GOT A MINUTE OR TWO

Jim and Ann are dear friends from church.  We used to go out for lunch after church, but over the period of a few years, lives change, health issues increase and it makes it really a long day to do chuch and lunch.  So we've decided once in a while we will meet at Sizzler on a weekday.   Today was such a day!  Jim just had a heart valve operation, and Ann was in the hospital for a week with Afib.   Both are doing great now.  And you know mine and my dearest isssues...Getting old is not for sissies!!  HaHa   The Menu at Sizzler is hugh and prices have really gone up from the good old days.  Jim and my dearest had a dinner, Ann and I prefered the Salad Bar. Such a variety of salads.  From all the fresh salads and toppings to the prepared salads.  One of my favorites is the Crab Salad, the Spinach, cranberry salad and their soup of the day!  My choice today was clam chowder.   I'm really disappointed with the "...

"Apple Blossums" One of my favorite memories in my watercolor journey was taking a watercolor class with a wonderful teacher.  She is no longer with us, but the year I spent in her class changed my perception and improved my skills. She encouraged me to enter several of my painting in the Stanislaus County Fair.  I was leary of doing it but with her persuation I did enter three, the above Apple Blossums, My Autum Wolf, and The Girl in the White Dress. To my amazement, I took 1st place on all three, and Best of Show for the Apple Blossums. You never know unless you try!!!  This was in the catagory of Senior Watercolor Artists. The proof is in the pudding.  I had forgotten I saved the ribbons!

Three days of sunshine and I'm craving pasta salad.  Getting tired of grilled sandwiches and soup.  The weather is so gorgeous and warm it just called for a colorful pasta salad.   This is my dearest lunch plate.  Turkey sandwich on dark rye, a cup of pasta salad and a few chips.  The only paper plates I have right now are left over from Fall.  Perhaps I should pick up some "Spring" ones. Thanks for all the comments on the no bake cream cheese pie.  I thought it was amazing that Lemon Meringue pie was a "Dad's favorite" for so many of you.

My dearest is not much for sweets, but he does have two favorite desserts that I don't do very often.  One is lemon meringue pie, and the other is no bake cream cheese pie.  Well on this Saturday morning I decided to make one for him.  So easy-peasy!  one block of cream cheese, one can of condensed sweeten milk, 1/3 cup lemon juice and a graham cracker crust.  I like to make my own crust as the ones in the store are just not as good, in my opinion. My dearest likes his plain, but I like to add som fruit to mine.  Also a can of cherry pie filling is a nice topping. Wishing you a blessed and sweet weekend!  Would love to share a piece of pie with you.  I will be sharing some with my neighbors.   We have great neighbors next door, and we like to share food with each other.  

Inlarge for details Watercolor has been my love and artform since I was eight years old.  It happened when I got my first little watercolor tin with several colors and a brush.  After putting it on a piece of paper, I never wanted crayons again.  But it wasn't until age 50 that I did more than admire watercolor painting of artists.  Our children knew of my love of watercolors, and on my 50th birthday they gifted me an art table and a $100 gift card to Aaron Brothers Art Store.  So began my journey. I haven't painted seriously for almost 10 years. Life, my dearest health, children, grandchildren and now great grandchildren to love on is where I want to spend my time.  Also there is no room to set up a studio in my little home. The desk is long gone, and the paints and brushes tucked away.  But as I was making more room in the Storage Unit, I came across my Art Portfolio in a large canvas carrying case.  When I opened it up, all my paintings br...

  Today was a cold, rainy day.  The balcony is soaked and the plants are crying "stop" enough is enough! HaHa.  Decided to take advantage of the rain and get some very necessary house cleaning done!  We have a small unit, but dirt is dirt and it doesn't care whether it's big or small.  We have carpet in the bedroom and hall, but the kitchen, dining area and living room are all lamitated wood. Because of the design of the living and dining room, there is really only one way to arrange furniture.  I've tried a couple of different ways, but always go back to basics.  I put the coffee table closer to the smaller couch to give us a larger walkway to the balcony.  The little couch is my "Quiet Place" where I do my reading.  I love the look of the floor after a good mopping and wish it would stay that way...."house work is never done" ~~my mother would say be thankful you have a home to clean!   We don't eat at the table very often as it i...

We have our new airfryer and I am a student, and a learner.  This is the first time I have ever had an airfryer and it was totally out of my comfort zone.  But my dearest was determined to get one as he sees so many commercials showing delicious food.  I ordered one on line months ago and it got lost and traveled all over the USA, and finally I just ask for a refund!  Then our daughter said she had one in her garage like new and she was tickled to give it to us.  (She's not a fan of airfryers as her family is more of a Crockpot people!)  Win-Win for me!!   My first attempt was Italian Sausage, bell peppers and onions.  Because I'm eating healthy I use a small plate with small portions.  Had some leftover brocolli so added that to my plate.  My dearest gets a little bigger portion.  It was really delicious.  The sausage was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside!! (I'm learning!) The second try was a small steak I had in ...

  My dearest is a man of "words".  He has always loved words and as a Pastor for over 50 years used words each week in his sermons.  After retirement he continues to study and write words...devotionals, thoughts, and most lately ACROSTICS.   Our family has encouraged him to get back to blogging and share his thoughts and acrostics.  He always says, " That's just the way I see it" so that is the title of his new blog. I have put his link on my sidebar.  If you'd like, please take a moment to check it out.  It might be a word of encouragement!  We are still working on the final blog "look" but for now it is what it is.  It's the content that matters, but we want it to be an attractive blog also. The shirt and cap my dearest is wearing is from the school where our great grandsons do their wrestling.

  I've had two "Senior Moments" this week.  I was picking up a few items at the grocery store in the line for 15 items or less and it was very long.  I was about 3 people back from the counter when a gentleman in his 50's approached me and said, "I'm a senior, can I go ahead of you?"  I looked at him and said, "NO, I'm a senior, I'm old enough to be your mother".  Then he said, "You are beautiful"...I laughed and said "That's not going to get you in the line".  Everyone in the line was laughing as he made his way to the back of the line.  Oh these senion moments are so much fun!! I seldom go to the Mall but the batteries in both of my watches died the same day and the nice little shop Tic-Tock has been so kind to change my batteries at a resonable price.  They seem to make watches that are imposable to open to change a battery. But that's not the senior moment....While I was on my way to Tic-Tock I saw a gal ...

  It was a cold rainy day!  My dearest said he would love a bowl of vegetable soup!  When I make vegetable soup it is really packed full of vegetables.  Cabbage, carrots, celery, potatoes, green beans, onions, zucchini, yellow squash, stewed tomatoes... did I forget something...HaHa  Oh yes, a hearty beef broth. I've had this large Soup Pot for so many years.  It's so large I hardly every use it, but it is perfect for a big batch of soup. Do you remember the brand "Tools of the Trade" from Macy's. Soup always tastes better with some cornbread covered in honey-butter! This was a stay inside day and I took time to thumb through an old hymn book and found myself singing old hyms that I learned as a child. It's been a very good day!

  When I opened the blinds on the sliding door to the balcony this morning, this was the delightful sight I saw.   It has flowered before, but never this early in the year.  The blooms don't last long, but we so enjoy the view as long as they are there.  The birds and bees will show up soon.  You can see the playground where the kids play and run up our stairs to check out my cookie jar. I don't know the name of the tree, but it had blooms first, and then green leaves come later.  They almost look like tulips.  The two upstair windows are our bedrrom.  So you see I have a new view from there too. Up and down these stairs several times a day is part of my "heathy living" plan.  Healthy eating and exercise.  I don't have an option, the stairs are a daily routine.  There are 16 steps all together. Any signs of Spring where you are???

  Issac and Matthew are brothers, and wrestling is their sport!  This is Issac after winning the the match.  He's 16 and has won several awards and trophies.  He is a hard worker and and very disciplined both in sports and academics. Matthew is 15 and won this match.  Both young men are very dedicated in what they do.  Makes us very proud. Issac takes his wresling very seriously and want to take it beyond highschool.  He has already received serveral rings for his standing in the school, State and Nationally.  This kind of discipline and hard work shows up in all areas of his life. It's a joy and a blessing to see your grandchildren and great grandchildren be honored for their hard work.