Rain No Damper On Watershed Festival

I have to say there was still what looked to be a fine crowd today at the Redding Whole Earth and Watershed Festival! held in the City Hall Sculptural Park!  I have attended this before, but this year it was a really BIG event!  How wonderful to see so many people out enjoying a great day with the Family and Exploring Northstate Offerings!

There was great music, delicious food, more than enjoyable music and lots of Wonderful Art!

Partnerships this year with Raba, Turtle Bay and Shasta Living Streets was a huge success as far as I could tell!  I enjoyed booths from many Agency's like the Shasta Chapter of the Native Plants Society, Very Informative, I learned a lot about plants that are not even indigenous to this area that are not very friendly!  Growing Local People were having fun and had some great plants too!  There was Churn Creek, Hat Creek And so many more I can't even list them all!  A complete list of the Vendors is Here!

I saw my friend Nadia from the Bohemian Art Loft with some of her Beautiful Unique Handmade Jewelry!  The day would have been incomplete if I had not gotten to the Wow Waffle Tent,  Unbelievable!  If I could make waffles like that.....mmmmmmm....  :)

It was very interesting to see the "Shasta Living Streets Program" concept of opening the streets to foot traffic and promoting an OPEN AIR DAY! It was a delight and I had a lot of fun as I am sure there are many happy children that enjoyed a day out and about with the Family!!

I did venture on across the way to see my friend Mark at the Shamrock....http://brokeneckstudio.blogspot.com

Upcoming Show Causes Local Uproar!

In a really Good Way!  The First of this budding Venture..."The Burlap Harlot Show" at the Anderson Fairgrounds May 7th, is promising to be a really Spectacular Event!  Everyone Needs To Get Out There...This is a Perfect Example "Buy Local & Buy American"!

Sidling Sideways Into The Shamrock!

Cafe that is!  What a nice little neighborhood flavored spot he has on the corner there for the Shamrock Cafe & Creamery! Even though I have been trying to make a point of stopping by and meeting owner Mark Loring in person, since I have been bantering with him for some time now as a FaceBook friend, I was not planning on stopping in, I had just eaten a Huge bowl of Beans & Cornbread!  I was only driving by on my way to the Orchard Nutrition !  But, as I was doing that slow drive-by, I noticed a familiar looking Bald Head pointed right at me with a smile and a wave!  As I was cracking up, haven't seen Ruben since his "Hair Follies" I had to stop and get a good laugh out of it!

Mark was a really nice Guy in person, insisted on serving me some of his Renowned Cream-O-Broccoli Soup, I thought I was going to Explode from eating more after my Beans... but it Was very good!  I ate it all, skipped the Ice Cream, ...Dam ...that is sure to be a DELIGHTFUL treat!!  Next time!  I did get the inside scoop that he is having a Awesome Custom BBQ Wagon built, I can't wait to see that Baby up and running!  I want to make sure and invite him out to BBQ at my ArtStock Event!  :)

Of course... the REAL Heart Winning moment for me was... when I realized that he WAS putting food out for the cute little skittish, Stray Kitty he was denying anything to do with... LOL!  A man after my heart...  "0  I'll be going back again Really Soon!  :)

Remember to get out and Support Local Business!  Save America ~ Buy American!

Life In Redding Still Goes On...

Even though I have moved to such a sweet little town that I love, I still do not get out there and hustle like I should for my blog fodder... I do not however, seem to have ANY problem finding trouble (oh, er, uhm), entertainment... when I make my way to the Big Town North!  :)

Well, I Moved My Life To Anderson, Switching To A Different Blog!!

I am now set up and writing from out here in Anderson, CA. I no longer live in Redding!  Please visit my studio blog at http://brokeneckstudio.blogspot.com   to see what I have been up to and what is currently going on in my life!
I love it here in my quiet little neighborhood, so far I have seen quite a bit of the town, but I still do not get out that much and it is hard to write about what you haven't seen!  So hopefully I will get something rolling out here soon!

Little Sisters

They get in your stuff, tattle every chance they get, pull every mean stunt they can think of, follow you around like a puppy till you scream, infuriate you beyond reasonable means!  Then they have the audacity to make you love them... and now mine has the gall to fall irreparably ill....

Damn her anyway...

Inaugural Pot Of Menudo Gets Two Thumbs Up!

I believe His words were "The best pot ever made!"
Since I have made Mucho Menudo, this is really saying something!

He (SHE) Who Laughs Last... /or/ More Simply Put... Nah-Nah-Nah-Nah-Noogies!

How do you spell PLLLLLLT! (?) or even do it without spitting on your screen?  Well, anyway, that goes out to the Realtor that responded to an inquiry with the statement that we couldn't find anything "livable" in our price range... So, here I sit, in my new house!  Woo-Hoo!  I'm clear sailing, off into the sunset now!  It really IS all about ATTITUDE!

Clint and Mindy Cronic at Next Generation, Sheila Karlowsky over at Vitek and their respective crews were behind us all the way!  We know they did not make much $$ on our sale (sail), but they were still in there up to their (eye)balls, holding on tight, painting the deck and praying for no leaks in the hull!  Considering how much we did not know, the amount of "hand-holding", putting up with my OCD AND the fact that they had to hustle for every single dime, they all deserve way more kudos than I am capable of heaping!  :)

My Honey, being who he is, set a land speed record for single handedly moving his entire household (including a large storage unit) in just over a weekend! Of course I had to restrain myself from killing him at least a dozen times over that same period as he brow beat and wrung every ounce of available juice from my G-daughter and myself, but it did get done!

So today, I am taking a moment to bask in the glory of having my own roof over head, internet, a phone and a hot cup of coffee!  YaY!

Then I better get to crack-a-lackin on this mountain of boxes! :)

For Today, A Short Recap On "How I Broke My Neck And Now My Life Sucks!" Or, Pity Party Part III

Okay, so 3 years ago I broke my neck while fixing my daughters Bronco, which I had no business up to my neck on in the first place! Long story here!  So, a few lingering nerve issues later, well, more exactly, a bizzare one in 300,000 condition called Arachnoiditis w/ Myoclonic Dystonia!  We just call it the Herky Jerky's!  I am trying to get on with a life, live and do what I can to function and be as normal as I can.

I was actually doing okay, polishing up some old artist skills and trying out some cool new works!  I even took First AND Second place again at a local County Fair!  WooHoo!!  Then comes the Mountain Road Man!  What a wild one that is, tale that is, true, but incredible!  Seems this guy Actually owned the road where we lived and was calling off all bets. see post 9/21/08, 9/25/08 for longer version. We were forced to move out suddenly, and thank GOD for our Step-Up-To-The-Home-Plate friends J&D, we have had a place to live since then.  We are currently trying to purchase a house that we have had a bid in since Sept 9, 09, yup almost 6 months of sitting on our little hatchling of hope!

Now I had a disasterous Gallbladder issue that laid me up since Valentines Day with massive surgery, hospital and medication nightmares!

But here I am, I swear, I get knocked down, but I get up again!  You ain't never gonna keep me down! :)

On Chasing A Rainbow

Okay, so, we found a house, we put in our offer and now the games begin!

His And Hers Gourmet Pizza!

I found the nicest pair of Mini Pizza Pans at the Grocery Outlet awhile back and rediscovered them in my cabinet last night!  I was inspired!  Viola', His And Hers!

First I bought the ready made dough from WinCo, along with shredded 5 cheese Italian blend to go! I like a good White Sauce, while my Hunny prefers the Red!  For his, I selected a jar right out of the fridge left over from "Italian Chicken Sandwiches" last week, a very nice "Italian Sausage Marinara".  For my white sauce I bought a small container of Spinach Dip out of the deli and then used the last of the French Onion Dip, again out of the fridge, and mixed them together!  For both Pizzas I saute'd mushrooms and pan fried some red onions, sliced some jumbo black olives and crushed red peppers.  For his Red Sauce Pizza, I topped it with Canadian Bacon & Linguisa, then for my White Sauce Pizza, I used leftover roasted chicken and artichoke hearts!

These were undoubtedly the BEST pizzas ever!

I Miss Them Already! Okay, Well Maybe Not As Much As I Should!

They are really wonderful kids! I am just so exhausted trying to keep up with them!  And that is just the cooking too!  Anyway...Summer Vacation is over, school is looming high!

Tonight is the final night for  "Cooking At The Cascade With Doni And Kelly" and I am sure hoping to make it!  I love that movie "Spanglish" and I would like to watch someone else cook for a change!  Whew!

Squashed Bread Breakfast!

Well, a recent trip home from the grocery store ended with an ample supply of pretty squashed up bread. So after all is said and done, do you really just throw it out to the 4 legged creatures when you still have 2 legged mouths to feed? Oh' I don't think so! My Dad would roll over in his fake wood box!

So I start the "Clem Cap" up, (my Dad's thinking genes in the old noggin) and I think about French Toast! But it is a little too pinched for that, so how about bread pudding? Okay, so how about some apples too? Well, little by little I came up with this one (below), which also takes extra special adaption for the fact that my oven is a Toaster Oven and needs some real recipe modification to begin with! But I will write it with temps for a REAL oven! LOL- Unless of course you want to know how to cook in your toaster oven, E-me! :)

"Squashed Bread Breakfast Bake"

6-7 slices of squished (or not) bread, cubed
5 eggs
1 red apple cubed small
1/8 cup orange juice (I used Sunny-D) :)
1/2 cup Half & Half
1/8 cup French Vanilla Liquid coffee creamer
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp cinnamon
2/3 cup sugar
3/4 cube butter

I put the apple in the OJ to keep it from getting brown while I mess around with everything else.

Preheat oven to 325, melt butter in bottom of casserole dish, generously coat sides and bottom of dish. Leave remaining butter in dish.

Whisk together eggs, sugar, cinnamon and dairy. Add apple, coat lightly then add bread cubes. Mix gently with wooden spoon or spatula as to not break up too much but ensuring a good wet down and mix. Pour all at once into casserole dish. Cover and cook for 30 minutes, remove cover and cook for 15 more. Remove from oven, cover with towel and let rest for 10 minutes or so. Mine actually sat for about 1/2 hour and was totally groovy!

Also, I would have put in some raisins but I don't have any!

We had it with Vanilla Ice Cream, was like apple pie! You can top as you choose! :)

Okay- So, IS California About To Get A Jump Start On The New "Gold Rush"?

Or should I say "Green Rush"? LoL!
I say it is High Time we cash in on this cow!  The tobacco companies have had a monopoly long enough!

 http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j9P7paNzS32m_gMI8AAEkpvjXNWwD99F7TVO0

"Enchiladas De Casa" Recipe?

Well...ummm. okay, let's see...

Filling:
about 1# lean (I like 15%) ground beef,
brown with 1 lg chopped onion, 2 cloves garlic crushed. Then add 1/2 bag frozen corn, 1/2 bag frozen peppers mix and bring back to temp. Then add 1 sm can chopped black olives, 1 sm can ortega chilies, 1 sm can diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, crushed red chilies to taste, 2 tbls modena vinager, (or red vin w/ a little honey) 2 tbls dried celantro (or fresh, sometimes I just use salsa!) , 1 tsp cumin and a healthy dash of "Pico De Gallo", ( a mexican spice) or even a packet of taco seasoning, (my sister uses it) saute for a few minutes and then thicken with a couple of tsps corn starch in about 1/2 cp water.

1 large can enchilada sauce, we like Med, 1#(+/-) shredded cheese of choice, we usually like co-jack, 14 or so corn tortillas, 1 sm can sliced olives for top.

Start with a couple of spoons of sauce in bottom, layer tortillas, tearing as needed to cover layer completely, a little more sauce, then cheese, then meat filling, cheese, sace, tortillas, sauce, cheese, meat, etc...taking care to spread evenly and smooth into place between each layer, ending with 1 top layer of sauce, cheese, olives, cheese, and a drizzle of sauce from the bottom of the can!

Bake 375* for about 45 minutes until golden and bubbly!  Best if you cook ahead and then let it rest for awhile before serving so it "Stiffens" up, but mine hardly ever waits that long! I do have pictures actually, I just can't get my computer to talk to my camera!

I hope you give it a try, let me know!

There Is Just Something So Special About A Casserole!

I found a beautiful as well as ENORMOUS casserole dish the other day at one of my favorite 3R (Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose) shops here in town for a mere pittance of it's original cost!  So I could hardly contain my excitement long enough to get the ingredients for my family's all time FAVORITE casserole "Enchilada De Casa"!  Oh my goodness, we will be eating this for a week so I'm so glad it came out!

What's To Love About Purple Stains?

Everything!  It means the Boysenberries are ripe!  WooHoo!  We just got back in from a first picking from our "Berry Tunnel"!  Oh, they are MAGNIFICIENT!  Some of the best berries ever I swear!  I did manage to capture some footage when we were "weaving" our tunnel of vines, but unfortunately, I have still not figured out my butt from a hole in the... oh.. wait.. I mean how to operate this computer enough to get any video involved here!  But back to the berries!  Yes we have a wire "Tunnel that is approx. 18-20 foot long and far enough over my head that it requires a ladder for us shorties!  Late winter or so we went out and pruned the growth from last year and wove all the vines up and even a couple over the top of said tunnel.  It is the 3rd year of growth now and it is really filled in substantially!  We will be overwhelmed with berries here in just a few days!

We barely just got over the Cherries!  We have frozen cherries, dried cherries, canned cherries and cherry jam (some cherry syrup too) :) !

EEEWWW Cats Caught A Gopher!

This is a good thing?  Yuck!

Who Knew It Was So Complicated?

The amount of papers that need to be generated JUST TO BEGIN the proccess of ASKING for a loan?  I am going to be oozing brain juice all week!

Thank God I Was Born In America!

I am shaken sometimes when I realize the horrors survived by other humans in other parts of the world! I wish there was some way I could instill that empathy into my grandchildren so that they could understand the significant opportunity they have been blessed with JUST because they were born in America! I want to brow beat them into knowing the sacrifices that our armed forces make to allow them those privileges that they take for such granted as to even show contempt and disdain! How I would love to transport them to live in a remote village in Africa, to China or some other third world low spot and let them hang out there for a month!

Even more appalling is the treatment of women in some of these places! It just makes me angry and wish there was something I could do! I don't mean like vote for someone or send in rice either! I want to pummel someone!
These ladies are doing just that! Check it out! http://gulabi.hautetfort.com/

Donate if it moves you!

PET