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







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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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Saturday

This is why we go to Garage Sales



This is why we all go to "Garage Sales"
We are looking to "Score"

Akron woman finds out LeBron pendant worth thousands.


When Vaneisha Robinson bought a diamond studded pendant in the shape of LeBron James' number 23 jersey at a yard sale four years ago, she thought it was costume jewelry. "I used to go to high school with it around my neck, not knowing the value of it," Robinson said.
Robinson got curious about the pendant's value a few months ago when she noticed the diamonds were set in the same way real ones are. She took it to a local jewelry store for a once-over.
"They tested the diamonds and they told me that it was real and that I should invest in getting it certified," Robinson said.
Robinson, 20, who is an amateur boxer, saved $200 to pay for a certified appraisal by the International Gemological Institute. The pendant she paid $5 for four years ago is worth nearly $10,000. She's put the jewelry up for sale on eBay. 
Despite the backlash caused by James' decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and play for the Miami heat, Robinson believes the pendant will sell for top dollar.
"LeBron James (sic) brand will never die out," she said.
"If he got a ring it might go up in value. You never know."

 Article by, Curtis Jackson, NewsNet5/WEWS TV

If your all like me, "I'm always looking for that one item that may be worth a bit of money. So far I have not, but who is to say one item of worth will not be sitting on the next 'table' when I walk into someones garage. But I'll tell you, I love all the 'good stuff' I find each week...
Today I found 6 really nice little "cake tins" for $1.00.  Now to me, "That's a find"....

So, keep going to "Garage Sales"... we never know what we might find next! 

"Enjoy your Sunday Everyone"






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Wednesday

Bird Feeder


I've had a "Bird Feeder" sitting out back by the creek for about 4 years now that attracted many different varieties of birds, but time has taken it's toll on this well used feeder....




My first thought was to replace it with a new one, but no, I think "I'll try to save it"..


It was falling apart so I filled in the screw holes with wood putty, and put in new screws.. Should I just clean it up? No, I let me paint it a bright color.. maybe the birds will find it?


First I gave it a good scrub down...I even had to displace a "Wasp nest" that took over the inside. 
It has always been just wood and this time I had the idea to 'make it colorful'.. so I used some 'outdoor primer' and then some yellow and red craft paint. After I let it dry for several hours I put on a "Top coat, outdoor Sealer" so the weather would not hurt it further!





It's going to hang in a tree, or go back out on the bench so I did not want to get too fancy with the decorations, but it would look good with a design on it.. hmmmmm?
Oh well, lets just hang it on the tree for now...




It's pretty far from the "Garden Bench". I wonder if the birds will find it?
I know the "Squirrels" did... I found them, this morning, hanging on it trying
to get to the seed....Sorry guys, it's off limits! The (My) Squirrels are very well fed, on a regular basis.
 I buy huge bags of "Peanuts" for them.. Yes, I spoil my critters!

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

I wanted to point out the reason for my "Big Smile"today... Thanks to 195 of my wonderful
"Followers" ,,, I'm almost at  200!.. Whohoo!
Thank you everyone who enjoys and comes back week after week to check out my blog!  This has been so much fun for me!


I'll be linking to these great parties.
Click on over and take a look at all the great 'Crafter's' joining in.


at 20 comments:

Tuesday

Bromeliads in Bloom


Took a walk about through the yard today and noticed the "Bromeliads" were starting to bloom!


 If you do not live in a Tropical area this plant is only grown indoors.  But here in my yard they are like weeds.. really... they bloom only once, and then sprout a new plant at the root area. 
My HOA keeps asking me to "cut them down and remove them" haha... like I'll do that.
I'm really not trying to be obstinate, it's just I really like the plants.
 
Their reasoning is, "they collect water in the little 'well' when the flower is over.. and in those little wells, the Mosquitoes lay their larve". 
I do use organic spray to control the Mosquitoes back there and have never had a problem.






This patch of "Bromeliads" have already bloomed over the past few years and between each will be a new plant with a new bud showing soon. I like the bunched up look of the old plants.


Although I do have several varieties of these Tropical plants only one has a continuous regrowth. the others are very slow growers.


I'm linking up to these parties


Tuesdays Garden Party


Outdoor Wednesday @Southern Day Dreamer


Wednesdays Gratitude

Bloomin Tuesday 


Enjoy the heat out there... maybe we will get a bit of rain?

Sandy




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Saturday

Sunday Tips




 I'd like to share a few "Tips" with you today. Ones I think we all can use
.
If your like me, your always looking for "The Easy Way" to get things done and I have a few you might find very useful.  The first one is a "Necessity"!








 Did you or a family member ever drop your "Cell Phone" in water.. or forget it's in your pocket and jump in the pool?

Well here is a great tip...

Get the phone out of the water fast...then  turn "Off" the phone... Take out the "Battery" Then put all the parts in a zip baggie full of "Dried Rice"... leave it over night.  The "Rice" absorbs the water and the phone will be just fine.
Who knew?



Tired of your "Plastic Wrap" sticking to everything except the dish?
Try this tip!  Store the wrap in the freezer and take it out when needed.
Plastic Wrap is usually made from vinyl or polyvinyl chloride, which makes it slightly adhesive.
Exposing the wrap to cold air "Freezes" these compounds, so it won't stick to itself as you pull out a sheet.
But when you press the wrap over a container it will quickly warm up and regain it's cling.
No more frustrations with this sticky stuff!



Do you have trouble keeping your "Hands and Nails" clean after a day out in the yard pulling weeds? 

You know, when it takes a lot of washing and brushing/digging, to get the dirt out from under your finger nails!
Try this great tip my mom told me many years ago. Keep a jar of "Vaseline" on your potting table.
Yes, just dip your fingernails into the "Vaseline" being sure to get it under your nails. Then rub the remaining Vaseline on as you would hand lotion... Slip hands into your gardening gloves. 
Or if your like me,, I seem to forget the gloves, but do put the "Vaseline" under my nails each time I head out to do a bit of yard work... It's not as messy as you may think!
Then when your finished, simply wash your hands with your favorite soap... your nails will not have dirt stuck under them.



Love sitting outside in the Summer Evenings, but the "Mosquitoes" keep bothering you?

Try this tip..... Use a "Yellow Light Bulb" where your sitting and use a "White Light Bulb"
at a distance from you and your chair.. like out in the yard.
 "Mosquitoes" have a hard time seeing "Yellow Bulbs"  and will go for the "White Light Bulb"
Bye Bye Mosquitoes!




Do you love to bake bread, like I do'  and your dough never rises the way it should?

Try "My" tip...  When your recipe calls for "One packet of Yeast", use "Two" instead of "One".  I found the "Taste" of the bread is not altered in any way.  I put the "Yeast" in 1/4c of warm tap water and set aside for about 10 minutes or until it's all bubbly.  
You will find the dough rises much faster if you set it on a warm counter with a clean towel over it. Then just ignore, for about an hour....


Thats my tips for this "Sunday"....hope they work for you too.

If you have some "Tips" of your own, and would like to share them with us. Simply add them to the 'comments' below. 

Enjoy your Sunday!

I'm linking to

Sister Sister Sunday




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Friday

French Bread Glass Roll


I love to "Bake Bread" and for quite a while I've been searching for a "French Bread Maker"....
After going "On Line" and searching the better department stores, this past weekend I walked into a busy
"Garage Sale", and  "There it was".. just sitting on a table, way back inside the garage, "Waiting for me"....
At first I thought it was going to be a bit more money than I wanted to pay. They are in the $40.00 range in the better stores..

I was watching a woman looking it over.. then putting it down... then another woman came upon it. 

I crept closer and finally had my turn. I squirmed between a few other women,  saw the price tag and snatched it as fast as I could...
$3.00
Yes, that is what the tag said  "Three Dollars"
"Sold"


If you have never worked with one of these little charmers, you must give it a try!
Mine broke a few years ago and I was never able to replace it.


First you make your favorite bread recipe, let it rise the first time in a bowl, then you butter the glass tube, dust with corn meal and insert the bread dough into it.






Yes, you make the bread dough as you normally would... kneed, rise, punch down, then place it into the tube and let rise "in the tube". When I looked at it after the hour of 'rising', it was sticking out both sides. I did cut off the extra and rolled again  into a loaf pan for a second loaf to bake. (I put too much dough into the tube).



The tube then sets into the 'wire rack' that comes with it.... Bake as you would for normal bread on the center rack, in the oven.
The best part... it was only "$3.00"

Sorry to say, the bread that was baked into my 'Never used Bread Tube"    Yes it was never used. The lady said, "Her daughter bought it for here as a gift and she does not like to bake!  My gain!
The bread I made... Well, I took the bread out of the tube, placed it on a wire rack to cool, then I ran to the store only to come home to find "Mr. Neither" had eaten the majority of it. He is addicted to 'Fresh Baked Bread".  So, I'll have to bake another, and show you the results another time. Besides, this is about "My Garage Sale Find" for the week, not the bread.



           
It even had the original instructions with it!
Wonder what I'll find this week?

I'm linking up to


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Thursday

In Memory "USCG"


We are a "US Coast Guard" Family and have Sad News

July 7 Coast Guard chopper 6017 based out of Alaska crashed off the
coast of Washington State. There was only one survivor and three
Coasties lost their lives.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of these fine men.
at 4 comments:

Tuesday

Rainy Season in Florida

CORECTION!
Animal control told me, "This is no Bob Cat", it's a "Panther"...
Ew ew ew ew!


I was standing on my upstairs balcony about 4:30 in the afternoon yesterday and I had to do a double take at what I was looking at, just slowly walking around my back yard!  Now I  have my yard registered with the "National Wildlife Federation" as a "Back Yard Habitat",  but I never dreamed I'd see a "Bob Cat"!





Now I knew that "Bob Cats" and the "Florida Panther" were 'free roamers' but not in my neighborhood!  The photo above is a 'google stock' photo.. I went through many images until I found one  that most looked like what I saw.
Back to my story..
When I first stood there watching this really beautiful 'Cat' walking around, looking into every planter I have out there, I realized the neighbor kids were playing in their yard!  I froze!  
Then my "Mom Mode" took over and I flew down the stairs and out the front door two houses down, in my jammies, and banged on their door!   Now these kids are young... 3-5 and 6 years old and they always play out back.... 
I remember the first thing I said was  "Hi, there is a 'Bob Cat' out back, and before I could say, "I hear your kids out there"... three people got off the sofa and flew out their back door...leaving me standing there!.. 
I wanted a photo so I rushed home and  ran back up to the balcony!  Well I had my cell phone in my hand and I'm sorry to say, "it took really bad photos"
The kids father came over a bit later, thanking me for the warning!  He looked flustered to say the least.. we walked out back but the 'Cat' was gone into the woods... 
"What a beautiful creature"   I've seen them in the Zoos but not walking around my yard!
She did look hungry,  Infact, "skinny is how she looked"   no wonder I have not seen bunnies out there in a while.. they always came out in the mornings for my carrots....
I think I'll not go out there in the dark anymore......
I had no idea if we were to 'report' seeing these creatures,,, if only to warn the neighborhood to be on the look out for "Bob Cat's" on the prowl?  I did call "Animal Control" but they said, "They were surprised this is the first one I've seen. Just don't let your pets and small children out"... Very unconcerned!


 
 "Hawaiian Hoya"

Every June we in Florida have "Rainy Season" settle upon us.
I remember as a kid, when my family had a home in Miami, we would walk home from school in the "Rain"... yes, the sky would open up each day around 3 in the afternoon,, really, every day! Sometimes it would downpour for about an hour then the sun would come out, and it was still raining.
We moved away from Florida and I spent the next 30 years in other places only to come back to Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area, during the "Rainy Season" and "It rained for 23 days straight!  I totally forgot about this rain!


 

I walked out on the deck this morning to find my "Hoya" plant in bloom.  Although I have 5 plants around the yard, this one I gave a name "Bloomie"... She blooms on a regular basis, about every three months.


The Hoya Plant is one of the easiest plants to grown.  The wax plant, or shooting star, is a vine that loves to be ignored.  They do very well in hanging baskets, both indoors and out. The little blooms are called Umbels.  They come in a variety of shapes and colors.  Mine have very "Pink" blooms. The books say "fragrant" but mine, "I smell nothing?" 
When you feel this little 'star flower' it has the feeling of 'bone china'... so sweet and the flower will last about a week or two!


Today, out back, my yard feels and looks and smells like a 'Rain forest'... all the vegetation is lush and green, just dripping with rain!  So beautiful!  
The "Bob Cat" must have a family out there somewhere...hmmmm? 
I do hope he/she enjoys my yard as much as I do!


I'm linking up to ....




at 34 comments:

Monday

Rained all weekend

It rained all weekend here.. but most of the "Fireworks" went on as planned... 
You know, as much as I love the 'Fireworks', it's just not the same without
my children.. Such wonderful days when they were small,, sleeping on my shoulder or
standing there 'All wide eyed' at the delight of the sky'!

I made a "Door Sign" a few weeks ago for my daughters family. 
Liked it so much, "I had to make another".. What better thing to do on a "Rainy Day"

I stayed home and worked on my "Front Door Sign"
Wonder what my neighbor will think now that it's on the door?
He is the one that told me about 3 years ago.. "Your yard is looking like Trailer Park"
Now, he is an old guy, rides around in his wheel chair so I have to show a bit of respect.. holding my tongue is hard! 

"BAAAAA HUUUMMMBBBUUUG!"













I found a scrap of wood from another project .. did not even have to cut it... "perfect"....
Painted it white,,, used the left over letters from the sign I made for my  daughters family. 
The only thing I had to buy were the 'little Butterfly's'... love those critters!  I'll have to do a post on the many "Butterflys" I have out back... If they will let me take their photos! 
   
The butterfly's for the sign were simply 'rub on's'...  I did use the "Mod Podge" to seal it all. 
Added the little screw on circles,, then the twine to hang it... 
Sometimes I feel like a little kid, when I make something like this.. Whats even better,, "It's for me"



My daughter said, "You need to take orders Mom"... I don't think I want to sit and paint signs all day,, well, maybe for a few really close friends!



There,, Smack Dab in the front of the house sitting on my bench!
Can't miss it!


"Come on !   Mr. Your yard looks like a trailer park man"!

Linking up to these great Monday parties...

Met Mondays


Something I Whipped up


DIY Showcase

 It's So Very Cheri

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