Days Flying and Still Much To Do

Hi there everyone. Yeah.....I know.....right????? These days are passing by so fast. Getting away from me. I am still working on my gardens. Finally tackled the weedy garden in the front yard. I should have taken a picture....will do that tomorrow. 

Saturday, I did manage to clear the weeds away from my two rose bushes and lay some mulch. It does look nice. Now if I can just get the rest of the front yard to look nice. I have lots of mint growing that literally took over the front yard along with strawberries and violets. It's really hard to tell what's what. But, I do have till September to get things organized. 

JP's family is coming for a visit sometime this summer, would be nice to get things done by then. But I don't know if that will happen. Last Tuesday the neighbor next store, asked me to take down my little bamboo fencing that kinda covers their mess in their backyard. When I look out my kitchen window I see JUNK.....so my little fencing covered that. 

So I took down my fencing because they were having a man come and take their green fence down, then they will be able to put up a privacy fence. Well, the guy came, paid for it, pulled off the wires that held the fence together and left and has not been back to take the rest of the fence down. This could take all summer to get done. As I know how slow the neighbors work. They also have another place up north they are working on. 

So I waited and waited for the guy to return, got tired of waiting and put my little fencing back up, 5 inches on to my property so it is NOT leaning on their fence. They should be able to work around it....I just needed to see some semblance of organization. It is very depressing looking out my kitchen window and see junk piled up....it's almost like hoarders live next store to me!!!! 

Hopefully by her birthday, 7/11, the green fence will be down and her privacy fence up. What a mess in the mean time.

I got a few more tomato plants yesterday along with a pepper plant, a zuchinni plant and another cucumber plant....now I just have to find good places to plant them. Also bought 3 more bags of mulch. Yep, I went through 2 yards of red mulch this spring and could still use more. 

I am looking for a lavender/blue rose bush. I found one at Menards the beginning of Spring, but did not buy it. I should have, but procrastinated, as usual. But then, I did not know where I would plant it. But know I do.....now I have to look again for the rose bush. Maybe Shopko will still have some roses. It is hard to believe that the stores are closing out......where did this season go to????

Hey, I have already seen Christmas stuff up at Hobby Lobby....now that is really pushing it!!!!!

In September we are getting this tree cut down. It actually sits on ours and the neighbor on the other side of us. See, they already have their privacy fence. We tried to get this tree cut down 5 years ago, but the estimate to cut it down was $2600. We did not have that kind of $$$$

So Habitat for Humanity will do it for us. In September they are doing a " Rock the Block" where many houses will get fixed, yards cleaned, trees cut etc. I am afraid this tree will fall on our shed and garage. The neighbor is also worried that the tree will fall on his garage and fence. He also thinks it will fall on the neighbor behind us......whatever.....lets get this tree cut down. It's just a weed anyways "box elder" that has a bunch of bugs in the spring and fall.

This is a very big tree, all we need is a good gust of wind and down it will come. As you can see, this summer is going to be a summer packed with lots of activity and changes. One nice thing will be, there will be lots more sun back there and I can have my garden back that got lost to too much shade by this tree. 

A Note: Today Habitat for Humanity called and the tree is un-assessable for cutting. I guess the other tree will not get trimmed either. I am kinda disappointed in that decision. I have to find out if the City of Appleton will take it down or We Energies. There are wires running through the tree and I don't know if it is telephone or electric wires.  

Well time to close here, it's getting late. Keep looking up, better days are coming. Cheers ~ Louise

Mmmmm Strawberries

Hi there everyone. How are you doing today? All is well here....my strawberry plants are producing...oh my, I am in love. They are not the biggest in town....but they are good to the very last berry.

Yesterday, I saw a Robin enjoying him/herself....I wondered who the culprit was that was eating a few berries. Sitting on my porch, I found out who it was. Gosh, I had no idea that Robins ate anything other then worms!!!! Now I know.

You like my blue bowls? I picked then up at a garage sale...they also have covers. I can use them in the microwave for steaming vegetables and heating food....I shall have to try that soon. For now, they are good for my strawberries.

Nothing too much is going on today. I finally straightened out the garage yesterday, now it is an organized mess. LOL! Today I need to plant my Rose Moss, cucumbers and more zucchini in the front of the house. I will then have cucumbers and zucchini planted in 3 different places. One of those 3 places has GOT to produce some fruit for me this year. I have quite a bit of shade trees around my house, so it makes for some tough growing. I lost my apple trees....they did not get enough sun.

So, we shall see how things go this year. The plants in the front of the house will get sun pretty much all day....that's where the strawberries are. So if the strawberries are thriving....maybe the cucumbers and zucchini will too.

Well time to go do a few things around the house. You all have a great day and keep looking up. Cheers ~ Louise

A Very Big Change......

Hi there everyone. How is your day going? Mine has been pretty busy, starting with getting Kylie to the groomer by 8am. Usually after I drop her off, I go to the store for food then come home. Today, I just came home. Went on the computer for awhile, then made some breakfast. Nothing fancy, chocolate rice cakes with cream cheese and strawberries. Sat outside on the porch for awhile. Then started washing the covers on the chairs and pillowcases that Kylie sleeps on. Well gosh, after a shower and haircut she needs clean bed coverings, right??.

Then I went outside to cut some rhubarb and made some crisp....NanaDiana's recipe this is so easy and makes lots....well, it should last at least a couple of days. The Groomer called to I could pick up Kylie at 2:30. So I stopped at the gas station for gas, pizza and coffee then on to the Groomer. Gosh, Kylie was so happy to see me....she must think I am not coming back for her....silly girl.

I ran across this picture of our house when we first bought our little house in 1991.....what a big change this house has seen. The tree in back of the house is WAY big now. The bush in front of the house was really small.....and that tree left of the house was the neighbor's tree...man I hated that tree, it caused a lot of problems. Finally the neighbor had it cut down....the limbs were rubbing on our roof.

The guy we bought this house from was single and getting married. So the extent of landscaping was....all rocks around the front and side and back of the house. Whew.....it took me quite a few years to remove the rocks and replace with flowers and plants.

In 2001 we got a grant from the City to get siding, windows, doors, a new porch and a roof done. The below picture is pretty much what it looked like......I did paint the porch and floor, probably 2-3 years after it was done. It stayed pretty much the same for all these years.

                          (both these pictures were taken in the same month....before and after)

Today.....this is what my house looks like now. The shutters were painted and put back up. The porch painted, new basement windows and a re landscaping......I am so very happy with my little house.....from what it looked like in 1991 to today 2015....it's a very big change!!!!

I wish the picture from 1991 was a little bit clearer, but it was a picture from an old Polaroid camera and had gotten very dark. I very seldom do scanning and for the life of me, could not figure it out.....suddenly I figured it out and "wa-lah" I shall have to do some more scanning of "Old Pictures". That should be fun.

Well, time to close this blog....need to go outside and plant a few flowers and move the cucumbers in the back. They only got about 4 hours of sun....that's not enough. Think I will do some cucumbers in the front....full sun there. Maybe over to the left where that big bush was....plenty of space to roam.

Have a good evening and keep looking up. Cheers ~ Louise

A Yummy Spring and Summer Salad....

Hi there everyone. Hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day that included family, friends and lots of good food. Also I hope you remembered those who gave their lives that we might enjoy the freedoms we have today.

Today almost felt like a Saturday....we always seem to get lots of things done. I did manage to plant some Cosmos and sowed some cosmos seeds....so it should be fun to see them grow. Next set of flowers to plant are my Zenia's, they usually get planted along side the house, which is their regular place.

I made this wonderful salad....I think this is a keeper. Very refreshing....never thought to mix cucumbers and strawberries together. The idea came from this blog

The only thing I did different was add the salad dressing and feta cheese. On this salad I used an Asian sesame salad dressing which was very good. My previous salad had Caesar's dressing. I guess you could use any dressing you like.

This is what it looks like when the husband gets a hold of the salad.....sure glad I had my portion.

Watching the Blackhawks play the Ducks in Anaheim, CA.....10 more minutes to play and the Hawks are losing.....geez.....come on Hawks!!!!!

So this week.....the last week of May, (where did this month go????) I will be cutting a friends hair. She had asked me in April...but I was sick and not able to do it. So she waited till I felt better. Nothing planned on Wednesday. Thursday I go to the Dentist to get a deep cleaning on half my mouth. The other half will be in July. Uge, not sure I am looking forward to this....but I guess I shall survive.

I am still trying to put my house back together after having Rebuilding Together people come and make many improvements on my house.....and I am still loving all the new things added. I love my kitchen and the new ceiling.....yes, I took some pictures today....soon to be seen on this blog.

Well time to close here, I made a rhubarb crisp....so I need to go try some of that and get a drink of water....thirsty!!! (Darn the Ducks just scored and there is 4 minutes left)

Have a good evening and keep looking up!!! Cheers ~ Louise

PS....WHEW....the Hawks and Ducks are tied 4-4 and will be going into OVERTIME!!!

PSS.....'Da Hawks lost!!!! Next game is Wednesday!!!

Another Birthday 4 JP!!!!

Hi everyone, how is your day going? Today is JP's birthday. As we don't have family here, so it's a celebration with just him and I. We never were much into celebrating our birthdays like some do. We are happy when it just passes us by with no "hoopla".

 So this is the pie I made for JP. I was going to buy a "cake boss" cake for $20. But because JP suffered from "gout" this past week, I decided to stay away from all that sugar. JP likes pie and it does not last too long in this house. Simple recipe, I baked the pie shell first, till browned. Let it cool then I placed the strawberries whole on the pie crust. While the crust was baking, I mashed 4-6 strawberries, 1/4 -1/3 cup water, 1/4 cup sugar, 3 Tablespoons corn starch, 2 Tablespoons lemon juice. Mix together and heat till it thickens, let cool and pour over strawberries. Let it set in the refrigerator. Then cover with the whip cream. This pie was VERY delicious. Next time I think I will cut the strawberries up, makes it easier to eat.

 I bought JP this little Begonia plant from Festival Foods. He likes flowers, so I thought this would make him happy. When all chances of frost passes, we shall transplant it into a larger pot and keep it on the front porch.

 Here we are at BJ Clancy's Bar and Grill. Because it was JP's Birthday, he got a FREE MEAL!!! So his choice was a turkey burger, crispy hash browns and iced tea. I asked him to smile, he did, but by the time I clicked the camera he had this face on him.....geez!!!!

 JP also got some FREE ice cream with a candle on it and the waitress sang "Happy Birthday" to him. Finally got a picture of JP smiling.......yay!

This is the card I made for JP.....He likes the song "Amazing Grace" so I ripped the song out of an old song book and stamped the man with his bike on it....I rather like this card.....I think using songs from the song book will be my "go to" card....it makes a neat card for birthday's, thank you's, Thinking of you, Father's Day and Mother's Day and most everyday cards.

Here's what I had to eat....by the time I thought about taking a picture of my meal......I had munched down half it. I got a lovely salad with raspberry vinaigrette dressing. My burger was called a "Black Russian" (not the drink....although in my early years....that was my one of my favorite drinks) Sirloin Burger, covered with onions and cheese on marbled rye bread with a baked potato. It was a very good meal and I think I shall order it again. I took half of it home.....which was new to me, I usually can finish what I ordered, not today for some reason. That's good though, now I have a meal for tomorrow. Won't have to cook much after church....left-overs are good.

Well, you all have a great evening and keep looking up.....Cheers ~ Louise

Yummy Food and Keeping Warm

Hi everyone, how was your Saturday?? Mine? Very fine, slept in a little bit later then usual. Played on the computer and had breakfast, Changed the sheets on the bed and put a new quilt on. (you will see the quilt in the last picture) Washed my hair.....normal type things. Walked Kylie in the windy cold, I don't think she minds what kind of weather it is outside, just so she can go for a walk. Oh, we finally took the air conditioner out of the kitchen window. Burrrr, winter is coming. Cooked dinner, we had hamburgers, french fries and salad. Oh and made some lasagna soup too...this is batch #10.....oh yum. Yes, I guess it was a good Saturday. Now it is time to blog a little, then I will go downstairs and work on some Christmas cards for Hospice and sending out to friends and relatives. Ride my stationery bike for a few miles and then finally hit the sack in some nice clean linens...oh what cozy-ness!!! Yes, it was a good Saturday. But Sunday is coming and we must get up early for Church.

In the above picture is one of my favorite breakfasts I had recently...eggs, spinach, cheese and 1 slice of ham cooked and placed on a warm tortilla and folded over like an omelet. Sometimes topped with hot sauce or honey mustard...oh yummy. You also see some yummy watermelon pieces. A cup of decaf coffee went along with this also. This little breakfast will hold me over till 3 or 4pm then I get the munchies.

Another picture of my favorite breakfast, 2-100 calorie tortillas, eggs, spinach, cheese and 1 slice of ham. With a side of strawberries sprinkled with Stevia. A cup of decaf coffee made with my Keurig coffee machine. Oh and btw...just had a little cup of lasagna soup....oh my, this is very good. I put the recipe up on one of my blog posts, will have to check out the date. Okay, I found it in October "New fall cards and Lasagna Soup". So click on October or you can go to this link directly and get the recipe: http://twodogsinthekitchen.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/lasagna-soup/

In this picture are the ingredients for some meat balls I made a while back with the Mann's Broccoli slaw. As you see by the ingredients, eggs, hamburger, the slaw mix, garlic powder and garlic salt, (which I will cut down a bit) Parmesan cheese, parsley and dry Italian dressing. The recipe is on the back of the Mann's slaw bag.

        Mix it all together and make little balls. Place on a cookie sheet and bake @350 for 20-30 minutes.

Then I mixed the meat balls with noodles and pesto sauce and served. In this picture, I am sure it does not look very appetising but it was another one of those "very good" recipes I tried out on the husband. The best meat ball recipe I EVER tried was Fabio's Italian Meat balls...oh those were awesome. Here is the link to his meat balls. www.nutripro.net/the-perfect-italian-meatball-recipe-by-fabio-vivani/  When you go to this link, go to the search button and type in "meatball - Fabio" then click mouse and it will take you to Fabio's recipe.  Click on Continued Reading and you will get the recipe. You might also enjoy looking around at this sight.......looks kind of interesting, I might go back there for a snoop.

So in this last picture is the quilt my SIL Robyn made for me.....it's beautiful isn't it??? I was very surprised when she presented it to me. It is now on the bed, looks rather nice and very autumney....I like the browns....most of my favorite colors. One of my plans this winter is to paint the bedroom. So I will go with one of the colors in this quilt for the walls. Have not decided yet....I have a few months to play with that plan in my mind.

Well, time to close this blog for another few days till I can think of something else to talk and ramble on about. So you all take care and keep looking up for your redemption draws nigh. Cheers ~ Louise

A New Month and a Garden Harvest

Hi everyone, how are you all doing this first day of the month??? Wonder how fast this month will go by??? Hard to believe the summer is almost over except for a few more warm days ahead of us and then WINTER is just around the corner.....YIKES!!!!

Well, I thought I would post some vegies from my garden.  I made a tomato garden this year....so in the above picture you see some of my tomatoes. My but they were yummy this year.  BLT's  were absolutely divine!! My cucumbers are doing good this year as I planted the young plants in an old wheel barrel. I have tried planting in other areas but they just did not seem to grow.....the wheel barrel must have had perfect growing conditions this year.

I have onions growing all over the place....but none of the onions seem to get really big....more like small marbles...oh well, guess I will just buy them at the store. The rhubarb did not do good this year, no harvest. Had strawberries growing in the front of the house.....they did well, lots of sun and rain for those berries. Not a good year for beans....planted in two different places....they did not take off...oh well. My oregano and garlic are doing well. Peppers are growing along with the tomatoes. Oh and how did I forget....I planted potatoes in a container....they are still sprouting, so have not received a harvest as yet...that's if the squirrel does not get to them before I do......DARN that squirrel!!!!

We've been given lots of vegies though...tomatoes, peppers, jalapeno peppers, egg plant, cucumbers, cabbage have been bountiful, with more to come, I hope.

In this picture is my green apples..........I am so happy that these babies made it. As of this writing I have 11 containers of cooked up apples in the freezer. Each container will make one apple pie. Oh yum!!

Our Labor Day will consist of JP going out to the tree and getting some more apples off the tree. He is taller then I...so hopefully he'll get higher then I could. I think they are ready now, cause the apples that I cut open today....the seeds were black or almost turning. So I will cut some more apples up tomorrow, cook them and freeze some and make a pie for Labor day. We have company coming from Chicago....so guess what....they are getting some apple pie. Why buy dessert when I can make a pretty good pie here with some whipped cream...........oh my, I can hardly wait!!!!

Well, time to close, it is getting late and I need to get some sleep. Going to be a quiet day around here, we'll get some things done around the house before company comes next weekend. Have a great Labor Day and don't' labor too much......lol!!! 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

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

Birthday and Blood Test

Happy, Happy Birthday!!! My husband's birthday was on the 17th.......65 year old!!! I made him a card something like the above card but with blue flowers and butterflies. I placed this above card in my Etsy store if you would like to take a peek at: http://www.cards4ubylouise.etsy.com/ I think if you read on to the next blog from the 14th, I talk about his Birthday celebration alittle. Below, is his birthday cake. Made rhubarb and strawberry dessert layered on angle food cake and whip cream and a luscious strawberry with the candle stuck in it. Making the strawberry/rhubarb dessert is really easy.


Here is the recipe:
4 cups of rhubarb (peeled and chopped)
2 cups of strawberries (cored and sliced)
1/4 sugar (optional
or
2 packets of sweetener
Mix together in a casserole with cover.
Bake 1 hour in 300 degrees. Cool and pour over angel food cake and cover with whip cream.

I like this dessert almost as well as just plain strawberries. Oh Yummy!!!
***********************************************************************
Well, tomorrow I go for my blood test to see if my liver levels are normal after not taking any medication for a week. Got prayer today at church. So I am just believing that "God's Got It"

Guess I will close here for now, need to get to bed, the morning comes early and my appointment is at 9:20am. You keep looking up and I will too!!! Remember your redemption draweth nigh.

Cheers to all ~ Louise

Angel Lush Dessert

Here is a picture of the wonderful "Angel Lush" dessert I made for the Pot Blessing at church....
MMMMMMM........feast your eyes...such a fancy looking dessert fit for a King and Queen!!! I am thinking there aren't alot of calories either, so you can eat all you want.....hahahaha!!!! The recipe is following the second picture. So be sure to try it sometime, you will be amazed at how easy it is to make and also amazed that you can make such a beautiful cake that everyone will enjoy!!!!! This dessert is, and will be #1 on my list of desserts to make for party's, pot blessings and whatever comes up.

ANGEL LUSH with Pineapple

1 can (20 oz.) DOLE Crushed Pineapple, undrained
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding & Pie Filling
1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Wipped Topping
1 pkg. (10 oz.) round angel food cake, cut into 3 layers.
Seasonal Berries, (strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, rasberries)

MIX pineapple and dry pudding mix in a medium bowl. Gently stir in whipped topping.

STACK cake layers on plate, spreading pudding mixture between layers and on top of cake.
REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until ready to serve. Garnish with your favorite seasonal berries.

Serves 10 and takes 15 minutes to prep.

There you have it a wonderful dessert in minutes.

Enjoy and have a great day ~ Louise