Weekly Wrap Up 6/25

 Happy Sunday to all!  Good golly Molly, this month is almost over!!!!!  Crazy stuff.

It is raining this morning!!!!!!  We have had a bit of thunder, but the bad stuff has missed my area so far.  The rain sure is needed!!!  More storms to come later today as well.

The garden is growing.  I have little cucumbers about an inch long, and I saw lots of blooms and a few tiny tomatoes yesterday.  I have finally started getting some little zucchini - up till the last few days it was just blooms (like they always do for a while).  Peppers are growing and have lots of blooms and tiny peppers.  Pretty amazing to me that all this has happened in just a few short weeks!!!!

Yesterday and today are hot days!  Around 90*F.  Humidity has been up as well.  Tomorrow goes back to cooler temps and lower humidity.

I have the living room window next to me open just about 2" and I can smell the rain.  I love that fresh smell!

It has been another fairly quiet week for me - not a lot going on.

• Cut lots of weeds and wild trees and vines starting - when it was cooler
• Picked up a ton of sticks and limbs after a couple very windy days
• Tons of laundry
• Paid all things I had
• Cleaning and gathering things for donation
• NO mowing this week - it was just too dry in my book.  There are a few weeds popping up (nothing deters them).  I will mow this week and make it all look pretty!
• I did run out to Kroger for a couple things.  Strawberries were 2 lb. boxes for 2.49, milk 1.29 half, pork loins were 1.99 lb.  I got one which I will probably cut into 3 roasts.  I got kitty treats and 2X points for gas.
• I used the air fryer and some stale buns for a  cheap meal
• Using what I have and cooking from home
• Just doing all the normal stuff

Meals this week:

Sausage, egg and cheese sandwich

Homemade Rice A Roni, beef tips, cukes & onions

Used leftover rice and beef w/other stuff - for burritos

Open face homemade sloppy Joe and wilted lettuce (yum)

Grilled ham & cheese sandwich, hard boiled eggs and fresh veggies

Charcuterie of sorts - piecing day!

'Bun' pizza & peach/strawberry smoothie

Oh this rain is just lovely!!!!!  It is a good rain here.  So needed.

I will be inside most of today and just piddling around.  Between the rain and the heat and humidity I don't plan on doing much outdoors, except feeding my baby!

Yesterday was the first mosquitos I had seen.  UGH!  Nasty buggers!

How was your week?  Is everyone's gardens and pots doing well?  Getting any produce yet?  Gotten any deals?

I sure hope and pray that you are all well and doing good.  I have been saying a lot of prayers lately for so many here.  Take care of yourselves and please check in.

Blessings to you and yours from my humble little home!!!!!

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Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.  To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Proverbs 21:2-3

Dear Lord, please hear our prayers for peace in this world.  Peace amongst individuals, and peace amongst countries and nations.  We pray for kindness and compassion to replace evil and wickedness.  May all see the error of their ways.  Your will be done.  In Jesus name, AMEN

Being Present and Chillin'

Hope this finds everyone well.  Here we are in the northern hemisphere officially in summer!  That usually seems to be a busy time.  Gardening, harvest, preserving, and also vacations and parties!

ME - I am just chilling!!!!!!!!

The garden is growing and doing great so far.  I have weed barrier around all the plants - so no weeding is needed in the veggies.  I do water, but other than that - right now, I am just letting nature do her work!

It may take me a while to learn lessons - but when I do, I embrace them.  The lesson I have FINALLY learned recently is to just be 'present' and 'enjoy' life.  I have quit running and hurrying.  I have quit trying to always be perfect (no one is).  I have decided to just enjoy these summer months and be quiet and still and watch and listen.  It has taken 68 years to get here.  I think I kind of like it!!!!!!

My life has gotten to a point that it is a close to free as it can be.  I have all the same necessary daily bills we all have - utilities, insurance and taxes.  I spend a little at the grocery.  I have a well-stocked pantry.  I am not a traveler.  

Simple things bring me joy.  My kitty, nature, listening to music and to birds singing, sitting on the porch in a nice breeze sipping some iced tea, chatting with neighbors, growing my garden, taking a nap if desired, and just BEING!!!!!

I do all the normal things we all do.  Take care of my home and yard, cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.  Not a lot to do since it is just me!!!!  Nothing gets messy or dirty - so there is that.

Sure I have a bunch of things I SHOULD do - decluttering being the biggest.  I will - here and there, when I am in the mood.

This summer I have porch set more than ever in my life (since being a kid).  I am now enjoying the neighborhood again.  Dare I say things are better!!!!!!  I had to take some major steps (that I resisted for a long while) - but it is good. Continuing to pray it stays that way, but at least I have a concerned and active landlord involved now.

All other things in the 'hood' just seem to have followed suit.  There were a lot of ticked off people - who seemed to be trying to tick off the offender in their own way.  Now it is quiet.

Getting to know more neighbors than ever after all these years!

When I say quiet - many would say WHAT?  Don't you hear the traffic, sirens, planes?  Well sure, they are ever present (I live in the city), but I am used to those - and kind of block them out.  I hear the birds and the wind, the ice cream truck music, the kids laughing and playing, the mowers going.

Things are improving around - houses are being worked on, yards being taken care of, projects are being finished - it is nice to see.

We have had a LOT of racoons around this year.  The guy across the street is helping to catch and re-release.  We are doing good on that front.  That will save some gardens!

Loving these super cool mornings.  Windows open and breezes coming in.  Wake-up each morning hearing the birds singing.

Just doing what I want when I want!!!!!!  Yep, life is pretty darn good at the moment. 

You just have to enjoy the little things.  The moments.  The laughter, the chit-chat.  

Your friends and family.  You know who they TRULY are.  I have a friend on the other side of the country - who checks in just to see if I am ok.  Pretty cool.

You guys are all a blessing in my life as well.

We are really blessed in so many ways.  Just take time to slow down and be PRESENT and ENJOY!

SLOW DOWN!  It will be there tomorrow!

Happy summer!

So the Countdown Begins!

 Happy Wednesday to all.  Happy summer!  The summer solstice is today - it will be the day of the longest daylight hours of the year for the northern hemisphere!  We are on day 172 - week 25 - and half way to Christmas!!!!!!!  Yes indeed!  Don't shoot the messenger - just saying!  LOL

Now that being said, is anyone else thinking about Christmas gifts?

I have started to think about it, because I like gifting homemade items and home canned goods.  So I start contemplating such things during the summer.

I always do the gift baskets - and homemade jelly is a must - as is salsa and the "special" grandma/mom cookies!!!!

The grape arbor is full of bunches of grapes - and hopefully there will be lots of tomatoes this year.  The plants look great and they are full of blooms.

This year I want to add MORE homemade stuff and less specialized store-bought stuff.

In years past I have also added a lot of jar mixes - which are always appreciated by my sister and brother.

The younger generation likes a nice bottle of wine or anything else 'special'.  I made homemade peach moonshine one year - they loved that.  A quart jar was what they received - not a guzzling type of drink, but a sipping drink.

I want to do some new things this year.

I am thinking pecan pie mix in a jar (will give recipe later).  I have lots of pecans to use up!

Pineapple upside down cake jam (recipe later)

Maybe some candied nuts

Some hot chocolate or tea mixes/blends

Divinity - IF I can master it.  My Mom always made this and it is a favorite.  I have only had success once!

I also plan on making homemade Kahlua!  I found a recipe recently that is much easier and quicker than the one I had.  Kahlua and coffee or Kahlua and milk is tasty.  I remember when we camped that Kahlua and coffee was a morning 'special'.  Only way I have ever been able to drink coffee!!!  LOL

Here is the newer and easier recipe:

COFFEE LIQUEUR

1/3 C instant coffee

3 1/2 C sugar

2 C water

1 fifth vodka

3 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. vanilla

Combine coffee, sugar and water.  Heat until all is dissolved and then cool.  Add vodka and vanilla.  Pout into a half gallon/gallon glass jar.  Age at least 2 weeks.  The longer it sets the better it tastes.

I think I will get some amber colored pint Mason jars (if I can find them) to gift it.  Maybe some dark colored bottles.

I know many of you knit. crochet and quilt.  I bet many have already added to their gift 'pantries'.  Crafting of all sorts can always be done early and then one is done!  I love watching for special buys and deals.  I need to yard sale more again!!!!  I used to find all kinds of neat things to add to the baskets - brand new things - original things - for the baskets.

I like finding special books.  Either at yard sales or my favorite place to buy brand new books - Ollies!

I have a gr. niece that has asked me to make her a special quilt (not a Christmas gift).  Each of her children have all gotten special blankies over the years and they use them too!  She wants a big quilt utilizing baby clothes from each of her kids!  Hmmm - that may be a head scratcher.  Have any of you made something like that.  Curious how you did it.  Just pieces of items or whole items?

Any way I told her that was a fall and winter project - when it is cold out.  I have time to think.

SOOOOOO have any of you started Christmas stuff?  Bought anything?  Crafted anything?  Got any new ideas to share this year.

Yes, we have time - but remember how quickly these past 6 months have gone by!!!!!!!! 

Happy solstice!

I Am Curious!!!

 Happy Tuesday to all.  Hope you are all well and good.

Today's post is going to be short.  Nothing exciting - just a question I have for ALL of you!!!!!

HOW did you find your way to this blog?  Was it through another blog or through a Google search?  I know my first couple of contributors were invited by me.  I had to start from scratch - and I invited people I had known for a long while.  

I think it will be fun to hear the stories and I bet others would be interested too.

All I know is that I consider myself very fortunate to be thriving this long in - and I owe that all to you guys.

This is such a great community and it has gotten me through much.

Thank you for being here and supporting me and each other through thick and thin.

We are for sure RICH in friends and love!!!!!!

Blessings

Weekly Wrap Up 6/18

 Happy Sunday to all.  Wishing a happy Father's Day to all the dads out there as well.

Good golly - we are already more than halfway through this month!  It sure happens quickly!  Time flies.

We have had lovely weather this past week.  Most of the time it was very mild, and we even had very chilly mornings!  We had no humidity!  We got some rain early in the week - that was about it.  

This coming week looks to be in the 80's and maybe some rain tomorrow.  We can sure use it.  The rain that comes from the heavens sure is better for the garden than the stuff coming from the faucet!

I think I only turned the AC on for a couple hours one late afternoon (yesterday) to cool of the house before time for bed.  This weather has sure been good on the electric bill!

The garden is doing nicely.  Growing, and everything is blooming or budding!

My week:

• I was in the mood for something sweet this week.  I made a bowl of no bake cheesecake filling.  I used cream cheese, low calorie frozen whipped topping and Stevia.  I ate it with fresh fruit.  No crust or sugar!  It sure tasted good.
• Weeding - it never ends
• Mowed the front and trimmed the entire yard.  Back not mowed this week.
• Found a big bag of whiting in the freezer that I needed to use.  I thawed and 'grilled' it all.  Used for a couple meals & snacks
• Picked lettuce
• Hard boiled 6 eggs - it has been a long while since I had done that.  Tasty!
• I did go out this week.  I ran to Kroger and got a few peaches and bananas.  Also bought shampoo that will last for the next year or so.  I actually ran out this week!!!!!
• Blackie got his flea meds (had on hand)
• Put together bottles of dish soap and shampoo (using the end of shampoo).  Water, soap and a little vinegar
• Ran across the road and met a neighbor that is fairly new to the neighborhood and went to her yard sale!  I got myself 3 fancy summer tops, a brand-new leather belt and a cookbook all for $9
•  Noticed while out this week - that I hadn't even used a 1/4 tank of gas in the past 3 1/2 weeks.  Saving more than way!
• Did a lot of porch sitting and visiting with neighbors
• Just doing all the normal stuff we all do

Meals this past week:

Mac/cheese/broccoli and meatballs

Homemade pizza (very cool day)

Pizza and salad

Fish soft tacos

Fish sandwich on bun (2)!

Grilled zucchini, hard boiled eggs and a tomato salad

Chopped steak w/fried onions and baked beans

How was your week?  Did you get any deals?  How are your garden plants doing?

Let us know what is going on in your area.

FRANCES - hoping all is still doing better with your hubby and that you have both gotten some rest.  Please let us know! Praying!!!!

Hoping you all have a safe and healthy week.  Prayers and blessings from my humble little home to you and yours.

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.  Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.  It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:5-8

Dear Lord, Help guide in this coming week.  Place your healing hands upon all who are in need - whether it be physical, mental or spiritual healing.  May we be guided to do good deeds and ways and words each and every day.  Thank You for Your many blessings.  AMEN

Some Summer Yum

 Happy Thursday everyone!!!  Today I am just going to give a couple summery recipes.  Many don't do meat and many just like the fresh ingredients.  Hopefully these give a couple ideas to all.  I have done one of them, and the other I will sure be trying.  I am sorry no pictures of the food!

No food pics - but who doesn't need to see a baby peacock to make them smile?  Aaaahhhhh.  SMILE

FUN FRUIT SALAD

2 unpeeled apples - sliced

1 - 11 oz. can mandarin oranges, drained

1 C - seedless grapes - halved

Zest of 1 lemon

1 C vanilla reduced fat yogurt

1 Tbsp. chopped pecans

Mix all fruit and yogurt together and top with the pecans.  Chill until serving.

Heck, you can add whatever fruit or nuts you have.  Even a flavored yogurt would be fun.  Have fun and ENJOY a healthy dessert or snack!!!!

SUMMER VEGGIE LASAGNA

1 - 10 oz. pack frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

1 C shredded carrots

1 C Ricotta cheese (or cottage cheese)

1/2 C grated Parmesan cheese

1 egg, lightly beaten

3 Tbsp. butter - melted

1/4 C all purpose flour

2 C milk

2 Tbsp. tomato paste

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

6 lasagna noodles - cooked

2 C shredded mozzarella cheese

Mix first 5 ingredients together.  Mix together butter and flour in a separate bowl.  Whisk in milk.  Microwave for about 5 minutes until thickened.  Stir in tomato paste and seasonings.  Spread 1/2 C of tomato mixture over the bottom of a 9 x 9 microwavable pan, top with 2 of the noodles - cut to fit pan. Top with a third of the spinach mixture and then 1/3 of mozzarella cheese.  Repeat until all ingredients have been used.  

Cover with wax paper and microwave on High for 10-13 minutes until heated through.  Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese.  Let stand, loosely covered for about 10 minutes.

This is a no heat the oven and no meat version!!!!!!

I think it sounds good and I plan on trying this one.

I suppose you could use the oven - just watch closely so as not to burn.

There you go.  A couple summer treats to try.  It is always nice to have a new recipe in the arsenal of yummies!!!!!!

You have any simple fun and yummy summer dishes?

ENJOY

He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.

Proverbs 10:9

Inner/Spiritual Healing

 Happy Wednesday my friends!  Today I want to talk for a minute about something that each of us experiences or needs at different times in our life.  We work hard at keeping our bodies healthy and staying safe from dangerous things.  Yet, we often times forget that we also need to work on healing our inner self or our spiritual self.

Not everyone is religious.  Not everyone believes the same.  You have to do you!  But we all have a need for a healthy mental health.  We all need to feel happier, less anxious, and more confident in ourselves and the world.

Often times it is as simple as simplifying our lives.  A simpler life is NOT a step backwards.  I think it is a move forward.

Healing our heart and mind is important.  It can make life so much more enjoyable.  After all we only get one shot at this - right?  We owe it to ourselves to make it happy as can be.

So many are searching today.  They think their happiness lies outside themselves.  A new mate, a different home or job, a magic cure.  People got very comfortable staying home in the past few years - and now they truly don't want to go back out!  They believe home is their safe spot.  Maybe it is, but is also hampers growing in new ways.    We cannot live a in hobbit hole - we have to face reality and grab it by the proverbial "balls" and march forward!!!!!!!

It can be a long road to realization.  It takes time.  But we owe it to ourselves to be happy in some way.  It may not be the "happy" we had before - it may be a new happy.  That is OK!!!!!!  Just because you experience loss or rejection or sadness in the biggest way does NOT mean that you cannot be happy again. YOU CAN and it is OK!!!!!  Noone will think bad of you.  I think we wish happiness on all people.

We grow and expand, and things change, and crap happens.  Bad crap happens - yet here you are reading this!  You are here today!  

                                          This says it all in my opinion.  Wise words indeed!

Does it mean that you won't still have anxious moments?  No.  Does it mean that you won't have anger or fear?  No.  But if you work on giving yourself a break and let peace work into your life, you can handle those things a little better.  Maybe it is just a teeny-tiny bit better tomorrow, and a bit more the next day, and so on.  That is fine - that is good.  It is moving forward - inch by inch.

You owe it to yourself and to your family and your friends.  You also (if grieving) owe it to the memory of your lost one.  They would want you to be happy - they would want you to live life - they would be encouraging you from the sidelines.  I truly believe they are still with us in spirit and that is what helps me each and every day.

So yes, if you need to yell and scream, throw things, cry, sleep, have a fit - DO IT!  THEN get your butt in gear and move and move forward.  You are surrounded by love, more love than you can imagine.  People WANT to help, they really do.

So don't forget to work on the inner you as well as the physical you.  Do whatever you need.

Never think it is a weakness to ask for help, even professional help if necessary.

Take care of you!  You owe it to yourself and to all those here and those who have passed.  Honor the lives of them and honor your life!  After all you are a child of God!  That is pretty special.

Have a blessed day my friends.

Today's blessing: