Saturday, July 18, 2015

A peek into my . . . last few weeks . . .

Today . . . July 18, 2015

Something from my Playlist . . . The other day when I was with my daughter, we were listening to a country classic radio station.  She said that those songs really made her want to go camping!  It's not a secret that I am a music junkie, so we always had the radio or the, eight-track tape player on, (that just dated me!!).  So, my daughter, of course, associates camping with old country music, or music from the 70's and 80's.  So, here are some songs that I'm sure will bring some of you way back . . . these old classics are still my favorite!





Mother Nature . . . It's a cloudy, very cool day with no wind - which is kind of unusual for Idaho!  It's been very cool, almost cold in the mornings, for the last week or so.  I have to tell you, I am enjoying the coolness, but it really does remind me that winter is just around the corner . . . I'm not sure I'm quite ready for that.

On My Mind . . . It's been a really busy month!  My daughter still has pins in her foot, and cannot put weight on it, she is hoping to get the pins out in the next week or so.  It's been a very long 6 weeks for her!!  She is a trooper though, she has more patience than, Job, and is always wanting to help with whatever she can do - sometimes, I catch her doing more than what she should do!  I'll be really happy for her when the pins come out and she can get back to her normal routine.  I will really miss going down and helping her, I have become pretty attached to my cute little grands!!  I will probably continue to go down once a week to help her get back on her feet... ;0)

In a Nutshell . . . We had a fun 4th of July!  We went to a baseball game with one of my daughter's, Amber, and her family.  It was fun, we ate hotdogs, soft chewy pretzels with spicy cheese sauce, sang, God Bless America,  and cheered for the home team!  After the ball game, we just sat outside and watched the fireworks, it was a really fun night!

This is a Chucker - the teams mascot!


Last week, I had three of my granddaughters stay with me for a few days! Taylor and Emily, love horses, and can't seem to get enough of petting and grooming them when they are at our house.



Averi wanted to pet the horse . . . Emily was so cute, showing her the horse and how to pet her on the nose!

Mostly, Averi likes to just sit and listen to the birds!


Taylor really does, LOVE, the horses!  I'm pretty sure that one day, she will have her own!


It was a beautiful night, and I love sunsets!  Taylor and I had fun taking pictures of the gorgeous sunset that night!

Comfort from the Kitchen . . . 

It's been so cool here in Idaho, that I really just wanted comfort food last night, so I made this really yummy, chicken and rice casserole.  For a side-dish, I picked a few zucchini and yellow crook-neck squash from my garden, I sauteed them and right before I served the casserole, I cut up and added a couple of fresh tomatoes from the garden, before I took it out of the skillet,  yum! 


Chicken and Rice Casserole

1 Tbls. butter
1/2 medium onion, diced
4 stalks celery, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
3-4 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
2 cans of cream of chicken soup
3 cups chicken stock 
1 cup, uncooked, long grain white rice
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp poultry seasoning.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Spray a 9X13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.  Set aside.  Melt butter in a medium skillet.  Add onion, celery and garlic and saute until onion is tender, about 3-5 minutes.  Remove from heat and add to chicken, cream of chicken soup chicken stock, rice and seasoning in a large bowl.  Mix well, and pour mixture into prepared baking dish and cover with foil.  Bake covered for 30-35 minutes or until the rice is tender.  Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until lightly browned.

Some sweetness . . . 

A few days ago, we had a storm come through, lots of wind and thunder! My husband told me to go outside and look in the corner of the house.  There sat this little Morning Dove, trying to find a safe place to protect him from the wind and rain . . .  so cute . . .



Hoping to catch up with everyone!!

Hugs,

10 comments:

Shug said...

Hi Barb......it is truly wonderful to see kids enjoying the outdoors. So many young people are inside all day on their technology thing majigs, and they are missing out on God's fabulous creations outdoors. The first picture of the little one showing it's face through the mother's tail, is simply adorable. I sure wish that we had some temps down here. We are closing in on those dreaded triple digits. Way too hot! I do hope your daughter is doing well and can get those pins out as soon as possible. Bless her heart..I know this has been difficult. As always...I so enjoy stopping by your place!

Vee said...

Hi! So glad that your daughter is nearing the end of the pin. I am sure that she is more than ready to get back to normal. Enjoyed seeing your granddaughters interact with the horse. They all look at ease with that beautiful animal. Thanks for the recipe. I love chicken anything! Our two cool days left us and we are back to warm and humid. I rather enjoyed them, but John was chilled.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

You have been busy I love the picture of your granddaughter just enjoying the day. Grandmas house is supposed to be like that.

You recipe sounds yummy. I'll give that a try. You're right about the cool mornings. I'm the same. I am not ready for even Fall much less Winter.

I hope your daughter continues to heal quickly. You're a good lady for doing that.

Deb J. in Utah said...

Welcome back! Looks like you are having a pretty nice summer. That chicken-rice recipe sounds good - something my hubby would love. I agree with you - love old country classics! Hope your daughter is up and around very soon. So nice that you are close and can help out.

LeAnn said...

Oh, I love country music; fun! I will be so happy when Jessica is doing better; bless her little heart. I am sure she loved that you have been able to help her. Those children of hers are so adorable.
I loved your 4th of July celebration; it sounds like so much fun.
Of course, I love that Taylor Jo loves horses. I think it is in the genetics on both side. I loved the pictures of those sweet cousins together. Taylor showed me some of the pictures she has been taking; really beautiful. The recipe looks yummy; so I must try it.
I love the picture of the sweet Mourning Dove. We had some nesting in our front tree a couple of years ago. It was so fun to watch the parenting.
I always love your lovely posts. Sending love and hugs your way and we hope to see you soon. It was so fun to visit the last time we were together.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hi Barb, I really enjoyed reading your post and seeing your photos! Love the first one of the little one peaking between his mama's tail! lol! So cute. And the kids are so cute petting the horses. I'm a little envious of your cooler temps! It has been very hot here, but I think it might be a little cooler here the next few days. I hope the weatherman is right! I know your daughter will be happy to get those pins out. Hope she has healed up nicely and things get back to normal for her soon!
Enjoyed listening to the music. Take care and have a nice week!
Hugs, Cheryl

















Kerin said...

Hello sweet, beautiful Barb :)
Looks like summer time around your place has been very sweet! Of course with the exception of your daughters broken foot!
Sending "hurry up and heal" wishes to her! You are a good momma to help her out, and it must be nice to get a little bit more time with the Grands.
Your Grands are such beautiful young ladies, and it's so wonderful that they love the horses too.

Thanks for sharing your chicken and rice recipe... it sounds delish!
We've had a bit of a cool down here too, and it's cloudy today. Hoping and praying for a bit of rain.
Yes.. it's true.. summer has just flown by, and before we know what hit us, it will be cold weather time.

Have a lovely week, my friend.
~K.

Anonymous said...

Sweet Barb! I love your pictures! That colt peeking through the tail is my favorite. I hope your daughter heals soon and is not in any pain. {{HUGS}}

Sue said...

Awesome photos, awesome thoughts, Barb, your granddaughters are beautiful and the horses are too! looking at these photos reminded me of when our granddaughters would come and visit, they loved being with the horses. I am so enjoying your music, I indeed remember those eight track players, I think I might still have one around somewhere. ~smile~ I will continue to pray for a full and quick recovery for your daughter.
Thank you for visiting me and for your always sweet comments, have a blessed week.
Blessings, Sue

Marsha said...

Barb - Love your playlist. I haven't heard some of these songs for......well, let's just say for a while. I too, have a daughter named Amber...she is my oldest.
I love all you family pictures. We are an animal loving family, too. Animals bring so much joy.
Your chicken and rice casserole sounds DeLiSh...I will have to make it.

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