When the Rain Came Down - Post 50

Didn't it rain, children?!

I had just started checking out the links on Sky Watch this week, when all heck broke loose! Lightening, and thunder so loud the windows rattled. I had to shut down my computer, of course, so what else was there to do than to stand in the doorway and click off a few shots. While I'm happy for the rain, I should have checked the forecast, I think, and saved myself some $$ on what will turn out to be a large water bill, I fear. It has been so dry that I ran a nice trickle of water in my flower beds for about 36 hours, moving the hose from place to place after several hours in each bed. And, then... it rained! And rained, and rained! I expect we received a full inch of water before the storm was over. My flower beds have had their fill, and more.

Crepe Myrtle

Standing in my front doorway, one of the things that caught my attention was the Crepe Myrtle. This particular shrub was planted on my mother's 75th birthday, August 8, 1976. I trim it occasionally, but it's currently higher than the roof. In the horrific heat we had in July, it began to shed its bark, something it does from time to time, taking on a piebald appearance. I can't remember taking a good look at it during a pouring down rain, but I should have; the rain, which was still coming down pretty hard, as evidenced in the background, gave a sort of glow to the limbs, and the shed bark on the grass took on a distinctly cinnamon hue.

Tattered Bark

After the rain stopped, and I could safely take my camera out without also having to carry an umbrella, I took this shot of some of the peeling bark, and the bare spots on the limbs. This loose piece must have grown on the north side of the limb, because it definitely has some moss/lichen on it.

More Peeled Bark

You're probably tired of looking at Crepe Myrtle bark by now, but this piece had such lovely colors that I had to capture them.

Crepe Myrtle Blossoms

Just so you won't believe that all I have to offer are photos of peeling bark, I present one of the still rain-damp blossoms.

Raindrops on Japanese Maple Branch

These lovely droplets of water clinging to the branches of my Japanese Maple also caught my eye. I bought this tree when it was less than 2 feet high; it's now taller than the Crepe Myrtle, and has the most glorious spring and fall foliage. Almost done... just one more.

After the Storm

To look at this sky, you'd never believe there had been a torrential rainstorm just minutes before. As I've reported before, "if you don't like the weather in Arkansas, just wait a minute." I swear on a stack of pancakes that this photo was taken within two hours of the first one.

SWF - All Alone and Feeling Blue - Post 49

A lonely little bird at twilight. He or she had been singing, which is what caught my attention, but its singing was in vain, as it remained alone for as long as I watched.

Sky Watch was created by Dot (visit her lovely blog here). The new Sky Watch is hosted by Tom, Imac, Sandy, and Klaus. I invite you to visit the new site to see sky photographs from around the world. Links will start posting at 7:30 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time (England) on Thursday, July 31, for participants on this side of the International Date Line.

Sky Watch - Post 48

I don't know if it's because I've just been to a worship service, but I always have an inclination to look UP when I walk out of the church building into the parking lot. Is it coincidental that I nearly always see a beautiful sky?

SKY WATCH is brought to you by our friends Tom, Sandy, and Imac, and the new home page of Sky Watch Friday may be found here. I invite you to visit the Sky Watch postings of several hundred folks from around the world. Links on the home page are added starting at 7:30 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time (England) on Thursdays. Enjoy!

Is It Soup, Yet? - Post 47

A few days ago I posted that, as one of the things on my to-do-list, I was making a pot of soup. I'm an all-seasons soup eater -- winter, spring, summer, fall. I prefer the sorts of soups that can make a meal, and don't need much else other than a few crackers, or some cornbread or a slice of home-made bread, and something to drink.

One of the comments on that post was a suggestion (not really a request - just a suggestion) that I share some recipes. So, as I was mentally flailing about for a post subject, I decided to share the recipe for Quick Hamburger Veggie Soup. My friend, Elaine, gave me the basic recipe some years ago, and I've doctored it up to suit myself. Pictured is the pot of soup that was simmering on my stove, readying itself for a late lunch.

Because I use canned vegetables, this soup takes only a bit over 30 minutes to make. However, to those who are on a low-sodium diet: you may substitute fresh vegetables for the canned ones in the recipe to lower the salt content. Fresh veggies should be pre-cooked to the 'done' stage in a microwave oven or on the stove top, so that may add a bit to the cooking time.

Elaine's Quick Hamburger Veggie Soup

* 1 t. olive oil
* 1 pound (more or less) very lean ground beef . I generally use the not more than 4% fat variety. If you use regular ground beef, drain all fat after the meat has browned and before adding anything else.
* 2 medium onions, coarsely chopped
* 2 to 4 cloves fresh garlic, finely chopped, or to taste (optional, if you don't like/tolerate garlic)
* 1-28 oz. can diced tomatoes with liquid (I use Hunt's brand) - if using fresh tomatoes, about 4 cups, peeled, seeded and chopped
* 1 quart water
* 1/4 cup dried green bell pepper (if using fresh pepper, about 1/2 cup)
* 1/4 cup dried red bell pepper (ditto)
* Fresh or dried herbs (optional) I generally use 1/2 of a bay leaf, a pinch or two of dried thyme and marjoram, and a palm-full of dried parsley flakes
* Generous pinch of dried hot pepper flakes or 1/4 t. ground Cayenne (optional)
* Freshly ground black pepper to taste
* 1- 14 oz. can Italian Flat Green Beans, drained and rinsed (fresh beans, appx. 2 cups, cooked)
* 1- 15 oz. can LeSeur Baby Carrots, with liquid (tiny fresh carrots, appx. 2 cups, cooked, with 1/2 cup cooking liquid)

Please note that there is no additional salt in this recipe. If using fresh vegetables instead of canned ones, you may add salt to taste or as desired.

To make the soup:

Heat a heavy stock pot or dutch oven (at least 4-quart capacity), then add olive oil to thinly coat the bottom. Add ground meat and cook, stirring frequently, until browned. (If using regular ground beef, stop here and drain all visible fat.) Add chopped onions and garlic and stir until semi-translucent. If using garlic, do not let it brown; it will become bitter.

Add tomatoes and water, bell peppers, herbs, and seasonings. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes.

Add green beans and carrots. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes or, if using fresh vegetables, until vegetables are tender. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

Makes about three and one-half quarts soup.

It's Sky Watch Time! - Post 46

A few weeks ago, I wrote about having some trees cut down because they were encroaching on my neighbor's fence/yard. The largest of these trees contained a raccoon's nest (I also described my first discovery of the raccoons, here.)

My SWF photo contribution for this week was taken during the tree removal process as the chainsaw-wielding young man was about to cut down the limb holding the raccoons' nest, which can be seen as the round object at the end of the tree limb (click to enlarge), at about 10 o'clock in relation to the lift bucket. It was a scorchingly hot day with a clear blue sky and only a few contrails visible . You can see the sheen of sweat on his back. I'm mighty happy that I was just standing in the yard taking the photo.

Speaking of Sky Watch Friday, and pay a visit to the new site, here. Several hundred folks from around the globe will be posting their sky photos there, beginning at 7:30 p.m. GMT tonight , and continuing for the next 48 hours or so.

New Sky Watch Site - Post 45

No... it's not Friday, yet! But.... I can't believe I forgot to post about this sooner!

The folks at Sky Watch Friday, Tom Wiggers and his new helpers Sandy Carlson and Imac, with page design assistance by Klaus at Virtua Gallery, have created a new and completely separate blog site for Sky Watch Friday participants. Hop over and take a look at the new site.

The new Sky Watch blog won't be fully operational until 'official' Sky Watch time, which is 7:30 p.m. GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) this coming Thursday, July 17, but you'll want to save this new site in your bookmarks or RSS feeds so that you'll be ready to participate.

Summer Doldrums? - Post 44

Thanks for your kind comments, friends, to my previous post. It is sort of nice to have a new play-toy that I didn't have to purchase myself, but I didn't "deserve" it so much as it was, as are all give-aways, the luck of the draw. I guess I just needed something to post about and the arrival of the snips was, at least, something. I am in the summer doldrums, I think. Too much yard work, perhaps?


So that this post will be more than just a bunch of words, I've included a photo of my "double" ditch lilies. The initial fans of these were give to me by my husband's sister-in-law in the early 1970's, and were first planted at the home I shared with my husband. About 18 months after his death, I moved to my present residence and some of the lilies came with me. They were, for a long time, the only day lilies I had. They are prolific multipliers and are now in several locations in my yard. It's time to thin them again but, due to the nature of the soil in my subdivision, I'm dreading the preparation of a new flower bed. Thank goodness they don't require pampering.

I don't have much on my agenda for today. I need to stay inside and do household chores during the torrid part of the day. It's very hot, and muggy. I don't know what else I could expect for the middle of an Arkansas July. Later this afternoon, I'll be mowing the grass. The City gets picky if your lawn looks shabby, and while mine is not quite to the 'pasture' stage, it's time for a hair cut.

That's a whole lot of nothing, but I need to get back in the habit of posting every day, or if not daily, at least regularly. Thanks for bearing with me.

Hope you're having a great day.