Inspirational Award

This was given to me by Herrad

She is an Inspiration ... to say the least. I am honored to have met her. I am speechless from the bravery she shows each moment of every day. I think of her often and try to check up on her to see how she's doing. She has me thinking ... about ... life, why do bad things happen to good people, Is there a God ?, is it all just happening without any control, will it happen to me, and most of all how smart this amazing woman is. The things she writes. The life she has lead. I so wish this had not happened to her. I wish I could take the pain away. I wish I could help her ...

I am truely blessed to have met her ... through her blog ... and I am very proud to say that she ... of all people ... gave this Inspirational Award ... to me. Thank You ... from my heart and soul.

May today be a peaceful one for you ...

I am giving this Award to ~

Kim .. Her blog is My Journey With Multiple Sclerosis. I find myself in awe of her spirit. She is a true inspiration to me.

Anna .. Her blog is Nature Trail. Her photos and words are poetry to my soul. In her darkest moments, she has inspired me to continue on.

Cheri .. Her blog is Cats of Wildcat Woods. She has taken in so many feral cats and kittens. My Lilly Ann was very feral ... my profile photo. She is my Kitty Cat Loving Hero.

Carol Lynn .. Her blog is Pop and Ice. She has a very busy life but still seems to keep her sense of humor. I enjoy reading about her latest adventures .. be it cat, kid, Mother or which shoes to wear.

Susan .. Her blog is Between Naps On The Porch. I have a secret dish fetish. She has the ability to make everything look absolutely 'out of a magazine' gorgeous. I feel the need to have a party which is not in my nature at all. Have to use those dishes some time don't I.

Kritter Keeper .. Her blog is Farm Tails. I wish I lived on a farm. I love hearing about her deer, cats, dogs, horses and garden.

Those are the blogs that Inspire Me. Please pick whomever you would like or as many as you would like or give it to everyone if you would like. Remember to let them know you gave it to them.

I look forward to seeing who you picked and why ...

What do you eat on a HOT Summer Night

What do you eat for dinner on a HOT Summer night ... one where it's been in the high 90's and low 100's for over a week with no air conditioning? With a house that cools down to 84 during the night with all the windows open and fans going ? This is what my daughter decided we needed to have for dinner. We actually went to the grocery store for the air conditioning. Walked around .. took our time.

Supposed to be cooler tomorrow and next week only in the high 80's. I never thought I'd think that the high 80's was a cooling trend. Ever ...

Gazpacho

Recipe courtesy Alton Brown, 2007

Prep Time: 45 min
Inactive Prep Time: 2 hr 0 min
Cook Time: hr min
Level: Easy
Serves: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds vine-ripened tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
Tomato juice
1 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1 small jalapeno, seeded and minced
1 medium garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 lime, juiced
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon toasted, ground cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chiffonade

Directions

Fill a 6-quart pot halfway full of water, set over high heat and bring to a boil.
Make an X with a paring knife on the bottom of the tomatoes. Drop the tomatoes into the boiling water for 15 seconds, remove and transfer to an ice bath and allow to cool until able to handle, approximately 1 minute. Remove and pat dry. Peel, core and seed the tomatoes. When seeding the tomatoes, place the seeds and pulp into a fine mesh strainer set over a bowl in order to catch the juice. Press as much of the juice through as possible and then add enough bottled tomato juice to bring the total to 1 cup.

Place the tomatoes and juice into a large mixing bowl. Add the cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeno, garlic clove, olive oil, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire, cumin, salt and pepper and stir to combine. Transfer 1 1/2 cups of the mixture to a blender and puree for 15 to 20 seconds on high speed. Return the pureed mixture to the bowl and stir to combine. Cover and chill for 2 hours and up to overnight. Serve with chiffonade of basil.

A Standing Ovation

Taken from the Beach at Deception Pass State Park

I was sitting out on the back deck enjoying the pleasure of the end of a warm day.

My two dogs were sitting near by

The quiet is simply beyond compare

Peace

A gull flies around telling of it's latest catch

A few people laugh out on their own deck

It echoes with the happiness of a grand evening

It's a bit breezy but still warm

This does not happen often where I live

It's very special to have a warm day and evening

And to have a couple in a row

Well, we call that Summer around here

It's absolutely Gorgeous

And I was lucky enough to see it

Like a performance just for one

Stunning .... Bravo

A standing ovation

Damn it's good to be alive

Wrinkles In Time

I'm an old wrinkled lady

Just had to get that out there

Now, what to do about it ?

I've tried every face and eye cream out there
Well, not every one but the ones I've bought so far
I go to my local drug store and get Neutrogena
At Macy's I've purchased Clinque
I've most recently tried Lancome

I still have wrinkles
Eyes are my real problem
Face too if you look in a mirror
Which I have to do due to my old eyes

I've gone on the net and found all sorts of reviews and prices
I paid a lot for the Lancome Face and Eye Cream
It felt nice but I don't see any improvement
I'm not doing surgery
Today I bought from my local drugstore ... again

I bought Neutrogena's Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Moisture Night

I also bought Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Serum

And, I also bought Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Eye

I am expecting MIRACLES here ...
I'll let you know if this one works ...
What do use ?

Friday Catch Up

What have I been up to you ask ?

(Yes, you know you wanted to know. )

I've pre blogged a bit cause that's what I do.

Today, I will give you a what's up JC moment.

I just got back from grocery shopping. It's been so hot out that I didn't feel like melting with the crowds. Today is a bit cooler thus the venture out to the local food supply store ... aka .. Safeway.

I've unloaded the masses with the help of my two teenagers who knew the national code for .. help with the grocery bags ... also known as three honks after the garage door opens. Sometimes my sweet two do not know or hear this and thus I hide the special items I've bought. Today, due to their generous ways, I will show them everything fun that I purchased. Sharing just like I did in kindergarten.


Made a fresh cup of coffee and toasted a cinnamon & raisin bagel. Going to share it with the girls.

I have to say, the grocery store trip went well. I didn't get dizzy or have any of my .. right side belongs to someone else .. stuff go on. It was almost like I was normal again. Normal for me at least. Only one moment when I turned my head and felt a touch of ... I'm going to pass out ... but, that only lasted a few moments ... thus, I will not count it. It's my adventure and my rules.

I can't tell you the last time I went driving by myself, let alone shopping. Really I can't. That's how my world is. I need to have my son with me or Mr. Boatman drive me. Thus, this trip cost a bit ... got everything I could think of and more.

Speaking of Mr. Boatman, he's going on a trip today and a very long one next week and one after that. Maybe he should be known as Mr. Travelman since the boat is just a memory to him at this point. I'll think about that ... cause, I remembered he booked a boating date on Sunday. Yes, he is that busy ... he has to put things on the calendar. I know ... who lives like that ... I do. I'm used to it now but in the beginning ... think back a century or so ... I did get a bit annoyed at Mr. Boatman for what I considered ... abandonment ... imagine me and two young childlike units and no husband around to help.

Some told me to leave Mr. Boatman and his every busy arse but I didn't. He was my friend, my heart and he is funny when he's around. So, I raised my two childlike units basically on my own. With Mr Boatman stopping by when he had time. In between this flight or that meeting. We really have had maybe five dinners where we are all together ... really ... five. (During the week) OK, maybe seven but I'm not counting any higher than that.

Too much noise going on ... the baby American Goldfinch ... family ... is eating at my diner. Also, know as Riley's Bird TV. Only the babies who are chirping away look at bit like Mrs. Goldfinch was visiting the neighbor, Mr. Chickadee. Fluffy chubby yellow babies. Cute as can be but noisy. They were here yesterday too. I think they just left their nest cause the little ones are flapping their wings even while on a branch. Cute ... I know I said that but had to say it again.

It's cloudy and a bit muggy and I'm thinking about switching to long pants. I've been waiting for the skies to part and the heat to arrive. I just know as soon as I take off my brown shorts that it will warm up and I'll have to change again.

I watched Slumdog Millionaire last night with the family. Yes, Mr. Boatman got home early ... sevenish ... so, we watched a film together. I think I liked it but now I never want to go to India. Garbage and orphans everywhere. Who would want to visit there ? (just my opinion cause it's my blog )

Teenagers are watching a Harry Potter movie on the big tv in the family room. They want to take me to the new movie and maybe I will go with them. I don't like to go out when a movie is .. new new .. cause of the crowds and the possibility that I will fall ... not a good thing to be trampeled on ... on the way to getting a good seat ... not my cup of coffee ... I know Tea but I'm having coffee and it's my blog ...

That's about it on the update ... Cats and Dogs are quiet today. Riley is watching bird TV in the den and Ashton is watching in the living room. Maddy Jean and Bella are snoozing by my feet. Jasmine is upstairs sleeping in the closet and Al is on the bed.

Me, I'm going to get going on my list. I have things to do today.

I hope you all enjoyed my update.


Written on Thursday afternoon around 1:39 pm

Olympia Farmers Market

I went to the local Farmers Market

Cute as can be

I took a few photos

Bought some blueberries

and Lavender


and a couple of handmade soaps

(The Blue Ridge Gal went to her Farmers Market a while ago. )

I Do Not Like

Migraine Headaches ~ I think you already knew that I get them and that I do not like them

Teenage Boys who complain about mowing the lawn. Lawns that they haven't mowed in three weeks. Yes, not one or two but three weeks. Especially when this is the only thing he is supposed to do.

Having to show said teenage son the parts of the lawn that he missed. The edges. Most of them. Almost all of them. What ... he thinks I won't notice. I look out the window every day. I'm talking small front lawn. Not the back but the front.

Having to have a talk with said son about how he can not talk back to me about having to remow the edges.

That he thinks he can tell me how he has freedom of speech. Oh no he doesn't. I told him he could take his freedom of speech arse and find somewhere else to live. And, as this teenage boys mouth was still flapping away ... I told him several other things.

That he is so lazy. Where did he come from ?

I have to tell him to do this or that or anything. He's sixteen not six.

I know that this talk will have done no good. He doesn't learn from my life talks. Only this time it wasn't a life talk it was a do it without words coming from your mouth talk.

I'm sure I will have more I do Not Like days ... and I will share them with you.

As my teenage son would say ... Freedom of Speech ...

Baby Pictures

Ashton Rosevelt as a baby

Ashton today ... almost Seven

Take Me Out To The Ball Game

"Take me out to the ball game, Take me out with the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and cracker jack, I don't care if I never get back, Let me root, root, root for the home team, If they don't win it's a shame. For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out, At the old ball game."

Author: Jack Norworth Composer: Albert Von Tilzer

Walking into the Field

Ken Griffey is next

The ever funny 'Beer Poet' and his Peanuts

Proof that I bought Peanuts

The 'talk' at the mound

Mr. Boatman and Me ... also known as the guy I threw my peanut shells at

I went to a baseball game. I haven't done that in a while. We have a major league team but it's across the lake and over the bridge. Not something easy to do. It has to be a planned way in advance adventure. The cost is something isn't it !! I mean really .. the ticket .. if you want to see anything without your binoculars .. is out of this world. Add some food and a drink and you're in for a hundred or so.

I grew up walking to the local baseball stadium. It was a minor league team. I moved but still I could walk home from the park. It was small enough that I could get signatures from the players. I loved it.

Sometimes we'd go later and sit on the hill outside the park. I did that a lot too.

When I moved a couple of towns away, they put the freeway through that part of town. I no longer could ... if I wanted to ... walk to the park. It seemed longer too. Maybe when your a child on a warm Summer night, it doesn't seem as far but as an older child, ok, I'm an adult, it seems likes at least four miles.

It was fun going to this fancy baseball game. I even ate peanuts.

Do you go to games ? Do you think a beer shouldn't cost $8.75 ? The peanuts were a deal at $3.75.

Boys Will Be Boys

I got a new phone book.

(No it's not the cat)

When I opened the door to put it away, it was full of old books. Instead of just using my foot and shoving it in ...

I decided I'd clean up a bit.

( I will take the old books to the recycle bin

near my grocery store)

I had two helpers.

I don't know if I'd have been able to

get it done without them.

Do you get help ?

Cats are so Darn Cute

Jasmine wanted to whisper something to me before her photo shoot

Ashton hiding ... I don't see him ... do you ?

Riley sitting on the back porch enjoying his freedom

Holly

I read Ellen's blog

about her unwanted indoor growth
Naturally, I thought of my own situation

Better know as Holly

I have a Holly tree growing under my deck
Yes, it's a survivor

I noticed it last year and thought I should transfer it to a better local
Obviously, that didn't happen
This Saturday it did !!!

I had my hubby better know as Mr. Boat Man
Move it to a new location in the back wooded area
Near it's Mother

I hope it continues to flourish

Did Someone Say FREE Coffee ?

Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters is a small coffee business near the waterfront in Olympia. I was done with my walk through at the Farmers Market and decided to go take a peak.
They have several blends of coffee and a special organic one called Dancing Goats.

I left the store with two assortments.

Are You Ready To Rumble ?

I came down stairs to see this...

The evidence as you can see shows that there was

'some sort of action'

something wild and crazy

going on last night.

I, being the detective also known as Mom, got the camera.

( I double as detective and photographer at the scene )

The evidence purely shows some sort of

violent cat act

rumble went on last night

The neighbors, also known as the sleeping humans,

say that they didn't hear anything out of the ordinary

Scientific evidence has been sent to the lab

Results should be back soon

No one and I mean no

cat in their right mind

one is talking mewing

The four cats in the family say that they

were napping and don't know what happened

Do you believe them ?

I think they partied all night long ... and slept all day to recover

The 4th

Today is the 4th of July

I used to go camping as a child. We would celebrate the 4th on a river watching the bumping meet the rocks. I would try to ride an old tube down the wilds. Sometimes I would just sit on a rock and watch the water pool in a circle.

When I was 18, I was touring the United States on a bus with a load of girls. My Mom's version of a graduation present. A historical tour it was called. We spent the 4th in Boston. I walked for what seemed like forever and ended up at a huge park. (I came from a small town so this was a really big park) I got to enjoy and listen to Arthur Fiedler perform. They sure know how to celebrate the 4th in Boston.

Other 4th's were driving to one of the big hills in my hometown, Tacoma. We would have the radio on and listen to the music that went along with the fireworks that we could see from our car. As soon as they were done, we drove like crazy to get out of the crowd.

One 4th we went to a river and had a picnic with watermelons. I was young young then.

In later 4th's, I spent time hiding inside. I lived in a cul de sac where they did fireworks aimed at my house ... yes, lovely neighbors I had. They didn't care about anyone but themselves. Never and I put that in capitols ...NEVER ever buy a house in a cul de sac.

Now, I enjoy 'it' on TV if I'm still up by the time 'it' goes off. The last couple have been spent here at the beach ... where I am today ... July 3rd. We bought tons of fireworks from the local Indian reservations. Mary ... sells them all year ... well, not all year but almost.

Last year we did them on the big lake ... what I call our beach place. When the tide is in, which it seems to be a lot, it looks a lot like a very big lake. My family did fireworks down near our bulkhead ... the area that holds up the hill near the big big lake. It was a bit rainy so I stayed inside with the cats and dogs.

Very pretty ... people do fireworks all around the lake which is fabulously colorful ... loud but still pretty. It went on for hours.

This year we bought a load of fireworks and I actually participated in the buying. I do hope 'it' goes well. It's been dry and windy here ... no rain til Tuesday. I plan on enjoying the display of wild colors that my family shows our portions of the very big lake.

That's my 4th of July plans ... what's yours ?

A view of the Beauty

The clematis in my wild back yard
Trying oh so hard to live in the ivy
Amazing and brave
Worthy of a photo or two

A close up

A view of the beauty
A sniff of the air

New life

Summer is fun !!!