Yum yum yum yum...

just in case you were wondering...

what happened with this...

We were waiting for this to arrive!

Actually, I have an emotional attachment to my sewing machine -- and I couldn't bear the thought of Sofia learning to sew with it. I purchased the machine in the photo from Walmart -- it got excellent reviews for and from beginners -- it is currently online at their website for $55.00 with free shipping. I will let you know if it is worth the price after we take it out of the box.

Oh, what about the other box in the photo? That's a little more Christmas fabric for me to play with! :-)

stating the obvious...

not so obvious...

In case you're wondering -- this is not the work of a graffiti renegade. "They" are preparing to repave the streets in our part of the "development". Who "they" are -- I do not know. I never catch "them" -- you know...the people who have been given the almighty power to write words on the street pavement. Not sure if "they" travel in packs, or, fly solo.

I know you're wondering why "they" are allowed to write the "move tree" command -- I am thinking they are allies of the men who dig trenches and smile while they do it.

I'm off to Thursday! :-)

today's inspiration...

Okay, so I see some of you scratching your head(s) -- but I know that some of you understand my "artsy" photo.

For me, it is a good day when I can start out with a blank canvas. That means I have the entire day to create something beautiful!

I hope your day starts out as a blank canvas too! :-)

well...

...at least he's #1 on the list!

christmas in july...

...time to get busy! :-)

summer things...

I think my "weeding finger" needs a break. I went outside to water a few plants and -- since it is overcast with a slight breeze -- ended up pulling weeds for 2 hours. I chatted with a couple of neighbors that passed by, had random thoughts about summertime in New Dorp beach, and watched a few fluttering butterflies.





Time to go float around in the pool...

this is what I see...

...from my front porch! Those guys over there never stop!

cool...cucumber...

...salad!



I had so much fun yesterday while creating the banana muffin recipe card -- I decided to make another easy recipe card for you today! :-) This cucumber salad recipe is a variation on a recipe given to me by a family member. The original recipe has onion and tomatoes -- so you can throw those in too if the tastebuds in your house like that sort of thing!

I know -- it's hard to read (but I thought the picture would inspire you guys to make the recipe).

Here is the not-so-artsy recipe for you to copy:

1 Large cucumber
3 Tablespoons sugar
3 Tablespoons water
3 Tablespoons white vinegar

-Peel cucumber and cut into thin slices.
-Place slices in glass pie dish.
-Combine sugar/water/vinegar in small bowl and mix until sugar is dissolved.
-Pour sugar/water/vinegar mixture over cucumber slices.
-Tilt glass pie dish so that sugar mixture puddles to one side. Spoon mixture
over cucumber slices until all have been covered with mixture.
-Cover pie dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate until cucumber slices are cold.

Enjoy!

oh....banana...

...muffins!

Here is my artsy recipe card for banana muffins. I know...I know -- it's hard to read (but very cute). Sooo...here is the not-so-artsy recipe for you to copy:


2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs
1 cup sugar

4 very ripe bananas
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon cinnamon


-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-In a large bowl, cream together eggs and sugar.
-In a medium bowl, mash bananas, vanilla, oil and cinnamon.
-In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
-Stir banana mixture into egg/sugar mixture.
-1/3 at a time, stir flour mixture into egg/sugar/banana mixture.

For oversize muffins: In a convection oven, bake 25 minutes. Adjust baking time according to your oven. Yield: 6-8 oversize muffins.

For regular size muffins: In a convection oven, bake 17 minutes. Adjust baking time according to your oven. Yield: 12-16 regular muffins.

Enjoy!

rainy days and...

...mondays. So, the song goes -- but it looks like there are some blue skies headed our way!

Hmmm...wonder how the weather is down in the Bahamas today? Maybe my "spies" down there will utilize the wonders of technology and send me some info! :-)

on becoming organized...

I finally purchased a mail sorter -- now I don't have to step on top of my mail that is "organized" on the floor by my desk. And, I realized that I don't need to have all of my files within an arm's length of my desk.



Actually, I've been wanting to put my files in boxes for quite some time -- but I couldn't bring myself to purchase the boxes. During a weekend trip to Lowes I discovered the box you see in the picture -- they're about $1 each. They're a great size -- and -- you can't argue with the price!

Organization -- it's a "lovely" thing! :-)

I did it again...

Yup, I grew some more! :-)





Update 7/19/10 -- I forgot to mention -- now I weigh 48 pounds!

hair today...

...gone today!

She's looking like a fourth grader now! :-)

How much did we lop off -- 10 inches! I love it! We'll be taking off a little bit more before Sofia goes back to school.

balance...

Last week...

This week...

family, food, and...

fun, cont'd! Happy birthday to my youngster hubby!



Hey, this family, food, fun thing is becoming quite a habit with us! I like it! :-)

another awesome sunset...

I was beginning to wonder what happened to our beautiful sunsets -- guess I can stop wondering because they're back!

water, water, everywhere...

After watching our poor lawn suffer through the extreme heat -- my super-talented hubby finally had a chance to display his work of art this morning -- in the rain! What am I talking about? The inground sprinkler system you see here in this very picture -- alongside the paver walkway. Designed, built, and, installed by that man right down there wearing the workboots and white socks. Yes, you can applaud! :-)

thank you mother nature...

We had 4 little sprinkles of rain yesterday -- just enough to make the flowers and grass happy. Then, we were treated to some magnificient sky last night. There was a helicopter flying away up there -- closer to God than us -- wonder if they had a better view? :-)

the present...

We received a little gift from heaven this morning -- some rain!

I think it caught this little bird under the tree by surprise too!

He flew away -- and took the rain with him! :-( Come back little bird!

be careful...

...it's a jungle out there!



This morning we woke to thick fog with an awful burning smell hanging in the air. Across the street amongst the dry and brown lurked an ominous figure -- Mr. Nasty Cat -- he has been living over there almost ever since we have been here.

I think we will be staying on this side of the street today!

family, food, and, fun...

All are necessary when you're turning 51! Wow, am I that old? Naaaaa!

This morning we went to see the play "Peter Pan" at Princeton University. The weather was gorgeous, and, the play was quite fun. We waved goodbye to Princeton and drove south to dine at a local inn. After a pit stop at home -- and a few pats on the head for the pup -- we were back in the car to pick up a cake and heading northeast to hear a few bars of Happy Birthday.

My new philosophy -- if you keep moving fast enough, then age can't catch up with you!

Just in case you were wondering -- This is the long-awaited birthday post!

unusual...

this... (anyone know what it is? -- the wings are beating so fast you can't even see them)

and, this...

what does that thermometer say...

Oh, my...that's hot!

What do you mean I have to go outside to "do my business". I'll be laying right here -- right on top of this air conditioning vent -- holding "my business" in for as long as possible. I don't even want to talk about it.

hot summer morning...

This morning, these birdies decided to take a break in a pretty and shady spot on our front porch. Wonder where they'll be for the rest of day. Last night our thermometer by the back door showed a temperature of 102 degrees -- that was in the sun at 8:00 p.m. Today, we are supposed to reach 98 degrees.

Stay cool -- we're off to "Color me mine" to paint a "surprise" gift!

if you're looking for the birthday post...

I am waiting for my lovely niece to email the photos to me. Where are you my lovely niece? That's her -- down there in the previous post -- she's sitting next to my cutie pie niece. :-) Oh, you're asking who's that interesting guy with the pink goggles? Yup, he's my nephew.

Oh! lovely niece -- I need those pictures!

sometimes wishes come true...

Beautiful weather + excellent guests = a perfect summer day! You think if I wish hard enough it will happen again?