Rainy Days and Sundays.

(This image found here.)

It's hard to believe, but another week has sped past me; again. I don't know what's gotten to the clock these days. As far as I'm concerned, time can just give it a rest!

The rain could stand a vacation as well. All of my plants are so soggy and water-logged, they may just give up the ghost for the summer. Send a little sunshine my way, if you have any to spare! Wished it worked like that. ;)

To make up for the lack of heat in these parts, I made green chile cheese burgers and calabacitas with a poached egg for brunch. I love this and I should have taken a picture, but we scarfed it before I thought to do so.


Found this pic here at Fork Fingers Chopsticks by Andrea. She has a great site with printer friendly recipes and wonderful photos to get you going!


I use a different method than pictured here for my calabacitas, but the core ingredeints are similar. Sliced zuccinis, chopped Hatch green chiles, onion, red bell pepper and garlic, a handful of frozen white corn, and shredded sharp cheddar. Start by drizzling olive oil in a hot cast iron skillet, and brush a light coating on the top side of the squash. Place them in a single layer in the skillet, and salt and pepper to taste. Allow them to brown nicely. Reduce the heat to medium, then turn and brown other side. You want the out side lightly crisp; the inside tender.

In another skillet, melt a teaspoon of butter with a teaspoon of olive oil. Saute remaining ingredients (except the cheese--save that for later, but hide it from K.-- he'll eat it before you know it's gone!) and add a bit more salt and pepper. Put a bit of a crisp on this mixture, and remove from heat.

Place the zuccini slices on a serving platter and distribute the saute mixture over top. Sprinkle the cheese generously, and melt under a broiler or in the microwave just slightly, taking care not to cook the squash any further: tender=good, mushy not so much!


(Image found here) at GetTheWheatOut from Bess. She has some great ideas for wheat free cuisine.

Serve that up with a nice juicy green chile cheese burger, and who needs a bun?


Hat tip to Greg over at Black Iron Blog. He gave me the inspiration for teh burger!


And now for the serenade.

Murphy's Law and The Sunday Serenade

(This image found here.)
Don't you just hate it when Murphy comes to visit?

I had a busy day yesterday with errands and cooking and stuff (i.e. catching a cat-nap since I can't seem to sleep past 3:00 A.M. anymore!)

Anyhoo; I needed to put a few extra miles on the Jeep in order to get IM'd after the battery was disconnected in replacing a burned out "check engine" light. As if pulling the dash to replace said bulb wasn't enough torture! (Okay, okay! Torture for K. He is my Superman!) ;) FYI; disconnecting the battery resets the computer that the IM guys hook-up their little diagnostic thingy to your ve-hic-le in order to exhort--I mean complete the procedure that allows you to register a current license with the DMV. The IM program has been repealed here in Alaska, but does not take effect for 18 months. Many bureaucratic hoops must be navigated to satisfy the gov'ment to ensure that they can milk this program as long as possible; even though EPA Air Quality Standards have been surpassed for the Anchorage Bowl. I am all for being a custodian of the environment, but friggin' red tape: not so much!

Sorry to rant, but I had been to that little Kwik*Lube place three times, and it was wearing a bit thin! ;)



On to The Monsters Of Folk.



(That one found at this site.)

Sunday Serenade

(This image found here.)

I haven't heard this one in a while. The video is chilling and beautiful at the same time.

Post Va-Ca Post!

My Dear Inner-Webs;

Please forgive me for being away so long! We had a glorious week with Sarah and her honey-bunch David!!!

I can't believe how much activity we packed into one week. It's amazing! It's incredible! (Inside joke that reminded me of this skit.)

We ferried to Valdez and sent them kayaking to Columbia Glacier; then drove back to Anchorage to take in a few sites. Of course, I left my camera at home for this leg of their trip. What a dumb-a**! K. has some good pics from that time, so I will nag--I mean encourage him to put some up at his place.

We also went to Seward. It was wonderful! Saw this guy as we were fueling up.

You know how you always intend to visit local attractions on your own, without guests;but never do? The Alaska Sea life Center at Seward is one of those special places. Had we not had company, I wonder if we would actually do any of those things! We splurged for the "Behind The Scenes Tour," and it was so worth it! I used to think I should become a marine biologist, and I love animals of all sorts. I was in hog heaven, if you will! We lucked out and were able to view a baby otter, as well as seeing all of the facilities and labs and met some of the staff. They do excellent work there. That would be my dream job, but they have this silly requirement about a degree and all. Go figure!

That is Woody. He's a 27 year old Stellar Sea Lion with the googly eyes! All the better to see you! Very stately and he loved to "work" for food; if you know what I mean! Here's another.



I forgot to mention that we saw a momma moose and her twin moosen!



The Botanical Gardens in Anchorage are very foresty and mysterious. It's like walking through the deep woods with little pocket gardens popping up here and there.










We then made the drive through Turnagain Arm

and stopped in Indian at the Forget-Me-Not Nursery. I'm not sure if she still has it up for sale, but if I had a million dollars or so...

All in all, in the famous words of Diane; I'm tired!

I guess it's time to get back to our boring little lives! :(

And now for the gratuitous puppy up-date shot!