"Spring" walk and Mister Blue Sky

From the ridiculous to the absurd!  That is what this weekend has been so far, not to mention April.  We did have some sun Saturday morning and actually a bit on Saturday evening at sunset (pix to follow), but as you can imagine, in between it snowed.  A lot.  And if it wasn't for the fact that it is April and the sun is quite strong, we would have an awful lot more snow.  A LOT more. 

 

So, with it looking semi-optimistic yesterday morning, I took off on a walk.  I was going to do a different route, but the first 1/2 mile found me SUPER cold from the northish wind, so I went west to the stone house and around.  The made more sense and then it also gave me a nice photo op!

First real sun sighting for a few days

Mister blue sky....  please tell us why...

I tried not to notice the beauty in all of this, but I can't help myself

Lola and the blue skies- for the moment

Spring snow and shadows

I came home to this beautifulness!

I LOVE this shot!  Lol

Sun is shinin' in the sky

There ain't a cloud in sight

It's stopped rainin' everybody's in a play

And don't you know

It's a beautiful new day hey,hey

Runnin' down the avenue

See how the sun shines brightly in the city

On the streets where once was pity

Mister blue sky is living here today hey, hey

Mister blue sky please tell us why

You had to hide away for so long

Where did we go wrong?

Hey you with the pretty face

Welcome to the human race

A celebration, mister blue sky's up there waitin'

And today is the day we've waited for

Hey there mister blue

We're so pleased to be with you

Look around see what you do

Everybody smiles at you

Mister blue sky, mister blue sky

Mister blue sky

Mister blue, you did it right

But soon comes mister night creepin' over

Now his hand is on your shoulder

Never mind I'll remember you this

I'll remember you this way

Mister blue sky please tell us why

You had to hide away for so long

Where did we go wrong?

Hey there mister blue

We're so pleased to be with you

Look around see what you do

Everybody smiles at you

Mister Blue Sky by Electric Light Orchestra 

If you smile, everybody smiles at you!  This song kept going through my head yesterday- I have decided that the whole situation needs to be made light of or we all will lose our blooming minds!  And we can't have that, now can we??

Find the joy not matter how absurd the situation!

Daffodil watch 2013- patiently waiting...... and waiting..... and waiting.....

So, yeah, it's April and I am just POSITIVE that I will have some of these before the summer is over.....

Meanwhile, back in Wisconsin.........

 The sun did come out for a while.......

But of course later in the day it was snowing- again.......  and again.....

Goodness, where did my patch of grass go??

So it is actually supposed to rain after it snows/sleets and ice pellets this morning.......  nothing so far, but we shall see.  Rain wouldn't be the worst thing in the world!

Alright, kids, I have to dig deep to find my joy right now!!  REALLY deep!  I may have to indulge in a little summer dreaming post in a little while.....  It's the only thing keeping me sane.

Guac and lentil rollups- plus cocoa almonds!

I have been really hungry for something with avocados lately, and I picked some up today at the grocery.  So NOW what??  I didn't want to make just plain, old (but good) guacamole and had some wraps around..... and so I did some Pinterest searching.  I saw a few things that involved avocados, and something that was a wrap, and another that talked about having salad as a snack....  so this all sort of happened from a crazy combination of things that included me be too lazy to actually cook!

I had some couscous and lentils left over in the frig from earlier this week.

  It is a simple combination of plain lentils and couscous that is a cinch to make and use like rice.  So I combined the couscous/lentils with chopped tomato

Some red, sweet pepper,

a good squeeze of lime and some chopped onion,

a half of an avocado,

And a little Spanish olive oil

I mixed it up and added a little seasoned salt (I used Spike) and put it on a wrap

60 calories!

I sprinkled with a little black pepper feta, but if you want it vegan that is easy to leave off!!  So many possibilities for alteration and variation.  This was easy and fast, plus has lots of great veggies, and healthy fats.  SCORE!!

Guacamole and lentil/couscous rollups

all measurements are approximate 

1/2 - 3/4 cup couscous and lentils 

(Just cook some couscous in water according to directions and then add a can of cooked lentils)

1/3 cup chopped tomato

1/2 diced avocado

1 Tablespoon chopped onion

1/3 cup chopped pepper

1 -2 Tablespoons lime juice

Spike or other seasoned salt

1 Tablespoon olive oil

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and spoon into a wrap and sprinkle with feta cheese!!  

Variations could include adding cucumbers, olives, any other veggies that seem would go with these flavors. Flavorings like garlic, cilantro or other herbs too would go great.  I think it works well for using up things in the frig!

I loved this!  It was so good....  Sort of greek, but I had Mexican in mind when I began making it.....  so I'm not sure what it ended up being.  :)

So I am also breaking myself of a severe sugar addiction- again!! This little dish is something that my fitness friend and long, lost twin Cheri from St. Louis told me about!  Basically it is a Paleo type recipe for a snack with almonds, cocoa and coconut oil.  YUM!

Combine almonds, a teaspoon of melted coconut oil (MCT oil) and dust with a teaspoon of cocoa powder.  This smells divine, tastes really good and is not sweet, though it gives you a bit of a chocolate addiction relief!

It was a yummy night for eating- I wish there was left overs though!  Oh well!  Until next time, be a joy giver!!

Daffodil watch 2013- trying to be positive.....AND A ROBIN

So, while this is very encouraging to see- there is BAD WEATHER looming.  

This is what an accountant's forest looks like!  hahahaha- planted in about 1986

But I know it won't last, so I REFUSE to let it get me down.  Back in the land of the winter that wouldn't quit, the snow is shrinking for the moment and the grass patches are getting bigger.  I see more and more of my flower beds (which I happen to know are full of some major weed action) and it is making me soooooooo antsy to get out into it and cut things back.

Last night I was able to get out for a walk after the gym. I feel that any little bit that I can be outside in what somewhat resembled sunshine, is time totally worth spent.  I did 4 miles, and it was cold, but wonderful.  AND I got a couple cloud pictures that ended up looking different on the camera than what I saw, but still really cool.  It is hard to expose for the bright sun which is making these awesome patterns in the clouds- but it still looks pretty neat.

Some more progress is being seen in the snow melt 

Grass patches starting to get bigger

Still pretty white, though

grass

 AND I have a robin picture or two!!  I have seen robins around for a week or more, but I had not been able to grab a photo- so here are a couple.  The robins might need to hunker down somewhere- we are supposed to get 6 inches of snow soon- this is not really funny AT ALL.  We actually have a winter storm WARNING NOW!!  FOR HEAVENS SAKES.  I recommend the robins find a nice motel room with a hot tub and a wet bar......

Hey, stay there so I can take your picture!!

Searching for worms and bugs

 Meanwhile- here is the gorgeousness of the clouds, that are foreshadowing some yuk.

Cloud patterns

I am going to be stubbornly optimistic, though, I just can't be dragged down anymore.  I'll get my mile in at the gym, I'll keep watching for the grass and the sun and I will get a daffodil this spring yet.  I swear I will- that is beyond the ones that I had blooming in my house...... which were awesome, as I needed those sunny little fellas- BIG time.  I can't wait to plant them outside so they can live on...  SPRING is absolutely on the way, right after this snow storm.

That is my story and I'm sticking with it!

And I will find my joy!

Meanwhile back at the (sheep) ranch and other Sunday stuff

Sunday proved to be a very productive day.  I woke up coughing like a maniac and was just too lethargic to go to the gym.  If DEBI is not feeling the gym one morning, she is excused from going, because the gym is a pleasure and a joy to attend.  So, I turned my attention to my bedroom and began to clean parts of it.  I delved into areas that have not been disturbed for a while, and while a bit dusty at times, it was a very satisfying thing to do.

Self portrait at the landing: canoe wistful

About 4 I emerged, dust covered (there was a lot of construction fallout lurking about yet) I decided to finish up the huge mess that was in the kitchen and go for a walk.  After actually driving into town for gas and a couple things from the grocery, I stopped by the MA's office and checked to see how he was doing.  He's been pretty upbeat for as many hours as he has put in this year- seems like he was at one of those offices a LOT.  (only one more week)  He needed to chat with our friends (and his relatives)- Paul and Judy- out at the sheep ranch about business stuff, he needed to get out of the inside of a building and of course it is always nice to see the lambies. BONUS TIME!!!  There were puppies!!

First though I had time to walk on down to Smith Lake for a little official exercise. I was feeling better by then, and it was sunny, but cold.  No surprise about the cold thing.  I am not sure that the ice is going to be gone by the time opening of fishing season begins- which is in a mere 3 weeks.  And it almost looks like people have been driving out there recently, maybe I am wrong though.  Could be old tracks.  It was a good walk, as the road is pretty much clear of snow!

Along Omaha Rd

Boat landing

Doesn't look like this campsite will be used anytime soon!

I SO did not walk out there

Clear roads

Shadows as I looked in our yard

When I got home, we drove on out to see the sheep.  There are already a lot of lambs, and then there are those puppies!!  Which will grow up to be the size of small ponies!  I was petting Shep, one of the adult dogs and his massive head comes up to literally my waist.  I just think about all the food and poop that one would have to deal with.  Oy. So, no, no matter how cute they are, I just can't!  Stay strong Debi!

The Llama wonders what the heck I am doing!

Water in the pond

Pretty boys

Curly horns

LOOK at that face

Most of these guys are for sale- they are huge!!  Will be huge!  But are guard dogs for the sheep, they need to be huge.

Quiet night at Beaver Creek Full Curl Sheep Ranch- 

It was a very nice little side-trip.  I am glad I got to go, I woke up to rain and a quite unfortunate snowcast, I mean forecast, for the week.  So the gym it will be!

Until next time, be a JOY GIVER!!