Wednesday, May 29, 2013

May Flowers

We're stuck with leftover April showers outside, but it is actually May, so it's time for May flowers!

I may have gone a little overboard.

I started looking for some cute little floral tops, and found this at the Goodwill in Dubuque...
Tommy Hilfiger
SO Wear It Declare It (Kohl's)
JCrew (!)
but for only $3.95 each, it's ok!

Next month - Summer Lovin!

In the meantime, check out what pretty flowers Winavie found at Lemons & Chambray.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

"Yardening"

One of my neighbors doesn't have a single dandelion in his yard (not one!), so I asked for his secret and got to work.

Before
the secret weapon
the carnage 
His wife pointed out that my rhubarb really needed to be picked.
Oh, that's what this is? 
Yep
So I did, and made this...

Rhubarb Crisp

Filling
4 cups fresh rhubarb, cut into pieces
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp pure vanilla extract (I forgot this part and it was still good)

Topping
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled

Directions
Preheat oven to 375
Mix first four ingredients in a large bowl until coated
Pour into baking dish
Drizzle with vanilla extract (if you remember)
In another bowl, mix all topping ingredients until crumbly
Sprinkle over filling
Bake 35-45 minutes until rhubarb is tender and topping is golden brown
Serve warm

and it was REALLY good!

Monday, May 13, 2013

Coming Home

Saturday was the "Coming Home to Bellevue" event.

There was beer...
LOVE the Straw-Ber-Rita!
food...
so many options!
rhubarb bread!
a cute baby cow...
with a cute heart-shaped spot
cute baby goats...

and a cute lead singer...

But it was cold.  And freakishly windy.

And nobody came.

But, I had fun.

(Did I mention that I love Straw-Ber-Rita?)

Other than that, we went bowling Friday night.  (I broke 100!)

No gutter balls for us!
 And, of course we did a project...
new back light
or two...
installing a water softener
(no more crusty ickiness!)

Monday, May 6, 2013

Work Hard, Play Hard

This past weekend was a mixture of both.

First, the work...

Sure, my bathroom looks ok.
bath - before
 But, look closer.
ewww
 I have hard water.

I have a water softener, but it hasn't been hooked up yet, and the damage has been done.  (I can't get rid of this stuff!)

Then last week, I had an idea...
bath - after
It took 2 hours, but the doors (frame and everything) are gone!

I know I should've ironed the shower curtain, but still...

It's a huge improvement!

I didn't feel well on Saturday (nothing serious), but I did try to do some work in the yard until I got chased out by a robin protecting this...
mama bird
Then, the play...

On Sunday, I was invited to a Daffodil Party (18th annual!).

daffodils
the backyard
pretty bluebells and tulips
After the party, I celebrated Cinco de Mayo by adapting this Mexican Tacos Carnitas recipe in an attempt to recreate the Carnitas Burrito from Chipotle.


Ingredients
1 Tbsp ground chile pepper
1 tsp ground coriander (I used ground cilantro)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp snipped fresh oregano (or not)
1 tsp finely shredded orange peel
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 pound boneless pork roast
2 large onions, cut into wedges
1 14 ounce can chicken broth
3/4 cup orange juice
1 Tbsp honey
Flour tortillas
Fresh cilantro
Salsa
Lime wedges

Directions
In a large bowl, stir together ground chili pepper, coriander, garlic, oregano, orange peel, black pepper, and salt
Add pork to bowl
Toss to coat with spices
Place pork mixture in slow cooker
Top with onion wedges
In a medium bowl, whisk together broth, orange juice, and honey until honey dissolves
Pour liquid over all
Cook on low for 10 - 12 hours or on high for 4 1/2 - 5 hours
Remove meat and coarsely shred
Drizzle meat with some of the cooking liquid
Warm tortillas
Top each tortilla with meat, cheese, rice, beans, and cilantro
Serve with salsa and, if desired, lime wedges.
It's close!
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