Week 134, 7/15/2018

Thoughts and Quotes: Summer, summer, summertime, time to sit back and unwind.
                                                      From the song "Summer"

And that's what I've been doing the last couple of days, after a whirlwind beginning to the week. As you'll recall, I left off my last post rather abruptly when I got a call from some friends from Minnesota who said they were 200 miles away.

I knew they were going to visit on the way to a Camparee sometime in the middle of July, but somehow didn't get a definite date on my calendar. Oh, dear! 

When I have company, I like to do the "little extra", but no time for that. I ran to the store and picked up some supplies, but no time to do anything special. It worked out okay. They'd just eaten lunch (at 3:00 p.m.), so we just had reuben sandwiches and chips in the evening, and the next day we had cereal and bananas for breakfast. Then off to Wonders of Wildlife. We stayed the entire day and had dinner at Golden Corral (burp!), and were ready to turn in early. I did give them a decent bacon and eggs breakfast on Tuesday before they left for the campgrounds. I'll make up for my mediocre hostessing the next time they visit with a pretty table and a good dinner.

I know you've seen photos before, but if I send these to my friends by email, I can only send a few at a time. If I post them here, they can see them all at once, and then give my blog address to friends so they can view them. They were both quite impressed with the place and want to tell all their camping buddies about it. So here goes - and remember that all the backdrops are handpainted. Wonders of Wildlife (WOW) is a part of the original Bass Pro in Springfield, Missouri.

We went to the acquarium side first, and didn't take pictures. It's difficult through glass, plus no flash. These are photos I've taken on prior visits.

And if you want more WOW photos, go to the archives and click on Week 105.

George, I found your camera batteries in the back seat of my car. Two nights and one day is a very short visit. You must stay longer next time.

Tasting: I finally took Nancy to Keeter Center, and since she was off in the middle of the week, Martha could go too. Martha and I had the chicken-fried chicken (our favorite):

Nancy had the deconstructed pot roast pot pie.

They always serve wheat rolls, cranberry scones (they call them biscuits), with homemade apple butter and butter from their dairy.

Tips: Bev introduced me to a Facebook closed group which is perfectly delightful. If you're on Facebook, you can join and you're accepted immediately. Just log on to www.facebook.com and search for Tea Cups and Cupcakes Group. Wonderful photos and I was inspired to do some -

Thrifting: I was running errands but got that little niggling feeling that I should visit our local thrift shop. Woo hoo! 30% off on all dishes. Baby is still there, snoozing away, as usual. I swear she's related to Stormy.

I found a St. Patrick's Day teapot for $3.50.

A granite tea warmer to go with my brown teapots for 70 cents.

A shell dish which I'll use for butter for one of my theme dinner tables for 70 cents.

Looks as if I need it for the Beachcomber Brunch.

And this mystery piece for 70 cents.

I finally looked on the bottom - Duh! It said Carol Wilson Fine Arts. I Googled Carol and she's that lady who makes the beautiful cards, notepads, etc. Click HERE.  Don't you want all of them? I've even had some of them. I'm guessing this came in a set, like this one from Lady Jayne Ltd. Click HERE.

But it's mine now, and I'm using it like this.

And another mystery, also for 70 cents.

This one says Lady Jayne Ltd on the bottom.  She also makes notecards, but mostly jewelry. So take your choice.  But I could also use it like this.

I was on a roll, so I decided to go to Goodwill (where yellow tags were 50% off), and I found two pretty little glass dishes.

The oval one was 50 cents.

And the rectangular one was $1. Camera distortion - it's not square.

So I'm disposing of this. It's a tea party in a box.

I also bought three scarves for 50 cents each. Washed, but not ironed yet.

So I'm discarding two cheapies I bought in China.

And this one from Spain which I bought in haste, believing it to be Don Quixote, but instead turned out to be a bull figher. Great size for a tea table, but not a suitable subject.

The Pepper and Pals Report: The heat seems to be making Stormy and Pepper very lethargic, though they're in the air-condioned house. I call them my Sleepy-head Cats, which is fine with me. Guess the heat works on people, too, because we all took a long nap yesterday afternoon.

Sadly, BJ has only one remaining kitten. That's the heart-wrenching part of feral kitties. A litter of six, and only one survivor. I'm ready to try trapping BJ again, but the baby looked so vulnerable, I didn't have the heart to take her mommy away for 4 or 5 days. Besides, she's still nursing. She's eight weeks old now. Next week for sure. I'm sure the baby is a girl. Of course, since the vet charges more to fix girls than he does for boys, she'll be a she.

This morning, I found them like this.

Tasting: Remember the scone mix in my CARE package from last week? I made the scones for breakfast - so easy. You just add water, mix, drop on parchment, and bake. Fantastic! I made myself stop after two. I could have eaten the entire dozen.

I ate them with my yummy butter from Ireland (which I save for special times) and red raspberry seedless jam. The tray was from my Special Girls up North too. It came laden with goodies.

No stores in my area carry Sticky Fingers Bakeries products, but I can buy them online HERE or HERE. The first link is direct to the company so you can see all their products: scone mix, muffin mix, curds and jams. I want them all. The second link is for Amazon's carriers of the products.

Tales: I just finished Book 4, and I find this author worthwhile. The Garden Girls live in a small town and the protagonist, Gloria - a widow, is an amateur sleuth. She's like Murder, She Wrote's Jessica Fletcher. Someone is always getting murdered, but you're not really attached to the victim, so you don't mourn very long. And it's never a descriptive murder, so you're not trying to control your gag reflex. Just a nice little Cozy Mystery murder. This is also the Cruise Ship mysteries series starting with Book 7. Somewhere I figured out that one of the Garden Girls is going to accept a position on a cruise ship, so I guess the setting will change from small town to cruise ship at that point. More books in the series, but I still have eight to go, so like Scarlett, I'll think about that tomorrow. Hope publishes only ebooks.

Teaching and Learning: Only two lessons left in my Travel Writing Class. One will be released on Wednesday and the next on Friday. I hoped to pick up some tips to make my travel journal more interesting when I visit the Dakotas this fall. The best part of the course has been the information on resources. But I've had fun. I highly recommend that you check your library for free learning. If you can't find anything by computer, by all means, ask the reference desk. That's why it's there. 

Or just Google "free education" and you'll be amazed at what is available. Or study on your own. Choose a subject, get some books from the library, research the internet, and get those brain cells buzzing.

Tidbits: We haven't done National Days for awhile. Let's see what's happening this week.

Monday is Corn Fritters Day - I can do that.

Tuesday it's either a tattoo or peach ice cream. I love peach ice cream

Wednesday it's sour candy or caviar. Not fond of either, but candy is cheaper.

Thursday - Hot dog! It's hot dog day.

Friday is Pennsylvania Day. If you know someone there, give them a call. If not, we could study the state (see Teaching and Learning above). Or take the easy way out and suck on a lollipop.

Saturday - a great idea. I'm going to just direct you to see how to celebrate Toss Away the "Could Haves" and "Should Haves" Day. Click HERE. Or if you have no regrets, you can eat junk food.

Sunday - if you don't have a hammock, you need to eat some penuche fudge.

Looks like a fun and fattening week to me.

SO GO FOR A WALK EACH DAY

DRINK YOUR COFFEE

AND TEA

EAT YOUR APPLES

HEAD TO THE POOL OR LAKE

HUG YOUR FAMILY AND PETS

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE

Week 133, 7/8/2018

Thoughts and Quotes: Bev forwarded this email a few days ago, and I liked it so much, I saved it to share with you.

This is something we should all read at least once a week!!!!! 

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio .

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short – enjoy it.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry, God never blinks.

16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19.. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive

29. What other people think of you is none of your business

30 Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved

39 Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Time for a Giggle: This ad was in the throwaway paper I get each week, and I actually laughted out loud. Oops! I meant I actually LOL'd.

 Poor presidents! They're probably whirling in their graves. 

Tasting: On the 4th of July Nancy and I went in search of fried chicken. We'd heard about a new chain called Zaxby's, but we'd not been there so thought we'd try it. The menu is limited, but the food is great. If you don't have one, they're slowly creeping toward you.

Great chicken fingers. Check out the menu HERE. 

Tidbits: Since we were driving by, we dropped into Ruby's which has been open for serveral months, but I'd never been there. I'm never making another birthday cake. 

Or if you just want to give yourself a little treat -

It's not just a bakery. They have produce, meats, fish, ready to eat foods both hot and cold, some groceries, and bulk foods. They have an area for eating on the premises, as well as a Starbucks.

Thrifting: And then we hit the sale at two Red Racks (DAV). I found several treasures, of course.

Lots of coasters, which are nice if you're using individual teapots, for $2.

A gold tablecloth for $2.50.

Creamer and sugar bowl for $2.50

Five yellow placemats (like new) for 23 cents each

A bamboo trivet (doesn't it just shout Thanksgiving?) for $1.

Two cardinals for $1 each.

In the spirit of the day - a flag mug to use as a vase. It's Lennox and had a $36 price tag still on it. I paid $1.

My best find - only $2.

A teapot for $2.50.

Teas: I'm going for my wellness check next week and taking the nurse one of my books.  She and her granddaughters have at least one tea every year. They use the Christmas dishes. So I'm taking them a starter kit using the above teapot.

Tissue Box Cards: Speaking of teas, I used tissue boxes to make tea invitations. Joey gave me the little teapot cutting die to celebrate the completion of my tea book. As I told you, I wrote the tea plans in my book as I went along, but didn't test them. On the 25th, I'm testing the June plan. If anything's amiss, I'll just offer to reimbure anyone who has a book. Since I gave them all as gifts, I feel secure with this offer. The tea has been postponed until the 25th. 

Teaching and Learning: I'm sure you're all familiar with the term Wikileaks, but did you know about Wikimedia? It's a great place to get lost for hours (Wikileaks is not affiliated). 

Maybe you already know about www.wikipedia.org, the online encyclopedia, but how about wikivoyage for travel info? Or wikiversity for learning? Or wikibooks, wikiquotes, wikisources, etc. Check it out HERE.

And when you've exhausted wikimedia, take a look at www.images.Google.com/. Just key in a subject and you'll get tons of photos. I might leave my camera at home on my next trip. Just for kicks, search for White House and then on the labels above, click "inside". You can see the interior without a visit to Washington DC. 

Can be confusing, however, because I once checked Taj Mahal, and then "inside". Then I saw a label for "bedroom". Wow! I thought the Taj Mahal was a mausoleum, but here were all these beautiful bedrooms. I was looking at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Dubai. Duh!

Thank yous: To my Special Girls up north for my latest CARE package.

In the back, silver cupcake wraps, Meyer lemon shortbread cookies, mix for white chocolate-raspberry scones, an erasable pick, strawberry-basil iced tea bags; middle row, my card, a kitty mug, cocktail napkins, a tray for making mini ice cubes; underneath, three berry tea towels made from flour sacks (my favorites), a strawberry cleaning cloth; in front, a collapsible colander. Always unique gifts, and always appreciated for days to come.

And thank yous also for my many ecards for 4th of July, my handmade 4th of July card from Jean:

and my handmade Summer cards from Katie on the left, and the one Carrie made to go in CARE package. Talented friends, I have.

The Pepper and Pals report: Not much new here. Pepper and Stormy didn't like the fireworks, but handled them fairly well. The outdoor kitties made themselves scarce because of the heat during the day and the noise at night.

I took this photo through the window of BJ's remaining two kittens on Thursday, July 5. I saw BJ and the grey kitten on the bench on my patio Friday night, but haven't seen them lately. I think the heat has them staying in the shade.

Pepper and Stormy are sleeping a lot. She prefers the guest room, but he likes the floor.

Gotta go. Got my wires crossed and didn't remember I'm having guests tonight. 

STAY COOL

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE

Week 132, July 1, 2018

Can you believe it? Half the year is gone already. Time to regroup and get busy. Time's marching on.

Tasting: I forgot about this casserole, which I made years ago. It's so easy and tastes like a cross between meatloaf and hearty Spanish rice.

SEVEN LAYER CASSEROLE

1 cup uncooked Minute Rice

1 cup frozen corn

1 onion, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 8-oz can tomato sauce

1/2 can water

1 lb. 85-15 raw hamburger, crumbled

Salt and pepper

1 8-oz can tomato sauce

1/4 cup water

Grated Cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 350°.

Put ingredients in 2-1/2 quart round casserole in the order given.

Cover and bake 1 hour.

Note: If you don’t want any crunchiness at all, chop the onion and green pepper finely.

A not-much-going-on week. I took Pepper and Stormy for their rabies shots. Dr. Davis worked on Pepper's matted hair back by his bum while Emily held his head. He looks so much better. I can only get one swipe in at a time by sneaking up on him. 

These were BJ's kittens on 6-20

This is 6-25 (only 3)

And now she has only 2

I haven't seen them at all today due to the fireworks. This is not a safe place to raise kittens. Too many predators.

I managed to get some 4th of July cards made. This will probably be my last year.

Time to check your smoke alarms and if you have a red skillet, time to season it again.

We had hot and muggy weather this week, so I didn't accomplish as much in the yard as I wanted. I also had a stomach bug for a couple of days, so that didn't help. I got my fall trip completely planned, and then decided that being gone thirteen days would not be good right now, so have shortened it to seven. I'll still be able to knock three states off my bucket list, but had hoped for six. North Dakota is on the go list, however, and that's the last state I haven't visited. And I'm keeping current with my on-line class; six lessons down and six to go. I'm studying Travel Writing. Maybe I'll learn some things to make my travel journals more interesting - just in time for Nebraska-South Dakota-North Dakota this fall.

I've made a discovery this week - actually more of a reminder. The more I do, the more I do. So next week I'm going to get back to doing things which are blog-worthy, so look for a real post next week.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

STAY COOL

PLAN A TRIP OF YOUR OWN

EAT YOUR APPLES

AND GREENS

DRINK YOUR COFFEE AND TEA OR TEA

THANK YOU FOR SHARING MY LIFE