Tuesday

Pruning the trees...



The Lawn care guys came into my yard this week,  on a very hot summer day.  The temp at the time was 98' and the index was at 105'.  They worked hard for several hours to do a bit of pruning... the palm trees were over grown and needed a hair cut.
They all laughed at me for following them with my camera.  But I was a good person and passed out cold water and peach pie. Then when they were finished and all looking like they were going to pass out,  I turned on the sprinkler for them..  Quick way to "Cool Off"!





Love that "Chain Saw"



Then they "Cut down" an over grown "Weed" that was the size of a "Tree"












Then it all went into the "Grinder"... that was loud to say the least!



I can see the "Creek" and a "Stump"



The guys left me a good piece of "Stump"... need to even off the top and use it for a planter, somewhere in the yard!

And  "How was your week"!

I'm linking up to this weeks outdoor and garden parties







at 17 comments:

Monday

Alex Blanket

A is for "Alex"




My daughter told me such a sweet story about her baby boy "Alex". His brothers have their own quilts that grandma made for them several years ago.. before little Alex was born... they use their quilts for more than to cover their beds.. TV/Movie watching, the beach, out in the grass, or just to snuggle.  "They love them".   I made their quilts in the same primary colors but I used a "Sports Theme"... 
My daughter told me about two weeks ago, "Now that her 3yr old can read his name, when the older brothers grab their blankets he looks sad and says, "Alex Blanket".  Gina gives him one blanket, then another, only to have him look sad and put it down saying  "Alex Blanket"...
Well that was my que.. Time for me to get busy and make "Alex his own Quilt".


The first order of business was to find the fabrics.. Primary colors are easy to find in any fabric store, but the sports theme was not... So knowing "Alex loves fish"", especially the "Octopus" ( he walks around the house waiving his arms pretending he is an Octopus)  I thought this to be the perfect theme for him.
I went digging in my scrap fabric chest and found some pieces of solid color flannel and used these pieces also.. cotton and flannel combined makes for a nice soft feel...



I know all of you "Quilters" out there will frown upon my method of cutting.. I don't do "cutting wheel" very well and I just measure the squares and cut with scissors, not doing a very good job of being perfect.. but it works for me...I'm not really good at matching squares in the perfect corners. And, I just sew the squares together in a hurried way..  I think I put in about 4 days time to complete this quilt.




Laying the fabric on the bed as I go along.. trying to evenly space the fabric designs.. (you'll notice my Rikki sitting on the bed very disturbed because "I took over her nap spot").


Once I had the entire piece finished I used the top design, twin size piece, then the batting, and the third layer is a flat 600 count sheet backing,for softness. I chose a sheet instead of muslin because of the price...On a good sale a sheet is so much cheeper then muslin fabric.   For the batting. I used, low-loft.  To make it easier for a little boy to be able to carry the quilt around.. not too heavy!



I then added my special touch.. so the boys, years from now, knows "Grandma made it".

 I used hand stitches around the name.. but then used the machine stitches to complete the quilting of the piece... It would be so much stronger and would go faster for me...  Alex needed his blanket in about two weeks, when he gets his 'big boy bed"... so, it's in the box and going in the mail tomorrow, and "Alex" will not feel left out when his brothers grab their blanket



A is for "Alex" and I'm linking up to

Alphabet Thursday



at 23 comments:

Saturday

Garbanzo Bean Snack


If your household is like mine, someone is always looking for a snack.
I am one who likes "Crunchy" and "Salty" but I can not have the "Salt" I don't remember the last time I picked up one of those grocery store snack bags.  I've been into health since my children were small and I'm so happy to say they, today, are feeding their children in the same healthy way.  My daughter is raising her family as vegans. I'm not that far into it but I have to say "I don't eat meat". Just fresh food and nothing in "Boxes or Cans". I still can not give up my dairy, especially "Cheese" (love the stuff).  I also eat "Fresh Salmon". My Cardio Doc said "I need the Omega 3's".


This "Snack" is not only very "Healthy" but good when your in the mood to "Snack".


Garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas)  have a delicious nut like taste and buttery texture. They provide a good source of protein that can be enjoyed year-round and are available either dried or canned.
A very versatile legume, they are a noted ingredient in many Middle Eastern and Indian dishes such as hummus, falafels and curries. While many people think of garbanzos as being beige in color, there are varieties that feature black, green, red and brown beans.

I have been eating these little beans since I was introduced to them while living in Lebanon... as a kid!
Middle Eastern food has always been on my menu since then.. Love the taste and now that I'm an adult I appreciate the "Health Value" of these little beans.


About 6 years ago I was forced to totally change my eating habits.  My heart was sick from a virus and it turned into "Heart Failure".... I had to totally avoid  all "Salt".... This was hard for me since I so love "Salty Snacks".  
I found this recipe and have kept a bag of these little roasted beans on hand, at all times.
Garbanzos are a good source of cholesterol-lowering fiber and you can lower your Heart Attack Risk as well. When researchers analyzed this data in relation to the risk of death from heart disease, they found that legumes were associated with a whopping 82% reduction in risk! 



 I only use "Dried Chick Peas" or "Garbanzo Beans".  The caned beans have added salt so I avoid them totally.


Soak a bag of Garbanzo Beans in water over night.
I add a squished clove of garlic to the water for flavor.
The next day cook the Beans until tender.. about 25 minutes. "Do not over cook", they will turn to mush!
Drain the Beans and lay them on a clean kitchen towel.. pat dry or let sit on the towel for about a half hour.
Then roll the beans in "Olive Oil" and spices..You can choose the spices that make you happy. I use oregano and grated cheese... then bake in the oven at 350' for about 45 minutes. (For those of you who must, sprinkle a bit of salt on them before you put them in the oven, they are so good!)  I usually just turn the oven off and let them sit in there for another half hour.. "I like them crunchy!"


Once they are finished roasting, remove from the pan into a serving dish, candy dish or ziplock baggie... I keep my "baggie" near the bedside for those midnight munchies. My daughter leaves a bowl on the kitchen counter for her little boys to grab when ever they need a snack.


"Garbanzo Crunchy Snack"
They are fast and "Oh so Healthy"
Enjoy! 


I'm linking up to these fun parties







at 14 comments:

Thursday

Coconut Crab

It's  Thursday  evening and I was sitting here thinking of my daughters conversation with me about a "crab"  that was behind her trash can.  At the time of her first story, a few months ago,  I just listened to her telling me about a crab that scared her.  Knowing my daughter as I do.. I  pretty much 'blew it off as no big deal'...( so she saw a crab, how bad could that be?)


My youngest child is now 27 with three little boys of her own, and since being a toddler she has always been afraid of bugs, especially spiders and was one of those kids who would 'squeel very loud and run from everything'. Gina still did the same "squeel" in high school when scared of anything and I would always laugh as she ran from what ever "It" was!
Well, last night we were on the phone and she told me of the "Coconut Crabs" again... "how large they are".   I've seen many different types of "Crabs" and again did not think too much about the crab story.. Until she sent me a photo of one......
"This is no ordinary crab".

Gina said "When she first saw this, she saw the birth of her children flash before her eyes"!


All I could do was "Gasp" for air!  She said, " she took out the trash, all she did was open the lid to put the bag in and she heard a  Shhhiiisssshhhh-ing  sound".   Like something was telling her to go away!    She backed up and ran inside, turned on the outside light and there was this 'Thing" walking toward  her!"  (They are not afraid of humans and will come after you)
She "Screamed" and ran back inside to  get her husband, who laughed at her, as usual.  Like I said, "Gina screams at all bugs".......


"Honey, this is "NO BUG"
 

google images


Gina and her family have been living in "Guam" for about a year now, and she has been telling me about "How different the Critters" are there...  She said, "Mom they have no birds". 
The "Tree Snakes" eat them all.  And they have "Wild Boar or Pigs" that walk the streets, and also "Little Goats" that walk in packs, along with "Wild Dogs" that roam along with the "Big Cows",.. "with horns".   (Gina is so happy she lives on a Military Base with a fence all around her neighborhood!)


I went into "google images" to see for myself what these creatures were about, and I really don't want to offend anyone but I had to share this next photo... This person was nuts to let this thing on his body, but Gina said, "They are harmless"... Their like "Road Kill" and are everywhere on the Island.  

"These monsters of the Indian and Pacific ocean islands have spurned the shells of their lesser cousins in favor of being able to roam and climb and kill at will.
They get up to 4 kg in weight, have enormous leg spans, live for 30 - 60 years, and are capable of splitting coconuts with their pincher."
"ew ew ew"

google images





look how he is breaking open the coconut for lunch, google images


I've posted a map of the areas where you can find "Coconut Crabs"  they are so ugly but then they say "Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder"
"Coconut Crabs" are known to come out 'when it rains" and scrounge for food, but their favorite food is "coconuts" and you will find them climbing the Palm trees and knocking down the coconuts for a meal.




 The entire blue area  is where the "Crabs" can be found. "Guam" is above and to the right side of  Australia.


 




From what Gina tells me, the local people eat these crabs. Since the crabs eat coconuts they have a mild coconut flavor... They cook the meat in coconut milk and toss it over veggies....
Gina said, "She has been offered a meal made from the "Crabs" but just can't bring herself to eat them.

I have this "silly grin" on my face when I think of "Gina" running from these "Bugs"
It takes me back to when she was little.

"Oh the memories we keep of our children"



at 15 comments:

Monday

New baby....


In about 30 days our family is going to have a "New Member".....

My Niece is expecting her 'first' baby...  The family is overjoyed.   All of my Sisters children have given her grandchildren except this one girl... she is the baby in the family and "It's her turn"..... "Moey"  lives up in Ohio while her husband is finishing his "MBA"... and we have been monitoring her progress over the web -cam and e'mails... I know she is excited and is missing her mom, who lives on the other side of the Earth...but they stay in touch and her mom will be there in August to attend her grandchild's  birth....


I found this cute "pattern" for a wall hanging and took a photo from a magazine.  Yes, sitting in a doctors waiting room, a craft book was  among the reading material on an end table...Don't you just love it when you find such things....


As you can see I made a few changes, not knowing at the time "Boy or Girl"? Then when I found out I had to add the "Soccer Ball"... "Dad loves Soccer"!


Moey and her husband have not come up with a name for the baby, or at least their not telling anyone yet, so it's unfinished.. I'll have to put it away for another few weeks.. but I wanted to share it with everyone because I'm really excited to have another baby in the family, and this baby is from my sweet niece "Moey"......
(Love you honey)  <3





"Cross Stitch" is one of my favorite forms of crafting.. it takes time and 'good eyes' but I love to do it!  Makes me sit still and calms me....
I'm thinking of making this into a "Wall Hanging".. but then a "Little Pillow" would also be nice for the baby's room??  Hope the new baby's name is not too long... 
Once I get the babies name and birth date stitched , "I'll know" which way to go!

` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` ` `

I'm going to link this up to these very creative parties..
at 19 comments:

Sunday

Watch the Dolphin

I'm happy to say "Bonnie Fizzled out" and just left alot of rain yesterday.
All the ships and personnel returned to work in the Gulf without any harm from the storm. 


It's a rainy Sunday and I wanted to share the "Dolphin" at the Orlando Sea World.. 
I have never figured out how to post a video.. so let me put the link..
Please click on to it.. you will not be sorry!




It's been a while since I've been to this park and the Dolphin did not do this while I was there......I think I'm going to go see them for myself when the weather cools off.. it's about a 3 hr drive from my house. such amazing animals.

Enjoy your Sunday!



at 4 comments:

Friday

Bonnie Fizzled out...

As you all know "TS #2", other wise known as "Bonnie" fizzled out. But, before the storm started heading our way,  then aimed herself at the  "Gulf"...   I "almost" had a really nice surprise!


This past Thursday my "Son" was going to surprise me and drive down from New Orleans to visit on his 4 day leave..

I'm a "Proud Momma" and have not seen him in quite some time.. He is a  "Lt. USCG" and has been in the upper "Gulf" directing a team of "Coast Guard Personnel" with the clean up of the Oil Spill... Well, they gave him 4 days off... so on Thursday he set out for the 8 hr drive to "Clearwater"  to see me... "When he got the call" ..... "Come Back".. we have to evacuate the Gulf waters  because "Bonnie, TS  #2" was on the way this weekend... Poor guy already drove into Florida and sent me a cell phone photo of the "Welcome to Florida sign" just to prove it...

Thats my boy!!

I don't think I need to say "How Proud of him I am" for all his dedication to the spill and the work he does.. He has been in the CG since right after High School.. yes 19 years now.  I think he is a bit disappointed with his call to the Gulf though.. He lives in upper Michigan, right on the Canadian Border where he inspects vessels in the waters there.  He just got married on July 2, and had to leave his new bride for almost two months with this duty... But as I said, "He is dedicated to his work" and I'm sure Michelle understands.

honeymoon photo, "Michelle and Tom"

Hopefully "T" will get a bit more time off after the Storm leaves the area? I'm just praying, now that all the personnel and ships in the Gulf must leave for a few days, the storm does not do more damage to the oil floating around the waters.. let it stay in the waters and not be pushed up into the marshlands.

When I walked out the back door this morning I felt the difference in the air.. it's kinda 'greenie' out and the wind has picked up... you can always tell when a storm is brewing, even tho it's miles away.
So I thought I'd better get a shot of my "Trumpet Tree". It's in full bloom this morning and the storm will totally destroy the flowers.




The flowers are about 6-8" long and 4" wide and so beautiful. But, very delicate and only last bout two days.




Hopefully "Bonnie" will just be a "Wet Event" and not cause much trouble to all those working so hard in the "Gulf"

My hat is off to everyone dedicated to 'Containing' the oil!   
"Job Well Done" to all involved..
Now, "Go away Bonnie"!!


at 19 comments:

Thursday

Dana



For the past 30 something years my Sister has been  looking for her "BFF" from High School.  We all went our separate ways after graduation and were not able to keep in touch.. Then this year we found 'Dana' through the wonderful world of the internet..... She is living just 4 hours from my home... in Gainsville, Fl.
We took a drive to her home and spent the most wonderful weekend 'catching up' on all the years gone by.


Dolly and Dana went through the old "Year Book" and laughed so hard (yes, pee your pants kinda laughing)  at all the old friends and photos of 'days gone by".... what a wonderful reunion they had!  I was even able to see my old boyfriends photo in that book.. I was two years behind these wonderful women... how we all laughed!


 "Dana and Dolly"


I'm writing this post "In honor of Dana"..."Sadly she was diagnosed with a brain tumor" just a few months ago and has been struggling to overcome this nasty disease called "Cancer".... she is now doing the best she can after 'surgery and chemo' .... 


Dana has the most wonderful support system.. "Her Family"... they have been getting her out and about to do all the things 'that make her happy' .. then this past few weeks, she did a few things on her "Bucket List".... Oh, how I wish we were there to see her "spiraling toward the Earth"... She said "She loved every minute of it!"


Yes.. this crazy brave woman went "Sky Diving" and was thrilled with herself.... You go girl!!!

My sisters comment on the whole thing.... "How we spend our lives trying to do the right things to stay safe, then when we are faced with a life crisis we go out and do those things we were so afraid of'!!  Well said, Dolly!


I wanted to send my love and support to "Dana and her Family"... what a wonderful woman she is, and how wonderful it has been for her, and my sister to reconnect once again!  Dolly will be here in October and we
plan to go up and visit with Dana again..  "So, Dana get out the "Pina Coladas"... we will be there soon!

"Sister Dolly and her High School BFF,  Dana"



at 8 comments:

Monday

crinum


This past few months I came across this very large clump of leaves growing and it just kept getting taller.. I had no idea where it came from, or who in the 6 years I've lived in this house, planted it.  Each day there after I watched it get taller and taller.. almost 3' now.  This was the first year it grew. (?))



Then one morning I walked to the back of the property and there was a "Pink Bud" starting... hmmmm, wonder what that is? A stalk came out of the ground on the side of the plant, not in the center?  I went to the internet looking for images of flowers, bulb and seed?


I came up with this....

    "Crinum"

Crinum were first described during the mid-18th century by Linnaeus.   Crinum species are found in Africa, the United States, tropical Asia, the Carribean, and Australia.   In recent years, several new species of Crinum have been identified in Madagascar.

In the United States crinum have been cultivated for nearly two centuries.   They are quite common in the South, California and Gulf Coast areas, but may be nearly unknown in northern states.   Old cultivars have been found at cemeteries, in bar ditches, and old homesteads, testifying to the hardiness of the species.



 Very nice indeed!  Now I do have "Red Amaryllid " in the front yard and they look similar to this and from what I have read, the "Crinum" is in the same family.  The spot in the back of the yard is really hard dry soil and I want to dig up this bulb and move it, maybe in the Fall? Wonder if there will be off shoots and more than one bulb?





I went out this morning with hopes of getting another shot (photo) of the plant, with more than one Bloom opened but our really violent Thunder storm, and heavy rain last night really did some damage to the blooms.. yes, it's all broken on the stalk... oh well, guess I'll have to wait till next year to see it again.



I'm linking up to these wonderful ladies Garden and Outdoor parties







at 19 comments:

Sunday

30 years

Looking back at the  past 30 years I'm amazed I'm still here to talk about this...
I married the most amazing, crazy man,  who has put up with so many of my alter egos.  We have children and family who have taken us in so many different directions.. We also have shared a love that would rival 
"Bogie and Bacall" 
Together we worked long hours, side by side, creating our dream business. Moved several times to different States and finally settled in Florida to enjoy our retirement. An Illness that almost took my life brought us back to see the light, the one that glowed in our early days.
Times have been hard for the two of us and also a delight to see how far we have come together.  
Here I sit at my laptop thinking back.  The babies we cradled and raised to adulthood. How proud we are of all our kids and they have brought us both great joy and sadness. No matter, their our kids and we love them with all our heart. It's funny how kids can teach 'us' how to be adults. We give up so much to make their lives happy and healthy... Now I look back and I'm proud of me for the mom I was and am. Although all of our kids are off and on their own, with children of their own, "how I miss their day to day being in my home". I want them to come back, then I don't, because I know they have their own lives. But it's tough when you devote your entire being into raising good responsible kids,  "They leave" (I say that with a big smile).

Oh, the things this past 30 years have taught me. How to share, how to give, how to love and how to do with and without...Know what, "I would not change anything in the past 30 years".. well maybe one thing, "I'd like to be given the chance to hold my new born babies, just one more time"...

All I can think tonight is "Whow, I've been married for 30 years".. sounds like a long time.. but, how the years have flown by... so many people have come into my life and also how many people have left it... Two very important people, that I miss more than I can say,,"My Mom" and "My Brother". They both thought this marriage "would never last"..haha, so many people thought the same thing when we first married.... 
I guess I could "sugar coat" the years but I'll be honest.. we all have our up's and down's in marriage, but we finally  found a way to stick it out and make it work.. we got over the hard times, hung in there, and found out we want to be together. Sometimes I think more people need to work harder at marriage.. most give up much too easy when times get tough.   
When two people have everything they want and need, what do you get for your husband on this special day?  Don't laugh, "A package of Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies". Of all the things on this Earth, "Cookies" would make him smile the most.

July 19

"Happy Anniversary" to Mr. Neither and I.. Whow!


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