Rhubarb Crisp

I was in a funk on the 28th. It had rained buckets & our roof leaked into the kitchen which in turn sent 2 beloved items to electronic heaven...my cell phone & our new camera....=( So I was not a happy camper so to speak. What to do in times like that??? Go to the garden & harvest rhubarb & make this. Before you know it you'll be in happy land enjoying this scrumptious treat...believe me, I know these things & you really outta make this if you have some rhubarb on your hands.

Rhubarb Crisp


1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup flour
3/4 cup quick cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup melted butter
1 tsp cinnamon

4 cups sliced rhubarb

1 cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp corn starch
1 cup water
1tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 8x8 pan

Mix light brown sugar, flour, oats, melted butter & cinnamon in a bowl. Press half of crust mixture into the bottom of the pan.

Pour rhubarb on top of crust

In a saucepan combine granulated sugar, corn starch, water & vanilla. Cook over medium heat until liquid is clear. Pour hot clear liquid over rhubarb. Top with remaining crust mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 to 55 minutes

Note: My cell phone has since come back to life but the camera is still not up to par....oh and don't forget to top this desert with ice cream....your tummy will thank you oodles!!!!

Homemade frozen pudding pops

Who doesn't love frozen treats on a warm sunny day? Actually who doesn't like frozen treat ANY day? When I ran across a recipe for these homemade pudding pops I knew I had to give it a whirl & it turned out yummalicious!!

Ok, the 1st couple pics are of the process of making the pops...and proof that it's not a boxed pudding mix. Now I would have never even thought pudding could be made any other way & am still quite fond of my boxed pudding.


Mixing the dry ingredients

scalding the milk & mixing the wet with the dry

and waaaalaaaaa! We've got tasty pudding pops ready to put in the freezer to enjoy just as soon as the freezer freezes them....and I can honestly tell you, it couldn't happen soon enough. To get the lil buggers out just dip the mold in hot water & they pop right out. Enjoy...and try not to eat too many...if you can. Here's the recipe:

Homemade pudding pops

¾ cup sugar
1/3 cup cornstarch
½ tsp salt
¼ cup cocoa powder
2 eggs, separated
½ cup cold milk
3 ½ cup milk, scalded
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsp butter

Combine sugar, cornstarch, salt, cocoa powder. Stir in beaten egg yolks & the cold milk.

Beat chocolate mixture into the hot scalded milk. Heat until mixture thickens on medium heat.
Add vanilla & butter. Fold in beaten egg whites.

Pour mixture into molds or even paper cups with a popsicle stick inserted. Freeze and enjoy.

The pudding also tastes yummalicious warm. I know this kind of stuff…cuz I tried it & you should too!!! =)

Note: for vanilla pudding omit the cocoa powder.

Garden's Galore!!!

So, I totally planted a garden this year & I'm so super stoked & cannot even wait to reap what I sewed & make fresh salsa, stewed tomatoes, pickles & just eat fresh!! Now for those who know where I live they know I lack a yard & growing a traditional in the ground garden is not possible. But, this summer my in laws will be spending time in Massachusetts with my husband's Nana. She is not doing well at all & has many trying times ahead of her. Please keep her in your prayers. Well, seeing as the in-laws will be gone I get to use their soil & plant this here garden =)


We have 12 tomato plants, 6 green belle peppers, 8 cucumber mounds, 5 butternut squash, zuchinni, and a couple rows of carrots. Did I meantion how excited I am about this????

This is one of those topsy turvy upside down tomatoe planter things that hangs on our garage. We have never had any luck growing patio tomatoes in containers so we figured...let's give it a whirl. I am happy to report Ken had the 1st ripe tomater on his burger last night....so it works...knock on wood!!

Below is a series of pictures of our flower gardens. The lilacs & iris' & lilies are not in bloom yet.

These are the front side gardens

Now remember how I said we lack a yard? Yeah, well I'm stubborn & am bent on having a garden at home even though we have the one at my in-laws.


We have spinich....

and a gourmet lettuce blend

and leaf lettuce....

and a good pot of dill growing for those pickles I mentioned before.

oh, and we have to have catnip for the kitties...

It's almost June and that is when our local Farmer's Market begins & folks that has me so immensly stokeled I can't even stand it!!! Woot woot!!!

Ken & Kenzie have a Birthday!!

On May 24th two Woodbury's had a birthday.....

I'll do McKenzie 1st cuz she's the youngest...she's our 3rd oldest pup & turned a whoppan 8yrs old. And yup, she was born on Kensters 24th birthday .....

which makes Ken a whoppan 32yrs old!!!!

We were camping up at Ken's family's camp for the special day. We rescued McKenzie from a home that totally neglected her and she's been nothing but awesome! I do encourage anyone who is in the market for a pup to rescue one from a shelter or a neglected home. They are the most loyalist lil fluffy friends you'll ever have!! And the hubbykins is pretty swell too!! But you can't adopt him. =)

What I Cannot Change

Oh boy oh boy!! Have I ever got oodles to talk about!!! My blogcation was pretty fab & in the coming days & most likely weeks I'll fill you in on the ups & downs that went on. But tonight I want to share what I believe to be one of the best songs I have heard yet. The words are profound & touch every aspect in my life & I am certain it will touch you in some way as well.

Ok, so background on the song...cuz we all know I just don't get to the point & always have something to say. I first heard this song in the semi as we were driving down the road. I had been having a real yucky feeling day from my Meniere's & was a pretty frumpy frog. This song came at the precise moment I needed it. I can go days and weeks that I will feel dandy as all beans & then will have a week long unjazzy dizzy time. It's times like that when I realize my life is not 'normal'...not like it ever was. But gol darnit...I miss the old me sometimes...but, I cannot change that.

I had put the song in the back of my mind....until Saturday when Ken & I were looking for a book for his Mom for Mother's Day & we ran across Leann Rimes Book titled "What I Cannot Change." Ken immediately told me I NEEDED to purchase it for myself no matter what the cost.

And here's it is folks..."What I Cannot Change" by Leann Rimes check out the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZhNQDab7Jg

I know what makes me comfortable
And I know what makes me tick
And when I need to get my way
I know how to pour it on thick
Cream and sugar in my coffee
Right away when I awake I face the day and pray to God
I won’t make the same mistakes
All the rest is out of my hands
I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can
Yeah I don’t know my father
Or my mother well enough
It seems like every time we talk
We can’t get past the little stuff
The pain is self-inflicting,
I know it’s not good for my health
But it’s easier to please the world
Than it is to please myself
All the rest is out of my hands
I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can
Right now I can’t care about how everyone else really feels
I have enough hurt of my own to heal
I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to let go what I cannot change
I will learn to forgive what I cannot change
I will learn to love what I cannot change
But I will change, I will change
Whatever I, whenever I can


Now, I know I think a lot...probably more than most, but this song makes me want to become a better version of me. I have so much to learn, things that need forgivness, things I need to let go of & things I need to accept and love. I'd like to think Leann Rimes had some hunch that a girl by the name of Kathy in Upper Michigan needed a song to get through some stuff & she wrote this one for me....but I am certain after you read the words and listen to the song you will definately think the same about yourself. And in true Kathy style I leave you with a quote:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.

Blog-cation

As the title says & as you may have noticed, I've decided to take a 'blog-cation'. I know I haven't been giving the good ole blog my all & posting what I feel less than par posts is not what I find good. I need to do some dream chasing & soul searching & do that in a non public way. I may pop in & zap in an entry on a whim if the fancy strikes. If not I'll be busy as usual traveling with my hubby, going on crocheting safaris & exploring all the fun forms of creativity that drive Ken batty!! =) I will also be checking in with my favorite bloggy friends Until we meet again...in the words of Harry Truman..."and in case I don't see ya, good afternoon, good evening, and good night! ...

I'll leave you with some of my favorite quotes:

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it.William Arthur Ward

The power of imagination makes us infinite.John Muir

I cannot give you the formula for success, but I can give you the formula for failure--which is:Try to please everybody.Herbert Bayard Swope

Our truest life is when we are in dreams awake.Henry David Thoreau

If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want, and all that is left is compromise.

Uniformity is boring

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Hippity Hoppity!!!

Happy almost Easter!!! Meet lil miss bunny basket!!! I saw a picture of a basket with a bunny face on the front...and came up with this:

It was so fun to use my brain & come up with a design & even funner when I gave it to the lil girl I made it for!!!

Here's wishing you a hip hoppan Easter!!!

They're Shutting Detroit Down

Don't read this if you get offended easilly.

The other night I watched the Country Music Awards with my hubbykins. One song stuck out like no other. John Rich's song titled "They're Shutting Detroit Down" Talk about an amazing song with lyrics that completly encompass my feelings. I come from a hard working family. My Dad was a hard working Mill worker, raised 10 kids....and did it honest!!! Nobody bailed him out... There are many songs that have the capability of getting to me...but this one definately takes the cake!! Kudos for John for expressing himself with his talent!!! Jeepers!! Does this song ever fire me up. http://www.cmt.com/videos/john-rich-country/367274/shuttin-detroit-down.jhtml??


And here are the words:

My daddy taught me in this country everyones the same You work hard for your dollar and you never pass the blameWhen it dont go your wayNow I see all these big shots whining on my evening newsAbout how their losing billions and its up to me and youTo come running to the rescueWell, pardon me if I dont shed a tearThere selling make believe and we dont buy that hereBecause in the real world their shuttin Detroit downWhile the boss man takes his bonus paid jets on out of townDCs bailing out them bankers as the farmers auction groundYeah, while there living up on Wall Street in that New York City townHere in the real world their shuttin Detroit downHere in the real world their shuttin Detroit downWell that old mans been working in that plant most all his lifeNow his pension plans been cut in half and he cant afford to dieAnd its a crying shame, cus he aint the one to Blame When I looked down to see his calloused hands Well let me tell you friend it gets me fightin madCause in the real world their shuttin Detroit downWhile the boss man takes his bonus paid jets on out of townDCs bailing out them bankers as the farmers auction groundYeah, while there living up on Wall Street in that New York City townHere in the real world their shuttin Detroit downYeah while there living up on Wall Street in that New York City townHere in the real world their shuttin Detroit downHere in the real world their shuttin Detroit downIn the real world their shuttin Detroit downTheir shuttin Detroit down[Thanks to 2 step, Olivia Messier for lyrics]

Logie's Boston Red Sox Sweater!!!

I'm just so excited for the start of baseball season!!! What better way to hit it off with but with a lil crocheted Boston Red Sox sweater & a crocheted Ball cap Bosox style!!!!




Ohhh, and by the way...this lil set will be shipped to New York!! Yup...land of the Yankees!!! By the way.....Miss Kathy is NOT a fan of the Yanks....

The lil recipient of this sweater is named Logan...and he's gonna be one cool dude sporting Bosox...did I mention lil Logey's Dad is a Yanks fan???? Yeah...it should be interesting.

But did I also mention...Logey's Mom is a Bosox fan.....equally fun!!! When Logan was born I broke down & made him a Yanks set...but hopefully he grew out of that by now & has had enough time for his lil (almost) 10 month old self to come to the land of Fenway!!!

Ahhhhh the 11th of April cannot come fast enough!!! Go BOSOX!!!!!

Arizona Claire

Here's our lil Joker Arizona Claire....today is her 2nd birthday =)

By no means was another dog in our plans...we had enough with the 4 we had...but seriously...look at lil lil muffin of snuggle luv!!!
It seem like she was just this small....
Now let me tell you the amazing story of lil Zoney Bologna also knows as Zoner Boners, Zoney Groanyand Zoney...Ken came home from the store & said they had cute pups there...so I said "see ya later" and he warned me not to take another da$% dog home!! Well...you'd think he'd of learned by now...1st don't even mention a pup needing a home & 2...NEVER ever tell me No, don't that I can't...because I will prove you wrong & DO IT!!!! I had no idea what kind of dog I was going to go get....just that they were cute pups...and well, all pups are cute if you ask me!!! Well we got home & Ken fell in love with her. My original name for her was Kora...but Ken & I also had the name Arizona picked out....Why Arizona for an Alaskan Husky do you wonder....

In 2006 Ken & I had celebrated our 10th anniversary. We had a big party at the hall where we actually got married. Anyways, our good friend & fellow trucker Bill, dubbed "Arizona Bill" came to the party to celebrate with us. Bill was an amazing, caring, full of P&V, funny, compassionate man. Always willing to help & just a good guy. Sadly a couple months after our anniversary party we got the news that Airzona Bill had died in his semi from a heart attack....it was a very sad day...the man meant so much to both of us.

So, Ken was dead set on naming the new lil fluffer nutter Arizona. I must also mention...Arizona Bill raised dogs....Husky's to be precise!! Now what a kwinkidink eh!! Now, most people don't give their pets middles names...well we do!!! For years Ken's nana has asked why one wasn't named after her. We have others that have middle names of loved ones. LOL Anytoots, we decided Claire (Nana's name) & I assure you...Nana loves it! LOL It's an honor to have such an amazing dog. She, along with our other 4 have completely filled our hearts. I know...I sound like a wakadoodle!!! Ok...off to the kitchen to bake a cake for the birthday girl...KIDDING!!!! They got rice krispie treats earlier =)