Junuary

 

Hello Dear Friends! Here it is already June, and I can't believe 

half the year is gone. 

We are still stuck in a very wet and cool weather pattern

here in western Washington state.

This is not unusual and is frequently known as 'Junuary'.  

All the rain has created lush growth, but has inhibited 

any sort of control over it all, so I have been using 

this time to do a little entertaining and socializing. 

Recently we invited old friends over for a Southwest style dinner. 

  

I pulled out all of my collected decor from our 

time living in Tucson, and visits to Arizona over the years. 

I made the tray using decoupage with a scenic napkin from The Desert Museum.

The little painting is from Tucson. 

We were newly-wed when we moved to Tucson, Arizona. 

Growing up in small, New England towns, we felt the need to escape

and have some adventure before we settled down to start a family. 

We lived in a desert bungalow on the boundary of the Saguaro National Park

for two years. 

It was like moving to another planet for two born and raised New Englanders. 

We fell in love with the desert and always wanted to move back, 

but the fates had a different plan for us, so I have settled 

for the occasional visit and a small collection of treasured mementos and memories. 

My new 'Pioneer Woman' dish set that the Mr. gifted 

to me for Christmas, lends itself beautifully to 

the bright and colorful southwest style. 

With the weather being so gloomy, I wanted 

to brighten things up! 

I made guacamole from a recipe I've had for years. 

It's easy and so delicious, and not too spicy. 

Here's the recipe:

Classic Guacamole

2 large ripe avocados, mashed

1/4 cup finely chopped yellow onion

2 tbsp lemon juice (1/2 lemon)

2-5 drops hot pepper sauce, if desired

1/4 to 1/2 tsp garlic powder ( I used one clove minced garlic)

1/4 tsp salt and dash of pepper

1 med. tomato, chopped fine

2 tbsp finely chopped green chilies (canned) or 1 sm. fresh chili, chopped

xx

Mix all ingredients and serve with tortilla chips. 

Will keep for a day or two in the refrigerator. 

Tequila sunrise fixings. 

Orange juice, tequila and a splash of grenadine (the sunrise). 

We have known our dear friends for over 20 years. 

Ramblin' Man and he were co-workers

and immediately hit it off. Both married their 

high-school sweethearts and were strong family men, 

with the same sense of humor. 

Through the years we've shared achievements and milestones, 

along with hardships, loss and unspeakable sorrow. 

We've shared weddings and funerals,

and now, retirement and old age.

xx 

"Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn,

old wine to drink, old friends to trust, 

and old authors to read."

- Francis Bacon -

I set up a taco bar on my 'Kitchen Queen' Hoover cabinet. 

The enamel top slides out to make a large surface 

perfect for serving. 

All the fixings, including Spanish rice. 

Soft tacos. 

I just found the taco shell holders at my local grocer during 'Cinco de mayo'. 

I'm always looking to add to my collections. 

xx

A peek at the cabinet shelves. 

I crocheted the 'doily', which is actually a dish cloth! 

I also sewed the tied-up bundle of lavender sachets. 

These are great to repel pantry moths. 

My kitchen window with my pepper and tomato salt and pepper shakers. 

Can you have too many? 

When I was a little girl, I remember visiting my Grandmother's 

little cottage for Sunday dinner (My Dad's Mom). 

She had a 'sun porch' with windows all around where 

we could play. In that little room were a few toys, 

some comfy chairs and footstools, her little parakeet in a cage, 

and best of all, her glass curio cabinet that held dozens 

of fascinating salt and pepper shakers! 

She would pick out a few that my sisters and I could play 

with, as long as we promised not to chip or drop them. 

Some were pairs of puppies and kittens, some were little 

fruits or vegetables, and some were kitchen appliances 

or tiny figurines. 

I wonder if my Grandmother knew that this simple 

gesture would create such wonderful memories for 

me? She's been long-gone, and I wish that I had told her, 

but I think she knows. 

xx

My overstuffed taco. 

Believe it or not, I was able to roll it up,

but, once done, I couldn't set it down! 

Yum! 

Streusel cake for dessert, (can you tell the Mr. cut the cake?) 

served with coffee while we watched an old movie. 

'Under the Tuscan Sun' 

Such a favorite! 

It was wet and rainy, so we couldn't walk through 

the wildflowers, but maybe you would like to go! 

Buttercup and Forget me not.

The wildflowers have taken over the front lawn

and it's been so wet and rainy, 

with Ramblin' Man on the mend from his mishap, that we 

decided to just enjoy it as is. 

Bugle weed, forget me not and buttercup

Barberry and forget me not. 

Columbine

Bleeding Heart

Pink herb Robert, yellow buttercup, blue forget me not. 

Some holly on the side. 

Fringe cup.

Wild bleeding heart. 

These are just some of the flowers blooming right now. 

Such a beautiful time of year. 

With so much turmoil and strife going on in this world, 

I find that it's so important to take time to appreciate the 

beauty. 

The simple pleasures of a walk in the garden or woodland, 

or a drive through a pretty neighborhood or the countryside, clears the mind

and brings me closer to the healing powers of nature.

Even a few potted flowers on the deck, 

enjoyed with a cup of tea, can do wonders for my spirit.

It grounds me, so that I can be there for my loved ones

during these tumultuous times. 

xx 

 

With the price of groceries at an all-time high, 

I am very careful to utilize all of my leftovers. 

Here, I've stuffed some peppers with the leftover 

seasoned taco beef mixed with the Spanish rice, 

and served with the leftover fixings on top.

I stuff the whole peppers, set them in a pan that 

holds them upright (I used a loaf pan for two), 

and put about an inch of water on the bottom of the pan. 

Bake, covered, for approximately 45 min. to one hour 

at 375 degrees. 

Cut in half and top with salsa, sour cream and shredded cheese. 

So good. 

xx

Some pretty scenes on our visits to 'the kid's' homes. 

xx

We've been catching up with our visiting 

now that we are feeling better. 

Three of my children live over an hour's drive away, 

and one lives in the same town. 

xx

We really enjoy the drives, though. 

A few more pretty scenes along the way...

I hope that you are finding time to enjoy old friends, the love of family, 

and the beauty of this magical time of year, Dear Friends. 

xx

"Wishing to be friends is quick work, 

but friendship is slow-ripening fruit."

- Aristotle -

"A friend is a person with whom I may be sincere,

Before him I may think aloud."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson -

xx