Finished another one of those projects!

Last year I started a quilted purse, but after I got part of it finished, I couldn't figure out how to finish it.  I designed this myself and should have done some planning before starting to cut and sew.  However, it is finally finished, even though it didn't turn out at all like I had planned.

Through my kitchen window: A Pileated Woodpecker

Andy and I were both in the basement the other day when we heard a loud thud from upstairs.  It sounded like something had fallen up there.  Andy went to check it out, and called for me to come and see what it was.  This bird was pounding at the porch post.  It's a pileated woodpecker.   I think I've heard them in the woods from time to time, but I've never seen one before. 

Autumn Beauty

For a week or so we have been enjoying beautiful summer like weather here.  Today it is cool and fall like, but before the weather changed we went over to the "Pickerel Lake-Fred Meijer Nature Reserve" to walk around the lake and enjoy the beautiful fall colors.  This is one of my favorite places to walk,  It's gorgeous in any season, but fall really shines here.
We walked around the lake, but there are other trails as well.

 The first thing we noticed were these three swans hanging around next to the boardwalk.   They were evidently posing for pictures.

Giveaway from Jenny of Elefantz'blog

Check out this fun giveaway from Jenny, celebrating 1500 followers.

Fall Getaway

A few weeks ago Andy and I spent a few days up in the UP and in Northern Ontario.  We took the Agawa Canyon train trip and then spent a few days driving around the UP.  The train trip was fun, but it was a little early for good fall color, which was a bit of a disappointment.

We had planned to visit Mackinac Island while we were up there, but it was really too cold for a trip to the island.  Instead we went to Tahquamenon Falls and visited a few lighthouses.

                                                  Old Mission Point Light House

                                               A couple of shots in Tahquamenon Falls State Park

                                                       Old Makinac Point Light House

                                                     McGulpins Point Light House

Whole Wheat Pizza Crust

 In my on-going effort to use  up some of  those herbs I planted this spring, and to eat a healthier diet, I decided to experiment with a healthier pizza crust.  I ended up trying  this pizza crust recipe.  I wasn't too sure about whole wheat pizza crust, but I was very pleasantly surprised.   Andy liked it a lot too.

I did make a few changes to the recipe.  I substituted 2 tsp. of brown sugar for the 1 tsp. of white sugar, used 3 tsp. yeast instead of 2 1/2, and added 4 tsp. of vital wheat gluten.  I also used bread flour instead of all purpose flour.  I also added a little minced garlic and some fresh oregano and basil to the dough.

This made a nice non-sticky dough that rolled out easily. It made two 14 inch pizzas with a nice tender, slightly chewy crust.

Oven Roasted Potatoes

I decided to grow some herbs this year.  I put one plant each, of oregano, thyme, parsley and basil, into a big pot and set it out on the back deck.  The plants look surprisingly attractive together, and are growing like weeds.  This is a recipe I devised to use up some of that bounty.

Ingredients:
4 or 5 medium sized redskin or Yukon gold potatoes
2 tsp olive oil
seasoned salt to taste
minced garlic to taste
good size bunch of fresh thyme, (strip leaves from the stems and discard the stems)

Method:
Preheat oven to 425.
Wash and cut potatoes into approximately half inch cubes.  Place into a bowl and toss with the olive oil.  Sprinkle with seasoned salt, minced garlic and fresh thyme leaves.  Toss again to distribute seasonings. Dump onto a cookie sheet sprayed with olive oil cooking spray. Spread potatoes in a single layer.  Bake at 425 for 15 minutes and turn potatoes.  Bake another  15 minutes or so , until potatoes are tender.
You could  cut larger cubes of potatoes, but baking time may be longer.

You can, of course use other types of potatoes, (although baking time may vary), and substitute dried thyme, for the fresh thyme.