~ Better Boys Tomatoes ~ Tied Up Again ~ Really Getting With the Program Now ~
First thing after clean-up this morning... Out to tie up some more branches and water the Better Boys
They are really climbing now and setting fruit finally, The Rutgers is way ahead in numbers though
But I am thinking the Rutgers might be a determinant type, have one crop and quit
I read online that one type of Rutgers is determinant... The Better Boys are indeterminant... Produce til frost
But about a dozen Rutgers on the plant now, only see two Better Boys so far
Really nice day yesterday but NADA going on... I thought there was a Sanctuary meeting but checking the Schedule, It was last Tuesday
But... I tied up the tomatoes...Out to get a No-Go Bingo and Crossword
Then I vacuumed and mopped the kitchen floor... Look Mom... (and Sigi) ...It's Clean!
Took a couple pics, did most of this short BLOG... No cooking... Just a slow day
But... Pay Day tomorrow... as soon as my check hits the mail... up to the bank and then fun time
Pay all the monthly bills... Then pay off 'Bill Me Later' in full...
Then as soon as they register my payment... Off to B&H Electronics online to order that Sound System
But then... Wait a week before I can take all day to install it
WHY AM I ALWAYS WATTING FOR SOMETHING? I WANT IT NOW!
~ But... Ever Onward and Upward! ~
~ Cukes Still Climbing! ~
(Ceilito Lindo)
~ Tuesday ~ June 29, 2010 ~
~ Another Culinary Experiment ~
~ Roasted and Peeled Poblano for Garnish? ~
~ Poblano Fresh Picked ~ Roasted in the Broiler ~ Peeled and Seeded ~
OK, decided to pick that first poblano, not very big but didn't look like it was going anywhere
So what to do with it? Never tried a poblano before... So I looked it up
All kinds of suggestions but said it had a tough waxy skin, best to be removed
And I thought after that it might be good as a garnish on a burger?
So... easy enough... rinsed and then under the broiler for several minutes... turn to do the other side
Then into a bowl, covered for maybe 15 minutes... Then cooled, rinse off the skin under water and VOILA!
Easy enough but tedious to do for very many of them, maybe another way?
So later I defrosted a grilled burger and bun... Hotted up the burger in a bit of bacon fat
Garnished the burger with Vidalia sweet onion, a little mustard and that peeled Poblano... topped with lettuce
And that was quite tasty, the flavor of the roasted pepper with just enough heat to know it's there
Somewhat like a jalapeno but not as picante... (hot)
But, they say you can stuff them too... But that is a bit of effort to do the peeling first
I could experiment with a stuffed Poblano without peeling I suppose
But they also dry them, then they are called anchos... And can be ground up and used like chili powder
I don't think I will have many to be concerned with anyway, just for a couple more experiments
And I took a look at the Better Boys tomatoes around the side, really climbing now
And I saw a couple tomatoes in there now, we are on the way it looks like
So today I'll carry a couple buckets of water up there, tie up a couple stragglers...
And get a pic for the BLOG tomorrow...
~ Ever Onward and Upward! ~
~ Cucumbers Just Peeking Out ~ April 18... ~
(el Rancho Grande)
~ Monday ~ June 28, 2010 ~
~ I Got Leaves and Blooms ~ Where's the Cukes? ~
~ Looking Every Day Now ~
~ April 27 ~ May 27 ~
~ June 06 ~ June 22 ~ June 27
How time does fly... sometimes... but slows a lot the week before pay day... Planted those cukes April 12
And one reached the top of the trellis a couple days ago... Now where to? Nothing more to grab
About time for some more Miracle-Gro I guess... And time for some cukes to start showing up
I got a comment from Bruce in Australia, says I should give up the gas and burn only wood in my Smoker
To make more ash for fertilizer in my pots... But burning all wood makes too much smoke and soot deposits on the meat
Well actually the wood I burn now makes plenty of ash for that if I wanted to use it
But I have been using Miracle-Gro for years and it's so easy.. and takes so little...and seems to suffice
And really for me... it seems the Weather is a bigger factor here than lack of water and fertilizer
And also Bruce tries for large harvests for his food supply, and I do it just for a hobby
So, a really slow Sunday, just did this cuke BLOG for a fill in... Now Monday and no plans for today
But Pay Day will be Thursday... I'll pay all the bills, pay off my account with Bill Me Later...
Then get online and order that new Sound System from B&H Electronics
Then wait again for a week for it to arrive and then the Install process again
Of course there will be pics and comment on that
And Mike (upstairs) is happy with the System I sold him.. I hope I will be happy with this one
~ So... On to the New Day ~ The New Week ~
~ Sunday ~ June 27, 2010 ~
~ Hey I Got Peppers! ~
~ One Poblano... And Several Jalapenos Now ~
~ One Fair Sized Poblano ~ Many Jalapenos Coming on Now ~
Looks like the recent hot weather woke up the Jalapenos and maybe picking that one larger one helped
Sometimes harvesting some can spur production of more it seems... I picked two from that plant so far
Maybe it would help get that Poblano going to pick that one on there... Seems to be stalled with that one
Anyway, not much going on to write about... Talked to Chefraw on IM a couple times... Wants me back in Kitchen Chat
I have been talking to Sigi some in Kitchen Chat when I don't have much else to do
I have several obnoxious people there on permanent Ignore now
And then yesterday I got my HDMI cables I ordered... Ready to order the new Sound System next Friday
And Mike (upstairs) pulled in just as I got back from the mail box, I gave him the cable I got for him
Then we talked about the hook-up for the TV and his Sound System, explained what I think would work better
And I gave him a spare optical digital cable I had to run his TV sound back through his surround system
Several ways to do that you know... And the way he had it hooked up, he wasn't getting all the speaker channels
Have to check with him to see how it's working now
Other than that, a quiet day, no food experiments, in fact no cooking at all... Been off my feed the last couple days
I did win a $6 Bingo to go trade this morning.. and then WHAT TO DO ALL DAY SUNDAY?
~ Well... Just Kick Back and Wait til Payday Now ~
~ Saturday ~ June 26, 2010 ~
~ Arroz co Pollo ~ Otra Vez ~
~ For You Gringos ~ That is Chicken and Rice ~
~ Looks Pretty Tasty! ~
Well now... What on Friday? One day closer to Pay Day anyway... I always have too much month left at the end of my money
And July 4th is just a week away... and on a Sunday this year too
Well the weather sure has been acting like July.. over 90 every day
So I was chattimg with Sigi on IM yesterday... He is known for his one word comments
I will write a couple sentences then he will say.... Yes... No... or Maybe... very chatty... HUH?
Anyway I was griping about all my aches and pains, a new one somewhere every day...
And he says "arthritis?"... Well I says probably some but who knows
Then he says "Curry"... Huh? what the hell does curry have anything to do with anything?
He says "Good to treat arthritis"...And I said, well I am sure you can cite your source? and he says "Yes"
But he didn't so I looked it up... Yes a lot of data on that... But it isn't 'curry'... it is actually turmeric
An ingredient in most all curry powders.. But the active ingredient is curcumin and there are supplements for that
So I will have to check at Walgreens for the supplement, or make more arroz con pollo
And with that idea in mind I was thinking I had some chicken in the freezer and some cooked rice in the fridge
So, chop away at some onions, green peppers, garlic, a tomato, that little jalapeno off my bush out front
A tsp or so of turmeric, some cumin, salt and pepper... Simmer that some and Voila!
Add the rice and chicken to a casserole dish, stir that up and into a moderate oven to get everything to temp
Yeah Sigi. not bad for an arthritis treatment... Even if I did hurt all night...
~ Up... Up... and Away... Today! ~
~ Friday ~ June 25, 2010 ~
~ The Rutgers Finally Producing ~
~ Well a Few Little Ones ~
~ Hard to See Here... but I Counted 10 in There ~
Not much going on Friday... Headed up to the Chopper for my Bingo scratch... No Go...
Then Boss Bob drove by and stopped... Told him about someone mowing a path up into the woods where I want my new garden
We went back to look, he had no idea who and why... But said he would have the crew mow where I wanted my garden later
Too hot now to be even thinking of that
Then he gave me a Twenty for the pics I am going to print for him.. He says go to the Casino and win
So with that small impetus I got a Twenty out of my stash and headed over
(and I did not win)
He was looking at my Rutgers tomato, hey you got tomatoes in there.. I hadn't noticed
Yeah, I counted 10.. and I have a Poblano and two Jalapenos coming on now
So I got a few pics for the BLOG today
Later thinking about dinner, I have some hot dogs I got on sale a couple days ago
And those BBQ beans I made up too
Then I was thinking about the last white radishes I bought... Usually good, these were pithy and very hot
So then I was out of horseradish, that goes good on hot dogs... Lets make some!
So I ground up those radishes in my food processor, added some mustard, salt and a tad of vinegar.. VOLIA!
And it's good on the hot dogs and does taste some like horseradish... Another experiment that worked
~ And That was That for Another Pretty Nice Day ~
~ Thursday ~ June 24, 2010 ~
~ NO TYPOS TODAY R.L. ~
~ Have a Biscuit? ~
~ Home Made Biscuits ~ Well... I Cheated with a Mix ~
But... I made them at home... No bread for toast so I whipped up a batch of biscuits for breakfast
That pre-mix works pretty good and so easy... From mix to plate in 15 minutes
And a Granny biscuit... When you don't have enough dough left to make two... You make a big one
But that one looks like I might have been able to make two after all
Just had that big one with bacon and egg for breakfast
And the lead cuke finally reached the top of the trellis yesterday... grabbed the top bar
Blooms all over but I can't see any cukes in there yet
I do have one tiny poblano and jalapeno pepper on those plants but they just aren't producing
And I am dubious about the Rutgers tomato in the pot... But the Better Boys are doing great
Headed to the Casino just to play $10 on a penny machine for fun.. Didn't get to play a half hour though
Not wanting now to lose another $40 on my regular quarter machine, have plans to buy that next tech toy
So that was about it for another really hot day... All this week high 90s so far
And... Oh yeah... finished out the day with another Reuben sandwich with more of that home made Pastrami... Good!
~ And another Nice Not-Too-Busy Day ~
~ Wednesday ~ June 23, 2010 ~
~ Another Look at the Garden ~
~ And Some Video Downtown for Later ~
~ Better Boys Tomatoes Doing Great Now! ~
And that cuke was just 2 inches below the top trellis bar yesterday
The Rutgers tomato just isn't doing as good as the one in the pot last year
And the Peppers hardly doing anything... a tiny pepper on each leggy plant... Had to be too much rain
The Sunflowers look happy, the Marigolds revived to bloom again
The new Rose Bushes are doing good too... After a slight pause to get acclimated
The Basil is looking good, need to cut some more soon... Picked and dried more Dill yesterday
The Sage is looking OK.. Don't know just when to cut some of that.. Haven't done sage before
And the pineapple tops are producing new leaves.. The last ones I had lasted 3 years
And then they got too big to bring inside so I left them out in the cold
A Future Project ~ New Bridge Downtown
Then I headed downtown with my video cam to get some pics of the new Bridge Project
Going to replace and it looks like... widen the Hiway 9 Bridge over White Alloe Creek
Maybe widen the turn to the North there, kind of a bottleneck at the Post Office corner
They are going to close that Hiway in July and that will be a huge mess
Have to make a long detour to get to the Casino and downtown Kansas City the only other way
It's 5 miles to the Casino from my place now... When they close that road it will be over 10 miles at least
Always something to make the road ahead bumpy...
~ Now ~ On to Bigger and Better Things! ~
~ Tuesday ~ June 22, 2010 ~
~ Not as Busy Monday ~
~ The Cukes and the Clock What Else? ~
~ Seven more Inches to the Top ~
Up and at 'em on Monday... Had to hit the Chopper for a few things... and a Bingo and Crossword... Won a $6 Bingo
Then next door to P&G Hardware for a Molly bolt to hang the clock higher
And I found something easier for the job... Brass hook with three tiny nails... Says it will hold 75 pounds
So back home to measure, tap in three tiny nails and Voila! Now the Clock up nice and high
Then I headed to the Fast Stop to trade my $6 Winner Bingo for another... They are out of Crosswords there
So I dropped back by the Circle K for another Bingo and a tank of gas... No Crosswords there either
Then what... Back outside on a very warm and muggy morning to tie up a few drooping tomato branches
The Better Boys tomatoes are really climbing now... The Rutgers way behind in the pot
The Cukes doing nicely and almost to the top... One plant leading the rest... Got a pic and back inside
Then that was about it for the day... Stayed in out of the heat
Then thaw out a smoked rib, make some cole slaw and do up some oven fried taters...
~ Yeah, Nice Not-Too-Busy Day ~
~ Monday ~ June 21, 2010 ~
~ Another Busy Day ~
~ New Shelf for the New Sound System ~
~ Material for the Shelf ~ Shelf Constructed ~
~ Ready for the New Sound System... If and When ~
Well, planning ahead... Maybe not too far ahead... I have had that coffee table, TV stand, whatever, for many years now...
Was in my rec room in St Joseph and survived the fire that wiped out most of the room
Just fine to sit a TV on but not much room below for much audio and DVD gear
So I have beem looking for quite awhile and couldn't find anything that quite suited me
So, I got online and got the measurements of the system I am planning and made a shelf that should do
It looks kind of empty now but that new A/V Receiver will take up most space in the center shelf
And much easier to run the wires than crawling on the floor to stuff them in that place I had the two DVD players
So I headed up to Lowes Sunday morning to get the shelving... What? No Walnut... Well, Oak will have to do
Then I got some nice cabinet screws and a new fine finish hand saw, The one I have now has course teeth and won't follow a straight line
Then back to the ranch to measure, and saw, and screw... Had to sit and cool off between each saw session..
But then the pieces went together fairly easily, drilled all the screw holes, then in with the brass star head screws
Now how to get it under that TV?, That TV is kinda heavy and that cabinet is 11 inches tall now
And BJ or Mike (neighbors) not home to help me... As usual
So, see those books? I would lift the TV on one end and slip 3 or 4 books under... Then do the same on the other end
After a few additions I had 12 inches clearance, angled the shelf over from the coffee table
And slid it under in stages, very carefully, sliding the books out as the shelf slid under
OK... Mission accomplished... Now where is that new Sound System? Maybe when I pay off the old one
And that shelf would look better if I stained it but it isnt too bad and will do for now
But, next project... I have to move that clock up about 10 inches...
~ Always Onward and Upward ~ What for Today? ~
~ Sunday ~ June 20, 2010 ~
~ Busy Morning ~ Slow Day ~
~ And Now (for the moment) Everything is Working~ ~
~ Got Power DVD Up and Running ~
Things are looking up on the Computer side of life... Fixed Everything (I think)
I am not quite sure why but my Power DVD Blu-ray player program would not work
It would start and then a blank screen with an 'Internal Error' message
That program came free with my LG Blu-ray Disc burner
I think maybe the problem started when I installed Windows 7, hadn't used it since then
I tried re-installing it several times with no luck... But after installing the new Graphics Card I tried again
This time it said there was an essential upgrade for Power DVD so I downloaded that
And then I got a notice there was a Firmweare upgrade to my LG Disk Burner and I installed that
And VOILA! Now it Works, just took that pic off the screen from a Blu-ray disk this morning... Sharp... HUH?
But... I found that there is a HD Video player in Windows 7 that works great... Plays .mt2s files in great detail
But I don't watch video on the computer anyway... I just use this for checking when making a new one
Or when looking for a certain video file to add to something else... Anyway... Nice to have everything working
~ Now What about that Panasonic Sound System? ~
After playing around with it for what... a week or so... I decided I didn't like it
It won't play my Blu-ray disks I burn to regular DVDs and I wasn't crazy over the sound of the bass
So I have tried two surround systems now with the amp in the DVD player
Now I want to try one with a Receiver and speakers... but no DVD player... My Sony player works fine
So I was looking at B&H Electronics online again... They have a lot of sound systems... Seems they have everything
And I saw a Samsung that looked pretty hefty... and a 7.1 system instead of 5.1 But who needs that?
Anyway, I think that's the one I will try for next time.. But what about the Panasonic?
I saw Mike (upstairs) heading out for work... Hey Mike.. You got a Blu-ray player?
Nope he says... can't afford it... Well then I got a deal you can't refuse and... He didn't refuse
So he took off for work and I unhooked and packed everything up... No small job
Then when he got back I helped him carry it all upstairs... A few words how to hook it up and away I went
And I says I do hope you like it... but I gave him a ~try it~ money back guarantee
Anyway I have the cash and he says he thinks he will... So now... When do I order that Samsung?
~ Yeah ~ All Systems ~GO~ Again ~
~ Saturday ~ June 19, 2010 ~
~ Busy Day ~ All Day ~
~ And Finally Success on Movie Studio Version 10 ~
~ Los Flores son Bonitas! ~
Yeah, Busy, Successful and Lucky Day! All Systems Go!
First after Chatting on IM with Sigi... I called Sony
I had burned 3 unsuccessful Blu-ray disks to DVDs with Vegas Studio 10 and they all had 'jerky' playback
I had checked online with Sony's support page and tried all I found there
So I called Sony and asked if I could get a refund for the Upgrade as Version 9 was working fine
He said no, they did not give refunds for downloaded products
But he said he was sure they could solve my playback problem and would send e-mail with instructions
So I tried his suggestions, changed the 'Source Material' spec and the 'Disk Burn Rate'
Then I burned another copy of the High Water video and VOILA! No jerky playback and it was beautiful!
~ Hey! Now that is a Nice One! ~
So, then I headed up to the Price Chopper for a Bingo and Crossword... Won a $3 Bingo
Later took that one back, traded for two more Bingos and Two Crosswords
Worked three duds.. then hit that Crossword for 7 words and a win of $50! Great, ahead on that deal
So, later... What's for dinner? How about a burger, have those frozen grilled ones in the freezer
But... No buns... Back to the Chopper... And I need a tomato... and a green pepper...And some nice white radishes
And how about smokin some turkey legs on this nice day?
Checked the meat section and no turkey legs! But, some nice big chicken leg quarters for 99 cents a pound
So when I got back, I rinsed and trimmed the quarters and got them into the smoker
Couple hours later... on with some of that El Pato BBQ sauce
Half hour or so later, in to cool, then later wrap and into the freezer for later
Then for dinner, that Burger and Tater salad and Chips... Yeah!
~ So, Success with Vegas Version 10 ~ That $50 Crossword Win! ~ Some Glorious Smoked Chicken
And They Lived Happily Ever After!
~ Hang on a Sec While I check with R.L.Chitwood on the Date Today ~
~ OK ~ It's Friday ~ June 18, 2010 ~
~ Back to Gardening ~
~ Planning a New Raised Bed ~
~ Goes in About There ~
Some time back I was talking to Boss Bob about some garden space
He says sure... Out back there someplace
But since then I have tried planting in pots and that small bed I built around the side
And I have been watching the sun, as the trees shade a lot back there
And I saw a spot just beyond where they mow, that looks like it might do
So I checked with Bob again, told him what and where and he says "Go for it"
So a new project on the way, have to buy some wood, Maybe first of the month
And while I was there Bob asked if I wanted to do some photos for him
Wants a few shots of the apartment he just fixed up with new ceramic tiles and fixtures
So I did that yesterday, the place really looks good
Now to do some prints for him, He said he would pay me (won't be enough.... but)
~ On to Bigger and Better Things ~
~ Thursday ~ June 17, 2010 ~
~ NVIDIA GEFORCE 9800GT Graphics Card ~
~ And a Hassle for Awhile ~
~ Goes in There Someplace ~ Finally ~ SUCCESS! ~
Left... the top card in the computer is the GEFORCE GT8600 ~ GT9800 Waitng ~ Right~ Installed and Working ~
Installing an upgrade card is usually no big deal, just be careful
But this time the old card did NOT want to come out...
Left side started out but the right side fastened solid...And I could NOT see why
That card has a large cover and fan on one side and hard to see under it
But I poked and pried and looked with my flashlight and FINALLY!
What is that tiny black thing sticking out?
Well Dummy... that's the card release on the PCI Express card slot is what.. AHA!
Ok that popped out the old card and the rest was a snap as it should have been at first
And it works and I probably didn't need it in the first place.. But that is a long and technical story
~ Has it Been That Long? ~
Well I bought that HD Video Camera about the middle of 2008 and needed a Blu-ray disk burner and New Video Card
And I bought both at Circuit City which has now gone Kaput despite all my business
And I bought the Sony Vegas Platinun Moveo Studio 9 HD Video Editor about the same time
So I guess I got about two years out of theis card and it may still be OK
~ Los Flores son Bonitas! ~
~ ¿Usted Tienen Gusto de una Cierta Música con las Flores?
(Would You like some Music with the Flowers?)
Left and Right ~ The bushes I planted May 4th ~ Center ~ Sunflower I planted Yesterday, June 16th ~
Then I went up to the Price Chopper to buy a couple items
Saw this big display of potted Sunflowers... I have to have one of those!
So now it's in a pot out front with a catch-up pic of the Rose Bushes I planted in May
Now... What else?
~ Just...~ Ever Onward and Upward! ~
~ Wednesday ~ June 16, 2010 ~
~ River Still Rising as of Tuesday! ~
~ Another Flood in Store? ~
~ English Landing Park Closed for Now ~
So... I worked on the High Water video most of Tuesday morning Rendering and Uploading
Then I burned off a DVD of the video for a couple I met at the park
A man and his wife who own a Soap and Candle Shop in English Landing Mall
And I made a copy of the Downtown Parkville video for them
I took the DVDs down to their shop, They showed me around, they make the soap and candles they sell
And the man suggested it would be nice to have a video of their shop
So now that is a pending project, showing the shop and making the soap
Then I noticed they had closed off the Park and lower Main Street because of rising waters
So I went back home to get my camera and got a few more pics, I should have had it with me...
I also got a few pics of the Hiway 9 bridge widening now in progress... a future project maybe
So back home to edit the photos, then plan dinner and finish out the day
~ Here is that High Water Video ~
And By the By... The UPS man showed up with my new graphics board
So that will be the project for this morning... And the BLOG Subject for Tomorrow...
~ And I am Still Climbing ~ Onward and Upward! ~
~ Tuesday ~ June 15, 2010 ~
~ New Graphics Card Today? ~
~ Don't Really Need it Now ~
~ Opossum Video Uploaded ~ Working on The High Water Video
So I made a video of the opossum footage yesterday to put on the Nature Sanctuary Group Page
They have nany there, also Beaver and Racoon, Deer and Turkeys and what else?
And... I just saw a BIG opossum strolling down the street here at 4 a.m. today
Much bigger than the little female with all the babies
These things have 50 sharp teeth and you don't want to mess with them
But the mama possum seemed confused and was just wandering around lost
So here is the Possum video... I am now working on the High Water video..
Well, I Headed over to the Casino for a worthless trip... Didn't even spend an hour
On the way back I noticed the Missouri River was rather high, Maybe get some pics
So I dropped back by home to get my cameras and headed back down
Yeah the river is high, still not quite at flood stage but the rains continue, so maybe another flood
So, I got some photos and video and back home to add them to the page
The video I have to edit and upload so that will be tomorrow probably
And as I walked down the trail a lady stopped and said get a pic of Mamma Possum and her kids
She pointed to where they were down the trail
They probably had a nest lower on the river bank and as the water rose
Mamma Possum was walking up and down trying to find some place to put them
Looks like she has at least 7 babies on her back, holding on tight
Hope I got some good video of this... Stay tuned...
~ And We Continue Now ~ Ever Onward and Upward! ~
~ Monday ~ June 14, 2010 ~
~ Flag Day Today! ~
~ Not a Federal Holiday and Few Observe the Day ~
~ But My Flag is Out in Front ~
In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14
It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States
Which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777
In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day
In August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress
The week of June 14 is designated as "National Flag Week"
During National Flag Week, the president will issue a proclamation
Urging U.S. citizens to fly the American flag for the duration of that week
The flag should also be displayed on all Government buildings
Some organizations hold parades and events in celebration of America's national flag and everything it represents.
~ Another Look at the Cukes on Sunday ~
Look at them climb! Halfway up the trellis already... Wanna bet they reach the top?
And look real close at the middle pic... Is that a baby cucumber... or what?
How long now?
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~ Cukes Still Climbing! ~
~ Cucumbers Just Peeking Out ~ April 18... ~
~Email Me!~