On Eagle's Wings

On Eagle's Wings
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:29-31

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Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Random Happenings



This little bunny and his buddies have been enjoying the Purslane and
sweet potato plants on the patio.


Taking pics of the sky unfolding in so many different ways is one of
my favorite things to do.




Noah attended Camp Longhorn last week. The above pics were taken at
Church Mountain. I think this may have been one of the only times they
slowed down all week because all the other days were filled with fun activities.


Just Grandpa being silly.

Jack has a habit of running through the house and
running into things such as cabinet corners, tables, etc.
He's tough though.

The kids stayed over the weekend and requested (begged) that I take them to the mall. We made pinkie promises with each other about our little trip, setting price limits of what we (I) would buy, how long we might stay, and what shops we would visit. They were terrific. They found what they wanted in the Lego store and before we left, took a little ride on the carousel. After that, we picked up Grandpa and went to Braum's for ice cream.






Kate told me afterward she thinks she might be getting too old for the carousel. Sigh ... she's growing up.

Last week we spent the big bucks getting the back yard cleaned up and new plants put in. I am happy with the results, but as I look back at old pics and how the back yard has evolved, it seems to me that we better keep an eye on the plants and keep them from becoming overgrown so that this will be the last makeover while we live here. When we bought the house, the back yard was barren except for one ugly bush and two mesquite trees. Since mesquite trees have sharp and ugly thorns, we had them surrounded with a border and landscaping around them. It looked pretty enough, however, a lot of the plants didn't survive and then, when grandchildren came along, we realized how dangerous the yucca plants were and so had them removed and planted more roses.






Trudy searching for bunnies



The pink, red, and yellow roses were bursting with color in the spring, but they grew so big and eventually were afflicted with the dread disease known as Witches Claw!! They were ugly with buds coming out and the promise of a flower, which couldn't happen.

Work in process

I can't wait to see the grasses grow up and the Vitex come into bloom.
It is covered with blooms right now which should burst out any day now.
There are grasses and Nandina bushes in there, too.
We've had plenty of rain to soak everything in.



These are kaleidoscope abelia.
My friend, Victoria, says these will grow quickly and
cover the blank spaces.

And today, the AC guys are here to install new AC and furnace units and collect the really big bucks. Hopefully, we will sleep very well tonight and hopefully, there will be a slowing down of shelling out the dough.

Speaking of dough, yesterday I made focaccia bread again to go with a sausage tortellini dish. This bread is easy, turns out so good and is tender and tasty.

Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe with Garlic and Herbs

  • PREP
  • COOK
  • TOTAL
Our focaccia recipe is very simple to make – no fancy equipment is needed at all. The secret to the best focaccia is a great tasting olive oil. Since there is quite a bit used, the bread really takes on the flavor. You don’t need to spend lots of money, just use an olive oil you love. For the herbs, we love a combination of thyme and rosemary, but you could use whatever herbs you love – fresh or dried. Or, omit the garlic and herbs all together and use plain olive oil instead.
A note on pan size: In this recipe we call for a 9-inch by 13-inch rimmed baking sheet. If you do not have this, you can use a 9-inch by 13-inch rimmed baking dish with taller sides.
Makes approximately 8 servings

You Will Need

1/2 cup (120 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 cup (235 ml) warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
1/4 teaspoon honey
2 1/2 cups (325 grams) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

  • Make Dough
  • In a cold medium skillet, combine olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and the black pepper. Place the pan over low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes or until aromatic, but before the garlic browns. Set aside.
    In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and honey. Stir a few times then let sit for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of the flour and a 1/4 cup of the infused garlic-olive oil mixture. Stir 3 to 4 times until the flour has moistened. Let sit for another 5 minutes.
    Stir in the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour and the salt. Once the dough comes together, transfer to a floured board and knead the dough 10 to 15 times until smooth. Transfer to a large oiled bowl, cover with a warm, damp towel and let rise for 1 hour. (It’s best to let the dough rise in a warmer area of your kitchen).
  • Bake Bread
  • After 1 hour, heat oven to 450 degrees F. Use two tablespoons of the remaining garlic-olive oil mixture to oil a 9-inch by 13-inch rimmed baking sheet. (See above if you do not have this pan size).
    Transfer the dough to the baking sheet then press it down into the pan. Use your fingers to dimple the dough then drizzle the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of the garlic-olive oil mixture. Let the dough rise for 20 minutes until it puffs slightly. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool baked focaccia bread on a wire rack.



A side note as to the people installing the AC. If workers came to my house every day, there would be no end to the number of tasks I could accomplish. There is something in me that when other people work in and around my home I cannot sit idle. I feel guilt. Isn't that sad? LOL! Oh well, I am getting lots done.

Just happened to walk past the front door to see one of the AC guys taking a well-deserved break! It is hot up there in the attic!


8 comments:

Karen said...

The carousel looks like great fun (at any age!) I love the pink rose bushes too. Have a wonderful week.

Susie said...

Nonnie, Those darn rabbits will stand on their tippy toes to eat your container plants. I am just thankful they can't hold each other up on their shoulders. LOL. Your yard is beautiful, I love all the garden areas. Glad you didn't forget grandpa when going for ice cream. Your g.son's black eye reminds me of our Lynzie, she ran into a table and blacked her eye and flipped over in a small kid rocker and broke her wrist...If I had not known better I would have sworn she was being abused. LOL. She was a runner too and climbed anything. That's her own son stuck in the Barbie camper...oh my, now she knows. Blessings to all of you, xoxo, Susie

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Oh wow! Such a lot of work being done...and lots of fun with the kiddos too! You are so blessed to have the grandkids near and to be able to enjoy them like you do. I would LOVE to be able to ride a Carousel again! I understand about the AC/etc. We just had to have some repairs made to our AC. Trying to keep it going so we don't have to replace it. Your yard will be so lovely. Thank you for sharing. That bread looks so good!! Yummy!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

You are never too old for the carousel. Those darn bunnies, we have them eating our flowers all the time. Your yard is beautiful, love all the flowers. Thanks for the recipe, sounds yummy!

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

Seems as long as we own a house that there is always something to be done inside or out. Your yard looks great!

Debbie said...

Your yards are sooo beautiful! We've lots of bunnies around here too which is surprising since we have soo little actual land and landscaping! lol. It's soo funny you should say that about workers in your house as I feel the same way, lol. I always feel guilty like I should be doing SOMETHING. I try to be out and running all my little errands when my house cleaner is here every other week which usually works out well, lol, because I CAN'T just sit there on the computer or something and I can't sew when she is there of course...and baking or cooking can't be happening either..or really even laundry. And I don't "do" anything else, lol. We soo need to replace our whole air conditioning system but we are trying to make it through one more season (though I think we said that last year) as we just cringe about shelling out what that would cost. But we are hoping once we take the plunge the result will be MUCH lower electric bills. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Jill said...

Looks like summer is off to a good start for you and your family! Beautiful pictures of the flowers! Have a wonderful afternoon.

Blessings,
Jill

Elizabeth "Libby" Day said...

Your back yard is really quite large for that area, isn't it? It is lovely with so much privacy. The new beds look so pretty and yes, you should enjoy the grasses waving in that Texas breeze. I used to make bread but stopped years ago when I realized Hubby would eat the whole thing in one sitting. He loves breads but doesn't need it, so I never buy or make it. Looks delicious though.