Francis

Francis used to be pretty wild just one and a half years ago. Not so now! He rested his head here for about five minutes while I scratched behind his ears and on his neck. They say donkeys are smarter than horses and that they have a great memories. Apparently, Francis remembers me well enough to welcome me petting him. Now, if we could just ride him...

Loads of Love

Today's mountain to climb: laundry. With lots of guests coming to the ranch each week comes a mountain of soiled towels, sheets, and fine linen napkins. After completing 12 loads at the lodge yesterday, plus 5 of our own here, I am becoming quite the laundry ninja.

Although laundering SOUNDS monotonous, it is very much an art, with each piece coming with tiny scripted instructions - EXCEPT for the linen napkins, which is where my current challenge begins. One of the maids left a recently used set if them pink-stained and soiled, as she washed them with reds and failed to treat them for stains. I know you cannot use chlorine bleach on linen napkins or they will yellow. I also know you must treat a stain on them immediately with one of about four approved treatments for the special flax-based material. I also know you cannot wash reds with whites. When treated properly, these napkins can outlast their cotton cousins and rest more beautifully alongside the dinnerware when crisply starched. At this moment, they are soaking in an oxodized stain remover... To be continued.

Our Furry Friends

Carolina wren

This beautiful songbird, a Carolina wren, joined me in singing to the Lord this morning!

 

 

Reference: Birds of Central Texas: A Guide to Common and Notable Species published  by quickreferencepublishing.com

Psalm 96

Praise to God Who Comes in Judgment

1 O sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
    tell of his salvation from day to day.
3 Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples.
4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
    he is to be revered above all gods.
5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
6 Honor and majesty are before him;
    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering, and come into his courts.
9 Worship the Lord in holy splendor;
    tremble before him, all the earth.

10 Say among the nations, “The Lord is king!
    The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
    He will judge the peoples with equity.”
11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
    let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
12     let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy
13     before the Lord; for he is coming,
    for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
    and the peoples with his truth.

Reference: Biblegateway.com

Waning Snow Moon

Did anyone see the giant, orangish moonrise tonight?! Wow. It was beautiful. Two days ago, it was a full Snow Moon; now, it is waning (going dark). According to the Farmer's Almanac online, here is where the name comes from:

"– Full Snow Moon – February Since the heaviest snow usually falls during this month, native tribes of the north and east most often called February’s full Moon the Full Snow Moon. Some tribes also referred to this Moon as the Full Hunger Moon, since harsh weather conditions in their areas made hunting very difficult."

I took this picture of the moon rising over the pond, or tank, by our house. 

Guess what?

Guess what? Besides chicken butt... (private joke) my husband, Robert, is in a commercial on this website called Behind the Badge. It's a great charity that raises money for policeman, fireman, EMT's and their families if they are in need. He appears at 43-44 seconds. :) 

Question: What persuasive technique is used in this commercial? Answer by posting a comment.

Simple Chicken Veggie Soup

Simple Chicken Veggie Soup

1 box of chicken broth

1/2 bag of frozen chicken tenders

1 bag of baby carrots

2 or 3 large onions

2 or 3 zucchini squash

1 bag (or batch) of sliced mushrooms

1 cup of fresh spinach

2 tbsps. chopped garlic

1 tbsp. salt

2 tbsps. pepper

1 tsp. Goya Adobo All Purpose (Mexican) Seasoning

shredded Mozzarella cheese

Boil the frozen chicken until it's done - the tenders will float. Remove the tenders and set aside to cool. I scoop out more broth from this pot as needed. After they have cooled and you have finished boiling the veggies as described below, you may cut and add the chicken last.

While the chicken is boiling, and in a separate pot, bring the box of chicken broth and the same amount of water to a boil and start to boil the carrots while you cut the onions into eighths. After about 5 minutes, add the onions. While those boil for a couple of minutes, slice the squash, then add it. Now, dump in the pre-sliced mushrooms and all spices - save the spinach for last as it needs no boiling at all. After all veggies are somewhat tender (careful not to overcook), add the cup (or more) of spinach. After serving, add Mozzarella cheese on top and allow a few minutes for it to melt. That's it! 

This soup is great with corn chips - our favorite are the blue corn. Also, you can change it up and add celery, try yellow squash, or try other veggies like turnips or rutabagas - whatever is in your fridge. The trick is - no tomatoes or potatoes, as they totally change the flavor.