Summer, Oh Summer

We've had some wonderful weather in the Pacific Northwest. Some days a little too warm when it hits the high 80's - 90's. It's so wonderful to sit outside in the early hours of the day and listen to nature or in the evening as the birds are saying goodnight to each other.

The challenge is being able to keep everything watered so it doesn't dry out. That is a challenge some days but those days my hubby takes over. We both love the colors and sounds of summer.

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time. ~John Lubbock"

Wonderful Spring... wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

Here it is late May already. I've been missing from blogging as I've been busy getting the yard, flowers, etc caught up. I've finally done it so now I can just pull the determined weed that appears here and there and talk to the flowers.

We live semi rural, just 1 1/2 miles from the main highway to the Pacific Coast and a couple miles from the hustle bustle of business's. It's so amazing how much nature we have here right in my own yard. More of it than I realized before my camera and I became great friends.

The mama duck at the top with her brood walked down the road (big hill) in front of our house., across into the neighbors yard below us. I have pictures of the parents before the hatchlings appeared. I think there are nine of them, maybe only eight.

My flowers are beginning to bloom and color is every where. I'm so thankful to live where there are 4 seasons. Winter is my least favorite as it is dreary and gray except when it snows and can be depressing. I live for spring and the first signs of growth. From then on my heart beats a little lighter, my face smiles a lot more and I'm into the NOW. So many colors of greens and a myriad of colors of flowers are to be seen everywhere. How much luckier can a girl get?

I looked out my window and

Here was this beautiful Flicker (woodpecker family) eating at the suet hanging outside the window. I had to take the picture through the blinds but still got a great picture of him. Aren't those polka dots something? Double click on the picture and you will get a close up of him...

Mr. Tree

This Cedar tree is in our yard about 10 feet from the house. I call that portion "my little back yard". He just got an overhaul with some fresh paint. He keeps an eye on the creatures that linger there to eat the seeds, cracked corn and bits that we put out. The squirrels, the tiny birds and the bigger birds visit here. It's somewhat shaded and a neat place to sit and listen to the music of nature.

Last night I sat outside as the sun was going down. A combination of a choir and bird orchestra was going on. The birds were chirping, some were singing their goodnight songs, others were peeping. In the distance a frogs voice sang out... Oh how I love Spring.

This has been a favorite recipe of mine. It's easy and yummy. The pork is always so tender and good.

Pork Chops and Dressing

6 lean, boneless pork chops
1 box Stove Top Dressing (Follow package directions, adding drippings from pan)
1 stalk celery -- chopped fine
1/2 cup onion -- chopped fine
liquid from Pork skillet (add a few tablespoons water to clean pork chop bits from pan)


Brown pork chops well. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Prepare dressing, Add dressing spices and liquid from pork chops as part of the liquid. Add celery and onion. Layer in casserole beginning and ending with dressing. Cover and bake 45 minutes at 325 degrees. Add moisture if needed.

Serve with applesauce and a bright colored vegetable.

Happy Easter

I wish you all a Happy Easter.

One sunny day last weekend I looked across the street and in the front yard, close to the house, was a black bunny rabbit loping around. I knew the little son had just gotten it from a friend. The kids weren't around and it appeared to me to be loose...ooomps, these granny eyes couldn't tell there was a wire cage around it. Before I realized the cage bit, I had already dialed their number. They answered about the time I figured it out. Then I had to admit what I had done.

How many times do we "not really see" the whole situation in life and go by what the first glace tells us?

During this Easter Season and on, I'm going RE=THINK the first glances realizing there is always more than what meets the eyes.

At first glance, Jesus had died on the cross. The second glance saw him alive once again and the Third glance saw him raise up into the heavens to be with God. Now I await my glance when I, too, leave this earth and will be with Him. Selfishly I'm planning on enjoying many years here still learning and loving, but when I do go, I will be able to verify more than the first glances seen by others but, unseen, believed by me.

Happy Easter to you, whether it is the belief of bunnies and eggs and chicks or the celebration of our Risen Lord.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Cute little guy

We saw sunshine today and blue sky. What a wondrous day in spite of the coolness and wind. Really makes a person's heart sing when the sun shines.

Won't be long until it lasts more than a few hours or a day at a time. Then I'm really looking forward to playing with my camera.

Hope your day was a great one, too.

My gift from my sister

As I shared the other day, I bought a new camera and am learning to take good pictures. My sister is very involved in creating "pages" with her pictures. She's been after me to send her the one's I've taken so she could see them. I never dreamed she would put them together and send me this picture.

I just had to share with you.... Happy Spring

Spring Has Sprung

Oh how I love Daffodils in the spring time. One of the early signs of Spring.

I'm learning my camera (trying to learn how not to shake, laughing. I'm after some bird pictures to share. We have a red headed sapsucker of the woodpecker family but so far I haven't been able to get him to show his whole body to the camera. So far, I've gotten a blurry red head...

Camera and Recipe

I have ordered a new digital camera. It'll be here next week. Then I can show you pictures that I've taken as I get into the habit of daily walks with Spring on the way.

When I started my blog I showed you pictures my sister had taken. Sister's like to compete, grinning, so we will see what I will be able to come up with.

I'm sure behind on this blog but haven't felt well for a while and I promise I will be doing much better.

So I leave you now with a yummy recipe to try...

Pork Chops and Dressing
(So tender and yummy. Serve with applesauce and a vegetable)

6 lean, boneless pork chops
1 box Stove Top Dressing
1 stalk celery -- chopped fine
1/2 cup onion -- chopped fine
liquid from Pork skillet

Brown pork chops well. Prepare dressing, celery and onion. Add dressing spices and liquid from pork chops as part of the liquid. Layer in casserole beginning and ending with dressing. Cover and bake 45 minutes at 325 degrees. Add moisture if needed.

Snow again

Southwest Washington is expecting snow again. This time the signs of spring will show through the snow and we know it won't last long. Actually about 24-36 hours.

My daffodils are getting close to blooming and green is beginning to show on the lilac's and wild bushes in amongst the trees.

The bird watching is fun along with the squirrels scurrying around in the front yard. We have a beautiful red headed Sap Sucker drilling on some wood to let others know he is around. So many different kinds of birds are feeding at the feeders.

Yeah, Spring is coming, Spring is coming. Yipee!

Sunday's

Sunday's are a special day for me. They start my week by attending church services at Stella Chapel, which we call our Chapel in the Woods.

My history with this Lutheran church begain 65 years ago when I was 4. At that time it met in a living room of a couple who lived at Stella. It grew and grew so eventually our little chapel came into existence. It has been added on to giving us a big family room for dinners and social times. A favorite is coffee and goodies after church or our 3rd Sunday potluck.

As a teenager I was in the youth group. We had so much fun. We put on plays for the church members and many other things. Our youth group met with a group in town and we had a scavenger hunt. I was almost 16 at the time. We broke off in groups and one of the fellows decided he would date me. I had not been allowed to date as the magic age was 16 but my family knew of his family and gave the ok. 3 years later we were married in this little church and the rest is history. 51 years of marriage this year.

So now you know why Stella Lutheran Chapel means so much to me. I feel close to God as I'm sitting there listening to the pastor. The people around me are family, my church family.

Thank you, Lord for all the years I have spent with you.

There's nothing like a few days at the Oregon Coast

I feel so fortunate to live within 1 1/2 hours from the Oregon Coast. We went down with friends and stayed at Seaside, Oregon for two nights.

The smell of the ocean, the seagulls, the tide coming in and going out, what a beautiful scene. The rain and winds were not so beautiful but we love the greens of the Pacific NW and without the rain, we wouldn't have the lush spring and summer.

Because of the WWW....

Because of the WWW the world has grown so small.

The other night I received an e-mail, one with a page of recipes on the WWW. I started laughing and this is why...


Years ago (like 14 or a little less) I had quit working. I had to quit because of my health. I loved my job, it was a wonderful one.

To keep my mind busy I got a new computer and found a 50 plus group on the internet. The group has officially disbanded but stays in touch via different ways... Anyway we made a Web home online. One of the most popular sections was a cookbook (it's still online at
http://www.50plusfriends.com/cookbook/


Anyway, friends that we have dinner with often, received the crock pot chapter in an e-mail. So the great cookbook is still traveling the web. That's good as we put a lot of hours into it.

Guess what goes around really does come back around.

Grandchildren

This morning I've been thinking of my 8 grandchildren and how special they are and how much we love them. They are growing up so fast. Our oldest is 25 and our youngest is 13.

Each one has their own specialness. One is not loved more than another. We are so proud of each one and their accomplishments, their dreams, their lovingness, their honesty, their abilities. Of course they are not perfect. They are kids are finding their own paths. Some of their decisions haven't been the best but they have grown from them. We love them unconditionally.

And then there are the great granddaughters. What a treasure. I love talking to them and seeing them through the video cam. What a blessing the computer is for families that are separated by miles.

I thank my children for their children and my granddaughter for her children. Life is great, life is beautiful. Family is my treasure.

Pussy Willows

Pussy willows are beginning to bloom. We don't have any in our yard but was visiting Mom and they are busting out of their coats. I love to see them before they start getting their pollen as I'm allergic to that. But they are another sign Spring is near.

We have so many birds fluttering around. Guess that's because they are well fed. It's so fun to watch them and listen to their music. We had 8 squirrels feeding yesterday. They have fun chasing each other and soon will be doing it in love..... mating time for them is near.

We quit feeding our raccoons, fearing for our little Sparky's safety. An eight pound dog hasn't a chance with a 30 pound raccoon.

Valentines Day...almost 51 years of marriage to the same guy, add on 3 years of going together. It's amazing as we are both only 55 years old... ha ha ha

Sunshine

What a difference a sunshine, blue sky makes for me. Spring is truly around the corner.

Paying it forward

I was just visiting another blog, CountryWhispers, and she was sharing the concept of paying it forward.

I've always liked this way of showing others that someone cares. Sometimes it quietly with out letting them know who you are and other times they know. Just seeing a smile on their face or to overhear them sharing about it puts a smile in my heart. This is how it works:


The first 5 people to leave a comment on this post will get something handmade by me or possibly store-bought. (It just depends!) You will have no idea of what it will be until it reaches your mailbox. I will try to come up with something that matches each person's likes. ( You will receive an email from me asking a few questions like your favorite colors, scents, hobbies, holidays, seasons, etc.)Each person will receive their package by 6/1/09 if not before.**The only requirement to participate is that you MUST make the same offer on your blog.**A small gift wrapped in a smile & a little support goes a long ways towards lifting the spirits of a total stranger who quickly becomes a friend. Please join the fun and "pay it forward."

A New Start

Here I go again...

Today is the day I'm starting back to Weight Watchers. I quit going in October and it's been downhill ever since, so back I go.

I had been so very successful but when you have lot's to lose it takes so long and the $$$ add up but now I've decided that at my age I need to work harder to be healthier and it's worth it. So back to my doctor's goal for me.

The WW program is so healthy and I felt much better when I was staying away from fats/sugar/white flour. So many yummy evil things can be made with these products. Salt is a major problem for me and I've slipped in that area, too.

So today is a new beginning. I'm leaving the past three months behind and heading for my goal.