lunch shoot...

sacramento national wildlife refuge...

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, one of six refuges in the Sacramento Refuge Complex located in the Sacramento Valley of north-central California, about 70 miles north of the metropolitan area of Sacramento. During the peak winter months of mid-November through January, spectacular flights of snow and Ross's geese with thousands of pintail, green-winged teal, mallard, gadwall, and shovelers can be seen actively feeding in the marshes.

Other winter migrants include the white-faced ibis, yellow-rumped warbler, white-crowned sparrow, and western sandpipers to name a few. Year-round resident wildlife include herons, egrets, coots, red-winged black birds, ring-necked pheasants, red-tailed hawks, black-tailed jack rabbits, raccoons, and black-tailed deer. This refuge provides food and cover for hundreds of species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and fish. Colusa Refuge typically supports wintering populations of more than 200,000 ducks and 50,000 geese.

During the 6-mile auto tour...I also saw deer, jack rabbits.. Thru the telescope of someone from the Audubon Society...I got to see two coyotes sitting in the field off the road in the photo of the snow geese. All in all...it was an interesting adventure...and I will visit there again.

flavored olive oil...

i like to spice up my olive oil...vs. using it straight from the container. and i never buy them already flavored. not when it's much more economical...and so easy to make it yourself.

ingredients...

• olive oil
• crushed garlic cloves
• red pepper flakes
• rosemary

add all to non-metal pan. heat on low to a simmer. turn off flame. cover & cool.

let it cool over night to impart more flavor. strain and poor it into decorative containers.

use in salad dressing...on pasta...or when stir-frying.

*if you'd like to store herbs in the finished oil product...you must use dried herbs.

snack girl...

that's how i'm known at church...or the deacon's daughter.

those in the know...know that i always bring healthy snacks for my diabetic father for after church...and if they see the hatchback of the suv open...it's snack time.

i didn't go to church for the last few weeks of 2009...and i'm told that i was missed.

in preparation for my return...and to start off 2010 properly...i went to trader joe's yesterday to pick up a few items...to complement the items i already had in my pantry.

this morning i washed & prepped everything...and of course photographed it...and placed each in its own container for the journey to san jose.

carrots...


radishes...


sugar snap peas...


dates...


marcona almonds...



the tray...


i also had crackers and hummus.

even though everything was relatively healthy...i had napkins that read...what you eat standing up doesn't count.

so...if you're in the vicinity...and in need of a snack...stop by. there's plenty!