Florida Bound

Good morning,

We are on our way South once again. 

As we left Cincinnati, the skies were overcast and a light rain was in the air, but by the time we reached the Smoky Mountains, the skies had cleared.

On into North Carolina we passed bus loads of people on their way to raft their way down a mountain river.

So, here we go again.  :)

More to come!

All the best,
Lois

Summer Flowers

Good morning,

These are two of the flowers in our summer garden.  This hibiscus and...

...day lily each provide spectacular color to our lives. 

Gorgeous!

Enjoy,
Lois

Belterra Casino Outing with Family and Friends

Good morning,

We took a drive into Kentucky to come back to Ohio.  That's how it works here - to get to Eastern Cincinnati, you can take the circle freeway (I-275) and get there faster by going to another State.  

Here we are preparing to cross the Ohio River on the East side of Cincinnati.

Welcome (back) to Ohio!

The Ohio River is high.  Far on the left and very faint you can see the red upper superstructure of Riverbend, the home of the Cincinnati Pops.

 We left I-275 at Route 52, the route that follows the path the early pioneers took along the river when they came to settle in this area. 

 We passed Riverbend Music Center...

 ...and pulled in next door.  This is the home of Belterra Gaming Center and River Downs Race Track.

I didn't attempt to take pictures inside, but the casino is new and very inviting.  The buffet dinner was outstanding.  After dinner we tried our hands at the one-armed bandits (actually, they are all push button now) and came out AHEAD! 

We only do this once or twice a year and this was a win-win. A dinner with family and friends, then a win in the casino.

All the best,
Lois

Home Cookin'

Good morning,

We'll be traveling again soon, so we'll enjoy a little more home cookin' and healthy food we've made ourselves before we go.  There's nothing like a fresh salad...

...and an omlette.

Actually, those were two different meals the same day, but both were enjoyed with...

...fresh, home made bread.

Yum! 

Lois

Honey and Red Onion Bread Recipe

Good morning,

I'm baking again.  There is nothing like the aroma of fresh bread in the house.

This bread recipe is especially tasty.  If you'd like to give it a try, here's my recipe:

Honey and Red Onion Bread - Recipe

Ingredients:

1 egg

2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil




1/2 medium red onion - diced

2 t salt

3 Tablespoons Honey

1 cup 2% milk

3 cups bread flour

3 heaping teaspoons dried yeast



Directions:




Place vegetable oil and onion in sauce pan.  Heat over medium heat until onion is softened. Set aside and cool.

Place cooled oil and onion mixture, then all ingredients in large capacity bread machine in order given.
Set on dough cycle and turn on.

The first dough cycle on most machines is about 40 minutes. Watch the action to be sure a dough ball forms at least 1/3 way through the cycle. Add a little flour or water if necessary to get the correct consistency.

When first dough cycle is finished, remove dough from machine and place in a greased bowl for first rise.

Place the bowl in a warm place such as the oven with the light, but no heat turned on. If you place it out on the counter in a warm place, cover with a damp cloth.

This batch required about 40 minutes for the first rise. Keep in mind that the temperature in your kitchen and the mood of the yeast can change the time required for the dough to rise.

After the first rise, punch down/knead gently the dough to remove excess bubbles.

If you are using crockery or glass pans/bowls for baking, set the empty bread pans in a warm place, too. I use my second oven with the light turned on.

If preheating pans, remove from oven.

For this batch, I am using a pan that makes 4 mini loaves.

Allow bread to rise once again; this batch should take about 30 minutes for the second rise.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 35 mins.

 Turn out to racks to cool immediately.







Enjoy!

Lois

Click here for more of my bread recipes.

Dock Diving Class for Erik and Wendy

Good morning,

Our daughter, Catherine, makes sure our pups have a very active life.  In addition to attending Agility classes and participating in AKC Agility events, they participate in other activities.

Although we all live in the same house, we couldn't fit in the same car to go to Dock Diving Class.  My Honey and I met them there to watch the fun.

Both Erik and Wendy were so excited to be here.  They've done this before so know they are here to have fun.

There are other owners and dogs in the class.  The lady in red is the owner of the farm and the class instructor. 

That's a regulation dock  for dock diving events.  Perhaps you've seen competitions on television.

This is another dog in the class.  The new and inexperienced dogs are given practice by throwing the float in the water from the beach, not the dock.

 This dog has it figured out. :)

 But, this young dog thought it was a game of keep-away with his owner.

 She threw the floater, the dog got it, then the keep-away-from-Mom game began.  Eventually, Mom won.  ;)

 As soon as all the other dogs were out of the water, Catherine and Erik were ready for Erik to dive.

 The Instructor held Erik while Catherine moved to the end of the dock...

 ...and threw the float.  Look carefully to see Erik on the way off of the end of the dock and into the water.

 Got it!

 Each dog dove three times before it was the next dog's turn.

 Wendy's turn!  She couldn't get there fast enough.

 She's a natural!

 Finally, just about the time My Honey and I were ready to leave, the sporadic rain stopped and the sun appeared.

 Catherine got pretty wet, too.  ;)


What a fun day!

Our older dog, Penny, was not able to join us here today.  She had just had surgery to remove a couple of cysts on her skin so wasn't allowed for swim for a week. 

Lois