A really nice day

It was, without a doubt, one of those really nice days when the weather is GREAT!!

We had breakfast and then, on the spur of the moment, decided to check out Home Depot. B is looking for some tools so we drove over there - about 7 miles - and he looked while I checked out the plant section. Just looking. At this point it was overcast and cool… had been in 59 when we got up at 6:30 AM.

Went home to read the paper and then I went out side to do some repotting of plants… and B was busy doing something inside. I have several ivy hanging baskets and was transplanting them. Wal Mart had some new planters in…had hooks that were metal and turned. Also had a saucer attached that watered from underneath the plant. Really great so I got some the other day and went back for more… and had three to transplant. I also went through the pots I had back off the mound…hidden from view. Found several with cracks that I’ll throw out and scrubbed out several more… and also cleaned up some saucers. In the meantime, B came out and drilled some holes in several of my pots that wouldn’t drain. So I got all the stuff transplanted and also worked on the herbs and other plants. In between this we had lunch and looked at some TV.

Dinner was chuck roast which I put on around 3:30. Turned out really good!!! I also worked on some financial stuff on the computer.

All in all it was a really nice day with no humidity and very comfortable.

I think the nicest thing about retirement is the ability to enjoy a day like today. It’s Sunday, and we would have had to get ready and travel back home by noon. Instead we just really enjoyed the day!! NICE!!! If you can retire and aren’t sure…. Go for it!!

Doris visited us this week along with Neil and Brian, her grandson. We had a nice time but not enough time. Doris is a long time friend…we both worked at the same school for over 20 years. Doris was in and out of the offices I was in over that time and we have kept up our friendship even after I left that job. We email regularly but hadn’t seen each other for around a year…so there was lots to catch up on and four hours was NO WAY enough. They promised to come back for a longer stay and maybe we will get out on the boat. The weather was not good this past week and we never made it to the boat when they came over. They were up here for several days visiting Doris’s son who was had rented a cabin near the Lake. It’s nice to see them again and we are really looking forward to a longer visit. This picture proves they came!!!

Right now it is POURING rain…I mean so heavy that it is quite noisy up here in the loft. We are under a severe weather warning and I can see why. No thunder - just RAIN.It was raining when we got up. We decided to take a ride to the mall to check out the sales. That is always a good thing to do. I found two outfits that will be for cooler weather and B got some knit shirts. We then did the mall but didn’t get anything and then went to Sam’s for a chicken which we had for dinner. Good!!!

Rain is slacking off now for the time being. I really hope this wet weather pattern doesn't go into the winter. We lucked out last year. 

A relaxing Sunday

It was really hot today! Weather forecast called for highs in the upper 80’s. We decided to do some outside work after breakfast - before it got too hot. B washed a car while I continued to work on clearing leaves and such from above the driveway. We both worked about an hour and then, took “a break” and decided at that point it was getting too hot to continue. So, we read the paper and ate lunch then worked up in the den for a bit. Then a trip to the store for a few things such as bread and back home to relax and have dinner. We ate outside…it was really nice. It’s not that muggy here and the back patio is in the shade in the afternoon. We had potato salad using the red potatoes I bought. After boiling the halves I skinned then holding the potato on a fork…something I saw on the food channel. Then some Italian dressing and after sitting (onions and celery were mixed in) I added mayo and some cheese mix. I usually add sour cream but, wouldn’t you know it, I was out and forgot to buy any. Vanilla yoghurt was not an option so I used this cheese spread - kinda like a borson cheese. Just a spoonful and some spices. Added it to the potatoes along with a cut up egg and into the refrigerator for around 30 minutes. B cooked the hamburgers and we enjoyed the patio…. No bugs and good views. Then back inside for some ice cream…
It’s supposed to go down to the upper 60’s tonight and while hot the rest of the week, nights are comfortable. We may not need to put the air on.
All in all, it was a nice day! We hope to go out on the boat tomorrow.

A Boat Trip on the Lake

It was a beautiful day and we finally got out on the Lake. We were out for over an hour and after tying up just sat around for a bit. The pictures tell the story!!

 

A visit from Mama Deer and her babies

I was busy when B called to me…there were baby deer on the back septic mound. So I quickly ran up to get my camera and the new telephoto lens. And crept out the back door to see what I could see.
There was a mama and three babies… and they were SOOOOO cute! The fact that they weren’t eating our shrubs helped, too!!! I took 100 pictures… and here are some of them. They were having such a nice time and mama just kinda watched… until I went too close and then, she stomped twice. At which point I retreated!
It was so nice out today..in the 80’s but not muggy. Overcast in the late afternoon but no rain. Tomorrow is to be clear and warm. Lows still in the 50’s and we are enjoying it!!

 

Final electrical upgrades

Yesterday Jimmy came to put in the new light in the laundry area. This was the last update we are doing for a bit. The “small” things do make a difference. I can finally see in the laundry area! There was a 40 watt bulb in an outside fixture on the back wall which really did NOTHING. This light is mounted on the ceiling and provides so much light…saw cobwebs I hadn’t noticed before. I’ve also included pictures of the fans we had installed which really make a big difference. Thank you Jimmy!
 

Gooey Cake Recipe

The other day we went to a cook out and I brought deserts. I had wanted to try Paula Deen’s Gooey Butter Cake - but didn’t. Then, when Nancy and Carol came I made the cake and boy, was it good! And easy! So, I’ve listed it below…enjoy!

One 18.25 ounce package yellow cake mix
1 egg
1 stick butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350. Combine ingredients and mix well (I use hand mixer) Pat into lightly greased 13 X 9 baking pan (I use no stick pan and don’t grease)
Prepare filling

One 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 stick butter, melted
One 16 oz box powdered sugar
Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla. Add butter. Add powdered sugar (I sifted it first as I had a 3 pound pouch from Sam’s and it was lumpy - and I weighed it) Spread this mixture over the cake mixture. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. It will puff up quite a bit. You want the center to be a little gooey (well, that’s why it’s called gooey cake!) so don’t over bake. Let it cool before cutting.

I cut it in small pieces because it’s really rich. I also put the pieces on muffin paper to make picking them up easier. I refrigerated it covered and it kept quite well - well until everyone tasted it and then they ate it so storing was NOT a concern!

Enjoy! Let me know how it turned out.