PROOF OF SPRING AND SEASON DOLDRUMS

Chives coming to life in the frozen soil with the help from a day of full sun.

Proof of Spring

Easter posting.

Random thinking. 

Should I prioritize meeting my every Sunday posting or should I forego this posting because I am out of ommmph? Keeping my schedule this week wins. 

Having said this, let me forewarn you that this will be a quickie read for you. No depth of great thinking and no opinions on worldly things. Well, I am disappointed that the Chinese Space Station is late falling. I have been hoping for a whooshing sound overhead with indestructible debris falling for me to explore. But then, every agency and their brothers would be combing every inch of this town and who needs that. 

Maybe it is the change of the season. This time of the year we call this change "the mud season." Melting snow, sand and wet slippery ground dominates much of the landscape. Not too cold outside but any warmth from the sun is still a tease. Temperatures still require a warming fire in the mornings and later afternoon. Bundled up clothes still necessary. Maybe one layer less, but layers still. 

Easter is quiet here this morning. Business as usual. A lily to her and a chocolate bunny in a basket with assorted chocolates to me. I love you cards with Happy Easter.

Her is making chocolate cupcake late birthday treats for son today. His work prevented an official cake on the official day. An Easter roast goes in the oven soon and will be the center piece at son and fiancee's home for joint Easter/Birthday get together. 

Dog barks more often now to go out. Her sight is failing noticeably now, hearing no longer what it use to be. She just stands in one spot outside till one of us brushes up along side her for a walk. She still has a bounce in her step and finds some puppy bouncing from getting quickly excited. Those golden retriever ears still print out immediate needs, wants and happiness. She is a good old girl.

The snowblower was officially power washed, dried and taken off the tractor yesterday. The tool box was replaced inside the three point hitch. I have gotten better at pushing and nudging the blower back in its storage nook using the bucket and side pushing a little at a time. An official sign of winter gone. Then of course I hear reports of snow coming and I laugh out loud and shake my head.  I really do not care what winter may try to throw at us now. It will come and go, but I am finished with any snow removal, just finished!

I think I am lost in the doldrums of season change. I cannot land on one blogging idea to write about.  I believe I have covered inch of this ground for seasonal photography. Same with little life stories that come through out the year here. To continue is to seriously keep repeating myself. 

I am going to work on this.

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COWBOY CHILI

Gathering with friends last weekend brought with it everyone's favorite snacks or home-cooked dishes. One of the gal's brought Cowboy Chili and the recipe is below. This chili has a slight sweetness to it, is thick and can be eaten with a fork. No loss of flavor in the trying to bring heat to the chili recipe. 

All of the ingredients can be found for long-term storage and this recipe will well feed a larger family at meal time. Add some home made bread and there will be leftovers for the next day. Can be cooked in an open fire place or on top of a wood stove. 

1 lb. 85% lean ground beef

1 lb. bacon. Cut into 1" long flats and fried.

1 large can of Bush's Brown Sugar Beans (don't drain)

2 regular cans of butter beans (drained)

2 regular cans of canelli beans (drained)

1 cup of brown sugar

1/2 cup of catsup

1/2 cup of Sweet Bay Rays bbq sauce

1/4 cup of mustard

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tbl spoon chili powder

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1 medium onion

Brown bacon and remove. Brown ground beef in same pan with onion and drain.

In a large pot add beef and all beans and remaining ingredients. Bring to simmer for 30 minutes. Transfer to crock pot for at least one hour. One very good quick meal to take to gatherings of friends on the weekend. 

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Part of weekly posting is checking this blogs stats. I am surprised all the reader  hits over the several years of stories and thoughts I write about. I am appreciative of your time to check in here. 

Put the cell phone away today and visit with friends. 

Have a good week. Get some sunshine on your face. It feels wonderful.