Flower photo

Driving out of the driveway this morning, I noticed that the sun was shining so pretty on my daffodils...I hopped out and snapped a photo. If you've seen me taking photos, you know I can't just take one - I usually take several, some from different angles.

So, when I looked at the photos here on my computer screen, I was amused at this one - shadow of "Karen the really tall Giant":

Since not much else is happening, thought I'd share my progress last night on my house model...putting the roof on took some thought!

I'm learning a new computer skill! We are thinking of doing some "patio" work this spring and need to be able to visualize what things will look like before diving in.  I had seen Google "Sketchup" before.  It's a free program sortof like Autocad.   I've spent days on tutorials and now I'm starting to draw our house using the old blueprints so I'll have the dimensions correct.  This is just a start - lots of details to add (and a roof!!)  Fun though!

Spring?

Yes, I've been remiss in updating the blog.....just not a lot going on of any interest. I've been doing some spring cleaning in hopes that it will make spring come early!!! Red-red robins at the airport this morning. That means spring is imminent doesn't it????

Lazy weekend

The weekend was yucky weather-wise....we did get a dusting of snow.  It snowed most of the day Saturday, but the ground was so warm it just melted on impact!

After some pre-spring-cleaning, I whipped up a pot of TVP chili and some garbanzo bean flat-bread.   Vegan and just right for a chili day!  (Pardon the pun!)

Surprise Paper

I order my copy paper from Staples.com - because I'm lazy and they deliver for free....

I was surprised when I received the latest shipment.   This will not mean much to you if you aren't familiar with the silly show on TV called "The Office".

I was surprised because I was pretty sure the company "Dunder Mifflin" was an entirely fictional paper company made up just for the show......

Upon closer inspection, it's clear that Staples is participating in some hi-jinks - see their motto - "Quabity First"  and the quotes "Limitless paper in a paperless world"  and "Get Your Scrant On!" .  Cute!

Fun this past weekend

We were invited to a friendly game last weekend....fun folks and lots of good, yummy, non-diet food!

And this is for anyone interested in needlework....this is one of the lovely hostesses scarf - I absolutely love it!   She didn't make it, a relative did.  It's so fluffy and silky soft!  Just right on a cold winter day!

Can you believe it???

I wandered down to the hangar and was shocked to see this....is it that close to spring already????  The groundhog says, yes ma'mam!!!!

Fun with tortillas

My mom and Frank gave us some "forms" to make-your-own taco salad shells for Christmas....and I just hadn't gotten around to trying them yet until the other day. 

Here is the resulting baked shell.  It's just a generic flour tortilla....a bit over cooked.  I had thrown the packaging away.....hmmmmm.   We actually tried this a second time a day later and I didn't cook them as long - they were just perfect and crispy.

But the entree was actually very good (and vegan....oh...except for the sour cream I added at the last minute).... just the shell, shredded lettuce, some mushrooms and onions that I had caramelized, and salsa.  Really, really good and fun to eat!

Rotating beacon at the airport

The rotating beacon at the airport had been out-of-service (meaning broken!) for a couple of months.  It sits atop a 30' tower - and the local electrician had determined that the 30 yr old beacon was in need of serious repair or replacement.  The cost to replace would be about $10,000!!

So, one of our local businessmen, Eddie Liles (who happens to be the Airport Authority chairman) took it upon himself to fix it!  He got a friend who owns a welding business to bring his boom truck to remove the heavy beacon and then a second time to lift it back in place once repaired.

Eddie replaced some bearings and brushes - and the beacon is back operational - maybe for another 30 yrs!!

That's Eddie's son-in-law - he got the climbing duties on a cold and blustery day!  A big ole' thanks to Eddie and crew!!

Roasted veg, yum!

Sharon shared a link to a super-easy and yummy idea for a "wintery" meal....


I made to pans - one with the last of the acorn squash and sweet potatoes from Granny and Cordy's garden sprinkled with some spices.

The other I used the last of the turnips with some onions.  Duane doesn't care for turnips in any form, so I thought I'd keep them separate.  These I just sprinkled salt and pepper....

The result was fabulous! I don't know what it is about oven-roasting veggies....but the flavor is delicious!

Personally, I thought the dish with the turnips was better!

More ice and some organizing

We did get a bit more ice overnight.  The sidewalks and roads were pretty iced over first thing in the morning.  By noon, however, the sun was shining and it all disappeared in true Southern style!

I really didn't have much planned for Saturday - just some overdue housework....

Does your container storage area get jumbled?  I don't know why mine does, really.  I think it's because I'm usually in a rush putting things away out of the dishwasher.  I just open the doors and throw stuff in. 

 

 

 Just a few minutes organizing and it's all good....for now, at least!                                                   

Little bit of ice

Our little winter storm left us today with about a 1/2 inch of sleety-ice....no pretty snow. The flag in the background is frozen stiff!  Hopefully this will all be gone tomorrow but the overnight temps don't get out of the 20's.  So much for our "warm" winter!!

Nostalgic Appliances

OK, I'll admit - I'm a little attached to my appliances. 

I still have my original (1980'ish) Oster Blender from college, and my little Emmie food processor....and my Sunbeam fry-pan.  Many, many pancakes and such were produced over the years with this pan.  The problem, though, was that several years ago, the plug/thermostat quit working....so the pan got stuck in a cabinet and sortof forgotten.......I ran across it the other day and was nostalgic. I knew it was a wedding gift so I looked it up in my wedding "gift book" - this pan was given to us by Duane's uncle and aunt - Phil and Maxine from Indiana who have both passed away.

Ebay to the rescue!!  For $14 - I have a new plug and a fully functional pan again!

Little snowy

So, the forecast for last night was 2-4" of snow.....hmmmm.....they were wrong....just a tiny dusting.  Oh well, the county kiddos were disappointed when they only got a 2 hr. delay for school instead of the hoped-for day off!

Holiday Gathering and Baked Brie

Our McCraw "Holiday Gathering" was this past weekend - we all traveled to the centrally-located town of Jamestown. We shared a huge house in a neat, quiet neighborhood. Much visiting, relaxing, food prep and eating was accomplished!

Of course, a puzzle was also (eventually) accomplished!

I just loved watching this simple procedure of making a baked Brie cheese "tart".    Debbie is the master-chef here - rolling out puff pastry to eliminate the seams. 

Cut the brie in half -

Liberally smother the brie half in jelly of your choosing.

Make a "sandwich" with the other half of the brie - and smother the entire cheese with jelly.

Start wrapping the brie with the excess dough.

Just keep wrapping it, pulling the pastry to the center -

Until it's all wrapped up!  Bake at 350 degrees until brown.

All done - a little brie bubbled out - but not much.  Let cool a bit.  When ready to eat, just slice slivers and enjoy!

Just thought I'd add one last photo - as if we didn't have enough doughy goodness...here is a simple treat -  crescent rolls, cream cheese, garlic powder and salt/pepper.  Baked til browned.....yum!!  Ok, back to the diet!!!

Foggy day!!

In case you were planning on flying in to see me today....I wouldn't unless you have x-ray vision!!!

Cool, very big old airplane - Gullwing Stinson

Our buddy that went on our Bahamas trip has a beautiful old 1942 vintage Gullwing Stinson. It's been in maintenance for a while - but he pulled it out to go flying on this beautiful spring-like January day! I forgot to snap an "overall" photo - so here is an old one I found....very similar to his airplane.

He recently bought it - and it's been in maintenance ever since.  So, we haven't ever fueled it.  Yesterday, I experimented with the ladder - it's a big airplane!!!  Our normal ladder for fueling high-wing airplanes is just 6' tall.  It was clear after I tried it on the 6' ladder, we needed a bigger ladder!  So, I drove the pickup this morning and stopped by Lowe's for an 8' ladder.  Here Ben is on the top usable rung of the new 8' ladder.

Isn't it beautiful??  The wood panel is absolutely stunning.

Polished brass door hardware and look at that shiny stainless step.  Makes me think there is some "swing" music playing the the background!