Ice Gilted Limbs

Delicate, glassy-slick ice gilts tree limbs and branches.

Deceptively, rainwater marries thorougfares in a beautiful and frigid bond,

While the heavens toss icy crystals after the solemn ceremony

prose penned by: Barbara Jack

The day began as anticipated, covered with a thin layer of slick ice. A little frosty in spots to give the world a winterland look, but through the quiet there was sound: a crack, a swoosh and a thump. Limbs cracking and falling from the weight of the ice. As I walked around listening for cracking limbs above, another noise stopped me in my tracks. As I looked, a large black bird left a limb, wings in slow motion, but much power, as it flew further away from my steps. Remember the buzzards from a few weeks ago? Only a few remain in the area, and three, exactly, in our neighborhood this morning. The sound of the wings were heavy. They appeared sopping wet, but I wondered if they might perhaps be iced too.

Hope everyone is staying warm!!

Smiles

Gustav wears combat boots!

Gustav is marching across the gulf. . . my heart breaks for all those needing to evacuate from Alabama to Texas. So many people are just starting to get back in their homes and settling into neighborhoods and now having to run again.

As for New Orleans, Mayor Nagin and all the officials are showing how busy they have been the past three years - wow, even pet carriers for those who do not have them! I am impressed! Seems as if all the i's are dotted and t's are crossed. I hope all in that area respect what the leadership has obviously worked so hared to plan and implement!

May God bless you all!

I do not live on the coast, several hundred miles in, but we do get the feeder bans and the tropical depressions/storms left (I am somewhat of a hurricane junkie). This time we are receiving just the bans. They started yesterday and have increased some today. One minute blue skies and the next rain clouds and right back to blue skies. Ooops, this one has some showers - just chased the teen mower in from mowing, gotta get it done!

Good Luck Gulf Coast! You are in my prayers!

Ramlbings and Tumblings and Pleasantries

So many thoughts and choosing what to put down is like nailing jello to the wall, so what to write? I will just ramble . . . .

First - A Favorite . . .

I don’t know if this flavor is distributed nationwide – but it is the “bombdiggety” (ok, old school). I have watched for it all summer, and now I know, it does not come out until August, and I am not sure how long they keep it on the shelves, but I do know from past years, NOT LONG! It has little round pie crust wafers in it and real chunks of peaches.

It is really good – try some!

Now tumbling . . . Dead limbs falling . . .as in trees . . . .

Fay left us with 8 inches of rain in our yard, other areas 10"-24" inches of rain.

And all the moisture left us with:

Pretty neat how they pop up in all different shapes and sizes.

So now the yard needs a haircut, otherwise known as mowing :) . Of course limbs and pinecones and tree trash have to be picked up first, we do not own one of those awesome yard vacuum things I hear my kids talking about. We did the first round of picking up Monday evening, but we were chased inside by more rain and tornado warnings (luckily no tornadoes). Tuesday the day broke bright and sunny. No new tree trash down. Then yesterday - Wednesday, We get home and what do we have, more limbs down.

Why do dead limbs stay up during storms and always fall on the sunny pleasant days?

Now Pleasant . . .

Running this small business limits time with friends. My closest friend also changed jobs and had the nerve to change to a job in another town . . .45 minutes away and maybe a little closer to her home, I mean! Her new job keeps her very busy and tied down - so lunches are not just limited - they are non-existent. She called today to have lunch, but I couldn't since I am the only one at the shop today. But it was great to talk to her. Her driving from one town to the other gave her time to chat that we would not ordinarily have (yes, we are aware about cell phones and driving - oops) . It was a nice time catching up - not completely, but closer.

It is a good day!

Fay and Needing something yummy to eat

Another day of Fay. I hate so many are dealing with high winds and flooding. I wish everyone could experience the pleasant change in weather that we have. August is usually hotter than hades! Yesterday's high- 77! I loved it. We usually have no wind, no breeze, this wind/breeze reminds me of being in the Rockies when I was little. The rain has been mostly a drizzle with just regular rain here and there. I hope that will be all Alabama and Mississippi will get . . . Stay dry, rent a great movie and , well why not have something great to eat

Balsamic Pork Tenderloin

1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. Rosemary (fresh)
1 Tbsp. thyme (fresh)
1Tbsp. Olive Oil
1 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar

1 1/2 - 2 lbs pork tenderloin

3 cloves garlic

Cut garlic cloves into slivers. In bowl mix first 6 ingredients. Set aside. With paring knife, cut 5 or 6 slit in tenderloin - or enough to accomodate garlic slivers - add more if you LOVE garlic. Insert garlic slivers in slits. Rub mixture from the bowl over tenderloins. Let marinade at least 30 minutes. It is is even better if you marinade longer.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees (trust me, this is great -unless your oven is really splattery, then it might smoke).

Place tenderloin in baking dish. Roast for 20-25 minutes until cooked to desired doneness. We like ours a little pink - but juices run clear. If you have a meat thermometer - 160 deg internal temp.

Enjoy!!