Back in Kansas for the third time this year which is considerably more than normal (or at least since we moved to Alaska in 2006). This trip is a tough one and jet lag is kicking me once again. West to East seems to be a lot harder than East to West.
Anyway, starting go through Mom's house. My siblings and I have a daunting task ahead of us. Mom and Dad built this house by themselves in the early 60's and I'm pretty sure everything that has come through the door since then has stayed. Fifty years of accumulated memories and treasures.
We have talked to others that have gone through the same thing and believe there is a common theme. People who lived through and REMEMBER the depression in the 30's don't throw anything away. Someone, somewhere later in life may need it.
Regardless, there will be many fun memories revived over the next couple of weeks.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Monday, June 11, 2012
I Forgot One...
I forgot to post this picture yesterday of the bush turkey that thinks he's a lorikeet...
Sunday, June 10, 2012
A Good Day at Lone Pine
It's a holiday...of course we had to go see the animals!
The Lorikeets hung around until the hawk came by...
Tell me this Monitor doesn't need to lay off the grain!
And a Joey showed up today! That's his head, front feet, back feet and tail sticking out!!
And then we went to the scenic look out on Mt. Coot-tha...here's our home...
A good day was had by all!
The Lorikeets hung around until the hawk came by...
A good day was had by all!
Wednesday, June 06, 2012
In Search Of Ingredients
We are still in pantry stocking mode at our house. Every time we go to the grocery store, we buy a few items which are good to have on the shelf. Things like chicken stock, cream of mushroom soup, various spices, etc. When I stopped by yesterday to pick up some aluminum foil, for some reason I thought of green bean casserole. You know the one...everyone serves it at Thanksgiving and it's got french fried onions in it. A true comfort food classic!
And thus started my quest. I checked the vegetables aisle, the soup aisle, the baking aisle - all to no avail. No french fried onions anywhere. Is it due the smaller store or has that product not made it to Brisbane yet?
I also haven't found anything comparable to Bisquick - guess I finally get to learn how to make biscuits from scratch as scones just aren't the same.
And where is the bleu cheese dressing kept???
On a brighter note, I did find a pizza dough kit, plain bread crumbs and stuffing mix. Reading the directions I don't think it is the same as stuffing mix from home but what the heck - we have to try it!!!
And thus started my quest. I checked the vegetables aisle, the soup aisle, the baking aisle - all to no avail. No french fried onions anywhere. Is it due the smaller store or has that product not made it to Brisbane yet?
I also haven't found anything comparable to Bisquick - guess I finally get to learn how to make biscuits from scratch as scones just aren't the same.
And where is the bleu cheese dressing kept???
On a brighter note, I did find a pizza dough kit, plain bread crumbs and stuffing mix. Reading the directions I don't think it is the same as stuffing mix from home but what the heck - we have to try it!!!
Tuesday, June 05, 2012
Chips - the standard side dish
Having mostly removed french fries from my diet, they are now slowly (OK - maybe not so slowly) creeping back in. Chips (ie french fries) are the default side dish for a lot of meals. Don't get me wrong, some of the seasoned chips are pretty darn tasty and I dig in like everyone else but now I have to once again find my will power to move away from the chips.
Chips are usually served with aioli which is a garlic mayo. Sometimes the mayo is flavored differently but if you want ketchup, you must request red sauce. Trying to fit in, I haven't had ketchup since we got here.
Along with chips, bread is returning to my life and not at restaurants. There are so many little bakeries around our neighborhood, it is hard to walk by and NOT buy a little something tasty for dinner.
Interestingly enough, the restaurants I have eaten at so far generally do not server an appetizer item such as bread or chips and salsa. They are available but at additional cost. Since I am tight with money, and restaurants are already very expensive, that does help the diet. :)
Chips are usually served with aioli which is a garlic mayo. Sometimes the mayo is flavored differently but if you want ketchup, you must request red sauce. Trying to fit in, I haven't had ketchup since we got here.
Along with chips, bread is returning to my life and not at restaurants. There are so many little bakeries around our neighborhood, it is hard to walk by and NOT buy a little something tasty for dinner.
Interestingly enough, the restaurants I have eaten at so far generally do not server an appetizer item such as bread or chips and salsa. They are available but at additional cost. Since I am tight with money, and restaurants are already very expensive, that does help the diet. :)
Monday, June 04, 2012
Wildlife
We purchased two books this weekend about Australian wildlife. One of the books is specifically geared toward wildlife in and around Brisbane.
Now, while I came fully prepared with the knowledge the world's most deadliest snakes live in Australia, I was not ready for 8 of them calling our city home.
We are blessed with the Death Adder, Small Eyed Snake, Tiger Snake, Coastal Taipan, Spotted Black Snake, Red-Bellied Snake, Eastern Brown Snake and Rough-scaled Snake all of which can cause death if not quickly and properly treated. (And no - I can't identify a single one of them. I am sure the pictures in the book look nothing like a giant, killer snake I might run across in my wanderings.)
We also have 16 other venomous snakes that require medical attention if you are bitten, but do not have the same intensity as the ones listed above.
Right now, I am glad we live on a small piece of property with no yard and that I was blissfully ignorant when out trimming the bamboo. (BTW - I am NOT sticking my hand in the pool skimmer to clean it out either.)
I spend a lot of time walking in the park under trees and along the river with lots of shrubs nearby. In the past, I am pretty sure I would not have messed with any snake I came across, and now there is a greater possibility I will turn and go the other way in the future.
This also explains the signs at the various zoos and wildlife parks explaining what to do in case of a snake bite. Silly me - I thought they were reminders for the attendants. I'm not so sure now!!!
Now, while I came fully prepared with the knowledge the world's most deadliest snakes live in Australia, I was not ready for 8 of them calling our city home.
We are blessed with the Death Adder, Small Eyed Snake, Tiger Snake, Coastal Taipan, Spotted Black Snake, Red-Bellied Snake, Eastern Brown Snake and Rough-scaled Snake all of which can cause death if not quickly and properly treated. (And no - I can't identify a single one of them. I am sure the pictures in the book look nothing like a giant, killer snake I might run across in my wanderings.)
We also have 16 other venomous snakes that require medical attention if you are bitten, but do not have the same intensity as the ones listed above.
Right now, I am glad we live on a small piece of property with no yard and that I was blissfully ignorant when out trimming the bamboo. (BTW - I am NOT sticking my hand in the pool skimmer to clean it out either.)
I spend a lot of time walking in the park under trees and along the river with lots of shrubs nearby. In the past, I am pretty sure I would not have messed with any snake I came across, and now there is a greater possibility I will turn and go the other way in the future.
This also explains the signs at the various zoos and wildlife parks explaining what to do in case of a snake bite. Silly me - I thought they were reminders for the attendants. I'm not so sure now!!!
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