How does my Garden Grow ?

Hello !  Thought I would show you how my herbs are doing.  I have Rosemary, Sage, Oregano,and Mint.  It alway smells so good and I love to go pick  some and add to my meals.  Then it really smells good especially in the kitchen.  Believe it or not I have a mini Rosebush behind the Rosemary.  You can't see it so it definately not the place for it. So Jim is going to replant it on the other side of the house.  The Roses on it are so tiny and beautiful I want it out to enjoy.   Do wish the kindle was in color just so you could see how green the plants are.  The other side of the house we have a small garden which I have cherry tomato, beefstake tomatoes and squash growing together then we have our berries which are wild.  Rasberries that is.  I can hardly wait for them to become ripe.   A lady at the swim class I take, Colleen told me about growing blackberries.  She said she bought 3 at Lowe's, you buy them in the winter time, plant them and it usually takes a few years to get a good amount.  Colleen has had hers three years and she says they are doing very good and she even got quite a lot on the second year.  I will get me some plants this fall for sure.

Oh must tell you about the book I finished a few days ago.  It's call Tuscan Holiday by Holly Chamberlin.  It was one of the best reads I have had in a long time.  If you have a daughter you'll understand, she is self centered and everything is for me,me,me.  You have to feel for the Mom as she struggles to remain calm and handles everything with class.  It was great as they talked a lot about Italy, the towns, especially the cafe's and notable spots.  Although I have never been I feel like I was able to enjoy the magic and romance of Italy.  Read it, I'm sure you will enjoy it, plus it's one of our free books.

I think I am also going to be buying (don't faint) "The girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Stieg Larsson.  I  have read some reviews and it look pretty good plus I like it that it's one of three.  If it's a good book I never want it to end so with three that would be great.  I'll let you know.  Good health, Healthy food and all that.  Tootles

Peaceful

Oh, take a deep breath.  How beautiful is this image and wouldn't we like to be sitting just off to the side, out of danger but yet still able to enjoy the sounds and fragrance as well as the view.  This is where I want to go on vacation.  Not that I want to be away from it all just a little away.  Besides I need to know how far is the restaurant and where is the tour guide. Ha!    Hey, I want to make sure I see most everything then I'll go on my own and find that little cafe that all the locals go to.  I want to see the famous but also I want to see the people.  I would love to be in France in a small town and eat at the little cafe.  Just to be able to watch the locals, much like sitting on a park bench and watching the shoppers.  It's fun.  You can make up stories about them, maybe they are royalty out for the day trying to blend in. Maybe they are running from someone they don't care to be with.  Who knows, it's just fun to imagine.  I would especially love a good cup of coffee.  I  understand there coffee is expresso and is only about 5 or 6  swallows but very strong.  Interesting.  That's what would be fun, watching , listening and and admiring a new way of doing something. Something that is quite ordinary in your life but realizing it has become something quite extraordinary to see in there lives.  Hey, I'm just hoping for a weekend in  San Francisco at a B&B.  I've been looking at them on the web.  I would like to be near Union Square or even Coit Tower.  One of these days I will be there and I want it to look very Victorian.  They have some beautiful ones there so I do have my pick.  Then find that little place to eat and just walk around different parts of the City and enjoy all the little stores especially book stores.  Yes, of course I still love book stores.  Just because I carry mine around with me now ! Ha!  Tootles

Cable, DirecTV, or converter and antenna

The question is Cable, Directv, or what ever else is out there you have to purchase.  Or (I know this is not proper but bear with me) using the converter box with an antenna.  The problem is what once was free, that is after you bought the TV and antenna now it's outrageously priced.  It just doesn't seem right, I know, I know, no one said life is fair.  So here we are trying to figure out how to watch TV.  I guess from what we have read all we need now is a digital antenna.  Our TV is fairly new so we are ok there but we still need the antenna.  No, not just any antenna we have to have the digital so it will pick up the signal.  I swear something that was free as usual is now going to cost us.  Well, hopefully just once, then surely we will be able to watch some shows.  We are working on that now. 

The gym classes are doing fine.  We belong to the Senior Wellness and believe me it is great.  It's done wonders for those sad blue days.  Not to mention what it has done for my waist line. You know what I mean.  The days when you wish you were doing something else or were somewhere else.  You try and go back and figure out how you got here and see if you could have changed it but what's the use of that, your here now so better make the best of it.  Now I just want to be in the best physical shape I can be in.  With our work out on the tread mill, bikes etc. I try to improve everyday then I call it my treat, we go to the pool, which is covered so we don't have to worry about sunburns and just swim.  Yes, we do have exercises to do and we use a lot of equipment that is just made for water.  It's so much fun you don't realize your doing work.  I love it because I have met a lot of good people and we talk and visit everyday along with getting fit.  I can't stress this enough go out and find a gym.  Hopefully they will have a senior program.  If by chance they don't, ask when will you start  one.  Lets face it there are a lot of seniors out there who need to get in shape.  There are a lot of them who want to get in shape but are too intimidated by the health club, the machines, and of course the young slim bodies.  If you can't find one that you feel is right for you then try and get some friends together and walk and go from there.  Let me tell you I did belong to a health club and because of my disability they made it plain I was not welcome there.  So I went to a different town and much nicer health club....In Motion Fitness in Chico California.  Our trainers are Stephanie and Bree. They are the most Professional Trainers I have ever had the pleasure to meet.  Plus and this is a big plus they really care about all their members.  It's one of those "Sure Glad You Came", moments.  So if all else fails pack up and move to Chico.  You won't be sorry.  As always, stay healthy and enjoy good food.  Tootles

I'm finished. With the book that is.

Wow, and what a book it was.  I enjoyed it very much and make sure you read it to the end.  I especially enjoyed it because parts of it were true as they were based on historical facts and parts were fiction which was based on falling in love.  We would like to say if you have money you have everything but we all really know that is not true.  Of course, it sure can help a situation become better that is if you find yourself with out any. Ha!  Anyway, I must say I was quite surprised how much I did enjoy the story so if by chance you are reading it now, I do hope you enjoy it.  I also downloaded , "My Antonia", by Willa Sibert Cather as in the story it was one Abigail recommended to Lauren.  I have only read a couple of pages so far and it does sound good.
I have started on the book, "The Heir", by Paul Robertson.  It's interesting as we all would love to be in his position but this is only the beginning so we'll see how the story flows.  I will let you know.
We are enjoying the 4th of July weekend.  Barbecue, swimming, and someone said something about a fight on TV.  I don't know about the fight as it's not my cup of tea but I am reading and just relaxing.
Oh, I wanted to add a pizza recipe for you.  It's fast, easy, healthy and delicious.......

Buy a Pizza crust already made. You know the ones which are usually on the end of the aisle, they come in different sizes, anyway pick the size you want.  Next go to the deli and pick up pesto in a container.  If you can't find it, ask.  I have had to in different stores.  Then go to vegies and pick up a container of mushrooms.  It's up to you if you buy whole or sliced (as you will have to slice them).  Then pick up red pepper or green pepper or orange or yellow.  You will only need half of one unless you want more as it needs to be sliced very thin.  Next pick up pine nuts.  I know they are expensive but keep them in the frig and they last a long time.  Believe me they make this pizza.  Then parm cheese and last but not least olive oil.  Follow directions for cooking on pizza wrapper and WaaLaa, you have heaven in your hand.
When you get home spread olive oil on crust, then spread pesto to cover, add mushrooms in circle to cover, then sprinkle pine nuts around, lay peppers around in circle, sprinkle with parmesan cheese follow with a drizzle of olive oil over all.  Cook and serve as soon as you can.  As always eat healthy and enjoy the food,  Tootles

Free Book Alert !!

I started this book yesterday and can hardly put it down.  The title is......"The Shape of Mercy", by Susan Meissner.  Get it right now.  It grabbed me on the first page and I am enjoying it very very much.  I have even downloaded two more books because of the reference link in the story.  The first is "The Crucible", by Arthur Miller and Christopher Bigsby which was 11.99, then "Great Expectation by Charles Dickens which was free.  It's about a college girl, who is very wealthy (well, her father is) but wants to make it on her own.  She takes this job for 11.00 an hour transcribing a book.  That's all I'm going to say at this time. Just find it in the free section click it and start reading.  You won't be sorry. 

Have I told you about the easy peanut butter cookies to make.......1 cup peanut butter, 1 cup sugar and 1 egg.  Mix together drop by teaspoon full on baking pan, bake at 350' 8 to 10 min.   (no flour, how cool is that)
You can munch them while reading.  Maybe a cup of earl Gray ?  Stay healthy and enjoy good food.  Tootles

Flowers Everywhere

Aren't they beautiful.  I don't think there is anything more pleasing to the eye than flowers.  Everyone can look at them just driving in your car.  I always try to notice the many different colors and how they have arranged them in their own yard.  It gives me ideas.  Notice on what side of the house they are growing etc.  I want to get me Hydrangias.  The large blue flowers are so pretty.  From what I understand it has to do with acid in the soil.  I do want the blue ones but I also want the pink ones.  I have noticed they seem to always be on the north side of the houses.  The plant looks very healthy so that is where I should put mine but I really don't have room there so I think I will put it on the south side of my yard under the walnut and oak trees.  It's shady there most of the day. I did have around my little pond that were all white.  It was called the Moon Garden as when the Moon is full it shines on the white flowers and makes them glow.  It was really pretty.  Must do that again.  I'm not going to use the pond but I bet I could just make a small patch.  Our Granddaughter gave us a box of wild flowers several years ago and believe it or not every spring they still come up.  I thank her so much for that as we love them and told her that is a gift that keeps on giving. Ha! 
Oh my, is not this weather unbearable.  We have been getting in the 100's.  I do say, enough all ready.  I do not like this.  I mush prefer the cooler air especially in the 70's with a nice little breeze.  I know what you are thinking......I need to move. Ha!  Well, it's not in the cards right now.  I do have somewhat of an answer......we have purchased a pool.  That's right, it's 15ft. around and 4ft deep and fits our purpose.  I do go in the morning but when it's this hot I will not be in the sun so i wait until 7:00pm and it's in the shade.  We bought it at the store we all love to hate (walmart) .  Hey, it was on sale and I really really was hot.    As always, stay healthy and enjoy the food. Tootles

A New Month approaching

Happiness and laughter.  Now that's something I want in my life.  Don't we all really ?  Sometimes it's hard to let yourself relax and just smile and thank the good Lord for all your blessings.  I know, I know, we all want more don't we.  It would be nice not to have to cook everyday.  Don't get me wrong I do love to cook, bake and just be in the kitchen but I have to admit it would be really great to have a cook and just tell him or her what I would love to have and WaLAA! They bring it to me on a pretty tray with a flower and cloth napkin.  Oh, now that would be super.  Then of course, they would have to do all the dishes and clean up the kitchen.

Ok, enough about that want to get you up to date on our gym.  Jim and I are doing great, by that I mean we are increasing our challenge everyday and enjoying it more. The swimming is our treat after our hard workout but we are also working out in the pool.

I'm enjoying the new cooking channel.  I like the new people and especially some of the recipes.

Can you believe all the free books on the kindle.  Wow, I mean this is just great.  I almost feel guilty about getting them.  You notice I said almost. Ha!  Some of the stories a pretty good.  I really need to do a review on them as it does help when someone is looking.  Sometimes the subject matter is just not for me so I decline but that's ok, your not going to please everyone.

Hey, take care, stay healthy and always enjoy the food. Tootles