I have a number of photos to share from our weekend in Nebraska, but in the meantime, here’s a shot I took on the way home Sunday evening. More soon!
21 Aug
A&O Fix
When Olivia needs assistance, she says “Help you?” Fortunately, Ava is always right there to lend a hand.
19 Aug
Home again
Mom and Dave had quite a unique experience yesterday, moving an American Bald Eagle from the Raptor Recovery Center near Elmwood back to her home at the lake.
The story began last April. Mom and Dave, along with their neighbor Rich, a conservation officer, kept close watch on a sick eagle near their house.
After several days, Rich was able to capture the bird, and she was sent to the Raptor Recovery Center for treatment for lead poisoning. Apparently, she had foraged on a bird that had been killed with lead shot.
Mom and Dave kept tabs on her the entire time she was there. You can read more about her stay in this article in the Lincoln Journal-Star.
Yesterday, they were able to transport her back to Harlan County. Before they left, the staff banded her before loading her into a crate.
She rode in the back of Dave’s pickup the entire way home.
When they arrived at the lake, they met Rich, three Park Rangers, a friend, and two newspaper reporters at the campground where the eagle was found.
As Mom wrote, Needless to say, the eagle was just a little bit shy about stepping out of the kennel when we opened the door just a few feet from where she was rescued in April.
This went on for quite some time as she looked us over and then hesitantly attempted to step out of the door.
It was the sound of a heron squawking that lured her off the tailgate and to the ground. Her attention and reaction was priceless — almost as if she had just figured out where she was.
Rich said, “Yes, you are home again!”
She flew up to a nearby tree just out of camera range (the longest flight she had managed since mid-April); and was still resting there when the last of us left.
Dave thought he heard her call shortly after we got home. No doubt, we’ll be seeing her again soon.
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Photos by Deb Whitehead
16 Aug
Sunday project
Last weekend, my mom and Dave sent home about two bushels of Roma tomatoes from their garden. I stashed them in the fridge last week and canned them today.
It took far longer to prepare the tomatoes than it did to actually can them. I began by blanching them in boiling water, then dumping them into an ice bath. This made it very easy to slip the skins.
I sent these skins right down the garbage disposal.
(Just kidding, Dave–they went into the garbage can.)
I ended up with three big bowls of skinless tomatoes.
A rather hungry Olivia kept me company this morning, coming over about every five minutes to politely plead, “More ‘matos, p’ease.”
Bryan helped me core and dice the tomatoes, which I then heated to a simmer. I decided not to add salt or seasonings–I hope that’s not a mistake.
While the tomatoes cooked, I washed the jars and held them in a sink full of warm water.
Almost two hours after setting the canner on the burner, the water finally came to a boil. I filled the jars and processed them for 45 minutes.
The morning’s efforts resulted in seven quart jars of diced tomatoes. Now, if only fall would arrive. I suddenly feel like making chili.
This felt like a huge project, but my mom does this most every night after work. And, my friend Dawn probably cans this much before breakfast each day. It’s certainly not an easy project, but it’s definitely a rewarding one. Thanks for providing the possibility, Mom!
13 Aug
Summer supper
Lately, I have been looking for main dish recipes that don’t involve a lot of starches, and I thought this one for Balsamic and Tomato Roast Chicken was particularly pretty. Plus, it made use of the eggplant Bryan picked up from a co-worker, and—of course—basil.
Ava and Bryan, though, were not pleased. Bryan picked through it, asking me three times if eggplants were really supposed to be so seedy, and Ava was quite concerned about the capers. I thought it was great, though I agree eggplant is far better breaded and baked Liana-style.
The next night, I made a tuna, avocado and green bean salad. When Ava saw me crack the can of tuna, she said, “EW! I am NOT eating cat food!” I assured her that it was not cat food, but as we said down to the table she squawked, “MOM! I AM BEGGING YOU, PLEASE DO NOT EAT THE CAT’S FOOD!”
I finally talked her into trying it. Her response? “Yuck. That means ‘I don’t like that’ in Spanish.”
11 Aug
Sunday storms
We left my mom’s house mid-afternoon on Sunday, and we found ourselves intersecting an impressive looking line of thunderstorms north of Salina.
We managed to slide between two small cells, avoiding all but a bit of rain.
We stopped for gas outside of Manhattan. Had we waited much longer before resuming the trip, we would have had to tangle with this one approaching from the southwest.
11 Aug
More fun at Gramma’s
These photos come courtesy of my mom, who was busy entertaining my children while I napped this weekend.
The girls played in the sprinkler and wading pool, and went for many walks with my mom. They came across a sailboat down the lane that Ava found particularly interesting.
Dave whipped this slide platform out the evening before we arrived. Olivia spent most of the weekend perched at the top, trying to give Mom a heart attack.
And speaking of Olivia, my mom tried to get a photo of her next to the shrub that was planted in her honor.
Really, if you want her to pose, it’s going to cost you a snow cone. Flavoring optional.
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