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Nov 9, 2012: WOW I had no idea we were so far into November already. So much has been happening lately.
But new month and new blog is needed.
I have some pictures from last Saturday night that got approved so I will put them in here for now.
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Here are my weather Maps. This one had to be removed from my above the blog spot; it was causing my computer problems.
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I found out, these maps are measuring fire hazard and soil moisture, not necessary drought according to rainfall.
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Sat.Nov3, 2012. Sat night with 4 of the local Grands. Ellen is getting the fire ready for hot dogs and smoors.
Sat.Nov3, 2012. Sat night with 4 of the local Grands. Big Cuz, Cole, with little Cuz, Nolan. I am not sure if Noly is eating a hot dog or a smoores!
Sat.Nov3, 2012. Sat night with 4 of the local Grands. Poppy helps Ty at the dart board.
Sat.Nov3, 2012. Sat night with 4 of the local Grands. Rylee is giving us a "snap snap" before she throws her darts.
Sat.Nov3, 2012. Sat night with 4 of the local Grands.Cole brought his "Poopie Cushion" for fun.
Sun Nov 11, 2012: My garden. left side of walk to front door.
Sun Nov 11, 2012: My garden. Right side of walk to front door.
Sun Nov 11, 2012: My garden. So many Monarch Caterpillars on my milkweed plants. Eating all the leaves, but the plants do come back.
Sun Nov 11, 2012: My garden. So many Monarch Caterpillars on my milkweed plants. Eating all the leaves, but the plants do come back.
Sun Nov 11, 2012: My garden. So many Monarch Caterpillars on my milkweed plants. Eating all the leaves, but the plants do come back.
Sun Nov 11, 2012: My garden. So many Monarch Caterpillars but we rarely can find the Chrylis. Rylee found these two hidden behind a board in the fence.
Nov 11, 2012, my garden. Found this Monarch Chrylis on the fence.
Nov 11, 2012, Gamma's East side garden.
Nov 11, 2012: my garden. My east side yard garden.
Nov 11, 2012: my east side garden of mostly succulent plants.
Nov 11, 2012: my east side yard garden.
Nov 11, 2012: my east side yard garden. Most of these are butterfly plants.
Nov 11, 2012: My east side yard garden.
Nov 11, 2012: back corner "Treasure Garden" the Grand kid's garden.
Nov 11, 2012: The "Grands" back corner garden they love.
Nov 11, 2012: our NE corner of back yard behind the pool.
Nov 11, 2012: the plants against the west fence wall in back yard.
Nov 11, 2012: Hatch looks much better now I touched him up with some paint and put him back in his corner of the back yard.
Nov 11, 2012: my garden. Remember a few years ago when we all tried to grow a tree from an Avocado seed pit? This is my tree from that pit I rooted in water.
Nov 10, 2012: Hubby took this of me last night before we left for the party. Amazing what a little makeup and hairspray will do for you!
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21. seflagamma 1:23 PM AST on November 09, 2012 +0
Hi NEw, actually I am staying very busy and that is part of the problem. I am busying doing things I did not necessarily expect to be doing now!
With Ellen and 2 young kids in the house, it is never really "restful"! LOL
Actually I have no idea how I found the time I needed to get so much done while I worked!
I will keep you updated so when it is your turn you will be able to learn from my experiences!
Hi everyone,
I just tried to load 5 photos and they all got rejected because the screen flipped and I could not put in the location. I may try again later.
It was just some fun pictures of the 4 grands that were here last Saturday night.
I am going to try and make two new Christmas Front Door Wreaths this afternoon.
I got all the "stuff" I need to put it together last Tuesday with my 50% off coupons at Michaels.
I will make a picture when it is ready! If I can get it loaded! Yeah, they got approved!
Enjoy your Day.. Wow it is already Friday!
We were very proud of our self making a "clean" fire!
and those lights in the background are not "Christmas" lights.. they are part of the "Grand's Garden" also the blue/white lights in patio are up all year round if you see them in any of the photos.
How was your trip to Rome???
Haven´t been on in a while. Real busy not just working but going to school full time also. There goes my days and nights!
Having our usual November crap weather. Rain, cold, days becoming very short.
I also thought those were Christmas lights hanging in your yard. But what the heck, so many places begin their Christmas "stuff" in October anymore.
I´ll be in the U.S. again Thanksgiving week and the week after for 10 days. I am going to Ohio for a course for my job but before that I will visit my mother in Pensacola. I will actually be there the day before Thanksgiving and stay for 4 days. This will be my first Thanksgiving at her house since 1986. My sister will come from Texas while I am there. She retired last month so she has the time now. Hope to have nice Florida weather while there. I won´t count on that in Ohio!
Love the family pics, as always.
How's retirement? Are you enjoying being a Woman of Leisure? Or are you finding yourself busier than ever?
Just a quick check in, as my lappy needs to be recharged!
Are you going to keep the lights up on your fence for the Holidays, or were they just for the party?
Have a happy Sunday!
I haven't been to your blog for a while... Glad to see you are still keeping busy!
I should hate to think you were sitting on your bottom doing nothing, like I am!! lol
Now into week five, so by the end of next week I should be almost though the first healing section. I certainly feel better than I did four weeks ago!
Without those men and women serving, we wouldn't be the country we are today.
I've been away for a bit..pretty busy myself. Gamma, I know you can relate to this piece - I just finished a remodel on the house. Well, not quite finished - I still need to do the master suite and replace the old stair railing with a new iron set, and maybe reface the cabinets in the upstairs guest bath. But I did all this..and by did, I mean I wrote a check and watched people do the actual work..
Removed popcorn from ceilings
Applies knockdown to ceilings and walls
Painted all rooms (no more white walls!)
Complete demo and rebuild of the downstairs bath, including switching from a bathtub to a shower
New carpet in my office, stairs, and upstairs
Hardwood floor for the rest of the downstairs
Upgraded all the TVs, including a nice 60" for the family room
And the big items:
I finally put in my game room. I bought the house a decade ago because it had a room big enough for a pool table. Well, now I have a pool table. And a TV on the wall. And during the process, I realized that the room backs up on a bathroom, and I have plumbing in that wall. So I put in a wet bar! I also have a two tap kegerator..currently serving Miller Light and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.
New kitchen - pushed the countertop out to add an extra 3 feet of usable kitchen, new cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling, new stainless steel appliances, instant hot water heater, top of the line 1hp garbage disposal, granite counters and backsplash. My new sink is a single basin, deep sink. I can fit every cookie sheet, pot, or cutting board I own in it.
And a hot tub in the back yard.
It all came together about a week and a half ago. Last weekend, I threw a big "housewarming" party. Oh, and it was my 40th birthday, too. Yeah..busy busy.
I told my guests that I didn't want any gifts, but instead, I asked for non-perishables for a food drive. My friends are awesome - I filled three big bins with 272 items, and took it to the pantry associated with The Fruitful Field yesterday. They were so excited to see the donation - their shelves were almost empty because of all the need right now!
It's been a painful process - my GC is an old friend and neighbor of mine, and has been doing the work mostly as a favor for me. But that means it happens when he has down time. But it's so worth it. I love the house, and I love the entertainment possibilities it gives me!
Hope everyone is doing well..I'll try to be around a bit more often now. :)
-Jeff
Jeff,you have been busy. I was wondering why I have not seen you on FB or here very much lately but then again I've not been around as much as I use to be.
When you do a renovation, you really go all out all at once. What a lot of work you have done to your home.
Do you have pictures on FB of some of the new rooms?
Congratulations to you!!!! Sounds fantastic!!!
I know you love to cook so you will love your new Kitchen I am still loving mine!
Sandi, so happy you are behaving and healing nicely. Just stay patient and pretty soon will be fully up and running again!
I have been so busy it is crazy, so much going on.
Just looked at the calendar and Thanksgiving is in less than 2 weeks now. YIKES!!!
Bug, I am alive and busy and still hoping to get around soon. I did not mean to actually "take a break from computer" but it seems like I have.
Hope all is well.
Ylee, I know, at least when I was at work I had time to blog here on WU!!!I miss going around and see what everyone is up too. Hopefully soon. Yes I leave those back corner fence lights up all year long. and when they burn out I throw them away and staple up new ones. It brightens up the place.
GG, can you believe it, already Nov 11th... what happened????
Scott, so you are going back to school and doing your full time job. No wonder you have been MIA for a while. Does your family get to come here to the States with you when you come for your training?
Glad you get a chance to spend Thanksgiving with your family in P'cola. I know with your long time in Service you have miss many family holidays...
And to you and any other of our Vets,
Thank You so much for your Service to our Great Country!
Luvz, I went to your blog and saw the Rome pictures. WOW you all did have a great time. Just beautiful!
Hope I have not missed anyone. been so busy.
Stacey and I had a party to attend last night..
I have a picture I may see if I can post.
Then I took some garden pictures this morning I may try to get approved if it does not take too long.
We have actually not had any rain now in a week. Feels so good to dry out a little...and you can see the moisture map is turning yellow & light green now.
but I think we have chance of rain in the forecast again. I did have to drag out the water hose today to water some of my garden plants.
Again, to all our Veterans, we say Thank YOU for your Service.
Thanks to you all for stopping by!
I think hubby and I are going out to one of our favorite Italian restaurants tonight for dinner.
Did you really think retiring meant "slowing down"?
The Veterans Administration is graciously paying for my school so I can FINALLY complete my degree. Unfortunately in order to get the full benefits you must be a full time student, meaning six credit hours per semester. In other words two classes at a time. Whoever designed this must not think vets work full time or have families!
My wife and kids will not be coming with me this time as the girls will be in school. Thanksgiving is not a German holiday and they go to German schools.
Have a great Veterans Day and pass the word........
LADIES, line up and kiss a Vet. LOL
Hope you have a nice supper!
Scott, I kissed my very own Vet today. Several times! lol
He was at Phu Cat Air Base, 69/70. He was one of the base photographers. His main duty was going along on recon flights, taking pics, developing them and sending them on to the folks that analyzed all that data. He also would get tapped for base functions, whatever was needed. Visiting bigwigs, etc.
Gams, it is easy to get out of the habit of getting online. I periodically get sidelined by library books or movies, TV shows, etc. I used to read and work puzzles a lot and when I first got on WU, all of that slid to the side. I missed it. Plus, I'm not quite as obsessive about the hanging out here as I was when I first signed up on WU, either. There's a honeymoon period, when it's all you can think of! You have to learn how to balance work, life and the Net.
Who's that hot mama in the little black dress? lol
I don't get here as often because I usually stop at FB first, as I know you do. At least I can keep up with you that way ! But I love WU for the longer posts and pictures.
I just love your little gardens all around your yard. I tried growing lettuce, planted seeds, saw them all sprout , and then something ate them!!!! Not sure who/what is doing that.
We've turned real cold, but we are suppose to warm up once again this week. I also can't believe Thanksgiving is just around the corner. The day after Thanksgiving, my family (dad's side) is gathering for a family reunion of sorts. It'll be my uncle and his kids (4- plus assorted partners/kids), my aunt and her kids ( and assorted partners/kids), my mom and her 4 kids (and assorted partners and kids). We'll be over 25 folks I believe. My uncle is hosting and he lives up in Channel Islands, up near Ventura. I've never been to his house, but my mom has. It's right on the beach and apparently very nice. A few of us are spending the night, but most of my side is just going for the day (we are spending the night). I'm looking forward to it. I was quite close to my cousins growing up, we got together a lot. It's been a very long time since we've all been together.
Anyway, school is finally settling a bit. Not quite as crazy as the first month or two. I actually reopened my blog with some photos of an adventure we went on. Stop by if you can find the time.....you sound so busy! But you also sound like hubby. He is not sure how he did everything he does and fit in work too!
Have a good week!
:)
I have some new landscaping as part of the remodel. I'm still in the "water every day" stage. I'm happy it's getting a natural shower.
Jeff, I got a downpour last night also that got me out of bed to go look.
Got about 1/2 " of rain last night which we needed since we had a week without rain.
But I used water hose to water all my plants yesterday; should have known it would rain once I drug our the water hose!
I was going to go do a walk/run then do some yard work today but it started raining again right now....
This may end up being an "inside house" project day.
You are going to have to post some photos of your remodel and new landscaping!
Karen, I know I enjoy FB also and you are right it is "easier" there and quicker. But there is no "catching up" like here where you can read back on the blogs to see what you missed.
I will have to get over and see your pictures.
My lettuce (and cold weather veggies) are doing well now but the temps were so warm my lettuce pretty much bolted before it even produced. The broccoli and cauliflower may be OK but I've only got about 3 or 4 plants of them. Most of the herbs are doing find and tomato plants are growing but I want to find some blooms and small fruit on them soon.
We have finally gotten below 75 at night so they should be able to pollinate now.
I still have some space for more veggies and there are a few more herbs I did not get planted in Sept I need to include.
Hope to get it done this week.
Bug, I hear you, Jeff's place sounds great!
And thanks, Isn't it amazing what a little make up and hairspray can do for a woman! LOL
When people see me "cleaned up" they don't recognize me from what I look like around the neighborhood without hair or makeup usually in cropped sweat pants or "yard work" shorts and tank tops!
I guess I am sort of taking a "computer break" I am not even doing a daily FB Wall comments everyday like I use to but I try to take a look at least once a day to make sure I don't miss a birthday there. You actually get a "reminder" each day on which of your "friends" are celebrating their birthdays which makes it so much easier!
And I am much busier at home than I was at work!
Ylee, we buy our milkweed and sometimes it is hard to find. Actually I have some "volunteers" that come up on their own so I am lucky and I can transplant some of the volunteers into places they need to be. I know they are considered weeds in most of the world and in an open field they can get out of hand but in a "groomed garden" setting not so much.
And they are not cheap; they cost from $3.99 to $12.99 per 1 gallon bucket plant. That is why I do try to save all my volunteers.
Seems like Milkweed is all the Monarch Caterpillars will eat.
And out other most popular butterfly the Zebra (also the swallowtail) love to eat up my dill & parsley. So I put a container of both of these plants in the butterfly garden also. So hopefully I won't go into my herb garden on other side of the house and find they have eaten up my parsley and dill that I use in the kitchen!
I "hear" the Monarch butterfly is in danger and that may be because no one allows the milkweed to grow for their only food source. They are plentiful around my garden all year round. It is not an attractive plant and it is quiet ugly once it is all naked stems after being eaten by the caterpillars so I usually try to incorporate it with other plants the caterpillars will not eat!
Scott, glad you are able to finish getting your degree and it must be hard to work full time and go to school taking 2 classes per semester PLUS you are a husband & Daddy which also takes time!
You can do it!!!!!
Hope it is not a rainy dreary day ... especially since the kids are out of school today.
Rainy, dreary, and cold here, too! :P I could use a blanket, a pillow, and an alarm clock set for 7PM, LOL!
We had a beautiful weekend up here,and today we may hit 70,but then thats it,back to normal the rest of the week.What the heck happened to your dolphins yesterday,I was expecting them to give the patriots a run at the top spot in the division,but based on yesterdays game,not so sure about that.
Finally had time to look at your garden photos and read the comments. I love all the ornaments, and especially the crocodile (or is he an alligator)?
I am amazed at your avocado plant - it looks so healthy! I wonder if it will ever give you fruit?
What are you doing for Thanksgiving? Are you having all the family over? Hang on, most of your family is living there anyway! lol
Have a lovely week :-)
Just wanted to say hi...looks like retirement is keeping you busy :)
Have a great day!
Bay:)
But..isn't this the dry season?
It must have been some party!
Hope all ok :-)
I've thought about planting some but have never seen any for sale around here. No seeds, no plants, nothing. Not unless there's some specialty nursery in an area of town I don't go to that carries some.
I just looked at the native plant list from the SC Native Plant Society. They did offer some swamp milkweed for sale at their fall sale but it does require very moist soil. That would be iffy for my yard, even if I had time and remembered to give it a good soak every single day. It grows here along streams, ponds, ditches, etc, where the ground stays damp.
Well, about time for that Ken Burns film to start. Been looking forward to seeing it. His films are always great.
I hope you and Poppy are OK, too! It's been a week since you last posted!
Take care!
Sorry I have not been back in a while; very busy.
Yes the party was fun, then we were busy that Sunday...
I had errands this week to get done...
Oh yes I was out and about when I heard on the radio about that Oil Rig blowing up in the GOM and I about had a heart attack. Lucky I was nearly in the parking lot...
Then I realized Greg was home so even if it was his company he was safe here at home for his first 3 weeks back. So I texted him when I got parked.
It was not his company at all, it was a smaller company that drills closer to shore. He said within the spand of just a few minutes so many people called or text him to make sure he was OK or to find out if it was his company! But lucky not him.
He will be home all this week and then leaves next Thursday to go back for 3 weeks.
And like Jeff said, It is the "dry season" but we are getting off & on showers all the time, mostly at night...around 1 - 1.5" week in the past few weeks.
Enough to keep our lawns and most plants healthy.
Last night we took hubby's parents out to dinner for MIL's 82nd Birthday.
Got all my Christmas boxes down out of attic and they are in garage ready to go..
I'm doing sit down dinner for Thanksgiving for about 16 people on Thursday. (I have china and flatware for 24 so got it covered)
I am busy ordering the Grand kids Christmas presents on line early this year; got everyone done now except Betsey's two (Baron and Teagan) I have not heard from her what she wants me to get.
I waited last year until after Thanksgiving and everything the kids wanted was "out of stock"..so this year I am making sure I ordered early.
so far everything they wanted is still available.
Sandi, yes all is well, just so very busy. I've done some gardening and house projects. Made new Christmas Door Wreaths and done a lot of cooking and shopping. Yes, out of the 16 coming for ThanksGiving 6 of us live here!
Ylee, so many of us when we heard the news about the explosion... our hearts stopped until we realized GReg was home! Thanks for asking.
Actually we have had some beautiful weather lately. We had 5 days without rain..then it cooled down.
now it is raining again everyday a little sprinkle here and there but no flooding. Our hard downpours seem to be coming at night.
NEw, I knew I was never going to be "bored" in retirement. I am busier than ever doing things that are important. Plus with the kids living here makes it even more busy. Always something going on around here.
Bay, so good to hear from you again. Glad you stopped by.
Bug, I know that is a lot for a "weed"...I saw Home Depot had a large supply of them for only $4 per gallon bucket which is more reasonable. Mine are nearly stripped right now but they will releaf have more caterpillars soon.
And when I am "resting" I am watching those old Christmas Movies... love them.
Jeff, your new landscape is probably loving our weather. It is about perfect lately. Cool nights and mild day time temps.
I hope I did not miss anyone's post..
thanks to you all for stopping by.
Greg is home and he came over this morning to spend the day with Hubby since Pam & the boys are at school. I ordered a new stereo system I thought would be in last week but hope it gets here today so he can install it for us.
I am hoping to get the patio all cleaned up good and the large cooler cleaned up so I can use it to help with the food overflow from the kitchen fridge.
I will make it back before Thanksgiving!
You all enjoy your day.
I don't know where all the time is going. I still cannot believe it Thanksgiving week and Christmas activities start this coming weekend.
Yep,it seems like you wake up one morning and theres Christmas music on the radio,Christmas trees are being sold,the boxes of Christmas stuff is being taken down.And it the whole holiday season flies by in second.
We have it up here directly west on Commercial out in the Everglades I am sure there must be a fire out there some place.
but then I saw some smoke looking back east.
Someplace has a fire for sure.
NEw, I catch my breath when (for past few weeks) I walk in someplace and Christmas is everywhere...
I cannot believe it is already here..
but now I am getting into Christmas Mode so ready to go.
Right now I have my toasted Pine Nuts, Grated Parm Cheese and my home grown herbs, oregano, sweet basil and flat leaf parsley...with garlic and olive oil..
I am making up a lot of pesto so it will be ready for the turkey and any other cooking I will need.
it smells so good....
also got abou8t 85% of my shopping done for Thanksgiving..which is good.
Later: Oh my goodness, the fresh pesto is so good!!!
Tomorrow, I'll brine the turkey, and put the bread out to let it go stale for my stuffing.
Hope everyone is having a good week!
Ellen has work, I have appointments then will be very busy with my food prep for tomorrow.
I will be hosting a sit down Thanksgiving Dinner for 16 people. Whole traditional turkey, marinated turkey breast, Ham, dressing, mash potatoes & gravy, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, apple pie, pumpkin pie, appetizers,
Christian's Mother is bring her wonderful Italian meat balls and a large salad.
Ellen is making stuff mushrooms and I will make some dips.
Also making a beautiful Champagne punch with fresh fruit and right now making the frozen stars (instead of ice) from cranberry juice for the ladies (and men if they want some).
I have my facial appmt this morning at 11 (Nolan's program at 10am) a few errands..
then will spend all afternoon and evening doing food prep work. So much chopping & dicing and will make the pies today...
I am making home made Cranberry sauce today also.
never tried it before but it seems easy enough.
So I wanted to stop by here first to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!
Not going to brine my turkey this year. I did for the last two years and for all the trouble it was I could not tell that much of a difference. Plus I am using my large cooler as an extra place to store cold foods as my kitchen fridge is full.
Oh well, I may end up doing the brine tonight anyway.
I will need to get up and put my turkey in the oven early tomorrow so I can get it done and have time to cook other items. I will put the ham on the smoker outside. I really miss my double oven I use to have.
Also I noticed we got rain again last night, seems we are getting rain every night lately which is good.
Also this cold weather, I had to turn on heat this morning! BRRRRRR!! And should remain cold all weekend...
for those of you that live in the "real winter" world.. our cold is temps in 50's at night and only reaching 75 during day! LOL I know we are whimps!
be back later, got to run.
Remember this song we use to sing in school (those of you old like me)
"The year 1620 the Pilgrims came over.
The good ship Mayflower brought them o'er the sea.
They landed at Plymouth Rock, then built up their houses.
At harvest time they started our Thanksgiving Day.
I found a recipe for stuffing in the slow-cooker, so I'm trying that this year. And my sweet potato casserole will be done in the microwave, in convection oven mode.
The only competition for the oven is the turkey and the apple pie. I might make the pie today if I have time, just so I'm not rushing tomorrow morning.
Wishing you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving, full of love and laughter.
Boy, Gams, you sound so busy... I do hope the family will help clear all away when the festivities are over!!
Thanksgiving Pictures - Quotes - Photobucket
For flowers that bloom about our feet;
For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
For song of bird, and hum of bee;
For all things fair we hear or see,
Father in heaven, we thank Thee!
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thinking of our troops overseas,and all those who are still struggling from the effects of Sandy.
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