Here’s something for the starving masses…. My son loves this stuff… isn’t that odd? Now I’m going back outside. (stolen from the helenair.com website)
Avocado Gazpacho
3 fully ripened Hass avocados, halved, pitted, peeled and diced
2 cups peeled, seeded and diced cucumbers
¾ cup chopped fresh tomato
½ cup chopped onion
14½-ounce ready-to-serve chicken broth
1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice
1½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
½ cup coarsely broken tortilla chips
Remove ½ cup diced avocado for later use. In a blender, place half of the remaining avocado, cucumbers, tomato, onion, broth, lemon juice, salt and pepper; whirl until smooth; place in a bowl; repeat.To serve: Spoon gazpacho into four soup bowls; in the center of each, spoon a small mound of the avocado and sprinkle with chip pieces. If desired, top each serving with a cilantro sprig.To prepare up to one day ahead, follow recipe up to serving directions. Cover surface of soup directly with plastic wrap; refrigerate. When ready to serve, continue as directed above.Makes 4 servings, about 5 cups.
Nutrition information per serving: 296 cal., 5 g pro., 19 g carbo., 25 g total fat (4 g saturated), 7 g dietary fiber.
Note: To convert to a main-dish cold soup, omit the tortilla chips and use:
1 pound cooked, shelled medium shrimp (about 24)
6-ounce can lump crabmeat, drained or ½ cup fresh lump crabmeat (about 4 ounces)
Sliced scallion for garnish, if desired
French bread
Goat cheese or cheese spread, as desired
Set aside 12 shrimp for garnish, then chop the remaining shrimp and stir them into the soup along with the crabmeat. Some crabmeat can be set aside for garnish also, along with scallions. Serve with slices of crusty French or Italian bread spread with a pepper-coated goat cheese or herbed or garlic-flavored cheese spread.
Friday, July 15, 2005
The Joke Answer....
Sorry to leave you hanging for so long.... if you haven't googled it yet (good thinking LadyBug)....
BECAUSE THEY ARE BOTH FUCKING CLOSE TO WATER!!!!!
BECAUSE THEY ARE BOTH FUCKING CLOSE TO WATER!!!!!
Monday, June 27, 2005
An artist and a rant
Ok, first, I want to present one of my favorite artists.
Rez 'rWrecktion
Please. Tell me you can look at this stuff and not think it is just fucking cool.
Next. Well. I had a huge rant going on in my head about closed minds and art and culture and diversity and.... well, I'd love to tell you all about it but the baby is calling, the weather is good, I have half a day off and I want to go create a little art of my own.... in the garden.
Rez 'rWrecktion
Please. Tell me you can look at this stuff and not think it is just fucking cool.
Next. Well. I had a huge rant going on in my head about closed minds and art and culture and diversity and.... well, I'd love to tell you all about it but the baby is calling, the weather is good, I have half a day off and I want to go create a little art of my own.... in the garden.
PAX is gonna be WB!!!
Do you know what this means?
Ok. Background. We’re Rednecks….. is that news to anybody? But we are Special Rednecks….’cause we’re Educated Rednecks. (and, yes, we do know what an “oxymoron” is…) And not just community-college-two-year-associates-degree-in-welding educated… we are talking nationally acclaimed liberal arts college educated. But wait… I brag & I digress. So, as Rednecks we claim stubborn, poor but proud, hard-working and creative as our birthright.
What does this mean?
Well, we don’t have cable. And, I was thrilled to discover, neither do other people we know.
We can’t get cable where we live… or DSL… or anything but satellite. And (see “poor but proud” above) we have chosen to live on (and pay for) our overpriced-but-delightful homestead rather than have some of the more common modern expenses like satellite or car payments or memberships to the wine-of-the-month club. (Although I’m still hoping for that as a Christmas gift… anyone?)
In the past, we lived in town and got 6 tv stations. ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS & the religion channel. Then FOX turned into PAX and we got more than our needed dose of “Diagnosis Murder.” In our current home we can get NBC & PAX on the tv in the living room via rabbit ears. Upstairs we get CBS & ABC. Gone are the days of watching “Red Green” and “Antiques Roadshow” because we can’t get PBS anywhere in the house. I miss Red. I don’t really miss that toothy guy on the religion channel… he made me nervous.
But… HERE’S THE NEWS PEOPLE…. PAX is turning into The WB.
What does this mean?
Well, I’m not sure since I’ve never really seen The WB…. But it can’t be worse than PAX, can it?
Ok. Background. We’re Rednecks….. is that news to anybody? But we are Special Rednecks….’cause we’re Educated Rednecks. (and, yes, we do know what an “oxymoron” is…) And not just community-college-two-year-associates-degree-in-welding educated… we are talking nationally acclaimed liberal arts college educated. But wait… I brag & I digress. So, as Rednecks we claim stubborn, poor but proud, hard-working and creative as our birthright.
What does this mean?
Well, we don’t have cable. And, I was thrilled to discover, neither do other people we know.
We can’t get cable where we live… or DSL… or anything but satellite. And (see “poor but proud” above) we have chosen to live on (and pay for) our overpriced-but-delightful homestead rather than have some of the more common modern expenses like satellite or car payments or memberships to the wine-of-the-month club. (Although I’m still hoping for that as a Christmas gift… anyone?)
In the past, we lived in town and got 6 tv stations. ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS & the religion channel. Then FOX turned into PAX and we got more than our needed dose of “Diagnosis Murder.” In our current home we can get NBC & PAX on the tv in the living room via rabbit ears. Upstairs we get CBS & ABC. Gone are the days of watching “Red Green” and “Antiques Roadshow” because we can’t get PBS anywhere in the house. I miss Red. I don’t really miss that toothy guy on the religion channel… he made me nervous.
But… HERE’S THE NEWS PEOPLE…. PAX is turning into The WB.
What does this mean?
Well, I’m not sure since I’ve never really seen The WB…. But it can’t be worse than PAX, can it?
Friday, June 24, 2005
The Beer Fairy Strikes Again
This time it was a bottle of Full Sail Amber and TWO bottles of Obsidian Stout. I love this game. She also left a can of Mountain Dew…. I’m not sure what that is about so I’m giving it to my husband.
How do I know the beer fairy is a she? ‘Cause a male beer fairy woulda left Bud Lite at our house.
How do I know the beer fairy is a she? ‘Cause a male beer fairy woulda left Bud Lite at our house.
I miss my camera.
Have I mentioned how much I love my husband? That gorgeous and adorable man got the EXTENED WARRANTY when he bought the camera. I can break it until 2007!!! So all that stress was alleviated when I walked into the store and they looked up the info… after the standard confusion of deciding what name my husband had used when registering…. He uses a couple and I use a couple…. Loads of fun. I handed over the camera and they promised to take care of me. I hope they aren’t lying. Added incentive to help me since I happen to be the store manager’s land lord.
Oh, and can I just add… the on-line tech support for Canon SUCKS.
Oh, and can I just add… the on-line tech support for Canon SUCKS.
I would have posted more but I’ve been to busy partying…..
Saturday we went day-camping (some people call that a picnic) at Kading Campground. It was a bit too chilly for shorts up in the mountains but we had lots of fun and ate ham & fried chicken. The creek is all blown out from the recent rain so there was no point in trying to fish it but I took along my fly rod anyway…
Sunday we had tons of family to our house for lasagna and picnic leftovers. Good thing we had plates & plastic utensils left over from the weekends before.
We also had a big ass house warming party this month. We put my father-in-law to work as the grill man and got a keg of Blackfoot Brewery’s Driftboat Amber. I had no idea we had so many friends.
Throw into the mix Sweet Boy’s first birthday party and a few other random family and friends visits…..
And the fun never stops…. My best friend will be here next week with her clan of children…. Margaritas and egg hunting for everyone.
Sunday we had tons of family to our house for lasagna and picnic leftovers. Good thing we had plates & plastic utensils left over from the weekends before.
We also had a big ass house warming party this month. We put my father-in-law to work as the grill man and got a keg of Blackfoot Brewery’s Driftboat Amber. I had no idea we had so many friends.
Throw into the mix Sweet Boy’s first birthday party and a few other random family and friends visits…..
And the fun never stops…. My best friend will be here next week with her clan of children…. Margaritas and egg hunting for everyone.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
The things we do for love.
5 seconds before The Perfect Family. Let me just say, in my defense, it was kinda humid and I need a haircut and I intended to put my hair up but didn't quite have time.....
Go. Go. Go.
This is what we do for fun on a Saturday. And please, don't comment on my hair.... I know it looks like hell.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Power Player
Please take note of the horrible, horrible RIGHT-HANDEDNESS of my child.
Also note the DYSON box behind him.... yes, we got an anniversary-mother'sday-father'sday-birthdays gift. It Rocks in Socks. There was a whole 'nother dog in that sexy clear canister when I was done. And it is turquoise and purple WITH SPARKLES. Can you imagine anything dreamier??
Also note the DYSON box behind him.... yes, we got an anniversary-mother'sday-father'sday-birthdays gift. It Rocks in Socks. There was a whole 'nother dog in that sexy clear canister when I was done. And it is turquoise and purple WITH SPARKLES. Can you imagine anything dreamier??
Lil Sister
Here she is.... in all her glory. (I promise one with a chainsaw soon..... camera is being "evaluated" by a professional....)
Betcha didn't know Rednecks wore sunglasses like that....
Things My Sister Said.
Yesterday we were shopping for a new dress for me (Hot Husband & Sweet Boy were there too) and she was overheard saying, "Well, that fire extinguisher won't put out flaming metal."
She also likes to quote Bob, the helicopter pilot and say, “A Chinook helicopter looks like two Hueys humping a dumpster.”
“Maybe it is more fun if you don’t have teeth.” On why babies like pacifiers so much…. Followed, of course, by test-driving the paci and not really enjoying it all that much...
Friday, June 10, 2005
Check out the Chucks
Great Grandpa got his favorite (and only ) great-grandson some new shoes.... check it out, dude.
My sister cut down a tree yesterday...
…. All by herself.
She's very proud.
It was a big deal.
Her "saw muscles" are sore today.
By the end of the day, she could barely hold her chainsaw.
I hope she took pictures.
She's very proud.
It was a big deal.
Her "saw muscles" are sore today.
By the end of the day, she could barely hold her chainsaw.
I hope she took pictures.
Why is everything technical in my life going to shit?
I think the power steering belt in my car is loose. Add that to the list of things to get fixed.
My sewing machine is toast.
My camera is down. I think (hope) it is the battery. They are expensive but not as bad as a new camera. The lcd screen no longer lights up… just for a few minutes when the camera is fully charged and then it goes dark. Still takes pictures but it is darn hard to delete pictures on the camera when you can’t see the menu screens. I have a lot of projects counting on me getting my camera fixed because, of course, I want before and after pictures.
The coffee pot no longer has the “pause-n-serve” function. I discovered this today when I pulled the pot out to pour a quick cup for the guy-with-the-cute-ass as he was heading out the door.
The dishwasher leaves a strange foggy film on plastic containers and glassware.
The receiver for my stereo died… with smoke.
All (three) thermometers in our house have dead batteries.
The air conditioning in the Dodge is failing.
The lawn mower…. Don’t get me started on the lawn mower.
The electric cat litter box died. I am very sad about this.
The toy chainsaw (that I just bought) quit… but it may have taken a small flight off the porch.
It is like I have some strange electric current around me that makes all things mechanical just DIE when I am in the room.
My sewing machine is toast.
My camera is down. I think (hope) it is the battery. They are expensive but not as bad as a new camera. The lcd screen no longer lights up… just for a few minutes when the camera is fully charged and then it goes dark. Still takes pictures but it is darn hard to delete pictures on the camera when you can’t see the menu screens. I have a lot of projects counting on me getting my camera fixed because, of course, I want before and after pictures.
The coffee pot no longer has the “pause-n-serve” function. I discovered this today when I pulled the pot out to pour a quick cup for the guy-with-the-cute-ass as he was heading out the door.
The dishwasher leaves a strange foggy film on plastic containers and glassware.
The receiver for my stereo died… with smoke.
All (three) thermometers in our house have dead batteries.
The air conditioning in the Dodge is failing.
The lawn mower…. Don’t get me started on the lawn mower.
The electric cat litter box died. I am very sad about this.
The toy chainsaw (that I just bought) quit… but it may have taken a small flight off the porch.
It is like I have some strange electric current around me that makes all things mechanical just DIE when I am in the room.
This is for Sierrabella….
…Because everybody could use a little assvice.
Deer Resistant Plants
According to California Extension Leaflet #2167 and other sources the
following plants are considered deer resistant:
An online version is available, with links to the plants we carry.
http://www.highcountrygardens.com/articles/deerresistant.html
Perennial
Allium(Onions)
Althea(Hollyhock)
Alyssium saxatile
Anemones(Windflower)
Aubrietia
Berlandiera(Chocolate Flower)
Cerastiim(Snow-in-Summer)
Coreopsis
Delphinium
Digitalis(Foxglove)
Epimedium
Helianthus(Sunflower)
Iris(Bearded Iris)
Lamium(Dead Nettle
Oenothera(Evening Primrose)
Papaver(Poppy)
Petalostemon(Prairie Clover)
Ratibida(Prairie Coneflower)
Rudbeckia(Black-eyed Susan)
Solidago(Golden Fleece)
Solidago(Fireworks Goldenrods)
Spaeralcea(Orange Globe Mallow)
Stachys(Lamb's-ears)
Vinca(Myrtle)
Zauschneria(Hummingbird Flower)
Herbs
Anthum graveolens (Dill)
Mentha(Mint)
Shrubs & Trees
Berberis(Barberry)
Buddleia
Coloneaster
Cerocarpus(Mahogany)
Chamaebatiera(Fernbush)
Forsythia
Juniperus(Juniper)
Mahonia(Oregon Grape)
Picea(Spruce)
Potentilla(Cinquefoil)
Syringa(Common Lilac)
I’ve also heard:
Artemisia
Cistus
Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis)
Germander
Lavender
Mexican hair grass (Stipa)
Potentilla
Rosemary
Santoline
Thyme
Yarrow
Aromatic helichrysum
New Zealand flax
In my yard I have: peonies, daisies, grape hyacinth, daffodils, chives, bee balm, thyme, mint, silver mound, salvia, Russian sage, columbine, anemone, bleeding heart, iris, sedum, hollyhocks, cosmos, lily of the valley, paprika yarrow… the deer seem to leave it all alone and I occasionally mist everything with deer repellent… the minty kind.
The deer ate my tulips (I’m transplanting them somewhere that I can net for next year). I have spinach, delphinium & asters growing under nets. I planted some annuals, basil & cilantro in pots on the deck and I have two roses in whiskey barrels on the deck.
I plan to add more wildflowers next summer but I will try to stick with things on the list. Except sweetpeas…. I want sweetpeas. I might have to build a big planter on the deck for those or create another deer-net sculpture to protect them.
My mother-in-law lives up the road a ways and the deer eat her daffodils & bleeding heart…. Go figure.
Oh, and can I just add that I love the highcountrygardens.com website?
Deer Resistant Plants
According to California Extension Leaflet #2167 and other sources the
following plants are considered deer resistant:
An online version is available, with links to the plants we carry.
http://www.highcountrygardens.com/articles/deerresistant.html
Perennial
Allium(Onions)
Althea(Hollyhock)
Alyssium saxatile
Anemones(Windflower)
Aubrietia
Berlandiera(Chocolate Flower)
Cerastiim(Snow-in-Summer)
Coreopsis
Delphinium
Digitalis(Foxglove)
Epimedium
Helianthus(Sunflower)
Iris(Bearded Iris)
Lamium(Dead Nettle
Oenothera(Evening Primrose)
Papaver(Poppy)
Petalostemon(Prairie Clover)
Ratibida(Prairie Coneflower)
Rudbeckia(Black-eyed Susan)
Solidago(Golden Fleece)
Solidago(Fireworks Goldenrods)
Spaeralcea(Orange Globe Mallow)
Stachys(Lamb's-ears)
Vinca(Myrtle)
Zauschneria(Hummingbird Flower)
Herbs
Anthum graveolens (Dill)
Mentha(Mint)
Shrubs & Trees
Berberis(Barberry)
Buddleia
Coloneaster
Cerocarpus(Mahogany)
Chamaebatiera(Fernbush)
Forsythia
Juniperus(Juniper)
Mahonia(Oregon Grape)
Picea(Spruce)
Potentilla(Cinquefoil)
Syringa(Common Lilac)
I’ve also heard:
Artemisia
Cistus
Feather reed grass (Calamagrostis)
Germander
Lavender
Mexican hair grass (Stipa)
Potentilla
Rosemary
Santoline
Thyme
Yarrow
Aromatic helichrysum
New Zealand flax
In my yard I have: peonies, daisies, grape hyacinth, daffodils, chives, bee balm, thyme, mint, silver mound, salvia, Russian sage, columbine, anemone, bleeding heart, iris, sedum, hollyhocks, cosmos, lily of the valley, paprika yarrow… the deer seem to leave it all alone and I occasionally mist everything with deer repellent… the minty kind.
The deer ate my tulips (I’m transplanting them somewhere that I can net for next year). I have spinach, delphinium & asters growing under nets. I planted some annuals, basil & cilantro in pots on the deck and I have two roses in whiskey barrels on the deck.
I plan to add more wildflowers next summer but I will try to stick with things on the list. Except sweetpeas…. I want sweetpeas. I might have to build a big planter on the deck for those or create another deer-net sculpture to protect them.
My mother-in-law lives up the road a ways and the deer eat her daffodils & bleeding heart…. Go figure.
Oh, and can I just add that I love the highcountrygardens.com website?
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