On the homefront
I had a great week last week. My daughter’s visit was just what I needed to get out and about, see the sights and eat loads of great food. She showed me how to poach perfect eggs and make hollandaise sauce. We also made Bacon and Egg Breakfast Dumplings. She is the food photographer extraordinaire so you can drool over the pictures of the dumplings on her Little Food Blog.
(…but I’m sure she won’t mind if I steal borrow one…)
And yes – they tasted as good as they look!
After the excitement of the week, hubby and I were sitting around watching TV on Saturday and he said he had an itch on his head. When I checked the suspicious itch I found he had picked up a little passenger in the field – a tick. Luckily (for him) I had watched an ABC documentary a few months back about the newest and most effective way to remove a tick. This amazing product is actually a wart remover (yes, I was a little suspicious as well). In Australia it is sold as Wart-Off and is a spray that freezes an area.
I was pretty excited because I had bought some after watching the show just in case of an event like this. I grabbed him, dragged him outside for better light, promptly pushed him to his knees, grappled his head and snap-froze his little passenger (I have a great bed-side manner).
It worked! The little blighter froze so fast it had no time to pump poison into the area or dig it’s little legs in deeper. It was stiff as a board and dropped off beautifully.
Hubby survived the tick, but I’m not sure if his pride is still in tact.
I also created a few more pictures for my ***Arty Bits*** this week.
The first one was taken during the dog walk on Friday. It had been raining and the leaves were full of beautiful, plump water droplets. I noticed after I had taken it that there were two green ants waiving at me from the unopened buds.
I called it After the Storm
The second one is a beautiful Wild Flower.
I called it Wild
Have a great week! xxx
When I know there’s a tick on me, I can’t wait even two seconds. If it’s already dug in, I grab it and yank it free. Then I wrap it in tape to die a long, lingering death ’cause I despise ticks. They’re common up north, but I haven’t run into one yet in Florida. That makes me happy.
LikeLike
We rarely get ticks on us (but the dogs wear tick collars). A “long lingering death” made me laugh and I totally agree that’s what they need. The only problem is they start pumping poison as soon as you squeezed them (little ratbags!) I despise ticks as well, but not as much as leeches – yuck, anything that wants to suck my blood is the enemy as far as I’m concerned.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow, using an over-the-counter liquid nitrogen spray to freeze and remove ticks. Very interesting. We always teach the tweezer removal technique in medicine, so as soon as I read your post, I did a quick search of the medical literature to see if this treatment has been recommended. I found some recommendations for it in Australia, just as you’ve mentioned here. I’ll have to see if this catches on elsewhere. You’ve piqued my interest, Dianne! And your pictures are so pretty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope it catches on elsewhere, Carrie because it’s so effective. When my son had a tick many years ago the doc squeezed it with tweezers and pumped all the poison in. He was extremely ill for some time so I’ve always been keen to find a safer method. The freezing doesn’t give the tick time to dig in and release toxins. I think it’s an awesome idea and now I know it works! As a US doc, I’m so glad it’s piqued your interest!:D
LikeLike
Yes, you have to be careful with the tweezers no doubt. And now my scalp itches… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haaaa! So did mine after that. All day! lol
LikeLiked by 2 people
Now I’m hungry, for eggs– not ticks
LikeLike
LOL! I was tossing up whether or not to put the tick story in here after the beautiful pic of our lovely brekkie, Dannie. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool tip about the tips. And lovely pics. So glad you enjoyed your daughter’s visit.
LikeLike
It was wonderful, Nancy. And the tick tip is very cool indeed 😉
LikeLike
I’m so happy you had a nice visit with your daughter, Dianne. Thanks for the tick tip! I don’t like those things. 😦 Nice pictures…they made me hungry. 🙂
LikeLike
Her cooking was amazing, Jill! I’m hungry again too, now 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
This post really runs the gamut (whatever a gamut is). Mouthwatering yummies, gorgeous photos (that make me want to cry), and a disgusting tick story. Woot! I love it! I wish my daughter was a cook and baker instead of an actor LOL.
LikeLike
Just visited said daughter. Ugh. Wishing even more she was a cook/baker or ANYTHING than an actor.
LikeLike
Delicious looking bacon and egg dumplings followed by gorgeous plant pics… you’ve excelled yourself, Dianne!
LikeLike
Thank you, Susan – what a lovely comment! 😀
LikeLike
We had a cat with a tick in Turkey a few years ago. I googled what to do, we were remote from a chemist, and one idea was to use dishwashing liquid. So the poor white cat got a squirt of green on the back of the head, the tick reversed out and I was able to grab it with a tissue. Had had no previous experience with ticks before but it was super distressing for us.
The dumplings – yum. The plants shots are beautiful. Love your posts Dianne!
LikeLike
Strangely enough – I heard from my neighbour this morning that dishwashing detergent is excellent for removing ticks! We we discussing it over coffee about an hour ago. It’s a great idea and I’ll know what to do next time if I don’t have the spray. Thanks so much, Jenny!
I’m really glad you like the plant shots 😀
LikeLike
Not only are you an amazingly talented in the arty & wordy sphere, you’re a genius. This summer looks like being a particularly bad tick season… Wart-Off is now on my next pharmacy visit list 🙂
I love your arty bits photos, I envision them in a book or on a wall. No wonder your daughter is talented. Yum!
LikeLike
Tick season has certainly started early, Dale 😉
I’m now blushing at your awesome compliments. You’re a darling xxx
LikeLike
I had to look hard for the ants, so I’m calling the first artsy photo “Where’s Waldo?” The visit from the cooking daughter sounds like just the ticket to inspire treats on the home front for a while. As for those ticks–we have them, but haven’t seen any yet. When we do, I’ll be torn between wart removal and dishwashing liquid!
LikeLike
At least we know we have two effective ways of getting rid of ticks now, Alta. I think the detergent one is great because we mostly have that at hand 😉 I’m glad you found the ants, I’ll name them both “Waldo” 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those dumplings look so scrumptious. Lucky you! i think one of my worst nightmares would be to get a tick embedded in my scalp. Glad you knew what to do. I absolutely love your ‘artsy bits’. The first one reminds me of Christmas table decorations. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh yes, Sylvia – that first one is very Christmasy now I look at it.
The tick thing is hideous. I wouldn’t like it either. I had on in my eye once and that was enough for me. Ouch! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yikes!! 🙄
LikeLike
Great food, tick adventures and a bit of avante garde art! Quite a week!! Glad to hear you got the tick problem under control. I have a friend who had a run in with a kind of tick that dealt him symptoms rather like a stroke that took a number of weeks to outrun. They can deal some nasty stuff.
LikeLike
Those ticks are awful, Allen. They paralyze you if they are left for too long (we’ve also had a dog die from one). It’s good to find them early (but that just depends where they are because they’re sneaky). I’m glad you enjoyed the food and art 😀
LikeLike
You are going to miss having your daughter around Dianne. What delicious food you have been having. Your arty photos are really colourful too. But the best part of this post for me is that freeze stuff for ticks. They seem to zone in on me whenever we are in tropical areas and I have had them in VERY embarrassing places. I have put it on my grocery list and will get a bottle later today. Do you know if it works on leeches? So far I have not had to deal with a tick on any of my surrogate house sit animals, as you say they all have tick colours or have had the spray treatment. Do you think it will work on pets too?
LikeLike
I haven’t had the opportunity to try it on a pet yet, Pauline, but I imagine it would work as long as you can get through the hair. It would work on a small leech because the opening for the spray is only small and you have to hold it down on the skin for about ten seconds while it freezes (you’ll see what I mean when you get some). I’ve had some massive leeches on me so I know how big they get! Yucky, I hate the things…
I haven’t had a tick in a very embarrassing place yet (touch wood!) But I have had a leech there. Gross! LOL 😀
LikeLike
Especially gross when some one else has to do the removing!!!!
LikeLike
You had me at dumpling. I love them, they look amazing, so the bacon and egg is inside them, what a clever girl she is, now on to the tick…cringe, thanks for the wart off advice though, in case I meet one those nasties. I laughed at your description of what you did to hubby. Fifty shades flashed through my head. Lovely photos as usual sweety. xxx
LikeLike
Haaaa. A reminder of Fifty Shades, love it! When I come to Melb at some stage we’ll catch up for dumplings. I love the things but have to drive half a day to find a place that makes them here. Now I have the recipe they may become a staple at the RUC 😀
LikeLike
I am looking through your daughter’s blog right now and my mouth is watering more and more with every picture. I know I’ll be trying out the Haloumi pomegranate pine nut salad very VERY soon.
I’m glad to hear you had a nice week, and those pictures are absolutely lovely!
LikeLike
I’m so glad that you are looking through her blog (and I know she reads the comments here so she’ll be thrilled!) You’re a darling xxxx
LikeLike
Your talents increase by the day Dianne, but should not you be showing your daughter how to poach perfect eggs etc?
LikeLike
I’m an awful cook, Roy. I have no idea where my children get their kitchen talents, but who am I to question when they love creating awesome cuisine for me to taste 😉
LikeLike
I love your photos.
LikeLike
Thanks, Barb 😀
LikeLike
just followed your daughter – what could be more lovely, beautiful food, beautiful pics of food and done by a beauty to boot #proudmuma
LikeLike
Absolutely #proudmuma. My daughter will be thrilled. Thank you so much – and bon appetite! 😀
LikeLike
Dumplings to droplets – you’ve had a fun week. I had fun reading about it and seeing your photos.
LikeLike
It was a great week, Sharon. I’m so glad you liked the pics 😀
LikeLike
Those dumplings look delicious. Kudos to your daughter. The tick story is horrifying and fascinating. I didn’t know about the wart-off method. Glad you got it out of him. Bedside manner is overrated, right?
LikeLike
Yeah, that bedside manner they all talk about is way overrated, Char (LOL) 😀
I’m now using the dumplings recipe a lot and have become a little too popular with the neighbours 😉
LikeLike
Yeah, I’m wishing you lived a LITTLE closer to me. But those dumplings might be a little ripe by time they got to my house from yours.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL – so true 😀
LikeLike
Those dumplings look delicious!
LikeLike
They are absolutely beautiful, Colline. I’m addicted now 😉
LikeLike
I would be too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That really works??! No way! Thank you for passing it along! I hope I never have to use that advice. lol I really like the first picture, the one with the red leaves. Beautiful. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m so glad you like that picture, Daphne, it’s one of my faves 😀
I hope you never have to use my advice either, but if so, it really works! 😉
LikeLike
So glad you had a lovely time together. How could you not? 🙂 Never heard of bacon and egg dumplings but I’m game! 🙂 And I really love the first of your creations. Have a happy week!
LikeLike
The bacon and egg dumplings were delicious, Jo. My daughter comes up with some awesome recipes 😀
I’m really glad you like that first picture, its one of my faves 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
You really have great ideas for your Arty Bits, Dianne. Have you thought of showcasing them on Instagram? By the way, your daughter has a fabulous Instagram page:-)
LikeLike
I haven’t gone the Instagram way yet, Cocoa. I need to learn all these things 😉 My daughter will be wrapped that you had a look at her Instagram page! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had to laugh at the comment about your bedside manner and the image I have of you manhandling him as you took care of business. Ticks freak me out but I’ve never had one latch on to me. Then again, those green ants kind of freak me out 🙂 but the flowers are gorgeous!
LikeLike
I’m so glad you got a good giggle out of this, Janna. I’m not the gentlest of people! lol 😀
LikeLike
I must remember that tick remedy. I hate ticks. Your daughter’s eggs sound a lot better than the ones I had to endure at the Bungle Bungles! Nice arty pictures this week.
LikeLike
Haaa – those eggs at the Bungle Bungles were certainly playing hard to get 😀
The tick remedy is great. It’s so handy to have that spray pack in the cupboard 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was telling someone about it last night and they were going to buy some today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dianne your daughters website looks amazing I signed up and can’t wait to try that recipe. Ticks give me the creeps I will be getting some wart off quick smart is it safe to spray on animals I wonder? Your photography is beautiful, the first one almost looks like a painting. Looks like you are having a wonderful spring.
LikeLike
I’m sure it’s safe to spray on animals as long as you can keep them still for about 20 seconds (I know that would be hard with my dogs) 😉
Thank you so much for the beautiful compliment on my pictures. I’m very flattered xxx
LikeLike
Ugh, ticks are a serious nuisance at best here and often carry Lyme disease. Our field crews treat their clothes with chemicals because the little buggers are so plentiful. But the idea of treating any of them that reach the skin with liquid nitrogen sounds very tempting!
LikeLike
I totally agree – ticks are just disgusting and Lyme disease is a very serious illness indeed. We used to pull them out with tweezers, but this just pumped the poison in and made people even sicker. The instant death with the liquid nitrogen is awesome. I’m so glad someone realised it’s potential for ticks. It’s amazing what people come up with and test to help others 😀
LikeLike
Wow, your pictures are gorgeous, Dianne! I’m so impressed you knew how to take care of a tick. Hubby is lucky to have you. And to think you went out bought the stuff. Hey, it’s good to know about this wart off spray. I never would have guessed. Sorry I’ve been missing your posts. I somehow unfollowed you. Don’t know how that happened. I will catch up!
LikeLike
This happens to me too, Amy. Sometimes I think someone has stopped posting and then I realise Word Press has decided that I unfollow them. It’s weird!
I’m so glad you like my pictures xxx
LikeLike
Kudos to you for your swift first-aid tick freezing techniques – please tell your husband how fortunate he is to have such a rescuer on site. I had a tick bite me when I was living in Texas and Teresa was far away in South Carolina. It itched me for more than a year! My removal wasn’t as successful. 🙂
The flowers are breathtaking, Dianne…really amazing.
LikeLike
Those ticks are hideous little things. Our pack wear collars to protect them, but they’re not completely guaranteed so I spend a fair bit of time checking them (and they love it because they think it’s a massage!) lol 😀
I’m so glad you like the pictures – wow, I love the word “breathtaking”! I’m very flattered xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
As lovely (and yummy) these photos are, can’t we see some pix of you manhandling the tick? Kidding, kidding.
Great story, as always. You’re like Wonder Woman meets Crocodile Dundee.
LikeLike
LOL – I love your words, Britt 😀 If I’d had another hand I would have taken photos of the tick removal. I wish I had Wonder Woman’s physique (not so much Crocodile Dundee) 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
That breakfast dumpling looks amazing. No wonder it’s my favorite meal. I checked out your daughter’s blog. She makes me hungry.
LikeLike
She’ll be very happy about that, Jacqui. She’s an awesome cook (I really don’t know where she gets her skills because I don’t like cooking) 😉
LikeLike
She’s a food photographer, and you’re a nature photographer. I love it. Keeping the skill in the family. And she can cook, too. What a blessing for you! It must be fun to have someone make you fancy foods every now and then. And to tell you how in case the mood ever strikes you. For me–it wouldn’t. I’d just enjoy having someone else cook for me! 🙂
LikeLike
I LOVE having someone else cook for me. I’m not into cooking at all 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
You and me both then!
LikeLike
The food looks delicious. I’m coming right over! Oops, I don’t like ticks, but it’s nice to know how to get rid of them, and even better that you know how to administer the freeze-out. Finally, those pictures are amazing. If I had any wall space at all, Id love to hang the first one in my office! 🙂 Have a great day.
LikeLike
I’m really glad you like the pics, Marsha. I’m really enjoying the “other side” of a creative process 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can’t be on the “other” side of any creative process! that would be uncreative, and that’s just not you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope your husband knows how lucky he is (even if you did have to grapple with his head for a bit)! That made me laugh just picturing it all. I love your artsy bits, especially After the Storm. That’s so funny that you captured the ants waving at you! 🙂
LikeLike
I’m getting quite behind on my blog posts, Sheila. I’ve got a heap of work to do, but I really want to create some more pictures as well. You’ve just inspired me to get cracking again 😉
LikeLike
All of your photos are simply amazing!! Hope you are well. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m so glad you like them! I’m flooded with work at the moment (which isn’t a bad thing) so I’m getting a bit behind in my blogging and arty bits – I must organise myself and drop on over to say hello to you 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Busy is always good! 🙂
LikeLike
Yum, and Yuck, all in the same posts. I love food pictures. My stomach is growling. And of course, having that time with your daughter is priceless. But I HATE ticks – my guy has gotten bitten – the one time it ‘took’ was when I was away to not take care of him, and he got Lymes. Luckily, we got it treated quickly with antibiotics. So tell your husband to appreciate your freezing technique. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh no! Your poor hubby 😦 I’m glad he got his Lymes treated, it’s a horrible thing. I’ll tell hubby how lucky he is to have me. Heeee. Whether he believes me or not is another thing 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m SURE he knows how lucky he is. ❤
LikeLike
The food part of this post is quite tempting, the tick part–less so. Be careful with those things. Lyme disease is a scary thing. Happy Fall Dianne!
LikeLike
I’m so glad you like the food part, Renee 😀 You’re right about the other – yikes, I don’t like ticks at all xxx
LikeLike