I am temporarily off whole wheat for a few days so decided to treat myself this morning. I made from scratch, homemade biscuits using (OH GASP) white flour. It has been forever since I had this treat and I savored every morsel of it.
Recipe:
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 heaping Tablespoons baking powder
Mix together and then add:
1 cup milk
4 Tablespoons oil
I use a wooden spoon to stir it all together and then form the biscuits by hand. The rolled ones look better but the taste is the same and this way takes less time. Pour a tiny bit of oil in the bottom of a cast iron skillet; just enough to coat the bottom. Place each biscuit in the skillet and then turn it over so both sides will have a light coating of oil.
Cook at 450 degrees for 12 minutes.
Take a biscuit or two as it comes hot out of the oven, pour a little honey over it and with a cold glass of milk you have gotten pretty close to heaven on a Monday morning.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Electronic Overload
Ok, I've already talked about Jack (my GPS) and the lovely Dell laptop J gave me. Well now I have another toy. I finally succumbed to temptation and got an iPhone this week. Friends with iPhones become enablers rather quickly. Addicts like to get other addicts hooked and this time it really worked well.
So this week I have been down loading apps (applications for you non-techi types) for the iPhone. Oh, my word. there are simply way too many toys out there for this phone. No, it's not a phone it's a social organizer, time stealer, substitute brain, secretary, mother, nutritionist, lifestyle advisor, entertainer, and a thousand other things. Most of which I probably don't need but now have and because I have it, I'll join the ranks of the addicted.
One of the applications gives information on fast food restaurants and the calories and fat in their menu. Well, rats! I love sweettea (yes, it is only one word) and I made the mistake of looking up McDonald's large sweettea. Do you think I will ever be able to enjoy another one now that I know it has over 50 carbs? Ignorance is indeed bliss! So, my answer to that is to simply not look up any more of the things I like. Where oh where is that ostrich when you need him? He certainly doesn't have an iPhone.
I also joined Facebook. That has been a good and bad thing. The good, actually great, part is that I was able to locate a former roommate and her husband. I mentioned this in an earlier post but it is worth celebrating again.
The bad thing about FB is that it also sucks up great amounts of time while you read what everyone you ever had contact with is doing in their life. Do we really need that much information? Do we want that much information out there about ourselves? Probably not. Then there are the games - Mafia Wars, Farm Town, etc. No, I haven't participated in those yet and hopefully won't and I am gong to block the posts about them so the temptation is less. I mean, have you seen my house lately? The clutter is beginning to win.
Speaking of clutter, the spinners are coming over tomorrow and I need to make room for them . That's a priority but I think I'll slip off to lunch at McAlister's Deli so I can use their WiFi and update my iPhone with a couple more apps. I can also enjoy their wonderful sweettea . Fortunately they are not listed on the fast food app so I remain blissfully ignorant of the carbs in their tea. and you thought I wouldn't find a way around the electronic information highway. Yea for the byways!!!
So this week I have been down loading apps (applications for you non-techi types) for the iPhone. Oh, my word. there are simply way too many toys out there for this phone. No, it's not a phone it's a social organizer, time stealer, substitute brain, secretary, mother, nutritionist, lifestyle advisor, entertainer, and a thousand other things. Most of which I probably don't need but now have and because I have it, I'll join the ranks of the addicted.
One of the applications gives information on fast food restaurants and the calories and fat in their menu. Well, rats! I love sweettea (yes, it is only one word) and I made the mistake of looking up McDonald's large sweettea. Do you think I will ever be able to enjoy another one now that I know it has over 50 carbs? Ignorance is indeed bliss! So, my answer to that is to simply not look up any more of the things I like. Where oh where is that ostrich when you need him? He certainly doesn't have an iPhone.
I also joined Facebook. That has been a good and bad thing. The good, actually great, part is that I was able to locate a former roommate and her husband. I mentioned this in an earlier post but it is worth celebrating again.
The bad thing about FB is that it also sucks up great amounts of time while you read what everyone you ever had contact with is doing in their life. Do we really need that much information? Do we want that much information out there about ourselves? Probably not. Then there are the games - Mafia Wars, Farm Town, etc. No, I haven't participated in those yet and hopefully won't and I am gong to block the posts about them so the temptation is less. I mean, have you seen my house lately? The clutter is beginning to win.
Speaking of clutter, the spinners are coming over tomorrow and I need to make room for them . That's a priority but I think I'll slip off to lunch at McAlister's Deli so I can use their WiFi and update my iPhone with a couple more apps. I can also enjoy their wonderful sweettea . Fortunately they are not listed on the fast food app so I remain blissfully ignorant of the carbs in their tea. and you thought I wouldn't find a way around the electronic information highway. Yea for the byways!!!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Bo bos, and fiber
Had to take my younger Shetland Sheepdog to the vet last week as he had managed to injure his foot. I think he stuck it under the fence and got it caught. Scrapes and cuts top and bottom and extensive bruising but no broken bones. Thank the dear Lord for that.
I have hidden capsules in peanut butter which was easy and soaked his foot in warm water and Epson salts which wasn't. I finally managed a Rubbermaid type tub and he would allow me to put the injured foot in that while he balanced the other front foot on the edge of the tub. Conner didn't think there was any reason to get both feet wet.
Sunday afternoon he threw up and didn't eat supper or breakfast on Monday. He was however, drinking tons of water. So off to the vet we went - again. Turns out he had an infection in the pancreas which required an overnight stay and IVs of antibiotics.
I'm not sure who this was harder on, Conner, Allie or myself . I missed the little stinker and he and Allie had never been apart since I had gotten him. Thinking back on it, Allie wasn't exactly jumping for joy when he came home today. She probably liked not having her tail pulled.
Knitting friends came over last night and Z brought Wobbles who is a dear, sweet puppy. Allie was very pleased to have another dog around that didn't want to pull on her body parts.
So, between administering to dogs, driving back and forth to the vet's office, and thinking about cleaning out a closet, nothing much has been accomplished lately.
I have started another Baktus scarf (pattern on Ravelry) and no, I haven't finished the first one yet. I have to take the first one to the Post Office to have it weighed since I need to know when I have used half the yarn. My scale that I used to measure dyes and fiber died after 35 years. I am thinking a bit more on this second one as I am using 2 balls of sock yarn and the half way point will be when I finish the first ball. DUH! So much simpler than using one ball which weighs 3.5 ounces and having to weigh it.
Facebook is taking up a lot of time but I am having such fun. I have found friends who I had lost touch with and that has been a real gift. J and O I haven't seen since 1968 and it turns out they live just a few hours from my son. How great is that? J and I were roommates when we were teachers in FL. I am really looking forward to seeing them again.
Must clean a closet. Must clean a closet.
I have hidden capsules in peanut butter which was easy and soaked his foot in warm water and Epson salts which wasn't. I finally managed a Rubbermaid type tub and he would allow me to put the injured foot in that while he balanced the other front foot on the edge of the tub. Conner didn't think there was any reason to get both feet wet.
Sunday afternoon he threw up and didn't eat supper or breakfast on Monday. He was however, drinking tons of water. So off to the vet we went - again. Turns out he had an infection in the pancreas which required an overnight stay and IVs of antibiotics.
I'm not sure who this was harder on, Conner, Allie or myself . I missed the little stinker and he and Allie had never been apart since I had gotten him. Thinking back on it, Allie wasn't exactly jumping for joy when he came home today. She probably liked not having her tail pulled.
Knitting friends came over last night and Z brought Wobbles who is a dear, sweet puppy. Allie was very pleased to have another dog around that didn't want to pull on her body parts.
So, between administering to dogs, driving back and forth to the vet's office, and thinking about cleaning out a closet, nothing much has been accomplished lately.
I have started another Baktus scarf (pattern on Ravelry) and no, I haven't finished the first one yet. I have to take the first one to the Post Office to have it weighed since I need to know when I have used half the yarn. My scale that I used to measure dyes and fiber died after 35 years. I am thinking a bit more on this second one as I am using 2 balls of sock yarn and the half way point will be when I finish the first ball. DUH! So much simpler than using one ball which weighs 3.5 ounces and having to weigh it.
Facebook is taking up a lot of time but I am having such fun. I have found friends who I had lost touch with and that has been a real gift. J and O I haven't seen since 1968 and it turns out they live just a few hours from my son. How great is that? J and I were roommates when we were teachers in FL. I am really looking forward to seeing them again.
Must clean a closet. Must clean a closet.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tavels with Jack
I love Jack! He is great fun to travel with and knows all the best ways to get somewhere. I've only known him for a little over a week but already he has proven so useful.
On my recent trip, I had my doubts when I was leaving Montgomery and he told me to turn right when I had come into the motel from the left. However, I decided to trust him and sure enough, when I got to the interstate, I realized that he had helped me go around road construction. Brilliant. How did he know that?
My only criticism is that he doesn't talk enough on long stretches of highway. I even asked him for suggestions on convenient places to eat and he was helpful in giving me directions on how to get there.
Thanks to Jack, I can merrily drive along planning future knitting projects without having to concentrate on which way I should turn. Did I mention that I love Jack?
Also, when it was necessary to make a U turn to get back on the correct road he started the "recalculating" comment and then repeated it 2 more times. I am sure I heard attitude on the 3rd "recalculating".Also, a few good "Way to go, good job, you're on the right track." comments would not be amiss.
Now my son assures me Jack isn't real and keeps trying to remind me that I need to remember that but even so Jack and I are developing a wonderful relationship.
Oh, did I mention that Jack is my new Garmin GPS system? I look forward to lots of fun trips with Jack.
On my recent trip, I had my doubts when I was leaving Montgomery and he told me to turn right when I had come into the motel from the left. However, I decided to trust him and sure enough, when I got to the interstate, I realized that he had helped me go around road construction. Brilliant. How did he know that?
My only criticism is that he doesn't talk enough on long stretches of highway. I even asked him for suggestions on convenient places to eat and he was helpful in giving me directions on how to get there.
Thanks to Jack, I can merrily drive along planning future knitting projects without having to concentrate on which way I should turn. Did I mention that I love Jack?
Also, when it was necessary to make a U turn to get back on the correct road he started the "recalculating" comment and then repeated it 2 more times. I am sure I heard attitude on the 3rd "recalculating".Also, a few good "Way to go, good job, you're on the right track." comments would not be amiss.
Now my son assures me Jack isn't real and keeps trying to remind me that I need to remember that but even so Jack and I are developing a wonderful relationship.
Oh, did I mention that Jack is my new Garmin GPS system? I look forward to lots of fun trips with Jack.
Friday, August 7, 2009
moth on the house in TN
This beautiful moth was waiting on the side of the house one morning. Apparently the light we had left on the night before had attracted it. It was about 3 1/2 inches across at least and the colors were more vibrant than this photo indicates. Even when we walked up very close it never moved. Such a treat.
moth visit TN 09
It was a winged creature kind of trip. I was out walking the dogs when a moth landed on my hand. It stayed with me for at least 5 minutes as I walked around. Dot went inside and got my camera and took the pictures and still it stayed. Finally I put it on a flower and left it there. No telling how long it would have stayed with me otherwise. It was probably my lavendar scented hand lotion which attracted it but it was so special. I really felt blessed. Don't you just love special moments when they happen without any planning on your part? They are such a gift and we need to take the time to cherish them.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Escaping the heat
Friends invited me to their TN home in Pigeon Forge. Awesome home, great fun with friends, beautiful scenery, lots to see and do, and not one day of 90 degree temperatures!!!!
The last time I was in that area was in the late 50s. At that time Gatlinburg was a quaint little town with lots of handmade things to see in various shops. What a shock at the change. It is now major "tacky tourist" shops everywhere.
I much prefer Pigeon Forge. We visited several wonderful craft shops . If you are in the area, by all means seek out Smokey Mountain Pottery. Gaye Ann and Dennis are really nice people and their shop is awesome! I limited myself to only 3 pieces of pottery but it was hard. Am I the only person who starts out looking for gifts and then finds things for themselves instead? Maybe it's just not close enough to the holidays and I don't feel the "shopping pressure" yet.
Pictures will follow when they are uploaded....which may be after I actually get around to unpacking the suitcase .
Oh, well, I guess I'll just go ahead and post the pictures. Unpacking the suitcase means I am going to have to do laundry and I've already been to the grocery store today.
Well, rats! My computer is acting like a mother. I had the pictures posted, they were turned sideways , I deleted them and tried to upload them again and nothing is happening. Geez, an electronic monitor is just what I don't need. I'll try later to sneak up on it and see if I can post. See, I have been reduced to playing games with an electronic device. I sooooo told you it was magic.
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