Salido Creek

When we had the flooding last month I headed to the creek to see it flowing.  And flowing it was!  There was no one there on this particular day but since the weather has warmed up, I'll bet the rope is being put to the test.





Look at the steps built to get out to the rope....pretty good uh?



Can you just imagine how much fun is had by swinging out and dropping into the fresh cool water? I'm going to have to go back and get some action shots.

Did you ever swim in a creek?  The only time I did was at Eureka Springs where the water is frigid but we had so much fun. 

Have a great Friday all.

Messy!

How did I become so messy? Why do I use every bowl I have to make one casserole? Why am I so slow?

I had our dinner planned and ready to assemble. Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti. Yum! No big task, pretty simple. Then I started using bowls like crazy and before I knew it the kitchen was awful. Plus it took me forever to boil, chop, stir, grate and finally pour it in the casseroles. I used to be fast and neat in the kitchen, I really did. What happended? It's not age is it? Don't answer that.... Do any of you have these issues?



Luckily this recipe makes enough for dinner tonight and one for the freezer. So some night soon, I'll pop it out of the freezer and hopefully won't make a mess just adding cheese on top and baking.



If you haven't tried this wonderful dish I am including the link here.  I did notice that PW only used 1 bowl, 1 measuring cup, 1 colander, and 1 pan........wow, she's good!

Time Flies.......

Where did the last week go?  Honestly, I feel like I blinked and it was gone.

Company for a couple of days, run errands, visit the nursery for hanging baskets, get a haircut, clean house, pay bills..........and not a minute to spare for the computer. 

I stepped outdoors last week and was just taken away by the fragrance of honeysuckle and wild hedges.  They are in full bloom and smell so sweet! My yard seems to be surrounded with these and I'm loving it.





My hostas are growing in leaps and bounds. I guess the rain and cool weather are just perfect for them. This one is taller and fuller than it has ever been. Isn't it beautiful?



I found great hanging baskets this year. I decided I wanted a change from the usual petunias. The combinations caught my eye. I love all of the colors.





I couldn't resist this lovely pink basket when the lady told me not to water it.....let it be relatively dry....I can handle that....ha



Well I am off to visit all of you and see what your week was like.
Hope you are having a great Monday!

Beware

Late at night while you're sleeping....poison ivy comes creeping.....

Do any of you remember this song? Since I saw this dangerous vine I have been singing Poison Ivy. 

I can't believe I walked right by this tree.  I trembled when I saw it.  I have become so allergic to ivy in the last few years.  I use to run to the Dr. and get a shot but my present Dr. doesn't like to give steroid shots....too many side effects!  He says use this cream, blah, blah, blah.




Anyway to make a long story short, I was talking to an old friend one day and she said, "girl all you need is vitamin e hairspray to cure your outbreak".  Needless to say I headed straight for the beauty supply store to purchase this spray.  Guess what?  It worked.  Just spray the area, it dries and leaves a film on your skin....I sprayed mine often....  Talk about an inexpensive cure!



That tree is not in my yard......or it would be soaked in roundup by now!!!

Have a good day all and beware of the ivy!!

Macro Monday - Dandelion

Weeds thrive where grass dares to grow

Join Lisa with many great Macro Monday shots at Lisa's Chaos

Wishing you all a wonderful Monday



Map Dot

Yes, I live in a small community sometimes called a Map Dot! We have 3 traffic lights, 4 gas stations , 3 banks, 3 dollar stores and one grocery store.  The closing of I40 from Little Rock to Memphis has been an event to say the least.  All west bound traffic has been rerouted through our community.  Poor truckers reported on the evening news that it took them 4 1/2 hours to drive 120 miles yesterday.  The stop lights are not helping.



Traffic was backed up for 8 miles yesterday.........
There was a total of 10 state troopers at two stop lights...directing the truckers. I got a laugh from this man in the middle of the highway, map in hand, getting directions.



As they inch along, they have had ample time to see the countryside and floodwater.

This shot sums it up. Hip boots on sleeves rolled up, trying to save as many homes as possible. These guys are walking up a driveway between the following two houses.




Look at the fence....they just moved in this house recently. For insurance purposes they had to build the foundation up...I know they are thankful!


This cabin was built on 8 foot stilts....





Have a good Friday all!

Poor Baby

My sweet girl got snake bitten!

Yesterday afternoon she acted like she could barely walk and I couldn't imagine what was wrong.  She had a look on her face like she was sick.  She laid down on her bed that is on the porch and I noticed a bit of swelling on her neck.  I called my husband to come look and we saw the "bite"  of which she would not let you get near with your hand.  So off they went.....20 miles....during another round of heavy downpour to the vet.

He said it was treated in time, 2 shots and pills for follow up should do the trick.

Meanwhile she remains lethargic and pitiful. (the search will take place this afternoon for the varmit)
You can see the (bite) dark spot above the swelling.

She is so afraid of thunder and lightning and has been spending the evening in the chair with me with her head under a blanket.  Last night when it thundered she got off her bed, gave me a look like "what else can happen" and sauntered into the bedroom closet to sleep.

I am looking forward to family arriving for the weekend, so I am off to clean/cook.  Have a good weekend.....I'll see you all soon.  It's a fish fry, crawfish boil weekend.....yum.

Neighborhood Cellar

I spotted this bus recently and wondered.....are they disposing of this bus or actually making a storm cellar? I had a feeling it was being used as a cellar but today I got the answer.

I decided I just had to have a picture of this....you know, the blogger came out of me! Yes, I was at a 4 way stop and yes highway department trucks were lined up on the side of the road when the crazy lady with the camera rolled her window down!
Just as I got focused....a man appeared.  Don't know if he was just coming out from last nights storm or getting ready for round two...tonight!

I'll bet his neighbors are proud he buried the bus!!! It's bound to be the neighborhood cellar!

Forecast......

Rain

Until Further Notice

Will it ever end?

You have the right to remind me that I made this statement when the annual drought arrives!

Sock Feeder

I'm not sure who likes the new feeder more.....me or the finches!  Usually I buy a sock feeder and when it is empty I throw it away....I have bought many in a season!!!  This year TSC had this neat refillable feeder, and believe me I have to fill it at least every other day. They do love thistle. I love to watch the finches cover the feeder they are so beautiful.  And then the fly up into the tree and make the sweetest little chirps.

Have a great day all!

Sandwich Review

Food Network Magazine had an entire page devoted to one pimiento cheese sandwich.
The $1.50 sandwich at the Masters Golf Tournament was so delicious, they rivaled Tiger Woods as the event's number one draw.  Article stated that the golf club is notoriously tight-lipped about its recipe, but chefs in Food Network Kitchens know how to make it.
I knew when I saw the picture, I had to try this one.

Ingredients:
Combine 2 cups grated extra-sharp yellow cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup mayo, 3 T chopped pimientos, t T grated onion, 1 Tsp yellow mustard and 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper.  Season with salt and black pepper.

The flavor of this sandwich was very good.  I have never used onion or mustard in my pimiento cheese recipe.  I use sweet pickle relish and the flavor/texture is very different.  I have been hooked on Bobby Deen's recipe since I tried it.

I was going to chill the mixture for lunch......but after I tasted it, I decided on a sandwich for breakfast...lol.  Guess you could call it brunch.

Easy to assemble, good flavor.....thumbs up! 

On another note....we had much thunder and lightning last night but major storm went around us. Many folks weren't as fortunate. 

So True!

Unkown.....I agree with you!
Yesterday, we decided to get away for a few hours and see if maybe the fish were biting.....
Trixie happily assumed her postion as navigator.

The water was calm, the trees just beginning to bear beautiful green leaves.

Sadly the fish did not cooperate. We didn't catch "one" nor did we get a bite. This is not to say we didn't relax....as we cruised the lake I enjoyed a delicious ham sandwich. Fresh bread, thick slice of ham covered with mustard, handful of crunchy cheetos, shared with my ever faithful Trixie. I love the simple life.

Blogger is not included in the simple life.....I worked on this simple post for hours....have you had trouble today?

The Winds of April

Along with spring comes wind.  No way around it, and my how they blow!

I looked out the window and saw a big dark shape of some sort in the pond.  I could not figure out what it was.  When my husband got home he went to the neighbors house to see if they were maybe missing the cover off their hot tub.  They were not but said that their trampoline had disappeared!!

They drove to the pond, backed in and yep....you guessed it;

Pretty much destroyed but away they went dragging it home.....

They live a good distance from our house and the two houses are separated by trees and brush. If you look closely you can see the roof of their house.

The amazing thing about it all is that the trampoline was on the far side of their house.  They found the legs of it on the roof.....so it went over the house and took to the air.  I wish I could have seen it flying around.  It probably would have been scary....maybe like a flying saucer landing in the pond.

Have a good weekend all !

Balance....Harmony....Green

When the weather warms enough for me to put ferns and plants on the porches I know that winter is truly over.  I stepped back and truly enjoyed the first look at the ferns and realized that green is so very important to me.  I cannot imagine a world without green.

Our large Yucca did not make it through the winter. (the one on the left) We bought it last year and I guess we let it stay outdoors too long.

I moved them both outdoors and look what a few days of sunlight did for this plant;

Green....new life....growth.....

GREEN: leaves, trees, moss, grass, salads, U.S. money, frogs and iguanas. Green represents   regeneration and growth,  nature,  change, healing,  abundance,  endurance, perseverance, persistence, self-esteem, environment, health, good luck, renewal, youth, vigor, spring, generosity, inexperience, envy, faithful love,  truth, freedom, balance, harmony in nature.

Balance, harmony.......green

Saturday Sunset!!

The reflection on the pond was beautiful and so peaceful!

Friday Favorites - Screen Door

I got a funny look from my husband when I asked for a screen door.  He replied that he had not seen a screen door in a very long time.  You see, I didn't want a fancy one, nor a metal one that you raise the glass if you want air.  No, I wanted an old fashion screen door, complete with spring and hook latch.
Evidently, I am not the only one that likes these doors because Lowe's had a good variety of styles and colors.......

Isn't it perfect?

The hardware hasn't changed through the years......

Just what I wanted, and just how I remember it.
You know they say the sense of smell can take you back to a place in time in an instant. For me sound has worked the same magic. Do you (most of you aren't old enough, I know) remember the sound of the screen door slamming? Did you ever know anyone who turned around upon exiting and quietly shut the door? No, that's what the spring is for....so in an instant I was taken back to a point in my life where everything seemed simple and laid back with the mere sound of the screen door slamming.

I'm linking with Sandi at Whistlestop Cafe....Friday Favorites...what's your favorite today...join in!

Wordless Wednesday

I wish you could see how the leaves sparkle in the sunshine.  It is such a beautiful sight!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Bald Eagle

Saturday was near perfect!  Temps in the 80's and beautiful blue skies. 
I took time out from cleaning and soaked up some healing rays.  It was wonderful!

The best part of the day was when I witnessed this beautiful bald eagle landing for a brief visit!

He chose this particular rock for his landing!  If you double click or just look closely in upper right corner, there is a pair of wood ducks watching.

He sat, scoped out the area and then he was gone.

I hope he liked the scenery and returns soon. I am so happy I was in the right place at the right time, with camera, even though I was quiet a distance away.(hence the blurry photo) I zoomed as close as I possibly could.

I saw an eagle's nest while on vacation in Canada years ago, but this is my first time to see one fly and land (and it was on my pond, how cool is that)

Have a great day all......

Go Green!

Yes, I went green two weeks ago and it is time for me to tell you all about it.

It started with my last visit with daughter and family.  She had been telling me about her new found green smoothie.  "Green", I said....I don't know.   Why do we jump to conclusions when green foods/drinks are mentioned?

The liquid for the smoothie is this wonder in a bottle:

As stated on the bottle;
"looks weird"
"tastes amazing"

The fruit inside;
5 3/4 apples
1 banana
1 kiwi
3/4 mango
a hint of pineapple
Do you find any of those flavors offensive? Me neither, in fact I love them all.

The boost inside:
spirulina, chlorella, broccoli, spinach, blue green algae, garlic, barley grass, wheat grass, ginger, and parsley.  No added sugar, no preservatives, non-GMO, vegan.

I tasted it while home alone, just in case I didn't like it...Not a chance....I liked the flavor very much.
To read all about Naked, click here

The kicker is what she added to the juice:

 I know you have heard of ch, ch, ch, chia......It's been around forever.  Check out this link for the entire story plus benefits of this fiber.

Once again I paused at the appearance of the fiber in the juice....then I tried it and guess what...it didn't taste bad at all.  I should have known I would like it if my daughter did, we agree on foods straight across the board! I have gotten in the habit of it every morning and actually look forward to my smoothie. What I like most about it is the fact that it actually suppresses my appetite....yes, it really does. I don't get hungry and I don't crave snacks at night anymore. 

I have only missed one day of this mixture since I started it...the day I hurt my knee.  That night when I went to bed I couldn't figure out why I was so hungry!  And then it dawned on me, I didn't have my smoothie this morning.  That's all it took to make me really realize that it has curbed my big ole appetite!  I've never had anything achieve that! 

I know I've rambled a bit on this post but I did want to share this healthy drink with you all.  Either one would be beneficial on its own but together, they pack a punch!

I want to thank you all for the kind comments on my last post.  I am getting around better but I swear every muscle in my arms and legs are sore from over compensating for that one knee!  I am thankful to be better and very thankful not to have heard "one" word from the doc (surgery)  whew!

Have a good day all and try a green smoothie!