Behind the Scenes

Song - Unchained Melody cover by Austin Brown

 

 

Just when you think there is nothing going on because it is winter......just take a walk outside.

 

 

 Here is some happiness in my garden just yesterday....

 

 

 

 A white camellia just outside my office window

 

 

 

 

 The rosemary is full of blooms and bees

 

 

 

 

 

 The hellebore is getting ready to bloom.  I just love this winter plant!

 

 

 

 My dogwood buds are getting plump

 

 

 

 

 Heard this plane and caught it as it flew past the moon

 

 

 

 

 My narcissus are ready to pop!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I have had a plethora of lemons and limes this year

 

 

 Alyssum flowers have reseeded everywhere

 

 

 

 

 

 

 A lovely begonia that I got from my mother

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I planted several six packs of pansy's in the front yard but as you can see the deer love them!

 

 

 

 

 

 I have two urns of salvia that usually bloom late summer and through fall

 

 

 

 

 

By our front porch we have a Strawberry Madrone tree and I love how the bark peels off each year

 

 

 

 Here are her flowers....

 

 

 

 

 

 Daphne should be in full bloom and scent in a few days.  

Another winter favorite!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Some old primroses are popping though the garden leaf clutter

 

 

 

 This is an azalea that a friend bought for me when my father passed five years ago.

It blooms year round.

It is amazing!

 

 

 

A little snowdrop pushing her way though the earth

Midlife: when the Universe grabs your shoulders and tells you “I’m not f-ing around, use the gifts you were given.”

 

--Brene Brown

 

Choose Wisely Grasshopper

Song - Fix You by Coldplay covered by Jamie Lim

I have been pondering what my "One Little Word" for the upcoming year might be.  I have a list of about 20 words taken from a long list of suggestions and for now, I have the list where I can see these words often and try to get an idea of how they feel-resonate for me during the next few weeks.  Usually one pops out for me!

In the past my words have been:

Intention 

Balance 

Light 

Thrive 

Simplify 

and 

Grace.  

If we own the story then we can write the ending. 

--Brene Brown

My Garden Would Like to Say "Hello"

Song - Give Me Love by George Harrison

Just in the last week my garden has exploded in blooms.

Especially the Bearded Iris and Roses.....oh my!

I take daily walks around my yard in the morning & evening.

It is so relaxing.

Especially the shade garden which is full of Dogwood, Columbine, Violets, Hostas, Primrose, Impatients,  Hydrangea & Lily of the Valley.

I can feel myself relaxing as I stroll through my flowers, checking on how they are doing.

I like to dead head or pick a bouquet for the dinner table.  I check to see if everyone is being watered & happy.  I check for deer damage &  gophers/moles.  Ugg. But it goes along with having a garden.



























I hope you enjoyed your stroll through my garden.

Please come again.
My flowers and I wish you a happy Thursday!


"In our moments of most intense joy, we realize how vulnerable we are."  -  Brene Brown

Jingle, Jingle, Jingle, Jingle.....

Song - Let it Snow by Chris Isaak

Pulling out my old recipe cards

this morning

got me thinking about how much joy

comes from the little things in life.

I looked over recipes

written by 

my mother

and 

my grandmother. 

I even have one 

that my dad invented,

a family favorite

that we only make on

Christmas morning

 - The Crawford Fizz!

I did do a little baking with my Grand Niece while she was visiting.  We made these fun reindeer cookies but they did lose their shape a little in the oven!

I wanted to share two recipes with you today in time to prepare for Christmas. 

One is for our favorite Tahoe Brunch Casserole with a few of Mr. B's changes included and the other is for dad's Crawford Fizz.  Enjoy!



Tahoe Brunch Casserole
(Mr. B's changes are in parenthesis)

Serves 8

This recipe should be prepared 24 hrs in advance.

3 Tbs butter, softened
12 slices white bread, crusts removed (or good Sourdough leaving crusts on)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
1/2 lb fresh mushrooms, trimmed, sliced
2 cups thinly sliced yellow onions
salt & pepper, to taste
1 1/2 lbs mild Italian sausage (or ham)
1 lb Cheddar cheese, grated
5 large eggs
2 1/2 cups milk
1 Tbs Dijon mustard
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp ground nutmeg

Salt & Pepper to taste
2 Tbs finely chopped fresh parsley

Butter the bread with the 3 tablespoons softened butter and set aside.  In 10-inch skillet, melt the 1/2 cup butter; brown the mushrooms and onions over medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes or until tender.  Season with salt and pepper.  Set aside.

Cook the sausage, drain well and crumble into bite-sized pieces. (or just use Ham) Grease a 13”x 9” baking dish; add and layer half of the bread, mushroom mixture, meat and cheese.  Repeat the layers, ending with the cheese.

Mix the eggs, milk, mustard's, nutmeg, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in a medium-sized mixing bowl. (Also add 1/8 tsp Tabasco Sauce, ¼ c Sherry) Pour over the meat and cheese casserole.  Cover the casserole and refrigerate overnight. (It may need a little extra egg mixture on it in the morning)

Heat oven to 350°.  When ready to bake, sprinkle the parsley evenly over the top of the casserole; bake uncovered for 1 hour or until bubbly.  Serve immediately.

Crawford Fizz

3 ice cubes
3 oz Orange Juice
1 tsp. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. Rosa's Lime Juice
3 oz Gin (optional but highly recommended)
3 oz Vanilla Ice Cream
1 egg (optional)

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth.


And remember, don't drink & drive! Seriously, this dog was pulled over at a parking lot the other day and he doesn't look too happy about it!  Apparently he plays Irish Rugby so I think he can take care of himself!

“Joy comes to us in moments – ordinary moments. We risk missing out on joy when we get too busy chasing down the extraordinary.”  - Brene Brown, Daring Greatly.