****SNOW****

It is snowing! A lot of SNOW - at least a foot and still snowing! I like snow but when it gets this deep it makes me feel a little claustrophobic. I've been moving the stuff around mainly because one of my dogs is tiny, he hates the snow and going out in the snow (you know what that means!). He is trying to be good but with it so deep I have to shovel and I also need to shovel paths in the lawn so he has a place to go to the bathroom. Bob the other small dogs just bounds through the stuff. Here is a picture of Moses trudging through the snow...

Happy birthday Bob!

It is hard to believe that you are six years old! You are a wonderful little dog and I love you to pieces. I hope you have many more happy days and years.

Insect

Montana has been very HOT and very dry - and there are many fires burning. Yesterday it did rain a little and the thunderstorm was quite spectacular! Given our warm weather I wasn't surprised to see a "new" insect. I have NO idea what type of insect this is but it is pretty interesting. I'm still looking for the name - any ideas?

June

Hard to believe that it is June! Early May was hot weather, the end of May was winter weather and now it can't make up its mind - cool, some rain, cloudy.

I found a great picture of my father - 1941 - before he was married and somehow I think marriage was not even in his thoughts in 1941. He was probably in California working for the Forest Service?

More snow...

Well this is Montana, but snow... Also it is Memorial Day weekend so snow should not be in the forecast and it should not be happening. We definitely need the moisture but rain would have been just fine with me.

 Drooping lilac bush...

Happy Birthday!

Dear Jack,

I hope you have a wonderful Birthday, it is hard to believe that you are eight years old it seems like just yesterday that I adopted you from the shelter. You are much loved and you make me very happy!

One year

Moses has been with us for one year! Doesn't seem that long. He is really a great little dog! He has some peculiarities but in general he does really well given his history. Glad I decided to rescue him.

Still winter!

It is snowing! Beautiful but I'm tired of winter & snow!

Jackie boy

A much better picture!

Simple joy!

Jack is a wonderful cat! Love this boy so much.

One of my favorite desserts: Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

LEMON POPPY SEED CAKE

CAKE:

1 c. butter
1 1/2 c. sugar, divided
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
5 eggs, separated
1 c. lemon juice
2 2/3 c. flour, sifted
1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/3 c. poppy seed
1 tbsp. grated lemon peel

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Beat 1 1/4 cups sugar and cream cheese in large bowl at medium speed with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Blend in egg yolks and juice. Add combined flour, baking powder and baking soda; mix well. Beat in poppy seed and lemon peel; set aside.

Beat egg whites until foamy. Gradually add reserved 1/4 cup sugar, beating until soft peaks form. Fold egg whites into batter. Pour into greased and floured 10-inch tube or bundt pan. Bake 55 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes; remove from pan. Cool.

GLAZE:

1/2 c. sifted powdered sugar
1 tbsp. lemon juice

Mix powdered sugar and juice. Drizzle over cake.