Mother Like Daughter

Theme #223 Pair

Mother and Daughter, Daughter and Mother can you tell which is which? These two donkeys are so hilarious you can here them morning, noon and night braying. Or would that be their friends doing it, can tell which. Whatever the case I have grown really accustomed to their donkey antics.

Good Ol Days

Theme #321 The Good Old Days

I have gone past this old tree house for years and kept telling myself that I had better stop and get a shot or two before it was gone.
I wonder how long it took to build, where did the supplies come from, what imaginary fantasies were played out here? Will the grand kids get to play here or will it just sit by the side of the road to live out it days before completely falling to decay?
This is such the perfect tree for building a tree house, not the Robinson and Caruso type but so fitting for a one dwelling adventure. Those had to be the good old days with imaginary friends, families and tree houses.

What's For Dinner

Theme #357 What's For Dinner

Sofrito chicken that is what's for dinner. This was something new that I thought I would give a try. It's made in the pressure cooker so therefore it's tender and quick. Now so quick if you don't know what you are doing.
Worked on it most the afternoon trying to get everything to taste just right. Amazingly Dennis (that DH to you) liked it and took a bunch to work today.
Going to have to put this recipe in the keeper file.

Drawing On The Wall

Theme #179 Magical or Mystical

These drawings are on my dentist wall in the childrens department.
The colors are just amazing. The details are to out of this world.
Children love to come just to play in the aquarium room.
I like to just sit and look at the drawings.

What do you think, are they magical or mystical?

What's For Breakfast

Theme #211 Oops

I really started today off on the wrong food group, OOPS.
I had appointments in the morning for three hours followed by a shopping trip with a friend. Then it was off to another appointment latter in the afternoon.
I was in such a hurry to get out the door that I totally forgot to eat anything for breakfast.
For most people that wouldn't be a problem but for me, I have to have something to eat about every 2 hours or the good ol blood calcium level goes haywire. Can't have that now. Hence the Mt. Dew and Snickers Bar the breakfast of Champions.

Next

Theme #316 Teeth

I really dislike going to the dentist. You could blame it on my childhood experiences that involve some really bad dentist. I know, you can't blame them, they were just doing their job with what information and technology they had at the time.
Twenty five years ago, give or take a couple, I thought I had found a really good dentist. He was up to date with the new trends and dental industry. He really took great care of my mouth. Now he is gone and the search for someone to replace him began.
After some in depth research and several inquires later I think I have come up with a winner.
I had my first appointment this month and come to find out my favorite dentist didn't do his job the way he should have. Now I am scheduled for appointment after appointment to get my mouth in to shape. OH BOTHER, what we subject ourselves to to be able to have good teeth and a pretty smile. ÜDid I mention that I really DISLIKE dentist? Gosh just take a look at all those pointy things he/she gets to stick in your mouth and these are just the ones they use to smooth off a crown.

I'll Huff and I'll Puff

Theme #127 Grass, Turf, Lawn
Batten down the hatches, She's gonna blow!

That what the forecast was yesterday. Winds up to 65 mph., we never get this kind of weather around here. Downed trees, power line and buildings. Business were shut down, roads were closed and we had small power outages. The funnest thing I saw was someones large wheeled garbage container floating in the creek past the house. I wonder where that came from and how missing some garbage?
Before yesterdays winds, I had the lawn looking so trim and neat. Now look at it, it's going to take the remainder of the week just to get the lawn cleaned up and looking good again.

Never Have Too Many

Theme #74 Dangerous

I hate my staplers! I hate that they never work when I'm in a hurry and I need them quick.
I have a collection of 3 and none of them, not one, works! Okay maybe they work, but it's every other staple thou.
Why can't the stapler industry, those guys that are building these things, make one that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Why can't they make one that the ordinary household paper pusher could actually afford, one that actually works and take STANDARD sized staples. EER! this really get me!
Now where did I put that glue bottle, I know that it will hold some papers together and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to run it.
DANGEROUS? Yes I am dangerous when my tools malfunction.

Wild Side

Theme # 323 The Wild Side

"A weed is just a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love dandelions -- they are such a wonderful gift from Mother Nature! There is just something about them that makes me smile! Seeing these golden yellow blossoms in the spring brings back a flood of childhood memories.

When I was little the farm land was filled with dandelions. I’d pick the little yellow flowers and turn them into dandelion crown, necklaces and earrings.

I know dandelions are considered by most to be a pesky weed, but there is great beauty and utility in the "daisy-lions" Since dandelions are everywhere at this time of year, I thought I'd share a few dandelion photo just in case you haven't seen any this spring.

The dandelion is called the rustic oracle; its flowers always open about 5 A.M. and shut at 8 P.M., serving the shepherd for a clock.

The dandelion is also a excellent barometer, one of the commonest and most reliable. It is when the blooms have seeded and are in the fluffy, feathery condition that its weather prophet facilities come to the fore. In fine weather the ball extends to the full, but when rain approaches, it shuts like an umbrella. If the weather is inclined to be showery it keeps shut all the time, only opening when the danger from the wet is past.

I found a interesting dandelion recipe and just for the record I know that this recipe is in fact really tasty and you can find it HERE.

I miss not getting my annual Mothers Day Dandelion Bouquet. Funny now that I look back on the simple things that my children gave me, they will always the best.

So Good and Green

Theme #132 Growing

Asparagus season is open and the hunters are out everywhere.
I don't understand these people, they climb over your fences, massing them flat so they will never hold anything in or out again. You see these hunters holding up traffic as ma is hanging out the passenger side window trying to spy last years tail tail sings of asparagus growth.
They trespass, litter and steal your own private stash of priced tented stalks.
I think it would be much simpler if these hunters would just purchase some roots and start their own little patch, would make my life much simpler. Would make my dog happy as she wouldn't have to stand guard of the patch anymore/
So just what is this asparagus stuff anyway?
The books say - asparagus planting lasts 15 to 25 years without replanting if it is well cared. (Well mine isn't cared for, it just grows wild on the ditch banks where there is plenty of water)

Asparagus is grown from 1-year-old plants or "crowns" planted in January or February. It takes 1 year to grow a good crown. ( I don't know how long my plants have been around, I certainly didn't start them.)

It requires 3 years from the time the crown is planted until the bed is in full production. ( Mine are always producing as long as the weather is cool.)

Buds arise from the crown when conditions are favorable and develop into edible spears. ( Great in omelets or just boiled up in water and eaten slathered in butter)

If these spears are not harvested and are allowed to continue growing, they develop into "fern-like" stalks. (This only happens when it gets to warm around her and the spears start getting spindally.)

Good Finds

Theme # 77 Discounts

This morning a spent $23.21 dollars at the grocery store. I was able to save #$12.53 because of coupons. I never cut coupons from papers or magazines, I only use what the store has right there in their fliers. It appears that this is the NEW rage with the younger generation these days, see how and what they can save on.
Gosh, I have been shopping like this for ages and it is now a sport.
Just what was I able to get this morning you ask?
I got another 4lbs of fresh strawberries at less than a dollar a pound, 4 2lb bags of frozen hash browns, 10 cans of veggies and 4 Hillshire Sausage ropes for grilling. Not bad for a short trip to the store.

Bargains

Theme #21 Bargains

I had received word that a local produce warehouse was going to have strawberries by the flat delivered in today. I arrived early so that I would be able to not miss out on the bargain. I noticed that the strawberry containers said that they were packed in the U.S. but were grown in Mexico.
Do to that info I rethought my purchase and decided against the Mexican grown berries.
I had to do some more shopping in town which lead me to my local Fred Meyers Superstore.
I was able to buy all my strawberries, that I had come to town in the first place, there for less and they were all U.S. grown. Needless to say I am very pleased and 10 gallons richer in berries.

Lets Get Organized

Theme #214 Organized

Seems as soon as spring has finally arrived I get in the mood to start organizing and rearranging.
My poor sewing/craft room could use some serious help though. Can't find a thing or let alone make anything.
Next on the agenda organize craft room.

Past It's Prime

Theme #227 Past It's Prime

I don't know why I am such a pack rat. I have a hard tome parting with anything. Today I made myself so through some closets and drawers and clear out some unused items, those that haven't seen the light of day for over 5 years.
These piles are of to the DI or Good Will for someone else to enjoy.
I hope that I wont regret getting rid of any of these as it seems as soon as I clear out something then a little later I wish that I still had the thing I got rid of.
I guess you really never appreciate something until it gone.

What's To Eat

Theme #272

I have been taking account of all the food storage items that I have at home due the recent Swine Flue outbreak. I ask myself, would I have enough food in the house if I were not able to go to the market for 3 months? I have a lot of holes, items that I need to get, not enough first aid supplies, chili, ready to eat meats. The freezers are full but I have yet to fill up my 55 gal. water containers.
One of the advantages of living on a ranch is you have your own water supply, don't have to count on city water and I have my own generator.
Beef cattle are out the front door as well as potatoes, grain and corn out in the fields.
I have to admit I think I have it pretty darn good compared to a lot of folks.
Just have to get better organized and start using what I have and get it rotated

Down By The Rivers Edge

Theme # 354 Water's Edge

Is where you will find Canadian Geese, Mallard Ducks and gulls. They all hang out in town along the water's edge of the river. They are here all year long but mostly in the spring is when there is an over abundance of them. It is a full time job keeping the park and walk ways cleaned up after them. It is a dirty job and I am glad that I don't have to do it.

{Day 103}

Theme #162 It's Saturday Morning

And I should be home doing something more constructive than shooting pictures.
This little guy just kept following me around the park just waiting for a handout which I neglected to bring. The way he is holding his paws it looks as though he really is wanting something.

{Day 102}

Theme #123 Go Fish!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw these two guys down at the river fishing. Water was way too high, too fast and way TOO muddy. I don't know what they were thinking. No it has been sometime since I have had a fishing pole in my hand but this I don know, YOU CAN'T CATCH FISH WHEN THE WATERS RUNNING FAST!.
Not that said I wonder if they had any luck?

{Day 101}

Theme #224 Pampered

The duck and geese around the green belt (that is the walk way around the river in town) are really pampered bit time. Them just wait around for someone to throw them their next meal. It get so bad sometimes that when you are walking around the river you almost get mugged by the fowl things.
This life really is FOR THE BIRDS.

{Day 100}

Theme #1 One Hundred

List is my 100th picture so I figured that it was only fitting to have it be for theme #1.
This is a picture of the Snake River as is runs over the falls in the middle of town. Not much fall as there is way too much water coming down the river this spring.

Where I am standing taking the picture the water should normally be a couple 100ft below me but is only about 5ft from me.

There is a cement embankment on the far top which makes the water channel through an electrical turbine for the city, hence making most of the falls. I love Idaho Falls.

{Day 99}

Theme #6 Abstract

Very cool looking but, don't you think? I think someone really had way too much time on their hands I just hope that their eats are as good as their imagination.

This remind be of an old Jimmy panel wagon that my Grandfather gave me and my sister to drive around when we were very much younger. It was the most horrid color of forest green but something that we all figured we could fix with couple of cans of bright house paint.

I can still recall all the stories the town folk had about how a bunch of HIPPIES were now taking over their town. NOT!! It was just my sisters and myself in our old run down, flower painted jimmy. It was so much fun to get the dander up of the town folks and let their imagintaion get the best of them.

I am going to have to go and see if I don't have pictures of that ol thing and post a picture.