THE STAFF OF LIFE

 SWMBO, my wife, would probably tell you that nothing is better than homemade bread.

Nothing smells as good.

Nothing tastes as good.

So I try to keep her happy.

And because making bread is one of the easiest kitchen duties I can imagine.

Recently I tried one of Jacques Pépin's recipes.

It's for soda bread and he insisted that it was simple and fast.

In fact, it was.

Here's my first loaf ever.

Judy gave her approval and much of it disappeared as we munched on an inside picnic dinner Thursday evening.

Thanks, Jacques!

Or should I say "Merci beaucoup".

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 Oh, gosh, what a dark dreary day it was yesterday.

And the day before.

SWMBO said she was sure it was going to rain for two reasons.

The first was the way the sky looked.

The second was the way her joints felt.

But there came no rain, just wind and temperatures about 20 degrees cooler than a few days before.

Up and down, up and down.

As I said to someone today, "It's Arizona."

At any rate it has not caused my sense of humor to freeze up.

Which is why you're getting these:

Oh those guys!

Well even if we can't get away from them and their corny puns, try your dangdest to have a sparkling weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

( . . . oh, NOOOO . . .)

HERE, BIRDIE-BIRDIE

 

Finally got the bird bath installed in its new location off the side patio, joining the Monja and the Blue Cat.

SWMBO said the sealant on it wouldn't be ready until Tax Day but I guess she got as impatient as me and we cheated by a few days.

Now to get the birds interested in it.

THE SEASONS

 After waiting so long and so impatiently for Spring to finally come we launched this week into an early Summer.

The temperature climbed to 80 degrees here yesterday and nearly reached 100 down in Phoenix.

Today is expected to be much the same.

All of which made these flowering fruit trees all the more pleasant a couple of days ago.

Coincidentally a couple of white cars were passing just as I took the photograph.

EASTER DINNER

 'Twas a fine day at the Taylors' Table.

Salad Plate

Cucumbers, Plum Tomatoes, Jicama

Taíjin Clásico Seasoning

Bacon-topped Roast Pork

Mashed Potatoes & Pork Gravy

Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Apples

Asparagus

Blueberry Clafoutis

HAPPY EASTER

 Yesterday in a local grocery store, the ladies in the flower selling area had gotten into the mood.

I asked if I could take their photo.

I hope your day is a good one. 

A FULL DECK

 Yesterday was Good Friday.

And it was a good one for a special couple.

No, not them, although they are cute.

I'm talkin' about THIS couple.

Those last two are representative of our motto here at camp: Always Keep Laughing!

This one was taken in San Antonio Tlayacapan, Jalisco, Mexico as we were celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary.

I said at the beginning of this post that yesterday was a good day for this couple.

Because we were celebrating again.

I asked my bride yesterday evening if she'd had a good anniversary.

When she responded in the affirmative I said, "Great! Let's go for another 20!"

I think that's when she fainted.