Greetings All: It's been a while since I"ve posted, but am ready to get back into the swing of things.
There's been a lot going on here in the Mid-Atlantic region. Of course, hurricane Irene slammed into us in August; that was really a trip. We didn't receive much damage, other than a few pine tree limbs in the swimming pool, limbs and pine cones everywhere, but other neighbors did. The clean-up process took a while and some folks are still dealing with insurance companies trying to weasel out of their responsibilities. There's just no accounting for the greed and plain old dishonesty in this great country of ours.
Now, it's time to start thinking of spring approaching and all that it entails. I do love spring. I love the new, green grass coming up, trees budding out, hyacinths, forsythia, dogwood, azalea, daffodills, all blooming, and presenting our eyes and senses with their beauty and fragrance.
Of course, we've had some spring-like days here in North Cariolina every since we moved here, nearly fifty years ago. There's always a few days in February, you can count on it, when one can put on one's bathing suit and lay out in the sun. I used to do this, but stopped at age thirty-five. I'm so glad I did, because I'm always being told how pretty my complexion is. I'm so glad that people can't see the part of me that's either sagging, bagging or dragging. I guess that part is inevitable as one grows older.
This had been one of the windiest years I can remember. I have to stay inside when it's too windy because any cold wind hitting my head or sinuses inevitably gives me a sinus infection and cold. I'm just getting over one of those now. I've been coughing and blowing my nose for over two weeks now. As I look out of my living room window, I can see, and hear, the wind just howling. It sounds like Irene all over again.
I'm so ready for warm days, spring breezes and clear skys. ( I was going outside, sitting here at the computer with my coat on, and pick some greens for supper, but I think it's just a little too windy for that.)
My husband planted some rape, canola oil is derived from it, that he's going to till under this spring as it kills nematodes. I hope it works, because the roots of most of our garden plants were ruined last year due to these parasitic worms. Our garden, last year, was one of the worst we've ever had.
My great granddaughter will be one year old Friday. I can't believe she's growing up so fast. It seems just like yesterday that she was born. My other two great grands will be nine and three, respectively, in March. I have four birthdays in that month; a great month for births.
My grandson will be twenty years old in February. He lives with me and is such a great help and certainly a great joy in my life.
I'm still beading, of course. I live to bead. I'm trying new designs, of my own, and ideas that I've found on the internet. There's just no end to what one can do with a needle, thread, and lots and lots of tiny seed beads. Beading is very calming to me and I love to see what I'm going to create. I don't have a definite plan in mind when I start, I just pick a focal bead that I like and see where it takes me.
I wanted to have a web site to sell my jewelry on, but don't think that's for me. I want to design and make jewelry when I want to, not when I think I have to. When I have to sit and make jewelry for other people, it cuts into my design time; designing is what I really love. It gives me great satisfaction to see something beautiful that I've created.
Well, my stomach is telling me it's time for lunch. I think I'll have left over spaghetti and marinara that we had for din din last night; it was so good. I love pasta and could eat it every day; I do eat a lot of it, since I'm a vegetarian. Pasta, grains, beans and veggies are all that I eat.
I hope all of you, my readers, have a wonderful day, and God Bless. Nana
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Fall Beginnings
Greetings, All: Well, it's beginning to get cool here in the Mid-Atlantic region. I do love this cool, fall weather. Of course, we have some warm weather interspersed with the cool weather, but that's okay. I can deal with warm, not hot, and cool, even cold. I really don't mind the cold weather as I feel alive and I have more energy than in the summertime, which can be so very hot here in North Carolina.
It was a pretty hot summer, and quite dry, except for Hurricane Irene who barrelled through our small town in August. (I mentioned this in my last blog, but I think I need to elaborate.) It was pretty scary for a while. The winds did not stop blowing for over 24 hrs. We were without power for over five days. We have a generator but it won't run the whole house, just the refrigerator, freezers, washing machine, dryer, etc.; the important things, like AC, were non existent. I had to use my son's large floor fan, trained directly on my body, in my bed, to get any kind of relief from the heat, which was pretty intense. Our stove didn't work so I found a small Toastmaster cooktop in the attic, with two burners, and we used that. We had drop cords running all over the house, which made it pretty hard to navigate. I, being pretty clutsy sometimes, was constantly tripping over them.
We were very fortunate. We didn't have any damage except a lot of hugh tree limbs in our swimming pool and lots and lots of pine cones and downed tree limbs all over the yard. Our lot across the street was a total mess. It's full of pecan trees and it looked like most of them had lost most of their branches. I do know we lost thousands of pecans from this storm, but that's okay. There's still debris sitting on the side of the roads in our town from Irene, and over a lot of the state as well. I'm so tired of looking at a 12-ft. pile of debris sitting on the lot across the street. One day........
It got up to 82 degrees in my home, which was pretty unbearable, as I'm used to keeping my home temperature at 72 degrees. My granddaughteer suggested we all, she, her three children (her husband's in Iraq) my grandson, who lives with me, and I, get into her jeep and go to a hotel for a couple of days. This is exactly what we did. We went home, hurridly packed inside our boiling homes and got the heck out of Dodge. We went to another, bigger town, about an hour and 15 minutes away. I think we got the last room. Thank God, AC!!!
It felt so good to lay down on a nice, plump mattress and just enjoy the cool air and being away from the constant drone of the generators (ours and our neighbors) and the chirping of the cicadas. I love nature, but enough is enough.
That first night, we went to eat at the Cracker Barrel, three adults and three (adorable) children. The food was pretty good, although I didn't have much to choose from, being a vegetarian. That's okay; I ate lots of good vegetables and had a glass of water. We all went back to the room, had baths, etc., watch a little TV and went to bed. We were supposed to have two queen-sized beds, but had two regular beds. My grandson and I slept on one, and my granddaughter and her THREE children slept on another. I don't know how they slept, but I do think they could sleep on a bed of nails.
The next morning, we all slept in, until at least 8:00, piled in the car and went to get breakfast, I don't remember what we ate. After getting back to the room, my granddaughter and her children all got their bathing suits on the went down to the indoor pool. My grandson and I stayed in the room; he watched TV and I read. Not long after, the swimming- pool group traipsed back into the room saying it was just too cold to swim. It had gotten very cool during the night, which felt great, but definitely not swimming weather, evern in an indoor pool.
Although I had paid for two nights, hoping to stay three, the kids started getting restless so we packed up and left. I surely dreaded having to come home to a hot house, but as the weather had turned cooler, it was actually cool in my house with all of the windows up when I got home.
On the way home from the hotel, my youngest great granddaughter, 7 mos. old, decided she had to fill her diaper, to overflowing. She went so much it was all over her, her car seat, her clothes, and her hands. We stopped the jeep. My granddaughter took her out, seat and all, and set her down on the side of the road. I got some distilled water, doused some tee shirts and cleaned her car seat out while the baby was washed and had her clothes changed using some baby wipes and distilled water. I don't know what we would have done without the water. We bundled all of the offensive clothes and diaper up and laid it in the ditch and drove away. What an adventure! It will be quite a while before I'm ready for another.
All in all, it was a good summer and a super-good fall, so far. Until next time, be blessed, Nana
It was a pretty hot summer, and quite dry, except for Hurricane Irene who barrelled through our small town in August. (I mentioned this in my last blog, but I think I need to elaborate.) It was pretty scary for a while. The winds did not stop blowing for over 24 hrs. We were without power for over five days. We have a generator but it won't run the whole house, just the refrigerator, freezers, washing machine, dryer, etc.; the important things, like AC, were non existent. I had to use my son's large floor fan, trained directly on my body, in my bed, to get any kind of relief from the heat, which was pretty intense. Our stove didn't work so I found a small Toastmaster cooktop in the attic, with two burners, and we used that. We had drop cords running all over the house, which made it pretty hard to navigate. I, being pretty clutsy sometimes, was constantly tripping over them.
We were very fortunate. We didn't have any damage except a lot of hugh tree limbs in our swimming pool and lots and lots of pine cones and downed tree limbs all over the yard. Our lot across the street was a total mess. It's full of pecan trees and it looked like most of them had lost most of their branches. I do know we lost thousands of pecans from this storm, but that's okay. There's still debris sitting on the side of the roads in our town from Irene, and over a lot of the state as well. I'm so tired of looking at a 12-ft. pile of debris sitting on the lot across the street. One day........
It got up to 82 degrees in my home, which was pretty unbearable, as I'm used to keeping my home temperature at 72 degrees. My granddaughteer suggested we all, she, her three children (her husband's in Iraq) my grandson, who lives with me, and I, get into her jeep and go to a hotel for a couple of days. This is exactly what we did. We went home, hurridly packed inside our boiling homes and got the heck out of Dodge. We went to another, bigger town, about an hour and 15 minutes away. I think we got the last room. Thank God, AC!!!
It felt so good to lay down on a nice, plump mattress and just enjoy the cool air and being away from the constant drone of the generators (ours and our neighbors) and the chirping of the cicadas. I love nature, but enough is enough.
That first night, we went to eat at the Cracker Barrel, three adults and three (adorable) children. The food was pretty good, although I didn't have much to choose from, being a vegetarian. That's okay; I ate lots of good vegetables and had a glass of water. We all went back to the room, had baths, etc., watch a little TV and went to bed. We were supposed to have two queen-sized beds, but had two regular beds. My grandson and I slept on one, and my granddaughter and her THREE children slept on another. I don't know how they slept, but I do think they could sleep on a bed of nails.
The next morning, we all slept in, until at least 8:00, piled in the car and went to get breakfast, I don't remember what we ate. After getting back to the room, my granddaughter and her children all got their bathing suits on the went down to the indoor pool. My grandson and I stayed in the room; he watched TV and I read. Not long after, the swimming- pool group traipsed back into the room saying it was just too cold to swim. It had gotten very cool during the night, which felt great, but definitely not swimming weather, evern in an indoor pool.
Although I had paid for two nights, hoping to stay three, the kids started getting restless so we packed up and left. I surely dreaded having to come home to a hot house, but as the weather had turned cooler, it was actually cool in my house with all of the windows up when I got home.
On the way home from the hotel, my youngest great granddaughter, 7 mos. old, decided she had to fill her diaper, to overflowing. She went so much it was all over her, her car seat, her clothes, and her hands. We stopped the jeep. My granddaughter took her out, seat and all, and set her down on the side of the road. I got some distilled water, doused some tee shirts and cleaned her car seat out while the baby was washed and had her clothes changed using some baby wipes and distilled water. I don't know what we would have done without the water. We bundled all of the offensive clothes and diaper up and laid it in the ditch and drove away. What an adventure! It will be quite a while before I'm ready for another.
All in all, it was a good summer and a super-good fall, so far. Until next time, be blessed, Nana
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Summer's End
Greetings, All: It's been a while but a lot's been happening here in the Mid Atlantic region. Of course, hurricane Irene just barreled though and left a lot of devastation in its wake. We had a lot of downed tree limbs, pine cones and detritus on the ground, and especially in the swimming pool, which is now avocado green. I suppose we'll just cover the pool, drain, clean and refill it next summer. It's too much to even consider fixing at this point in time.
It's' been a good summer and a fleeting one. My main goal this summer was to have an organic vegetable garden. I went on line to Seeds of Change and ordered tons of organic seeds. When the seeds came, I got my neighbor to plant them for me, as bending over for any length of time hurts my hips and legs.
I decided not to have the conventional row garden, and planted the garden in small squares. After the garden was planted, I went grocery shopping out of town and when I returned and glanced at the garden, I saw our yard man walking all over my newly- planted seeds. I ran outside, screamed at him, and asked him what in the hell was he doing, walking all over my organic seeds. He, of course, was shocked, as he said he didn't know there were seeds in the ground. I had told my husband earlier that the garden had been planted and to please be careful when he had his tomatoes planted in the space that I had left him. He said, when questioned concerning the stomping of my seeds, that he didn't know there were seeds there. What, are you deaf, I said. Actually, he is a lot deaf.
It took me quite a long time for my ire to be assuaged, but I finally accepted the fact that the seeds probably wouldn't come up and most of them didn't. I did have some carrots, corn, squash and bush beans, but not many and they hardly produced any vegetables. My garden was a failure, after all of the time, money and effort that had been put into it. After a while, I just didn't care any more. One thing we did have was lots and lots of Roma tomatoes. These had been started indoors from seed and after they got their second set of leaves, then their third set of leaves, and had reacthed a height of approximately eight inches, I planted them outside my kitchen door and they thrived. They grew to six feet and produced and produced and produced. In fact, I had my last tomato sandwich for lunch today. Oh well, maybe next year.
I've spent most of the summer inside, as the heat really does a number on me. I've never been able to deal with heat. Any temperature over seventy-five makes me feel like I'm going to lose my mind - really. When I was a teenager, I remember trying to mow the grass in the front yard, using a push mower, and nearly passing out when I was finished. I don't know why, but my body temperature gets too high with a certain amount of exertion.
I have enjoyed spending time with my great grandchildren this summer. They're growing up so fast, it's hard to believe they're eight, two, and seven months now. They're such beautiful and wonderful children. I sound like a true grandmother, don't I?
I have tried to sew a couple of dresses for the girls but find that my heart just isn't into sewing any more. I makes me nervous and I certainly don't need that. I think my sewing days are long gone. It's a shame, because at one time I really loved it and did a pretty good job making clothes for my children, myself and my granddaughter.
I guess I'll just grow old making jewelry and reading. I really love to read. Right now, I'm rereading a book by Rosamunde Pilcher entitled September. All of her books are good, set mostly in Scotland. The best book I've read by her is The Shell Seekers. If you're a reader, don't forget to read this one. You won't be disappointed.
I'm still making jewelry but have branched out into other aspects. I'm working in metal now. I like to hammer metal into shapes, stamp it and use it for bracelets, earrings, rings, etc. I really enjoy doing this and I feel it might be an inherited talent, as my Dad customized cars and was a welder, as well. I could hammer and stamp all day.
I certainly am dreading winter this year with the gas prices being so high. My husband and I are going to try heating our home partly with wood. We have a fireplace insert with a fan that will heat at least one half of the house so we'll use part wood and part propane. Propane has gotten almost cost prohibitive. We spent around $2,000.00 last winter for fuel, not counting the electric bill to run the house. Our electric bill this summer has been at least $450.00 a month. Of course, the pool counts for some of that and I've kept the AC at around 74 degrees. I don't know how people are going to live if things get too much higher.
Well, it's time to go beddy bye, so I'll close until next time. Be blessed and safe, Nana
It's' been a good summer and a fleeting one. My main goal this summer was to have an organic vegetable garden. I went on line to Seeds of Change and ordered tons of organic seeds. When the seeds came, I got my neighbor to plant them for me, as bending over for any length of time hurts my hips and legs.
I decided not to have the conventional row garden, and planted the garden in small squares. After the garden was planted, I went grocery shopping out of town and when I returned and glanced at the garden, I saw our yard man walking all over my newly- planted seeds. I ran outside, screamed at him, and asked him what in the hell was he doing, walking all over my organic seeds. He, of course, was shocked, as he said he didn't know there were seeds in the ground. I had told my husband earlier that the garden had been planted and to please be careful when he had his tomatoes planted in the space that I had left him. He said, when questioned concerning the stomping of my seeds, that he didn't know there were seeds there. What, are you deaf, I said. Actually, he is a lot deaf.
It took me quite a long time for my ire to be assuaged, but I finally accepted the fact that the seeds probably wouldn't come up and most of them didn't. I did have some carrots, corn, squash and bush beans, but not many and they hardly produced any vegetables. My garden was a failure, after all of the time, money and effort that had been put into it. After a while, I just didn't care any more. One thing we did have was lots and lots of Roma tomatoes. These had been started indoors from seed and after they got their second set of leaves, then their third set of leaves, and had reacthed a height of approximately eight inches, I planted them outside my kitchen door and they thrived. They grew to six feet and produced and produced and produced. In fact, I had my last tomato sandwich for lunch today. Oh well, maybe next year.
I've spent most of the summer inside, as the heat really does a number on me. I've never been able to deal with heat. Any temperature over seventy-five makes me feel like I'm going to lose my mind - really. When I was a teenager, I remember trying to mow the grass in the front yard, using a push mower, and nearly passing out when I was finished. I don't know why, but my body temperature gets too high with a certain amount of exertion.
I have enjoyed spending time with my great grandchildren this summer. They're growing up so fast, it's hard to believe they're eight, two, and seven months now. They're such beautiful and wonderful children. I sound like a true grandmother, don't I?
I have tried to sew a couple of dresses for the girls but find that my heart just isn't into sewing any more. I makes me nervous and I certainly don't need that. I think my sewing days are long gone. It's a shame, because at one time I really loved it and did a pretty good job making clothes for my children, myself and my granddaughter.
I guess I'll just grow old making jewelry and reading. I really love to read. Right now, I'm rereading a book by Rosamunde Pilcher entitled September. All of her books are good, set mostly in Scotland. The best book I've read by her is The Shell Seekers. If you're a reader, don't forget to read this one. You won't be disappointed.
I'm still making jewelry but have branched out into other aspects. I'm working in metal now. I like to hammer metal into shapes, stamp it and use it for bracelets, earrings, rings, etc. I really enjoy doing this and I feel it might be an inherited talent, as my Dad customized cars and was a welder, as well. I could hammer and stamp all day.
I certainly am dreading winter this year with the gas prices being so high. My husband and I are going to try heating our home partly with wood. We have a fireplace insert with a fan that will heat at least one half of the house so we'll use part wood and part propane. Propane has gotten almost cost prohibitive. We spent around $2,000.00 last winter for fuel, not counting the electric bill to run the house. Our electric bill this summer has been at least $450.00 a month. Of course, the pool counts for some of that and I've kept the AC at around 74 degrees. I don't know how people are going to live if things get too much higher.
Well, it's time to go beddy bye, so I'll close until next time. Be blessed and safe, Nana
Monday, August 23, 2010
Summertime Is Nearly Over
Greetings, All: Well, here it is August already. Where has the summer gone? It seems that the older I get, the quicker times flies by.
It has been a great summer here in the Mid Atlantic region, although it's been the hottest summer I can remember. Some days when you step out the door, it feels like stepping into a wet oven. The humidity has been unbearable. It was pretty dry the first part of the summer, but now we're having some nice thunderstorms several times a week. Thank the Lord, this nice rain keeps me from having to water all of the plants in my yard, which takes several hours, and since I can't do it anymore, I have to pay someone to do it. Oh well, that's what happens when one grows older. Someone else has to take over and do what you used to do and you have to pay them for it.
I've been under the weather for a few days with throat and sinus congestion. I really am surprised, as I take enough vitamins to sink a battleship. It's been nearly a year since I've had something like this and it really hasn't been too bad this time. I got it Friday, and today, Monday, I seem to be a lot better. One thing that came along with this is inflammation of the upper and lower eyelids. I thought, at first, I had pink eye and that I'd gotten it from my great-granddaughter. If it doesn't get a lot better by Tuesday, I'll go and see the eye doctor; it could be pink eye.
I'm planning a bracelet project. I haven't done any serious beading for a month now; I just haven't wanted to. The bracelet I'm going to make will have an oval-shaped, lime green and aqua, lamp worked bead in the center. On each side of the bead will be a herringbone-stitched tube in two shades of lime green. This will be something new for me and I'm eager to see what the bracelet will look like. I hope it works out, as I have tons of lamp worked beads I bought on E-bay and need to do something with them.
I ordered two shirts from Eddie Bauer that will be here Wednesday. One is lime green and the other is lavender. I hope they fit so I can wear the lime green bracelet with one, and the lavender bracelet I'm planning to make with the other.
My grandson-in-law is in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and will be there for one year. This is something that he absolutely wanted to do. He'll make enough money that he and my granddaughter can pay off everything that they owe and have a lot of dough left over. I think it takes a very strong person to be able to do this. I know I couldn't do it. I just couldn't be away from my children for one whole year. While he's gone, another daughter will be born but he'll be able to come home when that happens. He gets to come home for a couple of weeks every three months. I pray for his safety every day; he's in a very dangerous region of the world.
In January I'll be welcoming my third great-grandchild into the world. It's a girl and her name is going to be Emma Paige. I just love that name; it sounds so old fashioned. I hope she's as sweet and as good as
my other great- granddaughter, Maddie. Maddie is one of the sweetest children I've ever seen. She's always going up to someone, grabbing them around the legs, and giving them a hug. How cute is that! She's fifteen months old now and will be twenty-two months old when the baby is born. I also have a great-grandson who's seven. Ethan is a beautiful child. He has white hair and big, blue-green eyes and is very precocious. He loves to come to my house and "rummage" through my "stuff". I have lots of things he likes to look at and always wants to know if he can take something home, which, of course, I let him do. My grand and great-grandchildren have been a great source of joy in my life and I thank God for them.
Well, I've got to go and do some cleaning, which I really don't want to do, but needs to be done. I'll just take my time and not try to wear myself out. Eventually, I guess I'll have to hire someone to do this for me as well.
I pray for blessings for all of you. Until next time, Nana
It has been a great summer here in the Mid Atlantic region, although it's been the hottest summer I can remember. Some days when you step out the door, it feels like stepping into a wet oven. The humidity has been unbearable. It was pretty dry the first part of the summer, but now we're having some nice thunderstorms several times a week. Thank the Lord, this nice rain keeps me from having to water all of the plants in my yard, which takes several hours, and since I can't do it anymore, I have to pay someone to do it. Oh well, that's what happens when one grows older. Someone else has to take over and do what you used to do and you have to pay them for it.
I've been under the weather for a few days with throat and sinus congestion. I really am surprised, as I take enough vitamins to sink a battleship. It's been nearly a year since I've had something like this and it really hasn't been too bad this time. I got it Friday, and today, Monday, I seem to be a lot better. One thing that came along with this is inflammation of the upper and lower eyelids. I thought, at first, I had pink eye and that I'd gotten it from my great-granddaughter. If it doesn't get a lot better by Tuesday, I'll go and see the eye doctor; it could be pink eye.
I'm planning a bracelet project. I haven't done any serious beading for a month now; I just haven't wanted to. The bracelet I'm going to make will have an oval-shaped, lime green and aqua, lamp worked bead in the center. On each side of the bead will be a herringbone-stitched tube in two shades of lime green. This will be something new for me and I'm eager to see what the bracelet will look like. I hope it works out, as I have tons of lamp worked beads I bought on E-bay and need to do something with them.
I ordered two shirts from Eddie Bauer that will be here Wednesday. One is lime green and the other is lavender. I hope they fit so I can wear the lime green bracelet with one, and the lavender bracelet I'm planning to make with the other.
My grandson-in-law is in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and will be there for one year. This is something that he absolutely wanted to do. He'll make enough money that he and my granddaughter can pay off everything that they owe and have a lot of dough left over. I think it takes a very strong person to be able to do this. I know I couldn't do it. I just couldn't be away from my children for one whole year. While he's gone, another daughter will be born but he'll be able to come home when that happens. He gets to come home for a couple of weeks every three months. I pray for his safety every day; he's in a very dangerous region of the world.
In January I'll be welcoming my third great-grandchild into the world. It's a girl and her name is going to be Emma Paige. I just love that name; it sounds so old fashioned. I hope she's as sweet and as good as
my other great- granddaughter, Maddie. Maddie is one of the sweetest children I've ever seen. She's always going up to someone, grabbing them around the legs, and giving them a hug. How cute is that! She's fifteen months old now and will be twenty-two months old when the baby is born. I also have a great-grandson who's seven. Ethan is a beautiful child. He has white hair and big, blue-green eyes and is very precocious. He loves to come to my house and "rummage" through my "stuff". I have lots of things he likes to look at and always wants to know if he can take something home, which, of course, I let him do. My grand and great-grandchildren have been a great source of joy in my life and I thank God for them.
Well, I've got to go and do some cleaning, which I really don't want to do, but needs to be done. I'll just take my time and not try to wear myself out. Eventually, I guess I'll have to hire someone to do this for me as well.
I pray for blessings for all of you. Until next time, Nana
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Summertime, and the livin' is easy
Greetings, All: It's been a while since we've talked, but that's the way it goes during the summer. I, like everyone else, have been busy doing, doing, doing, since it got a lot warmer; hotter, I should say.
It's been one of the hottest summers I can remember. The temperature today is over 100 degrees, and the humidity is probably eighty percent. I've been in the house, exclusively, for over a week now. I only venture out to go to the bank, the grocery store or the post office. My life sounds real exciting, doesn't it?
I've become interested in Indian cooking. I happened to see a cooking show on the cooking channel, entitled Spice Goddess, and watched as the hostess cooked Indian cuisine. I was totally amazed at how easy she made it seem. I was also very interested in all of the spices she used. I have two turntables in my kitchen cabinets, full of spices. I know some of them are probably years old, but they still have a pungent smell, so I'll keep them for a few more years. Spices are very expensive, especially the ones that are used in Indian cooking.
After looking at my spices, I found I have most of those that are used in Indian cooking. I found one spice, Garam Masala, at Food Lion, much to my surprise and delight. I also ordered two Indian cuisine cookbooks from Amazon.com today, one with meat, and one vegetarian. I can't wait until they arrive so I can try some of the recipes. Being a vegetarian, it will be nice to eat something that's entirely different from what I've been eating.
When I got home from the grocery store, it was time for lunch. I fixed a rice pilaf, Uncle Ben's, that you put in the microwave for ninety-seconds. The rice used is brown rice and it's absolutely delicious; I was pleasantly surprised. I also opened a can of Progresso Lentil soup to which I added garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, a dash of tabasco, a dash of dill weed, a dash of Italian seasoning and a dash of Garam Masala. This tasted awesome! Garam Masala is a combination of spices containing coriander, black pepper, cumin, cardamon and cinnamon. It has a very unusual taste and smell that I like, although some might not.
I've really gotten into cooking now that I have to be on the alkaline/acid balance diet for the rest of my life. I'm beginning to feel a lot better than I have been feeling. Food makes all of the difference in ones sense of well being and is the absolute key to good health.
I also ordered a gluten-free cookbook that uses almond flour, agave nectar with grapeseed and coconut oil. My grandson and I both have problems with gluten. When I get all of my ingredients together, I'm going to make a BIG CHOCOLATE CAKE. I've been craving chocolate cake for months. It will be wonderful to finally be able to indulge my taste buds and I know my grandson will be happy.
I'm still beading, of course. I haven't been doing much lately, as I've been busy trying to get three meals on the table every day. Believe me, when you're on a special diet, this takes some planning, but it's well worth it. I feel good eating "live" food that's not processed and so acidic.
I've started going to church again. I've been out of church for a while and it is so nice to go to church again and praise the Lord. I go to a church that is free in the "Spirit" and that allows you to raise your hands, move around, clap, say Amen, etc. Once you start praising God this way, you can't ever go back to a conventional church service. Being free to express yourself in worship is one of the most satisfying experiences I know. The Word says..."God inhabits the praises of his people."
Well, it's time to eat din din. I don't know what I'll have, but I'm sure I can whip up something delectable in a short amount of time. (?)
Au Revoir, Nana
It's been one of the hottest summers I can remember. The temperature today is over 100 degrees, and the humidity is probably eighty percent. I've been in the house, exclusively, for over a week now. I only venture out to go to the bank, the grocery store or the post office. My life sounds real exciting, doesn't it?
I've become interested in Indian cooking. I happened to see a cooking show on the cooking channel, entitled Spice Goddess, and watched as the hostess cooked Indian cuisine. I was totally amazed at how easy she made it seem. I was also very interested in all of the spices she used. I have two turntables in my kitchen cabinets, full of spices. I know some of them are probably years old, but they still have a pungent smell, so I'll keep them for a few more years. Spices are very expensive, especially the ones that are used in Indian cooking.
After looking at my spices, I found I have most of those that are used in Indian cooking. I found one spice, Garam Masala, at Food Lion, much to my surprise and delight. I also ordered two Indian cuisine cookbooks from Amazon.com today, one with meat, and one vegetarian. I can't wait until they arrive so I can try some of the recipes. Being a vegetarian, it will be nice to eat something that's entirely different from what I've been eating.
When I got home from the grocery store, it was time for lunch. I fixed a rice pilaf, Uncle Ben's, that you put in the microwave for ninety-seconds. The rice used is brown rice and it's absolutely delicious; I was pleasantly surprised. I also opened a can of Progresso Lentil soup to which I added garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, a dash of tabasco, a dash of dill weed, a dash of Italian seasoning and a dash of Garam Masala. This tasted awesome! Garam Masala is a combination of spices containing coriander, black pepper, cumin, cardamon and cinnamon. It has a very unusual taste and smell that I like, although some might not.
I've really gotten into cooking now that I have to be on the alkaline/acid balance diet for the rest of my life. I'm beginning to feel a lot better than I have been feeling. Food makes all of the difference in ones sense of well being and is the absolute key to good health.
I also ordered a gluten-free cookbook that uses almond flour, agave nectar with grapeseed and coconut oil. My grandson and I both have problems with gluten. When I get all of my ingredients together, I'm going to make a BIG CHOCOLATE CAKE. I've been craving chocolate cake for months. It will be wonderful to finally be able to indulge my taste buds and I know my grandson will be happy.
I'm still beading, of course. I haven't been doing much lately, as I've been busy trying to get three meals on the table every day. Believe me, when you're on a special diet, this takes some planning, but it's well worth it. I feel good eating "live" food that's not processed and so acidic.
I've started going to church again. I've been out of church for a while and it is so nice to go to church again and praise the Lord. I go to a church that is free in the "Spirit" and that allows you to raise your hands, move around, clap, say Amen, etc. Once you start praising God this way, you can't ever go back to a conventional church service. Being free to express yourself in worship is one of the most satisfying experiences I know. The Word says..."God inhabits the praises of his people."
Well, it's time to eat din din. I don't know what I'll have, but I'm sure I can whip up something delectable in a short amount of time. (?)
Au Revoir, Nana
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Summertine
Greetings, All: It's been a while, and a lot has been going on in my life.
My father passed away April 8th at the ripe old age of 90. He would have been 91 on 5/7/10. He lived a long and happy life. He worked at the Norfolk Naval Base until he retired when he was fifty-five, or there about. He was retired longer than he worked.
We have a garage behind my parents home where my father customized cars, welded, painted and did general body work on cars. He was a very talented man who could do and fix anything. He also was an inventor; he invented lots of things to help around the yard and house, one being an Okra- seed planter. He made several things for me: a wrought iron etagere with glass shelves, a wrought iron gate with the letter S in the middle, a very small coal shuttle, etc. On my mother's mantle sits a pair of solid brass candlesticks that he made; they're beautiful. He was an artist.
My father also loved the yard and his garden, which he tended faithfully until the last few years of his life. He was especially proud of his collards and gave away lots of them to the neighbors. My mother froze and canned most of the garden's bounty. One of the things I remember most about my childhood is the wonderful food my mother always had on the table. She was, and still is, a great cook.
My dad was cremated and there was a memorial service at the funeral home in Norfolk. Many of his friends and family were there. After it was over, Mama said "...your Daddy would have loved this." It was very nice to see people I hadn't seen in years and years and to reconnect with family members who live out of state.
My son had a hip replacement yesterday and is doing well. I called him this morning but he was too groggy to talk. He should be home in a couple of days. He has rheumatoid arthritis and will eventually have to have to other hip replaced. I know he's going to have a much better quality of life with his new hips.
I found out yesterday that I'm going to be a great-grandmother again next February. This will be the third great-grandchild. We're all very excited about the news; grand and great grands are truly a blessing from God.
I'm still beading, making rings and bracelets like crazy. I'll never be able to make all of the ideas I have, but I'll give it my best shot.
I'm still selling books on Amazon.com. I'm up to over $2,000.00 now. I still can't believe my success.
I hope I keep selling until I get rid of all of the books I have listed. The money I'm making each week is paying my grocery bill.
Well, it's time to eat lunch. Today I'm having stewed potatoes and onions with Texas Pete and Italian Seasonings - YUM!!!
Until the next time, Nana
My father passed away April 8th at the ripe old age of 90. He would have been 91 on 5/7/10. He lived a long and happy life. He worked at the Norfolk Naval Base until he retired when he was fifty-five, or there about. He was retired longer than he worked.
We have a garage behind my parents home where my father customized cars, welded, painted and did general body work on cars. He was a very talented man who could do and fix anything. He also was an inventor; he invented lots of things to help around the yard and house, one being an Okra- seed planter. He made several things for me: a wrought iron etagere with glass shelves, a wrought iron gate with the letter S in the middle, a very small coal shuttle, etc. On my mother's mantle sits a pair of solid brass candlesticks that he made; they're beautiful. He was an artist.
My father also loved the yard and his garden, which he tended faithfully until the last few years of his life. He was especially proud of his collards and gave away lots of them to the neighbors. My mother froze and canned most of the garden's bounty. One of the things I remember most about my childhood is the wonderful food my mother always had on the table. She was, and still is, a great cook.
My dad was cremated and there was a memorial service at the funeral home in Norfolk. Many of his friends and family were there. After it was over, Mama said "...your Daddy would have loved this." It was very nice to see people I hadn't seen in years and years and to reconnect with family members who live out of state.
My son had a hip replacement yesterday and is doing well. I called him this morning but he was too groggy to talk. He should be home in a couple of days. He has rheumatoid arthritis and will eventually have to have to other hip replaced. I know he's going to have a much better quality of life with his new hips.
I found out yesterday that I'm going to be a great-grandmother again next February. This will be the third great-grandchild. We're all very excited about the news; grand and great grands are truly a blessing from God.
I'm still beading, making rings and bracelets like crazy. I'll never be able to make all of the ideas I have, but I'll give it my best shot.
I'm still selling books on Amazon.com. I'm up to over $2,000.00 now. I still can't believe my success.
I hope I keep selling until I get rid of all of the books I have listed. The money I'm making each week is paying my grocery bill.
Well, it's time to eat lunch. Today I'm having stewed potatoes and onions with Texas Pete and Italian Seasonings - YUM!!!
Until the next time, Nana
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Spring Has Sprung
Greeting Readers: Well, it looks like spring has finally arrived. It's obvious by the daffodils, tulips and saucer magnolia trees blooming everywhere. My weeping cherry tree is absolutely gorgeous this year. Maybe all of the cold weather we had affected its bloom. If we could only get rid of the wind. It's blowing now like crazy and it's blown all winter. It would be really warm if not for the wind.
I've had seven family birthdays this month, including aunts, cousins, daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter and great-grandson. Whew! I've spent the whole month eating birthday cake; consequently, tomorrow is D-Day - diet day. I've put on at least six pounds since Christmas and must get it off before summer so I can get into my summer clothes.
My niece, my sister's daughter, came down for the weekend and we had a very nice visit. She was really interested in my jewelry. She bought five rings and gave me orders for some other things, as well. We had fun looking at beads and seeing what looked good with what. She's on her way home now and the last of the birthday parties is over. I'm looking forward to some peace and quiet and relaxation next week.
I've sold a lot of books on Amazon.Com. I'm close to the $1,000.00 mark now. I can't believe I've sold this many books, and I've still got a lot to sell. I finally got them all listed and it took quite a while. Hopefully, I will sell most of them; it's just going to take some time.
I keep wondering where all of the money I've made has gone and I've decided that most of it has gone for groceries. I can't believe how many times I have to go to the grocery store now that my grandson is living with me. He's just turned eighteen and only likes certain foods so my trips to the grocery store have become more frequent. But, I am very thankful that I have had this extra money to spend on food as the cost of food has skyrocketed. I don't know how large families can feed themselves. What's it going to be like a year from now?
Hopefully, the American people, who are very resourceful, can hang on until Obama is out of office and the newly- elected Republicans can make the changes needed to turn things around.
I haven't had much time to do any beading lately and I've really missed it. I'm going to try to bead some tomorrow. I have a few orders to get ready. I'll get these out of the way and then I can concentrate on doing something that I really want to do - design.
I've got to rest for a while now; I'm totally exhausted. Later, Nana
I've had seven family birthdays this month, including aunts, cousins, daughter, granddaughter, great-granddaughter and great-grandson. Whew! I've spent the whole month eating birthday cake; consequently, tomorrow is D-Day - diet day. I've put on at least six pounds since Christmas and must get it off before summer so I can get into my summer clothes.
My niece, my sister's daughter, came down for the weekend and we had a very nice visit. She was really interested in my jewelry. She bought five rings and gave me orders for some other things, as well. We had fun looking at beads and seeing what looked good with what. She's on her way home now and the last of the birthday parties is over. I'm looking forward to some peace and quiet and relaxation next week.
I've sold a lot of books on Amazon.Com. I'm close to the $1,000.00 mark now. I can't believe I've sold this many books, and I've still got a lot to sell. I finally got them all listed and it took quite a while. Hopefully, I will sell most of them; it's just going to take some time.
I keep wondering where all of the money I've made has gone and I've decided that most of it has gone for groceries. I can't believe how many times I have to go to the grocery store now that my grandson is living with me. He's just turned eighteen and only likes certain foods so my trips to the grocery store have become more frequent. But, I am very thankful that I have had this extra money to spend on food as the cost of food has skyrocketed. I don't know how large families can feed themselves. What's it going to be like a year from now?
Hopefully, the American people, who are very resourceful, can hang on until Obama is out of office and the newly- elected Republicans can make the changes needed to turn things around.
I haven't had much time to do any beading lately and I've really missed it. I'm going to try to bead some tomorrow. I have a few orders to get ready. I'll get these out of the way and then I can concentrate on doing something that I really want to do - design.
I've got to rest for a while now; I'm totally exhausted. Later, Nana
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