Cream Puffs My Way

Well today I made my first batch of cream puffs. Man it takes a pretty strong arm to beat in all those eggs but I did it! I can remember loving cream puffs as a kid and could never fathom how someone could possibly make these at home, other than a bakery, Dainty Pastry comes to mind. One late afternoon along time ago (sounds like a fairytale) Nana Ivy said she was in the mood for cream puffs and walked into the kitchen and whipped up these delicate, light, fluffy pastries in just an hour and for me it was as though magic was happening before my eyes. Nana Ivy was full of surprises when it came to any type of cooking and her daughters have this same talent. She may have used every pot and utensil in the kitchen but you could bet whatever the meal was, it was going to be SO good. I feel very fortunate to have learned quite a bit about a little of everything from her family. I really thought I could never attempt cream puffs and then I thought, wait a minute, why not me! Though my cream puffs weren't drizzled with chocolate, because it burnt up in the microwave, Leisure Lee ate three of them and I must say they tasted purty darn good. Now I can make them even better and it doesn't matter how many times I try, it's all worth it - it's good for my soul!

Marigolds and Mosquitoes Solutions

My daughter and I have been discussing mosquito remedies and though they are not buzzing around my ears here in California, she said they are in full force in Massachusetts's. I'v read that marigolds are great to repell mosquitos and other unwanted insects. I recently subscribed to "Real Simple" (life made easier) and they also suggest trying, Repel Lemon Eucalyptus in a concentrated formula which can be found at http://www.repel.com/ and costs about$6.50. Other interesting facts about those pesky insects: they are not attracted to perfume they are only attracted to your breathing, they are weak fliers, keeping a fan on may deter them and wouldn't you know it, female mosquitos are the ones after your blood because they need the protein to lay eggs. Other suggested websites by Real Simple are: http://www.bugband.net/ and patches, http://www.dontbitemepatch.com/. Come to think of it the smoke that is blanketing our state might be keeping the mosquitoes at bay - it's a miserable situation!

Busy Bluebirds

I've never been one for birds, that is I've never admired them as pets or, liked seeing them in a cage. But watching them in their own habitat and building birdhouses is nice hobby and something I've really come to enjoy. This picture was taken this morning and the male is a beautiful violet color and the female isn't quite as showy. These two parents feed their babies all day long, they are just like my grandchildren, always hungie. I built the birdhouse in a woodworking class and the specifications are just for bluebirds. Of course there's always some disagreement on the dimensions an if a perch should be added or, not. My instructor disagreed with my theory on the perch. One thing to remember is not to paint your birdhouse, leave it all natural!

Auburn State Theater

It has been a long time coming since our home town theater looked so beautiful, it is finally being renovated. I drive past the theater everyday on my way to work and the change is wonderful, the colors pop out at you and the marquee has an old vintage look. I'm not sure if the theater will be showing movies again but there are quite a few people that are very happy see part of their history saved. There has been an out pouring of community volunteers to assist in saving our State Theater. You can view more pictures at auburnjournal.com. The lighting of the marquee is July 11th - Yippee!

Summer Solstice an Fiddle Festival June 2008

Leisure Lee and I attended a Fiddle Festival at the Nevada County fairgrounds last night. I hate to say it but it has been along time since we went out on a Friday night. We've become so glued to our T.V. it's really pathetic. So, when last nights master teacher of the fiddle camp said, "don't get stuck in your lounge chairs and start looking for your remote," it rang true for me. The evening started off with an old Scottish tune, "The Armes Dealer Daughter." It was my favorite tune of the night. The Fiddle Festival was held last week and the group spent the week in the woods and Alsdair said they were anarchist of fiddlers, cellists, guitarist and piano players. Since the festival landed on the cusp of the summer solstice, there was dancing, singing and of course music from Scottish to Quebec and a cross between Celtic fiddling with rifts and lots of stomping of the feet for percussion but there was a drummer and one flutist. The Fiddle Camp is head towards Santa Cruz and then onto Pyrenees, Spain. What a memorable night!

Dawn Redwoods

Last year during fall a beautiful Dawn Redwood was cut down on the school property where I work. I was devastated because it was such a careless mistake. Dawn Redwoods have an interesting history with our region and at one time they thought to be extinct. So, after having a few words with the man who cut down this giant of a tree I scavenged to find some seeds and I thought it would be cool to try and grow one myself. I planted the seeds awhile back and nothing happened. In my research, I read not to be disappointed if not one seed germinated. I hadn't given up on the idea of growing my own Dawn Redwood, I still have more seeds. But one week ago I decide to park my car down in the area where the beautiful Dawn Redwood stood for more than 70 years plus and to my surprise I spotted a little Dawn Redwood growing. I ran up to the office and told my friend Mo come down and see what I discovered. While were looking over the area we must have counted seven little Dawn Redwoods trees. I hope to inherit one of these little beauty's - see for yourself!

June Gloom

June has been a rocky month with my family just moving back to Massachusetts - I felt like my world dropped out from under me when they drove away. Me and Leisure Lee are looking forward to visiting them in October and once I become more familiar with their surroundings I know I'll feel better about their move.
They live next to a really beautiful pond so they can swim, fish and ski if they choose to. Our little Buckaroo will no doubt learn to swim on the pond among other things his older brother and sister will teach him. I can visualize their live and how nice it will be for them to grow up with nature in their backyard.