Stark Naked! or True Words Of Wisdom!

Yesterday and today have been great. Saturday, Tony and I spent several hours working on the bathroom, over at the property. The bathroom was fine to begin with, but because we are turning all of the the walls, inside The Cabin, to try to look more like a log cabin we stained some more 1'x4's and then put them up on the walls.

Originally the bathroom was cute enough and it looked like this, but knowing that Tony would have a really hard time pulling/lifting/dragging me out of the beautiful claw foot tub we chose to remove the tub and replace it with a 32" walk-in shower kit. So that way we can only slip and fall and bang our heads when we're stark naked and dripping wet. Which trust me would not be a pretty picture.

And yesterday when we left to come back home this is what we had accomplished in the bathroom.

We still have a little more work to do, in the bathroom, to complete its makeover, but I am already loving it, even though I know that, in the future, we will have to be sharing this one bathroom.

This morning was fun. After talking to Kinky on the phone, We went over to visit with him, in the Lodge and to also pick up the old, cedar bed that Tony and I had made for him, over 15 years ago, about three months after moving our rescue ranch to his beautiful Echo Hill Ranch, in Medina.

Don't get me wrong. Kinky loved this cedar bed that we had made for him, but after he had rearranged his bedroom he decided to return it to us due to a space issue and also because I wanted it. 

The reason that I wanted his/our bed back is because I decided that we could use it, over at the property, as an extra bed, in a soon-to-be built smaller, cozy cabin, in the forest. And hopefully we will be able to rent that cabin out, on the weekends, to tourists, as a dog-friendly Airbnb, in the Hill Country.

After we loaded up Kinky's bed, in the back of JJ Cale, we had a very fun visit with him, in his kitchen. 

While we were drinking some delicious coffee I told Kink my new joke, mind you not the dirty one, because he like Tony has already heard that one too many times.

Anyway, when it was time for us to go, Kinky walked us back to the truck. And while we were standing there adios-ing each other, he told us something that his sweet sister Marcie had just recently told him. A friend had told it to her and it has been stuck in my head ever since—because I love it so much.

Kinky spoke softly, after taking a puff of his cigar, "This older gentleman told Marcie, "What I've learned about life is: It's not about the pot of gold—it's about the rainbow."" 

Then Kinky, Tony and I all agreed that those were true words of wisdom. And that is exactly why I wanted to share this with you. 

On our way back to the rescue ranch, I was doing all of the talking (of course) and then I had one of those light bulb moments, and said, "Tony, I am going to make a sign that reads: "Kinky Friedman slept here (for over 15 years)! And I am going to ask Kinky to put his autograph on the headboard...." And that is about it for tonight.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

Pick-UP!

Well, it's official. I'm not sick—thank goodness. It is just a bad case of allergies playing havoc with my head, nose and throat.

Yesterday after we dropped off Henry Standing Bear, at Hoegemeyer Animal Clinic, to get his ears flushed and medicated we came back home. As soon as we got back home I took a generic version of Claritin, drank a glass of Emergen-C Super Orange and then I went straight to bed with our dogs—minus 1. 1 being Henry, of course.

A few hours later when I woke up I was feeling a little bit better but still stopped up, so I called my good friend Cindy, in New Mexico, to get some essential oils advice. And I am so glad that I did, because after talking to her I grabbed my essential oils case, that I keep in my office and I pulled out the small bottle of Peppermint essential oil and seconds later I put one drop of Peppermint oil into each nostril.

And that did the trick! I felt immediate relief from my sore throat, stopped up and part-time runny nose. It was totally amazing to me. Instantly, my sore throat went away and it cleared up my sinuses and I could breathe through my honker, again. 

Seriously, it was total relief and I almost felt totally well, except for just feeling tired from working too much. Anyway, I highly recommend using the Peppermint essential oil for allergies.

On my last post I showed you a picture of the black & white checkered entry way that I had painted, looking from the front door, into the cabin. And today I have a much better picture to show you.

Today has been great mainly due to doctoring myself with generic Claritin and using that powerful Peppermint Essential Oil. In fact, Tony's allergies flared up this morning pretty bad and after he had put one drop of Peppermint oil into each of his nostrils—it cured him right up, too.

Early this afternoon Tony and I took off, in JJ Cale, to go pick up Henry, at Hoegemeyers. But before we picked "Hen" up, we went across the street and down a few blocks, to Home Depot, so I could buy a few more cans of pretty, spray paint that I need for my latest "home improvement" project. (And in just a few days I will show you what I needed it for.)

Anyway, after I had picked out four, lovely colored cans of spray paint, we were walking through the store to go check out when I saw this display. "Look, Tony!" I said, as I excitedly pointed to the display. 

Tony looked and said nothing. Obviously, he was not as impressed as I was, probably because he needed to add a few more drops of Peppermint Oil to his nose, but who knows. "I've got to buy one of these things. It is so cool and it's under four dollars. I hope it's not bugged...." 

Tone shrugged his shoulders and then he sneezed real loud, as I was trying to remove my must have item, from the display rack. And when he saw that I was having trouble removing this item, he removed it for me. "Are you seriously going to get that?" Tony asked, followed by a cough. "My throat is getting sore."

Before I spoke a word, I pulled out my little bottle of Peppermint essential oil, from my purse and handed it to him. And while Tony was putting Peppermint oil up his nose I was putting my new Bowl Light, into our shopping cart.

And on our way over to Hoegemeyer Animal Clinic, to pick up Henry I read to him. "Turn your toilet into a night-light! Motion-Activated LED toilet light! Auto on/off. Fits any toilet. Quick & easy! No tools, wiring, no mess. And it changes 7 colors, too and..."

When Tony parked JJ, I guess that he had heard enough about my bowl light, because he told me to stay put. And then he jumped out of the truck and went to go get Henry without me. 

It only took him a couple of minutes to get Henry into our truck, but that had given me enough time for me to suggest, "Let's go to McDonalds and get Henry a Big Mac to celebrate him coming back home."

"Okay, but I'm starving, too...." 

Five minutes later after paying for our lunch, Tony drove JJ up to the window where the sign points and reads "Pick-Up" which I thought was pretty funny, because we were in a pickup. 

Anyway, while I was chuckling to myself about it Tony picked-up our order and sat the bag on JJ's console. Then he drove off a few feet and parked JJ, so we could eat lunch.

Omg, Henry was beside himself when he smelled those delicious, burgers-in-a-bag. "They're really hot, Nance," Tony warned. "You'd better let Henry's cool-off a bit." 

Henry must have read Tony's mind, because Henry immediately sat down and started watching McDonald's customers coming and going, as I placed his soon-to-be-eaten Big Mac, on JJ's dashboard to cool.

One thing that our Henry is well-trained for is not to beg for food. Why I don't know, because we certainly didn't teach him that, but I am glad he doesn't do it. Anyway, when it was finally time to give Hen his "celebration" burger he opened his big mouth real wide, I guess, because he was thinking that I was going to toss the whole thing to him. 

Before I served Henry Standing Bear his delicious, smelling lunch, I grabbed my camera and tried to take a picture of him taking his first burger bite, but sadly the picture turned out fuzzy, because I was twisted around in my seat. But my picture is good enough to show you Henry taking first bite.

And that is about it for tonight, because we're fixin' to go over to the property to work for a few hours. Tony is planning on doing some yard work, while I do my spray painting. And I promise that I will keep y'all posted on the Bowl Light, because if it is as good as it says it is I think it would make a perfect gift to give to all of our friends.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Cale!

Today has been great. This morning our good friend Jim aka The Mineral Man sent me this very interesting YouTube video on how to grow 9 of your favorite herbs, in Mason/Ball jars and I absolutely loved watching it. So then I asked Tony to please watch it.

After Tony watched it, like me, he thought this 9 Herbs You Can Grow In Water Over And Over Again For Endless Supply video was really cool, too. And he was ready to give it a try and help me do it.

So this afternoon, when we were, in Kerrville, running errands, we went to the Plant Haus and bought most of the herbs.

And on our way back home we made a quick stop, at the little H-E-B, so I could purchase a few more Ball jars to put our herbs in. Then we came home.

After putting up our groceries, we brought our herbs inside and got to work, while we listened, over and over again, to one of my all time favorite YouTube music videos—The 2007 JJ Cale and Eric Clapton Sound Check, in San Diego.

Then I made this short, less than a minute, video of our finished herb project and the background music I specifically chose is just a small sampling of the the fabulous music from, the great 2007 JJ Cale and Eric Clapton Sound Check, in San Diego YouTube video. And I hope that you will enjoy watching this video while listening to the awesome sound of JJ Cale and Eric Clapton, as much as I do. 

P.S. I know the title of this post reads: Parsley, Sage & Cale! But we didn't plant any parsley or sage as you will see. We planted Stevia, Peppermint & Spearmint together, Oregano, Rosemary, Sweet Basil, Thyme, Lavender and chives.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

Leather Gloves! or Farside! or Old Sunspot AR2665!

Yesterday was great. Around 10:00, Tony came into The Cabin, and said, "Nance, there are some people outside. They are real nice and Dan told me that before he and Jessie, go over to see Kinky, he really wants to meet you first."

"Okay."

"I think he's a musician. He's from Buffalo, New York. And he acts like he knows you and he loves our rescue ranch. I just finished giving them a tour."

"What's his name, again?"

"Dan Gailey." Hmm. His name did not ring a bell with me, but that was not unusual, because we do meet a lot of people. Anyway, I went outside to greet Dan and his friend Jessie, from Austin, who had volunteered for a friend to drive Dan, down to the ranch, so he could hook-up with Kinky and sit-in on the recordings.

I instantly liked Dan and Jessie, so we got to visiting. We talked about our mutual love for dogs and animals, how he knows Kinky and music, etc. And by the time we were done talking we learned that he is one of the co-producers on Kinky's upcoming, new CD, that he and Brian Molnar and several musicians are currently recording, over at the Annex.

After our fun visit with them, he and Jessie followed me and JJ, over to the Lodge, because they didn't know how to get over there. And a few minutes later, after Tony had finished doing his morning chores outside, Kermit brought him over to the Lodge. Bottom   Line: We had a lot of fun visiting with Kinky and everyone else that is involved with making this CD.

Late yesterday afternoon, I baked Kinky and his guests another one of my (Carol's) delicious, mouth-watering Chocolate Sheet Cakes and let's just say that Kinky was more than thrilled to receive it.

After I adios-ed everyone JJ (Cale) and I took off to go over to the property, where Tony was already working. Because I wanted to do some more painting on the boards, for our future kitchen counter top, that we are in the process of building. And the good news is—I didn't get one splinter. But the bad news is—those two, painful splinters are still wedged underneath my fingernail.

This is a what I accomplished yesterday, while wearing my new, pair of protective leather gloves, before we quit and came back home.

And yes, I have not begun to distress it like I was planning to, using the picture below, as my guide, because I am actually loving how it already looks. So we shall see. And if you're a betting person I suggest you bet on the boards above for being our counter top.

Today has been great. After I took care of some rescue ranch business this morning and after Tony had done his morning chores outside, we went, back over to the property, to do some more work.

Then we went to the Home Depot to buy a few more supplies. Then we went basically across the street and ate a delicious lunch at Randy's & Lisa's Save Inn Restaurant. And once again, we ordered the exact same thing—Sinker Omelets and iced teas and I highly recommend that you order it the next time you go to the Save Inn Restaurant.

After lunch we went, to Wolfmueller's Books, to visit with Sandy & Jon for a few minutes and to also pick up a couple of Mike Blakely's paperbacks: Comanche Dawn and Vendetta Gold that Sandy had found and was holding for us.

On our way back home Tony told me that he really wanted to read Comanche Dawn first, which was fine with me, because I've just started reading Marie Bostwick's great book Ties That Bind, Bostwick's fifth awesome book of her Cobbled Court Quilts novels. Seriously, Marie Bostwick has now become my favorite author and I highly recommend you read her novels, because you'll get hooked on her books, too. And that's a promise.

Before I finish writing this post I have one more thing I want you to know. This morning our good friend, Jim aka The Mineral Man sent me this informative Space Weather News link for July 23, 2017 and after reading their Space forecast it got me somewhat worried.

I was worrying, because it is also close to being M.I.R (Mercury In Retrograde) Time, again. Which officially begins on August 13th - September 5th. Anyway, I wanted to let you know about all of this, so you'll be prepared and understand why weird things might start going haywire with your travel plans, computer and other devices, etc.

Space Weather News for July 23, 2017 http://spaceweather.com https://www.facebook.com/spaceweatherdotcom MASSIVE EXPLOSION ON THE FARSIDE OF THE SUN: On July 23rd, NASA and European spacecraft observed a massive explosion on the far side of the sun. A spectacular CME tore through the sun's atmosphere and it now appears to be en route to Mars. Earth will not feel the effects of the blast because of its location on the opposite side of the sun. However, the source of the eruption, old sunspot AR2665, will turn back toward our planet in early August, possibly bringing a new round of geomagnetic storms and auroras. Read all about it on today's edition of Spaceweather.com.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

What Is The Secret?!

Today has turned out to be great even though I almost had a big scare, late this afternoon, but fortunately, as you can see I survived it.

Early this morning, after Tony did his morning chores outside, we mowed and mowed and mowed. And the good news is that we've only got three pens left to push—mow. But the bad news is that it looks like we're going to have rain starting tomorrow and for the next few days. And then we'll start mowing again. And this is one of the main reasons that I am so fond of the desert. (There's no grass, in Terlingua.)

Early this afternoon, after I cooked us lunch and cleaned up the kitchen, we went back outside and mowed for about another hour. Then our backs started aching, so we came inside to rest.

Late this afternoon, after Tony took off to go help Ellen take pictures of some homeless cats, in hopes to help her get them adopted to loving homes, is when I almost had my my big scare. Which I must admit upfront, was self-induced, because I had vowed to do it.

Anyway, before my almost big scare happened I put our dogs outside and then I cranked up my music real loud to help me gather up my strength. And with JJ Cale and Eric Clapton jamming & singing Call Me The Breeze I marched back into our bedroom and swung open our closet door, because I was going to tackle (feng-shui) our closet aka wine cellar aka Hazel's Place—no matter what horrible things that might be lurking inside there.

When Leon Russell began singing his beautiful love song Back To The Island I looked at the total wreck that our closet was in and that scared me and I was even tempted to bail-out or jump ship, so to speak.

As I began removing all kinds of ridiculous stuff, piled up on the floor of our closet or else jammed into spaces above our hanging clothes, I came this close to shouting, "Man Overboard!" and skip out of our bedroom as fast as I could and to never return. But I didn't. I held my course.

Even though I was scared about what I might find hiding behind my fine wine-box-rack, the dust-covered bread maker machine, that I haven't used in over two or three years, or inside the crock pot now with a missing lid, I was determined to clean up our mess. And fortunately nothing jumped out or even scared me, except for some gigantic, hairy dust bunnies that I plan to wash and dry tomorrow and keep for making Carol's tiny bun.

When I started to remove my pretty, pink sleeping bag I did start praying that there was nothing lurking inside it—like a scorpion or a brown recluse spider, because my sleeping bag was partially stuffed inside the box that it came in. And the reason for it only being tucked halfway inside the box is because after I had used it on my fun trip, to New Mexico, a few years ago, neither Tony or I could get it to roll up small enough for it to fit back inside the box that it came in.

Anyway, it took me about an hour to clean up and undo the total mess that we had created, inside our closet aka wine cellar aka Hazel's Place. And I am happy to report that cleaning out our closet was pretty much smooth sailing after all, because nothing—got me.

And as I finish writing this tonight, I am thrilled that our closet looks so nice and is once again organized. And before I watch a movie tonight I plan to Google "What is the secret to rolling up a sleeping bag and getting it to fit back inside the box?"

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!

It's The Little Things!

The last few days have been great. Except for this morning, nothing big actually happened, but it's the little things that have made me so happy.

I know that I may seem weird about always getting excited when little things happen to me, but I can't help it, because it's hereditary. And I am so glad that I have that little quirk, because I like staying on the sunny side of life.

Anyway, this past week four little things kept me smiling. The first thing that totally made my day was receiving my official Texas license plates, for Roy, the used 2012 GMC Sierra, pickup that I purchased a few days before Tony and I went, out to Terlingua, with Carol & Bill.

You may ask how could license plates make me so happy, so I'll tell y'all. Tuesday, Tony brought in our mail and he handed me the plates, wrapped, in brown paper. "Oh I'm glad they finally came," I said. "I hope they will mean something special to me." Then I unwrapped the plates and nearly half-hollered with excitement, "Omg! Look, Tony! This is way too cool!"

Tony looked at them and then he shrugged his shoulders, because he didn't get it. "What's so great about the letters JJC...?"

"It's a sign— JJ Cale! He's dead, but he is one of my most favorite musicians of all times." Tony laughed, but he still seemed to be unimpressed. "He wrote some of the most famous, Rock 'N Roll songs like: Call Me The Breeze, Goin' Down, Crazy Mama, After Midnight and...." And after I took this picture of Roy's new, super-cool plates, I started playing the YouTube video of JJ Cale playing Cocaine and I cranked up the volume and Tony went outside to put on Roy's license plates for me, before I could tell him that JJ Cale often played with Eric Clapton, Mark Knopfler, Leon Russell and was Elton John's hero.

Wednesday afternoon another great little thing came, in the mail, for me. It was the Drop Spindle that my dear friend, Fay, had purchased for me, to help me spin our dog's hair for Carol's small dog-hair bun. That I'm planning to give her for Christmas. And I absolutely love the drop spindle. In fact, I've already spun about a one foot-long strand of dog-hair. "Thank you, Fay. You made that day great for me."

Thursday afternoon more great little things arrived, in the mail. Well, they are not exactly little things, because the three canvas prints are 16" x 20." I actually received seven canvas prints in all, but they are duplicates of Tony's beautiful picture of "Shalom and Little Jewford" down, by the creek and "The Waiting Game" and "Knock Knock" that are three of our most popular photos and paintings that we've sold.

And if you're considering getting a canvas print I highly recommend using Easy Canvas Prints, because they are the very best at what they do. They are friendly, professional people and fast.

And now the very best, little thing that has made both Tony and my week so great is sweet, little Red Foxx was adopted this morning, at 8:00!

He's that cute, little guy that was adopted from us over four-years ago, but was sadly returned to us, in March, after the woman's husband died. The volunteers and us were so sad that Red had come back to us, but of course, we totally understood the circumstances. 

Then one week later, Rachel, the sweet granddaughter of this couple, found out that Red was here so she called me and asked if she could please adopt Red Foxx, because she and her husband loved Red Foxx so much and that she had promised her grandfather that they would take care of little Red. And before we adios-ed each other that day, I had promised Rachel that we would hold Red Foxx until they could come and get him. And that day was today.

Earlier this week, Tony and I took Mr. Foxx, to Hoegemeyer Animal Clinic, to get the rest of his shots and a health certificate, so he could fly with them, to their home, in Van Nuys, California.

And as I finish typing this post, I am smiling big-time, because right now it is12:17 and Red Foxx is flying the friendly skies, with Rachel & Kenny, to his new forever home, in sunny California. And he didn't have to fly in the cargo section of the plane! 

Y'all have a great Sunday and keep on laughing!

Between Heaven and Texas/From Here to Home! or Cale/Kale!

Last night after blogging, I finally found the perfect places to display my beautiful, little, hand-carved, wooden bear and the Made-In-Mexico, turquoise, stained glass cross with the cobalt blue center, that I purchased when Carol, Lorri and I were shopping, at the Terlingua Trading Company. While our three husbands were outside drinking beers, on the famous front porch, listening to Chet O'Keefe jam with Marc Utter.

Anyway, I put my adorable, little bear, on the top shelf, next to the two cows candle holder that don't have candles in them. And I hung the pretty cross, from the top shelf, too—above my kitchen sink. Because I do spend a lot of time, in that area.

Then I spent the rest of the evening reading and savoring the last few pages of Marie Bostwick's fabulous book Between Heaven and Texas.

If you'll remember, a while back, my good friend Kris gave me her copy of Marie Bostwick's awesome book From Here to Home and I could not put it down, because I loved reading it and it touched my heart in several  ways.

And not knowing that it was actually the second book of Bostwick's Texas novels—I read them out of sequence. But it actually didn't matter at all, because these two books can each stand alone, because they are such great reads. And I know that Carol will agree with me on this.

Today has been great. After our great friends/dog-walking-volunteers had walked our dogs for us we all decided to eat lunch, at the Medina Highpoint Resort's Koyote Grill. And to say the least, "Our meals were absolutely delicious." Eileen and I both ordered their delicious Steak Salad and we highly recommend it, too.

When we were about to adios each other and leave in different directions, we asked our friend, Craig Newton, the great General Manager, "Who is playing tonight, during y'all's delicious All You Can Eat Catfish Dinner?"

"Paul Hilliard," he answered. And then Eileen asked him who would be playing there, in May, because she has some musician friends, from Nashville, coming to visit. And when he told us that Hogan & Moss would be performing twice, in May, I interrupted him and started telling Eileen about how great those two musicians were. 

And after I had quit raving about how great Jon Hogan's and Maria Moss' music was—Eileen could not wait to hear them. "I'm definitely coming to see them!" Eileen stated. "And I think we should get all of our volunteers to meet up here when they play. Wouldn't that be fun, Nancy?" I was so tired from talking so much about how great Hogan & Moss were—I just nodded my head. 

This afternoon when we got back to the rescue ranch, I told Tony, "Tony, last night I finished reading Between Heaven and Texas and I am just sick about it, because I love both of those books. Now, I don't have anything good to read, so I'm going to go to the Little Cottage Quilt Shop, in Medina and buy a few more yards of fabric, so I can work on my quilt."

The quilt shop was busy with friendly, quilting customers, so I strolled around the shop looking for more fabrics that would compliment the Crazy Quilt that I am already working on. And I found four more fabrics and I purchased them. And then I came back home.

A little while ago, I watched the most upbeat music, YouTube video of Eric Clapton performing, on stage, with JJ Cale, my rock 'n roll hero, playing that great song Call Me The Breeze, that JJ Cale wrote and Lynrd Skynrd made famous. It has had over 3 million views and it is totally awesome and here's the link to it. 

And while I was watching that video and enjoying the music, with the volume cranked up high, it reminded me that I had planned to fix us this new salad recipe I had found for our lunch today, but as you already know I didn't, because we ate lunch, at the Koyote Grill. 

Anyway, I think it is kind of weird that I was, sitting here, listening to JJ Cale and thinking about that Brussels Sprouts With Kale salad recipe, that is served with a Maple Syrup vinaigrette—at the exact same time. Get it? Cale/Kale. 

And tonight before I finish writing this I want to let you know that Tony and I won the race back to Medina, because Carol & Bill had to make a pit stop, at a roadside rest area, for their dogs: Scout and Pepper to exercise and for them to take care of "business." And all that I have to say about that is S*&% Happens!

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!  

From Here To Home!

Today has been great for several reasons. And the first reason is our delicious lunch that I cooked for Tony and me.

Several days ago when I was over at Carol's ranch she and I were talking about eating healthy. During  our conversation she recommended that I try making Dr. Fuhrman's Black Bean Brownies, because they taste just like regular brownies, but they are so much healthier. So I told her that I would.

Well, the next afternoon Carol sent me a picture of what she had cooked for lunch and it looked so delicious I immediately called her and begged her to please give me her recipe for her Shrimp & Cauliflower. And she did.

So this morning I made Dr. Fuhrman's Black Bean Brownies. And while they were baking, in the oven, for 1 1/2 hours— I whipped up his brownie frosting recipe using frozen bananas, blueberries and walnuts. And because I still had so much time left over, before the brownies were fully baked, I washed some fresh strawberries and cut them up, so I could put them on top of the frosting.

So before you gaze upon the delicious brownies that I made today here's a picture from Dr. Fuhrman's site showing his beautiful, delicious-looking Black Bean Brownie. And to get his black bean brownie recipe just click here.

Okay, I need to back up a little here and tell you that I also cooked Carol's easy to make mouth-watering Shrimp & Cauliflower recipe while my brownies were still baking, in the oven. And while all of this was going on I was also watching/listening to Leon Russell's and JJ Cale's incredibly great music, on Leon Russell's YouTube channel.

To make Carol's totally healthy and delicious Shrimp and Cauliflower recipe I grated a head of cauliflower and sauteed it in a pan with some chopped green onions and then I added some cilantro and a squeezed lime. 

In another skillet, when Leon was still singing Back To The Island, I sauteed some shrimp with Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning. And when the shrimp was no longer translucent I removed it from the skillet and mixed it in with the cauliflower. 

It was so simple to make and it is so much healthier than using rice. Seriously, Tony and I absolutely loved it and we could not believe that the sauteed/roasted cauliflower tasted exactly like rice. So we now plan to start eating it regularly. "Thank you for your recipe, Carol."

This afternoon my Martian Watch arrived and I love the packaging—MARTIANNOTIFIER! I am so thrilled with it and I am charging it right now. And I cannot wait until Jim aka the Mineral Man comes out tomorrow morning with Kris and the volunteers, because earlier this morning, he called me and he has volunteered to set up our ION home network camera for us. So I have my fingers crossed that Jim will also have the time to set up my super cool MARTIAN WATCH.

Don't worry. I am nearly done writing this long post for tonight, but I do want to thank The Mineral Man's sweet wife, Kris, because she gave me this really great book From Here to Home by Marie Bostwick. I am enjoying reading this book so much that it is hard for me to put it down. Anyway, Marie Bostwick's highly entertaining book takes place, in Texas and I want to highly recommend that you read it too, because I guarantee that you will love it, too.

And lastly for tonight, I need a drum roll—for my totally delicious black bean brownies that Tony and I love. And as you look at these pictures please remember that a picture is worth a 1,000 words and that looks aren't everything.

Right after I had frosted my brownies before slicing them into small individual pieces.

The added fresh strawberries.

Tony's black bean brownie with some Reddi Wip!

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!