Sunday, February 10, 2013

Sunday Ramblings

It's hard to believe that we are due to have one beautiful day here in Oklahoma, with much of the Northeast under tons and tons of snow.  I know it's only the 10th of February and that anything can happen with the weather.  What has been surprising to me is that we have had virtually NO SNOW this year.  One morning we got a little dusting that soon disappeared.  That and very little rain through the summer/fall have many folks in these parts worried.  The drought is still with us. Maybe, just maybe, this spring will bring the much needed rains.  

Now of course you know me, I'm going to move forward with positive thoughts.  Lots of rain this spring, a mild summer, a productive garden are just some of them.  Of course in real life things can be quite different.  We shall see!  I'm cranking up into garden mode now.  I've got some tomato seedlings coming up. Some still haven't popped up yet and I'm not sure why.  I'll give them a few more days and then start over if necessary. I've got several kinds of pepper seed in trays along with broccoli and cabbage.   I've got a feeling I'll once again be supplementing the tomato's with a few store bought plants.  My goal is that by this time next year I won't ever need to buy another garden plant again.  One can dream, right?  

Can you believe how big my "little" Coco has gotten?  See that cup-holder in the picture up there?  I used to be able to put him in there and his little head was all was showing!
 
We've been invited down to the neighbor's on Saturday for their oldest son's birthday. She's a wonderful cook too. They are Mexican and eat traditionally.  I'd like her to teach me how to make some of her recipes. Like her tamales (to die for I swear!)  They are really nice folks and I'm glad we have been blessed with good neighbors.  Lord knows I've had my share of bad ones over the years.  Anyway, I need your help guys.  Any idea's for a cheap inexpensive gift for a 14 yr old country boy?  

Well I'm off to start some more seed tray's and enjoy this nice day. The suns out and I want to be out with it!  I hope everyone has a wonderful day and and even better week.  Springs right around the corner, even if it doesn't feel like it yet.
 


14 comments:

  1. A gift idea for the child...yes, a book, or two. God bless.

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  2. Gosh, having grandsons, all I know is that cash (even a small amount) in a card always makes them so happy. They have "their own money" and it may seem tacky it has worked.

    If you learn how to make tamales please tell! I have a neighbor that knows how but she says it is too much work and refuses to teach me. Sigh.

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  3. I do worry about the climate changing. We're finally getting some much needed precipitation. But it's February in Iowa and it's 40 and raining! We're still in drought conditions so I'll take what I can get but it is definitely NOT normal.
    Have a lovely time at the birthday party. And I agree, books are always good. If not fiction, maybe a field guide to plants, animals or birds. My teens go to my stack of field guides fairly regularly in the summer.

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  4. A Nerf football, gift certificate to a book store, and/or anything electronic (there are small frugal handheld games available).

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  5. A nice pocket knife would be nice. Boys always need a knife,and girls too!!!

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  6. Sci,

    There expecting snow maybe Tuesday night in OK. I'm not looking forward to that, I would like some more rain. I haven't started seeds inside yet I have however, started some celery.

    I 2nd what zztop357 stated, a nice pocket knife would be good thing (you can pick them up real and there not expensive). You can find them for $5.00 - $8.00.

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  7. My boys liked the cash/gift cards the best so they could go buy what they wanted. Writing the thank-you card afterwards where they shared what they did with the money was a bit rough on them though!

    Tamales are time consuming to make but oh so good. I use chicken broth for the water when making the masa. And serving them the next day really improves the flavor. I discovered the 'not serving until the next day' by accident one Christmas. I did as much as I could the day before and tamales were one of those dishes that reheats well.

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  8. hey gurl - i can't believe you are already starting seeds - dang i'm jealous!!!! we are just finally getting around to starting to build our greenhouse with all of the windows jam got from the garbage. i am hoping to have a heated greenhouse by march and can start all kinds of seeds - woohoo! as for the gift for your friends' son - i agree with other commentors about a gift card from a book store, a pocket knife or cash in a card - all of those things will be appreciated i am sure. and hey - get us your neighbour's recipe for homemade tortillas wouldjya?

    your friend,
    kymber

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  9. I agree with the others. Cash or gift card is always good for a teenager. I am glad to see kymber post a comment. I was worried about her and jam with the nasty weather that hit NS.

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  10. We are so short of rain here also. Bits of snow here and there but nothing to shake a stick at. Time to make sure the water barrels are in good repair i guess. I agree with the OP grab a $10-20 gift card and he will fill like a rich man and you'll have a new best friend

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  11. "The dangerous book for boys" and a sling shot.

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  12. Tamales are easy to make, just a bit labor-intensive (I learned to make them as a kid). At my wife's church many of the immigrants from Mexico make them when the church is trying to raise extra money. They sell them at $1 each, or $10 per dozen. No matter how many they make, they sell out fast. They also freeze well for quite a while if you eliminate most of the air in the freezer bag.
    Something you don't see often are the "dolces tamales" (sweet tamales); they are filled with fruit compote instead of meat and can be quite good.

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  14. Hey, S.F, On the gift for a boy- go to A Homesteading Neophyte. Phelan has some neat ideas for her boy. Click on Homemade Gift Ideas below her masthead.
    Good luck on the garden from North Texas.
    Older Than Dirt

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