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Borrego Springs, CA

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

A relaxing day off

I decided to give grits another chance this morning.  I took the advice of a commenter and cooked them in the microwave for exactly one minute and twenty seconds.  In the meantime I looked up how to cook a poached egg properly in my one recipe book that I brought along.  Just guessing how to do it last time was pretty darn close to what the directions said.  When the grits were done, I added a dollop of butter, some salt and pepper, and put the egg on top.  Turned out that I was about as thrilled as I was the last time, but I did discover something new.  I couldn’t finish the bowl so I gave the left overs to Emma.  Turns out she is a true southern dog, and just loved them.  She about wore out her bowl licking up every last morsel and then some.  Go figure.

_MG_7407The other day I tried finding some beach toys at Walmart, but they didn’t have any.  I needed some buckets, shovels, and a sifter for when the three little grandkids visit in a week and a half.  Today I hit the bonanza at a dollar store.  There were hundreds of Easter buckets with shovels attached for only a buck. 

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Now if I can just find an inflatable mattress, I’ll be all set for their visit.  I got permission for them all to stay in the bunkhouse on the refuge as long as they’ll ‘work’ as volunteers while they are here.  I’m thinking two young boys can do a bang up job at finding litter along the trail as we walk it.  Winking smile  Morey, the refuge Project Manager, also suggested we take a canoe trip on the bayou and pick up any litter we find.  Can do!!

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While reading blogs this morning, I came across an interesting question posed by Karen, of Fab Grandma fame.  Her post asked how many states her readers had camped in.  I had to think about that for a while, and finally got out my North America map to figure out the answer.  Turns out I’ve camped in 41 states and 9 Canadian provinces.  That little exercise brought back some great memories.  Some of those were before I went fulltime, however.  I think I’ll be camping in a couple of more new states for me during the remainder of this year.  What about yourselves?  How many states and provinces have you camped in?  If you count them, I’m pretty sure it’ll bring back some wonderful memories for you as well.

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The dew berries are beginning to ripen, and I just now heard my first Chuck-Wills-Widow of the season outside my window.  Several white-eyed vireos have also arrived in town in the last week or so.  Surely spring migration is on its way!  Yahoo!

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

22 comments:

  1. Love that lizard! Dave loves his porridge but I can hardly stand to look at the stuff. It's right up there with grits. :)

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  2. REAL grits can't be cooked in a microwave. Looks as if we're going to have to make another visit so you can experience the real thing. I love to hear whip-poor-wills. Haven't heard one around this year.

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  3. Nice lizard!

    Is a Chuck Wills Widow the same as a whippoorwill? Because those guys will not shut up ALL NIGHT LONG.

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  4. Camped in...probably about 10...stayed in..about 46.....We are relatively new RVers...Started in 2004...But we have traveled the USA and Canada extensively without the fiver...Sounds like you are about ready for the grands...Enjoy..it is a way to revitalize our own youth..

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  5. put the kids to 'work'..they can earn their keep!..maybe you can try the 'grits' on them?

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  6. When I moved from New York to Atlanta many years ago and out for breakfast, "EEEKKK, what is that stuff near and TOUCHING my eggs?" I'm with you. No grits for me. Rest of the family loved them. I'll take home fries, please. :-)

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  7. I agree with the grits "ick" factor...but I do like polenta! Go figure. You've got me beat on the number of states and provinces camped in for sure!

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  8. I have been in all but 15 states, tent camped in five before full timing and four in my fifth wheel.

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  9. Meanwhile, up here in the frozen north, I can't even find grits to buy. My favorite breakfast is grits, cooked on the stove and then with an egg stirred into them at the last minute. Of course, they also need a good shake of Tony Chachere's Creole seasoning.

    I've been out for two weeks and finally talked to the manager of Safeway today and they will special order me some. Also some bran for my bread. Hopefully I can make it on oatmeal and omelets until it comes in.

    Try cooking grits, then adding sauteed onions, drained tomatoes,eggs,sharp chedar cheese and salt/pepper. Then put in in a 8 X 11 pan an cook until congealed and the cheese is all melted. . Makes a great brunch and I haven't found anyone who wouldn't eat it.

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  10. I live in Canada and you have me beat..I've only camped in two provinces...I have lived in four and visited one other

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  11. Grits are still grits no matter how you try to dress them up and they still taste terrible. Remember, you're a d*** Yankee and don't have any of that Southern grit lovin' DNA. ;c)

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  12. I was just going through all the places we have been to in the 2 years of full timing because we just passed that anniversary and it is 18 and we will be adding 1 or 2 more on our way back to the midwest this summer. It certainly does bring back lots of great memories.

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  13. It's great that your family will be able to stay close to you. We had grits again this morning for breakfast, cooked on the stove like oatmeal, with cheese added. The kids do not add eggs to the grits when they cook them.

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  14. I'm glad your grands are coming down for a visit. You will have the best of times. Enjoy!! p.s. hate grits, northern gal true and through.

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  15. Love that iridescent blue on the lizard. Reminds me of the kids that put those blue lights under their cars. We had hominy grits at home when I was a kid...well shouldnt use the word we, as I wouldnt touch them especially after hearing they looked that way because they were soaked in LYE!
    have found w/ my own grands, we they have little projects to do they feel even more a part of journey and gives them pride the See what I did syndrome.
    Best place ever camped was in a tent at the grand canyon, such a beautiful place. of course was twenty something and hard ground wasnt as hard as when you are a 60 something. :-)

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  16. No grits for this northern gal either; the grits gene must not be in my DNA.

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  17. No grits for this northerner either... LOVE the butterfly pic!

    ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com

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  18. Isn't Morey a super guy??? Enjoy your canoe ride on the bayou with your family!! It should be a great trip and lots of fun for the grandkids. Also, hiking the trails and playing on the beach.:) I don't do grits either, but Denny loves them.

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  19. Grits, country ham and gravy with home made bread....my grandmother and Mom are smiling....me too!

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  20. Grits with country ham and gravy with homemade bread...my gramma and Mom are smiling...me too!

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  21. After 2 and 1/2 years we have camped in 16 States. This year we 'plan' to add 3 States and 2 Canadian provinces.

    As for grits you just need to find some good ones and then you will be set for life.

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  22. The only time I eat grits is when we are at Cracker Barrel for breakfast. I ask for a side of apple butter and stir it in with my grits - quite tasty that way!
    Connie in PA

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