I Fixed It - I Really Did

I can hardly believe it!

Remember the beginning of the month I Crashed my laptop computer. Well, my tenaciousness has saved me a whole lot of money. And, of course, that makes me happy and thankful. I left the laptop alone for a few weeks and then a couple days ago late at night I thought I would do a little research on the Internet with my desktop computer. All of a sudden things started to come together in my head and I started working with my new "wisdom". I thought about starting to do "a happy dance" and then I came to my senses.

Let me tell you about a huge factor in this situation. The computer was bought almost two years ago just prior to leaving on a foreign travel trip and I did not make any backup disc. Bad, bad and more bad.  So now I had to reload the Operating System. The method that worked for me was to use the Recovery Partition to restore the computer back to factory condition. Thus, I still have to reload any programs, personal information and personal tweaks that I want to use. No big deal since my desktop computer has the important stuff!

You ask ? ~ Do I have my desktop computer "backed up".  Ahhhhhh, Ahhhhhh. Trust me that project is at the top of my " To Do List"!  I have to purchase some discs or flash drives ASAP.

No, no, please don't scold me. I've had enough of that in my life. ;-(

Oh, Happy Day to You.

A Message From Dr. Seuss

Or, as Dr. Seuss would say -  go visit The Lorax in Three-D. Why not?

"A young boy residing in a polluted, grim world visits a strange creature called the Once-ler. He asks the Once-ler why the world is in such a run-down state. The Once-ler explains to the boy that he arrived in a beautiful, cheerful world containing happy, playful fauna that spent their days romping around blissfully among "Truffula trees." The Once-ler begins to cut down the truffula trees, thinking they will help him craft "Thneeds," his invention that he thinks everyone will need."

"The Lorax, a small orange creature, appears from the stump of a truffula tree. He "speaks for the trees" and warns the Once-ler of the consequences of cutting down the truffula trees, but the Once-ler ignores him. Soon the once beautiful land becomes polluted and the fauna flee to find more hospitable habitats. Eventually the final Truffula tree is cut down, leading to the closure of Once-Ler's factory and the disappearance of the Lorax. The movie then returns to the present, ending on an ambiguous yet optimistic note where the Once-Ler, in a sense of remorse, gives the boy the last Truffula seed and encourages him to plant it so that Truffula trees can return as well as the fauna, and so would the Lorax" 




It was fun to listen to the voices of Betty White, Danny DeVito, Zac Efron, Ed Helms and Taylor Swift!  And, the added bonus of viewing in Three-D made it vibrant. 

Remember, we can help save the "Truffula Trees"!

It's My Friends Fault

I'm in the kitchen "Cookin' Again". I have a very special friend that lives on the other side of the United States in New York.  In 1957 we were in the same High School graduating class in Southern California. We had been good friends during high school and remained friends after marriage and children. But, as life often does, we lost contact with one another. On occasion both of us made an effort through the Internet to locate each other to no avail.  And then, a couple years ago I received an email from her and our friendship just picked up where it left off and we are both thrilled. Instead of "pen pals", I guess I would have to say that we have become "email pals" and sometimes "phone pals".  I sure like it when life throws me a special blessing now and then.

Well, on to the "Cookin".  In one of the recent emails, my friend sent me a recipe she had prepared the night before and I decided to also prepare Classic Chinese Pepper Steak. I don't know that I have ever made it in the past. It was so easy and sure tasted good. You can find it at Just A Pinch. I added mushrooms and prepared Baked Brown Rice. This recipe for brown rice turns out perfectly. Try it! 

  

 

No photo of my dinner plate. Just trust me, it looked good and it was good and it was nice and healthy with the veggies and brown rice.

Thank you friend for the recipe inspiration.

Spring Is Here And Daffodils Are Blooming

“A host of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.” 

                                        - - - William Wordsworth

This past week it was time (between the raindrops) to take my annual trip to see "the daffodils".

In 1993 when I moved to this beautiful part of the country, the development of this particular area was in its infancy and I have been able to enjoy observing every step of the way to what is today called "A Destination Point".  

                                                 This massive development that is less than a mile from my house is IRONSTONE a family owned Winery, Vineyards,  Tasting Room and Gourmet Delicatessen, Culinary Exhibition Center, Wine Aging Caverns, Gold Rush Heritage Museum of California, Jewelry Shoppe and Outdoor Amphitheater along with fourteen acres of Spectacular Lakeside Gardens. This is just a brief description of some of the many activities available for enjoyment.




At this time of year the very extensive display of daffodils throughout the properties is definitely a sight to behold.

In the Jewelry Shoppe there is a special secured bank vault for the sole purpose of housing a magnificent Crystalline Gold Specimen "THE CROWN JEWEL".  In 1992 in the nearby county, a ""pocket" of crystalline leaf gold was excavated. A couple years later, the largest piece weighing in at 44 pounds of gold was purchased by Ironstone. It is the largest specimen of crystalline gold in the world. Crystalline gold is the most rare form of gold and sells at a premium price as high as $6000.00 per ounce!
  

It is a magnificent sight to see this beautiful one of a kind exhibit.

These beautiful flowers are near the entrance to the Wine Tasting Gallery. Colorful landscaping covers all of the many acres.

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this little snapshot of a gorgeous place to visit. Because I live so close, I try to take the time to visit often. It is lovely to have this spectacular facility nearly in my back yard, so to speak! 

I hope your Spring Days are beautiful.

It Started In Wisconsin

 

LITTLE FREE LIBRARY

These little houses are a lot more than "cute".

This idea is the creation of  Todd Bol. It all started in 2009 when he built a little box in the shape of a miniature library to honor his mother who was a teacher and book enthusiast. It had been ten years since she passed away. The little library was filled with books and a little sign was posted on the outside that said "Take A Book, Leave A Book". This little building that looked somewhat like a mail box was placed at the front of his home in Hudson, Wisconsin. From this simple little loving gesture an international literacy program was born. Along with his friend Rick Brooks they started providing instructions to construct the little houses.

He reports that these little libraries can be found in at least 24 states and eight countries. They bring a sense of community with sharing books, communication and caring for one another. 

Be sure to check out the website Little Free Library for more of the history and How You Can Have A Little Free Library at your home.  I wish I could do it. I will have to give the idea some thought. The location of my home would be very good because there are a lot of folks that walk daily by my home with their dogs or on their way to town.

The rain is coming. A good time to pull a book off the shelf .

Have a Great Day.

Looks Like Onion Soup But It Isn't

Thanks to a wonderful food blogger - Closet Cooking, I tried another new recipe (to me anyway) called REUBEN SOUP. My Oh My, was it ever so delicious. Be sure and check his blog for some delightful photos of this great soup as well as great recipes. Also, check out HEAT OVEN TO 350 as Closet Cooking gives credit for that being his inspiration. For me, the recipe turned out perfectly with Dark Rye Bread and Swiss Cheese on the top and placed under the broiler for a few minutes just like onion soup. It also looks very nice served in an open flat soup bowl.

Since I had some beautiful avocados that I wanted to use, I thought that nice creamy avocado, instead of butter, would be nice spread on the dark rye bread. It was a nice mellow flavor to accompany the spiciness of the soup. After all, the soup has pickling spice and red pepper flakes as two of its ingredients! Have I gotten your attention yet?

 

I was able to put a couple serving size containers in the freezer for later enjoyment. I have told you that I am on a cooking spree. I don't know how long it will last. But, I bet when it is over, it WILL be OVER for a while.

Yesterday, my close friend who has been ill came over for a Grilled Reuben Sandwich and catch-up chit-chat along with HOT APPLE PIE.  This was the first time she has been well enough to come over because of her health and the inclement weather. We had a wonderful time together. If you haven't seen my Hot Apple Pie, check it out by clicking the link.

Stay Warm And Dry. More rain is in our weather forecast.

Quick And Easy Eggs

Another simple way to prepare eggs in a hurry. And, minimal clean-up. I have found that this is a quick way to eat a little breakfast when time is short. Of course, you can add toast, juice, coffee, tea - whatever, and it still takes very little time.

 

It really works nicely. I used a large mug so it was only filled half-way. So, more eggs could be used or alternatively, use a smaller mug. Another variable is the size of eggs. Have fun!

I recently clipped this recipe from the February 2012 Woman's Day magazine.

I am trying very hard to eat breakfast with protein every day. Like so many of us, it can be so easy to wait until we are feeling hungry before we think about eating. I really do not have any excuse for this behavior because I now have plenty of time to eat healthy!

Wishing you a Nutritious Day.

First Day Of Spring

 

Wishing You Happy Spring Days

Tip Toe Through The Tulips ~ Well Almost

It won't be long before the winter garden will be springing forth with splashes of color popping up here and there. And, it really will be SPRING, at least on the calendar.

These tulips are just begging for a little, maybe a lot, more sunshine and less snow.

Let's walk and see what we can see in the garden on this chilly post snowfall morning. It is now in the high 30's and the sun is shinning. It's a good morning. 

The Spiraea "Van Houtte" is sure trying to put on a springtime show.

And the Forsythia "Spring Glory"  is saying "me first".

As you can see, there are many spots in my garden that are still covered with snow. Mostly, where the sun don't shine much.

And, before long, my precious White Hyacinths "Carnegie" will be popping open their sweet faces.

 

Thanks for walking with me. Even though I have not spent even one minute in the garden or bought a single plant including six-packs for a long time, I will try to look past the messiness and weeds and enjoy all the bursts of colors that are soon to be "My Garden". Now, that is going to take a lot of controlled thinking. Maybe, similar to pain management controlled thinking!

I hope Your Day is Bright and Sunny and filled with Good Things.

I Feel Stitchy

At least, that is what I am telling myself.

 

It's time to bring a little sunshine back into my life. Maybe these colorful coasters will help. They are so easy to make and I love making things for other people. Maybe, I will have a little give-away here on blogland. It would be a first for me. It has been so difficult getting into the mood to do any handwork. It seems as though I enjoy cooking at this time more than any stitchy sort of thing.

So, yesterday afternoon I put the big stockpot on with Corned Beef. It is so easy to make and I generally try to make it each year. Of course, I added carrots, potatoes, onions and cabbage. I had to do it, especially, since my little town always has a big Irish Day celebration to honor its Irish heritage. The activities included a pancake breakfast, parade, street fair with lots of art and crafts and food vendors and music. The weather cleared enough so that it did not have to be canceled. But, it started raining again quite hard after the parade. I stayed home where it was warm and I could take better care of myself with the fireplace warning the house.

Mid afternoon yesterday, I looked out the window and much to my surprise this is what I saw.

 

The snow was coming down so fast and before long everything was very white. The St. Patrick's Day activities really snuck in between the weather systems of rain and snow. And, that was wonderful. When events have to be canceled at the last minute because of weather, I always feel badly for all the many volunteers who have provided many hours of hard work.

AND, when my doggie woke me up at 6:30 AM this morning it was snowing again and there was about three inches of snow which was another surprise to me.

I hope you have a Wonderful Sunday. I just may have a Ruben Sandwich some time today or tomorrow.

When All Else Fails

 

Sometimes there is nothing else to do. And, sometimes it actually helps to get past the crisis. For some of us, there really is more truth than fixtion in "healing tears".

Read carefully the writing of American Poet of the 19th century, Walt Whitman ~ ~ ~

War, sorrow, suffering gone, the rank earth purged—
Nothing but joy left!
The ocean filled with joy, the atmosphere all joy!
Joy! Joy! In freedom, worship, love! Joy in the ecstasy of life!

The Rain

Generally, I rather enjoy the rain but today is different. It has been rainy most of the week and rain is expected throughout tomorrow. The presence of rain causes many varied reactions in people.

 Unpleasant emotions have been stirred in me and the most thunderous has occurred today. Depression has hit me like a bolt of lightning. Sadly, my body and mind are loosing a battle with the pain sensations in my stomach, low back and left leg. The nerve pain has gradually been returning and today it has returned in full force to my ankle. I feel so helpless, weak, confused and lost. Every step I take is one of burning pain and it is continuing to increase in intensity. More medicine is no longer an option. I feel so stressed and I don't know what to do.

Thanks for listening.

You Don't Want To Miss It

What an interesting, fun and well done movie. This is for any of you that do not know the story behind the film.

After reading the review by the New York Times there was no way I could tell you about this movie and do it justice. So this is what they had to say.

"Remember the old days, when movies were glorious, magical and mute? Neither do I. But the passing of the silent era from memory into myth is what “The Artist,” Michel Hazanavicius’s dazzling cinematic objet d’art, is all about. This is not a work of film history but rather a generous, touching and slightly daffy expression of unbridled movie love. Though its protagonist mourns the arrival of sound, “The Artist” itself is more interested in celebrating the range and power of a medium that can sparkle, swoon and suffer so beautifully that it doesn’t really need to have anything to say. Strictly speaking Mr. Hazanavicius’s film is not a silent movie. There is a lot of music on the soundtrack and also a few strategic moments of onscreen noise that are both delightfully surprising and wildly illogical. The whole conceit of the picture is spun in willful disregard of the laws governing time, space and sound, an embrace of the preposterous that is perhaps more reminiscent of the spirit of early French cinema than of the old Hollywood where the action takes place". — A. O. Scott

There seem to be a lot of movies showing at this time that I would like to see. There is a great little theater nearby that is very current with their film selections. And, it is nice to get the senior discount. I never thought in my life I would say that! 

Have Fun and go to the movies.