A Smile and a Heping Hand Up

 Hello all.  Hope everyone is safe and well today.  It is a beautiful morning after here!

There were storms all over the state last night and even yesterday afternoon.  Crazy storms.  They came from IL (hit hard). and moved in the western part of my state and moved east and south.  My area was again spared from a lot of damage.  The southern part of the state is a lot of hills and woods, that is where the Hoosier National Forest is - and it is massive.  Watching the news this morning - places were hit hard.  Fierce straight-line winds and several tornadoes.  So much damage - trees down, roads blocked, homes & businesses hit.  Amazingly there have not been any reports of death - thank God.

I have some limbs down, and I lost one line on the clothesline from a big limb.  Big whoop!  So blessed.

What I have been seeing on the news that is just amazing to me - is neighbor helping neighbor.  Many farmers are bringing out their heavy equipment and helping to clear backroads and helping their neighbors search through debris.  That is what it is all about!!!!!!

If we all try to be 'givers' the world would be such a wonderful place.  Oh heck, even though we all see bad crap on the news everyday - it IS a wonderful place!!!!  There is love and joy and helping and caring that never get mentioned.  That is what I try to do here.  Mention it, spread good cheer and you all help as well.  What a great group.

I have an old friend that always says "you can't be that happy" when she sees me.  She is always teasing that I must have a man hidden here at the house - to be so happy.  LOL

Well, it benefits me and it benefits others for me to be in a good mood and to be happy.  We can all choose to be nasty, mean, sad, etc.. - I choose happy!

This is how I try to see things.

Today, as I watch the news of the storms - YEP, bad stuff happened last night - BUT no one died.  Yes, people lost homes and possessions - BUT stuff can generally be replaced.  There were campers in tents in the forest - BUT they are fine.  Hopefully insurance helps folks and neighbors help each other and the workers that were out before daylight - have been helping and clearing and restoring power.  

It is just wonderful how many HEROES there really are in this world.

It may not be a storm - it may be someone who has been ill, or someone who has lost a job, or someone who is homeless, or someone going through a family loss - whatever it is - YOU can be a hero too.

A kind word, a helping hand, some groceries, a few dollars, a little labor, JUST a smile - it can be huge for someone else.  A PRAYER can also be huge!

Be a helper in some way!!!!!!

Have a bright and beautiful day.

I hope all are safe. (please check in)

Mix It, Bake It, Blend It, Drink It - Use It!

 Hello to all this midweek.  I sure hope this finds you doing well and safe.

It is a lovely morning here - enjoying the coolness and the sunshine.  Yesterday about 8PM a storm came through with some pouring rain, thunder and even a tiny bit of hail.  All the while, the sun was shining, and I went out on the porch and saw the rainbow!  It was so pretty.  I haven't seen one in a long while.

It is supposed to get pretty nasty later on this afternoon and then again in the evening.  It is all coming out of northern IL.  I sure pray it weakens and it is not what they keep predicting.  It will be moving on through OH, eastern KY and further south as well.  Not often do they call for a heightened risk of bad stuff here, but they are today.  Please pray all are safe.

I have yet to see or experience the first mosquito this year!  We do have lightening bugs - 1,000's of them.  It is sure something to see after dark.

It is now time to look at using things up in new ways.  It is warmer out, and not everyone wants to cook a lot.  On those cooler days, we all take advantage of baking.  I love finding new ways to use the food and it can be canned goods (store) or it can be equivalents of home cooked.

EASY TEXAS CAVIAR

This is so good.  It is refreshing, can be eaten as a meal, or an appetizer, or a side.  Great on chips.

You can add onions, avocados, chives, chopped tomatoes, etc.  There is NO set recipe on these kind of things - make it to your taste.  I do really like this - it is very refreshing - and I love it with tortilla chips.

I saw this posted on one of my FB groups I belong to.  Never throw away the juices!!!!  They can be used in so many different ways.

My favorites are to make ice cubes to throw into water or tea.  I also like mixing fruit juice in my ice tea - makes it taste like that expensive flavored bottled tea!  Even all the 'water'/juice from watermelon is refreshing when used in a glass of tea or frozen.  Mom used to make popsicles all the time with fruit juice - that was a fun cool treat.

(Click on the recipes to enlarge for easier reading)

EASY BEER BREAD

3 C self/rising flour

1 can/bottle beer

1/2 C sugar

Super simple.  Mix all this up, pour into a greased loaf pan, bake at 350* for 45 minutes.  Pull out and top with pats of butter (about a half stick) and place back in oven for another 15 minutes.

This makes a hearty and crusty bread that is great with meals and helps fill the belly.

You could also add chopped chives or some garlic powder or even a little grated cheese to the batter if you choose.  

Any type of beer can be used - and no there isn't any beer taste to the bread.  Remember the alcohol content is gone after cooking with it (when it reaches a certain temp).  It is basically used for a rising agent instead of yeast. (I have used old beer stored in frig as well)

So there you go - a few things for today.  Use it up folks!  

I love blending and mixing all sorts of veggies and using all kinds of dressings. You may be amazed and find a new family favorite with a little experimenting.

STAY SAFE ALL!!!

Have a wonderful day.

The Chair (not what you think)

 Hello all, hope this is finding everyone safe and well.  It is a beautiful morning here.  Yesterday was about as close to perfect as you can get weatherwise.  I worked outside most of the day, and really never got too hot.  We have a rain (storms) coming in this afternoon.  They say they will be quick moving.  I love the rain but sure do hate storms!  They are just scary.  Temps are to stay very lovely all week.

The chair!  It is not special, it is not sentimental, it is clutter catcher!  This is next to the chest of drawers in the bedroom.  I cleaned it all off the other day - what a clothes mess it was!  Yes, it is the place in the bedroom that catches stuff.  I usually have my pj's on it.  If I have jeans I just brought up from the laundry (folded) I tend to set them there, until I put them away.  Now mind you the closet is just to the left of the chair and that is where the jeans shelves are - but they land on the chair!  Maybe getting out clothes the night before some event.  Maybe where my clean undies go until put in those 'drawers' on the right.  I do not know why I just don't put things where they go right off the bat - but this is my habit.

Do you have a spot that gathers too much stuff?  My dining table stays clear.  The center spot on the hutch is relatively clear.  The kitchen cabinets are clean.

Now if you go to the basement - hmmmm, there are placess!!!!  My sewing area, an old dining table has way too much stuff on it.  There is an old round coffee table up against a wall - it is loaded with wrapping paper, and cards and supplies.

NEVER look in the storage area of the basement - oh my.  That is what gives me the most problems, my nemesis!!!!!  That is where I go to de-clutter, get super frustrated and come back upstairs.

I am really a neat person.  You can come to the house, any day of the week and it looks pretty darn good.  I have had my brother say that before - when just stopping in with no warning.  He's always like 'did you just clean'?  It is just me, so how hard is it to keep things neat?  Even when Glen was here, it was the same.  I am always company ready.  I put things away and clean as I go. (except for the chair!!!!!)

I know most people have a spot that is the catch-all.  Is it a table, the counters, a chair, the dryer top, a bed?

I know I am not the only one!!!  Be honest and tell us where your piles are!!!

Time to admit our little secrets - LOL!

Have a beautiful and productive day.

Weekly Wrap Up 6/14

Happy Sunday to all.  My goodness, we are basically halfway through this month.  What is happening?  Time seems to be going much faster! Oh yeah, we are getting older!  Sigh.

I hope this finds you all well.  Hoping that hearing no news on some, is good news.  

It is a cloudy, muggy feeling morning here.  I am a little late posting this morning, as I went out and cut and pulled a bunch of weeds, before we get rain a little later.  

It got very hot this week (90'sF) - now it is cooling, and after the rain probably cooler as well.  It appears according to the long-range forecast that the remainder of the month should be pleasant temps.  That would be nice.

The garden is growing and blooming.  The tulip polar tree has now started to drop leaves like it is fall.  I have cleaned them up twice this week.  If it isn't buds, then it is flowers, then it is leaves - such a messy tree - yet it gives a lot of shade.

Met the new lady moving in sort of across the street - she seems nice.  Haven't met him yet.  Yesterday another new homeowner moved in 3 houses from them.  It appears to be a single man. (what maintenance man on house said).

Just kind of a slow week here.  NICE!

My frugal week:

• Made homemade fertilizer for the garden and fertilized plants
• Mowed
• Made hummingbird nectar and cleaned all
• Cleaned lots of kitty kisses (smudges) from inside the windows
• Lots of walks (early), porch sitting and talking with neighbors
• Laundry and used dehumidifier water, hung to dry
• Pulling, cutting and weeding around fences and in perennial bed
• Picked lettuce
• Made a gallon of lemon water using my lemon balm from outside.  Goodness, it is so refreshing and good, and I have been drinking a lot more water (nice lemon taste)
• I have picked up a lot of sticks and branches from all the storms that happened this week
• AC only part time in spite of the heat.  House has stayed pretty nice, just using AC a couple hours a day (not every day).  I keep it set pretty high, just need humidity out of air
• Did some mending
• General housekeeping, plant care, and watering (using rain barrels)
• I did run to Kroger to get watermelon.  They had 2 personal melons for $5.  I wanted more milk, and of course cat supplies.  I did find a couple deals.  1/2 gal. chocolate milk for 1.38, 2 - 1 lb. packs of butter 1.49 lb.

Meals this past week:

Wilted lettuce (yum) and loaded baked potato

Cheesy, olive flat bread (air fryer) & pasta salad

Broccoli/cauliflower/ ham and rice skillet

Taco pasta bowl, creamsicle shake

Baked taco flat bread (air fryer) and salad

Chef salad

Grilled Rueban wraps and watermelon

Pretty quiet.  Life has settled down, and I spend my days doing whatever I want.  No big rush or hurry here.  The grass is in need of another mowing/trim after all the rain, but that will happen once things dry out this coming week.

I do need to work more in the basement going through stuff - but it will happen, when it happens!

Just trying to be mindful of what I have, of the earth, and others.

How was your week?

Did you get any deals?  Any garden picking going on?  Love hearing from you all.

Many prayers said for all of you and your families.  I know many are having health issues and family are as well - just big hugs and prayers for healing and for peace and comfort.

Wishing you a very lovely week ahead.

Blessings to you and yours from my humble little home.

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

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

Psalms 107:1

Lord, today we say thank You for all the many blessings of the week, both large and small.  May we always try to be thankful.  I pray we all know that no matter what we go through, You are always there loving us.  You hold us in Your arms and give us comfort and guidance.  May we never forget to seek.  Please lay Your healing hands upon all that are in need.  AMEN

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!!!!