Minnewaska brush fires are still burning after 3 days - 04/19/08 11:50 AM
What an awful scene.  As you look up to see the beautiful mountain range, all you can see is smoke billowing from different spots along The Shawangunk Ridge.  My car was covered in soot this morning and the blue sky is looking cloudy from the smoke. 
The old timers say that this is ok, just a natural part of ecology.  I guess that is ok if there aren't any homes around...and the pollution that we are inhaling probably isn't great.  I pray for everyone's safety that is working on this fire ...
There were prescribed fires planned for this year, is this one … (9 comments)

Come see the world's largest garden Gnome !! - 04/18/08 03:35 PM

Kelder's Farm (www.kelderfarm.com ) is a wonderful place to visit and spend the day.  They have everything from a petting zoo to pick your own to miniature golf...and lots of great garden plants... vegetable, annual and perennial
The world's largest garden gnome...You gotta see it.  People stop to take pictures with the big old guy all the time...check it out, you will love your visit to this great spot.
… (7 comments)

Ulster County Horse Council Annual Wine Dinner...a feast indeed!! - 04/18/08 09:28 AM
 
We have been doing this for about 5 yrs now and it is always a big treat.  This year is being held at one of my favorite restaurants...join us, you won't be disappointed...
… (1 comments)

Ulster County Horse Council Upconming Horse Show and Trade Show - 04/18/08 09:25 AM

Come join us, it's lots of fun... there are lots of vendors from the area and it is a great way to support the local horse community.  We have been doing this for about 6 yrs and it seems to be dwindling.  Volunteers are hard to find and interest seems to be going downhill...won't you consider coming to support a local organization?  It is a great day out and a great time of the year...
… (2 comments)

A Great Roasted Beet Salad !!! Another summer salad... - 04/18/08 08:07 AM
2 Bunches of red and gold baby beets
3 shallots
Extra Virgin Oliv Oil
2 sprigs each of marjoram, thyme and oregano
salt and pepper
4 sl pancetta sliced into small pieces (you can substitute bacon if necessary)
1 log goat cheese, refrigerated
1 loaf Italian bread, cut into crouton-sized pieces
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/4 c honey
2 tb balsamic vinegar
1/2 orange, juiced
1 handful dates
1 lg handful arugula
preheat oven to 350 F
Take baby beets and cut them in half.  Place on a long sheet of aluminum foil.  Split shallots lengthwise, leaving them unpeeled and add to foil.  Drizzle with the EVOO, marjoram, thyme and oregano and season with s & p.  … (4 comments)

Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Recipe...summer's coming, get ready... - 04/17/08 05:05 PM
This is a wonderful recipe...all the ingredients will become readily accessible soon, yahoo!!  I love it...
2 lbs ripe heirloom tomatoes, diced
1/4 c minced red onion
2 tea minced garlic
1/2 c ev olive oil
2 tb fresh lemon juice
2 tb chopped fr basil
1 bt fresh chopped tarragon leaves
1 tea sea salt and ground pepper to taste
2 c arugula
homemade croutons, I like them made with garlic butter...
parmesan shaved on top
so...Drain the tomatoes in a sieve to remove excess liquid while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
In a bowl, combine the tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, basil, tarragon, salt and pepper.
Add the croutons.
Divide … (7 comments)

For the horse people...Do you know about Fly Predators?? - 04/16/08 02:56 PM
 
I just ordered a season of fly predators for control of what was a bad problem last year...I had more flies last year than I care to remember.  You could not sit outside last summer as the fly count was so severe so...I've been told that Fly Predators work really well.
 Here is what they say about them:
Fly Predators are the original method of fly control. They are nature's own enemy of all common manure and rotting organic matter breeding pest flies, including the common house fly, horn fly, biting stable fly and lesser house fly.
In the natural environment Fly Predators serve … (9 comments)

Happy Anniversay to the ASPCA !!! - 04/10/08 08:57 PM
 I Was watching the morning news this morning and was pleasantly surprised to see the screen filled with cats and dogs being held by volunteers all dressed in orange(the bright color choice of the ASPCA)
"It is our hope that by identifying the combined efforts of the ASPCA and its partners with this color, the public will begin to identify "orange" with the welfare of animals all across the country," said Sayres, President.
 Tonight the Empire State building and Niagara Falls will be "dressed" in orange...to honor the ASPCA, how cool is that!!
Here it is!!
FROM THE ASPCA WEBSITE: 
Founded in 1866, the ASPCA® … (9 comments)

School...how exhausting...refreshing, a good program at Manfred RE School - 04/10/08 11:22 AM
I have decided to broaden my horizons and am embarking on a new venture...taking the real estate salesperson's course.  I love it!!
I am a Certified Residential Appraiser now and have decided to increase my skills.
Being back in a classroom setting where testing is involved is interesting...the key here is that all the continuing ed that is required is not tested...this is all new!!
I am exhausted after 3 intense days of learning but I am excited to be learning and branching out.  I really did not expect to feel this way, what a nice surprise...
I would be remiss in not saying that … (1 comments)

The Ashokan Reservoir...what a treat - 04/05/08 09:12 AM
Living here in Ulster County, we are blessed with many beautiful sites.  Among them is the Ashokan Reservoir.
A Bit of History...
In the early 20th century, New York City turned to the Catskills for water after discovering a group calling itself the Ramapo Water Company had bought up the rights to many water sources further south in Rockland, Orange and Ulster counties. The Catskills were more desirable as state-owned Forest Preserve land in the region could not, under the state constitution, be sold to any other party.
Residents of the area to be flooded did not take kindly to the idea, and fought eminent … (4 comments)

Shoes, boots, sneakers...where do they come from?? - 04/04/08 12:32 PM
What I mean is on the road. 
Photos are from a website selling a book called Shoes on the Highway...it is a play used in schools.  Believe it or not, this did not prompt me to write this, I just found it when I was looking for some clip art!!!   
In my nearly 15 years of appraising and doing a lot of road time, I have always been amazed at how many shoes, boots and sneakers are on the roads...am I crazy or has anyone else ever noticed this??
I am perplexed by this...do people throw them out the window while driving?? Is … (5 comments)

Cat Agility...how could it be ????????? - 04/03/08 10:57 AM
Yes, that is not a typo...I was watching the news the other evening and there had been a cat show at the Orange County Fairgrounds in Middletown New York and they showed a demonstration/competition of cats doing agility...
Well, of course I needed to find out what this was about and so I went to the net...it is  so...
In cat agility, a cat and its handler negotiate an obstacle course designed to demonstrate the cat's athletic ability, speed, coordination and the quality of the animal's training relationship with its owner.
The event is timed with points off for obstacles missed or incompleted.
The … (13 comments)

 

Patrice Estess

Kerhonkson, NY

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