The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Debbie

Yesterday was my last day to attend the book club this year. *tear* As most of you know, I’m signed up for a fall photography class that just so happens to interfere with book club. While I’m so excited about my class, I’m really going to miss this amazing group of gals. But January will be here and in no-time and I’ll be back to join the group.

The Storyteller, it’s the book that brought us together for discussion yesterday. Note: I did not have time to read the book this month but it didn’t stop me from seeing my friends.

I can’t begin to tell you what a cool group we have (there were 14 of us yesterday). We take turns sharing our homes and have a different moderator each month.

The moderator shares a bit of history about the author and book and passes the questions out to the group. Then we go around the room reading our question and sharing our thoughts. It adds great dimension to the book.

But before we get started in on our book, we always have to start with a little something on our plates with a nice beverage of sorts. Are these not the prettiest and colorful summer plates ever?

And then we talk about any agenda that needs addressed. Like our end of the summer pot-luck. Yum!

Finally gathered…

and getting into the heart of the questions.

Man I’m going to miss you girls. But look forward to seeing all of you at the pot-luck next month!

Blessings – Debbie

Our Productive Weekend

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Debbie

It’s Monday! And as I reflect over the weekend, I gotta tell ya, it was a good one.

Some may question what two people do with over 20 tomato plants. Well, the short answer is this. It keeps us busy in the kitchen, side by side with our cutting boards and dueling knives.

So over the weekend, we made two different salsa recipes. The dutch oven below is getting piled high with a batch we were preparing to cook for 3.5 hours. It turned out really good!

And we made tomato bisque + grilled cheese sandwiches.

I’ve despised tomato soup since childhood, but I could eat the entire batch of tomato bisque.

We’re certainly getting our fair share of vitamin C.

Our drainage, pavers and retaining wall project is complete, all the way around to the front of the house. Happy JOY! It’s done folks, DONE! Truly hard for us to believe as we’ve been waiting for this day for a very long time.

The clean-up crew has a few more things to tidy and there is some happy gardening and furnishings on the way…In time…

We’re thrilled with the productive weekend and looking forward to this new week.

Blessings – Debbie

My To Do List is Shrinking – Or Is It

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Debbie

Happy Friday! I hope you’re having a delightful day.

News Flash – IT RAINED TODAY! That’s big news out here in Southern California.

So this week is flying at record speeds for me. And I’m thankful my to do list is shrinking.

Finished editing (our nephews) Sr Pictures – will have CD in the mail tomorrow
Harvest tomatoes – I had a count of 78 ripe tomatoes (in the kitchen) yesterday. Big things are happening with our bumper crop!
The hubs ordered a food mill last weekend = we’re making a large batch of tomato bisque this weekend.
Spent 2 + hours each morning in the garden, it’s what I love.

One of the things crossed off the list, is a “hair-cut” appointment (yes, I’m cutting it off) scheduled for next week. Truth be told, I’m having second thoughts. That means I have plenty of time to change my mind another 10 – 20 times between now and then, right?

The little breakfast nook is coming right along. From the succulent pots in the window, the painted fork and spoon and the hubs hung the valances for me last weekend.

Afternoon Labor of Love – So we made salsa last Sunday afternoon. It’s something we could not wait to make with our fresh tomatoes, bell and jalapeño peppers from the garden. Good stuff right there…In fact, another batch is in the works.

Since this is not the hubs Friday off weekend, it’s my day to play catch-up in the house before the weekend.

Cheers to crossing a bunch of chores off the list such that I can have a nice weekend of rest with the hubs.

I suppose that means it’s time to add more things to the list of thing to do. Isn’t that the way it goes?

Blessings – Debbie

Back to School and Dropping Book Club

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Debbie

There is no easy way to say this as my heart tugs in both directions. And I’m bummed that I can’t have my cake and eat it too. But that’s the way things work and it’s all good.

So I received the fall college class schedule and the photography class I’ve been waiting to take, just so happens to conflict with the club day and time. And I was sad I couldn’t do both. But I also realize they only offer this class in the fall/once a year. So I did the only thing I knew to do. Drop the club and enroll for the class. I did ask our group leader if I could come back after my class this fall and she said “YES”! Makes me happy.

I’m really excited about my class though. I’ve already had the teacher and he’s Good with a capital G. So I already know it’s going to be packed with a lot of knowledge. I’m so excited and thrilled he didn’t retire as he mentioned he may be doing that soon. So it’s off to school I go, next month!

This summer is filled with fun little projects. Most of all, I’m having fun playing in the dirt, painting projects, photo shoots, eating tomatoes as fast as I pick them, creating little succulent gardens and weekend projects with the hubs…

This was my photo shoot yesterday…

The Tarantula Hawk Wasp – this is the specimen I found (on the ground) while gardening. I thought it was interesting enough to do a photo shoot. And then I had to google it to find out what it was. I mean really, he’s freaking 2″ long! And the first I’ve ever seen anything like it. I also learned it’s the state insect of New Mexico. I learn something new every day…

Remember the wood fork and spoon (painting project) from last week? Well, I got around to hanging the set in the breakfast nook.

And this morning I put together 3 more miniature succulent gardens for the window. I’m smitten with all the free pickings in our backyard.

A closer look.

And this afternoon, I have household plans…Plans that don’t look so pretty in pictures. But I’m going to feel great having these things accomplished.

Happy Wednesday, Peeps!

Blessings – Debbie

Monday Morning Succulent Creations

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Debbie

Little succulent gardens – One of the many things on my heart since the day we moved into our new home. And I finally got around to getting my hands in the dirt to create a couple of miniature gardens this morning.

I dug out this old rusted plant stand that came with the property and created a little succulent garden with baby succulents found in the backyard.

Turns out, I had so much fun creating this garden, that I made another as well. The best part, everything was free!

This is a shot of the above garden from the top.

The next succulent garden found a new home on the upper terrace.

A close-up of my little hanging garden.

I’m certain there will be more little gardens to create in the future.

Until next time…

Blessings – Debbie

Another Week

Posted on July 13, 2014 by Debbie

Hey you guys! Guess what? The weekend is moving along way too fast. And we’re taking each minute to enjoy, relax, garden, grill and rest.

So, another week has passed. A time to focus on the images (there’s a lot) I took of our nephew back when he was visiting in May.

And to slow myself at feeding time around the lilies. Love our yellow and white goldfish.

And to slow down even further to enjoy the little things. The heart of the daylily thru my eyes.

On a serious note…Or not…

Duck Lips – Since it’s been the “in thing” (for some), I thought I should at least have a go at the ever so popular (or not) expression. + I think it’s great to have on the blog (when I’m 90 looking back over life) as evidence that I got involved. I heard (what do I know?) the best duck lips are formed when you say the word prune.

And now, I think I’ll get back to gardening and focus on the cool things I want to add to the to do list this week. I believe there is more painting involved. Should be fun!

Blessings – Debbie

Wet Paint

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Debbie

I know, I haven’t been around for a while. But it doesn’t mean I’m not here. I am.

After our fun-filled weekend in LA, I decided to take a break.

I needed a little time away from my camera too. Time to unwind and get back into the swing of things.

Time for rest and gardening and figuring out when to tackle a couple of painting projects I want to accomplish this month.

Time to enjoy the 3-Day Holiday weekend (Independence Day) with the hubs.

Friday night (Independence Day) we decided to watch a movie – The Piano. And sometime during our show I began to hear noises. And I asked the hubs if he would pause our show. I said “I hear something, do you?” The hubs responded “oh, that’s the fireworks.” Duh! 🙂 Then we had a look-see outside, but we were not able to see anything from our yard.

And then we decided to make the rest of our weekend as uneventful as possible. In fact, the cars remained in the garage all weekend. Just what we needed.

Although, we had the little work crew working on (what seems) our never-ending backyard project. We hope to have it finished in the next week, two at the most.

Oh, another thing. We never jumped on the Glee bandwagon. That is, until this weekend. We started watching season 1 from the very beginning and we were smitten from the start! So much so, that the next few days turned into a Glee marathon topped with popcorn and other goodies.

Monday was all about catching up on the weekend laundry, gardening, cleaning and food shopping.

Wet Paint

Today I’m working on one of my projects involving paint.

I picked up this wooden set at an estate sale a month or so ago. And the idea is to paint them white for the kitchen.

As of this afternoon, they have 3 coats on the upper side.

I hope to have them finished and hanging in the kitchen tomorrow.

While I’m in the middle of a “do not touch – wet paint” sort of day – It’s a great day to be outdoors painting.

Blessings – Debbie

LA for the Weekend

Posted on July 2, 2014 by Debbie

Last Friday, the hubs and I made our way to LA.

That evening we got to meet our daughters boyfriend’s parents and sister.

We did it up right with BBQ dinner at Lucille’s. Allow me to say, their baby back ribs are fall off the bone tender and yummy and messy. Oh my goodness! And they brought warm rolled cloths (to the table) after our meal. I call that great service.

Then we went to Cold Stone for some ice cream.

And then we partied ’til the early morning hours in Koreatown, at this really cool Korean karaoke place.

Fun times!

Daddy daughter team.

While the hubs was singing…(He was singing a special song “to rme” – Makes me happy.)

the rest of the gang were finding favorite songs to cue.

One of the groups favorite of the night was Yellow Submarine – we all got a big kick out of that.

Singing a song

Gotta love it – I believe they were singing Mamma Mia and they danced the entire song.

Getting ready for her song…

And sometime in the early morning hours, we grew a little weary and called it a crazy fun day and night to remember. We shut the place down!

The next morning (Saturday) we took a stroll down to the beach for brunch.

And what do you know?

We happened on Jillian Michaels summer shape up.

I didn’t bother counting all of the tents and crew, but it was quite the turnout.

She had the place rockin’

I walked all the way around and got as close to her as I could.

She’s in the image below up on the stage between the two flags with a cap. See her?

And then we found the perfect spot for brunch.

Cute little picture as we were leaving.

And then we were off to Dodger Stadium to watch our Cardinals play ball!

Good Year kept us company all afternoon.

Here we have a few of the hubs friends from St Louis.

I’ll say the hubs did an amazing job coordinating this super fun event. He even scored tickets just 13 rows from the field and close to the home plate.

There were 16 of us total.

It was a sad day for Cardinal fans, but we still rallied at the 7th inning stretch.

Friends at the game – I think they were discussing a Cardinal comeback.

But our friend need not say a word – He truly shows that our Cardinals were out there looking like a bunch of clowns. It was pathetic…Almost laughable.

Then a few of us gathered at a Mexican joint to finish the day.

And the hubs and I made it home sweet home a little after midnight.

We’ve been trying to catch up on rest ever since.

I think we are finally back into the swing of things.

And we are truly looking forward to this upcoming three day weekend. Although I think we have plans to keep it as low key as possible. Sounds good to me!

Blessings – Debbie

I Call The Shot – one picture at a time

My world of art, life and health thru a lens

Monthly Archives: July 2014

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

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Our Productive Weekend

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My To Do List is Shrinking – Or Is It

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Back to School and Dropping Book Club

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Monday Morning Succulent Creations

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Another Week

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Wet Paint

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LA for the Weekend

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