Remember the photo of the fledgling my son took with his camera phone?
They have younger siblings taking up all of mom and dad's time. 
LOL Look at the size of that mouth!
Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Sunset
Last night's sunset.
Remember the photo of the fledgling my son took with his camera phone?
They have younger siblings taking up all of mom and dad's time. 
LOL Look at the size of that mouth!
Remember the photo of the fledgling my son took with his camera phone?
They have younger siblings taking up all of mom and dad's time. LOL Look at the size of that mouth!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
O' Say Can You See...
O! say can you see by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O! say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
’Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country, should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation.
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust;”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Any Rain in Them Thar Clouds?
Sure...just not over my house! 
However we did not get the bad weather! In Gilmer, a building on the courthouse square lost its roof...it landed on the courthouse lawn! Trees down on the ground and through roofs of houses. As much as we need the rain, we do not need loss of property and possibly lives...
My very FIRST lightning strike photo.
I am so excited! I know that it's not very showy. But hey! It's my first!
The hole in the clouds over my house.
Yes that is a bit of an exaggeration, but there is a hole in the clouds...and I am standing in my front yard.
Moving the camera just a bit...no rain in these clouds!
Every so often, afterwards, not while I am taking the photos mind you...afterwards I see an antennae or "guy" wire in my photo. Sam's Ham radio antennae is such a part of my sky view that I do not notice it!
However we did not get the bad weather! In Gilmer, a building on the courthouse square lost its roof...it landed on the courthouse lawn! Trees down on the ground and through roofs of houses. As much as we need the rain, we do not need loss of property and possibly lives...My very FIRST lightning strike photo.
I am so excited! I know that it's not very showy. But hey! It's my first!The hole in the clouds over my house.
Yes that is a bit of an exaggeration, but there is a hole in the clouds...and I am standing in my front yard.Moving the camera just a bit...no rain in these clouds!
Every so often, afterwards, not while I am taking the photos mind you...afterwards I see an antennae or "guy" wire in my photo. Sam's Ham radio antennae is such a part of my sky view that I do not notice it!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Summer Time....
...and the living is easy. Fish are jumping, and the cotton is high...
And the pear tree is loaded!
I should be ashamed of myself. I should've gotten out after the fruit set and thinned. Alas. I didn't. I noticed a broken branch, so started thinning.
This was a cluster of SEVEN!
As I thinned, I could visibly see the limbs perking up a bit. They should've...look at the ground!
Hopefully the squirrels will eat these and stay out of the tree. Hmmm...ever seen a smart squirrel? They play kamakazi in the roads around here.
Sure wish there was some rain in these clouds!
My crepe myrtles are a-bloom. 
Here's the newest addition to the neighborhood.
We finally got some rain last night...but not enough to lift the county-wide burn ban. This was sunset just after the rain. 
The worst of the storm was to our southwest, and the clouds are still very heavy. The lightning just lit up the clouds...no jagged bolts. 
And the pear tree is loaded!
I should be ashamed of myself. I should've gotten out after the fruit set and thinned. Alas. I didn't. I noticed a broken branch, so started thinning.
This was a cluster of SEVEN!
As I thinned, I could visibly see the limbs perking up a bit. They should've...look at the ground!
Hopefully the squirrels will eat these and stay out of the tree. Hmmm...ever seen a smart squirrel? They play kamakazi in the roads around here.Sure wish there was some rain in these clouds!
My crepe myrtles are a-bloom. 
Here's the newest addition to the neighborhood.
We finally got some rain last night...but not enough to lift the county-wide burn ban. This was sunset just after the rain. 
The worst of the storm was to our southwest, and the clouds are still very heavy. The lightning just lit up the clouds...no jagged bolts. 
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Sunset
See the bird? Just to the left of center above the clouds. Sigh...you can probably also see the guy wire that runs from Sam's Ham radio tower. It's a part of the view that I don't "see" any more. With a little work in Paint, I have made it disappear from some photos. :D
Monday, June 20, 2011
More of the Visit
I really miss Jonathan! We had such a good time. Although it was too short for me what with my working and all. Wish I could talk him into moving...
Sam and I knew we had a mockingbird nest somewhere. He spied it in one of the live oaks we planted last year and mentioned "a" bird. Jonathan and I found two in the live oak. He took these birdie photos with his cellphone.
This baby was hiding from us.
Jonathan then spotted this pretty in my camellia...
and here's #4. Oh...I thought he took four photos but I can't find the photo of the fourth baby birdie.
But I did find this.
LOL My 27 year old son travels with a SpongeBob Square Pants toothbrush. LOL He said he bought it for the small size...since he is traveling on a motorcycle with limited luggage space. Anyway...that's his story. Mine is...MY 27-YEAR OLD SON BRUSHES HIS TEETH WITH A SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS TOOTHBRUSH! hahahahahahaha
The evening sky today.
We've all got our fingers and toes crossed for rain. Our county as well as most around us are in a burn ban. We are desperate for rain...and all along the Mississippi and Missouri, they've had flooding...
Sam and I knew we had a mockingbird nest somewhere. He spied it in one of the live oaks we planted last year and mentioned "a" bird. Jonathan and I found two in the live oak. He took these birdie photos with his cellphone.
This baby was hiding from us.
Jonathan then spotted this pretty in my camellia...
and here's #4. Oh...I thought he took four photos but I can't find the photo of the fourth baby birdie.But I did find this.
LOL My 27 year old son travels with a SpongeBob Square Pants toothbrush. LOL He said he bought it for the small size...since he is traveling on a motorcycle with limited luggage space. Anyway...that's his story. Mine is...MY 27-YEAR OLD SON BRUSHES HIS TEETH WITH A SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS TOOTHBRUSH! hahahahahahahaThe evening sky today.
We've all got our fingers and toes crossed for rain. Our county as well as most around us are in a burn ban. We are desperate for rain...and all along the Mississippi and Missouri, they've had flooding...
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Baking Again
How about some pretzel bread?! Jonathan made the dough. I helped him roll it into balls. After it boiled very very briefly in water that has had baking soda added...he dipped them out onto a baking sheet and with a knife I scored an X in each. Then he sprinkled them liberally with kosher salt.
Then they were baked until pretty and brown. 
Jonathan said you have to have a German beer to drink while eating pretzel rolls. 
I had unsweet iced tea.
The recipe...
Pretzel Bread
2 1/4 teaspoon yeast
1 cup water (110-120 degrees)
2 tablespoons room temperature milk
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 1/2 - 3 cups bread flour
4 quarts water
1/2 cup baking soda
Kosher salt to taste
2 tablespoons melted butter
Add yeast, water, milk, brown sugar, and butter into a large bowl, whisking until all ingredients are combined. Let mixture rest for 10 minutes for yeast to activate. Mix in kosher salt. Start by adding two cups of flour to the bowl, combining it with other ingredients. Add more flour as it is needed, reserving just a bit for kneading later.
The dough should form a slightly tacky, but firm ball. Oil the bowl, place the dough ball in the bowl, and cover with a damp towel for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, knead the dough by hand or machine for at least 5-10 minutes until the dough is elastic and satiny. Place dough back in the bowl and cover for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees and bring the 4 quarts of water to a boil. When the water is boiling, slowly add the baking soda.
Remove the dough from the bowl and gently de-gas it. Form two separate balls of dough, forming them into the shape you want. Drop one of the balls into the baking soda bath for no longer than 30 seconds, turning it once to guarantee both sides covered. Drain the excess water from the dough and place it on an oiled baking sheet. Repeat with second ball of dough.
Sprinkle the kosher salt over the bread to your specific tastes and make sure to use a knife to cut a small incision on the top of the bread so the dough has somewhere to expand.
Cook the bread for 22 minutes, rotating the baking sheet once.
Once removed from the oven, immediately brush with melted butter if you want a soft crust.
***What Jonathan did...he combined all dough ingredients in my stand mixer with a dough hook.
As you can see, he used a pastry knife and cut the dough into 16 wedges then rolled them into balls.
He did not brush butter on the rolls to soften the crust.
He DID drink his German beer with supper!
Then they were baked until pretty and brown. 
Jonathan said you have to have a German beer to drink while eating pretzel rolls. 
I had unsweet iced tea.The recipe...
Pretzel Bread
2 1/4 teaspoon yeast
1 cup water (110-120 degrees)
2 tablespoons room temperature milk
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 1/2 - 3 cups bread flour
4 quarts water
1/2 cup baking soda
Kosher salt to taste
2 tablespoons melted butter
Add yeast, water, milk, brown sugar, and butter into a large bowl, whisking until all ingredients are combined. Let mixture rest for 10 minutes for yeast to activate. Mix in kosher salt. Start by adding two cups of flour to the bowl, combining it with other ingredients. Add more flour as it is needed, reserving just a bit for kneading later.
The dough should form a slightly tacky, but firm ball. Oil the bowl, place the dough ball in the bowl, and cover with a damp towel for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, knead the dough by hand or machine for at least 5-10 minutes until the dough is elastic and satiny. Place dough back in the bowl and cover for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees and bring the 4 quarts of water to a boil. When the water is boiling, slowly add the baking soda.
Remove the dough from the bowl and gently de-gas it. Form two separate balls of dough, forming them into the shape you want. Drop one of the balls into the baking soda bath for no longer than 30 seconds, turning it once to guarantee both sides covered. Drain the excess water from the dough and place it on an oiled baking sheet. Repeat with second ball of dough.
Sprinkle the kosher salt over the bread to your specific tastes and make sure to use a knife to cut a small incision on the top of the bread so the dough has somewhere to expand.
Cook the bread for 22 minutes, rotating the baking sheet once.
Once removed from the oven, immediately brush with melted butter if you want a soft crust.
***What Jonathan did...he combined all dough ingredients in my stand mixer with a dough hook.
As you can see, he used a pastry knife and cut the dough into 16 wedges then rolled them into balls.
He did not brush butter on the rolls to soften the crust.
He DID drink his German beer with supper!
Friday, June 10, 2011
My Son is Visiting!
Of course I'm working, but we are enjoying our visit anyway. I've come home to some nice surprises!
He called one day and asked about ingredients for bread. When I told him what I had in the pantry...he set about working in the kitchen. My one caveat...CLEAN MY KITCHEN when you get through. He did. And we had two loaves of this:
Heart of Winter Loaf from the King Arthur Flour website...recipe at the bottom. The recipe makes two loaves. He sent one with me to work for Da Judge. When Jonathan got to town Tuesday afternoon, he stopped by the office. I introduced him to Da Judge...and vice versa. He sent a loaf to her. She was very pleased and saved it to serve to her weekend company.
Thursday evening, I made another strawberry pie.
Isn't it pretty?! 
Alas. I substituted cornstarch for thickening...instead of flour...and I even added an extra tablespoon of cornstarch. Failed miserably. 
The cornstarch was less effective than the flour. Next try will be tapioca. If that fails, I have a stovetop recipe that you cook then fill a prebaked pie crust.
It still tasted delicious!
Jonathan rolled out the remaining crust...
...and I showed him how to make these:
I think they were the best I've ever made!
What?! You ask? Wine with ice?
Nope. Sassafras tea! I haven't had any in forever! Sam and Jonathan walked the property and dug some roots. The best time is in the spring when the sap is rising. But there was nothing wrong with this!
Heart of Winter Loaf
Dough
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup oat flour or ground oatmeal
1/3 cup flax flour or an additional 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup dry milk
2 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1 3/4 cups water
Topping
1 egg white, lightly beaten
seeds of your choice or a teaspoon or so of old fashioned oats
To make the dough: Combine all of the dough ingredients, mixing and kneading to form a smooth, sticky dough. Cover the dough and let it rise for about an hour; it should become puffy.
Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a 10-inch oval loaf. Place the loaves on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover the pan and allow the loaves to rise for about 90 minutes or until they've increased in size by about one-third. Just before baking, brush with a lightly beaten egg white, then sprinkle with seeds or old fashioned oatmeal Slash each loaf diagonally three times.
Bake the loaves in a preheated 400 degree oven for 25 - 30 minutes or until the interior registers 200 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool.
He called one day and asked about ingredients for bread. When I told him what I had in the pantry...he set about working in the kitchen. My one caveat...CLEAN MY KITCHEN when you get through. He did. And we had two loaves of this:
Heart of Winter Loaf from the King Arthur Flour website...recipe at the bottom. The recipe makes two loaves. He sent one with me to work for Da Judge. When Jonathan got to town Tuesday afternoon, he stopped by the office. I introduced him to Da Judge...and vice versa. He sent a loaf to her. She was very pleased and saved it to serve to her weekend company. Thursday evening, I made another strawberry pie.
Isn't it pretty?! 
Alas. I substituted cornstarch for thickening...instead of flour...and I even added an extra tablespoon of cornstarch. Failed miserably. 
The cornstarch was less effective than the flour. Next try will be tapioca. If that fails, I have a stovetop recipe that you cook then fill a prebaked pie crust.It still tasted delicious!
Jonathan rolled out the remaining crust...
...and I showed him how to make these:
I think they were the best I've ever made!What?! You ask? Wine with ice?
Nope. Sassafras tea! I haven't had any in forever! Sam and Jonathan walked the property and dug some roots. The best time is in the spring when the sap is rising. But there was nothing wrong with this!
Heart of Winter Loaf
Dough
1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cup oat flour or ground oatmeal
1/3 cup flax flour or an additional 1/3 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup dry milk
2 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1 3/4 cups water
Topping
1 egg white, lightly beaten
seeds of your choice or a teaspoon or so of old fashioned oats
To make the dough: Combine all of the dough ingredients, mixing and kneading to form a smooth, sticky dough. Cover the dough and let it rise for about an hour; it should become puffy.
Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a 10-inch oval loaf. Place the loaves on a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover the pan and allow the loaves to rise for about 90 minutes or until they've increased in size by about one-third. Just before baking, brush with a lightly beaten egg white, then sprinkle with seeds or old fashioned oatmeal Slash each loaf diagonally three times.
Bake the loaves in a preheated 400 degree oven for 25 - 30 minutes or until the interior registers 200 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Remove the bread from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
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