Grateful for the State of California

I've been holding up this beautiful wall for the last week. Decided it was time to return to the chilly island and face reality. I had the good fortune of tagging along with Ben on his work trip to Central California. How I love the sun and warmth of this mysterious land. The prices of things fascinate me, the lack of proper retail frustrates me and oh my do I love the fury of the sun.

Feet and their perfection

I have a strong aversion to all feet other than my own and maybe my very close peoples. Please don't ask me to touch them though! Anyway I am grateful to have feet that co-operate with most of my footwear choices. I love super shoes, especially the ones that put me up near 6 feet tall. 

While my mom was taking this photo, a group of ladies strolled past poking each other and looking at my shoes. They loved it, commenting that they wished they could still wear super shoes. 

What lesson do I take away? Do it while you can & do it well. No half assing it.

I am also grateful that Ben has dapper footwear.

Grateful for loving embraces

If this chair could love, I know it would pick me as its sweetheart.
Those curves were meant to snuggle into. I will also take hugs from my people and a select few others.
Real human warmth is better than the perfect chair any day.

At the Petting Zoo

If only everything could be this colour. Imagine the possibilities: oatmeal, coffee, cookies, bread... 

Okay maybe I don't want to re-colour the world, but I sure am grateful that there's greeny-blue.  

You know when you take a truly awful photo of someone? You may giggle a little inside, but then you send it off to the trash never to be seen again. I sort of feel like I might be betraying this llama.
Obviously Betty was preoccupied with frolicking in the hay. 

Wee goat - welcome to the world, I hope it is kind to you.

Windy Wind

The first Monday after the beginning of Daylight Savings time is by far the worst day of the year. 

As bad as it is, could it be possible to make it just a little bit worse?

This Monday morning I awoke at 6:00 -- which was, of course really 5:00 -- to raging winds and a sky blacker than I'm used to. Naturally, I had not slept a normal number of hours which had the effect of stumbling my senses. I had just gotten into the kitchen and wrestled the coffee into the machine and the oatmeal into its pot when the power when out. And then came back on. And then went out again.

At this point I decided to chuck it all and go back to bed. There is no good reason to get to work on time on the Monday after the time change. No good reason at all.

Hole in the Middle

What should everyone make on the Sunday after the Spring Forward time change?

Donuts of course! Ben and I used an old Betty Crocker recipe 

Ingredients:

Vegetable oil
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup milk
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
(optional) 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons shortening
2 eggs

1/2 cup sugar + 1 teaspoon (or more) cinnamon

Directions:

In deep fryer or 3 quart saucepan, heat 3 to 4 inches oil to 375 degrees F.

In large bowl, beat 1 1/2 cups flour and the remaining ingredients with a mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in remaining flour.

On generously floured surface, roll dough lightly to coat. Gently roll to 3/8-inch thickness. Cut dough with floured 2 1/2 inch doughnut cutter. (or make different shapes you like)

Slide doughnuts into hot oil, using wide spatula. Turn doughnuts as they rise to the surface. Fry 2-3 minutes until golden brown on both sides. Remove from oil with long fork. Do not prick doughnuts. Drain on paper towels. Cool slightly. Serve doughnuts plain or roll them in sugar and cinnamon mixture, or best of all orange glaze!

The Healing Properties of Tea

Lovely arrangement of vessels required for tea. I don't know if I love tea or coffee more. I must confess I am sipping hot coffee at the moment, but I'll be sure to have a tea chaser this afternoon. 

 

 

Warm Lemon Loaf pairs well with tea.

Rusty Baby is the dearest dog, good for snuggles and wet kisses.

The Grateful Project

My Ben is so wonderful. He always makes breakfast and coffee, turns on the fireplace and radio 

and finally he sticks his freezing cold hands on me to wake me up. 

I'm looking forward to warmer weather.

Sad times ahead

My grandpa & I enjoying a stroll in the garden. 

He passed away on Monday and he will be greatly missed.

Grandpa's orange blossoms. 

Sara and I were able to go visit his place in Saskatchewan this past summer.  

Just before we arrived a truly prairie storm passed through. 

I love the beautiful drops resting on the petals.

For The Love of Lemons

Heidi's Lemon Loaf

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter

1 egg

2 tbsp yogurt

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cup flour

1 tsp baking powder

grated lemon rind

juice of lemon

1/4 cup sugar

Preheat oven 375 F

Creme sugar & butter, beat in egg & yogurt, add milk.

Mix in flour & baking soda

Add rind

Pour into lightly greased pan

Bake 1 hour, or till a toothpick comes out clean.

Let stand for a few minutes, poke holds in top with said toothpick, then pour glaze over warm cake.

Now you will be able to impress anyone who needs impressing. Very reliable. Worked for me just this afternoon.