Signs of Spring...

   I went out walking the other day with my camera. I was looking for signs that the weather was making a turn to the warmer to stay.  Not just tease us then freeze again.

   Okay the weeds are starting to green up but there is still a lot of dead looking stuff.  I guess I need a closer look....

                                Wait that looks purple. Maybe...

 
                                    Yes, the red bud tree is in bloom. 

And look what else I found...

         Carolina Jasmine...I thought I caught its light fragrance on the wind.

                           The trees are just starting to bud out.

            The wild dewberry vines are blooming. I've got to remember were these are, so I pick the berries later.

    I'm not sure what this bush is, but the bees sure like it.

I think Spring is getting dressed and about to make her royal appearance.

Soon it will be time to take a ride to see the Bluebonnets and other wildflowers in bloom along the roadways.

AHHHH! Spring and right on time...

Happy St Patrick's Day...

   Okay I just made it.  The power went off yesterday and the surge blew out the DSL modem.  So my wish list yesterday didn't happen.  But I made St. Patrick's Day... barely.

   So here goes....

                  Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone

drawing by Pamela Jo

    In honor of the day here are a few things Irish for your reading pleasure.

   Just about everyone has heard of Irish Coffee, but do you know it origins...

    Irish Coffee was born on a miserable winter in the 1940's.

A group of American passengers on a PAN AM flying boat landed in Foynes port, County Limerick*.  The chef at the restaurant and coffee shop was Joseph Sheridan.  Seeking a way to warm the freezing passengers, he added a measure of Irish Whiskey to their coffee.  The grateful passengers enjoyed their drinks and ask if it was Brazilian coffee.  Joe quickly informed them no it was IRISH coffee, and the legendary drink was born.

Pam AM Boeing 314 Clipper

    I have found 14 different recipes for Irish Coffee on line, but this one is the original ....

                                  The Original Irish Coffee Recipe

1) Preheat a stemmed 6 oz. whiskey goblet or Irish coffee glass with boiling water. Pour out the boiling water.

2) Add one jigger of good Irish whiskey.

3) Add three sugar cubes.

4) Pour in strong black coffee. Leave an inch below the top. Stir to dissolve the sugar.

5) Gently pour in some very lightly whipped heavy cream to the brim. You can pour it over a spoon so it won't mix in with the coffee.

Image via Wikipedia

   Here are just a few Irish blessings to brighten your day...

May the roof above us never fall in, and may the friends gathered below it never fall out.

May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live.

May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.

May your neighbors respect you,

Trouble neglect you,

The angels protect you,

And heaven accept you.

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door.

Image via Wikipedia

  And I will end with an Irish Ghost ....

    Ballygally Castle in County Antrim, currently a hotel owned by a major chain, is allegedly one of the most haunted places in the country. Lady Isobel Shaw, whose husband built the castle in 1625, is said to knock on doors at night and then disappear. While alive, Ms. Shaw was locked in her room by her husband and starved, until she leapt to her death from a window. 

   Check out this fun site here for recipes, games, and many things Irish.

THE DELUSIONAL DOOM BLOGFEST...

   Today is the 15th of March. Also known as the ides of March. If you know your history this is the day Julius Ceasar was killed in the year 44 BC while attending the Roman senate. In honor of this day Hart at Confessions of a Watery Tart is holding THE DELUSIONAL DOOM BLOGFEST. 
   Here is my humble offering. Don't forget to check out the other stories. There are sure to be a lot of great ones.

   Hey, put down that knife right now.  The death is suppose to be fictional.  Jeez, you take everything so literal don't you.

  
   Voice over radio anounces:


    The evening news is being brought to you tonight by Wee, Barrie, Um and How. The place to call for all your underground needs.


  The top story today is the death of Ambiguous They, his wife Them and son Theirs.  The family's bodies were discovered when firefighters extinguished a blaze at the family's home.
   The cause is still under investigation. An unnamed source with the medical examiners office said it appears the family spontaneously combusted while eating dinner.
   Arson investigators found the remains of voodoo dolls in a bonfire in the back of the property, but said this couldn't have caused the house fire.
   Police detectives have confirmed that there has been thousands of threats on the family's life, and that if the deaths were found to be a homicide it would take sometime to narrow down the list of suspects.
   Our reporter contacted Voodoo Priestess Marie Laveau to find out is the presents of voodoo dolls on the property could have a standing on the deaths.  Ms. Laveau giggled and stated that those dolls are her best sellers, but refused to answer any other questions.
   Neighbors of the family have said they didn't see anything suspicious last night, but stated it was just a matter of time before something happened.
   Ambiguous They runs the company “Their Fault” that set up all the protocols, laws and rules for the world. He also is in charge of whether or not those rules can be bent or broken.  He has been grooming his son Theirs to take over the family business when he retires. The new banking and tax laws were Theirs.  Them is the treasurer for the business. All monies collected goes to Them.




   In other news today...

Daylight savings time...

   I want to move to Arizona. Not only do they have great scenery like this...

 
And this...

     They don't have this...

   I really hate Daylight savings time. It is the only thing I have against Ben Franklin. But at least our founding fathers back then didn't like the idea of daylight savings time either.

   Personally I think the coffee lobbyist paid off congress to get it passed.

   Now if you will excuse me, I am going back to bed. (Yawning loudly) Maybe when I wake up I will find out it has all been a bad dream...

My Favorite Picture Book Blogfest

   Today I am protecipating in Megan of The Write at Home Mom's blogfeat. She has asked everyone to tell what their favorite picture book is. This is to honor all those authors who go us all started reading and enjoying stories.
 
   Today I would like to introduce my favorite picture book or rather books.
I just can't decide on just one of the series.

   Alexandra Day's Carl the Rottweiler books. I have been hooked since I saw the first Carl and baby book. "Good Dog, Carl"

   These books are great because the artwork is extrodinary.  Children of all ages will enjoy these books. There are very few words. The stories are all told by pictures. This allows your to make up your own stories, so they are constantly changing.

   I use to have all the Carl books at my house for any children that came over. I also bought my sister a set for her daughters and son. They enjoyed them tremendously, and you should have heard their stories of Carl.

   There are quite a few Carl book out now. Do yourself and every child you know a favor and check them out.

  Oh and check out Carl's website as well you will find it at www.gooddogcarl.com