new pictures

When I was in Michigan we Capris did our usual eating/shopping jaunt. Home Goods is always a favorite stop for everyone.  While in the picture area I came across a set of 4 pictures that I just loved… I started putting them into my cart when I realized that I had no where to hang them. A couple of minutes later Mrs Schmenkman came into the same isle and saw the same pictures and was trying to decide where she could put them. Then along came The Decorator and they were discussing it. I walked into the conversation as The Decorator was saying that she should wait until they got further along in the decorating process in Mrs. Schmenkman’s lower level before she bought pictures. I was glad to hear that because I had figured out exactly  where I could put them! 

The decorator liked my idea to put them over my mantle because she has always thought I had too much stuff  up there. (I had exactly 6 things plus a pinecone wreath that my Mama EEEK made for me)

So here’s the end result… whatcha think Decorator lady???

Doing the Happy Dance

FINALLY!!!!!!

God has blessed us with a much prayed for, bee-u-tee-ful, long, slow, soaking rain!

The remanants of tropical storm Fay are passing over us slowly, which is exactly what has been needed for the past couple of months. I’m just sure I can hear the gardens laughing

I can’t work outside at Chesley today so I’m off on a plant shopping trip to look for flowers to replace what the x@#%*X deer have eaten in the gardens out there! The boss’s daughter’s wedding is out there in three weeks so I’ve got to come up with a miracle here.

And since I’ll be in the area I’ll just have to make a quick run through the ‘Big Cheap Store’… should be a good day!

Back to real life

The trip to Michigan was just wonderful. The wedding was simply magical. Spending time with my family and friends… priceless!

This is the gorgeous bride and handsome groom. Under a full moon, they danced to ‘Broken Road’.

 I cried.

The wedding reception was held on a yacht that cruised on the Detroit river. There was a full glowing moon and the weather was perfect, the lights of Detroit and Windsor Canada on either side,  the Ambassador Bridge lined with lights… magic. Oh, did I mention the sunset???…

Here’s me and Mr. C …  not the best hair day for either of us.

What a wonderful night to remember.

Misc stuff…

Today is Mr. C’s birthday. I sure am glad he was born! I do love that man. 

I’m currently trying to figure out what to pack for a trip back to Michigan. My Godchild/ neice is getting married on Saturday. I did manage to lose some of the extra poundage I’ve been hauling around, but not enough in my opinion. I absolutely hate the way all of my clothes look on me. Trying to decide what to pack makes that fact even more apparent! I just wear grubbies and big loose baggy clothes around here cuz I’m always outside working in a garden someplace… no need to try to look cute while doing that. I look like Pig-pen most of the time anyway.

I’m stressing about going away too… always do when I’m about to leave for any amount of time. Like the household will just completely fall apart if I’m gone… yeah right, I’m placing way too much importance on myself. I do really miss my kitties when I go away though… and the turtles, and the chickens, and Jibbitz.

That reminds me, I’ve gotten to giggling at myself a lot recently because I’ve taken to going out on the back hill in the woodland garden where Jibbitz lives and calling for him just about every day. I can’t imagine what the neighbor’s  must think when they hear me yelling  JIBBITZ… JIBBITZ…. JIBBITZ  at all different times of the day! Makes me the think of Margaret, the crazy old lady that used to live behind us when I was a kid who would walk up and down the alley cussing and screaming at imaginary people. I think the poor old soul was schizophrenic, bless her heart.

Yummo

The cukes are coming on strong although the vines look a bit sickly. As my father-in-law would say “my cukes got the blight this year.” Just the leaves look bad though not the fruit.

Anyway, I usually get a good harvest of cukes and there’s just not THAT much you can do with them. Put em in salads of course, or the old stand-by; cukes & onions in sour cream and vinegar dressing. You can eat em raw, sprinkled with salt & pepper or dipped in your favorite dressing. After awhile though you start getting a wee bit tired of them. A couple of years back I came across this recipe and I just can’t seem to get enough of it!

COLD CREAMY CUCUMBER SOUP

You’ll need:
1/2 stick butter
4-5 good size cukes
1 good size sweet onion
1 1/2 -2 cups chicken broth
tsp salt
dill weed dried and fresh
8oz sour cream
1/2 plain yogurt (optional) You could use all sour cream

You’ll also need a good size food processor for this one… or a good blender would probably work too.

Peel,  seed and chop into (1 inch or so) pieces 4-5 large cucumbers

Peel and chop 1 large vidalia or another type sweet onion

Saute onion and cucumbers with a half stick of butter until tender, use a deep dutch oven type pot.

Transfer sauteed and tender cukes & onion into food processor and pulse until smooth. (It will kinda look like grits when you’re done)

Since your pot is now empty, put one and a half cups of chicken broth in it along with a teaspoon of salt, and a tablespoon of dried dill weed and then add back into the pot your processed cukes & onion and stir.

Simmer at a low boil for about 5 minutes or so and remove from heat. Add 1 cup of sour cream and a half cup of plain yogurt and whisk until it dissolves into the warm mixture.  Put it into a large bowl and chill for a 4-6 hours. It’s best really cold!

Garnish with fresh chopped dill right before serving.

I had enough fresh dill for my first couple of batches, but I think these guys are going to get the rest…

They are Tiger-swallowtail caterpillars so I’ll just go ahead and let them feast. I’ll sow more dill seed right away though!

Anyone else got good recipes or ideas for cucumbers?