It's New Year's Eve

We awoke to gentle little snow flakes falling from the sky.... and it's still snowing several hours later. B is outside with the leaf blower which is very good at blowing away reasonable amounts of snow. As we have about an inch, it's working great and much easier at this point than using the large snow blower.
New Year's Eve is really a quiet time for us. We don't usually go out unless there is something the neighbors are doing. We will be home tonight and lucky to make it to ring in the New Year! Our one big outing was 8 or 10 years ago when we took a ride down to Atlantic City which was about an hours drive from where we lived in South Jersey. The people were standing in line for the slots and it was so crowded you could just about move. We tried several casinos and they were all like that. We do have a problem standing in line to lose money :) So, we went home and rang in the New Year as we drove. Little traffic as everyone was still at their party so it was probably a smart thing to do. Our last "trip" out on New Years!
So, we wish you all a very HAPPY NEW YEAR.

It's still snowing!

B spent a lot of time putting these lights up along the railings. They really looked pretty. Now they are covered with snow and still look pretty!

I went out around 5:30 to take some pictures. This one shows the snow. Yep, it's still snowing! As you can see, we have gotten quite a bit of the white stuff!!!!

We have wreaths in the three front windows and the Christmas tree is in front of the sliders. This is a picture looking toward the driveway from the deck that runs around the house. Again... it's snowing!!

Well, we will see what tomorrow brings. That's when we go out to dig out. Or, use the snow blower to blow out. Right now, almost 7 PM, it's 22 outside. And more snow expected this weekend.

Cheese steaks for dinner. The rolls came from S. Jersey when we were down for Nancy's retirement. We sure do miss the rolls. After posting and doing a couple of other things, we will have some chocolate Amaretto brownie I made the other day.

More pictures tomorrow.

We Have SNOW

It started to snow around 9 AM and here it is, 4:30 PM and it's still snowing. Most of the schools in the area closed and it's a good thing. The snow is still falling! This picture is looking out the bedroom deck onto the back woods. As you can see from the railing and car, we have quite a bit of snow.

We watched a car going up the hill in front of our house. He stopped, tried to go, slipped and fish tailed and then gain traction and made it. Shortly after that the guy with the plow did our street. We agreed that the mail can wait for tomorrow. Guess I'll be making breakfast!

We are supposed to get more snow over the weekend. I think we will just stay warm and occasionally go out to clear the driveway. We are saving that for tomorrow.

We are ready for Christmas

Well, the tree has been up for several days and the gifts are wrapped.
We stuck with the white tree with mostly red, silver and blue ornaments. Looks nice.

This is my "library" on the lower lever. I told B we had no pictures of me because I take all the pictures. So he promised me he would rectify that. Several of the pictures he has taken are candid to say the least and will NEVER make the blog. The one of me on my hands and knees washing the floor with a lovely view of my backside is just one of several. However, this really is a good picture of what I often do - play on the computer down here. It's the Vista 64 that has caused me so much trouble in setting up. I have just hard wired it into the Internet and given up on wireless. I'm using this computer for pictures and video work and storage so the uploading goes faster as well. The books to my left are three bookshelves full of... yes, BOOKS. The middle one is fill

ed with cook books and the shelf over my head is a mixture including my computer reference books. The printer is on a lower shelf. I love the view from the windows as I look over the patio and into the woods. This area is really nice - and out of the way.
I was working on Christmas mailing labels when he took this picture.
Ho Ho Ho

More Bathroom Pictures

Well, here is the shower area. The entire area is tiled and the tile extends behind the toilet. We are using a shower curtain and may do something else later. At this point I like the shower curtain... you can clean it by just replacing the line. (At one time I washed the liners.. NO MORE)
Anyway, if you click on the picture it should enlarge. This is really nice.

Today was busy. We took a ride into Jersey for the Hess trucks. Gotta have the truck every Christmas. One for the TV the other for storage. Good deal, nice trip. We did a Burger King Whopper - a treat we haven't had for quite a while. So tonight we had pizza from the freezer and I'm now going to make coffee to go with the Chocolate Chip Sour Cream Cake I made (thank you Doris). More later...

New Bathroom

When we purchased this house we knew we wanted to re-do the bathrooms. We started with the main bathroom as that was the one guests used. Well, we finally did the master bath! It took a while as we couldn't decide what to do. The layout of the house limited us in were we could put things. We knew we did not want a tub - just a shower. We knew we wanted more storage and modern fixtures. Well, I think we got all of that. We replaced the rug (who in heavens name would put a rug in a bathroom!!) with tile - but it looks like wood so visually we have a wood floor. The tub was removed and the space enlarged a bit and we have a full tile shower. A really neat shower system that gives us water from either overhead or sprays out. It also provides an even temperature so you don't worry about the water running somewhere else in the house. New toilet in the same location and an enlarged closet that we both use. We love it!!! And I've posted several pictures to show you how nice it is. And one of them is at the start of this posting because that's where it went and I can't figure out how to move it. How frustrating!!!!! Anyway, you can see the new sinks and faucet. Really nice... we are very happy with our decision. Now if I can just figure out how to get the pictures to go where I want :)

Yikes, It's December!

My, how did it get to be December. I'm sitting in the living room waiting for the chicken and noodles to finish. I said to my friend, Nancy, the other day that I don't know how I ever had the time to work. While I had a "list" of thing to do when I retired, I didn't know just how many thing I could find to keep me busy.
We got up early - and were out to breakfast a little after 7 AM. Back home and then I got busy - load of laundry, general cleaning of some areas including vacuuming. Then I put some fake greens on the railing up to the loft and sorted out some lights and then strung them over the greens. Strung some more lights, washed a window or two, inside and out! Went to WalMart and Home Depot with B and mailed 3 books I sold for the Library at the post office along with returning a package I had ordered on Amazon but they sent the wrong thing. That required time down in the lower level wrapping the books and following directions for returns. I also hooked up a new external drive - one Terabyte! Hard to believe!!! Hooked it up on the computer that I use for video/pictures and music. Then I moved the other external drive back ups to other computers. I still have a bit more to do for that project. And then started dinner - cooking a Sam's chicken to create stock as we had two meals out of it already. Then a neighbor dropped in and now the chicken is finishing in it's noodles and broth. The Sam's chicken is sooooo good!!!!
So, I've been busy - today is an example of my days. I LOVE retirement!!!! Enough!
We are decorated for Christmas - lights on the railings outside and the tree up and our Christmas Eve presents wrapped. So I've moved from H to Ho Ho...
Hope your well on the way to a Holiday Feeling!!!

A visitor

This little bird stopped off on our front window for a bit last week. We think he was resting after he ran into the window (we heard it) I guess he was stunned. However he must have been OK as later on in the day he was gone.

We got snow yesterday - it covered the trees and ground and made the roads slippery. Guess this is the start of winter and it's not even the end of November.
Right now I'm sitting at the computer on the lower level looking out over the patio to the snow covered trees in the woods. Quite lovely.

Election Day 2008

It’s 4:48 and we are looking at TV and having a drink. The clock change on Sunday hasn’t sunk in… our expectation is to sit and have a drink as dinner is either cooking or ready to cook. Regardless of the time, we are ready… and so we sit.
We to left to vote this morning at 6:30. Earlier than usual. We were 8 and 9 and by the time the door opened at 7:00 there were at least 45 people behind us. We made up our minds as to who we were voting for a while ago. At this point we are so sick of the process. I hope to never again get an email telling me “stuff” about a candidate. It makes me dislike the side I don’t agree with even more! I am also, quite frankly, irate about the people who indiscriminately send me an email telling me what I know are lies about my candidate! I have stopped opening any email that sounds political regardless of which party it is about. While I hope you vote for my candidate (I can’t believe you would want anyone else) I’m not going to spread lies about the other candidate. Common courtesy says think before you send someone an email.
The TV is showing lines in Philly that are around the block. There were lines in NE PA also. I just hope that people get out to vote. Apathy appears to have stopped and for that I’m glad!!
MY NAME IS LAKELYNN AND I APPROVE OF THIS MESSAGE!

YIKES!! SNOW

Yes, it did snow this morning. We woke to wet flakes and snow on the road! Here is the proof... outside temps were just at freezing which made the snow very heavy but rather pretty.
B went out to clean off the car and decided, after being hit by falling snow and slipping a bit, we would be better off not going out. So, I made breakfast, which I can do. Scrambled eggs, pork roll, toast and coffee. Then I headed out to take some pictures.

This is from the deck looking up our hill. A short time later the plow went by.

As you can see, the flakes were big. The weather is still gloomy and snow is falling but it's more sleety than snowy. We have snow on the ground. The temperature is 32.8 and the leaves that are left on the trees are blowing.
Guess this is what happens in the "Northern Tier".

On the Lake in the Fall

I've been working around the house for the past several days. Our master bath is being redone and so there is no point in cleaning as the dust is constant. So, I've been using the time to go through some things that need to be organized. I moved some things around in the kitchen yesterday and today I was working up in the loft getting my sewing things organized.
After lunch the sun came out and it was in the lower 70's. So, I took a walk down to the lake. On the way I took this really lovely picture. The trees are in their full glory!

I walked down to the lake where we keep our boat. From here I looked across the cove to the one remaining dock. Some boats are still in and today was a great day for a boat ride as one person was doing.
Sometimes I get so caught up in the day to day stuff, I forget to stop and look. I'm really glad I took the walk. I took pictures trying different settings on the camera and really looking at the trees and the fall colors.
I'll remember this when it gets colder this week and I'm sure the leaves will fall shortly. A really memorable day!

We saw turkeys

We took the boat out yesterday. And, on the way home came across a flock of turkeys. As I had the new digital camcorder with me, I filmed. Then I had to figure out how to convert this into something I could upload. I'm using Roxio creator 2009. Well, I think I did it.... lets see....

Fall and the need to clean

It's been really cool this past week. Morning temperatures have been in the upper 30's or very low 40's. With the leaves turning yellow and the ferns going brown, it is clear that fall is well on it's way. And Monday is the first day of autumn.
This cleaning thing started rather innocently. First, it's cooler and so I needed to get out warmer stuff for us which necessitated the removal of the really warm weather clothes. And of course that means washing stuff in storage and ironing. At the same time, we have finally agreed on a place to put the new sewing table that came unassembled and weighs a ton... so where it gets put together is where it "lives". The loft was the final agreed upon spot and so several days ago B and I (as helper) got started. So that required me to move some things around in the loft BEFORE we got started to get the spot cleared. And, finally, in the midst of all this... I'm still fooling around with my network and having some problems with printers.
Bean soup for dinner - crock pot style. The cooler weather requires (in my mind, anyway) soup and such. We had ham the other day with the intention to make bean soup. And yesterday we had potato pancakes (fattening but oh, so good). So last night I soaked the 7 bean mix and this morning I loaded the crock pot with the beans, veggies and a ham hock. Then about an hour ago I took out the hock and added some of the ham from the other night. Then cleaned off the hock and added the meat. So, it's simmering and really smells good. And I'm pooped from cleaning and running up and down the stairs so I'm in the living room with B enjoying drink... and we need another... so ......

A Visit by the Deer

It was a really nice day - especially after the rain we had over the weekend. I had a meeting at the library this morning and we did things around the house in the afternoon. When we went out for the mail and trash around 4 or so, we saw a family of deer up the hill. As luck would have it, I didn't have my camera. However, later as I was fixing dinner, B called to me - they had come to visit.
We don't usually see a Buck this "old" as shown by his antlers. I had the telephoto lens on the camera and got these shots from the deck - they were out on the road. They look rather skinny...

Mama and baby were along for the walk and the three of them just were munching their way down the road. We really enjoyed their visit, in part because they didn't eat our shrubs!

Memories

It’s been a rainy day with Hurricane Hanna dumping rain all up the NE cost and into NE PA. So, we stayed home and I worked on several things. First, packaged up some books I sold for the Library and updated my listings on Amazon. Then we went to the post office to mail the books and stopped off at the local IGA for ice and peppers. I needed peppers for the casserole I’m making. However, they were charging $1.99 for green peppers - NO WAY. Hummmm what to do. Well, I checked the frozen food section and found a package of frozen pepper pieces for $1.29. Better deal, no mess. Also got some ice for drinks.
And then we were home and after stuff one does around the house I went down to make another doll outfit for our local craft fair. The library Friends will have a craft table at the local craft fair next week and I’ve promised several doll outfits. Learning experience plus!! Today I made a coat but need some trim and so we will have to purchase that in the next few days.
And on to dinner - and I also blanched corn for freezing. And that set me to thinking about corn when I was growing up in South Jersey. We would go to the Earlton Circle to this stand that sold farm corn. And my parents would get a dozen ears and we would have some that night. Now we had a porch off the dining room that was screened in. And, on warm summer nights that’s where we ate. Mom, Daddy and I. This was also the place where I spent much of my summers reading lounging on a rather ratty lounger reading books such as “Gone With The Wind”. Anyway, we would had dinner on the porch and corn was a big part of our summer meals. And we ate the corn rather “weird”. I think this was due to my mom’s dental problems. But I was taught to cut each row of corn in half lengthwise. Then you put the butter, then salt and pepper and then eat across. When I got married, B asked why cut and I really couldn't answer that… I think it was my Mom’s dental problem that caused that but we all cut before we ate. Now, I just eat…. And that was a learning experience. It’s interesting what you do just because that’s the way it was when you were growing up. So, I’ve now graduated to “normal”. Nice.
So tonight, I cleaned several ears of corn to freeze for enjoyment in the next several months when there is no fresh corn. And memories of my youth was one of the results… and that was nice. Hope you enjoyed my walk down memory lane!

The First Day of School - For Some

This is the third year I've been retired. No, that's not me... But this afternoon, in "honor" of it being the first day of school FOR SOME, we headed down to the boat just to relax. And this guy and some friends stopped by.

They were quite noisy... and we knew from experience with our other boat, don't feed ducks or encourage them as they stay around and leave a calling card on your dock or swim platform. So we just looked and I took pictures.

Retirement is great and still "new" enough that we both appreciate not having to deal with work or the first day of school. Or the second or third... It was a beautiful day. I've more or less solved my computer Vista problems and Internet access. Still have printer problems but maybe I can figure them out, also. The sun is out and the temperature is in the very low 80's. The lake was cold - I just stuck a foot in. We had the top up on the boat so we sat in the shade and rocked as several boats went over the wake limit. Very enjoyable and the fact we were out on the lake rather than at work sure did help in the enjoyment.. Hope your day was as nice!

Lobster Fest

The other day we went to Shop Rite for their lobster - large sized at the right price. This guy was around 3 pounds. We cooked it out back in a large pot on the propane single burner we have. We generally use it when we are doing corn and it works great for lobsters, too.
We ate outside as that is the "preferred" method as eating lobster is sloppy.

And this is after - really good!!!
The lobster was a "girl" not a guy...
There was enough left over that I made Lobster quiche Friday night which was also very good.

A Normal Day at the Lake

I find that time goes so quickly. I don't think it's because we are older. Time is relative and it seems it moves at the same rate, no matter what. But when you get caught up in things, it moves quickly. This is the direct opposite of time when you are waiting for something.... In any event, time slipped away and I haven't posted for a while.



I have been caught up in a computer mess/problem/experience. I have an old (05) computer that has been making strange noises and doesn't always do what it should. I baby it along. I also religiously back my files up on an external drive as well as onto CD. The pictures are my concern... once scanned i don't want to do that again. So, I can replace the computer and if it dies It is not the end of the world. It appeared to die the other day when I booted up and nothing happened. So, I decided to hook up a new laptop I got at Wal Mart for under $400. Runs Vista and yea, there is the problem.Well, to make a long story short, I could not install drivers for my older HP laser jet printer so Vista didn't "see" it. And so I went back to the old XP computer which decided to cooperate and was up and running. And what is the moral of this story???? Computers can not be counted on but we also can't do without them.



And on to a better topic.... we are having lobster quiche for dinner. We purchased "Larry the Lobster" at Shop Rite for a great price - so we got a 3 pound lobster who, by the way was a girl! OOPPPSSSS Cooked it Wednesday night and pigged out.. and practiced restraint and had some meat left over. So, tonight we have Lobster Quiche thanks to Julia Childs (you know, the OSS spy go Julia) And it is just about done so I'll post this and take a peak at the quiche and the fresh green beans. So that's it for now...

The Deer Visited

This little guy was one of three deer who "visited" us this evening. cute - and they were eating the vegetation down by the road rather than in the garden.

I wasn't able to get a picture of all three.
We have not had good luck this year with our plants. The deer ate the day lilies and other shrubs in our garden. Then up on the deck the tomatoes are not really going gangbusters like they did last year. The rain was too much in the early summer and now I think we have some sort of blight or maybe a worm as I saw worm/sludge things on the plants the other day (and removed them).
I've been getting fresh veggies from a farm stand on Route 6 and the tomatoes are good, but not great... not Jersey tomatoes. We do miss our Jersey veggies!!!!
Nice day - somewhat muggy and the rain we were supposed to get never happened. But, that enabled me to get a load of laundry out on the line.

Fried Chicken

For once, I planned ahead and decided to have fried chicken for dinner last night. I had purchased a whole chicken and so early afternoon I cut it up and seasoned it.
After sitting in the refrig several hours, the seasoned chicken was ready to cook. As you can see, I was prepared on all fronts with my wine ready and the chicken out!
This is a Paula Deane recipe - and requires you to dredge the chicken in egg then self rising flour and then fry 20 - 25 minutes. I still have problems gaging temperatures on the electric stove and so I heated the Crisco carefully as I wasn't sure how hot to go. I'm still looking to see the gas flame... which is a habit I can't seem to break. Once the oil was hot enough I added the dark meat then after about 12 minutes the chicken breasts. I should have cut them in half as they were very large... well, I noted that and will next time.
As the chicken cooked and the yellow beans simmered, I enjoyed the wine.

As you can see, we had quite a lot... and after 30 minutes it was just done nicely.

The yellow beans were good as was the chicken. And we had a tomato salad from some tomatoes I purchased from a produce stand in town. My tomatoes are not yet ready to eat - maybe tonight.
And it was a nice dinner and I already have planned what to do with the leftovers! And tonight we are having sloppy Lynn's a recipe my cousin Barb gave me many years ago. I even have the hamburger meat defrosting. Maybe I can keep this up....

Just One of those Days!!!

I took a vacation day today. Now that may seem strange - as I'm retired what do I need a vacation day for??? Well, because I needed one. After all, regular days involve tasks around the house - laundry, ironing, cleaning, yard work, yada, yada, yada. Then there is going to the Library to deal with donations, clean up the stacks and check books on line and either post them or price and put them on the shelves. Well, you can see, I don't just sit. So, after spending two days out and about to the mall (I did want to to) and then to the Library and stuff around the house I decided, VACATION.
I worked in the loft on the computer. I had purchased Photoshop Elements 6 as an upgrade and spent time learning. The color printer wouldn't work. That took quite a bit of time and I think I need to purchase new ink... that's a long story and I'm not going to (whine)wine. Anyway, I then moved to baking zucchini bread. Sheila, a friend up the road, had given me 2 very large zucchinis for just this purpose. So, got the stuff out to make it. Shredded both zucchini in the food processor - that went well. I had LOADS of zucchini and the recipe only called for 2 cups so I froze the rest in 1 cup bags. YUM! Then made the bread in two muffin tins rather than loaf pans as that is easier to eat since I'm the only one who likes them (B isn't into zucchini). The muffins only took about 20 minutes and as I took the first pan out, I hit the edge of the oven and it turned over, dumping the upper half all over the oven door and the floor. YIKES!!! ICKY!!! D*&&%&* OK, I cleaned it up and had a drink,,,,, Then cooked tacos for dinner which were good. The second pan of muffins was very good and the first, which was really now pieces, was tasty... so, the vacation day was not a run away success, but it was OK.
And now I'm going up to read a book and have a drink.... Night!!!

They Ate the Day Lillies!!!

I planted day lilies last year... and not much happened.
This year, they "showed up" and started to really do well!!! YEA!!!

Thank goodness I went out the other day and took some pictures. Because...
THE DEER ATE THEM

GRRRRRRRRR

B said he looked outside that morning and the little suckers were up by the garden. He didn't realize what they had done.
When we went to breakfast, we drove down the drive way and ... naked stalks
I mean they were GONE... nothing, Nadya zilch eaten YIKES!!!!!

The spray we tried stunk so bad it grossed us out in the house. I'm ready to shoot the suckers.. well, not really.

So look and dream... there were buds on these plants and one or two more that had not yet bloomed. Well, next year we will try something else.. don't know what... any ideas?????

It's been HOT, HOT, HOT
but not as bad as S. Jersey and Philly.
Hearing some boomers and so maybe we will get some rain... which would be good as we haven't had rain all week.

Bye flowers... I did enjoy you........

Day After the 4th of July

I just checked the blog and realized I have been very BAD at posting. And you know, I wonder how I ever got anything done when I worked. Being retired is NOT sitting around doing nothing.

I used to work with a guy that literally planned his retirement down to the last degree. Jim was counting the days and made sure all us "underlings" were aware of his retirement. I really don't diss him, he was very supportive to me (really to his advantage as I did a lot of grunt work and it did help me but that's another "story") Anyway, his final retirement was rather nasty as he was shut out by the powers that be. Then, in retirement, he developed medical problems including memory problems and diabetes and then passed away. He never really enjoyed his retirement. Well, truth be told, he didn't really enjoy his life at work either. So, where I am going with this is to say that I never did want that kind of retirement. And I am NOT sitting around doing nothing and (cross fingers and say a prayer) don't have is kind of memory problems.

Yesterday we went to B's sisters for our yearly Fourth celebration. Everyone brings something and we pig out and talk... catch up on what everyone is doing. We have been having these family gatherings for the past several years. They became more important to us after B's mom passed. I took chili and kielbasa (we bought it) and beet side (made from grated beets, sugar, vinegar, and lots of horseradish) which I made. I also made rice krispies treats but that didn't win an award as I used fluff in a jar rather than marshmallows and the feeling was not bad but not what they remembered. (I never had it as a kid, my bad) Then there was chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, macaroni salad, potato salad (new recipe) and other stuff. Then a rather patriotic desert with jello, cool whip, blue berries and strawberries. That was a keeper... thanks to Ray! We were home by the end of the PBS fireworks and that was fine - no bugs and an enjoyable day was had.

OK, so I'll try to do better and post more. Happy Birthday USA!!!

Hail Storm

It was VERY cool today with the temperatures not up to 70. This afternoon it has been raining on and off. We were looking at the Food Network around 3:15 when it really got dark and thundering. Suddenly it rained and then there was hail... large hail.

Thankfully I had the camera ready and stood under the eves on the upper deck and took pictures. Here you can see the decks and plants covered. Don't think I lost any plants but they have a heavy layer of ice on them.

Really strange!!! and now, at 3:45 it's raining again - just rain at this point but very heavy.

Summer Living

I'm outside on the deck and this is my view. My poor tomato plant looks a bit drunk. Since we had the deck fixed we didn't want the pots just sitting on the deck which could be bad... so I put pieces of Styrofoam under the pots. I guess the piece I used for this pot is too small as it is listing to one side... I'll fix it later.
What a nice day! I've been working at the library "overtime" this week as we are having a sale Saturday and I wanted to get all the hard back books out. I first look most of them up on Amazon and some I list to sell. I generally only post a book if I feel I can get the $5 or more price -it does not pay us to sell books for less so there are many I don't list. Those get priced (most for $1) and put out on the shelves. We have soooo many paperbacks I am not even pricing the new ones as we are selling all paperback fiction books two for $1. A good deal After I got home, we ate lunch and then worked outside. B used the blower to clean things off - this pollen has to be over soon. I finished planting the basil and coleus I had gotten and am now DONE planting. So, after making a pot of tea which is steeping and will be iced later, I got a large glass of ice water and came out here. Slight breeze, I'm in the shade with the sun blocked by a nice large tree behind me. And I'm looking at the picture above - the two chairs are now in the sun. The nice thing is there is always some place in the shade.

Yep, this is where I'm sitting. This laptop is great - and I have a wireless network and so I'm able to work just about any where in the house. I also take the laptop to the library as they have a wireless network. Makes my job of looking the books up relatively easy. So, after I post this, I'm going to go get my book and read. As I said - summer living.....

WOW it got hot

Well, we really got hot today. We were down in South Jersey for a quick trip to see friends from our boating on the Chesapeake days... and then down to Atlantic County to a retirement dinner for two very special teachers.
Boy, is South Jersey ever crowded... and while I enjoyed it, I was really glad to get back home. One reason I wanted to move up here was the increased "hustle and bustle" of the area... and it has only gotten more so. Yes, there are so many stores to shop at and so many choices that we don't have up here, but there is also the rush rush rush that I can really do without.
We did enjoy spending time driving around and seeing the changes - new building and homes and Senior living places that weren't there a year ago. Much faster pace than we have up here.
And we got home Friday afternoon and after unpacking and eating a light dinner we kinda collapsed.... nice to be home.
And then we got hit by the heat wave... it was SO muggy that around 4 PM we decided to put the air on... and we really don't usually do that but it's to be hot tomorrow and Monday and maybe for another day or two... and really it is much more comfortable!!!

Summer has started

Memorial Day always marks the start of summer in our house. The gang (B's brothers and sister and their families) come over for a cook out. This year we started a bit earlier as it is still cool in the evenings. We had a great time! A tree had fallen down the other day and one of B's brothers cut it up and we burned it... we generally wait to long to make the fire so we started early. However, it was warm outside and we didn't need it to keep warm. It did look nice. We just sat around, ate and talked. A very nice day!






With B's help, we moved the geranium planter up on the deck. After the little suckers ate the geraniums on the lower deck we were rather sure then would move on to the larger ones. So, we moved it.

It's a beautiful day out today but cool - temps were in the low 70's and it's windy. The sun is shining and yesterday's rain cleared the air. The pollen has been bad and we both are "suffering". However, it's not as bad as when we were in Jersey! The trees are shedding little seeds and I think that marks the end of the crud from the trees. Sure hope so as B has had to blow the driveway and decks every day.

Who Ate My Flowers????

You know, it really is woman against the animals!!
I'm still planting flowers and herbs. And the other day I planted some long planters on the lower deck - geraniums petunias and marigolds. And this morning.... THE GERANIUMS WERE GONE!! And I don't need CSI in here to tell me - the varmints ate them!! Grrrrrrr Well, I was upset. Now, I realize that when you think about all the problems in the world, that is no big deal - however, it was my problem and I was pissed!!! I have another planter on the drive way that also has geraniums in it and so I had to do something. B suggested checking the garage for spray to keep critters away. I found one for deer and rabbits. OK, sounds "good". I don't do this but, I had no choice. I sprayed my plants. WELL (as Jack Benny would say if you are old enough to know who he was) I can see why no self respecting critter would come near the plant. This spray is black in color and STINKS. I sprayed the plants, then came in and put the stuff away and washed my hands. Then I went into the living room and SMELLED the spray! WOW, does it stink. Let's hope no critter would come near. However, the smell is in the house. After spraying Freebreez all over I have lit several candles... and can still smell the stuff. Well, let's hope that the result is that they leave my plants alone...

Let's hope it's warmer at night

We have been getting cold temperatures at night. Above you can see my attempt to cover the "crops". For the most part, this worked.
However.....

The basil looked great when I planted it but it did get nipped with frost a few days ago.
So, I went out yesterday and again this morning with B to purchase some more.
I got more basil and also some additional herbs and flowers.
The weather has been weird... sun then rain then sun then HEAVY rain.
We were in the garden section of WalMart when the rain came down.. so I didn't get quite all I needed. We went back this morning and again got hit with rain.

The geraniums look good but I'm not so sure they will survive as the planter is on the driveway and the deer or chippies or what ever may nibble. So we shall see... But, it does look nice and when you drive down the hill, you can see this spot of the driveway.
It has really been cold... the leaves are out and we still have pollen in the air. I cleaned windows yesterday and today (not done yet) and the pollen was heavy on the screens. Windows that I did look GREAT!!!
The family will be over on Sunday for our start of the summer get together ... hope it warms up by then.