GOT A MINUTE OR TWO

Yesterday when I was coming out of the Laundry Room our Resident Manager at the Villa stopped me and wanted to ask me a question.    The question, "Would I be willing to do come cooking classes in the Clubhouse?  She said her daughter Corina and her would both be interested and there were several other ladies that had ask her about it.  She said there would be a sign up sheet, and management would pay for all the ingredients.  Basically they are interested in desserts.  Quick breads, i.e banana, zucchini, apricot etc.  Also scones, pies and cakes and perhaps a Quiche. She ask me to think about it and let her know when I get back from my trip with my sister in a couple weeks. Actually, I'm flattered and think it could be a lot of fun.  I think we would have to limited it to about six ladies at a time  to accommodate the size of the kitchen in the clubhouse. What do you think? btw ~ it's Friday ~ check out my new face by clicking ...

I don't think I've ever shared a picture of Sambo.    A beautiful curly black Cocker with the biggest brown eyes and sweetest face. This is the only picture I have and you can't see any of those sweet features.  I was about 6 years old when we kept this one from a litter of puppies. At this time the children's book "Little Black Sambo" was popular and that's how he got his name.  There was also restaurants  at the time called Sambo's which were famous for there pancakes. Sambo was my constant buddy.  We played together, he heard my secrets (and never told).  As time passed I grew and he grew and we developed a relationship that only those who have loved a dog for years and years can know. We had a long driveway and I rode the School bus and my mom said every day about 4 pm Sambo would saunter out to the end of the driveway and lay down.  That's face welcomed me every day when I got off the bus.  A girl and her dog!

When we moved here last year, my iris had three leaves.  Look at it now.  I hope I have a iris bloom next year. How I love our son Myk.  We had so much fun visiting at the Birthday Pool Party.  He has the greatest sense of humor.  Keeps me laughing all the time. In previous posts I've shared how proud I am of Myk and the daughter of our hearts, Chelenne and the boys they have raised.  She home schooled them for years, and is now a teaching aid working for her degree.  She's rather bashful about taking her picture, but I wanted you to meet her.  I think she looks to young to have have college age boys. This is Cornia.  She is the daughter of our Resident Manager here at the Villa.  She just turned 19 and wants me to teach her to bake and cook.  This was our first lesson.....cookies of course.  She did so good.  I laughed as her mother said her new Birthday List was a mixer and a chopper.   I got her ...

Two of our grandchildren celebrated birthdays this week.  Nick (16) and Monique (27)  I shared her wedding pictures this time last year.  The cakes were wonderful and it was a great fun Birthday Pool Party. Yes, we were swimming with Sharks.  Doesn't it look real.  It was plastic of course, but when I took the picture, it really did look real. Loving our family time since we have moved closer to the kids.  This was a super good day.

Today I fixed lunch for our son Myk, and the boys, (young men) Kaleb and Elijah.  Pulled pork sandwiches, fresh fruit, cold slaw and pasta salad (not pictured) and Pumpkin pie for dessert.  I made real whipped cream and lots of it.   Oh it was good. The boys are men now, both in college and handsome dudes.  They always make me and grandpa look small as they are both over 6'.  Kaleb on the left will leave in a couple of weeks back to college in Illinois, and Elijah will be going to University of CA in Fullerton.  How we have loved watching these boys grow into responsible and caring young men.  I think Myk and Chelenne have done an excellent job.

I was in a pottery sketching mood this week and had fun with this one. Started with pencil and added ink.  Added watercolor for the finished look.   Will call it my "Garden Window". To see all the Sunday Sketches just click on the Badge on my sidebar.  Thanks Alexandra for this fun art challenge.

A little Bathroom humor.  A few months ago when we were up North, we visited out friends Ann and Jim's church.   I needed to take a stop at the powder room and when I started reading the sign..WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T....I thought it was going to tell me don't put certain items in the toilet...but as I continued the read, it had a completely different message. "WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T LET THE DEVIL STEAL YOUR JOY"  As I look around the room, there were several encouraging signs on the mirrors and door.   We can never have to much encourage wherever it show up. Have a great weekend.  **I opened a new blog(Brush Strokes from Wanda)  for a Co-op I've joined call SHOW YOUR FACE.  It's a weekly challenge of a face every week.  If you are interested in seeing my Friday faces, new and old, click on the Show Your Face Badge on my sidebar. 

This is my dearest back in his running days, before 5 bypasses, a stint and pacemaker.  He always wanted to run a marathon.  He was up to 14 miles in his training, but then the heart problems cut his running days short.  He was in really great shape here.   God has been very good to us as Don's family history took his grandfather, father, brother, and 2 nephews at very early ages with heart attacks.  My dearest is a survivor and enjoys his life at 77.

Today was our Annual Inspection of the units at Villa Ramona.  We were in the group of the first 5.  As soon as the inspection was complete we took off for a little "Junking".  It was noon by the time we finished, and Don was feeling like "IN*N*OUT"  Burger".  He has his hamburger almost finished before I grabbed the camera.  Best hamburgers ever!  My dearest like his with extra onions and extra sauce.  And his was a 5 napkin lunch.  HaHa We found a "like new" bathroom scale for $4.  I'd been wanting a new one, and this style at Target was almost $30.   So I'd say we got a deal.  The only thing I don't like about it, is the weight it shows when I step on it...Grrrrr. I know they are out of style,  but the gypsy in me loves baggy palazzo pants, $1.99.  These are from Banana Republic and tie at the ankles.  At the second Thrift Store, I found a loose knit top $4.00 (Jones of NY) that matches pretty...

I can only go a few days without posting some kind of food.  After Elizabeth's Memorial Service, her family invited my dearest and me to have lunch with them at LuLu's.  in Van Nuys. Anytime a Monte Cristo sandwich is on a menu, I don't have to make decisions.  It's what I will order.  Not all restaurants  make it exactly the same, but they are all good, but this one was especially good as it had more layers, and the tempura batter was fried golden and crisp and not at all greasy.  I ask for a side of syrup as that's my choice of toppings.  However, I did use some of their homemade strawberry jam too. If you've never had the pleasure, it's layers of white bread, turkey, ham and swiss cheese, then dipped in a batter and deep fried golden.   I'm drooling as I remember the flavors. Here's hoping you have a great week.

  When you are the creator of a painting.  You can do anything you want, you can paint reality or wishful thinking.   Today I'm doing the latter...do you recognize me?  HaHaHa... In my dreams this would be me.  What would I be saying...Darling, bring the car around, I'm ready to go."  In reality " Oh dear, it's Cookie Day, and I'm out of butter." I guess you can tell I'm having fun playing in my paints again after a long sabbatical. Have a great Sunday!

Today we celebrated Elizabeth Novath Beller's life at her Memorial Service.  December 4, 1916 ~June 30, 2015.  Her parents immigrated from Hungary in 1910.  The Honor Guard  preformed their part with taps and presenting the flag to the family.   While her husband was serving in the South Pacific, Elizabeth felt an obligation to help her husband as well as her country so in 1942 she joined the newly formed Women's Army Auxiliary Corp known as the WAACs where she served for almost a year. After many years of war, she felt her husband, Charles had done more time than his share and wrote the Army requesting a furlough for her husband, but got no response. Finally she wrote to the first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.  A month or so later he was home on furlough.  Then a few months later (nine to be exact) she had her first son, Charles Beller Jr.  After the war they were stationed in the San Francisco Bay area where she had her second son, ...

The only time I like a messy kitchen is when I'm in the middle of making an apple pie. This pie isn't as big as it appears.  I have two small Pyrex pie plates and it's perfect for my dearest and me.  Six little slices or 4 big ones.  It came out of the oven this afternoon, so we decided to have coffee and pie and maybe have a salad or snacks for dinner. Good choice! The new header is the plant I bought several weeks ago to attract the hummingbirds.  It's going crazy and I had to buy a little trellis because I realize now it's a climber!!!  Yes, I do have some hummingbirds checking it out.

Thinking about our Sister Week coming up in August, I wanted to share a picture for TBT taken before color film.  This was hand tinted by a photographer. The date is not on the photo, but I believe I was six or seven which would make Donna about 13.  There is something very special about these old photos and the stories they tell.

Click to enlarge for details This is the last week of Summer Colors.  I'm very sorry I found it so late and only got in on two weeks.  But it's been a challenge to use just two colors. This week it's ORANGE ~ ORANGE ~ BLUE This is my version of the "Gerber Baby".  It's done in watercolor using Cadmium orange light, and Cadmium orange medium hue and Cerulean Blue. When I was a child my father taught me this little poem and I've never forgotten it.  It seemed appropriate using the baby from Gerber Baby Food for my subject. I'm sleepy, sleepy, sleepy And I want to go to bed. Had turkey for my dinner And 'lasses on my bread. My hands are sticky, sticky My face is dirty too. Here comes momma with the washrag Boo hoo hoo!  I want to thank our host Kristen for a very fun two weeks for me.  Sorry I miss all the other summer weeks.  Maybe next year.  To see all the other participants for this last week using oranges and ...

click to enlarge The theme for Creative Tuesday is "Little Critters".  I took a trip down to the pond to see if I could find any.   To my surprise I found a couple.  A frog trying to catch lunch with a net and a Caterpillar reading a book holding a pink daisy umbrella.  I think that little lady bug was wondering what was going on!   You never know what you'll find at the pond or in the woods on Creative Tuesday. To see what all the other artists found, just click on the CT Badge on my sidebar.

My kitchen dishcloths were looking pretty ragged and faded from all the washing.  I had a coupon for yarn at Michael's (40% off) so picked up several little Sugar and Cream yarns and now I have some new colorful dishcloths. I went with fall colors since it's just around the corner and I will be putting some Fall colors in the kitchen.  I'm no knitter by any means, but this simple pattern I can do. 

Click to enlarge   Alexandra is a wonderful artist and children's book illustrator and she hosts "Sunday Sketches" She talks about joy and how it is portable in her sketch this Sunday.   This is my first entry.  I've been sitting on the balcony and sketching on the blank pages in my Prayer Journal and that has been bringing me JOY.   The Tea Kettle with the Creeping Charlie was my subject for my first sketch.    Click to enlarge My second is the 4th of July display on the bookcase on the balcony.  My Prayer is a source of Joy each morning as I read and meditate on the prayers.   The sign that is partially hidden says " Office ~ Pastor Don".  This hung at the church for 27 years, and now it graces our balcony. I'm using Prismacolor pencils instead of Watercolor for today. To see the other participants in Sunday Sketches click on the Tree Badge on my sidebar.

My sweet sister, Donna will turn 80 on September 2nd.  She is all I have left of siblings as we lost our younger brother to cancer last year. After cancer took our mother in 1991, we decided to have a "Sister Weekend" every year to remember her and have some sister time.  We have had many many wonderful weekends over the years.  But then life got in the way and we skipped a few, and then a few more. When we were visiting her on our trip up North recently, we made a covenant that we will start that tradition again.   So, come August, I will board the Amtrak Train up North and then we will drive over to the Coast and spend some time together at the Beach.   Shopping, eating, walking, napping, eating, walking, shopping....you get the picture...HaHa. The older we get the more we realize we need to do those things we put off...you never know what tomorrow will bring.  It doesn't see like it was that long ago that we were girls sharing life and a bedroom...

It was cookie day, and time for a change.  I know the kids LOVE chocolate chip...but honestly ~~I'm so tired of making chocolate chip cookies I find myself making them in my sleep. So today...a compromise ~ Oatmeal cookies, but I did throw in a few chocolate chips.   Oatmeal cookies are my favorite...so most of these are going in MY cookie jar.  HaHa Wish you were here....we'd sit on the balcony, listen to the birds sing, and have a cookie or two.....or three.

This Week:  We'll be working on our fifth - of six - weekly color palettes. It's pretty, preppy, and I hope you'll agree, really, really fun. I  loved  working with this combination and can't wait to see how you tackle it! So you ready?! Okay then, our color palette for Week Five of The SOC 5 is . . . . 1 Green + 1 Green + 1 Pink I'm joining a new Art Group and for the summer they are doing  SUMMER COLORS   I'm getting in on Week 5 of 6 weeks, but know they will have something new when this is over. As you can see from the directions above you are to create something artistic using only using two shades of green and pink. Since I have new watercolor supplies and need practice I decided to join.  This is my contribution using only Hooker Green, Sap Green and Cadmium Red (diluted).  The browns are a mixture of hooker green and cadmium red.  To see all the other participants just click on the new Badge on my sidebar, C...

Fourth of July with Michel and the Torres side of the family. They know how to put on a feast!   This was my first plate...HaHa New Summer cut and perm!  Need to get in the pool and started working out again at the Health Center.  Exercise and Zumba Gold.   Short hair and a perm makes it easier. I love this old tea kettle and the start of creeping charlie is beginning to really grow. This is the last letter I got from Elizabeth.  I will treasure it.  She was so happy I got the Kitchen Aid that she had to write and tell me and send me her bagel recipe.  I'm sorry to say, I never got them made....but I will make them now in her honor. Thank you all so much for your sweet comments on my post of Elizabeth's passing.  They were so special to me. Lots of odds and ends around here....but I'll stop with these. Have a great week ! 

Remember the flag my dearest won in the raffle at the Clubhouse Party?? This morning the Tree House is looking like 4th of July.   It's almost bigger than the balcony.  But I like the way it looks! There are "RULES" about hanging things on the balcony, but we  can hang a decoration for the specific holiday, but then take it down. I laughed this morning as I told Don....if they complain you can remind them THEY gave you the flag...HaHa. HAVE A WONDERFUL AND SAFE 4TH OF JULY!!

With sadness and tears I share with you that my dear friend Elizabeth passed from death to life in heaven Tuesday evening. Many of you have share my friendship with her through my blog since I met her seven years ago.  Over the years from being my neighbor to living in a nursing home I've shared many many hours at her side.  Listening to her stories than span her 98 years, and her quick wit, and sharp mind, right up to the end. The last time I saw her was just before out trip up north for the wedding.  I had bought a dress to wear to the wedding at Ross and  took it to show her.  She was 98 but still enjoyed seeing pretty clothes and "girly" conversations with me.     She has two wonderful sons, Charles and Henry and they visited her almost every day.  But there is something about girls sharing girl things....and she enjoyed that.   She also loved music, and we would sing out of the hymn book.   She loved "When the Roll is Call...

The days have been hot and muggy, so crock pot dinners keep the house cool.  Boneless chicken breasts, carrots, potatoes and a can of cream of chicken soup.   Was that easy? Added a salad and slice of sour dough toast and it felt like Sunday dinner on Tuesday.    The last of the apricot pulp made three loaves of bread. I went a little "crazy" with the drizzle...one to eat, two to freeze.   Those apricots went a long way. Tonight while watching the Dodgers play on TV, soaked my feet and gave myself a nice pedicure.  I have "happy" feet. Put my little flags on the balcony this morning.  Happy July!  Hope you have a good "rest of the week".....