Wood Stackin', Noisemakin', John Prinein'

I gave the Noisemaker an easter present yesterday, I stacked the wood - ain't it a picture to behold! It is like putting a jigsaw puzzle together, each piece has its' own side and the side must be corresponding to fit into another piece.

Yesterday, I also went to take some pictures of all the birds out back. I quietly sat (squatted) down and then leaped with a great 'ouch' as I had landed my bottom on a prickly rose bush. I had figured that 'bush' was not quite finished with his duties ~ and with the prick of the landing I had, I knew what I was thinking was ringing true.

ah, and Easter Sunday it is. Peter Cottontail should be hopping down the bunny trail. I hope he does not leave anything behind like the moose do here. Yikers, we do have lots of droppings. Sunday is also paper day at the general store - god, I love to get the Sunday paper - do you know the Sunday paper includes five crossword puzzles, I have enough crossword puzzles to last me the entire week. There are great crossword puzzle books, I had one sent to me. It is themed crossword puzzles, my favorite.

For supper last night I made homemade bread and chili. The recipe for chili calls for 1/2 cup of beef stock. I use oxo. I saw the Noisemaker had the kettle out and naturally, I was thinking that in the kettle was water. I continued making my recipe and later on Noisemaker came to the kitchen asking what he should do with the kettle water - I replied, well pour it down the sink - he says - there is vinegar in there, I was cleaning the kettle. I did not say a word. The vinegar water had already gone into the chili. I never said a word. I inquired after supper, how was the chili - great, he said. I left well enough alone and stuck to having several pieces of homemade bread, no vinegar chili for me. I did taste it and it did taste okay, but just the thought of vinegar in chili - ugh and pukesville.

Oh yes, as a side (lay me down) note - I had my will drawn up last week. It is not a heart warming experience knowing you are writing about your death. However, I did have to laugh to myself when I read the final copy - the last line reads - . . .and play some John Prine. *smilin*

Peep ~ From Me To You

I understand some folks have been having a difficult time in locating Peeps to purchase for Easter. Well, here you are ... a family of Peeps. Happy Easter from the Peep in the North!

Happy Easter Everybody!

Here comes Peter Cottontail - to you and yours Happy Easter.

Spring is upon us, all the birds have returned. The geese are guarding the pond, the eagles have not yet taken me, and the flickers speak to me.

I have been trying to incorporate other works of art to this blog - to no avail. I will be sticking with taking my own pictures. I had someone post to me why I don't have a separate blog for recipes. I replied - why would I want to do that - folks need to see my recipes - they need to know how to cook - how to bake....heellllloooo! One blog is plenty.

Noisemaker, well geez, his noise level has moved up several notches ~ lord have mercy on my lil bit of a soul. I think with having surgery, transfusions, and trying to recover, all have played with his mind. All will heal in time, I hope.

With all the noise - I have had a John Prine song stuck in my head for days now - Quit Hollerin' At Me from the cd 'Lost Dogs + Mixed Blessings'. Oh good grief, I went to open the booklet to get the words and a four leaf clover fell out - I hope that is an omen for the day ahead. Back to the song, my favorite verse:

I heard you the first time
I heard myself say
Seems like the little woman
Is getting bigger everyday
You don't have to tell the neighbors
A little silent ain't no sin
They already think my name is
Where in the hell you been
Louder, louder, louder, louder, louder
Constantly
Quit hollerin' at me
Quit hollerin' at me
Sweet serenity
Quit hollerin' at me
Quit hollerin' at me

Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker

As most of you know, I do like to bake. I bake endlessly and I enjoy to do it. When it comes to cake mixes, Duncan Hines is the best. It could be because of the elevation to which I reside. Duncan Hines' cakes come out far more level and even. Miss Crocker, not so great. Don't get me wrong here, I do use Betty Crocker. I purchase whatever is on sale.

In my small community we have an annual bake sale, held in May. I bake my little beating heart out. I generally do:
1 fancy cake
2 loaves of lemon
3 dozen cookies
4 Hello's upon entry
and then say - that will cost you a
5 Dollar Bill

Would You Like To Learn To Dance?

One of the most beautiful songs ever written.

Would You Like To Learn To Dance - Steve Goodman

Would you like to learn to dance
Well I can show you that
Got a book here with all you need to know
We can draw the Arthur Murray patterns
right here on the floor
and all you have to do is follow
Then we'll dance around the room a while
You can lead now if you want to, I don't mind
Nothin' I wouldn't do to see a smile
go dancing cross your face in perfect time

Would you like to learn to sing
Well I can teach you that
here's an old tune that's good for a start;
you can sing all the high parts
if you really try and I'll play along
the tune on my guitar
Then we'll sing together
for a little while,
let the harmony go
ringing in your mind
and you sing so much better
when you sing with a smile
and all the notes come out
so sweet and high

Would you like to learn to love
Well that's something else again
I can show you how to sing
and smile and dance
oh I have no keys to open your heart
and no way to make you
take the chance, and so we'll dance
around the room again and sing a
tune or two to pass the time
and smile a lot, and if you
really want to,
we can try a little lovin';
I don't mind

Red Rocks Countdown Clock - Repaired

The countdown clock for Red Rocks is now repaired. teehee...according to the hours I had previously on the clock - John Prine would have been starting the concert at 7:30 a.m.

Emerging New Artists

From the Coast to Coast website; every first Sunday of the month, bumper music selections will be featured by emerging new artists who may not get heard anywhere else.

See more here: http://www.coasttocoastam.com/gen/page3008.html?theme=light

Good Luck.

Amy, Eboni, Rumbleshorts, and Sweet Songs Never Last To Long

Greetings Folks - a light bulb was blinking in my head and it made me note I do not have birthday dates for you folks. I would like to wish you special wishes on your special day. Sweet Songs, I can even wish you a Happy Birthday in french! Could you email your birthdates, no need to mention the year and if you opt not too - no problem, I'll just make one up. Thanks.

Email address is ~ jpparadise238@yahoo.com

Happy Birthday

One of my 'faithful' followers is having a birthday on April 5th. His name is TOM, he sometimes goes by Orange Crush. I would like to wish him a Happy Birthday - this cakes' for you! It is a Mandarin Orange Cake.

...he loaded sixteen tons, what'd he get
another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call him, because he can't go
he has to attend, John Prine once more...

Happy Birthday, Tom

Unturtle Bars - For Dessert

Unturtle Bars

2 cups Flour
1 cup Brown Sugar
2/3 cup Margarine
1 cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup Margarine
1 cup Pecans
1/2 cup Brown Sugar

Preheat oven to 350F. Beat together flour, sugar, and margarine. Press into ungreased 9 x 13 pan. Arrange nuts over crust. Combine margarine and brown sugar in saucepan and bring to boil stirring constantly for 1 minute. Pour over pecans. Bake 15 - 20 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle chips over top. Let stand for 3 minutes and spread chocolate. Cool completely and cut into squares. Make 40 squares.

Sweet & Sour Pork - For Supper

2 Pork Tenderloins (about 12 oz.) cut into 3/4" pieces - it is cheaper to purchase pork steaks
4 tsp. Vegetable Oil
2 cans 8 1/4 oz. each Pineapple Chunks, drain - reserve one cup syrup
1/2 cup Sugar
1/2 cup Ketchup
1 tsp Soy Sauce
8 drops Tabasco
4 tbsp Water
4 tsp Cornstarch
1 medium Green Pepper, diced

Cook meat in oil - about 10 minutes. Add enough water to reserved pineapple syrup to measure 1 1/2 cups. Stir syrup mixture, sugar, ketchup, soy sauce, and pepper sauce into skillet. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until meat is done - about 8 to 10 minutes. Mix cornstarch and water, stir into meat mixture, cook, stirring constantly until mixture thickens and boils. Boil and stir 1 minute. Stir in pineapple and green pepper. Heat until hot. Serve over rice. Makes 4 servings.