Good morning chicks,
Sunny day here. Took my coffee on the patio. There are lots of yellow swallowtail butterflies, most of which have exhausted whatever pollen is in the lone lantana plant, but they keep going back there. I will have to go into town and see if they have another one since only the bees (4 varieties of them) like my other flower selections. The driveway is half sand, half cement and there is a parade of dragonflies
dancing over the sandy part of the driveway, back and forth, forth and back, dancing in zigzags and circles in the sunlight. I know they are bug catchers but for the life of me, can't understand what's over the driveway as opposed to what I would think was better hunting over the lawn. Perhaps DH mowed the good stuff away yesterday. When we came home yesterday a lone turkey was mucking through the weeds along the road. DH felt so bad, he really wants to start feeding them again but we can't so I hope there are lots of bugs in the weeds for the turkeys. I do like Yoplait brand yogurt as it's one of the few that does not contain artificial sugar substitutes for sweetening, but the sugar sweetened one has become too sweet even for me. They came out with a new line of Greek yogurts (twice the protein) and I have been trying in vain to get my hands on the coconut flavor. Finally saw it at the store yesterday and snatched up 2 packs. It's half the sugar and calories of it's older counterpart. Reminds me more of the traditional yogurt - the sort of sour, thick stuff which is true yogurt before they started thinning it out and adding lots of sugars and flavors to appeal to the American palate. Did I mention that I did not at all like the yogurts of the 70's
Anyway since this is tart, I added some big fresh blueberries I picked up yesterday as well as chopping up a tart but juicy peach and added a handful of a granola like cereal for a bit of crunch and texture - it had dates, raisins and nuts so I got more of that good stuff too. Not bad I must say, especially when enjoyed with coffee on the deck. It's just that there's ALOT of buzzing out there from the various insects so you have to drown that out.
Last night we grilled up boneless pork chops, fresh pineapple, steamed brocolli and since DH wanted pork and beans and I did not, I chopped a few potatoes, added some onion (which he hates) and a bit of fresh parsley and dill from my garden. Popped it in the oven and had the exhaust fan on which carried the smell into the yard. DH said I know you are cooking onions but DARN that smells REALLY good. It was a very nice meal. Going to mostly be eating protein from the freezer as I have to use up some of that stuff. I hope my fresh produce from last week's shopping trip will carry us through the week. We have to start watching our money a bit more closely going forward now that we have to pay for health insurance with a carrier I am not too happy about at that.
I worked a half day on the museum stuff, at this point I just want to be done with it as it's very time consuming and tedious and it feels like I will never get done with it. I also have to plant my herbs into pots. My cousins are getting together later this afternoon for burgers and Bloody Marys at a local bar but I haven't decided if I want to go yet. And that's all that's happening in my corner of the world.
Ellen - sometimes we just wake up early for no obvious reason. As you say tho, then at some point we peter out and want a nap. Hope you can get through a long work day.
Mel - glad you got some decent weather. Yep, it looks like maybe
we are out of the frost danger for good. Someone was saying that up this way you have to wait until the first full moon in June to put your garden in and we're about there right now. It gets downright cold overnight but warms up so quickly once the sun comes out. It was 53 when DH got up at 7 and 4 hours later it's almost 80 degrees. You would very much like it on the deck here - we can put you under the patio umbrella if the sun is too much for you. Or park you in the gazebo if the buzzing of the flies and bees is too much for you - don't want to wear your arm out swatting
You can still get a good view of the goldfinches and hummingbirds from in there. But you are right, weather has been rather wierd this year. El Nina, Mayan Calendar, Global Warming
Shad - I will never forget getting unexpectedly stuck overnight while travelling on business and having to dry our panties with a hair dryer. The feel of damp inseams on pants is not a good one
You need lightweight garments that pack and dry well which is difficult when winter sets in on your side of the world. Glad that you at least had a local chemist to get some things to help the cold symptoms.
and a warm mug of lemon honey tea
Laura - was it the wild rice soup or the potato soup? I was looking at that myself and would welcome a recommendation. Bummer on having to put money out for the car - glad you were at least in a place where you could get some help rather than parked at the woods taking a bike ride! Did you wind up getting out last night?
DH is pestering me to water the garden (I think he's watering too much and don't want to grow a fungus here) so I'd better get out and in front of him. Have a good Sunday ladies - hellos to all Worldly Chicks.