Perfect

My sister-in-law grew these veggies and then put them in this lovely bowl. I am so happy my bro took a photo.

On the Lamb..again

I always cut slits in the lamb and fill with a mixture of rosemary, garlic, and lemon...then put lemons and lemon pepper on the outside. So Greek of me.




Smashed potatoes and lamb gravy, lamb, and mint sauce. Oh yes!

I would be happy about this lunch too!

My DIL made my granddaughter this lovely lunch with fabulous sides. The sandwich had havarti cheese (my fave) with turkey and tomatoes. Then, she had strawberries with whipped cream..and cukes. To my surprise, the first thing she ate..the cukes! Then the strawberries...then that great samwhich.

If someone presented me with that...I'd be smiling too!

Lavender Tea House

Photo's taken by Mike Harris, http://www.ffphotog.com Freeze Frame Photography-Portland, Oregon.
He's my favorite photographer! (I wonder why my links are not working?)

From the Archives...originally posted 9/17/07

Another Chapter in Dee's Life


Dee stood sideways, her bat held higher than most, and she glared at the pitcher. She loved the way she felt while playing baseball and she especially liked hearing "here comes slugger Tolliver." She was the only girl who'd play with the boys...sometimes they'd hit her with the ball on purpose, but she didn't care. She could play as well as any of em and loved watching them squirm when it was her turn to hit. She played center field cause she ran like the wind and could catch just about any hit.

On the second pitch, she eyed the ball and then "CRACK"...it was flying and she was running like hell. It wasn't unusual for her to get a couple of home runs in before she had to head home. It was Wednesday, and Reverend Fitch would always bring some soup and bread by before heading to church. Her mom also rented the house from the Fitches and would often do chores for them if the rent couldn't be paid in full each week.

Feeling elated, Dee ran the mile home and quickly straightened up the tiny living quarters. She made Lydia's bed, and folded up the bedrolls for her brother and sister. Her mom had been able to return to work the week before...it had been a long winter.

"Hello DeLores, are you here all alone?" Startled, Dee looked up to see the preacher standing in the house..."yes, but my brother and sister will be along shortly." He walked slowly over to the kitchen counter to place the soup and bread down. Giraffe...that's what he looks like, Dee thought to herself. He sat down on one of two chairs in the sparsley furnished house and asked if she would join him in prayer...he grabbed her arm and pulled her next to him. She closed her eyes, hoping this would be one of those quick talks to God. She felt his cold, clammy hand slide up under the back of her shirt and before she could move he had pulled her down in front of him. She knelt in horror as he began to unbotton his pants...she struggled to get up but he kept his left hand firmly on her shoulder...pushing her tight to the floor. "You know DeLores, your mamma needs this house, and this food. I am important to her..and to you kids". Dee began to shake...fear gripped her entire body.

"Deeee Deeee", she heard her brother Glen yelling as he piled through the front door. Reverend Fitch knocked her over as he scrambled to his feet. Her little brother bounced through the room, his big brown eyes all sparkly and such. "Did you fall down? You hurt Dee Dee?" He then looked up at the preacher, and then back at his sister. Dee pulled herself up and assured Glen that she was okay. Fitch mumbled something about getting to the church and was out the door.

Lydia got home from work about 5:30...it was dark. The one bulb hanging above the sink was the only light for two rooms. She put the pot of soup on the heater and began to pull the bread apart. Dee walked into the small kitchen to help her mother. "Were you here when the preacher stopped by?" Dee shook her head yes. "Well, thank the good Lord for those Fitches. I don't know what we'd do without their help. I get down on my knees every night and give thanks". Dee just nodded in agreement and ladeled the soup into 4 tin cups.

She thought to herself, I am gonna have to learn to make soup.

40 years of married BLISS

Happy Anniversary to my bro, John, and my lovely sis-in-law, Ruth.

The Family Jewels

I was moving some stuff around in the guest room and ended up looking thru my mom's old jewelry box. There are no REAL jewels in there..not anymore. I have wonderful memories though..of the stuff she wore that I still do have. She wore some far-out and cool stuff..even well into her 60's. My favorite was her purple leather mid thigh trench coat with real fox fur on the collar and cuffs..along with the fur hat that matched...and her purple leather boots...and her big loop earrings. (don't tell PETA about the fur thing..'k?)

I felt like a kid again...snooping thru her jewelry box [a different one back then] and trying stuff on. I actually smelled her scarves and pocketbook. hoping they still had her scent.. The box still smells like her bedroom..inside anyway...a bit of Youthdew perfume and the very faint smell of Pall Malls.

Got Roof?....and breakfast for the past two days

I climbed up the ladder to take this photo ..after they tore off the shake shingles and old plywood yesterday.



Click on the above photo to enlarge...this roofer only has one arm! He said he'd really be impressive tomorrow when the shingles go on!



Cool conveyer to get stuff to the roof. When Jer was roofing, he schlepped those on his shoulders..up a ladder!


Made Mexican hash using leftover taco hamburger meat, baby zuchinni's and zuchinni flowers, hashbrowns, onions, jalapeno's, and some salsa.


Topped the hash with two perfectly cooked poached eggs..if I do say so myself. Delish...natch!

Last Week...in Pictures

After picking Jer up in Susanville, we stopped in Redding so he could "check in" with his parole officer and then we headed to Dunsmuir, CA. I got a two bedroom "vintage cabin" right by the river. We had a bocce ball court, a park, a pool with ice cold water, and a there was a hot tub by the pool...for good reason it turns out! Check out the funky stove and the old coffee pot! My mom had one like that. I have many more to post...but I'm thinking I'll go make a breakfast of eggs and hash...in zuchinni flowers!

What Would Liz Do?

She'd insist on fried chicken at least once every couple of months!



Cast iron..the only way to go when frying chicken. I fried in a bit of bacon fat (which I save in the fridge) and good ol' lard. Oh, I marinated the chicken in buttermilk for 24 hours prior to cooking.



I put the chicken pieces (a few at a time) in a zip lock bag half filled with flour, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, ground ginger, and garlic powder. I then let em sit for 20 minutes prior to cooking. According to Alton Brown, this helps the breading cling to the chicken more effectively. It works.



After browing on med high heat, I throw it in the oven on 375 for about 20 minutes..or till the juices run clear on a thigh.. when poked with a fork. When frying, don't crowd the pan with chicken. If you do, you'll have soggy breading and greasy chicken.



It is moist and delicious. Mashed potates and gravy go well with it...and a big salad..or corn on the cob, or whatever. Then I lean out the back window and call my husband to dinner...never looking worse for the wear.

Almost Vegetarian..except for the dairy, and the salami, and.....

Love guacamole....on a sandwich. Toast the bread!