On January 5th, I posted that my ’04 Mini Cooper was in serious need of repair. I hope you will re-read that post to understand this Part II. Now I’m not asking to pass the collection plate, but the Mini’s need was far greater than I expected. Here’s where I’m going, it takes a village, you know. Jamie Fortune has been incredible to get me back and forth. Thanks Jamie, more than you know.
I invited a few friends over for lunch this week, one soup served was a WW recipe made in a slow cooker. You asked for this simple soup. Here it is. 4 apples, peeled, cored, cut in chunks; 3 pounds butternut squash, peeled, cut in chunks; 1/2 cup chopped onion; 1/2 cup OJ; 3 to 4 cups chicken broth; 1 t ginger; 1/2 t salt and 1/2 t black pepper. In my slow cooker on low heat I cooked the soup for six hours. Then puree the soup in the blender, then return to the cooker. You can add 1/2 cup half and half, if desired. I didn’t. It is light and naturally sweet, but tasty, I think. Thanks for coming over. Your friend Rachel (not).
It is a part of my daily
routine to go to Myers Park City Pool at 7:00 am. I love it. In 2012, I can swim for 90 minutes each day. It is great cardo, strength training, stretching and probably most important mind clearing. There is also something playful about being in the water!! I’ll be glad when the bubble comes down in March so we can see the sky again.
My mother’s name was Laura Copeland. Tomorrow, February 18th will mark the seventh year of her passing. She has been on my mind a lot lately. There are a couple of questions I have for her and would appreciate alittle one-on-one time. Can’t have it so today at least I can set the table for her and pretend.
To friends and family, we know Mother loved to set a pretty table for us to enjoy so this table will look familiar. It looks like her. She loved and used Fiesta Ware since the early sixties. Mother loved to cook, bake and she loved us being around the table. Sweet memories.
So thanks Mom for helping me set a pretty table and thanks for your help in other parts of my table of life.
This couple has been here for awhile, I still consider them visitors. They are easy going, don’t eat much, the quiet type who always seem content and agreeable with one another and me. I suppose at some point they will reach their limit with kindness. I don’t know, I think this is their style, it must be in their blood.
This is my neighbor’s outside cat, Mr. Bojangles. This is my front picture window. He is inside, I’m outside. Mr. Bojangles is watching me work in the front yard this morning. I love this cat. He is the best pet ever and perfect for me. He comes to yard and home, I think because I feed him and he likes watching my birds. He will meow at the back or front door, I let him in, give him special food, we snuggle if we feel like it and then he is ready to go back outside. Typically his visit is a short one. This morning, I had planned to work in the front gardens. I told Mr. Bo I was going outside. I asked him did he want to go outside with me. Remember he is my neighbor’s outside cat. He looked up at me in his sweetest meow and said, “No”.
Tallahassee, Florida. Yesterday, I was on my way to a Senate Committee on Accident Fraud. I attended the House Committee on the issue last week. I find the process and the dynamics of the process so interesting. I wish more citizens and regular people could attend.
Tallahassee has so many camellia trees. Red, dark red, pink, pink and red, white, red and white, white and pink, red on pink, pink on red, lacey pedals, big blooms, huge blooms, little petite ones, trees, bushes. Get the picture?
They all have names too, like Frank Houser, Linda Carol, Valentine Day, White Velvet, Red Hots, Julie, Swan Lake…. Get my drift?
Right now the are all blooming. What a show, they are called the winter rose.
I like to call them beautiful.
Yesterday morning early, I knew I could wait no longer to get my Mini Cooper into the shop for some serious repair. I called AAA, made arrangements and before traffic got too bad, the little car was headed out of my drive-way.
I watched carefully the man’s actions as he went about his business hooking my car for the trip across town. I couldn’t help it, I was realizing I have a real connection to this little car. I have driven it nearly 150,000 miles with my job. Truthfully I had over driven it, it needed service months ago, but when could I get it into the shop? I just couldn’t find the time, I needed to get back on the road.
Crazy as I sounds, I now realized this little car had hung with me until I retired, then was saying, please help me. Please service me!
I watched the tow truck’s flashing lights go on, I realized there was this nostalgia feeling coming over me. This is my friend, we have been together on the road for all these miles. We have a relationship, a history. What made me wait so long? I had to get a picture even though it was dark.
Later that afternoon I got the call. Yikes! How much? Are you sure? OK, let’s do it. I still
love this little car.
Love it! After Jamie decided to do this, it did not take her long to jump into action. Mel Bartholomew would have been pleased with her adapting his Square Foot Gardening approach into her back yard. It was fun to watch her, her vegetable selection for cool crop planting, serious about the grids, the perfect location for adequate sunlight.O
f course the exact mix of garden soil, compost and vermiculite, taking it by the book.
I left the planting party early, but Jamie had to feel the final sense of accomplishment. She did it.
All good news, right? Here’s what puts the adventure into gardening. The anticipation of the outcome. Temperatures dropped, Jamie covered those seedlings up, she did it correctly and now has to step back and let it happen.
Gardening is a beautiful thing. Please keep us posted Jamie. Your fans are waiting to hear and to share your bounty.
susannefortune 