Getting ready for the Garden

Two years ago I tried to grow my own bedding plants for my garden. It was a complete failure! This year I have been reading up on how to grow my own plants and I am trying again. I know I am getting them started earlier than recommended, but I am hoping to have some really good size tomato plants when it is time to put them out.

Here are my pots with seeds planted. One has Roma tomatoes and the other has Cherry tomatoes. I love fresh, home grown tomatoes.

Now it is just time to wait.

A Great Dinner with Quinoa

I didn't make a New Year's Resolution this year. But I did make a New Life Resolution. I have resolved to eat healthier. I have a couple of health problems that could be cured, or at least improved, by eating healthier and in the process lose some weight.

Here is my dinner I had today. This had very little carbs, virtually no fat, but lots of flavor and very filling.

First thing I prepared were some green beans. I took fresh green beans and placed them in a baking pan. Then I sprayed them with some cooking spray, sprinkled just a small amount of salt and some Rosemary/Garlic spice. Then roasted them in the oven at 400 degrees until tender.

This really made me anxious for my garden to get started this year so I can have my own green beans. We are still about three months away from even planting them.

While the green beans were cooking, I sprayed a pan with the cooking spray, then placed a couple of talapia filets in it. I sprinkled them with some Emeril Fish Spice.I cooked them on a medium heat until done. 

I also cooked a new dish. This is quinoa, pronounced keen-wa. It is a small grain that is high in protein. It comes from South America, Peru, and was at one time considered the mother of grains. I found this at Walmart in the section with the rice.

To cook this I put one cup of quinoa in a bowl with two cups of water and a teaspoon of beef buillion. Then I cooked it in the microwave for eight minutes, let it sit for eight minutes. Then I cooked it for another eight minutes.

When it was all done I plated it up. This was a very tasty and very satisfying dinner. My husband who is a meat and potatoes kind of man, enjoyed the green beans and the quinoa. THAT speaks volumes as to how good it is.

There was enough left for my supper tonight. Unless the husband finishes it off before then!!

First Obedience Class

Tonight I took Rika to her first obedience class. There were a lot of dogs in the class. One in particular barked almost non-stop. The Bassett puppy sitting next to us thought she needed to climb all over us and the handler thought it was cute. UGG! I don't mind being around other dogs, I even love seeing other dogs and getting to know them. But when I don't know them I really appreciate the handler keeping their dog under control. But, that IS why we take them to obedience. So they can learn and so can the handlers.

Rika did great. Even with the Bassett. She just went with the flow and did wonderful.

Jax was my first dog that I did any training with. He was always eager and willing to learn. For the last year and a half he was retired from everything so we didn't get to do any training or any activities. I had really missed it.This is a picture of Jax from about a year ago. He was a great dog and will really be missed.

Then here is Rika at our obedience class tonight. She did great. Of course I have been working with her before we started classes. We started as soon as we got her home the first time.

Rika has the "sit" learned real well. By class next time we have homework to learn the Sit-Stay. I know she will learn it and will do great.

So that was what we did this evening. I think she had a good time. Rika slept all the way home from Garden City. 

Green Smoothie

I said I would be sharing some recipes on my blog so here is the first one. A Green Smoothie. Now, the ingredients may sound kind of yucky, but it is really good. Proof will be at the end.

Here are your ingredients.

One Banana

About a cup of frozen peaches

About a half cup or more of frozen spinach

About a cup of water.

The ingredients are approximate because you can increase or decrease how much of each you use. You can also use different types of fruit.

This is how it looks all packed into my little blender.

Now put it on and blend it. If it doesn't blend real well add some more water.

And there you go. All ready to enjoy.

Next is the proof that this really is very tasty.

If a two year old likes it, it has to be good! William loved it!

How many kids have you seen with a smile like that when they were eating spinach!!



It's a New Year

I am a grandmother who lives in Southwest Kansas. My husband pastors a VERY small church and I do a lot to help him. We have two ministries that keep us busy during the school year. One is a ministry we started two years ago feeding high school kids once a week. Each Monday we fix a meal for the students who are eligible to leave campus for lunch. There are about 20-25 kids eligible to leave campus and we have been feeding 15-17 each week. We have never asked anyone for any money for this, but God always provides.

Our other ministry is a bible lesson and game time for kids first grade through sixth grade. We just started it this year and it is going very well.

It is a New Year and a new start. I have so many things I would like to accomplish this year. Sometimes I think I have too many interests and hobbies. I have narrowed things down to my family, crocheting, photography, gardening and my new dog. Of course the family and the dog are year round. So is the photography. Of course the photography is part of my job. The gardening takes up the summer and the crocheting is pretty much a winter project.

Anyway, the blogging is a new thing also. Here I can kind of post some thoughts, and more pictures.