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!

Red-Medicine!

Yesterday afternoon I worked tirelessly on my quilt and then I went over to Carol's ranch for a fun visit. We talked about last weeks fun trip to Terlingua and how much fun we had out there. While we were talking about music and some of our favorite musicians such as: Willie Nelson, Neil Young, David Crosby, the Knotting Hillbillies, Gary P. Nunn, Chet O'Keefe, Jim Keaveny and Jimmy LaFave , etc. I asked Carol if she had heard the sad news about Jimmy LaFave's battle with cancer. "Yes," Carol replied. "I heard about it a few days ago and I was going to tell you about it if you hadn't already heard. I love Jimmy LaFave and his music."

"The other day my friend, Cindy, told me about it and she sent me the Austin Chronicle's article interview with Jimmy talking about his cancer and a link to a YouTube video of a Jimmy LaFave performing, on April 21st, at Threadgill's, in Austin. Where at the end of his song, Jimmy talks to the audience about his long battle with cancer. It was very emotional and it made me tear up. His music is so great and can you imagine how many hearts, all around this world, that his music has touched?...."

Before Carol and I adios-ed each other we started talking about how much we have enjoyed reading Marie Bostwick's Texas novels, so that gave me the opportunity to brag to her about the quilt that I am making.

Which ended up being a being a huge mistake for me, because I should've known better to have bragged without knocking-on-wood afterwards. Anyway when I got back home I spent about two more hours working on my quilt. And after I had ironed it—it didn't look right, because a lot of the seams were not lining up. So I sadly folded it up and put it back inside "my pink, quilt bag."

Then I poured myself a glass of my fine, red-boxed-wine with added water and four ice cubes and then I went, into Outer Space, with our dogs, to think about my crummy-looking wanna-be quilt. And by the time I finished drinking my red-medicine I was no longer sad, because I had decided that I would use my unevenly, pieced-together, stupid-looking quilt to make throw pillow covers. Sort of like when life gives you lemons—make lemonade.

So friends beware, because for Christmas you just might be getting an original Cousin Nancy Quilted Throw Pillow. Of course, except for Carol, because I'm giving her a small, hair-piece bun to wear on the top of her head—hand-made by me, from our dog's hair. But first, I will need to get a spinning wheel and learn how to spin dog hair into thread. So wish me luck there, even though Christmas is only eight months away.

Today has been great. This afternoon Tony and I went to Kerrville to get groceries, at the big H-E-B and after our expensive, boring shopping spree, we decided to eat lunch, at Hippie Chicks Bakery & Bistro. And as you can guess—we ordered the exact same thing—Meatball Subs and iced tea. But Tony did have a side order of sweet potato fries while I ate their delicious coleslaw.

Before leaving this super, cool place we decided to split a dessert and eat it on our way home. So we chose one of their delicious-looking, fresh, out-of-the-oven Brownies. And while Sarita was wrapping up our Brownie-to-go, I visited with her sweet mom, Karly Ann. And she told me a great big secret about a certain kind of specialty sandwich that they will be offering soon, that sadly I cannot divulge what kind it is, until a week after this Friday, when it will first be appearing on their daily menu.

Anyway, I told Karly Ann that I wanted to blog about their upcoming secret sandwich, tonight and she suggested that we follow them on their Facebook page Hippie Chicks Bakery & Bistro, because they will be announcing when this awesome, secret sandwich will be added to their menu.

And that is about it for tonight, because I need to go vacuum up some more dog hair and wash it and dry it, so I can add it to my growing pile of cleaned-dog-hair, for Carol's upcoming Christmas present.

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

P.S. This morning I called Kinky to let him know that our great Canadian friends, Fay & Ian, plus their daughter and her boyfriend will be at his show tonight, in Buffalo, New York. And he was thrilled that they will be there. And late this afternoon, when I told Carol about Fay & Ian going to Kinky's show tonight, in Buffalo, I said, "I bet Ian will be wearing his cowboy hat."

And Carol said, "I bet he will, too. Because when he wear his cowboy hat he looks just like an authentic cowboy, from Texas."

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!  

Wrong Number!

Last night I stayed up late, because I could not quit reading Marie Bostwick's book From Here to Home. I love this book so much and I did not want it to end, but I kept reading it, because I had to know how it ended.

I absolutely loved the ending, but I was sad that I had finished the book, because I love all of the characters and felt like I knew them. So before going to bed I went and purchased a Kindle version of Marie Bostwick's book Between Heaven and Texas (Another Too Much Texas novel.) So I could start reading it tonight.

Too Much is the name of Marie Bostwick's imaginary, little town, in Texas and Between Heaven and Texas is a novel that first introduces the main characters Mary Dell and her son, Howard, that grew up and lived in, Too Much.

When I went to bed I could not quit thinking about this fabulous book and one thing led to another. And the last thing that I remember before falling asleep was wanting to make a quilt, because throughout this book Mary Dell is the expert quilter and she has a very popular, cable TV show about quilting.

Today has been great. This morning Tony did his chores early, so we could go early to the Wild Birds Unlimited store, in Kerrville, so we could meet Jim Carpenter, the founder of Wild Birds Unlimited. He is also the author of The Joy Of Bird Feeding: The Essential Guide To Attracting And Feeding Our Backyard Birds and we wanted to get him to sign our copy of his awesome book.

Omg! We arrived around 9:15 and the parking lot was full and the inside of Kevin & Linda Pillow's Wild Birds Unlimited store was packed with smiling customers, waiting in line, to get their books signed by Jim. So we got in the line.

It was so cool, because everyone there seemed to be so happy including us, because this store has some of the best vibes, in Kerrville. When it was Tony's and my turn to meet Jim Carpenter, I took this picture of him, before we shook hands with him.

When Jim asked us our names, I said, "Tony and Nancy." Then Kevin, wearing a big grin on his face, steps up to the table, and says, "Tell him your real name."

"Cousin Nancy," I said. Then Kevin tells Jim about us being the people who run the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch with Kinky. And then Jim starts visiting with us and talking about animal rescue and their rescued dog while signing our book for us.

After we thanked Mr. Carpenter for signing our book I see Tricia and Jason, by the checkout counter and she was pointing her camera directly at us. So I quickly aimed my trusty iPhone camera at her and "shot" her while she "shot" us. And then we all started laughing just about the same time that our good friends Kris & Jim arrived to buy his book and get it signed.

While Kris was standing in line to get Jim Carpenter's autograph Tony and I stood around visiting with her and with Marguerite, Kevin & Linda, Jason and Tricia and Kris' husband, "The Mineral Man." And before we adios-ed everyone Tricia asked me for my phone number so she could send me the picture that she took of us. 

Then Tony and I went to the Save Inn Restaurant, which was packed with happy customers too, so we could eat breakfast. And to no one's surprise we ordered the exact same thing: Lisa's Sinker Taco Omelet, hash browns, biscuits & gravy and iced tea. And needless to say, "Our breakfast was totally delicious as it always is."

Then we made a quick stop, at the big H-E-B, on Main Street and came back home.

When we got home, I told Tony, "Since the rescue ranch is officially closed today I am going to go to that quilt shop, in Medina, because after reading that great book I want to make a quilt. I might be in there for thirty or forty minutes or so. Do you want to go with me?"

Five minutes later, we were headed to Medina. And on our way there, Tony asked, "What kind of quilt are you going to make?"

"I'm want to make one for Little Debbie." 

After Tony had chuckled, he said, "So you need two squares." Then he really started laughing and so did I. 

"I want to make a little one first to see if I can do it, because it actually is very hard to do."

"What if Little Debbie doesn't like it?"

"Then I'll make another one and we'll use them for place mats."

"You ought to call Carol and  ask her to meet you there."

"That's what I'm fixin' to do right now." Then I called Carol and left her a message about meeting me at the quilt store and us checking out the tiny house. 

Then Tony slowed down. "You can let me out right here and I'll walk down to the Old Timer when I am finished shopping." Then I more or less fell out of Trigger, but I didn't completely fall down, on the pavement, because I was still hanging onto Trigger's door. "Lucky me. I'll see you in a little bit."

Then I walked across the highway and went inside the Little Cottage Quilt Shop and was immediately greeted by the friendly owner, Donette Backlund. And while she and I were looking at her huge assortment of beautiful fabrics Carol called. "Nancy, it sounds fun. I'm leaving Bandera right now and will be there in just a few minutes."

About twelve minutes later, while I was talking to Donette about what I needed to get started quilting and the times of their quilting classes Carol arrived. And after I introduced Carol to Donette, Carol and I walked around admiring the beautiful fabrics while Donette talked to us about the art of quilting.

We stayed in this charming quilt shop for about twenty minutes, before I purchased a few necessary quilting supplies: a rotary wheel cutter, a cutting board and a giant plastic ruler. And before we left Donette gave me her business card.

Then Carol and I walked down Main Street aka Highway 16 to go check out that awesome Tiny House that was for sale. 

Then Carol and I walked back to her car and then she drove me down, to the Old Timer, so I could ride home with Tony.

On our way home I checked my phone, and said, "Hmm, I wonder why I haven't gotten Tricia's picture, yet?"

"What number did you give her?" Tony asked.

"Our rescue ranch number."

"That's why. Because you gave Tricia the wrong number. You should have given her your cell phone number."

"You're right. I forgot about that." 

So as soon as we got back home I called Wild Birds Unlimited and luckily Trisha answered the phone. And after I explained to her what I had done she asked me for my cell phone number and then she sent this picture to me.

And that's about it for now, because I am fixin' to start reading Between Heaven And Texas.

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!