Treacherous And Reproduction Successful

This morning noticed heat index expected over 100.

Planned to work outside from 6:45  to 8:30. 
When I finally came in it was a few minutes before 9:00.
I was wringing wet and I usually do not do this.
As I bathed and put on fresh "old clothes."
thought this is good.  All the medication I have been
on for the last 3 months is coming out of my system.
Maybe the detox process is finished :)
Late breakfast and even Callie who usually likes the screen porch
is inside.....

Whenever I go to the big city to baby sit with my young granddaughters
we go to a small cafe.  Usually do not like food out, like mine better,
but they are good.   My granddaughter's always order peanut butter sandwich :)
or turkey.  Also I always take a cooler in the trunk of my car so I can bring something
home and many times take my lunch in this cooler.

  While you are waiting for your food a small
dish of cheese mixture with crackers is served on a tiny plate.
It is different from my pimento cheese mixture and asked about it.
A chunky mixture of sharp cheddar cheese, a very small amount of pepper jack cheese,
small amount of pimento, sliver of red onion, a little mayo,  a few chopped walnuts
and it is covered with a mixture of herbs.

All ingredients on hand and placed in my handy little 4 cup Cuisinart Work Bowl.
A small amount of everything with a little Hellman's Mayo.

Covered with a few of my chopped herbs, parsley, basil and thyme and a few
more chopped walnuts.

Oh it was good and "if I do say so myself" it tasted just like what was served at the cafe

In the future
will make a larger portion.

So this with my Waldorf salad, zucchini bread and tea was fine on this terribly warm day.

Another trip to the mailbox in the truck and the air leaves you breathless.  Not a breeze stirring.

Also, they serve a lemon artichoke soup and sometime will try and reproduce.

I might add that it is a blessing to be able to taste food and have an appetite once again.
.  When I
have  immune flareups I have to force every bite.

Even gained a few pounds and hope it stays....

Simple Satisfaction

Day begins early
screen door open
sounds from the woods
and Callie always watches
my morning yoga.
Early morning call from over the ocean
left me smiling
for the day....

Early morning in the garden and rain is needed

Spent an hour on tractor

 but did not venture far into the woods.

It looked cool, shady and inviting

but paths have not been cleared in a while.

It was 90 in the shade

 

Simple evening meal

my squash, zucchini, onion and will sprinkle cheese and bacon on top.

At market yesterday purchased some Bok Choy, wanted a different green and pleased daughter mentioned it.

So accustom to putting chopped carrots in cabbage and without thinking

it was added.

Sweet tea, corn bread and a heavenly slice of chocolate cake brought home from last city trip has been waiting in the freezer for the end of meal on a day like this.

 

It has been a very good day....

 

 

Just Enough

Just enough for my table
and some to share with my youngest daughter.
Picked over last 2 days.

There is something about eating food you have grown.
It taste so good and you are sure where it came from.

A couple of special
blooms spotted.

and remember

Tonight
something I have not had in a long long time
"a bacon, lettuce, and my tomato sandwich."
Also will make a Waldorf Salad
with apples, grapes, raisins and walnuts mixed in yogurt.
Last, may mix up some hummus to have with carrot, celery and jacama slices...

jacama
introduced to me recently.
Healthy
addition....

Already

Yes, already
it is the middle of July.
Fall you really are not far away...

Many blooms have come and gone
and daylillies are just about through
with their showing.  Always pleased
that my special pictures are available
to me anytime - so I can remember.

May and June are the best time of
the year for my garden.  A friend called
last night and said I am still coming to
see your flowers.  Too late was my reply
visit next Spring.

Grass has continually needed cutting because of the frequent rain
surely it will soon not have to be cut as often.
Often my original plan comes to mind on first returning to this country land.
Meadow like grass as you approached my cottage with just a clearing and
gardens surrounding it.   Somehow I immediately kept clearing and keeping groomed.

The thought surfaces, can I still do this?  
The original plan would be better for my energy level
as time goes by.
Very aware that it keeps a lot of critters and wildlife a little further from
my dwelling.

Turnip green seeds are on my shopping list.
They need to be on hand for next months
planting.

This year has gone by so fast and soon school
will begin for my two youngest granddaughter's.
August is so hot and in my mind not a good time to begin school.
School years in Michigan where I grew up always began
in September when the weather began to get a little cooler.

Enough mind wandering
and time to turn my connection with the world
off.....

Vintage Cast-Iron Cookware

Looking at the current issue of "Gun and Garden" magazine.
Memories surface as I read an artical about a man who collects
vintage cast-iron cookware.

I go to my pantry to check these items out that I use often

3 old frying pans and 2 belonged to my mother.

1 cast iron muffin holder
and another one that makes corn sticks.
These were used over and over many years ago when I made corn bread,
using them instead of the skillet.
I know my older children remember them.
They were purchased about 50 years ago.

Cast iron dutch oven which was my mother's
and anything I cook in it comes out perfectly.
I always cook my roast and chicken in this pot.
Sometimes I use it when making chili.
This was given to me 16 years ago.

Last is my prize
and so meaningful to me.
A medium size flat skillet that my much loved grandmother
never went hardly a day without using.
She would say "I am going to make a hoecake."
I use it often when I mix up 1/2 recipe of corn bread
and fry silver dollar size in this pan.

I regret so
that during one move from a past home I gave away a prize.
This was a large cast-iron skillet that was so heavy
I could hardly pick it up.
Years ago when all of family was together I would use it to fry 2 chickens
and many times when I cooked a large amount of something.
It was probably given to someone that was helping me pack :(
It was so large that I did not think my daughter's would use it
and at that time they did not cook much.

Not much I would do over
but wished I had not given it away.

If I had it now it would be of no use
because of the weight.
But the memories would be priceless.
Wish I remembered who has it - but then guess it is better I do not know.

Another old item I have is a large wooden board
that my mother gave me.   She used it when she rolled out biscuits.
Was told it was my grandmother's
and I use it often.....

Wish at this advanced age that I could
once again go through my grandmother's
and mother's cooking items.

Satisfaction

A long morning
with chores inside
and Zucchini bread is cooling

Outside everything continues to grow at a rapid pace.
I pick a few tomatoes, zucchini and yellow squash out of this tiny garden.

Small clipper always in hand and much added to compost pile.
Hummingbird and bird feeders are refilled.

Satisfied with all that was planned surrounding this cottage.
Then overwhelming thoughts surface
of the future.   I will have to stay in the moment and continue
to  add all this abundance of growth to the woods.
Giving it back to the earth for its future.
Occasional help disappeared but then someone new has promised
to arrive tomorrow to cut 3 weeks growth of grass and spray long gravel drive. 
With rain, sun and ongoing
wonderful weather there is no disappointment in the growth of lush surroundings.
Herbs are healthy and an addition to every meal

Now inside
fans are whirling
and always this old fan brings back vivid memories of my mother

A day that started
at 4:30, lunch time has arrived
and I will enjoy the New York Times and U.S.A today
that was picked up from neighbors box.
She is attending her 50 year college reunion in Rhode Island
and I smile as thoughts arise of this pleasure for her.

"Sometimes, when I take stock, I only look at
what isn't done.  I also need to look at what I have,
what's been done, and what's being done"

In part from Meditations For Women Who Do Too Much
by Anne Wilson Schaef

A favorite little book of mine
which I pick up often and it always speaks to me.

dated that I purchased in year 2000.....

Returning

Yesterday, my Jamie delivered my repaired computer.  Have missed being online, being in constant touch with my children, grandchildren,  interaction with special friends, downloading images and researching special information.

During this time I realized even more how undisciplined my involvement with the computer was escalating.  So it was missed but as the days went by it was kind of nice having more hours
for reading, being outside, yoga, prayer, meditation and trying very hard to "find balance" in
these remaining years.  During this time I also continued to learn more about myself and those close
to me. 

Rain almost daily for a week, cooler and my garden and surroundings could not be more beautiful.
Going off of prednisone slowly is causing the same discomfort as in the past and will not go
into all that is happening.   I truly like my new rheum...., she is so compassionate and next time
a inflammatory flareup arises she is suggesting a new medication which is not a steroid.
Of course with my beliefs I am thinking positive and maybe this will never happen again.

All the emails, phone calls, cards and even a special book received in the mail from "Balisha"
made me feel cared for, loved and aware of the special thoughts sent my way.

A few images I will share
and before I sign off
please continue sending me your special words - they are the wings beneath my feet...

my early morning visitor

All
have a wonderful day
and I will be checking your entries over the last few weeks....