Meet Barnaby and Martin. I have had blogging friends request pictures of the rabbits. It is hard to get a good shot of these two when it is hot. We pull a shade down by their pen to keep them cool. These rabbits have an important job to do other than hop around and be cute. They produce rich manure that has helped our flowers grow and flourish. Amending the soil with aged rabbit manure adds rich nitrogen and phosphorus. Knowing what they eat helps in " what will come out"! Fortunately this manure doesn't have weed seeds. The rabbits used to have a helper Sherman, but he died last year (note: these names come from creeks that are close to where we live). Our rabbits like to have a job to do. They have worked nonstop for about six years. We show our appreciation for the great heaps of work they produce by giving them their favorite treat- Cheerios.
6/30/07
Barnaby and Martin: Rabbits With a Job To Do
Meet Barnaby and Martin. I have had blogging friends request pictures of the rabbits. It is hard to get a good shot of these two when it is hot. We pull a shade down by their pen to keep them cool. These rabbits have an important job to do other than hop around and be cute. They produce rich manure that has helped our flowers grow and flourish. Amending the soil with aged rabbit manure adds rich nitrogen and phosphorus. Knowing what they eat helps in " what will come out"! Fortunately this manure doesn't have weed seeds. The rabbits used to have a helper Sherman, but he died last year (note: these names come from creeks that are close to where we live). Our rabbits like to have a job to do. They have worked nonstop for about six years. We show our appreciation for the great heaps of work they produce by giving them their favorite treat- Cheerios.
6/29/07
Keep the Promises You Make To Yourself
Today I returned to school to organize my desk, pare down the papers in the file cabinets, and file the stuff in the tubs and baskets that got filled up and shoved out of site during the school year. I had made a promise to myself I would do this before July. Good night! How could I accumulate so much paper? I left the house with a thermos of good coffee, my favorite mug, some James Taylor CDs, Dove Promises, and a box of garbage bags. I needed reinforcements for this undertaking.It was quiet at school and the only sound heard in my room was the soothing voice of JT. Actually, once I sorted out the extra copies of every handout I had given students this year, the pile of paper dropped quite a bit. I don't know why I don't just recycle extra copies. Do I really think at some point I will make a file each time I have three extra handouts on participles? I don't think so.
In the file cabinet I dumped the reading data on the students that graduated two years ago. I doubt their parents would call me now and ask me how many words per minute their child read in sixth grade! What did I think I would do with the sign -in sheet from fall open house in 2004? Did I need the list of who went on a field trip during summer school in 2000? As quickly as I dropped paper in the recycle bin, I also relabeled the file folders. The corner of the room began to take shape.
The tubs and baskets I pulled out from under my desk and on shelves in the closet were the scariest. I was thrilled when I found a recipe our transportation director gave me. I loved that salad at a potluck. Whew! I also found the secret password that gets me into the state website to register for workshops. I ended up throwing away the Werthers candy in the bottom of the basket even though they were still in the gold wrappings. I couldn't recall when I had them at school.
I packed up the fork, some Ziplock containers, cough drops, and three CDs that had been missing. I defrosted my little refrigerator,hauled bags and bags of paper to the recycle bin, and took other stuff to the garbage. At 2:00 I stopped to enjoy a Dove Promise, listen to a little "Fire and Rain", sip some coffee, and gaze at an organized corner of the classroom. The message inside the dark chocolate fit the occasion perfectly.
6/28/07
A Great Dish for Hot Summer from the Recipe Box
My sister Silver Valley Girl served this dish a few summers ago and I have made it ever since. I think she found it on the penne package. It is a good summer recipe because you don't have to heat up the kitchen too much, it is quick, and it uses fresh ingredients from the garden or farmer's market. Add salad and bread and you have a meal for the family or an easy one for entertaining. 
Penne with Cheeses, Tomatoes, and Basil
16 oz. penne
1/3 cup olive oil
2/3 cup onion, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
2 pounds ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, coarsely chopped
( or 2 28 oz. cans whole plum tomatoes)
3 TB chopped fresh basil leaves
1 ¼ c. finely grated Parmesan cheese
3 oz. mozzarella cheese, cut into ¼ inch cubes
Begin cooking pasta.
Heat ¼ cup oil, add onions and sauté.
Add tomatoes and salt. Cook ten minutes. Stir in 2 TB basil.
Drain pasta.
Put in heated bowl. Add remaining oil and tomatoes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Add mozzarella cheese and continue tossing until the cheese starts to melt. Sprinkle with the rest of the basil and serve. Serves 4
16 oz. penne
1/3 cup olive oil
2/3 cup onion, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
2 pounds ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded, coarsely chopped
( or 2 28 oz. cans whole plum tomatoes)
3 TB chopped fresh basil leaves
1 ¼ c. finely grated Parmesan cheese
3 oz. mozzarella cheese, cut into ¼ inch cubes
Begin cooking pasta.
Heat ¼ cup oil, add onions and sauté.
Add tomatoes and salt. Cook ten minutes. Stir in 2 TB basil.
Drain pasta.
Put in heated bowl. Add remaining oil and tomatoes. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
Add mozzarella cheese and continue tossing until the cheese starts to melt. Sprinkle with the rest of the basil and serve. Serves 4
Overlapping Lilies: Inspired by Raymond Pert
Raymond Pert had taken a picture grid of flowers and created a beautiful multi-exposure collage. You can find his here. I tried it with my lily collection below. I love the way the orange and the spots stand out.
6/27/07
Annie is Now an English Shorthair!
Annie, our springer spaniel knew it was time for a summer cut. She is a good sport about getting groomed.
Shelby is glad heelers don't need haircuts. She is a low maintenance dog.
Annie got a bit worn out getting beautiful and had to take five.
Finally, the grooming session was over and she could feel the cool grass again!
McDuff is thinking he might be next for a summer hair cut. Is that the sound of clippers I hear?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)