April 10th, 2012
Monarch butterflies are quite interesting creatures. As small as they are they are still amazing in their beauty and habits. Monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains spend the winters in the high mountains of central Mexico. Monarchs west of the Rockies migrate to locations on the central California coast.
With the coming of spring monarchs begin their migrations from the west, through the central valley, Sierras, N.E. through the Rocky Mountains, flying further north and east with each succeeding generation and they reverse their course again to arrive back in October in the west.
Every year over 25,000 monarchs make their home in Pacific Grove,CA. (Butterfly Town). Arriving in October they can travel as far as 2,000 miles covering 100 miles per day and as high as 10,000 feet.
Following are some pictures of my April visit to Butterfly Town (the sanctuary).
During my walk through the sanctuary I had my camera poised for a shot when suddenly a large monarch flew toward me. It was the largest I have ever seen, a wing span of approximately 6 inches. By the time I was able to frame my shot it was already receding from me but you can still see him in the sky as he flew away.
I am including a couple of bonus picture of the coast at Monterey,CA.
P.S. By the way, while you are on my site please feel free to check out my shopping page. There are 50 stores from which to buy and window shop from. There are items from books, printing needs to jewelry. It also includes Home Depot for all your shopping needs.
Roman
Tags: beach, beaches, Butterflies, Butterfly, California, California beach, California coast, coming of spring, e-shopping, eshopping, home shopping network, Monarch Butterflies, monarchs migration, Monterey, Nature, Pacific Grove, park, parks, Rockies, Rocky Mountains, romansoptions, romns options, shopping page, Sierras, spring, state or national park
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April 9th, 2012
Easter is a time for giving tribute to the one that created this COSMOS for US,and taking your children to the park to hunt for easter eggs, and a lot of people view sports activities,etc. Here is an example of cultural,artistic and colorfull Easter baskets of UKRAINE in America.
A lot of these baskets have embroidered the phrase:
Christ Has Risen
Roman
Tags: baskets of UKRAINE, children to the park, Easter, Easter Baskets, Easter eggs, Hunting Easter eggs, pysanky, romansoptions, romns options, taking your children to the park, Ukrainian Easter eggs
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April 8th, 2012
Here is my latest revelation : Teacher your children the 3 L’s
LOOK
LISTEN
LEARN
-roman-
Tags: childrens lesson, chilrends aids, Great Saying, LEARN, LISTEN, LOOK, romansoptions, romns options
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April 7th, 2012
Gardeners need to keep in mind the value of humus (HUE-mus). This is a mix of thousands of organic compounds that come from decomposed dead plants and animals. Think of it as compost, Leaf mold, dark layer of earth. A soil rich in humus is also rich in microbial glues These glues join small clay particles into larger aggregates creating large air spaces between them therefor aerating the soil and allowing pockets for moisture to settle. Humus tend to buffer acidity and it also binds with certain nutrients – iron for example.
Humus is one of those things your soil cannot get too much of. Many garden activities accelerates humus decomposition. Not that humus decomposition is bad; many of humus benefits such as release of nutrients for your plants come about as humus decomposes. But when humus loss outstrips its accumulation its like taking money out of a bank faster than you put it in.
Tilling soil and using concentrated nitrogen fertilizers accelerate humus decomposition. Tillage charges the soil with air, causing microbial populations to soar and these hungry microbes then gobble up humus very quickly. Following an initial burst of nutrients, the soil is left poorer.
Roman
Tags: compost, mix of thousands of organic compounds, romansoptions, romns options, The Value of HUMUS, Tilling soil
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April 7th, 2012
Tags: Blooming Gardens of Spring, bulb food, foliage, fruit trees, Garden, garden tips, Gardening, gardening tips, Remove foliage, romansoptions, romns options, spring clean up, your garden
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April 2nd, 2012
1tbsp olive oil;- 8 chicken drumsticks or thighs (2 1/2 #);- 1 cup long-grain white rice,uncooked;- 2 10 oz cans Ro* Original diced tomatoes & green Chillies,undrained;- 1 8oz can Hunt’s* Tomato Sauce;- 1/2cup water;- 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions,divided;- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (2oz)
Heat oil in a large skillet over med-high heat. Add chicken;cook until golden brown on all sides, turning occasionally. Remove chicken from the skillet;keep warm.
Add rice to the drippings in the pan; stir to coat. Cook over med heat for 3-5 min., stirring occasionally, or until rice browns a bit. Stir in undrained tomatoes, tomato sauce, water and about half of the onions; blend well. Bring toa boil. Top with chicken;cover. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 min., or until the drumsticks are no longer pink in the center and juices run clear (180 deg F) Sprinkle chicken with cheese and remaining onion. Cover and cook and additional 5 min., or until cheese is melted, liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Makes 8 servings.
Roman
Tags: Fiesta Chicken, romansoptions, romns options
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April 1st, 2012
6 3/4 inch-thick boneless pork chops;- 3 tbsp olive oil;- 1 ripe mango,peeled and diced;- 1/2 ripe pineapple, peeled and diced;- 1 cup small cantalope balls;- 1/2 cup orange juice;- 1 tbsp hoisin sauce;- 1/2 tsp minced garlic;- 1/4 tsp salt;- 1/4 tsp pepper
1.Heat a large skillet over med-high heat.
2.Brush pork chops lightly with oil and brown on each side,remove from pan.
3.Add all remaining ingrediants to the skillet, stir to blend and bring to a boil.
4.Return the chops to the skillet, cover tightly and cook over low heat for 5-6 min. or until the chops are just done. Makes 6 servings.
Roman
Tags: Pork Chops Tropical, romansoptions, romns options
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March 31st, 2012
2 tbsp olive oil;-1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary;- 1 tsp harissa or chopped fresh chile;-1 tsp chopped garlic;- 4 6oz Delta Pride Catfish fillets;- SALT- 1 head iceberg lettuce, cut in 4 flat circles;- 1 cup French green beans,blanched in salted water
VINAIGRETTE: 1 tbsp red wine vinegar;- 3 tbsp warm water;- SALT;- 3tbsp olive oil;- 2tbsp chopped kalamata olives;- 1 tomato,seeded and diced;- 4 basil leaves, minced;- 2 hard-boiled eggs,chopped
1.Mix olive oil,rosemary,harissa and garlic. Add catfish and marinate for 1 hour.
2.Heat a medium saute’ pan over medium heat. Season catfish with salt to taste and cook until golden brown and fish flakes with a fork, set aside.
3.To prepare the vinaigrette, combine vinegar, water and salt to taste in a small bowl. Whisk in olive oil gradually. Stir in olives, tomato,basil and chopped eggs.
4.Place lettuce circles on plates and arrange green beans on top. Drizzle with vinaigrette and then top with fish fillets. Add a bit more vinaigrette and serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.
Roman
Tags: Catfish, Catfish fillets, Catfish Sauteed, chile, chopped eggs, chopped garlic, eggs, fresh rosemary, garlic, green beans, iceberg lettuce, romansoptions, romns options, rosemary, vinaigrette
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March 31st, 2012
1/3 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice ( 2 lemons ),divided;- 2tsp Asian sesame oil;- 1/2cup +3 tbsp olive oil;- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts,cut in 2 by 1/2:: by 1/2 inch strips;- 1 1/2 pounds Asian vegetable blend;- 2 1/4 cups chicken broth, divided;- 1/4 cup cornstarch;- 1/2 cup soy sauce divided;- 1/4 cup sugar ( or sub honey);- 1/2 cup lemon pieces;- 2 cups steamed rice;- 1/4 cup green onion cut in 1/2 inch slices;- 2 tsp sesame seeds……….
1. Combine 4 tsp lemon juice, sesame oil and 1/2 cup vegetable oil to make marinade. Pour over chicken and marinate, refrigerated, for 1-4 hours.
2.Place 3 tbsp olive oil in a wok and heat over med-high heat until smoking. Add the marinated chicken strips and stir-fry for 1-2 minutes, or until the chicken is done.
3.Combine 1/4 cup chicken broth and cornstarch to make a slurry. Set aside.
4.Combine remaining chicken broth, remaining lemon juice, 1/4 cup soy sauce and sugar. Add to the wok,bring to a boil and slowly stir in slurry to thicken sauce. Stir lemon pieces into the sauce and heat through, then remove wok from the heat.
5.Mound steamed rice in the center of each plate. Pour chicken over the rice and sprinkle with green onion and seasame seeds. drizzle with remaining soy sauce. Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings……..
Roman
Tags: chicken breats, lemon juice, recipes, romansoptions, romns options, sesame oil, squeezed lemon, squeezed lemon juice, steadmed rice, Stir-Fried Lemon Chicken
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March 31st, 2012
2tbsp olive oil;-2tbsp margarine (earth balance);-2tbsp chopped garlic;-2/3 cup dry white wine;-4tsp Worcestershire sauce;-2tbsp fresh lemon juice;-1/4 tsp red pepper flakes1/4cup danned or bottled clam juice;-1pound Phillips Crab Meat;-2tsp chopped fresh parsley;- Salt and pepper;- 8 oz dried spinach-flavored pasta (fettuccine),cooked until al dente and drained….
1.Heat oil and margarine in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until lightly browned.
2.Add wine, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice,red pepper flakes and clam juice. Bring to a boil and cook for 4 min., or until slightly reduced.
3.Gently stir in crab meat and parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4.Serve crab mixture over spinach pasta. Makes 4 servings.
Roman
Tags: clam, clam juice, Crab Scampi, favorite recipes, romansoptions, romns options, Worcestershire sauce
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Monarch butterflies are quite interesting creatures. As small as they are they are still amazing in their beauty and habits. Monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains spend the winters in the high mountains of central Mexico. Monarchs west of the Rockies migrate to locations on the central California coast.
