We Got The Car Today.......YAY!!!

And I started the day off with Chocolate so the day went way better then usual.......hahahahaha!!!!!

Every thing worked out pretty well, concidering there were lots of hoops we had to jump through buying this car. (see previous blog) But oh, it looks great sitting in our drive way. (Picture to follow in next blog.) I got to drive it home from Fond Du Lac today, air conditioner works great and the ride was really smooth. I am a happy camper!!! We got the financing and had the title released as the Taurus was paid for via the loan which we still owed $400 on for the roof. When we got down to FDL the dealer said we could not drive the Taurus back home without plates on, (our plan was to drop off the Taurus at the Junk yard but, we did not have the title release either) so she set us up with temp plates on the Dodge. When we get to the junk yard the plates go on the Dodge and the temps get thrown in the garbage. That will probably be tomorrow......(sniff) I shall miss the Taurus, it was a good little car, But it kept us close to home for fear of something breaking on a long trip. Now, we can go for little mini vacation for a day and come back......I think this shall be a good summer with a few trips in the future.

Well, tis time to close this blog for today. Need to go do some dishes and begin to decide what JP should have for dinner @ 1:00 am. Chicken Noodle Soup, so far, is on the menu. Maybe fish and some sort of vegie and his fruit with yogurt. JP would be happy with fish every night, but we need to change it up for varities sake!!!

You all have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh.

Cheers ~ Louise

Another Tart and a New "Used" Car

 Yes..........I made another tart and this one was even better then the last one. Used 7 fillio sheets, added the filling as in the recipe in the previous blog and topped with the vegies like as if it was a pizza then topped with bacon. Really good and the crust, as you can see with a lovely brown. I think I shall try this for all my pies. It is actually fun to work with and I can get 6 pies @ $4.49 a package verses 2 pie crusts at $1.99.

 As you can see......there was not much left and JP ate the last of the tart, all that was left........a few crumbs. This tart had the ricotta cheese, Mexican taco cheese, egg and chives. Spread on the fillio sheets, then layered with spinich, green and yellow zucchini, tomato, onion and pre-cooked bacon, drizzled olive oil and sprinkled parmasian cheese and chives. And, Wah-lah a wonderful tart. Baked at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes.

 We looked at this car today and are in the midst of making arrangements to buy it. It's an older car, purple in color with grey interior, a 1996 Dodge Caravan with 78K miles for $4,300. It runs really well, we took it for a spin, I am excited, cause there is hardly any rust and everything works. NOW finally we can take a trip someplace and there is actually room for Kylie to even walk around......funny how we buy things to accommodate our animals.

Our '97 Ford Taurus had over 143K miles and over $3,500 worth of work that needed to be done. I just could not see, sinking more $$$ into it. So, it will end up at the junk yard for parts and we will get $350 for it. It's been a good car for the last 2 1/2 years we have had it, but it needed alot of work too. Hopefully this new/old car will carry us through maintinance free for a while.

Well, it is time to go make JP's lunches and smoothie. Talk to you later, if you don't hear from me for a while....we are busy with the cars. Have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh.

Cheers ~ Louise

PS. Please excuse the mis-spelled words, as my "spell-check" is mal-functioning on IE. I probably have to go to google to do my blogs and there I will find "spell-check" again. So until then......

Tomato Zucchini Tart and New Pots'n Pans

 Hi Everyone.....how's your day going?? I thought it was time to change my blog header. That is a picture of my "column" Apple tree. It's been growing for years and years. This is the first year that it was covered with blossoms, hope that is a good sign that I will have lots of apples this year. I must spray the tree this time around. I have gotten some apples but they were always buggy and the birds and squirrles got the apples before this human could. So, hopefully this year we all will be happy.

So in the above picture you see my tart in the making. I used fillio sheets, about 5-6 sheets, sprayed each sheet and laid them on each other, criss-crossing them. You can use your favorite pie crust or a puff pastry also.  The filling is anything you would like, I used Ricotta cheese, one egg and Mozzarella cheese, (you can use goat cheese, parmisian, garlic, lemon zest or herbs for seasoning. I used chopped chives from the garden.

 I then layered the pie with green and yellow zucchini, red onion (if you are not an onion fan, omit) and sliced tomatos alternating. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with herbs or basil and parmasian cheese.

 Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. One good tip, lay the tomatoes on a paper towel to soak up the juices so it won't be so juicy in the pie. You can see in this picture, the tomato juice laying on the vegies. It didn't hurt the taste though. It was really good and I will make this again, for sure. Don't think it is carrying a whole lot of calories according to a few other recipes I have found. Another recipe I have, "zucchini and ricotta galette" is on the list to try.

Here you see my NEW set of stainless steel (made in China) pots 'n pans I just received via UPS. I guess this would be my 5th set of pots 'n pans since we have been married (40 years - yikes, where did that time go.)

Anyways, I got the set through "Silkies" a nylon place that I have been a member of, for eons, I want to get out of the membership, but have to spend my points.........I had 55 points, these pots 'n pans were 47 points leaving me with 8 more points then I can cancel my membership. A person can use just so many pairs of nylons, knee-his and socks. I don't wear nylons much anymore so I do have a well established inventory of nylons and knee-hi's now. Time to cancel and save some money. The pots 'n pans only cost me $12 for postage and shipping.........but it is hard to tell how much I spent on nylons, knee-hi's and socks over the years??!!??!!

Well, I worked on my water fountain last night for about 5 hours.....let's just say, it is coming along fine. I am very sore today, my feet and fingers were cramping up last night from all that heavy lifting, but I am better today. Ready for another round today. Which reminds me, I must close this blog for today as I need to get ready to go to the store and get JP his prunes. So you all take care and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh. Cheers ~ Louise

Have a great Memorial Week-end and remember those that died that you could live and enjoy your freedoms.

Outagamie Master Gardener Pictures from Saturday

 Hi everyone....well, it's the start of another week. The weather is supposed to be a rainy for the next 4 days, off and on. It's sunny right now and very pleasant. Thought I would add some pictures taken at the Master Gardener's 15th Annual Plant Sale on Saturday. I bought 2 plants, a garlic plant and the cute little blue flowers in this next picture. Their names are "Grape Hyacinth". In the above picture you see how the Master Gardeners have made a lovely landscape of the trees outside their offices.

 These are the cute little blue flowers I bought.....their names are "Grape Hyacinth." They need sun and will grow 8-10" tall, they are a perennial, as were most of the plants there.

 Here we have "trilliums" growing in the Master Gardeners beautifully landscaped front yard. When we lived on our 20 acres in Ladysmith, WI (76-85, gosh that was a long time ago), we had lots of trilliums growing in our woods.

 I am not sure what these flowers are called, there was no name tag, But I thought they were worthy of a picture.

Here again you see all the tables set up for the sale and it was a lovely day to beat. There were also vendors there selling their garden decorations. There were a few classes being taught also, which I missed. Making bird baths and stepping stones with rhubard leaves and cement. Which is a project I would like to try someday.

Well, time to close for the day........have a few errands to run and pay the electric bill. Take care and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh.

Cheers ~ Louise

Birthday #66 Continued

 JP hit #66 on the 17th of May......now he has caught up to me and we shall be 66 together.....fun, fun. Made JP a chocolate Wacky Cake with cream cheese frosting and strawberries, here you see it all lit up with one candle.

 This is the birthday card I made for JP. Actually made it at Betty's house and thought it was the perfect card to give to JP.

Although I did have to explain it to him and what the card meant with the guys rear end showing....he finally got it!!

 So we went to B.J. Clancy's for dinner Friday evening. For JP's free dinner, he got fish, green pepper soup and a fruit bowl. As you can see, before I could take a picture, it was all gone.

 Me, I got a salad, London broil and fries........yum!!!

 Here you see JP is "SUPER EXCITED" about getting his free chocolate ice cream....there's a sparkler shimmering.....kinda hard to see........I said to JP, in this picture "You sure do look like your mother!!!"

 Today we went to the Outagamie Master Gardeners 15th Annual Sale. I ended up getting a garlic plant and a little purple flower......not sure where I will plant it yet. Not sure of it's name either.

Here, we are at Van's Northside Hardware. They have beautiful flowers here. Got some red and white petunias. White Geraniums, and White Cosmos.....I guess that is my color scheme....white and red. I did buy a pink flower....forget it's name...but it will sit on the porch because it does not like direct sun, more of a shade plant. Maybe it might end up somewhere around my fountain, lot's of shade there.

Well, we never made it to "Serious Burger" maybe, next week. Allergies were bothering me some today, but we did manage to get some more painting done on the front porch. Still have the floor to stain, maybe in a couple of weeks. There is lots of weeds to pull in the front yard.......gosh, so much to do!!! But every little bit that's done, makes for one more accomplishment!!!

Time to close, it's almost 11pm and I still have a few more things to do. Tomorrow is church. If the weather is nice tomorrow we shall cook on the grill and maybe plant a few plants and bring out my ceramic animals.

You all have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh.

Cheers ~ Louise

Happy Birthday 2 JP

 Happy Birthday to you ♫ ♪ ♫ Happy Birthday to you ♫ ♪ ♫

Happy Birthday dear JP ♫ ♪ ♫ Happy Birthday to you ♫ ♪ ♫

♫ ♪ ♫ How Old Are YOU ♫ ♪ ♫

66 Years Old ???? You caught up with me....now we will be 66 together for 6 months...yeah!!!

JP's Chocolate Wacky Cake with cream cheese frosting and strawberries.....oh yum!! Will show you JP's Birthday Card tomorrow.



Here is JP enjoying retirement with Doug.

Our plans for tomorrow...we will go for a "Free" Steak Dinner at BJ Clancy's at 4:00, and do a little shopping. On Saturday is the plant sale for the Outagamie County Master Gardeners and maybe we will eat at "Serious Burger" after the sale. So those are the plans for now....they may change depending on the weather and my alergies.

Time to close, have to go get JP's dinner ready ~ have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh!!

Cheers ~ Louise



Projects Needing TLC

How you all doing? Spring has sprung and I have found lots of things to occupy my time. This little statue has lost all it's color. I should have brought it in last fall, but......I procrastinated. Only paid 50 cents for it last spring, sooooo, maybe a little sprucing up will help it look new. What kind of paint should I use on it??? As it sits outside in all the elements of weather. My beautiful "NEW" red gazing ball has added a new dimension to my little garden, $10 at Menards. This little garden will hold my Roma Tomato plants.

Now this shed has sat out in all the elements since we have had this property. For the last couple of years, I have wanted to do something with this shed. Today on Patty's blog she mentioned going out to her shed and painting BIG daisies on her shed..........I thought, yeah, that's what I want to do on my shed. So Patty, you got any good ideas??? I Probably will paint the outside with exterior paint........what kind of paint would I use for the fun daisies????

Here is where my fountain will be.......still working on the rock to place them around the liner. We found the water pump at Home Depot......I am excited to get this project going in the next couple of weeks, I love the sound of a water fall. So much to do......but if I can do a couple hours of work a day......I should be good to go.
Today I was painting the front porch, railings and lattice. The porch is starting to look really good, but there still is more to do. Need to remove the furniture from the porch cause I want to stain the floor. But that will be in a couple of weeks.

How in the world did I ever hold down full time and part time jobs and still keep a house??? Retirement sure has been busy these last couple of years!!
Well, time to close this blog for tonight. Take care and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh. Cheers ~ Louise 

Wordless Monday!!!

Have a great day!!!
Cheers ~ Louise

Yellow and Red Tulips in the Garden

The Star of the Garden!!

Eight yellow Tulips in all their Glory!!!

Nine Red Tulips in all their Glory!!!



As you can see there is lots of work to do, lots of weeds and grass growing....peonies are coming up along with strawberries, mint and lots of blue bells....they mostly look like weeds when they start growing but when they start blooming they are pretty. Not even sure that is their name, but they sure do take over. I have 6 rose bushes growing, they are still covered with leaves. Guess this weekend I will rake the leaves away and see if the roses made it through the long winter. Also planted, Iris's, lavender and mums. There are a few other perenials growing, but again, not sure they made it through the winter.

Here is a front view of the my house....this summer for sure I am staining the porch floor and painting the railings and posts and lattice. I want to get it done before the Clementius starts growing and taking over the right side of the porch. In this picture, you can't see them, but there is orange lillies and hopefully black-eyed susans will make their appearance. I really like spring and looking forward to sitting on the porch enjoying a meal or two.
Well time to close, have to go make JP his dinner and clean up the mess of a leaking roof, this time down the cabinets, had to take the glasses and dishes out....water all over. Just no telling how long that was going on till I noticed all the water on the counters............to get it done right will cost us $3,500 which we don't have. So other than this inconvenience....life is good.
Have a great day tomorrow and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise

A Laugh and A Fountain



Laugh for the day...........

So how you all doing today........a new week with many new surprises to come.

The weather is supposed to be nice this week. Think I will work in the yard and try to get my fountain assembled. This is what it looks like now.

The liner is going up next to the garage. The flagstone will be piled around the liner.....some how. We were looking at pumps on Saturday, Steins has one for $50 and Menards $36. I have Home Depot and Fleet Farm yet to check out. Oh the hunt of finding what you want......makes for a fun-filled day!!
Guess I better get these rocks up pretty soon....there won't be any grass growing by the time I am done. Course JP won't mind, that will be less grass to cut.

There is so much to do, enough to keep me busy for the summer...but then isn't that what summers are about....keeping busy outside and moving, moving, moving.
Hope to lose some poundage this summer, like 10 lbs would be good, maybe that will lower the blood sugars a bit. We'll see.
Well, I am cutting this blog short today, have to get some things done around the house and start working on my fountain today. Have a great day and keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh.
Cheers ~ Louise

New T-Shirts and a Challenge

Today I went to Sandi's and we made these t-shirts. The "Three Crosses" is for the Pastor.
I bought the t-shirts at Walmart for $4.00 a piece.

This t-shirt is for JP, his birthday is this month. So, yayyyyyy, this will be his birthday present. Along with a free steak at BJ Clancy's and maybe breakfast in the morning. Our BIG splurge!!!

This is my t-shirt. "Keep Calm - God's Got It" just a little reminder for us all!!! God knows, and see's everything that is going on in this world.......not to fear!!!

This one is for Mary, the Pastor's wife.

A word about the challenges: Biz is having a challenge this month. She'll be doing 100 miles, in either swimming, running, walking, riding. My challenge for May will be:
100 + miles riding my stationary bike
Walking Kylie around the block every day this month (she will be a happy doggie camper.)
One smoothie every day for May.
Hopefully I can lose a few pounds this month.
My goal; to lose 10 pounds by September.
Okay, here we goooooooooooo!!!

You all have a good day and I hope you didn't get snowed under. Keep looking up for your redemption draweth nigh. Cheers ~ Louise