Yard

Yard

Thursday, June 27, 2013

MARTHA and ME


Everyone knows that I am an avid Martha Stewart fan.  I would faithfully watch her TV program daily, and never failed to get an idea or two for gardening, meals or books to read.  When they discontinued her show, I was devastated.  But, recently I have re-discovered her on U-Tube.

 
Once when I was substituting at the school where Heather teaches, one of the students said, "You look like that Martha Stewart person."  I was thrilled.
 
 
Maybe it was the blond hair? 
 
 
I love to watch Martha cook.  She always uses the very freshest ingredients, and can even make a simple soup like this look fabulous.  And, she never wastes anything! 
 
 
What she doesn't use in the meal, she makes into a magnificent flower arrangement like this one, showing lettuce, artichokes, kale and fresh herbs.  Any scraps go to the chickens.
 
 
We have fresh ingredients too, like these jalapeno peppers.  I wonder if Martha ever had jalapenos stuffed with Pepper Jack Cheese, sprinkled with a Cajun Rub?
 
 
Who needs to arrange flowers when you can buy potted Gerbera Daisies?
 
 
If I do make a flower arrangements I just love Salstice when placed among roses or other flowers.  It looks a little like purple Baby's Breath.
 
 
Somehow I don't envision these vegetables in a flower arrangement.  Martha, though, would put them in a horn of plenty, or some other imaginative container.
 
 
 
Although I have learned a lot from Martha, I must give most of the credit for any culinary or gardening talent I may have, to my beautiful mother, who really knew her way around a kitchen as well as a garden.  She was the one who encouraged me to learn as much as I could, and to always do my best.  (She also taught me to eat fresh vegetables right out of the garden---YUM!)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Thursday, June 20, 2013

Summertime in Illinois




From 1990 to 1997 we vacationed in McHenry, Illinois every summer.  This is a view from the house overlooking the Fox River.  It was a beautiful spot, and the boat in the distance was ours.

 
The boat provided hours of fun and entertainment.  Here we have Jason and Heather coming back from a trip down the river.
 
 
We could also take the boat to a restaurant for lunch or dinner.  My sister, Darlene loves boating, and here she's disembarking to go to Pink Harrison's Resort.
 
 
Sometimes we would take the boat over to Cousin Bruce's house where he would cook us a giant fish fry.  He would fry the fish and vegetables in the same pan just like you do when you are camping.
 
 
Cousin Bruce had a really nice boat suitable for water skiing, and on this day everyone took a turn.
 
 
Every summer we were joined by my cousin MaryAnn and her daughters and granddaughters.  Here she is with little Amanda.
 
 
Here's Heather with another of MaryAnn's granddaughters---Alicia.
 
 
How cute is granddaughter Lizzy with that hat!  Grandpa George was always wonderful with the babies.
 
 
Darlene's daughter Chantelle also came, and enjoyed boating as much as her mother.
 
 
Here are Heather and Chantelle at the McHenry Dam.
 
 
Another point of interest in McHenry was the Volo Bog.  Bogs are wet marshy ground consisting mainly of decomposing plant matter.  There are several in the McHenry area.  Adam, Heather and Jason seem fascinated  :))
 
 
Here we are riding into the sunset.  We have lots of great memories from McHenry, Illinois.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Dad's Day


It seems we are always celebrating something.  There is a day for everything from Donuts (June 7th) to Hugs (February 13th), Earth (April 22nd) to Friendship (August 5th).  So, it is no surprise that we have Father's Day every 3rd Sunday of June.  Father's Day was inevitable as soon as Mother's Day got established as the busiest Phone Call and Restaurant Visiting Day ever.  Although mothers invariably get taken to breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner at their favorite restaurant, fathers end up having to barbeque for the rest of the clan.

 
This might not be Father's Day, but my hubby, Duane, is often called upon to grill for family and friend get togethers.  By the way, he's a great Dad.
 
 
Another great Dad, Scott, is a Chip off the Old Block.
 
 
It's hard to beat Jason in the fathering category.  He's even been known to change diapers!
 
 
A father who was lost too soon, Dave, loved his kids.
 
 
Then there's my Dad, who could be hilarious at times.  He would often put on the women's coats and hats, making everyone laugh.
 
 
Bratwurst anyone???
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Maddie and Uncle Adam


 
Maddie and her Uncle Adam have many things in common, not the least of which is that their birthdays are both in June.
 

 
Sometimes we celebrate their birthdays together.
 

 
They both like water sports.
 
 
She likes to find the eggs at Easter that Uncle Adam loves to hide.
 

 
They both enjoy boating.
 

 
At Thanksgiving, he enjoys cooking, and Maddie likes making place settings and other holiday customs, like this tree of thanks that we did last year.
 
 
Maddie loves ballet, and enjoys her recitals----Adam is getting used to ballet  :)
 
 
What more can I say?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sunday, June 2, 2013

CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'--------SANTA BARBARA


As many of you know, I'm the queen of the mini-trips.  When summer approaches, I can't wait to start planning weekends away----preferably to the beach.  Our first trip of the summer took us to a place we return to time and again-------Santa Barbara.

 
This time we went with our friends Paul and Jeannie, and stayed at the West Beach Inn, and had rooms overlooking the fabulous Santa Barbara Harbor.  This is a view from our room.
 

 
We always seem to take the same pictures when we arrive.  The balcony draws us like a magnet.
 
 
Unbeknownst to them, we got a photo of Paul and Jeannie arriving.
 
 
Right before our friends arrived we couldn't resist getting a beer and a glass of wine at the East Beach Grill which is right on the sand, a short distance from our hotel.  That evening, we all went to The Fish House----a local outstanding eatery, and were joined by Adam and Melissa who were actually travelling nearby.  Can't beat the Fish House for-----FISH!
 
 
Jeannie and I don't mind doing a free ad for the Hotel.  If you look above the sign, our rooms are on the top floor near the flag.
 

 
The next morning we couldn't believe our eyes when we saw the original Sambos Restaurant about a block from our hotel.  It was opened in 1957 and is filled with memorable photos.  The food is still delicious and here are Paul and Jeannie enjoying the meal.
 
 
 
You can't go to Santa Barbara without strolling down its wharf, which is a long pier with shops and restaurants.  The wind is fierce and hats are a must.  I had a strange experience this time when I got stung by some sort of bug right on my neck.  Jeannie, a retired teacher, and always good in an emergency, was able to pull out the stinger which we all decided was quite lengthy.  Wonder what it was?????
 
 
Eating is a favorite pastime when you are in Santa Barbara.  We can't go there without having a meal at "Harry's" which is up State Street out of the downtown area.  This place has been frequented by every celebrity you can name, and their pictures fill the walls.  Harry was a very popular guy.  His son now runs the restaurant and actually goes around to each table for a chat.  This time Jeannie, Duane and I shared a couple of fish and chips meals that were the best I'd ever tasted.
 
 
The last morning suited our mood, as we didn't want to leave, but the fog rolled in and it even drizzled a little.  However, it is beautiful rain or shine, and I can't wait to return.