Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Thursday, June 11, 2009

one of our wild bunnies napping by our overturned kiddie pool... CLICK photos to see him up close!




we have a few bunnies this year in the yard..this tiny guy has been the newest to make an appearance. A much larger one also is hanging around. The two will chase each other around the pool and under it and then fight over this same sleeping spot. They each take turns napping there. I had to try to snap a few through my kitchen window. He is adorable.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Weight Watcher's Spinach and Cheese Quiche (3 points and 139 calories per 1/12th slice)


Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

1 (12 ounce) can fat-free evaporated milk
1/3 cup low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 large eggs
3 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 Basic pie Crust baked and cooled (recipe to follow)
1 box frozen spinach thawed, drained and squeezed dry (10 oz box)

Basic Pie Crust (SUPER good pie crust - 114 calories, 3 points per 1/8th slice/section)

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons sugar
1/8th teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons cold butter, unsalted, diced
2 Tablespoons cold vegetable shortening
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
3 to 3-1/2 Tablespoons ICE water

Mix flour, sugar, salt together. Cut in butter and shortening. Add vinegar....then ice water stirring just till ball forms. Flatten to patty and place in plastic or foil and place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight.

Roll out as you normally would with flour or between plastic wrap. Place in 10-in pie pan.....price sides and bottom with fork and bake till slightly brown...about 15 minutes or so in 400 degree oven.

COOL crust.

Meanwhile for filling of quiche:

WHISK together the evaporated milk, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs and egg whites, salt, and pepper.

On top of cool pie crust sprinkle spinach......pour liquid mixture above over spinach......place on cookie sheet or baking pan and bake for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees.....turn oven down to 350 and continue baking until center comes clean with knife. Mine took longer than recipe said ( they said 20 minutes longer) but mine took more like another 30 minutes longer. Allow to cool. Cut into 12 slices or 6...but if 6 remember to double points and calories if you are counting those.

This was actually very good and pretty simple to make. I think what would have made it better would be tomatoes added to it....so next time I have a slice I am going to slice up tomatoes on top. I also think fresh spinach would be better than frozen and you CAN use fresh. You just have to steam about 8 cups of fresh washed and trimmed spinach leaves for about 2 minutes till wilted...then chop up.



ENJOY!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Sunset in Darke County, Ohio (CLICK photo to see full size)



Check this out.......I can see so many ways this could be used to help autistic kids learn social skills too!

The technology being developed in the video world today is amazing. Check out this video clip of technology already available.....and think of the LIMITLESS possibilities this means in the virtual world of interaction!