Signs of Spring

Well, so far 2011 has been crazy! Beginning in January, I was sick with a respiratory infection, then a sinus infection, then a gastro-intestinal malady that was so horrific we aren't even going to go into details. I didn't realize how physically bad I felt until last week when I finally seemed to have regained most of my vigor. It feels so good to feel good that not even the last bit of that chest crushing cough can get me down.

But the past two weeks have been so busy that I hardly know what day it is. Not only are there all of those chores that went undone in January to catch up on, work has been mad-hectic. Patients coming and going like Grand Central Station, projects with my name on them waiting quietly on the corner of my desk, and late nights trying to catch up. Also, our church has a big Missions Conference every February so I've been working on costumes and flags for our Parade of Nations extravaganza on the 27th. I hope to share more about the costumes with you at some point in the future but don't make me promise.

So here it is- the second half of February already and we finally have a break from all of that insane snow and bitter cold. I start looking for my crocus this time of year and I think  must have started searching for them earlier than usual because it feels as though I've been hunting for them forever but they were nowhere to be found.

Until this morning.

Just one, hiding down in the sedum of my rain garden. One tiny little crocus. So far. But have you ever seen such a fabulous shade of yellow?

We all have our own signs of spring that tell us the gray and cold of winter will soon be over. I travel the Interstate every day and when I see tractor-trailers hauling big giant shrink-wrapped boats, I know it's coming. And when the neighbors drive past and see me laying in the yard on my stomach with my camera aimed at a tiny speck of lime green, lemon yellow, or a bulging bulb, they too know it's coming. Spring, my friends, is coming.

As we begin to wind up with winter, let me ask you, "What's your sign?" Of spring, that is.

My Token Valentine Post- sort of

Look at that magnificent under bite.

This is Remy, my daughter's two and a half year old Rat Terrier. Ratties are an American breed, popular in the first half of the 1900's. Bred from a mix of strong, fast hunting dogs with good sniffers, Rat Terriers were used to control the rodent population on farms. They mostly lived in the barn and for a while, your farm wasn't a farm if you didn't have at least one Rattie living in your barn. Our Remy will dig up half the yard trying to catch a chipmunk or mole. I've seen him climb straight up one of our apple trees after a squirrel (I mean straight up and into the branches), and he will stake out the stove for an entire day if a mouse runs underneath it.

I do mean an entire day.



Both photos from Terrierman's Daily Dose



Teddy Roosevelt had a Rattie named Skip and is thought to have "started" the breed, but it's sort of a long-ish story and not pertinent to our post today.



Via PopArtUK.com



This is also Remy, from the Disney movie Ratatouille. He's a rat too.

Get it? Remy the Rat? Remy the Rattie?

Anyhoo...

A couple of years ago, Zippy's class had a Valentine Box contest: make your own box to hold all of the class Valentine cards, bring it in for the party, and there will be a box judging contest. Pretty straight forward stuff. Oh we love a good creative challenge like that at our house and at our house "Make a Valentine Box" means "Build a Valentine Box."

This is Robo Remy: a small shoe box with cardboard legs and docked tail, covered with papier mache and painted with Remy's piebald markings. Then Zippy cut the lid back off of the shoe box so she could get to the cards inside and, more importantly to my sweet mini-Chocoholic, the candy. Then she cut the slit on top for the cards, added the photo-face and heart collar and she's ready.

Oh wait, no you're not because this is a Robo Remy.

Hot glue Robo-Boy to another shoe box and glue down some doggie treats. Ready? Nope!

Strapped to the inside of the green shoe box is the motor and chassis of one of the countless remote control cars that my daughter (yes, daughter) owns.

So that year, Zippy's Valentine cards came when called and if you didn't get the goods delivered quickly enough, Robo Remy could chase you down!

First prize- Best Use of Technology.

Way to go Zippy!

To all of you fabulous folks building relationships with your family one remote control car, one recycle craft, one tree fort, one finger paint heart greeting card, one whatever giggling fun you get cooked up at a time ....

Granola Brittle

OK, I have to say that the first time I saw Granola Brittle in the grocery store I was a little confused. Not only did it come in one of those plain plastic containers, vaguely like the suet containers, it seemed to have a good bit of what I swear was millet.

So even though I bought some to try, I thought it might actually be intended for feeding birds. Especially after I ate some. It was OK but the syrup that all the good wholesome grainy things were in had a funny metal tang to it. But I liked the idea since I'm sort of, as a co-worker describes me, "granola" and thought I would play around a bit. I found a few recipes on the Internet so I mish-mashed them all together and came up with what I think is a pretty good version. This is basically granola in a sweet matrix so it sticks together and you can take it with you out the door in the morning if you're running late. That never happens to me, of course. wink wink

Let's try it.

You will need:

2/3 cup dark brown sugar

1/2 cup canola oil

1/2 cup honey

2 tsp vanilla

3 cups rolled oats

1 cup slivered almonds

1/3 cup unsalted roasted sunflower seeds

1- 8.7 oz jar sesame seeds (it's just over 1/3 cup)

1/3 cup flaxseed, whole

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Oven temp for this will be 350 F and your rack should be in the middle of the oven.

Line a large cookie sheet (the kind with the edges, not the flat kind) with aluminum foil and spray lightly with vegetable oil spray.

In a saucepan, heat the honey, oil, brown sugar, and vanilla over a gentle low heat. I let it just start to threaten to come to a boil

In a big bowl mix together the oats, walnuts, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flaxseed, and almonds.

Add the warm honey mixture and stir it well so everything is evenly mixed together.

Spread the mixture out on the cookie sheet so it's nice and even and bake in the oven for about 45 minutes.



No, I haven't cleaned my oven this winter. Hope it doesn't offend.



Let the granola cool fairly well but a touch warm is OK too.

Turn the brittle out onto a cutting board or even the counter so it falls out of the pan. At this point you should have one big honkin' piece of brittle.

Carefully peel the foil off of the brittle. Break the brittle into chunks. If the brittle is still a bit warm you can sort of fold or tear it apart. If it's completely cool you'll need to wail on it with a big ladle or something similar.



This is the back side.



Let the brittle cool completely and then store in an airtight container. I don't know how long this will keep since it usually disappears pretty quickly at our house. It is excellent when served with Greek yogurt. When you get to the bottom of the container and there's nothing left but a pile of crumbs--- oh baby, stir that into some yogurt. Mmmm.

OK- something exciting--- click here for a print-friendly version of the recipe!

My first "printable"!!

(OK, it's not perfect but we'll get a bit closer)

Thanks for visiting in the kitchen today.

Be sure to eat a good breakfast and have a great day.

If A Dog Were Your Teacher

If a dog were your teacher, you would learn stuff like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.



by carolvinzant via Flickr

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.



by jmtimages via Flickr



Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When it’s in your best interest, practice obedience.

Let others know when they’ve invaded your territory.

by Defence Images via Flickr

Take naps ...

...and stretch before rising.

by Seoulful Adventures via Flickr

Run, romp, and play daily.

by MrSHIZ via Flickr

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

by MrSHIZ via Flickr

When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.



by buzzsnap via Flickr

No matter how often you’re scolded, don’t buy into the guilt thing and pout…

... run right back and make friends.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.



by Yellow Snow Photography via Flickr

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

Stop when you have had enough.

by ManWithAToyCamera via Flickr

Be loyal.

1. Faithful Companion, 2. Loved, 3. Peaceful companion

Never pretend to be something you’re not.

by Matt Stratton via Flickr

 If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.



by rumpleproofskin via Flickr

And MOST of all…

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by

and nuzzle them gently.



by ktshawx via Flickr

 Author Unknown

February Bling- It's Amethyst!



by opacity via Flickr

Oh my.... how gorgeous can you get?

The Amethyst was adopted as the official birthstone of February in 1912 by the American National Association of Jewelers. It is may also be given for the 4th, 6th, and 17th wedding anniversary.

If you need an excuse.



Via Fairchild & Co.

 

Amethyst is quartz. We learned last month that January's garnet can be found in a wide and surprising variety of colors. Amethyst, to be an amethyst, must be purple. Manganese is what makes quartz purple and iron is what determines the depth of color in an amethyst.



But oh the colors.

Amethysts range from light lilac to lavender to mauve to deep purple.



via Hattons Antiques

  The ideal amethyst is a clear deeply intense purple.



via Roberts Jewlery

The most valuable amethyst, however, are a medium purple with flashes of rosy-red.

Most amethyst on the market today have been heat-treated for color enhancement.



Via WikiMedia Commons



Amethyst occur as geodes, as a crust over the host rock (druzy), or as six-sided crystals. But they must be purple. "Green  amethyst" are irradiated or otherwise heat-treated pale amethysts and are not rare. Or valuable.



Though they can be found almost world-wide, the finest amethysts have traditionally be found in Russia. Today, Brazil  and Zambia are primary sources for the February's bling.



via Kornbluth Photography, circa 1400 AD  



Amethyst gets its name from the Greek word "amethysots" meaning "not drunk" and was thought to protect from intoxication or poisoning by either wearing it or drinking from an amethyst cup.

Bernardine.com tells us this legend:

According to legend, amethyst originated when Bacchus, the God of Wine, grew angry at mortals. He vowed the next mortal that crossed his path would be eaten by tigers. At that time, a beautiful young maiden named Amethyst was on her way to worship the Goddess Diana. Diana, knowing of Bacchus vow, turned Amethyst into a pillar of colorless quartz to protect her from the tigers. Bacchus, witnessing the miracle, repented and poured wine over Amethyst, staining her purple.

Amethyst was also thought to protect a warrior in battle and to promote healing. It was also thought to keep its wearer cool-headed and quick-witted, two things you might be anyway if you were not intoxicated. And of course, amethyst was been associated with royalty as far back as 2,500 B.C.

OK, let's stop talking and just look for a minute.

 

via kristalalam.com



via Georgian Jewelry



via Molecular Expressions: Images from the Microscope

via GildedLife.com

Yes, it's a bathtub. This beauty will put you back $121,200 US and a matching tumbler, lotion dispenser, and soap dish are available. For that next Make-over Monday.

And, least we forget that it's a jungle out there, here is a butterfly to surprise and delight us.

via StyleGuru.com

Which reminds me that I didn't have a garnet butterfly for January's bling, so ...

via Collectible-Articles.com

OK, good, we're all caught up. And hey-- 

Happy Birthday all of you February babies.

Our Elusive Barn Owl

If this is your image, please let me know immediately so I can credit you. It's awesome.



I saw it! I finally saw it!

via National Wildlife Federation

And just in time for Valentine's Day, with it's beautiful heart-shaped face.



by Brian Scott via Flickr



I have been hearing this gorgeous bird's eerie shriek off and on since before Christmas, usually in the pre-dawn hours when I first awake, about 4:30am.

(Make sure your volume is not up too loud)



I know, freaky, right? Now you know why it caught my attention.

via Barn Owl Trust



I thought it was an owl of some sort so I visited The Owl Pages to learn more about my freaky mysterious midnight shrieker. You can go to their page specifically about barn owls by clicking here.



via Major Wildlife Photography

 The only other time I've seen a barn owl was several years ago when my husband and I were driving home one evening from his parent's farm. Our headlights flashed over this huge magnificent creature perched just off the road and we both looked at each other to check our sanity. "Did you see that?" we asked at the same time.

by Annie Marie Mussleman via pcnw.org

This morning I was up at my usual 4:30am but didn't hear our bird until just as they sky was getting light. He was shrieking down at the edge of the yard so I very carefully stepped out onto the porch. Barn owls have incredible hearing and locate their prey more by sound than sight so I knew extreme quiet was necessary. I heard him shriek a couple more times and then, just as I turned my head in his direction, he came flying up the hill, maybe 4 feet off the ground, across the yard, and over into the field. Thrilling hardly describes it.



by Picture Taker 2 via Flickr



Not a sound. He flapped his (upwards of 43") wings a couple of times but still, not a sound. I've learned that barn owls fly so silently because their wings do not have oils and because they rely so heavily on their hearing to locate prey, the flapping sound of their wings does not interfere with their hunting. Pretty cool, huh?



by midlander1231 via Flickr



Though barn owls are fairly wide spread, being found on every continent except for Antarctica, they are not overly common in our area. We live on the edge of one of those mysterious blank spots on their range map. Neither do they tend to migrate. However, they are vulnerable to extremely cold winters, which we have been experiencing in our neck of the woods. I would guess that our barn owl is on the move hoping to find a bit warm weather. It's a theory and maybe if one of you knows better I would love for you to share with us.

by me'nthedogs via Flickr

I have another owl story to share with you sometime but I hope you've enjoyed a peak at our barn owl today. He's a big magestic creature and I hope he stays around.

See ya next time.