The puppies are three weeks old today. eyes are open, and they can hear quite well. their walking is not perfected as yet, but they are starting to play. they bite at each other, shake their heads to 'kill', then fall over asleep!
Little charmers every one.
bucks county
farm field
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
on the phone, but near the camera
I recently got another camera. A refurbished Panasonic 16x full HD digital. it was 1/3 off the original price and came with a 90 day guarantee. no i did not need it, but for some reason i just had to have it!
the good news is that i can Keep the panasonic 10x, which i love, closer to the action and try not to miss those neat shots.
So with this in mind, while talking to a friend on the phone.. I asked to be excused for a minute while I snapped a few shots of the dogs.
This is what i got:
the good news is that i can Keep the panasonic 10x, which i love, closer to the action and try not to miss those neat shots.
So with this in mind, while talking to a friend on the phone.. I asked to be excused for a minute while I snapped a few shots of the dogs.
This is what i got:
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| 'after a hard day of playing with my sweatshirt jacket, the dogs decided to take a nap on it!' |
That great photo!
How many times have you seen something that inspired you to grab your camera and squeeze off a few shots only to miss that great shot entirely?
Last week, the dogs and cat were involved in a playful situation. Cat on the chair (which is a no no). Margie under the chair barking at Juliette who was laying in front of the chair trying to reach Margie. The cat on the chair had her paw extended. As Juliette moved forward to grab at Margie (under the chair) the cat would swat at Juliette. It was just the cutest thing to watch the 3 of them interacting in a typical, somewhat playful way.
I quietly grab the camera, and here is the shot i got::
Last week, the dogs and cat were involved in a playful situation. Cat on the chair (which is a no no). Margie under the chair barking at Juliette who was laying in front of the chair trying to reach Margie. The cat on the chair had her paw extended. As Juliette moved forward to grab at Margie (under the chair) the cat would swat at Juliette. It was just the cutest thing to watch the 3 of them interacting in a typical, somewhat playful way.
I quietly grab the camera, and here is the shot i got::
Sunday, October 9, 2011
first week in october
lily had her litter Tuesday Oct 4th around 12;30.
we have a red boy and red girl and a black & tan girl. there were 2 additional pups that were not formed.
one was the size and look of a sea horse, and the other was larger, but still just a fetus. Neither were alive.
the pups were very, very slow to move around. after 2 hours of heat and stimulation at the vets, the 2 red were lethargic but finally squealing with sluggish movement. the B&T was breathing, but otherwise very still. more dead than alive. On Elaine's recommendation , (and i would be telling her this if they were her pups) i have been giving the 3, a tiny bit of nutracal. at 11 i noted B&T finally looked more alive than dead. starting to crawl like the other 2 more like what you expect from a newborn and making noises too. at one a.m. when i i gave more nutracal, just a touch for the pups, B&T girl was actively sucking my finger.... finally! but i am by no means out of the woods.
Room is at 85, with heating pad under them. big bowl of water NOT close to the box.
vet gave pups dextrose, and fluid before we left.
pups were 5- F, 5+ M, and 4+ B&T F, oz. (how can anyone over 60 read those little lines on the baby scale??)
my son is helping (reading the scale for one thing). we take turns going into the sweat box (Ross' old bedroom) every hour . to sit and watch, stimulate and try to get them to nurse. they are actively seeking lily now, all 3. gave lily water to drink and a little food to eat. not much milk that i can see.
lily seems OK, not stressed out and is taking care of them.
everyone is warm and comfy.
in the mean time, Juliette and her accomplice, Margie, took advantage of the gate being left open and were running wild all over the house chewing up newspaper & magazines, jumping off and on the sofas, dragging around a 12 inch long rawhide bone and 2 of Rich's socks.
like two little kids who misbehave when parents are not looking. they were having a great time. Juliette did not do any of this, and Margie could not understand what i was even talking about.
Violet is a little depressed wondering where lily, her mom, is. will have to make some quality time for her. it is a little like Noah's ark here. Glad i do not work outside the house!
we have a red boy and red girl and a black & tan girl. there were 2 additional pups that were not formed.
one was the size and look of a sea horse, and the other was larger, but still just a fetus. Neither were alive.
the pups were very, very slow to move around. after 2 hours of heat and stimulation at the vets, the 2 red were lethargic but finally squealing with sluggish movement. the B&T was breathing, but otherwise very still. more dead than alive. On Elaine's recommendation , (and i would be telling her this if they were her pups) i have been giving the 3, a tiny bit of nutracal. at 11 i noted B&T finally looked more alive than dead. starting to crawl like the other 2 more like what you expect from a newborn and making noises too. at one a.m. when i i gave more nutracal, just a touch for the pups, B&T girl was actively sucking my finger.... finally! but i am by no means out of the woods.
Room is at 85, with heating pad under them. big bowl of water NOT close to the box.
vet gave pups dextrose, and fluid before we left.
pups were 5- F, 5+ M, and 4+ B&T F, oz. (how can anyone over 60 read those little lines on the baby scale??)
my son is helping (reading the scale for one thing). we take turns going into the sweat box (Ross' old bedroom) every hour . to sit and watch, stimulate and try to get them to nurse. they are actively seeking lily now, all 3. gave lily water to drink and a little food to eat. not much milk that i can see.
lily seems OK, not stressed out and is taking care of them.
everyone is warm and comfy.
in the mean time, Juliette and her accomplice, Margie, took advantage of the gate being left open and were running wild all over the house chewing up newspaper & magazines, jumping off and on the sofas, dragging around a 12 inch long rawhide bone and 2 of Rich's socks.
like two little kids who misbehave when parents are not looking. they were having a great time. Juliette did not do any of this, and Margie could not understand what i was even talking about.
Violet is a little depressed wondering where lily, her mom, is. will have to make some quality time for her. it is a little like Noah's ark here. Glad i do not work outside the house!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
the first day of september 2011
How can time be moving along so quickly?? seems it was just June.. and now September.
lots of interesting things going on here.. but i wanted to write about an interesting revelation.
I do buy a lot of frozen veggies. Sometimes frozen veggie meals too. Most come in plastic bags. Now, more & more these bags allow you to cook in that bag, instead of finding a cooking vessel. That is.. if you read the instructions before you open the bag and pour contents into container for cooking! Just shows how hard it is to break a habit or even pick up a habit like ... "read before using". So this afternoon for lunch, Once again i was pouring contents into dish.. when i noted the bag said.. "do not pierce". Oh well. there are alternate instructions for cooking in microwave (after you have pierced bag.) i am going to try and make it a habit to at least note if items can be cooked in bag. hard to teach an old dog new tricks.. but it can be done!
and now time to feed new puppy!
lots of interesting things going on here.. but i wanted to write about an interesting revelation.
I do buy a lot of frozen veggies. Sometimes frozen veggie meals too. Most come in plastic bags. Now, more & more these bags allow you to cook in that bag, instead of finding a cooking vessel. That is.. if you read the instructions before you open the bag and pour contents into container for cooking! Just shows how hard it is to break a habit or even pick up a habit like ... "read before using". So this afternoon for lunch, Once again i was pouring contents into dish.. when i noted the bag said.. "do not pierce". Oh well. there are alternate instructions for cooking in microwave (after you have pierced bag.) i am going to try and make it a habit to at least note if items can be cooked in bag. hard to teach an old dog new tricks.. but it can be done!
and now time to feed new puppy!
Monday, August 29, 2011
aprons.....
from a dear friend.
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Tuesday, August 23, 2011
on my way to the bank......
if any of you ever see me out and about in smiley face sweat pants. please shoot me!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
just past mid august
It was cool this morning. Some showers, but sun by 10a.m. breezy for quite some time and finally the heat kicked back in by 2p.m. fans on, but No need for air conditioning.
New windows were not installed today because of the showers and talk of rain off and on for the day. Disappointed as this means the bedrooms are all in disarray and will stay that way through next week. This messiness preys on my mind but i am trying to ignore it. Andrew will start moving things around when he gets home Saturday. Then moving them back last minute when ever the builder decides to come. I Don't blame Andrew especially since we have no clue when they will be coming, and everything is ready today at this end. oh well... life happens.
All in all, it is still a fabulous day. I have to consider something for dinner but i have had a refreshing shower and change of clothes.
Mega wash to start Friday, but not much else to do. hubby is home Friday. He will be packing and leaving Sunday afternoon for calif., i have a party Saturday afternoon for friend Elaine.
busy weekend.....
happy birthday hubby!!
life is good in the country.
New windows were not installed today because of the showers and talk of rain off and on for the day. Disappointed as this means the bedrooms are all in disarray and will stay that way through next week. This messiness preys on my mind but i am trying to ignore it. Andrew will start moving things around when he gets home Saturday. Then moving them back last minute when ever the builder decides to come. I Don't blame Andrew especially since we have no clue when they will be coming, and everything is ready today at this end. oh well... life happens.
All in all, it is still a fabulous day. I have to consider something for dinner but i have had a refreshing shower and change of clothes.
Mega wash to start Friday, but not much else to do. hubby is home Friday. He will be packing and leaving Sunday afternoon for calif., i have a party Saturday afternoon for friend Elaine.
busy weekend.....
happy birthday hubby!!
life is good in the country.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
another showery day
Walking dogs in between showers and the air is so fresh and clean. It is cool and breezy, humidity is not a factor this early in the day. birds singing, weeds have died back and the look is pre-fall....a little less greenery to obstruct the eye.
Andrew leaves today for a trip to Minnesota. Hubby and i will be..empty nesters' for a short period of time. I have already adjusted buying/cooking since Ross left. I notice that i have less and different things in the refrigerator. Andrew mentioned that i should still make the same amounts of some foods (that he enjoys) and i don;t mind a few leftovers to start the next day's meal.
I like making the largest meals with Possible leftovers early in the week so that everything is gone by the weekend. Since we have take out Friday, left overs sit. Pizza Saturday means left overs are still sitting. By Sunday evening i like an easy pasta /veggies meal: no left overs for Sunday dinner! Trash pick up is Monday early morning, so Sunday is the day to clean out the refrigerator...bye bye left overs!
During recent lunches with friends, i have noted i cannot eat as much as i once did. Also Dinner time on those days finds me not hungry after the larger lunch and usually a salad for dinner will suffice. Older Friends have talked about lunch time being their heavier largest meal.. and it almost seems a natural progression instead of a forced change of habit. interesting....
life is never dull here in the country.
Andrew leaves today for a trip to Minnesota. Hubby and i will be..empty nesters' for a short period of time. I have already adjusted buying/cooking since Ross left. I notice that i have less and different things in the refrigerator. Andrew mentioned that i should still make the same amounts of some foods (that he enjoys) and i don;t mind a few leftovers to start the next day's meal.
I like making the largest meals with Possible leftovers early in the week so that everything is gone by the weekend. Since we have take out Friday, left overs sit. Pizza Saturday means left overs are still sitting. By Sunday evening i like an easy pasta /veggies meal: no left overs for Sunday dinner! Trash pick up is Monday early morning, so Sunday is the day to clean out the refrigerator...bye bye left overs!
During recent lunches with friends, i have noted i cannot eat as much as i once did. Also Dinner time on those days finds me not hungry after the larger lunch and usually a salad for dinner will suffice. Older Friends have talked about lunch time being their heavier largest meal.. and it almost seems a natural progression instead of a forced change of habit. interesting....
life is never dull here in the country.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
found it at the food market.
Stopped at the Comcast store today to take back an extra cable box and swap out another box that has given us intermittent problems. It is always a pleasure to stop in. Good service and People who react to the way you treat them. I always leave satisfied that i got what i came for.
Afterwards i stopped in at Redners food market to pick up yogurt and fruit.
Long check out lines necessitated some magazine reading while i waited and browsing the end caps with their last minute items which may be of interest to those with a few extra bucks in hand. What i saw made me hesitate for just a moment, then i reached for a bag, Mary Jane candies.
This is another favorite candy from my childhood. it is amazing to read the list of ingredients and wonder how it can still get it's distinctive flavor, a sweet molasses chewy outside with a little peanut buttery inside. This is a candy that can pull the fillings put of your teeth if you are not careful. I wondered about buying a bag. I ended up telling myself i could suck on them to keep my fillings safe which i did. yum.. just the way i remember them. Mary Jane's. The wrapper is the same wax paper yellow with a red bar in the center. after all this time.. over 50+ years.... still the same.
Interestingly enough Mary Jane's are made by the New England Confectionery Company, located in Revere, Massachusetts.
if you are looking for things made here, in the U.S.A. this is one worth adding to the list.
Mary Jane's
Go USA!!!!
Afterwards i stopped in at Redners food market to pick up yogurt and fruit.
Long check out lines necessitated some magazine reading while i waited and browsing the end caps with their last minute items which may be of interest to those with a few extra bucks in hand. What i saw made me hesitate for just a moment, then i reached for a bag, Mary Jane candies.
This is another favorite candy from my childhood. it is amazing to read the list of ingredients and wonder how it can still get it's distinctive flavor, a sweet molasses chewy outside with a little peanut buttery inside. This is a candy that can pull the fillings put of your teeth if you are not careful. I wondered about buying a bag. I ended up telling myself i could suck on them to keep my fillings safe which i did. yum.. just the way i remember them. Mary Jane's. The wrapper is the same wax paper yellow with a red bar in the center. after all this time.. over 50+ years.... still the same.
Interestingly enough Mary Jane's are made by the New England Confectionery Company, located in Revere, Massachusetts.
if you are looking for things made here, in the U.S.A. this is one worth adding to the list.
Mary Jane's
Go USA!!!!
2nd weekend in august 2011
We have a fabulous crop of Hosta flowering their little roots out this year. Some fancy, more unusual varieties but also many of the plain big green leaved ones too. Flowers seem to be either white or lilac colored. Tall spikes depending on the size of the plants. The scents are all similar too.
I was admiring one area of hosta, doing so much better with less dense shade. I stopped to smell the flowers and did a double take. They smelled like the candy wax lips i got as a child in south philly candy stores. What a hoot! I have been back there a few times to smell those flowers in case it was my imagination. There scent is still reminiscent of those candy wax lips from so long ago.
Thanks mother nature, for the trip down memory lane!
I was admiring one area of hosta, doing so much better with less dense shade. I stopped to smell the flowers and did a double take. They smelled like the candy wax lips i got as a child in south philly candy stores. What a hoot! I have been back there a few times to smell those flowers in case it was my imagination. There scent is still reminiscent of those candy wax lips from so long ago.
Thanks mother nature, for the trip down memory lane!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
wild flowers in august 2011
I have noted this flower here and there, for the last 30 years. While beautiful, it is always an after thought because i just happen across it and always in different places each time. This year i have two areas with larger healthy plants, happy with their accommodations i presume . I am tryng to encourage the seeds to stay where the plants are blooming .. and maybe cultivate a few more next year.
i have no clue what it is, except for exquisite.
i have no clue what it is, except for exquisite.
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| actually has a pink/purple center. |
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| those little onion looking things behind the flower are the unopened buds. |
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| this plant is growing in tandem with Margareta daisy. |
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| notice the lacy, fern like leaves. |
Sunday, July 31, 2011
The mystery is solved.
Every morning, when i feed the little girls and change their water, i note how dirty the water dishes are. always something that looks like dirt in one or both dishes. what the heck are they doing out there?
Mystery solved.... as one night when we were leaving the girls yard for a walk, i happened to note movement in the water dish. It was a little frog. Last night, a frog larger still swimming around without a care in the world. I am guessing... the extremes of heat and dry conditions have driven them to take refuge where they can find cool, moist surroundings. There was a good size frog in one of the hanging baskets yesterday afternoon. Not sure how cool and moist his surroundings were as the plants were all a little too dried out.
Frogs....
Strange little creatures.
Mystery solved.... as one night when we were leaving the girls yard for a walk, i happened to note movement in the water dish. It was a little frog. Last night, a frog larger still swimming around without a care in the world. I am guessing... the extremes of heat and dry conditions have driven them to take refuge where they can find cool, moist surroundings. There was a good size frog in one of the hanging baskets yesterday afternoon. Not sure how cool and moist his surroundings were as the plants were all a little too dried out.
Frogs....
Strange little creatures.
The last day of July 2011
Sunday morning and it is a stellar day so far. The temperature is just about 70 degrees; humidity is not bad and it is traffic quiet. Just the sound of the cicadas and an occasional bird calling.
August is the start of bird migration. I have been seeing a larger variety of birds at the feeders over the last week or two. Also the number at any one time has increased too. The birds move when food is abundant to sustain them on their trip. With the scorching temperatures and lack of rainfall, i hope their journey will be successful.
Ross officially moves out Monday. We have shifted into high gear with purchasing things for his first place. He has a new bed, sofa, desk for computer and now looking for a tv stand. We got the pots and pans and dishes. Toaster oven and microwave. most of the big things.. now to fill in with sheets and towels....all the little odds and ends.
Everyone here has been participating. We all went to see the Place, and at least 3 of us have participated in shopping events. He is excited... we are excited for him. Glad that everyone is bonding over this experience. You can never be too thin, have too much money or too many friend/family in your corner of life.
The last Sunday in July, the last day of July already.
Seems as if it was just May and we were celebrating memorial day...
August is the start of bird migration. I have been seeing a larger variety of birds at the feeders over the last week or two. Also the number at any one time has increased too. The birds move when food is abundant to sustain them on their trip. With the scorching temperatures and lack of rainfall, i hope their journey will be successful.
Ross officially moves out Monday. We have shifted into high gear with purchasing things for his first place. He has a new bed, sofa, desk for computer and now looking for a tv stand. We got the pots and pans and dishes. Toaster oven and microwave. most of the big things.. now to fill in with sheets and towels....all the little odds and ends.
Everyone here has been participating. We all went to see the Place, and at least 3 of us have participated in shopping events. He is excited... we are excited for him. Glad that everyone is bonding over this experience. You can never be too thin, have too much money or too many friend/family in your corner of life.
The last Sunday in July, the last day of July already.
Seems as if it was just May and we were celebrating memorial day...
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
the last wednesday in July 2011
This day has started as one of the most beautiful days of the summer 2011. At almost 11, it is just 70 degrees out and the humidity is non existent. The angle of the sun has changed and everything looks a little less heat worn because of the rain we had Monday.
This is a day to work outside or inside but with the fabulous weather, and renewed energy i just don't know where to start. My major task is to bathe the dogs. everyone scratching... makes me scratch too.
It is just 11a.m. where to begin....
maybe one more cup of coffee?
This is a day to work outside or inside but with the fabulous weather, and renewed energy i just don't know where to start. My major task is to bathe the dogs. everyone scratching... makes me scratch too.
It is just 11a.m. where to begin....
maybe one more cup of coffee?
Friday, July 22, 2011
new garden area
For quite some time this was 2 large piles of dirt that I had been collecting to use in a bed. After hours of work and several people helping, a new garden bed is finally completed. All native plants for now too. While it seems a little barren, i usually tend to over plant. With the heat.. this is a nice amount of plants to care for. In the fall the plant will be 1/2 price. I can always pick up a few more then too. I am happy.... Even the Pigs seem happy!
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| Garden bed is situated between to concrete bridges over the dry creek. |
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| Two areas combined to make one nice bed of my design. |
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| All the rocks are from the dry creek. Note the concrete bridge at the right side. |
still July
The heat has continued unabashed. When i walked dogs at 2a.m., the air was almost like a semisolid wall. More comfortable overnight, if you could call temps in the high 80's and high humidity comfortable. Dogs seem happy to go for a walk and then come back in. Only the cat seems interested in spending some time outside.
We all have been staying inside and the air is set at 80 degrees. makes it very comfortable for people and pets. Hubby still home with a virus. every time i move to another room he follows and complains. Me just doing what needs to be done. Nice to relax and be lazy. when it cools down, it will be time to get back outside and garden, mow, weed....all the fun stuff. For now, reading, napping and watching Le Tour.
I watered the hanging baskets and plants in the back yard this morning. What a sweaty business for the 40 minutes i was out there.. and in the shade too! I will probably have to water again this evening. High temps for today.... over 100 degrees.
The new garden is holding it's own. i think most of the plants (native to this area) do well in dry soil/weather and that is a definite bonus. Still... i try to water over there at least every other day.
High summer, High heat.
We all have been staying inside and the air is set at 80 degrees. makes it very comfortable for people and pets. Hubby still home with a virus. every time i move to another room he follows and complains. Me just doing what needs to be done. Nice to relax and be lazy. when it cools down, it will be time to get back outside and garden, mow, weed....all the fun stuff. For now, reading, napping and watching Le Tour.
I watered the hanging baskets and plants in the back yard this morning. What a sweaty business for the 40 minutes i was out there.. and in the shade too! I will probably have to water again this evening. High temps for today.... over 100 degrees.
The new garden is holding it's own. i think most of the plants (native to this area) do well in dry soil/weather and that is a definite bonus. Still... i try to water over there at least every other day.
High summer, High heat.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
cats and dogs
Over the weekend, hubby kept a section of the newspaper out to read and comment on. At some point that section fluttered to the floor by the kitchen table. Of course no one picked it up and the cat immediately claimed it for sleeping. All week, the cat, "kitty" has been sleeping on this piece of newspaper during the day and night. Not sure why, as one piece hardly cushioned her resting place. Plus the floor was actually cooler without the piece of paper.
The last few evenings that same cat "kitty" has been going outside for several hours at a time after the heat of the day. Since Juliette and kitty hardly abide each other, Juliette took the opportunity of no cat to bring me the piece of paper. Not sure if it was a statement on the whereabouts of kitty, but even when i put it back, Juliette picked it up again and brought it to my attention.
i noted that one day while Juliette slept.. aside from the whimpering sounds she sometimes makes in her sleep... she was wagging her tail. i don't think i ever saw a dog do that. dogs can be almost as strange as cats.
The last few evenings that same cat "kitty" has been going outside for several hours at a time after the heat of the day. Since Juliette and kitty hardly abide each other, Juliette took the opportunity of no cat to bring me the piece of paper. Not sure if it was a statement on the whereabouts of kitty, but even when i put it back, Juliette picked it up again and brought it to my attention.
i noted that one day while Juliette slept.. aside from the whimpering sounds she sometimes makes in her sleep... she was wagging her tail. i don't think i ever saw a dog do that. dogs can be almost as strange as cats.
Friday, July 15, 2011
weeding is never done.
Why is it, that when you pull weeds you inevitably get a load of dirt in your shoe?
Thursday, July 14, 2011
later that same day......
It has been a fabulous Thursday, weather wise. Amazing how lower temps infuse me with energy. Might as well get caught up before the next heat wave. Pleased with the amount of stuff i got accomplished too. just a few more things for the evening and i can relax and watch tv or a movie.
So what did i do?
several walks with dogs.
fed the fish and dogs.
made an appointment with the insurance company.
Did some weeding.
Watered everything in the door yard.
re filled the fish pond (where did the water go?)
lots of picking up debris from the back yard and throwing stuff away.
recycling out, trash out.
vacuumed and cleaned the back porch.
watched a lifetime movie with lunch.
dusted the back 1/2 of the first floor.
(not to mention that i kept up with facebook and e-mail)
I want to get the living room and dining room vacuumed and picked up (and dusted) and i still have ironing that i can always do, but I got a lot accomplished today!
Time to think about dinner. Since hubby is biking after work, i can just make a meal for the sons. I have some beer batter fish fillets, veggies and Taco rice. maybe another salad for me. Watermelon for dessert.
Busy day. Cleanish house
YEAAHH! for me!
So what did i do?
several walks with dogs.
fed the fish and dogs.
made an appointment with the insurance company.
Did some weeding.
Watered everything in the door yard.
re filled the fish pond (where did the water go?)
lots of picking up debris from the back yard and throwing stuff away.
recycling out, trash out.
vacuumed and cleaned the back porch.
watched a lifetime movie with lunch.
dusted the back 1/2 of the first floor.
(not to mention that i kept up with facebook and e-mail)
I want to get the living room and dining room vacuumed and picked up (and dusted) and i still have ironing that i can always do, but I got a lot accomplished today!
Time to think about dinner. Since hubby is biking after work, i can just make a meal for the sons. I have some beer batter fish fillets, veggies and Taco rice. maybe another salad for me. Watermelon for dessert.
Busy day. Cleanish house
YEAAHH! for me!
An early taste of fall and plenty to do here.
Wednesday was a changing day weather wise. cool but humid in the early morning, giving way to cloudy with almost a sprinkle mid afternoon. by early evening the temperatures had dropped from the near 90's to the low 80's. Overnight the temperatures continued to slide toward the high 50's. What a nice night for sleeping after all the heat! This morning, the temperatures have not topped out, but it is in the mid to upper 60's at 9a.m. a precursor to fall. I understand a few days of below 90 temps and then heat wave number what ever (i have lost count) will visit us. high summer.
This morning was a delicious morning. first dog walk netted a load of wine berries ripe for the picking. Just warming in the early morning sunshine, they also had a wonderful scent.
The petunias (that are still doing better than just OK) also have scented the air around the back door yard. lots of day lillies blooming and generally everything planted is breathing a sigh of relief for the drop in temperatures. just a spectacular morning!
This is a morning when i just don;t know what to do first. Wok inside? outside? something needs attention no matter where i look. And to top it off the Le Tour d' France is on and it has been an extremly entertaining tour with crashes and unexpected biking continually. I love being able to see the country side, and have been watching Le Tour for years now. I wish i had the ability to pipe the sound to the outside our old radio finally gave up the ghost. Would make doing things outside much more entertaining. Not sure why but i like the TV as company outside.
Friday i have a lunch date with a friend (my birthday.... Again?) How did that happen? Saturday i have a long time friend coming up to visit for a few hours. and Ross is wanting to start accumulating things for his move to his first apartment. So many things going on...I feel like i have ADHD... where to start and what to do.
well.. start is the operative word, and so for now... no snakes in sight, better get moving.
till later.....
This morning was a delicious morning. first dog walk netted a load of wine berries ripe for the picking. Just warming in the early morning sunshine, they also had a wonderful scent.
The petunias (that are still doing better than just OK) also have scented the air around the back door yard. lots of day lillies blooming and generally everything planted is breathing a sigh of relief for the drop in temperatures. just a spectacular morning!
This is a morning when i just don;t know what to do first. Wok inside? outside? something needs attention no matter where i look. And to top it off the Le Tour d' France is on and it has been an extremly entertaining tour with crashes and unexpected biking continually. I love being able to see the country side, and have been watching Le Tour for years now. I wish i had the ability to pipe the sound to the outside our old radio finally gave up the ghost. Would make doing things outside much more entertaining. Not sure why but i like the TV as company outside.
Friday i have a lunch date with a friend (my birthday.... Again?) How did that happen? Saturday i have a long time friend coming up to visit for a few hours. and Ross is wanting to start accumulating things for his move to his first apartment. So many things going on...I feel like i have ADHD... where to start and what to do.
well.. start is the operative word, and so for now... no snakes in sight, better get moving.
till later.....
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Mid week in a busy july
On my way to the mail box to retrieve the mail, i decided to spend just a few minutes and pull weeds in the small front flower bed. Not a big space at all. stella d'ore day lillies and a few black eyed Susans. also a small frogy bird bath for effect. just a hand full or 2 of weeds..... maybe 4. Pulled, pulled and as i was walking away i noted major movement. a SNAKE. Probably a garden snake, but it doesn't matter, a snake, is a snake, is a snake. about 15 inches long too. His tongue was going a mile a minue. He was quite agitated (so was I) and then he disappeared into a hole in the ground. Here and gone. i thought mice lived in that hole.... or maybe they once lived there?
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
summer fruits...
Last year it was the year of the cherry....
The first year of using the debit card and the freedom of not having to worry about how much i was spending. I saw a fellow pick up 2 bags of cherries.. easily 4 pounds total. i was amazed. In the past, i would pick out perfect cherries and usually less than a pound. well.... if he could pick up 2 bags and not think twice why was i fretting over my purchase especially when cherries have a limited time of being available?! Every week for most of the summer, i picked up a bag, sometimes 2. we all indulged. They were fabulous. By the end of cherry season i had had enough. Obviously this year cherries have not been the draw that they were last year, As i have purchased only one bag to date.
This year.. it is watermelon! chunks, wedges, half melons.... cold, sweet and juicy. i don't pick it up as frequently as i did the cherries of last year, but when i do we have watermelon for a day or 2.
yum-o
Over the 4th weekend, hubby picked up 1/2 a melon. While it was sweet and juicy, it weighed 11 pounds (this was a 1/2 melon. and had at least 3" or more of rind and hardly any red fruit. It was definitely the strangest watermelon i ever saw. disappointing to pay that much and get so little.
what can i say..... we still ate it all!
The first year of using the debit card and the freedom of not having to worry about how much i was spending. I saw a fellow pick up 2 bags of cherries.. easily 4 pounds total. i was amazed. In the past, i would pick out perfect cherries and usually less than a pound. well.... if he could pick up 2 bags and not think twice why was i fretting over my purchase especially when cherries have a limited time of being available?! Every week for most of the summer, i picked up a bag, sometimes 2. we all indulged. They were fabulous. By the end of cherry season i had had enough. Obviously this year cherries have not been the draw that they were last year, As i have purchased only one bag to date.
This year.. it is watermelon! chunks, wedges, half melons.... cold, sweet and juicy. i don't pick it up as frequently as i did the cherries of last year, but when i do we have watermelon for a day or 2.
yum-o
Over the 4th weekend, hubby picked up 1/2 a melon. While it was sweet and juicy, it weighed 11 pounds (this was a 1/2 melon. and had at least 3" or more of rind and hardly any red fruit. It was definitely the strangest watermelon i ever saw. disappointing to pay that much and get so little.
what can i say..... we still ate it all!
Monday, July 4, 2011
4th of july weekend, 2011
Hard to believe that the 4th of July weekend is drawing to a close. where does the time go? It was a quietish weekend of puttering around. always things to do here. plenty of yard work, movies to watch, the never ending wash. hot too, so staying inside and taking it easy was a no brainer. As i am fond of saying 'all my stuff is here', so being here is not a chore!
And so I was surprised Sunday late afternoon when i noted the yellow tape at the driveway across the street. i went out the front door as it is the only way to get a clear view with all the summer greenery between here and there. caution tape and a second piece further up the driveway plus 2 police cars. Hubby was good enough to walk over and ask if the elderly neighbors were ok. the police man said "no".... "active crime scene". they could not say more. i knew she was gone and so was he.
Mrs C. was in failing health. she was in good spirits but had been on oxygen for quite some time. Visiting nurse had been coming the last few weeks to keep her comfy and take care of her needs. I spoke to one daughter just 2 days before and we chatted about how they were doing. Daughter did not give her mom long to live but was content in the care and spirits of both parents. so here it was. just 2
days later, and they were both gone.
i have not talked to the kids but their cousin called. it would appear that she passed while he was making dinner. In a panic, her hubby called 911. he must have understood in his grief that she was gone, and took it upon himself to follow her in death as he did in life.
of course we heard the gun shot, but he was always shooting things so we never thought twice.
we saw the rescue squad and the police pass.. but never noted they took the driveway across the highway.
Mrs C always talked about what she would do if hubby passed on before her. Hubby never said.. did anyone ever asked him? did anyone think about his needs if his life long companion should be no more? It was understood he would probably go on like before. But age and injury sure make you think twice about what you can and cannot do without a companion.
i understand he had an accident on the garden tractor. and was in pain from that. I did notice him not wheeling out of the driveway as frequently as once before. in hindsight, it should be no surprise. they were companions and dedicated to each other. there was no other way than to be together in death just as in life.
Rest in Peace dear neighbors.
And so I was surprised Sunday late afternoon when i noted the yellow tape at the driveway across the street. i went out the front door as it is the only way to get a clear view with all the summer greenery between here and there. caution tape and a second piece further up the driveway plus 2 police cars. Hubby was good enough to walk over and ask if the elderly neighbors were ok. the police man said "no".... "active crime scene". they could not say more. i knew she was gone and so was he.
Mrs C. was in failing health. she was in good spirits but had been on oxygen for quite some time. Visiting nurse had been coming the last few weeks to keep her comfy and take care of her needs. I spoke to one daughter just 2 days before and we chatted about how they were doing. Daughter did not give her mom long to live but was content in the care and spirits of both parents. so here it was. just 2
days later, and they were both gone.
i have not talked to the kids but their cousin called. it would appear that she passed while he was making dinner. In a panic, her hubby called 911. he must have understood in his grief that she was gone, and took it upon himself to follow her in death as he did in life.
of course we heard the gun shot, but he was always shooting things so we never thought twice.
we saw the rescue squad and the police pass.. but never noted they took the driveway across the highway.
Mrs C always talked about what she would do if hubby passed on before her. Hubby never said.. did anyone ever asked him? did anyone think about his needs if his life long companion should be no more? It was understood he would probably go on like before. But age and injury sure make you think twice about what you can and cannot do without a companion.
i understand he had an accident on the garden tractor. and was in pain from that. I did notice him not wheeling out of the driveway as frequently as once before. in hindsight, it should be no surprise. they were companions and dedicated to each other. there was no other way than to be together in death just as in life.
Rest in Peace dear neighbors.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
breakfast.....
I was way overdue for routine blood tests. If i slept all night i think it would be easier to keep up with it but being up half the night just makes it difficult to not eat or drink anything for 14 hours.
I finally decided to get it over with. 14 hour fast here i come! It started out well. Iwent to bed at 8:30 and slept through till 3. clutter control, wash, keeping focused on not eating or drinking anything
else to throw me off task. with a few hours to go.. i kept busy with banking and writing up the last few bills. Still time to kill.. i decided just to go back to bed.
when i finally returned to the land of the living, i had near the required 14 hours fasting accomplished.
had a glass of water, walked and fed the dogs.. and finally i was ready to go. 20 minutes to get to the lab with a stop at the post office to mail the bills, fourteen hours. then the wait for my turn. another half hour... i was covered. While waiting, i decided to treat myself to breakfast. it would be way over 14 hours. no matter how long it takes to order food and for that food to arrive in front of me, orange juice comes right away!
Blood drawn and i was finally on my way.
I had a hankering for a Greek omelet. what i got was a spinach omelet with feta cheese and hollandaise sauce. It was to die for! I don;t recall ever having anything with hollandaise sauce on it but it was GOOD!
Later that same day. chatting with a friend. we discussed the breakfast, was it really that good, or was i just starved and cardbard would have tasted good?? i will have to go back and see if a second omelet is as good, but i have found that being hungry always makes food taste better.
I finally decided to get it over with. 14 hour fast here i come! It started out well. Iwent to bed at 8:30 and slept through till 3. clutter control, wash, keeping focused on not eating or drinking anything
else to throw me off task. with a few hours to go.. i kept busy with banking and writing up the last few bills. Still time to kill.. i decided just to go back to bed.
when i finally returned to the land of the living, i had near the required 14 hours fasting accomplished.
had a glass of water, walked and fed the dogs.. and finally i was ready to go. 20 minutes to get to the lab with a stop at the post office to mail the bills, fourteen hours. then the wait for my turn. another half hour... i was covered. While waiting, i decided to treat myself to breakfast. it would be way over 14 hours. no matter how long it takes to order food and for that food to arrive in front of me, orange juice comes right away!
Blood drawn and i was finally on my way.
I had a hankering for a Greek omelet. what i got was a spinach omelet with feta cheese and hollandaise sauce. It was to die for! I don;t recall ever having anything with hollandaise sauce on it but it was GOOD!
Later that same day. chatting with a friend. we discussed the breakfast, was it really that good, or was i just starved and cardbard would have tasted good?? i will have to go back and see if a second omelet is as good, but i have found that being hungry always makes food taste better.
late night visitors
No matter how careful i am with lights after dark or keeping doors and windows carefully closed, we always seem to get some flying visitors that find their way in and end up fluttering around the computer screen. Last night was no exception. a small mothish flying creature landed on the screen. just a little bitty thing, about half an inch, maybe less, from wing tip to wing tip. what was so unusual was the color. This little guy was gold in color. i mean it was gold. i watched it for a few minutes and finally left to find the camera. it disappeared by the time i returned. no fluttering, fluffing, poking or pushing could unearth the little guy.
I do not recall every seeing, or being aware of a tiny moth that was such a striking gold color, not yellow but gold.
I hope i see it again.
I do not recall every seeing, or being aware of a tiny moth that was such a striking gold color, not yellow but gold.
I hope i see it again.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
baby birds
You can usually tell the difference between the adult birds and their offspring by the wing fluttering and open mouth gestures... feed me! other that that... the offspring are the size of the adults once they leave the nest.
i always find it interesting to watch the parent bird lead the young to the food source..trying to make those almost adults self sufficient and fend for themselves. does it work? well as the parent flies off the offspring usually follow!
Monday, as i was watching an adult cardinal feed his almost adult offspring, i realized that the adult birds leading the young off into the world were male birds. now while i cannot swear that it is always the male.. i definitely can identify the adult male cardinal and even the adult male house finch as being the one to shepherd the near adults into the world, away from the nest.
and just where is mom?? sitting on the next clutch of eggs??? I wonder.
i always find it interesting to watch the parent bird lead the young to the food source..trying to make those almost adults self sufficient and fend for themselves. does it work? well as the parent flies off the offspring usually follow!
Monday, as i was watching an adult cardinal feed his almost adult offspring, i realized that the adult birds leading the young off into the world were male birds. now while i cannot swear that it is always the male.. i definitely can identify the adult male cardinal and even the adult male house finch as being the one to shepherd the near adults into the world, away from the nest.
and just where is mom?? sitting on the next clutch of eggs??? I wonder.
hanging baskets of flowers
Every year, since we have been here, i get a few hanging baskets by memorial day. This brightens up the yard and marks the beginning of warmer weather. I have tried many different varieties of plants in those baskets from making my own mix of flowers, to buying already planted & growing. while my mom loved petunias, i have had little luck with them and after many years started to look at other planted baskets to buy. with varying success, i still charge forward! It seems I either have too much sun or too much shade regardless of what i buy and where i put it. and of course there is the need to water daily and feed weekly which i quickly forget to do. This year... against my better judgment it was petunias in those baskets. well they were on sale and still looked nice. i am constantly picking spent flowers and have added plant food sticks to help with the continual feeding. So far so good!
I had no idea they have a wonderful scent too . Will have to see how well they fair.. how well i keep up with them.. and consider them again for next year.
I always find it interesting to read about the newly developed types of flowers available for the first time. This year, the growers have developed an almost black petunia (like the almost black iris). I happened across one and picked it up. very interesting color and judging from my fingers you could use the flowers as a natural dye!
Here is the beauty after a good picking and watering.
I had no idea they have a wonderful scent too . Will have to see how well they fair.. how well i keep up with them.. and consider them again for next year.
I always find it interesting to read about the newly developed types of flowers available for the first time. This year, the growers have developed an almost black petunia (like the almost black iris). I happened across one and picked it up. very interesting color and judging from my fingers you could use the flowers as a natural dye!
Here is the beauty after a good picking and watering.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
is it a garden?
"Garden ": noun: a plot of land for the purpose of growing flowers, herbs and vegetables.
"Gardening": verb. to work in a garden".
I suppose i have a garden as i will eventually grow flowers instead of just weeds... and the working in the garden for now is the prep work for the future of those flowers.
I spent almost four hours outside this Saturday morning. Mostly in the shade but sometimes in the sun. I had 11 plants to plant. Seems simple and straight forward....not! First i decided to build a little wall of rocks from the dry creek to stabilize the slope of the bank and use the soil to broaden the bed. Wish it took only as long as the speaking of the job. Then the plants.. i had some of what i purchased, so beside deciding where i wanted what to go, i had to dig up a few previously owned plants to transplant into this new bed. Then i have noted... that no matter how much time i spend trying to site the plants so they face the sun the way they were growing... i generally have to dig them up and replant them. Back and forth, sun and shade, four hours. had lunch. did some wash. rested for an hour. Now back outside.
Hubby has decided to mow.......
It is june 18th and this is the first time he is mowing in june. did i mention that he hates mowing? Only mows once a month if he can get away with it. His mowing is akin to the indy 500. back and forth at a terrific rate of speed. Pushing the tall grass and weeds down instead of cutting. when he is finished you wonder why he bothered. The lawn area looks like it did before he started.... maybe worse because there will be areas of flattened grass and areas of standing grass which he did not bother to drive over. It is embarrassing. i have to cut the same area again when he is not around. Almost three acres cut in under 1/2 an hour.
you can imagine....
"Gardening": verb. to work in a garden".
I suppose i have a garden as i will eventually grow flowers instead of just weeds... and the working in the garden for now is the prep work for the future of those flowers.
I spent almost four hours outside this Saturday morning. Mostly in the shade but sometimes in the sun. I had 11 plants to plant. Seems simple and straight forward....not! First i decided to build a little wall of rocks from the dry creek to stabilize the slope of the bank and use the soil to broaden the bed. Wish it took only as long as the speaking of the job. Then the plants.. i had some of what i purchased, so beside deciding where i wanted what to go, i had to dig up a few previously owned plants to transplant into this new bed. Then i have noted... that no matter how much time i spend trying to site the plants so they face the sun the way they were growing... i generally have to dig them up and replant them. Back and forth, sun and shade, four hours. had lunch. did some wash. rested for an hour. Now back outside.
Hubby has decided to mow.......
It is june 18th and this is the first time he is mowing in june. did i mention that he hates mowing? Only mows once a month if he can get away with it. His mowing is akin to the indy 500. back and forth at a terrific rate of speed. Pushing the tall grass and weeds down instead of cutting. when he is finished you wonder why he bothered. The lawn area looks like it did before he started.... maybe worse because there will be areas of flattened grass and areas of standing grass which he did not bother to drive over. It is embarrassing. i have to cut the same area again when he is not around. Almost three acres cut in under 1/2 an hour.
you can imagine....
Friday, June 17, 2011
more stuff i did not need....
and did i mention i had to pick up a few used rules and other quilt making supplies??
Is it a bargain even if you did not need it?
I rarely go to yard sales. Even with a whole community yard sale, there is hardly a thing i don't already have. In truth, i love ''stuff'' enough to know the value of not adding more stuff to the stuff i already have too much of. Being almost summer, it is time to garden, not collect more stuff.
So when the e-mail arrived from guild president reporting a yard sale with loads of fabric, it was easy to say ...'have more than enough. don;t need more'. That was Friday.
Saturday afternoon, another e-mail arrived reporting on a trek to the home and the result..... tons of fabric, bolts of fabric... and cheap prices. still.... how much fabric can you store??
Sunday morning, i realized the home was only a few miles from mine..i decided to take a trip over to check it out. Yes, a mistake i knew. I actually checked to see what sort of money i had to play with (mistake #2).
The deceased had a mini fabric store in her well appointed basement, and a nice sewing studio too. The kindly daughter, Denise, drive down from NYC to try and sell off some of the overflow from her mom's house. cotton fabric, now going for between $7 to $10 a yard was being sold for about 3 yards for $1. ok... so how could you pass that up?!
There were two guild members there, both with armloads of bolts of fabric. This was the second trip for one who brought the other along. I started to wonder what had been there, if the reports of what had been purchsed were true. (One member reported 150 yards of fabric for $50)
Plan, plan... i needed a plan.... i decided to look for medium/light colors and yardage to use as backings for projects. as i started to pull stuff from the shelves, another guild member arrived and we laughed at our inability to pass up a bargain, fabric, and more stuff we really did not need. (did i mention this was all before 9a.m.??) once i had an arm load, i paid for my purchases and headed to the car. Two more guild members arrived.
I did not measure and wash (it smells of cigarettes). will definitely want to see what my $30 brought.
for now.. here is a photo of my bargains...
So when the e-mail arrived from guild president reporting a yard sale with loads of fabric, it was easy to say ...'have more than enough. don;t need more'. That was Friday.
Saturday afternoon, another e-mail arrived reporting on a trek to the home and the result..... tons of fabric, bolts of fabric... and cheap prices. still.... how much fabric can you store??
Sunday morning, i realized the home was only a few miles from mine..i decided to take a trip over to check it out. Yes, a mistake i knew. I actually checked to see what sort of money i had to play with (mistake #2).
The deceased had a mini fabric store in her well appointed basement, and a nice sewing studio too. The kindly daughter, Denise, drive down from NYC to try and sell off some of the overflow from her mom's house. cotton fabric, now going for between $7 to $10 a yard was being sold for about 3 yards for $1. ok... so how could you pass that up?!
There were two guild members there, both with armloads of bolts of fabric. This was the second trip for one who brought the other along. I started to wonder what had been there, if the reports of what had been purchsed were true. (One member reported 150 yards of fabric for $50)
Plan, plan... i needed a plan.... i decided to look for medium/light colors and yardage to use as backings for projects. as i started to pull stuff from the shelves, another guild member arrived and we laughed at our inability to pass up a bargain, fabric, and more stuff we really did not need. (did i mention this was all before 9a.m.??) once i had an arm load, i paid for my purchases and headed to the car. Two more guild members arrived.
I did not measure and wash (it smells of cigarettes). will definitely want to see what my $30 brought.
for now.. here is a photo of my bargains...
night visitor
Late night dog walking duty necessitates out door lighting, both the hand held and stationary varieties. Collecting dogs, leashes and finding outside shoes creates quite a cacophony on the porch. when i was finally about to open the porch door i spied a huge moth attracted to the outside lights, no doubt, beating itself against the side of the house. It was large enough to be of interest to the dogs, and to me too. it was a luna moth probably roused from slumber by all the activity.
I have seen these during the day. they are large enough to be mistaken for a parakeet (well that was what i thought it was at first sighting years ago.) luna moth... by the light of the moon....
I have seen these during the day. they are large enough to be mistaken for a parakeet (well that was what i thought it was at first sighting years ago.) luna moth... by the light of the moon....
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