Diggin' and Hot Diggity Dogs

Rosebud

Was just walking by, couldn't resist.

 It is bulb planting day.

I have never had success with any bulbs.

I think the ground hogs?, gophers?, something, eats them.

I am giving it one last shot.

If these do not come up next spring...I am out of the bulb business.

Cross your fingers.

2Groovydude always up for a little diggin' in the dirt.

 I find these random photos on my camera when I do projects with 2Groovydude.

I thought this was appropriate with my "Hot Diggity Dog" title to include his extra shots.

 2Groovydude places the bulbs in a nice geometric pattern.

Iris and Allium

 More Iris in different location.

Remember the pointy end goes up.

(Another reason I have had trouble in the past.)

 Hot Diggity Dog looks on approvingly.

 My other previous mistake, I think, may be planting the bulbs too deep.

Daddio really likes to bury stuff.  Deep.

I had to beg for a shallow planting site.

Then I filled in with new soil.

I'm not taking any chances.

I want these flowers to grow.

Come on little babies, don't let Mama down.

Now we move to the garden...a little fall clean up.

 The joys of gardening are those little surprises you are not expecting.

Like digging up the garden and finding onions and potatoes that you didn't even

know were there.

We got this whole basket!

Cool!

 Now how's this for fun?

Red, purple, and white potatoes.

Sweet potatoes, of course, are 2hipchick's favorite.

And a smidgen of onions.

 On to the dog part of this post.

2Groovydude and little baby Belle.

They are sooo cute.

 2Groovydude says, "It's the puppy dance."

 Rhubarb gets bored with it all quickly.

 Puppy attack!

 Smooshy face

 Nose paw

 Tuckered out little puppy.

 2Groovydude shares the love with Rhubarb.

Another day in the life with the 2hipchick.

FUN NUGGET:



I am sure I have mentioned before that I love coffee.

Love the smell, the taste...the whole bean.

My new favorite it Topeca coffee

http://www.topecacoffee.com/

In Tulsa even!

I'm gonna go there and visit.

For now, I just buy it at my grocery store, but it is right down the road.

I will, I will go there!

Daddio Chili, Again

Re-running a recipe last week felt so good, I'm doing it again.

Daddio's Chili

Have I mentioned that Daddio can cook? That's why I married him. Well, there are probably some other qualities that I considered, but the cooking was way up there on the list. Here's how he makes chili that causes our neighbors to ask for our leftovers.

Brown hamburger.

Chop one small onion and gather other ingredients.

These jalapenos and black pearls are from last year's garden and have been in the freezer.  The little black pearls (they start out black then turn red) are spicy.

Your favorite chili mix and a bunch of minced garlic. Garlic, yum!

Add the onion and peppers to the beef after it browns.

Tomato sauce from our garden also. Daddio made this and put it in the freezer. I told you he had other qualities to love.

Okay, I know you have already seen these ingredients, but they were sitting there opened and ready to go in the pot and i just thought they looked really pretty.

Yes, I love food.

Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for a while.

Add the black beans and heat through.

It was hard to get a pic when I am wanting to eat this up!

Tasty!

Cold outside and chili in the house.

Now, that's the way I like it.

Or with a nice fire...even better!

12 INGREDIENT CHILI by DADDIO

Serves 6

1 lb. ground beef
1small white onion, chopped
2 jalapenos, chopped
1 pkg Chili seasoning
1 4.5 oz can of green chilies
1 T. garlic, minced
1 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes
1 cup chicken or beef stock
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce or 1 med can
1 15 oz can of black beans, or whatever you like
Cheddar cheese, shredded
Sour cream

Brown ground beef then add onion and peppers. Cook until vegetables are tender. Add the next 7 ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes. Add black beans and heat through. Top chili with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream.
This is better the next day, but it is real good the first day. Enjoy.

Belle Page

Don't forget to check out Belle's new page.

Just click on her name over to the right under pages.

Chickies Galore

Of course, I have not forgotten about the chicks!

Although, the whole puppy thing has distracted me quite a bit.

Here's the latest free-range photo shoot.

Diamond. 

I have to say, I was a little skeptical about the name choice that 2Groovydude

came up with for this chick. 

Now, I think it is perfect.  She has white speckles all over like the sparkle

from a diamond. 

Good job, 2Groovydude!

The Dominiques are my favorite chicken.

We have not had good luck with these birds.

One hawk attack.

One rooster.

And now, Daddio keeps telling me that Scout is getting a little aggressive.

But you know, Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird was a tomboy.

That's who she's named after, after-all.

Please!  Another rooster?

Give me a break.

When do I get my Dominique?

I don't even know what kind of eggs they lay.

Very disappointing.

Maybe she's just mean like Buffy.

 Group shot.

 Buffy.

She used to be mean.

She pecked every little baby chick on the head everyday

while they were little just so they would know who's boss.

Maybe there is still hope for Scout.

 Chuckles.

Can you believe this little skinny bird lays eggs?

About two per week.

 Princess Cluck

Still no eggs from this little beauty with all the personality.

She's a Princess, she doesn't have to lay eggs.

 Brownie girl.

Brownie doesn't lay everyday, but her eggs are green.

So, we like it.

Scamp

Black beauty.

So, the girls are all good.

Winter is coming up and we don't know how that will go for our girls.

Supposedly we picked cold tolerant birds.

Guess we will find out.

I will keep you updated.

Got eggs?



Sharp Cheddar Cheese Soup Re-Run

I think this is my first 2hipchick re-run.
We just returned from the Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas City.
I'm tired and of all my 10's of readers, I thought some of you might
have missed this great soup.
I first posted back in August, but it is definitely worth a re-run.
Check out Great Wolf Lodge in the Fun Nugget section below.
2Groovydude says it is the best place he has ever been.

Cheddar cheese soup is one of our favorites.

It has bacon. How could you go wrong?

It has veggies.

I'm sure that counteracts the bacon somehow.

I never realized how photogenic food is until I started my blog.

What a nice combonation of colors. Huh?

Not so colorful after the flour is added, but necessary for good taste.

Make sure and cook the flour for a while or you can taste it in the soup.

Flour, not what I'm looking for in my soup.

Mmmm....it is already looking creamy and good and the milk is not even in there yet.

Milk and cheese.
All that cow goodness.
I could not survive w/o cow products.
Thanks to all you wonderful milk cows.

I want to make some more of this. Of course, it was gone in a couple of days.
As always, soup is even better the next day.
This soup is pretty good the first day.

Pretty soup.
Dip some sour dough rolls in there and eat up!
You won't be sorry.

Sharp Cheddar Cheese Soup

3 slices bacon, chopped
1/2 cup carrots, chopped
1/2 cup celery, chopped
1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/2 t. paprika
1/4 t. cayenne pepper
1/2 t. mustard powder
1/3 cup flour
1T. cornstarch
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
1 lb sharp cheddar, grated
Salt and pepper, to taste

In large soup pot cook bacon until crisp. Add carrots, celery, bell pepper and onions to the bacon. Cook over medium heat until veggies are tender crisp, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add paprika, cayenne and mustard.

Stir in flour and cornstarch, cook, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes. Add broth and cook, stirring, until slightly thickened. Add milk and gradually add cheeses, stirring until melted. Do not allow soup to boil after cheese is added to prevent curdling. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

FUN NUGGET:

A weekend at Great Wolf Lodge, Kansas City.

We recommend it!

It was totally kid oriented, so adults need not apply.

Just kidding, it was fun for everyone, but they do cater to the young ones.

If you are looking for a great family place to visit, check it out.

Around 4 hours from Tulsa.

http://travel.hotels-and-discounts.com/hotel/propertydetails/228054/;jsessionid=167126362216723F93CF54D3845C6596.tn08tc01?currencyCode=USD&additionalDataString=additionalData2%7CGreat+Wolf+Lodge+Kansas+City%7C%7CadditionalData1%7Cx0371826+192-316-4460+Z+LATEST+Kansas%7C%7CvrBookingSource%7ChotInfo&locale=en_us_US&cid=59562

Seinfeld-Soup Nazi (Greatest Parts)

NEXT!!!....Broccoli Cheese Soup

Broccoli Cheese Soup!

So, I have made this recipe several times and it is always delicious.

Daddio helped me with this batch and "whatever" it was way better.

Sometimes he makes me so mad!

Get some broccoli.  Cut it up and steam until tender.

Saute chopped onions in butter.

Mmmmm....butter.

Cook until tender...mmm...tender onions.

Add flour to butter and whisk until cooked, then add chicken broth and bring to a boil.

Add shredded sharp cheddar.

Our favorite cheese is Mammoth cheese that comes off those giant

cheese wheels, like at Whole Foods Market.

Don't forget the Velveeta.  It really smooths out the soup.

Just a few chunks.

Stir until melted.

Add cooked, chopped broccoli.

Oh, man, it is soooo good!

Dish it up!

Broccoli Soup

1 bunch broccoli, cut into florets

salt to taste

3/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

4 T. flour

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1 1/2 t. Worcestershire sauce

1 1/2 t. Tabasco sauce

3/4 t. salt

1 1/2 cups milk

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Velveeta chunks

Cook broccoli in salted boiling water to cover or in raised steamer in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until tender; drain.  Saute the onion in the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until tender.  Sprinkle with the flour and cook until bubbly, stirring constantly.  Add the chicken broth gradually, stirring constantly.  Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-low heat, stirring constantly.  Reduce heat and add the Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco, salt, broccoli and milk and mix well.  Add the cheeses and cook until melted.  Heat to serving temp.

The original recipe is from the Oil & Vinegar cookbook published in 2002 by the Junior League of Tulsa

of course 2hipchick changes have been made in this version.

I use the Oil & Vinegar cookbook all the time, if you are interested check it out:

http://www.amazon.com/Oil-Vinegar-Junior-League-Tulsa/dp/0960436804

FUN NUGGET:

In honor of the upcoming Thankgiving Day Holiday:

Spiced Pumpkin Cake

from

Real Simple

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/spiced-pumpkin-cake-00000000044847/index.html

I want it!