It has been one of those weeks where every day seems to start early and end late, yet nothing seems to have been been accomplished to a completed end point. Stops and starts. Not even time to participate in the numerous interesting diaries and comment threads this past week.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Each year in the garden is different, experience helps but every year there are new lessons to learn. Participated in gardening in Central Oregon for over 50 years. Interesting climate, transitional area between temperate forests on the foothills of Cascade mountains and the sagebrush steppe extending to the Rockies. Highly variable growing conditions from year to year, similar to political; movements. The few years spent in Corvallis and Portland areas much more predictable patterns.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Today's diary is long on videos and short on writing. Knife skills are best learned by watching good practitioners and then practicing. Not very tolerant of dull cutting tools is the kitchen, too much work and higher risk of an accident if the tool slips while pushing harder to complete a cut. If a sharpener is not available a coffee mug can be set on a counter upside down to expose the unglazed ring to refresh the edge of a knife.

Initially appeared to be an easy diary to write. Provide the food recipes used to feed the dogs and cats. Well the recipes are now only used as guidelines. The actual food used for ingredients has changed over time due to availability, pet preferences and time necessary for preparation. Cost comparison to commercial, not sure. It has been over 10 years since I purchased commercial dog kibble and dry cat food 3 years.

My concern for quality has remained consistent over the past decades, the ability of commercial foods to provide quality food consistently has changed. My hobby was showing dogs for a number of years, quality nutrition kept them winning in the ring and healthy at home. Only had to changed dog food once when a national brand changed their formula without any notification. The company denied any change in the formulation or work with us to identify if it was a problem related to the distribution channel. Offered free product instead and the opportunity to be a kennel reference.

The few extra minutes of sunlight at the beginning end of each day. The farm is starting to awaken from its winter slumber. Daffodil and tulip leaves have emerged from the soil, crocuses suddenly began blooming. Finding chicken eggs once again in the nest boxes. The forecast of snow tomorrow may slow those hens downs a bit.

Polar vortexes are disrupting to life. We get them periodically in this part of Oregon. Hard to be completely prepared. As the years go by I just keep working on trying to have enough preparation done if the unexpected happens it is more an inconvenience than a tragedy.

Middle of January is not the best time for a Birthday parties, too soon after Christmas and winter roads. My 10th birthday was special there was going to be a party. Snow covered the frozen ground, roads were plowed and red cinders spread for traction in the icy spots.

Main dish for this week is pizza. The worlds most popular fusion food. An evolution of historical Mediterranean flatbreads, adding mozzarella made from a water buffalo herd imported from India in the 7th century and the fruit of a poisonous plant from the Americas. In 1879 a pizza with the three colors of the Italian flat red (tomato), green (basil) and white (mozzarella) was selected by Queen Margherita as her favorite pizza. The classic cheese pizza was born and publicized

Today it is whatever you make it!
Have fun...