Welcome to the "Rancho Relaxo" blog for November. Well...it's another surprise since this month's edition is even earlier than last month's. Wonders never cease!! Actually, I just started making notes earlier than usual instead of trying to pile everything on the desk and hammer from there. It's amazing what happens when you apply a little effort to being organized. This doesn't mean that things aren't hectic around here. There's lots to do what with the comings and goings and such. The temps are cooler now and Big Bertha, the freeze dryer, is back in operation. Anything around here that doesn't move after 30 seconds gets freeze dried.

 After the family from Texas departed, we had to get back into our normal swing of things. Fishing poles needed to be stored, the hide-a-bed had to be reconfigured, et. al.. You know the drill. But, we had a great time and have a lot of great memories and stories to tell! We're hoping to take a break this spring and head back their way if all works out. Lots of "what ifs" to think about. 

This region is still pretty dry but we were blessed with just enough rain to kick off a green spell around here (about 1”). There’s no wetness in the forecast that I can tell so it remains to be seen what this new “La Niña” will bring (and it doesn’t usually bring rain). As usual, we’ll enjoy the green even if it’s only light green and even if it’s only around for a short time. In any case, we’re absolutely enjoying the wonderfully moderate autumn days (thanks to “La Niña”) since we don’t need either the cooler or the heater to keep the old folks comfortable. 

Anyway, the Ol' Rooster and Ol' Hen just wanted to share what's happening here at our humble rancho nestled in the light-green foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Thanks for stopping in at Dirty Bird Central, the chicken ranch being run by two old turkeys

Click on pics to enlarge

This is Abbie the pup about ten years ago. She came running up the stairs and into my office and looked at me while I was snacking. Her eye say it all. "Say, you wouldn't happen to be through with that gorgeous ham sandwich, would you?". 

For the expats out there: here's a shot of the newly overhauled "River Island Golf Course". The bridges had to be rebuilt and the river banks were fortified. The greens were all replaced and reconfigured, too. They did a great job! This shot is from the clubhouse/restaurant. 

For the past couple of months, KFC has been running super specials that the old folks just couldn't pass up. On Wednesdays, they offer a chicken fried steak special with mashed potatoes, gravy, and a biscuit for 5.99. A small senior drink is free! Of course, we had to have that a few times. Since we have Bible study Wednesday mornings, we  head to KFC for lunch. If we want to change the menu, we pull out the coupons for the breast, biscuit, mashed potatoes, and gravy deal for...4.99!! If it appears that we are missing at any time, check at KFC first. 

It would seem incongruous for a Luddite like the Ol' Rancher to tinker with exotic things like "Moroccan stew" but that's exactly what happened. A couple of bottle neck gourds showed up at our rancho and it was the first time that anyone had ever seen one. When the great oracle, Google, was consulted, it was determined that it was an edible gourd that is quite common in the Mediterranean region. When the oracle was yet again consulted, a recipe appeared and, guess what? All of the ingredients to conjure up a "Moroccan stew" were on hand! Time to fire up the O'Keefe and Merritt range! 

After some chopping and mixing of ingredients, the stew was simmered for about an hour until the hard gourd was wonderfully tender. 

The big surprise was the taste of the garlic, paprika, and cumin spice mix. It was thought that the cumin would overpower everything but it didn't! It was amazing! The great news is that you can use any squash and/or potatoes that you want to. Squash is something that we almost never run out of here. We have Zucchinis, Mexican squash, yellow crookneck squash, choyote                                                                    squash, butternut squash, acorn squash, and even eggplant with                                                                  which work. And, work we will! This soup really hit the spot! 

Recipe: 

Moroccan Bottle Gourd Soup

Medium Onion (or as desired)

1 can Diced tomatoes

1 can cooked garbanzo beans (rinsed)

Cumin (tablespoon)

Paprika (tablespoon)

Salt (to taste)

Chicken stock (optional)

Can be made with eggplant, zucchini, yellow neck squash, potatoes, or any combination thereof.

 Tip O’ The Day: “You’re never in the way of someone who isn’t going anywhere” (anonymous but probably the Ol’ Rancher)

 

And, now a word from our sponsor:

 This issue of Rancho Relaxo is brought to you by “Audrey Adams’ Azerdadded Abernated Amaladas”. Now, these are the best “Azerdadded Abernated Amaladas” that money can buy! You cannot...I say...you cannot get better “Azerdadded Abernated Amaladas” anywheres! And, folks, they're made right here in the good ol’ US of A. You can get your bountiful supply of “Audrey Adams’ Azerdadded Abernated Amaladas” at the Wal-Mart, KMART, Speedy Mart, Save Mart, Quick Mart, Rapid Mart, and all those marts where those guys have them towels wrapped around their heads. Tell'em the Ol' Rancher sent you. You'll be glad you did!

 Well…..kiss my babushka and call me Ivan! It’s November….again….already!! 83.3 percent of the year is gonzo! If that doesn’t just nuke your burrito, it’s only 53 days until Christmas!!

Retro breakfast or Eating the ‘50’s

I’ve known for decades that the “old folks” had a penchant for eating breakfast for the evening meal. It was an old practice when I was young, in fact. And, it has been done a few here at the rancho though it has been longer that a while back. So, it was time to employ the time-tested practice of fixing our evening breakfast.

Latke recipe for hashbrowns. Light, not greasy, though fried in lard, evenly fried. Delicious. Good stuff!

 Copycat Black Bear Restaurant pancakes…my, but they’re good. I came a’runnin’.