Macro Monday

"And, now for something completely different." Yes, I'm a Monty Python fan and also thought it time to try another type of theme-post a la Cat-Nap Wednesdays. In this case, above is my first installment of Macro Mondays. 

"Macro" in photography refers to pictures of subjects that are tiny. You bring the very small up to the "macro" level. When possible, I'll also try to make a small puzzle out of it. So, do you know what the above macro shot is? This is a small part of a larger, common object albeit not everyone has one quite like this. Here is another hint:

Do you give up? Scroll down to see the answer.

This is an example of Michele's amazing talent. I don't know how to explain her creativity other than when she is not battling her disabling illness, she creates one of kind artworks in mixed media. Here is a gorgeous beaded bracelet.

Andy

Storm: Before and After

You may recall the pic above that I took after the storm hit us--the afternoon of Saturday, March 3, 2012. After many days of 50 and 60 degrees, the pic below is one week later! 

Some places have very consistent weather. It rarely changes or just does it incrementally. In Michigan and other places like us we have a saying, "If you don't like the weather, don't worry, just wait five minutes . . . and it will change!"


Here's looking at Spring.
Andy

Spinach Quiche

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon Fustini's Tuscan Herb Olive Oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped red pepper
• 6 cups fresh spinach (then chopped). Or, use 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and
• drained
• 5 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup Feta cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon Penzeys Fox Point Seasoning
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9.5 inch tarte tatin pan (or pie pan). Use a little of the Tuscan Herb.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are soft. Stir in spinach and continue cooking until excess moisture has evaporated.
3. In a large bowl, combine eggs, cheese, salt and pepper. Add spinach mixture and stir to blend. Scoop into prepared pie pan.
4. Bake in preheated oven until eggs have set, about 30 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Cat Nap Wednesdays

Katie looked puzzled when I got my snowshoes out last weekend. I hadn't used them this year, and she seemed to being saying "Isn't it a bit late for these?"

The clean up in our area continues. Many people are patiently waiting for power to be restored. On the news, I heard one man calmly say "It's 28 degrees in my house this morning, makes it hard to get much done." Wow! We were so lucky to have our power back so soon. It has warmed up quite a bit during the daytime hours and the snow is quickly melting. With that, I noticed that we did lose several pine trees, some forsythia and also lilacs. Really, very little compared to many of our friends.

A few of weeks ago I purchased these cardboard refills for a couple of Katie's scratching 'thingies'. She watched me open them ... well, all I need to say is "this is for you" and she comes running ... it really is quite sweet. As soon as I had them out of the box she starting scratching and then sat down. She seemed quite pleased with them, so I left them there. Andy says "Does her stuff have to be everywhere??" Hum ... ask Katie....

~Michele

Storm III

Not much of our snow is melting, as temperatures have been down around 10 degrees at night. Clean up in the area continues, with crews working around the clock. Many homes are still without electricity. We feel very lucky that ours was restored so quickly.

Thought I would put in a picture from Katie's vantage point. She doesn't seem to be phased by the storm. Although she was NOT happy when the power was out and she couldn't have her food heated in the microwave. She looked at us as if to say "dry food again?"

A very lame attempt at helping out our plow guy. Ha!

I thought the blue color in the snow cracks was quite interesting. I haven't seen that very often.

We hope everyone is safe and warm.

~Michele

Storm, Part II

The house of a friend--not good.

Emergency over

Snowshoe hike

What I saw.

Andy

"STOP" is right--at least 2 lines were downed under the broken tree!

Been here dozens of times;the trees are supposed to be straight and NOT form a tunnel!

Please . . . pull up a chair.

Yes, this is/was the trail.

Storm and Maple Ice

Over 15 inches and another 5 expected all within 48 hours. Our county and two adjacent were declared states of emergency. Lost power for 15 hours but back on--yeah! Luckily the plow guy made it and we finished the day with maple ice. Glad to have electricity back and never under estimate winter. 
Andy

This "was" a 20 foot pine tree. ;-<

Scoop up some fresh snow and drizzle maple syrup over it!