I am a happy camper! I just got a truck load of cedar chips!
My plants & trees will be so happy with their new mulch!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
After a busy weekend, today will be restful. Nothing demanding my attention and looks as though the temperatures will be headed downward for the rest of the week, so maybe I will be able to get outside and dig and pull.
Hubby did an outstanding job on a beef brisket on Friday evening. Marinating in yogurt for about 4 hours, then smoking uncovered for 4 hours, then seasoning and wrapping for a night of slow cooking, this baby turned out fantastic. Tender and moist, even the kids were eating it by the handfuls. The flavor was out of this world and as you know a brisket is not the top of the line when it comes to moistness and tenderness, but the unflavored yogurt did its work and broke down those fibers. Good eating!
The grandchildren, nieces, and nephews enjoyed a long swim while the older folks relaxed and watched. A peaceful and restful afternoon.
In ten days my parents will be married for 60 years. That's a long time to live with one person. I am proud of their efforts and the fact they have hung in there and not thrown in the towel. It hasn't all been a bed of roses, but they have managed to work around the thorns without any deep injuries and the scars have made their marriage stronger. There are still days they get on each other's nerves, but hey after 60 years they have a right.
Thanks for dropping by and until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Hubby did an outstanding job on a beef brisket on Friday evening. Marinating in yogurt for about 4 hours, then smoking uncovered for 4 hours, then seasoning and wrapping for a night of slow cooking, this baby turned out fantastic. Tender and moist, even the kids were eating it by the handfuls. The flavor was out of this world and as you know a brisket is not the top of the line when it comes to moistness and tenderness, but the unflavored yogurt did its work and broke down those fibers. Good eating!
The grandchildren, nieces, and nephews enjoyed a long swim while the older folks relaxed and watched. A peaceful and restful afternoon.
In ten days my parents will be married for 60 years. That's a long time to live with one person. I am proud of their efforts and the fact they have hung in there and not thrown in the towel. It hasn't all been a bed of roses, but they have managed to work around the thorns without any deep injuries and the scars have made their marriage stronger. There are still days they get on each other's nerves, but hey after 60 years they have a right.
Thanks for dropping by and until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Friday, August 20, 2010
Thoughts and Deeds
I can feel it coming and I am so ready. It is time for those end of Summer chores in anticipation of the cold, wet days of winter. No, it isn't fall yet, but in order to enjoy the turning leaves and the cool mornings, there is much outside work to be done. The mornings are cooler and the late afternoons are conducive to getting those bushes straightened out, cleaning that garden up, planting the fall veggies, and just general maintenance.
I have spent two wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable weeks with friends and family. A couple of hours of an afternoon in the pool and good conversation brightens my day. I have wonderful friends and good things have been going on in their lives. Nothing restores me better than their positive attitudes, their laughter, and the fellowship we share. Can't wait until the next visit. Thank you my friends.
With the heat and the rain I am much behind in my grass cutting. I have talked myself out of getting out there just by watching the weather forecast and the potential for rain, but today I can procrastinate no longer. It must be done and I must do it. The trick is not to cut the television on and see a weather forecast. Glenn Burns can sometimes be my friend, but other times he is the devil's advocate leading me to be slovenly in my outdoor chores, but I cannot blame him for the 100 degree temps we have seen of late.
My banana trees have grown tremendously. The little information tab stuck in the side of the pot when they were purchased advised the trees could grow as much as 2 feet per week. Well mine just sat there, adding a few little leaves every week, but not growing at all. Not knowing what kind of fertilizer a banana tree prefers, about four weeks ago I took the chance and mixed a weak Miracle Gro (all-purpose) solution and doused each tree with a half gallon. While I anticipated the leaves shrivelling up and turning brown, I was much surprised when they grew about a foot in the first week and then another foot on the second week when they received another half gallon of solution. The trees tripled in size and the dark green of the leaves are beautiful. Wish I had become desperate sooner, but hey I am still new at this tropical plant stuff, but I am learning! Now if I could find the answer to making a Sago grow faster, but I have been told they are slow growers. We will see, maybe they need a little Miracle Gro solution also.
Earlier in the week I made a visit to the local thrift store and hit the jackpot. I found a dozen or so books to add to my reading for the fall and winter. All the books were in great condition and I even found two or three first editions in the batch and all for about 50 cents each. Not a bad find if I say so myself. I am working through Grisham's books at the moment, but found a Ludlam, Clancy and Grimes I wanted to read, plus some authors I haven't read before so I am excited to start on those and see if we can become friends. I was so excited I may make another trip next week. Joy can be found in the strangest places.
I am much excited over my daughter's research into the cause of her eczema and food allergies which she has suffered with since two years old. An Air Force baby, I had taken her to the base for a well baby check up even though she was prone to head and chest colds. The base did not have separate waiting rooms for well and sick babies. In a weeks time she had developed a nasty cold which earned another trip to the based doctor. A small patch of red had developed under her little nose that wouldn't heal and I was advised she had developed impetigo. After rounds of cream and antibiotics the patch finally cleared only to have a rash break out on other parts of her little body. The doctors advised it was heat rash and gave me an ointment. As soon as I would get one rash cleared another would appear and for the last 34 years my daughter has fought the rash. Doctor after doctor could not identify the cause so to the allergist she went sometimes with me sometimes with my mother. Picked, probed, and stuck over and over, we were told she was allergic to food and her diet needed to be rotated as when she would eat something repeatedly she would develop an allergic reaction to it.
Thus has been my daughters life with allergies. This week she has been researching the causes of her health problems. Hopefully she has found the answer in the form of Candida albans, a fungal yeast that thrives in the body once it establishes itself and destroys the healthy bacteria that keeps our body's functioning as God designed. You can link to her site through the link at the bottom of the right hand column of this page. She is documenting her problems and progress through this adventure in the hope that it may help some other soul that is experiencing like problems. She as always is in my prayers and I hope she has found the answer.
I have a new grandchild in the form of a 4 month old Maltese. Bentley is his name and he is a precious addition to our family. The grandchildren love him dearly. If they can keep the little bundle of white fur out of the lake he will give them many years of happiness.
Dad felt the hand of God clear the blood clot from his body and it was caught by the age old stint. He is back in motion and riding his scooter. He told me yesterday he had cut back the English Ivy off the house that had overgrown the window sills. He may have been down for months, but he is back at it and going strong. Maybe God just wanted to keep him out of the garden and the hot sun this year. I am just glad he is up and about once again and the angel of death has given us a reprieve.
For the first time in many years I am ready for fall. The summer has been extremely hot and humid and has hindered my activity and as a result my motivation and thinking. I look forward to the cooler days of fall. Well, that about catches me up with our doings, so until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
I have spent two wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable weeks with friends and family. A couple of hours of an afternoon in the pool and good conversation brightens my day. I have wonderful friends and good things have been going on in their lives. Nothing restores me better than their positive attitudes, their laughter, and the fellowship we share. Can't wait until the next visit. Thank you my friends.
With the heat and the rain I am much behind in my grass cutting. I have talked myself out of getting out there just by watching the weather forecast and the potential for rain, but today I can procrastinate no longer. It must be done and I must do it. The trick is not to cut the television on and see a weather forecast. Glenn Burns can sometimes be my friend, but other times he is the devil's advocate leading me to be slovenly in my outdoor chores, but I cannot blame him for the 100 degree temps we have seen of late.
My banana trees have grown tremendously. The little information tab stuck in the side of the pot when they were purchased advised the trees could grow as much as 2 feet per week. Well mine just sat there, adding a few little leaves every week, but not growing at all. Not knowing what kind of fertilizer a banana tree prefers, about four weeks ago I took the chance and mixed a weak Miracle Gro (all-purpose) solution and doused each tree with a half gallon. While I anticipated the leaves shrivelling up and turning brown, I was much surprised when they grew about a foot in the first week and then another foot on the second week when they received another half gallon of solution. The trees tripled in size and the dark green of the leaves are beautiful. Wish I had become desperate sooner, but hey I am still new at this tropical plant stuff, but I am learning! Now if I could find the answer to making a Sago grow faster, but I have been told they are slow growers. We will see, maybe they need a little Miracle Gro solution also.
Earlier in the week I made a visit to the local thrift store and hit the jackpot. I found a dozen or so books to add to my reading for the fall and winter. All the books were in great condition and I even found two or three first editions in the batch and all for about 50 cents each. Not a bad find if I say so myself. I am working through Grisham's books at the moment, but found a Ludlam, Clancy and Grimes I wanted to read, plus some authors I haven't read before so I am excited to start on those and see if we can become friends. I was so excited I may make another trip next week. Joy can be found in the strangest places.
I am much excited over my daughter's research into the cause of her eczema and food allergies which she has suffered with since two years old. An Air Force baby, I had taken her to the base for a well baby check up even though she was prone to head and chest colds. The base did not have separate waiting rooms for well and sick babies. In a weeks time she had developed a nasty cold which earned another trip to the based doctor. A small patch of red had developed under her little nose that wouldn't heal and I was advised she had developed impetigo. After rounds of cream and antibiotics the patch finally cleared only to have a rash break out on other parts of her little body. The doctors advised it was heat rash and gave me an ointment. As soon as I would get one rash cleared another would appear and for the last 34 years my daughter has fought the rash. Doctor after doctor could not identify the cause so to the allergist she went sometimes with me sometimes with my mother. Picked, probed, and stuck over and over, we were told she was allergic to food and her diet needed to be rotated as when she would eat something repeatedly she would develop an allergic reaction to it.
Thus has been my daughters life with allergies. This week she has been researching the causes of her health problems. Hopefully she has found the answer in the form of Candida albans, a fungal yeast that thrives in the body once it establishes itself and destroys the healthy bacteria that keeps our body's functioning as God designed. You can link to her site through the link at the bottom of the right hand column of this page. She is documenting her problems and progress through this adventure in the hope that it may help some other soul that is experiencing like problems. She as always is in my prayers and I hope she has found the answer.
I have a new grandchild in the form of a 4 month old Maltese. Bentley is his name and he is a precious addition to our family. The grandchildren love him dearly. If they can keep the little bundle of white fur out of the lake he will give them many years of happiness.
Dad felt the hand of God clear the blood clot from his body and it was caught by the age old stint. He is back in motion and riding his scooter. He told me yesterday he had cut back the English Ivy off the house that had overgrown the window sills. He may have been down for months, but he is back at it and going strong. Maybe God just wanted to keep him out of the garden and the hot sun this year. I am just glad he is up and about once again and the angel of death has given us a reprieve.
For the first time in many years I am ready for fall. The summer has been extremely hot and humid and has hindered my activity and as a result my motivation and thinking. I look forward to the cooler days of fall. Well, that about catches me up with our doings, so until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Back to School
God Bless All Teachers!
I have a lot of children that I consider mine - not just my grandchildren, but nieces and nephews and children of friends. Here is a run down of the first week of school.
Nephew, year two - Teacher is mean and he hates school
Nephew, year seven (First year teen) - Girls, girls, girls
Niece, first year - Loves teacher but hates school and isn't going back - doesn't want to take naps (maybe she only sleeps well at home and I can't argue with that)
Granddaughter, first year - Hates teacher she is mean and makes me do what she tells me to and I have to sit at the table and do my work
Granddaughter, second year - Loves the teacher, loves school, loves friends (one out of 6 ain't bad)
Granddaughter, home schooled - Oh well!
Grandson, home schooled (pre-teen) - I'm not ready!
Well, there you have it! It is a good thing that children are flexible.
Going to school is a big adjustment for little ones. Not only do they encounter teachers and friends with different personalities, backgrounds and cultures, they are expected to change their daily routines to fit the pattern of school. Taking instruction from a stranger is a big change in a little ones life, but if they don't learn to take instruction from others, as adults they will run into one roadblock after another.
It is hard to teach a child that already thinks they know everything, but when you encounter the child that is ea
eager to learn and enjoys the process you have hit pay dirt. Teachers have the job of encouraging a child to want to learn. Theirs is the most important job in a child's education. To be able to instill this desire is a great gift to be spread throughout the classroom.
There are so many people struggling to survive in today's world simply because they were never instilled with the wonders of learning.
Thank you teachers and God Bless each and everyone of you. Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
I have a lot of children that I consider mine - not just my grandchildren, but nieces and nephews and children of friends. Here is a run down of the first week of school.
Nephew, year two - Teacher is mean and he hates school
Nephew, year seven (First year teen) - Girls, girls, girls
Niece, first year - Loves teacher but hates school and isn't going back - doesn't want to take naps (maybe she only sleeps well at home and I can't argue with that)
Granddaughter, first year - Hates teacher she is mean and makes me do what she tells me to and I have to sit at the table and do my work
Granddaughter, second year - Loves the teacher, loves school, loves friends (one out of 6 ain't bad)
Granddaughter, home schooled - Oh well!
Grandson, home schooled (pre-teen) - I'm not ready!
Well, there you have it! It is a good thing that children are flexible.
Going to school is a big adjustment for little ones. Not only do they encounter teachers and friends with different personalities, backgrounds and cultures, they are expected to change their daily routines to fit the pattern of school. Taking instruction from a stranger is a big change in a little ones life, but if they don't learn to take instruction from others, as adults they will run into one roadblock after another.
It is hard to teach a child that already thinks they know everything, but when you encounter the child that is ea
eager to learn and enjoys the process you have hit pay dirt. Teachers have the job of encouraging a child to want to learn. Theirs is the most important job in a child's education. To be able to instill this desire is a great gift to be spread throughout the classroom.
There are so many people struggling to survive in today's world simply because they were never instilled with the wonders of learning.
Thank you teachers and God Bless each and everyone of you. Until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
My Pleasure
Hubby and I had the honor of hosting a boy scout troop this weekend. Five young men and their leaders camped in the edge of the woods in back of our home. They were most pleasant and very well mannered. They did their "boy scout camping" stuff and we shared some of their free time. A thank you is not enough to express our gratitude to them for sharing allowing us to spend this last weekend before school starts back with them. Being pre-teen boys, hubby and I were unsure what we would encounter with these boys, but they reaffirmed our faith in the youth of today and the leaders of tomorrow. Thank you guys!
Saturday was a full day of a swimming birthday party. Our youngest granddaughter turned four this past week. The pool was filled with laughter and squeals as her friends and family all splashed away in the pool. In these long hot dog days of summer there is no better place to entertain so many little ones so effortless. Her maternal grandmother arrived with a splendid birthday cake that brought out the oohs and aahs of little ones and adults alike and sure brought a fantastic smile to the birthday girl. The three tiered pink cake topped with a crown and trimmed to the nines was beautiful and it was all eatable. This very talented lady's creations never cease to amaze me. Granddads, grandmas, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends all gathered to celebrate this one of a kind princess.
Sunday morning found me and hubby rocking on the porch with our coffee and our thoughts of a wonderful weekend. The house was awfully quiet with only the son-in-law left with us. Tired, but happy, we rocked, talked, and relaxed. We do realize we can no longer have this kind of weekend every week, but we sure do enjoy those that come along once in a while.
Thanks for stopping by and until next time . . .
Happy reading!
Belle
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