Words from Willow

Movie Review: Gatsby (2013)

2013-05-24T05:00:00.000-07:00

We very nearly didn't go to see this movie because we were so darn sick of watching the previews. Previews ran for a year prior to the film's release. They spent a bundle on promotion.

Gatsby is a remake of a remake of a remake, based on the 1920's book by F. Scott Fitzgerald called The Great Gatsby. It's a fictional novel about the excesses of the Roaring Twenties during a time of an unprecedented flourishing economy, just prior to the stock market crash and the great depression.

Gatsby is a self made character who invented his own story and is a man of mystery and obsession. One of those obsessions is Daisy.

It's the story of how he comes to be revealed for who he is, and how he and Daisy and the others in his vortex make decisions about live, love, money and integrity.

I didn't read the book. I missed the early stage and film productions of the story except I did see the 1974 version starring Mia Farrow and Robert Redford. I Redeemer being a bit confused by the story back then.

As for this version, it is a visual spectacle. The costumes are fantastic and perhaps even Oscar-worthy. The sets are impressive as well. The acting is top-notch but the roles the actors had to play lacked depth. I guess I'm just not a big fan of the story and the shallowness of all of those involved. I'm not a fan of weird obsession either. Somehow I don't find it romantic...just controlling.

I really would like to dress like they did in the movie. Like I said...the costumes were to die for. The music is pretty good too, although I noticed that many of the pieces that were in the previews never made it to the actual movie or even the credits after...so would just be on the soundtrack. Weird, huh?

We didn't watch it in 3D..I just didn't see the point.

It is rated PG-13 for some language, partying, alcohol abuse, sexuality and a story that would confuse a child into misbehavior.

Watch the trailer below...if you somehow missed a year of it on television and in theaters, or via this link.

Here is a link to some clips from the 1974 version so you can see how close the story line and dialogue remained.

My "Baby" Turns 29

2013-05-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

I suppose all parents experience this, but every once in a while, when my son has a birthday, I get all "reflecty" and "nostalgic". Not that I'm an idiot and only remember how great things were...cuz that's not the life we've had. But sometimes, I struggle to wrap my brain around the passage of time.

When I was a child, time moved so slowly...it took FOREVER for birthdays, and Christmas, and the last day of school! I could NOT turn 18, or 21 FAST ENOUGH. The sleepless nights of the infancy of my child, or the terrible ones, twos, threes and beyond...seemed to go on and on and on with no rest for the weary.

Then something happened. Sometime. Somehow. And I don't know when. I got older. But I don't really feel older...unless you ask my knees or my metabolism. He got older too and he's not a kid.

Twenty-nine years ago today, I gave birth to my only living, breathing offspring. The labor was average and the delivery non-remarkable, medically speaking. I was lying in a hospital bed learning how to nurse him. I was examing his tiny body, wondering what he would grow up to be like. Then, apparently, I blinked.

How did he get to be 29?? WHEN did that happen??? I still remember BEING 29. We had recently moved across country. My father had recently died. I was starting college. Broke. Stressed. Overwhelmed with life and single parenting. I was meeting my future mate. Life was dynamic and hard and big and uncertain.

I know kids hate it when you treat them like babies when they are fully grown. I hate it when my mom STILL does it and I'm 52! Do mothers manage to view their children in adult, mature terms? When? I still want to straighten his hair or rub a crumb off his clothing or hold him and touch him like he's mine...without permission. Good thing then, that he lives so far away. Sad thing that I've only seen him once in 11 years. Perhaps that distance froze his age in time.

But on his birthday, I reflect. I remember. I try to put things into proper perspective. I try to adjust the photo in my mind. I feel gratitude and awe for the journey and the pains and the joys of parenthood. It has forever altered me in ways I don't yet even know.

Opinions Are Like Bellybuttons

2013-05-22T05:00:00.000-07:00

Opinions are like bellybuttons; Everybody has one. And sometimes they aren't cute. Sometimes they stink. Sometimes they are covered and sometimes they are out there for all the world to see. Shared freely or kept under wraps.

I'm strongly opinionated...and of COURSE I think I'm right. Until I look at all the ways my opinions have mutated throughout my lifetime.

One thing I'm pretty certain of: Nobody truly wants to hear them. Even if they ask for them. Once in a blue moon, someone might look you in the eye, with great sincerity and say "I value what you think and I really want to know your opinion." Most of the time, we just want to stick with our own opinions and perceptions, bitterly resenting those held by others.

Certainly there are exceptions. People who thrive on diversity and are not in the least bit threatened by the opinions of others...even when in direct conflict with their own. I would like to become like that...and then again...I think I would just prefer to be like Switzerland...neutral...able to flow with what is. (and that's a cliche phrase...not a commentary on Switzerland).

As I age:

I want to release my attachments to my own opinions
I want to release my attachments to the opinions of others
I want to release my attachments to the opinions of others about my opinions
I want to release my attachment to sharing my opinions (which I guess if I'm not attached to them, I won't feel the need to share them.)
I want to release my attachment to equating a person's opinion with who they are at their core.

I've gotten myself into a world of hurt sharing opinions....and each time...I ponder it...ruminate over it...defend myself...feel victimized, missunderstood...while at times simultaneously thinking "when will I learn to keep my big mouth shut? It never pays". Which is...a form of victimhood.

All I can do each time, is see what there is to learn and look at the journey I still have ahead of me, and endeavor to release my attachments. Opinions may be the final frontier.

I don't necessarily think that one need never have an opinion...because opinions help you choose things...preferences...and support things...and learn. It's when I attach myself to an opinion like it is an object, or a part of my body like a limb I can't live without...that's probably a good place to take a breath and release it. When my opinion may stray too far and hurt someone, it's my wake-up call to re-examine my goals.

I've made strides. Great strides. I may never be "there", wherever there is...that final destination point of perfection and Zen enlightenment...probably not even when I'm dead...I'll still be learning and evolving in the afterlife, the in between planes, and in future lives. Learning...always learning.

See if I perfect my non-attachment to opinions...well, this blog will be in serious jeopardy.

Rhodes Supply in Ukiah Oregon...They serve serious ice cream!

2013-05-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

Photo Courtesy of the Ukiah Oregon Website

On our way home from our overnight anniversary/birthday excursion (May 7th and 8th), we stopped on our way home in Ukiah, Oregon (population, about 230).

Some of my husband's relatives live there and are part of the fabric of the town and its history. Read the website, it's really interesting.

His aunt was the postmistress until she retired and their home is attached to it (and they used to utilize an adjoining door too/from work. His aunt and uncle still live in the house. His cousins run the Rhodes Supply (a general store).

They serve hand-dipped, hard ice cream (Umpqua brand, I believe...made in Roseburg Oregon). That ice cream is YUMMY! And they know how to make a serving! None of those wimpy cones....when they dip a cone, they DIP A CONE!


Cousin Norma does not mess about...she knows how ice cream should be served!

Typically I like mine in a cup and they will do that too. I had Chocolate/Peanutbutter AND Kona Coffee. OMG! YUMMY! Hubby had Chocolate AND Cookies and Cream. It helped curb our hunger until we got home. It's so creamy and wonderful.

Here are a couple of earlier photos of the store. I think. I lifted these from their website too...so be sure and go read the website and show them some love.

Recipe: Spaghetti with Lemon and Olive Oil (al Limone) from America's Test Kitchen

2013-05-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of America's Test Kitchen

I love love love this recipe. It is so yummy I always eat way too much of it. Hubby is less enthralled with it, but I can slide it past him if I serve him a steak with it.

It comes from America's Test Kitchen. If you're not familiar with this television cooking show...and you like cooking shows...find it. I love it. It airs in my area on Oregon Public Broadcasting (or PBS) on Saturday afternoons. Check your local listings.

You can access most of their website and program recipes by signing up for their free newsletter. That's why I couldn't send you a direct link to the recipe...it takes you to their sign up page.

America's Test Kitchen is really educational. They take a recipe, and work on it to overcome typical pitfalls and come up with the best solution. They test kitchen gadgets and also tell you the science behind certain aspects of cooking. Like I said...I love the show...love this recipe.

As always..even though they have perfected the recipe...I still gotta change it up and adapt it to our tastes. So I'll let you know those adaptations after I post the recipe.

"Why this recipe works:

Unaccustomed to the spotlight, lemon can turn temperamental in this quick-hit Italian classic—unless you provide it with the perfect costars. We wanted a dish bursting with bright, bracing lemon flavor, moistened with just enough fruity olive oil to coat each delicate strand. Starting with the lemon flavor, we found the window for the right amount of juice per pound of pasta was extremely small, and if we leaned more to either side, the lemon flavor became either too tart or barely noticeable. To boost the lemon’s power without extra acidity, we added some grated zest to the sauce. As for the base of the sauce, we relied on an olive oil–cream sauce—the cream neutralized some of the acids in the juice while augmenting the oils responsible for the fruity, floral notes"

Serves 4 to 6

Let the dish rest briefly before serving so the flavors develop and the sauce thickens.

Ingredients

Table salt
1pound spaghetti
1/4cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
1medium shallot, minced (about 3 tablespoons)
1/4cup heavy cream
2teaspoons finely grated zest and 1/4 cup juice from 3 lemons
1ounce finely grated Parmesan cheese (about 1/2 cup), plus more for serving
Ground black pepper
2tablespoons shredded fresh basil leaves

Instructions

1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large Dutch oven over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon salt and pasta to boiling water; cook, stirring frequently, until al dente. Reserve 1¾ cups cooking water, drain pasta into colander, and set aside.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in now-empty Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add shallot and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook until shallot is softened, about 2 minutes. Whisk 1 1/2 cups of reserved pasta cooking water and cream into pot; bring to simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Remove pot from heat, return pasta, and stir until coated. Stir in remaining 3 tablespoons oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, cheese, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
3. Cover and let pasta stand 2 minutes, tossing frequently and adjusting consistency with remaining 1/4 cup reserved pasta water if necessary. Stir in basil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve, drizzling individual portions with oil and sprinkling with cheese.

My notes: It's going to depend on the size of your lemons, but mine are often large, and two lemons is PLENTY to get 1/4 cup of juice from. I still use all the zest from those two.

I prefer to use linguine or fettuccine as I prefer the larger, flat pasta for this dish. Do what makes you happy.

I don't buy or use shallots. In our area, not many people use them and they tend to look half dehydrated and rotten on the grocery shelf AND, they are expensive, fancy pants onions. I don't have a discerning palate. I use one large SWEET onion, minced and cooked WELL...somewhat browned and cooked all the way through.

I use more cheese than this calls for. Adjust that to your own taste. If the lemon seems sour or at all overpowering, adding a little salt to your portion will temper that.

I like more fresh basil than it calls for. Adjust it how you like it.

Since I have trouble multi-tasking, I find it easier to get all of my ingredients out when I start, and have all of the items cut up, measured and ready to roll (including my strainer, a cup for reserved pasta water etc. Because once your pasta is cooked...it all starts to happen rather quickly and you need all your hands at the ready. Otherwise, I just holler for the hubby and he's always super good-natured about stopping what he's doing and helping me out. Cooking is a challenge for me on a good day with an easy recipe.

Recipe: Loaded Baked Potato and Chicken Casserole

2013-05-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

This is mine. I think the top got a little overdone. Better next time!

I believe someone shared this recipe on Facebook. I went back through my posts to try to credit the source but couldn't find it. I then Googled it and found many versions and many of the same recipe that don't credit a source. So darn, it, I'm sorry! If YOU created this recipe your very own self, please comment in the comments section so credit can be duly given.

Since people are not crediting sources, and sort of posting like they made the recipe up themselves...I'm not sure how to properly credit it, except to say...I did not come up with this my own self.

I'm going to give you a website where I am re-posting the recipe from, but I don't know if it is the original creator. I'll post a couple of photos of my process and I've altered it, and included my adaptations and what I might try next time...because there WILL be a next time. It was pretty easy to throw together. Sooooo, this website calls it Loaded Potato and Buffalo Chicken Casserole and is on the website of Cook Lisa Cook. She has some good pictures of the process.

Loaded Baked Potato and Chicken Casserole
2 lbs boneless, skinless, chicken breasts, cubed (1")

(Note from me: I typically try to buy organic meats whenever possible. Organic, free range, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are running nearly $10 a lb in my area...which is CRAZY. So I reduced the amount to one pound [which is about two breasts]. I also buy whole, local, organically raised chickens and I plop them in the crock pot all day, take them off the bone and freeze the meat for later use. We don't typically love dark meat very much so I use it in recipes where the other flavors will mask the dark meat. I was thinking that next time, I might just use some of the packaged local off the bone chicken from the freezer, that is already cooked. That will mean that for the final step, I will only need to have the final layer in the oven just long enough to heat the chicken and melt the cheese).

8-10 medium potatoes, cut in 1/2" cubes (organic if you can find them)

(Note from me: I bought yellow potatoes and they were to the smallish side so I used about a dozen. I don't think the amount matters TOO much as long as you can fit everything in the pan. I didn't peel them...just washed and diced).

1/3 cup Organic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 to 1 1/2 tsp coarse sea salt
1 Tbsp black pepper (I used just a little bit of fresh ground pepper...NOT a TBSP...just a sprinkle)
1 Tbsp paprika
2 Tbsp garlic powder (WHAT?? That's a TON! I used closer to 2 TEASPOONS)
6 Tbsp hot sauce (OUCH! I put in a couple of quick DASHES which was MORE than enough for us)

(Note from me: I'm not even REMOTELY interested in making the Buffalo version...hubby will NOT eat anything spicy or hot and I don't like burning my mouth either. So, in parenthases beside the ingredients, I've listed what *I* used).

Preheat your oven to 500 degrees. Yup, I'm not kidding.
Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray...liberally...it's still gonna stick.

In a large bowl, mix up the oil and spices you've decided on in the amounts you want. Add the cubed potatoes and stir to coat. Carefully scoop the potatoes into the prepared baking dish, leaving behind as much of the olive oil/spices as possible. Bake the potatoes for 45-50 minutes, stirring every 10-15 minutes, until cooked through and crispy and browned on the outside.

(Note from me: I carefully scooped and there was NO remaining oil/spices left in the bowl even having used a slotted spoon! So for the next step, when I added the chicken to the bowl, I had to improvise. It is IMPORTANT to take it out every 15 minutes to stir and rearrange the potatoes...they will cook unevenly and burn to the pan on the bottom and sides. Oddly, mine WERE cooked through in 45 minutes, but they were NOT crispy and brown. Not sure why. I think had I cooked them longer, they would have just been mashed potatoes. So...whatever...I lived with it. Here is what they looked like when they came out of the oven for the next step after 45 minutes (and stirring, rearranging at 15 minute intervals).


The potatoes after 45 min at 500 degrees and stirring every 15 min.

While the potatoes are cooking, add the cubed chicken to the bowl with the left over olive oil/sauce/spices and stir to coat.

(Note from me: as I mentioned...for whatever reason, I ended up with ZERO left over sauce to toss the chicken in...even though I was using only a pound instead of two pounds of chicken. Maybe that's because I didn't use 6 TBSP of hot sauce? So...at this juncture, I still put the cubed chicken into the bowl the potatoes had just vacated and stirred them around to get the last remnants of coating off the sides and bottom of the bowl onto the chicken. Then I sprinkled some garlic powder, a little salt, and a drizzle of additional olive oil on the chicken. This seemed to have worked just fine. I tossed it around and let it sit there while the potatoes cooked.).

Chicken "marinating" in the "left-over" sauce

The topping for the final layer is:
2 cups fiesta blend cheese (or any that you like, really)
1 cup crumbled bacon
1 cup diced green onion

(Note from me: I typically buy bacon in thick slice and in 3 lb blocks and chop it, cook it crispy and repackage it divided into approximate thirds. This means each frozen back of precooked crumbled bacon is approx 1 lb (pre-cooked weight). This recipe doesn't specify cooked or not cooked bacon, but I can't imagine using uncooked bacon. So I didn't measure a cup...cuz roughly...that's gonna be about a pound of cooked bacon. I didn't measure the onions...since I don't use green onions for many things, I just used an entire bunch of small green onions. It turned out fine.)


The topping (bacon, cheese, green onion)

Once the potatoes are fully cooked, remove from oven and lower oven temp to 400 degres. Top the cooked potatoes with the raw, marinated chicken. In a bowl, mix together the cheese, bacon and green onion and top the raw chicken with the cheese mixture. Return the casserole to the oven and bake for 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the topping is bubbly delicious.

(Note from me: I'm not sure if it would be best to wait and be sure that the oven temp has indeed dropped to 400 or not. 15 minutes was too long for this final step and my cheese got a bit crunchy [which hubby actually likes]. So pay attention. If I try it with precooked chicken next time, I'll just watch for the cheese to be fully melted and pull it out.)

There you have it...sure, you got the long, convoluted version, but it really isn't a complicated recipe and it turns out darn good. Even with our big appetites, we (2) will have another meal from it.

We topped it with sour cream for extra yumminess. I served it on a plate with a wedged, whole orange each. Hey...we needed SOMETHING healthy in this meal, right??

Recipe: Midnight Fudge Cake from Oh Bite It!

2013-05-18T05:00:00.000-07:00

Photo by Oh Bite It!

When I saw this photo appear on my Facebook page, I very nearly swooned. OMG! That looks amazing! So I decided then and there it would be my birthday cake. I printed the recipe (without the photos). It comes from the sinfully delicious website of Oh Bite It! You MUST go check them out.

I'll reprint the recipe here but please...you must go view and follow the recipe because the photos really do help. As you'll see later, my rendition didn't turn out like this and I was super sad. And I must try again until I get it right!

A. I think the brands of mixes she used MATTER.
B. I think the method of mixing the batters separately and then combining them in a swirly fashion MATTERS.
C. The ganache that came with the brand she used MATTERS.

~Midnight Fudge Cake!

What can I say, I love Chocolate! ~Give me dark, semi-sweet, milk, white, I don’t care..just gimme! I’ll never turn it down, but…since this sinfully sweet, succulent concoction came into my life, I totally have a new favorite way to get my Chocolate on!

Midnight. Fudge. Cake. is literally all of those 3 things, and SO much more. Midnight for its intensely deep, dark almost black Chocolate color. Ohh, and the fact that it’s a treat totally worthy of the best alone time for snacking ever~Midnight!

And Fudge because it has actual dark, fudgy Brownie Batter swirled into the rich Chocolate Cake that makes it a super moist, and dense fudge-like cake. The best cake you’ll ever have! It’s a seductive, Chocolate indulgence like nothing you’ve ever experienced before or could ever dream of experiencing again! ..just kidding, you can make this as many times as you’d like..lol! ;)

What you’ll need for at least 10-12 midnight Snacks:

One box of Triple Chocolate cake Mix..(I only used half)
Her photo shows Duncan Hines Triple Chocolate...stay with her brands!
One box of Ultimate Fudge Brownie Mix..with included Ganache (I only used half)
Her photos show she used Ghirardelli brand...it's important because of the ganache
a 9×13 baking pan

Directions:
I used half of each box and it made a normal amount of cake. Feel free to use the entire boxes, for 2 9×13 pans.
I got a little confused here. I wasn't sure if I was supposed to halve the dry ingredients in two separate bowls, or mix up each entire box in two separate bowls and then use only half. I think she means for you to estimate half of a box from each, into separate bowls, and then estimate or figure half of the added called for ingredients from each box into the appropriate corresponding bowl, retaining half each of dry mix for another time (knowing that you will not have any ganache for that second batch...so sad! You use ALL of the ganache for the halved, combined recipe.

In one bowl I mixed the Cake mix, splitting the ingredients in half accordingly.

In another bowl I mixed the Brownie Batter, splitting the ingredients accordingly…

It would appear that those two steps are important. I mixed halved dry and added ingredients in the same bowl. I think the separate bowls allow you to then gently swirl to combine them in sort of a ribboned fashion rather than blended together. A combo of dense and lighter textures when done.

Combine both mixing bowls into the baking pan and bake it at 350 degrees, for approx. 30 minutes or until it’s baked through.

Opt for less done than more done. I think mine was overdone as the toothpick came out clean and it had slightly pulled away from the edges. It was dry. So go for just shy of that I think.

Let it cool and gently poke some holes into it with a fork…

Probably let it cool COMPLETELY. I got a little impatient and it was still warm, what happens then is that as you poke holes in the cake with a fork, it pulls up some of the top layer and looks a little boogared up, but that's not really the end of the world once you pour stuff on it.

Now pour the included Ganache all over the top of the cake…

So my off-brand came with a packet of Hershey's syrup...about a quarter of a cup or less...not nearly enough and not very good. I then put a jar of Smucker's Chocolate Fudge Topping on it...still...it's not ganache. You need to buy the same brands of brownie and cake mix that she used. DRAT!

…and serve up a big, moist plate full…

Prepare your lips for the best cake they’ve ever seen! ~Enjoy!

So sadly, mine turned out like dry cake, with slippery ice cream sauce on it. It didn't suck but it certainly wasn't what I was hoping for. My husband said it was "OK, but...not special like he thought it would be". I think that's because I didn't use the right brands, and didn't mix it correctly. I WILL try again.

Sidebar...if you're looking for HEALTHY recipes, this won't be the site for you. It's about fast, easy, and decadent and most of the items come from processed mixes. Once in a while...I've got NO problem with that! The photos will about make you feint they are so beautiful. Go check out her stuff..it's amazing.

Recipe: Homemade Natural Pesticide from Backyard Diva

2013-05-17T05:00:00.000-07:00

I follow Backyard Diva on Facebook and so can you...or you can go to their website and catch up on all the cool stuff they write about.

This recipe, for homemade, natural pesticide comes from them, and here's the link to it on their website. Go show them some love.

This is a simple, recipe that doesn't take long to make. I can't tell you yet how it works as our growing season is just getting started in Northeast Oregon, but I can update you later. It's a lot less expensive than commercial organic pesticides, so why not give it a try. I have two rhubarb plants in my yard so it's not hard to come by leaves. If you don't have access you can find a friend and get a leaf, or just leave it out. There seems to be some controversy about the toxicity of rhubarb leaves to people, but it appears to be a minimal amount that washes off easily before eating your produce.

You will need:
1 Bulb Garlic
2 tablespoons sunlight dish-soap
1 small rhubarb leaf (optional – I will explain the purpose of this later)
1 – 2 fresh hot chili peppers or 2 tablespoons dried chili flakes
about 1 liter of water
fine metal sieve
small pot
spray bottle

Instructions:
Boil all ingredients together for 5-10 minutes – leaving out the dish-soap Allow mixture to cool completely, strain through sieve into spray bottle, then add dish-soap.
Spray infected area of your plants consistently for 2 – 4 days, and every second or third day thereafter or as needed (if infestation is really bad, spray twice daily). DO NOT SPRAY this mixture on your plants in the hot sun, it may turn the leaves brown. The cool evening/early morning is the time I find the most effective. You can use this mixture on any plant, vegetable or herb.

OK, so, um...important sidebar. I misread the instructions, as I so often do. It is important to add the soap (most any type or brand of dish washing soap will do as long at is an eco- friendly, more natural brand) AFTER the mixture has been boiled down. If you add it with the other ingredients and boil it...not only does it smell super weird, but the bubbles boil up out of control...think a bad scene from an I Love Lucy episode! Yeah, note to self on that one.

I would imagine, given the hot peppers, you may want to be careful not to get it on your skin, or accidentally mace yourself in the face with it. That will probably be my next smooth move!

Restaurant Review: Bud Jackson's Sportsman's Bar and Grill in La Grande Oregon

2013-05-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

We ended our birthday/anniversary getaway by going to dinner at Bud Jackson's Sportsman's Bar and Grill in La Grande, Oregon.

Back in the day, it used to be a smokey bar called The Eastside Tavern. Not a place I liked to be. They did major gutting and remodeling and now they have both a bar and a family friendly restaurant and a stage area for bands to play (and people to dance I presume...I'm never up late anymore).

The new business and renovations have paid off and it does a brisk business. And with Oregon's smoking ban...you can eat (or drink, or dance) and keep your lungs safe at the same time. The menu is diverse and they have special nights (like taco night). The food is pretty darn good. Prices reasonable (typically more than we can do regularly on our tight budget...but we're behind the times).

They don't have a website that I could find, but they do have a Facebook page. They have some photos of the renovation process on their page. I wasn't able to find any good shots of inside, or outside for a feel of the place. Maybe they'll add those. I was tired and forgot to take photos.

I had a New York steak that was served with mixed veggies and I chose garlic mashed potatoes (rustic mash with the peels on...love that). It was served with a salad. I topped it off with a Coke. Hubby had Chicken Fettuccine and said his meal was good too. You might even try their fried green beans! I've had their teriaki chicken salad before and it was quite good as well.

Located at 2209 Adams Avenue in La Grande, Oregon. Phone number 541-962-7858

Vistitor Review: Kam Wah Chung Historic Site, John Day Oregon

2013-05-15T05:00:00.000-07:00

While on our little overnight excursion May 7th and 8th, after visiting Prairie City, we stopped at the Historic site of a Chinese settlement in John Day, Oregon.

The Kam Wah Chung visitor center and historic site is a remarkable bit of history. There is a small interpretive center, and an intact mercantile on the grounds where a large Chinese settlement had been.

The mercantile was the home of two Chinese men, one who was the primary merchant and the other a gifted practitioner of Chinese medicine. The store remains nearly as it was left (perhaps better), stocked with supplies and herbs. It is an amazing piece of preserved history.

During the spring/summer, they give tours inside the mercantile on the hour. Tours are free. It really is a must see museum. The tour takes approximately 30-45 minutes and you can spend as much time as you wish inside the interpretive center and gift shop.

I would say, this may not be a great stop for younger children. The "tour" is primarily a history talk while you stand in the very small mercantile. Fascinating for adults...not-so-much for kids. And there is ABSOLUTELY NO TOUCHING of items...which would drive a kid crazy....as would standing and listening. *I* desperately wanted to touch things. I feel history and read it with my hands...like psychometry. I had to keep my hands in check. Obviously, if people touched and picked up stuff, it would degrade and fall apart. My kid would have been in utter hell...probably even now at the age of 29! It's a look, listen and read type stop. Not touch, see, feel.

I first heard of this place from a special on PBS, which I will attempt to link you to below. I visited it one other time but only the interpretive center was open as the mercantile was under renovation. I was happy to return. The documentary is fascinating, and it made me super interested to see the inside and learn more.

Sort of like Native Americans, and Hispanics...our treatment of the Chinese was deplorable. We wanted their cheap labor and then, once they were here, we resented, tormented and murdered many of them. Way to go USA! All of these cultures have left us richer. I'm fascinated by this site. You could feel the history. The mercantile and medical office is a peaceful place of giving and sharing and community. You can feel that too.

Here is the link to the video, or watch it below. It runs 29 minutes and is well worth the view. Below the video will be some of the photos we took while we were there.

Watch Kam Wah Chung on PBS. See more from Oregon Experience.

Well, it's sort of self explanatory, isn't it?

Inside the Mercantile. Storage area. No Flash allowed so photos turned out a little blurry.

Kitchen Shrine.

Grocery/supply section with relocated shrine from another building.

View into the grocery section. That's a two stringed, musical instrument and bow on the wall called an Erhu.

Kitchen/Dining area

Desk display

We were running for the car...storm coming!

That sky means business! Isn't it beautiful?!

Outside of mercantile. The upper portion was a house that was moved for additional space.

Just how do you suppose they moved that house up there way back then?

Historical Plaque

Interpretive reader boards outside the mercantile. Isn't that blooming tree gorgeous?

A view inside the apothecary. All of those boxes are still full of herbs and animal parts. See the bear paw?

This is where Doc Hay would sit. Patients would sit on a small stool in front of them and he would lay their wrist on a white silk pillow to read their pulses and diagnose their illnesses. He had remarkable accuracy and a good rate for recovery. He was a Chinese herbalist and"'pulseologist"

There. NOW you can see that bear paw.

Table in the main entry room. Even though blurry, I sort of love the ghostly, ethereal quality of the image.

Business Review: Prairie Trading Post in Prairie City Oregon

2013-05-14T05:00:00.000-07:00

On our recent overnight trip to Prairie City Oregon to celebrate my birthday and our anniversary, (May 7th and 8th), we were walking around taking photos. We were in a residential area and I was trying to get some shots of the Strawberry mountains without power lines in them, when a man pulled up beside me in a pick-up and said "It costs 10 cents a photo." I responded that it was well worth the price (that, and I was probably very nearly in his yard).

He asked me if I had been to his wife's store. I asked him which store that was and he replied it was the Prairie Trading Post and told me how to find it (147 S.W. Front Street, P.O. Box 395, Prairie City, Oregon 97869 Phone number 541-820-4123, Fax 541-820-3364. Be sure to check out their website!

We retraced our steps and found it. Look for the big totem pole outside. I have to admit, the outside is not nearly as inviting as the inside. The inside is super classy. It contains magnificent Western and Indian Art/Gifts. You could find a store like this in an upscale coastal town, or in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

The owners, Claudia and Dale Duby have recently refurbished the interior and rearranged the merchandise in a very artful way. They feature some regional artwork and they personally specialize in scrimshaw knives which are beautiful if art knives are of interest.

In true Western form, there are some items made from animal products (furs and such). I think they're beautiful, but just be warned if you're squeamish or opposed to such things. Don't let that be a reason not to check out the beautiful items made from juniper wood, and ceramic and antler (BTW, antlers fall off of critters every year).

Please enjoy the photos below and be sure to stop in when you're going through town. Prairie City may be small, and you might miss it if you blink while you're driving, but it has some very nice places to visit. It's a good place to stop, even if you're just driving through, to stretch your legs, shop, get a bite to eat and have a "pit stop".

You could spend a long time in here and still miss seeing it all. Beautiful art.

I want to sleep in this bed! Juniper is such beautiful wood, native to this area.

I am a sucker for things made from Juniper. I love this wood. It begs to be touched!

You'll find some amazing antler art, and lamps!

Look at all this beautiful merchandise!

Business Review: Roan (Coffee House and Boutique)

2013-05-13T14:00:00.001-07:00

While making an overnight visit to the little town of Prairie City, Oregon over May 7th and 8th, we found this little coffee shop and boutique called Roan Coffee.

Is this a great old building, or what?

According to the top of the building it was built in 1902 and was apparently some sort of organization based on the "100F" that is underneath the date.

Inside is a boutique area with clothing and other fun stuff, and this photo shows you the seating area for the coffee shop. It smells so lovely, like coffee in there.

I ordered a 20 oz, iced, decaf, vanilla latte with an extra shot. It cost $4.50 and is mostly ice. It wasn't bad, but it lacked the rich full, coffee flavor I was looking for.

It was just OK, but still fun to visit and leave a little bit for local commerce.

Roan Coffee is located at 206 Front Street (the main street going through the approx, two block business district of Prairie City). Their phone number is 541-820-4455 and they have a fun Facebook page .

Restaurant Review: Chuck's Little Diner in Prairie City Oregon

2013-05-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

During a recent visit to Prairie City, Oregon (May 7th/8th), we ate breakfast at Chuck's Little Diner. It is, as the name implies, a little diner.

It has a lot of historic photos of the area on the walls which was fun to look at.

Something I noted to my husband "Have you noticed, nobody in here is texting or talking on cell phones!" I LOVE IT! People...actually talking to each other! What a concept!

My husband ordered a "build your own omelet" which he could add three items to. He chose bacon, cheese and sour cream and he opted for a pancake with it as a substitution instead of hash browns or toast. They don't even blink about substitutions. Very cool.

I had a side of three scrambled eggs and a side of bacon.

He drank water, I had coffee.

Hubby thought his meal was quite good. I thought the bacon was really good and asked them where they buy it. I would say that when I ask for scrambled eggs, I prefer them...well, scrambled. Not fried and folded like an empty omelet. I have a thing about eggs that are slightly browned or a bit crispy...I like them fluffy and soft and stirred up. It's just a think with me. I'm not a huge egg fan to begin with. Otherwise, no complaints. It was a friendly, cozy place and I would

eat here again the next time we're in town.

As you can see from the photos I took, there is an outdoor seating area covered with a parachute for shade.

Chuck's Little Diner is on Front Street (the main street going through town...and there is only about two blocks of it so it is hard to miss). They serve Breakfast (starting at 6 a.m.) and lunch. A menu is posted in the window.

Restaurant Review: Maria's Mexican Restaurant in Prairie City, Oregon

2013-05-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

While on an overnight getaway, we visited Prairie City, spent the night and some time exploring. After checking in at the Hotel Prairie (see previous days' posts), we ate at Maria's Mexican Restaurant located catty-corner from the hotel. It's exact location is 137 West Front Street in Prairie City. Phone number(s) 208-820-4778, for Maria 208-891-0723 and for William 208-850-1927. You can find the restaurant's page on Facebook.

The restaurant had for years, been "The Branding Iron" and the decor reflects this; many local ranch brands on the walls and more of a cowboy motif than a Mexican motif. OK, there are chili pepper table covers and chili pepper curtains.

There were only 3 other diners there when we arrived. I ordered the Carne Asada (served with rice and beans) and my husband ordered the chicken fajitas (served with rice, beans, salad, and tortillas). He drank water, I had a Coke.

Our waitress was friendly and prompt. With so few diners, it seemed to me that it took quite a long time for our dinners to come out. My husband had made a point to ask for the peppers and onions in his dinner to be well done/soft. When it arrived, his peppers and onions were still crunchy. He wasn't real thrilled with that. My Coke tasted sort of mildewy...could be it's time to clean out the soda lines with some bleach or something. The prices were average/reasonable, but the portions seemed scant and rather plain overall. The beans were topped with sprinkled, canned Parmesan cheese....what??

It wasn't bad but it really wasn't very good. I could eat there again, but if we have other options, I would try them first. Just OK.

Hotel Review: Hotel Prairie in Prairie City Oregon

2013-05-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

The night of May 7th, 2013 (the eve before my birthday and our wedding anniversary), we took a quick overnight getaway to Prairie City, Oregon. We stayed at the Hotel Prairie which was built in 1905, and reopened/refurbished in 2008.

Early May is still off-season for them, but nearing their opening of tourist season about Memorial Day. So there was my husband and I on the second floor, and one other guest on the main floor.

We called ahead to see if they had room and they did (they have 9 rooms in operation at this time). The one we stayed in is where the top left corner room above the Prairie City sign on the building...can you see it? They said for us to just "call" when we got to town.

We hadn't realized that during off-season, the front desk attendant is "on-call" and not actually present and working in the hotel. There is a phone outside the hotel, so we called the number and she said "I'll be right down". We thought she was upstairs or something. Nope...a few minutes later, she pulled up. She checked us in, showed us the downstairs common kitchen area (for morning coffee), asked if we wanted extra pillows (which I did), and told us where our room was. Then she left again. So the hotel was literally ours with the exception of the other guest. The lobby doors were locked from the outside, and we had our keys.

So if you are high maintenance, don't go here during "off season". It felt a tiny bit odd to be rattling around an ancient hotel on your own with no staff present, but they locked up all the important bits, and we spent some time wandering the halls looking at the historic photos that are all over. It was SOOOO quiet, that we felt the need to whisper to maintain it. It was really quite nice. We're not high maintenance. Of course, the same number that we called to get in, is the number to call if you have any needs or concerns, so it's not like you're truly cut to drift.

Our room was small. I believe we paid about $96 for the night. I would estimate the room to be about 10x13. It contained a queen bed, two night stands with lamps, a small chair, and the suitcase rack. The bathroom was quite large and had a tub shower (some rooms only have a shower). There was a single long window, a large ceiling fan and a temp control on the wall. Given that it was a very warm, humid day with lightening and thunder storms, we opened the window and watched the sky.

Be sure to ask about closing times for local eateries and shops. Tiny towns, especially during off peak times, "roll up the sidewalks early". The grocery store closed at 7. I'm not sure how late the couple of open eateries stayed open. The Oxbow next door wasn't open. We went to eat at Maria's, the Mexican Restaurant (I'll review that later).

The gal who checked us in said they get rave reviews about the comfort of their beds. While I can't say I was kept awake all night, I can't rave about our bed. We were in room 5, upstairs. I'm sure that when brand spanking new, the beds were awesome. But ours had a major "body impression" in the middle that we kept rolling into. If you could sleep near the edge of your own side, it was still both pillow-top soft, and firm at the same time. But we gravitate towards snuggling and that left us in a bit of a hole. That's honestly the same issue we've had with our own bed, so beds are just a chore in general these days. They don't make them to last and they don't make them to not get body impressions. That's not really the hotel's fault.

The place is clean, and warm and cozy and the paint job is really nice and everything is kept up great. We were comfy and we ADORED the quiet. It almost seemed odd when the occasional car would pass. We could have done without the neighboring gas station beginning renovation construction noise before 7 a.m., but most ordinances allow such work to begin by 7 so what are ya gonna do? They have to do it sometime, I guess.

Check out time was 11, so I took a leisurely bath (why don't they make bath tubs that fit tall people?) and we walked to breakfast at Chuck's Little Diner (I'll review that later as well). We loaded up after breakfast, and just walked around town taking photos.

As an aside, for those of you who read my blog, you know I'm pretty sensitive to spirit activity. I was a little concerned that this might be loaded with spirits, given its age. HOWEVER, of the photos we took indoors, we only saw a single orb in the photos, AND, I felt completely at peace. I had a migraine when we arrived, and after going to bed, I was aware several times during the night of a female spirit who came to "cover me". Not literally, of course, but the impression was that she was checking in on me, "mothering" me, and wanted to be sure I was comfortable. My impression was, she may have been one of the original owners, of which there are several photos of her in the hotel, and a painting she did in the office.

Enjoy the photos (which I'm not sure why they are uploading in a different and jumbled order from how they are arranged on my computer...sorry about that...they aren't as orderly as I would like).

Bottom line....I would stay here again, and although it seemed unconventional not to have someone on duty, I may actually like it.

side of hotel

lobby

hallway from lobby/office

Don't stay upstairs unless you are a good climber

Cuz when they say stairs, they mean stairs.

skylight above the stairs

Our Room, Room 5, upstairs

Our bathroom in Room 5

Hotel building

Front corner of building

back porch seating area

Door to back porch area from main floor kitchenette

Outdoor patio/garden

A selfie near a tree in the patio area

A beautiful house with a wrap-around porch I could see from our window

lobby

A Quick Overnight Trip to Prairie City, Oregon

2013-05-09T16:33:00.001-07:00

My 52nd birthday, and our 8th wedding anniversary fell on May 8th (never mind we've been together for 24 years). We always seem to rack our brains trying to come up with something original and affordable to do.

Living rural, the nearest big towns are Boise, ID (three hours and one time zone away), and Portland, OR (4 hours away). It seems we've done everything near us to death and then-some. I was SOO not in the mood for a long drive, or lots of traffic or a lot of noise and people. Even our town (which is small...about 13,000 people) is too noisy for me right now.

We hadn't given ourselves much planning time, so many quaint (read...expensive) B & B's were booked, or too far away, or too expensive. It wasn't looking good. Then hubby suggested Prairie City. Tiny town (about 900 people), not yet "tourist" season, and we could get there in a couple of hours. So we did.

I'll be reviewing some of the places we visited, where we lodged, what we ate, etc. You can do it all in an overnight trip. The weather was stormy off and on, but warm and mostly sunny. We found plenty to look at. Although this time of year, one must beware that in tiny towns that thrive on tourism, they may not be open until after Memorial Day in later May. As it was, we hit it pretty close to perfect. Tourists hasn't arrived yet and the town was waking up after a long winter's nap. You can walk the town easily. The main street area is about two blocks total.

I'm going to load up a bunch if photos below for you to enjoy. Suffice to say, we enjoyed our stay and would certainly consider coming again. The scenery was beautiful, and the people were friendly. And it was QUIET.

So enjoy the photos below.

Wall Mural

Fountain near the park

NICE playground for a small area!

high tech spongy playground surface

Trying to get up high enough for a good mountain shot

not too shabby, eh?

Church with Strawberry Mountains in background

Old Chevy

old Wagon

Pretty blooming tree

What a pretty place

Wall Mural

Horse swing made from a tire.

BEAUTIFUL!

Mountains and barbed wire

Mountains and rustic pole fence

Is that a sunset, or what??!

Stormy Sunset

I'm not sure I've ever seen this color sunset before

Sunset with lightening and thunder

Downtown Prairie City

Oxbow Restaurant/Saloon Building

Didn't get to eat here, they were closed

Historic building

The size of the carvings in front of the building shown above.

I'm not sure I would name my business "S.T.D", but now I'm helping them advertise.

A carving on main street

The 4th Reincarnation of My Porch Swing

2013-05-07T11:57:00.003-07:00

This porch swing has seen better days. I first noticed it at my sister's house nearly 10 years ago. They had quit using it and it was unfinished, rusty, most of the nuts and bolts were gone and the slats were badly warped. A sucker for an underdog, I asked her if she was done with it and if I could have it. She said yes.

I think it's first color was pine green. It was a bear because I had to get those warped slats bent back enough to replace all of the bolts/nuts. It was nearly a nightmare and I wondered what I was thinking. I spray-painted the metal framework and worked like a dog on it. I was so happy to have it.

That year, our house was undergoing some major refurbishing as well. All of the furniture was in storage. There was no place to sit. So we ate our meals in that porch swing watching the world go by. People would come by and ask what was for dinner that night. I drank my morning coffee or tea on that swing in the cool morning sun.

The next reincarnation, or the third life was this sage green paint.

And this year, it has badly peeled as you can see.

This incarnation...the 4th life....is gonna be yellow gloss.

It's weird how every time I do this, I forget how long it takes, and how much I hate doing it. I probably couldn't bear to part with this little gem, but the thought crossed my mind that next time, I'm going to ditch it and buy a vinyl porch swing that never has to be painted and that doesn't weigh very much. It always seems so easy...in thought. I mean, how hard can it be to slap some paint on a swing??

Hubby hit the loose, peeling paint with a wire wheel...then he tells me I should lightly sand it. Crap. So I did. Then got the shop vac and vacuumed it off (too lazy to go over it with tack cloth). Then hubby says, it really should be primed. Crap. So I did. I was hoping then with this heavy coat of white primer on it, it would only need one coat of paint. Not so. Crap.

So yes, there it is...all painted...two coats...three days of work. Sunburn. I also learned something. I know why they make yellow-jacket bait traps in yellow. Yellow jacket wasps love the color. I was swatting them away while painting. Also, it's nearly blinding working in the sun and painting yellow. Hard to see where you've been and where the drips are.

It's an unholy mess, really, if you look closely. Drips and bumps all over the place. Oh well. It's done, right? It's serviceable and usable, right? Perfection is a lost cause.

Hey...try finding end caps to close up the open tubes on the metal frames...especially ones the right size. Those yellow jacket wasps of which I speak are really bad this year and they are trying to build nests inside the metal tubes. Last year I sprayed expandable foam insulation inside the tubes to block them out. They just chewed it away making little tunnels. I found some chair end caps in two different sizes to see if those would work. One size fit the larger tubes, but the other was like...a hair, and I mean a hair too small to go on. Hubby had the fantastic idea to place the end caps in boiling water to soften them to see if then they might go on. And they did...barely. But barely should keep the wasps out of the frame.

Last year's cushions will work just fine. See those beautiful white end caps? Who knew it could be so complicated? Well, *I* should have...this is the third time I've done this. I forget that there are six sides/edges to every board, and a lot of standing on your head and drying time. I really do not like to paint. Vinyl is looking inviting.

So I'm back in business sitting on the porch swing for another season. I sat there last evening during a spring rain. It was beautiful.

Now you know why I'm not writing quite as diligently. Spring has sprung and I have project lists. The flower pot bird baths are looking nice, and next up is distributing a truck load of mulch in the flower beds. Whose idea was it to fill every nook and cranny of our tiny property with plants, gardens, flower beds??? Oh yeah...it was mine. My knees are talking to me...loud and clear. It takes me a while to get straightened when I get out of bed or out of a chair, and it takes me a while to get bent to do the tasks I want to do. My grandmother was right...getting old is the pits...but then not living to get old is even worse.

Enjoy your spring! I sure am. It's my favorite time.

Book Review: God Save the Sweet Potato Queens by Jill Conner Browne

2013-05-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

This is my second encounter with The Sweet Potato Queens book collection (the first was The Sweet Potato Queen's Book of Love). This installment is God Save the Sweet Potato Queens by Jill Conner Browne (2001).

These books are best described as southern woman humor, I guess.

Jill began the SPQ movement by appointing herself as SPQ for a local parade over 30 years ago. It involved outlandish clothing, a tiara, and a lot of stuffing around the booty and boobies.

Her books are bawdy and would not be for the feint of heart in terms of language and "off color" sexual humor. But they are enough to make them the cup of tea for millions of people. There are over 6,000 SPQ chapters in over 30 countries. Women to dress up, show up, and let their goddess flag fly. Men seem to enjoy getting in on the act as well as supporters.

After having read the first book, I was...sorry to say...a tad bored with this next book. Quite a few of the stories were retold, and those that were new were reminiscent of the first. It will probably be my last of the SPQ series, but I've enjoyed them. I've utilized the recipe for Chocolate Stuff several times, and this next book (and I'm sure all the others, PLUS the cook book), have more. I'll keep this book long enough to try a couple of the super fattening recipes before passing it along. It's my duty really.

Oddly, in a book of humor, what I will remember most is the extremely touching last paragraph where Jill talks about two special men in her life. The joking is largely put aside while she honors her love for these men. It is beautifully written and you can feel her regard for the men she is paying her deep respect to. That alone, was worth the price of admission. Her big heart beat right out onto the page.

Here's an interview with Jill Conner Browne. Watch below or via this link.

Project: Flower Pot Bird Baths

2013-05-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

There really aren't a lot of directions to making these flower pot bird baths, but you can easily Google it and find many projects to replicate. I found and printed some idea photos from Google Images of projects others had done.

Then I made a rough sketch of any adaptations or changes I wanted to make including what colors and designs I thought I wanted. I made a tentative list of supplies and when ready, began gathering supplies.

I read that using acrylic paints and sealants was a good way to make a more weather-resistant bird bath. I bought Modge Podge (by Plaid) Acrylic Clear coat in both matte and glossy (to cans of each). My project is for two bird baths. The toughest thing for me to find in our small town was a really large terracotta drain plates for the bowl of the bird bath. Who knew that was hard to find?? I bought Apple Barrel by Plaid acrylic paints. They are cheap. Hopefully they will stand up to the use/weather. Time will tell. I also bought Plaid Rub On transfers (sort of like toll painting without the skill involved). Note: When they say "rub on" what they really mean is scrub, work, rework, and make your body seize up in pain. Those transfers take time, patience and muscle power.

Gather Your Supplies

1. First, terracotta can be quite dusty. I don't have a sink large enough for these bad-boys, so I took them into the shower with me...that's right, I did. I used a scrub brush on them, and then first set them outside the shower on a towel, and later on the porch in the sun to dry. They need to be VERY dry.

2. If you are doing a reverse nesting order stack, do a dry run stack and mark where each pot joins the other with a pencil. You won't have to paint the entire pot, or the inside of the pot. You just need to paint the parts that will show. As long as it's sealed, it should, in theory anyway, hold up to some weather and water.

3. I sprayed the matte finish modge podge over the entire surfaces of the inside and outside of the terracotta to seal them. If you do this on a warm, sunny day, it dries quickly. Follow the instructions on the can. I laid out an old tarp, and newspapers. Yes, sometimes sealant and paint will stick to the newspaper and that sucks.

*Note, on a nice warm day, these pots dry very quickly. This is a two-bird-bath project, so literally by the time I had painted or sealed them all, it was dry enough to do the next coats and just continue the round-robin rotation. It took me about three solid days and some in between time work to finish this.

4. Using the rough design you created, begin to paint the pots. I found that the paints did not all seem to be the same thickness or provide the same coverage. Some paints covered in two coats, and some paints took four coats to cover (bummer). I used disposable sponge-stick applicators, and washed them out. End of project, I didn't wash them, just tossed them. If you buy enough of the applicators (one for each color of paint you use), you can seal them in a baggie after use and at least for that day, keep using them for subsequent coats. If you buy a TON of the applicators, you won't have to wash them at all...just toss them at the end of each day. By and large, the smaller bottles of paint were sufficient for this project.

5. When paint was completed and dried, I began rubbing on the transfers in designs and patterns that were pleasing to my eye. I also did some paint dripping patterns. These transfers take patience and elbow grease. Be very careful when peeling the backing off after rubbing them, because they can tear if they have not adhered. Think temporary tattoo, but with a lot of pressure and work. Once sealed, they are hard to tell from painting. Looks like you did a lot of artsy, talented work when you didn't. But boy are my hands, arms, neck, fingers SORE from hours of application work!


Bird Bath number one, bowl/surface

Bird Bath number two bowl/surface

pieces drying in the garage

6. When you've finished painting and decorating, it's time to seal the paint. How many coats you do is up to you. I think I went with two coats of glossy Modge Podge spray clear acrylic and a heavier, three coats on the bowl surfaces that will see continuous water. Then let it all dry really really well. Once you set them outside, the wear and tear begins. Glue the pieces that need to be glued and dry them indoors or in the garage or in the sun but dry them well. If you put them out wet, a squirrel or other animal could pop them right off. Online sources suggest acrylic adhesive caulk, Gorilla Glue or Stick-Ass Glue. Something that is good with porous or ceramic material.

7. Assemble the bird baths. If using a reverse nesting process (bird bath one), you don't need to glue each piece together, just glue the top pan (s) to the first tier. The plus to gluing it ALL together it is will be heavy enough that it won't be easy to steal without effort. The minus is, that if you want to store it in the garage over the winter, it will be darn heavy for you to move it there. I'm opting for partial gluing and a strong husband.

Update, May 10, 2013: It appears obvious, that bright sun is already fading the paint. Gosh darn it. That's a lot of work if it won't last more than a season. Next year, I'll buy a darn bird bath! Who comes up with these time-consuming craft projects that cost more than buying the item, and lasts just a short time? I want to hurt them.

Recipe: Cheesy Garlic Baked Chicken

2013-05-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

This photo and recipe come to you courtesy of the Just a Pinch website. Be sure to check out their other recipes and info.

I originally saw the recipe posted on Facebook and printed it to try. It looked simple enough. Mine didn't come out as caramelized as this photo shows...perhaps that has to do with differences in oven temps?

It's easy, and doesn't take long. I already had some left over cooked rice, so I just served it over buttered rice/quinoa combo with some fruit (strawberries, mango, blueberries and apples).

☆.•♥•Cheesy Garlic Baked Chicken Recipe!.•♥•☆

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts -thin
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 tablespoons brown sugar
3 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup of cheese

Directions:

1
Preheat oven to 375°F and line a casserole dish with tin foil this will help with the clean up afterwards :) lightly grease it.
2
In small sauté pan, sauté garlic with the oil until tender.
3
Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar & a teaspoon of salt
4
Place chicken breasts in a prepared baking dish and cover with 3/4 of the garlic and brown sugar mixture.
5
Add salt and pepper to taste.
6
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.

Within the last 10 minutes before removing it out of the oven put your cheese on top then put the remaining brown sugar and garlic mixture on top of the cheese and let bake 10 minutes or until cheese is fully melted.

Recipe courtesy of Derf from Canada :)

Note: I used organic chicken breasts and they were really quite large, so I just cooked two instead of "four-thin" but used the same amount of other ingredients. It took a little longer to bake...perhaps 15 minutes more to have the breasts reach an internal temp of 165-170 at the thickest part.

For me, the garlic flavor was a bit intense, and the brown sugar flavor a bit too sweet, and between the two, they overpowered any hint of cheese flavor (I used sharp cheddar). Next time, I will reduce the garlic, reduce the brown sugar, increase the salt and it might just turn out dandy to my taste. Hubby seemed to like it just fine, although the intensity of the garlic smell in the house while cooking had him a bit worried. Unlike the photo above, I had a lot of chicken stock/juice in the baking dish (I foil-lined it so I wouldn't have to scrub it out), and I spooned all of that over the rice, and placed a chicken breast on top of each portion.

I'll give this another shot for sure.

Book Review: Calling Invisible Women by Jeanne Ray

2013-05-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

Calling Invisible Women (2012) by Jeanne Ray is different from any book I think I've read. A refreshingly original storyline (or so I say).

It starts out in an attention-grabbing way:

I first noticed I was missing on a Thursday. Red and I had already been for our walk, and he went to sleep on the bath mat while I was taking my shower. Red is a cairn terrier. He's bath mat-size. After the shower, I was standing in front of the mirror in a toweling robe brushing my teeth. When I looked up, I was gone.

It had me at Hello.

I really hate to give too much away from this point on, because that's where all the fun is, the discovery of just what the heck is going on.

The book is filled with metaphor about how women, mothers, wives, and aging women are often overlooked, looked through, ignored and taken for granted. How it wouldn't seem to matter if we really were invisible; so invisible do we often feel in our own lives. Although they take metaphor to the literal and weave it together. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It morphs into a book about empowerment and of making the most of what you have where you are with what you've got. It's ultimately more about women's strengths than women's invisibility. It might make a fun movie.

Garden Tip: Fooling Birds with Fake Berries

2013-05-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this project? It's painting rocks to look like strawberries and then laying them in the garden to fool the birds.

The theory is, you put these fake berries out early in the season before you have any real berries. The birds will flock to check out the fruit, find it inedible and leave. Then when the real berries come on, the birds will have learned there is nothing good in your garden and stay away.

I have no idea if this works. Zip. Zero. Nada.

But I thought it was worth an experiment. Guess what? I'm too lazy to paint rocks to look like strawberries, and too cheap to buy them already painted.

I went to the store and bought a bag of blue and a bag of red pony beads. About $1.50 for around 200 beads per bag. In my garden I have strawberries, raspberries, goji berries, black berries, apples, and two blueberry bushes (not to mention everything else.

So I'm going to give it a whirl. The plants are tiny now, just coming into leaf for spring. So I sprinkled some of the large, plastic, colorful beads under and around each berry plant.

So far, I haven't noticed any birds checking them out, but I've been busy doing other things. The drawback will be picking them all back up before the plants are so big that I can't find/see the beads, and not watering them deeper into the dirt. They are fairly large beads...maybe about the size of a small blueberry. I don't think birds are so discerning that they know a raspberry from a strawberry from a rock from a bead. I think they go by color and perhaps shape to determine food...but what do I know??

This is what they look like in my new strawberry beds. Can you see them?

Project: Light Bulb Terrarium

2013-04-30T05:00:00.000-07:00

This was a project I saw, I believe on Facebook. I found some detailed instructions for making the light bulb terrarium on a website called The Hipster Home.

Hubby prepped the light bulb for me. We had ONE clear 200 watt bulb that made a nice size. If all you have are white coated bulbs, you can follow their instructions for removing the interior white powder coating first.

The toughest part is finding plants, rocks or shells that are small enough to pass through that tiny hole, AND finding a way to place them inside. Long pliers are suggested I think, but they don't work...chop sticks wouldn't even work. I ended up improvising by slitting a plastic drinking straw about half way, and using the split end sort of like a long tweezer. It didn't work great but worked well enough.

It's a good thing I took this single photo of my creation. After having it less than a month, the wind blew it out of the window sill and it shattered all over the bathroom. *Heavy Sigh* Back to the drawing board.

Movie Review: Oblivion

2013-04-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

Oblivion (2013) starring Tom Cruise is an apocalyptic Sci-Fi flick. I sort of wish I could tell you what it is about, but it confused me. Hubby was trying to explain it to me when it was over.

The parts I can tell you without spoiling it, are that it is about a couple who are "clean-up and repair" crew, left on a small space station after the world has been invaded by alien life forms who plundered it's resources. In the fight to save Earth, it was basically destroyed via nuclear contamination and rendered largely uninhabitable. All human life forms have been moved to the new planetary station "Tet".

Tom Cruise's job is to repair drones and to do so, he must often face "scavs", alien scavengers who pose a threat. His partner is at control central, navigating his assignments.

Tom keeps having "dreams" or flashes of memory. His memory has been wiped out but things keep bleeding through.

Suffice to say, all is not as it seems. Whew! Now I don't have to go into the intricacies of how that is because that's where I got lost.

It is rated PG-13 for violence but nothing graphic, some sensuality, some language and a story line that is hard to follow for young kids, and this old one. I was entertained but I can't really say it was my cup of tea. There was something about Tom Cruise on a motorcycle and in a flying ship that reminded me of Top Gun, and some bits that reminded me of Star Trek (the TV version). Overall interesting, but utterly forgettable. Especially since I didn't understand it :-)

Watch the trailer below, or via this link.

Movie Review: Olympus Has Fallen

2013-04-28T12:23:00.001-07:00

Not completely sure what I was getting myself into, I went with my Sweet Baboo to Olympus Has Fallen (2013), this is roughly code for "The White House/US Government, has Fallen, or suffered great compromise".

Starring Morgan Freeman (Speaker), Gerard Butler (Secret Service), Aaron Eckhart (President), Angela Bassett and more, it is packed with star power and some great acting.

In a nutshell, it involves the President, Vice President, and others, being taken hostage by a Korean terrorist group who wants to destroy America with the nukes held on U.S. soil. They are smart, powerful, well-organized and seem to have everything all planned out. Except, I suppose for Gerard Butler.

I it action-packed from about the first 15 minutes on, with non-stop violence and mayhem. It is rated R for "intense violence" and "language". I thought I would be able to handle it since it didn't exactly say "graphic violence". But holy wow! The intensity is overwhelming, and the body count...Lord I wish somebody had counted because I'm curious to know. It's high...super high. And not horrific, but graphic enough to have me closing my eyes here and there (and you won't know when you need to because the killing never stops).

I feel a bit like a sell-out for watching it. I'm troubled by the current trend to create movies that feed on the fear and divisiveness our country is already steeped in...fear and anger over who can kick who's ass, and how and when it should be done, along with our fear of terrorist attacks. Although, I will say, I thought it kept my attention and "entertained" (make that horrified) me. It doesn't seem so plausible (a lone cowboy saves the day, and the U.S. was caught with it's pants around it's ankles).

So no, TOTALLY NOT FOR KIDS. THE END. I don't care who your kid is...that much violence isn't good for anybody.

So yeah, like I said...I feel like a sell-out for watching something with subject matter that I don't think our country needs to be bathing in. And having said that...I'll be going to Oblivion this afternoon. I know. Yet another in the "sky is falling, world is destroyed, terrorists and aliens and zombies rule". I'm contributing with my ticket sale...I realize this. Hollywood...please make some movies that are about the goodness that people have and are. We need escapism, not to play out and feed our fears.

Watch the trailer below, or via this link.