Archive for ‘January, 2012’

Moon mystery

This morning out with Bear, the full moon was still hours away from setting. There is a day old skiff of new snow making the dark o’clock outings not quite so dark.

This photo…I couldn’t see those colors. I was trying to capture the moon lighting up the mare’s tail clouds above it.

I increased the exposure in post processing and I have no idea if those colors are actual refraction of moonlight in atmosopheric moisture or if they are some sort of chromatic aberration of the camera lens. Per the weather information, it is foggy in Kalispell so there may be enough moisture to allow a kind of “rainbow”…I just don’t know.

Tortillas v2.0 with a side of bacon

For years…up until several months ago, I have been making bacon in the micowave between sheets of paper towell. But after my dive into the benefits of fresh lard and then an accidental finding of a recipe for “bacon fat tortillas”…

Bacon is now fried in a cast iron skillet and the rendered fat, aka bacon grease is saved!

The entire tortilla recipe has evolved as well. Although Tortillas v1.0 were very good, there was a bit of an odd taste and they were a little puffier/heavier than I wanted.

The new recipe – which I make into 6-8 tortillas: (NO baking powder!!)

160 grams all purpose flour (Wheat Montana White) approx 1 cups
50 grams white whole wheat flour (King Arthur White whole wheat) approx 1/2 cup
3 T bacon fat, fresh lard or other fat…canola oil for example
1/2 (scant) tsp sea salt
1/2 cup very hot water

Mix all, knead lightly. Let rest for 20 minutes. Divide into 6 or 8 balls. Flatten and cook in dry cast iron comal or skillet.

The other improvement is the find of a pastry cloth and rolling pin cover…JUST like my Mama has! She has had her cloth and cover for probably 50 years – I never knew anything else to make pie crusts on. But I could never find one until several weeks ago…on Amazon. Mahhvelous!!!

Beautiful, light and pliable tortillas.

Meanwhile, my faithful companions lent their moral support…

…from the comfort of their beds.

Saturday chores

Huh…

Another photo that looks very un-January-ish.

Earlier in the week, after 3 days in the upper 40’s, including 1 day that set a new record high, eclipsing a record that has stood since 1903!!! – I went up on the roof with the blower and cleared the pine needles.

Blowing pine needles off the roof is usually a Spring chore and a late Spring chore at that. Both the roof and the needles need to be on the dry side, else they just stick.

Today, although it was more normal on the temperature scale at 35F, since there was no snow and all those needles off the roof, went to live with those on the ground…and since Bear and I were outside anyway, I decided to rake the worst of them up and cart them off into the woods…hopefully far enough into the woods that they don’t blow back in the yard in a Spring windstorm.

Meanwhile, Bear explored…

And just enjoyed.

The other reason we were outside is that the motorhome was running and its generator was running…my normal, every 3 week startup and battery check. All is A-ok with Wild Thing!

With chores complete, we adjourned to the sunroom and relaxed in an indoor way. Saturday chores.

Out and about

Another work deadline met, Bear and I headed to town for a few supplies, stopping on the way at a favorite river access for a quick walk.

The light looks like Fall light – that crisp, clear light with sun, some clouds and sharp contrasts.

The boat launch looks a bit on the iffy side… BUT, there was a truck and empty trailer in the parking area, so someone figured out how to get on the river. Bear and I stood and contemplated…

And then went on to the dump…

A cold front was whooshing in. Dark clouds with openings here and there, light on the lake – beautiful.

The days errands accomplished, we headed home and later…

the waxing gibbous, more than 3/4 full but high in the sky before sunset.

Alpenglo clouds

Last thing I do before shutting down my computer for the night is make a schedule for the next day. It is more wishful thinking than concrete plan but I have a number of hours of work to get in, walks/play/training with Bear, time with Bob…

One thing I try to always do is get outside with Bear about 1/2 hour before sunset for a final daylight time outside.

This evening, we were out about 45 minutes before sunset. It was 45F!!! and sunny. I had more work, but not a lot and who knows, it might decide to be Winter any day now.

Aside from enjoying the mild and sunny weather, Bear and I are trying to get the TAGG pet tracker to work to the best of its abililty and/or get appropriate tech support which requires getting as much info as possible…more on that another time.

All that needs to be known this evening is that we were located in a spot with a clear view of the sky, I had the TAGG positioned on the top of Bear’s neck…had him stay while I fussed with the software.

And meanwhile…

The clouds turned pink, the moon was in view…

And it was just beautiful. Alpenglo clouds.