A Great Day

Nothing is better than drinking coffee outside on a beautiful day. 

Flyboy is in Cali so it's just me and Teen Boy.  We did all our chores yesterday so we could veg today. 

Flyboy is hitting the beach. 

Teen Boy is opening our swim spa. 

Time to exercise, relax and catch some rays.

What are you doing today?

Celebrate Trees, It’s Arbor Day

It's always romantic to walk through a park with your honey. Maybe even steal a kiss on  bench. Perhaps the canopy of trees and wildlife enhance the romance.

Here in Michigan, we celebrate trees. Arbor Day, celebrated by Michigan the last Friday in April, is a holiday to recognize and appreciate trees and all the wonderful things they do.

Arbor Day, first held in 1872, was envisioned as a way to spread awareness about the importance of trees and to encourage tree planting.

In 1885, the Michigan Legislature resolved "that the Governor is hereby requested to call the attention of the people of the state to the importance of planting trees for ornament and by naming a day upon which the work shall be given special attention, to be known as Arbor Day."

Did you know? Until 1965, the Upper and Lower peninsulas had separate Arbor Days in the spring because of the difference in weather conditions for tree planting. Today's Arbor Day celebrations usually take place during the whole last week of April.

Get into the spirit of Arbor Day by planting a tree. Some of the trees in my small town were planted years ago by scouting groups with seedlings. If you live in Michigan, visit the Arbor Day website for information on 6-12” seedlings to plant.  https://www.arborday.org/celebrate/tree-seedlings.cfm

Here are a few other ideas to celebrate trees in fun and creative ways:

• Take your family on a tree-ID walk. 
• Visit the DNR's Nature at Home webpage to help kids discover the wonders of the natural world. 
• Give a tree as a gift. Unlike cut flowers, trees can be enjoyed year after year.
• Create and share tree-themed art. Use tree coloring pages to get started or make nature crafts from pine cones, leaves and twigs.
• Learn about the importance of trees and sustainable forest management.
• Have a picnic near or under some trees.
• Enjoy a hike around your local park to spot wildlife living in the woodland and forests. 

Not feeling, celebratory? Grab a cup of Joe and relax on your porch or deck. Take in a deep cleansing breath and look around. Leaves are sprouting so fast; one could almost hear them. Can you?

What are you going to do to Celebrate Trees?

Wine Anyone?

I picked up this beautiful wine rack with doors at a yard sale for $60. The tag was higher but I purchased several items and the owner was willing to lower the price.

 The original skeleton key for the lock came with it.

The rack is  filled with mostly wines from Michigan Wineries. I'm a big believer of supporting local businesses. 

I also enjoy trying wines from wineries whenever we go in our travels. Feel free to post your favorites! 

Ahhhh...the First REAL Coffee of the Year

Oh, I've had coffee since January 1st but I'm talking about sitting on my deck surrounded by nature, feeling my soul cleansed kind of coffee.

Yeah...thats it. That's what I'm talking about.

Its 46 degrees, sunny, the woods is turning green and the birds are singing their mating calls. (Some of your say, "Brrrrrr. Thats cold. Shes crazy." But my menopause sisters get me.

Im so happy the snow is gone and spring is here. Flyboy and sons put the deck furniture out for me before they left so im enjoying this moment of tranquility.

Until the new pup decides to use my leg to prop a stick against my leg while she chews on it.

"Its a good stick, mom. Want some?"

Happy Earth Day!

 

In 1970, an idea was born when thousands of people came together in the United States to speak up and demand cleaner air and water. It was decided to set aside one day a year to celebrate our planet. In 1990, Earth Day became global when 200 million people in 141 countries spoke up together about global environmental issues.

Today, we celebrate the 51st Earth Day! This year's theme is Restore the Earth. Classrooms around the world are learning about the environment and conservation.

I checked out around me to see what's going on.

A group over in Chelsea is planting trees. A group in Flint is participating in the Great Global Cleanup. Many other communities are cleaning parks, school yards, trails, and more. Some students in Montrose Twp did a bit of recycling and made bird feeders out of plastic bottles and toilet paper rolls. What are you going to do for your part?

"We don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." - Native American Proverb

Magic Mint

 

Grandma used herbs in many of her remedies. Her recipes for teas, rubs and oils were passed down from her grandmother who moved to Michigan after the Civil Gram grew a variety of mint in her gardens; Spearmint, Peppermint, Lemonmint, and a few others. Mint grew along the banks of Coldwater Lake. When my cousins and I spent summers with her at the cottage, she often would have us "harvest" the mint. She used it fresh in salads and her yummy panfish dish. Her Mint Tea would solve tummy troubles. Her mint salve calmed us and soothed our skin. However, she would keep some fresh sprigs in water on the widow sill for her mint juleps.

Mint is much like a groundcover so it is suggested to plant it in a pot or within a border. Gram gave mint its own garden with a border. I planted mine in a ditch so it may crawl wherever it wants. I often harvest tender leaves for salads, teas and dishes.

Spearmint is traditionally used to help relieve

symptoms of indigestion, nausea, vomiting and gas. 

It is high in antioxidants. 

Used to balance sex hormones -great for ovarian support

Reduce facial hair in women. 

Improve memory

Lower blood sugar 

Fight germs

Lower Stress

Awaken the senses

Fight pain and stiffness in joints

Lower blood pressure 

I use mint essential oil for salves and in my diffuser to give a room a fresh, clean scent. 

I love visiting Those Nature People in Frankenmuth or the SVRC Marketplace in Saginaw. They have a nice display of essential oils you can give a sniff to test. 

Howard Jones - Simple Man (Official Video)

 Former KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and current LIGHT THE TORCH singer Howard Jones performed a cover version of LYNYRD SKYNYRD's "Simple Man" for a recent episode of "The Oyster" podcast. 

That is the song my son and I picked out for our dance at his wedding reception. I love Howard Jones strong operatic voice and I never heard this rendition before. Definitely, enjoyed it!

WEDNESDAY MORNING CHILL

Friday Night Fish

The only thing Flyboy Jr asked, was to have the pike he caught for dinner while he was home on the weekend.

Of course, Flyboy was happy to fulfill the request and added in some trout. After tast-testing spices, the guys decided on Blackened Seasoning.

I tossed some brussel sprouts, carrot pieces and roma tomato quarters with olive oil, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, & parsley then placed them on a stoneware pan to roast in a hot oven.

I love cooking with my honey.

While cooking up some rice pilaf, i thoght about which wine I "needed" with dinner.  I wanted something warm since the temp outside is still cold but i wanted it to compliment the meal. I selected 2018 Late Haervest Riesling from Chanteau Chantal. I picked up a couple bottles the last time we visted Flyboy Jr in Traverse City. I like how the sweetness of pear and apricot works with the spicy dish.

How do you like my favorite wine stopper?

Grandma's Irish Soda Bread

Grandma wasn't kidding when she said she believed we had a wee bit of Irish in us. Turned out, my DNA evaluation showed proof of the family tale. Gram with her gift of storytelling and cooking drew family members together. Nothing was better than Gram's bread. The smell of warm bread embodies LOVE.

Gram had a sweet tooth and loved breads. She would often toss a few raisins into her Irish Soda Bread, shhhh.... don't tell anyone. We all love Gram's breads and she would serve Irish Soda Bread with "Boiled Dinner". Corned beef (or ham, depending on the guests) with potatoes, carrots, parsnips, onion and cabbage. The bread would be used to sop up the delicious, savory broth. I preferred my slice of warm bread with  butter.

Any leftover Irish Soda Bread was turned into French toast the next morning.

TRADITIONAL IRISH SODA BREAD

INGREDIENTS

• 4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups buttermilk

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually stir in the buttermilk until the dough comes together in a slightly sticky ball.
3. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead gently a few times. Form the dough into a ball and then press into the prepared pan so that the dough resembles a large disk. The dough should reach the edges of the pan, but may spring back slightly.
4. Cut an X into the dough with a sharp knife, about 1/4 of an inch deep. Cover the pan of dough with another round cake pan turned upside down.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes, covered, then remove the top pan and bake uncovered for about 10 minutes more or until the crust is dark golden brown.

A little Irish Soda Bread history:

I want to give you just a few interesting facts about Irish Soda Bread.  Don’t worry I won’t bore you it’s only a few!

• The cross that is slashed into the dough before baking was made to ward off devils and protect the house.  It also helps the center of the bread bake all the way through, so it’s very important not to skip that step!
• During the mid 1800s the Irish were making so much soda bread that baking soda almost doubled in price!
• Soda bread was served as an inexpensive way to put bread on the table.
• Real soda bread should only contain 4 ingredients: flour, buttermilk, salt, and of course baking soda.