Kitchen creations...

 For 17 years we have had friends Scott and Marion over to watch the triple crown horse races. They don't get the TV channel that plays them, so early on asked if they could watch here.  We began making a bit of an event of it, cooking special food, inviting other friends and neighbors. Some years it got too busy, with people we didn't even know showing up, and not enough room for everyone to see the race. 

Last year, Covid canceled the races, and we were glad to be able to get together to watch again this year. We kept it small. Marion brought all the food for the Kentucky Derby, we all contributed for the Preakness, and tonight I wanted to try something different for the Belmont Stakes. Rachel and I thought it might be fun to make homemade Gyro's. I found a likely recipe, Chris brought home the provisions, and I got to cookin'. 

I made Tzatziki sauce with local yogurt, diced cucumber, and twice as much garlic as the recipe asked for, (among other things.)  

I found a likely-looking recipe to make the meat portion. Local lamb and beef, (I made two varieties) diced red onion, garlic, lemon juice, and a whole pile of flavorful seasonings like cumin, oregano, and nutmeg.  I mixed it up early and let it sit a while so the flavors would meld. We formed them into oblong patties and Chris grilled them up to give them a nice smokey flavor. 

The most ambitious part of the project was making homemade pita bread.  I have always liked pita bread and thought fresh-baked would be tastier than store-bought. I made a double batch to feed 7 people, and to my delight, they were so popular not many were left. 

It was a simple dough, yeast, water, flour, salt, and olive oil.  I made it up and let it rise in a sunny window. Then I cut the dough into 18 or so sections,  kneaded, and formed each section into a little ball. 

I let them rest a while, then rolled each out until it was about 1/4 inch thick. 

I heated a cast-iron skilled up, and then with a wish and a prayer tossed a disk into the hot pan. In two minutes I was overjoyed to see... 

My pita had puffed!  It was unseasonably warm today, and I spent the next hour hovering over the hot stove, cooking one or two dough disks at a time, and reveling in their lovely puffiness. It was totally worth it. 

2-3 minutes a side and they became a lovely toasted color. I stacked them in an earthenware bowl, then tucked them under a dish towel to keep them warm and moist. The whole project was a time consuming effort, but oh so tasty. 

We all made our own sandwiches, fresh warm pita bread, cool tzatziki sauce, flavorful meat. I had an array of greens, tomatoes, and sliced cucumbers to add to each sandwich. Marion brought a beautiful salad complete with edible flowers, and Chris made a massive bowl of barbecue potato salad. Cheryl brought a fabulous pie. Rachel made a sweet bowl of fruit salad. It was a feast. But I am going to say that my pita pockets were a big success. Ok, I'm going to say they were the star of the show. There is a rule that one should not serve a totally new recipe to guests. I threw caution to the wind and tried three new things tonight. No complaints. I'm totally making those pita pockets again, and soon. 

The race was a nail-biter. I can hardly wait till next year's triple crown. I'll have to come up with some other new recipes to trot out. 

Relationships...

 One of the things I love about living with and around animals is watching the relationships they share. It is a constant wonder to me. 

The other day we cleaned out the donkey dorm and hung a fresh Himalayan salt block. I was happy to catch this picture of Sarah and Spirit sharing. 

 There is a bluebird house just outside the window of the grooming studio. Earlier in the spring, a pair of bluebirds checked it out, then moved on. A pair of English Sparrows visited, and I tried and succeeded in discouraging them. Tree swallows examined but didn't buy it. Today, to my delight, several pairs of bluebirds showed up and fought over the house, giving me some lovely distractions. 

There was a bit of arguing over real estate, which seems to be typical these days with humans, and bluebirds, too. I am hoping some lucky couple will raise a clutch for us to admire.  Those would be some lovely relationships to see. 

A gift of a memory, in art and shadow...

 To be honest, I don't know why people are so kind to me, it is a delightful wonder and amazement to me that they are. Here is an incredible example. 

Over the weekend I got a message from my friend Sandra. She lives in northern Maine, and we met through grooming. She is one of those creative people who can turn rags to riches,(literally) and who has a brain constantly coming up with amazing ideas of things she wants to make. A few years ago when my sweet horse, Chanel, died, Sandra asked for a photo of her. I shared a favorite and then promptly forgot all about it. 

When Sandra messaged she sent me a gasp-worthy photo of something she had created and said she was going to deliver it to me this weekend while she was passing through. I invited her and her husband to supper, and they arrived this evening. 

Using quilting techniques I can barely grasp, fabric, yarn, paint, and a depth of artistry I can only vaguely imagine, Sandra recreated Chanel's likeness for me. She said, "I wanted her to be a shadow." And she is. An incredible, beautiful, magical shadow of my sweet mare.  She even highlighted the rosiness of her velvet-soft nose. The same nose I loved to kiss. When Chanel first came to live here, she barely tolerated my kissing of that warm, sweet spot. By the time she died, she would walk up to me and firmly press that velvet space against my lips, then stand still, seeming to enjoy the kisses she once eschewed. I miss her presence in our pasture, on many levels. 

Sandra captured her in fabric and this gift is incredible. 

There are Brahma chickens and flowers worked in, too. Sandra's husband made me a nice wooden rod to hang the quilt, and there are little Maine pebbles tucked into the lower edge to make the piece hang just so. Everything about it is lovely and magical. I am steeped in gratitude. 

Away from the nest...

When Rachel was a baby we lived in Memphis. Chris' sister Brenda and her husband Nevada lived about 6 hours away from us, in Long Beach, Mississipi, a stone's throw from the Gulf of Mexico. They kindly allowed us to visit them whenever we wanted, and we did, often. Their big, welcoming, home was a great place for overworked, underpaid, new parents to go for a little R and R.  They would pamper us with amazing home-cooked meals, and we would spend happy times with little Rachel exploring the beach. The water there is tea-colored, warm, and most often quite calm because it is protected by barrier islands. Perfect for an infant or toddler to splash about in.  Buckets of happy memories were made there. I love to go back.

 Fast forward, we moved to Maine, and visits have become rare. But last weekend we flew there for an overdue reunion.  Sweet Nevada has moved on to his reward, but Brenda and now sister Meg welcomed us to their wonderful home. They drove us about on sightseeing rides, showed us the best places to get seafood while overlooking the gulf, and filled us in on family happenings. 

Here are Meg and Chris. They are 18 months apart in age and truly enjoy sharing time together. 

Chris clearly got all the "tall" genes in the family. Missing is his sister, Linda, identical twin to Brenda, so cross your eyes and see double and the whole gang will be there!  We were sad Linda couldn't join us and hope we can get the entire clan together next time. 

Our trip was brief but we packed a lot of activities in. We toured the aquarium where I patted a manta ray and a shark, explored Ocean Springs a bit, and Pass Christian as well. We saw lots of Pelicans and Palm trees, good signs that we were not in Maine anymore! There were multiple shared belly laughs and we all vowed that we need to do this again, soon. 

It was fun to get away after being Covid-bound. Our travel all went smoothly, too, a nice bonus. 

Rachel and Evans kindly stayed here and kept the home fires burning, and we were happy to arrive home, tired but glowing from having such a fine time. The dogs were overjoyed to see us, the poultry, donkeys, and goats all in fine fettle. 

My parents used to quip, "It's good to go away but good to come home, too." And it was. Today, while checking on the animals I held my camera up over the Phoebe nest in the donkey dorm, (too high for me to peek into) and snapped a quick photo while the parents were out bug hunting. This is the one shot I managed, isn't it a treat? This little one is clearly happy in its own cozy nest. I am, too, but I loved spending time visiting. 

Shower...

 Yesterday we hosted a baby shower for Rachel's long-time pal, who is expecting in July. 

Chris took Friday off and slow-smoked several pork shoulders, then pulled them so we could feast on delicious sandwiches.  We also served the macaroni and cheese that sister Deb and I made last week, and received some rave reviews.  Evans made fresh, tangy coleslaw. There were multiple appetizers and amazing and pretty cakes. 

We had a bin full of little white cotton baby items; shirts, burp cloths, socks, and bibs.  A table was set up where people could dabble with tie-dye and create unique items for the baby to be. 

We were lucky to have flawless weather. 30 or so people came, including some lovely children, who were entranced by our critters. This pretty girl yelled, "I love this place! I want to LIVE here."  

This is my favorite memory of the day... the tyke on the left is cuddling our often fractious rooster. He was powerless in her wee embrace. 

The family to be received many lovely gifts. 

Abraham donkey was one of the stars of the show. Ever sociable, he cruised the fenceline, begging for attention. He brayed a lot and was happy when visitors brought him carrot slices and scratched his long ears.  He really wanted me to let him in to join the party, but I was concerned he'd get into the cake. 

Here he is in the background, enjoying the fresh meadow grass.  He and Sarah have recently received dismal medical reports from our veterinarian, bringing into sharp focus the fact that I should shower them, every day, with extra love and attention. 

This spring baby shower, designed to celebrate new life, also served as a reminder to me, to remember to celebrate every day, and every blessing bestowed upon me. Adding cake is always a bonus. 

Mother's Day...

 Sister Deb came to spend the weekend. Saturday we headed to Camden, hit an antique store or two, and did a little exploring.  I found this pretty lace table runner for the dining room. 

Today we cooked. We are a good team in the kitchen, and today's project was special. Deb and I, both mothers, were using our mother's macaroni and cheese recipe to make a big batch of the stuff. That is because next weekend we are celebrating the fact that Rachel's long-time friend is about to become a mother by throwing her a baby shower. 

Deb got all the stuff out, and we remembered that when Chris shopped yesterday he forgot the gallon of milk.  Deb grabbed her keys, "I'll ride up to the store and grab milk."  I shook my head, "Nope. We'll drive up to Terra Optima and get milk from grass-fed Jersey cows. You can see baby goats and piglets while we are there. Way more fun than a store."  Because she is smart, she agreed. 

When we got back, Deb sliced the huge blocks of "wicked sharp" cheddar. 

I grated it. And remembered how much I love my food processor. And how much I enjoy cooking in my well-equipped kitchen. Especially with my sister. 

We used milk, some cream, an obscene about of butter, and a lot of motherly love and whipped up three big pans of yumminess. 

We topped it all with a thick layer of buttery Ritz cracker crumbs, and a generous sprinkle of MORE cheese. 

Then we swaddled it up and tucked it into the freezer to await the upcoming festivities. 

Mothers, doing what we do, getting ready to celebrate a new mom. It was a perfect way to celebrate the day. 

Bird nests and flowers...

 Even though nesting birds are rather messy, I've long wished a barn swallow or something would build a nest in our Donkey dorm. I thought it would be a treat to watch a family grow. Mr. and Mrs. Phoebe rose to the occasion this spring and have built a lovely home over the door. They've been quite busy with this endeavor, rooting through the manure pile for building materials and adding mud and moss as well.  

Here is the industrious couple, taking a little rest on the gate.

Meanwhile, Chris hung a new blue birdhouse on the front of the Donkey dorm. This morning it was discovered by a flock of 5 Tree swallows. Chris calls them "Little Happy Birds" because they look so joyous flitting around the pasture, gobbling up bugs. The Phoebes are not terribly excited about the swallows hanging around so close to their nest. It will be interesting to see if they can all work things out. 

I had my camera out taking pictures, and Spirit came right up to see what was happening. I love her quizzical little face. 

Speaking of things to love... Chris does our grocery shopping on Saturday mornings. I loathe this chore, so I am most grateful that he takes care of it. Every week he brings me a bouquet of flowers from the store, which adds to my delight. This week he chose some red roses and carried them in to present to me. I thanked him and gave him a smooch. Moments later, Bravo came prancing in the house. One of the roses had snapped off and fallen on the deck.  Bravo proudly brought it to me, tail wagging. I could imagine him thinking, "Oh, the hooman likes these things. I'll bring it to her." I gave him a smooch, too! 

My friend Carol kindly brought me some plants for our garden. 5 delphiniums and two mystery plants. "One is purple, I think. The other orange. I can't remember their names." I was especially delighted by the delphiniums and got right to work with a spade, tucking them in where they will show off nicely. A favorite A.A. Milne poem from childhood made me vow that I will also plant some red geraniums nearby, just in case a dormouse should choose to take up residence. 

The Dormouse And The Doctor

There once was a Dormouse who lived in a bed

Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red),

And all the day long he'd a wonderful view

Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).

A Doctor came hurrying round, and he said:

"Tut-tut, I am sorry to find you in bed.

Just say 'Ninety-nine' while I look at your chest….

Don't you find that chrysanthemums answer the best?"

The Dormouse looked round at the view and replied

(When he'd said "Ninety-nine") that he'd tried and he'd tried,

And much the most answering things that he knew

Were geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue).

The Doctor stood frowning and shaking his head,

And he took up his shiny silk hat as he said:

"What the patient requires is a change," and he went

To see some chrysanthemum people in Kent.

The Dormouse lay there, and he gazed at the view

Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue),

And he knew there was nothing he wanted instead

Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red).

The Doctor came back and, to show what he meant,

He had brought some chrysanthemum cuttings from Kent.

"Now these," he remarked, "give a much better view

Than geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue)."

They took out their spades and they dug up the bed

Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red),

And they planted chrysanthemums (yellow and white).

"And now," said the Doctor, "we'll soon have you right."

The Dormouse looked out, and he said with a sigh:

"I suppose all these people know better than I.

It was silly, perhaps, but I did like the view

Of geraniums (red) and delphiniums (blue)."

The Doctor came round and examined his chest,

And ordered him Nourishment, Tonics, and Rest.

"How very effective," he said, as he shook

The thermometer, "all these chrysanthemums look!"

The Dormouse turned over to shut out the sight

Of the endless chrysanthemums (yellow and white).

"How lovely," he thought, "to be back in a bed

Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red.)"

The Doctor said, "Tut! It's another attack!"

And ordered him Milk and Massage-of-the-back,

And Freedom-from-worry and Drives-in-a-car,

And murmured, "How sweet your chrysanthemums are!"

The Dormouse lay there with his paws to his eyes,

And imagined himself such a pleasant surprise:

"I'll pretend the chrysanthemums turn to a bed

Of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red)!"

The Doctor next morning was rubbing his hands,

And saying, "There's nobody quite understands

These cases as I do! The cure has begun!

How fresh the chrysanthemums look in the sun!"

The Dormouse lay happy, his eyes were so tight

He could see no chrysanthemums, yellow or white.

And all that he felt at the back of his head

Were delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red).

And that is the reason (Aunt Emily said)

If a Dormouse gets in a chrysanthemum bed,

You will find (so Aunt Emily says) that he lies

Fast asleep on his front with his paws to his eyes.