RED HAT CHILIES OUTING

This month, our group carpooled to Clinton to walk across the ferry ("walk across the ferry" is a term I always find amusing. You walk onto the ferry and then usually sit, until the ferry docks on the other side, you don't walk in place, until the ferry arrives at it's destination. *grin*) as I was saying, we cruised, across Puget sound to enjoy lunch at Ivar's restaurant.

Some of the Red Hat Chilies waiting to board the ferry. Some of us brought umbrellas as the weather held the promise of a shower or two, but as usually is the case, come prepared, and it will not happen. A bit like washing your car, then it rains. Hmmm! now I said that, I am not sure it makes sense, Oh Well, it is my blog and I can choose to make sense, or not "chuckle"

Here we are, "walking across the ferry"

We have finished eating our delicious meals, at least mine was, I cannot speak for anyone else.
I ordered Fresh Alaskan Halibut with roasted garlic-sun dried tomato vinaigrette basil oil & artichoke bottom relish, steamed asparagus and roasted Yukon gold potatoes.
I do not see one unhappy face in the group, seems every one is having a grand time.
Yours truly, is on the left, at the back.

And at the other table, we have more lovely Red Hat Chilies, decked out in their finest. I do believe, half the fun is dressing up. It is a kick to have strangers come up to us and ask questions about our group, and we are quick to let them know just how much fun it is to belong to a Red Hat chapter.

Want Not Waste Not

One of my favorite things to do on a beautiful morning, is to take my camera out doors to capture pictures of anything of interest. Today we have one of those mornings, where there is not a hint of breeze, the sun is warm at 6:30am and the birds are singing their little hearts out.

As long as I can remember, I have been in tune with nature, taking an interest in my surroundings, finding beauty in the shape of a leaf, the color and texture of flower petals or the twisted limbs of a tree, the smell of the rich decaying earth of a rain forest, well, you get the idea without me writing a book on the subject.

Talking of want not waste not, MrC had salmon he caught in Juneau Alaska, shipped home in polystyrene containers which have been sitting in the carport for years. One day I was looking at the boxes and one of those "light bulb' ideas came to me, why not use them as planters. MrC said they would not be strong enough, but being the person I am, I had to see for myself if they would hold up. Well as you can see this one is the perfect place for my deck herb garden, the herbs are very happy in their styrene box up against the house, where they get the afternoon sun, and this is the second year I have used this particular box, last year it held grape tomatoes, which also did well.

As I came down off the deck I caught a whiff of Lilac fragrance from the lilac along side the carport. Sure enough the lilac is in full bloom, how lovely it is.

With all the rain we have had this spring, my garden is lush and green. Ferns and hostas are robust in their growth and are competing for the "most beautiful award" as are many other perennials in the gardens.

I will share this secret with you

This is an Excellent Diet Try it you'll like it

We are all always worried about our weight -- this seems doable and it relieves stress. What more could you ask for?

Excellent Stress Diet

This is a specially formulated diet designed to help
Women cope with the stress that builds during the day.

Breakfast
1 grapefruit
1 slice whole wheat toast
1 cup skim milk

Lunch
1 small portion lean, steamed chicken
1 cup spinach
1 cup herbal tea
1 Hershey's kiss

Afternoon Tea
The rest of the Hershey Kisses in the bag
1 tub of Hagen-Daaz ice cream with chocolate chips

Dinner
4 glasses of wine (red or white)
2 loaves garlic bread
1 family size supreme pizza
3 Snickers Bars
Late Night Snack
1 whole Sarah Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from the freezer)

Remember: Stressed spelled backward is desserts. Send
This to four women and you will lose two pounds. Send
This to all the women you know (or ever knew) and you
Will lose 10 pounds. If you delete this message, you will
Gain 10 pounds immediately. That's why I had to pass this
on, I didn't want to risk it.

*smile* I do not fall for all those *or else* emails I do not forward them, but I had to share this one with all my blogger friends. It's the best diet I have come across in ages *grin* Keewee

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

This is a favorite picture of my Mother. Being the first Mother's day without Mum is sad, I remember her with fond memories.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL MOTHERS

Blue Ribbon Macaroni & Cheese

I start by making the best Mac N Cheese recipe there is.
If you are worried about your cholesterol, then perhaps this recipe is not for you.

Macaroni And Cheese

8 Tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
6 slices good white bread, crusts removed, torn into 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces
5 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 tsp. dry mustard
4 1/2 cups (about 18 oz.) grated sharp white cheddar cheese
2 cups (about 8 oz.) grated Gruyere or 1 1/4 grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1 lb. elbow macaroni
About 8 slices of PepperJack cheese


Heat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3 quart casserole dish; set aside. Place the bread in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Pour butter into bowl with bread and toss. Set the bread aside.

In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat the milk. Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high sided skillet over medium heat. When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, stirring, 1 minute. While whisking, slowly pour in hot milk. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick. Remove pan from heat.

Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, dry mustard, 3 cups cheddar cheese and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere or 1 cup Pecorino Romano; set cheese sauce aside.

Fill a large saucepan with water; bring to a boil. Add macaroni; cook 2 to 3 minutes less than manufacturer’s directions, until the outside of the pasta is cooked and the inside is underdone. (Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions.) Transfer the macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well.

Stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce.

Place half of the mixture into the prepared dish and top with half of the sliced PepperJack cheese. Pour remaining mixture over top, place second half of PepperJack slices over top, and finish by Sprinkling remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup Gruyere or 1/4 cup Pecorino Romano and bread crumbs over top.

Bake until browned on top, about 30 minutes.

Transfer dish to wire rack to cool 5 minutes. Serve

I enjoy the "extra bite" the PepperJack cheese gives this dish.

I did not have time to make this dish, so borrowed the graphic from whatscookingamerica.net

BITCHOLOGY

For those of you sensitive to colorful language I did edit this a little.

When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a b***h.

When I stand up for those I love, they call me a b***h.

When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts or do things my own way, they call me a b***h.

Being a b***h means I won't compromise what's in my heart.

It means I live my life MY way. It means I won't allow anyone to step on me.

When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak against it, I am defined as a b***h.

The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone's maid, or when I act a little selfish.

It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who I truly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I "should" be.

I am outspoken, opinionated and determined. I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that!

So try to stomp on me try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me. You won't succeed.

And if that makes me a b***h, so be it. I embrace the title and am proud to bear it.

B - Babe
I - In
T - Total
C - Control of
H - Herself

B = Beautiful
I = Intelligent
T = Talented
C = Charming
H = Hell of a Woman

B = Beautiful
I = Individual
T = That
C = Can
H = Handle anything

Oh ! my, Mother nature is dishing out an interesting Spring

Yesterday afternoon, the wind came up with a ferosity which surprised me, and by the time I left work and walked the boardwalk to take the stairs to the parking lot, the wind was fierce indeed. I was really holding onto my bag and leaning into the wind.
The road home was littered with small branches, leaves and twigs from the trees.

Our front porch and driveway looked like this, confettied (it that a word? well it gives you the idea) with small leaves from the willow, and pine cones and leaves from the other trees surrounding our home.

This morning it dawned bright and sunny, a gentle breeze blowing, and the promise of a beautiful day. I am happy to say this huge Hosta and the Pansys were not damaged in the wind storm.

Another day in Paradise

It is going to be another gorgeous day on Whidbey Island. This was the scene at 6:30AM this morning. The mist was lazily drifting across Useless Bay, the snow on the Cascades, being kissed by the rising sun, and a chorus of birdsong to set the mood.

Ahhhh! what a blessing to live in such a beautiful place.

At Long Last

We have a beautiful day with temperatures in the 50F's already, AND,
we are supposed to have several such days in a row. It is about time the weather settled down, folks were starting to get scratchy (Kiwi for grouchy). Amazing what a little bit of warm, sunshiny weather will do for their moods.

It was time to take my camera outdoors and see what was going on in the yard. There was a chorus of birdsong as I opened the front door and stepped onto the porch into the warm sun, the air smelled fresh and clean after last night's rain shower, and there was color in the garden from Tulip blooms. There was a humming bird flitting near by, and I noticed that they make the most unusual sounds. It seems to my ears, that the sound they make is rather harsh and loud for such a tiny pretty bird. Have any of you out there observed the same thing?

This particular tulip is one I planted last fall and have eagerly been waiting to see the unusual blooms. Well worth the wait, aren't they?

As I turned to return indoors, this little rabbit was nibbling on grass just about seven feet away. we spotted each other about the same time, and he froze there for a few seconds then turned towards me as though posing for his picture. Seems he is one of the tamer rabbits we have on the property.
It is time for getting ready to spend the day at the spa, I have just two more days work to put in, before I get time off to enjoy this lovely weather.

A Smile

I am working 4-1/2 days straight, covering vacation time for one of my co-workers, and will not have too much time for story telling, but I have a few things I have saved for such an occasion. Hope you get a chuckle out of this cute joke, I did say chuckle, not, roll on floor laughing!

Morris and his wife Esther went to the state fair every year, and every year Morris would say, "Esther, I'd like to ride in that helicopter".

Esther always replied, "I know Morris, but that helicopter ride is 50 dollars and 50 dollars is 50 dollars".

One year Esther and Morris went to the fair, and Morris said, "Esther, I'm 85 years old. If I don't ride that helicopter, I might never get another chance."

Esther replied, "Morris that helicopter is 50 dollars and 50 dollars is 50 dollars".

The pilot overheard the couple and said, "Folks I'll make you a deal. I'll take the both of you for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say a word I won't charge you! But if you say one word, it's 50 dollars."

Morris and Esther agreed and up they went.The pilot did all kind of fancy maneuvers, but not a word was heard. He did his daredevil tricks over and over again, but still not a word. When they landed, the pilot turned to Morris and said, "By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn't. I'm impressed!"

Morris replied, "Well, to tell you the truth, I almost said something when Esther fell out, but you know -- 50 dollars is 50 dollars."

Kerikeri Corn Salad

Kerikeri, from earliest days a fertile growing area, was where the first plough was used in New Zealand in 1820. It is interesting to note that the Maori gardeners in the Bay of Islands grew garlic as a trading crop before the Treaty was signed.

2 cups cooked sweet corn
1 cup cooked green peas
1 cup diced cucumber
2 tbs. chopped green onions or chives
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup salad oil
2 tbs. vinegar
salt & pepper
Cayenne pepper

Drain the cooked vegetables well and mix with the cucumber. Shake the oil & vinegar together in a screw top jar with salt & pepper and Cayenne pepper and dress the vegetables with this, tossing lightly until all are coated. Serve cold.

Giant spider makes NZ home

This story from the local paper in New Zealand, where I grew up, had me cringing. I really, really do not like large spiders. If I found one of this size in my yard, whether it was harmless or not, would probably put an end to my gardening. Shiverrrrrr!!!!


By DAN HUTCHINSON - The Press | Saturday, 28 April 2007

A large Australian spider is setting up home in New Zealand in increasing numbers.

Lorrie Griebel's Marlborough backyard is home to a golden orbweb spider – the latest found in New Zealand in recent months.

Eleven discoveries of the tropical spider have been reported to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry this year. The Marlborough spider is one of just three confirmed sightings in the South Island since 1975.

Measuring over 5cm in length, the spider was thriving on a generous diet of bumblebees and other garden insects. The spiders are known to catch small birds.

Griebel discovered "Charlotte" in the garden of her Wairau Valley home two months ago, initially a lot smaller but with what she described as freakishly long legs.

Her children, Alicia, seven, and Hayley, five, named the spider after the main character in the book Charlotte's Web. In this case the web consists of 1 sq m of strong, golden silk.

"The first thing we noticed was these strange-looking legs and my main concern was the kids running through it. I left it well alone and gave it a wide berth. I got more interested when it started to change and I thought `this is definitely not a common everyday spider'," Griebel said.

Ministry entomologist Maurice O'Donnell said the spiders were thought to migrate to New Zealand from Queensland when they were as small as dust specks, blown across the Tasman in high-altitude winds.

They had been sighted in 1975, 1989, 1990, 1995 and 1997, but this year a record number had been spotted, all but one in the North Island.

O'Donnell said the spiders' migration was not well understood but the increase in sightings was probably weather-related.

The spiders were neither aggressive nor venomous, although since they were large " it would probably be undesirable to be bitten".

I'M SO EXCITED

I have booked my seat on Air New Zealand and am ready to go now.

Come November 5th, I am going home for a visit. It has been a very long time since I have been in NZ and I am sure there are many, many changes, especially in Palmerston North where my remaining family lives.

I have two brothers, a daughter, and two grandsons I want to spend time with. Spending time with my daughter, Tina, is of the utmost importance, as she has Huntington's Disease which is progressing extremely rapidly, so much so, that she will be in a facility in the very near future.
Tina will celebrate her 39 th Birthday on the 14 th of November so I think it would be nice to have a small celebration for her.

I want to go and look at all the houses I lived in when growing up, and see what changes have been made, if any, and take a drive out to Foxton Beach where we had a batch (beach house) I also would like to take a walk on the beach where my brothers and I played as children.

There are many things I would like to do, and see, that I am making a list just in case I forget something.( I am getting forgetful in my old age *grin*) and who knows when I will be able to make another journey home. Interesting how I still call New Zealand home even though I have lived in the States for many years. I feel "once a Kiwi, always a Kiwi in your heart" and I am sure this is the case for other people who have left their homeland.

I will make sure I take plenty of pictures so you can all see where I was born and raised. New Zealand is a beautiful country.

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!