Dragonflies Appear

Since the Captain and I have moved quite a bit in the past four years, it seems as if every year is brand new. After living in Hawaii for 2 years, we were captivated by the winter months in the Pacific Northwest.After living up North where there aren't any public pools and the ocean water isn't swim-able without a wet suit, we are in the Mid-South where everyone flocks to the water during the weekends and any day off. The wildlife in every location is different as are the sounds, smells, seasons. There isn't one location that I like better than the others and I for sure haven't found my paradise where my favorite parts are combined. Anyhoo...this past week the dragonflies have appeared. 

As I look at the window right...now...but not now, there were no less than two dozen flying around. They are everywhere. Buzzing around. Their long, rather big bodies gliding through the air as their wings flap so fast it looks as if they aren't moving.  I haven't seen dragonflies in years. And here they are, in great abundance. I try to take pictures but they move so fast and just look like black dots in the lens. Nonetheless, they aren't as annoying as the Junebugs. Apparently dogs consider them a treat and Callie was no exceptions. Ugh. And the Junebugs were much more talented in gaining entrance to the house. The dragonflies however assist in the mosquito population. As do the bats in our neighborhood. We have two bats that come out around dusk and are seriously fun to watch. When our sister the Nurse was visiting from Oklahoma she freaked out in a negative manner and had to go back inside. We still use OFF! though as I think that bug bites are just a parf of life in the Mid-South around the Mississippi.

Cheers!

Back on Track?

It's been a terribly busy summer in our household and I've deeply neglected my desire to update this blog more often. I have the best of intentions but I get distracted easily. That is a positive feature of mine when it comes to entertainment but it doesn't have the same affect on the many projects I have lined up for myself. Anyhooo....I'm giving this another try.  Stay tuned.

Cheers!

Southern Living

As the thunder rolls and the rain gently falls outside, Callie stays diligently by my side. I am flattered. However, today she's not just a shadow but more often than not, a stumble or a tripper. She hates loud noises; including but not limited to thunder, hair dryers, vacuums, lawn mowers, power washers, etc. Kinda odd for a big dog but hey, we love her anyways and she does provide a chuckle when she hides with her head under the bed.

One of my favorite things about living in the south, or mid-south, are the magnolia trees. The blossoms are so fragrant and gorgeous and the trees vibrant and massive with the large leaves providing steady shade from the sun. Growing up our next door neighbor, Mrs. Heiney, (I know funny name but that lady was all class and oh so nice) had 2 massive magnolia trees, one on either side of her house. She of course had kept them well manicured and trimmed and they were the perfect height to have picnics underneath, bring the dolls out, or just use our imaginations.

At our current home, we have a small one out front which doesn't provide any shade and isn't tall enough for Callie and I to enjoy during a pleasant afternoon. It does however, have the glorious blooms.

The tree has had about half a dozen blooms so far this year and I always make a point of stopping by for a strong inhale of the fragrance every time I am outside. 

They bring back such happy memories of my childhood. 

For instance, these were used as  bombs which we would throw at the neighborhood boys. As I'm sure you can imagine, the big the tree, the bigger the blossom, which only equaled bigger bombs. 

I lead a simple, happy childhood. 

Now, off to protect my 4-legged, black, daughter from the horrendous thunder. 

Cheers!

What's cooking?

Yesterday Callie and I made the Captain a white cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing. It was delicious and the icing bowl was scraped clean before put in the sink. I'm a fan of cream cheese icings. I think they are more creamy and have more flavor than a regular icing. Besides, what else am I supposed to do with that 5 lb block of cream cheese from Costco?

The recipe I used:
8 oz of cream cheese
1/2 stick of butter
1 cup of coco
4 cups of powdered sugar

Tonight we are having Sour Cream and Dill Chicken.

2 Chicken Breast (cut in half)
1 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp fresh chopped dill
1 tsp onion powder
Pepper to taste

All of the above mixed together and poured over the chicken in a baking dish. Then baked uncovered in 350 degree oven for 45 minutes or so, until the chicken is done. I think this will be served with rice because well, the Captain and I love rice.

Cheers!

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Buying stock in the soft tissue

I'm supposed to have this fabulous immune system. I rarely got sick when I was younger and it's the Captain who has twice yearly-knock-him-back-stay-in-bed-for-3-days kind of colds. However, for the past 32 hours I've been the one making best friends with:

chugging 

 at bedtime after working on my sniffing skills with 

.

I'm miserable.  I can't even taste chocolate and daytime medicine doesn't even start to dry up the river of snot flowing out of my nostrils. Pretty picture, eh? 

The Captain is trying. But he doesn't take care of me like I want to be taken care of. I'm stubborn and picky and when I don't feel good I'm worse than the Wicked Witch. God bless his soul. 

I will blame my pitiful immune system on the weather patterns lately and the amount of travel I've done. Honestly, I think the Mid-South springtime weather is worse than the Oklahoma plains. Storms just pop up and pressure changes so quickly. I spent a week in MCI and last weekend at the lake and home with our Mommas. I've eaten out quite a bit and haven't had time to catch up on house work or even the check-paying kinda work work. My tomatoes aren't planted, there are weeds in my flower beds, and my yard needs to be mowed again. Ugh! 

But I went to the library today (to return books way overdue) and pick up some new ones. If my eyes can focus I'm going to read A Brave New World.  It was one of my favorites in High School and introduced me to one of my top 2 favorite word: pining. An intense longing for someone. It's gorgeous, romantic, beautiful, rarely used and when I find the phrase where it is used in the book I'll share. 

And did I mention my face is breaking out?

Cheers!

Cheese Please!

As I mentioned in a previous post, I finished readying The Wedding Machine this past week and one thing the Southern Ladies of the book tended to enjoy quite a bit was Pimento Cheese. They enjoyed it as a snack on crackers while catching up on the porch and it was considered a standard staple in the sandwich department for showers and family get-togethers.

I've actually never been a fan. Hard to believe since cheese is one of my 5 main food groups. So I found this recipe on belleofthekitchen.blogspot.com. If you have a different recipe-please share! But I think I'll be giving this one a try. Let me know what you think.



8 oz Muenster cheese
8 oz extra sharp cheddar cheese
8 oz mozzarella cheese
8 oz Monterrey jack cheese
1/4 cup sugar
7-8 oz jarred pimentos
1 cup Hellmann's or Duke's mayonnaise

Grate the cheeses using a food processor or a box grater.  Put the cheese in a large bowl.  Add the sugar, and toss together.  Add the pimentos with their juice and toss together (until the pimentos are well dispersed).  Stir in the mayonnaise. 

The pimento cheese will be very soft when just prepared, but it will become more stiff after refrigerated for a few hours.  Store pimento cheese in a covered container.  Serve on sandwiches, celery sticks, ginger snaps, or graham crackers.  


Cheers!