Hear ye, hear ye. Saturday, September 8, please go to 197 Pondview Drive between 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to see Phyllis' tag sale. I know she would like it if you buy something too!
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Nothing much to report. Although last night, I did go to see Linefork. This was a movie about Lee Sexton, renowned banjo player, who lives in Linefork, Kentucky. It was a very interesting documentary, but the style was totally new to me. The movie began with two and a half minutes of looking down at a moving train made up of a zillion empty coal cars. That was followed by some minutes of looking at trees. Then a river. You get the idea. I expanded my horizons last night.
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I have been wrestling with my sewing machine. At the moment, we are at a draw, but I shall conquer! I have taken it apart -- and put it back together again. I only have one more hurdle which is how to lower the feed dogs, and then I should be in business. I'm kind of frustrated because I really wanted to just sit down and sew and I have had to tinker with the machine. Bah humbug! So I started another wall hanging. I have to give myself time to get over my mad (at the machine) and proceed logically. :)
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I have also done battle with my health insurance provider and Medicare. That's a work in progress, but as of today, there were three (count 'em three) people working on this one measely doctor's bill from June that they never billed correctly. Sigh.
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Then (but wait, there's more) I had asked online for information about solar. He made an appointment to give me "numbers" about solar for my house. He called yesterday at 3 p.m. as he said he would. He shares his computer screen with me and he's showing me an aerial shot of my house. I'm looking at it as he's chattering away and I finally said, 'That doesn't look like my house.' He has the right address but they (the numbers guys) gave him my neighbor's house. So he had to call them and 'expedite' a new print out. (Is that a verbal boot up the ass?) Well, gollee gee, the sun exposure was the same! Who'd a thunk it? Meanwhile, obviously the configuration of the house was different, making the roof different.
Then the guy asks me what 'look' -- what configuration -- of solar panels I wanted. He didn't get it: just tell me how much I'm projected to save per month on the electric bill! He starts rattling off about 23 cents per kwh, blah, blah, blah. I finally said, 'I don't care how many kwh I use, what is the monthly saving?'
Finally, I get some figures after a lot more blather. If I rent the solar equipment, no money down, no cost for the equipment -- I'll save $10/month and after 20 years it will increase by 2% or more depending upon the prime rate. If I buy the equipment (no cost quoted), I'll save $20/month.
At that point, I said I wasn't interested and he said (slightly hysterically), "You'll save over $11,000 over 20 years!!" Now this guy addressed me as "Tina" right from the get go. And when I asked salient questions, he seemed to snap to and maybe think I was younger than I am. Because in reality, I'm not doing any planning for 20 years from now.
Then he followed up with an email. I'm sure he thought the line, "You have to get your electricity from somewhere!" would put me right over the top and I'd call him up begging for the name of an installer. Certainly I would want two or three guys banging and hammering on my roof and dropping nails for me to step on to install that stuff.
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Being a poll worker was kind of fun. I left "early" at 9:30 p.m. (I started at 4 p.m.) Next time I'll bring a supper. I had thought a big lunch at 2 p.m. would suffice. It didn't.
Most people who were voting were nice. But there were some who were incensed when their name wasn't on our list. They were unenrolled. It says quite clearly on the census form if you do not fill it out and return it, you may become unenrolled. Those people just had to show an i.d. with their address and they could vote.
Speaking of paperwork: I got a notice to be a juror. Luckily, they let you postpone it, so I postponed it to next June. Apparently, after age 70, I can opt out. But I don't think I would do that. After all, I don't have to report to work, so I might as well do my civic duty.
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Emily and I are getting excited about our trip to Cape Charles, Virginia next week. Of course, we don't know how baby Jay will react to such a long trip. I think I'm going to get some soothing music CDs in addition to our favorite mysteries on CD. I wonder if he likes Swan Lake?
Cheers!
Thursday, September 6, 2018
Thursday, August 23, 2018
UMass Cold Spring Farm
Today I visited the UMass Cold Spring Farm in Belchertown and it's beautiful! The cover crops are buckwheat and sunflowers. Both have pretty flowers.
I went to pick up a box of peach seconds for a friend who had to be at work. It was so heavy, I couldn't carry it! She's going to make peach jam and freeze some of the peaches.
It was a lovely summer's day in the low 80s with a nice breeze. We walked around for a bit enjoying the day and the farm.
The box above is plastic and what they use for the harvest.
I went to pick up a box of peach seconds for a friend who had to be at work. It was so heavy, I couldn't carry it! She's going to make peach jam and freeze some of the peaches.
Believe it or not, that's hydrangea above.
It was a lovely summer's day in the low 80s with a nice breeze. We walked around for a bit enjoying the day and the farm.
Nancy W. said these little plums are tart.
Only a few of the apples are ripe. There are many varieties.
I had never seen doughnut shaped peaches!
Monday, August 20, 2018
Gleaning
Someone posted on FaceBook that today was the day to pick blueberries for free at the Birdhaven Farm in Southampton. You can't say "blueberries" and "free" in the same sentence and expect me to pass that up!
It was a little over 14 miles to this huge blueberry farm. The wife (I never got her name) told us how they had bought the land in 2017 and she introduced us to 4 month old Charlie was infatuated with Phyllis and he was smiling at her right away. Her husband was busily hammering on their new house which will also be huge when it is finished.
Speaking of being infatuated with Phyllis: I told her that we had to bring our own buckets and she told me not to worry. Yep, she had the coffee cans with heavy twine on them so you can string them around your neck and pick with two hands.
I remembered that you caress the branch and draw the blueberries toward you. If they don't come off easily, they are not ripe yet. At one point we had a bird screaming at us to get out of his blueberry patch. We didn't. I noticed quite a few bees and I couldn't figure out why -- there was no blossom to provide nectar. Short of drilling into a fruit, there was no food for a bee.
It was perfect for blueberry picking -- overcast with a slight breeze of relief from the low 80 degree heat which got really hot if the sun peeked through. Of course, I was hotter than usual because I was wearing my calf high gardening (rubber) boots. Phyllis couldn't figure out why I was wearing them and I told her that it's because I am really worried about ticks and Lyme disease.
When I got home, it was still overcast so I figured I couldn't put it off any longer. I got the loppers out and went a-lopping. I was embarrassed yesterday when Iola was nearly attacked by that darn wild rose when she was leaving. This giant cane reached toward her, "That wasn't there when I came in!" she exclaimed. Yes, it's like a jungle with all of the rain we have been having.
I haven't picked up the cuttings from the front porch yet. Then I was thinking that might deter some of these door knockers. They bedevil us because it's an easy neighborhood to canvas. Solar energy, politicians, save the whales, change your electric company, etc. We get them all.
Scenario
Violent bell ringing and knocking on Tina's door.
Me: What?! (Trying to fling open door in annoyance but deflated due to the fact that the rain and humidity has swollen the wooden door making it impossible to fling. Poot!)
Him: Hey, I got scratched on these thorns. You should pick them up.
Me: I didn't ask you to come to my door.
Him: I'm here with some really important information -- you might qualify for a rebate.
Me: Nope, I'm sure I don't qualify.
Him: What?
Me: Whenever I try to take online surveys that will give me a coupon or something, as soon as I put my age, they say I'm disqualified.
Him: No, see ...
Me: Yes, I see very clearly. And I clearly want you to leave. Be sure to have a nice day.
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Speaking of growing things:
It was a little over 14 miles to this huge blueberry farm. The wife (I never got her name) told us how they had bought the land in 2017 and she introduced us to 4 month old Charlie was infatuated with Phyllis and he was smiling at her right away. Her husband was busily hammering on their new house which will also be huge when it is finished.
Speaking of being infatuated with Phyllis: I told her that we had to bring our own buckets and she told me not to worry. Yep, she had the coffee cans with heavy twine on them so you can string them around your neck and pick with two hands.
Phyllis Picking Blueberries
There weren't a lot of blueberries, but as Phyllis said, "Plenty for blueberry pancakes tomorrow!" I'll be making blueberry muffins for sure.
I remembered that you caress the branch and draw the blueberries toward you. If they don't come off easily, they are not ripe yet. At one point we had a bird screaming at us to get out of his blueberry patch. We didn't. I noticed quite a few bees and I couldn't figure out why -- there was no blossom to provide nectar. Short of drilling into a fruit, there was no food for a bee.
It was perfect for blueberry picking -- overcast with a slight breeze of relief from the low 80 degree heat which got really hot if the sun peeked through. Of course, I was hotter than usual because I was wearing my calf high gardening (rubber) boots. Phyllis couldn't figure out why I was wearing them and I told her that it's because I am really worried about ticks and Lyme disease.
When I got home, it was still overcast so I figured I couldn't put it off any longer. I got the loppers out and went a-lopping. I was embarrassed yesterday when Iola was nearly attacked by that darn wild rose when she was leaving. This giant cane reached toward her, "That wasn't there when I came in!" she exclaimed. Yes, it's like a jungle with all of the rain we have been having.
I haven't picked up the cuttings from the front porch yet. Then I was thinking that might deter some of these door knockers. They bedevil us because it's an easy neighborhood to canvas. Solar energy, politicians, save the whales, change your electric company, etc. We get them all.
Scenario
Violent bell ringing and knocking on Tina's door.
Me: What?! (Trying to fling open door in annoyance but deflated due to the fact that the rain and humidity has swollen the wooden door making it impossible to fling. Poot!)
Him: Hey, I got scratched on these thorns. You should pick them up.
Me: I didn't ask you to come to my door.
Him: I'm here with some really important information -- you might qualify for a rebate.
Me: Nope, I'm sure I don't qualify.
Him: What?
Me: Whenever I try to take online surveys that will give me a coupon or something, as soon as I put my age, they say I'm disqualified.
Him: No, see ...
Me: Yes, I see very clearly. And I clearly want you to leave. Be sure to have a nice day.
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Speaking of growing things:
Salt and Pepper Added for Size Reference
I have yet to taste one of these tomatoes. Three ripe ones and this have suffered the same fate. Phyllis has the same problem. She and my friend Ang in CT are convinced it's chipmunks. Or a chipmunk. Suddenly, Chip and Dale are not cute. I only left the green ones thinking he wouldn't chomp them -- boy, was I wrong.
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The movie I, Claude Monet was fabulous last Saturday (Amherst Cinema). The videograpahy was fabulous. They would find the exact spot where Monet viewed his subject, photograph it and dissolve into his painting of the same subject. It was terrific. I had no idea he was so poor during his first marriage which produced two sons. He remarried later and began to do all right. I saw many of his paintings in the movie that I had never seen before. Of course, at the end of his life, he was cursed with losing his eyesight. That must have been hell for him. He also did not think his paintings were very good. Can you imagine?
This coming Saturday we're going to see a movie about Hieronymus Bosch. (Yes, I had to look up how to spell his name and even then I had a hard time spelling it correctly.)
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Tomorrow I go for training to become an election worker. I'll be at a poll for the afternoon shift until closing. I don't know what I'll be doing, but I have done it before and it's not very taxing.
On Wednesday, I plan to go to my second Zumba class. I'm really going to have to make myself go -- last time I thought I was going to die! O.k., that is hyperbole, but the next day I hurt everywhere.
Last Friday I went to the Craft Time at the Senior Center. I brought a hand stitched table runner to work on. There was only one other lady who was quite elderly. She said when she first started going to that group there were 20 or more women. Maybe there will be more this coming Friday.
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The small successes are the sweetest. I couldn't raise the stopper in my bathroom sink. Of course, it was full of water and fabric that I was pre-washing. So I googled it and fixed it. The hardest part was getting up off my knees!
I have to go clean the filter in my mini split air conditioner. Cheers!
Friday, August 10, 2018
Here There and Everywhere!
Wow, it has been a while, hasn't it? Although I'm not sure you've been reading -- perhaps vacationing or swimming to avoid the horrendous heat and humidity that we have been having.
In a bit you will see that I have been a little busy.
The Rock Voices concert of the British Invasion (17 songs) was a resounding success. 192 of us onstage at the Academy of Music in Northampton had great fun singing Beatles, Rolling Stones, Petula Clark and other songs of the late 1960's. I was thrilled that Mom, Deb, and Emily attended. Well, Emily stayed at my house with Jay. Emily is a brand new foster Mom. I'm a foster Grandma!!
Jay is five months old, teething, has taught himself how to roll over and squiggle around. He and I are enjoying Peek-a-Boo.
The next day I hosted a brunch for a dozen people. I got many compliments for the food. But I had spent many days decluttering (didn't want to trip up Mom) so when my next door neighbor walked in, he said, "Where is Tina and what have you done with her?" I laughed, but I have decided a clear counter and sink and kitchen table is the new normal. Retirement is great! (Next comes the bedroom -- that might take me a month of decluttering. I'm getting better at "letting go" of stuff, but it is a struggle for me.)
So as you have read, Mom was here from California. I trekked over to Boston and stayed with her for a few days. We were staying at Deb's condo rental because she and Paul have moved into the condo that they bought. What luxury! (Both places.) Mercifully, the air conditioning was tip top as Boston went into a heat wave with 90 F. plus temperature and 60% or more humidity. It rained every afternoon in short thunderstorms. It was like being in Florida.
One day we did venture out to the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), which I had never seen. Modern art is not really my thing, but I was feeling as if maybe I should broaden my horizons.
Below is the cheeriest of Kevin Beasley's works. The beginning of his exhibit is a bunch of articles of clothing which he has covered with acrylic epoxy. You are first confronted with about a 7 foot bunch of hoodies and dresses 'standing up' so that it looks like ghosts. There are no people, just the rag-like clothing.
I liked Keogh's work a lot better. Here are a couple of samples.
The best part of the ICA is the huge glass wall on the way out. It's looking at the hahbah.
Mom and I had a great time wandering around and meeting very interesting Uber drivers.
On Sunday (a week after my brunch), Deb had a luncheon/open house in the Community Room which is on the same floor as her new condo. There's an exercise room and the pool outside of the Community Room is salt water. Apparently salt water helps you to float but I have never had a problem with that. My natural flotation devices have served me well over the years. (That's what our SCUBA instructor called them.) Her luncheon was fabulous with food from La Familia Georgio. Yummy!
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Yesterday, I took a fabulous trip with the Amherst Senior Center to the Isles of Shoals. Thank you, Nancy Pagano, who arranged the whole thing!
The bus left at 8 a.m. (I know it's hard to believe but I was waiting for it at 7:30 a.m.) We stopped in Leominster about an hour later at a Panera for a coffee break. Then it was on to Kittery, Maine for a fabulous lobstah lunch. One of the women who ordered the 1.5 pound lobster didn't really know how to get the meat out. She said she only wanted the tail -- some of us nearly screamed, 'Don't forget the claws!!' She said her husband used to eat all of the other stuff and now she's divorced ...
Then it was off to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for a 2 and half hour cruise to the Isles of Shoals. (A shoal is a hunk of land in the ocean surrounded by very shallow water.) I got to see Star Island where some of my friends go every year to vacation or go to art class camp.
The weather was fantastic! It was a bit cooler and less humid and sunny. The day in Amherst had started out rainy and grey and we were worried about rough seas. Nope, it was wonderful. I got home around 9:15 p.m. tired and happy. Oh, yeah, here are some photos I snapped.
As you can tell, I didn't edit these pictures at all. But you get the idea!
Today I have made zucchini chocolate muffins and they are yummy. I didn't have any ground cloves though and I think the author of the recipe is right and they need it. Or maybe cardamon ...
Today, after lunch with a friend, I'm going to Emily's to help out a bit with the baby. Tomorrow we're going to "Porkalooza" which appears to be a pig roast. I have only been to one other pig roast and it's yummy but I don't like seeing the head. I don't like remembering my food is an animal. (Except crabs. I don't care about crabs. I crack those suckers with glee.)
Have a wonderful weekend Everybody!
P.S.
In a bit you will see that I have been a little busy.
The Rock Voices concert of the British Invasion (17 songs) was a resounding success. 192 of us onstage at the Academy of Music in Northampton had great fun singing Beatles, Rolling Stones, Petula Clark and other songs of the late 1960's. I was thrilled that Mom, Deb, and Emily attended. Well, Emily stayed at my house with Jay. Emily is a brand new foster Mom. I'm a foster Grandma!!
Jay deciding that he wants to get the decorative horse.
Jay is five months old, teething, has taught himself how to roll over and squiggle around. He and I are enjoying Peek-a-Boo.
The next day I hosted a brunch for a dozen people. I got many compliments for the food. But I had spent many days decluttering (didn't want to trip up Mom) so when my next door neighbor walked in, he said, "Where is Tina and what have you done with her?" I laughed, but I have decided a clear counter and sink and kitchen table is the new normal. Retirement is great! (Next comes the bedroom -- that might take me a month of decluttering. I'm getting better at "letting go" of stuff, but it is a struggle for me.)
So as you have read, Mom was here from California. I trekked over to Boston and stayed with her for a few days. We were staying at Deb's condo rental because she and Paul have moved into the condo that they bought. What luxury! (Both places.) Mercifully, the air conditioning was tip top as Boston went into a heat wave with 90 F. plus temperature and 60% or more humidity. It rained every afternoon in short thunderstorms. It was like being in Florida.
One day we did venture out to the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), which I had never seen. Modern art is not really my thing, but I was feeling as if maybe I should broaden my horizons.
Below is the cheeriest of Kevin Beasley's works. The beginning of his exhibit is a bunch of articles of clothing which he has covered with acrylic epoxy. You are first confronted with about a 7 foot bunch of hoodies and dresses 'standing up' so that it looks like ghosts. There are no people, just the rag-like clothing.
The bottom pieces are brand new -- large & expensive -- sneakers inbedded in wood (I think)
I liked Keogh's work a lot better. Here are a couple of samples.
The best part of the ICA is the huge glass wall on the way out. It's looking at the hahbah.
You can see the afternoon storm moving in
Site of the original Pier 4 Restaurant. It will be condos.
Mom and I had a great time wandering around and meeting very interesting Uber drivers.
This country mouse was fascinated by the parking meters.
On Sunday (a week after my brunch), Deb had a luncheon/open house in the Community Room which is on the same floor as her new condo. There's an exercise room and the pool outside of the Community Room is salt water. Apparently salt water helps you to float but I have never had a problem with that. My natural flotation devices have served me well over the years. (That's what our SCUBA instructor called them.) Her luncheon was fabulous with food from La Familia Georgio. Yummy!
******************************************************
Yesterday, I took a fabulous trip with the Amherst Senior Center to the Isles of Shoals. Thank you, Nancy Pagano, who arranged the whole thing!
The bus left at 8 a.m. (I know it's hard to believe but I was waiting for it at 7:30 a.m.) We stopped in Leominster about an hour later at a Panera for a coffee break. Then it was on to Kittery, Maine for a fabulous lobstah lunch. One of the women who ordered the 1.5 pound lobster didn't really know how to get the meat out. She said she only wanted the tail -- some of us nearly screamed, 'Don't forget the claws!!' She said her husband used to eat all of the other stuff and now she's divorced ...
Then it was off to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for a 2 and half hour cruise to the Isles of Shoals. (A shoal is a hunk of land in the ocean surrounded by very shallow water.) I got to see Star Island where some of my friends go every year to vacation or go to art class camp.
The weather was fantastic! It was a bit cooler and less humid and sunny. The day in Amherst had started out rainy and grey and we were worried about rough seas. Nope, it was wonderful. I got home around 9:15 p.m. tired and happy. Oh, yeah, here are some photos I snapped.
Portsmouth Ship Yards -- birth place of first US nuclear submarine and other marine firsts.
Former jail, decaying
From the restaurant. We were on the second floor.
First major bridge on our way up.
As you can tell, I didn't edit these pictures at all. But you get the idea!
Today I have made zucchini chocolate muffins and they are yummy. I didn't have any ground cloves though and I think the author of the recipe is right and they need it. Or maybe cardamon ...
Today, after lunch with a friend, I'm going to Emily's to help out a bit with the baby. Tomorrow we're going to "Porkalooza" which appears to be a pig roast. I have only been to one other pig roast and it's yummy but I don't like seeing the head. I don't like remembering my food is an animal. (Except crabs. I don't care about crabs. I crack those suckers with glee.)
Have a wonderful weekend Everybody!
P.S.
8-8-18
Sunday, July 15, 2018
Yellow Submarine
I went to see Yellow Submarine last Wednesday night at the Amherst Cinema. Can you believe that film is 50 years old?! How did it get that old? How did I get that old?? Actually, it came out when I was 18 years old and I never saw it. I sat next to an older couple who had seen it when it first came out and then at the 25 year mark and now at 50 years. They were really into it.
I have to say that I got bored in the middle. The Blue Meanies just didn't hold any more interest for me and by then, the Peter Max-like incredible designs and primary colors had become tiring. The heavily psychedelic patterns (strobe-like) and whirling colors also made me weary. I really wanted more music -- and not just from the Sgt. Pepper album. Oh, well, it's like making croissants -- you have to do it once and then you are done with it.
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Here are my tomatoes at night (after the movie). They are really little because they are cherry tomatoes. They were yummy!
My tomato plants talk to me. When they are thirsty, which is quite often in their south-facing perch, they droop considerably. It's really a sad sight. So I fill up my newly taped plastic watering can and water them and the violas. The can is taped because it was leaking. It's duct tape (even though the label says "duck tape") and works well. However, the can has sprung another leak. Oh, bother.
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I'm feeling a sense of accomplishment today because after having lunch with a friend, I dropped off two huge bags of sheets at Goodwill and I dropped off a full carry on bag of cookbooks at the Library. I also hit up Whole Foods before heading home. Did you know that Whole Foods will let you link to your (Amazon) Prime account and give you discounts? I just found that out, but they couldn't find my Prime number with my phone number. The young cashier gave me a complimentary discount. Woo hoo! I'll have to download an app to my phone and do a fandango for next time. I don't go there often because Whole Foods is really expensive. I bought a hunk of parmesan to grate myself and I nearly had to take a loan. But it was more than a dollar cheaper per pound than the pre-grated cheese. I'm making America grate again. Groan.
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When I was out for lunch, the weather was fabulous with a nice breeze. The breeze has died down and it's over 90 F. So I'm really enjoying my a.c.
I'm so happy that my friend, Rhonda, came over because she gave me a tutorial in using the mini split. She had mold (eek) grow on the outside of hers and the remedy is to put it on fan for 20 minutes before you shut it off and to have the vents angled straight ahead. I never would have known those tips. And, no, it's not in the manual.
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I have started a new wall hanging called Palm Springs Sunset but I'm not happy with it. I have to walk away for a bit and go back to it. Then I have to figure out what's wrong with my machine. I got so frustrated last time that I just let it sit. So this time I'll have to buckle down and try all of the know methods of fixing it. I wish I knew more about the workings of this darn thing.
(It's Saturday. I'm back)
Getting closer. Not really happy with the mountains ...
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A week from tonight my Rock Voices rehearsal will have a live band. Woo hoo! I'm getting excited about the concert on July 28.
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Saturday night was really fun. Therese hosted a pot luck at her house and it was lively conversation and wonderful food. Therese was the perfect host as always with her beautifully set table (including silver and linen napkins embroidered with flowers of all types). She went the extra mile and made me my own chicken and mushrooms because I couldn't eat the teriaki sauce she was using for everyone else. Thanks so much! The scent of her baking biscuits was intoxicating but I resisted them.
It was Naomi's birthday and Barbara made a three layer cake frosted with whipped cream and raspberries on top. It was gorgeous! (Sorry, no picture.)
Some of you may remember this dish that I painted to replace the one that shattered at another potluck. I filled it with cauliflower mushroom risotto.
It turned out to be yummy! I grew the parsley, by the way. It just needed a little something and I finished it off with some balsamic vinegar. That was perfect!
After the potluck, I went next door to help Jon celebrate his birthday. (Yes, Mom, I was invited.) I ended up staying until 11:30 p.m., which I didn't expect, but we were having great conversations in their back yard. And drinking wine. A lot of wine.
When I woke up after 4 a.m. with a wine headache, I remembered why I should stick with vodka. Thank you, God, for ibuprofen!!
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So it's now Sunday afternoon and the FIFA World Cup is over. France has won. I have to confess, this is my first soccer viewing experience ever.
Cyndi said she wanted to see it and she doesn't have cable TV, so I said come to my house and we'll watch it. We both were prepared to knit if we got bored. Neither of us did any knitting.
Cyndi brought some nice haddock and I made cauli mac which is mac and cheese without the macaroni. There's leftover risotto, but I used beef broth and Cyndi doesn't eat meat. The only thing the cauli mac is missing is the topping which is pork rinds and Parmesan cheese. It was fine without the toppings. Good flavor!
The cauli mac recipe is in Sullivan's book Keto Living Day by Day.
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When Rock Voices meets in Hadley, it's behind a Catholic church in their parish hall. The walkway is lined with flowers, some of which are just gorgeous pastel yellow lilies. I love them! They also have urns filled with very red geraniums, which I like. But those lilies are stunners (they are lighter in color than stella d'oro lilies). I wonder if anyone would notice if a couple go missing. They might really want to travel ...
Nothing interesting lined up for this afternoon for me. But I hope you all have a great time today and for the coming week. Cheers!
I have to say that I got bored in the middle. The Blue Meanies just didn't hold any more interest for me and by then, the Peter Max-like incredible designs and primary colors had become tiring. The heavily psychedelic patterns (strobe-like) and whirling colors also made me weary. I really wanted more music -- and not just from the Sgt. Pepper album. Oh, well, it's like making croissants -- you have to do it once and then you are done with it.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Here are my tomatoes at night (after the movie). They are really little because they are cherry tomatoes. They were yummy!
My tomato plants talk to me. When they are thirsty, which is quite often in their south-facing perch, they droop considerably. It's really a sad sight. So I fill up my newly taped plastic watering can and water them and the violas. The can is taped because it was leaking. It's duct tape (even though the label says "duck tape") and works well. However, the can has sprung another leak. Oh, bother.
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I'm feeling a sense of accomplishment today because after having lunch with a friend, I dropped off two huge bags of sheets at Goodwill and I dropped off a full carry on bag of cookbooks at the Library. I also hit up Whole Foods before heading home. Did you know that Whole Foods will let you link to your (Amazon) Prime account and give you discounts? I just found that out, but they couldn't find my Prime number with my phone number. The young cashier gave me a complimentary discount. Woo hoo! I'll have to download an app to my phone and do a fandango for next time. I don't go there often because Whole Foods is really expensive. I bought a hunk of parmesan to grate myself and I nearly had to take a loan. But it was more than a dollar cheaper per pound than the pre-grated cheese. I'm making America grate again. Groan.
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When I was out for lunch, the weather was fabulous with a nice breeze. The breeze has died down and it's over 90 F. So I'm really enjoying my a.c.
I'm so happy that my friend, Rhonda, came over because she gave me a tutorial in using the mini split. She had mold (eek) grow on the outside of hers and the remedy is to put it on fan for 20 minutes before you shut it off and to have the vents angled straight ahead. I never would have known those tips. And, no, it's not in the manual.
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I have started a new wall hanging called Palm Springs Sunset but I'm not happy with it. I have to walk away for a bit and go back to it. Then I have to figure out what's wrong with my machine. I got so frustrated last time that I just let it sit. So this time I'll have to buckle down and try all of the know methods of fixing it. I wish I knew more about the workings of this darn thing.
(It's Saturday. I'm back)
Getting closer. Not really happy with the mountains ...
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A week from tonight my Rock Voices rehearsal will have a live band. Woo hoo! I'm getting excited about the concert on July 28.
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Saturday night was really fun. Therese hosted a pot luck at her house and it was lively conversation and wonderful food. Therese was the perfect host as always with her beautifully set table (including silver and linen napkins embroidered with flowers of all types). She went the extra mile and made me my own chicken and mushrooms because I couldn't eat the teriaki sauce she was using for everyone else. Thanks so much! The scent of her baking biscuits was intoxicating but I resisted them.
It was Naomi's birthday and Barbara made a three layer cake frosted with whipped cream and raspberries on top. It was gorgeous! (Sorry, no picture.)
Some of you may remember this dish that I painted to replace the one that shattered at another potluck. I filled it with cauliflower mushroom risotto.
It turned out to be yummy! I grew the parsley, by the way. It just needed a little something and I finished it off with some balsamic vinegar. That was perfect!
After the potluck, I went next door to help Jon celebrate his birthday. (Yes, Mom, I was invited.) I ended up staying until 11:30 p.m., which I didn't expect, but we were having great conversations in their back yard. And drinking wine. A lot of wine.
When I woke up after 4 a.m. with a wine headache, I remembered why I should stick with vodka. Thank you, God, for ibuprofen!!
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So it's now Sunday afternoon and the FIFA World Cup is over. France has won. I have to confess, this is my first soccer viewing experience ever.
Cyndi said she wanted to see it and she doesn't have cable TV, so I said come to my house and we'll watch it. We both were prepared to knit if we got bored. Neither of us did any knitting.
Cyndi brought some nice haddock and I made cauli mac which is mac and cheese without the macaroni. There's leftover risotto, but I used beef broth and Cyndi doesn't eat meat. The only thing the cauli mac is missing is the topping which is pork rinds and Parmesan cheese. It was fine without the toppings. Good flavor!
The cauli mac recipe is in Sullivan's book Keto Living Day by Day.
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When Rock Voices meets in Hadley, it's behind a Catholic church in their parish hall. The walkway is lined with flowers, some of which are just gorgeous pastel yellow lilies. I love them! They also have urns filled with very red geraniums, which I like. But those lilies are stunners (they are lighter in color than stella d'oro lilies). I wonder if anyone would notice if a couple go missing. They might really want to travel ...
Nothing interesting lined up for this afternoon for me. But I hope you all have a great time today and for the coming week. Cheers!
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