Rice

Yes in the blink of an eye my knee went one way and my body chose to go the other way!!!  The pain took me to the ground.  Luckily my husband was with me and got me in the house.  Based on the pain, I thought I had done major damage.  My local Dr., after x-rays (no bone damage), told me everything I already knew. 

1. Rest
2. Ice
3. Compression
4. Elevation

Better known as "Rice"

He feels that I strained, stretched, blah, blah, blah the interior  collateral ligament.
I now look like this:

I don't literally look like this image....my legs aren't  shapely like these!

No fun at all.  I don't take well to sitting down for very long spells....gotta keep moving.  I did rest yesterday (because I was hurting so badly)  but today I have found ways to move.

I can walk if I squat......can't straighten the knee, that's where the pain is!  But do you know how sore squats make you?  Try walking like that for an extended period of time.....oh my!

Other option is to use the crutches.  Have you ever been on crutches?  They are not easy to master and have made me hurt in several more places.....arms, underarms, ribcage.

Everything has a positive side if you look for it.  Mine is that I am getting a workout, or my left leg and rear are....ha

Have a good day all....It's ice time, gotta go!  

Half Broke Horses

I just finished this wonderful book and had to tell you all how much I enjoyed it. 

If you liked The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, you must read Half Broke Horses. 
This is the story of Jeannette's grandmother, a mustang breaker, schoolteacher, ranch wife, bootlegger, poker player, racehorse rider, bush pilot mother of two.  Do I have your attention yet? 

The story is told in the first person (which I love) in the captivating way that only Jeannette can do.  She is such a great storyteller.  I was drawn into the story and the characters on page one. 

This is one of those special stories that you almost hate to finish.  I feel like I know the characters so well that I'm going to reread The Glass Castle.  It will have a new meaning this time.  Which brings me to a question.....Do you ever read a book multiple times?  Has to be a great one to reread, uh?

Macro Monday - Tulip

Just one of the beauties from the Dallas Arboretum. 

I don't know where the time goes.  I have been so busy with mundane tasks that I haven't sat at my computer for an entire week.  I hope to catch up with you all today. 
Winter has made an appearance once again.  The heat pump is running and coats are needed, ugh!!!
Where is that wonderful 84 degree weather that I love?

You really need to see the beautiful roses on Lisa's Chaos, Marcro Monday post.

Have a great Monday!

Skywatch Friday

Super Moon....

Wasn't it beautiful?

Many, many more wonderful skies here

Have a great Friday all!

Arboretum

I just thought we had pretty colors in Arkansas. HA......

I wanted to visit the Dallas Arboretum during tulip season for several years but my visits never were at the right time. Sooooo, when I opened my March issue of Southern Living and saw the tulip pages, I knew I couldn't let another year go by without seeing the show!

This morning Lila and I thought we were arriving before the crowd....wrong....at 10:00 AM traffic was lined up in both directions to enter the gates. We were directed to the lower 40 to park. No problem, at least we got in.

To tell you that every color in the rainbow was there and in full bloom would be an understatement. I guess a half million bulbs, primarily tulips gives you a better idea.

I can't wait to share lots of my shots with you next week, after I get home. I did manage to snap a couple of good ones of sweetpea. (it's hard to get an 18 month old to be still, in case you didn't know that)

She made the decision where she would sit and where she would not.



Notice my arm wrapped around Lila to slow down the forward motion.



Once again, we had a fun day. My girl loves to go....go...go!

If you have a chance you really should put Tulip Fest on your agenda. It runs from March 5 thru April 10. I promise you will love it! Make sure you charge your camera battery to the fullest and bring an extra card!

Sunny and 84 degrees....Life Is Good!

Pure White and Vibrant Yellow

I wish my driveway was lined with Bradford Pear trees. The white is so brilliant against the blue sky. This year they seem to be extra white with huge blooms.




I have always had a Forsythia or two in my yard. I bought one a few years ago because I couldn't wait to let one grow on its own. I have always broken a branch from a blooming forsythia and just stuck it in the ground. They always live and bloom the next year. The only drawback is not seeing them and mowing them down. Last time I circled the branch with stones to protect it.

I read that you can place a rock on a limb, holding it to the ground and it will take root then you can transplant it. (I think I'll just go with my plan)
This street is lined with yellow, so gorgeous!

I am waiting to see if my redbud tree survived the drought. I'm afraid I lost it and my dogwood.

With temps reaching near 80 degrees by the end of the week, lots of buds should be opening...I can't wait.

I'm going to be having fun for the next few days, I'll try to catch up with everyone as I can.

Have a great week

Nanny

Experts Are Only A Click Away!

When I want a good recipe I know that one is only a click away! I have learned that bloggers are experts at everything. A wealth of knowledge awaits us in this world. I trust you and you have yet to let me down. If a blogger says it's good.....It's good ! Good food prepared to please, not to sell a cookbook or impress a judge (well maybe our family is considered judges, ha)

Last week I tried one new recipe and one tried and true!

First, the tried and true. I make this pretty often but when Mary at One Perfect Bite shared her recipe for Chicken Fried Steak, I knew I had to cook it soon......so that evening it was on my table. The only exception in the recipe was; I used elk steak, not beef.

This is Mary's picture.....she's a great photographer too! My steak was perfect but my picture was lacking.....

If you haven't read Mary's blog, you really should. She shares wonderful recipes, every day and the pictures make your mouth water. I asked her if she ever gets out of the kitchen? You can get her recipe at the link above.

Thanks for bringing this recipe to my attention. It was a hit!

Now for the new recipe.

I've told you in the past about Kim, The Ungourmet's great burgers, wraps, (well everything is excellent) but if you missed this post, you must go back and read it +see it! Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili!



First let me say that it was so easy. Add all in crock pot.......come back in 7 or 8 hours and get ready for a taste bud experience.

Chili is one of my favorite dishes but this one is miles away from being just chili. Rich tomato flavor, hint of sweetness, tender pork, topped with sour cream and cilantro!!!! I've been told that I talk to my food, with a "mmmm, wow, or man", following each bite....I think this night I stood up and sang !

I hope you all try these and enjoy them as much as I did.

Tragedy

I was set to show you all the beautiful spring colors appearing daily but I am so horrified by the devastation caused by earthquake and tsunami that I think this post should wait for a brighter day.

Prayers to all affected.

Gadgets

I wish I could chop like a chef. I'm not good with knives. I can't make the uniform cuts that are required....my knives are dull.....blah, blah, blah.

I have no luck at all mashing garlic with a large blade, no, not at all.

All this leads up to me loving my new gadget.

Chef'n

Put clove in, close door, and roll back and forth like rolling a toy car, easy, easy.

Open, shake perfectly chopped garlic out, disassemble and put in dishwasher. I love it.

If you get any garlic on your hands, just rub them on your kitchen faucet to remove the odor. (works for onion too)

Do you have any gadgets you couldn't do without? Share them with me, I (might need one too)ha

Do you remember the Cosby episode about his appliance bone yard? I think of that one every time I buy a new one!

Chobani

Yogurt vs Greek Yogurt!

Which do you prefer? I like them both but the new flavor Chobani Greek Yogurt has will become a staple in my fridge....Black Cherry. I love cherries and look forward each year to their season. Now I can have cherries year round. The flavor is fantastic!

From Yogurt website:

Greek yogurt does have a few nutritional advantages over regular yogurt: Since it's a more concentrated product, it packs a few more grams of protein per serving. It's also a bit lower in sugar and carbs., since lactose, a form of sugar present in all dairy products, is removed with the whey.

They're excellent sources of calcium and good sources of protein, their bacteria cultures aid digestion.

When I finished eating this one I felt like Lila when she likes something,

"More"!

Ray Ray!

I love Rachael......I remember watching the first episode of her daytime show! She started out opposite Dr. Phil and I made the comment, "Don't think this show will last very long" HA

Snap judgement is usually wrong from me! I haven't missed many episodes and love everything Ray Ray....including her magazine.

This month was one of the best issues ever! So many good tips, recipes, etc.

I just had to share one tip with you. Have you ever forgotten about the rice or beans cooking? I have and it is a mess to clean up....burned on the bottom of the pan doesn't come off easily.

From April issue:

More Ways To Clean Cooking Calamities:

You burned the rice, and now there's a layer of scorched grains covering the bottom of the pot.

Fix.....Skip the scouring: Fill the pan with hot water, then toss in a fabric-softening dryer sheet and let it sit overnight. The softening agents will loosen up the rice so it pours right out.

Good tip, uh? I hope I don't have to try it soon, chances are I will.....ha.

Giada, I Need Your Help!

I love, love watching the Food Network. I sometimes watch it all day on the weekend. They make everything look so good and so easy. Recently I watch Giada make potato chips.....easy enough. Cut thin with mandolin, add EVOO and kosher salt, bake!

Step one

Step two, EVOO then
morton's hot salt for me

Just salt for him

Bake.........and bake......and bake......raise temperature in oven......

And voila.......

The outcome was a bit disappointing. They were not crispy as you can see. The flavor was very good, but I wanted crispy. Looking at this picture, I guess I should have "baked" longer, but my parchment paper was turning brown. I had the temp. up to 450 at the end, when recipe called for 350. Have any of you tried baking potato chips? If so, please share your experience with me. I really want to master this simple task. Giada said once you have them you'll never go back to store bought......

Shoe On......Shoe Off!

This was the routine throughout the day. I don't know if it is just fun to know that you can flip the velcro in record time and throw the shoe or if it was just not comfortable......anyway we finally agreed.....

Shoe Off

Oh well, we were at the mall and it wasn't cold! Plus she was happy and I could focus on the great spring clothes and not worry about loosing her new shoes!

Happy 18 Months Sweetpea! I loved my days with you!

Nanny