Blooms

In warmer climates..they have blooms.  Photo from my sister.

 We will have blooms in a couple of months.  After all it is Minnesota...my Dad used to say that over his years he witnessed snow in Minnesota every month of the year.  I wish I could recall what years he said...but I cannot.

Minnesota weather: Sunny!  high 48F or 9C low was 25F or -4C eh!  

We had a quiet day on Saturday.  Far Guy did some woodcarving.  I did some laundry and crocheting. 

I made potato salad and Andy grilled steaks so it was almost a Summertime meal.  And it was delicious!

Saturday evening they are all watching hockey, I will join them for a bit...hockey is ok ...I can watch a bit and no one gets upset if I ask dumb questions!  Then I will escape to read:)

Far Side

Lilac

 The Japanese Tree Lilac is blooming at the house next door it is a beauty!

I wonder if mine is blooming at home. Some years it blooms and some years it does not.

I had a busy day Friday entertaining Baby K who her Mom calls Bean, and showing Maddie how to make potato salad. 

Far Guy did some woodcarving.  This years Christmas Ornament has been decided.

Far Side

Warm Days

We have a few more days of highs in the 80's and then back down into the 70's.  I like 70's.  

I cooked 8 pounds of potatoes and 20 eggs for potato salad for a gathering on Saturday and mixed up the goop, I may get it mixed up yet Friday night after I write this blog entry...we will see what appeals more to me...a whirlpool bath or the mixing of the eggs, potatoes and goop.  I am also doing laundry inbetween cooking and of course making supper...salmon for Far Guy and hamburger for me....along with a bit of potato salad.  

 After this I am taking a vacation from cooking for three days...I am done...I am all cooked out. We can eat fruit. 

My Mom's Lilies a few years ago.

Far Side

About Picnic's

About Picnics.. keep the hot stuff hot, and the cold stuff cold. I rarely make hot stuff, Far Guy would agree. But if I were to make something hot, which would be highly unlikely, I would put it in a crock pot... or do it the old way. My old way was this: I would boil up some hot dogs, place them in their buns and then wrap them in aluminum foil and put them in an old roaster, grab the ketchup, some chips and a beverage and we could be picnicking in no time..with warm hot dogs..cause there is nothing worse than a cold dog.

Keeping the cold stuff cold, now this requires a bit of planning. First you need two bowls and a coffee cup. Pretty ones that are mostly matchy, matchy and different sizes work great.
No, I have not taken leave of my senses..recently. I partially filled the beautiful enamel bowl with water, then I set the beautiful non crystal but a cheap imitation inside the beautiful enamel bowl, making sure that it did not overflow when I so gently added a coffee cup that reminds me of chocolate. Then I threw it into the freezer..well not exactly..but you get the idea. Actually I walked very carefully as it sloshed around. Water is heavy..it weighs 8.34 pounds per gallon. Extra info I know, but just in case you were ever on Who wants to be a Millionaire or something... Freeze it overnight.

The next morning, take it out of the freezer, remove the coffee cup weight, add your salad, away you go to your picnic! Of course you could just use a cooler, I will use a cooler partially filled with ice to nestle my bowl in for longer trips to picnics. This salad, such as it is will stay cool on any serving table for quite some time..when the ice has all melted and the water is warm it is no longer safe to eat. Hopefully by that time, your salad is all gone!

Yes, I know, I didn't actually make the potato salad..but it is a great illusion..don't you think? I will be making my famous potato salad a few times this summer. Just use your imagination to taste it, not too tart, not too sweet..I would share the exact recipe with you, but I got it from my Mom and it goes something like this. Cook potatoes and eggs..cool.. Chop green onion..these main ingredients are pleasantly joined in a well blended mixture of KRAFT Miracle Whip ( no substitutes), mustard any old cheap kind as long as it is yellow, Half and Half, salt, pepper, a dash of white vinegar and white sugar. I taste as I go, and I just know when it is right. A sunny pale yellow color, with a creamy texture. Enough should be added to the potatoes and eggs so that it is fairly moist but not soupy! This does not make me a chef, just an old lady without a real recipe:)