"Organic" Grapefruit

"Organic" Grapefruit

The aroma of citrus blossoms is almost everywhere in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. A couple of weeks ago the scent was barely in the air and we were all trying our best to breathe in as much as we could. This week the scent nearly knocks a person over. Not to complain. Oh, no. It is such a welcome sign of Spring. The above picture shows a lonely grapefruit left on one of our trees in the backyard that escaped my husband's eager clutch. Be sure to notice the white, delicate blossoms which are the source for the sweet smell.

We call these our "organics"... our grapefruit, oranges and limes. Bless their hearts. They have actually survived being forgotten... that is forgotten to be sprayed. Somehow they plod along though and usually we have great fruit to enjoy if the birds leave them alone. It's just one of the perks of living in deep South Texas... fresh vegetables, fruits, great weather and friendly people. Who could ever, ever ask for more?

As I type this it is 81 degrees with a gentle breeze. It's a Sunday which soothes the soul.

Wildflowers at the Ranch

Wildflowers at the Ranch

We had a little R&R at the Ranch this past weekend. The weather was very pleasant and I don't think got up past 73 degrees. There will a little mist in the mornings which kept things cool as well. Due to some extra rain this year, our wildflowers should be flourishing with gusto. Definitely a plus for the some of the rainy, rather gloomy days we have had. This ranch is located in deep south Texas.

Looking forward to a good week!

Carmen in her handmade baptismal bonnet

Carmen

Our granddaughter is now six years old, but I was looking through old pictures and found this picture of Carmen when she was baptised in Mexico. She wore a beautiful dress with a bonnet that her maternal grandmother had made for her. It is not quite the typical bonnet worn by babies in the U.S., however, Carmen looked adorable. This is a favorite picture of mine.

Happy Birthday, to the man in the kilt!

My father, Calvin C. Boykin, Jr.

March 1, 1924 - October 23, 2008

This photograph was taken in Scotland during WW II. My dad loved this picture, but was always embarrassed that he didn't have the right shoes... his military boots were all that he had. He loved, loved, loved bagpipe music, so when he passed away I made sure that we had a "bagpiper" at the funeral.

Here is my dad's traditional birthday cake recipe below. It is delicious and so moist.

Daddy’s Chocolate Potato Cake

2 c. sugar
1 c. shortening
4 eggs
2 c. flour
4 Tbsp. cocoa
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
2/3 c. milk
1 tsp. each ground cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg
1 c. hot mashed potatoes (not instant)
1 c. pecans, chopped
1 tsp. vanilla

Cream 2 c. sugar with 1 c. shortening. Add 4 egg yolks and cream well. Sift together: flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add alternately the milk to creamed mixture along with hot mashed potatoes. Fold in 4 stiffly beaten egg whites, pecans, and vanilla. Grease 3 round cake tins and line with wax paper. Bake for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Icing:
1 box powdered sugar
½ c. butter
1 egg yolk
3 Tbsp. cocoa
5 Tbsp. hot coffee

Beat sugar, butter, egg yolk and cocoa together and then add hot coffee.

P.S. -- My father grew up in West Texas, so even he called his father "Daddy" until the day he died. Me too! What do you call your father?

Update: Today as I prepared this cake I was just about to slip this into my nice and hot 350 degree oven when the power went out. Yikes!! I waited and waited... no power. I ended up calling a friend and I rushed my cake over to her house where she had her oven ready for me to slide in the cake. And by the way... I used an oblong Corningware casserole dish. Thank goodness I wasn't juggling three round cake tins. I am preparing this for a gathering of some of our church members at a friend's home on Monday night. Hopefully I will remember to take a picture of this cake ... and hopefully it will be suitable for posting. (I just keep wondering if those whipped egg whites were ruined by the delay in baking...) Wish me luck!

My Kitchen Kiskadee

The Great Kiskadee

http://www.nhptv.org/NATUREWORKS/greatkiskadee.htm

This commercial photograph of a Kiskadee does not do justice to my Kiskadee who appears at my kitchen window every morning that the sun is shining. He is larger and sleeker than this particular one. He is also very vocal. I wonder sometimes if he is alerting his friends, announcing to them that the fence is his and he dares any of his feathered friends to just try to perch on his territory. He might also be letting me know that the bird feeder is empty and it's time to make a trip to HEB for more off-brand wild bird seed. Thank goodness "my" Kiskadee is not such a gourmet and settles for a grocery store variety of seed. On a typical day there will be five to six of his friends on my patio, but I'm pretty sure I know "my friend" by his incessant sounds. He does brighten my day though with his beautiful colors. My camera is broken and I've yet to get a new one, but when I do... my Kiskadee will be one of the first pictures you will see here at Ladybug Creek.

I might also add that this is one of the benefits of living in the Rio Grande Valley of deep south Texas... just in case you want to look up where Kiskadees can be found.

Asking blogland friends for prayers....

Our dear and close friend, Neal, had a heart attack almost six weeks ago and has been in a coma ever since. He was without oxygen for approximately twenty minutes, so there was considerable brain damage. We went by the hospital today, as we've done nearly every day since this happened, mainly to offer support to his wife, one of my dearest friends. The doctors have concluded that it will not be long now and Neal's battle will be over. He is an amazing man who is a strong Christian, loves his family, his country and his friends. Please keep him in your prayers and pray that his passing be peaceful. He is only 59 years old and had so much more in his life to accomplish. Thank you.