Saturday Thoughts. . .

 

It's such a blustery, windy day here in Idaho.  The sky is gray,  and it's cold.  I'm hoping for better weather so that I can work on my yard and garden soon.  How is the weather where you are?

On Wednesday I made bread, it was so good!   I also made some sauerkraut a few weeks ago.  I know, sauerkraut... Yuck!  No, we love it.  a few weeks ago I bought a big bag of shredded cabbage, and I turned it into sauerkraut.  The package had red and green cabbage in it so it looks pink.  It's so easy and the health benefits are amazing  - if you can get past the smell when you open the container! We like to eat a big spoonful with our meals, it really is delicious, helps with digestion, and is full of probiotics.  Last week we had some with German sausage with it and it was such a comforting meal with a baked potato and a green salad.  Not sure what dinner will be tonight, but I think I'll do something with some frozen halibut... I think fish tacos sound delicious!

On Wednesday we went out to dinner with friends.  We always have such a good time with them!  We went to dinner at, Olive Garden and then played cards. I seldom win, but I always have fun.  We like to play Hand and Foot, but sometimes we play, Cover Your Assets, it's fun too!

On Thursday, we had a little graduation party for Averi, (it was pretend, she made it up, and we all went with it)!  We had brownies and ice cream and of course gave her a little gift.  It was a fun night.  I asked her what she was getting a degree in and she said, "being lucky!".  She truly is such a lucky girl to have so many people who love and adore her.  

It was my grandson's birthday last Wednesday.  Braedon is married to my granddaughter, and we just adore him!  He's a wonderful, thoughtful guy who always makes me smile.  He's also a wonderful magician!!  He fools me every time and I can never figure out how he did the trick!

No big plans for today.  I just plan on staying inside, out of the wind!  I might work on an art project for a while.  Here's a little sneak peak...

I just started this today, and it will take me a long time to finish this drawing.  You might be surprised when you recognize who this is!  At least my rendition ;0)

I have so much I need to do, but I think I'll just cozy up and do some fun things instead.  I hope you are all doing well and enjoying spring.  I know the weather isn't great in many parts of the country, but it will get warm... Sooner or later.  Have a great day.

Hugs and Love,

Barb

Summer is slipping away . . .

Outside my window . . . It's been raining all morning.  We have had so much smoke and grain dust in the air that this was a much needed reprieve from the horrible air quality.  Like the rest of the country, it has been hot here in Idaho.  Hot and windy, not a good combination.  It's cooling down though, and I can feel a change in the air.  The sun is setting earlier, and the sunset is moving South a little more each day.  Soon the leaves will change, fall off the trees, and soon thereafter, the snow will fall.  I'm not quite ready for that.  Are you ready for autumn?

On my playlist . . . Sinatra always makes me happy!

What I'm thinking . . . 

I've had a wonderful summer, filled with grandkids, camping, and fun filled nights with friends.  Here's more than a few of the photos I took to document my summer . . . 

Tanner is very patriotic!

Best way ever to watch the fireworks!

While the kids were here,  the boys helped grandpa build new steps for our  back door.  Actually, my grandsons did the majority of the work.  Don't they look great!

I had three of my grands here for a week.  We had a lot of fun, even though it was sooo hot!  On one of those blistering days, I decided I would teach them all how to crochet!  It was a big hit!  For 3 of the 7 days they watched, Little House on the Prairie  and crocheted, they loved it . . . so did I.  They made hot pads and dish clothes.  We were inspired by Little House to do a whole day of pioneers, including and old fashioned dinner.  We had baked chicken, creamed asparagus on toast, and green beans and corn.  After a dinner, we made, Doughty Cakes.  They are actually a sweet baking powder biscuit, fried in oil and rolled in cinnamon and sugar.  Everyone loved them, and we had fun learning about our ancestors, who were pioneers.

Another fun camping trip . . . 

On this camping trip, we were able to see the Northern Lights.  Not the best photo, but the best we could do with a cell phone.  The kids really got a kick out of this natural wonder!

My sweet little Indy is growing up.  She's not spoiled at all . . . just loved. ;0)

On this night we went dancing with some friends.  That's them, cuddling on the dance floor ;0)  We had a great time!  It was literally a barn dance, with a live band.  We had a blast and can't wait until next time we go kick up our heels!

We ended last week with Averi's birthday, she turned 22 this year . . . the years are going by way too fast!  It was a great way to end the week.

She wanted banana upside-down cake and it was delicious!!

She had a great party, and got lots of fun gifts . . . Averi is such a little lady, and loved by everyone she meets!  She is an amazing young woman!

Well, that about sums up my summer.  Maybe if I posted more, these posts wouldn't be soooo long!  I'll work on that . . . 

But, until then, enjoy the rest of the summer, soak in the sun, play outside, call those you love, eat ice cream, wear your flip flops, get a little color in your cheeks, take a ride in the country, and remember you are loved.

Until then, be safe.

Hugs and Love,

Barb

Leap Day . . .

 

I need to hurry and get this post up before tomorrow!

Outside My Window...

It's a very gray 29th of February, and we are expecting a storm.  It's not too cold, around 39 degrees right now.  We are suppose to getting some light snow showers soon, and it's going to be a snowy blustery week-end.  

On My Playlist...  Burt Bacharach has always been one of my favorite song writers.  I also love the musical relationship that Dionne Warwick, and Burt Bacharach had.  I enjoyed her music so much that I used Dionne, as my oldest daughter's middle name! Enjoy his beautiful music!

Right Now I Am...

Watching this cute little pup sleep.  We are really loving Indi!  She is such a sweet puppy, if you don't count the zoomies ;0)  She is just delightful, funny, loveable and cute as a bug.  We love her so much 💓

What I'm Reading...

I'm just trying to get in scripture study... Heaven knows we all need correction, direction and protection.

From My Kitchen...

Chicken and Dumplings

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup chopped yellow onion
• 1 cup matchstick carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 12 oz (1 can) evaporated milk
• 32 oz (1 quart) chicken stock
• 4 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper, or to taste
• salt, to taste

Homemade Dumplings:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon plus, 1 teaspoon, baking powder
• 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ¾ cup (6 oz) whole milk
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions 

• In a large heavy bottomed pot like a dutch oven, melt butter over medium-high heat. 
• Add onion, carrots and celery. Cook for 5 minutes, until vegetables being to soften. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
• Add flour and stir to combine. Cook for 1 minute. Slowly add the evaporated milk and chicken stock, stirring to combine.
• Bring to a boil and add the chicken, thyme, black pepper and salt. Let soup simmer, uncovered, while you make dumplings. 
• Dumplings: In a large bowl, whisk to combine the flour, baking powder, pepper, salt and thyme. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour the milk and butter into the center of it. 
• Using a wooden spoon (or rubber spatula), stir together until a dough ball forms. If your dough seems too dry, you can add an extra tablespoon of milk.  Let the batter sit for 10 minutes before adding to soup mixture.  This helps the batter start fluffing up and makes fluffier dumplings.
• Using a medium sized cookie scoop, scoop dough and drop directly into the simmering soup. Place them around the pot, not all in the same place. Once all dumplings have been added, gently press them down so the soup runs over just the tops of them. 
• Place the lid on your pot and lower the heat a little to a low simmer. You don’t want the bottom of the soup to burn, but want the soup to still be simmering to cook the dumplings. 
• Cook for 15 minutes with the pot lid on. Gently stir the soup/dumplings and cut one dumpling in half to make sure they are cooked through.
• If the dumplings are cooked through, serve hot! If not, cook an additional 3 to 4 minutes and check again. 
• I always half this recipe for Bob and I.

My husband loves chicken and dumplings.  His family always put a spoonful of sugar over the dumplings before eating them... I don't do that, but he still likes to do it.  

I don't have a menu this week, but I do plan on using some leftovers to make a few meals with.  I have some pork roast that I think I will make a pulled pork pizza with the rest of it for dinner tonight.  I also have a lot of halibut in the freezer that I will bake at some point, and a bag of fresh brussel sprouts that need to be used.  I would actually like to start adding in a few non-meat meals to my menu.  I'll see how that goes over with Bob.  

I'm creating... 

I'm still working on my afghan.  It's hard with a puppy, just sayin'.  But, I'm adding to it slowly but surely.     

I'm looking forward to... 

I am taking my sweet Averi for 10 days while her parents go on a vacation!  It will be fun to have her come and stay with us.  She loves to stay at grandma's and grandpa's house.  I've been a little concerned about how Indi will react to her, but he loves her, she just steps around her.

March is also our birthday month.  We have a lot of birthdays, although some of my grands have grown and don't live here, we still have three grand's that are here and have birthdays in March.  Busy month!

I'm Thinking... It's my nephews birthday today!  Yes, he was a leap year baby. 🐸

Just Sayin'...

Be safe!  Hugs and Love,

Barb