First Day back at work

Well it finally happened....I went back to work. 

I actually have to say that the timing was perfect. I was able to enjoy so much time at home getting caught up on things that I didn't have the time to do before. Like visit with dear friends, read alot of books and clean out areas of the house that needed to be done. AND sit and watch the snow fall, the rain bucket down and stay inside warm and dry. 

I didn't have to fight the traffic to be somewhere at a specific time. 

But best of all I was able to be outside on beautiful days.  

For all of that and more I am so grateful.

But it was time to get back to reality and the company and people  I am working for are wonderful. 

Now I know you'll be jealous but I get to wear jeans....every day!

When I came home at the end of the week here is what dear husband had waiting for me.

Down at the Farm

I can hardly wait to get back to my friends farm in Indiana. I want to sit in her front yard and watch the multitude of hummingbirds that are always there

and of course relax and enjoy the company of my two wonderful friends

Chris and Susie.

FYI--She serves ice tea or lemonade!

Scones

Today is the day. I know it's" hot" degrees outside but I'm determined to make scones. 

I have the recipe, cranberries and an orange so here I go. 

I love scones...

I crave scones

But they have to be the right texture and and definitely not smothered in frosting. 

I don't want anything to disguise the scrumptious flavor. 

Maybe a little coarse sugar on top? 

I can hardly wait to get started....fingers crossed this is the perfect recipe for me!

Looks perfect right?!?
I need to tweek the cook time in the future tho.
Thanks to friend Celine for the recipe!

Once in a Blue Moon

On July 31 of this year we were able to view the super moon. It was gigantic!!! and oh so beautiful. Even if you don't have a preoccupation with the moon and how beautiful it ordinarily is this phenom was certainly something to see!

I was out and about and people were pulling over on the side of the road to stop and look!

There was a  full moon twice in the month of July
thus the "once in a blue moon" phrase.

New York

England

Indiana

(compliments of friend Susie)

Moon rising over our local college

Cappadocia Turkey

I tuned into the Rick Steves show today and they were visiting Turkey. 
It was an excellent show (as they always are) and the highlight for me was the hot air balloon rides over the Cappadocia area.... it was breathtaking

Steves covered a lot of the  local history and this episode is online at his site if you're interested it learning more.

https://www.ricksteves.com

Tomato Jungle

It was quite exhilarating to have my first picking of tomatoes this year. I love to see the end of all the work of starting them from seed, re-potting as they get bigger and finally planting them outside.

It all seems a bit late to me but it's probably due to the unusual weather we have had this year.

Hot - Cold

Cold - Hot

That being said take a look at these cuties!

It is hard to believe that I get excited about this because unless they're cooked 

I really don't care for the taste of tomatoes. 

I make myself try them every year but.....still not a big fan of the taste

but they certainly are lovely! 

It's hard to believe that I planted a teeny tiny seed last March 

and now it's a gigantic

plant!

I haven't seen my wind chime in a long time. It's in there somewhere!

Look at these beauties!

The rocks are pretty awesome too.....

Paper Napkins

I was remembering that my mom always used cloth napkins.....bless her heart.....

regardless of what was on the menu. I carried over many traditions from her, like cutting sandwiches at an angle or using Kraft Mayo, but with 5 sons cloth napkins was not one of them! 

I generally don't have a favorite brand of either. My thought process is that in about an hour they will be thrown out and grandson Wes, in an effort to keep clean, goes through a minimum of 3 napkins per meal. No messy face and hands for him!

As a side note....this is the only time he attempts to stay clean.

Marcal Napkins

What a awesome idea!

Voila! No more napkins spilling out of an open bag!

I'm curious why other companies aren't doing this!

Al Fresco Chicken Sausage

Friend Susie introduced me to this and all I can say about it is.....

Oh, Yum! 

It makes me want to go make breakfast!

Yep...that's what I'm going to do!

http://www.alfrescoallnatural.com/

Vintage Quilt

 Another fabulous find by my Kindle DIL. 

Though she sold it already, she admits to feeling sad saying good bye to it so soon. 

 ~~~~ It's even prettier in real life ~~~~

The pink squares are roses--so lovely!

Autograph Books

Tho I have looked at these little books many, many times 

it still makes me smile as I go thru them. 

They belonged to my mom and a time when you remembered people from school

 with words and not selfies or professional class pictures. 

Here is a sampling of what's inside this priceless book.

Enjoy!

Steamed Chocolate Pudding~~AKA Bossie Cow Pudding

We celebrated with family yesterday. 

Father's Day, birthdays, the announcement that that the new grand baby will be a boy, 

early fireworks etc .

What a lovely day.

Of course it's always lovely to be surrounded by people you love.

The birthday request for dessert was a family recipe of mine called Bossie Cow Pudding.

 however it's not for everyone according to my 5 sons. 

Only one of them likes it and I'm not sure what's wrong with the rest of them! 

Tho my smart DIL's and my son's amazing girlfriend love it as much as I do. 

Last night after trying it for the first time Zoe's mom said it was like a chocolate hug! 

Yes it is!

~~~The name~~~

When my dad was very young and his family was having it for dessert he christened it Bossie Cow Pudding. You see, one of the ingredients for the  sauce ( starting to drool ) that is poured over the cake is evaporated milk and since there was a cow on the can of  Pet Milk

 ...ta da ...the name stuck 

I don't make this decadent dessert very often since it's one of those things I could eat ALL day long. 

If you're interested in the recipe let me know. 

I'd be happy to share the "Chocolate Hug" with you!

Kate Spain

Below is an excerpt from Kate Spain's email update that I received today. She also has an interesting blog that you can check out. 
I encourage you to visit Kate's site to read and see all the beautiful things she shares with her readers.

"Look at this astounding English rose display in Southport, CT — just a town over from where we live. This was so amazing because all these roses were planted in a very narrow 16" road-front garden. A good reminder that you can do so much with not a whole lot of space. If you're local and want to have a look at this, it's on Harbor Road across from Pequot Yacht Club. I love the carefree, unstructured look to these roses. Their color and fragrance were a beautiful treat to savor!"

                                                                 Kate Spain

I was just thinking back to a train ride I had last year in Germany. I was awed by the beautiful gardens and flowers that people had in their yards in very small spaces. It inspired me to try it in my yard and it works beautifully!  
                                I love how Kate describes it as carefree and unstructured....
                                                    that's the look I always strive for!

Panera Chocolate Pastry

I had lunch with a friend at Panera yesterday and since they were offering me a free pastry how could I say no. AND it was my last day of total silence and solitude til my husband and son arrive home tomorrow from a fishing trip in Canada.
Now don't get me wrong I love them both dearly but I look forward each year to "by myself time".

I sat with my pastry and coffee this morning and remembered waking up in Paris last year ,walking to the pastry shop down the street to pick out something delectable to enjoy.  

What a memory!

Organizing

I'm not sure how 2 people can occupy a 2000 + sq ft house and not have room to put things away? Just when I think I am making progress cleaning out and cleaning up I find more areas that have things that we simply don't need anymore. 

How does it happen that I have cleaning supplies x 3 of the same product? 

Why does dear husband have 3 + cans of WD 40? 

Can I say lack of organization! 

The dear man is not going to be happy about all this work I have planned for us when he gets back from his fishing trip!

Let the organization begin!

Patty's Popcorn ~~ Hyde Park Square, Cincinnati, Ohio

It was sensory overload when Miss Susie took me to this store. 

The popcorn is wonderful and if you're in the area you should definitely plan on stopping by. 

 Beside the popcorn they are stocked with old fashioned candy and treats!

I dare you to try and not smile as you take it all in!

You can even sample the popcorn before you purchase it! 

How smart is that?!?

http://pattyspopcorn.com/Home