AeroGarden

Yesterday I got a call from UPS I had 2 packages there to be picked up.  I bought two of the AeroGarden systems.  I got them set up one is a assortment of herbs and the other is all basil.  I also bought pods to grow my own Giant Norway Spruce trees to plant on our property.

If I am happy with the results of the AeroGarden I am going to purchase the tall system for cherry tomatoes.  I will have to check out their website today to see what I want to grow next. www.aerogarden.com.

The snow is melting fast and we are suppose to have temps in the 60's this week and Friday we should be in the low 70's.  Yippee!

We had a new visitor (well new to us) on the rancho this morning.  I leave out corn for the deer and cut up old apples and toss them outside.  Bill got up this morning and turned the outside light and saw a large jack rabbit eating the apples I left for the deer.  He said he has never seen a jack that big so he figures it must be pregnant.  I hope to see some fawn soon.

Until next time....

Pam

A trip to town

Today was a very nice day.  Even though it was snowing Bill and I went downtown.  I got my hair cut, picked up our mail and my duvet cover and shams from Pottery Barn arrived, did some grocery shopping and made it back up the mountain without any problems with the snow.

Thought I would share a photo of my daughters dresser with her Hello Kitty (obsession) Collection this is just a tiny little glimpse of it.

A Big Happy Birthday to my daughter's boyfriend Josh today is his 22nd Birthday

Until next time,

Pam

I Spy Blue Skies

After 3 hours of snowing and hail and getting yet again another blanket of snow we have blue skies.  Although the snow is beautiful and that I was made for cold weather Bill is not and he is having a hard time with the cold and snow.  This being only 3 months of dealing with this kind of weather I hope this was not a mild winter for Bill's sake.

When I went outside this afternoon to snap these photos I saw my first signs of spring here on the mountain buds on the tree I hope you can see them I took this photo from the deck.  Those little buds are giving me hope for spring.

We are still not completely moved in and my office still has boxes and rubbermaid containers that need unpacking.  The problem is I need a desk and file cabinet but that will have to wait a couple months. This room is also going to serve as a guest bedroom.  Anna's best friend since kindergarten is coming to visit us for a few days next week.  Here is the daybed we bought.

Right now the bed is made to be slept in. I purchased light blue Shabby Chic sheets from Target. I already bought a daybed cover for it and matching bolster pillows to go along each arm of the bed.  I plan to get the matching shams for euro pillows to go across the back.  I got them in a natural color and will buy or make accent pillows in colors to brighten the bed up.  I cropped this photo nicely so you don't see the mess of boxes in the room  *grin*

Well the dog keeps scratching my hand to give her some lovin' so I better make her happy.

She has got that pitiful look on her face.  So I will close until next time - Pam

My Anytime Favorite

I absolutely love English Muffins and my favorite thing on a English Muffin is salted butter.  My next favorite thing is a poached egg.  Yes, I do love eggs benedict and could eat that dish every morning.

But, back to my lovely English Muffins.  I have never made a english muffin from scratch.  Why should I when there are so many good ones out there.  This morning I had Bays English Muffin.  Doesn't it look gorgeous!

Oh those nooks and crannies when the butter gets into all those places.  All that comes to mind is YUM!

Another of my favorites are Wolferman's.  They have a wonderful selection of flavors.  Today I ordered my english muffins I also requested to have my favorites to be sent to me every 30 days.  This is one of my indulgences.  The flavors I ordered were S.F. Sourdough, Cranberry Citrus, Cherry Blossom, Cheddar Cheese, Sun Dried Tomato and Herbs and Pumpkin (at a later date I will share my love affair with the pumpkin with you)  There are a total of 17 flavors to choose from. 

Thomas' and Oroweat English Muffins are others that I have enjoyed.  What are your favorite English Muffins and what do you enjoy putting on yours.

Until we meet again,

Pam

Sheep Trail Walk and Snow

Yesterday Bill and I went for a walk on the sheep trail that goes across our property.  I guess first I should explain the sheep trail.  Sheep and cows are herded up the mountain for grazing during the spring and summer.  Come fall they bring them down the mountain to spend the winter in the flats.  When they bring them down they have a parade and herd the sheep down Main Street for the Cedar City Livestock & Heritage Festival http://www.cedarlivestockfest.com

It was cold, windy and muddy but I did get some beautiful photos along the trail.  On the way back I took a photo of our house nestled into the mountains.  Whitey fell asleep on my lap with her nose resting on my laptop.  Later that night we could see angry clouds coming our way.  It has been snowing non stop since 8:00am.  They said less than 1" of snow if it keeps going like this we will have a couple feet of snow by tonight.

We will NOT be going into town today.  Instead I think I will do some reading and work on my craft room.  I will also have to help Mr. Plow aka Bill plow the drive sometime today.

Wishing you all a Happy Warm Spring Day
Pam

Happy First Day of Spring

But not here in Southern Utah......windy, cold and snow flurries.  I can not wait to see some spring blooms and plant my veggie garden I hope I don't have to wait too long.

I'm also missing my daughter she has been visiting friends in California now for a week and will not be home until the 28th.  It will be hard when she moves back to California. I am dreading the empty nest.

Bill and I just finished doing our Pilate's and my powerhouse is tight and a little sore. Since I am working on my butt, thighs and belly I am mainly looking up and hoping that chandelier is securely in place. lol
This is my view from the floor.

Until next time......

Pam

My Craft Room or What It Will Be Someday

I have been wanting to scrapbook, make cards, sew and rughook so far that isn't happening.  I still have a ton of boxes to empty and I have no clue where to put everything.  I need a few bookcases and other items to organize all my stuff.  Here are some (scary) photos of the work in process.

 This is the overwhelming look when I open the door....YIKES!

 The sewing area

 At least my paper is put away

 Next to start putting things in the dressers

 I would like to put a couple of book shelves behind these racks 

 My work table is there someplace....really it is

The view from my work table.  This makes it all worth it. Talk about inspiration.

I think it's time for me to go upstairs and work on it some more.

Pam

For Japan with Love

I will be joining my fellow bloggers won't you

www.FORJAPANWITHLOVE.COM

Where is Spring????

Yesterday I saw three Robins gathering for their nest and today I woke up to snow!  It started out snowing pretty good and sticking then by noon it warmed up the snow melted and then we just had light wet snow.  I can live with that.

Today was a lazy day I spent most of my time looking at Blogs and there are so many lovely blogs out there I just lost track of the time.  I did take time to do pilates with my husband and my "powerhouse" is killing me.

I thought I would share a photo of my bench I took with my iPhone using the PhotoStudio app.  I have a lot of phone taking photos and then playing with them.

Until next time

Pam

Pulling my hair out

I have two wonderful printers that I can not get to work with my MacBook Pro.  I have been looking online for a good All-in-one printer that is Mac Friendly and prints excellent photos not an easy task.

I am leaning towards the Epson WorkForce 840 however I'm still trying to find out if it has the ports for my Nikon chip.  I also am thinking about the Epson Artisan 725 which does have the chip ports.

I will have to sleep on it

Pam

Feeling Blue

I have not felt good for the last few days.  Will write more tomorrow.
Pam

Whitey

Whitey will be 14 next month.  A few things we are starting to notice as she gets older she is getting so needy, doesn't want to eat her food (but she does want to eat everyone elses food), cries if she doesn't get her way or wants your attention.  It's been driving us crazy but I keep telling myself it's because she is getting old and I know she isn't going to be with us much longer.  How could you not love this little Shit Head.

Whitey's Mom,
Pam

3/10/2011 - A few of my favorite things

I thought I would share some of my favorite things

Why make pasta sauce when there is Classico Pasta Sauce my favorite Spicy Tomato and Pesto.  I do add extra fresh chopped garlic and basil just to freshen it up.  Today I fixed some Johnsonville Spicy Italian sausage with the pasta sauce and had it for lunch.  www.classico.com

When I'm finished with the jar I take the label off and wash it,  yep they are our drinking glasses, high class.

The next item is not something I have everyday it is a little pricey when it comes to tea but it is so good.
Today I had the Tea Forte Blackberry Pomegranate www.teaforte.com 

Happy 40th Anniversary Starbucks - I am a Starbucks fanatic -  Today I went to Starbucks to try their new Anniversary Blend Tribute.  It is very good but my favorite is Yukon I have an least two pounds on hand at home so I don't run out.  I don't care for instant coffee but Starbucks has changed my mind with their Via one of the best instant coffees.  I love you can just drop it in your purse and have it anytime you want.  www.starbucks.com

What are your favorite things.....
Pam

3/8/2011 - Beautiful Day

Woke up to blue skies and the snow is melting fast. We took a drive to town stopped at the Post Office to check our POB, stopped by the library, paid the storage bill, went to Scrap Gal to get some scrapbooking supplies, Walgreens to pick up photos we had developed and went grocery shopping at Lin's.

I've been wanting something sweet and easy to make. Here is the recipe I used:

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

1/4 cup butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 can (20 oz) pineapple slices in juice, drained, juice reserved

1 jar (6 oz) maraschino cherries without stems, drained

1 box Betty Crocker SuperMoist yellow cake mix (vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box)

Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). In 13x9-inch pan, melt butter in oven. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over butter. Arrange pineapple slices on brown sugar. Place cherry in center of each pineapple slice, and arrange remaining cherries around slices; press gently into brown sugar.

Add enough water to reserved pineapple juice to measure 1 1/4 cups. Make cake batter as directed on box, substituting pineapple juice mixture for the water. Pour batter over pineapple and cherries.

Bake 40 to 45 minutes (42 to 48 minutes for dark or nonstick pan) or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Immediately run knife around side of pan to loosen cake. Place heatproof serving plate upside down onto pan; turn plate and pan over. Leave pan over cake 5 minutes so brown sugar topping can drizzle over cake; remove pan. Cool 30 minutes. Serve warm or cool. Store covered in refrigerator.

I had to delete my blog and start over I came across a few snags.  I even had to change my URL but everything is good now.  

Pam

3/7/2011 - More Snow

I woke up to snow this morning it started out very light and then got very heavy. Bill plowed the drive and when he got back he said that the main road had not been plowed yet. Yep we stayed home for the day. At one point the wind started up and I've never seen snow being sent into so many directions at one time it was beautiful. We didn't get as much snow as we did a week ago.

Our biggest concern right now is the mud under the snow. We are getting some nasty ruts in the drive which could be a problem now and when the dirt dries out. So much we are learning about living on a rural mountain.

This evening Bill, Anna and I watched Doctor Who. We just started watching season 1 on Netflix. We are enjoying the scifi tv show but sometimes I have a hard time understanding the british accent.

Everyone has gone to bed so I am now playing on the computer and listening to 60's music.

Until tomorrow,

Pam

3/6/2011 - Busy Day

One thing I miss about California...Today was the Rose Bowl Flea Market.

Today we were able to empty one of our storage containers 2 more to go. Bill put together my craft table which helped me get my butt together and work on my craft room. I still have a lot to organize and put away. Tomorrow I will tackle it again.

We are suppose to get snow tomorrow and I am hoping we can make it down to the post office before it gets too bad to make it back up the mountain. One of the disadvantages of living on the mountain we do not get mail delivery.

Until next time, TTFN

Pam

3/5/2011 - One blog too many - Starting Over

I had 3 blogs. One for food, one for crafting and one about my family and none of them were getting updated. I have gotten rid of all of them and started this blog. It finally sunk in I can use this blog for everything.

I will start with a little something about myself. I am a native Californian who was ready for a change. Bill and I sold our house we have had for 29 years and moved to Southern Utah. We bought a house on 42 acres and live on a mountain with our daughter Anna and our Jack Russell Terrier Whitey.

Escrow closed January 12th and we moved in the dead of winter and are still moving things in from storage. We are learning about snow shoveling, plowing and how to drive in weather. I also need to relearn how to cook in high altitude we are at 7100 feet. The view is fantastic the wild life is plenty and the quiet is relaxing.

Sit back and join me with a cup of coffee on the porch of Rancho Delux

Until next time...

Pam