Dreaming What Ifs...

Bird of Paradise?

More like cute little Gecko of Paradise.

Reading the Signs

There are signs all over Hawaii.

DO NOT TOUCH THE TURTLES

These signs go on to explain how the turtles may come up on shore to bask in the sun.  They are endangered.  Stay back at least 15 feet.  Do not touch or bother them. 

There is a sign at every single beach and swimming area where a turtle might possibly be seen.  I know I saw at least four of these signs at several locations.

So, I was a little bit surprised when we we happened across the sand and met a guy who was pointing excitedly. 

"There are a bunch of turtles over there!  You should go check them out.  One of them was looking a little sun scorched.  He had obviously been out of the water for a really long time.  I picked him up and put him back into the water."

I wonder if that guy knows how to read.

I got Lei'd in Hawaii and Other Sordid Tales.

And it was a cheap Lei too. 

Driving around a corner trying to find a snorkeling spot (guaranteed to be awesome by the Hawaii Guide) we came across a road side stand.  $3 per Lei.  Pretty good deal, we thought.  They were beautiful and smelled heavenly.

But the guy, drinking a Becks beer, at the park wasn't too heavenly.  The only reason we stopped was due to my screaming bladder.  When I jumped from the car, I heard the local say to his friend, "I have to do the lice treatment a second time because it didn't work."    I tried not to make eye contact but everyone is so dang friendly on the Big Island. 

"So, I see you got lei'd"  he laughed, showing his toothless smile.  He walked to the car and spoke to Dave.  "Didn't you know, that when you come to Hawaii you aren't suppose to get lei'd by your wife?  You gotta do it with someone else."  His laugh cackled across the parking lot.

Dave just laughed along with him and said something along the lines of "yeah, I don't think that would go over very well."

"Well, I can hook you up."  He suggested, and then winked at me.  "I can help you too."

We slowly backed the car up and drove away.  We laughed and smiled at the man, slightly uncomfortable but mostly amused.  We could still hear his laughter when our car turned onto the road.

"Well,"  I joked to Dave, "If it hadn't have been for his lice, I might have taken him up on it."

Mail Call Sunday Post #13

   One thing I have tried to do with the postcards I send to other countries is use unique stamps.  I recently bought some Simpson's stamps and everyone who has received a postcard with Bart, Lisa, Homer, or Marge has replied that they LOVED them. 

One of these days I am going to have to show a picture of some of the more unusual stamps I have received in return.  But....not today.

The sender of this Finland postcard, lives on a small island, Inio, which has 250 inhabitants!!

Veera sends Finland greetings as well, but from Espoc, a city close to Helsinki.  She says she has everything there - close to the sea with lots of forests.

Hannah writes that Ballarat, Victoria, Australia was built in the 1800's and was the site of the Eureka Stockade:  GOLD built the city!

This cute little card came from Taiwan.  Emmy says the panda puppies are sitting by the Dan-shui River in Taipei city.  It is her favorite card to send.  Buttercup really liked it too!

Enrico sends his greetings from Sardinia, a beautiful Italian island.  He says the area is famous for its white sandy beaches, light blue sea, historical traditions, and good cooking.  Sounds like a perfect vacation get-away to me!

Mail Call Sunday Post #12

    Today while you are reading this post, I am probably lying on the beach in wonderful relaxing sunny Hawaii!!!  (or sleeping in, or eating fresh pineapple, or doing absolutely NOTHING).  Whatever I am doing - am most definitely enjoying myself (and hopefully, not missing my children too much!)

Helen sends her greetings from Moscow, Russia!  the postcard says this is a country house dating from the end of the 18th c.

 

Melanie writes that this card is a typical picture of her country: a lot of mountains and cows.  Looks like Switzerland in my dreams!

From Germany, Silvia says she loves her pets, including her Greece tortoise.  (I wonder if they are any way related to ChrisB's Tog and Tom?)

Owen sends this card from Grand Haven, Michigan.  He says the pier is an excellent place to get ice cream, take a walk, and watch sunsets!

This card comes from China.  May May lives in Guang Zhou.  She says it is a beautiful and nice city.

Look What I Can Do, Mom!

Eat Corn on the Cob.....

Brush My Own Teeth....

And Ride A Tricycle....

Well.... Sort Of - I still need a little help....

I'm Hosting Fun Monday!!!

Wow, I haven't hosted a Fun Monday in a very long time (or even played along for a few months).  I had to look back through the list try and find a topic that hadn't been used in a while (or never, which is getting hard).  Whew - kind of difficult considering the list is missing a month of topics.  So, hopefully I haven't chosen a topic that was covered in July!

Here's the topic for Monday, August 10th - WHAT'S GROWING IN YOUR GARDEN?  (or yard, or patio pot).  Please post a picture.

Do you have a flower that is just blooming its little heart out?  Maybe you have a prize pumpkin that is promising to be the belle of Halloween.  I know that all my Southern Hemisphere friends are in the middle of winter - but they can find something growing, too!!!  (it might be their waistline!).

Fun Monday is open to all!   If you want to participate, just leave a comment letting me know and I will add you to the list!!!

PS - Who wants to host next week?  Let me know and I'll pass the word around!

THE LIST:

Karmyn R

Chris B

Janis

Jill

Angela

Karisma

Faye

Church Lady

Sayre

Pamela

Stephanie

Grace

Gattina

Robin

Hootin' Anni

Fun Monday - Growth In My Garden

I am the host for Fun Monday today!  Please be sure to check out all the other participants!!

I asked for everyone to show what was growing in their garden.

  

I have a pretty large garden.  It never seems to be big enough once everything is planted and growing.  We always wish we had more room to maneuver around the plants.  Of course, once the weeds take over, it suddenly seems big enough.

We grow a little bit of everything:  peas, beets, lettuce, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, beans, cucumbers, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, potatoes and cantaloupe.

Every single year, I always try and grow something new and different.  Last year, we decided to grow Artichokes.   Nichols Garden Nursery is located in my town and they always have an interesting variety of heirloom and unique plants.  I love buying from them.  The owners are super nice and very down-to-earth. 

When we purchased the Globe Artichoke from Nichols, there was another variety on hand as well.  Dave and I agreed that why only grow ONE artichoke when we could grow two!

Both plants grew very well, but the second, different variety had small fruit.  We thought maybe this was due to it being a young plant.

This year, as this variety of artichoke began to grow, Dave spent some time really examining the plant.  As it began to put on artichokes, he looked even closer.

"Karmyn,"  he said, "I don't think that's really an artichoke.  I think it is something else."

Several Google searches later, we found out we do not have an artichoke - but are growing Cardoon.  It is in the artichoke family - but this plant is grown for its stalk and NOT it's flower. 

The flower is very unique and adds an interesting flair to our garden.  Plus, the Cardoon plant itself has grown to about 8 feet tall.  (normally, it's grown as an annual and harvested in the fall....ours died back in winter and regrew with vigor this year!).

Reading about Cardoon and the recipes has made us question whether we really want to eat this bitter stalk.  Cardoon is quite popular in the Medditeranean areas.

Well, one thing is for certain at least - the bees LOVE it!
 

NO SOUP FOR YOU!

Although her Wattles are growing at a fast rate, Henrietta Cluck is still a Henrietta. 

We visited the Benton County Fair on Saturday and strolled through the chicken (and bunny) house.  We were delighted to see this gorgeous hen:

  So, I was just being paranoid.  Henrietta's wattles and comb are growing at a faster rate than her sisters.

(Even Dave thought I was being ridiculous:  "If she was a rooster, she'd have a bigger comb by now").

All is well in henland.

Fun Monday - Step by Step Dilly Beans

Sayre Smiles asked for some step by step directions for our favorite summer meal.
Well - Dilly Beans are something I love to make during the summer, but don't eat until wintertime.  So, I kind of broke the rules, but not really.

First - pick the green beans:

Snap the ends, and give the beans a thorough washing!  (about 2 lbs of beans for this recipe)

Wash 4 pint jars and 4 lids with good hot soapy water.

Add the lids to a pot of water and put on the stove to LOW....this helps heat and prepare the seal.

Assemble the other ingredients:  Vinegar, Water, Cayenne Pepper, Garlic, and Fresh Dill

Bring to a boil:   2-1/2 cups Vinegar,  2-1/2 cups water, 1/4 cup salt

Add to each clean jar -  1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 large piece of garlic, and dill

Then - pack the jars with the beans (you may have to break the larger pieces in 1/2 to fit them into the jars.  Don't worry about appearance unless you plan on turning these into the county fair.  Get in as many as possible - as tight as possible.  Remember, the beans will shrink a bit after canning, so make sure you get in as much as possible!

Now, add the boiling vinegar/salt solution to the beans - leaving 1/4" headspace at the top.

Use a plastic stick (or "bubble remover") to swipe around the jars and remove any stuck air under the beans.  You may need to add more vinegar solution.  Sometimes, enough air is removed to create more headspace:  double check for the 1/4" headspace.

Wipe the rims to remove any residue that might have splashed.  (residue could prevent a proper seal! - and there is nothing more I hate than a bad seal....it is a waste of all my hard work.)

Remove a lid from the warm water bath and place it on top of the jar (making sure none of the beans have floated up to touch the top o the lid.)

Adjust the screw cap on to a tight fit.  There is no need to overtighten - just make sure it is snug - but just once.  The jars can expand and contract in the heat.  They only need to be tightened one time.

Place all the jars into the boiling hot water canner.

Boil for 10 minutes

After 10 minutes, carefully remove from the canner -

And set them to cool someplace.  I have a dishcloth on my kitchen counter.  You will hear them "Popping" as the lids seal. 

And now, wait 3-4 months to enjoy these wonderful dilly beans!!!  MMMMmmmmmm......

This recipe came from the Ball Blue Book (page 51)

And yes - sometimes accidents happen:  One of my jars broke while in the canner.  Remember to inspect the jars (especially older ones) for any cracks or chips.  Some of my jars came from my MIL - so they could be 30 years or older.  I hate when jars break, but it is all part of the learning process.