Drat...

 One thing I have learned is enjoy every moment while you can...

Nothing say summer like Smores.

Pay attention to the little things.

The porch is perfect.

First little poults of the season. 

and then...

Drat!

Snake in the grass...

 I saw this little snake in the grass today.   I was actually quite excited as I really appreciate snakes.

Life is pretty amazing if you look around.   We saw this beauty at work.  Everyone was careful and gave him plenty of space.

I walked around Spearfish on Wednesday while my husband was at the doctor's office. 

I needed some distraction as my job has been extremely stressful.  My only solace is we have been on the ropes before and managed to keep going. Everyone day is a different battle.  Thirty one years has taught me this too will pass, just like a kidney stone. Slow and painfully.

What has distracted you lately?  Was it a pleasant or unpleasant distraction?

Warm days...

I am super happy to say we have had two warm days.  In the 80's even.  Not only did the weather make my weekend great but so did sharing it with three good friends.

My first friend is moving soon and out time together limited.  We shared some coffee and wandered through the woods.  She is a great person, and I will really miss her.  Bless her heart.  She gave me some irises for my garden.  This means so much to me.  I truly appreciate the gesture. 

The second visit was also coffee and wandering through the gardens with another friend.  We were killing time while her husband and sons were running the Mickelson Trail Marathon.  What an achievement.  It was amazing how quickly time passed.  Her husband came in ahead of both sons.  I always say age and treachery beats youth and vigor.

The third friend is my husband.  Today he surprised me by taking me on matinee movie date. It was a real surprise because we have only gone to 5 movies in 34 years. It was a good movie, The Last Ride.  

Afterwards, we enjoyed ice cream at Leones' Creamery in Spearfish. Their ice cream is homemade, and I think the cones were too.  Words cannot describe how smooth and refreshing it tasted. I just want to point out I wore a white shirt and didn't spill a drop on it. That is a real achievement.  

We took the little Roxar on our trip.  It is exactly like the old Willy's Jeeps.  On the way home we reminisced about how when we were kids, we would take the top off of my husband's Jeep and take the same drive up the canyon to where our home is now. Back then we did it to cool off from our baking hot trailer house.  The cool canyon air was a relief for newlyweds that didn't have an air conditioner.  It is good to remember where you started.  

That was my weekend in a nutshell.  I needed some diversion.  I will forever be grateful for the path my life has taken and the people in it.  

What was the last movie you have seen?  When was the last time you had coffee with a friend?  I hope you had as a fulfilling weekend as I did. 

Memorial Day...

My week didn't start out the best, as you can see.   That means it is time to do mini puzzles, drink hot coffee, and keep telling yourself this too shall pass.

The snow did finally melt, and my flowers didn't look too worse for the wear. 

Thankfully my greenhouse is looking good.  My purple pak choi is going great guns.  The lettuce and spinach is a little slower. 

The peas, tomatoes, and peppers are also making good progress. The collars worked perfectly.  I haven't lost a plant to rodents.  

My egg plants look a lot like jalapeños and my jalapeños look a lot like egg plants. I have been known to mislabel things a time or two.  

The poor does have yet to lose their winter hair.  They haven't dropped fawns yet, as you can see she has a nice round belly.  Hopefully it will warm up for the little guys. 

We had snow, sunshine, fog, and rain over the course of the week.  I wasn't able to accomplish much.  I did get the basement storeroom cleaned out.  The rain forced that issue.  I picked some dandelions for wine.  This year isn't looking good already.  My bees didn't make it through the winter, and the beekeeper hasn't brought any in.  Last year he was talking about retiring.  As I was picking dandelions, it was silent. There were no honeybees, bumble bees, or anything buzzing in the orchard.  Also, the lack of flowers was disturbing.  I'm going to chalk it up to the snow and rain.  Maybe it will change when or if the sun comes out.  

Did you have a sunny Memorial Day weekend?  Did you have nice weather?  I am thankful for all those who have served our country.

Rainy days...

 My husband and I are working towards hail proofing my garden.  We added a beam that runs the length of the garden for my hail netting.  We got it done just before the rain started. Of course, snow and freezing temperatures, not hail, is predicted for this week.  We will see how this goes.  

It has been raining like crazy.  I've been doing puzzles and baking to keep busy.  Our cabin is small, so tiny puzzles work great.  This donut one compliments my coffee cup mini puzzle. 

My niece added to the family cookbook with a great cookie recipe.  I made it this weekend and they turned out perfect. 

Pumpkin Oatmeal DOUBLE Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chip
2 cups rolled oats oatmeal
1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon
2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice
1 TB vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup unsalted butter
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Set aside.
Next beat butter, sugar and brown sugar until well creamed together.
Now add in pumpkin, egg and vanilla. Beat until combine well.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until incorporated. Next, stir in your oats. Mix well. Stir in both the white and dark chocolate chips. Drop cookie dough by the rounded tablespoon on to the prepared baking. sheet. Bake cookies for 14-15 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned. DO NOT OVER COOK. They will seem a little soft but will firm up as they cool. You want to keep the nice, soft texture!

What do you do on rainy days?  No more questions for tonight, as I need to go move my plants to the greenhouse.  There is a freeze warning.  Argh.

Life is fabulous...

 It has been a busy but delightful two weeks.  It started with a traditional family turkey hunt.  Our nephew from Minnesota came out with his family.  It snowed as they drove out and I was afraid it would be a cold wet week.  It was the exact opposite.  We had plenty of sunshine and turkey action.  We played some giant Jenga, pool, turkey hunting (of course) and toured the hills. I even missed running over two woodchucks.  Let's just say there is a story behind that.  We even did some baking and recipe swapping.  

Probably the most interesting observation of the week was that the turkeys did most of their parading on the road and in our yard.  When we went looking for the bighorn sheep, we searched the mountains high and low, only to find them on the football field in the middle of town.  It seems our wildlife isn't so wild.  

After hosting hunters, we turned around and headed across the state to see my brother graduate from Diesel Tech School.  We met my parents for lunch in Chamberlain and then took my mom with us.  It was a wonderful spending time with her.  I'm super proud of my brother, as he graduated with honors and was recognized for his service to our country. My brother's girlfriend was also there so it made for a positive celebration.  The next day we took mom home and spent some time with her and dad. It was probably one of the best Mother's Day ever even though it was a few days before. 

Being with family is precious.  We are left with great memories and appreciation for time spent with the ones you love.  

The weather is perfect. I enjoyed a nice walk after all of that driving.  The shooting stars and Pasque flowers are blooming. It is spring and that means our resident grouse is on his log drumming up a storm.  

My tulips and daffodils are also blooming.  I planted my pumpkins, squash, broccoli, and melons in the outdoor beds.  The greenhouse is looking very good.  I even was able to do some weeding.  

Tomorrow we will enjoy our first batch of asparagus.  I can't wait.  

What a wonderful way to spend time with family.  Turkey camp and celebrating success.  What has been your latest family event?  Mother's Day tea?  Graduation?  Cross country trip?  Happy Mother's Day to all of you moms out there.  I hope you were able to enjoy time with your family.

The greenhouse is planted...

 The weather was great this weekend.   We cleaned house and prepared for company.   Today I planted the greenhouse. 

The tomatoes,  peppers,  egg plants, and basils were ready for planting.   I also planted carrots, peas, and lettuce seeds.  

I put the orange collars around the seedlings to keep the rodents at bay.  I am happy to report I haven't seen any voles or vole damage this spring.  Still, better safe than sorry. 

Things looked pretty good when I was done.  I even spread some poppy seeds in the planters.  Just before a nice spring rain.

What have you planted?  Do you enjoy garden vegetables?