World’s Largest Cedar Rocker

My niece told me about this monstrosity.  I’ve gotta see it!  Can you say road trip?

Beef Fajita’s

 

This is a great marinade for all steak so don’t be scared to use it even if you aren’t making fajitas.   Remember, not guts, no glory!

 Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 2 tsp onion powder or 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 large cloves garlic or 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 1/2 - 2 pounds skirt steak

Directions:

Marinate beef 8 hours or over night in above ingredients.  Fajitas need to be cooked fast over very high heat so cook as soon as coals turn gray or cook on very hot gas grill.  Remove  the meat from marinade and pat dry with paper towels.  Place on grill and cook about 2-3 minutes each side and then remove from grill and wrap in foil to continue cooking while they rest.  Cut into thin strips against the grain and place back in foil in juices. 

Serve on flour tortillas with grilled peppers and onions, cheese, guacamole, pico de gallo and sour cream.  Delicioso!   Wash it down with margaritas or Corona with lime. 

note—flat iron steak can be substituted for skirt steak and sometimes is less expensive.  You can also use beef tenderloins like the restaurants but it is very expensive and not in this cowgirls budget!   I’ve also read that a tri tip roast can be used.  You are supposed butterfly it before marinating and grilling.  I may try this if I can find one.

A Horse Is A Horse, Of Course, Of Course

or not…….A couple miles down the road towards my sister’s house lives a few zebras, donkeys and some zonkeys (please note  in the picture that TX is not always flat and I apologize for the poor photo it was taken with an iphone).    Did you even know there were such a thing as zonkeys?  I didn’t until just recently.   Here is what I learned when I googled it.

The zonkey also known as zebrass, zebronkey,zeasses, zeedonk, zedonk, zebadonk, zenkey, donbra, zebrinny, or deebra, is basically the result of when a zebra and a donkey mate. However, depending on which way round the parents are, determines whether the offspring is classed as a zonkey (male zebra, female donkey) or a zeedonk (female zebra, male donkey).

Like with the common mule, it is thought to be almost impossible for the zonkey to breed. The zonkey can be conceived when a zebra and a donkey are in the same territory in south Africa. Both the zebra and the donkey belong to the horse family so this cross-mating is plausible. The courtship behavior of a donkey is much more similar to that of the various zebra species than a horse's courtship behavior. Zebras and donkeys will more readily and easily breed for that reason than zebras and horses.

The zonkey is extremely rare in the wild, but a number of zoos have successfully been able to breed the zonkey. The first zoo to breed a zonkey was Colchester Zoo in Essex, south east England.

Zonkeys are hybrid animals and the zonkey is bred by mating together two species from within the same genus (donkey and zebra). The resulting zonkey offspring have traits and characteristics of both parents.

Zonkeys vary considerably in both looks and temperament depending on which species of zebra is used for the cross. Grevy hybrids tend to be more aggressive like the Grevy parent. Zonkeys from plains zebra (Grant, Chapman, etc) are much mellower.

A Zonkey is a cross between a zebra stallion (male) and a donkey jennet (female). The zonkey gets its the color or dominant colour gene of the donkey and the zebra sire gives the zonkey its species specific striping pattern.

The zonkey is generally more easily bred than a zorse (the mix-breeding of a zebra and a horse) as the donkey and zebra use similar methods of communication and have similar behavioral patterns where the horse and the zebra have many more differences.

That’s crazy!!!  Who knew????  Don’t say I never taught ya nuthin!

Pinto Bean Salad

This recipe is a nice alternative to refried beans as a side dish to your Mexican recipe’s.  Serve it along side tacos or fajitas or use as a dip with Frito scoops. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cans Pinto Beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup onions, chopped
• 1/2 cup red or green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup olives, chopped
• 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 cup shredded lettuce (optional)

Dressing Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• chili powder to taste

Directions:

Mix dressing ingredients together and toss with all vegetables except lettuce and chill.  Right before serving add lettuce and gently toss.  Serve as a side salad or as a dip with chips or crackers.  The lettuce can be left out all together if desired. 

Taking Care of Business

Gus and I have been busy this week “taking care of business”. 

Yes, I have spent most of the last week making sure Gus “takes care of HIS business” outdoors.  I have spent the other part of the week cleaning up “his business” off of my floor.  We’re making progress but I will be glad when he starts letting  me know when he needs out.   I’m also looking forward to having the carpet cleaners visit my home when all of this housebreaking business is over.    

      My granddaughter's spend a couple of nights with me this week too.  It’s been crazy around here with puppies and kids and nieces!  On Sunday we took him to the dog vaccination clinic at the feed store down the road and got his puppy shots.  Next month we will go back for the rabies shot and then he will be good to go for awhile.   I swear it’s just like having a new baby with the potty training, the doctor visit’s, the eating every few hours and constantly taking something out of his mouth that he doesn’t need to chew on.  I even find myself being very quiet when he’s sleeping as not to wake him.  I value the quiet moments just like when my girls were little.    

Today we will get our first bath, that should be an experience for us both.

Now That Is Talent

Rae's Concert from Deb on Vimeo.

Life Would Be Boring Without These Two

   

On Tuesday I left my nieces dog sitting with Gus for an hour.  This morning I discovered these webcam pictures saved to my photo folder.  Surprise!  Silly girls!