the rain

The huge amounts of rain we just had was probably good for the begonias and the azaleas.

It caused the pond to overflow.

It cut a canyon through our garden.

And it left this junk everywhere.

But when it causes the frogs to look for higher ground, its just too much.

tater salad

We did not think we liked potato salad because neither of us really care for onions.  Last week we stopped at The Sergeant's diner on our way to the green house in Pall Mall.  The diner is near the Sgt. York Mill and home place. We shared the special that day which included potato salad and it was tasty except for the onions.  I ran across a recipe without onions and gave it a try.  It will be our new favorite thing to eat with grilled burgers!

Homestyle Potato Salad

5 medium potatoes (red potatoes taste the best)
8 eggs, hard boiled (save 2 eggs to use for garnish on salad)
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 c. Mayonnaise (or Miracle Whip)
1/2 c. sour cream
2 Tbsp. sugar
mustard, to taste
1/2 c. sweet pickle relish (or 5 to 6 diced baby dill pickles, if you don't like it sweet)

Instructions
Boil potatoes (do not peel) for about 40 minutes until potatoes are tender, but still firm (if you are using red potatoes do it for less time.. 15-20 minutes or so).
Peel and dice potatoes AND 6 eggs. Add salt and pepper and toss. Mix remaining ingredients separately and fold into potato mixture.
Slice remaining 2 eggs and layer on top of salad. Sprinkle top of salad with dill weed or paprika.
Refrigerate overnight (or at least 6-8 hours).

bees beware

Peanut hates carpenter bees, those insects that look like bumble bees and drill little round holes into wood.  Yesterday at the Visitor House he used his technique to get rid of several.  Here's what happens:  First he removes his cap and swats them down

 Then he stomps them

 

He's really happy here because he got two at once!

 

He has also been known to shoot them out of the air with a BB gun. There are witnesses to this!

Easter basket

This is Brooks hunting Easter Eggs.  His basket belonged to his Nana (me) when I was a little girl.  It's probably close to 50 years old! 

They don't make Easter baskets like that anymore!

nesting

The bird at the end of the arrow made a nest in my wheel barrow.  Now it is full of baby birds.  I find it ironic that it made a nest right beside an empty bird house!

Easter party 2014

Here's the great group of friends and relatives that came to our annual Ponderosa Easter Picnic and Egg Hunt.

 

We had a great meal with grilled ribs, chicken and hot dogs.  People brought side dishes of vegetables, salads and desserts.  It was some really good food.

After lunch we had the first egg hunt.  It was just for the kids.

This year Jenny organized a new event for our party, it was an egg hunt for the adults. They had a great time searching for eggs many with money prizes inside!

The kids had a second egg hunt and everyone spent the afternoon visiting and talking with one another.  It was a beautiful  sunny but breezy day.

Good Friday

This week end there was more fun on the Ponderosa than you could put in an Easter basket!  It began on Friday when the Ponderosa grands arrived!

 

 

 The fun included golf cart riding and

Lawn mower driving

 

Tractor Driving

 

Playing with cars

And playing in a box

We took some time to open Easter gifts

 

There was eating of vegetables and chocolate bunnies

 

And there was running. . . lots and lots of running

 

 Because it was Good Friday there was planting

 The day ended with a birthday party to celebrate Pa Lyle's 82nd Birthday

We know how to cram a lot of fun into one day!