Grampa Bakes A Cake

So Gramma wanted a yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Easy-squeasy, right? Buy a cake mix and some ready made frosting. What could go wrong? Me, that's what can go wrong. There are too many rules in this baking business. Why can't you just brush on some olive oil, salt and pepper and slap it on the grill? That's how things are meant to be cooked. Right?

It actually tasted good, but when I took it out of the pan, it broke. What? Yeah and a chunk fell off of the side. Heidi thought that this was a real baking break-through and should be included in all cooking endeavors, but I think I'll try and skip that part in the future. Anyway I tried to fill the hole with frosting, but it just wasn't fluffy enough. Another baking adventure gone awry. Maybe I'll try sticky buns, or not.Ta.

Dog Sitting

Well on Tuesday Great,Great Gramma (Isn't she great?) Called and told us she was going to Duluth to Linda's and then to the hospital because she apparently had some kind of infection in her sinuses and jaw. They had her in ICU for awhile, but she is in a regular room now. She is doing better and will probably go home on Sunday with antibiotics to take. So Wednesday Gramma and I drove up to Hoyt Lakes (AKA "The End of The Road At The Edge of The World) and picked up her dogs and brought them home. It's been interesting, but going well. The dogs are adjusting pretty well considering the circumstances. Our dogs are too. 

Here's me with Cheeblue the dog that doesn't like anyone but GG Gramma and Gramma. Turns out she thinks I'm pretty cool too. Doesn't everyone?

Guess not, here's Rex who tolerates me and just thinks I'm ok, but not that cool. Oh well, can't win 'em all. Anyway GG Gramma's getting better and we'll take the dogs back up there when she gets home. Ta. I almost forgot, Happy Birthday GG Gramma Scotty. Sorry you had to spend it in the hospital. Ta, Ta.

Grampa Bakes Banana Bread

Today for the first time, I made banana bread. I'm actually a pretty good cook, but I never bake. When I got done putting it together and into the oven I realized I had forgotten the milk. Then I sat down and the dog got in the chair with me and I discovered he had batter on his head. Guess I was a little sloppy.

Ready.

And done.            

Here it is. It actually tastes pretty good too, even without the milk ingredient. So I won't have to feed it to the chickens 'cause we'll eat it. Too bad for the chickens. Be good, be careful and be sure you don't forget the milk. Ta.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRAMMA!

Today is Gramma's birthday.

As you can see she won't be dancing today in celebration, unless she does the one-legged bunny hop. She is doing really well, much better than we both expected. She jumps in the wheel chair and gets herself to the bathroom, lets the dogs out in the morning and yesterday made her own lunch when I wasn't looking. Awesome woman, and cute too. Happy birthday sweetheart.

In other news I need to cut hay again. Here's a pic of our "new baler". It's only 34 yrs old. The other one was from the 60's. Cross your fingers and hope it works. Ta.

Jumpers

We have quite few new additions to the deer herd this year. One set of triplets, at least one set of twins   and I'm not sure how many singles.

The twins.

One of the twins chasing my cat.

The triplets. It was foggy.

We also have a set of last years twins hanging around almost daily. They come up close to the house in the front and back yards. A doe and a buck. Sure has been fun watching them. The twins were checking out a couple of Sandhill Cranes in the south pasture the other day until one crane got tired of it and pecked the one fawn right on the end of it's nose, that made them lose interest quickly. Anywho,  be good, be careful and be sure to keep your chickens cool in this heat. Ta.

More Birds II

So after three months and getting a new computer, (Thanks honey) I think I'm back.

Mama oriole.

Papa oriole. We have been getting young orioles too.

Mr. Rooster.

Grosbeak, house finch, (we call them rosy fiches) goldfinch.

We have a large contingent of humming birds this year. Lots of young ones. I'm constantly refilling the "two" feeders. I've counted as many as ten at one time and it's not easy counting these little speedy guys. Thanks for looking, there'll be more. Be good, be safe and be sure to keep your hay dry. Ta

More Birds

Just some more birds that are here all the time.

 

Pileated woodpecker

Turkeys

Redwing Blackbirds

Blue Jays

Chikadees. We also have lots of different sparrows, swallows, sand hill cranes, geese, ducks and we usually have bluebirds, but we haven't seen any yet and I don't know why.

Here is a surprise this year. An Indigo Bunting. So very pretty. Poor pic, but it was raining. See ya later.