FULL ALERT

I knew  the time was near when I would hear.........."I saw a snake today".  It took my breath away and of course I wanted to know exactly where he saw it and did he kill it.  The documented report he offered: It was by the garden, near the black drum, it was just a garter snake.  Of course I knew if he did not say "it was a small one", it must have been a big one.  So I kept up the interrogation, how big?  'BIG" he said, and "Cheryl it was the biggest garter snake I have ever seen".  Oh No!  Second question from the interrogator, did you kill it? ( I knew he didn't or that would have been the first thing he told me), "no, it got away in the high grass but I did try to stomp on it".  Just stick to the facts I say:   you saw a huge snake by the garden and let it get away! Why waste so many words when he knew I would get the truth out of him?  I remember our sons telling me, when someone is not telling the truth or avoiding an answer they don't want to reveal they will offer too much information and not look you in the eyes.  Dick failed on both accounts.

My one true HATE for warm weather, snakes.  I am on alert where ever I walk looking for them.  You may not like the word hate and if I could think of a stronger word to describe how I feel about them I would use it.  This first sighting has put Cheryl on FULL RED ALERT.  I will be on the lawn mower traveling for another week, then if my Dr. gives the go I will be walking.  I need speed for these two legs because when I see a snake it is the "FRIGHT AND FLIGHT" mode.  Sure, I shouldn't get all in a yank over this but I am and will continue to do so until the first snow flake comes down.

Today was making take out food.  One of my favorites is chicken and biscuits.  Not the traditional way but the one pot method in aluminum pans with no return necessary.  I roasted chicken thighs that had salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and cumin rubbed on.  Bake at 400 until golden brown.  Once cooled put the skin and bones in a pot with water and more seasoning to simmer 30 minutes.  I cooked fresh slices of carrot until almost tender.  Strained the juice simmering and thickened with flour, add the meat carrots and frozen garden peas.  Put in the pan and placed buttermilk biscuits on top.  Bake at 400 until biscuits golden, a little butter on top and ready for delivery or freezer.

 Next was rhubarb pie and strawberry rhubarb pie.  I buy the aluminum pans at the Amish Store for a few cents a piece.  This size is perfect for 2 servings.  By the way on a previous blog  I posted the rhubarb pie filling and said I never used strawberries in the filling and didn't know if it would set up.  Yes it does!  I used thawed and drained frozen berries.

A perfect day, a little cook'n, traveling the back roads and cool fresh air ♡