Ah, the Kansas City area in the springtime...62 on the day we arrived a week ago, got up to 92 one day, 82 yesterday, then the storms moved through and it dropped to 58 today. But everything is green, green, green! After spending the past two months in the Southwestern deserts, the green is looking really great - if no a bit strange.
Clematis in Suzi's yard
We arrived with no problems from the truck, and only light intermittent rain on the trip. Tuesday was spent relaxing from the 14 hour drive and running a couple of quick errands. After work, Carl grilled up a great dinner, and we ate and chatted for hours.
Dinner on the barbie...
Since then we've worked out a nice routine. Mornings are spent sleeping in (in the trailer next to the house), drinking coffee for an hour or so, working on the trailer or running errands, breaking for lunch, working on the trailer some more - then when Carl gets off work, helping him with house projects. evenings are spent chatting over a late dinner. Along the way I have started to learn to tie fishing flies, and have managed to complete three pretty decent looking ones. Don't know if they'll attract any fish, but maybe we'll find time this weekend for Heinz to try them out.
Last Saturday Heinz and Carl took off for a ride on their motorcycles, while Suzi and I headed to opening day at the Kansas City downtown Farmer's Market. Not too much available in terms of local produce this early in the year (most of the veggies were commercially grown elsewhere), but farmers were there in droves offering flowers and vegetables, and bakers had lots of goodies on offer. Picked up some great cinnamon rolls, flowers for the yard, and some fresh mozzarella for Carl's lasagna.
Ah, come on, don't you want to buy a pretty flower for your yard?
Time for vegetable gardens
Ah, decisions, decisions...
Last Sunday was Mother's Day, so we spent it with Heinz and Suzi's "Tante" Gretel and her family. We had a great pot luck lunch with steaks supplied by Gretel and grilled by her grandson Kevin, twice stuffed potatoes from Barb (Gretel's daughter), and salads from Suzi and I. My broccoli salad went over well, so I've included it for your recipe of the day at the end of today's blog.
Gretel supervising Kevin's culinary skills
Barb and Gretel catching up on the family news
Suzi enjoying conversation after dinner
Heinz passed out after dinner
During the daytime, we've made some progress with the Airstream interior. The settee is completed with five large slide-out drawers underneath, and the pantry and closet frame received coats of varnish. Next comes the closet doors, dining table and the remaining parts of the TV cabinet. So stay tuned for more updates.
Evenings this week have been devoted to installing tile in the kitchen of the house. Over the past few evenings Suzi and Carl installed the underflooring and Carl and Heinz installed the tile. Overall, things are looking good in the house and the trailer.
Starting to place tile... worked until 11:30 PM! But got it all in.
Check out that finished product!
Work is done for the week, and we're all sitting out the back porch, laughing it up between groaning from the aching knees and backs from that floor :)
The friends of the day are Suzi and Carl's "young-uns".
Frankie
Buddy and Sammy watching Frankie get in trouble
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Recipe Corner: Broccoli Salad
2-3 heads of broccoli, cut into bite sized pieces (discard stems)
1 lb. bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1/2 medium onion, chopped small
2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1/2 to 1 cup mayonnaise
Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, broccoli through vinegar. Add 1/2 cup mayonnaise and mix well. Continue to add mayonnaise until the ingredients are coated, but not "dripping" with mayonnaise or turning white. Amount will vary with amount and size of broccoli heads.
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