Sunday, February 27, 2011

Apple Blossom Time





Our Apple tree needed to be trimmed.
So we pruned it.
 I kept some of the trimmings.
 They make a beautiful arrangement.
I put them in a vase full of water and adjust the stems.
About a week later, I have budding leaves.



 It's fun to watch the stems sprout and then blossom.


is hosting Simple Pleasures.
Please join us every Thursday.


~~~~~~*~~~~~~

~Tidbit~

Pruning should consist of keeping the centre of the tree relatively clear of growth, remove all weak or diseased growth and keeping the tree within the space available. Remember that apples will grow on wood produced the previous year, so always keep a good proportion (say 50%) of the previous years growth.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

For All My Bird Friends



I have several bird friends
 (and you know who you are).

I saw this video over on The Nester's blog and thought it was funny
and somewhat weird.




Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Easy Morning Muffins

1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups flour
1Tbs. baking powder
1/2 tea. salt

Combine milk, oil, eggs, and sugar.
Add remaining ingredients, stirring only until flour is moist.
Line muffin pan with paper cups.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes
If desired, dip tops of muffins in melted butter, then cinnamon sugar.


I've had this week off from work,
 so I had plenty of time for some cooking and baking.
These muffins went over to my daughter's home.
She's 28 weeks pregnant.

It was my Simple Pleasure to help out this week
by being creative in my kitchen.

is hosting Simple Pleasures.
Please join us every Thursday.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Toy Storage Plus a Whole Lot More

I had been looking for something to hold toys
and a place for guests to put their purses or packs.

Hey look, it's a sale!
Come on Tom.
Let's go shopping.

Lot's of furniture. 
But I'm looking for that
something special.
Not to big or small.
And not expensive!

Look Tom!
Right over there.

 It's the right size.
I think this is what I'm looking for.
Let's measure it again.


Twenty Bucks!...
but wait, it's half-price day.
Ten dollars and it is all mine.


 I took off the two broken, bottom doors and added
two "toy" baskets.

 On top, Tom has a bowl for his  junk wallet and keys, etc.
And there is even room for a purse or backpack.
But look at the storage for all those toys.

Perfect! 

~~~~~~*~~~~~~

~Tidbit~

Storage Tip:

By eliminating clutter and keeping your home organized, you will be able to find what you need in a hurry. In addition, it will help you stay on top of your inventory. Always store only clean clothing in your closet. Seasonal clothing should be put away clean and stored in cloth or canvas bags so fabrics can breathe. If you don't have clothing bags, pin seasonal items up inside old sheets to protect clothing from dust and insects. With proper organization, things will be easier to find and better maintained.


Saturday, February 19, 2011

Birthday and a Poem

Tom's birthday caked decorated by 3 1/2 year old Lulu.
 Do I see a finger swipe?


Friday night, we celebrated Tom's birthday.
Our family came over for dinner and laughs.
Before we ate, Tom shared this touching poem to us.


Slow Dance

Have you ever watched kids
On a merry-go-ground?

Or listened to the rain
Slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Do you run through each day, on the fly?
When you ask," How are you?",
Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,
With the next hundred chores
Running in your head?

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow."
And in you haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die, cause you never had time
To call and say, "Hi".

You'd better slow down.

Don't dance so fast.
Time is short.
The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere,
You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift...
Thrown away.

Life is not a race.
Do take it slower.
Hear the music before the song is over.
~

This is a poem written by a teenage girl with cancer.
She has 6 months left to live and her dying wish,
 she wanted to send a letter telling everyone to live their life to the fullest,
since she never will.

~


Happy Birthday Tom!
You gave us a wonderful gift.





The artist at work!
(I'm enjoying every moment)

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Camp Grammie Goo

Overnight guests... Lulu & Levi.
Dinner and a movie.
Special request for dinner, blueberry pancakes.
A casual dinner for two.
Chef Tom is trying out his new griddle.

 
Picture taking always involves making faces.
Levi will soon learn this tradition.
After dinner movie.
You'd think they were watching a scary movie.
The movie was Babe.

Good morning!
Coffee anyone?
How about some milk with a hint of coffee.
This blurry picture was caused by
 two little ones moving at the speed of light.


Craft time.

Shhh...it's a secret for
Mommy and Daddy.

Levi found a few books to read.
We brought out Kimmy's old Barbie car that she painted.
Lulu and Levi played cars all around the house.
There was even a path way so the cars could drive through.

 



Today I found two small toys left behind from the clean up.
Look carefully...

Don't they look like Tom and me?

Camp Grammie Goo was fun!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Saturday Excursion

 Last Saturday morning, Tom and I visited downtown Seattle.
 Being on Jury Duty, got me excited see Seattle again.

 First stop was to the original Starbucks 

 

If these old floors could talk.
This building is over a hundred years old.

Starbucks opened it's doors in 1971.
The skyline is a mix of the old and new buildings.

 Pike Place Market has so many back allies.
This one has become very popular.

Check out this wall...

 Can you guess what it is?

 GUM!

 It's called the Gum Wall.

Another long, narrow ally that leads to a great view.
Plus, more interesting things to look at.

If you look closely you can see art work lamps.
You have to look closely.






 When you visit the Pike Place Market,
 another for sure visit, is the Fish Market where they actually throw fish.
Very famous for (flying) throwing the fish.


 Oh yea, we bought some Salmon to take home.

This Fish Market is also famous for the start
of what is now called, FISH! Philosophy.


 Tom couldn't pass up this bakery.
They served Russian pasties and they were oh so good.




It wouldn't be Seattle without rain.
The street was made out of these old bricks.


I want to go back again. So much to see.
 We didn't even stay for the opening of the vender's stalls.
That will have to be another day and another post.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Week In Review




King County Superior Court House
~Jury Duty~

Started my week of by being Juror #5

 
 The early morning bus ride dropped me off by
 the tallest building in Seattle,
 The Columbia Tower.

The Columbia Tower has an open food court on the first floor.
This is where I grabbed a latte and took in all the ambiance.
Never a dull moment.
Everyone was in a hurry.
 Most had a briefcase with a coffee cup in hand.
So different from the early morning, social elements of high school.

As I walked to the court house,
 the morning lights were starting to fade.
The traffic was revving up.


The double door was where we heard the case and first door was where we deliberated  .

 My bus stop.

I heard a criminal case that lasted two days.
 We found him NOT GUILTY.
The process from start to finish was educational in so many ways.
This experience was fascinating from the bus ride,
 to getting along with 5 others in a small room. 

(And yes, you bet I'd do it again!)

*****

~Friday Night Date~

I ended my week spending time with Tom.
Dinner at "Micky D's."
We then headed over to the high school.

We watched two basketball games.
It was both the girls and boys last game of the season.


Friday night, the place was packed.
Yea! We won!

Tom and I enjoy watching any kind of  high school activities.
A perfect way to end an exciting week for me.


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