KEVIN IN THE KITCHEN. . .

Kev offered to fix breakfast today. Once again, he whipped up a great breakfast! The crepes were just delicious. But then I looked in the kitchen. This was just the sink. . . Should have seen the counter and stove. At least he did promise to clean it up. . . later. So here is the recipe. It will make your mouth water to see the end result!

CREPES WITH STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE FILLING

Ingredients for crepes:

1 1/2 c milk
1 cup flour
2 eggs
1 Tbs oil
2 Tbs sugar
Directions:

In mixing bowl combine milk, flour, eggs, oil, and sugar. Beat with mixer till well mixed. Heat a lightly greased 6-inch skillet. Remove from heat.
Spoon 2 tablespoons of the batter; lift and tilt the skillet to spread the batter.

Invert pan over paper towels to remove crepe.
Repeat with remaining batter, greasing skillet occasionally.
Return to heat; brown on one side only.
Ingredients for Strawberry Filling:

1 (10 oz) pkg. Frozen strawberries, thawed
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 Tbs sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 ½ tsp cornstarch
Directions:
Drain berries, reserving juice. Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Fold in berries. Chill. Roll each crepe with 1-2Tbs cream cheese mixture. Place side by side on plate. Mix strawberry liquid and cornstarch. Cook. Stir over medium heat until clear and slightly thickened. Pour over crepes.

Kevin's crepes with strawberry filling.

Try it! You will love it!

"LA DOLCE VITA". . . . NELSON, BC

Kootenay River and Mountains

It is that time of the year when I get away from
the drama of home-life and head north to one of my favorite spots in America and enjoy "the sweet life" with my "Canadian couzins".

These pictures say it ALL! Beautiful country, wild and crazy friends, delicious gourmet meals with fresh baked bread. What more do I need to recharge my worn out batteries again.


I learned to kayak and so did the "pony girl". She also did a little swimming or maybe you would call it "dunking", since she tipped Gina into the icy water of the Slocan Lake.
SLOCAN LAKE, NEW DENVER,BC

New Denver was originally a mining town named after Denver,CO. It was converted to a Japanese internment camp during WWII, where about 1500 women, children, and elderly men were housed in small shacks. Many of these tiny homes still remain. One of the most famous inhabitants, was David Suzuki, best known for hosting the show, "The Nature of Things". Although, the conditions were deplorable, perhaps the views here inspired him in his quest for love of nature and preserving the environment. It certainly has captivated me!

The chamber of commerce brags: "When you come to visit you will be able to enjoy a holiday free of cell-phone hassles. No annoying ring tones, no one-sided conversations shouted from the next table, no bothersome calls from the office. Just enjoy your holiday and listen to the sounds of silence. Serenity in nature. . . non- motorized trails. . . no exhaust noise. . . just the sounds of nature. . . "

Well, not quite. The silence was interrupted by loads of levity, loony behavior, (dressing like a Doukhobor to stay warm), joking and lots of shared food and beverages with friends.

That was just my first weekend welcome to BC. Next, it was on to Nelson. "The Queen City" of the Kootenays, renowned for its culture, recreational activities and the stunning beauty surrounding it. An ideal location for filming many movies. Baker Street seems to be a hub of activity and gets shut down for about any excuse, whether it is a parade for the graduating seniors,farmers market, the car collectors city cruise, or as I got to experience first-hand, The Market Fest. Bands played on both ends of the street, and vendors set out their goods. What a blast!

The best part of the trip, though, was spending time with a close friend who can sing me "the song of my heart" when I have forgotten it! Which is so easy to do with all the turmoil that everyday living seems to hand out to me.
Ms.G did run a tight "spa" program of long walks and uphill climbs, healthy eating and reminding me of the error of my many ways. . . ("Put down the toilet seat!" Take off your shoes!" "Step it up!" "Back straight!" "Chin up!" "Use your cloth napkin for your spew!") The "strenuous" workouts, were mixed with "the porch party", girls night out, watching reruns of curb,knitting club, enjoying the view, contemplating on the meaning of life. . .

"Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget."

I am so thankful to my friends up North for reminding me to enjoy the sweet life!

LA DOLCE VITA

"ANY MAN CAN BE A FATHER, BUT IT TAKES A SPECIAL PERSON TO BE A DAD"

It is this time of year that I am sorely reminded that I am fatherless. It hasn't been that long. Somehow, I thought that he was always going to be there. But that thing called AGING got in the way. Looking back, there are just hundreds of good memories that I cherish. I don't have space to mention them all. He gave me so many gifts: a great sense of humor, contagious smile, distinctive ears, wavy hair, joy of speaking, (talk a lot!), travel bug, love for others, but most of all my self.
REMEMBER:
4 years: My Daddy can do anything!
7 years: My Dad knows a lot…a whole lot.
8 years: My father does not know quite everything.
12 years: Oh well, naturally Father does not know that either.
14 years: Oh, Father? He is hopelessly old-fashioned.
21 years: Oh, that man-he is out of date!
25 years: He knows a little bit about it, but not much.
35 years: Dad sure knows a lot!
56 years: What would Dad have thought about that?
Today: I wish I could talk it over with Dad once more.

Missing my Dad!

"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me."

JACK DANIELS ON THE ROCKS

You may recognize "Pony Girl" from one of my previous blogs about the Mexican puppy from La Paz. It's that time of the year when I migrate north to the Kootenays for some R & R with my Canadian connection. We were camped out at one of my favorite spots, and the camp host came around to collect the fees. Noticing the "Pony", she asked, "Is the dog part Jack Daniels?" With just a slight pause, the owner came back with: "Could be. We're not exactly sure, but probably also a little mix of "Johnny Walker"!!

Gardening in slippers!

I can just hear Ms. G exclaiming, "where are your boots that I picked out for you, girl?"!! I had just finished my breakfast and noticed that the thermometer was already almost 80. So I just had to check on the garden and then one thing just led to another. Had to plant a little, harvest a little, water a little. . . .

CUP A LETTUCE
What a beautiful bouquet!

Today, I didn't even make it into my slippers. Harvesting zucchini, replanting more lettuce, munching on herbs. Life is good!!

"It pleases me to take amateur photographs of my garden, and it pleases my garden to make my photographs look professional."

Now you guys up North are going to be drooling at these photos! We, got started a little early this year. Of course, it frosted a couple of times after the plants got in. Seems here in the valley, Mother Nature had a good laugh. One day there was sun, then rain, then hail. . . then sun. Just 2 days ago, it was snowing in the foothills and the roads were closed to Tahoe/Reno.

Earth laughs in flowers.

All of a sudden, everything is blossoming and growing. Should have zucchini next week! Having to harvest herbs, beets, lettuce and planting more, already. It is amazing what a little warmth and sunshine will do for the soil, not to mention what it does for our soul! Love it!

Something very therapeutic about gardening in the sunshine, today. Buried a few troubles in the dirt. It was good for what ailed me!

THE WINTER BLUES!

STUFF. . . .

Remember hearing George Carlin talk about "stuff"? Everyone just wants a place for their stuff. "That's all your house is: a place to keep your stuff. A house is just a pile of stuff with a cover on it."
Have you noticed that when people get too much "stuff" in their house, they have to rent a storage unit for more "stuff" that they obviously feel is too important to part with. As George said, "Imagine that! There's a whole industry based on keeping an eye on other people's stuff!" How many people have even forgotten they have that "stuff"?

This guy had so much "stuff" he thought the side of a country road was a perfect spot for some of his "stuff". As if we, who live in the less populated areas, have more space for other people's crappy "stuff"!
Have you noticed that only in America - do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless "stuff" in the garage? My husband loves to go to garage sales to buy other peoples "stuff" to add to all his "stuff". I guess I shouldn't get on my soapbox and preach, cause I really have too much "stuff". As time goes by, I find I really want to get rid of more "stuff" and simplify my life in more ways then one. Not just ridding the "stuff" in my home, but all that emotional clutter that seems to take up too much space.

Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough.

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.

"NOW DRINK THIS UP! THEN IT'S TIME TO EAT DIRT!"

I just spent a wonderful day with my sister. Spa, lunch and enjoying Spring. I remember the day she came home from the hospital wrapped in a soft pink blanket, and I adored her! That adoration turned to annoyance as she got older and it was obvious that my parents let her get away with anything. Course it didn't help that she was always sweet and good, so NEVER got or needed a spanking or much discipline. I, as the older sister, took it upon myself to keep her in line. Maybe with a smack of the hair brush or whatever was handy. Our brother was also skilled in enforcing conforming behavior in both of us. In general, we enjoyed driving each other nuts!


I think that I developed new appreciation for her when she got to high school and I discovered that she was truly a kind hearted, warm person, in-spite of all our past sibling rivalry. Through the years, regardless of our age differences and geographical locations we have shared pain and joys, laughed and cried together and supported each other through life altering events.
If you are lucky enough to have a sister, you know there is a special bond unlike any other. She is not only a special gift, but also my best friend. I love you, Sis!

My sister is a gift to my heart, a friend to my spirit, a golden thread to the meaning of life.

SIGNS OF SPRING!!!

"I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden."

After a long "rainy season", which is what winter is here in the valley, it is easy to embrace Spring. I have found the garden irresistible and in need of some tender loving care. Tilling the soil with the old pitchfork, mixing in the compost, was a joy. Especially, since I had finally recovered from a 2 week illness. This was not a weekend, you would want to be caught in the mob at Home Depot or Lowe's.

While I was harvesting and nibbling on these snow peas, I said to the old man, "This doesn't suck! It's all good!"

Spring has arrived to give me hope for outer renewal but also that much needed inner renewal. The road bumps and ruts the last 2 months, collapsed my suspension so to speak. The loss of a friend almost pushed me over the edge. "Only the good die young!" "Wild Bill" was a man who lived fully and greeted death with dignity, surrounded by so many loved ones and family. He was an extraordinary guy and touched so many lives in a positive way. We were so fortunate to have known him. Never the less, goodbyes are never easy.

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, success would not be so welcome."

DAFFODIL HILL

KEVIN'S KITCHEN

Kevin is cooking again. He fixed up another delicious recipe. Yum. I love this nutrition class. Again, trig just will not fill your stomach.



CHICKEN TERIYAKI OVER STIR-FRY VEGETABLES

Chicken Teriyaki Ingredients:

• 1/3 c. chopped onion
• 1 clove garlic crushed
• 1/3 c soy sauce
• 2 Tbl salad oil
• 2 Tbl chicken broth
• 1 Tbl honey
• 2 chicken breasts cut into strips

1. Combine onion, garlic soy sauce, oil, and honey; mix well.
2. Arrange chicken in shallow baking dish; pour sauce over.
3. Marinate in the refrigerator over night.

Stir-fry Vegetables

• 1 Tbl butter
• 1 Tbl oil
• 2 carrots sliced
• 2 green onions sliced
• 2 c broccoli
• 2 Tbl lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• dash pepper

1. Place chicken and marinade in large frying pan, cook until chicken is no longer pink in the center.
2. In wok or large heavy skillet, heat butter and oil
3. Add carrots and onions; stir fry 3-4 minutes.
4. Stir in other vegetable and stir-fry 2 minutes.

ENJOY!!!