Coffee and...Part 23...! :-D

OH WOW peach cobbler, my all time favorite!! Yes, I'll have some with Ice cream thank you! Isn't is lovely when the fresh peaches are so sweet and nice. I eat them over the sink!! And fresh figs, what a feast.

Pulled dozens of thistles today, after the rain they popped up like Jack in the Boxes all over the gardens. Went out early before the sun got hot ....then I went and got my hair cut. Again! This curl is never going to relax, and I'm tired of fighting with it. Now it's really short. DH didn't notice....

Advantages to marrying a younger man? None that I can think of. They all become attached to recliners, sports, and get antisocial unless you drag them to something. Most of his friends are single, divorced or car nuts, so there aren't many wives to include. I usually just go to the events I want to see, sometimes enlist my DIL or a friend rather than have him sit and sulk.! Oh wait, there is one advantage, I get to die first, so I don't have to take care of some cranky old goat. LOL

Hi everyone. It's ice cream time again! Today I only spent part of the day outside, finished the garden irrigation, then took a horseback ride for a couple of hours, had lunch and then went to visit a neighbor who has lots of flowers and a new kitten. It is 94 today but was hotter yesterday when I was working in the vegie garden all day with cool off trips to the house. I must have gone up and down that hill about 20 times. Good exercise!

My sister makes a V8 type of juice and she puts some saurekraut in hers to give it more zip. I have one of those Victoria type strainers that is so old it was marketed under the name Squeezo. It is aluminum. The thing I use to make grape and other kinds of juice is called a Mehu-Liisa and it goes on top of the stove. Heat and steam makes the product release it's juice and it is ready to put in jars. No squishing, I just cut the product in chunks ~ apples in quarters, apricots in half, grapes go in whole. It has a basket thing the fruit goes in, a chamber to catch the juice, a hose thing to fill the jars and it is just the slickest thing! Lehman's catalog has them, and probably has the other one too. I suppose you could check ebay, too. They have everything. I have used my M-L to make apple, apricot, grape and elderberry juices. It is stainless steel and you can also cook with it.

Early this morning there were thunderstorms in the area, but no rain with them, just lightening striking the ground. We have some fires in the area that are making the air pretty smoky. The forest service bomber is making runs with fire retardant and we saw a heilicopter, too. There are several miles and at least one hill and a river between us and the nearest fire. This time of year we can expect to get fires, the landscape is very dry. Today the wind has blown all day and that doesn't help the firefighters. Two of our neighbors are on fire crews and my husband worked for the state as a firefighter for a few summers. Thankfully we haven't had a big one.

Time to be thinking about getting some dinner together, hubby will be home in a few minutes. We have cabbage, carrot, apple, raisin salad left from last night that I think will be the main course. See you later.

Bonnie, peach cobbler is just about my all time favorite dessert! THANKS!!

MaryE... V8 with sauerkraut? I cannot imagine...

Meezer five, I laughed outloud when I read your post, not having to take care of an old goat.!!! I thought maybe that a younger one would have some get up and go to get up and go out. Mine sits with the remote in his hand, watching any and all sports. I just sit and read. You and Darius help yourself to the peach cobbler.

LOL, I meant to comment taking care of an old goat, too... It tickled me.

Wrists are a bit sore tonight - worked 10 hrs. today - so just saying hi as I pass thru.

...sorry to hear ur mom is doing poorly, d.

...I used horse liniment on my 'bum' foot for years - have kenosynivitis - kinda similar to carpel tunnel but in the foot. Had two surgeries, 14 and 16 yrs. old, unsuccessful so I live with it. Not the end of the world, don't need a pity party, but can't shop a whole day or stand for very long without pain and rainy days are a pain, literally! lol The old horse doc down the road, grew up in the wilds of northern Ontario, gave my dad a bottle of this liniment and I still have part of the last bottle. Good stuff but stinks to high heaven, they came out with a people, mild version a bunch of years ago but my feeble brain can't think of it, of course. ....ahh the brain just gave me a nudge - absorbine was the horse stuff.

night all, typed more than I intended, as usual!!

Rest, and sleep well, Laura!

Is it tooo late to put in my 25 cents? Old goats, got my tickler. I had to laugh. Guess I'm missing out on nothing that I wasn't already missing out on a year ago. And I was not alone a year ago, I had an old goat,,,,,,,,

Molly
:^)))

Hey, Molly... I thought he was a young goat??

Darius, he was my age, but then there are young 51's and there are old 51's. He was old.

I need a snack, is everything gone from the table tonite? Oh well, guess I have to raid my own fridge. Let's see, what do I have,,,,swiss cheese, town crackers, ham slices, oh and hard salami. Works for me. :^)))

nite tall
:^)))

Darius, how's your mother. I have been meaning to ask, but every time I sit at the computer, some other post catches my eye. Know that I am thinking of you, as my own mother is declining fast.

She seems to be holding her own. I hope to go up to see her in a few days. However, it is inevitable, as she is in an overall decline. Cannot do anything for herself, not even feed herself. Sigh.

Thanks for asking. : )

My mom is still living on her own, about 1/4/ mile from me, I check her about 4 times a day, but she is getting so forgetful. Has been taking pain med for spider bite, and arthritis, and I can really tell a big difference in her. I don't like her to have to use the pain meds, but if she is in such discomfort, don't want to see her in pain either. Son's finance is staying with her this week, she probably needs someone full time, but I can't convince other siblings who see her about 4 times a year, vs, me who sees her several times a day.

How old is she, Bonnie? My mother is 84.

Morning everyone - I am in PAIN again!! Off the steroids for two days and it is back with a vengence and I am mighty grumpy about it. Plus, my stomach is rolly polly and with the wedding coming up tomorrow - that's all I need. DIL and I went dress shopping (did I tell ya she procrastinates??) and out to Applebees for dinner at 10pm. Had a spinach salad with shrimp and a peanut dressing - good going down, but maybe that is the cause of the upset tummy. Head aches and body aches... and gotta clean as company is coming tomorrow. Oh woe is me. Wish everyone lived closer and could come over and do it for me!!

I loved the old goat comment too - do we all have something in common??? OG (old goat) just left for work- now I can clean up all the messes he left- blankets on the floor, papers strewn all over, dishes on the bar and in the sink, toothpaste spatters on the bathroom mirror and several wash clothes left all over and the ever problamatic toilet seat that is left up. I have threatened to yank the darn thing off. Can you tell I am in a grouchy mood???

Think I'll go for my morning garden walk - I'll probably find slugs....

Sarv, you are having quite a morning. Nowhere to go but up from that sorry beginning. Where are all these people who call on you at every turn when you need a hand? Never mind, hope you feel better real fast.

Toilet seats up....! When we first got married, my DH left it up all the time. Requests had no effect. I said, it's easy enough for us both to lift and replace...no effect. So, I took a small sponge and put it at the top of the lid, under the decorative (?) cover, so that when you raised the lid, it wouldn't stay upright. DH learned quickly that he had to hold both the seat and the lid in order for it not to fall down! Then he got in the habit of putting them both down, and it has stayed with him. Devious, Oh Yes. Effective. Absolutely. Don't need the sponge anymore.

Darius, sorry your mom is doing so poorly. Let's hope the end is peaceful and painless for your mother, although we know it won't be easy for you. It's a hard road.

A Mehu Liisa? That's a new one on me. Sounds like it works like a charm though. Seems kind of like a pressure cooker....trying to picture it but not being successful! Whatever works!!

I remember my folks using something called Absorbine Jr. It did have a pungent odor, but they seemed to use it often so it must have worked.

Off to golf this morning, looks like a beautiful day. GS coming over this afternoon to work on his truck, the timing belt went blooey so he's been using DH's. DS is out of town so his wife and I will hit a movie tomorrow afternoon and go look at a crummy house that is for sale down the road from us....it's pretty shabby on the outside, and the realtor said it's worse on the inside, but we'll check it out anyway.

See y'all later. Good wishes to all for a happy day.

Darius, my mom is 86. I guess that she does well for that age. She has arthritis so bad that she has to use a walker.

Sarv, sorry about your pain, and upset tummy. If I lived closer, I would come help you today. Don't the OGs make a mess. When DH is gone, everything stays nice and neat, and when he is here it is almost a full time job, keeping everything in it's place.

Going to do laundry this morning, so DGD's clothes will be clean to go home this afternoon. Other than that, not much else planned.

Nowt /;-)~

M5, JustMeLisa posted photos of her Mehu Liisa last summer. http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/446428/

Cooler today, but thunderstorms. We are right along the collision of the 2 big fronts. Yuck.

Nowt :) !

Night before last, cut the back out of a marked down chicken,flattened it,coated with olive oil,salt & pepper,garlic seasoning and Italian seasonings and baked it on a rack.Green salad w/my internationally, if not universe-wide famous Thousand Island dressing,a slab of handcrafted wholewheat bread and tall glass of ice water finished off the meal.Was it Supper or Dinner ? We just call it dinner. Then last night DW made toasted chicken/cheese/chutney sandwiches in the Geo. Foreman grill. Sure love that machine.It homes in right next to my Kitchen Aid mixer and iron cookware.We only have toilet lid problems when company comes.Raising the seat and keeping the lid down (not at the same time!) was a pre-nuptial agreement .LOL
Sarv, so sorry to hear about the recurring pain.Aspirin and Naproxin help some for me,but not always enough.
That trip to the Amusement place sounds like torture to me.Many years ago when Beloved Young Son was young (we were younger too) we went to Disneyland.In addition to being too expensive it was too hot and too crowded, but he loved it and that's what we were there for.Never have to do that again as it now falls on DS and wife to take the GD's.
Our weather has been ideal of late,although even the low 80's is a bit more than I like.
An Estate Sale in Everett tomorrow and Sunday listed Fostoria American pattern.Hope I can get there early enough to be in the first few through the door.There goes my allowance! Enough of this idle prattle.Have to get out there and weed,prune,cull,water,plant ,divide and procrastinate.

Bal- I collect Fostoria Americna too!! My mom had it when she was first married and she gave it to me. Every year she gets me a few pieces. I have never bought any on my own, but have quite a collection. I am looking for a round covered butter dish if ya ever see one!! This year my mom brought me home some drinking glasses = I think she got taken. I had gotten some at our local store that were exactly the same. Usually you can tell the old from the new by the weight. I went out and bought a book on the crystal and mark all the ones that I have. I cannot believe all the pieces I dont have!!

My stomach is still rolly polly - but I have to confess I keep eating when my stomach is upset. DGS and I went to the store and we got huge cinnamon rolls = when I got home I had a shakespeare curl, then toasted cheese with onions. No wonder I feel awful!! I think some is nerves too = I am worried that this shindig won't flow smoothly. I have a stinkin headache (just took aspirin) and am going to take a xanax later. I already took a half a one this morning!!

House is as picked up as sit is gonna be. The older I, the less I worry about housecleaning - take me as I am. But heavens - don't open a closet!!! I really shove!! I cannot believe I have turned into such a pig.. Just gotta make the bed for the guests and I can do that tomorrow morning. Oh, I do need to make a necklace to wear tonight out of seed beeds.. Gotta look purdy ya know!!

Sarv, sorry to hear you are still under the weather, and with so much going on.There was no time or phone # for the Estate sale so I went to the house and knocked on the door. The lady was very nice and said she had a lot of old pieces in the collection and that since I had come by to inquire that she would let me in at 8:30 tomorrow to view it before the sale at 9:00.Think I'm in trouble!!!! May have to make an offer on the whole collection if there ar enough pieces I don't have yet.
Best place I've found for Fostoria info is 'The Fostoria Glass Society of America'. www.fostoriaglass.org.Located in Moundsville,WV .They have a price list dated 2003 and a super catalog. The round butter w/lid is listed at $100 to $150.
What's a 'shakespeare curl' ???

Sarv, RELAX, you can't smooth out all the bumps in this world, it's out of your hands. I hope your tummy settles down by this evening, and you feel good in the morning.

Bal, I consider my GF grill indispensable, it's fast, everything comes out juicy and nicely browned. Chicken sounded delicious. Wish somebody besides me cooked, I love eating food prepared by hands not attached to the ends of my arms! Nice chance to pick up some Fostoria, too. You must have charmed the socks off that woman!! I had pieces of Blue Willow from England that was my stepmom's mother's, that got handed down to me. In a moment of total lunacy I gave it to my youngest daughter, and now there's nothing left of it. This was back when I deluded myself into thinking she was responsible.

Thanks for the link, Darius, that's some pricey piece of equipment. I think I'll stick to my Victorio, but for someone who cans and preserves a lot of food, it would be wonderful. Since I'm not feeding a mob anymore like I did years ago, I don't put up much produce anymore. Although if the spirit ever moves me I have plenty of jars stashed away, plus I can't bring myself to throw out a good jar from the store if it looks to be the right size for jam or jelly, or leftover spaghetti sauce, or....well, you know. Must be my depression childhood.

Still picking the big leaves from the chard, and this last handful of beans looks to have been attacked by snails, here goes with the slug bait. Little devils. Something is munching on the roses too so I have to get out the systemic and give them a drink that will lead the little critters to eternal bug life. Lettuce is looking lovely, I planted some Boston on the north side of the house, sharing space with the flowers, and in spite of the hot weather, heads are forming. Might be tough though, we'll see.

Bicolor corn just coming in so I stopped at my favorite farm stand on my way home today and picked up a baker's dozen. That will be dinner, with the leftover chicken salad, and lots of BUTTER! I still have some frozen corn from last year, but it keeps very well frozen, so I might not freeze more this year. If I'm whining in February or March about running out, remind me it was my decision.

OK Ima gonna shucka some corn....Have a happy weekend all, I might check in but have nowt to say.....

Well, everyone, this is the first time I'm checking in today. Straightened the house this morning, went to the garden and pulled the beets that were ready, made 2 pints pickled beets, peeled and froze 3 quarts of peaches, moped the kitchen and laundry room, fixed lunch, rested some and then took DGD home. Visited Lowes where I got 7 plants for $8.00. They had their distressed plants on sale, some for 50cents, 1.00, or 1.50. I got purple cone flower, blanket flower, coreposis, coral bells, and a pot of daisys. I found a day lily named "Darius". Of course I had to buy it, if for no other reason than our Darius. It is red. Then went to Home Depot, where their plants were marked down, but not as much as Lowes. Bought a clematis, and accidently broke off a sprig of a butterfly bush! LOL Went on to Jo-Anne's where they had 70% off all their garden stuff. I spent $15 and came home with 8 plants, 1 snatch, and some purty things for the garden. A birdhouse and windchimes.

Sarv, hope the stomach problems go away. Probably just nerves,what with company coming. Is the wedding this weekend? Hope everything goes okay, and it will.

So tell me what's on docket for tomorrow. I may just take it easy, or I may get out early with my tiller and start a new bed for the daylilies I've bought this year, and a new perennial bed to put all my "bargain plants" One thing for sure, I have to get clothes ready for our little trip.

Hi, Gobs. It's been a long, long day but I got to spend part of it with my best friend Bud out on his patio. Can't beat that! The rest was doing errands including the dreaded trip to Walmart for an ink cartridge. Only folks that carry them around here, Grrrrr....

Hello again. It's been another hot day. I have been watching smoke plumes today. The fire I spoke about yesterday is now contained at just under 3000 acres. It did jump the river. Another fire flared up today and I have been taking pictures of the smoke plume it is throwing up. The wind is carrying it away from us, following the mountains and going to the southeast. The wind has been blowing all day. Two other fires are within about 60 miles of us. Hopefully none of them will get really big, it's always a concern with the woods and the grassy hills being so dry.

My neighbor has some broken hay bales in his field that he said I could have so today I went with my pickup and pitchfork and got a nice load before the day got to be 95 degrees. There is at least that much more to get, thanks to his baler being in a cranky mood when he was trying to bale that field. He is busy cutting and baleing hay in other fields and doesn't have time to go around and pick up these broken ones since he can't do it with the machine that picks up whole bales. It takes too much time for him to do it by pitchfork and pickup. My horses don't care if it comes in bales or loose so they're happy, so am I, free is a very good price.

Running out now to get one more picture before it gets dark, and maybe will get a picture of the glow after dark. The fire is behind hills from us but it could light up the sky. Later, maybe with pictures if they turn out good.

Free is a Verry good price, good for you. I always said ya don't hafta give me somethng twice. --'I'll have that right outta your way'. Hope the pictures turn out good. But sure hope it gets no closer.

Darius, glad you had a good day with your friend. I had a good day with my Son, first thing this morning we went and picked thru a rock pile for specific size rocks... don't ask... but we filled about 6 five gal buckets before the sun got to us. It starts out cool these mornings, but the minute the sun hits you it is HOT. went from 65* low, to 102* high.

During the hot part of the day DS painted the ceiling [twice] and then gave the walls their final paint job [also 2 coats]. It was a little scarey while it was wet but dried to just a little warmer than I'd pictured. It's going to be perfect. An extremely pale peachy-apricot. It will be warm without being overwhelming.

While waiting for each coat to dry he put together the last of the base cabinets that we've got on hand and gave this one drawer fronts and doors. I was a little surprised that the 24 inch drawers have two 12" drawer fronts side by side instead of one 24" wide drawer front. ?? I hadn't pictured that in my mind.

Will have pictures soon. The cabinets go so well with the new flooring. It is all falling together nicely. Smiles /;- ))

Here's a picture of the fire at about 5pm. The ones I took after dark did not show the glow of the fire that I can see. Eyes are still better than digital photos.

Good the smoke is not coming your way either.

Well folks - today is the day!! (won't ya be glad when it is over and you don't have to hear about it anymore!!) Rehearsal went well, tho I was completely overdressed. I bought this cute little black capri outfit - everyone else was in jeans (torn too) Even the other mother showed up in jeans, ratty shirt and no makeup. She looked like a dog!!! Bride to be cried at the rehearsal - think what will happen today! My DS was so nervous - he shook like a leaf just at the practice run. I may have to offer him a xanax too! We went to a local pub for the rehearsal dinner and DS (who is spending the night here) came home in the weeee hours - bet he has a headache today! Oh well, not my problem!

Shakespear curls (sometimes called cream curls) are a pastry shaped alike a hot dog bun, filled with a creamy frosting like stuff. Matter of fact I just finished off the last one . Would you believe that even with my upset tummy, I downed 4 of them yesterday. And they are not small!! No wonder my new outfit that fit a week ago felt skin tight!

Mary - that fire looks scarey - I have a healthy respect for fires - hope it stays clear of your place.

defo - you make me tired just reading about all you did. I would like to visit some garden places and get some deals tho. I have been thinking about starting some zinnea seeds. My gardens look pretty petered out come the end of Aug and some new color might just do the trick.

bal - oh the sale sounds glorious!!! Man, that is some pricy dish I am wanting...budget can't afford anything like that for awhile. (dropping way more than planned on the wedding)

Well, time for the garden tour - in the fog today - best time to catch those stinkin slugs!! Take care and think of me at 3 today...I'll be a new person tomorrow - no more complaining and whining....LOL

Mary, wow, that fire would be too close for comfort if I lived where you do!

Hi folks. The fire doesn't appear to be growing and it is also cooling off (white smoke today vs dark yesterday). We smell some smoke in the air but it could be coming from a different fire since there are several in the area. The wind is not as strong today so that is good.

I've been kinda lazy today. I got the truck unloaded and should get the rest of the hay picked up tonight after the sun goes down. Right now it is about 95 in the shade. Tomorrow I will be helping the neighbor short out 100 lambs for a buyer. It's hard to believe it but lambs that weighed 10# or less in March are now at about 100#. Talk about your munchkins! These guys do an excellent job of turning raw materials into meat.

Time to move the sprinkler again.

Where in the heck is everybody tonight? Had a busy day today. Had errands to run today, stopped at 2 yard sales. got a new George Forman Grill, for $5.00.When I got home DH had green beans picked, so canned them, had 5 quarts. Always try to fix something for Sunday dinner, so I won't have to cook after church, so did some cooking for tomorrow, fixed supper,then out to do the watering etc.

Sarv, can't wait for you to post about the wedding. How did it go? Give us all the details early in the morning.

Mary, we were out west several years ago, and when we were flying home, we flew through smoke from fires. They were in Utah. We occasionally have fires here, (not close to me) but when the forests get dry, there is always that chance. I haven't commented directly to you, but I admire the amount of work that you do. I have always lived on a farm and I know how hard some of the work is. I haven't done it for several years, but have the "been there done that" t-shirt. I miss the riding. We don't have horses anymore. DGD has a hackney pony, and about 2 months ago, I got on him, just for the heck of it. Never forget how, just like a bike.

Blooms, what are you using the rocks for?

Meezer, I collect depression glass. Do you think that this may be a characteristic of gardners?

Darius, did you see my post last night about the day lily I bought that was named Darius. Just couldn't pass it up.

Well, I will have homemade cinnamon rolls on the counter when you get up, Help yourself.

Today was an easy day. Started raining mid day and turned into thunderstorms. A grand excuse to stay inside with the air conditioning.

Talked to Annalise, my next door neighbor. Haven't talked to her in a few weeks. Thought maybe I had offended at a dinner party she gave. As you all know, I tend to be a bit critical of myself and she had no idea of any offense. Whew! She was serving German food and German beer, lord only knows what that might have inspired my mouth to say. She says "nowt". heehee.

Bonnie, Darius is asleep I daresay and I shall be soon enough. I gave the George Foreman grill to my brother in appreciation for him helping me move last year. Oh yes, but I kept one of the oval type drip pans. They are excellent for sorting seeds in. I have a Chamglo grill on my patio right outside my back door. The patio is covered so except for the leaky patio awning in a couple places, I stay pretty dry when doing my cooking out there.

I went and visited my friend Mardella yesterday. We sat around, and in her swimming pool. I wanted to get some lychee nuts from her tree, but it seems I am a day late and a dollar short. Harvest is over. No more lychee nuts this year. Well, there were a couple cluster of nuts waaaaaaaay up high, like 40 feet. Well, I didn't bring THAT ladder with me. Geesh, I drove the mustang, didn't bring any ladder with me and I have a fear of heights that tall. Guess I'll have to wait til next year for more. I did get some earlier in the harvest, I wonder how long it will take to get some lychee nuts from a lychee nut?

Nitey
:^)))
Molly

Morning all, Sarv must be sleeping in after the Big Event. LOL I'm only here for a moment, gotta clean the little bathroom, sister coming this afternoon and she's a clean freak. Guys use that bathroom so I'm getting a long stick and my rubber gloves.

Dcat, I think gardeners are natural born collectors of just about anything....if it were only just plants!! My DH collects cars!

Look at this, I planted this three years go and completely forgot about it...it's buried behind the two bleeding hearts and the sage and surprised me this morning with big blooms! Ain't gardening grand??? LOL Usually I'm surprised by weeds!

C'mon Sarv, we need an update on the festivities!!!

Ignore the tall crabgrass growing on the left. It's not there. You don't see it. Imaginary grass.

meezers - that's not crabgrass - that's sheygrass - thereby making it invisible.

Beautiful surprise!!

any cinnamon rolls left? never can resist them... love anything cinnamon.

dfc- I'd have got that darius fleur too - neat find

m5 - great find behind the invisibles - don't u just love it when that happens - makes one think - did i plant that ? lol

mary - glad the fires aren't coming ur way - really nice looking lasagna bed inthat shot

time to get ready for church - gotta take the aunt and uncle and MIL again - really would rather go to our church but - oh well - such is life........

Bonnie, Yes I saw your post about the Darius DL! I have one (planted at my aunt's house near here) that Wandasflowers sent me 2 years ago.

Hope there's another cinnamon roll... love the homemade ones!