Florida Update

Hi Everyone!

I continue to be frustrated by the fact that I cannot post photos to BCDC.  I’ve been thinking about it and I’ve decided that it’s probably due to the fact that I haven’t used this computer since WordPress made some changes.  Could be I need to do some updating.  Although, last Saturday I was able to post a picture, so what the heck?!?    I guess I can be happy about the fact that I’ll have no shortage of material when I do get back to my regular computer.  You will all be inundated with Florida photos then!

There has been lots of things going on and lots of good eating.  As I mentioned, we’re all working on Weight Watchers so that helps us to be aware and accountable for what we eat, so even if we’re eating out, we’re paying attention.

Yesterday we went to the Boyd Hill Nature Reserve in St. Petersburg which was very interesting.  We got to see some rescued birds…eagles, owls, hawks.  The were very cool to look at, and also very noisy!

We’ll be going back to St. Petersburg again today.  Our friend, Margot is taking a pottery class there and we’re all driving along with her.  St. Petersburg is quite an interesting place.  We have a favorite little Italian restaurant that we like to go to.  We’ll be going there for lunch and we’re all looking forward to that.  There are lots of neat shops too.  There’s also a Huge book store, but we won’t be going, which might be a good thing.    😦

So that’s it from Clearwater for the moment.  Wish I could show you all the fun we’re having.  Hope everyone is doing well out there.  I have to be honest, I’m missing regular blogging.  I’ll get back on track when I get back to New Jersey.

Happy Thursday!

WIAW~Somewhere In The Sunshine State

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Hello!  I have to admit that last week I really missed playing along with all the fun people who participate in What I Ate Wednesday.  That of course is the fun link up created by Jenn at Peas & Crayons.  … Continue reading →

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?~February 25

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?  That’s a question I did not get to ask last week so I didn’t want to miss the chance to play along this week.  This link up was started by Sheila at Book Journey and it’s fun to play along.  I love to see what everyone else is reading!

I’m on vacation in Florida and vacation is a funny thing.  I either read ALL the time or I get caught up in other things and don’t seem to have the time.  Then I’m too tired at night to even read in bed.

So far this vacation has been the second kind.  Not having much time to read during the day.  My other issue is that I’m using my Nook for the first time and it’s taking a while to get used to it.

This is what I’m reading…

The Witch’s Daughter by Paula Brackston.  It was a book I got on one of the specials that Nook offers, I think I paid $1.99 for it, good deal.

I’m enjoying the book so far.  The book is partially set in the 1600’s.  One of the best parts of using the Nook, when I come upon a word from the 1600’s that I don’t know, I touch the word and I can look it up!  Very handy and helpful, since I didn’t bring a dictionary with me!   😉   We went to the beach the other day to read and I must admit it’s a little tricky to read the Nook in the sun, but I can work with it.

I have been picking up some treasures in the way of books during my trip so far, but I’ll save those for when I post an update on The Great Thrift Store Tour. 

That’s it for me for It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?  Be sure to stop by at Book Journey to check out the other blogs that  are linked up.

Happy Monday! What ARE you reading?!

Snapshot Saturday~February 23

Back again for another Snapshot Saturday.  This is the fun link up started by Alyce at At Home With Books.   Be sure to check out the other blogs and their great photography and be sure to leave some comments.

I’m here in Clearwater, Florida.  I had a unique experience on Friday.  I attended my first baseball game!  Not a real game, but an inter squad game-all Phillies.  We were at Bright House Field, which is where the Phillies do their spring training.  I was like a little kid, looking at all of the players and trying to figure out who was who. 

My photo today is a little odd and as always, seems to come with a story.

Looking up at the beautiful blue sky with the clouds, I couldn’t help but notice the huge lights used for the night games.  All I could think of was the scene in The Natural when Robert Redford’s character hits the ball which hits the lights and everything explodes like fireworks.

We didn’t have any fireworks, but it was a fun experience and maybe some day I’ll make it to a real baseball game! 

Be sure to stop by At Home With Books to check out the other great photos.  You’ll enjoy it!

Happy Snapshot Saturday!

Going Steady

Good Morning, Everyone! I have resurfaced in the Sunshine State!

First I want to thank all of you for your kind words, thoughts and prayers regarding the death of my brother-in-law.  The services were beautiful and it was wonderful to see so many people paying well deserved tribute to a terrific guy.  This may sound strange to say about a funeral but it was an amazing experience, filled with love and memories. 

We were back from the funeral late Monday afternoon in time for me to do my boarding pass for our flight on Tuesday.  My friend Angie and I were flying on Southwest and we both got good positions in line for boarding which turned out not to matter because the flight was only half full.

The fun started at 3:30 am Tuesday morning when I woke up and say it with me…”couldn’t go back to sleep!” So I started the day pretty blurry.  I actually tried going back to sleep, but that didn’t work. I got everything done, quite a few things to make sure Ralph was set before I left, fresh sheets on the bed, fresh towels.  I showed him where everything was that he might need.  Yes, he’s lived in the house for over 20 years, but he’ll still ask me, “Where is there a dish I can use in the microwave?”  He’s so cute.

Our flight was scheduled for 5:15 pm.  We planned to leave at about 2:30…we like to leave early and not have any worries about traffic jams or that sort of thing, and it was raining.

At about 1pm…my First call from Southwest…the flight is rescheduled for 6:45pm…Heavy sigh…call to Angie to reschedule our meet up time to 4pm.  All set, I lay down for a bit, I’ve been up since 3:30, remember.  Finally, Ralph and I have our coats on, ready to go warm up the car.  Second call from Southwest says the flight is now leaving at 5:55!!  We’re about to be late.  There’s a storm going on out there and now we have to rush to get there!

I get another call from Southwest while we’re on the road, telling me again that the flight is leaving at 5:55.  We get to the airport, get through security pretty efficiently and get to our gate.  We’re there for a few minutes when we find out the flight is Now rescheduled for 7:40 pm!!  Not good.  But although I’m at the airport, the calls don’t end.  I got two more calls telling me that the flight was now departing at 7:40pm.  I was starting to feel I was going steady with Southwest, or that I had a stalker!  As it turns out, after talking to some other passengers, I actually missed a call regarding a gate change. 

All this babbling aside, we took off about 8:15 and we Finally got to Tampa at about 10:30.  I must admit I was with the other passengers when they applauded upon landing.  The flight itself was uneventful, what I usually experience with Southwest, but I was very glad to get here.

So now the fun has begun!  I still may not be posting every day, but when I do there will be lots of good food, The Great Veggie Burger Tour continues, as does the Great Thrift Store Tour.  It’s sunny and beautiful, but I miss Ralph already.

Happy Thursday!  It IS Thursday, isn’t it?!

Sporadic

Hi Kids!

Due to several circumstances at the moment, BCDC might be a bit sporadic for the next few days.  With a death in the family we’ve got services to attend and we’ll be staying over night near where the services will be held and I don’t have time to load up the computer stuff and won’t likely have time to actually post.

On Tuesday, I’ll be leaving for three weeks in Florida.  That’s been planned but everything is happening so quickly that my head is spinning.

I do promise that once I get to Florida, I’ll get back on track and into my usual routine.

What’s that old saying about absence making the heart grow fonder?  Well, I’ll miss you all and I’ll look forward to getting back together with all of you sometime around mid-week.  I’ll have my feet back on the ground, in several senses by then.

Thanks to all of you for your kind and continued support.

Happy Sunday!

Snapshot Saturday~February 16

Snapshot Saturday is presented each week by Alyce at her blog At Home With Books. There are lots of people participating and it’s great fun.  Be sure to stop over there after you’re finished here to check out some great photography and to leave some comments.

I really hadn’t gotten any good photos this week and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to share from my archives.  Doesn’t that sound fancy?!  My stash of old photos…that sounds more like me!

How about another photo or two from our day at Paws Farm for Colette’s birthday.

Moss on the roof of the old smoke house at the farm.

From a slightly different angle.

One more angle.

The smoke house itself.  It was such a beautiful day and I loved trying to get creative with the shots.

Be sure to check out more snapshots at At Home With Books!

Happy Saturday.

Sad To Say

It is always hard to deal with a loss in the family.  Today we are mourning the loss of a wonderful man, Ralph’s brother-in-law, John, husband of sister Kathy.  John was one of those people who always had a smile and could light a room just by entering.  If you weren’t in a good mood, seeing John would put you in a better mood.

I’ve shown you all some examples of his amazing way with carving.  In a post in 2011 at Christmas, I shared some of the beautiful pieces that John has made over the years.  Each year for Christmas, everyone in the family would get a treasure, carved lovingly by him.

I showed you more of his artistic talent in June of 2012 when we celebrated his 70th birthday.  John and Kathy’s home had a room on the lower level with shelf after shelf of his carvings.  I took lots of photos and shared them.  It’s just amazing what he was able to do.

It’s impossible to sum up a person in a photo or a few paragraphs.  I’m distracted and upset and not doing John the justice he deserves.

I do believe however that I have one photo of him that for whatever reason, I feel is the essence of him.

He’s wearing a tee-shirt with his and Kathy’s photo taken on their honeymoon.  We were also celebrating their 50th anniversary that day.  He was about to blow out his candles and cut his cake.  Not the kind of guy who liked a fuss made about him,  I can just hear him saying, “Gosh, is this all about me?”   Yes, John, today it is all about you.  I’m a better person for having known you.  I don’t think I’d get an argument from anyone on that.  We’re all better people for having known you.  God Bless You, John, we’ll miss you.

Happy Valentine’s Day To Me

I often talk about the many interesting and wonderful things I find on my kitchen counter when I wake up in the morning.

Valentine’s Day is no exception.  Ralph and I had gone on an excursion yesterday because he wanted me to pick out a box of candy.  I was going for something small, about the size of a saucer.  He would have none of that.

This is what I picked out along with what I found with it on the counter this morning when I got up…

 

Nearly a pound of truffles.  What shall I do with them?!   😉     I love the drawing he did for the front of the card.  Take note that the envelope is cut and the drawing is set into it. That’s because the envelope to my card was red and Ralph doesn’t like to draw on the dark color if he doesn’t have to.  So he added it!

The inside was the best though.  I don’t know how many of you are familiar with Animaniacs.  It was a wonderful, hysterical animated series done by Stephen Spielberg back in the 90’s.  It’s always been one of our favorites.

Well, Ralph thinks I look like Dot, one of the characters.  This was the inside of my card…

 

If you’re not familiar with the show, you should become familiar with it so that you can appreciate how amazingly good this is. He is hysterical with things like this.  He’s crazy and I Love Him!

Happy Thursday!  Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

WIAW~All in All

Hello, All!  It’s that lovely middle of the week time when we all get together to drool and snoop and look at each other’s food.  Sound like fun?  Then you’ve come to the right place.  Well, actually the Real Right Place is Peas & Crayons where Jenn has cooked up What I Ate Wednesday!  Be sure to check it out when you’re finished here at BCDC…there’s lots of good food to wish you had eaten.  That’s how I always feel!    😉

Ok, I know we’re supposed to be doing Veggie Love again, but I haven’t gone to the produce market in Too long.  I did manage a few veggies though.  You’ll see…

First a few familiar faces.

Greek yogurt with apple and of course, Cinnamon!

 

Caramel rice cakes with peanut butter and…oh, yes, Cinnamon! This is one of my favorite snacks or breakfasts or lunches.  Heck, I’d even eat it for dinner if given the opportunity!

Saturday was the day with two breakfasts. First, right after Weight Watchers, Debbie, Kristen and I went to breakfast.  My choice…oatmeal with…all together now…Cinnamon!

So good!

Second breakfast…I looked but I could not find a single Hobbit!!  Only Ralph, who suggested we go even though he knew I had just had breakfast.

 

Greek omelette (tomato, spinach, onions and Feta) with my happy side of cottage cheese to replace the potatoes.  There…Some veggies for you!

Sunday lunch…

 

Pepper and egg sandwich, my favorite.  They forgot to put on the American cheese I requested so I put my own on. Frustrating sometimes.

Monday took us unexpectedly to one of our favorite spots and I got my favorite menu item…the Athenia Burger.

 

You’ve seen it before because I have it almost each time I go there.  It is Greek salad with a burger…meant to be a regular burger, but they have a delicious veggie burger which I substitute.  I’m never sorry…tasty and filling.

I guess that All in All, I did pretty well with the veggies this week.  Just wait until I get to the produce market and I’ll show you what veggies are all about.    😉

Be sure to make your way over to Peas & Crayons, check out all the yummy treats and leave some comments!

Happy What I Ate Wednesday!!