VM Summer Solstice (Sunday)

[zip2play]

I guess SUNday is approriate for the longest day of the year. Solstice is at 8:57 PM EDT.
Crisp gorgeous morning (went into the 50's) with CLEAN Canadian air pumping down our way. A delightful day to spend lollygagging in the City. Looking forward to a 10 course Indian buffet.

Shawnee,
Are you using the last batch of your yoggie as a starter for the next? How much do you make at a time. I always made exactly a gallon but always bought more fresh from Dannon or Columbo? Do you use full fat milk (4%). I've always found it came out the yummiest. I'd make some but always have KEFIR coming out of my ears and the buggies gets crabbassed if I rest them for too long!
I've convinced the kefir buggies that they LOVE 2% milk (they give me a dirty look at any lower fat percent...and you don't know what a dirty look IS til you get it from a billion tiny eyes at ONCE!"

Julie,
I wish I could SHAZAM your phals into bloom. I think part of the answer is to get a distressed plant (like mine from K-Mart). They are SOOO happy to get good conditions they go wild with delight.
Get one from a top-notch greenhouse, though, and they get snooty when put in a humble Living Room!

[SuSUN]

Good Morning Roger and all that follow!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ONE AND ALL!

Roger,
This includes you, how are your OrKIDS, have you tended them today? LOVE your nurturing tips to Julie, what an experienced and sensitive Father you are!
Drooling over your upcoming 10 course Indian!
Glad you are enjoying the clean Canadian air, better now than in February eh? LOL!

"It's those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer," so lets get out and enjoy them!

ALL THAT SUNLIGHT TODAY FOR FREE! No need to fly South for this wonderful day.

L8er,

SuSUN!

[LoveMontana]

Good morning everyone,

Roger, Wow!! Phonecia looks absolutely Stunning and extremely happy.
QM2 is one huge ship. It must be spectacular inside. Have you ever had a tour of it?

We all want details of that 10 course meal. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Include details of your lolly gag.


Susan, thanks for sending this delightful weather south. We will enjoy every minute of it.
How is DD doing?

Shawnee, That must have been some strong wind to bring down those 12' branches. Fortunately they didn't harm any houses or power lines.

Your neighbor must be sick over losing those Koi. I love those things but would be afraid to spend that much money on something that would only end up as a meal for some critter. A co worker once bought some to put in her pond but didn't realize that her large mouth bass would enjoy a literal feast. She learned a very expensive lesson.

Loved the slide show and pictures of your neighbor's lovely camp site. BTW are those Clydesdale horses?

Julie, Roger sent us a documentary on the Rosenbergs. It's fascinating to get their granddaughter's take on the trial and execution.

Loretta, are you and DH doing any fishing? DH and I need to get some fishing poles to take to MT. this fall. We really hate to borrow my brother's good ( read expensive) fly rods.

I'll be going to my mom's place to talk about the MT. trip and just lolly gag in the beautiful back yard of her complex. They have a lovely fountain and some huge pine trees there as well as some great looking flower beds and vegetable gardens.

Ginny, what's up with you?

More later.

[Loretta V]

Happy Sunday to all and yes that is a nice day to be the longest of the year.

Thanks for the great pic of QM2 Zip. How stunning she is too. Grand gal!!!! as is Phonecia.
So sorry to hear about the stolen binocs.
We have some of that clean Canadian here too. Low temps, 62 this am and no humidity. I almost needed a sweater for my walk.
Enjoy that dinner today.

We enjoyed dinner out last evening. It was a pleasant surprise.
A group of friends from church invited us to go along with them to a local resturant. We have been talking about getting together once a month to go out for dinner. Just as well DH does not know before hand because he seems to come up with a sick stomach other wise. I enjoyed some grilled cod, salad and a veggie medley. Hope we continue to do that.

Shawnee is that truck equipped with an oven in the back? You seem to find the time to travel and bake too. You have been a busy gal. Thanks for the tips on the soil. I did mix some peat in with it this year and also use the WM top soil so Maybe it was the wrong peat moss. Hope that flour arrives this week. I am ready to press the "order" button. I'd even be sick over losing the goldfish, especially if they were on the big side.

Linda, I have not been out fishing with DH again, but I am so happy that he is getting out. He really prefers to go by himself. I have been content to stay at the ranch and work on my crafts or yard. Sure hope you can make that trip to Montana this fall.

SuSun maybe our hot weather went your way in exchange for the cool stuff you have sent this way. It is nice to get a breather for a while with low humidity. Is DD on weekly visits to her ob now? Sooooo close.

Jackie NO WORK on Monday. Just enjoy your days off.

Hi to Julie and Ginny. Catch you all later.

[Jewels]

Another Mariner's game about to begin so......................

Zip, I am so proud of you for getting Phonenia to bloom so pretty. I'm not giving up on my "Safeway, 1 buck specials." They are sprouting lots of new growth so I'll wait it out. You are such a good father to her.

Loretta, enjoy this wonderful day doing your crafts.

Linda, are you having dinner at your mom's? Complex sounds beautiful.

SuSun, glad it's sunny there too. It was suppose to cool to 70's today but forcast this morning....85 again!! DD lives on the water so will be a little cooler, thank God.

Have a good day gang. I need to run through the kitchen and make a hamburger bun for today's dinner. Sure do like them.

[shawneesioux]

Hi Y'all

Beautiful here so far, but headed towards Ninety again..and possibly more T-Boomers later on. Bob has been cutting up the fallen limbs..two were from a heavily-laden, 40' Ornamental plum tree...yes, fruit is edible, and the size of extra large olives...(too bad they are not ripe yet) It will attract all the birds in the county later on.

Dang it, ZIP...couldn't stand it, I'm simmering those peas right now. Had a quart of Organic free range chicken broth made with spices and veggies. Used that plus 3 C. water , cubed ham, and the usual veggies and spices. Oh, the aroma! But not gonna win any Beauty Contests....uggggggly stuff.

Ha...I only make a quart at a time of Yoggie...cause you know me, I keep changing the ingredients. I've made it both ways, with Dannon or Stonyfields for starter, and with homemade. I prefer the Stonyfields.
As for the milk, I've used various combos of 100%, 2% milk, cream, Hoods LC Full Fat, 2%, heavy cream... I love to experiment, is that a shocker or what
Latest brew last night was Dannon, mostly Hood's 2% and a dab of 100% real stuff...cause that was available. Stonyfields, especially the full fat, is getting hard to find because of the LC newbies.
I also added in this batch 2 TBLS DaVinci and a tsp Splenda, Nuked/boiled together first to dissolve the Splenda..then a tsp of Vanilla. GAWD, Life is GOOD I just cover the finished stuff with a layer of paper towels, changing them a couple times, to soak up the excess whey...no draining..results are thick as sour cream.

Better sleep with one eye open, or install a Kiefer Buggie Alarm.

Since today is Father's Day, I'll give in to Bob's request for grilled burgers for Dinner...I'll be making some buns in the Nuker, using my revised recipe for Nuker Bread...not too much Flax.


Be back later, time to think about Lunch...Guess Pea Soup with be the star attraction.

Shawnee

[Jewels]

Shawnee, I must make the Nuker bread. I wish I had the ambition to make that yogurt. It sounds so good but I keep dragging my feet. Fred Meyer didn't have the Stonyfield's when I looked. I know I've seen it somewhere. You use the whole fat one then? Maybe Safeway or Albertsons has it. Getting Pi$$ed at Fred M. since they remodled, produce sucks. Just don't like those other stores for most everything else. But produce is the most important stuff so will be moving on......

We sure have lucked out on the T.storms. We keep missing them thank God. They keep saying it's going to cool but not happening. Guess I won't complain, except it's hard to sleep. I love the sunshine though.
Have you tried the Hood's milk for sf instant pudding yet? I've only tried the chocolate milk and really love it. Use to eat sf pudding all the time but not since lcarbing. I miss it.
Wanna come to my house for awhile and make me a bunch of stuff? I'll let you experiment all you want!!

Anybody have wood floors? What do you use to keep them dusted? Is a Swifter worth it?

[shawneesioux]

Homemade, thick YOGGIE



I have an old neglected Red Currant bush that thrives on total neglect...here they sparkle with Cant pieces and Yoggie



HUNGRY?

The Split Pea/Ham Soup was dee-lish-ious

later
Shawnee

[Loretta V]

Shawnee I'll have that yoggi and cantalope and Currents for my lunch. Just pass it here please.
I can hardly wait to dig in, I might want to lick that spoon too.

Loretta

[LoveMontana]

Loretta, Boy isn't it wonderful to get out for dinner, especially a spur of the moment thing? Glad you had fun.

Yeah, it's nice to have the "ranch" to ones self on occasion. Enjoy it.

We WILL get to Montana this fall, come hell or high water. Mom and my other brother already have their airline tickets and I am planning on picking them up at the Missoula airport so I best be there.

Julie, darn it girl!! make that yogurt now. The most difficult part is heating then cooling the milk and culture. The rest is just plunk in a warm area and wait a few hrs. The longer you let it "perk" the stronger and more tart it gets. Adjust to suit your taste.

We have hardwood and tile floors throughout the entire house except the basement where we have acid stained concrete. That dry swiffer is the absolute best for all of them. I then damp mop the wood floors with white vinegar and water to clean them....per our builder ...it doesn't ruin the shine at all.

Shawnee, what time did you say dinner was? I could dig into a bowl of the pea soup topped off with some of that yogurt and fresh fruit.
Can't beat home made yogurt, can ya? We have to nag Julie into trying it ASAP. She doesn't know what she's missing.

[shawneesioux]

Hi again....
Too late, Loretta...I already licked it...ya gotta be quicker next time.. ...only kidding, of course you can lick the spoon.
What's your gorgeous Avatar, a fancy DayLily?

About that peat...if its finely milled, it hasta be well-incorporated in with the other soils, or ya get concrete. The loose, unmilled stuff (or spagnum) is best.

LOL on the oven in the truck...that's probably next on Bob's agenda...he is not into going out to eat, he says Carol's Kitchen gives the best service and NO tipping necessary, Spoiled????
Hehee, I also don't give him advance warning on Dinners out, just like you...or he will suddenly develop a psychosomatic illness and insist I go without him...then pout if I do. I must force myself to recall his redeeming qualities.. He's happy today: I made him a Father's day card, printed out...he loved the Pea soup, and gets burgers for Din-din...plus Rex called with happy wishes.
BTW, that Rose pic you are using is of the Sexy Rexy...had to have one, I've been calling Son that for 38 years

Julie, just bite the bullet and try the Bread...if ya don't like it, the birds and squirrels will...get adventureous, Gal

Love the Stonyfield's FF, but the last few weeks, its getting hard to find in any percentage, period! Maybe spreading the LC word is backfiring on us, and making supplies scarce People in the Grocery stores are reading labels like never before. Our FM/Kroger and Safeway are just across the street from each other, so I sometimes hit both. Safeway always seems to feature a loss-leader fruit and veggie.
Yeah, I use the Hood's LC Milk for almost everything...even drink it! Strangely, I didn't like the Choc. Loretta didn't like the milk.

Montana, story time re fishing poles. WAAAAAY back, other life with EX...he had a $500 gift certificate from boss, redeemable at a Sporting Goods. We got top of the like Mitchell Garcia stuff (now called ABU Garcia)..anyhoo...
Exit Ex...enter Bob, dating period...who asks Son and I to go fishing; he will supply the equipment. OK, but No thanks, we have our own. He picks us up and spies our $pendy stuff...( I'm sure he was expecting "junk" , cause he's a SNOB about equipment)...well,
I think he wanted to marry us to get those rods/reels into his collection ..and he did
I am still using mine...its 36 yo now....the line gets changed, the reel oiled, and eyes rewrapped as needed. He has 19, last count.

Enjoy time with your Mom

SuSUN, wouldn't it be great to put these nice days in a ZIP LOCK, and save some for later? How's lil Oliver?

Shawnee

EDITED: Hi Montana...ya popped in while I was telling lies,..er..typing.
Yeah, let's gang up on Julie.
Julie, I'm so lazy, I heat my yoggie milk in the Nuker!..no watching in a pot on the stove.

[shawneesioux]

..y'all getting the idea that I'm gagging waaaay too many lollies today ?


Here's the Bread-Bun recipe. I HATE to measure ingredients when a pinch and a tad works for me...but I wanted to work out a versatile recipe that would be a basis for other things too..like CAKES!....so I measured every dang thang

Here's today's recipe, NOT yet sliced; recipe follows..makes two fat buns or 4 slices of bread


Nuker Bread-Buns (or basis for cakes)


2 TBLS melted butter
2 TBLS yogurt
1/4 tsp salt
2 lg eggs
1/4 Cup water
2 TBLS flaxmeal
5 TBLS almond flour
2 TBLS whole wheat flour
3 TBLS vital wheat gluten
1 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp Baking soda
1/2 tsp Splenda
1 TBLS Onion Flakes
another option: 1/4 -1/2 C shredded cheese.


Beat the eggs slightly before adding to the mixture, then divide into two round bowls for buns, or 5 x 5 square bowls for bread. Nuke for a about 90 seconds.
.................................................. ...................

These are ideas in progress:

...for cakes, ditch the flax and onion flakes.

Add in more Splenda, maybe 1/4 C or more, depending on your sweet tooth ..if using Da Vinci, delete the water.

for Choc, use 2- 3 TBLS Cocoa and 1 tsp Vanilla, no water..taste to check for your sweetness level.

for Pumpkin, use 1/2 C pumpkin and spices, no water

Use extracts and zest for Lemon, etc..

Experiment, People


...ok, I'm retiring now..(temp) . I wanna try someone else's stuff.
JACKI >>?????...any new inventions?

Shawnee

[SuSUN]

What wonderful weather for Fathers Day!

I have just returned from a walk around the block and into a small park with Oliver, every step counts in my effort to increase my physical activity.

Shawnee,
WE are so blessed to have you on our BB with all these fabulous recipes. You are amazing!
How can you be lolly gagging if you are creating such wonderful masterpieces?
I know we should experiment and that is very good advice. I am still enjoying my experiment of late, the instant "rice" pud with cream and shredded sugar free coconut. I did try it with the plain yogurt, it was too tart for my taste.
I have some blueberries so may put a few of those with the plain store bought yogurt. not home made.
Those currants look absolutely fabulous!

Linda,
So glad you have plans again for Montanna, after last years disappointment.
Glad you received the blast of cool Canadian air!

Julie,
DD uses a swifter on her wood floors. DH just installed them in our family room so I have not cleaned them yet. He started on Wednesday and finished the wood floor part on Friday, then he finished the baseboard and beading yesterday and this morning.
She also uses a pledger (sp) she doesnt like the smell of vinegar and water that everyone recommends.

Loretta,
Glad you got a blast of Canadian cool air. It certainly helps at this time of year, not so much in January eh?
How is Leah? Has her tooth erupted yet? She is just gorgeous.

DD is still doing well. She worked out on her eliptical this morning and was swim-floating in her pool this aft. She is getting quite large at the front but seems still high to me. She tires easily these days. Thanks for asking about her.
Yes, she is on weekly visits to her OB now, she goes on Thursdays!

DSIL installed my Kodak photo thing today, so I guess I am all set and ready to go!
I don't know if it blocked my email but I have not received any since he did that.
Roger can you send again?

I have a speech to prepare for tomorrow night, so gotta get my thinking cap on!

SUMMER IS FINALLY HERE!

SuSUN!

[Jewels]

So thought I'd post a pic of my youngest DGS from today. He's 10 1/2 months old. Getting SuSun excited!!!!