Marching to the Ides of errrr march

Leap this you punky winter! The sun is blazing in epic proportions, and the wind is whistling through the trees, amazing it can be heard without leaves. I curse you OLD MAN WINTER and condemn you to months of isolation at places far removed from me. Go aggravate the Aussies and others you've neglected these many months, leave me alone now. I've braved your ice, snow, sleet and grey for too long. I've survived, though just barely at times, my eyes and heart firmly fixed upon the green horizon. You have been defeated.



All that is left now are whatever remnants tossed hither and yon which may find their way to my fair state by accident. Your snow and cold making machines will be terminated at midnight and have fail safe devices to prevent your tampering. I laugh and I dance and thumb my nose at your antics, pathetic and predictable. I look with barely veiled hatred at your ice cicles still glaring at me at the top of the window. Just wait, and see how long you can last now!



The Contrarian suggests that the dogs have had their best ever winter, all the snow making hunting an easier venture. He may be right, but I allow no winter-lovers in my house. They know better than to speak a word of their wintry delight lest I banish them to those same environs for their protection. Who will keep you warmer? They know the answer, and remain mute. Most dogs are mute you know. Cats on the other hand, are purely talking machines. I confess I've wasted many an afternoon in deep conversation with one or more of ours. The most brilliant is Calvin, brother to Hobbes. (Do you see a connection?) Calvin is, well, a mystic and a philosopher. He teaches me lots of things, but I promised not to tell.



Are you following me? No I am not paranoid, I'm just careful. On to the offerings.
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Did I ever tell you that I love rhubarb? Have since I was a kid and we used to pick it and bite off huge chunks and chew and swallow without grimacing. I don't recall there was ever a prize for the winner, but I surely won a few of these contests. Dang rabbits eat mine to death each year so we are looking for a "caged" approach this year. In the meantime, try this recipe for rhubarb, Rhubarb-Orange Pancakes.
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I've already pretty much decided to link permanently to Pioneer Woman, her blog is so very fun to read. So just go there without further ado. She, on top of everything else is writing a book? Wow, I should have such energy. Cute title too. Check it out.
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Whether to plant heirlooms or hybrids is a decision each gardener makes, and usually picks some of each. They each have their pros and their cons. I've grown a lot of heirloom tomatoes and they are better for flavor most of the time, but they are often misshapen and susceptible to more diseases so they are not so good when it comes preserving them. Having to cut around cat'facing is a pain in the rear come tomato time. I am into speed! Anyway, Homegrown Gardening has some tips and links for helping you make your choices.
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More on container gardening tips from How to Garden. As I said before, even those of us with unlimited space find that containers add interest to your various plots, and are especially nice around the doorways and on steps. They are extra work for sure, so be sure to do it right the first time and have a successful display.
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Once upon a Tart gave us this nice french bread recipe. I am not sure exactly what to call my bread, its either French or Italian, I'm not sure there is a difference in recipe so much as how the loaves are formed. Be advised, this recipe is daunting. It's the original Julia Child's recipe and makes several loaves. I never kneed by hand, but always use my Kitchen Aid. I love that girl. Her link looks like a possible keeper as well. I'll check it out after this posting.
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If you are looking for something to accompany all that wonderful french bread, then get a look at this recipe for "baked scallops." Oh gosh I am sure getting hungry for seafood, even though we had home made fish and chips for dinner today. Last of the potatoes. Sigh, I'm starting to seriously run low on a lot of stuff now. Soon we will be eating meat and bread a lot I fear with string beans from last year's garden.
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The Yarn Harlot has a funny story about her experience being "really alone" in the country. The dark always gets them for sure. Wander by and giggle a bit at her adventures. It appears she's also writing a book. I am seriously jealous! I can't even figure out a neat way to make 25 bucks a week crafting or doing anything! I can write! I can write! Who wants to pay me to write?

Gosh is there anything that annoys me more (well at this moment for sure) than women screaming for joy at some stupid gift they have received en mass at some talk show. This one was Rachel Ray. The woman drives me a tad nuts, too much exuberance is well, too much. It's another reason I stopped watching Oprah, I got so sick of the 'giveaway' shows. That is now a requirement on all shows like this. Who can top who. Stupid. Stupid snow.

Joke Joke. Just in case you didn't find it funny, you should know its a joke. I'm not so funny today, mostly depressssssssssssed. (Looks like snow nearly all next week. I can take no more)

Recently, the Psychic Hotline and Psychic Friends Network have launched hotlines for frogs. Here is the story of one frog and his discussing with his psychic.
A frog telephones the Psychic Hotline and is told, "You are going to meet a beautiful young girl who will want to know everything about you."
The frog says, "This is great! Will I meet her at a party, or what?"
"No," says the psychic. "Next semester in her biology class."