Dandy lions!

Most people consider them weeds, I used to call them 'wildflowers' when I didn't want to weed the overgrown flowerbed, but part of me will always love dandelions.  How can you not love spring personified?  Sunshine on your lawn, a bright and shining contrast to the brilliantly green young grass!  The first flower a child ever gives his mother.  Weeds indeed!

Spaghetti Pie

I've heard various people rave about spaghetti pie being one of their favorite dishes, but so far I have been rather unimpressed with my own attempts, until yesterday; I think I finally got it right.  Now I can join that happy clan of spaghetti pie enthusiasts (I'm sure that's on your Bucket List too, right?).

Spray a 9x13 cake pan and a 9 inch round (or square) cake pan with nonstick cooking spray and preheat oven to 375.

8-10 oz spaghetti, cooked according to package directions, drain
2 eggs and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1 recipe bolognase sauce (or your favorite pasta sauce)
Cheese, lots of cheese

Combine eggs and parmesan cheese (add garlic, basil, celery salt, etc. if desired) and mix with hot noodles, stir until combined and divide between prepared pans, pressing firmly with spoon to form a 'crust.'  Top with warmed pasta sauce and copious amounts of cheese (yes, that is an exact measurement!).  Feel free to let your taste buds and imagination run wild with this recipe, the possibilities are endless.  Place in oven until cheese is melted and golden and bubbly, let sit 5 minutes before serving.  Check this one off your bucket list.

The warblers is coming

Yes, I know the title of this little post is a grammatical error, don't worry I have a poetic license…anywho, it is that time of year again, just when I can't stand winter any longer and the dull grey, cold world is about to convince me I need to migrate with the rest of the birds, Spring finally happens.  I don't get it.  We had about eight inches of snow last week and suddenly the tulips and plum tree are blooming, everything is green and warm and sunny and bright, and best of all, those pesky little fairies of the wildwood are again invading my green space, which is rather exciting in 'the land that trees forgot.'  I grew up along the Mississippi flyway and we had all sorts of wonderful little avian friends stopping by on their trip north, but out here we have far fewer of the woodland sort, though there is a wonderful variety of say, ducks and galliformes.  But I love warblers, though we don't have quite the variety out here, we still have them and I've seen two new species since our relocation.  Even better, they come to me rather than me having to go to them.  Since we have some foliage in our yard, I can actually watch (and photograph) them from the house.  Last night I was trying to photograph a rather elusive wilson's warbler, but there was a cheeky orange crowned fellow that I just couldn't help snapping a few shots of too.  It is probably one of the drabbest warbler species, but this shot was too perfect to miss!