Happy 4th of July, otherwise known as Independence Day!
Back to regular posting next week – Catch you back here tomorrow!
Today’s post created using Canva.
Category: THOUGHTS
The star of the show!
Saw this on a walk in Michigan. This dandelion is truly the star of the show.
Stand tall, don’t YOU be afraid to be the star of the show – Remember, you feel happiness when the little things in life capture your attention and make you smile.
It’s the little things… they’re HUGE, don’t miss them!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Happy Father’s Day!
This is another photo from the archives. Look at that sky! The reflection in the water! The slight rippling, the outline of the boat and motor, the dark horizon! Mysterious and wonderful!
This photo looks like a good Father’s Day type photo… where you wish your dad a peaceful day, hanging out doing what he likes best… fishing!
Happy Father’s Day to both of our dads!
To my dad: Dad, thank you for being the super cool, fun dad who I’ve learned so much from. I have so many wonderful memories of special things that you have done, remember the treasure box you made me? I still have it! The paintings and treasures, the photos that you’ve taken and developed in your dark room struck something in me that I loved at that young age. To watch you polish rocks, make jewelry, build a canoe, paint, woodwork and everything in between, you are an inspiration. I can only hope to keep up with you… thank you for introducing me to Pickleball, what a blast! I love you so much, and am proud to call you my dad!
To Fred’s dad: Thank you for being a dad who Fred could always learn things from. He has told me many wonderful stories from his youth, namely the camping days… what fun for a kid to have a summer like that! What a sacrifice for you to drive back and forth to work. I am so thankful you are his dad! I’m sure you know what a wonderful son you’ve got – thank you for that!!
Love you both – xoxo, me
To Charlie’s dad: Thank you Fred for being the best dog dad, not to mention the most wonderful husband ever! We are blessed beyond belief!
Love you! xxoo, me
I am also thinking of all of you out there who have a dad that has passed away. I know this day must be difficult. I hope you feel his presence…
Thinking of you… ❤️Catch you back here tomorrow!
Flag Day!
Happy Flag Day!
This photo was taken on the Elizabeth Ann from Monhegan Boat Line (we have always taken Elizabeth Ann on the way to Monhegan and Laura B on the return, both are such cool boats)! Monhegan Boat Line is located in Port Clyde, Maine – a place that is near and dear to our hearts. The nicest people, with a sense of humor, which is so appreciated. They also have a cool gift shop, don’t pass it up!
Catch you back here tomorrow – Back to regular posting next week!
Dramatic Shadows!
This is one eye-catching geranium in it’s hot coral splendor! Just look at the dramatic shadow. I have a thing with shadows, they always catch my eye, it’s like a work of art!
Have a wonderful Sunday and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
Happy Day!
Do you know how to keep cut lily’s fresh for a longer period of time? It’s easy!
I will often buy these at the grocery store just because they smell amazing – they’re beautiful to look at too! I usually buy them closed (and not open as you see here), it doesn’t take them long to open (especially here in Charleston)! Once you get them home, be sure to give them a fresh cut, at an angle, under running, cool water. Then snip the pollen off of the stamens. The central pistil (dark “thing” in the center, is surrounded by pistils that have a rust colored pollen attached. Simply snip the pollen off, leaving the rest of the stamen. (As shown). Now the pollen won’t land on the petals (or furniture!), which means the bloom will be beautiful!
Cut lily’s do best OUT OF THE SUN, they like it nice and cool!
A fresh flower = a Happy Day! Catch you back here tomorrow!
Monhegan Island, Maine at Sunset
This photo was taken early fall last year. Almost every night there was a beautiful sunset. These breathtaking scenes just happened to be at the time of our dinner reservation each night. Thankfully Fred is understanding while I run out and snap “a few” photos. I think we need to make a reservation after sunset, because when there is a sunset like this it is so awe inspiring you can’t help but to be captivated by it and to feel so utterly blessed to be in such a magnificent place, especially when you can share your love of this place with those you love.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Reaching for the Heavens…
I took this photo a month or so ago, I love the light and the way the oak branches seem to be reaching for the heavens.
These old oak trees never fail to impress me, day after day. We feel fortunate to have such beauty right in front of us!
Back to normal posting 5/16!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Thinking carefully about the plan of attack…
At night about an hour after dinner, Charlie gets 1/2 of a VeggieDent (cleans teeth). It’s the highlight of his day. Once we give it to him, he runs off with it. Then stares at it… no doubt considering the best way to “take this chewy down”. A minute or two later he’ll have it flying all over the living room, tossing it around, then he goes in for the kill (he eats his chewy, truly nothing gruesome going on, ha ha).
The life of Charlie! ❤️
Back to normal posting 5/16!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day to all you mom’s out there. This is a special day for you…
While writing this I read through my older Mother’s Day posts, and I’ve got to say. I love every one of them! I’m repeating one this year, since it seems to cover everything just as I would like it to:
Happy Mother’s Day! But wait… before you say, “I’m not a mother”… this wish is for all of you who…
–ARE a mom: I’m sure the joy is overwhelming, as well as the worry and stress, but the love… ahhh, that beats all, right? Know you are blessed!
–WANT to be a mom: so it’s not your time yet, that’s OK. Enjoy your life, get out and do things so that once you do have children you don’t feel like you’re missing out!
–TRIED to be: for all of you who have felt the heartbreak of wanting to be a parent, but having it not work out for one reason or another, I feel for you. I understand. I’m in the same boat. Find what brings you joy and move on with your life. You can spend forever on “what if’s” but you will be much happier if you move on… (such as) help out a friend with children, teach them something special, something important like being nice to others, volunteering, there are other options, not the ones you probably dreamed about, but life does get good again…
–DON’T want to be: hey, everyone has a reason. If having children isn’t your deal, that’s fine. Help a friend with their child once in a while, or teach a child how to bake cookies, some cool, fun, important (cookie baking!) life skill!
To my mom, I would like to say that you are the absolute coolest mom and I love you to pieces… I wish we lived closer! AHHH… I’ve learned a lot from you, even though I don’t think you realized it. Like… the importance of saying no instead of being overwhelmed and miserable. My note taking surely I got from you, and that lead to my writing… I love to talk about cooking and recipes, food and health, books and so much more with you. I love knowing you’re on the other end of the phone when I call! Thank you for being my mom! I love you mom!!
To Fred’s mom, I would like to say that you are such a great role model, someone who is truly caring and shows it by helping others every chance you get. You are always there whenever we need you. We’re very fortunate to live close although we don’t see each other every day, its a nice feeling knowing that we can be there in a moments notice! It’s fun comparing our Dr. Oz notes and trying to keep up with what’s good for you and bad for you since it changes constantly! Thank you for being Fred’s mom! We love you!!
Ok, get out and do something good for someone. Make someone smile today.
MAKE. SOMEONE. SMILE. TODAY…
Repeat tomorrow… and the next day… and the next day… and the next day… etc.
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Heaven on Earth!
Ahhh, Monhegan Island, Maine. Gorgeous. Stunning. Simple beauty everywhere you look. Nighttime skies that cannot be matched. Morning sunrises that will make you open your eye, grab your camera and dash down three flights of stairs in your PJ’s… this place is Heaven.
Posting a photo each day for the next few weeks – time for me to have a break. Back to normal posting 5/16!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
What did I do?
HI! My name is Charlie and I love to eat dirt, rocks, grass, ferns, paper and pretty much anything else I can get…
Ugh. Our last dog was a picky eater. We were so happy when we found out that Charlie will eat anything. Until, he eats everything, sigh…
Have a great Sunday and I’ll catch you back here tomorrow!
In A Hurry? Newman’s Own Pizza with Arugula – Delicious!
What a delight! Newman’s Own Four Cheese (frozen) Pizza (Multigrain crust with flaxseed) is a fabulous option when you’re in a hurry. Just pull it out of the freezer, put it into the oven to bake (10 minutes), then pull it out, top it with baby arugula, a light drizzle of olive oil and a dusting of parmesan.
The arugula adds the nicest flavor!
Newman’s Own pizza does not taste like frozen. I never bought frozen pizza until a friend (thank you Heather!) suggested this one. WOW! Was she ever right! Our local Harris Teeter carried the (uncured) pepperoni, which is tasty, but we just wanted plain cheese, so they have started to carry (thank you Harris Teeter!).
For a thin crust, this one is perfect, not too thin, but not thick and doughy… A fabulous treat!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
There’s a lizzie in my chair…
Who spends their days trying to save Lizzie’s? I do. Sad but true. I find them fascinating, so does Charlie, but in an entirely different manor. He loves the way they dart around. They’re everywhere, and he will stick his nose deep into dirt to find them.
Lovely.
This one likes my chair 😳, but only when it’s in the sun. Move over Lizzie!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
If you use a gas grill, then THIS will make your day!
We ran to Costco last weekend, as we walked in we spotted this sign.
Do you see these prices? WOW! We pay so much more than that this is hard to believe! A (regular) gas grill propane tank is 20#. So the max cost would be $7.49 (+ tax). If you took it in to have it filled and it wasn’t quite empty it would be even cheaper!
We pay more than twice that right now!
NOTE:
Tanks are not refilled inside the store, so do not take your empty propane cylinder into the store. The Charleston store refills propane near the Tire department (I think that’s what I read). Definitely not inside the store (for obvious reasons).
Catch you back here tomorrow!
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