Two amazing food preparation tips in one post!

Bananas
Okay, I've eaten bananas for a very long time, and I usually resort to using a knife to open the end to start the peeling process. Now I have learned another way: peel a banana like a monkey. Here's a video to show you how:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBJV56WUDng


Corn
A friend of mine just sent me a video on how to cook corn that is amazing. Fast, easy, and it stays hot! We tried it tonite and it works! Check it out!

http://youtu.be/YnBF6bv4Oe4

A traumatic day in the neighborhood

I've been thinking about the families in Colorado that are going through the tragedy of losing their homes to wildfires. Seeing pictures on the news brings the devastation home clearly. But nothing brought it home more clearly than what happened just across the street today.This morning our neighbor's home caught on fire. The couple left for work, leaving their older son at home sleeping. The fire started and quickly spread. The son was able to get out of the house and to a neighbors to call 911. When I walked out to open our gate at 9:30 a.m., smoke was pouring from all the windows and the east wall was a bright orange ball of fire. The first fire engine was already there connecting to the hydrant closest to the home. I could hear others on the way. By 12:30, they were finishing up; the house is a total disaster. The cause - the clothes dryer. Luckily no one was hurt, and two dogs and a cat are also safe. Makes you want to check the lint trap in your dryer, right?

Spring Garden Project

This spring our garden project was to widen the flower bed at the back of the house (you can see where it originally ended by where the dirt stops) and add plants and a water feature.

We started by digging up the asphalt, shaping a new bed, and adding a drain.

Then we added a watering system and four truckloads of soil!

Next came the pad for the fountain, the plants (thanks for your help, Nancy), and bark mulch.

And finally Amelia

She's a beauty. The entire fountain stands 80 inches tall.

I can see and hear the waterfall from the kitchen window. The neighbors say they love to hear the peaceful sound of the fountain while they work in their yard. Our project is a success and makes a beautiful retreat!