Another Beautiful Day on Whidbey

Heathers great photo of the sunset in Langley!

For the love of Rakes

What are some things in life that give you a natural high?
For some it would be shopping. Finding that perfect pair of boots or jeans that make your butt look... well... better than it should! I know I love those experiences. Today however took a new direction for what "tripped my trigger" so to speak. The weather has been really nice the past week in the Northwest and looks as though we may be turning the corner to spring. New buds are popping out on the hydrangeas and peonies giving you the sense that one might want to hurry up to get the yard cleaned up because before you know it it's already June! Out in the yard I look around and to start with it really needs to be raked. The wind storms this year were ruthless and there are more pine cones on the ground than what's left in the trees. First off I need to get myself a rake. The last time I saw one around the place it was minus a handle. That just wont work. Off to Ace Hardware I go! Now Pioneer Woman always talks about her obsession with Hardware stores. Today I get that! I'm greeted at the front of the store by shiny red lawn mowers and all the garden tools imaginable. Turning to the nursery department it's filled with lovely spring plantings. Primroses that are a beautiful Sunset color and every other color imaginable. (I'll be heading back tomorrow for a flat or two). I know.. focus here.. we're here for a Rake. They have a new selection of tools by flexrake "classic style" so I purchase this great Rake for only $17.99. It's beautiful. I'm starting to get a little light headed it's so beautiful. I head home and am greeted at the car by my husband as I unload my beautiful (did I say that already)new rake. "Whacha got there"? he asks. I tell him my plans for cleaning up the yard and that we needed a new rake. So he takes me by the arm to the shed and asks "what's wrong with the two hanging here that you bought last year"? Huh?! I guess I got so caught up in the moment I didn't think to look in the shed. So he pulls one down and hands it to me while I'm thinking tomorrow I'll go back to Ace when I'm buying flowers and return this beautiful new rake. A few moments later my friend Nisa pulls in the driveway to return a jar I had taken over to her house last week with tomato soup (try pioneer woman's tomato soup recipe).... almost the same one. Anyway we get to chatting when I notice she is now looking past me at something and her eyes are lit up, then says "Where did you get that beautiful rake"? I now know why we are friends. Not that I didn't before...but for the love of rakes!!
Shall we talk about garden gloves??

Quote of the Day

To do is to be. Descatres
To be is to do. Voltaire

Do be do be do. Sinatra

WOW

Hope you all had a clear night to see the eclipse. Next one is December 21st, 2010.

Southwestern Ribs

With all this sunshine it makes one want to fire up the BBQ and throw on some good old Southwestern Ribs. Unless you want to throw on your down jacket and uggs.. here is a better idea.

Southwestern Ribs cooked indoors

1/3 c. flour
1 Reynolds oven bag, large size
1 1/2c BBQ sauce (sweet baby rays is a good one)
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
2 t chili powder
1 t ground mustard
1/4 t garlic powder
1/4 t red pepper
3 pounds pork spareribs, fat trimmed

Shake flour in oven bag; place in 13 x 9 pan.
Add BBQ sauce, onion and spices to oven bag. Squeeze bag to blend flour. Place ribs in bag. Turn bag to coat ribs with sauce. Arrange ribs in an even layer in bag. Close oven bag with nylon tie; cut six 1/2 inch slits in top. Tuck ends of bag in pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours or until ribs are tender.

Yield 3-4 servings

I'm hungry.. lets eat!! We are vegetarians except for bacon and ribs!

Sunshine

It's blinding!!
Quick where did I put those sunglasses. It was the end of September that I last saw them. This is a dilemma of a true Northwesterner. Sunglasses are packed away with the summer clothes at the end of the season. And to see that big ball of orange before April... well it's a bit unexpected. A few hours of exposure maybe... but it's been almost two full days. Should we dig out the sunscreen?? One of our New Years resolutions was to get more Vitamin D the natural way. Gosh, this might be enough to get us through till July. OK enough Sarcasm. We do love the rain which makes everything so green including the moss on the roof that needs cleaning and the green stuff growing on the lawn furniture and fencing... OK.. OK... here's a list of things you should go outside and do right now before the next weather system comes in (which is expected in less than 24 hours)

1. Plant those bulbs (which should have been done in early November) however the ground was frozen solid making it a little difficult.

2. Rototill the garden. Sweet peas should be planted on Presidents Day... OH and that's today!! Great timing.


3. If you don't have a garden or space for one grab some Whiskey Barrels from the local Winery, Nursery, or Feed store and start a mini garden. (Instructions below) Fast forward your thoughts to summertime when you are enjoying a lovely capri salad with your own tomatoes, Basil and fresh herbs.

4. Wash those windows. Your house will look 100% cleaner!

5. Start thinking about where you are going to put the outdoor clothes line.

6. Take the lawn mower in for service

7. Watch the squirels dig up your bulbs you just plants

8. Schedule your pedicure. Flip flops are right around the corner

9. Start cleaning out the party palapa

10. Now that you are completely exhausted reading this list...pack a picnic and go to the beach, state park or your favorite arboretum and just enjoy the few hours left of this beautiful thing we call Sunshine.

Directions for planting a mini garden:

Whiskey barrels are perfect for container gardening. Lots of room and deep enough for healthy roots. It is too early to plant any herbs or tomatoes however lets get this party started so when it comes time to plant, the majority of the work will be already done. First make sure you have drainage holes in the bottom of the barrel. This is very important otherwise your plants will drown. Next.. fill the bottom of the barrel(about 4-6 inches) with pine cones or a light filler. Why?? This step will encourage good drainage and will help in using less dirt.
Let's talk dirt! Not all potting soils are created equal. I like to mix 2 parts good organic potting soil, 1 part compost (use mushroom compost it smells better than cow poop) and 1 part peat moss. Stir up just like mixing chocolate cake and fill the barrel 3 inches short of the rim. You are now ready to plant. See how easy that was?!



For more inspiration buy your tickets for the Northwest Flower & Garden show that starts next week February 20th - 24th
http://www.gardenshow.com/seattle/index/index.asp

Valentines Day

Roses are red . . . and so is my bank balance, sweetheart

With all this sunshine it makes one want to fire up the BBQ and throw on some good old Southwestern Ribs. Unless you want to throw on your down jacket and uggs.. here is a better idea.

Southwestern Ribs cooked indoors

1/3 c. flour
1 Reynolds oven bag, large size
1 1/2c BBQ sauce (sweet baby rays is a good one)
1 medium onion, cut into wedges
2 t chili powder
1 t ground mustard
1/4 t garlic powder
1/4 t red pepper
3 pounds pork spareribs, fat trimmed

Shake flour in oven bag; place in 13 x 9 pan.
Add BBQ sauce, onion and spices to oven bag. Squeeze bag to blend flour. Place ribs in bag. Turn bag to coat ribs with sauce. Arrange ribs in an even layer in bag. Close oven bag with nylon tie; cut six 1/2 inch slits in top. Tuck ends of bag in pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours or until ribs are tender.

Yield 3-4 servings

I'm hungry.. lets eat!! We are vegetarians except for bacon and ribs!

True Romance

For those of you who are not the romantic type ... this is for you!!



And... for those of you who are!

Kiss

Kiss \Kiss\, v. i.

1. To make or give salutation with the lips in token of love, respect, etc.; as, kiss and make friends.
2. To meet; to come in contact; to touch fondly.

Like fire and powder, Which as they kiss consume. --Shak.



Le Baiser de l’Hôtel de Ville



Kiss \Kiss\, v. t.

1. To salute with the lips, as a mark of affection, reverence, submission, forgiveness, etc.
2. To touch gently, as if fondly or caressingly.

When the sweet wind did gently kiss the trees. --Shak.




Kiss \Kiss\, n.
1. A salutation with the lips, as a token of affection, respect, etc.; as, a parting kiss; a kiss of reconciliation.
2. A small piece of confectionery.

Last with a kiss, she took a long farewell. --Dryden.


Famous Kisses! Just reminding you that Valentine's Day is on Thursday!

Loving peace from you

From the glowing embers of your spirit
Came a little warmth of your love
Together we set it in a cozy little spot
Safe from the world up above

Then a soothing breath from your lungs
Helped to ignite the flame
On that lonely candle
In the core of my soul

As time passed day by day
Conflicts caused great winds to blow
But you cupped your hands around it
And it just flickered with a brilliant glow

They say that nothing is forever
But I don't believe that's true
That little candle in my heart
Is a loving peace from you

Author: James Patrick Tobin

Trip to Huntington Beach

February 3rd
While most of you were still in your PJ's getting ready for the big event later in the day "Superbowl Sunday"... a few of us were in Huntington Beach getting ready to run the Surf City Half Marathon which is now nick named SOAK CITY! One would have thought while packing for beautiful Southern Cal we could leave the rain gear at home. BIG mistake!


Let me back up a bit... Saturday was a very nice sunny day and we did some site seeing in Laguna Beach even playing bare foot in the surf, did some shopping on Balboa Island sitting for a moment to enjoy a frozen chocolate covered banana (getting in our potassium for race day) however later that evening when we checked in at the hotel front desk to check on tomorrow's weather forcast we were told to expect 100% chance of rain.
Now being from the Northwest and watching the weather forecast for many, many soggy years, when have they ever... predicted 100% chance of rain?? Even if it really is going to rain 100% chance .. they usually try to get your hopes up with saying something along the lines of "today you will see some rain and maybe some sun breaks...possibly 80% chance of showers" and then... it rains from sun up to sun down.

But in California... when it rains... it's a big event! We woke at 5:50am Sunday morning and with high hopes pulled back the curtains from our hotel window. It was absolutely pouring!! To make matters worse we had 20 mph winds off the coast.
Good Grief!!
So the question was posed do we "Do what we came here to do" OR "Do we go to the nearest Starbucks and enjoy a relaxing morning over a double short latte with a hint of cinnamon and later go catch the Superbowl at the pub in Huntington"?
Starbucks..."Here we Come"!

As we sipped our oh so delicious coffee... guilt got the better of us. We ended up borrowing some plastic garbage bags from the coffee house (our substitute for rain coats) and off to the starting line we went. Obviously not the only ones ill prepared for this torrential downpour as we stood with the thousands of other garbage bagged runners all trying to get a better attitude about the whole thing.

As it turned out we were more prepared than most. Our last training runs were done in 30-40 degree temps where as it was now 50 - 55 degrees. Rather Balmy but just a little wet. As we were approaching our 9 - 10 mile mark people around us were starting to drop out... turns out the California runners got something called hypothermia. Fortunately us Washingtonians all ended up finishing the race setting Personal Records. We got our free Michalob beer at the finish line and then made a bee-line to the hotel Jacuzzis and more beer and then a to lovely spa treatment. "Hey, this day isn't turning out so bad after all"
Hope you all enjoyed the Superbowl! Way to go Greenbay... or was it the Giants? I just know we were rooting for the boys in blue or was it green? How did it all turn out for the Patriots?? Anyway we will leave those details up to the men!


After Starbucks coffee. Brenda with her sunglasses...always an optomist


After running 13.1 miles in pouring rain with Michalob smiles