Red Sky at Night

Red sky at night,

Sailor's delight.

Red sky at morning,

Sailor's take warning!

We had a beautiful red sky tonight. North Texas may not have mountains, forests, or oceans, but we do have beautiful skies!

Spring, where hast thou gone? Shakespere~ (well, maybe not, but he should have said it) It is already close to 90 here in North Texas! Whoa~ What will Summer be like?

Visit SkyWatch Friday for more beautiful pictures.

Spring Festival

We went to Mineral Wells to visit Clark Gardens for their Spring Festival today. It was nice, but in a month or two when more things are in bloom, it will be even prettier. How do you like my swirled picture of the red berries? It is my signature technique. ;-) I was turning my camera around while pushing the button, I am pretty talented don't 'cha think? It was quite by accident really but it turned out pretty neat. (Pictured with Vickie, Jan T. and Jan H.)

Federal Plaza

This was taken from our double-decker bus on our NYC trip. I didn't know the name of the area, but then I realized that I took a photo of the street signs that I thought was interesting. So it is Federal Plaza, close to Wall Street if I remember correctly. It was a nice sunny October day last year. Visit Weekend Reflections for more nice photos of reflections and add your own if you wish.

Haiti Mission Trip

The North Texas Medical Group took this video of their mission to Haiti. You can view it here.

For your eyes only!

Check out this website if you are in need of prescription eyewear. Zenni sells the same brands that you can get at your local optical shop, but for much less. I was told that you can get glasses for less than $100.00 that would have cost $400 plus elsewhere. All you do is fill out a form with your current Rx and they contact your physician to verify the Rx and then send you the glasses.

Lake Tahoe

Ryan went to Lake Tahoe with Sarah and her family for Spring Break. Ryan has always loved playing a stuntman. He is pictured here pretending to slide down the slope. The group picture is of Ryan and Sarah bookended by Sarah's "little" brothers.

Do Work!

Ryan working at their new shop in North Richland Hills. Rock and Roll Offroad.

(I stole this picture from Sarah's facebook album. )

Spring Snow

~~~~~~~~~~~~~Well, the calendar says that today is officially the first day of Spring.....But we are having a beautiful snow fall! It started out real light but right now you sure don't have to strain your eyes to see it! There were a couple of robins who have been scouting out a nest in our trees and they looked a little confused by this weather. Yesterday the temperature was in the 70's and sunny and today the high is in the upper 30's with snow! Well, it is North Texas after all and the saying goes, "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute."

Update: And just a few hours after I took the first pictures, see the table covered in snow! It is still coming down pretty good~

Spring Break at Lake Tahoe

Ryan and Sarah went to Lake Tahoe to ski this week. They took this awesome photo. Go to Weekend Reflections to view more great photos.

My Chicken Salad

Roasted Chicken (I get mine from Sam's, they are bigger and taste better) cut into small pieces
Miracle Whip (several big spoonfuls)
8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Celery seed ( I pretty much cover the top of the mix and blend into the bowl.
Nature's Blend Seasoning (a few good shakes)
Lots of black pepper
Diced jalapenos (Albertsons is the only place around here that I have found diced jalapenos in the jar) to taste, but I use about 2 teaspoons
Plus 1 tsp or so of jalapeno juice from jar
Sweet relish (quite a lot)

Sorry, no exact measurements! This is how I make it. The recipe also works well with leftover turkey or ham.

I made this for a party that Kara had and it was a hit! Served on croissants~ Yummy~

Sure Measurement of Old Age

Mike found a rain gauge that we can read.... from the back door. A red disc rises to the top of the water level. Pretty cool, huh?

Spring photo time

My friend Paula takes the most awesome photographs of children. Visit her website and see if you don't agree. www.paulalovelacephotography.com

New York Reflections

I took pictures of the different architecture while on the double-decker bus tour in NYC. Oops! The tour guy's hand got in the picture! You can see "Chase" in every window. Check out Weekend Reflections to see some great photographs of reflections~

Carmel Banana Muffins

I found this recipe at one of my blogger friends, Diana's blog. They are really good. Try them out for yourself!


Carmel/Banana Muffins

1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 3-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 medium banana, peeled and mashed (1/2 cup)
1 tsp. vanilla
1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. caramel-flavored ice cream topping
1 medium banana, peeled and thinly sliced (optional)
1 Tbsp. butter, melted
Caramel-flavored ice cream topping (optional)
Directions

1. Line twelve 2-1/2-inch muffin cups or 6 jumbo (3-1/4-inch) muffin cups with paper bake cups. In a small bowl, mix pecans, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon.

2. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, softened butter and 2/3 cup sugar with an electric mixer until well combined. Add egg and beat well. Beat in the mashed banana and vanilla until combined.

3. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to the banana mixture, beating on low speed until just combined.

4. Stir 1/4 cup of the pecan mixture. Spoon half the batter into prepared muffin cups (1 rounded tablespoon for each 2 1/2-inch muffin cup or 2 rounded tablespoons for each jumbo muffin cup). Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon caramel topping over batter in each cup. Top with remaining batter. If you like, top each muffin with 2 thin slices additional banana. Drizzle each with a little melted butter and sprinkle with remaining pecan mixture.

5. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from pan. Serve warm drizzled with more caramel topping. Makes 12 standard or 6 jumbo muffins.

Weekend Reflections

Beautiful Lake Nocona in North Texas taken October '09. Taken of the cove by Joe and Joyce's property. Check out Weekend Reflections for more pictures.

Competition?

Little Nik

Here is a picture of Nik, my great nephew that lives in Greece, with Skippy the dog. Isn't he adorable!? His little sister is on the way. I am sure he will be a good big brother. I wish they didn't live half a world away.

~Spring is coming~

Today was beautiful weather. 70 degrees, sun shinning. I got out my two bunny friends, Azalea and Alder in anticipation of springs arrival. I think they are so cute. Mike thought they were silly :(
They are adorably silly! They make me smile! :)

Rock'n the Newstands

In case you haven't found the April issue of Offroad magazine on your newstand, here is the article, now on-line, featuring Ryan and Jared's trucks. Click here to read it. Also, you can check out their website, Rock and Roll Offroad.com here. (Ryan's truck is the black one on the cover and Jared's is the one in the top right hand corner!) Keep on Rock'n and Roll'n guys!

Bowl for the Cure

Sunday was our day to Bowl for the Cure for breast cancer. It was a fun time. I, whose only recent bowling has been on the Wii, got two strikes. (No, I didn't count the gutter balls! I was taught to see the glass half full!) so I celebrated my two strikes. Ryan gave me a few tips and they did seem to help. I would post the picture of my team, BUT it has my picture in it ;) and that negates my wanting everyone to look at it. Reality bites!