Good dark chocolate, kittens, and a Berry Custard pie...

When our daughter drove in last weekend, she brought some bars of dark chocolate with her (bless her... we love dark chocolate). This is a picture of one of the bars:

And I have to say that this is really good dark chocolate. It's 70% and that's about the highest percentage I enjoy. Once you get past that, it can be a bit too bitter for me. But this one has a good buttery taste and although slightly bitter for those who might not like to go there, I think it's pretty great. Just thought I'd share. The bars are a little expensive (somewhere between $12 and $20 each - but then it's not the type of bar that you would eat right off... just take a small piece every day or so).

I guess I think of really good dark chocolate like really good coffee or even good whiskey... in that you don't eat or drink it right down, but savor it. 

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Some pics of the kittens sleeping. Three are in the basket and the one little Siamese looking one is sleeping under the birdcage.

 

Next are some videos of mama nursing the 4 kittens. She sits upright to do this.. maybe because they are getting big. 

She is an awesome mama... watches over them constantly while they play, still nurses them although they do eat from the outside bowls, and cleans them while nursing.

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My back is still giving me trouble. It's not something I can't deal with - as I do think it's my Spinal Arthritis - which is going to act up occasionally. However, it's going on 2 weeks now. One day it seems better, then it comes back. So I have made an appointment with my Spinal Specialist next week to see if he has anything else he can tell me.

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Planning on making a blueberry/strawberry custard pie this afternoon. Will post a pic when done!

Done! I  usually make plain custard pie... but occasionally add berries or apples and cinnamon... (sometimes fresh pumpkin around Halloween). But we love custard pie...  (and I added a little 10X sugar on the top 'for the pic'... was going to add whipped cream, but the pie was still too hot.) We shall have this with our tea/coffee this afternoon (you are all invited).

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! We are getting lots of rain these last few days, and apparently some areas got huge hail... golf ball and tennis ball size... so there's damage to roofs and cars. Luckily our area hasn't had that. I don't mind the rain or even the overcast skies. It's cool (high 60's, low 70's) and we have the windows open enjoying the fresh air.

Hugs (virtual), 

Rian

a mixed bag...

OK, this is a very mixed bag...  (or should I say mixed blog)... and possibly of little interest, but it is what it is.

Naan bread

This time my Naan bread came out pretty good. I will post the recipe here. It's pretty simple:

Almond Flour Naan Bread

Ingredients:

1 cup almond flour

1/3 cup flour ( I used King Arthur's non-gluten measure for measure)

1/4 cup Greek Yogurt ( I used sour cream... can't have yogurt)

1/4 tsp salt

pinch sugar

Instructions:

Mix together almond flour, flour, salt, and sugar

Add the yogurt(sour cream) and stir until dough forms

(add more yogurt/sour cream or water if too dry)

Divide into 6 balls

Roll dough out thin between parchment paper

Spray griddle

Cook until slightly browned on each side

Since I only wanted 3 pieces, not 6 - I halved the recipe and it came out fine. I used unsalted butter on mine, but you can put anything you want on it... cheese, tomatoes, garlic butter, etc.

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I like this photo of our grand daughter at Dinosaur Valley State Park taken a few weeks ago.

We picked her up at school yesterday... and got to spend some time together. Since we are all vaccinated and stayed masked, it was great. I sure have missed her this past year.  But her mom (who is a nurse) said that we need to stay vigilant... as they have some patients in the hospital now that had both vacs and still came down with Covid due to thinking they were safe and no longer masked or followed recommended procedures.

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More pics of kittens playing:

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And I've finally started taking down Easter.  Yes, I know I'm late, but I like Easter decorations. I generally pull all I can find and put on table in front room before putting everything away for another year.

This little teapot and cup/saucer I bought at Harrod's years ago

and this last tea set is one we gave my mother-in-law and it came back to me after she passed. My daughter has dibs on it now...

(I'm also cleaning and dusting my China cabinet today)

And that's it! 

For those interested, my back is better. I can still feel a twinge on occasion, but it seems to be on the mend. 

Take care, stay safe... enjoy this spring weather, but don't let your guard down just yet. We may be seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, but we haven't reached it yet. 

Hugs (still virtual),

Rian

down in the back again...

 

About 2 years ago, I had a bad back incident. Never really knew what brought it on, but suspected I had twisted it trying to see around a corner while driving, but never really knew how it happened. But I basically couldn't walk for about a week. Well, I've done it again... and don't have any idea how or when this time. It isn't quite as bad since I can still walk (with a brace and slowly), but haven't had to see a doctor yet. 

My back started feeling a little odd Thursday evening when I got up from the sofa. It's the middle of my lower back.  And now it's continued through Friday and into Saturday... worse if I sit for a while and then try to get up. The brace is one of those sacro belts that are elastic and fit around your lower hips and connect with very strong velcro. It does help. 

Anyway, just thought I'd share. Could be it's just one of those 'perks' of old age. Who knows?  (BTW, those long things with pinchers on the end - do they have a name? They sure do come in handy when you can't bend to pick up something. Every house-hold should have one of those... just in case)

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It's cool this morning here in North Texas... in the middle or high 40's I think. We've had a lot of rain lately, but really needed it... mostly rain so far, nothing severe. 

There are 4 outside feral cats sleeping together in one basket out back. DH just came to tell me. We have one that loves that basket and is always in it... and sometimes he shares it with another. This morning there are 4 squished inside it... guessing they must be feeling the damp.

lone cat in favorite basket

I didn't get a pic of all 4 in the basket as if one sees me, he will run... and then all will run because he ran. Did not want to disturb them. They looked very comfy... although squashed.

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Question:  Have any of you out there used coconut oil... either for cooking or skin or whatever?  I have a friend that swears by it for both... and some of my non-gluten recipes use it.  

I did buy some, organic virgin coconut oil from Central Market (owned by HEB). And I haven't used it for cooking yet, but have been trying it on my skin. Too soon to notice if it does anything, but does smell good... reminds me of Hawaii and the beach.

She also uses Dr. Bonner's castile soap for a lot of things too (refuses to use anything with chemicals - wants all natural) She uses almond, but there are other fragrances. Anyone use this? 

Well, that's my 2 cents for the day. We haven't been anywhere or done anything worth mentioning... so, no fun pics to show. 

I did try to make Naan bread the other day (with almond flour). It tasted good, but was kind of crumbly?  I used a recipe that didn't require yeast and  I trimmed down the recipe so it wouldn't make a lot...  (and possibly I got the amounts wrong). I only wanted to use 1 cup of almond flour, so I 'calculated' what the other amounts should be. But I'll try again next week.

Thanks for reading this far. It's not a terribly interesting post. But hey, it's all I've got for today.

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

I'm a little behind...

Sorry if I haven't commented much lately, I've been a little behind on my blog reading.  Trying to catch up today. Easter was a milestone for me since we had the kids over for the first time in over a year.  All the adults here have been vaccinated... so we felt it was time (besides, I really needed those hugs!)

Then we had some 'plumbing' problems that needed attention... and not having the use of your kitchen sink is difficult. 

On top of that, one of the female feral cats in our yard (we call her Olivia - female Oliver Twist - as she constantly comes back to the door wanting "more please?") showed up with 3 adorable kittens (one black, one black & white, and one Siamese). They look about 6 weeks old.  

Olivia and kitten

All 3 kits here, but black one is inside U

2 of Olivia's 3 kittens

I also had a video of them playing, but for the life of me could not get it to post on my blog...

And I've now been on my 'gluten-free' trial for a bit now and it's not been too difficult. I have cheated on occasion... had a piece of Strawberry short-cake at Easter, but in general the gluten-free products I've tried (Canyon Creek bagels, Good Thins crackers,  King Arthur GF pancakes, Schar pizza crust) have all been good. I haven't tried the Barilla pasta nor the KA measure for measure flour yet. 

And that pretty much covers what I've been up to. Oh, I have also been working on the "Time After Time" sequel. Have completed about 46 chapters... and may 'possibly' be able to finish the storyline by my self-imposed deadline of May. But then the editing will start...  (I'm still amazed at the orders for the book that come in from Amazon each month... not a tremendous amount, but still a steady flow that makes me smile.)

The weather is beautiful here... although the weatherman is threatening some severe this evening. I'm really hoping it will pass us by. No one needs more to worry about these days when life in general is beginning to feel good again.

Find the little things that make you happy (or someone you know happy) and do them today! 

Make some brownies!

Call a friend! 

Tell someone you love them!

And thanks for reading my ramblings... 

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

April 1, 2021

bunny windchime


April 1st!  April Fool! 

 Rabbit Rabbit! White Rabbit!