May has arrived!
Summer vacation is right around the corner. I am counting down the days for the Grands to finish school.
Just last week, I was bragging about the summer weather. Ha! Then the cold showed up giving Albuquerque a couple nights of frost warnings. Brrrrrrr. The wind has been crazy, blowing little tree branches all over the yard. The power was out for a day. I like electricity and miss it when its not there. LOL. I survived. There is rumor of rain before the weekend begins.
Garden Plants And Outdoors Update
Last
week, I dried and processed the lilac flowers that I collected. I will
use the lilac powder to make cream perfume, candles and potpourri. I am
really enjoying the roses this year. I started collecting the old rose
petals from the rose bushes in the back yard. I will dry and process
those too. This past weekend, I was unable to plant the wildflower seeds
due to the bad wind. That was disappointing. The weather is holding me
back and all I can do now is water, pick up sticks and rake.
The K-9 Kennel Garden Club has held up and not blown away. The garden plants (except for the chile plants) have been moved from inside the house to the great outdoors. The garden plants seem to be doing well in the kennel garden area. The newly planted herb seeds are sprouting up. I'm looking forward to the mint growing and plan to harvest it for mint tea.
The K-9 Kennel Garden Club has held up and not blown away. The garden plants (except for the chile plants) have been moved from inside the house to the great outdoors. The garden plants seem to be doing well in the kennel garden area. The newly planted herb seeds are sprouting up. I'm looking forward to the mint growing and plan to harvest it for mint tea.
Upon
inspection of the garden plants they are looking healthy. No sign of
bugs eating the plant leaves. Just to be on the safe side, I think I will order some
ladybugs on line for the garden to keep the bad insects away. Last
year, I remember finding a couple of pink ladybugs in the garden. Its
probably a good idea to have a good supply of those ladybugs on hand.
Finally, I pulled out the family tent from the garage. I will get that cleaned up for camping just as soon as we get a nice day of sunshine. I think the Grands will have fun with it this summer. I plan to set it up for them to have a pretend afternoon camp out. Meaning no sleeping out just late afternoon pretend camp out. You know, roast marshmallows, listen to Irish pub songs and drink root beer. I was invited to go with Ray and Lilly to Santa Fe this weekend for camping but I'm not too sure about this weekend. I like camping. I'm just not ready until June because I don't care for the cold. Brrrrrrrrrrr. I hope everyone has tried to make their own root beer. I posted a video in the side bar. There are good recipes online. You can also skip the root beer extract and use vanilla to make cream soda.
Click Here To Listen To Irish Pub Drinking Songs.
Pet Update
Missy usually patrols the house seeking curiosity. Today, she got stuck behind the washer and dryer. I put my big fluffy bathrobe down the side of the washer and fortunate for her she was able to use that to claw her way up on top of the robe to get out. That would be so embarrassing to call the fire department for a cat stuck in the laundry closet. She has been getting on top of the tables, the counter, the TV, etc. Normally, she just goes to her cat chair and sleeps. I'm thinking she should stay outside if the weather stays warm. Also, she rolls in the sand and tracks it throughout the entire house. Yesterday, I went to pet her and she was a dust ball. LOL. Poor Missy. I had read that sometimes cats can revert back to being wild feral cats. She has been staying outside more than usual. Any ways, no sign of Skinny Ding Dongs - AKA Pedro the traitor, he is probably being held captive by the neighbors. He is missing out on tuna. LOL.
The fish gang are all doing great. Mr. Tubbs has not been splashing much and trying to get the food out of my hand before it hits the water. He has simmered down. I don't like when he jumps up out of the tank at me because it reminds me of the time he jumped out of the tank and I had to scoop him up in the dust pan to get him back in. He must weight about 25 pounds.
Mauricio is cool, just hanging out enjoying the snacks and listening for the sound of the refrigerator opening, hopeful for some lettuce to come his way. LOL. He is still on a limited daily snack allowance. Tuck is doing really good. He has a new stone for his UV light tanning. Now that he can fit up on that stone he is using the UV light more. It took me a while to get it. Big turtle + small stone = no UV light bathing. Duh. LOL.
Wheezy the Jail Bird
Wheezy is back to being a noisy bird, squawking and chirping and trying to get me to pay attention to him. I tried to nap on the sofa (which is a no-no because someone always calls or knocks on the door) and just as I closed my eyes he started in with his annoying squawks. Man oh man, what happened to my quiet bird? He is still very sweet he just needs my attention 24 hours a day. Anyways, I'm still doing training and think something is not right. He steps up on to my finger but nibbles my finger like an insane bird. It does not hurt at all and actually it tickles and makes me laugh. Seriously, this bird is cuckoo. Actually, I don't think either of us know what we are doing. Its like the blind leading the blind. Terrible.
Orney had some guy mowing his yard again. I think he uses a push mower. That's cool. I have never used a push mower. I have heard they are hard to push. You have to have good muscles. The girl that drives the bright yellow car takes off each morning like she is in the Indy 500. I guess she is late for work or just enjoys take off. Georgie had mentioned that she drives too fast down our street and I had not noticed it before but he is correct she really shoots out of her driveway and down the street.
Weird Videos I've Watched
Missy usually patrols the house seeking curiosity. Today, she got stuck behind the washer and dryer. I put my big fluffy bathrobe down the side of the washer and fortunate for her she was able to use that to claw her way up on top of the robe to get out. That would be so embarrassing to call the fire department for a cat stuck in the laundry closet. She has been getting on top of the tables, the counter, the TV, etc. Normally, she just goes to her cat chair and sleeps. I'm thinking she should stay outside if the weather stays warm. Also, she rolls in the sand and tracks it throughout the entire house. Yesterday, I went to pet her and she was a dust ball. LOL. Poor Missy. I had read that sometimes cats can revert back to being wild feral cats. She has been staying outside more than usual. Any ways, no sign of Skinny Ding Dongs - AKA Pedro the traitor, he is probably being held captive by the neighbors. He is missing out on tuna. LOL.
The fish gang are all doing great. Mr. Tubbs has not been splashing much and trying to get the food out of my hand before it hits the water. He has simmered down. I don't like when he jumps up out of the tank at me because it reminds me of the time he jumped out of the tank and I had to scoop him up in the dust pan to get him back in. He must weight about 25 pounds.
Mauricio is cool, just hanging out enjoying the snacks and listening for the sound of the refrigerator opening, hopeful for some lettuce to come his way. LOL. He is still on a limited daily snack allowance. Tuck is doing really good. He has a new stone for his UV light tanning. Now that he can fit up on that stone he is using the UV light more. It took me a while to get it. Big turtle + small stone = no UV light bathing. Duh. LOL. Wheezy the Jail Bird
Wheezy is back to being a noisy bird, squawking and chirping and trying to get me to pay attention to him. I tried to nap on the sofa (which is a no-no because someone always calls or knocks on the door) and just as I closed my eyes he started in with his annoying squawks. Man oh man, what happened to my quiet bird? He is still very sweet he just needs my attention 24 hours a day. Anyways, I'm still doing training and think something is not right. He steps up on to my finger but nibbles my finger like an insane bird. It does not hurt at all and actually it tickles and makes me laugh. Seriously, this bird is cuckoo. Actually, I don't think either of us know what we are doing. Its like the blind leading the blind. Terrible.
Orney had some guy mowing his yard again. I think he uses a push mower. That's cool. I have never used a push mower. I have heard they are hard to push. You have to have good muscles. The girl that drives the bright yellow car takes off each morning like she is in the Indy 500. I guess she is late for work or just enjoys take off. Georgie had mentioned that she drives too fast down our street and I had not noticed it before but he is correct she really shoots out of her driveway and down the street.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins
Everyone should make these. They are amazing!
Muffin Batter
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Line muffin pans with paper liners. Preheat the oven to 350˚ F.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda; whisk to blend. In the bowl of an electric mixer combine the eggs, sugar, pumpkin puree and oil. Mix on medium-low speed until blended. With the mixer on low speed, add in the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
Cream Cheese Filling
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 large egg
1 tbls flour
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
Combine the cream cheese, egg, flour and confectioners’ sugar in a medium bowl and mix well until blended and smooth. Set aside.
Muffin Topping
1/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 tbsp. flour
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
To make the topping, combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon in a small bowl; whisk to blend. Add in the butter pieces and cut into the dry ingredients with a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture is coarse and crumbly. Transfer to the refrigerator until ready to use.
To assemble the muffins, fill each muffin about 1/2 full with batter, drop in a spoonful of cream cheese filling and sprinkle tops with a tablespoon of the muffin topping. Bake for 15 minutes for regular sized muffin tin or 30 minutes for jumbo sized muffins.
Everyone should make these. They are amazing!
Muffin Batter
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Line muffin pans with paper liners. Preheat the oven to 350˚ F.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, salt and baking soda; whisk to blend. In the bowl of an electric mixer combine the eggs, sugar, pumpkin puree and oil. Mix on medium-low speed until blended. With the mixer on low speed, add in the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.
Cream Cheese Filling
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 large egg
1 tbls flour
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
Combine the cream cheese, egg, flour and confectioners’ sugar in a medium bowl and mix well until blended and smooth. Set aside.
Muffin Topping
1/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 tbsp. flour
3/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
To make the topping, combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon in a small bowl; whisk to blend. Add in the butter pieces and cut into the dry ingredients with a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture is coarse and crumbly. Transfer to the refrigerator until ready to use.
To assemble the muffins, fill each muffin about 1/2 full with batter, drop in a spoonful of cream cheese filling and sprinkle tops with a tablespoon of the muffin topping. Bake for 15 minutes for regular sized muffin tin or 30 minutes for jumbo sized muffins.
Weird Videos I've Watched
Cats Annoying Dogs
