Odds and Ends, Bits and Pieces

It snowed this morning. I don't really care if it snows, I'm just really tired of the cold. I've realized that one of the hard parts about living in this part of Idaho is that we don't really have a spring. We have lots of cold blustery weather through March, April, and May and then sometime between Memorial Day and the end of June the weather gets warmer. Then Whammo, we're into summer for July and early August, and then it's autumn. It was warm for Monday and Tuesday, and then it got very cold and now it's winter again.

I dream of planting my garden in May. The garden is bare, but it is so cold outside I can only stand at my kitchen window and think of beatiful lush green spinach, lettuce, beans, squash, and tomatoes that will be a reality in July and August. And so while I can't go outside, I have been searching through my fabrics for just the right fabric for a new blessing dress. I thought I had the fabric, but apparently, I don't. I'm thinking of a pretty soft pink organdy - and I can't find it. I have found yellow, peach, green, blue, and purple, but no pink. Darn it! I would be OK if I found a pretty white linen also. I have two plans and the fabric I find first will determine which dress I make. As you know, the fabric determines the pattern. I'm thinking ruffles for the pink and pleats for the white. Either way, it will be beautiful. In my mind it is. And Tenny, what do you think of ivory, pink and sage green? I've planned a dress in those colors. But I have lots of other designs as well. And I think Kelsie would look fantastic is something that reminds me of tango colors like tangerine. Anyway, I'm dreaming of dresses.

And quilts.

I wanted to show you these beautiful quilts that I found on the web. I love these two designs. I would love to make something similar. I think they would be very challenging. What do you think? I can see how they are done, but I don't know all the tricks to piece something like this together. It is my goal to do something like this.

And now for something comepletely different. Here is Zack's missionary picture. Alan took about 12 shots of him. He is wearing a suit that was too little, but you can't tell in the pics. His shirt is Alan's as well as the tie. President Harrigfeld complimented Alan on how good-looking it was. You want these things to be nice - after all they will be hanging in the mission president's office for two years. All he's missing is the name tag.

And now for something completely different. What I made for dinner a few nights ago.

It's Chicken Asparagus Pasta - try it out.

All you need is:

2 chicken breasts cooked and cut bite size

1 and 1/2 lbs asparagus trimmed and washed

1 lb. bow tie pasta

1/4 cup butter

1 clove garlic minced

1/2 cup cream

1/2 cup chicken stock

zest of 1 lemon

juice of 1 lemon

salt and pepper

1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

parsley for garnish

In a lg pot bring 6 qts of water to boil. Add saparagus and boil for 2 min only. Take out asparagus, and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside. Return pot of hot water to stove and bring to boil. Add pasta and boil for 10 min. Drain pasta.

In large skillet over med heat. combine butter, garlic, cream, and stock. Stir in salt, lemon zest, and juice. Bring to a simmer. Cook for 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add chicken, cheese, and pasta.

Cut asparagus into 1" - 2" pieces.

Add asparagus to chicken mixture. Toss all ingredients together. Turn off heat and let pasta sit for sauce to thicken and flavors to combine. Add pepper and a little salt to your tast. Sprinkle with parsely. YUM!!!

So, I may not be Pioneer Woman, but this is a darn good recipe, and my Marlboro Man liked it alot. Enough to try to eat the whole thing at one sitting (And it serves 8.)

And now for something completely different!

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!

And it reminds me of a funny story . . . . .

An agricultural salesman visiting a farm with a view to selling the farmer a new type of combine harvester.

"No, sorry son," says the farmer, "my pig takes care of all the harvesting - I have no need for your fancy gizmo."

"Could save you money in the long-term" tries the salesman. "No, your combine would never match my pig's productivity - you should see him go - swishing away with that scythe."

The salesman is intrigued about this pig and asks to see the creature. The farmer leads the salesman to an enclosure. Standing within - tall and proud - is the most magnificent pig the salesman has ever seen. But the pig has got a wooden leg.

"That sure is an impressive pig, sir, but why's he got a wooden leg?" asks the salesman.

"This pig is more than 'impressive' mister - I'm sure he's unique! Do you know he can also drive the tractor!?"

"Really? But why's he got a wooden leg?"

"He drives our children to school and back!! - even helps them with their homework!!"

"I'm impressed" admits the salesman, "but why the wooden leg?"

"THIS PIG is also a leading authority on organic farming; thanks to him we've managed to branch out, and now our revenue is higher than that of any other farm in this county!!

"Yeah, yeah!! You've got one heck of a pig - I can see that by just looking at him - but why does it have a wooden leg!?" Insists the salesman.

"Did I mention the publishing deals? This pig's just written a best seller - we're going to be even richer now!!"

"Amazing, truly amazing - but why the WOODEN LEG!!!!!!!!!!"

The farmer looks admiringly at his pig and then turns to the salesman: Son, with a pig like this - you just DON'T eat him all at once."

So, that's a porkey story for my pig-lovin' siblings.