"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." ~George Bernard Shaw

"Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time." ~Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn


Friday, July 30, 2010

Your Comments Are My Sunshine Blog Award

Jingle passed this happy award on to me and I thank her for

this lovely kindness. In return I will share 7 things about myself:

1. I wake up cheerful and happy

2. I am afraid of heights

3. I like potatoes better than chocolate

4. I'd rather be outside enjoying the weather

5. I taught myself how to read when I was 4

6. I don't mind getting dirty if I'm doing something fun

7. I like to camp


The Rules of Acceptance:

1. Thank those who loved you enough to bestow this gift.
2. Share seven (7) things about yourself.
3. Bestow this honor onto 10 newly discovered or followed bloggers–in no particular order–who are fantastic in some way.
4. Drop by and let 10 chosen friends know you love them.

Thank You, Jingle, Friko, Helen, Tattered and Lost, Brian Miller, swputh, Annell, Signed...bkm, chiccoreal, Stafford Ray and Gabriel Abalo for your kindness in thinking of me. I appreciate your friendship, kind words and humbly accept and pass them on today to those who are dear and kind to Kathe W xoxoxo


Thursday, July 29, 2010

Magpie 25-The Collector


I am a collector of sorts
all sorts of odd stuff
from door knobs to rock quartz
and old locks and enough!


Memories guide my fixation
of texture and feel
and there is some frustration
of what will appeal


to my hand and my pocket
into which they will slip
I love it! Don't knock it!
It's a treasure trip


A habit of aquisition
this curious part of my life
it's a tangible condition
that causes no strife.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Garlic Spagetti Puts a Smile on My Face

Tonight's dinner was delish! We are testing 3 different
types of garlic...which one will make the cut and get into
our Hot Dill Pickle jars?
If you haven't tried this spagetti- give it a try. Just go to this
We got the garlic samples from Katie with Greenthumb garlic
So far all the garlic is yummy-most likely we'll be getting all 3 varieties!
Bon appetit!!

Magpie Tales #24

Those lonely dark nights tossing and turning
twisting sheets around my legs
flipping pillows over to cool my aching head.
I was so sad during those heavy hours
missing my mother, losing my best friend
with no one to comfort me or wipe the tears away.
Many years later looking back I am amazed
surviving that dark time when everything looked grim
as if looking through a dirty window and seeing no hope.

Monday, July 19, 2010

International BMW Rally in Redmond Oregon


Russell and I went to an International BMW Rally
in Redmond, Oregon last week.
As you can see from the photo above there were alot
of BMW campers. Everyone seemed to have a good time
and weather may have been HOT but at least it wasn't raining!

Below is a photo collage I put together-it shows how far some
motorcyclists rode to get here. We talked to one 75 year old
man who drove from near Buffalo, New York in 6 and 1/2 days!
Whew- now that's amazing!

Below is a photo of the intrepid motorcyclist with his vintage motorcycle-


Mr Ray Terwilliger from Eden, New York.
We could have talked to him for hours-
he had so many good stories!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Magpie #23


this was inspired by Willow's blog Magpie Tales

go visit for more creative poes, stories etc!






Ouch-it's hot!

Love so fiercely on fire hot
my soul steams


Plus an addendum to above posting

as some people said this should have been

about the extinguisher NOT the fire...chuckle-

so being an obedient good sport-here it is:



Don't blow on it!

The fire's outta control!

Extinguish it!



The firemen had to bash in the front door to get to the fire!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Summer has arrived! and N is for NUTS!

Just a little photo of part of our veggie garden at Luscher Farm.
The trellis has snow peas and sweet peas with hops on either side...
I made the quasi "Prayer Flags" from left over quilting scraps
and old painting drop cloths....they were fun and easy to make....
Happy Summer Everyone!
Meanwhile, I would like to share a waffle recipe that I adapted
to suit our personal tastes...it's waffles with finely chopped up walnuts:
Walnutty Waffles
serves 4-6
(along with the prerequisite sausages/bacon/veggie patties and fruit)
2 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup butter melted
2 cups flour
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
Beat eggs well. Add the rest of the ingredients and beat til smooth.
Batter will be thin. Bake in a waffle iron tl golden brown.
Serve with your favorite syrup, jam or fruit sauce.
YUM! Enjoy your day!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

M is for Mexican food!

Here I am in the Zocolo of Oaxaca City last May 2009.
We spent a lovely 2 weeks there in spite
of the Swine Flu.
The restaurants and shops suffered economically
as the country shut down to control a possibe epidemic.
Regardless of that, we still went and were glad we did.
Oaxaca City is an old and beautiful colonial city.
Full of charm around every corner and needless to say
we love all of Mexico. No matter where we go we are
welcomed with Mexican charm and hospitality.
Viva Mexico!
The Zocolo Mime tries to charm me....he did!

Inside one of the many food markets....


We took a few cooking classes while in Oaxaca this time
and here are two of the recipes we made...yum
I have made these at home several times!

Huachinago a la Veracruzana
(Red Snapper a la Veracruz)
serves 6
6 pieces of red snapper-about 6oz each, cut in transverse slices
1/2 med onion sliced
1 Tblspoon olive oil
5 med size roasted tomatoes
2 cloves garlic
1 small piece onion
3 ground bay leaves
1 chopped sprig parsley
6 yellow chilies
1 carrot cut in quarters and sliced
5 chopped green olives
5 chopped capers
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 to 1 Habanero chili depending on your taste buds
````````````````````````````
1. Wash the fish, season with salt and pepper and let sit for 25 minutes
2. Roast the tomatoes on a comal over low heat and begin cook the
washed and sliced carrot in 1 cup of water with a bit of salt.
http://mexicanfood.about.com/od/resources/a/comal.htm
3. After the tomatoes are roasted and cool, cut in half and squeeze out the seeds.
In a blender, blend the roasted tomatoes garlic, the piece of onion, habanero
and 1/2 cup water.
4. Chop the oilves and caper and cut the onion into slices. Fry the onion in a frying pan with the olive oil. When the onion begins to yellow add the blended tomatoes and allow to boil/simmer
over low heat for 10 minutes. Then add the olives, capers, ground Bay leaves,
parsley and yellow chilies.
5. Add a little salt and then add the fish. Cook for 5-10 minutes in a covered pot.
Serve with Arroz Negro

Arroz Negro-serves 6
1 cup long grain white rice
2 1/2 tablespoons oil-I use olive oil
1 Tbl chopped onions
3 cloves garlic chopped
1 1/2 cups liquid from black beans boiled with epazote, garlic,onion and salt
6 Epazote leaves
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysphania_ambrosioides
( I found the flavor to be quite similar to Fennel-a possible substitute?)
1/2 tsp salt
6 whole Serrano chilies-leave whole do NOT cut up

1. soak rice for 5 minutes in warm water, rinse well and drain.
2. Heat oil in a frying pan-saute rice sturring constantly until transparent
and until grains separate -about 5 minutes. Drain any excess oli from pan.
Add the oniion and garlic and stir for 2 minutes.
3. Add the bean liquid and when mixture comes to a boil, add salt, chilies,
and Epazote. Cover the rice and cook over low heat until rice is tender and
all liquid has been asorbed. About 15 minutes.
Serve with the Veracruzan Red Snapper. If you like you can mold the rice
for a fancier presentation. Enjoy!!!

Thursday, July 08, 2010

Summer Tomatoes

Magpie #22
thanks Willow!!!!
The season of tomatoes can be short or long
depending on where you are
and what Mother Nature has determined.
When I was a child the tomatoes just sort of showed up
in the salad, in the sauce and in the spicy salsa
regardless of season.
However, as I grew up I realized the warm sweet out of the garden
cherry tomatoes in our backyard were absolutely the best.
They were incomparably delicious.
I loved the tomatoey smell on my fingers-
lingering long after I had left the garden.
I would sit in the garden patch and devour that sweetness.
I was only 28 when I began to grow my own family's food.
I ripped out the stupid lawn and put in raised beds.
Mind you, the neighbors raised their eyebrows and
voiced their concerns. But oh my goodness,
how the heck could home grown veggies
devalue anyone's home?
And now, fast forward to today a mere 40 years later-
I still grow my own tomatoes not to mention all those
other vegetables and regard my tomatoes as garden candy-the best ever!
So! Grow your own-eat locally and enjoy good health!


Friday, July 02, 2010

Magpie 21

I was out of town and consequently wasn't able to post the photo that accompanied this week's Magpie. I asked readers to visualize please a short string of Chinese firecrackers ...and now that I am home I have posted the photo below.


Kaboom bang

Snap crackle pop pop

Happy Birthday America

And Happy Fourth

Sparklers waving

With matches being struck

Celebrating our blessed luck.