The Sanborn Sanctuary Farm

2015-04-05T09:17:00.000-07:00

Plans are happening now for our next adventure: a full 3 months on the road! Bob's got a sabbatical next spring semester and we are planning our get-away!

Ahhhhh! What fun this will be!

Open roads, warmer weather, friends and family along the way. Photographs, journals, blogging. (big smile)

PERCY LET GO OF THE GRASS TODAY

2014-05-06T17:33:00.005-07:00

I don't know how I am going to finish this post, but the best dog in the world passed away early this morning laying in Bob's arms next to Louisa. Percilina has been with us for 13 years (we adopted her from a shelter about this same time) and she honestly was the best dog ever. I've never really been a dog person, an animal lover for sure, but not a dog person, but Percy changed all that. She brought wisdom and peace to our family and everyone that knew her. She was beyond special and she taught us everything she knew in her old wise ways. I could go on and on about all the times we've had with her; her silly ways. Like how she liked to have the goat milk squirted right into her mouth, straight from the teat! Or how when she entered a room she would just wiggle and wag her tail like, "I'm here, your life is better now!" (Just look for Percy on the sidecolumns for more of her escapades) It was so difficult to watch her grow old.

Maddie once told me about a book where a grandmother and her granddaughter would lie in the grass and look up at the stars and her grandmother would tell her, "Don't let go of the grass because you will fly to heaven." This is my favorite saying about someone when the pass away. Not - they died, or passed on, but that they let go of the grass and flew to heaven. And I know that is where Percy is - right now, showing all the other dogs (and people) everything she knew in her old wise ways.

Louisa seems lost, and Edie seems sad. I know we shed a lot of tears today. And probably will in the future.

She is now out by the garden. We will be planting flowers for her. I miss you so much, Percy! I will miss snuggling with you every night! You are and always will be the best dog ever!

LOTS OF LOVE

2014-02-09T12:52:00.000-08:00

It's been a crazy year, I guess that's why I haven't written anything for 10 months. But hey, I'm human and really I just don't want this blog to end up in the circular file of blogger-
dom so I am writing this one little post today. Maybe I will have time in a couple weeks, who knows. And here's a cute kitty for you to admire.

OUR OLD LADY

2013-05-15T09:07:00.000-07:00

Thinking about our cat Winky. She's approaching a ripe old age for a cat. She turned 14 years old on April 23rd. I know this because that was the first date Bob and I had and I got her 6 weeks later. I'll never forget the look on his face when I brought her over to his house. I had gotten her from a friend that needed to get rid of the family of kittens that she had and me, being a sucker for a cute face, took one. I had two cats already and a dog. Bob looked at me and asked, "Do you know that having another cat is for life, right? That's like another 15 years or so that you'll have to take care of her."

This was his prelude to our future life. Good thing he got over it. I mean we have had as many as 75 animals at once on this farm.

Again, I am a SUCKER for a cute face and helping people out when they need a new home for their animals. I've taken in goats, cats, dogs, chickens, horses and ducks. And loved everyone of them! I would not change a thing.

Winky's been around a long time and has copped an attitude. Mostly because of her first experience in life when i brought her home to my house in Crystal Lake, Illinois when she was a little squirt. I set her down next to our dog Nigel and he immediately attacked her! Chased her around the house and tried to eat her alive. She was never the same after that…Can't blame her there!

She was always stand offish for the most part, staying only with Sam and hanging with her best bud Fuzzy. But when we moved here, she basically became the barn cat.

Never came near the house. An after Fuzzy died, she wouldn't even talk to us anymore. Until this winter. She decided that the house was a little bit warmer than my 55 degree studio or the -10 degree barn. We let her in and she's been hanging ever since. She knows and we know. She's feeling her age.

Except for the other day when I caught her playing!!! She was playing with the window shade string. Cute. it lasted about 30 seconds, but she played!
Way to go Winky!

And she took over Cashew's beddy-bye basket!

THE CHAT IS MAKING WAVES!

2013-04-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

Oh me oh my! how I do love a little controversy! and I love when you create something and somebody doesn't like it. It's kinda cute, really. Like when I was censored at my own Senior art show in college. I had a nude painting I had done for the show and someone complained to the president of the college that it was pornography so they had to take it down. Yep, really.

So because we used words like "Holy crap!", "screw 'em", and "damn" we were chastised by an old lady. (and I was the one who said those things) Phew! I feel like the proverbial Catholic school girl being rapped on the knuckles with a ruler by the head nun. But I digress….

Read the article here.

Last week we also had our first public event, it was a blast and we got to drink vodka drinks and mix our own. The competition was tough though. Our table created the Whipped and Bloody which consisted of Pinnacle whipped key lime flavored vodka, pineapple juice, blood orange flavored liquor and a little cream. It was Dee-Licious! But the table that created the "Spring Breeze" (gag me with a spoon) won.

But it was fun none-the-less! all this for having an opinion and writing it in the paper!

THE END IS NEAR

2013-04-17T09:09:00.002-07:00

Yes, spring was spposed to be here on March 20th. It's April and there seems to be no end in sight. Until yesterday! It was a beautiful 45 degrees and the sun was shining! I haven't been this happy in 6 months!

A few weeks ago I pulled into the driveway to find a new snowman in our yard. I laughed hysterically for a moment after I read his sign: "THE END IS NEAR!" Then I cried. Because it was the end of March and there was still enough snow to build a snowman. "Egads! Will it ever end!" I sobbed.

Here is how it went:

then, I put this picture up on the Facebook page entitled, Meanwhile in Minnesota. Next thing I know someone spent some Photoshop time with our snowman:

and enjoy the video:

Yesterday - it's felt like it was all over! Well, until tomorrow when it snows again…. bah! Humbug!

THE CHAT - DANCING FOR THE ARTS

2013-04-16T16:44:00.000-07:00

Yep another one. This time I'm the one with two left feet. I can do oh so many things, but dancing is not one of them!

The Chat

I'M NOT A PERFECT PERSON

2013-04-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

No, I'm not. Sometimes I am so taken aback by people when they complement me because I don't see myself in the same light they do. I love that they are so happy for me! Yet, i feel like maybe i am putting up a front to who I really am. I mean I am pretty much an open book, I really don't have anything to hide and I pretty much do not care what people think of me (any bad things anyway). I'm just a normal person trying to live my life the best I can and not come out too damaged.

So with this being said, let's go back in time to Dawn at age 12. That's when the whole depression thing started, or when I noticed it. And I really noticed it. I was so depressed that thoughts of suicide where foremost in my mind. I know, I don't seem like the type, and I no longer am, but I have to work really hard to make myself stay positive, this doesn't come naturally to me. At least it does a little more now then it did in the past. I eventually got over that depression, but I don't think ever fully. I've been treated several times for depression and each time, after I feel good for a while, i go off the meds and think that mind over matter will keep me happy. Well, that works, for a little bit, but pride is not something that will treat depression. One can't talk themselves out of it, it is something that has to be treated whether with cognitive therapy, medication or a combination of both. One time I was doing so well without the meds my therapist told me to get out of his office, that I didn't need him anymore - signed bill of good health! Well, I was doing extremely well and I walked outta there feeling better than ever!

That lasted a couple years and again I found myself falling down the deep drain. Problem is, with depression and with my silly pride, I try to make excuses that I am not sick, "It's this damn winter!" "Well if they wouldn't be so stupid!" "I just need some down time." "Once spring gets here and the sun is shining, I'll be much better." and the lists of excuses go on. But when you find yourself starting to hate everyone for speaking to you, even though they are doing the things that they always do everyday and it's annoying the shit out of you, you don't want to get outta bed in the morning, only want to pull the covers over your head and lay there -just a little while more you think to yourself, or when you find that you make excuses for not feeling like doing something that you need to do, like take care of the animals or do the laundry (well, I don't have to do the laundry around here - Bob likes to do the laundry - I know!), or when the thing you love to do the most (like ride my horse) ends up being followed by, "Oh geez, it takes so long to saddle up and get to the park, that half my day is gone."

No, that's not well, that's depression. And the sad part is you don't really see yourself getting that bad, someone has to point it out to you, again, pride. Pride because I have absolutely nothing to complain about, was my rational. I am so blessed and lucky with all the things I am, have, experience, live with, be a apart of, live, work, all the love and friendship I have, what right to have to complain? Which is why pride got in the way of reality. If you complain, Dawn, then you are no better than they are.

Well, I was recently at this point. I thought about it months earlier but it really became something to blame on this long winter and other things that happen in life, but it wasn't until it was brought to my attention that I realized I had let this get too far - again.

I went to the doctor and hopefully things will look up in the next few weeks and I will back to normal (Not that that's really possible for a person like me ; ) ) but what hurts the most is the people I've hurt along the way, allowing my pride (I don't need drugs to be well, I can do this on my own! - bullshit!) to get in the way of functioning properly. I've been impatient, short, and probably a bitch to a whole lot of people. My patience runs short when I am depressed and I fall short of accomplishing things that need to get done. I put things off til the last minute, or make excuses. I thought back to when this downward spiral was happening again and it must've started three to four years ago! That's too long! I remember saying and doing things that were reminiscent of a depressive state, and then blaming that on being too busy. I remember having no patience ( I know, me?) I also think back to how I've treated others and feel ashamed that I didn't get help earlier.

I am human. I make mistakes. I also suffer from depression. And not that I am using it for an excuse, I'm using it to explain why I am who I am lately: a 'don't want to go out, I just want to stay home for once', and thinking to myself; 'I just want you to shut up', 'please just go away', 'leave me alone', 'I don't care about you or your problems.' I'm not the this type of person, so i knew something was going on, I was just too tired to notice.

I've worked very hard over the years on myself, I even went and got a masters degree in human development, trying to figure out people and myself better. I practice everyday at becoming a better person and a better friend. I always put myself in another person's shoes before or if I ever judge them, I find time to learn new things and seek out mental, physical and spiritual health. And I've come along way since my pre-teen days, but I will always need to be seeking self improvement. I will always be looking for another way to better myself in life. To become the best person I can be. For now, I have to swallow my pride and realize that the meds are not just a crutch to get me through the hard times, it has to be there all the time, like the armature of a home, without it, it will crumble. and that doesn't have to be an ugly thing, just a necessary thing.

Again I want to apologize to anyone I've hurt along the way by letting my pride get in front of my necessary needs.

I am human. I have rose from the ashes many times. I like to joke and say I have a Doctorate in life and circumstance, which I do. I just wanted to let you all know that I'm not perfect, I'm just like everyone else.

See me in a month or two and you will see the real me.

THE CHAT - THIS TIME I PUNCH PEOPLE IN THE FACE!

2013-03-24T13:35:00.000-07:00

Yes, this winter is getting to me. I wanna punch people in the face! This statement came outta nowhere in this chat and it's still the funniest thing I've said in years. I wonder though… is it really funny or is it one of those, "Guess you had to be there?"

Not sure. Oh well! Hope you find it amusing at least! or that you can relate.

The Chat - they've got pet peeves up their sleeves!

THE CHAT

2013-03-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

Yep, here I am spouting my stuff…again. But this time it's all about the love!

THE CHAT WITH JEN KOSKI

The other day we had a photo shoot done at the Post Bulletin so we could really promote the article. Now there's a Facebook page and all us girls are talking. Next month we even get to invite the public to CHAT with us at a wine tasting! Wow, I'm one lucky girl! I don't know how I can really chat about things that bother me because, well, nothing can bother me with a life like this!

Here's some of the pics from the shoot:

Joy Larson

Jen Koski

Jennifer Rand

Missie Freetly

Pam Whitfield

Tracy McCray

and you know who this crazy lady is

MAKING THE PECAN WHOLE WHEAT WAFFLES FOR ROCHESTER WOMEN MAGAZINE

2013-03-11T10:26:00.000-07:00

One of the many privileges I have by working for Rochester Women magazine is that sometimes I get to do the cooking (and eating) for one of the articles. This issue I was fortunate enough to get to make the Pecan Whole Wheat waffles! This was an easy recipe and everyone that lives here agreed - these were awesome waffles!

This is a bonus step-by-step, not found in the article. I just figured that since I was able to make them for the finished images for the step-by-step article on making maple syrup (check out page 42-43), I might as well do a step-by-step for making the waffles too. Bonus!!

So whip out your waffle maker and let's get started!

PECAN WHOLE WHEAT WAFFLES

Pecan-Whole Wheat Waffles

1 cup each all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour

4 tsp. sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

3 eggs, separated

2 cups buttermilk (or sour milk)

1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp. butter, melted

1/3 cup chopped pecans, optional

Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring to mix through.

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, buttermilk and melted butter.

While stirring, gradually blend the dry ingredients into the liquid until no lumps remain.

In a small bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks.

Fold whites and pecans into the batter.

Bake in a greased waffle iron until golden.

Find some fresh berries.
and some local maple syrup..

and eat!

Pecan-Whole Wheat Waffles

1 cup each all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour

4 tsp. sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

3 eggs, separated

2 cups buttermilk (or sour milk)

1/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp. butter, melted

1/3 cup chopped pecans, optional

Combine the dry ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring to mix through. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, buttermilk and melted butter. While stirring, gradually blend the dry ingredients into the liquid until no lumps remain. In a small bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the egg whites to stiff peaks. Fold whites and pecans into the batter. Bake in a greased waffle iron until golden. Serve hot with maple syrup. Serves 6.

TIKI IS A GREAT POLE DANCER

2013-03-07T10:12:00.000-08:00

Yes, this is Tiki. Tiki came to us years ago after my beloved calico cat, Pip-squeak AKA Pippy, was killed.

One of the few nice things are neighbors have done for us is bring me Tiki a few days after the death. They found her up north by their cabin when her mother went missing, all her kittens were following them around looking for a home. So they thought that I would like a new cat since my kitty was killed by a car. The neighbor said that she would keep her as a barn cat if I didn't want her, but of course, I can never refuse a cute face! Only problem is I had just picked up two other kittens from down the road.

The ad said she had calicos, but all she had was orange tabbies. So silly me, instead of just taking one tabby or none (I really wanted a calico again), I took two.

There is logic behind this. When I was a little girl we had taken in a couple kittens that were litter mates, and all their lives they were the best of freinds, grooming each other and always playing together. The love was so beautiful to watch! So I always believe that when you get one cat you better get two and they better be siblings.

We've had a lot of cats over the years.

So I took Tiki home and I set her on the bed next to me that night. She curled up into a ball and never moved, she was so grateful to have a bed and a home with love she just purred and purred all night long!

Now this was the thing about Tiki, she never was a very brave cat. She never would have made it as a barn cat. She never went outside and was just happy to be with you. Then we got Happy.

Happy chased Tiki immediately accross the living room and Tiki ran downstairs never to appear on the main level ever again. Maddie once said that the song, "Because of you" is what Tiki is thinking to herself everyday down there. She hid in the basement for two years, until that fateful day when Happy was hit by a car and died. I miss Happy, he was such an awesome dog! He was sooo Happy all the time! He had a reason to be: he was a in a cage for 9 months at the shelter. But that's a story for another day.

It took about three weeks before Tiki realized that Happy was no longer around, and she slowly started appearing at the top opf the stairs. Then into the living room, then into the kitchen.

It took another year after that until she peeked her head out the doggie door.

Then about 6 months after that - I noticed her outside running around with the pig! I also noticed that she would never venture out alone, she attached herself to the pig and the pig became her guardian. They've been friends for a long time.

Brave Tiki. Now she is very brave and we tease her all the time about it. Brave, brave Tiki!

I'm not sure I like the brave Tiki. She's kinda annoying sometimes. I preferred the timid Tiki.

But how can you dislike inter-species love???

SHOW SEASON IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!

2013-03-03T17:48:00.001-08:00

I can't believe it but it's been two years since we showed our horses! that is waaaay too long! I miss it dearly but sometimes you have to be gone to be missed. I miss it! Now that my daughter Madison is living in L.A. I'll have the chance to show her horse this summer, which I am really excited about! Max is an awesome horse and totally lives up to his registered name: User-Friendly Max!

Maddie and Max - isn't he just stunning!

And I will be showing my Arabian Khrome at a few Class A Arab shows. Thanks to my daughter Samantha who will be training him and getting him ready to be the star I know he can be!

I've mostly used Khrome for trail riding, which is my utmost favorite thing to so with horses, and was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to break him a few years back. I showed him a few times after I first broke him in walk/trot classes but this year Sam will take the reins and finish him to be a great show horse. She's super good at training horses, both my girls are. They trained all their horses and they succeeded well. I'm super excited! He's just a beauty and no I am not biased! He's a cute mover, cleans up well and is a great ride.

isn't he handsome??!!

Ok, sorry, all this horse terminology can get confusing. So here's the easy explanation:

Class A shows: there are different types of shows that you can show your horse in, one is open shows, meaning they are open to anyone, no registered horses required and beginner riders can enter, and then there are Class B shows which are a little higher up and then Class A shows for purebred horses.

Registered horses: this is a horse that has 'papers' meaning registered through their breed affiliations.

Break a horse: means taking a horse at age of 2-3 and teaching it to be ridden.

Finishing a horse: training a horse to be show quality, ie learning many different gaits (walk/trot/lope/canter), slowing him down (collecting), etc.

Cute/great mover: looks good trotting.

So today Sam and I moved our horses, Honor & Glory (barn name Honor) and Khrome by Khemo (barn name Khrome) from our barn down to our neighbor's farm.

Sam and Honor at the Badger Show in Milwaukee. Honor is just a beaut!!!

Barn name: the name you call your horse on a regular basis - not his registered name.

Our neighbors have an indoor arena to ride in and since we are expecting a good foot of snow or more in the next few days, we needed a place to ride and train because the first show is in three weeks! Khrome won't be ready by then but Honor will be.

So because it is still so icy out I walked the horses the half mile down the road to our neighbors. All the while Sam followed in the Durango. I needed the exercise. And the sunshine. She suggested holding their lead ropes out the window while we drove and lead them that way but I knew better. That was just a wreck waiting to happen!

Wreck: when a horse gets spooked (scared) at something and does something silly like take off, you fall off, you get hurt, the horse gets hurt or the horse rears up.

And of course Sam had to post this to Facebook.

What bothers me most is that my ass is almost as big as the horses!!

Geez, I need more exercise...

THE SUN IS SHINING, THE SUN IS SHINING!!!

2013-03-02T13:15:00.000-08:00

It's been about two weeks now since the sun was shining. Or maybe it has been 6 months? At least thats what it feels like.

So when I spotted the large sunbeam laying across the office floor I got super excited and had a small moment of avarice take over me: I stole the sunbeam from the pig. She wasn't too happy, there were a few grunts and snorts followed by a big sigh. But as resilient that that Vietnamese Pot-bellied pig is, she decided that making me her pillow was a better idea for her anyway. Ya gotta love a positive thinking pig!

And by the way - It's not very pleasant snuggling with a pig. They have bristles. Sharp bristles. This is good information for everyone to know prior to having one as a pet.

But I felt bad for stealing her sunshine so I let her lay by me.

Come to think of it, pot-bellied pigs really shouldn't be living in Minnesota anyway. They come from Vietnam! Do you know what it's like weather wise in Vietnam? Hot, and muggy, all the time. I'm sure the pig wonders daily whose brilliant idea it was to bring them here to America?

Did you know there are only 18 days left until SPRING???

gotta love the Life is Good t-shirt!

LA NOTTE DELLE DONNE - AN ALL WOMEN ART SHOW

2013-02-28T11:17:00.000-08:00

Had another art show this past weekend and it was fabuloso! This art show was an exhibit of 6 local women artists: Heather Jerdee, Cassandra Buck, Anne Black-Sinak, me, Laura Rice and Susan Waughtal. The Exhibit will be an eclectic mix of mediums and styles. Mediums included photography, mixed media, acrylic and oil on canvas. In spite of being a little sick and not able to help out too much, I made it! I was sleeping for nearly 16 hours a day the whole week and of course, since I never get sick, Murphy's law says it would have to happen at this time! Haha! Oh well, I made the most of it, there was a great turnout and everybody had a nice time. That's all that matters.

A WEEK OF SLEEP, SICKNESS AND THE NEAR DEATH OF TWO KITTENS

2013-02-25T09:05:00.001-08:00

Yes, since last Monday, each night I have slept for 11 hours. For most people this is unheard of but I really manage to get about 9 hours every night anyway. I need it, it's part of who I am. But to sleep 11 hours more than one night in a row, I had a feeling it was my body telling me something. And I was correct: come Wednesday I felt it - the scratchy throat, the lethargy. I was sick. This is something that doesn't happen to me, the last time I was sick was about 6 years ago when I got asthma, and before that about 4 or 5 years and maybe that was just a little cold. Anyway, I wasn't terribly sick, just tired. The lethargy was just terrible and on Friday I slept for 18 hours! Wow! I had my art show Saturday, so I had to get up and get my large photo canvases hung, but I just couldn't stay and help out, I was needing some more sleep if I were to make it through the night.

I did, it was a fabulous evening and thanks to my new friend Cassandra - it went off with out a hitch! It was well attended and everyone loved the art work displayed. I was a very happy little girl.

So yesterday was Sunday and I woke up feeling pretty darn good. I went out and did chores and felt much better, almost anxious because with all that sitting around and resting - my ass was getting numb. It was time to get out. But knowing full well that when you start feeling a little better after being sick, you should NOT over do it or you will regret it! So I took it easy, did some work on my websites, since I had two days off in a row (!) unheard of really… and then just went to bed at 9.

Now things were going quite well, I was still sleeping soundly and enjoying my nice warm bed when I heard the God awful sound of someone hacking at the God awful time of 5 am. Yes, hacking! ukk ukk ukk haaaccckkk!

Gross!

Then it happened again. ukk ukk ukk haaaccckkk!

and again. ukk ukk ukk haaaccckkk!

and again. ukk ukk ukk haaaccckkk!

and again. ukk ukk ukk haaaccckkk!

and again. ukk ukk ukk haaaccckkk!

Ok! That was it! Percy had a hacking problem and it was totally grossing me out, interrupting my sleep, and not to mention I had to listen to the lap, lap, lap after each and every hack! OMG! I know, dogs do that, but super gross!

So I said, "Come on Perc." and I led her upstairs, got myself a cup of water, went and laid down on the coach in the office, and tucked myself under the big, comfy fleece blanket hoping for another hour or two of sleep.

Except a couple of other beings in the house had another idea. Just as I am about to relax into a deep slumber I am pounced upon by some bugger called Bear. I resisted the temptation to throw her across the room and placed her gently on the floor instead.

Now in this family there is something that is an unwritten law with us. We DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT interrupt someone's sleeping. I instilled this in my daughters from day one and if you come into a room to find someone taking a nap, you better leave the room and not interrupt them unless you want to take your life into your own hands. This is a cause for murder in my book. Sleep is precious, not to be messed with, dude.

So when an animal doesn't understand this law I don't know why, I mean they sleep 20 hours a day! I never interrupt them! Ever! I go outta my way to make sure I do not disturb them, you would think they would offer me the same courtesy.

But no.

Next came that little butt hole Cashew, who decided that my water tasted better then his water and started lapping up some out of my water glass. Then preceded to knock it over. All over my notebooks! Now I'm MAD! I grab each and everyone of them darn kittens and the other cat in there and throw them out of the room, slam the door and lay back down.

Wide awake.

Well, at least I feel better now.

How could something so cute be so evil?

THE CHAT - WITH JEN AND PAM

2013-02-19T10:33:00.001-08:00

Another one of our 'Chats' was in the paper Saturday. These are so much fun! Hope you like this one:

THE CHAT: Eating well 'easier than you think.'

BOB'S IN THE PAPER - AGAIN.

2013-02-18T09:12:00.000-08:00

We are so so lucky and blessed to be recognized as much as we are and it 's really neat that someone takes notice to all the great things going on in this town in the last few years AND that we get to be a part of it! So here Bob is again, doing his thing: music, theatre, etc.

Artists Can Polish Their Work at the Salon

THE FLOORS ARE DONE! HECK YEAH!

2013-02-17T09:14:00.000-08:00

Did I mention that we moved here nearly 10 years ago? Did I mention that when we moved in, the kitchen floor looked like this:

Did I mention that we've lived here nearly 10 years and our kitchen floor looks like this now:

Yes, 10 YEARS! I guess all that work on the outbuildings was more important. This is how the previous owners left the floor and we just never did anything about it. Covered it up with a rug.

I know.

But we finally took the plunge. It was time. It was 10 years of the followup comment to anything Bob wanted to do on the barn. For example Bob would say, "I'm thinking we should build a deck on the barn," and I would come back with "Perhaps we could have the floors done in the house."

10 YEARS, people!!

We asked our good friend Justin to do the install. This is a good thing. Bob believes he could've done a great job, I know he would try, but I just felt more comfortable having someone professional do it. And if you've ever seen Bob's handiwork, you would agree. I love you honey but...Phew!!

When Justin and I went shopping at Home Depot I took my dear sweet time looking at every different flooring option available. Thank goodness Justin is a very patient man, I think I took 5 hours to decide. Ok, it was only about an hour. But of course, when I settled on the color I liked, they had none in stock, so I took a sample piece home and ordered online. Funny part is - the tile looked just about as close to the original wood on the floor! I guess staring at it for 10 years, you get comfortable with it.

So Justin stopped by early one day a couple weeks ago and got started. He was so fast that I didn't get a picture of the entryway floor and all the broken linoleum tile in there, but here is where he had it all pulled up:

I thought it looked pretty cool like that and my creative mind started getting all excited and wanted to put down some kind of heavy polyurethane on it, ya know like the do to bar tops? Then I slapped myself hard in the face.

Next was the tile:

Then that night I came home to find it half done:

Oh so beautiful!!

and here's the finished product:

Yeehaaa! Now my kitchen cabinets need to have something done to them. I think they were made of plywood, not sure but they don't look too good and shabby sheik is not really in style anymore. Hmmmm….

Focus! Focus!

Next: the living room floor!

ONE NIGHT OF ART! - TONIGHT!!!!

2013-02-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

You MUST be there tonight! It's awesome, it's fun, organic, unpredictable and crazy! and some of the best artists in Rochester are showing their work.

Even the Post Bulletin did an article on it this week.

and some of my work too. : )

GRILLED CHEESE WITH ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER, BASIL AND TOMATO SOUP

2013-02-14T09:20:00.001-08:00

Nummy! And another cold day treat. I think I need to step it up a bit. Maybe grill outside some bison burgers and make coleslaw.

Or I could just fake my way through winter and eat all this great comfort food. Seasonal cooking, right?

ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER, BASIL AND TOMATO SOUP

Ingredients:

1 ½ cup milk

1 ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth

½ cup roasted red bell peppers

¼ cup chopped red onion

1 Tbs Ghee or butter

5 leaves of fresh basil

¼ cup mashed potato flakes or 1 medium baked potato, mashed

1 16 oz can of chopped or stewed tomatoes or use 2 lbs fresh

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

Place roasted red bell peppers and basil leaves into food processor of blender and process until chopped fine but not pureed totally down to nothing.

Next process the chopped tomatoes. Same thing - don't over process.

Have you discovered Ghee yet? Oh my! So good for you (links to cholesterol reduction) and tastes like butter because it is butter, clarified butter. Ya know the kind you get when you order lobster? I don't order lobster, I hate fish, but some people do so I’ve seen it. It's actually considered dairy free. Wow, really.

Place chopped onions into pan and add the Ghee. Cook until soft.

Place all the ingredients into a pot.

Stir and cook under a slow simmer for about 10 minutes.

Add a grilled cheese sandwich, some homemade pickles and life is good!

ROASTED RED BELL PEPPER, BASIL AND TOMATO SOUP

1 ½ cup milk

1 ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth

½ cup roasted red bell peppers

¼ cup chopped red onion

1 Tbs Ghee or butter

5 leaves of fresh basil

¼ cup mashed potato flakes or 1 medium baked potato, mashed

1 16 oz can of chopped or stewed tomatoes or use 2 lbs fresh

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

Place roasted red bell peppers and basil leaves into food processor of blender and process until chopped fine but not pureed totally down to nothing.

Next process the chopped tomatoes.

Place chopped onions into pan and add the Ghee. Cook until soft.

Place all the ingredients into a pot.

Stir and cook under a slow simmer for about 10 minutes.

GOAT CHEESE, SPINACH, BACON, SWEET POTATO AND WALNUT ARTISAN PIZZA

2013-02-10T14:55:00.001-08:00

Its winter and I find myself making more and more comfort types foods for dinner and lunch. Yesterday I cooked up a chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy! Oh gosh, I forget how awesome gravy tastes! Anyway, I am still thinking comfort food sounds like a good idea, and it's time for pizza. And you know me - regular ol' pizza will never do, I have to have "good food" pizza. Made with the best, fresh ingredients I can find and if I grow them myself - even better. Well, I had some of these ingredients I grew myself, like the sweet potatoes, but the rest I bought from the Farmer's Market or the Good Food Store. Now I'm thinking I need to challenge myself to make the "Artisan Pizza of the Month." I've been eying up those beets I bought a while back that might need to be used up soon….

So how did I come up with this kind of pizza? My step-daughter told me how her brother-in-law made a pizza very similar to this one when they were visiting once. So I made it and never looked back! Best pizza - EVER! I get a craving for this pizza at least once a month, and I don't know what it is, maybe its the salty taste from the goat cheese and bacon and the sweetness of the sweet potatoes, or the ton of garlic I add to it, but it is so darn good, I can't help but eat half of it! and then eat the other half for breakfast.

GOAT CHEESE, SPINACH, BACON, SWEET POTATO AND WALNUT ARTISANAL PIZZA

8 oz goat cheese (use herbed goat cheese if you dare)

2 cups chopped spinach

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (use candied or spiced ones if you are really in for a taste sensation)

1/2 lb bacon ( I've been known to use a whole pound - shh! don't tell my doctor)

2 medium size sweet potatoes - baked

1 tbs garlic

1 tbs garlic salt

1/2 cup milk

1 tbs butter

1 12" pizza crust - Gluten-free if you prefer.

Bake the sweet potatoes until soft and once cooled, remove skin and place in a bowl.

Add milk, garlic, garlic salt, and butter.

Make into mashed sweet potatoes. This will be your 'sauce.'

Spread onto the crust (I added rosemary to the crust for even more flavor)

Chop the spinach and toss onto the pizza pie.

Chop the walnuts and add to the awesomest pizza ever.

Cut the bacon into small strips and fry it up in a pan (and never ever let you forget you're a maaannn - oh! sorry) until semi-crispy or to your liking. Drain on paper towels.

Add to the pizza. At this point you will be salivating heavily. Find a napkin and wipe your chin.

Add the goat cheese. Unless you are like me and want to eat half the goat cheese by licking the soft cheese off your fingers the whole time as you are trying to break it up and put it on the pizza, freeze the cheese while you are making everything else and it should crumble better.

If using a regular crust, bake in a 400 degree oven for about 25 minutes or until crust is browned and toppings slightly brown.

If using a gluten-free crust, which will be partially baked, cook under the broiler for 5-8 minutes, again until top is lightly browned.

And there ya have it! The best, most incredible, taste tantalizing, awesome, drool inducing pizza in the world. I shared this with you. You will be forever grateful. You are welcome. I take credit cards. And cash.

GOAT CHEESE, SPINACH, BACON, SWEET POTATO AND WALNUT ARTISANAL PIZZA

8 oz goat cheese (use herbed goat cheese if you dare)

2 cups chopped spinach

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (use candied or spiced ones if you are really in for a taste sensation)

1/2 lb bacon ( I've been known to use a whole pound - shh! don't tell my doctor)

2 medium size sweet potatoes - baked

1 tbs garlic

1 tbs garlic salt

1/2 cup milk

1 tbs butter

1 12" pizza crust - Gluten-free if you prefer.

Bake the sweet potatoes until soft and once cooled, remove skin and place in a bowl.

Add milk, garlic, garlic salt, and butter.

Make into mashed sweet potatoes. This will be your 'sauce.'

Spread onto the crust (I added rosemary to the crust for even more flavor)

Chop the spinach and toss onto the pizza pie.

Chop the walnuts and add to the pizza.

Cut the bacon into small strips and fry it up in a pan until semi-crispy or to your liking. Drain on paper towels and add to pizza.

Add the goat cheese.

If using a regular crust, bake in a 400 degree oven for about 25 minutes or until crust is browned and toppings slightly brown.

If using a gluten-free crust, which will be partially baked, cook under the broiler for 5-8 minutes, again until top is lightly browned.

A GOOD FRIEND, LOTS OF GOOD WINE AND TONS OF GOOD FOOD = ONE HAPPY DAWN!

2013-02-07T18:04:00.001-08:00

Awhile back I helped my friend Cathy with a little healthy cooking. She just wanted someone to guide her through cooking some food with the whole bunch of dietary limitations she has. She knows how much I love food and good food for that matter so she gave me a call. I was happy to help. We went shopping at the local co-op, good, all fresh, organic, gluten free and dairy free food. The challenge for me was to cook without cheese! I know, right? No one should eat meals without cheese. Just sayin'.

So I cooked up some incredible chicken broth from the chicken carcass that I baked, made some enchiladas with ground turkey, my grandma's recipe for stuffed peppers made with ground up bison meat, eggplant parmesan without the parmesan but with homemade marinara sauce, and a braised pork loin. Nummy!

Well, because Cathy is just this awesome person, she wanted to treat me to a night out. A local winery here, called Four Daughters, had a Chef's dinner night, so Cathy said we had to go. Who could turn that down? They were offering a tour of the winery, a three-course meal and wine tasting.

We took a cab so we could really enjoy ourselves and had just the best time chatting with the cabbies. I never took a cab here in Rochester, didn't know they were so friendly and fun, them cabbies.

We got there about 7 and sat at the bar to wait, there were supposed to be a few more signed up for the dinner. About 7:15 they assumed they weren't coming so we got started with the tour.

Our first course was a scallop with bitter greens and balsamic redux. We got that while having the tour. Then our next course was a peice of artisinal pizza. At this point I'm thinking this is great! But the best part is when the two Chef's announced that they were 'practicing' tonight and were gonna serve us more like 8 courses, which turned out to be 9. Yeehaaa! Glad I wore my leggings instead of my jeans. Seriously. And don't forget wine poured with every course! Yeehaa! Dawn's living it up tonight!

We didn't get pics of the first two courses, we were still in a state of shock from the sumptuous taste of the them.

Next came a baby pear, goat cheese and beet …. I guess you can call it a... salad.

Then it was duck proscuitto and housemade grape jelly.

Then the Chef loves to use a noodle. One long noodle. And a shrimp with some house pickled pepper pepita salsa. Chef said he likes redundancy.

Then there was the potato soup with bacon - yes, BACON! (Bacon should always have an exclamation point)

And then… it was the pan seared roasted duck breast with sauteed kale and this bread pudding made with housemade driend grapes and andiuolle sausage. I think… it was getting a little fuzzy by then and I didn't write all this down.

then the intermezzo was a house made pita chip with 5 year old cheddar. Cheese!

Well, now that we are ready to roll out of the room, dessert arrives. It's two ginger pancakes stuffed with this amazing cream filling that tasted like heaven!

Now that's what I call a good time. Great food, good wine, good friends and just an overall great night out. I just really love my life. Of course it wouldn't be this great without my really great friends. : )

And Marilyn.

NO SAKI BOMBS!

2013-02-05T11:36:00.000-08:00

I had such a great time with all my eclectic group of friends Sunday night! I didn't over indulge too much in the great wine but I do think I had too much of the Sushi. Dang it was good! I didn't do any saki bombs but my friend Laura made sure I got a bottle to take home with me. : )

It was extra special having several people take a moment to give a speech, and quite humbling as well. I love my friends! I am so blessed to have them in my life! It wouldn't be as great without them!
This is the only photos I have so far, the ones with me and my daughter Sam. Can you tell she's my daughter???

And one group shot. Ignore the flaming eyes. No one is possessed.

Gosh, I'm really getting old, er, I mean mature.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

2013-02-03T11:57:00.000-08:00

Yes, today's is my birthday. I am maturing quite well. Actually, if maturity comes with it maturity then I'm close. Last year we went out for sushi at a local restaurant called Sushi Nishiki. It's good stuff! Toward the end of the evening though the owner came up and said, "It's your birthday? You have to have a Saki Bomb!" "What's that?" I asked.

well, I was shown:

and the rest of the evening is remembered in the history books.

So this year, I have informed all my friends that this will not be happening again! They warn me that peer pressure is tough. But I will hold my ground! I will not do another Saki Bomb, no matter what they say!!!