ITS Still MARCH!
Saturday, there was a large fog that set upon the city. It was very freaky to drive in it. So, that was some exciting weather. Mostly this week during the day, the sun shined. In the evening the dark clouds rolled in and Albuquerque did get a tiny bit of rain showers. Just enough to put the large puddle in front of the back doors.
Im very excited for Spring to arrive.
Outdoors Update:
Just waiting for the end of March to finish. Albuquerque normally gets a late March frost. Its too early to plant. Once April arrives I will start the outside planting. Also, I will harden the indoor plants which means to set them in the sun a few hours a day to toughen up for their move to the garden. Good news the wild flower seeds have begun to grow. There is hope for pretty flowers in the front yard. The bad news is that the evil gardener Jowanda showed up Saturday and took out all of that green ground coverage. So, now the front yard is dirt again. LOL.
The squash and pumpkin plants are growing very well. I know the squash plants will grow some giant gourds this year but I have never been able to get a pumpkin to grow. These are special seeds from a great pumpkin grower and I am hopeful for pumpkins! We will just have to wait and see.
Problem in Garden-Ville!
Im not sure what to do but lately the "famous escaping giant dogs" AKA Bonnie and Clyde, have been roaming from their owners home and hanging out in the yard. The two giant dogs live one street over from me. The dogs make a big mess, pulling up anything that is rooted and chasing after the Ferrel Cats while tearing up the hedges. These two dogs are very not friendly to anyone. Many of the neighbors have chased them off with sticks and stones. I chase them off with the Old Lady Trick...the water hose. They do not like water. The hard part is quickly turning on the water spout then finding the end of the hose before they get me. Its been close a few times. Also, they are skinny enough to fit through the bars on the front porch. I do not think a scarecrow will deter them. Im not sure how I will keep these two crazy dogs out of the yard. I have until April to get that problem solved.
Bad enough I will have Skinny Ding Dongs-AKA Pedro trying to roll over the spinach this year.
Pet Update:
Tucks Favorite Stone
I cleaned Tucks tank on Monday morning. I had rearranged his stones from bigger to smaller, thinking it would be more comfortable for him. Monday afternoon, Tuck was very busy putting the stones back to the way he likes it. At times, I had to reach in and pick the stone up for him and move it because it was too big for him to push, roll or move. By the end of the night all the stones were put in order for him. He has a favorite rock that looks like a white egg and he loves to roll it, and roll it and roll it. Today, he is enjoying some fresh parley, meal worms and green turtle floaty sticks. Nana does not feed Tuck gold fish but has lots of variety snacks for him. He also enjoys green leafy lettuce. I have not tried to give him freeze dried crickets yet but may try that if I cant find freeze dried meal worms.
You would not believe how good Wheezy has been since his training. He is no longer squawking mad in the mornings. He is just a happy bird. Still shy but happy and not making crazy bird theatrics. Currently, I am just working to get him to rest on my hand and take a snack. He is very shy. He is okay with his feet on my finger.
What Cats Do When Your Away
Silly Pet Tricks
Whats Cooking?
I did make a batch of Mozzarella cheese. I had not made it for a while but missed fresh mozzarella and decided to get into the kitchen and make it. This cheese turned out pretty good. 1 gallon of whole milk makes one block of cheese. I will use this cheese to make lasagna this coming week.
Fresh mozzarella. :)
Great Vegetable Low Calorie Meals
Delicious White Cake
- 2 1/4 cups cake flour
- 1 cup milk at room temperature
- 6 large egg whites at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons almond extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened but still cool
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two 8-inch cake pans.
- Make sure milk and eggs are room temperature.
- Pour milk (I used skim) , egg whites, and extracts into medium bowl and mix with fork until blended.
- Mix cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in bowl of electric mixer at slow speed. Add butter, cut into cubes and continue beating on low for about 1-2 minutes.
- Add all but 1/2 cup of milk mixture to flour mixture and beat at medium speed for 1 1/2 minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup of milk mixture and beat for about 1 minute.
- Pour batter evenly between two prepared cake pans.
- Bake until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 27 to 30 minutes.
- Allow cake to cool to room temperature.
