The Wonders of Doing

Saturday

cool off

This past few weeks it's been so hot in my area and I keep thinking of the winter and how much I wanted it go 'Go Away', and for summer to get here. I got my wish and walking outside is like walking into a tropical rain forest... the dew point here in So. Florida has been in the high 80's. The temperature has been in the high 90's... the leaves on the trees are weeping...

For all that are suffering the "Heat Wave" around the Country and the World.....

Here are a few "Feel Good Cool off Moments"

"Enjoy"

If you sit and stare at the photos of the "Snow" it will help cool you off, at least in our minds!

Have a great cool Sunday!

xoxoxo
Sandy

Friday

Zebra Plant

Three years ago my good friend "Ingrid" gave me this tiny little house plant. A "Zebra" plant... it had only one flower and my being a "Transplanted Northerner" I always thought "It belonged in the house".... but I put it out on the deck about two years ago and found it loves Florida weather! This week I noticed it blooming once again.. this year it had two blooms! It's flowers come out twice a year.

"Ingrid" passed away, two years this September, just three months from being diagnosed with "Pancreatic Cancer"... So' as you might guess, "this plant is very special to me".

I find myself covering it when it rains too much, or taking it out of the sun when it's much too hot. I'll do almost anything to keep my "Zebra Plant" healthy.

A few weeks after "Ingrid" died her husband told me "I could have anything I wanted" from her garden.. this little "Garden Sign" was all I wanted... "Ingrid" did, "Plant Kindness and Harvest Love".

I think this year I'll re-pot my "Zebra Plant"... a larger pot. I'll go find some really nice, unusual pot to display it's beauty,, maybe next year she will give me "Three Flowers".......

"Enjoy Your Weekend Everyone"

Following Friday, Over 40

Favorite Things

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

Outdoor Wednesday

Follow new Friends Friday

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

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

Weekend Wrap up Party

Debbiedoos

Saturday Night Special

Sister Sister Sunday

Sunday Showcase

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"

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..

Sew Cute Tuesday

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Show and Tell Wednesday
Penny Pinching
Show Me What Your Working With
Boardwalk Brag Fest
Wednesdays Gratitude
Spotlight Yourself

Strut your Stuff Thursday
Get your Craft on
Hooking up with HOH
Tools are for Women Too

Show and Tell Friday

Flaunt it Friday

New Friend Friday

I'm Tickled Pink

Follow Me Fridays

A Few of my Favorite Things

It's a Hodgepodge Friday

Frugalicious Friday

Fridays Creative Blog

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!

"Watch the Dolphin"

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!

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.