Monday, April 29, 2013

Mexico ...

Beauty ... in the eye of this beholder ... is the beach and the mountains ..... 

For the first time since I can remember, hubby and I are spending lots of quiet time on the beach in Mexico this week.  We are on a quick vacation and loving every minute.  Here are a few of our friends . . . the seagulls are so fun, but only if you have food that they're interested in.  I didn't have the camera when they were really showing off ... but they hover within reach of us and will scoop up a piece of something yummy (or not so yummy) that we toss in the air.  I will still try for a picture.  It's fun ... 

Naptime

The Candy Man

Sam

We are having a great time looking for a get-away home ... someplace for us to stay in the winter and a place for the kids to come and stay for a vacation.  Although we enjoy our quiet time ... it's always nice when the kids and grand-kids are with us.  Wish you all were here!!  All of us love to fish for ... and eat ... fresh dorado and yellowtail.   Thank you to the parents who are down here for most of the winter ... we have a pantry full of canned tuna and the freezer is full of fresh fish fillets!  Oh and I shouldn't forget to mention the dolphins who swim and play alongside the boat .... 

it doesn't get any better than this.


Mexico

Have a nice day! 

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Spring ~ Life is Beautiful This Time of Year

Ohhh, the smell of cut grass and the birdies singing with their heart and soul.  It brings renewal to all things good in life.  It's been a rough week for our country ... once again ... we steel ourselves to the callous actions of a few ... that sadly will affect so many.  Our prayers are with families, friends and loved ones whose lives have been changed forever ....

Small Blessings Around Home:

Tulips from Holland

Grape Hyacinth
It's so beautiful today that "Cowboy" is out on the porch enjoying the warm sunshine.  He's wondering why I'm taking his picture, see how he's looking at me?   He talks and sings and makes all kinds of strange noises ... but most of all he loves to mimic the tweety birds outside.  He's 15 years old today!  Happy Birthday Cowboy . . .



I've always thought that a big laugh
 is a really loud noise from the soul
 saying
 "Ain't that the truth"
                                                                                       ~ Quincy Jones

Oh Yum .... you've got to try this ~ it's good for breakfast, lunch and dinner!!


Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

For the Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 tbsp canola oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 large egg white, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 large ripe bananas
1/4 cup milk

For the Frosting:
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
2 tbsp chopped toasted nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray 8 inch square pan with cooking spray.
Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt.  Set aside.
Using an electric mixer, beat butter, oil and sugar.  Beat in eggs and egg white, one at a time, mixing well.  Add vanilla.
In separate bowl, mash bananas with milk.  Set aside.
Mix half of the dry ingredients into butter mixture.  Add bananas.  Add remaining dry ingredients.  Pour cake mix into baking pan and bake 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  
Frosting - Beat cream cheese and vanilla.  Reduce speed and gradually add confectioners' sugar.
Frost and sprinkle with nuts!!!


We've had a wonderful time with G-baby #4 ... she has been a real trooper helping Papa and I in the garden.  I think she loves digging in the dirt as much as we do.  After gardening, we went to the lake to feed the ducks and stopped at the park for some much needed play-time.  We will surely have withdrawals when she goes home ....




Celebrate Every Day ..... That's all for now!


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Just Stuff

I found a nice quote that I want to share .... 

Today may there be peace within.  May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be.  May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others.  May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.  May you be content with yourself just the way you are.  Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.  It is there for each and every one of us.
                                                                                                  ~ Author Unknown

We are getting ready for #4 Grand to come for a visit!  This will be her first trip to "Annie's" all by herself, no parents.  As the saying goes .... "What happens at Grandma's house ~ never happened".  Sometimes we feel like cookies for breakfast ... you just never know.  I'm excited because she is an outdoorsy li'l one and will be a great help in Annie & Papa's garden.  Excited for our adventures!


Here is our Super Star Little Leaguer and his best cheerleader .... had a great time watching his game.  Brought  back wonderful memories of our sons when they played.  



Happy Wednesday ......

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Springtime and Retro Treasures ....

Okay so we just thought Spring was here ... pout pout.  Yesterday was a bit cool and very windy.  I think we had wind gusts of 50+ mph.  It wasn't nice .... I worry so much about the pine trees and other trees in our yard ... just hoping they stay upright.  Well, today we woke up to 4" of snow and cold weather. There were no birds chirping outside the window this morning and it has remained cloudy and snowy all day.  The daffodils have hung their heads and will probably say goodbye for the season after this surprise.  But tomorrow is another day ... and the weather guy is calling for sunshine to return.  YAY!!



Isn't this the greatest retro needlework piece ever?  My precious Mom embroidered this back in the 70's sometime and it hung in my childhood home for many many years.  About a year ago, I stopped by Mom's house and noticed that she had several bags on the curb with a sign that said "Goodwill".  I thought it wise to check out what was in the bags ... and voila here was this handmade beauty ... going to the GOODWILL.  Oh, I was so thankful that I was there to rescue this piece of my childhood.  I sure hope Mom was listening when I asked her to check with me before leaving treasures like this on the curb.  It's all mine now and is hanging proudly in my home ..... Happy Tuesday Friends ~


Monday, April 8, 2013

Early Spring Adventure

The other day we decided to take a field trip, hubby and I, as this time of year we are anxious to see what the melted snow has left behind.  We stopped at 3 lakes and tested the water to see if the fish were biting.  Since I really like fishing from a boat when the air is warm and only a slight breeze, I took time to admire the birds and an occasional squirrel ... this Osprey and 4 of his friends were also fishing.  The Osprey is also known as a sea hawk or fish eagle and is considered a fish-eating bird of prey.  It's unusual as it can be found almost worldwide.  In flight, he has arched wings and droopy "hands".  The call is a series of sharp whistles described as cheep, cheep or yewk, yewk.  If disturbed by activity near the nest, the call is a frenzied cheereeek.  After watching him for about 30 minutes I think he was getting annoyed ..... so we headed off to our next stop ... a cozy little restaurant in the cozy little town of Greer, AZ.  Try it sometime if you're in the area ... promise you won't leave disappointed or hungry.  It's a wonderful place!

The Osprey

Horseshoe Lake


Thursday, April 4, 2013

Green Goddess Salad Dressing and Sheep


I don't know about others but I remember Green Goddess dressing out of the bottle when I was a youngster .... it had a really strange taste.  I was hesitant to try this recipe but it sounded so delicious.  And it was!  Try it and see if you feel the same way.


Green Goddess Salad Dressing

1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. mayonnaise
2 T. red wine vinegar
1/2 c. finely chopped fresh parsley
1/4 c. finely chopped fresh basil
1/4 c. finely chopped fresh dill
1 clove garlic, minced
1 to 2 T. water

Mix and chill before using!!

As promised, here is a picture of our ragamuffins!  Aren't they pitiful looking? This is the BEFORE picture, I will be sure to post an AFTER as well so you can see what I'm talking about. It's the funniest thing ~ after we shear them they look at each other as if to say "Who are you?" and then ram each other, sometimes ferociously.  They look so cute and they act so frisky when they are all pretty .... 


Daisy and Dottie (she has a freckle on her nose)

Doris and Peanut (a twin)
We are so excited to travel to Mesa tomorrow to watch our grandson play baseball.  He is 7 years old and this is his first year playing .... I think he is a star!  And then we will have a BBQ with our #1 and #2 sons and their families.  We have a 14 year old Japanese young man living with us for one month and we want him to meet the family and be able to exchange stories.   Although it is hard to experience America in one month .... it has been a great start for him and for us.  I have many great stories that I will share along the way.  Bye for now ~





Tuesday, April 2, 2013

My First Blog!

Sooo excited ... I've never been known as a "techy" person.  But I love reading blogs and decided to give it a try.  So be patient as I learn the way.  We are happy to see the snow melting and all the pretty signs of Spring.  The hens are loving life again, the sheep are in need of a haircut which is always a fun day, more on that later.  The daffodils are smiling in the sunshine and the pretty little birdies are chirp chirp chirping and busy building their nests.  Happy Spring!!