I See Half-Full

 Hello all and welcome to the Corner this fine day.  Hope all are well today.

It was 72* early this morning we I got up - supposed to get to above 90* again today.  After today, the temps are to get much more pleasant.  It must have rained overnight, although I heard nothing.  I guess some places north of here, got some nasty stuff and some damage. Same may be in store late tonight.  I really dislike overnight storms!

It is cloudy and sprinkling right now.  It actually felt nice this morning when I went out to feed.  It is very breezy and that made it feel cooler, then the sprinkles felt good as well.  I guess that will change after the sun comes out later.

We seem to forget this many times.  If there is a chance for something to go wrong, there is also a chance for something to go right.

There are many who have become super Debbie Downers in this world, and some have always been and have become worse.  Seriously, WHY?  I really do question that.  No matter what is happening in your world or the world in general, there is so much good to see and experience.  Maybe concentrate on that and not the bad.

I am a 'my glass is half-full' kind of person, have been for decades.  Truthfully, I am a 'my cup overflows' kind of person.  No matter what happens, I am so blessed, in so many ways.

When things go wrong - look for an alternative or an answer or reason.  

LOST A JOB - maybe that is the way you are supposed to learn to be better with your finances, to learn to stretch things, to learn to be grateful you have an opportunity to start something new.

HEALTH ISSUES - a wakeup call how fragile this life is, a time for bonding with others, a reason to look back and be grateful, a time to learn and expand faith.

ECONOMY ISSUES - Somewhere, someone has it so much worse.  Learn new ways, get creative in all things, and just be grateful for what you have.

Sure, bad things happen. I am not so close minded that I don't know that.  Bad things have happened to me as well - many times over the years.  Things that made me question life, at times.

But here I am - actually stronger than ever.  Many lessons learned.  I have made it through every 'worst day'.  Easy?  Nope - not always.  But doable.

You can to!  Never give up.  Don't let the world get you. Breathe!

I hope you all stay safe from any storms going through your area in the next couple days.  Sending out wonderful thoughts and prayers for our friend here, Julie V., that she gets her liver transplant today and that all goes well and she heals quickly.

Healing prayers for all that are in need.  May you all find comfort in your faith and let it strengthen each day.

SMILE, be kind, and enjoy each day you are gifted.

Have a great one!!!!

Produce - Myths and Facts

 Hello all.  So happy you are here and I hope all is well with you and yours.

We have a calm, muggy and cloudy morning to start the day here.  Last night about 9PM we had a big old storm blow in!  Literally blow in!  Dang, it hit hard at first, then just rain and a light show and a lot of noise. At one point the thunder was so loud - it actually scared Bitsy.  I don't think he has ever been scared by a storm before.  He got up on the bed, and I petted, and that was good enough, so he got under the covers and snuggled under them at the end of the bed for a couple hours!  Brave kitty!  About 11PM the lights went out, generator started and then regular lights came back on all within a minute.

I had trouble sleeping last night, as RLS took hold.  I had a hard time shaking it.  May be a nap in my future today!

Kitties are all well - I was worried about them.  Lots of sticks down - all picked up already.  Garden is fine.  Thank goodness no troubles in my area.  I hope all are safe.

Today will be one of our hottest in many months.  Supposed to hit 90*F and be humid.  A couple days of this and then we get a reprieve.

Today let us talk a bit about produce and many things we hear and do when it comes to fresh foods.

**Many say organic is more nutritious.  Weeeeelllll - that can be debatable.  It is just without pesticides and fertilizer.  The main difference if the farming method, not the actual nutritional value.   Yes, the chemicals are bad, but the nutritional value of the actual item is still a good thing. 

**Fresh is best!  Fresh is appealing but flash frozen is a wonderful exchange.  Dried produce and canned (simply canned) are good too.  Better than none.  When I buy canned it is without added ingredients.  Read your labels.  I try to get those just in water and maybe salt, or fruit juice (they are out there).  Flash freezing is done at the peak of freshness and preserves vitamin C and antioxidants.

**Cosmetic doesn't mean quality.  Perfect looking produce can lack flavor. Beauty shouldn't be a judging factor.  Never judge a book by its cover!!!!!  So don't overlook a an oddly shaped item that may be cheaper.

**Don't avoid juice.  Some say juice isn't all that good.  Wrong - juice that is 100% juice (fruit) is very nutritious.  You still need to eat fresh items, but 100% juice is wonderful to fill in.

** MORE matters!  Inadequate consumption is a big concern.  We need all the goodness in them to stay healthy.  Consume a variety of colors.  I find it amazing that things that can be so beautiful can also be so good for you.

Fresh produce supports your overall health, aids in digestion, and helps contribute to a balanced and satisfying diet.

Picking the best takes a keen eye.  You want to pick vibrant colors.  Weight in hand is important.  A heavy orange is generally a sign of a good piece of fruit over a light weight one.  Firmness and texture matters.  No bruises, soft spots or dents.  Give it a squeeze - if rock hard, not ripe.  Mushy, over ripe.

Sometimes looks matter more than we think.

You shouldn't pick a shiny cucumber - that means it is covered in wax (encasing pesticides).  You want a duller dark green one (it is natural and prob. fresher).

Picking a watermelon can be tricky.

I use this method when picking one.  I keep a little cheat sheet in my purse, with these suggestions.  When I really follow them, I get a good one.  Take your time when picking one!

Why a variety of color?  Different colors have different vitamins and minerals and can do very different things to help your body.

Color is kind of like natural medicine.  It helps prevent some maladies and it keeps our bodies it good shape to help fight things.

Many items are turned into supplements because they do such good things. 

I am so happy summer gardens are starting around here.  Now is the time to find local vendors selling goods.  Farm markets are wonderful - although I do realize they can be spendy!  If you spend on them and leave the junk alone - it may work out in the finances.

There are the stores as well - yes, it is not just picked, but it is still good.

Do what you can to help your body.  Do what you can to pick the best of the produce - know what to look for.  

Take care of that body - you have to admit that an apple or a peach or a carrot is much better for your body than a stack of chips!

Hope this helps someone make a better decision on picking the right things and makes you feel a bit better.

Have a blessed day my friends.

Just Enjoying the Random Things and the Simple Life

 Hello all and happy Tuesday to you all.  I hope you are doing well.

It is a cloudy morning here and we have had a nice soft shower this morning already.  I was out feeding early, and I even got a little wet - it felt really good.  It is supposed to be another warm day and the humidity is pretty darn high and showers and rain off and on.  NOT complaining - I don't like winter, so the warm is appreciated and helping things grow.

I have found this to be true, though I haven't had a toxic relationship with anyone for many, many years.  Letting go of so much, can sure make life happier.  I am finally learning to just be ME - and I am enjoying all the small things and all the gifts we receive.  I am finally letting go of anxiety.

Aren't they pretty?  I love the clematis flowers and they seem to go on and on.  I have even picked a few with longer stems and placed in a vase with other flowers.  They last really well!  Nice pop of color.

More color!  Lots and lots of lilies popping open.  I have oranges and yellow all over the backyard.  Again, I pick and add to a vase.  An open one lasts about a day - but the buds just keep opening up.  So, a stem lasts a few days!

One of my cherry tomato plants.  Eek - baby tomatoes!!!!  These are such nice and healthy plants - both are in barrels and had a lot of dirt replaced this year - and they are going gangbusters.  I wish my regular tomato plants were this big.  The regular ones all came from the same cell packs, and some are big and others still smaller - they are growing, but at such different speeds.  It is odd.

It is a joy to go out and pick fresh lettuce whenever I want it.  

I have zucchini and yellow squash planted - the ones in the wash tub - are HUGE.  Much bigger than the ones in the ground.  The zucchini has had a lot of male flowers to start - and the yellow have baby squash!  Pepper plants are not huge at all but have blooms.  

Cuke seeds I planted about a week and a half ago - are really growing.  Yesterday I swear from morning to evening they grew a couple inches!  I plan to experiment one more time with cukes, hoping I may get some for a change.  

Aaahhh, God is at work.

A simple meal from last week.  Flat bread with melted cheese - topped with a Swiss burger and yum-yum sauce and salad and ranch.  One plate and a meal all in one.  It was so good and filling.  Simple.  That is what it is all about for me.  Meals don't have to be fancy or huge - just good and filling.

Watched this across the street yesterday.  This house was just purchased a week or so ago.  They are doing a lot of things before moving in (it was truly lovely inside).  I guess a sewer line from the basement was starting to collapse.  I am sure it is original from when built (1947).  The original owners had the home until about 9 or 10 years ago.  The hole sure didn't look real wide or long, but dang it was deep!!!  All that dirt was back in the hole after repairs done, with just a little hump now (to allow normal settling).  Despite so many standing around and watching (!!) it was all complete and they were gone by 1PM.  Pretty amazing.

I got to meet the lady who will be living there yesterday.  She seems very nice and we had a little chat.  I haven't met the husband yet - just waved so far.

I am glad they have purchased it and it isn't a rental - nice to have permanent residents again.

Yesterday afternoon tons of first responders came down the street sirens blaring.  I walked down to see what was going on, because from my drive, they looked to be at the home of a friend.  It was much to do about nothing, I guess.  Someone was burning out back, and it looked like a fire - so someone called.

A couple other neighbors walked down as well - and we had an impromptu chat.  It started to lightly rain on the way back, and it felt so good.  I love standing out in a soft rain shower - just the kid in me I guess.

Sweet animals, pretty flowers and nature, nice neighbors, time to just relax whenever I want, NOT being demanding of myself, eating what I want when I want - SIMPLE LIFE and really enjoyable.

I am finally getting a handle on the simple life - I truly am.

Really, if you just let all the negative go - you can so enjoy all the simple blessings and gifts we are given.

Peace of mind is priceless!

I hope you all give a simpler life a try.  I bet you will enjoy your life a lot more.

Have a fantastic day and just slow down a little!!!! 

Weekly Wrap Up 6/7

 Hello and happy Sunday to all.  I hope this finds all well. 

It is a warmer morning here, it was 70* when I got up and it is kind of humid.  Summer is here!  It has surely warmed up.  We have gotten little rain, but there are chances every day (small chances).  Last evening we got a few gentle showers, but that is it.  This next week is going to be hot with 80's and maybe a 90*F day.

Kitties are doing well and so darn cute.  Little balls of fur and I got to pet their little heads. Pippy has moved them a couple times - she is finding cool spots.

Garden is growing well.  I have lots of green cherry tomatoes hanging out there, a baby squash and blooms, and lots of blooms on other plants.

Gosh, the plants in barrels and containers are huge compared to the ones in ground - it must be the new soil. 

Sis had a cardiac event this week and went into the hospital for a few days.  Lots of fluid had to be removed.  She is feeling good and in a pleasant mood and heading back home.  She sure is a trooper.

My brother-in-law passed away last Sunday evening.  This was Glen's little brother (age 66).  That immediate family is now all gone.  Gary went through so much and has been in a care facility for the last 7 years.  He really declined a lot recently, and I am truly happy for him to be at peace.  A life well lived, such a good guy, and now he is Home and healthy for eternity.

My frugal week:

• Used a pint of the green tomatoes I canned last year - need to use them to get ready for fresh this year
• Mowed and trimmed everything
• Finished deadheading all the peonies - big job
• Grocery for a few items and I listed the deals I got earlier this week
• Stopped and got new wiper blades while out (they installed for me)
• Drinking lots of iced tea and water
• Vacuumed sealed a lot of jars of dry goods
• Walks - early to stay cool
• Made some eggrolls - ate a couple and froze the other 6 (used air fryer)
• Made a big bowl of pasta/veggie salad (YUM)
• Used a lot of the rain barrel water - sure needs replenished
• Just doing all the normal stuff
• Picked flowers for inside & brought home a couple indiv. flowers from the funeral
• Funeral was yesterday.  It was so good to see Glen's extended family - it has been a lot of years with most
• Got a surprise visit from my nephew and his wife - they showed up about 10 minutes after I got home from the funeral.  Sure glad I was home - nice to see them - they had been in town for an anniversary meal

Meals this past week:

Fried green tomatoes and a small salad

Pizza meatball sub (on hotdog bun) and salad

Eggroll bowl

Fried chicken tenders (air fryer) & just snacked

Cheeseburger on cheesy flatbread topped w/salad

2 Eggrolls and pasta salad

Grilled cheese and pasta salad

I have been battling poison ivy!  It got pretty bad for a few days - oh, the itch.  Had it on face, arms and hands - between fingers was the worst.  I am on the mend now, with hardly any itch - it is finally drying up.  Thank goodness.  I guess that is my summer initiation!!

I look forward to a quiet week ahead.  It will be hot, so will do things early and later in days outside.

How was your week?  Any fun events or good deals?  Give us a shout out and say hello!

Have a lovely week ahead and may you all stay safe and healthy and keep your family and friends close.

Blessings to you and yours from me at my humble little home.

*******************

I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalms 34:4

Dear Lord we send thanks for all our many blessings and moments that we spent this week.  Each moment is a gift.  Help us each to hand our fears, our anger, our lives over to You, knowing that You will help us through all things.  May we each call out and ask for Your love and blessings and Your will to be done.  Keeping blessings in our heart for all others, may we each be good citizens of earth and good stewards of Your word.  Amen

Seek - and You Too Can Find Grocery Deals

 Good morning to you all.  Hoping you are all well.

It is a beautiful morning here - sunny, cool and looks to be another lovely day.  It will be a bit warmer (low 80's) today.  I do believe summer is here.  We were very fortunate in May, to not have had even one tornado warning.  That is extremely unusual.  April- June are usually big months around here.  Hopefully June will be as good.

After feeding all this morning, I noticed something out on the roadside.  It was a dead opossum.  I got a bag and picked it up.  Not a mark on it - poor thing.  Yesterday there was a squirrel that looked to be 'sleeping' on the front walk - same thing - dead.  Both were stiff.  We have some yahoos that think our road is a racetrack.  Grrrr!   It amazes me how other neighbors never bother to pick these poor things up and just let there be a big mess later.  They are both now part of the woodsy area down the alley.

Today let us talk about hunting and seeking grocery deals a little.  I know some of you don't have a real advantage to do this much.  If you live small town and only have one grocery - it will be tough.  You gals that have options, make sure you always seek things out.  You can still eat well and not spend a fortune.

Soon local gardens will be producing as well - so that helps.

I went out to get some cat treats the other day and to get sugar - as Kroger had it on sale.  It is hummingbird time around here, and I make a lot of nectar.

So of course, I walk around and look for any deal that might just scream "buy me"!

Produce on markdown.  Organic broccoli cuts (12 oz.) 1.80.  Cheap considering the price of a head of broccoli.  Cauliflower was in the 1.50 bin - super cheap compared to regular price of $4-$5 each.  Slaw mix - .90.  I got this to make eggroll bowl and some egg rolls for freezer.  I have everything else at home for those dishes.  Super good eats for pennies.

I really like yogurt now and then, but never will I pay what the full price is!  This is super thick, like Greek yogurt, and tasty.  I got 5 (all they had).  I have yet to try to make yogurt, so this is my best deal.

Now this wasn't clearance, but a new deal that Kroger has going.  They have reduced a lot of prices and have some special on-going deals - so watch for those.  10 individual size smoked sausage for $5.  Now for me that is 10 meals!  .50 per meal for a protein that I really like is pretty darn cheap eating.  These can be used in a lot of ways.  They have several $5 meat deals on various items.

I did see something that I had never seen before - boneless, skinless chicken legs!!!!  What???  I have seen other chicken parts done that way, but never legs.  I was amazed and amused.

In the general area of markdowns, they had big boxes of cereal, lots of H&B items, sauces of all types, you name it.  You just have to look and dig sometimes.  Nothing there I use.

Many folks NEED food pantries - if you do don't be ashamed.  GO!

I do not need that, but I will take advantage of FREE items when I find them and can use them.  I stopped at the thrift store (Christian ministry outreach) to look at bread products.  There is always an abundance, and it is free to anyone that can use it.

All FREE!  The flatbreads are a good 3.49+ each at the grocery.  I got 4 - 2 slightly different sizes (each pack has 5).  Blueberry English muffins as well.  Nice savings and they will all get used - and freeze well.  Never will I be ashamed to get free items, if there is plenty, and I am not taking from someone in true need.

Like I said sugar has come down in price some, so I got a couple bags to have extra.  I got myself 2 sweet onions.  That is all I need for now and don't want them to go bad for fresh use (I have bags of chopped in freezer for cooking).  

In the produce bin, there was lemons, avocados, small potatoes, limes, etc.  There is always produce marked down through the main produce area - lettuce, slaw mix, and bagged broc. & caul. almost always.  I have found if I go early, there are more things to choose from.

I don't know much about meat deals at WM or Aldi, as I really have never bought meat at those stores.  Turkey and ham are the only meat purchases I have gotten at them.  They always seem more expensive to me.  I do love the other stuff at Aldi though.  WM is basically cat food and litter for me - rarely buy grocery items there.

So, I just wanted to show, that you can find some deals, but you have to look and seek them out and be willing to get items that you really weren't looking for at times.  Buy what you will use!!!!!  If it is something you won't use, it is NOT a deal.

It may make you re-think some meals, and that is ok!  Use up fresh goods in new ways.  I see broc. and caul. in salads of all sorts.  I can steam as well - or it could be roasted or turned into soup..........

Be willing to make changes to the menu and use what you have and can get cheaply.

Use your own pantry along with the sale items, and you can eat good for little money!

Have a lovely day and weekend.

You are special!!!!!

Gardening - What is Your Style?

 Howdy-ho my friends.  Hoping you and your families are good.

It is a sunny, cooler, beautiful morning here.  Going to be a dry day again, so a good day to be outside.  I have been out and fed everyone and have the windows open, and just enjoying the quiet of the morning.

Boy is this true!  Just walk and look.  Keep those eyes open.  There are critters, buggers, and things growing.  It is all part of a circle that takes care of something else.  Pretty darn miraculous.  I just love walking and listening and looking.

Today I want to ask - what is your gardening style? 

For me, the food garden and the flower gardens are very different.  I keep the veggie garden nice and neat and spaced and weed free.  It has order.

My flower gardens are what I guess some now call CHAOS gardening!  I just call it natural.  I let the flowers grow and thrive where they chose!  Yep!

Everything in the ground is perennial and just decides where it wants to be.  I do not believe I have ever dug a plant and thrown it out.  I have shared - yes.

Now do I have the variety that others have? - not always.  I do have variety and color, but it just happens naturally, no real order.

I will show examples.

Years ago, this was the front garden on the right side of the walk going up to the porch.  Orderly and neat, lots of bark - clean.  It has changed many times over the years - with flowers hanging from the heart, and stumps gone and use of tables, chairs, etc.

NOW!  The area to the left was actually where the wheelchair ramp was for many, many years.  It covered the entire way from my drive (where I am standing taking pic) to the other end of the porch.  Now you see all those flowers?  I didn't plant a one of them.  The lamb's ear started years ago on the other side and now there is none on the right.  There is lots of lemon balm - also used to be on the right, and now very little there.  Spider wart and echinacea is on both sides - used to be just on right.  Things have grown under the walk, and things have been replanted by birds.  Some would not like it - but I LOVE it!  It is just natural and that is what I want.  I get a lot of compliments.

Years ago, when the backyard bed was first made and planted.  Lots of individual plants - annuals and perennials.  Even had room for odds and ends.

It has changed drastically now.  Lots of poppies and lilies and there is N.E. aster, coreopsis, phlox and echinacea.  But it all grows where it wants and has filled the entire bed, in some places you almost do not see the border.  The only weeding that truly gets done there, is pulling out poison ivy, which grows prolifically around here.  I can't really use any weed killer without harming plants.

A version of now.  It does its thing!!  I always have color from something, and the hardiest have survived.

The only annuals I have now, are in pots and baskets here and there.  It does save money.  I used to buy a ton of plants - boy, even back in the day it was expensive.

Like I said, my veggie garden is different.  It has order.  I have leaf mulch in the garden and I have a weed fabric down in my rows.  But in between rows is just leaf mulch. 

I saw a meme the other day that was appropriate for veggie gardens.

Even if the rows are crooked - you get veggies.  Even if you have some weeds - you get veggies.  Don't be super OCD about it.  

I guess my style has changed a lot over the years.  From orderly and neat - to natural and survival of the fittest!  Survival for me as well - I guess I like it so much, as I get older, because I sure do dislike weeding.

I have always admired natural flower gardens and wildflowers and just the way God has let it grow.

I mean there is no real order in the woods and it is beautiful - so why not my flowers.

Now I am crazy about mowing and trimming - I do not like weeds in the fence rows and long grass - but love the variety of flowers.

What do you do, if you have flowers?  Do you just let your garden grow or are you an orderly person?

Kind of curious to hear other viewpoints.

Have a lovely day and take some time to enjoy all nature has to offer.

 

Just Dance - Doing Your Best

 Happy June to you all!  Goodness, how last month flew by. Here we are another new month, another chance to start again if you need.  Not everything happens the first time we try!

Hope you are all good today.

It is a sunny morning in the upper 50's at the moment.  The moon was huge and bright before dawn this morning.  Going to the 70's and breezy today.  It is a little dewy right now, so once it dries some, back out in the yard to finish mowing I will go.  The widows are open and fresh air coming in.  Yesterday was gorgeous as well.

We sure can't choose the music - can we?  We just have to do the best we can, with what we get and DANCE the best dance you can.

Life sure isn't always fair.  Things happen, bad things to good people.  We don't always understand why.  I am sure that someday, it may all be understood.  Lessons in life (I believe that is what a lot is) can teach us things and how to be stronger.

It can be anything from illness, to accidents, to inflation, to jobs, to just daily life.  We cannot always choose the happenings, but we can choose how we react.  That is huge!  

Life gets us ALL down now and then - but I try my darndest to make something positive from it.  To go out and do something good, or be extra nice to someone, or to just help in some way.  It just makes me feel better inside, and I know it helps someone else.  Win-win!!!

Sometimes, we are just lucky!  Although I think it is more than luck, I think we experience God moments.  Yesterday I was going out early to run to the store.  I was heading out the door, then stopped and turned around and came back in to give Bitsy a squeeze and a kiss.  Left and got to the end of the street and there was a terrible accident - right where I would turn onto main road.  It had JUST happened, as people were jumping out of cars to go see if anyone needed assistance.  Someone pulling out from our street got t-boned!  

I just saw that as a moment, that I stopped and my schedule changed by a scant few seconds - could that have been me?  I don't know - but I sure stopped and thanked God and prayed for those involved.

Listen to THAT voice when you hear it!!!!!!

Even things as simple as going to the store - can be moments that you just have to DANCE and do your best.  Prices are up, YOU have to be vigilant and look and hunt for bargains.  You can make your own dance to the current music.  I noticed yesterday that Kroger has lowered a lot of prices, and more and more people were looking for clearance and deals.  I even had a woman say, 'excuse me for stopping, I was just looking at the clearance'.  I told her that is what I do and basically all I buy!  I totally understood. 

Just do what you can where you are and with what you are given.

We lose people in our lives, and we are so sad and lonely.  But I think God was maybe saving that person from worse things.  Or their job here was done - now it is our turn, to do what we must to keep that person 'alive' in hearts and minds.  To learn.  It is all part of the story of life, and we need to make good from it.  It only seems right.

So whatever life throws at you - make the best of it.  I know easy to say and hard to do sometimes!  Been there and done that - but I really do feel this way.

Get out there and DANCE and SHINE and give LOVE out in this world.  It sure needs it.  You need it.  We all need it.

I wish you each the best day.  God loves you!

Thank you for being here and being my friends!