Verna and Bob's Weblog

Arizona

Bacon-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin Steaks

Bacon-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin SteaksA few weeks ago, I spotted some heart-of-the-tenderloin beef steaks (filet mignon) in the butcher case at the supermarket. We had something else planned for the weekend cooking then, but regardless, I bought them and put them in the freezer for a later date. Well, here we are in Memorial Day Weekend grilling mode and those steaks made for a great grilling experience. Verna wrapped the steaks in slices of bacon before I took them to the grill.

The meal was awesome! Verna had some roasted sweet and red potatoes on the side and I roasted some corn cobs on the grill while the steaks were cooking. The results were DELICIOUS!

Click here for pix of the weekend cooking.

May 25, 2014 by Arizona Food and Dining

Curve Billed Thrasher

Curve Billed Thrasher

Verna thinks that we have had a “bumper crop” of birds and other critters this spring. We witnessed three of these curve billed thrashers as eggs in the nest, hatchlings begging to be fed and as fledgelings just leaving the nest.

We especially note a lot of juvenile Gambel’s quail running around with their parents, sometimes as many as a dozen. I will post photos of these camera-shy little quail when and if I can.

I took this photo of a thrasher atop the crook upon which hangs the block and bell seed feeders. The bird was waiting its turn as another thrasher was on the bell pecking below. Click on the image to enlarge.

May 23, 2014 by Arizona Critters Home & Garden Photography

“Dreadlock” Cactus Flower

Dreadlock Cactus Flower

Well, the actual name for this cactus is “Rattail” cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis), but I think the stems resemble some of those dreadlocks hairstyles. At any rate, this is the second flower produced by the cactus in the patio. We have had this cactus for three years and this is the first year for flowers, two so far. Click on the image to enlarge.

May 22, 2014 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

Spring Saguaro Flowers and Moonset

Spring Saguaro Flowers and Moonset

As I took the dogs out for their first morning walk today, I noticed the moon was perfectly placed behind Verna’s big saguaro cactus, so I stopped and snapped this photo with my little pocket camera. There were a lot of open flowers today, further enhancing the moon’s effect on the photo. Not bad for a little cheapie digital camera. Click on the image to enlarge.

May 20, 2014 by Arizona Flowers Photography

Compass Cactus Flowers

Compass Cactus Flowers

I hiked up the hill behind the house today to see if our compass cactus had any flowers. I wasn’t disappointed – the cactus had two flowers open and more to come. The flowers and buds are arranged in a circle around the crown of the barrel. Click on the image to enlarge.

May 19, 2014 by Arizona Flowers Home & Garden Photography

Queen of the Night Flower Buds

Flower Buds

I happened to be up by the west property line where one of our Queen of the Night cacti lives. I was happy to see a flower bud growing again this year. I took a snapshot of the cactus and upon later inspection I found what appear to be two other buds forming. The bud I noticed is circled in the image above and the two suspected buds to be are indicated by arrows. Click on the image to enlarge.

Last year’s flowers from this cactus may be seen here.

May 15, 2014 by Arizona Home & Garden Photography

Avalon 1998

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