Overhead at The Drayer

Just after passing a nice funeral home....

Sweet Sarah:  So, I've just about decided it's ok for me to be cremated [referencing an earlier conversation as to our last wishes upon death].  PAUSE.....But you have to do something with my ashes.

Holly:  Why do you care what happens to your ashes?  It won't be you anyway?  Besides, what am I supposed to do with your ashes?

Sweet Sarah:  I don't know.  Put them in a fancy yearn or something? [yes, she was referring to urn, but pronounced it YEARN]


Holly:  Yearn?  Is that like Urine without the -ine?  Or is that a fancy version of a Yurt?

Cue tear induced laughing from both of us.

Baby Update

Looks like the babies are ready to leave the nest!

As I was trying to take this picture Mama came out of nowhere to let me know she wasn't happy---flying and swooping and yelling DON'T MESS WITH MY BABIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And so even though I've watched this process very closely over the last few weeks, I continue to be amazed at the development and growth and instinct in these young new living things on this earth. Sounds like the makings of a good sermon.

Kolaches Recipe

A few of you have asked for the kolache recipe I used the other day.

Since I left Texas in 1998 I have looked for a recipe that guaranteed kolaches at least closely resembling those proud Texans boast about---the ones found in West, Texas.  Home of the Czech Stop.

Oh, the memories.

With all of the media coverage of the West Fertilizer plant explosion, many memories of my time in Texas came flooding back.  Ironically, I was in Dallas on business when the explosion happened and from the best we can tell, I was actually TALKING about WEST when the explosion happened.  I was sharing with those around our table how I LOVED going to West when I lived in Waco.  When I got back to my hotel room that night, one of my friends called and said, "Weren't you just talking about West?  Turn on the TV, there's been an explosion."  [the timing of that conversation is weird.  and the events....HORRIFIC.  Absolutely, awful]

Since I've left Texas I usually have an annual kolache craving.  and up until last Friday I have yet to quench it.  Until now [cue dramatic background music]. And in the words of Fat Amy, "I nailed it."

I got the recipe from Homesick Texan.  If you read the comments of this recipe, it appears I'm not the only one craving kolaches from far away.

Enjoy!

My Baby Nephew

My little nephew is growing fast!  Ok, he's grown.  Sigh.

We caught one of his baseball games and I got some fun pictures.

Here's a little slideshow I put together.

Staycation Day #4

Well, well, well.....I SURVIVED!  More importantly....Sweet Sarah Survived ME on a staycation.

Today was a good day.  Good food, sunshine, gardening all at our own pace.

There aren't any action shots [honestly, why am I incapable of remembering to take pictures in the midst of a project?]

Enjoy....I'm off to rest up before going back to work.

Sweet Sarah's famous French Toast waffles.  Yes Please!  Holy moly these babies are GOOD!  Not a bad way to start the morning.

Some of the planting work....some still not done, ala the box o' plants on the ground.

Bed cleaning and container creating.  Yes, yes.  that's my big fat finger in the way.  Disregard.  Do note, however, that GINORMOUS hosta!

Seriously!  Does this give you more perspective?  And it's only MAY!!!!  Good Lord, she's taking over the side of the house.  We named her Audrey after the Little Shop of Horrors.

Just in case you thought I was exaggerating!  

Here's a baby update.  This is more a picture of their sh%$ than of them.  [as cute at these little things are, that pile of poo on the front edge of the nest is disgusting!  OH!  and do you see the egg that wasn't?  Somehow mama missed the nest.]  They very much look like birds now and are stretching and sunning themselves often.  

Our last staycation meal. [bring on the cleanse tomorrow!]  Ribs Rendezvous Style.  They were fabulous!  Paired with homemade sweet potato mashers and some corn bread....home cookin' at its finest.

Staycation Day #3

Well, another successful staycation day.

We headed out early for Mother's Day Brunch with the fam---a good time was had by all!

Here's the picture story of the rest of our day....

Basically, there was a LOT of this.  Check out the cats.  They are REALLY into the stay cation!  Don't be fooled by the two computers.  We weren't working.  I was researching VACATION destinations!  How fun is that?

We decided to crack open a bottle from our favorite winery.  SO good! 

Because we bought a half-pallet of strawberries the other day I decided I'd better do something with them.  Sweet Sarah's favorite dessert is strawberry shortcake.  I went a bit healthier and decided on angel food cake.  [sidebar: seriously, is anyone else as fascinated as I am by the whipping of egg whites?  It's AMAZING!!!!]  Also, I attempted a series of pictures during this little event.  Oi vey!  I definitely won't win any awards with these photos, the props or the background.

I took this of our bottle of homemade vanilla.  Picked up the kit at TJMaxx for around $4.99.  Add your own vodka,  place under a cabinet for 6 months.  WOWZA! If you ever see one of these, buy it and try it.  It's pretty awesome stuff!

Again, note the disaster on the counter, the cabinets open [wine on the counter--:)]  Maybe I should take the time to EDIT these before posting.  Nah.....then you would have nothing to zoom in on and snoop around the house!

This?  This?  Well this is just disgusting!  One dozen yolks.  blerg.  N.A.S.T.Y.

Here's the work of art going in to our easy bake oven.  Not kidding around here people!  When we moved in we had to buy new pans to fit the tiny size.  It's cheap and it's tiny.  It's so cheap, it doesn't even self clean [I'm guessing the 75 watt light bulb can't handle it]  Hence the nastiness on the bottom.  Don't judge!

Finally, we decided to leave the comfy confines of the family and get some nourishment. Sweet Sarah is pulling homemade gnocchi from the water.

Aren't homemade meals wonderful?  Caprese salad, baked chicken and gnocchi with vodka sauce and fresh broccoli.  [oh, and WINE!]

And the piece de resistance----Strawberries with angel food cake.  And here's a little tip....the white sauce???  Made it up last night.  I melted a little bit of canned white frosting [about 2 TBS] in the microwave and stirred it into a plain greek yogurt.  It tasted like melted white chocolate.  Try it, you'll like it!

Even though staycation has been an overall success, the native is getting restless.  Today will probably involve something active and project oriented.....stay tuned!

Staycation Day #2

Yep, I'd say I'm pretty much settling in to this staycation thing---you know, taking it easy, relaxing, no projects.  Sweet Sarah contends that it's because it's 49 degrees and drizzly.  [she's probably got a point]

Nevertheless, here's how we spent the day....

Sweet Sarah made her killer apple pancakes.  These are the leftovers.  [again, I'm just not that girl that remembers to take each step of the way.  Make for a pretty duddy blog, I suppose.]

And we tech-ed it out.  And had coffee.  YUMMY!

Then we headed to our niece's 1st birthday party.  Yes, it's May.  And yes [deep, deep sigh] I'm wearing a coat and Sweet Sarah has on a sweater.  Lovely, lovely Ohio.]

And here's how we spent the most important part of our day!!  Happy Birthday, Keira!!!