Sights that make me smile

Walking around this afternoon, I saw a few things that made me smile:

Delicate blossoms on my plum tree,

fragrant flowers on my orange tree,

a surprise purple iris,

adorable goat kids,

Giselle (our duck)'s nest,

and peaches growing on my brand new peach tree. (my Grandma reminded me the other day that I needed to thin my peaches. She was joking, of course, if I thin this little tree I would only have one peach on it. :) I'll let it do it's thing without thinning it this year. The other peach tree got a once-over with the 'rule of thumb' and I flicked off everything that was closer then my thumb knuckle together).

Belle's Kids

I guess Belle was a bit jealous that Penny looked so much more comfortable today then she did yesterday so she went and had her kids as well. 2 little girls and a boy. She is doing fine and the kids all seem to be happy, healthy and playful! Busy milking season ahead!

Penny's Kids

Penny had her kids this morning! 2 little bucklings, with the funniest ears ever! I guess that's what you get when you cross a Nubian with a Lamancha, though. :) They both seem to be doing just fine and Penny is being a very good mother.

Signs of Spring

Our Cottonwoods just burst!  Can't wait until they are completely leaved out; they will be gorgeous this year!

Cheese Crutons

I don't remember where I first saw this idea, so I can't give credit where it's due, but I LOVE these fried chesse 'crutons' and wanted to share the 'recipe'....You'll need: grated cheese. And a hot pan (I use my electric griddle).

When the pan is dancing-water hot, sprinkle a scant tablespoon of cheese in little piles. Let it sizzle for a few minutes, and when it starts to brown and look less wet, use a spatula to peel it up in a flat disc. Turn it over and use a fork or other utinsil to make a 'bowtie' in the middle by pinching the center together. Let it sizzle another minute and then set it aside on a papertowel until you're ready to eat them. I usually make about twice as many as I think I will want, because I end up eating about 50% of them while I'm cooking them. :)

Finished! (finally....)

I started this quilt 2 years ago.  It was meant for my then-two year old daughter, just the right size to fit on her toddler bed.  I lost interest in it as I was determined to hand stitch it and it was taking a VERY long time.  I put it away and forgot about it. 

I remembered it a few weeks ago and decided to finish it for her for Christmas.  It no longer will fit her bed, but I am sure she will love it.  

It's a very simple block pattern, but it was my first real quilt.  The piecing was done by machine, but every where I could find to quilt it was done by hand.  There's quite a bit.  :)

More Fall

Only 2 of my cottonwood trees have decided it's fall. The others are stubbornly holding onto their lush green leaves. The two that have changed are beautiful, though, and I hope the other soon follow so I can have the full 'Fall' effect. Right now, it looks a bit odd. ;)



The lemon tree I planted last Spring has gone crazy and there are TONS of lemons. I'm really excited to have them, although there are few things I use lemons for. I'll be picking up some new lemon recipes, I'm sure.

My 3.5 year old tangelo tree has finally put out some fruit, and while it looks to be on the small side, I think it will be edible and is on track to be ripe in a month or so.

It's so nice to see some trees giving back (in fruit or shade or whatever) after all the work, money and care that's gone into them!

(and a sidenote: it was a record high for yesterday's date; 87* in town, and about 85* here. 84* predicted for today.....ugh.)