Sunday, January 31, 2010

and the clouds come floating in. . .

Twilight, Clouds and Castles in the sky. . .

dreamy . . . parsnip
music. . . ost. . . Laputa, Castle In The Sky

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Before the storm


Before the storm, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

This is a view from my east-side yard past a Grapefruit and Paloverde
tree towards the foothills and Catalina Mountains.

The storm was just starting to move in when the setting sun broke
through the clouds and the mountains just glowed. The Tucson light is
really fabulous.
I haven't photo shopped this photo but I think I might play around
with it later for a line of cards I am trying to put together.

stormy. . . parsnip
music. . . The Sheltering Sky. . . Ryuichi Sakamoto

The Boys


The Boys, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

One of " The Boys" did something bad can you guess which one ?
Hamish, not me not me, on the left and Watson, my life was so much
easier before you brought him home, on the right.

They are rather scruffy right now but the herbal body wraps at the
doggie spa, had to wait till Watson was feeling better and his
temperature dropped. I like them rather fluffy during the winter but
they need a bath and a trim now !

detective. . . parsnip
music. . . Rollercoaster. . . Everything But The Girl

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Catalina Mountains


Catalina Mountains, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Everyone was out Saturday Morning trying to get the best view of the
Catalina Mountains as the storm clouds were lifting. A few minutes
later they dropped down again and the scene was lost.
So glad I jumped in my car and zoomed out to get a better view of the
mountains.
This photo was taken about 4 minutes southeast of my home .

Tucson Snow


Tucson Snow, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Another picture of the latest snow storm from my backyard.
The weather has been so lovely, Sunday was blue sky with fluffy
clouds that will last till the new storm appears on Wednesday.

fluffy. . . parsnip
music. . . Nice Day. . . Persephone's Bees

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Snow in the Foothills


Snow in the Foothills, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Quick picture or the snow right outside my back-yard. The clouds/dew-
point lifted for a few minutes so I rushed out for a photo but now it
is covered in clouds again.

I know my blog friends from the UK and Canada are giggling right now
but . . . this is Tucson Arizona and when the snow from the Catalina
Mountains drop down this low we get all excited !
The rivers and washes all have run off from all the rain and melting
snow. . . Winter has started, it is official, the first SUV driver " but I thought I
could drive through the wash " was rescued yesterday. They had to
bring up a Border Patrol Helicopter to help with the rescue.

snowy. . . parsnip
music. . . It's Raining Men. . . Weather Girls

Thursday, January 21, 2010

West Coast Storm !


West Coast Storm !, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

West Coast Storm is coming . . . .

Lots of weather coming to Arizona, snow and rain all over the state
and we need it ! In the north Flagstaff is snowed in and the south we
are getting rain !

Trying to get some pictures of the snowy mountains but the low hanging
clouds are blocking the views .
Today the Catalina Mountains will get around 8 inches of snow and
tomorrow 16 inches. Needless to said no traveling up the mountain till
Sunday.

It has been raining off and on in the valley/foothills all morning
that is good news for us but the bad news is the storm is bringing
winds of 40 mph with gust up to 65 mph.
Yikes ! As one NBC weather reporter use to say " tie down the trash
can and small dogs".
Love the rain not really happy with the wind.

stormy . . . parsnip
music . . Blue Black Sky. . . David Bridie

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Fabulous Tuesday !


Fabulous Tuesday !, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

It's raining and snowing in Tucson, Thank You Mother Nature !

This morning rain in the valley where I am and snow in the
mountains.
Tonight and tomorrow next wave of storms coming in. . . more rain and
snow.
Since I live so close to the foothills I can't see the higher mountains
in back. So tomorrow I will zoom down the street to get some mountain
snow pictures.

We are still dancing in the streets... worked so far !

wet . . . parsnip
music. . . Pick Up The Phone. . . Dragonette
great music for dancing in the streets !

Monday, January 18, 2010

Little Boar Phone Charm


Little Boar Phone Charm, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Lovely Daughter gave me a little bell phone charm in the shape of a
Boar for a gift. I was born in the year of the Boar.

I am also a big Studio Ghibli fan and of course that means TOTORO !
The other charm on the phone is a Totoro, leaf and acorn, important
parts of the Totoro Movie.

Today, Monday 18 January the first of several storms blew in... there
is dancing in the streets !

wet and happy . . . parsnip
music . . . Dancing In The Streets. . . Martha And The Vandellas

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

I'm A Muffin


I'm A Muffin, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

Oh My Goodness I am a Muffin !

The Arizona Daily Star had a fun article about a Dad trying to get his
son to eat veggies . . . not hidden veggies in sauces but the son had
to see them and eat them. He called the Food Network Celebrity Chefs
to come up with vegetable-based recipes. The 5 year old would try
them all and declare a winner. His son love these muffins and kinda
hated all the other Food Network Stars offerings. . . oh dear !

This recipe came from Alton Brown, who I have met and is super
fabulous, I adore him and would marry him in a second if it wasn't for
Tim Gunn, Shin Hyun Joon and Kiichi Nakai but that is another fantasy ummmm
story. . . le sigh. . .

I haven't made these yet but I figure if any 5 year old boy eats and
likes them, I have to give them a try plus the added bonus points of this
being an Alton Brown recipe.
When I recover from what bug ? has been keeping me down these last few
months, I will whip up a batch and review them for you.

Just in case you are feeling adventurous here is the recipe.

Parsnip Muffins, Alton Brown

. 1/2 cup sliced almonds
. cooking spray
.1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
.1 teaspoon baking powder
. 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
. 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
. 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
. 3 eggs
. 3/4 cup plain whole milk yogurt
. 1/4 cup vegetable oil
. 1 cup sugar
. 2 cups ( 10 ounces ) packed grated PARSNIPS

Heat oven 375
Toast almonds in oven until lightly toasted 20 minutes while oven heats.

Spray 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking power, baking soda,
nutmeg and salt.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, yogurt, vegetable oil and
sugar.
Add the flour mixture and PARSNIPS, and fold with a spatula until all
flour is moistened. There will be some lumps.

Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin cups. Sprinkle the top of
each muffin with the toasted almonds.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, rotating halfway through baking.
The muffins should reach an internal temperature of 210 degrees and be
golden brown.

If needed, use a small knife to loosen the muffins and immediately
remove them from the tin to a cooling rack. Cool for 15 minutes. Serve
warm.
Store completely cooled muffins in an airtight container for up to
three days.

Don't you just love and recipe that says " there will be lumps "

tantalizing . . . parsnip
music . . . Measuring Cups . . . Andrew Bird

Monday, January 4, 2010

Iwatsuhime Shrine


01.02-Ako-DayTrip-4, originally uploaded by sleepytako.

A Birthday post today. . .

The photo was taken by my Japanese son, of the carvings at the Iwatsuhime Shrine. One is of a Boar (my year) and we think what looks like a Tiger (2010) could be a Dog ?
First Monday of 2010 and my Birthday ! What a great start of the New Year...

Birthday. . . . parsnip
music. . . Mustang Sally, OST, The Commitments

Saturday, January 2, 2010

New Year Cloud !


New Year Cloud !, originally uploaded by angryparsnip.

awwwwwwww !

A baby cloud for the New Year !

cheers. . . parsnip
music. . . Cloud Age Symphony. . . OST, The Last Exile