Here is your weekly dose of “What Lytle P.D. did last week and other stuff the Chief throws in”: Officers handled 60 calls for service and conducted 118 traffic stops. Of those 118 stops, 102 resulted in a citation and 16 resulted in warnings. Lytle P.D. arrested 5 people last week, and all were booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail. #1 & #2 – Ofc. Cortez and Ofc. Diaz – A disturbance at the Railhead Café resulted in a female being arrested for D.W.I. and a male being arrested for criminal mischief. The male broke out a glass door and the female drove him away, but they didn’t get far. An officer was able to stop the vehicle and made the arrests. #3 – Ofc. Cortez assisted by Ofc. Diaz – A disturbance at H.E.B. resulted in the arrest of a male who had active theft warrants out of Bexar Co. and Wilson Co. #4 – Ofc. Diaz – A traffic stop for running a red light resulted in the discovery that the driver had an active warrant out of Bexar Co. for failing to Report Highway Damage. #5 –Ofc. Pena assisted by Sgt. Hanson – initiated a traffic stop for running and red light and the driver then crashed into a drainage ditch. He was arrested for D.W.I. Property Crimes: We had a total of 5 property crimes reported last week: #1 – In the Railhead Café incident mentioned above, a glass door was broken out. #2 – A resident of the Pecan Grove Apts. (14900 Main St.) reported a window was broken out. #3 – A business on Adams St. reported that they took a $20 bill for payment and didn’t realize it was marked “play money”. #4 – Dollar General reported that they received a counterfeit $20 bill. #5 – On Sunday, a man reported that on Saturday he went to South Texas Hardware on Main St. to purchase and few items and accidentally left a Ziplock bag with $3,000 cash sitting on a stack of bottled water. Let’s be honest, haven’t we all done the same thing? I know a lot of people tell me about losing a wad of cash….but it is normally followed by “at the casino”. But this story has a good ending. Sgt. Lopez and Cpl. Robison were able to track down the person that “found” the money. They went to his house and recovered $2,759, still in the same Ziplock bag. Congratulations to Natalie Pacheco for placing 1st in the state for Powerlifting. We were able to escort the team out of town last Wednesday. I have to be careful; the school is turning out so many winners if I start trying to keep track of them in my weekly report I won’t have any room for my “police stuff”. Your wait is over! This weekend is the first annual Lytle Music Fest. The event will be held at John Lott Park on Friday (March 24) and Saturday (March 25). Friday is from 6P-10P and Saturday starts around 10A and runs to 10P. There will be live music, over 40 vendors, and 10 food trucks. The headliner is the group Kin Faux, there is no admission charge and I don’t think anyone is charging for parking either. If you can resist the vendors and food booths, you can get by without spending any money. As for me, I can resist the vendors most of the time and the food booths none of the time.
This past week has been a medium one for me. The Auxiliary is having their annual spring drawing, so, in addition to working a couple of afternoons in the gift shop, I also worked Friday afternoon helping sell tickets. We have some awesome prizes this year, including a Grand Prize of outdoor furniture and a fire pit, a 1st prize of a smaller fire pit with chairs, a 2nd prize of a $300.00 live oak tree, a “date night” gift certificate, and last but by no means least, a basket filled with cup towels, potholders, cooking utensils and an Auxiliary Cookbook. Our drawing date will coincide with the Annual Tom Tom festival the first week of June. The coming week will be a busy one, as I have a couple of appointments, in the middle of the week and the list just seems to keep growing. To start my week, my sister invited me over for lunch and we had a great time eating and visiting, and now it’s time to get to work! UGLI® Fruit is one that goes under several different names. Jamaican tangelo is only one of about half a dozen that were listed. Jamaican tangelo is a natural cross between an orange and a grapefruit. (One source had it being a hybridization between an orange and a tangerine). However, I’m basing this on the orange and grapefruit hybridization. The Jamaican tangelo first appeared nears Brown’s Town Jamaica and that is where it is mostly grown today. The UGLI® Fruit was first discovered growing in 1917, and after much budding, grafting, etc., was first exported to Canada and England in 1934, came to the United States in 1942. (The name UGLI® is a registered trademark of Cabel Hall Citrus Limited who distributes this fruit, and the word itself is a take-off of the word ugly). It refers to the fact that his citrus family fruit is not particularly appealing to look at. The rind is a rough surface, greenish yellow that peels easily, the ones I saw in the store was light yellow, but looked as if it had some type of dark stain rubbed on it, that made it look totally unappealing and dirty. I touched one to see and that was the actual color. The flesh is yellow/orange in color and is separated into segments, just as are oranges, tangerines, lemons and other citrus fruits. According to the information I found the taste is sweet, like that of the tangerine but with a hint of the bitterness of the grapefruit. Parts of this article are from Wikipedia; the free Encyclopedia and other parts are from typing UGLI fruit into my computers search program. The stories are interesting and vary greatly. There were no recipes in any of the articles, so, I just found a couple that can be made and set out for snacks at Easter. The first is “Puppy Chow”, I’ve never met a child and just a few grown-ups who don’t like it! The first time I tasted it, was at Bunco in Devine and I think Sherry Davis was the lady who was hostess that night. Puppy Chow (aka Kibbles & Bits) 1 cup butter or margarine 1½ cups peanut butter (crunchy or regular) 12-oz package chocolate or butterscotch chips 1 box Crispix cereal (or Rice Chex, Corn Chex or mixture of both) 1 box (1-lb) powdered sugar Melt butter or margarine, peanut butter and chocolate chips together. Place cereal in a large mixing bowl and pour melted ixture over it. Stir and toss to coat thoroughly. Let stand for 5 or 19 minutes, then place in a large plastic bag, add the powdered sugar and shake and mix until well coated. Almond Bark Cookies 24 oz almond bark 2 cups dry roasted, unsalted, peanuts 2 cups pretzels (short straight ones) 2 cups (peanut butter flavor, Capt’n Crunch Cereal 2 cups Rice Krispies 2 cups miniature marshmallows (optional, but very good) Place almond bark in a very large Pyrex bowl and microwave 2 or 3 minutes, stir and put back for 2 minutes longer. Have all other ingredients mixed together in a large container. When almond bark is melted, dump the other ingredients into it and stir until well coated and then drop by spoonfuls on to foil. You can substitute chocolate bark and use pecans instead of peanuts for another delicious cookie.
Man it sure can go from hot to cold in a hurry around here. Had to put up the old shorts and pull out the old jacket. I enjoyed writing this week’s feature story about the Davis family who is raising genuine, pure Texas Longhorns. One of the pictures they sent me looks just like an old Longhorn cow that was one of my daddy’s first cows, or at least the most memorable. I hated that Longhorn because she would turn and chase after us when I rode by on my horse if we were anywhere in the vicinity of her calf. She was quite protective of her babies and it was pretty terrifying to see those horns coming toward you. I doubt she ever got too terribly close. It was “appeared closer than she was” in all my young terror, I’m sure. But now, ten years later, I miss that old beautiful Longhorn cow. They are so iconic. This weekend started off kind of interesting. I had my niece Audrey over at my house and we go to talking about her big “party” aka fundraiser that’s coming up April 15th to support research to find a cure for Audrey and other kids battling A-T. Anyway, some craaazy people (you know you who are) created the Princess and Protector challenge, where you are supposed to dress up like a princess or superhero and make a funny (aka embarrassing) video so other people will share it and help promote Audrey’s event. I had no intention of becoming a singing princess, but let’s just say, I guess Audrey can talk me into anything. She is such a darling child. I have long hair so they often call me Rapunzel. I mentioned the idea of ordering some really, really long 4 foot real Rapunzel wig hair and Audrey got really excited really fast. Before I knew it, I was asking what Rapunzel sings anyway, and she immediately burst out into a song called “I have a dream.” I have to admit, it is the perfect song for this challenge and it’s quite catchy. So we pulled it up on Google, and I started humming along and before we knew it we were singing a little parody about Audrey’s event, which she even helped me write, so then I had to sing it….. “I have a dream, I have a dream, to find a cure for A-T. And with every passing hour, I’m so glad I left my tower. Come to Devine Acres Farm for Audrey April 15.” Long story short, the Rapunzel wig was atrocious, so I won’t be wearing that, but you can soon indeed look forward to the release of the musical renditions of a not-so-good singer called Rapunzel, who really, really, really loves a little girl named Audrey (who is also featured in the video and now calls herself Rapunzel’s helper). Don’t laugh too hard…you might be challenged next…. Aunt Debbie!
By State Rep. Justin Holland Every year, Texas loses nearly 250,000 acres of land to development. Rural working lands that make up the wide-open spaces definitive of the Texas character are evaporating at an alarming rate. Not only are these lands meant to be enjoyed by Texans, but they work every day to provide the food we eat and the water we drink. I consider it our responsibility as Texans and custodians of this land to pass on a state where my great-great-grandchildren will be able to enjoy the Texas outdoors, parks, wildlife and nature. That’s why I am proud to introduce landmark legislation in the Texas House calling for the creation of the Texas Land and Water Conservation Fund. The fund is a once-in-a-generation opportunity afforded to us because of the excess in our state’s Rainy Day Fund. As my colleagues and I carefully consider important priorities like infrastructure investment, we must also make a meaningful and lasting investment in Texas lands and waters. Our state continues to attract new people and new industry. We are blessed to have weathered tough times and continue to be one of the nation’s strongest economies and attractive places to do business. Our economic success comes in part because of the unique lands that make up Texas. I truly believe that our land is our greatest asset, and it cannot be replicated once it is lost. We must take bold steps to preserve the landscape and culture that makes Texas a great place to live. Texas is home to 7 of the top 15 most rapidly growing cities in the country. Research also shows that 78% of Texas counties will not have sufficient parks in the coming decades. Texas needs additional parks, open spaces and natural habitats to preserve our quality of life, provide food and fiber and clean water, and to support the multibillion-dollar agricultural and outdoor recreation economy. The Texas Land and Water Conservation Fund would provide a significant, long-term state funding source for enhanced conservation efforts across the Lone Star State. The $2 billion investment can be dedicated as either a trust fund or an endowment. It would provide grants for projects that support, enhance and protect state and local parks and recreation areas, working agricultural lands, water resources, wildlife habitat areas, and more. The fund could support the acquisition of land to expand state parks. The bill provides base eligibility guidelines for funded projects and ensures that 50% of the funds go toward the conservation of agricultural lands, water resources and wildlife habitat, while the other 50% of the funds go toward state and local parks, wildlife management areas and other public access conservation projects. The legislation would also establish a governing board for the fund led by a representative from the General Land Office and including others from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and Texas Water Development Board. More than 50 of the state’s leading land and water conservation, agricultural, wildlife and sportsmen’s organizations have formed the Texas Land and Water Conservation Coalition to support this effort. These groups represent thousands of Texans from all walks of life, connected by a desire to protect Texas for the next generation. I am confident my fellow lawmakers will pass this important and historic measure and give Texas voters the opportunity to codify this investment with a constitutional amendment. We have a unique chance to fund meaningful land and water conservation that will echo for generations to come. Justin Holland is a state representative from Rockwall. He wrote this for The Dallas Morning News.
Unless you have pulled a Ryp Van Winkle of some sort, you probably noticed it has been hot and dry for a good spell lately. The water well levels, both private and public, have been dropping like crazy and water rationing; either self-imposed or mandated is the norm right now. We still have a few potted plants out in the back yard. Some are pots of herbs The Boss Lady uses those in cooking, and some are …. I don’t know what they are. My job is to keep them a little bit watered given they bear the brunt of some western sun exposure in the afternoon. Like the rest of our yard, they have had their fair share of pale green to yellow wilting leaves some days this summer. While outside doing my watering routine, I noticed that in spite of looking just a little bit like “death warmed over” one of the plants had produced a vividly colored flower. It was a testimony to its resilience and sacrifice in this time of stress to somehow manage to do its intended function rather than conserve internal resources. Driving through Landa Park early this morning I noticed one of the “Park Does” standing there with her big healthy fawn, born in about early June, I suspect. The baby, that was still trying to nurse, looked nearly as big as Mom and was in far better physical condition. Momma Doe looked pretty ragged, much like that plant in our back yard. Those two observations rattled around in this old Aggie Brain until a small light bulb turned on. Likely not “on” for long or with a great illumination, but what I saw became clearer and made sense to me. Both these living things made a great sacrifice to produce something brighter and healthier by an offering of self on behalf of another. They gave of themselves in order that an important part of who they were could flourish. Now I don’t know if that pot plant will make it through the summer, or if that doe will survive the winter. But I do know one thing for sure. Both placed themselves into a serious “strain” so that something could develop, and Lord willing, thrive because of their willingness to do what Nature intended, no matter the outside conditions or internal challenges. Seems to me that may be a good reminder for us all.
Nothing yet…got sprinkles on my window this morning between Lytle and Natalia. Too late to do the Bluebonnets any good but, we sure could use enough rain to fill Medina Lake and make Francisco Creek run. How you like our situation in America so far? The current Administration has totally messed up America as we used to know it and their only excuse is that it was someone else’s fault. Gas, groceries, utilities and such are steadily going up in cost as the value of our dollar is declining. Soon, looks like money will have no value at all…may have to rely on cards that tell us how much money (“credits” in the Sci-Fi movies) we have available and there’ll probly be restrictions on how it can be used. Talked about reform last time and the need for reform (rather, the return to the old ways) in our educational institutions. Since the summer of love in Portland and Seattle this past year, Law Enforcement has been under constant attack by the purple haired crowd with degrees in philosophy and political science as being too brutal. This is the same crowd that believes that there are 47 different genders. Guess professional protesting has its advantages…they scream and squawk and get lotsa attention. There are bad apples in every profession, and they need to be eliminated. Our government is overloaded with crooked politicians out to enrich themselves at the tax payers’ expense. Look at how many went to DC and came out millionaires. Our small-town school districts employ pedophiles, and these folks should be fired…from society. Police departments have officers that should be in jail. With the development of GPS tracking and body cameras and society moving toward the softening of consequences, Law Enforcement is becoming ostracized. I remember when the GPS tracking was implemented and sold as a method of greater safety for officers. But the Supervisors, some of which had never been on the streets longer than the period between promotional tests, used it as a means of discipline for things like staying in one location too long or being out of the area assigned. The folks that stand by and watch a law enforcement officer fight for his life by whatever means necessary (and filming the incident so they can post it on social media) without lending a hand are worthless. AND, once the handcuffs are on…the fight is over…or should be. Unless you have fought for your life in the middle of the street at midnight or tried to control a meth head who did not want to be arrested, your opinion has no weight with me in an incident like this. I took an oath once that still applies. I will jump in. I will help. I will use whatever means necessary. And to make a few other folks mad…there is only one race and it’s called the Human Race. Also, there are only two genders…male and female. On a lighter note, looks like Commissioner Lawler and his crew are ready to put the finishing touches on CR 777. Gonna be nice. Heard George Alexander and Ron Outlaw had to free a bull what got caught in a cattle guard last week. They shoulda put in a bull guard instead. Congrats to the Lytle HS basketball teams for making it to the State Tournament…heckuva accomplishment.
It’s spring break, and kids and adults look forward to it all year. Here at the Lytle P.D., we look forward to it because we get a break from all the school traffic and a teaser of what summer brings. Last week the Lytle PD officers managed 64 calls for service and conducted 86 traffic stops, of those stops, 78 resulted in citations and 8 in warnings. Officers took 2 reports of property crimes: #1 – A 3rd St. resident reported that they suspect a FedEx package of screws was taken by a “porch pirate”. Some lucky crook got a box of screws; I bet they were hoping for an iPhone. #2 – A lady was shopping at H.E.B. and another female took her wallet and phone from her basket! The crook fled into the parking lot, she left in a vehicle with different front and back license plates. Officers made 3 arrests last week: #1 – A traffic stop on Railroad St. resulted in a female being arrested for DWI w/child. She was booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail. #2 – A traffic stop on FM 2790 for speeding resulted in the driver’s arrest for D.W.I. He was booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail. #3 – A traffic stop on Main St. resulted in the arrest of a male for an active warrant out of Bexar Co. for violation of a protective order. He was booked into the Atascosa Co. Jail. Another fire! On Wednesday evening around 6:00 PM, officers responded to a fire at Lynda’s Island (AKA Lynda’s Trade Mart). The building had about 10 apartments and one of them was the source of a fire that destroyed the interior, some of the other units had smoke and water damage. It could have been much worse. The Lytle Fire Department responded quickly, followed up by our friends from Natalia VFD, Atascosa Co. E.M.S., and Bexar Co. E.S.D. #5. I saw someone from Devine Fire Rescue as well. The firefighters did a fantastic job and property loss was limited to primarily one small apartment. Again, Lytle Public Works assisted as well as the Red Cross because there were 15 people displaced. Our Mayor, Ruben Gonzalez, was also on the scene (and was at the big fire last week too) and helped coordinate assistance for the residents. The fire was not suspicious; the cause is currently classified as undetermined. We had two “bailouts” last week. Devine PD chased one into town and Texas D.P.S. chased the other. In all, about 13 of 20 suspected undocumented immigrants were detained. Medina Co. S.O. assisted with both events. There was also another pursuit, led by Medina Co. S.O. that exited the interstate and went down Naegelin Rd. I’m glad there are a lot of young officers who can jump out and continue the chase on foot, I’m better suited to set up a command post or maybe get drinks. Is somebody “down Mexico way” handing out maps with Lytle circled and written next to it “Good place to bailout”? I guess it would be written in Spanish though. Special thanks to the youth group from Trinity Baptist Church here in Lytle. On Sunday they cooked burgers for first responders, dropped some off at the police station, and then headed over to the fire station. I wasn’t around on Sunday evening but I did find one in the fridge on Monday morning and had it for breakfast, it was really good. The boys’ basketball season has ended; they made it all the way to the state tournament! Our schools are turning out talent in all areas, I don’t know what they are doing up there but It appears to be working. The Lytle Animal Control indoor yard sale was a success; I forgot about it and didn’t get to attend. It’s for the best, I get suckered into all those “for a good cause” events and would end up buying something I would never use, like exercise equipment.
When you have most of the family together and good weather, well there’s not much better than that. This Sunday was one of those days at the ranch. It was a little toasty earlier in the day, but by the evening that cool breeze was just right. To top it all off, we have one of those big inflatable waterslides for the kids, which means they stay in one place for longer than five minutes and us moms actually get a chance to sit on the front porch swing. Tucker celebrated his birthday this weekend with lots of his little boy cousins. Cousins, cousins, cousins…he sure loves cousins. They are a wild bunch, but they sure know how to have fun. They even got the cops called on them for the first time! Apparently one of the boys was yelling for the others to get off of him as they were wrestling (which a neighbor heard) and my husband was standing outside the yard nearby chopping wood with an axe, and the combination of the two I guess is what ended up with the officers calling for backup before they approached. My husband got quite a nice surprise when he turned around and saw a deputy standing in our driveway. I think Tuck’s favorite present was a bargain I got at the flea market for $3. The extravagant Pirate ship was all the rage when opened it, with secret compartments and all. One of his other favorite things was showing off his cake, which he helped decorate. I had gotten angel food cake so I needed a skinny pan, and the only skinny pan I had was in the shape of a cross (used for a baptism party years ago I guess). He decided he wanted his birthday cake to be a Spiderman themed, so we can a cross shaped Spiderman cake when all was said and done. I’ve always hated spiders, and never imagined I’d be drawing spider webs on a pretty birthday cake, but hey, we’ll do anything for our kids won’t we? It started off pretty fancy looking, until Tucky grabbed a hold of the white tube of icing to add to the “spider webs” I had neatly drawn. Let’s just say Spideyman had plenty of icing webs to climb on when the birthday boy was finished decorating his cake. But it’s okay, because Tucky sure took a lot of pride and joy in showing off his cake. In fact, he wanted to open the refrigerator and pull out the cake to show each and every guest for the first hour or so.
My week was not as busy as some have been lately, and I enjoyed an afternoon visit from my grandson and part of his family on Thursday! We had a very enjoyable time together, he soon will be stationed in Florida, so I am enjoying their company now, while I can. They brought hamburgers, ‘fries, and tea for our lunch and we totally had a wonderful day. My days for the next two weeks are full, it seems as if each day something new is claiming my attention and I have to tend to it. Sunday afternoon and evening, my neighbor invited my sister and I over for an afternoon of games with she and her mother who was visiting. The three of us started out playing dominoes and when my sister came, we switched over to Rummycube. Great company and a fun time for all of us! In our area, Mother Nature seems to think that spring has arrived, even though there are still a few days until the first official day of spring. The Texas Mountain Laurel is sporting a beautiful purple coat, and the fragrance is out of this world. The Indian Blankets are blooming along the roadsides, the mesquite trees and huisache are finally wearing green, wild verbenas are beginning to show their lighter purple and the wild phlox are in full bright pink bloom. The pecan trees however, as well as the Sycamore in my brother’s yard both realize it is still winter and they are biding their time to bud out. Friday is St. Patrick’s Day, a day the Irish and the “wanna be” Irish celebrates. “Erin go Bragh”, shillelagh, shamrocks, green ribbons, scones and Irish stew will be the order of the day. Over the years in reading different books and articles, I’ve come across the (slightly comic) Irish cop (usually in Chicago, sometimes in New York), telling someone to straighten, “Before I lay me shillelagh up alongside your head”. When it comes to stories about St. Patrick, legend and truth are totally intertwined. The young man who was to later become St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, was born in Wales around AD 385. His given name was Maewyn, and due to lack of required scholarship, he almost didn’t get the job of Bishop of Ireland. Until the age of 16, he considered himself a pagan. At that time, after a raid on his village, he and other young men were sold into slavery in Ireland. During his time of captivity, he learned the Celtic language and also moved closer to God. After six years of slavery, he was able to escape and went to Gaul. There, he studied in a Monastery under St. Germain, Bishop of Auxerre for twelve years. While he was in training, he became aware that he was being called to convert the pagans to Christianity. He was ordained as a deacon, then as a priest and finally as a bishop. Pope Celestine then sent him to Ireland to preach the gospel. St. Patrick is best known the world over, for having driven the snakes from Ireland. Different tales tell of his standing upon a hill, using a wooden staff to drive the serpents into the sea, and banishing them forever from the shores of Ireland. One legend says that one old serpent resisted, but the Saint overcame it by cunning. He is said to have made a box and invited the reptile to enter. The snake insisted the box was too small, and the discussion became very heated. Finally, the snake entered the box to prove he was right, whereupon St. Patrick slammed the lid and cast the box into the sea. The legend of the shamrock is also connected with the banishment of snakes from Ireland by a tradition that snakes are never seen on trefoil and that it is a remedy against the stings of snakes and scorpions. While not the first to bring Christianity to Ireland, it was Patrick who encountered the Druids at Tara and abolished their pagan ritual. The custom of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day came to America in 1737, when it was celebrated publicly in Boston for the first time. The Irish have their own language (Gaelic) and their own names for the foods they eat, and believe it or not, corned beef and cabbage is not a traditional Irish dish. So, what are traditional foods? One could start the day with a dish or porridge with a topping of cream or honey, followed by a full Irish breakfast fry, consisting of sausage, bacon, fried eggs, fried tomatoes, black pudding, white pudding, toast and brown soda bread. In accompaniment, there would also be a large pot of fresh tea, marmalade and honey. Some more items that are considered traditional Irish recipes (those that are at least fifty years old), soda bread, oatcakes, gingerbread loaf, seed cake, basic scones, porter cake, Irish whisky cake, Irish omelet, oatmeal bacon pancakes, and Irish stew. This stew is traditionally made of lamb or mutton, potatoes, onions and parsley. Frequently, lamb or mutton neck bones, shanks and other trimmings were the basis for the stock. The root vegetables, turnips, parsnips or carrots, add further flavor and thickening power, as well as filling sustenance. Yes, I know Irish Stew made with short ribs is not a meatless Lenten dish, but it fits the column! Serve it on Sunday or as your main dish for the day. Irish Stew 4 to 5 pounds short ribs 7 small red potatoes 6 carrots 2 medium onions Salt and pepper 1 cup flour 3 cups water 3 beef bouillon cubes ½ cup cooking oil Dissolve bouillon cubes in water and place over medium heat until just under boiling. Keep hot on low heat. Season meat with salt and pepper, dredge in flour and brown a few at a time in oil. Place in a large Dutch oven or roaster and set aside as you add more meat to the skillet. Fry onions in same pan with ½ cup of the flour left over from dredging the meat, until lightly browned. Add to ribs. Add water in which you have dissolved bouillon cubes, cover and cook about 1 to 1½ hours. While meat is cooking, peel potatoes and cut into quarters. Peel carrots and cut into ½-inch chunks (or use baby carrots and leave them whole). When meat has cooked the 1 to 1½ hours, add the vegetables and cook an additional hour, or until the vegetables are tender. Now, here is a recipe which is truly Irish. Oatmeal Raisin Scones 2 cups flour 3 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt ½ cup chilled butter (do not substitute) 1½ cups oatmeal (either old-fashioned or quick cooking, but not instant) ½ cup raisins 1 cup buttermilk Cinnamon and sugar for sprinkling on top Preheat oven to 375ºF Mix together, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut chilled butter into dry ingredients with a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in oatmeal and raisins. Add buttermilk and mix with fork until dough forms a ball. Turn out onto lightly floured board and knead 6 to 8 minutes. Pat dough into ½-inch thickness. Cut into 8 to 10 rounds or shape into large circle and cut into 8 to 10 wedges. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Scones are similar to the biscuits we eat. The “biscuits” that are eaten in England and Ireland are the equivalent of what we know as cookies!
Tucker’s playground took off like a jet airplane in those howling winds Thursday night or whatever night that was. But his daddy was real proud when Tucker saw it and took up a can-do attitude. The little man rolled up his sleeves and said “Well, I’m gonna go out there build a new playground, one that no wind can ever blow over.” Armed with duct tape and lots of determination, he taped a few boards together and moved a few boards here and there. We picked up the slide and set it up on a nearby tree stump, and he was happy. Daddy and Tuck have a lot of plans about how they will re-construct the two-story playground into something better like a clubhouse later this week, and let me tell you, Tucker’s none too patient about it. Seems like every five minutes he heads outside to duct tape something else together. We finally rounded up our free range, egg hiding chickens and put them in a makeshift chicken coop a couple nights, but still no eggs are to be found. I sure don’t know where they are laying them, but they must have quite a stash by now. One of the hens really loves us now though. She’s been following me around like a Raptor ever since we started feeding them bonified chicken scratch. Weather has sure been nice; the kind of weather that begs you to come outside. Kids got to play on the waterslide at the ranch this weekend and I didn’t swim but I got hit by plenty of water balloons.
