Chickens in the Pool and Buttermilk Dressing

Yes, those are chickens in a pool.  I want to get a hard shell pool for ours.

Just a few random notes today.  I am happy to say I returned my wheel chair.  4 more weeks to foot freedom, I believe.

Alien craft flying to an oven near you!

We continue to eat out of our garden.  7 different greens for nightly salads.  I made homemade buttermilk dressing, of which I will share my recipe.

Buttermilk Dressing

Dinner

7 green salad with home grown tomatoes

Suzi's Buttermilk Dressing
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1/8 tsp.paprika
1/4 tsp.dry mustard
1/2 tsp. fresh dill (1/4 dry)
1 tsp. chopped chives
1 Tbsp. chopped parsley
1/2 tsp salt and pepper
Whisk together, put in fridge, keeps for over a week, makes 1 1/2 cups


Bob and I are still working in the ceramics studio together.  I picked up Ethan's pots from his last visit.  Bob's latest humungous covered casserole looks a bit like an alien craft.  Of course he made a tool to make the handles EXACTLY the same.  I have included a photo before firing.

Ethan's latest pots with Elephants...naturally!

And the chickens delight me daily.  Today I spent extra quality time with them...as I was locked in the coop for over an hour!!! Buddy the dog pushed on the gate and I heard the lock slide.  I didn't have my phone, and waited for Bob to come out to the shop to start calling.  This is my second time.  I must remember to bring my phone!  Chicken lovers and keepers keep appearing in my life.  I was sent a photo of chickens swimming in someone's pool.  Also a coop idea made out of a little trailer.

Life is so busy, but so good.
Thanks for reading. Each day is a gift. Open now!
xo,
Suz

From The Garden To The Table

Onion tarte in a casserole thrown by Bob and glazed by me.

Onions, radishes, chard, peas, arugula, cherry tomatoes, and mustard greens have all been happily eaten. I bogart the strawberries when I am out in the garden.  The ever bearing varieties are bearing...even in 100 degree heat. The fire in Los Alamos looks like it will be contained soon.  Smoke still hangs in the air. 4th of July is this weekend.  Of course only an idiot will set off any fireworks in New Mexico.  I'm sure there will be a few.

Covered cheese dish, that was supposed to be a butter dish! Ethan's blue bowl.

 I have been cooking from the garden.  Onion tarte from days of French cooking has mad perfect use of our gorgeous white onions.  Bob dips radishes in salt and olive oil nightly.  I am using our pottery we have made in ceramics to bake and serve in.  It's really meaningful to set a table with items you have made.  This is something new, and very rewarding.

Thanks for reading.
Each day is a gift. Open now.
xo,
Suz

Making Heirlooms

Bob and I are about to go to our 4th Saturday morning pottery studio together. We signed up to take this as sort of a "date" activity. Neither of us had thrown a pot since high school or college. Bob and I love making things, specially making things together.  We have a list of items for our kids we are going to make.  After making our first pots we realized Bob would use his strength and size to throw the biggies. I am ornamenting and glazing, and making the smaller pieces and slab work.  Below he is throwing a "Buddy bowl." One of two for our dog "Buddy." I made a sugar and creamer and glazed all our other pots.  Covered serving dishes are next on Bob's list.

The place we go to is in a woman's home. She is a professional ceramicist, and teaches out of her studio which is attached to her house.  We are greeted every week by "Ringo" the dog.  He is our teacher's shadow, as Buddy is mine.  We are served tea or lemonade half way through our morning in mugs made by Marlese our teacher. Ringo is given doggie ice cream that he licks right out of the container.  Most of the time he sleeps.  Ringo is clearly part of the studio.

Ringo taking a nap in the shop.

We are making very practical items that we plan to use for holiday meals. We hope that our kids will use them for their holidays, and their kids also.  It's fun to actually MAKE family heirlooms.  I think I would have loved something my Mother or Grandmother made with their own hands.   However, I do have some of the family silver, which is pretty spectacular.  So I'm not complaining. :-)
I sort of picture my daughter and son sitting down to Christmas dinner long after we are gone and serving the meal out of these handmade heirlooms.  Besides being really relaxing. We both leave very happy and satisfied with our progress. Off we go!

Thanks for reading.
Each day is a gift. Open now.
xo,
Suz