Libby, one of his customers.

Libby suggested we both go to the garden center just across the road from her business and leave Mr. C to do his work, of course I could not get there fast enough.

We both came back with many new plants, I plan on getting mine planted on Tuesday, and will also record the progress made in Keewee's garden.

Update: Mr. completely has a post with more information and pictures at Mr. Completely

RECIPE: Mum’s Fudge *Whatevers*

My Mother always called this recipe *Fudge Cake*.

It is not really a cake, and not really a brownie. I have renamed them *Whatevers*





1 egg
4oz. Butter
½ cup sugar
¼ tsp. Salt
1 tsp. Vanilla
2 tbsp.cocoa
1 pkt. Marias cookies
!/2 cup chopped dried fruit or nuts or a mix of each. (optional)


Place cookies in plastic bag, and crush the cookies with a rolling pin. This should ease a lot of your aggression. Careful not to crush the cookies too much, leave them a little chunky.

In saucepan beat egg, add butter which has been cut into pieces.

Add sugar, cocoa, salt, and over medium heat bring to a boil stirring constantly.

Remove from heat, stir in fruit and crushed cookies.

Turn into prepared 8x8” pan, which has been lined with foil.

Let cool, place in fridge until firm, turn out of pan, remove foil, and frost with your favorite frosting.

For frosting, I melt butter, about a tbsp. stir in cocoa, vanilla, and add about 2 cups powdered sugar (I never measure for frosting) and add enough hot milk and stir until smooth and easy spreading consistency .

When the frosting has firmed, cut into squares and sample one, maybe two. Quality control is important.

Keep a couple aside to bribe, ummm I mean, treat the auditor if you happen to have your taxes audited.

Peekaboo

Peekaboo is such a silly game!

I love Dunking Biscuits (cookies)

Being a tea drinker from an early age I still enjoy a good quality tea and nice teapots and teacups. I recently bought these teapot/teacup sets from The English Tea Store. The pot holds enough tea for two cups, just the right size for morning or afternoon tea.


My bone china cup and saucer is decorated with yellow and blue flowers. It matches the blue teapot perfectly.

I also have a cup and saucer with red flowers, it goes nicely with the red teapot.

There is nothing quite like sitting down to afternoon tea using your best china, a quality tea and of course cookies to dunk in your tea. I love hard gingernuts (gingersnaps) dunked in my tea. Ok I know the idea of dunking cookies in my tea takes away from the classy aspect of morning or afternoon tea, but I like dunking cookies in tea, I may not dunk when I have company, But I do when I am alone.

At the same time I ordered the teapots, I ordered tea from the Strand Tea Company.

The tea arrived first and I had to curb my impatience waiting for the teapot/teacup sets to arrive so I could use all my new goodies at the same time.

Finally the teapots arrived, then I had to decide which of the five teas to try first. Should I try Yunnan Hongcha, or Keemun Hao Ya A, or Golden Heaven Yunnan, or Portland Blend, or maybe the organic Red Rooibos.

The first tea I brewed was the Golden Yunnan, it being the most expensive, I decided would be just the thing to start out my adventure in tasting some different teas I had not tried before.

I enjoy each one at different times of the day depending whether I want something with a hint of apple or perhaps I will have a cup of the Red Rooibos which has antioxidants.

I have not been disappointed with any of the tea, they are all flavorful and aromatic.

Maori Whakatauki, or proverb

Whakatauki have a translation and a meaning. The meaning is usually based on Tikanga or history. This only gives the translation of the whakatauk.

Toitu he whenua, whatungarongaro he tangata

The land is permanent, man disappears

First Of The Season

---

I was just startled by movement outside the den window.

I was seeing my first hummingbird of the season hovering outside looking in, he then did a quick backup and went to investigate the feeder I have hanging from a branch about ten feet from the window.

Hummingbirds are so entertaining and many of them seem to have their own personality or attitude which at times is greater than the bird.

I am looking forward to many hours watching these delightful birds.

For some fantastic pictures of the *Birth of a Humming Bird* click HERE

Oh! what a Beautiful Day

I spent most of today out side digging in the dirt. It was finally warm enough to bring my geraniums up out of the basement, where I store them over the winter months, and get them into pots.

Not being one to keep a written journal of all the seasonal happenings in my garden, I have decided to have another blog called Keewee's Garden. This will be an easy way for me to see the progress of my garden over the seasons and years.

Keewee's Garden is going to be a record of all my gardening efforts, my success and failures. There will be photos to record the development(or lack of) of the plants, and the changes I make to the garden as time goes by.

I have already recorded the beginning of one of my new gardens, created in 2004 and will be adding new material until I am caught up to this years plantings.

Somedays are like this.

---

We finally have it all together in one place, but how do we get it to function.

CWSA PIN SHOOT

I was going to be lazy and not post about my Sunday afternoon, but decided to go ahead and tell you I had a fun time at the Central Whidbey Sportsmans Association Pin Shoot.

It happened to be a day when everyone, it seemed, was having problems of one kind or another. They were having trouble with their weapons misfiring, jamming etc. or just plain not shooting as well as usual.

I was one of those not shooting as well as usual, for two reasons. First I was trying a new technique in coming up to the first pin, and the second reason, I have not done much practice lately.

All said and done, I did have a grand time and came in, I think in fourth place.

My best match was when I came up against Dean. We both were pretty determined and had a very close match.

You can find some pictures and more about the day HERE at Mr. Completely's.

Carnival Of The Recipes #85

The April Fools Edition of The Carnival of The Recipes is up at Blogoram.

There are some interesting recipes.

Click HERE to view.

Where Did The Sun Go?

Looking across Saratoga Passage at the Cascade Mountains in the distance.

Yesterday was warm and sunny for most of the day. Around mid morning I had to take mail from my place of work to the post office, so I put my camera in my pocket to record some of the lovely scenery along the way as I enjoyed my walk . I am so glad I decided to take my camera.

There are quite a few of these plants growing near the spa.They are the first to show green in the spring. Most of the other plants are various kinds of grasses, which are dry and brown right now, but will soon be trimmed back by the gardeners and will show their true glory in a few weeks.

Another view across Saratoga Passage to the Cascade mountains. I so wanted to take the time to wander on the beach as the tide was receding, to look for washed up treasures, but had to return to the spa to do my job, whine, whine, whine.

The Inn where the spa is located.

If you look at the end of the path you can see a blue sign, which has an arrow pointing to the left showing where the spa is located on the ground level.

We are so fortunate to have such a beautiful location. In the summer months we open the windows and front door to the warm breezes and the sound of the water lapping on the shore.

I have the most fantastic setting in which to do my job. My desk faces two double glass doors through which I see the view. I look out across Saratoga Passage to Camano Island.

Just this last week there have been sightings of gray whales passing through Saratoga Passage on their way north for the season. Last year I was fortunate to watch four of these amazing creatures feeding about 2oo yards off shore. Here is another opportunity for photos of whales if they happen to pass by when I am at work.

Today I had planned on spending time out in my garden, but mother nature has different ideas. She is raining on us at the moment so I will just have to be patient until the sun shines.

Friday Cat Blogging

I wish you wouldn't take my picture, you know how much that flash hurts my eyes.

Recipe: Baked Fruit Roll

The Carnival of The Recipes falls on April Fools day, So in keeping with the theme, I start off with the question. Are carrots a fruit?

TRUE or APRIL FOOLS
Answer at end of page

Baked fruit Roll

1 cup flour
2 tbsp. Butter
1 heaped tsp. baking powder
1/3 c. milk (about)
Raspberry jam
1 med. granny smith apple
2oz. Dates (I used dried apricots)
2oz. golden raisins
3tbsp. Cinnamon sugar



Sift flour, chop in butter until the mix is crumbly.
Stir in baking powder, then mix to a firm dough with milk.
Roll out on a piece of floured waxed paper.
Spread with raspberry jam, and cover with chopped fruit.
Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over.

Form into a roll, sealing edges with a little milk.
Place in greased pan and pour over syrup made with :
1tbsp. Butter, 3 tbsp. Sugar, 1 cup water, boiled together.
Bake about 1 hour at 350F

Spoon some of the syrup over the roll when it is removed from the oven.
Serve with whipped cream, ice-cream, or vanilla custard.

Answer - True
Carrots reclassified as a fruit
Bureaucrats in the European Union did classify carrots as a fruit in a 1979 directive, apparently because the Portuguese use carrots to make jam, and anything used to make jam, in their eyes, must be a fruit.

So if carrots are a fruit you could use them in the fruit roll, hmmmmm, I think not.

Traditional Maori Food

The pit has been dug, the stones placed, and a fire lit on top to heat the stones

The fabric covering being removed to expose the Kai (food). The traditional method the Maoris used, was to cover the food using leaves.


Kai is the Maori word for food. Maori, New Zealand's indigenous people, were hunters, gatherers and crop farmers, who gathered food from the forest, stream, sea and garden. Their diet was traditionally birds and fish together with gathered wild herbs and roots. Gardens grew root crops including potato and kumara.

New Zealanders today continue to enjoy traditional Maori cuisine and delicacies. On special occasions feasting includes traditional foods and cooking methods. Food is often cooked in a hole dug in the ground, in a traditional style known as a hangi.
Food is placed on hot stones which are overlaid with cloth and covered with a mound of earth to allow the heat to cook through. This whole process takes several hours.

In the thermal areas around Rotorua region however, Maori use geothermal steam and hot pools instead of traditional 'in the ground' cook methods.

There is nothing quite like sitting around with a bunch of your friends, enjoying the delicious food cooked in a hangi, washed down with a beer.

How Good Is Your Eyesight?

Besides animals, there are other creatures and critters from the Animal Kingdom to discover. Can you find them ALL? Let me know how many you find.

Click on picture for larger view.

New Zealand Native Plant.

New Zealand has many beautiful native plants. The kaka Beak (Kowhai Ngutu Kaka) is one of my favorites.

The name Kaka Beak comes from the shape and colour of the flower which looks like the beak of the Kaka, one of NZ's native parrots.

Kaka Beak is one of the few ornamentals cultivated by the Maori. It was used to feed caged Tui's. These native birds were kept in captivity to attract and capture other birds.

The bright red flowers are held in groups from arching stems, well clear of the delicate fern like foliage. Each flower holds copious nectar at the base of the flower attracting Tuis & other nectar loving birds.

CWSA Hanging plate shoot

Today was the first hanging plate shoot of the season. The weather was a little cool, but we have been to shoots in far colder weather.
I did fairly well, coming in 6th place out of ten shooters in optical class.
Mr. completely has photos and more information HERE

FIFTEEN DOLLAR PORSCHE

A fifteen year-old boy came home with a Porsche and his parents began to yell and scream, "Where did you get that car???!!!" He calmly told them, "I bought it today." "With what money" demanded his parents? We know what a Porsche costs." "Well," said the boy, "this one cost me fifteen dollars."

So the parents began to yell even louder. "Who would sell a car like that for fifteen dollars?" they said. "It was the lady up the street," said the boy. I don't know her name-they just moved in. She saw me ride past on my bike and asked me if I wanted to buy a Porsche for fifteen dollars." "Oh my Goodness," moaned the mother, "she must be a child abuser. Who knows what she will do next? John, you go right up there and see what's going on." So the boy's father walked up the street to the house where the lady lived and found her out in the yard calmly planting petunias! He introduced himself as the father of the boy to whom she had sold a Porsche for fifteen dollars and demanded to know why she did it.

"Well," she said, "this morning I got a phone call from my husband. I thought he was on a business trip, but learned from a friend he has run off to Hawaii with his secretary and really doesn't intend to come back.

He claimed he was stranded and asked me to sell his new Porsche and send him the money. So I did."

Carnival of the recipes #84

Greetings ladeeez and gentlemens! My name is Christine and I'll be your server this morning/afternoon/evening. Our chefs have prepared a truly splendid selection for you. Please take a moment to look through this week's menu of delectable and delightful dishes, gathered for your approval here at the 84th edition of the Carnival of the Recipes. I'm sure you'll find something to tickle your fancy. Our special today is ... everything! Take your time, I'll be back in a moment with your drinks.

You have read what Christine says, so go on over to Morning Coffee & Afternoon tea and check out the menu.

A little Cat Blogging

Actually I am not little, I am big with an attitude to match. They, meaning the people who live in my house, named me Rocket because I run around my house at a great rate of speed.
It is my job to take care of Keewee and Mr. Completely by making sure no mice get in the house, and prowling the house by night to make sure all is well.
It is a huge responsibility watching out for my family.