Saturday, September 27, 2014
Mermen In The Sunroom!
I have recently undertaken the task to created a space to display my December Diamonds Mermen ornaments collection. I have made for them beaded and sparkly tethers from which to hand in my little sunroom. It's been a fun project with great results.
And they each come with a name.
SPARK
ALOHA and Salty
HOODIE
TATTOO and Clam Bake
BICEPS and Aquarius
PRIDE and Goalie
JAGGER
DIEGO
House Painting Time
It's getting close. In the twenty years I've lived here, I have painted the place twice. This time I will have to hire some help. I've been perusing the town for inspiration. I live in city where people love to use color on their homes. Here are some examples.
And so here's the palate that I'm playing with. More to come!
They are (clockwise from the upper left quadrant) Dark Teal, Golden Honey, Mauve Bauhaus, and Pumpkin Spice. All are Benjamin Moore Paints.
Read A Banned Book Week!
Might just want to say, "Cock-a-doodle-DOO!"
My snowfall/precip Prediction for the Winter of 2014-2015
I smooshed several forecasts together assigning points plus and minus where they over-lapped.
Harry Roscoe Ash (1897 - 1969)
Putzing around now that school is in session and taking care of my to do list created over the lean summer months, I can scratch another item off. Getting a new frame for an old photo of my grandfather taken on his first birthday in 1898. Dapper little cus, wasn't he?
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
This Winter
According to most forecasts, this winter will be a snowy cold one for us inhabitants of the nation's capital and environs. And honestly? I LOVE snow in winter. I have a fireplace and a dog to keep me warm. Not worried here.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Great Breakfast!
Savory and sweet: Sweet Italian Sausage and Potatoes with Green and Orange Peppers, and Scrambled Eggs! So simple and flavorful.
More Mermen!
As the holidays approach, I've added a couple of new mermen ornaments to my collection. "Hoodie" and "Pride" join the previous dozen, and I've decided to display them by hanging them in the sunroom. It's all about the "bling" is one of their slogans. But how to hang them in a way that does them justice? So I visited the local bead store with a notion.
What I'm Reading #70
Resting around most of the day, I read a book given to me by my friend,
Julianna, by Velma Wallis called "Two Old Woman". Subtitled "An Alaskan Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival" it certainly is all of that AND a wonderful story. Of course, I cried at times. Betrayal, Courage and survival all have a way of doing that to me, and toss in a little redemption and even some mighty fine forgiveness--well, stick a fork in me, 'cause I'm done!
The Breech of the White House by Omar Gonzalez
More often than not, people who do these sorts of things are mentally ill. They are not "Terrorists". They may be dangerous on some level, but they are not homicidal. When I learned that this man had made his way into the White House and was then tackled by the secret service, I was thankful that no harm was done. I was just as thankful that no harm was done to this man, and I was thankful that no harm was done to the President and his precious family. It's a cause to celebrate, damn it!
For a moment I thought, "Thank goodness that the White House Security isn't the Ferguson, Missouri Police Force!" The outcome would have been certainly more lethal had the amateurs in Ferguson been in charge. And now we are bombarded by the opinions of blow hard, know nothing, pundits, who make their living off of being cultural provocateurs.
At the arraignment of Omar Gonzalez, the government pointed out that in his car they found an outrageous amount of bullets (800 rounds!) and two hatchets. Where the fuck do I begin? Surely the government doesn't believe in transmoglefication of solid objects through time and space by the magical powers of the will of one person, say, one mentally ill person like Omar? Surely, the government understands how harmless bullets are without GUNS!? What was in Sergeant Gonzalez's vehicle is irrelevant to the incident. It has no bearing on his actions and is only used to hype the emotions of those who are being asked to judge him.
Do you know why Omar risk his life to get into the White House? He was desperate to tell the President that our atmosphere is failing. Hell, he might actually be on to something!
In the end lots of people will use this incident to demand from us things that are actually designed to make us more fearful and suspicious of one another. I say to them, Fuck off you evil doers! I will tell you how proud I am that this man was NOT murdered by the Secret Service. How much I HOPE he gets the medical support that this nation OWES him for his service in the military. How much I admire the President for refusing to climb into the cesspool of blame and condemnation. Some one needs to stuff socks in the mouths of the nay sayers. I am so over their negative rhetoric.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Roméo's Perch
Brought out the big ladder on Saturday, the 24 footer, to climb the side of my home and trim the back the virile trumpeter vine. I love it because it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. I fall out of love with it, because it damages the side of (and even roof of) my home left unchecked...and the checking is more and more arduous each season. I AM SORE!
On the positive side, I was even more aggressive this time and really opened up the shrouded view from my bedroom window. This is a particular boon for Roméo who loves to watch the world between naps from our bed there.
From middle of the afternoon.
On the positive side, I was even more aggressive this time and really opened up the shrouded view from my bedroom window. This is a particular boon for Roméo who loves to watch the world between naps from our bed there.
From a little earlier this evening. Same window different naps!
Little Free Library
Ready for Autumn.
More new titles: "The Shipping News," "The Beekeeper's Daughter," and "The Children Act."
And a shiny little fall owl wind chime.
My Paradise
Got home from work to find a gift of some more books and trilogy set off the New England coast and written by Katherine Towler. They were sent as entrants from my Little Free LIbrary by a friend who I think is a colleague of the author up at Southern New Hampshire University. It was a long day and so relaxing with the books, a tall glass of ice water and Roméo was just the perfect antidote.
Gum I Love!
1) Kiwi and Pear
2) Pomegranate and Plum
3) Pink Grapefruit and Lychee
and 4) Coconut and Banana
Cheesy Tortellini Veggie Bake
Peach Frittata
I bumped across this recipe today. You know I gotta try it!
PEACH FRITATTA
INGREDIENTS
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1 small onion, very thinly sliced• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 ounce fresh spinach, cooked (about 3/4 cup), drained and chopped (10 oz. pkg of frozen spinach can be substituted--it's what I used)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
• 2 large fresh peaches, pitted and sliced
• 6 eggs
• 2 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup (2 ounces) shredded Muenster cheese
Total Time: 50 minutes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
PREPARATION
In heavy, ovenproof 10-inch fry pan, sauté garlic and onion in olive oil just until wilted. Press spinach to remove all water; chop and add to pan. Heat through, blending with the garlic and onion. Stir in salt, pepper and nutmeg. Remove from heat.
Arrange peach slices on top of spinach mixture. In mixing bowl, beat eggs lightly with water and pour over all. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Bake at 325° F for 30 to 45 minutes or until set. Cut into wedges to serve.
