Choice Morsels

 There's normally several unique Mama Kat prompt topics to choose from weekly such as nature, favorite recipes, a list of places you'd visit if money were no object, etc. Today's selected topic is: "Something your spouse does that makes you happy." My husband does lots of things that make me happy, being the considerate fellow that he is. Probably one of the most notable things he does that makes me very happy is he leaves me love notes on Post-its. It's not every day, so it's more special when I do find one, usually tucked into the handle of my Mr. Coffee pot every now and then, waiting for me to find when I get up, since he leaves early. There is one especially memorable time about 6 years ago, when he was going to be out of town for several days, that he decided to compose 20  Post-it love notes (heart-shaped), then gleefully hid them all over the house! I think he let me know there were a bunch and it turned into a fun game for me to t

Today, I went to Y for my bi-weekly interval training. I've never used paper plates for a work-out before, but turns out sliding that plate back and forth on the floor with your toe is a really good workout for the legs and bum!   Anyway, today's Garden Pic is a "before and after" blackberry collage: First the pretty white blossoms, then later, a multitude of berries!     The blackberries are pretty much done now and I need to cut back the old canes that bore this years berries. New growth is already springing up for next years bearing. I put the berries in containers in the freezer as I pick them and intend to make blackberry jam.   ******* We saw Monsters University last weekend. It's about how Mike & Sully became friends and Scarers. It's a prequel to Monsters, Inc. I observed at least two ethical themes in the movie: #1) Anyone can succeed, regardless of what they look like. #2) By working hard, you can achieve any dream.&qu

It's another sweltering day in Florida. Chances of rain are 30 to 40% every day. It's "heat rain" caused by a conflict between the cooler from the Gulf running into the hotter air over land, producing interludes of rain ranging from sprinkles to thunder showers. It can be perfectly sunny and raining. Welcome to the sub-tropics.   Today's Good Eating topic is three "power up" breakfast ideas when you need long-lasting energy for strenuous activity, whether a job, an exercise class or just working outside, particularly in summer heat. [inspired byYahoo Shine!]   #1)  Whole Wheat Toast with Sliced Bananas with a dash of Cinnamon. It's a mix of protein & complex carbs plus is easy to digest. Cinnamon is noted for stabilizing blood sugars and improving brain function. Alternative options : use raisins instead of bananas. Also 1 tsp of honey can be mixed into peanut butter for extra energy.   #2) Oatmeal with Fresh Fruit. Oatmeal

It's Mama Kat Prompt Day and today's topic is: "Something you've recently tried from your Pinterest board." Honestly, there's more in Pinterest then any one person could try in a life time, but I have given a few things a whirl. I mostly follow recipes and gardening tips and generally just "like" things I'm interested in trying for later reference. So far, I've tried the following: Baked Sliced Potatoes: Slice potatoes (2lg) into very thin slices (1/4 inch). Toss potatoes in (3Tbsp) olive oil, Italian seasoning (1tbsp) and salt (1tsp) in a ziplock bag to coat. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with foil. Bake at 450 for 15 -20 minutes, until lightly brown. Top with Parmesan cheese and bake an additional 5 minutes. Verdict : Yummy! Will make again.                                    Hydrangea Tip:     Put a couple of pennies in the soil with your hydrangeas to turn them blue. Verdict: Still Waiting. I put a p

I got to my Interval Training Cardio class this morning. I missed Monday's class because a power-out made my clock wake me too late!  I was honored today that the instructor asked me to be an example of "modified" aerobics for the class, so students unable to do "high" aerobics would have a pattern to follow! ("High" involves jogging and jumping, while "modified" is done without jogging or hopping---easier on the knees & feet.) After I came home and ate lunch, I re-applied anti-pest powder to beans and tomatoes, since the last application was washed off by the rain overnight. Also snipped a bunch a basil to put in my dehydrator today! I really need to mow---but it's 90 degrees right now, muggy as a wet sock and looks like another daily rain is pending. It's just that time of year. Today's Garden Pics are of some of the more unique things in my garden: First is my bi-color Hardy Hibiscus. This is a single plant  from

 I was outside staking up some Hardy Hibiscus out back today, tying up tomatoes, picking beans, etc. Had to apply a little powdered insect repellent on the tomatoes and beans. Today's Good Eating topic today is Garlic! This member of the onion family has a bad rep, but is actually extremely good for you! It's shown to be effective for lowering blood pressure, lowering total cholesterol as a whole,  lowering heart attack risk, helping keep arteries flexible and preventing an assortment of cancers. Garlic is also a natural antibiotic. Louis Pasteur used it on the front-lines in World War 1 to help prevent gangrene and blood poisoning and the Russians relied on it heavily during World War 2 for similar reasons, so its bacteria and virus fighting power is well established. During cold season : the recommend dosage is 1 clove a day to prevent cold or flu and general good health.   Now you say, "doesn't it cause bad breath?" It can, though I notice different

The Mama Kat topic for today is: "What are you eating? Share a yummy summery recipe."   For me, summer means more cooking on the grill, then on the stove, so the yummy summery recipe I have to share is one we had last night: Greek Chicken With Yogurt Sauce!   Just a pretty pic I found to illustrate  grilled chicken Now the original recipe was from Pillsbury.com, but the one I'm going to share is my own modified and improved version for the grill. It's the cinnamon on the chicken and the cool tzatziki style yogurt sauce that really gives it summery pizazz!   Yogurt Sauce : In a food chopper or food-processor add: 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped (Or one half of a peeled English cuc--no seeds.) 1/2 cup plain Greek-style yogurt 2 Tbsp fresh parsley 1 small to medium size clove of fresh garlic. (=1 tsp) 2 tsp lemon juice 1/4 tsp cumin Dash of salt Now chop or process until smooth. Put in container and refrigerate until time t

Yesterday I hedged one of the Azalea's that edge my sidewalk--I use hand hedge sheers, so it's a good arm workout! Today I just picked blackberries. It's Gardenia time! My huge bush out front is thick with them and the air is fragrance with their clove-like scent! Whatever's blooming outside goes into my vase, so today's garden pick is a mixed vase that includes Gardenias, Agapanthus, Hydrangea and Black-eyed Susan's:     As a vase flower, Gardenia's are short-lived. Maybe 2 or 3 days, though it's worth it for the smell.  Their head's are heavy, too, so they tend to droop over the side of the vase. I had to reposition these after they'd been in the vase water an hour, flipping them around and putting some in the middle of the arrangement where other flowers will hold them up. Tricky. Also, when cutting Gardenia's, just choose ripe white buds or barely open flowers, give a quick rinse under cold water, shake off gently and ar

  Finally---it's been raining yesterday and today. Though I've been watering the veggie garden and flower beds, the grass has been in bad need. I was outside picking blackberries this morning and everything looks so happy! I've been able to return to my normal exercise class schedule this week at the Y and went back to the Interval Training class this week. Before I get to the food, I want to give you a cool home recipe for a Foot Detox Bath! The basic premise is toxins picked up throughout the day in your body can be pulled out through your feet by the bath. It's the basic premise of those Japanese foot-pads, though the home-made mix of sea salt, Epsom salts & baking soda is much cheaper! I think is works. This recipe is one part sea salt, one part Epsom salt to two parts baking soda. Basic Recipe: 1 cup Sea Salt (Morton is a common brand) 1 cup Epsom Salts 2 Cups Baking Soda Directions: Combine in a container and keep covered. Add 1/

The Mama Kat prompt topic for today is: "Tell us about a job you quit...and why?"   I suppose everyone has a job they've quit at some point. I quit mine after 17 years. I used to work for a local flower shop as a floral designer. When I was first hired, the manager was a woman named Millie. She's actually the one who trained me and she was a pretty good manager. She provided a strong sense of leadership, clear guidelines for everyone to follow, hosted feed-back/brain-storming sessions for her employees and was smart enough to have an assistant manager, so she didn't have to be there every minute.   About 18 months later, Millie decided to retire and her assistant manager, Donna, took over as manager. Now the flower shop was actually owned by a Frenchman named Alain, who was a very savvy businessman. He just did the books, paid the bills and set the financial goals for the managers. Donna was a decent manager. She was there Monday through Friday a

  Greetings! It's been quite dry here for several weeks, so I've not been mowing. But today---a good chance some rain is predicted, so I mowed today---though, not a complete mow.  More a spot mow where grass was long and still green. Where it's dry I left it alone. Everyday, I'm picking fat blackberries and putting them in a container in a freezer. I have making fresh blackberry jam in mind.   Today's Garden Pics: First up, my "monster" Hardy Hibiscus. This plant is over 8 feet tall---uncommonly tall for the breed, which normally runs only 3 to 4 feet in height max. It's been tall like this ever since I first sprouted it's seed and planted 4 years ago and it consistently comes back this height every year. I keep it tied to a pole and staked on 3 sides to keep it upright. It's gorgeous when it comes into bloom, which will be soon. Also it and the Pampas Grass next to it make a fantastic natural fence between us and our neighbors l

Welcome to June! I've been busy most days over the past couple weeks carefully photographing my various day lilies as they open. I have a number of specialized colors including a creamy white, which just bloomed for the first time this year. I use these photos for Calendar designs. I had an idea the other day to make a "Devotional Calendar" featuring a day lily with a scripture and a brief devotional---original, of course. It would make a good writing challenge for me! Today's Good Eating Recipe is Chicken Pasta Salad. And the special seasoning ingredient is home-made Basil Pesto! The actual salad I made Pasta Salads are an easy make-ahead meal for any occasion! I this one last night for the military singles who come to our house for Bible Study. I served it with hot whole-grain garlic bread and lime-pear jello. For this recipe I used a rotisserie chicken because it's easy and already seasoned. Also on dressing options, I recommend you check